Candice and Jake finished the case just like they started; watching a group of humans doing their job and bringing a killer to justice.
From a safe distance, of course.
Gibbs looked up from his supervision of the arrest and locked eyes on the two animals.
Jake took a look at the cat sitting beside him and realized the two alphas were having their staring contest again. He looked back in time to see the human nod to the cat, acknowledging a peer, and returned to his work with neither harm nor confrontation.
"I won't think less of you if you go with them."
Candice's sudden words confused him. "Why would I go?"
"I trust them, Jake. They'll find you a good home. You can have a family again."
A family. That was strange concept to think about. It was a thought so scary that he refused to think about ever since Sam passed away.
It sounded nice. An endless supply of tennis balls. Never having to worry about when his next meal was going to be. Loving someone and being loved in return.
Except other thoughts came to mind.
He remembered playing tag with Maggie in the back alleys of downtown DC like they were puppies again. Austin, who didn't really understand why Jake would whine at night, still curled up beside the grieving dog and kept on purring, letting the comforting sounds lull them both to sleep.
Then, there was Candice. She was studying him right now with a look much similar to one she had on the first day they met.
One of potential. One of promise.
He still wasn't able figure out why she asked him to join her pack back then and he so desperately wanted to know what she sees in him.
"I think I'm good right now," he told her. "The whole house with a roof and a fenced yard is overrated anyway."
She flicked her ears and he knew he said the right thing.
"Good to hear, Probie."
"Probie?"
"Well, I have a feeling we'll be running into these humans again. We might as well get use to using the lingo."
Jake groaned. Maggie and Austin would love the new nickname. He could almost hear the ribbing now.
"Probie!"
In his need to curse the heavens, he looked down to an empty spot and realized Candice was already heading out.
"Come!"
Ever the obedient dog, he followed.
And the end! This was a fun little AU-type story to play into and maybe I'll continue along with it in the future. There's always some animal in need of a voice...Mine is currently meowing for food and attention (preferably in that order). Hoped you enjoyed!