A/N: *in Manny's voice* I LIVE AGAIN...again!

Super sorry for the long hiatus, folks. Haven't really been active in the Sheriff Callie fandom for a hot minute. But I am back. And with a new chapter in this little series. :)

Reading through the rest of my original one-shots made me realize that I've written a lot of these from Peck's perspective. And in the process, I've completely ignored Callie. I feel kinda bad about that ;

Anyhoo, this was inspired by an age-old question I was asked on Tumblr, about whether Callie developed a crush on Peck first. I personally see him developing his feelings for her first, but I did say that she'd start to look him later on, probably a few years after working together. And unlike Peck, I've always had the idea that Callie's a lot more direct with things like this, just not in an aggressive turn-off way. Besides, it's high-time I write something focusing on our star sheriff anyhow.

And will this show up in YGMA? Not sure, but if it does, I'll be sure to let you know on here!

I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Sheriff Callie's Wild West!

Everythin' About Him

A cool night finally graced the town of Nice n' Friendly Corners, which was a welcome relief to Sheriff Callie as she stepped outside to take in the night sky. It was admittedly a lovely night; the midnight blue sky glittered with thousands of stars, with a full moon hanging in the center. It reminded her of one of the scenes in her favorite novels (which she kept tucked away from prying eyes), where cowboys would woo their love interests under the full moon.

She chuckled. Such things wouldn't happen with her and Peck. If anything, they'd end up doing a duet, and Toby might have found his way in as a back up singer.

Then again, she wouldn't have had it any other way. It suited them perfectly, and that was all that mattered.

If anybody had told her a few years ago that she would be dating her deputy, she would have called them foolish. Her father had drilled into her that love and work could be a dangerous combination. She'd been young, so of course she'd naively disregarded that advice and had gotten burned, hard, but it'd worked.

That had all changed when she ended up meeting Peck.

Her family had been shocked upon hearing the news. You're datin' that hotheaded deputy o' yours? Her father had said. What exactly do ya see in him?

There were quite a few things about him that she liked, actually.

On the surface, she could understand why her family was hesitant. He was impulsive, worrisome, a perfectionist, and had an ego the size of Texas. He could be by the book to where it'd become nitpicking, and had no concept of a filter at times—he'd say what was on his mind, no matter who heard it, or if it'd hurt. His first few months as deputy, she'd worried that she'd made a mistake in hiring him on.

It was Tio who'd convinced her to keep him. He'd had a few choice words for Peck's behavior, naturally, but he had told her to give him another chance. She could still remember his words when she came to him for advice.

"Men like that, they're what ranch hands call blustery. He's blowing a lot of hot air, but trust me, he's not as bad as you think he is."

The end of the world could be upon her and Tio would convince her that it'd be alright. While Peck's trial run as deputy wasn't that severe, of course, he'd end up being right. Blustery was one of many words to describe Peck, but there was no denying that he had a heart of gold underneath it all.

Unlike her last deputy, Peck truly cared about the people of Nice n' Friendly Corners and made efforts to get to know everyone there. When Toby had been hired on, he took him under his wing. He took pride in making the town a safer, friendlier place to live, and for that, the townspeople respected him. He often tried to act like the "big man" around town, but thankfully, it was really just an act. When humbled, he'd bend himself over backwards to make everything right between himself and the offended party.

What really drew her to him, though, was his integrity. Even in the face of temptations, he refused to be led astray or do anything illegal. Sure, he wasn't perfect, but there was no doubt that his moral compass was in check. He was honest, passionate about everything he did, and showed compassion to those who truly needed his help, or wanted to change. The incident with Esmeralda had shown her that—he had every opportunity and right to treat the swallow just as bad as she'd treated him, but he'd grown wiser during his time in Nice n' Friendly Corners, and had forgiven her for what she'd put him through when they were together.

She had liked him upon first meeting him, but after two years working as partners, she started to really see him differently. Any other girl would have called her silly or foolish for falling for someone like him, but as she had told her mother after some (admittedly intense) questioning, "There was somethin' about him."

Over time, though, it was hard to define what that "somethin'" was. It could have been his compassion, integrity, or his surprising insight on matters. Reasonable, desirable qualities one would look for in a man.

But she was a helpless romantic at heart. And knowing her, it was probably something silly.

That somethin' could be his adorable laugh, especially when she caught him off guard and tickled him. It could be the way his eyes lit up when he dug into a new batch of trail mix. Or the confident smile he'd sport when they'd catch a criminal or when he'd be praised. Or how his face would turn red as his feathers whenever she complimented him. Or how he looked at her with so much love and adoration whenever they were together that it often sent her heart skipping a beat.

Oh, who was she kidding? It was obvious that she loved everything about Peck—and the feeling was very much mutual, and had been for years.

