"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion"

-- Plaque overhanging entrance to AP kennels.

Tim arrived early at the kennel for the start of his second work week with Cat. Their first week went well. He formed a schedule of picking up his assignments from the station before making the trip out to the kennels to pick up Cat. Every day Cat was ready and waiting with her duffel bag, dressed in her body armor and fatigues.

This week Tim decided to improve the routine and pick Cat up before heading into the station.

"Good morning Mr. Deeks. Is Cat ready for work?"

"You're early, Officer Grady."

"I thought I'd pick Cat up before going to the station. It saves me a few minutes of commuting."

"That's fine. How was your first week with Cat?"

"Good."

"So, do you still want to get back with regular canines or has Cat changed your opinion on GESAs?"

Tim thought for a moment.

"I'm getting used to her. She's been a good partner so far; Very attentive, obedient and surprisingly helpful."

"Good. I'm glad to hear she is performing well. Cat is in the back kennel area. You can go get her if you like."

Tim nodded and headed toward the kennel area. He had never been in back before but eventually found a door labeled Canine Assistant Two.

"Good morning, partner." Tim said cheerfully as he opened the door and stepped inside.

He immediately stopped and looked around the kennel room. Tim couldn't believe the conditions Cat was being housed. Her room wasn't any bigger than a prison cell and wasn't much cleaner. The floor was grungy, and walls covered in gray paint that was peeling badly. A single dim light bulb hung from the center of the ceiling providing a poor source of light. The only furnishings were a cot running along one wall and a desk in the corner. Books were piled on the desk and in crates on the floor beside it. It didn't make sense to him. He would have expected quarters more like a lab for her. After all, she was the second in a line of prototype GESAs.

"Good morning Officer Grrady." Cat said excitedly as she placed a few final items in her bag.

"Grady, not Grrady." Tim said, imitating the way she pronounced his name with the slight growl. He had been trying to correct her pronunciation of his name ever since they started working together. Tim found it a little annoying at first, but it quickly grew on him to the point that he thought of it as cute.

Tim made brief eye contact with Cat before she grinned and looked away. Her grin was quaint, a little lopsided where her lips pulled back and upward a little further on the left side. Only her eyes told Tim whether it was a forced smile, a smirk or if she were genuinely happy. Despite her canine features, Tim thought her expressions were quite human sometimes.

Getting her to say his name right had become more of a little game then anything serious. Tim suspected Cat enjoyed playing it.

"This is where you live?"

"Yes. It's much nicer than what the other police dogs have."

"Yeah. I suppose it is." Tim said in a tone that suggested he felt otherwise.

Cat looked curiously at him.

Tim noticed the way Cat was looking at him. He pushed away the unpleasant thoughts and spoke in an upbeat tone for Cat's sake.

"Come on, Partner, We don't want to be late for the morning roster."

"Ok, Partner." Cat said with a bright toothy smile as she followed Tim out of her room.

Cat followed Tim out to the cruiser and put her bag in the back. She took her place in the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt.

"How was your weekend?" Tim asked, making idle conversation on their trip to the station.

"I studied and exercised. I would rather have been working."

"You like work so much?"

"I like working with you." Cat said happily.

Tim smiled at Cat's comment. She sounded relaxed, and something in her tone made him feel as though she appreciated him in some way.

"Well, thanks partner."

Cat grinned a little as she wondered if Tim were happy with her as a partner. She closed her eyes and rested her head back against the seat while she took in the scents that lingered in the cruiser.

She could smell the leather and a faint trace of whatever was used to clean it a few weeks ago. There was the smell of oil, fuel, and a hint of ozone from the fan in the dispatch computer. A variety of human scents from those who rode in the cruiser either as passenger or perpetrator.

She blocked out the other smells and focused on the strongest aroma, the scent of her officer. Her smile widened a little as she enjoyed the sense of security it gave her. She quickly learned how his scent varied with his mood. She could tell when he was happy or worried. Today, he was in good spirits, though she felt there was something that troubled him.

Tim glanced briefly at Cat before returning his attention to the traffic. He thought Cat looked content sitting there resting with a soft grin on her muzzle. Tim remembered their first two days together. Cat had seemed to await nervously his every command. Since then, he had noticed Cat had become more relaxed around him. She wasn't relaxed in an undisciplined manner, but more in confidence. Tim knew Cat trusted him and he had come to trust Cat more than before.

