I want to dedicate this story to all the lonely people who don't have a girlfriend or boyfriend. Or a thing for those ifykyk. If you're reading this today then that probably means you don't have anyone to love. Moms and Dads and relatives don't count. Accept that you're ugly and nobody out of your bloodline loves you. (Jk…kinda)
But anyways, Happy Valentine's Day!
Valentines Day, 2 Years Ago
6 pups, 1 robot dog and a human drive through a blizzard in the South Pole. 5 of them wore heavy snow gear.
Ryder and Robo dog drove to the last known location of Jake's gps. He was reported missing 2 days ago after his girlfriend noticed he hadn't checked in from his visit.
It was quiet enough you could hear your own heartbeat under the Paw Patrollers engine. This was the most serious mission they've had.
All on Valentine's Day.
Chase spoke. "You can still opt to wait in the patroller if you want." He injected, he could see the worry on their faces for what they might see.
Nobody opted out.
There was this eerie feeling along with the thought of seeing a dead body. Like something might come from the dark and get them. It was 1:25 AM after all.
"Alright pups, search the area for Jake and ALWAYS keep your pup tag safe and intact. And make sure you stay with your partner. Chase, you won't have one since this should be your strong suit." Ryder ordered as the Paw Patroller came to a halt.
Everyone put on helmets, goggles and their earpiece. Everyone had flares, heating packs and extra food. They clipped to their partner and walked to the bay door. "I promise that we'll be safe, this is a matter of Jake's safety." Ryder informed as he gave everyone a reassuring smile.
The door dropped and they all howled and ran out.
Their vision was heavily limited by the strong winds. "We came during a good time, the blizzard should be clearing up, if your lucky, you might find the outside of it." Ryder said through the coms.
Chase started off by blindly walked around since trying to find a scent would be damn near impossible. The odds of taking a snow ball to hell is higher than that.
Marshall and Skye were partners by fate. They trusted the rope that held them together. They also trusted each other.
"Hey Skye." Marshall said getting bored of walking around.
Skye was all for a conversation. "Yeah?"
Marshall took a short pause. "Do you think Jake is okay?" He said trying not to think of the worst.
Skye thought about it. "I mean he must've came with supplies. And he's a snow guy so I doubt he would've passed in two days. I say give it a week..." Skye finished feeling smart. "NOT like it's a game or anything."
Marshall nodded. "K." Marshall quickly replied in a low tone.
Skye sensed this. "Hey... Marsh." She started never using a nick name for him before but being friendly was her best guess to try and cheer him up. "If things do go south, no pun intended, I'll always be here to talk to you, as well as Ryder and Chase and Zuma and Rocky and Rubble."
Marshall's response was quick. "Thanks, it means a lot. Seriously...H-how about a new topic? Valentines. It's today after all." Marshall replied trying to side track his mind.
Skye felt herself warm up. "Interesting topic, but it makes sense."
Ryder chimed in through the main broadcast. "Snow storm should be clearing up any second now."
Chase felt the wind stop beating against his fur and the thick snow fall turn into a light drizzle. He switched on his flashlight since it was still dark out.
Almost instantly he saw a crashed snow mobile. "Ryder I have eyes on his snow mobile." Chase informed as he ran up to it. He examined the front and saw blood and grey fur covering the front. "There's blood but it's not human. I think he hit an animal." Chase added.
"I've pinged your location. You can take point. Pups, head the general area and search for clues." Ryder said.
Chase examined it for a bit, he decided it must've been a seal. Nothing else can dent the front of a snow mobile. "I hit a seat, I run away from it." Chase mumbled to himself and started his trek to the unknown.
Marshall and Skye followed the GPS to Chase's locked location. Both flashlights on with their bright yellow vests. "This is crazy." Marshall said.
"It'll be alright...But about Valentines. Who were you planning on asking?" Skye said curiously leaning into Marshall.
Marshall blushed, luckily you can't see blush through fur. "Well, you see. I was gonna ask -AHH
Skye looked down at Marshall who laid on the ground from a sled like trail in the floor.
"That's odd." Skye mumbled helping Marshall to his feet.
