It had been ages since Everest paid a visit. She was excited to see the pups again. One in particular she liked to spend most of the time with. Maybe they'd play on the beach or they could play freeze tag again. Maybe that one pup would feel like a walk along the shore and just talk. That would be the best. They didn't talk about much. Sometimes it was about life on the trail, sometimes it would be about emergency first aid. Despite his city-folk mind set, he knew a lot about wilderness first aid. Plants to use, herbs to remember, some she had to retrain her mind into thinking they were helpful than harmful. When she did tours, she kept carful mental notes about his house-made remedies to tell the other townsfolk. Just a little sprinkling for her tour.
At last, she could see the Lookout. The pups were busy with their pup houses. Of course, how could she forget. Today was field day.
"Don't forget the back, Marshall," Skye giggled.
"I won't!" Marshall assured as he turned around with the brush. Rocky and Zuma had to duck so he wouldn't hit them. He turned around again, finishing his dialogue with Skye and again, both pups ducked.
Everest giggled as she parked her Snowcat. "Hi, Ryder. Hi Pups!"
The pups turned and all faced her. "Everest!"
"Hi, Everest. Long time no see," Ryder smiled, "What brings you here?"
"Just wanted to visit. I wanted to see if you pups wanted to hang out. But since your cleaning, I'd better give my plow a nice scrubbing too. I don't get too many chances on the mountain since I'm doing tours most of the time. Marshall, I can help you if you'll let me borrow your hose."
"Sure, Everest, Marshall smiled.
The pups all glanced at each other and grinned. Skye and Chase walked to their pup houses to finish their cleaning.
"You think she'll tell him today?" Chase asked.
"No…" Skye sighed.
Chase shrugged, "Oh well."
"I'm tired of telling you this, Hubcap! It won't… work!" Gasket growled.
"Of course, it'll work! Because I came up with the plan."
Dwayne looked back and forth like a child watching his parents argue. "Uh… guys?"
"Ooh and that's totally made everything we've done foolproof before!" Gasket said sarcastically. "You know what? I'm tired of you! Your plans stink! I have to keep fixing them and you keep taking the credit! No thanks at all! I've been stepping aside all this time and I've tolerated it, but I still don't get any smidgen of respect!"
"Guys?"
"Respect? What about me? I'm pack leader," Hubcap said putting a paw on his chest.
Gasket closed the space between them and towered over him, "You have always had my respect! Until now! I keep telling you how we can get that stupid cat off his bike and also keep telling you I should drive it so we can figure out how it works! I'm the most experienced rider here!"
"No, you're not! I am!" Hubcap argued.
"Hey guys," Dwayne again attempted getting between them, maybe try and come with a compromise or at least settle the argument for now. Wild Cat was riding away, and he had to get their attention fast if they were going to pull off any plan. "He's riding away."
"You ride with Dwayne! And if you haven't noticed, he drives!"
"Yeah, that's because I'm pack leader! I don't have to! I can drive any bike I want to, no sweat!"
"Guys he's…" Dwayne started hopping his front paws frantically. He watched as Wild Cat wheeled out and sped off at top speed.
"You know what? I don't have to deal with this! I'm out of this pack! You want to apologize after you realize what I do for this pack then find me in Adventure Bay!" Gasket hopped onto her bike and strapped her helmet. "Peace!"
Gasket started her bike then tried to do a spiteful trick but ended up falling off, with the bike getting ahead of her. "I meant to do that. Come back here, you stupid bike!"
Dwayne gripped his head and buried it into the desert sand. "Oh no…"
"We don't need her. Come on, let's get this cat… Where is he?"
"He rode off while you and Gasket were fighting," Dwayne replied.
"Grrr, that stupid pup," Hubcap growled. He thought about their next course of action when his stomach growled. "I'm hungry."
"Me too, Hubcap. Can we get something to eat?" Dwayne asked rubbing his stomach.
"That's what we're going to do. Then I'll come up with a better plan. I'll show Gasket I don't need her."
"But Gasket is our best rider," Dwayne absent mindedly said.
"She's what?" Hubcap glared.
"I…I mean, she's really good. We could use her help," Dwayne corrected himself.
"No, we don't. Now come on. No! I'm driving!" He pushed Dwayne into the passenger seat.
"But Hubcap… are you sure?" Dwayne asked.
"Yeah, do I sound unsure?" Hubcap glared.
Dwayne swallowed. "Uh… no. I mean… go right ahead. Your pack leader."
"That's right," Hubcap smiled. He ignited the bike then took off on accident. Both screamed and headed off in an unknown direction.
