DISCLAIMER: I do not own PAW Patrol, the characters, or any association of the series.
A/N: HELLO READERS! Rolling out part three. I'm thinking Chase's story is going to have a maximum of four-five long ass chapters (already got three down, if including this one). I don't want to make too long, and besides, a lot of the pups' backgrounds intertwine with one-another.
Thanks again to people reviewing people! Keep it coming!
Racoran – I never thought of it as a stand alone! Technically it is but I'm putting all the stories under one story.
lovepawpatrol – I fucking love your enthusiasm. I will write more, (possibly seqeal stories that relate to this one) but not for awhile.
Halena – so sorry I cant answer any of ya questions! You just gotta keep reading and see bwhaha.
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The week following was a weird one. Ever since Chase – he groaned at the thought – ugh, accepted the toy, that Archie was becoming increasingly more determined to talk to him. He would often have this playful grin and laugh at whatever their conversation was, from being jokes to some random tales that often enough Chase would find himself frowning rather than laughing. They were strange, barely funny, and Chase wondered if this Archie knew he couldn't tell a joke to save his life. Perhaps he did. He never though looked upset if Chase didn't laugh or respond positively, because no matter what, he laughed at his own jokes, his enthusiasm never falling short.
A usual day for the pup now would consist of an obnoxiously loud good morning from the police dog, resulting Chase to be "grumpy" as Archie said he was, and then some type of conversation would begin. He never came with toys again, but with his little wink and sly smile Archie would casually ask if he liked the plastic bone. Of course, Chase never answered – he just grumbled and sat away, (which made Archie laugh) but even so, the pup still had it, hidden underneath his bed so Archie wouldn't see. The K-9 dog sometimes stayed for hours at the pound, sometimes a few minutes for a quick chat before heading off, however, he always came everyday. Chase frowned at the thought. Didn't he have work? How much free time did this police dog have?
But no, that wasn't the weirdest thing. Recently, Chase realized that Archie did the most random things. Like one day, he dropped by with a tennis balls and was trying to do some balancing trick and wanted Chase to rate his skill. Another time, apparently on his day off, he had on a sombrero. A sombrero! He said he wanted an opinion if it looked funny, because he wanted to make sure it did so he could re-gift it to Lucky. Chase's dumbfounded face was a clear answer.
Today though, Chase knew it was going to be a strange one. While he laid in the cage chewing his toy, he suddenly smelled Archie's presence. Instantly his head was up – he quickly shoved the toy away under the pillow hastily, and strangely, the pup sat up straight, waiting for Archie to appear outside of the cage. While he expected the dog to greet him loudly – Chase sighed inwardly – with that nickname again, oddly enough, he instead sauntered in with several books and magazines in his mouth. There were probably a dozen shoved in his jaw before he dashed them to the ground in a jumbled fashion.
Chase raised a brow at the sight. They were all books and animal publications he never heard off, and for a brief moment wondered if he was that clueless about the public media. He shoved the thought away though as he waited for Archie to start the conversation, for he usually, wait scratch that, always did. But… to Chase's surprise he didn't say anything. He simply laid on the floor casually, flipping one issue of some magazine open, and he just, uh, started reading.
Chase looked at him dubiously. "What are you doing?"
"Hmm? Oh, chilling Junior."
He frowned immediately. "Chilling?"
"Yeah, relaxing, kicking back, catch my drift?" He quipped a tiny grin at the pup before returning to the magazine.
Minutes ticked by. Chase continued to look a mix between agitation and confusion at whatever Archie was doing. And catching my drift? That was something his brother would say. Not a K-9 dog. He asked again.
"And…?"
"And?"
"Why are you reading here? Shouldn't you do that somewhere else?"
"Oh," he titled his head. "You don't want me to read here?"
Chase scoffed. "No."
"So you wanna talk?" you could practically hear the smirk in his voice, and he closed the magazine. "Alright, I'll stop."
Chase flinched at that remark and with an aghast expression, shock his head venomously. "W-What? No! I didn't say that!"
Archie chuckled lightly. "Sure~ Junior."
"And that's not my name." Chase mumbled grumbly, slouching his shoulders.
"I know, I know, it's Chase." Archie stretched out him front legs. "Old habits just die hard, ya know?"
Understatement of the year, the pup thought with a scowl.
"Heeey, did you know in this issue of Urban Animal, humans are trying to create an antidote for pet allergies? Some professor is determined to make one for people who are allergic to dogs. Weird huh?"
Chase didn't say anything. He continued to sit, keeping a sturdy eye on Archie while the K-9 dog itched his head with his leg and began rolling around a bit. Sure, Chase might have known this dog for over a week now, but he still didn't trust him. Nope, not for a minute. Besides, why should he? He would eventually escape this pound and return to where he belonged.
