A/N: Well, holy damn. This is the last chapter. It took a few months of hard effort, but I've made it.

First things first: I could not have managed writing this without the support of my reviewers. Seriously, I would've given up after the first few chapters. The reviews motivated me to keep going. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I love you all from the very depths of my rawrr-ish heart. ;D

I'd like to thank a few people in particular. ShadowsintheMoon (I couldn't include the dots) (or iamtwilight), stiffkittens101 and ParallelWonderland for reviewing pretty much from the very beginning and staying with me all this way. Nekosoda and The Shrapnel for your happyjoy reviews and your overall brilliance. To everyone else who reviewed, you're just as special and I wish I could list you all, but my note would be far too blabby. x3

This story has ended up being far too long for its own good – in fact, it's the longest I know of – and I'm happy and sad to be finished. Though it's over, I still welcome reviews and will reply to them as soon as I can.

If you notice any typos or errors, please let me know. Constructive criticism is also appreciated, seeing as I plan to keep on writing and want to improve. ;)

Now, like I said last chapter, there's a small chance of a sequel still. Please, please let me know if you're interested! I'll make a poll and see how many people vote in favour of a sequel, alright? Keep your eyes out for an update on this, because if there's going to be a sequel, I'll post an epilogue.

Again, thank you all for reading!

Forever Until Now

Chapter 33;; Now Until Now

"You make me happy," he whispered. "You can be my memory."

"Now," Deuteronomy said. "It is time to discuss a matter that arose yesterday during the Ball."

It was the day after the Ball and Deuteronomy was still in the Junkyard. For what, most cats were unsure, but Jemima had a sinking suspicion that she knew. Deuteronomy's next words proved her right.

"Munkustrap has something to say to you all."

Munkustrap stood, shivering slightly. The cats didn't know what to say – they'd never seen him look so vulnerable. His tail was limp, his stance slightly hunched over. He took his usual place at Deuteronomy's side and his father gave him an encouraging nod.

"I must resign from my position as Jellicle Protector," Munkustrap said abruptly, releasing a breath and holding his head a little higher.

The Jellicles broke out into cries of confusion and distress. Demeter, huddled up next to Bombalurina, had a single tear running down her cheek.

"Why?" someone cried. "Why?"

Munkustrap sighed. "It's for the best," he said. "Let me explain. Ever since I was young, I've been sick. I still am. I've kept it a secret for a long time, but it's time for everyone to know. I occasionally get terrible pains in my chest and when I do, I can barely move." His eyes turned grave. "One of these attacks was what caused my loss to Macavity yesterday."

There was silence as the Jellicles registered what he was telling them. Their precious, strong Protector was sick.

"So, you see… I can't continue. I can't endanger the Jellicles with my condition. M-my job is to protect. What I'm doing… could very well be the opposite." He lowered his head. Jemima saw a tear slip from beneath his eyelid.

There was another silence. Then, Jemima started clapping fervently and the rest of the Jellicles joined her.

"Munkustrap, Munkustrap!" they called, cheering.

He looked up again, surprise in his wet eyes. "You're… cheering?" he whispered.

Tugger swaggered up and wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulder. "Course," he grinned. "We're proud of you. That you'd take up the job in the first place is pure bravery and that you're giving it up…" He shook his head, still smirking. "You're a great cat, Munkustrap. Truly a great cat."

Munkustrap swiped at his eyes, embarrassed at being seen crying by so many. "Thank you," he said in a choked voice. "Thank you so much."

"Now," Deuteronomy said, placing a hand on Munkustrap's shoulder. His eyes shone with pride. "To the matter of a new Protector."

The cheering and clapping died away, and the Jellicles glanced at one another, the same worry reflected in everyone's eyes. Who would it be? It had to be a son of Deuteronomy, after all. With Munkustrap resigning from the job, that only left two options.

Tugger… or Macavity.

"Wait," Tugger said, suddenly realizing what was happening. Everyone's gaze had already shifted expectantly to him.

"Tugger! Our new Protector!" Etcetera yelled, smiling. Yet, her heart ached because she knew that it wasn't what he wanted. Not at all.

