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 2003-2006 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 and Intermountain Charter, The Bitch, and her crew © Silver Coyote. See their story HERE.  Gail Rutherford © me and is not canon to any other story involving ZZ Studios.

Chapter 40

 An Evening In

Alex padded silently down the main hallway of his home, his mind continuing to grapple with all the theories and information on helicopters he’d been ingesting the past two weeks. Having left his running clothes and underwear in the laundry room, he was anticipating a nice hot shower to relax him. After that he’d go get some supper and then start in on his flight planning.

Such were his thoughts as he started past the wide doorway that opened off the hallway into the formal living room, just past the front door entrance foyer. As he stepped into the open area of the doorway, sound and scent caught his attention. He stopped in mid-stride and turned to locate the source. His first reaction, to drop into a fighting stance and face the unexpected presence in his home, was cut short as he recognized the two figures on the sofa facing him. Quick-thinking, cool, calm Alex O’Whitt momentarily looked like a deer caught in a car’s headlights. Jenna and Zig Zag sat more or less facing each other, having been conversing until Alex came walking across in front of them stark naked.

Jenna’s reaction took only a second. Her eyes got huge, and then her paw shot up to clamp down across them. Blushing, she exclaimed, “Alex!”

Zig Zag, on the other paw, looked him up and down appraisingly. Arching an eyebrow, she teased him in a speculative voice. “Well Cousin, I said you could be big in adult films. Can I consider this your screen test?”

Alex felt his cheek fur fluff out in a furious blush. He was in the middle of a doorway at least three times the width of a standard door, so jumping either way would probably only make matters worse. Trying to cover himself with his paws would most likely only make Zig Zag laugh. As he stood there looking at Jenna with her paw across her eyes, and Zig Zag grinning at him lasciviously, Alex was struck by the absurdity of the situation. He also noticed the slight gap between a couple of the finger’s Jenna held to her face.

He grinned, shaking his head and allowing his tail to curl behind him. “You wish, Cousin.”

Alex then turned, lifted his chin, and did an exaggeratedly dignified stroll on down the hallway. Upon reaching the bathroom, he laughed until his sides hurt. Out in the living room, Zig Zag was doing the same. Jenna’s blush was fading, and she too was laughing. Zig Zag recovered first.

“Oh my GAWD! Did you see the blush on him? Oh, maybe you didn’t, with your paw over your eyes. Ease up there, Jenna. There’s nothing wrong with being naked. Heh, some of us have turned it into an art form.”

Jenna giggled, but then her smile faded, and her tone became serious. She let out a sigh before she spoke. “I know, and I know this was an accident. Alex really is like a brother to me, but, well, Jason’s been gone for nearly two years. That’s the first, um, male I’ve seen since then. I didn’t want my eyes or thoughts going there, y’know? They’re so much alike, and yet so different, even physically. Where Alex is tall, slim, and muscular, Jason was almost stocky, if someone six feet tall could be called stocky. The guys who flew with him said that G forces didn’t bother Jason, because you couldn’t squish rock.”

Zig Zag took on a serious tone, as well. “You miss your husband a lot, don’t you.” It was a statement rather than a question.

Jenna nodded, a slight smile flickering across her muzzle. “Yes. Even though I’m engaged to a wonderful guy now, I still miss Jason. I suppose I always will, but you can’t live your life dwelling in the past. I’ll always love Jason, but now, I also love Jack, and I feel very blessed to have been given a second chance at that kind of love.”

Zig Zag tipped her head to the side a little, her expression quizzical. “Why haven’t you and your fiancé taken care of that, ah, problem? I mean, it’s not my business, but hey, you’re a young, healthy, beautiful femme who seems very much in love. Why go around, ah, frustrated?”

Jenna blushed again, only slightly. “Zig Zag, both Jack and I are Christians, and the Bible says that God has said that sex isn’t for outside of marriage. We decided early on that there would be none until we are married. I know, that seems foreign to someone who does what you do for a living, but it’s how we feel we should be. We respect and love each other enough to say that our relationship isn’t all about sexual attraction, although that’s there, too. As I said, I feel very blessed to have a second chance at that kind of love.”

Zig Zag nodded, her thoughts turned inward. “I feel very lucky to be getting a first chance at it,” she said quietly.

Before Jenna could pursue that, Zig Zag seemed to shake off the introspection. “You know, Alex still puzzles me. He’s so straight-laced, despite what just happened. Why does he have anything to do with me? He doesn’t seem to want anything. He turned any and all of the femmes, and probably a couple of the males, who work for me down flat. Yet he still goes so far out of his way to visit or do things for me. I’m not used to that from someone without some ulterior motive.”

