Alonzo hopped up onto the chair beside Demeter. He was panting from exhaustion and gratefully slumped against the bumpy surface. Across from them, a result from running to the junkyard and back, two identical cats sat. They stared at each other for a moment, then back at Munkustrap and Demeter.
*He loves a human?* Coricopat asked. Demeter nodded sadly.
"Yes. What can we do, though? I have an idea that he's not going to want to leave without her." Tantomile glanced down at her paws and shuffled them uneasily.
*There's only thing to do then.* Munkustrap looked up from his lap.
"What? We're not leaving him. I refuse to leave him here alone." Tantomile shook her head, but didn't look up.
*No. We take her, too.*
*Huh? A human in the junkyard?* Alonzo asked in disbelief. Coricopat glanced at his sister, then back at Alonzo.
*No. As a Jellicle, right?* Tantomile nodded. *Or least as a cat,* he added.
"How are we going to do that?" Demeter asked. Tantomile finally looked up.
*We use the same spell that we're going to use on you three on her.* Alonzo frowned.
*Would that even work?* Coricopat shrugged.
*It's worth a shot,* he said. *Worse comes to worse, we'll at least have Misto back.*
Munkustrap sighed. Coricopat did have a point. Even if he didn't like the idea of having a human coming to live in the junkyard, he'd rather do that lose Mistoffelees. He felt responsible for the younger cat and besides he was one of his best friends.
"All right," he agreed finally. "Alonzo? Can you find Megan? Bring her here as soon as you can." Alonzo blinked.
*What if she doesn't want to come?*
"Hopefully that won't happen."
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Chapter 2
Megan paused. Why am I running away? she thought. Why am I letting his father chase me away as if we've done something wrong? No answer.
She turned at the sound of a faint mew. Looking down, she saw the cat that Michael had brought home rubbing his head against her leg. She picked the cat up, confused and distracted by her thoughts. After petting the creature for a moment, she looked down at it contemplatively.
"I'll take you back," she sighed. Suddenly a plan formed in her head.
If she could only figure out what it was that Michael's father didn't approve of of her, maybe she could fix it. Maybe then, he would be able to accept the fact that she loved his son.
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Chapter 3
Mistoffelees raised his eyes up to greet Munkustrap. The older man looked more than a little sheepish, but glad to see that his plan had worked and that Mistoffelees had calmed down. He offered a smile to the boy.
"Misto?" Mistoffelees turned his face away. "Don't be mad. I'm only trying to do what's best."
Mistoffelees' eyes jerked back to Munkustrap's face. "What's best?" he asked dully. "Of course YOU know what's best."
"At least try to understand the position I'm in." Mistoffelees smiled bitterly.
"I could ask the same of you."
"I know. I'm sorry, I really am, but I had to. At the time it seemed like the only thing to do." Mistoffelees hung his head.
"Well, be happy with yourself. You've succeeded. I'll never see her again and you don't have to worry about a human and a Jellicle being together."
"How do you know that?"
"Cori and Tant are here. They know how to bring us home." Munkustrap tilted his head.
"How...?"
"You forget. I'm the original conjuring cat, remember? I just know some things." Munkustrap sighed.
"Oh, Misto..." Mistoffelees' eyes narrowed.
"Don't. I don't want your pity. You've done what you had to do, didn't you? You can't go and say you regret it now."
Munkustrap was at a loss for words. But I do regret it, he wanted to say, but didn't. Instead, he decided to say what he knew would brighten the boy's spirits.
"Misto? We talked after Megan left. The four of us. And we've come to a decision." Mistoffelees shrugged.
"What?"
"We decided that, if she wants to, Megan will come with us."
Mistoffelees felt his jaw drop. He hadn't thought of that. Of course. It was perfect. The girl he loved, his home, his own body, his family. What could be better. How come this hadn't occurred to him?
"Really?" he asked weakly. Munkustrap nodded and knelt beside him. He put a hand on his shoulder and was surprised to find that Mistoffelees was trembling.
"Really."
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Chapter 4
Megan knocked softly on the door. For a fleeting moment, she considered setting the cat down and fleeing before anyone answered the door. It left the moment the door swung open to reveal an anxious Demeter. The woman smiled and gestured towards the inside of the apartment.
"Come in, come in," she said.
Megan was confused. How could it be that while one of Michael's parents was so disapproving of her while the other one seemed to be rather pleased to see her? She didn't know, but was rather taken aback when his father walked into the room.
"I just came to bring back your cat," she said shakily, loosing her nerve. The man smiled warmly at her.
"Please, come in. Despite what happened, I'm really not upset with you," he said.
Megan stared at him doubtfully. Was this man insane? Why was he jumping from emotion to emotion like this? She didn't like it one bit. However, her mind was made up the second she saw Mistoffelees walk into the room. His head was down, his eyes staying on the floor.
"Michael?" she called. Mistoffelees' head jerked up and his face brightened.
"Megan," he said softly.
To her surprise, he strode forward and wrapped his arms around her waist. Lifting her a little off the floor, he spun her around. Megan flung her arms around his neck and buried her face against his chest.
"I'm so glad you're here," he murmured. She tightened her grip.
"Me too."
They turned as Munkustrap cleared his throat. His hair was hanging in his eyes again, but he made no attempt to fix it. He also looked uncomfortable and anxious.
"Misto? I think it's time that you told her." Demeter nodded and slid into his arms.
"Yes. I want to go home."
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Chapter 5
Mistoffelees finally finished. Having been seated before he began, Megan looked at him in disbelief and, at the same time, as if every word he said were true. He knew how confusing this must be for her, but he knew that she didn't have very long to accept it. Either she accept it now, or never see him again. He prayed for the former.
"Y-your name is Mistoffelees?" she asked finally. He nodded.
