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"We have a new mission."

"You mean besides saving everyone's tails?" Rella asked, taking a seat on the couch. They were in Wren's ready room. He'd just gotten done speaking with Admiral Flint and had called her in to discuss it.

"Besides that," Wren said, sorting the computer pads on his desk. So many new orders, status reports, and requisition requests! The end of the war sure hadn't lessened his workload any. But 'paperwork' was a small price to pay for peace.

"Are you gonna tell me, or do I have to guess?"

The walnut-furred squirrel, arching his bushy tail, padded to the couch and sat next to her. "In light of the recent political upheaval, the High Command is going to be involved in a lot of upper-echelon peace talks and treaty negotiations." He gestured to the windows behind them, at the ship traffic above the snow rabbit Home-world. It was fairly heavy right now, and one of those vessels was actually a Federation cruiser. It was a sight he hadn't expected to see again. Not after Luminous' exile. It was twice as big as Luminous, but rather plain looking. More so when compared to the smaller, sleeker snow rabbit ships that frequently loped past. The Arctic foxes were still here, too, along with a few others. Quite a crowd.

"And since you and Field have diplomatic training, they'd like us to take part?" Rella guessed, astutely, sprawling against him.

He gave her a smile, pulling her snugly against his chest. "Sort of. When we're needed, anyway. When we're not, we'll ferry various ambassadors to off-world meeting sites, and offer security and support during those talks."

"This, that, and the other," she quipped.

"Should occupy us for a while."

"So, if the Federation is reestablishing relations with the High Command, what does that mean for us? Does the Federation want us back? They may not sign a treaty until all their 'property' is returned to them." And it wasn't just Luminous that was in dispute. A few places along the High Command/Federation border had changed paws during the war.

"We're probably pretty low on their totem pole right now," Wren guessed. "From what I hear, the Federation is more interested in the High Command's new foray into the Uncharted Territories. They want in on the action. Maybe even a partnership."

"If the predators are still in charge, you can forget about 'partnerships'." Rella sighed. "Maybe that's unfair to say, but ... " After all, there were a few predator/prey mate-ships aboard this very ship! It wasn't a universal fact that they had to be at each other's throats. It just happened, instinctually, to be that way more often than not.

"That's for the diplomats to worry about."

"I thought you just said you and Field were diplomats," she stressed with a smirk.

"Low level ones."

"Ah. Spared from the stickiest red tape?"

"I wish ... " The darker squirrel took a deep breath, continuing, "And even if the Federation did want us back, I wouldn't want to go. That's water under the bridge. We've all moved on. We're part of the snow rabbits' family, now. After all we've been through." He looked into her eyes. "Right?"

"Definitely," she agreed, a paw reaching up to touch his face. "I'm proud of how you handled all this."

"The war?" He turned his head to kiss her fingers, one by one.

"That, yes." She strummed at his whiskers before lowering her arm. "And everything else that's happened since we launched. Nothing really went as planned ... "

"If it did, we wouldn't learn, grow, or get stronger." Wasn't adaptation part of a successful life?

"We also wouldn't have so many scars," she argued, playing devil's advocate. Being a tactical officer, she knew the necessity of conflict, even if it was her job to curtail it.

"We survived," he said, simply.

"A good part of that is thanks to your leadership."

"I've always been level-headed," he admitted, waving a paw modestly. "But it helps that I have the best crew, not to mention the best tactical officer, in the fleet."

"Flatterer."

"I know how to encourage my subordinates." His bucktoothed smile was hard to miss.

"And, in return, they pledge their undying loyalty?" she teased.

"Something like that ... "

"Well, we've still got an hour before the going away party." The mahogany-furred squirrel smiled back at him, slyly.

"Do we?"

"Mm-hmm." Assumpta and Barrow were leaving the ship, as well as a few other crew-furs. There was going to be a combined 'Farewell/End of War' celebration in the mess hall. All night long. "Wanna encourage me further?" She gave him a promising look. "Or, if you prefer, I'll call it 'pledging my loyalty' ... "

"I don't know whether I should laugh or shiver at that."

"Both?"

"Could do," Wren said, breathing the words instead of speaking them. He flushed beneath the fur. "But, uh ... would you be upset if it waited 'til later tonight? When I've got less on my mind?" He still had some 'busywork' to take care of, one of which was perusing information on the 'soon-to-arrive' replacement crew-furs from the High Command. The ones taking Assumpta and everyone else's places. He'd gotten their bios this afternoon. They were all snow rabbits, of course. He wasn't sure how they'd respond to serving aboard a 'primitive' Federation vessel, even if Luminous had been retrofitted to run at High Command specifications. And knowing their breeding habits, they were likely to become sexual monkey wrenches on this ship of mostly-mated furs. If they were anything like Aria, though, whom he'd dealt with extensively, they shouldn't be too unwieldy.

"You sure?" she finally asked, interrupting his thoughts. She didn't mind waiting, if necessary. Sometimes, it felt better when you let yourself simmer for a while.

"I'm not sure, no. But I have to try and be a little bit responsible," Wren lamented, leaning in to kiss his mate's cheek. Not once, but twice, gingerly brushing whiskers in the process. "You don't have to stay with me while I work. I'm sure you have things to do, yourself."

