Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
I have to delay the next installment by a week. Its not sitting right with me and I might have to re-write it.
MisaRae, I'm glad you liked this chapter. Mark is going to get so much hell from Lisa when she reads his report!
Thursday morning started with the phone ringing. Artemis opened her eyes and reached over to the nightstand to hopefully find the phone and answer it in order to get it to stop.
Her right paw connected with the eggshell colored handset, closed around the device and lifted it to her right ear as she said, "Hello?"
"Artemis, I trust you slept well," Callista said.
Artemis lifted her head from the pillow at the sound of her savior's voice and answered, "Yes I did Callista. I still don't know how to thank you for giving me a chance at a new life."
"You might not be wanting to thank me after you go to your appointment this morning Artemis," Callista said.
Artemis sat up in her bed then asked, "What appointment?"
"You have a job interview at 10AM, downtown. The address is on the counter. Don't be late, I had to pull a few strings to get you in there," Callista said.
Artemis thought, 'A job! I can finally get my life back in order and not have to worry about being a part of The Society anymore.' "I'll be there, early. Wait, I don't have anything to wear to an interview."
"That won't be a problem Artemis, I kept a full wardrobe in my closet. I think you should be able to find something suitable to wear," Callista said.
"Now I see why you have been queen for all of this time, you are always one step ahead of the rest of us," Artemis said.
"Not really, I just figured since you and I are close to the same size, that you should be able to fit into my clothing. Get going Artemis, you only have an hour and a half to get there and I suggest you eat a decent breakfast. Call me when you return back to the house, I want to hear how you did," Callista said before she hung up the phone and called Lisa.
Lisa and Mark were in their kitchen fixing breakfast together when the phone rang in the kitchen.
"I'll get it Lisa," Mark said as he walked to the phone mounted on the wall. He picked it up and answered, "Hello."
"Good morning Mark, is Lisa there?" Callista asked.
"Good morning to you too, your majesty and yes, my future wife is here. Please hang on for a minute while I get her." He put the phone down on the counter and went to get Lisa.
Lisa was busy, scrambling some eggs in a pan when Mark came up to her and said, "Callista is on the phone and wants to speak to you, dear."
Lisa continued scrambling the eggs and said, "Please tell her I will call her right back after we eat."
Mark huffed then picked her up in his right arm and carried her over to the phone. As he set her down, he said, "Talk to your friend, I'll finish cooking."
As he walked back to the stove, Lisa let her eyes droop to his tail and admired his taught butt in the sweatpants he was wearing. She let out a Wolf Whistle before she picked up the phone and said, "Good morning Callista."
"I take it by the sound of that whistle, you are having a very good morning yourself Lisa?" Callista asked.
"Not as good as it was last night," Lisa answered and blushed in embarrassment. However, her eyes never left Mark's backside. "What's up?" She asked.
"Your interview is going to be at the studio at 10AM. Please be nice to her, Artemis has been through a lot in her young life and really needs to start over," Callista said.
"I know Callista, but if I am going to trust her with my students, I need to know if she has the passion and drive to teach for me,"Lisa said as she turned to face the wall in front of her.
"I understand Lisa but give her a fair shot, alright?" Callista asked.
"If she is as good of a dancer as you say she is, she should have no problem passing my tests," Lisa answered.
"I trust you Lisa, I'll be talking to Artemis when she gets back to my house later and she will tell me everything," Callista said.
"I hope she does. I have to get ready for her, I'll talk to you later Callista,"Lisa said before she hung up the phone.
Mark was plating the eggs as well as the toast he placed in the toaster earlier when he heard Lisa hang up the phone. As he walked over to the kitchen table, he asked, "What was that about?"
Lisa walked over to the table and sat down. As she placed a napkin in her lap, she answered, "I might have a new teacher to work at the studio. I'm meeting her at 10 this morning."
Mark put the plates down on the table and sat down in the chair opposite of her, then said, "I guess I'm riding solo today."
"Unless they assign you one of the newly graduated recruits," Lisa said. "I have heard that there is a new she-cat that just graduated that the guys can't wait to partner up with. I think her name is Jasmine." She then took a bite of her eggs.
"Oh, I have heard of her," Mark said. "According to a few of the guys, she has Strawberry Blonde hair and a body to die for. Not that I would know it personally." He then started eating.
