Several days- over a week in fact- after Rita's missed date with Scout, and she was still going out of her way to avoid bumping into him. As her father had said, she'd had to prioritise, and Rita felt it only right to put her family's needs first, and that included making sure she kept herself from getting overwhelmed. It seemed she'd turned a corner with the stuffy Francis, and the bulldog was now welcoming her advice. Tito was still annoying beyond belief, but Rita couldn't help but liking him all the same, and her friendship with the lovable Einstein remained strong as ever. Now it was just Dodger; the dog she'd always been closest to, the one she loved most of all, who was giving her grief. His blatant snubbing of her attempts to help him through whatever had pained him hurt Rita's feelings more than she cared to let on. Ever since she'd returned from her long weeks out in the cold, she'd been convinced that they really were the closest of friends. Certainly, Dodger had been more openly friendly and affectionate towards her, and genuinely sympathised with all her worries and woes, but still Rita knew next to nothing of his past. Perhaps he just wasn't naturally a sharer? As much as Rita hated it, there was little she could do but to stay close to Dodger and try and be supportive. Worried and hurt, she found her days to be much more of a struggle while her best friend's light couldn't quite manage to shine as strongly as it always used to.
Inevitably, Rita couldn't keep out of Scout's way forever, and on her way to find food for the gang she strayed into his path.
"Rita! Where've ya been?" Scout called, the anger ringing in his voice.
Flinching, Rita turned to face him, ashamed. No excuse would be adequate, no matter how much she felt she'd done what was right. Scout could never see through her eyes, and there was nothing she could do but to brace herself for a fight. It wouldn't be worth lying; the relationship was in a mess already.
"I'm sorry Scout, I… I haven't been feeling so good. Everything's been getting on top of me and I had to focus on getting myself right before I could try and make things better with you," Rita said, avoiding his eye.
"You said you'd make the effort- the least you could have done was tell me what was going on-"
"I couldn't," Rita said firmly. While she couldn't make Scout understand what had happened with Dodger, she was not about to let him treat her like the villain. "Things got really tough and I had to be there for my family. I had to be with Dodger-"
"Dodger?" Scout demanded, "And you wonder why I don't trust you? I've seen the looks you two give each other- do you think I'm an idiot?"
Furious at the accusation, Rita's hackles raised. "Right now I do. He's been my friend since we were little kids, and if you can't get over that, you're just a waste of my time. If my friends need me, I'm gonna be there for them, simple as that."
Scout was on the verge of storming off, but just kept glaring at his girlfriend. Having spent the last days worried sick that something had happened to her, he couldn't believe that the whole time she'd simply been more interested in her friends- and right after she'd promised to try harder to make the relationship work. "Well, it comes down to this. I'm not wanting to waste my time either, so if you don't want to seriously commit, we can't keep this up. I love you, Rita, don't you get that? You don't need your human, or Dodger, or your dumb friends, not when we've got each other." The rage had dissipated, and he was now pleading. "Come with me, darling. We'll have a litter in the spring and I'll provide for you all- build our own family. There's a world out there that's all ours, you've just got to suck it up and walk away."
Rita was stunned. Hadn't Scout listened to a word she'd said last time they'd met? "I don't believe you!" she exclaimed, "I'm not going anywhere, and if you can't get that through your head, then I'm ending this right now. You don't trust me, you don't respect anything that's important to me- why the hell would I run away to make puppies for you? Looks like you're gonna have to find a mate somewhere else, sunshine."
The words hit Scout like a slap in the face. For a moment he couldn't speak, tears forming in his eyes. "All I want is something better for you, for both of us. Please, please don't throw it all away. I want to be with you, Rita, please!"
"I can't, Scout, I just can't." Rita shook her head. It had been clear since their last meeting that their relationship would be lucky to survive, but that it had gone so sour before she even had a chance to get her head round it hurt. Never had Rita wanted to put Scout through this- he was clearly desperate for her to love him as he did her- but it had become such a mess and fury had gotten the better of her. "This is it now. Finished." She spoke with a finality that left Scout with no doubt that she meant every word.
Scout threw his head down and whined, before looking Rita in the face once more. "So this is goodbye then."
Rita nodded, "Goodbye."
She walked away, resenting the tears that stung her eyes. Rita knew very well that she didn't need the pressure Scout had been putting on her, not on top of everything else, and his lack of trust in her would be just too hard to overcome, but still she grieved the relationship lost. For all his faults, Scout had treated her as someone special, someone worthy of love, and to walk away from that feeling was tough no matter what the costs had been.
Dodger still refused to give an outward impression of moping, even as thoughts of his mother swirled around his mind almost constantly. He was maybe a little subdued, maybe a little less switched on to the others, but it wouldn't be anything very noticeable. Only when he was alone could he really wallow in the misery he felt. Rita still obviously wasn't convinced, and if anything, it would be her concern for him that would be picked up on by someone. Thankfully, so far Rita's worrying had only meant that everyone was convinced that something was wrong with her, and Dodger was happy to have attention subsequently deflected from him. No one was going to notice if he was a little down when Rita was the one acting strangely. She didn't ask about his wellbeing outright, not after being ignored again and again, but frequently he'd catch her gazing worriedly at him, and she stayed closer to his side than usual. Dodger wished she'd just back off and leave him be. There had to be some ulterior motive for her wanting to help.
