La Femme Vitani

by Simbani

After being falsely accused of wrekcing Kiara's premier fashion show, the lioness Vitani, is recruited by Pride One, the "...most covert anit-terrorist group in the Serengeti.."

4. La Femme Vitani: Beginnings Part 4

La Femme Vitani

By: Shahn-Ryan Schumacher

Disclaimer: This is a fan fiction using the most beloved characters Disney ever created--those from The Lion King and The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride. I used them here without permission with no plans to profit from or take credit for someone else's work, so, Disney, DON'T SUE ME!!! The same holds true for the La Femme Nikita references, which is copyrighted by LFN Productions. I TRIED to keep this as clean as possible, but due to circumstances beyond the author's control and Vitani's express written permission, Beginnings: Part 4 is rated: PG-13!! Read it at your own risk. If you do read it and you don't like it, 100% of your wasted time will be refunded; Money on the other hand is another matter entirely…And now, on to the hootenanny…

The Author would also like to thank the following people:

First: A large and heartfelt posthumous thank you to Miss Judy Garland for giving us her immortal rendition of "The Trolley Song"; immortalized in her 1944 movie, Meet Me in St. Louis.

Second: A large thank you to Mr. Ralph Blayne and Mr. Hugh Martin who created the lyrics for "The Trolley Song." "Clang, clang, clang went the trolley…"

Third: Apologies to Mr. Jeremy Lloyd and Mr. David Croft for use of a line from their Are You Being Served? Episode, "Goodbye, Mrs. Slocombe"

Lastly: A thank you and apologies to Christian humorist and mom, Barbara Johnson, for use of a quote from her latest book making a statement about tires and testosterone and who for many years has been helping women find "Splashes of Joy in the Cesspools of Life" as they are "Leaking Laughs Between Pampers and Depends."

Beginnings: Part Four (Or: The Zira Imperative: Part Four)

Our little celebration was cut short when the PA system activated and Op-Paw-Rations' steel-wool-over-silk voice sliced through the air, "Camrath, report to the den immediately." My mentor and trainer of the last two years silently excused himself and he glided effortlessly across the floor. I followed him with my eyes, my vision coming to rest on the nice set of buns he had. OK! OK! I like lions with tight butts who know what they want and go after it. But with Camrath everything seemed multiplied tenfold. You could have bounced a fifty-cent piece off of those glutes of his and I was wishing right then and there that I could have been the lucky coin that got to do the bouncing.

I looked up to see Camrath and Op-Paw-Rations overlooking the area from the room above the conference table and as their combined gazes feel on me, I suddenly felt a twinge of fear like I was under a microscope. Was there something going on that Camrath wasn't telling me about? They both turned away from looking at me and then the room went dark, as Op-Paw-Rations must have activated the tinting screens. I wondered what they could have been discussing.

"Graham Auld. He's here in the Pride Lands on business and you can rest assured he's up to no good. Red Paw, Black Fang, The Brotherhood of the Skinned, even the Gnarled Bone; he brokers information as freely as you or I drink a glass of water."

"But that doesn't make sense. Half of those groups are enemies to each other."

"True. But their biggest enemy is us. We have to find out what it is that he's up to. It's believed he has an itinerary on a PDA somewhere on his person. We need to get that unit."

"I'll see to it."

"Oh, and Camrath? One more thing.."

"Yes?"

"We have a problem with Vitani. She lacks discipline. Compost her."

"I believe that could be a mistake."

"Have you allowed yourself to form an attachment to the material? You know our policy. It's been two years."

"I firmly believe she can be a great operative."

"Need I remind you that this is a paramilitary organization? If we start making exceptions now, then we're no better than the PLCIA."

"I think we should test her in the field."

"Very well. However, I don't have to remind you. IF she fails, YOU fail."

When Camrath returned from his side trip to the den, his face was a blank mask. I couldn't read what I thought he might be feeling and the blank slate that greeted me reminded me of the training sessions we had in paw-to-paw combat. He could joke and tease like nobody's business and his talent for innuendo and double entendre was unlike anything I'd seen in quite some time. But there was the business side of him that didn't play and I had caught the rough edge of his tongue on more than one occasion during my training. It was some time before I was able to fully understand that his remarks weren't personal; but I wonder if even he understood how demanding and relentless he was in his drive for perfection. His sudden stony silence upon his return from the den frightened me. I was also slightly aroused by it.

I could see the lines of concentration around his good eye and his soft chocolate colored muzzle quivered slightly. When Cam seemed pensive as he did then, a thousand thoughts fought for dominance in my brain. I found myself dying to know what he was thinking. He had constantly teased me about taking me to his bed, but did what Ugumu had said when we first met ring true? IF Camrath and I were to cross that line, would he sleep with me once and then toss me aside? Did Ugumu say what he did out of some misguided sense of jealousy? Pretending to need to go to the restroom, I excused myself and once inside, set my sunglasses on the counter and hung my head. After a minute, I looked at the reflection of myself staring back at me. Damn! I had started to cry. Why was I suddenly an emotional wreck? I had passed the trials. I WAS an operative now. My thoughts drifted to first Camrath and then to Ugumu. When Cam entered my thoughts, I was understandably physically attracted to him and if I were honest with myself, I wanted him. I wanted him to take me to his bed, igniting my passions, making hard, raunchy love to me. I wanted to feel our bodies joined in the act of rough, animalistic sex. I sensed a gentleness in him that I wanted to know. I felt like there was a hard outer shell that Camrath used to keep out the rest of the world. Would I be one of the ones fortunate enough to penetrate that shell?

What about Ugumu? For the last two years, I'd seen as much of him as I had Camrath and he was just as much an enigma as Camrath was. Ugumu struck me as the type who also kept the rest of the world at arm's length, and in the two years he had worked with me in training, we had become friendly, but in a really cordial way. Like Cam, I sensed a shell that I hoped I could one day penetrate. I wondered how they both felt towards me. I thought Camrath was hot for me, but how much of that was just bluster? And Ugumu? Why did he seem to always reign in his emotions around me? For the first time in a long time, I felt totally alone.

"Ahem."

I hadn't heard her enter, so when Afriti cleared her throat, I nearly killed myself trying to stuff myself down the drain hole in the sink.

"What's a femme fatale like you doing in a flush joint like this," she said.

"I…I, uh, just got a little carried away with being an operative. It's just that the, uh, the full weight of the situation finally hit me."

"'Tani, darling, you're a horrible liar."

"Does it show that bad?"

Um, yeah, it does. Look, the reason that I'm here is that everyone out there was wondering whether you'd fallen in or not."

"And Camrath?"

"Who do you think sent me in here to fish you out, as it were. Anyway, he said he's got something he wants to tell you." I watched her face as she said his name. She lit up like a light bulb.

"Afriti, do you like Camrath?"

"Only a lot. But join the club, girlfriend. Cam's got a string of broken hearts form here to Timbuktu and back."

"Oh, so he's the 'love-em-and-leave-em' type after all, huh?"

"Well, I can't really say. I think he's the strictly monogamous type to tell you the truth. At least I suppose he is, but well, gee Vitani, you know what a hottie he is!"

"Yeah," I said as a pang hit me dead center of my chest, "I know."

"It's just that I think there's only one type of girl for Cam. From what I've heard, even for all his joking around and stuff, he's not the type to sleep around with anyone."

"Do you know if he is seeing anyone now?"

No, I don't think so. Why?"

"Well, it's, aw shucks. Afriti, you've got to promise NOT to tell anyone about this!"

"I promise." She winked at me when she said that.

"Well, I've been thinking about it and I think I can no longer deny how I really feel about Camrath."

"And that is?"

