"What do you mean his kidney doesn't fit? Are you kidding me?" Ryder yelled accusingly, his eyes getting moist. The doctor sighed as she closed her eyes for a moment. She knew that these news would cause nothing but sadness and destruction.

"I am sorry." she said faintly as she opened her eyes again.

Ryder thought that it would be relief, a good feeling that Chase didn't have to go through this hazardous surgery, but somehow it felt awful. His heart was racing and he had no idea how to explain this to Chase.

"This can't be. This means that even if Skye's state is getting better, she could die any moment." Ryder yelped out of breath. A few tears escaped his brown eyes, causing the doctor to let her head hang in shame. There was nothing she had to be ashamed of, but it still felt horrible to watch everyone around the pretty Cockapoo fall apart.

"Let's just stay positive..." she sighed.

"What is there to stay positive about? I am worried sick about Chase's well-being. What is he gonna do as soon as he finds out that his kidney doesn't fit? He has been breaking apart enough already, and I don't know what this is gonna do to him." Ryder complained.

"Well, there isn't much that I could do about it. I know that this is gonna mess with Chase's head, but you have to convince him that there isn't anything else he could do to save Skye. You need to be there for him. It was very brave of him to consider donating in the first place." the doctor reassured Ryder.

Ryder started chewing his lower lip and became very nervous. He had no idea where to go from here, how was he going to break these news to Chase? The sensitive Shepherd would surely fall apart.

"Can you just do me a favor?" Ryder asked nervously. The doctor gave him a nod in return. "I don't know how to break this to Chase, so maybe you could tell him instead."

The doctor nervously looked around the room before her eyes landed back on Ryder's worried ones. She gave in with a deep sigh. "Yes, fine. Just send him here when you have time."

With that Ryder finally stood up and exited the doctor's office with his head hanging down. He dragged his feet across the floor and continually bit his lower lip. He jumped on his bike and drove away at walking pace.

/ / /

Arriving at the lookout he got a few curious glances from his dogs. He got off his bike and slowly walked towards them. It took all his strength to look into to the light brown eyes of his beloved Shepherd and not tell the truth.

"Why are you back so early?" the Shepherd asked curiously.

Ryder looked around nervously, not feeling confident enough to answer this question. Though, he had to say something.

"Katie just had to run a few errands." Ryder answered nervously, not able to look into Chase's eyes. He felt torn between telling his dog the truth, or leaving it to the doctor. It didn't matter which way he was going to find out, it would break him nonetheless.

"Why did she invite you then?" Zuma asked suspiciously.

"Pups..." Ryder breathed, but couldn't bring himself to talk. Instead, he stared at his feet and clenched his hands into tight fists. Chase tilted his head worriedly as he walked right in front of Ryder and sat down with an uncertain smile.

"Pal, what's wrong? I can sense that something's off. Did you and Katie... break up?" he asked nervously. Ryder lifted his head slowly to look at his dog and couldn't help but chuckle. "No, no, don't worry."

Chase felt some kind of relief, but still felt uneasy while looking into Ryder's pale face. He was sweating and his fists were shaking. Was he hiding something?

"...did the doctors call by any chance?" he asked faintly. Ryder took a deep breath before he managed a short nod, which caused Chase to gasp. "What are we doing here then? Let's go!"

Chase ran towards Ryder's bike and jumped onto it, barking cheerfully. Man, if only he knew... Ryder had a mournful expression written over his face as he looked at Chase, making the other dogs worry.

"Ryder, do you know the results?" Marshall asked hesitantly. Ryder looked over his shoulder with watery eyes and nodded.

"Oh no..." Zuma breathed faintly.

Ryder put his index finger on his lips and whispered a short 'shhh', before he went after Chase. The other dogs drooped their ears as they watched them leave.

Marshall turned to Chico with hopeless eyes. "This is gonna drag him down badly." he sighed.

"It can't get any worse." Rubble remarked as he stared at his paws.

"I know this pill is hard to swallow, but he's a German Shepherd with a strong soul, he'll pull through." Chico tried to reassure the dogs.

"But you heard what the doctors said. If Skye doesn't find a donor in time, she ain't gonna survive. That will drag Chase into suicidal thoughts, believe me, dude." Zuma pointed out worriedly.

"You guys gotta believe in her. She'll find a donor in time, I'm sure of it." Chico said confidently. Though, the sad faces of the other dogs made him sigh and droop his ears.

This was going to be tough.

