A DREAM OF FREEDOM LOST
Chapter 6: The Mind is a Fragile Thing
T-Bone raced back toward the salvage yard and home. Signaling the secret doors to open he drove into the hangar. Shutting off the cyclotron, he climbed off and dropped his helmet onto the seat. He went to his locker to change and was soon climbing the ladder toward the garage above.
He found his partner closing up shop. Staying silent, he joined him and together they shut the gate and locked the doors then went up to their apartment.
"Didn't know if I was going to see you at all today." Jake said quietly as he headed for the kitchen.
"Oh, I intended to stop by to talk to you, I just didn't know when that was going to be. Why don't we order some dinner and we'll talk, okay?" Chance asked his partner as he took the milk Jake had handed him.
"Alright...pizza okay?" Jake asked as he reached for the phone.
"Sure. Make mine with tuna topping." Chance answered then wandered into the living room.
A few minutes later, Jake joined him. They sat for a moment staring at each other then Chance sighed. Jake looked so uncomfortable.
"It's alright buddy, just start asking and I'll try to answer as best I can." Chance said quietly.
"Though you told me on the phone that everything had gone okay, I still got the impression that it wasn't that simple so why don't you to tell me what really happened." Jake asked and settled back to listen.
"I thought it would be difficult to even lay with him after all we hated each other but Feral began acting strangely as soon as the doors sealed us in. I learned quickly that he didn't care about he and I trying to mate. Hell, I didn't even exist." Chance said pausing a moment to gather his thoughts.
"What I saw in Feral's face terrified me. I saw death. I dragged him to the bed and held him tight as he began to sob wildly babbling about losing his freedom. He considered it slavery to be bonded to a kat and from his point of view I guess he had a right to feel that way." Chance said unhappily. Jake stared at him in shock.
"I tell you Jake, I felt so out of my depth and just so bad for him. Feral needed a therapist not a mate but I was all he had and I didn't want to die. I did everything I had to to stay alive and in the process ended up bonding myself very thoroughly to him. The bond allows us to sense each other emotions. It's unsettling especially right now when he's soo depressed and lost. I have no choice now but to care about his well being. I'm the only thing that keeps his power from blowing out of control and make no mistake, Feral is far more powerful than any Sabren that's come forward so far. Heck he explodes with light bright enough to blind you for just a moment when he climaxes. No other Sabren I've been able to get info on does that after the initial mating." He sighed and finished his milk.
Before Jake could ask anything else the gate bell rang with their dinner.
"I'll get it." Chance said as he got up and hurried down the stairs and out to the gate. He was back a few minutes later setting the pizza down on the coffee table. He went to the kitchen for more milk and handed one to his partner before grabbing some pizza and sitting down again.
"Crud Chance I would have been terrified too. You made the only decision you could. So how have you and Feral managed since you left yesterday?" Jake asked as he took a bite of his pizza.
"Feral was wiped out physically and emotionally. He was soo out of it when we arrived at his apartment that I was afraid to leave him alone. I have a strong need to take care of him and that's a direct result of the bond." Chance snorted. Then he sighed, "I guess that's what they meant by 'compatible' mate. Don't get me wrong, I don't resent having to care for him. The sex is very hot and I'm the one, so far, that initiates it. Feral never refuses me. He's actually shy and a little inhibited and I make him blush a lot." Chance said with a smirk.
"You're kidding?!" Jake exclaimed. "I can't even picture Feral blushing!"
"Oh yeah! It's so endearing and I guess, though its too early to tell for sure, we seem to get along okay just talking and interacting as well. This morning we sat down and talked about what was to happen next, we didn't blow up at each other and settled matters quite amicably. I was very surprised." Chance said shaking his head at the memory.
"How does this affect us as the SWAT Kats?" Jake asked the most important question on his mind.
"You'll be pleased about this..." Chance said as he explained what he and Feral had agreed to that morning. Jake looked relieved and happy.
"One thing though, eventually my real identity will be exposed. You can't be intimate with someone for a long time without them guessing who you are. Sooner or later, he will figure it out. For now it's not a priority but I want you to be okay with it being revealed if it becomes necessary so I can just tell him with your blessing and not have to wait to get it later." Chance said seriously.
"I suppose you're right and after all, he can't arrest his own mate and he won't hurt me because it hurts you. When the time comes and you feel you have to then you have my permission to do it. You'll understand if I hope that isn't for a long while yet." Jake said resignedly.
