Come back to me

Chapter 7

When they got to the pizzeria, the two then walked inside in the place called Rubirosa as Chip make his way to a nearby table while Dale went on ahead towards the line and ordered the same kind of pizza that they got last time when they were small children. 

Which was filled with sausage, bell peppers, and olives, similar to a supreme pizza but with more meat in it. 

Once the pizza was ready, Chip quickly grabbed a precut slice and digged into it like there was no tomorrow, despite the fact that it was fresh and hot from the oven. 

But he didn't care, since he has been hungry for the past several hours from the late-night hospital visit. 

And his face immediately popped up in awe once he was able to bite into that cheesy goodness. 

"Man, this is really good!" Chip exclaimed while chowing down on his slice of the pizza. 

"See? Nothing wrong with eating a classic meat lovers pizza." Dale said with a small grin while trying his best to get used to this new side of him. 

It would certainly have made a difference from all those petty arguments that they have use to have between them nagging back and forth with each other all the time

And would also allow Chip to have some fun in his life for once. 

But still, even with a little relaxation is needed, Dale still has to make sure that he isn't too much of a party person either, while he's still like this. 

"Okay, you have a point." Chip said as the two ate their pieces of pizza in calm silence. 

While Dale was finishing up his food, he went over to his bag and grabbed a notepad that he commonly uses for their investigation cases and started jotting down notes on it. 

Chip then took a breather from his pizza hogging for a moment to lean over and sees what Dale was writing about exactly before he decided to ask several questions in mind. 

"So anyways, about that case you mentioned earlier to your friend. What happened out there? Who got kidnapped exactly?" Chip asked curiously as Dale immediately jolted from his sudden questioning and tries to avoid altogether.

If Chip knew what was really going on. 

It could put his life in far more danger than it already was. 

Who knows, what else could have gone wrong when he hit his head that night.

Because the only person that could give him the full glimpse of that awful event, was Chip. 

"Oh um. You don't need to know any about that." Dale said, hoping he'll brush it off, but Chip was too stubborn at the moment to take a hint. 

"Why not?" Chip asked, with his mouth half full of food. 

"Because you're....." Dale was going to say until Chip cut him off quickly. 

"Injured? Yeah, I was made well aware of that at the hospital just a moment ago. But come on Dale, I'm fine. See, I can even walk-through walls at this point. Heck I'm a miracle over here!" Chip exclaimed in silly tone that make Dale roll his eyes in annoyance. 

"I can see that. But still, even if you brain is a size of a football, I don't think that it would be best for you to be involved with this case." Dale explained.

"Haha. You don't seem to trust me, do you?" Chip asked in a tease. 

"Sigh. It's not like that." Dale said shaking his head while attempting to move away from the conversation, but Chip continues to poke it around more.

"Then was it then?" Chip asked.

"I just.... don't want you to get hurt, that's all." Dale said sadly while turning his head away to keep from getting emotional in front of him. 

"Geez, you care about me that much, huh? I must have been pretty special then." Chip said with a chuckling tone that was now starting to peeve off Dale to no end. 

He quickly whipped his head around and vent out his own reasoning in pure frustration. 

"Of course, I care! It's because you're my....sigh." Dale said before he paused for a moment to calm himself down. 

It wasn't Chip's fault for the way he is now.

But Dale personally feels like that it would be his fault if anything happens to Chip. 

So, within a deep breath or two, he restated he was going to say to him. 

"Whether you remembered anything about that night or not, you're still my best friend. And I just can't protect you if you don't start using that brain of yours and listen to me for once." Dale said while he rubbed his head from an irritating headache. 

"Oh, come on Dale. Don't be like that. I was just kidding. But still, you make a good point. Let the experts do their job and don't get in the way. I'll learn to behave myself this time and if my safety is really that important to you, I'll keep my distance from your investigation." Chip said in a chill tone that helped Dale feel more reassured on his promise. 

"Thank you." Dale said in a mumble before drinking some water to cool his heated temper. 

I still hope that I don't have to worry about you for the rest of this stupid case. 

Dale thought with some ease in his mind as he waits for Chip to finish up his food. 

When they were done, Dale went on ahead and drove them back towards Chip's home so that he can drop him off and get some rest in peace. 

As soon as they arrive, Dale parked the car before the two got out and walked to the front door so that he could make sure that Chip got inside, alright. 

"So, this is it huh? What else do I need to know about this place?" Chip asked curiously in amusement. 

"Oh nothing much. Just some casual home essentials such as a lovely couch, your rooms, the kitchen and.... you have a dog." Dale said right as Chip jumps from his skin right when he heard the word 'dog' and flipped out.

"I have a what?!" Chip asked rhetorically in panic. 

"Her name is Millie, and she is a Cocker Spaniel breed." Dale informed with a grin. 

"U... uh on second thought, maybe I should just stay at your place. Hmm? Come on, let's go." Chip urgently insisted with fear in a tone that definitely confused Dale. 

"Why? She not going to bite you. She knows you already. You've been taking care of her for nearly 5 years now. I think she's pretty stable." Dale said before he started to laugh at his silly nonsense. 

Oh man. 

Scared of a dog too?

What else could be wrong with him now?

Dale thought with a chuckle.

This was too hilarious for him not to resist. 

"H... hey! That's not funny man. I can't help it if I'm scared of larger creatures such as dog in my own home!" Chip said frantically.

"But you weren't before. Come on, its fine. Just go inside, get some sleep, I'll check on you in the morning, okay? Goodnight." Dale insisted as he unlocks the front door and pushes him inside before closing it behind him. 

Only for it to be swung wide open, fast again by Chip as he grabs him by the arm to get him to stop from moving. 

"W... wait! Why don't you stay with me tonight? That way I can be sure that the dog doesn't attack me in my sleep." Chip begged as Dale looked on at him with a 'really?' facial expression before changing his mind. 

"Ugh. Fine but I'm telling you, Chip. She's not going to eat you. And if I'm going to be staying here tonight, I'm gonna need your couch to sleep on." Dale said while walking inside his home. 

"I don't care. As long as you help me check on that beast. I'll be cool with whatever you need." Chip said before closing the door behind him as they both get ready to go to sleep soon.