"Honey, I'm afraid I've got it bad, and," I said before she cut me off finishing with a big grin, "And that ain't good."

Afriti accompanied me back into the main hall. I could see both Camrath and Ugumu talking to each with their backs turned towards me. Afriti patted me on the back while we were walking and I slid on my shades, as I didn't want either Camrath or Ugumu to see that I had been crying. It was damned weird. But as I walked towards them, they both seemed so powerful and mysterious to me and that's when it hit me. As if the Great Kings themselves had swooped down out of the heavens and cuffed me behind the ears, I realized that both of them had managed to capture tiny pieces of my heart.

It was time for a change of tack. Deciding I needed to find out all I could about Camrath, I figured I'd go to the one place I was hoping I could get the information. I gathered my confidence about me and I swept right in between Camrath and Ugumu without so much as an "Excuse me," and made a beeline for Brian in Systems. As I approached, Brian looked up, saw me, and a grin split his face.

"Let me guess. You are woman, hear you roar, huh?"

"Something like that," I replied.

"Did you need something, Vitani?"

"Only a permanent vacation from reality. Oh, and as an added bonus, give me all the dirt you've got on Camrath," I said in a manner that I hope conveyed that I meant business. At least I think it would have except for the fact that my teeth felt like they were gonna chatter right out of my head.

"'Tani, you know only Op-Paw-Rations and Katty-Lynn have security clearance to view those files."

"Well, by the Great Kings, he can't be anymore of a mystery than anyone else in this joint."

"If it'll make you feel better, I'd gladly let you plumb out some of MY secrets."

"Only some?" I asked.

"Well…" he began.

"That's OK, Brian. You're cute as a button and everything, but humans aren't really my type."

"It's because I'm not covered in fur with a long, flowing mane and tail, isn't it."

"Well…"

"There's something to be said for brains, you know."

"I know. And I also know that yours is here to pick anytime I need it." His scowl softened into a grin as he said, "I KNEW it. You DO love me for my brains after all."

Camrath had slipped into Systems quietly and the hairs on the nape of my neck stood up on end. I felt a small thrill run through me as I felt his breath fall on my neck. I turned to face him. His jet-black mane haloed his sexy face and his single eye looked right through me. Damn! I was dying to know what was going on in his mind.

"So, the Gothlion has seen fit to grace us in Systems with his presence. We are all truly humbled, am I right?" Brian piped up.

"Something like that," Cam purred. "Vitani, follow me please. I need to discuss something with you." Wondering what was up I didn't say a word, but just followed him back out into the main chamber. He didn't say anything for several seconds so I finally broke the quiet when I said, "OK, Camrath, I'll bite. What's up, besides your mammoth masculinity?" That got a huge grin out of him. I noticed that Afriti, Netolu and Timon were all standing nearby shooting the breeze when Camrath said to me, "Go to Katty-Lynn and ask her to help you pick out something nice. We'll be celebrating your victory in the trials by having dinner in town tonight." Afriti must have been walking over towards us and caught the tail end of our conversation because she gawked, "Whaa-a-a…" I thought she was gonna blow her spots right there on the linoleum.

"Cam! I've been after you for ages to take me out to dinner! I never get to go anywhere!"

"Sorry, kiddo, this one's for me and Vitani alone. I want to show her a few, umm, things." Netolu had wandered over and said with a snigger, "It is most likely undiplomatic to say this, but I would wager that he is going to show her the things that half of Simba's pride claim that he's shown them."

"Sorry, Net. This is strictly business and besides that incident with Ubuzi was not my fault. She wandered in on me as I was climbing out of the shower." Netolu got a very sinister looking gleam in his eye and with a grin he burst into song,

"As long as your arm and five times as thick; she died on the head of your iron…"

"ALL RIGHT," Camrath said trying to get Netolu to pipe down, "I get the joke already. But this is a business venture, if you know what I mean." I saw Netolu's facial expression change and I was beginning to wonder what in the hell was going on. Timon then sauntered over to Camrath's right side and I thought I heard him whisper into Cam's ear, "Just think of it this way; you'll be exploring virgin territory." Cam just smiled and let a little chuckle escape his lips. Timon barely contained a chuckle himself and he wandered over to me, topless with a towel draped over his shoulders. He whispered in my ear, "Don't eat too much dinner, luv. You'll have to save room for your dessert." He jerked his thumb towards Camrath as he said that. Timon was highlighted by the track lighting in the ceiling and it showed off his muscle groups. He looked good enough to eat himself.

"Umm, Timon," I started.

"Eh, call me Timmy."

"OK. Timmy, if Camrath's dessert, what does that make you?"

"Think of me as a very filling late night snack."

"Ah."

"Camrath, please? Can I go with you and Vitani to dinner?"

"Not this time Afriti. This really is more of a business matter than an all out celebration."

"But Cam," I heard Afriti whine, "you've been promising me we could go out to dinner forever!"

"Sorry, short stuff." Afriti's usually cute smile turned into an even cuter pout. She looked like she was about to storm off when she shot a glance at me.

"Vitani, can I go with you guys, please?"

"Vitani, this really isn't…" Camrath started. I sauntered over to him and started to tease his left ear with one of my claws. Whispering in his ear, I purred, "Oh let her come with us Camrath."

"But it really isn't…"

"Camrath, just think about AFTER dinner," I trilled, "then those last two years of waiting will pay off and you'll have me all to yourself." He closed his eye, shook his head and sighed. A small smile pulled at the edges of his mouth as he looked at us and said, "Oh, very well. I can't fight both of you." As I walked away, I wondered what I had eaten earlier that was disagreeing with me. I felt weak in the knees and had butterflies in my stomach.

"Vitani," Cam called after me, "Be back here in two hours time."

"Will do."

There were more routes to "The Boudoir" than I had claws on my paws and I'll be damned if I know what made me take the path that I did. However, I found myself walking past the Pride One gym. I wouldn't have stopped except for the sounds of grunting and heavy breathing I heard coming from inside. I popped my head inside the door and there was Ugumu, sweating like a hog, working away on the weights. He was seated, turned way from me, but I could see the muscles in his shoulders and arms flexing with the strain."

"Hey Uggy!" I exclaimed, using the pet name I sometimes did when I talked to him. I heard a loud crash, a yelp of pain, and several muttered curses. Ugumu stopped prancing around and looked towards the door where I was. His green eyes flashed at me angrily. He was wearing a pair of electric blue spandex shorts that were profiling his body VERY nicely. He also had on a pair of black sneakers and was wearing his bandana, which was soaked through with sweat. He also had on his necklace and earring. I eased into the gym and came over to his side. He was massaging his tail where the weights must have crashed down onto it.

"What the hell did you think you were doing, Vitani? Huh? I could have sliced my damn tail off!"

"I was just wanting to say hi, is all. You didn't have to bite my head off!" I snapped back. He let his tail go and stood to face me. He towered over me like Camrath did and he was near enough to me now that I could make out every line and curve of his very well defined body. The heat from his workout radiated off of him.

"I'm sorry," he gruffed, "I don't like being surprised, that's all." He turned away from me and that only served to aggravate me even more.

"Don't you turn away from me, Ugumu! I was on my way to the Boudoir when I passed the gym. I saw you inside and thought I'd see if you would help me with something!"

"And what if I don't want to?"

"Damn it! You're as bad as Camrath! I've trained with you both side by side for the last two years and I don't know either of you any better now than I did then! I mean, I figured once I got into this hellhole, that friends would be few and far between enough as it is. I was at least hoping I could count on one of the two people I've worked closest with if I ever needed them!"

