Zig Zag is Copyright © Max Black Rabbit. Sabrina, Darke Katt and R.C. are Copyright © Eric W. Schwartz. James Sheppard, Marvin Badger, Rhonda Badger, Yohni, Alexi, Michael, Esteban, Mia, Wanda Vixen and Tamara Rabbit are Copyright © James Bruner. Alex O'Whitt is © Tigermark. The B-Team is © Silver Coyote. Jean LeBrun, Gabrielle Ryder, Timothy Bigglesworth-Farthington von Salzburg, Malcolm Grazer, Doctor Fox Jones, Peter Spermophilus, Miranda Spermophilus, Dina Spermophilus, Leo Leon, Miriam Redtail, Lizzy Doe, Emma Grey, Professor Moose Nicholson, Professor Erica Belge and Pethouse Magazine is © Joan Jacobsen, 2005. All other characters appearing in this story, except where otherwise specifically noted, are likewise © Joan Jacobsen.

Legal Notice: This story is Copyright © 2005 by Joan Jacobsen. This story may not be sold or used for commercial profit in any form or fashion. This story may not be modified in any way. This story may not be posted on a mirror site or any other Internet site without the written permission of the author. This story may not be distributed on print, magnetic, electrical or optical mediums.

Permission to use characters that are Copyright other individuals was obtained prior to the appearance of said characters.

The author, Joan Jacobsen, hereby asserts moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

This is an independent work of fiction with no connection whatsoever to Max Black Rabbit, Eric W. Schwartz, E.S. Productions or James Bruner and is in no way meant to imply any connection with Max Black Rabbit, Eric W. Schwartz, E.S. Productions, or James Bruner. This story contains characters created by Max Black Rabbit, Eric W. Schwartz, James Bruner, Tigermark and Silver Coyote. Events and characters occurring in this story should not be considered part of the storylines for either 'Zig Zag', 'Sabrina Online' or 'Sabrina Online - The Story'.

In fact, as far as 'Zig Zag', 'Sabrina Online', 'Sabrina Online - The Story' and 'Zig Zag the Story' are concerned, this story does not exist. The artists disavow any knowledge of and do not officially sanction the events in this story.er nodded. "I'm sure."

For whom the bells toll...

Zig Zag was sitting in her living room when James arrived. He had a big smile on his face and a bag in one paw. From the shape of it, it could easily be a bottle of something. The skunk didn't notice, since her back was turned, but if she had noticed, she would probably have expressed her approval. She could do with a bottle of something.

James kicked off his shoes and unbuttoned the top two buttons in his shirt after removing his tie. Then he placed the bag on a table and walked up behind the skunk, placing his paws on her shoulders, kneading a little.

"Mmmm...just what I needed..." Zig Zag said and closed her eyes with a content smile.

"You looked like you did. What's gotten you so tense?" James asked and smiled.

Zig Zag shrugged slightly and sank into her seat a few inches. The answer was obvious. She needed a break. A vacation.

Or was it because Sabrina was leaving?

Perhaps it was a combination of the two...

Maybe it wasn't so obvious after all. Zig Zag sighed and leaned her head back, looking up at James. "I need some time off that's all. That, and Sabrina gave me her two week notice yesterday."

James nodded, his face going solemn. "Ouch...I can imagine that must've been quite a blow. She's been with the studio for some years now, right?"

"Yeah. Feels like forever. I'm telling you...when she came in and told me, I lost my appetite right then and there. I'll really miss her, James."

"You miss anyone who leaves that place. They're your family...we both know that."

Zig Zag managed a crooked grin. "Talk about a whacked out, dysfunctional family in that case. Good grief. Anyway, I've got you here to take care of my every need, now."

James laughed and nodded, letting go of Zig Zag's shoulders. "I bought us something for tonight," he said and found the bag on the table. "I hope I got it right..."

