AN: Yes I'm still alive. Ever since I've gotten the promotion at my job in Nov. I've been super busy and have had less time and drive to write or even draw. I'm hoping things will change soon so that I can have the job I want with the free time that I want. I apologize for the over 3 month gap it took to get this chapter to you guys (if people still even read this story.) Now without further ado...
Skye sat across from Chase, atop a checkered pink and white picnic sheet as she set up paper plates and plastic utensils around them. The two pups were finally having their afore planned picnic on the cliff of Big View Trail's mountain top. Although the skies were gray and the weather was cloudy, Skye thought that there couldn't have been a more perfect time.
"Ok…" Skye said, as she rummaged in the picnic basket. "I have roast beef, ham, bologna, turkey, and… liver." She said, pulling out the last batch of sandwiches. She spreaded them out on thin paper plates that she had packed with the sandwiches. "So what kind do you want?" She asked him. Chase had been staring into the distance the entire time. "Hello? Earth to Chase." She said, waving her paw in his view.
Chase shook his head, snapping out of what seemed to be a trance. "Huh? O-Oh… I'll take a roast beef." He finally answered.
"Great choice." Skye said, as she handed him the roast beef sandwich smiling.
Chase stared at her as his own thoughts continued to badger him. How can I tell her. It would break her heart. Chase accepted the sandwich from her, holding it within both of his paws. She has to know…
Skye stared at Chase, waiting for him to take a bite of the sandwich she had made. "Are you just going to stare at it all day?" She laughed.
"O-Oh." Chase finally took a bite of the sandwich. The mix of mayonnaise and barbecue sauce really complimented the roast beef slices. The taste was the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The sandwich was overall delicious.
"So whaddaya think?" Skye asked, noticing the look of complete satisfaction on Chase's face.
"It's really… good." The shepherd said, taking another bite.
Skye smiled. "I'm glad you like it." She said wagging her tail. "These sandwiches were made with my love." She motioned her paw to the sandwiches. Her comment caught Chase by surprise causing him to nearly choke on his sandwich. Skye quickly ran to his side and began patting his back. "Chase, are you ok?!"
"Yeah… *cough*." Chase answered, finally regaining himself. "I guess I *cough*... was just eating too fast."
Skye breathed a sigh of relief. "Well slow down. There's plenty more where that came from. Here, let me get you some water." She reached into the picnic basket and handed Chase an ice cold bottled water. Chase took three huge gulps and downed half of the bottle.
"Thanks Skye, I needed that."
After the two finished eating, Skye couldn't help but feel that there was something strange with how quiet Chase was being. She had spent a lot of time planning this day for Chase, but it seemed that the shepherd really wasn't that into it. Sighing, she walked over to the edge of the cliff. "Chase, the view from here is just breathtaking." She said, looking over the edge. "C'mon, you gotta see it." Chase made his way to the edge of the cliff and sat beside her. From this spot on the cliff, the two could see over many acres of the forest and they had a wide scale view of the entire town all the way up to the beach. "Isn't it just romantic Chase?" She asked the shepherd. Chase had to admit, the view from up there was really amazing. It even helped to calm his mind some. He could see the citizens walking and driving around the town. He could see some of the pups playing at the lookout. He could even see Cap'n Turbot fiddling with some contraption on the Flounder. Something on the beach caught the cockapoo's eye. "Hey Chase isn't that Marshall?" Chase quickly got up and looked out into the direction that Skye was pointing her paw. It was indeed Marshall, walking on the beach with some other pup. "Ooohh Who's that other dalmatian he's with?" Skye asked aloud.
Chase knew that other pup was none other than Joey. Do those two spend ANY time apart. Chase asked in his mind. He started to growl within his thoughts, but what he didn't realize is that he was actually growling aloud.
"Chase are you growling?" Skye asked him.
Chase immediately stopped. "No… I was just uh- scratching my throat." He lied.
"Ohh k?" Replied a confused Skye as she looked back down at the two dalmatians. That certainly didn't sound like any throat scratch she'd ever heard. She leaned in closer to Chase, Changing the subject. "You know… It's been awhile since we shared our last kiss." She batted her eyelashes at him. She puckered her lips and moved in closer.
"Skye…" Chase started. The cockapoo stopped in her tracks. "There's something I need to tell you." He said. Skye's heart instantly filled with suspense. What could Chase possibly have to tell her? It seemed rather important by the way he hesitated. I can't… I just can't! Chase told himself. What will she think of me? How would she react? Chase shut his eyes and gritted his teeth as his hesitation was drawn out even longer. What if she gets angry? What if she goes after Marshall? I'll just be making more problems for him. I… Chase's thoughts were cut off as an image of his inner self appeared within his own mind.
Go… Go and tell our Marshall how WE feel.
