High in orbit, the sleek, silver transport ship glided toward the interstellar cruiser Ramora, tilting gracefully as it aligned itself with one of the huge vessel's many docking bays. On the Ramora's bridge a voice came over the comlink. "Ramora, this is Transport 47 requesting permission to dock."

Linda, the space cruiser's communications office, checked the transport's angle of approach. "Permission granted. Please proceed to Entry Port 7."

Trevor stood on the bridge of the Ramora, looking out through the giant forward viewport as the space transport disappeared beneath the ship. He leaned over the communications officer's shoulder to view the passenger manifest. "So, Linda, who do we have today?"

Feeling Trevor's stare over her shoulder, Linda shifted discreetly to try and block his view, "Trevor, should you even be on the bridge?"

"Hey, I'm the tour guide to the stars. I want to know who my next clients might be." Trevor folded his arms on the back of Linda's chair and rested his chin. "Besides my view of the passenger list doesn't show pictures of what they look like."

"What does it matter what they look like?" the young woman replied, "So long as they have the credits to pay for your services you should be happy." She smiled slyly. "Or are you getting lonely for a familiar face?"

Trevor grinned. "You and I are two of a handful of humans on this entire ship. Your familiar face is all I need to make me happy."

Linda chuckled. "Too bad it's only my face that makes you happy."

Trevor tried to conjure up a snappy comeback, but just then he caught sight of a face that quickly flashed by as the manifest scrolled on. Trevor bolted upright. He had seen so many alien passengers of all shapes and sizes that he was almost sure he had seen them all. But this face startled him, so much so that for a moment he thought he had only imagined it. "Wait! The passenger manifest… Go back!"

"Sorry Trevor." Linda shifted in her seat again. "Peep show's over. Besides it's downloading, I can't go back."

"Gotta go!" Trevor exclaimed and just like that he was out the door.

Linda watched with puzzled expression. As soon as the passenger manifest finished loading she scrolled back and stopped at the passenger she suspected Trevor had wanted to see again. "Oh yes! I can see why this one caught your eye."

***

Trevor entered the upper level of Entry Port 7's receiving area just as the passengers began exiting from the newly arrived transport.

A voice boomed over the intercom, "Welcome to the Ramora, Galaxy Tour's finest luxury space cruiser! We will be leaving the Altuvan system in just under 2 hours and will be arriving at Meldon Space Station in 3 days. We hope you will enjoy your stay aboard the galaxy's largest and most luxurious space liner."

Trevor peered intently at the passengers as they passed below. They were the usual assortments of aliens that Trevor was familiar with, along with the odd few that he had never seen before, but the one he was looking for was nowhere to be seen. Trevor began to think that his first impression had been correct. Not that he had hallucinated the image he saw on the bridge console, but that he had at least remembered it wrong. He waited as the line died down, until no more passengers were coming. Trevor shook his head in disappointment and left.

Moments later a tall, lone figure emerged from the transport passage, slowly making his way to the registration platform in careful, measured steps. The receptionist looked up at the large furry creature who handed her his ticket. An ID chip, planted in his body before the trip, transmitted the confirmation to her console.

"Welcome aboard Sir, You'll be staying on deck 16 in cabin 23." The receptionist gave the passenger his badge and instructions to his room. "Have a wonderful cruise!"

***

On the other side of the ship, outside Docking Bay 3, Trevor looked into a retina scanner mounted on the wall. In response, the bay door rose open with surprisingly little noise considering its size. Inside the bay was Trevor's pride and joy, and Galaxy Tour's ultimate vessel in space tourism, the Star View. Trevor eyed the beautiful craft, running his hand gently along her smooth, cool corillium hull. This was his ship. He had sunk everything he had into her. She offered him the means to visit the cosmos and live a life long dream of being able to fly among the stars.

But years of selling touring services to help pay for his dream was starting to take its toll on Trevor. The excursions from Ramora were becoming routine. Each repeated speech to passengers and all the familiar questions from each new set and was sucking the magic out of his experience. Trevor sighed as he entered the 100-passenger touring ship and began his daily maintenance checks.

The idle mind abhors a vacuum. As the thrill of flying in space wore down, the young pilot had begun to feel homesick for some of the simpler pleasures of Earth. His family back home helped remedy this new problem by sending numerous photo-plates of landscapes and wildlife. As he worked, Trevor looked up on the walls of the maintenance hatch where he had placed much of this collection. Among his favorites were the pictures of the big wild cats of Old Earth. He had images of tigers, cougars, snow leopards and a variety of others, but his favorite was the African Lion. There was just something so majestic and proud about that beast. It made him shiver every time he looked at their pictures. He had only ever heard of these beautiful creatures in history class and seen holograms in the museums, but if time travel were possible he would have traveled back in time where they were alive and roamed the Earth just to view their beauty in the flesh.

***

It was getting late and the Ramora was preparing to leave orbit. Trevor made his way to the forward bar as the ship's light-speed engines began to hum. His body tingled as the inertia dampers kicked in, preventing the passengers from becoming jelly due to the intense acceleration. The sensation quickly subsided as the cruiser drifted off into the heavens. The lift he was in stopped and the doors opened. "Welcome to Starlight Lounge" an electronic voice chimed as Trevor entered the lavish room.

The dimly lit bar and lounge seated 200 guests comfortably and lay beneath a ceiling of transparent corillium that held a breathtaking view of the sky. Many of the booths along the outer wall also had full floor to ceiling viewports that made this particular lounge a favorite with the tourists. The soft ambient music they chose to play at this location was too alien for Trevor's taste, but the more exotic and wealthy passengers seemed to enjoy it.

"Trevor!" the reptilian bartender yelled as he approached the long counter. "You're doing your rounds early today."

Trevor smiled and leaned against the railing. "No, Rokk, not till tomorrow. I'm just here for a drink before I turn in". Trevor noticed the smile on Rokk's oversized snout reached way behind his almost scary slitted eyes. "You seem in a good mood. Have you been sampling a few of your own concoctions?" he inquired jokingly.

