Hello all, this is the first part of what ended up becoming a three part request from titanflame.

Please Enjoy!

Everest glanced out the window again and sighed. "Where is he?" She turned her pup tag communicator on and spoke into it. "Ryder, Everest. Are you there?"

The teen responded quickly. "Ryder here, is Marshall there yet?"

She shook her head, "no. And I'm getting worried."

"Hmm. . . " The teen narrowed his eyes. "He should be getting there any minuet. . ."

She glanced out the front window again and smiled as a familiar set of headlights came into view from the darkness. "Never mind Ryder, he's here."

Ryder smiled. "Good, let me know if you need anything. . . Ryder, out."

The husky ran to the door and opened it just as the Dalmatian sat paws on the front deck. "Hey Everest," he spoke in almost a monotone as he approached.

They nuzzled for a few moments, and then she pulled away. "I've missed you" At that moment she got her first look at the Dalmatian she called her best friend, and her smile faded. There were dark circles in the white fur around his eyes. And his normally bright blue eyes held no shimmer, nothing more than dull orbs of blue. "What's wrong? . . . Is Chase okay?" Instantly she realized she said the wrong words because the Dalmatians eyes began to fill with tears. "Come in and sit down. . ."

He nodded and followed her inside. She hopped onto the sofa and motioned for him to do the same. "Come tell me why you really came. . . And don't tell me it was because you were worried about winter fire season." She gave a warm smile.

As Marshall joined her on the sofa, he took a deep breath. And told her the real reason he wanted to come and stay with her for a couple of weeks. "Chase and I are having problems." He sniffed. "I think he wants to end things between us, but he's not sure how to tell me. So he won't even talk to me outside of missions."

She shook her head. "I doubt it, Marshall." She said softly, "He loves you more than anything in the world. . ." As she fell silent, something occurred to her. She narrowed her eyes for a moment, and then spoke with a little more edge. "Has Skye been acting strange too?" She watched the Dalmatian think for a few moments, then nod.

"She hasn't been flirting as much as she used to." He said, catching her drift. "You don't think?"

"I think she realized her flirting got her into trouble." Everest said. "Skye, what did you do?" She added under her breath.

He shook his head, "Enough about me. . . How's everything going up here?"

Taking the subtle hint, she gave a wry smile. "Okay, I guess. . . Jake and Sandy are getting married . . . soon, they haven't decided on a date. But Jake has a full house at the lodge for the third straight month . . . And the next two are booked up too. . ."

"So it might be a while before they do . . . I guess this means the summer programs are going well?" He smiled.

The husky nodded. "We've had a good time . . . But it's worn all of us out. We have to be up and at the lodge by six to get the activities ready."

"Why so early?" Marshall asked.

"Sandy takes some of the guests' bird watching at sunrise. . . Then Jake and Dundee take a few on a nature hike, which lasts about two hours, three times a day. . . Jake hired another tour guide for the hike, but they both do at least two a day because they know first aid. . . And it all ends at night with the Star Parties we do that sometimes go until midnight.

"Star Parties?" the Dalmatians raised an eyebrow.

"Jake bought a very nice telescope and we set it up a few yards away from the lodge in a clearing." She said. "And we all take turns escorting people back to the lodge so they don't get lost.

"Wow, what do you do all day?" Marshall asked.

"I stick around the lodge and answer questions, help Sandy with the yoga and tie chi classes, and help with whatever emergency comes up." Her face lit up. "Dundee's been training me on how to find lost hikers. I'm getting pretty good at it. . ." She sighed. "But I'm worried about Dundee. . . Even though I'm helping, he still gets. . ." She stopped unable to find the right word.

"Frazzled?" Marshall suggested.

She nodded, "that's it. . ."

"Five hours of sleep can do that to someone." Marshall said giving her a soft smile. "But now I'm here, I can help you for a while." He gave her a kiss on the top of her head. Then to her surprise, he began to sing. . .

When your down, and troubled.

And you need a helping hand.

And nothing, no nothing is going right.

Just close your eyes and think of me.

And soon I will be there.

To brighten up, even your darkest nights.

He leaned in and almost whispered the next part of the song in her ear.

You just call out my name,

And you know where ever I am.

I'll come running, to see you again.

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall.

All you have to do is call.

And I'll be there.

You've got a friend.

As he finished the song, he kissed her on the top of the head again. "You'll always be my sister, Everest."

She smiled. "There was a time when we were more than that."

He looked her in the eyes. "True, but-" Before her could complete the thought; she pressed her lips against his. After a second, he pulled away, "Everest". He said, but she kissed him again. "Everest, stop!" he yelled.

Suddenly she was overcome with embarrassment. "I . . . I'm sorry." She was close to tears. "I . . . I need to go." She said jumping of the couch and running for the door.

"Everest, wait!" the Dalmatian pleaded as running after her.

The husky opened the door and was met with the forest green eyes of her mate. "Dundee. . ." Her eyes grew wide.

"Ev. . . Are you alright?" He said. He looked past her and saw a certain Dalmatian. "Marshall. . ."

"I'm sorry" she said running past the dingo into the darkness.

"Wait, Ev. . ." He yelled as he ran after her. "Come back!"

Let me know what you think. . . Please review!