Escape. Still sounded pleasing.
"Hey, Junior?" Archie was now resting his head on his paws, looking up with a crocked brow. The German Shepard had his attention. "Besides me, no one else has come to your cage right?"
That threw Chase for a loop. Why would he ask that? Were other K-9 dogs supposed to come and integrate him? The only dogs that came to his cage was that first dog (Lucky, if he remembered correctly) but that was only the first day here at the pound. There was also that patrolling dog, but he never talked to him. Only walked by every hour.
So Chase shook his head. "Why?" the pup asked.
"Juuuust checking."
A scowl came upon Chase's face.
"You know what I just realized Junior? You always frown. You should smile a bit."
He started growling, annoyed by his comment, but Archie only wagged his tail with a happy smile on his muzzle.
"C'mon, I'm being honest. I bet any money it would look good on you. Besides, you're almost fully healed. That'll be enough to get me to do a little dance." Chase turned away, and Archie laughed.
"Aww, I'm not making fun of you Junior. Think of it as good humor. "
"As if you're funny."
"I'm not?" Archie actually looked confused. "Sheesh, gotta step up my game then."
Chase rolled his eyes.
"Here, read some of this." He suddenly said, shoving some books and magazines under the fence. "Good stories in there. Some fantasy, comedy, action, different types if you wanna pick and chose. Pretty awesome characters in there. And the mags, well, I don't know if you wann read them, but they're current, so it'll speed you up on what's happening, you know? Food, celebrities, movies, that dude I was talking about earlier. Oh, and music, like Ruff Puff."
Chase grimaced at the name. "That sounds dumb."
"Well, the music is dumb. But damn it's catchy." He flashed a cheeky grin.
Chase lowered his eyes at the plethora of magazines that was by his paws.
"Oh snap." Archie itched his head. "Shoulda' asked about it before. Can you read?"
"Course I can read!" he snapped, offended the dog thought he couldn't.
"Woah, no need to get mad. Just wondering. Besides, you can understand human. Don't know what other tricks you have."
Chase scoffed. After the police dog said a cheery goodbye and left, the pup once more took a gander at the stuff on the floor.
Okay, he can like, kinda can read. But not very well. Ugh. Okay, he couldn't read much alright?! Again, where the heck was he was supposed to learn? He knew enough to get by, or the general knowledge Swift told him to recognize, but that was it. But no way Chase was gonna confess that to the police dog. No damn way.
He didn't do much reading, since he rarely had access to any type of literature, but he sorta got the titles. Sher...ock Bones? Hairy... Owl...? Yeah he didn't get the last word. These were all foreign names to him. So he kept his questioning gaze on them, silently contemplating on what to do. He opened one of them to skim through, but that was when his mind came to a stop and snapped them closed.
Yeah. He barely understood anything.
Sighing, his brown eyes then saw a very bright looking book under the pile. Curious, he pulled it out, and he was able to make out the title being "English for...be-gin-er?" Whatdid that mean?
He opened this one, and strange...he could actually understand it. Not all, but he didn't feel as stupid as reading those other ones. And odd how there were pictures of dogs everywhere in the book, and translation of barks, howls to the human English language. Heck, was this supposed to be a book for dogs or something? Did the police dog suspect he couldn't read?
Staring at it longer, Chase kept the book under his paws, and ultimately decided he was going to read this.
He sighed. It wasn't like he wanted it. He was just bored. Not like he was going anywhere for awhile.
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"Up! Crawl up over boys!"
Out of all the things Lucky disliked the most, it was the weekly exercise training they had to endure. He wasn't the strongest at it, and sadly, speed and jumping wasn't high on skill within his breed. Serbian Hounds were known to be a bit difficult to train, and biscuits, wasn't that true when he was growing up. While every other pup instantly understood the lessons, Lucky was sure he had a blank look of disbelief staring into space. However, if there was one thing he caught on very quickly, it was tracking. He was a hound, and hounds were known for their smell, and sure enough, he proved that very well. Thankfully, because of his keen nose, it allowed him to become a K-9 dog, along with the many others who passed the Detmold K-9 dog Academy. He was a very capable Sentry and Attack Dog, the standard position of a K-9 member, but he often didn't respond to oncalls, more so dealt with things after the incident. However, he needed to stay in shape, and well, that's why he was here.
Currently he and several other dogs were finishing up a standard routine around the indoor course in the exercise facility. Their human trainer then whistled the last call, signaling practice was done, and boy, was Lucky drained, wanting to sleep and curl up like a new born pup. But to his keen perception, Lucky noticed a familiar face sitting calmly near by the racetrack, waggling his tail causally.
