FAR AWAY BY LAND, CLOSE ENOUGH BY HEART

RockyxEverest (request by guest badgerbadger)

(AU where Everest doesn't live close to Adventure Bay, but quite far away)

Love, is powerful.

It can withstand anything, and could connect people miles away.

Like it or not, love is for everyone, and anyone can find their true love.

You just have to be brave enough to get out there.

Everest sat down near the fireplace of her owner's home. Cozy and warm, she gazed happily at her owner, Jake.

Jake, was his name, and he was a fellow ranger here at Pine Grove Forest. Here was more like where, since no one really wanted to stay here all year, more like a few days to camp. So most if the time she was all alone, with no one to play with. It was quite sad and lonely, really, but having Jake with her lessened the ache a little bit.

"Here you go Everest, merry Christmas!" A turquoise wrapped package was placed in front of her, while she pulled out a forest green wrapped present as well.

"Happy holidays to you too, Jake! I hope you like your present!" She happily exclaimed. Being being lonely sometimes doesn't mean you have to be mopey, you can be happy as well!

"On the count of three, let's open them up. One, two three!" The lavender husky stared in barely contained glee at the accessory that would change her life.

"Oh thank you thank you thank you for getting me a calling collar!" Everest babbled out excitedly, licking Jake's face in excitement and pure joy. Now she had people to talk to!

Calling collars were invented by a boy named Ryder, who won lots of prizes for it and was the founder of Paw Patrol. They are really just like calling devices for dogs, with only the calling feature inside the sliver tag. It was enough for her, maybe she won't be so sad anymore! She had asked for one several times for a gift, but it was impossible to find someone who would ship it to here. Now, she thanked the living life out of that person who agreed to pick it up!

"You're welcome Everest, I'm glad you like it." Hugging her gently, he looked at her icy blue eyes and smiled. "Now, you want to make a phone call to wish someone a happy new year?"

"Yes please!"

"Well, then I'll leave you too it. I'll be in the back, chopping firewood! Your scarf for me is perfect!, Thank you!" She didn't knit the scarf, but had helped in getting the natural wool and keeping company with the lady she asked to knit for. The forest green yarn suited him, bundled around his neck loosely.

"Okay, thank you so much!" Everest turned back to the pup tag, powering it on. Pretty soon the tag flashed brightly, signaling it was ready for the first call. She had already decided who she was gonna call first, her mother Rosie.

She must chosen the wrong setting, as the husky voice that answered was definitely not her mother's sweet voice.

"Hello? Who is this?" The voice that said that was semi deep, with a husk to it, like one of a wolf. Some people would call the sound sexy, but Everest didn't even know that word.

"Urm... Hi, this is Everest?"

"Oh, hi Everest! How may I help you?" His voice was so alluring, so addicting she wanted to hear more.

"Oh, I'm good! I just wanted to wish you a happy new year!" Okay, that did not sound as cool as she thought it would have. She really wanted to impress this…whoever he was, and all she was getting was probably him thinking she was cockoo.

To her surprise, he started laughing. Not at her, but because of shock and overall cheerfulness.

"Happy new year to you too." He answered back, his smile able to hear through the tag. "My name's Rocky, the recycling pup of the paw patrol. And you are Everest, of…."

"Of Pine Grove Forest. I'm no rescue pup, but I help out with camps. So…camping pup?"

"That sounds pretty good." His laugh, low and sweet, charmed her furry ears. "I like it."

"Thanks…." Why is she blushing? Is she getting a fever? Wait, no…was she falling love with this strange but handsome dog?

"Did you call the wrong number? Because I could tell you how to get it right…if you want to."

"No, no, it's fine. I'm sure I will learn, somehow!" Ooh, she hated how her voice squeaked at the end. Why is she so so awkward sounding with him?!

"Okay.…so, what made you call some pup?"

"I was calling my mother to wish her a happy new year, and to also show off my new pup tag. I've never gotten one that could call someone, so I was pretty excited. Too excited, I think... "

"Naw, I like your personality, it's quite refreshing! My friends over here are quite the crazy ones too... Hey, you wanna talk to them as well?"

"Sure! I like meeting new people!" There was the sound of a click on the other end, then all she could hear was a... Explosion of noise, to say the least.

"HI EVEREST!" About seven or eight voices yelled out in synchronization, all quite happily.

"Hiya guys?" She heasitanty spoke into the tag, ears flattening a bit to cover up the sound. They all seem really fun... Wow, Rocky has some cool friends!

A week passed, and she was still talking with Rocky, even Jake came to say hi! Seriously, she feels less lonely now than before, with actual pup friends around her age. She was right, Rocky's friends truly were the best. They were all so funny, and so energetic! She felt like she belonged with those crazy pups, belonging to Rocky.

Speaking of Rocky... Her crush had became a obsession. Everyday she would itch for the time to hit 5 o'clock in the afternoon, so that she could call him and he'll be there. Although she had no idea what he looked like, she could tell from the way he spoke that he a very handsome dog. All the care and detail he puts into every word, and how his alto laugh would harmonize beautifully with her sorprano giggles. Oh my...

She was falling in love, and love itself was drawing her deeper and deeper. She would ache to hear his voice and to imagine him next to her, seeing him smile, and his eyes shine. He would always seem so compassionate when he was talking about things he liked, for example recycling. It was truly amazing how well they bonded together, and just the simple relationship in it all. Everest desperately wanted to be the first to confess, but she was too afraid that she'll be wrong, and lose one of her only best friends.