"Don't be silly. I just enjoy my job," Rokk stated as he picked up a glass and started to wipe it with a towel. Trevor always thought this behavior was strange since Rokk had a machine that washed the glasses for him. The bartender continued. "I've known you for many years and I remember a time when you used to be very excited about the start of a touring season. You couldn't wait to get out there to be among the stars and share your knowledge with your passengers." The lizard's smile melted away. "That glow is gone now and I wonder if you have been out here too long."

Trevor shuffled a little nervously. "I still love my ship and my excursions, Rokk. Maybe I'm just tired. Sometimes I do think there's something missing, but I haven't been able to figure out what."

Rokk rolled his eyes and grinned. "How old are you and when was the last time you…" he lowered his voice. "…bedded a mate?"

Trevor was a little startled by the question, but this was Rokk after all. "Are you offering?" Trevor grinned and started looking over his friend behind the bar. "Because you know, you are looking pretty handsome tonight with your vest half fastened like that."

Rokk laughed, hitting Trevor lightly on the head with his enormous tail. "We both know I would have to be pretty drunk before you get a piece of this bartender's tail." They both laughed. "You would have better luck with that Melgonian party over there who, by the way, were inquiring about a tour for tomorrow."

Trevor's interest peaked. "Excellent! My first catch of the day, and I didn't even have to do any salesmanship. I owe you one."

"You owe me a hell of a lot more than one and I have it on your tab," Rokk replied with a smile as he filled a glass and handed it to his friend.

"Don't worry, you'll get your cut even if I..." Trevor's heart leapt to his throat and he nearly dropped his class as his eyes fell on a lone figure sitting in the far stall next to the port viewing area. It can't be, Trevor thought to himself. This must be a dream. The manifest, the pictures on my wall, the long days in space. I must be seeing things.

The bartender's voice interrupted Trevor's thoughts. "You okay there?"

"I'm not sure. Tell me, what... who do you see over there at the port view stall?"

Rokk looked over. "I see a large brown fur..."

Trevor heart pounded and his stomach flipped over as he cut the startled lizard's reply short. "It's a lion!"

"A what?"

"A lion... I mean a lion man... alien lion... at least it looks like a lion. I don't..."

"Hey! Relax." the bartender comforted Trevor, "I don't know what a lion is, but I am sure he won't bite you. They don't let monsters on board, you know," he chuckled.

Trevor just gaped as he took in the passenger's form. It was large, about 7 feet tall and very well built. The fur was light tan with what looked like a short dark mane, like the ones in his photos of the younger male lions. The features were so similar Trevor couldn't believe what he was seeing. The lionman was magnificent and regal, like a stone monument just staring out into the stars, as if almost perplexed by them. His clothing was simple and understated, very unlike all the posh and garish attire most of the passengers wore on these trips.

Trevor saw that the lion's glass was empty. "What was he drinking?"

"Just water. Why? What do you have in mind?" the bartender inquired with a slight grin on his muzzle.

"Give me a glass... make it two and put it on my tab."

Rokk filled two glasses with the precious liquid and slid them over to Trevor.

Trevor thanked his friend, then moved almost clumsily towards the lion, trying to think of what he would say once he got there. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a Melgonian male appeared in front of him requesting information on the shuttle tours. The alien's high pitched cackling language translated through the device around his neck. "Excuse me sir, my friends and I are interested in…"

Trevor cut him off abruptly, then remembered that he had to be polite. "I am very sorry. I'll be just one moment. Please..." he never let the alien continue but turned and put his attention back to the lion still sitting at his stall staring at the stars. Trevor reached the table and just stood there, silently holding the cold glasses.

The handsome creature seated in the booth turned his gaze from the diamond specks in the sky and looked over the human standing before him. "Is one of those for me?" his low voice rumbled softly.

"Yes!" Trevor blurted out. "I mean... I saw your glass and... You speak English!? I mean... I'm sorry. This is for you." He placed the glass down on the table and slid it over to the furry creature before him.

The lion looked up at him once more and took the glass, "Thank you."

Trevor took a deep breath and tried to relax, "My name is Trevor. May I... would you mind if I joined you, sir?"

Nakanna glanced around the room at the empty booths and tables nearby, then back at the twitchy human wanting to sit with him. He turned his stare back at Trevor and his nostrils flared for a moment. "You smell nervous. There's nothing to be afraid of. My name is Nakanna. You may join me if you wish."

Trevor put his glass down and sat across from Nakanna, not taking his eyes off the handsome creature. "I'm sorry, I'm a bit nervous. I've never seen lion be..."

"A lion?" Nakanna interrupted. What looked like a smile crept across his giant muzzle. "A lion..." his voice tapered off as his gaze moved towards the window again.

Trevor swallowed hard, afraid he had insulted Nakanna. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to... It's just that back on Old Earth, we used to have creatures that look like..."

"…I do, Nakanna finished his sentence. He nodded, "I know of them very well."

"You know about the lions of Old Earth?"

Nakanna turned his attention at the inquisitive human. "Even as a youth I have been fascinated by the stars and by alien races. I studied many alien cultures, and human history fascinated me the most. When we learned about your world's animal past, it brought many questions to my world about our own origins."

Nakanna pause to take a drink. Trevor just sat there wide-eyed. Nakanna continued, "There are two schools of thought among my people. One believes that species from Old Earth may have been transplanted on other worlds so they could evolve naturally without the interference of human civilizations." He paused for a moment, staring back out to the stars. "Others believe that a Great Spirit planted similar seeds on many worlds, to see which ones would evolve naturally and peacefully." His stare moved towards Trevor once more.

"Which do you believe?" Trevor asked

"I know which one I want to believe" the lion's voice tapered off as his stare moved back to the stars.

"They are so beautiful and vast from up here. So many..."

Trevor noticed the lion's composure change and decided not to pursue the matter. He waited for a moment, took a deep breath and adjusted his posture. "I am the pilot of the tour ship here. If you would like to see those stars closer, I would..."

"I am afraid my ticket only covers my accommodations. I don't have any more credits." The lion's gaze never moved from the view port.

"I would like to do this for you, Nakanna. This would be on me." The lion made what looked like a puzzled face. Trevor plowed on. "I mean on the house... free!"

The lion's gaze turned back toward the nervous human. "That is very kind of you but I..."

"I insist! Just be at Docking Bay 3 tomorrow morning at 9 and those stars will put on a show you will never..."