Everest examined her reflection on the side of her plow. She kept making faces with the distorted image and giggling. Marshall, finished cleaning her treads and put the brush down to see what she was doing.
"Hee hee, let me try," Marshall said as he took her place. She gladly made space for him. She watched as he made far better faces than she could mold. He was such a comedian sometimes. She couldn't help but laugh.
"That's really good," She complimented.
"Thanks," Marshall said, having not fixed his face yet, he made her laugh again with a new one.
"Okay, okay, my turn," She said taking his place again. "How about this one?"
Marshall watched as she did something funny with her cheeks. He laughed at the distorted chubby cheek husky and fell on his back.
"Hey, Marshall, Everest! Wanna play with us?" Rocky yelled with a frisbee in front of him.
"Okay!" Everest excitedly took off at first, but Marshall tucked himself back. "What's wrong, Marshall?"
"I…I'm not good at frisbee. I usually wipe out and ruin it for everyone," Marshall ducked. "I kinda… lost the last two frisbees we've had."
"Aw, don't worry. I'll show you how to throw, come on."
"No, it's fine. You go ahead," Marshall smiled.
"Don't be silly, come on," Everest bit his collar and started dragging him.
"H-hey! Everest! Wait!"
Ryder chuckled and Katie giggled beside him having watched Everest drag him off. Katie was paying a visit since she closed early. No appointments for a while.
"Those two are like Skye and Chase," Katie said quietly.
"Except Marshall can't take hints as well as Skye can," Ryder grinned. "But I think he'll understand one day. Definitely once their older."
Katie giggled again and about made a remark when they heard a loud bike engine approaching them. Both turned and frowned as soon as they saw who it was.
"Gasket?" Ryder raised a brow. "What are you doing here? Where's Hubcap and Dwayne?"
Gasket sputtered rudely. "Who needs those lousy pups? I quit the Ruff Ruff Pack a few hours ago. I'm looking for a place to chill out for a second while I find something better to do."
"I'm not sure we can help you here, maybe we can help you somewhere out in town?" Ryder offered scratching his head. "Why did you quit? Aren't they your friends?"
"Hah!" Gasket scoffed, "If you want to call them that, fine. But to me they were just partners in crime. But not anymore. I'm turning over a new leaf. They can do whatever they want, but they can leave me out of it. That Hubcap is so self-centered we'll never grow as a gang. Not like I'd care anymore. But I'll take you up on that offer. Gotta pup who can show me around?"
"I got it!" Marshall shouted as the frisbee started closing in on Gasket. She watched as he jumped and caught it then wiped out and lost it. "I don't got it…"
The frisbee rolled towards her bike and she hopped off to stop it. A smile grew on her face. "He's funny… and kinda cute too."
"Are you okay, Marshall?" Ryder asked.
"I'm good," Marshall smiled and looked as Gasket.
"Hey, she looks familiar," Marshall cocked his head. "I can't quite put my paw on it."
"This is Gasket," Ryder explained. "She's part of the Ruff Ruff Pack. Or…Was anyway."
"You mean those naughty group of pups that stole the Faris wheel?" Katie asked, "That's where I've seen her before!"
"What's she doing here?" Chase asked, "Where's the rest of the Ruff Ruff Pack?"
"The Ruff Ruff Pack and I are dinosaur bones now," Gasket replied, "I'm just a lone wolf trying to make my way into town. Can one of you nice pups show me around and help me find a place to lie low a while? How about…" She immediately went to Marshall's side, "Mathers here?"
"Uh…I'm Marshall," Marshall corrected timidly.
"Marshall, Mathers, practically the same name," Gasket shrugged.
Everest squinted shrewdly at her. Something felt odd about her. Something devious.
"I can show you around," Everest volunteered with a smile. "I know the city and the trails like the back of my paw."
"Nah, Mathers here can help me just fine," Gasket argued.
"M…Marshall," Marshall again corrected a bit uncomfortably.
"That's what I said," Gasket rolled her eyes.
"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Chase can go with you too," Ryder eyed Chase who gave him an affirmative nod, "He and Marshall know the town best."
"Yeah whatever," Gasket said, "Come on… Mathers, let's ride."
"Uh… maybe we should take my firetruck instead," Marshall said, "I don't think anyone will be comfortable with you riding your bike everywhere."
"And I want to come too," Everest said with a smile, "Maybe we can show her a few places outside of town too."
"Yeah," Marshall smiled, his tail wagging.
Gasket frowned and it turned into an all-out scowl as Marshall seemed to just meld with Everest. They named off several locations they thought would be interesting until she stopped them. "Yeah yeah, whatever, she can ride with Chase. Come on already. Let's go, Mathers."