She stretched and chittered. "Well, after the battle and subsequent clean-up, I think my security staff deserves some downtime. I won't bug them too much. At least not today." Tomorrow, though? It would be back to work, preparing for a new mission protecting ambassadors and officials at undisclosed, unsecured sites, as well as doing a complete inventory and assessment of the ship's weapons. In other words: a paw-ful. They'd also just gotten a new allotment of torpedoes, as well as fresh coils for the cannons. "So, I'll just go to our quarters. Take a nice, warm bath, maybe ... "

"I gotta go back to my desk," he said, standing up and flitter-fluffing his bushy tail. "And imagine you taking a bath, now, too." A wry squint. "Thanks for that ... "

"You're welcome." She stayed on the couch and laughed, batting at that tail. "You better not be late to the party."

"I'm always punctual."

"I know, but you hate goodbyes."

"What makes you say that?" He crossed his arms, briefly.

"You brought Field and Kody with you when we launched," she pointed out. "Nothing wrong with that. You were very attached to them, and it worked out for the best." In fact, she couldn't imagine the ship without them. "But it lets me know you're gonna be uncomfortable making a goodbye speech to Assumpta and the others. You don't like letting furs go ... "

"Well, we're like a family, aren't we?" he reasoned, softly. That was the second time he'd used that word in this conversation. But it felt right. "After all we've been through? It's tough to break bonds like that."

"Assumpta wants to go. All the departing furs are choosing to leave," she said. "It's in their best interests. You shouldn't take it personally."

"I know ... " And he didn't take it personally. Did he?

She finally stood, herself, and gave him a calming hug. "The stronger bonds are still in place," she breathed, referring to their mate-ship. "And they always will be. You can be comforted by that."

"I am. See you later, love," he said, warmly. Kissing her cheek.

"You'll see all of me," she reminded with a wink, making for the door with several obvious tail-swishes.

Wren sighed wistfully as he watched her go, eventually glancing back at his desk with disinterest. All those computer pads with all those reports versus all of her? Was there even a choice? Don't be insane, Wren. You're the Captain. It's your ship! Do what you want! He twitched and suddenly scampered for the door, chasing Rella onto the bridge. "Wait ... "

"Change your mind?" she asked lightly, stopping only briefly to let him catch up. She hid a smile and continued toward the back lift. The doors parted for her.

He followed Rella in, not bothering to appoint someone to head the bridge in his absence. The junior officers were used to this. They knew what to do. And may, in fact, do the same thing as their superiors. As long as they stayed out of his chair. "I suppose I did," the captain finally answered. "Only, I think a long, steamy shower might be more interesting than a bath." A short, excited breath. "Don't you?"

"Hmm." An incorrigible smile. "Now that you mention it ... " The doors shut and the lift whisked them to their quarters.

"You're beautiful ... " He kissed her rump, sweetly, from left to right. Reading her body like a private novel. In this instance, the back cover.

The two rodents were in bed. She was on her belly, in the fur with her chin resting on her folded arms, insisting, "You don't have to keep telling me that, Chester."

"Even if it's the truth?" He fondled at Juneau's fluffy tail.

"I guess I'm still not convinced that it is."

"Nonsense ... anyway, all the more reason for me to keep reminding you. I never give up on things I love," he insisted. "And I love you."

"Such sugar coming off your tongue, mousey." She made a clicking sound. "Am I going to have to brush my teeth?"

"No. We haven't even gotten past the appetizers yet."

Juneau laughed.

Chester gave a happy squeak and wriggled up along her body as only a mouse could. Which is to say: in the most twitchy, adorable way! He whispered on her shoulder, "Something's bothering you. I can tell. Are you worried because Assumpta's leaving?"

The squirrel's hesitated, taking a deep breath before flipping herself over. Onto her back, now, staring at the ceiling. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the stars outside the windows. And other sundry things. "Not worried, no." Not exactly ...

"But you like her, don't you?" Chester asked, sprawling atop her. Groping her breasts for a moment before using his elbows to prop himself up, looking deeply into her eyes. "She's your friend."

She looked away, almost embarrassedly. "We have a certain rapport, I guess." A brief pause. "I'm ... I mean, I'm accustomed to her."

"Was she promoted?" the piebald mouse wondered.

"No." She looked back to him. "It's a lateral move."

Chester blinked. "Then why is ... "

"Her mate," Juneau said, quickly, with a hint of jealousy.

"Oh. Oliver? He was so nice ... " The mouse smiled innocently, with dimples and buckteeth and everything.

"Well ... " She couldn't really argue that. Even if part of her stubbornly wanted to. She hugged her mouse. "He was asked to be the chief engineer on a new class of starship. Captained by Constable Aria, of all furs, according to Rella."

"When were you talking to Rella?"

"I socialize sometimes, Chester," she said, dryly.

The mouse nodded sheepishly. "I, uh, wasn't implying ... "

" ... it's okay. Wasn't snapping at you," she insisted, quickly, in case she had been. She did have anti-social tendencies. Why else would she be embarrassed to call Assumpta a friend?

"So, um ... "

"Oliver. Yeah. Since he's into design and all that, he's going to test its reliability in the field."

"The reliability of the new ship ... "

"Mm-hmm. And if it works, presumably they'll produce more. Assumpta's going along as his deputy chief. With the rank of lieutenant. Exactly the same as here." The squirrel paused, unable to keep from adding, "But she 'serves' under Oliver in her personal life, so I guess she'd find it easy to 'serve' under him professionally, too."

