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Cat's Paw<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>*Sequel to 'Spellbound'<o:p></o:p>

By <o:p></o:p>

Carol Foss<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Well, look what the cat

dragged in," Lt. Commander Chip Morton grinned from his second mouthful of

candied corn in

Seaview's deserted Observation Nose. The<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> damp and disheveled intruder wasn't exactly

unexpected. Just late. Add to the fact he was sporting

more than a week's growth of beard and hair in desperate need of a barber, it

was only natural for his friend to add, "You look like a wet dog."<o:p></o:p>

"Gee thanks. I got

caught in a cloudburst, okay? Where's the coffee?" he looked in vain for

the carafe that was usually kept at the ready on the sideboard, even when the

sub was moored at her home dock.<o:p></o:p>

"Been drafted for the

party," Chip looked at his watch pointedly.<o:p></o:p>

"<i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Party?<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> What party?" <o:p></o:p>

"You <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>do remember the Halloween <span

class=GramE>party don't you?"<o:p></o:p>

"Cripes, I forgot all

about it. Do I have to go?"

Commander Lee Crane added hopefully.<o:p></o:p>

"Well, if Lola finds out

you reneged on purpose, she'll make sure you'll be doing paperwork till Hell

freezes over. Which means you'll be grumpy and irritable when we pull out

tomorrow and it will be up to me to

soothe everyone's ruffled feathers, including Nelson's. He's really sore at you

by the way. Still, she and he might

conceivably forgive your slithering around undercover which got you all hot and

bothered, hurt or so brain damaged that you forgot about tonight or some such

thing."<o:p></o:p>

"I wasn't

undercover!" <o:p></o:p>

"Yeah,

yeah. So that's why<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Joe Jackson<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> admitted to the Admiral that you'd

volunteered more than 40 hours worth of

agency business before the new fiscal year."<o:p></o:p>

"Which

won't happen until July!"<o:p></o:p>

"Damn it Lee, you've

been gone more than two and a half weeks! Almost three! No word to anyone. Face

it Lee, you, sir, are in the doghouse. Even Lola used words I won't repeat in

polite company."<o:p></o:p>

Crane mumbled something.<o:p></o:p>

"Didn't

quite hear that."<o:p></o:p>

"All right all

right," Lee sighed, "if you must know, I took <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Sea Sprite out..."<o:p></o:p>

"Lee, Lee, Lee,"

Morton shook his head, bemused and incredulous, if such a thing were possible

at the same time. "You took that wreck of that sailboat of yours out

instead of spending your shore leave with her?

That does it, you have to have brain

damage from all of your adlepated stunts and...."<o:p></o:p>

"Chip, please," Lee

hesitated, "she's been getting a bit too...serious. I needed time. <span

class=GramE>Time to be alone and think."<o:p></o:p>

"And?"<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p>

"I'm not sure yet...I

don't know if I'm ready for the kind of commitment she wants."<o:p></o:p>

"Have you slept with

her?"<o:p></o:p>

"None of your

business...but no...she's not that kind of

girl..."<o:p></o:p>

"You <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>think," Morton snorted. <o:p></o:p>

"Chip~."<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p>

"Okay okay

not another word. C'mon then. The party's already started. I told them I knew

you'd be back in time for our departure tomorrow. All you need now is a

costume."<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>You're not in costume," Lee regarded Morton's khaki uniform.<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>I have a hat," he plopped on a plumed 18th century

naval officer's cap from a box of party supplies. "Lola left<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> you a choice of costumes. This one is

made of some kind of Spandex. She has one like it, only hers is white."<o:p></o:p>

"No,

absolutely not!" Lee

exclaimed, aghast.<o:p></o:p>

"Ah

c'mon. She picked it out

special.For the perfect couple. Get it? Purr-fect?" he chortled. "<i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>But, if you insist on hurting<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> her feelings, you can use his

one," he pulled out a pink feather encrusted outfit. "Kind of

appropriate don't you think?"<o:p></o:p>

"I'm a Crane, not a

Flamingo."<o:p></o:p>

"Close enough for

government work...toss you for it if you can't decide."<o:p></o:p>

"I don't think I feel

very well. Just tell everyone I'll be holed up aboard with the pink

stuff..."<o:p></o:p>

"Sorry, no can do. Self

preservation you know. Now, decide, bud." <o:p></o:p>

*** <o:p></o:p>

"Great party

Harriman," Admiral Jiggs Starke, aka 'Henry the 8th', grimaced

sipping the punch, "the kind your grandmother probably gave."<o:p></o:p>

"I'm sorry about it

being a dry party, Jiggs," Nelson, aka the 'Wizard of Oz', laughed,

"employee's kids you know. Don't worry, you can

join me later for a little private libation."<o:p></o:p>

"At least your girl did

a good enough job decorating the cafeteria."<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Administrative Assistant..."<o:p></o:p>

"My my, we are picky

tonight, aren't we," Starke sat his empty cup beside the skeleton's hand

groping the side of the punch bowl as eyeballs floated around in it. <o:p></o:p>

"I have reason to

be."<o:p></o:p>

"Just pass me earplugs

when you lay into Crane, if he gets

here."<o:p></o:p>

"The gate said he

arrived fifteen minutes ago...Chip promised he'd get him here. Speaking of

whom..."<o:p></o:p>

Morton was waving happily,

stopping to talk to a few crewmen as he made his way toward the two Admirals. <o:p></o:p>

"Well, he's back,"

Morton finally said as he poured himself some punch, "wasn't undercover.

He says. Lola's giving him what for

though, not to mention adding a few last minute touches to his costume. I had

her meet our prodigal in the lobby."<o:p></o:p>

"So, what's he coming

as?" Starke asked.<o:p></o:p>

"Gee, cat's got my

tongue, sir," Chip snorted.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Word spread rapidly that the

errant Skipper had returned and the party began to liven up a bit more. More

folks took to the dance floor while others continued to enjoythe several games

and goodies set out for themselves and their children. <o:p></o:p>

But there was a subtle change

in the atmosphere as one stifled gasp followed another around the room as Lee

Crane and Lola Hale entered.<o:p></o:p>

"Oh my

God..."Nelson said. <o:p></o:p>

"Amazing, isn't sir,

what a man will do when he's in love," Morton chuckled.<o:p></o:p>

"What're they wearing, <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>leotards?" Starke asked.<o:p></o:p>

"Spandex Unitards,"

Morton explained, "not leotards exactly, but a kind of body suit. You

know, I never knew Lee could curse in so many languages when he was pulling it

on. Still, better than a fluffy Flamingo, which of course as a Crane he just

couldn't abide. Something about birds of a feather."

<o:p></o:p>

"Is he <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>supposed to look that scruffy?"

Nelson asked," or is he hurt?"<o:p></o:p>

"Er, well, no, at least

I don't think so."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, I think that

costume is outrageous!" Starke fumed. "A black cat is one thing, but

leotards! It's absurd! If it were me, I'd choose a new girlfriend!" <o:p></o:p>

"Cut him some slack,

Jiggs," Nelson grinned. "You've been in love once or twice yourself,

remember."<o:p></o:p>

"He's the Captain of the

Seaview. Should show some dignity, even if this is a costume

party!"<o:p></o:p>

Indeed, in dramatic contrast to

Lola's whites, Crane's also came with tail, elastic headband with ears, and a

little black nose glued to his own with white whiskers. Black ballet slippers

with little white claws painted on them finished the costume.<o:p></o:p>

"Don’t even say

it," Crane approached, having found a legitimate excuse to escape the

women accumulating around himself and Lola. "I

feel like a complete idiot. And it itches like hell," he added under his

breath as he poured some punch into a paper cup. "Okay, hers is ready;

where's the coffee for me?"<o:p></o:p>

"Jiggs had the last of

it, " Nelson said, "now, where the..<span

class=GramE>aah...acchhoo! Where the hell have you <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>been all this time?" he asked in his most 'Admiraly' pose

which wasn't easy with green hair and padded belly. Even his new watch had a

stone that matched.<o:p></o:p>

"<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName

w:st="on">Running</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on"><i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Sea</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> Sprite through her paces...needed to

get away for awhile..."<o:p></o:p>

"Do- you- mean- to-

tell- me that aaa...aaa...aaachoo! That you've been <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>sailing all this time?"<o:p></o:p>

"Oh, that poor

girl," Starke added his own outrage.<o:p></o:p>

"There's no law that says

I have to spend every spare minute I have with her, and even I'm entitled to a

little time to myself at times, you know."<o:p></o:p>

"She was terrified for

you!"Nelson almost yelled, "and we were damn well worried ourselves!

Aaa aahhchoo! I almost used the EBL to contact you, but visions of interrupting

you in some vital covert action prevented me. In spite of ONI's assurances to

the contrary. They've lied before."<o:p></o:p>

"Sir, please. I've

already been through the third degree with Chip." <o:p></o:p>

"I guess I have no

choice but to be satisfied with your

explanation, though you might as well be

a cat from the stealthy way you acted....you are okay though aren't you? You

look a bit drawn around the eyes."<o:p></o:p>

"I'm fine. Except for

this damn outfit."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, hello there

Captain Kitty!" Lt.Cmdr. Will Jamison approached, several officers and

some crewmen in tow, presumably drafted for punch duty by their ladies as well,

most of whom were gathered in corners casting sidelong

glances at Crane's form fitting costume. <o:p></o:p>

"Very funny, Doc, and

before you say anything, it was her idea, not mine. "<o:p></o:p>

"Well, look at me

Skipper," Riley said,"my girl made me come as a cow."<o:p></o:p>

"Bull, actually,"

Doc intervened. "Consider it a compliment. Be grateful you only have horns

and no udder "<o:p></o:p>

"Merlin or Nostradamus,

Will?" Crane asked regarding his long purple tunic and pointed star

encrusted hat.<o:p></o:p>

"Merlin."<o:p></o:p>

"Too bad. I was hoping

you could whip up some coffee...maybe the vending machine..." <o:p></o:p>

"Out of order," Doc

said.<o:p></o:p>

"Does anyone have a

couple of quarters?" Lee spread his arms akimbo," no pockets."<o:p></o:p>

"Weren't you listening

Crane?" Jiggs asked, "No

coffee."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, there's got to be

something better than Kool Aid.

That's what this is, isn't it?"<o:p></o:p>

"Yes, and it's not all

that bad," Chip said pulling some loose change from his pocket, "Here

you go."<o:p></o:p>

"Thanks." <o:p></o:p>

With a mischievous grin Crane

headed off to scout the various beverages, returning to his friends holding a

pint of milk he'd already opened and begun to chug down.<o:p></o:p>

Lola was quick to join him,

and patted dry some of the milk Lee had managed to get on his black nose and a

few of his whiskers.<o:p></o:p>

"Meow," was all he

managed to say to his friends before the couple joined the crowd on the dance

floor gyrating to a lively rag time piece.<o:p></o:p>

"Talk about

Purr-fect," Riley laughed.<o:p></o:p>

"Huh?"Morton asked.<o:p></o:p>

"The tune, it's 'Kitten

on the Keys!"<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Almost all stations were

manned and ready for Seaview's departure to the Southern Hemisphere at the

bequest of the Navy to test a new piece of equipment. There was just one

problem. Seaview's Captain hadn't reported yet.<o:p></o:p>

"Anything?"<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> Nelson asked O'Brien while he lit another cigarette

in the Observation Nose.<o:p></o:p>

"Phone doesn't answer.

Voice mailbox is full. Emergency Band Locator doesn't get any kind of response,

security had his apartment manager check to see if he was in; he wasn't;<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> no trace of his car...."<o:p></o:p>

"Then try something <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>obvious." <o:p></o:p>

"Miss Sweetly says <span

class=GramE>Lola, I mean Miss Hale's taking a personal day." <o:p></o:p>

"I can <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>just imagine," Nelson sighed.

"Get her on her home phone then. Pipe it through the speaker phone."<o:p></o:p>

It was difficult for Ski not

to chuckle over his imagined and<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> awkward situation.<o:p></o:p>

"Kowalski!"<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> Morton chastised, "Keep it out of the

gutter."<o:p></o:p>

"Aye sir."<o:p></o:p>

"I have Miss Hale on the

phone sir," <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sparks</st1:place></st1:City>

reported over the PA.<o:p></o:p>

"Let me speak to

Lee," Nelson began without preamble as he flipped the switch on the

intercom speaker. <o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Lee?"<o:p></o:p>

"Yes, Lee, Commander

Crane if you prefer, but get him, even if you have to wake him up!"<o:p></o:p>

"He's not here. <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> He

was supposed to have breakfast with

me this morning before shoving off...and I don't appreciate you thinking that

we've been sleeping together!"<o:p></o:p>

"All right. All right. I

apologize. Now, did he say anything about where he may have planned to go after

the party last night?" <o:p></o:p>

"Well, after we went to

the Kit Kat Club...what's that?" she asked of the men's snickering,

"Am I on speaker phone?"<o:p></o:p>

"Never mind that, what

happened after the Kit Kat Club?"<o:p></o:p>

"Well, I wanted to show

off our costumes to Lin, but," she paused, "we kind of left in hurry

before I could find and

introduce her to Lee. He, er, well if you must know, he was

propositioned. Most women find him attractive, but this was a lot

different."<o:p></o:p>

"How?"<o:p></o:p>

"It was a guy."<o:p></o:p>

Morton bit his lip manfully

as many of the crew couldn't help themselves exploding into laughter.<o:p></o:p>

"Of course," she

continued, "we got the you- know- what out of there, flank speed I think

you boys call it."<o:p></o:p>

"No doubt. Go on."<o:p></o:p>

"Took me straight home.

Didn't even stay for a drink. Then he said he was going to get a few zzz's

aboard Seaview...you did check his cabin didn't you?<o:p></o:p>

"I can guarantee you

he's not aboard or anywhere on the Institute grounds," Morton said firmly.<o:p></o:p>

"What do you think could

have happened?" Lola asked, "and

now that I think about it, he did

look kind of furtive at times last night. Oh lord, what if it wasn't the

costume? What if he'd really been on

assignment with ONI and he had something better to do than go to that damn

party and keep me company?"<o:p></o:p>

"Excuse me Admiral,

Lola, "O'Brien said, "But where did he put his wallet in that

costume? I mean, if he was driving fast, maybe he got pulled over for

speeding...and with no drivers license..."<o:p></o:p>

"Oh my God, I put it in

my purse and we both must have forgotten about it.. "<o:p></o:p>

"I'll check SBPD,"

O'Brien headed to the radio shack. In moments he returned. <o:p></o:p>

"He <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>was arrested for speeding and driving without a license."<o:p></o:p>

Nelson visibly sagged in

relief.<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>But" the young officer hesitated, "he was released last

night."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

The staff of the Santa

Barbara Police Dept. were, as in most cities, overworked and underpaid. Invaded

by the 'wannabe' Navy that Chief Abigail Dunmore had always regarded the Nelson

Institute, it's staff gritted their collective teeth as she and one Admiral

Harriman Nelson butted heads, Nelson demanding to know just why his Captain had

been released late last night to find his way home cashless, in ballet slippers

and without so much as having made the legal phone call all detainees were

allowed by law.<o:p></o:p>

"Look Admiral. For the

last time, he was properly ticketed and brought in for identification. The

military fingerprint database proved he was who he said he was, and when he

assured us we could charge the fine to his account at your Institute, we let

him go. Minus his car, of course. For that, he'll have to come in person,

license in hand."<o:p></o:p>

"You should have called

us!" Chief Sharkey bellowed.<o:p></o:p>

"That was <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>his decision, not yours, not ours. And

we didn't hold him very long. We actually did him a favor, letting him go

without any fuss. Couple of guys in the

holding tank really liked those tights, or whatever you call them," she

snorted.<o:p></o:p>

"Oh, gawd," Sharkey

moaned.<o:p></o:p>

"Did you check all his

normal haunts? Perhaps he got a ride with someone and stopped off someplace for

a little action. Or maybe he's just

pussy footing around. Ha.Ha," she giggled, making her look a lot younger

than her 50 plus years. If the situation weren't so serious Nelson wondered if

he might actually like to get to know her better. However...<o:p></o:p>

"Are you going to put

out an APB out on him or not?" <o:p></o:p>

"Like we already told

your submarine people, it's got to be 48

hours before we can consider him missing." <o:p></o:p>

"He could be lying dead

or dying along the highway," Sharkey bemoaned, " hit by a semi,

slipped down the cliffside, eaten by wild coyotes..."<o:p></o:p>

"Francis, chill,

"Nelson ordered.<o:p></o:p>

"Sorry sir."<o:p></o:p>

"Very well Chief <st1:place

w:st="on">Dunmore</st1:place>...wait...did you release any of the men in the

lock up with him at the same time? Perhaps one of <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>them gave him a lift."<o:p></o:p>

"It's a free country,

" <st1:place w:st="on">Dunmore</st1:place> pulled out some files from a

stack on her desk, "Let's see. There were only a few drunk and

disorderliness last night. The drunks, no way, the disorderlies, maybe, "

then she started to laugh, "says here one of them kept telling anyone

who'd listen that your boy was a real cat! Tried to pet him."<o:p></o:p>

Sharkey almost swooned. <o:p></o:p>

"Look, Crane's was

already a closed case by the time I reported for work this morning," she

rifled through a rolodex, "but, considering his position, national

security and all, I'll get an adult amber alert out. It might not do any good

at all, but it's worth getting you off my back."<o:p></o:p>

"Thank you."<o:p></o:p>

"By the way Admiral,

when one of ours went missing, it was hell for us to wait<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> that damn 48 hour limit."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

He was cold, wet, and naked.