Zig Zag looked at the bottle James gave her. She smiled warmly and looked up at him. "I didn't think you remembered."

"I did, it's just been difficult to find."

The bottle was a dark, sapphire blue one. Very slender, too. The label identified the contents as white wine. The skunk turned it over in her paws, smiling a little. It brought back memories. Happy ones, of time spent in a bubble bath with James.

James sat down next to her and drew a deep breath, allowing himself to relax. "You said you needed a break too. Won't someone else be able to keep things going at the Studio if you were to take a week or two off?"

"I suppose I could do that. If I do it right after we finish the next production...y'know...between movies...then I could tell Marvin to keep things going, and just postpone anything major until I get back..." Zig Zag said and put the bottle down, before leaning her head against James' shoulder.

"Good then. How long will that be, do you know?"

"Hmm...a couple of weeks, maybe three. Shouldn't be too long. Why?"

James laughed. "You don't think I'll let you take two weeks off without me, do you? I'll find us some nice place where we can go and relax, and forget that the rest of the world exists."

Zig Zag smiled. It was just what she needed. Two weeks away with James, with no business decisions to be made.

She looked up a bit and kissed her boyfriend's jaw. "Will you get the corkscrew and a pair of glasses, then?"

###

Miriam couldn't remember the last time she had felt so nervous. In fact, she was pretty sure she never had. Not even the first time she kissed someone. Or the first time she attended yoga-class and got stuck in an awkward position. This was far worse. She was sitting...simply because standing up wasn't an option at the moment. She was pale under her fur, and most of her energy was spent concentrating on breathing evenly.

"But what about the...?" she began.

"It's all in paw," Lizzy's voice said nearby.

"Yes but..."

"We've taken care of that too," Jean answered from the next room.

Miriam sighed and deflated. "Surely I can at least..."

"...sit right there and not make a mess of your hair or dress!" her mother said and entered the room with a stern, but kind expression on her face.

"Oooh, she's a poet, and she don't even know it..." Lizzy chuckled and winked at Mrs. Redtail.

"Lizzy, get your grammar checked before you cause lasting damage to my eardrums, will you?" Jean giggled and entered the room as well. "We're almost ready. As soon as Emma calls us, we'll know that the catering company has delivered the food, and then it's just a matter of getting the guests there..."

Mrs. Redtail nodded. She was a small vixen in her mid fifties with twinkling eyes and a hair so full of beads that she could've probably bought Manhattan a few centuries before. Jean had never actually met her before, but now that she had, there was no question from where Miriam got the inspiration for her lifestyle.

"Mrs. Redtail, could you please help me with this?" Lizzy asked and looked like she was about to have a fit. "I have to say, Miriam...I'm grateful you didn't pick that little pink, fluffy number that the salesfemme tried to hawk on you for the bridesmaids. Good grief...I'd have died with embarrassment."

"I seriously considered it, just to have some photos to show Leo when he gets back. And for blackmail, of course."

"You're evil!"

Mrs. Redtail grinned and puffed out her considerable bosom. "That's my daughter!" she said, proudly. "Anyway, I'm not going to help you if you keep calling me Mrs. Redtail! You make me sound like I'm fifty years old! Hannah will do, if you please!"

It was a long time since Lizzy had spoken to someone where you could hear the exclamation marks after every sentence. Nonetheless, she liked Miriam's mother.

"As you wish. Hannah it is."

"Now who's the poet?" Hannah said and wagged a finger at Lizzy.

The doe slumped and groaned. "I walked into that one..."

"Mark the calendar, Jean...today was the day it happened. Someone managed to stump Lizzy. We have to remember this day henceforth..."

Jean made a move with a finger, as if drawing an X in the air. "I think you'll remember this day henceforth anyway. Otherwise, Fox might be quite upset."

For a moment, Miriam felt panic rise in her again.

"Are we really all set? Isn't there something..." she began.

