Everest awoke to the chirping of birds. She took a glance at the clock. It read 6am. She then looked around more and the events of last night flooded her mind. She had some things to think about. Since she never got up that early, she decided to go for a walk. The crisp morning air hit her as she opened the door. She walked around the lookout admiring even the little things like the grass and trees. It had been so long that she had forgotten what the grass really felt like. Her walk then lead her to the beach. Even before the Arctic, she never visited the beach much. The sand felt weird under her paws. She then stopped her walk and sat on the beach watching the whitewash from the waves come to the sand, then leave. For some odd reason, it was very calming. She felt at peace. This allowed her mind to wonder. A lot can change in a couple of days. She went from living alone in some frozen wasteland to being surrounded by friends. These friends made her feel right at home when she came with them. It was as if she was a part of a family again. She then began thinking about one particular pup who has been family for as long as she could remember. Chase.

"Dammit, why are feelings so annoying" she said to herself out loud.

Did she want to be with him? In some ways yes and in some ways no. I mean they knew everything about each other, why wouldn't she want to be with him. The reason was that… she was afraid. Afraid of getting close to people again. Afraid that she would lose him. Just like her owner. That was never her fault but she blamed herself for it every day. When she realized her owners were never coming back she accepted it. Told herself she deserved it. After all, according to her, she caused her owner's death. As these thoughts raced through her head, another steady stream of thoughts funneled in. These thoughts were Chase's words last night. "Everest it's not your fault. It was never your fault". She began to smile.

"Huh, even when he was at his lowest point, he still tried to keep me happy"

She needed someone like that in her life. Someone to comfort her when she was hurt. Someone to make her feel safe when she was scared. She continued debating with herself until a voice broke her out of it.

"Everest I need to talk to you" said Chase.

"I need to talk to you to" the husky responded.

"Listen about the kiss last night. I'm sorry again. I don't know what came over me. I guess I just thought it was the right moment. I just wanted to make you feel better"

They sat in silence for a few minutes. The only sound heard was the steady pace of waves coming and going. That was until Everest began talking.

"Chase, the reason I didn't have an answer to your question last night was because I was afraid. I felt like if I got close to someone again I would lose them. I don't want to lose you"

"Everest I can promise you nothing will ever happen to me. I can manage"

"I know you can but I just don't want anything to happen to you because of one of my stupid decisions. I love you Chase. That's why I can't bear the thought of losing you too"

Silence once again surrounded the two. Chase didn't know what to say. Last night she didn't know how she felt but now here she was saying she loves him. Chase saw she was troubled and confused. He heard it from the way she talked. He then did the thing that he hoped would clear her mind. He leaned in and kissed her. This time however she wasn't surprised but rather happy. After a few minutes the two parted.

"I would never let anything happen to you, me, or the other pups. I promise"

"You better keep that promise" Said Everest as she hugged him.

The two then walked back up to the lookout. All the pups were awake and greeting Jake as he pulled up in his car.

"Oh, I forgot. Today's the day I move up to the mountain"

"That's okay, I promise I'll visit whenever I can"

"Okay"

Jake then spotted the pair.

"Hey pup's. Everest how was your stay"

"It was great"

"Awesome. Are you ready to go?"

"Yup. I just want to say bye to the other pups"

She then began going down the line hugging each of the pups and saying her goodbyes. Then she got to Chase.

"I'll see you soon"

"Of course. Like I said I'll visit when I can"

She then gave him a quick peck on the lips before leaving. She hopped into his car and just like that they were gone.

After she left the pup's looked at him with confused expressions plastered on their faces.

"What was that about?" asked Marshall.

"I'll tell you later. Do you guys want to play tag?"

"Yeah!" said the pups.

"Okay. Your it" said Chase tagging Marshall.

"Hey no fair" yelled Marshall as he chased the pups around the lookout.

THE END

Hey everyone. Sorry I haven't done anything for this story in awhile. I've been booked with college things recently. Anyway hope to see you in the next story. Peace.