It was a late, cool fall afternoon. Weeks after Rocky's incident, everything had gone back to normal. It was nearing fall break and would soon be winter. Rocky did better and better in school and was considering starting the accelerated program after winter break.

Everest opened her clinic, much to the joy of Marshall. Unfortunately for him, he didn't have a big enough bed for the both of them, which meant Everest had to find an apartment. It also meant Marshall was out of the firehouse most of the time.

Skye, Rubble and Zuma continued their firefighting missions alongside their lovestruck chief. Skye had a near fatal experience when her helicopter ran out of fuel, but she was able to land it safely and without any harm.

Chase had finally joined the force after much debate. Although he had said he would do it, he was scared, though he didn't want to admit it. It took a late night talk with Marshall and Rocky to convince him.

Donned in his uniform, Chase stared at himself in his bedroom mirror. Wow, he thought. This is actually happening. For years, he had regretted that day, hating and beating himself up for it. But now, he was being accepted back on the force. Technically, he was a rookie, but there was no doubt in his mind he could climb the ranks with ease.

Marshall's suggestion of keeping his pistol locked in a safe was a great idea. They kept it in the garage, hidden from Rocky. Chase would never allow him to see him armed. He didn't want that image imprinted on him.

"Good morning, handsome," Skye whispered into his ear. Chase felt his heart jump as she kissed him passionately. "You look amazing, honey."

He kissed her back, only to pull back shortly after. "I have to go, sweetie."

"Please be careful," she said, looking deep into his eyes. "Please."

"I'll be home for dinner, like always." He kissed her once more. He stood up and opened their door. Rocky fell into the room. "Rocky?"

"H-hey, Dad..." he said sheepishly. "Hi Mom."

"Were you eavesdropping, young man?" Chase crossed his arms. Rocky had a lot more curious recently. He'd soon be 13. Chase grew more and more anxious about giving him 'the talk'. He didn't know what Rocky knew, or didn't know, already and that scared him. "You know that's wrong."

Rocky smiled innocently, then frowned. Chase knelt down to his level, his face straight. "D-Dad?" Rocky was getting nervous.

"I'm sorry too, son," Chase said as he raised a hand.

"Dad, please! No!" Rocky cried, but it was too late. The hand came down and soon, Rocky had tears of joy in his eyes as he wriggled in Chase's arms. "S-stop!" he laughed. "Pl-ple-please!" Chase chuckled loudly, continuing his tickle assault. "I-I'm sorry!"

Chase stopped, picking up the giggling boy and placing him on the bed. "And?"

"I won't eavesdrop again," Rocky laughed, starting to calm down.

"Promise?"

Rocky looked at him. He looked at his uniform up and down before pulling Chase into a hug. "Only if you promise to come home tonight," he whispered.

Chase wrapped his arms around him, returning the hug. "I promise, buddy," he whispered. "Go get dressed for school. Scott's gonna be here soon."

"Right!" Rocky ran back down the hall, shutting the door behind him.

~~~

Rocky was called to the principal's office before lunch. He walked casually. "Hey Ryder." Ryder have him a serious look. "Sorry, Principal Ryder."

Ryder smiled. "Better. I bet you're wondering why I called you here." Rocky nodded. "You're not in trouble. In fact, I want to congratulate you. The school board accepted your proposal for your smoke detection system."

"Really?" Rocky's eyes lit up.

"Yes. Based on a suggestion made by your uncle, I've sent the plans to someone over MIT."

"My uncle?" Rocky asked. They're spoken over email, but hadn't seen each other since they first met.

Ryder nodded. "It will take some time to develop, but we hope to implement it as soon as-"

The door burst open, a panicked student shaking. "Pr-Principal R-Ry-Ryder?"

"Jordan? What's wrong?" Ryder asked.

"I saw s-someone outside with a big gun." If a pin were to be dropped just then, it would be heard clearly.

Ryder stood from his desk. "You're sure?" Jordan nodded. Ryder picked up his phone. "Get me Officer Riley, now."

"What's gonna happen?" Rocky asked. He was trying to keep himself calm, but it wasn't really working.

A few seconds later, Officer Riley walked in. "Ryder, I got your call. What's the situation?"

"Jordan, where did you see that man?" Ryder asked.

"Just outside the cafeteria." Jordan was trembling with every word. "Is he going to-"

"Not on my watch," Officer Riley said. "Place the building on lockdown. I'm calling the local LEO's in."

Ryder nodded. "Boys, get under my desk." Rocky and Jordan did as they were told. Rocky didn't know Jordan all that well. He was a few grades below him. As they sat together, he noticed he was on the verge of tears.

"It's going to be okay, Jordan," Rocky whispered. "My Dad's a cop. He'll be here." Jordan nodded and even gave a small smile. Rocky couldn't help but worry, though. How big of a threat is this?

