A/N: Here is the end, my friends. It has been an interesting ride and while I do prefer drama, big thanks to Invader Johnny for the prompt to do this story. Gave me an excuse to be silly for a while.
I adore all of your comments and I sincerely hope this ending does this little mini-story justice.
See ya next later!
;-)
Trina emerged from the bathroom, hair wrapped up in a towel and brushing her teeth.
"I cannot believe what I am hearing!" Trina said, muffled from the toothbrush in her mouth.
"Weird to us, too" Jade said.
"I'm just glad you're back to your old self," Tori couldn't stop smiling realizing just how much she missed her.
Trina spat into a plastic cup. "Barely."
"Guess the next thing to do," Tori said picking up the puppy. "is find this guy a home."
"What are you talking about?" Trina took off her towel, her hair still very wet.
Jade pointed to the puppy. "We were gonna take him to the shelter so he can…"
"NO!" Trina barked, grabbing the puppy away from Tori and holding him close.
"You want to keep him?" Jade asked.
Trina rolled her eyes and turned toward Jade. "Of course I do! He's mine and I don't care what anybody says."
Tori and Jade looked at one another.
"Alright, Trina" Tori said in a calming tone. "But he needs help. He should see a doctor or something."
"Don't you think I know that?" Trina shot at her sister. Jade had to admire the hint of sarcasm. "He's hurting and he is NOT going to a shelter."
"What are you gonna call him?" Jade asked.
Trina was a little put off by the question and pondered it. She then smiled. "I always liked Kio. It's Chinese. It is named after a lucky star."
"I think that's perfect," Tori beamed.
"I'll find a vet nearby," Trina said. "Tori, can you get me some blankets for when I take him in the car?"
"Sure," Tori nodded and left the room.
"Jade," Trina said.
"Yeah?"
"I want you to know two things."
Jade raised an eyebrow for her to continue.
"One: I am very sorry about spoiling your night with Tori. Next time that happens, just give me a heads up, kay?"
Jade nodded.
"I love Tori and so do you. And I trust you to protect her. Maybe we can make it easier on her and try to be civil."
"Agreed."
"The other thing," Trina walked to Jade, leaning in close. "I will get you back for that whole dog thing, West." She grinned. "Don't worry, we're still kind of friends but this isn't about being friends. It's about getting even."
Jade nodded. "Uh-huh and when are you going to" she twiddled her fingers like a sorcerer. "unleash your wrath?"
"Haven't decided yet. But I'll think of something."
Trina left the room and for the first time the oldest Vega sent a shiver through Jade's body.
Trina walked through the door of Clearwater Animal Hospital with Kio in her hands. Nobody was around and the waiting room was empty. She juggled with holding the puppy and trying to reach for her phone to check the time. Trina made a face and huffed, refusing to sit down. There was no way somebody was getting ahead of her.
"May I help you?" a voice asked.
Trina turned around, scared half to death at the sudden sound.
"Damn!" she gasped, clutching Kio. "You scared me!"
"I'm sorry," the tall brown-haired young man said with his hands up, showing he wasn't a threat. "Name's Jim; I work here."
Trina was a little put off by the handsome guy in front of her but looked down at Kio who was looking up at her, yawning.
"Kio," Trina said and then closed her eyes, embarrassed. "I mean, this is Kio."
"Well," Jim said offering to take the pup in his hands. "That's a name you don't hear every day." He thought for a moment. "But then I guess he would though, right?"
He laughed and Trina joined in.
"So what seems to be the problem?" Jim asked.
"Wait," Trina said. "Are you the vet? You're pretty young…not that I mean you're not old enough…its…I…sorry…" she face palmed herself.
Jim shook his head. "No. He'll be along in about an hour. I am actually a veterinarian in training."
"You must be in college," Trina remarked, folding her arms.
"Junior year," he replied taking Kio through the door to the first examination room. He gestured for Trina to follow him. He carefully set the puppy down on the metal table. "What's your major?"
"What?" Trina blinked. "Oh nothing. I'm not in college."
"Really?" he grinned. "'Cause I go to Santa Monica and I swore I saw you before."
Trina shook her head. "Nope."
"I got it," he tapped the table. "I got it. Did you go to the big rush party last summer?"
Trina thought back and remembered that mother of a blowout. "Oh yeah."
"Yeah," he pointed. "You were one of the high school girls that crashed it. Weren't you arrested?"
"Hey, there were no charges. They just took me back home."
Jim laughed. "Do you always live this dangerously?"
"I DO NOT!" Trina stamped her foot, eyes wide.
"I'm sorry," he chuckled. "I was actually talking to Kio here."
"What's wrong?" Trina asked, kneeling down to the level of the examination table.
Jim pointed to the broadside of Kio. "See these dark marks?"
Trina nodded.
"Poor little guy experienced some trauma right here. I will give him an x-ray to make sure he doesn't have any busted ribs." He cautiously scooped up Kio. "Wait right here, okay?"
"Alright," Trina nodded while wiping away a tear.
Ten minutes later, Jim returned with a blanket. He showed Trina Kio with a little chew bone. There was some bandaging around his torso. "Hairline fracture on one of his lower ribs."
Trina opened her arms to carefully take Kio, keeping his midsection elevated.
"He's gonna be okay?"
"Sure," Jim nodded. "He just needs to take it easy. Pick him up and take him to where he needs to make. The less he walks around, the better. Just keep him still for a little while."
"Thank you so much, Jim" Trina smiled. "I don't know what to say…I was worried and…"
"It's fine." Jim opened the door for Trina and Kio to go back to the lobby. "Did you find him on the street?" he asked.
"Yeah," she nodded. "Some piece of shit was kicking him and I scared him off."
"You did good, because any more and he probably would have suffered internal bleeding."
"How can anyone do that to an animal?"
Jim shrugged. "I don't know. Some people are sick and they make me feel sick."
Trina looked around the waiting area, regarding the various posters and pamphlets on the wall.
"You really like animals, don't you?" Trina asked.
Jim sighed. "I know a lot of people say that animals have no emotions; they don…feel pain." He shook his head, getting himself some water from the cooler. "I don't believe that." He started to drink his cup.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't crushing on you right now, Jim."
The boy hacked and coughed, choking on his water. He then looked at Trina once he collected himself. "What?"
"Do you want to grab some coffee," Trina shrugged. "You know, when you get off?"
"I'd…I'd love to…um…"
"Trina," she held out her hand.
"Right, Trina" he smiled, shaking it. "It was very nice to meet you." He then looked at Kio. "I sure you hope you have somebody to watch the little guy."
Trina thought and grinned an evil grin.
"Yeah I do," she nodded. "I know the perfect person."
"And does this sitter like dogs?" he asked.
Trina winked. "LOVES them."
Jade sighed, slamming the door and dropping her purse.
"Jade!" her mother called out. "Is that you?"
"Yeah, what's up!" she shouted back.
"One of your friends stopped over and left you something. I put it in your room."
Jade rolled her eyes and walked upstairs.
She opened the door of her bedroom and saw Kio sleeping in a basket with a note, reading: "Be Back Later."
"THAT BITCH!"