Jenna brightened, seeing a way to leave memories and visions of flashing tiger stripes behind for the moment. “Zig Zag, Alex is a good Christian male. He lives his faith, unlike those who only talk it. I overheard him and his father talking about your work. Alex was unsure, but his father put him straight. Love is what Christians are called to do. Family is where that love is most freely expressed, or should be. You are family.”

Zig Zag looked dubious. “That doesn’t sound like most of the Christians I’ve met, especially in my line of work, and, well, that idea of family is foreign to me. Closest thing I can compare the idea to is how everyone who works for me is.”

Jenna nodded in agreement, surprising Zig Zag. “Alex isn’t like most. All of our family are Christians, but Anton, Alex’s father, taught us all his life that it isn’t our job to judge folks. God will do that. Speaking frankly, I don’t condone what you do, but Anton said that the films you make are much better than just the standard adult stuff other studios put out. He said the things he read indicated yours had heart, and showed love, not just physical, but emotional, between the ones on the screen. I don’t know, I’ve never seen one, so how can I judge you? It does make sense, though, in a kinda convoluted way. If your employees feel like a family, then the love they have . . . shows through on the screen. Alex, I think he’s seen some of your studio’s films, but I don’t think he’s seen you act. Anton told both he and Jason to steer clear of ones with you in them. I don’t think they knew you were family, but I know Alex said he thought it was in case their ‘wayward cousin’ as some in the family called you might work as a stand-in. Anyway, what I was going to say was that it’s hard to tell someone God loves them, even if He doesn’t like what they do, while whapping them over the head with a big coffee-table Bible. Alex lets his life and actions speak for him. If you’d like to know more about our faith, either of us can tell you about it, but neither of us is going to try to force it down anyone’s throat. Nor will we not care about someone just because they don’t believe as we do.”

Zig Zag just gave a slight nod, clearly thinking over what Jenna had just said. She had started to bristle at a couple of the comments, but decided Jenna wasn’t being condescending. She was only stating facts as she knew them. Before any further conversation could start, Alex walked back in, fully clothed this time. Jenna found herself blushing slightly again, but Zig Zag greeted him enthusiastically.

“Hi Alex! Have a nice shower? Aww, you didn’t have to get dressed on my account.”

Alex gave a sheepish grin as he sat down in a chair opposite the sofa. He chose to ignore his cousin’s comment. “Uh, yes, thank you. My apologies to both of you. I thought I was alone in the house. My head is so full of rotorcraft aerodynamics at the moment; I didn’t hear y’all or catch your scent until I was already walking by.”

“My fault, Alex,” Jenna replied. “I brought Zig Zag to see you, and when your door was open, well, you always said to just have a seat and wait if you were out for a bit.”

“Yes, I did. Well, no harm done, except a lot of embarrassment. Next time I’ll make sure no one else is here before I decide to walk through nude. So, Zig Zag, what brings you to Kentucky?”

“Remember me saying on the phone that I’d had to send the poster and DVD order from our photo shoot to a new supplier, because of short notice and scheduling problems with our usual production house?” Zig Zag asked in return.

Alex wrinkled his nose in concentration a moment. “Ah, yes, I do remember that.”

Zig Zag nodded as she continued. “Turns out the new supplier is the company Jenna works for. I hitched a ride with Mia, who was passing through here on the way to visit her folks, so I could look over the operation and check on the proofs for the posters and DVD. Jenna offered to drive me out to see you since you weren’t at work.”

Zig Zag had patted Jenna’s shoulder as she spoke. Jenna just smiled and nodded.

“Ah, okay. Wouldn’t Loni give you my home number?”

“Alex,” Zig Zag chided gently. “Privacy is one of the things I value most. I don’t ask for home numbers from a fur’s place of business. Your receptionist didn’t volunteer, so I figured I’d just miss seeing you this trip. Since tomorrow is Saturday, I didn’t know if you’d come into work or not.”

Alex nodded, accepting his cousin’s reasoning. “Good thing Jenna brought you then. I’m leaving in the morning for Maine. I’m taking some helicopter training, and I’ll be gone for about a month.”

Jenna, who’d been quietly listening, took the chance to join the conversation. “A month? We’ll miss you. Hey, maybe Alex could drop you off in Columbus on his way north, Zig Zag.”

Alex grinned. “That’d be a great idea! You’d get your flight in Stripes One out of the way, and then when I get back we’ll make arrangements for me to keep my end of the bargain.”

