The weekend came and went without a hitch and soon, it was back to work and school for the firehouse. Rocky still wasn't awake by the time Chase stepped into his room. He sat on his bed. "Hey, bud. You gotta get up now."

Rocky groaned, causing Chase to chuckle. He recalled not ever wanting to wake up at that age. Something about the teenage years causes everyone to be tired. Rocky was only a few months away from turning 13, but, even so, he was already tired. His eyes fluttered open and he stared at Chase sadly. "Do I have-" He paused to yawn.

Chase smiled. "Yep, gotta go back to school. Finish all your homework yesterday?"

"I finished it on Friday," Rocky smiled. He stood from the bed, walking over to his dresser.

"Smart boy." Chase ruffled his hair. "I'll be outside when you're ready." Rocky nodded, watching as Chase closed the door. He sighed, wondering what the day would bring him. Do I have Physics today? Aw, I don't. I have gym. He scowled. I hate gym.

As long as he could remember, kids would tease him about his hair. He kept it short and spiky, just how he liked it, but it was the color he despised the most. It was dark gray. When his birth parents told him that his hair color wasn't technically natural, he was shocked. Doctors tried to figure out why, but it was a recessive trait.

Rocky pulled on his green hoodie, a welcome gift he had received from Marshall. How the man knew his favorite color, he didn't know, nor did he question it. Chase and Skye had gifted him a stuffed wolf. Normally, he would've thought he was too old for stuffed animals, but something about the gesture made him smile.

He grabbed his school bag and raced out the door. "Bye guys!" he yelled over his shoulder.

"Bye Rocky," everyone said in unison, causing chuckles all around.

"He's doing a lot better," Zuma said once the door shut. "I didn't hear any screaming yesterday or today."

"He's opening up to us," Marshall said. He saw Skye frowning. "What's wrong?"

She looked up from her plate. "Oh, nothing. Just... thinking, that's all."

Zuma, Rubble and Marshall all looked at her with concern. "What is it?" Rubble asked.

"Maybe we can help?" Zuma said.

"It's just..." she sighed. "It's been a little over a month now and... he still calls us by name." An awkward silence filled the table as they processed that.

"Well, uh..." Marshall said. Although he had numerous year of medical training behind him, this wasn't something you could train for. "It's just something he needs to get used to."

"Give him time," Rubble said, sipping his coffee. "He'll say it."

"Little dude has to get used to all this," Zuma said. "Look how long it took to trust us." He chuckled. "I gotta admit, he knows way more about mechanics than me."

"Says the man that swears by duct tape," Rubble shot, roaring with laughter. Everyone started laughing. Marshall's pager began beeping and it grew eerily quiet. They looked to him. He calmly lifted the pager up to his line of vision.

"2-alarm, downtown," he said, rising from the table. "Gear up!" Everyone rose, leaving their breakfast where it lay. Grabbing their gear, they swiftly slid down the pole one handed. "Skye-"

"Already up and running!" she yelled from her helicopter. "I'll meet you there." She took off, racing towards the source of the call.

"You really think he'll come around?" Rubble asked Zuma.

"He has to. Can't keep to himself forever." With that, they took off, following the large fire engine.

***

Chase did his regular patrol of the school. He sighed with boredom as he greeted students and teachers with a nod. As much as I hate to say it, I need some action around here. Maybe rejoin the force? A flash from the past came to mind and he immediately pushed it away, shaking his head. Opening his eyes, he bumped into a slightly taller man. "Principal Ryder! I'm so sorry, I-"

"It's alright, Officer," he smiled. "I actually wanted to see you in my office, if you have a second."

"Yes, sir." He followed the brown haired man down the hall. "May I ask what this is about?"

"Your son. How is he doing at home?" Chills went down Chase's spine. "Is he coping alright?" He opened the door, gesturing for Chase to step inside.

"He's had a few nightmares every now and again, but he's adjusting well, I'd say."