Jean grinned and looked at Hannah Redtail while rolling her eyes playfully. "Nooo, Miriam, we're aaall set," she said.

"But what about...?"

"That has been fixed too!" Hannah said. "Now sit still and stop worrying!"

###

There were no guests present yet, but the rooms were ready. Esteban straightened down his tuxedo and nodded to himself. This was valuable experience for him. It wouldn't be too long before it'd be his turn to get married. Even if that would be a smaller, more private thing. Mostly because the United States wouldn't legally allow his marriage. He'd be damned if that was going to prevent him from taking vows with his vixen, however.

"Thees looks just about readee, amiga," he said and turned, nodding to Emma. "And you, for your eenformateeon, look amazeeng."

Emma blushed furiously and started fidgeting, trying to think of some way to refute the compliment. She couldn't, though. Esteban had this totally honest way of complimenting others, which made it terribly difficult not to simply accept it when he said something nice.

"Thank you..." she managed to whisper. "The food just arrived. I've...had them set it up in the kitchen already. We can arrange the buffet later."

Esteban nodded and smiled. "I theenk eet's smart of them to go for a cold buffet. Eet's a lot less hassle."

"No argument there," the mink chuckled and looked around. "How many guests will there be anyway?"

"Oh, not too manee. Feefty or so I theenk..."

"I don't think I even know that many furs..."

Esteban put an arm around Emma's shoulder and gave her a friendly squeeze. "They don't know what they're meesseeng, amiga. And you can quote me on that."

Again, Emma blushed and failed to think of some kind of retort. "Jean is so lucky...I hope she realizes that..." she said, quietly.

For once, Esteban was the one who felt stumped. A smart-ass reply wasn't a good idea in this case. Instead he gave Emma another squeeze. "Hey...Amiga...no long faces today, no? Let's smile and be merree for the happee couple, si?"

Emma nodded and took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She wanted to. Again, she reminded herself to look for the strength she had once had. It wasn't going to be easy, she knew that. But her friends were there...all the way. They supported her and cared for her. That was good to know.

As she saw it, though...this was her battle to fight. She couldn't lean on others for it. She couldn't lean on others anymore. She had done so for too long. If she didn't learn how to stand on her own two feet, how would anyone be able to stand her in the long run? She had to grow back her spine and raise her head to face the world.

Trying, she raised her head and set her jaw. At the back of her mind, she could hear Jeremy laughing at her. Jeering and insulting her as he would, before hitting her.

Her knees shook.

"He's gone, amiga. He's never comeeng back...you have notheeng more to fear. You have done notheeng wrong..."

Esteban's voice came to her as if from very far away. Emma didn't have the strength to look at him. Her lips trembled and tears built up in her eyes.

"I shot him...I killed him..."

"No amiga...you stopped heem from keelleeng you. Notheeng more. Eef aneeone ees to blame...eet's Leo and me. And I can't tell you how much eet means to us...that you don't hate us..."

Emma stopped fighting the tears, letting them flow down her cheeks again. "You tried to help me..." she whispered.

"And we failed..."

The mink shook her head, but she couldn't get her voice to obey here. There were no words. Nothing she could say that would make any sense.

"Would you like me to go and stay een the keetchen for a while, Emma?" Esteban's voice asked behind her.

"No Esteban..." she whispered at last. "I'd...like a hug. From a friend. So I know I'm not alone."

Esteban nodded and turned the mink around, putting his arms around her, holding her. So what if she smudged his shirt a little. This was far more important.

###

Leo had completed the march the day before, but he had been in some amounts of pain when he got back to base. Fortunately, his entire platoon received a 24 hour pass, rather unexpectedly. Captain Cervus had said it'd be the last they'd get before shipping out. His troops had taken off, hooting and howling about femmes, and he had filled his boots with wet paper, put his bandaged feet up and picked up a pad of paper to write Lizzy.

He was halfway into the letter when there was a knock on his door.

"Enter", he called out and put the pad down momentarily.

