Opportunities Taken - Chapter 13

This Chapter is going to focus on Rocky and Zuma predominantly. The others will get mentioned, but I decided Zuma and Rocky needed some story time. It's a bit of a long chapter, but it took a lot to get two stories together.

Marshall, Rocky, Zuma, and Cutter arrived in Adventure Bay. Marshall ran by the station and needed to stay for some work issues, he said he'd get a ride to the house later. Rocky, Zuma, and Cutter rode on to Zuma's house.

"So this is my little bachelor pad," said Zuma. "It's not much, but I usually don't need much."

"Zuma, it's right on the beach," said Cutter, "I think it perfectly fits you."

Rocky got a phone call as soon as he walked in. He stepped outside. After a few minutes he walked back in.

Zuma and Cutter were sitting in the kitchen discussing things to do and paused as Rocky walked in.

"So you want to settle a bet?" asked Cutter.

"What?" asked Rocky skeptically.

"Zuma says your phone calls are just work related," Laughed Cutter. "I say you're talking to your secret lover."

Rocky blushed, "No-no it's work related."

"Ha," laughed Cutter, "I told you. He's not telling everything. So it's a secret lover from work."

Rocky blushed and turned his head.

"Rocky?" asked Zuma, "Is there someone you're seeing?"

"I'm not seeing anyone," said Rocky. "She's a good friend and needs some help with a project."

"But you like her," said Cutter.

"She's really nice," said Rocky, softly.

"Rocky," said Zuma, "Why haven't you said something. Do you need to go see her and help her with her project?"

"I haven't said anything because she's just a colleague," said Rocky, "and she found out I was flying back today and now she's in town."

"Well tell her to come over," said Zuma.

"S-she's really shy," said Rocky, "She also has a strong accent and she's always convinced that people won't trust her because of it. She mainly communicates with clients by text or email."

"What?" laughed Zuma, "Do you remember my little speech impediment? It took forever for me to beat that. It still pops up every once in a while."

"I know," said Rocky, "I'll ask her if she'll come over."

He stepped back outside.

"He's so into her," said Cutter. "So you don't know anything about this girl?"

"No," said Zuma, "he never really talks about work. I'm interested in seeing this girl. He really needs someone, if she works with him, she's probably as smart as he is."

"Well, it will be good for him to have someone," said Cutter, "because I plan on keeping you busy."

Once again Zuma was bright red when Rocky walked back in.

"Uh, I'm sure I missed something," said Rocky looking back and forth between the two.

"So is she coming?" asked Cutter, not even blinking an eye at Rocky's comment.

"She's uh, coming," said Rocky, "I-i really hope you like her. She's really nice."

"I'm sure we'll like her Rocky," said Zuma, regaining his composure.

"Why wouldn't we?" asked Cutter.

"Well, she's not a normal pup," said Rocky, "and she's Russian, so she has an accent."

"So," said Cutter, "what's that got to do with anything?"

"Well, some automatically assume she's a spy because she's Russian," said Rocky.

"Rocky, if you like her and trust her," said Zuma, "then so will we. What do you mean she's not a normal pup?"

"She's a mixed breed," said Rocky.

"So are you," said Cutter. "What's that got to do with anything?"

"You'll just have to wait and see," said Rocky.

"Well now I'm curious," laughed Cutter.

A while later a knock on the front door made Rocky jump up and ran to the door. He came walking back into the room with a beautiful female Wolf / Shepherd mix, mostly wolf based on her form but she was completely white.

"Zuma, Cutter, I'd like you to meet Volkova," said Rocky.

"Hello Volkova," said Zuma. "Are you a wolf?"

"Hello," Volkova replied softly and in her Russian accent, "Zuma, Rocky has told me so much about you. And I'm mostly wolf. My mother was a wolf, my father was a German Shepherd mix. I look more like my mother."

"It's very nice to meet you," said Cutter, "I'm Zuma's girlfriend, Cutter, and your fur is beautiful."

"Thank you, Rocky didn't tell me Zuma had a girlfriend," softly replied Volkova, "but it's very nice to meet you."

"We just recently got together. So would you care for a drink?" asked Zuma.

"That would be nice," said Volkova.

The pups sat down and had drinks while talking. Zuma and Cutter quickly found that Volkova was a computer genius and worked mainly on custom avionics.

"So you sell airplane parts also," laughed Cutter.

