I don't own these characters, except Tiger and Desi.
3: Fang and Claw
Callie was determined to not run in this recall election. No matter how often Felina gave her that pouty look or made a solid argument for why she should. Of course, no one else seemed to believe she should not run. In fact, it was just the opposite. Mel especially would not drop the issue and Nia was already trying to throw money at her.
"Hey, got a minute?" Rita poked her head into Callie's office. This was the trouble with sharing an office space with her pride sister. Of course, if it were not for Rita, she would not even have this office space since most of the city liked to treat her as a pariah.
"No. I have no minutes," Callie replied, making a show of holding up files. Hopefully, Rita would be fooled and think she had some life-altering case to prepare. She was actually not very busy, having no pending cases at the moment.
"Of course you do. I know you like helping the oppressed and all, which is why you need to run for mayor."
Groaning, Callie ducked her head. "Why don't you run? You or Mel could run and win." They liked helping the oppressed just as much as she did.
With a snort, Rita rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Neither of us have the visibility that you do."
"I have that because kats hate me." Her friends seemed to forget people knew who she was because they felt disgusted by her relationship. Hell, even Felina seemed to forget that, trying to push her into tossing her name into the hat with this blind hope that she could somehow win.
Frowning, Rita folded her arms across her chest, wrinkling her black suit jacket. "But, plenty of kats also admire you. Every lion and lioness in the city would vote for you."
Now, Callie rolled her eyes. "So, then enough for me to not totally embarrass myself." In recent studies, there were estimates that lions and lionesses made up about ten percent of the population of Megakat City. Nowhere near enough to win an election.
Rita came closer to lean on Callie's desk. "It's a start, though. You'd have at least the people smart enough not to vote Manx back in."
"So, it would come down to who they hate more. You don't think it would be a little crushing to then lose to Manx?" Callie was not sure her self-esteem could take that blow, her relationship being considered worse than Manx selling the city off piece by piece.
Rita scoffed. "You're so negative. Is this how you are when Felina asks you to run?" A teasing smirk worked its way onto her face.
"Stop trying to get dirt on my sex life. I tell Felina the same thing I tell you mooks, I'm not running. I'm not going to embarrass myself and I'm doing good work here. I'm not going to put my cases on hold to try to convince people to vote for me when they're not going to vote for me."
Rita followed her arms across her chest. "You're so negative. Surely you have bigger dreams than this." She motioned to the small, neat office space.
Callie frowned and shook her head. "How could my dreams be any bigger? I've been helping make sure lions and lionesses aren't discriminated against, making sure the law sees everyone equally, and making sure kats aren't treated as less than because they just so happen to enjoy the company of other kats."
"You know that's not what I meant. You know what, fine. I give up." Rita held up her hands and walked off. She gave up for now. History suggested she would be back within a couple of hours with a new argument for why Callie should run for mayor.
Callie went back to work until her phone rang. Her assistant, a college student lion named Tiger of all things who seemed fearless, let her know Felina was on the line. Callie sighed.
"Tiger, you do know you're not being helpful today. First, you let Rita in and now you're forwarding me calls from Felina, even though we both know what it's about," Callie commented, leaning on her desk.
"I'm doing what we both know is right. Besides, I'm not going to die by Felina's hand by not forwarding her call," Tiger replied.
Callie snorted and decided to just answer the call. "Lina, I'm not running." She got more calls about running than she did about how she was doing now.
"Are you sure? You can do more things as mayor than you are now and you know the job inside and out. You'd be an excellent mayor. I know this has been a dream," Felina replied.
Callie was silent for a long moment. Being mayor had been a dream, and she knew it would stay that way. No one would elect her now. So, she had decided long ago to stop dreaming. She did good now and this was as far as she would go.
"Lina…" Callie sighed, trying to keep her emotions inside.
"Kitten, you forget, I know you. I'm the person you whisper to at night, remember? Why don't you just try?"
Callie sighed again. She did not want to talk about this anymore. "Haven't I whispered that to you at night as well?" Felina knew her inside and out, knew why she would not, could not do this.
