Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
My Co-Author and I loved this chapter. I hope all who read this love it too.
Thank you MisaRae and thank all of you who read this and leave reviews! I save every one of them!
Callista and Persival materialized just outside of the security camera's view. Callista looked up, saw the camera aimed at Isis' enclosure, and said while placing her paws on her hips, "That won't do at all." She quickly waved her right paw, and one of the cables fell away from the camera, rendering it useless.
They both walked up to Isis' enclosure and looked around for Isis. Persival let out a low mew in order to draw her attention, and it worked. Isis walked out of a cave located near the rear of the enclosure and towards Persival. The reflection of the enclosure's lighting in her ice-blue eyes made Persival's heart pound in his chest. As she drew closer, he could feel himself shaking from nerves. He knew he liked her, but did she feel the same way?
Isis stopped at the bars that separated her from Persival and Callista, turned to the right, and rubbed her body against the bars, as if she was trying to get closer to Persival. She walked a few feet, turned around, and repeated the same motion over and over again.
Callista knelt down and said to Persival, "I think she wants you to go to her."
Persival folded his wings tightly against his body and walked over to the enclosure. He turned his body so he could lean against the bars, and when he did, Isis leaned her body against him, the warmth of their bodies combining as best it could through the bars. She then let out a purr of contentment.
Persival heard her purr and smiled. He wanted nothing more than to wrap a wing around her and bring her closer to him, and if it wasn't for the bars, he would have done so.
Callista stood and said, "You need to be brave, because this will be the most difficult question you will ever ask in your life. She can be with you tomorrow, but as it stands, she will not be able to communicate with anyone. I can make her talk, just as you do. However, the spell cannot be reversed, and she will not be able to return to her former life if I cast it. This is a massive undertaking, but if her feelings for you are as strong as those you have for her, it will all be worth it in the end. If she says "yes", you both can live at the house with Callie and Chance. If she does not, we can leave now and let her live out her life here."
Persival heard every word that left Callista's mouth. He took a few breaths and turned his head so he could talk softly to Isis alone. It was nervewracking enough to be asking the love of his life to spend that life with him without having an audience. He let out several mews and little growls as he finally told Isis how he felt about her. He relaxed his neck muscles as he waited for her reply.
Isis lifted her head and stared into Persival's eyes, not knowing how to respond to his question. She looked deeply into his eyes, as if she were looking into his very soul to see if he was telling her the truth. Isis brought her muzzle back to the bars and let out a low mew, calling him back to her. She let out several mews and growls, and then she did something that Persival had not been expecting at all. She stuck out her tongue, gave his right cheek a tender lick, and then placed her head on her paws.
Persival's face lit up and his tail started swishing back and forth in happiness. She agreed to be with him! He turned his head to Callista and said, "She wants to be with me! She actually wants to be with me! What is this feeling, Milady? I feel so warm all over. The last time I felt like this, I was with your granddaughter for the first time."
Callista walked over to him with a huge smile on her face, got down on her knees, hugged him, and replied, "That feeling is called love, Persival. I feel the same way when I am around Ulysses, or when I am with Callie. You are in love with her."
"How come I don't feel the same way towards you and your granddaughter?" Persival asked.
"We are family, Persival. Isis is the potential mother of your cubs. As much as you care for me and Callie, Isis is going to steal your heart in a much different way. You are going to want to spend every waking moment with her, shower her with attention, and most of all, though I know this is going to embarrass you, your desire to mate with her is going to increase the more time you spend with her," Callista said, and petted his head.
Persival was definitely embarrassed, especially about Callista's last statement. He said, "I would have never thought that you would say something like that. Shall we depart before you say anything else that will make me believe Ulysses is a bad influence on you?"
"Sure, Persival, we can go. But before we do, we have to make sure that Isis will not be missed," Callista stood up and studied Isis for a brief minute. Her eyes changed from their normal emerald green to all white as she concentrated on the spell. She then said, "Isis, this won't hurt a bit." Callista's right paw glowed green, and she pointed towards the cave that had been Isis' home since she came to the zoo. A small burst of magical energy left Callista's paw, landed in the cave, and formed a large, green, glowing object.
