Author's note: I know it has been a while, and to tell you the truth this chapter was wrote ages ago (blushes) but I wasn't really happy with it, so I've done a few alterations and here it is. If anyone has any suggestions on improving this story then I'd love to hear them. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review, I love reviewers.
It wasn't until the heavy door of his cell creaked open that Munkustrap was fully aware that he was not alone, and yet if he cast his mind back a few moments earlier he recalled hearing the scratch of claws along the corridor outside long before the presence had reached his doorway. He had reflected upon those footsteps as though the mere sound could take him away from this dank cell if only for a few heartbeats. This was no rare occurrence, footsteps passed by his cell each day, but it was the irregular pace to these that had caught his attention, almost as though the person to whom they belonged was in a state of agitation or excitement.
It was curious how the footsteps of a person reflected their mood, defined them almost. Macavity, for instance had a certain type of step that distinguished him from the others that passed the cell. It was the definition of authority and they oozed power and arrogance, completely unlike the steps that had just stopped in his doorway. Those had been rushed, Macavity on the other paw never hurried. No matter what had been going on he still kept that calm, calculating pace. Was it then, one of the henchcats who darkened Munkustrap's doorway? The silver tabby considered it to be unlikely; the footsteps were too light to be one of those big brutes. If he wasn't mistaken, then there was only one person it could be.
"How's Demeter?" he asked, not able to summon the energy to turn around from his position, flat on the ground, exactly the way Macavity had left him. Humiliation made Munkustrap grit his teeth as he realised that fact.
"You always know when it's me don't you, Sugar?" Bomba said, closing the door behind her.
"Yeah, well, nobody could mistake you for anyone else Bomba."
Bomba frowned, there was no blood this time and that was a relief, she'd never forget the time she'd found the silver tabby in a pool of his own blood. A shudder ran through her body just remembering it. This time there was no blood, but there was something wrong. Not that she could say there was anything right about this situation.
"Munk, what happened?" she asked kneeling quietly beside him.
"Macavity happened, that's what," he growled in frustration, "And he was right. I'm helpless, Bomba. He can do what the hell he likes to anyone in this tribe and I can't do a thing to stop it. Deme's not safe from him, you're not safe; nobody is while he's still alive."
"Munk, that's not your fault."
"It feels like it is, Deuteronomy left me in charge of the tribe and I've let him down."
"Don't you dare say that!" Bomba hissed, "Don't even think it. Old D put you in charge and it was the right thing to do. You are our leader Munkus, and not a single Jellicle feels let down by you."
"Well maybe they should," Munk said, refusing to lift himself out of this pit of self-loathing and pity.
"Munkus, just shut up."
The silver tabby opened his mouth to protest, but was silenced by Bomba's lips pressing against his own. His eyes opened wide as Bomba deepened the kiss. What the hell was going on? Had the world gone mad?
When Bomba released him, she almost laughed out loud at the startled look on his face.
"Bomba...er...I...what I mean to say is...um."
Bomba, despite herself chuckled at Munk's lack of ability to form a sentence,
"I always seem to have this effect."
"Bomba, this isn't funny, what about Deme?"
"It's all ok, Munkus. I was delivering a 'message' from your beloved, Deme. Believe me, if I'd have done that without her permission I'd be one dead queen."
Munk managed a smile,
"So, that was really from Deme?" he asked, lightly touching his lips.
"Yeah, handsome. Now are you gonna give me a message to take back to her," Bomba grinned wickedly.
"Tell her I love her, and that..."
"Uh, uh, handsome, not that kind of message."
"Oh," Munk's eyes widened once more once he realised what kind of message Bomba meant.
"Um, well..."
"I promise you, Deme doesn't mind, in fact don't you think she'll be upset without a kiss?"
It was a strange state of affairs indeed, but Munk could picture the scowl upon Demes' features if he didn't do this for her. It almost made him chuckle, remembering how moody she had been when she first got pregnant, before all of this, he wished he could go back to that. Instead he was in this cell, and if he didn't want to face Deme's wrath in case he ever got out of there, he would have to do this one thing for her. He took a deep breath, and gritting his teeth he managed to sit up, but not before allowing a hiss of pain to escape his lips.
"Whoa, you ok, handsome?" Bomba looked concerned, and put her arms round him to keep him steady.
Munk gently stroked her cheek,
"Pass this onto Deme."
His lips brushed hers, in a small but very loving kiss.
Bomba pouted,
"A sweet kiss, I should have guessed. There's nothing wrong with that, I suppose."
"What are you getting at, Bomba?"
"Well, you couldn't send your gal a real passionate kiss could you?" she asked, puckering up again.
Munk frowned a little.
"Come on, Deme would like it, and I sure wouldn't have any complaints," she said with a playful smirk.
"Bomba…" Munk began to reprimand her.
"I'll behave, I promise," she rolled her eyes, "You're no fun."
For several heartbeats there was nothing but silence in the cell, as they glanced at each other, both strangely feeling awkward. After a deep breath, Munk made the first move. He leant in closer to Bomba and a shy smile passed his lips before he gently kissed her. This time it was the silver tabby who deepened the kiss, his paw softly stroking the small of her back. A moment later they parted, a little reluctantly it seemed.
"Mmm, that was nice, Munkus," Bomba smiled.
Munk blushed,
"Um, yeah. Make sure that 'message' gets through to Dem."
Bomb sighed,
"How did I ever let a tom like you pass me by?"
"I think you were dazzled by Tugger at that point in time."
Bomb froze, unsure of whether to tell Munk of the reappearance of his brother. She knew that it was unlikely that Macavity wouldn't be in some way moderating the conversation in this cell. Another reason was that it would give the silver tabby hope. Although on the surface that seemed like a good thing, Bomba had seen Munkus get his hopes up more than once, only to immediately have them dashed again. She didn't want to see him like that again and know that she was the cause of it.
"What's the matter, Bomba?" Munkus frowned in concern at her silence.
"Nothing," she quickly replied, "I...I just miss him."
"Me too, and believe me if you'd told me that I'd actually be telling you this, a year ago I never would have believed it."
"Neither would I," she stood up and headed towards the door.
"Hang on a second. When you said you were going to pass that message on to Deme, do you mean you're gonna...?"
Bomba smirked,
"Wouldn't you like to know, Stripes, let's just say I was, what would you think about it?"
"I'd think I'd like to see that," he grinned impishly before he was seized by a sudden coughing fit, which left him shuddering and gasping on the ground. Bomba was at his side immediately.
"I'm fine," the silver tabby insisted upon seeing her worried face, "Don't look so scared."
"Munkus, you really need better conditions than this, any more time in this damp cell and you're going to come down with pneumonia."
"I am going to be fine," he insisted yet again, though his pale face and dull eyes said the opposite.
"Fine then, rest yourself. Make sure you're strong again soon."
Munk caught a sliver of hope in Bomba's words.
"You're planning something?"
"Not me, Munkus, not me," she kissed the silver tabby on the cheek and left the room.