Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of its characters, they all belong to Disney. I do not own Halo or any of it characters, that are all belong to 343 Industries. Rated M for sexual themes.

Just One Small Spark

Chapter 4

Kurt awoke and felt like he wished he hadn't. He hurt all over and it felt like he had the flu.

"Commander Kurt Muler I'm Joan the ship's AI."

He looked up and smiled at blue figure.

"I need to tell you several things before you are taken to sickbay. First, you have been in frozen for 2 years and there's only one other human aboard." That was an odd thing to say. "We are currently over 10,000 light years from UNSC space." How could they have covered that distance in slip space in only 2 years? "These chambers where damaged. Fortunately we came out of slip space within an inhabited solar system with intelligent life forms." He tensed. "None of these species are from the Covenant." He relaxed a bit. More than one! "I have recruited 4 individuals to help us. One is engineer like yourself and very talented. She repaired the chamber so you could be thawed and will be helping you with your recovery. In fact resembles a life form from Earth. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Maria stepped into view and soft brown eyes met sky blue ones. She smiled.

"Kurt, I am Maria and I shall be taking care of you. I hope to help you when start to repair the slip space engines. I have been studying their specs and trying to understand the physics. I think that I'll need your help on that."

The chamber rotated so he could stand, but started to go to his knees. Maria caught him and sat him in the wheelchair. She was strong! Again soft brown eyes met sky blue ones. He stared and Maria gave hint of a smile.

"You're staring."

Kurt held out his hands and she took them. Then he touched her face and she leaned into the touch. He was so male.

He cleared his throat. "You look like a Thomason's Gazelle." He continued to stroke her face and slid his hand down her long neck. Suddenly he pulled hand back like she was hot.

"Sorry."

"I don't mind. We Gazelles are a very tactile people. We like to be touched much like you humans do." She took hand and placed on her face again and felt the fine brown fur. "You have good hands." He touched her horns gently fingering them. Then he took his hand away.

"Don't worry you they won't come off."

He laughed and she joined him.

"Let's get you to the sick bay so Joan can check you out."


Mark awoke and tensed. He opened his eyes slowly and saw the blue figure.

"Commander Mark Johnson I'm Joan the ship's AI."

He nodded.

"I need to tell you several things before you are taken to sick bay. First, you have been in frozen for 2 years and there is only one other human aboard." What the hell had happened! "We are currently over 10,000 light years from UNSC space." He tried to recall how fast a ship moved in slip space. "These chambers where damaged. Fortunately we came out of slip space within an inhabited solar system with intelligent life forms." He tensed. "None of these species are from the Covenant." More than one intelligent species on the same world! "I have recruited 4 individuals to help us. One is a soldier like you who deserted and joined us." She brought them aboard the ship! "She helped an alien engineer to fix the chamber so you could be thawed and will be helping you with your recovery. In fact resembles a life form from Earth. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Leah stepped into view and hard brown eyes met his. She came to attention and saluted striking a fist across her chest. It struck Mark as very Roman.

"Commander, I am Leah and I shall be taking care of you."

"You're a Rabbit," he said and coughed. She was bipedal, tall, and very muscular.

"Correct sir."

"And you joined us."

"Yes, sir. I was following Judy and was on the Pelican when it came here."

"Who is she?"

"My cousin, sir. She is an extraordinary person and although she doesn't know it yet she has sparked a revolution on our world. When you meet her you'll understand, but please don't tell her this."

Mark didn't know what to think about that.

"Leah, let's get Mark to sick bay now," Joan said. "Mark, Leah will give you full report over next few days." The chamber rotated and the black rabbit caught him lifting him into her arms. She looked down at him and slight smile came her lips. "Put your arms around my neck and hold on." She trotted away.

Mark looked at the wheelchair as they passed it. He put his head on her shoulder and smiled. He felt the black fur between his fingers and hard muscles beneath it. He held on tighter.


Maria looked up when Leah entered the sick bay carrying her human.

"Why didn't you use the wheelchair?"

"I haven't been getting enough exercise lately."

Mark laughed. "Soldier, please put me on the scanner."

"Yes, sir," she said, "and I thought you were enjoying yourself."

She did as he asked.

"Mark?"

