I don't own these characters.
3: Out of the Bag
Since the night Callie presented herself to Felina, the couple had taken to making more time for each other. It went beyond spending time at each other's places. They called each other at work and sent little adorable texts to each other. She never would have thought Felina could send a cute text, but she had the proof on her phone. At that moment, her phone vibrated.
Eyes drifting from the work on her desk, Callie checked the new message. "Hey there, lovely kitten. I know you're working. Wish I could hear your voice. I was just thinking about you."
"Thinking about me enough to meet for lunch, lover?" Callie responded.
"You know I'd like to do more than that, but I guess it'll keep till tonight. So, lunch'll do."
Callie smiled. Best of all of this were lunch dates. They both started taking lunch, first of all. This was not something either of them was accustomed to. Callie always had work piled up to the ceiling of her office since Mayor Manx hardly did anything. Sometimes, she was skeptical he could even read. Meanwhile, Felina usually ate at her desk and handled reports. Well, now, they realized they had an hour where they could be together and they worked right across the street from each other.
To avoid being obvious, Callie insisted she should come get Felina for lunch. People just assumed she was infatuated with Felina since the Lieutenant leaped in front of three bullets for her. After all, who would not be infatuated with the kat who saved her life? Enforcers had the nerve to even tease Felina about the visits, but whatever. Felina did not care, so Callie carried on.
Minutes before lunch, Callie packed up her desk, putting away all documents and shutting her computer down. She never left anything out and she could tell whenever someone tried to use her computer. She worked with some of the most underhanded, sneaky kats, who, if they swam, would surely leave an oil streak in the water. Several times, she found evidence someone had been in her office, going through things, undoubtedly trying to steal her work to take credit for it or trying to find evidence she had on others' wrongdoings.
Outside bustled with the din of the city, busy kats on important calls, and cars jammed up in traffic with their horns blaring. Callie weaved between cars with ease to the Enforcer Headquarters. The AC blew her hair back a little as she stepped inside and her heels tapped on the tiled floor. She waved at the guard while showing her ID badge from City Hall. The guard smiled and waved back while opening a barred gate to give her entry to the building proper.
"Hey, Deputy Mayor Briggs, how about you let me take you to lunch instead of Felina?" an Enforcer whistled as she walked by.
She glanced at the rude kat. He was just a regular pilot from what she could tell, so Felina outranked him. Yet, he dared call her by her first name, as if they were familiar or friends. Callie was used to disrespect at her job, but seeing the sexist attitude existed pretty much everywhere always made her teeth itch. She did not understand why so many males acted like they were superior just for being male.
"Lieutenant, your biggest fan is on the floor!" someone crowed as soon as Callie stepped off the elevator. She navigated her way through rows of desks with uniformed kats rushing about them and the aisles.
"Shut up," Callie heard Felina grumbled as she drew closer to Felina's desk, stuck in the middle of the floor. A poor position with no view and kats on all sides.
"Is that any way to greet me?" Callie teased with a smile as she stood before the lieutenant and her cluttered desk.
Felina smiled up at her and her eyes shined in a way that let Callie know Felina had other ideas on how to properly greet her. Unfortunately, they could not share a tongue kiss in public. Instead, they settled for a hug, since they were she-kats and friends did that. When they pulled away, Felina stood and took her hand. It was not enough, but it was pleasant.
"It's always funny seeing you two hold hands. I mean, I never imagined Lieutenant Feral the type," a large, muscular kat wearing a Captain's uniform commented as the ladies made their way out of Enforcer Headquarters. "It's like she's going soft." He actually punched Felina in the shoulder and laughed.
"Shut up, Captain," Felina growled on their way out. Callie guessed those two actually had a good relationship if Felina could tell a superior to shut up and he could hit a lower ranking officer without reason.
"Who was that?" Callie asked, glancing behind them as the unknown Captain vanished behind a corner.
"Stupid Captain. He's always busting my balls over stuff since I got back," Felina answered, leading Callie down the street. Felina stood on the outside and made sure to guide Callie by any obstacles with a gentle hand.
"But, you're okay?" Callie did not like the idea of Felina getting crap from the guys.
Rolling her eyes, Felina scoffed. "He's cool. Don't worry about it."
