The Meaning of Fear

The Meaning of Fear

By Nick Clawson

Author's Note: I can see it all now, I'm gonna get flamed for making the SWAT Kats gay.  But oh well, I happen to be gay myself and if I want my SWAT Kats to be gay then…. Well gosh darnit, they will be.  This is my first FF.Net posting, so even if you don't like the gayness, please try to look past it and tell me what you think of my writing.  I apologize if I sound like a total ass. I'm really not.  I'd seem nicer if you could hear my tone of voice. :o) ok, enough of my rambling.  Read the story.

~*~

Chapter 1- "Yes Mommy. Now c'mere and give me a good bye/good luck kiss"

Jake Clawson brought up a paw to rub his tired eyes, the usual fiery amber irises clouded with fatigue.  His latest batch of megavolt missles had a defect that rendered the usually effective missles nothing more than flying metal sticks with teeth on the end.

The problem had become evident in the previous days fight against the Metallikats.  The missles hadn't even fizzled, not a spark of electricity.

That's what I get for screwin' around with 'em.  Shoulda left 'em alone.

The caramel colored tomkat frowned.  He'd tried to juice the missles up, make them more powerful.  In the end he not only had no ordinary megavolts, he had no megavolts period.  With a frustrated sigh, he threw down his screwdriver and proceeded to pout at the missle parts on his work bench.

"Problems?" he recognized the deep husky voice as that of his partner as the strong tiger-striped arms encircled his waist.  The big golden furred tabby known to the world as Chance Furlong rested his chin on one of Jake's narrow shoulders and sent a slightly bemused look to the smaller kat.

This time Jake's sigh was one of content.  He leaned back into the embrace allowing his tired eyes to close. "Just these missles bein' dumb.  What time is it?"

Chance lifted Jake's wrist and studied the watch perched there.  "3 am.  You should go ta bed.  We'll prob'ly be fine without the megavolts at least until you can get 'em fixed."  He smirked.  "They hardly ever work anyway."

"If I wasn't half asleep I'd drop kick you."

"I bet." Chance grinned, "C'mon kitten, I'm puttin you in bed."

Jake's amber eyes fluttered open breifly. "My missles…"

"Can wait til morning." Chance finished the sentence, watching as Jake's mouth opened in a huge yawn, showing off each one of his pointed teeth.  Bending slightly, he scooped up the slim kat and headed out of the hangar.

A slow smile crossed Jake's face and he wrapped his arms around the neck of his lover, planting a soft kiss on the furry lips, then he snuggled against the strong chest and closed his eyes as he fell into a much needed sleep.

Chance smiled down at the sleeping kat as he made the final turn into the bedroom the two shared.  Carrying the inert form to the hammocks hung one on top of the other, like bunk beds, he gently laid Jake into the bottom hammock long enough to remove his shoes and coveralls before scooping him up again and laying him in the top hammock and spreading a blanket over him.  Then settling himself into his own hammock Chance allowed his own eyelids to drop and before long was sleeping just as soundly as the smaller kat right above him.

~*~

Sunlight streamed in through the uncovered window somehow managing to hit Jake directly in the face.  The orange furred tomkat opened his eyes, only to shut them mere seconds later as the bright sunlight hit his unadjusted pupils.

"Gah!" He rolled over, turning his back to the window. Experimentally, he cracked one eye open and looked around the room.  Then, satisfied that the light in the room wouldn't blind him, both of the amber-yellow eyes opened and he hopped down from his hammock. 

The aroma of bacon filled his senses and making his mouth water.  He puzzled over this for a moment before realizing that Chance was cooking.

"There's a first.  Didn't even know he knew how ta cook…" Jake smirked at his own comment, then headed downstairs, where the tantalizing scent was even stronger.  Sticking his head around the door frame he peeked in on Chance, and it was all he could do not to laugh.

The burly tabby was singing an unrecognizable song, accompanied by an odd little dance, undoubtedly one that he'd come up with impromtu.  Chance lifted the frying pan from the stove, then turned in a boogiesome way stopping short when he saw his partner there, grinning from ear to ear.

"Mornin there, Chance.  Are they holding auditions for the Backstreet Kats today or somethin'" *

Chance grinned and brushed off the joke with one of his own. "Please Jakey.  You know that if they were you'd be down there claimin' ta be a judge jus' so you could watch."

Jake feigned thoughtfulness as he considered the statement.  "You're probably right."  He replied, then laughed at Chance's playful pout. " Don' worry Furball, I still think you're the sexiest kat in the world."

Chance grinned too. "You better.  Now c'mon, lets eat."

The two sat together at the table for a wonderful breakfast which consisted not only of bacon, but pancakes, eggs, and milk too.  However, no sooner had Jake taken his first bite, than the klaxon began to blare.

"Crud!" Chance glared in the direction of the hangar.  "Do the bad guys not eat breakfast or somethin'? This is all gonna get cold!"

Jake sent Chance a grin. "Would you like me ta call 'em and ask 'em to hold off on the attack while we finish eating the breakfast that T-Bone cooked?"

Chance snickered at the comment. "Go ahead and invite 'em over while you're at it.  We can all have a nice homecooked meal before the dogfight."  He stood and headed towards the hangar, his partner hot on his heels.

Chance was the first to reach the klaxon, so after silencing the alarm, he lifted the phone used exclusively for Megakat City's Deputy Mayor Callie Briggs.  "Yes Ms Briggs? Whats the problem?"

"T-Bone!" Callie's voice was an urgent whisper.  "Dark Kat has taken City Hall and all of us inside hostage!  He's told the Enforcers that if they try to get inside he'll start killing hostages.  We need you guys!"

"Ah crud…" Chance rubbed his eyes, all traces of his previous humor gone.  "We'll take care of it Ms Briggs, just sit tight ok?"

Callie's reply came as a muffled cry followed by a loud grinding sound, then the line went dead.

"Crud!"  Chance slammed the phone down angrily then turned to Jake, who had already started to change into his flight suit and relayed Callie's message to him.

"I dunno Chance, sounds like we'll have to give this one special treatment.  Dark Kat undoubtedly knows that we'll show, so he'll need to see the TurboKat at all times…" he trailed off.  "Maybe I should take the Cyclotron straight from the hangar while you take the TurboKat.  Then I'll get inside and take care of Dark Crud."

Chance, now wearing his own g-suit looked at his partner dubiously.  "I dunno, Do you really wanna take Dark Kat by yourself?  Not ta mention his creeplings."

Jake, or rather Razor the SWAT Kat, shrugged his shoulders.  "It's all I got buddy, if nothin else I can distract 'em long enough that you'll have a chance to get inside with out alertin' 'em."

Chance, now T-Bone, nodded. "I guess…"  He trailed off watching as Razor mounted the Cyclotron and donned his helment. "Radio contact at all times?"

Razor grinned back at his partner. "Yes mommy, now c'mere and give me a good bye/good luck kiss."

T-Bone obliged, then watched as Razor sped out of the hangar and for the first time since a time he didn't even want to remember, he felt real fear.  Not for the hostages in City Hall or even himself, walking into a fight with one of Megakat City's most dangerous psychopaths, but for Razor… Jake, his partner, his lover, and his best friend.

To Be Continued….

*The Backstreet Kats comment is all for you Darrick! Told you I'd incorporate them somehow ::kisses:: muah!

The SWAT Kats aren't mine, I didn't create them and I make no money for writing about them.  Obviously, since I'm dirt poor, so don't even bother suing me.  R/R people! Let me know what you think!