Chapter 3

Miracle pulled her rig to a sharp stop at the Lookout. She immediately jumped out and pulled the stretcher out before taking Chase into the lookout. She dragged the stretcher through the added emergency entrance to the platform in the floor. By the time she got in there, sweat beaded the undersides of her ears under her fur, and she panted nervously as she yipped. No. Letting the stress get to her was not an option.

The platform the stretcher was on also lifted and put the stretcher on the medical table, large enough for a adult human but pup-sized enough for Miracle to do her work. A drawer of tools extended at her paws, and her eyes scanned the many different supplies she had. Most were even brand new… but she'd tarnish any one of them to help Chase, whose breathing was labored.

Miracle took out her needle and one of the many small canisters of sedative: strong enough to put a human to sleep for an entire operation. She loaded it with the stuff and put the needle through Chase's skin, pushing the button that slowly emptied its contents into Chase's bloodstream.

Chase's labored breathing immediately stopped, and Miracle gasped. Was it too much?! But then Chase's breathing began again, albeit very, very slowly.

Miracle sighed with relief, then picked around in the section of the drawer containing the sharp implements she would have to use to cut Chase's chest open… Wow, it sounded tough when she thought of that way...

'Please let this go well,' she thought, as she took her scalpel and immediately got to work.

Skye, meanwhile, scanned the ground from the sky for Swift, the one who was responsible for injuring Chase. When she found him, she wouldn't care about the consequences, she would… she would… do SOMETHING drastic! Whatever it was, it would have to wait until she found him. Sooner rather than later, of course!

When the video phone she had on her helicopter started beeping off, Skye all put punched the button in. Maybe it was an update on Chase's condition, or Swift had been located and someone was kind enough to tell her about it!

"Skye?"

Disappointment fell over her face as she saw that it was just Zuma. On the beach, if the water behind him was any indication. "What is it Zuma?"

"I just wanted to see whether you spotted Swift. I already finished here; he's nowhere in sight." His gold eyes suddenly widened. "And besides, I know you're feeling upset. You saw Swift brutalize Chase like that."

"I'm fine. Just let me try and do my job?" A warning growl entered her voice.

Zuma frowned and could be seen pushing the button to end his signal, and then Skye's screen went black again.

Just then, another beep went off. She answered the video phone to see that it was Marshall. "Hey, Skye, just wanted to let you know that I'm in the clear, and that the park's east end is clear."

"Fine. Whatever. Bye."

"What-"

Skye shut her video phone off on Marshall before the other pup could respond. She shook her head and groaned irately. If one more pup calls me...

Another call was coming in. She slammed the button to answer the call and barked, "WHAT IS IT, PUP?!"

"Me, Ryder."

'Oh...no...'

"I was just going to tell you that there's no need to check City Hall. And Rubble and Rocky are checking Farmer Yumi's place."

Skye nodded.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah… I'm fine."

"You don't sound fine. Maybe you should come back and rest a bit."

"No, I need to look for him."

"Right now, I really don't think that would be a good idea."

"I can't just let him go! What about justice?!"

"The others are serving it. I think you need a break."

"You weren't there when it happened."

"No, I wasn't, but it's horrible just the same. And that would make you more exhausted than the rest of us, Skye."

Skye angrily pressed the button to the video phone and concentrated. What did Ryder know? He wasn't there when Swift punched Chase's jaw with enough force in attempt to cave his chest in! All that he had on her was literacy. Literacy and funky rad hair.

Maybe she did need a break though. She was feeling a little tired… and she needed to see how Chase was doing. Besides, it is hard to work while stressed, right?

With a reluctant sigh, Skye turned around and headed for the Lookout.

In the pumpkin field, Rocky could be seen scouting the area. His chocolate brown eyes scanned the area, narrowed with determination. If Swift was there, he would find him. He also had to keep an eye on Rubble, the younger of the two.

"Yuff!"

Rocky glanced over and sighed, seeing Rubble's hindlegs kicking madly. His face was buried in a sinkhole that'd opened under his paws. Rocky sighed and hurried up to him, grabbing his stubby tail and pulling him out. Rubble landed on top of him, and they rolled for a bit before stopping. "Rubble, you have to watch out for those. They can open at any time," Rocky said, his voice strained just a bit. This was the second time, and he was already in pain.

