Jessie was lying on her bed, still in her uniform, the memory of yesterday’s torment still fresh in her mind. Even though she wanted to get back to her duty, Commander Feral had ordered her to take some time off, not only out of his concern but also by Doctor Kane’s analysis. Hesitantly she returned to Headquarters asking Chance and Jake to call her when Jarrod awoke.

She tried to get some sleep as Doctor Kane had advised her to, but every time she closed her eyes the memory of Dark Kat hitting Jarrod while she was helplessly watching, came flooding back. She hated Dark Kat even more now, which is why she couldn’t take the time off now. She had to keep her promise of getting Dark Kat, but it was hard to do since Commander Feral gave his orders to her. Violating direct orders could mean her getting booted off the force, and she couldn’t afford to waste any time. She though of a way of getting Dark Kat without getting herself into trouble with Commander Feral. In frustration she leapt off the bed and began rummaging through her desk’s drawers, not sure what she was looking for. Her paw slipped past a dart gun she kept.

"Bingo!" She exclaimed. "Dark Kat you’re history." She said to no one, a plan already forming in her mind. She took the gun out then grabbed a few darts that had contained tranquilizer. She left the gun on her bed, keeping the darts with her she slipped on her bullet proof vest and exited her quarters.

‘Even if it is my day off, no one will say anything if I snoop around for a while,’ she thought as she entered the elevator.

Taking out her key card she inserted it into the slot and pressed the level where the labs were. She got the clearance as the elevator began ascending up to the 11^th floor. She was one of the Enforcers, aside the scientists, who had access to the labs.

‘Let’s hope Doctor Conway has what I need.’ She thought as the elevator stopped and she exited it.

She opened the door to the main lab, where no doubt Doctor Conway was.

"Doctor Conway?" She called as she saw him writing something on a clipboard. He turned to her.

"Yes Lieutenant Clawson, what can I do for you?" He asked. "How’s your arm?"

"Better, thanks." She replied with a smile. "Doctor Conway, I need some of that tranquilizer liquid Megakat Biochemical Labs have been developing." She told him, remembering how powerful the stuff was.

"Ah that’s still under development and testing." He said.

"I understand, I’ll need a small quantity of it, Doctor." She said. "Please, it’s very important to me." She pleaded.

"All right, but there will be side effects." He warned her.

"Don’t worry it’s not for me." She said as he handed her a vial with the tranquilizer.

"What exactly do you want with it?" He asked. In the answer she held up the darts. "That’s a very powerful tranquilizer, Lieutenant. A small quantity of it will knock out a person for at least 12 hours." He said with uneasiness in his voice.

"That’s exactly what I need, doctor." She said with a smile.

"Better fill them up here, Lieutenant." Doctor Conway said as he showed her to an empty table.

"Fine." She said.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked as she began unscrewing the top from one of the darts.

"Affirmative." She said emptying the tranquilizer into a small vial. She picked up the liquid tranquilizer and gently filled up the dart.

"Well you seem to know what you’re doing." Doctor Conway observed.

"I used to be pretty good in chemistry back in college." Jessie replied as she screwed the top back on, then she set the dart onto the table and picked up the second one.

"It looks that way, Lieutenant." Doctor Conway said.

"Hey what’s a good WSO without good chemistry knowledge?" She shot back with a grin as she emptied the contents of the second dart and began pouring the liquid tranquilizer in.

"That’s true." He replied as Jessie screwed the top back on.

"Thanks, Doctor Conway." She said with a smile.

"Uh…Lieutenant, you understand that this tranquilizer is still in the works, it hasn’t been perfected yet, there will be bugs." He said his uneasiness back in his voice.

"Of course I understand, doctor. There will be no problems." She reassured him. "Thank you, doctor." She said again and exited the labs.

Doctor Conway shrugged his shoulder wondering why would she need the tranquilizer liquid in the darts.

*************************************************

Chance and Jake were still in Jarrod’s hospital room. Feral and Felina had left not long ago. Chance was angry at Dark Kat beyond the possibility of pure anger and hatred.

Jake was worried about his partner as well as his sister. One thing if he let Chance go near Dark Kat when he’s T-Bone then the possibility of their SWAT Kat days being numbered was pretty high. Jake had to try and keep Chance in line, but with Chance’s cousin in the hospital thanks to Dark Kat, keeping Chance in line was getting harder and harder. Jake wondered where his sister went, he hoped it was back to Headquarters not anywhere else, but remembering her promise he knew that she wouldn’t stay at Headquarters for a long time.

Chance looked silently at his cousin. He felt relieved after Doctor Kane had told them that Jarrod was a lucky guy to survive this. ‘Lets hope he’ll stay that way.’ Chance thought as he angrily pounded the wall with his fists. He felt Jake’s paw on his shoulder.

"Chance." Jake said softly. "Don’t, we’ll get Dark Kat."

"If I ever get my hands on him I’ll…" Chance said but Jake cut him off.

"I know, so would I, Chance." He said softly.

Chance looked at his partner. "Jake, if he dies…" he trailed off.

"He won’t die, Chance. He’ll be okay. He’s strong." Jake replied the memory of him telling the same thing to Jessie back in the Turbokat came flooding in.

"Lets hope you’re right, buddy." Chance said as he shook his head.

"I am right, Chance. Jarrod’s off life support which is a good thing, and Doctor Kane did say he’ll be out for a day or so." Jake said.

"What if he’s wrong?" Chance asked.

"There is no ‘what if’ Chance, Doctor Kane knows what he’s doing." Jake said.

"C’mon ace, pull through." Chance muttered looking over at Jarrod’s still form.

*************************************************

Jessie entered her living quarters and picked up her dart gun from her bed. Loading a dart inside she put the gun in her leg holster. Then remembering how sneaky Dark Kat was, she took out another dart gun, her personal dart gun, from the drawer, loading the second dart into it she put that gun in her shoulder holster. With a sigh she exited the quarters and went up the stairs to the roof. On her way there she radioed the guard to get her jet ready. When she got there the jet was already there, waiting for her on the runway. She leaped into the pilot’s seat, and strapped herself in. Seconds later the jet was off the runway.

"This is it, Dark Kat, I’m brining you in even if it kills me." She whispered as she guided her jet through the city. ‘Now if I can only find him,’ she thought recalling all the possible hideouts he could be in.

Just in case she kept all her instruments off line, who knew Dark Kat could trace her. She wanted to surprise him. She relied on her hand-held GPS and her navigation skills as well as her instinct to guide her jet through the city. Dark Kat’s possible hideouts were pinpointed on the screen as blinking red dots.

‘Scratch the desert.’ She thought deleting the red dot from the GPS.

"Where can he be?" She asked herself as she looked at a dozen dots flashing on her GPS. Most of Dark Kat’s hideouts were recently used, except two or three. "Bingo. The volcano!" She exclaimed, as realization dawned on her. The volcano was the only hideout that hasn’t been used in over two years.

Jessie quickly changed the course of her jet. Deleting all the red dots on her GPS except the one that pinpointed the volcano, she enlarged the area around it. She wondered where could she land her jet without Dark Kat seeing her, then noticing a rocky area followed by a clear patch of land she made a few calculations and decided it was a good choice to land there. Now all she had to do was fly in without Dark Kat seeing or hearing her.

*************************************************

Dark Kat was in his old volcano hideout, his Creeplings were running around setting things up while the big kat himself sat on a big chair watching them. He hasn’t used this hideout for a long time. He escaped once again, but his bomb was stopped once again. Despite his failure he was already working on a new plan of how to destroy the city, the SWAT Kats, the Enforcers and Viper since he double-crossed him. He especially wanted to get the Enforcer she-kat, Lieutenant Clawson, for the tom-kat that was with here he didn’t really care, he knew that he’d broken his ribs, and the Enforcer stood no chance of surviving. As for the she-kat, she was still alive, Dark Kat had intended to destroy her as well. He laughed at the thought of what will it do to the SWAT Kats, especially Razor, when he would kill the Enforcer right in front of them. Of course first he had to devise the plan of capturing her again.