Trevor's sales pitch was cut short by an irate Melgonian male accompanied by 3 others quickly approaching and cackling so fast their translators could not keep up. Trevor got up. "Excuse me Nakanna, this will just take a moment".

Trevor moved to intercept the aliens. "I am so sorry!" he exclaimed as he moved the creatures back to their own stall, "Yes the tour is on schedule for tomorrow morning at 9..." He caught himself. "No, not in the morning, in the afternoon. If you make your reservation at the front desk, I can slate you in for the afternoon." The Melgonians settled down as Trevor handed them some brochures from his pocket.

But when he returned to the booth the lion was gone. Trevor looked around the room hoping to spot him in the crowd, but there was no sign of him. Trevor decided to it was time for him to leave too. It was getting late and he had a big day tomorrow, assuming the lion took him up on his offer.

***

A buzzer sounded, jolting Trevor from a deep sleep. The vast fields and sunlit horizon of the African planes melted away into the cool dark world of his cabin. Trevor lay there remembering walking nude among the majestic lions as if he were part of their pride and best of all, Nakanna was there by his side as they walked hand in paw into the African sunset. His memory was once again disturbed as the buzzer sounded a second time. Trevor looked across his room at the digital readout over his door. The call woke him an hour before he had to get up. Heaven only knows what wonders would have awaited him and Nakanna during that hour.

Trevor slowly pulled himself from the bed and looked at the caller ID. "Mornin' Linda. Why the wake-up call?"

"I am very sorry Trevor," Linda's voice sounded from the device. "The captain is demanding an explanation as to why today's tour flight was canceled. We have an unhappy, not to mention very wealthy, Melgonian client ready to bite his ass off, literally."

Trevor swore under his breather. He should have realized something like this would happen. "I missed the pre-launch maintenance check before leaving port and I need to give her a proper shake down before we start touring. It's regulations. He knows the procedure."

"He also knows this is supposed to happen before we leave port."

"It's still early. Uh, I'll report to the captain immediately after the check and straighten this out."

"I'll relay the message, and try to calm him down for you." Linda whispered into the comlink. "Good luck with your new friend."

"Thanks Linda." Trevor smiled as he clicked off the COM and headed to the shower. He was awake now anyway. Besides, if he could reenter the wonderful dream it would probably end with an angry horde of Melgonians chasing him and Nakanna over a cliff.

***

Trevor made his way down the passage heading towards his ship. The events of yesterday's encounter with the handsome lion man flooded his mind. What if I came across as an idiot, a gawking, maybe even insulting fool? Nakanna was being polite but he never did say he would take me up on my offer. What if he...

Trevor's thought jolted to a stop as he turned the bend and nearly ran straight into the 2 metre tall furry creature waiting patiently at the hanger entrance. "Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention," Trevor blurted out.

"No need to apologize." Nakanna's low voice replied. "Although I hope you will focus a little more when you are in the cockpit."

Trevor noticed what looked like a slight smile appear on the lion's face as he spoke. Trevor relaxed. "Don't worry. I'm not allowed to put any of the cruise passengers in danger. I think it's in the rules somewhere." Trevor instantly regretted the joke, but was surprised to see the lion's smile broaden even more and the corner of his dark outlined eyes wrinkle. It sent a warm sensation through Trevor's body.

Trevor gathered himself and looked into the scanner. The door slid open and Nakanna gazed into the vast hanger at the impressive tour vessel inside.

"Welcome to the Star View, Galaxy Tour's fastest and most luxurious touring machine!" Trevor's proud voice resonated. "After you."

Nakanna stepped into the hanger followed by the eager pilot. Trevor noticed his guest's attire was different from yesterday. Nakanna wore a partially unfastened sleeveless jacket that revealed his powerful tan-furred shoulders. The jacket ended just above his navel exposing the soft lighter fur on his belly. His long tail extended from a hole in the back of his pants and swayed side to side as he walked slowly towards the ship in the hanger. The lion was noticeably impressed, his gold eyes widening with each step.

Trevor continued his spiel, the words pouring out from years of repetition. "Star View is over 100 metres long and holds a complement of 100 passengers in total luxury with ample viewing in the half-dome region there at the back suspended over two 0.5 space warp engines. Those allow us to explore deep into space while staying within range of the Ramora."

"Impressive," Nakanna replied. He looked around at the otherwise empty hanger. "Where are the other passengers?"

Trevor's brain stumbled. "Hey, you're right!" he replied in an overly cheery voice as he looked over the hanger. "I guess no-one else signed up today". He glanced back a the lion who was no longer smiling but staring back at him with nostrils flared and tail moving quickly from side to side.

"You're lying," his low voice whispered.

Trevor saw that he was not angry but was definitely agitated, knowing he was being lied to. Trevor's heart sunk in his chest. He did not want to hurt or insult his passenger. "Nakanna, I'm sorry. I wanted your tour to be special, and the passengers that might have joined us would have spoiled the experience. I saw how much you were enjoying the stars from your seat in the bar. I wanted to show you just how much more impressive they can be."

Nakanna's manner softened, but remained wary. "Why are you doing this for me?"

Trevor paused, wondering how to answer the question. "You looked lonely and I thought you could use a friend on your trip. I would like to be that friend and show you what you came to see."

Trevor did not lie that time, but it was not the entire truth. Ever since he had set eyes on Nakanna, walked with him in his dreams and saw his beautiful smile just moments ago, Trevor knew he wanted to be with him. But he didn't know how the lion would react to such a proposition. Among humans same sex relationships were considered normal, but he knew nothing about Nakanna's species.

Trevor was instantly reminded of a picture that he was quite fond of from his big-cat collection. It depicted a male lion mounting another male lion. It was thought that the bachelor heard would often mate with each other to release sexual tension before finding a female mate. But, what if she never showed up?

"Will you let me do this for you?" he asked.

"A friend?" the lion replied, then paused, pondering the situation. "What would be expected of me in return?"

Trevor knew what he wanted to say, but replied with another response that was also not a lie.

"Just be my passenger."

Nakanna's beautiful smile caressed his face once more. "Then proceed captain," he softly rumbled.

Trevor's heart leapt in his chest. "Right this way! Please, no pushing or shoving. There's plenty of room for everyone." He chuckled as he led his guest up the plank into the Star View.

