AN: Another chapter of Chasing Fire.

Word count: 3,929

Chasing Fire

Chapter 2

Recovery?

"AHHH!" Skye cried over the radio.

"SKYE! Did you find them?" Ryder asked.

"Yes, but come now!" Ryder could hear Skye starting to cry.

Ryder and the other pups run to where Skye was, and what they saw was Skye crying over an unconscious Everest and Chase. Ryder's heart sank. Two of his pups were found in critical condition. At this point, they don't even know if they are still alive.

"Marshall," Ryder ordered.

"On it," Marshall obeyed.

Marshall came up to Everest and Chase's bodies, what he saw was heart aking. He first took off his oxygen mask and gave it to Chase while he ordered Rocky to give his to Everest which he did with no protest. Everest had some burns, her left side was burned and fur was gone, her face was scratched up, and was laying right next to Chase. Chase was the worst, he was burned badly on both left and right sides from neck to bum and now had a huge deep scratch across his left eye left to right, some of it on his mouth. Both Everest and Chase were covered in black soot and scratched up. Marshall separated them as quickly and quietly as possible knowing that Everest would not want to move away from Chase. Once he did that he ordered Rubble to get his shovel and dig Chase out. "Rubble, get your shovel and dig Chase out of this mess."

"Rubble on the Double," Rubble said.

Rubble got his shovel out and went to the other side of the log to dig Chase out. Once Chase's legs were clear enough Marshall carefully pulled with the help of Ryder and Rocky, pulled Chase out from under the log. His legs were crushed. Blood soaked his legs and both were visibly broken because both were bent in a way that they were not supposed to and they could see the bone. That made Zuma vomit.

"Marshall, check him out," Ryder said on the verge of tears.

Marshall slowly walked over to Chase's limp body and got his X-ray out and began to check Chase out. He started with his hind legs and saw that his hind legs had multiple breaks, cracks, and frackers. He checked the rest of Chase's bones and then switched to another setting on his X-ray so he could see Chase's organs. He saw that Chase's right lung had collapsed. He was not getting enough oxygen.

"And?" Skye said wiping her tears.

"He is not good," Marshall said, "We can't just take him to Katie's. We need to take him to the hospital ASAP."

"What about Everest?" Zuma asked.

Marshall when over to the unconscious husky and looked over her thoroughly. He took out his X-ray again and took a look. To his surprise, Everest's right front paw had a huge fracture. There was that, plus the scratches from the trees and like Chase, Everest had a deep gash across her right eye from right to left. Almost the exact opposite of Chase's.

Marshall came up to Ryder sadly and reported, "Everest is not as bad as Chase, but they both need to get to the hospital now."

Now, because Marshall gave them oxygen Everest started to wake up which Marshall didn't want at this time.

Everest started to moan in pain and once she saw Chase laying on the ground she tried to crawl over to him but the pups tried to stop her. She was in so much pain but she pushed herself to get to Chase. Once she made it to Chase she was howling in pain but nuzzled next to him. Again the scene broke the pups and Ryder's hearts.

"Everest can you please come with us to the hospital. We need you and Chase to come to the hospital," Marshall said will a worrying tone.

Everest could only nod, but then she looked back to Chase with tears in her eyes.

"Everest?" Skye asked concerned for her friend.

Everest looked up at her and opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She tried again but the same result. Nothing. The pups looked at her with confused expressions. Everest realized she couldn't talk and to single them while pointing at her throat and shaking her head.

Ryder got the message and reported to his pups, "Pups, Everest lost her voice right now. She can't speak."

All the pups gasped in horror.

"We need to get an ambulance here. I can't just go to the Lookout, wait for everything to be unloaded, change into my EMT truck, and then race all the way back here. It would take to long and Chase is in very critical condition," Marshall spoke.

"You're right Marshall," Ryder said.

"Plus, Ryder, I will need to say here and oversee the cleaning up and make sure the fire is out for good. The rain might have helped, but it is now only sprinkling," Marshall said will seriousness in his voice.

Just then sirens from the ABFD and ABPD could be heard in the distance. Soon, two ABPD officers came up in a Crown Vic and Explorer. The Fire department showed up with a brush truck, EMT truck, and fire engine. The ABFD and ABPD were very small and were under Chase and Marshall. Usually, if one of them is hurt Ryder will take control, but since Ryder is going will Everest and Chase Skye will be taking over the ABPD because she is third in command.

"Ok, Skye you are in charge of the ABPD until I come back and help," Ryder said.