"It's Marshall…"
"That's what I said," Gasket said uncharacteristically calm.
Chase sighed. "At least she got my name right."
"She looks like bad news, Ryder, dude," Zuma said concerned.
"That's why Chase is going too. Everest, Chase can handle this. You don't have to go."
"I want to though," Everest insisted.
Chase looked over at Gasket and Marshall. She was… getting pretty friendly. Looking at Everest who was now begging him with her eyes he had a strange feeling of dread. Oh boy. "Okay, Everest, you can ride with me. But if she tries to be naughty let me take care of it. I'm the police pup, I'm prepared for situations like this."
"Sure, whatever you say," Everest rushed, "Let's just go already."
"Hey, why are we in a hurry!" Chase asked as she shoved him.
"She was acting weird," Rubble said with an obviously puzzled face. "What do you think she was in a hurry for, Ryder?"
Ryder sighed. "I'll tell you later. We'll leave this to Chase for now."
The first location Marshall picked was Mr. Porters. He figured knowing where to eat was pretty important. Most important, in fact. On there way. Everest was staring intently at the truck in front of them. Chase eyed her a couple times, that bad feeling returning to his gut. After being unable to take her staring anymore he finally had to ask.
"Why are you doing that?" Everest didn't answer at first. He attempted, again, to get her attention, "Everest!"
"Huh? What?"
"I said, what are you doing? You're staring at them like you're trying to find Waldo in there."
"Look at how she's talking to him." Everest pointed out, "He doesn't look comfortable at all. Maybe you should have handled this. Marshall doesn't look like he can."
"What? Why me?" Chase looked back and forth at them and her, "Okay, Everest, you're overthinking this. Marshall is a great tour guide. Just like you. He's smart, dedicated to duty, braver than he let's on…" A grin grew on his face. He was baiting her, and she was biting…hard.
"Yeah…uh huh… yes, he totally is!" Everest absentmindedly replied.
"He's a great looking guy…"
"Oh, definitely," Everest again was only half listening. She watched Gasket scooch closer to Marshall who only seemed to duck his head as if putting his tail between his legs. She was making him nervous!
"He's third in command for a reason you know. He and I were the first pups on board with Ryder."
"Yeah…" They were nearing the restaurant. "Hey, stop here, he's slowing down."
"Yup," Chase affirmed, seeing as Marshall was parking at the curb. "But most of all, you know… Marshall is a caring guy…"
"I know," Everest replied being more at wits. "Wait, what's this have to do with what we were talking about?"
"This whole time, we were talking about Marshall," Chase chuckled, "Everest, we know you like him. Stop worrying. Gasket's got nothing on you."
"Wait! Wait! Timeout!" Everest said, stopping Chase in his tracks. "What? Look, that's ridiculous. Marshall and I are friends… family even! What we have is completely… platonic. That's the word. Platonic!" Everest put on a genuine smile to prove her point. Or try to. And it wasn't so genuine when it was interrupted by a scowl when Gasket started getting a bit closer to Marshall than she was comfortable watching. She was flirting, no doubt about it. Because he was blushing up a storm. "She's digging her claws into him! That little…!" She speed walked over to them causing Chase to sigh.
"Yup, that is the most platonic reaction I've ever seen." Chase started following, knowing his brother was in a heap of trouble.
"I mean it, you are the cutest little dalmatian I've ever seen. The way you ride your bike is pretty cool. You might even be better than Wild Cat."
"Oh! N-no…" Marshall said in a shy wreck. "I-I couldn't do what Wild Cat does. I-I would mess it up too much. I…uh… wipeout a lot."
"Hey! All the more reason we should got for some rides together. What about tonight?" Gasket grinned closing the space even further. Their bodies at full contact. Marshall's face was on fire by now and he wasn't sure how to respond to all the compliments.
"Uh… I don't think it's safe to at night…" Marshall replied.
"He-e-e-ey!" Everest came sliding into Marshall's left and suddenly pressed up against Marshall and asked, "Say, Marshall. Starting at Mr. Porter's was a great choice. I'm starving, what about you?"
Marshall wasn't actually feeling much better. Despite having a friendly face nearby… Very nearby… Marshall wasn't sure what to do with all the heavy attention.
"Why don't we share a vanilla shake again?" Everest offered giving a passive aggressive smile to Gasket, who received the message all too well. If she could, she'd tear it up and throw it back at Everest.
"Why does it have to be you two? I'm the guest after all and I'm hungry too. He's showing me around. Isn't that right… Marshall."