Why, oh why did weird things keep happening to him?<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Last night had been a nightmare. The thunder

had mocked Lee, as the torrential rain soaked him. And it had been like

navigating a puzzle to find his way to the main road to NIMR. The ground had given

way and he tumbled and skidded down the mud slicked cliffside to the beach.<o:p></o:p>

When he'd finally seen less

than stellar house he hadn't expected it to be occupied, and had sheltered

under it's back porch<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> as the tide came dangerously close. And now

he was a prisoner of good intentions. Oh well, any port in a storm as he looked

up at the matronly woman offering him a fresh bowl of milk on the kitchen

floor.<o:p></o:p>

"Let's try again, shall

we?"<o:p></o:p>

Crane's stomach rumbled.<o:p></o:p>

'Oh, that's a good

kitty," she scratched behind his ears, "A purring cat is always so

soothing."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I wasn't purring and don't know how I morphed into

this fleabag, lady. If you're going to feed me, how about a nice juicy steak?

And a Martini would be nice.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

Of course, all she'd been

hearing were the meows and yowls from the bedraggled black cat. As soon as

she'd spotted the creature huddling in the corner a little before dawn, she'd

been hooked. And so Lee had found

himself picked up, brought inside, his mud caked fur bathed in warm soapy

water, dried off,

combed, brushed, and blown dry, as the woman made sure he was

free of any remaining sticky burrs and gravel that had imbedded themselves in

his fur and paws. It wasn't that he hadn't appreciated the<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> shelter and attention he'd received, but he

had to get to Seaview before she sailed if she already hadn't. And most

important, he had to convince Nelson of his...er...altered state. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Now, you be a good boy

and use the litter pan this time, makeshift or not.<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Fishing you out of the toilet is not my idea

of a permanent relationship."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Wasn't my<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> fault I slipped off the edge.<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Cut me some slack! I'm not exactly used <span

class=GramE>to being a cat. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

That wasn't altogether true.

Lee Crane had been a cat before, when

he and Chief Sharkey had been hexed by Mirabelle Darcy. The bone fide and

centuries old witch, was now, quite rightfully, a frog

in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Whipsnare</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName

w:st="on">Amphibian</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Research</st1:PlaceName>

<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. Lee had to wonder

if she'd managed to break out of her warty existence or if someone was playing

around with one of her equally ancient spellbooks.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

It was bad enough just being

a cat, but having to have had someone pull you out of<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> a toilet had been just too humiliating. Back

to the present and the bowl of milk. He

had to give felines their due, it was hard to lap up liquid with the back of

your tongue, not to mention keeping it from splashing all over your fur. But he

was thirsty, so he slurped his fill,

even if it wasn't a Martini.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Before he could make good his

escape when the opportunity presented itself, he was plopped into a cardboard

box, and sealed in. <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Lee was mistaken. There was

something more humiliating than falling into a toilet. Having your buttocks

held firmly while a lady veterinarian took your temperature anally was far

worse. <o:p></o:p>

"Feisty isn't he,

Lin?" Dr. Yvette Abercrombie laughed as he yowled his displeasure.<o:p></o:p>

"He certainly is, but

he's a bit odd. I mean, I didn't see him

lick himself clean once. And when he condescended

to use the litter pan instead of the toilet, it was as if he deliberately

turned his back to me. Didn't scratch the litter before or after either. Maybe

he can't see well?"<o:p></o:p>

"No, no, his eyes are

fine. Maybe he doesn't quite know to be a cat...could be feral or abandoned as

a kitten. Instincts can only do so much; It takes a mother to teach their

kittens what you might call the social graces. Then again, he could be

retarded."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Retarded?Retarded?I have a

degree in Electrical Engineering from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Annapolis</st1:City></st1:place>

and <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Ow! Ow!Take it easy, will you? Lee spat as the thermometer was

removed. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Normal."<o:p></o:p>

"What do you think he

is? Burmese, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bombay</st1:place></st1:City>?"<o:p></o:p>

"Neither. Not with those

greenish eyes. Besides, you say he had very curly, almost human looking fur

when it was wet. Not a trait of either breed that I know of. Well, physically

he's fine, could use a bit of padding though. Has good heart and clear lungs so

he must be a non smoker," Yvette laughed. "Still, I'd like to take a

blood sample if you're going to keep the little fellow. You can leave him here

if you like....you know, Lin," she swabbed and drew a small vial of blood

from inside an elbow as the assistant held the protesting Lee still. Or <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>was it an elbow? Lee was uncertain if

cats had had elbows. "I've never seen such beautiful chameleon eyes

before."<o:p></o:p>

"Yes, I noticed that

right off. One minute green, then gold,

then brown.. sometimes they even look hazel. You know, <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>that's what I’m going to call him that! Chameleon!" <o:p></o:p>

"I have a friend who's

really into cats though she doesn't have any of her own just now. You ought to

show him to her. Maybe you can enter him in the mixed breed category in the

Santa Barbara Cat Show. It's coming up soon. Anyway, you can leave him here a

few hours and I can get a sperm sample

and check for volume and motility if you'd like to breed him."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I'm out of here! <span style='font-size:

14.0pt'>Lee struggled.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"As for not being all

that tidy, well, non castrated toms sometimes don't take as much time and

effort to groom themselves as fixed cats do. I can do that too for you if you'd

prefer."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>The hell you will!<span style='font-size:

14.0pt'> Crane spat, claws outstretched.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Fixing him might make

him a bit more sociable too, still...what pretty kitties he could father,"

she rubbed under his chin and put a band new collar on him,<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> complete with license and temporary

name tag.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Will you stop talking about me like I'm a prize stud?

If you think for one minute that I'd...I'd...and with an animal, you're sadly

mistaken!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Let me think about

it," Lin said while 'Chameleon' was unceremoniously put into a loaned cat

carrier, but before it was latched shut, he managed to leap out, and dart out

of the examination room. In moments he'd raced out the clinic's door from which

a new client was entering. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>"Commander Lee Crane, Captain of the submarine

Seaview," the TV reporter was

saying," has been reported missing,

postponing the vessel's scheduled departure. Private sources tell us that he

was last seen at a branch jail of<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> the Santa Barbara Police Department.'<o:p></o:p>

The head and shoulders mug

shot showed Crane still in his little black nose and white whiskers.<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Arrested for speeding and driving without a license, he was released on

his own recognizance minus his car of course. In his own defense, he had, it is

reported, attended a Halloween party at the Nelson Institute, his costume, a

one piece unitard, like the one shown here from the National Ballet Company,

left little room to store any kind of personal possessions"'<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>"That's for sure," <span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>another reporter laughed.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>"So far there have been no reports of a man seen

lingering anywhere in a cat costume...and now, in other news..."<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Jiggs, how could you go

to the news?"Nelson paced his office, puffing away, not even noticing the

distinct flavor of his favorite brand of ciggarettes."He'll be a laughing

stock!"<o:p></o:p>

"Yes, but at least he'll

be back."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

What was the old saying? Out

of the frying pan and into the fire? Oh, he'd made his escape from the vet's

office, but where was he? He'd completely lost his bearings. <o:p></o:p>

Suddenly the smell of food

assaulted his nostrils and his sharp eyesight finally focused on...

Dillardia's! Now, if he remembered some of the introductions from last night

correctly, Riley's current girlfriend was the diva chef's daughter! Now if he

could only hitch a ride if Antonia was joining the many friends and family

seeing Seaview off...if the boat was still in port that was.<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> So cautiously, ever so cautiously, he pussy

footed the corner.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Blast. Double Blast.<span style='font-size:

14.0pt'> No vehicle was parked at the service entrance.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

But the back door to the

kitchen was open and his stomach rumbled again. He suddenly realized just how

hungry he was, his nostrils opening wide. Maybe he could snag a piece of pasta

or something.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Without warning he found

himself looking up, at least from his point of view, at the biggest meanest

chef in creation. Minutette Dillardia herself! Lee realized he'd better use

whatever resources he had. He'd never known

a woman of any age or demeanor able to resist a poor pathetic

animal. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Lifting up a paw, he asked or

at least tried to, 'Pweeese, can you

spare some linguini?' and

batted his eyelashes...did cats even have eyelashes? He couldn't

tell. Of course all she heard were

feline cries.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"What's this? You mangy

cat! You want me to get closed down! Get outta' here!"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Mangy! I just had a five star grooming!<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I'm...er...well, anyway, I'm Captain of the

Seaview and I need to get back to my boat, but

I need some fuel before I collapse from exhaustion! Now, will you do

your patriotic duty or not? he meowed

and wailed.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Whoa...calm down

kitty..."Minutette said as the cat paced back and forth, lifting <span

class=GramE>it's paw now and then for effect. <o:p></o:p>

Lee had little doubt batting

those damn invisible eyelashes was working. <o:p></o:p>

"Are you hurt? Oh you

poor little thing. Look, I gotta' hide you. The Health Inspector's

here...Toni?" she called urgently, "Toni! Come here!"<o:p></o:p>

"Hey, it's a kitty

cat!" the young woman smiled, pleasantly surprised.<o:p></o:p>

"I <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>know that. Just put it in the broom closet, okay? I'll get a plate

of something for it. And make sure you wash your hands after okay?"<o:p></o:p>

"Okay okay, cheech. Even

I know that, Mom," she scooped up the cat. Within minutes Lee was safely

seconded next to brooms, mops, and a vacuum cleaner of questionable age.

Minutette opened the door not many minutes later and sat down a large plate in

front of him. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Years ago Lee wouldn't

haven't objected to Sushi. But he had dealt with enough Fishmen, Lobstermen,

and sea life of various sorts since becoming Seaview's master that he'd rather

just do without, thank you very much. The heaping pile of fish offal, scales,

and the odd eyeball was not in any way appealing. And the aroma wasn't all that

great either. Lee looked at the plate, then up to the chef, then down at the

plate again.<o:p></o:p>

"What's the matter? Cats

like fish, don't they?" <o:p></o:p>

"Actually Mom, it's only

cause' we've spoiled housecats with it. In the wild cats don't touch fish, Lola

says....I've never seen it around here before, Mom. With that collar, he's no

stray... just lost, or abandoned, " Toni knelt down to check his collar.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I'm not lost, just er..temporarily

misplaced.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Says here, name's

Chameleon. I'll call the SPCA registration hot line for his owner...how about some

ice cream Sweetie? Last folks didn't finish dessert..."<i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p></o:p>

"Oh very well, Toni, <span

class=GramE>go ahead," Minutette said, "but check the

newspaper for any missing cat ads before calling the SPCA. Maybe there's a

reward."<o:p></o:p>

"Poor baby..."Toni

scratched his ears, and soon returned with a half melted glass cup of multi

colored Tuti Fruiti, and closed the door before Lee had a chance to<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> consider his options further.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"No, I haven't seen any

strays around here," Lola studied the picture Yvettee and Lin <span

class=GramE>were showing her in the office, "I'm glad you had the

good sense to take this photo, Lin. What beautiful curly fur!"<o:p></o:p>

"Yes," Lin said,

"I'd never seen a cat with wet fur like that; sorry about not rinsing out

all of the soap suds before taking the picture."<o:p></o:p>

"It's a darling photo!

You should submit it to a card company. I'd buy one... You know, that fur<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> kind of reminds me of Lee's hair..."<o:p></o:p>

"Any word on him

yet?"Yvette asked.<o:p></o:p>

"No...but

the Admiral promised me they'd find him, even though he can't delay sailing

much longer."<o:p></o:p>

"I'm sure they will,

dear," Lin said, "as for Chameleon, well, he must have been so

frightened by his visit to Yvette, that he just ran away. And he was so...so

strange..."Lin began to share her experiences with the black stray that

sadly was hers no more.<o:p></o:p>

"Miss Hale, I...oh,

excuse me," Nelson had unintentionally interrupted and turned around.<o:p></o:p>

"No, wait, please sir.

Dr. Yvettee Abercrombie, Miss Lin Needlemeyer, Admiral Nelson."<o:p></o:p>

"A pleasure."<o:p></o:p>

"Any word<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> on Lee yet sir?"Lola asked.<o:p></o:p>

"No. Nothing. This sort

of thing has happened before you know. Heavens, that cat has curly fur!"<o:p></o:p>

"Only when wet,"

Lola and Lin said in unison.<o:p></o:p>

"Harriman," Jiggs

Starke entered, "You'd better call your search parties back and get a

little rest before shoving off tomorrow. They haven't made any headway and the

cops are getting offended that we're getting in their way."

"Damn it, Jiggs, where the hell is he?"<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Lee wasn't all that keen on

Tuti Fruiti; he'd have preferred Chocolate or Strawberry, but at least it was

palatable and he already felt better for it but as refreshing as it had been,

he really needed to get to NIMR.<o:p></o:p>

"Nothing in the paper

for the past week, Mom," Toni opened the door and removed the plate.

"What a messy eater..."<o:p></o:p>

Minuette knelt down with her

as they used some dishtowels to wipe off some of the sticky mess on Lee's fur.

As soon as they rose, Lee leapt out of the closet.<o:p></o:p>

"Hey, where do you think

you're going?" Toni asked, picking up the struggling cat, "I don't

think he likes to be held Mom. I hope nobody's hurt him."<o:p></o:p>

"Why not call it a day a

few minutes early and take him home for now. I have a busy schedule tonight and

I don't want to have to keep checking on him."<o:p></o:p>

"But I have a date!