Contrary to what the residents thought, she hadn't been unaware of Peck's feelings for her. Even a blind bat that had traveled through town noted that her deputy had taken a shine to her. She hadn't missed Abigail and Priscilla's sly nudges to ask Peck out for a milkshake, nor had she missed Toby's cues to talk to him alone. Truth was, she wanted to talk to him about it, but in a small town like Nice 'n Friendly Corners, one's business was everyone's business. Callie was a girl who went after what she wanted, so talking to him wasn't an issue. It was just trying to do it away from everyone's prying eyes.

Peck, though, had no such reservations. So long as she knew, he'd proclaim his feelings for her, no matter who heard it.

And boy, did everybody hear it.

She still remembered the exact week it happened, too. Six months ago, a cat named Timothy had blown through town, and had set his eyes on her, despite her rebuffing his advances. Peck wasn't having it, and long story short, he'd ended up in Doc Quackers' office for defending her honor. After arresting Timothy and his men for their trouble, she had rushed over to Peck's side, relieved that he'd pulled through. As sheriff, she did have to warn him about getting into physical fights with outlaws, though she was touched that he defended her, and after hearing what Timothy had said he'd do to her, she was relieved that her suspicions had been right.

One thing had bothered her, though, and that was Peck's inability to come clean with his feelings. She'd noticed how tense and shy he'd been acting around her, not to mention becoming jealous and territorial when Timothy was around her. He probably thought that she didn't know why he acted that way, which she used to her advantage when she questioned him. Interrogation had always been her strong suit, and she could do it in a way that wouldn't feel like coercion. She wanted him to tell her the plain, honest-to-goodness truth and not hide it behind flimsy "it's my duty as deputy" or "you're my closest friend" excuses.

Well, she got what she asked for, and with Peck being Peck, she got it in the most dramatic way possible.

Six months earlier...

"Are ya absolutely sure there isn't another reason why you'd go after Timothy like that? 'Cause that's the feelin' that I'm gettin' from this whole thing," she said.

"Another reason!" Peck sputtered out. His face was starting to turn red, offended by her question. He'd taken it, hook, line and sinker. "You obviously don't see it, do ya, Sheriff? The reason for it was obvious to everyone in town!"

"And that reason is?" Callie asked, one eyebrow raised.

Nothing could have prepared her for his next sentence, though, which he practically screamed so loud that the town over could have heard him:

"Cornflabbit, it's because I love you, Callie!"

There. He'd said it. He'd finally said it.

Aside from a loud gasp from the next room over (Doc Quackers hadn't left the office, surprisingly), silence filled the air. Even though she'd been the one to coax this information out of him, Callie felt her heart race as the woodpecker's passionate statement truly sunk in. In all her twenty five years, and her five years of dating, nobody had ever declared their love for her like that. Unlike her last unwanted suitor, his feelings were earnest and true.

Once the gravity of his statement sunk in, Peck's face turned the shade of his coat with embarrassment. He had just screamed—screamed—out his feelings for Callie, loud enough for the whole dang town to hear. He buried his face in his hands, wishing the earth would swallow him whole that very moment.

Finally, after the longest minute in history, Callie said, "S-Sweet Sassafras...I don't think anyone's told me they loved me like that before..."

Peck's face went redder, if that was even possible. He lifted his head to look at Callie. No more chickening out; you already said it, now own up to it. "Y-Yeah, well...I-I guess that makes me the first, huh?" He scratched at his cheek, his voice lacking the bravado or heat it had earlier.

"How long?"

"Uh...it's been some time, to be honest," he said.

"And how long is some time, Peck?"

"Uh...two years ago, I reckon..."

"Two years ago? Why, Peck...that was when you first arrived in Nice 'n Friendly Corners," Callie recalled. The gears were turning, and now she was kicking herself for not recognizing the signs even then. "You mean to tell me that you were in love with me this whole time?"

"I was in love with ya ever since I met ya," he admitted. He twiddled his thumbs when he saw her surprised face. "Y'know, I took a vow o' chastity, whatever they call it, when I came to this town. After the mess with Esmeralda, I didn't wanna court anybody else. Then I met you." He smirked to himself. "I admit that I took to ya at first because you're pretty. But you're also nice, friendly, tough an' dependable. You'd gotten my attention from day one." He paused. "Actually, I should say that you've still got it."

Those words made Callie's heart skip a beat, and she had to fight down a blush. "W-Well, knowin' everyone else, it didn't take long for 'em to figure out, huh?" she asked.

He nodded. "I asked 'em all not to say anythin', though," he said. "I wanted to tell you my feelin's myself, but a lot of things kept me from doin' it." He paused. "...Things like what Timothy was sayin'."

Callie's eyes narrowed at the mention of the cat. "What did he say to you?"

