Title: Friendship's Cost
Author(s): Razor’s Shadow
E-mail address: tomahoma1@yahoo.com
Date: 12/28/10
Rating: K+
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron," its characters and concepts are copyright to Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc and are used without permission.
Summary:  For the sake of protecting his friend, Chance stands on the brink of a life-changing decision.
Author's Comments/Notes: Don’t know what brought this one on. Well, anyway, meant to be a standalone story but might continue it if people would like me to.

“Chance what are you saying!?” a wide eyed Jake asked, the surprise evident in his voice.

“I’m saying it’s over, Jake. I’m going solo from now on,” Chance responded, trying to ignore the pain the hurt look in his longtime friend’s eyes caused.

“Why ,Chance!? I know I doubted myself for a while, but I worked through it, so why?” Jake asked, the surprise in his voice now replaced by confusion.

Despite his best attempts Chance couldn’t help but flinch at Jake’s reaction. He knew his words had to be hurting Jake more then any injury had. Still, despite the pain this was causing them both, he believed it was the best course of action. With a sigh he tried a new tactic. “Jake, it has nothing to do with what you have or haven’t done. It’s me, okay.  Every time we get the call and jump in the jet, a small part of me tucked away in the back of my mind wonders if this is the one we won’t make it home from.”

“I understand, Chance. I’ve had that same feeling myself; after all, it’s true. Every time we take off in the Turbokat there is a chance we won’t be coming back. Still, that doesn’t explain why you want to go solo. If anything you increase your odds of not returning going it alone, which leads me back to my original question. Why?” Jake spoke calmly now that he had a little more information about the situation.

“Ah crud, Jake, can’t you just let it go!?” Chance spat out, trying to drop the subject, already having shared more then he wanted.

“No, Chance, I can’t! You’re asking me to quit being a SWAT Kat but offering no reason as to why except a feeling that we’ve both learned to ignore,” Jake replied, hoping to pry more out of his friend.

“Jake, please as my friend do as I’ve asked.” Chance was borderline begging, wanting to end the conversation before it caused more pain to either participant.

“You know I can’t. We have been doing this for years just fine. Now, after all this time you, effectively, fire me. As your friend I need to know why. What could have made you feel this way?” Jake’s voice was shaky and the hurt look was back in his eyes with even more intensity then before.

“Never mind, Jake, just forget I said anything!” Chance growled at Jake, hoping to use anger as a cover for the agony he was in. It seemed to be working until he looked into Jake’s eyes. Seeing so much pain behind them made Chance feel like he had been shot in the heart, and the knowledge that he was the reason made it hurt all the more. Unsure of how much longer he could maintain his composure, he turned to leave the room.

Chance was almost out the door before Jake spoke again. “Chance, please listen to me. You want me to let you go solo and trust you to take of things yourself. Yet you don’t trust me enough to tell me the reason. How would you have reacted if our situations were reversed?” Despite a valiant effort, the pain was starting to show and infecting his voice.

Chance stopped dead in his tracks after Jake finished speaking. As much as he was hurting from the pain he was causing Jake, it wasn’t until the comment about trust that he fully lost his composure. He turned, looking at his young friend.

“Jake, don’t ever doubt that I trust you! I trust you more then anybody else! I trust you with my life every time we get in the Turbokat and go along with any plan you suggest no matter how crazy it is!” Chance just rambled on and on, letting the words spill out, knowing they could never express just how much trust and respect he had for his friend.

Jake visibly relaxed when Chance started rambling on about trust. Knowing his friend still trusted him was a great relief, and for the first time he could see the emotional turmoil in the Tabby’s eyes. He instantly forgot his own pain when he realized this conversation had been harder on Chance then it had himself.

“I trust you with my life as well, no matter how crazy the flying can get from time to time,” Jake spoke with a smile, trying to use the comment to lighten the atmosphere.

A snappy comeback at the ready, Chance caught sight of the smile on Jake’s face. “Alright point taken; we’re both crazy,” he responded with a chuckle. The moment of bonding was, however, short lived as no sooner than Chance had finished his sentence did the alarm go off. “Crud, what lousy timing,” he mumbled before answering the unwelcome intrusion. “Yes, Mrs. Briggs?”

“T-Bone, Dr.Viper is back - he just broke into Megakat Biochemical.”

“We’re on our way, Mrs. Briggs,” Chance responded before rushing to the hangar where he found Razor waiting.

“I’m coming,” he stated simply before hopping into the Turbokat.

T-Bone just shook his head and said, “I know,” before jumping into the jet himself and taking off to save the day.