Behind The Mask

Chase And Arya

     "Wait, so you guys have met before I was even born?" Maya asked. Now, the three of them were walking and since the little Maya was so confused, she got to questioning.

"Yeah, but we've only met one day and we didn't see each other after that." Arya explained.

"Yeah, some things have got in the way and so on. But I didn't think I'd ever see you again." Chase chuckled a little bit, making Arya smile.

"Me neither, so how've you been? We've got a lot to catch up on." Arya chuckled this time. Meanwhile, Chase had some trouble as he didn't even want Arya to know what he's been through.

"Well, it was a roller coaster, I can tell ya' that." Chase chuckled, but Arya still smiled.

"I know. And I can't thank you enough for helping out my little sister, that means a lot." She thanked again and Chase only smiled.

"Meh, it's nothin'. Trust, this squirt has some fighting spirit." Chase chuckled as he placed a paw on Maya.

"Hey, how many times do I gotta tell you? Don't. Call. Me. Squirt!" She cutely pouted which made the two of them laugh. Soon, the laughter died down and now it was time for Chase to question.

"Hey, if you don't mind me asking, where's Archie and Lucky? I remember them being with you." Chase asked as he wondered what happened to the other two dogs. But at the mention of the two names, both Maya and Arya frowned.

"Oh...so, you've met big bro Archie?" Maya softly asked in a sad tone and Chase looked down at her with a slight bit of shock. Big bro? He repeated and looked back up at Arya who was looking down slightly at the ground with a somewhat troubled expression.

"I don't remember much...but we split up and, well...things haven't been going right." Arya said and Chase frowned a little bit. But he was confused on the, "not remembering", part. Shouldn't Arya remember what happened.

"Trust me, we didn't fight at all, that's the least I can remember but I don't recall why we ended our relationship in the first place." Arya then reassured.

"What about Lucky?" Chase then asked and watched Arya frown a little more, as if she had a troubling time remembering anything about him which the German Shepherd quickly noticed.

"I...I don't really know, after me and Archie broke up, I think both of them were still friends?" Arya answered. She sounded like she didn't even know herself which definitely confused and worried the police pup a little more but he decided not to push.

"So what about you? You've...changed." Arya pointed out, trying to hide her blush.

"Hehe, If I had a Nickel for every time someone said that to me." Chase chuckled which earned laughs from Maya and even Arya which caught her off guard. She couldn't remember the last time she laughed and this one joke actually made her break?

"Yeah. You went from that adorable little puppy to now a cool and even an attractive pup." Arya grinned which made Chase blush a little bit to that compliment.

"Oh...thanks." He thanked the compliment and awkward silence filled between them. Maya looked up between Chase and her older sister, a little confused at the sort of exchange.

"So...where are we going?" Arya finally asked, breaking the silence.

"We're heading over to Mayor Humdinger's place!" Maya excitedly answered which surprised Arya a little bit.

"You've been there?" She asked and Maya happily nodded.

"Yeah! They're so nice! Chase and them gave me food and we all decorated their place with Christmas decorations! We even set up a Christmas tree!" Maya described with stars in her eyes as she jumped around.

"Aww." Arya sounded as she looked at Chase who laughed but explained a bit further.

"Yeah, they're amazing, trust me. You'll love it there." Chase happily said.

"Really?" Arya asked, already having some doubts.

"I promise."

Foggy Bottom

"So, you're Maya's older sister, huh?" Helga asked as she patted Arya's head as she nodded casually, not really sure how to feel about Helga yet as she hasn't been treated the way Helga was treating her right now, while Maya happily grinned next to her sister.

"Yeah, I am." Arya confirmed. Meanwhile, Mayor Humdinger looked from the three and back to Chase.

"Huh, I never knew she had a sister. Did you?" He asked.

"Yeah I did, it took some time to actually meet her. I hope this isn't too much trouble." Chase hoped and Mayor Humdinger only chuckled.

"Nah, don't worry about it. Besides, if she's related to Maya, then I'm totally happy having her here." Humdinger reassured which made Chase smile and the mayor turned to Arya.

"Hey, is there anything you'd like to eat?" He asked and Arya looked at Humdinger this time, a little surprised by the offer so she did stutter a little bit.

"Uh...I...I like white rice." Arya admitted and Helga stood up with a smile on her face.

"Perfect, I'll make some for all of us." She decided and walked towards the kitchen. Arya then looked over to the kittens who were playing with their toys and each other. She then looked around her surroundings. Everything was decorated in a Christmas theme. Definitely not like the place where she lives or the place where she works.

For some reason, this place made her smile as it now made her feel alive. She then glanced at Chase who was talking with Humdinger. He was the reason why she's feeling...real. Could he really be the one she loves? But even so, there were still unanswered questions in both her and Chase's mind.

"Hey, Arya!"

Chase called out her name which successfully got the attention from her and Maya.

"Do you guys wanna play some board games?" He asked with a grin on his face.

"Board games?" Arya repeated as Maya had stars in her eyes.

"Yeah! Let's play some board games!" Maya agreed and ran up next to her big brother.

"Me and squirt will get some board games, you just wait here." Chase said with another grin and Arya watched as the two of them ran down a hallway to get the games.

Humdinger and Helga chuckled while Arya's expression slowly formed into a smile. For some reason, she felt happy and actually excited. Maybe this place won't be so bad after all. She thought in her mind.

And finally, she waited for the two of them to return.