"I would hope not Mark," Lisa said. "I would hate to hear that my fiancé is catting around with someone else."
Mark put his fork down and looked into Lisa's eyes before he said, "Never happen Lisa, I'm yours and yours alone and what was with that whistle earlier?"
"I can't appreciate my future husband's backside and what I wouldn't give to see you in a pair of dance tights. Between your muscular legs and toned butt, you would have every female in the theater drooling over you," Lisa said.
"Nothing doing Lisa," Mark said. "The tightest thing I wear is my other uniform and I don't want other females staring at by butt. That is for you to stare at alone."
Lisa placed her elbows on the table and rested her head on her paws. As she said, "Please, just for me?" She let he tail sway back and forth ever so slowly hopefully to entice him to give in.
Mark looked at Lisa's eyes and got lost in them. She knew exactly how to get him to do just what she wanted and her looking at him like she was then was going to be his downfall.
"Alright, just once. But only for you. However, there is a catch, you have to wear that little costume I bought you years ago," Mark said.
Lisa thought about which costume he was talking about, then it hit her like a ton of bricks. Her tail stopped moving, pointing straight into the air. Lisa sat back in her chair as she said, "Uh uh, no way am I parading around in that!"
"If you want me to wear tights, then you have to wear the super heroine costume. Its only a short skirt with matching tank top," Mark said then flashed her a smile.
"Yeah, with a cut so low that most of my chest is exposed. What super heroine would wear something that revealing anyway?" Lisa asked before she finished her breakfast.
Mark tapped his right index finger against his temple for a few seconds, then answered, "Pirouette will as long as her hunky husband wears what she wants him to." Mark answered and smiled at her. He then got up out of his chair, cleared his dishes, and brought them to the sink. As he walked to the bedroom to get changed, he said, "I'm going to get changed for my patrol, I'll call the desk and tell them you will be in later." He disappeared into the bedroom to change into his Enforcer's uniform.
An hour later, Artemis arrived at the address Callista gave her and looked at the building. She noticed the large torri gate towering over the left entrance and a small sign over the right one. She read the sign and figured that this had to be the place she had the appointment in. Artemis straightened her skirt and made sure her tie was on straight in the reflection of the glass before she opened the door and entered.
The studio was bathed in the morning light coming in from the windows. It reflected off of the polished floor boards and the mirror lined wall with a horizontal bar set at about waist height. Artemis walked further into the studio then she heard a clicking of a wooden pole hitting the floor from around the back of a wall.
Pirouette left the office and grabbed her dance cane from the wall as she walked with confidence to the main hall. She stopped by the open doorway then asked, "Are you here for the teacher's position?"
Artemis was expecting to be meeting a she-cat by the name of Lisa Ericson and not a SWAT Kat. She politely replied, "Yes I am. However, I was supposed to meet Miss Ericson."
"Lisa may run this studio Artemis, but my name is on the front door. Every one who works here must meet my standards. So do you want the job or not?" Pirouette asked as she placed her left paw on her hip.
Artemis cocked her hips to the left and answered, "I do want the job, so do your worst!"
"Alright, you will need to change out of that suit and into something you can move in. Please go in the back and pick out a leotard. Be out here in five minutes, then we will see exactly how good of a dancer you are."
Artemis went into the back room and found a leotard that was her size and wasn't some hideous color or had sleeves. She stripped out of her suit and pulled the leotard on her body before returning to the dance floor.
"Don't be nervous Artemis, if you are as good as Callista claims, this should be relatively easy." Pirouette said as she walked over to the bar, lifted her left foot high into the air, and placed it on the bar before she leaned her body against her left leg and said, "Let's see how flexible you are. Do as I do please."
Artemis walked over to the bar and lifted her right foot onto the bar as she repeated the move Pirouette made.
Pirouette examined her form carefully, then said, "Very good, so far. Now let's see if you can move." Pirouette lifted her leg from the bar and spun on her right foot. She lowered her foot to the floor, then cartwheeled over to the stereo. She chose a simple minuet to start with and slipped the disc into the player. The music started to play and she said, "Dance to this Artemis."
