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 2003-2011 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.
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 61
Blushing Bride
Alex had been awake for a while, preparing for the day’s events. He’d had a workout and ran the course behind his house. After getting a shower, he was now in the process of getting into his formal dress uniform. Similar to a tux, the tailhole in the pants was cut a bit snug for his snow leopard’s tail. He finally managed to get it buttoned and gave his tail a flip to settle the fur. He donned the jacket and gave himself a final check in the mirror. Jenna and the cubs would be ready to go soon, so he grabbed his keys and headed out the door.
A short walk down the driveway later, the tiger knocked on the patio door of Jenna’s house. Andrew came to the door a moment later.
“Hi Uncle Alex, c’mon in. Mom and Sis are still back there getting dressed.”
Alex smiled as he stepped inside. “Her day, Andrew. Your mom can take all the time she wants.”
The young tiger shrugged as he and Alex walked toward the living room. “Yeah, I guess so. I just wanna get it over with so I can take this suit off.”
Alex nodded as his nephew tugged at the suit’s collar. His ears drooped and his tail nearly dragged the floor. He was the perfect picture of youthful misery from being forced to dress formally. The formal dress uniform the older tiger wore was far from comfortable.
“I can understand that. I hated suits when I was your age, too. You all packed for your stay with the Panelli’s?”
“Yeah, got some clothes and my laptop. Mom put some stuff in I’ll need too, I think. Toothpaste and things like that.” Andrew made a face.
Alex grinned as he sat down on the edge of a chair, being careful not to wrinkle his uniform. “Sounds like you’re ready.”
Just then Tia came down the hall and into the living room. Alex and, after a throat-clearing prompt, Andrew stood as she walked up to them.
“Hello Uncle Alex. Mom’s almost ready.”
Alex felt himself smile as his tail flipped back and forth once. In the light blue dress she was wearing, Tia had lost her early-teen gangliness. She now looked the poised young lady she usually acted like.
“Tia,” he began, with a slight nod. “You look lovely. You shouldn’t try to overshadow your mom on—!”
Alex was suddenly speechless as Jenna came down the hall. Her dress was an off-white ivory color, knee-length with short sleeves and lace trim around the front. She wore white gloves, low shoes to match the dress, pearls, and a small headpiece to hold her veil. Her jet black hair was done up in a weave at the back, and light makeup on her eyes and lips completed the look. Tia grinned to see her uncle momentarily taken aback.
“Breathe, Uncle Alex,” she chided him, causing him to start and Jenna to blush. He finally found his voice.
“Wow Jenna! You look fantastic! I was just teasing Tia about showing you up, but I don’t think there’s any chance of that!”
“You really think so?” the tigress asked demurely. “I think it’s kind of plain, but it seems to feel right.”
Something caught Alex’s attention as Jenna moved her tail to trail behind her. He grinned at her and winked.
“And a sassy bow on your tail is plain? Nice touch.”
Jenna looked wide-eyed a moment and brought her tail up so she could see it over her shoulder. Then she squinted an eye at Tia.
“So that’s what you were doing when you said you were brushing out my tail fur. Hmpf. Well, I guess it’s okay.”
Tia pulled a mock-hurt face. “Oh Mom, it’s cute! Loosen up, it’s only your wedding day.”
Jenna burst out laughing and turned to Alex. “Are you ready to go? I think we’d better get going before Tia comes up with something else to tie on me.”
“Ready when you are, Sis. By the way, where do you want me to leave your keys when I get back?” Alex inquired. He’d be out of town until the next weekend and didn’t want to risk leaving Jenna locked out of her own house.
“Just leave them up in the box by your front door. I’ll send Tia or Andrew up after them when we get back,” Jenna replied as she turned and herded her two cubs toward the front door.
“Sounds good,” Alex managed as he quickly followed. Jenna gave her keys to him after locking the door and they proceeded to the minivan. Once everyone was seated, Alex started the vehicle and they headed for the church.