"I don't sell it, I build and repair Aircraft Avionics," said Volkova.

"So you won't admit what you do either," laughed Zuma.

"Well in my case," laughed Volkova, "that is actually what I do. But I understand what you're asking. No, I won't admit who my clients are but I will say one of them is the Coast Guard."

"Told you, I sell airplane parts," laughed Rocky.

"Whatever dude," laughed Zuma.

"So how long have you known each other," asked Cutter.

"I've known Rocky since I came over from my former company," said Volkova. "He is an excellent engineer and programmer."

"I only know he's an engineer because I went to his graduation," laughed Zuma.

"He's done great work and designed some very advanced systems," said Volkova.

Rocky was blushing from the compliment.

"Yes, he designed a lot of our equipment for Paw Patrol," said Zuma.

"Well, Volkova has designed some of the most advanced avionics packages in the world," said Rocky.

Volkova was now the one blushing.

"Well we're going to go work on her project for a while," said Rocky.

"Ok," said Zuma, "We're going to go to the beach."

"Really," laughed Rocky, "You brought Cutter from Hawaii and the first thing you're doing is taking her to the beach."

"I asked to go," laughed Cutter. "And he's taking me for a ride on his hovercraft."

"Ah, the hovercraft was always a draw," laughed Rocky. "Y'all have fun."

"You too," said Cutter.

*** Zuma / Cutter ***

As Zuma and Cutter arrived at the beach in Zuma's Hovercraft they continued out into the bay. Cutter squealed with delight as they slid effortlessly onto the water. Zuma inflated their life jackets and punched the throttle flying across the water. She locked her paws around Zuma. Zuma felt his heart flip, 'is this love?' thought Zuma.

Zuma took Cutter to a favorite spot to watch the sunset.

As the sun was setting he turned to her as she turned to him. Zuma leaned over and kissed her, Cutter leaned in taking Zuma's head in her paws, she deepened the kiss.

*** Rocky / Volkova ***

"So what did you need help with?" asked Rocky.

Volkova was quiet, she looked down. It appeared she was trying hard to find words to something.

"W-What is it?" said Rocky. 'Have I said something that upset her' thought Rocky.

"Rocky, d-do you l-like me?" asked Volkova, immediately blushing and looking back down.

"U-uh, I, uh" stuttered Rocky. 'Oh My Dog, Do I like you? No, I adore you, I, oh dog what do I say?' thought Rocky.

"It's ok, I understand," said Volkova, turning away.

Rocky turned her head back to him, he tried to think of the right thing to say, he gave up. Rocky took her head in both paws and kissed her. She started to pull back but closer her eyes and leaned into his kiss. Rocky finally leaned back.

"I have liked you for a while," said Rocky, "I'm not very outgoing or able to put into words my feelings, I was afraid to say anything. I was sure you didn't feel the same and I didn't want to ruin our friendship. I hope I didn't just ruin it."

"No, you didn't, I thought you were cute when I first met you," said Volkova. "But in the last few months of working with you. I have come to feel more. I like you Rocky. I was afraid you did not like me because of my history."

"Your past is just that, the past," said Rocky, "No one needs to know about it. You are helping make people safe and proving that you are trustworthy. I never doubted you, although I doubt myself constantly."

They kissed again.

"So did you actually need help?" asked Rocky.

"No, I just wanted an excuse to see you," said Volkova. "I know, I'm pathetic."

"No," said Rocky, "you're beautiful."

Volkova smiled and leaned for another kiss, Rocky complied.

*** Zuma / Cutter ***

"Cutter, I've dated many girls," said Zuma, "I never met anyone like you. You're so fun and easy to talk to."

"Well, I've dated a few guys," said Cutter, "But I have to admit, at first my attraction was a little bit of a fangirl crush. But the more I've got to know you, the more I think it was fate that brought you to Hawaii. I have to admit, I've never thought about anything other than the Coast Guard. I really like it here and I-i uh..." Cutter blushed and turned away.

"What?" asked Zuma, taking her head in his paws and kissing her.

"I think I love you, Zuma," Cutter softly replied.

"I think I love you too," said Zuma, kissing her again. "I've never known love other than the guys with the Paw Patrol."

"Do you think Skye was serious?" asked Cutter.

"I think so," said Zuma, "but if you're serious, we can ask her this weekend when they come back."

