The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barberra and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
Another chapter has been born and you all get to read it! No spoilers for this one.
Thank you all for sticking around as long as you have. Only a few more light chapters before the story turns dark again.
Thank you my dear sister for helping me spread my writing wings and letting me fly. Love you MisaRae!
The days passed and the two recruits found themselves standing in front of MegaKat Orphanage. They were dressed in their class "A" uniforms which included a black bell cap, tie, blue shirts, black blouse jacket, black pants, and white gloves. Their shoes were polished so well, they were almost like mirrors. They also had Sergeant's bars attached to their sleeves, showing their rank.
"I hate this uniform Kat. Its too hot to wear and it makes my fur itch," Tina stated as she scratched her left arm.
"Yes the uniforms are uncomfortable Tina. However, you look stunning in it. Besides, we have to look our best for the cameras," Katerina said as she pointed to the News Crew setting up.
"Oh great, we get to be on the Six-O-Clock news. Can we get the formalities over with and onto being with the kittens please?" Tina asked.
"Just as soon as I do this," Katerina said before she swooped down and kissed Tina. Their lips parted and she said, "I love you Tina."
Tina blushed beneath the fur on her cheeks then eventually said after she cooled down, "I love you Kat."
Anne Gora happened to catch the two kiss. She made her way over to them, then said, "Anne Gora, Kats Eye News. That was some kiss you both shared. Care to tell the citizens of the city your story?" She asked, lifting her microphone to them.
"Miss Gora, I'm soon to be, Sergeant Cassidy and this beautiful she-cat next to me is soon to be Sergeant Belikov. We are engaged to marry and deeply love each other."
"I can plainly see that Sergeant Cassidy. But why does your fiancée look so familiar to me?" Anne asked Tina before she turned to Katerina and asked, "Have I met you before?"
Katerina was now on edge. She didn't want to reveal that she once was Turmoil since that part of her life was now dead and buried. The only thing she wanted more than anything was to marry the she-cat she loved more than anything in the world and make their dreams come true by having a family with her. She responded, "You might have met me a few years ago, when I was a completely different she-cat. If you will excuse us, we have a detail to complete."
They started walking into the orphanage when Anne spotted her tail's fur coloring. It was unique enough to trigger her memory and she quickly figured out who Katerina was. Anne ran over to them with her heels clicking against the pavement. She grabbed Katerina's left sleeve, pulled her to a stop, then stated, "Now I know who you are! You're Turmoil! You tried to hold the skies over the city for ransom only to be taken down by the SWAT Kats. Care to explain how a criminal is now a member of the Enforcers?"
Katerina grabbed Anne's arm and pulled her off to the side so they would be out of camera shot and could not be heard.
They were quickly followed by Tina who did her best to protect the she-cat she loved and also waited to make sure that Anne didn't do anything to make Katerina upset.
"You know, kidnapping a member of the press will only get you thrown back in prison Miss Belikov," Anne stated as she ripped her arm away.
"My apologies Miss Gora. You wanted to hear our story? Well here it is, completely off the record of course," Katerina said.
"Please Anne, she has gone through so much in her short life. Katerina means the world to me and has changed for the better," Tina pleaded.
Anne pulled the transmitter from her mic, then said, "Alright, out with it. I want to know how one of the most devious criminals this city has ever encountered has become a ranking officer of the Enforcers. And you had better tell me the truth! This nose can smell a lie from a thousand yards."
"In that case, you had better take a seat, this is going to be a long story," Katerina said.
Anne sat down at a picnic table and crossed her left leg over her right.
Even though, Tina is engaged to Katerina, her eyes happened to look down at Anne's long legs in the skirt she wore. She let out a low whistle of approval which Katerina heard. Katerina whipped her head around to face her fiancée and shot her a glare that let Tina know, she didn't appreciate her looking at another she-cat.
"What? I'm engaged, not dead Katerina. I can't appreciate another she-cat's legs from afar?" Tina asked.
"Niet! I only want you to look at me like that Tina!" Katerina stated.
"Who knew I was engaged to a jealous she-cat," Tina said as she looked away from Katerina.
"Not jealous Tina, possessive of what's mine and I'm going to remind you who you belong to tonight when we are alone,"
That statement caused Anne to laugh out loud for a minute before she said, "Katerina, if I can call you Katerina that is?"
Katerina nodded at the reporter and waited her her to finish her statement.