He found it ironic in a way that Rita was so keen to take care of him now, for she had committed a similar betrayal to his mother. That terrible morning when Dodger had awoken to find that Rita had gone- no prior warning, she'd simply left, had hurt him even deeper than when his mother had done the same. The old wound that had been left from his first loss was reopened, and the damage just exacerbated. He, Einstein and Fagin had of course searched for their friend, but it became clear that she simply didn't want to be found. The young Dodger had stewed in his anger, thinking of Rita with only venom and cursing himself for trusting some stupid, spoiled uptown girl. If he and his friends weren't enough for Rita, then to hell with her. It was easier that way; far less painful than to think that a friend who had meant so much to him might be dying out there. It was much harder to be upset that she'd likely be dead when he convinced himself that he hated her anyway. He tried to ignore Einstein's grieving for their spindly little friend. And then she came back. Hanging on to life by a thread as hunger and cold took their terrible toll, Rita was desperate for help when they found her. Dodger's hatred was forgotten as he lay with her, hoping that the warmth of his little body would do something to help bring her back from the brink. It was as if her leaving had been all but cancelled out by her coming back, and though forgiveness would take time, Dodger refused to let Rita down while she needed him. He helped her build her confidence back up, he sat with her sympathetically as she sobbed, apologetic for everything she'd put him through, and they came out the other side with a stronger bond than ever. Still, Dodger couldn't forget, and was that bit more mistrustful for the ordeal.
Dodger lay in Fagin's chair after a very short working day. His usual tendency of staying out to enjoy himself had lost its appeal; he was in no mood for fun of any description. The sound of footsteps on the stairs caught his attention, but he responded with just the slightest twitch of an ear. He could tell that it was Rita without looking. She wouldn't be surprised or made suspicious by his lack of interest, so he didn't feel the need to turn around to acknowledge her. A little while later he got down from his perch to see what Rita had brought home- he could smell food.
"Bring anything in today?" Rita asked, glancing behind Dodger. A brown paper bag from a fast food restaurant lay between her forepaws.
With a jolt, Dodger remembered that it was his turn to bring back something for everyone to eat. He swore angrily, the last thing he needed was for the others to realise that he wasn't on form. He'd brought back a couple of useless bits and bobs that he'd pulled from the trash, but nothing edible.
"I'll take that as a 'no'," she grumbled.
Dodger glared at her for reasons unknown to him- it was hardly her fault that dinner had slipped his mind, but it was easier for him to take it out on someone else.
Rita picked up the bag and dropped it at his feet. "Here. No one's going to know that you're not the mastermind behind it, you can save face. I know how much your reputation means to you."
His expression softening despite the bitterness in Rita's tone, Dodger sniffed at the bag. There had to be a couple of burgers- and fries as well, in there. He looked back to Rita, silently thanking her with an appreciative glance. She looked about as gloomy as he'd been feeling. "Rough day, babe?"
"Not great," she paused, "Broke up with Scout, so I've just been sulking really." She had to stop herself from adding a barbed "but I still managed to do my job", thinking better of it. Dodger's stubbornness was getting to her now, but if she wanted any hope of being allowed to help him she couldn't pick a fight.
"Been dumped, huh? See, that's why you shouldn't go putting all your eggs in one basket."
"I wasn't dumped, I finished it. He wanted more than I did, and honestly I just got sick of him getting all jealous 'cause I'm with you a lot of the time." Rita hadn't really expected Dodger to understand what she was feeling, it wasn't as if he'd ever wanted a meaningful romantic relationship himself.
Dodger scoffed. "Jealous? What was the idiot jealous for? It's not as if you've ever wanted me to-"
"You know, Dodger, some people want more than that. Not that you'd understand," Rita snapped.
"But you said it yourself, he wanted more than what you had to offer. Do you even know what you really want?"
For a moment, Rita was unable to retort. Dodger had a fair point. "I don't know- maybe somewhere between your utterly shallow flings and his wanting me to run off to be his mate and give him loads of puppies. Is it too much for me to want someone to make me feel special? To accept me for who and what I am? Scout managed to tick the first box, but then it all kinda fell apart."
Dodger was a little hurt. "What, and I don't make ya feel special?"
"If you flirt with me more than anyone else, it's only because I'm conveniently living in the same place as you," she said.
"How many girls have I ever brought home? Look around the place and count 'em if it makes ya feel better. Since when have I ever been interested in making friends with girls unless there was something in it for me?"
"And we all know what you mean by 'something'." Rita smirked, but the smile faded almost as quickly as it had come. If she was so important to Dodger, then why did he feel like he had to shut her out all the time? "But if I'm so special to you, I would've thought you could talk to me, really talk to me."
Dodger knew that the conversation was going into dangerous territory. He had no intention of opening up, whether it would make Rita feel better or not. "Rita, you're my friend, you've got more street smarts than most dogs five times your age who were born out here, and for all that badass exterior you've got a heart of gold. Not exactly hard on the eyes either. I shouldn't have to spell it out for ya, but as it doesn't seem to have sunk in yet- you mean a lot to me. Just don't expect me to tell you everything I'm thinking and feeling, 'cause that's not how I work. Don't take it personal, all right?" he paused for a moment, "If I ever want to talk, you'll be first to know about it. Fair?"
Rita nodded. "That's fair. Thanks." Though she wasn't exactly happy about it, she'd just have to resign herself to the fact that Dodger wouldn't be moved, and that it wasn't a reflection on anything that might be amiss in their friendship. "The guys will probably be back soon- want to go out for a while so we can sulk without being interrupted?"
"You know there's no one I'd rather sulk with. And if you want to talk, 'bout Scout or anythin', I'll always listen even if I don't understand how you're feelin'," Dodger walked slowly toward the door. He still felt low, but was glad that Rita now seemed to accept where he was coming from. If he was going to sit around feeling gloomy, then at least he'd have someone sitting around feeling gloomy with him. That, he supposed, was what friends were for.