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Chapter 17: Mating Heat

As soon as he arrived in his apartment, he wanted to strip and just crawl into bed but he remembered T-Bone's admonishment and even though he'd never willingly take advice from a vigilante he couldn't deny that nightmares were a possibility.

He made for his medicine cabinet and took one of the authorized sleeping pills issued by Enforcer Medical. Returning to the bedroom, he made his clothes vanish from his body and reappear on a chair. Sighing, he slipped between the covers and fell immediately asleep.

He woke near quitting time feeling more refreshed than he had in weeks. He checked the time and realized he needed to hurry to make the doctor's office before it closed. He dashed into the shower for a quick wash then dry. Dressing quickly he paused and debated 'porting or taking his car. He finally decided to drive since he needed to go to Enforcer Headquarters as well and didn't feel like spooking his staff or the doctor again.

Dr. Milton only made him wait fifteen minutes before he was ushered into his office.

"You look better Commander, succeeded in getting some sleep, heh!" Dr. Milton said as he waited for his nurse to bring him the pre-prepared fertility injection.

"Yes! It felt really good to be able to finally sleep without worrying if I was going to be jumped." Feral said grimly.

The doctor nodded in understanding. The nurse arrived and handed the syringe to him and left.

"You must endure eight of these, spread over a period of four days at a time. I must warn you, some people have had nausea first thing in the morning with the shots...sort of like morning sickness. Not every one is afflicted but if it should happen to you, eat some soda crackers before getting up and see if that helps. If you suffer from severe bouts of nausea and are unable to keep anything down then I want to see you immediately. There are medications that will ease the symptoms. Now do you have any questions?" He asked as he finished giving the injection and instructions.

"No, seems pretty straight forward to me. I just hope it works since I don't have very much time." Feral said heavily as he lowered the sleeve of his shirt and got ready to leave.

"I hope so too, for your sake Commander. See you in four days." Dr. Milton said quietly as he escorted his unique patient out the door.

Feral went to Enforcer Headquarters to catch up with the work that had accumulated during his absence earlier in the day. It wasn't until nine p.m., when he finally dropped the last report in his secretary's basket and made his way out of the building.

He stopped at a favorite eatery and enjoyed a hot meal that allowed him to wind down. He wasn't tired since he'd slept very well most of the day. Though it was getting late, he made for his favorite market that was open for another two hours and shopped. His cupboards and fridge were bare and he finally had the opportunity to get restocked.

Arms full he made his first trip of several as he unlocked his apartment door and stepped in. He walked to the kitchen and placed four bags on the counter and turned to get more from his car when a shadow detached itself from the bedroom doorway.

"Well, you're late!" T-Bone said lazily.

Feral snorted and headed for the door. "I got plenty of sleep and thought I should get my shopping done. I haven't had time for a while and my kitchen is empty." He said over his shoulder as he disappeared out the door.

T-Bone shook his head and waited for the Commander to return. Five minutes later, laden with more bags he passed the SWAT Kat and set them down and went back down for the last few bags. Returning again, arms full, he kicked his door closed with his foot and made his way to the kitchen.

"Here let me give you a hand. I feel awkward just standing here." The tabby said as he grabbed a couple of bags off of Feral before he could protest.

Not bothering to object, Feral continued on into the kitchen. He took off his coat and went to the living room to hang it up while T-Bone began to rummage in the bags and put away the fridge items.

"You know, you could have teleported all this stuff up from your car." He commented when Feral reentered the kitchen.

"Since I'm used to doing it this way, it never occurred to me. Also it makes it feel more normal." Feral commented as he began to put away the dry goods.

"Yeah I can understand that." T-Bone nodded.

When the last of the groceries were put away, Feral turned and placed his back against a counter and eyed the SWAT Kat.

"There's actually no reason for you to stay tonight. If we do this every day then we won't suffer a strong mating heat and, that, is what we're trying for in combination with the shots." Feral commented quietly.

"Crud! That's right! But it also masks a real heat when it does happen. What a pain...damned if we do...damned if we don't...! What a crappy situation." T-Bone growled with annoyance.

"I quite agree." Feral grunted in response.

Shaking his head in frustration, T-Bone let it go and prepared to leave. "Okay, we'll wait then. I guess I don't have to ask you to contact me since we'll know at about the same time. Want to meet here?" He asked as he made for the window he had climbed in.

Feral followed him. "Yes, more private and just to keep our secret, I should probably teleport you here. Less chance of someone seeing you." He said thoughtfully.

"Well, that's certainly true, however, you can't just whisk me away without checking with me first...I could be out of costume or flying the Turbokat when you did it. Both would be really bad situations. I didn't want to do this but...here's a communicator," T-Bone said in resignation as he reached into a pocket of his G-suit and pulled out one of their special devices and handed it to Feral. "Just call to say you need me and I'll let you know how much time to wait before doing so."

Feral nodded his acceptance as he took the communicator. T-Bone shot his grappling line to the roof and prepared to leap out. He called out lightly before engaging the winch, "See you in about three days," then took off out of sight.

Feral sighed and closed the window. Since he still wasn't sleepy he went to watch some TV.

Morning brought a nasty case of morning sickness. He had slept well with no nightmares and had sat up preparing to get out of bed when a wave of nausea hit hard. He barely made it to the bathroom where he heaved for several minutes. He leaned back away from the toilet and rested a moment, waiting to see if everything had calmed down.

Five minutes went by and except for the nasty taste in his mouth, his stomach seemed okay again. Cautiously getting to his feet, he sighed and turned on the shower. He felt better after that and went to the kitchen. Remembering the doctor's warning (though it was a bit too late now), he reached for some soda crackers he had bought last night and munched on them with a little water. He didn't dare have his usual coffee. Though a bit hungry, he decided not to eat anything else and dressed for work.

