Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
Well, this chapter contains only Original Characters so I guess the disclaimer isn't necessary.
Iris and Roy are a pleasure to write about. Wait to see what I have planned for them.
Iris' and Roy's date went off without a hitch. Daniella and Cheryl picked out a short blood red dress for Iris while Roy wore a pair of Black slacks and a white shirt. However, as soon as Roy's eyes fell on her, he swore he was looking at one of Bast's lovely servants.
Iris wasn't any less impressed. Iris let her eyes roam his fit body from his strong shoulders to his large chest, his well-formed right arm and his prosthetic left, all in a in a semi-tight white shirt. Then her eyes fell lower to his pants which did nothing to hide the muscles in his legs.
She came over to him, with her hips and tail swaying in time to the soft music the DJ was playing, which he definitely noticed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and whispered into his left ear, "Are you going to ask me to dance, or gawk at my body in this dress all night?"
As his paws found purchase on her waist, he answered, "May I have several dances with you, Iris, while I bask at your loveliness in that dress?"
She blushed with his response, which he thought was completely adorable. But as he brought his mouth to hers so he could kiss her, they both heard from off in the corner, "Keep it PG at all times you two!"
Both Iris and Roy turned their heads to see their chaperones, namely Daniella and Cheryl, wearing watching short dark violet dresses and matching high heeled shoes.
Roy remembered the conversation Cheryl had with her mother about who had the better pair of legs. He let his eyes wander over both she-cat's legs, which to him appeared to be exactly the same, absolute perfection.
Iris caught him looking at their legs. She grabbed the fur on both of his cheeks, brought is face around to face her, then sealed her lips to his.
Roy's eyes went wide, then closed as he fell under the spell of her kiss. He pulled her tighter to his body, as he returned her kiss. He let his right paw drift lower on her body to rest right at the base of her tail.
Cheryl took notice of the way they were kissing and thought it was sweet, while Daniella took one look at them, and said, "I said, keep it PG you two!"
The two stopped kissing long enough to look at Daniella, who had her arms crossed under her chest, her left leg turned out, and her tail whipping back and forth.
"I guess we should do what she says," Iris said.
"I believe, you're right," Roy agreed. "They were nice enough to set this up for us, it would be a shame for us not to enjoy it." He bowed to her, extended his right paw, and asked, "May I have this dance, m'lady?"
Iris never had a boy treat her the way Roy was. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she answered, "You may." And placed her right paw in his.
Roy kissed her paw, then brought her to him again.
The DJ started playing some more soft music, to keep the Romantic Vibe going in the room.
As the two danced, Iris lowered her head to Roy's left shoulder, and smiled. "I can get used to being in your arms, Roy. I feel safe and warm," she said.
Roy had to admit, Iris felt really good in his arms as well. As he gently rubbed her back with his right paw, he said, "I can get used to having you in my arms as well, Iris."
Cheryl leaned over to her mother, and said, "They look good together, mom. I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years, Roy puts a ring on her finger."
"Speaking of rings, that is an interesting one on your finger, Cheryl," Daniella said.
Cheryl brought her left paw up to her face, wiggled her fingers, showing off the ring on her Ring finger, and said, "I guess you were right about the skirt. After Orion almost tripped over his own feet, once he saw my legs in the skirt I happened to borrow from your closet. He dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, after I stopped laughing, I said yes."
Daniella hugged her daughter, and said, "Your father and I have a wedding to plan. I can't wait to see the look on your father's, and my father's faces when you tell them."
Cheryl hugged her back, and said, "Dad and Grandpa are going to hit the floor when they find out." She let out a brief laugh as she thought of her father and grandfather's faces, completely shell shocked that she's getting married. Then said, "Let me tell them, when Orion comes over this weekend, mom. You should have seen Beatrice and Zeus' faces when Orion told them he was going to propose. According to him, they were both completely speechless."
A few days later, Jake's doctor met with Cheryl and Henry. He quickly examined Iris and Roy and determined they would be perfect candidates for the prosthetics. He explained to both patients that the surgery would be quite risky since the procedure required an implant to be placed on the base of the Spinal Cord for Iris and at the base of the skull for Roy to allow the prosthetics to receive impulses from the brain.
Both teenagers grasped each others paws tightly as the doctor went through the phases of the surgery.
Cheryl and Henry listened to the doctor's explanation. But when he mentioned they would have a Neurologist tap the Spinal Cord, Henry said, "Doctor Fang, this whole procedure is starting to sound like an old Sci-Fi movie. As Chief of Staff, I'm having doubts about letting this go forward."
