The day after I revealed my past to Buck, he suggests that we go explore the dino world together for a couple of hours. At first, I am wary. I don't want to leave them alone. After much persuasion on Buck's part, I sit my kits down. "Kits, Buck and I are going to be gone for a couple of hours. Rita, you're in charge. You and Lucas, take care of Callie. Be good," I tell them.

"Yes, mommy," Rita says.

"But why is Rita in charge?" Lucas whines.

"Rita is the oldest of you two, even if it is by a few minutes," I explain.

"Fine…" Lucas groans.

I smile. I head outside to where Buck is waiting. "Are ya ready?" Buck asks.

I nod my head. "Let's go!" I reply. We start heading off into the dinosaur world.

About an hour later, we reach a gorgeous looking valley. There are flowers and trees. The ground is carpeted with moss. Buck turns to me. "I've nevah bin ta thi' part ah th' dino world. Le's explore 't!" Buck grins from obvious excitement.

I nod my head in agreement. We head into the valley, Buck walking a couple of feet in front of me. Our ears twitching. We are alert for any and all possible dangers. That's why I am able to hear the swishing sound coming from the ground. I turn my head. I see the long body of a snake. It is aiming itself straight for Buck. I gasp. "Look out!" I shout.

Buck turns just as the snake strikes. It's fangs sink into Buck's flesh, two in his front and two in his back. Buck yowls from the pain. I growl. I take Buck's knife, which he dropped when the snake struck him. I lunge at the snake and slash at it. The snake releases Buck, who then falls to the ground with a yelp. I keep slashing at the snake until, finally, it dies.

I drop the knife and rush to Buck's side. Buck is whimpering and squirming from the pain. I place my right paw on Buck's forehead. Buck opens his eye to look at me. "Buck, what should I do?" I ask softly. It's obvious that I'm worried about him.

"Tha' snake was poisonous. I…I need th' antidote…" Buck gasps.

My eyes widen. "What is the antidote?" I ask.

"I…I need th' sap from a palm tree mixed wi' fern leaves. Tha'll 'elp ge' rid ah th' poison," Buck explains.

"Okay. I'll be right back!" I dart off into the forest, intent on collecting the ingredients for the antidote.

I return with the antidote a mere few minutes later. Buck is still laying on his side. This time, though, there is a puddle of vomit next to him. I grimace slightly, before rushing next to him. Buck looks up to me. His eye holds sadness and embarrassment. "I…ya must think tha' 'm disgusting, now…" Buck mumbles, breaking off with a whimper from his pain.

"I don't think that, Buck. Why would you say that?" I ask softly.

"I...'cause I threw up..." Buck trails off, a nervous look in his eye.

I shake my head. "Buck, it's okay. You couldn't help it. Now, let's get the antidote inside of you," I whisper with a comforting smile.

I place the antidote on a leaf in front of Buck. Buck takes it and swallows it down. He coughs and curls up on himself. I can hear his whimpers. I place my paw on his shoulder. He turns his head to face me. I can see tears streaming from his eye. He sniffles and turns away from me. "Buck, it's okay. You can cry," I assure him.

Buck's eye waters some more. He turns his head against the ground, trying to hide his face from me. I see his shoulders begin to shake with suppressed sobs. I put my paw on his forehead and stroke it, trying to soothe him. Buck whimpers. "I…I jus'…'t 'urts…so much…" He cries out.

"I know. I know. Don't worry, though. Everything will be alright," I whisper soothingly.

Buck continues to sob. I stroke his forehead. After a while, Buck's sobbing turns to whimpers. His tears slow down. Buck looks at me. Embarrassment is clear on his face. "I…I thought tha' I was used ta pain. I…'m sorry fer cryin'…" Buck mumbles.

"Oh, Buck…It's alright to cry. Everyone has their breaking points. Even if you are used to pain. You've just reached your limit. That's all. Now, let's get you back to the tree," I smile softly.

"I…'m no' sure tha' I c'n walk tha' far…" Buck mumbles, clearly hesitant to admit it.

"Then, lean on me. I'll get you to the tree," I place my paw on Buck's shoulder. I begin to help him up.

Before we can even begin walking, though, Buck gasps. I turn to look at him. I notice how green his face has gotten. Suddenly, Buck falls forward and begins to vomit. I kneel beside him. I stroke his back in soothing circles as he continues to heave and retch. Buck starts coughing, choking on the vomit that's rising from his throat. I pat him on his back to try to stop his choking. When, finally, Buck stops vomiting, he looks at me. I can see tears standing in his eye. "Sorry ya 'ad ta see tha'…" Buck whispers, a single tear escaping from his eye.

"Don't be sorry, Buck. I told you before. It's alright. You are still my friend, no matter what. Now, it's obvious that you can't walk to the tree, no offense. I'll carry you there. And, before you say anything, no, you're not too heavy. I've had practice carrying all three of my kits at once!" I point out. Buck sighs and nods his head. I lift Buck up into my arms. Then, I start carrying him off towards the tree.

When we get there, I put Buck down. I have him grab onto my shoulders so that I can carry him to the hollow in the tree. When we enter, my kits rush towards us. They are surprised by Buck's condition. Rita is the first one to speak. "Mommy, what happened?" She gasps.

"Sweetie, Buck was bitten by a snake. Don't worry. He'll be alright. He's just a little sick," I explain. Rita nods her head. She and Lucas return to their games, though not as enthusiastically as before.

I turn to Buck, who is still on my shoulders. "I'll get you to your nest. Don't worry too much. Everything will be just fine," I smile softly. Buck nods his head. I place him gently on his nest. "Would you like anything? Food? Water?" I ask.

"Wa'er would be fine. I…I don' think tha' I c'n keep any food down…" Buck replies.

"Alright. I'll be back in a second," I speak. I dart out of the tree. I return a moment later with some fresh water. I feed the water to Buck.

When Buck finishes the water up, he smiles. "Thanks, Sophie," Buck says. He curls up a bit, wincing at the pain.

"You're welcome. Now, get some sleep," I suggest.

Buck nods his head. He closes his eye and soon falls asleep. I stay by Buck for the most part, making sure that he'll be fine. I know he will, though. I believe that because Buck is the strongest weasel that I know. I stay by his side with those thoughts in my mind.