Love Me When I'm Gone
The Story of Deuteronomy and Grizabella

A/N: This is based on the songs "The Second Element" and "The Second Element II" by Sarah Brightman.

Grizabella had always been like wind and fire. She could be as calm as a summer breeze or as cruel as a blazing inferno. She was also the most beautiful queen ever to grace the Jellicle Tribe.

But that time was long ago. All the emotions and joy she had brought to the tribe were gone. A long-haired tom sat alone in the gloom of the Junkyard reminiscing.

The day he had been formally introduced to the beauty was a day he would never forget. His heart had leapt so far that he was afraid it might break through his ribs.

Their love was by no means brief. It lasted a few years. However, every time he so much as mentioned settling down and starting a family, she went up in arms. It simply was not the nature of a Glamour Cat to have a family.

Often, as they lay outside on the floor of the Junkyard watching the stars, Grizabella would tell him about all the things she wanted to do. Her dreams were almost always the same: to be a great show cat.

He hated telling her that it would never happen. She never quite realized that once she left the tribe she could never return.

And so one day, she left while everyone else was sleeping. She kissed him before she left, and sang softly:

And always you'll be
Blood and soul part of me,
The Second Element
I am longing for you
And always you'll see
That you reflect on me
My Second Element

And with that, she was gone.

As Deuteronomy sat remembering his love, he felt tears prick in his eyes. "And so I am now longing for you," he murmured.

He could almost hear her saying, "Promise me, Deuteronomy, promise you'll love me when I'm gone." It was something he was almost sure she had once said.

"But Grizabella," he said, talking only to her memory, "Are you missing me too?" He looked up at the half-moon imploringly, and swore for a moment he saw Grizabella.

"Love me when I'm gone," whispered the wind.

"Yes, Grizabella," he replied softly, "After all this time, and what you've done, I love you."