When Fires Collide - Chapter 11
Light splashed over two still sleeping black and white pups. Cinder gently blinked as the ambient light kick started her biological clock. Cinder smiled as she ran her paws over the other black and white paws that held her close. Smudge's strong paws felt perfect when wrapped around her.
But as much as Cinder would have been perfectly content to stay like this forever, she had a feeling that if they didn't get up soon, someone would come wake them. A mischievous thought crossed Cinder's mind and she lightly danced her paw tips across an exposed white tummy.
Smudge's eyes shot open at the sudden sensation and his paw immediately released Cinder to protect his unguarded tummy.
"O.o someone is ticklish" Cinder playfully cooed.
"I am not tickle...ek!" Smudge yelped as Cinder softly giggled while tickling him again. The larger male Dalmatian squirmed and panted as he tried to fend off the furious assault from his smaller lithe companion.
"Children..." Everest's melodious voice carried through the door into their room, "come and have some breakfast, we have a big day ahead of us."
Cinder finally stopped, a triumphant smirk brazenly across her face as she padded out towards the kitchen.
"I'll...get...you...back...for this" Smudge panted as he caught his breath.
"I'm looking forward to it" Cinder softly replied with a flirtatious wink.
Smudge walked out behind Cinder but almost immediately ran into her when she stopped suddenly. "What's wrong?" He asked, nudging her gently. Cinder just pointed toward the window.
In front of the window, looking perfectly content and normal, were Everest and Marshall with breakfast in front of them. Out the window, was the most majestic mountain that Smudge had ever seen. It made his jaw drop open in a mirror image of Cinder's own amazement. "Is that..." Smudge couldn't even get the words out.
"The Matterhorn? Why, yes, I believe it is" Everest replied smugly. She let them both linger a moment longer before she took Cinder by the paw and Marshall took Smudge, bringing them both over closer to the window for a better look.
"We are in the town of Zermatt" Everest narrated, "located at the base of the Matterhorn and home to the best slopes in Switzerland. Stretching 14, 692 feet or 4,478 meters high, with an almost perfectly symmetrical pyramid peak, the "Berg der Berge," or mountain of mountains, is an emblem for the Alps. And where we will be snowboarding today."
"Eat up, we have a long day ahead" Marshall nudged Cinder and Smudge at the food at the table.
"What about you?" Cinder softly asked as Smudge started unceremoniously wolfing down the food.
"We already ate," Marshall replied.
"We have been up for a while waiting for you two" Everest added as Cinder joined Smudge in gulping down the scrumptious breakfast.
"Sorry we kept you waiting" Smudge said between bites.
"We found ways to amuse ourselves" Everest replied with a look at Marshall that made the Dalmatian blush.
"We should get geared up," Marshall said, taking the opportunity to hide his reddish tinged fur as he dashed out of the dining room, followed by Everest.
"Wait for us" Cinder softly called as she and Smudge swallowed their last bites and ran after them.
As they were walking to the chair lift, Adrian walked over with two large Saint Bernards following closely behind.
"Good Morning pups," said Adrian, "I hope you slept well."
"Very well," said Everest. "The beds are comfy and the comforters are really warm."
"That's great," said Adrian, "I wanted to introduce you guys to my rescue pups. This is Maximus and Hugo."
Maxamus stood off to the side. Hugo however rushed over wagging.
"Hugo is a bit of a hugger," laughed Adrian. "He specializes in warm hugs."
"I got to get some of that," laughed Everest. She stepped over and hugged Hugo.
"Wow, you aren't kidding," laughed Everest. "You're very warm and cuddly."
Each of the pups said hello and hugged Hugo. Maximus kept looking away but looked very nervous.
"Maximus?" asked Adrian. "Aren't you going to say hello?"
"It's very nice to meet you," said Maximus, once again looking away, not looking directly at Marshall.
Everyone said hello. Marshall noticed and whispered to Everest. "I don't think Maximus likes me, he keeps avoiding eye contact."
"So I've read a lot about your breed," said Smudge, after overhearing Marshall. "Your breed has been attributed with thousands of rescues over the years."
"That's what they were bred for isn't it?" asked Everest.
"Actually, the Saint Bernard was originally bred by monks to secure and protect the Bernard De Menthon Hospice and its patients," said Maximus. "They were later trained by the monks for rescue. It is thought we are bred down the line from the Tibetain Mastiffs from the Monasteries in the Himalayas. It would make sense since the Hospice was in St. Bernard pass which is high in the Alps."
"Wow, that's incredible," said Marshall. "That means your breed has been performing rescues since the 1700's. Dalmatians have been in the American fire service since the late 1800's"
"Actually the breed is tracked to the 1660 - 1670's," said Maximus, he looked at Marshall and Everest caught a little tail wag before Maximus looked away.
Everest giggled to herself. Cinder winked at her.
"Marshall, can I get you to stand between them?" asked Cinder. "I want a picture for Mom and dad."
"Sure," said Marshall walking over between the two huge pups.
Cinder took the picture.
"Can you send that to me as well," said Adrian.