"Its…" Marshall expected he needed to correct her again but seeing as she got it right he was nearly excited to cheer her on, "hey you…!" But then he felt like that would make things awkward, so he tried answering the question instead. "I'm…not hungry actually. You two can have it… on me."
"Ooh, that's not a bad idea," Gasket hummed to herself with a dirty image going through her mind.
Everest was more than happy to bust the bubble, which was actually a balloon hanging near one of Mr. Porter's stands.
"My balloon!" Alex exclaimed mourning his popped balloon. Everest, however, was so engaged with Gasket she didn't notice. Chase shook his head and picked up his pace. He needed to end this quick.
"He meant he'd buy them. Because he's sweet like that," Everest smiled still being passive aggressive. "Thanks, Marshall… but I can get my own… uh… I forgot my… change."
"It's fine, Everest, I'll cover it," Marshall assured.
"Sweet huh? Well… I do like Marshmallows… I think they look tasty."
Everest moved in front of her view of Marshall and added, "There's a smore shake that Mr. Porter makes. Why don't you…try… that? It even comes with…real marshmallows."
Gasket and Everest were right at the edge of a dropping their act when Chase had come to the rescue. "Hey! Good evening, Mr. Porter. We'll be at table five! Is that okay?"
"You don't have to ask, Chase. Remember?" Mr. Porter smiled, "That's your table. Oh, who's this?"
"This is Gasket," Chase smiled, "She'll take a smore shake, Everest wants vanilla, and uh… I'll do cookies and cream. Marshall, want anything?"
"Uh…"
"He'll take vanilla too. Thanks again," Chase made motions behind the groups back as he pushed them to the table. Mr. Porter managed to get what he was saying.
"No problem, I'll get them in… two shakes of a dog's tail," He winked to affirm he understood.
Chase thanked him int two separate ways to finish both the hidden and obvious conversation. He sat them with the girls far from Marshall as feasibly possible at first. But when he turned around, both moved their chairs over. As soon as he faced them again, Marshall was trapped. He deadpanned at them and huffed silently. Great… why do I get all the tough jobs?
"So, Marshall, why don't you tell me about yourself more. What do you do in the PAW Patrol?"
"Oh, I'm a fire and emergency medicine specialist," Marshall smiled confidently. Finally! Something he could actually talk about!
"Wow! Sounds like a big job," Gasket smiled. Everest and Chase both could tell that she had no idea what that was. "I hope you can fill those shoes. Hah! Kidding. Pups don't wear shoes."
The joke made the table feel awkward, but Gasket was oblivious. "So, what does a fire and… whatever special pup do?"
Marshall smiled, happy to begin explaining his part to play when Everest interrupted. "He puts out fires and ensures patient wellbeing. While every pup in PAW Patrol is well versed in all sorts of forms of rescue, Marshall takes the helm when it comes to fires and medical emergencies. He's the ideal responder… sorry Chase." Despite having pretty much thrown everyone else's professions out the window, she was proud of herself for a moment. She sounded just like him for a second there. Chase of course waved away the apology and hid his face. She and Gasket were about to go at it, and he had no idea how to stop it.
"Heh, took the words right out of my mouth," Marshall grinned. "That's basically it. Of course, there's more to it. The details are more refined that that."
"Ooh, refined how?" Gasket smiled hoping to hear from him this time.
"Well, I…"
"His primary responsibilities are to pick and choose techniques and chemicals that can fight certain classes of fires. From Alpha to Delta. It's a tricky job, being sometimes you don't know what's actually burning a lot of the time and in general you'll be using a fire hydrant mixed with deoxygenizing chemicals that ensure the fire is out and then to prevent reflash of the fire via the disruption of the elemental triangle."
Marshall felt a little hurt he didn't get to explain anything, but he was also impressed Everest was so well versed in his job... though he couldn't really say the same. "Y-yeah… that… pretty much covers it." Everest was so locked onto Gasket she didn't notice the hurt expression.
Gasket was becoming cross, but she refused to let it show. "That so…? Are you one too?"
Everest played dumb and shot back with a, "Hmm? I'm sorry?"
Mr. Porter dopped off the shakes but Gasket put her aside. "A… fire and medical specialist… isn't that like… a fire fighter EMT?"
Chase's eyes shot wide open. How in the… Marshall didn't even use that term! She went from not even remembering what he said to knowing what he is?! This was getting real, and he knew it. He had to stop this somehow. But what?
"Yeah it is!" Marshall exclaimed meekly but a bit impressed, "It was under a different name in the paperwork I was certified in since technically I can't be a firefighter EMT. I'm a pup. So, they curbed the rules a little and I was certified as a Fire and medicine specialist!"