"Sorry, hon. In case you've forgotten, this is Pride One. Folks live and die by one lion's commands in this place and the sooner you learn that, the better off you'll be."

"Ugumu, please. All I want is to be your friend. Please don't shut me out of your life." He didn't say anything for several seconds and turned away from me again. Thinking he had had enough of me, I turned to go. I didn't have any desire to keep Katty-Lynn waiting.

"See ya 'round, Uggy," I said.

"Vitani, wait," he said, his voice a soft whisper. I turned around and saw him standing near me. His features had softened considerably and I could see the wrinkles around his eyes and on his forehead. In the last two years, his hair had grown long and he always kept it tied back into a ponytail. His bangs still hung down in his face and there was more gray in them than had been previously. Absently I found myself flicking his bangs back off his forehead. Emerald fire gazed at me from the liquid pools that were his eyes.

"Open yourself to me Ugumu. Please?"

"All right. But forgive me for being skeptical if I ask you if you're really interested in me or are you just after something?"

"Ugumu, I don't make friends easily and I was hoping I could count you among them."

"Oh."

"That and I was hoping that you could tell me what you know about Camrath."

"I knew there was a catch."

"No, no, I didn't mean it like that. I'm not just using you to get to Cam. I guess…I guess…"

"Yes," he said with a slightly teasing tone in his voice.

"Oh, all right. I'll spill. I've got it bad for Camrath, really bad. He's built like a god and if his innuendoes are any measure, he could put me through a set of sexual gymnastics that are unmatched in the Pride Lands. I've also seen his business side and more than once I've gotten the sharp edge of his tongue during training. It's taken me a while to learn not to take it personally because I know he didn't mean it that way. Geez, I've gotten the rough edge of your tongue, too, Uggy. With Cam there just seems to be a wall that I can't breach. Will you help me?"

Ugumu's intense eyes studied me for several seconds and he didn't utter a single word. It seemed as though he were drinking in my frame as though trying to burn an image of me into his memory. I looked down ready to give up and walk away. Ugumu's chest was very well defined, as his chest muscle groups seemed to strain at his flesh crying for release. I stopped at his midsection. The spandex left precious little to the imagination. Uggy may not have been aroused like I'd seen Camrath, but in sheer size of his masculinity, he ran a very close second if not dead even to him. What in the Great Kings had I gotten myself into? Were all the guys in this joint all well-hung studs with bodies like gods? Ugumu finally spoke, "'Tani, darling, I've been a member of the Pride since the days of King Ahadi. In fact, it was one of his pride that founded Pride One after a nasty incident involving some hyenas, but they never came out and said what the deal was."

"You've been in here THAT long?" I gawped in sheer disbelief.

"Do you want to hear the story or not?" he snapped.

"Sorry, go on."

"Anyway, I've been in the joint a hell of a long time. Camrath was 'recruited' shall we say, a few years after that. He came in just before King Mufasa passed on. In fact, if it hadn't been for his help, Op-Paw-rations, Katty-Lynn, and the rest of us would have been put to death when King Scar held the throne."

"What was up there?"

"Scar feared EVERYONE; he was even afraid of his own shadow."

"Oh."

"Anyway, I don't have to tell you how that ended."

"No," I stated flatly, "No, you don't."

"Besides, who do you think was responsible for sending Rafiki to the jungle to bring Simba home again?"

"It was you guys?" I squawked.

"Yeah. You'll never hear Op-Paw-Rations admit to this, but there's an old Siberian tiger mystic who's holed himself up in a baobab like Rafiki does and who had vague visions about Simba's return. White Tyger, that's our resident mystic's name, was paid a visit by Rafiki after he himself had had a vision one afternoon of Simba's return. They wracked their brains for a few hours and the next thing anyone knew, Simba was king."

"I guess it's true what they say then."

"And that would be?"

"You can't escape Pride One."

"No, you can't. Anyway, Camrath has proved himself an able operative. Oh, he was uncooperative at first and I was sure he wouldn't last a week. They did their best to break his spirit and they finally did. He went through his two years of training and rapidly rose in the ranks to become a level five operative."

"What did he do that landed him in Pride One anyhow?"

"He was accused of murdering his king."

"Did he?" I was speechless.

"There is a neighboring pride north of the Pride Lands and Camrath was the captain of the guard. He chose the uniforms that his guards wore and he held a high degree of power. He preferred all black and so that's what they wore. He was beyond reproach or question. And he was always, and I mean always, seen wearing his jet-black aviator's shades, regardless of the time of day. He prized honor and integrity above all else and performed his duties with dispatch. He'd brave terrors that would turn even a king to mush on his throne and when off duty he could always be seen sporting his trademark black Stetson and black trench coat those black jeans that were about two sizes too small for him. He'd frequent the clubs on his off hours and he didn't take any crap from anyone. After he was drafted into the joint, we would spend hours talking about his life before he was a guard and whatnot. You wouldn't believe what the holy terror he was as a kid. He ran around with the wrong crowd, staying till all hours of the night and worrying his poor mother, literally, to death. He once told me that he'd wear dark eyeliner and go around giving moon-eyed stares to people and chanting, 'Spleen! Spleen! Spleen!,' just to gauge their reactions. And he would also take the damnedest dares just to prove he wasn't afraid of anything. His mother couldn't control him and he could always be seen being dragged home by the guard almost every night. He would vandalize property and terrorize folks. He never let on, but I think he had a bad home life. He did, however, let it slip once that his mother had a new boyfriend practically every week and being forced to live with the moans and cries of passion coming from her bedroom didn't help. He was into death metal music and his favorite outfit was a black t-shirt and jeans and the t-shirt had writing on it in red that looked like someone had painted the slogan in blood and it said 'I'm dead and you're next.' He got to the point where he could run circles around the guards and he and his friend had folks terrified of them. He said that's how he earned the nickname of 'Gothlion' and he's been stuck with it ever since. He said his king personally extended to him the invitation to become the captain of his personal guard. He told me the king reasoned that anyone who could scare people into line like that ought to actually use it to make something of themselves. He managed to turn his life around and proved to be very good and loyal to his king, who treated him like an adopted son. However, someone must have taken one hell of a disliking to him because the next thing he knows; he's stripped of all his power and authority on trumped up charges of regicide."

"But he didn't kill his king?" I asked.

"No, no, he didn't. I mean his service record speaks for itself. What call would a lion with an impeccable service record like that have for murdering his king?"

"Oh," was all I could manage.

"He was innocent, but the team of guards he built turned on him and they bound him in chains and marched him before his fellow pridesmen while they all took turns beating him severely. People leered at him and spat at him and he just walked along, holding his head high. It was during the course of these events that he lost his right eye. After it was over, he was thrown in a cell to die, but Camrath was too blessed tough to just keel over dead. They left him in his cell for a week. The torture sessions were rigorous and they left him weak and drained. The bastards responsible for his torture would cut chevron patterns into the insides of his upper arms and watch as his life's blood would just trickle away. They would also just take turns beating his face and body to pulp as he hung suspended from chains in the wall. At the end of that week he was to be put to death for the murder of his king and the torture sessions always took him to the brink of death and no more. They upped the day of the execution after one session, he managed to find his strength and rip the chains that bound him from their moorings in the cell walls. The guards were frightened by this sudden display of power and one unfortunate was not so lucky. Camrath grabbed the son-of-a-bitch in his paws and as a form of revenge, he wrapped the chains around the guard's neck and strangled him to the point of blacking out and then snapped his neck with his bare paws. The night before the new date of execution, he got recruited. Pride One told him that they knew the charges were false but that they couldn't help that. They did say that if he came to work for them he wouldn't have to worry about his fate. And, of course, there was always the other option."

"And that was?"

