FIRE ON HIGH
“Fire On High” is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. All characters and settings © Tigermark 2003-2018 unless otherwise noted. Request permission before using them, please.
The characters of Anatol Altaisokova and Melinda Altaisokova are my names for characters © Max Blackrabbit. They appear in this story with his permission. The characters of Brandy, Maxwell, Tonya and Zig Zag are also © Max Blackrabbit and appear here with his permission. Events and information relating to Tonya, Anatol, and their family are presented here, but are not to be considered canon to those characters or any other story but this one. ZZ Studios, and all characters associated with ZZ Studios, James Sheppard, and Marvin Badger © James Bruner and appear here with his permission. Although characters from and events referring to Zig Zag the Story appear here, this story is not canon to that one, and the author will disavow any knowledge of this story. Wanda Vixen © Chris Yost and appears here with his permission. Sabrina Mustidalae © Eric W. Schwartz and appears here with his permission. This story is not canon to Sabrina Online the comic, or Sabrina Online the Story, either. Matt Barstock, Angie Rockwell, Intermountain Charter, The Bitch, and her crew, and Jerry Kitt © Silver Coyote. See their story HERE. Gail Rutherford © me and is not canon to any other story involving ZZ Studios. Gabrielle Ryder and Jean LeBrun © Aslaug, from her Transitions stories. See them at her site, The Axe Shed, available from the links page. Aramis Dagaz is© his player and appears here with his permission.
Author’s Note: Lewiston, Maine’s airport, identifier KLEW, is actually uncontrolled. That is, it has no control tower. Poetic license was used for this story, so Alex and company talk with a control tower whilst aviating there.
Chapter 104
Okay
As Alex and Corrie walked into the lobby, they noticed a sign on the counter. It read “Back at 12:30.” They assumed Gail Rutherford was at lunch. There was a loveseat and two chairs around a small table off to one side, so they sat down there.
“Are you okay, Love?” Alex asked. He’d processed what he’d seen enough to place it firmly into the artistic realm of his mind. He had separated and appreciated the various elements that had gone into it.
Corrie looked at him a moment, and then answered, “Yes Luv, I think so. The scene was wonderful. Romantic, sensual, tender. Even the nudity, although I was a bit surprised at how quick his ‘Ol Fellah stood up. What got me most was that line. ‘I know you’ve been hurt before.’ That…struck a bit close to home. Did Zig write that?”
Alex shrugged. “I don’t know. We can ask her, but if I recall she has several script writers working for her.”
Corrie nodded, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Alex let her have quiet. He was thinking about the flight back to Lexington the next morning when she suddenly focused on him, looking apprehensive.
“Luv, when we…that is, after we get married, can you please be patient with me? It may take me some time to…get used to doing…that.”
Alex thought his heart would break in sympathy. Knowing what she’d told him, it now slammed in how much pain and anguish it had caused her. He took her paws in his and kissed them, then looked up into her eyes.
“Chopper Gal, I’ve waited my whole life for you. If it takes a while longer for you, so what? We’ll take it slow, take as long as you need.”
Tears welled in her eyes as the lioness threw her arms around him and kissed and hugged him as close as she could.
“Well, did our little scene kindle some passion out here, too? Do I need to review the lobby security tapes for use in our next video?” Zig teased as she walked in the room.
Alex had heard the door, and so wasn’t surprised. Corrie nearly jumped out of her fur. Alex calmly held onto her as he replied.
“It’d bore you, Zig. Just us sitting and talking until just then. We did have a question, though. Who wrote that scene?”
Zig stopped short, her smile falling as she looked at them neutrally for a moment before answering. She had a good idea of why Corrie might ask, but she didn’t want her personal demons brought into the discussion.
“Joyce Palmer, a lovely beagle about sixty years old. She writes some of our best couple’s vignettes.”
Alex and Corrie both nodded as they untangled themselves and stood up, reading in Zig’s manner that it wasn’t a subject to pursue. Just then the front door opened, and Gail and Sabrina walked in.