Dark Kat watched silently as his Creeplings set up the main control panel. All the cameras throughout the hideout were gone, Dark Kat had lost the surveillance gear, it would take hours to set the cameras up again.

"Hurry my Creeplings, we must hurry if I want to get back soon." Dark Kat spoke up as his Creeplings chattered something and went back to work.

Dark Kat went back to thinking of a master plan once again. He had to make it perfect this time. Dark Kat wondered what was Jessie’s weakness, she seemed tough but even that has a weakness. What was hers?

*************************************************

"I guess me and Jessie are partners for now." Felina said.

She and Commander Feral had returned from the hospital, because Feral couldn’t stand Jake and Chance anymore. Feral had left orders with Doctor Kane to let him know if any changes occurred in Jarrod’s condition.

"That’s right, but for today and tomorrow you’re alone, Felina." Feral replied.

"Oh that’s right, you gave Jessie a few days off." Felina recalled.

"I had to *order* her to take a few days off, she needs the time off after what happened." He replied as he held up Jessie’s report of the incident. "Pretty painful experience." He observed handing the report over to his niece.

"I bet it was, Uncle, Dark Kat doesn’t exactly care if it’s a she-kat or a tom-kat in front of him." She replied leafing through her friend’s report. "Good thing she saw Dark Kat type the arming code in. Without that we could’ve kissed Megakat City goodbye." Felina said.

"I know, Felina, I know." Feral replied. "I just hope Lieutenant Furlong will survive."

"Or Jessie will never stop blaming herself." Felina said as she told her Uncle of the scene in the hospital and the promise Jessie made in front of her, Chance and Jake.

"She would do it too." Feral noted.

"I know, Uncle, that what’s scares me. If she said she’ll do it, she will." Felina said.

"Well Doctor Kane did warn her to take it easy for a few days. And I did order her that as well." Feral said.

"Yes, well I’d better get back to my duties, and besides I have to talk to Spear." Felina said as she stood up and walked to the door.

"All right." She heard her Uncle say as she closed the door and went to the elevator.

‘What if Jessie already went after Dark Kat?’ Felina thought, but then immediately discarded the thought as she waited for the elevator to stop at the holding cell area.

Dozens of workers as well as Enforcers were there, the workers were busily sealing up the hole in Viper’s former cell, while the Enforcers kept darting around the place picking up evidence. It was up to Felina to supervise the scene and to find and talk to Spear.

"Where’s Spear?" She asked as an Enforcer brushed past her.

"I dunno Lieutenant, coffee break?" the Enforcer suggested as he moved on past her.

Felina growled angrily and went off to find Spear.

*************************************************

Chance grimly drove the tow truck back to the Salvage Yard. Jake was beside him, thinking. As much as they’d like to stay in the hospital near Jarrod they had to get back to work. Jake had asked Doctor Kane to call them if there were any changes.

Chance angrily tightened the grip on the wheel and growled.

"Chance." Jake said softly, Chance threw his partner a look. "Don’t worry we’ll get Dark Kat." Jake said.

Chance didn’t answer at first. Jake knew why. They’ve said that many times and so far Dark Kat got away. They did manage to catch him once along with Hard Drive, but that didn’t last long. Thanks to Feral and Dark Kat’s Creeplings, Dark Kat was free within hours of his capture.

Silently both wondered if Jarrod will survive. Jake remembered Jessie’s promise in the hospital room, he knew that she would keep that promise somehow. He just hoped that she wouldn’t get herself killed doing that. Beside him Chance let out a heavy sigh as he continued driving.

*************************************************

A mile or so from Dark Kat’s hideout Jessie landed her jet and taking off her helmet she jumped out. The giant rock had concealed the Enforcer jet. Jessie looked around the area after throwing her radio back into the cockpit.

‘This may take a while,’ she thought as she looked over the plains and at the volcano a mile away from her. She had to get to the volcano without being seen. She began making her way towards a spot that interested her most, the big hole cut in the volcano by Razor’s missile a few years back.

*************************************************

Dark Kat was still wondering what was Jessie’s weakness as he watched his Creeplings set up the hideout once again. Since most of the machinery was still off line, he sent a few Creeplings to get the power back on. Dark Kat couldn’t wait to get back at the SWAT Kats and the Enforcers, especially Jessie. He almost finished perfecting his plan. He had to try and capture the she-kat once again, and this time he’ll destroy her no matter what.

"Creeplings. Go get the nuclear fuel rods from the desert hideout. I need them to make my bomb." Dark Kat spoke up. "Make sure no one sees you."

The Creeplings chattered something in answer and about a dozen of them ran off in the direction of the Fear Ship. Dark Kat stayed behind to watch the rest finish off setting up the hideout and building the bomb. In the distance he heard the Fear Ship take off.

*************************************************

Jessie heard a rumble of engines and ducked behind a boulder just as the Fear Ship came flying through the lava.

‘Bingo.’ Jessie exclaimed silently as she watched the ship fly off. ‘Dark Kat *is* in there.’ She thought continuing making her way towards the volcano which was now very close, but she still couldn’t risk it, who knew maybe Dark Kat had already spotted her, but she wasn’t taking any chances.

*************************************************

Felina hadn’t found Spear. By the looks of things she wouldn’t for a few days. Work down in the holding cell area was almost completed. As she watched the work she wondered about Jessie. Would her partner do what she had promised to?

‘No sense in supervising this,’ she thought as she entered the elevator and pressed the button to her level. ‘Wonder what Jessie’s up to?’ She thought as she exited the elevator and moved in the direction of her apartment. Since Jessie’s apartment was there she decided to stop off and have a little chat with her partner. She knocked on the door, but got no answer. Then thinking that Jessie was probably asleep, she went inside her apartment. Doubts already forming in her mind.

*************************************************

Chance simply couldn’t concentrate on work today, in frustration he threw the wrench across the room. He was worried about his cousin. Chance was so angry at Dark Kat that he actually wanted to go after him, but Jake had stopped him. Telling Chance that this would blow their cover for sure, Jake had stayed not far off from his partner in case Chance would try something.

Even though Chance was calmer now than he was at night when the news came he was still frustrated by anything no matter how small it was. The thought of Jarrod dying was scary to Chance. Even though he didn’t want to think about it, the moment when Dark Kat hit Jarrod had imbedded itself in Chance’s brain.

"Chance, calm down." Jake said as he picked up the wrench and tossing it from paw to paw approached Chance.

"Jake, how can you tell me to calm down, when my cousin is in the hospital." Chance shot back.

"Chance, Jarrod will be okay." Jake said putting the wrench in the toolbox and facing his partner. "C’mon buddy, trust me, Doctor Kane said that he’ll be fine." Jake said, Chance looked up at his partner, sadness in his eyes.

"What if it was your sister in the hospital, Jake? Would you worry? Would you be calm?" Chance shot back as he held up his fists, a hurt look crossed Jake’s face as the memory of Dark Kat slicing Jessie came flooding in.

"Chance, I am worried now. Even though she isn’t in the hospital. I’m always worried about her. And I know you’re always worried about Jarrod," Jake said as he put a paw on Chance’s shoulder, "but trust me, buddy, he’ll get out alive." Jake said. "And next time we’ll get Dark Kat even if it kills us." He said as he watched Chance’s fists relax. "We’ll get Dark Kat, for Jarrod." Jake said.

"Dark Creep would be in the hospital next time I get my claws on him." Chance said.

