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Ok so here we go. This story is a work of fiction and all characters and settings are copyright Jonathon Ford (me). With that out of the way enjoy the story :-)

Lady of the Night

As Jonathon, Jeffery, Trisha, and Erin were finishing lunch in the week following the successful test of the Sat Strike system the phone on Jonathon's desk began to ring. Jonathon looked over his shoulder towards the study. That was odd he thought to himself he wasn't expecting a call from anyone and only three people outside the ASL had the number for that phone. Jonathon excused himself from the table and hurried to his study. He lifted the receiver from its rest and placed it to his ear, "Jonathon speaking." He said flatly.

There was a short pause from the other end of the line then a voice came through the wire. "Captain its Lieutenant Bourne here sir, I need your help." The voice was slightly panicked.

"Yes Wayne what is it old friend?" Jonathon replied his face taking on a slightly worried expression. He knew Wayne would never call this number unless he was in real trouble. Jonathon motioned for Jeffery to join him as Wayne continued telling of his plight, "You've got to help me Jonathon, I don't know how but they found out what I am and they're after me."

"Alright Wayne, alright. Look you know I'll help you, just calm down and tell me where you are." Jonathon placed a hand over the microphone and turned to Jeffery, "Jeff, go and call Alex get him over here now!" Jeffery nodded before dashing over to the base intercom panel on the far wall. Jonathon returned his attention to the voice on the phone. "I'm just outside, Dillon in Colorado." The voice on the end of the phone was strained.

Jonathon sat down and quickly logged onto the base network. He called up the Geo Sat imagery portion of the network and typed in Dillon, Colorado. The screen blacked momentarily before a rotating Dark Knights logo appeared, to show the computer was processing the request. After a few seconds an image of the town appeared on the screen. "Ok Wayne, I've got a satellite picture of Dillon in front of me now I need you to calm down and tell me exactly where you are. Don't worry this is a secure line no one can track you; just give me your precise location. Ok?"

"Alright," Wayne said starting to settle down a little, "I'm two miles north of town at a call box on the highway."

As Wayne was finishing his last statement Jonathon was adjusting the view from the satellite trying to find his comrade. After a minute of scanning the area he found what he was looking for, a car pulled of the road and a man standing next to a call box receiver in hand. "Wayne," Jonathon said, "Look up and about ten degrees to your left." There was a pause on the other end of the phone then on the screen the man looked up slowly and turned his head slightly to the left. At that point he was looking straight into the optical lens of the satellite orbiting nearly four hundred miles above him. Jonathon smiled his old friend still looked exactly the same. "You're looking well. All things considered." Jonathon said suppressing a chuckle.

"You always did have an odd sense of humor Jonathon, now how about getting me out of here!" Wayne remarked coldly.

At that moment Alex walked through the door and Jeffery rushed over to him. Jeffery and Alex talked quietly for a moment before Jonathon called them over with a wave of his hand. "All right Wayne just settle down, I'm sending my two best knights out to bring you back. They're Alex and Jeffery, now Alex you already know and Jeffery is new to the Knights."

"Well alright, but please hurry they weren't all that far behind me."

Ok, Wayne I've got to hang up now, but don't panic. I'm watching you over the satellite. My people will be there shortly." Jonathon listened for a moment as he watched the image on the screen in front of him. He could hear Wayne exhale heavily before placing the receiver back into the call box.

Jonathon turned to Alex and Jeffery, "Right, now then this man is probably one of my oldest friends. He left active service after we found out about Alex and young Charles, but now he needs our help. I want you two to transport in here." Jonathon pointed to a small ditch just to the left of the roadway. "From there no one can see you come or go. From the look of things there I don't think you can expect any trouble, but on your way to the transport center get a pair of TPR-3 pulse rifles from the armory. And make sure they are set to heavy stun; I don't want any casualties on this one. Understood?"

"Yes, sir" both Alex and Jeffery said together.

"Alright, get moving and guys, do be careful. I don't want anymore black stars on my hands." Jonathon smiled.

Alex and Jeffery turned and hurriedly left the room.

It wasn't long before Alex and Jeffery stood on the transport pads with pulse rifles in hand. The transport officer looked out from behind his control console, "Ready gentlemen?" He queried the pair. Alex and Jeffery looked at the weapons they carried checking the power settings one last time. Satisfied that the setting were indeed correct they nodded almost in unison to the officer. "Aright then," the transport officer said as he tapped the controls in front of him, "standby. Transporting you now." As the words left his lips he pushed and held the execute key. Two pairs of parallel light bars appeared beside the two knights, and a low hum filled the air in the room. A short second later Alex and Jeffery were standing in a ditch beside their target area. Both rifles snapped up to the shoulder of their owner. Alex and Jeffery slowly scanned the surrounding terrain through the infrared scopes of the pulse rifles. Their search turned up that only they and their objective where in the area. The pair lowered their weapons and dashed up the small rise onto the road shoulder. Their sudden appearance startled Wayne who sat crouched on the ditch side of his car. It took only a second for Wayne to realize whom the two where and he stood up to meet them. Alex and Jeffery walked toward him rifles cradled in their arms but at the ready all the same. "Lieutenant Wayne Bourne." Alex said more as a statement than a question.

Wayne nodded in reply, "Good to see you again Alex." He said hesitantly extending his hand.

Alex regarded him coldly for a moment before he shifted his rifle to his left hand and taking the hand offered him. "It's good to see as well Wayne, we've missed you on the knights. Let me introduce you to the one who took your place after you left, Lieutenant Commander Jeffery Tunstan. He's also a werewolf."

Jeffery hoisted his rifle onto his left shoulder and held out his hand. "A pleasure to meet you Wayne. From what I've heard I had some big shoes to fill when you left."

Wayne shook Jeffery's hand and smiled for the first time at the complement Jeffery had paid him, "Thanks Commander, I'm sure you've filled the gap very well otherwise Jonathon wouldn't have spoken so highly of you."

Jeffery returned the smile as Alex again shifted his rifle to access his wrist comm. Alex activated his communicator and was greeted by the face a young ensign, "How may I help you commander?" the Ensign asked.

"This is Dark Knight One put me through to Dark Command." Alex replied.

"Yes, Sir transferring you now."

The screen blanked for a second before Jonathon's face appeared. "We have the package sir." Alex said.

"Excellent, you had no trouble I trust," Jonathon replied. Even though he was looking at an overhead view of the area from a satellite, he just wanted to hear it from Alex.

"No, sir we've had no trouble this run. But what do you want us to do with the car?" Alex said pointing back over his shoulder with the pulse rifle he carried. "I mean we can't just leave it here. Sooner or later it will get noticed and questions will be raised."

Jonathon lent back in his chair thinking about Alex's comment, he was right of course they had to do something with it. "Well," Jonathon started, "we can't just push the car off the road to look like an accident. Without a body the pursuers would start searching the town and we can't have that. And we can't use Sat strike because of the scorch marks it would leave." Jonathon though for a second, then suddenly leaned forward on to his desk. "Have Jeffery put his spare comm. patch on the car. The transport system can lock onto that and we'll just bring it back here as well."

Alex nodded his head in agreement. "Why didn't I think of that." He thought to himself. "Ok, we'll be ready to go in sixty seconds. Standby." Alex said.

"Roger, Dark command switching you to Transport control." Jonathon said before transferring the active comm. line to the transport control officer.

Alex turned to Jeffery and Wayne; "Jeffery put your spare comm. patch on the car there. We're taking it with us."

Jeffery nodded and reached inside the long over coat that he wore. It took him a moment to find the small comm. device in the inside pocket. After he located it Jeffery stepped over to the car and clipped it to the roof before switching it on. Satisfied that the device was in place he nodded to Alex and stepped back to were Alex and Wayne stood waiting. After Jeffery was back in formation Alex lifted his wrist comm., "Transport control, Dark Knight One ready for transport."