"Wait, wait, wait." Tugger scowled across at every single cat. "You guys seriously aren't expecting me to take the job?"

"I'm afraid it's our only choice," Deuteronomy said gently.

"No way," Tugger said. "I'm not doing it! No way. You think Munkustrap being Protector is a threat to the tribe? I'm pretty much certain death to you all!"

"You can learn," Deuteronomy said. "Munkustrap will teach you and Alonzo will be at your side."

"No! Why not just let Alonzo take the job?" Tugger snapped.

"It is a long running tradition that the Protector be a son of the Leader," Deuteronomy said sternly.

"Stuff tradition!" Tugger hooked his fingers into his belt and turned his back on the frowning Jellicles. "I'm not going to do it, okay? It would be doom for us all!" He laughed bitterly. "These hands were made for pleasure, not protection!"

Etcetera smiled sadly. It was true.

"If you do not do it," Deuteronomy said, voice harder than usual, "Then we will not have any Protector at all!"

Tugger said nothing.

Just then, another voice rose up from behind everyone. "I do believe a Protector is needed if your defenses are this slack."

Demeter let out a wail. In her sadness at Munkustrap's resignation, she hadn't noticed Macavity's approach. No one had.

Victoria's eyes lit up.

"No! Not now!" Munkustrap yelled, immediately on his feet. Tugger didn't move. Everyone backed away from Macavity slowly, all watching the grinning red cat cautiously. Everyone except Victoria. She kept her position and stared straight at Macavity even when everyone was well behind her.

"Get back, Victoria!" Jellylorum snapped, running out and tugging the white queen back.

"Calm, Jellicles," Macavity said, lifting his arms in a way that was meant to be soothing. "I believe I arrived just in time."

"No," Munkustrap choked, understanding. "No…"

Alonzo rushed at Macavity, but the red cat simply stepped aside. "I am not here to fight," he purred. Hissing, Alonzo returned to the crowd.

"What is it, Macavity?" Deuteronomy asked quietly, though he understood his son's intentions very clearly.

"You need a Protector, yes?" Macavity asked, still grinning. "And the only requirement is that the cat must be a son of Deuteronomy… am I right?"

Suddenly, everyone knew what he was getting at. Cries of horror rose up from the Jellicles.

"Tugger clearly does not want the job… Munkustrap cannot have the job… so that only leaves one option." His grin turned dark. "Me."

Victoria's breath caught. Yes.

"No!" everyone else cried out.

Deuteronomy lowered his eyes. "How could we accept you as Protector after everything you have done?" he asked, his voice rough. "You are mad, Macavity. It is almost as bad as Munkustrap's sickness."

Macavity lifted his head boldly. "I am not mad," he said calmly. "I am magic."

"No!" It was Jellylorum. "You killed Victoria," she accused in a snarl.

"Yet she stands right before us, clearly alive," Macavity drawled amusedly.

All eyes turned to Victoria. What Macavity spoke was the truth. What had really happened on the day that Macavity had 'killed' Victoria?

"No," Deuteronomy said. "I simply cannot allow it, I'm afraid."

"You were so desperate to install me as Protector in the past," Macavity said quietly. Suddenly, he didn't look like the villainous cat most of the Jellicles knew him as. He looked… decent. "I was looking forward to it, you know."

"Circumstances change," Deuteronomy said gently. "You were – still are – a great cat, Macavity, but just like Munkustrap, you carry a terrible burden."

Macavity's expression turned terrible again. "But you have no choice," he sneered. "I'm the last remaining candidate for Protector."

Deuteronomy sighed. "I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but I suppose that there is nothing else to be done." His eyes swept the crowd. "Plato, would you come here?"

Plato blinked, surprised. "Um… okay." He walked to where Deuteronomy was seated and stood before him.

"This," Deuteronomy said, wrapping an arm around Plato, "Is my youngest son."

There was a collective, "What?" from the Jellicles. Etcetera looked as if she was hyperventilating. Even Plato looked stunned by the news.