Sergeant Pardinus entered. He was still wearing combat fatigues. Snapping off the tightest salute Leo could remember seeing, he waited to be acknowledged.

"At ease, Sergeant. What can I do for you?" the lion asked and turned around, putting his sore feet down on the floor.

"Beggin' your pardon, Lieutenant...the boys had a wager goin' yesterday and you won it!"

"Errh...run that by me again, Sergeant. I'm an officer, remember? We're notoriously slow on the uptake."

The lynx couldn't conceal a slight smirk. "Well sir...when you ordered that break, the cap went around. The bet was when you were going to call for an ambulance. Not one of them thought you were going to make it back on your own."

Leo nodded, slowly. "I see. What was your wager, sergeant?"

"I don't bet on the durability of officer feet, sir!"

The lion chuckled and nodded. "Then why did I win? I didn't bet on myself, and if none of them had it right, they should all simply have kept their money, right?"

"Beggin' your pardon once more, sir...but I told the little shits that if they had so little confidence in our commanding officer,, they might as well pay up when they fuck up that badly...sir!" Sergeant Pardinus said, keeping a perfectly straight face.

Leo nodded and got up. His feet protested, but he wasn't going to let it show. He approached the lynx, sticking a paw into his pocket. "How much is it, then?"

"Almost two hundred and fifty dollars, sir," the lynx said. "Should make for a fun night in Kabul."

"The Afghanis are Muslim, Sergeant. Getting drunk isn't an option. That goes for the entire platoon. I don't care how much they like alcohol...while we are there, we are in potentially hostile territory...there will be absolutely no drinking, on or off duty," he said and picked out two hundred and fifty dollars from his wallet, holding them out for the lynx.

"Erhh...sir? Why're you giving me that?"

"I want you to start a pool. I'm sure it'll grow through other means. We'll be fighting troops out there, and we might have fatalities before we get back stateside. The money in that pool will go to the widows or parents of those who die. Clear?" Leo asked, putting his paws in his pockets.

Sergeant Pardinus nodded, slowly. "I'll let the boys know, sir. Thank you. This is a fine gesture."

"You can tell them that whatever they put in there, I will match. Every cent."

"SIR! We can't ask you to do that?? A second lieutenant doesn't make that much money!"

Leo chuckled. "Well...you know the troops thought I was a spoiled rich kid? I was spoiled until a few years ago...then life hit me in the face. But my father owns 'Leon Investments Inc.', and my mother is CEO of 'Leon, Hilobates and Smith'..."

"Sweet mother of Jesus..." the Lynx said and blinked. "And you're trudgin' around with us regular grunts out there in the mud, Sir??"

"Why not?" Leo asked, smiling. He sat back down and put his feet back up.

Sergeant Pardinus felt like someone had hit him in the face with a two-by-four. "Sir...?? Your father owns a company so large that even I know what it is, even though I've never invested a cent in my entire life and your mother is the CEO of one of the largest lawfirms in the US of A!! You should've been one of those West Point idiots with their masonic pawshakes and looking-down-their-noses-at-fighting-furs-mentality..."

Leo shrugged and picked up his pad of paper again. "My dad figured that I should serve my country...without special privileges. I rather think he had the right idea if you don't mind my saying so..."

Sergeant Pardinus saluted again, if possibly even sharper than before. "I'll make sure that the next time one of the boys start backtalkin' you sir...they'll learn the truth. And I'll let them know about the widow's pool."

"Thank you. And you can tell them, that if we get home without having lost anyone, they'll get to spend the entire pool on booze. Should give them a reason to be careful, eh?" Leo grinned and wriggled his toes, looking over his shoulder at the sergeant.

The lynx laughed and nodded. "Damned straight, sir. I'd better get back out there then..."

"Dismissed Sergeant."

A moment later...Leo was alone again. He was smiling as he finished his letter to Lizzy.