"Standby Dark Knight One," came the reply. "Have you locked. Transporting now."

A second later the parallel light bars appeared around the group as the transport sequence began and it was only a few seconds before the group found themselves standing back at ASL headquarters.

The transport officer looked up from behind his console, "Welcome back gentlemen." He said with a smile. Alex lead the way as the group stepped down from the transport pads, "Thanks Lieutenant," Alex remarked. Alex and the rest of the group turned to leave but the transporter lieutenant called after them, "Commanders if you don't mind Captain Ford asked if you would meet him in the council room."

Alex turned to look the lieutenant in the eye; slowly he drew in a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. "All right, tell him we'll drop this gear of back at the armory and be there in five minutes."

The lieutenant nodded and disappeared round the slight corner back to his station to contact the captain. Alex lead Jeffery and Wayne to the armory, where Alex and Jeffery left their pulse rifles and traded the stealth overcoats they had worn on mission for their normal uniform jackets. It wasn't long before the trio was making their way to the council's conference room. Alex and Jeffery removed their hats as they entered the room; most of the high council was there already save Commander Shasta, who was commanding the SD Tiberian on re-supply runs between bases two and three. Wayne was taken aback as he looked around the faces of the high council. Most of the people he knew, the same faces that had asked him to stay nearly a year ago looked at him now. The eyes held the same look of compassion now that they had back then and Wayne found it hard to remember why he had wanted to leave so badly. One change did catch Wayne's eye however, Jonathon was sitting right of center, when he had left Jonathon had been head of the high council since the groups conception all those years back. Alex and Jeffery made their way around the side of the council bench and mounted the few steps to the row of seats. As Alex and Jeffery made their way along the row to their seats the rest of the council stood together in respect for the chair of the council. Alex and Jeffery reached their respective seats and Alex looked along the row at the gathered members, "Please be seated gentlemen." He said before taking his seat. The rest of the council waited until he had done so before retaking their seats.

Jonathon rose from his seat and nodded to Alex, who returned the gesture as a sign to go ahead. "Gentlemen, Members of the High Council," Jonathon began with respect, "Nearly a year ago we lost one of the finest officers and fighter pilots that I've had the privilege of knowing. Now that Silver Star has returned to us and I think I speak of everyone here when I say we would like to know why." All along the row heads nodded in agreement. "Well Lieutenant Wayne Bourne you have a few questions to answer, but before he start with that," Jonathon continued, "I want you to see something." Jonathon lifted a remote control from a ledge on the bench in front of him a press a button. A section of the wall opposite the council bench changed to become a giant view screen. On the screen was an image taken from an orbiting satellite, the image showed Alex, Jeffery and Wayne standing by the side of a quiet highway. "This is a replay of what the satellite Geosat. 26 recorded around the time you got back, as we can see Commander Alex and Lt. Commander Jeffery are just getting ready to transport back with Wayne." Jonathon pressed another button and the image began to move as the video played back what happened after the trio had left. As the imaged continued to run Alex and the group disappeared between the transporter bars. Shortly after the lights of the transport bars vanished a pair of cars rolled into the satellites view. Jonathon paused the playback at that point, "Do you recognize these vehicles Wayne?" Jonathon asked already knowing the answer. Jonathon zoomed in on the cars so Wayne could see more clearly. Wayne looked at the screen for a moment before responding, "Yes I know them," he said, "they are the one's who where chasing me."

Jonathon nodded and let the playback continue until the cars passed out of the satellites field of view. After they had disappeared from the screen he stopped the playback and the wall returned to normal. "Do you know who those people were?" He asked Wayne. Wayne just shook his head no. "Well," Jonathon started, "I do unfortunately, they are a group of people who make it their business to track down werewolves. So it's a good thing you remembered my number and called when you did. Anyway Now that we've all seen that I think most of the questions have been answered I trust." Jonathon said pausing to look around at the rest of the council. Heads nodded all down the bench. "Well Lieutenant, I have just one question to ask of you." Jonathon said staring down at Wayne. "What do you want to do now? You know that you are always welcome to come back here. We can always use a good instructor for the simulator or did you have something else in mind?" All eyes rested on Wayne and he could feel the weight of them. Wayne swallowed hard at the lump in his throat, he hadn't been this nervous since the last time he fronted the council. "Well," he started slowly, "I'm not sure at the moment what I want to do. Could I maybe have a few days to think about it?"

Alex nodded to Jonathon, and Jonathon turned to Wayne. "Done then," Jonathon said, "We shall reconvene in one week from today. Lieutenant Wayne Bourne for that time you are restored to your former rank. Your quarters are still as they were when you left and your office is still intact." With that final comment the members of the High Council rose and made their way off the raised platform to welcome back a Silver Star. Jonathon was the last to greet Wayne, as the pair faced each other smiles began to part the faces of each. The two old friends shook hands then each pulled the other and they embraced as two friends who haven't seen each other in a long time do. "It's good to see you again comrade." Wayne said.

Jonathon smiled even wider, "And you comrade, and you. Come on, I'll walk you back to your quarters."

Jonathon and Wayne left the council room together through Jonathon's office. It wasn't far to get to Wayne's quarters but the two friends took their time in covering the short distance. They had a lot to catch up on and there was no time like the present. Mostly Wayne did all the talking and Jonathon was just content to listen as his old friend shared his stories about what he'd been up to since they had last seen each other. Then Wayne voiced a very direct question, "So when did you step down as head of the High Council? I thought they'd have to pry you out of that seat after you died."

Jonathon smiled and laughed, "Well some things do change you know."

"That's true, but tell me do you still fly Echo One?"

The smile vanished from Jonathon's face and he took a deep breath, "No, I stopped flying fighters about the same time I stepped down as Chair of the council. I lost Echo One about three months ago now, and I haven't been in a fighter since."

"What could have happened to make you stop flying Jonathon? You had two Alpha's go down on you but it never stopped you from getting back into the cockpit."

"Like I said some things change Wayne. Me for one, just after you left I found the most wonderful girl. Trisha and I dated for about six months and we both managed to hide one secret from each other."

"Well I know what your secret was, but what was hers?"

"You are just as pushy now as you were last time we talked. But anyway, her secret, she is a werewolf." A look of abject shock spread over Wayne's face and the smile returned to Jonathon's. "I know, leave it to me to fall in love with a werewolf. But just the same I love her and she loves me. And just to stop your next question, I found out by accident during a date one night at my house."

"Ok, so here's my next question. How did she find out about you?"

"Well I told her, or rather I showed her my service record. After all how could she trust me with her secret if I didn't trust her with mine."

"So Trisha is the reason you don't fly anymore."

"Well she's most of the reason yes. Two days after I told her we were at Base One and I was slated for a routine boarder patrol with half of Echo squadron. Just after passing the halfway point of the flight I was struck down the left wing by a small meteor and I had to eject. Which was all well and good except for the fact that shortly after that the rest of the ship exploded and I spent the next week in hospital."

"Sooo, you gave up flying after that because you didn't want to lose her?"

"Mostly, but also because she changed something in me. So now I just instruct on the Bravo simulator and manage the Satellite Strike system."

"Well I can tell she changed something in you alright, the old you wouldn't have just given up flying like that."

"No Wayne you missed the point. Oh brother how do I say this, umm I'm a werewolf too now. That's how she changed me."

"Ok, hold on a second Jonathon. When I left you wouldn't have even considered becoming a werewolf."

"That's not entirely true Wayne. I always thought about what it would be like to be a werewolf. I just never brought it up with anyone here. I didn't want to put anyone on the spot as it where. But after the accident I did bring it up with Trisha and she changed me, and you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way."

The pair finished their conversation as the stopped at Wayne's door. "Well Wayne it's late and you need to get some rest. I'll come by in the morning and we'll get you squared away. Also we can stop of a cup of tea, you still take it with lemon and one sugar right?"

"Yes that's right, I'm glad you remembered." Wayne said smiling from his doorway.