"Stay and take the punishment for a crime he didn't commit."

"Uggy, do you think I'm crazy for wanting him?"

"Well, since he's been in Pride One, he's always had girls aplenty chasing after him. He appears to show them some attention and then forget about them."

"So, I've got about a snowball's chance in hell, huh?"

"Well, the break room has enough gossip to light up like a telephone switchboard at Christmas about it, but I've gotten to know Camrath and he seems every bit the gentleman and very honorable despite his joking around."

"Is he seeing anyone now?"

"No, he isn't."

"Then I've got a chance," I said feeling my hopes rise.

"Vitani; be careful. I won't lie to you. Camrath's a great guy and no, he isn't seeing anyone presently, but he does have his one first love, so to speak." I felt my spirits sink again, "Oh, and who would that be?" I asked.

"Pride One," Ugumu said simply.

"Uggy, you've known him for a long time, but he doesn't seem the type to willingly give up any information about himself. How do you know all these things?"

"Who do you think Op-Paw-Rations sent to recruit Camrath in the first place?"

"You?"

"Bingo."

Ugumu then spent the next few minutes explaining to me how he had come to land in the joint. He had been a wanderer and was fiercely protective of what he considered "his." His belongings were few and he did what he could to hole himself away from the rest of civilization. He had left his family in search of something but he wasn't exactly sure what that "something" was. He had been drafted after suffering a rash of attempts to invade his privacy in a cave he found when a bomb he rigged that was designed to scare folks away backfired and an innocent government official was killed in the ensuing rockslide. As far as his searching went, he figured he'd know what it was he was looking for if he ever found it. Before he was drafted, he'd had a string of relationships but still had not found himself a mate and time was not on his side; a fact that he was made painfully aware of every time he saw me. That's why he was grumpy so often. The up side to all of this was that he was finally letting me inside his shell and really opening up to me. Would Camrath do the same? Just then Katty-Lynn's voice came over the P.A. system, "Vitani; report to the Boudoir immediately." Her voice had an edge to it. I wondered when was the last time she had a good roll in the pampas grass. I turned to leave but before I did, I took Ugumu's paw in mine and felt a tingle shoot up my arm. I reached up and kissed him on his cheek. What happened next nearly dropped me where I was standing. As I watched, the gray in his bangs deepened to jet-black and the lines and wrinkles on his face and forehead vanished completely. He seemed ten years younger.

"What the hell?!?" I stared, open-mouthed.

"I can't explain it," he said his voice sounding richer and more full and losing its gruff tone, "Whenever I have close intimate contact with another person, that happens."

"Ugumu, you look years younger. You're really very handsome. Not that you weren't already handsome, but, well, wow!"

"Yeah, but if only it would last. After a few minutes it fades." The P.A. came on again and Katty-Lynn paged me again. Her voice sounded like claws across a chalkboard.

"Well," he sighed, "you'd better go before the queen bee herself comes down to haul you away." I turned to leave and said, "Thanks for talking to me, Uggy. You're the greatest."

"Sure thing, sugar." I turned and left and only later did I find out that when I was gone, he said to himself, "You're not so bad yourself."

After my little visit to the Boudoir, I was convinced that in her life before Pride One, if she actually managed to have one, Katty-Lynn had been the madam of a whorehouse somewhere. The first outfit that she had me try on made me look like an elephant had bled to death all over me. I like red, but a red dress, with rouge and red eye shadow was just too much. I looked like a she demon from the nether most regions of hell. When that looked failed, Katty-Lynn went for the 'Brunhilda-the-Valkyrie' look. It was the first time in years that I'd worn braids. The breastplate and metal skirt clashed with my complexion, too.

"I AM the Iron Maiden," I growled, hooting with laughter. However, if during the course of dinner, Camrath found himself with a case of wandering paws, then I wanted him to be able to get to his intended prize instead of keeping him from it. Katty-Lynn FINALLY scored a hit when she had this cute little black number brought out next. It was suede leather with spaghetti straps that looped over my shoulders. There were genuine diamond studs down the right-hand side that were nested among florettes made of black silk. I had pale hose that gave a sheen to my legs and there were matching stiletto heels that had straps that fastened just above my ankles. My hair was rearranged into a French Twist but I kept the ringlets down either side. Standing back to admire her handiwork, Katty-Lynn gave an approving nod."

"Ooh! I am a sexy bitch!" I growled seductively at my reflection.

When I was finished in The Boudoir, I headed back into the main hall. Camrath wasn't anywhere to be seen. In fact, hardly anyone was present. Systems was just about empty and Brian's group were busy sorting out the info that was flooding in from outside. It looked like Pride One had just about been abandoned. I looked over at Ordnance and except for one of Ugumu's staff, it too, was dead. I was wondering what the rest of the team was up to. I heard footsteps in the distance and looked up to see Timmy and Netolu dressed like they were ready for a night on the town. Timmy had on a pair of jeans and a stark white tee shirt. He also had on a studded choker collar and a cool pair of shades. His head fur had blond streaks in it and he looked good enough to eat. Netolu, on the other hand, had on a silk shirt in deep burgundy with a mandarin collar and a vest that matched the rest of his three-piece suit.

"Where are you guys headed?" I asked, intrigued.

"Netolu here seems to think I need help landing a date. Obviously, he's never seen this wolf on the prowl," Timmy said with a slight grin.

"I keep trying to tell him that landing a date is the ultimate test of diplomacy. We shall see who gets lucky and brings home a lady tonight!" He then burst into song, "Oh luck be a lady tonight!"

"You'll see. This little gray wolf is gonna howl tonight!"

"Well, guys, have fun. Camrath's taking me out to dinner to celebrate my passing the trials."

I sighed and blew out my breath in a big puff. The P.A. activated and Camrath's soft purring brogue came over the system, "Vitani, report to the motor pool." I gathered up the stole that Katty-Lynn had given me and I checked the interactive wall map to find the route to the motor pool. I kept wondering why Cam didn't come and get me and escort me down to the limo. Moments later, I arrived in the motor pool. It was a glaring huge type of garage that was the size of a fluff-ball stadium. There were several cars, about half a dozen of which were limousines. Several feet away, just off to my right, I could see someone bent over one and tinkering in the guts of the car and grunting. The guy's tail was swaying in the breeze and his tight butt was starting to sway like his tail. Either he needed to visit the john really bad or he was really into whatever it was he was humming. I turned to see if there was any sign of Camrath. He wasn't anywhere to be seen. I turned and leaned against the wall. Getting restless, I glanced at my watch, and started to toy with the ringlets in my hair. I thought that I heard footsteps and was about to turn to see if it was Cam when I felt a large and rough paw with hard claws grab my ass. I damn near went ballistic.

"WHAT IN THE HELL!!!…" I shouted. I spun around to see the mechanic who'd been digging in the guts of the limo. He had on a pair of tan coveralls that was unzipped down the front almost to his belly button. His chest fur was poking through and his coveralls clung to him like a second skin. He had shades covering his eyes and various fluid stains covered his outfit. He was a lion, but his mane was shaved very close to his head. He spoke in a gritty mechanic's voice, "You know, after a day spent servicing all these cars, I could use some 'servicing' myself. You wanna give me a quick 'diagnostic'?" I read his name badge.

"OK, um, Rineward," when I said that, he grimaced, "You obviously like taking your life into your own paws. I've de-clawed guys for less than that." Suddenly producing an oil measuring stick out of nowhere he pointed to it and said, "See, I'm about a quart low. Like I said, I could use some service myself." Yeah, I said to myself, you're about a quart low on common sense. He sounded gruff when he responded to me a second time, "Oh, and by the way, it's Wardy, not Rineward, and if there's a pretty ass to grab, I'll grab it." He started to press his body towards mine. Not wanting to look like I'd been dumped in a vat of motor oil, I extended my claws, reached down and grabbed Wardy's crotch. He, too, was packing. Squeezing lightly, I growled softly, "If you value the family jewels, Wardy, you'll lay off really quick like." I felt him press into my paw.