The mouse giggle-squeaked! "Juneau ... " He didn't know if that was mean or funny.

"It's true." The squirrel smirked.

"So, she's leaving for love?" He bumped noses with her. "That's so romantic."

"Maybe." A dismissive chuff. "Now I'll probably have to make crew-fur Mortimer my deputy. Either him or Assumpta's incoming snow rabbit replacement."

"What's wrong with Mortimer?"

"I never trusted raccoons around shiny metal tools."

Chester nudged her, making a slight face. "Be fair, darling ... "

"I'm always fair."

"What if someone didn't trust you cause they heard squirrels were hoarders?"

"That's 'pack rats'."

"Well, squirrels are known to 'squirrel' away things. Uh, nuts and things ... "

"The only nuts I want are yours," she said, bluntly.

Chester's ears turned rosy-red!

"Oh, Mortimer's not all that bad," she relented, chuckling at Chester's shyness. "I just ... "

"You like Assumpta more," the mouse repeated.

"Damn snow leopard," the squirrel whispered. "I don't want her to go." There. She finally said it out loud. She sighed. "Anyway, that's life. Always has been. You cross paths with hundreds, if not thousands, of furs, especially when you're out in space. Only a paw-ful stay with you for very long ... " In memory or otherwise.

"That's what makes the ones who do stay extra-special," he insisted, touching her gently.

She pulled at him with a vulnerable desperation, blurting out with uncharacteristic emotion, "Don't ever leave me, Chester. I swear ... " Her eyes watered. She was so accustomed to him. So dependant on his presence.

"I won't," he insisted, quietly.

"Promise?"

"I promise." He arched and pressed his naked body against hers, his white and black-spotted pelt making him look like a canvas that'd been 'goosed' by roving, paint-covered paws, or maybe like he was flavored cookies and cream. "When you imply that Assumpta gets 'served' under Oliver ... "

"You like thinking about that, do you?" she teased, back to her normal self. "Big cats screwing?"

He giggled. "No! I mean ... well, mostly, I was thinking that Assumpta doesn't seem like a submissive type." She could be kind of intimidating, really, unless you knew her. And even then ...

"I've seen the looks they give each other. He's the dominant one," Juneau assured. "He 'bewitches' her."

"Is that what she said?"

"Might as well have," the squirrel replied.

"They could be like us."

"Switches? Maybe ... "

"It's much more fun when you're not confined to a single role. When you can adapt to the mood ... "

"True." She smiled, mischievously. "You aren't suggesting something, are you, mousey?"

"Me?" he echoed.

"Mm, you're naïve, but you're not that naïve. You weren't kissing your way up my body because you wanted to discuss psychology."

"No, I wasn't," he breathed, hotly. Not regular psychology anyway. Now, the psychology of breeding? Well ...

She hooked a leg around his hip, paws gripping his back-fur. "Then why were you?"

He swallowed, gently bumping noses. He was getting increasingly excited. "I don't ... I don't think there are words to properly describe it. I'll have to act it out." He cleared his throat.

Juneau grinned. "So, it's to be a performance?"

"Oh, yes ... a great performance. Full of passion and fire ... "

"Mm-h ... " She began to touch him all over, paws roving. Their muzzles very close to meeting, limbs beginning to entwine. Soft, simple pelts meshing. "Tell me ... I mean, show me," she corrected, "more ... "

With much pleasure, Chester did so.

At the docking port between Luminous and Orbital 9, Sheila looked around. This was probably the last time she'd ever be aboard a Federation starship, considering where she was going and whose jurisdiction she'd be under. Though you never knew, of course. Her life had taken many twists and turns to this point. It was bound to take more.

She wasn't familiar enough with Luminous to miss it that much. It was a sturdy, practical ship. Homey enough. Though with the High Command upgrades, it was a bit of a hybrid, anymore. The crew-furs were mostly warm and genuine. They'd welcomed her in spite of her character flaws. Although there was that, uh ... well, some awkwardness with Pyro and Dotna. To put it mildly. And Barrow, now, too, maybe? She was losing track. The silver hare didn't make friends easily. She was a tornado, leaving a visible path in her wake.

Captain Wren had chatted with her briefly, offering her a place on the crew if she wanted it. Apparently, Luminous had more than a few positions opening up due to impending transfers. The offer was tempting. Everyone was so well adjusted here. So content. But she wasn't. And she'd brusquely declined his offer. Maybe that was too hasty a decision. She was an outsider, though, and knew from experience how hard it was to break into a well-established group.

Besides, with Pyro around, there might be further awkwardness. She used to be his. 'Captain's Femme.' His special privilege. A cheap one, apparently. He didn't seem to miss her at all. Maybe because he'd given her up for dead and had moved on. Or maybe she'd just been a 'fun time' to begin with? It hurt to not be truly, deeply loved by anyone. But with her personality, well ... I only have myself to blame, she knew. And, being a security officer, she certainly didn't want to work with Dotna. That would be even worse.

She hadn't confessed any of this to Wren, but he seemed to know something. Maybe Adelaide had sensed it and told him? Or maybe someone like Kody had figured it out. Secrets and sexual fluids. Always the first things to be exchanged on furry vessels. Being that she wasn't innocent in that regard, herself, she could hardly feel overly indignant. She doubted Barrow had spilled any beans about her, considering how thoroughly she'd dominated him.

