Missed Chances - Chapter 2

"Marshall!" called Everest.

"Yeah honey," answered Marshall from his study. Marshall was writing a new lesson plan for the department.

"You got another package from Chase" called Everest.

Marshall came walking into the kitchen kissing his mate, "Well what's the bet today?"

"I'm thinking Europe," said Everest.

"Ok, I'm thinking United States," laughed Marshall, "Usual stakes?"

"You know it," said Everest.

"Well let's see if either of us win," laughed Marshall opening the package.

He took a letter out and set it aside. He saw two small bundles but on top was the real prize, a photograph. He took it out and set it on the counter so Everest could see it also. The picture was Chase standing next to an armored truck in front of The Topography of Terror museum in Berlin Germany.

"Ha, I win!" laughed Everest.

"I thought I had it this time," laughed Marshall. "So what's this going to get me into this time?"

"Just be showered and ready at 8 o'clock," laughed Everest and then in an extremely sultry voice, "and be ready to do as you're told."

"Sounds fun," said Marshall, "maybe losing wasn't a bad thing."

"You'll have to wait and see," laughed Everest. "Now, what does the letter say and what did he send this time?"

Marshall picked up the letter and began reading, "He was there to give a presentation about modern explosives used by the world's terrorist. Oh and look at this." he said, handing the letter to Everest.

'Oh, please don't tell me he found someone,' thought Everest. She quickly read through the letter. She say at the end of the letter a signed check and a request for a reservation at the lodge for two weeks from today.

"What is that idiot thinking," laughed Everest, "He knows damned well, I won't take his money for a room here."

"He feels obligated to offer," said Marshall. "He didn't leave last time in the best, um, situation. Uh, did you notice it says plus 1."

"I sent him a written apology. And he sent one in return. Yeah, I saw it but it says separate room though," said Everest. "Maybe it's just a work friend."

"Well regardless," said Marshall, "it will be great to see him. I'll make sure to get their rooms ready."

"You think Cinder and you for that matter could get off?" asked Everest.

"You just want your snuggle buddy," laughed Marshall. "I'll call her this evening. Um, are you going to call her?"

"No, I guess not," sighed Everest, "I especially don't want her to show up with the possibility of Chase bringing a plus one. I can still hope though, can't I?"

"Of course," said Marshall, "Don't give up hope until the vows are said. I promise I'll talk to him."

Skye had just received a flight request. She sat down at her computer.

"Oh great, a request to fly into Adventure Bay for business," said Skye. "It's been too long since I got to see Ev."

Skye wrote a quick email to Everest requesting a room for the week.

Skye checked her itinerary, "Let's see I pick up Douglas at Brandenburg at 1800, that means they are hours ahead of New York, so I need to leave, crap, now." She quickly sent a flight plan into ATC and ran for the jet. She was going through preflight when she got notified of flight plan approval.

Chase had just finished his class. This was becoming a regular class.

"So Chase, how long until we are back here?" laughed the Beautiful Cocker Spaniel as she began putting the class materials back in the shipping containers.

"They wanted us in two weeks," laughed Chase, "I told them we were going on vacation for the first time in over a year. Maybe we should just open an office here."

"Works for me," said the pup, "I love Germany. They will pick up the containers and ship them back to the office. Our flight is in 4 hours. Are you going to ride with me or meet me there?"

"Are we flying private or military?" asked Chase.

"Private," laughed the pup.

"I love you Rhonda," laughed Chase, "I could really use a nap. I guess I'll sleep on the flight. I need to pick up something for Rocky. I'll just meet you there."

Chase ran to a local market and was looking for a gift to send to Rocky. He had sent a blanket from Italy to Zuma last month. He had sent a package with a custom made porcelain Husky and Dalmatian to Everest and Marshall last trip. He was looking for something special. He had inadvertently skipped over Rocky the last few trips. The funniest was last year when Rocky and Chase had sent each other Geisha dolls from the same shop in Japan. They apparently missed each other by a day. When Chase got the package from Rocky he immediately called and they laughed for over an hour while they talked and agreed they needed to compare schedules and meet somewhere soon. He had just made his purchase and realized the time. He had just enough time to return the rental car before making his flight. His phone rang.

"Where are you?" asked Rhonda.

"I'm pulling up to drop off the car," said Chase, "I'll be right there."

"Ok, I'm waiting just past the customs station," said Rhonda.

Chase rushed over to the private flight terminal walking in.

"Captain Chase!" yelled a young german shepherd wearing pup BDUs as he approached.

"Yes, can I help you?" asked Chase.

"Sorry Sir," the shepherd snapped to attention. "I'm Ace sir. I was told to help you through customs and get you to your flight."

"I'm perfectly capable of walking myself through customs," said Chase returning the salute.

"I know sir," said Ace, "I'm just following orders."

As they approached the Customs Officer, he looked up and smiled.

"Chase, you might as well move here," laughed the officer. "This is what, the third time in two months."

"Fourth," laughed Chase, "And apparently we'll be back in a month."

"Anything new?" asked the officer.

"No SSDD," laughed Chase.

"Show me your papers," growled an older Mastiff, in a thick Russian accent.