Ryder parked his bike in front of the animal hospital and felt his blood freeze as he looked at the large glass doors. Chase jumped off and happily strolled through the doors, not even waiting for his owner. Ryder sighed deeply as he reluctantly followed his dog. He wished he'd have the confidence to tell Chase, but he couldn't. After watching his dog fall apart every single night he couldn't hurt him anymore.

Inside he watched Chase talk to one of the veterinary assistants, asking if the doctor was currently in her office. Ryder clenched his jaw painfully as he tried everything to suppress tears from flowing. The assistant nodded and told Chase to go inside. Oh dear... Ryder's heart nearly jumped out of his chest. Chase opened the door to the office and greeted the doctor with a friendly tail wag. Ryder hesitated to follow him, somehow his feet wouldn't carry him. They were glued to the ground. Everything started to move in slow motion and he felt dizzy. He gulped loudly and took a deep breath, before he finally forced his legs to go after Chase. He couldn't leave him alone in this situation. He slowly entered the doctor's office, getting a sympathetic look from the doctor. Chase was already sitting in a chair as he shot Ryder a curious glance.

"Buddy, are you okay?" he asked worriedly. Ryder simply nodded before he slowly sat down beside Chase. He tried to keep his breathing steady, but his lungs were tightening painfully and he felt like suffocating. His lips were quivering and his eyes wet. He turned away from Chase, not wanting his dog to become even more worried. Chase glanced at the doctor with a questioning look. What was this all about?

"Chase.." the doctor breathed faintly. "Your results are here, but before we talk about them I'd like to tell you some good news."

"Please." Chase said with a tail wag.

"Skye is finally breathing on her own and we were able to turn off the artificial respiration. She is no longer wearing a mask."

Chase's eyes widened and he howled cheerfully. "That's pawsome! When can I go through surgery?"

The doctor's smile faded slowly and she looked down onto her desk, awkwardly fiddling her thumbs. She glanced shortly at the Shepherd, but seeing his hopeful eyes made her stare down once again.

Chase's breathing became heavier as he watched the uneasy doctor with attentive eyes. "Well?"

"Chase, it was extremely brave of you to consider donating. Skye is lucky to have a caring friend like you and I hope that someday she'll wake to realize what a good dog you are. I wish I had a loyal friend like this. Dogs stand by your side through the darkest times, the wildest storms... while humans leave your side when it gets windy. I cannot imagine having anyone care as much about me, as you care about Skye. Ryder is very proud of you, I can assure you that. And so is Skye. She is not gone, she is still watching you and it makes this time endurable for her to see that you're not losing faith. You're one of the most amazing dogs I ever met, and that's why this situation is affecting me personally. Doctors keep an emotional distance towards their patients, we cannot get emotionally involved with them, otherwise it would break us to lose them. Though, I got emotionally involved with Skye. Not because I know her so well, but because I see how many people and dogs are worried sick about her, and how much you love her. There's gotta be a reason for that. It tells me that Skye is the most adorable little dog lady. That's why I really don't wanna give up hope, Chase... and neither should you." the doctor explained, wearing a sorrowful expression. Her words made Chase's eyes become moist. Not because it was touching, but it made him worry. He heard his own heartbeat thumping in his sensitive ears. "I am so sorry, Chase... your kidney doesn't fit. You can't donate."

Chase stared at her with widely opened eyes, not making a noise. His whole body became stiff and he felt his heart sink to the ground. It hit the surface without making a sound. Ryder started shaking him, his voice expressing pure horror and destruction. But for Chase it seemed so far away, even though Ryder was sitting right next to him. The doctor started moving her mouth, but Chase couldn't understand a word she said. The surrounding air became thinner and was bereaving the Shepherd's breath. He was cold, insanely cold. But the bleakness came from deep within. The room wasn't cold, but his body was. His paws started trembling and his breathing got heavier by the second. Ryder was crying uncontrollably as he hugged his dog tightly, but Chase didn't move a muscle. He was sitting there like a statue. He zoned out. He wasn't aware of what was happening around him. He still looked at the doctor, but he stared right through her. He didn't really acknowledge her presence anymore.

"I think he's in an acute shock. We have to inject a fluid to regenerate the oxygen content in his blood, or he'll pass out any moment." the doctor exclaimed worriedly as she stood up.

"Do whatever you need to do, just hurry!" Ryder yelped frantically, not letting go of his dog. The doctor ran out of the room and left Ryder behind. The boy sobbed bitterly into Chase's shoulder, but somehow Chase seemed lifeless and cold. He wasn't even crying. In fact, he was just emptily staring at the window, hardly even blinking. He was entirely apathetic. Ryder gently shook his dog, feeling pure panic rush through every vein. "Please Chase, come back." he whispered out of breath.