As they traveled, Alex glanced over at Andrew. The young tiger would be twelve before long, and he was beginning to change from cub to young fur. The first hints of his father’s stockiness were showing, and if he would exercise a bit, he’d rapidly lose the cub fat chubbiness. Behind them, Alex could hear Jenna and Tia chatting away about the coming ceremony and the bachelorette party the night before. All Jenna had said to him about it was that his cousin had made a surprise appearance, but wouldn’t be able to be there today because of preparations for the
Alex kept his attention on the road, but years of practice allowed him to let the back of his mind drift. He thought about Jason and their father. Both, he believed, would have liked Jack Lazarus and have been glad to see Jenna happy. The soon-to-be newlyweds had decided to live in the home that Jenna and the cubs lived in. Alex had been pleased with that idea, and would sell them the house and some property with it so they’d be independent of him. Jack would keep his apartment in town for the times business kept him late, but he’d move himself and his kali Shadow in with the O’Whitts.
Hearing Tia giggle at something her mother had said, Alex smiled. He’d felt responsible for Jenna and her cubs after Jason’s death, and he’d always be there to watch over them, but today he’d be passing a lot of that responsibility on to Jack.
That led his thoughts to drift over to Corrie. It had been a week, but he hadn’t really expected her to call this soon. Even though she’d said to wait, he was tempted to call her on Sunday. He chided himself, knowing that wouldn’t go over very well. He would wait, as he’d said, until she was ready.
As he drove on, Alex couldn’t help but wish she would make that call soon.
# # #
Jefferson Mastifson the Third scanned the instruments of his Piper Seminole. Altitude steady at 6500 feet MSL. Airspeed stable at 155 knots. Heading 250 degrees. The twin turbocharged Lycoming TO-360-E1A6D engines were humming along with all indications in the green. He’d just gotten the aircraft back after a fresh annual inspection and service, so now he was flying to Bowling Green, Kentucky to get some hours in and stay current. He was even considering flying on down to Nashville from there to eat dinner and possibly stay the night, just for a change of scenery. Spending much of his time watching Kentiger and O’Whitt from a distance had proved frustrating. He found that being in the air again, to his surprise, was relaxing him and helping clear his mind.
The day was good for flying. Puffy fair-weather cumulus drifted by below him, and strands of cirrus spayed across the blue above. The winds were light, the engines droned a good, clear note, and Jefferson let the part of his mind not needed for flying drift. He thought about his parents, which he hadn’t done in quite a while. His father had passed away from a stroke when Jefferson was twelve. His mother, a purebred rotweiller like his father, had been a quiet, reserved femme. She had died six years later, just after his uncle had gotten him into the Air Force Academy. Both his parents had been very rigid, traditional furs, and questioning what they said or even thinking of questioning them was, well, unthinkable. Jefferson found he was not well versed in critical thinking or independent decision-making when he’d entered the Academy. His uncle’s encouragement (and influence) had kept him going, and when he’d pulled F-16’s as an assignment out of Pilot Training, he was convinced of his own superiority. His parents, and then his uncle had always espoused the fact that purebred canids were above the mixed breeds, and a purebred Academy graduate could do no wrong. His parents had asserted that this meant purebred canids would and should always rule over other breeds. His uncle, on the other paw, had sometimes stated that this meant they should be kind and benevolent to their lessers.
Thinking of his uncle brought the whole series of events that led to his retirement from the Air Force in disgrace back to mind. He nearly slammed his fist into the panel in front of him before he thought the better of it. After a moment, he got his emotions back under control.
He had just started another scan of the instruments when a chime sounded. Jefferson had set it to remind him when it was time to begin his descent into Bowling Green. His reverie forgotten as he scanned for traffic and prepared to call ATC, he let one last thought pass.
“O’Whitt, you’re time is coming.”
# # #
The O’Whitt clan arrived at Winchester Community Church about two hours before the ceremony was to begin. Penny Panelli was already bustling about putting last touches on decorations. When Alex led the group in, Penny smiled and hugged him, and then Jenna and the cubs in turn. Then she immediately began giving orders.
“Alex, take Jenna back into Sunday School Room Two. We’ll finish getting her ready there. Tia, come help me with the cake top. The baker got the species of the couple wrong, and the new one he sent just got here. Andrew, go to the main doors and wait for any guests that might arrive early. Show them to a seat like you and Billy practiced. Alex, your job for now is to make sure Jack doesn’t see Jenna before the ceremony.”
