The Wounds We Heal

Chapter two: Bright Ideas

"But seriously why didn't you wake me?" Chase wondered again. "You know I'd always take a visit from Billy for anything."

"I already told you, dude,.." Chester defended, as they walked with their group through the halls of the hospital. "I seriously wanted to,.. and didn't at the same time. It was a tough choice to make,.. but.. ultimately I feel like I made the best one.. besides it's not like you don't see Billy all the time since we live here now."

"*sigh* yeah.. maybe.." Chase sighed in defeat, as the front doors of the hospital parted for them to exit.

"I'm sure Billy would visit if you asked," Snowflake suggested.

"Eh,.. you might be right." Chase shrugged.

"Ok Ryder.." Katie said, bringing their attention back to their leader. "The PAW Patroller is waiting, let's get you inside so you can get some to rest.. in your own home."

"Sounds good to me." The boy smiled, hardly seeming phased by the slight debilitation his injuries have been for him. And Chase just stared at him with a bit of an odd look that neither Katie nor Ryder seemed to notice.

Snowflake saw Jake help Ryder into the PAW Patroller, and was surprised Ryder wasn't in as much pain as she thought he would.

"You think Ryder's okay? I mean he's been resting for about a week or so, but he shouldn't be as comfortable as this. I imagine he's still healing," Snowflake commented to Marshall with some concern in her voice.

"Yeah,.." Chase mentioned, earning a bit of attention from his slightly distracted answer. "Kinda.."

"He's probably just playing it tough for us." Marshall mentioned, turning to Snowflake; every pup but Chase doing the same. "But,.. I'm sure he's fine."

"Ryder is pretty good at pretend." Rocky mentioned, the hint of humor in this lifting the mood a little.

"But,.. he also knows to slow down a bit, especially when he's hurt." Rubble added. "I'm sure that's why Chase has had a harder time than Ryder has."

And none of them would see the slight tightening of the German Shepherd's jaw.

"We should get inside. You know, to go back to The Lookout," Snowflake pointed out.

"Chase?" Marshall addressed his friend, who didn't seem to hear.

"Huh? Oh,..uh.. yeah.. coming." He said finally, diverting his gaze to Marshall for a moment, in response to his addressment, then followed after the group. Marshall gave him an odd look, before bounding into the PAW Patroller right as the doors closed them all in. And the big vehicle headed for the Lookout in the far distance across town.

XXXX

"Here we are, you guys!" Rubble called, peeking over his shoulder from gazing out the window.

"Home!!" He called leaping down off the bench seats to race for the door.

"Alright! Yeah!.." The pups all cheered, at different intervals of excitement in following the bulldog's lead; while Jake and Katie helped Ryder.

"Yay!..Yippee!" Skye whooped, as others among her howled and barked.

"Sure feels great to be home with Ryder again." Rocky smiled. "Staying with Katie here has been great and all,.. but.."

"It's not the same as Ryder,.. I know." The girl mentioned lightly. "But you know,.. he'll still need to be resting so that his broken bones can heal.. his arm's not too bad,.. but his ribs are another story."