The 'Rashes' (Sheriff Labrador fanfic)

Chapter 4: Appointment

Moments later Sheriff Labrador was sitting by the windowsill, patiently waiting for Dobie and Papillon to come back from wherever they were. He planned that if he was going to the doctor to get a check-up, he would at least let them come with him, well, if they wanted to of course, which was very likely. They both had a stong and secure friendship with the sheriff and were very cautious with and around him. He didn't know if he was intimidating them or not, but at least they showed that they cared.

They, Papillon and Dobie, cared.

Not the other 'them'.

Sheriff Labrador hated that other 'them'; they never looked after him the way he was supposed to. Even as a child they would abuse him. He started itching bitterly at the thought.

Just then Dobie burst into the station, snapping the sheriff out of his depressing trance. He seemed to be holding a big bag that looked heavy (from the looks of Dobie's strained face from carrying it) and from where Sheriff Labrador was sitting he managed to read the word 'Pharmacy'. Even with this new and curious information he decided to pretend to be clueless.

"Where were you guys?" he asked innocently, standing up as Papillon narrowly squeezed past Dobie through the doorway.

"The pharmacy!" Papillon said, easily snatching the bag from Dobie and holding it up. "When we found you, your arm was covered with this huge gash, so we bought medications to treat it with!"

Sheriff Labrador focused on the bag. From the looks of it, there seemed to be a lot of medications inside. But Papillon was holding it so effortlessly, unlike Dobie who was trying to hide the fact that he was struggling. The sheriff held back a tiny giggle, knowing that a small papillon was much stronger than his Kung-Fu master dobermann partner.

"Yeah.. about that," he replied, still looking at the plastic bag seriously. "I think I have to go see a doctor for my rash."

"Geez, it's that bad?" Dobie gasped, his body tilting to the left slightly like he was going to faint.

"I don't know how bad it is, but I will really have to see a doctor."

The two surprised officers looked at each other with half-terrified, half-worried expressions then turned back to their boss with wide puppy-dog eyes. Sheriff Labrador could never resist those glittering puppy-dog eyes. They only used those eyes when they were really desperate.

"Can we come with you?" they pleaded, making a begging gesture with their hands. Papillon pouted her bottom lip a bit so she looked more convincing. Sheriff Labrador flushed red in overwhelm.

"Alright alright fine!" he exclaimed hurriedly, covering his face and looking away. The duo smiled the sun through their obedient faces. They had convinced him!

●  ●  ●

The police team were in their car, heading towards the hospital. Papillon was sitting in the back nervously, sweating like there was a cup of water splashed on her head. Dobie was driving as Sheriff Labrador had to keep his arm put by his side so he didn't injure himself any further. The air conditioning was on, the windows were open and fans were blowing at the front and the back. Everyone was hot with anticipation, although the sun wasn't shining that warm that day. Suddenly, Dobie pressed his foot on the pedal and the vehicle stopped in front of a tall, white building.

The hospital.

Papillon turned off all the cooling devices and everyone hopped out of the car. She looked at her boss with a nervous stare, her gaze going back and fourth a few times.

"May I walk you?" she asked quietly, holding gently onto his left arm. Sheriff Labrador looked down at her and gave a knowing grin.

"Papi-san, it's my right arm that hurts, not my legs, I can walk on my own," he teased smoothly. "But if you really want to 'walk' me, then go ahead. No one's stopping you."

Contentedly, she wrapped her arm around his and leaned against him as they went inside the double doors of the grand hospital. Dobie watched her jealously. The main doctor, Doctor Deer, immediately noticed their presence and smiled.

"My favourite patients!" she exclaimed somewhat truthfully. "What may be the problem?"

"My arm has a rash and it looks like a bruise," Sheriff Labrador replied, stepping forward and pulling up his sleeve to show the gruesome appeal. It wasn't even two seconds yet and Doctor Deer became pale with a mix of fright and concern.

"Come with me to room AB-5 now," she said urgently, dashing off to find the room. The trio of officers quickly followed behind, not minding having to squeeze past attendants and run up flights of stairs. By the time they were there the officers were panting - Doctor Deer was a very fast runner! She opened the assigned room door and let them in first, before entering aswell and closing the door.

"Sit on this chair please, sheriff," she gestured to a chair facing her.

Sheriff Labrador did as he was told.

"Now, I will take a look at your arm and see what I can find out."

Putting on a blue mask and rubber gloves, Doctor Deer held the patient's arm and studied it carefully, her eyes following every tiny bump that appeared on the reddish skin. When she was done, she put a hand to her head and massaged her temples.

"Your condition looks extremely familiar," she sighed, shaking her head. "It is a rash, but it really does look quite like a bad bruise."

"Do you know what it is, doctor?"

"I'm afraid not, sir."

Dobie and Papillon watched anxiously at the back as their boss and the doctor sat silently, thinking on what to do. Just then Doctor Deer looked towards her desk, her expression serious and thoughtful.

"I will have to take a blood sample," she said flatly, grabbing a syringe. "It will help me encover what your condition is, although I might already have an idea of what it is..."

"I understand, doctor."

With a steady hand, the doctor cleaned the needle with a cloth then knelt down and carefully pressed it into Sheriff Labrador's skin, making sure it didn't sink into the flesh too much. Bit by bit, dark maroonish blood started to suck into the transparent tube of the syringe. Dobie covered Papillon's eyes.

"All done!" Doctor Deer sighed in relief, causing a chain of relieved sighs. She placed the tube of blood on the table. She took a bandage and wrapped it around the treated arm. Sheriff Labrador looked at her, his eyes shimmering with hope.

"You may leave now, I will study the blood sample," she nodded in respect. Sheriff Labrador nodded back politely, and with that he guided his teammates out. As soon as they left, Doctor Deer injected some of the red gloopy liquid onto a smal disc and inserted it into a big-screen computer which turned on when the disc went in. As soon as the results were in, the doctor read each word with care.

"Dark blood.. bruise-like rashes.. insomia.. tiredness.. savage behaviour.. itching.. this is all familiar to me. Wait, no, it couldn't be. It really shouldn't be. It can't be! This can't be happening! Oh no!"

And with that she fainted on the spot.