Chase and Rocky walked out to the main room and found everyone huddling around the fireplace. Marshall and Everest were staring at each other while everyone else was helping themselves to the marshmallows.

"Dad?" Rocky said looking at Chase.

"Son?"

"Are those two ever going to admit that their in love or what?"

Chase snorted and ruffled Rocky's hair. "Even you can tell, huh?"

"Well, it's kind of obvious. I mean she dropped everything and came here, she hasn't left his side since she got here."

"They've been avoiding the issue for a long time. I think they may come around before we head home this weekend. Let's eat some marshmallows before Rubble eats them all." Rocky laughed before joining everyone around the fireplace.

The rest of the evening everyone spent telling stories and enjoying each other's company, some more than others. It got late and everyone began moving toward bedrooms. Marshall and Everest were still sitting by the fire talking.

"We're going to turn in," Chase said. "Looks like the lights aren't coming on anytime soon, going to be cool tonight. You two going to bed?"

"In a little while, I want to check the fire before we go to bed," said Marshall looking at Everest. "Yeah sure," smirked Chase. "Good night."

No sooner had Chase shut the door that Everest turned to Marshall. "So you want to sleep in my room?"

Marshall instantly turned bright red. "Uh-"

"It would help keep us both warm, like Chase said it's going to be cool tonight. Shall we?" Everest said standing and taking Marshall's hand. He smiled, blushed even more and followed her.

They slipped into Everest room and closed the door. Everest stepped into the bathroom and changed into her sleep shirt and Marshall had dropped down to his shorts. They climbed into bed and laid down snuggling and talked for the better part of the night.

~~~

The next morning Skye had awoken and was making breakfast when Rocky came walking into the kitchen. "Mom, have you seen Marshall?"

"No honey, he's probably still sleeping. I'm sure he was up late with the storm and all."

"No I looked in his room and he's not there. I wanted to ask him a question."

"Oh really?" smiled Skye. "I'm sure he'll turn up shortly."

They both heard laughing and Everest opened her door revealing Everest and Marshall walking out together. "Sleep well?" asked Skye smiling at the two of them. Everest just stuck her tongue out at Skye and laughed.

Marshall on the other hand immediately turned red. "We uh..."

"Hey, I saw nothing" laughed Skye. Rocky was looking at them all very confused. Skye walked over and kissed him on the forehead. "Don't worry honey, I'll explain it when you're older." Skye laughed and went back to breakfast as the others came walking in. "Coffee's ready and breakfast will be done shortly. The lights came back on during the night, they must have got it fixed."

"Uh, Marshall I wanted to ask you something," said Rocky. "What's that?"

"Can I ask you outside?" Marshall looked nervously at Skye, who just smiled at him and nodded.

"Uh, sure." Rocky and Marshall stepped outside on the deck. "Ok, little guy, what can I help you with?" Marshall said.

"I was wondering if you could help me come up with something for dad. He wants to go back to the Police Department and I wanted to make something special for him."

Marshall let out a breath. "Huh, sure. I'd be glad to help you."

"Is something wrong?"

"Uh, no nothing's wrong. I just, uh, nevermind."

"Thanks Marshall." Rocky said happily as he turned to go back inside." Marshall walked back in and Skye looked at him smiling.

"It was nothing important," smiled Marshall.

~~~

Rocky had been bouncing off the walls in anticipation of the camping trip. He was really looking forward to spending time with just Chase. Chase came out carrying two backpacks. "You ready to go?" asked Chase.

"You bet, what are those for?"

"This is all we get to take, if it doesn't fit in the backpack it doesn't go," Chase laughed. Rocky looked at Chase funny for a moment. "What I mean is real camping involves carrying in everything you'll need and carrying out anything that doesn't belong." Chase helped Rocky put on his backpack and Skye ran out to take a picture of the two before they set off toward a nearby mountain ridge. Chase had considered going toward the lake but decided against it thinking Rocky probably needed to stay away from water for a few days.

Chase and Rocky had walked for about an hour when they came to the ridge. "Well, here we are," said Chase, slipping his pack off. "We have a few more hours until it starts to get dark so let's get a campfire built and set up camp."

"Great dad, this thing is getting heavy" said Rocky trying to slipping his pack off not nearly as graceful as Chase had. He fell over and wiggled out of his pack.

Chase laughed a little. "Well that's another way to do it," Rocky laughed also. Chase showed Rocky where to look for firewood and how to split some of the larger wood. Then he showed him how to build a fire ring and clear the area around it so the fire couldn't spread.

"Wow, where'd you learn to do all this stuff?"

"Ryder showed us all some of it, but the fire safety Marshall taught us."

"So Dad. Why did you pick this place to come to? I thought we'd go to the lake."

"I figured you'd had enough water for the week so I thought of this place. Besides, I wanted to show you something cool."

