by Brian Clark
*Captain I need you at my quarters and it is urgent. I have some idiot here telling me that Dark Song is going to report to duty or else.* “Do not presume to tell me what I can or can’t do. I have reviewed the regulations dealing with heat and mating. When heat can interfere with the performance of duties said individuals will be excused from duty. I checked with both medical and the Captain and it was cleared. Now go away so I can go back to my client or else.” She was bigger than he was but he wasn’t going to let her push him around.
The woman puffed up and glared at him. “I am her department head and I decide what she does. It wasn’t cleared by me and wasn’t even run past me. That is pure bullshit and I expect her to report to duty at the correct time or I will bring her up on report.” Her voice was cold when she spoke.
Ray didn’t lean forward or puff up like she had. He did radiate a cold anger and though he didn’t realize it traces of purple were starting to color his bracelets. “Go to hell and get away from my quarters. You are not welcome here and never will be. I will talk to my Liraque and ensure that is noted in the report I am going to file. I am also going to mention that I do not feel you are suited for having any further contact with males when in heat.”
Her eyes blazed in anger at that and were getting ready to bring her arm back to slug him when the Captain arrived. “Stand down Lt. Commander and that is an order.” Not only was Vyra there but Daisy, Spike, and Aqua. “I approved the changes to her duty status as well as the doctor. Are you going to challenge me?”
The officer turned slightly pale when Vyra spoke but didn’t back down. “I need her at her duty station since it is going to screw up the rotation. If I had more warning I could have worked around it but not this close to her assigned watch.” As far as the challenge she chose not to say anything about it.
Vyra’s voice quieted down deceptively. “You didn’t answer my question. Are you making this an official challenge of my authority?” She had encountered a few issues with this officer but mostly that she was a hard case and demanded perfection.
“I am simply stating my position Captain. I cannot run my department if random males make last minute decisions because they are horny. What right does he have to decide this? His only purpose is to impregnate females and nothing else.” That was maybe a bit more than she had intended to say but it was how she felt. Let him be assigned females to screw and let the women get back to business.
Ray started growling at her when Vyra held a hand up. “I was contacted by Ray’s Liraque requesting this. She requested the change though if Ray had I would have approved it as well. Your opinion of Ray and the males has been noted and will be attached to the report that Ray and his Liraque are going to file. Since you refuse to answer a direct question from your commanding officer you are relieved of duty. Report to your quarters till I decide what I am going to do.”
The officer reacted as if she had been slapped and all she could do was stare in shock. She almost deflated and started to move past the Captain as she headed towards the lift to the officers deck.
Ray was glaring at the bitch and was really resisting saying anything else when he saw her shoulders bunch up. He didn’t even think when he reacted by shoving the Captain out of the way. He held a fist up and his suit responded by forming a heavy gauntlet around his hand.
She wasn’t expecting that and her hand was unprotected when it hit his. There was a crunch of bones breaking and she dropped to her knees as she clutched her hand and started screaming in pain.
Ray was so angry he kept moving and grabbed her suit with his other hand and raised fist and was getting ready to strike her when Vyra spoke.
“Freeze now.” With the order she sent a command to both of their suits which locked them. “Ray stop now, I will deal with this. Retract your weapon and step back. Go into your room and take care of Dark Song. I will talk to you later.” She wanted to thank him but at the moment she was in full Captain mode and it was very obvious. *Security report to the hallway outside the Pack Father’s room. I have a prisoner that needs to be escorted to medical and then the brig.*
Ray did freeze when she ordered him to and she didn’t release his suit till he had calmed down a bit. Once she did he stepped back and withdrew the gauntlet and glared at the woman. “Yes Captain as you order I will obey.” He glared at the officer for a moment. “Cunt.” He turned and paused at the door and took several slow deep breaths. “Fuck now I am tense.” The door opened and he walked in.
