A/N: And we're back! In the mood for writing, so Zillah gets an update. Baseball Don & Baby-Doll Redux should get one soon… maybe.
One-Shot: Dogs Know
Prompt: 035 Sixth Sense
Summary: Zillah knew before anyone else.
Timing: When the family finds out that Margaret has cancer.
-DK-
One morning, as Margaret stepped out of the shower, she saw Zillah sitting by the door connecting to the main bedroom. The hound was looking up at her with eyes that seemed to be sad, much more so than usual.
"What's wrong, girl?" Margaret asked as she grabbed a towel to start drying off. "Did Charlie lock you out of his room again?"
In answer, Zillah let out a whimper and trotted forwards, butting her head against Margaret's leg. The woman smiled and rubbed her head, confused at the dog's behaviour. She quickly dried off and dressed herself, Zillah staying close beside her the whole time.
"Come on girl, let's go have breakfast." Margaret paused after saying that – something that would normally have Zillah bolting downstairs, today just made the dog trot along at her side. There must have been something wrong with the poor beast, and Margaret decided that she should probably see a vet.
-DK-
Over the next few days, Margaret began to suspect that there was nothing wrong with Zillah, but something was wrong with herself. She'd started feeling a little off colour, and the dog had hardly left her side. Charlie and Alan had both been confused about it, though both tried to find rational explanations for it.
Instead of trying to understand Zillah, Margaret decided to check her own health. Dogs were meant to be able to tell when someone was sick, often before they knew themselves. So she sat down and made a list of everything that had seemed off in the last few days, and went to see a doctor.
When she got home from the hospital to an empty house – other than Zillah of course – Margaret curled up on her bed with the dog and cried. The doctor had done a thorough check, and had found a lump in her breast. He was fairly sure that it was cancer, and had started running a few tests. When he got the results back, Margaret would have to return and face the fact that she could be very sick.
Zillah allowed herself to be cried on. She knew that Margaret would want to put on a brave face for the rest of the family, but for now she was allowed to be afraid. For now, Zillah was the strong one, and would do anything for her.
-DK-
When Don and Alan made their way to the car, knowing that Margaret wasn't going to last much longer, Zillah sat at the top of the driveway and watched them go. Looking at her, Alan remembered what Margaret had said about Zillah knowing before anyone else about her cancer, and he paused in front of the dog. Kneeling, he looked her in the eye, and choked back a sob.
It was clear from the way Zillah leaned forward and licked his face in comfort, before nudging him with her nose towards the car.
Margaret was dying, and Zillah was telling him to be by her side.
After that, Alan always turned to Zillah when he though one of his children could be in danger – for she always knew before anyone else. And as long as she didn't give him that look when Don was out on a case, he knew he didn't have to worry as much.