Stu's only got a little extra time off

because his Captain's AWOL."<o:p></o:p>

"Lock him in the

bathroom then." <o:p></o:p>

"I hope you mean the

cat, Mom," the girl laughed," Can't Emily and Daniel babysit

it?"<o:p></o:p>

"They're barely old

enough not to need babysitters themselves, but, I suppose they can watch

him."<o:p></o:p>

In minutes the girl had

plunked Lee into a lidded box on the

passenger seat of her black and chrome Corvette convertible and sped off.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Hey!" she

exclaimed as Crane managed to escape the flimsy box, but instead of cowering in

a corner, or jumping out of the speeding vehicle,<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> he rose up on his hind legs, stretched out

his paws on the dashboard and was clearly enjoying the wind in his fur. <o:p></o:p>

"I guess you're not a

scardy cat after all," Antonia nearly sang out.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I was not<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>scared. I'm checking to see if you're going

anywhere near NIMR. But this is a great little car, he mewed<i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Hey Toni!" some

boys about her same age on motorcycles in the next lane waved as she slowed,

waiting for the red traffic light to change.<o:p></o:p>

"When you get a cat?

Looks like a hood ornament."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Hood ornament! The very idea.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>"Don't

you growl at me cat!"<o:p></o:p>

"Leave it alone Buzz.

He's not hurting you."<o:p></o:p>

"C'mon.. let's get it

on...I have a place we can be alone."<o:p></o:p>

"I told you before to

leave me alone. I'm not interested."<o:p></o:p>

"But I am," he took

her arm, but in a flash Lee had attached

his claws to the bully's arm, his body following, and forced some of the

leftover Tuti Fruiti still on his tongue to foam out the corners of his mouth

as he showed off his feline fangs. <o:p></o:p>

"Get it offa' me! Ow!

Ow! That hurts! Oh gawd hurry up, before it bites me...is it rabid or

something?" <o:p></o:p>

Toni could have sworn the cat

turned to her with a wink.<o:p></o:p>

"Or <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>something," she said calmly, "You might not want to try

to accost me again Buzz. My Sweetie is very protective, but," she added,

"you might want to get a rabies shot,

just in case. C'mon sweetheart,

"she gently pulled the cat, who had a hard time figuring out how to

retract his claws, off the bully and put him back on the passenger seat. As the

light changed she sped off, the motorcycles turning the opposite direction.

Fast.<o:p></o:p>

"Thanks," she

laughed, and Lee began to unintentionally purr. "How about that, my own

little attack cat. Sure glad I recognized that Tuti Fruiti...I would have

thought you were rabid myself. Uh oh," she added as thunder boomed. "We'll

have to hurry before that rain comes down. The top's got some holes in

it." She pressed the switch for the lid to rise over the cockpit. <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Emily! Daniel! Look

what I brought home!" Toni called out as she carried Lee in. Instead of

having sought shelter under the seat from the leaks,<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Lee had kept his post, scouting as it

were, and if he was honest with himself, enjoying the ride. <o:p></o:p>

"Oh!" the girl,

Emily, 10 or 11, clapped her hands and extended a gentle hand,"you poor

thing." <o:p></o:p>

Crane made sure he didn't say

anything he'd regret in case this innocent child took his meows the wrong way.<o:p></o:p>

"Name's Chameleon. Got

lost somehow," Toni sat him down on the floor, "Mom <span

class=GramE>says you and Danny

get to babysit him."<o:p></o:p>

"I got better things to

do than look after a stupid wet cat!" Danny, about 13 said sourly. <o:p></o:p>

"He's not that wet. Look

guys, I only have a few hours with Stu. And Sweetie here saved me from Buzz. If

he hadn't gotten involved, something awful might have happened. I think you

both are old enough know what I mean. Now, bring me my hair dryer."<o:p></o:p>

"Your hair's fine,"

Emily said.<o:p></o:p>

"For the cat!"<o:p></o:p>

"But won't he get all

fuzzy? Like a permanent?"<o:p></o:p>

"I..er...I

don't know...but I think we should get him warmed up a little at least."<o:p></o:p>

"He can have some of my

hot chocolate right now," the younger girl sat her mug in front of Lee,

the marshmallows bobbing up and down. It made him feel a bit seasick, but tried

a lap or two. <o:p></o:p>

"He likes it!"

Emily said gleefully and began to pet him in earnest. <o:p></o:p>

Lee didn't know how, and

right now he didn't care, as his body responded with deep purring which made

the kid even happier.<o:p></o:p>

"Well," Daniel

said, "he's not going to get any of my Spaghettios."<o:p></o:p>

Spaghettios? Spaghettios?

Lee's ears perked up. There was something about that canned food that reminded

him of something....of course. Now if<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> it was one of those special alphabet

versions.... Lee bounded away from the mug and plunked himself on the top of

the living room's coffee table where Danny's meal lay.<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Aha!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Lee started using his paws to

sort through the alphabet mini letters..<o:p></o:p>

"Hey stop that!"

Danny pushed Lee off the coffee table. <o:p></o:p>

"I'll get you some

tuna," Emily retreated to the kitchen, "Come on kitty..."<o:p></o:p>

Perhaps surrender <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>was indicated in this case, the kids

wouldn't catch on anyway...<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Certainly the can of tuna

wasn't bad, just missing something. Like a couple of slices of rye bread,

lettuce, tomato, mayo....<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Now let's see if there's anything I can find out on

the news about Seaview's sailing...Nelson's sure to have men searching for

me...'' he returned to the living

room and batted the remote control in Daniel's hand.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Hey Toni?" Danny

yelled, "Your cat's acting weird."<o:p></o:p>

"Deal with it!" she

called from her bedroom. "Did you dry him off?"<o:p></o:p>

"Do it yourself! Come

get the stupid cat! He's bugging me!"<o:p></o:p>

The doorbell rang. <o:p></o:p>

"Cheech!" the boy

rose and huffed over to open the door revealing the red haired blue eyed

All-American boy next door, his vintage Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle with

sidecar leaning dangerously on an equally vintage kick stand.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Riley! I've never been so glad to see anyone in my

life before! Lee jumped off the couch

and ran around and around the seaman, meowing feverishly.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Hey, I didn't know you

had a cat. What's the matter with it?"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>It's me! It's me! C'mon Riley open your eyes! You've

seen me as a cat before!" Lee

batted Riley's legs.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"I'm sorry," Toni

arrived, changed into a nice dress and heels, slightly out of breath, picking

the protesting Crane up, "he's just trying to protect me...it's a long

story."<o:p></o:p>

"Er, Toni," Riley

began, " I tried calling earlier but I only just got back from one of the

search parties...do you mind if we just get some pizza maybe? The Admiral's

really upset, the XO's ready to blow a gasket and the Chief's gone

ballistic...I just don't think I can enjoy a real restaurant or bar... I'm

awful worried about the Skip."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>But it's me! It's meow! Uh oh...Hey!Wait

a minute! Lee was suddenly aware that

Danny hadn't finished all the Spaghettios. Quick as a flash he was upon them

again, searching for the letters with his nose and paws which might just prove

to the crewman who he was.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Please Stu, Look at the letters will you! Look at me!

I'm desperate! he yowled.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"He's kind of

weird," Toni sighed. "C'mon Chameleon, lets get you out of the way if

you can't behave," she took Lee to her bedroom and locked him in. <o:p></o:p>

Nobody noticed the L-E- that

Crane had managed to spell out.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"If Captain Crane is

alive, he'll find a way to get in touch, won't he?" Toni asked as they

enjoyed their pizza at the kitchen table.<o:p></o:p>

"He knows too much. What

if he's been kidnapped, bound and

gagged, and tortured or..."<o:p></o:p>

"Stu, C'mon.. you're

probably just imagining things."<o:p></o:p>

"But he's just...<i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>vanished."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Antionia's bedroom was more

typical of a teenager than a young woman, but considering she still lived at

home it wasn't all that surprising. Lee

almost winced at the pink canopied bed, fluffy pink pillows, etc. It wasn't

that he disliked pink, but all over the place like this it was a bit

nauseating. But the fates had been kind. Over there, just visible from under

the heaps of clothes a chair beckoned, right under an open window.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Hey Stu, you're back

early," the NIMR guard said later that night, "You don't have to be

here till morning. So, have a good time? " the guard waved the crewman to

the small vehicle parking area.<o:p></o:p>

"Just great," he

answered, sarcasm dripping from his tone, "all she could talk about was

her stupid cat! Then he ran away, right out from under her nose. Said he must

have felt bad vibes from me. Called him Sweetie! Sweetie! That's <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>my name! "<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Suddenly Lee leapt out from

under the spare helmet in the sidecar and ran toward the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName

w:st="on">Administration</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Building</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p>

"Hey! Well, <span

class=GramE>that's just swell,

now he stows away in my bike!"<o:p></o:p>

"Calm down, don't have a

cow."<o:p></o:p>

"Name's Chameleon. Toni

was just looking after it till they could find it's owner."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, he can't have

gone far. 'Sides I know just how to lure a cat," he clicked the Food

Services Dept., "Hey Gus? You got any raw fish, yeah, scraps are fine...

"<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Charts and charts of charts

littered every conceivable space in Nelson's office as his<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> fevered smoking compelled Jiggs to open up

the office balcony to help clear a little air.<o:p></o:p>

"Sorry," Nelson

joined him.<o:p></o:p>

"Harry...about

Crane..."<o:p></o:p>

"I know...I know... damn

ONI. They won't aaaa aaachoo, admit

anything."<o:p></o:p>

"I thought you got rid

of that cold."<o:p></o:p>

"Not a cold. Doc said it

was an overload of...aaa...aaa.acchoo, histamines..."<o:p></o:p>

There was a sudden movement

in the heavy vines intertwined with the

wrought iron balustrade on the 2nd floor. Lee loosed his hold on the vines and

emerged onto the balcony. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Finally!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Hey!'Starke boomed, as <span

class=GramE>the cat ran into the

office and jumped onto Nelson's desk."Get your hairy butt off of

Harriman's desk!" he picked up the struggling hissing feline.<o:p></o:p>

"Easy Jiggs, it's just a

cat," Nelson pressed the intercom, "Security? Nelson. We have an

intruder here. No, nothing serious. Just aah

aaachoo pussyfooting around," he laughed, "It's a cat. What? Why

yes, it's coal black. Collar? Yes," Nelson reached for the tag," yes

that's it all right. Check with Riley

for his girlfriend's number."<o:p></o:p>

"And hurry it up!"

Jiggs added before Nelson ended the call.<o:p></o:p>

"Settle down,

Jiggs,"Nelson took the cat from him, "That goes for you too Tiger. I

mean Chameleon; gads what an awful name for a strapping fellow like you. That's

better..."<o:p></o:p>

"Great Caesar's Ghost, I

think it likes you!"<o:p></o:p>

"I'm kind of surprised

myself. I've never been partial to...aaa..aaaaaachhoo...to cats. " <o:p></o:p>

Quick as a flash Lee used the

lesser grip to jump free and onto the desk again, and began to pat the computer

keyboard.<o:p></o:p>

"Oh no you don't,

buster, " Nelson picked him up, "Bad

kitty. This is highly sophisticated piece of technology. Not something to play

with...see? Look at what you did," he pressed the intercom again,

"Communications? Get me Chip Morton. My personal computer's a

aaachoo...acting up."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>For Pete's sake, give me a friggin' chance to finish

will you? Lee meowed.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"You sure you didn't

just press the wrong button again, sir?" a voice hesitated.<o:p></o:p>

"You don't question

orders sailor, you obey them!" Starke bellowed.<o:p></o:p>

"Right away sir."<o:p></o:p>

"I keep telling you that

you need to attend a computer class," Jiggs sat down in the comfortable

lounge chair, while Nelson maintained his grip on Lee.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>He's right Admiral. And while we're on the subject,

you really shouldn't use Seaview's computer for the odds on winning the Lottery

or the Santa Anita horse race either. Blew a fuse that time.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Noisy fellow aaa

aaachoo! Aren't you?" Nelson laughed, "Doc said he was sure I wasn't

allergic to cats or dogs...but I think he may have been mistaken."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"You wanted to see

me?" Morton ducked into Nelson's office a few minutes later," Hey,

it's a cat."<o:p></o:p>

"Brilliant powers of

observation Mr. Morton," Starke snorted. "Now, fix Harry's computer."

<o:p></o:p>

"What's wrong with it?<o:p></o:p>

"I <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>had it tuned to the NCIS director's office for any updates on Lee,

now that they're involved," Nelson said, "Now it's nothing but a

blank blue screen, except for that little code on it. "<o:p></o:p>

"If I didn't know any

better it almost looks like the old DOS system...but that's Word, that's a word

processing system but the toolbar's not showing...never mind. You lost your

connection to NCIS. When did you get a cat, sir?" Chip asked as he tried

to figure out the I- M-L-E-E on the screen.<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>I aa aaachoo! didn't."<o:p></o:p>

"The stupid cat popped

in here like it owned the place and decided to play with Harriman's toys,"

Starke explained, "if it's ruined his computer...."<o:p></o:p>

"Couldn't have done

that, sir," Chip scratched behind Lee's ears, "could you. You know,

you're a pretty kitty. I bet Lola would like you. Looks like a panther, doesn't

it, sir. Well, that's no code I'm

familiar with. Makes no sense that I can

see either, unless the cat actually meant to type something in felinese, "

Morton joked. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I did you

idiot! <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>I'm Lee, Chip! I'm Lee! And I would have finished if I hadn't been

interrupted! And I'm not a pretty kitty!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Is it talking back to

me?"<o:p></o:p>

"Seems<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> like it," Nelson laughed.<o:p></o:p>

Security arrived with an

animal carrier and Starke waved them in.<o:p></o:p>

"We'll take the cat off

your hands."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>No!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Whoa Tiger!"

Nelson warned as Lee hissed, fur rising.<o:p></o:p>

"Nobody's going to hurt

you," security said, "Except maybe Riley."<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Riley?" Chip asked as the screen returned to NCIS.<o:p></o:p>

"Seems this kitty cat kind

of stowed away in Riley's sidecar. Antonia Dillardia was watching it till she

could get the SPCA to find it's real owner. By the way we found out who it

belongs to. One of Miss Hale's vet's friends. A Lin Needlemeyer. Well, I'd

better hurry. You know darn well sir that Hell hath no fury like a woman

scorned or if her kitty cat's absconded. I remember when Miss Lola...well,

never mind that now sir....er...if you'll hand him over?"<o:p></o:p>

"Wait a minute, I've

been thinking. Call Miss Hale and see if her friend can pick him up at her

place. You'd like that over a stay in

the kennels wouldn't you, Tiger? No barking dogs to upset you," Nelson

handed Lee over to the man, struggling fiercely.<o:p></o:p>

"I guess not,"

Nelson chuckled as Lee found himself deposited in the carrier, but<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> not before he heard Chip asking Nelson

if Seaview's mission could be postponed

a little longer.<o:p></o:p>

"No Chip, I've afraid

we've delayed long enough. By order of the SecNav we've wasted enough

time."<o:p></o:p>

"Trying to find Lee is

not wasting time!"<o:p></o:p>

"We know that

Morton," Starke said. "But for this mission Seaview's been

specifically requested by the Navy to test out this new software."<o:p></o:p>

"Which is just plain

stupid, if you ask me. Any boat can babysit that thing they installed to listen

and identify vessel signature noises. Why us?"<o:p></o:p>

"Payback of some kind

I'm sure," Nelson said. "I tried Chip, I really did. You know I don't

like leaving things as they are. But orders are unfortunately, orders. <span

class=GramE>Captain or no Captain."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"What a pwitty wittle

kitty..." the bathrobe clad Lola opened the carrier as the man grinned at

her appreciatively.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lola, I love you<span style='font-size:

14.0pt'>, Lee meowed, but will you please

stop using baby talk?We've discussed this before. And as for you Mister, he

hissed with a backward glance, quit

looking at my girl like that!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Oh, yeah, by the way,

Riley said the cat's a bit weird."<o:p></o:p>

"Yes, Lin told me about

Chameleon's little idiosyncrasies."<o:p></o:p>

"The Admiral calls him

Tiger."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, I guess you have

middle name, Chameleon. Chameleon Tiger Needlemeyer, sounds just fine for the

show."<o:p></o:p>

"Oh yeah. Compliments of

the cafeteria," he handed Lola a huge plastic container, "Lots of

leftover fish stuff."<o:p></o:p>

"Oh, he's going to be in

Cat Heaven!"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>More like Cat

Hell.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Stu also said he likes

Spaghettios," the man laughed, and handed a few cans over. <o:p></o:p>

"Well, you'd better get

back to the Institute, thanks for bringing him over. Now, let's take a better

look at you, Chameleon. Name's right on for a cat with such magical eyes...just

like Lee's," she sighed sadly.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>That's because I am Lee!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"What's he trying to pat

his paws at?"the man asked from the door,

"Don't you worry Miss Hale, I'm sure they'll find the Skipper soon."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I'm right here! I'm right here! And I need your help!