"I am?" he said dazedly.

Deuteronomy nodded, his expression quite serious. "Grizabella gave birth to you just before she left the Jellicles," he explained. "Due to her, ah…condition, your littermates did not survive. She thrust you upon me the night before she left and after what happened on the next day, I had no choice but to have you cared for by another queen under the pretense of you being an alleycat."

"It… it can't be." Plato shook his head. "Me, your son? Ah… I don't believe it." He shook his head fervently.

"It is only the truth… my son," Deuteronomy smiled. "I am sorry that you only learn this now. I knew that if the Jellicles knew of your true identity as the son of Grizabella – born, no less, on the night that she left, maddened by her, ah, powers – they would shun you."

"Then it's true." Plato's eyes seemed to glow even brighter than usual. "I… I am your son."

Deuteronomy lowered his voice just so that Plato could hear. "It's why you and Macavity have such similar magic," he said. "It's because you are brothers. You both got your magic from Grizabella."

Plato didn't appear to be too pleased by that news, but he nodded anyway.

"So, Plato. Under normal circumstances, I would never let a tom your age act as Protector. After all, you have only just come out of your kittenhood! However, in this case, I am willing to make an exception. You are a strong, intelligent cat who has proved to be as great as any aged cat. You would do quite well as Protector."

"Me… Protector?" Plato gasped.

The reality of what Deuteronomy had suggested hit everyone hard. "Plato, Plato!" they cheered. Munkustrap smiled and clapped the green-eyed tom on the shoulder.

Only two cats looked less than pleased.

"What?" Macavity spat. "Plato's your son?"

"You can leave now, Macavity," Plato sneered. "Unless you want me to drive you out?"

"You're a little too big for your boots, kit," Macavity growled. "Who do you think you are? Two minutes after being announced as Deuteronomy's son and you think you're great?" He lifted his head and laughed bitterly. "You have to earn your greatness!"

"Then I'll do it… by getting rid of you!" Plato shouted.

The sudden power thrilling in his eyes was astounding. Macavity's eyes were suddenly aglow with magic as well. They stared at each other, magic buzzing in the air. It seemed as if their mental battle would never end.

Until Victoria crumpled to the ground in a dead faint.

At once, Macavity broke eye-contact with Plato. "You fool!" he spat. "Initiating a fight when you know how it hurts her!" He looked as if he was about to rush to the unconscious white queen, but she was already surrounded by worried Jellicles. Making a furious noise, he finally left.

"What's wrong with her?" Jellylorum asked frantically, taking Victoria's pulse.

"Just get her inside," Asparagus said quickly. He lifted her into his arms and went into the den that he and Jellylorum shared.

Deuteronomy followed them with worried eyes before shaking his head. "Well, now that Macavity is gone," he said, "Let us make it official. Plato, do you accept the job of Jellicle Protector and the numerous commitments that come with it?"

Plato nodded, eyes shining. "Yes."

"Then you are now officially our new Jellicle Protector."

Etcetera could hardly believe it. Plato, the new Jellicle Protector!

And there he was, standing right across from her. They hadn't exchanged a single word, but he was smiling tentatively at her and there was a tiny smile on her own face.

"Hi, Etcetera," he said finally. "Um…"

"Aren't you meant to be running around being all macho?" Etcetera said, giggling very lightly.

"There's something I need to do first." Plato took a single step towards Etcetera. "Etcetera… you should know that I truly care about you," he said softly.

"Didn't Macavity hypnotize you?" she asked warily.

"I broke free from it. The only time that I spoke to you while under the influence of Macavity was before Victoria's death. Everything after that… I have done of my own will." He lowered his head. "I know I haven't always been perfect with you," he said. "I've been harsh sometimes, I know. And it was wrong of me to doubt you that time before what happened with Macavity. I shouldn't have told you not to come. I just… I just care about you, is all."

"Plato," Etcetera whispered.

"And Etcetera? That time I told you that you were beautiful, I truly meant it. You might not think you are… but look at yourself."

"I'm not beautiful… I'm just cute," Etcetera said, biting her lip.

