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Gahn was in his quarters, taking apart a broken lift control panel when he heard a loud banging resound through the room.

"GAHN, OPEN THIS FUCKING DOOR RIGHT NOW YOU BIG IDIOT!" Leina's angry voice boomed through the door, in English.

Startled to hear her yelling, the wolf rushed to put on his pants and went to the door. He nearly fell back in shock at the look of rage that the serval gave him. Her ears were laid back and claws extended.

<<Leina, what's wrong? Why are you so upset?>> he asked with his paws between them as if to hold her back.

"YOU!" she bellowed, pushed her way inside past Gahn and he closed the door before turning to face her. Immediately she set into him, "I just came from going to tell Gyth about the best day I've had in months and I find out from her that it was all because you're trying to get in my pants!"

<<Get in your pants? What do you mean?>> he gave Leina a confused look. This was completely different from her attitude earlier after they'd gotten back from the icefalls. He thought she'd enjoyed their day together, it'd even ended with her kissing him, leaving him certain that she was soon going to accept him as a mate. Instead now she was clearly very upset and he didn't understand what changed.

Leina brandished her claws at him and his confusion turned to terror, he was pretty sure she was about to gut him. She seethed, "A month and a half. That's how long I've been like this. That's how long you've apparently been wanting to lift my tail, if that's what Rukot call it!"

The blood drained from Gahn's face as it dawned on him what she was talking about, <<Leina, please, I'm sorry. It's just that->>

"It's just that you think I'm a piece of ass!" she yelled, interrupting him. Tears welled up in her eyes as she switched to Rukot, <<I thought you were my friend, Gahn. How could you do this to me? Why would you put me in this position?>>

<<I am your friend,>> Gahn said and grabbed her arms with his paws, pulling her close. <<I'm sorry, please don't be angry. You've sacrificed so much for all of us on this ship, without a second thought, out of the goodness of your heart. I just want to see you happy instead of miserable all the time.>>

She started sobbing into his chest and pounded on it with her fists. <<How could you?>> she repeated over and over.

<<Please stop crying, Leina. It pains me to see you so sad,>> he whispered as he held the upset cat.

It took around half an hour for Leina to slowly stop crying. She took several deep breaths through her nose in an effort to calm down and noticed all she could smell was Gahn, his scent filled the small room and it didn't help that her face was buried in a very wet patch fur on his chest. It was then that she realized, with his head resting on top of her's as he tried to comfort her, that she fit perfectly against him.

She pulled away, looked up at him with a tear-stained muzzle and said, <<I don't know what to do about this. If I'd known sooner I would've put a stop to it immediately.>>

Gahn's heart sank at the words, she was going to reject him. <<I'm sorry, Leina. It's my fault for thinking that you were ready when you'd said people from your time were your age they were usually in long established relationships and had children well on their way to adulthood,>> he replied while his ears drooped. A pained look crossed his face as he couldn't help but think that he'd ruined his chance to make her happy.

The cat took in another deep breath, as if steeling herself for what the wolf was sure to follow. <<I haven't been ready for any of what's happened. I don't think it's possible for me to ever be ready for any of it, let alone this,>> Leina said as uncertainty filled her voice. She continued in the barest whisper, <<Tell me you'll stop doing my job for me.>>

Was that it then? Was she not going to reject him outright? He guessed that he didn't deserve it considering that he'd just assumed he would win her over by treating her like a normal Rukot when she was anything but. He answered sadly, <<I won't do your job anymore, Leina, I promise. Please don't hate->>

Leina interrupted him again, this time with her paws as she reached up, pulled his head down to her's, and kissed him.

Gahn's eyes widened and after a moment he pulled the rest of her back in a close embrace and returned the kiss. She was equally surprised at herself. About to tell him she wasn't interested when the look on his muzzle and heartbreak in his large brown eyes betrayed just how he felt for her, she found herself unable to say no. It was like a switch had flipped in her head at the last moment. What the hell was she doing? Had she just committed to a centuries-long relationship with someone she barely knew, and male at that? Except she didn't just barely know him a part of her said. Sure, she didn't know the details of his life, but he was a good ma- wolf, whatever, and had been there as a friend through everything that happened since they first met, even after she'd clubbed him over the head. He was quick to learn, a good teacher, and shared her affinity for mechanical things. She knew that he cared for her and hoped that it was a good enough justification for her decision.