###

The guests had arrived. It was late afternoon and the sun was slowly setting. The light had started taking on that special ultra-romantic quality of near-dusk. The guests had long since arrived. Fortunately, the weather was holding. They were outside...most seated on rows of folding chairs, brought along for the same purpose.

The wedding was underway.

Fox was experiencing all manner of vocal problems. His throat had gone dry, constricted, filled with his suddenly-expanding-tongue and simply refused to work, all in turn. Miriam was absolutely beautiful. He had always thought she was, but she was really something special today. Her dress was stunning. It was made from white satin, and covered her shoulders, going to short sleeves. The neckline was square, then drooped into a slight V-shape at the bottom, giving just enough view of her bosom to be tasteful and tantalizing. The bodice was tight, but the skirt flowed very wide behind her. She didn't wear a veil. Somehow, it wouldn't have seemed quite right for her, either. Instead, she wore a crown of white flowers...several kinds of white flowers in fact...

Probably Hannah's idea...but it looked great.

Sniffing and muffled sobbing had long since started amongst the audience. That was always the case at weddings. It was probably the only time people cried more than at funerals. Fox tried to anchor himself in reality by giving some professional thought as to why. Which psychological factors made furs weep at weddings?

He had no idea. All he could see was Miriam.

Smiling, he kept his eyes on her...half dazed. Behind him, Esteban was waiting with the ring in his pocket. The wolf had even been considerate enough to double- and triple-check which pocket he kept the ring in. There would be no fumbling around for it.

Behind Miriam, her bridesmaids were waiting. They had even managed to get Lizzy into a skirt for the occasion, on the expressed condition that she was allowed to change once the ceremony was over. They all wore simple, matching suits.

"I said...do you have the ring?" a slightly amused voice said, snapping Fox out of his reverie.

"Huh...oh...yeah...hang on..." he answered. There was fumbling anyway, as he searched for the ring in his pockets. He had just started panicking when Esteban cleared his throat.

"Here amigo...remember, I kept eet een my left pocket?" the hispanic wolf said with a crooked smile and held out the small box.

Fox looked grateful as he took it and opened it. The wedding ring was quite something. Red and white gold bands, slung around one another. He took it, gingerly...terrified of the idea of dropping it.

Carefully, he placed it on Miriam's finger.

He drew a very subdued sigh of relief. He hadn't dropped it. He hadn't made a complete fool of himself in front of everyone.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife..." the voice said.

Fox had barely looked at the minister since the ceremony started.

"Come on, zorro...I theenk thees ees the moment where you keess the bride, no?" Esteban chuckled behind him.

Miriam just smiled...for about three seconds.

It was difficult to keep smiling when kissed. Especially when the kiss was that thorough.

###

Gabrielle put the last things in her bag and stretched her back. "So...we're definitely staying in New York a few days?" she asked.

Yohni nodded and hoisted her own bag over her shoulder. "I think that'd be a great idea. I want to get to know your brother. If he's half as great as you, he's the best invention since strawberries..." she said and winked.

The bronco giggled. "Don't say that when you meet him. I don't think Malcolm would ever forgive you, if you put that idea into Timmy's head."

Yohni laughed and looked around. There were quite a number of suitcases. The two of them had finally agreed on a pair and bought a couple of new ones. It had been an absolute necessity. Their old suitcases quite simply weren't roomy enough to hold all their shopping as well.

"I liked Rome..." she said. "I liked all of Europe."

Gabrielle nodded. "I still think Denmark is the place I liked the best."

The mongoose nodded and stepped over a couple of suitcases to stand next to the filly. "No question about that. We've got to send Ulf and Signe a letter when we get home and tell them all we've experienced."

"That's a given. And we've got to invite them both to come visit sometime. It's only fair after they opened their home to us like that."

