A/N: Instead of a horrid excuse of why I haven't updated in a month, let's get straight to the story with the intended promise that I will update quicker! :)

"The Warehouse." Barnabas panted. "Now."

Zela stared the Jellicles, all looking exhausted and bloody, but it was Tugger's face that disturbed her the most. He was staring at her with a saddened face that expressed the betrayal he felt from her. As Jezabella nudged her forward Zela began running back with the henchcats, leaving a trail of her bloody paw prints and tears that streamed down her face. However, she could already see her father's smug face looking at her…

~^..^~

Afternoons were beginning to become boring, especially when all Marceth could do in his free time was watch henchcats train. Instead, he kept himself occupied in the worst way that he could: thinking about Zela. He knew it was the only thing he shouldn't do, thinking of a Jellicle queen the way that he was, but after what Griddlebone had told her about Zela as a young queen, Marceth found that he couldn't get his mind off of her.

The Persian queen told him that Zela was a shy kit, and took awhile until she got comfortable with other henchcats. That was why she frequently spent time with Macavity. He taught her everything about her magic and what the Jellicles were like, and yet Griddlebone claimed that Zela was very different from Macavity. She was gentle and caring to anyone in the Warehouse, except for Jezabella, who she apparently had a serious rivalry with. The tortoiseshell wasn't sure how to react with this. Jeza was his mentor. She had been like a big sister to him all his life, and Griddlebone was a mother to him more than his own mother! It was certainly a twist in his relationships.

Still, thinking about Zelaphelia was wringing his mind, tightening his muscles together when her face mentally imaged itself in his head. He wasn't sure why he felt this way for a queen he'd barely known for a week, but Marceth quickly realized that he knew everything about Zela. He had been basically kitsitting her during her training. He talked with her often when they were both confined to the Cells, and now Griddlebone told him of the gold-red queen's past and everything she went through. It was safe to conclude that Zela had astonished him.

Suddenly, training ceased as four cats entered into the Warehouse. Four of their own covered in blood from the paws down. Barnabas led them, with dry blood on his fangs, looking smug and proud of himself. Benthelo was close behind with a despicable smirk on his face. Jeza appeared from behind them, her gaze quickly turning to Marcetheus with blood staining her lower lip. She lightly grinned at him before following Barnabas towards a dark hallway.

Marceth blinked in confusion as they left, not noticing Ben coming up to him with his smirk "Better take care of that queen before she runs off and tries to kill herself." He told him connivingly before padding off to the wing where assassins stayed.

The tortoiseshell raised an eyebrow slightly, hating that he couldn't have questioned his rival, and was left wondering what his statement meant. The door abruptly opened, making everything in his hearing range drop silent. The sunlight made the figure into a silhouette, the light edged out a faint gold lining over a hunched-over queen. Marceth watched as Zela gingerly entered into the Warehouse's light, looking pale and tragic with dark red curved around her claws.

Marceth hesitantly walked towards her, avoiding the gazes of a few staring henchcats that were near the walls and the center of the room. He stared at her, seeing vulnerability in the tears that welled in her eyes. "Zela? Are you okay?"

She didn't look up at him, but by the twitch of her ear, Marceth could tell that she knew it was him. "Just please get me back down to the cells…" she said somberly.

He was about to comply and lead her back, but his boss's enigmatical figure appeared behind his daughter. Marceth froze in his place, noticing Zela's ear lean back, sensing someone behind her. "I think it's time we talked, Zela." He said, smirking slyly.

Zela glared at the floor, but glanced up at the tortoiseshell before reluctantly standing up to face Macavity. The ginger tom quickly glanced at his henchcat and frowned, "Go and wait in the Cells." He ordered sharply. Marceth blinked in a pause, but as soon as the command registered, he bowed his head and headed for the dungeon doors. Still, he couldn't help but watch Macavity lead Zela to his den, trudging her steps behind him…

~^..^~

Munkustrap seethed as a stinging pain went through his leg He hadn't thought that henchcats were that powerful…. Of course, this pain hadn't just come to him physically. No, all he could think about was watching Zela attack Tugger, then run away with those henchcats. He happened to be more confused than saddened, though. Tugger had been the most befuddled over the behavior, and probably the most upset. Everyone else was simply shocked over the news, and knew that meant it confirmed what Rumpleteazer had told them.