"How could I forget, I have mine the same way ever since you left."

Wayne laughed a little before he let the door slide shut between them. Wayne went over to the bed that rested in his quarters; it looked as if he had been there only yesterday. The covers were neat and everything dust free. Wayne pulled back the covers and felt the mattress, just as he remembered it. He quickly undressed and got into bed, the mattress and warm covers felt so good after being on the run for the last two days. Now finally he could relax, now he was safe.

Wayne awoke the next morning to the soft yet incessant beeping of the intercom signal for an incoming call. Wayne lifted his head from the pillow only with reluctance; he managed to find the button to accept the call without really looking before letting his head fall back the comfort of the pillow. "Yes," he said not trying to find his annoyance at the disruption of his sleep.

"Well you must have been tired, it's nearly eight thirty and from the sound of it you're still in bed." Jonathon said through the intercom.

Wayne again lifted his head and looked over at his watch, eight twenty-six, a low moan escaped his lips. "How long have I been asleep?" Wayne asked as he rolled over in bed to face the ceiling.

"Well I'd say about eleven hours give or take," Jonathon replied, "Look, take your time getting ready. I've got some things to do just now, but I'll be by to get you at about quarter past ten. Ok?"

Wayne took a deep breath that was audible through the intercom. "Alright then I'll see you then." Wayne reached over and pressed the disconnect switch, the intercom switched off with a dull click. Wayne brought his watch up into his field of view and set the alarm for nine thirty. Wayne let his arm fall back to the bed after setting his alarm and it didn't take long before he drifted back into a deep sleep. It seemed as if only seconds had passed since he had gone back to sleep but his watch insisted that the time was nine thirty. Wayne sat up in his bed and silenced the alarm. After rubbing his face with both hands he tossed back the covers and swung his legs from the bed. Wayne sat there for a moment his feet resting in the warm carpet, and then placing his hands on his knees he lifted himself off the bed. Wayne made his way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. It didn't take long for the water to heat up and Wayne stepped into the flow of warm water with a sigh of content. He took his time in the shower just enjoying the warmth of the water on his skin. It was nearly ten when Wayne finally turned off the shower and dried off. He was just finishing the last button on his shirt when the doorbell chimed. Wayne turned to face the door. "Come in." He said flatly. The door slide open with a gentle hiss and Jonathon stepped into the room holding a pair of steaming thermal mugs. "Good morning Wayne, I brought you some tea."

"Ah, you are too kind sir." Wayne said a smile parting his lips. He eagerly accepted the mug that Jonathon held out to him.

"Well I thought I'd take you for a tour around the base this morning. It's set to be fairly quiet today since the last of the Echo's left for Base One last night and the next Sat. Strike test isn't for a week. So all things being equal we should have all day together."

"So, has much changed around here as far as the layout of the place since I left?" Wayne asked as the pair left his quarters.

"Not much really, we don't use sub-level two that much anymore because we've expanded up here. We added a couple of new transceiver dishes, but that's about it." Jonathon replied as the walked along a hallway.

Wayne sipped at his tea as they walked, "So how is the Sat. Strike program going anyway? When I left all there was of it was one computer running simulations."

"Well why don't I show you, I think that would be better than just telling you about it." Jonathon said steering Wayne down the corridor to the control center. It didn't take long for the two to arrive at the door to the communication center. Jonathon pulled his pass card from his shirt pocket and slid it through the reader beside the door. The light on the reader changed to green and the locks clicked open. The door slid back with a low hum and Jonathon led Wayne inside. "This is one thing that has changed a fair bit since you left." Jonathon said as they approached the heavy door to the Sat Strike command center. Jonathon again slid his card through the reader just left of the door. It took a little longer this time for the computer to process the information, but the light eventually changed to green and the door slid silently open. Both Jonathon and Wayne mounted the two steps up into the control room in one stride. As Wayne stepped out from behind Jonathon his jaw nearly hit the floor. The program that he remembered as just a single computer now comprised of nearly a dozen dedicated consoles and screens, with technicians moving around most of them checking this or fixing that.

"Like I said," Jonathon remarked smiling, "This has changed."

"I'll say." Wayne stammered recovering from the shock.

Jonathon noticed Lieutenant Amanda working on a nearby console, "Amanda, could you come over here for a second." He called out.

Amanda looked over her shoulder at the two standing there and stood up stretching her back as she did so. Amanda moved thorough the maze of people and equipment with the grace of a jungle cat. Wayne was immediately struck by her grace in how she moved and it was all he could do to stop himself from staring at her as she approached. "And how can I help you this morning captain." Amanda said politely.

"Well Amanda actually I just wanted to introduce you to a friend of mine who is returning to service here. Lieutenant Wayne Bourne I'd like you to meet the Sat Strike project manager and key to its success, Lieutenant Amanda Murray."

"A pleasure to meet you Lieutenant Bourne." Amanda said, her smile proving she really meant it.

Wayne was held captive by her lighting blue eyes, but he managed to pull himself together and work up a response. "The pleasure is mine, Lieutenant Murray." He said bowing at the hips slightly.

Amanda laughed lightly, "Oh, don't be so formal. The only people who call me Lt. Murray are the junior ensigns that work for me. Everyone else calls me Amanda."

"Well Amanda," Jonathon broke in, "Would you be so kind as to show Wayne here around the center for me? I have something I need to do."

"Sure, no problem Captain. Well Wayne what would you like to see first?" Amanda said. "Well, um, you're the expert around here, the last time I saw this project it consisted of one computer."

Amanda took Wayne by the arm and began to show him around the center. Jonathon smiled as the two walked away. Seeing that they would be all right he turned and left the control center, sneaking one last look before the door closed behind him.

Amanda showed Wayne around the center, taking every opportunity to point out the little details that she knew so well. Wayne took an active interest in everything Amanda showed him, partly because it was just his nature but mostly because he found the systems and the system manager very fascinating. Amanda too had taken an interest in this handsome new person and purposely stretched the length of time it took to explain some of the finer points.

"You certainly know most all there is to know about this system don't you." Wayne said more as a joke than anything.

Amanda laughed and smiled wide, "Yes I suppose I do, but then again that's my job." She said with a slight shrug.

A soft chuckle sounded from a nearby console. Amanda and Wayne looked over to where the sound came from a young ensign was doing his best to stifle his giggles and failing badly. "Some you'd like to add Ensign?" Amanda said, a dangerous glint in her eye. The ensign swiveled his chair to face the pair slightly. "Well sir," the ensign started, "Just don't let that smile of hers fool you. When it comes to this system Lt. Murray here is can be more of an animal than Jonathon on a full moon." The ensign laughed again. Amanda lashed out with a swift movement to slap the ensign in the back of the head. The ensign saw the move coming and ducked under Amanda's hand as it swung by, only to crack his head on the glare shield of the monitor. He leaned back in his chair hand on his forehead a low moan escaped him.

"Ha, serves you right." Amanda snapped, but she still felt sorry for the young man. Amanda looked around and saw Erin walk into the command center. "Hey Erin." Amanda called out.

Erin walked over to Amanda and Wayne, "What's up?" she asked.

"Erin would get an icepack for the ensign here for me, please."

Erin looked over at the young man still holding his head as he lent back in his chair.

"No problem. Be right back." Erin said before hurrying off down a row of workstations. She returned a few moments later with an icepack wrapped in a hand towel. "Here you go ensign." Erin said as she handed him the pack. The ensign took the icepack from Erin and placed it to the head, "Thanks, Ms. Prior." The young man said, then added "Next time I'll have to look where I'm ducking."

Erin smiled and patted him on the shoulder before she walked away. Erin smiled at Amanda, "Any other minor medical emergencies before I get started?"

Amanda laughed and shook her head. "Oh, before you rush off. This is Lieutenant Wayne Bourne, he's a friend of Jonathon's."

"Ah yes, Jeffery mentioned you the other day. So how are you settling back into things here?" Erin said smiling.

