Authors Note: Sorry for the long absence everyone! Hopefully updates will become more scheduled from here on in. ^_^

"C'mon Munky! Just one dance!" Tugger was practically dancing around his brother, trying to keep the mischievous look from his eyes.

"With whom? You?" Munkus muttered, looking utterly unamused as his eyes scanned the clearing once more; searching for something, unmoving from his perch. Something was missing, but what he didn't know.

"Ha! As much as I'd love to dance with you Munkus," Tugger began, rolling his eyes sarcastically," I'm sure there's someone free down there. Besides," swiftly he stepped behind the Munkus and pushed the Tabby forward. "You need to relax and have fun!"

Munkus didn't necessarily resist as he neared the dance floor but he didn't rush forward. After letting Tugger ramble about 'lossening up,' he locked his legs and stopped dead on the edge of the tire. The Maine Coon ran into his back.

"Tugger, someone needs to keep a lookout," he said. "Besides, everyone's taken."

"That's where you're wrong Munky-boy!" Tugger laughed and gave his older brother a final, unexpected shove. Munkustrap yelped as he stumbled off the tire. "You'll thank me for this Munkus!"

Munkus tripped forward, regaining his balance just in time to catch a tri colored queen in his arms.

Scarlot had fallen with a surprised squeak as Bomba knocked her off their perch. A gasp escaped her as she practically stumbled right into Munkustraps arms.

"Hey, easy!" He said, just as surprised. His voice a sweet tenor that made her heart skip a few beats for reasons she couldn't explain.

For a moment she was speechless, then squirmed out of his grip and took a step back, her face vibrant red.

"S-sorry." She stuttered, looking at her paws. Her mind was reeling as the puzzle pieces fell into place. Ooh, she was going to kill that Maine Coon. Kicking at a pebble with her paw, she found the ground very interesting. "Um...well...Guess I should be going." She turned quickly.

"Why?" His question was sudden, startling her and even himself.

"Well...I uh..." Cheeks reddened further. Didn't want to see him because he made her heart race a thousand miles an hour for reasons she didn't know? There was no way she was saying that. "I can't dance," she mumbled, refusing to meet his eyes.

He tilted his head at her answer. Was he making her that uncomfortable? Perhaps...he had been too strict in the beginning but that had been months ago. Maybe he could fix whatever he had caused.

"Well, no time like the present to learn right?" He said with a soft smile as he held out his paw.

Scarlot looked at his hand with wide eyes. He...wanted to teach her to dance? Slowly she reached out her paw and took his with a small uncertain, and unbelieving nod.

What was she doing? She couldn't dance, that was the truth, but deep down she...she what?

His smile grew slightly as he pulled her just a little closer and led her in a dance. After a few moments she exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she held and looked up to see his soft eyes watching her. For a moment she forgot everything but him. Until, that is, she stumbled over his paw. But he held her tight, keeping her from falling.

"On, sorry!" She said quickly, looking down at her paws once more. She had a feeling her cheeks weren't going to cool anytime soon.

"It's allight," he chuckled. "You're doing fine, you know that?" She seemed so quick to apologize for things, so...Delicate. Not to the fragile, nervous state of Demeter, but who wouldn't be in their position? Not many came away from his older brother the same. It seemed the love she held for her siblings saved her from the same shattered state Deme had been in. And that, he suddenly realized, made him feel a sort of admiration for her.

Scarlot tried to keep her eyes on her paws. Tried and failed. those soft green eyes were like magnets for her yellow green ones. Slowly she looked up again, this time however, she didn't stumble.

Munkus met her gaze and smiled charmingly, letting his eyes trace over her soft white face, along the brown swirl over her left eye. So delicate, this queen in his arms. Details seemed so much more defined in this moment, being so close. Scarlot no longer saw the intimdating harsh leader she had those many months ago, but a gentle, kind tom. Munkus no longer saw a suspicious spy, but a beautiful, fragil queen.

Scarlot was lost in those eyes, her heart thudding against her rib cage. So lost, she hadn't realized the music had ended, hadn't realized they were still dancing, hadn't realized they were alone. All she saw were Munkus' eyes.

He slowed their dance, spinning to a stop and smiled. "That wasn't so bad was it?" He asked softly, but still he held her.

"No...no it wasn't," she replied, voice just as soft as she blinked back to reality. Looking around her cheeks reddened to crimson as she realized they were the only ones left. "Oh, looks like...the party's over. Guess I should get back to the kits..." Yet she hesitated, enjoying the feel of Munkus' arms warming her. Turning she took a step to leave, but the silver tabby's paw held hers.

"Scarlot, I know we kind of got off on the wrong paw," he said, rubbing the back of his neck with his free paw. "But...Could we try again?"
There was a long silence as she stood there, stunned. After seconds that seemed like hours she turned to look at him.

"I'd like that," she whispered.