"Wow, Slade," laughed Chase, handing him his passport, "I can't even detect your accent anymore."

"Comrade you still terrible with the jokes eh," laughed Slade. He stamped Chase's passport handing it back to him. "You will call next time, yes? We go get real drinks this time, my treat."

"Deal," laughed Chase.

"Sir?" asked Ace, "What was that?"

"That was customs," said Chase with a straight face. "Why isn't it like that for everyone?"

"Not in Germany," said Ace. "I take it, you know them."

"He knows everyone," laughed Rhonda, as she caught up with them.

As they walked out of the terminal onto the tarmac Chase noticed a lear jet pulling into a spot across from where their jet was waiting. On the tail was the logo he recognized and down the side read 'Skye's the Limit.' Chase froze, 'it's her," thought Chase. It stopped and the door dropped open, there she was. 'She's gorgeous,' thought Chase, 'I screwed up so badly." He started to drop his bag and run to her, he envisioned himself throwing himself at her feet begging for another chance. A sleek muscled Belgian Malinois ran over and picked her up, spinning her around. The dog set her down and she hugged him and kissed his cheek. He picked his bag up and they both turned and walked back into the jet. For Chase everything froze, time just stopped, he stood there staring as the jet fired up and pulled away. 'Of course she moved on,' thought Chase, as a tear ran down his cheek. 'It's not like I gave her any reason to wait. I can't believe I had to come all the way to Germany to have it rubbed in my face.'

Rhonda had noticed that Chase had stopped and was watching a jet pulling away. She looked and saw the name on the side of the jet. "Oh shit!" Rhonda said.

Rhonda turned to Ace, "Uh, we got it from here. You need to leave now."

"I'm sorry Ma'am," said Ace, looking hurt, "Did I do something?"

"No, you were great," said Rhonda, "But I have a feeling the captain is suddenly in a really bad mood."

Ace turned and saw the look of Chase's face. "Y-you have a good flight." Ace turned and left quickly.

"Was it her?" asked Rhonda.

Chase nodded. He took a deep breath and turned to their awaiting jet and climbed in. He went to the back and sat down without saying a word.

"Great," said Rhonda, "Now I get stuck with Mr. Pissymood."

Marshall's phone rang on his desk, "Adventure Bay FD, Captain Marshall speaking."

"Marshall, we might have a problem," said Everest on the other side.

"What's wrong honey?" asked Marshall, "Are you ok?"

"I got an email request for a reservation," said Everest.

"Ok," said Marshall, not understanding. "You get those all the time."

"It's from Skye," said Everest.

"Oh?" said Marshall.

"Same time Chase will be here," said Everest.

"OH!" said Marshall.

"Marshall, it also says plus one," said Everest.

"Crap," said Marshall.

"Yeah, crap pretty much sums it up," said Everest.

The phone rang.

"Zuma's Cabana," answered Zuma

"Really, that's how you answer your school phone?" laughed Rocky.

"Contrary to your belief I'm not a total idiot," laughed Zuma, "I have caller ID. I saw it as you. What's up pup?"

"Well," said Rocky, "Work has been a real bear the last few months. I was thinking about coming to see everybody. You think you might have room for me?"

"You're kidding right?" asked Zuma.

"What?" said Rocky, "I can probably get a room up at the lodge."

"Rocky," said Zuma, "I'm still single. If you show up in the middle of the night, you have a room at my place you don't have to ask, ever. You are my brother until the end. Maybe I can find you a bed warmer while you're here."

"Yeah, you know I don't have time for that," said Rocky. "I try, girls aren't interested in me, never will be."

"You know someone is out there for you," said Zuma.

"Yeah, and why are you still single?" laughed Rocky.

"Because, I'm picky," laughed Zuma.

"Your requirement last I checked was she had to have a pulse," laughed Rocky.

"That was the old me," said Zuma, "I'm older and more responsible now. I want someone worth coming home to."

"Hum, I'd just like to be able to come home regularly," said Rocky. "I really miss you and the guys."

"Well regardless," said Zuma, "You're welcome anytime. Let me know when you're coming so I can buy food. Bachelor life is what it is, unless you want pop tarts and cheerios, I have to go shopping."

"I'll be there next week," said Rocky, "But really I don't mind getting a room."

"Rocky," said Zuma, "You will hurt my feelings if you get a room."

"Ok, ok," laughed Rocky, "I'll see you next week."

Zuma hung up and called Marshall to give him a heads up that Rocky would be visiting. He promised to come by and see Marshall and Everest.

"Zuma?' said Marshall.

"Uh Oh, I know that tone," said Zuma. "Spill it."

Marshall told Zuma about the possible situation.

"Crap," said Zuma.

"Yeah, I believe that is the consensus," laughed Marshall.

"Well, we just gotta make the best of it we can," said Zuma. "It will be great to see everyone."

"Have you checked to see if Rubble is in town?" asked Marshall.

"No," said Zuma, "in fact I haven't talked to him in months. I'm ashamed we live so close and never talk. I'll call him right now. Talk to you soon, keep me updated."

Zuma hung up and called Rubble. Rubble said there was nothing as important as everyone being back at the same time. Rubble told Zuma, name the place and he would be there.