"Not to bad so far. Amanda here was just showing me around the command center here."

"Well you couldn't have a more qualified tour guide. Amanda has practically built this thing herself. In fact I think she's more of a night person than I am. Anyway I'll see you around Wayne. I'm going to start on imaging three Amanda, but take your time."

Amanda blushed slightly and waved Erin off. Amanda turned back to Wayne, "Anything else I can show you?" She asked seeming almost shy.

"How about a good place for lunch." A voice chimed from behind the pair. Amanda and Wayne spun around to find Jonathon leaning against a console with his arms folded across his chest.

Now it was Wayne who looked a little embarrassed, "How long have you been there?" "Oh, long enough," Jonathon said straightening up, "I was coming back to take you to lunch myself, but Amanda could use some time off. How long have you been here today?"

Amanda looked at the floor as she thought for a second. "Since about five I think."

"Well that settles it. Amanda you are to take Wayne here out for lunch, and if I see you logged in back here before fourteen hundred I'll suspend you to make you take time off." Jonathon said before turning to Wayne. "You have to keep an eye one this one, she's more of a lady of the night than any werewolf. Now the two of you get out of here, Erin can handle things until you get back later."

"Yes sir." The pair of lieutenants said together grinning from ear to ear.

The door to the command center slid silently shut behind the pair as they walked off, Jonathon looking after them. Hand in hand the two walked the corridors of the base for a while going nowhere in particular. After a time Wayne looked at his watch, "So where's a good spot for lunch. Cause I'm starved." He laughed.

Amanda looked to the ceiling of the corridor and beyond into the canopy of the rainforest that surrounded them. "Well," she said after a moment, "the lookout at Knight's Peak is a good spot if you want a view or there is a nice little beach in a cove around the island if you prefer a picnic."

"So it's either a good view or a quiet picnic by the sea." Wayne paused for a second, "I know we'll do both." Amanda started to say something but Wayne put his hand up to stop her. "No, no here me out. We can take in the view from Knight's Peak this afternoon and save the quiet picnic for tomorrow."

Amanda smiled showing off her perfect teeth, "Lieutenant Wayne Bourne are you asking me out on a second date?"

Wayne smiled and pulled her closer to him, "I know it's normal to finish a first date before planning a second, but then again I'm not normal. So yeah I guess I am."

Amanda stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, "Well in that case I think it's a lovely idea."

Wayne smiled, "I hoped that you might say that." He said with a slight laugh. Wayne placed his arm around Amanda and the two walked off down the corridor bound for a quiet lunch and a great view.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at the elevator for the lookout post of Knights Peak. Amanda was just reaching out for the call button when the arrival chime sounded and the doors slid open. Amanda and Wayne stepped aside as the lookout crew left the elevator. "Flight Ops finished for the morning have they?" Amanda asked one of the lookouts.

The lookout half looked back over his shoulder, "Yes, Lieutenant. The tower is all yours, but if you don't mind could you close the blast shields when you leave."

Amanda and Wayne stepped into the elevator, "No problem." Amanda called to the retreating lookout as the doors closed. She pressed the button for the upper lookout level and lent against the wall as the elevator started its climb. The ride up the mountain passed in silence. It seemed to take forever for the elevator to reach its destination, but at last the machine came to rest with a soft bump and the chime sounded signaling their arrival. Wayne and Amanda stepped off the elevator into the lookout station; Wayne grabbed the nearest two chairs and pushed them over to the center table. Amanda looked around the station and it didn't take long for her to realize why the lookout had asked her to close the blast shields. They had all been left up, the officer obviously know they were coming. "Jonathon," Amanda thought, "He must have told them we were coming. That spying sneak." Amanda thought for a second the just shrugged mentally oh well at least she didn't have to put them up before lunch.

"So what's on the menu this afternoon?" Wayne asked leaning on a chair back.

Amanda smiled ruefully, "I assume you're a carnivore." She said giving him a quizzical stare.

"Oh, you have no idea." Wayne said a playful grin spreading across his face.

"I was hoping that you'd say that. So how do you like your steak then?" Amanda retorted.

"Just a shade under medium rare thanks." Wayne said.

Amanda smiled and stalked over to a wall-mounted panel. She pressed a few buttons and in a few moments the room began to fill with the delicious aroma of tender sirloin steak. Amanda turned around a plate in each hand, each plate with a large juicy steak with a serve of mashed potato and a helping of steaming vegetables. Wayne licked his lips as Amanda set the plates on the table. The smell of the food even tasted good. Amanda sank into the chair opposite Wayne as he poured a glass of water for the both of them. "Well," Wayne said raising his glass, "Here's to old friends and to new partners."

Amanda raised her glass and bowed her head slightly a gracious smile on her face. The pair started in on their respective plates as they ate Wayne asked Amanda about some of the things that could be seen from their high vantage point. Amanda explained everything in great detail to him some of the time she didn't even look but described the object perfectly from memory. Amanda stopped midway through a sentence when she noticed Wayne snickering slightly as he looked at her. "Something funny?" She asked flatly.

Wayne just shook his head as he tried to get back his composure, "I don't know how you do that." He said.

"Do what?" Amanda questioned.

"I asked about an object that is directly behind you and you sat there and described ever detail of it without even looking. I don't know anyone with a memory that good."

Amanda just shrugged and took a sip from her glass, "That's one of the reasons I'm head of the Sat strike program I suppose." Amanda said putting down her glass. "That and I have very good eye sight, it doesn't matter if I'm looking at a computer screen or through binoculars. There isn't much I miss; Jonathon keeps saying I have werewolf eyes. He's just being nice I guess."

Wayne sat back in his chair gazing at Amanda, almost looking through her. A smile crept slowly over his face.

"What?" Amanda said looking at him.

"Oh nothing really, I was just trying to imagine you as a werewolf that's all."

"That's not funny." Amanda said giving him a level stare.

"What? I think you'd look very lovely as a werewolf, nice soft dark brown fur and golden eyes, a bushy tail. You'd be the envy of the base."

Amanda couldn't help but smile at his description of her as a werewolf. "Aright that sounds nice, but I work nights anyway."

"Actually from what I've heard you work nearly all the time anyway."

Amanda started to reply but as she thought about it he was right. By this time the two had finished eating and Wayne removed the plates on other utensils from the table. Amanda walked over to a control panel and selected the blast shields for the windows to the down position. Heavy armored shingles started to cover the windows from the bottom up. As Amanda and Wayne entered the elevator the last streams of light from outside faded as the plates locked into the upper lip of the windows. The ride down the mountain passed much quicker than the trip up had. The pair stepped off the elevator still hand in hand and they set off back to the Sat Strike command center.

Jonathon looked at his watch as the door slid open to reveal Wayne and Amanda, fourteen thirty. He smiled to himself and looked up as they cross the short distance between the door and where he stood. "Well Amanda I'm glad to see that you are capable of being away from here without self destructing."

"Well," Amanda started looking from Jonathon to Wayne and back, "I had just the right type of motivation."

They all laughed at her comment and Wayne pulled her closer to him. Jonathon could see the love in his eyes; it was the same look he had seen in Jeffery's eyes when he returned that night with Erin. Jonathon cleared his throat, "Well Amanda, Wayne and I should be letting you get back to doing what you do best. Come on Wayne we have things to talk about." Jonathon almost had to pull Wayne away from Amanda and out the door. Amanda waved until the door had closed behind them before sighing and turning to find where Erin was hiding herself. Jonathon and Wayne walked the hallways for a while before Jonathon spoke up, "So have you found a good reason to stay on yet?"

Wayne took a deep breath and nodded his head, "Oh yes," he said, "And I think I've found a new job to do as well."

"I'm glad to hear that Wayne, I really am. You can tell me all about it tonight over dinner."

"So who's coming to dinner than?"