"Former military?" Callie guessed.
"Army guy. He actually doesn't really like being in the Enforcers as much as he thought he would. It's all 'air guys' he always says."
Callie chuckled a bit. The Enforcers had ground troops, but Commander Feral always went to planes and choppers before anything else, even when the threat was not in the air. This had bothered Callie for a while. It just did not seem practical, not that she expected Commander Feral to be such. Nothing ever came of it when she brought it up, as she often dismissed as not knowing anything about battle tactics for never being in combat, but she was certain she had seen more combat than the career politicians who dismissed her.
"There should be more Enforcers patrolling the streets," Callie said.
Felina nodded. "Street crime's getting a little out of control."
"White collar crime's just as bad, but a lot of Enforcers aren't even trained to spot those sorts of crimes. Mayor Manx doesn't want to put any money toward such training. If the colonial government doesn't notice, a lot of the time those crimes go unnoticed." Callie frowned as she thought back to the many talks she had with her boss over this only to be rebuffed. He tutted her off like one would do a small kitten.
"Of course not. If someone was trained to solve those types of crimes, someone might realize how corrupt he is," Felina commented.
Callie could not argue that, so she did not. Instead, she directed the conversation to find out how Felina's day was going. Felina complained about being at her desk as they got to the small cafe they planned to sample today. They were escorted to a small table in the back and ordered drinks.
"Has your uncle not given his approval for you to fly again?" Callie asked, a little concerned. Felina was a pilot at heart. If she could not fly, Callie was not sure how Felina would make it through the day.
"He's going by the doctor's original estimate as to when I should be ready, so by the end of the month. For now, he's got me doing reports," Felina sighed.
Callie frowned. "Everyone's reports?"
Felina shrugged. "He needs to give me something to do, especially after I finished my own reports. How's work going for you?"
"Manx has me working on this proposal with the hope of getting this real estate developer to build a skyscraper down in The Jungle."
Now, Felina frowned, undoubtedly comprehending the scheme already. "You're not going to make that deal, are you? If a big, shiny building goes up in that area, so many poor people will be displaced as other big wig kats rush in to buy up land and build their own crap. Crap the city doesn't even need."
Callie sighed. "I know, I know. But, it could mean more jobs." She could hardly open her mouth for this argument. The more she worked for Manx, the more it made her skin crawl. If this kept up, she would end up a sell out and not be able to look herself in the mirror.
"Not for the people that live there."
"I know, but this is his next move. He's trying to bring more money into Megakat City."
"How much more money does he need? He's like a parasite. Megakat City is the most populated city in the whole colony and the most important, but if he keeps on doing this, it'll also have the poorest kats trapped within it."
Callie could not argue any of that. Megakat City probably already did have the poorest kats in the whole colony in it. Most jobs in Megakat City did not pay enough for a regular kat to survive there. Mayor Manx was bleeding the city dry and making a mint while doing it, but kept getting elected. Of course, that was not much of a mystery considering how much money went toward his campaign every single time he ran.
Before they could continue the discussion, the waitress came over with their drinks and took their lunch orders. As soon as that was done, the waitress was off again and they were alone. It was a good distraction.
"So, when's our next date?" Callie asked, changing the subject.
"The weekend should be good. I'm gonna take you to a restaurant owned by a lion. You'll like it," Felina replied.
Callie grinned. Since they had gone to The Leo, Felina had slowly introduced her to other aspects of the lion/lioness subculture. Callie learned a lot, but her favorite part was meeting a member of Felina's pride. It was an accident, running into the muscular female named Margarita. Felina teased her about her name, which might explain why she went by Mara, claiming it sounded tougher. But, as expected Mara was a former member of the air force and used to box. She did not seem surprised by Felina being with Callie, but Callie figured it was because it was no secret Felina had a type.
"He'll introduce you to his mane. You might know her," Felina continued.
"His mane?" Callie echoed. New vocabulary word to store away.
Felina thought on it, probably trying to figure out how to explain it. Sometimes, Felina needed time to get the words right or she just talked until it made sense. It was a little interesting to see, not that Callie expected any Feral to be great with words.