"Kurt!"

"You know each other?" Leah asked.

"Sure Kurt and some others of us used to practice martial arts together. How ya feeling Kurt?"

"Like I just finished a match with you."

"That bad huh. We'll at least you have a pretty nurse takin' care of you."

Maria blushed and left to get Kurt some food.

"Sir, please you should lay back so Joan can scan you," she said and gently, but firmly pushing him down. "I shall get something for you to eat."

"So Kurt what do you think about our aliens nurses?" Mark asked after he was sure they were both out of earshot.

"Well, Maria is very strong. She nearly picked me up and put me in the wheelchair. She was going to school to become an engineer, but went into show business instead. Apparently she's quite a famous singer on her planet. She's going work with me when we repair the slip space engines." He grinned.

Mark knew the Covenant had killed Kurt's family. He'd never seen his friend look at a woman. Now this. He hoped his friend wouldn't be disappointed. After all Maria was a different species.

"OK. The scans are done. Kurt, I heard you talking about Maria. Would you like to see her last concert? I'll play her most popular song currently. Of course it'll be in her language. The name of the song is 'Try Everything.'"

"Yes!"

Mark smiled as the video began. Both men watched and were surprised that she was on stage with looked like four tigers. The video showed some of the crowd that looked like animals they were familiar with. They didn't notice when the two Zootopians returned. Maria noticed the big smile on Kurt's face as he swayed to music. She had to smile herself too. The video ended.

"Play it again!" Kurt exclaimed.

"I think I can do better than that," Maria said startling both men and handing Kurt a cup of chicken broth. "Joan please play the just the music."

"OK."

"Good. I have translated 'Try Everything' in English and I have practiced it a few times. Don't expect it to be perfect since I've only been speaking English for only 2 weeks."

"There is microphone in that panel," Joan said as it popped open.

"Great!" She said grabbing it. "Sorry that I don't have my red outfit. I just have to do with this." She smacked her hip and winked. She was wearing shorts and tank top. She never liked a lot of clothes. The music started and she began to sing, just remembering she had to do the backup vocals too.

"Ooh oh oh ooh. Ooh oh oh ooh. Ooh oh oh ooh. Ooh oh oh ooh. I messed up tonight, I lost another fight..."

Judy and her Fox were in their room oblivious to everything except each other. Then the computer monitor came on showing Maria singing in English and Judy pulled away from Nick her ears erect.

"Come on Nick let's go watch!" she exclaimed and pulled him off the bed and through the door.

Maria thought that this was the best performance of her life. She was hitting all the notes perfectly and hadn't missed a step in her dance. Everyone watched her intently especially the humans. She guessed males where no different when an attractive female was near. Kurt seemed especially attentive. When she first looked into his intense blue eyes she felt something pulling her to him. She thought that maybe he might have reacted to her too. There was no telling what future might bring.

Then the door opened and Judy and her handsome Fox rushed in. Maria had to admit since Nick's diet had changed and with his and Judy's daily workouts at least ones in the gym had changed him. His fur was longer, a more intense red, and shinier. She could see that he was more muscular and maybe even a bit taller. Maybe when they played preditor/prey games they need to be a bit more careful. She'd think about that later. The song was coming to a close and she wanted to give a really big finish.

"Ooh oh oh ooh. Try Everything. Ooh oh oh ooh. Try Everything. Ooh oh oh ooh. Try Everything."

She stretched her neck back and held the notes longer than usual. She dropped to her knees and then went to all fours. It had been a while since she'd even come close to singing like this. She panted and then sat back on her haunches. She needed something to drink. She smelled excited bunny beside her.

"Are you OK?" came Judy's concerned voice.

"Hell yes! I haven't felt this good in years!" she said sweeping Judy into her arms and kissing her on the cheek. She put a very surprised and red eared bunny back on her feet. "Everyone get comfortable. I'm going to get a drink. Then I going to sing damn it and you … and you are going to be MY audience!"

She moved to check on Kurt and he caught her arm. He pulled her closer and she felt his hand go to the back of her neck pulling her close.

"That was beautiful and," her hesitated, "so are you."

He released her neck and she blushed. Then she patted his face.

"Do you need anything?"

"No. Go on and hurry back. I want to hear more damn it!"