"Lets see it will be Trisha and I, Jeffery and Erin, You and Alex, and Amanda if you can claw her away from work. She has the night off, but she spends more time in the command center than her quarters."

Wayne smiled wide and laughed at the phrasing Jonathon had chosen to use.

The sun had set well below the horizon and the moonlight shone through the canopy of the forest leaving only scattered pools of light on the floor as Wayne walked beneath the clear ceiling of the rainforest corridor. On this night he had chosen to dawn his old uniform, which had been left in his closet seemingly untouched as if awaiting his return. His jacket was a little tighter than he remembered, but no matter it still fit well enough to look good. He was on his way to pick up Amanda for dinner with Jonathon and the rest of the group, even if Amanda didn't know he was coming. Wayne had passed by the communication center earlier to find out where Amanda was, the young ensign had told him she was back at her quarters. Wayne thanked the ensign and was about to leave when he had an idea, he turned to the young lady and asked her to make sure Amanda stayed in her quarters until he got there. The woman smiled and assured him that she would, giggling at the request. Wayne arrived at Amanda's quarters and pressed the doorbell, "Come in." A voice said from behind the door.

Wayne smiled as the door slid open; Amanda was sitting with her back to the door brushing her long brown hair. Wayne lent against the wall and just looked at her for a few seconds, the brown hair that was normally tied back into a ponytail was now hanging free, its simmering effect only adding to how lovely he thought she looked. Amanda placed the brush on her nightstand and adjusted the mirror to see who had entered. A smile spread across her face when she spied Wayne leaning on the wall. She turned her head to look at him, her hair carving a brown wave through the air as she did.

"Well, I wasn't expecting to see you here." She said standing up and straightening her pant legs. "A call came in from the comm. center saying that someone was coming to see me, but I didn't think it would be you."

"Well I'm just full of surprises aren't I. And I have another one for you, now I know that I was going to take you to lunch at the cove tomorrow but I just couldn't wait. So I thought I would take you to dinner this evening."

Amanda cocked her head to one side slightly, "Well that sounds nice, but where are we going?"

Wayne's smile widened, "Well Jonathon and Jeffery with their lady's said something about meeting down on sublevel two."

"Sublevel two there's basically nothing down there, but hey I'm always up for a stroll." Amanda said pulling the coat off the back of the chair she had just left. Amanda pulled on the jacket and lifted her hair from under the collar, letting fall down her back. She was about to pull it back into its normal ponytail, but Wayne stopped her. "Leave it just the way it is. You look perfect."

Amanda let her hair fall again and hugged Wayne for the compliment. The two set off Amanda switching off the lights as they left her quarters.

The elevator slid to a silent stop and the light for sublevel two lit up. The doors opened to a dimly lit hallway pieces of equipment lying around in a seemingly hap hazard way. Wayne and Amanda left the elevator and walked down the hall hand in hand. The dim lighting ended abruptly outside a door on which a brass plaque read "Lt. Jeffery Tunstan." Wayne knocked on the door and a voice echoed in the silent hallway, "Please come in." Wayne opened the door and both he and Amanda looked in awe. The office was perfectly kept lit softly by overhead lights and in the center a large table with candles flickering in the light draft that found its way down here. Jonathon, Trisha, Jeffery, Erin and Alex who were all seated around the table stood when Wayne and Amanda entered the room. "I'm glad to see that the both of you could make it this evening." Jonathon said ushering the pair to their seats at the table. "And now that everyone is here, Jeffery if you wouldn't mind." Jeffery picked up a small remote that sat on the table next to him and pressed a button. With a gentle hum, only audible in the otherwise silent room, three of the walls around the table seemed to retract unveiling the deep blue waters of the Pacific that lay beyond the transparent Plexiglas. The light of the moon filtered down through the water creating an ever-changing pattern on the remaining wall and floor. It looked as if the walls and floor were alive with the dancing light. The scene was beautiful; even if it had been seen a thousand times it would not fail to impress those who saw it. The now slightly larger group sat down to enjoy their meal beneath both the light of the moon and the candles from the table. Before to long the conversation turned to Wayne and what his plans were from this point onwards. Wayne lightly dabbed the corners of his mouth with the napkin before responding to the question at hand. "Well I was thinking of joining the Sat Strike program, if Amanda will have me on her team that is." He paused to look at Amanda, her smile radiant even in the dim light. "Or," he said looking back to the rest of the group, "I could just be a simulator instructor."

Amanda gave him a light punch in the side under the table for that last comment, but her smile said it was only in jest.

The eyes of those gathered at the table turned now to Amanda, "Well how about it Amanda?" Alex said, "Do you think Wayne would be a good addition to your team."

Amanda thought about it for a second as she watched a large tiger shark cruise by. "I think my team would be honored to have him aboard." She said finally.

Alex and Jonathon nodded almost together, "Well then," Alex said, "I call the council together and tomorrow we'll make it official."

Amanda and Wayne walked silently down the corridor under the dappled moonlight filtering through the rainforest treetops. Hand in hand the only sounds that could be heard this time of night were their footsteps on the hard concrete. The walkway sloped down gently back underground. Before long they arrived outside Amanda's quarters, Wayne stopped and lightly kissed Amanda goodnight. He was turning to leave when a hand rested on his upper arm. He turned to face the owner of the hand; Amanda stood there the overhead lights reflecting in her eyes "Stay the night, wont you?" She said softly.

Wayne sighed softly and let his head fall to one side, "Of course."

He and Amanda just spent the night happy to be in each other's company. The bond shared between them growing deeper all the while. The night seemed to pass all to quickly and in no time at all the alarm clock beside Amanda's bed announced that morning had arrived. A still sleepy hand reached over to shut the thing off, and for the first time in a long time Amanda felt no great rush to get out of bed. She rolled over and found herself looking straight into Wayne's eyes. Those eyes which held only his gentle touch and affection for her. It was a good sight to wake up to Amanda thought. As much as Amanda wanted to stay in bed with this handsome figure duty called for both. For it called her to the command center and the seemingly endless task of working the bugs out of the Sat Strike system before the deadline in two weeks time. For him it called him back to his quarters before a midmorning meeting with the High Council. Amanda smiled at him and he at her, "I think it's time we got up." She said half throwing the covers off the both of them. They rolled out of bed and Wayne dressed for the walk back to his quarters. Amanda appeared from the bathroom for which the sound of running water emanated. "Leaving so soon are we?" Amanda said leaning on the doorframe.

Wayne smiled as he shrugged on his jacket, "Well you have to get to work and I have to get changed and see the High Council this morning."

Amanda took on a disappointed look, "Well then, will I still see you for lunch this afternoon?"

Wayne pressed the button to open the door, "But of course my dear." He said stepping through the door backward, his eye never leaving hers until the door slid closed between them.

Wayne sat in the center of the council room, in front of him on the raised platform of the seating bench was the council. Gathered in full this time as the Tiberian sat in a high orbit and Commander Shasta was able to get away from the bridge. "Lieutenant Bourne," Alex said, "would you stand please."

Wayne stood as he was requested to.

Jonathon stood and nodded down to Alex, who nodded back. "Lieutenant Wayne Bourne it is the decision of this council that your appointment to the Satellite Strike program is approved. Congratulations and welcome back Lieutenant."

Heads nodded their approval and agreement all around the bench. Wayne smiled pleased with the decision even though he had known this was only a formality, just to show it had been done. It was still good to here the words. Alex made his way down from the bench to where Wayne stood. Alex stood face to face with Wayne and removed two items from his shirt pocket, first was a name badge, older in its styling then he new ones. Wayne Bourne engraved onto its face, the second was an ID card with a current picture of Wayne on its front and a magnetic strip on the reverse. Alex stepped closer to Wayne and pinned the badge to his jacket. He then took a step back and handed him the ID card with a handshake. Wayne accepted the card before snapping to attention and saluting Alex. Alex smiled and returned the salute before returning to the bench. Alex regained his seat and folded his hands on the shelf in front of him. He peered down at Wayne, still standing in the center of the room, "Wayne your first shift starts this afternoon from fourteen hundred. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir." Wayne said resolutely.