Lola help me! Help me!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Poor baby...calm down,

no one's going to hurt you... "she stroked him.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>'I know that!'

he moved away as if snubbing her.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"You know, he actually

rode in a cycle

sidecar and climbed up the bushes to get into the Admiral's<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> office. Probably why he's

so scruffy."<o:p></o:p>

"Lee's scruffy at times

too, "Lola mused. "Oh God I'm so scared for him..."<o:p></o:p>

"Now now...do you want

me to call the Admiral or maybe Mr. Morton to come sit with you awhile?"<o:p></o:p>

"No. Thank you. I'm sure

they have enough on their minds."<o:p></o:p>

"Good night ma'am."<o:p></o:p>

"Night."<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"I don't have to tell

you," Nelson briefed his officers<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> later that evening in the conference

room, "that I expect the same degree of professionalism and excellence

that I've come to expect from you under Captain Crane's command. I'm sure you

won't disappoint me or the Navy. It will be a rather simple mission. All we

have to do apparently is log the various vessels the special array will

identify. Commander Morton, of course has assumed the position of<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Acting Captain and will remain so until

further notice. Lt. O'Brien will be Acting XO for this mission. Any

questions?"<o:p></o:p>

"Will we be on radio

silence?" <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sparks</st1:place></st1:City>

asked. <o:p></o:p>

"No need to be. This is

not a fox and hounds exercise. We're really nothing more than a cargo ship this

cruise."<o:p></o:p>

"I'd like to request

permission to remain behind sir," Jamison said, "in case Lee will be

needing my professional help when he's found. I'm sure Frank Granger will be

able to manage..."<o:p></o:p>

"Very well, Doc. I have

no objection to the senior Corpsman in your stead. You're excused." <o:p></o:p>

"Me

too!" Sharkey said, "I

mean, well, what if Doc needs help keeping the Skip in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName

w:st="on">Med</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>...you

know how good he is at escaping and...oh gawd sir, do

we gotta' go on this mission."<o:p></o:p>

"Stow that kind of talk

Chief," Morton ordered. <o:p></o:p>

"I'm sorry

Sharkey," Nelson said, "I realize how you feel. How we <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>all feel; but I need you aboard Seaview.

"<o:p></o:p>

"Aye sir."<o:p></o:p>

"Jiggs, you sure you

won't come along after all? It's really your place as Commander of Submarines

Pacific..."<o:p></o:p>

"Someone's got to put

the fear of God into Crane when he gets back."<o:p></o:p>

For a moment Nelson wasn't

sure if his old friend was joking or meant business.<o:p></o:p>

"Very well. We'll be

getting underway tomorrow morning at 0400. Good night...Chip? How about joining

Jiggs and I for a nightcap?"<o:p></o:p>

"Thank you sir, I'd be

delighted."<o:p></o:p>

*** <o:p></o:p>

Though the Spaghettios had

been tasty, there wasn't a pasta letter in this variety,<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> so convincing Lola of his identity that way

was impossible. She hadn't even paid attention to him when he'd tapped various

newspaper sections as she'd cut them for litter. Words and phrases such

'Captain' of 'Seaview',' Missing' or 'Crane'. But what had been most irritating

was how she treated him like a kitten,

er...baby. At least it wouldn't be too long of a walk from her apartment back

to NIMR, for come hell or high water, he was going to be aboard Seaview when

she sailed.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

There had been a saying his

Mother had told him years ago that 'When the Lord closes a door, He opens a

window'. Well, this time it was the other way around and Lee was ready for it

as Lola greeted Lin at the door. Crane dashed out under their legs and into the

night, running hard and fast. He couldn't believe his luck, for seemingly

waiting for him was old # 7, one of the few bus's which made stops almost on

NIMR's doorstep. It was almost 2300 and this was the last ride of the

evening. He even recognized some of the

night shift's custodial crew chatting among themselves as they boarded, and

took refuge in one of the ladies' tote bags unawares before it was whisked up

with her into the vehicle. Trying to still his heavy breathing<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> he had no desire to be discovered by yet

another matron with maternal instincts.

Fortunately the bus doors had closed before Lola and Lin, lagging far

behind, were seen or heard.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"You've got to be

kidding," Morton, replied on Nelson's phone," All right, we'll leave

it in your hands. Out."<o:p></o:p>

"Now

what?" Nelson asked from the

balcony, Jigg's already having retired to the guest quarters elsewhere on the

grounds.<o:p></o:p>

"Chameleon got loose

again. Caught a bus."<o:p></o:p>

"He <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>what?"<o:p></o:p>

"Caught a bus. Number 7,

but...<o:p></o:p>

"Go on..."<o:p></o:p>

"Apparently he'd gotten

into one of our night worker's tote

bags, hid there for the duration. Jumped

out after she'd arrived in the ladies locker room. You know, I think someone

needs to have a long talk with that cat," Morton laughed then continued,

"Then it ran down the corridor and out the automatic doors.<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Seems to have disappeared into thin air.

Security will keep a look out, but a black cat at night? In any case, I'd hate

to be in it's shoes, I mean paws, if<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> those ladies get their hands on

him."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"No kidding? A <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>bus? That is one weird cat!"

Patterson chuckled as the boat began to slowly fill up with personnel. It was

far easier for the single men to stay over the night before an early departure.<o:p></o:p>

"Well, I don't mind if

they never find him," Riley pouted.<o:p></o:p>

"Yeah, yeah, quit

harping on it will you," Ski checked his watch. "Whatever Toni calls

it, it's a cat, you're her man. And

there ain't no equal in that respect. So don't worry about it, kid okay?"<o:p></o:p>

"Okay. Thanks Ski."<o:p></o:p>

*** <o:p></o:p>

Lee was glad of his black

coat. It made blending into the night so much easier. He was glad supplies had

already been loaded. No floodlights and busy crew to elude. Secrecy was

essential in that he didn't want to risk being discovered prior to sailing or

until after Seaview was was well away from the point of no return. He did not

want to risk being sent home even by the Flying Sub before he could convince

Nelson who he was. Choosing an opportune

moment he stowed himself in O'Brien's duffle bag while the Acting XO was saying

goodnight to his bride before boarding. Lee knew Frank O'Brien would be too

busy for sleep what with the remainder of the time before sailing<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> to properly stow his gear, so a quick getaway

from the relative safety of the Lt.'s cabin would be simple. <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

In the closed animal clinic,

the fax machine was emitting a message. Meyerling Labs had somehow mixed up the

last sample sent. The sample from one feline, Chameleon by name, was missing.

The blood from his sample, was human.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Stretching his muscles, Lee

was glad that he could use the top bunk to pull the ventilation <span

class=GramE>grill open and just

walk into the shaft. He had to smile to himself. Could cats smile? O'Brien had

simply tossed his duffle onto his bunk while <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place

w:st="on">Sparks</st1:place></st1:City>, his roommate's, was already stowed,

the man probably catching a bite to eat in the Wardroom with the other night

owls. Lee hurried along the winding shafts, assuring himself that his cabin was

probably unoccupied though it was Chip's right to use it as Acting Captain. He

really needed to use the head. And this time, he promised himself, he wouldn't

fall in.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Aaachoo!" Nelson

grabbed a tissue as he spent the next few minutes in a sneezing fit. He and

Morton had opted to board Seaview early themselves and were discussing their

missing friend and team-mate when Nelson cocked an ear,<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> "Did you hear something? It came

from the ventilation shaft...hope it's not rats. Most boats have an infestation

now and then..."<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Not Seaview," Morton assured him, "The Skipper would

glare the fleas off of them...damn, I hope he's okay, sir..."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Now was not the time or place

to reveal himself and sadly Lee continued his journey toward the bend in the

vent and to his cabin. He'd been right about Chip, for the cabin was empty of

any new occupant save Lee.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

After his er...business, Lee

hopped up onto the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. He was a sorry

sight if ever there was one. His fur was matted and dusty again. He grimaced at

what Lin would say if she saw him like this after all her hard work. Of course,

he'd purposely managed to contort himself enough to get the damn collar off his

neck, leaving it in the vent. The less they knew about him right now, the

better. An ordinary cat, if discovered, would give him more leeway, than if

hustled back to a certain lady. He was

reminded by his tired eyes and series of yawns that he'd been without sleep for

more hours than even Doc would approve of. But he had work to do and was soon

tapping some inquiries into his personal computer. Before he knew it, he'd

fallen asleep on the keyboard. <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"I'm not sure how it

could have happened, " Will Jamison checked the

report Dr. Abercrombie had sent with Lola and Lin the next morning. "That

lab's never had a mix up like this before. I wonder who's

blood it is..." <o:p></o:p>

"I don't care about

that!" Lin pouted, "I want to know that my baby's okay! He could have

fallen into one of your aquariums, drowned or been eaten by one of your damn

trained sharks or

dolphins or something."<o:p></o:p>

"Lin~" Lola tried

to calm her down.<o:p></o:p>

"I'm sorry. It's

just..."<o:p></o:p>

"I know. But cats have a

great homing instinct. He's probably on his way to your home right now."<o:p></o:p>

"But he's only just met

me! It was an accident that he used my beach house for shelter. He didn't pick

me. I picked him! There

's a difference. Yvette said he

was probably ferral..."<o:p></o:p>

"I'll have maintenance

make a sweep of the labs,"Jamison said, "the lab-rats might be

tempting."<o:p></o:p>

"Eeeyooo."<o:p></o:p>

"You okay Lola?"

Doc asked after a moment, "I know it's hard about Lee..."<o:p></o:p>

"I know Will. It's

just...I can't help feeling it's all my fault...he wouldn’t have been pulled

over if he hadn't been wearing that stupid costume...I mean...we wouldn't have

been speeding home...I wouldn't have had his wallet in my purse...we..."<o:p></o:p>

"It's not your

fault...it just happened. Okay?"<o:p></o:p>

"Okay."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Hey!"Cookie

glowered at the men breakfasting in the Crew's Mess, Seaview well underway,

"Who's been in my galley?"<o:p></o:p>

"Huh?"Ski looked up,

as bewildered as the rest.<o:p></o:p>

"Somebody's been

scrounging around. Got into my peanut butter cookies! Crumbs and<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> bits of cookie dough<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> all over the counter and the floor.. <span

class=GramE>and then there's spilt water and milk... When I find out <span

class=GramE>who..."<o:p></o:p>

"Probably Morton,"Ski

said.<o:p></o:p>

"He ain't that sloppy,

no matter how hungry

he gets."<o:p></o:p>

"Maybe <span

class=GramE>it's rats," Riley said, "I heard Mr. Morton

talking to O'Brien about vermin control when we get home."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Lee yawned, glad to be back

in his cabin, still

smacking his lips; he resolved never to eat raw peanut butter cookie dough

again. He could swear some of it was still stuck to his tongue, even though the

baked cookies themselves had helped to scrape some of it off.<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Of course, there was no way he'd been able to

open the fridge, and had had to do with water from the tap until he discovered

the measuring cup half full of milk. <o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, his computer had

continued to search out any information that might determine what, if any,

blame for his condition could be made to Mirabelle Darcy. So far, there was

nothing. Turning the computer off, he leaped from the desk to the ventilation

shaft again to spy on Seaview's progress

from the Control Room. <o:p></o:p>

*** <o:p></o:p>

"It could be something

you're exposed to ashore and aboard, "Granger was saying to Nelson in <st1:place

w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Sick</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Bay</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,"perhaps

a new cleaning solvent, a different soap or shampoo even. Maybe something we

all use. Companies do change their formulas."<o:p></o:p>

"Well that's just

great!"<o:p></o:p>

"There is a shot I can

give you that might help reduce the sneezing temporarily, but I guess Doc will

order a more involved test when we get back."<o:p></o:p>

"I see."<o:p></o:p>

"In the meantime, why

don't I have some men run a checklist on everyone's personal toiletries and our

cleaning supplies, see if there's anything new or

different."<o:p></o:p>

"Good idea, in the

meantime, I heard

something scampering around last night. What's the current protocol if we have

a rodent infestation?"<o:p></o:p>

"Don't get bitten."<o:p></o:p>

"Very

funny."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, for now, don't

eat or drink anything that's been left unattended."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"That leaves Captain Crane's,

Mr. Morton's, and Mr. O'Brien's stuff," Patterson was saying as the men

entered the Captain's Cabin.<o:p></o:p>

"Wouldn’t it be weird if

the Admiral was allergic to his own after shave?" Riley asked.<o:p></o:p>

"He'd be sneezing

constantly then," Ski said, "No, has to be somebody else's

stuff."<o:p></o:p>

"Hey guys?" Pat

interrupted from the head,

"Over here. Look at this," he ran a finger over the

loose black fur on the edge and in the sink.<o:p></o:p>

"Uh oh," Riley

pointed toward the main cabin area, "over there!<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The vent's open."<o:p></o:p>

"That's got to<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> be one big rat..." <o:p></o:p>

*** <o:p></o:p>

"We'll be at these

coordinates in about three hours, Mr...er...Captain," O'Brian reported to

Chip.<o:p></o:p>

"There's only one

Captain of Seaview and his name's Lee Crane."<o:p></o:p>

"I still think we should

have pulled out of the exercise. It's not a Seaview essential after

all..."<o:p></o:p>

"You heard the Admiral,

the Navy won't take no for an answer."<o:p></o:p>

"Excuse me sir,"

Kowalski reported to the officers, extending his hand,<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> "We found this in the Skipper's

cabin."<o:p></o:p>

"What is that? <span

class=GramE>Fur?"<o:p></o:p>

"Long black strands of

it all over the place. In the sink, on the toilet, on the desk, on the

computer. And the ventilation shaft was wide open. I hate to say it, but I

think we have rats sir. Big ones."<o:p></o:p>

"Take those samples to

Sickbay," Morton ordered, "Granger may be able to identify just what

kind of rodent we're dealing with. Sharkey, get a party

to check all essential wiring...any sign of nibbling sing out. O'Brien, get a

team to sweep the vents. Place some traps."<o:p></o:p>

"Right away."<o:p></o:p>

"Er. Mr. Morton?" <o:p></o:p>

"Yes Patterson?"<o:p></o:p>

"Last night, Cookie told

us somebody had gotten into the galley, made a mess,

crumbs all over the place.Must've eaten cookies..."<o:p></o:p>

"Why wasn't I informed?<o:p></o:p>

"Ski thought it was

you."<o:p></o:p>

"Kowalski!"<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Sharkey scolded.<o:p></o:p>

"Sorry sir."<o:p></o:p>

"Anyone exhibiting signs

of gastrointestinal

distress report to Sickbay," Morton clicked the mike,<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> "Anyone who ate any cookies last night

report as well. And if you see any rats, mice, whatever, <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>don't provoke them. They can carry diseases we're not prepared

for."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Oh swell,

Lee thought from his hiding place. They

think I'm a rat. He'd been aboard boats with rat infestations before and

the ensuing protocols were no picnic. Well, he wasn't going to put Seaview and

his crew through that, even if it meant they'd probably put him ashore early.

