SEARCHING FOR HOME
Chapter 21: Back to Normal, Almost!
"Okay, time to go home and don't that sound fantastic when I say it now!" Razor sighed as he set down his glass.
It was only going on noon and there was still a day's work to be done. The battle before dawn had only lasted a couple of hours but seemed like it had been all day. Word of the Commander's return had spread like wildfire causing some disruptions within his command by those that didn't believe it and those that did. He needed to put in an appearance by doing a pass through all the departments and squadrons today to settle everyone down.
'Well that should take me nearly the rest of the day,' he thought with a happy sigh.
"Yeah, you're right buddy! Time to do something other than fighting for a change," T-Bone agreed with pleasure and relief. He got to his feet and gave Feral a wave goodbye. "Welcome back Commander!" He said with a broad smile and truly meaning it.
Feral flashed him a smile back, pleased and happy things had gone down well and he was truly home again.
The pair left for the flight line, while Feral got to his feet and with Felina, Sgt Fallon and Colonel Sharpclaws in attendance began his trek floor by floor down to the lobby then down to the basement levels.
Everywhere he went, he was met with cheers and proud salutes as well as loud 'Welcome Backs!' It made him feel warm inside. After the hell his life had been for more than a year, this was what he'd dreamed of returning to as he struggled to stay alive and return home. But he knew everything wasn't completely rosy within his command.
There were those who had liked the change in command and weren't too pleased with his return. Some strife was going to happen and he would deal with it whenever it appeared. He felt more confident and less prone to acting out of anger now and his enforcers would soon realize that as time passed.
Though many might be afraid or simply not like the changes he'd undergone...like his other abilities he'd been forced to learn, magic being one of them, thinking before attacking, using a cooler head and a more ruthless manner when dealing with criminals, etc... they would just have to get used to it.
To further solidify his position once more, after so long being gone, he needed to take care of two things...get a new second in command and dispose of Steele. Now Colonel Sharpclaws would make an excellent second in command and it helped that he had already proven himself capable. The troops respected him and he and Sharpclaws had an already easy working relationship, a definite boon for his troops.
He'd found out that Steele had been placed on indefinite, paid leave until further notice. Getting rid of that worthless, coward would have to be handled delicately due to his family's political connections, but no matter what it took, Steele was never stepping foot in this building again.
His other goals were to rid the city of its constant headaches and he'd made a good start in that direction by getting rid of the Pastmaster and Dark Kat. Not many left to deal with now...the last really strong threat being Dr. Viper. He would feel he'd found peace at last once that omega was put down. What he would do next...he didn't know for sure but at least he would have the luxury of finding out.
Back at the salvage yard, T-Bone smoothly guided the jet down its runway, halting it perfectly on the turntable. Once they reached the main floor, he shot the canopy back and leaped out, gloriously happy to hear that second thump hitting the floor behind him after soo long missing.
He turned and gave his partner a hug. Razor grinned and didn't ask why he'd done it. He knew why because he felt the same way. He was back and they were together again. Whatever problems he'd have readjusting would not change that fundamental fact.
Standing before his locker again, he lovingly passed his paw over his name before pulling the locker open and beginning to change clothes.
"It's so great to be rid of Dark Kat at last. It feels like a great weight removed from my shoulders," Chance said as he zipped up his coveralls and closed his locker.
"Sure does!" Jake said, feelingly. "It will feel even better when Viper's gone too."
"What will we do then with all the major hitters out of the way," Chance asked casually as they walked across the hangar floor for the ladder.
"Live normal lives maybe," Jake joked. "I'd like to find someone to begin a life with instead of putting it on hold all the time. I've had my adventures so time to find some happiness now."
"Does that mean you want to stop being a SWAT Kat?" Chance asked, surprised and concerned.
"Oh no! I still love being a hero and saving the day type of thing. Doubt we'll be lacking the occasional criminals, disasters, or scientific screwups to contend with."
"Whew! For a moment there I thought you were going quit on me and I'm not ready to either." Relief coloring Chance's tone.
"Of course not buddy." Jake reassured his friend and clapped him on the back.
After that, the conversation switched to business. The garage was filled with jobs so they divvied it up and got to work.
The day seemed to glide by smoothly and before either of them realized it the sun was setting. They had worked past their own closing time but had managed to clear the garage. With the last car driving out of the yard, they closed the gate and gratefully shut down for the day.