Artemis started to move in time with the music. She was doing very well until she made one tiny mis-step that would have been missed by anyone without any formal training. But Pirouette immediately noticed the error and ordered, "No! Do it again from the top!"
She restarted the disc and watched Artemis like a hawk.
Artemis started he routine again and in the same place, she made the same tiny error.
Pirouette's cane came down hard on the floor as she commanded, "NO! Its supposed to go like this!" Pirouette rolled the disc back to the passage Artemis kept messing up on and performed it, flawlessly. She came to rest then asked, "Are you sure you can dance?"
"Positive!" Artemis replied.
"One more time and this is your last shot," Pirouette said as she started the track again.
This time, Artemis danced just as well as Pirouette did and made no mistakes. When the track finished, she leaned against the wall and slumped to the floor.
"Who said you could rest?" Pirouette asked. "Get up and get ready for the next number."
Artemis rose to her feet and waited for Pirouette's next selection.
Pirouette found a fast moving jazz piece that would normally bring anyone to their knees by the time the song was over. She put the disc into the player, then said, "Let's see if you can keep up with me."
The music started and Pirouette started to dance. Artemis followed right behind her. However, Artemis was starting to feel tired and fell slightly behind.
Pirouette noticed this and said, "Pick it up! You are off by a half step!"
Artemis pulled herself together and got back in time with the music.
Pirouette watched her dance and liked the fact that no matter how tired Artemis was, she was determined not to let her down.
The music stopped and Artemis collapsed on the floor from exhaustion. She laid there on her stomach with her head turned to the left, panting heavily.
Pirouette turned off the stereo, turned back to the she-cat, and said, "You danced pretty well, for an amateur. You need to work on your stamina if you plan on working here."
Artemis asked through her heavy breathing, "Does that mean I passed?"
Pirouette walked over to Artemis, crouched down, and answered, "Yes, you passed. Go home and rest up. You start tomorrow afternoon. Don't be late, or you will deal with me" She then left the studio.
"Yea, I passed," Artemis said as she waved her paw in the air, then let it fall to her side.
Mark had started his day and was riding solo. He had his window open and his left elbow resting on the door.
He noticed a roadside coffee cart on the side of the street. He pulled up to the cart, leaned over the center console, and asked, "Hey Charlene, how's business today?"
The slender she-cat who was wearing a pair of shorts and t-shirt as well as a pair of sneakers. Her auburn hair flowed down to her mid-back. She turned around to see Mark, flashing one of his smiles that made the female population melt and said, "Business is fine dearie, where is Lisa?"
"She is at her studio, auditioning a new teacher," Mark replied.
"Tell her I said hi, and when are you going to marry her and start making cute and adorable kittens?" Charlene asked.
Mark lowered his head to the passenger's seat and let out a deep laugh before he lifted his head to face her again and answered, "We are getting married in two weeks Charlene, and to answer your second question, I'll have to bring my son or daughter by in about six months."
"Damn, I thought she wanted to wait until you two were married?" Charlene asked.
"The universe had other plans Charlene, can I get a cup of my usual please?" Mark asked.
Charlene turned around and prepared a large cup of coffee with milk and whipped cream. She put a lid on the cup and handed to Mark through the window.
Mark took the drink from her and took a sip through the slit in the lid. "Mmm, perfect as usual. Thanks Charlene," Mark said.
"You're welcome sweetie and be sure to bring by your kitten," Charlene said.
"I will, if Lisa lets it out of her grasp," Mark said as his radio came to life and said, "Unit 41."
Mark sank back in his seat, put the drink in the holder in the console, grabbed the mic from the dash, and answered, "Unit 41 go."
"Respond to a disturbance at 531 Lexington, first floor," the dispatcher said through the radio.
"Copy, unit 41 responding," Mark said before he took off.
Mark arrived at the location and parked his car in front of the building. He looked at the sign in front of the entrance and asked, "You have got to be kidding me, what type of disturbance can occur in a she-cat only gym?"
Mark entered the gym and stopped at the reception desk. The receptionist was a blonde she-cat with green eyes wearing a red low-cut tank top. He asked as he leaned onto the desk, "Did you call the Enforcers miss?"
"Yes, please follow me," she said as she slid out of her chair and walked further into the gym.
