The dog bounded through the light surf; paws splashing in the water, tongue lolling out of one side of his mouth and tail wagging like made.  The German Shepherd skidded to a halt, its back twisted, head dropped just long enough to grab the piece of drift wood at the water edge, in its mouth and race back the way it had just come.

The wood was dropped at the bare feet of a young Korean woman in shorts and a t-shirt.  She picked it up, turning it in her right hand, watching as the dog swayed from side to side expectantly.  She swung her arm in a wide arc, twisting at the waist as she did so. “Tikina.”

The word wasn’t necessary, as the dog would have gone any way; he liked this game, playing on the beach with his new friend.  This time the piece of wood had landed in deeper water, but the dog didn’t care, when its paws no longer touched the soft wet sand, it swam out to retrieve its prize.

This time when the dog came back, he shook himself, sending a cascade of water in all directions, including all over the young woman. “Oh, Max!” she giggled before bending down to give the German Shepherd a big hug and getting even wetter in the process.

Chad Harris watched from a distance, much as he had done the last time they’d been here.  The dog was a recent addition to the Harris family; but just like everyone else in the family, had quickly fallen for the charms of the beautiful woman at the water’s edge. At least that’s how it appeared

She turned and waved, he other arm still wrapped around the dogs neck in a loving embrace, Chad waved back. “Those two are inseparable.” He laughed glancing across at his father.  “Max even slept at the bottom of her bed last night.”

“And how exactly did you discover that, young man.” Thomas his father asked light heartedly

“Accidently opened the wrong door.” The sheepish reply came a moment later

“I don’t see this so much as gaining a future daughter-in-law.” The old man mused.  “But losing a dog!”

The pair of them laughed.  Mr. Harris had only acquired Max from an animal shelter at the end of March; the family had owned dogs in the past, but it had been around seven years since the last one had graced their home, and Thomas had felt it was time for a new companion.  The dog however seemed to be taking much more interest in their guest than the family.

“I’m not sure she could smuggle him on the ship.” Chad grinned.

“So when are you going to ask her to marry you?” His father asked.

Chad turned completely towards his father. “You, ah, why, erm, oh, jeez.” Words tumbled out in a jumble. “Am I that obvious?”

“You may as well have had it tattooed across your forehead.” Thomas smiled back.

“What are you two gossiping about?” Mrs. Harris appeared from around the back of the family car, carrying a picnic basket, her other son had a rolled up rug under one arm and a flask held in the other hand.

“We were just admiring the view my dear.” Her husband replied. “Need a hand with anything?”

“Yes, if you can grab the glasses out of the blue box.” She asked him. “Chad; can you see if you can convince Cho and Max that it’s time for launch.”

He just smiled and started walking out towards the young woman and the dog.  He’d got about half way when Cho spotted him.  She ran over, closely followed by Max, the piece of wood clenched between his teeth.  Chad noticed the front of her t-shirt and one leg of her shorts: were caked in wet sand courtesy of the dog.

“Either of you two want launch?” He asked, pointing back towards the rug that now lay on the sand with the hamper and flask to one side.

“I’d love to.” Cho kissed him on the cheek.  “What about you Max?”

The German Shepard clearly thought about answering, but that would involve dropping his wonderful big stick and what could be more important than that?  So Max merely waited until Cho gave a subtle signal for him to follow.

“How?” The young New Zealander asking in reference to the dogs total obedience, as the Korean jogged off, Max close behind.

Cho half turned and called back to him.  “I’m a communications expert, what do you expect?”

Chad considered that for a moment, wondering if it really could be as simple as that; he walked unhurriedly after them.  When he reached the picnic spot, everyone else was seated on various part of the rug.  His mother had brushed most of the sand off Cho’s clothing and she sat cross-legged, Max’s head resting in her lap.

“Well tuck in everyone.” Mrs. Harris smiled.  “Food won’t eat itself, lemonade in the flask.”

That was the cue for hands to grab at the selection of sandwiches and bite size morsels Mary had prepared with her own hands, that morning.  Everyone thanked her as they started to eat what was on offer.  Max stayed suspiciously still, even with his two bowls, one of food, the other water, next to him.  Cho whispered in his ear, and the dog lifted his head from her lap, to start eating.

“You’ve really got to teach up how to do that!” Thomas commented.  “He’s been no trouble, but we do have the odd communication issue, when it comes to following commands.”

“Are you a witch?” Martin asked. “A good one that is?”

“I beg your pardon.” Mrs. Harris looked right at her son. “Now apologies this instant.”

Cho held up her hand and smiled. “It’s ok Miss, sorry Mary, it fine. It was your husband that gave me the clues I needed.”

“I’m not sure I follow.” Mr. Harris looked puzzled.

“Huruhuru.” Cho said, looking at Max, who gave a ‘woof’ in response. “Takoto.”

The dog lay down, looking up into the young Korean’s eyes. “Kai.”  Max sat up and continued to eat from his bowl as he had been doing a moment before.

“That’s amazing, but I still don’t understand.” Thomas continued after witnessing what just happened.

“Max here understands Maori.” Cho answered. “It’s how he was trained as a pup. “He’s slowly learning English, but gets confused sometimes.”

“That’s my girl.” Chad laughed. “You can see why they put her in charge of the Communication Department.”

That moved the conversation on to how Cho was handling life and work on the USS Grus, compared to the Jaxartes.  Cho had to admit she was worried at first, but Chad and the other crew would transferred at the same time had provided her with great support.

There wasn’t much food to pack away at the end of the picnic, Martin and Cho helped each other shake any sand of the rug, and then rolled it up. “I really like you being here.” He whispered quietly.

“I like being here to.” She whispered back.

“Right folks we should just get back in time to watch the Rugby.” Mr. Harris called from the driving seat of his GEV.  “We’re taking on England.”

“Do you like Rugby?” Martin asked Cho diving into the back of the vehicle.

She looked into Chad’s eye. “It’s growing on me.”