Thankfully, his stomach stayed calm enough for him to eat a hardy lunch. Sighing in relief at that small comfort, he was able to dig into his work a bit more cheerfully.

For the next few days, barring bouts of morning sickness, it was almost easy to forget his problems when he was surrounded by the needs of his position. He had meetings to attend, reports to process, and court hearings to attend. It kept him busy and his mind off his very prominent problem that was still taking up a piece of Megakat Park.

Mayor Manx was not happy about the portal being there but couldn't complain to much since it garnered tourist business for them. The enforcers were hard pressed to keep the visitors from trying to get close to the dangerous magical creation. If Feral thought anyone could be harmed, he would have had the perimeter expanded so that no one could see the portal. But he knew it wouldn't accept anyone but himself and he didn't want to have to strip his regular forces to man an expanded perimeter, so he let things be for now.

The scientists and other interested parties including Razor continued to visit the portal to try and figure it out. Feral really didn't think they could fathom it since it was made from pure magic. The only ones that had a chance of possibly understanding it would have been Queen Callista and the Pastmaster. But they wouldn't be of any help since the Queen was in the past and the wizard would try to turn the portal to his own use.

It was mid morning of the third day when Feral couldn't be distracted from his body's demand for it's magically bonded mate. He had succeeded in keeping busy but the longer the day went on the more intense the urge to mate became. Growling in annoyance which garnered him a startled look from Steele, Feral finally gave up and prepared to leave for his apartment.

"Take over Steele. I have to leave and you can't contact me until I return to work." He told his second, flatly before scaring the poor Kat by teleporting out of his office.

When he reached his apartment he pulled out the special communicator from his pocket and activated it.

Meanwhile, at the salvage yard, Chance had been helping Jake lower an engine into an enforcer sedan. They got it seated and was preparing to attach it when Chance growled in irritation.

Jake looked up and saw Chance twitching, rolling his shoulders, and easing his pants a bit. Jake sniffed the air lightly and picked up the definite odor of rutting pheromones. Though his partner didn't look as bad as Feral had a few days ago, it was obvious the spell was having a strong effect on him. Chance was uncomfortable and irritable as only a rutting male could be in this condition.

Feeling sorry for his best friend, Jake prepared to tell Chance to just leave because it was obvious he couldn't concentrate on his work until he mated but before he could speak a word, a communicator signaled in Chance's pocket. Jake's shoulders sagged in relief...that could only be Feral calling Chance now.

"Yeah?" Chance barked into the device.

"Can you come now?" Feral's tight voice came over it.

"Give me five minutes then do it!" The tabby growled then closed the communicator. He ran past his partner, without a word, for their hangar entrance and vanished down it to get changed into his costume.

"This is really going to be a problem! Just glad Feral's ability to teleport allows this whole thing to remain a secret. What a mess!" Jake muttered irritably to himself as he returned to the engine and the amount of work that faced him now that he didn't have help to get their backlog done quicker.

Chance scrambled to dress in his costume and was barely finished when he reappeared in Feral's bedroom. The potent aroma of heated female filled the air which drew a heated growl from T-Bone. There waiting on the bed was Feral watching him with lust filled eyes. His tail twitched invitingly but the tabby didn't need any encouragement. He rapidly stripped his clothes off again and practically leaped onto the big Kat on the bed. The urge to mate was so intense it felt like ants crawling through his fur...it was maddening. He couldn't wait for any foreplay as he aggressively rolled Feral over onto his stomach, grabbed the tom's scruff and thrust himself in with a groan of relief.

Feral felt overwhelmingly hot and made no protest when T-Bone took him forcibly. Strangely, he didn't feel conflicted over the possession as he had been with Bloodnor. There was no feeling of shame or humiliation even though he hadn't wanted to be mated to another. This felt wonderful and so freeing. He couldn't understand it but shoved the thought away for now and just enjoyed the pounding he was receiving.

In very little time, they came together in a shuddering climax. They collapsed to the bed and heaved for breathe. After recovering a bit, Feral felt the urge rise up again and he groaned, arching his back under the heavy weight of the powerful SWAT Kat, using his tail, he caressed the tabby's cock and rear...teasing him.

Moaning in pleasure, T-Bone began moving again inside Feral's hot channel drawing mews of pleasure from the dark tom. He took it a little slower this time, working them both to another intense orgasm. He rolled off Feral to allow himself time to recover without the 'always on' Commander pushing him to begin again before he was ready.

Feral felt T-Bone withdraw leaving him feeling needy and bereft. He rolled around in heated display to coax the tom to go again. The tabby blinked at the Commander's wanton behavior.

'Man, that damn spell is driving him insane and it's just making me hot all over again. Now I know what it feels like dealing with a she-kat in heat, though I could have wished not experiencing it for while more.' T-Bone sighed in resignation as he felt his body respond strongly to Feral's female caterwauling mating calls that sounded so odd coming from the very male tom making them.

He rolled up and pounced on the writhing and calling dark tom. He laid licks and bites to Feral's face and neck urging the tom to lay himself open for him. The Commander willingly spread his legs, wrapping them around the powerful tom's midsection. T-Bone accepted the invitation and thrust deeply into the wet, hot channel that sucked him in. They moaned in unison at the joining, pausing only a moment to savor it before T-Bone began a hard, punishing pace. The fire built quickly bringing relief once again from the near constant ache.

They mated for several hours and finally collapsed in exhausted slumber. Waking with the sun setting, they rose and went into the shower together.