~~~

Chase sat in his office. They started him out with desk work, much to his displeasure. At least there's free coffee, he thought.

"Lieutenant Shepherd, Chief wants you," a voice said through his speaker phone.

"On my way," Chase responded. Taking one last sip of his coffee, he stood up, placed his hat on his head and walked down the hall. The door to Chief's office was open, various officers standing near his desk. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"We've got a situation on our hands," Chief said. He was a bit on the chubby side and could be meaner than a untrained police dog, but he was great at his job. "I understand you were a resource officer for Adventure Bay Intermediate?"

"Yes sir."

"They're on lockdown." Chase's heart nearly stopped. "Student reported seeing a man with a big gun roaming outside the cafeteria. All students were taken out of there as a precaution. You know the school better than anyone, so I'm making you the lead."

Chase couldn't believe his ears. Rocky, he thought. Rocky's there. I have to get him out. "Sir, I-"

"We go in quietly," Chief continued. "No sirens. SWAT's on there way as well. But first and foremost, we try to take this down quietly. The last thing we need is anyone getting hurt or worse." Chief looked up at Chase. "You were our best negotiator. I'm counting on you, Chase." Chief had never used his first name before.

He straightened up. "I'll do my best, sir," he said. He turned, letting the others leave before he did.

"Chase," Chief said. He waited, watching the Chief. "I know you've got a kid in there. I understand what you're thinking. But, do not let your emotions get the best of you."

"Family comes first, sir," Chase responded. Chief just nodded, gesturing for him to leave. As soon as he got into his patrol car, he felt as if he couldn't breathe. He pulled out his phone and tried calling Rocky. The call wouldn't go through. "Stupid thick walls... Rocky, it's me. I'm on my way. You stay wherever you are and don't move, understand? I'll come to you, okay?" He paused for a few seconds. "I love you." He ended the call, shook his head and let out a heavy sigh.

"Officer Shepherd," a voice said through the radio. "Ready to go?"

He lifted the radio. "Let's take this guy down." He slammed on the gas, pulling out onto the road. He was followed by three other cars, as well as an armored truck.

~~~

Ryder turned the lights out in his office, standing near the door. "You boys okay?" he whispered.

"We're fine," Rocky said. "What's going on?"

"Well, Officer Riley's going to investigate. Local officers are on their way. Hopefully, the whole thing is just a misunderstanding."

"Principal Ryder," Rocky said. "Do you have access to the security cameras for the school?"

"Yes. Why do you-" He noted the smile on Rocky's face. "I'm not sure if I can allow you to do that."

"It's just a look, just to make sure everything's okay."

Ryder thought for a moment. "Fine. I don't know how to access it on my computer, but maybe you can figure it out." Rocky stood up and sat in his chair. He began typing on his computer, pulling up what was necessary. "Are you still considering the accelerated program?"

"Would this get me in?" Rocky smirked.

"More than likely."

They both watched as Officer Riley walked into the cafeteria, keeping his head low. He walked over to the window and peered outside. "No visual confirmation," he whispered through his radio. "Headed outside."

"Be careful," Ryder said. Rocky switched over to the rear cameras. There was nothing to be seen.

"There's no one here," Officer Riley confirmed. "Was this a credible threat?"

Ryder looked down at Jordan. "Are you sure you saw someone?" He nodded. "Jordan? Don't lie to me, this is very serious."

"I swear! I saw someone. He was walking around, looking inside."

"What did he look like?"

"Bald, white, sunglasses. White t-shirt, black jeans, black shoes."

"Got him!" Rocky said, pointing at the screen. Jordan crawled out and looked. "Is that him?"

"Yeah! That's the guy!"

"Riley, white male, bald, white shirt, black pants and shoes, sunglasses. Headed towards the forest."

"I'll let the LEO's know, they're pulling up now." Ryder sighed. "School can continue to run normally. Lunch is over, close off the cafeteria and don't let anyone outside." Ryder made the announcement and allowed Rocky and Jordan to head back to class. "That's enough excitement for one day," he said to himself.

