Cat sat on her cot in the kennel, wondering if Tim was okay. She was disappointed that he wasn't at work today. Even if she couldn't be with him, seeing him would have been the next best thing.

The bag Brenda brought from Tim's was a welcome surprise; she desperately needed a change of clothes. She went through the bag to see if any of her other things were there. She was disappointed that none of her other belongings were there.

A smile spread across her muzzle when she found the photo tucked beneath her clothes. She laid down on her belly and looked at the photo as she kicked her legs slowly up and down over the edge of the cot.

She giggled as she looked at herself tackling Tim, wishing she could do that right then, or even better, the other way around. Her memories of Tim drifted through her thoughts as she stared at the photo: the first time she hugged him to try and cheer him up, that night in the bathroom when Tim held her to comfort her, all the other times he gave her kind words when she needed them.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she read the note on the back: I'm not letting go of you either.

Cat curled up on her side, holding the photo so she could see it in the dim light entering the kennel from outside. "Goodnight Tim," she said softly as she slowly drifted off to sleep, imagining herself in the safety of Tim's arms.

Tim pulled into a spot in the parking lot of the Innovative Genetics building. It was a massive structure of glass and concrete, over 20 cantilevered stories forming its double helix shape. He knew somewhere in there, hundreds of GESAs were starting their journey to maturity. He wondered if they would be anything like Cat.

He headed into the lobby and on to the receptionist's desk. He looked around the lobby as he waited for the receptionist to finish directing a phone call. It was impressively decorated with marble floors and columns surrounding a gold sculpture of their double helix logo. Innogen was the world leader in genetic research and their building showed it, they had spared no expense in designing their corporate headquarters and largest research facility.

"Welcome to Innogen," she said cheerfully. "How can I help you, Officer?"

"Tim Grady, here to see Dr. Deeks. Though I'm afraid I don't have an appointment. I was just hoping for a few minutes to discuss some matters."

"Just a moment," the receptionist told him as she called Dr. Deeks's and relayed the info. She hung up and looked back up to Tim. "You can have a seat over there," she said, pointing to the waiting area in the lobby. "Someone will be down in a few minutes."

Tim thanked her and headed over to wait in one of the expensive leather chairs that decorated the marble lounge. A short time later, a woman came down to collect him.

She took him up to an office on he top floor and led him to a room where a young woman stood working at a large table of samples. She moved with precision, sliding each sample under a microscope before making a notation and swapping it for another. Her brown hair was pulled back neatly, keeping it from resting on the shoulders of her white lab coat. She looked up at Tim and smiled as her blue eyes looked at him through the safety glasses perched on her nose.

"Hello Officer, Is there a problem."

"Not at all," Tim said. "I'm here to see Dr. Deeks."

She returned her current sample to its case and turned to face him. "What can I do for you?"

Tim looked at her a moment. "I'm here to see Dr. Deeks," he repeated with a little confusion.

"That's me, Dr. Julia Deeks," she said with a smile. She saw the slightly surprised expression on Tim's face. "But judging by that look, I assume you were expecting and older fellow," she said with amusement and a crooked grin.

"Yes," he said as her smile caught his attention with a strikingly familiar lopsidedness.

"That would be my father you're looking for."

Julia stood silently, her hands folding in front of her. She gave him a minute before waving her hand in front of him. "Hello?"

"I'm sorry," Tim said, shaking himself out of his dazed look. "This might sound strange, but are you involved in any of your father's research?"

Julia gave him a questioning look. "No. Why?"

"Do you know anything about his work? Or met any in person?" he asked awkwardly, unsure of his own eyes as he stared at Cat's furless doppelganger.

"He's working on the next generation GESAs, but I haven't had the opportunity to see them up close, just on the news and such," she answered as she recognized him. "Oh, your that police officer that's working with the prototype."

"Yes, her name is Cat," Tim said a little shortly. "But we've been reassigned."

Julia's expression took on a familiar curious stare. "What does any of this have to do with me, considering you came here looking for my father?"

"It's rather hard to say," Tim said as he tried to think of a way to explain his suspicions. "It'd probably better if I could show you, if I can arrange it. Could you give me some way to get in touch with you if I can set up a meeting? I'd really like for you to take a look at her up close."

Julia studied Tim for a moment. His actions were certainly odd, but what was most intriguing was his sudden discomfort that seemed to be increasing by the moment.

"Well, I wouldn't normally do this, but you've made me curious," she said as she grabbed a note pad from the desk and wrote down her cellular number.

"Ms. Deeks," he said as he paused and looked back at Julia.

Julia looked up from her work once again. "Yes?"

Tim cleared his throat. "Would you mind keeping this confidential? Not a word about this meeting to anyone, especially your father, at least until you can see what I have to show you."

"I will, Officer Grady. But this had better be worth my time."

"I think it will be. Thank you," Tim said before leaving.

He headed back down to the lobby, and back to the receptionist. This time he requested the correct Deeks and was taken up to see him.

