A/N: Sorry again for the long wait. Here's the next chapter. A bit of a cliffhanger, I must say.

Zuma and Ryder woke up on the camping chair with the sun beaming on them. Zuma groaned hopping down from Ryder's lap, stretching after he landed. Ryder stood up and did the same.

"Morning Ryder." Zuma greeted sleepily.

"Morning pal. How'd you sleep?" Ryder asked, a sleepy smile plastered on his face.

"Pretty good actually. You're quite comfy dude." Zuma answered. "Heh. I guess so." Chuckled Ryder. "So, breakfast?" he asked.

"You know it!" the lab answered excitedly before lifting his paws up, signaling he wanted 'upsies' again.

Ryder shook his head, "Nope. Not this time. You're walkin pretty boy." Ryder replied. Zuma whimpered, putting on the best and cutest puppy eyes he could. Ryder's answer went unchanged.

"It's still no..."

Five seconds later...

"You know, I spoil you too much, Zuma." Ryder said groggily as he walked, carrying the teenage lab in his hands. Zuma responded by licking his owner's cheek make him laugh.

"That's cuz you love me too much Ryder."

Ryder chuckled, "I guess so. Man you're getting heavy." He said struggling to carry his pup.

"Muscle mass baby. I'm too buff." Zuma stated, proud of his muscular body while making his owner laugh. Again.

Ryder continued toward the lookout. Zuma asked to be dropped of at Skye's pup-house. After doing so, the spikey teen headed into the lookout.

Walking to the kitchen, he saw Marshall already eating. Surprised to see the dalmatian up so early.

"Morning Marshall. What are you doing up so early?"

Marshall looked up at the teen. "Morning Ryder. Ohhh, I got up extra early, because I wanted to go visit Chase." The dalmatian replied with a heavy heart thinking of his best friend.

Ryder felt the heaviness in his heart as well. "Well, tell Chase I'll visit him a bit later, kay pal." Ryder replied.

"Sure thing Ryder sir." Marshall said puffing his chest out like Chase making Ryder laugh. "Okay sergeant Marshall." He said before walking into the kitchen.

Marshall quickly finished the rest of his food and was already in his fire-truck and on his way. He couldn't wait to his big brother. 'Maybe I should pick up those chocolates he likes.' Marshall thought as he drove to the hospital.

Everest was on her way to the hospital. Fighting the tears as much as she could. After arriving, she was already in the elevator, going up to Chase's floor. She made her way over to his room, stopping by the open door.

Chase laid on his bed in a hospital gown. Pup-sized. He turned his head toward the door and guess what he saw...

"Hi there my baby." He greeted, happy as hell to see his Everest.

"Don't you 'Hi baby' me." She responded. He could tell how upset she was. Chase tapped the side of his bed. Everest stood still for a moment before walking up to him. She hopped up beside him.

Chase sat up slowly, feeling sharp pain on all the burnt areas of his body. Everest put a paw on his chest stopping him. "You need to lie down Chasey." She told him sternly.

"Nonsense." He replied stubbornly as he sat upright. He looked deeply into her beautiful, teary eyes.

"Come here..." he said opening his paws.

She gripped onto the shepherd. He silently hissed at the pain of her grabbing his injured body, but he didn't care. He held onto her letting her sob onto his big chest.

"Ohhh Chase. God. I thought I lost you..." She sobbed gripping him tighter. "Come on now. You'll never lose me. Never ever." He said giving her a kiss on her forehead.

She looked up at him with her teary eyes. "Promise?" she asked.

"I promise... my snowflake." He replied.

"God, I love you." Everest said, a smile on her face.

"I love you too..." Chase responded, kissing her on her lips.

*Clap*

*Clap*

*Clap*

Chase and Everest broke their kiss after hearing the three claps. They both turned to look at the door.

And guess who they saw?