Nakanna followed the blabbering captain into the ship. "This way," Trevor said as he lead the lion to the flight deck. He gestured to the chair beside the pilot's seat. "You get to sit up here for the journey."

The two explorers buckled themselves in and Trevor began the Star View's start up sequence. Moments later the touring ship sailed away from the Remora into the starlit heavens. Nakanna fidgeted a bit as the stars swirled around the ship while Trevor adjusted their trajectory.

"Are you okay?" Trevor asked.

"This is my first time in space and I am still not used to the movements of these smaller ships. I will be… fine," he grunted as he fastened his restraints tighter.

The computer sounded as the ship stopped its rotation. Trevor skillfully orchestrated the controls and the engines replied with a violent shudder followed by an ever-increasing rumble and vibration.

Nakanna dug his claws into the seat arm rests, trying to maintain his composure. Then he noticed a glowing gaseous cloud in the distance through the forward viewscreen. "Is that our destination?"

"Yes," replied Trevor. "The Valcorn Nebula is a favorite among the tours. It's quite a sight close up."

The engines maintained a steady hum and the vibration subsided. Trevor slowly grinned and looked over to his nervous, furry passenger. "Do you know what warping space feels like?" he asked. Nakanna dug his claws in deeper and looked at him with wide eyes. "It feels like this!" Trevor pushed the thruster lever forward.

Suddenly Nakanna felt like he had been thrown backwards off a cliff. His claws tore the seat and his skin tingled as if someone was brushing his fur against its lay. Outside the viewport the stars jittered like a reflection of the night sky in a disturbed pond. Then the acceleration began. Nakanna's eyes widened in horror and he felt his weight press against his seat as the stars before him stretched into a vast tunnel of light. The sensations slowly settled as the ship began warping to its destination. Nakanna took a deep breath, pulled his claws from the seat and regained his composure. He looked over to Trevor, who had been watching him the entire time.

"I love watching first-timers," Trevor teased, grinning widely at his nervous passenger.

***

During the trip Trevor and Nakanna conversed, learning much about each other's background. Trevor was fascinated and wanted to take Nakanna all in, to know everything about him and become part of his life. He gathered up the courage to ask the question he had wanted to ask form the beginning.

"Why did you come on this cruise alone? Don't you have someone back home you wanted to share the experience with?"

Trevor regretted the question when he saw the lion's expression change.

"This trip..." Nakanna started, then paused. "We are a technically advanced people, but we prefer not to leave our world. Rather, we tend to stay in one place and live together with no outside interference. Our knowledge of other worlds grew as traders came. That is how I was able to learn about your civilization and people. Many of us came to admire the travelers and longed to travel in the heavens, but it was a luxury none of us could afford alone."

The lion turned his stare away from Trevor and his voice softened. "We are technically advanced," he repeated, "but not in all areas. This trip was a gift from my people."

"A gift?"

Nakanna turned his gaze back to Trevor. "A gift, a request, so to speak, granted only to a special few."

"Then you must be very special indeed to have been granted this request, to visit with us here among the stars."

Nakanna did not smile. "You could say that."

Before Trevor could continue the computer sounded as the ship approached its destination. "Where did the time go?" Trevor muttered as he loosened his restraints and gestured the lion to do the same. "Follow me."

Nakanna followed Trevor into what looked like a large domed auditorium. There were 100 seats of various sizes, each seat looked like it could be adjusted to accommodate almost any life form.

"There are no view ports," the lion exclaimed as he noticed the bare inner wall of the dome.

"View ports only give you a small window to the world outside. The Star View will take you outside." Trevor walked over to a console and tapped on the controls. 98 of the 100 seats disappeared into the floor. "This is your seat," Trevor pointed to one of the two remaining chairs. "I will join you once I position the ship. And don't worry about the deceleration. It's not as bad as the acceleration."

Nakanna noticed the grin on Trevor's face. "You're lying again," he murmured.

"Yeah, I am," Trevor chuckled as he entered the passage to the flight deck and the door closed behind him.

The Star View disengaged from space warp and the maneuvering thrusters fired, positioning herself just right. Trevor returned to the auditorium to see Nakanna retracting his claws from the now torn seat. "And now, for the moment you have been waiting for," Trevor announced as he sat down in the seat next to the lion.

The auditorium section of the ship slowly darkened as the ambient light emanating from the inner dome faded and the seats reclined back. Trevor and Nakanna sat in total darkness with only the sound of the nervous lion's breathing. Then it started. Slowly Nakanna's eyes noticed a slight glow appear all around him but he could not make out the source. It seemed as if it was coming from beyond the dome. His golden eyes adjusted as the light grew stronger and a web-like pattern appeared. It grew in strength and as the brightness increased Nakanna could make out clusters of brilliant color. He clutched the armrests once again as he looked around the room for a reference point. There was none. The dome was fading away to total transparency and the ship was hidden behind the light absorbing floor.

"This is not a projection." Trevor whispered to his friend. The dome was now completely transparent. "You are looking at the Valcorn Nebula directly with your own eyes. It's almost a light-year across and is powered by a single star system. The light emanating from the gaseous..."

Trevor stopped as he looked at his passenger sitting in awe beside him. Nakanna was not interested in the scientific explanation to what he was seeing, but like a child exploring a wondrous new discovery, was lost in fascination. Although they were almost a light-year from the cosmic event, the brilliant threads of brightly colored lights engulfed the lion's entire range of vision. He slowly reached out one of his paws longing to tough the splendor that lay before him.

Trevor sat silent watching the lion bathed by the light of the nebula, open mouth and wide eyes beaming with wonder and fascination. Then Trevor noticed something he did not expect. The fur under the lion's eyes darkened as tears moved over his cheeks. The lion softly whispered.

We come from the light. We go to the light.
Though the spaces between are huge and dark,
Let our love fill them so that they too might shine.

Trevor did not know how to respond, so he just sat silently gazing at the beautiful sight, the sight of the lion man sitting next to him.

***

Three hours later the Star View entered the hanger of the Ramora. The large bay doors glided to a close and the hanger filled with air. As the Star View's gangplank opened, Trevor looked over to his passenger who was resting back in his seat, a slight smile and a look of wonder still emanating from his face. The lion had been like this for the entire journey back to the cruise ship.