He'd have to figure out another way to speak to Nelson. But the grill was shut

fast. He butted his head and paws against it to loosen it to no avail.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Must be one in <span

class=GramE>there now!"

Riley said, "I see it's eyes. Man, like it's

huge!"<o:p></o:p>

Morton took out a gun from

the arms locker and cocked it.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Uh oh...wrong time and place...<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> Lee scampered off as fast as he could out of range.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Morton opened the grille and

fired toward the black heap.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Ow!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"It's <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>a cat!" Ski exclaimed.<o:p></o:p>

"I can <span

class=GramE>tell that. Get in

there after it," Morton ordered, "But be careful. Could

be rabid."<o:p></o:p>

"I think you only winged

him sir," Ski was heard moments later, as he pulled on Crane. <o:p></o:p>

"Be careful, it could be

rabid," Morton said. <o:p></o:p>

Moments later Ski emerged,

cat in hand, it's shoulder bleeding.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Did you have to use a gun Chip? Of all the...ow<span

class=GramE>..take it easy Ski!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"I think he's giving you

both a tongue lashing," Sharkey said.<o:p></o:p>

"Can't say I blame

him," Morton said ruefully. "Get it to sickbay. Riley, you go with

him. I'll join you shortly after I report to Nelson."<o:p></o:p>

****<o:p></o:p>

"Is it Chameleon?"

Nelson asked as Granger treated the bullet crease in Sickbay. <o:p></o:p>

"Well, he's black all <span

class=GramE>right, sir," Riley said, "But Chameleon had a

collar. And he acted weird, sir."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, taking refuge in

the Captain's cabin, using the head, and apparently sleeping on his keyboard

certainly meets that criteria," Morton said.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Ow!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Sorry, kitty," the

Corpsman said as he patted the wound with antiseptic cream and placed a bandage

over the small shaved area. "He'll be all right. Actually he's been pretty

good considering. Wish the Skipper could be as good a patient..." <o:p></o:p>

"You know buster,"

Nelson picked Lee up gently, "you are in <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>big trouble. Nearly gave us the heebie jeebies thinking you were a

rat. Aaachoo! As it is...I guess you're along for the duration."<o:p></o:p>

"Where do you want us to

put him?"Ski asked. <o:p></o:p>

"My cabin."<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Your cabin sir?" Morton asked.<o:p></o:p>

"Yes, <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>my cabin. I won't have it fouling up

Crane's."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Hmpf.<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'><o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Er, actually," Ski

said, "it uh wasn't all that

bad. I mean, he just probably wasn't strong enough to flush the toilet..."<o:p></o:p>

"Even so, " Morton

said," what's to keep it from getting into things, even the vent

again. He's a danger to himself and to

Seaview. See to it that a cage of some sort is made."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Now wait a minute!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Good idea," Nelson

agreed, "In the meantime," he added to the creature in his arms,

"let's see if we can prove your identity, hmm, Tiger?"<o:p></o:p>

"How sir?"Granger

asked.<o:p></o:p>

"Well, Chameleon's

supposed to be curly when wet, isn't he? Test it out."<o:p></o:p>

Granger quickly soaked a

washcloth and dribbled it on Lee's lower back. The fur curled wildly.<o:p></o:p>

"You know, that almost

looks just like the Skipper's hair!" Ski exclaimed.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>That's because I am him!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Have Cookie send

something down to my cabin," Nelson said, "I'm famished. Something

for our cat burglar too."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I didn't steal anything! And I'm not really hungry

Admiral...but thanks for the offer. I'd rather have a little chat with you in

private. Perhaps using your

computer?<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"I'd swear that cat's

trying to talk with you, sir," Granger laughed.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"You sir," Nelson

sat the cat down on the deck of his cabin after he'd closed the door, "

have been ah aaachoo, a great deal of trouble."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>You don't know the half of it Admiral<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>, Lee jumped onto the desk and pounced on the

computer's keyboard.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Oh no you don't,"

Nelson picked him off the desk. "What is it about you and computers? Nice

and warm, is that it?" <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>No that's not it, if you'd just let me get a word in

edgewise...damn thing's taking time to turn on..is it unplugged?<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Well, Chameleon,"

Nelson said, sitting on the bunk, "even if it turns out that you're <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>not Lin's pet, I'll see if any of the

staff at the Institute would care to adopt you. I would of course, if I didn't

live alone and am gone too much. You're an interesting specimen."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I'm not a specimen, I'm Lee! I'm Lee! Now stop petting

me and put me down so I can prove it to you! Er...a little lower...mmm...I've

been longing to get that itch

scratched...thanks...<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"So you <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>can purr." <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>No, no no..I didn't mean it...put me down Harry,

please!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

His meows were interrupted

when Cookie arrived at the open door with a tray of food.<o:p></o:p>

"Ah, and what do we have

here?"<o:p></o:p>

"Ham sandwich, mug <span

class=GramE>of soup for you, sir,

and a can of tuna for the kitty. We don't have any Spaghettios..."<o:p></o:p>

"Close the door, Cookie.

Let's see if he's hungry," Nelson let him go.<o:p></o:p>

Instead of choosing the can

of tuna on the deck, Lee chose Nelson's desk and began to devour the sandwich.<o:p></o:p>

"Discriminating fellow

aren't you," Nelson laughed and took a sip of his soup. <o:p></o:p>

"That soup okay,

sir?" Cookie asked, "Stowed by mistake, from the Day Care."<o:p></o:p>

"It's fine Cookie, I

quite enjoyed Alphabet soup as a boy."<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Alphabet soup? Lee's

ears perked up. Leaving the sandwich the cat dangled claws in the mug hoping to

snag some letters of interest.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Now <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>that's weird. I'll bring you another

sandwich and more soup now that your new roomie's helped himself to it. "<o:p></o:p>

"Yes, thank you," Nelson

mused, looking at the cat with interest. "Rather intent on playing with

his food isn't he?"<o:p></o:p>

"Yeah, kinda' like he

did with those Spaghettio's at Toni's, like Riley said. "<o:p></o:p>

"Excuse me sir,"

Granger knocked, peering in at Nelson's leave to come in. "The cat's fur

matches the sample Ski found in the Skipper's cabin... DARC? If I didn't know

better I'd say it's trying to spell something..."<o:p></o:p>

"Just gibberish. Must be

the size of the pasta bits that intrieges him."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Darcy! Darcy, Mirabelle Darcy! C'mon use your brain

Admiral! Lee patted the pasta on the

desk.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Is it yelling at you

sir?"<o:p></o:p>

"Probably wants more

letters to play with...Antonia Dillardia was keeping it awhile, probably fed

him a bit too much Italian."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>They gave me raw fish offal and Tuti Fruit Ice Cream!

C'mon Harry, would you please stop thinking of me as a cat and as an

intelligent human being instead? And if you'll notice, I'm not eating it!<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Y, I need a Y! <span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lee dangled claw after claw to try to pull out another

letter..<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Well, if we're going to

be keeping each other company, Tiger, sorry, <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Chameleon, I suppose I'll

need to make you some toys," Nelson rose and pulled out a small something

from under his bunk, and waved it in front of him, "There, how aaachoo!

About that?"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Oh gawd, Harry. You can't expect me to play with a

sock ?Crane looked at him aghast.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"I guess not."<o:p></o:p>

"They've made the

cage," Chip entered, "Doesn't seem to have eaten much..." <o:p></o:p>

Riley, behind him, sat the

cage down in a corner.<o:p></o:p>

"That cage <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>is large enough for him<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> to be comfortable isn't it?"

Nelson asked.<o:p></o:p>

"Plywood floor with a

couple of thick towels," Morton said, "wire mesh frame, and a pan of

dry oatmeal."<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Oatmeal?"<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>"Well

yes sir. Has to be flushable kitty litter. Biodegradable...dried oatmeal's<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> perfect. Get it..purr fect?"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>That's not funny Chip....Y!<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> Lee proudly

snagged the letter and pushed it to join the others, <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Look! Look! Will you look!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Enough of that yelling,

Tiger," Nelson scooped him up.

"I have to get back to work and can't have you getting into everything."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>No! No! You

don't understand! Admiral! Stop! Harry!Please!!!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

In moments Lee was seconded

to his new home away from home, complete with facilities, water bowl and a dish

of what looked like 'Goldfish'* cheese crackers, courtesy Cookie and a wicked

sense of humor.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Lee was mad. Nothing he had

tried had worked to free himself, but he still had his voice, in a manner of

speaking, and he used it. <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Do you hear that?"

Sharkey whispered to O'Brien of the weird echoes down the length of the sub.<o:p></o:p>

"What the

dev..."Morton raised an eyebrow.. "Riley! Go quiet that cat down!

"<o:p></o:p>

"Why me?"<o:p></o:p>

"Did you say something

mister?"<o:p></o:p>

"Er, who me sir? Uh how

can I stop it sir? Other than drowning it?"<o:p></o:p>

Nelson raised an eyebrow.<o:p></o:p>

"Not that I would

sir."<o:p></o:p>

"Good,

because you've just pulled catsitting duty.Take his mind off things.<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> Keep him caged or make sure the door's closed if he

isn't, but give

him something to occupy himself with. A toy, food, but shut him up,

understood?"<o:p></o:p>

"Aye sir."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Let me outta' here! <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"C'mon kitty, play with

the nice string already!"<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>No.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Stu?<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> Morton sent me to give you a hand..."Ski knelt

down beside the rating," Engineering reports they

can hear him all the way down there."<o:p></o:p>

"Tell me about it. Like,

he's possessed or something. I've tried Cookies, ice cream, even Ravioli! All

cats like to play with string, except this one."<o:p></o:p>

"Wait...what about the

computer...Mr. Morton said he played with the one in Nelson's office

ashore..."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Now you're talking!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"No

way, man. You want it to fry the

thing? The computer I mean, all that fur..."<o:p></o:p>

"Okay, let's take him to

the crew's quarters then. Maybe a video will calm it down. How about that

Chameleon? Would puddy tat like to see 'The Cat Creature'? Or maybe 'That Darn

Cat'... or how about Bagheera from 'The Jungle Book'?"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I’m not a puddy tat! I don't want to watch a movie, or

compare myself to a black panther! Get me

out of here so I can show you I'm me! <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Wow, he's pissed."<o:p></o:p>

"Nah, just having a

hissy fit!" Ski laughed. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Lee was frustrated as hell,

still trapped in his cage, too hoarse to holler any more. His cat sitters and

some of the men off watch in the Aft Crew's Quarters were almost finished

watching a new more mature version of 'The Jungle Book', making comments about

Chameleon's 'big brother'. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Stow the sarcasm!

And he's not<i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>my big brother...only Harry has that

right and...<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Sounds like he's

choking on a hairball or something," Sharkey turned, removing the DVD as

the film ended.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Hairball?<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'> Hairball? I assure you I ...aahhggghhh.

Lee gagged as the matted slobbery fur

came shooting from his esophagus and out his mouth. <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Ptuie!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>

"Admiral's pet or not, I ain't

cleaning it up after you, Tiger or Chameleon, or whatever the Admiral calls

you," Riley said. <o:p></o:p>

"Let's see,"

Sharkey read one of the multi media boxes, 'The Cat Creature'...an Egyptian

Queen is really a cat and metamorphosis's back and forth...good gravy what a

bomb...wait...ooooh., there's a pretty dame in it" <o:p></o:p>

"Meredith Baxter

Birney,"Ski whistled

in appreciation.<o:p></o:p>

"Whatever, she's a

dish."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Chief! Chief! That's it! Watch the movie! The same

thing happened to us! Remember Mirabelle Darcy! Put the two together, man! <o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Hey guys, he's acting

weird, again," Sharkey said.<o:p></o:p>

"Just put in a new movie

to clam him up will you Chief? <o:p></o:p>

"Or make him stop

hopping around like a cat on a hot tin roof!...We got that movie? It's a

classic."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>No! No! No! Will you idiots listen to me?<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"I think the Admiral was

watching it in his cabin last week..." Ski said.<o:p></o:p>

"Okay, I'll go

check."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Well, it was time for the

pathetic little kitty act again, only Lee never felt

less than acting...<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Er excuse me, fellows, but I'm starting to get

desperate now.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"I wish he'd shut

up," Riley snapped. "I can't think. I'm gonna' beat you at Scrabble

this time Ski."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Scrabble...of course...at last....c'mon guys...let me

out! See sore paw..see sore paw.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Granger said he was

okay...maybe he got a sliver..." Ski furrowed his brows. "That cage

got made pretty quick. Stu, close the door....I'll

pull him out."<o:p></o:p>

In moments he'd opened the

cage door, "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty..."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>My name is Captain...<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lee argued as the seaman pulled him out and exmined

his paws.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"I don't see anything

wrong."<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>There will be if you don't let me prove who I am.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Maybe we should let him

be just be awhile," Ski sat him on the deck.

"Okay Chameleon, is that better?"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Lee jumped up on the Scrabble

board and began to paw through the letters he'd quickly tipped over out of

their containers. <o:p></o:p>

"Must think they're

Spaghettio's, stupid cat," Riley groaned.<o:p></o:p>

"I guess...looks kinda

like he's into L's and Ee's....C's, R's, A's, N's,<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> uh...guys? Is he spelling what I think

he is?"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Another E was proudly placed

at the end of his name and Lee looked up expectantly.<o:p></o:p>

"Uh...oh..."<o:p></o:p>

"Get the Chief down

here! Fast," Ski ordered.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Ski I could kiss you!<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> Lee sighed, and began to scrounge for more letters.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Yeah?"<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> Sharkey was closing the Admiral's small DVD/Video

cabinet, "What's so urgent Riley?" <o:p></o:p>

"The cat...he's...he's

spelling out 'Lee Crane'."<o:p></o:p>

"Some

kind of joke, right, kid?"<o:p></o:p>

"No...he's really

spelling stuff! Like that DARCY there by the mug of soup."<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Darcy? What? Oh shit! "<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"So you mean to tell me,

" O'Brien asked as Riley and Sharkey stood before

him in the Control Room, "that Chameleon is actually <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Captain Crane?"<o:p></o:p>

"Yes sir," Ski

said. "He's been trying to talk to us...the spaghettios, the computers,

now Scrabble.."<o:p></o:p>

"This is in very bad

taste!" <o:p></o:p>

"Skipper's been changed

into a cat before, sir," Sharkey said, "Me too. I of all people

shoulda' thought about it..."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

In a matter of minutes,

O'Brien had turned the <st1:State w:st="on">Conn</st1:State> over to <st1:place

w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Sparks</st1:City></st1:place>, and crossed his

fingers that he wouldn't be laughed off the boat should he be proved wrong. The

crew often played practical jokes, but never at the expense of the Skipper...it

was unconscionable.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

By the time the Acting XO

arrived in the aft crew's quarters, men crowded around watching in awe as the

cat spelled out answers to their questions with the little wooden squares. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"All right, ask it if

it's Captain Crane," O'Brien ordered Kowalski.<o:p></o:p>

Why don't

you ask me yourself Lt?<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

Lee

spelled out.

<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"It was the witch,

wasn't it," Sharkey said," That's what you were trying to say with

the alphabet soup. About Mirabelle Darcy..."<o:p></o:p>

She may

have had something to do with it. She or her jewels or spellbook or something.

But I checked with the computer. She's still a frog and nothing's missing.

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Wait," O'Brien

said firmly, stunned, "You men could be moving the squares with strings or

remote controls or something."<o:p></o:p>

What can I

say to convince you, Frank? Wait, I know. You have a pair of non regulation

shorts with little red hearts on them your bride must have given you. They were

in your duffle bag. That's how I came aboard. I'm sorry if it embarrasses you

but think of how I've felt all this time stuck as a cat.