“What bargain?” Jenna asked.

Zig Zag winked as Alex began to blush again. “Alex agreed that if I flew with him, he’d come and watch us tape a scene.”

Jenna looked at both Alex and Zig Zag askance for several seconds. Then her eyes narrowed and she wrinkled up her nose mischievously. “Alex! I didn’t think you were into such things.”

The blush on Alex’s cheeks intensified before he got control of himself and the red began to fade. “Jenna, you know me well enough to know the answer to that. I’ve met all of Zig Zag’s performers, and they’re all good furs. I am simply going to watch my cousin’s employees work.”

“I’ll make it a scene that I’m personally directing, Alex. That way you’ll see all of us work. All right, you convinced me, I’ll fly with you tomorrow. I’ll call James later and see if he’ll pick me up at the airport,” Zig Zag said in an off-paw way. Jenna just gave him a look that said she didn’t buy a word of it, but she didn’t say anything. Alex nodded and changed the subject before anything else happened to make him blush.

“Hey, why don’t you and the cubs join Zig Zag and me for dinner, Jenna? I’ll call out for pizza.”

“Sure. I think they’d like seeing you before you leave. They’ll love meeting you too, Zig Zag.” Jenna checked her watch as she replied. “I need to leave and go pick up the cubs soon. I can pick up the pizza while I’m out.”

“Good,” Alex said, smiling as he stood to go call in the order. Then he noticed the expression on Zig Zag’s face. “Ah, hold on a minute, is something wrong, Zig?”

The skunk-tigress had a slightly distasteful look on her face. She shrugged a bit. “I assume by your tone that I’m staying here tonight?”

Alex blinked. “Of course. I have four bedrooms, and I only use one. Where else would you stay?”

Zig smiled. She definitely had some adjusting to do to this family thing. “Okay, no problem. Thing is, ah, I hate to sound difficult or ungrateful.”

“What is it, Zig?” Alex asked, looking concerned.

“Well, uh, I don’t eat pizza. Fast food is bad for me, so I avoid it,” she answered sheepishly.

Alex and Jenna both grinned, and Alex replied. “Then you’ll love Squirrelli’s. It’s not fast food pizza. It’s more like an Italian dinner on flat bread. No processed stuff like store pepperoni. All the meat is ground right there, lightly spiced, and the veggies. Fresh and lightly grilled. And the tomato sauce, straight from Salerno. It’s nothing like what you’d get from a chain pizza place.”

Zig Zag felt her mouth watering. “Okay, you talked me into it.”

“Great, I’ll call in the order. Do you want anything with it?” Alex stood to go use the phone. Jenna and Zig Zag glanced at each other. When Jenna didn’t say anything, Zig Zag answered.

“How about some sliced fruit to go with it as dessert?”

“Okay. Two large Squirrelli’s specials, and one fruit tray,” Alex said over his shoulder as he headed for his study to make the call.

Zig Zag turned on the couch to face Jenna. “Jenna, thank you so much. I wouldn’t have missed that for almost anything.” In the process, she bumped the poster satchel with her foot. “Oh, I almost forgot about the posters. Would you like to look with me while we wait?”

“Well, okay. As long as they aren’t too risqué. I think I’ve seen enough naked fur for today.”

Zig Zag chuckled. “Well, they shouldn’t be, except for maybe one. I had them made with it in mind that anyone would be able to put them up anywhere. They’re for advertising the studio, and if you have a poster full of naked furs, there’s only a limited few places that they can be displayed.”

Zig Zag opened the satchel and pulled out several posters mounted on cardstock backings. She looked them over with a practiced eye, while Jenna did the same. The first few were of various group shots of the cast members. Then came the one of all the actors and actresses, including Zig Zag. Next was the goof shot, which got Jenna giggling despite its racy content. Finally came the one of all the crew, including Alex. Jenna nodded her approval.

“The photographer in these really knows their stuff. The angles and lighting are great, and the composition really shows off each fur, without any one overshadowing the other. The costumes are . . .rather unusual.”

“I’ll pass along your compliments to Mark, our studio photographer. He arranged the poses, and the titles and layouts were done by Sabrina, our computer and graphics fur.”

Jenna had to laugh as she looked at the goof shot poster again. Zig Zag nudged her gently in the ribs.

“There will only be a few copies of that one. Studio staff only, but I might find one to give you, if you’d like.”