Trevor's heart pounded at the sight of the beautiful creature resting peacefully beside him. This day was more than he could ever have imagined. The joy he was able to bring to Nakanna warmed him all over and for the first time he was able to really look over his friend's magnificent physique. The warm feeling Trevor was experiencing increased as his eyes traced the fury ripples of the lion's muscular torso down to the bulge that lay between his muscular thighs. Nakanna's form stirred emotions and pleasures in Trevor, ones that he felt in his dreams walking with the lion in the African planes. He tried to suppress the feelings, telling himself this was not the time or place to take this friendship to the next level.

Trevor's attention moved to Nakanna's face as the lion's nose twitched, then flared. Nakanna abruptly sat up and a look of confusion and discomfort overcame him. Trevor's heart jumped as the lion turned a cold stare towards him, then just as quickly turned away.

"What's wrong Nakanna!?" Trevor blurted out, not knowing what was upsetting his friend.

Nakanna frowned, with just hint of teeth showing between his lips.

"Shall I take off my clothes here? Now?" he grunted. Not waiting for an answer, Nakanna began unfastening his jacket.

Trevor blanched. "What are you talking about? What are you doing? I didn't..."

"Isn't this what you brought me here for?" Nakanna's powerful voice interrupted. "To have sex with me?" The angry lion removed his jacket and hurled it to the floor. Then he got up from his chair and began to unfasten his pants.

"No! STOP!" Trevor yelled. "I told you why I did this. Not to have sex with you. I wanted to..."

Nakanna stopped just as he was about to pull down his pants. "I can smell your lust! I have studied human history. I know that males are mostly sexually driven and are capable of almost anything to satisfy their needs." He paused and his voice softened. "Including deceiving me into flying alone with you and letting my guard down."

Trevor's stomach clenched. "That nose of yours is only feeding you partial information. I didn't..."

"Did you bring me here to have sex with me or to be your passenger?" Nakanna growled.

Trevor's throat tightened and his eyes began to water. The words came hard in his throat "I did not bring you here to have sex with you."

Nakanna grunted. "Then I have fulfilled my obligation as your passenger." He picked up his jacket and stormed out down the gangway.

Trevor's stomach throbbed and he wanted to be sick. What had he done wrong? Did he really bring the lion there alone with the hopes of getting lucky? He could run out after Nakanna, but what could he do to convince him that his intentions were noble. And… were they?

For a long time Trevor reflected on the day's events, tears still streaming down his face. Then he remembered the look on Nakanna's face as they both stared at the nebula. This was something Trevor had wanted for Nakanna, not himself. Trevor wouldn't trade that moment for anything in this universe, and he realized this was not about sex or lust. It was about love.

***

Trevor's alarm sounded, jolting him to reality. He was almost relieved. His dreams the past couple of nights were filled with turmoil. In them he still walked the African plains, but now the lions circled around him, snarling and sometimes snapping at his feet. In the distance he could see a lone figure standing, mane bristling, tail twitching, burning eyes accusing him with their stare.

It had been two days since his flight with Nakanna, and every attempt Trevor had made to contact him had gone unanswered. In his spare time Trevor would search the bars and observation platforms, but it was as if the lion had completely vanished. Trevor was caught up on his touring and the captain now had a happy group of Melgonians roaming the decks. He needed some time off and since the Ramora would be orbiting Meldon Space Station shortly, he thought this would be a good opportunity to look for the lion.

The Ramora glided to a stop several kilometers from the nearest branch of the vast space complex. From his maintenance hatch Trevor activated his manifest program and began scanning the passenger list as they made their way to the shuttles. Hours went by and his eyes strained as the list ended and the last shuttle departed. Nakanna had not left the Ramora to visit the station. Trevor's mind raced and his heart sunk deep into his chest as he feared the worst.

***

The infirmary doors slid opened as Trevor entered the antiseptic room. "Rodin, I need your help!"

The 1 metre tall weasel-like creature was sitting on a stool in front of the countertop in the lab, prodding and dissecting a gelatinous pink concoction with some rather nasty looking hooks. "I'll be right with you, my friend".

Trevor watched as the doctor carefully sliced off a large piece of the glob and slid it apart from the rest. "That's disgusting! What is that?"

Rodin picked up the severed piece. "It's my lunch" he replied as he tossed the chunk into his mouth. "Mmm. That's powerful stuff. Got to take it in small doses. But I doubt you are here to have lunch with me." He wiped his fuzzy mouth, got up from his seat and crossed all four arms across his chest. "What seems to be the problem this time? You know, if you just got yourself a girl friend, you wouldn't need to..."

"No! It's not me." Trevor interrupted. "One of the passengers is missing. I tried calling his room for the past two days and he hasn't responded."

"Maybe he simply doesn't want to be found." The doctor twitched his nose and looked coolly at Trevor. "What's your interest in this passenger anyway?"

Trevor looked away. His tone softened. "I think I may have done something that upset him."

"You've been fraternizing and probably went and said or did something stupid didn't you?" Rodin began to preach. "You know the rules..."

"Look, this is not about me right now. He didn't leave the ship to visit the Meldon colony. I'm worried about him. Can you help me locate him?" Trevor pleaded.

Rodin also knew the rules of passenger privacy. He looked at his worried friend, then took a moment to ponder. "You know I am not supposed to do this." He moved to a nearby console and tapped on the display. "What is his name?"

" His name is Nakanna." Trevor replied. " Thank you Rodin. I just want to know that he is safe."

"Nakanna..." Rodin repeated as he entered the information. The data popped up instantly and Trevor recognized the photo he first saw in the bridge a few days ago. He also noticed a flashing red icon beside Nakanna's image that caught his attention.

"That's him! But what is that flashing thing?"

Rodin frowned. "That is nothing for you to worry about but you'll be happy to know the system has located his transmitter."

"Where is he?"

"He's quite safe and in no apparent danger." Rodin tilted his head at Trevor. "Isn't that all you wanted to know?"

Trevor was relieved Rodin was able to locate Nakanna so easily and that the lionman was apparently okay. But that wasn't really enough. "I need to talk to him."

