"Talk about what?" Marshall asked him, curious.

"Oh I was just thinking we can hang out! You know? Since I haven't hung out with you lately."

"Sure! That's a great idea! Do you want to go at the pup park?"

"Yeah, why not!"

As they walked out Chase and Skye walked in looking behind them, wondering what Marshall and Rocky were so cheerful about.

"I wonder why they seem so happy?"

"I don't know. Hey listen. Marshall told me what he said to Rocky." Chase said, "He said that he told Rocky about how he knew he was spying on him and all that but he never mentioned Rocky eavesdropping at the bathroom. I wonder why."

Skye answered him. "Perhaps, he wanted Rocky to explain himself or make him feel less worried? I mean Marshall always has a big heart. He's ready to forgive and forget all the time."

Chase answered, "Yeah, but I was thinking maybe I should tell Rocky myself?"

Skye shrugged. "Your call, Chase. I've gotta go help Rubble with something I'll see you later, Chase!" She ran off, leaving the German Shepherd isolated with his thoughts.

Rocky and Marshall arrived at the pup park and luckily no one was there. Just themselves which to Rocky meant he could ask Marshall questions that no one could be eavesdropping on or getting concerned about. One step at a time. Rocky knew not to launch himself in with immediate questions one after the other because he knew Marshall wasn't stupid. He would catch on on what Rocky was trying to achieve here so Rocky knew he had to be careful how he phrased his words.

Unknown to them, a certain German Shepherd followed them eavesdropping from a short distance away but easily concealed to avoid getting caught.

Marshall started talking.

"So...you want to have fun?"

"Sure."

Rocky needed to make this seem like actual fun. They were at the pup park after all and it was Marshall's idea so that didn't seem suspicious since Rocky didn't pick where they were to be at this very moment

As they were making their way up the slide, Rocky thought on how to approach Marshall with questions. 'Hmm. Maybe I could ask him irrelevant questions to his secret and then lead HIM onto his secret, probably with Everest.' Rocky smirked, knowing this was a good idea.

"Should I go first or you?" Marshall asked.

"You can go." Before Marshall could slide down, Rocky stopped him. "If you don't mind me asking, who's your best friend?"

Marshall didn't need to think twice to answer that. "Easy. Chase. Why?" He asked curious to know why Rocky was interested.

"Oh, just because I want to make sure I familiarize myself with all the pups' lives so I can be a better friend when they need consoling."

Marshall smiled. "You're a good friend, Rocky."

And then Marshall slid down the slide, followed by Rocky. As they were making their way back, Rocky asked him another question.

"Anyone else, or just Chase?"

Marshall thought. "Well if I had to pick, maybe Everest is a close second..." Rocky's ears perked up in delight but before he could open his mouth Marshall continued speaking. "My turn! What about you? Who's your best friend and why?"

'Crap! I was getting closer...'

"Rocky?"

'I gotta play it cool and blend in.' Rocky kicked out of his thoughts and looked happily at Marshall. "Well, I'm sure you know the answer. Zuma...and why? Well because..."

Skye looked back when she ran off and seen Chase running in the same direction as Marshall and Rocky. Was he going to eavesdrop on them? That was probably not a good idea she thought but she knew it was for the greater good. Rocky needed to back off and Skye knew she would have to confront him herself if the guys didn't have any effect on him. It might be difficult since Rocky was stubborn as a mule but she knew she would never really know until she tried.

After helping Rubble with something she was called by Ryder in the observation room through her pup tag. She wondered, what it could be?

When she arrived at the top Ryder turned around and greeted her. "Oh hey, Skye! Listen I wanted to ask you something."

"Oh, did I do something bad?"

"Oh no! Nothing like that. Actually this is about Marshall and Rocky." Ryder said. "I think something might be going on between the two of them and I wanted to ask you, have you seen anything weird lately between the two of them? Or maybe you know yourself." Ryder crossed his arms.

Skye knew she had to lie. She hated it. Telling the truth was always one of her greatest strengths but this time she had to lie. Rocky was to blame for this. If he was never curious in the first place and acting all weird then none of this would have happened. Skye really hated lying, in fact she only said one lie in her life and she still felt guilty about it ever since.

"Uh, not that I know of, Ryder. In fact, I saw Marshall and Rocky talking together and heading to the pup park I think so I assume if there was something going on between the two of them it's been resolved."

Ryder scratched his head. "Good. I hope so. Last thing I want is Rocky getting all curious again and we both know what that lead to last time..." He turned around, clicking some buttons on the panel.

Skye gasped but silently placed her paw on her mouth. 'Keep calm, Skye.' Skye inhaled and exhaled and addressed Ryder once more. "Anything else Ryder?"

"No, that's all. Thanks, Skye!" Ryder said without looking back.

Skye ran off to the elevator, knowing Chase would need to know about this. She called him through his pup tag and he finally answered after a few seconds.

"Hey, Skye, listen I can't talk right-"

"Ryder knows!"

"Wait-what?!" Chase questioned alarmed.

"No wait, sorry. He doesn't know but he's getting an idea that something might be going on between Rocky and Marshall. And by the way are you eavesdropping on them right now?"

"Uh..." Chase raised his head and peeked, seeing Marshall and Rocky going up to the slide. "Maybe. But-"

"Good. Make sure you find out what Rocky is up to while I try think of something."

"Okay-"

But he was hung up on. Chase looked confused, shook his head and returned to his main task.

"So, yeah. That's why Zuma is my best friend!" Rocky finished, looking quite content at what he told Marshall practically forgetting what he was doing here in the first place with him. "I've got a follow up question concerning Everest if you don't mind." Rocky had to choose his words carefully to avoid Marshall getting suspicion.

"Shoot!"

"How come you have been hanging out so much more with Everest than us these past couple of weeks? I mean I get she's your best friend."

"I guess we've got a lot in common. Like for example we love snow and doing snow angels in it, it's so fun!" He giggled. "Another example is that we're both so competitive with each other. We almost love all the same things! Except for liver pup treats . I hate those!" He said, sticking out his tongue.

'Great. He's definitely hiding something. He's tougher than I thought.' Rocky thought. 'Maybe I should phrase my questions differently...'

Knowing what to say, he proceeded with another question towards Marshall.

"Hey, you want to hear a secret of mine?"

Marshall looked at him in curiosity but then back forward getting rid of his thoughts. "No thanks. A secret is a secret! It wouldn't be a secret if you told me. And anyway if you were to tell me yours, I'd have to tell you mine."

'Crap. He's smarter than he looks...' Rocky thought, sighing and looking over some bushes. His eyes caught something, a quick blur as if someone's head was quickly lowered. "What the..."

"What is it?" Marshall asked him, curious.

Rocky ignored him and ran to the nearby bushes. He walked around but no one was there. Was he going crazy, or was he right? Someone was eavesdropping on them? He didn't want to risk it.

"Hey, Marshall. I say we head back!"

"Huh, but we just got here." Marshall answered him, whimpering slightly.

"Yeah, sorry but I just remembered. I had to do something for Ryder and if we don't get back soon he won't be happy."

Marshall knew that wasn't true. Ryder was the kindest human ever! He would never not be happy as that was his best trait! Marshall however agreed and they headed back earlier than expected unfortunately ending their day at the pup park short.

These chapters are a bit short in around the 1500-1700 words region BUT 2 of the next chapters will be longer! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! See you next week and have a nice week(end)! :D

Josh DD