Gasket smiled and looked at Everest, "Yeah, I thought so. So? Are you one… what's your name anyway?"
"Everest," Everest replied with spite leaking out of her maw… which was vanilla ice cream in truth. She licked her mouth clean. "And no, I'm not. But… Marshall taught me a thing or two and I can safely say I'd know what I am doing if I ever had to do what he does."
"Well," Gasket scoffed quietly, "Maybe you can teach me too. I am trying to get out of the pack life. Get some honest trade going? Maybe you can help."
"I'd be honor…"
"Uh… there are a lot of things to choose from," Everest stopped Marshall, bumping him "on accident" and apologizing after. "There's recycling, construction; police work even?"
"Err, well," Chase scratched his head, but he was met with an icy glare "…I could do a ride-along… I guess."
Everest smiled and looked at Gasket with that same passive aggressive smile. She was furious and she could tell.
"Well, I think I prefer what Marshall does right now. Afterall you did say that's what an ideal rescuer looks like… right?"
Chase groaned and hid his face again. He suddenly got an idea then tapped the table slightly at Marshall's direction. Marshall, uncomfortable with the situation, saw Chase's commotion and paid attention. Chase made a few signs at him. Huddle. A.L.E.X. Treehouse. Three. Seconds.
Marshall, happy to get away from the situation signed discreetly back. Affirmative.
Chase got out of his chair. "I need to go to my pup house. Be right back."
After a few seconds Marshall got up too. "I'll be right back too. I need to use the restroom. See you soon."
"Take your time," Everest smiled
Once he was gone both girls dropped their acts. Gasket leaned in and growled. "What's your problem, huh? You're speaking over him, cutting him off, and ruining everything! This was just supposed to be him and me. We don't need you two to walk us around!"
"What's my problem?!" Everest sneered back. "I'm not the problem here! I know what you're trying to do and I'm not letting you! Your bad for him, and you know it! Marshall isn't interested."
"Oh," Gasket mocked in a babysitter tone, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was getting between you and your… sweet little marshmallow. I'll just stop and look elsewhere. Not happening, sweety! You had your chance! You could have had him weeks ago. Months even while I wasn't around. Now your fresh out of time. Move aside for a real husky why don'tcha? One who's not going to back out of a date with him."
"I'm waiting for him to feel ready!" Everest fought back. "And I'm not forcing myself on him, unlike you!"
Gasket laughed. "Oh yeah? What about earlier, huh? That looked pretty forceful to me."
Everest recalled pressing herself again Marshall and trapping him between the two girls. It was an accident truthfully, a natural instinct as it were, she guessed. But it was only to protect him! "Th-that was just one time! And that's because you were all over him! You can't just do that to him! He's shy!"
"And I bet telling me all about his job has nothing to say about how obsessed you are of him. Look who's really bad for him. Your obsession hurt him. Didn't you see? I bet you're the kind of girl who sneaks into his pup house and sniffs his bedding, aren't you?" Everest turned a bright shade of red and didn't answer. She didn't know how to. denying it would probably affirm it, and confessing it would definitely affirm it, but her silence doomed her anyway. "Oh…my…gosh… You totally are! You're a real pervert, huh?" Gasket scoffed and took Marshall's shake. The one he's been sipping on awkwardly as they talked. She took her tongue and dared to lick the straw in front of Everest who turned red with fury and envy. "Mmm, you know… knowing he's had his lips on this makes it taste so… much…better…"
"Give me that!" Everest swiped it and defended it from her. "You're disgusting! Licking someone else's straw like that! It's insanitary!" Everest realized both their shakes were roughly the same amount. Then put "Marshall's" shake back in its place.
"You switched shakes," Gasket smirked.
"Wh-what? No, I didn't," Everest replied in disgust. She hadn't even touched the shake since she knew Gasket drooled all over it like she was… tasting a lollipop. "I kept track of the shakes; I know which one it was."
"So, did I. It was the one on your right, not your left. And watched you give him yours. What happened to it being insana-whatever, huh? I bet you don't mind sharing straws with him, don't you?"
"Your being ridiculous! You don't even know how to pronounce that word! Maybe learn to use jargon and you can have a chance to be a PAW Patrol pup."
"Are you calling me dumb? Because no one calls me dumb and gets away with it! But I'm feeling generous today. So, I'll let you off the hook just this once."
"All done over here?" Mr. Porter asked seeing the girls at their throats. He knew he had to cool the iron before it started turning red.
"Yes, we're all finished," Everest said pushing both the vanillas towards him.