Wren had insisted to her that it was possible to get over losses, old heartbreaks, to mend fences with those who were important to you. That time healed all wounds, basically, and led to maturity. Maybe he hadn't been talking about Pyro, after all? Maybe he'd been referring to something from his own past? Or maybe he'd been suggesting she could get over her hatred of the now-vanquished wasps. Which was ridiculous. She wouldn't forgive them. They'd gotten what they deserved. If she believed in anything, it was justice. Even if she was a loose cannon.

It didn't matter, ultimately. She obviously couldn't stay, and had informed Wren that she'd already made plans with the High Command for another position. She needed to get away from the political aftermath of the war, all the negotiations, talks, and treaties. All the rebuilding. As a security officer, she wanted to do more than protect pompous diplomats and secure negotiating sites, more than restore a strong government into an even stronger one. She wanted to do something dirtier, perhaps. Something challenging and paws-on. Something from scratch. Something like ...

"Hello, Sheila."

... accepting a job as chief of security on a frontier outpost.

She turned with a start. Barrow. The blue-furred bat. "What do you want?" the silver hare asked plainly, adjusting the satchel on her shoulders. She was traveling light. Just a change of uniform, some computer pads. All acquired during her stay here.

"Is that how tactical officers greet everyone? Like suspects?"

No response, pretending to ignore him. She wasn't in the mood.

"I haven't seen you since we bred," he continued.

"Didn't know 'follow ups' were required," she said, dryly.

"They're not. But, still ... " She was a firecracker in bed, and he'd gotten duly singed. He was just modest enough to admit that he'd been unprepared for her intensity. With his mental powers, it wasn't often he met anyone who could resist or match him in any way. But, still, "You can't tell me you didn't have a good time, too."

"Why are you here?" she asked, dodging his question.

"You mean in this corridor, at the docking port?"

A cool, nebulous nod.

"I'm here to board the station, then to hop a ship ... Arctic, I believe? Yes, that's it. Ride her all the way to the UT," he continued, slyly, revealing, "I accepted the same mission you did."

"You're going to Redwing Station?" The hare blinked, double-taking in confusion. "What? Why? How did you even ... " How could he have heard about that? It'd taken a good deal of digging for her to find out about it. Then she realized, "You got it from my mind, somehow?" After they'd slept together? Not possible. He couldn't have. Her mental block was too strong. She'd proven that by subduing him during their brief affair.

"I didn't get it directly from you. But you told Wren, and he told Field, and Adelaide picked it up from him, and ... well, you get the idea. Information disseminates. You can't keep secrets from a telepath unless you remain an island."

"That's unfair." She spat the words.

"The High Command thinks otherwise. They were only too quick to accept me."

"That's not what I'm talking about."

"Nature gave me these powers. They're in my mind, which is in my body, which is under my personal jurisdiction. I can use them as I please."

"Oh, please. It's that mindset which has made bats a mistrusted minority."

"A minority that just saved the entire furry race," he reminded, seriously. "Don't forget that."

Sheila sighed heavily, unable to counter his claim. They wouldn't have won the war without the rogues. From reading up on recent events, she knew this to be true. However, "If you think following me is gonna win my undying devotion ... "

"Look, my pretty hare," he interrupted, tersely. "I have nowhere to go, either. And, yes, like you, I was generously offered a position on Luminous. But everyone's too nice, here. I'd be just as much an outsider. I wouldn't be content. I'd get antsy." He had to stop to catch his breath. "My home in the old DMZ is controlled by the foxes, now, and as distinguished as the High Command is, I doubt they'll be taking us rogues into consideration during the peace talks."

"Like you said: you won the war for them. I'm positive they'll accommodate your species accordingly." It was easy for her to forget that only a fraction of bats were part of the 'rogue nation.' Adelaide and others were normal members of furry society. But it was hard for her to trust anyone. She had a lot of buried pains and secrets, and she didn't like being vulnerable. Maybe her harsh attitude toward Barrow was simply a form of self-defense. But that didn't excuse it. He'd helped her out when Pyro wouldn't. He'd given her something she'd craved for so very long. Didn't he deserve some kindness in return?

"Well ... the High Command is rather trustworthy, I agree," Barrow continued. "They're not as corrupt as some governments." To be fair, they had invited the rogue bats to join the peace talks and negotiate for a new colony to roost on. "But they don't want my personal input."

"They're not alone."

He frowned. "You think too highly of yourself."

"So do you." She couldn't help herself. Maybe she was addicted to antagonism. "Difference is: I'm resolute. You're just plain arrogant."

"Yes, but getting back on topic," he said, trying to ignore her repeated digs, "your station will need a doctor. Me."

"I thought you were only a medic?"

"A tiny detail."

"A lie, more like. What if I go to the High Command and let them know you're not a fully-trained doctor?"

"Then I'd probably have to stay aboard Luminous," he whispered, quietly, flushing beneath his blue-furred cheeks. "No one else wants me." His sweeping ears lowered against his head. He was at her mercy, now. Again. Damn her. "Are you really going to tell on me?"

Sheila didn't answer at first. Then shook her head. "No."

"Why not?"