T-Bone filled his paws with soap then rubbed it into the dark tom's fur in a sensual fashion making Feral moan and mew with pleasure. This was something he hadn't experienced before with a male and had only done it once with a female. It felt more intense and incredible with T-Bone caressing him everywhere and not just his female parts but his male ones as well.

T-Bone couldn't get over how responsive Feral was to his touches, it was incredible. No lover he'd been with had been this sensitive which gave him an idea how to increase the Commander's pleasure. With a soaped finger he pressed into Feral's furless pucker.

Feral bucked in surprise and shuddered, "Ohhhh...gods that feels incredible..." He uttered panting. He'd never had that done before. T-Bone had guessed correctly, that Feral, being who he was, had always been the dominant partner in his relationships. It was a very new experience for the dark tom to be on the receiving end of things.

T-Bone continued to thrust gently into Feral's rear entry touching that special gland. The dark tom whined and panted every time he hit it. "Uh...uh...uh...oh yessss...don't ssstop..." He moaned mindlessly.

Sparks went off in Feral's head when T-Bone caressed his prostate gland. He knew how his partners felt the few time he'd taken a male at just how good it felt to them but had never allowed it done to himself. He couldn't help pushing his rear out more and raising his tail completely to allow T-Bone more access to him.

"That's it baby...open yourself up to me...," the tabby crooned as he drove the Commander crazy.

Smiling wickedly, T-Bone pressed a second soaped covered finger in to join the first. He continued to thrust slowly to help open up Feral's virginal channel. He was rewarded with Feral's louder cries of need. Slowly, the tabby inserted three fingers, the dark tom hissed in discomfort but relaxed as the pain eased and T-Bone continued his scissoring and widening motions.

His other paw wasn't idle. He slipped his fingers around Feral's swelling cock and rubbed his soaped paw up and down it while he continued his finger thrusts. After a bit, he ceased that and slid his fingers down to the Kat's female clitoris which was already swollen. Feral practically jumped on his heels in urgency with everything the talented tabby was doing.

"Kat's Alive!...ohhh...please take me...I can't stand it...ooooohhhh T-Bone take me nowwww..." He begged.

T-Bone quickly removed his fingers, soaped his hard pole thoroughly then eased himself into the Commander's furless pucker. Feral moaned at the strangeness of being filled up then adding to that the wild sensation was T-Bone slipping two of his fingers into the dark tom's swollen and wet female channel. The dual action had Feral's head practically exploding with incredible pleasure.

T-Bone groaned hotly when Feral squeezed down on him in both areas. "Oh yeah...baby...you are soo tight and hot...fantastic..." He growled, encouraging the writhing tom.

He didn't think he could hold out to long since the long foreplay had made him harder than he could ever remember. He picked up the pace when Feral was relaxed enough to take him without discomfort. Deeper and deeper...faster and faster...they went until Feral couldn't hold out and roared out his climax clamping down on T-Bone and dragging a muted roar from him as he released his seed in Feral's tight rear. The climax seemed to go on forever before finally easing off to mild tremors of sensation. Their legs were weak and trembling, it was only T-Bone's spread legs and their position against the wall that kept them standing at all and the water was getting cold.

"Brrrr...time to get out of here!" T-Bone exclaimed as he reached to the side and turned off the shower. He slowly eased himself from the comforting warmth of Feral's channel. The dark tom moaned softly and sighed.

Feral could barely stand as T-Bone helped him out of the shower and to the dryers to warm up and dry off. His stomach grumbled and he realized it was long past dinnertime.

"You staying?" He asked the masked Kat casually as they stepped into the bedroom.

T-Bone found he couldn't resist wrapping his arms around Feral's waist from behind. He didn't know if it was the spell or because they had gotten so comfortable around each other.

"Hmmm, do you want me to," He said huskily, nuzzling the tom's neck.

Feral shivered, T-Bone's touch made him melt. The spell was most likely responsible for his reaction to the tabby but he couldn't be too upset about it.

"If you don't stop that we are never going to fill our hungry bellies and... that's up to you...I won't be unhappy if you do." Feral said softly.

"You talked me into it and I'm having a hard time letting go of you. Is that the spell?" T-Bone asked as he reluctantly released the Commander.

Sighing at the loss of the warm body against him as he conjured a pair of robes to cover them, Feral said uncertainly, "I think so! That was how it was for me and Bloodnor except..."

"Except...what?" T-Bone asked more seriously as he followed Feral into the kitchen.

"It feels more intense...more welcome...does that make sense?" The Commander asked, a bit confused by his response. He began rummaging in the fridge trying to figure out what to make for a meal.

"Actually...yes. I think it's because you chose who would be with you this time even though it still wasn't what you wanted to do. You're not so conflicted...knowing it was rape but your body enjoying it anyway with Bloodnor had to be horrible. Truthfully, I'm not sure how that must have felt." T-Bone said honestly.

"I always felt dirty and ashamed every single time it happened. The only positive thought was that the King didn't hurt me every time he took me and was very inventive. It was fascinating in a detached sort of way, how he was able to draw such intense sensations from my body." Feral said flatly as he finally decided to make grilled cheese and ham sandwiches and soup.

"Here let me..." T-Bone said grabbing the cans of soup and pot. "Sounds weird to me and not much fun. I'm surprised you didn't lose your mind," he said, continuing the discussion as he helped make their dinner.

"I almost did on that first day. He gave me no time to adjust to anything which was his plan. The elixir forced my compliance and the shock of my response and what I did next were nothing like how I normally behave. So overwhelmed was I when he left me the next morning, I slit my wrists and watched myself bleed out. I was so detached, it seemed like someone else was doing these things..." He said distantly as he made the sandwiches but halted when he heard something drop behind him. He turned his head and stared at the shocked expression on T-Bone's face and the dropped can opener.

