Chapter 2:

Steve woke in his bed. Sunlight streamed through the window near his bed. Steve opened his eyes. He took in a deep breath as he turned to lay on his back. As he took in the deep breath, he stretched his arms above his head. As his mind drifted into consciousness, he realized that he was hearing a consistent purr next to him. He looked next to him and saw light blond tabby fluff next to his face. He grinned. "Morning, Danno."

Danny lifted his head and turned to look at Steve. He let out a meow. Good morning, Steven. He blinked slowly and continued his purring.

"Well, you seem like you're in a good mood." Steve murmured as he looked back up at the ceiling.

I am. . .It's a new day, and maybe, just maybe, today we'll get the call with news of an antidote that will change me back. Danny flicked his tail back and forth.

"Glad you're not pouting." Steve chuckled as he closed his eyes.

Hey, you're not going back to sleep are you? Danny got up and placed his front paws on Steve's abdomen. He let out a small mew, trying to get Steve's attention.

Steve opened his eyes sleepily. "You're gonna make me get up?"

Danny mewed again, this time a little louder. We have to go to work. And I'm hungry, babe.

Steve chuckled and petted the cat's head.

Danny moved his head to meet Steve's hand. He purred and blinked slowly again as Steve continued to pet him.

Steve grinned as he scratched the cat in between the shoulder blades. He yawned and put his head down on the pillow and closed his eyes again.

What are you doing, Steve? Danny hopped up on his stomach.

"Whatchu doing, Danno?" Steve asked as he opened his eyes again.

Danny laid down on the man's bare chest. I asked you first. . .feed me, you neanderthal.

Steve chuckled and petted the cat again. "Okay, okay. I give up." Steve wrapped his arms around the fluffy body and sat up. He scratched the cat's neck as he swung his legs over the bed. He sat for a second, scratching Danny as he held him.

Steve stared into the blue eyes that stared back at him. "Man, I can't imagine what went through your mind when I was a dog." He murmured. "I mean. . .I know you're a cat and you're right here, but. . .it just feels. . ." He paused. Lonely. He thought.

Danny gazed at him and meowed. I'll be back to my normal self soon enough, Steven. Please. . .believe that.

Steve chuckled at the cat's meow. "What am I saying? You'll be back to being your old grumpy self soon."

Danny glared playfully at him and he turned his head away.

Steve chuckled. "Okay." Steve sighed and walked around his room. He set Danny on the bed. "I'm going to take a shower."

Danny meowed. Steve! I'm hungry! Augh!

"I'll be 2 minutes! You know that!"

Danny let out a quiet meow without opening his mouth. Fine, you animal. Hah, I can say that now with it ringing true.

Steve chuckled and went into his bathroom to quickly shower.

After his shower, Steve quickly dried himself and pulled on a pair of underpants and a pair of khaki pants.

Danny meowed. Really? Those pants, Steven?

Steve looked over at Danny. "What?"

Danny let out another meow. I like you in darker pants.

"What?" Steve asked again as he walked closer to the bed.

Danny placed a gentle paw on the man's thigh, pawing gently at the pant waist.

"I don't understand, Danno. You hungry? I know, I'll feed you when I'm finished getting ready." He said as he turned and put a darker shirt on.

Danny sighed and jumped off the bed. He walked to the man's closet and sat by the pair of darker pants. He meowed.

Steve looked over at the sound of Danny's meow.

Danny looked up at the pants. He tapped them with his paw and looked back at Steve.

"What?" Steve asked with a small smile. "You want me to wear those?"

Danny meowed again.

Steve chuckled. "Okay." He gave in. He shimmied out of his khakis and took the darker cargo pants off their hanger and pulled them on.

Danny purred as the man did so.

Steve chuckled as he fastened his pants and threaded a belt through his belt loops. "Okay." Steve said as he buckled his belt. "Better?"

Danny meowed and rubbed up against his leg.

"Okay, good. Let's go." He said as he walked over to the door.

Danny followed him.

Steve fed Danny a good helping of cooked chicken and ate a bowl of oatmeal himself. As he ate, he looked at his phone, scrolling through news articles.

Danny finished what was on his plate that sat on the counter next to Steve and looked up at him as he licked his lips. He got up and walked over to Steve, who scrolled on his phone. Danny rubbed his face up against Steve's hand that grasped onto his spoon, pausing momentarily to read whatever was on his phone. Thank you, Commander, for breakfast.

Steve looked over at Danny and smiled. He set his spoon in his bowl and rubbed Danny's head. "What's gotten into you, Danno?" He asked as he pet the cat.

Danny only purred and sat next to him on the counter.

Steve chuckled. He picked up his spoon once more and finished his oatmeal. "Alright, Danny." He said as he moved from the counter over to the kitchen sink. He washed his bowl and spoon, dried them, and put them away. "Time for work?" He asked as he turned and walked over to the counter Danny sat at. He placed his hands on the counter and looked at Danny.

Danny looked up at Steve. He walked over and placed a gentle paw on Steve's lips.

Steve's lips curved into a smile as Danny tapped his paw on Steve's lips. Steve let out a soft chuckle. "Alrighty, big guy, let's go to work." Steve stood up and Danny leapt onto the man. Steve chuckled at the surprised jump from Danny and held him in his arms. "We'll call the research lab in the car."

Danny purred and let out a soft meow. I hope they've found something. I really don't want to be your cat forever. . .even if you'd give me the best treatment any cat could ask for.

Steve smiled and rubbed underneath Danny's chin. "Yeah, buddy, we'll get you back to being a normal grumpy, old man."

Danny looked up at him and placed his paw to Steve's lips again.

Steve laughed. He walked with Danny towards the door. He set Danny on the ground and grabbed his gun, badge, and car keys that sat on the table near the door.

"Alrighty, let's go." Steve said as he opened the door after setting the alarm.

Danny sprinted out to the Camaro. Today's gonna be good. I can feel it.