When the wolf broke the kiss and pulled away just enough to look at her, joy replaced the sadness that had filled his face over what he was sure was going to be her rejection. <<Leina,>> he said her name as if it was sacred while his tail wagged behind him.

<<Don't ever make me regret it, Gahn...>> she trailed off, still in shock over what she'd just done.

<<I won't,>> he assured her and pulled her back into another kiss.

Leina felt his broad smooth tongue enter her short muzzle and she greeted it with her own, smaller, rough one. Her uncertainty and shock disappeared while love and need for him on an almost instinctual level blossomed inside her. That brought about its own surprise for the serval. How could she love him already? This was so different from what she'd known as a human, but with something as simple as a kiss she knew with every fibre of her being that she wanted to never be without him; that she was his and he, hers.

====================================

<<--are you? The Captain is waiting for your report on the water tanks we picked up,>> Marrin's disembodied voice woke Leina up. At first she thought the older wolf was in her quarters and she sat up, startled. The serval looked around from the bed for the ship's first officer who was probably about to reprimand her yet again for being late for something. The old wolf was grateful for all she'd done for the ship, but he was still a taskmaster and expected the same level of work from her as he did the rest of the crew. Instead of Gahn's father she saw a blinking light on one of the communicators that most of the crew carried, sitting on a small table along with tools, a random assortment of small parts, and pieces of equipment made her realize she was not in her room. A clock on one of the walls displayed the time 09:02.

Leina got out of the bed unsteadily. With the movement came an ache on her right shoulder and a soreness in her groin. When she turned her head to look at her shoulder she saw the fur on it matted with dried blood and beyond that was Gahn laying on his side on the bed, still asleep. Memory of the previous night flooded her at the sight of his naked frame. They'd made out for awhile after she accepted him and eventually he'd lead her to the bed to consumate their newly established relationship. Part of her was still shocked at the turn of events but her love for the wolf from the previous night remained. They'd only been together once and yet it felt so right, so normal, all of it. For the first time in months she no longer felt completely alone and doubted she ever would again.

The cat's eyes wandered along his sleeping form and she felt herself blush as she focused on the morning hardness of his not insubstantial and distinctly canine manhood. She remembered the feeling of it filling her, locking their bodies together when he climaxed as he took her from behind during their lovemaking. This was followed by him biting her hard on the right shoulder. The sight brought with it the beginnings of a need for him but she pushed it aside, there was no time for that now, Marrin was looking for him and they'd both slept in.

<<Gahn, wake up!>> Leina commanded him, leaning down and giving the wolf a light shake. He did little more than groan and roll over on his stomach. She let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes, remembering the last time she'd tried to wake him up and how difficult it had been. The cat sat back down on the bed and whispered, <<Don't you dare think I'm going to be your alarm clock.>>

Right as she took in a deep breath and prepared to use the same method that had worked before, Gahn turned his head and opened his eyes, looking up at her.

<<Good morning, Leina,>> he said happily as she let the breath back out, almost disappointed she'd missed out at the chance but she smiled at him instead.

She then turned her back to him and replied in a tone of mock anger, <<You bit me!>> making sure he saw her bloodstained shoulder.

The wolf stretched and yawned as he sat up. He moved behind Leina, responding, <<I'm sorry for that, it was instinctual. At least I didn't claw you. My back feels like it's been skinned!>> He wrapped his arms around her and gently traced his lips along one of her ears while moving his paws up to cup her small breasts. <<We can be more gentle with each other this time.>>

Leina began purring and the need she had for him reawakened within her. She wanted this as much as he did but it would have to wait. She sighed and said, <<We can't, Marrin is looking for you. It's almost ten minutes past nine.>>

Gahn pulled away from her and exclaimed, <<What!? I have a report I'm supposed to deliver to Captain Rels, right now, about the water we loaded!>> He practically lept out of the bed past her and nearly tripped over a pile of hoses before catching himself against the wall. The wolf looked around frantically for his clothes, a shower would have to wait.