"He told me that you probably didn't love me simply 'cause we were different species," he admitted. "H-He said that you wouldn't be caught dead with me as your boyfriend, that you'd reject me. Reckon I was worried 'bout that anyhow-"

Oh no. He was spiraling. "Peck-"

"A part of me thought that he was doin' it to make me mad, but a part of me knew that it was true. Everyone in town supported it, but I didn't know how you'd take it, Callie. You're a cat, an' I'm a woodpecker-a bird," he said. "I can't change that anymore than I can change how I feel about ya. How'd that look to folks?"

"It wouldn't look different to anybody here in Nice n' Friendly Corners. I've always liked you, Peck," Callie said.

Peck sighed. "Yeah, but probably not in the same way I like you," he said. "Even if that's the case, I won't mind it a bit."

Oh, if he only knew. "Peck..."

"I told 'im that I value ya as a person, not as a conquest," he continued. "As much as I love you, Callie, you're more than jus' that. You're one of my friends, and I don't wanna lose our friendship, even if you don't return my feelings." He sighed. "Maybe he's right. Maybe I was jus' wastin' my time on this-"

"Peck, listen to me for a second."

Peck looked up at her in surprise. Now that she had his attention, she felt fear seize her. This was probably how he felt, unable to express his feelings without fear. But with his confession out in the open, it wouldn't do to run away from him now. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, and then fixed him with a serious stare.

"Peck, you weren't wastin' your time. An' you're wrong about my not likin' you. To be honest, what you told me earlier was what I wanted to say to you," she said. She looked up at Peck, noticing his eyes were as wide as dinner plates. "I don't think I would've shouted it like you did, but...the feelin's the same."

"Y-You...you love me, too?" Peck said, his voice quivering.

She nodded. "I do, Peck," she said. She walked over to his bed and sat on it, gently taking his hand into hers. Peck looked at her in surprise. "I haven't loved ya for as long as you've loved me, but it's just as strong an' deep as your feelings for me. I liked ya already when I hired you, but you've really grown on me, Peck, in ways I never woulda thought possible. You're an earnest, dependable, lovable guy, an' I love everythin' about ya. In the end, you ended up gettin' my attention, too."

Peck swallowed audibly, pink flaming onto his face once more. "F-First time a girl's made my heart skip like that," Peck muttered, which made her giggle and his blush deepen. The sight of her normally blustery companion being so shy and at a loss for words was too adorable, and it also filled her with a little pride that only she could illicit such a response from him.

"Well, then, it pleases me to be the first," she said.

"Y-You're havin' too much fun with this..."

"That I am. Now, Peck..." She gently rubbed his fingers, not breaking eye contact. "What do you say about becomin' my boyfriend?"

Peck's eyes widened, his jaw dropping in surprise. After a second, the softest smile came upon his face, and his eyes shone with unshed tears of happiness. That expression of pure love made Callie's heart skip yet again, and this time, she was the one who was a blushing mess.

Gently interlocking their fingers together, he said softly, "Yeah. I think I'd like that a lot."

A soft neigh brought Callie back to reality. She turned to see her faithful steed standing next to her, his brown eyes filled with worry and confusion. Callie supposed that staring up absently at the sky with a dumb grin and a red face was cause for concern. The last time that'd happened was two months ago due to a spiked batch of apple cider that Peck had mistakenly bought from Farmer Stinky for their date night at her place.

Well, that night hadn't been that bad, though. Quite the opposite.

A snort from Sparky snapped out out of it again, and Callie felt heat rush to her cheeks. Sweet Sassafras, Sparky was laughing at her. Oh, dear. Alright, time to stop this road trip down memory lane or else she'd really turn into a blushing mess.

She cleared her throat and turned to face him. "Don't you start," she said as reached over to pet him, running her fingers along the side of his face. "Still, thanks for checkin' up on me, Sparky. Nothin's wrong, jus' thinkin' 'bout Peck, is all."

Sparky seemed to give her a knowing smirk, and she sighed. "Yeah, I know, I've been comin' out here a few nights in a row," she said. "But I can't help it. It's the first time a man's made me happy. I love everythin' about him." He nudged her, giving her a small glare, and she chuckled. "Of course, you'll still be number one in my eyes, Sparky."

Sparky seemed satisfied with that response, if the gentle nuzzle was of any indication. Returning it with some pats of her own, she said, "Alright, it's high time we both head to bed. We've got a big day tomorrow with openin' the new railroad station down in Youngsville an' I wanna be alert for that."

That, and she and Peck had planned to go to dinner there, but Sparky didn't need to be reminded of that. If anything, the horse would continue to tease her.

A short while later, Callie settled into bed, though her joy made it hard to settle down. Going down memory lane had a way of doing that to her—especially if it was filled with happy memories of her current romance with Peck. And with things going the way they were, she was sure more happy memories were to come.

With a soft smile, she closed her eyes, thoughts of Peck filling her mind until she finally drifted off to sleep.

The End

Yeah, I'll leave it up to y'all's imagination on what Callie was thinking about :P

Anyway, I hope you guys like this cute little one-shot! Reviews are much appreciated!

God bless,

Iheartgod175