“Oh, hi Zig, Colonel, Corrie,” Gail greeted them.
“Hi Zig, Colonel O’Whitt, and hi, my name is Sabrina. I do the computer work and web design here,” Sabrina stated, introducing herself to Corrie.
“G’day Sabrina, I’m Corrie Patterson, Alex’s fiancée,” Corrie answered.
Zig looked askance. “Is it that late already? I promised James we’d meet him for lunch at one. Gail, I’ll be out the rest of the day. I just talked to Marvin. If anything comes up, tell him. Let’s go you two!”
Alex looked at the collie and skunkette. “Nice seeing you ladies! Maybe next time we can visit more.”
Corrie took her leave, too. “It was a pleasah meeting you Sabrina, and good seeing you Gail. See you!”
Zig ushered them out as Gail and Sabrina called their goodbyes. The two femmes looked at each other and shrugged, ready to get back to work.
# # #
James was waiting at a table in Heraklion’s when Zig, Alex, and Corrie arrived. As they stepped in the door, they were greeted by a stout, greying lion.
“Ah! Zig Zag, such a pleasure! James is waiting for you. And who are this fine couple with you?”
Zig flashed him a dazzling smile. “Josef, this is my cousin Alex O’Whitt and his fiancée Corrie Patterson. Corrie, Alex, this is Josef Heraktopolous, owner of this fine establishment.”
“Ah, Zig, you are too kind. Hallo Alex and Corrie, welcome. It’s good to see Zig Zag with family. My home is your home,” the lion said with an expansive gesture.
“Josef, a pleasure,” Alex responded.
“G’day Josef,” Corrie answered. The lion’s eyes went wide with delight.
“Ah! The beautiful lioness is Australian! So wonderful to meet you. Come this way, please.”
He led the way back to the corner table out of the traffic flow where James stood. After a quick greeting kiss, he held the chair for Zig to be seated as Alex held Corrie’s. Josef beamed in delight.
“Such good manners, so rare to find these days. Stefan will be with you shortly to take your orders. I’ll talk to you again, enjoy!”
With that, the lion was off to greet his next guests. James was grinning at them.
“He’s always larger than life. Hello Alex, Corrie, how are you two? I see the blush has faded out.”
Alex grinned back. “Engaged, actually.”
James’ eyes went wide as Corrie held her ring up for him to see. He looked at Zig and sighed.
“You win. I thought it would take longer.”
Alex looked at Zig inquiringly. She laughed and gave an enigmatic smile.
“We had a bet that it would be under a year before you two got engaged, if not married. James thought it would be longer.”
“Oh?” Corrie said with an arched eyebrow. “And what was the prize?”
They looked at James, who put his paws up. “Uh-uh, not telling. Zig can if she wants but I won’t.”
They turned to Zig Zag, who still held her smile. “Let’s just say I get my choice next time and leave it at that.”
Alex now arched an eyebrow. “Okay, I don’t think I want to pursue that. I’m glad we’re such a source of entertainment.”
“Oh always, Cousin,” Zig responded, still smiling.
Just then, Stephan, Josef’s son who did waiter duty, stepped up.
“Hallo Miss Zig, Mister James, what can I get you and your guests to drink?”
The four ordered iced tea or water, along with their lunch order, and Stefan departed. James picked the conversation back up.
“How did the scene go?”
“It went well,” Corrie responded. “Theah’s a lot more that goes into it than I thought.”
“Me as well,” Alex stated. “It was a wonderful scene, and I was impressed at how Zig and her crew brought it together.”
“Good, she is rather picky. I watch her going through scripts and rejecting or rewriting stuff all the time. So, what have you two been up to besides getting engaged?”
Alex started to speak, thought the better of it, and then started again. “Two very long stories, which I think would be better saved until we get settled at your house, James. Suffice it to say for now we’ve been very busy.”
Stefan arrived with their drinks and food, thanked them, and then took his leave. Zig restarted the conversation this time.
