Early the next morning, Skye awoke with a yawn. "Good morning, honey," she said with a smile. She reached over to wrap her arm around her husband, only to feel nothing but the mattress and sheets. Her eyes shot open and she sat up in bed. Must have gotten up early, I guess.

Covering herself in her robe, she walked out into the hall, down into the living room. There, she saw Marshall standing at the window. Curious, she walked up to him. She, too, looked out the window. Outside, she saw Chase chopping wood, an expression of frustration on his face. "He's been doing that all night," Marshall said, sipping his coffee. He handed Skye the mug.

"Really?" she said, also taking a sip. Marshall grabbed his jacket. "He's been up all night?"

"Yep." Marshall also grabbed his hat, gloves and a thermos. "Did he say anything to you last night?" Skye opened her mouth to say something, but decided against it. Marshall understood. "Say no more. I'll see if I can talk to him." He opened the cover to expose the hole for the fireman's pole. A wave of cool air entered. "Close this backup, will you?" He slid down the pole without waiting for her to answer.

Skye closed it almost immediately. Once fall hits, it gets cold fast, she thought as she shivered. She walked back over to the window, watching as Marshall approached Chase. She heard a door creak behind her and turned.

She sighed as she saw Rubble walk out into the hall, headed for the bathroom. She looked up at the wall clock. There was still time to make a quick breakfast for Rocky before he woke up. She looked back outside towards the guys. Hope Chase is okay.

~~~

Chase muttered to himself as he put himself to work. Marshall watched him, seemingly amused as he smirked at his younger friend. "Need a hand?" he finally said.

Chase brought the axe down hard on the tree stump. "No," he grumbled. Wiping the sweat from his face, he looked up into his blue eyed friend. "I don't."

"Aren't you cold? It's 50 degrees out and you're wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Come on, take a coffee break."

"I said I don't- Did you say coffee?" Marshall nodded. "Alright, I could use a coffee."

Marshall placed the jacket on Chase's shoulders and poured some coffee into a styrofoam cup, handing it to him. "So..." Marshall started. "Getting the wood early this year?"

"Yeah, I mean, I figured why not? That way we'll have more wood during the winter. Less work out in the cold." He sipped his coffee, seemingly impatient.

"Did you have to do it all in one night? Could've saved some for the rest of us." He chuckled. "You know how Rubble likes doing this."

"And Zuma hates it," Chase laughed. He stared off into the distance, looking at the sun rising above the city. "Remember when Ryder used to call this place the Lookout?"

Marshall smiled. "Those were the good old days." He looked over at Chase. "You used to be in charge of me. How the roles have reversed, my friend."

"Oh, shut up," Chase chuckled. Then, he frowned and sighed.

"You know why I'm out here. Talk." Marshall sipped his coffee as he stared at Chase.

Chase spilled the beans about Rocky's birth parents wanting to see him and Ryder's suggestion at an accelerated start. Marshall listened patiently and carefully, nodding at all the right parts.

Marshall had always been the voice of reason among them. He was the wisest out of all of them. He didn't make rash decisions, nor did he include his own personal opinions or views in matters. He took the time to carefully think of the best option. In a house full of friends, there's bound to be room for disagreement, often.

Once Chase finished, he looked to Marshall with a plea for help. "What do I do?"

Marshall sighed. "Well, let's start with the positive news. Ryder wants him in an accelerated program. Rocky's a smart kid, highly intelligent. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that he could do it. But, it's more work. I know you want him to have a great childhood." Chase nodded. "Talk to him about it, but leave the final decision to him."

"Skye and I were planning on doing that. I just wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do."

"Even if it's wrong, it's important he learns from his own mistakes. The last thing you want is him putting the blame on his parents." Chase nodded. "Now, the, somewhat, negative news. His parents want to see him. Obviously, you want what's best for Rocky."

"I don't want him anywhere near those-"

"I get it," Marshall interrupted. "You hate them. But, what do you think Rocky would do?"

Chase shook his head. "I don't know. I know he loves it here. He loves us."

Marshall nodded. "You don't want to lose him." Those words are what brought Chase down. The emotion he had been holding back, taking out on the tree trunk, spilled out. He shut his eyes, tears running down his cheeks. Marshall set his cup down and took Chase's as well. He pulled Chase into a hug and that's when the sobbing began.

Marshall knew Chase very well. They had grown up together. He knew Chase better than anyone else. He knew he was an emotional young man, he just never liked to show it. That was his weakness. Chase hated crying. He hated showing such weakness in front of the others. But Marshall had told him before that it wasn't a sign of weakness. It was a sign of strength. To be able to let go of your feelings all at once instead of holding it back shows how strong you truly are.

As Chase calmed down, Marshall soothingly rubbed his back, just as he did when they were younger. "You aren't going to lose him," Marshall whispered. "He loves you more than you know." Chase nodded, pulling back out of the hug.

"I swear, if you-"

Marshall laughed. "In the past twenty years, have I said anything to anyone?"

"No, but-"

"Then you have nothing to worry about. Now," Marshall picked up the cups and thermos. "I can tell you're going to get sick so go back to bed."

"But-"

"Nope. You're on vacation and, as far as I'm aware, you might as well be on paid sick leave. Now go." Chase grumbled, walking inside the garage and Marshall soon followed.