"Doctor Feldman. Let me assure you, and the patients, the prosthetic limbs and the procedure has been performed, over a dozen times at one of Claw-Tek's labs, without fail."
"Wait a minute! The procedure has never been performed on a patient before!? Now, I have even more reservations about letting this go forward, especially in my hospital!" Henry said.
"I can assure you; the science is one hundred percent sound and I have all the Clinical Data to back up what I'm saying right here with me," the doctor said. He picked up his light tan briefcase from the floor and placed it on the table in front of him. He pressed the Catch Releases located on either side of the case, watched the catches snap open, then lifted the lid. He withdrew a large Manila folder with the data which he spoke of, and presented it to Henry, Cheryl, Iris, and finally Roy.
Both Henry and Cheryl peered over the material with critical eyes, while Iris took one look at the photo of a a doctor using what appeared to be a Construction Saw on a she-cat's leg bone, and almost vomited right there.
Roy grasped her paws in his right one, since he didn't want to hurt her with his prosthetic one, and said, "We've been though a similar surgery before, Iris. You will be fine."
Cheryl got up from her chair, straightened out her dark blue skirt, and walked around the table to Iris' right side, and said, "You have every right to be nervous, Iris. From what I've read and seen while I was still Interning in Orthopedics, the surgery is quite complicated. I've assisted in a few limb replacements and many joint procedures. However, you and Roy have been though a limb replacement surgery, not too long ago. I'm almost certain, the doctors will be able to augment what was done already."
"Doctor, with all due respect. My team will need to see their X-Rays, or have new ones taken before we can make that claim. They both might have to endure the full surgery again. However, after examining Iris, we might have to remove what is left of her leg and give her a Full Prosthetic limb from the hip."
"You mean I will have to go through all that recovery again?" Iris asked.
"Not quite," the doctor answered. "The recovery process will not only be physically challenging, but also your brain will need to learn how to control and receive stimulus from the new limb. Actually, you both will. However, the brain is a marvelous thing. It adapts to changes in the body, very well. I wouldn't be shocked to see you both using your new limbs within a few days of the surgery."
While Cheryl and Roy comforted Iris, Henry finished scanning the rest of the document he was given. He put his copy down in front of him, and said, "Doctor Fang, may I have a word with you, privately in the hall?" He got up from his seat and motioned to the door with his right paw.
"Most certainly, Doctor," Doctor Fang responded. He then rose from his seat and joined Henry, before leaving the Consultation Room.
After Henry closed the door behind him, he turned to Doctor Fang, and said, "As you said, the science is sound. But I still have major reservations about letting these two kids go through the trauma of the surgery, and the possibility of Partial Paralysis for Iris to Full Paralysis for Roy, if the Spinal implants fail. I need to have my Orthopedic Team and my Chief Neurologist read and review the data, extensively before I even consider letting the procedures move forward and inch. They are still minors and as such, we will need Parental Consent to the procedure. You will need to be there, to meet them and answer all their questions, understand?"
"Completely. I will have my team of doctors and engineers here to answer any and all questions and concerns. Mr. Clawson believes these new prosthetics will improve their lives to the point, he is willing to Bankroll both of their procedures and recoveries himself," Doctor Fang answered.
"He barely knows these kids! So, why in cat's name would he do that!?" Henry asked.
"Mr. Clawson feels these two teenagers don't deserve to be held back by two inferior limbs. He believes these new, and highly advanced prosthetic limbs will give them a second chance in life, and he wants to give them that chance," Doctor Fang answered. "Doctor Feldman, mind if I state something that might be considered out of context?"
"Go ahead," Henry said.
"Mrs. Clawson thinks they remind her of her and her husband, and she also thinks, in a few years, Roy is going to put a ring on her finger, and Mr. Clawson aligns with her," Doctor Fang said.
Henry turned to look at the closed door behind him for a second, then back to Doctor Fang, and said, "I do have to concur with the Clawson's. They do look good together, and my granddaughter said the same thing." He turned back to face Dr. Fang again, and asked, "Despite what I think, I still have to put the Hospital's best interests before mine. When can your team be ready to meet with my staff and the parents of the patients?"
"In as little as two days, Doctor Feldman," Doctor Fang answered.
"Good. I'll arrange for the meeting in three days and your team had better be ready for a grilling from mine," Henry stated.