“I can well understand that. We danced the schedule around several times so you both could be here. James, Corrie is partnering with Alex’s partner Billy Panelli to start a new business there in Lexington.”
James looked impressed. “Oh? What will you be doing?”
“Helicoptah service. Executive and VIP transport, sight-seeing, and the odd light rush package delivery. On ahead we may get a liftah like a Huey and do cargo, but there isn’t much demand in that area right now,” Corrie replied.
James looked at Zig speculatively. “We could go straight to my place outside Knoxville.”
Zig took one look at him and shook her head emphatically. “Alex’s jet was okay. So was the bigger jet from them we flew in, but I will not get in one of those glorified wind-up toys. No offense, Corrie.”
The other three could see that no argument would persuade her, so they let it drop. James picked up talking about his computer business and their friends Doug and Kelly Grantz, who were expecting their first cub. Soon, lunch was done. Their bill paid, and tip left, they all walked out together.
“Alex,” James said. “Here’s my address. You can GPS it and come on out when you’re ready. We’re going to drop Zig’s car at my work, so she can ride in with me in the morning.”
Alex took the slip of paper and looked at it to insure he could read it, then nodded.
“Sounds good. We’ll see you in a bit.”
The two couples parted ways for the moment, looking forward to an afternoon and evening enjoying each other’s company.
# # #
Tia was walking to her next class, Calculus, with Stewart Zander. He was as close to being a boyfriend as she cared to get. Mostly, they hung out together and shared several classes. Her Top Guns teased her a bit about him, but to her he was just someone to pal around with. He had said much the same thing, not wanting a romantic relationship. In his Senior year, he would normally be a year ahead of Tia, but with her early graduation, they would graduate at the same time. He was on course to go to the University of Kentucky for mechanical engineering, and possibly a basketball scholarship. Stew had also stated that he found most of the femmes who went after him to be kind of shallow.
Just then one such femme, a blonde spaniel with a low-cut top attempting to show her bosom, stopped in front of them.
“Hi Stew! Whatcha doin’ with this tomkaht? She doesn’t even like guys.”
As usual, there was an entourage of three other femmes coming in behind her to back her up. Tia just stepped around the spaniel and intended to keep on going. Stew had looked down at the femme. He had grown quite tall and was a standout basketball player.
“Vera, I already told you no, twice. I also told you that I don’t care, I still like her company, a lot more than I like yours.”
Vera suddenly looked like she’d eaten a lemon as her cheeks flushed. She whirled around and shouted at Tia.
‘And YOU! What do you have to say, Ms. Flat-as-a-board witch?”
Tia, now blocked by the entourage, looked over her shoulder, giving the canid femme her best felid stare. After a second, the spaniel took an involuntary step backward, nearly running into Stewart. Tia now gave a shrug.
“Stewart is a big pup, he can speak for himself. Which he just did.”
Just then they heard a shrill voice.
“What are you all doing blocking the hall? Get to Class!”
The shrill voice belonged to Mrs. Dobbins, the meerkat Senior English teacher. The entourage dissolved like snow in July as they all scurried away toward their next class. Vera still looked sour, but then dropped her gaze and ducked away, unable to meet Tia’s gaze.
Tia started on down the hall. Stewart caught up with her in two strides and they walked on past the meerkat as she turned back to her classroom.
“Fur, she gets worse every day. And for the record, you are not flat as a board,” Stewart said, shaking his head as they walked on. Tia nearly giggled but let it out as a broad smile.
“I know. I just don’t believe in hanging ‘em out there for everyone to gawk at.”
“You know, you could break any and all of them in half. Why are you so calm and cool about it?” he asked.
Tia, her tail curling behind her, shrugged. “I know I could, but what would that prove? Ones like her are so out of their league they don’t even know there is a league. It wouldn’t be fair, it wouldn’t be honorable, and it wouldn’t be a challenge. She’s no actual threat, so what she says doesn’t really matter. This is just high school snobbery and attitude. None of that is worth the trouble it would bring.”