Gasket pushed her shake too then stopped Mr. Porter from taking Marshall's, his real one, and smiled, "Oh, Marshall isn't done with his yet. He might still want his."
"It's the other one," Everest "corrected."
"No, it's this one, I watched it," Gasket forced the shake down before Mr. Porter could take it.
Seeing things start to heat up to where he could get burned he left the shake there. "Uh…alright. I'll come back later."
Everest and Gasket glared at each other again. And Mr. Porter raced off to get Chase and Marshall.
Chase and Marshall met at the tree house. Marshall looked over his shoulder before asking, "Chase, what's gotten into Everest?"
Chase sighed and rubbed his forehead. "It's…" He debated whether to tell Marshall the whole truth or the rough details. Respecting Everest's privacy, he chose the latter. "She's just nervous about Gasket. Gasket isn't the nicest pup and she's afraid she'll try to hurt you. I don't know."
Marshall flopped on the ground. "Well, it's making me uncomfortable. She's never been so… this… before. I don't understand why she and Gasket keep so close. I need space and I don't like being in the middle, you know that."
"I know," Chase affirmed, "Look, just…" Chase had no idea what to do. He kept going from plan to plan but they were all coming out as flops. "I'll figure something out. You just keep doing you. Whatever is happening, remember, this is only supposed to be a tour. Understand? A tour. If the girls try pushing you to do other stuff, don't… let them. Okay? Because it'll just make Gasket angrier and Everest more jealous."
"Jealous?" Marshall asked, "Of what?"
He said too much. Chase sighed again and thought about how he'd avert the conversation. "I mean… look I don't know! Girls are complicated. I don't know why Everest is like this, and I can't tell you what's up with Gasket. We've barely met. Maybe Gasket is always like this to everyone."
"She doesn't seem to notice your around," Marshall grumbled.
Both boys sighed again. Chase returned to his thoughts then a sound plan finally hatched. "Wait, I've got an idea!"
"You do?" Marshall jumped up.
"Yeah, let's call Skye. No one knows girls better than another girl. Maybe she can help us, even if she can't come down."
"I hope so," Marshall agreed.
"Uh, Chase, Marshall. Are you guys finished with your shakes?" Mr. Porter motioned over at their table and Chase caught on immediately.
"Uh, no, we'll finish them soon," Chase replied, "We'll call her later, come on."
"Wait, why can't we call now? Chase?"
Chase pushed Marshall back to the table then as soon as they were in view he stopped and returned to his seat. "Well, that's taken care of. Where's Marshall? Oh, there he is."
"Sorry… paper towel ran out." Marshall said awkwardly. He grabbed his shake and about put his muzzle on it when Everest "accidently" bumped it off the table.
"Oops! Sorry, Marshall. Mr. Porter, we uh… I accidentally spilled Marshall's shake."
"That didn't look like an accident to me," Gasket glared.
"Like I'd just push a shake off the table, that's ridiculous," Everest said already trying to pick up the shake glass.
"My shake…" Marshall about wept. His shelter from conversation was in the shake and now it was gone.
Chase quickly disappeared making up a lame excuse to dismiss himself. "Hey, uh, I need to use the bathroom. Mind finishing this, Marshall?"
"Ooh let me try it first," Gasket grinned.
Marshall tried to be polite and let her, but Everest grabbed it first. "Can I have it?"
Chase paused and shrugged, "Why not? you eat more anyway."
Everest was already sipping quickly away at the shake to finish it as fast as feasibly possible. Marshall sighed ducked his head like a scared dog. Which he very much was.
Chase ran into the bathroom and called Skye quickly. "Skye, we need backup. We stopped off at Mr. Porters and the girls are already at each other's throats. It was passive aggressive to begin with but now its becoming obvious."
"Oh boy… I'm coming, just hold on. I'm guessing Marshall is really uncomfortable right now."
"You have no idea. He's right in the middle of all of it and there's no way to pull him out. If Everest wasn't so aggressive he'd probably feel better but she's being too defensive of him."
"I thought so," Skye sighed. "I'm flying over."
"Hurry!" Chase ran back out and saw Marshall ducking his head. The girls were talking, and it sounded polite but was obviously venomous.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't very considerate, your right. I'll remember for next time. Afterall, we wouldn't want to offend our guest, right Marshall? I'm still trying to learn to be a better host. Like you."
"Uh…"
"Well, you know what? It's fine. I'm not that much of a cookie fan anyway. So, Marshall, what's our next stop?"
"Well…"
"Oh, we could stop at Farmer Yumi's. She'll probably want to meet her, Right Marshall?"
