I do not own The Adventures of Spin and Marty or any of it's characters.

A story about Spin, Marty, and Skyrocket at the good ol' Triple R.

It was about 4:30 in the afternoon as the boys came back from a late lunch. They were all headed off to do their own things as Marty headed for the stables.

"Hey where ya goin Marty?", called Ambitious.

"Just takin Skyrocket out for a ride. I'll see you guys later!", called back Marty. He never really got an okay from Burnett or anyone that he could go riding alone but he figured it'd be okay. He'd been doing it more lately and no one stopped him.

As Marty rode bareback by Ollie and Burnett they nodded to him from the other side of the fence giving their okay.

He nodded back with a lift of his cowboy hat and continued toward the foothills.

The sun shined brightly on the mountain side bouncing upon the rocks as Marty and Skyrocket just kept going slowly along.

Marty looked around taking in the nature as he held loosely on the reins. He knew Skyrocket wouldn't do anything sudden and they had each others trust.

"Would you look at this view Skyrocket? This is the best place in the world I think.", said Marty aloud.

They rode a little farther as Marty saw a flat plain up ahead.

"Hey let's see how fast we can go boy. Hyah!", said Marty as he slapped the reins.

They rode faster than the wind toward the orange sun that set over the horizon.

One hand on his hat and the other on Skyrocket Marty leaned forward feeling the warm wind on his face. It felt like they were going a hundred miles an hour as they could almost reach out and touch the horizon.

"Whoa boy...whoa...", said Marty as they eventually slowed down. The sun had dissapeared behind the desert plains as Marty thought he'd better beat it back though Skyrocket was worn out from the speed and length of the ride. He realized he'd better use something to wipe him down though so he wouldn't get sick from overheating. Marty took his shirt off as he wiped Skyrocket down. He got back on Skyrocket as he patted his neck and put his shirt back on.

"Come on boy we'd better go.", said Marty as he pulled the reins turning them around.

The distance between them and the mountain trails was bigger than he'd realized as he looked up a little worried seeing dark gray clouds rolling in.

Raindrops slowly began to fall as the dirt below them started to become a thin layer of mud. Marty was starting to worry as he tried to push Skyrocket a little harder, but he was tired.

The rain was coming down now harder than before as water pooled in the dips of the land. Marty shivered in his short sleeved t-shirt and denim jeans.

They had a long way to go but were at least nearing the mountains.

It was hard to see with it being night and the rainfall being so thick. Marty didn't see a deep dip in the earth in front of him as Skyrockets front legs buckled and the two of them fell harshly into the muddy ditch. Sharp rocks hidden below the thick mud scratched and scraped against their skin as Skyrocket started to panic.

"Whoa boy shhh...whoa boy it's okay shhhh...", said Marty soothingly as he ran his hand down Skyrocket.

They were both deep in the mud as Marty barely climbed out of the ditch, wiping the mud out of his eyes and holding onto the reins.

With every bit of strength he had Marty pulled on the reins as Skyrocket fought through the mud.

"Come on!", he yelled.

Finally Skyrocket got a leg up as the rest followed. Marty felt relief as he pet him and wiped the mud from Skyrockets eyes and nose and put back on his own hat.

"Good job Skyrocket, we did it boy.".

Marty felt exhausted as he struggled to get back onto Skyrocket. He ignored the pain of where the rocks had scraped him as he noticed Skyrocket had scratches of her own along her back and stomach.

Back at the ranch no one noticed Marty hadn't come back as the dinner bell rang. Spin was running into the dinner house as Burnett, Logan and Ollie stopped him.

"Hey Spin, have you seen Marty around, we can't seem to find him anywhere.", said Burnett.

"Well he went out for a ride about two or three hours ago.", replied Spin.

"Yeah we know, hasn't he come back yet?", asked Ollie.

"Well no...gee you don't think somethin happened to him do ya?", said Spin worriedly.

"I don't know but with the rain I'm reluctant to send anybody out there to look for him. First let's look around the whole ranch and make sure he's not here.", said Logan.

