Well fella, this is my first Over the Hedge story. I always love it when Dwayne and Gladys are partners romantically :D I get all excited for them lol. Plus, I know Gladys seems mean in the movie but she's my favorite character and so is Dwayne. :)

I also like to thank to starwars4life for helping me edit. I really appreciate it. ;)

As Dwayne sat in his jail cell, he had his head prompted onto his hand with his arm resting on his leg. He had been there for a year since the Depelter Turbo and it's not the greatest experience. He always have to ask the guard to eat, using the restroom, and watching TV whenever he had the option. It really bugged him because he missed all the freedom… and Gladys.

Just then, the cell door opened, revealing the middle aged police officer about 6'2 tall.

Police Officer: "Okay, LaFontant. You're free to go."

Dwayne was confused. He wasn't scheduled to get out until next year. The officer must have noticed because he said, "Some lady named Gladys came to free ya. Maybe some love purpose or something."

The last one came out as a joke, but Dwayne was genuinely surprised. He had not expected Gladys, of all people, to bail him out, much less the fact that he had a little crush on her the first time he saw her after being paged for animal problem.

Dwayne had liked that she was wearing all black, similarly to how he was wearing all orange that day. Her hair was also not too short but not too long—just the way he prefers women's hair to be. And unlike most of his previous customers, she was strong-willed enough to call him out on being late and falling behind in his job to verminate animals before he had even began. He liked people who had a no-time-for-nonsense attitude like that. On top it all, she was the most beautiful independent woman he had ever seen. She is perfect in every way in Dwayne's eyes.

But Dwayne wanted to know now more than ever what she thought about him. And there was only one way to find out.

After the officer sent him to the front office, he saw Gladys standing there with a smile on her face. He had not realized how beautiful she is. Dwayne smiled back.

Gladys: "I came to get you out of there."

Dwayne (flabbergasted): "Why?"

Gladys: "Well… because I love you. I knew you had a crush on me since that day last year.

Dwayne: "R-really? How'd you know?"

Gladys (giggles): "Isn't it obvious? You referred me as "sister" and "Nancy" the next day. I really like how you're so passionate about your job and taking out animals."

Dwayne smiled and his cheeks became as red as a rose.

Dwayne: "Th-thank you. I never thought that would make me attractive to anybody."

They walked over to Gladys' SUV where Dwayne got into the front seat and Gladys went into the driver seat. Gladys pulled away from the police station parking lot and drove down the road back to her newly built house after the animal shambled it down.

Pulling up in her driveway, she turned the keys into the ignition and pulled it out. They both got out of the car and walked to the house hand in hand, each wanting to find out more things about the other.

Gladys (as she took out her keys and open her door): "So… other than being a Verminator… umm… what do you like to do?"

Dwayne: "I also like teaching all about the verminating, reading the Verm-Tech equipment guide, watching sports and crime drama TV shows, and going on Twitter."

Gladys: "That's good. It's nice to know that you have a life outside of your job."

They went into the house and Gladys closed the door behind her. They made themselves comfortable as Gladys put up her purse. They sat down at her couch.

Dwayne: "How about you?"

Gladys: "Oh, I like cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, reading detective novels, and doing my job."

Dwayne: "Wow, you're more at the housewife level… except for the last part."

Gladys giggles at how Dwayne had said the words after his pause with a curious smile. She holds Dwayne's hand and kisses his cheek, making him blush a little.

Dwayne (stammering): "Um, uh, what do you do in your job? How my job works is easy for anyone to figure out, but what exactly does a President of the Homeowner's Association do?"

Gladys: "Well, using the El Rancho Camelot Homeowners' Charter that I wrote myself, I have to keep a close eye on all ongoings that happen in the neighborhood to ensure they follow each and every one of the 765 rules in the book, and enforce the appropriate penalty when they don't. People also must get clearance from me to hold any type of party, whether a barbecue, birthday, or holiday party. Here, read the most recent additions."

Gladys picks up a very large and heavy-looking book that shakes the whole room when she places it on the table. Dwayne stares wide-eyed. He can swear he's seen dictionaries that are smaller that Gladys's rule book.

When she opens near the back he reads the following information:

DO remove all floating leaves from your pool by 8:00 PM.
DON'T allow your pool water temperature to vary from 86.8 F.
DO make sure your grass is exactly 2 inches tall. 2.5 inches is not acceptable.
DO make sure you're that your garbage cans are placed 3.4 feet from the curb.
DON'T put out your garbage until 7:00 AM.
DON'T forget the Homeowners Association (HOA) President's decision is final!

Gladys: "Well, what do you think? Pretty nifty, aren't I?"

When Dwayne looks back at her, his face and voice show not one shred of respect.

Dwayne: "So you're basically an absolute by-the-book, rule-enforcing tyrant who gets onto anyone for even the tiniest slip-up of failing to follow your rules..."

Gladys: (noticing the look on his face): "I know how this looks, and yes, I can be a real stickler for following procedures. But I'm an interesting person to get to know whenever I'm not on the job. Just give me a chance to prove it to you."

Dwayne: "Well…"

Gladys (clasps her hands together): "Please…"

Dwayne: "…Alright."

Gladys (smiles in relief): "You won't regret it, I swear. Now, today's Wednesday, and the best time for me to spend an evening out with you is going to be this Saturday. 6 PM to 10PM maximum. What are your hours?"

Dwayne (grinning): "One of the best things about my job is that I'm my own boss and make my own hours. So if 6 to 10 is good for you, then it's good for me."

Gladys: "Then Saturday it is."

(Squeal) They scheduled a date! I love them! What do you think? Reviews are always appreciated :D