It was five in the afternoon, about time for their talk. Everest shivered a bit, sitting down near the edge of the forest facing the view of the sea. This was her secret hideout, one that Jake gave her as a place to be herself. This Husky loved coming here to talk to Rocky, to prance around in the woods, or just to sit and stare at the view. Pressing the button, she waited paitently as the tone sounded one, two, three times. Surprisigly, the tone continued on, since Rocky didn't pick up. Weird... He always picked up by the third ring! The call broke off, as the waiting time took too long.

"Maybe he's just busy? He does work for the Paw Patrol! Yeah, that must be it..." Everest sat down, the wind ruffling her fur behind her. The lavender husky spent about twenty minutes climbing trees with sap before she called again. He was still not picking up. What was wrong? Like, she didn't want to seem selfish or something, but couldn't he have told her that he was going somewhere? She was turning into such a worry wart!

Giving up after about five times, she decided not to bother him anymore. Maybe he truly was busy, and can't talk to her. As she lay beside Jake after dinner, the fire warming her up, she couldn't help but feel her heart breaking, bursting into little fragments.

The days after were the same. It always went to voicemail, and always had no pup picking up. Was he ignoring her? What did she do wrong this time?

She didn't have a lot of friends, but there was one dog who she used to be best freidns with. Her name was Sonja, and she was a black Labrador retriever with golden hazel eyes. Both had unseemly huge amounts of energy, and spent it playing all day in the forest. That was one if the best summers she ever had. Playing with a pup who was just like you, knew you well, was a new concept to her, and she enjoyed it tremendously.

But, always, friends come and go. Sonja's owner was only there for the summer, and had to leave in the fall. Everest didn't want her only friend to go! She remembered pleading for her to stay, and grabbing her paw.

Sadly, Sonja didn't think of her that highly. The lab had wrenched her paw away, glared at Everest, and hissed, "I have a life to live, not with you, and don't touch me, ever again. " Then she had stalked away.

Everest didn't understand then, but she knew now. Sometimes you have to give up your memories in order to make new ones with new people. Sonja had indeed taught her a lesson, to not fall for someone that easily.

Too bad her lesson failed. It passed a week, and she had given up all hope he'll reply again. Everest cherished the time she had with that handsome dog, talking about anything coming to mind. She felt like she could tell him anything, and he would judge, not at all. She loved how he was so caring of her, asking how she was everyday. He balanced out her hyperness with his low calming voice. Shoot, why do all the good ones leave?!

Tiny droplets trailed down her face as she though more of him, her heart breaking even more. Might as well get it over with... Cry all you want Everest...

She did, thinking about him the whole time. Everything with him had a meaning and every day spent with him left her happy and energized. Oh, she desperately wanted to stop falling for people so easily!

The view of the sea was the only pretty thing left, with Jake as well. She stared at the magnificentcy of it all, the waved craching amongst one another. They didn't have to worry about this... She whimpered sadly, head bowing down.

"Everest? Is that you?" No, that couldn't be... But the voice sounds just like Rocky's... She turned around, blue eyes widened in shock.

"Rocky?" The gray mixed breed smiled sheepishly, golden eyes gazing down.

"I'm sorry if I took you by surprise. And if you don't want to see me," he took a breath, "I'm okay with that. I just... wanted to see you, Everest."

She gave no answer, running over and hugging him tightly. Rocky was alive, and here! He was also drop dead gorgeous too, those golden eyes like the sunset, that dark circle around his right eye, and the silver fur. What else could be better?

"I missed you Rocky... And of course I want to see you! You seem just as handsome as I thought you would be... Oops, I wasn't supposed to say that!" Oh, God, thank goodness her muzzle was buried in his silver fur, or her snout could light up a Christmas tree.

He laughed, the familiarity of it relaxing her. "I came here, with permission just to see you. Finding this forest is hard! Then I saw Jake, and he led me here. I'm sorry if I worried you, Everest, I really am. Can I make it up to you?"

"There is one thing... " She looked up bashfully from beneath her thick lashes, "Will you be my boyfriend? Ever since I heard your voice, I knew you were the one. You are the only calm to my storms, and my reasons to laugh. You, Rocky, made me feel like I had a purpose in life again."

"Aw, Everest, you don't know why much it warms my heart to hear you say that. Yes, I willbe your boyfriend, long distance and all. I was hoping you'll ask that, to be honest. Before all of this, I was quite shy, even as a grown dog. You broke me out of that, by that collar call two weeks ago. I didn't know if it was even possible to be so happy until I met you! You are so energetic, so full of happiness that j just want to be around you forever and ever. You make me smile, and my heart of course I'll be your boyfriend, and all is well." The two shared a smile, their eyes twinkling with happiness.

"It rhymed, the last part. I just thought you should know." Everest whispered playfully, earning a wink from Rocky.

"All the rhymes just for you, my lady, " Taking her lavender paw and kissing it gently, he looked back up at the blushing husky.

"I just wanted you to know as well, you're cute when you blush." He whispered, taking his own paw to tilt her red muzzle up for a kiss.

Their kiss was soft and gentle, both of them a little hesitant. This...meant so much for the both of them, as they were never loved like this before.

No words needed to be said as the two leaned against each other, enjoying the view. Everest was happy as she snuggled into Rocky's fur once more, feeling protected and peacefully calm. Rocky looked back at his new girlfriend, and felt more energetic and happy. The two would be together, no matter the distance, for years to come.

It seems like love can really happen anywhere!

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hi! 2starryeyes here!

This is the FIFTH one of my request flurry, I hope you liked it?

Anyhoo, more stories will be out soon! (hey, that rhymes! :D)

Until the nest chapter!

Fav'ing, following, and reviewing all give me love! You don't have to if you don't want to! I love you all just the same!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SAY IN THE REVIEW SECTION IF YOU WANT THIS SERIES TO CONTINUE!

See you all again soon!

~2starryeyes :D