"You...you committed suicide???" He finally blurted.

Feral grimaced and turned back to his task. "I said I wasn't acting normally. I lost consciousness and when I woke, Gutaire was standing over me in disgust, my wrists completely healed...no sign I had ever cut them except for the blood all over the bedspread. That's when I learned you can't die there...at least not easily. The next thing that happened was the final straw for me. I was dressed in harem fashion, meaning barely anything on and placed in a seat next to Bloodnor at dinner. He began to caress me and my body reacted. I couldn't believe it! I thought the elixir had worn off but found out it was the magical bond causing my reaction. I lost it...I fled...knocking my chair over...and fleeing the hall...but his magic halted me in my tracks...I couldn't take it...I screamed but no sound came from my throat as he had frozen it too." He halted, taking deep breaths at that memory of sheer terror and feeling hopelessly trapped.

T-Bone came to his side immediately and held him close. "Gods, Ulysses, I'm soo sorry that happened to you. I'll do everything I can to make sure you never go back." He murmured comfortingly. He held Feral tightly until the dark tom had been able to regain his composure then released him and returned to his task.

"So how did you manage to hold on to your sanity after that," He asked cautiously, thinking it might help Feral to get everything out in the open.

Sighing, Feral continued making their dinner. "He teleported me to his room and explained what was going on and that he couldn't let me have time to adjust because it was imperative that I be pregnant before the portal drew me back here. After he'd taken me again then left me alone to study the books I'd been given to learn their world, I made up my mind that I would learn everything I could about the spell and the portal and swore I would never be taken back to Galanon." He said flatly as he placed the sandwiches on plates and put them on the table.

T-Bone filled two bowls with soup and placed them on the table with two filled glasses of milk. They both sat down and began to eat. He remained silent as he absorbed all that Feral had revealed to him. A chill went up his spine at Feral's final statement. It was obvious by what he'd said, Feral had no intention of being returned and if he wasn't pregnant he would be dead instead. He truly hoped he was wrong about that but after hearing what it had been like for the Commander in that place he could hardly blame the Kat for wanting to be dead rather than suffer the King's rage if he was returned. However, he didn't want to think of who would have to fulfil the Commander's last wish.

Chapter 18: "Sir! It's Wrong to Commit Suicide!"

T-Bone helped Feral clean up the kitchen, the mood a bit somber after their earlier conversation. There was nothing he could do about the past and they were already doing everything they could do at the present moment so he wanted to steer the Commander away from dwelling on it. They made their way to the living area and Feral flicked the TV on by mutual consent.

Feral had been about to sit in his recliner but opted for the couch so that T-Bone could sit close. The tabby took advantage of that by sitting next to the dark tom and putting an arm around his shoulders. As they settled on a movie to watch, T-Bone gently scritched Feral's neck and shoulders. Feral relaxed under the massaging fingers and let all the disturbing thoughts move to the back of his mind for now allowing him to just vegetate.

They sat companionably for a couple of hours then shut the TV off and went to bed. Another hour of gentle love play and they fell asleep spooned together.

Feral woke first and felt the ever present nausea try to overtake him. He rummaged in his bedside night stand for the package of crackers he kept there. He fished one out and munched on it slowly hoping it would soothe him. It hadn't worked yet but he kept trying. The crinkling of the package and Feral's movement woke T-Bone who yawned and cracked an eye open to see what the tom was doing.

Seeing the crackers and Feral's slightly green complection, it didn't take a genius to guess what his problem was. Sitting up carefully, T-Bone reached over and took one of Feral's wrists in his and began to knead the pulse point hard.

Feral blinked at him in puzzlement and was about to speak when he realized his feeling of nausea had eased. "What did you do?" He asked in surprise.

"Old trick I learned from my sister who had a terrible problem with morning sickness. I don't know why it works but it seems to for some pregnant she-kats so I thought to see if it would help you. I take it, it has?" He asked in amusement but not stopping his massage.

"Yes, surprisingly. The doctor suggested the crackers but so far they haven't worked and I just hate throwing up every morning." Feral said in relief.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be too keen on that either. All you do is find your pulse point and massage as hard as you feel me doing." T-Bone told him, stopping the massage.

Feral carefully sat up and was pleased when his stomach stayed calm. "Thanks, that's a real relief." He said quietly as he climbed out and made for the bathroom.

"You're welcome!" T-Bone called to his back as he stretched and waited his turn.

They had a quiet breakfast together, T-Bone making sure Feral ate some dry toast and fruit, no coffee, then Feral sent T-Bone back to his hidden base while he dressed for work. He paused a moment as he realized he had teleported T-Bone without having a clue as to his location. That shouldn't have been possible. He guessed it had to do with the bond. His magic obviously knew where T-Bone was and simply did as he asked of it. Interesting!

He was in a surprisingly good mood. Despite being a necessity, it had been a really wonderful period of mating and recovery that didn't make him feel ashamed or uncomfortable. He shook his head at that but didn't dwell on it or the odd abilities of his magic as he made his way through traffic and arrived at Enforcer Headquarters.

The days passed more swiftly than Feral would have wanted. If it weren't for the periods of tender loving care T-Bone gave him he might have begun to go crazy with worry. He didn't push it all away though. He gathered the parties that knew what was going on together in the Mayor's Office. He had spent the past two and half weeks thinking seriously about what he was about to say. Waiting to the last moment would have been too hard so now was the best time.