"Okay, so sometimes, we get a partner of the opposite sex to present to the public just to make sure no one suspects our real attractions. So, you know, a mane… concealing the truth, I guess," Felina replied with a chuckle.
Callie's brow furrowed. "That… Does the mane know he or she is a mane?"
"Sometimes. With this one, she's aware. She works down at the bank you use. She's the only female loan officer there."
"I know who you're talking about. She and I sometimes talk. Oh, my god, she's married." Callie's eyes went wide.
"It's okay. Like I said, she knows. She doesn't mind. They're friends. Their marriage help each other. His restaurant's very popular and this helped get her the loan officer job at the bank. With her there, he doesn't have to worry about rumors because he's very much a gib and upon meeting him, most people do wonder."
Callie nodded. She figured she would see what Felina meant when they met the guy. For now, they enjoyed their lunch and their time together, which they spent mapping out what they would do when they got home.
-8-8-8-8-
The last thing Felina wanted to return to was her desk after a lunch date with Callie, but it was a necessary evil. She had to work, after all. If only her uncle would follow her doctor's most recent orders and let her actually get in a plane it would be a lot better, but he insisted on following the original plan which called for her to sit at a desk for another month. She might go mad.
"Until next time," Callie said as she walked Felina to her desk.
Felina laughed because "next time" would be tonight at Felina's apartment. But, Callie liked to end on a joke, knowing it bothered Felina to have Callie walk her to her desk. Felina was supposed to be the one to walk her… well, her mate back to her office. She was the one who was supposed to do all these protective little things, but reality was an asshole.
"We're gonna run out of places close by to eat at this rate," Felina replied.
"If that's the case, I'll just have to start coming by with lunch." Callie had done that once already, after finding out Felina had a huge pile of work that she could not get away from.
Felina just smiled, even though she knew that would lead to tons of teasing. She was aware she looked like a big idiot with this grin, but she could not help it. Her coworkers would understand the dopey expression if they had a mate as good as hers. But, whatever. Felina got back to work once Callie took her leave.
"You and the Deputy Mayor seem a little cozy," the grating voice of the Lieutenant Commander said as he had the nerve to park himself on the corner of Felina's desk.
Curling her lip at him, Felina cut her eyes in his direction. "I don't see how that's any of your business, sir." Sir pretty much equaled "asshole" when talking to the Lieutenant Commander.
"I'm just wondering what the infatuation is. That's all," he said with a smile.
"Lieutenant Feral saved the Deputy Mayor's life. I think that's enough for a little hero worship," Captain Lidon said as he marched over. He folded his arms across his big barrel chest. He was actually taller and more muscular than Commander Feral, so it did not take much for him to intimidate pretty much anyone.
"A little yeah, but they've been going on these little lunch dates for a few weeks now," Lieutenant Commander Steele said.
"And how is that any business of yours?" Captain Lidon pressed. The Captain was a favorite around the HQ, so he could push against almost anyone. Hell, sometimes, he even got away with questioning the Commander.
Steele held his hands up in surrender and laughed. He looked uncomfortable, maybe even a little worried. His eyes darted to the floor and then to Felina. He cleared his throat.
"Yes, well, I was just curious. I mean, the Lieutenant's already the Commander's niece and now this thing with Deputy Mayor Briggs…" He trailed off, as if realizing he said too much. "Well, I'll leave you to your work." Steele rushed off.
Captain Lidon shook his head as he watched him go. "I'll never figure out how that guy got this high up."
"I always assume corruption," Felina remarked, but she meant it. Whenever someone in Megakat City did not seem to fit the job, she assumed somewhere someone got a lot of money and favors.
"Yeah, but he was appointed by your uncle and the man's a lot of things, but corrupt isn't one of them."
"Yeah, but he might've been drawn in by phony recommendations and resumes and all kinds of things. You know my uncle," Felina sighed.
Chuckling, the Captain nodded. "Big ol' farm boy. He shoulda joined the military like you to at least get rid of some of the naïvety. Anyway, you need to watch Steele. He's up to something."
Felina laughed. "I know. He's awake, after all." Steele was always up to something. It was his nature.
"You got me there. You need to take the captain's exam. At least that way, he won't outrank you by so much."
She groaned. "I need more field hours."