"Of course, buddy. Don't worry about it. At least we won't have to be concerned so much about the enforcers trying to capture us." Chance sighed.
"Yeah that's good news. It will certainly make our lives much easier. So you'll be staying with him for a while?" Jake asked grabbing another slice of pizza.
"Nights and weekends at least for a little while. Like I said, Feral is an emotional time bomb and I'm truly worried about his state of mind right now so I don't feel comfortable leaving him by himself too much yet." Chance nodded. "Oh, before I forget. Ms. Briggs is having a press conference in the morning for us so I'll be gone for a bit."
"Okay and I understand about staying with Feral though its down right weird to think of you as mated." Jake said shaking his head. "As long as you are here in the morning to work in the garage and we still do our patrols, I don't see a real problem. Hope the press conference goes okay."
"So do I and unless there's a problem, I'll be here. Thanks, Jake. All this is still very strange to me and will take a lot to get used to except for the sex. That is the best part about this, odd as that might be." Chance grinned at his partner. Jake just snorted at that. More relaxed now that he understood what was going on, Jake turned on the TV and they finished their dinner in companionable silence.
A little later, Chance helped Jake clean up then he went up to his room to pack a few toiletries and clothes before heading back downstairs. He said good night to his friend and went on down to the hangar. He changed into a clean SWAT Kat uniform, got back on his bike and headed out toward town and Feral's apartment.
While Chance was bringing his partner up to date, Feral was clearing reports that had accumulated during his absence. It kept his mind occupied and away from his emotional turmoil. He'd been able to keep his anguish at bay by trying to get to know his new mate but that wouldn't last long. It angered him that he'd been able to be soo strong all this time until the mating stripped away all his defenses. The suppressed pain was going to shove its way forward whether he wanted it too or not.
He sighed as he finished the last report and put it in his out basket for his secretary in the morning. He noticed it was getting late so locked up his desk then office and went to the elevators. No one accosted him as he made his way through the massive lobby of Enforcer Headquarters for the huge doors. In minutes, he was driving through the light traffic for his apartment. He deliberately kept his mind blank focusing only on his driving.
T-Bone was sitting on his cyclotron against the wall in front of Feral's parking spot. His heart leaped with relief. He couldn't deny that T-Bone made him feel safe and warm. He feared he was in for a very bad night and hoped T-Bone's presence would get him through it. He climbed out of his hummer, locked it and walked up to the SWAT Kat.
T-Bone eyed him with concern. He set the alarm on his bike, picked up a small backpack then moved to wrap an arm around Feral's waist and deposit a gentle kiss on his cheek. He held Feral still a moment and looked into his eyes. He knew trouble was brewing. He could feel it pouring from Feral. He sighed, this was going to be a difficult night.
"Hey big guy, it's going to be alright I promise. I'll help you through your pain tonight but you really need to see someone before you fall off the deep end. I can feel your distress like hot pokers on my skin." T-Bone said seriously as he held Feral closer to him a moment longer.
"I know," He whispered tightly. Feral could feel himself sliding already and understood T-Bone's trepidation. He was afraid too. He clung to T-Bone then took a gulping breathe and pulled away so that they could get to his apartment. T-Bone let him go but stayed very close. Again they were lucky to encounter no one on their way up.
Feral felt himself begin to tremble, his grip on his emotions slipping fast as they reached his door. T-Bone took his keys and opened it then gently pushed him inside. The tiger tom locked the door and placed the keys on a nearby table and dropped his bag on the couch. Feral grit his teeth together as his mate helped him take his jacket and weapons harness off.
T-Bone removed his own armaments and harness then wrapped an arm around Feral's waist and pulled him insistently toward the bedroom. Once there he undressed them both and made for the bathroom. He hoped a hot shower would help Ulysses survive the coming emotional storm. The next hour was not going to be fun.
Standing in the shower with the steaming water flowing over them, Ulysses trembled harder and the tears began to stream down his face. T-Bone held onto Uly's body from behind and stroked his chest murmureing words of comfort while Uly began pounding the wall with his fists to try and release the pain surging through him. His tears were joined by screams of rage and grief that threatened to rip him apart.
T-Bone held on and did his best to soothe and pour feelings of comfort into Feral's mind. He wasn't sure he was succeeding but he persevered since there was nothing else he could do. Ulysses' raging emotions pounded T-Bone like knives. He didn't know how long Uly could bear it. It was hurting T-Bone just receiving it second hand.