~~~

Once Rocky came home from school, Chase and Skye told him the news. The good and the bad. What they thought was odd, however, was the lack of reaction from the boy. He calmly listened to everything they had to say and, once they were finished, he declared he would think about it and went to his room to do homework.

Now, hours later, Rocky still had yet to utter a word. Everyone tried to get him to say something, but he would simple smile a bit or nod. "How was school?" Marshall asked.

"Fine."

"Pass that test?" Zuma asked.

"Yep."

Skye looked at Chase with concern. What if telling him was a mistake, she thought. What if it overwhelmed him? Rocky soon finished his dinner, set his plates in the sink and walked outside onto the balcony.

Chase, too, rose from the table. He watched Rocky as he stared out over the bay. The full moon high above them, allowing him to see far, far away. He looked back at the table, to Marshall. He nodded towards him, inciting him to be with his son. Rocky didn't even flinch as the door opened. He sighed, placing his elbows on the railing, his head into his palms. Chase walked up, leaning against the railing on his right. "Beautiful night, isn't it?"

"Yeah." They listened as the waves crashed along the shore. "Dad?"

Chase smiled a bit. "Yeah, son?"

"My parents..." he started. "Do... do they care about me?"

Chase sighed. No, he thought. Because if they did, they wouldn't have done any of those cruel things to you. He shook his head, pushing those thoughts away. "That depends on what you think," he said instead. "How did you feel when you lived with them."

"I thought it was normal, how they treated me. But, once they started calling me names, that's when I felt hated." He started sobbing.

Chase pulled him close. "Shh, no more tears, alright?" Chase soothed him. "You're safe now and will always be safe, no matter what." Rocky nodded, hugging Chase tightly. They never let each other go.

Eventually, Chase heard Rocky's sobs turned into snores. "Rocky?" He pulled back slightly, only to see he had fallen asleep. With a smile, he lifted him up, like a baby or small child, and carried him inside. Marshall, Skye, Rubble and Zuma had arrived. Upon seeing Chase and Rocky, they immediately quieted down with a smile. Skye followed Chase into Rocky's room.

As he laid him down on his bed, he removed his shoes, leaving his socks. Rocky began to wake up, opening his eyes. "Mom?" he whispered.

"Shh, sweetie. It's late." She rubbed his head.

"Your mother's right," Chase smiled. He held his hand and began to sing.

'Close your eyes, lay your head down.
Now it's time to sleep.
May you find great adventure,
As you lie and dream.

If you're scared of the darkness,
I will calm your fear.
There's a light in the hallway,
So you know I'm here.'

Skye joined in.

'So count your blessings every day.
It makes the monsters go away.
And everything will be okay.'

She rubbed Rocky's cheek. He yawned, smiling at their voices.