"Then don't get shot next time you're playing hero or have the decency to at least come back to work the next day. I'm surrounded by idiots when you're not around." He had been pushing her to take the captain's test for almost a year now, not caring she still needed about another year's worth of field hours.
"You mean everyone else doesn't get the ray of sunshine that comes with you?" she teased.
He gave her a big, lopsided grin. "I always say fly kats have no sense of humor. Probably because kats don't belong in the air."
"Oh, please. Since ancient times when kats were stuck in trees, they've dreamed of the skies. You're just mad because you're too scared to go up there," she shot back.
He chuckled, a deep sound, and then went on his way. He had work to do and kats to supervise. Besides, Felina had paperwork to get through.
-8-8-8-8-
Callie ignored the stares she got as she entered Enforcers HQ. The stares were not because kats still were not used to seeing her, but now just the rude ones eyed her. She knew from Felina telling her that most Enforcers checked out her ass, Felina included. Felina was the only one she did not mind.
"Deputy Mayor, what a pleasure to see you," Lieutenant Commander Steele said, coming to her side as she made her way to the elevator.
"Good to see you, too," she replied politely, but sped up a little. She had little desire to speak with Steele. He was slimy on a good day.
"Here to see Lieutenant Feral again?" he asked, hitting the up button on the lobby elevator.
"Yes. She wasn't able to get out for lunch." Callie decided to bring lunch to Felina after the Lieutenant called to cancel on her. There would be no canceling their time together if she could help it.
"Yes, she's in a meeting."
"Oh?" Felina had not said anything about a meeting on a phone. Of course, she had been in a rush, so that explained the meeting. Hopefully, it was about her going back to her regular duties. She was more than ready.
"Yes. She's been sort of slow on the paperwork, you know? I'm sure she's been told this," Steele said.
"Shouldn't you be in the meeting, too, then? You are her direct superior, correct?"
He waved the question off. "Her Captain's handling it."
"It's all right. I can wait for her." Callie patted the bottom of the bag. Her hope was to sit with Felina and eat with her. Lunch was simple cold sandwiches, so it could wait.
His face shifted a bit, almost like he was about to frown, but he caught himself. "You certainly are devoted to Lieutenant Feral."
"She saved my life. She almost died saving my life."
"She did her job," he argued.
"She went above and beyond for me. It was her job to protect the Onca brothers and she did that, but then she came back for me. I'm not sure how I can explain how amazing that is and I'm not sure why I would have to," she said to him. Most normal kats just accepted it, but Steele was not normal.
He blinked. "I'm sorry if I offended you."
She glanced at him, knowing he was not sorry in the slightest. He was fishing and she was not sure why. She was not sure how to be rid of him either since Felina was not at her desk. Instead, she sat down and waited, hoping he would go away. She was not so lucky.
"So, you're just going to wait for her?" Steele inquired, looking around.
"Well, I'm not going to leave her lunch on her desk. I know how you Enforcers are with food." Felina had shared more than enough break room tales of missing food and fistfights due to missing food.
Steele's face twisted a little. "So, you have casual conversations with the Lieutenant?"
"We do see each other often at lunch. Do you think we just discuss our hair, nails, and tomkats?" She arched an eyebrow.
Steele stiffened. "So… what do you talk about?"
"Nothing of importance."
"Steele!" Commander Feral bellowed in the manner they were all accustomed to. Steele yelped and pretty much ran off as Feral stepped closer. Feral stopped and stared at Callie, sitting oh so comfortable in his niece's chair. "Deputy Mayor Briggs." He said her name with a touch of annoyance.
"Commander Feral," she greeted him, doing her best not to smile sweetly at him.
He leaned down, getting close to her face, but not exactly in it. "Did it ever occur to you that coming here so often isn't good for Felina?"
Callie's brow furrowed. "Why?"
"People are talking."
Callie found this hard to believe. They went to the same cafe almost everyday now, where she kissed Felina on the cheek more than once, they held hands the whole way there and back, and no one even glanced their way. Some of the Enforcers joked about diving in front of bullets, so she could visit them like she did Felina and they laughed about it. Feral was just being paranoid, which she should not be surprised by.
"Talking about what? We're friends," Callie said.
He stared hard at her. "And you're just putting yourself at risk and setting Felina up to do something she'll regret."