He smiled and squeezed her hand.

Judy watched her friend as she went to the human. She nudged her Fox and indicated the two. She watched Nick's face and grinned. Her Fox's eyebrows went up and he look back at her. She shrugged.

"They're attracted to each other," he stated, "but they're from different worlds."

"And we weren't. Look at Bunnyburrow and Zootopia. They aren't different worlds?"

Nick had to give her that one.

"But they only met a couple of hours ago."

Judy's hands went to hips, her foot tapped the floor, and she gave him the eye. Nick knew he'd said the wrong thing.

"Nicholas P. Wilde I want you to be honest with me. How long did it take you to fall in love with me?"

"Carrots, that was …" Judy's continue to tap the floor. "But Fluff I …" the tapping continued. Nick sighed. "It was when we when the Naturalist Club. When those doors opened and your face was so…"

"Don't say it!"

"CUTE that my heart just melted."

Judy pounced and began to tickle her fox. Now everyone was watching. Nick giggled and started to rise, but Judy pushed him back down. Nick tried, but she held him in place. The door opened and small indigent white bunny came through the door.

"Gazelle has a concert and nobody tells me!" Only then he noticed Judy struggling with that Fox. "Judy, you finally got on top." He looked at the others. "All the other times the Fox was on top of her. Once I even saw him trying to eat her!"

The room was quiet for only a moment until Nick started to laugh. Judy head sank to his chest and she started to shake with mirth. Maria heard before reentered the sick bay. It had to be Judy and her Fox.

"What did they do now?"

"Let me show you," Joan said and ran the video on Maria phone.

"OK. Are you people ready?"

"Yes!"

Maria knew she would never sing any better than this for the rest of her life. Her voice soared and she swayed to the music. She felt like she was on fire. She only stopped to drink between each song and for five minutes in the middle of the twenty songs she sang. She was starting getting tired.

"This will be last song tonight." She got a chair and positioned below a light. "Joan, please dim all the other lights. This is an old human song. Hope you like it." She sat in the chair. She brought the microphone to her lip and sang. It was glorious.

Alas my love you do me wrong

To cast me off discourteously;

And I have loved you oh so long

Delighting in your company.

Greensleeves was my delight,

Greensleeves my heart of gold

Greensleeves was my heart of joy

And who but my lady Greensleeves.

I have been ready at your hand

To grant whatever thou would'st crave;

I have waged both life and land

Your love and goodwill for to have.

Greensleeves was my delight,

Greensleeves my heart of gold

Greensleeves was my heart of joy

And who but my lady Greensleeves.

Thy petticoat of slender white

With gold embroidered gorgeously;

Thy petticoat of silk and white

And these I bought gladly.

Greensleeves was my delight,

Greensleeves my heart of gold

Greensleeves was my heart of joy

And who but my lady Greensleeves.

Half way through the song she'd felt tears come to her eyes and by the end her cheeks were wet.

"I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did singing it."

The clapping and chanting started.

"Gazelle … Gazelle … Gazelle … Gazelle … Gazelle … Gazelle … Gazelle … Gazelle … Gazelle … Gazelle … Gazelle."

She put the microphone on the chair and when to Kurt.

"Come on. Let's go."

She lifted him from the bed and into the wheel chair. Then she wheeled him to front of the room, turned, and bowed.

"Thank you," she said opening the door and with a final wave left. "That was hardest concert I've ever done.

She felt Kurt's hand on hers.

"We could have stayed a bit longer."

"No. Everyone would tell me how great I was. That would have been very embarrassing. It's one thing to do a concert for ten thousand people and another to one for only six. Now you look paler than you did when you came out of that thing. You need to rest."

"Well, I thought you were great." he said and squeezed her hand.


"This is our room," she said. "I we have our own bathroom and shower. Food. Everything we need to get you back on your feet. Did I say that right?"

"Yes."

"Let's get you in bed." She pulled back the covers, lifted him, put him in his bed, and tucked him in. "Are you OK?" He nodded. "I need a shower. I must stink from all that."

"Maria," he said and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you." She returned it. "and Maria."

"What?"

"You don't stink," he said and she swatted him playfully, "much."

She laughed and when to the shower.


