I don't own these characters.

A/N: This is the sequel to Lioness. You should definitely read that before you read this.

This story is unbeta'ed, so there will probably be several typos. Please, excuse them and I apologize in advance for them.

Also, excuse anything that seems OoC. It's still been a long time since I've watched the Swat Kats.

Lastly, I've made up more culture for the universe. Please, enjoy. If you want to keep up with updates for this, check out my profile or my Facebook page (there's a link on my profile).

Spotted

1: Curiosity

Callie was quite familiar with Lieutenant Felina Feral's apartment. Hell, she might have been more familiar with it than with her own condo at this point. This apartment just seemed so much… well, just better. It was nice to come here after work. In fact, she used to stay late at work, but now she left on time or close to it. She had no problem working from Felina's couch, which was where she was currently curled up with a folder in her lap.

"You want brown rice with your chicken?" Felina called from the kitchen.

"No, you can have it all," Callie replied. She was dressed in a tank top and skimpy shorts, having already showered when she came in from work. Whenever she got in from work, she felt the need to rip off her business attire and get into comfortable clothes, which was something brought on from staying here.

"You ordered brown rice with it."

"I know I did, but I think I just want the chicken and vegetables."

Felina scoffed. "You just want me to feed you forkfuls of rice again."

Callie smiled. Well, yes, I do want that. She was eating a lot less takeout than she used to. Today was an exception because both she and Felina had to work late. She never considered the benefits of having a girlfriend until now. Having someone to cook for, with, or for her was amazing. No tom kat she had ever dated bothered with any kitchen appliance.

"Here you go," Felina said, coming in and handing Callie a bowl. The Lieutenant was also dressed in a black tank top with tattered blue yoga pants. They looked comfortable and Callie decided one day soon, she would try them on and if they fit, they would be hers.

Callie accepted her dinner with one hand and moved her folder with the other. The folder went to the coffee table, on top of some sports' magazines. There was a goblet of cream by the magazines. Callie took a sip from the glass.

Felina sat down on the unoccupied spot of the couch, which seemed to be her spot. Of course, since she owned the couch, Callie understood it was ridiculous to think Felina had a spot. It was more Callie had a spot and Felina respected that. The very thought of having space in Felina's apartment made her nerves dance.

"I love it when you stop at Cas'," Callie said before diving into her shredded chicken and mixed vegetables.

"I told you Cas' is awesome," Felina replied. "I practically lived there when I first moved here. Hell, I actually lived there for a long time after."

Callie laughed. "I know. You like telling the story."

Felina chuckled and smiled. She was beautiful when she smiled. Or maybe it was handsome. Sometimes, it was difficult for Callie to figure out what adjectives she wanted to use with Felina. She was adjusting to dating a lioness.

"I won't bore you with it again, then," Felina commented. She then dug into her meal with gusto, which Callie was used to. It was good to see Felina had a healthy appetite. She had been shot three times several months ago and it had been a long road to recovery, more because she was stubborn than because her body could not handle it.

"Please, bore me. I love hearing you talk about anything." This was the truth.

Felina smiled again, but she did not stop eating. Callie turned her attention to her food. It was delicious and she purred a little. The only thing that would make it better was some brown rice.

"Felina…" Callie said.

Felina did not as much as glance at her. "Yes, kitten?"

In the past, the term "kitten" would have upset Callie. She had boyfriends use it and it never failed to get her hackles up. She was a full grown she-kat and she would not let them demean her with such a childish term of endearment. But, when Felina did it, said it in a little playful tone with an underlying mew to it, it sent the right kinds of chills down her spine.

"I was just thinking…" Callie trailed off. Felina knew what she wanted.

Felina smirked a little. "That usually means trouble."

Callie smiled. "You like trouble."

"Maybe a little." Felina held up her fork, loaded with brown rice and chicken, and held it in front of Callie.

Callie accepted the food, dragging her tongue down the fork as she did so. She gave Felina a little smile and a raised eyebrow, though. Felina smiled back and her eyes danced. The look made Callie's stomach do funny things.

"So… I was thinking…" Felina pulled the empty fork away.

"Hmm…" Callie was not sure if Felina was making fun of her or if Felina really had something. Felina did not usually use that phrase. Callie decided to take the bait, especially since there was more brown rice in front of her. "About what?"