Mayor Manx eyed the group with trepidation. He had no clue why Feral wanted them all together and he didn't think it was going to be good news. He sat nervously as everyone settled. Ms. Briggs and Dr. Sinian sat on the couch, the SWAT Kats leaned against one of the many windows, the Sergeant and Steele stood behind Feral in nervous tension.

Feral stood before them all, uneasy and unhappy but determined as he began to speak, "I asked all of you here because there is something that must be addressed and can't wait until it's too late. Though everyone is doing everything they can to help me stay here, all our efforts could still fail. If that should happen and the portal takes me, I adamantly insist that I be killed before I vanish completely into it."

There were explosive sounds of shock and dismay from all parties in the room. As soon as breath could be found a cacophony of sound struck him as everyone voiced their strenuous objections.

He waited them out, standing stoically, making no effort to calm them or ask for silence.

It was Callie who over rode everyone. "Commander, we can't just kill you in cold blood!" She said upset and angry.

"There's always hope, Commander!" Dr. Sinian chimed in. Distress on her handsome face.

"Sir! It's wrong to commit suicide!" Steele blurted in outrage.

The Sergeant and the SWAT Kats said nothing. Their faces grim. They could guess what Feral faced if he returned and though they didn't want to face such a choice, they understood only to well why Feral demanded this option. Mayor Manx was too stunned to find his voice on the matter.

"Listen to me carefully. If I were to be returned, King Bloodnor would immediately scent that I was with another male. He's not stupid and would guess I would have to do this to keep my sanity and health intact. That said, his male pride would still be hurt, it would make him furious that another lay with me and would waste no time returning the spell binding to him then he would set about insuring I never forgot who was my master. I would be punished to near death for my transgression. The most he's done to me is whip me bloody. This time I can expect to be whipped, raped repeatedly, and have every bone in my body broken and not healed for whatever period of time he deemed wouldn't kill me outright. Then he would heal me and do it all over again until he felt satisfied I had learned my lesson. And to ensure my humiliation was complete, he would do this in open court and in front of the harem for days on end. Since he values my mind and skills he wouldn't go so far as to break my spirit or mind but he would make sure I wouldn't soon forget how much he could hurt me." Feral said dispassionately.

Steele, Callie, and Dr. Sinian had the blood drain from their faces in horror. Razor, T-Bone and the Sergeant were tight-lipped and Mayor Manx simply fainted.

"He would truly do this to you?" Callie finally asked in a low, horror-strickened voice.

"Yes!" Feral said flatly. "If I don't die before that thing takes me then I will spend every moment on my next return ensuring I don't survive to repeat it. You would only be delaying the inevitable by allowing me to leave alive." He said grimly.

"I hope that won't happen but I understand your need to ensure this is spoken of and planned before it could happen." T-Bone finally spoke in a firm, quiet voice.

"I knew you would, but could you do it?" Feral asked sadly.

T-Bone shook his head. "You know I can't. I'm too bound to you now and I don't know what will happen to me if you do die."

"Oh no! That's another problem with this. How do we ensure T-Bone doesn't die with you?" Callie said in dismay.

Razor looked grim having already thought of this difficulty. "We have to look harder for a way for Feral to break the spell before he's taken or we will lose two lives instead of one. Even if Feral doesn't die before he leaves, T-Bone will still be affected by the spell." He said tightly.

"I'll keep searching. There has to be something somewhere. I refuse to give up hope." Dr. Sinian said tautly.

"W-w-what can we do? We don't know magic and it's hard to just stand by and not be able to do anything?" Steele finally blurted out helplessly.

"You have to be ready to take over Steele. You'll have to go over all the projects I'm involved with and I have to farm out the others to ones I think can handle it." Feral said grimly. "Sergeant! You could help Dr. Sinian in her search and I'm sure you can enlist the aid of all your assistants at the museum, doctor." Feral suggested.

"Of course, Commander. I didn't include any of them because we were trying to keep this confidential but they need to know a little of what's going on to make the search go faster." She said hesitantly.

"I understand. My secret won't help me if I die anyway so do what you need to and ask for their discretion." Feral agreed understandingly.

"Naturally, I'll get right on it. Please excuse me!" Dr. Sinian said as she left the office in a hurry.

"I feel so useless in this endeavor now." Callie said unhappily.

"Dr. Sinian may have need of you when she requires things that others might have in their possession, Ms. Briggs so I suggest you keep yourself available to her." Feral said encouragingly.

"Yes, you're right I can do that. I'll let her know, excuse me." Callie said feeling more useful as she left the office.

Mayor Manx had recovered with no one paying him any attention and had been listening. "I guess all I can do is ensure no one prevents Callie from getting what she asks for, Commander and hope for the best that everything comes out well in the end." He said carefully looking at the rest left in his office.

"That will be appreciated Mayor. I guess that's it for now except for my last request. I will talk to you in private," Feral said indicating the SWAT Kats. He turned to Steele and the Sergeant. "Go back to the office and wait for my return, Steele. Sergeant, go to the museum and do what you can for Dr. Sinian." Feral ordered.

"Yes sir," They both said, saluted and left.

Nodding at the Mayor, Feral turned and left as well, trailed by the SWAT Kats. He turned and headed for the roof where he knew the Turbokat was parked. Standing in the clock tower room, he stopped and looked at them both.

"I don't think I have to ask who can aid me in the end. My only question is can you do this for me? You are the marksman I know will succeed and you are my hope for a clean end." Feral said softly knowing it was a lot to ask of someone he knew didn't deliberately hurt anyone if he could help it.