"Now you’re talking." Jake said a small smile crossing his face.

"We’ll get Dark Kat. For Jarrod." Chance said as he and Jake gave each other a high-five.

*************************************************

Dark Kat was pacing the control room, still unable to find any weakness in his new enemy. Moment to moment he was tossing a rock from paw to paw. He looked over the machinery that was still off line, in frustration he threw the rock down to the ground shattering it to pieces. Four Creeplings ran inside the control room and chattered something to him, Dark Kat glared at them, anger in his eyes.

"Fix the circuits my Creeplings, restore the power, hurry." He yelled at them. The Creeplings chattered something and ran out of the room chattering between each other.

Once again Dark Kat was alone.

"How can I get rid of that Enforcer and the SWAT Kats?" He asked no one as he continued pacing the room. He wanted to get all of them at once, but even he had to admit that it was too difficult.

*************************************************

Jessie had finally reached the gaping hole on the side of the volcano. ‘This is it,’ she thought. She drew her gun from her holster and slipped inside the volcano. Inside, the volcano was dark, only the light from outside helped Jessie see where she was going. In the distance the chatter of Creeplings came as an echo. ‘Bingo. Now where is he?’ Jessie wondered as she made her way through the volcano. ‘I gotta find the control room,’ she thought. Being careful not to step into any leftover traps, Jessie crept closer to the chatter of the Creeplings. Where there were Creeplings, Dark Kat wouldn’t be too far behind.

*************************************************

Jake had managed to calm Chance down a bit, and for the past hour the two have been busily fixing cars without any incident. Jake had finished working on the car in front of him and was just about to move on when an alarm from the hangar interrupted them. Both tom-kats threw their tools aside and ran for the hangar.

Jake had reached the hangar first and hearing that the alarm came from the Turbokat leapt inside the jet.

"It’s Dark Kat’s desert hideout. Someone’s in there." Jake said, Chance was already changing into his g-suit. Jake leapt out of the cockpit and quickly changed into his g-suit.

Seconds later the Turbokat was in the air, course set for the desert.

"Maybe Dark Kat’s back." T-Bone said as he guided the jet through the city.

"We’ll soon find out." Came Razor’s reply as he scanned his instruments.

*************************************************

Felina exited her apartment and stopped near Jessie’s apartment. She just had to check up on her partner. She took out the set of keys Jessie had given her just in case and opened the door. Her hopes of finding Jessie asleep were shot down the instant she saw the empty apartment.

"Crud." She said to no one as she noticed that the uniform, the bulletproof vest, the radio and the gun were gone. Jessie didn’t just go out for a leisurely stroll. "Where could she be?" Felina asked herself as she reached for her radio.

"Lieutenant Feral calling Lieutenant Clawson, come in Jessie." She said into the radio, in response she got nothing, just static. "Aww crud, why did I ever leave you alone now?" Felina said as she exited her friend’s apartment and went up to her Uncle’s office.

On the way up she tried contacting Jessie with no luck. With a sigh she knocked on her Uncle’s office and slipped inside.

"Uncle. Jessie’s gone" she said with urgency in her voice. Feral looked up at his niece.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Her apartment is empty, evidently she left wearing her uniform and her gun is with her." Felina pointed out.

"Did you try contacting her by radio?" Feral asked.

"Affirmative, either she doesn’t want to pick it up, or she’s in trouble." Felina said.

"Lets go." Feral ordered as he stood up and exited his office. Felina followed him up to the roof where the chopper was already waiting for them.

"Any idea where she could go?" Asked Felina, once the chopper was in the air. Beside her Feral scanned the instruments.

"Wherever she is, she doesn’t want to be found." Feral observed. "I can’t trace her signal." He said, scanning his instruments once again. "Maybe she just took one of the jets for a ride to loosen up a bit." He suggested.

Felina shook her head. "Nah, she would answer the radio call." She said, then realization dawned on her. "Uncle, she went after Dark Kat." She said, her voice rising in pitch.

"Impossible, I gave her orders to stay put." Feral objected.

"Don’t be stubborn, Uncle. I know Jessie. She would disobey orders just to bring someone like Dark Kat to justice, and especially if her partner has been hurt."

Feral growled in response knowing that his niece was right.

"Any idea how to find her before she gets herself killed?" He asked.

"We could search all of Dark Kat’s hideouts, or we could follow the Turbokat." Felina said indicating to her right.

Feral threw a glance at the jet that flew past them at Mach speeds. Felina straightened the course of her chopper to follow the Turbokat.

"Where are those two hot-shots going this time?" Feral asked.

"The desert." Felina replied noticing the jet’s course.

"What would they want there?" Feral asked.

"Well we’ll follow them and find out, it could be Dark Kat." Felina said wondering why she and Feral didn’t take a jet instead of a chopper.

"Fine." Feral replied as he once again scanned the instruments in front of him. No sign of Jessie so far.

*************************************************

Jessie was getting nearer the source of the voices of Dark Kat’s Creeplings, so far there was no sign of Dark Kat himself in all the rooms she’s been to. However she knew that Dark Kat was somewhere in here. Jessie wondered if anyone has noticed her disappearance. She knew that Commander Feral wouldn’t like it once he found out that she’s disobeyed direct orders. ‘More reason for me to bring Dark Kat in,’ she thought as she silently moved past a giant pit.

*************************************************

"Hurry my Creeplings, hurry." Dark Kat said to no one in the room, he was getting more impatient now. Time was running out, he had to put his masterplan into action fast. However there were a few drawbacks. All the hideout’s surveillance systems were still down, so Dark Kat felt rather vulnerable without knowing what was going on outside the main control room. Even though his Creeplings have been working as fast as they could, time was being wasted. ‘What’s taking them so long?’ he thought as he continued pacing the room.

*************************************************

"T-Bone, they’re heading in the direction of the volcano" Razor observed as he worked out the Fear Ship’s course. Both were now aware that the Enforcer chopper was following them, using 3-D Radar, Razor was able to see Feral and Felina inside.

"I wonder why Dark Kat’s back so soon?" T-Bone asked, anger slipping in his voice.

"Search me, buddy, but if we find him in there try to control yourself." Razor said. This is what he was worried about, especially with Feral following them. If T-Bone acted like that in front of Feral, the chances of their cover being blown were high.

"I’ll try, buddy." T-Bone reassured Razor. "Wonder how Feral knew about this." He said as he threw a glance in the chopper’s direction.

"I don’t know, unless Jessie had something to do with it." Razor replied

"Lets hope not, we don’t need both of us off guard." T-Bone replied.

"Who knows, so far she’s kept her promises." Razor replied.

"Well I guess we’ll soon find out." T-Bone said. "Maybe she’s back at Headquarters?"

"Lets hope so, she’s been through a lot in the past week."

"Doesn’t Feral know the meaning of the word ‘time off’?" T-Bone asked

"He does, but Jessie doesn’t." Razor replied.

"Must run in the family." T-Bone replied with a grin.

"Funny." Razor remarked.

"No it’s true, just look at you, always working on the Turbokat or another new missile. And Jessie, she’s always on the job." T-Bone shot back.

"You got that right." Razor remarked with a grin, wondering where Jessie was. He didn’t want to contact her by radio in case she was asleep.

*************************************************

"Excellent." Dark Kat said as his Creeplings brought in the fuel rods. "Now my plan can be put in action soon." He said with a laugh as he patted one of the nuclear fuel rods. "Go help the others." He ordered, the Creeplings chattered in reply and ran off chattering amongst each other. "This time Megakat City will be mine, and there’s nothing that Enforcer and the SWAT Kats can do about it." Dark Kat said with a big laugh.