"It's been a while since I've taken you out on a date."

This was very true. In fact, they had only been on one date since they began officially going out a couple of months ago. It was a bit of a surreal experience for Callie. She was dating the kat who saved her life, the she-kat who saved her life. The most bizarre thing about it, though, was it was normal. At no point in time was it weird that she was on a date with a female. It was good, comfortable.

"Dinner and a movie again?" Callie figured. She liked the basic date. It gave them a chance to do pretty much what they did here outside.

"Well, dinner. At a much better restaurant," Felina replied.

Callie put on an exaggerated pout. "But, I so love our dinners on the couch. I mean, what restaurant could top your living room?"

Felina chuckled. "You just let me worry about that, kitten."

Callie only smiled and let Felina feed her more rice. She wondered if Felina wanted to handle these sorts of things, things that would be considered the "male" role in a relationship. She was still not to sure about much of the lion/lioness culture, if it could even be called a culture. She did not ask many questions about it and Felina had not volunteered much information. Callie had done a little research, but only in her spare time when Felina was not around, which was not often since she set up base in Felina's apartment.

For the moment, Callie tried to match Felina in things. It seemed like it was all right. Felina did not complain, except when she was being stubborn about things, which was almost all the time. To avoid thinking too deeply on this for right now, Callie turned her attention back to her own food.

"So, what are you working on?" Felina asked as they finished up dinner. She picked up their plates.

"Nothing much. I'm just reviewing some business proposals. So, don't do the dishes. I can," Callie insisted, even though she knew it was useless.

Since Felina recovered, Callie noticed she liked to do everything. Maybe it was to prove that she was all right, that she had survived, and that she came out stronger than before. Or maybe it was just that she was stubborn and thought Callie would stand for being spoiled. If it was the latter, she was in for a rude awaken, if she had not gotten it already.

Again, Callie liked to match her. If Felina made breakfast, Callie tried to make dinner. If Felina did the dishes tonight, then Callie would do her best to do them tomorrow. She did not want Felina to carry the whole relationship on her own.

"I got it," Felina said. She returned Callie's folder to her lap and then made her way back to the kitchen.

Callie watched her go. She hurried through her work, not really finishing. She just needed to be done before Felina sat back down. Then, she would be able to indulge in one of her new favorite past times.

Callie did not take much time with the few documents she had left. She made some notes and then hustled to put everything away when she heard the sink go off in the kitchen. Felina returned a few moments later, sitting on her end of the couch again. Callie moved until she was lying on Felina. She took control of one of Felina's muscular arms and wrapped it around her shoulders.

Felina found something on television for them to watch. She was partial to boxing and mixed martial arts. She took the time to explain things to Callie, who did not care for either, but loved the excuse to cuddle into Felina. At first, she was careful because she tended to lean into the side Felina was shot on, but had quickly learned Felina had healed more than enough to bear her weight.

"Why didn't you continue your boxing career when you went into the military?" Callie asked curiously. Felina used to be an amateur boxer and loved the sport, but she never really talked about it beyond it being something to do with her father and a way to blow off steam.

"There's not a lot of options for females in the military as far as boxing goes. I mean, yeah, a guy could go in and box his heart out in actual matches and have a real record and even go on to be a professional, but there's no real organization for females to do it," Felina explained.

Callie's brow furrowed. "That seems weird. They respect you to be able to do the same thing kats can do, right?"

"Yes."

It seemed weird for Callie that the military, which Felina assured her had a lot more opportunities for females than the civilian world as far as equality went, would not have something set up for she-kats to box like kats. Felina began stroking her bare arm with her thumb, as if trying to brush the thoughts out of her mind, but that would not happen. She was curious now.

"Why didn't they just let you box like the males?" Callie asked.

"The military doesn't split things between males and females like they might do out here. So, if there's boxing, it would have to be shared. Guys weren't too keen on punching females they'd have to depend on in the field or weren't thrilled about possibly being beaten up by a female in front of a bunch of other kats, so we just couldn't box in a real organized way. Sometimes, if we were really cool with guys, they'd box with us and we could box with each other, just not in a real organized manner. There's always sparring in the gym," Felina explained.