"I'm a little bit of a rogue, myself, I guess." A shrug. "Just hope I know what I've gotten myself into."

"With your new assignment? Or me?"

No response.

"Cause if you're going to be such a stickler to details, you didn't 'get' yourself into anything. I did," he corrected, with obvious cheek, unfolding those wings and spreading them wide. In a 'nothing to hide' gesture. "Technically."

"I'm an expert kicker, Barrow."

"That a warning?"

"Yes."

He eyed her lithe legs and big, bare foot-paws. Remembered them keenly from their erotic tussle. They were strong. "Warning heeded." He looked back up, meeting her eyes with a serious expression. "We may be different, but I believe we can help each other."

"By being fuck buddies?" she guessed, dryly.

"You've erected some strong mental barriers. I can help you dismantle them." Maybe she didn't want that, but it would benefit her emotional health in the long run. "It's not good to hide your scars. You have to come to terms with them."

"I can deal with anything," she assured, strongly. Someone needed to knock that bat down a peg or two. She thought she'd humbled him when they'd bred, but apparently not. He was tougher than he looked.

"Anything? Even your most feral desires?" A smile crept onto his fanged muzzle. "You needed my help once. Why not again?"

"I hadn't had an orgasm in half a year." Her eyes rolled. "I would've taken anyone's 'help' ... "

"I don't believe that. You're too strong-willed to settle for something you don't truly want."

"If, by chance, I wanted you before, I learned my lesson. I prefer males who can keep up with me," she told him, harshly.

Barrow blinked, his mask of superiority slipping for just a moment. Her strike at his sexual stamina stung him. He shook his head, forcing a wounded smile. "Well ... "

The hare opened her maw, quickly shutting it and grinding her buckteeth. She may have some rough edges because of life's constant, billowing storms, but she didn't want to be the cause of anyone else's emotional pain. The poor bat gave you what you wanted. Why are you being so defensive? He's the closest thing you have to a friend, sad as that may be. You have to apologize. "I'm ... " She struggled to say it, though. "I'm sorry ... "

"Yeah ... "

"I mean it."

He tried to read her mind to make sure, but it was still shielded from him. It was incredibly frustrating. Made him feel blind.

"You underestimated me."

"I won't make that mistake next time."

"Next time?" He was incorrigible, wasn't he? Very much like a buck of her own species. A slight smirk surfaced on her silvery muzzle.

"When does Arctic leave, exactly?" he asked, changing the subject to prevent further argument. And to keep her off-balance.

"A few hours. Actually, not until morning." She always preferred to arrive early, though.

He nodded. "Well ... you sure you don't want to attend the party in the mess hall? We're among the 'honored guests,' you know."

"I'd rather leave."

"What's the rush?"

She couldn't answer that. She didn't know how.

There was a sparkle in his eye. "Why don't you come to the party? I'll be your bodyguard. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, I'll scare them off with telepathic ghosts."

Still nothing.

"No one knows we bred, if that's your concern." Adelaide probably knew. Which meant Field knew. But they wouldn't say anything.

"I'm not embarrassed."

"Then come with me," he asked.

"You go. I'm gonna report to the Arctic."

The bat took a deep breath. "I don't feel like going alone. Do you?"

Sheila didn't respond. Just gave him a steely look and strode through the airlock, not looking back.

And Barrow, after a moment's hesitation, followed her, muttering, "Here we go ... "

Field squeaked in delight as the pink bat's long, wily tongue assaulted his vulnerable ears, teasing the delicate, fleshy interiors before dancing to the flimsy, reddened rims, drawing blood to the capillaries on the surface. Causing the lobes to flush. And burn. Hotly.

"Who's a good boy?" the bat whispered huskily, between licks, putting an elongated thumb on his lips.

"I ... I am ... " He suckled on her digit, eagerly.

"Such a smart mouse." She edged her tongue-tip closer to his ear canal, then began to expertly swirl it around his inner lobe, bending the stiff, clear hairs that lined the area before zeroing in on that opening. The canal. Slickly pushing in and out. She was basically ear-fucking him.

He gasped with sensitivity!

The bat pulled her tongue back, sucking in air.

Field tensed.

And she finally blew a warm, breezy breath into his ear.

A tingly heat surged through him like a tidal wave. "Ah-h ... ah ... "

She waited until he calmed down a bit before saying, "I don't play with your ears nearly enough ... "

"It's ... mm-h. It's okay." He was panting, fur matting with sweat. The tingling had started to ebb. "I don't play with your breasts enough, on my end, so ... "

"True," she agreed, fangs protruding past her lip.

"Besides, my mouse-hood doesn't mind."

The bat giggled, helplessly. "It does get most of my attention, doesn't it? I guess I'm impatient."

"Or you just know what you want," he decided. Her confidence was one of her best personality traits.

"Maybe after I give birth, you can nurse from them?"

"Your breasts?"

"Mm-hmm. Taste my milk."

Oh, boy.

"You're aroused by that ... "

"Of course."

She rubbed one of her velvety wing-arms against his bare, butterscotch-furred chest. "What do you think we should name it?"

"My mouse-hood?" Field teased, mischievously, with a show of buckteeth. "I'm not that kinky ... "

"Heh! You know full well ... the baby!" she clarified, chittering. "You've been thinking about names ... " She'd read enough of his thoughts to know.

