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 2003-2013 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 67
Meeting of the Minds
Saturday found Alex on his way into Lexington to pick up Corrie. They’d had dinner after their lengthy greeting at the airport, but both agreed talking about anything of consequence needed to wait until they were both rested. Alex knew of a place just west of Versailles that had a small cabin on the backside of a large horse farm property. A call to the owner the night before had gotten them permission to use the place for the day.
As he drove, Alex grinned to himself, recalling Corrie’s very enthusiastic greeting the evening before. Apparently, whatever had been troubling her, she’d worked out in her mind. Now, he just hoped she wouldn’t fly apart when he told her about his “cougar attack.” The voice in the back of his head had been right. There wasn’t anything like the real Corrie.
Presently, he made the off ramp to Newtown Pike. That connected to New Circle Road, his usual route around the north end of Lexington. It should have been about a five minute drive. Even though it was early, traffic was pretty heavy. It took over a half hour for Alex to get on New Circle and go the three exits down to Versailles Road. There, traffic slowed even more. Another half hour found him at the entrance to Corrie’s hotel. By now, he’d mentally gone through a dozen different scenarios of how to tell Corrie about the events in
He’d just pulled up when Corrie, looking very relaxed in jeans and a t-shirt, fairly bounded out to meet him. He pressed the button to unlock the doors, and she opened the door and jumped up into the seat, not letting him have the chance to get out and open the door for her. Her greeting kiss was less fierce, but more passionate this morning.
“Coo, but I’ve missed that. Was traffic that bad?” she inquired as she sat back and buckled her seatbelt.
“Worse. Must be sale day or something. About every other car was a poor distracted mom with kits in the car. The road construction didn’t help. Doesn’t seem like they’ll ever get all of the I-75 rebuild done,” Alex replied as he pulled out of the parking lot.
Corrie nodded. “Must be, then. All this traffic must take some getting used to. So, where are we headed?”
When Alex told her of a cabin on the backside of a farm, a flicker of concern crossed her face, quickly replaced by a speculative look.
“Back home, in
Alex grinned, but decided not to tease her too much right then.
“No, that’ll be after . . . a while away.”
He’d nearly said after the wedding. Everyone’s comments must be getting to him, he thought.
“Awww, suit y’self,” the lioness replied teasingly.
They bantered and small-talked back and forth on their way. The drive on Versailles Road took about 15 minutes, and then a couple of turns on two lane country roads another 20. After a turn onto a long gravel drive, Alex pulled up in front of a small cabin.
“This is the place,” he announced. “Bradley, the owner, has this as a place to get away from the rush and pressure of raising thoroughbred race horses, and also as a shelter in case anyone gets caught out here away from the main part of the farm by a storm. I have sodas, water, and a packed lunch in the back of the truck. It’s usually very quiet out here.”
Corrie nodded. Alex noticed an expression flicker across her face. It was only for a split second, but it looked for all the world like she was terrified by something. Then it was gone, replaced by a rather deadpan look. Alex opened his door and she blinked and looked his way, the blank expression giving way to a smile. He made it around and opened the door for her. She accepted his offered paw and stood up out of the truck. Still holding paws, they walked to the door of the cabin.
“We can bring the food and drinks in after I unlock the door.”
Corrie looked at him quizzically as he bent down and retrieved a key from under the dusty, well worn doormat.
“Bonzer! Glad to see there are places around besides Maine where you can still do that,” she commented.
“A few,” Alex replied. “And *click* door’s open. There’s no power out here, so don’t bother looking for a switch. Water’s by paw pump from a well. The facilities consist of that little outhouse out back. Don’t worry, Bradley said he just lymed it two days ago.”
Corrie began to laugh a rich, warm laugh as she stepped inside to look around. Alex joined in the laughter as he went to bring in the food and drinks. He sat the two coolers in the kitchen area, and looked around for the lioness. The cabin’s interior was basically all one room, with a counter and table and chairs on one side, with a small writing desk and a bed on the other. Oil lamps sat on the table and writing desk, and the small table beside the bed. A door in back led to a porch that ran the length of the cabin. That’s where he found Corrie, already seated in one of the two chairs.
