Skye's Birthday Bummer

It was a windy day in Adventure Bay, and most of the PAW Patrol was preparing for Skye's party. "Come on, Zuma!" Chase said. "We need to get ready."

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Zuma and Chase were carrying streamers to help decorate for Skye's surprise party.

"Good thing Skye likes being at Katie's: She'll never know we're planning a surprise party." Rubble said, giving the cake batter a taste test.

"I don't know; we've planned parties before. She might know that us being secretive and wanting her to go to Katie's is so we can surprise her." Rocky said.

"Hopefully Marshall doesn't let the cat out of the bag; figuratively speaking." Everest said, tying up pink balloons around the lookout elevator.

"Question: Why is Marshall always the one entrusted of keeping a surprise party a secret?" Chase asked.

"I don't know." Rocky replied. "I really don't know."

Meanwhile, over at Katie's salon, Marshall and Skye were taking a bath; in separate tubs, of course. "I'm so happy I get to get a nice warm bath on such a special day." Skye said, with a smile on her face.

"What day is it, again?" Marshall asked, a puzzled look on his face.

"My birthday." Skye said, a look of disgust on her face. "I wonder what the pups are going to have at my surprise party."

"It's not a surprise party if you know about it, right? The pups knew you'd think they were planning a party when you were sent over here, so they decided not to throw a party. After we're through here, we'll head back back to the lookout, and play like a normal day, only you decide what we do."

"You mean, they're not throwing a party for me?"

"Yeah, you knowing about it would ruin the party. Sorry.''

"And I was really looking forward to a party." Skye said, her day of happiness ruined.

"Well, Skye, I guess you had better go celebrate yourself." Katie said. "Sorry they're not having a party for you."

"It's alright." Walking out, Skye noticed the sun still high in the sky.

"Marshall, I don't want to head back to the Lookout yet."

"So, what do you want to do?"

"Head to the park, and just play a little bit."

"Sounds good. I'm really sorry the pups didn't want to throw a party for you."

"That's okay. At least you came with me to keep me company."

At the park, Skye just ran up the slide ladder and slid down the slide over and over. Marshall watched, wishing he could tell her the pups were indeed throwing a party. Marshall also was being bored to death watching Skye do the same thing over and over, and decided it was time for a change. He ran up to the base of the slide, and when Skye slid down it, he jumped at her, knocking her back, and the two pups rolled into into a nearby tree. "Oof!" Skye said when they hit the tree. Getting up, Skye looked at Marshall in a face that had one word painted on it. "Run" was all she said. Marshall heeded her warning and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Skye took off after him, and despite being much smaller than him, was able to quickly catch up with him. Once he was in her range, Skye lunged at Marshall, knocking him to the ground. Skye stood over him, with a look of anger in her face.

"Hey, I was just trying to create a change in you just running up and down the slide." Marshall said, thinking Skye was just playing with him. He was wrong! Skye was put in a bad mood, thinking the pups didn't care enough about her to throw her a party.

"Marshall, don't ever jump into me again." She said. Then Skye suddenly realized what she had done, and saw the look of pure fear in Marshall's face. She quickly jumped off of him and sat on the ground next to him, tears starting to flow out of her eyes. Marshall saw this and quickly got up to sit beside her, and held her close to his side. "I-I'm s-sorry, Marshall." Skye said, choking back her tears.

"It's okay, Skye." Marshall told her. "Let it out, Skye." He told her when he saw her still trying to hold in the tears. "It's okay. Just let it all out." Hearing these words, Skye buried her head in Marshall's shoulder, and let the waterworks come. She continued to cry as Marshall held her close, gently massaging her back. Marshall, in a spur of the moment, planted a gentle kiss on Skye's forehead. Skye felt this, and almost instantly, the tears stopped flowing. She removed her head, and looked up to Marshall, seeing a look of love and compassion in his face.

"Thanks, Marshall." She said.

"No problem." He replied, wiping a stray tear from Skye's eye. "I'm sorry, this hasn't been the day you wanted it to be."

"That's okay." She said, a small smile starting to form on her face. "At least I know you care."

"Well, we'd better head back to the lookout."

"Yeah, it is starting to get late." Skye agreed, seeing the sun sinking in the sky.

At the lookout all the pups were ready with the party preparations. "I wonder if Marshall was able to make this party a surprise?" Rocky asked, as he hid behind the snack machine.

"It's hard to tell." Chase said from behind a pillow. No sooner than Chase finished his statement, the doors to the elevator opened.

"Why are all the lights off, Marshall?" Skye asked when she walked in, seeing the room dark.

"I don't know." He replied. Skye walked over to the light switch, and flipped it to the 'On' position. A soon as she turned around, the pups, Ryder, and some of their friends jumped out and yelled 'Surprise' in unison. Skye fell backwards on her rump when she saw everyone standing around with smiles on their faces, and all the decorations hanging about.

"You all did throw me a party!" She said a smile on her face, and looked over at Marshall.

"Sorry, I had to find someway to make it a surprise." He defended.

"This...is...amazing! I'm lucky to have such good friends."

"Whenever it's your birthday, just yelp for help." Ryder said, causing everyone there to laugh.

Two Hours Later

"Marshall," Skye asked, walking toward her puphouse, "Could you come here?"

"Sure." He said, walking up. "What's up?"

"Could you sleep with me tonight?"

"Huh?"

"Could you sleep with me tonight?"

"Why?"

"After all that's happened today, I just want someone close to me tonight,"

"If you're sure you want me to."

"I'm sure."

"Okay." Marshall said, before walking into Skye's puphouse. "Just one question: Why me?"

"I know you won't judge me wanting someone to sleep with."

"Good point."

"Goodnight, Marshall."

"Goodnight, Skye." And so the two pups drifted off to sleep, and Skye had never felt so relaxed.