The van pulled back onto the highway and almost immediately the van fell silent as, one by one, they each dropped off to sleep, leaving Marshall and Chase the only ones awake. Marshall stared out the window, clearly deep in thought. After a couple hours, Chase looked over at him and started to say something only to turn back to the road. 'If he wants to talk about it, he will,' thought Chase.

"I'm such an idiot," whispered Marshall finally. "Surely, she's moved on by now. I lost my chance because I was blind and foolish."

"Marshall?" Chase said. "Don't beat yourself up. So you didn't put two and two together. Let's face it, we aren't the most cognisant individuals. We all make mistakes, but only we can fix what we've missed. I'm sure that no matter what she'll be happy to hear from you."

Marshall turned towards him with moist eyes. Chase had rarely seen him cry. "I can't believe it took me this long to see the obvious."

"Look, we're an hour away from the spot," said Chase. "You know you won't be able to enjoy yourself until you call her. So do it as soon as we stop, we'll get everything put together." After a few minutes, Marshall too fell asleep, leaving Chase alone on the winding road.

~~~

The van pulled to a stop. "WAKE UP!" yelled Chase, laughing.

Rocky sat up and opened his eyes. Out the window of the van, he could see a huge log cabin lodge. He opened the door and stepped out as everyone else did as well. "Wow, this is so cool," said Rocky. "It must have taken a long time to build this. How many people can stay in this thing?"

"Well, normally about ten couples," said Marshall with a slight yawn. "But we have it all to ourselves."

"Including the pool," said Zuma looking at Rocky. "It's indoor and heated. Perfect for some lessons." Rocky stared at Zuma nervously but said nothing.

"Well, let's get our stuff moved inside," said Skye. "I'll get dinner made. Zuma, can you and Rocky get some firewood?"

"We'll take care of it," said Zuma as he and Rocky walked off toward the shed containing the firewood and supplies.

Chase turned to Marshall. "Well?"

"I'm going," said Marshall walking toward the tree line and pulling his phone out.

"What's that about?" asked Skye as she walked up and kissed Chase on the cheek.

"I talked him into calling Everest," Chase replied.

"It's about time," said Skye. "Rubble can you help me carry this stuff in. Chase grab the bags and pick us a room."

"Coming," said Rubble as he picked up a box of supplies and carried them toward the cabin.

~~~

Marshall looked up the number and called. The phone was ringing and he was just about to hang up when someone answered. "Sunfield Rehab Center, how can I help you?" said a voice on the other end.

"Um, I'm actually calling for a patient," said Marshall. "At least she was a patient. It would be an Everest Frost."

"Um, let me see," said the voice. "Um, she finished her rehab, let's see, about a year ago. But, you know what, I'm pretty sure she's on the floor right now. Let me put you through."

'She finished a year ago?' thought Marshall. 'Maybe she's back for a check up or something.'

"Rehab Floor," said another voice picking up the phone.

"Yes, is an Everest Frost be available?" said Marshall. "Tell her Marshall B-Blaze is calling," Marshall stuttered.

"Please hold," said the voice. Marshall could hear the voice calling for Everest and someone running toward the phone.

"Who is it?" said Everest; Marshall would recognize that voice anywhere.

"Says it's a Marshall Blaze," said the voice. There was nothing but silence for a few moments. After an eternity, a trembling voice came on the line.

"H-hello M-Marshall?" Everest stuttered.

"Hello Everest" said Marshall.

"Is something wrong?" asked Everest.

"Only that I waited this long to call you," said Marshall. "So you finished your rehab a year ago. Are you there for a check ip or something?"

"No, I'm done with all that," said Everest a little more confidently. "I decided to stay on as a staff member. I help others like me learn to walk again."

"That's great," said Marshall. "Sounds like something you would do. You always liked helping others."

"I decided to stay ..." Everest trailed off.

"You decided to stay because you never heard back from me, right?" said Marshall. When Everest didn't say anything Marshall continued. "I know, I was stupid Everest. I never intended to hurt you. I caused your injury and then left you to heal on your own. I couldn't let it go without telling you I'm sorry and I missed you."

"M-Marshall you didn't cause my injuries," said Everest finally. "You know it was the driver that cut us off that caused the wreck. I never blamed you for anything. I wondered why you never called or checked on me."

"I don't have an answer Everest," said Marshall with a waver in his voice. "I don't know why I couldn't see what was in front of me all along."

"Marshall, we've both grown a lot in three years" said Everest. "Is this your cell number?"

"Yes, it is," said Marshall. "I guess you have a new life now, I hope your happy. I'm really sorry, I never meant to hurt you."

