Hey guys! Ok, so it's 4 in the morning and I have a bunch of crap to do tomorrow. So I need some sleep. Anyway, I promised I would give a shout-out to everyone because honestly, I was having a really bad Friday and then I re-read the reviews and I grinned. (If you want to know details, I'll tell you this: My Mal actor cancelled on me and not only that, but I felt like a total idiot and such. Then my friend wrote a song for me ((gotta love those crazy friends)) called 'It's Okay Babeeee' and that's all the song says. Yeah, I'm 14, I shouldn't be worrying about this stuff. :) ) So, again, thank you for brightening my day with a review. You helped me pull through Friday.

And, here's a little background to this story: I wrote part of it on my birthday on my iPod. I did plan to post it on FanFiction once I finished, but all of my iPod stories got deleted. So I decided to write this. Also, it's a little dedication to the most awesomest uncle in the world. (He's a cop.) and his dog. I thought this story was absolutely perfect because my uncle, in a way, is just like Mal.

This story takes place, of course, while Mal and Natara are dating. There will be some Maltara, but as you have seen, I'm not the best with writing Fluff. In fact, I feel like an idiot when I try to write kissing scenes. Again, I must state I am more into the blood and guts stuff rather than happy endings.

I didn't bother editing because it's four in the morning and I want to go to sleep. Chapters are soon to follow and I'm getting more ideas. ((And if you didn't see my post on the FaceBook page, I really think a great song to describe Maltara is Taylor Swift's I'd Lie. I get chills every time I hear it.)) Read and review? Thanks!

Officer Diggs

Mal never liked dogs. In fact, he could barely stand them, what with their drool and awful smelling breath. He was confused as to why his partner, and girlfriend, Natara Williams loved them so much. She always ranted on about how when she was little, she wanted a little Dachshund Puppy. She never got the puppy, however, but a cat instead. She had at least told him this story a couple of times. Either she was hinting that for their upcoming six month anniversary she wanted a puppy, or she just liked puppies. Mal hoped for the second.

Late on September night, Mal sifted through old case files, trying to organize his crime scene papers. Captain Yeong had scolded him earlier for his desk's horrible state. Natara walked into his office, clutching her bag close.

"Hey, I'm heading home," she said.

Mal looked up from his clutter and smiled. "I'm guessing you want something before you go?"

Natara laughed slightly. "A little parting gift would be nice..."

He stood up and walked over to her. They were inches apart. Natara closed her eyes, expecting a kiss, but instead, Mal shoved a stack of papers into her hands.

"Can you throw those away for me, Nat?"

Feeling slightly rejected, Natara nodded and grasped the papers. She was about to turn away when Mal stopped her.

"You forgot your parting gift," he said quietly and they shared a tender kiss. Once they broke apart, Natara smiled at Mal. "Love you," he said, holding onto her waist.

"I love you too," Natara replied, her hands resting on his shoulders. It wasn't a surprise to anyone how much time Mal and Natara spent together. Ken kept predicting a wedding, while Kai predicted kids.

"Don't stay up to long, alright?" Natara continued.

"No problem." He kissed her shortly and they set off on their ways for the night. Mal walked over to his desk and sat back down, admiring the moment. It had taken him so long to ask Natara for that one date. That date led to several others. Mal and Natara were practically inseparable.

Just as Mal was about to close shop for the night, his phone rang. Not bothering to look at the Caller ID, he answered.

"Detective Fallon," he said quickly, grabbing his car keys.

"Mal? It's Anna," his colleague replied. "We need assistance down by the bay."

"What happened? Is there a shoot out?"

"No, but there has been an accident, and we need you to help us out."

Mal sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I'll be over in fifteen minutes," he said into the phone.

"Thank you, Mal! We'll try to keep our vic alive until you get here." And she hung up without a final word.

Mal arrived at the bay shortly after. It had begun to rain, and he cursed as he almost slipped on the slick road.

"Detective, you made it," Anna called out.

"Of course I did. So who's dead?"

"No one, at least, not yet," Anna said and her eyes wandered over to one of the police vehicles. Mal followed her gaze and noticed the huge dent in the front.

"Officer Willis, what happened?" he asked calmly.

"Joe was driving," she began, and Joe interrupted.

"Why do you always blame me?"

"Because you're an easy target? I don't know! Anyway, Joe was driving and we see something running across the road."

"Please tell me you did not run over someone," Mal hissed.

"No! Well...It's not really a someone...more of a something."

"What is it?" Mal asked and an officer appeared clutching a rag to his hand. "And you won't let me shoot it because..." he asked Anna sternly.

"Detective Smith, what happened to your hand?" Mal asked.

"That stupid mutt Joe hit bit me! He's aggressive for a dog in pain."

Mal faced Anna. "You hit a dog?"

"Joe was driving! But yes, we did."

Mal rubbed the bridge of his nose. "This is not happening. This is not happening..."

"Are you alright, Detective?" Anna asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You seem...upset?"

"More like peeved. Show me where our friend is."

"Alright," Detective Smith responded, "but whatever you do, do not pet it."

"I'll take your word for it," Mal grumbled as he and Anna walked to the front of the car. And like stated, there was a large German Shepard lying on its side. It wasn't whimpering, which surprised Mal. After all, if he had just gotten hit by a car, he would at least whimper, but nothing more.

"Do you know where he's from?" Mal asked, observing the scene.

"He has a collar, but none of us have been able to see it," Anna replied and Mal nodded.

"Well then, this shouldn't be that hard. Do any of you have something to knock it out?"

"We're not doctors, Detective," Joe grumbled, shaking his head. "All we have are our tasers. And I know for one thing, I do not want to taser the dog and later find out that it is immune and have it kill me."

"Joe, stop talking," Anna muttered. One of the newer officers approached Mal. He had only talked to her once. He knew one thing though; she loved dogs.

"Officer Young, is it?" Mal asked and the young officer nodded. Now it was coming back. She had saved that kid from being kidnapped. She was Joe's partner.

"Might I add a suggestion?" Officer Young asked. She pushed her glasses up slightly, and Mal smiled slightly.

"Be my guest."

"Injured animals are dangerous to approach," she informed and Mal nodded.

"Any ideas?"

"I was getting to that, Detective. You're approaching the dog in a threatening manner. You need to be slow, cautious, and caring." She knelt slowly next to the injured dog, which growled angrily. Mal bit his lower-lip, hoping the officer wasn't completely stupid. She slowly reached out to pet the dog and it didn't stop her. He watched her every move, getting ready to strike if needed. Once her hand made contact with its fur, the dog stopped growling and began to whimper. Mal nodded.

"Seems easy enough. Is that what I need to do?" he asked.

"I also seem to have word that you are taking him to the vet?" she asked, not bothering to look up at him.

"I don't remember agreeing..."

"Oh, yeah. Mal, could you take the dog to the vet's office? We all need to get home to our families," Joe asked.

"Natara is going to kill me for falling asleep in the office again," Mal grumbled, "but if it means saving a mutt's life, then so be it."

He repeated Officer Young's actions, but he must have gone to fast because in a split second, the dog snapped at Mal, drawing blood.