"Did you?"

Felina's brow furrowed. "Did I what?"

"Box anybody?"

Felina chuckled a bit. "No, not in the sense you mean. I sparred with a couple of kats, but sparring and really boxing aren't the same thing. It was fun, though, and brought me closer to a few decent guys."

Callie smiled and put a hand on Felina's impressive bicep. Callie fairly certain the only person she had seen with better arms was T-Bone, the SwatKat pilot. Well, her mechanic friend Chance had pretty good arms, too, but still, Felina's were the best.

"That's not fair. I bet you would've won your fair share of rounds," Callie commented. Those would have been amazing stories, not that Felina had a shortage of awe-inspiring tales from her days in the air force.

Felina smirked. "If I knew I'd have you to tell stories to, then yeah."

Callie pushed herself up and kissed Felina softly. "I'd have enjoyed every minute of it."

A teasing smile conquered Felina's face. "You like the fact that I'm tough."

Callie could not help smiling. She definitely did like the fact that Felina was tough. She was tough enough to take three bullets, save three lives, and make it through surgeries, infection, and so much more. Felina was tough enough to take it on the chin when her uncle all but warned Callie that Felina might try to rape her just because she was a lioness. Felina took it and just kept on going. It was a thing of beauty, to be admired, and awed by.

"You ready for bed?" Felina asked, running her fingers across Callie's stomach.

"No, I want to stay cuddled up a little longer," Callie replied with a purr. She stretched out against Felina, causing the older kat to growl a little. She tossed Felina an innocent smile.

Felina chuckled. "We can cuddle in bed."

"There's no TV in the bedroom." Plus, she could not really tease Felina in bed like she just did. Once they went to bed, there could be teasing, but it was not likely to happen.

Felina smiled and her eyes danced with amusement. "Because you're really watching these mixed martial artists go at it, right?"

Callie tried her best to look innocent. She had no idea about mixed martial arts, beyond what Felina had already explained to her. But, she liked being around Felina while she was enjoying something and she liked being in Felina's arms. This was win/win for her. Having a clue about what was on TV was inconsequential.

Of course, once she started dozing off, it was a different thing. She thought she heard the TV turn off, but she could not be sure since it was next to impossible to open her eyes. She definitely felt Felina lift her into her arms. The fact that Felina could hold her with ease was a huge turn on. She had not dated many kats who could lift her up like this and carry her any distance. She wrapped her arms around Felina's neck.

"Stay asleep, kitten. I got you," Felina promised.

Callie made a noise, but could not be bothered to talk. Usually, she would have scolded Felina for carrying her, but Felina had proven she was strong enough for it for what Callie considered "heavy lifting" a couple of weeks ago. Callie hoped they would get to explore this new strength eventually.

Once Callie was down in the bed and Felina was next to her, Callie practically wrapped herself around Felina's body. Felina kissed her forehead and wrapped strong arms around her. Callie had never felt safer than when in Felina's arms.

"How could I not fall for you?" Callie mumbled.

"I'm glad you did because I fell for you a long time ago," Felina replied, fingers threading through Callie's hair.

"No, you just liked me for my body a long time ago," Callie teased.

"Can you blame me? It's a very nice body." Felina placed a soft kiss at the nape of Callie's neck. "But, I'm quite fond of the rest of the package as well."

Callie smiled and wished she was not so sleepy. She would show Felina all about how nice her body was and then she would do things to Felina's body. Instead, she drifted off within seconds.

-8-8-8-8-

Felina checked herself out in the mirror. She doubted Callie would mind that she put on a male suit, which she did not get to wear often enough. Callie seemed to appreciate and like the little touches of masculinity that existed in Felina, which was a good thing. Felina was a mix of masculine and feminine, but more the former than the latter. The military tended to do that to she-kats. She wanted Callie to appreciate and like her for her, which seemed to be the case.

"Maybe she really is a queen and it just took me to bring it out of her," Felina muttered to herself.

Of course, that thought might have just been her ego talking. Sure, Callie had dated all of those tom kats until Felina stepped into the picture and swept her off her feet. It was a nice thought to know just as she could be herself with Callie and have Callie fall for her.