Doctor Fang smiled, and said, "I wouldn't have it any other way, doctor."
A lone she-cat ran down the hallway wearing a knee length tan dress and a pair of matching high heeled shoes. Her hair was done up in a bun. She stopped in front of Henry and Doctor Fang, and yelled, "Where is my daughter, Doctor Feldman!?"
"Misses Murphy, she's right behind this door with her doctor and one of her Floor Mates," Henry politely answered, then turned his attention back to Doctor Fang, and said, "I'll have my secretary contact you with the schedule, Doctor."
"Look forward to it, Doctor," Doctor Fang responded.
Henry opened the door to the room and escorted Misses Murphy in. But once the door closed, Doctor Fang said, "That she-cat is going to be a pain in the tail. Glad 'I'm not married to her."
On the other side of the door, Misses Murphy took one look at Cheryl and some boy she didn't know affectionately touching her daughter. "Doctor! My daughter is supposed to be getting the best in care while in this hospital, not having some boy, fawning over her!"
Cheryl lifted her gaze from Iris to Misses Murphy, and said, "Let me assure you, Misses Murphy, Iris is getting the best care. With the constant encouragement from Roy, the boy who's fawning over her. She's excelled in her recovery. My grandfather, myself, and Doctor Fang from Claw-Tek were just discussing upgrading both Iris' and Roy's Prosthetics with new ones, which will give them feeling back in Iris' left leg and Roy's left arm."
"What!? She's a minor! You should have had me and my husband present for this meeting! If this is the type of Medical Care this hospital provides, I'm inclined to sign my daughter out, right now and contact my lawyer!" Misses Murphy screamed.
"Mother! I'm going to be eighteen in a few weeks! I can make my own decisions!" Iris said.
"No, you are not! You are barely considered an adult!" Misses Murphy yelled at her daughter. She once again gazed at the way Roy was touching her daughter, and said, "This is a private meeting for my family. Does that mangy boy have to be here?"
Roy scowled at the comment while Cheryl let out a very low growl, and answered, "This meeting was between Doctor Fang, my grandfather, their doctor, ie me, and the two potential patients and their legal guardians to explain the procedure, recovery process, and how the new prosthetics work. Roy is one of the potential recipients and has every right to be here, and you could have been too, if you weren't late."
Roy lowered his paw back to the table but Iris grabbed it and placed it in both of hers, and said, "Mother, as Doctor Feldman stated, if it wasn't for Roy's constant encouragement and support, I would still be in a Wheelchair! He's a great guy, and a whole lot more to me. He and I are dating."
"Oh no you're not! He's not a cat of pedigree! He probably doesn't come from a decent family or is able to support himself! I've set you up with quite a few toms, worthy of your affections and each one you have spurned. What does he have that the others don't?"
Iris patted Roy's paw to keep him calm, then answered, "Roy has always treated me as an equal and not arm accessory. Those toms you set me up with only wanted me to look good on their arms. I found each one of them, boring. Roy is the first boy who treated me like a she-cat with a brain. He makes me want to do better for myself and help others. Those are only some of the reasons, I want to date him, mother."
"Misses Murphy. When Doctor Earnheardt paired us up for Physical Therapy sessions, I already knew Iris from school and to say I was interested in her doesn't due justice as to what I felt. I always thought she had an air about her. But she was always around those Stuck Up she-cats, who I didn't want to give the time of day to. At times, I thought she was like them. Boy was I wrong. Your daughter pushed herself harder and was determined to get stronger. We quickly learned to lean on each other, even when we didn't need it. We bonded during our time here, and to be frank, with all the time we spent together, I started to feel a pull towards her that I have never felt when I was with other girls. A few days ago, when we had out first date. She told me she felt good in my arms, and she felt really good in mine. Plus, Iris is a Knockout in the looks department."
Iris scowled, then punched Roy in the non-prosthetic arm to show her displeasure with being called a Knockout.
He looked up to Iris, and said, "Its true. You're a Goddess to me, Iris."
Iris blushed at his comment.
"This is exactly what I was talking about! He's probably only interested in getting you into the sack, then leaving only to brag to his friends that he slept with you!" Misses Murphy said.
Roy slammed his paws down on the table, hard enough that his prosthetic paw cracked the hard wood, as he said, "My parents would kill me if I ever behaved like that! Iris deserves to be treated and adored like the goddess she is! I may not be a cat of pedigree, but I swear on my life, her needs and wants will be paramount to mine at all times! Misses Murphy, I fell in love with Iris, and I'll do everything I can to prove to you, I'm worthy of her affections!"
