HELL IS LIKE THIS
Chapter 12: Dealing with a Furious Partner
The flight home was done in tense silence. T-Bone could feel the waves of anger pouring off his partner as he flew into their underground hanger. He shut down the engines and opened the canopy. Razor wasted no time in leaping out and stalking to his locker. T-Bone got out more slowly and reluctantly followed.
He didn't know what he was going to say. "Look Razor I'm..." He began hesitantly but was violently interrupted.
"How could you do this behind my back?...Why couldn't you tell me you were seeing Feral?" Jake shouted at him throwing his mask violently into his locker. He began jerking the rest of his clothes off hard.
Swallowing, Chance put his mask in his locker and faced his partner. "I'm sorry. When I saw how Feral looked after his kitten had died and then how he looked for weeks afterward, I just couldn't shake the images from my mind. I began to spy on him. God! Jake...he was devastated. He was an emotional basket case. We sure as hell didn't want Steele in charge so I watched him every night for a week. He had nightmares so bad you could hear his screams from where I lay on the building across from his apartment. I just couldn't stand it. Don't ask me why I'm not certain even now why but I knew I couldn't let it go on any longer." T-Bone explained.
As they stood there half undressed he told his partner everything that had been happening up to the fight.
"So I was an idiot. I've made him sick again and it's my fault." Chance said angry with himself.
"Yeah you really were an idiot in more ways than one buddy." Jake said sighing, his anger gone. "You didn't think I'd understand. I know how much you care, Chance, even for a supposed enemy. I might have been upset but I would have understood." He paused and stared hard at his partner. "What about our identities?"
"He doesn't know who we really are and doesn't want to know." He said quickly. "I couldn't tell you about us because Feral didn't want anyone to know and I had to keep it secret if I wanted to keep his trust. Even Felina doesn't know. But when you witnessed the fight he told me to tell you because he didn't want you angry with me." Chance said hoping Jake would forgive him.
"Okay, I can understand that and its good that he doesn't know about who we are. I know that eventually he will discover it but I'd prefer if it were later rather than sooner. What are you going to do now that he's pregnant? You are going to be a father as strange as that sounds." Jake said seriously.
"Gods! I don't know. I know he's afraid that he might lose this one too. Only a few kats knew about his last pregnancy. I know he's not going to want anyone to know about this one but if the kitten's to have a chance to survive he needs to get care by a specialist that's if he decides to keep it. If he keeps it, I don't know how to convince him to get medical help. Of course he's not going to want anyone to know who the father is either. What a mess!" Chance groaned helplessly.
"Easy Chance, I have the perfect solution. If he decides to keep the kitten or let it go, we'll have our medical robot take care of him. All it has to do is get updated by a specialist in hermaphrodite pregnancies and it should be capable of taking care of all of Feral's medical needs. I don't like it, but it's the best solution for all concerned. " Jake said firmly.
Chance stared at Jake in surprise for a second then reached out and pulled his friend into a hug. "Thank you! That is the perfect solution. I'll tell Uly tonight." Chance said in grateful relief then releasing his friend he paused as a thought crossed his mind. "Should we take Feral to our hangar or have the robot see him at his apartment?"
"To the base. We simply blindfold him. His apartment wouldn't do because the medical robot will need a variety of equipment for the exam. Fortunately our medical room is completed though we probably have to get some additional equipment to handle a pregnancy." Jake sighed as he ran through his mind some of the things they would need. "Anyway, since Feral doesn't look so great he should be seen as soon as the robot acquires the information necessary to treat him." Jake continued already planning to inform Hackle of this new need. "Of course, Hackle is going to need to know since he's the one that must get the information and training installed and will be understandably confused as to why we'd need OB data." Jake added thoughtfully.
Chance sighed not liking that much. "Yeah, you're right. Uly is not going to be happy about that but I don't see a way around it and Hackle won't tell anyone. It's probably best that he knows anyway for any future problems." He agreed reluctantly. He sighed with relief that Feral's medical needs were solved then studied his partner a moment, "Are we okay, Jake?" He asked tentatively.
Jake smiled wanly, "Yeah buddy, we're okay. I'm still a little angry and shocked but I'll get over it. This whole situation will take time to get used to. Just give me space to do so. Now, you'd better go take care of your mate."
"Yeah..." Chance started to agree than stopped and gaped at his friend in shock, "Huh! Mate?"