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Oh

gawd...er..."O'Brien nearly fainted. "I'd better...er...prepare the

Admiral..." <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

As he clicked the PA to

request meeting the Admiral and Morton in the Observation Nose, he turned

toward Crane, "After you Skipper," he motioned towards the door.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Any idea why O'Brien

asked to meet us?" Morton wondered.<o:p></o:p>

"Your guess is as good

as mine."<o:p></o:p>

"Everyone's been on edge

this cruise. And we all know why."<o:p></o:p>

"Chip, I had no choice

but to sail. The Sec Nav..."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"What is that cat doing

back here?" Morton said of Lee, whose tail was held high as he led the

small group forward.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

As befitted his rank, O'Brien

was succinct and to the point. The Skipper was no longer missing and had been

under their noses all along. Only as a cat. Chameleon in fact. Straight from

the source.<o:p></o:p>

"Oh, you've been well

and truly had!" Morton said. "I'll speak with<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> the crew Admiral.<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I don't know how they did it, but..."<o:p></o:p>

"That's what I thought

at first," O'Brien interrupted, "but...the cat, er, the Skipper, <span

class=GramE>well, he knew something nobody else <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>could have known. Er...okay Riley, set up the Scrabble board on the

table."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Lee hopped up and began to

pull at some of the letters. Then looked at Nelson expectantly.<o:p></o:p>

It's me, Harry.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Pretty good trick, <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>how are you doing it?" Nelson

asked.<o:p></o:p>

"And the Skipper never

calls the Admiral Harry," Morton added.<o:p></o:p>

"Er...actually,"

Nelson began, "he does, sometimes..."<o:p></o:p>

I know it's

difficult to accept, but you have to help me.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"I'm not

sure..."Nelson mused, as Morton looked more closely at Chameleon.<o:p></o:p>

"It's happened before if

you remember, sir..."O'Brien said. "When the Chief got turned into a

dog and the Captain into a cat, only this time..."<o:p></o:p>

"Well?"<o:p></o:p>

"Well, the Skipper

checked on that. Mirabelle Darcy is still a frog since one of her spells

backfired, and none of her stuff's missing."<o:p></o:p>

"Which can only means

that he <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>hasn't been bewitched again and this is still some kind of bad

joke," Morton said firmly.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>You have to believe me! <span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lee hissed.<o:p></o:p>

Sorry, I'm

still not sure how that happens. Please Admiral...Harry... You're my only hope.

"All right, all

right," Nelson said, his nerves frayed, "for the sake of argument,

tell me something only you and I

know. Not Chip, not O'Brien, not one member of the crew or anyone at NIMR. Not

the Navy, not ONI, not the SecNav, not the President. And not even Edith."<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> <o:p></o:p>

The cat pondered a moment,

headed to the massive computer, pawed in a few numbers and then waited for

Nelson to read the printout.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Nelson turned ashen and

crumpled the paper into his pocket.<o:p></o:p>

"Is it him?" Morton

asked.<o:p></o:p>

"God help us, it

is."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Lee returned to the plot

table, jumped up and spelled out <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

I don't know

about either of you, but could sure use a drink. And make it a double.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

<o:p> </o:p>

"Hold it, "Morton

said, "you're still a cat. It could hurt you. At least let us check with

Sickbay."<o:p></o:p>

Granger's a

corpsman, not a vet. Besides, he'll only say no. <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"We're still going to

check," Nelson ordered and nodded to Chip to raise Sickbay. The answer was

a definite 'don’t know sir'.<o:p></o:p>

Then how about a fried egg sandwich? Some coffee would be

nice too.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

***

class=MsoNormal>"All this

time..."Morton groaned less than a half an hour later in Lee's cabin as

Crane finished his sandwich, which had been cut up into small bits by Nelson.

After a few more laps of the saucer of coffee, Lee leapt off the desk and went

to the head.<o:p></o:p>

"At least <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>that mystery's solved," Nelson

paced, " but if we don't know how it happened, how the devil do we get him

back?"<o:p></o:p>

After Lee had finished his

business, he pounced up to the bunk and the Scrabble board Chip had ready and

waiting for him. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

The silence was

uncomfortable. Chip decided the two probably needed to talk privately and

excused himself.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Well Lee?" Nelson

finally asked when they were alone.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

What do you want

me to say? Frankly I can't think of anything more right now. Except the sooner

this mission is over and we get home, the better.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"I called you a

specimen! A specimen!"<o:p></o:p>

You also

promised me a good home. Treated me well, and even gave me a better name than

Chameleon. Fair exchange, I'd say.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"And we'll lick this

thing Tiger...er sorry, Lee. I don't know how, or when, but I promise you we <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>will. You look done in. Why not take a

catnap, er..."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>It's okay Admiral<span style='font-size:

14.0pt'>, Lee meowed.<o:p></o:p>

Thanks, I

think I will,<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">he

added for Nelson's

benefit.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

As Nelson left Lee in peace,

he hoped he could keep his promise. For right now, he was as bewildered as he'd

ever been in his life.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"I'm having a little

difficulty believing it, Harriman," Starke was saying via Nelson's

videophone.<o:p></o:p>

"Is this one of Chip's

or Lee's sick jokes?" Lola added, Angie shaking her head behind her,

"because I have to tell you sir, I

don't appreciate it."<o:p></o:p>

"I'm not that bad,"

Morton pouted, "and

it's not the first time; surely you know about the Darcy<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> incident."<o:p></o:p>

"Damn," Jiggs said,

smacking his forehead, "I completely forgot you telling me about it,

Harry."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>I don't remember, "Lola said.<o:p></o:p>

"Ah yes, "Nelson

said, "well, we all kept it rather quiet...the first time Lee and Sharkey

were in effect, bewitched by Mirabelle Darcy, a 400 year old witch, give or

take a couple of centuries. However, she doesn't seem to be responsible this

time. And Sharkey seems to have avoided a second transformation...."<o:p></o:p>

"Oh you bad bad boys!

How can you keep on joking like this!"<o:p></o:p>

"Miss Hale, Lee Crane is

feline," Nelson said firmly, "black, with changeable eye color.

Probably your friend's stray. And his fur is curly when wet."<o:p></o:p>

"I won't believe it till

I see for myself and talk with

him!"<o:p></o:p>

"I had every intention

of letting him tell you himself! But he's sleeping right now," Nelson

tuned the videophone to Lee's cabin. <o:p></o:p>

He wasn't there.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

With the freedom of the boat

in hand, er, his paws, Lee, after his catnap, had pounced off the bunk and headed

to the Control Room. Men he'd passed by gave him an odd look or two, as word

had spread like wildfire about his er...condition.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

He'd used the spiral ladder

and was sitting on one of the rungs and

gazing out over the spectacular vista from

Seaview's view ports with an occasional glance to the Control Room. He

hadn't meant to intrude on O'Brien's authority, but<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Acting XO

approached with a loud enough voice to be heard by all hands,

"Skipper, would you like to take the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State

w:st="on">Conn</st1:State></st1:place>?"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>No, Frank, this mission's yours and Chip's. Thanks for

asking though, he meowed. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Er, I've taken the

liberty of setting out paper alphabet and scrabble squares in all vital areas

of the boat sir, so we can understand you...er...communicate...."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Indeed the letters were heaped

in neat piles on the plot table and periscope stand and in every conceivable

space for ease of use, just waiting for him. In a few moments he'd

verified that he wanted O'Brien to

remain Acting XO... for now.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

O'Brien was about to argue

the point, when Lee angled his ears and headed to the Navy's experimental

system. Hopping up onto the console,

currently manned by Kowalski, he pawed

at his earphones.<o:p></o:p>

Ski took them off and lay

them down within Crane's earshot immediately.<o:p></o:p>

"Er...I didn't hear

anything sir."<o:p></o:p>

But the Captain had, and

bounded back to the plot table.

It's the Galileo<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"But the system hasn't

isolated her signature yet," O'Brien<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> said.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Trust me. <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Ski, make a note for

the official report that the Galileo's signal is not being picked up by the new

software, but has been identified by..er...another

source aboard Seaview. Note the coordinates and the time for

documentation."<o:p></o:p>

How

many signals have we picked up during this operation? <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Five,

sir."<o:p></o:p>

Out of 20

vessels in the containment area? Not too<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> impressive for a couple of million

dollars worth of software.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Maybe they didn't

install it right when we were on shore leave," Ski offered.<o:p></o:p>

"Lee? Nelson," the

Admiral's voice interrupted over the PA. "Report to my cabin would you? I

have Miss Hale on the videophone. She, er...doesn't believe what

happened."<o:p></o:p>

The men's hearts bled for

him. Facing life as a cat was one thing. Your girl, quite another.<o:p></o:p>

"He's on his way

sir," O'Brien clicked the mike shaking his head.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

The argument was still in

full swing by the time Lee arrived at Nelson's doorstep so to speak.<o:p></o:p>

"I don't know why you're

insisting on hurting me like this!" the blonde was saying.<o:p></o:p>

"Have we ever lied to

you?" Morton tried to persuade her.<o:p></o:p>

"Yes!"<o:p></o:p>

"Those were probably

matters of national and international security," Nelson said.<o:p></o:p>

Lee<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> decided<span style='font-size:

14.0pt'> it was now or never and quietly entered the open room and hopped up on

the desk.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lola? <o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Is that him?" Lola

asked.<o:p></o:p>

"He's the only cat

aboard!" Morton said.<o:p></o:p>

"Well to quote one of

those scientific methods the Admiral is always spouting, if it looks like a

cat, acts like a cat, smells like a cat, it probably <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>is one!"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

It really is

me Lola,

he spelled.

<o:p> </o:p>

"It's a robotic, isn't

it. You're testing it out on me, aren't you? "<o:p></o:p>

"Wait," Nelson

said, "Lee? Get in the shower."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

What? Oh.

"And I suppose you

understood what it just meowed at you," Lola said sarcastically as Lee

hopped off the table and went to the head, Chip behind him to do water knob

duty.<o:p></o:p>

"Not at all, but I

remember what you said about Lee's hair...."<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> In moments the soaked Crane returned and<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> hopped back up in front of the videophone.<o:p></o:p>

"Curly when wet, <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>just like Lee's hair, you said. Now,

does this fur really look like an

ordinary cat's? I should think these,"

he lifted some of Lee's furry but curly ringlets, "speak for

themselves."<o:p></o:p>

"Oh no, no, no! Oh,

Lee!" Lola began to sob.<o:p></o:p>

"I'm going to give you

two a little time together. We'll

conduct a full fledged teleconference in the Observation Nose later. Together

we may be able to figure out what happened. See if Dr. Abercrombie knows

anything about cat lore, legends and stuff, but don't inform her about Lee's

conversion..."<o:p></o:p>

"Will do, Harriman... Oh

stop your blubbering, woman!"he spouted to Lola, still crying behind him.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Hey! Don't you talk to her like that! <span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lee hissed.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"I'm not sure I want to

know what he just said."<o:p></o:p>

Would you

stop speaking over me as if I didn't exist? And if you ever speak to her like

that again, Admiral or no Admiral, I will make your life miserable.

<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">Sir!<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">he added.

"All right Lee, all

right," Nelson said, " I'm sure we all got the message. We'll meet in

the Nose in about an hour." In

seconds the couple were alone via the videophone.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Man, I could hear her

crying all the way down the corridor," Malone whispered as he relieved

Ski. "Then, when I passed by Nelson's cabin, I<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> saw the Skip just sitting there, staring at a

blank screen. Ski? You think the boss'll be able to figure it out?"<o:p></o:p>

"He has to."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"If I'd only

known," Doc was saying on the large monitor, "I mean, for a cat's DNA

to test as human..."<o:p></o:p>

"Did it prove Crane's

identity?" Nelson asked.<o:p></o:p>

"Well, no, the results

from the national data base haven't come back yet..."he looked off to the

side.<o:p></o:p>

"Anything wrong?"

Morton asked<o:p></o:p>

"I think they, Lee and

Lola I mean, had...<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>words...Angie's trying to calm her down..."<o:p></o:p>

"Harry, it's been over

an hour..." Jiggs interrupted.<o:p></o:p>

"We're still waiting to

hear from the Museum," Morton said, "they're checking the Darcy

diaries and manuscripts for anything about shape shifting, stuff like that. And

the reptilian research lab confirmed what Lee said, that Frog #0978 is still

there, fat and happy....unless...."<o:p></o:p>

"Unless somebody

switched frogs...."Nelson mused. <o:p></o:p>

"But that's impossible

Harry, you said it was implanted with an identity chip..."<o:p></o:p>

"I know...and it still

matches. Where the devil's Lee? He's been paged twice already."<o:p></o:p>

"Excuse me sir,"

Ski approached, "Malone saw the Skipper in your cabin a while ago,

but...er..."<o:p></o:p>

"But what?" Morton

asked.<o:p></o:p>

"Well, the video call

had already ended, but he was just sitting there, staring at the screen...said

he looked kinda'

spooky."<o:p></o:p>

"Probably

brooding. Go tell him it's

time."<o:p></o:p>

"Aye sir."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Thank you Mr.

Scales," Nelson ended his private call to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName

w:st="on">Salem</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>

and returned to the conference table. "They confirm the Darcy collection

safe and secure, and nothing in it about changing

people into animals. I'm afraid Mr. Scales thinks our inquiry's a bit odd. Had

to tell him it was research for a book."<o:p></o:p>

"So it wasn't

her,"Sharkey sighed. <o:p></o:p>

"Well it had to be

somebody!"Jiggs spouted.<o:p></o:p>

"I'm ready now

sir," Lola appeared at his side, her eyes red. Angie sat next to her

prepared to take notes. <o:p></o:p>

"Excuse me sir,"

Ski returned, "But he's not in your cabin, or his. I also checked the

Wardroom, Sickbay and..."<o:p></o:p>

"Lee?" Nelson

clicked the mike.<o:p></o:p>

"Harry? What are you

doing? He can't even click the damn thing properly without an opposable

thumb."<o:p></o:p>

"I er..wasn't

thinking..."<o:p></o:p>

"Chief?" Morton

ordered, "Get a search party going..."<o:p></o:p>

Nelson returned to the

monitor. "Stand by..."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Brooding wasn't the word for

it. Lola hadn't taken Lee's transformation very well. She could hardly be

expected to. There was no way Lee could ask her to continue their relationship

if he had to spend the rest of his life like this. <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

For the next 15 minutes

Seaview was subjected to a stem to stern search. <o:p></o:p>

It wasn't the first time

Crane had hidden himself away someplace when he didn't want to be found...even

by his friends. <o:p></o:p>

"There are all kinds of

places he could have gotten trapped in or fallen into..."O'Brien mused.<o:p></o:p>

"The pressure

hatch!" Morton ran aft.<o:p></o:p>

But there was no sign he'd

ever been there.<o:p></o:p>

"What about the Flying

Sub?" Sharkey asked as he conferred with Morton. " He's used it

before when he's been in a snit."<o:p></o:p>

"There's no way anyone

or anything could get into it, not even from her aft hatch. And what do you

mean when he's been in a snit?"<o:p></o:p>

"Er...well...he

is...sometimes..."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Stupid, stupid, stupid!<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'> Lee groused after he'd yowled in pain. The vent was

easier than stepping up and

over the several knee

knockers of the hatches on his way forward, but there was a drawback in that

some of the rat traps that had been laid hadn't been removed yet. He'd been

careful to avoid them, even if they were pretty impossible to set one off

unless one was in the mood for cheese. Until now. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

It had all begun when he

noticed a few ants, drawn to the feast. He'd made a mental note to have Seaview

properly fumigated when she returned to port. But in his case it was too late. <o:p></o:p>

Trying to shake off one or

two of the biting ants that had somehow attached themselves to his fur, he

bumped backwards smack into one of the traps, which caught his tail. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

It was bleeding and it hurt

like hell. But at least it was a part of his new anatomy that he didn't need to

walk. He hadn't been able to remove it and with each step the pain was

getting worse. He also discovered that

the ants preferred 'cat' food to cheese.