Her body ached and hot water felt wonderful. She sang so well today and it felt so good to make her friends happy. It was also good to make a new friend. She dried herself and looked into the mirror. Then that piece of blond hair fell in her face again! If it were up to she'd cut it off or tie it to a horn her fans and all her 'people' would freak. It was her body wasn't it? She slapped her forehead. She wasn't going back there anytime soon. She'd cut it off.

She went back to the room and heard an odd noise. It was coming Kurt's bed. She rolled him on his back and his teeth were chattering, he was shaking, and his skin was cold to the touch. For a moment she couldn't think of what to do. Then she pulled the blanket and sheet off her bed and put it on his. It wasn't enough and she could only think of one thing to do. She pulled back the covers, got in the bed next to him, and pulled him against her. She gasped. It was hugging a block of ice. After a while she thought she should have taken him back to sick bay, but after ten minutes the shaking stopped and he became warmer. After a while she drifted off to sleep.

Kurt awoke and felt warm. It was pleasant and he tried to stretch and found that he couldn't move. Strong arms held him and only then felt the fur against his neck. Part of his mind wondered why Maria was in bed with him and the larger part didn't really care. It felt really nice to be held after all these years. But there some pressing needs his body was reminding him of.

"Good morning, Maria," he said giving her a little shake.

She yawned and stretched. Then opened her eyes, looked at him, and frowned.

He squirmed around until he faced her.

"Why are you in bed with me?"

"I was wondering the same thing."

She thought for a moment and it came back to her.

"Now I remember," she said and smacked herself in the forehead. "You were shivering and I got in to warm you up."

"Thank you," he said curling her long blonde around his figure. "So what are we going to do today?"

"First, you definitely need a shower."

"Do I stink?"

"Yes!"

"I do like honesty in a wo… female."

She gave him the eye and he smiled.

"You are just too male."

"Thank you," he replied. She laughed and hugged him. "Maria, can we be friends to start with?"

"To start with," she repeated and stared at him. "and that means…"

"Well even we males can tell when a female likes him just a little bit."

He held up his two fingers with a small space between.

"I'll tell you that do like you a little bit."

He smiled and hugged her back. Then he got a serious look on his face and her face in his hands.

"Last night when you sang Greensleeves that was the most beautiful thing I ever heard. You sang like an angel."

Maria had to laugh.

"Do you know what they call me back home?" she asked and he shook his head. "The angel with horns." Again he got serious on his face. "What?"

"First, I want go to the bathroom and take that shower. Then I want to eat. And then we need to talk."

"About friendship."

"Yes, our friendship is very important. We have saying 'It doesn't matter what a person is like on the outside, but what the person is like on the inside.' Do you understand?"

"I think so."

"Come on please help me up. I need to think."


Kurt thought taking a shower with Maria would be interesting. She had no nudity taboo at all and she didn't to mind seeing his nudity either. Maria had put a bench in the shower so her could sit, but they found that rails attached to the walls worked better. The bench did help when he got tired.

"Your body is so different for any species on our world. You have almost no fur or tail. And …"

"and."

"no sheath. Like I said you're just too male."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Male and female gazelles bodies look a lot alike. Males are a little taller and heavier."

"But females have prettier faces," he said and touched her face. She rubbed it against his hand. "Come on turn around and let me wash your back.

This tried him out so much that Maria had to almost carry him back. She sat him at the table made his breakfast.

"It's oat meal. We have grains even oats, but just eat them as they are. But this I wanted to try."

After the microwave beeped she put his bowl before him.

"Do we have any milk?"

"Let's see."

"I can't believe you learned English is just two weeks."

"The music helped a lot. Every once in a while you say a word that I haven't or phrase that I don't understand, but I usually get it with the pad."

"If I can help please let me know."

"Found it! Here's the milk."

"Butter?"

"Got it!"

"Sugar."

"That one's easy."

She handed him the packets. When they'd finished she put him back in bed, but he pulled back the covers and patted the bed beside him.

"So what are we going to do?"

"We're going to talk and you're going keep me warm."

"Just keep you warm. I'll bet there'll be some touching too."

"I do like your fur."

"Ok. Just let me clean up a bit."

