White Collar Ficlet - Of Great Worth

[elrhiarhodan]

Title: Of Great Worth
Author: elrhiarhodan
Fandom: White Collar
Rating: G
Characters/Pairings: Satchmo
Spoilers: References to S3.11 (Checkmate) and S3.16 (Judgment Day)
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: None
Word Count: ~450
Summary: Satchmo understands his role.

A/N: One from the Promptfest V Archives. No beta, updated from the first posting in January, 2011. Enjoy!



__________________

Satchmo is a good dog. He doesn’t make messes in the house or chew on the rug or the chair or the couch.

Satchmo a placid dog, he’s not one to get excited by the routine, the everyday, the ordinary. He loves his mommy and his daddy - they give him what he needs, and then some. He especially loves his Daddy’s voice - it’s deep and comforting and makes him happy. He understands that when Daddy tells him to do something, he’s supposed to do it, but if he doesn’t, Daddy really doesn’t get upset.

Mommy, on the other hand - her voice must always be obeyed. It’s not deep like Daddy’s is, but it doesn’t hurt his ears, the way other voices do. Mommy’s voice is firm and irresistible and he always tries to do what she tells him.

Satchmo is a happy dog. He goes for walks and sees other dogs, one that aren’t happy like him. Dogs that have mommies and daddies who don’t love them like his love him, dogs who aren’t fed good food, or are spoiled or are mean.

He takes care of Mommy and Daddy, not exactly like they take care of him. He doesn’t need to bring them food, or take them for walks or groom them. No, Satchmo cares for them and protects them. Once, a bad man came and hurt Mommy and even though Satchmo bit him, he still took Mommy away. Daddy was sad and angry, but not at him. He called him a good dog and gave him an extra-special treat. When Mommy came home, he was so very happy.

But most of the time, Satchmo doesn’t have to bite bad people to care of his Mommy and Daddy.

There are times when they are quiet and sad that he understands just what they need. Those times, he stays close, as close as he can get. He rests his head on their knees or laps, or even their feet. He brings them his toys to share and licks their fingers and their faces.

Today is one of those days. Daddy is sad again, and Satchmo understands it’s about Mr. Neal. He likes Mr. Neal, who comes over with good food for everyone and never forgets to bring something for him. Mr. Neal sometimes makes Daddy unhappy, but he has never seen Daddy cry because of Mr. Neal. Mommy is holding him and telling him it will all right. Daddy’s tears make him sad, too. So Satchmo sits on top of Daddy’s feet and rest his head on his knee. And when Daddy’s hand slowly strokes his fur, he knows that everything will be all right.

Satchmo knows his purpose, he knows his worth.

FIN