Yohni nodded and took Gabrielle's paw in her own. The luggage would be picked up by the hotel staff and brought downstairs. They'd get someone to help them shove it all into a taxi and get to the airport. They still had time for a drink in the airport before getting on board. It had been the strangest of holidays. It had started with the biggest tragedy, and had ended up being a celebration of life and a protest against terror, in its own quiet way.

The obvious solution had been to go back to the United States. The hard decision had been not to bow to terrorists.

It had been the right decision. She looked up at Gabrielle and smiled. "You're beautiful..."

"So are you," the answer came. "Even though you're small and you don't have an inbuilt flyswatter."

Yohni giggled. She had come to expect that kind of thing from Gabrielle ages ago. "Let's go. I need to get to New York..."

"So do I. I need to see Timothy in a big way..." Gabrielle said and slipped her arm around Yohni with a little smile.

They headed downstairs.

###

"So...Mrs. Redtail-Jones...how are you feeling?" Fox asked and grinned.

Miriam sipped her champagne and smiled widely. "Married?" she answered.

Fox nodded. He didn't need to ask what she meant. He was experiencing the exact same feeling. Around him, the party was going well. Furs were mingling and chatting, generally having a good time. Lizzy had changed into pants as soon as the ceremony was over, as expected...which had raised a few eyebrows and earned a couple of comments from those who didn't know her.

An elderly fox from Miriam's family ambled over and shook Fox's paw. "Nice ceremony...very nice. Good thing the weather held, eh?" he grinned. His voice sounded dusty.

"God must've been in a good mood," Fox answered with a crooked smile.

"Or Buddha..." Miriam said with a wink and leaned her head against Fox's arm.

The old fox chuckled. "Deity of your choice, then," he said and cleared his throat. "So...where are you going for your honeymoon?"

"That's a secret," Fox answered and winked. "We're not telling anyone. That way, we won't have to listen to suggestions for things we absolutely have to see, and we can do it in our own good time. And we'll have a lot more surprises to tell everyone about when we get home."

"Tricky, tricky...youth nowadays," the old fox grinned and patted Fox's shoulder. "You be good to her, now...you make a fine couple."

Then he walked off towards the buffet. It was time to dance soon...

###

By the time she and Esteban were on their way home, Jean's feet were hurting. Not from dancing...Esteban had a hard time getting her onto a dance-floor, even under the best of circumstances these days, but because of her shoes.

"I feel like I've been dancing all evening," she complained and looked at the wolf next to her.

Esteban shrugged. "Eet's not like you dance aneemore, chica...can't be that reason."

Jean nodded. She sighed and looked at the wolf for a long moment. "You miss it, don't you?" she asked.

"Often. Why deed you stop?" he asked and turned to look at her. He wasn't hurt, but he did wonder.

"I don't know really. I feel...like everyone is staring when I dance."

"Ahh...then I understand..."

Jean leaned her head against Esteban's shoulder and smiled a little. "We could visit Satyr sometime soon...and dance the night away, if you want? We haven't seen Julie in ages..."

"That's not a bad idea, chica. We should!" the wolf answered. His tail would've been wagging if he hadn't been sitting on it.

"We need to set a date for our wedding too, y'know..."

"Si, but Yohnee and Gabbee are due home soon, and then we can plan. We couldn't posseeblee do thees weethout them..."

Jean blinked, then tilted her head slightly to the side. "Oh? Well, it's not that I disagree, but that sounds like there's something I don't know about?"

Esteban grinned wolfishly and slipped his arm around the vixen next to him. "Si. La Jefa has offered that we can have the partee at the studeeo. Eet'll be beeg...weeth a double weddeeng and all..."

Jean blinked again and slowly put two and two together...

"Why...that sneaky filly..." she finally said and grinned, her smile growing almost impossibly wide. "She finally built up the courage, eh?"

"According to Zeeg Zag, si," Esteban said and winked.

Jean nodded and closed her eyes. There was still ten minutes drive before they were home. She enjoyed Esteban's scent and cuddled up close.