Triumph

"SPD!"

"SPD!" the chorus sounds around Commander Cruger, a signal of their solidarity and their triumph over the Troobian empire. They salute dutifully, spurred on by the victory, of SPD and their individual Commander.

Kat flies at the Commander, having been held back by Boom until then. He had grabbed her by the waist when she tried to run at the crash to find Cruger. She all but throws herself at the Sirian, tears in her eyes. "You're a stubborn, old dog, you know that."

"I know," Cruger smiles, placing a paw at her back. "I'm glad you're all right, Kat."

"You're the one who almost," Kat chokes back her tears, forcing herself not to crumble in the moment. "I'm glad you came back safely, Doggie."

"As am I," he nods to her. The rangers crowd around them and the celebration continues. Kat feels the wind blow through her curls and she feels relief for the first time in a while, because he is back by her side.

Eventually the crowd disperses back into the command center for cleanup and the rangers go back to clear up the city. Everyone is in high spirits and even the aftermath of the harrowing battle seems doable. Kat and Cruger, however, remain back for a moment. Cruger still holds his sword, Kat, still with her hand on his chest.

"We did it, Kat," he speaks, breaking the peaceful silence.

"We did," she agrees softly. "Doggie, I know you're hurt."

"It's fine," he finally allows a grimace in her most trusted presence. Her hand is held over a raw spot on his chest, no doubt on purpose.

"It's not, it has torn up your scales. I bet if you morphed I'd find the micromesh torn and the plating cracked," Kat frowns at him as she begins helping him walk back to base. He limps slightly, now that the adrenaline of the moment has gone from his system. "It probably scraped your scales and I bet your ribs are cracked, or at least badly bruised."

"Kat," Cruger begins but she continues rambling on about his potential injuries, helping him along. Her height allows her to support his impressive stature without much trouble. He tries several more times until they reach the medical ward but she's too wrapped up in her own muttering. She ignores Felix blatantly and lays him on a bed. "Katherine!"

"Yes?" she looks at him with concern.

"This was a triumph; today...was a triumph, Kat," Doggie touches Kat's hand with his paw gently. "Take it as the victory it is."

"I am," she frowns at him, pulling up a chair without a second thought.

"I know you, Kat. I know you're trying to think of how you could have done things differently, or done more to help, or save us, but you did so much for us. We just took down the Troobian empire in a minimal loss scenario with only a few injuries. That is a remarkable victory, Katherine, and you were a key part of it. If it weren't for you, the rangers and I wouldn't have had an SPD base to return to. You saved everyone here. That is a victory, my dear," he smiles.

"Doggie," she sighs affectionately, taking his paw in her two, smaller hands. "I'm glad you know me...and I know you. I'm glad you got to face your demons. I'm glad you came back."

"Then consider it a triumph, Kat, and rest," Doggie lays back and lets his eyes close.

Kat considers things a moment but gives in, laying her head by his side on the bed, on her arms. She still grips his paw, but she lets her eyes slide closed as well, in peace—in triumph.