Marty felt oddly weak as he tiredly lead Skyrocket forward. As worried as he was for Skyrocket though he started to get more and more tired.

As they made it to the path down the mountain, Marty leaned his body forward onto Skyrocket feeling too tired to hold himself up. The reins stayed in his hands as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

Skyrocket was tired and beaten too, but carried on slowly toward the ranch. Marty had a hand on the reins and a hand on Skyrockets neck as his eyes unwillingly closed.

Skyrocket made it down the mountain slowly as back at the ranch the older men and now all the boys were all gathered outside dinner the house.

"What do you think we oughta do Logan?", asked Ollie.

"I think you, me and Bill should go look for him. You boys stay here and mind the ranch and be careful.", said Logan.

"Why can't we help search. I mean-", started Ambitious as Spin cut him off.

"Look! There's Marty and Skyrocket!", said Spin.

There was Skyrocket walking toward them with Marty on his back leaned forward unconcious. They all saw from the porch light that his clothes were soaked in rain and a mixture of blood and mud.

"Joe get the first aid kit hurry!", said Bill as everyone ran towards Marty and Skyrocket.

"I'm gonna take him to the big house Spin come too, Ollie help Skyrocket!", said Bill as he pulled Marty off Skyrocket and carried him toward the house.

The boys watched silent with shock as they stood outside.

Logan and Perkins tried getting through to the doctor as Bill set down Marty on a bed.

"He's definately got a fever. I'd better tend to these scrapes first though.", said Spin hurriedly to Burnett.

Spin cleaned off every cut and scrape as Bill got some cold rags.

"There are some pretty deep cuts here Bill. Is there any electrical tape around?", Spin asked.

"I think so why?", replied Burnett.

"If I put a lot of gauze on the deep ones and tape it down with electrical tape it might just be enough to stop the bleeding and stop infection.", replied Spin.

Burnett nodded and went looking right away.

As Spin did what he could for his scrapes Marty's fever got worse and worse. He tossed and turned as he mumbled things feverishly.

"Skyrocket!", he said still thinking deliriously that they were in the muddy ditch.

Sweat dripped down his forehead as Spin tried desperately to lower Marty's temperature. The rest of the boys waited anxiously on the porch steps, hearing the occasional thing from Marty as his fever rose.

"What's his temperature Spin?", asked Bill nervously.

"104.3.", said Spin with fear.

"We finally got a call through but the doctor can't get here till after the storm.", said Logan.

They did what they could to control the fever but nothing helped. Marty wore a face of pain and exhaustion as the others felt helpless.

"I wonder how much better Skyrockets doin.", said Spin with worry.

"I don't know but I'd better go talk to the other boys.", said Burnett as he went to the bunk house.

As soon as he walked in all eyes were on him waiting to hear news.

"I'm afraid Marty's not doin very well boys. He has a pretty high fever that we just can't get control of and some pretty deep scrapes. The doctor can't get out here but Spin knows some and he's doin what he can. Now all a you stayin up all night isn't gonna help him none so I want you to get to sleep alright.", said Bill as the boys agreed. He then left going back toward the big house.

"Gee...I hope Marty's alright.", said Freddy.

"Me too, he looked real bad.", said Joe.

"I bet if he knew Skyrocket was alright it would help.", said Ambitious worried.

"Well if he isn't then I bet he'll just get worse.", said Al.

"Imagine. Bein that sick and losing your horse, poor Marty.", said Joe.

Marty tossed as Spin tried holding him down. Suddenly he opened his glazed over bloodshot eyes looking at Spin.

"Spin! Skyrocket needs help Spin! He needs help!", said Marty feverishly and delirious.

"Marty! Marty it's okay, Skyrockets alright.", Spin said as he put a hand on Marty's shoulder leaning him back down.

Spin didn't really know how Skyrocket was doing but he thought it was better to tell Marty he was okay at least for now. Though he doubted Marty understood him at the moment anyway.

Perkins walked in the room as Spin replaced a cold rag on Marty's neck.