The doctor rushed back into her office, carrying a syringe. Chase suddenly moved his head very slowly into the doctor's direction. He stared at the sharp needle and snapped back to reality.

"No! You're not sedating me again!" he hissed darkly as his fur started standing on end.

"This is not a sedation. This is going to help you." the doctor reassured as she came a step closer, but Chase jumped from his chair, ran right through her legs and escaped. The doctor lost balance, but Ryder caught her.

"I guess he's scared of needles." Ryder said worriedly.

"He is in a current state of panic. His legs won't carry him forever, he'll have to stop somewhere. Let's just hope the shock has faded until then." the doctor replied with a concerned sigh.

Chase ran straight into room 24. He closed the door behind him, panting heavily. He was scared of vets, and even more of injections. The doctor was nice and all, but as soon as anyone carried a syringe, they immediately became his foes. He tried to catch his breath as he looked around the room, his eyes eventually landing on Skye. She was still as motionless as ever, but at least she got rid of that awful mask. Her chest was heaving up and down more frequently, and more visibly.

Chase walked towards her and sat down beside her bed, observing her face attentively. There was no movement, nothing at all. No flinching, no noises, nothing. Suddenly, very suddenly, Chase's expression became insanely pained and he bared his teeth as he started sobbing bitterly. It was only now when he realized that his kidney didn't fit. There was nothing he could do to save her. He was a failure, and he felt useless. He broke down on Skye's chest, nuzzling his snout deep into her cream chest fur. He listened to her heartbeat as tears unremittingly flowed down his cheeks, causing his fur to become damp. He was feeling heavy, and he struggled to catch air as he hyperventilated. "I am so sorry, so insanely sorry." he gasped through his violent sobs. He shortly lifted his head and looked outside the window. The sky was dark and cloudy, and it had started to rain. Silent rain drops landed on the window. Chase just watched the rain for a moment, tears silently rolling down his cheeks. The pain he felt was almost unbearable, he felt like falling apart, like giving up. He glanced at Skye's face. She was still beautiful as ever, even though she showed no sign of life. He was sure that even if she died, she would be the most infatuating angel heaven has ever seen. For the split of a second, Chase managed a soft smile as he gazed at her, his eyes showing so much tenderness and devotion. He softly poked her nose with his front paw, letting out a faint snicker. "Gotcha. You're it.." he breathed as his lips started quivering again. Painful memories flooded his mind and he pressed his forehead against her chest. Never had he been shedding that many tears before. It broke him. When was the heavy pain finally going to relent? He had no clue.

Ryder frantically ran around in the rain, looking for Chase. The rain drops that landed on his face mixed with his own salty tears. He had no idea where Chase could be. Suddenly, it hit him like a hammer. The only place he hasn't examined was Skye's hospital room. He rushed inside, straight into Skye's room. And there he was, his head laying on Skye's chest. His heartbreaking sobs echoed through the room. Ryder stood still, and so did time. He just watched the Shepherd fall apart with empty, moist eyes. The doctor appeared behind Ryder, gently touching his shoulder. Ryder flinched before he looked over his shoulder. The doctor gave him a soothing smile before she sighed deeply. "Time to bring him home." she whispered, to which Ryder nodded. He turned his attention back to Chase and cleared his throat.

"Hey, big boy... let's bring you home." he said faintly. Chase lifted his head and stared at Ryder. His face was covered in tears. "I'm going nowhere." he hissed bitterly, before his expression turned into a dangerous one. Ryder gulped loudly as he took one step towards the heartbroken Shepherd. "You can't stay here, Chase. The doctors have to examine Skye..."

"I don't care!" Chase snapped out of breath before he bared his teeth. His fur was standing on end again, and he growled darkly. Those were clear warnings that no one should dare to get close to him. He was devastated... and desperate. Though, Ryder was shaken to see Chase threatening him. He was completely losing his mind... and Ryder blamed it all on himself. The boy cautiously kneeled down and flashed Chase a sad smile. "I know that you want to spend time with her, but we can come back tomorrow." he whispered soothingly. Still, Chase's growls intensified. "Stay away. I don't wanna attack you." Chase whined through his sobs, his teeth still showing.

"Chase, you really have to leave now." the doctor said sternly. Chase shot her a glare, his expression turning into a scowl. It scared the doctor, so she stepped back. "I have to call the security guards if you don't obey." she pointed out with a shaky voice.

