Dynamite Comes in Small Packages
By Maven and Firecatt

Dragon Child opened her eyes, aware that her human was no longer curled around her on the bed. Stretching, she spread her jaws in a wide yawn, then padded to the edge and leapt down, landing softly on the floor.
She checked the apartment, then, satisfied that all was as it should be, investigated the bag that lay near the door. Inside were several items of clothing. Sniffing delicately, she was delighted to find that they smelled like her pet. Purring to herself, she curled up in the clothing and soon fell fast asleep.

A thud and a slam woke her with a start. Wide eyed, she poked her head out from her little nest and stared around her. She relaxed slightly, although not as familiar as the apartment, she recognized the smells around her. This was where Peter had taken her after scaring away the grey monster and saying goodbye to her mother. Perhaps they were going to see that funny little man again. She had often watched over him while Peter went away for part of each day. She relaxed even more when she spotted Peter sitting in front of her. The comforting humming sound that filled the air and the gentle rumble beneath her, as well as the sight of her pet, lulled her gently back to sleep.

Emerald green eyes peered over the edge of the bag. The noise around her was almost overwhelming. Many pairs of shoes moved quickly by, accompanied by varying scents of emotion: fear, anger, frustration and fierce gladness. Dragon Child flattened her ears to her skull, puzzled by all the commotion. Where was her pet? The fur of her ruff smoothed down as she caught Peter's familiar scent nearby. Turning her head, she spotted him, or at least his legs, approaching. She relaxed as he sat down. Satisfied that she would be able to keep her pet in sight should he stray away, she decided to explore this new place. She crawled out of the bag and stretched carefully. Then she sat down and just as carefully cleaned and groomed her fur. Slinking under the desks to avoid being stepped upon, she cautiously explored the area.

"Caine!" Chief Strenlich bellowed. "Didn't I tell you to drop the Peters case!" Strenlich strode across the squad room, eyes blazing in fury.
"Chief, I…" Peter began.
Strenlich cut him off. "I told you to keep your nose out of it. I told you this was Baker's case!" Snickers from around the room brought Strenlich's tirade to a halt. Glaring, he looked around the room before his eyes lit on a small black figure stalking toward him. Emerald green eyes glared at him, accompanied by a fierce hiss. The kitten's tail was puffed to twice its normal size, its ears flat against its tiny skull, and its back arched in feline fury. The kitten growled low in its throat as she moved to stand between him and Peter.

Dragon Child stalked toward the menacing figure that had attacked her pet. How dare he? She growled to let him know he would have a fight on his hands, then maneuvered herself until she stood between the man and Peter. Together they would stand off this monster. She yowled as loud as she could, sounding her battle cry, and puffed herself up to intimidate him as best she could. Peter's reaction confused her. Why didn't he attack like he did when the grey monster almost got her? No matter, she would protect him now!

Strenlich sputtered incoherently, his face a mottled red.
Peter leaned down and scooped up Dragon Child, cuddling her protectively against his chest. "Chief, I swear, I don't know how she got here." Peter stammered, while Dragon Child continued hissing at the large threat.
"Careful Chief," a dark voice chuckled, "She might eat you."
Strenlich spun around and glared at Kermit. The ex-mercenary merely smirked, arms folded in amusement.
A snicker sounded from the back of the room, starting a chain reaction that ended with the entire squad room convulsed in laughter.

Capt. Karen Simms hung up the phone and cocked her head at the laughter emanating from the squad room. Curious, she went to investigate. Her chief of detectives stood red faced in the center of the room facing a very embarrassed Detective Caine. A howling spitball of black fur was clutched firmly in Peter's arms, while the rest of the room's occupants struggled to regain their composure. "Would someone like to explain what is going on here?" Capt. Simms said mildly.

Unable to help herself, Skalaney collapsed in laughter again. Peter blushed, dropping his face into one hand and shaking his head, muttering in dismay.

Karen lifted a brow. "Detective Caine, Chief, my office. Oh and Detective? Bring your…..friend with you." She glared around the room. "The rest of you get back to work." She stepped back into her office and waited expectantly for the two to join her.

As the large threat turned away and began to walk off, Dragon Child felt a swell of pride and accomplishment grow. She and her pet had run the monster off! Just look at it, turning tail and running away. Still wary of retaliation, Dragon Child allowed her pet's gentle stroking to begin calming her.

With a start, she realized that Peter was walking in the same direction as the monster, following it. Yes! They would now be on the attack and defeat the obviously inferior creature. It could not stand up to their combined might and now she and Peter would take care of the threat. She tensed her body, alert for a signal from her pet that they would attack.

But the signal never came.

Confused, she looked around the room, assessing the situation. Peter seemed nervous, but not afraid. His hands were steady as they petted her. The monster stood in the opposite corner, arms crossed, scowling at her and Peter. Reflexively, she hissed at him, warning him to keep his distance.

A third person was in the room and, sure that the monster would not move, Dragon Child looked her over. A faint smell, like that of one of the flowers the funny man kept, wafted her way. Dragon Child began to relax, the scent being a familiar one. The woman approached and scratched Dragon Child behind the ears, and Dragon Child purred deep in her throat.

The humans spoke for a moment, then Peter placed her into the woman's arms, gently scratched her under the chin in that way he had of saying 'I love you', then left the room, followed closely by the monster. Dragon Child tensed, ready to follow her pet and protect him, but the woman's hold and her gentle cooing settled Dragon Child.

None-the-less, Dragon Child felt immensely better when Peter arrived minutes later to take her home.

"Well, little one, I don't know how you got here, but you're going to have to stay home from now on." Peter rubbed her head affectionately as he walked to the car. Settling in the seat, he shook his head, remembering the reaction Dragon Child received. "But, I must admit, the look on Strenlich's face when you marched up to him…" He began to laugh.

Dragon Child curled up in her pet's lap, purring with satisfaction. Her pet was pleased with her, she had stood up to the monster and had protected her pet. Dragon Child rubbed her head against Peter's stomach, then relaxed into a well-deserved nap.

The End