Katja Pt. 15

Azlan nodded, "I think he loves Tony almost as much as you." Then he grinned, "Brigitte, on the other hand can't get enough of Ariel."

Ariel laughed, "That's because I'm around all the time and she relates to me better."

Then it was Tony's turn to smile, "I suppose you teaching her how to make all the little males do her bidding might be part of the reason."

Ariel laughed, "Well, someone has to teach her, and Katja said I can get her first dress for her."

They all started to laugh at that, when Callie showed up. "What's all this, someone having a party and didn't invite me?" She leaned down and hugged Tony, then kissed him. Then she did the same to Azlan as he was sitting next to Tony.

Tony smiled, "Hi Callie, why don't you join us? This is my parents, Bryan and Sofia."

She smiled. "Pleasure to meet you." She smiled at Bryan. "I can see where this one gets his good looks from."

She looked at the four males sitting at the table and grinned, "So many good-looking males at one table."

Helen and Ariel laughed, then Ariel said, "I swear Callie, I think it's time you get back to your mate."

Callie rolled her eyes, "Tell me about it." She grinned, "Just let me get some food to take my mind off it, and I'll be back."

Sofia was a little taken aback by what just happened and said, but none of the others paid much attention to it. She mentally shrugged and started eating again.

Callie came back and sat between Azlan and Tony, just having them close to her calmed her down a little. She thought to herself, "Ariel was right, I really need to get back to Brian. Damn, I miss him so much."

Ariel grinned at Callie's antics. She really needed to see her mate, she felt a little sorry for her. She caught Tony's eye and winked. He smiled, then slightly nodded in his mother's direction. He noticed that she had frowned a little when Callie had started playing, then he realized she wasn't used to any of this. Ariel cut her eyes over to her and nodded slightly.

She leaned over and said, "Sofia, they've got something up there you just have to try. It's one of our best desserts. Why don't you come with me?"

Sofia smiled at her daughter in-law, "Sure, why not."

They walked up to the line and waited their turn. "Sofia, I noticed that you seemed a little stunned by Callie's antics. Everything all right?"

Sofia looked at her, then asked, "Didn't it bother you that she was hugging and kissing Tony? I mean it didn't seem to bother any of you."

Ariel smiled, "No, why should it? She was only playing and since she's like a sister to me, she loves him too. She has someone, who'll more than likely be her Mate, when she gets back home. Things like that don't bother us, when we mate, we mate for life, she knows this and was only playing."

She laughed, "I do the same to Erik, I love him for all that he's done for me, Tony and our people. Katja, Callie, and the others at the table are my sisters. Just like I feel the males are brothers. Except the commander, he's an uncle."

"We consider close friends' family, and family's play together. But just so you know, Helen and Victoria asked the same questions you did until they understood. Erik explained how human females normally get upset when another female does that. But once they understood, it was fine.

Ariel hugged Sofia's arm, "So don't be surprised if someone calls you mom and dad, besides Tony and me that is."

Sofia thought about what she was told, it sort of made sense once you knew.

They got their dessert and went back to the table. They all talked for a while, then finished up so they could get ready for when the others got there. As they went outside, Callie twined her arms in Tony's and Azlan's. She smiled and then sighed dramatically as she asked, "I don't suppose your two mates would let me borrow you one of you for a few hours or so?"

As one, Helen and Ariel grinned and responded, "NO Callie, Dress yes. Mate no." They looked at each other and started to giggle.

Callie sighed again and pouted, "Gee, some friends you are." Then she laughed as she kissed Azlan and Tony on the cheek.

Laughing, Helen and Ariel each grabbed one of her arms and carried her away.

Sofia grinned as she watched the three of them. After her conversation with her daughter in-law, she knew the other was joking. So, she joined in the others laughter as Helen and Ariel opened the door to the quarters section and let her down, then the three of them laughed and hugged each other.

Ariel came back over to take her mates arm and kissed him. Tony smiled and kissed her.

Sofia smiled, she could see how much the two of them loved each other. Then she asked, "Dress yes, mate no?"

Ariel and Helen grinned, then Ariel said, "Yes, Katja started it using that with me. I used to ask her the same thing about Erik before I met Tony. So now, it's a running joke with all us."