Both Iris and Cheryl gasped at Roy's sudden confession. While Iris' mother ground her teeth as the situation escalated and Henry rubbed the bridge of his nose, not knowing what was going to happen in the next few minutes.
Iris turned in her chair to face Roy, head on, grabbed the fur on his cheeks, tightly enough to force him to face her, and asked, "I'm only going to ask this once, Roy, and you had better be telling me the truth! Do you really love me?"
Roy only had to look into her eyes for him to smile back at her, bring both his right paw and his prosthetic paw to her cheeks, gently caressing her soft fur, and answered, "Yes, Iris. I love you." He threw caution to the wind and kissed her, right in front of her mother.
"That's it! I'm signing my daughter out of this, so called hospital, right now!" Misses Murphy spat, then turned to Henry and yelled, "What are you running!? A Medical Facility, or a Love Den!?"
"Now see here, Misses Murphy! This hospital provides State of the Art Medical Care for its patients with a staff that provides the Utmost Care and Compassion for the patients! If the patients develop feelings for each other during their time here, is not something we can control, or persuade one way or another! My daughter and granddaughter should have consulted me before they used the cafeteria as Dance Hall for Roy and Iris to have a date, which they will have to answer for. However, I do have to praise them for going above what their titles state, to make their patients feel welcome and at home. You are entitled to sign Iris out, against Medical Advice. But if you do, she will be back here within days and possibly need another surgery to permanently remove her leg. According to my granddaughter's reports on Iris' progress, her leg is still not stable. She needs more time to heal, and Physical Therapy before Iris is able to leave our care!" Henry stated as bluntly as possible.
Misses Murphy huffed and left the room, slamming the door behind her.
Iris broke the kiss she and Roy were sharing when she heard the door slam. She rested her head against Roy's, then said, "I love you too, Roy." She took a few cleansing breaths before she continued, "My mother is not going to make our lives easy. She wanted me to date and eventually marry into a Prestigious family, to guarantee kittens of Pedigree. But I don't want that. I want to see where our relationship goes, Roy. I don't want I feel to end."
Cheryl came over to them, put both of her arms around their shoulders, and said, "Then don't. From what I can see, your bond as as strong as mine and Orion's. Just the other night, he asked for my paw. You both aren't much younger than I am. In time, I see Roy asking you for your paw as well, Iris."
Roy stiffened his back and his tail's fur bristled. He quickly looked at Iris and imagined what she would look like in a Wedding Gown, and he had to admit, she looked gorgeous.
Cheryl turned her attention to Roy, then whispered in his left ear, "By your reaction, you love the vision I put in your mind." She then leaned over to iris, and whispered in her right ear, "He's envisioning what you would look like in a Wedding Gown, and he likes what he is seeing. Just as you are going to like seeing him in a tuxedo, Iris. Make sure to invite me and Orion to your wedding. I want to see if his tail will look as good in those pants, as it does in sweats."
Iris slowly turned her head to face Cheryl, and softly asked, "You've been looking at his tail?"
"It's not as shapely and tight as Mark Samuelson's, who you will meet, if you maintain your friendship with the Clawsons. But its up there. If he keeps working on it, those muscles will be used to bring you to the heights of pleasure, when you two decide to cross that line," Cheryl replied loud enough for Iris to only hear.
"Doctor Feldman, you are one of a kind. But I'm glad you are my doctor, and hopefully someone I can call a friend as well?" Iris said.
Cheryl hugged her, and said, "Most definitely, Iris." She stood back to her full height, straightened out her skirt, and said, "Arleen mentioned Harry is cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Can I take my patients out for lunch to celebrate, Roy's Confession?"
Roy was the next to stand, and answered, "Certainly. As long as my girlfriend comes along?" He extended his Prosthetic paw to Iris, hoping she would take it.
Iris did take his paw, then rose from her seat. She twirled into his arms, braided her tail with his, and said, "Of course she will."
"Ok, come on you two. The food is waiting," Cheryl said and led Roy and Iris down to the cafeteria, leaving Henry alone.
"I know I said I will have to discipline them for using the Hospital's cafeteria as a Private Hall. But after hearing those two youngsters, professing their love for each other, I can't do it! And if I did, Mary would throw me out of the house!" Henry said, then left the room.
End of Chapter