"I don't think you'll lose, though," Felina's voice was low, but also sincere.
Callie wished she could be certain of that. In the past, she definitely would have thought it was hers for the taking, especially with the investigations going on. Now, she told Felina how fearful she was that kats would chose a moron like Manx over her just because she loved Felina. She could not stand it.
"Okay, do you believe in me?" Felina asked.
Callie's face twisted a bit. "Of course I do."
"I know you do. Beyond Captain Lidon, you were the one who got me to take the captain's test. I was so sure they'd come up with some new way to screw me out of it, but you told me to go in there and do what I do best because I know what I deserve. You know what you deserve, too, kitten."
Callie rubbed her forehead as she took in those words. "It's not that simple. You only had to depend on you for the test. I have to count on people being smart enough to see that who I go to bed with has no bearing on how I run the city. They're not ready to see beyond their prejudices."
"Or so you think. You're scared. I understand that, but kats aren't as stupid as you think. You have good ideas and if they listen to you, you'll win by a landslide."
Callie doubted that very much, but Felina had been insistent about this since the recall announcement a few days ago. Felina truly believed Callie was destined for some amazing role in government. Callie was fine with what she did now, had accepted this as her lot in life. It was wonderful to know her lover believed so deeply in her, but she knew it was not going to happen.
"Okay, kitten, I know nothing I say will change your mind right now, but I want you to know I believe in you," Felina said.
"I know you do."
"I also want you to know I arranged for someone to come see you and try to change your mind." She could hear a sly smile in Felina's tone.
"Lina!" Callie scolded her partner.
"What? It'll be a good visit for you, regardless of what you decide. Just give her a chance. Oh, I need to go. Love you!" Felina was gone before Callie could respond.
Callie growled and tossed the phone down. She would have to pay Felina back for this. Glancing at the clock, she saw she had about four hours to think of the proper punishment for her beloved.
"I would vote for you and I'd get all of my friends to vote for you. You should run!" Tiger called from just outside the office.
"You should work!" she replied and focused on her job. The ship of being mayor had sailed, but that was fine. She made a different and she had Felina. She would live.
Before the day was over, there was a knock on Callie's door. She glanced up, expecting to see her assistant. Instead, a tall, almost regal she-kat stood in the doorway. She was dressed in an air force uniform with thigh high boots. Her short hair was combed completely back and sharp sky blue eyes stared at Callie.
"Deputy Mayor," she said in a crisp tone.
"Callie is fine. May I help you?" Callie replied.
"I'm Captain Amelia Thompson."
The name sounded familiar. "The air force captain?"
"One and the same. Do you mind if I sit?" The Captain motioned to the dilapidated chairs in front of Callie's desk. Her furniture was donated to her by other lionesses.
Why did Felina call her captain on me? "Please." She stood up and pointed to the chair.
Amelia stepped deliberately, making little noise. It took three measured steps for her enter the office and get to the desk. She shook Callie's hand, firm and steady, and then sat down. Her back remained straight and her shoulders squared. It was as if this she-kat had no idea how to relax.
"Is this about running for mayor?" Callie asked.
"Several kats have already made the suggestion and Felina isn't sure how to get you to listen. She thinks I might have better luck," Amelia replied. While her tone was polite, she still seemed clipped. She was clearly used to being in charge and it was easy to see how she got kats to obey her.
Callie smiled a bit and shook her head. She was not as easy to control and command, though. "Because you handle her and her crew so well?" She put on a playful smirk to avoid offending the captain.
Amelia's eyes danced with laughter that did not make it out of her throat. "No, I handle everyone well. How else do you explain Sergeant Feral still having a job?"
"She's a Captain now."
"Yes, I've heard. I'm Air Force, though. She will always be a sergeant to me. I'm quite happy she found a place to move up, though. I had always feared her talent would go to waste. And, this brings me to my argument." She folded her hands in her lap. "We have our first open lioness in the Enforcers and our first female captain. Why not add first lioness mayor to the list?"
