The Marriot

Two hours later

Trent sat back in his chair after finishing up the delectable molten lava cake he'd ordered from the steakhouse. He looked up at the lawyers who were quietly working on the many different forms they'd printed out and then he looked at his phone again.

He couldn't shake the premonition he'd had at the restaurant. He really hoped the words spoken by Noah had been ones spoken by an addled brain.

Another hour passed and the phone went off. Trent picked up his phone and saw Micah's number on the screen.

He slid his finger across the screen and answered.

"Hey, this is Trent Fernandez. Is everything okay?"

There was a moment of hesitation, then his shaky voice answered. "I'm at the front desk, the concierge won't let us through."

Trent looked at Serena assuming the 'us' he was referring to were the dogs. "Could you please go get them?"

The younger woman nodded, and Trent hung up. A minute later, they came back, and Trent was surprised to see an officer with the young man. He stood up slowly and acknowledged them both. A moment later, he noticed that the younger man was carrying a new looking pet carrier.

"What's going on?"

The officer, an older woman with fair skin and red hair in a messy bun approached the table with her hat tucked under her arm. "Hello, I'm officer Leona of the San Diego police department. My partner and I were called in for a high-speed accident on the highway. The car they were driving in was hit on the passenger side. I'm sorry to inform you that Mr. Hadley and his canine companion have passed away."

Trent's heart sank and she sat back in the chair.

"Dammit."

"I was late because I had to give a statement to the police." Micah said nervously. "We also stopped to pick up Rex since no one else could have shown up to do it. I know we just met at the restaurant today and I didn't want you to think I was making any of this up."

"It's okay." Trent said softly. "I just had a feeling something was going to happen. I hate being right." A moment passed and then he looked up at the officer. "And the woman that was with him?"

"She survived and was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. That's all I've heard about the daughter."

Trent raised an eyebrow. "Karma at its best. She was not a nice lady." He gestured to the carrier when he heard a dog whining inside it. "Is Rex okay?"

"About as good as I expected. I'm not sure how, but I get the feeling that he knows his mom and master are gone." Micah replied as he opened the door and a fluffy black and white head popped out.

Trent smiled seeing the little black nose that was furiously sniffing all the new smells around him. The smile faded however as the chihuahua slowly sat down on his furry behind and yipped softly.

"I'm so sorry Rex, but your mom and master are gone." Trent said softly.

The chihuahua turned his head and took Trent in for the first time. Getting up on his furry paws, the dog turned around and slowly walked up to Trent with his tail up in the air.

Everyone seemed to hold their breath as the dog sniffed Trent's hands and then arms. Trent didn't make any sudden movements as the creature with sleek hair checked him out. This went on for another minute until finally chihuahua eyes met that of human and they seemed to take each other in.

Another moment passed and then Rex licked his dad's chin and sat back down on his furry butt and then tilted his head a little in the most adorable way.

Trent was absolutely smitten as he gently stroked the soft fur between the ears. "I'm your dad now. I'm going to take the best care of you and spoil you rotten."

As if Rex understood his words, his little furry tail wagged and a second later, he turned on the spot and laid down in front of Trent immediately showing his belly.

"Well then, I guess that's it." Micah said with a chuckle. "He's all yours."

Trent nodded and then looked up at Micah. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

The younger man sighed. "I'll be fine. Mr. Hadley was my benefactor and left me a small gift in his will." A moment passed and then he added. "I was a ward of the state after my father died of an overdose; he saw potential in me and got me off the street. He helped me get through high school and helped me get the grants I needed to get through law school. Ensuring his companions had a good home was my attempt at repaying him." He paused, "I only wish I could have found the diamond collar too. Who knows what that woman did with it?"

The cop looked between them. "Is there something else I need to know?"

Micah quickly filled her in on the conversation earlier. "I feel no sympathy for his daughter. If that crash didn't kill him, his heart would have. She was absolutely cruel to him, and he was all but shaking when we left the restaurant."

"Are there people who can corroborate your story?"

"She talks pretty loudly and publicly humiliated him. Ask the waitstaff."

"It's of no matter, for now." Trent said with a frown. "I have more than enough money to get Rex everything he needs. I meant what I said to Mr. Hadley, I'll give the best life I can to Rex."

Noah nodded and then paused. "There's something else I want to give you."

"I don't need anything." Trent countered.

"Yes, I can see that, but before Mr. Hadley got in the car, he pulled me aside and told me to give you his car." Saying this, he pulled out a pink paper and handed it to Trent who looked surprised.

"Before you refuse, please hear me out."

Trent nodded and sat back.