"No… that's the image you crafted for yourself as a kitten. But you've grown up now, Etcetera! You're lovely, but everyone just looks at you and sees the kitten that you were before. You're not that kitten anymore. You're beautiful. And… Etcetera… I love you."

Finally. He'd finally said it.

Etcetera suddenly lost her composure. She sniffled and let tears run down her face. She ran into Plato's arms and felt right.

"If I'm ever going to go mad – and believe me, I'm fine right now – then I want to at least be happy before I do. That way, maybe I can one day be reborn, just like Grizabella. You make me happy," he whispered. "You can be my memory."

"I will," Etcetera sniffled. "And… I love you too. You know, when I left the Junkyard to go to that place with all the white cats, I… I almost let Macavity kill me."

"You what?"

"Victoria told me… she pretty much tried to convince me to run away from him by mentioning your name." Etcetera buried her face in his shoulder. "I was so frightened by the thought of you going mad and us not being able to be together that… that I was willing to die."

"Oh, Etcy…"

"But then, there was this cat… she said that I had an angel in my life, and that his green eyes were windows to heaven." Etcetera gave him a tearful smile. "You."

"Who was this cat?" Plato asked. He smiled wryly. "I want to thank her."

Etcetera shook her head sadly. "She died. She was the Victoria that Macavity killed. I… I can't explain it. I don't know anything other than that."

Plato frowned. "Maybe, one day, Victoria will choose to tell us," he said. "For now…" He tilted his head and smiled at Etcetera. "Let's just be happy."

"What do you think you're doing?"

Chantelle froze, clutching the jar of magic to her chest. She slowly turned and despairingly saw that Meiyina was right behind her, eyes filled with murder.

"I…I…"

"Stealing the magic from the storage room! You are mad, Chantelle! For this… for this you will most certainly be sent to a life of serving for a magic cat!" Meiyina narrowed her eyes and ripped a most unladylike snarl.

"I… I know what I'm doing will get me in trouble," Chantelle said softly, "But I'm willing to risk it."

"Why would that be?" Meiyina scoffed.

"For my best friend's sake," Chantelle said with a wry smile.

"…Alyana…?" Meiyina's eyes darkened. "That dirty wretch! You will not get away, Chantelle! I will not let you!" Hissing, Meiyina started forward.

Chantelle ran for it. She wasn't a fighter – Meiyina, in her rage, would certainly overcome her. But the weight of the jar slowed her, and Meiyina started to catch up.

"Well, hello, sister. Pleasant day, isn't it?" came a new voice.

Chantelle didn't slow her pace, even though she wanted to turn around. She knew that Alyana was offering her the chance to escape.

"Get out of my way!" Meiyina screeched, clawing Alyana across the face. But her claws went right through her. Alyana began to laugh.

"Finally, I get my revenge on this foul family," she chuckled. "Finally."

"What on earth are you talking about?" Meiyina tried to move past, but Alyana flung an arm out and somehow, Meiyina was knocked back.

"This is the last thing I wish to do before I go sleep for a while," Alyana said. "I want to throw the Chardirs into chaos. Maybe Mother will escape. Anyway, I'd say that Chantelle has a pretty damn good head start. I'll see you when you die, sister." Winking, Alyana disappeared.

"No!" Meiyina screeched into the night. "No!"

But Alyana and Chantelle were gone, and so was the precious magic that the Chardirs had valued above everything.

"Are you still being an angsty little ball of fur, Electra?" Misto said teasingly.

Electra sent him a half-hearted glare. "Would you just leave me alone, Misto?"

"C'mon… you've gotta move on," he said. "I can help you!"

"Why are you so persistent with me?" Electra sighed, raising an eyebrow. "No one else is bothered."

Before Misto could answer, Electra heard another voice.

"Um… is this Electra?"

When Electra turned around, her immediate impression was that it was Victoria. Upon closer inspection, it clearly wasn't Victoria.

"A Chardir?" she asked suspiciously.

"Ah, yes… I am… my name is Chantelle." She frowned a little. "Though after what I've done, I'm afraid that they won't accept me back."