She hurried though the task and joined him. She felt his arms around her and smiled. Sneaky male.

"So what are going talk about?"

"You, of course. Tell me everything."

"That'll take time."

"And we have plenty."

She told him almost everything about herself. He asked a lot of questions. Then he did the same. Before they knew it was lunch time. They ate several kinds of vegetables and fortunately the meat was fish. She tried that too which surprised him until she reminded him where she'd grown up. After lunch they returned to his bed and she continued story until he fell asleep. She got up and worked the pad. He woke several hours later.

"What time is it?"

"About 5."

"Maybe something light. I'm not really that hungry yet."

"I can wait too."

"I have an idea. It's something my wife taught me. Come over here and lay on your stomach. It'll feel good and relaxing."

She stood and stared at him.

"I was in show business. I've heard a lot of things."

"Trust me."

"Ok. You hurt me and you're going to be cold tonight."

He padded the center of bed and moved over a pillow. She did as he asked.

"Close your eyes and relax. Stretch out you arms. Breathe slowly. Good. Now."

She felt his thumbs on her neck and heart rate sped up.

"Why is your heart beating so fast? Relax."

"When a predator has its prey by the throat what do you expect?"

"I'm not … well I guess I am in your eyes."

"Don't talk. Relax. Think of something peasant."

He needed the muscles further down her neck until he reached her shoulders. Then he tried the same thing on her back. She felt different then a woman. Her muscles were thicker and much denser so he increased the pressure. She moaned.

"Oh, I guess I'm going to be cold tonight." He felt her giggle. "I guess I was wrong." She turned her head and looked at him. "What?"

He did it again only harder. She closed her eyes moaned and her back arched. He slid his hand lowed and touched the base of her tail. This time she came up to all fours and he squeeze a bit harder and her back arched until the back of her head rested on his shoulder one horn only grazing him. He laid her back exposing her throat fully. He leaned over and bit her lightly still squeezing her tail. She moaned loudly and shuddered. Then he released her throat and held her gently. She panted and her tongue hung out.

After a minute she came to herself and stared up at him.

"Was it painful?" he asked and grinned.

A moment later Maria had him pinned to the bed her mouth on his. Kurt found the gazelles or at least Maria could hold her breath longer he could. He padded her back until she released him. Then she looked at him.

"Your all slick." she said and sighed. She ran a finger across his chest and brought is nose. She sniffed and then licked it. "Salty. Now I'm going to have to wash you again."

"Am I such as chore?"

"Sometimes," she said and licked his throat. "You're bleeding!"

"It just a scratch," he stated. "I think one of your horns got me. I've cut myself worse shaving."

"Damn these things!" she said and removed her right horn.

Kurt was so stunned he couldn't speak for a few seconds and then caught her other hand.

"Don't break off them off for me!"

Maria rolled her eyes.

"These are only extensions," she said tapping him on the head with the horn and pushing him down on the bed. Then straddled him. She turned the horn around. "What do think would have happened if this" she held point in front if his face. "stuck into your chest, face, or even in an eye." She pulled off the other one and tossed them onto the table. "I should have never worn these damn things to bed!" She went off in her own language berating herself. Then he smiled and she finally looked down at him. "What are you smiling at?"

"My beautiful gazelle."

"Your beautiful gazelle!" she said and put her hands on her hips.

She turned away from him and smiled slightly. She felt his arms go around her and struggled just a bit. His warm breath touched her ear and she shivered.

"Yes, my beautiful gazelle. The one who helped a stranger. The one who saved my life twice. The one who told me her whole life's story. The one who sings like an angel. The one who carried me on her shoulder. The one who washed me. The one who fed me. The one who shared my bed. The one who I would die for. The one who I can't live without. The one who I have fallen in love with. The one who fell in love with me. The one who touched my soul."

He released her and she turned to him.

"You love me," he stated.

"I do," she said in a small voice.

"What do people in love usually do?"

"Make love," she said giving him a coy look.

He laughed.

"Yes, that too, but you'll have to give me a few days."

She smiled.

"What are you smiling at?"

"My handsome human."

"Your handsome human!" she said and he crossed his arms across his chest.

He turned away from her and smiled slightly. He felt her arms go around him and struggled just a bit. Her warm breath touched his ear and he shivered.