"Yes. And these are Munkustrap, Demeter, Alonzo, Coricopat, and Tantomile," he replied, pointing each one out to her. Megan looked at them a moment, then turned back to him.
"And you want me to go with you?" Mistoffelees smiled gently and clasped her hands in his.
"Yes. I love you and I never want to be apart from you." She looked down.
"What about my family? What about my life?" He sighed.
"I... you can see your family."
"How?"
"You could become a housecat, too. You can live with them when you're not in the junkyard. That's what I do."
Megan bit her lip. He did have a point. She'd still have her family and she'd have him as well. The rest of her human life she didn't really mind leaving. And besides, look at them, she thought. They're so close with each other. Surely, if I lived there as well, too, I'd have a close family as well. She nodded slowly.
"All right. I'll do it," she said softly. Mistoffelees kissed her.
"Great," he whispered.
*Let's get this show on the road!* Alonzo shouted happily.
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Chapter 6
*Here,* Tantomile said. She pushed a small vial towards Munkustrap. *Don't drink too much.* He gazed at it for moment.
"Is it safe?" Tantomile glanced at Coricopat, who shrugged.
*I guess we'll find out.*
Mistoffelees felt Megan's hand tighten on his. He glanced at her. To surprise, her face was very pale and she looked as though she were going to be sick. He rubbed her arm.
"Are you all right?" She smiled weakly.
"Yeah. Just a little scared."
"Don't be. I'm here."
"I know," she said, nestling her head on his shoulder. He smiled at her and looked at Munkustrap.
"Well, here goes," Munkustrap said.
He looked at the vial for a moment, then tilted it up to his mouth. He shot a sidelong glance at Demeter, then squeezed his eyes shut and took a swallow. He jerked it away and cringed. Demeter put a hand on his arm.
"Munk?" He opened his eyes
"I'm OK," he assured her. "It just tastes like garbage, that's all." Coricopat scowled.
*Well, if you want caviar, you'll have to go elsewhere.*
Munkustrap laughed and handed the vial to Demeter. She took it and held to her lips. She grabbed Munkustrap's hand and she too took a swallow of the potion. Immediately after, she brought it down and coughed.
"Everlasting Cat, Cori! It tastes horrible!" The cat rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything.
Mistoffelees playfully protested drinking the potion, but had some next. Megan laughed at the face he made, then drank the last of the potion. He pushed her shoulder lightly and asked if she liked the way it tasted. Megan shot him a dirty look and handed the vial back to Munkustrap.
"Well, we've all had a dri-" Munkustrap cut off in mid-sentence, his hands drifting to his throat. He gagged and sunk to his knees.
"Munk? Are you OK?!" Demeter shrieked, rushing to to his side. He shook his head rapidly, then, abruptly, passed out. She moaned in horror.
"Oh, Everlasting Cat! Munk! Is he... he..." Then, like Munkustrap, she swayed and fainted. Mistoffelees caught her and set her down on the ground. He looked at the others, then fled from the room. Megan started after him, but Alonzo stood up and shook his head.
*No, don't. He doesn't want you to see him pass out like they did.* Megan knew it was working because she could hear him.
Suddenly, Megan felt a wave of nausea pass over her. She doubled over in pain and fell to the ground. Attempting to comfort her, Alonzo rubbed his head against hers. After a moment, her body relaxed and he backed away. He glanced at the twins.
*What now?* Coricopat stepped forward.
*We wait.*
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Epilogue
Megan awoke slowly, reluctant to leave the warmth of the darkness around her. She groaned and rolled over. She opened her eyes to find herself face to face with a pleasant faced kitten. It blinked at her and smiled.
"Hi," it said. Megan suddenly remembered what had happened. She shook her head, trying to clear it, then smiled back.
"Hi. Who're you?" The kitten rocked back on its heels and smiled wider.
"Etcetera. Who're you?" Megan sat up.
"Megan." The kitten tilted her head.
"Megan? What kind of name is Megan?" Megan started to reply when she heard a warning hiss.
"Cettie! G'way! I told you to leave her alone!"
Megan turned to see a small, black tom, only a little larger than the kitten, give Etcetera an exasperated look. Etcetera rolled her eyes.
"Aw, Misto! I wasn't bothering your GIRLFRIEND," she said. The tom's face flushed.
"Git! Before I turn you into a Pol!" Etcetera glared at him.
"I'm telling Mom you said that. You know you're not supposed to threaten us with your magic," she shot back. The tom sighed.
"Fine, fine. I take it back. Now go!" Etcetera smiled sweetly and pranced away.
"I'm still telling Mom," she called behind her.
"Kittens," he grumbled under his breath. "I really ought to turn her into a Pol. Maybe that'd shut her up." He turned to Megan then.
"Michael? I mean, Mistoffelees?" He nodded.
Thrilled and overwhelmed, she threw her arms around his neck and began to cover his face with kisses. He laughed at the tickling texture of her tongue. After a long embrace, they broke apart and Megan jerked her head in the direction that the kitten had left in.
"Who exactly was she?" He rolled his eyes.
"Etcetera, better known as Cettie. My sister. Sort of." Megan put her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes.
"Really? What do you mean by 'sort of'?" He tucked an arm around her and sat down, pulling her with him.
"That's a long story. I'll tell it to you later," he promised. Then he yawned. "Let's get some sleep first and I'll introduce you to everyone later." Megan yawned too and curled up against him.
"OK," she agreed.
The two cats shut their eyes and, curled up tight against each other, slipped into a blissful sleep.
THE END
*Author's note: I decided to put this at the end because at this point you've finished my story. Since this is among the first of my fanfics, I'd really appreicate feedback. So, any comments you have about my fic, send them to my email at mrmjellicle@hotmail.com. I'll try to reply as soon as possible. Thanx!*