This chapter is rubbish tbh, I suffered a bit of writer's block with this one (arghh) - so apologies in advance. Thank you to SummerRose12, jelliclesoul635, musicgal3, AriaCloudrunner, Lavie Nenharma, XmewmewLizzeX and em0prYncez for your reviews, you are all awesome :)

'Just try that last note again ..'

Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats!

Jenny pursed her lips in disapproval at the lack of enthusiasm, but noticed Jellylorum's knees were quivering and knew she had to let her rest.

'Perfect. I think we've earned ourselves a well deserved break.' she said hastily, rushing to her, now heavily pregnant, friend's aid.

'Let's get out of here.' Tugger whispered. Bombalurina smirked at him in agreement and they crept slowly past Jenny and Jellylorum, convincing themselves that they would be too caught up in their conversation to notice them.

'Where do you two think you are going?' Jenny asked sternly.

Tugger crumpled his face up, bast. He spun round and flashed Jenny a cute smile, 'I'm gonna show Bomby my new den.'

'You are going no where until we have finished rehersals, and that den isn't yours until after the ball young man! And what happened the last time you two wandered off? You got lost in a forest-'

'Ok, ok, we'll stay here.' Tugger rolled his eyes.

'We didn't mean to get lost Jenny, we're really sorry.' Bombalurina said innocently, holding the Gumbie Cats paw in affection. She widened her eyes at Tugger to tell him to do the same.

'Yeah really sorry.' Tugger muttered reluctantly, embracing Jenny in an awkward cuddle.

'Well, it's just I worry. You can do whatever you like when you're adults,' she said wistfully, a small tear rolling from her eye. Adults. Who could believe it? 'I'm sure you can wait a few days hmm?' she said warmly, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

'Sure thing.' Tugger grinned. Jenny smiled at them sadly and shuffled next to Jellylorum to continue their afternoon chat.

'What're we going to do now?' he complained.

'Stop moaning you, let's sit up here.' Bombaulurina leapt ontop of a trash pile and smiled at him sweetly as he stared upto her in confusion. He shrugged and sat next to her, watching the movement in the junkyard.

'I can't believe Jelly's having her kits soon.' Bombalurina said shortly, letting her head fall back, enjoying the feeling of the cool wind against her neck and chest.

'I know.' he grumbled, not entirely enthralled by pregnancy or queen business and more interested in her body.

Bombalurina could feel his eyes on her and shot her head up to look at him, 'What do you think she'll have?' Tugger spun round to face the junkyard, pretending to be staring at the first thing he clapped eyes on; Admetus grooming himself. Not exactly the image he wanted to see or let Bombalurina catch him seeing. Bombalurina stifled her giggles and blinked at him nonchalantly as she waited for his answer.

'A pollicle.' he snorted.

'Tugger!'

He chuckled. 'Uhh .. two queens?'

'Y'think?'

'I hope so ..' he sighed. 'We're lacking of them.' He smirked and watched for her reaction, she shot him a disapproving scowl; 'Oi!'

'Kidding, kidding. You're the only queen I need.' He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

'You bet, buster.' she grinned.

Bombalurina, be my mate - ask her, ask her.

Tugger stretched his arms and growled as his body regained it's energy. Ok. Ask. What's the worst that she can say? Well, no, obviously but .. just do it, man!

Bombalurina stared at him, his brow was burrowed and his eyes narrowed to the direction of a rock on the ground - it was obvious he was thinking about something. A habit of his which often resulted in dangerous consequences. She glanced over to the main clearing and spotted Demeter and Rumpleteazer waving at her like loons, moving their paws back and forth, telling her to come over.

'About that-'

'Oh bast, I gotta go see Teazer and Dem.'

Or not. Tugger scowled. 'You're just gonna leave me here?'

'Stop being a cry-kitty, I need to talk to them about something.'

'What about?' he asked smugly, knowing what the answer would be - me, of course.