"Well then," Alex said looking at his watch, "It's basically lunch time and there is a certain lady with whom I believe you have arrangements. You are dismissed Lieutenant."

Wayne stood to attention, saluted and turned to walk swiftly from the room. Commander Shasta rose from his seat, "Well gentlemen, you had better believe we'll have a new werewolf around here before too long. I remember that look in his eyes, it is the same one I saw in yours young Jeffery. When you and Erin got together."

Wayne slid his ID card through the reader beside the door to the Sat Strike command center and entered his pass code, the light on the panel blinked before changing color to green. The locks clicked off and the door slid open, Wayne walked in and looked around the room for Amanda. He found her leaning over a young man's shoulder working on some of the coding that controlled the satellite's orbit. Wayne walked up behind her in an attempt to surprise her, but her keen hearing and his unusually heavy footsteps gave him away and she spun to face him. "So ready for lunch?" she said as their eyes met.

Wayne found that once again her keen senses had not failed to surprise him. "Well as ready as I'll ever be I suppose." He responded. Wayne took Amanda by the arm and the two set off together for Sea Wolf cove and a picnic lunch. As they passed through the communications center Wayne snatched up and old fashioned picnic basket that he had prepared in between his meeting with the High Council and arriving at the command center. They had set out for lunch early this day so there was no great rush to arrive at the destination. Even at the leisurely pace that Amanda and Wayne set out at the trip to the cove seemed to pass entirely to quickly. Amanda found the perfect spot, in the shade of a large palm tree, bent slightly by the eternal breeze that blew across the island. Sea Wolf cove had earned its name because it was the place the ASL first came ashore here in the first ship of their fleet, the ASL Sea Wolf, a Typhoon class sub that had been "borrowed" from the Russian Navy. Wayne spread out a blanket he had produced from the picnic basket. The two sat down and started to unpack the picnic basket onto the blanket. Wayne had truly come prepared for this occasion and the amount of food he had managed to fit in the basket was incredible. Wayne and Amanda sat and talked about many things as they ate. Wayne told Amanda about the meeting with the High Council and how he was now working on the Sat Strike program. As they talked about it they decided that they should try as much as possible to get different shifts so that they actually got work done each day. Soon the time had come to start packing things up and head back to work. The remainder of the afternoon passed quickly as Amanda and Erin showed Wayne what he needed to know to keep up with things. It was well and truly dark by the time Wayne's shift ended, not that he could tell from inside the command center. He arrived back at his quarters and hung his jacket on a hook by the door. He couldn't remember the last time he had worked that hard for that length of time. Certainly not since he had left the ASL before. Wayne was so tired in fact that he almost failed to notice the computer, which had been installed while he was out. Wayne walked slowly over to the desk on which the computer rested and slipped into the chair in front of the screen. He flipped on the monitor and a largely blank desktop came up the background a watermark of the Dark Knights logo. Wayne smiled, "Well that's nice." He thought aloud. One of the few icons that adorned the screen had the word "timetable" written below it. Wayne clicked on it and a spreadsheet came up showing all of his shifts for the next month. He looked down the dates and times getting familiar with the pattern he noticed developing. He stopped when he hit one of the days the following week. It was the first night of the full moon and he was to work the night shift, but that wasn't the problem he found. He could work just as well in werewolf form as he could normally, the problem he saw was he and Amanda had the same shift that night. Wayne sighed, there wasn't much he could do about it at this time of night anyway. So he just slipped out of uniform and hung up his clothes, and pulled back the covers on the bed, his next shift wasn't until noon so he could get a good nights rest.

Amanda lay in bed awake, as was normal for her. She to had noticed the scheduling that would see both her and Wayne pulling a night shift together the night of the full moon. For her even it was a double shift since she was supervising the afternoon shift as well. The sequence of times didn't seem to make much difference to her, a good thing considering she had requested the change that put her doing double duty and then pulling another afternoon shift the next day. She just wanted to see what Wayne was like as a werewolf. Ever since he had made the comment a few days ago about her being a werewolf herself strange feelings had been running through her head in her dreams and at the few instances when her mind wandered from her job. She did care very much for Wayne, but she wanted to see his other side as well. And who knows she thought just before she drifted off to sleep, maybe she'd make him make good on his comments.

The night again passed quickly, as nights that you sleep often do. Wayne's alarm sounded off at quarter to ten the next morning and was quickly silenced by his hand. Wayne lifted the covers and swung his legs from the bed, the carpet on the floor felt nice and warm, soft under foot. Wayne made his way still half asleep to the bathroom and turned on the shower. A smile split his face, "This is going to feel so good." He thought. It didn't take long for the water to warm and Wayne was in the shower, the constant pelting of warm water having the desired affect as all the muscles that where still tight from the previous day began to uncoil. He took his time in the shower and let the water work the tension from him and wake him up at the same time. Wayne finished his shower and toweled off. He had just wrapped the towel around him when his doorbell chimed. "Hold on a second." He called out as he pulled on his shorts and slippers. Wayne opened the door to find no one outside, instead he found a tray upon which rested a steaming cup of tea and a hot teapot. "How nice." He though to himself this would just clinch the morning, a nice hot shower followed up by a hot cup of tea. Wayne settled into his chair in front of his computer, tea mug nestled between his hands. He placed the cup on the desk next to the keyboard. A close range motion sensor installed in the top of the screen switched the monitor on as he did so. As the screen lit up a small message box appeared in the center of the monitor, "Good Morning Sir" the message read. Wayne smiled as he clicked the message away. He set about customizing his desktop, one directory that caught his interest was a file labeled "Flight Schedules". Wayne opened the file and looked up his old bird Delta five. He found the listing for Delta Squadron and looked up star craft five. To his surprise the ship was currently in hanger three at Headquarters and would be there for the rest of the week. "I'll have to go down and see her again." He thought to himself. The alarm on Wayne's watch brought him back to the present, he looked at the time eleven thirty. He'd just have time to grab breakfast on the way to the command center. Wayne rose from his seat and pulled on his uniform jacket, before snatching up his tea and heading off. It was five minutes before midday when Wayne swiped his card through the reader next to the door. The locks unlatched with a click and the door slid open. As Wayne stepped through the door Erin and Amanda were crosschecking their duty sheets for the shift change over. Erin was just coming on as shift manager and Amanda was just leaving, Amanda spotted Wayne as he entered and called him over with a wave of her hand. Wayne walked over and smiled at the two ladies, "Good afternoon Lieutenant and Ms Prior." He said.

Amanda smiled and Erin giggled slightly, "Oh, don't be so formal Wayne, my name is Erin and if you keep calling me Ms Prior I'll have to start calling you Lieutenant Bourne."

"Well if you insist, Erin it is then." Wayne said smiling. He turned to face Amanda, "So you're off then?"

Amanda looked down for a second before responding, "Yes, I've got some work to do down in the maintenance hanger this afternoon. But I'll catch up with you tonight for dinner."

Wayne nodded as Amanda left the room the door clicking shut behind her. He turned back to face Erin, "So where do he start today Erin?"

"Well," Erin started, "We need to have a look at the codes controlling the satellites alignment. After each shot the satellite drifts slightly and it causes havoc with the targeting and imaging systems."

"Lets get to it then." Wayne said extending an arm inviting Erin to lead the way. Erin took the invitation and proceeded down a row of computers and workstations. The rest of the afternoon and evening where a flurry of activity as Erin and Wayne check system after system looking for a way to stop the drifting of the satellite under its own recoil. Before Wayne knew it the alarm on his watch sounded signaling the end of his duty shift, he straightened up and stretched his back. The previous hours of standing over a control console had not done him any favors. But the day had been a moderate success in the scheme of things, He and Erin had managed to reduce the problem somewhat. Erin thanked him for his time and he pressed the release button for the door. The door slid open and had he not looked before taking his next step he would have run straight into Amanda on the other side of the door. "Well what good timing," Amanda said wrapping her arms around him, "I was just coming to get you." They both laughed and set out for dinner.

