The Two Of Us (will be continued)

Chapter 1: Puppy Prisoner

Mayor Goodway had not set foot into the Lookout and could already hear shouts and laughter coming from it. She curiously peeked her head into the lobby where Ryder was running around, trying to keep his pups from causing a disaster. The room was a mess but none of the pups seemed to care.
"Skye! Don't fly so fast! You might hurt-"
Before the boy could finish his sentence the cockapoo pup crashed into him, knocking him over.
"Somebody." He said, lifting his head from the floor.
"Sorry, Ryder." She said, jumping off of him.
Ryder stood up, brushed himself off and just like that he resumed his task of keeping his pups out of trouble.
"Look, Ryder! I'm Apollo!" Shouted Rubble, wearing a cape and standing super-hero stance on three small tables piled up on each other.
"Rubble, what are you doing?! You're going to fall!"
Goodway felt sorry for the boy. His attention was all over the place.
"Rocky, playing Pup-Pup Boogie on a skateboard is not the best idea-"
"Whooaahh!" Shouted the mix breed before crashing into the wall.
Ryder rushed over to him in a panic. "Oh my gosh, are you ok?!"
"That was great! I'm going again!"
"No you are not, mister." Said Ryder, picking up the puppy and carrying him away from the skateboard. He found some paper and a crayon on the floor and set Rocky down by them. "Here, draw or something."
With that, Ryder turned to make sure Skye and Rubble weren't dead yet when he saw Marshall tied up to a chair from the kitchen. The pup's mouth was covered and there was a sign above him that read, "Jail." Chase and Zuma, dressed as cowboys, were each standing on one side of the chair.
"Chase, Zuma, what are you guys doing to Marshall?!"
"We're playing 'cowboys' and he's the prisoner. We caught him stealing money from the saloon so we took him down in a fight and locked him up." Explained Chase. "Aren't you proud of us, Ryder?"
"Yeah, yeah, sure I am!" Said Ryder, sarcastically. "Why would you guys make Marshall prisoner when you could've just used a stuffed animal-"
"Well he was just lying around on a pillow. Everybody else was too busy with something else."
"Look, why don't you two play 'cowboys' somewhere else. Maybe Rocky will want to play. He's over there drawing."
"Ok." Sighed Chase and Zuma, walking away.
Ryder began to carefully untie the dalmation. He could tell that Marshall had been forced into the game against his will. As soon as the pup was free he gave his owner a grateful lick. Ryder hugged him and carried him over to his puppy pillow. He gave Marshall a pat on the head and stood up to check on the others before finally seeing Mayor Goodway by the entrance. He approached her, still looking frazzled and tired from the pups.
"Hello, Mayor."
"Hello, Ryder. Um, is this a bad time?"
"Oh, no. Not at all. Why don't you come in for some tea?"
"I'd love to."
"Pups, we have a visitor!"
All the pups immediately stopped what they were doing (except Marshall, who just looked up) and turned to see Goodway standing there. The pups excitedly ran to her and licked her hands. She giggled and gave each one of them a scratch.
"Now why don't you rascals run along outside. Mayor Goodway and I have some things to discuss."
The pups grumbled a little before going out to the yard.
Mayor Goodway chuckeled. "I see you've got your hands full."
"Just imagine how it's going to be when the other two show up."
"Ah, yes. How long are they staying?" Asked Goodway, sitting down on one of the green cushion chairs.
"Two weeks."
"That's going to be very nice."
"Certainly. Those pups always have the most fun when all eight of them are together."
"I'm sure they'll have a wonderful time."
"And they should. It's not very often that we get to plan visits like this. I'd give anything for the poor darlings to be together all the time but it just isn't possible with Everest living on the mountain and Tracker living in the jungle. But, then again, I guess that makes it all the more special when they do get to come. If all eight were always together there'd be more arguments."
"That is true. Well, I suppose that's how it was meant to be."
"Yes. They may be seperate but they all lead happy lives. And we're always keeping in touch. Plus, they do get to see each other for missions sometimes."
"They all do an excellent job. They work together so well."
"They do indeed. I'll be back in just a moment. I need to bring the kettle."
"Alright then."

When Ryder returned he poured the mayor a cup of tea and poured one for himself. He sat down across from her and took a sip from his cup, saying afterwards, "It's a nice day, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. I couldn't resist taking Chickeletta for a stroll before stopping by."
Silence passed between the two as they listened in on the pups' laughter from outside.
"How's he doing?" Asked Goodway, quietly.
Ryder sighed. "Hard to say, Mayor. If only I could enter his mind to see what's going on and find a better way to fix his condition. The medication doesn't seem to be helping."
"Really?"
"The vet recommended antibiotics for his somnambulism to put in his treats. He takes one in the morning and one at night. But I feel like these antibiotics are doing him more harm than help because he's been slower lately and doesn't really engage in games with the others. There's a lack of energy in him and he doesn't seem as happy as he was before. It's strange to see him that way. He was always so lively and cheerful."
"Oh, dear. The poor thing. The pills were for his sleeping so how has that been?"
"There HAS been a decrease of his somnambulism but now he either cannot sleep at all some nights or he sleeps in really late and stays asleep for hours. And then he doesn't really do much except during missions."
"That doesn't sound like him. Are you going to take him off the medication?"
"I seriously think I will because I'm worried about him."
"Sounds wise. Wouldn't want him to be down."
"Not at all. He just hasn't been himself. I..I miss him, you know?"
"I can see you do."
"I just want the best for him."
"We all do. But I know something that'll lighten the mood."
"What's that, Mayor?"
"I came to deliver the invitation for the annual Valentine's Day Party." She said, taking out a slip of paper and handing it to him."
"That's nice." He sighed, apparently still thinking of whoever they were talking about.
"Only this Valentine's Day Party will be even more special because there's a rule."
"What kind of rule?"
"The rule is, 'nobody spends Valentine's Day alone.' Meaning, everyone must have a date."
"Interesting." Said Ryder.
"The whole idea is to prevent souls from getting too lonesome. Valentine's Day is a day to be spent with people you care about. Certainly not alone. It's also a way for someone to meet new people and make friends. That's why a date is chosen for you if you don't have one."
"I see. Well I think it sounds like a great idea."
"Do you know who you plan on taking?"
Ryder smiled and looked at the ground.
"I know that look. It's the look you get when thinking about him."
"What do you mean? Don't I look the same when thinking about any of my pups?"
"There's a certain look when you're thinking about just him. And I think we all see it."
"Yeah, well, I, and..well," Ryder stuttered.
Mayor Goodway only chuckeled.