The events of last night's dream flashed through Chase's mind. Remembering this, Chase had finally made up his mind. He opened his eyes and looked at Skye, staring deep into her eyes. Skye felt as though Chase's stare was one of complete love and she melted inside. I- I think he's about to ask me to take our relationship to the next level. Oh my dog! I must be dreaming! She screamed in her mind, unable to suppress her excitement any longer.
"Skye…"
"Yes Chase?" She answered batting her lashes.
"...I can't be with you anymore."
"Oh Chase, you don't know how long I've been waiting to h-" Skye's expression quickly shifted to a shocked one. "Wh-What…"
"I said… I can't be with you anymore." Chase repeated.
"What are you saying?" She asked him in disbelief.
Chase turned his gaze away from her. "I can't be your mate anymore…"
Skye felt her heart drop. "Chase, why are you saying this? Did I… do something wrong?" She asked him. Chase slowly shook his head.
"No. I'm sorry. There's… just someone else." Chase admitted. Skye gasped. She stared at the shepherd for a few seconds before turning her head back towards the open view of the town. She found herself sadly staring at the sight of the beach, when she caught sight of the two dalmatians again. At that moment, she began to put the pieces together.
"It's Marshall, isn't it?" Her words made Chase quickly turn to face her; the surprise clearly showing in his wide eyes. "When you first confessed your love to me… I was a little surprised. I never knew that you thought that way of me. I had thought that you only had eyes for Marshall." She raised her head, revealing a sad smile as she continued to explain. "You two were so close. I would always notice the way that Marshall would stare at you… and even at times the way you would stare at him. I thought that you two would end up together, but then… you came to me. I knew that I was the reason why Marshall changed; the reason why he was so depressed, but...I was happy. I was so happy… just being with you. I didn't feel any guilt at all for taking you away from him." Chase stared at the grass below him as Skye continued. "Yesterday I noticed that you were starting to become more focused on him, but I never would have guessed that…" Skye cut herself off and silence between the two settled in as the wind whistled over. Chase opened his mouth to try and break the silence, but he didn't know quite what to say. "It's ok." Skye said, speaking up. "I don't want you to feel any guilt. I guess… this is just the way things were supposed to be." She looked into his eyes and smiled with a sweet expression. "As long as you're happy Chase… that's all that matters."
"Skye.." Chase said, looking back at her. "Thank you." Chase gave her a brief hug before running off, heading to his police truck. Skye watched him until he was completely out of view. A tear trickled down her muzzle.
"I guess this is my karma… Right."
As Chase drove down the street on his way to the beach, there was only one thing on his mind; Marshall. He had truly come to terms with his feelings and his decision. It made him even happier that Skye was so accepting of everything; or at least acted as though she was.
Marshall… Chase thought to himself. He briefly imagined what a life with Marshall as a mate would be like. He pictured himself and Marshall always being together. Inseparable. He pictured himself running into Marshall's arms before they embraced and shared a long kiss. He closed his eyes in delight. I never would've imagined that this would turn out to be what I've wanted all along. Marshall I'm comi-
*HONK!* *SCREECH!*
Chase slammed on his brakes, merely centimeters from colliding with another car. Breathing heavily as a man got out of the other vehicle.
"What's the matter with you!" The man shouted angrily as he began yelling out profanities.
"Sorry Sir!" Chase called out sheepishly. "I was just-"
"Just NOTHIN'!" He yelled cutting the shepherd off. "What's the matter with you driving with your eyes closed! And you're the law at that?! I'm reporting you to your supervisor!" Chase couldn't help but feel embarrassed in this situation. He did close his eyes for a brief moment but he didn't think it was THAT long. "If you would have wrecked my rental, you'd be paying for it! Jeez what's the matter with this town?!" The man grumbled. "First some purple suit wearing bozo runs me off the road and now some cop canine who got his license out of a cereal box almost hits me head on?!" The man continues to mumble and grumble as his face turns redder.
Chase hopped out of his cruiser and approached the man trying to diffuse the situation. "Sir, i'm really sorry." He said, trying once again to apologize. "I'm normally more focused." Chase told him as he lowered his head, drooping his ears in shame. The man looked over the shepherd and couldn't help but be moved by how innocent and cute he looked.
"Well… I suppose accidents DO happen…" The man said, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry about the little outburst. I'm just a little on edge from a wreck I had yesterday." The stranger explained. "You gotta be more careful. I could've had a kid in the car. If you're that tired you should just pull over and get some rest." Chase slowly nodded his head. He didn't have the courage to tell the stranger that he was daydreaming and not sleeping. "If you need me to follow you to a safe location, I'd be more than happy to." The man offered.
"No. That's alright." Chase declined. "I should be fine now."
"Are you sure?" The man questioned. Chase nodded his head. "Well, alright then. You're a pretty nice pup." The stranger said while patting Chase's head. He slowly walked back to his vehicle. "I won't rat on you to your chief. Just drive slowly and be sure to keep those eyes open." He included before shutting his door and driving off.