The weasel looked at the image on the screen and gave what could be considered a smirk to the impatient human. "He is quite handsome. Knowing your fondness for large felines, I can see..."

"Rodin, please!" Trevor interrupted.

"Trevor." Rodin poked a finger to the human's forehead. "Think about it! He's a lion, or at least he certainly looks like one. Where is the one place on the Ramora that you would go if you were a lion, alone, far from home and needing comfort?"

Trevor thought for a moment. Rodin couldn't just give him Nakanna's location, but… Someplace familiar… Then an idea came to him. "Thank you Rodin." Trevor smiled and nodded, then turned to leave.

"Remember, I didn't tell you anything!" the weasel shouted as the door slid closed.

Rodin's smile quickly melted away as he looked back at the flashing icon and pressed it. The icon expanded, revealing more code that caused a frown to appear on the weasel's furry brow. "Be careful Trevor." He whispered beneath his breath. "This could hurt you more than you know."

***

Trevor approached the large doors to the Ramora's botanical gardens. He paused for a moment just outside, gathering himself. The doors glided open, causing an inviting rush of warm, moist tropical air to spill out into the hallway. Trevor had almost forgotten how much he enjoyed that smell as he entered the sparse forest.

The plant-life in the vast room was mostly from Earth, with the occasional bit of alien greenery scattered about. Trevor walked the paths, taking a moment to look up at the beautiful blue sky generated by the holographic light emitters. Along the edge of the garden the "sky" was interrupted by large sections of clear viewports that revealed the black, star strewn sky that really existed beyond this small piece of green paradise.

Minutes passed and Trevor was beginning to worry he may have missed the lion, but then a lone figure sitting under a large tree near a viewport caught his eye. It was Nakanna sitting alone, watching the stars. Trevor slowly approached the large furry figure, struggling to formulate in his head what he would say.

Nakanna turned and looked at him for a moment, then returned his gaze to the stars. "Are they always this beautiful?" he murmured.

Trevor stopped near the patch of grass surrounding the tree. "They are even more beautiful when you have someone to enjoy them with."

The lion's face tightened as if he were trying to hold back tears. He regained his composure.

Trevor folded his hands. "Nakanna, may I join you? I just need to talk to you for a moment. Then, if you wish, I'll leave you alone."

The lion did not answer, but sat quietly staring out into the stars.

Trevor slowly sat next to him. A long moment passed as neither man nor lion said anything, too afraid of what might come next. Then Trevor drew a breath and began.

"Nakanna, I find you very attractive. I don't deny that. As a human, I have a lot of things going on inside me, and one of those things is my heart. Not the organ in my chest, but a part of me that reached out to you when I first met you in the bar. My body may have its own idea of what it would like to do, but my motivations are not driven by that alone."

Nakanna turned and looked at Trevor inquisitively. Trevor paused, then continued. "Your nose told you only how my body felt. It can't read my heart. That is something you will be able to do over time as you get to know me."

Nakanna stared, not blinking. "You just wanted to show me the stars?"

"That's one thing I wanted. I also wanted to get to know you, to learn more about you. I have never seen anyone like you, and that fascinated me." Trevor paused again. "And, yes... I find you attractive. But although my body may want to make something of that, my heart was just drawn to something beautiful"

Nakanna turned his attention back to the stars. "You find me attractive? I am not a human."

"What does that have to do with anything?" puzzled Trevor.

"I am the only one of my kind you have seen, so you have nothing else to compare me with." Nakanna reached in his pocket and pulled out a photo plate. "Here. Here is a picture of my parents." He tapped a claw on one of the icons and the image of two feline creatures appeared on the display. He handed it to Trevor.

Trevor looked at the image and smiled. Nakanna's father was a huge handsome creature with a mane that put all Trevor's own lion pictures to shame. His mother was just as beautiful, but with softer lines. They were mostly naked with just enough garments to cover their private parts, and each wore a stone around their necks. "Now I know where your beauty comes from," the human grinned.

"I miss them very much," Nakanna said softly. He turned back to Trevor. "You once asked me if I had someone in my life I wanted to share this experience with. In a few more years I would have selected a mate and given her my stone."

"Your stone?" Trevor inquired. "Like the ones your parents are wearing?"

"We call them Bonding Stones. They are precious gems, each engraved with the symbol of a family. When the male is of age he is given a stone. When he finds a mate, the stone is broken in two and he would give his mate one half, symbolizing the two being one."

"You said you would have selected a mate?" Trevor asked quietly.

Nakanna's face tightened. "My being here on this ship is the result of something that changed in my life." He cast his gaze down. "I will never have a stone to share."

Trevor did not understand, or maybe didn't want to. But he saw how much the conversation was grieving his friend. "Then let me share more of my experience with you while you're here, Nakanna. I have so much more to show you." A smile moved across Trevor's face as he continued. "And I promise not to ask you to remove your clothes."

Nakanna smiled and his eyes wrinkled. He looked at Trevor. "You really think I am attractive? Enough to want to have sex with?"

"No, I think your dad is attractive," Trevor blurted out. "But you'll do in a pinch."

Nakanna laughed and the sound filled Trevor's heart with joy. "For a human, you are very handsome also," the lion replied.

Trevor heart leapt in his chest at the words his friend spoke. "Then let me take you some place tomorrow that I know you'll enjoy."

Nakanna nodded with a smile, "I would like that. Now I have something to ask you." He pointed to a bright cluster of lights nestled within a gossamer fog visible in the view port. "What is that formation over there?"

"Over where?"

Nakanna leaned towards Trevor, grabbed him under his arms, lifted him over and sat the startled human down directly in front of him. Then the lionman leaned forward and pointed over his shoulder to the bright light ahead. "Over there"

Trevor leaned back onto his friend's chest. "That, my friend, is a stellar nursery," he began. "It's a huge expanse of dust and gas in which stars are forming. Some of these stars will burn very brightly, but only for short time as they burn their fuel too fast. But when they nova it will spread the elements they formed in their cores throughout the nebula, where they will form planets and moons that will orbit the other, longer lasting stars. All complex elements form in the hearts of stars. Everything from the granite in the ground, the oxygen in the air, to the iron in your blood, it's all made of stardust."