Callie shook her head. Was she the only realist around anymore? "It would never happen. She didn't need people to vote for her."
"No, but she needs people willing to work with her and she has that."
Callie blinked. "She has? You mean they gave her a squad?" Damn it, Felina had not told her that.
Amelia gave a slight shake of her head. "They will. Someone called me asking for advice in possibly serving under her. I'm sure they'll tell her by the end of the week. Besides, she's very interested in getting you to go after this position before it's too late."
"It doesn't matter. I'd never get enough votes. No one would vote for a lioness, except lions and lionesses."
Amelia flicked her wrist as if that was nothing. "Most of the military would vote for you, as well."
Callie blinked. This was news to her. "Why would they do that?"
"Well, the military is quite used to lionesses. Any female in the military is typically assumed to be one, even if she is not. I'm married and people still assume my husband is some sort of mane. But, when I give an order, it is followed to the letter regardless of my sex or assumed sexuality."
Callie held in a snicker at the term mane. It never ceased to tickle her to hear the term for a lioness' cover. It just seemed like a weird term for lionesses.
"The military has never been a fan of Manx. The navy will never forget or forgive him for pushing them out of the harbor, especially after that ship sank," Amelia said.
Callie nodded. This was true. Manx, or at least someone in his staff, managed to convince the colonial government to move the navy out of the harbor to make more room for commercial shipping. This was right before one of Megakat City's many lunatic terrorist criminals sank a historic navy ship that had been in the harbor for over fifty years, a monument to a victorious war most kats had forgotten. Not the navy, though.
"I've spoken to other officers in the air force. Of course, we'll back you as you're with one of our own," Amelia pointed out.
"I don't have a party to run with," Callie argued. This would make it very hard to run. Many kats were committed to their party.
"We all know thanks to corruption there really is only a single party in Megakat City."
"This is true." It happened under Manx when the major political parties just began to back him instead of offering up their own candidates. Either way, the party still would not back her.
"You can form your own party. I suggest calling it the Fang and Claw party, personally. I'm always a fan ripping things to shreds." Amelia smirked, showing off sharp, sparkling canine teeth.
"I don't have the money for that." It would take a lot of backing to begin her own political party. She did not have the grassroots support, or the time, to properly grow one.
With a chuckle, Amelia shook her head. "You really should speak to your partner about that."
Callie was not sure what that meant. Felina did not have nearly enough money it would take to run a political campaign. The only person she knew with that type of money was Nia and she was not sure if even Nia could support an entire political campaign. Of course, it did not matter. She was not running, even if she might get all of the military votes.
"Felina tells me you'd like to enact social reforms. Do you really think kats won't go for that just because it's a lioness saying it?" Amelia asked.
Callie frowned. "I think hatred blinds a lot of people." She lost almost every friend she had thanks to this so-called scandal.
"This is true, but only so much. I've had big tomkats who think they're better than me curl away and listen after they see me in action, whatever the action may be. You don't need to convince everyone. You only need to convince a majority, fifty-one percent. You're already working with locked in votes, more than Manx."
"What if someone else runs?" Callie pointed out.
"You run that risk. But, do you believe in your ideas?"
"Of course I do."
"Do you believe this city deserves the best?"
Callie was not sure about that. This was the same city that was quite happy she had been fired. The same city that accused her of corruption long before the colony figured out Manx was really the one. But, she had so many things she wanted to do, so many things she wanted to change, and just see if they worked.
"I'm not sure if this city deserves more than what they keep voting in, but I'd like to make things better," Callie admitted.
Amelia nodded. "Like the work you do here. If nothing else, you owe it to yourself to chase this dream. If the world stands in your way, so be it. You have the means to chase it. Go after it for yourself. This is what I tell every kat who comes to me, especially she-kats, who feel like they can't go any further. Push until they run you over and even then, get back up and push more. No one has ever gotten anywhere or made a difference lying on the ground, complaining to the dust about how unfair the world is."
This was too true. Beyond that, it was not like Callie to give up without trying. Felina told her several times. She just had not listened.
"Small steps, Deputy Mayor," Amelia said.