They pulled into the garage and headed into the station.

Cat paused in front of a bulletin board of assorted department notices.

"Officer Grrady," Cat said with her lopsided grin. "May I read these?"

Tim looked back at Cat. He noticed her grin was more of a smirk and wondered why she always smiled like that whenever he didn't try to correct her speech.

"There's nothing important there."

"Please? I like to read," Cat begged.

Anyone would have wondered why Tim had become so soft-hearted. If they had known how few pleasures Cat had in her life, they would have understood why Tim found it hard to resist when she begged for something so simple.

Tim thought how boring Cat's life must be if she found reading department bulletins enjoyable.

"Ok. I'll be right in the next room." Tim said, pointing to the door. "Can I trust you to come right in when you’re done?"

"Yes, sir." Cat said, snapping to attention and giving a quick salute.

Tim turned away and chuckled to himself. He knew he could trust her before he asked the question. After their initial day together, Cat became the perfect partner once he realized her need to accompany him.

Cat began reading the bulletins while Tim walked into the adjoining office.

Tim saw the box from the local coffee shop sitting on his desk. It was a tradition for everyone to chip in and buy the officer and his new canine breakfast after their first week together. It was also the first time Tim was bringing Cat into the office. Tim sat down and opened the box to find it mixed with dog biscuits and donuts.

"Morning Tim," Tim's long time friend, Mark Brady, greeted him. They had known each other since Tim had first assignment with the K9 unit.

Mark sat at his desk with two of the other officers on the shift standing close.

Brenda Cash was one of the younger officers; fresh from the academy, but she had years of experience handling dogs. Her parents owned a boarding kennel as well as several champion show dogs.

Greg Phillips was one of those guys that everyone tolerated, barely. He was a decent cop, but his grating personality didn't bring him many friends.

"I heard he got one of those engineered mutts." Greg said.

"What? A GESAs?" asked Brenda. "I thought they were for the disabled."

"Always knew Tim was a little slow." Greg joked.

"Wow. I bet it's smart." Brenda said excitedly. "I'd like to get paired with one of those."

"Not me. I'll take a good old fashioned canine any day. I'd be afraid one of those GESAs would turn on you when you need them." Greg commented.

Tim remembered saying something similar when he learned he was getting paired with Cat. He also remembered he wasn't happy to learn that the first canine assistant prototype had gone feral and was destroyed. He was glad to see that Cat had settled into a routine with him.

"Hey Tim, where is your new partner?" asked Mark.

Almost on cue, Cat walked into the room. She glanced around the room, spotted Tim and headed toward him. Everyone except Tim watched in shocked silence as Cat confidently walked to stand by his side.

"Damn." Cash exclaimed under her breath in astonishment and a little admiration.

Tim couldn't help smirking at the other officers' surprised looks.

"All finished, Officer Grrady." Cat said as she noticed the open box on Tim's desk.

Tim grinned a little wider as the other officers looks changed from surprise to disbelief when they heard Cat speak.

"Guys, this is Cat. Cat, meet Officers Phillips, Cash and Brady." Tim said, pointing to each as he said their names.

"I thought GESAs looked like regular dogs?" Asked Brenda.

"I'm an Innovative Genetics, Canine Assistant model two." Cat said proudly.

"She's a new prototype GESA." Tim said as he noticed Cat eying the box of biscuits and donuts. "Go ahead, Cat, help yourself."

"Thank you." Cat said before plucking a powdered donut from the box. Within three bites she finished it and was licking the remaining sugar from her muzzle.

The other officers seemed to get a kick out of Cat picking the donut over the biscuits.

Tim, not to be out done, took one of the bone shaped biscuits and proceeded to chew on it while Cat reached for another powdered donut.

"How do you like working with it so far?" Phillips asked.

Tim found himself slightly angered by the way Phillips could ask that question with Cat right there as if she couldn't hear or just didn't matter.

"Well, at first I wasn't happy with the situation."

Cat paused in the middle of her second donut to look at Tim as bits of powdered sugar clung to her muzzle.

