bsassan0378 - Thank you! And yes this is a MarshallXEverest story! :D

Marshall was having the most fun out of all the pups! This is exactly what he needed! He knew if he needed to get his mind off all the fun he has had with Everest in the last couple of weeks this was what he needed. And it was working like a charm. Perfect distraction.

Marshall stopped laughing as his mind pondered back to that thought of all the fun he had with her, most out of the pups. He watched as the others were laughing and jumping in the pool and Marshall wondered back to when his friends told him why he was hanging out with Everest much more than them since they were a bigger part in his life. He did after all admit to Chase he liked her...but did he really love her? He remembered Chase's words.

'You love Everest.' But Marshall denied those words, didn't he? He only said 'I guess' but that wasn't really a confirmation was it?

Marshall's head was getting dizzier.

Chase noticing that Marshall looked unsettled about something swam up to him.

"Hey, buddy...you okay?"

Marshall looked at him.

"I've got so many thoughts running through my brain and-"

"How about we find somewhere to talk about? Privately?"

Marshall nodded. "Sure."

They both got out of the water and started to shake their body.

Rocky at that exact moment walked out with Ryder from inside a reception area. Rocky seen Chase and Marshall observing their surroundings and walking inside the bathroom. Knowing he couldn't miss this he decided to follow them to see what they were up to so he excused himself from Ryder.

They headed inside a bathroom stall. Once they knew they were clear, Chase started talking.

"So...what's on your mind, pal?"

"A lot. But to get started... I did admit to you I liked Everest but I didn't say I love her."

"Perhaps. Do you love her?"

"I-I don't know. I think so? I guess spending so much time with her maybe confirms that?"

"I don't know, Marshall. Only you know that. You just know when you love someone. It's like a feeling...your heart flutters, you're worried about her constantly, I-I can't explain it. But it's something like that."

"Yeah. You're right. Just like you and Skye."

"Exactly."

They were talking louder than they realized, not knowing a certain mix-breed was eavesdropping on them. 'Chase and Skye? What does that mean?' Fortunate enough, Rocky wasn't able to hear the first part. He also did not realize he was leaning a bit too forward on the door.

Chase remembered something. "Oh and that reminds me. I forgot to tell you something important. Promise not to freak out?"

"Sure." Marshall replied. "It can't be that bad, right?"

"It kind of is." Taking a breath, Chase continued, "Rocky is spying on you and Everest. He thinks there's something going on, a secret."

Before Marshall could react, both he and Chase's ears perked up at the sound of a bathroom door squeaking. Someone was listening!

Chase ran to the door pushing it with his shoulder just to reveal that no one was there. Whoever was there ran off. Chase however had a pretty good idea of who it was. Marshall walked up to him.

"Someone was eavesdropping."

"You think?" Marshall questioned him.

"Yeah, definitely. And I think I know who. Let's go."

"Chase, wait."

Chase turned back and looked at Marshall. "Yeah?"

"Don't tell Ryder. I don't want Rocky to get hurt."

"Are you sure?" Chase asked him.

"Yeah." He nodded.

Without another word between the two, they walked out.

Rocky was breathing heavily. 'That was too close. Hopefully they didn't guess it was me. Marshall knows. This is bad! This is really bad-'

He bumped into Skye.

"Oh, sorry-" He looked to see who it was. "Skye?"

"Oh, hey Rocky? What's up?"

"Uh, nothing!" He quickly avoided eye contact and continued on his way.

Skye frowned, knowing something was definitely going on. She saw Chase and Marshall exiting a door that lead to the men and women's bathroom. She knew they had something to do with Rocky's suspicious behavior. She walked up to them.

"Hey guys. I think we may have a situation on our hands. Rocky was acting weird just a moment ago."

"Just as I suspected. He was eavesdropping on us." Chase confirmed, frowning and sighing simultaneously knowing this wasn't an okay situation at all.

Skye covered her mouth with her paws in shock. "Are you sure? Should we tell Ryder?"

"It would be best not to. I don't want Rocky to get into trouble again. So I should probably talk to him." Marshall replied, walking ahead off them and sitting beside Ryder, knowing he needed to process his thoughts and relax for a few minutes at least.