"Welcome to InnoGen, Officer Grady. Can I assume your visit has something to do with Cat?" Deeks said casually from behind his desk, not even bothering to look up from his paperwork.

"Absolutely," Tim said firmly. "Plain and simple, she's the best partner I have ever had and I want her back."

Deeks looked up at Tim. "It's not a matter of what you want, Officer Grady. It's what Cat needs."

"Do you even know what she needs? She has such a desire to help people; I see so much potential in her. She needs to be able to explore that," Tim pleaded. "She deserves that chance."

"There are things you don't understand. She needs exactly what we decide. Cat must operate within the parameters we establish for her. She isn't her own person, she is what we want her to be," Deeks said flatly.

Tim listened to Deeks's analytical tone. "I don't understand how you can say that. Don't you care about her feelings?"

"If she's not stable enough to be marketable for the different agencies that want the GESAs, then she'll be..." Deeks paused and swiveled his chair around. He remained silent a moment as he looked out the window. "She does tend to capture one's heart, doesn't she," Deeks said distantly as he stared out at the horizon. "It's her innocence, I think. Her natural purity uncorrupted by life in our world. I don't want to see her lose that too quickly."

"Okay, I can agree with that. But isn't there a part of you that knows it's wrong to keep repressing her?"

Deeks turned back around to face Tim. "I'm sorry. I can see you care for her and I appreciate how you've treated her," he said with complete sincerity. "Cat is very special to me and I do care about her feelings. But the decision doesn't rest solely with me; it falls within the corporation. There's nothing you can do to reverse the board members decision."

"Well then, you tell them that she was torn up about failing her first partner. She got past that while working with me. I've seen her grow since we've started working together She's become a better cop. I'd wager she's the best partner anyone could have. This reassignment is going to undo all of that," Tim growled. "When Cat breaks down, how marketable a product is she going to be then?" he shouted as he stormed out of Deeks office.

Deeks sat at his desk, contemplating what Tim had said. Within a few minutes after Tim had left, his phone rang.

"Deeks," he said plainly, knowing it had to be his own watchdog.

"What was Officer Grady doing here?" demanded the caller.

A pained expression came to Deeks's face as he began relaying the details of his conversation with Tim.

Tim headed back to the station and caught up with Brenda and Mark before they left on their lunch break. He pulled them aside to talk to them. "I need your help getting into the kennel tonight."

Brenda's eyes widened. "Tim, you're not going to dognap her are you?" she asked in all seriousness.

Mark gave her a puzzled look.

Tim forced a laugh, remembering their last conversation. "No. I just want to take someone to meet her, but I'd like it to be private and off the records."

"Who is it?" Brenda asked.

"Someone from InnoGen."

Mark sat back in his chair. "Why? What can they do?"

"I'm hoping she can help me determine a few things about Cat. I think there's something InnoGen is trying to play down."

"I think you just want to see Cat," Mark teased.

Tim smiled. "That too."

Brenda smirked at Tim's eagerness. "I'm sure we can distract the keeper long enough for you to visit Cat."

"Thanks, guys. I owe you one," Tim said, relieved to have their help. "We'll meet around 7 at that little restaurant just before the kennel."

"See ya then," Mark said with a friendly slap on Tim's back as he headed out while Brenda stayed a moment.

"Miserable morning?" she asked with a concerned expression.

"Yeah, you could say that," Tim said with a fake grin.

"You went to see Deeks?"

Tim nodded. "I don't understand him. He seems like he knows I'm right, yet doesn't want to accept it." He let out an exhausted sigh. "I'm still no closer to getting her back."

"Well, lets hope that this person can help tonight," Brenda offered encouragingly.

"I don't know about that. But I am hoping she can answer some questions for me."

Brenda gave Tim a curious look as he started to leave.

"See you tonight," he called back as he headed out.

Tim called Julia later that day, asking her to meet him. They later met outside the restaurant a little before Brenda and Mark were to show up.

"Glad to see you made it," Tim said with a little relief. "Would you like some coffee?"

Julia grinned at Tim; her smile striking that familiar chord that reminded him of Cat. "This wasn't some clever way of trying to ask me out, was it?" she asked as they headed inside.

"No," Tim said with a serious expression. "We're just waiting for some friends who will be helping us." He followed her inside.

They were seated and ordered their drinks, making a little small talk while they waited for them to come.

Julia set her cup down after taking a sip. "You know, I'm not sure whether I should be flattered or offended by the way you keep staring at me."

"I'm sorry. You really do have quite a resemblance to a friend of mine," Tim said as he looked up and saw Mark and Brenda come in. "They're here."

Tim waived them over and introduced everyone.

Mark and Brenda both stared at Julia with identical expressions of disbelief.

"Okay, why are you both looking at me like that?" Julia asked, slightly annoyed. "That's the same way Officer Grady was looking at me when he first came to my lab."

Tim gave her a weak smile. "I think you'll see in a few minutes."