Alex grinned. “Superstitious?”
Penny squinted an eye at him. “I don’t take any chances where weddings are concerned. Now scoot!”
Laughing, Alex escorted Jenna to the designated room, where they both sat down very carefully so as not to wrinkle their clothes. After a moment, Alex spoke.
“Well Sis, this is it. Any reservations?”
Jenna smiled broadly as her tail curled up behind her. “Only for the wedding night and the honeymoon, and I’m not telling where those are.”
Alex flicked his ears back and tried to look offended. “But you know you can trust me! I’d feel a lot better if—”
Jenna cut him off, but her smile didn’t dim. “It isn’t you I’m worried about, Bro. It’s Billy Panelli and some of Jack’s construction worker buddies. If either of us tells anyone, they’d get it out of them and razz us to no end. I’m old enough to have heard of a chivaree, and they’re old school enough to do one, so nope, not telling.”
Alex had to grin. He too had heard of a chivaree. It was an old custom, from back when going on a honeymoon meant the newlywed couple went to the new room that had been added onto the house. The men of the families would get together and “serenade” the couple by banging pots and pans. Alex wasn’t sure if this was to cover the noise of consummation, or prevent it. In any case, he had to respect Jenna’s wishes. He put his paws up, but his tail curling up behind him betrayed his merriment.
“Okay, okay, you win! Just please, at least let somebody know where you are once you get there.”
Jenna pursed her lips, her ears partially back along the headpiece. “We’ll let Penny know when we are so everyone will know we’re safe.”
Alex nodded. “Good enough. My bet is she knows where you’re going already, but I doubt anyone would be able to get it out of her.”
Jenna just smiled. The next hour was passed with small talk about their work and Alex’s upcoming flight to
“Who is it?”
“Penny, let me in, Alex.”
Alex admitted Penny and shut the door behind her. Penny sat down beside Jenna and let out a breath.
“Hah, okay, now I’m ready to make sure you’re ready,”
Alex sat down in the corner, certain that silence was his best policy at the moment. Jenna looked perplexed.
“I’m dressed, my makeup is on, what else is there?”
Penny looked her over for a couple of seconds. “Looks like you did great. Wedding day brides can be very nervous, and forget to do things like put on makeup, do their hair, wear clothes, things like that. I like the ribbon on your tail, that’s cute. Now, do you have the ONBB covered?”
Jenna looked very confused, her ears half-flattened and her tail twitching, setting the ribbon on it aflutter. She managed to eloquently express her feelings.
“Er, what?”
Penny grinned. “ONBB, dear. Old, New, Borrowed, Blue. It’s a tradition, you know.”
Jenna blushed a bit, but nodded. “Okay, now I understand. Let’s see. Old. The lace trim on the bodice of my dress is from my grandmother’s wedding dress. There was only a part of it left after the fire my parents died in. I used some on my dress when Jason and I got married. The rest I used on this.”
Jenna stopped, her eyes misting. She took a deep breath and then went on. “New. My shoes are brand new. I bought them to go with this dress. Borrowed. The headpiece I’m wearing I borrowed from you. Blue, well I’m, ah . . . c’mere, Penny.”
Penny leaned in close, and Jenna tried to whisper to her. Penny grinned and replied. “What? I can’t make out what you’re saying. Speak up a little.”
Jenna looked exasperated, and her tail lashed once. After a moment, she stuck her tongue out at Penny and, in her normal speaking voice, stated, “Blue. My bra, panties, and garter belt are blue. It’s Jack’s favorite color. Satisfied?”
Alex managed to stifle a laugh and look elsewhere as Jenna blushed bright red, all the way to the tips of her ears. Penny just grinned wider and patted the tigress’ shoulder.
“Good. Now you’re a blushing bride. I’m going out and see that everything is running smooth. Relax, you still have about forty-five minutes.”
With that Penny stood up and left the room. Alex waited until Jenna’s blush had faded before he spoke.