"Mr. Hadley, in his younger years, had a love for classic cars. In the years following his divorce, he had the chance to acquire a 1962 Ford Thunderbird. He tinkered with it and spent every spare minute that he could into fixing it up. He told me he'd watched Knight Rider as a teenager and he dreamed the one day, when technology caught up, he'd have his own 'Kit.' He's modified the interior and it's ready to have an AI installed…I think. But then he got diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He never drew up plans for it and the family has told me they have no problem with selling it for scrap metal and other than his dogs, this car was his only other prize possession. I don't have the technical knowledge to finish his project. I'm hoping you would know someone that does."

Trent's thoughts immediately went to Ethan and Billy back in Angel Grove. They'd have a field day with such a car.

Trent snorted as he imagined Ethan's face and nodded. "Yeah, I know just the men that can finish the car; they're very much into computers and mechanics."

Moriah piped up. "I hate to shoot you guys down, but do you have proof that your benefactor wanted the car to pass to you?"

Noah nodded. "Yeah, he gifted the car to me around the time he got diagnosed." Saying this, he pulled out a manila folder and handed it to the lawyers. In it was a transfer of ownership that had been notarized."

"This works." Moriah said as she looked it over.

"Well, if there's nothing else I can do to assist you people, I have to head back to the station to file the report. There's a lot to do."

It didn't take long for papers to be signed and soon they would be notarized and then filed.

Trent walked Micah out to his car. "I rented a big storage room to keep it safe. Whenever you want to get it, let me know."

"I can come pick it up in a couple days. For now, why not go home and get some rest? It's been a very long day and I'm sure you have lots to process. I'll be in town for a few more days. There's really no rush."

"Thank you for being so understanding; I never intended for the day to go like this. Micah paused for a second. "Between you and me, I think it's for the best; he hated the thought of spending the rest of his life drooling over a bib and having to be bathed by complete strangers." Micah took a deep breath and finished saying, "I think the only thing really holding him to this earth was the safety of his dogs."

Trent nodded. "I think you're right." A moment passed before he added. "What will you do now?"

"I have a solid job working at a firm here in town, but if I get a better offer out of the city, I'm taking it. There's nothing really anchoring me here anymore."

Trent nodded. "Best of luck to you then. We'll talk soon."

After parting ways, Trent went back into the little room and saw both women fawning over Rex who was soaking up all the attention.

He was definitely a charmer.

The moment the Rex saw his new owner in the room, he was back up on all fours and his tail was wagging slightly.

"Is everything okay?" the intern asked.

Trent nodded. "Yes, I'll pick up the car in a few days so that Micah can get some rest and grieve. If you ladies have everything you need, I'd like to get out of here. My new furry child and I have some shopping to do."

Moriah grinned and nodded before stepping back from the table where Rex was working the intern over. "Yeah, you should take the furry prince away from us before we are tempted to take him home with us. He's such a charmer."

"So, I've been told." Trent said lightheartedly as he gently picked up Rex and carried him outside. Apparently, the furry prince needed to relieve himself as soon as they walked outside. Once 'business' was taken care of, he carried both the carrier and the tiny dog to the car and got in.

Trent sat down and laid his head against the headrest and took several deep breathes. This day had definitely not gone the way he'd anticipated. His son would be home that night and so would that beautiful councilor.

He was about to show up with yet another…

Trent paused inner monolog as he felt his new furry child climb into his lap and lean against him. When he looked down, he saw bright eyes staring up at him. Already Rex's presence had calmed him. When he thought of his crush, his heart still sped up a little bit, but he didn't feel anxious or overly lusty.

He finally felt peaceful.

Back at the hotel

A few hours later

Trent sat on the bed with a thick binder open in front of him. Next to him, on his brand-new blanket was Rex making little noises as he slept.

After leaving the hotel, Trent made a trip to Petco in search of a few basic items that his new furry son would need. It was a new experience for him, but thankfully a couple of the employees, which were quickly charmed by Rex helped him pick out everything he would need. About fifty bucks later, he walked out with two plastic bags, which were now laid out next to the bed.

The binder, which Micah had given him contained all kinds of information about Rex. The old man had kept meticulous records of the vet visits and according to the information, Rex was due for his next round of vaccines.

He made a mental note to take care of that as soon as he got back to Angel Grove.

A few minutes later, he got a text on his cellphone that Kira and Conner had arrived, and they wanted to come up and see him. Trent sighed and set aside his binder and looked over at his puppy.

"This should be interesting." He said as he got up and put his hoodie on. This whole time, he'd been shirtless and in complete disarray. But now it seemed, his private time was over.

He had no idea why he suddenly felt anxious again, there was no other group of people in the whole world that he felt more at ease around. They were his inner circle after all. While all this was going on, Rex had woken up, and stretched in the cutest way possible.

