Nicolas McGill was scribbling frantically on a yellow legal pad. His thick red-brown hair hung down onto his forehead and he was hunched over, a look of extreme concentration on his face. After another five or so minutes, he leaned back, wincing and massaging his throbbing hand.

A young doctor, he was still considered a “newbie” by his colleagues and forced to do all the extra work that they didn’t have time to do or, better, didn’t want to do. Eager to please and be accepted by them, Nicolas, better known as Nick, willingly did as they asked, thus being thrust into the semi-respectable position he was in now. He’d been transferred to a private practice when his mentor had decided to take that up over Emergency Medicine.

Now, he had finished another page of the article he hoped to get published somewhere. It was about genetics concerning the interbreeding of Jellicles and humans. He knew perfectly well how controversial this theory was, but he desperately wanted to have a name made for himself. Even if it meant the risks he knew he would be taking- namely, putting himself in danger by the hands of some radical, extremist, anit-Jellicle humans.

“Dr. McGill?”

Nick looked up from his aching hand at a young, gorgeous nurse leaning against the doorway, her hip resting comfortably against the wooden doorframe. She held a clipboard in her slender hands, her auburn locks curling down past her shoulders, her amber eyes trained on him intently. He nodded.

“Yes?”

“Dr. Morgan said you’re free to leave whenever you’re ready to go home. He just finished up with the last patient and is just shifting through his patient files at the moment.” She glanced out the window and dropped her professional speech and contrasting physical stance. She straightened and her sharp eyes widened with some worry. “Please don’t walk tonight, Nick. It’s awful late and you’ll have to go through that Jellicle slum to get home.”

Nick began shoving his things into his black, briefcase type bag. He shot her an exasperated look, which was meet with a determined one instead of a worried one. “Really, Ash. It’s not that bad. You make it sound as though they’re all murderers and thieves. They’ve never bothered me before. What makes tonight any different?”

Ashley shrugged, though her eyes revealed that she thought the matter not in the least bit light. “I heard a rumor that one of their kittens was raped coming home from school.”

“You’re kidding,” he almost gasped in disbelief, then shook himself.

“No. That’s what I heard. If it’s true, I don’t think that the Jellicles are going to be very warm and friendly towards any human that comes strolling through their part of town.”

Nick sighed, shaking his head. “I don’t know… maybe you’re right about that.” He glanced up from his bag to her. “How are you getting home?”

“I’ve already called a cab.” She smiled, a touch seductively. “We could split it home.”

“I don’t have any money to pay you back with,” he said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Holding it open, he showed the empty inside. “I spent the last of my cash at lunch today. All the rest of my money is in the bank at the moment.”

“I’ll pay for it, then,” she offered. He could tell that she was almost desparate in not allowing him to walk home tonight.

“No, I couldn’t let you do that.”

“Tough. I’m not letting you walk home in the dark through the slum and let yourself get mugged or killed just because you’re stubborn and too prideful to let a woman pay for your ride.”

“You’re worse than my mother,” Nick laughed, making her place her slender hands on her hips with a scowl. “I suppose you’re going to force me to go bed as soon as I get home, too, right?”

Ashley licked her lips seductively, her eyes trailing down from face. And, landing on a certain area of his trousers which made Nick suddenly feel a little awkward.“Hmm… that doesn’t sound like such a bad idea, doctor.”

“Ashley!” Nick squeaked dramatically, widening his eyes and holding his hands up and out in front of him, in an almost pleading position. Ashley arched an eyebrow for a fraction of a second before settling herself into the role of the sexy, seductive nurse. “I had no idea you felt that way about me!”

“There are a lot of things that you don’t know, Dr. McGill,” she murmured huskily, grabbing onto his tie and yanking him forward. He let out a startled noise as she hooked her fingers into the belt loops on the front of his pants and forced him towards her. She pressed her mouth against his, closing her eyes.

Nick closed his eyes in response, wanting to pretend that the kiss was merely one from a friend who took a sick pleasure in making him crazy with desire. But, it was Ashley. And, that thought made him want to throw her onto the desk this very instant and-

“Eh hem.”

The two young people practically flew away from each other as a silver haired doctor walked into the room. He gave them a knowing smile, then turned to open a tall filing cabinet.

“Nurse Anderson, if you’re going to try and seduce Dr. McGill, I suggest you take it outside of the office. Imagine what the patients would think if they saw the two of you doing that.” He smiled broadly. She smoothed her green scrub top, trying to look indignant and, Nick reluctantly admitted to himself, pulling it off.

“If you must know, Dr. Morgan, Dr. McGill threw himself at me. I was trying to fend him off. You have no idea what I go through everytime I'm near. I think I'm going to have to file a sexual harrassment suit.”

“Ashley!”