Persival watched as his mistress performed her magic, and when she was done, he asked, "Milady, what did you just do?"
Callista lowered her paw to her side, took a few cleansing breaths, and replied as her eyes returned to their normal green color, "I created a duplicate of Isis. If we took her away from the zoo, she would surely be missed by all. We cannot let that happen. Just having her here brings such joy to all who visit her."
Sure enough, the glowing object turned into an exact copy of Isis, except for one little difference. The newly created Isis now had a tiny marking just below her right ear that resembled the crest of Megalith. It was barely visible, but it was there none the less.
Callista examined her handiwork and saw the marking. She said, "Well, she is not an exact copy. I hope the marking is the only thing that is different. I would hate to find out that she is not a loving cat like Isis is. I think the zoo was going to let her roam free around the zoo so Isis could be enjoying more freedom." Callista turned her attention back to Persival and Isis, and saw them rubbing their heads together through the bars of the enclosure. She placed her paws on her hips and said, "This will not do at all. Lovers should be able to touch each other as much as they want, without having bars of iron between them." She waved her right paw in the air, and they all were transported to the house.
They materialized on the rear porch within seconds. Knowing she had never seen such a place before, she went on the alert. She backed away from Persival and Callista and let out a growl.
Persival slowly walked towards her with his head bent low, being as submissive as possible. He let out a few mews, trying to calm her down. When he was close enough to her, he nuzzled her neck and purred into her fur.
Isis felt Persival's loving purr reverberate through her body, and she did calm down. She started nuzzling him back, which started to arouse Persival.
Callista watched as her guardian and protector nuzzled Isis' body, and how Isis returned every loving nuzzle with one of her own. She said, "Before you two start making cubs, I have some work to finish. Isis, please come forward."
Isis took a few steps forward and sat at Callista's feet.
Callista got down on her knees, gave Isis a good scratch behind her left ear, and whispered a few words. She stood up and said, "Isis, why don't you say something?"
Isis opened her mouth, but nothing came out at first. She turned her head to Persival, and then she said, "What am I supposed to say?"
Persival heard her voice for the first time, and his tail started slapping against the floor. Her voice sounded like silk to his ears. He replied, "Say whatever comes to your mind, Isis. I love hearing your voice."
Isis cocked her head to the side as she tried to figure out what Persival was talking about. He had heard her mew and growl before, as well as hearing her purr as she slept next to him. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks. She was able to speak, just as he could! She turned her head to Callista and asked, "I can speak, and you can understand what I am saying?"
"Yes, I can, Isis. I understand every word. I have given you the ability to speak, and it is permanent. No one can take this gift from you, and when the time is right, your cubs will be born with this gift," Callista answered.
Isis turned her head back to Persival, got up, and walked over to him with her tail up in the air. When she got close enough to him, she put her front paws on his shoulders and rubbed her nose against his. She then said, "I guess you are stuck with me. No other cat is going to want a female that can speak her mind, and yes, our cubs are going to be gorgeous."
Persival could not believe his ears. She had just said, 'our cubs', meaning that she wanted to have cubs with him. He said, "Yes, they are going to be gorgeous, and will be great protectors of the future generation of sorceresses. With a little training, of course. Although, I hope they all have your eyes, though. I get the chills every time I look into those beautiful ice-blue eyes of yours."
"I want them you have your gorgeous golden eyes, my love. All I have to do is look into them to know how much you love me, and what a wonderful father you are going you are going to be," Isis said.
Callista realized that the newly united lovers likely needed some time to themselves, but before she whisked herself someplace else, she turned and gave Persival one last admonition, "Persival, behave yourself tonight. I don't want a litter of winged cubs here anytime soon." Callista then disappeared from sight.