Now, he sat down on the edge of the bed, watching in curiosity.

Of course, when they knocked on the door, he started barking…or rather yapping.

Trent turned around and shooshed him and he sat back on his hunches even more confused. The old man had trained him well.

When the door opened, Conner and Kira were standing there looking road weary and yet also curious.

"Why do I hear a dog?" Conner asked.

"Because there's a dog in here." Trent answered with a wry look. A lot happened in the last eight hours or so."

"Clearly." Kira said as she stepped into the room and looked around. The moment she saw Rex, she awed softly. The chihuahua gave her an uncertain look and sat down as if trying to figure her out.

Trent walked over to the bed and Rex jumped into his new dad's arms.

"Guys, this is Rex; he's had a rough week. His old owner and his mom were killed in an accident today. I've legally adopted him."

Connor sat down in the desk chair and leaned forward with his hands on his knees. The merriment was gone from his eyes. "You better rewind and hit play again; tell us everything."

Trent nodded and sat on the bed. He gently stroked Rex's head and told them everything he knew.

"I was prepared to take both dogs in, but it seems that Death intervened."

Connor nodded in complete understanding. "Yeah, the Reaper's made more than one appearance this last week or so. I adopted a young foal that lost its mother to a coven of evil witches."

Trent raised a brow and then it was time for Connor to tell his own story.

"Spooky." He added when Connor finished.

"And now the Miscreants have also adopted a mutated black cat."

Hearing the Miscreants mentioned, Trent was painfully reminded of the fact that he was supposed to be leading them.

Connor didn't miss the moment. "I know this isn't the best moment, but have you reconsidered your role as their mentor?"

Trent sighed and sat back. Immediately Rex was licking his chin as if sensing the moment of distress.

"I'm not sure I'm the best candidate for the job right now." He answered truthfully." I've been having the hardest time focusing since…" here Trent paused realizing that he'd almost given away the deepest secret of his heart.

Connor blinked after briefly 'reading' his friend aura.

"You are definitely out of focus." He stated giving his friend a look of concern. You were fine when you got Katsume out of dodge. What changed?"

Trent sighed. "Gabrielle showed up."

"The counselor?" Connor asked.

"Yeah. She showed up in Portland out of nowhere and I wasn't ready to deal with any feelings I have for her yet. It's all too much and I needed to get some space."

Kira raised a brow having put two and two together.

"You've fallen for her."

Trent nodded. "Yeah, I have, and I can't act on it. She's not just some chick I could spend the night with. She's so much more and there's a kid in tow. I can fight monsters all day long, but this is something different."

"Yeah, it is." Kira answered. "This is a good something and maybe you're still wounded from your last relationship."

Trent gave her a startled look.

Kira didn't flinch and added. "I mean it Trent. I'm not about to let you trudge through all the drama like I did. You need to know that whatever evil deeds you think you've done don't matter anymore. If you think there's some taint on you, it's nothing that a good cleansing ceremony can't help."

Connor gave his wife a look and then looked at Trent. "She's right and I can help with that, but you need to square with whatever it is in your past that's holding you back and if this has anything to do with Mesogog or your temporary betrayal, you should know that we all forgave you for that a long time ago."

It's got nothing to do with my past as a ranger. I want Gabrielle as more than a rebound. I want something real. I wanted the same thing with Sophie, but we all know how that turned out."

"Then you need to find that same brave part of you that allowed you to save this dog's life and apply it here. You need to get over Sophie. She's in the past and if Gabrielle is your future, we don't want you to miss it out of fear of rejection.

Kira and I have found our happy ending and we want the same thing for you. You may not think so, but you deserve to find 'it' too."

After a long moment, Trent breathed deep and made a mental decision.

"You're right. The past needs to die."

Kira nodded and the heavy cloud that had temporarily settled seemed to lift and even Rex felt it and his tail wagged a little bit.

He slowly climbed down out of Trent's lap and approached Kira much like he'd done at the other hotel and sniffed her hand.

The moment he rolled over and showed his belly, she too became a victim of his charm.

Connor and Kira never meant to stay as long as they did, but Rex really worked them over. Finally, Connor had to be the responsible one and gently coax his wife to leave the room.

Trent shook his head as the door closed. "My dog, the ladies man."

Later that night, after walking Rex and getting some food, he lay in bed much more relaxed.

There as Rex snuggled next to him, he firmly decided to let go of any remaining self-hatred.

He remembered that dream he had and embraced its possibilities.

Soon, sleep claimed him, and he was finally at peace.

So, what did everyone think of this chapter? Let me know in the review section!