Jenna giggled again, but shook her head gently to the negative. “I wouldn’t have anywhere to keep it, not with two very curious cubs in the house.” She passed the posters back to Zig Zag just as Alex returned from calling in the pizza order.

“They said about forty minutes on the pizza. Hey, are those the posters?”

Zig Zag nodded. “Yes, come have a look.”

As Alex walked over, Jenna stood up. “I have to go get Tia and Andrew. I think I’ll have just enough time until the food is ready.”

Zig Zag stood up also, giving the posters to Alex. “Let me get my overnight bag out of your van before you go.”

“Okay. See you in a bit, Alex.”

Jenna reached in and gave Alex a quick hug, and then she and Zig Zag walked out the door. Alex sat down on the sofa to look over the posters. He was glad to see they were as high quality as he’d expect from his cousin. And his sister-in-law’s workplace. All the shots were as appealing as he thought they’d be, even the goof shot. Stripes One never looked better, either. At least on the ground, anyway. He put them with the satchel on the coffee table just as Zig Zag returned.

“So, how do you like them, Alex?”

“They’re g-r-r-r-eat!” Alex replied. Zig Zag smirked at the corny old tiger in-joke.

“Yeah, and they’re not even frosted. You like them, though?”

“Yes. I’m proud to have Stripes One appear in them. I’d say they’ll be a great marketing tool.”

Zig Zag put her bag down and sat down next to Alex. She retrieved the satchel and began rummaging in a side pocket. “So will this.”

“What’s that?” Alex looked at the disk she held up. “Oh, I see. A ‘Making of’ DVD.”

“Yep. Do you have a DVD player? I need to look this over.”

“Sure, it’s in the den. This way.”

Alex stood and led the way to the den. He turned on the TV in the corner and grabbed the remote for the DVD player. Zig Zag gave him the disc, and he put it in the player and pressed the start button on the remote. He sat down with his cousin as it loaded.

“There will be some special offers and ads in the front, and then the video. There will be some risqué parts, too.” Zig Zag cautioned.

“I’ll close my eyes,” Alex replied with a smirk. Zig Zag gave a soft ‘chuff’ of a laugh and motioned for him to skip over the ads.

As the intro started to play, and the ZZ Studios emblem began to expand and fill the screen, Zig Zag took the chance to look around Alex’s den. Bookshelves lined most of the walls, with a few framed pictures or mementos on some of the shelves. One wall, without shelves, was nearly full of framed certificates and degrees. Zig Zag was impressed. From that distance, she could see at least two bachelor’s and one master’s degrees. The certificates were for various pilot ratings, as well as some military ones she couldn’t decipher. A desk to one side held a PC, and otherwise seemed crowded with books and papers.

Alex caught sight of her looking at his desk out of the corner of his eye. “Please excuse the mess. I’ve been studying to prepare for the chopper training. I also have things out to plan our flight for tomorrow.”

“Oh, no problem. Wow, that’s a lot to study.”

“Yes, but to fly, you have to be knowledgeable about what the aircraft is doing.”

Zig Zag shrugged in response and turned her attention to the TV. The actual video was just starting. First came a sequence of the backdrop being set up, time lapsed so it only took a few seconds. Then the camera captured Stripes One taxiing into the hangar and stopping. A quick fade and then came the arrival of the studio cast and Zig Zag. They managed to get the skunk-tiger in frame briefly, and that mostly from the back. The video went on, including interviews and more goof shots with the individual actors and actresses. Alex did close his eyes a few times, but overall seemed to enjoy the production. Zig Zag had pulled out a pen and paper, but in the end, no changes were needed. The video ended with a sequence of Stripes One taking off.

“Yep, that’ll be a best-seller, too. Stripes One looked great in there.” Alex clicked the remote to stop and eject the DVD.

“I think so, too. I’m glad you liked how Stripes One is shown.”

“Me too. I admit I was a bit nervous about it. Hey, I need to pack all this study material up to take with me, and get things ready to plan our flight. Jenna should be back in about fifteen minutes, if you’d like to watch TV or something.”

“No TV. All that’s on these days is junk, except for parody ideas. I have several scripts of those to work on already. I’ll just go out in the living room and sit on the sofa to work on them.”

“Okay. I shouldn’t be too long.”

Zig Zag looked back over her shoulder as she started to walk out. She flipped her tail sensuously across her other shoulder and looked Alex up and down again. Then she winked at him.

“No, just long enough, I’d say.”

Alex blushed furiously again as Zig Zag walked back out to the living room, laughing all the way.