"My life is different," said Everest "But some ,things haven't changed. Look I'll try to call you later, I need to get back to my patients. It was good to hear from you."

"It was good to talk to you too, Everest," Marshall said. "I'll look forward to your call. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Marshall," said Everest hanging up.

Marshall sat down on the ground and held his head down. "I've lost her," Marshall said as he broke down.

~~~

Skye was in the kitchen getting dinner ready and Rubble had decided to stay and help. Chase was sitting in a chair staring out the window watching the trees sway with the breeze. Zuma had managed to lead Rocky into the pool room.

"Let's just sit here and talk for a while," said Zuma sitting down on the side of the pool and immediately putting his feet in the water. Rocky sat down near him but away from the edge of the pool. "So, Chase said you had a pretty bad dream last night," Zuma started. "Want to talk about it?"

Zuma had become a big brother to Rocky almost immediately. Rocky felt very comfortable talking with him, it always seemed he knew what Rocky was thinking. "Eh, I don't know, it was just a dream," said Rocky looking down at his hands.

"Dreams are the story of our hearts," said Zuma. "If you don't want to talk I understand."

Rocky was silent for a moment then spoke. "It's not that I don't want to talk. It just kind of silly when I think about it."

"Nothing is silly if it bothers you," said Zuma. "Trust me."

"Well," Rocky started, absentmindedly swinging his legs over the edge next to Zuma. His feet touched the water, but he didn't seem to notice. "The dream was like before the fire, but much worse," Rocky started. "I managed to get out but no one else did." Rocky dropped his head. "I felt helpless, I couldn't do anything. I felt alone and useless. I really wanted to help but I was so scared and had no idea what to do."

Zuma listened and thought for a moment. "You know, you're not useless. In fact your ideas will greatly help us and others in their efforts. Not everyone is meant to run into burning buildings, just like not everyone is intended to perform water rescues."

"Heh, water rescue," smirked Rocky. "I can't even get in the water let alone save anyone else."

"I hope to help change that" said Zuma, calling to Rocky's attention that he had moved over next to Zuma and now had his feet dangling in the water next to him. Rocky's eye grew huge as he realized what he had done without thinking. He started to pull his legs back out when Zuma spoke once more. "Hold on Rocky," Zuma stopped him. "No one ever drowned from putting their legs in the water. Let's just sit here. I didn't really expect to get you in the pool yet anyway, but this is a step."

Rocky was visibly shaking now as he looked down into the water. "H-how deep is it?" asked Rocky.

"About 3 feet on this end," said Zuma. "The deep end goes down to about 10 feet."

"I-I don't know Zuma," said Rocky. He pulled his legs out, holding his knees against his chest. "It scares me so bad to even think about getting in."

Zuma placed his hand on Rocky's shoulder. "When you're ready I'll be right beside you. For now let's just sit here." Zuma closed his eyes and leaned back just moving his feet around, Rocky noticed this and, hesitantly, placed his legs back in the water. Panic started to set in, but he pushed those thoughts away. He focused on the coolness of the water, his legs kicking gently. He shut his eyes and smiled a bit. The more Rocky thought the more comfortable he became with his feet in the water.

Zuma saw this and smiled, feeling successful.

~~~

Chase noticed Marshall hadn't come back and stepped out to look for him. He saw Marshall sitting against a tree with his head down. "What's up buddy?" asked Chase. "Did you talk to..." Marshall looked up at him with a face full of tears before looking away, hiding his face. Chase took a deep breath and sat down next to Marshall putting his arm around his best friend.

Marshall finally, but weakly, spoke. "I-I spoke to her. She's working at the rehab clinic now. I don't know, she said she has a different life now. I don't know what that means. Chase, I think I lost her. I waited too long, it's all my fault." Marshall hung his head once more shaking with each sob. It was hard for Chase to see Marshall like this. It was hard to see anyone like this, but this was his best friend, the person that helped him through everything, and he felt so helpless. Chase sat there holding Marshall and after a while finally spoke.

"So did she say that she didn't want to talk?" asked Chase.

"N-no, she said she'd try and call later," Marshall whispered. "She said she had patients to take care of."

"Well then it's not hopeless," said Chase trying anything to cheer up his friend. "Be honest with her, don't wait, tell her how you feel. But listen to her and allow her to say what she needs to. I'll be here for you bud, always."

"Thanks Chase," said Marshall through a thin smile. "You've always been there for me. How are you doing?"

"What do you mean?" asked Chase.

