Marshall x fem!Chase

Continuation of broken pieces

(Request by GUEST)

Marshall pawed at the ground agitatedly. He was waiting for the ferry to come back after it's trip to the mainland. No, he didn't just wait like this to see all the visitors, he was waiting for a pup that held a special place in his heart to come home after six months of no contact.

Cass, was her name, and she was the center of his world. Everything she did made the whole world seem to light up with joy and purpose. She made you want to do SOMETHING to help someone, his girlfriend was just that amazing. The adult German Shepherd had gone to a six month police training camp, to sharpen up her skills as a police officer. He remembered the almost heartbreaking departure, then making her stay a while longer by admitting how he really felt.

In the end, she ended up staying two more weeks before she left again, giving them enough time to stop all the ignoring before that and start anew. Marshall himself felt so happy every night for those weeks, seeing Cass everyday and getting to greet her without freaking out.

Not to mention all the kissing. THAT could be a story in itself. Cass could very well be one of the best kissers in the world. Damn she knew what to do with those fine thin lips of hers. They were both the alpha kind of dogs, so their kisses would always be so passionate, fighting for power over the other.

And the way she spoke. Just by hearing it you could tell she was a powerful dog, one who commanded and wanted respect from everyone. There were times when her voice would turn shyer, more unsure of herself and her power. He loved it when he would get all playful with her and she would just blush bright red and quietly reprimand him to stop. Not that Marshall listens or anything, her angry face was just too adorable. He missed her so much, and he was so happy she was coming back today.

Finally, he saw the outline of the ferry, and excitedly jumped up to greet it. He could see her again! The ferry docked, and the walk on passengers began to get off. Marshall waited by the side, carefully studying every face to see if it was her. After all, a dog can change a lot in six months, yeah?

There she was, still looking defiant and so...beautiful. The training had made her stronger, her taut muscles noticable underneath her coarse fur. Cass looked tired, her amber eyes clouded with exhaustion and her usually perky ears wilting off to the sides. As soon as she spotted him, her entire body sagged in relief and she ran to him happily.

"Marsh! Oh, I've missed you so much..." Wrapping her arms around him, Cass hugged him joyfully.

"Cass, you have no idea how hard it is to live without you, you're too important to me." Marshall hugged her back, then glanced at her in concern. "Hey, you okay?"

Cass, indeed, did not look okay. It seemed like the journey had exhausted her very being, making her alumo into his arms. Now that she was home, and safe, all the remaining bits of energy left her and the tension seeped in. She closed her amber eyes and promptly fell into a light sleep I'm his arms.

"Aw, she's exhausted... I better take her home to the lookout." Marshall was more than happy to take her, so he put her on his spotted back and off they went back home.

~

Cass woke up to the sound of birds happily chirping their morning song. Strange, she hasn't heard that in a long time, ever since she went to boot camp. Speaking if that wretched "boot camp", she never wanted to go again. Cass did learn a lot, but it exhausted every fibre of her being on how hard they would wear you done to the bone. She was glad she passed, and happy she tried her best.

One fact you might not have known about Cass, she got homesick quite easily. Just spending a few days away from her family and friends would make her whine and cry. Not to mention being away from Marshall, not seeing his sunshiny grin each day and hearing his bad puns. He always had a way if making her feel better, and she felt more alive when they were together, sappy as it sounds.

Right now though, her brain was too tired to even think about something as pleasant as Marshall. She'll just catch up with the rest of the pups later...

Six hours passed, and no one had heard from Cass.

It's likely that she could still be at her puphouse, but if she was who she used to be, Cass would have wanted to go outside to burn off all her energy somehow.

Marshall tried searching for her elsewhere, but that proved futile. Guess she really still sleeping, isn't she?

There was her puphouse, door closed and no lights on. He rapped his spotted paw softly on the door, not wanting to wake her up if she was sleeping.

Marshall did not expect to hear a scream in reply though.

~

Monsters. All around me.

I can feel their claws, cold and so so sharp, creeping in on me. I'm cornered , they've formed a circle around me, and their eyes were so cold, so lifeless. They all looked so hungry, hungry for my blood..

So much taller, shadows eating me up, all wanting something from me. What do they WANT?

No.

They don't want me, it was just a distraction.

It's Marshall they want.

I can see his blood, stainng the barren ground. They're hurting him!

His eyes, once so clear and blue, are now dead, lifeless like the monsters.

~

Cass woke up screaming, an ear splitting wail that echoed off the walls and leaked outside.

Calm down... She took deep breaths, slowly regaining control of herself. Looking around wildly, she feared those monsters that seemed so real.

Only then did she hear the pounding on her door.

Cautiously opening the doggy door, Cass darted her frightened amber hues around before landing on her mate's concerned icy blue ones. Sagging in relief once more, the German Shepherd wrapped her arms around Marshall, crying tears of relief.

"I thought you were gone for real! I'm sorry for letting you bleed, I'm a terrible mate!" Cass cried, fearfully half squeezing him to death.

"Me? Gone? What are you talkin' about? Did you have a nightmare or something?" The Dally pulled back to look at her in concern, using his right paw to stroke her esr softly and caringly.

"So it really was just a dream... More like nightmare." The police pup shuddered, leaning more into Marshall's warm and welcoming embrace. "They we're gonna kill you! The monsters, their claws, your blood... Oh!" Without meaning to, she started hyperventilating, only to have her mate plant a kiss right between her eyes to comfort her.

"Shh, it's okay, I'm here with you now, and I'll protect you from those monsters, don't you worry. Sweetheart, nothing will happen to you, alright?"

"Just because I'm scared doesn't mean you get to milk it... " Cass attempted a wobbly grin, some of her old spunk coming back. Marshall smiled and moved closer to her still trembling body. Cass relaxed as soon as their fur touched and she leaned against him, curling up next to his still and calming form.

"Thank you Marsh, I love you." Cass drifted off to sleep once more, feeling much more secure and safe in her mate's arms.

"No need to thank me, that's what I'm here for. Now go to sleep, love. If you stay awake any longer, you'll get more nightmares..." He licked the top of her head affectionately, then laid his head down and fell asleep as well.

And so he protected her, like she did him before, from her fears and worst realities.

To mend a heart you'll have to gain it's trust, and to gain it's trust you'll have to save them at their weakest. That's how you mend a heart.

A/N:

This may not be acurrate, but when you're too tired and don't have enough sleep you're more likely to get nightmares. That's my twisted world, where it's easier to make nightmares than dreams.

I hope you liked it, and special thanks for all the reviewers! Without y'all, I wouldn't have the motivation for this!