The storm finally ended just as the water started to turn cold. T-Bone turned it off and tenderly helped Uly out of the shower and into the dryers. The big tom was limp and exhausted. Once dry T-Bone guided Uly to the bed and tucked him in. Caressing Uly's face gently, he studied the tired visage.
"Have you eaten at all tonight?" He asked quietly.
"No, I... my stomach was in knots." Ulysses whispered his voice hoarse from the screaming.
"Let me see what you've got in the kitchen and I'll rustle something up. You can't sleep on an empty stomach. Rest but try not to go to sleep yet." T-Bone said as he left for the kitchen.
Ulysses felt burned out and his throat was raw. He didn't want to think what might have happened if T-Bone hadn't been here with him. He shuddered and turned his mind quickly away from that direction and tried to keep it blank until T-Bone returned.
T-Bone found the makings for a tuna sandwich and some tomato soup. He also found some camomile tea adding some honey and lemon to help soothe the Sabren's throat. Finding a tray, he loaded it up and carried it in to the bedroom.
"Here you go." T-Bone said as he set the tray down then helped Uly to sit up. He placed the tray in front of him.
"Okay eat up and the tea should help your throat." T-Bone encouraged as he took a seat behind Ulysses and began rubbing soothing circles on his back.
Sighing gratefully, Ulysses dug in surprised to find he was hungry and the tea did help. He was soon finished and T-Bone carried the tray off to the kitchen leaving it for the morning. He returned to the bed and climbed in behind Uly and wrapped his arms around him. He nuzzled the big tom's neck and purred to coax him to sleep.
Early morning...Enforcer Headquarters...
T-Bone had left soon after they had both eaten a light breakfast. He told Uly he would be standing by for his call for the press conference. It was an hour after he'd gone to his office when Ms. Briggs called him to come to city hall at ten o'clock. He notified T-Bone then continued to get some work done before he had to leave.
He was still wrung out from last night and wasn't certain he should even go to the press conference. His control was, at best, very tenuous and this could push him over the edge. But he really didn't have a choice either. Sighing, he checked the time and saw he needed to be going. Locking up his files, he put on his coat and left his office.
T-Bone was already there when he arrived with his Sergeant and Lt Commander Steele. Ms. Briggs led them into the press room next door to the Mayor's office. The room was crowded with press.
As soon as they were on the podium, Mayor Manx started the briefing. He reiterated what had taken place the day before and its results before allowing Feral to state what action he was taking to handle his obvious conflict of interest between the SWAT Kats and the enforcers and between T-Bone and himself. T-Bone concurred with his statement and then the floodgates opened as the press hammered them with questions.
They tried to answer as completely as they could and avoided answering questions that were far too personal. One reporter was making himself very obnoxious by asking those very questions and insisting they be answered. Some of the other reporters echoed him but T-Bone and Feral continued to say 'no comment' to them. Frustrated, the annoying reporter finally shouted.
"How can you legally remain the Chief Enforcer when your loyalties are going to be divided between your mate and your enforcers?"
Silence fell as the other reporters waited for this pertinent question to be answered. Feral had been having a hard time controlling his temper with some of the obnoxious questions being asked but this last one made him see fire and his tenuous control finally snapped. His body which had begun glowing softly suddenly burst into a blinding light. There was a gasp of fear from the watching crowd. Mayor Manx stuttered in horror and quickly ran away into his office and slammed the door.
T-Bone had sensed Uly's rising temper but he was angry too so nearly missed the warning when Ulysses went beyond angry to dangerous. He stepped in front of his mate and pushed him back pressing his own body hard against the infuriated Sabren. He placed both of his paws on either side of Uly's face and forced his mate to look at him. The big tom was trembling, his emotional state already unstable to begin with had been pushed too far and T-Bone was looking into a fire that was raging out of control.
Continuing to hold Uly's face and staring into it, T-Bone shouted for everyone to clear out now. With the help of the Sergeant and Lt Commander Steele, Ms. Briggs got the press to clear the room
"T-Bone do you need help?" Callie asked worried for the SWAT Kats welfare.
"No, just go Ms. Briggs. Make sure no one comes in here." T-Bone gritted not taking his attention off his volatile mate. He heard the door close and sagged somewhat in relief. Now all he had to do was help his mate release the energy he'd generated in his anger.
"Easy Uly, we've come so far don't lose it now." He pleaded with Ulysses.
"I...Oh God!...I can't stand this anymore...It hurts too much...Please stop it..." Feral panted tautly his body shuddering hard more from his overloaded emotional state rather than his rising power levels.