"I guess, but…"
"A farm? Maybe later. Near the end. Let's let him decide, he's the tour guide right now. Where would you like to go, Marshy?"
"Err… Marshy?"
Everest's eyes almost lit on fire with the pet name. "What's with the Marshy. I don't think it's very professional to give out nicknames this soon, don't, you think?"
Gasket chuckled passive aggressively. "Force of habit. You understand, right Marshy?"
"…"
"Hey! Marshall, you don't look too good. Maybe too much vanilla shake," Chase said, "Why don't you take off. I can handle this."
"Yeah… good idea," Marshall said hopping off his chair.
Everest gasped. "He's right. You look awful. Sorry we tried dragging you around like that, Marshall. Chase can finish the tour. Let me take you to Katie's. you could be sick."
"Katies?" Gasket hopped off her chair. "That place sound important. A vet maybe? Maybe we can go together so I know where it is. You know, in case I don't feel good later."
Skye, hurry! Chase started feeling himself heat up. This was getting bad. "OR!" He burst a little louder than he meant. He coughed to disguise it, "Or, maybe we should just let him go on his own. It could be the pup flu. Right, Marshall?"
"Pup flu…? Right! Pup flu!" Marshall coughed, "It's uh… it feels like it. I'm going to go to Katies and get it looked at. Might be contagious. Should probably go alone. Thanks though."
"Oh, then we can continue the tour later," Gasket smiled, "But if its contagious, we all should go together. Just to get a chuck up. Mind if I ride with you? I was pretty close all this time, I might have it too."
"Me too," Everest added, "Mind if I ride along too?"
Marshall fast walked to his truck the girls hot on his tail and Chase trying to catch up and stop them. "I… its… uh…"
"Hey girls!" Skye jumped between Marshall and the two huskies. "How's it going? Can I speak to you two, girl to girl? Chase, why don't you and Marshall go to the Lookout this is a girl thing."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Chase said getting on his rig. Both him and Marshall gunned the gas as soon as they were on and squealed away like they were on a recue.
Skye's bright smile turned into a grim glare that scared both girls into shape. Seeing such a small innocent pup made such a glare was so unsettling they forgot they were much bigger than she was. "Alright, ladies… let's talk serious. You both are barking up the wrong tree. Maybe barking up the right tree the wrong way; I don't care which, but the barking stops here and now! Marshall is a senior member in the PAW Patrol and your commanding officer, Everest. Your behavior was unprofessional and unbecoming of a PAW Patroller! You wear that tag; you wear it as one of us. You represent us. You better carry yourself that reflects well on all of us and you'd better wear that tag the right way or Ryder can snatch it off you collar before you can say 'ruff ruff rescue!' got it!"
"I…"
"And you! Gasket. You've been enough trouble already being in the Ruff Ruff Pack. You caused property damage, nearly hurt the town or the people in the town, and are as disruptive as a biker can get! Preforming or not! your unlicensed and unsolicited stunt driving is enough trouble for us to deal with. If I understand it right, you said you turned over a new leaf. Which means you won't be causing any more trouble."
"Well yeah but…!"
"Now both of you listen up and listen up well. Marshall can't take this kind of attention. He has a one-track mind. And that track is not anywhere near either of yours. Like him all you want but you don't do this again. Public displays of affection stop here. The passive aggressive conversations stop here. And the love triangle gets put away right here. You two can cat fight somewhere else that's not around him. And certainly not here. Everest, you know how Marshall is. I don't know what happened, but I do know that it had no consideration for how Marshall felt. I haven't seen him that scared since his parachute malfunction a year ago! Now he's afraid of heights! Don't scare him away from one of the best things that could happen to him in his life. Marshall is sensitive, shy. He's not ready for this." Skye sighed and started to draw back her authoritative demeanor. "If either of you really want a shot. Then this is not how it's going to happen."
Gasket grunted and turned around. "Well, if it wasn't for 'miss assertive' over there, maybe he wouldn't have been such a wimp about it."
"How dare you! Marshall deserves better than that, you mongrel!"
The insult surprised both Gasket and Skye. "Hey! I call everyone one who's scared that! He wasn't a special case. It's how I talk!"
"Well, if you weren't so rude and always throwing yourself over him like you own him, maybe he would have felt better. He was nervous before I came along!"
"Both of you! Heel!" Both pups paused and Skye took a deep frustrated breath. "You two are an accident waiting to happen. Everest, I'm going to have to ask you to return to Jake's Mountain. As for you, Gasket. You're not going to be ten paces near Marshall! If you two can't do this without acting like cats, then we'll treat you like cats."