Dr. Morgan laughed. “Not that I’d blame him, my dear girl. A pretty girl like yourself has to watch out for these young doctors. They think they’re God’s gift to the world and have a talent with seducing the nurses.”

"Disillusioned little buggers, aren't they?" she agreed.

“I can’t believe you just took her side!” Nick grumbled. “You always take her side.”

“'Cus I’m prettier,” Ashley replied, sticking her tongue out at him.

“Well, I’m smarter.”

“You wish. Smart like a sock.”

Nick snorted with laughter as Ashley’s face reddened with the realization of what she had just said. “That was so stupid!”

“So are you!”

“Now, children!” Dr. Morgan admonished, a playful twinkle in his eyes as he turned from the filing cabinet. “Stop bickering, or I’ll pull over.”
“She started it,” Nick complained, pointing accusingly at Ashley and jutting a lip outwards. Ashley placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes.

"I don't care who started it; I'm going to finish it in a moment," Dr. Morgan replied, shooting them both dirty looks.

"Dooooctor..." Nick whined, obviously enjoying playing this game, which he knew was starting to annoy Ashley by the look she was now giving him. One that suggested that she wanted to kick in the rear. Hard.

“What are you, six?” she snapped.

“I’m twenty-six, thank you very much. I just act six.” He shrugged into his jacket as he approached the door. “It’s all part of my evil plot.”

“Evil plot?”

“To make you crazy, then fall madly in love with me, and want to have all of my babies.”

“Ah. I see.”

Dr. Morgan glanced out of the darkened window. He turned back to the filing cabinet, shoved a file into it, closed it, and turned the lock.

“As much as I’d like to listen to the two of you bicker and carry on all night long, I believe your cab is here, Ashley.”

“It is?” she asked. She looked out the window and gasped. “Crap! C’mon, Nick. I have to get my jacket before we leave. And, yes, you are going to share a cab with me!” She handed her clipboard to Dr. Morgan. “Could you put that away for me?”

“Of course. Have a good night.”

“You, too, Doctor!” she called, dragging Nick along after her, who laughed at the eye roll he recieved from Dr. Morgan.

~*~

Nick silently watched as the nicer buildings of uptown faded into the smaller, more rundown buildings of the Jellicle section of town. He swallowed roughly at the sight of a young tom and queen walking hand in hand. They narrowed their eyes at the passing cab, then turned into one of the buildings.

“Right here,” he said quietly as the cab neared his building about two minutes outside of the Jellicle section.

Ashley smiled. “You all right?”

“Of course I am,” he replied, opening the cab door. “Just a little tired, is all.”

“All right,” she replied, looking somewhat unconvinced. “See you tomorrow?”

“Then.”

He got out of the cab quickly, giving Ashley a quick wave as the cab began to pull away. He waited until it was out of sight before he turned to head into his apartment building.

He started up the steps, pulling his keys out of his pocket. He looked around, a shiver running down his spine as the cold wind picked up. He turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open.

As he climbed the indoor stairs, another tenant’s door opened. An older woman peered out and scowled. Nick started to say something, but didn’t get the chance as the door basically slammed shut in his face. He flinched back, drawing his bag closer to his body.

He entered his apartment and flicked on the lights. He threw his napsack onto the couch and sunk down onto an armchair. He closed his eyes.

Nick sat forward suddenly and watched warily as a tiny, Jellicle kitten crept forward. Her large, green eyes were framed by long, black lashes, her coat a rusty red color barely accented in black. She tugged at the hem of an oversized t-shirt that served as a nightgown.

“C’mon. Come here, Cat,” Nick said, holding out his arms.

The little kitten jumped into the doctor’s arms, nuzzling her head against his cheek. He stroked her back absent-mindedly. He paused and looked down at her.

“Cat, honey, why are you shivering?”

“Cat is scared,” she replied. He frowned. She never talked about herself in third person unless she was extremely worried.

“Of what?”

“Mrs. Henderson,” the tiny kitten whispered into his chest. “She came by today and I think she might know that I live here.”

“Did you answer the door, Kitty-Cat?”

“No. I hide in my room.”

Nick adjusted the kitten so that she was on his knee. He wiped away the tears that were streaming down her cheeks.

“There, there, princess. I don’t think she knows. We’ll just have to be extra careful from now on,” he said quietly.

Cat nodded, her green eyes imploring. “Do I made you sad?”

“Why would you say that?” Nick asked, a little shocked.

“Because I always have to hide and you always have to look after me. Because I’m who I am.”

Nick kissed the tip of her tiny nose. “Baby, of course not. I love you very much. Why would I be sad to have such a beautiful girl for my daughter?”

“I dunno,” Cat murmured, looking away from him. “I’m sleepy, Daddy.”

Nick chuckled. “I’m sure you are. It’s way past your bedtime. Did you eat?”