*************************************************

Somewhere close to her, Jessie heard Dark Kat’s laugher. She tensed up and leveled her gun as she continued moving towards the source of the laughter. She stopped near a giant door and risked a glance inside. ‘Bingo!’ she silently cheered as she caught a glance of Dark Kat. Leaning onto a wall she thought of how she should attack him. He was without his Creeplings, meaning less trouble for her.

‘Looks like the element of surprise is on my side,’ she thought. ‘Now to keep it that way.’ She silently mulled over the idea of just bursting in there and firing the dart gun, but she decided to give it time. Both of her dart guns were within reach even as she held her gun up. She decided to wait for a few minutes before doing anything.

*************************************************

Razor was mulling over the idea of tracing his sister’s signal just in case, when the volcano came into view.

"Razor, look." T-Bone caught his partner’s attention. "Someone’s here already." He said indicating a lone Enforcer jet.

"It’s Jessie." Razor exclaimed. "She went after Dark Kat."

"Didn’t Feral order her to stay put?" T-Bone objected as he landed the jet and jumped out.

"Remember T-Bone, she always keeps her promises." Razor said as he put on his Glovatrix and followed his partner. Behind them the Enforcer chopper had landed.

"Lets go." T-Bone said as they watched Felina and Feral jump out of the chopper and walk in their direction.

"What are you doing here hotshots?" Feral asked, Felina put a paw on his shoulder.

"Uncle." She said trying to calm him down.

"We’re here to get Dark Kat." T-Bone said angrily, Razor threw his partner a look. Felina went over to the Enforcer jet.

"Uncle, the jet’s Jessie’s. Her radio and helmet are here." Felina interfered before Feral could ask the SWAT Kats anything. "She *did* go after Dark Kat."

"Crud. I thought I told her to stay put." Feral said as Felina ran in the direction of the hole she could see in the distance. T-Bone and Razor gave each other looks and ran off after Felina, seconds later Feral followed them inside.

"Keep together everyone." T-Bone said.

"I don’t take orders from vigilantes." Feral objected.

"Well you better follow this one, Feral." T-Bone shot back angrily.

"Uncle, T-Bone, stop it, we’ve got to find Jessie." Felina said. Feral threw T-Bone an angry look as T-Bone caught up with his partner and Felina. "Any idea where she can be?" Felina asked.

Razor activated the mini tracer. "The signal’s coming in from just a few miles ahead." He observed.

"I guess she still has the tracer." Felina said.

"Lucky for us." T-Bone replied as they followed the signal running through the volcano’s interior. ‘Lets just hope we’re not too late.’ He thought casting a glance in Razor’s direction. Razor seemed to conceal his worry for his sister, but T-Bone could see that he was worried. Who wouldn’t be?

*************************************************

Jessie went over the last details of the plan she’s formed in her head. ‘This is it.’ She thought taking a deep breath and holding up her gun.

"Dark Kat I’m taking you down." She mouthed angrily. Counting to three she burst inside the main control room leveling her gun on Dark Kat. "Heads up Dark Crud." She said.

Dark Kat stopped pacing around the room and turned to face her. His look of surprise was quickly replaced by an evil smile.

"Ah, Lieutenant Clawson, came back for more?" He asked, Jessie’s look silenced him for now.

"No Dark Kat, I came back to return a favour." She said. "Don’t move." She warned him as he took a step forward.

"And why not?" He asked as he took another step forward. Before he could say anything else Jessie had fired her gun and the laser shot hit him in the shoulder.

"That’s why not." She said, menace in her voice. Dark Kat looked at the small wound in his shoulder made by the laser then turned his attention back to Jessie.

"Don’t cross me she-kat." He replied angrily as he thought of a way to get her off guard. He watched as she reached for her shoulder holster and withdrew another gun.

"I didn’t start crossing you yet, Dark Kat." She said as she put away her laser gun and leveled the dart gun on Dark Kat. She aimed for his chest but as she fired, Dark Kat lunged at her knocking the gun from her paws. The dart went into his shoulder.

"Crud." Jessie mouthed as she watched Dark Kat calmly take the dart out from his shoulder and advance towards her.

*************************************************

T-Bone, Razor, Feral and Felina ran in the direction of the voices. Razor threw a glance at the mini tracer.

"Just a mile ahead." He reported. ‘Don’t get yourself killed, sis.’ He thought grimly as they made their way through the volcano, all hoping they wouldn’t be too late.

*************************************************

"You’re making me angry she-kat. Don’t play games with me." He said as he leapt at her, she managed to scramble out of the way. Unfortunately Dark Kat was faster he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him.

"Let me go, creep." Jessie said through clenched teeth. The bandage underneath her uniform didn’t help from Dark Kat’s steel grip on her arm. She winced in pain.

"A pleasure to see you here so soon." Dark Kat said with a laugh. "Now where were we?" He asked. Jessie threw him a look and continued struggling against his force. Dark Kat grabbed her by her uniform collar and lifted her up in the air.

"The pleasure’s all mine." She mouthed.

"I want to know who the SWAT Kats are. Now talk, who are they?" Dark Kat said as he shook her.

"Never." She replied defiantly as she reached for her gun. Dark Kat simply slammed her into the control panel and she let the gun drop from her paw to the floor.

"Cocky till the end. I like that." Dark Kat replied with a smile as he watched her wince. "But make no mistake, Enforcer, this is the end, for you." He said. "Last chance, talk or you die."

"Go ahead Dark Kat." Jessie shot back with a smile. "Kill me." She challenged him.

"Don’t make me angry she-kat." Dark Kat replied.

"Go ahead Dark Kat, kill me. Kill me and you’ll live to regret it." Jessie shot back, wondering what was about to come.

She definitely wasn’t prepared for what came next. Dark Kat hurled her over his shoulder. She had no time to control her flight as she slammed hard into the wall across the room and fell to the floor. Stunned Jessie shook her head to clear it, then looked up at Dark Kat through the haze. Dark Kat threw her an evil grin.

"Told you not to cross me." He said with a laugh. Jessie took that moment to slide the second dart gun from her leg holster and hold it close to her body, unseen to Dark Kat.

"Is this the best you can do, Dark Creep?" She asked. She shook her head again as darkness was coming nearer her. ‘Can’t pass out now, gotta finish the job first.’ She thought feeling the warm blood rolling down her forehead. She watched as Dark Kat advanced towards her.

"I told you not to cross me, she-kat." He replied as he lifted her up in the air once again. "Tell me who the SWAT Kats are, and I’ll let you go, unharmed."

"I don’t deal with criminal scum, and especially scum like you, Dark Kat." She said through her clenched teeth.

"Enough! I gave you enough chances, Enforcer. You’re history." Dark Kat said angrily as he began choking her with his two paws.

"No, Dark Kat." She replied defiantly. "You’re history." She replied leveling the gun on his chest and pressing the trigger.

The dart imbedded itself in Dark Kat’s chest. Immediately he released the hold on Jessie as she dropped down to the floor. Dark Kat himself fell to the floor, asleep.

"This is what you get for messing with a Clawson." Jessie said angrily as she put away the empty dart gun. Jessie shook her head once again and looked at Dark Kat. ‘Is it over?’ she silently asked herself. Apparently Dark Kat wasn’t moving. ‘It *is* over." She thought as she got up. She wiped the few beads of sweat from her forehead along with some blood then dropped down to her knees again, shaking her head as once again darkness began engulfing her. She felt her senses loosening, with all the excitement finished there wasn’t much left to keep her going.

"Aw crud." She managed to say as she gave in. Letting out a soft groan she let go of her senses and let darkness take over.

*************************************************

Razor was way ahead of everyone else, with T-Bone and Felina close behind. Feral was last. Everything was now silent, except an occasional chatter of the Creeplings. Razor wondered if it was too late. Recalling the way to the control room he made his way there.