"You can't just force me to go back!" Everest argued.
"As a senior member? Yes, I can. I speak with Ryder's authority on this one. I tried to reason with you, but you're not seeing it.
"And what are you going to do cage me?" Gasket asked, "For a short pup you have a big attitude."
"Don't tempt me, Gasket!" Skye glared. "Return to the Lookout. Ryder will figure out what to do with you. I'll let him know you're coming." Gasket gave her disrespectful glare. But Skye stared her down. "Now!"
Gasket hesitated. But grunted and obeyed after seeing no better option. "Pft, small fry."
"I heard that!" Skye warned. A few seconds later, as soon as she was beyond earshot Skye used her tag to call Ryder. "Ryder, this is Skye. Did Marshall and Chase make it alright?"
"Yes. Chase was relieved to make it to the Lookout and Marshall's looked pretty down. How bad was it?"
"Like a game of monkey in the middle accept the middle pup has to dodge the ball," She replied with a sigh. She eyed Everest who was sadly looking at her paws.
"I see. Well, I'll talk to him later. Zuma and Rocky are cheering him up right now. What are you doing with Gasket and Everest?"
"Gasket is on her way back. I'm making her walk. She'll be there soon. Don't let her get close to Marshall. He doesn't need her to harp on him. I'm sending Everest back to the mountain to cool off." Everest looked up hopefully to see if Ryder would counter her.
"That's probably for the best," Ryder agreed to Everest's dismay. "Good work, Skye. I'm proud of you. I'll handle Gasket and see you soon."
"Roger Ryder. See you then." Skye closed the conversation and faced Everest.
"Why did you do that? Why are you doing this to me?" Everest asked starting to cry. "Don't you understand how I feel?"
Skye felt a little guilty, but she stood by her decision. "Everest, Marshall is vulnerable. He doesn't look out for himself like he should because he's too busy looking out for all of us. I understand what you were trying to do but along the way you managed to forget about Marshall's feelings and think only of your own. I know you like him. Everyone does. But you should have just told him. Did you ever think that maybe he's not actually oblivious, just focused on being a part of the team. He thinks about being a patroller and a friend every day. When he dreams it's about a life without wiping out. When he wishes it's about being a better team member. When he's lost in thought it's about how he can be a better friend. Not about if your available at seven the next day. These are the things he thinks about… that and… food." Everest giggled as she cleaned her face. Skye smiled a little. The joke was pretty funny wasn't it? "Everest, stop waiting for him. I know what you want, but with Gasket in the way… you may have to make the first move."
Everest sighed. "But now I can't since you've banished me to the mountain."
"It's only for today, Everest. Come tomorrow and I expect you to apologize for today. You and Gasket both. Marshall is family, Everest. I have to take care of him before I take care of anything else."
"Aren't I family too?" Everest asked.
There was a pause before Skye sighed. "Not like Marshall. But yes, you are. Come on, let's get you back to your rig so you can go home."
Everest hopped into the copter with Skye and flew back with her. When they returned Gasket was being lectured by Katie near the tire swing and Marshall was spending time with Zuma and Rocky in some sort of talk. It looked like Rubble had joined later. Chase was next to Ryder.
"Hey you two," Ryder greeted. "I'm really sorry, Everest. I'm sure tomorrow will be better."
"I don't want to talk about this anymore," Everest said, jumping off the copter and sulking to her rig.
"I understand. But don't worry. Gasket won't be at any better an advantage. She'll be staying with Katie tonight until we figure out better accommodations."
Everest hopped on her rig and smiled meekly. "Thanks Ryder… Um… Ryder?"
"Yes, Everest?"
"Do you think… What if… is it possible…"
Ryder nodded at Chase and Skye who gave them some space. Ryder leaned in closer. "It's just you and me now, Everest. What's on your mind?"
Everest hesitated then took a deep breath. "Do you think Marshall likes me?"
"Of course, he likes you Everest, what kind of a friend would he be if he didn't?" He replied.
"No not like that!" Everest groaned. "It… I mean… never mind." Ryder grinned at her and she caught on. "Oh…"
Ryder chuckled and replied more seriously. "Everest. That's not a question I can answer. I know you're looking for all the affirmation you can to save you from possibly being rejected but whether he accepts you or not is an experience that shapes you and you may need to go through it. I know its scary, but he's not going to be any less your friend if you tell him how you feel. The only gap that will be there is the one you create. Besides, you two are a long way from being ready for a relationship. Give it some time. We'll see you tomorrow."
Everest sat back down on her seat and started her rig. "Yeah…tomorrow."