"Don't think I have noticed that you've been deep in thought all day," said Marshall. "Something bothering you?"

Chase looked down. "Always worried about others, heh, even with problems of your own."

"What can I say?" smiled Marshall.; "We all have our ways of coping I like to help others. Now what is it?"

"Just a conversation with Rocky," said Chase. "He had a bad dream about the station being on fire. Probably because of the fire the other day. Rocky has so much tragedy in his past, he reacts and holds on to things that aren't his fault and that he can't control. I've just been thinking about Diane and the whole situation."

Marshall nodded as he listened and finally spoke. "I've lost people too, I know how much it hurts. You have to find it in yourself to forgive yourself even though it wasn't your fault, that doesn't make the loss hurt any less." Chase only nodded as tears ran down his cheeks now. "You know we're all here for you," continued Marshall. "I'm not going say there was nothing you could have done differently, I'm as analytical as you are. There's always something that can be done different, that's how we learn. It's the ability to move on and just your knowledge for the next opportunity to save someone or something."

It was Chase's turn to look up with a thin smile while nodding. "Look at it this way," said Marshall. "You saved Rocky from a certain death. You know as well as I do where his previous life was headed. You saved him, and in a way he saved you and Skye as well. Hell, he's quickly become part of the family and I can't imagine him not in our lives now."

Chase smiled and hugged Marshall. "Thanks, you always seem to help me find myself. Umm you smell that, Skye must have dinner ready."

Marshall inhaled deeply and smiled standing up. "Let's eat, enough of this emotional roller coaster for now." Marshall reached down and helped Chase get up.

~~~

Skye was walking out to call Chase and Marshall as they walked up on the porch. "I was just about to call you," laughed Skye, perceptive as she was she knew they had apparently had a moment but did not want to push. 'Boys and their issues' thought Skye as she turned and opened the door. "I'll go get Rocky and Zuma" said Skye "You better go grab a plate before Rubble eats it all." The guys laughed, only to stop themselves as they knew it was true.

Skye walked into the pool room and notice the two guys laying beside the pool with their feet in the water. She gasped when she say that Rocky had his feet in as well. She took a deep breath and called to them. "Boys time for dinner!"

"Great I'm starving!" said Zuma.

"Me too!" laughed Rocky, getting up and drying his feet before walking back in the house.

Everyone gathered around the table eyeing the great food Skye had prepared. Chase stood and took his glass of wine, raising it to the center of the table. "To great friends and family."

"Here here!" laughed everyone. Rocky eyed Chase and Skye sipping their wine, feeling somewhat nervous, though he shook it off. 'They would never,' he thought.

~~~

After dinner everyone decided to enjoy a nice campfire and roast some marshmallows. Marshall sat down next to Zuma. "I have an idea," Marshall started. "But I think I might need your help."

"You got it dude," Zuma laughed. "How can I be of assistance?"

"Chase still has some bad memories of the incident with Diane," said Marshall. "He's not going to move past it until he can talk it out."

"Same with Rocky," explained Zuma. "He really got messed up by that fire we had at the station. I've tried talking to him but it doesn't seem to help."

"What I've got in mind is to get the two of them together and get them talking," said Marshall.

"I'm game," said Zuma. "What's you plan?"

"You tell Chase that you need some help with Rocky in the pool room," said Marshall. "I'll tell Rocky that you want to see him in the pool room. I'll get them talking and you and I can slip out and let them sort it out from there."

"You really think this will work?" smirked Zuma.

"Yes, trust me," said Marshall. "They both want to talk but don't know how to start. We're just going to give them a nudge."

Zuma and Marshall separated and moved to their part of the plan. Chase was quick to do anything that would help Rocky. Rocky was hesitant at first but knew he would end up in the pool at some point.

Rocky and Marshall were waiting in the pool room when Chase and Zuma walked in. "So Marshall said you were ready to meet with me," said Rocky as Zuma walked in.

"Yeah little dude," said Zuma playing along. "I think we ought to get into it."

Rocky gulped looking at the pool and with a sigh said "Okay, Zuma I trust you."

"Come on Rocky, you can beat this," said Chase trying to be as comforting as he could.

"You seem hesitant Rocky," said Marshall. "Is there something else bothering you?"

Rocky looked at Zuma, who nodded and said "You can talk to Marshall, you know we're all here for you." Zuma walked over and sat down dropping his feet into the pool.

Rocky looked down and did the same sitting beside Zuma. Chase sat down next to Rocky and Marshall sat beside Chase. "It's just that I can't get the fire out of my head," Rocky started.

"Like what?" asked Marshall.

