As the sun began to rise Chase opened his eyes and turned to find that Marshall had gotten up. Chase looked over and saw Rocky laying nearby. Rocky looked over at Chase.

"Oh, you're awake," said Rocky cheerfully.

"When did you come?" asked Chase.

"Marshall asked if I minded watching you while he walked your rounds this morning," said Rocky.

"W-what did he tell you?" whispered Chase.

"He simply asked if I'd watch and let him know if you needed him," said Rocky. "Here he comes now."

"Morning Chase," said Marshall. "All is well, nothing out of place. Do you feel like walking to breakfast or shall I bring you something?"

"No," said Chase, rising and slowly stretching a little, "I feel like I've been in bed for a week. I'll walk."

"Ok, I've woken everyone and breakfast should be ready soon," said Marshall. "Do you need some help standing? Go ahead Rocky, we'll catch up."

"What are you going to tell everyone?" asked Chase, after Rocky had walked away.

"About what?" asked Marshall.

"A-about last night," whispered Chase.

"What about it?" said Marshall, "nothing happened that anyone, even Ryder, needs to know about."

"T-thank you," said Chase.

"Don't worry," said Marshall. "We're together. I'll walk beside you as long as you need me."

"I'll always need you," said Chase.

They both walked into the Lookout to eat breakfast. The others were happy to see Chase up and moving.

"Ryder?" asked Chase, "have you heard from Animal Control?"

"No, I haven't," said Ryder. "I was able to give a description of the one I saw. Hopefully they ran away and won't be a problem."

"I just wish I had been stronger," said Chase, hanging his head.

"Chase," said Ryder, "that dog was at least twice your size. You'll get stronger as you grow."

"Besides," said Marshall, "we're going to start training as soon as you're healed."

Chase nodded.

"I'm just glad you weren't hurt worse," said Skye. "You fought that huge dog by yourself. It would have killed me in one bite."

"I would have died before I allowed him near you," said Chase.

Skye smiled and blushed.

"I looked up some stretches that you can do until you're healed," said Rocky, "It will keep you from getting stiff while you heal."

"Thanks guys," said Chase, he turned to lick the area where Katie had shaved him to put the stitches in his side.

"Chase," said Marshall, "don't lick it. I know it itches but that's how you know it's healing."

"Yeah dude," laughed Zuma, "if you lick it you'll get the cone of shame."

The pups all laughed.

"Let's go play tag," said Rocky.

"Chase can't run," said Marshall.

"So we play walk tag," said Skye.

"What's walk tag?" asked Rubble.

"You're not allowed to run or even walk fast," said Skye.

"Let's try it," said Chase. "I promise if it hurts I'll stop."

"Try not to get too stinky Chase," laughed Ryder. "Katie said you can't have a bath for at least three days."

"Ok, we'll only play for a little while," said Marshall. "You don't want to get too worn out anyway."

"Then when it starts warming up we can come watch Apollo," said Rubble.

The pups all walked out and began playing. Skye was it first because she came up with the game. As the day went on, Chase began slowing down a little. He was about to lay down when Marshall told everyone that it was time to go lay down and watch TV.

Chase turned to walk inside and noticed that Marshall and Rocky were walking on each side of him.

"I'm ok guys," said Chase.

"We know," said Rocky, "We just want to walk beside you."

"Sure," laughed Chase. 'I do have pups that care,' thought Chase.

The pups spent the afternoon watching TV and napping.

***

It had been three days and Marshall woke Chase.

"You want to walk with me this morning?" asked Marshall.

"You don't need me anymore," said Chase, with his head on his paws..

"Chase," said Marshall, "I'm not a replacement for you. I just want to help. Please, just get up and walk with me."

"Ok, fine," said Chase, getting to his paws and stretching. Chase yipped.

"What, did you hurt yourself?" asked Marshall rushing over.

"It just pulled a little," said Chase. "Maybe I should just lay back down."

"Nope, you're up," said Marshall, "come on, it will be time to wake the pups soon."

Chase and Marshall had walked around the Lookout three times and Chase turned to Marshall.

"I know what you're doing," said Chase.

"What we're checking the grounds," said Marshall.

"It doesn't take 3 laps to check the grounds," said Chase. "I appreciate what you're trying to do."

"Ok, ok," laughed Marshall, "But you do need to get up and walk."

"It's ok Marshall," laughed Chase. "I know I can be stubborn."

"It's ok Chase," said Marshall. "I just don't want you to feel stiff."