"Other members of the female persuasion have tried, darling, and you're no different."

"Care to test that theory?" Before we could continue, a soft 'ahem' broke our verbal sparring match. Camrath came in dressed in an all black suit looking better than ought to be allowed and behind him was Afriti who was in a pair of bell-bottomed slacks and a gray turtleneck sweater with short sleeves. I could have sworn that I heard Cam chuckling slightly as he said, "So, I see you two have met. Vitani, this is Wardy, Head of the Pride One Motor Pool and chief mechanic. Wardy, this is Vitani. Today she completed her trials and is now a level two operative." Was it just my imagination or did Camrath sound like he was forcing his polite tone? Wardy peered out over his shades and said, "Sorry if I was too rough on you, Vitani," he was grinning from ear to ear, "but it's been a while since we had anyone with an IQ above two waltz in here; present company notwithstanding. I can't remember the last time I had a decent conversation with another living person." Assuming that he was complimenting me, I said, "Thanks, I think."

"Well, if you guys are finished with the intros," Afriti added, "Can we go? I'm starving!" What was in that bag she was carrying; a feeding trough? We were going out to eat, so why did she bring that along?

"Afriti's right," Camrath reminded us, "Wardy get cleaned up. We need a driver."

"A driver? Him?" I asked.

"Yeah. He's also the chauffeur," Cam stated with a smile.

The drive through town was uneventful. Pride Rock stood dead center of it all, though separated by its massive surrounding grounds, and highlighted by floodlights strategically placed at every angle. Deep russets and golds painted the sky like a living canvas and I found myself wishing for home. Those carefree days seemed like they were centuries removed; ghosts from another time; another place. I thought of Kovu and wondered if he and Kiara had managed to have any cubs yet. I missed my baby brother and at that moment, I would have given anything to see him again. I glanced over at Afriti who had her nose buried in a "Physics of Time Travel" textbook. Come to find out, much to my surprise, that the kid had a doctorate degree in quantum physics; but that her real passion lay in hoping to be a computer animator for a large movie firm. That was until Pride One had gotten their paws on her. She had some headphones plunked down over her ears and seemed happily oblivious to the rest of the world. Camrath sat opposite to me and he had his good eye closed. His mane was tied back in a ponytail again and it was slung over his left shoulder. His tail twitched lazily and I thought for sure he'd fallen asleep. Wardy drove on, also silent and I returned my gaze to the scene out the window. Indigo had started to caress the sky now and I realized I didn't really feel much like eating. I wanted some action, some excitement. Hell, I'd have killed for a half-decent romance, but the one person my heart was telling me it wanted, didn't even know, or so I suspected, I was alive. A chilling coldness was creeping into my soul like the dancers in a chorus line and that irritated the fur off me; that, and the fact that my underdrawers were giving me the granddaddy of all wedgies. I checked my makeup in my compact and went back to staring out the window. I felt something brush up against my leg and looked down to see Camrath's tail rubbing up against it. He was staring at me with his solitary amber eye and could have been carved from stone; he was so still. Without me asking him to, he came over and squeezed himself in between me and Afriti, which caused her to squeal in protest. I didn't turn to face him, but the reflection in the window indicated that he was staring straight ahead.

"Penny for your thoughts," he purred.

"Sorry, Camrath," I replied, "Given my current asking price, I don't think you could afford it."

"Try me," he whispered. His voice didn't seem to have its usual playful, mocking tone or its erotic purr. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I told him what was bothering me.

"It's Kovu. I'll never see him again. I didn't realize how much I missed him until just a moment ago and I just wonder how life's treated him the last couple of years. I wonder if I'm an aunt now?"

"If that's the case, you'll be glad to know that Kiara gave birth to a son, M'Dume." My heart leapt when I heard the news. Without realizing what I was doing, I was surprised to find my paw caressing my belly.

"That's great, Camrath! When was he born? Is there any way at all that I could see him?"

"I'm afraid not," there was a hint of regret in his voice, "You know the policy. You're dead to the outside world, now."

"I know. It's just that…" I trailed off as my stomach started to churn.

"What," he asked in that same soft whisper. My stomach was really rumbling now and I felt slightly nauseous.

"I…oh, man. I think I'm gonna barf."

"Do you need a sickness bag?"

"Yeah, pass me one, would ya?" He reached over to the limo's built in wet bar and handed me a small paper bag.

"Oh, geez. Here it comes," I moaned, "I…"

FWAAAAAAATTTTTT!!!!

Camrath wrinkled his nose and moved back over to the other side of the limo. Afriti slid out of her headphones and laid down the textbook and said with a completely straight face, "OK. At dinner, please stay away from the bourbon chicken and the bean dip and I think for added safety, we'll be sitting in the non-smoking section."

The place they took me was a really ritzy joint called "The Lion's Den" that had a live cabaret act. There were large imported potted plants that were arranged to shade the tables and each table's centerpiece had aromatic candles in them. The atmosphere was too rich for my blood; that much was certain.

Afriti ordered a huge old cheeseburger with all the trimmings and a large chocolate shake. Camrath had a light salad of various mixed greens as an appetizer and for his main course he had a steak seasoned with peppercorns and a vegetable medley. I settled on a filet of grilled mahi mahi and rice pilaf. When our meals were served, we all raised our glasses in a toast and sat back to what I was sure to be a pleasant evening…or so I thought.

"Katty-Lynn has taught you well, Vitani." I hadn't thought much about the last two years that I'd spent in training. I realized suddenly that Camrath was right and that thought caused me to smile. I looked around me at the other patrons in the restaurant. I took a deep breath and felt free, which I hadn't felt in a long time.

We finished our meals and sat sipping our wine. Afriti was busy, however, stuffing her face with a heaping helping of hot fudge cake with a serving of ice cream between the two cake slices. Thick fingers of liquid fudge ran over the top and sides and a cherry sat perched atop a small mountain of whipped cream. Camrath swirled his wine in his glass and looked over at me.

"I'll say it again, Katty-Lynn has taught you well," he purred.

"Thank you," was all I could manage. I was starting to feel really good. I had done it. I was trained; I was ready to go out and kick some butt; I felt like I ruled the world. Camrath sat his wine glass down and I noticed that Afriti had finished her cake and was staring over at us. Cam picked up a small box that was elegantly gift-wrapped. It had a deep burgundy velvet ribbon that had gold thread at its edges. The wrapping paper was gold and with trembling claws, I carefully undid the bow and the paper. The gold foil wrap crinkled and after a few seconds, I got tired of trying to handle the paper gently and tore in with my claws. Inside was a very beautiful wooden box that had an engraved plaque on the lid that read, "For Vitani."

"C'mon, Vitani! Open it!" Afriti urged. My claws were trembling. I fingered the catch and slowly lifted the lid. As I lifted the lid, I could see a lining of crimson silk. My heart was pounding with anticipation. Could it be? Without even daring to hope it was so, was Camrath proposing marriage? I opened the lid of the box the rest of the way.

My smile quickly evaporated like a dense fog in summer heat.

I looked back up at Camrath trying to make some sense of what was going on. Was this some kind of a sick joke? Camrath was just staring at me intently and even Afriti had put down her fork for a moment. I started to stammer, "What is this!?" In a quiet tone that had his erotic purr, Camrath spoke to me with a tone that held deadly earnestness in it.

