Chapter 8: The Mind is a Fragile Thing
T-Bone woke first, which was unusual since he was never known to be an early riser. Concern for his mate had him waking to check on the dark tom.
Sometime during the night, Ulysses had rolled to face the tabby. T-Bone stared at the still ravaged visage. Sleep hadn't managed to erase the hell the tom had gone through the night before. Frowning in concern, he truly wished they could just stay here for the day. He had a very bad feeling about allowing Feral out anywhere until he was seen by a specialist.
Before he could make a decision it was taken from his paws by the ringing of the phone on the other side of Feral. The dark tom jerked awake, eyes staring in a rather panicked manner.
"Shuuu...easy, it's just the phone," T-Bone murmured to him, caressing his face and feeling the tom's heart race as he leaned over the big body and snagged the phone. He didn't dare answer it for fear of letting others know he was staying with the Commander in his apartment, so handed it to Ulysses.
Still shaking from his jangled nerves, Feral took the phone and growled into it, "Feral!"
"Commander?" Came a light feminine voice, questioningly.
"Oh, yes, Ms. Briggs, sorry, I just woke up," he apologized gruffly.
"Uh, that's alright. I was just calling to let you know the press conference is set for nine o'clock. That's in an hour. Are you two still going to show?" She asked in concern. Something about Feral's voice hadn't sounded right to her.
Feral rubbed his face. The last thing he wanted to do today was go to a press conference but the public was getting antsy and the Mayor was adamant they speak to the press as soon as possible.
"We'll be there Ms. Briggs, don't worry. Thanks for calling," he finally said.
"You're welcome, see you there," she acknowledged then hung up. She stared at her phone, uneasiness settling over her. She had a bad feeling things were not going to go well.
T-Bone echoed that sentiment in his next comment, "we really shouldn't do this today. You aren't really stable and don't try to lie since I can clearly feel you're not really altogether this morning," he warned quietly.
Feral sighed. He didn't need his mate to tell him that. He knew he was still very much wrung out from last night and certain he shouldn't go the press conference. His control was, at best, very tenuous and this could push him over the edge but he really didn't have a choice either.
"You know we don't have a choice but I agree, I'd rather not do this either," he said heavily, pushing the bedding off himself and climbing to his feet.
T-Bone did the same and hurried to the dark tom's side as they headed for the shower.
In compensation for how rotten he felt they took a long shower with T-Bone gently but firmly giving his mate a soapy massage. He felt more loose and relaxed by the time they went down to his hummer and drove to city hall together.
Choosing to slip inside unnoticed, he and T-Bone opted for a rear entrance used by city employees and their elevator that got them to the Mayor's top floor. Here the halls were only moderately occupied by office workers who gawped at them as they passed.
Waiting for them outside the conference room was Sgt Fallon and Lt. Commander Steele. They both eyed the pair with differing expressions. The sergeant was worried and concerned while Steele barely hid his disgust at the sight of T-Bone.
Not saying anything to the pair, Feral opened the door and a wall of noise greeted them as they made their way to the podium. As per usual for something this exciting and unusual, the room was packed.
Shifting his shoulders, the only outward sign that he was uncomfortable and uneasy, Feral took his spot next to Ms. Briggs. T-Bone stood beside him with the sergeant and Steele taking up positions directly behind the pair.
Mayor Manx started the briefing by reiterating what had taken place the day before and it's results before allowing Feral to state what action he was taking to handle his obvious conflict of interest between the SWAT Kats and the enforcers and between T-Bone and himself.
Clearing his throat, Feral explained what he and T-Bone had discussed. "My mate and I have agreed to halt all hostilities between the enforcers and the SWAT Kats. Unless, they blatantly break the law and, that doesn't mean minor infractions and property damage, my forces will not harass or arrest them. Vigilantism is still wrong but not illegal, so if they don't break the law they will be tolerated," he told them uncompromisingly.
"As for T-Bone and I, because my need to dump energy is greater than my fellow Sabrens, my mate must have unlimited access to my person at all times, without exception or challenge. However, his partner Razor is not included in this agreement, except for emergencies which would be determined as they occur. As for anything else, that's private between him and I."
As soon as he ceased speaking the press hammered them with questions.
They fielded all questions with quiet ease. Any question that asked about their personal life was ignored, without exception. One reporter, however, simply wouldn't take no for an answer and persisted in asking very personal, obnoxious and rude questions.
Only a few of the other reporters echoed him but T-Bone and Feral steadfastly refused to answer or respond to his rude behavior. Finally, the guy asked a question everyone wanted the answer to and it brought the crowd to a silent halt as everyone waited to see if this would be answered.
"How can you legally remain the Chief Enforcer when your loyalties are going to be divided between your mate and your enforcers?" He demanded snidely.