Bombalurina paused, she couldn't tell him about Rumpleteazer's crush on Alonzo; 'Uh .. queen things.'

Tugger's eyes widened, 'Oh. Uh, I'll leave you to it then.' he muttered awkwardly. Queen things, bleugh.

Bombalurina smirked, nice one Bomb. She pecked him on the lips, 'I'll be back soon. Don't miss me too much.'

'I'll try ..' he sighed and rolled his eyes, but flashed her a cheeky grin. 'See ya Bomby.' he shouted, staring down at her.

'Bye Tugs.' she sang from the ground, waving at him cutely.

He breathed deeply. Why can I never ask her? Why does something always have to get in the way? Is that telling me something .. ? Heh, you think too much. He shook his head of these thoughts and jumped off of the trash heap, scanning the junkyard to find Munkustrap - deciding he'd annoy him to pass the time.

* * *

'Hey!'

'Allo Bomby!'

'How's the den Dem?'

'It's amazing Bomby, I can't wait to move in.'

'So, he asked you?'

'Yes!!' Demeter squealed excitedly.

'Abowt time too!' Rumpleteazer giggled.

'So what's happening with Alonzo, anything new and juicy?'

'Na not really .. e's not asked me Bomby, what will oi do?'

'Leave it to me.' she winked.

'Oim so excited for the ball!' she beamed.

Demeter and Bombalurina exchanged confused glances, the only ball Rumpleteazer had ever been excited about was the, now battered and scabby, tennis ball she'd played with as a kitten. The term 'late bloomer' Jenny had always dropped around was finally making sense.

'Me too!'

'Hey, we should have a little queen night in before the ball!'

'A queen night?' Demeter raised her eye-brow at her sister.

'Yeah, we could groom our coats, paint our nails ..'

'Eat mousecakes and drink creame.' Rumpleteazer added in a posh accent.

They nodded excitedly and giggled. 'Okay, who's den will we go to?' Demeter asked, emphasising den.

The kittens stared at each other in silence and burst out in a fit of excited squeals.

'Oh, I gotta go, I told Munkustrap I'd patrol with him later.'

'Who said romance is dead?' Bombalurina sighed dramatically, flashing Demeter a cheeky smile.

'See you later.'

'Bye Dem.' Bombalurina replied thoughtfully, contemplating her sister and Munkustrap's relationship.

Rumpleteazer shot her head from side to side, making sure that her and Bombalurina were alone. 'So wot's the plan?' she whispered.

'I'll talk to Alonzo for you.'

'But wot if 'e says no?'

'He can't Teaz, how could he say no to a little catch like you?'

'Oi guess you're roight ..'

'A modest little catch at that.' Bombalurina laughed heartily.

'Got that roight! Me and Demmie are goin' over to 'er den to get our noight in sorted after she's finished patrollin', ya gonna come over after?'

'Sure thing, I'll see you soon Teaz!'

'Thanks Bomby, see ya!'

She smiled at Rumpleteazer and stalked around the junkyard to find, 'Alonzo!' she called sweetly as she noticed his black and white coat.

He spun round with a sneer on his face, but raised his mouth into a smirk when he realised who it was. 'Bombalurina?' he asked coolly.

'I need to ask you something about the ball-'

'Ah, finally dumped that scrawny ass and realised who you really want?'

'What?'

'Don't play games.' he sighed.

'I'm not playing anything, what are you talking about?'

'C'mon Bomby, do I have to spell it out? You and me, we could be really something ..'

Bombalurina opened her mouth to speak, but Alonzo shot towards her, kissing her passionately, silencing her from her words. Bombalurina felt her body stiffen. She held her breath as she felt his lips press against hers. She hissed fiercely and tore herself away from him.

'Alonzo, what the heavyside are you doing?!' she screeched, wiping the taste of his mouth from her lips.

'I thought-'

'I came here to get you to ask Teazer to the ball, not to seduce you!'

'Teazer?' He snorted in disgust.

'What's wrong with her?'