"It's Callie."
"No, soon it will be Mayor Briggs. Until then, I have other rounds. My lot keep me busy." Amelia rose to her feet in a way that was almost artistic. She held out her hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you."
Callie reached out and shook Amelia's hand. Amelia was gone after that, as if it was mission accomplished. Of course, it seemed like it was.
-8-8-8-8-
Felina sat in her car, waiting for Callie. She had to drop Callie off and pick her up for at least the rest of the week until Callie's car was fixed. It was not so bad, except she always spent the time talking about Callie running for mayor and Callie always spent the time glaring and growling at her. At least they got it out of the way before getting home, where they could act normal.
"Hey, Lina," Callie said as she slid into the car. She leaned over to kiss Felina's cheek.
Felina tensed, waiting for a little more than the greeting. After all, she sent the Captain there. That could not have been pleasant for Callie.
"Uh… hi," Felina replied as she pulled away from the curb. Several minutes past with no words between them and Felina could feel sweat dripping down her cheek. Maybe I went too far. Sometimes, the Captain could come on too strong and shake even the strongest of kats. "Callie, kitten, you know I meant well, right?"
Callie only glanced at her. Felina swallowed hard. No, it was not the usual glare she got in the car, but it was still unpleasant. Scratching her ear, Felina tried to think of something to say.
"Sorry?" It seemed like the best place to start.
"Sorry for what exactly?" Callie inquired.
"Uh…" Felina was not sure what she was sorry for. Maybe being unable to let this go, but even that she was not sorry for. Callie needed to run for mayor. She could win, despite the bad press.
Callie stared at her with an intense glare. "Sorry for believing in me? Sorry for pushing me to pursue my dream? Sorry for being there for me above and beyond?"
Felina's brow furrowed and she squinted as she watched the road. "Uh… those all sound like good things." So, was she in trouble or not?
"They are." Callie smiled and reached over for Felina's hand. She held it in both of her. "You're a good thing, Lina. I don't want you to think otherwise, ever, even when you get on my nerves."
With a smile, Felina puffed out her chest a little. "I only want you to follow your dreams."
"I know and I guess it took an outside presence to convince me, but I want to do this now. I've wanted to be mayor since I first went to work in that office and saw all the ways not to do something. I want to clean up this city and make it a place all kats can live, love, and work to the best of their ability."
With a chuckle, Felina flashed her lover a grin. "Well, you got my vote."
"Of course I do. Your captain, she suggested I actually start my own political party to run."
Felina nodded. "Sounds good. Not like there's any parties in the city that aren't in bed with Manx."
"Do you know how much money that will cost?"
"Well, you've got Nia. I know she'll donate as much money as she can to you."
Callie nodded. "One donor does not a campaign make."
"And…" Felina went into her pocket and flipped a card in her fingers. "I've got a favor from two very wealthy brothers."
Callie blinked. "You think the Onca brothers would finance me?"
They had been through this before, but Felina figured Callie just needed reassurance. "Well, I did save their lives and they still talk to me, so they don't care about us being lionesses. Hell, they ask about you sometimes and want to know how you're doing and how things are going with us."
An elegant eyebrow raised. "Both of them? You talk to both of them now?"
"Well, Desi more than Hernan of course. Desi still likes making me laugh." Felina was attached to Desi, considering him a true friend. She would never really call in a favor from him, but ask for his help. She had no doubt he would and Hernan would probably go along with him.
Callie chewed the corner of her mouth. "It wouldn't be too much?"
"I'll call him as soon as we get home."
Callie only nodded, probably overwhelmed with the idea that she could actually chase her dream. Felina gave Callie's hand a reassuring squeeze. Callie squeezed back and Felina smiled at her. She wanted nothing more than to give Callie this.
So, when they got home, she made a beeline for the phone. Callie hung out in the background, trying to seem busy. Callie went in the refrigerator, but never pulled anything out. She also went through the cabinets, but again, did not pull anything out. Felina smiled and was about to make a remark about how dinner was not going to cook itself, but the call was answered.