"I know what you're asking of me. I...I've never killed anyone in cold blood before...I'm not certain I can do it but knowing what you face and that you wouldn't ask lightly for such a thing I can't in good conscious deny you that last request. You understand that I truly hope I won't have to do this?" Razor asked tightly.

"I do and wouldn't think well of you if I thought you could do it without feeling remorse. But if anyone besides myself could time it just right and succeed it is you. Thank you!" Feral said quietly, satisfied Razor would do it.

Razor could only nod then left for the Turbokat unable to face Feral any longer.

"It will mess with his head you know." T-Bone said heavily.

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry for that and for what will happen to you as well. I wish there was something I could do about that 'loose end'." He said bitterly.

"Hey! Who knows, perhaps Dr. Sinian will pull a rabbit out of the hat. She's done it before!" T-Bone said trying to be upbeat.

"Humph! She has...yes...I pray her record doesn't break this time." Feral said still feeling depressed.

Not able to say anything else to ease both their uneasiness on this subject, T-Bone did the only thing he could, offer comfort. He stepped up to Feral and wrapped his arms around the brave Kat's waist. He had gained a lot of respect for Feral over these past few weeks. They had overcome their animosity and found a budding tolerance for each other and a deeper understanding for what each other stood for in this moment in time.

All that overcame T-Bone's last reticence with regards to his odd relationship with this Kat. He pulled Feral's head down and kissed him gently. Feral was surprised and held still while the kiss grew to something deeper and more passionate. When they finally pulled away they were breathing fast.

T-Bone gently nuzzled the other's heavy jawed face before pulling away completely. "I'll see you later," He said quietly then turned and made for the Turbokat.

Feral stood there in confusion as he reached up to his face and stared after the jet as it lifted into the sky.

Chapter 19: And the Past Will Set You Free

T-Bone was more prophetic then he ever dreamed. Only two days after the somber conference in the Mayor's office, the least expected omega blew into town on the tail of a storm.

For reasons of their own, no omegas had come out of the woodwork during the time of Feral's difficulties with the portal. But one enemy was apparently attracted to the energy flowing from that magical creation and he arrived to check it out.

The day had started fair but by late morning, storm clouds filled the sky and by lunch, lightning split the sky and rain came down in torrents. During this time, a special purpled tinged lightning occurred at the center of a tornado heralding the arrival of one of the worst omegas.

Riding a small dragon, the Pastmaster blew into their time period. His mount flew through the storm without any difficulty as the time portal disappeared behind it. The wizard directed the creature to where his watch indicated a center of magical energy was located.

Flying past the oblivious enforcer cordon, the Pastmaster landed near the portal and got off his mount. A peculiarity of the portal caused the rain to be diverted away from it so that within a twenty foot radius it was dry and calm.

"Hmm, how interesting. It's not from this world that's for certain." The Pastmaster mused as he studied the artifact from all sides. He carefully reached out and touched the portal rim and was rejected almost violently. Shaking his stung paw, the Pastmaster growled. "Another's magic holds this here and it would take far too long for me to breach it. Pity!" He said in annoyance.

Meanwhile, a sharp eyed enforcer had seen the Pastmaster. Knowing they could never take the creature without reinforcements, he reached for his radio and contacted headquarters. Feral growled in annoyance and no little fear when he heard the Pastmaster was near the portal. He quickly ordered his car (a chopper couldn't fly in this mess) and raced to the site of the portal.

Working with their doors shut tight, Chance and Jake were making quick work of their days intake when the urgent call came over the enforcer band. Hearing where the Pastmaster was made their blood run cold. Putting out a closed sign, they hurried to the hangar and were soon in the air.

Razor used his radar to get them through the vicious storm to the park. They arrived just behind Feral as they converged on the momentarily oblivious wizard. Fearful of what the ugly gnome could do to the portal, Feral 'ported to it ahead of his enforcers.

Pastmaster jumped in surprise as Feral appeared suddenly in front of him. Aiming his watch at Feral, a flash of light blasted from it only to be stopped by a shield wall of magic the Commander had thrown up. It caused the beam of deadly energy to nearly clip the arriving Turbokat.

"Crud! What was that?" T-Bone shouted as he took evasive action.

"It looks like Feral is confronting the Pastmaster and used his magic to divert an attack on him." Razor said in amazement.

"Well, crud! We never did ask Feral what else he was capable of." T-Bone said shaking his head and taking the jet down for a landing.

Shocked by Feral's use of magic, the Pastmaster jumped onto his mini-dragon and tried to escape. Feral used his warding off gesture to knocked the wizard off his mount landing him on his back on the wet grass away from the portal.

Howling in fury and fear, the Pastmaster shot at Feral again to distract him as the wizard conjured his time portal. The SWAT Kats and the enforcers arrived at that moment, charging ahead toward the battling pair.

Razor fired cement from his launcher in his glovetrix at the mini-dragon that was trying to get to the Pastmaster and was firing flames at the enforcers who were returning fire with their lasers keeping it in flight. The cement hit dead on and dropped the dragon to the ground. It flopped around helplessly as its wings were too heavy for it to move.

Meanwhile, the Pastmaster had managed to open his portal and tried to make his escape. Feral made a grab for the wizard's cape and snagged it only to be pulled up and into the portal. T-Bone and Razor leaped up to grab Feral's legs and were dragged along.

Feral felt a sickening sensation as they were dragged along through the time portal then dropped unceremoniously onto a field of some kind. The Pastmaster shook himself of them and wasted no time in making himself scare by using his watch to vanish.

The three scrambled to their feet but too late to stop the wizard.

"Kat's Alive, not again!" Feral moaned at the thought of being somewhere other than home yet again.

The SWAT Kats looked around and suddenly grinned.

