Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay brothers. I own the OCs.
Sorry for the wait, the past two weeks were literally a bad dream come to life. I'm not going to elaborate any more so don't ask.
Once again, thank you so much MisaRae for helping me on this journey!
Once Callista made it back to her bedroom, she stared at her bed with Ulysses in it like a lifeline. She didn't even bother taking off her robe as she made a beeline for such a safe haven. After she got back into bed, even the broad expanse of her new fiancé's back brought her little comfort, so she turned over and away from him, bringing her knees up to her chest in an attempt to soothe herself.
Ulysses laid there, watching her curl up into a tight, protective ball. Having known her for so long made him quickly realize that something was bothering her. He gently touched her left shoulder with his left paw and said, "Callista, my love, this is not like you at all. I have never seen you curl up like a pill bug before and try to hide away from the world. What is bothering my future wife so much that you are trembling like a leaf?"
Without releasing her legs, Callista reached into the left pocket of her robe and withdrew the crinkled up note. She handed it to Ulysses over her shoulder.
Ulysses took the piece of wrinkled paper from her and read it. As soon as he read the last sentence, he wadded the piece of paper up and clenched it tightly in his paw. Ulysses then said, "That bastard has to be stopped! He tried to kill you once already, and now he is threatening me! When is that jerk going to learn you love me, and want nothing to do with him?"
He rolled over and started to get out of bed when Callista rolled over to face his back, then said, "Wait, there is more." as she reached back into her robe's right pocket and withdrew the second note. She handed it to Ulysses, who quickly read it.
"What am I supposed to do now?" Ulysses asked. "Let a war between two magical factions occur in the city? The mayor would have kittens if I allowed that." He rolled out of bed, fell to his knees, then reached across the bed so he could take her paws in his as he said, "I don't know what to do here, Callista. You are a sorceress and the former queen of this land; I'm just a normal tom who happened to fall in love with you. Please tell me what I should do to protect my family and the city that I care for?"
"I'm not sure myself, Ulysses. I suppose I could give myself to David and.." Callista started to say, but she was interrupted by a finger gently but firmly pressing against her lips, and Ulysses saying, "Not on your life! Or mine, for that matter. Giving in to his demands is not an option. You are going to be my wife, so giving yourself to him is out of the question. I cannot, and will not, live without you anymore, Callista."
"I don't want to be without you anymore, either, Ulysses. I want to be able to call you my husband and love you for the rest of my days. However, I need to deal with David or he will separate us by either killing or banishing you to who knows where or when," Callista said as she stroked his cheek.
"So what are we going to do?" Ulysses asked. "Let the two factions fight it out? If that happens, this city will be torn to shreds, and everyone in it will become a casualty."
Callista withdrew her paw and looked away from him. She then said, "I can meet with Michael and see what he has planned. I'll go alone so he won't feel threatened by you."
"I don't care if he feels threatened, Callista. This could be a set-up to get you into David's arms. I'm going with you. Not only that, as much as I hate to say it, we should call the SWAT Kats in on this, too," Ulysses said. Then he rose to his feet, found his pants, and pulled out his phone.
Callista watched his every move very intently, especially since it had apparently slipped Ulysses' mind that he was completely bare. She licked her lips as her eyes roamed over his naked, well-toned body.
Ulysses caught movement out of the corner of his eye, turned to look at Callista, and noticed she was licking her lips, and her tail swayed back and forth, the tip snapping in the air with some sort of anticipation. He lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Callista didn't remove her gaze from his lower half and replied, "You have definitely become more brazen since we have gotten engaged. I have never seen you without clothing before. You have to parade around my apartment in the buff more often. I like it a lot."
Ulysses looked down and saw his maleness hanging out in all its glory. His face turned beet red right before he ran to the bathroom.
Callista watched her fiancé turn and run into the bathroom in compete embarrassment. She rolled onto her back and started laughing, since she had already not only seen, but touched, every inch of his body such a short time ago. Eventually, she stopped laughing, turned her head to look at the closed bathroom door, and decided to have a little bit of fun with him during breakfast.
Ulysses hunkered down in the bathroom until he heard the bedroom door open, then close. He breathed a tentative sigh of relief and opened the bathroom door, surveying the room to make sure Callista had really left the room. Seeing that the coast was clear, he straightened his shoulders and left the bathroom. He set his phone down on the nightstand and dedicated himself to the task of retrieving his clothing from around the room. Once he was properly dressed, he picked up the phone again and called his niece.