"Hello," Desi's voice carried through the receiver.
"Hey, Desi, it's Felina." She watched as Callie now stopped pretending to look for things. She just stood still in the kitchen.
"Hey, Felina! I was just thinking about you. You have to let me take you out for drinks after shattering that glass ceiling. I know you don't want to hang out with me, but damn it, we'd have a good time. I know all the spots."
Felina laughed. "I've no doubt about that." Desi made it seem like he was a party guy, but usually when she called him, he claimed he was at home.
"But, that's not why you called."
"No. I called because, well, Callie."
"Oh, say no more. Tell you what, you bring yourself and the missus to my house for dinner tomorrow and you've got me without questions."
Felina blinked and had to look at her phone, like that would make things make sense. "It's just that easy?" Wish I had money like that.
"Well, Manx is an ass and almost certainly on his way to jail, I like you, and from what I can tell with the former deputy mayor, she's a good person. That puts her leaps and bounds ahead every other politician I've met in Megakat City and I have met a lot. I know about being ruthless and all. You don't get a business empire without it, but you need some kind of morals if you're going to lead people somewhere."
Felina nodded. "You're preaching to the converted."
"So, you'll make the drive?" A smile could be heard in his voice.
Felina groaned. Desi lived well outside the city, over an hour outside the city. He and his brother did plenty of business in the city, but recognized it was not the best place to raise a family, not that Hernan had a family. Plenty of the city's wealthy elite lived in the suburbs.
"Okay, never mind. I'm sending a car for you. It's done," Desi declared.
"You can't just…" Felina sighed. She could not turn this down anyway. Callie needed this.
"I just did. The car will be there by six. You should have time to get ready. Please, don't dress like it's a ball." Desi had the nerve hang up.
Felina growled, but did not bother to call him back. Instead, she turned to her partner. "We have a dinner date tomorrow."
Callie arched an eyebrow as she made her way into the living room. "With whom?"
"Desi. He's onboard, but he's using this to be annoying."
A smile danced on Callie's face. "He's the younger brother, isn't he?"
"Oh, it couldn't be more obvious. But, dinner date. He'll send a car for us at six, giving us time to get ready, but he doesn't want us to dress like it's a ball." They would not be left with much time to get ready, but any later and dinner would be pointless.
Callie blew her bangs up. "This sounds complicated."
"I doubt it. While I haven't seen Desi since pushing him off the platform, talking to him seems fine. He seems, well, normal, I guess. I mean, like I could probably have a beer with him."
"But, you haven't."
Felina rubbed the back of her neck. No, she had not, even when he outright asked. She was not sure why. Maybe it was because she was not used to hanging out with tomkats. Or maybe it was because she did not want him to stop seeing her as this heroic figure. She just felt like their relationship was fine and safe over the phone and through texts.
"Maybe I'm just a jerk," Felina commented.
Callie scoffed as she slid over to Felina and wrapped her in a hug, which included wrapping her tail around Felina. "You're many things, but not that."
Felina purred and rested a hand on Callie's tail. "You know I can't think straight when you're pressed against me like this." Her fingers enjoyed the soft fur of Callie's tail, slowly running along the tip.
Callie gave her a sexy smile with hooded eyes. "You should never think straight and let this go. You'll see Desi tomorrow and find out if he's the type of kat you can hang out with. More friends won't kill you." Her expression changed to a more amused smile.
Felina only shrugged to that. It was true. This year had allowed her to see how blessed she was, despite being outed. Captain Lidon fought tooth and nail for her. The Onca brothers remained in her corner and Callie never left her side. She had more people there for her now, more people she could trust with her life, than she had for a long time. It was nice.
"I love you, you know?" Felina embraced Callie and buried her cheek in Callie's soft, sun-kissed hair.
"I never doubt you do. I love you, too, and thank you for making me go after this." Callie held her tighter.
Felina sighed and rubbed Callie's back. She wanted nothing more than to give Callie everything her partner wanted in this life. I'll do whatever I can to make this happen.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: dinner with the Onca brothers and some talk of politics.