"We should get going," Brenda said. "I have Kelly with me. I'll tell the vet she wasn't feeling well and have him check her out. That should give you about 15 minutes."

Tim sighed a little. "Not much time, but hopefully enough." He looked at Julia. "Ready?"

Julia looked at Tim. "Wait, are we doing something illegal?"

"I was hoping you'd be able to tell me that," Tim said, avoiding the question and leaving Julia further perplexed.

They headed out and drove to the kennel. Tim and Julia waited around back for a few minutes until they were sure Brenda and her dog were inside.

Tim led her through the back of the kennel and to the room Cat had been kept. He pushed the door open slowly; peeking through the crack as it widened.

Cat looked up from her cot. She blinked a few times, not believing her eyes. "Tim!" she shouted, almost tripping over herself as she jumped up to greet him.

Tim smiled at Cat's excitement. "Hey partner, how," he started to say, but was cut off as Cat hugged him tightly. He laughed softly as she nuzzled against his neck. "Easy Cat. I've missed you too, but I brought someone to meet you."

Cat noticed the woman standing in the door and quickly released her grip on Tim. She felt her ears grow hot as she took a step back and gave Julia a lopsided smile.

"Cat, this is Dr. Julia Deeks. She's Dr. Deeks's daughter and also works at Innogen."

"Nice to meet you ma'am," Cat said pleasantly.

"Ms. Deeks, this is Cat, the result of your fathers work," Tim said while watching the two study each other.

"Thank you, Cat." Julia said with astonishment, her words coming slowly as she looked Cat over. "So you're my father's project."

Cat nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Seeing them side by side, the similarities were even more evident. They were the same height. Cat was a more muscular from her training, but the proportions were still the same. Even their voices were similar enough given the shape of Cat's muzzle.

Two sets of piercing blue eyes turned to Tim. His eyes went from Cat's to Julia's, returning to Cat's as he spoke. "I'm sure you can see, Ms. Deeks, why you've been getting some odd looks from my friends and I."

"This is too strange," Julia said as she continued to stare at Cat.

Cat's pleasant expression slowly weakened.

"You should have my perspective right now," Tim said. "I take it by your expression that you can see it too."

Julia nodded slowly, too shocked to say anything. The similarities were hard to ignore, but would her father have actually done such a thing.

"She smells like me," Cat said with a slightly confused expression. "Are we related?"

Julia was about to acknowledge the possibility when she saw Tim shaking his head behind Cat. "I'm not sure," Julia said slowly.

"We think it's possible that a little of her went into making you," Tim said, remembering her breakdown in the shower. Not wanting to cause her to become upset while alone, he attempted to play down his thoughts that there was a more than a little of Julia incorporated into her.

Cat turned to look from Tim to Julia. "Oh. So then you are sort of like my mother?"

Julia and Tim both shared a brief chuckle at Cat's innocent expression.

"I suppose in a way," Julia said with her own lopsided smile before looking to Tim. "I'd like to get a blood sample from Cat and see how a genetic comparison matches up."

"Okay, I'll see if I can find a syringe with the supplies," Tim said and quickly left, knowing their time was running out.

Cat and Julia continued looking each other over. "What happens then?" Cat asked, a hint of anger in her tone as she noticed the familiar gestures Julia shared as she spoke. "If we match?"

Julia could see there was a great deal of intelligence behind Cat's eyes. She could tell that Cat seemed to understand the implications Tim seemed to want to keep from her. "I'm sure we won’t match exactly. But I should be able to tell how much, if any, of my DNA was used in your creation." She let out an angry little sigh. "God. I can't believe this."

Tim returned quickly and found Julia and Cat, both looking like kettles about to boil over. "Here you go," he said, handing Julia a syringe.

Cat held her arm out automatically, letting Julia take a sample.

Tim checked his watch and peeked out into the hallway. "We've got to get going."

Cat gave Tim a look that begged him to stay.

"Don't worry, we'll be catching bad guys and visiting your friends at the park in no time."

"I hope so," Cat said with a soft whine. "I don't like Officer Miller."

There was something in Cat's voice that made Tim pause. "He been treating you bad?" he asked with deep concern.

Julia kept switching her attention between the hallway and the discussion between Cat and Tim.

"Not bad." Cat said, giving Julia a weary glance. "Just not a nice as you. He made me wear a collar and leash on duty yesterday.

Tim felt his anger grow when Cat mentioned the collar.

"Tim," Julia said, a hint of worry in her voice. "I think your friend is finished with the vet."

"Damn it," Tim grunted. it felt completely unfair to him. He could see how miserable she was and he wished he could just take her with him.

"Hang in there, partner," Tim said as he hugged her quickly. "Just a little longer."

He felt Cat hold on to him, clinging tightly. He reluctantly released her and left her standing alone in the room. Julia followed him out of the kennel and back to where Mark was waiting with Brenda and her dog.

After meeting up with the others they headed back to their meeting place, where they decided to head inside for a round of much needed drinks at the restaurant's bar.