Everyone but Demeter had been told, and Munk was almost afraid to go to her and say anything.

He figured she wouldn't come out of her den anyhow, to see him nonetheless.

The silver tabby tom just winced as Jellylorum sewed up the deepest scratches on his leg. However, Jelly didn't take any notice to his pain. Though, who could blame her? She received several new patients merely over the period of days. Munkustrap had watched as Plato grew worse; the supplements given to him for treatment were wearing off fast. Little Etcetera and Pouncival had both gotten the disease soon after Plato grew worse. Such negative effects on their young bodies would not be good for them, obviously.

But once Jenny and Asparagus started to have reactions, it became clear that no one could be near the sick Jellicles. This virus was now deemed susceptible. And Munk was watching as Skimbleshanks was at his sick mate's side and his family taking occasional visits. Mostly Jemima, since she had been with Victoria and Electra as they became frequent company for Mistoffelees. The young tom seemed very determined to find a cure for this disease before it became fatal, but Munk could tell he grew weaker by the day.

He looked up at Jellylorum and smiled contently as she finished her work. "Thanks, Jelly." He said, standing up, and keeping his distance from the patients' beds. The newly arrival patient was Tumblebrutus. He was right alongside of Plato's bed. Munkustrap breathed in deeply and walked into the next room.

In there, it wasn't much better. Munkustrap looked around, seeing the three queens sitting on couch pillows and watching Mistoffelees put a few drops of a liquid into a beaker. He saw the tuxedo tom grimace as there was no reaction in the substance. "Dammit!" he growled, throwing the beaker on the ground, causing it to shatter with its contents spilled over the ground. "This is impossible!" he screamed, sitting back down in his seat. He was clearly disappointed from his failure.

Munkustrap frowned, but walked in anyhow. Victoria gingerly paced over to her mate and patted his shoulder. He shrugged her paw off and bumped his head on the table top, making everything on it shake.

"Mistoffelees." The silver tabby called. He entered inside, seeing Misto turn his head to the side. He said nothing.

Munk watched his daughter shake her head at him and sit back down. He sighed and walked inside, avoiding the glass scattered along the floor. He put a paw firmly on his son-in-law's shoulder. "Take a break, Misto." He said.

The tuxedo tom looked up at the Jellicle Leader with bloodshot eyes. He looked even worse from when he had seen him last, and yet he also seemed like he could be argumentative over the subject of him resting. "No, Munk, I have to get this done. They'll die if I don't."

"They're not going to die in twenty minutes." He assured sternly. "Now rest. You need it."

Misto paused for a few moments before standing up and heading over to his mate. "Sorry, Vic…"

She nodded at her mate and nuzzled his skuzzy shoulder affectionately."It's okay." he told him, gently sitting him down on a crate. Munkustrap smiled slightly as he wandered over to Electra, who was sitting next to Jemima.

He realized Demeter was right at that moment. He needed to be there for his daughters, all of them; and he had been too blind to remember that he had more to worry about than just Macavity and protecting his tribe. He also needed to protect his family. He wondered what Demeter would think of him if he came to her with that notion, but he hadn't even thought about going to her yet.

"Misto, we found out that Zela's joined Macavity." He informed quietly, "We saw her attack Tugger when the henchcats ambushed us…"

Munk saw the tuxedo tom's face grow pale and surprised. He remembered that Misto's first prediction was that Macavity might have killed her, but they all quickly learned that that was not the case. "No. Not possible." He muttered, sharply shaking his head.

The silver tabby rolled his eyes, though it was the answer he expected. "Believe it, Misto, it's the truth. I saw it with my own eyes."

He glanced over at his daughters and Jemima, all expressing horrified expressions, all seemed equivalent in their disbelief.

"Daddy, you're not serious." Electra stated. The hope in her tone just made him more depressed.

