It was hard for Kam to keep his paws to himself on the elevator ride to the parking garage but he managed it...barely.
Ulysses, though his body was eager to fall into his mate's arms at the soonest possible moment, his mind was not, due to there being one sore point from the meeting that still rankled him. He said nothing as they stepped out of the elevator and walked to his hummer.
They climbed aboard and Feral started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, heading for the street and home. Kam noticed immediately that his mate was in a pensive mood and thought he knew why. He sighed mentally, realizing they wouldn't be making love the moment they entered Uly's apartment, they would be having an argument about the Pastmaster. 'Oh joy! Our first real spat unless we're counting the incident with Dr. Viper.' He groaned unhappily.
Feral maintained a distant attitude the whole trip to his apartment. He still didn't say anything as they stepped from the car then headed for the elevator. Kam dared to close the distance between them on the elevator but received a lukewarm reception. When the elevator dinged, Uly stepped out of the elevator ahead of his mate and made for his apartment door.
Unlocking it, he stepped in, leaving it open for Kam to walk through and close behind him. Feral pulled his coat, weapon, and holster off, storing them in the coat closet and safe, respectively.
Kam sighed loudly and flopped down on the couch. "Alright, let's hear it. I know you're angry with me so let's get it out in the open." He said mildly put upon.
Feral's eyes narrowed as he pulled his tie off then stalked, back ramrod straight, off to the bedroom. He returned some minutes later, barefoot, belt removed, and shirt unbuttoned. He took a seat in his recliner and studied his mate balefully.
Kam just stared back and waited his ill-tempered mate out.
Tapping his fingers in an angry rhythm on his chair arm, Feral glared at Kam as he tried to come up with the best way to describe his feelings.
"I don't like being overruled in that manner." He finally began. "The Pastmaster must be dealt with under our laws or they are meaningless and saying your people will be dealing with this problem, undermines my authority."
His wolf mate sat up, put his elbows on his knees, closed his eyes and rubbed his face in mild frustration. 'Why couldn't his mate just accept what is necessary rather than be so hide bound to rules? This is going to cause him problems when he joins our crew.' He groaned mentally.
Finally, he opened his eyes and stared at his mate. "I admire your morals and your unswerving devotion to the laws that govern your people. They make you the person I love deeply. However, your inflexible way of thinking in this area is going to make adjusting to life on the Wotan very difficult for you, Ulysses. There will be times when we must do something that will shake your world but is very necessary to the welfare of a species. A death may be necessary if it means the difference between a world's survival or its complete extinction. We use all the resources at our disposal before such a decision is made. As we did before making that pronouncement on the Pastmaster. You must understand that your world is not the only one affected here...the entire universe's existence is threatened." Kam tried to explain.
Feral frowned at his mate in consternation. He really didn't like what he was hearing and made a hand sign for Kam to halt. "Now just a minute! How the devil can the Pastmaster's actions affect the universe?" He demanded.
"Because every time he alters time or opens those portals through dimensions, he rips the very fabric of time and space. Those rips spread out and begin to have catastrophic effects on worlds unimaginably distant from yours. The galactic community has recorded planets being obliterated while others were so altered as to be unrecognizable. It had been an on going mystery as to where the temporal damage was originating. So all the worlds of the galactic empire were told to keep an eye peeled for its location. We were the ones to find it." Kam said, his expression grim.
His mate sat back and gaped in open horror. It was hard to imagine a problem of theirs could have such far reaching and devastating effects. Feral swallowed and realized Kam was only doing his job just as he was but his mate's job had more far reaching effects.
"Okay, I get it now...the Pastmaster must be destroyed to save the universe from further harm." Feral said, still badly shakened.
Kam sighed in relief. "Good! I'm glad you understand but I want you to truly realize we don't just condemn creatures because they are evil, we do have very good reasons for taking the actions we do and you will learn what they are in time." He told his mate encouragingly.
"Yeah, but will I be the same person once I do?"
Hearing an odd note of fear in his mate's voice, Kam shot off the couch, dropped to his knees before the tom's chair and pulled Uly into his arms in a tight embrace. "Of course you will be. You'll just learn to be more flexible is all." He murmured, giving his mate a kiss to soothe him. The dark tom clung to Kam as if he were a lifeline, signaling just how distressed he was.
Ulysses felt he was standing on a precipice, about to step off into a world he didn't recognize and was very afraid he would not be the same person anymore, once he did. He felt his life spiraling out of control despite his love for Kam and it scared him to the core.
"My love, it's alright...truly. All creatures make decisions that change their lives in significant ways...it's how they mature. You will still be who you are at your core, believe me." Kam said, concerned by his mate's sudden anguish he could feel through their embrace. Uly was more shaken by this than Kam had expected from the tough Kat.
