Here it is, guys! This is the Zoe/Russell so many of you had wanted. Honestly, I wasn't the biggest fan of the pairing, but the S2 finale kind of changed that for me (no spoilers hehe sorry!). PLEASE request more for me guys, I like to do what makes you all happy. You CAN request guest pets, and I can write Blythe in, too. If I get no inspiring requests I'm gonna throw all the pets in a random generator and draw names for pairings. Fun, right?

Anyways, hope you guys like it! Enjoy!

For Zoe, It was almost show time.

The purple spaniel had spent all morning working on and posing in an outfit that she was to model and was pleased to note it was as fabulous as she thought it would be. From her perfectly styled hair to her glittering blue dress, her get-up was as beautiful as it was eye-catching. Why, she was practically aglow already!

"Aaaaand one, and two… uh huh… oh yeah, baby, work it. Aaaand camera click. Pose… one, and two, and—"

She was busy modeling and grinning giddily at the mirror when the door to her dressing room swung open, revealing an equally-dolled-up Blythe and a tie-clad Russell. Both of them had taken the Saturday away from the pet shop to fill-in for Zoe's owners, who were away on business. Zoe was glad, really—nothing like two friends who could actually understand you to help you prep for your big day.

Blythe squealed at Zoe when the spaniel turned around to face her. "Eeee! Zoe, you look so gorgeous. That dress is SO you, and I love what the stylists did with your makeup! I only wish I could be that good with makeup."

"Well, darling," Zoe cooed back, "You ARE good at designing clothing, and what you made for me is positively radiant. I can't wait to show it off. This pageant is one of the state's finest, you know, and I'm sure my outfit will garner me plenty of attention."

The teenager girl grinned at the thought. Before she could reply, however, a loud knock on the door came to her attention.

"Mrs. Baxter!" a hurried voice came from behind the door. "Zoe Trent's spokeswoman, am I right? You're needed for a press conference in 3 minutes!"

Whirling around, Blythe cast a sheepish grin at her two pet friends.

"Heh, I'd loooove to stay guys, but I really need to do this interview. Rusty, you wouldn't mind helping Zoe finish getting ready, would you? I'll be back in a few, just in time to take Zoe center-stage."

The hedgehog smiled politely. "Of course not, Blythe. Have fun!"

As quickly as she came in Blythe was gone, leaving the two pets alone in the dressing room. Zoe turned back to the mirror once her human friend had run out, and was proceeding to check and recheck her appearance. After a few moments of silence, Russell cleared his throat.

"You know, Zoe," he said, taking care to seem very matter-of-fact, "As your campaign manager, I think you look very nice today."

Zoe chuckled.

"Why thank you, Russell. I do so appreciate that."

She spent a few more moments twirling her dress in front of the mirror, taking care to ensure that everything was exactly in place. Russell instinctively knew he was not to help her, despite Blythe's suggestion—Zoe was a natural, and completely in her element. Knowing there was nothing he could be of assistance with, the hedgehog simply sat in awe, watching the expert at work.

Once she was finished, however, the spaniel turned back to her friend. Another pause.

"Hm, well… You'd be good at this too, Russell dear."

The hedgehog merely looked surprised.

"Wha… me? You kidding, Zoe? I was totally out of my league back at the expo."

"Oh, but you got over it, didn't you? The nerves, I mean? I think you did fine, and that British outfit Delilah had you try on suited you very well."

She seemed distracted by her outfit, but Russell knew she was being sincere. He scratched his head.

"Well, maybe," he conceded, "It was pretty nice. I guess I had an okay time, but I'm still working on the nerves, ya know?"

This time, Zoe turned to face him directly. Her eyes were glinting, a look Russell knew very well, a look of teasing and mischief.

She laughed slightly. "Well, you do remember my advice, don't you? The gorgeous face? Yours didn't look so good the first time, but I assume you've been practicing."

"W-well, I wouldn't say practicing—"

That glint again. "Come on, Russell," she said, "Let's have a look."

Both the hedgehog and the spaniel giggled a bit as Russell tried his best to assume his gorgeous face. After the second try, Zoe stopped him.

"No, no, no" she said between laughs, "Come on, it's like this!"

She could barely put on her own model face through her laughing, but she did her best. Russell found himself oddly pleased with the end result—her glimmering eyes and puffed out lips made her look especially appealing, and that dress of hers…

"Russell?" Zoe inquired, snapping the hedgehog out of his reverie. "How was that, darling? Up to par?"

Smiling enthusiastically, Russell replied, "Oh, definitely! The best one yet."

"Well, thank you… now Russell, I'm ready to see yours." She grinned mischeveously, and Russell knew he wasn't going to get out of it.

"A-are ya sure, Zo? I mean, I really haven't…"

"Come onnn, I'm waiiiiting!"

Russell sighed, admitting defeat. He absolutely did not want his eyes to bug out of his skull like they did last time—or any other embarrassing contortion his face might take on—but he knew he did not want to disappoint his friend. With a gulp, he tried his hardest to assume what might be considered a gorgeous face.

Though he could not see the visage he came up with, Zoe could.

Russell? She thought to herself, observing his pose in quiet awe, that can't… can't be…

He looked positively spectacular. His green eyes were narrowed in a cocky sort of way, with a lopsided, toothy grin to accentuate it. He didn't just look confident and self-assured… he actually looked attractive.

This time, it was Zoe's turn to be snapped out of her reverie; the door clicked open as Blythe rushed back in and Russell's gorgeous face faded into one of expectancy.

"Well? How'd I do?" He asked Zoe as Blythe picked the spaniel up in her arms to take her to the stage.

From between Blythe's strong grasp, Zoe looked back at her friend. She was barely able to muster the words through her surprise, but when she did, she sounded like she was glowing.

"Amazing, Russell. Just amazing."

Aaaand done! Also, I'm done with college apps now—I should have more time to write, so request away. I love feedback!