"Well of course! That's what you and Feral are. Really, Chance, even as angry as I was I could see you two are more than lovers." Jake snorted in amusement at the dumbstruck look on his friend's face.
"Mates!" Chance breathed in amazement. He'd never thought about what it meant for Uly and he to be so close...so deeply entwined that they had become mates without him being aware of it but he realized his partner was right. He shook his head, "Crud, I've really been blind!" He snorted at his denseness. "I wonder if Uly is even aware of it? Oh well guess I'll just have to ask him. You're right Jake, I'd better get going. He really looked bad. I'll stay close to him over the next few days until the robot is ready. Make it soon, okay?" Chance said his mind back on his mate's poor condition.
"Don't worry Chance. I'll get a hold of the Professor right away. Should be able to have Feral seen in just a day or two." Jake reassured him. Nodding his thanks, Chance redressed in his G-suit and made for his cyclotron.
Jake soon heard the cyclotron leave by the secret exit a few minutes later. He shook his head as he got redressed in his mechanics coveralls. He had a lot of thinking to do, a call to make, and he should make himself a meal. It had been a very strange day.
After Callie had dropped him off, Feral managed to make it to his apartment without falling over. He sighed as he locked his door and dragged his coat off. He dropped his keys on the table and shuffled to his bedroom. He sat heavily on the bed and pulled his boots off and slowly undressed. He soo wanted to just fall back and sleep but he knew he desperately needed nourishment. But just the thought of rising to his feet was too much and he fell to his side and curled up. Very quickly he was sound asleep.
That was where T-Bone found him an hour later. Checking the kitchen, he could tell Uly had not eaten. Sighing in concern, he returned to the bedroom and gently sat down on the bed. He caressed the big tom's face but Feral didn't even twitch. He was too soundly asleep. There was no way the tabby was going to wake him.
He got up and went back to the kitchen and checked the pantry. Pursing his lips in concentration he realized a trip to the store was in order. Changing to his alter ego in the living room, he plucked Feral's keys from the table and slipped out of the apartment.
An hour later, he returned with his arms and paws full. He carried them to the kitchen and put everything away. He returned the keys to the table, locked the door, and changed back to T-Bone. Checking on Feral, he found the tom sprawled in a very relaxed way on the bed and still soundly asleep. Smiling tenderly, T-Bone searched around for Feral's linen closet and found a light blanket to cover his mate.
With nothing better to do, T-Bone returned to the living room and turned on the TV. Some three hours later he checked on Feral and found him still asleep so he fixed dinner, ate his and stored Feral's portion. It had been a long day and he was sore and stiff. He stripped his clothes off and made for the bathroom to shower. Feeling much better a little while later, the tabby went to the bed and gently rolled his mate to one side freeing the bedding then rolling him back to slip the sleeping tom under the covers before crawling in himself. He moved until he was spooned against his mate, his arm around his waist and was soon asleep.
It was after midnight when T-Bone was awakened by an odd whimpering cry. Feral was in a ball and shivering but not from cold. The tabby cuddled closer to his mate wrapping his body around him. He caressed the dark fur and murmured soothing endearments into his mate's ear trying to reach him.
In his mind, Uly saw a cold mist enfolding him, he shuddered violently. He could see nothing through it but he could hear voices faintly. Suddenly a sneering face jumped in front of him. He gasped, it was one of the rapist, as he jerked back he smacked into another of the thugs who laughed evilly his hot breath washing across Feral's cheek. He whimpered in fear, closing his eyes and covering his ears with his paws. He called out T-Bone's name but remembered the tabby had abandoned him. He waited for the thugs to hurt him but instead a warm, comforting body pressed against his and strong arms encircled his chest. A soothing voice called to him. Not completely awake he leaned back against that wonderful comfort and rubbed his face against a furry cheek taking in the welcome scent of his lover. Sighing, relaxing his body, he murmured sleepily.
"T-Bone, my love..." Uly whispered, drifting into a deeper sleep feeling safe at last.
T-Bone felt a warmth of love rush through him at that sweet endearment that Uly had never spoken before. It brought him a feeling of joy and soul-deep connection with his mate. Sighing happily he drifted to sleep again hugging his love.
Dawn was peeking through the drapes when Ulysses woke the next morning. Yawning, he stretched and felt the welcome warmth of T-Bone behind him. A smile flashed across his normally severe face but was quickly replaced with a look of panic.
