Chapter 9:

Letters

"Sgt Furlong," An Enforcer ran up to the tabby just climbing out of the jet. The tom stopped before him and his partner, breathing and gasping for air. "You…you have a message." He managed to say. The tom held out his paw and stuck out the enveloped letter at him.

"Uh…thanks," Chance looked around the letter to see who it was from but it didn't contain any return address or even a name. "Do you know who it was from?"

"No sir. I was only told to give this to you from the lobby's receptionist. Do you want me to find out?"

"That won't be necessary." Chance waved off the Enforcer and placed the letter in his uniform pocket. He continued his business but Jake tapped his shoulder with an inquisitive look.

"Aren't you going to read it?"

"Why read it here when we have so much work to do. We have to check this jet out for maintenance. There is still the report we have to write on over the incident with Mac and Molly robbing the city bank. I tell you these gang members are a real pain in the tail." Chance huffed as he continued to climb up the short ladder up to the cockpit.

"Like you ever cared for much work buddy." Jake smirked as he checked the pad on the table nearby. Commander Feral learned of their excellent knowledge on jets and aircraft, he appointed them to help train and speed up the inspection process and maintenance.

"I'll work on that report while you can do the rest of this jet on your own. It's the last one for the day so I'll see you soon."

"If you're leaving, take the letter with you." Chance dropped the letter and it floated just the right distance toward Jake. The lean tom caught it and waved goodbye to his mate with a wink.

On the first day of their job here in Enforcer HQ, everyone learned fast of their relationship. They were surprised that not many were giving them the red eye or even a hateful glare. One of their fellow Enforcers said that it's because most of that lifestyle is known too common in this city. Work here had been a breeze but Jake was starting to think that this job just got in the way sometimes. He hadn't felt Chance's touches for quite some time now and he was starting to feel needy; sensed that same tension on the tabby also.

He put those thoughts to the back of his mind and began to think up of how the report would go. He used his special keycard for the elevator to open and pressed the button to the lobby. Jake was amazed by the building's security measures and thought that having a keycard that could automatically send them to the right floor was a great idea, but that just left a huge impersonation problem so he figured he would bring it up on the next meeting. He opened his car, got in and placed the important reports that need to be looked over then sent later on, turned on the vehicle with a healthy purr, and pulled out as his mp3 played his music.

After living here for a couple months now, Jake was able to get a driver's license of his own along with a brand new car. Chance had surprised him with the gift when he came home from a bus ride back and loved the jet black Raycaster. The white leather seats couldn't be seen through the slightly tinted windows of his two-seater. The stereo held a screen for GPS, Chance had modified his mate's phone with the stereo so he could chat with anyone paws free, and could hold up to six CD at a time. At first Jake felt a little guilty that Chance went all out to buying something so expensive, but the words he was told made him love the stubborn tabby even more.

"Just promise me you won't go crazy on the streets love."

Jake arrived at his home safe and sound, locking the door behind, and went into the shared bedroom to change out of his uniform. In his mind, he had composed a full page of the report he needed to write ready to go. Once he had finished changing into track pants and into a blue t-shirt, he grabbed his laptop and sat on the couch to begin his work.

Almost an hour later, the front door had opened again and in walked in his mate with a sack of delicious food that he smelled instantly. Jake's mouth watered hungrily at the scent and forgot to make a snack when he came home. He sighed, shut his laptop and placed it on the coffee table, and went to the kitchen to receive a spontaneous kiss.

"Welcome home big guy." Jake chuckled. He mentally pouted from being let go.

"I'm going to go change. I brought our mail from the mailbox you forgot to check again."

Jake only hung his head as he lowered the two plates and glass cups to match from the cupboards. He had been too lost in his work to even think about the simple stuff and shook his head slowly. After placing the necessities on the table, Jake looked over the mail Chance brought in. It seemed like a bigger pile than they were used too but he put the bills to the side as his eyes widened to one letter in particular.

"What's wrong?" Chance asked as he walked in still his uniform pants and now white tank top.

"I got a letter from Brent." Jake managed to say from finally letting those words escape his mouth. "Not only that; a letter from Jason too."

"So Katie wasn't the only one who sent us a letter, huh?"

"What…?" Jake went running into their room and pulled out the letter from his uniform jacket. He walked right in and handed the letter to Chance. The tabby slowly opened it and pulled out the letter that gave off a strong sent that made Jake cover his nose.

"God, how did you know that was Katie?"

"The smell of the perfume, she sprayed it on me when we were freshmen in high school." Jake only thought on how he could remember the smell. He tried to ask but Chance sighed and automatically told him. "She sprayed me right on my nose. The smell was so strong that it was the only thing I smelled for weeks."

"Even through mail she can mess with you." Jake smiled lightly at the tabby. Chance growled to himself and began to read the letter aloud.

Hello Chance! It's Katie and I hope you're doing well here in Megakat City. I recently learned that you moved here a month ago when I visited your dad. Man, he hasn't changed and is still working on his second rate gossip magazine. So, how are you and Jake? Made him scream your name yet? JK! Well, I'm sure you know that I work here in the city now and I would love for you guys to let me have the chance to visit. To tell you the truth, I miss you guys and I really want us to catch up. Besides, I have a special friend I really want you guys to meet. He's a great guy and really nice. I would love to tell you more but you know that entire patient-doctor confidentiality thing. I have been really successful as a Psychiatrist. The kats I meet are all interesting and in need of serious help. My life has changed for the better and I haven't been crazy ever since I last saw you. It's been going rather smoothly and I love it as much as I can. I have thought about settling down, but I want your blessing first. Again, I would really love for us to catch up and tell Jake I miss him too.