"Er… what do you want, then?" Electra asked, feeling a little awkward.

"Alyana told me to give this to you."

Only then did Electra notice that the white queen was holding a jar that was shaking and jittering with… magic.

"I-I…" Electra was speechless. She fell to her knees as the white queen handed her the jar. "I don't… I can't… really?"

"I risked a lot to get it for you," Chantelle said. "Alyana didn't say why, she just told me to give it to a dark tabby named Electra. She wanted to mess with the Chardirs, you see… so… if you don't want it…"

"No!" Electra said sharply, finally regaining coherency. "I… I don't think I've been this happy since my birth," she whispered, eyes stinging with tears of joy. This is… my magic." Eagerly, she unscrewed the jar.

"Um! I heard that's dangerous-" Chantelle began, holding out a hand of warning. But Electra paid no attention. She flipped the lid right off.

"Eek!" Chantelle squeaked, ducking down. She was embarrassed to reveal her true personality, but she was frightened. Electra had done something very stupid.

Or had she?

As soon as the lid came off, the magic in the jar seemed to simply flow into Electra's paws, not harming her in any way whatsoever. She sighed blissfully and dropped the jar; it smashed.

Eyes alight with joy, Electra lifted her hands upwards and shot lightning into the sky. "Oh," she whispered. "Oh." Then, she began to bawl. Even though she was sobbing loudly, she still seemed to radiant brilliance. Shaking with her tears, she rushed to Chantelle and embraced her tightly. "Thank you so much. I don't think I can ever repay you, but… thank you."

"It's alright," Chantelle said with a small smile. "I did it because Alyana asked me to. I wanted to. Now I've finally repaid my debt to her. Um… I better go now. Goodbye Electra."

"Goodbye," Electra whispered tearfully, looking at her hands and letting a spark of lightning fizz through them. Misto watched on, his own eyes shining.

Chantelle left, head held high, even though she was now an outcast. She was proud of what she'd done. She'd done it for Alyana.

"Well done." Alyana herself stepped out then, eyes warm.

"Thank you. It was the least I could do. That Electra… she looked so happy. And the tom behind her did too."

Alyana chuckled. "I saw that she was desperate to have her magic back," she said. "And so my dastardly plot to make both me and Electra happy formed. Clever, much?"

"Very," Chantelle giggled. She'd missed listening to Alyana talk so much. There was something about her biting sarcasm that just fascinated her.

"So, Chantelle… what are you going to do now?" Alyana, for once, looked serious.

"I don't really know. I'll manage," Chantelle shrugged.

"I've done a terrible thing, haven't I?" Alyana sighed. "I never think it through properly… I've ripped you away from the Chardirs and they'll never take you back. I'm… sorry." The words sounded very odd coming from her mouth.

"No! Don't be!" Chantelle shook her head fervently. "I'm glad. I was really starting to get fed up with them. Especially… Meiyina."

"That sister of mine," Alyana chuckled. "Feisty little thing."

"She's just like you, actually, only with more motivation," Chantelle shot at her.

Alyana scowled. "I know, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it."

"She'll make a good leader… for the Chardirs." Chantelle heaved a sigh. "But I don't want to be a part of them anymore. I'll be fine, wandering the city. I might find a new place to stay."

"Hmm…" Alyana narrowed her eyes. "Not alone, Chantelle."

"Huh?" Chantelle eyes widened.

"You'll do no good alone! You don't know what it's like on the streets. You need someone… streetwise." With a laugh, Alyana touched Chantelle on the shoulder and her image faded away.

"Alyana?"

"Someone like me," came her teasing voice. "Maybe I can wait for sleep – for forever – for a little longer."

Chantelle smiled. Now she knew that she would make it, somehow.

Back at the Junkyard, Electra was experimenting.

"I wonder," she said, turning to Misto devilishly, "What would happen if I zapped another cat?"

"Stop looking at me like that!" he said indignantly. "I'm not going to be your test subject!"

"You sure about that?" she chuckled, pouncing on him.