Chase felt a scent hit his nose. He wasn't sure what it was but he couldn't let go of this opportunity. He didn't know the difference between Jakes scent and a seals scent. "Ryder! I have a scent!" Chase said through the ear piece, he quickly started to sniff away not paying attention of Ryder heard him or not.
His flashlight become useless as he closed his eyes and followed his nose. The com of this is not knowing any road blocks.
He fell into a cave with a 12 foot drop. "Ouch." He groaned and sat down. Luckily his body is still young and he could do dangerous stuff. "Ryder, come in."
...No answer.
"Ryder."
No answer
Chase sighed and turned his flashlight back on and looked around. His his surprise, he found a hiking backpack with the name Jake knitted onto it. He could still smell the scent of the other animal.
Chase mentally debated if he should continue or wait.
After a while of back and forth talking with himself, he went for it.
The floor had some sort of dragging marks engraved into it. He quietly followed the path. As he followed deeper he found a new scent that didn't seem happy.
Unknown POV
I quietly watch Jake eat the last bit of his reserved food. We sat around a small fire barricaded with no escape.
"I'm sorry Jake." I apologized and started to tear up.
Jake chuckled on top of his sled. "It's alright. Just sucks I had to leave most of my supplies. I don't know if the Paw Patrol can figure this one out." He weakly said.
I looked at his poorly patched up arm and starved face. I had to cauterize it and put it in a home made sling. Not only will this be his demise, it will be mine if I can't escape this seal.
Jake chuckled and slowly blinked. I had to distract him. "Jake, tell me about this Paw Patrol. They seem kinda useless." I asked.
He gave a wide smile. "Well their leader Ryder. He's a smart guy with a bright future. He makes all kinds of gadgets for the pups. His second in command Chase the German Shepherd is a real hardworking pup. Police dog of the bunch. Marshall is the good ball. Tall Dalmatian who's good with fires. You'd make a good member." Jake coughed.
I started to cry as he closed his eyes. I don't think he's dead but he will if I don't do anything, but there wasn't. I made him crash, I made his get close to the seal, and I dragged him down here on accident. What more damage could I cause.
Then it hit me. Starvation. I lost my footing and everything blurred.
I drag my feel next to Jake and curl up into a ball. Next thing I know is a bright light with a brown blurry figure standing in front of me. "Jake! And you... this is Chase of Paw Patrol. You are in safe paws!" He stated as I passed out.
Chase looked at the two unconscious victims. One was a husky and the other was Jake. Chase heard a loud growl. He looked out from where he dug in and saw a seal clawing it's thick body through.
His eyes widened before doing was felt natural.
Bark! "Gun!"
A gun quickly popped out and almost instantaneously it lunged at him. The first 2 shots with lightning loud but the last 3 were muffled from the seals body.
Jake and the husky jumped up to sea the seal limp on the ground. Jake poked it with his leg and realized it was dead.
The it started to move again. They both hugged each other, ready for the pain to come but instead a German Shepherd jumped out from its blindside. "Ryder! I've found Jake and a Husky. We're gonna need my Rig to get us out of here." Chase said into the air.
He focused his attention onto the survivors. He pulled out some MRE kits and handed it to them. "Are you two okay?" Chase questioned.
They both quickly and heavily nodded with food shoved in their mouths. Chase took the time to clear out the snow and get ready to pull them to the entrance where Ryder should be.
Once he finished he examined Jake and the Husky. "What happened to your arm?" Chase asked shivering a bit just as the fire went out.
"Broke it or something when we fell down here. It was also bleeding." Jake answered.
Chase shivered again. "Man it's much colder in here than outside."
He pulled out some heat packs and handed it to everyone. "I'm okay." The husky denied.
Chase shrugged and gave it to Jake.
Then Chase had a shock of happiness. "C-c-chase." Ryder's voice said through the helmet.
"Ryder! I have Jake and 1 other!"
"We've —- your messa- and— we're- your locat-
"Copy that!" Chase quickly replied
"Snow shoes!" Chase barked out.
4 shoes popped out. "Tracks!" 4 small strands of spikes fell out meant to wrap around the shoes fell out.