It was also nice to think Callie could just be herself with Felina. Surely no one else got to experience the delight that was Calico Briggs without her walls up. She did not have time to dwell on it, though. She needed to pick up her date for the night.

She checked herself out in the mirror one last time. She wondered if her mocha brown suit was too close to her Enforcer dress uniform. Maybe she was too set in her military ways and that was why she preferred suits in the first place. Not that females ever seemed to mind.

"I just want to be perfect for Callie," Felina muttered. Two months of dating and Felina felt like she was failing some test, but Callie stuck around until she could figure out how to pass. She did not want things to be that way. After all, Callie would not stick around forever, waiting for her to figure this out.

For a moment, she had a flash of their sex life. Callie was not shy about sleeping with her, but would not let Felina take charge in a way that she would like. Part of it was because Callie worried over Felina's injuries, but Felina could not help thinking there might be more to it. What if she was not enough? What if Callie missed being with males?

To avoid adding "being late" to her list of why this might not work out, Felina set off for Callie's condo. While her apartment was not much, Felina had a decent car, which was a good and bad thing in a place like MegaKat City. There was always the risk of it being stolen, stripped, or shipped off to parts unknown before she realized it was gone, but it also got a lot of ladies to stop and stare. When she first bought it, her uncle had even made a joke about her using it to pick up queens, not that he said queens, but the idea was there.

Callie's condo was in a gated community, which Felina was thoroughly grateful for. While she never doubted the deputy mayor's toughness, Megakat City was a dangerous place. There needed to be some places where a person could go and not be afraid of having a crime committed against them. There were little pockets of security around the city, usually catering to the wealthy. While Callie's job paid well, she got her little piece of security due to her job than her income.

Felina had to give her name to the guard on post before he opened the gate and let her through. She pulled up to Callie's condo and checked herself in the mirror yet again, focusing on her face this time more than her whole body since it was only a small visor mirror. Sighing, she messed with the tuffs of white on the sides of her face. They made her look older than she was. She had not worried about the white for a long time.

"Does it make me less attractive? Will it eventually bother Callie? Will she start looking at me like I'm old soon?" Felina worried. She was older than Callie by a few years, but the white made her seem as old as her uncle.

Well, there was no use in fretting about it now. Maybe she could dye it later. She used to do that, back when it first changed and she had freaked out about it. No one should be grey before thirty in her opinion, but especially not a female.

Marching up to Callie's door, she knocked and waited for it to open. She stepped inside, not wanting to give Callie's neighbors a chance to get a good look at her. Surely those who spied her thought she was a male, not that it would matter. No one would think she was Callie's girlfriend.

"Wow," Felina muttered as soon as she laid eyes on Callie. "I know I said dress nice, but…" She hoped she could close her mouth from this sight.

Callie just smiled at her. Pink really was the deputy mayor's color. Pink with no sleeves and a little slit partially up her right thigh was really too much. Felina was not sure she could remember how to speak at this point.

"Careful, Lieutenant. That's a good way to draw flies," Callie teased, pushing Felina's chin up to close her mouth. Okay, so that was a little embarrassing.

Felina could feel the hot tell of a blush burning her cheeks. "Sorry."

Callie smirked. "Trust me. I was going for that reaction. So, you like?" She twirled.

Felina nodded. "Very much so."

"Since you told me to dress up, but you wouldn't tell me where we were going, I felt like this would even the score," Callie remarked.

A smirk settled on Felina's face and she felt herself regain her wits. "Oh, so you think a sexy dress will bribe the surprise right out of me? Nice try, kitten."

"Oh, the night is still young," Callie commented, moving to the door and purposely swaying her hips while she was at it. Added to the allure was the way her tail wrapped itself around her side.

Felina growled. She was tempted to rip that dress off and take Callie on the floor, playing with her tail the whole time she did it. She could probably get away with it, too. But, she promised Callie a date and she owed it to her. They both needed to relax and enjoy each other's company outside of her apartment.

"Come on there, Lieutenant. You promised to show me a good time tonight," Callie said with a wink.

Felina smiled and followed her out. Callie locked the door while Felina hit the button to auto-start her car. She opened the door for Callie and helped her in, even though they both knew she did not need it. It was just what a well-mannered kat would do, or a well-mannered lioness in Felina's case.