No telling how many times he'd been bitten now or what Granger would

say. He wondered if his growing nausea was due to thinking about it, or if

these damn eight legged critters were poisonous. His paws were growing

painfully swollen, and it was getting hard to breathe. The next grille and

freedom was a long way away.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Control Room?"

Patterson's voice came over the PA, "We heard a god awful wail followed by

some distressed meowing a minute ago from somewhere in the aft ventilation

shaft. He sounds really hurt. Riley's gone in already to try to find him. He's

got a throat mike."<o:p></o:p>

"Very well," Morton

clicked the mike, "Sickbay? Stand by. We think the Skipper's hurt." <o:p></o:p>

"Any idea how?"<o:p></o:p>

"Not yet."<o:p></o:p>

"I'll be ready."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Okay, okay,<span style='font-style:

normal'>Lee panted, <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> don't

panic...you're just scared.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

He had every reason to be.

His heart was racing, and he was starting to see things. Dark creepy things he

was hard pressed to identify....<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"I hear him! He doesn't

sound good," Riley pressed his throat mike. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

The seaman finally saw him,

Crane's bent tail dripping blood, still encased by the metal trap as he

painfully crawled, practically on his belly further down the vent and out of

sight. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Skipper? Skipper?

Wait...don't move! I'm coming! Control! Frame 45... Skipper! Hold on! I'll be

there in a sec....oh damn...."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

All hands waited with baited

breath as they listened in over the PA that <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place

w:st="on">Sparks</st1:place></st1:City> had tuned the mike to.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> <o:p></o:p>

"I've got him!<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Easy Skipper, easy...how on earth did you get

your tail caught in a rat trap... I got it off him...but I think it's broken

his tail, it's bleeding....ow! Ants!

Did they bite you? Skipper? Skipper? Hey guys, his paws are all swollen, his

eyes look weird and he's not breathing too good! Meet us at Junction 4!"<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Lee was too hurt and

exhausted to even acknowledge his rescuer as Riley put him inside the top of

his jumpsuit, and crawled them both to the exit, the seaman having the good

sense to stow one of the ants in his jumpsuit's zippered pocket for

examination.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Granger had laid Crane out on

the gurney, paws sweating, breathing labored.<o:p></o:p>

"Riley, do you have any

sign of swelling or discomfort from your bites?"<o:p></o:p>

"Not a bit, but the

Skipper's getting worse." <o:p></o:p>

"We've got Dr.

Abercrombie on the

video monitor now," <st1:City w:st="on">Sparks</st1:City>

piped through to both Control Room and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName

w:st="on">Sick</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Bay</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>

as Granger rushed an oxygen mask over Lee's face. <o:p></o:p>

"I understand you have a

medical emergen...ohmygod. Is that Chameleon?"<o:p></o:p>

"Er, no. It's the ship's

cat, Tiger," Morton covered from the Control Room. "Admiral Nelson's

trying to identify the kind of ants that bit him..."<o:p></o:p>

"Red or Black?" she

asked.<o:p></o:p>

"Red! Red! Red!"

Riley yelled, "Do something Doc, he's dying!" <o:p></o:p>

"Calm down, Stu,"

Ski said as he grabbed a thermometer," Excuse me sir," he whispered

to Crane as he took the cat's temperature...."temperature's 106.5,

ma'am."<o:p></o:p>

"Too

high, even for a cat. Wet down his

paws and tail only, no where else, that would trap in the heat. Get an

anti-pyretic ready if we have to use it."<o:p></o:p>

"I found it!"

Nelson emerged from the Sickbay office,

"Harvester ants...painful stinging bites, not poisonous

but..."<o:p></o:p>

"But they can cause

severe allergic reactions, and in some rare cases, we believe hallucinations.

All right...at least we know what we're dealing with...do you have

adrenaline?"<o:p></o:p>

"Yes, right on it,"

Granger said.<o:p></o:p>

"I'd recommend the same

dosage as for a newborn infant. He's the same size and weight.."<o:p></o:p>

In seconds Lee had been

injected with the life saving serum. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

It wasn't long before Granger

felt it safe to remove the oxygen mask.<o:p></o:p>

"The swelling should

come down soon," Dr. Abercrombie said, "now, what happened to his

tail?"<o:p></o:p>

"Er, he had a little

accident," Ski said. <o:p></o:p>

"No tailbones <span

class=GramE>broken," Granger showed her photocopies of the X-Rays.<o:p></o:p>

"I agree. Considering

the trauma, use a local anesthetic for

the stitches, it'll be easier on him. You know," she furrowed her brows,

"he looks a lot like Chameleon...he also has the same curly fur when it's

wet..."<o:p></o:p>

"Perhaps he's a

relation..."Morton covered.<o:p></o:p>

"Chameleon was all alone

when Lin found him, besides most non-castrated Toms tend to keep to themselves.

I'm a doctor. I know how to keep a confidence.

Chameleon's actually your cat isn't he, Admiral? What did you do to him

to cause him to run so far away? Cats do run away, but not usually far away

from a good meal."<o:p></o:p>

"The swelling's gone way

down," Ski interrupted, "temperature's better too."<o:p></o:p>

"Doctor," Nelson

said firmly, "I didn't do

anything to him."<o:p></o:p>

"Er, Admiral,

Commander," Granger intervened, "perhaps you'd care to wait outside

while I stitch him up.<o:p></o:p>

"I'm staying right

here," Nelson said firmly and stroked the back of Lee's head.<o:p></o:p>

"Me too," Morton

stood, arms folded.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Look, Lola, if you're

keeping something from me... "Lin was saying over a bite in the NIMR

cafeteria.<o:p></o:p>

"I...I can't say

anything....but I asked you here to tell you that I don't think Chameleon's

coming back..."<o:p></o:p>

"Hello girls," Dr.

Abercrombie approached.<o:p></o:p>

"Ohmygod, he's been run

over or something..."<o:p></o:p>

'No, it's not

that..."Lola hastened..."Yvette's here because they needed her

expertise for..er...Tiger, the ship's cat." <o:p></o:p>

"Tell me,

Lola,"Yvette asked, "does the Admiral always keep a cat aboard

Seaview? Because he should really take better care of him...and keep that sub

of his insect and rodent free."<o:p></o:p>

"I'm sure he will after

this," Lola sighed.<o:p></o:p>

"You look awful, have

you had any sleep lately?"<o:p></o:p>

"I've some personal

problems...Lee...."<o:p></o:p>

'Ahhh. Yes....you wanted to

take it to the next level and he didn't, that it?"<o:p></o:p>

"He...was <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>uncertain..."<o:p></o:p>

"Men who look like your

dreamboat Captain don't need to make a commitment; they're having too much

fun."<o:p></o:p>

"Lee's not like

that!"<o:p></o:p>

"You're smitten with him

and he knows it."<o:p></o:p>

"That doesn't mean he

doesn't love me."<o:p></o:p>

"Has he shown it?"<o:p></o:p>

"Well, he humored me by

wearing a unitard! He sure didn’t want to. I have some pictures...I thought

they were nice costumes..."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Easy Skipper,"

Riley said a few hours later as Lee sat up on the gurney, testing his limbs.

"Dr. Abercrombie said for you to rest."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>I feel fine!<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p>

"Oh, sorry

Skipper," Granger sat some alphabet letters on the gurney.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Never mind, Lee

meowed and jumped down.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Hey! Come back here!

Skipper? Skipper!"<o:p></o:p>

"Looks okay to me,"

Riley said as Lee ran down the corridor.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

There was a<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> heated argument coming from the

Observation Nose, most members of the Admiral's tele- conference<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> all talking at once from the monitor and from

the confrerence table. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"But that's

impossible!" Lola was saying from the monitor.<o:p></o:p>

"Really Admiral, it's

absurd, "Angie added.<o:p></o:p>

"Do you have another

explaination?"Nelson demanded.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Er, care to fill me in? <span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Lee meowed from the spiral ladder.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"What are you doing out

of Sickbay?" Jamison shouted, "you're supposed to be resting..."<o:p></o:p>

"We're pretty sure we

know what happened, Lee," Nelson said.<o:p></o:p>

"You see, it's like this,

Skipper," Sharkey began....<o:p></o:p>

"It's the only

explaination,"Morton interrupted.<o:p></o:p>

"It's a stupid

explaination!"Lola shouted.<o:p></o:p>

"You have a better one,

Miss Hale?" Nelson demanded.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>Hey!<o:p></o:p>

"Are you hissing at

Harry, Crane?"<o:p></o:p>

Lee moved some squares,<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

What's going on? <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"He thinks it's <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>my fault!" Lola yelled.<o:p></o:p>

"She did tell you that

she wished you'd be warm and fuzzy all the time, just like you were that <span

class=GramE>night, didn't she?"

<o:p></o:p>

What's that got to do with anything?<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"It was Halloween

night..." Starke piped up.<o:p></o:p>

"Under a full

moon," Morton added.<o:p></o:p>

"She put a spell on you,

Lee. Unintentional but..."<o:p></o:p>

Are you out

of your minds? Lola's no witch!

"There's more Lee,"

Nelson said.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Er...she bought some

emeralds, Lee," Morton said. <o:p></o:p>

"What she and we <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>didn't know," Nelson added,

"is that the curators at the museum had sold off some of the lesser Darcy

gems...to help pay for flood damage repairs, and they well, are reputed to have

powers, you remember."<o:p></o:p>

They lost

their power centuries ago! <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Mirabelle <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>said, " Morton said.<o:p></o:p>

"Miss Hale was wearing

them the night of the party..."Nelson said. "They must have caused

her words to be taken as casting a spell... changing you into a warm fuzzy cat.

Logical really, considering you were wearing a cat suit..."<o:p></o:p>

I'm not fuzzy,

just a bit furry.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"The fact remains

whatever magic was in those emeralds, they, combined with her wish changed

you..."<o:p></o:p>

"So all she has to do is

to wish you back," Morton said.<o:p></o:p>

"Well, I think your

theory is ridiculous!" Lola pouted, then, "So, Lee, how on earth did

you manage to get your tail caught?" <o:p></o:p>

The rat trap

jumped out and attacked me. Actually, I was checking my ant bites when I backed

into it. <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"But you are okay

now?"<o:p></o:p>

Yeah, I'm

fine, I guess.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Morton's going to pick

her up with the flying sub; bring her back with the gems."<o:p></o:p>

Belay that!

We're still in the containment area. Or

has everyone aboard this boat forgotten about our mission?<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Get going Morton,"

Starke ordered, "The sooner the better."<o:p></o:p>

Am I Captain

of this boat or not?

Lee left, soon

pouncing on the Navy console. This time Ski merely took off his headphones and

laid them down for the Captain to listen to.

"You're a <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>cat!" Jiggs voice followed

him. <o:p></o:p>

"He has a point

Lee," Morton said, "In your condition there's no time for you to give

immediate orders or responses...the squares enable communication, yes<span

class=GramE>, but the delay

compared to speech, well..."<o:p></o:p>

"And you're still on the

sick list..."Jamison said loudly.<o:p></o:p>

"It's not that we don't

want you in command, son," Nelson approached apologetically. "But

even you have to see it's illogical, from a military point of view..."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Lee knocked the earphones off

the console, meowed apologetically to Ski, hopped down, headed

aft and out of sight, turning once to glare at Nelson, fire in his eyes.<o:p></o:p>

"Well, that went

well," Nelson muttered. <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"What on earth are you

doing Cookie?" Riley asked the chef as he mashed up the piece of cherry

pie as some of the sailors just released from their watch filed in.<o:p></o:p>

"For the Skip. Thought

it might make him feel better. You know. About his command being taken

away."<o:p></o:p>

"Did the Admiral have to

do that?" Riley asked, " I mean the Skip's

still Crane, just has a new body like, that's all."<o:p></o:p>

"A new body that makes

it impossible for him to be understood without taking the time to use all those

little squares," Patterson said, "the Admiral has a point; the

Skipper understands. "<o:p></o:p>

"Maybe. But, like, if

you'd seen that glare. Think how he must feel. "<o:p></o:p>

"Think how Nelson feels.

Kinda like betraying your own brother."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Lee was idly flipping one

page to another on the computer. He was so intent on his own moodiness that he

barely noticed Cookie's arrival with the dessert plate of pie and a dollop of

vanilla ice cream.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Dr. Abercrombie?"

Nelson asked, frowning, as Morton helped her out of the Flying Sub.<o:p></o:p>

"I couldn't help

myself," Lola emerged after, "I had

to tell her, and before you get upset, she thinks she may be able to shed a

little light on Lee's transformation."<o:p></o:p>

"Er...we have other

guests sir," Morton said. <o:p></o:p>

"Officer Dunbar?"<o:p></o:p>

"I thought I'd better

talk to you in private, but Admiral Starke thought perhaps it would be

advantageous to poole our resources..."<o:p></o:p>

"Mine too, but I still

don’t believe it," yet another woman emerged.<o:p></o:p>

"Miss Needlemeyer,"

Nelson ran a hand through his hair. Things were going downhill fast. <o:p></o:p>

"Doc?"<o:p></o:p>

"Well, you don't think

I'd stay behind."<o:p></o:p>

"Ladies," Morton

said, " If you'll follow me to the guest wing...Admiral Starke, you know

the one we usually assign you to...."<o:p></o:p>

"I want to see Chameleon

first, I mean...Lee..." Lin interrupted. <o:p></o:p>

"Well it seems as though

the cat is well and truly out of the bag, literally," Nelson said,

"O'Brien, would you escort Miss Needlemeyer to the Captain's cabin." <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Lee was just finishing up the

ice cream when O'Brien opened the door after a knock, Lin braced for the sight

of her poor lost cat. He was a sorry sight. And though he'd finally forced

himself to lick himself clean, the fur had caught on his tongue, making him gag,

so he just didn't even bother to finish. <o:p></o:p>

"Oh Chameleon!" she

raced to him but stopped herself from picking him up in time, " I

mean...Captain Crane...I was so worried about you."<o:p></o:p>

I'm fine. Thank you for all your help when I needed it.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"I...I found it hard to

believe at first. Frankly I thought Lola was a bit adlepated...but

now...er...do you need some help cleaning up?"<o:p></o:p>

Actually,

yes, I'd appreciate it, thank you. <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

***<o:p></o:p>

"Let me get this

straight," Nelson asked Officer Dunmore in the Wardroom, Lee sitting on

the table, freshly groomed, "that detainee who thought Lee was a cat might

have actually seen a little transformation before the total result? But if

that's the case, surely your officers would have seen something unusual."<o:p></o:p>

"Perhaps, unless it was

so minor that nobody noticed...or...well...maybe it was on and off...though we

found his unitard more than a mile away, just yesterday."<o:p></o:p>

"Um hum...and what about

your theory, Dr. Abercrombie? This kind of thing can simply 'happen', no spells

required? Mr. Scales of the museum assured me there was absolutely nothing in

Mirabelle's spell books about shape shifting." <o:p></o:p>

"According to some

mythological works, spells aren't required," Yvette said, <span

class=GramE>" if one's agreeable to it."<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Agreeable?" Lola fumed, "I doubt very much that Lee was

agreeable to be turned into a cat!"<o:p></o:p>

"Even if the love of his

life wanted him to be 'warm and fuzzy' all the time?"<o:p></o:p>

"Perhaps subconsciously,

but not..."<o:p></o:p>

"But that's all it would

take. But somehow, the elements got confused and mistook your warm and fuzzy to

mean warm and furry, and the Captain's willingness, in a manner of

speaking."<o:p></o:p>

"Humph."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, what do you think

Captain Crane?"<o:p></o:p>

I'm open to about anything if it will get me back. But

it's a bit hard to believe it wasn't a spell of some kind. We've dealt with

that sort of thing before. So all I have to do is think myself back into a

human? <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"That's the gist of

it."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Lee closed his eyes and sat,

apparently in a trance. Opening his eyes, he looked at his paws then back up to

the Dr.<o:p></o:p>

Doesn't work.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Try Lee, try!"