Helen grinned, "Yeah, it's become sort of a family joke now, it just sort of pops out automatically." Then she added, "It was one of the things I had to get used to, humans look at things like that differently. Normally a human female would get mad and jealous at that type of playing."

She giggled, "We're sort of possessive when it comes to our men. But, I'm so much happier now once I got used to it. There's no jealousy, or bitchy remarks between us, we all live much happier."

Victoria smiled and nodded, "Ain't that the truth. It's really amazing how much happier you are when you're not worrying all the time. We're just all family having fun with each other."

Tony nodded, "They're completely right mom, it took a little getting used to myself. But once you understand it all, it stopped bothering me. Ariel is my Mate, and nothing, absolutely nothing can change that. Though it can be a little rough for both of us when were in a crowd of people who don't understand it. More so for Ariel, than me, her people pick up on that a lot more than we do."

Ariel nodded, "We can sense that type of thing more than humans can because of our background. I'll never forget the first time it happened to Katja, she's younger than I am and it was all I could do to stop her from calling out a few human females for their thoughts and feelings towards Erik. And Erik was almost as bad due to his background.

Sofia looked at her a little confused, "What do you mean, his background?"

Ariel knew she had slipped a little, she looked at Tony and then to Commander Geoff. First Geoff, then Tony gave her a nod to say something.

Ariel smiled, "Well, it turns out that a lot of humans have our DNA in their make-up, some more than others. Erik's genetic background is about a third of ours." She took a deep breath, then continued, "Tony's is about a tenth, that seems to be the average amount for most of the humans that have it."

Sofia and Bryan looked at her in disbelief. Then Bryan asked, "Are you sure? How could this be?"

Ariel nodded, "Oh yes, very sure. They've been tested, and the med tech that did Erik's laughed and said he was surprised that he didn't have fur and a tail. So far, Erik's the only one I know of that high, most are like Tony and Helen."

Then she smiled, "As to how, Erik explains it best. He always says, that one of our ancestors and his must have gotten a little frisky when our people first came here back in the beginning."

She twined her arm in Tony's and kissed him, then smiled saying, "I, for one, can certainly understand that."

Helen laughed, "So can I. Erik and Katja seem to be able to make people understand it more than anyone." She hugged Azlan's arm, then said, "You'd have to be tested to be completely sure, but he explained it to me by asking "Did you ever hear a small voice that told you to do or not to do something, or you just felt something was right or wrong. That type of thing. He said if you do, you probably have some in your background also. It has to do with how the Lyonness can sense things."

Commander Geoff watched as the look of disbelief became greater on Anthony's parents faces. "Ariel, you might want to take them up to your quarters and explain it all."

He turned to Bryan and Sofia, "They are telling you the truth. I think once they explain it all," He put emphasis on the all, "You'll understand it all a bit better."

Ariel and Tony nodded understanding, then Tony said, "Yes sir, I assume you mean "all" of it?"

Geoff smiled, "Yes son, I do mean all. They'll have to know sooner or later."

Tony nodded, "Yes sir, if you think that's the right thing to do, I trust your judgement more than just about anyone's."

Geoff smiled and gripped his shoulder, "Just don't forget to be here when the others come in." He laughed, "I'm sure Joseph will try to convince you again to talk to Erik."

Tony smiled, "Yes sir, I'm sure he will, he normally does. I've told him twice Erik wouldn't agree with it, but he keeps trying."

Tony shrugged and gave Geoff a lopsided grin. "So, I'll ask again if he wants me to, Joseph is a nice guy, he's got his head on straight, which is surprising from what I've seen of politicians. But, he did help push through Ariel's and Katja's paperwork for us."

Geoff smiled, "Yes, he does seem to be one of the better ones. Well, we need to go and make sure everything's ready. We'll see you all later Anthony."

He turned and led Victoria, Helen and Azlan into the main office. Tony grinned and smiled at Ariel, "I really love that guy."

Ariel smiled back, "He feels the same way about you Tony."

His parents still looked confused, so Tony grinned, "Why don't you come up to our quarters so we can talk." He smiled, "The conversation will be interesting if nothing else."

His dad nodded and they followed them up. Ariel keyed in the code and the door opened She walked through and as she did, she asked, "Would anyone like coffee or tea?"