Maximus couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm sorry," said Maximus, "I swore I wouldn't do this but..." He hugged Marshall.
"I-i thought you didn't like me," said Marshall.
"I'm sorry," said Maximus, "I didn't want to embarrass myself, like I am now."
"What do you mean?" asked Marshall.
"I've followed your rescues and the Paw Patrol for years," said Maximus. "I dreamed of getting to meet you someday. You pups are known all over the world."
Marshall and Maximus talked for another thirty minutes.
"Make sure you look for us on the slopes," said Maximus as they left to perform their duties for the day.
"You knew didn't you?" asked Marshall to Everest and Cinder.
"It was cute," laughed Cinder. "I noticed every time he looked toward you he would look away and his tail would wag just slightly. I think he has a bit of a fan crush and was trying to maintain his professional demeanor."
"Kind of like a certain German Shepherd I know," laughed Everest.
Soon, the foursome found themselves at the top of a pristine slope, untouched by anyone after a light dusting of snow the night before.
"It's so beautiful," Cinder softly breathed.
"Even more so than I thought it would be," Everest added.
"Are you sure we can be here?" Smudge asked
"Positive, Adrian gave us very precise directions" Marshall confirmed.
"Then let's hit it!" Everest yipped happily as she launched herself down the mountain.
"Ready for a ruff ruff ride!" Marshall yipped as he took off after his mate. Cinder was right behind her twin, with Smudge bringing up the rear.
"Woohoo!" Everest howled happily as she slalomed down the route. Marshall kept himself barely a tail length behind her. Cinder gave her twin a little bit more space but was right in his track. Smudge slowly kept falling back, zig zagging down as he took in the beauty of the scenery all around him.
"That was totally pawesome!" Marshall said as they slid to a stop at the bottom of the run.
"One might even say pawtastic," Cinder softly added.
"Utterly breathtaking," Smudge added.
"He is only saying that because he was staring at your tail the whole way down" Everest whispered to Cinder who instantly changed from white and black to red and black.
"Let's go again" Everest said, "it is the last day of the year so let's make it a great one!"
The pups spent all morning on the slopes, only stopping when their growling tummies started to earn them wary looks from the others on the mountain. After grabbing a quick bite in the chalet, they raced back out and spent the rest of the day continuing to shred the slopes.
"It's almost sunset" Smudge said as they finished a run, "should we head back?"
"Not yet" Marshall said, "we have time for one more run, follow us."
Marshall and Everest led Smudge and Cinder back up and then started another downhill run.
"Turn here" Everest barked, turning off the trail. The others followed, curious where she was leading them.
"We are here" Everest said, sliding to a stop and sticking her board up in the snow. The others did the same and followed Everest as she made her way through the trees. They emerged from the trees at the top of a cliff, facing west. The sun was preparing to dip below the horizon.
"This is beautiful, how did you find this spot?" Cinder softly asked as she sat down next to her Husky sister.
"Adrian told me about it," Everest replied, "when I asked for the best place to watch the sunset."
"Good call babe" Marshall said as he came up behind Everest and wrapped his paws around his mate's middle. Everest sighed happily as she leaned back against him and rested her head against his chin.
Smudge sat down next to Cinder but she was not having it. "Stop being weird" she softly whispered teasingly as the slightly smaller Dalmatian scooted herself in front of Smudge and pressed her back against his chest and wrapped his paws around herself.
Marshall felt a wave of contentment wash over his twin. 'All better?' he gently thought to her.
'Much better' Cinder thought back, 'for now at least.'
'For now?' Marshall thought questioningly.
'I still need to tell him,' Cinder mentally admitted, 'before we get too much more attached.'
'We'll be with you in spirit when you tell him' Marshall warmly affirmed.
'Thanks Marshy' Cinder thought back before she pushed those thoughts off for future Cinder to deal with and just let herself luxuriate in the warmth of Smudge's embrace.
Smudge wasn't sure what to think. He didn't want to push Cinder too hard or too fast which is why he sat next to her instead of mimicking Marshall and Everest. But he could feel the tension in Cinder when she pulled him into that position, as if she wasn't sure what she wanted. Smudge felt more at ease once he felt Cinder relax so he resolved to just enjoy the moments that they had together.
The pups finally stirred as the sun finished setting. "That was the second most beautiful thing I've seen on this trip" Smudge quietly said.
"What is the most beautiful?" Cinder softly asked.
"You" Smudge replied smoothly.
"Charmer" Cinder softly replied before leaning in and giving Smudge a long kiss.
"You guys ready to get dinner?" Marshall asked when they finally stopped their smooch.
"Definitely, I'm famished" Cinder softly replied.
"Me too," Smudge added, "I could eat a whole llama."
"Actually, since we are in Switzerland it would be an Alpine Ibex" Marshall corrected him.
"Sounds gamey," Everest said with a short laugh, "and I think that isn't on the menu for New Year's Eve Dinner at the chalet."
"So what is on the menu?" Cinder softly asked as they made their way down the mountain.
"Oh, a bit of this and a bit of that" Everest replied evasively.
