Hello everyone! New chapter time!

As Feral and Callie get ready for their date, they find themselves really looking forward to it. But they are unaware a certain society reporter lurks in the shadows...

Author's notes: Thanks for all the reviews and comments! I glad everyone is enjoying this, as I have been having fun just writing it. And Shadewatcher, I know allergies are a pain. Feel better!

I know people are waiting for another Great Escape chapter and I am writing it. It's the next thing I plan to be updated.

This chapter is a "bridge" chapter, getting Feral and Callie to technically their second date. What do you think their expectations are?

As always, I enjoy reviews and comments. Shoot them my way. And I apologize for slow responses. Sometimes I plan to get back to something and my twin girls distract me, which makes me forget until I see it again.

Enjoy!

AkaneKitty

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The Blind Date

" Have fun...but not too much fun"

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A few days later...

"You seem almost giddy,"

"Do I?" Callie turned to glance at Dani over her shoulder before returning her attention to the mirror in front of her. She dabbed lip gloss on her lips. "It is the first time someone asked me out in ages."

Dani, sitting with her feet curled beneath her on Callie's couch, could only watch in mild amusement as her boss prepared for her date with the Commander. As soon as Feral called to set the date Callie had grabbed her to go on an impromptu shopping spree. She chuckled to herself. Maybe all their arguments were a cover for latent sexual tension between the two of them.

Apparently finished applying makeup Callie turned in a circle to give Dani a good look at her ensemble. She wore a sleeveless lilac colored jersey dress, which hugged her curves in all the right places and the hemline hung loosely a few inches above the knee. While it wasn't as revealing as Callie's previous dress it showed off just enough.

"Well?" Callie looked at Dani expectantly. "What do you think?"

Dani couldn't help herself. "Like you want to get laid."

Callie smirked. "I'm going to let that comment slide only because you've been an excellent assistant."

"Sorry, sorry. I couldn't resist. But you look great Ms. Briggs."

"Thank you." Callie sat down on the edge of her couch to slip on her wedges. The night was too informal for stilettos yet she needed to wear something which gave her some height. Feral was a very tall tom.

"So...," Dani grabbed her laptop and started rifling through reports, "...where are you going tonight?"

"The Union Jack. It's a pub over in the Little Saxon district."

"Mmm. That means greasy but delicious fish 'n chips."

"Don't remind me. I just want to have a really good beer." Callie sighed. "Maybe play some pool. I haven't played in ages."

Once again Dani couldn't help herself. "Like getting laid?"

Callie managed a murderous look at her assistant before giving up the fight and laughing. "I can't even get upset about it because it's true! This has been a long dry spell."

Dani laughed as well. "Maybe it can be rectified with a certain tom Ms. Briggs."

"It's way too soon for that..."

"Oh?" Dani raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you just saying this because it's the Commander?"

"Of course. Our rather interesting relationship would get even more complicated if we ever decided to go further. We have to be careful."

"But it looks like your relationship with the Commander is getting better."

"It is." Callie was quiet for a moment. "But there are still some unspoken issues between us."

Before Dani could question her boss further Callie's phone in her condo rang. Reaching over to pick it up off its cradle Dani answered it, listened a moment, and gave an affirmative response then hung up the phone.

"Your limo's here."

"Great!" Callie grabbed her clutch and headed for the door. She paused, paw resting on the door handle to glance back at Dani. "Give me a call if...oh, forget it. If anything comes up that isn't a city wide emergency I'll just deal with it in the morning. But shoot me a text if Mr. Young shows up."

"You got it."

"Are you going to be here much longer?"

"Just until I finish downloading these reports. Your internet connection is faster here than at my apartment." Dani waved her paw at Callie. "Go on. Have fun...but not too much fun. "

Laughing and shaking her head Callie left her condo, pulling the door closed behind her.

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"Lyssa, is there any particular reason why you're lurking near the deputy mayor's condo?" Ann's voice came through clear on Lyssa's phone.

"I got a hot tip Callie requested the limo this evening," Lyssa replied, excited.

"What? How did you get that tip? Everyone around city hall clams up when anyone from the media approaches them regarding Callie's schedule!"

"I got lucky. There was a rookie who just started in the city hall's motor pool department. I buttered him up before his coworkers could warn him." Lyssa smirked, and paused to take a sip of coffee. Ann sounded jealous. "He called me with the tip."

Lyssa was comfortably lounging in a small but cozy coffee shop located just across the street from the building that housed the deputy mayor's condo. She stared out the window at the limo parked in front of that building, its driver sitting inside. Normally she would pass on tips regarding the deputy mayor, but that worthy's behavior of late and recent collaboration with Ann made it too good an opportunity to pass on to someone else. It could turn out to be nothing, like Callie returning to city hall to do work, but she had a niggling feeling that wasn't the case tonight.

"Think this might be regarding Callie's new friend?" Ann asked, breaking into Lyssa's thoughts.

"Who knows? But if it isn't, I'll use the opportunity to pin down Callie's schedule. We'll need it if we want to catch her in the act."

"I thought Callie's schedule was randomized for her safety."