"We are all starborn…" murmured Nakanna, placing his hand over his chest.

"Yes," smiled Trevor, imitating the move with his own hand over his heart. "Starborn."

The two sat and talked for hours as the holographic sunset slowly turned to night. Nakanna was fascinated by the complex range of stellar phenomena, asking many questions. As Trevor went on about the gentle push of solar wind and the shrieking fury of spinning black holes, he felt a warm glow well up from within him. So familiar, it was something had hadn't felt in years, since earlier days when he had piloted the Star View toward spinning masses of stellar glory.

Trevor slept well that night and his dreams were once again filled with long walks with his lover among the accepting pride of beasts on the African plains. Only this time the grass beneath their feet turned into a field of stars, and the two journeyed over pebbles of light and interstellar fog toward a glowing horizon.

***

The engines of the Ramora powered up shortly after the last shuttle of passengers returned from their leave. The space station they had stopped at slowly faded behind them as the giant cruiser headed for home base. The Star View had already departed a few hours earlier.

"Where are we going today?" Nakanna inquired.

Trevor turned to his friend and smiled "This is a special trip. I've never taken anyone else here before. The flying conditions are a little rough, and the captain insists that the passengers have a smooth comfy ride"

The Star View slowed out of warp and Nakanna saw a dark featureless orb appear in the main view port. "That is it?"

"This is the night side. We'll be landing close to the northern pole. This world's star never rises there." Trevor steered the ship closer and Nakanna could make out swirling colorless cloud formations in a turbulent atmosphere. Trevor continued. "It will be pretty much black once we enter the upper atmosphere, but there is a clear layer on the surface. Get ready for some bumps."

The ship entered the upper atmosphere and started its shaky descent. Nakanna was noticeably nervous and his claws dug deep into his seat.

"Why are you taking me here? There is nothing appealing about this place. It makes me feel..."

Trevor reached out and put his hand on the lion's paw, not taking his eyes off the instrument panel. "Nakanna, trust me. Not everything is as it appears on the outset. I would never let anything bad happen to you."

Nakanna did not reply but only closed his eyes, hoping the event would be over soon. The ship suddenly emerged from the upper cloud formation and the shaking stopped as it glided in the smoother gas. Nakanna opened his eyes, expecting to see something less horrific, but the view port was only black. Trevor was looking at a holographic display of the terrain below and searching for a place to put down.

"There! That's the place," he said with a smile.

Nakanna looked at the display and a shiver went up his back fur. He could make out a cliff face overlooking a chasm so deep that it did not register on the hologram. "I don't like this place, please take me back." The nervous lion softly pleaded.

Trevor clenched his friend's paw tighter. "Close your eyes and relax, Nakanna. Please, trust me."

The ship soon landed close to the edge of the cliff with the auditorium facing over the edge. Nakanna opened his eyes again but the view was still black and his heart raced madly. Trevor saw his friend was frightened and moved from his seat to comfort him.

"Nakanna, look at me. Don't pay attention to the dark. By the end of today you will thank me. Believe me."

Nakanna took a deep breath and looked into Trevor's eyes. A smile slowly formed on his lips. "Of course," he replied.

"Then follow me." Trevor led the lion through the dimly lit passage to the auditorium. He held the lion's paw, leading him to the middle of the empty room. "Now stay here while I set the controls. I'll be right back." Trevor walked over to the door and tapped on the panel. The door closed and the room went totally dark.

Trevor could hear the lion's deep fast breathing and followed it back to him. "I'm right here, Nakanna," He said in a comforting voice. When he reached the lion he held his trembling paws in his hands.

This was not supposed to be happening. "Nakanna, what's wrong? What are you afraid of?"

"This..." the lion replied in a low trembling voice. "I am afraid of being alone in the darkness... for eternity."

Trevor held the lion close and could feel his pounding heart and trembling paws. "Nakanna, you're not alone. I'm here, and I will never leave you. Close your eyes and feel me here with you. And listen…".

The lion held Trevor closer and closed his eyes. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Listen..." Trevor softly replied. "I brought you here for this."

The two stood in the darkness, holding each other tightly. A small sound began to emanate from the back of the auditorium. Nakanna's ears perked through his mane as it grew louder. It was deep and rippled louder then softer followed by a low hum. He opened his eyes to see a flicker of light emanating from the horizon. As it danced and flickered he heard more sounds, beautiful tones growing in strength. A new sound joined the first as the lights grew in strength. It was a high pitched trill later joined by three more, pulsing in harmony to the light's flicker. As the colors changed so did the sounds. Moments later the entire sky became bathed in a glowing, pulsating rhythm of light and song.

Trevor could feel Nakanna relaxing, pulling hesitantly away, like a child that had clung to someone in fright, slowly overcoming his fear. As he looked up into his friend's face Trevor saw him gazing in astonishment at the spectacle in the sky, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

"What are ... " Nakanna choked on the words as tears began to fill his eyes. "That song… The lights..." He swallowed hard, trying to understand his new emotions.

"Back on Earth we call this Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. Only here they are a thousand times more powerful."

Nakanna began to walk around the room exploring the pulsating choir of light that engulfed the auditorium. "But the song... It's so beautiful! How are you doing this?"

"The lights are doing it." Trevor replied, happy to see his friend now relaxed and enjoying the sensation. "I have sixty sensors aimed at different parts of the sky. What you are hearing is the different gasses in the atmosphere reacting to the solar radiation at each one of those locations."

Nakanna swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to digest the new sensations that engulfed his entire being. "It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen… or heard."

"Each time I come here it is a different song." Trevor approached his friend and once again took his paws into his hands. "This song is for you, Nakanna." He softly spoke looking into Nakanna's golden eyes. "It was never sung before and will never be sung again. Only you and I will have this song to share, forever."

"Thank you, Trevor", Nakanna softly whispered as he placed his velvety muzzle on Trevor's forehead, kissing him gently.

Trevor's heart pounded as though it was trying to escape through his chest. He tried to speak but nothing came out. So he reached around and hugged his friend tightly.

"This means so much to me," said Nakanna. "I came on this cruise searching for answers. I was alone and frightened, filled with doubt and uncertainty. But you have shown the life that dwells in the night sky. Radiant beings whose beauty, warmth and light spans the galaxy."