Chase clipped himself to the sled and started to pull both of them out of the cave. The floor was soft snow instead of slippery ice.
Chase took heavy breaths and short choppy steps. The light slowly started grow as they got closer to the 10 foot drop.
"Maybe I can get up there and pull you guys up, It's way too cold." Chase said as he looked the circular entrance.
Bark "Hook!" He aimed it out and fired. He gave it some time before he decided to rappel up the wall. When he started to prayed that the hook won't come loose in the soft snow.
He made it to the top and retrieved the hook. The pulled out a human harness from his pup pack and threw it down. The shoes dug into the floor as they pulled the weight of Jake up. Luckily Jake wasn't too heavy.
Once Jake was up, Chase checked the entrance and saw that the husky was gone. "Hey, Husky! Where'd you go!" Chase called out waiting for and answer.
He sighed and slowly got himself down. "I'm gonna find you! My nose doesn't lie!" Chase called out and started to sniff her out.
He found her deep within the cave in a corner crying. "Woah...I um." Chase stuttered not knowing what to do.
"Uh why are you crying?" Chase started.
Everest looked up. "Why are you here? You guys don't need me." She said stopping her crying.
Chase shrugged. "To be honest we don't but we can't just leave you here. Our thing is saving everyone. Clearly you can do it according to all the things Jake said." Chase said thinking about his last response which seemed rude.
Everest shrugged. "Not if they all perform at your level. You were so confident and strong. I can't do that." Everest said putting herself down.
Chase frowned a bit. "Oh trust. They don't take their jobs as seriously as me. Why do you think I came here by myself?" Chase asked.
He walked up to Everest. "I can't really touch since my shoes an all but look. I can guarantee you that whatever you need will be there for you up there with the Paw Patrol members.
She reluctantly got up knowing there was getting rid of him. They reached the entrance. "Hm...I don't have another dog harness." Chase muttered.
"We'll wait for Ryder" Chase said and smiled at the husky.
"So...what's your name?"
"Everest."
Chase was going to continue but he heard the roar of the Paw Patroller. "They're here!" Chase said howling in happiness.
Everest couldn't resist the urge to howl as well. Chase stopped when he noticed her howling. They both awkwardly stared at each other.
"Sorry." Everest apologized.
Chase shrugged. "No issue, it just caught me off guard." He nervously chuckled.
He heard footsteps approach the entrance of the cave. Out popped Ryder's head. "Chase!"
"Hey Ryder! We need an extra harness." Chase called out.
Ryder nodded and got out a harness and Chase's rig. He threw them down. They put them on and attached a rope to themselves. The rig pulled them to the top.
None of the pups were to be seen. "Everyone is inside." Ryder said.
Chase looked to Everest. "You can go inside the Paw Patroller if you want."
Everest shook her head. "I-I'll just wait for you."
The 3 of them walked inside to find the other watch Marshall giving Jake proper care. "Luckily it's not broken but you will need to see a real doctor about it." Marshall informed and out a strap on cast on it.
They all saw Everest sheepishly hiding behind Chase. "Who's that?" Rubble asked.
Chase stepped aside."This is Everest. I found her with Jake."
The pups tails wagged like there was no tomorrow. Chase coughed. "Please let Everest have some space before you decide to invade her personal space. Zuma, don't try none of your flirty antics. Basically mind your business until Everest has gotten use to the whole being with a group of dogs thing." Chase ordered.
Most of them nodded and yawned. "Let's hit the road!" Ryder called out and went to the front where robo dog sat.
Chase noticed Marshall wasn't next to him. He spotted him over by Skye. Everest jumped onto the seat next to Chase. "What do I do with this?" Everest asked holding the seat belt.
Chase didn't say a word. He grabbed his and put it in the clip to his left. Everest mimicked him. Chase was out within the next minute. He woke himself up and got out of his seat real quick and grabbed a bunch of blankets to give everyone. They all matched their logo. "I don't like them since my fur and this stuff don't mix well. I have a feeling you've never had one so I'm gonna let you chose between this COOL blue color or this UGLY looking orange one.
"Hey!" Zuma called out as he watched Chase offer the extra blankets.