Stewart nodded. Tia had become the one to go to for calm, clear advice and reason. They arrived at their classroom and got in their seats before the bell. They were getting settled when the room’s intercom chimed on.
*Ping Ping* “Mrs. Harver?”
The rather stout mephit replied from her desk. “Yes?”
“This is Mr. Brown, could you send Tia O’Whitt to the office please?”
“Yes, will she be out all class?” the skunk teacher asked.
“No, most likely not. She’s not in trouble, we just need to see her for a few minutes.”
The teacher gave Tia a nod as she answered. “She’s on her way.”
“Thank you.”
The intercom went silent as Tia stood back up. She left her books there, grabbed her small purse and headed for the office, unsure as to what was going on. Could Vera or her entourage have complained about her or something? She doubted that, since the principal had said she wasn’t in trouble. When she arrived, Claire the secretary sent her on in to see the principal. Mr. Brown was the principal of Clark County High School. A rather stocky squirrel, he commanded respect and seemed to have boundless energy. As she entered his office, he was sitting behind his desk, reading over some papers. He looked over his glasses at her and nodded to a chair.
“Have a seat, Tia. This won’t take long. We have a student who’ll be starting here Monday. In looking at his record, I noted that you and he have a history. I want to make sure there’s no trouble before I approve his transfer.”
Tia looked at him neutrally. “I see. If it’s who I think it is, there won’t be any on my end. If there is any, it will be on his end. I’ll defend myself if need be, but I won’t intentionally cause him any trouble.”
The principal looked at her for several seconds. She held his gaze and waited. He finally blinked and gave a nod.
“Good. You did surmise this is Carl Branson I’m speaking of?”
Tia nodded. “He’s the only one I know of that fit what you said. I’d heard he’d turned himself around and was doing well at Tonemaine. He…actually gave a warning that probably saved my mom and me. I have no grudge or anything against him.”
The squirrel nodded and then dropped a bombshell.
“He’s in the other office. He has asked if he could apologize to you and clear the air completely before he starts classes and randomly runs into you in the hall.”
Tia thought a long moment, and then nodded calmly. “I can see that. I accept.”
The principal toggled the intercom. “Claire, you can send him in.”
“Yes sir,” came the reply. In a second the door opened and Carl Branson, older, moderately larger, and escorted by a deputy sheriff, came in. He looked at Mr. Brown questioningly, and then looked at Tia.
“Go ahead Carl, it’s okay,” the principal stated.
The canid took a step forward and faced Tia, who had stood up when he came in. He looked at her evenly for a moment, and then dropped to one knee, baring his throat.
“Tia, I’m very, very sorry for what I said and did, and for what my pa tried to do. I was wrong. I was taught wrong by him, but I followed until I learned better. I submit and ask that you tolerate me coming back to school here.”
Tia looked down at him a moment, and then stepped forward and put her paw on his throat. The deputy startled, but the principal waved him off. Tia carefully extended her claws, so that just the tips touched skin.
“Carl, I accept your submission and your apology. We will not speak of it again.”
She removed her paw from his throat and held it out to him.
“And I also forgive you. May I be the first to welcome you back?”
Carl, the deputy, and the principal all blinked! Carl looked at the paw, now just in front of him. Tears welled in his eyes as he took her paw and stood up. He wasn’t quite as tall as she was, but he bowed his head as they now shook paws.
“Thank you, Tia. You don’t know how much that means to me. I know a lot of kids will pick at me, but as long as we’re okay, I’m okay.”
Tia released the pawshake and stepped back. Carl squared his shoulders and turned to face the principal.
“See you Monday morning. You’re dismissed,” Mr. Brown stated.
“Yes sir,” Carl replied respectfully. He turned and left, with the deputy following him out. The principal now spoke to Tia.
“Tia, that was probably the most gracious thing I’ve ever seen.”
She gave a shrug, her tail waving low behind her. “I’m a Christian. It’s how we’re supposed to be. I hope he does well.”
