(A/N: Surprise, have an update! Also just fyi, plasters are what we call bandaids in the UK)
By the time Mayor Goodway makes it to the Lookout, the rescue is over.
Skye lands her helicopter with well-practised ease and hops out as it transforms back into her pup house. She's bouncing with excitement, thrilled at another job well done. Chase parks his own vehicle and watches as Ryder pulls up on his ATV. Soon all the pups are gathered, their voices loud and enthusiastic.
Goodway hesitates.
She doesn't want to interrupt. Doesn't want to spoil the good mood. They haven't noticed her yet and she's starting to think she doesn't want them to. But then she sees Ryder remove his helmet. Sees the fresh cut on his cheek.
Her stomach does a somersault.
"Ryder! Let me look at that!"
Marshall bounds over, almost tripping over his feet in his rush to get to the boy. Ryder laughs and shakes his head, setting his helmet down on the ATV's seat.
"It's nothing, Marshall. Honest", he says.
"At least let me put a plaster on it!"
Ryder relents. Kneels down so his loyal pup can clean up the cut and make sure it's covered properly. Goodway steels herself, takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. She walks over to them, a smile on her face that is only slightly forced.
"Hello, everyone!" She calls, waving.
A chorus of happy hellos echo back at her. Ryder quickly straightens up.
"Mayor Goodway! Hi!" He says.
Goodway clasps her hands together. Chickaletta clucks blankly, eyes somehow managing to look everywhere and nowhere all at once.
"Ryder, I was hoping we could have a little talk".
"Uh…sure? What about?"
He raises an eyebrow, looking mildly concerned. The pups are all smiles and wagging tails.
"Is it a party?" Zuma asks. "Are we having a party?"
"I love parties!" Rubble exclaims. "And party food!"
The other pups laugh and Goodway tries to laugh too but her guilt is rising.
"Sorry, Pups, not this time", she says apologetically. "Actually, I was rather hoping to talk to Ryder alone, if that's okay".
"Alone?"
Now Chase looks suspicious.
"Must be really important", Rocky muses.
"It's okay, Pups", says Ryder, offering them a comforting smile. "Why don't you go play while we talk? I'm sure it'll be fine. It always is, right?"
"Right!" Rubble barks in agreement.
One by one the other pups join him and as they run off to play, Ryder and Goodway head inside. She appreciates the privacy, as she doubts the pups would appreciate hearing what she has to say. Better that it comes from Ryder afterwards. They're less likely to argue with him.
"So what's up, Mayor?"
He looks up at her and her gaze is drawn to the plaster on his cheek.
"What happened?" She asks, pointing to it.
Perhaps her finger gets a touch too close, because he draws back slightly and looks a little uncomfortable. He raises a hand as though trying to hide the plaster from her.
"Nothing", he says. "It was just an accident. Nothing to worry about".
"But I am worried, Ryder", Goodway replies, sighing softly and crossing her arms. "And not just about you, but the pups too. That's why I'm here. Why we need to talk".
"I…don't understand?"
Those big brown eyes are full of confusion. He's not sure how to take what she's saying and she can tell it's bothering him. Has he, too, forgotten just how young he really is? How young the pups are? Goodway can tell this isn't going to be fun.
"Ryder, sweetie, it's like this…"
And they talk.