He walked on over. "What did you do now Archie?" Lucky had the urge to sigh, his brown eyes looking slightly scornful like a disciplining parent.
A sly look grazed upon the German Shepard 's face. "Why do you always assume I need something Luck?"
"Because you never come here! You only train outside."
"Well I do like my sun." he then winked at his friend.
Lucky shock his head with a smile. Typical.
Archie continued. "Two things. First, I actually came by to let you know that Sunny wants his food back."
Lucky's tail stopped wagging. "Stop telling him it's me!"
"I didn't!"
Lucky let out a sigh of relief.
"I just didn't correct him."
Annnndd the moment was over.
Lucky wanted to scowl him for felt like the hundredth time of taking people' stuff without asking, yet his eyes blinked, noticing something about his German Shepard friend.
"You look kinda tired Archie. Not sleeping?"
Archie shook his head lightly. "Nah, not that. Why? Worried about me?" he winked again.
Lucky flustered red. "Stop winking at me!"
Archie laughed.
Once Lucky calmed down a bit, (and Archie had his good dosage of teasing) they began walking out of the exercise room, entering the hallway with police dogs and humans alike walking in a juxtaposed fashion.
"Archie, I'm being honest with you." Lucky urged on, returning to their earlier conversation. "You look a little run down, especially your eyes. You're not staying up late again aren't you? We do have a curfew here."
"But who actually falls asleep exactly at eleven Luck? Well, besides you?"
Lucky blushed. "People! And Dogs!"
"Sure."
The Serbian Hound might have been embarrassed, but he wasn't backing down on integrating his friend. Nope, he wasn't a K-9 dog for nothing!
"Oh, and that second request: I need some money Luck."
Lucky flinched. "Huh?" he blinked dumbly at that.
"Money. You know? Mula? Poppin' Paper?"
"Yeah, uh, I got the money part." Lucky shook his head. "But why? Didn't you get paid a week ago?"
"Blew it."
"You blew it? On…?"
"Stuff." He said casually.
Stuff? Lucky frowned at the thought. Ever since they were pups he was always vague about his answers, and that would frustrate Lucky to the bitter end. But what stuff was he buying? He knew Archie was a reckless spender, buying the strangest things, like the other day got a Hula dancing monkey lamp. And just recently, Archie gave him a sombrero as a random gift. But it was rare he asked for money like this. Why would he –
He put two and two together.
Lucky glanced apprehensively at him. "It's that pup from the robbery, isn't it?"
He shrugged, opting not to answer.
"Archie, I know you're trying to be kind…visiting him everyday, bringing him food, a toy –"
"So what about it?"
"Well," Lucky looked a bit uncomfortable. "It's just, uh, you can't keep showering him with these things."
"To be fair Luck I don't always bring him stuff." Archie said coolly, turning at the corner. However, a paw suddenly stood in his path, and it was Lucky, looking at him with an unusual sense of firmness.
"Archie, you keep protecting him from all this stuff, and you're dealing with it yourself. Making sure no one takes him, getting involved with any evidence that concerns him."
"Can't a dog be kind?" he said with a smile, not at all frazzled by his friend's change of attitude. "I thought us police dogs were supposed to help those in need."
"Of course we're supposed to help! But disrupting the investigation is not."
"I would say meddle."
"Archie, please hear me out."
"I am. But I don't get why you're upset about it."
"I'm not." Lucky insisted. "I'm just…concerned for you."
"Concerned? Don't need to be."
"Uh, yeah, I need to be! I know the case is technically close for now, and that person the pup attacked dropped charges…" he sighed. "He's taking up a lot of your time, and I know you always have a soft side for pups, but remember…" he was hesitant to say these words, yet he did so quietly, "there's a reason he's on the other side of the cage."
Lucky waited for backlash. He knew what he said was quite harsh, and was expecting some type of reaction from his friend, almost wincing. However, if Archie was upset he didn't show one once of anger. Or sadness. Nothing. Lucky nervously focused on his friend.
"And?"
"A-And?" Lucky was at a lost for words. "I-I nothing else to say."
Archie nodded and kept walking, and Lucky stumbled to catch up. Oh no. He was upset. "Archie, I'm sorry that sounded – "
"Luck, I know he's there for a reason." He said evenly. "He's done things that aren't on the right side of the law, and heck, attacked a human while escaping. He's probably done a lot more that I don't even know, probably things a young pup like himself should have never done or seen. "
His friend continued to listen.
Archie paused and turned to Lucky, a genuine smile on his face. "But he's still a pup. And a pup's gotta live his life, which makes it more of a reason to help Junior out."
Lucky blinked widely at that. "Archie…"
The said dog looked onward, and both K-9 dogs now were in front of a large window, granting a view of the outdoor training grounds.
