Tim pulled his sport utility up to the kennel entrance and hopped out. He wondered if he were making a mistake as he walked up the steps.

Tim pause to read the plaque above the door.

"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."

Tim knew there was truth to those words that helped strengthen his resolve to take full responsibility for Cat if Deeks would allow it.

He headed inside to find Deeks in seemingly the same position as he had seen him the night before.

"Good morning, Officer Grady." Deeks said in a cheerful tone.

"Good morning Doctor."

"Good news, you may keep Cat at your residence off duty."

"Great." Tim smiled, "This will save me a lot of travel time."

"Cat shouldn't be much trouble. She's capable of feeding herself and keeping herself and her living area clean. We do ask that she gets at least two hours of exercise on her days off. If you have any trouble or notice any strange behavior, let us know immediately. Other than that, you're free to take her with you if you're ready."

"I am. Have you mentioned any of this to Cat?"

"No."

"Ok. Is she in her kennel?"

Deeks nodded.

"Thank you Dr. Deeks." Tim said as he started towards the back.

"Take good care of her, Officer Grady."

Tim found the door to Cat's kennel open slightly. He quietly poked his head in. Cat sat at her desk with her back toward the door, completely engrossed writing in a book. Tim noticed Cat was wearing the same uniform that she wore every day except this was the first time he had seen her without her vest.

"Knock. Knock." Tim said.

"Officer Grady!" Cat shouted joyfully as she jumped up from the worn wooden desk.

As she stood to face him, Tim was shocked to see that Cat had been hiding a very shapely figure under her body armor. A strange thought occurred to him as he wondered why InnoGen would waste the effort of encoding the human genes for a model's figure into the base canine genes of a GESA.

Cat looked at the odd expression on Tim's face and stopped halfway between the desk and Tim. "Is there a problem, Sir?" she asked as worry crept into her expression.

Tim shook his head to clear his thoughts and smiled. "Nope."

Cat smiled at hearing there was nothing wrong. "Why are you here?"

"Well. I have some work to do at home, and I could use an extra hand. I was wondering if you'd like to get out of here for a while and help me. Dr. Deeks said it was ok with him." Tim said grinning as he put his plan for surprising Cat into action.

"I would do anything you tell me."

"I'm asking you if you want to help not to obey a command."

Cat was surprised to have a choice. She had never been allowed to choose between doing something or not. It didn't matter to her what Tim could want her for as long as she could do something away from the kennel. Being able to do something with her partner made the offer even more enticing.

Cat's expression brightened. "I want to help you."

Tim smiled. "Ok then. Let's go."

Cat quickly shoved a few books into her bag. Tim noticed Cat appeared to live out of her duffel bag. He caught a glimpse of clothing and books before she closed it.

"Why do you carry all that with you?" Tim asked.

"It is everything that has been given to me that is mine to keep."

"But why take it all with you everywhere you go?"

"Because it is mine." She stated plainly. "I have no other place to keep it."

Tim thought he understood what Cat meant. She didn't have any place that she could consider hers where she could leave her belongings. Tim hoped that was a good sign that Cat would not want to remain at the kennel.

Cat picked up her vest to put it on.

"Hey, we're off duty." Tim said. "You don't need to wear that, but you can bring it with you."

Cat thought it was strange that Tim told her to bring her vest along even though she didn't need it. She thought he was acting a little strange, but judging by his scent he was in one of the cheeriest moods she had ever seen him. Besides, he was her partner and she trusted him.

Tim paused on their way out. "Did you say my name right when I came in?" He asked with a knowing smile.

"I always say it right." Cat said with her lopsided grin.

Tim could see the mischief in her bright blue eyes. "Uh huh," he said knowing better than to believe that as they resumed their walk out to his car.

Cat followed Tim out to his SUV and put her gear in the back. She hopped in the front seat and put on her seat belt. She inhaled deeply. It was his vehicle, she thought to herself as she enjoyed the rich thick sent of her partner dominating the other scents.