He would have to spend more time with his mate to help him adjust to all the changes he would be undergoing as a new member of the Wotan's crew and perhaps it would be a very good idea for him to see Tara from some counseling. He made a note of that in his mind as he hugged and soothed his distraught mate.
Over at the salvage yard, the SWAT Kats had arrived home. Razor was the first to jump out of the cockpit and make for his locker.
T-Bone smirked at his partner's haste. "In a hurry, buddy?" He asked in amusement as he changed his clothes.
Jake just flashed him a self conscious grin. "Genus is meeting me at the Night Prowl in an hour." He said in explanation, then ran across the hangar floor for the ladder and vanished from sight.
Chance shook his head and smiled. He was glad his partner had found someone that made him that happy and had the added bonus of relaxing his over-stressed partner. He made his way to the ladder and up to the garage. He paused to check their messages and found no calls waiting then made for their apartment to get something to eat.
He was frying a hamburger on the stove when his partner sailed through again, showered and dressed for a night out.
"Looking good, Jake!" Chance called as the cinnamon tom passed him.
"Thanks, Chance. See you tomorrow." Jake sang out as he disappeared downstairs again.
Only a few minutes later, Chance heard the distinctive sound of a cyclotron roaring off into the gathering dusk. He grinned to himself as he finished making his dinner then carried it off to the living room to watch TV and relax.
He'd just finished his sandwich and was enjoying his favorite show, Scaredy Cat, when the door bell rang. He blinked in surprise. No one ever came out here to see them. Getting to his feet, Chance went downstairs and opened the door.
"Hi Chance. Care for some company?" Tara asked giving him a warm smile.
Chance blinked in pleased surprise. "Sure, come on in." He said, grinning, gesturing for her to come in.
She did so and waited politely for him to relock the door then lead her upstairs. She glanced around her, noting the waiting area and the garage beyond. This was the pair's livelihood, she knew, just as underneath this salvage yard was their secret base as the SWAT Kats.
She followed his handsome backside up the stairs to their small bachelor apartment. It wasn't much to look at but it was clean and comfortable.
Chance was pleased Tara had decided to visit him tonight. She looked good in a pair of red silk-like loose pants and bodice gripping halter top of white lace. Her shining copper hair flowing free down her back just begged for him to run his fingers through it.
"Would you like something to drink?" He asked politely as he gestured for her to have a seat in the living room.
"Hmm, maybe...depends on what you got." Tara said with a smirk as she took a seat on the couch.
"Well, we don't keep much around here but milk but I think I have something you might like. Give me a moment." Chance said then left for the kitchen.
Tara looked around the room at the well worn green couch and old brown over stuffed chair. On the TV a strange looking cartoon was playing. She focused on it while she waited for him to return.
When Chance got back in the room with two champagne glasses filled with a fancy liqueur a client had given them, he was pleased to see her laughing at the Scaredy Cat cartoon.
"Glad you like the show. It's my favorite." He said as he handed her a glass.
"Oh yes...I've never seen anything this ridiculous before and so amusing." Tara chuckled as she accepted the glass.
"Yeah, it relaxes me...a good laugh always makes me feel better and less stressed." Chance said as he sat beside her.
They watched the show and laughed together until it ended.
Tara finished her drink. "Hmm, this was pretty good. What was it?"
"Oh some rich customer of ours gave it to us. It's called Amaretto Liqueur, not bad really. You and I are the first to crack it open." Chance said smacking his lips in appreciation.
"I agree, it's really smooth and burns nicely going down." She said setting her glass on the coffee table. "So how do you feel about what was discussed earlier." Tara asked quietly.
Chance sighed, not really wanting to discuss business. "I still feel what you want to do with Callie is far too dangerous."
Tara eyed him sympathetically. "You wouldn't be who you are if you didn't. I understand your need to protect her from harm but this isn't just about the Pastmaster." She said seriously.
Chance blinked in surprise. "It isn't?"
"No. When we have ensured the Pastmaster is destroyed and our mission here is complete, your world will still encounter threats from magical opponents. You've already had such an experience with someone called MadKat so whose to say there won't be similar incidences down the road. Having Ms. Briggs become a well trained sorcerer will ensure the safety of your city. Believe me, she isn't a helpless female and from what we've observed, she would make an excellent defender just as you two are." She explained.
The tabby tom stared at her thoughtfully. Truthfully, he hadn't once thought about the other magical problems they'd encountered. Tara was right, they had no defense against magic. Still he didn't like the idea of Callie being thrust into the role of defender. Her job as Deputy Mayor was hard enough.
"Yeah, I can see your point, but I believe my buddy, Jake, will come up with a defense against magic eventually." He said stubbornly, shaking his head.
Tara eyed him for a long moment. 'Should she bring up the possibility her team had discussed or not?' She thought for a long moment until Chance started looking at her in concern.
"Chance, that might be true if Jake was still here but..."
"Huh? Why wouldn't he be?"