"Ok?" Skye said nervously.

"Alright PAW Patrol is on a Roll," Ryder shouted.

The EMTs came over and picked up Chase and Everest and put them in the back of the EMT truck with Ryder.

The two officers came over to Skye, "So, Ms. Skye. What do you want us to do?" asked one.

"Maybe we could investigate this fire and how it started. I don't think it was a coincidence that this happened. This could have been arson. I mean, when Ryder tells us the condition of Everest and Chase maybe we could conclude something then. In the meantime just help us control crowds and point out hot spots," Skye ordered.

"Yes ma'am," said both the officers.

With Marshall, the other firefighters were getting the hoses from the fire engine and brush truck. Marshall was barking orders to them, "Firefighter 21, 22, 23, and 24. Make sure you get all the hot spots. Firefighter 25, 26, and 20. Come with me and keep an eye out for anyone else who could be trapped."

"Yes sir!" they all said and broke into their groups.

Time: 3:56 pm Hospital.

The EMT truck was pulling up the Emergency Room part of the hospital. The two EMTs and Ryder put Chase and Everest on the stretcher and pushed them into the ER three nurses stopped what they were doing and rushed over.

The nurses got Everest who then passed out again to a room and rushed Chase strait to surgery on his legs and a collapsed lung.

During Chase's surgery, Ryder was with Everest in the room. Soon enough a doctor and two nurses came in.

"Are you Ryder?" asked the doctor.

"Yep," Ryder responded in a glum tone.

"Ok then, we have some news," Ryder looked up to the doctor, "Everest will be ok, but Everest cannot do any missions for two whole months."

"WHAT?! WHY?!" Ryder was nearly in tears again.

"Her burns are so significant that I can't believe she is still alive. That is only the minimum time she needs. She might need more time according to her condition. I know about the physical damage. A mental therapist will come and see if her experience has left long term PTSD or other mental illnesses." The doctor explained.

Ryder just nodded.

"We will be moving Everest to the same room that Chase will be recovering in to keep it simple," said one of the nurses.

"Ok," Ryder said as he got up from the chair he was sitting at.

The doctor and the nurses started to get everything in the room ready to move. Once everything was ready and a path was made. The hospital staff moved Everest's bed up to floors at the third level and when they got their something was not right. The door was closed and locked. I was unlocked previously and opened so that they could simply move Everest in no fuss no muss. That wasn't the case.

The doctor went to the door and knocked a few times. No answer. He knocked again. Again no answer. He then knocked harder and louder. Then someone came to the door and opened it. The person looked to be a mom and was wearing skinny jeans with a white blouse. She had red hair large earrings. If looks could kill then she would have killed everyone outside the door. Her face had a smugly, angry, and just pure paranoid smile on her face which then faded into a scowl.

"What do you want?" she said in a very rude voice.

"Ma'am, if you could read this room was already taken," the doctor said.

"Well, this is my room now, first come first serve," the rude lady said.

"No, it is not. You aren't even injured," the Doctor countered.

"No, but my son is,"

"Where is your son,"

"He is in the bed,"

The doctor went into the room while the women tried to stop him. In fact, the bed looked like it was used but no one was in it.

"Ma'am where is your son?" asked a nurse.

"He's uhm… uh,"

"Ok, ma'am your son was released this morning from his broken leg. I'm going to ask you to leave now or I will call security." the doctor said.

"Well why do you need this room?" the lady said in a very smirking tone.

At this point, Ryder has had it. All he wants is his two pups get into a room as soon as possible because the other pups are coming to visit soon and Chase's surgery could be done any moment, "Ma'am, my two pups need this room more than you. I suggest you get out of the room with all your belongings and leave. Like the doctor said your son had a broken leg. That is nothing compared to my pups,-"

The rude lady cut him off, "Why are you being so selfish, young man? Your pups clearly don't need this room. I just need to get some sleep." Before she could close the door, Ryder and the doctor and the other nurses stopped the door from closing and pushed it all the way open. Security just got there and grabbed the women and struggled to get her out. As they were trying to get her out she was screaming at the top of her lungs, "YOUR RAPING ME! SOMEONE, CALL THE COPS!"

"Don't worry ma'am the cops are coming," a male nurse said as he helped the two security to restrain her.

Somehow she managed to get free and rushed right back into the room where Everest was now awake from her screaming and in pain. The lady tried to run up to Everest and kick the bed and throw her off it. Instead, Ryder punched her right in the face and the rude lady fell to the ground passed out.

