For BroadwayKhaos' Jellicle week March. I don't own CATS.

He lived with his family in a small apartment building, they lived on the third floor. Their windows were to the fire escape so the four cats could easily come and go as they pleased. The four cats were Gus the Theater Cat, his mate Jellylorum, their son Asparagus Jr. and their daughter Etcetera. They lived with a man who studied to become a doctor, but he was also working at the theater and that's where he found Gus and took him home.

He then brought Jelly into their lives after finding her injured by a car. He took her to the vet but when no owner called in for her, even though she had a collar, he decided to take her in. For Gus and Jelly it was love at first sight and their owner could see that. He decided to let them be and not trying to stop any future kittens. He actually was against sterilization and castration on animals. It took some time but then Jelly and Gus got one kitten, a tom named Asparagus after his father. Some years later he got a sister, Etcetera.

The four of them was right now lying around the living room resting after the Jellicle ball. Jenny's mother had been the one chosen to go to the Heaviside layer. Asparagus was lying near the window to let the sun warm his fur. Nestled into his side was his little sister, she loved him a lot. Not as much as Tugger but close to it. Their owner had just gotten home too and Asparagus was deep in thought about the previous night. Macavity had tried to attack him but Munkustrap, the tribe protector and Alonzo, his second in command and Admetus, Asp's best friend, had chased him away.

"I don't believe it", he heard someone growl and looked up. The one yelling really loud was their owner. The man stalked into the room where his four cats were. He sat down on the couch with a heavy, angry sigh and then groaned frustrated. Jelly hurried over to him and rubbed against his arm. He put her on his lap and caressed her sleek fur.

"I can't do it", he said. "I just can't believe it."

"Meow", Jelly said and tilted her head. Her mate and children came over to them too. The man Mattias looked at them.

"Stupid landlord", he growled. "He's come up with a new rule… Only three animals allowed in the apartment."

"What", Jelly screeched, not that Mattias would understand him. Asparagus Jr. felt his little sister tremble beside him in fear.

"I've been calling around", Mattias went on. "But no one wants to take one of you in… I can't afford to move and I don't want to put you in a shelter where you'd be… put to sleep." He sighed and buried his face in his hands. Jelly turned to her family.

"What will we do mum", Etcetera asked.

"What can we do", Jelly said. "One of us must leave…"

"But mum!"

Asp decided to take matters into his own hands… excuse me… paws. He took off his collar and jumped down of the couch. Mattias looked up at that.

"Artie?" he asked in confusion when he saw the brown cat walk up to the window.

"No Asp!" Etcetera yelled and ran up to him and rubbed against him in a heartbroken way. "You can't go!"

"Etcy", he said and nuzzled her soft headfur. "There's no other way. Dad is too old for the streets and you are too young. You both need mum."

"But you can't leave", Etcetera wailed.

He nuzzled her face softly.

"Etcy we'll meet at the yard", he said.

"No!"

"Yes we will."

"I don't want you to go!" She was crying. But then Mattias picked Asp up and looked at him.

"You're going aren't you", he asked and Asp looked at him. "I've always told everyone you're a smart cat Artie. It won't be the same around here without you. I know Mitzi will miss you something awful" He looked down on Etcetera that was trying to climb up his jeans.

"And I know Arthur and Joyce will too." He looked at the older cats. He hugged Asp to him and Asp purred and nuzzled his owner's neck. "Don't worry Artie if anything bad happens just come here okay?" He then opened the window and put the cat out. Asp looked at him and meowed before hurrying down the fire escape and was gone.

TBC