"No signs of any trauma?"

Chase stared at him curiously. "Permission to speak freely?"

Ryder chuckled. "Chase, I've known you since you were a kid. You know you can speak freely in here."

"Why are you asking me this?"

"His caseworker came to me, asking how he's doing in school. He's always done well, but in the past month, he's done better than well, if that's even possible." He pulled out a file, handing it to Chase. The officer looked up at him, as if questioning the legality of looking through private documents. "You're his father. Go on."

Hesitantly, he opened the file. Inside, his transcripts and essays. "He's very intelligent for his age, as I'm sure you know." Chase nodded. He looked at one essay, dated about two weeks after his adoption.

"What's this?" Chase pointed to one document that stuck out from the others.

It was titled 'My Parents'.

"That was found on the floor of one of his classes. His teacher said he had been writing something after finishing his work, but it fell off his desk once the bell rang. She didn't get the chance to return it to him."

Chase nodded, skimming it.

'My new parents are very different. They're kind and loving. They care about me and what I think. They want what's best for me. Is this what all parents are like?

My real parents were kind and loving. They care about me and what I thought. I think they wanted what was best for me. But, then they drank and turned mean.

Will my new parents do that too? I really like them a lot more than my old ones.'

Chase had teared up from reading it. His tears hit the paper as he thought about what he read. He's scared we'll be like them, the ones that hurt him. We drink a little wine every now and then. I like a good beer or two while watching the game. But, would that trigger something in him? A panic attack? He shook his head. I can't let that happen, ever.

He was about to speak up when the fire alarm went off. "I wasn't informed of a drill?" he said.

Ryder quickly gathered his emergency plan. "It's not." Chase immediately understood. Folding the note into his pocket, he rushed out into the hallway.

"Single file, no talking!" he ordered. He patrolled once more through the school, checking all the classrooms. He spotted a group of students coughing down the hall. "Let's go!"

"Our experiment," one said. "It exploded!"

"Is there a fire?"

"No, just a lot of smoke," another said. She was coughing profusely.

"Anyone still inside?" They shook their heads. He shut the door, isolating the smoke. "Alright, go, get out of here." He continued down the hall, ordering a few students out of the school. He headed towards the gym, knowing Rocky had it scheduled that day. He sighed with relief, seeing it had been cleared. "All clear," he radioed to Ryder. "Experiment blew up in the science wing. Going in to clear the smoke."

"Be careful," Ryder said.

***

The former 2-alarm blaze had turned into a massive 4-alarm fire. The apartment complex would be a total loss, but that wouldn't stop them from putting it out. Skye circled overhead, keeping clear of the smoke. "Roof looks like it's about to cave. Get out of there soon, guys."

Inside, Marshall and Rubble cautiously walked against the walls, looking for any trapped survivors. "How long you think we got?" Marshall asked.

"Two minutes, maybe more, maybe less."

"Ten-four. Let's clear out, Rubble."

"Ten-fo-" Both of them heard a faint scream down the hall. "Got a live one," Rubble said, retreating back down the hall.

"I'll scope out the rest of this floor, then we move out." Bits of the ceiling rained down on them as they continued searching.

After breaking down the door, Rubble finally spotted her, a little girl cowering on her bed. "It's okay, I'm here to help." He extended his hand out. She hesitantly grabbed it. Swiftly he carried her out of the burning apartment and back into the hall. Placing an oxygen mask on her, he said "I'm going to get you out."

"Heads up!" Marshall yelled. Rubble instinctively covered the small girl as debris fell on top of them. "Rubble?!"

"Building's going down!" Skye yelled. "Get out of there, now!"

Marshall ran over to the pile of debris, feeling the floor creak underneath him. "Rubble, come on..." he muttered, grunting as he moved the heavy beams and ceiling tiles. The floor cracked underneath him. "Crap!"