Dinner that night was a rather private affair with just the two of them the candles on the table and the stars in the night sky, cloudless thankfully. Amanda voiced her thoughts, "I see we have a night shift together next week." She said between bites.

Wayne half choked on a mouthful. "That's right," He said, "But what brought that up?"

"Well I know that you're a werewolf and next week is the full moon."

"True, but if you have a problem with working with me in werewolf form I can request to have my shifts changed around." He said, sipping at his glass.

"No, no. In fact it's just the opposite. I was just wondering what its like being a werewolf that's all." Amanda responded quickly.

"Well what do you want to know?" He said.

Amanda asked him question after question about anything and everything. Wayne did his best to answer all of her questions. After dinner the two of them wandered through the network of corridors that crisscrossed the rainforest on the island. The light of the three quarter moon left puddles of light on the floor through the canopy as they walked. It was quite late by the time Wayne left Amanda at her door, but neither of them had a duty shift until the next afternoon so it was of little concern. As Amanda watched Wayne's retreating back her resolve to see the other half of him was strengthened by his answers over dinner. And the thoughts that invaded her head about being a werewolf herself where harder to dispel as a mere fantasy this time. And as she drifted to sleep that night dreams of her and Wayne running together filled her mind's eye.

The next week pretty much flew by and the way the scheduling was set up Wayne and Amanda had very little time together. But what time they did have in between shifts or meetings they spent together growing closer with each occasion. But soon enough they found themselves awaiting the nightshift that first night of the full moon. The shift didn't start until twenty hundred and with end of daylight at nineteen hundred that wouldn't leave much time for Wayne to shower and get dressed after his change. As the hour approached Wayne found himself sitting in his quarters at his computer a hot cup of tea steaming away on the desk beside him. Wayne was jarred from his thoughts by an announcement over the base communication network, "Attention all staff Moon rise in ten minutes."

"Well that's new." Wayne thought to himself as he stood up to undress in preparation for the change that would soon befall him. Wayne had no sooner returned to his chair and his tea than he felt the familiar tingling under his skin. The tingle slowly spread and intensified into a general burning all over, Wayne slipped from his chair to the floor. The change was never easy, but it had its benefits. Wayne squirmed slightly on the floor as his body changed into its werewolf form. His bones stretched and muscles reformed adding about five inches to his height. Black fur now covered his body and his back stiffened and arched as his tail emerged and was covered in thick bushy black fur. His face reshaped itself to resemble a wolves muzzle and his ears moved up his head taking on a more pointed appearance. The change slowed and finally stopped, Wayne laid on the floor for a moment his eyes adjusting to the light. Light that had seemed just right a few moments ago was now quite bright. He ran a furred paw hand over his face and down his muzzle, before getting up and resting in his chair. He lifted his mug with a slightly trembling hand and took a sip. He grimaced slightly and thought to himself, "I have to remember to put less sugar in this on full moons. Oh well no sense letting go cold." He swallowed the rest of the contents and stood up. He made his way over to the bathroom; he would be pushed for time to get dried off, dressed and to the command center on time. Wayne put his watch back on as he got out of the shower although he had to latch it five points further out to fit around his wrist. He took great care in toweling off, the last thing he needed was to catch a chill. When he was dried off he walked back to his closet and pulled out his second uniform. His watch just beeped twenty hundred as he stepped up to the door of the command center.

Wayne's sensitive ears could hear the voices through the door and one voice in particular stood out to his ears even as the locks clicked off, it was Amanda tell an ensign what to do with some wiring. The door slid open and Wayne stepped inside, fortunately the door had been designed with the taller then average werewolf in mind. Amanda heard the door open but didn't turn around, and this time his soft padded feet moved soundlessly over the floor and the first thing Amanda knew of his arrival his when his claw tipped paw hand came to rest on her shoulder and his muzzle gently touched her cheek with a kiss. It would have been easy for him to let the kiss slip and nip her cheek. He could tell from the scent of her that she was interested, but she hadn't asked and for him to do so without her wanting it and voicing her opinion as such would be a mistake. Instead he just parted with her and let her turn around, where before she had been looking almost directly into his eyes now she had to look up into them. The eyes had changed their appearance somewhat, the once deep brown were now a warm gold but even in this color they still held the same warmth and affection for her. "Well shall we get to work then?" Amanda said smiling up at him.

Wayne smiled back, this time though his smile contained a lot of sharp teeth, but Amanda had seen many a werewolf smile so she went unfazed by it.

Wayne sat down at the terminal he'd been working at earlier in the week and picked up where he had left off. His slight lack of color perception wasn't a problem looking at the lines of code scrolling across the screen. As the hours passed and things settled in to a routine for the night Amanda sat and looked at Wayne as he worked. For all the physical differences between him normally and now she could discern little else different in him. Wayne half turned to look over his shoulder, "If you have a question to ask Amanda just ask it. I wont bite, unless you ask me to that is" he said with a chuckle. "What are you talking about?" Amanda said.

"Well for about the last half hour or so you've just been sitting there staring at me and sighing from time to time." Wayne said swiveling his chair around to face her.

"Oh, how did you know that?" She said a little startled.

Wayne just pointed to his ears, "One of the things about being a werewolf," he said, "And as for the other well I could just feel it. Werewolves are much more sensitive to the world around them."

"Oh," Amanda said, "I was just thinking that's all."

Amanda was dead tired as the end of the shift approached, yet for the length of time she'd been awake and on the move she didn't show it on the outside. Wayne could sense it however and when the end of the shift came and she had filled in her replacement Wayne elected to walk her back to her quarters, just in case she might slip and fall. As it was he ended up half carrying her the last few yards to her door. Wayne opened the door and laid her in bed, and tucked her in safely. A tired hand reached up from the blanket to stroke his furred check, Amanda's lips moved and only his sensitive ears allowed him to hear her say thank you before she drifted to sleep. Wayne softly padded over to the door and switched off the lights before he slipped out letting the door slid shut silently behind him. Wayne checked his watch; the sun would be rising in twenty minutes so he set off back to his quarters to await the coming dawn and the change in him that it heralded.

The sun had risen and the moon set, Wayne slipped under the covers of his bed for a rest. He welcomed the chance to get a few hours sleep after working the night shift and as his next duty period wasn't until noon he could sleep without being disturbed. Wayne's alarm clock woke him at ten and he rolled out of bed felling rather good after the sleep he'd gotten. Today's tour of duty was only short just twelve hundred to eighteen hundred, he smiled as he pulled on his uniform jacket. After his shift today he and Amanda had plans for a nice dinner at the Knights Peak lookout post. Wayne checked his computer one last time to ensure he had no urgent new messages waiting. Not finding any he left for the command center. After he had gotten back to his quarters last night he had requested that Amanda have the day off and the request had been approved. On the way to the command center he stopped by Amanda's quarters and disabled her alarm clock, she deserved the rest after the previous day's marathon duty shift. She'd wake up in her own time and find the message notifying her that she wasn't working today, so he left with a sly smile. Wayne made it to the command center in good time and started to work early. He wanted to get the subsystem he'd been working on for the last two day's finished and out of the way. Time seemed to drag on as he scoured the lines of coding that filled the screen in front of him; this was proving to be hard than he'd originally hoped. There was one line of code in there somewhere that was causing him grief, that one line of bad data was keeping him from correcting the last bit of drift in the satellite. Wayne was on his second cup of tea as he stared at the screen, all the lines where starting to blend together so he lent back in his chair and rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands as he took a few deep breaths to relax. He sat forward again elbows on the desk, hands folded under his chin. He didn't hear the footsteps that stopped behind him, and he gasped in shock when he felt a pair of hands rest on his shoulders. He tilted his head back and found himself looking straight up into Amanda's smiling face. He smiled back, still a little confused by her presents at the command center. "What are you doing here?" Wayne said as he spun his chair around. Amanda just shrugged her shoulders, "Well I was just on a walk and thought I'd drop in and say hello."

