Expanding Horizons

It had been 2 months since the mountain lion attack.

Skye was landing from the first flight she had taken around town. Chase was standing there waiting.

"Did you have a nice flight?" asked Chase.

"It was great," said Skye. "I know this is really hard for you. But I've proven I'm safe. Rocky has assured you that all of his new safety features are working."

"I know, I know," said Chase. "I'm getting better, I didn't hyperventilate this time."

"I just want to be able to go on missions again," said Skye, "Chase, I want to be useful again."

"What do you mean?" said Chase.

"I mean," said Skye, "Katie cleared me a month ago to go on missions. I've been flying around the Lookout for weeks now. This was the first time you trusted me enough to fly out of your direct line of sight. I want to be cleared for missions."

"Who said you weren't?" asked Chase.

"Seriously?" said Skye, "Ryder said until you cleared me, I would not be allowed on missions."

"Oh," said Chase. "I'm sorry, I guess my lack of focus was worrying him. I'll go speak to him right now."

"Thank you Chase," Skye said, kissing her mate. "You know, I'm pretty sure I'm in heat."

"Oh really?" said Chase. "You still want to try?"

"I don't want to try," laughed Skye, "I want you to step up your game and do what you need to do."

"Ok, ok," laughed Chase. "I'll go speak to Ryder."

"I'll be waiting in the Dorm," said Skye.

***

Gale was at Katie's running the shop. A local pet owner had brought her cat by to have a check up. Gale was finishing up when Marshall walked in.

"Hey Gale," said Marshall, "how's business?"

"A check up, 2 groomings, and a bath at 3," laughed Gale. "I'm exhausted."

"Sounds like it," laughed Marshall. "Any problems with the check up?"

"Other than it being a cat I had to make friends with before it would let me check out it was easy," said Gale, "Callie came in and spoke to the other cat. Once she understood what I was doing she was ok."

"What Callie talked to you?" asked Marshall.

"Not really," laughed Gale, "She spoke to the other cat. I just happened to be there."

"I still haven't heard her speak," said Marshall.

"Would it make you feel better if I said you're a dog, get over yourself," said Callie from a shelf above the wash tubs.

"Really Callie," said Marshall "All this time and that's the first thing you say to me?"

"What you want me to call you a good boy and scratch your ears," laughed Callie, she spoke in a mocking cute voice. "The only reason I put up with you guys is because Wildcat likes all of you. Now if you don't mind I need to take another nap."

Marshall stood there with his mouth hanging open.

Gale burst out laughing, "Katie said she was fairly stuck up about talking."

"I, uh, I'm speechless," laughed Marshall.

"So Katie said she had a case this evening that she had to present to the Professor," explained Gale, "I told her I'd watch the shop and close up later if she didn't make it back."