T-Bone ran after his partner, he had no idea what was on Razor’s mind but one thing for sure it wasn’t any happy thoughts.

Felina caught up with the SWAT Kats as she wondered ‘why would a couple of vigilantes care for Jessie? Maybe they’re in love with her.’ She guessed.

By now Razor had reached the control room and ran inside. He let out a short gasp at the sight in front of him. T-Bone, Felina and Feral entered the room seconds later. All stunned by the scene they saw.

"Crud." T-Bone replied looking over the scene.

Jessie lying on the floor with Dark Kat a few feet away from her with a dart in his chest. Razor ran over to his sister’s side and gently checked her pulse. He let out a sigh of relief.

"She’s alive." He reported as he noticed the blood on her forehead. "T-Bone help me with her." He said as he picked her up off the floor. T-Bone nodded and was at his partner’s side in a second helping him with Jessie.

"C’mon Uncle, lets get Dark Kat." Felina said, as T-Bone and Razor left carrying Jessie in between them.

Feral growled in response, but helped his niece to carry Dark Kat’s body outside.

*************************************************

Jessie slowly opened her eyes, noticing that she was moving she became alert even through the daze that was still around her.

"It’s us. Don’t worry." Razor replied noticing that she was alert. "How are you feeling?"

"Don’t ask. Where the heck are you taking me guys?" She asked weakly.

"Megakat General." Razor replied.

"No, I’m fine." She protested stopping them.

"Lieutenant, you’re going to Megakat General. " T-Bone insisted.

"No, honestly guys I’m fine." She said as she tried to walk on her own but couldn’t. The two caught her.

"You’re in no condition to even *say* you’re fine." Razor said, Jessie didn’t reply.

"Now why did you go after Dark Kat without telling anyone?" Asked T-Bone.

"I had no choice, if I told anyone then Commander Feral would definitely disallow me to go."

"So you think you’re better off not following his direct orders?" Asked Razor. "I don’t want you to get kicked out as well." He whispered to her.

"Well I brought Dark Kat in didn’t I?" She shot back.

"Maybe, but at what cost?" Razor asked.

"Yeah, if you keep doing this then you’ll just faint from exhaustion in no time." T-Bone said.

"I just did that T-Bone, in case you didn’t notice." She replied.

"Take it easy. Lets hope Feral will be smart enough to keep you from duty for a few weeks." Razor replied.

"Maybe we can ask him to put her under Enforcer Headquarters arrest." T-Bone said.

"T-Bone. If he does that, I’m gonna kill you first thing." Jessie replied wiping the blood from her forehead.

"Hey I was only kidding." T-Bone replied.

"Lieutenant Clawson, no matter what you say you’re still going to Megakat General." Razor said.

"Fine." She gave in, she knew it was useless to argue with her brother, especially when it came to her safety she knew nothing would change his mind.

"Good, and don’t ever do something like this again." Razor replied.

"Well if Dark Kat is going to hurt anyone I know, don’t count on it." She replied as they exited the volcano.

"Well next time you can always ask for backup." Felina replied as she and Feral carried Dark Kat outside. "Gees he’s heavy." She complained.

"Well he is rather big, Lieutenant." T-Bone said as he helped her and Feral load Dark Kat into the chopper. Seconds later Feral took off in the chopper after telling his niece that he’ll meet them in Megakat General after dropping Dark Kat off at Enforcer Headquarters.

"How are you feeling, Jessie?" Asked Felina.

"Well by the looks of things, I could be better." Jessie replied with a smile.

"Come on, we gotta get you to Megakat General." Razor said.

"I think I am well enough to get there by myself. Besides I’ve got my own transportation." She said indicating her jet.

"Oh no you don’t, you passed out once, you can pass out again. And this time it’s not on the ground." Razor said.

"Heck, Felina will come with me." Jessie said.

"Better than that, I’ll *fly* you there." Felina said.

"Hey it’s my jet, Felina." Jessie replied.

"Into the WSO’s seat, Lieutenant, now." Felina ordered.

"Fine." Jessie held up her paws in surrender. Then got into the WSO’s seat. Felina leapt into the pilot’s seat. "Thanks guys." Jessie said.

"For what?" T-Bone shot back as the canopy slid over them. They gave the two she-kats a thumbs-up and the Turbokat took off into the sky.

*************************************************

"That was very stupid of you Jessie." Felina said as she gunned the engines and the Enforcer jet took off.

"A promise is a promise." Jessie replied. Now that it was over she could take a little rest. With a sigh she closed her eyes and listened to the rumbling of the engine as Felina guided the jet towards Megakat General.

"No need to get yourself killed." Felina objected.

"Well I didn’t Felina, and I feel fine." Jessie objected once again.

"You could’ve at least told me." Felina said.

"It’s my tag, Felina, I didn’t want anyone else getting hurt." Jessie shot back taking a piece of cloth from under her seat and wiping the blood off her forehead.

"Oh so you’d rather go out and get yourself killed instead of telling someone about this?" Felina responded.

"Look, Felina, I’m fine, Dark Kat’s in custody. Happy ending, well not entirely happy. Jarrod’s still in the hospital." She said waving the cloth in the air.

"Is that why you went after Dark Kat?" Felina asked her tone softening up a bit.

"I made a promise in front of you, my brother and Chance. I had to keep it." Jessie shot back as she took out a small bottle of antiseptic she kept under the WSO’s seat. "And besides at least now we don’t have to worry about Dark Kat anymore." She said matter-o-factly as she poured some antiseptic onto the piece of cloth, then she put the cloth to her forehead and hissed as the antiseptic began burning the wound.

"Maybe. But I still say you should’ve told me." Felina said.

"Then I’d be putting your life in danger as well, Felina." Jessie replied putting away the antiseptic, her forehead still burned but she ignored the pain and the light-headed feeling that was engulfing her once again.

"What are you going to tell Uncle? You left Enforcer Headquarters without his permission." Felina said changing the subject.

"I’ll burn that bridge when I get to it." Jessie replied with a weak grin. "Once I’m out of the hospital I’m going back to duty."

"Oh no you don’t." Felina said.

"Hey I only got banged on the head, not broken ribs." Jessie said.

"Jess, you hadn’t slept in the last two days, you need time off." Felina said.

"I have a duty to fulfill…" Jessie started, but Felina interrupted her.

"We all do, but we also need something called time off." Felina pointed out as she looked out of the cockpit wondering where she should land.

"Felina, honestly I’m fine." Jessie objected as Felina landed the jet on the roof of the hospital, and the two she-kats jumped out of the cockpit. "Well I may be a bit tired, but otherwise I’m okay." Jessie replied after Felina looked at her skeptically.

"Quit being stubborn, Jessie. After years of being partners with you I know when you’re okay and when you’re not. And right now, you’re far from okay." Felina said as both entered the hospital through the roof.

Jessie sighed knowing that Felina was right. Felina threw her partner a victorious grin as the two exited the elevator and went over to the reception.

"Where’s Doctor Kane?" asked Felina.

"In his office. Do you have an appointment?" Asked the receptionist without looking up from her work.

"I’m Lieutenant Felina Feral. Doctor Kane’s my family’s doctor." Felina snapped.

"Go right in, Lieutenant." The receptionist responded.

"C’mon, Jess" Felina said seeing her partner hesitate at first.

Jessie followed Felina to Doctor Kane’s office.

"Doctor Kane?" Felina called as she knocked on the door.

Doctor Kane lifted his head up from the clipboard he was holding in his paws.

"Yes, Lieutenant Feral, what can I do for you?" He asked. "Hello, Lieutenant Clawson, how are you feeling today?" He asked noticing Jessie.

"Doctor she didn’t follow your advice today, and went back to her duty without an hour of sleep." Felina responded before Jessie could.

