A/N: Thanks for the reviews and favorites.
Jeannie lay on the bed with her mates on either side of her; her chin was resting on her furry paws while they softly combed their fingers through the brindled fur on her sides. Softly, Jack said, "These dark markings are the same as before you shifted." He traces the three black lines that outline her ribs. Ianto also examines the markings, skipping his fingers down her spine while she arches in pleasure. Both Jack and Ianto chuckle at her reaction while she gazes at them playfully. Jack yelps when she rolls over suddenly, finding himself with a rather large feline laying on him with her paws waving the air. Ianto laughs uproariously at Jack's reaction while taking advantage of the silky fur on Jeannie's belly being available.
Sometime later, the mates are done playing and are trying to figure out how to shift back. Jeannie joins her mind with Jack and Ianto's, trusting them to know how she 'feels' when in human form, and she is not disappointed. Shortly thereafter, Jeannie transforms, a cloud of sparkling golden energy surrounding her. Exhausted from the hectic evening, the mates grab a quick shower, and then curl around one another to sleep.
Early A.M of the next morning…
The mates are languishing in their living room enjoying the first cup of the day when the intercom squawks at them. Jack presses the button indicating that he is listening, and Owen snarks, "If her royal furriness is available, I want to run some tests." Rolling his eyes, Jack acknowledges Owen, indicating that they will be up shortly. Jeannie is snorting at Owen's wording, her face buried in Ianto's neck while he just shakes his head. They finish their coffee and do a quick rinse on the mugs before they dress for the day. Heading up the tunnel to the main Hub, the trio goes their separate ways once they enter the main room, with Jeannie heading over to become a 'pin-cushion', as she refers to it, while Ianto brews a pot of nectar for the ravening hordes to descend upon once they arrive. Jack settles himself at the railing overlooking the medical bay; after all, his beautiful cat-girl might be stripping, and he certainly doesn't want to miss the show! Smirking, he 'sends' an image of Jeannie, mostly naked, sprawled seductively on the autopsy table to his mates. He receives, in return, a visible scowl from Jeannie, and a mental snort from Ianto. Owen, not being a dumb man by any means, knows that something is going on mentally between them, and that it probably involves something sexual; therefore, he really doesn't wanna know.
Owen takes the blood and skin samples he wants, and inquires as to whether Jeannie thinks she can shift again, so he can get a sample of her fur as well. Jeannie nods, and closing her eyes, she finds the place where the cat lives, and changes. Owen's mouth is hanging open in admiration as he examines her. He makes a comment about being a veterinarian now, and receives a gentle nip to his hand for his troubles. Yanking said hand back, he lightly swats her shoulder, "Oi! Watch the fangs; I know where they've been, and I don't want any!" Jack snickers at the antics below him while Jeannie looks up at him pleadingly, her ears laid back. "Okay Owen, I think you've antagonized the large cat enough for one day, don't you?" to Jeannie, he says, "Yes, we really do need a doctor on the team, so no, you can't eat this one." Jack's eyes are twinkling as Jeannie hops off the table and pads up the stairs to Jack's side, nuzzling her muzzle into his hand.
The alarms over the cog door go off, indicating the arrival of at least one more team member; Jack and Jeannie migrate into the main area to greet the newcomer and discover that it is Tosh. She squeals when she sees Jeannie in cat-form, and rushes over. Burying her fingers in the fur along Jeannie's neck, she abruptly stops, looking at both of them in concern. "Has she not been able to change back yet?" Jack laughs, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Owen wanted to see her in cat-form, so she shifted for him. She can change back just fine, but thanks for the concern." Letting out a relieved breath, Tosh continues stroking the soft fur, while Jeannie purrs encouragement. Ianto appears, with a cup of coffee on offer for her. Taking it and giving Jeannie one last scratch behind the ears, Tosh heads over to her station to get started for the day. Owen surfaces and snags his own mug, avoiding a playful swipe of a paw on his way past; he looks back at a pair of twinkling green eyes watching him. As her mates laugh at the actions of their team mates, they head over to the sofa to enjoy their second cup of the day. Jeannie, curling up between them on the sofa, shifts back to human-form in the same sparkling golden cloud that appeared the night before. Just as she is initiating the shift, the door rolls open again to admit Gwen and Suzie; they see what is happening on the sofa, and stop to stare. Suzie, realizing that none of the others seem fazed by this, concludes that it is Jeannie. She watches with interest as her friend and team-mate changes forms. Gwen appears to be disgusted and freaked out by it; realizing that it would be a bad idea to let Jack or Ianto know how she feels about this, she quickly hides her reaction, and watches closely.
Retreating to the bathroom, Gwen sits down to think for a few minutes. Jeannie's warning runs through her mind: "A choice you make now, in this part of your life, is what will determine which future you get: the happiness, or the loneliness." Gwen gulps; Jeannie seems a nice enough…alien…she doesn't go around killing or eating people, after all. Besides, this is Torchwood! Weird stuff happens on nearly a daily basis. Sighing loudly, Gwen stands up and squares her shoulders, intent upon getting over her dislike and getting the 'happy' future that Jeannie 'saw'.
Gwen returned to the main part of the Hub to find that the team were gathered around the sofa, listening to Jeannie describe what it was like to shift. Apparently, no one had even noticed that she had left; Gwen sighs, quietly this time, and pulls a chair over to join them and listen.
"….just like this tingling feeling, and having a good long stretch." Jeannie looks at the team brightly. "It feels kinda weird at first, but no doubt I'll get used to it!" She laughs. Jack has a proud grin decorating his face, he's obviously so happy that Jeannie has shifted for the first time. Ianto just smiles quietly while gently stroking her back in support. "And then, when I shift back, I just link with Jack and Ianto for the right path. It feels so good, like I've been wrapped in the softest blanket, all snug and warm." Jeannie looks lovingly at her mates, who wrap her in their arms, burying their noses in the soft fur behind her ears. As the trio leans back comfortably, the rest of the team decides to get to work and leave the mates to themselves.