<<Over here, Gahn,>> Leina said with a laugh at the spectacle and indicated his pants on the floor beside the bed.

He gave her a sheepish look as he walked back over and picked them up. He took his time standing back up so he could admire the slightly asymmetrical spots and stripes on her legs. When his gaze reached the matted fur between her thighs he paused to take the sight in with a smile.

<<Stop admiring your work and get dressed,>> she chided as she leaned forward and picked her own clothing off the floor. She stood up and by the time he'd managed to pull on his pants she was already dressed. <<I'm going to go have a shower and then make sure the galley is stocked before they run out food and the crew eats the cooks. If you're done giving your report by then I want you to show me exactly what parts of my job you've been doing for me,>> she continued as she made for the door.

So, she was going to hold him to his promise then. <<I will,>> he replied and then walked over to her as she reached for the door control. <<Wait, Leina,>> he said. When she turned to him, he pulled her close again and kissed her. After a few moments they parted and shared loving smiles. Gahn spoke again, <<Thank you for accepting me.>>

Leina brought a paw up to touch the side of his muzzle and replied, <<I'm not sure I understand it, but I love you, Gahn. This whole thing seems crazy to me, to love someone like this after only one night, but it's true.>>

The wolf took her paw in his and said, <<We are mates. As Rukot this is our way. From now on we will always be two halves of one whole.>>

She took one last look around at the room behind him and then looked him in the eyes before responding in a serious tone, <<Just don't expect me to move into this mess you call a room.>>

The serval slipped out the door and started walking down the corridor. Lost in thought about what she knew was the best thing to have happened to her in years, she didn't notice Marrin coming from the other direction only 30 metres down the hall and walked right into him with a yelp.

<<Watch where you're going, Leina!>> the older wolf admonished and appeared ready to lecture her on paying attention.

<<Marrin!>> she exclaimed in shock. Leina looked at him and saw the same brown eyes that Gahn had, only really noticing it for the first time. <<I'm sorry, I was just on my way to the galley to->>

<<The galley is in the other direction,>> he cut her off and breathed in through his nose.

She thought if she blushed any harder her fur would turn pink as a knowing smile crossed Marrin's face and his displeasure disappeared. Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she tried to remember how to speak.

<<My son is in his quarters?>>

<<H-h-he is,>> she stammered. She knew she wasn't going to be able to cover for Gahn. Marrin could smell him on her, and probably what they'd been doing the night before.

The ship's first officer made her jump with a laugh, <<I take it you both slept in, the first time can be intense. I'll forgive it, just don't let it interfere with your duties again.>>

<<Yes sir,>> she whispered as she thought she was going to die from embarassment.

He continued laughing and waved her away with the words, <<My family grows again. Now, go have a shower before you go to the galley. The whole crew will know soon enough without you advertising it by smell.>>

Leina replied, <<Thank you, Marrin,>> and practically fled from him down the hall towards her quarters. Behind her she thought she could hear him laughing even harder.

====================================

Captain Rels looked up from the desk of her office, which was tucked into a small room off the port side of the bridge, at her quartermaster. It was nearly 10:00 and Gahn looked like he'd been in a rush. He smelt damp and given the dishevelled appearance of his fur the deer could tell he'd just had a shower and probably ran here.

<<Captain, my apologies for being so late, I was distracted last night. I'm here to give my report on the water tanks.>> he said while trying to straighten his shirt. A few minutes after Leina had left his quarters, his father showed up looking for him. The older wolf had sniffed around as soon as he'd opened the door and then clapped Gahn on the shoulder with a smile before telling him to have a shower.

