Second Chance (PAW Patrol AU)

Chapter Fourteen

As the day went on, Marshall still kept an eye on Rocky, especially when he was with Zuma at the pool. Rocky was now knee deep, standing on the steps with Zuma. "How do you feel?"

"F-fine," Rocky stuttered. He gripped the railing tightly, visibly shaking.

"Relax, I'm right here." Chase and Skye walked in soon afterwards, heading towards the hot tub. Zuma snapped his fingers. "Hey, why don't you go with your parents. The hot tub isn't deep at all, plus it's warm. Maybe you'll feel better."

Chase smiled when Rocky slowly walked over. "How are your lessons going?"

"They're going great!" Rocky lied. Chase and Skye both raised their eyebrows. Rocky sighed. "Alright, fine. I'm too scared to get in..."

"You know you don't have to get in," Skye said.

"I know, but when we were on the jetski's I had so much fun. I wasn't in the water, but the speed and everything felt really cool. I want to swim." He sat down, putting his legs in the hot tub. "This feels nice."

"Come over here," Chase said. "There's a bench underwater you can sit on."

Rocky gulped. "Under-underwater?"

Skye stood up. "Look, Rocky. It's only knee deep. That's how far you got in the pool, right?" He nodded. "Then you can do this, I know you can."

"You can sit between us." Chase moved over. Rocky slowly stood in the hot tub and nervously walked over, his arms outstretched. Chase and Skye both reached out and grabbed him, pulling him over. He sat down and the water rose to his chest. He started hyperventilating, his eyes wide with fear.

"Honey," Skye said, moving close. "You're safe, you're okay."

Chase closed the gap between them. "We won't let you go."

Zuma watched, gauging Rocky's reactions. He smiled when he saw a faint smile on Rocky's face, leaning up against his parents. Marshall sat next to Zuma. "He's going to be fine," Marshall said.

"Of course he is. He's got the world's best parents." Marshall chuckled. "But are you? I know you blame yourself for what happened."

"How could I have been so careless?"

"We're all at fault, Marsh. We should've woken him up and taken him with us." Marshall stayed quiet. "How are things with Everest?"

Marshall smiled. "She loves it here. I love being with her. I love-"

"Her?" Zuma smirked.

Marshall sputtered. "No! I mean, yes, but- I mean-"

"I get it," Zuma laughed. "But have you told her?"

"How could I? She's moved on. She works hours away. If we even started dating, we'd have to choose where to live." He sighed. "It could never work."

"It could."

"How?"

"You both have to be willing to make it work. If you're committed to each other, then anything can happen." Zuma absentmindedly kicked the water as Marshall was deep in thought.

After a few minutes, the two continued talking about random subjects. Everest had quietly walked in and begun sneaking up behind Marshall. Zuma was aware, but kept quiet. Once Everest was standing directly behind Marshall, Zuma said "Hey, where's Everest?"

As Marshall began to reply, Everest pushed him into the water, laughing loudly. Chase, Skye and Rocky looked over and laughed as Marshall resurfaced. "Oh, you think that's funny?" he smirked.