Adonis walked into the recovery room with his tail down and between his legs. He was very nervous about seeing Pirouette lying in bed, completely unconscious, with wires and tubes sticking out of her beautiful body. The thought that it should be him lying there in that bed weighed heavily on him. He reached the back wall of the recovery room, and seeing the love of his life just lying there with a large amount of gauze packed against her shoulder enhanced his self-loathing. He wanted nothing more than to take revenge on the cat that had put her in this situation. But for now, what she really needed was for him to be a supportive fiancé, so he had to put both his fury and desire for vengeance off to the side. Adonis pulled up a chair from a neighboring bed and sat to her left. He took her paw in his, and that was when the flood gates opened. Adonis kissed her paw, closed his eyes, and started crying. As he soaked Pirouette's fur with tears, he said, "It should be me in this bed instead of you. I am supposed to be the big, strong tom who protects you with his life, not this whimpering, emotional wreck sitting here, sobbing like a lost kitten. I should have been there with you, Pirouette, instead of fighting with that jerk in the alley. I have let you down, and I swear that from this point on, I am not leaving your side again for any reason. Please come back to me. I love you so much." He was so busy crying against her paw that he didn't hear Dr. Feldman and his wife enter the room.
Mary saw and heard everything that Adonis said. She went over to him and gave him a hug. She said, "She knows that you love her, and that if you could have taken her place, you would in a heartbeat. You can't blame yourself for what happened. She willing put herself in harm's way to protect someone she cares about, and that should be commended." Mary lifted Adonis' head so he could look into her eyes before she said, "She will be alright. My husband removed the bullet from her shoulder and repaired all the damage done."
Adonis stood and kicked the chair out of the way so he could hug Mary back, and cried into her shoulder. He said once again though a bout of tears, "She means so much to me, Mrs. Feldman. Ever since I first saw her, I knew she was the one that I was going to marry and raise a family with. I don't want any other female; I want her and her alone."
"I know you do, and I am sure that she feels the same towards you," Mary said as she placed her arms around him. She then said, "If it makes you feel better, cry all you want. I am here for you. Think of me as a surrogate grandmother."
That is exactly what Adonis did. He could not hold back anymore, and let his tears fall from his eyes onto her shoulder. Mary rubbed his back and let him get it all out of his system, while Henry checked on Pirouette's monitors.
Caliber and Razor picked up the food they had ordered from Antonio's, and made their way to the hospital. As they were driving, Caliber asked, "How do you think Adonis is doing?"
"To be honest, I really don't know. If it was you in Pirouette's situation, I would be climbing the walls with worry until you woke up and I knew you were ok," Razor replied as he shifted gears on the Cyclotron.
Caliber held onto Razor a hair tighter and said, "That is so sweet of you to worry about me."
"How can I not? I love you and the precious cargo you are carrying. I have never thought of myself as a family tom, but after you told me that I was going to be a father, I can't imagine my life without my future family in it," Razor replied as he piloted the Cyclotron into a parking space in the hospital's lot.
Caliber dismounted the Cyclotron, followed by Razor. Caliber opened up one of the compartments on the Cyclotron, reached in, and removed the bags of food for themselves and Adonis. They then walked paw-in-paw into the hospital and made a bee line for the recovery room.
Callie, Katerina, and Tina, arrived at Callie's building and got out of the limo. Callie thanked the driver, who tipped his hat to her, then left them at the curb. Callie looked at the building and reflected on the day's events. But then she thought of the joy that she was going to bring to Sarah's life tomorrow, and some of her sadness melted away. Sarah's smile was irresistible, and it had been at full wattage when Callie confided in her that she was Empress. Seeing Sarah's excitement at actually meeting one of her heroes in person had made her day, and even now, it brought a smile to her own face.
Tina looked over to Callie and saw her smiling from ear to ear. She asked, "What has got you in such a good mood, Callie? Planning on making mad, passionate love to your fiancé?"