"Lieutenant, what you did was AMA." Doctor Kane said looking at Jessie.

"I know, Doctor. But I had a duty to do." Jessie responded.

"I thought Commander Feral gave you a few days off, Lieutenant Clawson." Doctor Kane said as he motioned for the two she-kats to sit down.

"He did, but she didn’t follow his orders." Felina responded before Jessie could once again.

"Maybe you should stay in the hospital for a few days, Lieutenant." Doctor Kane suggested.

"Doctor, I…" Jessie began, but Felina cut her off.

"Maybe you should Jess." She responded.

"I’m well enough not to be in the hospital bed." Jessie replied.

"You look tired, and you got hit on the head as well, that doesn’t help." Doctor Kane objected, noticing the cut on her head.

"Yeah, you need a rest, Jessie." Felina said.

"But I don’t need to be confined to a hospital bed."

"You need to regain your strength, Lieutenant." Doctor Kane said.

"But there are other ways to do that, aren’t there, Doctor?" Jessie asked.

"Yes, but you didn’t follow those ways." Doctor Kane responded as he examined Jessie’s wound which wasn’t too deep. Despite the antiseptic that already covered the wound, Doctor Kane added some more and then taped a bandage on Jessie’s head. She nodded her thanks.

"Well maybe now that Dark Kat’s in custody I can take a few days off." Jessie gave in. "But I won’t stay in the hospital." She said before anyone could object.

Have it your way, Lieutenant, but remember if you’re going to stay at Enforcer Headquarters you’d better stay away from duty for a few days at least." Doctor Kane warned her.

"All right." Jessie said quietly after receiving a look from Felina.

"Now promise me you’ll get a good rest for the next few days." Doctor Kane said.

"All right, I promise." Jessie replied quietly.

"I’ll make sure to tell Commander Feral to give you time off." He said writing a note to himself on his pad.

"Thanks Doctor." Jessie said.

"Hey I’m only giving you advice." Doctor Kane replied with a smile. "I just hope you’ll take it."

"I’ll try my best, doctor." Jessie reassured him with a grin.

"Yeah and I’ll make sure she’ll take your advice." Felina said. "I’m not going to take my eyes off her. I’ll talk to Uncle to let me stay with her." She said.

"Hey I don’t need a baby-sitter." Jessie objected.

"No, but you need someone to watch out for you and to keep you inline so you won’t do something stupid again." Felina shot back. Jessie threw her a look.

"Uh, doctor, is there any change in Lieutenant Furlong’s condition?" Jessie asked changing the topic.

"Well he’s still unconscious, but he should be awake soon. The operation went well yesterday. I’m sure he’ll survive." Doctor Kane replied.

A look of relief flashed across Jessie’s face. "That’s great." She replied, her voice showed the relief she felt.

"Now let me give you a few pointers so you’ll not do something like this again."

Jessie was too tired to argue with Doctor Kane or Felina so she nodded her head and listened to what he had to say.

*************************************************

"I can’t believe she went after Dark Kat, solo." Razor said shaking his head as T-Bone guided the Turbokat back to the hangar.

"Neither can I, but you said so yourself, buddy. She always keeps her promises, just like you do." T-Bone replied.

"Maybe, but she could’ve at least told someone." Razor responded.

"Well you’ll ask her yourself, as soon as we get to the hospital." T-Bone replied as the Salvage Yard came into view.

"Guess so, but knowing Jessie, she would never stay in the hospital by her own free will." Razor responded as T-Bone landed the Turbokat in the hangar.

The two changed back to coveralls and went upstairs to the garage. Chance checked the answering machine for any messages. There were none, which meant that Jarrod’s condition was still the same. Chance growled in frustration, then felt his partner’s paw on his shoulder.

"At least his condition isn’t getting any worse." Jake said softly. "Now c’mon buddy, it’s visiting time. You’ve got a cousin to visit and I’ve got a sister to sort things out with." Jake said as the two made their way to the tow truck. Chance got in the driver’s seat with Jake beside him.

‘I just hope Jarrod will survive.’ Chance thought as he put the truck in gear.

"Wonder what caused Jessie to go after Dark Kat solo?" Chance asked once he drove the tow truck through the Salvage Yard’s gates.

"Dunno, whatever it was it was stupid of her to do that." Jake replied. "I’m sure Feral wouldn’t like that. She disobeyed his orders."

"I think she knows it." Chance pointed out. "Still why did she go after Dark Kat?"

"She promised she would." Jake said.

"Yeah but so soon? She hadn’t slept in the last few days." Chance said.

"Maybe she couldn’t sleep. Maybe she felt that she would rest easier once Dark Kat’s in custody." Jake guessed, sensing that this was the reason Jessie did that.

"Well, maybe now she can take a few days off." Chance suggested with a shrug.

"If not, we’d better suggest the ‘put-her-under-Enforcer-Headquarters-arrest’ bit to Feral." Jake said.

"I’ll tell her you said that, buddy." Chance shot back.

"Then she’ll kill both of us." Jake replied.

"Wouldn’t want that, now would we?" Chance asked with a sly smile.

"Definitely not." Jake agreed. "That would stress her out even more."

"Maybe you should talk her into quitting the Enforcers." Chance suggested.

"Tried that approach before, as you can see it fizzled." Jake pointed out. "She doesn’t care if she’s stressed out, tired or injured, as long as she gets her job done."

"Now that’s what I call a sense of duty." Chance responded with a grin.

"Yeah well, someday this sense of duty is going to get her killed."

"Aww…Jake, I’m sure she won’t take it too far. You never do." Chance pointed out. "You always push things to the limit, but you stop before anything serious happens to you or anyone else."

"Ah I guess so. Times like this I wish we weren’t so dedicated to our duties."

"Now what would you two be without so much dedication to your duties?" Chance asked.

"Well one thing, we would live a little less dangerously, and more bored." Jake responded.

"Can’t argue with the facts." Chance replied with a weak grin, with nothing else to say to each other, each tom-kat turned his attention to his own problems. As Chance drove to the hospital he thought about his cousin and Dark Kat who put Jarrod in the hospital in the first place. He growled in anger.

"Chance." Jake said softly. "Dark Kat’s already in custody, what else do you want?"

"I want him dead." Chance replied.

"So do I, but we can’t just come in and kill him."

"Just watch me." Chance replied.

"Chance." Jake repeated his partner’s name again and looked at him.

It was visible that Chance’s mind was a mess at the moment. Jake wondered how did Chance manage to keep his anger under wraps in front of Feral.

"Dark Creep’s gonna escape. Remember last time? He didn’t stay there for long. His Creeplings got him out the same day, what’s gonna stop them now?"

"I’m sure Feral would increase security down there." Jake said.

"Hah, he did that last time, buddy. Dark Kat still escaped."

"Feral’s not that stupid, and besides Jess would tell him to put more guards down there, he’ll listen to her."

"I guess so, but still…" Chance began.

"C’mon Chance, stop it. First of all Dark Kat’s going to be asleep for some time. Jessie hit him with a tranquilizer dart."

"But his Creeplings aren’t."

"How would they know Dark Kat’s in jail?" Jake asked. Chance didn’t reply. "They wouldn’t know for a few hours at least. By that time the security down in the holding cell are will be increased for sure."

"Maybe." Chance gave up. How many times did Jake say things and it happened just like he said? Chance had lost count of that.

"If he escapes, then we’d go after him." Jake reassured his partner.

"Yeah and when we will, watch out Dark Crud." Chance said.

"That’s the spirit." Jake shot back.

For the moment the tension was out of Chance’s mind. He felt more reassured by Jake’s words now.

‘Watch out Dark Crud. If you’re gonna go around messing with my family I’m gonna mess with you personally.’ He thought as he continued driving.