When he walked in it was pretty much what he expected. Flitter was between Dark Song and the door. They weren’t saying anything but it was fairly obvious that Dark Song had tried to get out but didn’t want to force her way past Flitter. Ray took a slow deep breath. “Dark Song please go sit down back where you were. I am sorry that we were interrupted but I was enjoying getting to know you.”
Ray gave Flitter a kiss and stroked her face for a moment before moving back over to Dark Song who was still standing. He sighed before reaching up and cupping her face. “Hun you are spending the evening and night with us unless you tell me point blank you don’t want to. I want to spend the time with you and to get to know you. I want to cuddle with you even if I have to sit on your lap to do that. I know that Flitter wants to spend time with both of us as well. Will you please stay and let us take care of you?”
This time Dark Song did start to cry but she did settle down on the couch. When Ray settled down straddling her lap again and tucked her head into his shoulder she leaned into it. Feeling his fingers and hands stroking her hair and shoulders had felt good and was feeling good again. It only took her a moment to realize Flitter was behind the couch and was stroking her hair as well. Dark Song could feel the impact of Flitter soothing her emotions and she very slowly started relaxing and the tears slowed down.
“I think it is time to go and soak in some of the good hot water and let the water drain some of the tension out of both of us.” He took a slow deep breath. “I am feeling a bit worked up right now myself and am feeling in need of hot water and plenty of cuddling.”
Ray gave her a slightly sensuous smile. “Most definitely some serious relaxation and cuddling for you.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers and it wasn’t a peck but it wasn’t a demand either. “I will make you relax or else.” Ray stood and grasped her hand and leaned back slightly. “You are going to join us right?”
Dark Song leaned into the kiss but for good measure nipped his lower lip. “Bully.” When he leaned back and pretended to try and pull her up she suddenly stood up and snickered when his eyes bugged out as he almost fell over. “Oops… Gotta be more careful.” She was still upset but was going to try to do her best to let them take care of her.
Flitter snorted at the two of them and covered her mouth as she tried not to laugh. Instead she turned and headed towards the bathroom and withdrew her suit and just for good measure swished her way in.
Both watched her and Dark Song caught Ray’s look and shook her head. It was obvious that he cared for her and most definitely desired her. She had to wonder if they had done anything and if not why. It wasn’t her place to ask though and just to be silly scooped him up. “I will try not to run you into any walls.”
Ray managed not to make any noise when she picked him up and glowered at her. “If you run me into the wall I will brush your tail wrong.” He leaned into her and rested his head on her shoulder and could still feel a great deal of tension. “You are warm and smell good. I might have to keep you in bed for an extra day just so I can lay there with my nose in your hair.” He shifted his head and licked an ear lightly.
Dark Song had to giggle slightly when he did that and shook her head. “Well if you like the scent of grease and cleaning fluids I guess I smell good.” Once in the bathroom she put him down and then stood there looking unsure again.
Ray turned to her and smiled. “Relax hun.” He reached over and ran a finger down the middle of her ship suit and smiled as it retracted. “Hmm,
I think the Captain gave me a few more user rights.” His suit vanished as well and he urged her into the tub and then settled down on her lap again like he had been. This time he simply rested his body against hers and rested his head on her shoulder.
Dark Song was more than a bit startled when he did that since it was fairly intimate but at the moment it didn’t appear that he was aroused. She hoped it wasn’t due to her body being heavily muscled and not a great deal of fat to mute the muscles. Dark Song eventually leaned back and wrapped her arms around him and rested them on his lower back. It did feel good just to sit there. She didn’t feel any expectation from him. It honestly felt like she could simply sit there and not say or do anything and he would be content.
