"Have fun in Spain, Couz!" Called the tall girl that was stood next to us at the gate.

"Bye Ryder!" We all said loudly, as the car pulled away. We were having a break for three whole months! Ryder had dropped us off with his cousin, Lexi and her pug Zaidy.

"Well pups. Time for the tour." Lexi said and we all excitedly bounded after her. We had stayed with her before but it was a long time ago. Back when we were first trained.

"Okay so. My room. Bathroom. And your room..." she said, pointing to various doors and opening the last one. In our room, we each had a bed and there was a huge TV with plenty of games for us to play and films to watch. I looked around the room, memories flooding back from those early days of meeting my friends. Everyone had a certain colour like our uniform and stuff did. From one side of the room to the other there were; green, yellow, orange, red, blue and then a pink bed. Wait! Blue then pink? Oh no. My bed was next to Skye's. Well this isn't gonna be awkward at all...

"Oh Lex, why'd you keep the puppy photos?!" Rubble whined. We all looked at the wall he was referring to. There, sure enough, were loads of photos from when we were all tiny pups.

"Why not? They're cute. You guys haven't changed a bit."

"No. Chase still plays with Skye all the time." Marshall sniggered. I felt my face burn. Thanks pal.

"Yep he was like her shadow when we were tiny." Zaidy giggled.

"So?" Me and Skye said defensively.

"Leave it you guys." Lexi laughed. "Come on let's get you down into the garden."

My favourite thing about Lexi's was the garden. It was huge! She always had some kind of toys, agility equipment and fun things for us to do. The pool next to it was an added bonus. Well not for Rocky.

"What do you remember from us being little?" Skye asked, sitting next to Lexi. It was different for her to be around other girls I guess.

"Everything." Lexi giggled. "Rubble would always do anything to get a slice of bacon, Rocky refused to go out in the rain because he thought he would drown, Marshall was the funniest pup to train because of his clumsiness. Then there was Zuma well, he was a little pocket rocket and loved swimming underwater, there was no stopping him. You would always try and climb trees Skye, you loved heights then Chase was definitely the most determined pup. If he didn't get it right the first time, he would keep trying until he got it right." By now, we had all sat around Lexi as she told us about how we were as really young puppies. Most would find it embarrassing but I found it kinda funny. None of us had changed at all. Especially Skye, she's always been kind, fun, happy and determined to help others, cute...

Early the next morning (about 6am)

(Lexi's POV)

I pulled on my trainers and a jacket, ready to go for my morning run. I tried to be quiet because I didn't want to wake the pups. This break would do them good. Don't get me wrong, I admire what they do but they don't get the chance to be 'real dogs'. They're constantly waiting for their next mission rather than running riot around my cousin. I heard the creak of a door and saw Chase's face looking down the stairs at me.

"Morning Chase." I said in a hushed tone.

"Good morning. Where are you going?" He yawned.

"I'm going for a run. Care to join me?"

His eyes lit up with excitement and his tail wagged furiously. "Yes!" He leapt down the stairs and bolted to the end of the drive. "What're you waiting for Lex? Let's go!"

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Hang on I'm coming." I said, jogging after him.

*at the park*

"What're we doing here?" Chase asked me.

"Thought it'd be nice for you to play for a bit."

"But you didn't bring a ball?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Find a stick." I said. The pup looked even more puzzled. "Don't tell me you've never chased a stick before." I said, bewildered. The German shepherd shook his head, the tag on his collar rattling.

"You are joking! Zaidy loves to do this." I picked up the nearest stick I could find and threw it far to the other side of the park. Chase's ears were up and alert. As the stick flew over his head, he turned and sprinted after it before carrying it back, tail wagging proudly. He dropped it at my feet and I threw it again, this time it landed in a hedge. Chase dived in to try and get it back. I was waiting for a few minutes and still there was no sign of him.

"Chase?" I called, now getting worried.

There was a rustle of leaves and he popped his head out of a bush, holding a stick proudly in his mouth. He ran towards me and waited. I looked down at the pup who was holding a stick that was three times longer than her was. I laughed and shook my head. "Come on. The others will be waking up soon." I nodded to the gate. We ran back home, Chase still carrying the stick with him.

"Wait till the others see this." He mumbled to himself.

"I'm guessing Skye will get the honour of being told the story first?" I laughed.

"Yep." He said. He then started to slow down and stop.

"What's wrong?"

"Is it that obvious?" He said, looking down.

"What?"

"That I like Skye."

"Maybe not to the others, but I guess I know how stuff like that makes people act. In short I can clearly see your emotions towards her."

"What should I do?"

"I would say tell her but," I sat down on the grass next to him, stroking his fur as he rested his chin on my lap. "You're so much like me Chase. I know what it's like to not be good at saying how you feel. From a personal opinion, I'd say show it; show her affection, be caring. But I don't think I needed to tell you that."

"Huh?"

"Chase, you're doing everything you need to. Just be yourself and don't worry. The more relaxed you are could mean finding the courage to tell her without panicking. Come on. You pups don't feed yourselves." I said, standing again and jogging back home with Chase by my side.

One things for sure; I needed to help Chase find that courage. He may be a strong leader but I need to show him that being a softie may not be a bad thing.