# # #

“All right Carl, you were warned what would happen the next time you got into any trouble,” the large bear stated. Mr. Grizwald stood a good six foot six, and was as broad and strong as a grizzly could be. He was assistant principal of the school, with his specialty being dealing with problem students. He knew Carl Branson quite well, and had the canid’s mother’s phone number on speed dial.

“This was the last straw,” he continued. “Attempting to assault a female student earns you a one-way ticket to Tonemaine.”

Carl didn’t look any too happy to be where he was. The school nurse had treated and bandaged the five small puncture wounds on his left paw, as well as the bite on his right. The wounds to his lower parts she had said would heal without bandages, although a couple were almost large enough to need stitches. Carl would never forget the smirk on the nurse’s face. He’d been totally humiliated, as Mr. Grizwald had been in attendance, too. His mother had told them to go ahead and treat him while she made her way in. It seemed she was always doing something like that to embarrass him, unlike his father. They were separated, and his father always was cool about things.

Now, if he couldn’t talk his way out of it, he was headed for Tonemaine, the school system’s special facility for severe disciplinary problem students. His mother, who now sat beside him looking extremely displeased, had always called the place “that reform school.” Carl only had one chance that he could see, and now was the time to take it. He looked across Mr. Grizwald’s office to where Mr. Lapinovich and Tia O’Whitt sat, both with neutral expressions.

“Mr. Grizwald,” he began, putting on the shaky, pleading voice he used when his mother was angry with him. “It wasn’t like that! She jumped me! I was just walkin’ down the hall, an’ she grabbed me an’ pulled me into a classroom. Tried t’ get me t’ do her right there. She’s been after me for quite a while. Said if I didn’t, she’d do bad things t’ me. When I said no, she stuck them claws in me, an’ then shoved me across the hall an’ into them lockers.”

The grizzly frowned. He’d already heard Tia’s side, as well as Stewart Zander and Mr. Lapinovich’s accounts. As far as the time before Carl hit the lockers went, it was the young tigress’ word against the hoodlum’s. As much as he knew Carl was lying, Mr. Grizwald knew he had to have more proof, especially in light of Carl’s injuries and Tia’s lack thereof. With a sigh, the bear looked at each of them.

“Tia, Carl, can anyone back up either of your stories?”

Carl stuck out his chin defiantly. “No, I made, uh, that is, I didn’t see nobody around ‘til I came to in the nurse’s office.”

Tia didn’t show any change, remaining quietly neutral, her gaze unblinking. “No, there was no one else in the classroom or the hallway.” She knew her cause was best served by remaining calm, although part of her right then wanted to make good the threat she’d made just before launching Carl across the hallway.

Mr. Grizwald’s frown deepened. “Then I can’t just take one’s word against the other. I’ll—.”

“Pardon me, Mr. Grizwald.”

All eyes turned to Mr. Lapinovich. The rabbit stood up to address the vice principal.

“Yes?” Mr. Grizwald asked, looking cross at being interrupted.

“I think I can shed some light on this. I have two video tapes, fresh from the security monitoring room. As you know, we have been monitoring activity in the hallways since the beginning of the school year. I took the liberty of pulling the tapes from the two cameras that monitor the hallway this took place in, for the time around the incident. May I?” The lapine indicated the TV and VCR in the corner of the office.

 “Yes.” Mr. Grizwald nodded once. Now there was something that might at least show who grabbed who. Mr. Lapinovich walked over, turned the set on and put the first tape in. As it began he explained what they were seeing.

“This tape is from the camera nearest the classroom in question. It starts about fifteen minutes before the time of the incident.”

As the tape rolled, several students could be seen to rush through, most likely on their way to the assembly. Mr. Lapinovich had the remote for the VCR in paw, and he suddenly stopped the tape.

“Ah, look there. Isn’t that a familiar young canid dodging into the classroom nearest the camera?” The picture showed Carl frozen in the act of stepping into the alcove for the classroom door.

“Aw, that don’t mean nothin’.” Carl waved a paw at the picture. “I went through an’ out th’ other door.”

“We’ll see,” the rabbit said as quietly as he restarted the tape. Several minutes passed. Then, too quickly to see clearly, a figure appeared at the bottom of the screen, and just as quickly was pulled into the classroom in question. They replayed in slow motion, even frame by frame, but no one could be certain whether the flash of white fur and stripes belonged to the attacker, or the victim.

“Well, that was no help.” Mr. Grizwald’s voice seemed even more deep and rumbling than usual. Mr. Lapinovich just switched out the tapes, his face still carefully neutral.

