unexpected babysitter

...

It was several weeks later, the original party his mother's decorations he had thrown overboard ,was for adventure bay museum and it finally had its opening party, This time without Ryder dumping the stuff.

Humdinger turned up to the event trying to steal the main attraction of the museum, the large quartz sphere. Humdingers behavior made Ryder sort of despise him all over again. It didn't help he rubbed in the whole "so when does mommy make the paw patrol shut down?" thing. he was feeling let down, he hated humdinger going back and forth. he just wish he knew if he was going to be good and could be ok with liking him, or he was going to be bad so he could get over the disappointment. he hated to think he was getting attached to him, and then the sadness that came when humdinger turned back to his bad ways.

a Few days after with out a word to him, His mother took off for yet another event this time out in adventure city, while still planning for Chickaletta's party. Mayor goodway came to see him.

"Um Ryder, your mom will be gone a week or maybe 2. But I'm supposed to babysit you for her." she began "and let's face it, you babysit us is far more likely. But duty still, so I got someone else to babysit you."

He was shocked to see humdinger dressed trying to wear a disguise. When he took it off mayor goodway gasped. "Don't worry I'll take good, Care of the brat."

Mayor goodway didn't know what to do about it but Ryder assured her he be fine, it was humdinger she had to worry for.

After few a minutes humdinger already gave up his plans and bad guy side, quit calling him a brat and was helping Ryder work on his ATV. humdinger felt like Ryder never felt proud of himself. "so, your pretty good at working on that stuff."

"yeah whatever." Ryder responded with a sigh. "its not a big deal." so he got a idea.

"well, your doing a very good job." he said attempting to give him praise. "good work Ryder."

"What is it with you mayor." Ryder started to ask him. " I noticed for some time now, you act all bad guy meany or whatever and then i come along or you see me and you like, flip. If I didn't know better I say you tolerate me. Dare I say, even like me."

Humdinger just huffed "do not."

"Do to." He shot quickly back at and they had a few back and forth,

"do not"

"Do not" Ryder switching it up And it worked, humdinger gave with our hesitation "do to." Then realized he got tricked. Ryder just let out a giggle. Humdinger just grabbed him and messed his hair up. "you little trickster" then he tackled him and started tickling him making Ryder laugh out loud.

He finally let Ryder go and get back to working on his ATV while he himself left to get something to drink. As he head inside he saw the cats and pups happily playing together. On his way back out he heard a clang and Ryder shout "AAH" he nearly dropped the glass and rushed over? Ryder cut his hand on a peace of sharp metal. He quickly grabbed a cloth to put pressure on it and instinctively called for a pup. "MARSHALL! GET YOUR EMT PACK OVER HERE! RYDER CUT HIS HAND!"

Marshall was quick to come over to tend to him. "He might need stitches and better get him a shot to."

Humdinger noticed Ryder hardly shed a tear over being cut. Or after stitches and a shot. for that matter most of any situation he got himself in, except the few exceptions. He realizes he was being a tough kid since his mom didn't really care for him. Only after few a hours of being back home with someone actually caring for him he let his tough side relax. When he by mistake grabbed a cup of water with his now bad hand he flinched and shouted. Dropped it and spilling water all over, this time eyes teary as he held his hand.

Humdinger came over to comfort him. "It was a accident. I will get a new cup of water, don't worry about this, I'll clean it up."

Next morning he made breakfast and even saw pups got fed, packed Ryder lunch and saw him off to school. He made sure the cats Spied that he ate his vegetables at lunchtime. Saw him off the bus after school, made sure he did homework, helped him with any schoolwork he needed help with. Plus had a after school snack for him.

He made dinner and actually sat with him to eat, Ryder admitted his cooking was not bad." You know. It's actually pretty good. But mom never ate with me. not since..." he trailed off. "not since her and dad split up." he said sadly then changed the subject. "By the way, lunch was kind of cool to."

humdinger noticed but pretended to not have. he didn't want to push the subject "well I'm glad, now if you eat all your vegetables I got a surprise for you for dissert."

Shockingly he made cookies.

after bit the pups and cats were playing, he took Ryder to the side. "can i talk with you a sec?"

"what about?" Ryder asked. not sure where he was going with it.

"i know you don't really want to talk about the, well when your mom and dad split up." Ryder looked down to the floor avoiding eye contact. humdinger quickly added "and. you don't have to, unless your ready to talk about it. i just want you to know, if you ever need to you can come talk to me ok."

