A/N: uhhhhh honest to goodness sorry you guys who got alerts and all had to see the walls of "ksdjfhkladsjhlkjsd"01010101 or whatever FFN decided to do with my formatting. Guess that's what I get for not waiting until my lunch break and posting on mobile.

BUT I DIGRESS... Here it is, some years(?) in the making: Dogs 2 Back in Action. Explanation at the end, thanks for reading.

McCoy made quick work of a sonic shower and redressing- the perks of getting new uniforms included they were all clean and all there at once. He hadn't had time to wear 'n tear them with the multiple hazards that came along with space exploration. There was no 'best shirt' or 'comfiest pants' yet. It was like the first page of an empty book. So many adventures to be written.

Lest he wax poetic about textiles too long and leave his new companions all on their lonesome, McCoy got himself shipshape and departed. Conna, Icheleus, and Rhaelam would be excited, no doubt, to see the improvements to the flagship just as much as anyone else. Of course, there came the issue of navigating around the smaller delegates while not neglecting any of the good sightseeing. If he could whip up surgical protocols for a Horta in 45 minutes or less, than he figured he could come up with a spicy enough tour.

First things first. He hadn't personally seen to (and possibly left a bag of pretzel sticks in) the Trievan accommodations since he hadn't a clue they'd be onboard. Of course, it made sense that Trievas II was being invited to the Canopis conference. Their success as a multi-species civilization would essentially be the gold standard to which other partnerships would compare. In the last several years, the friendship between the Matrians and the Trievans had become all but legendary. The two species worked together so well, that they'd developed their own highly effective ways of doing things. In fact, McCoy owed not one but three vaccines to the research hospital on Trievas II. Really, the things folks could do when they started cooperating.

It occurred to him, as he hurried down the hall towards the temporary guest quarters, that he hadn't seen hide nor hair of a handler for these three big canines. Surely Treivas II sent somebody with opposable thumbs along with the doggy delegation. A couple hard winters and the original wave of no-good officials had reduced the 'Assistant' population to near endangered levels. The little lizards would be missing more than a good ol' proper name until their herds were sufficient enough to borrow one or two for off-planet duty.

As McCoy pondered what the correct term for a group of lizards was, he rounded the final curve towards his guests' quarters. No, no. 'Herds' won't answer. There's… There's got to be someone other than Spock I can ask about this, at least to save myself a lecture.

He straightened the front of his uniform as he arrived. The door opened almost immediately. Lieutenant Conna was ready and waiting, his tail wagging.

"Good to see you, Doctor! I like this uniform better than the Engineering one."

McCoy couldn't begrudge Conna his joke."Well this one's clean for starters. Hard to find fault in a uniform fresh out of the bag. But more importantly, I hope the new rooms are up to snuff?"

Conna stood aside to let McCoy survey the place the three Trievans would be staying. The rec rooms had been cordoned in what he'd describe as an ingenious fashion. There was proportionally ample space for the three large canines, and a very grabbale series of curtains had been arranged for their privacy. Of course, he wasn't sure how the question of fine motor operations was being dealt with. At least the Trievan delegation seemed happy.

One of the curtains drew back to reveal Icheleus' stately form as he exited to greet his soon-to-be tour guide. Mellow as the big dog might be, McCoy wasn't really sure where they both stood. Icheleus had been a Captain of some sort. He'd given that a bit of thought in the shower. What had he looked like, parading through the barracks with a blanket and causing all sorts of mischief? Dereliction of duty, lolligagging, and borderline inefficiency were probably rampant.

But in the end, Icheleus had come to his rescue. He had thanked the Captain, but he wasn't quite sure if words could describe the feeling of relief when he'd been thrown from the Matrian war party. He'd been largely insensible for a good minute afterward, but there was still the tangible security in having a 500-odd pound dog snarling in your defense.

"Doctor McCoy." Icheleus sounded pleased to see him at least. "We're eager to see more of your ship after our last visit was so brief. Rhaelam in particular wished to see the stars up close."

The young dog in question was looking anywhere but at McCoy. Go figure- I'd bet my bottom dollar she's a teenager, or wherever the equivalent falls for Trievans. Rhaelam just flicked her ears noncommittally and stayed by her father's side.

"Now, forgive me for being nosy, but if it's not a state secret I'd like to ask where the lovely Mrs. Ramicran is?"

Icheleus' eyes softened at the mention of his… wife? Did big dogs recognize the institution of marriage?

"She is currently on a diplomatic mission of her own. While my specialization is closer along the lines of relations, her specialty is negotiation."

"Really?" McCoy had not had the pleasure of getting acquainted with 'Lassie' as he'd dubbed her. There were a great many dogs to pet, and many more who'd wanted to express their appreciation before the Enterprise left. On top of the smattering thanks he'd been able to receive between rescue and recovery, several holotapes, letters, and other expressions of gratitude had found their way to him over the years. A Matrian cadet he'd met a while back went to far as to blushingly tell him the Trievan derivative 'Leonat' was becoming a popular puppy name.

All that to say, there were a lot of things that had changed without him. He just hoped there was enough time to learn it all before they went their separate ways again. No doubt there would be time to talk on the return trip from the gathering, but it would be precious little.

"I take it she's not as interested in the trade talks, then? Got activities more to her specialization than commerce on Canopis Station?"

There was a rumbling chuckle that the translator didn't bother much with. "As a matter of fact, Ramicran is sorry she's missing this. The initial formalities and festivities are hosted on the station, but there are a few opportunities to tour the planet it orbits. Tonbos Terre boasts some exotic sights."

"Sounds thrilling." In the back of his mind, McCoy went over the vast list of inoculations they had to prep for the mission, and the mad scramble in the Sickbay. Who knew Chapel had played lacrosse back in her wild youth? Anyone who'd set eyes on her slinging the salient PADDs to Nurse Page for input, that's who. "I'm sure we won't have to worry overmuch with Conna and the rest of the Security team out and about."

Conna lit up at the mention and wagged his tail. "I've helped research Tonbos Terre and the rest of the inhabited planets in the Canopian Alliance. There shouldn't be anything there to surprise us."

McCoy groaned. "Oh don't say that! It's always the quiet ones!"

All three Trievans cocked their heads at him.

"It's an old expression. 'Always the quiet ones' who turn on you and whatnot. Murphy's Law, Finagle's Law- a whole host of others. It sounds a little pessimistic, but it's the lot this ship's been dealt."

Conna laughed. "It is pessimistic, Blue! If your ship has been through so many disasters and come out alright, what law would that be?"

McCoy had to hand it to him. The kid was right. "Kirk's Law. Whatever can go wrong can be fixed with sufficient stubbornness."

A/N: Thanks for reading! Here's the TLDR; ahead of time: Moved states, moved fandoms, lost interest, new job, new hours, new city, got 1 (one) review a month or so ago, forced revitalization of the story.

So here it is! I've come up with a real plot for Dogs 2, and I hope you guys weren't too weary of the waiting. Honestly, I really wish I could've picked it up sooner, but please understand 'Dog Days' was like... an author's miracle. One week, 30k, a mad frenzy of inspiration and creativity. I've never been able to replicate it. I'll do my best, but can't guarantee more than one update a month. I'll shoot for better, but it's up in the air full disclosure. So if I post like, three chapters is a day, you know to hunker down and get ready for a chapter famine. Total honesty.

Anyway! Don't hit up my tumblr until April 22nd because I'm offline for the duration. Come at me in the PM thing tho hit me up fam. Peace.