Everest was about to fully swipe her claws across her neck but heard a friendlier voice speak this time.

"Everest!" The voice shouted. She opened her eyes to see Chase in front of her. He saw the tear lines in her fur.

"Please...just let me go," Everest begged. More tears flowed from her eyes.

"Don't do this y-," Chase was cut off as Everest began to speak.

"I want this Chase...please I'm not strong enough...I couldn't save them...just let me go," Everest pleaded once more.

"Save who," Chase asked, slightly confused.

"My family…" Everest said while looking away. Chase slowly approached her, he lifted one paw and touched her paw by her neck.

"You are strong Everest...you always meant well for others and no one has to die today," Chase softly spoke. Everest began to tremble.

"I don't deserve this life," Everest cried.

"You're family wouldn't want this...they may have died but you're still alive," Chase said," You saved lives with that paw don't throw that away by using that paw for this.

Everest nodded her head slowly as Chase guided her paw away from her neck. She retracted her claws. She looked at Chase and quickly jumped to hug him. She cried into his neck.

"I just want my family back," Everest choked out.

"Shhh...I know that feeling...but we're all here for you," Chase coed. Chase and Everest lost track of time and realized that they've been hugging for a while. The sun was just beginning to set.

"We should head back...we've been looking for you everywhere," Chase instructed. Chase guided Everest back to Jake's cabin. Jake rushed up to Everest and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"You had me so worried...we've been looking everywhere for you," Jake said. Chase turned to find Ryder with a relieved look on his face.

"What happened out there Chase?" Ryder asked. Chase turned and glanced at Everest and saw a worried expression cross her face.

"She just lost track of time and was sitting by the river, sir," Chase reported. Ryder raised a brow and stared at the shepherd.

"Are you sure Chase?" Ryder questioned.

"Yes sir!" Chased barked happily.

[A Couple Hours Later]

All the pups were sleeping near Ryder by the couch in the Cabin except Chase. Chase was thinking about Everest. "What happened to her before we found her...what would have happened to her if Jake never went on that trip." Chase thought as he heard a low whimper come from outside.

Chase slowly made his way outside. He heard the sound come again, but from Everest's snowmobile. He slowly crept up to it and saw her constantly shifting in her sleep and her ears we back. Everest made another low whimper and continued to shift around.

"Everest...Everest," Chase spoke softly as he tried to shake Everest awake from her nightmare. He began to shake her harder until her eyes finally snapped open. Chase noticed the two damp lines of fur running from her eyes.

"C-Chase," Everest said. Chase quickly pulled Everest into a hug and began stroking the back of her head. He finally pulled away from her once Everest calmed down a bit.

"You were having a nightmare," Chase said.

"Yeah," Everest said.

"How long have these been happening?" Chase asked. Everest stared at Chase for a while.

"Not often but a good night's sleep seems like a dream," Everest said. "He seems to really care for me." Everest thought while staring at Chase's confused eyes.

"Hey um Chase," Everest looked at Chase with pleading eyes.

"Yeah?" Chase asked.

"Can you sleep with me tonight...I don't really want to be alone tonight after you know…" Everest trailed off.

"Sure," Chase said as Everest moved aside and made room for Chase to lay down. Everest snuggled up closer to Chase.

"I'm scared Chase," Everest whispered.

"Of what?" Chase questioned.

"Of losing all of you...I don't want to lose the people I care about again," Everest said with a small tear leaking from her eye. Chase saw this and licked her tear away, causing Everest to slightly blush.

"We'll make sure that never happens until it's time," Chase said. Everest stared at Chase and Chase stared back at Everest.

After a few moments of staring at eachother. Chase leaned in and kissed Everest. She was shocked at first but leaned into his kiss. Their tongues collided and danced while they explored at the same time. Chase slowly pulled away, having air being sucked into their mouths again.

"What was that for?" Everest asked.

"That was for a good night's rest for you," Chase said, causing Everest to giggle and blush.

"Thankyou," Everest spoke.

"Everest I think I may be in love with you," Chase said.

"I love you too," Everest replied. She nuzzled up against Chase and closed her eyes.

"Good night Everest," Chase said.

"Good night Chase," Everest responded as she felt sleep tugging away at her once more.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and please do leave some feedback, I'm open to any ideas or "Constructive Criticism" to improve future writings.

Well looks like a lot of stuff happened, first suicide now the romance.

Thanks a lot and hope you enjoyed this chapter!

~Skyfire119