Happy belated Thanksgiving, Sleepyheads. Hope you had a great one. :) These two are so married. :) Plus, can anyone resist Crane with a puppy? :) For sic_fics_are_lifee. Let's pretend he has a job in this one. Okay? :)

Abbie finished dinner while Crane went for a walk. She wanted to give him a bit of a break, since he cooked all last week. She glanced at the microwave clock. He was ten minutes late and grabbed his phone before he left. He would have called if something happened. Where is he? The front door opened.

"Leftenant?"

She walked to the door.

"Crane?"

"I apologize for being late. My new friend kept up my time."

Abbie stared at the small white and black puppy in his hands. The dog sniffed and squirmed.

"Crane."

"Can we keep her? One of your neighbors, Mr. Bill is his name, was giving away puppies. She doesn't have a home, Leftenant."

He turned her around in his hands and nuzzled her nose; she licked it, and Crane smiled. He turned the puppy back around. Abbie sighed. If Crane didn't look so damn cute holding this puppy in his big hands with his stupid sincere smile, then she would have said no.

"She's your dog, Crane. Not mine. She's your responsibility. I don't need anyone else I have to clean up after."

"I beg your pardon."

"Sometimes you leave the teapot on the stove or don't put the lid on the sugar container. Not to mention you leave your saucer of lemons on the table."

"My apologies, Leftenant. I will be sure to clean up after myself."

Abbie nodded. "You want to finish dinner? All that's left are the noodles and the garlic bread."

"I will get right on it. Would you mind?" He walked towards her with the dog.

Her lips formed a thin line as she took the dog. "Fine. Wash your hands. She'll need to get shots and checked out to make sure she's healthy. Dogs can be really expensive, Crane. Are you sure you want her?"

"I am positive, Leftenant. I have saved a few of my funds from my tutoring sessions at the library. I shall take proper care of her."

"I'll help if you need me to."

The puppy sniffed and licked her fingers.

"Thank you, but she is my responsibility. I will be sure to ask for your assistance if it is required."

Abbie nodded. "What's her name?"

"I'm not sure. How about Linda?"

She shook her head and looked down at the dog again. Her fur was black and white. "Marble, like the cake you made last week."

"Hmm." He put his finger up. "I like that name; it suites her. That marble cake was quite scrumptious by the way. I may make another for dessert."

"No strawberry cheesecake?"

"Oh, of course. It is your favorite, and I did promise I'd make it tonight. I will make it a goal to make the cake next time."

"I'll puppysit while you finish everything. Go on."

Abbie sat on the couch with Marble in her lap. She tried to walk around, but jumped up toward Abbie's face. Her paws rested above her chest. Abbie shook her head at Marble as she licked her cheek. She sighed, gave her a small smile. Picking her up, she brought her closer to her face, nuzzled her nose to hers as Crane did. Marble licked her nose, too.