"You do realize she has plenty of female friends. All of whom somehow have managed to go completely un-raped by her, despite her being bigger than most of them."
He growled, very unimpressed with her use of logic. "Felina's a good Enforcer and she could go to the top. Don't ruin her chances."
"Being friends with the deputy mayor would ruin her chances? You sure it's not the old kats club that'll do it? You do realize no she-kat has a rank higher than lieutenant in your organization and you only have three of those," Callie pointed out. She had researched this not too long ago. She was not too sure how to approach the subject with Felina, who had to know she had gone as far as she could go with the Enforcers. Yeah, it was further than she had gone in the air force, but still.
"Felina has the strength and will to go further than any other she-kat. She doesn't need you distracting her, though," Feral stated.
This was kind of sweet… in a sad way. Feral had faith in his niece. Of course, Felina was awesome, so why not have faith in her? If anyone was going to bust through the glass ceiling, Felina would be the one, but Feral seemed to be worried about the wrong things.
Before Callie could tell Feral anything, Felina came into view. She marched over to the desk and smiled at Callie. Callie smiled back and Feral grumbled under his breath.
"Commander?" Felina eyed her uncle. She glanced at Callie, as if checking on her. Callie just smiled.
"I was just informing the deputy mayor that Enforcer HQ is not a diner," Feral stated, glancing at their lunch bag.
"And I was just informing the Commander that labor laws state every city worker is entitled to a lunch break," Callie countered, batting her eyes at him.
"Really? That's still a law? I thought the mayor would've done away with that and with those safety regulations a long time ago," Felina remarked.
"Comedy and law aside, there's no eating in this part of the building," Feral said before walking away. He turned just to eye Callie a bit before disappearing around a corner.
"What was that all about?" Felina asked.
"Just your uncle being himself. I was thankful he saved me from Lieutenant Commander Steele, but that lasted until he started talking," Callie replied.
Felina's lip curled. "Steele saw you? Was he bothering you?" She shook her head. "Stupid question. What did he say to you?"
Callie snorted. "He was concerned about me talking to you."
Felina frowned. "He's up to something. He's been sniffing around about us."
"He's probably just worried about you making friends in city hall. He knows your uncle has big plans for you and he'd promote you over Steele in a second." This was the truth and probably was the exact reason Steele was sneaking around, trying to figure out how to screw Felina over or turn the situation in his favor.
Sighing, Felina nodded. "I still don't like him around you." A small growl escaped her throat.
It took all of Callie's self-control not to wrap herself around Felina in that moment. Felina being protective and maybe even a little jealous was sexy. Ever since they became exclusive, Felina was a little more protective than she was before, but that was fine. Callie felt important to her.
"It's all right, Felina. I'm a big kit," Callie remarked.
"I know, but still. He's such a sleaze. Anyway, let's go eat out in the courtyard so the Commander doesn't have security escort you out next time you show up," Felina said, putting a hand out to help Callie up.
Callie accepted and they started for the courtyard. "Just so you know, your uncle's concerned that my coming by is causing people to talk about you."
Felina scoffed. "If anything, he's worried about guys staring at your ass as you come through and distracting themselves from what they're supposed to be doing. Everyone here thinks you're super-grateful for me saving your life, which is normal. You know my uncle." And just like that they both dismissed the whole situation.
Of course, Callie did not let go of Lieutenant Commander Steele prying into their business. He was definitely up to something and it could harm Felina, so she needed to keep an eye on him. So, as soon as she could, she would start looking in on his activities. Okay… so maybe she had also gotten a little protective since they became exclusive as well.
"So, what was your meeting about?" Callie asked as they settled in a quiet part of the courtyard on a stone bench. It was nice. Birds flew overhead and a fountain cooled the area. It was oddly romantic for Enforcer HQ, but then again, the courtyard was also a memorial for fallen Enforcers.
"Oh, Captain Lidon wants to put me back on active duty," Felina answered, as if it was no big deal.
Callie grinned and resisted the urge to throw herself on Felina yet again. She opted to squeeze Felina's hand. "Congratulations!"