Meanwhile, Tina had somehow managed to pry both Jake and Sarah away from the kitten's new Cyclotron long enough to get some breakfast. Felina followed right behind them, watching the little girl with the dragon on her shoulder who could barely contain the excitement bubbling up inside of her after Jake had made her an official junior SWAT Kat. They entered Callie's house through the kitchen door, and while Jake and Sarah took seats at the table, Felina went over to the oven to remove the food.
Katerina had to threaten the newly-wed couple with a bucket of ice in order to get them to stop. Mark opened the door just enough to stick his head out and say, "You know Katerina, Lisa and I are on our honeymoon. We are supposed to be spending lots of time in bed."
"Niet. Pirouette and Adonis are supposed to be on their honeymoon, not Mark and Lisa. So get yourself dressed, Mark, and down to the kitchen!" Katerina ordered.
Mark pulled his head back into the room and slammed the door.
Katerina slapped the door and said, "For that, I am going to make sure you two are not partnered up for the next mission!" She then turned around and went up the next flight of stairs to the highest level of the house.
As she mounted the last stair, the sounds of Chance and Callie moaning and groaning in pleasure even through their closed bedroom door reached her ears. She walked through the small library to their bedroom and knocked on the door. The sounds of lovemaking stopped only for a brief minute, then resumed. Katerina hated to break the couples up, since she wanted nothing more than to take Tina back to their room and take her lover to the heights of pleasure over and over again. However, she had a job to do, and she had been raised to finish every task she was given to the absolute best of her ability. Reading herself as to what she might see on the other side, Katerina took a few breaths and opened the door.
She averted her eyes from the bed and focused on the dresser off in the far corner of the room. However, the dresser just so happened to have a mirror that clearly reflected an image of the bed and its occupants. Katerina blushed when she caught sight of Chance's butt and tail moving so provocatively right before she yelled, "You two have less than five minutes to finish, get dressed, and get your tails downstairs for breakfast!" Katerina slammed the door closed as soon as she finished speaking.
Chance groaned one last time, then collapsed onto the bed before he said, "I guess we had better do what she says. I don't want to get on her bad side; I've seen what she can do with a pipe."
Callie rolled herself on top of his chest, propped herself on her elbows that were resting on the matress on both sides of Chance's body, then said, "I sort of like you without a pipe embedded in your skull. Once we get back to my apartment tonight, we can continue where we left off." She then slid off of him and started to get dressed.
Chance watched as Callie pulled her leggings on, and admired how well they showed off her shapely legs, which made a certain part of his body react of its own accord. He got out of bed and went over to her, placed his hands on her waist, and said, "I can't wait to get you back home, my dear. The things that are going through my mind right now would make you blush."
Callie teased him by rubbing her butt against him as she said, "You can tell me later, and I promise not to blush." Her smile was sultry as she slowly pulled away from him and retrieved her shirt, slipping it on over her head, then shaking her hair back into place. Once she was ready, Callie walked over to the door, opened it, and said right before she left, "You had better hurry up and get dressed. We have a house full of hungry cats who must be ravenous since I'm sure most if not all of the adults spent the night in the throes of passion."
Chance couldn't help but watch his fiancée's every move until she was completely out of her sight, the tip of her tail the last thing to go before she closed the door behind her. He finally let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and looked down before shaking his head and saying, "I had better take a cold shower. I Can't walk around the house like this." He went into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and let the cold water work its magic to calm a certain part of his body.
Callie walked into the kitchen and went over to her best friend, who had just removed the last tray from the oven. She sat across the counter and eyed a particular piece of sausage. When Felina turned around, she snatched it up with her right paw and ate it.
Felina turned back just in time to see Callie happily chewing away on the piece of sausage she had stolen. Felina asked, "Couldn't wait for the rest of us?"
Callie finished chewing and swallowed the piece of sausage before she replied, "Nope, that tiny little piece called out to me, begging to be eaten, so I complied with its request. It was quite tasty, by the way." She then put on one of her biggest smiles and let her tail sway back and forth in happiness, hoping that Felina wouldn't be too mad at her.
Felina let her weight rest on one hip as she listened to her best friend trying to snow her, and formulated a plan to get back at her. She lifted the corner of her mouth and said, "Well, my dear friend, since you liked my cooking so much, you get to clean everything up after we finish eating. And no magic either! I'll be watching you like a hawk to make sure you do everything the nice and normal way."
Callie's facial expression instantly dropped and her tail stopped moving. She replied, "That's not fair, Felina! I don't mind cleaning up, but come on, no magic? It's part of who I am. Why can't I use my abilities to make my kitchen sparkle?"