"I'll take the blue one." Everest smiled.
Marshall and Skye sat somewhat close to each other. They had little small talks here and there and every time it got closer to love and Valentine's Day.
Marshall gave a heavy sigh and Skye's eyes widened with excitement. "So remember when I fell and you asked me about Valentines Day?" Marshall said.
"Yeah"
"Well, I was going to ask Y-
-YES!" Skye called out.
Marshall froze and stared at her for a bit. Skye looked around to see all the others looking at her. "You we're gonna ask me right?...right?"
Marshall shook his head. "Yeah yeah! I was just confused that like...it was that easy you know. I tho-
He was interrupted by a quick kiss from Skye. The others howled cashing the sleeping members to wake up from their sleep.
Present Day
February 13th
Chase hastily walked back and forth behind the lookout. "Everest I like you... No to...that's bad. Hey Everest, we've been friends for awhile and- that's trash. I'm not trying to make a presentation on why she should say yes... okay okay... what do I like about her. Funny, playful, cute, nice eyes, smells like liver...take back that last one..." Chase sighed not knowing who to go to. Rocky and Rubble were completely out of touch with girls, Zuma was out charming girls, Marshall and Skye were out on a date leaving Chase to his own wits.
He was glad that Ryder tasked him with picking up Everest. It was 3AM at the current moment. Chase decided to leave now since it was a 3 hour drive depending on traffic.
Chase reached the mountain with an extra couple of hours to spare. He parked in the parking lot to take a quick nap.
He woke up to see people looking inside of the rig. "What the..." he mumbled and looked over the clock in truck. 11:27
Phew.
He hopped out and walked past the "paparazzi"
He forgot he was wearing his uniform and hat. He went around back and knocked on the door.
No answer
He knocked even more, same response. He checked if the doorknob was locked and luckily it wasn't. He opened it and saw that nobody was home. "Odd." He mumbled and walked through the house.
"Everest!" He called out.
Chase ventured through the house and found nobody was home. "I'll just wait here then." He sighed and laid in the corner of the room.
Just then a figure opened the door. "AHH-JEEZ!"
A voice yelled.
Chase looked up and saw Everest. "Heyyy Everest." He greeted.
"How'd you get in here?" She hastily questioned.
"You left the back door unlocked." Chase smirked.
Everest noticed this. "You seem a little more playful. Valentine's Day got into you?" Everest teased.
Chase rolled his eyes. "I'm not allowed to have fun?" Chase asked getting your and approaching the door. He let Everest out first and the walked out. "Look at you being a gentleman." Everest teased again.
Chase kept a blank face. "Nothing new."
They passed Jake on the way out and gave him a hug and bye. And of course there were fans asking personal and unthoughtful questions.
They both jumped in and headed towards the lookout.
"Skye, Marshall and Zuma probably won't be at the lookout when we get there." Chase informed.
"Why?"
"Take a good guess." Chase sarcastically asked.
Everest rolled her eyes. "Sorry for trying to be more interactive. I'm not dumb either. Skye and Marshall are out in a date and Zuma is doing Zuma things...You know he asked me out one time." Everest said with a grin on her face.
"Since you're so smart, what'd you say?" Chase asked, he didn't believe Zuma would do that. Not because he liked him but it could hurt the chemistry of the team.
"No of course, saving it for someone else." She replied and looked down.
Chase focused on the road. Safety first.
They reached the lookout and entered. "Everest!" Rubble and Rocky called out in unison. "Hey guys!" Everest said staring at Rocky with a wide grin.
"You know I throw up the white flag." Rocky quickly declared and scooted away.
"Aww come on! I can't beat Chase or Rubble." She groaned.
Rocky shook his head. "You can have gloating rights."
Chase smiled. "You gonna give up that easily?" Chase asked in a disappointed tone.
Rocky huffed. "Easy for you to say, you can probably beat Everest blindfolded.
Rubble smiled just being happy to be there watching them go back and forth.
Just then Zuma bursted through the door. "Boy if I told you the day I had you wouldn't believe me." He said sporting a hat that had some very very questionable stuff in it.