"I know I joked about chasing you," said Cutter, "I really did feel something weird when I first saw you."

"Weird?" asked Zuma, tilting his head.

"I had seen pictures of you in Rescue Swimmer class," said Cutter, blushing, "I thought you were really cute. When I saw you in person, I, uh, I thought you were the most handsome pup I'd ever seen. I also thought, I'll do anything I can to catch him."

"I'll also admit," said Zuma, blushing from her comment, "when I saw you talking to Skye, I thought you were adorable and I just had to come talk to you."

"See, it was meant to be," said Cutter. "We were meant to meet up and fall for each other."

"So I know we just met a week ago," said Zuma, "But I already can't imagine not being with you."

"Are you asking if I want to be your mate?" asked Cutter.

"I-I'm sorry, w-would that be a bad thing?" asked Zuma. "I-i'm ok with boyfriend for now."

"No, it's not that," laughed Cutter, "you just beat me to it."

"So is that a yes then?" asked Zuma.

"Yes, Zuma," said Cutter, "Yes, I would love to be your mate. Are your friends going to question why we decided so quickly."

"No, a year ago maybe. But things have changed in the last few months," said Zuma. "We all understand how quickly lives can end, we're more willing to jump to the end decisions once we've made a decision. I do have to warn you, Skye and Everest are nuts for this kind of thing. They will want to throw a party."

"I'm ok with that," laughed Cutter. "I still have to go finish my tour in Hawaii. I was supposed to reup at the end of this month. I think I'll be turning in my resignation instead."

"You don't have to get out if you don't want to," said Zuma, "I'll be teaching again next week. If you want to stay in, I'll come visit as often as I can until you decide to retire. Or maybe you could get stationed closer."

"We'll let fate decide," said Cutter, "I'll talk to Skye and if she is serious, I'll seriously consider flying for her."

"I do love you," said Zuma, "I can't believe I have a mate."

*** Rocky / Volkova ***

"So where are you headquartered now," asked Rocky, "I usually only see you on projects."

"I've been largely at the main facility in Virginia," said Volkova. "But I'm like you. My office is where my computer is. So currently, right here."

"Funny," said Rocky, "My office seems to be here as well."

"So, um," started Volkova, blushing as she looked down, "do you, um, want to office together."

Rocky lifted her head up looking into her eyes, "I'd love to office with you."

They kissed deeply and passionately.

"I doubt however, Zuma wants us to office in his house," laughed Volkova.

"No, if you'd really like to stay here," said Rocky, "I can find a place or for that matter we can have Rubble build us a place."

About that time Rocky's phone rang.

"Do you want to meet us as Mr. Porters," asked Zuma.

"Sure that would be great," said Rocky.

Rocky and Volkova arrived to find Zuma, Cutter, and Marshall at a table waiting on them.

"Good evening you two," said Marshall, "Zuma said you were working on some project."

Rocky blushed, "We came to the same conclusions on the project."

"Uh huh," said Cutter "So is it top secret or can you share your conclusions.?

"We, uh, we've decided to office together for now," said Volkova.

"So is that what computer nerds call moving in together now," laughed Cutter.

"Um, yes," said Volkova. Both her and Rocky were blushing.

"Well, congratulations, I guess," laughed Marshall.

"What about you two?" asked Rocky.

"I asked Cutter to be my mate," said Zuma.

Rocky's mouth dropped.

Even Marshall yelped, "Whaaa?"

"We decided it was meant to be," said Cutter. "We decided waiting is stupid. I know what I want and Zuma wants the same."

"So Zuma, are you moving to Hawaii?" asked Marshall.

"We haven't decided yet," said Zuma. "I at least have to finish this school year."

"I still have a month left of this tour," said Cutter, "I was going to reup at the end of the month. I might change that plan."

"Wow, Zuma," laughed Rocky, "I guess the open invite is over."

"No, you're still my brother," said Zuma, "You and now Volkova are welcome anytime. So where are you going to um, office?"

"We're thinking of staying here in Adventure Bay," said Rocky. "I figured I could find a place and maybe even ask Rubble to build us something."

"I'm sure Everest will let you have something until you figure it out," said Zuma.

"Yeah, won't they be surprised when they get here this weekend?" laughed Rocky.

"Yeah, don't bet on that," laughed Zuma, "Marshall still can't keep a secret."

Marshall stuck his tongue out but laughed.