"Maybe you ought to come with me to Master Martin's bunk and get some of his things. It may help you know.", said a concerned Perkins.

Spin nodded as they both headed to the bunk house. Neither of them were surprised to see the boys lying awake.

As Perkins opened the door they all flooded the two with questions.

"Look guy's we're just getting a few things, relax.", said Spin.

"Is he doin any better Spin?", asked Ambitious.

Spin looked down not wanting to respond.

The boys took that as a good enough answer as their worry grew.

"Master Martin is quite persistant when he wants to be. He's been that way since the death of his parents I think. Maybe he thought being stubborn and mean was easier than making friends or letting anyone in. That is until he came here and met you all. I've never seen him this happy in all my life.", said Perkins with a smile.

The boys smiled, glad Perkins was there to lift the mood.

Spin grabbed a fresh shirt and jeans from Marty's suitcase as him and Perkins left.

When they got back Spin was surprised to see Marty strangely still. It gave him a bad feeling as he took Burnetts place by his bedside.

"His fever is bad spin. Almost 106.", said Bill.

Spin didn't say anything but was more scared than he'd ever been.

The night went by as his fever rose and fell. Spin had fallen asleep as Marty opened his eyes. He was weak and delirious, but determined as he made is way out the door. The storm had stopped and everyone was asleep lucky for him.

With redhot blurry vision Marty made his way to the stables. He leaned against the fence as his vision was threatening to fade to black. He took a deep breath as he feverishly continued on through the stable doors.

"Skyrocket...", said Marty as he laid down next to him with his head and arms resting on Skyrockets stomach.

Spin suddenly woke with a strange feeling as he saw Marty was gone. He tried not to panic as he woke up Bill.

"What is it Spin?", Bill said tiredly.

"It's Marty! He's not in his bed I woke up and he was gone!", said Spin worried.

"Okay let's go look for him.", said Bill worried too.

"Let's look over in the stables first, I bet he's with Skyrocket.", said Spin.

"You think he could have made it that far?", said Bill.

"I don't know let's go find out.", replied Spin as they walked towards the corall.

They both walked in to see Marty asleep leaned on Skyrocket.

"You were right.", said Bill as they hurried over.

Spin got to him first as Bill followed right behind.

He put a hand on Marty's forehead and checked his pulse. "His fever is spiking! That must be why he wandered out here deliriously. I don't think he knew what he was doing. We should get him back to bed and just pray his fever breaks soon.", said Spin as Bill picked up Marty.

They left the corrall as the boys had just woken up. Freddy spotted the three out the window as the boys all jumped up running outside.

They all asked what was happening as Spin stopped them and Bill continued inside with Marty.

"Marty's fevers spiking and he went to try to see Skyrocket while we were asleep. Go have some breakfast guys I'll let you know more later.", said Spin as he ran into the big house.

Spin walked in as Bill turned to him looking relieved.

"His fevers broke.", said Bill.

Spin felt a weight lift off his shoulders as he sat down by Marty.

"Some of his scrapes bled through though, I put the gauze and tape on the nightstand there.", said Bill.

Spin nodded with understanding. "Oh man am I glad thats over.", he said with relief.

Bill nodded and smiled as he left to get some breakfast.

A few hours passed as Spin didn't leave Marty's side. He rebandaged many of the scrapes and did a general check up as well as he could though Marty was yet to wake up.

It was mid afternoon as Spin was starting to worry a bit. Marty should've woken up by now and the doctor couldn't get there till tomorrow afternoon.

Suddenly as Spin looked out the window he felt a tap on his knee.

"Spin.", said Marty with a hoarse and tired voice.

"Marty!", Spin said happy as he gave him a hug around the neck and shook his hand.

"Glad to see you too Spin.", said Marty with a smile.

"Man you scared us half to death. How ya feelin?", he asked.

"Oh okay I guess how's Skyrocket?", Marty asked only thinking about his horse.

Spins expression changed as he looked down.

"Not so good Marty.", he said quietly.

