Actually wrote this last year (May 23, 08) after the passing of an elder pet who took her last breath in my arms. Maria and Ace are my own creation. Rest goes to Dick Wolf.

Sure, let's add Kidney failure to the list, Maria thought bitterly to herself as the Vet explained the added health problems that plagued Ace, her elderly Rottweiler. Being her partner and friend since the day he was a puppy, Ace sat next to her and his deep breathings were the only signs he was still with them. His once strong and powerful muzzle was now pure as snow from age and his muscular body was now bony from added illnesses.

"I hate to tell you this, but at this stage of his life, he may not last the rest of the week." The Vet sat down beside Maria and placed his hand on her shoulder, "If I was able to help him without causing more harm, I would. But...he's so far from us now, there's nothing we can do except wait." He handed her the chart that showed what was starting to fail in his system, having known that she was able to understand the charts and knew what to look at.

Leaning on her knees as the information sunk in, Maria's green eyes moved to look at her dying friend. "Is he in any pain?" The vet shook his head as his answer and she resumed to stare at the floor. What the Hell am I going to do? And how the devil am I going to say this to John? Reaching her hand down to stroke the top of his head, Maria fought off the tears that threatened to fall since the day she noticed Ace not eating or drinking the past week. "How...how long does he have again?"

"With the kidney failure, along with the heart murmurs, he may not last the week. Whether he does or not, I would like you to call me, okay?" He kept his hand on her shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze for some comfort. "If you have any questions for me, any at all, please call me any time, Detective."

Nodding without responding, Maria stood up and slowly moved the aging dog out of the room to where John was sitting. Moving his attention from playing with someone's Cocker spaniel, John could clearly see that something was really wrong with and he stepped forward to pay for the fee, rather then having her do it. Waiting before talking about the situation, John bent down and lifted Ace into his arms with ease. Since he lost weight with his added problems, Ace was easier to pick up and carry out into the car.

Once Ace was comfortable in the backseat, a comfortable blanket placed under him, both sat in the front seats in silence. Buckling up and starting up the car, John glanced over to see Maria staring out the window and broke the silence carefully. "What did the vet say?"

Releasing a long sigh, she turned her head slowly away from the window, "He mainly said that his kidneys have started to fail and, with the state of his health, he may not last the week. The only good thing is that he's not in any pain or I would have had him put down. There's no possible way I can stand watching him suffer after what happened to Alex." Maria clenched her jaw and turned away from him to stare out the window again. "I mean, I know he's an old dog - really old for his breed- but knowing what is now wrong with him, I feel better knowing with what we are dealing with."

Slowing down at stop light, John reached a hand out and grasped her hand, pushing his long fingers through her tight fist. "It's going to be alright, Maria." She turned her head to look at him, her eyes staring blankly at him. "It will be, sweetie. I told Cragen of what was happening while you were with the vet and he understands if you need a few days off to be Ace." Watching her from the corner of his eye, he felt her grasp his hand hard as she went back to staring out the window again. She trying to hide her emotions again.

It was one thing that bothered her more then anything. Maria would try so hard not to show her emotions to anyone, but it would always show through during difficult times. With this new drama happening when Ace's health, it was hard to keep it in. Releasing John's hand so he could properly drive, she turned her head to see Ace fast asleep in the back, his front paws under his large head. Giving him a small tap to see if he really was still with them, Maria gave him a sad smile when he opened one dark eye.

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Once the car had been parked and John carried Ace to her apartment, the wayward dog slowly made his way to his bed in the corner of the living room, a soft thump when he laid down and fell back to sleep. "I don't know," Maria started once she tossed useless mail into the shredder, "Ace and I have been together since he was a pup. He never wondered away from me, he knows more commands then the Government and he's...he's my friend and companion, John." She clenched her jaw tight to keep her own emotions in check as they slipped into the dinning chairs.

John tipped his head to one side as she rested her chin in her arms, her eyes avoiding his. "Talk to me, sweetie," he whispered, reaching across the table and taking her hand. Her fingers were now cold to the touch and it broke his heart watching her struggling with this tragedy that was they both wanted to avoid. Seeing she wasn't going to speak at all, John stood slowly and headed to the kitchen, warming a cup of water for tea.

Placing the warming tea in front of her, John watched as her blank eyes glanced at the mug and a hand reached out for it. Sitting up enough to take a small sip, Maria gave John a small smile and gave a soft, "Thanks."

Smiling as he reached across the table and grasped her hand, John waited as she took a few more sips of the warm tea before asking once again. "Baby, talk to me."

"I just...I don't know what to do," she replied softly as she rested her chin on her arm. "What am I going to do, John?" Her voice cracked with emotion as the realization started to sick in.

Moving his chair closer to her and keeping a good hold of her hand, John wrapped his free arm around her and said softly, "I don't know. But, I'll figure something out for us and him."

To be continued...