"Oh, don't congratulate me yet. He's got to convince Commander Feral and we spent more time trying to figure how to do that than we did talking about me going back to active duty. Of course, if my uncle thinks it'll keep you away from me, I'll probably be back on active duty the second I go back inside," Felina joked.
"You'll get there." Callie smiled. Feral had plans for Felina, so he would not keep her grounded for long. Besides, it was kind of sweet to know he was actually a caring kat underneath that cold, hardheaded exterior and actually cared about Felina… in his own, weird way.
-8-8-8-8-
Felina noticed Lieutenant Commander Steele hanging around her desk during lunch times. It was creepy. But, it also let her know he was up to something. Felina could not figure out what, though. She tried asking around, talking to Enforcers considered friends and others who just hated Steele like most other kats, but nothing serious came of it. Some days she was able to put it out of her mind and others… it clung to her like an ache in her bones.
Even now, while she lounged on Callie's extremely comfortable, plush sofa, she thought of Steele. Outside, she could vaguely make out the sound of crickets chirping, but her thoughts mostly pushed the sound out. What is Steele up to?
"Honey, you want a milk beer?" Callie called from her kitchen.
"Huh?" Felina blinked.
"Beer," Callie offered, coming into view. She had a can in hand, but that did not have Felina's attention. At some point in the evening, Callie took off the yoga pants she had been wearing.
"Did you lose your pants from the kitchen to here?" Felina asked, eyes glued to unbelievably gorgeous legs. "And if so, why doesn't that happen more often?" With a grin, she wiggled her brows.
Callie parked herself right Felina, who definitely would not complain. Felina's hands went right to Callie's thighs. As she caressed some of her favorite parts of Callie, the blond leaned in for a kiss. She put a hand on Felina's shoulder while the other held on tight to Felina's beer.
"What's wrong, kit?" Callie asked.
Felina shook her head. "Nothing. I just got lost in my head trying to figure out what Steele's playing at. He watches you come to pick me up everyday. I know that can't be good."
Callie's forehead wrinkled a little. "I tried looking into him and I haven't seen any real irregular activity, but he's hard to pin down because he already knows to hide whatever the hell he's doing. Do you think he figured out we're together?"
"No, he's not smart enough to do that. Scuttlebutt around the office is that he thinks you're grooming me for some major position in the Enforcers, so he's probably trying to find out what. He's not subtle in asking around," Felina replied.
"So, you think he's trying to bring you down or something?"
"Hell if I know. Bring me down from what? After all, you're not grooming me for any position…" Felina then smirked. "Or are you?"
Callie laughed. "Please, like you'd give up the top."
"Maybe if you made me the right offer." She played with the end of Callie's tail for a second. Brief flashes of this lovely tail thrown over her shoulder, tickling her back, danced through her mind and she groaned. She wanted that right now.
Callie smirked. "Is milk beer enough?" She held up the can and then rocked her hips against Felina.
"That seems like a good start."
Chuckling, Callie leaned in for another kiss, much more passionate than the first one. Felina eased a hand into Callie's shirt, which was one of her t-shirts. Callie pulled away before things could get more interesting.
"Hold that thought. I've got to get dinner and you need to close the blinds." Callie motioned to the window. Callie liked letting the sunshine in when the sun was out, having a thing for natural light, which Felina liked. Once the sun went down, though, the vertical blinds should be closed immediately as far as Callie was concerned.
"I'm really hungry for something other than dinner, but you're going to escape when I close the blinds anyway," Felina replied.
"Well, someone has to make sure you eat right. I'm pretty sure I volunteered for that job."
Felina smiled and took the beer from Callie as she climbed off of Felina's lap. Felina took a swing from her beer before closing the blinds all the way. She was tempted to follow Callie into the kitchen, but if she messed up dinner, there would be Hell to pay. So, she sat her butt back on the couch, enjoyed her beer, and found a movie to watch on the television mounted against the wall until Callie returned.
"You know, before you started coming over here, I actually used my table like a civilized kat," Callie remarked as she handed Felina a plate of baked fish with baked beans and rice.
"Well, to be fair, before you started coming over to my place, I actually ate on the way home," Felina teased.
Callie smiled as she tucked herself in close to Felina. "I honestly thought you were going to say in the bed."
She could not help laughing. "I still eat in the bed. You know that damn well."