"As I was saying, Katerina, Tina is so in love with you that I was able to see it when you both got out of your car and you took her paw in yours. That kiss you gave her and seeing her tail's fur stand on end solidified what I already knew. I'm actually flattered she likes my legs, I work out for hours to keep them in shape so my tomfriend has something to look at while I walk. Now, please tell me your story Katerina, I'm genuinely interested to know how you turned your life around."
Katerina sat down on the opposite picnic table's bench and as soon as Tina sat next to her, she told her tale to Anne, who hung on every word Katerina said.
Katerina told her story purposely leaving out the details about her and Tina being Havoc and Sniper and as soon as she was done, Anne wiped a small tear away from her face. "I never would have guessed that Turmoil could have turned her life around and became you Katerina. I can honestly say, I'm proud of what you have accomplished with the help of your friends," Anne said.
"Thank you Anne, you are the first one outside of my closest friends, whom I consider family to know who I once was. Turmoil is dead and she is never going to return. Only Katerina remains and she wants to live her life out with her soulmate by her side for the rest of her life. Now you understand why I don't want to let out my secret. If the general public found out that I was once a hardened criminal, I fear there would be an outcry to have me fired and thrown back in prison for the rest of my life. I don't want to go back to prison and be apart from the she-cat that means so much to me Anne. If that occurred, I would rather die than to live my life without her." She broke down and leaned forward so her face was buried in her paws.
Tina had her arms wrapped around Katerina almost instantly. "I've got you Kat and I'm not letting you go," Tina said before she faced Anne and asked, "Now you know my fiancée as well as our circle of friends do. Can we trust you to keep her secret safe?"
Anne un-crossed her legs and stood up. She went over to them, crouched down, and answered, "Katerina, your secret is safe with me. I've always been a sucker for a story like yours Katerina, especially when there is a fiery romance at the end. It reminds me of how I met my tomfriend and how we fell in love for each other."
"Anne, as much as we like you, we need to get back to our detail and I think your crew is probably wondering where I took you," Katerina said.
Anne stood back up and said, "You're probably right. The Orphanage's Adoption Drive is starting soon and I have to finish writing my opening statement for tonight's news. See you later." She waved so long as she walked back to her news van.
"That was certainly interesting," Katerina said.
"Yes it was," Tina said before she turned to Katerina and asked, "Do you think we can trust her?"
"The cat's literally out of the bag now Tina, we sort of don't have a choice but to trust her," Katerina replied. "We have to head inside and check in with the manager. Let's go."
The duo walked inside of the Orphanage and looked around. The place was clean, there were plenty of books and toys for the kittens to read and play with, and when they walked through their kitchen, not only was the place spotless, there were four large refrigerators and two large freezers against the far wall as well as a pantry full of durable goods. They eventually found the Manager's office in the back and Tina knocked on the door.
"Enter," came a cheerful voice from the other side.
Tina opened the door and let Katerina slip past her before she entered the office herself and closed the door behind her.
"Please take a seat officers, it's so nice for Commander Feral to spare two young female officers instead of the older males he normally sends to this event. I'm Mrs. Davis, I have been running this place for about twenty years." She said and extended her right paw over the desk.
Tina took her paw in hers first as she said, "I'm Sergeant Cassidy and this is my partner, Sergeant Belikov."
Tina let go of her paw but it was replaced by Katerina's as she said, "Its nice to meet you Mrs. Davis. This place is so clean and feels warm and nurturing."
"Thank you both," Mrs. Davis said as she took her paw back. "This place means so much to me and the kittens that stay here. Many arrived here from circumstances beyond their control. Me and the staff have done our best to provide and show the kittens that just because they live here, it doesn't mean they are not loved. My dream is that every one of the orphans find a home to call their own. But most couples come here looking for baby kittens and not an older kitten. There are quite a few older kittens that need homes of their own. That is where you two come in. The older kittens need to have someone like you two, to show them off to potential adoptive parents and proving that adopting an older kitten can be just as rewarding as adopting a baby. The older kittens have so much love to give and every one of them are sweet and enjoyable to be around." She got up from behind her desk and walked around to them, then said, "The adoption drive is about to start, why don't you two walk around and see for yourselves what I'm talking about?"
The duo rose from their seats and walked to the door with Mrs. Davis.
"We'll do our best to show off the older kittens Mrs. Davis," Katerina said. Then she and Tina left her and went into the yard.
There were kittens of all ages and sizes running around the yard. There were also teenaged kittens, playing and reading to the younger ones as well.
They walked further into the yard and one of the kittens saw them. He yelled in excitement, "The Enforcers are here!"