“Beautiful, Luv,” the lioness said as Alex touched her shoulder. The view was very pastoral, with rolling fields, fenced into pasture areas. A few stands of trees dotted the fence lines, and a few horses grazed in the distance. Birds fluttered about, and the buzz of insects made a steady, but not overly loud, background hum. As Alex sat down in the chair beside her, she took his paw in hers and took a deep breath. Then she began.
“Alex, I think this has stewed along for long enough. I promised to explain me reaction when your aunt suggested I might be a lesbian, and I will.”
She bit her lip for a second, then began again. “First off, if anyone asks, the answer is no. Remembah Ben putting that to rest when we first met? Anyway, I’m not. I know for sure because, well . . .”
She trailed off, and Alex looked at her quizzically. She looked back at him and when he nodded to encourage her to continue, she smiled weakly. Alex had the feeling he needed to be still and listen, so he waited her out. After a few moments, she continued.
“Well, here goes. A few years back I’d had anothah relationship self-destruct on me. I was down, and I began to wonder if maybe I’d do bettah with shielas. I called up a very dear friend who is a lesbian, and aftah talking a bit we decided to try dating. We went out a few times and enjoyed ourselves and each othah’s company, so we decided to try all the way. I’ll admit it was...pleasant, but Angela and I both agreed in the end that I’m no lesbian. My heart just wasn’t in it. I was . . . afraid to tell you about this. I’ve always heard that Christians hate gays and lesbians, so I hope this . . . well, I don’t know what else to say.”
Alex had listened carefully. Corrie was pouring her heart out on the matter, and he didn’t want to miss anything about what she said. The fact that she’d experimented with another femme didn’t really bother him. That was not uncommon in this day and time. What did was her statement about Christians. Because of the words and actions of some, and the way the media presented them most of the world seemed to have that belief. Alex found himself shaking his head. Corrie let out a little gasp, and tears began to well in her eyes. Alex quickly realized that she had mistaken his gesture. He enfolded her paw with both of his.
“Corrie, no! I’m not shaking my head at you. I was thinking about that stereotype of Christians. Yes, some do proclaim to hate gays and lesbians, as well as bisexuals and transgender, but they’re coming at it the wrong way. As I read it in the Bible, we are never, ever to hate someone. God doesn’t hate anyone, as far as I read it. I most definitely do NOT hate gays, lesbians or you, my Love. What you did in the past, before I met you, to try to find your way is . . . not my concern.”
Corrie had listened, wiping at her eyes with her free paw. She was hearing Alex’s words, but it was his paws on hers, the steady grip, the feeling of warmth and love coming through them, that convinced her. Her emotions began to rise with each word. Alex had not freaked out, didn’t hate anyone, and her dalliance before he knew her didn’t seem to bother him. She took a another deep breath and let it out, sniffling a bit, but smiling now.
“I’m glad. Erm, can we put the whole mess behind us, please Luv?”
“I’m all for that, so consider it done, and next time anyone makes a comment or asks, I’ll set them straight in no uncertain terms.”
Corrie snorted at the apparently unintentional word play.
“Coo, Alex, that was terrible! So now what? We have a beautiful day in progress, so do you just want to hang about and talk?”
It was Alex’s turn to take a deep breath, letting it out with a sigh. “Actually, I have something I need to tell you about, too, before rumor or slanderous mischief reach your ears.”
Corrie gave him an odd look, but he had heard her out, so she waited for him to continue. He paused, his tail lashing over once before he began.
“Tuesday while Zig and her crew were busy with the photo shoot, I took the chance to sit out on the beach under an umbrella and read. It was a beautiful day. Janet, our flight attendant, was sitting a little way up the beach, or rather napping by where the shoot was going on. They had screens up to protect the public, so all seemed relaxed and fine.”