Sofia said, "Tea would be nice."

Ariel smiled and nodded, "I know my mate wants coffee, you too dad?"

Bryan smiled as she called him dad, "Yes Ariel, that sounds good. Thank you."

While Ariel was doing that, the rest sat down in the living area. Bryan looked over at his son, then asked, "Who's this Joseph you and the commander was talking about?"

Tony smiled, "He's the Presidents aide. We met after all the stuff happened trying to settle the Lyonness here. The president and his people stopped by the ship to meet some of the people involved. Joseph was impressed with how Erik handled everything, and of course by putting the blame for all of it were it deserved to be. The President came to thank him personally and Joseph keeps trying to get him to work in his office or to go in to the diplomatic corp. "

He laughed, "Erik told him in no uncertain terms he'd never do that. He threatened to pack him and his up and move to the north pole or Australia." Then he grinned, "Or maybe he'll just buy his own island someplace."

His father looked at him in surprise, "And this aide is a friend or what?"

Tony rocked his hand back and forth, "More acquaintance than friend. I do owe him, he helped push through Katja's and Ariel's citizenship papers through. He asks our opinions on things when he's looking for the "Common Man" feeling, he knows Erik and I will tell him the truth. The president's the same way really, but I've only talked to him that once."

His father shook his head in disbelief that his son just shrugged this all off. Ariel then came back out with a tray with her teapot, mugs, and the sugar and cream. She handed Tony and his dad a mug of coffee, then smiled at Sofia, "I didn't know how you wanted your tea mom, so I just brought out the whole pot."

Sofia smiled at her daughter in-law, pleased she had called her mom. "That's fine hon, I normally only take it with a little sugar."

Ariel nodded, "So do I, this is a blend we normally drink now, it's very similar to our own teas. We've mostly run out of our own, so our food techs made this up from different earth ones, so I hope you like it."

Sofia smiled again, "I'm sure I will, I'm not real particular."

Ariel grinned back as she poured out two cups, "Good, we mostly drink this now, but we've never gotten used to the tea bags the people here use. We like it brewed in a pot, Erik told me a lot of people rather have it that way also."

Sofia nodded, "That's true, a lot of people do. Most of the time, people are in a hurry so they used the bag types. My mother would never drink a cup of tea made from a bag, it had to be loose like this. So, I more less understand."

She stirred in some sugar as she was talking, then took a sip. She smiled and added a touch more sugar. "That's very good dear, a little stronger than I normally have, but that's all right. This kind of reminds me of some Russian teas I've had, they like it stronger also."

Bryan took a sip of his coffee and smiled, "This is very good also, some of yours Ariel?"

She shook her head and giggled, "No, this is one that Erik and Tony drink at home, I think they order it. We have a type of coffee, but you'd hate ours, even our own people dislike it. They do like the earth coffee's though."

Tony nodded, "Yeah, I tried it once, it was worse the military issue stuff we'd used to get."

They finished about half of their tea and coffee, then his dad said, "Now, I believe you had something to explain to us?"

Tony nodded, "Yes sir, but first, what I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room. I think you'll understand why I'm saying this after I tell you the whole story."

His father and mother looked at each other and nodded their assent. Tony took a drink of coffee and set his mug on the table. "Well, you've heard about how we're genetically part Lyonness. Now that's not everyone mind you, we really don't know just how many are. They're not making a big deal out of it, there's enough problems with some groups as it is without them knowing that. Since the average is like ten percent, they figured they take it one case a time if they need to know about it."

Bryan nodded, "That makes sense, but what does that do for the people that are? Like you for example."

Tony thought for a moment, "Well, it lets you sense things a lot more. This is a little hard, I know in my mind what I'm trying to say, but it won't come out right. We're able to connect with others on a genetic level, mind, body and soul or spirt if you will."

Then Ariel said, "Let me try love, when we are Mated, we say to each other, "You are mine and I am yours, we are one." That is correct, we can both sense and feel what the other is feeling, sensing, and experiencing. We are quite literally one. Also, if the conditions are right, we can even "speak" to each other in our minds. That is not so common, like I said, the conditions have to be right. I know Katja and Erik can do it a lot more than we can, because his percentages are so high. And of course, you heard about little Brigette and Geoff."