Lola closed her eyes, "I want Lee to be a man again. <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>My man."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt'>So do I, so do I, <span style='font-size:

14.0pt'>Lee mewed. But to no avail. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"All right, let's try it

with the gems,"Nelson said. <o:p></o:p>

In seconds Lola had put on

the earings."I don't want Lee to

be warm and fuzzy or furry anymore. I want him back. Scruffy or neat as a pin,

I want him back. I want him back as a human!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

For about 10 seconds nobody

said anything as Lee sat waiting...and waiting...<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"Are you sure those are

Mirabelle's?" Morton finally asked.<o:p></o:p>

"I bought them from a

reputable auctioneer. I have the certificate of authenticity from the museum.

There were only a few emeralds they sold. I got these two earrings, somebody in

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Boston</st1:City></st1:place> got the

other lone gemstone."<o:p></o:p>

"Maybe we need a witch

or warlock," Sharkey said. <o:p></o:p>

"Absolutely not!"

Nelson griped. "We got into enough trouble last time. Get Mr. Scales on

the line again."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, in case nothing

works," Dr. Abercrombie said," Captain Crane must really learn how to

groom himself properly. Licking himself may bring up the odd hairball, but I

doubt he'd want one of your crew

assigned to keep him combed and clean. You've all seen how messy an eater he is,

no offence Captain."<o:p></o:p>

None taken.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Your call to Mr. Scales

is on the speaker phone sir," Morton turned<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> the unit back on. <o:p></o:p>

"Nelson here again. I

realize there may be a privacy issue, but we really need to know the purchaser

of the other Darcy emerald. Miss Hale is one of my employees, and it's a matter

of the utmost importance."<o:p></o:p>

"But Admiral, surely you

already know."<o:p></o:p>

"What?"<o:p></o:p>

"The other purchaser,

why, she's your sister. Miss Edith Nelson."<o:p></o:p>

"My...<i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>are you sure?"<o:p></o:p>

"I have the copy of the

check if you need it."<o:p></o:p>

"No, that won't be

necessary. Thank you Mr. Scales. Seaview out."<o:p></o:p>

You can't

think Edith cast a spell on me!<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"Never mind that

now," Nelson clicked for <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sparks</st1:place></st1:City>

to call his sister's private line.<o:p></o:p>

"Harry" she

answered a few seconds later, "What's wrong? I'm in the middle of a dinner

party!"<o:p></o:p>

"Are you taking this

call in private?"<o:p></o:p>

"I'm in the conservatory

with the door closed. Now what is it? Are you okay? Is Seaview? Is Lee?"<o:p></o:p>

"Edie, did you buy one

of the Darcy gems?"<o:p></o:p>

"Now how did you figure

that out? The Rolex company promised confidentiality when the set the

stone..."<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Rolex?"<o:p></o:p>

"I guess you <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>didn't know... Yes, Harry. The new watch

I sent you."<o:p></o:p>

"Er...yes...yes.<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Keeps perfect time...er...goodbye. "<o:p></o:p>

"Wait! What did you want

to speak to me about?"<o:p></o:p>

"Never mind."<o:p></o:p>

"You interrupted my

party for no good reason? Harry, sometimes you're really dense. Oh, by the way,

be careful wearing that watch, I hear the Darcy emeralds were supposed to be

haunted...if you believe in that sort of thing," she laughed. <o:p></o:p>

"Er...yes...well, thank

you...goodbye, sis."<o:p></o:p>

"Bye Harry. Say hi to

Lee, oh and tell him from me that he really shouldn't keep Lola dangling...it's

high time he popped the question."<o:p></o:p>

"Uh, I'll tell

him...bye."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"So it's something <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>you wished for or said, Admiral,"

Lola said.<o:p></o:p>

"Apparently. I just

can't think what."<o:p></o:p>

"Just what time was it

when that jailbird thought Lee was a cat?" Jiggs asked. "It might

help narrow things down."<o:p></o:p>

"About ten minutes

before we released the Captain," <st1:place w:st="on">Dunmore</st1:place>

said. <o:p></o:p>

"I was already in

bed," Nelson muttered then looked

at Crane, "I'm sorry Lee. I don't know how I turned you into a cat,"

he rubbed the stone on his Rolex, "I just wish you weren't one. You must

know how much I want you back. "<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Nothing happened.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"I'm sorry," Nelson

barely managed to whisper as Lee slumped his shoulders, jumped off the table

and left.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

It was past midnight when

Nelson entered the Control Room and looked toward the Observation Nose.

"How long has he been up there?" he whispered to Officer of the Deck.<o:p></o:p>

"Awhile. Just sits there,

looking out the windows."<o:p></o:p>

"Thanks," Nelson

said and headed forward, closing the accordion pleats behind him.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

After a moment Nelson spoke

to the cat on the windowsill, "Want to talk about it?"<o:p></o:p>

Lee shook his head 'no' and

returned his gaze to the vista.<o:p></o:p>

"Lee...please...talk to

me."<o:p></o:p>

Crane turned and jumped on

the table. <o:p></o:p>

There's

nothing to talk about. I'm just going to have to live the rest of my life as a

cat. <img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"I've racked my brain. I

can't remember anything I did or said that triggered your change."<o:p></o:p>

It's not

your fault, Harry. If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone a little while.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

"All right, but not

here...it's upsetting the men. Lie down, rest. Use my cabin awhile. It's

further away from the guest wing. I'm not sure they wouldn't bother you there.

It's a sure bet they won't try my cabin. I'll be checking the Navy's

unit...."<o:p></o:p>

Thanks

Harry, I think I will, but don't spend too much time on it. Just tell the Navy

that it's not worth the patent it's written on.<img src="https://members.tripod.com/~seaviewzine/scrabblesquare.jpg">

Before Nelson could open the

pleats, Lee took the spiral steps, unable to face being so superfluous on his

own boat.<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Webdings'><o:p> </o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Nelson shot the stars for

lack of knowing what to do. It had been a long time since he'd done this task.

Usually a starlit sky was comforting, but the constellation Leo mocked

him. After he motioned the fifth officer

below, he couldn't help burrowing his head in his arms against the coaming,

tears forming in his eyes. <o:p></o:p>

"Dear God... Please,

make me remember what I did to him! Bring him back, please God, just bring my

son back."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

He'd expected Lee to have

returned to his own cabin already, but Lee was fast asleep, curled up on

Nelson's bunk, the picture of feline comfort. <o:p></o:p>

Nelson toyed with the idea of

waking him, but instead, changed into pajamas and robe, and moved the lounge

chair beside the bunk. He was resolved that if

Lee was going to have to live at the mercy of his new body, Nelson would

do what he could to make it more tolerable, even if it meant bunking in a chair

beside him tonight. He could of course have used Lee's or a free guest cabin,

but there was something about tonight that made him want to stand watch

somehow. Nelson tried to remember some old proverbs or sayings to give him some

comfort regarding Lee's less than normal condition, but they eluded him and

sleep didn't come easily. <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Damn," Lola

whispered, jumping down from the top bunk. <o:p></o:p>

"Me too," Lin

replied and sat up from the lower. <o:p></o:p>

"I just can't help

wondering what could have done it, " Lola pulled out a small photo album

from her purse, "nothing rings a bell...nothing..."<o:p></o:p>

"Party

pictures...they're very nice....what's this one for?"<o:p></o:p>

"I don't know...the

photographer must have taken it."<o:p></o:p>

"Looks<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> more like a security camera capture."<o:p></o:p>

"Say that again!"

she exclaimed as she pressed the intercom link, "Er..Communications? This

is Lola, er, Miss Hale...ask Institute Security if they have videos of the

Halloween Party? And if there was sound. Thanks." She dragged Lin to the

door, "C'mon! We have to tell the Admiral!" <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Minutes later the trio held

their breaths as the videophone played the tape in Nelson's cabin, Crane still

sound alseep. It didn't have good clarity, but when Nelson saw himself berating

Lee...<o:p></o:p>

"Oh my god..."<o:p></o:p>

"What? What?" Lola

hissed, "I can't hear a word of

it..."<o:p></o:p>

"I...<i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>I told him he might as well be a cat

from the way he'd behaved! It's my fault! Mine!

Where's that damn watch...." <o:p></o:p>

Pulling it from a drawer, he

pulled it on, turned, and gently stroked Lee, "Reverse

what I said about Lee might as well being a cat from the way he

behaved...."<o:p></o:p>

"It's not working,"

Lola groaned.<o:p></o:p>

"Oh Lee, Lee..."<o:p></o:p>

"Admiral," Lola

gently took his arm, "It's all right to cry. I've shed an ocean of tears.

Let's go Lin. And sir, try to get some sleep."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Word had spread quickly that

the Admiral's second attempt to reverse Crane's spell hadn't worked. By the

time the day watch assumed their duties, it was a very depressed boat. Nelson

hadn't shown for breakfast. Neither had Lee.<o:p></o:p>

"I'll go see if they're

okay," Morton said, with a last sip of his spent coffee.<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> <o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

"Admiral! Wake up!"

Chip whispered, pulling on his robe's sleeves.<o:p></o:p>

"Hmm? What?"<o:p></o:p>

"Shhhhh! Look!"<o:p></o:p>

There on the bunk, Lee lay

toward the bulkhead, nude and normal.

<o:p></o:p>

"No tail! He doesn't

have a tail!" Nelson jumped up, quickly pulling off his robe and covering

Lee with it."Lee? Lee?" he shook Lee's shoulder gently in order not

to startle him.."C'mon Lad, wake up..."<o:p></o:p>

*** <o:p></o:p>

"I still can't believe

it," Lee said over breakfast, a vast spread, laid out for her Captain and

their many guests. <o:p></o:p>

"At least it won't

happen again," Starke said, "Harry tossed that watch and Miss Hale's

earrings overboard right after they found you changed back. Still don't know

how they worked, singly or together." <o:p></o:p>

"But a<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Rolex..."<o:p></o:p>

"I think Miss Hale

agrees with me that you're worth far more than any watch," Nelson said.

"You know, it's aaachoo, amazing, you actually look more like a cat right

now than when you were one!"<o:p></o:p>

"Very funny."<o:p></o:p>

"Must be the<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> hair...chameleon eyes..." Lola grinned.<o:p></o:p>

"I'm never going to live

it down."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, I still think

you'd have placed in the Santa Barbara Cat show," Lin said.<o:p></o:p>

"If I haven't said it

before, Lin, I really appreciate your taking care of me...if there's anything I

can do..."<o:p></o:p>

"Just be nice to any

stray that comes your way."<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

It seemed that no sooner than

Seaview had returned to port, Nelson had seen his friend Jiggs off and returned

to his office to get in some paperwork which had been sadly lacking his

attention. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"No...oh no! <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>No!" he gave a strangled yell, and

leaned against the wall, shaking.<o:p></o:p>

Atop his vast desk was a cat.

A black cat. On a boxed Scrabble game. Jumping up to join it was a white cat,

with blue eyes.<o:p></o:p>

"Admiral?" Angie

entered, racing to his side. "What's wrong?"<o:p></o:p>

"There! Look

there!" he pointed and groaned, "Lee...Miss Hale...they..."<o:p></o:p>

"Ah, Admiral,"

Crane sauntered in, Lola on his arm, "I see you've met Bagheera and

Snowbelle."<o:p></o:p>

"Er..uh...if you're both

you, who the devil are they?"he asked, breathing again.<o:p></o:p>

"Yvette said their

owners couldn't take care of them any longer...I kind of thought you might like

to have first choice. The other's going to Lin. "<o:p></o:p>

"<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>Me? Keep a cat?"<o:p></o:p>

"Well, you did kind of

like Tiger,"Lee grinned.<o:p></o:p>

"But Lee, I can't keep a

cat...I'll be sneezing all over the place."<o:p></o:p>

"No you won't. Doc's

report just came back. You're not

allergic to cats. You're allergic to me...my

hair gel. Must have been some residue on my fur. But once I stop using it, it

shouldn't bother you again...how about it sir," Lee picked up the black

cat, "I'm kind of partial to my brother here. He needs a good home. And I

bet he can nip any rodent problem Seaview has in the bud."<o:p></o:p>

"Are you out of your

mind? We can't have a ship's cat. Far

too dangerous if we're ever on silent running.

Besides it wouldn't be fair to him. He should be a pampered pet, not a

working animal..."<o:p></o:p>

"Then you'll keep him

for yourself?"<o:p></o:p>

"I can't Lee. Who'll

take care of him when I'm off to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State></st1:place>

or something or..."<o:p></o:p>

The cat purred in response.<o:p></o:p>

"You er...you're a nice

little fellow aren't you,"Nelson took him from Crane and began to stroke

it absently. "I'm sure we'd all be glad to watch him for you whenever

you're away sir," Angie said."Oh, by the way, would you chair the

Scrabble Championship tonight? We planned it last month. Staff vs. Seaview.

We're holding it tonight. We tried to talk Lee into it, all the <i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>experience he's had, but," she

giggled, "he has other plans..."<o:p></o:p>

"I guess I have no

choice in either matter," Nelson

grinned.<o:p></o:p>

"Lets' get out of here

before he changes his mind," Lee whispered to Lola. <o:p></o:p>

"Now, so we don’t have

another missing in action situation,"Nelson said, "what are you doing

this weekend Lee? Remember, I need you back here on Wednesday."<o:p></o:p>

"Well, I kind of<span

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> thought maybe I could get in some scuba

diving in the

Catalina's....er...sorry," he added as everyone laughed.

"Er...come with me?" he asked Lola, his romantic insecurity a thing

of the past.<o:p></o:p>

***<o:p></o:p>

Now, everyone knows that mere

gemstones have no magical power except for those who value them, and witches do

not live captive lives as frogs in amphibian or reptilian laboratories. And

there's no magic in the stars, except perhaps toward those who's hearts are

aching. But far deep down below in the depths, three emeralds slumbered, the

last vestige of the magical powers Mirabelle Darcy had entrusted them with

spent, at least temporarily, to await the end of her captivity, for the next

time fate brought a victim her way. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

"If this relationship is

going to work," Nelson told his new companion later that night,

"we're going to have to set some ground rules. <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>This is off limits," he pointed to an expensive leather chair he'd

just removed it from. The cat of course, had no intention of listening and just

as quickly hopped back up onto it. "Stubborn as Lee, I see. Now," he

studied the cat's pedigree papers while he sat on the sofa. "I don't think

I can bring myself to call you Bagherra. How about Tiger...er no...I don't

think so, not after all I've been through. How about Buster? Ah, you like

it?" he asked as the cat jumped up onto his lap and began purring.

"Very well, welcome home Buster Nelson,"he wrote the new name on the

form. Leaning back, he pondered over the magic, or was it Divine Providence

alone that had actually brought Lee Crane out of his cataclysm. And if such a

morph could happen again, especially since they didn't really know how it had

happened in the first place...but of one thing he <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:

normal'>was certain of. At least he wasn't allergic to cats. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

>'<<o:p></o:p>

Fini<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

See Crane morph into

Chameleon<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<span

style='font-size:9.0pt'>Spaghettios- A product of Cambell's Soup Company<o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:9.0pt'>Scrable-A Hasbro Inc. board game.<i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> <o:p></o:p>

<span

style='font-size:9.0pt'>Meyerling Labs is fictional<o:p></o:p>

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Whipsnare</st1:PlaceName><i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> <st1:PlaceName

w:st="on">Amphibian</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Research</st1:PlaceName>

<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><i

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> is fictional<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

</div>

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