I'm back! Here's the next chapter. I hope you guys like it. The reviews have been really encouraging, I hope it continues!

Warnings: nothing to worry about to my knowledge.

Disclaimer: Do we really need to go over this again? Me no own, they no sue.

Chapter 4

Serenity ran with all her might. Tears stung her eyes and clouded her vision as her paws pounded on the pavement. She didn't care where she was going. She didn't care about hitting people running into poles. Nothing mattered anymore. Duke hated her.

"So, just the dog that I was. But, I'm not actually a dog.' The thought did little to calm her. The truth was, Duke directed those hateful words to her. To the person inside of the dog.

"I hate all dogs, including that little mutt." The memory was like a stab in her heart. Making her insides coil together and knot up into tangles of pain and misery. She closed her eyes, pushing the tears out and down her furry face.

Soon, her body couldn't take anymore and she tripped over herself, pushing the embarrassed feeling to the back of her brain. She just sat on her hind legs, cradling her hurt paw, and crying. She didn't know how long she was sitting there, crying and hurting over her heart and paw. She didn't even notice the person sit next to her until he placed a hand on her back. In her panicked state, she thought it was some crazy homeless person and bit down onto the person's hand. Hard.

"Ah! That hurts!" Tristan! Oh my god! How could she have been so stupid to bite him like that? Serenity screamed at herself.

"He was trying to help, and you go and bite him?" Tristan took a few, long and deep breaths to get the pain under control. How could he have been so stupid and scare her like that?

"Are you okay?" a soothing voice surprised her. She looked up to see Tristan, sitting down next to her, holding his arm. Serenity just looked down, too ashamed to respond.

Tristan was dying to talk to her, comfort her, but held back while forgetting about his own pain. He decided to give her some space. She acted a lot like a person, and if he knew anything about people (girls specifically), they sometimes needed their space. They sat like that in silence, Serenity crying while Tristan sat there, making sure nobody stepped on her. After a few minutes, Tristan decided it was safe to at least check if she was okay physically. He saw her trip and it looked like a nasty one.

Serenity felt herself being picked up gingerly by Tristan. She didn't put up much of a struggle when he examined her body for injuries, too depressed to care. Tristan held her close, turning her and checking for any signs of injury. She winced when he grazed her front left paw. Ever so gently, he touched it again, making her flinch away.

"I think you might have twisted it. Plus you have a few scrapes that are starting to bleed." He stood up, holding her close to his chest as he started down the street. "I live near by. We could go home and I can take care of that for you. Then we wont have to go to the big and scary (not to mention expensive) vet." Serenity felt a tiny tug as she smiled a small, microscopic smile. But, it was still a smile nonetheless. Tristan noticed the miniscule smile and beamed down at her.

Serenity sat on a soft leather couch in Tristan's living room as he bandaged her foot. He was careful with her paw seeing how sensitive it was. He gently wrapped the small bandage around it, making sure it was tight but not painful. Serenity was surprised at this cool and collected Tristan. He was acting so professionally.

"Don't tell anyone this, but I actually used to work at a wildlife center." Tristan was attempting to fill the silence and distract Serenity from her current state depression. Serenity looked up at Tristan, a surprised look on her face. "That's where I learned things like this. How to take care of sick and injured animals."

"Seriously? I never would have expected that. Tristan of all people. He really is an animal lover." She thought.

"I know, it's really surprising. I really do like animals that much. Must've gotten it from my mom. She loves anything that breathes. Even more of an animal freak than I am, if you can imagine that." Tristan's soothing voice filled the silence in, pushing the uncomfortable void away. He finished bandaging her paw and let her test it out. It was firm and tight, put not constricting and painful. In fact, Tristan did a great job. Her paw felt great! She sat back down and thanked Tristan, barking happily. He just beamed at her again, his smile radiating light. Soon they fell back into the silence, though this time less uncomfortable than before. Again, it was Tristan who broke the silence.

