Chapter 1: Unexpected Visitor

Note: At this point in my fic timeline Kitty has been Deputy Chief of the Petropolis branch for about 3 1/2 weeks.

Downtown Petropolis, Cat Walk

Kitty Katswell's Apartment, 9:20 PM

Kitty was just coming out of her kitchen in her pajamas with a bowl of popcorn to watch one of her favorite action movies 'Eliminator*'. It had been nearly a month since she'd been promoted to Deputy Chief of her branch. Director Pantra had pulled a few strings that allowed her to continue to do work as a field agent with her partner Dudley Puppy.

She was still mulling over how she felt about her partner's admitted crush on her. It was mostly because the last guy she fell for was her ex-partner and mentor Jack Rabbit, who months ago had attempted to steal TUFF's secrets from her mind, if it weren't for Dudley's timely intervention Jack would have succeeded.

If she was going to say anything along the lines of starting a relationship, Kitty wanted to be sure of herself.

*Knock...Knock...Knock*

Kitty was brought out of her contemplative trance by the three hard, but strained raps on the door of her apartment. She was not expecting anybody tonight, but decided to check the hallway camera. Kitty's eyes couldn't believe what was in front of the door, as she immediately opened it to a very thoroughly beaten Dudley.

All of his soft white fur had been poorly shorn, his favorite black t-shirt had been ripped off save for the collar down to the right sleeve. His body was covered in numerous small shaving cuts, abrasions on both of his elbows and knees, several bruises on his arms and thighs, and a black eye.

Kitty attempted to help him up "Kitty no please don't, it-it hurts too much to stand." Dudley said to her, as he tried to gather a coherent thought. Kitty would hear none of it as she grabbed his wrists and dragged him inside. She threw a blanket on top of Dudley to keep him warm.

"He broke out." a quizzical look came over Kitty's face. "I was walking home from TUFF. He was waiting in an alley. I got jumped, he grabbed me by my shirt and threw me into a wall."

"He-. *pauses* Is this entertaining to you Kitty?" Dudley asked his partner who had started eating her popcorn while listening. "Oh sorry, got hungry." Kitty said as she set the bowl aside. "Next thing I know he took a pipe to the back of my head. By the time I woke up, he was gone and I saw he'd shaved all my fur." he concluded.

"Dudley, who broke out? Who did this to you?" She asked

"Jack, your ex-partner." Dudley replied passing out from exhaustion. Kitty was in shock that Jack had broken out of prison, but was more distressed that he did something this cruel to her partner.

10:00 PM

Kitty would have taken Dudley to TUFF right then if it wasn't past 7 PM. She'd wrapped the worst of her partner's wounds until TUFF's medical staff could tend to them in the morning. The thought of going to her bedroom never once crossed her mind as she laid her head down on Dudley's back, causing him to cringe in pain a little.

"I'll take care of Jack tomorrow. Not even he can get away with this." Kitty whispered into Dudley's ear. As she let herself drift off to sleep.

Author's Notes

1.) Think 'Terminator'. Pity I can't think of a good name for an Arnold expy.

More to come, Please Review/Comment.