Betrayal of Need
By Alliecallienip


He was angry. She could see it in the lines of his face. His jaw was tensed. His green eyes 
were clouded over with anger. His ears lay flat against his head. He moved stiffly, avoiding 
her. She knew that she had to find him and set things straight again - tell him that she 
really loved him, and no other.

The Jellicle Ball had ended. Old Deuteronomy chose Gus to go to the Heaviside Layer. She 
smiled as she remembered the look of rapture on the old cat's face when he had gazed up into 
that heavenly light. That perfect moment was spoiled only by the thought of him, and his 
anger.

She watched as all of her queen-friends left with their toms, keeping up a cheerful front 
all the while. No one could tell that she was upset - no one but him. She wanted to cry out 
for them not to leave her, not alone with him! But she held her tongue. It was her problem - 
hers and his. Not theirs.

Once the last couple had gone, she turned to face him, frightened but determined. He stood 
with his back towards her, clenching and unclenching his fist slowly. She tentatively 
reached out to set a paw on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she murmured hesitantly.

With a sudden snarl he whirled. She leaped back, frightened of the horrible anger she saw in 
his eye. "I am your mate! *I*!" he shouted, his voice echoing thruout the dim morning light. 
"And yet you - you - " He halted his words, too furious to continue. She began weeping 
softly, her tars wetting the soft fur covering her face. Ignoring her distress, he began to 
pace in a tight circle. "You betrayed me. I want to know why."

Between sobs she managed to choke out, "I - I don't know. Please, believe me... you're the 
only one I love!"

He snarled, "I wish I *could* believe you." With a low growl, he turned and slapped her. She 
let out a sharp cry, reaching up to lightly touch her cheek. A few drops of blood appeared, 
staining her fur crimson. "That'll teach you not to fool around with other toms."

She cowered, her sobs growing heavier with every breath. He turned his back on her, stalking 
away. They would sleep alone, tonight.

She called out in fear, "Please! Don't leave me - " For along with a fear of him, was need. 
It wasn't want as much as need - wasn't love as much as fear - he owned her. She couldn't 
survive without him - he was her master. She need him. And she hated him for it. But she 
couldn't leave, and he knew it.

He hesitated, only for a moment. The first real sunrays of the day began shining into the 
Junkyard as he turned, saying icily, "Go back to him, Jenny. Go back to your precious 
Bustopher Jones."

"Skimbleshanks," she whispered, letting her eyes close as the realization set in that he was 
setting her free.

But he was gone.