“This one is from the camera at the other end of the hall. It was set to automatically track motion after the hall cleared for the assembly. That lets whoever is monitoring them just concentrate on the ones where something is happening. The time stamp says it starts shortly after we saw Carl duck into the classroom on the other tape.”

The tape began, and showed nothing for several minutes. Then, motion in the classroom doorway alcove farthest from the camera caused it to zoom in and focus on that spot. The doorway was in shadow, and the features of whoever was there couldn’t be clearly seen. Another couple of minutes passed, and then someone turned the corner at the end of the hall. The camera shifted to the new source of motion, and Tia O’Whitt could be seen starting down the hall. As she started past the doorway, the figure there lunged out to grab her. Mr. Lapinovich froze the picture, and everyone sat looking for a moment. Then thay all turned to look at Carl. His face could be clearly seem, his lips pulled back in a snarl, right next to Tia’s narrow-eyed expression. Despite the fact that his paw was clamped across her muzzle, there was no fear in her eyes, only determination. There was silence for a moment more, and then Carl’s mother spoke.

“Miss O’Whitt, I apologize for Carl. I just can’t seem t’ break him from actin’ up, and it just seems t’ get worse every time he visits his daddy.”

Tia nodded silently to the canid femme. Mr. Lapinovich ejected the tape and shut the television and VCR down.

“Mr. Grizwald, I’ll leave this with you. Come along, Tia, it’s nearly time for you to go home.”

Tia stood and joined the rabbit as they walked out of the office. In the outer office, as the vice principal’s door closed, they heard Mr. Grizwald’s low, growling voice.

“I’ll have the official papers for you to sign by Monday, Ms. Whitledge. Carl, you will remain in this office until—.”

They didn’t hear any more as the door closed and they moved from the outer office into the hallway. Tia broke the silence first.

“Thank you, Mr. Lapinovich, you saved me a lot of trouble with those tapes. Carl would most likely not have listened to my warning, and he might have really gotten hurt next time.”

The tall rabbit looked sidelong and down at the young tigress. From anyone else, that would have sounded like cocky bravado, but Tia had said it so matter-of-factly that Mr. Lapinovich had no doubts as to the outcome of such a confrontation. He gave a slight shudder as he let the mental image of Carl split open from navel to neck go, and then answered Tia.

“Think nothing of it, Tia. It let me have a turn at playing detective for real in our own little mystery. I’m glad I remembered those cameras were there.”

“Me, too. Oh! In all the excitement, I forgot to tell you that my story for the digest is on your desk,” Tia said as she turned to go to her locker and get her things.

“Good! I’ll read it over tonight, and let you know if anything needs correction or rephrasing. See you Monday, Tia.”

“Bye, Mr. Lapinovich.”

Tia went to her locker and retrieved her books and jacket. “Now,” she thought as she moved through the crowd in the now-busy hallways. “All I have to do is figure out how to tell Uncle Alex and Sensei Quai about this. Mom too, if I can figure out how to do it without her having a cow over it.”

# # #

“Mom, why are we going this way?” Tia asked.

Her voice startled her mother, as neither cub had said much since they’d been picked up from school. Andrew was slouched down in the back seat, preoccupied with his paw-held video game. Tia had been sitting quietly in the front passenger seat, staring out the window.

“I have to stop by Squirrelli’s and pick up pizza for dinner. We’re eating with Alex, plus there’s a special surprise. No, I’m not telling what it is, you’ll just have to wait until we get there.”

Jenna was looking smug. Both cubs had looked her way when she mentioned Squirrelli’s. She was expecting them to start pleading for more information about the surprise. Her smug look turned disappointed when Tia looked at her a few seconds, and then shrugged and went back to looking out the window. Andrew, she noticed, had already gone back to his game.

Just then, they slowed to make the turn into the restaurant. Jenna had to look to the furthest reaches of the lot, as it was nearly full. That was normal for Squirrelli’s, though. She pulled in and parked.

“Be back in a minute,” she called over her shoulder as she got out. Tia nodded, still lost in thought. Andrew didn’t even look up. Jenna returned a fairly short time later with the pizzas and fruit tray, and a bag with 2-liter sodas in it. She opened the back hatch and put everything in. Then she shut the hatch and returned to the driver’s seat. Within minutes, the aroma of Italian seasonings and bread had permeated the van, setting even Andrew’s nose to twitching.

Soon they arrived back at Alex’s house. Tia rather absently helped her mother with the food, and Andrew followed behind, the bag of 2-liters in one paw and his game in the other. They walked around and came in through the back door so that they could put the food in the kitchen. Once there, the pizzas and fruit tray were put on the kitchen table, and the drinks on the counter, awaiting cups and ice.