A small crowd of kittens gathered around Tina and Katerina, shouting all sorts of questions since they have never seen a female officer before. Nor have they seen a cat like Tina before either. Almost every one wanted to touch Tina's fur and see if it was as soft as it looked.
Of course, Tina complied with their request and liked the feel of the kittens' touch against her fur.
The gates to the yard were opened by Mrs. Davis and several potential adoptive parents entered the yard. Most of them wandered over to where the babies were penned up, while a few walked among the older kittens.
Katerina found herself reading to a group of kittens while Tina played on a set of swings with another group.
The day went on and several kittens found adoptive parents to take them home after the paperwork was approved by the courts of course. But the courts never denied a request for adoption, especially from that orphanage.
Hours past and Katerina felt thirsty, she politely excused herself and went over to a large water cooler for a drink. She poured herself a cup of cool water and as she drank, her eyes fell on a lone black furred kitten girl that was playing by herself. Katerina finished her water and went over to the lone girl. She looked over the kitten's silky looking black fur as well as the long black curls of hair. She had on a simple dress and a pair of matching shoes on her feet. Katerina slumped down to the girl's level, and asked, "Hello, I'm Katerina, why aren't you playing with the other kittens?"
"There scared to be around me," the girl answered but didn't turn to face Katerina.
"Why would they be scared to be around you? You seem nice," Katerina said as she tried to get the girl to open up to her.
The kitten turned and face Katerina, then noticed her uniform. She said, "I shouldn't be talking to you or they will come and get me as well as hurt those that are living here."
Katerina felt a twinge of anger building up inside of her, then she asked, "Who will come and get you?"
The girl pulled a piece of paper from her dress and handed it to Katerina as she said, "This was attached to my desk at school a few days after my building was torched."
Katerina took the paper from the girl, opened it, and read, 'We know where you are staying little bitch and we know you know who we are. If you talk to the cops, not only will we come and kill you, but we will torch that little Orphanage and everyone in it!' Katerina balled up the note and threw it away. "No one so going to hurt you little one, not while I'm around. What is your name?" Katerina asked.
"Its Gwendlyn," She said as she turned around and saw that it was one of the cadets that rescued her family from the robber back at her parent's store. She turned herself around and hugged Katerina tightly as she said, "The Black Diamonds are the ones who constantly came after my mommy and daddy for money and when they didn't have any more to give them, they burned our home and killed my parents. Please don't let them kill me too." Gwendlyn sobbed into Katerina's shoulder.
Katerina held onto Gwendlyn as tight as possible. She had never heard of such atrocious behavior before, even when she was Turmoil, she never performed such a horrible act. "Gwendlyn, I promise you, I will never let them get to you."
"How are you going to do that Katerina? The Black Diamonds are one of the most powerful gangs in the city. They are everywhere," Gwendlyn asked.
Katerina let go of Gwendlyn so she could look into her eyes, then said, "You let me and my friends worry about that. You concentrate on being a beautiful little girl, alright? Would you like to meet my partner as well as my fiancée?"
"Yes but may I ask you a question?" Gwendlyn asked.
"You may."
"You are so beautiful, how come you are not marrying a tom?"
"Tina, my fiancée came into my life when I was not searching for love at all. But when I saw her for the first time, I started to feel something for her. That something quickly blossomed into love. Now, I'm engaged to the she-cat who makes my heart pound every time I look at her," Katerina replied. She turned her head to Tina and beckoned her to come over.
Tina politely excused herself from the group of kittens and walked over to her fiancée. She then asked, "Kat, who is your friend?"
"Tina, this is Gwendlyn." Katerina returned her gaze to Gwendlyn, then said, "Gwendlyn, this is Tina. The she-cat that means so much to me."
"Hi Gwendlyn. I hope we can be friends too?" Tina asked and smiled at the young kitten.
Gwendlyn recognized her as the cadet that carried her from the pile of boxes she was hiding under at her parent's store. She reached out and hugged Tina tightly, then said, "I'm so scared Tina; that they are going to come and kill me, just like they killed my parents. I don't want to die!"
Tina looked over to Katerina as she embraced Gwendlyn in her arms and mouthed, 'What's she talking about?'
Katerina was wiping a tear from her eye as she mouthed back, 'You'll find out.'
Tina returned her gaze to Gwendlyn, and said, "No one is going to hurt you. Not while we are alive."
Gwendlyn pulled back ever so slightly, looked into Tina's glistening eyes, and asked, "Your fur looks so soft, may I touch it please?"
Tina smiled at Gwendlyn and answered, "You most certainly may."
Gwendlyn reached out with her right paw and gently stroked the for on Tina's right cheek.