Alex stopped and swallowed, trying to keep his mouth from getting dry, and then continued. “Then this puma femme came walking up the beach. She stopped to ask about the screens. I told her what was going on, and she said she’d heard rumor of it already. Anyway, we chatted a couple of minutes, I offered her some water, and then she left. I didn’t pay much attention at the time, but in hindsight she was flirting at me pretty heavily.”
Alex now looked down a moment. Corrie could almost swear he was blushing as he went on.
“Wednesday morning I went for a run along the beach. I’d run pretty hard, so I was walking back, lost in thought about the flight home Friday. Well, she, ah, ambushed me. Popped up out of nowhere on a deserted section of the beach wearing only sunglasses and bikini bottoms. She grabbed me and tried to kiss me. I had to hold her at arm’s length away, and she was still trying to seduce me. Fortunately, Zig showed up with James and one of her actors. That distracted the femme, and got me out of a very bad situation.”
Corrie sat back. She’d idly wondered if she had any competition for Alex, but he’d never mentioned anyone else. Now, with this, she was more than a little bit unsure about the idea of a random femme coming after him. She sat a moment, squelching the anger that was trying to rise in her.
“Luv, don’t take anything I say the wrong way, but are you certain you hadn’t met the femme before? Maybe as a passenger on another flight or something? The idea of a shiela coming out of nowhere and coming on that strong is hard to swallow.”
Alex felt like his honesty was being questioned, but then he recalled that this was why he was telling Corrie about it in the first place. He waited a moment to make sure his voice was clear, and then answered.
“No, not that I remember. I don’t even think it was me specifically as much as it was her wanting to hook up with someone while she was there. Zig chewed me out for not paying attention to the signs that she was after me. She also reminded me that this was something Mastifson might pull, hiring Beryl to come after me.”
Corrie frowned. “So, you didn’t know her, but you know her name? You didn’t know she was after you, but she managed to get hold of you while she was half naked? And the guy who’s been after your hide might have sent her after you. Luv, I’m . . . having a hard time getting that to go down. What happened after Zig showed up?”
Alex looked contrite, hoping a complete telling would soften the lioness’ skeptical look. “When Zig and James showed up, the actor with them was a young puma male named Johnny. Innocent and naive by appearance, but Zig says he specializes in cougars. Beryl took one look at him, let go of me and practically dragged him away. No sign that Mastifson was involved, either.”
Corrie wrinkled her nose. “Ugh! I hate that term, ‘cougar.’ I say if a shiela can get a younger guy’s attention, good on ‘er. How old was this Beryl, anyway?”
Alex resisted the urge to tease Corrie, as he could see she was upset. “Well, I didn’t ask, but she looked to be in her thirties. Johnny is, I think Zig said twenty five or so. He looks and can act eighteen, probably even younger if the role called for it. In any case, I owe him a debt of gratitude. Beryl didn’t show up anywhere near the house the rest of the trip. As for realizing she was after me, how did Zig put it? ‘Alex, does a frikkin’ Mac truck have to hit you for you to realize someone has the hots for you?’ I for one would like to forget it ever happened.”
Corrie still wasn’t looking too sure, although she did smirk at Alex’s retelling of Zig’s statement. Alex looked at her earnestly and went on.
“There is one thing more I’d like to tell you.”
Corrie gave him a dubious look. “Now what, Luv?”
Alex smiled gently. “When Beryl was trying to press herself into me, for a wild moment, in my mind’s eye I imagined it was you, but you know what?”
Corrie was looking more than a little put out by that, looking at Alex sharply as her eyes narrowed, her ears laid down and her tail lashed. No femme ever wants to hear, “but I was thinking of you when I did it.” After a moment to get hold of her anger, she gave a nod and waved a paw at Alex.
“Go on, what?”
“When you greeted me at the airport yesterday, I knew for certain when you grabbed me that you were the real thing.”
Corrie grinned in spite of herself, her anger evaporating. Her ears came back up, and she snickered. Alex had again proven himself to be honest and true. No other male she’d ever known would have told her about the incident like he just had unless they’d been caught in it. She smiled in earnest and leaned a bit toward him.