With lots of love,

Katie

"I know she understands that we're together, but did she really have to say that?" Jake's ears began to warm up. "Let's hope Brent's letter is slightly better. But first, we have to eat."

"She gave us her business card too." Chance flaunted the card that held the same scent.

"What's with this crazy she-kat?" Chance could only shrug to Jake's question.

They sat and ate, talking about whether or not to let Katie visit. Jake had fought hard to not let her come, but Chance gave off really good points that they owe her a lot for helping them out. Jake flattened his ears and accepted the fact that he can't continue his argument without any reliable back up proof. They finished their dinner and went to refrigerate to rest for tomorrow.

Jake held went back to the dining table and picked up the letter from Brent. He wondered how he even learned their address and guessed that he must have met up with Katie or something. Same question went with Jason. 'Did these guys have like a pact of something?' Jake thought.

"Well, are you going to read it or just stare at it?" Chance said, tired of waiting any longer. Jake sighed and ripped the side of the envelope and pulled the sheet of paper. He was surprised to see that it came with a picture of him with another tom; smiling their joy together cheek to cheek.

"Now I got to know what he has to say." Jake said pulling the sheet of notebook paper into view.

How are you doing old buddy of mine. It's been so long since I've last seen you and I just recently learned that you became an Enforcer. I have been out traveling and got to meet so many different races out there, I ended up in a relationship with the cute tom I sent a picture of along with the letter. He's really nice, strong, and smart. Before I end up talking about my mystery lover, I would so like to know what you have been up to with Chance. I know it sounds like I'm intruding into your love life, but I only want to hear about the simple stuff. Anyways, I have been slowly getting better at my art skills and my new partner is an amazing writer who knows a great publisher. We have considered it long and hard, but we're going to be a manga authors. We have already come up with some ideas, and don't say I'm living my life like Bakuman. This is real and an inner love story between my new lover and me. Not only do I want to hear from you guys again, I would love to visit you guys whenever we get to chance to drop by. My number is attached to the back of the photo so keep it somewhere and don't get rid of it. I wish you and Chance the best of luck.

"At least he grew up a bit." Jake sighed and leaned more on the wooden chair. "He even accepted who he is and met someone he really enjoys being with."

"We can relate to that feeling." Chance took Jake's paw in both of his. Jake only chuckled and nodded his head in agreement.

There was one letter left and Jake was scared to open what it read. This one was from Jason, one of the toms he dated, thinking that maybe Jason harbored some feeling for him and wrote some of it. Chance heard what the lean tom said what was on Brent's letter and if he read Jason's, what would go through the tabby's mind.

Jake was afraid but he took in a deep slow breath and held it as he ripped the side of the envelope again; pulling out the sheet of paper he noticed there wasn't much writing and felt twinge of emotions.

This is the first time I have ever written a letter and I hope you get this. I just wanted to say that I've been doing well and recovering from the incident that occurred between us. I want to apologize again for what I did, but no matter how much I know you guys forgave me, I still feel guilty. I always have you in my mind and I can't stop loving you even though you're with Chance now. I can only wish you two the best and I'm trying to move on. This is goodbye.

Tears formed at the base of the lean tom's eyes and blinked causing them to fall freely. He couldn't believe that Jason still loved him and it was hurting the poor tom he once thought he loved. His lover's strong arms pulled him close to release his emotions to let him know that he is here for him.

Chance felt slightly jealous that Jason stilled loved him and only got mad knowing that he would never see them again. Judging by the letter, Chance could tell Jason wrote this letter more for him than to make amends. He kept that thought to himself and let Jake cry out what little love he had left for Jason. Chance pulled him closer and almost sent himself to tears seeing that Jake still cared for the tom.

Hours later, it was late at night and their house phone rang to the annoyance of a certain tabby. He growled and went to turn on the lamp on the bedside table then walked to the kitchen. Chance rubbed a paw on his face grimacing from the sudden light change from turning on the kitchen lights too. With the phone near his ear, he answered and only got a faint breathing from the other line.

"Who is this?" Chance asked with a gruff tone. The other kat on the line still kept up with his spaced out breathing and long silence, the tabby was starting to think this was some kind of joke.

"Look, I'm an Enforcer and I can track you down buddy."

"I'm sorry." That was what the tabby heard from the caller on the other end. The tone was clear and strong; bring Chance to drop the phone the instant he realized who it was. He never thought 'He' would call them to apologize for what he did to him and almost ending his life.

"Rick, don't do this. Jake was trying to protect me. Killing me won't do anything but make things worse."

"I'm sorry. I just can't keep living knowing that I killed someone I loved."

Chance shut his eyes shut as the tom before him lifted the pistol to his head. He yelled and a shot was heard, but not from his gun. Rick stood there frozen. Chance saw him getting tackled by Enforcers and Commander Feral rushing to his side. There were some faint words he couldn't make out and passed out from his own loss of blood.

Chance shakily put the phone back on its receiver and huffed out broken breaths. He sat on the cold tiled kitchen floor thinking on how Rick could have possibly gotten their number. Then he had a thought. If Rick knew their number, doesn't that mean he would learn where they lived too? This scared the big tom.

The last thing he heard about Rick was that he was taken to a mental hospital and cut off from the outside world. He could receive mail, but Rick couldn't send in return. He kept that knowledge from Jake, knowing he was sending letters to him to keep a friendship preserved. However, Rick found them by number and will, hoping that he wouldn't, find out where they live.

Review Please! The next one will end this, but it might branch out, if you know what I mean.