Chapter 20 : Winter's Howl

The echoing drone of water running down the drain filled the lookout walls. It was eerily quiet, not a sound to be heard, not a soul in sight, save for the two pups in the bathroom downstairs. After the fight, the four pups went their separate ways, before they completely tore each other apart, before any more blood was shed.

Everest had taken Chase god knows where, it wasn't in the lookout, that much Skye knew. Back to the task at hand, back to washing away all of the mud and blood from her barely recognizable mate.

"Hold still baby." Skye said rubbing the washcloth over his fresh wounds.

Rocky sat relatively still with his eyes screwed shut."So ...wet." He whined slightly squirming as the hot water washed over him.

But, despite all the stress and drama, all the chaos and turmoil, all the hurt hearts and battle scars; Rocky was relieved that this was all seemingly over. He could now focus and properly enjoy his time with skye knowing that there was no secret between them or anything else threatening to tear them apart. And if they could get through this at the beginning of their relationship, well it would be a hell of a time trying to seperate them now.

Rocky let out a breath as Skye scrubbed his muddy fur, lathering up every inch of his tired body, each pass she took brought the pup into a deeper level of calm. The longer they stayed like this, the more tolerable the water drenching him became, the less his wounds stung, and the happier he became. Skye was just as happy if not more, finding immense pleasure in cleaning up her hero, taking care to rinse the dirt, grass and blood caked to his fur. All the while whispering admiration and thanks to her protector, for saving her from the horrid monster ready to eat her alive.

Skye herself loved every minute of the time they now shared, in constant contact with Rocky, in a steamy cozy shower just for them, tending to her mates battle wounds. How brave Rocky was for standing up to Chase no less, going head first into danger for her sake, putting his own safety on the line to protect what was his. She couldn't get over it, she could still feel the goosebumps on her skin. She had never been more, proud, honored, and aroused all at the same time, and all for one pup.

"You were so brave." Skye said rubbing Rocky's back up and down.

Rocky turned his head so his peripherals caught sight of Skye, but still faced away from her."You would have done the same for me." he said smiling to himself, lightly chuckling. "You know..as crazy as this sounds, this actually feels good. The water."

Skye hummed to herself working her free paw up to his chest. "Are you sure it's not me?" She said rubbing into his fur with her paw while washing him with the other.

Rocky let his head fall back into Skye as she scrubbed him down. "Mostly you." he admitted.

"All done. Now don't you feel better?" Rocky nodded his head, he really lucked out finding a girlfriend as special as Skye.

Turning to face her, Rocky placed a paw on her muzzle, studying the blood staining it , analyzing it. With a gentle touch he took the washcloth from her and began wiping her face clean of the metallic smelling substance. Once it was all gone, and her fur was clean, Rocky sat down, letting the water soothe his aching muscles. Skye followed suit, sitting down across from her mate, sitting in silence, not needing to talk any further, just simply being present in the moment was enough for them.

Until an urge hit Skye, a burning feeling to show Rocky just how appreciative of him she was, how much she wanted this, how much she wanted him. Closing her eyes she grabbed the gray pups soaked muzzle in her tiny paws and brought his head closer, getting him in range. Rocky did nothing to stop this, wanting this just as much as Skye evidently did. And he wasn't opposed to letting her take the lead either. There muzzles were inches apart, they could feel each other's breath against their fur, never breaking eye contact until the last possible second, when their lips touched.

Midnight was minutes away on the old clock on city hall, bright lights circling its perimeter and lined the building itself. A giant reef hanging on the front door, and a banner hanging in place reading, "Merry Christmas Adventure Bay." And at the center was a large christmas tree adorned with ornaments and tinsel, topped with a shiny star, a sea of people huddled around it's base, and some pups too. Up above from the clouds, a flurry of snow showered Adventure Bay and its residents.

Some called it perfect timing, others said it was a lucky coincidence and some said it was all planned by the king in the clouds. Whatever the real reason, the snowflakes made the town's tradition all the more magical, and the cold winter winds forced the towns people to come together, figuratively and literally. They banded together, working to keep each other warm, as a strong community should, snuggling up together, waiting for the lights.

Everyone was there, Mr. Porter was handing out hot chocolate to the townspeople, Captain turbot and Francois were singing Christmas carols, currently belting out jingle bells as loud as they could, trying to out sing one another. Even Mayor Humdinger made an appearance, bringing along his kittens. His excuse to whoever cared to ask was that there weren't any christmas trees around in Foggy bottom and he didn't want to disappoint his precious kitties, so they decided to grace everyone with their presence and see this mediocre show.

Ryder was sitting away from the crowd with the pups in attendance: Marshall, Rubble, and Zuma were all excitedly talking amongst themselves about the show to come, despite the lack of paw patrol members, they were thankful at all that Ryder took them to see the tree lighting, to them it marked the beginning of Christmas and they all loved this time of year. Ryder was sipping on a cup of hot cocoa when Jake approached him from out of the crowd.

"Hey Ryder dude, would you mind if Me and Everest stayed at the lookout tonight? The storm is getting pretty rough up at the pass." Jake rubbed the back of his neck, waiting for a response.

Ryder smiled up at the older boy with something in his eye, something Jake couldn't place, but was unmistakably there. "The more the merrier." He said clinking his mug together with Jake's.

The pups at their feet were having their own conversation, each with their own bowl of the delicious brown liquid.