"What's that?" Chase walked over to the ridge that looked out over the valley and toward the west the sun was just beginning to set.

"This..." Chase said gesturing toward the sunset.

"Oh, wow!" said Rocky. Both of them sat down and watch the sunset, a mixture of reds, oranges and yellows. Rocky wished he had brought his camera, but decided he would paint it once he got home.

As it began getting darker, Chase said "Let's get that fire started and I'll fix us some dinner. Your mom sent some snacks in case you got hungry before dinner was ready."

"Great, I'm starving." Chase laughed and handed Rocky a bag of chips. Rocky was sitting on a log watching Chase cook. "So, Dad, how'd you and Mom meet?"

Chase began telling the story of the old days and how the group had come together, how they all met and then how long it took for him to finally ask Skye out on a date. The conversation continued on until they had finished their dinner and were sitting and watching the campfire.

"Rocky, the real reason I asked you to come out here alone was so we could talk."

"About what?"

"I know this is hard for you, but I want to know your past." Rocky looked down at the fire. "There's no one else around, just me. Anything you say is between me and you."

Rocky sniffed. "W-where do I start?"

"Why don't you start with your fear of water?"

Rocky explained his memories of his father yelling at him and then dunking him in the bathtub while cursing and calling him a 'Pathetic, worthless, little brat.' At that he turned to Chase who was listening with tears streaming down his face. "It's those words that have stuck with me my whole life," Rocky whimpered. "I never thought anyone would love me..."

Chase pulled him into a hug. "I wish I could take that hurt away, Rocky, I wish I could make you forget them."

"But now I have you and Mom."

"Yes, you do," smiled Chase through his tears. "I won't ever let a day go by without making sure you know how much we love you."

"I love you too, Dad."

"So, I guess your dream it was me doing those things?" whispered Chase.

"It was your face and your voice, but I know it wasn't you," cried Rocky. "I'm really sorry I called you a monster, I was scared and hurt all over again."

"Rocky I would never do that, I know of your fear. I would never treat you like that."

"I know Dad, it's wasn't you, it was memories that I can't get rid of. I've tried but they always come back."

"I understand, some memories you wish would go away but they don't."

"Like yours of her?"

Chase sighed. "Her name was Diane, and yes, try as I may, I can never get her face or the fall out of my head."

"But it makes you care more and work harder doesn't it?" asked Rocky.

"Yes, I guess you're right. It does make me work hard to never repeat my mistakes. But your past makes you stronger as well. You have faced more hurt than most adults will in a lifetime. You came through and will make the world a safer place because of your ideas."

Rocky thought for a moment "Dad, I really do want to learn to swim but I'm still afraid."

"I saw a poster once written by Michael Hyatt. It read 'Courage is the willingness to act in spite of fear.' There's nothing wrong with admitting that you're afraid of something, but if you do nothing about it and let it control you then fear has won. If and when you're ready to try swimming again, I'll be right there beside you. I promise I'll die before I ever let anything happen to you."

"Thanks Dad," Rocky said as he yawned, hugging Chase tighter.

Chase hugged him back. "Let's get some sleep." Chase stood and grabbed the sleeping bags handing one to Rocky. They rolled them out and laid side by side looking at the stars twinkling above them. Chase smiled as did Rocky and they drifted off to sleep.

~~~

Zuma and Rubble had decided to go off and find something to entertain themselves. Skye was sitting on a deck recliner reading a book. Marshall and Everest had been sitting together talking at the edge of the deck.

Skye finally spoke up. "So are you two going to work this out or am I going to have to let it slip about your little rendezvous?"

"Skye!" shouted Everest "You wouldn't?"

Skye laughed. "Oh, you know I would. But I'm serious, It's about time you two admitted it that you were meant for each other." Marshall was red as usual and Everest was just about the same color. Skye giggled. "I know you two were really close before. I know there has to be away you can work it out."

"You always were the little match maker, you know?" laughed Everest. Skye laughed and stood up gathering her book.

"I have no one to take care of this evening I'm going to go take a long hot bath." Skye walked into the cabin.

Marshall looked up at Everest with tears in his eyes. "Everest, I-I have always loved you. I was blind to the world around me for so long and I know you've moved on with your life..."

Everest put her finger to Marshall's mouth, she took a deep breath with tears in her own eyes. "Marshall, I have dreamed of hearing you say that for so long I can't even remember. I moved on because I thought you didn't feel the same way. Yes, I moved on but I never gave up hope. I looked into coming back to Adventure Bay many times but I knew it would hurt too much to be around all the memories we shared."

Marshall looked into her beautiful eyes. "I understand. It's my fault that you didn't know. I gave you no reason to come back, I'm so sorry."

"Marshall, I want us to work out. I know it will be difficult. I'll visit as often as I can and you can come see me and I'll show you the center."

"Really, I'd like that." Everest leaned over and kissed Marshall on the lips much to his surprise. Marshall closed his eyes and deepened the kiss. They didn't see Skye at the window doing a happy dance before turning to walk to the bathroom.