"It is. But since the gala season is approaching she tends to settle into a pattern. Soon she'll be going to her boutique to select her dresses and visiting her hairstylist on a regular basis." Lyssa continued to stare through the shop's window. "And if she starts deviating from that it'll be easier to...Wait a minute."

Not bothering to listen for Ann's reply, Lyssa noticed a blonde she-kat exiting the building and begin walking briskly toward the waiting limo. The limo driver apparently had spotted her because he quickly exited the limo to jog around and open the passenger door for her. Seeing it was Callie, Lyssa quickly switched her phone to camera mode and started taking pictures. The deputy mayor wasn't dressed for a run or a return to the office, but definitely in a way which showed off every curve of her body. The lilac dress Callie wore, neither too formal nor too casual, was stunning.

Continuing to snap pictures Lyssa cursed herself for taking a cab to the coffee shop instead of her own car when she noticed Callie whisper something in the driver's ear. The driver nodded as Callie slid into the limo, and he shut the door after her. Lyssa stopped taking pictures and began sending copies to herself and Ann as the limo pulled away.

"What's going on?" Ann demanded as Lyssa switched her phone back to its normal mode.

"I spotted Callie! Check your inbox!"

There was a pause as Lyssa heard Ann typing something. "That's Callie? Wow..."

"I know! And if I had my car I could have followed her!" Lyssa sighed.

"I guess she's meeting her friend."

"Obviously. Her outfit isn't office attire."

"What are you going to do with the pictures?"

"I'll put it with a blind item in the society section regarding Callie's new friend. That'll get talk around the water cooler going. "Lyssa replied. Smiling, she stood up, gathered her trash and tossed it into a nearby waste basket. "After that, I'm going to chat up my rookie some more. Maybe the driver will tell him where she went."

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Enforcer HQ

Feral ran a razor along his jaw. His five o'clock shadow had gotten scruffy.

In his personal bathroom in his office he studied his reflection and sighed. Once again, interruptions never failed to happen as soon as he wanted some personal time. The SWAT Kats had broken the encryption protocol for the nth time this week and were giving his poor communication major fits. And then his normally level headed air defense major got into it with ground defense! He snorted. At least it was a change of pace since York and Callahan were always sniping at each other.

Finished shaving Feral wiped his paws and rolled down his shirt sleeves. He was running behind schedule for his date with a Callie, a thought which struck him as being funny since he never would have thought he'd be in this position. It was also amusing that all the little delays were starting to be greatly annoying, rather than merely a nuisance as it had been in the past for him.

But then again, he was actually looking forward to this date and was, maybe even a little excited about it.

He checked himself in the mirror. He was going for a casual look but it was hard to do since all his suits had to be tailored to accommodate his size and his weapons. Feral wore a basic black suit with slacks and button down shirt. A suit jacket would cover his holster.

Leaving his restroom Feral was not surprised to see Felina waiting for him. A smile tugged at his mouth. He'd warned her against this a few times before but at least now she restricted 'barging into his office without knocking' until they were both off the clock.

Felina looked him over. "You look really nice Uncle."

"Thanks."

"Heavy date?"

Feral gave her a noncommittal look. She chuckled.

"Then I guess this is related to your Code Nine?"

"Yes." Feral paused. "Has that been broadcast over the air?"

"Not yet."

"Good. I'll do it myself when I'm away from headquarters."

Felina watched her uncle as he grabbed his formidable laser pistol that was resting on his desk and slipped it into the holster he had already strapped on. "That's a lot of firepower for your Code Nine. I thought most toms power down after work."

"I can't this time. Never know when I might need it."

"Huh. The only she-kat I know around here who would need that kind of hardware is..." Felina's eyes widened with realization. "No way!"

Feral forced himself not to smile. "And you didn't select the investigation track at the academy because...?"

"You're dating the deputy mayor?"

"Not so loud. We're sort of dating, if you can call it that, but it was forced on us by the Altruism Society. They wanted a lot of city leaders paired up for the gala season and the Widows and Orphans fund needs their money."

"Ahh...now I understand what those comments you made to the SWAT Kats meant."

"I couldn't resist. But that's the extent of the gloating. No need to drag her into my war with those idiots." Feral grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his chair and pulled it on. "And I trust you not to say anything. I'm sure it'll eventually get out but no one needs to know ahead of time."

"Yes sir."

A chime, broadcasted through the headquarters PA system, indicated the time was at the top of the hour. Feral groaned. Now he was running late.

"I have to go." Heading toward his office door Feral paused and turned back to look at Felina. "And if you've stopped by to talk about you and Major Li Jun we'll discuss it tomorrow."

Felina's eyes widened again. "How did..."

"I have my sources. You're lucky it's not fraternization. Technically." Feral opened his office door and motioned for Felina to follow him. "Stop by my office when your shift starts."

Felina nodded as she joined him at the door. "Have a good time. Don't have too much fun."

Feral smiled at the comment. "Way too soon."

"It's only because she's the deputy mayor!" Felina whispered to him as she left his office.

Closing the door behind him Feral couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Felina was right.