"But now, I'm damn glad to have her as a partner." Tim said with certainty.

Cat looked at Tim and gave him a sugary smile.

"Let's go people." yelled Captain Harris as he passed through on his way to the briefing room.

The other officers got up and followed Harris.

"Sir? Did you mean that?" Cat said quietly to Tim as she turned her head to look back at him on their way to the briefing room.

Tim reached up to give Cat a quick scratch behind her ear. "Yes, I did."

At the briefing, Tim was surprised to receive a schedule for the entire week. He and Cat were still receiving light assignments until the higher-ups thought he was better acquainted with Cat. They were being cautious, but Tim already knew Cat could handle any situation.

Tim learned that his previous week with Cat was starting to draw some public interest. A press conference was to be held Friday and Tim was one of the main speakers to introduce Cat and describe her abilities.

Friday came quicker than Tim expected. He found himself seated behind a curtain with Cat between him and Dr. Deeks. A variety of media personalities filed into the room and seated themselves.

Tim peeked out through the curtain at the sea of reporters and their accompanying photographers and videographers.

"I'm hate this sort of thing," Tim complained under his breath.

Cat looked at Tim with excitement in her bright blue eyes.

"I think it will be fun," whispered Cat.

"You're the star. It should be fun for you." Tim said softly with a slight grin.

"It's time, Officer," Deeks said as he stood.

Tim followed Deeks from behind the curtain. He took a position standing off to the side of Deeks who stood at a podium to address the reporters.

"Good afternoon everyone. I'm Dr. Julius Deeks, project head of Innovative Genetics GESA development program. With me today is Officer Tim Grady." Deeks said, waiving a hand in Tim's direction. "I'm sure many of you already have heard rumor of a new GESA being used by our local police force. Officer Grady has been field testing our latest prototype since last week. And now, without further delay, I would like to introduce to you the city's newest canine police officer, and the first successful second generation GESA prototype from Innovative Genetics."

Deeks extended his arm, holding it towards the opening in the curtain. "Cat, come," he commanded.

The mention of Cat's name caused a few chuckles around the room.

Cat stepped out from behind the curtain. A few surprised gasps mixed with sporadic applause as she walked along the front of the room to stand beside Tim.

The air was suddenly filled with hands as each reporter competed to ask their questions.

Deeks pointed to one of the reporters.

"Is there a reason InnoGen created a GESA with such a human appearance?" asked the reporter.

"Yes, Cat has a very human appearance, but let's not let that be the focus of your questions." Deeks said amicably. "Form is determined by function. To create a GESA with greater versatility, a more humanoid form was required. Cat is a perfect blend of canine sensory abilities and physical endurance combined with human dexterity, learning ability and communication skills."

Another of the reporters raised his hand, waiting until Deeks acknowledged him before speaking. "Current GESAs have language skills close to a three-year old child. How does Cat compare?"

"I think Cat can answer that question for you."

"I have the vocabulary and reading ability of a sixth grade level," Cat said proudly.

"What about IQ?" asked the reporter.

"I don't..." Cat started to respond when Deeks interrupted.

"Cat hasn't shown any particular aptitude for anything other than what she has been trained for. I'm sure Officer Grady can give you his opinion of her abilities."

The reporter redirected his question to Tim. "Officer Grady, how has Cat's performance been?"

Tim cleared his throat. "Excellent. On our first day together she apprehended an armed suspect and saved my life in the process. In the past week she's assisted making several arrests of drug traffickers by locating evidence."

"But is that any better than a normal police dog could have done? After all, they have been successfully used in that capacity for years."

"I was with my last partner for eleven years. She was an excellent dog, but she had limitations. Most dogs are only trained for one task. Cat's abilities extend further. She can detect various narcotics and explosives. Even more useful is her ability to distinguish between those scents and verbally communicate her findings to me."

"I have a question for Cat, if we may ask her questions."

Deeks nodded to the reporter and Tim stepped back to let Cat approach the microphone.

"Cat, how do you like police work?"

"It is great." Cat replied with a wide smile.

"Is it like a game to you?" asked another reporter.

"Not a game." Cat said with such a serious expression that Tim almost laughed. "It is fun because I know I am helping people."