"You don't want me to go back to whining about how pitiful I am," said Chase.

Marshall turned to Chase. "You have been my best friend since I joined. You always put on the tough pup exterior, but you don't have to always be so hard on yourself. It's ok to be, not ok."

"What does that even mean?" asked Chase.

"That means it's ok to feel down," said Marshall. "Look at me, I'm a total klutz. I've allowed myself to get down before. Remember when I thought you guys didn't want me anymore."

"Yes, but we came for you," said Chase.

"Exactly," said Marshall, "now let me come for you. You had a minor setback. You'll get the stitches out in a few days and we'll start training to get both of us stronger, faster, and ready if anything like that happens again."

"I don't know about minor," whispered Chase, "I had my tail handed to me."

"Chase," said Marshall, "You held your own against an opposing force that outweighed you by double. You proved that you could have done it. You fought three dogs on your own. You just need to see it for yourself."

"I just feel like I failed," said Chase.

"No, I told you already," said Marshall, "you only fail if you quit. I won't let you quit, WE will get stronger."

"I think I disappointed Ryder though," said Chase.

"How do you figure?" asked Marshall.

"He hasn't even come to me for over three days," said Chase.

"I'm sorry Chase," said Ryder from nearby. "I saw that you were listening and working with Marshall. I didn't want you to feel pressured by me. Marshall is a good friend and frankly, you needed to see that you're not alone in this. Sometimes a leader isn't what you need. Sometimes you need a good friend to help you through."

Chase hung his head. "B-but I just don't feel good enough," Chase whimpered.

Ryder sat and pulled Chase into his lap. "Chase you are more than good enough," said Ryder. "You are the hardest on yourself. You always have been. You have to beat these feelings, but you don't have to do it alone. We're all here to help, but I think your best friend is what you need the most."

Marshall licked Chase's tears away, "I'll always come for you, because you've always come for me."

"Thanks Marshall," said Chase, "Thanks Ryder."

Nearby a pup had overheard the conversation, a tear leaked down their muzzle.

Chase could never understand why he sensed it but he turned and spotted a pup near the bushes as they were passing. He gasped and almost turned to run to back his pup house. Marshall saw and turned, realizing what must have happened.

"Chase," said Marshall, "take the chance. I think you might be surprised."

Chase turned to Marshall a little wild eyed, "W-what do you mean?"

"Chase," said Marshall, "I've known your feelings for a while. Take the chance, it might be more than you think."

"Shouldn't you take your own advice?" asked Chase.

"Maybe I have," whispered Marshall, "maybe I'm just too scared that the pups will make fun of me more than they already do."

"I would never," said Chase.

"You have," said Marshall, "you may not realize you do, but it's ok. We'll admit it soon."

"You really think she might feel that way?" asked Chase.

"I don't think," laughed Marshall, "I've watched her watch you. I've watched her blush when she thought none of us was looking. Take the chance."

Chase took a deep breath and turned toward the bushes. As he approached Skye stepped out, tears still staining her muzzle.

"I-I'm sorry I was eavesdropping," said Skye.

"I-it's ok," said Chase. "I'm sorry I let everyone down. I am going to train to be better."

"Chase?" asked Skye, "you really think we are let down that you got attacked. You were braver than any of us would have been to confront them in the first place. Chase you are so much more than you can see. I know this has caused you to lose confidence in yourself. We see you for so much more than you see yourself. I-i see you for so much more than you may ever see."

"T-thank you," said Chase, looking down at his paws.

"Chase, when I saw you covered in blood and hurt," said Skye, "I was so concerned. When you passed out, it was all I could do not to run to you right then. I cried all night worrying about you. I can't imagine what I would have done if your injuries were any worse. Please allow yourself to heal. Then, I will even train with you to get stronger as well."

Chase now had tears in eyes, "I-i'm sorry I worried everyone."

"Chase, I-i lik..." stammered Skye.

Chase tried to think as Skye was speaking. He was planning his reply; everything that came to mind in that flash sounded corny. Instead as she spoke, Chase pulled Skye into his paws, he closed his eyes and kissed her. He poured his heart and soul into that kiss. He instantly felt her deepen the kiss. He released it and opened his eyes then looked into her beautiful magenta eyes, tears streaming down his muzzle now.

"I-i was going to say I really like you," giggled Skye. "I was going to ask if you liked me. I guess I got my answer."

"I've loved you since the moment I first saw you," said Chase.

Marshall turned and walked toward the Lookout, "My work here is done," laughed Marshall, "I think I'll go call Everest."