"Because, you two are going to be offered positions aboard the Wotan. You will be a valuable addition to the crew and get the chance to increase your knowledge and skills more than you would in the rut you've gotten into here." Tara said carefully.
Chance gaped at her then stood up in shock staring down at her. "Leave here? Go into space?" He blurted. He wasn't certain if he was angry or excited about the chance to fly a space ship rather than a jet.
"Yes. The choice is yours of course but I was hoping..." She let her sentence hang, not certain she could continue.
"Hoping what?" He asked, voice husky and uncertain.
"That you liked me well enough to want to join me." She murmured uncertainly.
He turned away from her and stared blindly at the far wall. His world had just turned upside down and he was totally unprepared to deal with the rapid changes he was being asked to make.
Licking his suddenly dry lips, he turned back to her, a frown on his face. "What about Megakat City? Who will protect it if we leave?"
Tara got up from the couch and went to Chance's side and gave him a hug. Looking into his unhappy face she said, "Chance, we would never leave your city unprotected. The meeting was to give you the tools to boost the enforcers abilities to do their job the way they were meant to and to make Ms. Briggs an additional safeguard for your city's future."
Chance scowled. "Feral will never allow robots to run with his enforcers and I'm still uncertain about Callie."
"Umm, the Commander already said he will because he isn't staying either." Tara told him.
Chance shoved away from Tara violently. Her perfect reflexes prevented her from falling to the floor. "What the hell are you talking about?" He shouted, clearly agitated by this news.
Sighing unhappily, Tara went and sat on the couch to try and set a more sedate and non-threatening tone to what was becoming a rapidly escalating angry discussion they were having.
"Please calm yourself, Chance and I'll explain." She said quietly.
The burly tom glared at her, ignoring her request by pacing back and forth for some minutes, trying to cool his temper before finally throwing himself in the over stuffed chair.
"So, explain already!"
"Commander Feral and Lieutenant Commander Kam have become mated. Feral announced that once his city is safe he would leave with the Wotan rather than be separated from his mate." Tara explained.
Chance could only gape at her in stunned disbelief. "Mated? How could they be mates? They are both males."
"Uh, I am assuming the Commander has kept private his rather unusual and rare biology by your totally poleaxed reaction. He's an hermaphrodite, Chance."
Slumping in his chair, he could only shake his head in amazement. Finally, he murmured more to himself than to the she-wolf, "Un-freakin'-believable!" He looked over at her, wondering if this was some kind of colossal joke but Tara's expression was gravely serious. "Crud, I would never have guessed that stiff-necked, arrogant, tom would be doubled sexed."
"Yes, well, Kam was totally swept away with lust by Feral's scent then pushed abruptly into a mating rut by it as well. It was hard to say who was more surprised...him or the Commander when they bonded. Life bonds are very special and rare among us." Tara mused.
"Bonded too? Wow! That is rare...Huh! Who would have thought it...Feral getting a mate from outer space. I'm just too freaked out by all this. It's happening too fast and still feels unreal." Chance muttered.
"I'm sorry, but I felt you should know what's going on so that you and Jake could decide what you wanted to do before the Wotan leaves." She said softly.
"Well, thanks for that at least. Even if it feels like I've been socked between the eyes its better to know now than at the last minute." He said heavily then went silent as he processed all this new information. As he went over the last half hour of conversation he realized Tara had asked him to join her...why?
He looked over at her and frowned thoughtfully. "You said you would like me to join you. Did you mean aboard the Wotan like Feral?"
Tara blushed and dropped her eyes. "Ummm, well maybe not just like the Commander unless you feel that strongly for me. I know we haven't known each other long but I feel a strong attachment to you. I enjoy being with you and you make me feel good." She murmured, a little uncomfortable telling him this. It wasn't something she did with her other lovers.
His expression gentled. "I like you a lot too and I enjoy being with you as well. But I'm not certain our attachment is strong enough for me to want to go waltzing off into space."
She sighed in disappointment. "I wish there was enough time for us to see if that remains true but we have no idea how much longer we will be here."
"True and I'm not certain we should. I would never leave my partner, though I thought I heard you say both of us were being considered?"
"Yes. Jake seems well and truly attached to Genus who is really enamored of him. But I have no idea if that attachment is deep enough for Jake to want to leave so we are left with waiting to see on both of you." Tara said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Ahh, I see. I can tell you this, Jake's eyes light up whenever he talks about Genus and he's more relaxed than I've ever seen him since the two of them hooked up. So perhaps there is something more serious happening there." Chance told her then sighed in resignation. "Well, I guess we should just let things go at their own pace and see what happens then."
Tara's eyes lit with hope at his last statement. He smiled gently at her then stood up and sat beside her, slipping an arm around her back.
"How about we start now?" He murmured, nuzzling her neck.
"Good idea." She sighed, cuddling closer to him.