*************************************************

Having dropped off Dark Kat, Commander Feral ordered a security increase, then drove his sedan to the hospital. He was going to have a long talk with Jessie for disobeying his orders. He wondered what had caused her to go after Dark Kat alone, without telling anyone. Reckless behavior such as this was never displayed by Jessie. She was always careful not to overstep the boundaries.

‘So why did she take a chance in order to get Dark Kat? Was it because of her promise or was it something else?’ Feral wondered.

*************************************************

Doctor Kane had tried to persuade Jessie to stay in the hospital for a few days, but she strongly disagreed. In the end she had promised that she would stay away from her duty for a few days. The three of them were leaving Doctor Kane’s office as Commander Feral entered the hospital. Felina threw her partner a look that said ‘you’re in trouble now.’

‘Time to burn the bridge down,’ Jessie thought as Commander Feral approached them. "I guess I have some explaining to do, sir." She said once Commander Feral greeted them and she and Felina saluted him.

"You guessed right, Lieutenant. Once we get back to Enforcer Headquarters, I want to know the reason for such reckless behavior." He said.

"Yes, sir." She said in a crisp tone, saluting him. "Sorry, sir." She said wish a sheepish smile on her face.

Feral nodded. "Is she well enough to leave the hospital, Doctor Kane?" He asked.

"Well in a way, Commander. I did offer to keep her here for a few days, but she refused. She can go back to Headquarters, but not to her duty." He said throwing a glance in Jessie’s direction.

"I’ll stay with her to make sure she doesn’t give us the slip, Uncle." Felina offered, Jessie threw her a look.

"Fine." Feral nodded. "Lieutenant Clawson, you’d better follow my orders this time, or I’ll have no choice but to throw you off the force. " Feral replied.

"Yes, sir." Jessie replied in a crisp tone and saluted him once again. Feral nodded in approval.

"Good, now how is Lieutenant Furlong doing?" Feral asked.

Jessie didn’t hear Doctor Kane’s response, a grin crossed her face. She quickly excused herself and ran to greet her brother and Chance who came in through the hospital’s entrance. Jessie hugged her twin, happy to see him, Jake returned the hug being careful not to hurt her shoulder.

"I’m so glad you’re here." Jessie said as she greeted Chance. "Doctor Kane says that Jarrod’ll survive for sure now."

"Hey that’s great." Chance replied with a grin. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Alive." She replied simply as the three sat down on a few couches in the reception area.

"You’re lucky to *be* alive after what you’ve managed to pull off." Jake pointed out.

"Aww Jake…" She began as Chance went inside his cousin’s room leaving the twins to settle the argument amongst themselves.

"Don’t ‘Aww Jake’ me, Jess. You’ve been through a lot in the past few days. How long have you slept?" He asked. She didn’t reply, nor did she look up to face him. He took her face in his paws and lifted her head up to face him. He saw the tiredness in her eyes, the paleness of her face, and the tears welling up in her eyes.

"I know Jake, I know." She whispered. "Dark Kat could’ve killed me in there, he nearly did." She responded with a shudder in her voice.

Jake let go off her and she put her head on his shoulder as he tried to soothe her.

"It’s over now. Dark Kat’s in custody. It’s over." Jake said softly stroking her hair. Jessie closed her eyes telling herself to stop thinking like that. Jake was right, it was over now.

"I’m sorry, Jake." She said with a sigh.

"Don’t be, you were just doing your duty, but try not to over do it, okay? How do you think I’m going to feel if I loose a sister?" He asked.

"I’m sorry. I’ll take it easy for a few days." Jessie promised.

"Promise me you’ll keep your tail out of trouble."

"I promise." She responded lifting her head up and looking in his eyes.

"Maybe you should stay with me and Chance for a while, so I can keep an eye on you." Jake suggested.

"I’ve already been assigned a baby-sitter by Commander Feral, Jake, I doubt I’d need another one." Jessie shot back as she shook her head to clear it. Now that all the excitement was over, she had to keep herself from fainting from exhaustion, and especially in the hospital and in front of her brother.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked with concern. She nodded, Jake threw her a skeptical look.

"A little light-headed." She admitted. It wasn’t easy to fool her brother.

"C’mon I’ll take you to Headquarters, you need rest." Jake said.

"Fine, but let me see Jarrod first, then we’ll leave." Jessie said standing up, steadying herself in order not to collapse, Jessie threw a look in her brother’s direction. Jake was alert in case she would collapse as the two moved towards Jarrod’s room.

As they entered both saw Chance sitting in a chair near his cousin. Chance looked up with a trace of sadness in his eyes.

"Hey Chance." Jessie greeted him as she slowly neared him and sat down. She cast a glance in Jarrod’s direction. His breathing has become more even now and his heart rate had stabilized, but he was still unconscious.

"Hey Jess, Jake." Chance greeted them once again. "He looks so vulnerable now." He said. Jessie nodded and put a reassuring paw on his shoulders.

"I know." Jessie responded, she had nothing else to say as she watched her partner lying in the hospital bed. ‘C’mon buddy, wake up. Chance needs you. I need you.’ Jessie urged silently. Jake sat down near his partner and his sister. He was still watching Jessie in case she may collapse from exhaustion. Jessie’s look told him to stop worrying about her and worry about Chance instead. Jake divided his attention between his sister and his partner.

For the next few minutes the three sat quietly, hoping that Jarrod would survive as Doctor Kane said he would. Chance was holding his head in his paws, slowly loosing hope of his cousin’s survival. He looked up just to see Jake throw him a look, a glimmer of hope flew past Chance’s mind. ‘Hold on cousin.’ He thought as he looked at Jarrod once again. Suddenly he was alert.

"No, it couldn’t be." He mouthed, loud enough for Jake and Jessie to hear him.

"Chance, what is it?" They asked in union.

"I thought I saw Jarrod move his paw, slightly." Chance responded, wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him.

"He’s waking up. Jake call Doctor Kane." Jessie said her gaze locked on her partner. Jake nodded and left the room to look for Doctor Kane. Jessie shook her head to clear it once again. ‘not now, not here.’ she thought, hoping she wouldn’t black out now.

Both, Chance and Jessie watched intensively as Jarrod began stirring.

"He’s waking up." Chance said, a happy smile across his face.

"Told you he’ll survive." Jessie responded breathing a sigh of relief.

Jarrod let out a soft groan and slowly opened his eyes.

"W-where am I?" He asked as his vision focused in on the interior of the room and on his cousin and his partner who were both looking down at him with wide grins on their faces.

"Megakat General." Chance replied. "How are you feeling?" As he heard Jake walk in.

"Considering I had my ribs broken by Dark Kat, I’m fine." Jarrod replied. "I’ll feel better once I get my paws on Dark Kat."

"That’s been taken care off by your partner." Jake responded nodding in his sister’s direction. "Doctor Kane’s coming." He added.

"Did I miss something?" Jarrod asked shaking his head.

"Nope, just Jessie’s showdown with Dark Kat." Chance said.

"Aww you always get to have more fun than me." Jarrod complained.

"Fun or not, she disobeyed Feral’s orders." Jake said.

"Did he…" Jarrod frowned.

"Nope, just said that I’d better follow his orders this time or I’ll get kicked out." Jessie responded sheepishly.

"There’s always room for you at the Salvage Yard." Chance offered with a warm smile, "and we could always use another partner, right Jake?"

"Right, buddy." Jake said.

"Okay if I get kicked out I’ll follow up on your offer." Jessie responded with a grin.

"Why *did* you go after Dark Kat?" Jarrod asked.

"Hey, he hurt my partner, I can’t just sit around and wait for him to go after someone else." Jessie shot back.