Tina felt very warm all of a sudden, closed her eyes, and let out a deep purr of contentment.
Katerina joined them, embraced them both in her arms, and purred as well.
"That tickles," Gwendlyn said. "But it feels so nice."
Tina and Katerina looked at each other, then Katerina said, "Gwendlyn, will you excuse us for a minute. I promise, we will be right back."
"Ok," Gwendlyn replied.
Katerina and Tina took a few steps away from Gwendlyn, then Tina asked, "Are you thinking what I think you are thinking Kat?"
"You know me so well, my dear. And yes, I want to adopt Gwendlyn and make her our daughter. That is if she wants to," Katerina replied while looking over at Gwendlyn.
"This is a really big step Kat. We aren't even married yet and we both are thinking of adopting Gwendlyn. I do like her a lot but aren't we rushing things, just a little?" Tina asked.
"Da and niet, my dove. Gwendlyn needs a home and a family that will protect her from the Black Diamonds as well as love her. I can't think of a better pair to take her in than us," Katerina said.
Tina looked past Katerina to Gwendlyn and saw her smiling back at her. "Fuck it! Let's ask her if she wants to be our daughter, then go and see Mrs. Davis about the adoption paperwork."
They both walked back to Gwendlyn, paw in paw. Then Tina asked, "Gwendlyn, we have a really big question to ask you. Would you like to be our daughter?"
"You want to adopt..me?" Gwendlyn asked with tears in her eyes.
"Da, we want to adopt you Gwen and call you our daughter," Katerina replied as her own tears started to well up in her eyes.
Gwendlyn left her perch and encircled her arms around both of their necks. She then said, "Yes, I would love to be your daughter!"
Both Katerina and Tina wrapped their arms around little Gwendlyn, then Tina asked, "Shall we head inside and see Mrs. Davis about the adoption papers?"
The now trio, walked through the yard and back into the Orphanage. Tina held onto Gwendlyn's left paw while Katerina held onto her right. All three of them were smiling as they walked towards Mrs. Davis' office.
Katerina knocked on her door and waited for a response.
"Enter," they heard Mrs. Davis respond.
Katerina opened the door while Tina picked up Gwendlyn in her arms and followed Katerina into the office.
"I see you found our little wall flower, so what brings the three of you into my office?" Mrs. Davis asked.
Tina gulped in nervousness, then said, "Mrs. Davis, Katerina and I want to adopt Gwendlyn. Can you please give us the paperwork?"
Mrs. Davis sternly looked at the two young female officers and how they affectionately touched Gwendlyn. "I guess you both know her story and how she ended up here. Are you both 100% sure about this? The Black Diamonds are relentless when they set their minds to something and when they find out that Gwendlyn was adopted by two young Enforcer officers, they are going to stop at nothing to keep her quiet. Are you both ready to protect her with your lives and put her needs before yours?" She asked.
"Mrs. Davis, we are prepared to do what is necessary to keep Gwendlyn safe at all times. Between us, and our ever growing family, Gwendlyn will not only be safe, but she will be loved at all times. My adoptive father and mother who live two blocks from our house are going to love Gwendlyn and are going to feel the same way. Gary, is quite large and has so much love to give inside of his body, you can feel it when you are with him. And Meridyth, my adoptive mother is going to be an awesome grandmother. Plus we have several friends which we consider family. Each one will love her like an uncle or aunt and they will willingly throw themselves in harms way to protect her. So yes, Tina and I will give our lives to protect this little girl if necessary," Katerina said.
Mrs. Davis reached into one of the drawers of her desk and withdrew some paperwork. As she set it down in front of the three of them, she said, "That is what I was hoping to hear. Please fill these forms out and once you have them completed, I'll petition the courts on your behalf. Gwendlyn doesn't belong here, she belongs in a loving and nurturing home and that home might be yours."
Tina and Katerina quickly glanced at the small stack of paperwork in front of them. They turned to face Gwendlyn and saw her reading a book off in the corner of the office.
They started filing out the paperwork as completely as possible. Katerina came across a question, asking about the Marital status of the adopting couple. She read the choices presented to her and read, 'Single Parent, Married, or Divorced.' She chewed the eraser of her pencil for a second, then asked Tina, "What should I check for this question?"
Tina turned her head to the left to look at the question. She looked up at Katerina, smiled, and replied, "Check Married Kat."
"But, we are not married Tina," Katerina questioned.
"The courts and the legal system doesn't know that. We could have been married out west, legally and have came to live in the city for all they know," Tina said.