“Alex, that’s quite a tale, but I believe you. Thank you, for being who you are. I love you, now c’mere and give me a kiss.”
Alex leaned toward her to oblige. “I love you too, Corrie.”
# # #
The door flew open and Andrew charged in, tossing a “Ewww, gross Mom!” behind him. Tia was on the porch, holding the door open. Jack, grinning like an idiot, had Jenna up in his arms as he deftly maneuvered the tigress through the doorway and then set her lightly on her feet in the living room. She kissed him lightly on the muzzle as Tia shut the door behind them.
“Mom, er . . . ehm, you know what? I’ve never asked what you want to be called now, Mr. Jack. I . . . don’t think I’m ready to call you dad.”
Tia looked very unsure of herself at that moment. Jack smiled and put a paw gently on her shoulder, looking her in the eye.
“Mr. Jack is just fine. As I’ve said, I’m not here to take your Dad’s place. I guess I’m . . . more like a relief pitcher.”
Tia nodded, a smile on her muzzle now. “Okay. I was going to ask if you wanted help with your luggage or with Shadow.”
Jenna shook her head. “No, we’ve got it. You and Andrew go ahead and start unpacking.”
Tia nodded and headed for her bedroom, her backpack and bag in paw. She and Andrew had a week’s worth of clothes to unpack. Fortunately for them, Penny had taken care of the dress clothes already. Jack and Jenna too had clothes and such to unpack, although Penny had taken care of their wedding outfits and the clothes from the first part of the week already. Jack wrapped his arms around Jenna’s waist from behind and nuzzled her ear.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Lazarus.”
Jenna pressed into the embrace. “You too, Mr. Lazarus. I’m heading to the bedroom to unpack. If you hurry with the bags and help in unpacking, I’ll model that swimsuit for you again before we get going on dinner.”
She took advantage of Jack’s stunned silence to slip from his grasp and, laughing all the way, head down the hall to the bedroom. Jack just shook his head. He knew she was teasing, as they wouldn’t do anything with the two cubs awake, and that it was a ploy to get him to finish unloading. With a laugh he reviewed the past couple of days to himself as he went back outside. The honeymoon had been amazingly wonderful, but Saturday had arrived and the trip home had been a little bumpy as Hurricane Beryl took aim on the Gulf of Mexico and the southern
Jack arrived back at the minivan and retrieved his and Jenna’s bags. He then opened the side door and picked up Shadow’s lead. The kali had been patiently waiting, and was more than ready to go. Jack had noted that Blake was laying on the floor in the entrance to the kitchen. The kaht had looked up in interest when everyone had come in, but after a brief inspection to see that everyone was whole and well, he had gone back and laid down on the cool floor.
As Jack managed the bags and the lead, Shadow bounced around and wagged her tail. She’d been here before with the tiger-fox lady, and enjoyed treats and petting. Even the little creature who lived here had made peace after a time.
“Now Shadow, this is our new home. Try not to raise too much of a ruckus,” Jack cautioned as he opened the door to go in. Once inside, he made sure the kali wasn’t going to run amok, and then unsnapped the lead from her collar. She wagged her tail and looked around. Then she went straight over to Blake and plopped down in front of him, her nose almost touching his. The kaht opened one eye, reached out and half-heartedly pawed the kali on the nose, and then closed the eye and pointedly ignored her. Shadow lifted her head and blinked, then put her head down on her paws and closed her eyes as well.
“Well,” Jack mused. “Now if the rest of settling in as a family goes this smoothly, it’ll be just fine.”
Just then, he heard Tia let out a shriek and Andrew trying to stifle his laughter. With a sigh, Jack headed toward the commotion.
“Spoke too soon, I guess.”
# # #
Corrie and Alex sat together on the cabin’s back porch, watching the sun sink toward the horizon. A band of clouds crossed the sky above the setting sun, and the slant of light caused a rosy glow on the underside of the formation. The two had walked the fields, and talked or cuddled through the day, catching up on each other’s adventures since they’d last talked.