Reluctantly, Munk shook his head and turned himself from the group. "I'm afraid I am." He said regrettably, "She nearly clawed Tugger's eye out when the henchcats attacked. As you can see, I've got the scars to prove it."

Misto, still looking as adamant as before, shook his head again. "Things aren't' always what they seem, Munk." He said, turning to his father-in-law, "You know that. Now, I don't know why, but my gut is telling me not to believe this until I see it with my own eyes. But I'm not doing anything further until I find a cure for this incessant virus…"

The silver tabby stared at Mistoffelees for a moment, seeing his expression filled with determination. Using a solemn nod, Munk indicated his consent. "Have it your way, Misto… as soon as you and Victoria go find something to eat. You both look exhausted." He peered at his daughter, smiling faintly at her plump stomach, "How long until they're due?" he asked her.

Victoria turned her focus up, her eyes smiling from her father's approval. "Jelly said it would be another month." She replied.

Munk's smile widened. All of the bad had come up so suddenly, he remembered that he should have been happy for receiving grandkits. "They might be here in time for the ball." He pointed out.

"Assuming we have one." Misto blurted in a murmur as he walked over to his mate.

"I know you won't let this virus get that bad, Misto." Munk retorted quickly, trying not to mind the tuxedo tom's negativity.

The magician's lips curled back as he slowly nodded. He wrapped his paw around his mate's waist, and the faint shimmer of happiness passed through his expression as he glanced down at her stomach. Munk knew from that look that Misto was going to succeed for them all, especially to handle the welfare of his new family as protectively as possible. This reminded Munk of a younger version of himself. He remembered a blooming relationship with Demeter, who was pregnant with their first litter at the time. He was busy, running the tribe when his father left them, and yet… somehow he had started a healthy, happy family, without any problems. It reminded the silver tabby that he needed to bring that back, starting with making up with his mate.

"Get out of this den, and get yourselves some food." He said to all of the youths. "I need to go check on your mother."

Without waiting for an answer, Munk quickly assumed that they would follow his orders and rushed out of the room of sick patients. If only there was a better way of traveling around them. But he let the thought slide from his mind as he exited the medical den and rushed through the clearing to get to his den. He paused to think of what to say to her, but then knocked on the door."Deme?"

If only she knew how sorry he was, and how hard he would work to try to get Zela back to them. He would get her back on their side, if it made his mate happy. However, there was no reply from the den. He knocked again, "Deme!"

Nothing. Munkustrap frowned, thinking that she would at least shout at him for being persistent. It hurt him that she would just ignore what he was trying to tell her. He tried once more, this time with more agitation, "Deme, it's Munk! Please let me in!"

Still no reply. With a frustrated growl, Munk backed away from the door. He had had enough of this. Adding to his momentum, he sprinted up and slammed his body into the door. He felt his weight crash with a thud as he took the entrance with him. He huffed, knowing his arm was going to bruise, but he would get over it. It's not like anything else could hurt much worse. The silver tabby dusted himself off on the ground and stood up. "Deme?" he called again, finally getting a glance around his den.

Then his eyes widened at the terrible sight.

His mate lied on their bed horizontally, her head facing downward at the ground and her legs hanging off the side. The silver tabby noticed next to her was a pile of red rags. From where he stood, he smelt the faint fragrance of blood in the air. He strode up to his mate, who was clearly unconscious, slowly taking her shoulders and turning her around. At the sudden glance, his eyes grew wider, seeing her eyes looking dazed and her mouth edged in blood.

Munkustrap, not thinking clearly, picked up his mate and carried her out of the den. He rushed off back to Jelly's den …

~^..^~

As soon as the door of her father's den was closed, Zela began having difficulty from holding in tears. She couldn't break. Not to Macavity. As soon as she fell apart in front of him, her will to stay stubborn, her hopes of returning to the Junkyard; they would all be shattered. The gold –red queen dug her claws into her palm; so much that it was beginning to dig through the surface of her skin and causing her to bleed. She closed her eyes tightly as she froze in the middle of the room.