Felina was about to reply with one of her usual witty comments when her phone started ringing. She pulled her phone out of her pocket, but before she answered it, she said, "This discussion isn't not over yet, dear sister. Not by a long shot." She then answered the phone and held it up to her ear. "Hello?"
"Felina, it's Uncle," Ulysses replied.
"Hi Uncle! How was your date last night, and more importantly, did you sleep with Callista?" Felina asked.
"The date went very well, and I'm not telling my niece about my love life," Ulysses said.
"Alright, Uncle. Since you didn't call to tell me that you rocked her world last night, or maybe this morning, why are you calling?" Felina asked.
The corners of Ulysses' mouth twitched in response. His niece was one of the most brazen she-cats he had ever known, and it was just like her to ask such a personal question. She'd never been one to censor herself, and as much as he hated to admit it, her honesty was always refreshing, even at times like this. He shook his head, and then replied, "You can use that vivid imagination of yours and try to figure out what happened after our date all you want, Felina, but you will never get the truth from me. As to why I am calling, David is up to his old tricks again, and as much as I hate to admit I need help, I need you and the rest of the SWAT Kats to help me put this guy down!"
"Uncle, we are heading back home after we eat breakfast. If you and Callista want, we can meet up later this afternoon," Felina said.
"The sooner the better, Felina. I'm afraid that the Society is going to be on the verge of a Civil War sometime soon. Apparently, there is an internal faction who is not too happy with how it's being run, and they want David gone," Ulysses said.
"The city will be thrown into chaos if that happens, Uncle! There is no way the Enforcers can fight a group of magic users hell-bent on destroying each other," Felina said.
"Don't you think I already know that, Felina?" Ulysses barked. "Callista was asked to lead the rebelling faction against David, and I think she is going to do it. Frankly, I don't want her anywhere near any of this. However, knowing her, she is going to dive into this head first so we can live our lives without David being a part of it."
"So stop her!" Felina yelled. "She is your fiancée, Uncle, so she will listen to you. Or at least hear you out, right?"
"Like Callie listens to you?" Ulysses asked.
Felina held the phone away from her ear and just looked at it.
Callie caught on to the conversation rather quickly and asked, "What is going on, Lina, and don't sugarcoat it!"
Felina held her paw up to Callie, letting her know that she would fill her in once she was done talking to her uncle. She lowered her paw back to her side as she brought the phone back up to her ear and said, "You've got a point, Uncle. She usually doesn't, but I'll make her see things our way on this, no matter what. Let me go so I can talk to her and explain everything. I'm sure since her grandmother is involved, she is going to want to do everything in her power to help you."
"Fine, I will call you later tonight after I deal with a 500-year-old sorceress who sometimes acts like she's just a teenager. What have I gotten myself into?" Ulysses asked.
"A whole mess of trouble, Uncle," Felina replied with a grin, "but it's the best thing that's ever happened to you. Talk to you tonight," Felina said and pressed the End button on her phone. She turned her head slightly to the left to look at her best friend as she tried to figure out the best way to break the news.
Callie did not appreciate being shushed when her grandmother was obviously in trouble, especially by her best friend. She stood with her weight resting on one hip, her arms crossed under her chest, and sparks literally flew from her eyes, the tiny embers winking out as they hit whatever surface was in range. "Now that you are off the phone, Felina, would you mind telling me exactly what is going on?"
Felina noted the actual fire in Callie's eyes, and for the first time since she had known Callie, she felt a shiver of fear race up her spine. Recognizing the impulse, she tamped it down, knowing that direct confrontation would only stoke the blaze as she nervously replied, "Callie, please calm down before you accidentally do something that one or both of us will regret."
Unfortunately for her, Callie did not calm down as Felina had hoped, but became even more infuriated at her best friend. She said as tiny lightning bolts sparked between her fingers, "Felina, you have exactly two minutes to tell me what is going on with my grandmother!"
The tension in the room was just about to snap when Sarah ran into the room and grabbed hold of Callie's leg. Seeing Callie threaten Felina already had tears coming into Sarah's eyes and almost made them spill down her cheeks. "Please stop, Callie!" she cried. "You are not acting like the sister I love!"
Callie turned her head to the kitten holding her leg. She noticed the tears in Sarah's eyes, and felt them well up in her own. They doused the lightshow she had been putting on, quenching the fire in her eyes and making the electricity in her paws fizzle into nothingness. Callie fell to her knees and embraced Sarah as those tears started to flow down her face. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, Sarah." She turned her head to Felina and said, "or threaten my dearest sister, either."