During the whole press conference, Feral had managed to stay calm and keep his emotions contained but as time passed and a few reporters became more and more persistent, it began to get harder for him to retain his calm state.
This last question was the last straw! He felt cornered and harassed. The combination was lethal and broke through his fragile defenses allowing his fury and grief free rein. T-Bone only had a moments warning when he felt Uly's emotions crash violently against his own.
He had been furious at the little weasel and wanted nothing more than to jump off the podium and smash the fool's face in but that would only bring the full wrath of the public down on them. He grit his teeth and remained as polite and remote as he could.
But when Uly's mind went ballistic, he reacted quickly and whirled around to shove his mate against the wall behind them, both paws going to his mate's face and staring into those now glowing, wild eyes. The big tom shoved against his mate and roared.
The tingling against the tabby's body warned him Uly was drawing energy to attack. Eyes wide with fear for the crowd's safety, he shouted over his shoulder.
"EVERYONE OUT OF HERE...NOW...RUN!"
The room had gone silent in stunned surprise when T-Bone suddenly shoved the Commander backward but when Feral roared and the SWAT Kat shouted for them to run, the air was instantly filled with screams, curses, and shouts of fear. Turning nearly as one, the pack of press charged to the exit, except for Ann Gora and her camera kat and Ms. Briggs. The Mayor had fled to his own office at the sound of the Sabren's roar, crying in terror.
Steele and Fallon were caught off guard by the sudden change from peaceful but noisy news conference to utter chaos with an out of control Sabren, that happened to be their boss and a mob of frightened Kats racing for the doors.
But their shock was gone in a second and their training took over. Jumping down from the podium, the two spread out and made sure everyone made it out the door. Steele, returned to force Ann Gora and Jonny to leave as well, shoving the door in their faces.
They hurried back to the tense scene on the podium. Ms. Briggs had opted to stay but had jumped down from the podium and moved a prudent distance from the pair.
"T-Bone do you need help?" Callie called to the brawny tabby whose back remained turned toward her.
"No, just go Ms. Briggs. Make sure no one comes in here," T-Bone gritted not taking his attention off his volatile mate.
Steele was reluctant but he had no idea what he could do to help his superior that his mate couldn't so he coaxed the deputy mayor to leave with him and Fallon. They went through the door to the mayor's offices. He ordered Fallon to go guard the other door and he would do the same here. Now all they could do was wait and see what would happen.
When he heard the door close, T-Bone nearly sagged in relief. Now all he had to do was defuse the energy his mate was building. Pouring a message of safety and peace in a steady stream, he hoped desperately that he could reach his mate's still sane mind somewhere in the chaos.
It hurt...a lot...fighting against the agony Uly was feeling but T-Bone didn't give up. Finally, a glimmer of sanity reached out to him but by that time Uly was glowing like a miniature sun.
Coaxing his mate, T-Bone pressed Ulysses to the carpeted floor of the podium, he unzipped the tom's pants and pulled them off to reveal Feral's furry butt. Releasing himself, he plunged in without preparation. It didn't take more than ten minutes to bring them both to painful orgasms, the room lighting up like a starburst.
For long minutes after, T-Bone lay draped over Feral's body while he recovered. When he could move, he raised up and tucked himself away then tugged his mate back to his paws and knees so he could pull his uniform pants back up. Getting him to his feet, however, was another matter.
"Come on Uly, you need to stand up," he pleaded softly as he pulled on the body but there was no response. He could yank Feral to his feet but would have difficulty holding him there by himself. His mate's head hung down, eyes closed, mind in complete shutdown. That more than anything scared T-Bone witless.
He reached up and tapped his helmet, "Razor!"
"Yeah, buddy! What's wrong?" Razor answered promptly.
"Uly's had a complete melt down! I've got to get him to a hospital. We should never have tried this especially after what happened last night. Get here on the double!"
"Gods! I'm sorry T-Bone, leaving now, be there in five!" His friend said, worry for his friend in his voice, before cutting the connection.
After reaching his partner, T-Bone left Uly where he was and hurried to the Mayor's door. Bursting in, he startled Steele and Manx. Steele jumped and pulled his weapon while his honor shrieked and hid under his desk.
When he realized who it was, Steele, put his weapon away and snarled, "Where's the Commander...what have you done to him?"
"Stuff it, Steele!" T-Bone hissed, angry and afraid for his mate. "My partner is rushing here with the Turbokat. I need to get Ulysses to the hospital as fast as I can...I..." he was forced to pause as he rubbed his aching temples. "Crud! He's in such an emotional mess, he's making me hurt on the rebound. Right now he's shut down and that hurts too!" He moaned. "I need help getting him to his feet. He won't stand up!"