"So, uh," Lucky added. "You don't mind not getting any more information regarding the gang the pup came from?"
"Well, I do want to find out more eventually, but for now, it's cool with me. We're checking data bases, and I have a pretty good assumption where he's from. The red bandana is a clue. When he's ready, he can tell me."
He shrugged. "When they do strike again, and they will, we'll be setting up a counterplan."
"So what about the pup? They're not gonna question him, right? He's too young."
"Yeah, that's what I tried to emphasize to Chief. But it's good he's young. Any older and he'll be in hotter water. And besides, Chief granted me permission to oversee Chase, so if anything regarding him, cops gotta come to me." He chuckled lightly, looking slyly at his friend. "You're such a worry rat Luck."
"Chief?" he said dubiously at that, snapping out of his stupor. He didn't know the stern older dog allowed Archie with such authority. "But wait, was it Chief's order or your request?"
He shrugged half-heartedly.
"You're cruel. You never answer my questions!"
"I do. But I thought my answer would be obvious." Archie smirked a bit, but then suddenly his collar beeped, and he clicked and answered it. Archie barked respectfully a reply, and Lucky listened silently, knowing their conversation had to be put on hold for now.
"And look at that, Chief's calling me. Gotta dip." He then saluted lightly to his friend before scurrying off.
"Wait, Archie!" The German Shepard turned back, and Lucky looked to him with definite confusion. "So… you mentioned that he's still a pup and stuff. So you're doing this because you wanna be nice? Or do you have something else up your fur?"
Archie smiled at him. "That's for you to decide."
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It was quiet at the pound. Despite the number of dogs inhabiting the place, the young gang pup was still the only one placed in the left corridor. The room he was in had about ten cages in total, and pretty decent sizing ones too, but he was to stay away from other dogs till he was deemed 100% safe. Hence, Marty, a stern Belgain Malinois, was patrolling down the hallways, not only checking on that pup, but the other street dogs too. Unlike the pup though, these dogs were rowdy and loved bickering to one another. They weren't harmful but sure loved to stir problems.
Marty glanced once more at the noisy room beside him before making down the hall to check the other rooms. However, as he crossed an intersection of a corridor, he noticed two K-9 dogs walking firmly towards him.
He began with a greeting. "Hello Officer Bud, Officer Pongo. What brings you in–"
"We're here on duty, Officer Marty." Buddy cut him short, looking intimating as ever.
Marty glanced between the two, seeing Pongo carrying a non-threatening yet equally firm aura.
"Understandable. Is there an inmate you wish to speak to?"
"Yes, the pup in corridor three."
Confusion dotted Marty's face. "Officer Archie did not mention visitors for the pup."
"Officer Archie has no opinion on this matter." He replied evenly, trying to pass the larger dog.
Marty was quick to intervene. "Chief said Officer Archie has full authority since the case is now temporarily – "
"Well, the case has been reopened. The Commissioner approved it, placing me in charge of integration, ultimately overthrowing Chief's command. Matters like this cannot be pushed aside." And like that, he moved passed Marty into the room.
The Belgain Malinois tried to stop them, but Pongo kept him back, trying to close the door. "Wait, you can't go in there!"
He didn't stop. He kept striding in strongly, directly heading to the pup's cage. Chase was drinking some water (yes, he began eating again) but stopped immediately when he didn't smell Archie's presence, and hearing the undoubting sound of a dog's paws treading against the floor. He looked up and sure enough saw a dog he never met before, a Rottweiler, his eyes looking cold upon him.
"Hello pup, I'm Officer Bud, part of the 7th division of Detmold City. I'm here to ask you some questions regarding your…incident."
Chase kept quiet, but he defiantly wary of this dog, already not liking how this conversation was starting.
"So, the dogs that were with you…are you all close? You must have strong loyalty if you helped your kind out."
He still said nothing.
"Answering these questions would make the process much more easier pup. I do mean it in full sincerity."
Sincerity? Chase heard none in his voice.
"Now, I presume staying in this cage with a chain around your neck is getting a bit uncomfortable. Attacking a human? Now that wasn't a smart move. However, if you answer fully, I can possibly get an order out to remove the chain. Wouldn't that be delightful?"
His muzzle remained shut.
Buddy had a strained grin stretching across his face. "Alright, I was going to be kind, but I'll be blunt: where is the hideout of your gang? The bandana you had doesn't look familiar to any dog gang registered with us."
Chase wanted to glare at him. He was itching to do something to get this dog away from him, but he knew he wasn't in a place to fight, especially since Chase had several disadvantages. So, he turned away by sitting off at the side, choosing to ignore.
"He's a stubborn one?" Pongo said with genuine curiosity, now standing beside Buddy.