"Yes, my handsome human. The one who was stranger and became a friend. The one whose life I saved twice. The one who told me his whole life's story. The one who thinks that I sing like an angel. The one who I carried on my shoulder. The one who I washed. The one who I fed. The one whose bed I share. The one who I would die for. The one who I can't live without. The one who I have fallen in love with. The one who fell in love with me. The one who touched my soul."

They kissed chastely.

"Remember you have to save your strength and get better."

"Yes, ma'am!"


Mark watched Leah sway to the music. Maria did have a beautiful voice and he was amazed that see could sing this well in English in just two weeks! When she sang Greensleeves Mark felt himself become a bit misty-eyed. He glanced at Leah and her eyes look a bit watery too. He smiled. So she could loosen up once in a while. Then she noticed him and quickly wiped her eyes. Mark smiled at her and patted her arm.

"Sir, I'm going to take you to our room now."

She lifted him into her arms and walked toward the door. He thought of objecting, but if she wished to carry him what difference did it really make. As before he put an arm around her neck, laid his head on her shoulder, and hung on. He'd almost fallen asleep when he heard the door open. She sat him on the bed and stepped back.

"Sir, this is our room," she said and saluted. "I will do my best to help you during your recovery."

"Thank you."

"It's my duty, sir. There's no need to thank me."

"Leah, when we are alone you've my permission to call me Mark."

"But…"

"When we are with other people you will address me as either Commander or sir."

"Yes s … Mark."

"Good," he said and smiled. "So tell me about our room and how you're going to take care of me."

"The bed you're sitting on is yours and other one is mine. There's food for a week in the refrigerator for both of us. Went it is necessary or there something we don't have I will get it. There is a bathroom in the other room with a large shower so I can wash you. There are pad computers so review the status of the ship, information on my world, and a library of human books and books from my world that Joan has translated. I have trained as a medic, prescribe drugs, and do minor surgery. Of course, I have not treated a real human, but I have been reading human medical texts and have performed virtual surgeries under Joan supervision."

"Leah, excellent report and you English is very good. If I say anything in English that you don't understand please ask. Also, I assume you're still studying our language so you ask me for help."

"Thank you. Mark, I think it is time that you rested and slept."

She went to a dresser and got out pajamas. Then she helped him dress and got him into bed.

"I'm going to clean up."

"I'll be right here."

Where else would he go in his condition, she thought. Maybe this was a human joke. She'd have to think about it. Then she showered and then dried her fur. She came back to the main room to make food for both of them and her ears came up. An odd noise was coming Mark's bed and she quickly went to check on him. His teeth we chattering and he was cold to the touch. She thought about calling Joan or taking him to the sick bay, but she remembered something about warming a person with hypothermia. She pulled the cover off her bed and laid it on Mark's and then she pulled back the covers and laid down next him, pulled him against her, and wrapped her arms around him. He was so cold that she began to shiver herself, but gradually his teeth stopped chattering and he began to warm. The warmth made her drowsy and soon they were both asleep.

Mark woke and reveled in the warm. It was like he was lying next to a furnace. Then he tried to move and he felt Leah's strong arms surrounding him. He smiled and gradually wiggled around to face her.

"Leah, time to wake up," he said and gave her a little shake. "Leah … Leah."

Her eyes opened and she stared at him. He smiled.

"Why are you in my bed?"

"Why do you think this is your bed?"

She opened her mouth and then shut it. Then it came back to her and she sighed. Mark smiled and laid his head on her shoulder.


"Mark, you need a shower!"

"I guess I stink."

"Yes, you do."

"I admire your honestly and I want thank you for saving my life twice now."

"It's my duty."

"I hope you'd do it either way and I do think you would. Please help me to the bathroom."

Leah got out of bed with him in her arms and carried her commander to the bathroom. There was one pressing need before the shower. Once that was done she first removed her clothes and then his. Then she washed him and then herself without comment. Mark sat and admired her form. He could see her as a Spartan fighting the Covenant on the frontlines.

"Here let me wash your back."

She knelt in front of him and went to work with his hands.

"Your fur is so thick. I like its feel."

"And humans have so little – just on under your arms, your head, chest, and genitals."