"The lion behind me in the cheap leisure suit at the next table is Graham "Scar" Auld. He has a PDA in the briefcase. You need to obtain the unit and when you do, do not leave through the main entrance. There is a window in the ladies' room that leads to an alley behind the restaurant where the car will be waiting. If you don't mind, please wait until Afriti and I leave. She has a small bag with some disguises to help you in your task. You have fifteen minutes. If, at the end of fifteen minutes, you have not completed the assignment, the car will leave without you." My head was swimming. I couldn't speak a word and I thought my throat was gonna close up. Afriti and Camrath then glided effortlessly out of the restaurant with Afriti's shrill voice asking a bunch of questions that weren't getting answered. I felt a deep hatred beginning to churn inside my gut as my heart silently bled to death inside of me. I wonder now, if there wasn't something about the atmosphere of the place, because my eyes had started watering really badly.

After a few moments, I allowed myself a small cry, and took a deep breath. I steeled myself for the brouhaha that was coming like an approaching thunderstorm. I took the .44 automatic and the checked the magazine. It was loaded. Paws trembling, I loaded the spare magazine into my ample cleavage. I thought a disguise might be a good idea, so I started to dig around inside of Afriti's big bag of tricks. If I didn't know better, I'd have sworn that the bag was bigger inside than out. I scrounged around, almost swallowing myself up to my waist. After a few minutes, I found a head chef's outfit. Ducking behind a large imported potted palm, I quickly underwent the change. No, no you imbeciles, not THAT change! I changed into the outfit! Sheesh! Anyway, I hid my gun under my chef's hat and sauntered over to Graham's table.

He had a handsome face that, if he hadn't slicked back his mane and had gotten rid of the heavy Goth eye makeup. His cheap leisure suit was a navy-blue color with white pin stripes and a matching vest. His shirt was hot pink silk and the tie was navy-blue with white stripes. He eyed me as I approached and said with a voice that was slicker than motor oil, "Ah, chef! What are your specials this evening?" Faking an Italian accent, I said, "The steak is a-no good! I can't recommend the rhubarb and the toad has jumped out of de hole!" The two bimbos on either side of Graham kept on fawning over him and had on far too much jewelry for my liking.

"What would you suggest, then," he purred. In a flash, I pulled out my pistol and stuck it under his chin. He immediately turned into a bowl of Jell-O. I looked over to his bimbos.

"Beat it, girls," I growled. They scrammed. Turning back to Graham, I growled, "Open the briefcase."

"My men are all over the place. You'll be dead in seconds," he growled back.

"OPEN THE DAMNED BRIEFCASE!!" I yelled. Graham just stared at me defiantly. I shoved the muzzle of the gun further into his chin and cocked the hammer manually. I heard him gulp and suddenly heard a wet tinkling noise. I looked down to see a yellow puddle on the floor. Fumbling with the catches on the briefcase, he opened it. I reached in and grabbed the PDA. Stashing it in my cleavage, I beat a hasty exit to the ladies' room. I heard Graham scream after me, "Get the bitch!" I found myself wanting to rip Camrath a new one for landing me in the middle of this mess.

"Wardy, what in hell did you think you were doing? You know the consequences of that kind of behavior!"

"Don't fake concern for my welfare, Gothlion. And by The Great Kings, don't pretend to hide behind the charter. Why don't you just admit that it's possible that Vitani likes me. You know you've got it for her, bad, too. If you didn't, you wouldn't be making such a damned fuss about it. You can say your interest is ONLY professional, but I know better!"

"You just keep the hell away from her!"

"Make me, Camrath! You don't have the balls!"

"I've got more balls than a sporting goods store and my bat's got a hell of a lot of wood in it; enough for an entire forest!"

Guys! GUYS! GUYS!!! If you're both finished hosing down the parking lot with testosterone, Vitani should be out in a few minutes, OK? She's gonna need us."

"You're right, Afriti. Wardy, we WILL continue this later."

"Bet on it."

That lying son-of-a-bitch!! I thought to myself as I stood staring at the brick wall that was where the window in the ladies' room opened. What was I supposed to do now? I ran back through the doorway and turned left to head up the stairs to the door that led back out into the main dining room. I started to open the door when the bang of two guns being discharged caused me to backpedal for my life straight into the wall. I opened the door again after a moment and loosed off two shots without really aiming. Crawling on my belly, I crept back over to the table where Cam, Afriti and I had been eating. I put my back against the side of the bench where we had been sitting and took a couple of shaky breaths. A couple of patrons gave me crazy looks and I growled at them. I looked towards the stage and noticed that they were doing selected musical numbers from the hit film, Meet Me in St. Louis. They were getting ready to do "The Trolley Song" number and I figured I could hide in the ensemble that was singing. I had a pretty good singing voice and I dug through Afriti's bag and found a nice blue tartan skirt and gloves, a black velvet coat, and white blouse with a bow. There was also a longhaired auburn wig that fit down over my hair. Looking around to see if I was in danger of being spotted, I noticed several of Graham's thugs moving as discreetly as possible through the restaurant like a police officer investigating a train wreck. With my new costume in hand, I ducked and ran backstage. I was looking for a place to make a quick change when I noticed one of the goons approaching from the other end of the hall. I noticed the star's dressing room and ducked inside. The tigress who must have been the star of the "The Trolley Song" number didn't get two words out before a karate chop to the back of the neck put her out. Also, her costume was exactly like what I had in my arms. Taking the chef's uniform and chucking it, I quickly slipped into the rest of the costume. I quickly adjusted the wig, tied the tigress up and stuffed her in the tiny closet and headed towards the stage, passing Graham's goon in the process. As he came nearer, I noticed he was a tall tiger who was ripped with muscles. Putting a paw on my shoulder, he stopped me and growled, "Hey, lady! You seen a bitch of a chef? I thought I saw her come this way!"

"I'm afraid not, big boy," I trilled in my most seductive tone and I fluttered my eyelids at him. He stared at me for just a moment and I was sure I was dead meat. Just then the music started for the number and I said, "Excuse me, handsome, but they're expecting me on stage." I hurried towards the trolley prop and hoped to the Great Kings that I could remember the words. As the ensemble began singing I climbed up onto the trolley prop and figured I'd get into position to sing (I really liked the movie and had seen it dozens of times!) and kept panning the audience for any sign of Graham's goons. I didn't see any sign of them in the audience and I didn't see the big tiger stud anywhere nearby either. Climbing to the top of the trolley, I moved forward to the end that overlooked the audience, all the while looking for any sign that I was in trouble. It was then that it hit me that maybe putting myself in the spotlight in full view of everyone may not have been such a hot idea after all. I was about to try to get down off the trolley when the music swelled and the chorus sang the last line before I was to start the solo. Suddenly it was all coming back to me as the chorus finished up singing,

"…Time to fall went my heartstrings, as we got off at Huntington Park; as we got off at Huntington Park!"

"Hey! Look who's coming!" Just as in the movie I looked back to see the actor portraying John Truitt chasing the trolley. It wasn't the actor it should have been, but the big stud of a tiger that'd stopped me backstage. He must have figured out who I was because he was also in costume and he'd be on the trolley shortly. I cast several glances around. I was trapped! At least I had a shield of bodies to protect me. The music swelled again and I almost missed my cue.

"With my high starched collar

and my high topped shoes

and my hair piled high upon my head.

I went to lose a jolly hour on the trolley

And lost my heart instead."

"With his light brown derby

and his bright green tie,

he was quite the handsomest of men.

I started to yen,

so I counted to ten.

And then I counted to ten again."