It was just like the old days when she'd pretended to be happy, only now there was no need to pretend. She was happy.

"Hey!" Misto laughed. They rolled about together, giggling and snickering, until finally they paused for breath, Electra on top of Misto.

"I win," she grinned, tongue stuck out.

"I think we've reverted to kittenhood," he groaned, not bothering to struggle.

"It's time I had a little bit of fun, kittenish or not!" Electra beamed at him.

"I've never seen you so happy in my life," Misto said, smiling gently. "You look so pretty when you smile and laugh like that." Electra blushed, but looked pleased. "Your magic has made you more radiant than ever."

"I thought it would," Electra said. "Now I can finally be one of us. A true Jellicle."

Unable to help himself, Misto craned his neck and nuzzled her cheek. She blushed again.

"Aw, stop it, Misto," she said, still smiling.

"I can't help it," he said impishly. Working up all his courage, he pulled her close to him and pecked her gently on the lips. Her face went scarlet. "I've been waiting for the right moment to do that," he said, smiling.

"Yeah, took you a while," Electra said, regaining her snarky attitude. The glow in her eyes contradicted the sarcastic tone, though, and Misto knew that he'd done the right thing.

Jemima ran across the Junkyard, waving at Munkustrap along the way. He blinked and nodded back at her. Though he had given up his job, he had offered to keep performing sentry duty just like Alonzo did.

In fact, Alonzo was the one that Jemima was looking for.

She found him sitting on top of a large mound of wooden furniture, staring contemplatively into the distance. When he saw her standing far below at the bottom of the Junkyard, he smiled.

"Shall I come down?" he called to her.

"It's okay," Jemima said, albeit a little nervously. She did want to see the view from where Alonzo was sitting. So slowly and cautiously, she ascended the mound, Alonzo giving advice all the way. Finally, she made it to the top and sat down next to Alonzo, breathing hard.

"Nicely done," he purred.

"Gosh, that was frightening," she said, smiling sweetly all the same. The view was amazing. She could see far, far across the city and the whole of the Junkyard. The tiny figures of the Jellicles bustled about, back to their normal routine after rest from the Ball. She could see Plato and Etcetera walking towards Munkustrap, hand-in-hand. She could see Misto and Electra – tussling? She smiled at the sight. And the white figure of Victoria was easy to spot. She was sitting completely still in an isolated part of the Junkyard, not doing anything.

"Nice view, isn't it? I would take it for my sentry spot, since I can see everything, but it might be difficult actually getting rid of intruders," he purred.

"It is a nice view," she agreed.

It was strange that neither of them noticed Pouncival's approach from beneath them.

"What're you doing up there, Jemi?" he yelled.

With a gasp, Jemima slipped and lost her balance. Crying out, she tumbled off the table, Alonzo clutching desperately for her. His eyes were in a frenzy.

Jemima landed some ways down the pile, hitting her head hard on the leg of a table. Her eyes closed and she slumped. Alonzo careered down the pile and Pouncival bounded up. Both looked utterly devastated.

"What were you thinking?" Pouncival shouted furiously. "Why was she up there with you! It's dangerous!"

Even in his state of panic, Alonzo was a smooth liar. "She thought she saw a dog, you idiot! She just came up to tell me about it. What you did was stupid! Startling her when she was that high up!" He glared, looking very dangerous. "I thought you were meant to be her loving, caring, tomfriend," he sneered.

Pouncival's looked distraught. "I… no! We can't argue. Is she okay?"

Alonzo lifted Jemima into his arms and carried her carefully down the rest of the junk-pile. "I hope so," he said softly, looking into her expressionless face.

Halfway to Jennyanydots' den, her eyes flickered open and she stared confusedly into his face.

"Jemima!" he said, stopping. Pouncival, who had been left behind, ran to catch up.

"A… A… Al…" Jemima struggled with the name.

"Alonzo," he reminded gently.

"Yes," Jemima said. "That's it." Her eyes flickered past him to Pouncival. "P… Pounc…"

"Pouncival. It's me, Pouncival," Pouncival said, tone agonized.