T-Bone quickly pulled his mate's pants down as fast as he could not bothering with his own. Feral fought him but was so out of his mind that T-Bone was able to overpower him and force the struggling tom to the floor. T-Bone quickly laid on top of his mate then reached down to release his rock hard cock and without waiting to see if his mate was ready plunged into him. Feral shrieked and bucked under him. Feral's mind was immediately swamped by lust when his mate roughly took possession of his body. He surrendered himself completely letting his mate set the pace. They rushed to orgasm spurred on by the outpouring of energy Feral had gathered so quickly. The room was blotted out by a starburst of light that filled the room and poured out the windows.
The pair lay panting and trembling in the aftermath on the floor of the conference room. When he was able to finally push himself off his mate, T-Bone shakily stood and returned his clothes to normal. He reached down and helped Ulysses to stand. Feral swayed unsteadily. He struggled to redress the rocky Sabren. When he'd been set to rights. T-Bone looked at him critically.
"Are you alright?" He asked him worriedly.
Feral just looked at him glassy-eyed and emotionally raw. T-Bone could feel a deep despair and numbness from his mate that scared him. Uly's power levels were back to normal but there was nothing else normal about the Chief Enforcer. He was very sick. T-Bone needed to get him help fast. The tiger tom wrapped a steadying arm around his mate's waist and pulled him toward the Mayor's office.
Ms. Briggs, Lt Commander Steele and the Mayor were in his office when T-Bone opened the door.
"T-Bone is he alright?" Callie asked in concern seeing the shape Feral was in.
"No he isn't. Listen Ms. Briggs, Feral's got some issues that came up during our initial mating that need to be dealt with. They've overwhelmed him and he needs professional help right now." T-Bone said urgently. "I need to get him out of here without the press crawling all over him. I'm going to call Razor and have him pick us up."
"Where are you taking the Commander?" Demanded Steele, angry and wondering if the SWAT Kat had something to do with the Commander's condition.
"I'm taking him to Megakat Trauma Center. They should be able to help him." T-Bone said sharply. He tapped his helmet and got Razor. He told his partner to get to city hall on the double. Razor quickly acknowledged.
"You're just going to drop him there and wash your paws of him?" Steele snarled nastily.
"Don't be an ass. I can't leave him, I'm his only way to control his power and I'm also the only one who can get close enough to keep him safe from himself. I'm his mate for crud sake." T-Bone snapped.
Suddenly, Feral swayed and threatened to drop to the floor. T-Bone quicky wrapped his body close to keep him on his feet. Feral dropped his head to T-Bone's shoulder and leaned against him.
"I'm tired! T-Bone let me go." Feral whispered huskily, his voice flat and distant.
T-Bone's blood went cold. 'Oh my God! It's worse than I imagined. He wants to die.' "Oh Uly please, its okay babe don't worry I'll get you help. Don't give up on me now!" He pleaded softly caressing his mate's back desperately trying to offer all the comfort he could.
Feral's request and T-Bone's anxious pleas shocked the others listening. They were horrified to realize T-Bone had not been exaggerating when he said Feral's emotional state was bad and it sounded strange to hear the SWAT Kat murmur urgent words of endearment to the obviously distraught Commander.
Tapping his helmet again anxiously, T-Bone called, "Razor where are you?"
"Just arriving buddy! Need help?" Razor's voice came quickly to his grateful ear.
"Yes, Mayor's office, hurry!" T-Bone said urgently.
"Roger. Be right there." Razor said.
"T-Bone, keep us informed of Commander Feral's condition please." Callie requested quietly.
"Yes we need to know how long he's going to be out of commission. The press is going to have a field day with this, Callie." Mayor Manx said in concern.
"Ill take care of them, Mayor. I'm more concerned with Commander Feral's welfare right now." Callie said angrily at the Mayor's self-serving callousness.
"I'll let you know as soon as I can." T-Bone nodded and was relieved when Razor burst into the office. "Here give me a hand with him, Razor. He's barely able to stand. We're taking him to M.T.C"
Razor nodded looking at Feral in surprised concern as he wrapped an arm around the Commander's waist opposite from T-Bone. They urged the Commander to walk and moved him quickly to the Turbokat on the roof. T-Bone set Feral down on the cargo floor then sat close pulling his mate into his arms and letting Uly rest his head on his chest while Razor piloted the jet to the hospital.
' It feels strange being a passenger', T-Bone sighed to himself.