“Jenna, I want you to know that I think Dad, and Jason, would have liked Jack. I know they’d be glad to see you happy. I know I am. May God bless you both and your marriage.”
Jenna smiled broadly, her embarrassment forgotten. “Thank you. I believe God brought us together, so I have no doubts that He’ll bless us. Same for you and Corrie. Wait her out, Bro. She’s the one, I’m sure.”
Alex smiled, glad for the positive reminder. The next bit of time passed quickly as he and Jenna small-talked. A knock on the door brought Alex to his feet. He opened the door and Penny stuck her head in.
“Time to go! Here’s your bouquet, Jenna. Let me fix your veil on.”
Jenna stepped up to the door to accept the flowers, and Penny attached the veil to the headpiece on Jenna’s head. The tiger-fox turned and led them out the back and around the church to the front doors. Tia was waiting for them there. Penny was acting as Matron of Honor, so Tia would go in first, followed by her and then Alex would escort Jenna in. Jack, Rip, and Andrew should already be waiting up front. Penny peeked in the doors and nodded. They heard the music start, and the doors swung open wide. Billy Panelli, who was acting as usher, grinned at them and stepped aside.
Tia stepped into the church and walked in time with the music up to the altar in front. As soon as the young tigress arrived, Penny gave Jenna a quick hug and a wink and did the same. Alex and Jenna could see into the church clearly now as they waited for Penny to get to the front. All Jenna could make out was that there were a lot of furs in there. After Penny arrived, there was a brief pause. Alex held his arm out for Jenna to hold.
“Ready Sis?”
Jenna grinned. “Let’s take a walk, Bro.”
She linked her arm in his, her tail waving. Alex couldn’t tell if it was from merriment or nerves. They stepped into the doorway, and the church pianist began to play the Bridal March. Everyone stood as they entered. Step by step, in time with the music, Alex walked his sister-in-law down the aisle. They stopped in front of Brother Ronnie, who stood in front of the podium he usually preached from. As the music ended, the silver grey todd bade everyone to be seated. He cleared his throat and began the familiar ceremony.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of this male and this femme in the bonds of holy matrimony.”
Alex listened patiently as the fox expounded on the virtues of marriage, waiting for his part. After a few moments, the question came.
“Who gives this femme in marriage?”
Alex’s clear baritone was easily heard through the church. “For those who cannot be here to do so, I do.”
With that, Alex passed Jenna’s paw to Jack, who nodded solemnly as he stepped up to Jenna. The tigress looked back at her brother-in-law, and he gave her a broad smile. She turned back to Jack, who smiled at her also. They turned to face the pastor as Alex stepped back. Penny and Tia stepped up from his side while Rip and Andrew stepped up beside Jack, and the ceremony continued. Alex let his thoughts drift. He was almost certain he could hear the echoes of his father and Jason’s voices saying, “Well done.” He smiled to himself, and felt his hope rising that he and Corrie might do this one day.
The ceremony was up to the “wilt thou’s,” and as Jack’s turn came he answered with a big smile and a strong, “I do.” Jack’s tail was wagging so hard Alex feared it might knock the floral decoration off the pew behind him. Jenna’s tail was waving slowly, making the ribbon on it flutter just slightly. At her turn, she also answered with a smile and a clear, “I do.”
Brother Ronnie smiled and finished the ceremony. “Then, by the power invested in me by Almighty God and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”
Jack faced Jenna and gently lifted the veil she wore. He tilted her chin up and bent to kiss her. She stretched up into the kiss. The kiss was passionate, but not overly long, as a hail of hoots and kahtcalls erupted from some of Jack’s construction business friends. As they broke the kiss, Brother Ronnie held up his paws for quiet. The church was almost standing room only, and it took a moment for everyone to get settled. When they did, he continued.
“Ladies and gentlefurs, may I introduce to you Mister and Misses Jack Lazarus. What God has joined together, let no fur put asunder. There will be a reception in the fellowship hall shortly.”
A great roar of applause sounded as Jack and Jenna made their way arm in arm back down the aisle. Several camera flashes greeted them as well. As they reached the back doors, Rip offered his arm to Penny and they followed. Andrew, despite looking a little disgusted, offered his arm to his sister and they went along behind.