"Akira if it's a female. Any name that starts with an 'A,' cause your name does, but ... that's the one I like the most."

"Akira. It has a lovely ring to it." The bat smiled, stretching her wing-arms to their full span. The bone-bracketed membranes almost seemed to glow in the low bedroom lighting. She then lowered them, elegantly. "And if it's a boy?"

"I, uh, haven't thought of a male name yet," he confessed. He was actually hoping for a daughter. He didn't know why. Maybe because he revered Adelaide so much, and wanted a child more like her than himself.

"We have plenty of time to mull it over," she reminded. Bats had one of the longer gestation periods amongst furry species. Eleven months. Which was probably why they were a minority species as compared to, say, rabbits or certain predators, or even many rodent species.

"I really don't wanna know the sex until it's born," Field insisted.

"Are you sure?"

"The surprise will make the moment even more memorable. More special," the mouse insisted.

"Mm, you're such a romantic." She gave him an approving look, slowly moving to a straddle of his slender, golden hips, her carnation, watermelon-pink thighs suggestively squeezing at him.

The harvest mouse arched his whole body, bumping his hips against hers, grindingly, and putting his paws against her pink-furred belly. He rubbed his fingers through her pelt.

She was pregnant, of course. Against all odds, a single mouse seed had taken root! At this very moment, a 'mouse-bat' was beginning to form in her womb, a living testament to Field and Adelaide's undying love. As a genetic half-breed, their child wouldn't be able to reproduce, so their direct family line wouldn't last much beyond them. But they were too happy to care. They were living for right now. "I've been wondering ... "

"Yes?"

"My 'heat' was pretty chaotic." Obviously. "If we weren't screwing, we were scrambling for our lives."

"Yeah ... " He blushed just thinking about it. It was very memorable.

"So, when did 'it' happen?" When was the conceiving seed sown? "Was it in the escape pod? Or in the mineral springs?" A pause, trying to recall every single bout of intercourse. "Or in sickbay when we got back?"

"The springs, I bet," Field said immediately.

"What makes you say that?" She tilted her head, her sweeping bat ears raising slightly.

"I was on the High Command library database, researching the moon, and the locals claim ... or, at least, there are certain old stories," he corrected, "that the mineral springs have positive effects on furs. That they have health benefits and relieve stress and stuff. Maybe it helped us, too? Maybe we never would've gotten pregnant if we hadn't wound up breeding in those caves, in that water." He smiled, innocently. "Almost like it was fated ... "

"That's really sweet, Field ... " Whether it was true or not, it was a nice thought. "You're going to be a wonderful father."

His whiskers twitched. "I'm not so sure, sometimes."

"I am." She wrapped him up in her wings. "Trust me on that, okay?"

He smiled and nodded, goldenly. "I will ... " There was a momentary silence. " ... uh, Adelaide?"

"Mm-hmm?"

He wondered if this was selfish to bring up, but he'd be lying if he hadn't been worrying about it. "I hope having a baby won't affect our, uh ... "

" ... sex life?" she provided, immediately. Telepathy at work.

"Well, I know it'll take a lot of our time and energy. I understand that. It won't be easy. But I don't wanna lose my connection with you, or be any less close to you than I am now, and ... "

"Hush, mousey. It'll work out," she promised, slipping her telepathic feelers into his mind. Relaxing him, fully. "We'll never lose our passionate spark. I won't allow it. We can run a family and be lovers, too."

Her response reassuring him, the mouse gave a big, whiskery smile, with dimples and everything.

"Come 'ere ... " She drew him into a winged hug, like being wrapped in living blankets.

He hugged her tightly in return, burying his nose in her neck-fur. "Oh, Adelaide ... "

"Field ... " She began to position her hips.

He pushed upward, grindingly, ready and willing ...

"Heard you two got into a bit of a kerfuffle," Ketchy said, while passing by the table. She had a drink in her paw. Which was probably why she felt bold enough to mention it. Also, Kody had been flirting with her all evening. Making promises he could definitely keep. It made her feel so confident.

"And who told you that?" Dotna asked, scrunching her cute, striped face. Her cheek-pouches were a bit puffier from having just eaten. They were all in the mess hall, which was full and bustling, filled with conversation. Orbital 9 and the snow rabbit Home-world, for the last time in a while, hung outside the big viewing windows. Luminous would be off on her new mission in a few days.

"I have my sources." She tapped the side of her muzzle, knowingly.

"What's that?" Chester asked.

"What's what?"

"This." He tapped his nose like she'd done.

"It's the universal sign for secrecy," she explained.

Oliver amended, politely, "Perhaps more apt to say: it's the universal sign for having a secret you don't really want to keep but must do for the sake of good decorum."

Ketchy blinked.

Assumpta purred. "I love it when he gets all logical ... "

"Well," the squirrel went, rubbing her neck. "Anyway, maybe I do have a secret, but that's one of the perks about being a communications officer!"

"Knowing everyone's business?" Dotna said.

Ketchy gave a tipsy smile. "Hearing lots of stuff ... "

"Bah." A jolly paw-wave from Pyro. "I'm far too much a gentle-fur for kerfuffles," the red-eyed wolf replied. Boy, that was a hell of a tongue-twister, wasn't it? "Hey, try saying that three times fast ... "

"We had a misunderstanding, is all. But we patched things up," Dotna told Ketchy, ignoring her mate's silly request.