~~~

The sun had rose and hit Rocky in the eyes, he sat up stretching. "Morning sleepyhead, thought you were going to sleep all morning" Chase said. Rocky turned and saw that Chase had the fire going again and was fixing breakfast. "I forgot to bring any juice, so it's coffee or water"

"I'll drink some coffee."

"Your mother's not here to yell at me for it" laughed Chase. Rocky got up from his sleeping bag dropping his stuffed wolf as he stood, he looked up at Chase blushing. "Don't worry, I had a stuffed German Shepherd that I carried everywhere when I was your age." Rocky laughed and stuffed the wolf back in his sleeping bag. Rocky walked over and sat on the log Chase handed him a cup of coffee.

Rocky asked "So what are we going to do today?"

"I figured we'd strike camp and head back but along the way I thought I'd tell you some forest lore and show you how to survive in the wild."

"Cool," Chase laughed handing Rocky a plate of pancakes. Once finished, Rocky walked over to the ridge and sat down, looking out over the mountains.

"Careful, son!" Chase called out as he took down the tent. Rocky gave him a thumbs up and he chuckled. He had a few flashbacks to Diane, but shook them out of his mind.

His vision quickly cleared as he heard Rocky scream. "Dad, help!" Chase watched in horror as the cliff edge slowly gave way and watched as Rocky began to fall. Chase dropped the pan he was hold and ran, diving to the ground. He watched as if in slow motion as Rocky began going down. Chase's mind flashed instantly and he grabbed catching Rocky by the hand, Rocky handing off the edge.

"Don't worry, Diane, I have you!" shouted Chase.

"Dad, it's me! Help Me!" Chase snapped back to reality. "Oh God, not again! I won't lose another one." Rocky was crying as he looked up into Chase's eyes pleadingly. "Rocky, I have you, give me your other hand. I promise, I will not let you fall." Rocky struggled momentarily but managed to grasp Chase's other extended hand. "Rocky look at me, don't take your eyes off of me." Rocky whimpered but nodded watching Chase. Chase adjusted himself and began pulling Rocky back up. Rocky came over the edge and Chase managed to pulled Rocky back away from the cliff. Chase quickly scooped his son up cradling him in his arms. He walked back to the campfire. He pulled Rocky into a tight hug and broke down loudly sobbing. "I got you, I got you."

"I'm sorry dad, I'm so sorry, you told me to be careful, I'm so sorry," cried Rocky. Chase finally regained his composure and set Rocky down kneeling in front of him looking straight into his eyes.

"You are not to blame. I didn't see that the cliff edge was that unstable either or I would have said something. I'm sorry for losing it, like I did. I don't know what came over me, I..."

Rocky stared at Chase for a moment and began sobbing. "I can only image how much it hurt you to lose Diane. I'm sorry I made you relive that, but you saved me. Dad you saved my life. You promised you wouldn't let anything happen to me, y-you saved me." Both of them dropped to the ground holding onto each other.

After a few moments, Chase began checking his son over for injuries. "Are you hurt, I see a few scrapes but does anything else hurt?"

"No dad, I'm fine." Chase laughed with relief.

"I'm glad you're ok, but your mother is never going to let us out of her sight again when she hears about this."

"We could not tell her," Rocky smiled

"Oh, no. Somehow she would find out and then we'd both be in a world of trouble."

Chase sat there for a bit catching his breath and then said "Let's get all of this back in our packs and head back." Rocky nodded and then stood, helping Chase to his feet. They quickly packed everything up and Chase showed Rocky how to put out the campfire and made sure it was out cold before leaving. Chase and Rocky spent the rest of the day walking back to the cabin but along the way Chase would stop occasionally and show Rocky something or explain how to look for tracks. Chase gave Rocky his compass and explained how to use it. Then he told Rocky the direction to the cabin. "Now, I'm not going to help you but you need to find our way home."

"Can't we just use the GPS on your phone?"

"We could but what do you do when your battery dies?"

"Then I use my solar charger to recharge it."

"You really are too smart for your own good, you know?" laughed Chase, Rocky just smiled at him. "Anyway, I want you to do it the old fashion way. It's always good to have a backup plan." With that, Rocky looked at the compass and got his baring then they headed back toward the cabin. Rocky walked into a few trees while looking down at the compass. "You got to look up once in awhile. You don't want to walk off a cliff or anything." "Ha, ha very funny dad."

It was late in the afternoon when they arrived at the cabin. Skye had been sitting on the front porch watching for them and ran to greet them. As she got closer she noticed the scrapes on Rocky's face and legs. "What on earth happened?" demanded Skye looking at Chase.

"See, I told you. Somehow she always knows." Rocky laughed and hugged them both.