"How do you like working with your officer?"

"He is the best handler I have had."

"I understand your first handler was killed." one reporter called out loudly.

The room went silent.

Cat looked at the reporter. Tim could see that the question caught Cat unexpectedly.

"Yes," cat finally managed to force herself to answer in a somber voice.

"Was that because of something you did?"

Tim watched Cat's muzzle move as if she were trying to speak, but no words came out. He felt angry that someone could ask such a cold question. Tim stepped up next to Cat, placing his hand on her shoulder and nudging her slightly to move back. He moved forward to address the reporter.

"Cat's last officer made a mistake." Tim said directly toward the reporter who had asked the question. "He left Cat locked in a patrol car when he should have had her with him. If he had, he would probably have been here today instead of me." Tim turned to look at Cat, his eyes making contact with hers as he spoke. "It was not her fault."

The next question turned out to be a technical one that Deeks responded too. The remainder of the press conference went quickly. Deeks answered the reporters never-ending supply of questions.

Most of the questions were related to genetics and InnoGen's plans for developing the GESAs further. Tim found much of the scientific info interesting, but some answers left him with his own questions. Some things Deeks was saying about Cat didn't seem to match quite right with what Tim had discovered on his own about her personality or abilities.

Afterward, Tim was glad to get back to the station and do paper work the rest of the afternoon. It was certainly better than press conferences.

Mark walked into the office area at the end of the shift. He found Tim sitting across from Cat at one of the desks. Tim was hunched forward as he watched Cat intently. Mark thought Tim looked as if he were interrogating a suspect as he pulled up a chair and sat with them.

"Repeat after me." Tim ordered. "Grape."

Cat cocked her head curiously. "Grape."

"Green."

"Green," Cat repeated.

"Great."

Cat's lips pulled back into a grin. "Great."

"Grade," Tim said as he leaned forward to watch Cat closely.

"Grade." Cat said leaning in closer to Tim.

"Brady," Tim said with a quick glance at Mark.

"Brady," Cat said clearly.

Tim said moving closer, his nose almost touching Cat's as their eyes locked.

"Grady."

"Grrady," Cat said with a slight growl as her grin widened.

Tim sat back heavily in his seat with a frustrated expression.

"Why can't you get that right?"

"What, Officer Grrady?"

Mark chuckled as Tim stood up mumbling something before picking up his mug and heading out of the office toward the cafeteria.

Cat's grin slowly disappeared as Tim walked away. She wondered if she went to far as she glanced quickly at Officer Brady then back to the door Tim left through.

"He's not really mad at you."

"Good. I don't want to make Officer Grady mad. He is the nicest human I have worked with."

Mark looked at Cat. "Don't worry, Cat. Tim...hey you just said his name right."

Cat's grin reappeared almost instantly along with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"You're doing that intentionally, aren't you?" Mark asked with a widening grin.

"Please don't tell him." Cat asked sheepishly.

"Why do you do it?"

Cat thought for a moment. "I don't get to play often. It tickles me inside when I do it. I thought Officer Grady liked to play too."

"Ok, I like a good joke." Mark laughed. "I won't say anything."

Cat smiled in relief.

"What's so funny?" Tim asked as he came back into the room.

"Cat was just telling me she liked to play." Mark said with a grin. "You should do something fun off duty with her one day."

Tim gave Mark a funny expression. "Let's go Cat, it's time to take you back to the kennel."

Cat's ears dropped as she stood and followed Tim out. She silently watched out the window during the ride. She studied the people as they went about their lives. She envied the children playing in the park as they drove past.

"What's wrong Cat? You're looking down."

Cat gave Tim a slightly puzzled look. "I was looking out the window, not down."

"Just an expression. I meant that you look sad."

"I was thinking about this weekend." Cat said bleakly.

"You don't like going back to the kennel, do you?"

"I get bored. I try to exercise or study. There is nothing else to do."

"Don't the kennel attendants or Dr. Deeks do anything fun with you?"

"No. They clean the runs and feed the other dogs. I only see Dr. Deeks when I exercise or train."

Tim sympathized with her. He hated a dull weekend. Though, unlike Cat, he had the liberty to do whatever he wanted to try to alleviate the boredom. Cat was dependent on someone to provide her with activities.