Callie replied, "I might do that later, Tina. However, I was thinking about the play date I have tomorrow with this little girl who idolizes Empress. She is going to have so much fun tomorrow, especially when she meets Persival. She is going to love him to death."
"Persival? Who is Persival, and if this girl is going to love him, why haven't we met this tom yet?" Tina asked.
"Oh, Persival is not a normal tom. His family has protected my grandmother's for years, and he was one of my best friends when I was a kitten. Why don't you two come with me tomorrow, and you both can meet Sarah and Persival. Sarah will love to meet two more SWAT Kats, and just wait until you meet Persival. He is the cuddliest ball of fur that you will ever meet," Callie said.
"She knows who you are? What were you thinking, Callie? Now she is a risk to all of livelihoods!" Tina exclaimed as she flapped her arms.
"Tina, she is five years old. She might tell you things as she sees them, but she is trustworthy. Sarah has not told anyone about me and Callista being sorceresses, nor has she told anyone about Persival. She is my friend, and I trust her," Callie replied.
"Callie, if you trust Sarah, then we do, too," Katerina said. She then turned to Tina and asked, "Right, Tina?"
"Wrong, Katerina. I have trusted several cats in the past, and have been burned by it. Do you have any idea what it is like to be the only lesbian in school? I was ridiculed and taunted all through high school because I trusted someone, and they betrayed me. Boy, was I wrong," Tina said.
Katerina went over and wrapped her arms around Tina's frame. She leaned down, kissed Tina's right cheek, and said, "Tina, I love you, and I trust you, as well as everyone in my new family, with all my secrets. You need to let others in, Tina. We both now have an extended family that loves us and trusts us to no end. If Callie trusts Sarah with the biggest secret of her life, then we can trust her with knowing that we are SWAT."
Tina thought about it for a minute and realized that Katerina was right. She had to start trusting others, or she would not be as happy with her new life as she desperately wanted. Tina spun around in Katerina's arms and locked her arms around Katerina's back. She then said, "Alright, I'll let Sarah in, but on one condition."
"What would that be?" Katerina asked.
"I want everyone to know about us. I want everyone to see how happy we are, how in love we are with each other, and I don't care what they think, either. I'm madly in love with a she-cat that I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I hope she feels the same way," Tina said.
Katerina replied, "Are you sure about this, Tina? I love you, too. However, going public with our relationship may cause us a few problems."
"Those types of problems we can handle together. I don't care what anyone says about us. I love you, and I want to marry you. When the time is right, that is," Tina said.
"I want to marry you, too, Tina. As far as the narrow-minded cats in this city go, screw them if they can't handle seeing two she-cats in love with each other," Katerina said.
Tina's tail swished back and forth as she thought about what Callista had told them earlier. She almost could not wait to walk down the aisle and see Katerina in her dress uniform waiting for her at the altar. Not to mention, how happy she was going to be when they said those two little words to each other that would bind their lives together. Tina lifted her head to look in Katerina's eyes and could no longer hold back. She jumped up, wrapped her legs around Katerina, and captured Katerina's lips in a passionate kiss.
Katerina was not expecting Tina to pounce on her the way that she did, but she definitely enjoyed it. She brought her paws under Tina's butt to support her weight as they kissed right there in front of the building.
Callie watched the two of them kiss for a minute and looked around to see how others were reacting to the two of them showing their love. While most walked on by without saying a thing, a few made snide comments about them doing that in public, while an older couple said they were going to hell. Callie didn't want to stop her friends, but she also didn't want to cause a public disturbance, either. She said, "You two can continue once you are inside Felina's apartment. As much as I don't mind you two showing your love, unfortunately a few still do."
Tina and Katerina pulled back from their kiss and Katerina put Tina down. Tina said, "If we were a tom and a she-cat it would not be a problem, but since we are two she-cats, it becomes an issue. I don't get it."
Callie replied, "I don't get it either, Tina. However, some are more narrow-minded than we are."
"I don't care what anyone else thinks. I love her, and if they have a problem with me showing my love for her publicly, then they can answer to me," Katerina said as she held up a tightly balled fist.