"I got flowers for you," Felina said as she sat in the driver's seat. She reached behind her and pulled out the large bouquet of lilies and roses. "I wasn't sure if you'd be comfortable with me giving them to you at the door. I don't know how nosey your neighbors are." She did not know a lot about Callie's neighborhood outside of the security of the place and it suddenly bothered her. She should know more to make sure Callie was safe and everything was all right around here.

Callie smiled brightly and looked like the very definition of beauty as she accepted the bouquet. "They're lovely." She breathed them in and sighed. "I'm glad you didn't bring them in, though. I know my neighbors will be talking about me having a suitor at my door for days. Speaking of suits, you look amazing."

Felina sat up a little straighter and puffed out her chest a little. "Thank you. You do, too."

"So, where are we going?"

"You'll see when we get there."

Callie shook her head and smirked, but Felina did not budge. Yeah, Callie looked sexy and all, but she had to make sure this date went right. She needed to earn the chance to peel her kitten out of that dress and show her the proper end to a good night.

On the way to the restaurant, they discussed their days, which was their norm. Felina felt bad for Callie, as she was clearly overworked, underpaid, and long-suffering. Felina always suspected the mayor was a moron, but hearing Callie talk about him, Felina wondered how the hell the city had not literally sank into the ground from his "leadership." Well, Callie was probably the reason for that.

"Oh, my god, Felina, you are not taking me to Bali Ris. You can't afford that," Callie objected as soon as she saw the restaurant.

Felina chuckled as she pulled up to the valet. "You don't know what I can afford, Deputy Mayor. Now, just enjoy the meal."

Callie rolled her eyes and returned the flowers to the back of the car before the valet took charge of the coupe. He gave Felina a double take, undoubtedly thinking she was a tom kat at first and then realizing she was female. Felina did not care. She had this happen often in life.

Felina resisted the temptation to put her arm around Callie's waist. It was one thing to go out like everything was normal, but if they acted too much like a couple, it would definitely draw attention to them. Callie did not need that sort of attention or rumors going around about her. While most people did not think about lionesses ever, if the idea was there, they might start.

The host looked at them when Felina said she had a reservation for two under Feral, but he did not say anything. Again, Felina was used to. Callie's face had a frown on it, though.

"It's all right," Felina whispered.

"Here you are, sir," the host said, showing them to a table by the wall.

"Thank you." Felina smiled at him and he bowed just a little before walking away. She pulled Callie's seat out before sitting across from her.

"I wish they wouldn't stare at you like that. It doesn't bother you to be called 'sir'?" Callie asked.

Felina shook her head. "Nope. I'm more used to it than anything else, actually. In the military, they only use 'sir.'"

"The military's weird."

Felina shrugged. "I'm used to it."

"Was it hard being in the civilian world after being in the air force for so long?"

Felina gave a nod. "Very much so, but there are organizations to help us adjust, especially she-kats. I know this might surprise you, but the military is probably freer than the regular world in terms of equality. We're all just soldiers. Yeah, the guys didn't want to box with us, but they followed commands from female superiors. Sure, there weren't a lot of them, but they followed orders and it works for the most part. Yeah, there are times when shit goes sideways, but I'm more looked down on out here than I was in there."

"Then why'd you leave?"

"Besides my uncle needed competent pilots and the pay was better? I wasn't going any further in the air force than I did and there's no reason to stay some place once you're stuck there. I can still rise in the Enforcer ranks. Yeah, it's hard as hell, but feasible," Felina explained.

Callie's brow furrowed a little. "If the military is so much better than the civilian world, why couldn't you rise in rank?"

"I was enlisted, not officer class. I'd need more education to rise in rank and I didn't have the time for that. The Enforcers, yes I need to take courses and tests to rise in ranks, but not to the extent with the air force."

The conversation was interrupted by their waiter coming by to take their drink orders. Felina ordered a foreign bottle of cream and watched as Callie's eyes sparkled at the name. The air force had done Felina a lot of favors, like allow her to learn other languages and experience other cultures. But, then again, it owed her for all of the mental scars it left behind, too.

"Why do you know so much about creams?" Callie asked curiously.