"You can call Hulk, I'm not moving." the Shepherd hissed darkly. He just wanted to stay with Skye, he wanted to cherish every moment he got to spend with her. Nothing could pull him away from her right now.

"Enough is enough, Chase. We're leaving now." Ryder said as he slowly stood up and wiped his tears away. Chase's posture was intimidating and scary, and for the first time ever Ryder couldn't estimate his dog's behavior. The Shepherd was standing beside Skye's bed, his eyes fixated on Ryder's, and although he was still crying, he was also growling dangerously, his posture giving away that he was ready to attack whoever got in his way. Ryder turned around and incomspiciously called Zuma. A sensitive and compassionate pup was the only thing that could reason Chase now.

Zuma immediately picked up. "Ryder?" he asked worriedly. Ryder kept his voice down as he asked Zuma to come over and soothe Chase. The Retriever agreed and made his way towards the animal hospital. Ryder hung up and turned around again, facing Chase with a sigh. "Fine." he breathed faintly. "Stay here, I called someone else to pick you up."

Chase's posture softened as he looked at Ryder. He felt ashamed of threatening him and let his head hang in shame. "I don't know what's happening to me." the desperate Shepherd whispered.

Ryder just took a deep breath before he closed his eyes for a short moment, listening to the rain. It calmed his nerves. He let go of his tension and opened his eyes again. He exited the room without a word and closed the door behind him, leaving Chase inside. The Shepherd relaxed as he focused back on Skye, resting his front paw on hers. "They all wanna pull me away from you, because they can see how much I'm hurting. Yet I don't wanna leave your side, I promised to be with you every step of the way, even if takes months. I promised that I'd be sitting here beside your bed. I didn't know what loneliness tasted like until I lost you. I wish I knew how it feels to be laying on this bed... all alone. Are you sad? Can you even hear me? Do you remember me? So many questions are clouding my mind, not allowing me to think clearly anymore. I just miss you..."

"They all wanna pull me away from you, because they can see how much I'm hurting."

I know, Chase. I can see that, too. It's tearing me apart.

"Yet I don't wanna leave your side, I promised to be with you every step of the way, even if takes months."

That's so sweet of you, Chase. You don't have to stick to that promise, though. It must be so tiring to sit beside someone's bed and futilely wait for them to wake up. I don't want you to suffer.

"I promised that I'd be sitting here beside your bed."

You don't have to.

"I didn't know what loneliness tasted like until I lost you."

Who are you telling this? I never thought loneliness could taste this bitter.

"I wish I knew how it feels like to be laying on this bed... all alone."

Believe me, you don't wanna know. It bereaves your hope, your will to continue. I'm tired, Chase. So exhausted.

"Are you sad?"

Yes.

"Can you even hear me?"

Yes, every word you say. Your voice feels like medicine.

"Do you remember me?"

How could I ever forget you, Chase...

"So many questions are clouding my mind, not allowing me to think clearly anymore."

I can see that. I wish I could answer your questions, or at least answer my own...

"I just miss you..."

Believe me, I miss you more. Even though I can feel your presence and hear your voice, I cannot see you, cannot feel you. You're the best friend anyone could ever wish for. I just wish I could let you know... let you know that I can hear you and that I don't want you to leave...

Chase's legs started trembling. It was tiring to talk to someone that wasn't able to hear you. He felt a painful pressure in his chest, causing him to breathe heavily. His legs gave in and he broke down, his whole body clenching, his heart aching. His uncontrollable sobs caused his lungs to tighten until he was out of breath. He continued to cry without making a sound. His expression was hopeless and pained. His ears perked up as he heard the door open. He slowly lifted his head and looked at Zuma, accompanied by Chico. Chase closed his eyes in sadness as he turned away from them. He didn't want them to see him so broken.

Zuma gulped loudly as he looked at the wretched Shepherd. He went inside, followed by Chico. Though, Chico stayed behind and sat down, while Zuma approached Chase. The Shepherd was facing him with his back, his head hanging down. His body kept flinching continually, giving away that he was still crying and wrestling for air. Zuma drooped his ears as he looked at Skye. He hadn't seen her since the accident and the sight was gruesome. That large scar along her intigual region, her lifeless expression, her motionless body and the bleeping of those stupid machines. His lips curved downwards as he turned his attention back to Chase. He softly poked Chase's back with his paw.