'Well, she's not exactly my type.'

'And what is your type?' she hissed.

'Don't make me say it again.' he whined arrogantly.

'I'm pretty sure I could make her your type.'

'I don't think so sweetcheeks.'

'Oh I do, sweetcheeks.'

'Enlighten me.'

Bombalurina stared at Alonzo. At his smug expression and his arrogant stature - how could she ever want to be with him? She licked her lips and approached him, etching her body close to his, her mouth a few millimetres from his ear.

'Well, I'll tell Deuteronomy you made a pass at his son's soon to be mate, which could result in suspension from the tribe and losing your status as Munkustrap's right hand man .. and we wouldn't want that would we Lonzy-boy?' she asked, her voice deep and seductive but laced with malice and wicked humor.

Alonzo scowled at her. She sneered at him, 'I thought not. One slip of these lips ..'

'Ok, ok. I'm sorry.'

'And you're taking Teazer to the ball, agreed?'

He nodded reluctantly and shoved past her. She stared after him as he stormed into the distance, her feelings of strength and power quickly dissolving to guilt- what just happened?

'Hey.'

'Hey!' Bombalurina flinched in guilt.

'I was looking for you.'

'Oh, I was just talking to Demeter about the ball.' Bombalurina stared to the ground in shame, Tugger had been lovely to her and she repaid him by kissing Alonzo and lying about it.

Tugger escaped a disapproving 'hmph' at the sound of Demeter's name, but quickly turned his attention to Bombalurina.

'Well, I've got something to show you.'

'This isn't gonna get us lost again is it?' she giggled.

'Na, I promise.'

'What're we waiting for then?' Bombalurina grinned; hiding behind her beautifully crafted mask - behind it were where her true feelings lay - the aching shame and guilt of knowing that she had betrayed both her potential mate and her friend.

* * *

'Are you ready?'

'I was born ready.'

Tugger grinned, he had always adored those cheeky one liners, they made conversation with her that bit more flirtatious. He had only began to notice this recently, and he pined for those moments where he felt that she truly wanted him. He would never admit it, but he hid behind his own mask too - he needed to be adored. He liked attention - he craved it - and Bombalurina gave him it, alright. And this was the perfect opportunity to bask in a sea of glory.

He whipped his paws away from her eyes. Bombalurina gazed around the room and frowned. It was an empty den. That's not very excit- .. his den?At this realisation, she was instantly catapulted into an image her perfect future. She stared at an area of the wall, picturing a shard of broken mirror hanging on it where she and Tugger would groom their fur everyday; and in the reflection would be a large cushion, strewn in felt blankets, where they'd sleep every night, their beautiful kitten wedged between them ..

'You like it?' Tugger asked gingerly, his confidence wilting as he waited anxiously for the perfect moment to ask her to move in, his nerves making his stomach wrench.

'I-I love it.' she beamed, continuing to gawp at it's size and the picturesque view of the junkyard that could be seen from the doorway. I love you.

Tugger paused, why don't you come live with me then? The words mincing in his mouth, screaming to be said; 'It's yours.'

'What?!'

What?! BAST. You everlasting idiot!

'Tugger, you can't just give me your den!' She gasped - remembering when he gave her his collar. She she grazed her paw against the black leather - which she still wore, despite the wear and tear it had endured over the past months - and her heart began to race.

Do it, do it.

'It's - It's ourden Bomb .. well, If you want it to be ours I mean, cos y'know, it's uh, okay if you don't ..'

'Tugs you big idiot, of course I want it to be ours!'

'Really?'

'Mhm. I love it already.'

'Me too.' he smiled warmly. 'Bring your stuff round tomorrow morning then gorgeous and we'll move in for definite after the ball.'

'But what about-'

'It's all sorted Bomby, don't you worry your sweet little paws.' He said smoothly, tickling underneath her chin. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and rested his head on hers. 'You still having your queen night?'

'Yuhuh, care to join us?'