Rubble got up and gave Rocky a reproachful look. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Just making sure Swift isn't in that hole hiding from the greatness that is Rubble Trouble THE HERO!

He jumped up triumphantly… only to fall into a hole that had been dug, but not filled.

Rocky rolled his eyes and once again pulled Rocky out by the stubby tail… once again being crushed under his own weight and then some. "And that's another thing, did you see what that mutt did to Chase?" Rocky asked.

"Yeah, he was in pretty bad shape." Rubble sniffed his way back to where he'd been looking before Rocky stopped him.

"That could have been any one of us, and he could still do it. You'll have to be careful."

Rubble snorted. "It'll be me protecting you!" he insisted before stomping away on his stubby, short little legs.

Rocky facepawed. Seriously. Rubble had more muscle mass than he did, but NOT common sense… He was also smaller and younger, so standing up to a two-year-old german shepherd would be a disastrous idea, putting it lightly.

"Besides, you're a little too young to be my dad."

Rocky's eyes widened. That kinda did sound like something that his father would say, but still. "Just...look out, okay?"

"Hmph… you look out…"

"Ugh..." Rocky groaned, then went back to sniffing for Swift.

"Rocky?"

Rocky moaned, "What?"

"He c-can't take on the two of us, right?"

"Yes he can," Rocky replied bluntly.

Rubble swallowed, "Are you sure?"

"Yup. But that doesn't mean he'd win." Rocky smirked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well… it's one guy versus the two of us; he's outnumbered."

"Oh… I see."

"But it'll only work if we stay together."

Rubble nodded a touch timidly. "Okay Rocky. I'll stick by you if you stick by me."

Rocky nodded. "It's a deal."

He bent back over, dead set on getting back to sniffing… only for Rubble to latch himself at the mutt's side.

Oh jeez...

Skye landed her helicopter at the Lookout. She hopped out before she yelled, "Copter, doghouse," following it with a bark. The copter followed her command and transformed back into its trailer-like doghouse. She decided that it might be best if she checked in on Chase, maybe he was out of surgery by now. She walked into the Lookout.

When she entered, she almost instantly noticed Chase laying on the couch with Miracle. There were bandages wrapped around his chest, but he was still asleep. "Hey, Skye," Miracle whispered.

"Hey," Skye whispered back, "Is he okay?"

"Yeah. He pulled through rather well."

Skye couldn't help but feel that melting feeling one felt when they were relieved. "That's great. It was really worrying me."

"I heard."

'Oh no... She heard it?'

"Uh… Skye?"

"What?"

"Do you need to talk?"

"No… it's nothing..."

"Are you sure? It might be easier to talk to me than anyone else..."

"But-"

Miracle cut her off by pushing her well-cleaned white paw into her chest fur. "Look at it this way, have you ever had another girl on the team?"

"Well… No…"

"Wasn't that hard?"

Skye shrugged. "But I have talked with Katie a few times."

Miracle removed her paw and shook her head. "But not the same as talking to another pup, is it?"

"Maybe… I… dunno..." Skye stared into Miracle's green eyes and found herself a bit pressed for words.

"Well, we can talk about anything."

"Well…" Skye sighed, "Back in the alley… It was pretty scary. Seeing Chase beat up like that...I was scared that we might not make it out of there."

"I know what you mean. I've seen that a lot when I was living on the streets."

"How could you live with that?" Skye exclaimed, her voice cracking. "Everyday? I'm still trying to deal with just today!"

"Well, I was abandoned by my owners."

"I know..."

"And… I had no one, so trust me, talking can help. Even just confiding in someone your feelings is enough."

"...I know… but... I just..." Skye took a deep breath, and squeaked, "I was so scared, I saw everyone else being brave and… I was scared. I shouldn't be scared."

Miracle stayed silent for a minute trying to think of what to say. Finally, she said, "Do you know how scared I was when I found out that I would have to live on the streets on my own?"

"Very?"

"I was terrified. I didn't know the first thing about living all alone. I worried about starvation, loneliness, disease, and…" She took a deep breath. "You know what I did about it?"

"What?"

"I was proactive. I decided that I was going to adapt, so I went out of my way to speak to some of the strays. I took a few risks. I made the streets my own."