"I'm really sorry." Tristan said guiltily. Serenity gave him a puzzled look.

"Sorry for what?" she barked.

"I'm sorry for this afternoon. I'm sorry that Duke was being such a jerk to you." Painful feelings returned as Tristan mentioned the events of the afternoon. "He's not normally so cold hearted. It's just sometimes he can be a cocky bastard. But he can be a decent guy." Serenity was taken aback by Tristan's words. He was apologizing for Duke. "I know you like the guy." He scoffed, getting him a confused look from the puppy.

"Sorry. It's just…" Tristan was unsure if he wanted to continue. Serenity gave him a reassuring look. He couldn't understand a thing she said, but he knew he could trust her with his secrets. "Practically every female in Domino is head over heels for Duke Devlin. I mean, he even has dogs after him. I guess it's understandable. He's rich, successful, good looking, and not that bad a guy. But everyone makes him out to be so extremely special. Which leaves very little room for guys like me to be something special to anyone. Especially to her." His eyes were unfocused, full of longing and loneliness.

"He's the kind of guy who is constantly told how special he is, how wonderful he is. And I'm the guy who has to prove it. And… I'm tired of having to prove myself. I'm tired of being labeled an idiot, a dumbass, and…and…. being ignored. I know I'm special and I want others to know that too. But nobody every gives me that chance." Serenity's heart went out to Tristan. The poor guy, she never knew he felt the way he did. His desires were so complex, much deeper than the stereotypical testosterone jerk.

"It wouldn't even be that bad if she didn't like him. But, it's like she's his biggest fan. It's painfully obvious she's in love with him. No chance for me, as always." He breathed deeply and sighed. His heart cried out in pain. Why was he cursed with such longing? Such unrequited love?

"Stop being such a sissy. You're embarrassing yourself in front of the dog! She must think you're such a loser." He thought. His mind laughed pitifully. Both of the 'she's; the puppy and the young woman must have thought that.

Serenity stared at Tristan. His eyes were glazed over, sadness filling every bit of them. Her heart broke to see the normally laidback boy so sullen and gloomy. His lips were turned down into a slight frown. The frown really threw Serenity off. It looked so…unreal on Tristan. He was always smiling whenever she saw him. Even when they were in trouble, he always had at least a lively, playful glint in his eyes. The frown did not suit him one bit. This girl, how could she be so heartless, so clueless as to make him feel the way he does. Tristan was very special, she could see it now. That girl was one idiot for not seeing that.

Her eyes then landed on his right arm. There were dried up steaks of blood all over it, originating from four puncture wounds left by her. She felt so guilty, hurting him when he was only trying to help. Sure, she thought he was some sick, twisted person trying to hurt her, but did she have to bite so hard? She hadn't even been considerate enough to worry about if it was bleeding or not. She was overcome with guilt. Seeing him like this, heartbroken and bleeding. She silently hopped off the couch and padded over to his sitting form. She lightly, with the same amount of gentleness he had handled her with, he licked his wounds.

Tristan felt something warm and wet on his arm wake him from his sad reverie. There she was, licking his wounds, trying to comfort him. He smiled down at her once again. This was a special dog. Such a good listener and comforter, there was no way she was normal, but Tristan could care less. It was nice to see someone care about him, even if it was a puppy. He picked her up and wrapped his arms tightly, bringing her to his chest.

"Thank you so much."

Serenity could feel the warmth of his body through the t-shirt, snuggling deeper into his chest.

"This is nice.' She thought. She then stood up straight until her snout reached his face. She started to lick his cheek, hoping to cheer him up even more. He laughed, thoroughly enjoying the show of affection.

Tristan and Serenity, both scorned by love, could feel their own pain disappear as they alleviated each other's heart.

I'm going to gone for a while. Try not to miss me too much ; ). How was the chapter? Too much? Not enough? There's only one way for me to know!