“No. I was scared Mrs. Henderson would hear me…”

Nick set Cat down on the ground. She padded into their large kitchenette and Nick followed her. She pulled out a container and held it out to Nick as though she were offering him a sacred gift.

“Spaghetti,” she said seriously and solemnly.

Nick groaned. “We had it last night, darling. Not again.”

“Please? Please?” she whined, dancing from foot to foot. Nick stared at her, the thought that she looked as though she were doing the infamous pee-pee dance almost making him laugh, then sighed. He pushed her aside to get to the refrigerator. She clapped delightedly as he grabbed the container of left-over spaghetti from her and popped it into the microwave, giving her a playful glare. “Thank you, Daddy!”

“No problem, fuzz face. You owe me a night of liver and onions now.”

Cat put her hand over her mouth, looking suitbly horrified. “Daddy! No!”

Nick tousled the fur on the top of her head with a laugh “Kidding, kitten.”

"Meanie..."

Cat climbed into her seat at their little table, tucking her legs underneath her. She gave him another reproachful look, then turned her attention elsewhere. She no longer paid any attention to Nick as he shuffled around the kitchenette, far too engrossed in the back of a cereal box to have time for him. Her tail twitched back and forth as she read it. Or, at least, struggled to.

Nick yelped as he pulled the hot container from the microwave. Cat gave him a disproving glance as if to demand the reasons he seemed to be so stupid. Taking it out of the microwave with bare hands. He must be very foolish, indeed.

They ate their late dinner in relative silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Nick finished first and rinsed his plate in the sink. He returned to the table and watched his daughter eat. She finally glanced up, tomato sauce on her chin and around her mouth.

Despite her youth, he was suddenly rendered speechless by the gaze she gave him. She looked so like her mother for a moment that the ache inside him for her made him feel like weeping. Cat noticed the stricked look on her father's face and frowned, worry on her face.

“What is it, Daddy?”

“Nothing,” he replied quickly, forcing a smile. “Ready for bed?”

“Yeah.” She slid out of her chair. She slipped her hand into his and looked up at him. “Can I have a bedtime story before I go to sleep?”

“Sure. What do you want to hear?” he asked, leading her into her bedroom.

“A story about a princess. A Jellicle princess!” she replied eagerly.

“OK,” he agreed.

Nick tilted Cat onto her bed and pulled back the sheets. She crawled under them and nestled down. Only her furry head was visible. Nick smiled and began his story.

After about twenty minutes, and a bathroom break, Cat slid her thumb into her mouth, watching Nick through half-open eyes. Her mind was wandering between his story and her own private thoughts. Even with her father there, she felt uneasy and frightened in her own bed. She was terrified of the others in the building.

Soon, she drifted off and Nick felt himself yawn. He glanced at the clock to see it was nearly eleven at night. He shook his head and stood. Hadn’t, only a few years ago, he been able to party until dawn without so much as a hint of sleepiness? He touched his face and thought that his child and work must be making him older than his age was supposed to be.

He flopped down onto his bed and was asleep in a matter of moments.

~*~

He tossed and turned most of the night, dreams haunting his sleep.

He remembered a dream about his deceased lover, Cat’s mother.

He was walking down the road, beside her, about five years ago, she at his side. They were careful not to touch, knowing how many people were disgusted with them already. How many people despised them and wished them dead.

Suddenly, she screamed and was flung violently against his side. He stumbled and caught her in his arms. He gazed down at her in confusion until he noticed the bloody, red stain soaking onto his shirt. He, too, had screamed, just as much in agony as she had, sinking to his knees.

He had tried to stop her bleeding. He tried to hold her close as possible, hoping that could stop that awful red stuff from flowing from her body. He tried, but it had been useless.

She had clutched him tightly, whimpering in pain, until her body wracked with spasms of pain and she was gone. He had continued holding her, oblivious of the crowd hovering around them, muttering her name over and over again. When the crowd suddenly started yelling names at him, cursing him for feeling sympathy for a worthless Jellicles, he had reeled away from them, trying to take her body with him.

He’d only gotten a few paces, before sinking down again and weeping bitterly in front of them. Only when the police had come had he found the strength to stand, then be lead into the station for questioning.

Only, his dream stopped at the part where she drew her last breath and replayed it over and over at him, playing a cruel joke on him.

He sat up suddenly, tears running down his cheeks. He buried his face into his arms, rocking back and forth. It had been five years ago. When Cat was still a baby. When he was still so young… But, the dream had stirred up something so disturbing within him, that it was all he could do not to cry out in the agony of loss. He mustn’t let Cat know he was crying.

“How can I keep this up?” he asked, his voice breaking as he trembled. “Mara, I need you! God, I need you more now than ever! How could they take you from me? How? What gave them the right?”

He let out a soft moan, a shiver running up his spine. “Cat does, too! Mara…”