Chase took it off of him. "Zuma, I hope you aren't doing what I think you're doing when you go out but something you do will catch up to you." Chase warned.
Zuma laughed it off and sat next to Rocky. "Hey Zuma, I have an idea. You should wrestle Everest for me! Good plan?" Rocky suggested and nudged his buddy.
Zuma raised an eyebrow. "Why would I do that?"
Ryder then walked downstairs. "Hey Ryder." Chase quickly said.
"Hey Chase, Hey Everest." Ryder returned.
"What about us?" Zuma teased.
Ryder smiled. "I've already seen you three today." Ryder said leaning on the stair railing.
"How come you sent Chase to pick up Evewest? You know you can trust us." Zuma added.
Ryder gave Zuma an unamused stare. "Chase what time did you wake up to leave?"
"2:30 Sir."
Zuma gulped. "I-I could've done that."
Ryder raised an eyebrow. "You drive a boat around. Chase drives the closest thing to a real car."
Chase intervened. "Ryder Sir, what will we be doing for Valentine's Day?"
Zuma's jaw dropped and he placed his paws on his head. (Don't question how) "Chase doesn't know the plans for today!" He sarcastically said.
Chase rolled his eyes and Everest giggled.
"We'll be having a dinner today. Tomorrow I'm letting you guys off to find yourselves a girlfriend. OR start talking to a girl. I'm looking at you two... Chase and Rubble." Ryder said calling them out.
"What about Rocky?" Rubble asked trying to drag him down.
"He's spoke to me about a girl."
"OoOoOH, Wocky talking to women." Zuma said in a girly voice.
Ryder chuckled at their banter. "Anyways, I'm gonna need you guys to run some errands. Just quick little things."
Marshall and Skye walked in laughing and walking close to each other. "Hey Ryder." Skye said looking flushed.
"How'd your little date go?"
"No words to describe it." Skye said kissing Marshall's neck.
"Get a woom." Zuma blurted out. The others groaned and looked away. Everest couldn't take her eyes off of them...she found it comforting.
Everest looked around for Chase and noticed him walking outside. She followed him and caught up when he got into his truck.
Chase jumped when Everest suddenly hopped in. "You're coming with me?" Chase asked.
"Where we goin?" Everest said with a grin on her face.
"Market. Gotta buy steaks, drinks and some other things." Chase replied starting the engine.
Everest nodded.
Everest coughed. "So..." she noticed Chase's ear twitch towards her.
"That's neat..." she mumbled.
She continued. "So.. what do you think of Marshall and Skye?"
Chase hummed. "I think it's cool. Although I have a feeling that it's mentally wearing down the others. Specifically Rubble, poor guy can't catch a break when it comes to girls." Chase replied.
Everest nodded in amazement. Chase just guessed what she felt not to long ago. "Do you feel that way?" She asked
"A little bit. I try not to let it get to me. Marshall is my best friend after all. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to them." Chase said opening up to Everest. If he's gonna ask her, might as well be honest.
Chase turned the radio on. "What's your favorite song?" Chase said changing the subject.
"Freaks by surfs curse." Everest quickly replied.
Chase nodded. "Good song."
It played on the radio. Everest liked the tune of it.
They came to a halt at the closest market. They entered the market.
They grabbed what was easy to get like the drinks and napkins. Then they waited in like for the steaks. They were casually talking but Everest noticed Chase freeze up when he looked to his right. "You okay?" Everest asked.
Chase walked into an aisle to hide. "What are you doing?" Everest called out.
"Everest, I-I" Chase couldn't finish his sentence.
Everest looked at the line and noticed they were close. "Get over here, we're about to go." Everest ordered.
To her surprise Chase obliged and slowly walked out of the aisle and now stood to the left of Everest. "What got into you?" Everest asked.
Chase peeked over and saw the Doberman wearing a purple vest. He took some deep breaths. "There is someone here t-that like I k-know...I can't talk this is is to nerve racking." Chase said feeling like he was gonna pass out. He hung his head and recouped.
Everest was completely confused and saw the Doberman. They locked eyes and he winked at her.
Everest looked away.
Chase looked up. "I think I'm okay."
Everest raised an eyebrow waiting for an explanation.
