Chapter 35
"Well look who is on her feet!" Panthro smiled as Cheetara walked into the hangar the next morning. He was in his office working up some plans for possible eye implants for Timur. Once the pumiger was done growing, the panther figured that this was an option instead of needing the computer programmed goggles.
"I had some help. Wizz-Ra healed me," the cheetah smiled back, walking into his office.
"I had heard the good news but it's better to see you actually walking around," the panther said, putting down his work.
"I would have made the rounds last night, but I was very tired. Wizz-Ra said that could be a side effect," Cheetara explained.
"And Lion-O had nothing to do with it?" Panthro waggled his eyebrows, offering her a seat next to him.
"He was just glad to have me in the same bed – neither one of us had the strength for any hanky panky. Anyway, it was probably the best night's sleep he's had in a while because he snored for most of the night," she told him.
"So that's what that noise was," the panther chuckled.
"What about you and Lea?" Cheetara shifted the conversation.
"She isn't sleeping much. She was up with Wizz-Ra for half the night, in her office, trying to figure out a plan of action to help Mandora. The wizard says he can heal her physical issues, but the mental ones are all Lea, with the patient's help of course," Panthro explained.
"Ah I see. I was hoping to speak to Lea but I'm guessing she's in her office with Mandora?" The cheetah asked.
"She is. Where's Lion-O? The Lair seems awfully quiet this morning," the panther wanted to know.
"Lion-O is helping Slythe and the other Mutants with our new Mutant friends. Snowman, Willa, Nada, and the Warrior Maidens are there too. The Berbils are bringing up the rear while the Balkans and Wollos are a little unsure of all the hullaballoo, but they are at least watching from a cautious distance. The Kittens are manning the Control Room. Pumyra, Ben-Gali, and Lynx-O are playing with Timur now that he can actually see them. Tygra and Refik are getting medical updates on those Mutants that need to be looked after for a little while yet. Snowmeow and Ma-Mutt are busy playing together. I think if they weren't the new Mutants would be scared of them. Snarf is excited because he got a call from his nephew, Snarfer, who is coming for a visit. I think that's everybody," Cheetara relayed where everyone was. She'd been on her tour as she mentioned, and it had been exhausting. Maybe her stamina wasn't one hundred percent but otherwise she felt great.
"Sounds like everybody. You want to help me while you're waiting for Lea?" He asked.
"Sure. What have you got?" She smiled while he explained to her what he was thinking for the future of Timur's eyesight.
Meanwhile, Wizz-Ra had healed Mandora's physical wounds. She felt tired and Lea made sure she actually laid down on the couch in her office. While that was a familiar saying to have a therapist's patient "lie on the couch", most just sat in a chair across from their doctor. The wizard left the two ladies alone, heading off to see if he was needed elsewhere.
"Are you feeling better? I know that you said you were tired, but do you feel different?" Lea asked from her plush chair near the couch.
"A little but I'm not sure how this solves my problems," Mandora admitted.
"It won't but if you're whole physically, then it can be a help mentally. We'll have the physical therapist take a look at you. See how you're feeling, get your strength back up, then you should be on track to return to the job you love," Lea was trying to be positive. This was a big step in regaining her status as an Evil Chaser First Class.
"But do I want to go back to a job that doesn't want me?" The Evil Chaser wondered.
"I don't know, they seemed like they wanted you back pretty badly. I mean you are one of their best officers," the lioness said. Mandora heaved a sigh, one that had become familiar to Lea over their time together.
"What is it that you are hiding from me? You know that I don't have to tell them anything personal. Whatever you need to say is safe with me," she said.
"That sounds more like you're my friend and not my therapist," Mandora pointed out.
"I am both. I'm worried about you and no matter what I say, I can't seem to get through. Therapy is only helpful if you open up. I don't want to have to tell your superiors that you wouldn't participate. That will give them no choice but to force you into retirement," Lea gave as good as she got. Another sigh from Mandora.
"You have to swear that what I'm about to say doesn't go further than this room. This isn't just affecting me," she finally said.
"Whatever it is, it won't leave this room. ThunderCat honor," the lioness promised.
"I can't have everything I love. I can only choose," Mandora started, knowing what would come next could not be taken back.
"Between what?" Lea asked.
"Between the man I love and the job I love. I can't admit my feelings for him and keep my job but keeping my job and to not have him would make my life pointless. Have you ever felt something so strongly that you don't think you could breathe without it? This is something I have only recently felt and on one hand it's wonderful but the other… it's paralyzing," the Evil Chaser admitted.
"Have you spoken to this man? Does he know this?" the lioness wanted to know.
"His career is in jeopardy as well. I cannot ask him to give that up for me," Mandora said.
"Why not? Are you afraid he would not do that for you? Or that he does not feel the same way?" Lea wondered.
"I honestly don't know if that's the fear talking or if deep down, I know it to be true," her friend sighed.
"Commander Tiberius is a good man, but I do not know him like you do," the lioness said, wondering if she'd hit the nail on the head.
"He is a very good man. At first, I thought I could have my cake and eat it too, but I knew better. This injury has only brought more attention to me. At first, I toyed with just retiring but I have no idea what else I could be other than an Evil Chaser. Then I felt guilty for wanting my job and my love. I've never been an emotional person, but this has changed me, and I have no idea what to do," the blonde admitted, not denying the lioness's assumption.
"I have an idea. You leave it to me," Lea smiled.
To Be Continued…