Billy came up, as the usher would usually escort the parents out. As there was only Alex, Billy grinned and looped an arm through his friend’s. They strode merrily back down the aisle. When they reached the doors after much laughter and shouting, Billy let go and turned, waving a paw to release everyone else.
As everyone made their way to the fellowship hall, the wedding party stood for pictures. Then they went into the hall and stood for a receiving line. Everyone from the church, plus a lot of Jack’s friends, took their turn to shake paws, slap Jack on the shoulder, and hug the bride.
After more pictures, they settled in to eat. Jack and Jenna cut the cake, and managed not to smear too much on each other as they shared the first slice. Rip stood to propose a toast then.
“’Allo everyone! May I propose a toast too zee ‘appy couple? May your marriage be long, your cheeldrén be strong, and your course nevar go wrong! Bien amicalement!”
Before long, the meal was done and it was time for the couple to leave. They’d agreed to open the wedding gifts later, rather than drag out the reception. Everyone piled outside to watch them go. Billy and Rip had decorated Jack’s truck, but not to excess. They’d left the interior alone, and left the windshield untouched so Jack could safely drive. Just before leaving, after hugging her cubs, Jenna threw her bouquet. Tia didn’t vie very strongly for it, and it was caught by Rebecca Myers, a young collie who was in fact engaged to a young male from the church. The garter toss, done amid a chorus of yells and whistles, was done just before Jack shut Jenna’s door. It all but hit Alex in the chest, even though Jack had his back turned to the crowd. Alex couldn’t help thinking that somehow the toss was aimed his way.
Amid cheers and laughter, the happy couple drove out of the parking lot and off down the road. Several of Jack’s friends made to follow, only to find their keys safely in Penny’s possession. After a good head start, she cheerfully returned them, to the wives who were with them. Alex herded Tia and Andrew over to Penny then, and she promptly recruited them to help with the cleanup. Within an hour, everyone else was gone and the cleanup complete. Alex prepared to drive Jenna’s minivan home. He was looking forward to relaxing and doing the prep work for the
# # #
It was a little after eighteen hundred, and Alex had made himself a hamburger. He was just settling in to eat and watch the news and weather when his cell phone rang. He put down the sandwich and swallowed before answering.
“Hello?”
“Alex,” a very harried-sounding Zig Zag breathed. “Sorry to bother you, but I need to know if we can leave tomorrow instead of Monday.”
Alex nearly fell out of his chair as his tail bristled in surprise, but his mind immediately kicked into high gear. “Ah, possibly, why?”
“The weather in
Something ticked in the back of Alex’s mind. He wasn’t sure what it was, so he’d have to investigate further later. In his years of flying and combat, he’d learned to trust it when something seemed a little off. For now, he tried to calm his cousin.
“Okay Zig, calm down a bit. I’ve checked the weather for the flight down, but not much past that. I’ll check the detailed forecast for farther out, and call my crews and maintenance furs to see if we can go tomorrow. Call you back in a few.”
“Thanks Alex, talk to you in a bit.”
The line clicked and Alex folded his phone, frowning. He finished his burger in two bites and went to his study to warm up the computer. A few minutes later, he was frowning even more. The long-range forecast for
“Billy Panelli, what can I do for ya?”
Alex smirked. Billy rarely checked the caller ID on his phone. “Hi Billy. Hey, can we get things done in time to do the
There was a bit of a pause before Billy answered. “I think that’s do-able. Allastor told me yesterday that both the G-IV and the new Citation Sovereign were ready for Monday. I’ll call Loni and have her call the crews. You can call Allastor and ask him to have a ground crew for tomorrow.”
Alex flipped his tail and gave a smirk, which was reflected in his voice. “Thanks for that Billy. Talk to you later.”
Billy’s grin also sounded in his voice. “No problem. Later.”
With a sigh, Alex clicked off the call and hit the speed dial for Bluegrass Aviation’s head bulldog. Whatever it was that was bothering the back of his mind still wouldn’t solidify, and he couldn’t help but think it would be much better if it did.
It was going to be an interesting trip.
End of Chapter 61.