Ray smiled when she finally started relaxing a bit. Now that he was starting to relax as well he was starting to get feelings and sensations from her again and it confused him. *Flitter what is going on? I can feel some of what she does. It is rather like what you have described when you are sensing me. What do I do?*
Flitter wasn’t startled since she had just started noticing his reacting to others emotions earlier that day. She didn’t know if this was an ability his people had or not and didn’t have any clue how it related to their relationship. *I am going to talk to Spring Flower about this but for the moment simply allow the feelings to flow over you. Don’t try to do anything with them though I am not sure if you could. Just relax and enjoy the contact.*
They sat there for a while and Ray was tied up feeling what she was before he finally sat up and looked at Dark Song. “I need to talk to you for a moment and no you aren’t upsetting me.” She had started lightly stroking his back and hips. “I simply can’t call you Dark Song since you don’t feel that way to me.”
Her hands stilled for a moment before she started stroking him again. Even when he said he couldn’t call her Dark Song she kept the stroking up. “Why not Pack Father, is there something wrong with my name?”
He rolled his eyes at her. “If you don’t start calling me Ray I am going to be rather miffed.” Since he was sitting up he ran his hands along her shoulders and upper chest. “Yes there is since there is nothing dark about you. There is a song in your soul that I can feel but it is a song of both joy and resolution. The resolution is tempered by a deep down gentleness that you keep hidden from the world. If you will accept it I would like to call you Gentle Resolute Song since that is how you feel to me.”
Her eyes widened when he said that and they looked so vulnerable. When she replied she didn’t even think about it. She was responding to his actions that she had seen not just today but for the last week or two that she had been watching. “If that is what you feel in me Liraque then I accept it.” As far as she was concerned she was no longer Dark Song and would never use that name again.
When she said that both Ray and Flitter felt a small surge of power and Ray stiffened a bit. His cuff’s had changed even more and now the four colors were blended together. He didn’t know it but eventually he would notice the small tattoo on his chest. For the moment it was hidden from the two of them. “That is what I do feel Gentle Resolute Song.”
Ray slumped a bit and leaned forward against her and had to close his eyes. For some reason he was suddenly tired and started yawning. “Damn it why am I yawning?”
Back in the Captain’s cabin Daisy lifted her head from the book she was reading and twitched slightly and then nodded. “Liraqua you need to go down to Ray’s cabin. Good things have happened and you are going to need to document a new name.” She gave Vyra a glorious smile when she said that.
Vyra narrowed her eyes at Daisy and then smiled. “I will do that and thank you for telling me. Are you going to come with?” She had stood up and walked over to her Liraque and gave her a good hug and got a rather passionate kiss in return.
“No, I think I am going to get the bed ready for some fun and you had better not take too long.” They rarely had sex since that just wasn’t part of their relationship but sometimes it was just right. Tonight was the right time and she was going to make the most of it. Just for good measure she stood up and swished towards the bedroom and slowly withdrew her suit.
Vyra definitely had to blink at Daisy’s reaction and watched her head towards the bedroom. “I will be back momentarily you tease.” She almost dashed out of the room and hurried down to Ray’s quarters.
Back at Ray’s room Flitter shook her head at his almost falling asleep on Gentle’s chest. “Silly boy is this how you treat your guests?” She had to smile at him when he made a face at her. Flitter stood up and once the nanites had drained off she stepped out of the tub and pulled on a robe. “You might as well get out as well Gentle Resolute Song.” As she was talking she pulled out a robe for her and draped it around her shoulders.
The three of them walked out and Flitter stripped the heavy sheet off since they weren’t going to use it that evening. “Go ahead and lay down with him and cuddle even if he starts to snore and drool on you.”
Ray blew a tired raspberry at her as she teased him. “I don’t drool darn you woman.” He looked up at Gentle and smiled at her. “Actually I have a feeling we are going to have a visitor shortly so why don’t you just lean against the headboard of the bed and I will simply keep enjoying having you hold me.” Just because he lightly rubbed his cheek against her chest and licked her neck. “I am quite comfortable at the moment and really don’t want to move.”