She took a sip of tea, "Our people, especially the females, can sense when we have found our true mate, there is never a mistake, the males can also, but not like the females. This is because we mate forever. It's a little harder when it's cross species, Tony knew he felt something, but he didn't know what it was at first until Erik, then I, talked to him about it."

They nodded at that, then Sofia asked, "And this happened how? I know you touched on it before, but it's still a little hard to understand."

Tony smiled at her, "Well, you did know that Ariel's ancestors were here a long time ago? Like I said before."

Sofia nodded, "Yes, I read about that, plus they had something on TV about it."

Tony smiled, "Apparently one of their ancestors and one of ours," He waved a finger between him and his mom and dad, then grinned, "Got frisky."

She looked at him stunned, "This is really hard to believe."

He looked at her and grinned asking, "Why? Katja just had the two kids. What do you think their genetic make-up will be?"

Then he grinned, "And so will your grandkids when we have them."

Sofia's eyes went wide as she finally understood. Then she chuckled, "Well I guess that does make sense." Then she thought for a moment, then her eyes went wide again, "Then that would mean, one or both of us would have it to."

Tony nodded, "Probably, maybe, I really don't know for sure, you would have to be tested to know for sure."

Sofia looked at them both, "And what does this mean if we are? What does it do to me if I was like that?"

Tony looked at her and said, "Nothing really. If you are, you've been like this your whole life, and you didn't know it. I would say that being able sense things is the most if the percentages are low. Right Kitten?"

Ariel nodded, "Yes, that's the most basic thing and it might not be that strong if its real low."

Tony smiled and ask his mom, "Let me ask you a question mom, how's your "Women's intuition?"

"What? Women's intuition?" Sofia asked.

Tony grinned, "Yes, Women's intuition. Have you ever said something like, I knew that was going to happen? Or something like, "I sensed that, or I felt it was whatever."

Tony smiled, "I've heard people call that "Women's Intuition." With males, we might say I sense somethings wrong or It smelled like trouble. Understand?"

His mom and dad nodded, "Yes, I see what you mean."

"Also, it let's people on both sides, know if they're compatible." Tony smiled again, "So it's up to you, if you want to find out exactly how much. I'd say it was maybe five or ten percent, that's what I have. They have a theory that there's a lot of humans that might have mixed DNA. But, as I said, since it really doesn't matter all that much, they figure why bring it up."

"But do you realize just how much this ability can help you?" Tony asked. "Think of it like a warning system. If you find yourself feeling or thinking, "No, I shouldn't do that, I don't think that's right. It more than likely isn't. Or you meet someone and say, I think I like to know him or her better, they seem nice. They are." He grinned, "People used to laugh when I said the little voices told me something, that it always kept me out of trouble. I didn't realize it was true until I found out. You understand what I mean?"

His dad nodded, "Yes, I think I see what you mean. It could help in the long run if you know what it is and listen to your own advice.

Ariel smiled, "Exactly right, it's very useful. It's more of the primitive side of us we get from our ancestors. Felines are curious and wary at the same time, so since that's our background, we sort of have the same thing."

Bryan nodded his understanding, then he asked, "Tony, you asked the commander with a lot of emphasis of the word "all" So I imagine there's a lot more you need to tell us?"

Tony looked at Ariel, who smiled and stroked his arm saying, "You need to tell them all of it my mate, they really need to know."

Tony stroked her face and smiled. "Your right kitten, just back me up if I get something wrong."

He turned back to his parents, "Yes, there is more, and I can guarantee that it will be even harder for you to believe or understand. But Ariel was right, you do need to know. What I'm about to tell you needs to stay between us even more than the other."

Tony, with Ariel chiming in or correcting him slightly, told him the whole story about Erik and Katja, and what their children and eventually theirs would be doing for the world along with all the others. He told them about Lucy and how others would also be playing a part. Then adding about other species that would also be settling here, and the likelihood of other humans finding that they may also have part of the others DNA like many have the Lyonness.

Tony finished his coffee, and saw the look of amazement and disbelief on his mother and fathers faces through the whole story. "I know this is all hard to believe and assimilate in one shot. Once we get settled in to our new place, you'll have to visit and see Erik and Katja's children. Once you do, I think you'll understand it better."