"Much nicer than the patrol car." Cat said with a pleased smile. "Smells good."

"Thanks. It does still have a little of that new car smell." Tim said as he pulled out of the lot. "I need to pick up a few things at a hardware store."

Cat gave Tim a smile and turned her attention out the window.

Cat's smile was contagious. Tim found himself smiling as well as he looked over at his cheery partner.

After a short drive, Tim pulled into the parking lot for the hardware store.

"Come on, partner. I need some paint." Tim said as he got out.

"What are you painting?" Cat asked as she followed Tim into the store.

"Just fixing up one of the rooms at home."

He and Cat got a variety of mixed stares as they went around the store. Clips from their press conference had already been aired on the evening news. Tim found the notoriety a bit disconcerting. Cat seemed to enjoy the attention, especially from the children that would stare and point at her. She would stop to give them a wave which caused the children to either wave back or duck behind their parents. Either way, Cat would smile before catching back up with Tim.

Tim found the paint aisle and looked through the swatches while Cat alternated between watching him and looking around at all the interesting items on the shelves.

Tim studied all the colors for a few minutes until he noticed Cat looking a little bored.

"I can't decide which color. What color do you think looks good?" Tim asked.

Cat looked at the booth with all the swatches. Her furry forehead wrinkling as she concentrated. "Is there a function for each color?"

Tim smiled at her serious expression. "No. People sometimes decorate with colors that are pleasing to them."

"Then you should pick since it is your home."

"I like all of them." Tim said, hoping to force Cat to pick one she liked. "You're the deciding vote. Tell me which you like best."

Cat spent a few moments in deep thought as she looked through the colors.

"I like these equally." she said, handing Tim three swatches: a deep golden yellow, a fiery red and a sky blue.

Tim could just imagine having to wear sunglasses in a room painted in either of the first two. He took the blue swatch and asked the clerk to give him two gallons.

"Thanks partner, you're a big help." Tim praised.

Cat smiled. "Your welcome, sir."

Tim took the paint and picked up a few other items: some empty boxes, dropcloths, brushes and rollers.

When they arrived at Tim's small ranch styled home they unloaded the supplies Tim had purchased.

Cat looked around the house as she followed Tim through the kitchen dining area that separated the living room from the master and second bedrooms.

"Big home." Cat said as she set the paint down inside the second bedroom. "You live alone?"

"Yes. Though hopefully not forever." Tim grinned inwardly. "Help me box this stuff up so it doesn't get paint on it."

They started working at packing up the loose items in the room. Tim started clearing the desk and placing everything in a box while Cat cleared the bookshelves. Tim noticed she read the titles of each of the books before packing them away.

They moved the furniture away from the wall and spread the dropcloths.

Tim opened a can of paint and showed Cat how to use the brush along the corners and around the trim. She painted slower, but her work was perfect compared to Tim's.

Tim poured the remainder of the can into a paint tray and started with the rollers. As with the brushes, Cat proved to learn quickly, spreading the paint perfectly across the wall.

Their work was finished quickly as they worked together. Tim rolled the final few strokes up the wall. He finished his stroke with slightly too much speed sending a few paint spatters into his face.

"Damn it." Tim said rubbing his eyes. He turned to his blind side not realizing Cat came near to see whether he was hurt. He lowered his arm to put the roller down and was rewarded with a surprised yelp from Cat.

"Cat?"

He stopped rubbing his eyes and as his vision cleared, Cat came into focus. Her fur was matted with blue paint from the top of her head where the roller bounced off, landed onto her muzzle and had rolled down to the tip of her nose.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were so close." Tim apologized.

Cat reached to her head and ran her fingers over her fur. She looked at the blue paint that covered her fingers.

"You know, you look good in that color." Tim started to laugh. "It matches your eyes."

Cat's lopsided grin formed briefly before turning to her more mischievous smile.