Gentle Resolute Song couldn’t help but smile as the two teased each other. “Both of you care about each other a great deal don’t you?” She leaned into the lick slightly before settling down on the bed and smiled when the headboard adjusted for her size and added some padding so she was comfortable. Once she was seated she made sure he was comfortable before tucking his head against her chest.
*May I come in? I was informed that there is a name change I need to record.* Vyra's voice was very pleased.
When Flitter let Vyra in Vyra had to pause for a moment and smile at the scene. Ray did look small against Dark Song though he did look very comfortable. “So you have been causing me more problems Ray? What is this I hear about a name change?” Her smile was wide and pleased as she was talking. When she reached the bed and settled down on the edge she could now see the tattoo and the obvious color changes in his bracelets and froze.
*That is another reason you needed to go down Liraqua. He is changing thanks to the Goddess though why I am not sure. Do not say anything to any of them about it. Even if you did Ray and Flitter wouldn’t hear you at the moment.* Spring Flower was both in shock and awe of what was going on. That wasn’t even mentioning being so very pleased for the attention the Goddess was giving them.
Ray simply lay there in Gentle’s arms with his eyes closed and a very content smile on his face. “I gotta keep you on your toes Captain. You are getting older and it keeps your mind agile.” He rubbed his face against Gentle’s chest and let out a very contented sound.
Flitter shook her head and twitched her ears at him. “Yes Captain he changed her name to Gentle Resolute Song and it feels right. She seems to approve of it as well.” Flitter settled down on the other side of Gentle and leaned against her and started stroking Ray’s back and smile as he smiled.
Vyra smiled. “I will make a note of it and take care of it tomorrow. All of you are off duty till the day after tomorrow. Enjoy the time off and relax. Now my Liraque rather indicated I had better get back to my suite.” She stood and showed herself out and hurried back to her stateroom.
~~~
Ray fell asleep as she left the room and he was tucked in to bed. Ray felt very safe and warm as Gentle wrapped her arms around him. He slept soundly all night till the next morning. At some point he had rolled over and was on his stomach. As he was slowly waking up he felt hands stroking his back. Instead of doing anything he simply lay there and enjoyed it.
Gentle could tell he was waking up as she was touching and stroking his back. She was greatly enjoying the feel of his b
ody under her hands. Part of it was the simple fact that he hadn’t just accepted her but changed her name to who she felt she was. When she realized he was awake and simply laying there she almost growled at him.
Instead she quietly grinned at him and leaned over and nipped him on his bottom. His reaction was great and she snickered at him. He jerked and twitched before rolling over and growling at her. She now snickered and leaned over and gave him a kiss. “That is what you get for pretending to be asleep while sucking the attention up. I would like some attention before I let you out of bed.”
Ray started laughing at her. “Okay I get the hint just no more nipping my ass.” That had totally shocked the crap out of him and about the only thing that might have caused him more shock would have been if she had licked his bottom as well. Flitter was snickering at the two of them and he growled at her.
The rest of the day had been a great deal of fun. They even wandered the ship and played some games as well as some cuddling. It was all common place by now aboard the ship and every time he did that it was a great deal of fun for the crew to watch.
Chapter 9
The weeks had flown by and before he realized it there was just over a week left before he had to return to earth. He wasn’t looking forward to that since he had formed some really good friendships aboard the ship. Ray was also going to sorely miss Flitter as well and he had finally come to accept the fact that he genuinely loved her as both his Liraque and as a woman. He never said that since he felt it would strain their relationship and he didn’t want that. Ray had taken what the Captain had to say to heart and had started doing little things for her. Brushing her hair in the morning and her tail at night was now part of their relationship.
Ray also knew that she understood both his feelings and why he didn’t say anything so she accepted the little gestures instead. As he brushed her hair he could feel a deep contentment coming from her and her own love for him. There was something else he felt from her that he simply couldn’t define but seemed to have hints of tiredness. Somehow Ray knew that she was older than she looked and acted but it was again something indefinable.
