BREAKDOWN

Everyone had been up all night and had rested very little the night and day before, with only their adrenaline keeping them going through the whole ordeal. Now it was returning to its normal level and their exhaustion was beginning to hit them all at once, and in spades. They were also feeling very hungry, especially Foxglove, who required more food than the others to meet the requirements of her metabolism. So upon entering headquarters, as much as they would have liked to go to bed, they simply had to eat. Monty insisted that he was quite capable of preparing dinner, but they all knew better.

Fortunately, when they saw the shape their friends were in, Tammy, Phinehas, and the six parents had set about serving a meal at once. It was prepared previously as they had waited with extreme anxiety, and when dinner was done, they had kept themselves busy by cleaning up the treehouse. And after anticipating a far greater emergency, they were only too glad to perform such a mundane task.

It was only upon tasting their food when they all realized how famished they really were, especially poor Foxy, who had to have several servings of delicious mealworms and lots of water. While she was thus busily engaged, she and the others looked upon Dale with pure admiration.

"Fellow Rangers, I give you the hero to whom we owe our lives: Dale Oakmont!" Chip exclaimed, holding a thimble of water aloft.

"To Dale Oakmont!" the others concurred enthusiastically, completing the toast.

Dale did not react to that complement, but still kept his pained look in his face. "Well, thanks, guys," he answered softly. "Though most of the plan was made up as I went along."

"Aw, come on, Dale!" Gadget smiled, "That's exactly what we were expecting! Your randomness! Fat Cat and his gang simply cannot figure you out! You practically had them wrapped around your little finger!"

"I…I have never felt more scared, not only for you, Foxy, but for you guys, too." His voice was still rather distant, and pained.

"That's what a hero is," Chip explained. "Just someone who—in spite of his own fear—and word of command—risks himself to try to save others."

"Too roight!" Monterey Jack added with enthusiasm, "That's all it takes, an' that's what you've got in spades! An' while yore record ain't perfect, yo're more than perfect in my book, and in Foxy's too, I take it!"

Zipper heartily squeaked his agreement.

Foxglove, however, began feeling terrible at this point. She lowered her head and confessed, "This never would have happened if I hadn't fallen for Fat Cat's trick. I'm sorry, Dale, and…I'm sorry, guys."

"No, Foxy!" cried Gadget, placing her paw on her shoulder. "I should have never given out that press release! I think we were lucky that it was only Fat Cat who decided to show up! Or…at least…I should have never left you alone by the pond…"

"It…it…wasn't your fault, Gadget," said Dale, still tremendously pained, "or yours, Foxy…"

"You know, Dale," said Nikoma, looking with worry at the young male, "for a hero who saved everyone and everything, you look as if you just killed your best friend."

I think I did, he thought.

"She's right," said Chap. "So, lighten up a bit, okay? From what Chip tells me, your 'hero moments' don't come very often! And what else could be better now? You rescued our kids, you got your bride back, you're getting married, everyone's safe and sound…give us a smile, will you?"

Dale looked up at Chip's father and, with great effort, smiled one-half of one millimetre.

Foxglove decided to try to make him feel better, so she wrapped a slightly sore wing around his shoulder and asked him with a sensual voice, "So Cute Stuff, how's it feel to be the hero who just saved the day?"

Dale looked into infinity, and an infinite time later, he replied. "I feel…fine, Foxy…just…fine. I'm just so glad you're safe…"

He could not restrain himself anymore.

He embraced her like never before, kissed her like never before, looked away from her with the most horrified and pained eyes ever, and sobbed, "I'm-m-m…so…glad…you're…safe…!"

He abruptly released her and ran out the door.

"DALE!" squealed Foxglove, running after him.

Chip was about to run after them too, but a heavy paw rested on his shoulder.

He turned and looked at Pierre.

"Leave him, Chip," he said. "I think I know what's wrong, and only Dale can do…what he has to." The old chipmunk turned away and held his wife.

They both knew all too well what Dale was going through.