Skye watched in horror above as the building came down. The police had moved onlookers back far enough that it didn't harm them, but she was more concerned for her team. "Zuma, tell me they're out."

"..."

"Zuma?"

"They didn't make it," he said in an anguished voice. Skye circled overhead, looking down with her built-in camera. She surveyed the damage, looking for anything reflective under all the ash and debris.

"No..." she whispered. "This can't be-"

"Wait!" Zuma said. He was keeping an eye on the former front of the building. "There's movement. Skye, do you copy?"

"Got it." She zoomed in, focusing on a certain support beam. She spotted a reflective vest. "Attention ABPD, we've got survivors, I repeat, we've got survivors." She breathed a sigh of relief once Marshall's head emerged, followed by Rubble's and the little girls. With the help of police, they were able to climb out. "Told them to get out..." she muttered, then smiled. "At least they saved someone. Area is clear, taking her down."

***

Rocky stood outside with his classmates. He couldn't see Officer Chase anywhere. Fiddling with his jacket nervously, he walked up to Principal Ryder. "Have you seen-"

Ryder knelt down to meet his eyes. "He's safe. He's clearing a classroom right now." He gave him a reassuring smile. "Why don't you join your class, alright?" Rocky nodded, looking back towards the school.

Why isn't he out yet, he thought. He heard a rapid beeping emanating from behind him. Turning, the sound also turned. Everyone looked at him, wondering what was happening. It was then he remembered. Zuma's iPad, he thought. He took off the backpack and rummaged through until he found the device. On screen, a message.

'Everything alright, kid? We got a warning to steer clear of the school.'

-Zuma

Rocky smiled and quickly typed out a reply. 'Everything's good. Chase is clearing the school.'

"Rocky," Ryder said. "No using devices like that in school," he scolded.

"B-but... we're not technically in school, right now." He looked up at the man hopefully.

"Even so, I'll have to ask you to put it-" It was Ryder's turn to be shocked to hear a noise. Removing his walkie, he turned his back to Rocky. "What's wrong?"

Coughing could be heard, followed by a familiar voice. "The air... it's- it's toxic."

"Chase?" Rocky said. He looked towards the school in concern.

"Can you get out okay?" Ryder asked.

"I can-" The walkie produced static.

"Chase? Officer Chase, do you copy?" There was no answer. A few students looked at him with worry. "Don't worry, kids, I'm sure everything's-"

"Rocky, wait!" someone yelled. Ryder turned to see him running towards the school.

"Rocky?!" he yelled, running after him. A few officers managed to detain him before he got too far. "Rocky!"

Ignoring their yells, Rocky ran inside. The air smelled different and threatened to burn his lungs. He stayed low to the ground, covering his mouth. "Officer Chase?" he called out. "Where are you?" Rounding a corner, there was still no sign of him. Where could he be? He peered through the windows and doors of classrooms, looking for his adoptive father. The anxiety running through his mind forced him to focus.

After rounding another corner, he spotted a walkie just outside the bathroom. "Officer? Are you in here?" he called out. Peering inside, he saw him collapsed on the ground. "Chase!" he yelled without realizing what he said. He ran over, pushing his body over. Ignoring the toxic smell, he felt for a pulse and breath. It was ragged, but there.

Thinking quickly, he grabbed paper towels and ran them under the faucet, soaking them. Covering both his and Chase's mouths, he grabbed his arms and began dragging him out of the bathroom and into the hall.

He heard voices down the hall. "Hello?" he called out. "We need help down here!"

"Rocky!" Ryder yelled. He skidded around the corner, joined by three officers. "What were you thinking?"

"Help him!" he screamed at the officers. "Help him!" Ryder grabbed the crying boy and rushed out, coughing a bit. "Wait!" Rocky yelled. He had tears in his eyes and was openly crying in Ryder's arms as they left the school. Ryder climbed into an ambulance with him so he could be treated.

"Are you okay?" Ryder asked him. Rocky continued crying, shaking and trembling in his arms.