"Mawshall slow down youw going to have a tummy ache." Zuma snickered looking down at the spotted pup lapping down his drink.

"Can't...stop...to..yummy." he said in between laps.

"Zuma what did you ask Santa for Christmas?" The youngest pup said looking up to Zuma.

The lab put a paw to his chin contemplating this over. "I think I'll ask him for a new wind suwfing boawd." He finally said looking down at Rubble.

"Coool, I'm going to ask ask him for my very own treat dispenser." He said with a giggle.

Zuma smiled, figuring as much.

"Well I'm going to ask him for a refill." Marshall laughed looking down at his empty bowl.

The trio of pups giggled at this, indeed feeling the infectious feeling of joy and togetherness spreading throughout the crowd. Mayor Goodway stepped up to the microphone on the improvised stage at the foot of city hall, looking out over the crowd, the Christmas tree behind them all. She tapped on the mic a few times, the noise echoing through the speakers, grabbing everyone's attention, soon they all had their eyes glued to her, and Chikaleta, nestled in her purse.

"Welcome one and all to Adventure Bay's annual Christmas tree lighting!" Her voice booming out into the frigid night. " I know the weather outside is frightful, so without further ado, help me count it down." She said eagerly, the crowd growing more excited as the moment drew near.

"5...4...3...2..1...now!"

She yelled and in an instant everyone turned around to see their once dark tree sparkling with color, lighting up the surrounding area with a warm glow. The crowd erupted with cheers and whistles as they basked in the glory of their radiant tree. Once again Captain turbot and Francois started singing, and everyone in attendance joined in, wanting to spread the Christmas cheer that had infected them all.

"Slay bells ring..are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glistening..

A beautiful sight..were happy tonight

Walking in a winter wonderland."

Chase's POV

"Chase?" A voice calls out from the darkness.

All I see is a black void of nothingness surrounding me. I feel safe here, I feel like I'm floating, I feel no sensation of pain. That's why I must stay, I don't want to face what awaits me if I ever come back up for air. It's not worth it, all the pain, all the fear, all of it. I see a light, a small speck of white, out of focus.

"Chase! Wake up Chase." I hear it again, louder this time, I know that voice.

I see more this time, the same bright light, accompanied by smaller lights surrounding it. I try to go back, back to the darkness, the world has nothing left for me, nothing it can offer me that would change my mind. I shut my eyes tight, trying to rid my head of the voice calling for me. Go away. Leave me alone. You can't help me!

"Chase!"

Violently, I'm ripped out of my dream like state, out of the darkness, my eyes fully open now, that bright light that I saw was the moon, surrounded by tiny stars. I look to my right and see her, the owner of the voice that pulled me back, back to this hell that I'm living.

"Everest?" I squint and make out her face, looking all kinds of worried.

I try to move but pain explodes from my body, shooting through every inch of me, I feel myself going again, back into the dark, it's calling to me. How easy it would be to go back. Everest is at my side, nudging me to stay awake. Before I Know it she's gotten herself under me and put my paw around her neck.

"Can you stand?" She asks, her voice cracking as she tries to speak to me.

I nod and stand on shaky paws. One step, two, I'm ok..I move my back paws and I'm back on the ground, pain crippling me. I feel tears forming in my eyes, I look for my friend, she's right by my side, why are you helping me? I try to speak but she puts her paw against my mouth.

"Climb on." She says lowering herself down to my level on the cold asphalt. I crawl onto her back, dragging my back legs with me.

Once I'm on she starts moving, moving toward something, blue? I focus and realize it's my pup-house. I squirm on her back as adrenaline courses through my tired heart, sending it and my mind into overdrive.

"No no no." I practically yell, anywhere but there.To many memories, I'm not strong enough to face them.

Everest seems to understand and shifts her paws, now heading toward her own pup-house. She barks, opening up the door and walks inside, hauling my broken body in along with her. Why did she come back for me?

Regular POV

Everest placed Chase down on her bed as gently as she could. She still couldn't believe what she was seeing. Chase, the pup she always knew as cool calm and collected was breaking, body and mind, right in front of her. She knew he had back problems after the crash but this? This was something far worse, far darker than she ever could have realized.

It broke her heart seeing the once brave, confident, strict police dog crumbling into a helpless, sniveling, lost puppy. Chase looked like he had just seen Ryder die in front of him. He was curled up in a tight ball, crumpled on the ground, his once pristine fur was matted and soaked in fresh tears falling down his muzzle, his eyes were filled to the brim with fear, bloodshot, wide open. Searching for an invisible monster that was on his scent, closing in for the kill.

She knew that face, that feeling, all to well. She had been in his position, long nights alone waiting for the pain to subside just enough to let you slip into a sleep filled with night terrors. She looked at him, unsure of what to do; Chase's breathing was heavy, like he had ran all night out in the cold. The only sounds coming from him were almost inaudible whines, transitioning into fits of sobbing.

She had to do something. Moving slowly not to spook him, Everest crawled over to the broken Shepherd and wrapped a paw around his neck, licking the tears that streamed down his face.

"Why..why are you helping me? " He choked out, looking up at her with hurt bleeding from his face, was he scared that she would hurt him too?

Everest continued licking until all his salty tears were gone. She then grabbed a blanket from her bed and draped it over them. She moved so she was right beside Chase, getting as close as possible, and placed her arm around his upper back, careful not to hurt him more.

"Because your my friend." She started, lying her head down next to his. "And...I'm fighting the same monsters that you are."