"Whoa, Katerina, take the intensity down a few notches," Callie said as she put her right paw on Katerina's fist. She then said, "There is no reason to get violent over this."
"Maybe not now, but I will not hold back if someone comes at me or Tina, Callie. Why can't everyone accept love that is different from what is considered 'normal'?" Katerina asked.
"To be honest, Katerina, I have no idea. If anyone should have a problem with you two, it should be me, being the Deputy Mayor. My job is to make sure that the citizens and visitors of this city are comfortable with all that occurs here. I catch a lot of flak when I appear at the 'Pride' parades, and I could care less. However, the Mayor's office PR cat had a fit. Especially when I wore their T-Shirt proudly in public," Callie said.
"I remember that parade. I saw you in the shirt, and I thought that you were gay. I was even going to ask you out, Callie. But before I could, you were shoved into a limo and was driven away," Tina said.
"I would have hated to disappoint you, Tina; I am into toms, not she-cats. However, if I was into she-cats, I would have dated you in a heartbeat," Callie said, and then turned her head to Katerina and said, "Please don't hold that against me, Katerina. I was only telling Tina the truth. She is one very adorable she-cat. Her exotic markings alone would draw anyone to her."
"I agree with you, Callie. She attracts the attention of both toms and she-cats. She attracted me to her almost instantly, and I thought I was straight. Your grandmother was right, though. Tina and I are meant to be together. No tom has ever made me feel the way that she does. The love I feel for her goes deeper than I thought possible," Katerina replied. She then turned to Tina, leaned in, and rubbed her nose against Tina's.
Tina loved how Katerina showered her with affection. Especially these tiny little gestures that made her heart jump in her chest. She placed her arms around Katerina's neck and against Callie's wishes, turned her head and captured Katerina's lips in another fiery kiss.
Callie watched as Tina and Katerina kissed each other with a passion that she had never seen before. Even Chance did not kiss her in public like that, and he was going to marry her! Callie crossed her arms as she wondered why Chance didn't shower her with affection like those two did. She asked, "Can you two give my fiancé lessons on showing a girl how much he loves her?"
Tina broke the kiss, turned her head to Callie, and asked, "What are you talking about, Callie? Chance loves you with all his heart and soul. Anyone would have to be blind not to see it."
"If he loves me so much, why doesn't he kiss me like you two kiss each other?" Callie asked, as she rested her weight on one hip.
Both Tina and Katerina looked at each other, and then back at Callie. Katerina then asked, "He doesn't kiss you with unbridled passion?"
Callie relaxed her posture and focused on her feet before she replied, "Not in public. Although, when we are alone, he can't keep his paws off of me."
"He's probably just trying to be a gentletom, Callie. The way Katerina and I kiss in public isn't exactly good manners. However, when I am with Katerina, I just can't help myself," Tina replied.
"He might be trying to be polite, Katerina, but sometimes I wish he would just let go and show the world how much he loves me," Callie said.
"Tell him how you feel, Callie. I am sure that Chance wants to make you happy, and if you want him to be more demonstrative towards you in public, he needs to know," Katerina said.
"I'll talk to him when I see him in a few minutes. He is upstairs in my apartment, waiting for me to come home," Callie said.
"Why is Chance in your apartment, might I ask?" Tina asked.
"Since he can't take care of himself right now because of his injuries, he moved in with me. I am treating this as a trial run to see how compatible we are," Callie said.
"And how's that going so far?" Tina asked as she swished her tail.
"So far," Callie replied and paused for a minute. She slitted her eyes, and then said, "it's been mind blowing."
Both Tina and Katerina laughed at Callie's statement, since Chance had only been out of the hospital for a few hours, and Callie had already had her way with him. Tina stopped laughing and said, "Let's all get inside so you can have an encore, and we can indulge in what you call a 'mind blowing' experience." She then took Callie's and Katerina's arms and led them inside the building.
End of Chapter