"I-I-" He sniffed a few times, even coughing a bit. "I want my Mom and Dad." The ambulance doors shut and took off. Chase was loaded into a separate one that followed.

***

Marshall and the gang had just arrived at the firehouse. "You sure you two are okay?" Zuma asked them.

"We're fine," Rubble said. He slapped Marshall on the back. "Right buddy?"

Marshall chuckled. "Yep. All in a day's work." He noticed a message had been left on the answering machine and casually hit the button as he walked into the kitchen. Everyone quieted down to listen.

'Skye Shepherd, this is Principal Ryder calling. Your son and husband are both being treated for chemical inhalation due to an experiment gone wrong. The hospital staff would really appreciate it. Thank you.'

Skye had left around halfway through the message. Everyone could hear her tires screech as should pulled out of the garage. "Should we go?" Rubble asked.

"No," Marshall said. "They haven't had a 'family moment' since Rocky came here. I'm sure they'd love it to be anywhere except the hospital, but what can you do?"

"I hope they're alright," Zuma said. "Bad enough the kid was abused. Now he's in the hospital?"

"They'll be okay. They have each other."

***

When Skye arrived at the hospital, she immediately began looking for her son. She spotted his gray hair down the hall. "Rocky?" she said loudly.

Ryder looked up and smiled. Rocky saw her and stood up, running towards her. "Mom! I tried, I tried, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

She hugged him as tightly as she could, spinning him around in her arms. "Rocky, I was so worried about you..." she sobbed, running her hands through his hair. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but..."

"Chase is on a ventilator," Ryder said, shaking her hand. "They're filtering the smoke from his lungs. He's unconscious, but stable."

"I tried, Mom, I really did," Rocky cried. "I'm sorry..."

"No, no, sweetie, no." She knelt down to his level, wiping his tears. "Don't cry, alright? None of what happened is your fault." He hugged her and she hugged back. He sobbed into her shoulder, unable to control himself. It was then she realized: Rocky had called her Mom. She smiled, hugging him even tighter now. "I love you, Rocky," she whispered. "I love you more than anything."

"I love you, too, Mom," he said. Those words brought joy to her ears. After Rocky eventually calmed down, Ryder lead them to Chase's room.

"Thank you, Ryder," Skye said, hugging him. "For everything."

"Anything for a former member of the PAW Patrol," he said. He looked at his watch. "I've got to go. Katie might be wondering where I am."

"How is she?"

"She's doing better. She loves the school nurse job a lot more than working in the ER," he chuckled. "That's what I love about her."

"We all need to get together one day. Once all of this is over."

"I agree. I really should be going now. When he wakes up, tell Chase he's on paid vacation as long as he needs it."

"Are you sure?"

"We've got plenty of teachers to temporarily fulfill his role. Plus, he's never taken a vacation. He definitely deserves it." His phone began ringing and he gasped. "Gotta take this." He waved goodbye, taking one last look at Chase and Rocky.

Rocky had taken Chase's hand into his own, looking sadly at the man that adopted him. Skye sat on the bed, placing her hand on top of theirs. "The nurses told me what you did. You didn't need to do that."

"I wasn't going to let Dad die," he said quietly.

She smiled. "It means a lot to hear you say that. 'Mom' and 'Dad'."

Rocky blushed. "Oh, I'm s-sorry. I didn't mean-"

"Do you love us?"

"Yes, very much so!" the small boy looked up at her, blush faintly visible on his cheeks. "I love you both."

"Then you did mean it. If it makes you uncomfortable to call us Mom and Dad, I understand, but, I do love hearing you say it."

Rocky smiled, looking back towards Chase. "I love you, Dad," he whispered. He placed his left hand on Skye's and looked her in the eyes. "And I love you, Mom."

Skye smiled, tears in her eyes. They hugged each other, watching Chase's chest rise and fall as his heart monitor beeped rhythmically. "We love you too, son."