There it was - the innocent flirtacious line. 'Hilarious.' he rolled his eyes at her as she stared to him with a broad grin. 'C'mon, I'll walk you to Strap's den.'

You're too good to me .. I don't deserve you. 'Thanks Tugs.' she replied softly.

* * *

'WE'RE MOVING IN!'

'Bomba 'at's brilliant news!'

'That's great Bomba!' coo-ed Demeter, rejoicing only at her sister's found happiness, not Tugger's.

'What's it like Dem?'

'It's just .. It's so good Bomby, I can't wait to just settle down.'

'You're going to have kittens?'

She nodded.

'Aren't you?'

'I've never really thought about it ..' Bombalurina's stomach panged in guilt. Liar, you basically agreed to it today. You're never making it to the Heavyside Layer - good queens don't lie.

'But ya 'ave to Bomby, ya can't deprive your possible kits' lives of meetin' their Aunt Teazer!'

'Course not, are you gonna have kits?'

'If the roight person comes along .. who knows.'

'Can you believe we're growing up?'

Bombalurina narrowed her eyes. Growing up? She couldn't help but feel agitated towards her sister's naivety. What does she know about growing up? Living in her perfect den with her perfect mate - absolutely no lies or betrayal involved. Her sister wasn't naive - Bombalurina was jealous, which simply encouraged her, already, poorly stomach. Kiss, goodbye to Heavyside you wretched cat! 'I know.' she replied flatly.

'Oi stick in the muds, we've not grown up yet, so let's munch the mousecakes, 'oim starvin'!'

'You're right .. plus we're moving out, let's celebrate!'

They giggled. 'Speakin' of celebrate .. lookie what oi got ..' Teazer pulled a small pouch from her bag and dangled it in front of them with a cheeky grin on her face.

'Catnip?! How did you get it?!' Demeter gawped in glee at the tiny bag.

She tapped her nose. 'Contacts.'

'Oh, and oi stole me mum's nail polish's!'

'Oohh yeah!' Bombalurina chirped, racing over to Rumpleteazer's bag to pick a colour.

'What coloua' should oi use?'

Demeter tore her nose away from the catnip and suggested 'Pink?'

'To make the toms wink!' Bombalurina added, sticking her tongue out mischievously at Rumpleteazer.

'Cheeky .. oi luv it!' she grinned, crumbs of mousecake spilling from either side of her mouth.

Bombalurina smiled wearily at her two friends, her smile fading as she watched her two friends enjoying themselves, but feeling none of the enjoyment herself. You can now say goodbye to heavyside and your perfect life - you don't deserve it.

* * *

Tugger knocked reluctantly at the den door, wondering why he had come in the first place. He stared to his feet to wait for her to answer. A few seconds past, deaf bitch - why isn't she answering? He raised his paw to the door and stumbled forward as it creaked open.

'Oh, hello Tugger. I wasn't expecting it to be you darling, come in, come in.' Jennyanydots smiled at him warmly and pulled him into her den, clearing her balls of wool from a nearby cushion for him to sit on. 'What can I do you for?'

'I need your help.' he muttered.

'Oh? What with?'

'Well, I was wondering ..' he trailed off.

'Wondering .. ? '

Tugger frowned. She's loving this. He sighed, 'If you'd help me get the den sorted for Bomba.'

Her eye's widened, 'You asked her?'

He nodded, unable to stop the smile stretching across his face.

'Tugger, that is fantastic news! Of course I'll help, now come on, we've got work to do!' She squealed and pulled out a tattered bag from the corner of her den. She picked up two cushion covers. 'What do you prefer, coral or terracotta?'

Tugger stared at her in bewilderment. 'What's the difference?'

'Coral is much lighter dear, can't you see it? It's a beautiful colour, matches perfectly with ..'

Tugger's eyes glazed over and he could feel his head grow numb - suddenly this didn't seem like a great idea after all. But he had to do this for Bombalurina - it had to be perfect. As perfect as her.