“We’re back!” Jenna called as she pulled open the first pizza box. In a moment, a striped figure appeared in the hallway, heading for the kitchen. Jenna opened her mouth to say something, but didn’t get the chance. Andrew glanced up from his game long enough to see what the motion in his peripheral vision was, and then gasped.

“Zig Zag!”

Andrew flinched as he realized he’d made that exclamation out loud. Four pair of blue eyes locked on him like lasers. Tia arched a curious eyebrow at her brother. Alex, who had just walked up behind his cousin, looked surprised. Zig Zag looked amused, but there was also an edge of concern in her expression. Jenna had one of those looks only a mother could give, indicating that Andrew had just displayed far too much knowledge about their cousin.

“U-uh,” Andrew stammered, blushing slightly and trying to think of how to explain his reaction before his mother began giving him the third degree. “I, uh, saw some pictures of you in some pop-ups, before I got my new killer installed.”

Zig Zag, still looking amused, turned her head slightly and looked Andrew up and down. “My business doesn’t use pop-ups. Sabrina’d turn purple and threaten to strangle me if I would even suggest it.”

The young tiger’s blush increased. “Uh, yes ma’am. This was from somebody else’s top 100 site listing. It took over a dozen mouse clicks to kill ‘em all after they started. Ah, I was trying to get on a Star Fox discussion forum.”

Zig Zag smiled enigmatically, nodding at his answer. Jenna still looked a bit suspicious, but decided to let the matter drop. She proceeded with introducing Zig Zag to her cubs.

“All right then, Andrew. Tia, this is Zig Zag. She is your father’s second cousin.”

There was a pause as the two cubs looked at Zig Zag. Then Tia stepped forward, her paw extended to shake.

“Miss Zag, it’s nice to meet you. Did you know Dad? I don’t remember ever hearing him mention you.”

Zig Zag folded her arms across her chest and cocked her head to the side. “Now now, none of this ‘Miss’ stuff. It’s just Zig Zag.” She then took Tia’s paw and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you too, Tia. Alex has said many good things about you. No, I didn’t know your father. I’ve been out of touch with the family for a long time.”

Tia nodded and stepped back to let Andrew shake paws. He rather shyly stepped up and extended his paw. Zig Zag instead dropped to one knee and gave him a hug, causing his blush to go from slight to nearly crimson red.

Pulling back to arm’s length, she smiled at him. “It’s nice to meet you too, Andrew. Alex tells me you’re into computer stuff. Sometime you’ll have to meet Sabrina, the young skunk who does all my web and graphics work for me.”

Andrew’s blush faded as his expression brightened. “Sure!”

Jenna frowned, but she caught sight of Alex nodding his approval, so she didn’t say anything. She was about to ask Alex to help with the plates and cups, since she wasn’t sure where he kept everything, when she saw Tia’s face take on a very serious expression. The young tigress stepped up in front of Alex and cleared her throat.

“Pardon me, everyone, but I have to talk to Uncle Alex before we eat.”

Alex looked at her quizzically. “Yes, Tia?”

She bowed to him. After a second, he returned it.

“Sensei, I have to report that I had to use my training today. Sensei Quai said to tell him, or you, if anyone ever had to use their training to defend themselves or someone else.”

Alex stood up tall, his face taking on a neutral expression. “I see. Tell me what happened.”

Tia’s eyes never strayed from her uncles’. Jenna looked on with growing apprehension, as the meaning of what Tia was doing sank in. Zig Zag stepped over beside Jenna, a curious expression on her face. Andrew looked curious too, as well as a bit relieved it wasn’t him facing Alex at the moment.

Tia continued. “I was on my way to Mr. Lapinovich’s room to work on a story for the Mystery Club Digest. Carl Branson, the guy whose threat started me studying martial arts, grabbed me and pulled me into an empty classroom while everyone else was at an assembly. His stated intention was to . . .”

Here Tia stumbled a bit. She looked about to scream, but instead she took a deep breath and then went on. “His stated intent was to rape me. I used training from both Sensei Quai and you to stop him. After the school nurse patched him up, Mr. Grizwald the vice principal said he was being sent to Tonemaine. That’s the school for kids with disciplinary problems.”

 Jenna had gasped in shock, as had Zig Zag. Andrew looked angry, but also a bit uncertain as to how to react. Alex remained stock-still, his face neutral. The only indicator of his feelings was the rapid flicking of the end of his tail several times before he stilled it.