"thanks." Ryder said while they hugged.

that evening With a few other snacks and the cookies, even had some just for the pups, they all sat together watching Apollo the super pup. Ryder ended up falling asleep in his arms with the pups and kittys curled up around them.

He carefully maneuvered to grab the remote to turn the tv off. He just stayed quiet as the pups and kittens fell into there own snooze. He watched as Ryder nuzzled his head curling up to him and flexing a hand in his sleep, Which humdinger cautiously held putting his one head gently on Ryder's.

He thought about putting Ryder to bed, but had to work out getting up while not disturbing him let alone pups and cats. Ryder stretched out a bit in his sleep with a yawn and curled back up which made humdinger smile. He thought, "well might be stuck here for the night". It was nice Ryder was actually acting more he's age more often instead of his usual ,tough guy, more adult then he should have to be, self. He wondered how in the world could his mother be so cruel to him. He also could not help but wonder how much of his life he had to deal with that from her.

By morning he woke a bit stiff and a kink in his neck after spending the night in a bean bag chair with Ryder. He woke to see him half hanging off him with his head back and mouth gaping open, chase was on his foot, Marshall was on his head, Zuma was on his lap, Skye was in Ryder's arm, rubble snoring loudly by his other foot. Rocky was curled up beside them With a cat on his back. Then he noticed a cat on another bean bag chair, 2 curled up with rubble, one was on chase, and one on Ryder's chest.

He managed to make his way out from the pile on, and get sorted for the day, yet another good school day, and evening. Ryder was in the middle of his homework when pup pad gone off.

"Ryder here, what's up."

"Please help, the barn is on fire." Shouted farmer al.

Ryder wasted no time, "paw patrol to the ultimate rescue, fire." He couldn't help but think, seeing a 10 year old and some puppy's go fight a fire was nerve-wracking.

At the scene Marshall took lead. "Skye, I need your copter to dump water on the barn, chase! Secure a parameter. Rocky, rubble, hook the lines!"

"What you need me to do Marshall?" Ryder asking, feeling bit useless as just a observant and mainly commanding from the sidelines.

"Um.. " Marshall hesitated a bit. "Stay out of the way of the fire. I don't want you to get hurt. Oh! Make sure everyone is accounted for out here please." He had a way of telling Ryder wanted to feel useful and at times felt like he was pointless , working out a way to make him feel more included.

They teamed up to fight the fire, hoses, copter, water pack. Zuma using a scuba looking gear to spray water. Just as it seem they were starting to get control of it, farmer Yumi shouted" oh no, baby Betty, she might be still inside!" Ryder didn't think but took off to find her inside, grabbing mask and gear from the truck. "Betty, come here girl, it's ok, I'm here to get you out, don't be scare, come out. Don't hide." He found the baby goat. Grabbed her and headed out. A beam fell and knocked him down. He was close to the exit. "Betty go! Run! Outside!" The goat took off but alerted Marshall that he was still inside.

Ryder realized the mask been knocked off from the blow but thankfully found it and grabbed it as something else fell.

He was feeling dazed, he could smell the smoke. Something must of been off with the mask he grabbed. he faintly remembered something Marshall said about it. He was feeling weak and groggy starting to Cough. He could hear Marshall. "Ryder! Ryder where are you!" His voice started fading feeling more distant. he attempted to shout in return but nothing came. the Last thing he recalled as his vision faded was Marshall coming to him.

Ryder woke still dazed and feeling confused, then realized he was outside on the ground with a oxygen mask over his face. pups and farmers al and Yumi staring over him with Marshall using a stethoscope on him. Then he looked up above his head and saw humdinger looking at him with a extreme amount of worry.

"What… ha… happen" he coughed a bit and tried getting up but was immediately forced to stay down. His vision was hazed and he was feeling himself black out again. "I.. think… I'm going… out… again." With that he was.

"Yikes dude, is he ok?" Zuma asked looking worried Followed by rubble whining and whimpering.

"It's the smoke, he got good enough amount in, he's having some trouble getting air." Noted Marshall. his's breathing sounds labored. We should get him to adventure venture.

"Oh not again." Complained rocky. "First he nearly drowns now it's this."

Marshall sighed. "I didn't want him going in there. The last time we did fire training he was coughing plus, his mask didn't fit right. Until his gear is tip top shape and fits right, he should not be using it." He sighed again. "If he was not hurt I be giving him a few choice words over disobeying me."

They kept him over night, the pups noticed humdinger stayed with him, for most of it, leaving only to make sure pups had food and take care of the home situation. But he was ok to leave by afternoon the next day. The pups and cats could hear Marshall scold Ryder while humdinger was out getting a few grocery items they needed.