Jake finished up the paperwork part of the job while Chance did the cleanup. He ordered take out and it was delivered an hour later just as they finished up and went upstairs to take showers and rest.
Feral's day also ended at dusk. Once he'd cruised his building and reassured his people, he returned to his office and worked with Colonel Sharpclaws on catching up on the past and the present day's workload.
Finally tossing the last of the reports in Sgt Fallon's work basket for tomorrow's distribution, he got up and stretched. He had sent Sharpclaws home, despite his protests, over two hours ago. Time he was getting out of here himself. The door to his office suddenly opened and Felina stepped in grinning.
"Had a successful day, Uncle?"
"I did indeed but what brings you by so late?" He asked as he secured his desk then made for the coat rack beside Felina.
"Well, your pantry is empty and you have lots of laundry to do. Honestly, I'm truly sorry for not thinking about that, so I thought I'd give you a paw and help you get it done quicker."
"Now that was thoughtful of you and you're right, I had forgotten about that problem and hadn't given a thought to shopping at all. Let's go eat and take care of it," he said genially, thrilled to be doing something as mundane as shopping and housework compared to being on the run for more than a year.
Smiling almost giddily, Felina wanted to slip an arm through her uncle's just to have him as close as they'd been when she was little but she didn't forget protocols so kept her paws to herself, however, she did stand close to him every chance she got. It was just soo good to have him back.
"Oh, by the way, Uncle...my father wants you to stop by as soon as you're able," she said, remembering her father's thrilled and tearful voice when she'd told him, his brother had returned.
"Oh yes, of course. I'll give him a call and try to go out to see him this weekend," Feral said, glad Felina had thought to notify them. There hadn't been time before and during the days work of catchup, he simply forgot about it.
It was very late by the time he and Felina had finished their work. His pantry was full and his laundry had been done, folded, ironed and put away. He was beat but happy to have his home back to normal. After giving her a hug and thanks for her help, he sent his equally tired niece home.
Taking a long hot shower then drying his fur thoroughly, he went to make himself a late night snack before hitting the hay.
Sliding between the sheets some thirty minutes later, he tried to sleep. Though exhausted, he couldn't seem to convince his instincts that everything was fine now and to come off hyper-alert status.
For the next two hours, he tossed and turned miserable, unable to find sleep he so desperately wanted and needed. Disgusted, he shoved his bedding off and sat up. He padded to his balcony door in the living room and stared out into the star studded sky moodily.
Across the city, at the salvage yard, Chance and Jake had gone to bed by ten o'clock, falling asleep almost immediately. As was normal for him, Jake woke less than three hours later. His body was still tired but every effort he made to fall back to sleep was met with resistance from his restless and worried mind. Though both he and Ulysses were exhausted by the long eventful day, Jake had a bad feeling the big tom would be having trouble sleeping.
Unable to let it go, Jake quietly got dressed and slipped downstairs. He wrote a short note to his partner and left it on the kitchen table before heading down the hidden hatch in the corner near the stove to the hangar.
Minutes later, he was zooming through the quiet and nearly empty city streets for Feral's apartment. Arriving behind the building, he hid his bike out of sight, set its alarms then slipped into the apartment building through a fire door he jimmied open. Not risking the elevator, he took the stairs up to the top floor then, after checking the coast was clear, he quietly padded to Feral's door, jimmied it open and slipped inside.
He paused to get his bearings in the dark living area then noted a movement near the balcony. The huge shape turned and eyes glinted from the lights of the city outside. It was Ulysses.
"I was right, you couldn't sleep," Razor said softly, walking up to the tom.
Feral had heard his front door open and had chosen to remain still and wait to see who was breaking in. He relaxed immediately when he recognized the small form of the SWAT Kat.
"Yeah and it was downright annoying. I am certainly tired enough and hadn't gone to bed until after midnight but nothing I did would make my instincts shut off and let me sleep," he sighed, disgust in his tone.
"Don't beat yourself up, Ulysses. We already established we couldn't be apart much due to what we'd gone through. It will just take time. So enough jawing! Let's hit the hay because I'm still tired too," Razor coaxed the tom.
Feral just nodded his head and led the way to the bedroom. He slid into bed while Razor stripped off most of his clothes then did the same. A concert of sighs filled the room as the two tired warriors were finally able to relax and fall asleep.