Katerina checked the box stating they were married, then completed the rest of her half of the adoption paperwork.
Tina finished her half of the paperwork almost as fast as Katerina did. She put her pencil down, then said. "I'm finished." She got up and went over to Gwendlyn, then asked, "Gwendlyn, would you like to go on a trip and meet my parents?"
"You mean I have grandparents?" Gwendlyn asked with a sparkle in her gold colored eyes.
"Yes, you do. My mother and father are a little un-conventional, but they are the best parents I could have ever wanted. Trust me Gwendlyn, my mother is going to hug you tight and my father, well, I'm never quite sure what he is going to do. But one thing I am sure of, he is going to love you."
Katerina came over to them, then said, "Gary and Meridyth are definitely not your standard parents. However, they are so full of love to give, especially to a beautiful little girl like you."
"Wait just a minute young ladies," Mrs. Davis said. "You may leave with Gwendlyn for a visit to your home and your parent's home. However, she must come back here tonight to sleep."
"Mrs. Davis, with all due respect. I'm sure the Black Diamonds are probably watching this place right now and saw Gwendlyn entering the Orphanage's building with two Enforcers. If they did, don't you think she would be better off staying with us, being watched over and protected rather than here?" Katerina asked.
Mrs. Davis was a stickler for the rules and she was about to break one of the larger ones in the book. She looked at both young Enforcers, then said, "If The Black Diamonds are watching the Orphanage, then we are all in danger. I agree that Gwendlyn would be better off in your care than being here. Give me a minute to make a call and see what my supervisor has to say, please excuse me and wait in the hallway while I make this call."
Tina, Katerina, and Gwendlyn left the office and took a seat on a wooden bench in the hallway. While Gwendlyn played with Tina, and Katerina eavesdropped to the call happening on the other side of the wall. She heard Mrs. Davis pleading to someone on the other end of the phone, then her yelling and threatening to quit if Gwendlyn wasn't allowed to stay with her potential new family. What piqued her interest was when she heard Mrs. Davis yell, 'So what if they are both she-cats! I feel better about them adopting Gwendlyn rather than some of the straight couples that have come through here and are now divorced!'
Tina happened to look up to Katerina and watched her facial expressions change the longer she listened to the conversation. She mouthed, 'What are you hearing?'
Katerina waived her off as she listened even closer to the conversation. She heard the phone being slammed down and Mrs. Davis swearing up a storm on the other side of the wall. Katerina quickly sat down when she heard Mrs. Davis walking away from her desk and towards the door.
The door opened and as soon as Mrs. Davis poked her head out, she said, "Despite what my superior thinks, I'm going to allow you to take Gwendlyn home with you. But this is only a trial stay. The city will still have to pay your house a visit in order to make sure she has a good home. If you pass that test, Gwendlyn will be able to stay with you permanently."
Both Tina and Katerina trembled ever so slightly in excitement that they will be able to take Gwendlyn home with them. Now, they had to get their own home set up as fast as possible. Tina then said, "I promise Mrs. Davis, with the help of my father and our friends, Gwendlyn will have a beautiful home she can call her own." She turned her head to Katerina who was rubbing her nose against Gwendlyn's and said, "Awe, that's so adorable. I want in on that too." She brought her face in close to the pair, rubbed her nose against theirs, and purred, very loudly.
Mrs. Davis heard Tina's purr and was shocked by her very public show of affection. "Sergeant Cassidy! As much as you love your wife, purring like that in public is not condoned! Please refrain from purring in this building."
Tina separated from Katerina and Gwendlyn and as she looked into Mrs. Davis' eyes, her tail drooped and fell between her legs. "My apologies Mrs. Davis," Tina said. "I only wanted to show them both that I care for them, deeply."
"Its alright Sergeant Cassidy. I understand completely. I haven't seen a couple more in love than you two in a very long time. Its actually quite refreshing. Now, don't you both have a date with your parents?" Mrs. Davis asked.
"Yes, we do," Katerina answered before she turned to Gwendlyn and asked, "Would you like to meet our parents? Your grandparents?"
Gwendlyn's face lit up, wrapped her arms around Katerina's neck, then answered, "Yes! I never had a grandma or grandpa before."
"Well, you are going to love them Gwendlyn, just as much as I do," Katerina said.
"I want to meet them, I want to meet them now," Gwendlyn said.
"And we will see them, real soon. I promise. How about we head there now?" Tina asked.
"Yes!" Gwendlyn answered as she jumped over to Tina and hugged her.
Tina quickly kissed her, then said, "Alright, let's head out to meet my parents."
End of Chapter