Steele frowned in disbelief and hurried into the other room, spotting Feral's form behind the lectern still on his paws and knees, his shirt hanging out from his pants. He was shocked. Going up onto the podium, he approached the tom cautiously. Feral's face was hanging down. Steele squatted and tried to see his superior's face, what he saw made him swallow in fear, Feral looked like hell.
T-Bone quickly dropped down beside his mate and hugged him, murmuring words of comfort and trying to encourage him to stand.
Steele could only shake his head as he helped the SWAT Kat gently force the big tom to his feet by hooking their arms around Feral's and tugging upward. Finally, Feral rose to his feet but swayed, eyes still closed, face empty.
Steele released Feral but snatched at him again when the tom swayed dangerously, tugging the SWAT Kat nearly off his feet. Feral's eyes snapped open but the glassy look made Steele's heart sink. The SWAT Kat had not been exaggerating, his superior was really sick.
T-Bone reached his free paw up and gently tapped his mate's face while sending waves of good feelings but the response he got was a barely heard moan and twitch of facial muscles.
"Uly?" He pleaded softly.
For just a second, Feral's eyes seemed to see him but the stare was a flat, dead one. "I don't want to fight anymore. Let me go," he whispered thickly, no emotion in his voice.
A thrill of fear raced down T-Bone's spine. His mate was asking to be allowed to die. Noooo! It would mean his death as well. But more than that, he didn't want this thing they'd begun to be destroyed and if there was a kitten...oh god!
"Uly, no please, it's okay, we'll find out what's wrong and get you help. Don't give up! Please love!" He pleaded anxiously, caressing the exhausted cheek, tears of his own soaking his mask.
Uly's expression remained blank and he continued to sway on his feet while those around them looked on in horror by what was said by the pair.
Manx had joined them and paled when he realized what Feral meant by that statement. "What's wrong with him?" he asked in a hushed voice. "Is he crazy."
"That's what I want to know," Steele muttered, uncomfortable and scared by Feral's strange behavior.
T-Bone swallowed. "He's...there's something wrong with his emotional controls...ever since we mated, he's been unable to cope and suffered a break down last night. I knew we shouldn't have attempted this meeting..." he choked, tears making it hard for him to speak.
Callie came to his side and gently rubbed his back trying to offer comfort to the obviously anguished SWAT Kat. "I'm sorry T-Bone, hopefully the doctors can find out what's wrong and help him get better," she said, staring at Feral worriedly. It sent a shiver down her spine to see the Commander like this.
Swallowing again, T-Bone reached up and tapped his helmet radio. "Razor, where are you?"
"Just arriving buddy! Need help?" Razor's voice came quickly to his grateful ear.
"Yes, Mayor's conference room, hurry!" T-Bone begged him.
"Roger. Be right there." Razor said anxiously, not liking the near panic in his partner's voice..
"T-Bone, keep us informed of Commander Feral's condition please." Callie requested quietly.
"Yes we need to know how long he's going to be out of commission. The press is going to have a field day with this, Callie." Mayor Manx said in concern.
"I'll take care of them, Mayor. I'm more concerned with Commander Feral's welfare right now," Callie said angrily at the Mayor's self-serving callousness.
He jerked back and cringed at her unexpected anger.
"I'll let you know as soon as I can," T-Bone promised distractedly, sighing in relief when his partner burst into the room from the direction of the Mayor's office. He'd seen the press hovering around the hall and chose this entry point instead.
Razor hurried up and took Steele's place holding Feral up on his feet. One look into that flat expression shocked the smaller SWAT Kat. This was no simple break down he was thinking.
"T-Bone! There's press all over the hall, I managed to slip by them but that's not going to work going back to the roof stairs," he said hurriedly.
Grimacing, T-Bone dithered. His head was nearly exploding from the pressure it was under from his mate. Before he or Razor could come up with a solution, Steele surprised them and stepped forward.
"I'll get them out of here, just wait about five minutes, okay?" He asked, concerned whether the Commander could wait that long.
"Alright, as fast as you can please, he's not holding together well!" T-Bone said, relieved and surprised by Steele's initiative.
Steele just nodded and ran for the doors Sgt Fallon was guarding. He pushed outside and soon they heard his voice shouting at the crowd to leave the building now. It seemed to take forever but in reality it was only the promised five minutes before Steele hurried back in.
"The way's clear!" He said quickly, holding the door for them.
T-Bone and Razor pulled Feral along as fast as they could get the tom to move. It was a slow, painful procession that walked out the conference room, down the hall and up the stairs to where the Turbokat was parked.
Razor signaled the cargo doors to open and they coaxed the Commander up the ramp and into a seat. T-Bone took the seat next to his mate and hugged his body close as the doors sealed again and Razor took the pilot's position.
The jet raised straight up then moved forward quickly, Razor understanding the need to get them to the hospital as quick as he could.
'It feels strange being a passenger,' T-Bone thought inanely, pressing his head to his mate's shoulder.