"But weren't you afraid that one of them would-"

"Yeah, but if I didn't then I'd be a goner anyway. At that point, I had nothing to lose. The strays I did meet were pretty nice, some were…" Miracle waved her paw in a so-so motion. "But never have I come across anyone like that."

"I would imagine."

"But don't worry, he will be punished for this."

"Don't worry," Skye said with a cold tone in her voice, " He will."

Miracle started to back away from Skye a little surprised by her change of tone. "Right…"

Chase started to groan as he stirred.

"He's waking up," Skye whispered, her anger subsiding.

"Good, but be prepared for any… unusual things he might say."

Skye raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'unusual'?"

"I had to sedate him...and… well… sometimes it can make people and pups act weird. I also used a very strong sedative to I could be sure he would be okay."

"Oh… Is that why he's asleep?"

"Yeah, but at least he won't feel anything, but I will put him on an antibiotic and some painkillers."

"That's good, I guess."

"Huh?" Chase asked groggily, his eyes meandering to the two female pups.

Both girls looked at Chase. "Hey, Chase," Skye smiled, "We were just talking about you."

"Bwuh…?" Chase stared confusedly at the cockapoo in front of him.

The other two pups giggled before Miracle said, "All good things. So how are you feeling?"

"A little dizzy, like the whole room is spinning," Chase answered.

"Don't worry, it'll pass. Do you hurt anywhere?"

"No… Why?" He stared at her blankly. "Is this real life?"

Skye and Miracle tried to hold back a giggle, "Yes," Miracle answered, "This is real."

"Cool, dudes. So when do we eat?"

"Soon," Miracle replied.

Chase chuckled, "You guys are upside down."

Skye and Miracle exchanged a worried glance before looking back at the now-guffawing Chase."Are you alright?"

"Ye-Yeah, we're fine." Miracle said before thinking, 'I think I overdid it. A lot.'

"Wow Skye, you look REALLY beautifuller today.

"Oh. Uh… Thank you," Skye said.

"Do I know you from somewhere?"

"Yeah, I'm one of your teammates."

"Oh yeah, you're that pup that I have a crush on."

Skye's eyes immediately widened as Miracle stared at Skye, then Chase, then back at Skye. "He's crazy with sedative," Miracle assured quickly, though she was internally chiding herself for going with the strong stuff.

"No I'm not," he said, looking confused. "Thinkin' clear as shiny dog tags."

"You're… Chase, you're not yourself right now."

"Then what am I if I'm not me?"

"Trust me, you are."

"But you just said that I'm not me."

"No, I said-" Miracle facepawed, "Nevermind…"

"Am I a cat?"

"No, you're a pup. You're just not in your normal mindset."

"Meow," Chase said.

Miracle tried to resist a laugh. At this point, she would only be beating a dead horse.

Skye, meanwhile, was in her own thoughts. Chase admitting a crush on her was an interesting revelation… even if it wasn't true. But what if it was? What if he really did have a crush on her and this information just now came into the open. "Uh… Miracle," she said, "I need to step out and get some fresh air."

"Oh. Uh… Okay. Just be careful out there."

"I will." Skye nodded definitely as she stood up and trotted away, though not without Chase exclaiming something about her being a pirate.

Once she was outside, Skye looked towards the stars. She began recalling the moments that the two shared. The more she thought about it, the more she thought that those events could be evidence that could verify what he said. Unfortunately, she can't give a definite answer because he wasn't of sound mind when he what he said.

She and Chase were buddies… why was she thinking so deeply into this? Chase was crazy when he said that. Yes, she did have her own feelings about him: friend, teammate, lover-

No. They were more like brother and sister, honest!

"Well well well… a fine evening, is it not senorita?"

Skye jumped up and yipped nervously before running back towards the Lookout, only to be pinned by him. Swift's hot breath smelled like a combination of tacos, bad dog breath and salmon hitting her muzzle. The stench was so bad that she felt as if she were going to throw up.

"Help!" she screamed.

"No ayuda will come to you... not soon enough anyway."

Skye immediately felt a good bit of pressure at the back of her neck before she blacked out.

Miracle dashed out of the Lookout's emergency door at the scream. She happened to notice that, disappearing through a rustling bush, was a light brown tail far bigger than any of the PAW Patrol's.

"Oh no," Miracle whimpered, before stifling herself. "Swift has struck again…"