Chase looked at Skye. "I can't believe it."

"What?"

"How Marshall can be so sympathetic! He knows Rocky's out to get him but he still doesn't want to tell Ryder about what Rocky's doing. It's harmful!"

"Hey. That's Marshall for you." Skye answered.

'Yeah, that's what I said too...' Chase thought, sighing. "I know. Hey do you want to have some ice-cream? I know Ryder got us some."

"Sure."

A few hours later, the pups and Ryder were back in their rooms as it was getting dark outside. All the pups were getting ready for bed expecting another beautiful day tomorrow filled with fun once again.

Marshall excused himself from his room where Ryder and Chase were and he walked up to Rocky and Zuma's room and knocked with his paw.

"Ahem. It's Marshall."

The door opened and Rocky was standing on a chair with his arm tool out opening the door for him. "Oh, hey..."

"May I come in?"

Rocky nodded.

Marshall proceeded in watching Zuma holding a surfboard between his paws.

"Oh, hey Marshall, dude. I might use this suwfboard tomorrow at the pool. It's gonna be gweat, huh?"

"Yeah, that's pretty cool, Zuma! Hey, do you mind if I talk to Rocky privately just for a few minutes?"

"Sure, dude. Whatever you need. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, of course!" Marshall replied with a joyful look on his face. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Zuma left the room and as soon as he left the room became silent for a few seconds.

"So..." Rocky began. "Anything you need, or-"

"Chase said you've been following me for a few days, spying on me and Everest. You think we have a secret, is this true?" Marshall questioned him. "I mean it would explain when we were meditating at the Lookout why you were suddenly there. It seemed as a coincidence back then but not anymore. I think Chase is right. It would also explain why you've been acting stranger and more suspicious lately. There's definitely-"

"Okay you win! Yes I've been spying on you both!"

Marshall smirked. "I knew it. I mean I had a theory but..."

"Wait, you knew I was?"

"Not entirely. It was a guess. And Rocky you have no right to do what you did."

Rocky sighed. "I-I know. I won't do it again." He lowered his head in shame. "I really had no business poking my head where I shouldn't. I'm really sorry, Marshall..."

"Wow you're being quite sincere...okay um, it's fine."

The mix-breed looked at Marshall in confusion. "R-Really?"

"Yeah. Really. I'm going to go now I don't want to disturb you and Zuma any longer. I'll see you tomorrow, Rocky."

The Dalmatian left the room.

Rocky sat in silence, whispering to himself. "I'm sorry Marshall for lying to you."

The weather next day was far from perfect. The expected wishes of the pups were shattered as it started raining which meant the waterpark was closed for the whole day. This was the reason why Ryder called the pups to him in his room to inform them of this.

"Pups, I'm sorry to inform you of this but it looks like the forecast has changed and it's raining for almost the entire day which means the waterpark is closed down which means we have to head home a day earlier. I'm really sorry..."

Rubble replied. "B-But the tickets and the reservation."

"Yeah. There's nothing we can do about the tickets but we did at least get a refund from the hotel manager. He was disappointed that we couldn't enjoy our stay for another day but he said it is what it is. I guess we should start packing. I'll make it up to you pups, okay?"

The pups nodded and made their way to their own rooms each with a glum look.

Soon enough they were on their way and back to the Lookout. At least it wasn't raining as heavily in Adventure Bay they thought! Just drip drops of rain, nothing major.

When they got out, Ryder addressed them.

"I almost forgot to tell you, pups. You're free the whole day so you can do whatever you want! Have fun. I'll be in the garage if anyone needs me."

The rest of the pups went inside their pup houses to unpack, asides from Rocky. He walked inside the Lookout and flopped down on a bean bag, deep in thoughts. 'Okay. What now, Rocky? Everest will be back tomorrow. What can I do to get closer to Marshall's secret. Hmm...WAIT. That's it! I should ask him questions about Everest, nothing too suspicious that he may notice but he might say something without realizing it which could lead to the secret!'

"You seem deep in thoughts."

Rocky looked up and seen Marshall. He smiled. "Can we talk?"