A Recycling Pup and a Flying Pup

Chap. 14 : Lines Crossed

The pups gather around Ryder at the Lookout, their faces alert and focused, though two of them, Rocky and Chase, stand a little farther apart, not a single glance exchanged between them. Ryder scans the group, then calls the assignment.

"We've got a tricky one today, pups," he begins. "An electrical storm knocked down power lines along the edge of Adventure Bay Park. The cables are sparking, and it's too dangerous for anyone else to approach. Rocky, I'll need your skills to secure and insulate the wires. And Chase," he pauses, noticing Chase's gaze drift, "you'll handle crowd control. Keep the park clear and safe while Rocky works."

They both nod, barely acknowledging each other. As Ryder leads them out, he glances back, noting the stiff silence hanging between the two. Rocky's gaze stays fixed forward, focused on the path ahead, while Chase's eyes flick from Rocky to the ground, his tail twitching in quiet frustration.

The mission goes smoothly enough, Rocky's careful paws secure the cables with precision, and Chase keeps a calm perimeter, keeping the few people nearby out of harm's way. But their teamwork, usually seamless, feels strained, each of them tense and unresponsive toward the other. Ryder watches this, his frown deepening.

When the mission wraps up, Ryder calls Rocky and Chase over, his voice firm but calm. "Good job out there, pups," he says, but his tone doesn't soften. He fixes both of them with a serious look. "But I noticed something's off. You two haven't been yourselves around each other lately. And I might know what this is all about. You are brothers, and brothers don't fight. They help each other out. With your attitudes, you are just destroying what the PAW Patrol stands for".

Chase opens his mouth, but before he can speak, Rocky sighs, his voice steady but edged with frustration. "I think it's best if we keep this between us, Ryder. We don't want to let personal issues get in the way of our jobs."

Ryder's gaze narrows, seeing right through Rocky's diplomatic tone. "And yet, it's already affecting your jobs," he counters. "I'm disappointed in both of you. You're a team, and you know that personal fights have no place when we're out in the field."

Chase shifts, his fur bristling. "But Ryder! I was just trying to-"

Ryder holds up a hand, cutting him off, his tone sharper than ever. "No, Chase! I expected more from you, especially. I thought you'd know better than to let something like this interfere with the mission. I am disappointed!"

With those final words, Ryder turns and walks away, leaving Chase standing there, his heart sinking. Ryder's words echo in his mind, each one twisting like a knife. Ryder's trust, his faith, the bond they'd shared, it all feels shattered. Chase's shoulders droop, his head hanging low, the weight of Ryder's disappointment bearing down on him.

As they make their way back to the Lookout, Rocky begins to break off, clearly planning to head toward the hospital to finally see Skye. Chase's eyes narrow, his mind whirling. If Rocky gets to Skye now, Rocky will have the chance to set things straight, to take her away from him forever. He can't let that happen. Sure, Ryder is mad at him, but he can't let Skye be mad at him. Rocky might even say bad stuff to Skye about him.

Once Rocky's out of earshot, Chase pulls Marshall aside, his voice hushed but intense. "Marshall, we need to slow Rocky down. If he gets to Skye tonight... I might clearly not get another chance."

Marshall hesitates, worry flashing in his eyes. "Chase, I don't know... Ryder already seemed pretty mad today. Are you sure we should-?"

"Marshall, please! It's a matter of life right now!" Chase urges, his eyes desperate. "I need you on this."

Marshall sighs, looking conflicted, but he finally nods. "Okay, Chase. What's the plan?"

That evening, as Rocky preps to head to the hospital, Marshall meets him with a friendly grin, holding a bottle. "Hey, Rocky! Rough day, huh? You should really try this new drink Zuma showed me, it's all-natural, helps with energy, but it's supposed to be relaxing too. Thought you might want a sip before heading out."

Rocky gives him a curious look, but nods. "Thanks, Marshall. That actually sounds great. And I'm thirsty too!" He takes the bottle and drinks a few gulps, smiling gratefully at his friend. "Wow, that actually tastes good. What's in it?"

"Oh, just herbs, stuff for sleep, you know-" Marshall replies innocently, though Chase watches from the shadows, his gaze fixed on Rocky, but at the same time on Marshall.
"Uh-h I mean, just a drink totally not to sleep".

Rocky finishes the drink, feeling a warmth settle over him, a slight heaviness beginning to cloud his mind. "Thanks, Marshall. I-uh," he yawns, blinking as the drowsiness hits him harder. "Maybe I'll just rest a bit here before I go... I'll... just... rest..."

Rocky's eyelids droop, and within moments he's curled up on his mat, fast asleep.

Chase nods to Marshall, his heart pounding. "Thank you, Marshall. I owe you."

Inside her hospital room, Skye sits quietly, her gaze fixed on the clock, her mind turning over the events of the day. Where is Rocky? He promised he'd be here this evening. She hugs herself as the cold gets to her, waiting, each passing minute making her doubt.

The door opens with a soft creak, and she turns expectantly, her face lighting up, but it quickly shifts to shock when she sees Chase stepping in instead. Her eyes widen, mouth opening slightly in surprise.

"Chase? What... what are you doing here?" she asks, her voice a mix of shock and confusion.

Chase's face softens, though there's a glint of determination in his eyes as he steps forward, closing the door quietly behind him. "Skye, I... I couldn't just leave things the way they were." He takes a deep breath, his heart pounding. "I needed to see you again. To finish what I was saying earlier. And also, we gotta go."