"Daddy," your two year old huffed, his puffy tail thumping against the hardwood floor. His ears flattened as Nick fasted the tie around his neck. "All done."

You emerged from the kitchen with the diaper bag. You'd just finished packing emergency snacks and a cold bottle of juice for Jasper. You smiled and shook your head. "Nick, are you torturing our son?"

"What? No," Nick laughed, a hint of playful sarcasm in his voice. His tail starting to wag. When you forced him to help with a police investigation three years ago, he thought it was just a one day thing. He'd help you out, you'd let him off the hook. But he'd found himself liking you much more than he expected.

And now you were partners, both in the ZPD and in life. Tonight was Chief Bogo's birthday party, and the whole ZPD was going. And despite what he wants people to think, Bogo was actually quite soft. So little Jasper got an invite as well.

Nick's russet tail brushed against yours affectionately. The tender look on his face almost made you melt. "Look at our little man. His first birthday and it's for old Chief Bogo."