"Hey! It's okay Commander. We're near Queen Callista's castle. What a break. If anyone can help us break the spell it would be her." T-Bone said excitedly as he and Razor began to run toward a huge castle in the distance.

Feral blinked in surprise but quickly ran after them. They ran for a good hour but were still a good distance from the castle when they slowed to catch there breath but kept on at a good clip.

"So you think she can help us? But will she?" Feral asked skeptically.

"Well, she does use magic, Feral. We can only hope she can come up with a way to help us and, yeah, she'll be willing to help us because we helped her last time we were here and better than that, she can get us home again." Razor said.

"Okay, but how do you know you're here after you'd been here last?" He persisted.

"Uhh, well we don't so let's not borrow trouble until we have to, 'kay!" T-Bone said, not about to have his good mood ruined.

Feral sighed and hoped they were right. He just couldn't be that positive since he'd been harmed by circumstances before.

It took them two hours to reach Callista's castle. As they came in sight of the ramparts, a horn was heard and soon a troop of soldiers rode out to greet the strangers. They continued to walk until the soldiers came abreast and circled to prevent them from proceeding further.

The leader peered at them through his helm then gasped. "Why tis Sir Razor and Sir T-Bone. Tis good to see thee again but why art thou here?" He asked in surprise.

"The Pastmaster!" Razor said flatly.

"Ahh...so the evil wizard has made off with thee again, heh! Well the Queen will wish to see thee so please hop on with one of my officers so that we may get there faster." The leader ordered.

"Thanks!" T-Bone said gratefully as he chose an officer and leaped onto the horse behind him.

Razor and Feral did the same and soon the troop wheeled around smartly and galloped back to the castle. Very quickly they arrived inside the forecourt and leaped off their rides. They waited politely for the leader to dismount and lead them inside the castle throne room.

Queen Callista was holding court and looked up in surprise as did her supplicants as the odd group approached her throne.

Your majesty, look who I found heading toward thy castle. The Pastmaster has done them evil again." The leader said bowing to his Queen.

"Why Sir Razor and Sir T-Bone, I never expected to see thee again and who is thy companion?" She asked.

Feral stared at her in amazed shock. The Queen was the spitting image of Calico Briggs. Well that explained the Pastmaster's fascination with her.

"This a Commander Ulysses Feral. He was trying to capture the Pastmaster when the little creep managed to carry us all off to here again, but actually, this isn't a bad thing since we could really use your help with a problem we have and I don't mean just getting home." Razor explained.

"Ahh, I see. Well, I am still conducting court at this moment. Lord Farthin will take you to my study where you may wait for me. I shouldn't be too much longer." The Queen decided.

"That will be fine, my Queen." Razor said bowing to her politely. Following Razor's lead, T-Bone and Feral did the same.

"Please to follow me, good sirs." Lord Farthin told them as he led them from the throne room and to a set of stone steps. They followed him as he led them upward a distance then down a short hall where he opened a heavy door that led into a richly decorated room lined with old books and an ancient oak desk with a heavy, padded and decorated chair behind it.

"Please do not handle any of the magical artifacts in here. The Queen will be here very soon." Lord Farthin said as he turned and left them, closing the door behind him.

They looked around the room with interest. In one corner near a window was a marble basin filled with clear water set on an ornate pedestal. Around the room were various implements used in the magical arts. A pair of slit windows looked out over the Queen's domain. Some comfortable, thick chairs were positioned in front of a huge fireplace in one wall of the room.

They studied the artifacts without touching anything. Feral found the books very interesting and pulled one out that had to do with spells. He took it to one of the chairs and was soon deeply immersed in it. Razor scanned the books as well fascinated by the variety of subjects. T-Bone looked at all the strange artifacts keeping his paws firmly behind his back. When that lost interest for him, he went to a window and looked out.

It was an hour before the Queen finally appeared. Behind her came a servant with a tray of food and drink.

"My apologizes for keeping you waiting so long. I have had the evening meal brought for us to enjoy while we talk." The Queen said with a smile as the servant served everyone a bowl of stew and a flagon of milk leaving the pitcher on a shelf then quickly leaving the room.

"Oh yeah, Pepper Pot Stew. Be careful, Commander it's real spicy." Razor said digging into his helping and panting after the first few bites.

Feral took a healthy bite and his eyes watered immediately as he quickly grabbed his flagon of milk. "Woah! That is spicy but good!" He commented when he could breath again.

"Oh yeah! Great stuff!" T-Bone said as sweat dripped down his face and he continued to shovel the delicious stew up hungrily.

"I am pleased thee are enjoying our humble repast so much." Callista said with a smile as she ate her own stew without any visible sign of distress from it.

In very little time they had finished their meal and had drunk copious amounts of milk

"Now, shall we discuss what has brought thee to my kingdom once again?" The Queen asked as she settled into her chair to listen.

Razor quickly described the battle and how they got there. He paused and looked to Feral to see if the Commander wanted him to continue. Feral indicated he would take up the story from here. In a flat, dispassionate voice he related his problem. The Queen's eyes showed pity and sorrow for the Commander when he finally finished his explanation.

With a deep sigh, she asked him some pertinent magical questions which Feral tried to answer as best he could. Frowning she rose from her seat and strode to the far side of the room and stared out for a moment. Turning back to them as they waited anxiously in their chairs by the fire, her face took on a serious mien.

"Please come stand before me Sir T-Bone and Sir Feral," She said quietly.

Feral and T-Bone stood and quickly moved to stand before her. Razor came over too but stayed back out of the way.