"I told you before the mask was not safe for you to use! You could have gotten in a seriously bad shape. I specifically told you to stay out of it and you disobeyed me."

"I'm sorry Marshall." Ryder apologized hanging his head low. It was not often he got scolded by his own pups.

"You put yourself in danger, and others. I had to go in and save you. Don't you ever disobey my orders again." He was strict, firm, but tried to keep it a gentle tone. Not to be to harsh. But he thought he might have been a bit to harsh seeing Ryder's eyes tear up.

"Hey. I'm sorry, was I to hard on ya buddy?"

"No, it's fine Marshall, I just… feel so stupid for doing it. You told me before the mask was not safe to use and… to stay out of fires till you got my gear fixed." wiping his eyes and sniffling. "I'm sorry I didn't listen. I should have just done what you asked me to and let someone else rescue Betty."

Humdinger returned and heard the last bit of the conversation Marshall and Ryder were having, "it's ok. Don't worry, it's not a big deal right now. Your ok now safe and healthy right. Next time just be careful and not jump into things ok." The thought Marshall was going to easy on him. As he watched the pup walk away not knowing the whole conversation. He thought HE should scold him and needed property dealt with for risking his life.

"Ryder come here please."

At first he felt calm and collected . "You know that was very risky and dangerous what you did at the rescue. Not just to you." Ryder let slip a eye roll, just been over this with Marshall and likely not hear the end of it for least couple weeks from rest of the pups. He didn't have much interest to hear it all over again from humdinger. "I know mayor. I won't do it again."

Humdinger sort of snapped and let his other side slip through into the conversation. "You look here you little brat. They are letting you off easy. You been the leader for a while now. You should know better. Being 10 is not a good enough of a excuse!"

"I know! Ok chill, I get it ok, I messed up, I'm a big failure. You don't have to rub it in every time I make a mistake!"

Humdinger stood over him now shouting which drew the others in." YOU GET AWAY WITH FAR TO MUCH! FOR ONCE SOMEONE SHOULD ACTUALLY TEACH YOU A LESSON!" He raised his hand at him as he shouted. But realized he was pushing it to far. "You… " he trailed off realizing Ryder was cowering in fear looking away holding his hands up in defense as if to expect him to strike him.

"I already talked to him." Marshall exclaimed quickly. "put your arms down. And kneel down. His mom already beats him enough. Your scaring him."

"Wait… " humdinger paused a moment, and doing what he was asked. Realizing what he just heard. "His mother… " he couldn't comprehend it. He took a hold of Ryder and held him. He just looked at him in the eyes. "she hits you?" His eyes gave more then enough response with his glance and frown after bit he said it anyway "she only slaps me sometimes."

"Plenty of times" chase added with a stern disapproving look.

Humdinger snapped ,he couldn't allow it to continue, all his evil schemes and plans to cause havoc made it all worse. "That's it. No more Mr. mean mayor... Unless I see her again, then she better watch out."

"What are you gonna do?" Asked Skye.

" if I can do anything about it. She's never gonna put a hand on him again."

After a little over 2 weeks had passed, she finally returned, Humdinger was waiting for her.

She found out he was the one who was really watching him. "so was he a extreme amount of trouble to you?"

"No." He said flatly. "As a matter of fact, I really enjoyed taking care of him."

"Oh! shocking, no one has really wanted to deal with him." she stated. "You know past sitters said he's difficult."

"Well there not me. He was no trouble at all." Humdinger stated with a smile. his grin quickly faded, "You know maybe If his mother actually loved him he wouldn't act out so much."

"Beg your pardon" offended by his remark. "you saying I'm not a good mother!"

"That's exactly what I'm saying. Though I have few other choice words to describe you to but some young ears shouldn't hear such language." Glancing at the pups kittens and Ryder playing near by. "Look, if you despise your own child so much… I be more then happy if you signed him over to me and moved… out, and never looked back."

"How dare you, you… " he cut her off.

"No, how dare you. That sweet, innocent young child, needs a MOTHER a who actually loves him, cares for him, and is proud of him with his accomplishments. Worries when he's sick or in danger. Nurtures him and tends to him when ill. Will be there when he has a bad dream. Be it I'm no mother. But at least I know how to be a father who can do that for him. Because a mother like you, he needs a parent who will be there, cuz you sure are not."

She stared at him. No one had ever talked back to her or told her off before. "He's to much like his father for that."