Felina chuckled. "I think it's too early in this thing for me to tell you that," she teased. Travel and several sophisticated queens taught her more than she would ever need to know about fancy creams. Already, part of her hoped Callie would be the last to benefit from her knowledge.

"This smells amazing," Callie said as she held up the flute of chilled cream.

Callie breathed in the scent of the beverage before taking a small sip. Her teal eyes fluttered close and she made a soft sound. She appreciated it far more than Felina ever would, but Felina certainly appreciated watching her appreciate it.

"It's heavenly," Callie finally said.

"It certainly is a heavenly sight," Felina remarked, giving Callie heated look.

"You better stop looking at me like that before someone figures out we're not just two friends out," Callie said with a smirk. She then hid her mouth behind her cream glass.

"So, have you been here before?" Felina asked as she looked around. It was much better than any restaurant she had ever gone to on her own and definitely topped Cas' in ambience. Of course, she doubted they had a tuna sub that melted in her mouth like Cas'.

"Yes, a few times."

Jealousy ignited in her belly, popping like hot oil. "All dates?"

A scowl of distaste was accompanied by a head shake. "No, a few business meetings. Sometimes, it was hard to tell which the guy across from me thought it was, though."

Felina smiled, even though she hated to think of her queen with any stuffy kat. But, Callie had dated kats who could afford Bali Ris and probably not because they just had a bunch of savings due to the fact that they did not do much before Callie came along. Callie was slumming it with her.

The idea made Felina's stomach drop. Maybe this was why Callie would not allow her to really take charge in bed or let her spoil Callie properly. Maybe this was just another sign that this would not last for long.

"Do you have anything you want to recommend?" Felina asked, hoping to take her mind off that dark path.

Callie smiled. "Oh, then I get to surprise you. Hopefully, you'll like it."

Felina's brow furrowed. She wondered what Callie had up her sleeve. When the waiter came back, Callie pulled him away and whispered to him. Felina guessed Callie told him their food order because he did not come back to the table. Callie sat down and went back to enjoying her cream. Felina took a sip of her own.

"You should order a milk beer if you want," Callie said.

"I know I should, but I don't see you finishing this whole bottle on your own, no matter how bad the week has been," Felina remarked.

Callie smiled. The food came not too long after. Callie had shrimp linguine while Felina watched as the surf and turf platter was placed in front of her. It smelled so good and there was plenty of it. She did not know where to start. Taking a bite of the steak, Felina could not help purring. It melted in her mouth.

"I didn't know meat could taste like this," Felina said with a blush. She had been to her share of fine restaurants, but this was true quality.

"They didn't get the five stars for nothing," Callie replied with a smile. "So, you like it?"

"So fucking much," Felina admitted and then flinch. She did not mean to swear. Generally, thanks to days in the air force and being an Enforcer, she had a pretty bad mouth, but she tried to curb it around Callie. Her queen was classy, after all.

Callie just smiled more. "I'm glad. That's actually their signature dish."

"I guess that's why it's so good." Felina had to consciously work to not just shove it all in her mouth.

They ate quietly for a moment. Callie looked around as she sampled a little of Felina's meal. Felina was fine with it. If only no one else was there, she would feed Callie whatever she wanted.

"How many couples here do you think are lions?" Callie suddenly asked.

"Uh… why do you ask?" Felina countered. This was not something she tended to think about. Yes, she scanned areas and tried to identify people, but it was more to be alert in case something happened than just curiosity.

"It's just something I've been wondering since we've started… you know." They did not like to say "dating" or "relationship" outside in case someone might hear. Again, people did not jump right to same-sex couple, but prompting might change that. It was better to be safe than sorry.

Felina nodded and glanced around. "The two guys by the front window. They're definitely on a date."

"Is it going as well as ours?" Callie asked with a smile.

Felina laughed. "So, ours is going well?" Good to know.

Callie squinted a little. "Isn't it?"

Felina nodded. "It is. For both of us." For a moment, she thought to just let this pass, but they should probably talk about this. "Have you been curious about lionesses?"

Callie gave her a shy nod. "I have."

"Ask me whatever you want to know, whatever's on your mind." They probably should have talked about lionesses a long time ago, like back when Callie first discovered Felina was one, but definitely when they started dating. Sure, they had a brief conversation, but Callie needed more information now.