He hurriedly freed himself from the bedding and rushed to the bathroom. He threw up in the sink as he sat on the toilet. What a terrible way to wake up he moaned to himself hoping he hadn't awakened T-Bone.
The tabby tom jerked awake at the sound of retching. Seeing Uly was no longer in bed he scrambled awkwardly to the bathroom. His mate was sitting on the toilet and resting his head against the wall looking very pale.
"Oh love, feeling poorly are we?" He murmured unhappily as he rinsed the sink and got a washcloth out.
"I hate throwing up!" The big tom said miserably. T-Bone gently washed Uly's face with warm water then offered him a glass of water to rinse his mouth.
"I'm sorry you feel soo bad. We really need to get you to a doctor. You're way too pale and run down looking. It worries me. Do you think you could eat something?" T-Bone asked in concern as he took the glass back from his mate.
"Ohhhh..." Uly moaned. "No...just the thought of food makes me nauseous."
"That isn't good! Do you want to go back to bed now or stay here a little longer?" T-Bone asked already planning to call Razor.
"Bed, please! I don't think I have anything more to throw up." He sighed heavily.
T-Bone gently wrapped a supportive arm around his mate's waist, helped pull his pants up then walked him back to bed. He plumped some pillows behind Uly's back so that he could sit up.
He sat down next to the Commander on the bed and took his paw. "A little while back , Razor got a great idea. He went to see Professor Hackle and together they came up with a medical robot to take care of our injuries. Razor was always concerned about us winding up in a hospital and our identities being discovered. The robot has been completed as well as a small medical room in our hangar. Seeing your condition, my partner suggested we have you seen by it as well that way no one else will know about your condition, at least for a little while and you'll receive needed care. There's a catch though, Razor obviously didn't plan on the robot needing to know OB care for a hermaphrodite so he's having the data inputted but it requires Hackle knowing about you. Now before you get upset, Professor Hackle can be trusted to tell no one about us and besides its possible we'll need his help with the kitten, if you decide to keep it, later." T-Bone explained watching his mate for his reaction to this news.
Feral blinked in surprise. He didn't answer right away while he absorbed this new information. He was a little concerned about yet another kat knowing about him and T-Bone but understood the need.
"Well, he won't be the only one that knows, unfortunately. Ms. Briggs was standing just inside the door when we had our little scene. She demanded the truth and took me where we could talk without being overheard. She's willing to keep it to herself and offered any assistance we might need. She was concerned about me compromising my position by sitting on the fence as it were between my stance on vigilantes and the law. I told her what we'd discussed it and she seemed to accept that well enough. So I guess I can accept the fact that Professor Hackle will have to be in the know as well. Whether I want her to or not, Felina will have to be told eventually because, as Ms. Briggs has told me, with a second pregnancy, I will be showing more than with the first." Feral sighed pausing and staring at the bedspread lost in his thoughts for a moment.
"Does that mean you intend to continue the pregnancy?" T-Bone asked gently.
He looked up and studied his lover. "I'm not sure! It is a live creature after all and it's part of you as well..." He hesitated.
"But it's your body and your risk! I would never ask you to do something that you are strongly against. I meant what I said earlier and I'll abide by it." T-Bone said firmly.
"I don't think I can destroy it. I couldn't the first time. So I guess the point is moot. I'll carry it but afterward...I just don't know." He said honestly.
"Then we'll deal with it at that time. I told you I would stand by you and I will. Besides were mates, we'll never be parted again except in death." T-Bone said solemnly.
"Wha...we're mates???" Feral said in surprise.
"My very wise partner told me we were but that we were too blind to see it and once I took it in I realized he was right. I feel a deep connection to you. Something I've never felt with anyone else except my partner but he's my friend and you...you are my mate." T-Bone said with certainty.
Feral sat there in amazement. He closed his eyes and felt within himself and found T-Bone was right. He too felt a deep connection to this tom kat one that brought him comfort and joy.
"You're right! I can feel it too." He smiled in wonder at his mate. T-Bone smiled back and leaned forward and gave him a gentle kiss.
"Okay now that that is cleared up, I'm going to call Razor. He wanted to update the robot before having you seen but I don't like how you look and the fact that you can't eat isn't good. So rest while I get things set up to take you to our hangar and don't be concerned, you will be wearing a blindfold so you won't know where you are." T-Bone said forestalling the objection he saw in his mate's eyes.
Feral sighed and relaxed as he watched his mate leave the room.