"Hey, dude. What's on your mind, huh?" he asked cautiously. Finally, Chase looked over his shoulder. Zuma's eyes widened for a short moment, but he tried everything to keep his composure. Chase looked awful. He was devastated. The Shepherd turned around to face Zuma with sorrowful eyes. He had emptiness and hopelessness written all over his face. Zuma stared down at his own paws for a second, needing a moment to proceed everything.

"What's on my mind? My mind is empty, dude. I have nothing to hold onto, I'm losing the save ground underneath my paws and it feels like I'm falling... but I never witness the impact. My kidney doesn't fit and I am losing hope, Zuma." Chase said with a raspy, tired voice. Zuma slowly looked up again and sighed deeply as his eyes met Chase's sad ones.

"Chase, you have to come home. Skye isn't the only one needing you... you're our leader, and Paw Patrol is currently missing both of their most special dogs. Do you have any idea how lonely we feel? We're on our own the whole day, the whole night, and all we can do is watch you break down in front of our eyes. We miss the old Chase. We're also suffering. Why do you think that you have to deal with this alone? Why don't you come home and let us all suffer together? That's what friends are for, Chase. I know you can't compare our grief to yours, but our thoughts are still dedicated to Skye, every second of the day. Stop pushing us away, Chase, we want to be there for you." Zuma said faintly, his lips quivering whilst talking. His golden eyes were getting moist as he stared deeply into Chase's worried ones, right into his hurting soul.

The Shepherd let those kind words sink in for a moment. His ears kept twitching as he listened to the rain outside. A long, troubled sigh escaped his snout as he focused back on the trembling Labrador. "Thank you, Zuma."

"You've got a friend in me, dude."

"I guess I've got a friend in all of you, even Chico." Chase chuckled as the last tears rolled down his cheeks. He looked past Zuma and was puzzled to see that the Retriever wasn't there anymore. "Where'd he go?" Chase asked. Zuma turned his head and frowned in confusion. "I have no clue."

Chico strolled down the corridors of the animal hospital, looking for Skye's doctor. As he finally found her, he greeted her with a sad smile and a short tail wag.

"Oh, Chico, right?" she said as she looked down at the pretty pup.

"In the flesh." Chico joked. "Can we talk?"

"Sure, follow me." the doctor said politely and led the way towards her office. Chico followed her with a sigh. They reached her office and Chico sat down in front of her desk, contemplating whether he was doing the right thing.

"What's on your mind?" the doctor asked with a smile.

"Well... I heard that Chase's kidney doesn't fit."

"Unfortunately not." the doctor replied, her expression turning into a mournful one.

Chico stared down at his paws for a moment. He felt all the walls caving in, but somehow a voice within his head told him to do this. It was his biggest dream to become an emergency doctor after he failed to save his brother. He wasn't Chase's best friend, but damn, that Shepherd's tears just wouldn't dry and his heart just wouldn't heal. The same thing happened to Chico as he watched his brother fall apart, not able to pull him out of his misery. In fact, he just stood by and watched until there was nothing left for his brother to hold onto. The unexpected death of Sid's girlfriend ate him up, and at some point he gave in and let go of himself. No matter how hard Chico tried to convince him that the sun would continue to shine someday, he wouldn't listen. He had a sudden change of attitude, just like Chase. Uncontrolled tantrums, uncontrolled sadness ending in deep cry cramps. And now Chico finally found someone he felt comfortable around. Skye gave his mind some peace, a place to hide. He felt totally at ease around her, forgetting about the gruesome things that had happened to him, letting go of his past. As a sign of gratitude, he decided that this would be the right choice. And Katie, his lawfully owner, would surely allow this. He had no reason to do this for Chase, he didn't owe the Shepherd anything. But he wanted to do it for Skye. To hear her angelic laughter just one more time.

"I want to take the tests." Chico blurted. The doctor's eyes widened as she observed the Retriever's face.

"What? Are you sure?" she asked confused.

"Yes." Chico confirmed with a determined grin.

If this wasn't going to make him win Skye's heart in a sincere way, then he had no idea what else would.

Aww, poor Chase... :( It's really eating me up that he's always so sad, but I guess a situation like this doesn't allow you to be happy.

Hmm, so Skye can obviously hear him, but how much has she witnessed? Did she hear how Chase poured his heart out the other day, or did her brain activity come back after that? Who knows...

Chico is going to donate - that is, if his kidney fits. Though, it seems as if he still has ulterior motives. Was Chase right about him all along? Or does Chico actually have a kind heart? You'll find out. (:

Stay tuned and THANKS for your ongoing support. I love you guys. xoxo