"You know how we all have child hood hero's and stuff?"
Everest gave him a blank stare. "Right, you didn't have a childhood...Well I looked up to this guy. He's fallen from greatness. Pedo and DUI but I believe those are false...The pedo one." Chase said.
"Go talk to him." Everest simply said.
Chase froze. "I can't...I have trouble speaking when I'm gonna say something big." Chase replied.
"122!"
The man called out.
Chase and Everest walked up. "Can we get nine two pound steaks please?"
"Sure thing."
Chase kept his gaze forward. Everest helplessly sat down in boredom.
After the whole ordeal they made it back to Chase's rig. "Sorry you had to see that." Chase lowly said.
Everest smiled. "Don't be, now I know you have a nervous side." Everest said not thinking much of it.
Valentine's Day
The lookout was generally empty. The entirety of the team didn't believe Zuma actually was gonna go on a date and commit to a relationship with Golden Retriever named Ella.
Marshall and Skye went on another date but at a fancier restaurant. Rocky decided to spend the day in his room to not interrupt anyone.
Ryder and Katie decided to list a bunch of things to do and complete them.
All that was left Chase, Rubble, and Everest. All relaxing in the living room. Chase decided that the time was near. "I'm gonna be right back." Chase suddenly said and walked to the back of the lookout. The sun beamed onto his fur and making it hard to so in that direction. "Jeez." He mumbled and found a shady spot.
"Okay okay...just say it! No hesitation no nothing." He mumbled to himself.
Chase paced back and forth, threw a ball, bit down on the training dummy trying to think of a simple yet effective sentence. "God why is this so hard!" He scolded himself and sat down.
"What's hard?" (Sus) :)
"Oh...what are you doing out here?" Chase asked nonchalantly.
Everest shrugged. "You wereee taking a while to come back in, decided to check on you." Everest weirdly smiled.
Chase nodded.
Nows my chance
"Everest..." Chase started, he stared into into her eyes like there was nothing behind them.
Everest's heart beat sped up and she tried to hold in a smile. "A-are you trying to tell me that you like me?" Everest guessed.
Chase slowly nodded.
Everest squealed in excitement and almost jumped onto the German Shepherd. She wasted no time giving him a kiss on right on the muzzle.
GASP
Chase snapped up from whatever he was in. He looked around and noticed he was in his room. "No..no no no this can't be!" Chase said pawing his face realizing the whole thing must've been a dream.
He looked to his left and saw the gifts he got for Everest. A heart shaped box filled with liver treats and a new beanie. "How...if I-" he exited his house and walked into the lookout to see the others relaxing.
He entered the lookout confused as ever. Everest was the first one he met. "Chase! You passed out when we kissed." Everest laughed.
"You passed out during a KISS?!?" Zuma exclaimed rolling on the floor laughing. Skye smacked the back of his head so they could hear.
Chase rolled his eyes and forgot about it. "It wasn't a dream?" Chase asked as his eyes widened and tail wagged.
"No silly." Everest giggled some more.
Chase felt the anxiety fall off. "Oh thank god. I didn't even give you the gifts." Chase said rubbing the back of his head.
"You got me gifts too?" Everest said leading him outside to see what she got.
Chase pulled out a heart shape box and a new beanie from the inside of his vehicle.
Everest's face lit up. "I've never gotten gifts!"
"You haven't?" Chase said in surprise with a raised eye brow.
"Nuh uh." Everest said putting on her teal, white and yellow beanie. "Comfy." She said giving Chase a hug.
Chase hesitated. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around...is it the same day?"
"Nope, it's the 15th now."
Chase still had many questions but he saved them for later.
Everest opened the box of treats all shaped differently. "Aww t-thank you!" She said and sniffling up some tears.
Chase blinked his eyes and recoiled his head. "It really means that much?" Chase asked not considering that gifts came around every year. This had been Everest's first gifts in all of her years of living.
"Yes." She mumbled and wiped off the tears with her paw.
"I thought you didn't like the smell of liver." Everest asked.
Chase shrugged. "I can put that aside."
Everest gave a warm smile and Chase returned one. "That was a weird experience."