Felina came closer to them and fell to her knees so she could join in their embrace. She then said as she stroked Callie's hair, "It's alright, Callie. All is forgiven." Once she was assured that Callie truly believed her, Felina got up off her knees, then said, "Katerina and I made a large breakfast, and it's not going to eat itself. Or at least, I hope not. Then I will tell you what my uncle said."
Callie let go of Sarah and stood up to hug her best friend with every ounce of strength she possessed. She rested her head on Felina's left shoulder and said, "You are the best friend I've ever had, Felina. I love you, my dear sister."
Felina returned her embrace, but she decided since Callie had scared the daylights out of her, a little retaliation was in order. She said, "I love you, too, sister," Then Felina took a step back out of the embrace and said, "I always knew you were a fiery she-cat, but I never thought you would literally try to set something ablaze with just one look. Except Chance, that is. Looks like you're living up to your nickname, Sparkplug!" With that, she took off running.
Callie scrunched up her face right before she said, "Sparkplug, huh? Wait until I get my paws on you, Felina. I'll show you what a 'Sparkplug' can really do!" She then took off after her best friend.
Sarah went over to Tina, tugged her pants leg to get her attention, and asked, "Do they act like that often? It's funny to watch them tease each other."
Tina was utterly amazed at how playful two such supposedly adult she-cats could be. She let a small giggle escape her mouth, then answered, "Yes, they do, Sarah. They love each other to no end. Although I do feel kind of sorry for this neighborhood, because once they move in, it will never be the same. Come on, breakfast is waiting, and if we don't beat Mark and Chance to it, there won't be any left!" She then led Sarah to the table where Katerina and Jake was busy plating breakfast for everyone.
As Mark threaded the last button on his shirt through its hole, he turned to watch Lisa finish slipping on her shoes. He just so happened to catch the telltale glint of sunlight reflecting off of her wedding band, and smiled, knowing that she was now his wife. As she put her foot back onto the ground, he said as he moved closer to her, "Lisa, even though we consummated our marriage last night, and yet again this morning, I have not yet performed the entirety of my husbandly duties toward my new bride. So allow me to do this." Mark quickly swept in, easily picked her up in his strong arms, and started to carry her out of the bedroom.
"Put me down, Mark! I'm perfectly capable of walking on my own," Lisa said.
"Nothing doing, dear. Since I did not carry you across the threshold after we were married, I'm going to carry you around for the rest of the day, and I will not take no for an answer," Mark said, eagerly crossing the room before carrying her properly over the threshold and into the hall.
Felina ran past Mark and Lisa in the hallway, yelling, "What's the matter, Callie? Can't catch a mortal, even with all those magical powers of yours?"
Mark stopped, put his back to the wall, and held Lisa tightly against his broad chest to make sure she didn't become a victim of friendly fire.
Callie soon ran past the two with her pearly white teeth showing though her grin as she said, "Oh, I'll catch you Felina, and when I do, I'm going to tie your tail in a knot!"
"What's up with those two, Mark?" Lisa asked.
Mark watched as the two adult she-cats ran past them and replied, "I have no idea, Lisa, but knowing Felina and the way she likes to tease Callie, I guess she went a little too far." He turned his head back to Lisa, kissed her, then said, "Let's go and eat, dear. If you are right about probably being pregnant, you are now eating for two, or possibly three."
Lisa scowled when he mentioned that she could possibly be carrying twins, and lightly slapped the back of his head. She then said, "If I am carrying twins, I'm going to schedule you to get fixed! I want a decent sized family with you, Mark, but not all at once."
Mark winced, knowing that she would make good on her threats if he wasn't careful. Then he resumed heading towards the kitchen with Lisa in his arms as he said, "I was only joking with you, Lisa. Multiples don't run in my family or yours. Besides, even if you do have twins, I'll still love them to death, even after they wrap me around their tiny little fingers, dear. We are going to be such great parents, no matter how many kittens we have."
Lisa listened to every word he said, and stroked his cheek right before she kissed him. "I hope so, dear," she said, but as she spoke, her stomach growled quite audibly.
"Sounds like someone is hungry. Better go feed her before I become her breakfast. Hmm. You know, that doesn't sound so bad, either," Mark said.
"You have a very dirty mind, you know, Mark," Lisa said as she wrapped her good arm around his neck.
"You are the only one I want to think dirty thoughts about, Lisa. Only you," Mark replied as he descended the stairs.
End of Chapter