"I guess I could grow a beard too."

She turned and looked at his face.

"Maybe you should."

He rubbed his face and smiled.

"Well, turn around and let's get you rinsed."

Doing this simply wore him out and Leah had to dry, dress, and sat him at the table.

"Leah, what is there to eat?"

"Joan told me that humans eat both meat and vegetables. I do have a selection of both."

"I'm guessing that you only eat vegetables."

"Correct."

She brought over a selection of packets and he selected three. He pulled the ring on each and waited for them to heat.

"What are you having?"

She got a head of lettuce out of the refrigerator and selected several food packs.

"So do you like human foods?"

"I tried all the ones available and like these the best."

His food packs opened and the steam rose. He looked at her and noticed her nose twitch.

"Does the smell bother you?"

"It's just different."

"I could eat on the bed."

"It's fine.

He ate his lunch and she once she finished hers she put him back in bed and then to his surprise joined him.

"I thought you might get cold again," she said handing him his computer pad.

"Thank you."

He reviewed the ships status and then did a bit of light reading. Eventually he fell asleep. Leah woke him for supper. Over the next few days this became routine. They began to get to know each other and Mark was glad she'd started to open up with him.


As the days passed and Kurt could tell that he was getting stronger and that Maria was planning something. She'd been away several times for long periods and he was getting curious. On the seventh day she'd been gone almost the entire day and returned with a large box.

"Put this on," she said and handed him the box.

He opened it and looked up at her.

"My dress uniform!"

"Put it on and I'll help you."

After he'd finished she fussed over him straightening one thing and smoothing another. So this is why she'd insisted that he clean up this morning. She brushed my hair over and handed him his cap.

"You look really handsome. Come on!"

"Where are going?"

"You'll see."

"OK."

After traveling down several elevators and walked through several long corridors. He saw Mark in his dress uniform too.

"Go talk to Mark and I'll be back soon."

"What's going on?"

"Joan told me to report here in my dress uniform and here I am," he explained. "So how do you feel?"

"Good. Maria took really good care of me."

"You were together for an entire week. Did you get along OK?"

"Sure. She's a really interesting person. We talked about our lives and other things. I got the shakes really bad and she really helped me."

"That happened to me too and Leah held me until it stopped. All that fur is really warm."

"Maria did the same thing for me and I was really surprised when we woke up together is next morning."

Kurt blushed and Mark raised an eyebrow.

"Did anything else happen? You know I'm you friend so…"

"We spent so much time together and I got to know her. And we were sleeping together." Mark's eyebrow went up again. Kurt felt a bit a bit of anger. "Maria and I just slept in the same bed to together. She kept me warm and well…"

"You fell in love with her."

"Yes and ..."

"She loves you too."

"Yes."

"Kurt, I'm really happy for you. Anything else happen?"

"Later I asked her to marry me and she agreed."

"As long as you love each other and you're compatible. Congratulations."

"You don't think there'll a problem with the UNSC?"

"Never heard about regs on who you can and can't marry. Long as you file the paperwork I think it'll be OK. Of course, we're so far from the UNSC it doesn't it really matter. I do have a question for you."

"What?"

"Have you noticed where we are?"

Kurt took a second to look around and smiled. They were standing in front of the Chapel. He felt an arm on his shoulder.

"Maria is sneaky."

"Well, I guess we better go in."

"Hi."

It was the fox wearing a UNSC uniform.

"Why are you in uniform?" Mark asked.

"Judy and me joined UNSC."

Mark looked at Kurt and shrugged.

"Nick, how have you been doing without us?" Mark asked.

"My English is getting good."

"Better."

"My English is getting better. Yea."

"If you need any help with English ask and we'll help you.

Nick frowned for a moment and mouthed the words and tapped at the pad.

"Thank you. Right."

"Correct."

Nick grinned.

"You and Judy are going to get married?" Kurt asked.

"Yes," he said after a few seconds. "Judy and I in police together. We meet and I love her.' He frowned and tapped the pad. "We met and I fall in love with her. She loves me too. We marry when she in." He tapped on the pad again and frowned. "Which word best? … Which word is best? Pad speaks and I hear." he tapped the ear bud. "Shows three words which is best?" He held out the pad.