"I have to be with him, he needs me-", started Marty as he started to get out of bed.

Spin stopped him knowing he didn't have the strength to get passed him.

"Marty what are you crazy!? You can't just get up now! You nearly died and you must be hurtin pretty bad too I would know I bandaged you up. Now your fever might be broke but you're exhausted and need about a weeks rest from what you've been through. Maybe more.", said Spin in a demanding voice.

"Alright sorry Spin. I do feel pretty lousy...I'm just so worried about Skyrocket. It was my fault we were out there and-", started Marty.

"And what?", said a voice from the window.

Spin and Marty looked to see the gang listening in from the window outside as they all smacked Freddy with their hats for revealing them.

Spin and Marty chuckled at that. "Come on in guys it's okay isn't it Bill?", asked Spin.

Bill nodded as the boys went around through the door and piled in.

"So what happened Marty?", asked Joe anxious to hear the story as they all were. Perkins and Logan stood by now with Bill as they wondered too.

"As you know I took Skyrocket out for a ride up the mountain trails. Well as I got a little farther I saw a flat plain of desert and wanted to see how fast we could go. We rode so fast I felt like I could reach the horizon.", started Marty as they all nodded knowing exactly what he meant.

"Anyway as we kept riding I didn't really pay attention to how far we were getting from the mountain trail. When we slowed down it started to get dark and then obviously it started to rain. As I rode back I couldn't see a thing. Next thing I knew Skyrocket stepped into a dip and we went tumbling into a muddy ditch. Underneath there were a bunch of sharp rocks and the mud was real thick. Skyrocket was panicking and I tried to calm him down. Eventually I somehow climbed out and pulled as hard as I could on the reins. To my relief he got one leg up and was able to push himself up and out. I guess I didn't realize how beat up and cold I was on account of the excitement and worry for Skyrocket. We were just riding slowly down the mountain and I guess I passed out cause I don't know what happened after that. It's all my fault that Skyrockets hurt.", Marty said looking down.

"No it isn't Marty. You didn't know it was gonna rain, you probably saved his life when you pulled him from the ditch.", said Bill.

None of the boys knew what to say exactly. Though Spin could tell Marty was looking pale and needed to rest.

"We'll see you later guys Marty has to sleep.", said Spin as everyone left.

"Gee you feel kinda warm Marty. You gotta take it easy.", said Spin.

Marty felt weak and his whole body hurt. His head pounded and he felt overall pretty bad off. But all he thought about was Skyrocket.

"I don't know what to do Spin. What'll I do if Skyrocket dies.", Marty said as his eyelids got heavier.

"I don't know Marty. I don't know.", said Spin as Marty fell asleep exhausted.

"Can you believe that story! I sure couldn'ta done that!", said Russell to the boys as they sat on the porch.

"Yeah. That was sure brave.", said Joe.

"Imagine Marty almost dyin, and all he could think about was Skyrocket.", said Freddy.

"I bet Ollie will fix him up good.", said Ambitious.

The other boys nodded hopeful for Marty.

"Hey there's Ollie now! Let's ask him!", said Joe as they all ran up to him.

"Hey boys how's it goin?", said Ollie with a smile as he cleaned a saddle on the fence.

"Hey Ollie, we wanted to know how Skyrocket was doing, so we could tell Marty.", said Ambitious.

"Oh I see. Well tell him that Skyrocket is better than ever! With a little rest and handy work on my part he's as good as new!", said Ollie happily.

"Oh boy!", said someone.

"Wait till we tell Marty!", said Speckles.

The boys decided it was better later to pass the news onto Burnett as they left for practice.

Bill walked into the room happy with the news as he lightly shook Marty.

Marty opened his eyes as he rubbed them.

"Marty guess what? Skyrockets as good as new! Ollie says as soon as you're well he's okay to ride.", said Bill with a smile.

Marty lit up with relief and happiness as did Spin.

"Thanks Bill!", said Marty as Bill left.

"Oh gee thats real great about Skyrocket!", said Spin with a smile.