"Who cares!" Humdinger told her bluntly. "Just cuz you couldn't handle his dad. His father's ways, life, job. Just because it was to much for you. Ryder is following in his footsteps, Does not give you the right to treat him like that. He is going to become who he is going to become one way or another with or, without you apart of his life." He paused. "The question is, if you can stop seeing him as your ex husband and just see him as he is. A boy who yes, takes after his dad, but he is your kid. And he needs his mom. Not just needs his mom, He needs his mom, to love him."

humdinger stayed a few extra days, keeping a close eye on the mom, pups and Ryder. she watched but never interacted. she saw how nice he was to them not bothered at all by anything even with there past enemy status. Ryder would act out throwing fits, throwing things, kicking and screaming, she grab him and was about to slap him. humdinger grabbed her hand "don't... you... dare." humdinger then took ahold of him from his mother, struggled a bit to keep grip while Ryder continued to kick and scream. then he turned him to face him and looked him in the face. "STOP IT RIGHT NOW!" Ryder paused in bit of shock still and silently looking back at him. "now, calm down, screaming and throwing a tantrum is not going to resolve anything. i cant help you if you don't tell me what is wrong."

he saw the glare Ryder gave to his mother. which humdinger took hint right away. "can you leave us to talk in privet please." she had no issue at all walking away and took off to another room.

"Ryder, i know it has something to do with her, you need to talk to me." Ryder just broke down and threw his arms around him. humdinger just picked him up and comforted him. "shhh, its ok. its ok. calm down, everything is gonna be alright." a call came in. he really didn't think Ryder could respond to it but someone had to.

"humdinger here, um responding on behalf of the paw patrol. what's up?" after the time he been there he sort of knew the routine Ryder had for calls."

"oh my. um" mayor goodway seem concerned for Ryder seeing him crying. "is.. he ok?"

"um yea, I'm just trying to calm him down. what's the emergency?"

"oh yes.. I NEED HELP! ALEX WAS TRYING TO HELP KATIE WITH HER CAT AND CHASED HER ON TOP OF MR PORTERS RESTAURANT!" he could see a meowing Cali in distress. "oh i hope Ryder feels better, i don't know what we are gonna do without him commanding the pups."

this was a first for humdinger. "don't worry i will send them over."

he grabbed hold of Ryder's pup pad and pushed the button to call them. "well here goes nothing. paw patrol, to the lookout!"

all pups tags flashed and with surprise hearing his voice instead at once exclaimed. "Humdinger needs us." then all took off and arrived up top, a bit worried Ryder sniffling still being held. "ready for action, Humdinger sir!" chase proudly said

"thanks, um, Ryder is bit upset to be doing this one pups." humdinger paused, then activated the screen. "Cali got chased, unintentionally on to the roof of Mr Porters restaurant. i think its best we use.. Marshall. your gonna need the ladder truck to get up and get her down."

"im fired up!"

"chase, you sort of lead when Ryder cant, so we need you to. and if Cali wont come down maybe you can use your cannon to bring her down with some treats. or net incase she falls or jumps. as long as its not to high. so Skye, on stand by in case they need you to get her down with your copter." Humdinger shockingly seem to have hold on the situation. "paw patrol... " he sighed. "oh well" he shrugged, "is on a roll." they all took off to go to the scene which humdinger noticed made Ryder laugh a bit seeing him in his place.

after the day was over, they settled for the evening. humdinger knew he was due to go back but didn't want to up and leave without telling Ryder and letting him see him off." Ryder saw him gathering his things. "your leaving aren't you?"

"well, tomorrow i am. i cant very well live here forever now can i." he saw the disappointment in his face "come here" pulled him in a hug. "it will be ok. i will visit often, and you can call me whenever you want."

"you know. you did really well leading the pups today." Ryder noted. "why cant you just stay? i actually like you."

humdinger sighed. "this is not my home. honestly, i love you, so much Ryder. if i ever have my own kid, i hope there just like you."

"stay, please." his eyes begged him to stay. he got so attached to him at this point.

"i.. cant." humdinger said with sadness.

the next morning they watched as he said goodbyes along with the cats "so, guess we have to go" humdinger stated. "Ryder be safe ok." humdinger brushed his hair and Ryder hugged him ,he gave him kiss on his head "your dad is very proud of you. your mom should be and ...well, I'm really proud of you to." and then they left back to foggy bottom.

his mother just stood there, what he said to her was starting to take effect but over all she still did not seem to change. "so you like him?" Ryder just looked at her. "yes." rubble even whined. quickly joined by the other pups.

"I'm.. I'm gonna miss him." Skye started to cry. Ryder knelt with his pups. "its ok. we all will."