Kurt read season, heat, and estrus.

"Nick, I think estrus would be. Is it unusual for a fox and a bunny to marry?"

"Thank you. Yes, have never heard of a fox and bunny marrying."

"This a personal question. You do not have to answer if you do not want to. Understand?"

He worked with pad a few second.

"Ask your question."

"You and Judy love each other. You are the first fox to love a bunny. How?"

"Judy and I are." He worked the pad a long time. "What makes Judy Judy and me me." He tapped on the pad again. "The word is soul. My soul and Judy's touched and are together." He tapped again. "Soul mates." He grinned.

"You have religion on your world."

Nick tapped away.

"Yes, we know God. Predator and prey eat each other. Time passes and Forerunners change DNA make us smart. Bring to our world. But predator and prey still fight." He works on the pad. "God sends his son. Son is Fox. He tells us to stopped fighting and one government kills him."

"How?" Kurt asked.

"Nails in hands and feet on cross. He dies. Three day he lives. Later goes to heaven. One day he said he will return."

"Nick," he began and dropped to his knees. "On Earth our world" he put his hand on Nick's shoulder. "The same thing happened."

Nick stares at him.

"Truth?"

"Truth."

"Before I met Judy I not believe. After fall in love with Judy I believe."

"Nick, I fell in love with Maria. Like you and Judy our souls are one. Today I'll marry Maria."

"Good, before Maria very lonely. Not tell her I told you. OK?"

"I won't. Let's go in."


It was not a large chapel, but there were only the seven of them.

"Can we talk?" Nick asked.

"Sure," Kurt said. "We're friends now. Ask us anything."

"You and Mark soldiers."

"Yes."

"Joan tell … no told us you fight Cov…en…ant. Right?"

"Yes."

"Before you…" He tapped on his pad. "ah… thawed out Joan tell us you might not like us. You do like us. You love Maria." He poked Kurt in the chest. "Mark now you have bunny like me." He touched in own chest. Kurt looked at his friend a raise an eyebrow. "Bunnies fun and cute." He typed for quite a while. "Don't say … tell bunny cute. Get angry. Judy say 'only bunny can call bunny cute.' I call Judy cute anyway."

He rolled his eyes and both humans chucked.

"We are fighting the Covenant because they want to kill all humans." Kurt patted Nick back and scratched the fur on the back his neck. "You helped us." Nick leaned into his hand and closed his eyes. Kurt jerked his hand away. "Why stop? It feel good. Judy does this too but better." He winked and touched his ear piece. "Must go now. I will be back soon."

A few minutes later the wedding march began and both men stood facing the door. Nick entered with Maria on his arm followed by Judy and Leah. Maria wore white wedding dress and other two females were dressed in UNSC uniforms. Joan appeared behind the altar.

"Kurt Wolfgang Muller and Maria Gazelle please approach the altar." Mark serving as best man and Kurt approached from one side and Maria and Nick from the other. "Who gives this doe to be married to this man?"

"I do," Nick said and sat beside Judy.

"Please repeat after me," she said and looked at Kurt.

"I, Kurt Wolfgang Muller, take thee, Maria Gazelle, to be my lawfully wedded Wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

"Please repeat after me," she said and looked to Maria.

"I, Maria Gazelle, take thee, Kurt Wolfgang Muller, to be my lawfully wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, till death us do part."

"The rings."

Kurt looked to Mark who smiled and handed him a gold band. Kurt placed the ring on the Maria's finger and she on his.

"Please repeat after me."

"With this Ring I thee wed."

"If anyone objects to this marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

A few moments passed.

"By the power vested in me as Captain of the Dark Star, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

"You may kiss the bride."

Kurt lifted he veil, took her in his arms, tilted her head back, and kissed her. The kiss lingered.

"They sure can kiss a long time," Michael said. "You know I bet they've been practicing."

Judy put her head her fox's chest and shook with silent mirth. Nick put a hand on his bunny's back.

"Ok. Oh you bunnies, you're so emotional."

Judy poked him in the side and wiped her eyes.

"Come on guys," Mark said rapping his arms around the shoulders of the newlyweds.

Judy and her Fox led the group to the reception. She opened and stepped through the door.

"Who are you?"