"Well, would you cheer up if I promise to take you to the park for our lunch hour on Monday? I used to take Sasha there for a quick game of fetch. I know your a little sophisticated for that, but we could still toss a frisbee back and forth if you'd like to play around. Or, if there's something you would prefer to do, don't be afraid to ask me."

Tim could see Cat's eyes brighten as she looked at him.

"I would like that very much." Cat said happily.

She smiled the rest of the drive back to the kennel.

Tim parked the cruiser and accompanied Cat back to her room.

"See you next week partner," Tim said as he scratched her behind her ears.

Cat closed her eyes as she started to smile.

Tim could see she enjoyed it and gave her a little extra attention to last her until Monday.

"Good night Officer Grrady." She said, holding her growl in his name longer than normal while his fingers worked behind her ear.

Tim smiled as Cat turned to smile back at him before going into her room. He watched her close the door. A quick glimpse of the interior of the room caused the smile to fade from Tim's face. His conscience nagged at him as he turned to leave.

On his way out, Tim passed in front of the open door to the office Deeks was working in. He paused as he remembered how sad Cat seemed during the ride there and felt bad abandoning her for the weekend. Tim stepped back in front of the door and wrapped on the jamb before entering.

"Dr. Deeks, if you have a minute, I'd like to talk to you about Cat."

"Has there been a problem?"

"No, not at all. I've become quite confident in her abilities. That's what I'd like to talk to you about."

Deeks looked up from his papers while Tim continued talking.

"I was accustomed to keeping my last partner at home with me, and I was hoping similar arrangements could be made with Cat. I have plenty of space, and I don't think I would have any problems unless there are special needs that can only be taken care of here."

"Cat is a very valuable and unique experiment, Officer Grady."

"I realize that, sir. I'm loosing almost two hours daily of patrol time to come out here and pick her up in the morning and return her in the evening. Saving that travel time would give her two more hours of training. You would also pick up additional public exposure whenever she accompanies me while off duty."

Tim kept to himself that he thought it would also be good for Cat to get out of the prison like conditions she was currently housed in.

"Positive exposure with the public is always beneficial." Deeks said as he continued considering Tim's request. "Would you be willing to make occasional PR appearances on your own time?"

Tim hesitated. He wanted to help Cat, but he also didn't want to give up all his free time to do it. He suddenly felt ashamed of his selfishness.

"If they remain occasional. I value my time off, but if giving you a day or two per month will make my work week easier, I think that might be acceptable."

Deeks nodded his head as he thought.

"All right Officer Grady, let me think about it tonight. I'll need to check with some people first. Come here early tomorrow morning and I'll let you know whether we'll give it a try or not."

"Great. Thank you, Dr. Deeks, I'll see you tomorrow then." Tim said before leaving.

Deeks waited until Tim was out of the building before picking up his phone and dialing.

"Yes, it's Deeks. Officer Grady has asked to have Cat moved from the kennel. I've decided to allow it and try a little experiment to see whether Cat will maintain her conditioning."

Deeks waited patiently for the voice on the other end of the phone to finish before he continued speaking.

"I know you've invested a great deal. We all have a great deal at risk. But, considering InnoGen has already broken the law, there isn't any more to loose. Knowledge learned cannot be unlearned. If we can get wide acceptance before the public realizes what we have done and if Cat remains stable and doesn't become too independent, we'll have a marketable product. If Cat destabilizes..."

Deeks stopped as he was interrupted from the other end. He waited before attempting to ease his backer's fears in a cold, calm tone.

"I don't think Grady will become a problem. If he does, law enforcement is a dangerous profession. Cat and officer Grady could easily have an accident."

Deeks listened carefully while he casually turned a pen over and over between his fingers.

"Yes, I'll see to everything." Deeks said before placing the phone back on its base.

Tim headed to his cruiser with a smile on his face. He wondered what Cat would think about living away from the kennel of Deeks allowed it. There was the possibility that she would not react well to leaving the only environment she knew as home, even if it wasn't much of one. Less than human or more than a dog, he couldn't help thinking that Cat deserved better treatment whichever category she fell under. Tim hoped he wasn't making a mistake, but he had to listen to his conscience.