"No you don't!" Tim warned.

Tim failed backing up to avoid Cat's fingers as she playfully swatted Tim's nose, leaving a nice deposit of paint from her fingers. Tim was, however, successful at getting his feet tangled in the dropcloth causing him to loose his balance.

"I'm sorry, sir. Are you hurt?" Cat asked with concern as she looked at Tim sitting on the floor.

"I'm fine." Tim said, embarrassed. "The paint tray broke my fall," he added as he got back up with the back of his pants soaked in blue paint.

Cat's laughter started with something like a bark but continued in a most human manner. She held her hand in front of her muzzle as she tried to hide her amusement.

Tim smiled at the sound of Cat's laughter. It was the first time he heard her laugh at anything.

"Come on, let's get this cleaned up and we'll get something to eat."

Tim wiped Cat off as best he could and sent her into the bathroom to try to wash out the remainder of the paint. She came out of the bathroom almost an hour later. Her fur was damp but clean.

Tim had all the paint and supplies cleaned up and put away. He had pushed the bookshelves and furniture back into position. The room looked clean and new.

"My turn." Tim said as he headed to the bathroom. "Make yourself at home until I'm done."

"Thank you." Cat replied pleasantly.

Tim disappeared into the bathroom. When he was done, he found Cat sitting at the kitchen table with one of her books. Her bag sat on the floor beside her. He walked behind her and gave the back of her head a quick scratch.

Cat sighed softly. "What was that for?"

"For helping me today." Tim said happily. "And because you seem to like it."

"You're welcome. It was nice to do something different."

"Well how about dinner?"

Cat nodded. "I am feeling hungry."

"Let's go then." Tim said as he grabbed his keys.

Cat followed Tim out and got in his car.

"Not to stereotype you, but how about a steak house?" he said as they drove.

"I have a high protein and fiber diet." Cat said.

"Ok. That will work." Tim grinned. "Steak and salad it is."

Cat looked at Tim, surprised that he would offer to feed her such an extravagant meal.

They pulled up in front of the restaurant. Tim got out of the SUV and was almost to the entrance before he noticed Cat wasn't at his side. He walked back and opened the passenger door.

"Hey, I thought you didn't like being left in the car?" Tim joked.

"You want me to eat with you?" Cat asked in disbelief.

"Yes. You do know how to use utensils, don't you?" Tim joked.

"Yes." she nodded. "But I don't think I belong in there."

"Cat."

"Please, sir." she pleaded sadly.

Tim looked at Cat and could see she was uncomfortable with the idea.

"Ok. If you're sure."

Cat smiled a little. "Enjoy your dinner. I will wait here."

Tim closed the door and headed to the entrance. He paused before going in to look back at Cat sitting alone in the car.

Cat sat in the Car watching the people inside through the restaurant's windows. She took in a deep breath as she closed her eyes and rested her head back. She concentrated on Tim's scent as she thought about how nice it was to do something off duty with him. She still was uncertain why Tim treated her so nicely, but she knew it made her feel good. She felt special.

Cat jumped as the driver's side door opened suddenly and Tim hopped in.

"What about your dinner?" Cat asked.

"Carry out," Tim smiled. "You didn't think I could actually enjoy dinner with you out here alone, did you?"

Cat looked at Tim, her lips parted to speak but she stopped and smiled instead.

Tim tilted his seat back to a more comfortable angle and laid back with his eyes closed. "It should be fifteen or twenty minutes until it's ready."

Cat silently watched Tim with a soft happy smile on her muzzle.

Eventually, a young waitress came out and spotted the two figures waiting in the car. She walked over to the passenger side with a bag, holding it up as Tim put the automatic window down.

"Here's your doggie bag." said the young girl, her voice fading as the window lowered and she realized what she had said and to whom.

Cat took the bag from the girl. "Thank you, miss." Cat said with a bright smile that caused the girl to smile nervously in return.