"Yes," Bud agreed with a stern eye, looking down at the pup. "But nothing hard to crack."
Pongo silently nodded at that.
"Now pup, tell me what is your gang's name? I know it's not the Growls, nor the X Dogs. And your group doesn't look small. How many are in your group?"
Nothing.
"Did you know, pup, that your little group started activity again?" Chase flinched, but it didn't seem like the Rottweiler noticed. "This time a poor old human lady and her little Chihuahua were the victims. And wow, wasn't it a scene. Human had both her arms covered in blood. And the Chihuahua? His body was so badly torn up he needed to remain in intensive care for several days. Surprised they let him live."
Chase didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say.
"So I'll ask now, what is your group's next move? If you don't answer, things are going to get sour real soon." He almost sneered. "I mean it pup."
Chase kept his eyes on the ground.
"Answer the question." Bud gritted through his teeth.
And then finally Chase said a reply: "I don't know."
"DON'T KNOW?!" He barked loudly, his voice vibrating through the room. Chase flinched at the yelling, and Pongo even recoiled a bit, turning to Buddy, who clearly was getting annoyed by the pup unwilling to cooperate.
"You think this is funny?! Trying to be smart in front of a police dog? Oh, I can play. I can play real dirty!"
This wasn't turning good. Pongo sensed his partner seething in rage, and once he started, he couldn't stop. "Bud, let's return to the first question about the name –"
"Damn street pup think the cage will protect him?! As if!"
Pongo widened his eyes at the scene unfolding. "Wait, Bud, you can't–!"
"Quiet!" He suddenly opened the cage, and Chase was taken back by the rash action. He jumped up and immediately went defensive but before he could even lift a paw he was slammed roughly into the back of the wall. He was cornered, and with the dog hovering over him coldly, he slapped his paw over the chain, forcing Chase to remain on the ground.
"So, I won't ask again," His eyes turned horribly harsh, rage hardly contained. "What is their next move, street pup?"
Chase wouldn't back down. He returned the dark look back up at him. "I said I don't know."
"LYING!" He screamed, and Pongo stood there dumbfounded at what was happening. "Listen here you damn pup, you saying nothing isn't gonna protect them or dammit yourself! They're not even here to help your tail out. That's what all street dogs are. As soon as things turn bad they ditch each other. And look: they abandoned you to take the fall."
Chase began snarling.
"It's true pup. Don't be upset at what I say is true. Because it is."
The growling got louder.
"Bud," Pongo said. He was feeling a bit uncomfortable now. "I don't think this is allowed. We might get in trouble if anyone–"
"You do no tell me what to do Officer Pongo!" Bud turned back sharply. "I am your superior officer. Understood?!"
Pongo mutely nodded. "Yes sir."
"Now block the door. I don't want Officer Marty interrupting."
Chase struggled to move out of the grip, but it was too much, and Buddy noticed. "Struggling won't do you good street pup. You tried before hand and look what happened? We sedated you. Want to have a round two of that?"
He didn't. He really didn't. But he would rather be pushed around and stepped on then giving in the satisfaction he was looking for. He was determined to control his uncontrollable urge to not attack him, cause if he did, he would end up exactly where he didn't want to end up: out cold from medicine.
"So, even on the ground, you still refuse to say anything?"
Chase kept glaring.
"Oh I see it." Buddy started laughing dryly. "Did Archie tell you to keep quiet? Say nothing to no one? Worst advice he could give to a criminal like you." He then frowned. "Too bad he didn't tell you that keeping quiet would send you to be euthanizing table." Chase's eyes broadened, and Buddy saw it gladly. "Oh, he didn't tell you? That's what happens to dogs that don't cooperate. And trust me, it's more common than you think." He saw that the pup wasn't glaring at him anymore, rather constraining himself to stare at the wall. He still wasn't cooperating.
This was sending him over the edge. He yanked on the chain and Chase yelped a bit, feeling the tension around his neck tighten. And the way Bud pulled it forced the German Shepard to look up at him. Bud knew he had nowhere left to turn, and anger mixed with anxiety finally exploded.
"Now tell me what's their next move! Does it really please you other people and dogs are getting hurt by your gang?! I bet you it made you happy when you hurt that human here. Are you that evil? Selfish? Despicable?!" He then brought his face closer to Chase's. "I guess that's what expected of you, you dirty, pathetic, good-for-nothing, stupid STREET DOG!"
Then something crashed against the wall.
The chain loosened, and Chase, a bit stunned on what happened, suddenly saw another dog over him. This new dog was standing coolly - staring intensely at Bud who was on the other side of the cage.
Bub shock his head at the slight dizziness conjured from the throw, but he looked slightly confused at the newcomer. "Officer Archie! What are you doing?!"