"We are so sorry Ryder, she got away from our grip," said one of the security officers.

"It is fine, she's out for the count now. I'm glad she didn't hurt anyone," Ryder said calming down.

Just then, the two police officers from the fire came up with Skye and the rest of the pups in toe. "What happened here?" asked the first one.

"No one wants to explain it. Just get this monster out of here," the doctor said. The police did what was ordered of them and got the rude lady out of the room and kicked from the hospital after she came conscious again.

After that whole fiasco, Ryder went to one of the chairs in the room to sit down in and relax. The pups came in and greeted Everest and asked how she was doing and how she felt.

"I feel like heck," Everest responded in a hoarse voice.

"I bet, at least you can talk now. Here Everest. The doctor said you can have this and it might make you feel better," Marshall said as he pushed a photo of her and the pups and a pain killer tablet. Everest took the tablet. It tasted like liver and she loved it. The tablet went to work and relieved her of most of her pain. When she looked at the photo she saw Chase with her and they were as happy as can be. She then recalled all the memories that she and Chase have had in the past. When they were looking for treasure but instead got long johns and treasure. She remembered the first time he confessed to her and she did the same that day.

Flashback

Chase was in his pup-house looking at the mirror. "Ok, Chase. You have been bottling up your feelings for a long time now. It is time to come clean. You need to tell her that you love her and that you want to go into a relationship," he said to himself to try and boast is confidantes.

Chase then licked his paw and flatten his fur on his head to make him look better. Then he opened the door and took a big inhale of the Adventure Bay morning air.

Today Jake, Everest, Carlos, and Tracker were coming over today for some fun time because Ryder thought it would be a good idea for the pups to bond and play with each other, while he, Jake, and Carlos talk and catch up on life. For Chase, it would be a perfect time for him to confess his feelings for Everest and vice versa for Everest.

Everest's POV

I was in Jake and I's cabin getting ready to go to the Lookout with Jake. I just had these feelings for a particular pup. I just can't bring myself to tell him. Like, what if he says 'No'. I would be heartbroken.

"You ready Everest?" Jake called in the bathroom.

"Yes," I said in a nervous tone.

Jake must have caught that I'm nervous or something because he then said, "What's up Everest dude?"

"Nothing," I said in response.

Jake, now fully dressed came out of the bathroom and knelt by me, "Hey, I know that look, don't hide it from me. What's wrong?"

"N… Nothing," I said again looking away, "I said nothing."

"Oh, I see there is a special pup that you… like," he said will and crud eating grin on his face. I swear I wanted to slap him right then and there, but I didn't.

"No, shut up," I said blushing.

"Hey, we don't use that language young pup!" he scolded at me.

My ears went down in shame. He noticed and apologized, "I'm sorry, you don't use that language, but it is my fault for pushing you."

I licked him and he laughed, "Ok, Jake fine I'll tell you," I said getting off of him.

"Ok, wait don't tell me. Um… mm… is it, Marshall?" Jake asked.

I was astounded, "What, no! I mean don't get me wrong I do like him but he is too clumsy for me,"

"Ok then. Hmm… Zuma?" he asked again.

"No, Zuma likes the liquid form of water too much while I like the frozen form," I said.

"Rocky?"

"Again, no. Rocky doesn't like water at all. And before you guess Rubble or Tracker, they are both too young for me," I said getting a bit annoyed, "I like a particular pup that is fun and really never scared."

"Skye?" Jake asked stupidly.

"NO! Skye is a girl. I can't have pups with another girl- oops," I said angrily.

"WHAAAT, wait a minute. You want puppies and the only pup left is…CHASE! You like Chase and you want to have puppies with him?" Jake said half excited and half confused.

"I guess," I said now blushing a deep red like Marshall's fire truck if not redder.

"Ok, sorry for my outburst, but wow. Do you think he likes you the same way?" Jake asked.

"I don't know," I stuttered.

"Today would be a good time to ask him."

"Maybe," I said.

Then we got into his Ford Ranger truck and took to the road to the Lookout.

Chase's POV

I was walking into the Lookout to get some breakfast. I was met with five pairs of eyes as I walked in.

"Good morning Chase. Did you sleep well?" said Ryder as he walked in from the kitchen.

"You slept in for two hours," Rubble said, "I almost missed breakfast."

I then looked at the clock. It was 8:30 in the morning and I usually woke up at six in the morning, "Well, I'm surprised that you guys are up at this hour due to the fact that we worked like heck for the past two days," I said yawning.