“I see,” he said after a moment. Tia remained still, looking steadily into his eyes. “Was there any way you could have known he’d try this, so you could have avoided it?”

Tia was silent for several seconds, thinking. Jenna took in a breath, ready to defend her daughter’s actions, but before she could Tia answered. “No sir, I don’t think so. He was supposed to be at the assembly with everyone else, while I had permission to go work on my story.”

Alex allowed a slight smile to show. “Then it sounds as though you have done well, Tia. You kept your head, and defended yourself without over-reacting. That is, I assume you didn’t overreact. How badly was he hurt?”

“Nothing serious, sir. Minor claw punctures to his left paw, teeth marks in his right, and claw punctures to his, ah, crotch.” 

 Inside, Alex was ready to go eviscerate the punk who tried to force his niece, but he maintained control of himself with the thought that she had prevailed. He nodded and gave a slight bow. “Very well indeed, then.”

Jenna finally found her voice. “Oh wait until Monday! When I get to that school I’ll start with the principal and work my way down to the little cur himself! I, I—.”

Tia turned her head to look at her mother. “Mom, please. The incident is closed. Carl Branson will not be a problem anymore, no matter what becomes of him.”

Jenna still had a murderous look in her eyes. Zig Zag looked back and forth between mother and daughter, and then stepped forward and up to Tia. She put her arms around the young femme and hugged her for only a moment before stepping back.

“Tia, I’d say you did just what you needed to. Don’t ever let anyone take advantage of you in that way. Ah, you said the school nurse patched the guy up? And nobody thought you were overreacting?” Zig’s eyes went distant for a second as the memory of her own past use of her claws crossed her mind. Her parents had been far from understanding, and she wanted to make sure her young cousin knew that she supported her in her actions. She also wanted to perhaps difuse Jenna's anger a bit.

Tia smiled at the hug. “No ma’am, it wasn’t. Overreacting would have been clawing him apart in a panic and sending him to the hospital. He was much too easily stopped for that to be necessary. He’ll be bruised up a little, and I reminded him of how vulnerable over-aggressive male canids are when they try to victimize feline femmes, but there’s no permanent damage.”

Zig Zag snickered. “Except to his ego.”

Tia nodded with a grin. “There is that.”

Jenna now stepped in and hugged her daughter tightly. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Tia returned the hug, then pulled back to look her mother in the eyes. “Yes, Mom, I am. That’s why I took up martial arts in the first place, so I would be ready if and when the time came.”

Alex decided now was a good time to move on to dinner, before the event and its aftermath dragged what looked to be a good family evening down. He was satisfied that his niece had done well at defending herself, and that there would be no long-term problems for her because of it.

“Jenna, let’s get out the plates and cups so everyone can eat. I’m starved, and the scent of Squirrelli’s sauce is driving me nuts.”

Jenna looked at him askance, but then couldn’t help a short chuckle at the joke. The anger was gone from her eyes as she nodded to him. The group moved into the kitchen, and soon everyone was sitting around the table, conversing over mouthfuls of good food and glasses of soda, or in Zig’s case water. The day’s events were left behind as they enjoyed the meal.

Shortly after they finished eating, Jenna gathered Tia and Andrew and they said their goodbyes. They departed for home, taking the small bit of leftover pizza with them. Alex and Zig Zag saw them off at the door, and then Alex turned to his cousin.

“Well, I need to do that flight planning for tomorrow.”

“And I still have some notes to make on one of those scripts.”

They nodded to each other, and Alex headed to his den, while Zig went and sat down in the living room. Not too long a time later, Alex walked in where she sat working.

“Zig, I’m heading off to bed. Do you need anything? You’re welcome to help yourself, you know.”

Zig Zag closed the script she had on her lap and stood up, stretching. “No, I’m fine. I think I’ll call James and then get some sleep, too.”

Alex then surprised her by giving her a quick hug and a light kiss on the cheek. “Sleep well then, cousin. Tell James hello for me. Good night.”

Zig Zag cocked her head to the side and smiled. “Good night, Alex.”

She watched as the tiger turned and walked off toward the hallway to the bedrooms. She then sat back down and got comfortable, still smiling to herself.  It felt strange, in a way. Hugging and getting kissed, and knowing it was just an expression of familial affection. Something else she’d have to get used to. She shook off the thought and flipped open her cell phone. She dialed the numbers, anticipating a nice long talk with James before bed.

End of Chapter 40

 

Home / Chapter Index / Chapter 39 / Chapter 41