~~~

Skye paced back and forth in front of the television. She had heard the news after coming home from a brush fire. 'It's five o'clock, where are they?"

"I'm sure they're fine, Skye," Marshall said. "Relax."

"I don't need to relax, you need to relax!" Marshall rolled his eyes, continuing to work on dinner. "What if something happened to them?"

"The school or chief of police would've called." Marshall washed his hands and walked up to her. "Skye, please calm down. They can handle themselves."

Skye trembled as she turned towards him. She ran into his arms, crying. Marshall, somewhat shocked, hugged her back, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Everest walk into the kitchen and saw them. Marshall immediately shook his head. Everest walked up to them and gently pulled Skye away. She led her to the living room and comforted her.

Marshall went back to finishing dinner and sighed. "You guys better be okay," he whispered.

~~~

Chase walked into the school just as classes changed. An armed officer stood at every entrance and exit. One suspect was still on the loose. It wasn't known if there was more.

"Come on, Rocky, where are you?" he whispered as he continued down the hall. He looked in every classroom. He hadn't memorized Rocky's new schedule yet which made things more difficult.

"Officer Shepherd," Ryder yelled down the hall. Chase turned to face him. Behind him, Rocky and Jordan walked out.

Chase smiled and ran down the hall. He grabbed Rocky in a hug, glad to see him. "I'm so happy you're safe," he said.

"Dad, the guy, he's in the woods," Rocky said. Rocky pulled him back into the office and showed him the security footage.

Chase pat his head and pulled out his radio. "All units, head to the local bank just up the road. I've got a feeling our suspect might need some cash."

"Officer Shepherd, if you want to, you can take your son home," Ryder said.

"Thank you, Principal Ryder," Chase said. "The building is secure, busses should be arriving shortly."

Chase escorted Rocky past the officers guarding the school. They wanted to search Rocky, but Chase didn't allow it. "This is my son, he's fine." They allowed him through. Together, they went home. "Hope you're mom is finished with dinner."

"I'm glad you didn't break your promise," Rocky smiled. Chase too smiled, starting the car and pulling into the road.

~~~

That evening, everything was peaceful once more. Skye flipped out when they got home, but Chase pointed out that he was home for dinner, just like he said he'd be.

Marshall and Zuma were out on a call. Rubble was in the garage, working on the cars. Everest was watching TV. Rocky was in his room. Chase and Skye were sitting outside, watching the moon rise.

Chase thought of how the day went. The suspect hadn't been caught yet, so school was cancelled. He couldn't help but wonder why. Why go through the trouble of showing up to a school, armed, but not do anything? What was the point?

Inside the house, the doorbell rang. Rocky had gone into the kitchen to get a snack. He walked over to the door and, standing on his toes, looked through the peephole. He couldn't see anyone.

Everest walked up behind him. "Who is it, buddy?"

"I can't see anyone, it's too dark."

Everest looked through the window and see too couldn't see anything. She flipped on the porch light. There was no one there. "Ding-dong-ditch. Huh. Didn't think anyone still did that."

Rocky didn't know what she was talking about, but brushed it off. He went back to the kitchen.

Down in the garage, Rubble heard a clattering by the door. "Who is it?" he called out. There was no answer. "Hello?" He sighed, walking over to the door and swinging it open. "Who's- Oh, crap..."

~~~

Rocky watched his parents from the patio door, smiling. Everest went back to her show. Rubble eventually came upstairs. "Rocky, go to your room, now," he said sternly.

"Wha- what did I do?" Rocky was a bit scared. The only other person who was even that stern with him was Marshall, and with good reason.

"Now!" Rubble said. He appeared visibly shaken, but Rocky couldn't tell. He just ran to his room.

Everest turned to Rubble. "What's with you? Why are you yelling at him?"

"It's the only way to leave him out of this," Rubble said, not moving.

Everest raised an eyebrow. "Out of what?"

A figure slowly walked up the stairs, gun pointed at Rubble's back. "This," he said. Everest fought the urge to scream, taking a few steps back. "Get me Officer Shepherd," he said, cocking the weapon. "Or he dies."