“As do I. Alright, back to class with you,” the squirrel stated, ready to get back to his business. Tia nodded and left the office, retrieving a pass from the secretary and headed to class. The rest of the year had just gotten a lot more interesting.
# # #
Alex, Corrie, James, and Zig sat around the fireplace in James’ living room. In a much more rural area outside Columbus, the house had a wonderful, homey feel. James had shown off his woodshop, as well as the completed pecking chickens toy, finished from the work-in-progress Zig’s grandfather had sent her via Alex. They’d grilled steaks out by the pool, and then come back inside and lit the fireplace, as the early evening was getting cool.
As promised, Alex had told the complete story of his adventure in Jamaica and since. James had a healthy suspicion of all things CIA, but Corrie had spoken up for Natasha Shannon as not being as deceptive as that.
James arched an eyebrow and commented, “Even though she pulled off wearing a full lioness body suit for apparently several days? I don’t know, I doubt I’d ever trust her. But, you vouch for her, so I guess if I ever meet her it’ll be okay.”
“Well, I’m blown away about that shy cadet you brought with you actually being some kind of spy-type agent. I guess it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for,” Zig added.
Alex and Corrie together told of the misadventure of her last flight in Maine. James was aghast that the lion involved might get off with just paying for damages. Corrie just shrugged it off as not really mattering to her now.
Last had come the story of their time at Cass and Alex’s proposal. Corrie had even shyly confided in them what had happened to her. Zig had come over to her and hugged her tightly, murmuring comforting words. She knew this story all too well. James was almost as angry as Alex had been.
“Did they every catch this guy?”
Zig let go and Corrie looked down a moment. Looking back up, she went into the same deadpan voice she’d had when telling Alex about the event. Alex put his paw on hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“Catch him, no. When me parents found out what had happened, they sent a telegram and had me uncle report it, and then took me to the hospital to get checked out. He’d caused quite a bit of damage, they said. Apparently, he…used more than just himself. They looked around where it happened but couldn’t find him. He’d moved on. We got word about two yeahs later that he’d tried something similah in anothah town. This time, a friend of the sheila’s followed them and called the blue heelahs before he could do anything to her. He dumped her out and tried to get away, but the locals got word and came out in force after him too. He drove off the road trying to avoid a roadblock, went a ways into the bush and got stuck. As everyone who was after him closed in on him, he carked himself.”
She looked up at them, emotion returning to her voice as tears ran down her cheekfur.
“I’ll nevah get to front him about this. It’ll always be with me!”
Alex put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close and murmuring reassurances. Zig hugged her from the other side. James wasn’t sure what to do, but the knowing look on Zig’s face told him she had an idea, so he just stayed silent. Zig had been through this with more than her share of young femmes, many of whom had come to audition and work for her. She’d found a way to put her personal demons away and use her experience to help them.
“Corrie, none of it was your fault. He’s long gone, and past. Have you…ever gotten counseling about this?”
Corrie sniffled and composed herself, looking at Zig Zag evenly. “Yeah, for several yeahs aftah. It helped some, as fah as it went, but the nightmares nevah went completely away. They don’t come often anymore, but they still come. After a bit I realized most of the ones counseling me were a few roos short in the uppah paddock as well.”
Zig could tell it was time to move on to something happier, lest the talk bring the nightmare on for the lioness. She asked about the wedding plans and got everyone laughing at how very preliminary they were. Zig pledged to help as much as she could, and Corrie thanked her. She advised that she already had the Sheilas of Kentucky and the North, Penny and Jenna all trying to plan it for her as well. Zig just grinned.
“That may be true, but I’ll bet they won’t have nearly as much practical and fun advice for the wedding night.”
They all looked at her mischievous grin and burst out laughing, providing a much-needed relief from the tension moments before. Soon after, and on that happy note, Alex and Corrie left for their hotel.
Tomorrow it was back to Kentucky.
End of Chapter 104