"I pushed you. What else?"
"Yes, I know that! But for what purpose?"
"You're violating several police procedures. I never figured uptight Buddy would want to get on the department's wrong side."
"This is an integration! I'm doing what is expected as a police dog."
"Funny. Never knew being a prick was part of the job."
Buddy growled lowly, and Pongo came rushing in. "Sir! Archie is coming! It seems that Marty has informed him what we're doing and he's on his way, possibly here already and oh," he stopped, seeing he was already too late. "Oh, H-Hello Officer Archie."
Bud looked to Archie strongly, and he knew it: this situation wasn't getting anywhere. Especially how this situation was unfolding. Commissioner might have let him integrate, but using force on a dog, on a pup no less… he would face it tonight if Archie kept his word. "Let's go."
"Huh?" Pongo was confused, seeing his partner getting up and shaking his fur.
"I said we're done here. Let's leave."
Pongo was still very much puzzled, but he took a quick glimpse at the pup and Archie before complying with a minor nod. Bud began walking out, yet something blocked his path.
It was Archie. "Oh, and one more thing, Buddy." he was smiling lightly at him, yet his eyes were coating another feeling – one that people or dogs rarely saw. "Come here again without my consent," His smile turned thinner. "I guarantee you'll get more than a little shove up the wall."
Bud kept his scowl, staring at Archie for several seconds before he scoffed and pushed passed him, leading Pongo off. They continued out, leaving as the door abruptly slammed closed.
Once the two were alone, Archie sighed heavily. "Seriously, the dogs I work with." He turned his attention to Chase, who was entirely silent through the ordeal. Archie walked up to him and offered a paw.
"You alright Junior?"
He didn't reply. Archie thought for a moment Buddy did a lot more than a shove to the pup, and when he tried to offer again, Chase's fur spiked up, and he noticed with concern.
"Junior?"
Again with the name. Again with the pushing. Again with the damn belief they were better than him. Again with the world forcing him to do what he didn't want to do. He was done with this. He was done with everything. He could barely control his anger that his paws were shaking. "This is why…" his eyes grew fierce. "I hate police dogs!"
And he shoved Archie back and closed the cage door.
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It was awkward when Archie returned the next morning. For once the older dog didn't have something funny to say, or some strange scenario that started their conversations. He did leave yesterday when Chase asked him too, and for the rest of the day, he left the pup alone with his thoughts. As much he didn't want to leave Junior, he realized him being there wasn't going to help. He also figured a good night sleep would do him well, especially with all the stuff he had to deal with Buddy.
The thought of that dog made Archie sigh. He and Bud never got along, more so had an unspoken one-sided rivalry. Bud never liked Archie's lax demeanour since day one, and he always had the need to need to point out some flaw in Archie's tactics, emphasizing that Bud's stern, no nonsense way was far superior. However, as tough and cold Bud acted, Archie learned he got flustered extremely easily, and oh, he abused that detail whenever he could. Bud's dislike for him never really got out of hand, because Archie brushed it off, thinking nothing of it. Bud had no way to upset Archie, because in previous times, when he tired to rile the German Shepard up, he failed, and it always ended up with Bud turning red from embarrassment and Archie smiling at the silent victory.
Well, that was, until now.
Archie slowly approached Chase's cage, and not to his surprise, saw the pup curled away in a corner, hiding his face within the wall. The cage was strangely empty looking, and Archie glanced to Chase's bed, which was shoved into a corner.
Along with the toy and books.
Guilt suddenly washed over Archie, and a sudden spurge to do more to Buddy than a push floated his thoughts. But he shook it away. It wasn't important right now.
Finally, after several moments of silence, Archie began. "Sorry that happened Junior."
Silence.
"I don't know if you're awake or not, choosing to listen or ignore me, but I still want to say it." He breathed thorough his nose quietly, but he kept going, his words still strong.
"I didn't think Buddy would do…something so extreme. I thought with Marty here at least the other K-9 dogs wouldn't bother you, but I should have realized that wouldn't be the case."
Chase said nothing, so Archie continued. "I got a call yesterday from the police chief, saying your case is debating to be reopened due to your group resuming activity. Chief didn't like the idea, but apparently, the Commissioner wanted the case to be resumed and asked Bud to conduct integration on you, and Chief, well, warned me that trouble might arise if Bud was doing it." He wanted to scoff at the irony.
"I didn't hear all what Bud said, but let's get this clear: you're not some dirty street pup. Bud doesn't know when to keep his damn mouth shut, and what he did to you is what a police dog should never do. Trust me, we police dogs don't act like that."