Tim chuckled as he started the car and backed up, leaving the stunned waitress in the parking lot.

They got back to Tim's house and seated themselves in the kitchen.

Tim was surprised to see Cat cut her steak in pieces smaller than he was cutting his own.

"This is the best meal I have ever had." Cat said between bites.

"Glad you like it." Tim smiled as he watched her alternate between her steak and vegetables.

Tim always though of himself as a fast eater, but Cat had him beat despite the small bites she was taking.

Cat finished her meal and stretched in her seat. She sat back with a contented smile and waited for Tim to finish.

"Thank you for dinner."

"You're welcome, Cat."

Tim got up and cleared the table. Afterward, he went into the living room and stretched out on his couch. Cat followed Tim and sat down on the floor beside the couch.

"Hey, you can use the chair if you want to sit. You don't need to lay on the floor like a dog."

Tim immediately felt ridiculous for telling Cat that she wasn't a dog.

Cat gave Tim a funny look before laying down. "There's only one couch and I want to stretch out too." Cat explained. "I am a dog."

"Well, technically you are. But, you're far from an ordinary dog." Tim rolled over on his stomach and dropped his arm off the couch to scratch Cat's head where she lay beneath him. "Don't sell yourself short."

Cat let out a sigh as Tim's fingers worked over the back of her neck and behind her ears.

Tim woke an hour later, surprised to find that he had fallen asleep. He looked over the edge of the couch at Cat. He smiled as he though how cute she looked as she peacefully slept. He reached down and ran his finger along her cheek causing her to smile in her sleep.

Tim quietly got up and sneaked off to the bathroom to keep from disturbing Cat. When he returned she was awake and waiting for him. He had hoped to let her sleep, but now he could put his plan into action.

"Well I suppose I should be taking you home." Tim told her.

Cat's ears flattened as her expression saddened. She got up and went to get her bag from the kitchen.

Tim felt a little bad deceiving Cat, but he hoped his surprise would make up for it.

Cat picked up her bag after making sure it was zipped closed. Tim held the door for her as she headed out to the car.

"What's wrong, partner?" Tim asked as he pulled the car out onto the road.

Cat let out a soft sigh. "I liked helping you today. It was nice to do something different."

Tim drove around the block and pulled up back in front of his house.

"Did you forget something, sir?" Cat asked curiously.

Tim remained silent as he turned off the ignition and got out. He quickly headed inside, leaving Cat in the car.

Cat got out of the car and walked up to the house warily, uncertain what Tim was doing. She cautiously entered the house and slowly walked through, looking for Tim. She came to the second bedroom and found Tim sitting on the desk

"Welcome home, Cat." Tim said happily.

Cat looked at Tim, her jaw dropping slightly. "Home," she said slowly. "Here. With you?"

Tim smiled warmly. "Yes. If you want to stay here."

Cat let out a soft whimper as her eyes began to tear.

Tim's smile weakened. "Hey. It's ok. You don't have to stay here if you don't want to."

Cat walked further into the room and sat on the bed. She ran a hand over the soft mattress.

"You planned all this? For me?" she asked in a shaky voice.

Tim nodded. "I wasn't sure how you would react toward leaving the kennel. I wanted you to feel comfortable here, so I thought if you helped fix up the room you might think of it as yours."

Cat was silent for a few minutes. "I don't know what to do. No one has ever done anything so nice for me." She said with a sigh.

"Well. Accepting would be a start." Tim teased. "But choose whatever you are comfortable with."

Cat thought for a moment before leaving the room.

Tim heard her walk out of the house. He wondered briefly if she were waiting in the Car for him to take her back to the kennel. He was about to follow after her when he heard her come back in the house.

Cat walked into the room, her room, and set her bag down on the bed. "I will stay," she said with a radiant smile.

Tim smiled in return as he reflected on his decision to have Cat stay with him. After seeing how happy Cat looked, Tim knew he made the right choice.