The Cat's Still Back

"Commander Cruger?"

Katherine winces at the tone in Robert's voice. As much as he is that sweet "nice guy" she knows that tone. It's the same tone he would always use when she said she was going to work late, or that kids could wait until they were both more stable in their careers. This tone means that he is not happy. "Robert, I know it's a lot to absorb, I'm sorry."

"Y–you're," Robert takes a moment to suck in a slow breath. "Katherine, how am I supposed to feel about this?"

"However you want, I know it's a shock, but we were going to have to have this conversation at some point. I mean, you've been gone for fifty years, Robert." Kat takes his hands in hers, and this, at least, is still easy. Out of everything this is the only thing that is easy. "I am so sorry, and anything you want to say, please."

"Okay," Robert runs a hand through his hair, letting his claws out for a bit. "How did this happen?"

"Doggie and I have been friends for years. We met because he was the one who found me after the destruction of our home. He rescued me as SPD. It wasn't long after that we started working together, and that was almost forty years ago. He's my best friend," Katherine pauses and dares to smile a bit, "and my fiancé."

"Your," Robert growls a bit, "you're engaged t–to that Sirian?!"

"Yes," Kat frowns, now, at the derogatory tone. "He's a good man, Robert, and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."

Robert is still trying to process things. He pulls his hands from hers and begins pacing around. "This is, this is, uh, this too much. I mean, how can you, or, why did, no... "

"Robert, the thing to remember is that we haven't seen each other in half a century." Kat also stands, sensing this change in her husband's attitude. She knows where he's going and knows that it's not good.

"Does that matter? Katherine," Robert takes his wife's hands again and bends to one knee, the way he asked her to marry him a good hundred Earth years ago. "I love you, and we have a second chance at our marriage. We can get remarried, here on Earth, have some kits—"

"Robert," Kat's voice cuts his ranting firmly, leaving only silence in its wake. "Robert, we can't go on as if we've been together all this time. We've lived different lives for so long there's no avoiding it. You survived Felisia's destruction, and for that I am thankful, but now we are left with this. This is not easy, it's not simple. This is the remnants of a marriage that died with us. I wish things were better, but this is how it is, now."

"No, Kitty, we can," Robert chokes on his words, completely distressed at his wife's words. He attempts to move closer but he can feel her resisting him. Not that Kat was ever an open person, but her absolute reluctance is heartbreaking. He still looks at her and feels the love he felt for a Kat he met when they were barely out of adolescence. Now, though, he can see that this Kat has moved on. Her eyes are glassy and sympathetic, but they don't sparkle for him. The closest they've come to sparkling like he remembers is when she was thinking about this...Commander Cruger. "Katherine, please, can't we try to fix this? We can spend some time together, catch up, try to smooth things over."

"Robert, all the counseling in the world isn't going to change the fact that I am in love with Doggie," Kat takes on a new approach, almost impatient and exasperated. She knows, now is the time to be strict with Robert. Now is the time to assert that he might be her husband but he is no longer her mate—no longer her love. "He is the love of my life."

"Katherine," Robert sighs, eyes watering, "I love you."

"I've missed you, Robert, and I do love you, but I lost my husband fifty years ago." Kat brushes her hand against his double–speckled cheek.

"So, why not come back to me? Why can't we just stay together? Why can't you be my Kitty Kat again?" Robert kisses Kat's hands but he sees her grimace at the action. His ears lower out from his head. "You're really in love with this guy."

"Yes," Kat says without hesitation. "I'm sorry, Robert, but I do love Doggie."

Robert nods in resignation. "He's good to you?"

"The best," she nods and smiles warmly. "He proposed not long ago."

"How'd he do it?" Robert asks in an easier going tone.

"I woke up with the ring on." Kat smiles fondly at the memory and shrugs.

"A ring?" Robert quirks his eyebrows, finding the proposal odd, and without question.

Kat pulls at the chain around her neck, revealing a solid white gold ring, adorned in a center ring of diamonds. "We're going to start wearing them after the actual wedding."

"You always liked the simplicity of subtlety," Robert chuckles a little. He made a grand gesture, which Kat frowned upon. When he looks at Kat she's happy, and for a moment, he can pretend that he's just as happy as she is. "And you do seem happy."

"I am," she assures him.

"Then, so am I," he sighs through his petty jealousy. In complete honesty, he doesn't think he will ever think of Kat without complete adoration. He loves Kat, but he's willing to let her go for her own good. He can see genuine happiness shining in her, the way he remembers it back when they were first married. The resentment he feels towards the man bringing this happiness is not outweighed by the joy he feels at seeing Katherine happy. "We can stay friends, at least—keep in contact?"

"Of course," Kat nods with a small, profound smile, "I'd like that, Robert."

Robert pats Kat's hand but remembers not to cling too much. "I'll go through whatever legal procedure I have to, Kat. Just, tell me how I can help make you happy."

"I do love you, Robert, and I remember you like an old friend. I do miss you, but I am happy with Anubis," Kat allows a moment in which she nuzzles Robert gently. He begins purring and she purrs quietly in return. "Thank you, Robert, for being the wonderful man I married. I have missed you, and I would like to keep in touch, as friends."

Robert swallows down his anguish at being in the friend zone with his soon–to–be exwife. Still, he's willing to be her friend if it means still being with her in some way. "I love you, Kat."

Kat doesn't say anything, but nuzzles him once more before pulling back.

"Don't worry, I know," he nods solemnly. He collects himself in his mind, staring at where Kat has the strength to still lay her hand over his. He reminds himself that she is in love with a good man, and that he must support her...as her friend. "I'm glad we can be friends."

Doggie, listening from outside, silently thanks Robert for being supportive. He is willing to admit that he doesn't know if he would have the strength in himself that Robert demonstrates.

"This Doggie character must be something to have you all mushy," Robert smirks.

"He is," Kat nods and leans against him slightly.

"Could I win against him in a fight?" Robert smiles brightly, like his usual joking self.

"Not a chance," Kat laughs at the joke, soon joined by her old friend.