He waited for a brief moment, seeing any changes, but all was static. "I promise Junior that won't happen again. Believe me. And do believe me when I say you're not some dirty street pup. You're a lot more than that. Was Bud there when you were running at top speed, outwitting my fellow members? Did he tell you to not eat or drink for more than a few days, sticking by your beliefs? No, you did it yourself. You're beyond what he thinks you are, and if he still thinks like that, well, his lost for being an ignorant dog."
He knew he would be met with silence, and sure enough, he was. He bet Chase was awake but probably ignoring him, and that made him feel a bit defeated.
"Is it true?"
Archie blinked widely, almost missing the question. Junior… was talking to him? "What's true?" he asked, looking onward at the pup.
Chase sat up now, still not looking at Archie as he kept staring at his paws. It was difficult to see how Chase was feeling, and even from the side profile he was receiving, his expression was unreadable.
"That if I don't cooperate, I'll get put down?"
Archie… couldn't believe it. "Son of a dog…" He whispered to himself, for his disbelief on the question was in definite surprise. He looked back up, arching a brow. "Did Bud say that?"
Chase shrugged as an answer.
"Junior, that isn't true at all."
"You're not saying that to make me feel better, right? Just tell me the truth if I'm gonna die or not."
"Chase!" How the pup talked about death so casually made him worried. "You're not gonna die. Whatever nonsense he said, shove it out of your head, because that was bull. That only only happens to dogs who commit hideous crimes, like the same level humans do to their own criminals. He has no idea what he's talking about."
It turned abruptly quiet.
"I promise Junior, that will never happen to you."
"Can you stop with your promises?!"
Archie was taken back.
"Stop saying everything is gonna turn out okay, because I know it won't. So if I'm gonna die, or get sent away, just tell me. I'm not some stupid naïve street pup. Dammit I'm not Archie. I'm not!"
The police dog stood awestruck, the pup who was so quiet earlier now heaving out heavy breaths from his yelling, his eyes hard and fur standing stiff.
"Chase…"
He turned away. "So whatever Impossible Dog stuff you're trying to pull, it won't happen."
"You… you remember Impossible Dog?" He couldn't help but sound surprise.
Chase scoffed lightly. "Well who wouldn't remember it? It's one the dumbest things I heard after Ruff Puff."
Archie for once was at a lost. It seemed the suddenly tense atmosphere finally dissipated, leaving a questioning feeling. Anger wasn't dotting Chase's features, but he was still firmly turned away, surely frustration still reminiscing in him. Archie wondered, why would he remember something so small as Impossible Dog, one of his old favourite superheroes he adored when he a pup? He also mentioned Ruff Puff. Was he reading the stuff he gave?
Suddenly, Archie noticed something: the pup's ears were perked up, and that tail…was it…wagging? It was barely noticeable but he could recognize it anywhere. It was moving.
The K-9 dog smiled lowly to himself, chuckling a bit.
"You're full of surprises, you know that?"
Surprises? Chase crinkled his face, now looking over to him briefly. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing Junior. Nothing at all."
"And that's not my name."
Archie's grin grew larger.
.
.
.
It carried on as it is. Their conversations. The animosity that once remained now no longer lingered, and to Archie, that was a fantastic improvement. He was glad Junior didn't act so cold and hostile towards him, but it didn't mean the issue of distrust was completely lifted. Considering Chase's personality and that incident with Bud, it would take awhile for things to be completely cooled, but it didn't discourage the K-9 dog one bit! He was just glad he was learning more about Junior. In fact, what he realized these past few days that the pup had the tendency to be humorous (if he dare say) cause for sure if he told Chase that he would deny it with a passion. It wasn't blatant humour, more so on the lines of subtle remarks or sarcastic comments that somehow make Archie smile a bit more. He sure acted mature for his age, Archie realized, but it was ironic how as something as a chew-toy would make the pup wag his tail contently.
Two days after Bud's "lovely" intervention, the two were once again talking, and as usual, Archie was rambling on something he saw once at training. Halfway through his story, while the police officer doing some funny gesture, something was uttered by the pup quietly.
"I didn't know."
"And sheesh it wasn't like I told him to run into the poll, cant help I'm better –" he paused, glancing back at the pup.
"What was that Junior?"
Chase sighed a bit – he was hesitant, but continued anyway. "I said I really didn't know."
Understanding washed over Archie's face, and he arched a brow. "You know I believe you Chase if you weren't involved. You don't have to tell me that."
"No, it's not that." He usual scowling eyes weren't present. "I just want that police dog to know that, that one that came in my cage. And the other dogs. Your chief. Commissioner. Whoever. Just let them know I didn't know about that…attack."
Nothing was said for several moments, but then Archie nodded, smiling a bit. "Sure, I'll let them know Junior." He then titled his head. "What brought this on?"
"Dunno."
"Dunno? If you wanna leave like that..."