"I want you to hold very still while I do a magical scan of your bodies." She told them quietly. She muttered an incantation and held up her amulet shining its emerald glow over the two toms. She studied the strange swirls of light that surrounded the pair in deep concentration. After what seemed like a very long time, she finally extinguished the light. Both Feral and T-Bone had felt a strange warmth spread over them but nothing else while the light was on them.

"I can break the binding spell but I cannot do anything about the portal created by this King from another realm. I fear thee must still become pregnant to prevent thy return to his kingdom." Callista said seriously.

Both T-Bone and Feral sighed in partial relief. At least one of their problems was going to be solved.

"I thank you for whatever you are able to do Queen Callista. I am deeply grateful. I just wish the last would happen soon. I'll admit to losing hope as the time runs by quickly and I still have not conceived." Feral said heavily.

"Now that I might be able to assist thee, Sir Feral. My scan indicates thee are coming into heat, as strange a thing as that is for a male. I can heighten thy fertility to insure conception." She said warmly.

Feral stared at her in shock. "Really! That's...that's wonderful. I don't know how to thank you." He finally managed to stutter.

She smiled and demurred, "It would not have worked Sir Feral if thee and Sir T-Bone were not already bonded."

T-Bone blinked in confusion and asked, "Does that mean you can't remove the magical bond until Feral and I mate again and he conceives?"

"No, Sir T-Bone! This bond is not the magical spell King Bloodnor has placed on Sir Feral. This bond is one that has been forged between thy souls when thee were forced to mate to transfer the spell casting." She explained.

"What?" Feral and T-Bone said together in stunned amazement. Razor's mouth hung open in shock.

"Aye, tis a rare occurrence. It isn't often that two souls find each other and bind themselves. We call such couples soul mates. It is a wondrous thing and much more binding than any spell or wedding vow though I will admit I've never heard of such occurring between males before." Callista said in bemusment to the completely pole-axed males before her.

"You mean, Feral and I...we're mates for real?" T-Bone finally squeaked out. Feral looked like he wanted to faint.

"Yes," Callista said in mild amusement. "Do thee wish for me to remove the spell now?" She asked.

"Oh, yes...definitely!" T-Bone said, still reeling from her stunning revelation.

"Yes! I don't know about this other thing but I want that spell gone." Feral said fervently.

"Very well, please stand before my magical pool." She directed them.

They moved quickly to stand on one side of the basin filled with water. She stood across from them and raised her amulet again and pointed it at the water. It steamed and bubbled then sprayed them both with a fine mist. As it did so, Callista spoke an incantation which caused a blue light to cast itself over Feral and T-Bone making them glow for a few minutes. At first nothing seemed to happen then suddenly both males cried out in pain and writhed for several minutes as Callista's voice raised to shout a command in a different language then the light winked out and everything was calm again.

Feral and T-Bone had collapsed to the floor and were moaning softly. Razor moved to their sides quickly to check them over.

"They are unharmed, Sir Razor. It was painful for them to have the spell pulled from their bodies but they will be fine after a night's rest." She reassured him.

"But my Queen, we need to get back." Razor protested.

"It matter's not how long thee stays here, Sir Razor since I can send thee only moments after thee left. Besides Sir T-Bone and Sir Feral must have my assistance come the morrow to aid them in conceiving a kitten when Sir Feral comes into heat." She told him firmly.

"Oh, that's right, my apologizes. In all the excitement, I had forgotten that part." Razor said blushing in embarrassment.

"Thee are forgiven. Shall we escort thy tired friends to a room and perhaps thee and I may visit for a while..." She asked him raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

Razor blushed for an entirely different reason as he nodded and helped his companions to their rocky feet and down the hall as the Queen led the way to a nicely appointed bedroom. Razor made sure they were alright before he left them to follow Callista.

When they had been left alone, Feral just stared painfully at T-Bone who looked back just as blearily.

"Crud, that hurt!" He whispered.

"Yeah! But it's gone!" Feral said huskily back.

T-Bone managed a wane smile in triumph. "That little creep actually did us a favor for once."

Feral couldn't help but smile at that then frowned.

"What's wrong?" T-Bone asked in concern.

"I'm an idiot or just too addled by everything that's happened in the past few hours. Just a second..." He said ruefully as he remembered he could make their pain vanish and did so quickly. T-Bone gave a gasp of relief and stared at Feral in surprise.

"Sorry, I would have done that sooner but as I said I was too stunned to remember." He said in apology.

"Hey! At least you finally remembered and that's a really great talent there. You know, I wonder how long you'll remain magical? We should ask the Queen before we leave here." T-Bone said thoughtfully.

"You're right! It might wear off or never disappear." Feral said, surprised he hadn't thought of that himself but then he had so many more important things on his mind including one other important event. "The Queen said I was coming into heat and that she'd help me conceive. I'm overwhelmed by our good fortune. What were the odds that a solution to both my problems would be dropped into our laps right when we needed it." Feral said shaking his head at the strange whim of fate.

"Hey! It's like I said before we live a fairly charmed life and things seemed to happen just when we need it!" T-Bone said cheekily.

"I wouldn't say that too loudly. It might run off and leave us one day." Feral snorted. "Anyway, I'm bushed, let's get some sleep because tomorrow is going to be a strange day."

"Hey, shouldn't we be getting home?" T-Bone said anxiously.

"Don't worry, T-Bone. The Queen can send us back at the time we disappeared no matter how long we've been here." Feral said confidently.

"Crud, how would you know that?" The tabby demanded.

"The book I was reading is her Gremorie, Book of Spells. Now let's get some sleep." Feral said firmly putting an end to the conversation and vanishing their clothes for the night.

Shaking his head, T-Bone sighed and settled down behind his mate.