"That is true, but you worked your tail off all week you deserve to sleep in," Marshall said.

"Thanks, buddy," I thanked him.

"I can't wait for Tracker and Everest to be here, we are going to have so much fun," Skye said finishing up her breakfast.

The pups howled in excitement and they all finished up and ran outside and started to play. Me, on the other hand, went up to my bowl to start eating. Ryder then walked by, I couldn't stop myself, "Ryder, can I talk to you?" I then blushed red.

"Sure," he looks at me, "Are you ok?"

"Ya, I'm fine, it's just," I said stuttering and playing with my paws on the floor.

"You sure," Ryder asked. I blushed even harder.

"Oh, I see there is there a special little pup that you 'like'," Ryder realized.

"Crud," I thought. "I guess?"

"Come now your secret is safe with me," Ryder reassured me, "Is it, Skye?"

"No, it's not Skye its… its… Ev… er… est…" I stuttered hard.

"Everest?" I nodded my head glumly.

"I didn't see that coming. I thought you liked Skye?"

"Don't get me wrong, I do like her, but not as much as Everest. Everest is so kind and animal loving, and whenever some needs help in the mountains she's there and she is a tough pup like me."

"I see, how about to tell her about your feelings today."

"In front of everyone?" I asked scared.

"No, I didn't mean that," but it was too late I was already out the door. I went straight into my pup-house.

I can't believe I took him seriously but I was in autopilot mode. I just sat in my pup house and waited.

After what seemed like two hours (30 minutes) I heard Tracker's jeep pull up and not too long after a Ford Ranger. I knew that Jake got a new truck and since there no snowcat sound I guessed Everest was with him. I opened my door and low and behold there was Everest getting out of the truck. We made eye contact and she started to run to me and I ran to her. We came so close to each other that our noses nearly touched.

There we were looking into each other's soles. We were blushing so hard and everyone was watching but something kept us from looking away.

"I've got to tell you something," we said in perfect unison.

"Wait. What?" again in perfect unison.

"You go first," she said blushing to look away slightly.

"No, you. You said something first," I encouraged her.

"No, you go first," she insisted.

"I insist," I urged her.

"Alright fine, Chase," By now every human and pup that was at the Lookout at the time was watching. I myself was blushing redder than Marshall's truck," I… uh… I like you and I don't mean like, I mean like, like you."

I felt like my head was about to explode. I couldn't control myself and I blurted out, "Well the funny thing is I 'like', 'like' you too. I love you," I said the last part in a whisper. Then I swear I heard her head go boom and she nuzzled my neck. I NUZZLED HER BACK!

Everest's POV

I can't believe he said the same thing and does love me as I do him. We just needed a push and right time.

End of Flashback

The reminder made Everest start to sniffle. The pups noticed and tried to comfort her.

Just then a knock at the door and it came in Chase's doctor with Chase in a bed. Ryder got up from the chair to greet the doctor.

"Hello, doctor. Hows Chase?" Ryder asked anxiously.

"Hello. Chase is going to make a full recovery. His legs were pretty jacked up, but the surgery put them back into place and now he will need morphine through IV and will need to take pain killers for two and a half weeks. He will also need to stay here at the hospital for his collapsed lung. My guess is two weeks if not one in a half." the doctor explained.

"Oh, how long until he would be ready for missions?"

"He will have to go through physical therapy and mental therapy, so like in five if not seven months is my best guess."

"Gosh. Ok thank you, doctor," Ryder hugged the doctor.

"You're welcome. If you need anything just holler."

"We will," the pups said.

Everest looked to Chase who was out cold on his bed and asked Ryder, "Ryder? Can you move me closer to Chase?"

"Let me see if that is ok with the nurses," Ryder said and he walked out the door.

One minute later Ryder and two other female nurses came in. The nurses then got ready to move the bed and moved it closer to Chase's. They lowered the guard rails so that the two beds can sort of becoming one. Ryder thanked the nurses and they walked out.

Everest moved super carefully over by Chase and put her paw by his paw and hold it gently. Chase, although being out cold, use as little strength as possible and squeezed Everest's paw making her smile huge.

AN: And there is chapter two of this story. I personally think I did a pretty good job on the flashback. What do you guys think? I looked up on how to heal a collapsed lung and let's just say I will go over more detail in the next chapter.

PLEASE PM/Review. I'm a nice guy.

Till next Time

Atlas Guardian Out.