"I know! I can't believe it!", said Marty happily.

He soon fell back asleep as the sun went down. Spin woke him up a few times to eat but he was too tired and didn't feel to great.

At about 4:00 am the sun barely peeked up behind the mountains. Marty felt pretty horrible, but he couldn't go back to sleep as much as he wanted to. He knew he had to see Skyrocket for himself.

Quietly Marty climbed out of bed and walked to the stables. As he opened the stable door he saw Skyrocket standing up. Marty smiled as he pulled her out to the Corrall.

"Take it easy on me now boy I'm not exactly feelin up to runnin'.", Marty said with a small chuckle.

He took it slow as he got on Skyrocket and went in circles. He leaned forward feeling weak, but he was happy to be on Skyrocket.

Spin woke up worried as he went to find Marty. Him and Bill were about ready to panic for the second time when Spin saw movement by the corrall.

"What do ya know...there's Marty.", said Spin with a smile.

The two of them watched from the porch making sure Marty was okay, but not wanting to intrude on the moment.

"Gosh if there was ever a boy who loved his horse it's Marty.", said Bill.

As the sun came up behind the mountains Marty put Skyrocket away. Bill and Spin watched as Marty struggled to walk back as he wiped sweat from his forehead and made several stops.

"You think we oughtta help him?", asked Spin unsure.

"We'd better not. We don't want him knowing we were out here anyway, in fact let's get back inside.", said Bill as they went.

"I don't know Bill he looks pretty worn. I've gotta go help him.", said Spin.

Spin walked up to Marty who leaned against the fence.

"What do you think you're doin?", said Spin with a smirk.

"I'm sorry Spin but I had to make sure Skyrocket was okay.", said Marty.

"I know. Here use my shoulder.", said Spin.

"Thanks.", said Marty as he put a hand on Spins left shoulder.

"You're sure a good pal Spin.", said Marty thankfully as they slowly walked.

"You are too Marty. Real good, though you sure can worry a guy.", said Spin and they both chuckled.

They made it back to the big house as Spin helped Marty sit on the bed. Marty breathed a little heavy as he wiped sweat from his forehead, putting his legs under the covers.

"Get some rest dare devil.", said Spin with a smile.

"Okay okay.", said Marty as he smiled back.

"Hey Spin...thanks for helpin me and thanks for doctorin me up and everything. I mean I probably owe you my life. You couldn't find a better friend.", said Marty.

"Ah sure Marty. I mean I couldn't let my best friend die now could I? Besides, you'da done the same for me if you could.", said Spin.

"Boy it was no picnic though. You sure had a rough go of it for a while there. We thought you weren't gonna make it. I mean I've never had such a tight pal before and..".

"I know what your tryin to say Spin. I never had a better pal in all my life. What do you say we make a pact, pals forever!", said Marty as he held out his hand.

"You bet! Pals forever!", said Spin as they shook hands with big grins, happy for their friendship.

After talking for a while Marty had fallen asleep from exhaustion. Though Spin had been in the middle of a sentence when Marty closed his eyes he knew it wasn't on purpose. He had a pretty good right to be exhausted and felt a little warmer than before.

Eventually the doctor came and did what he could for Marty. It turned out a couple of his scrapes got him a nasty infection landing him an extra week in bed. He barely woke up much which worried them, but the doctor stayed and eventually Marty started to slowly gain his strength back.

Spin never left Marty's side and the other guys visited often. Finally one day Marty was feeling strong enough to walk over to see Skyrocket. He took it slow as he hopped on for the first time in a few weeks.

"I've missed you Skyrocket.", Marty said with a smile as he pet his neck. "What do you say we go for a walk?". "Come on boy let's go.", Marty said as they started out the gate.

Most everyone was gathered at the other Corrall as they watched Marty slowly ride out of the corrall.

Marty then turned around looking at Spin. "You comin?", he said with a grin.

Spin smiled wide as he quickly saddled up and hopped on Sailor.

Him and Marty rode side by side as they slowly headed out toward the terrain and into the sunny foothills.