From behind, she could feel Macavity's burning gaze on her backside. She could just picture his dark smirk. The smugness in his eyes that signified that he had won her over on his side, but Zela kept it hidden from her face that she knew he hadn't. Slowly, she opened her eyes and stared at the window; the curtains were drawn, and a breeze blew between the wall and the fabric.

The gold-red queen felt a firm paw rest on her shoulder. She felt as though the chill of ice could have been warmer than his touch. Zela turned herself, only to catch his egregious smirk. He took a pause before ruffling her head fur and speaking in a pleased tone: "Well done, Zelaphelia. I knew with just a little push, you would be able to do it." His smirk seemed to turn into a smile, one that held decipherable, false love.

Zela glared at him coldly, trying to hold back the tears forming in her eyes. "I didn't do it for you." She spat in a cracked voice. The indicator of how faltered her emotions were made it more difficult to hold back the tears. "I did it for them."

He laughed sardonically, "Of course. That's why you hurt Tugger."

"You forced me too…" she reminded bitterly. She couldn't get the image of Tugger's hurt eyes out of her head. After everything they had been through, she wasn't surprised if he never talked to her again…

Macavity dismissed the statement and walked further into his den. "You still did it, and seemed to use that ferocious state of your power in doing so." He gained his smirk back. "You'll need to use your powers for me sooner or later, which is the only time I'll ever permit you to use them."

The gold-red queen nodded, not really paying attention to him much. They were just statements she had heard before. His words still were still as sharp and callous as they said they were, yet why could she still detect something almost… fatherly in his tone? Not just Macavity's dark resonance, but perhaps a deeper level to her father. Though Zela pushed away the thought, she kept it in the back of her mind. "I want to see Jerrie and Teazer." She said. It came out sounding more like a request than a negotiation.

Macavity gave her a bitter snicker. "I don't think so, darling Zela. I'm in danger of losing you if you know where they are."

Zela's brow furrowed, but she had expected the answer. "Can I at least not have to be chaperoned like a damn kit?" she offered, but sounding more irritated.

He smiled, seeming to be amused the comment. He nodded slightly, acting as if he expected the question and she was a small kitten that had asked something interesting. "Very well, you won't need an escort in the Warehouse, however, there are still several restricted areas, and you still need to check in with your superiors."

She nodded, finding it a decent compromise. "Fine by me."

Macavity nodded agreeably and sighed tiredly. "Go back to the Cells. I'll be calling for you soon."

Zela didn't give him anything in response, and didn't stay long enough for him to call her on it. The gold-red queen rushed out of the den and sprinted down the halls, unable to stop the tears from flowing now…

~^..^~

Marceth could see that the end of the week was coming as the sun sunk closer to the horizon. He rarely seemed to watch the sunset, but his new work schedule seemed to take up all his time. This made him appreciate any time he had for himself. Most of his day consisted of watching Zela train, sleep, eat, or hunt. In fact, his entire job was centered over her now. Yet, was it strange to find that any time she came back with him to the Cells she was as exhausted as ever? Marceth was beginning to think maybe the boss was working her too much, not that he would have much say in what Macavity forced her to do.

The tortoiseshell tom rose to his feet and felt his brow crinkle in guilt. He knew he wanted to help her, and yet his loyalty was to the ginger tom. And on the Hidden Paw's bad side was not a place a mere henchcat wanted to be. All he could do for Zela now was be there for her; if she wanted him there at all, that was.

Suddenly, as if Everlasting Cat had heard his thoughts, there was a soft knock on the door. "Marceth?" a small voice whimpered.

He blinked up and turned around to stare at the door. It looked as old and chipped as before, yet why did the door have more liveliness to it when someone wasn't shouting through it? There was another knock. Marcetheus didn't hesitate to walk over and unlock the door. When he opened it, a half-sobbing Zelaphelia had her arms crossed and was looking up at him with the saddest eyes he'd ever seen.

Before he even said anything, the gold-red queen immediately clasped onto him in an embrace. He stared at the female that was crying into his chest, but gradually pulled her into the hug and gently shut the door behind her. He suddenly felt very sorry for Zela, and couldn't understand why Macavity would hurt her so badly. She seemed to have sunk and become heavier, which inclined the tortoiseshell henchcat to gently drag her into her cell, but as he sat her down next to the wall, he couldn't help but sit down with her; part of the reason being that she refused to let go of him.