There was a few seconds of just music when I felt myself slip fully into the role. My voice, a little rusty at first, was full of vigor and my alto was ready to go. I started singing the chorus,

"Clang, clang, clang went the trolley.

Ding, ding, ding, went the bell.

Zing, zing, zing, went my heartstrings.

From the moment I saw him,

I fell."

"Chug, chug, chug went the motor.

Bump, bump, bump went the brake.

Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings.

When he smiled I could feel the car shake."

The chorus then sang the voiceover clang three times. I continued,

"He tipped his hat;

and took a seat.

He said he hoped he hadn't

Stepped upon my feet.

He asked my name;

I held my breath.

I couldn't speak because

He scared me half to death."

Here, one of the ensemble called out, "Hiya, Johnny!" just like in the movie and I looked up to see the tiger slowly making his way towards the front of the trolley. I started my next line. I was in full swing and managing to have a blast, despite the fact that I'd probably be Graham's personal lion fodder for tomorrow morning's breakfast.

"Chug, chug, chug went the motor.

Plop, plop, plop went the wheels.

Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings.

As he started to go,

then I started to know how it feels

when the universe reels."

The rest of the ensemble started singing their chorus as I mock-directed them. Casting a glance out to the audience, I noticed Graham motioning several of his goons from separate vantage points in the restaurant to converge on the stage. They probably found me due to the fact that the spotlight had been on me the whole time. Oh well, I asked for it.

"The day was bright.

The air was sweet.

The smell of honeysuckle

charmed you off your feet.

You tried to sing, but couldn't squeak.

In fact, you loved him so,

you couldn't even speak!"

I was in the home stretch now with the final verse.

"Buzz, buzz , buzz went the buzzer.

Plop, plop, plop went the wheels.

Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings.

As he started to leave I took hold of his sleeve

with my hand.

And as if it were planned,

he stayed on with me

and it was grand just to stand

with his hand holding mine…

To the end of the line!"

The ensemble finished at the same time with "Clang! Clang! Clang went the trolley…Zing, zing, zing…went my heart…Heart!"

The tiger was just inches away when the audience burst into applause like a sudden summer thunderstorm. We all climbed down to take a bow and the audience kept heaping on the cheers. The spotlight then centered on me and I stepped forward and took another bow. The applause grew to its loudest yet. I just bowed two or three more times, blowing kisses to the audience. Why hadn't I trained as an actress instead? There was a small runway on the stage with stairs at the end. I stepped down on the main floor of the restaurant and I noticed one of Graham's goons starting towards me and he pulled out his gun just enough for me to see the handle. What was I gonna do now? I was coming down off the high from the performance and the adrenaline in my system and the fear I was feeling made me unbelievably edgy. I was exposed and terrified and trapped like a rat in a cage. I just happened to notice that at a table nearby a couple were eating and an idea occurred to me. At the top of my lungs, over the applause I announced, "Ladies and gentlefurs, for an encore, I'd like to announce a," I paused for a brief second before I bellowed at the top of my lungs, "FOODFIGHT!!!" Moving like quicksilver, I scooped up some garlic mashed potatoes and hurled them sidearm at the thug coming straight at me. The garlic scented wad hit him full in the face and knocked him flat on his ass. Hiking up my skirt, I dashed towards the kitchen as all over the restaurant, the food began to fly.

Slipping on the food that was covering the floor, I slid into the kitchen and collided with the counter. I heard two shots echo out and I went down on my belly. I scrambled past a large steel fridge and hid behind it. My breathing was hard and labored and as the realization of the danger I was in began to really set in, my legs began to wobble badly. I started to shake so bad I could barely hold onto the pistol in my grasp. Taking a deep breath, I ventured a peak around the edge of the fridge and almost got my nose blasted off. I pulled back, my eyes squeezed shut, and I began to count backwards from five. When I reached one, I rolled out onto my belly and into the enemy line of fire. I loosed two shots. One blew a hole in a steam pipe scalding one of the thugs and another knocked a fluorescent lighting fixture loose braining yet another thug. Using the time that bought me, I scooted on my rear to the end of the counter and quickly ducked behind it. I could hear more of the goons coming in and I readied myself to let off another round of shots. The gang kept on coming and I peaked over the counter. I took a split second to aim…

BANG!

As if watching a slow-motion scene from a movie, the bullet caught one guy square in the forehead. I was shocked for just a moment. I had just killed my first enemy. I thought I was gonna puke. I squeezed the trigger again to discover that the cartridge was empty and ducked back out of sight to change it and just did miss getting a mohawk from a spray of bullets from a machine gun. I fought with the backup cartridge to get it in the gun. It jammed. Tossing the now useless weapon aside, I reached up to pull down anything off the counter that I could use in my defense. I was surprised to see that I had come away with a tin pie plate. Taking a deep breath, I jumped up and whooped out a war cry of, "Ayayayayayaiii!!" like Xira, Warrior Lioness (This hit TV series was popular in the Pride Lands and was one of Rindi's better ideas. Rumor has it he changed to spelling from a "Z" to and "X" to avoid copyright infringement). I let the pie plate fly. It ricocheted off the walls, the fridge, and took out three more thugs. How many more were there?, I thought to myself. The pie plate returned and I stared with shock at the plate in my hand as I had caught it with practiced ease. The gang of goons had stopped firing and I noticed them setting up a bazooka. Now what was I gonna do? If they let that thing off with me where I was, I was sure I could look forward to stewing for eternity in another kind of kitchen. Frantically I looked around me when I noticed what I thought was a garbage chute. I looked back at Graham's group of thugs. The guy with the bazooka was aiming. Deciding it was now or never, I dashed towards the chute. I heard a loud "WHOOSH!" as the weapon fired. At the last second I slid down the chute and felt the heat of a dozen suns down my legs as the weapon exploded against the wall. I slid down the chute, through a trap down and landed in a heap in a garbage can. I checked to make sure that the PDA was still in place as well as my dud pistol that I had scooped up in my mad dash. I climbed out of the garbage can, found the back door of the joint, and limped towards the parking lot.

A thousand different emotions vied for dominance in my mind, but anger was on the top of the list. Hell, I was beyond angry. I could have been killed!! My dress was in tatters and the wig half singed as I came upon Wardy, Camrath and Afriti talking loudly. Wardy noticed me and with a predatory smile, he ran his paw through his short mane and strode over to me. All I could see was red.

"Hey, Vitani," he purred, "light my fire!"

"LIGHT THIS!!" I bellowed and I brought my knee up between his legs--HARD.

"Ooowwwww!" he moaned painfully, "Mommy!" he squealed.

"I'll give you mommy," I shouted and with a quick right hook, I laid him out on the pavement. I saw, out of the corner of my eye, Afriti cringe slightly. I then stormed towards Camrath.

"And you," I started, "Take your damned PDA! Here! Take your damned worthless pistol too!" I slung both instruments as hard as I could at Camrath's chest. They bounced off of him and he didn't so much as flinch. I turned and walked away.

"Vitani," he started. His voice was low with a warning edge to it.

"Don't start with me," I shouted back.

"Vitani! Get in the damned car!" Spinning around angrily I yelled, "Camrath! *BLEEP* you!!" (Editor's note: At Vitani's request, this exclamation has been censored)

"I'll see you back at Pride One!" I added almost as an afterthought. I heard Camrath growl, "Afriti, go after her. I'll gather up the grease jockey here and meet you back at headquarters."

"Vitani! VITANI!!" I heard a shrill voice crying out after me. I was walking along the city streets and shot a look back to see Afriti chasing after me. She yelled out again, "Vitani!"

"Leave me alone, Afriti!" When I said that, a thunderclap split the air and I looked up and noticed that lightening was forking across the sky. A light rain had started to fall just seconds after that and quickly become a torrential downpour. My mascara started to run and I was soaked through.