'You are not alone,
You are right at home.
Goodnight, goodnight.'

Chase continued.

'You won't need me forever,
But I'll still be here.
For we all have our nightmares,
Even me, my dear.

From now on, if you need me,
You can sing this song.
There's a light in the hallway,
Burning all night long.'

Together, they finished.

'So count your blessings every day.
It makes the monsters go away.
And everything will be okay.

You are not alone,
You are right at home.

Goodnight, goodnight.

Goodnight, goodnight.'

They both rose from the bed, kissing Rocky on his head. He had fallen asleep. Smiling, they slowly left the room, gently closing the door behind them. Once they got into their bedroom, Chase sighed. "I don't know if he'll want to see them."

"Well, he has a few more days," Skye said, pulling on her nightgown. Chase, too, changed into his pajamas. "We just have to give him some time."

"I guess I'm stuck home for the next week," Chase said as he shut off the light. He pulled the covers on top of them, spooning Skye lovingly.

"Maybe we should take a vacation, get away from here," Skye yawned. "Take everyone. Marshall, Rubble, Zuma."

Chase smiled. "Sounds like a plan..." The two slowly drifted off to sleep.

~~~

Rocky awoke early the next morning, finding himself in his room, still wearing his green hoodie and jeans. He smiled, recalling the beautiful song his parents had sang to him.

My parents.

Sitting on the nightstand next to him, the document he needed to sign. Flashes of his previous life flashed, causing him to shriek with fear. Holding his stuffed wolf tightly against his chest, he panted, struggling to catch his breath. He shook his head. No, he thought. I have to face them.

"Rocky?" a voice whispered from his door. Creaking open, Zuma's head poked inside. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Rocky whispered. "Yeah, I'm okay." Zuma came inside, shutting the door behind him. "Okay, maybe I'm not..."

"You're up pretty early," Zuma said, sitting down on his bed. Rocky kept looking at the documents. "I see..." Zuma sighed. "Look, I don't know much about what happened, but I can tell you one thing." He looked over at the small boy. "They do love you."

"How can you say that?" Rocky said, a look of frustration on his face. "They- they hurt me." His voice broke.

Zuma wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulder. "Yes, they did, but they didn't know. They didn't mean to and I'm sure, if they could, they would take back all the terrible things they did and said to you."

Rocky sobbed and Zuma held him close. "I-I don't know if I could ever forgive them."

"No one expects you to see them, or to forgive them." Zuma looked into his eyes. "We care about you kid. Chase and Skye, they want what's best." Rocky nodded. Zuma gestured towards the documents. "It's your choice."

Rocky's alarm went off, startling them both. The two giggled as Rocky reached over to shut it off. "I better get ready for school."

Zuma stood, walking over to the door. "By the way, don't worry about your chores. I think I can figure out the repairs." He smiled as he shut the door.

Chase appeared in the hallway. "Everything alright? I thought I heard Rocky."

Zuma nodded. "He's fine. Just needed someone to talk to." Zuma looked at Chase curiously, eyeing his clothes. "You're not going to work, are you?"

"Uh... no?" Zuma leaned against the doorframe with a smirk. "I'm just... taking Rocky to school so Skye can sleep in."

"And you plan on coming home straight after?"

"He better," Marshall called out from the kitchen. "Or Ryder will be up his-"

"Hey!" Rubble's voice rumbled. "There's a kid in the house, geez..." The guys chuckled as Rubble nearly swallowed his food whole. Soon enough, Rocky came out of his room, holding the document. He sat at the table and began eating, setting the paper next to him.

Chase walked over and ruffled his hair. "Morning, sleepy head," he smiled. He saw the paper and noticed it had been signed. Rocky looked up at him while drinking some milk. Chase knelt down next to him. "You're sure?"

Lowering the glass, Rocky nodded. "Yeah, Dad." Chase chuckled, staring at the milk moustache left behind. He grabbed a napkin and wiped his adoptive sons mouth. "I want to see them. I want them to see how happy I am now. Without them."