Skye continued getting better and was no longer requiring breathing treatments to keep her airway clear. Katie walked into the room. Chase was sitting beside the bed feeding Skye some chicken and rice that Mr. Porter had dropped off.
"Hello you two," said Katie, "Chase, you look absolutely adorable feeding your mate."
"I told him I could feed myself," said Skye.
"But then you wouldn't need me anymore," said Chase, spooning another bite for her.
"Chase, I will always need you," said Skye.
"Well then, it's because I like doing it," said Chase, leaning over and kissing his mate.
"Well, your chart looks great Skye," said Katie, "I think you are safe to release to go back to the Lookout. NO Flying, for at least another week."
"But I need to get back in the air," protested Skye.
"Do it for me," said Chase.
"Chase, I know it scared you," said Skye, "But I miss flying."
"I promised you,' said Chase, "I'll not try to stop you. But give it a week. In that time Rocky and Obi will be finished with your chopper's improvements."
"Obi?" said Skye and Katie together.
"Oh, that's right you probably haven't heard," said Chase. "Obi turned out to be an excellent mechanic. She loves working on motors and Rocky's teaching her to do the maintenance. She's started helping Rocky with the improvements on the helicopter, they seem to be a great team."
"That's very cool," said Katie.
"More girls taking over the boy jobs," laughed Skye. "Soon, well just need you guys to clean house and make sandwiches for the workin' women."
"As long as you come home to me," said Chase, kissing Skye's forehead, "I'll gladly cook and clean."
"Ahhh, that's so sweet," laughed Katie.
"So, um Katie?" said Skye.
"Yes Skye?" said Katie.
"How long until we can, um,"stammered Skye.
Katie paused for a second, "Oh, I see. As long as you have no pain, you should be fine."
"Oh, Good," laughed Skye, "I need a good back scratch."
"Yeah, but nothing too physical," said Katie.
"W-what do you mean?" said Chase.
"I've heard about how much you like to be leashed," laughed Katie.
"W-w-what?" yipped Chase.
"I believe the words you used were," laughed Katie, "You two aren't very subtle."
"Ok, ok, I deserve that," said Chase although he was blushing so hard you could see it through his fur. "I'll uh, go get my truck so I can drive you home." Chase jumped up and ran out of the clinic.
As soon as he was out the front doors Katie began laughing hard.
"You're so bad," laughed Skye. "Although, isn't he just adorable when he blushes?"
"Yeah, sorry I really owed him one," said Katie.
"Yeah, I heard he caught you leaving one morning," said Skye. "I'm so happy for you and Ryder."
Chase returned shortly and insisted on carrying Skye to the truck. Despite her protests, it was quite apparent she loved it.
Chase and Skye got to the Lookout, no one was outside.
"Where is everyone?" said Skye. "Their vehicles are here, I guess they're not on a mission or at the retreat."
"Maybe they're watching a movie," said Chase. They walked into the Lookout and got in the elevator.
As the doors opened, "WELCOME HOME SKYE AND CHASE!" yelled everyone, and I mean everyone, the Lookout was packed.
There was a buffet set up and banners, balloons, and everyone was wearing parachutes and crash helmets.
"HA, HA," said Skye, "Very Funny."
"It actually is," snickered Chase. Skye punched him in the arm. Chase yipped.
Gale ran over to them, "I'm so glad you're ok and that you're home."
"Because of you Gale," said Skye, as she hugged Gale.
"Not now," said Rocky, "please enjoy your party. But I can't wait to show you all the work Obi and I have done on your helicopter."
"Now that they're almost done," said Rubble, "Maybe I can get my girlfriend back."
"I'm sorry Rubble," said Rocky, "She's really a lot of help."
"I'm just happy that she found something that she enjoys," said Rubble.
"Yes, but you two should pick up an oil cleaner sponsor," laughed Yeshe.
"But you enjoy scrubbing me so much," said Rocky, and then blushed realizing he said that in front of everyone.
"You enjoy baths that much now?" said Skye.
"Well, when she bathes me," said Rocky.
"TMI GUYS, TMI!" laughed Rubble. "Although maybe I should offer to scrub Obi."
"Rubble!" said Ryder. "Don't let them corrupt you too."
"Too late," laughed Skye, "He's one of ours now, Ah HA HA HA."
Everyone laughed.
Everything had settled and the pups had gone to their rooms. Chase and Skye were laying together talking.
"So were you serious about wanting to be scratched?" asked Chase.
"Chase, I know you told yourself that us discussing pups caused me to crash," said Skye, "That's not the case. I'm hoping Rocky can tell me what may have happened. But the truth is I was afraid that I would have to give up flying. I know that's not the truth. I want to have pups with you. I want to be a mom. When I'm in heat next I want to try."
"You know I wanted to have pups with you," said Chase, "You'll be a great mom. And our pups will have lots of cousins to play with."
They cuddled up Chase protectively holding her, "I was so scared. I wouldn't know what to do without you."
"I feel the same way," said Skye. "Like I said the night Yeshe was shot. I know it's a possibility because of your line of work, but don't. I Love you and can't imagine my life without you either."
"Good night my love," said Chase, Kissing the top of Skye's head.
"Not yet, Chasey," giggled Skye, "I still my back scratched."
"As you wish," giggled Chase.
Rocky had been dedicating so much time to study with school and now planning the repairs on Skye's helicopter, it was suggested he create a study / design room in one of the dorm rooms. Tonight both he and Gale were studying.
"Gale," said Rocky, "I know you're young."
"Yes, Do you think I'm too young to be a medic?" asked Gale, turning around to face her dad.
"No, not at all," said Rocky looking at his daughter. "I was going to say, I know you're young, but if you feel you understand enough to learn this material. You know you can qualify to take classes. It's just a matter of taking the entrance exam."
"What do you mean?" said Gayle, "Marshall has already said I'm more knowledgeable than he was this early. I understand things that apparently took Katie months to learn. I've read for over a week now."
"No honey," said Rocky, "I'm not talking about your medic studies. I'm talking about if you think you're ready to start college to become a veterinarian, I think you could pass the entrance exam already."
"No, I want to do this right now," said Gale, "I also still need to start firefighter training."
"Ok, ok, I won't push," said Rocky, "I'm already more proud than I could have imagined. You will be great at whatever you put your mind to."
They returned to their studies. Buddy walked in and over to where Rocky was working.
"Dad, I know all of the vehicles have transponders and transmit their location," said Buddy, "But what about impact detection and automatic transmission of location and emergency alert notification. It would be great for the helicopter, but it could be used on all the vehicles."
"Well, I already had installed airbags," said Rocky, "That's a great idea, Buddy. Here, sit down."
Rocky pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and began drawing a design with calculations for impact strength. Buddy made a few suggestions, and even helped with the calculations.
"Hey dad," said Buddy, "We should add a panic button so whoever could hit it if they knew they were in trouble or it was something other than a crash."
Yeshe walked in, "Are you guys ever coming to bed?"
"Sorry love," said Rocky, "Buddy had a great idea and Gale, uh, Gale passed out."
Rocky scooped Gale up on his back and carried her to bed. As he laid her down Yeshe kissed him.
"You've gotten really strong for a bookworm," laughed Yeshe.
"Well I have to try and keep up with you and the pups," laughed Rocky, kissing her back.
"Why don't you take me to bed and show me just how strong you are," Yeshe said, as she walked away swaying her hips side to side.
Rocky stood there sputtering but eventually followed giggling.
"I love that I can still do that to you," laughed Yeshe.