Wayne decided that a short break from starring at the computer screen would be a good idea, so he and Amanda walked over to get a drink. Wayne just toped up his tea and Amanda poured herself a hot coffee. They talked for a little while mainly about their plans for dinner that night. Amanda, however, just could not resist bringing up work. Wayne started to go into his problem but stopped, giving Amanda a little glare. "You are on a day off today miss. So there will be no more talk of work." He said.

Amanda gave him a mock hurt look. "Oh all right then. Well I let you get back to it and I'll head for Sea Wolf cove I think."

Wayne leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek before they parted. He watched as she walked off down the corridor. She turned a corner and was gone, Wayne sighed and returned to the command center and his computer screen. The hands on the wall clock had just ticked over to seventeen hundred when Wayne stumbled across the problem line of code. He had passed it at least three times today but this time it jumped out at him. He changed the things that where causing the problems and replaced the code into the system. Wayne told the system to run a diagnostic and sat back, well pleased. After about fifteen minutes the computer returned the results of the diagnostic, "No errors found." Said everything he wanted to hear. Just to be sure however Wayne started a firing simulation on his computer. He went from initial system power up to firing and securing of the satellite. The system worked perfectly, but Wayne finished the day off with a few more simulations. Each time the system worked perfectly, now if only it would continue to do so during the next test firing. Wayne logged off the computer just as his watched beeped eighteen hundred and its alarm sounded. He stood up and stretched before pushing his chair in and setting off back to his quarters.

It was just after seven thirty in the evening when Wayne's doorbell chimed, he had just finished drying off after a nice hot shower. "Come in." He said, his voice deeper than normal with his werewolf vocal chords still adjusting slightly. Amanda stepped through the door and stopped cold at the sight of him standing there just a towel around his waist. "Hey there." He said bringing her back to reality.

"Hey." she said. Amanda couldn't help but stare; she thought he was handsome in uniform. But now seeing him out of uniform he was just about perfect she thought.

Wayne reemerged from the bathroom in his uniform ready for dinner with the one he cared dearly for. He and Amanda walked slowly hand in hand to the elevator for Knights Peak. When they stepped of the elevator into the lookout post most of the equipment was powered down for the night, save a few tracking screens that showed the movements of commercial air and sea travel in the nearby area. Wayne lowered the blast shields from over the windows, unveiling then brightly stared sky and full moon. Wayne had also preset the menu for this evening before he left the command center earlier that day. Soon the air that moved through the lookout was filled with a delicious heady aroma of roast beef. Wayne placed two plates on the table and pushed in Amanda's chair before taking his own seat. Amanda continued to pepper Wayne with questions about what it was like to be a werewolf; Wayne did his best to answer them again, but managed to stop the flow with his final comment. "Well how about I show you first hand?" he said, Amanda's expression changed instantly and see dropped the subject. But in her mind she told herself, "I was hoping you'd say that." She asked about his day at work, but he wagged a claw tipped finger at her saying, "I told you before no talking about work on your day off. You work to hard as it is; you're going to burn yourself out one of these days if you're not careful. But why don't you tell me about your day?"

Amanda told him about where she'd been that day. Wayne just sat and listened intently as she told him all about it. They finished dinner and just sat looking out one of the large widows for a while. The moon was very bright and it reflected off the calm waters that surrounded the island. Wayne spotted some movement out in the water and pointed it out to Amanda who grabbed a nearby pair of binoculars to take a look as well. Amanda spotted what Wayne had pointed out as the arching back of a diving humpback whale broke the surface before disappearing again beneath the shimmering waters. Amanda leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, his soft fur warm on her skin. Later as they reached outside her quarters Amanda stood on her tiptoes and kissed Wayne's cheek. He smiled his big werewolf grin back down at her and kissed her in return. "Stay the night." She whispered in his ear as he leaned in close.

"Of course." He whispered back, as he stood up.

Amanda and Wayne cuddled on the floor of her quarters just happy to be with one another. Amanda rested her head on his shoulder again her eyes half closed. He rested his head on hers. Amanda felt safe and warm with him there beside her, "You know I'll take you up on that offer." She said quietly.

Wayne lifted his head and looked down into he blue eyes, "What offer?" he asked puzzled.

"Well," Amanda said her eyes never leaving his, "You said you'd show me first hand what it was like to be a werewolf." Her smile lit up her face.

Wayne couldn't believe what he was hearing, "Are you sure about this?" he asked holding her by the shoulders. He didn't really have to ask the question the look in her eyes and her smile told him she really meant it. "Are you really sure that you what this? Being a werewolf isn't an easy thing. It has its down sides you know."

Amanda sighed and for a moment Wayne thought she was reconsidering but she looked deep into his eyes, "Working on a little island in the middle of the ocean and having to be away from your family all the time is just as hard as well. That's why I work as hard as I do. It's how I get by out here. Besides I'd be in good company. I mean I've got you and Jonathon, Trisha, Jeffery, Erin and Alex to help me with the downsides if need be."

Wayne had to admit she had a good point. "If it's what you really want, I mean more than anything else." He said.

"It is." Amanda said leaning back against him.

Wayne sighed, as much as he had hoped she might ask he was also deeply concerned for her. "Close your eyes." He whispered in her ear.

Amanda closed her eyes and Wayne kissed her on the nape of her neck before he sank his teeth into her shoulder. Amanda gave a low moan at the pressure on her skin. Wayne released his grip on her shoulder and just held her in his arms. Amanda could already feel a tingling under her skin in the area where Wayne had bitten her. The tingle built and spread to every corner of her body and it developed into a fiery heat as brown fur began to emerge through her skin. Wayne jus held her as the change progressed through her body changing muscle and bone, shifting form and shape. The change worked it course slowly as it was with him the first time. But soon enough the change finished its work and where once had been a lovely young woman now lay a beautiful werewolf covered in soft shiny brown fur. Amanda's eyes fluttered open, there previously bright blue now a warm gold. She tried to speak but struggled to find her voice, a tear welling in her eye. "Shh," Wayne soothed wiping the growing tear away with his paw hand, "just give it a minute. You're still adjusting to those new vocal chords."

Amanda's bushy tail moved slowly across the carpet and she found her voice finally. "So," she said still crackling slightly, "How do I look?"

"Wayne's smile widened and he pulled her close, "You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He said as he lent down to kiss the bridge of her muzzle. They spent the rest of the night just holding each other and helping Amanda get used to her new form.

The next morning the pair of lovers where awakened just before dawn by the base communication system warning of the approaching sunrise. Wayne and Amanda shifted back together and took the opportunity to take a nice hot shower together before getting the day started. After their shower the two got dressed and made their way over to Jonathon and Trisha's quarters to let them know what had transpired that night. Jonathon just smiled and told her he was happy for her, while Trisha embraced her with a big hug. Wayne and Amanda also stopped by the base outfitter to order a new uniform for her. The officer that saw them smiled and promised to have it ready before sunset that evening. Both Amanda and Wayne got the day off and so they took the chance to walk along the beach at Sea Wolf cove and stroll through the rainforest corridors. Later in the afternoon they were back at the outfitter to pick up Amanda's new uniform. On the way back to Amanda's quarters they ran into Trisha and where asked if they would join Jonathon, Jeffery, Erin and her out on Knights Peak that night. Wayne and Amana of course agreed to be there. It was late in the evening and the full moon shone brightly over head. Silhouetted against the night sky six figures now sat atop Knights Peak, their fur waving in the night breeze. Both Wayne and Amanda thought not for the first time and certainly not for the last this was home and the one sitting next to them was the one they would gladly spend the rest of their life with.

The End... for now anyway!