Chaos stared quietly at the champagne glass filled with sparkling, bubbling ginger ale; the tinted windows of the limo and the fresh scent of upholstery that tickled at his nose. It was all very surreal; sitting in the back of a limo again, drifting effortlessly across town with a skillful weave in and out of traffic- edging towards a destination he hated very dearly: Perfecto Prep.

"Chaos!" Roderick snapped, immediately bringing the puppy back to reality. Chaos reached a choice set of fingers up to rub along the bridge of his nose, scrambling to try and fit the puzzle pieces together Roderick had laid out for him, but there were sections missing and they both knew it.

"Ok. Let me get this straight. You want me, to take Rhubella to the Perfecto Prep Spring Fling, because you're going on a business trip with your dad. Roderick. I did your homework. You know I'm not stupid." Chaos growled, crossing his arms. The pup stared at the rat whom had plucked him easily from the streets of Acme City and raced off in the sleek black limo. Roderick smiled a nervous smile and leaned back against the leather of the limo as coolly as possible, knowing full well things were not so easy.

"You were always clever, Chaos. I'll give you that." The rat sneered. Chaos narrowed his eyes quietly.

"I also don't like you."

"Right...right the expulsion thing. I TOLD you I was sorry, didn't I?

"The truth, Roderick. Why me? Of all people why are you asking ME to take Rhubella out? Why not one of your flunkies, or Johnny, or another member of the football team? You're not telling me everything." Chaos snarled. A puppy and a coyote, sure, and a sap for sob stories- but he wasn't a push over. Not for Roderick, at least. The brown rat gave a miserable sigh and peered out the window at the passing homes of suburbia.

"I...don't trust them. Ruby and I have been a bit at odds lately. Fighting over money and things like that and you know, rich people arguments. Anyway, I figured a little time away would do us both some good. Only, I don't trust the guys at Perfecto..." Roderick winced. Chaos stared at him for a long time.

"But you trust me."

"You never tired anything with her...admittedly, you were always...erm..."

"A gentleman."

"Yeah. That. So, I guess I can trust you to protect her." Roderick said sheepishly. Chaos raised an eyebrow. He was inept at catching road runners, terrible at fetching prey and overall a disaster when it came to trapping much like his predecessor, but like him, the boy wasn't stupid.

"...And what do I get for this display of misplaced loyalty?" Chaos asked quietly, crossing his arms with an angry sigh. Roderick stroked a few fingers across his chin and flashed the boy a devious smile.

"Does Johnny and his gang still beat you up? I bet I can get him to stop. Do this for Rhubella, not for me. She's been dying to go to this dance and it'd be a shame to let this chance slip through your fingers. Sides, she likes you. Talks about you all the time. "Roderick grinned, watching Chaos' ears perk when he mentioned the girl talked about him. Still he gave a snort and quiet, thoughtful sigh.

"I'll consider it. I'll call you tonight, ok?" The puppy finally remarked. Roderick nodded his head and made a motion to the limo driver, while he stepped out of the vehicle.

"Excellent, Chaos. Simply excellent. I eagerly expect your call. You're really a pal, you know. Once a Perfect, always a Perfect and if you ever want back in..." Roderick explained, but Chaos raised a paw.

"Thanks but no thanks. I'm happy being a 'loser.' " He explained. Roderick simply flashed his trademark rat grin and nodded his head.

"Of course Chaos. We'll certainly see about that, won't we? Jeeves will drive you home. Take care of Ruby for me. Pal." Roderick churred, and slammed the door shut.

"Awesome" Chaos grumbled, as the Limo pulled away from Perfecto, where it had dropped off Roderick, heading back to the city. The puppy sighed and buried his head in both paws, already going over a list of things he was going to need to prepare for the dance in the next few days.

((Wrote this at work with nothing to do when the building flooded. ))