"Yeah." She smiled sweetly at them both. "I think… I like you guys."

Pouncival almost cried.

"How much do you remember?" Alonzo asked quietly. "What's your name?"

"Je… Jemima," she said, sounding a little doubtful.

"That's right. What tribe do you belong to?"

"Jel… Jellicles…"

"The names of your friends?"

"Mistoffelees… Etcetera… Electra… Plato… they're my friends."

Alonzo frowned. "What about the white one?"

Jemima just blinked dazedly. "What?"

"Victoria."

"Oh… yeah." Jemima screwed her face up in concentration. "I think… she's sad," she said finally.

"Yes, a lot of us think that too."

"And I…" Jemima appeared not to have listened to Alonzo. "I'm happy," she said.

"Why's that?"

"Because… I like you both… a lot," she said, once again smiling innocently.

That time, Pouncival really did cry. He sniffled and wiped his arm across his eyes. Alonzo bit down hard on his tongue.

Jemima would be alright, as long as she was surrounded by the cats she loved.

Victoria woke up from her faint feeling dizzy and weak. She was alone in Asparagus and Jellylorum's den, staring up at the ceiling. Bracingly, she swung her legs off the bed and almost fell over from the effort.

"Are you alright?" Macavity's voice asked. "Are you awake?"

I'm awake. A bit dizzy, but… I'll be okay.

"Stupid Plato," he muttered. "Find a place where you can be alone, alright?"

Why?

"You'll see," Macavity said smugly.

So Victoria got up and slowly made her way to one of the most isolated spots in the Junkyard. She went there often those days, wanting to escape the Jellicles and just be alone. It was a place where cutlery and cooking utensils had been dumped, along with a few shovels and pitchforks. Victoria liked seeing the sun's rays glitter on the silverware. It was calming.

She sat down and closed her eyes, sitting perfectly still and trying to regain her energy. She felt drained – most likely from the magic fight Plato and Macavity had had. She was lucky that she wasn't dying again.

"You look like an angel, I swear," Macavity said, sitting down beside her.

She opened her eyes and gave him a sidelong glance. After a moment of just scrutinizing him, her face broke out into a smile. "You came."

"I did say I would during the Ball," he reminded her. "Here, I brought you something." He handed her a scarlet flower that that glittered iridescently in the light of the setting sun.

"One of Alyana's flowers," Victoria realized, taking it from him. "I took one while I was with the Chardirs, but…" She frowned. "I ripped it apart."

"Yeah, that time you were telling me about how I wasn't allowed to love or something," Macavity said dryly.

Victoria shoved him gently. "I never said that!" She stood up and picked her way through a pile of plates until she found a little glass vase. "Perfect," she said, putting the flower inside.

"If I'm not mistaken, you'll need some water with that," Macavity said teasingly.

"Oh yeah," Victoria frowned. "Guess I'm not cut out for flower growing, huh?" she laughed. Macavity pointed wordlessly at a puddle and Victoria scooped some of the water into the vase. "That should do," she said happily, placing the vase on top of an upturned bowl.

"It looks good," Macavity said, if only to please Victoria.

"I'm glad you came," Victoria said, turning to him and smiling brightly. "I feel a bit better now," she added as she wrapped her arms around him and breathed in his scent.

"So do I," he chuckled. "A little less mad at the world, if you get what I mean." He drew her closer and kissed the top of her head.

"It's a shame that you didn't make Protector," Victoria frowned.

"I know," Macavity said. "But there wasn't really much chance of it anyway. I have other terrible, evil plans – believe me." Victoria just giggled.

"I'm so happy right now," she said softly. "But then you'll go again…"

"Have you ever thought about the word now?" Macavity said suddenly. "Every moment, in reality, was, is or will be now. Now is now – but so is now."

Victoria laughed. "You sound so funny – now, now, now. But… I suppose you're right. Now is all the time."

Smirking, Macavity tilted Victoria's face up with a finger and bent to kiss her.

Even if they weren't always together, they would last forever – forever until every single now that they would be lucky enough to experience.

End.