<<Marrin told me why, we will discuss that in a moment,>> Captain Rels responded flatly. <<Are the tanks secured? I want to be off-planet soon.>>

Gahn gave her an embarassed look for a few seconds then straighted and answered, <<Yes Captain, Leina and I made sure they were before we left for the icefalls yesterday. The hanger is full and the cargo is ready for us to leave.>>

<<I thought I saw some still in the loading bay after the two of you left. Are you sure all 400 are aboard?>>

<<All are accounted for and on ship, Captain. The ones you saw are for the next freighter.>>

<<Good. No leaks this time?>>

<<No leaks, Captain. We checked each tank before and after loading and I inspected them again after we returned from the the planet.>> Gahn remembered the last time they'd picked up water from Imos, and how several of the large tanks had discharged their contents due to poor sealing. The small flood that resulted ruined some of the other cargo they were carrying and it took nearly two weeks for every last nook and cranny of the hanger to dry out. Even now parts of it still retained a faint smell of mould.

Captain Rels nodded, satisfied with his answers. <<I want the two of you to inspect them one more time when we are in space. I know it seems over cautious but I don't want the equipment from Jinem getting wet.>>

<<We'll do it, Captain,>> Gahn replied.

The deer nodded and leaned back in her chair, asking, <<Is that all the two of you are going to do?>>

<<Captain?>> his embarassed look returned.

<<Gahn, your father came straight to me from your quarters to say you were running behind and has not smiled so broadly since you were born. He also said he found Leina rushing to the galley in the wrong direction with your smell all over her. It is not a big leap to assume my ship has a new couple on it.>>

The young wolf's tail began to wag and he replied happily, <<She accepted me as a mate last night.>>

<<I worry for that cat and how she rushes headfirst into life-altering decisions. I hope this is the last one for a long time.>>

Gahn's ears drooped, <<She was very upset with me when Gyth told her my intentions. I should have waited. She wasn't ready and nearly rejected me for it.>>

<<But she did not. What is done, is done, Gahn. Leina needs some stability to combat the chaos that has been her life these past two months. The good doctor thinks it is for the best and I agree.>> Captain Rels smiled and continued, <<I am happy for the two of you, but do not let it interfere with your respective duties or I will assign her elsewhere.>>

<<Yes, Captain.>>

====================================

Gyth was sitting at her desk in the medical room when Leina came to visit her again that evening.

<<Why did you not come see Nak about it this morning?>> Gyth asked as she cleaned and bandaged the bite on Leina's shoulder.

<<He doesn't like me,>> the serval replied.

Gyth laughed, <<He isn't mad about you dropping the stabilization gel anymore.>>

Leina's ears flattened, remembering the event from her first week on the job that resulted in Nak chasing her out of the medical room in anger, <<I didn't mean to, and why aren't you using it on my shoulder?>>

<<This is a marking bite, it's supposed to scar. I thought you were going to reject Gahn, but this suggests you changed your mind.>>

<<I was, I was so angry, Gyth. Then when I looked into his eyes and felt him against me as he tried to calm me down, it felt right to accept. I don't fully understand, but I love him.>> Leina couldn't help but smile when she thought of Gahn. She turned to the doctor and asked, <<What do you mean by marking bite? He did it on purpose?>>

<<Male Rukot from uplifted carnivore species mark their mates. It was on purpose but not something he could have controlled. Not all of our ancestral species did it originally, but the theory is the humans who created us thousands of years ago blended a lot of genetic material and marking is a result of that.>> Gyth took one of Leina's paws, placed it against her own shoulder and the serval's eyes widened as she felt small bumps through the fur under the lioness' shirt.

<<Then why let it scar if it's a throwback to instinct?>>

Gyth smiled, <<When I feel lonely I touch mine and know that Froan is with me, even though we are seperated by vast distances.>>

<<Gahn isn't on a different ship, I work for him.>>

<<You may not always be near one another, our lives are long and take us many places.>>

Leina knew the doctor was right. She'd unconsciously felt at the wound several times during the day when something threatened to ruin her mood and her newfound love for Gahn made the day's annoyances seem inconsequential. Would her entire life be like this? Were her emotions now bound to knowing on a subconscious level that she was loved? The concept seemed both foreign and natural to her, a cunundrum she couldn't logically resolve.

<<All done, you should be happy to know he'll only bite that hard the once. The next time he bites you there he will not break the skin,>> Gyth sat back and admired her handiwork.

<<Thank you, Gyth, for everything,>> the serval turned and gave the lioness a hug.