"I'm such an idiot!" she sobbed into his chest, though the words came out muffled, and partially illegible, so instead they came out like "Um sut en idiod!"

Still, he was able to make them out. He knew his job as a henchcat was to watch Zela, but that didn't mean he couldn't at least try to comfort her. "No you're not…" he said back softly.

Her sobbing face leaned up to look at him. "He told me to hurt them and I listened!" she blubbered, "What kind of imbecile listens to that horrible tom?"

Marceth chuckled quietly, realizing that she was implying the same insult to him and his family. Zela suddenly stared at him as if she had read his mind. "I… I didn't mean it like that…" she sniffed.

He nodded his head and hugged her again. "It's okay… I understand. I know you're going through a lot, and these probably aren't the best conditions for you to be in. But… please don't laugh when I say this, but you do have a friend here… if you ever need me. I promise."

The gold-red female stared at him, somehow looking entranced by his words. She suddenly leaned up and kept staring at him with a look that almost convinced him that his words had touched her. "D-do you really mean that?" she asked him.

He nodded quickly. "Of course I…" He paused and trailed off as he was ensnared and engulfed into the mist of violet in her eyes. The gold frame and swirls coiled around him and seemed to pull him deeper and deeper into her rich, dark eyes. Somehow, he knew that the bait was a feeling he hadn't felt before, and she seemed captured by the same trance. Not thinking clearly, Marcetheus cupped the gold-red queen's chin and kissed her deeply.

He deemed it crazy the moment he did it, figuring he'd get clawed in the face again, yet to his surprise, she didn't pull away. In fact, he felt her lips slowly kiss him back. He couldn't keep a firm grip of reality over the warm sensation that bloomed inside of him as he kissed her again. He held the other side of her face with his other paw and pulled them closer together. Both their eyes had closed as Zela began to kiss him just as deeply. She wrapped her paws around his waist, and he could feel his paws running through the fur over her face and around her head fur. He pressed himself close to her and almost forgot himself. Almost.

It wasn't until Zela pulled away that he remembered the position he was in. "Stop." She murmured, putting a paw on his chest. "Stop…"

He opened his eyes and looked at her. If he wasn't mistaken, she seemed ashamed. Finally, she looked up at him. "I can't do this…"

Marcetheus sighed quietly and dropped his paws from her face. He knew he was getting carried away. "I know … I'm sorry."

"It's… it's not you." She assured. "It's just that… there's someone else that's at the Junkyard… I hope."

His gold eyes seem to light up. "You hope?" He was trying to keep his tone low, trying not to sound hinting at all.

Zela didn't seem to notice his attempt. "I… attacked him today…" she explained quietly, "He was…special." The gold-red queen snorted quietly, "Thinks he's Everlasting Cat's gift to queens, but… he really cares about me… though I doubt he will after what happened…"

Marceth nodded quietly, but then dared to glance down at her. "Do you still…" he bit his lip, "care about him?"

Zelaphelia hesitated momentarily before nodding. "I do."

"Do you… love him?"

She took a longer pause this time. "I… I don't know…" she said quietly. Her knees were pressed up to her chest as she leaned forward, looking as if she was pondering the question more.

Marceth tried to keep himself calm a little, and tried not to act as if the words made him somehow hopeful. But as he put a paw on her shoulder, he realized that he was keeping that feeling somehow deep inside of him. Why was he thinking this way over the boss's daughter? Not only a day ago, she wouldn't have hesitated to rip his head off, and now… why were things so different? He felt so deeply charmed by this one queen he had spent merely a week with. Zelaphelia was still the most spirited queen he had met, but the feeling that was pushing through his chest was somehow compelling him closer to her. The tortoiseshell tom began wondering if that was normal.

He quickly realized Zela had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He felt the skin under his fur blush a bright red, but he tried not to let it affect him. Instead, he decided to enjoy the moment he had with the beautiful gold-red queen, and would ponder the strange feeling another time…

~^..^~