"Aww..I didn’t know you cared." Jarrod replied. He laughed along with Jake and Chance. Jessie blushed, her pale face getting more color now. Before Jarrod could make another remark Doctor Kane walked in with a clipboard.

"Ah I see you’re awake, Lieutenant Furlong." He noted. "How are you feeling?"

"Considering that I look like a mummy, I’m fine." Jarrod replied.

"The important thing is that you don’t feel like a mummy, buddy." Chance responded.

"Got that right cousin." Jarrod said with a laugh.

"Yes, well we’re keeping you in the hospital for a few weeks, Lieutenant Furlong. You got three broken ribs, I’ve asked Commander Feral to take you off the active duty for a month or so." Doctor Kane said with a smile.

"A month?" Jarrod asked, shocked.

"Hey at least Dark Creep didn’t kill you." Jessie replied. "If he did he would be dead now." She said.

"Yeah but off active duty for a month, that’s torture!" Jarrod said.

"No what Dark Kat was doing to you guys is torture. This is just help." Chance said. Jessie winced remembering the scenes. Jake put a paw around her shoulder. "Oops sorry Jess." Chance apologized.

"It’s okay, I just..." Jessie said shaking her head.

"Oh Lieutenant Clawson, Commander Feral is waiting for you outside. He wants to take you back to Headquarters." Doctor Kane said.

"Oh…okay." She said. "I’ll see you later Chance. Get better soon buddy." She said with a grin. "Thank you Doctor Kane, bye Jake."

"Come on I’ll walk you there." Jake said.

"No it’s okay I’m perfectly fine on my own, Jake. And besides Commander Feral still has a grudge on you two. See you later guys." She said exiting the room. She was relieved that her partner had survived and was awake. However she still had a few problems ahead of her, one of those problems was coming towards her now.

"Ann Gora, Kats Eye News." Ann Gora said into her microphone. Johnny was behind her holding his camera. "Is it true that you managed to bring Dark Kat in single handily, Lieutenant Clawson?" She asked as Johnny leveled his camera on her and Jessie and began taping.

"Uh…yes." Jessie stammered wondering how should she get out of this. "Now if you don’t mind Ann, I would like to go back to Headquarters, you can ask any questions later." Jessie said.

Ann gave the signal to Johnny to stop taping.

"You’ll grant me an interview, Lieutenant?" She asked.

"Yes I’ll give you an exclusive later." Jessie replied.

"An exclusive. Okay when?" Ann asked.

"Sometime later, I…I need to rest now." Jessie said feeling a little light headed once again.

"O-okay, once you feel up to it, Lieutenant." Ann smiled. Jessie nodded and went on outside the building to see Commander Feral waiting for her in his sedan. She got in after a reassuring glance from Feral.

"Time to explain things, Lieutenant." Feral said once he backed the car out of the drive way and headed in the direction of Enforcer Headquarters. "What caused you to go off like that?" He asked. "It’s not like you to display such recless behaviour." He pointed out.

"I…I couldn’t sleep. I thought that if I bring Dark Kat in I could rest easier." She stammered.

"You could’ve asked for back up. You could’ve asked Felina to come along with you, at least." He said.

"Sir, I didn’t want to endanger anymore lives." She responded.

"Do you realize that you are now Dark Kat’s main target. If he escapes from jail once he wakes up he’ll come after you." Feral pointed out.

"Yes sir." She responded. She knew that, she knew that well, but for now the thought wasn’t her main concern.

"Tell me what happened." Feral asked. Jessie did, without leaving any details. Feral listened intensively, once she was finished he let out a sigh.

"I don’t know what came over you, Lieutenant, but if this happens again, I’ll have no choice but to dismiss you from the force." He said.

"Yes sir, sorry sir." Jessie responded.

"It’s not every day one of my best Enforcers goes out alone and nearly gets herself killed." Feral said.

"I…uh it won’t happen again, sir." Jessie promised.

"Good" Feral nodded. "Once we get back to Headquarters you’ll go directly up to your quarters and rest. Understood?"

"Yes sir." Jessie responded. Now that all the excitement was over Jessie finally realized how tired she really was.

"You can write a report about it later, and I’ll speak with the media." Feral said.

"Yes, sir." She responded.

"The only reason you’re still on the force is because you managed to bring Dark Kat in." He noted. "But next time I won’t allow this kind of insubordination."

"Yes sir." She replied again as he parked the car at Enforcer Headquarters and the two of them got out.

"I hope you won’t do anything so foolish again." Feral said. "You may have been the youngest kat to ever get a rank of Lieutenant, but it still doesn’t mean you could go around pulling off foolish stunts such as this." Commander Feral noted as they entered the elevator.

"Won’t happen again, sir, I promise." She said as the elevator took them up.

Feral nodded in satisfaction. "Now I want you to take a few days off, then you can go back to duty." He said.

"Yes sir." She responded as they exited the level where her quarters were.

"Felina will stay with you during the next few days." Feral briefed her.

Jessie nodded, too tired to protest. She took out her keys and opened the door to her quarters.

"I was wondering when you two would show up." Felina said from the living room where she was waiting for them. "Choppers are so much faster." She said.

"Now is that a way to greet your Commander, Felina?" Feral asked. "I’ll let it pass this time, Lieutenant." He growled good-naturedly.

"Mpphh, sorry Uncle." Felina responded stifling a laugh.

"You know Felina, maybe I should arrest you for breaking and entering." Jessie suggested.

"Hey, since when entering with your keys is called breaking and entering?" Felina asked.

"Just doing my job and trying to organize my life." Jessie shrugged.

"Your life is as messy as you are?" Felina asked.

"Ha hah ha funny, Felina."

"Enough fooling around, ladies. You should be resting Lieutenant." Feral growled behind them.

"Which one Uncle?" Felina asked.

"The one that’s trying to arrest my niece for breaking and entering." Feral responded.

"I was only kidding, sir." Jessie responded.

"I know. Do you really think I could let you arrest my niece?" He asked.

"No sir." Jessie responded.

"Okay I’ll leave you two to sort things out, just don’t arrest each other." Feral responded leaving Jessie’s apartment.

"Why would we want to arrest each other?" Jessie asked

"As of now, you’re under Enforcer Headquarters arrest, Lieutenant Clawson." Felina said in an official tone.

"That’s it! T-Bone’s dead meat." Jessie responded.

"T-Bone?" Felina asked.

"He was the one why suggested that idea." Jessie said.

"Well you can go after him once you get your rest."

"Aww. Do I have to sleep now?"

"Yes you have to, that’s an order from a…"

"…higher ranking officer, yeah right Felina, we’re both Lieutenants remember?"

"Yes, but I was saying that this is an order from an older she-kat. Now off to bed." Feline ordered.

"Yes mother." Jessie said. "That’s what I get for being younger." She grumbled.

"Hey if you’re younger that just means you’re more energetic."

"Wonder where mine went." Jessie wondered as she changed into her T-shirt and shorts she used as her pajamas.

"Wasted on Dark Kat I bet." Felina said.

"It’s not exactly a waste, Felina, I did manage to bring him in." Jessie shrugged.

"And you also managed to nearly kill yourself."

"A bump on the head is not killed." Jessie said.

"It will be if you won’t get your tail to sleep."

"It is sleeping, Felina." Jessie responded with a laugh.

"Yeah well off to bed or I’ll punch you."

"Some bedside manner, Felina." Jessie responded climbing under the covers of her bed.

"Hey it worked, you’re in bed." Felina shrugged. "Now try to get some sleep. I’ll be in the kitchen." Felina said exiting the room

"Fine." Jessie responded with a sigh. She hadn’t slept in more than two days, now she hardly had trouble with even falling asleep. Within seconds she was sleeping peacefully. Knowing that this time she wouldn’t be bothered by anymore nightmares.