"Well, I've been wondering if there's… like… a culture to it or something?"

"Oh, yeah, there's definitely a culture." There was a lot to learn. In fact, Felina did not even know where to begin. She had never dated a female who had never been with she-kats before.

"And… I was wondering… well, how do lions and lionesses meet well… others? I mean, there's no sign on your forehead to let you know, so what do you do?"

"You want to go to a club, don't you?" Felina asked. This made her stomach grind against itself even more.

"I want to learn more about this," Callie tried to correct her.

Felina gulped and ate some of her food to cover up the fact that this idea did not sit well with her. The clubs she frequented were not horrible places, but they had things she did not want Callie to see. Mostly old girlfriends. She did not want Callie to get the impression she was one in a line.

"Come on, Lina," Callie purred with a pout.

Oh, that was unfair. "Don't look at me like that."

"Please, Lina." Callie's moue became even more pathetic.

Felina already found it difficult to deny Callie when she pouted, but adding in the nickname was too much. She sighed and turned her attention back to her meal, needing to figure out how to get out of this. And, then, it came to her.

"Sure, I'll take you," Felina said.

Callie's face fixed immediately. "Great!"

"If we get to spend more time at your condo." It bothered her a little that they rarely, well, really never spent time at Callie's place.

And Callie's face now twisted. "Why?"

"Because we're always at my place. I want to spent time with you and your place. You don't want me over your place?" Just asking the question hurt.

"No, it's not that. It's just… I think of your apartment as home now. It's warm and where I can relax and be myself and you're there. I don't think of my place like that," Callie explained.

"And it'll never be like that if we never go over there," Felina pointed out.

Callie sighed. "I guess you're right about that. Still, I doubt it'll ever make it to the same status your place has. I mean, you have things in your apartment to make it home. You've seen my condo. There's almost nothing there beyond a change of clothes, especially now. I don't even think I keep food there anymore."

Honestly, there was no reason for Callie to keep anything at her condo anymore. She spent most of her time at Felina's apartment. Felina did not mind in the sense that she liked having Callie around, but she needed a sign that this was going to last. She needed to see Callie let her into her space and other aspects of her life.

"Well, let's change that. I think we should try going to your place at least half as much as mine. So, two days at my apartment and a day at your condo. Something like that," Felina proposed.

Callie frowned, like this idea did not sit well with her. Callie was often at her apartment, but it was not everyday. Surely, she could spare a day or two to have Felina over.

"Can you bring Cas' when you come?" Callie asked.

"Well, not all the time. You don't want to eat it too often or… Never mind. There was a point when I ate Cas' like every day for a year and never got sick of it. Sure, I'll bring Cas' whenever one of us decides not to cook."

Callie smiled. "Then it's a deal."

"Can we start tonight? Your place is closer and I really need to get you outta that dress," Felina whispered in a growl.

Callie smirked at her and she knew that was the answer. The expression caused a deep purr to rumble in Felina's chest, which only made Callie give her a smoky gaze. Okay, this date needed to end now.

But, possibly as a tease, Callie ordered dessert. Callie ate the ice cream treat in a way that made Felina melt. And she ate the whole thing with that smoldering look in her eyes, as if she was just imagining all sorts of dirty little things. Or maybe that was just Felina's imagination, but it did not matter. It took all of Felina's self-control not to throw her money on the table once the bill came and drag Callie back to her apartment.

"We should go to your place," Callie said as they got into the car.

"I thought we had a deal," Felina replied and she really wanted this drive to be as quick as possible.

"I know, but I'm way more comfortable in your bed and I have a change of clothes there while you don't have anything at my house."

Felina groaned because that made a lot of sense. She really had little desire to spend tomorrow in the same underwear. "Damn you and your fancy lawyer tricks."

Callie gave her a little smile. "Oh, Felina, it's only twenty extra minutes."

"That's twenty minutes where I could have my tongue inside of you."

Callie whimpered, but she stuck to her guns. Fine, they would go to Felina's apartment, but next time they would definitely spend time at Callie's condo. Right now, Felina did not have the brainpower to fight over this.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: lessons in lioness' culture for Callie.