"Figures I'd be all wet," I muttered under my breath.

"Vitani, wait up!"

"No! Did Camrath send you after me?"

"No! I mean, um, yeah, he did. But I figured you'd be able to calm down more if another girl were tagging along."

"So, you weren't in on the joke, huh?"

"No…"

"Then how do you explain the bag of tricks?"

"I always carry around a few disguises with me."

"And yet, you weren't in on the whole charade from the start?"

"'Tani, I swear. I didn't know until Camrath sprung the .44 on you at dinner. I promise."

"You promise," I emphasized the word promise.

"'Tani, we girls have to stick together.

"Oh, all right. Besides, I didn't want to hoof it all the way back to Pride One in the rain by myself.

As we were walking and getting wetter, if such a thing were possible, by the second, the limo pulled up beside us. Wardy seemed no worse for wear except for the huge black eye he was sporting where I decked him. Camrath just sat staring at me, but he never said a word. I stared out the window and no one said the first word the rest of the way back.

We were deposited near the entrance of Pride One where I saw Timon and Netolu walking up at the same time we arrived. There was a white female wolf with Timon and she had shoulder length brown hair. Around her neck was a spiked collar and she had on a plain white tee shirt and black jeans. I noticed that Timon was looking REALLY happy. Afriti went on inside and Camrath followed her.

"So, I take it that you got lucky, huh, Timmy? Introduce me to your lady friend." The female wolf spoke, "Just call me White Wolf. Everybody else does."

"Nice to meet ya."

"Likewise."

"So, uh, what interested you in Timmy?"

"Let's just say he knows how to make a girl howl. And he's just so darn cute." She smiled as she said this and started stroking Timmy's ears. He started grinning like he was in ecstasy and began thumping the ground with his right leg and a moment later, he let out a howl, "Aaarooooo!" I couldn't help but laugh.

"At least there's someone who knows how to control a man around here. White Wolf, how do you do it?"

"Girl, I learned along time ago, if it's got tires or testosterone, you're gonna have trouble with it. You just gotta know what turns him on and how to turn him off in a heartbeat."

"Sound advice," I said.

"Always comes in handy for me," she replied. I looked over to Netolu, who wasn't looking quite so happy.

"Gee, Netolu; couldn't you find anyone?"

"Must not have been my night," he gruffed.

"C'mon, Net. What's the problem?"

"Shall we say that as the master of diplomacy, I failed at the most diplomatic situation in the world."

"And that would be?"

"Landing a date. Oh well, it's Timmy's night to howl anyway." I could tell Netolu seemed really depressed and his baby blues twinkled sadly. Feeling bad for him, I gave him a peck on the cheek.

"You'll find her, Netolu. She's out there somewhere." He was staring at the heavens through a break in the clouds as he silently whispered, "She walks in beauty like the night…" Suddenly, all my pent up anger seemed to fade a little as I beheld my friend and mentor.

"Good night, Netolu," I said quietly.

"Good night, Vitani," he replied with a smile.

Camrath returned just a moment later and motioned me to come over to the still waiting limo. My anger had faded some; but not THAT much. I ignored him. Calling out to me, he said, "Vitani, please get in the car."

"What for?" I asked with an edge creeping back into my voice. I guessed he was just barely keeping his anger in check when he said to me, "Vitani, please just come." I pushed past him roughly and climbed into the car. The air conditioning inside chilled my wet fur and my teeth started to chatter. Camrath climbed in after me and the limo pulled back out into traffic and glided through town. I could feel the seat of the limo shift and I sensed Camrath sliding closer to me and felt the sensation of his paws suddenly resting on my shoulders. I shook him off angrily and shot over to the over side and I glared at him through half-closed lids and growled low in my throat. He looked away from me and out the window. At last the limo stopped outside an apartment building. I allowed Camrath to lead me inside and up a couple of flights of stairs to a door with the number "412" on it. Camrath opened the door and led me inside. I stood in the middle of the living space. There was an island-style cabinet to my left with a sink in it and a stovetop next to that. Beyond that was a kitchen table made of black glass. Sitting opposite that on the far right was a small flight of stairs that led to a bedroom and a bathroom. Adjacent to the dining table was a love seat and sofa in black leather and beyond them were a set of French doors with drapes on them in white. Heavier black velvet drapes hung to either side. I just looked around in surprise. Nice place, I thought. I felt Camrath move close to me again and he put his paws on my shoulders. I just shook him off and he was beginning to royally piss me off again.

"Don't touch me!" I hissed as I spun around to face him, my eyes flashing dangerously. My temper flared and I didn't even try to hold it back. I lashed out at Cam verbally, "You lied to me, you bastard! Why in the hell didn't you tell me that was a job! Is Pride One in the business of playing games with its operative's lives? Huh? I could have been killed and all you can do is just stand there and act like it's all a cute little game, while my ass is getting shot at! What did you do? Nothing! Not a damn thing! I hope you're happy! I hate you! I HATE YOU!!!" I swung back and moved to slap Camrath across his muzzle. With amazing dexterity, he caught my paw before it made contact and held me still with little effort as I struggled in vain against him.

"Let me go! Camrath! Let go of me!" My resolve crumbled at last I began to cry, but I didn't give a damn. Through my sobs I slurred, "You miserable bagiagaloop."

Acting like we had been having a casual chat, he said, "We had to see if you could improvise. Regardless of whatever state of mind you're in, you have to be able to perform."

"You don't want a person. You want a machine. I can't do that." I saw a smile pull at the edges of his mouth. After my little verbal barrage, I was floored. Did anything piss this guy off?

"Congratulations," he purred, "You already have." I turned my attention to other matters.

"Nice apartment," I said casually as I wiped a paw across my nose, "Is it yours?"

"No. It's yours. You've earned it." Camrath had moved closer to me and my body must have sensed it on some cosmic level or something as an urge was awakened in me. My heart was being wary and saying no, but my body was aching for his touch. Whether it was deliberate or unconscious on my part, I don't know, but the gap between us closed and the heat radiating from him warmed me and the scent of sandalwood enveloped me like a blanket. Lifting my chin with his paw, he tried to kiss me, but I looked away. I was struggling, but I didn't really want to.

"No, Camrath. Please, don't…..I…"

"Look at me."

"No, I can't. Please. Don't make me."

"Vitani. Look at me." I resigned myself to his whispered command and looked into his face. He brought his lips to mine and this time, I didn't resist him. He stroked my face tenderly as his passionate kiss caused me to melt; his tongue caressing my mouth. I wanted to give myself to him and aching with desire, I felt the other half of my soul come sliding home.

Camrath left just a little while later, after he just held me in his arms while I sobbed on his chest for a few minutes and explaining to me that if anyone asked, I was between jobs and taking some time to figure things out. I had ID, credit cards, and a driver's license. He told me that my code name was Oxy-Clean.

"What the hell kind of name is that?"

"Don't know. Ask Katty-Lynn. It was her idea."

"Ah. So, what do I do now?"

"Wait."

"How long?"

"Maybe a day; a week; a month. Who knows?" I guess I must have seemed a little depressed as he came over and stroked my face with his paw again and smiled. Then he was gone. I looked around at my apartment again. I couldn't believe it. I'd arrived at last and managed to do it with style. I walked back over to the French doors that I had opened just a few moments earlier. Silver beams of liquid moonlight poured in and lit the floor. A light breeze stirred the air and I ran out onto the balcony of my new home and gazed out at the starlit beauty of the Pride Lands. What else could I do besides stare in wonder? I'd made it; at last.

The End--Part 4