"You're awful. You know, I'm happy you suggested we start staying here more. It feels more comfy. I still like your place better."
"Why? The less space, the smaller bed, the horrible TV, or my still amazing collection of boxed noodles?"
Callie just laughed before they both started in on their food. They ate in silence, but Felina loved this. She loved being close enough to someone where they could just eat and watch a movie in silence. They were comfortable and secure in the quiet, like a blanket.
"Your place is special to me because it's where we got to know each other," Callie finally said. "It's where we started all of this, where we became us."
"That makes sense. But, I want your place to become special to us and I feel like it's on its way," Felina replied.
"It is." Callie curled in just a little closer.
-8-8-8-8-
For a few days, Lieutenant Commander Steele made himself scarce and it was good. But, then he resurfaced and shit hit the fan. He was lucky no one hit him. The Lieutenant Commander called Commander Feral, Felina, and Callie for a meeting in his office, saying it was urgent. Obviously, something was up.
When they got to his office, the noon sun trickled in, almost pointing to pictures he had laid out on his desk. Callie could not believe her eyes and Felina felt like she might swallow her tongue. They quickly gathered up what they could, but it was impossible to hold every graphic photograph.
"What the hell is this, Steele?" Feral demanded, turning away from the pictures. He tried to glare at Steele from the corner of his eye, but the Lieutenant Commander stood behind his desk, so it was hard to look at him and not look at the pictures.
"Where the hell did you get these?" Felina snarled, eyes blazing.
Steele chuckled. "It's funny what private investigators dig up."
"Again, what the hell is this?" Commander Feral thundered, his voice stronger than the first time.
"This is you stepping down and the deputy mayor pushing me for your position or these pictures will find their way in the public eye," Steele declared with a smug smirk.
"You've got to be joking, Steele," Feral declared.
"Does it look like I'm joking? Now, unless you want the whole world to know your niece is a degenerate and you hired her," Steele said and then he turned to Callie, who was frozen in place, not even blinking as she held pictures to her chest. "Or you want the world to know you're a degenerate and you lose your job for starters. I think we make what I want happen." He had the nerve to chuckle.
Felina growled, about to step to Steele and undoubtedly tear him apart. He wisely stepped back, but Felina stopped when Callie put her hand up. Steele then smirked at them. He had pictures of Callie straddling Felina on Callie's sofa. They were locked in a passionate kiss and Felina's hand was in her shirt. There was no doubt what they were doing, no mistaking it for friendship. Steele had evidence of their relationship.
"So, what's it going to be?" Steele inquired with his chin tilted up in victory.
For a moment, it was deadly silent in the office and then Feral broke it, which could be expected. "You're fired, Steele!"
The Lieutenant Commander's face fell. "Wha-what?"
"You're insane if you think we're going to give into you," Commander Feral proclaimed.
"Yeah, do you honestly think we're stupid enough to give into your demands?" Felina chimed in. Callie blinked, not expecting them to answer so strongly, but it made sense. These were Ferals, after all.
"So you can use this and just keep blackmailing us later on?" Commander Feral scoffed.
"And even if my uncle was willing, I'd never let him give up his job for me, especially to put a sleaze like you in his chair. I'd never let you get Callie under your thumb either," Felina stated.
"Well, with these pictures, she's going to get fired if she doesn't do what I want and the public will hate her," Steele declared with a smug tilt of his chin. "Not to mention, do you honestly think any of the top brass will let you stay here after they find out about you?" he sneered at Felina.
"I can't imagine they'll think much of you when they find out you're blackmailing us," Felina replied.
Steele scoffed. "Who's going to tell anyone? You? No one will believe you after I show these pictures." He looked at the Commander, too. "No one will believe you either. They'll think you're trying to protect your niece, just like you promoted her because she's your niece."
"Felina's earned everything she has in this department, which is more than I can say for you. People know that. So, pack up this office and be out of here by the end of the day. Dismissed." With that, Feral turned and stormed out of the office.
Felina grabbed Callie, who was in shock, and pulled her out of the office. It felt like the end of the world. No, it was worse. It was like the world caved in, burying the both of them, killing the both of them, destroying the both of them… and they had only just begun.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: the aftermath of Steele's actions.