"Well… that situation was embarrassing…" Chase said to himself. "What am I doing? I need to focus." He hopped back into his cruiser and continued making his way down the road.
"You've been pretty quiet. What are you thinking about?"
"Just… some things I dreamt about last night." Marshall answered. He and Joey laid on the beach sands, vertically opposite one another.
"What was it?" Joey inquired.
"Well.. uh…" Marshall hesitated. "Just… ya know… normal stuff." He answered.
"I get it. It's personal." Joey responded with a laugh.
"It's not that… In my dream my friends and I were attacked by this scary ghost pirate thing." Marshall shuddered.
"Ghost pirate? Can't really say that's my ideal dream." Joey said, chuckling.
"Well you could definitely call it more of a nightmare. Getting stabbed through the heart with a rusty hook isn't exactly MY ideal dream." Marshall said as he shook the thoughts from his head. "By the way… I wanted to apologize for yesterday." he continued as he sat up.
"What do you mean?" Joey asked.
"Well, it's just… You must have felt really uncomfortable in the middle of all that."
Joey sat up and let out a light laugh. "No, it's fine really. Things like that just tend to happen sometimes."
"But still, it was pretty embarrassing for me. I shouldn't have tried to make a move on you like that… I really am disgusting."
"Don't say that!" Joey said, sitting up. "there's NOTHING disgusting about you. And besides… it wasn't all just you, ya know, I played my part in things too…" Joey sighed. "We were both just caught in the moment, that's all. You're my friend Marsh, and I won't let you beat up on yourself like that." Joey laid back down after finishing his sentence.
Marshall felt a bit disheartened at Joey's choice of words. That's right… he thought to himself. Just friends… it seems like that's all I'll ever be to anybody. It didn't take Joey very long to notice the dalmatian's expression and he couldn't help but pry.
"What's wrong?" Joey asked him.
"It's nothing…" Marshall replied. There was a brief moment of silence before Marshall decided to speak up again. "Joey…"
"hmm?"
Marshall swallowed hard. "What do you think of me?" he asked.
Joey blinked twice as his cheeks turned red. "Wh- What do you mean?" he stammered.
"I mean… how do you view me?"
Joey began to rub the back of his head as he continued to stammer. "W-Well you know, I think you're a really nice person. You care about others, you help people in need. You tend to rag on yourself a lot, but you're better than you think you are. Overall you're a great friend."
Friend. There was that word again. "Thanks… for clearing that up." Marshall said sadly.
Joey blinked in confusion. "Clearing what up?" He asked.
"That we're… just friends…" Marshall answered. "I was really starting to think that the two of us had some kind of connection." After hearing this Joey didn't quite know what to say. He couldn't possibly tell Marshall how he really felt after telling Chase that he would give him a chance to confess his feelings to Marshall. Joey chose to stay silent, not saying a word, though to his dismay, that only made the situation worse. He didn't even respond… Marshall began thinking to himself. Why… He bit his lip. "Why is it that no one ever returns my feelings?!" It didn't take Marshall long to realize that his private thoughts had transferred into verbal ones. He looked down to see Joey staring at him. This moment became very awkward for Marshall. "I-I should go." Marshall said, as he got down on all fours.
"But- Marshall…" Joey said, sitting back up. Marshall wasted no time listening to any explanation and began running. This scene seemed all too familiar to Joey.
"Joey… What do you think of me?"
"Huh… What do you mean Kyle?"
"Uh, I guess what I'm trying to ask is… what am I to you?"
"Well that should be obvious. You're my best friend."
Stupid! Stupid! Why am I always making a fool of myself?! Marshall mentally beat himself up. Once he had gotten a good distance away, he looked back in Joey's direction and was surprised to see him running toward him. Joey had been running so fast that he couldn't find any traction in the sand to stop and ended up crashing right into Marshall, knocking him flat on his back. Marshall could feel his friend's beating chest on top of him.
"I'm sorry… for knocking you down." Joey said, as he wrapped his arms around Marshall's neck in an embrace. Marshall was at a loss for words. "Don't leave me here…" Joey told him, his voice was a bit shaky. Marshall felt something wet fall on his fur. He caught a glimpse of Joey's face, noticing the tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry… don't leave me here." Joey repeated. "I don't want to lose you. You're my friend… but you're also much more. I haven't felt such a strong connection with someone in so long- I… I can't hold back anymore. I want you. I need you… to be my mate."
Marshall lifted up Joey's head and used his paw to wipe his tears. He smiled a sweet smile at Joey. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm all yours." He replied. Joey pressed his lips down on Marshall's as the two engaged in a passionate kiss. Marshall couldn't have been any happier at this moment.
Joey broke his kiss, parting his lips from Marshall's. "And I'm all yours." He replied back with a smile. "I've been waiting to do that for awhil-" In a flash of brown, Joey was suddenly tackled and pinned to the ground. He heard loud growling and looked up to see a pair of fangs bared at him.
"YOU LIAR!"