He growled, but it was not at all aggressive. "I just...I don't know...want to clear my name…I guess. Why? Is that wrong?" He was now frowning. Oh him and his stubborn ways.
"Nah," he winked. "Just wondering." He then paused. "But you know the only way for it to be legit is that I gotta document your testimony. Won't take long. You don't mind me grabbing something to record it?"
He shook his head.
"Alright, be back in a flash." He cracked his typical toothy grin before he walking off.
"Wait! Uh," Chase sighed, and Archie turned back, looking with a curious expression. "If you want… I can tell you more. If it's gonna…do something. Or whatever."
"Whatever?" He wiggled his eyebrows. "So you'll finally admit you really like the toy bone I gotcha?"
"Don't push it."
.
.
.
If Chase had to be honest, hanging around Archie was becoming slightly more tolerable. Yeah, he still did those random things, had those corny jokes at hand, but Chase was used to it, often going along with his antics. Not to say he liked him. No. Not at all.
But he didn't hate him either.
It was kind of a strange feeling. Before he couldn't stand being in the same room as the police dog, and now in the mornings he, well, expected the older German Shepard to visit him. There were a few days when he couldn't come, and before while Chase would savour days like those…now he didn't care of it. The quiet atmosphere now felt intimating and a tad awkward.
The next day came rolling by, and Chase was reading a book - a mystery crime book was strangely intriguing him. He flipped the next page, his brown eyes flickering about the page, determined to understand it better.
"Hey Junior!"
He jumped up, shuffling his feet due to surprise and on reflex his body went rigid and stern, ready to snarl.
Tension in his body went down. "Oh, you're here."
"Yup. Didn't mean to startle you."
He shook his head in denial. "You didn't startle me! I just wasn't aware."
"Sure." He chuckled, but before Chase could reply, "I'm here earlier than usual because I just found out something. Something good~"
Chase didn't reply, but he was attentive.
"You're in the clear!"
"Huh?"
"In the clear. The report you gave…well, it's been approved and everything. No one is allowed to integrate you anymore." He nodded at his own words. "You're no longer considered a suspect."
A blank face was on the pup. He honestly didn't know how to react. While some part of him thought it wasn't gonna work out and there was gonna be round two of integration (which to be frank, would have been perfectly fine, he didn't mind getting under that dog's fur) he also kinda hoped it was going to go smoothly. Something for once turned out fine without a bunch of stuff messing it up.
That's odd.
"And because of that, guess what? Ya know, actually, I'll just show you. It'll be better. Just don't freak out."
He arched a brow.
When a human, (Chase recognized the person, it was the human who often feeds him) appeared behind the cage door, he surely was confused, especially when the person opened the door. It wasn't feeding time, right? Unlike the usual routine of heading to the bowls, she went directly to Chase, and panic erupted through his core. However, he quickly looked at Archie, who showed nothing but contentment, so Chase slightly calmed down, allowing the human to do whatever she was doing.
"Don't move Junior. It will only take a second."
He didn't know what was happening but the human leaned down and went to his neck! The urgent need to be defensive was pestering his mind, but he quickly realized she wasn't choking him or anything.
Then something clicked off.
He felt lighter. Instantly lighter. He blinked a few times to comprehend it before raising his paw up to his neck and feeling the fur there.
"Thanks Barbara." Archie saluted lightly, and she smiled and replied back before heading out the door. The older dog returned his eyes to Chase, and sure enough, he still looked completely dumbfounded.
"Since you're no longer a suspect, healthy, and not as "hot-headed", there's no need for that anymore."
"Are you saying–?"
"Yup, no more chain."
Surely he must have heard wrong. "R-Really?"
"Yeah, and no more shacking it up in this place. We're gonna move you out of the holding cell. And guess what? You won't be alone anymore more in the room. Other dogs will be with you, but of course have their own space. All of them are pretty chill from what I recall talking to them."
Chase became abruptly mute.
Archie noticed the shift. "You don't wanna move?"
"No, I'm just…" he didn't know what to say. "Um, at least this chain came off."
Archie smiled. "Yup. Oh, and 'bout that...sorry we kept the chain on for so long. Protocol."
"No, it's fine. You have…rules." He shrugged the thought. "You had to listen to them."
Archie crocked an eyebrow, and Chase retuned the look. "What?"
"There's like a little old dog in you, ya know that? Stoic and stern, kinda like the Chief."
Chase scowled.
"See, and the frown! Right on point."
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A/N: Sucks that school is starting again soon, but I'll keep writing! Entering second year of uni so hooray~~
Thank you to all those who continuously read, comment and follow my work! (critique/suggestions are welcomed!) ^_^
P.S REVIEW!
Till next time,
mokocchii