“So Angela made me promise to keep her . . . up to date,” Corrie ended her story. Alex smiled.
“She sounds like quite a lady. I hope she and her girlfriend do well.”
Corrie nodded, smiling also, but then her mood took a serious turn.
“Erm, Luv, I have something to talk ovah with you.”
Alex gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Okay, this sounds serious. Should I be worried?”
Corrie blushed slightly, but managed a smile. “Only if you don’t want me around all the time.”
Alex looked askance. “Hey, I’d love for you to be around all the time, but since the add-on to Kentiger didn’t work out, you’d have to quit your job and just move down here. That doesn’t sound like you.”
Corrie couldn’t help grinning as the notion to tease a bit struck her. “Oh yes, that’s exactly it. I figured I’d just move in with you. If I can’t get a flying job, I’ll just become a pole dancer at one of the local clubs, or just bludge off you.”
Alex blinked a double-take, causing Corrie to laugh to the point of helplessness. As soon as she did, he knew he was being teased.
“Oh yes,” he replied. “Can’t have you freeloading off me, now can we. Earn your keep, femme!”
Corrie stuck her tongue out at him. They both laughed for a moment, and then Corrie continued.
“Seriously now, weren’t you curious as to how I ended up here when you got back?”
“Well, a little,” Alex admitted.
Corrie grinned. “I was wondering if you were evah going to ask. Billy invited me down. Partly because he’s a hopeless romantic and wanted me to be here when you got back, and partly because . . .”
Corrie’s grin widened. She could barely believe the words herself.
“Go on, before you face splits,” Alex encouraged. Whatever she was about to say must be really good news. The lioness took a deep breath and began.
“Billy is wanting to start a helicoptah service here, separate from Kentigah. He wants me to be his partner and chief pilot.”
Alex caught his breath. He knew Billy had been thinking a lot about helicopters, but he had no idea the tiger had gotten this far along with the idea. He was grinning as widely as Corrie now.
“That’s fantastic!”
They found themselves on their feet, hugging and nearly jumping up and down. After a moment they sat back down, and Corrie began to tell Alex about the plans.
“We want to start with three choppahs, three othah pilots and an admin. No exact timeline yet, but it’s at least a couple of months out. Oh, and Billy said something about a hangar out back of Bluegrass Aviation and the general av hangars. It’ll still be a little while, anyway. I have a lot of things to do up in Maine before . . .”
Here Corrie teared up, and Alex held her close for several moments. She then sat back and wiped her eyes.
“Sorry, it just struck me that this means I’ll be leaving . . . home. Well, what’s come to be home.”
She was quiet for a moment. Alex let her be in her thoughts, and then she looked up and smiled.
“Me Dad said, before we left
Alex nodded, smiling back. “It sounds great! Not to pry, but do you need help with the move? Financial, I mean. Of course I’ll help with the physical move.”
Corrie arched an eyebrow at him, her expression now playful. “You bet you can help with the physical move. Put those nice muscles to work! Financial, no and no. I’m an independent sort, I like to pay me own way. And no help with the business, either. This is my dream, not yours.”
Alex smiled again. “And you are mine, Corrie. I respect that. I’ll only do what is asked. Heh, I have enough to do keeping up with things at Kentiger and watching out for Mastifson.”
Corrie leaned over and kissed him. “Yes you do. Now, it’s getting on toward suppah time, any plans?”
Alex grinned, his tail waving merrily now. “Nah, thought we’d just sit out here until the mosquitoes start chewing on us and live on love.”
Corrie gave a short laugh. “Hah! Well, we might live on love, but I’m not in the mood to be an entrée for the mozzies. Shall we go, Luv?”
“We shall indeed,” Alex replied formally as he stood and made a sweeping bow, taking Corrie’s paw as she stood up. Both were laughing to the point of tears as they went inside to straighten up and get ready to leave.
End of Chapter 67