Mark tried not to look down at her legs poking out of the spandex shorts she was wearing, but being a tom, his eyes wandered to her long toned legs. However, he did manage to gain the attention of most of the females in the gym as he walked past them.
The receptionist led Mark into a back room where two she-cats were fighting.
"I can't believe my husband slept with you!" The brunette said.
"He wouldn't have to if you weren't such a prude!" The black haired she-cat said.
Mark stepped in between the two and held them apart, then said, "Both of you stop now or I am going to haul you both in!"
The two she-cats calmed down and their eyes wandered over Mark.
"Good, now that you both calmed down, can one of you tell me what is going on?" Mark asked as he swept his gaze between the two she-cats.
The brunette answered, "That so called lady was at my house, doing the nasty with my husband." She then licked her lips and said, "She can keep him, if you are willing to come home with me handsome."
"Sorry miss, I'm an engaged tom," Mark said. He turned to the black haired she-cat and asked, "What is your story?"
"It's true, I slept with her husband," she answered and pawed his right bicep, "But I will stop, if you let me take care of you," the she-cat said.
Mark removed the black haired she-cat's paw from his arm, then asked, "If I let you both go, will you both be civil towards each other?"
"I guess we can, right Shelly?" The brunette asked.
"I can try Tabitha," Shelly answered.
Mark relaxed his arms and let the two go.
"Tabitha, I'm sorry for attacking you," Shelly said.
"I'm sorry for sleeping with Don. But I have to admit, he is quite good," Tabitha said.
"You bitch!" Shelly said as she lunged at Tabitha.
Mark grabbed the two she-cats by the arms as they attempted to tear at each other's throats.
Tabitha went to grab Shelly's hair and as she lunged forward, she ripped Mark's shirt open, exposing his chest.
Shelly reached out with her right paw to grab Tabitha's wrist. But as she moved, her left paw tore even more of Mark's shirt from his body.
By now, a few more she-cats walked into the room to see what was going on. Instead, what they saw looked like what could be seen on the stage at a Male exotic dance club.
"I want some of that!" One of the she-cats said as she dove into the fray to get a hold of Mark's shirt.
"So do I! What a hunk!" Another said as she pulled on the tail of Mark's shirt, ripping it from him.
All of she-cat's mouths dropped open as they looked at Mark's naked upper body.
"Oh, Lisa is going to kill me," Mark mumbled. "You both had your chance, now you are heading downtown to cool off in a holding cell. Let's go ladies."
He led Shelly and Tabitha through the main section of the gym, completely shirtless. Getting ogled by every female in the gym.
Mark pulled up to the precinct and parked his car by the Prisoner intake door. He went to the back door of his car and removed Shelly before he went to the other side of his car and removed Tabitha. "Let's go ladies." He said as he led the two she-cats into the precinct.
As he entered, several of his fellow officers hooted and hollered at him since he was still shirtless.
He sat the two ladies in Central Booking and gave his report to the sergeant before he returned to his locker at the other end of the precinct to get another shirt. As he rounded a corner from the main hall to a smaller one that led to the locker rooms, he ran into a short, strawberry-blonde she-cat with a pair of green eyes he had only seen on Callie and Callista. "I'm sorry miss. I didn't mean to bump into you. Are you alright?" Mark asked.
"I'm fine, I think," she replied. "I feel like I walked into a rock wall," She then looked up and saw one of the most gorgeous chests as well as an eight pack of abs in dark tanned fur she had ever seen. Her eyes rose and saw a very handsome face with these dark brown eyes. She gulped, took a step back, and asked, "Is this part of some new uniform code that I don't know about?"
"No miss, two she-cats were fighting with each other on my previous call and my shirt was torn. I'm Mark Samuelson, by the way," he said and extended his right paw in welcome.
"I'm Jasmine, nice to meet you Mark," She replied and shook his paw.
Mark apparently gripped her much smaller paw a little too tight because he saw her flinch when he grasped it in his. He quickly let it go and asked, "Are you alright Jasmine?"
"Fine," She replied as she shook her right paw to get some feeling back into it.
"I'm sorry, I guess I don't know my own strength. I'll see you around the precinct," Mark said before he turned around and walked back towards the lockers.
Jasmine just watched in awe as Mark walked away from her. She then said, "We will be seeing much more of each other Mark, I promise we will."
End of Chapter