"I was so scared for all of you," said Rocky. "I just see flames and smoke and ... I just felt helpless."

Marshall started to reply but Chase spoke first. "Son, it's okay to be scared. I've been scared before and it's what we do with that fear that matters."

"Your Dad's right Rocky," said Marshall. "He's been in some crazy stressful situations and he can tell you, it's not always easy to get over, but we lean on each other and talk out our fears and concerns."

Chase looked at Marshall with 'I know what you're doing' eyes.

"It's time Chase," said Marshall.

Chase closed his eyes and opened them to see Rocky staring at him with concern. "It happened a while back but haunts me to this day..." Chase began to explain the situation with Diane and how it has affected him since. Rocky listened and learned of the softer side of Chase that few had ever seen. Once Chase was into his story and Rocky had blocked out the world around him, Marshall gave Zuma a nod and they stood up and slipped out of the room.

As Marshall and Zuma walked into the kitchen Skye asked where everyone was. "I got Chase and Rocky talking," said Marshall. "We left them to work out their hurts. Give them a moment and then it would probably be a good idea to join them."

"Thanks Marshall," said Skye. "You always seem to understand Chase better than even I do at times. While we're talking, did you get through to Everest?" Marshall looked down immediately. Skye began to regret asking but continued "Something wrong?"

"I-I don't know," said Marshall softly. Zuma saw a chance to get away and took it.

"Did she talk to you?" asked Skye sitting down at the table and motioning for Marshall to do the same.

"She did," said Marshall, as he explained the earlier phone call and Everest's current situation. "I don't know if I waited too long or what," said Marshall. "She said she'd try to call later but she hasn't called yet."

"Don't give up on her yet Marshall," said Skye placing her hand on his. "She may have thought you weren't interested and tried to move on. It doesn't mean she has, it only means you have to take this slow and, above all, be honest with her. This may be the only chance you get."

"I'm so scared that she's found someone else," said Marshall. "I wouldn't blame her, I gave her no reason to think otherwise."

"Well, if that is the case, you have to let her know you are happy for her," said Skye. "I know it would suck. But if she felt there was no other option..."

Marshall snickered. "Skye, you always know how to put a twist on a tragic event."

"I'm not by any means saying that is what has happened," said Skye. "Trust me, she adored you. I would be surprised if she has moved on. But I am saying if the worst has happened, don't get angry with her. But if you've been given another chance, don't wait. It's obvious that you care for her, you need to tell her if given the chance."

"You're right," said Marshall looking up. "I think you might want to check on them."

"Don't worry she'll call," said Skye, getting up and walking to the pool room. 'Everest please call,' thought Skye as she walked out of the room.

~~~

Skye walked into the pool room as Rocky had begun to explain his fears. They hadn't noticed Skye so she held back and listened. "When the fire happened," said Rocky. "I was so impressed with how strong and in control you seemed. But you turned and ran into the fire and I couldn't see you any more. I think my heart stopped until you came back." Chase just nodded listening to his son's story unfold. "Then, in the dream, none of you came back," said Rocky tearing up as he spoke, "I've never felt so helpless and alone in my life. A voice kept saying it was my fault for not doing something, but I couldn't do anything to save you."

Chase pulled Rocky into a hug and broke down himself. "Rocky, even if something horrible like that did happen," Chase choked out. "It wouldn't be your fault. You did what you could and, in that situation, I have no doubt you would do anything possible to help."

"But, you said you felt helpless when Diane fell," whimpered Rocky. "You did everything you could but you still feel it was your fault."

Chase looked at Rocky astounded by the wisdom his son possessed. "You're right, I did. It wasn't my fault. I did, and still do, feel like there was more I could have done, but at the time I did what I could. Sometimes it's not enough. But we have to give it our best."

"I wanted to do something but I didn't know what to do," said Rocky.

"We can't know everything," said Chase. "But if you're genuinely curious about fire protection, you couldn't ask for a better instructor than Marshall. You don't have to be a firefighter to learn the basics. Who knows, you might find something else you like."

Skye couldn't hold it any more. She had longed for Chase to be able to let go of the guilt he felt for Diane. Skye sniffed loud enough that Chase and Rocky both turned towards her at the door.

"I take it you heard me," said Chase. Skye nodded as she walked toward them. They both stood and the three all embraced in a tight family hug.

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost either of you," said Rocky. "You saved me, I can't imagine my life with you two in it."

"Hopefully we won't have to worry about that for a long time" said Chase

"Rocky, we may not have seen it at first," said Skye. "But you saved us as well."