The lion stepped back and placed a large paw over Trevor's heart. "And you showed me compassion, friendship and love. Something I will be able to take with me and cherish forever, knowing I will never be alone."

Trevor's mind raced, not wanting this moment to end. "I could get you instated as a crew member. I can show you more wonders and we can be…"

"I can't stay." Nakanna interrupted as he pulled the human back to his chest.

Trevor's heart skipped a beat as it sank to his stomach. "But you said you would never be alone. That I, that we would be together forever." The tears began to roll down his cheeks.

"I have to return home and share what I have learned. That was the condition of my gift." Nakanna gazed up to the radiant bands of light dancing above them then whispered. "But we will be together again. I promise".

"I don't want you to leave."

Nakanna held up Trevor's chin. "You won't have to wait long, then I'll be with you always. My time grows short, but before I leave, I have a request of you."

Trevor looked up into the eyes of the lion. "I would do anything for you, Nakanna."

The lion's eyes wrinkled and a smile crossed his muzzle as he leaned forward and whispered the request into Trevor's ear.

***

Later, in the silence of space, on the outskirts of the Valcorn Nebula, the Star View drifted quietly among the webs of light. After a short time the dome like region towards the back of the tour ship faded to complete transparency.

***

Nakanna reached out and held Trevor's head in his paws, leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips.

"I love you."

Trevor's knees weakened as the words spilled over his body like a warm rush of water. He watched with excitement as the lion took a few steps back and began to unbutton his vest.

"You don't have to take off your clothes, Nakanna."

Nakanna smiled. "I know." Then he slid the vest off, tossing it casually to one side. He unbuttoned his pants and, with his golden eyes still locked on to the excited human's, he let them drop to the floor. Trevor's gaze pulled away from the lion's bright golden eyes to explore the lion's magnificent frame.

Nakanna smiled at the awe struck human before him. But one thing still gnawed at him. "You're sure this is completely safe?" he asked.

Trevor regained his composure and walked to the controls. "Completely", he replied.

The nude lion walk to the middle of the auditorium. Trevor tapped a few buttons and seconds later the lion slowly floated off the floor. Trevor watched his lover's beautiful form gracefully bend and twist silhouetted against the aura of the nebula that lay beyond. Nakanna crossed his arms over his furry chest and lowered his head while curling up his legs forming a ball. Then slowly he uncurled himself reaching out in all directions as if trying to embrace the entire cosmos. Trevor patiently waited, enjoying the spectacle that lay before him.

Nakanna spun slowly around to face Trevor and reached out his paws. "Will you join me?"

The eager human fumbled in the zero gravity for a moment before finally managing to remove his clothes. He used the control panel base to push off from and slowly floated across the stars to join his lover. Nakanna reached out with his paws and pulled the human into a warm, full body embrace. Trevor's hands moved across the soft warm fur of the lion's back and made their way to his flowing mane. He positioned his lover's face and as Nakanna did earlier, kissing him passionately on the lips.

"I love you, Nakanna."

***

The weeks went by. After Nakanna left, Trevor's life settled back into its old routine. But now the young pilot hummed to himself Nakanna's song while he worked. His tours of stellar attractions were becoming more popular than ever as word about his enthusiasm for the flights began to get around.

But there wasn't a moment when Trevor didn't think about his leonine lover floating among the cosmos. In his dreams Trevor walked, loved and lived with Nakanna and the great cats of Earth in fields, rivers and mountains made of nebulae and starshine.

The young pilot finished his maintenance on the Star View. But before closing the hatch, he glanced up at the new photoplate hanging among the large cat collection of his lover.

"I miss you Nakanna."

"Am I disturbing something?" a soft voice spoke over his shoulders.

Trevor turned to see Linda standing in the hanger with her hands behind her, practically beaming with excitement.

"Not at all." He replied. "What's up?"

"Let's just say you have a package from your boyfriend," she blurted out like a giddy schoolgirl as she handed him a small box.

Trevor's heart skipped a beat and his stomach tightened as he took the package.

"Well, aren't you going to open it?" Linda beamed excitedly.

Trevor just stood silently for a time. Eventually he said very quietly, "Linda, I think I'll open this in my quarters, if you don't mind."

Linda's excitement quickly melted away. "Oh, sure. Listen, I'm sorry for being nosy. I just, I was happy for the both of you."

Trevor smiled. "Thanks Linda. I'll see you at the bar tonight?"

"I wouldn't miss it. You can talk then if you like."

"Will do." Trevor gave her a hug, then made his way to his room.

***

Trevor sat on his bed and placed the small box on his lap. He had dreaded this moment ever since Nakanna had left, but he had never thought it would be this soon.

Trevor's stomach turned as he removed seal and opened the box. Inside was a letter covering a small object that was wrapped in a soft cloth. As he read the words on the page, Trevor's breathing became difficult and the tears began to stream down his face.

***

The Star View came out of warp and gracefully positioned itself among the stars. As the dome faded away to transparency, the alien passengers were treated to a spectacular vista of radiating beauty.

Trevor made his way to the platform and began to speak. "Welcome everyone to the Valcorn Nebula. What you see before you is almost a light-year across and is powered by a single star system at it's heart. The light emanating from the gaseous clouds has a temperature of over one million degrees, but is spread out thinner than the air that surrounds us in this ship. The nebula itself is made of the remains of a second star that went nova millions of years ago. Combined with the force of the original explosion, the outward pressure from the remaining star is spreading the material into the far reaches of space."

Trevor paused, watching the expressions of the faces of his passengers, seeing in them the looks of awe and wonder that had he had seen in a young lion years ago. And as he had done with every tour since then, Trevor knew the words they needed to hear.

"All complex elements form in the hearts of stars. Everything from the granite in the ground, the oxygen in the air, and the iron in your blood, it's all made of stardust. We are all starborn. Radiant beings whose beauty, warmth and light spans the galaxy. We come from the light. We go to the light. And though the spaces between are huge and dark, love, like the forces streaming from the remaining star, fills those voids so that they too might shine."

As Trevor spoke to the enraptured passengers he held his hand firmly to the center of his chest, pressing against his half of Nakanna's bonding stone.

The End.