"I bet you did," Juneau said, dryly.

Dotna gave a challenging glance to the sarcastic squirrel.

Assumpta kept purring.

"Well, I only brought it up," Ketchy insisted, "to see if everything was okay. I mean, we all like you two, and no one on the ship would be talking about it if they didn't care what happened."

"Wait, who on the ship is talking about it?" the chipmunk asked.

Ketchy, realizing she'd said too much, gave a chitter-squeak and said, "I, uh ... well, I should get back to my table. Before I fall over." Snow rabbit alcohol was rather potent!

"Good idea," Dotna echoed.

"Our love is like one of those castles, see," Pyro explained, to the rest of the table, which was Dotna, Assumpta, Oliver, Juneau, and Chester. "Built on the rocks. Or however."

"Does it have a moat?" Chester asked, innocently.

"I would never live in a castle without a moat."

"This conversation is becoming quite inane," Assumpta said. "How much snow rabbit ale have you had?" she asked the wolf.

"Only two glasses," Pyro defended.

The snow leopard took the ale bottle from the center of the table, protecting it. "You'll thank me in the morning."

"Wolfs don't get drunk."

"You sound like Field, now. He insists that mouses never get inebriated. Only cutely tipsy."

Pyro chuckled. "That true, Chester?"

"Of course!"

"Wolfs don't get drunk," Dotna agreed. "They just howl stupidly loud during orgasms."

"If they do, chipmunks should take that as a compliment," Pyro replied, nonchalantly.

Dotna suppressed a wicked smile.

Chester just blushed at hearing all this. Those two were blunter than Juneau, sometimes.

"Has anyone met that hare Field and Adelaide brought back from the moon?" Assumpta wondered, changing the subject. Or so she thought.

Pyro blew out a careful breath. "In passing," he said, carefully.

"Same," Dotna mumbled.

"I heard she was quite intense," the snow leopard continued. "That she behaves more like a predator than your usual prey."

"Being a prisoner of the wasps can do that to you. They're not kind captors," Pryo pointed out. He should know.

"Well, the war is over, now. We're all free from their tyranny," Oliver said, lifting his wine glass.

The others did the same, taking sips of varying sizes.

"So, you're looking forward to your new assignment?" Pyro asked the snow rabbit.

"Having helped design the Arctic, I can't wait to test her out in the field. I so rarely get the chance."

"How long will it take you to shake her down?" Juneau wondered. She was a bit jealous. But only a bit. She was accustomed to Luminous. It was her ship. No other vessel would ever do.

"Well, half a year, maybe. But that doesn't mean I'll abandon the post after that. I have the chance to put my personal stamp on this craft. To write the book on it, as it were, from both a design standpoint and a practical usage one. Besides, I hear we're going to an interesting region of space."

"The Federation/High Command border," Assumpta elaborated. "And the Uncharted Territories in the gap beyond."

"We get to take part in cultured diplomacy," Dotna said. As a security officer, that seemed rather dull. But she'd take it any day over what they'd just been through. "Get to be bodyguards for traveling diplomats."

"I'm sure there's more to it than that," Assumpta assured. "The politial situation is very unstable. It's imperative it be strengthened. What Luminous will be doing is very important."

"I know, I know ... "

Juneau, twitching awkwardly, piped in, "It'll be hard to run an engine room without a proper second in command."

"You haven't chosen my replacement yet?" Assumpta asked, raising a brow.

The squirrel opened her maw. Then closed it.

The snow leopard smiled, reaching a big spotted paw across the table. Putting it on Juneau's brown one. "I'll miss you, too," she said, honestly.

Eyes watering, Juneau looked away and nodded some. "Yeah. Well. If you say so."

The big cat purred, pulling her paw back. "I do."

The chief engineer looked back, finally managing a smile of her own as she said, with snark, "I was going to warn you not to give Oliver as much grief as you gave me. But then realized you probably like being reprimanded by him, so ... "

Oliver mewed with mirth at the squirrel's implication. "When I do discipline her, it's with a gentle touch. I assure you ... "

Chester's whiskers twitched, eyes widening at even more suggestive talk! As mouses went, he was much more innocent than Field, even.

Pyro noticed and chuckled, patting the mouse on the head between his big ears. "Calm down there, bud. Don't wanna blow a fuse."

"He's mated to an engineer," Dotna reminded. "He can afford to blow a few."

The whole table laughed at that one.

Even Chester.

"This a private table?" Wren asked.

Field looked up and shook his head.

"We noticed you were all alone," Kody told him, using a big, bare foot-paw to pull a chair out. He then sat down, himself, putting his food and drink on the table and scooting forward.

"He's deep in thought," Wren guessed, also taking a seat.

"About what, I wonder?" the rabbit postured.

"Life," was Field's eventual response.

"Nothing too heavy, I hope?"

"No heavier than anything we've just been through."

"I assume you've heard about our new mission?" Wren asked, meaning it for Kody, too.

"Be a nice change of pace," the white rabbit said, nibbling on a carrot cupcake. "Right, Field?" He knew the mouse was all about peace and diplomacy.

The harvest mouse gave a weak nod.

"Are you sure you're okay? You aren't touching your drink."

"Just getting emotional, I guess." He paused, his ropy, prehensile tail snaking around to his front. He grabbed at it with both paws. "Alcohol always disagrees with me, anyway. The last time I had it, we kissed."

"I know. So, drink up." The rabbit winked.

Field giggled, taking a playful, obligatory sip. But nothing more. "I hope Adelaide isn't drinking ... " Not in her new condition.

"She has some kind of fruit nectar," Kody assured.

"What are you getting emotional about, exactly?" Wren pressed.

"Mm?" the mouse went. "Just being here." He'd almost died several times during the war. "I want everyone to stay together. But we're different, now. Time changes us."

The squirrel held his breath. "You're not thinking about leaving, too, are you?"

"No. I mean ... the High Command floated me an offer," he admitted. "To join their diplomatic corp. With Adelaide accompanying me, being a telepath. They thought we'd be useful." He cleared his throat, weakly. "Part of me wanted to say yes. To live on a planet again. But ... " He paused to take a deep breath. " ... I couldn't leave you. And you," Field added, glancing at Kody. "Or the ship. And then I found out Adelaide was actually pregnant, and I ... we," he corrected, "her and I ... " He was stammering, now.

Kody reached out and held the mouse's paws.

" ... you're our family. We didn't want to enter the next part of our life surrounded by strangers." He and Adelaide were comfortable here. Luminous was their home. And on here, together, they sailed the stars. And wasn't that still romantic, even after all the darkness they'd encountered? The possibilities up here, in space, were infinite. Once you tasted that, it was hard to give up. "You took a chance by making me your first officer." He glanced at Wren. "I don't think I ever thanked you for that."

"It wasn't a chance. I've always trusted you. You're good at your role."

"Not at first. Maybe I grew into it, but ... " He dipped his finger in his wine, then suckled on the tip. He supposed he would grow into fatherhood, as well, soon enough. Just like he'd grown into being a confident lover. He smiled shyly. "But thank you, anyway."

"You're too modest, Field," Wren insisted. "It's endearing."

Kody agreed, adding, "It's good to see you smiling so much, lately. I know all's right when your dimples show up."

"Well, if I'm able to smile, it's only because I've not had to deal with things alone." That was the most important thing, wasn't it? "Or maybe I've just had such good luck."

"To good luck," Kody said, raising his glass.

The other two did the same, though without the rabbit's gusto.

Looking past the squirrel's shoulder, the mouse said, keeping the tone light, "I think our mates are gossiping about us."

"What makes you say that?"

"They're sitting at a table together and glancing our way. And giggling."

Kody twisted around, his tall, slender ears twiddling atop his head. "Field, your ears are as good as mine. Help me eavesdrop."

"Rella's probably the instigator," Wren said. "Insubordination. That'll have to be dealt with ... "

"Oh, you kinky squirrels," Kody mocked, turning back around with a grin.

"I'm not that risque," Wren assured.

"Really, now? Cause I seem to remember one time, I got you so riled up that you actually ... "

" ... not as much as I used to be," the squirrel amended, not wanting to hear the rest. "I'm a bit more settled, now." They all were.

"Well, you weren't settled when you let me ... "

"Well, if I do role-play, so what?" Wren said, cutting off Kody a second time. The rabbit was intent on bringing up that story, wasn't he? In front of Field, too! He wasn't sure the mouse knew about it. All three of them had been sexually intimate with each other. That was public knowledge. But specific stories, perhaps, were not. "Are you trying to embarrass me?"

"He totally engages in rank-play," Kody whispered to Field, loud enough for Wren to hear. "I bet Rella makes him. I was probably right the first time. She heads up a mutiny, and he has to screw his way out of it ... "

"Well, a little imagination never hurt anyone," Field insisted, defending Wren.

"Oh, of course. I play doctor/patient all the time. Ketchy gets a daily physical." A wink. "The golden question is what do you and Adelaide play?"

Field just smiled, coyly. "We play two devoted lovers, plain and simple."

"Uh-huh. I'll find out the spicy, hidden truth ... "

"You do that."

"Rodents. Too much modesty." The rabbit polished off his drink.

"Rabbits," Wren echoed, dryly. "Too much everything."

Kody had to laugh, bobtail flickering brightly. He almost knocked over his empty glass. "I can't deny it, either." He refilled his glass. "So, more toasting? This is a celebration ... "

"Field can do one," Wren said.

"It'll turn out cheesy," the mouse insisted.

"Nonsense. You've got an artistic sensibility," the squirrel assured. "You'll come up with a good one."

Field took a deep breath. Well, not when he had pressure on him! He had to think for a moment, then raised his half-full glass. "Obviously, to peace. But, also, to this ship. Luminous. As bright as any star and much faster than its light. May she carry us further, still."

He clinked his glass with Wren's.

"To friendship," Wren added.

"And love," Field went. He couldn't forget that.

"Don't forget sex," Kody predictably quipped.

"We won't," the squirrel insisted.

Field giggled shyly and sipped his wine. It was hitting him fast. Feeling a flush, he glanced over at the females' table, again, locking eyes with Adelaide. She winked and brushed his mind with her telepathic feelers. He beamed and looked away, full of passion and blushing happily. God, he loved her. And Wren. And Kody. And the ship.

Maybe this wasn't luck at all. Maybe it was a blessing. Field didn't know how many missions they had ahead of them, but the future seemed endlessly bright. In fact, it was absolutely luminous.