The four pups slid to a stop outside the chalet, put up their boards and hung their gear up before heading into the dining room. "Guten Abend, Frau Everest" Adrian greeted them, "we have the dinner you requested prepared perfectly."
"Thank you Adrian," Everest graciously replied, "you are taking such wonderful care of us."
Adrian showed them to their table and almost immediately a lavish five course dinner began to be served. Everyone's eyes went wide at all the flavors arrayed before them.
"I don't know how you are pulling any of this off Everest, but it is amazing" Smudge said as everyone started dishing out food.
"You can get a lot done in two months of planning," Everest replied modestly.
After they finished eating, they headed back to grab their gear. "You guys ready for some night snowboarding?" Everest asked as she and Marshall geared up.
"How can we snowboard at night without lights?" Smudge asked in surprise.
Marshall's and Everest's reply was to tap their helmets, activating built in headlamps. "We have spare lamps for you if you want to come," Marshall said.
"I think we are done for the day" Cinder softly said while giving Smudge a slight nudge.
"Ok" Everest nodded, "just don't forget the fireworks are at midnight. You'll be able to see them from the hot tub or the balcony. We'll see you in the new year."
"Sounds good," Cinder softly replied. The two couples parted ways with Marshall and Everest heading back out onto the Matterhorn and Cinder and Smudge heading to the cabin.
"How does the hot tub sound?" Cinder softly asked as she closed the door to the cabin behind them.
"Relaxing and refreshing," Smudge replied.
"I'll go see what snacks we have. Adrian said the place was fully stocked" said Cinder softly.
"Sounds great," said Smudge, "I'll go check the hot tub and get it warmed and ready."
Cinder walked to the kitchen. 'Oh dog!' thought Cinder, 'this is it, I've got to talk to him. I can't go any further with our relationship until I know for sure. I can't get any more attached if he isn't going to, ah, I don't even want to think about it. I just pray Everest and Marshall are right.'
Smudge walked out on the balcony. 'Oh DOG!' thought Smudge, 'we're not going to do that. Although she looks so hot. I can't stand it. I'm going to find a way. I've got to ask her, I want her as my mate. Even Mom said we were a perfect couple. What am I going to do? I'll wait and see what the moment feels like. I love her, I do, I LOVE HER!'
Smudge had got the hot tub going and it was already warm. It took no time until steam was rolling off the surface. Smudge grabbed a couple towels for when they got out.
Cinder had found a tray and put together some fruit and cheese. It's Switzerland so there were a lot of different cheeses to choose from. She walked out to the balcony and her heart began racing the moment she saw Smudge. Equally, the moment Cinder stepped onto the balcony, Smudge's heart sped up and he all but panted as he watched her graceful steps over towards the hot tub.
"This thing is amazing, it has everything," said Smudge, trying to distract himself. "I found some bath oils. I found one for relaxing muscles. It has lavender, so I figured you might like it. I..."
His sentence was cut off as Cinder set the tray down and grabbed Smudge's head, turning it and kissing him.
"Let's get in," said Cinder softly.
"Yes, I think that is a great idea," said Smudge.
As they prepared to get in, Cinder turned and began removing Smudge's collar. She gently kissed his neck as she slid the collar free and set it on the table.
Smudge shuttered momentarily, he then turned and began removing Cinder's collar and equally placed kisses on her neck and shoulders. Cinder gasped softly at Smudge's gentle touch. She shivered and she felt like her heart would explode.
Smudge helped her as she stepped into the hot tub and waded into the steaming water. Smudge followed her in and as they submerged she turned and Smudge kissed her ever so softly.
"Cinder, I could never have dreamed I could ever be this happy," said Smudge, "You are everything to me, I Lo..."
Cinder put a paw to his muzzle, "Smudge before you say those words, and before we go any further in this relationship, I need to tell you something."
Smudge looked confused and concerned but gazed into her beautiful eyes, "Ok, I promise to listen with an open mind. I can't imagine anything that could change how I feel."
A tear rolled down Cinder's muzzle, 'Well, here it goes' she sent out.
Out on the mountain, Marshall skidded to a stop at the uncertain and scared thought. Everest noticed and stopped beside him.
"What?" asked Everest.
"She's telling him," was all Marshall said, a mirror tear sliding down his own muzzle.
"It will be alright," said Everest, "I know in my heart, it will be ok."
"Hold me," Marshall whispered, "she is going to relive what happened that day and I don't want her to feel alone."
Everest didn't question it as they moved off to the side of the run. The two pups wrapped their paws around one another, and hugged each other as tight as possible, as if they were hugging Cinder between them.
Cinder felt the warmth of Marshall's and Everest's loving embrace and it gave her the strength she desperately needed. "Back while I was still in captain training, Marshall and I responded to a structure fire," Cinder softly began...
*** SPOILER WARNING ***
For those that have not had a chance to read Foxfire69's stories over on fanfiction. This describes an intense scene that leads to others within his stories. This could potentially ruin certain surprise / cliffhangers in his stories. If you are interested please take the time to read his stories. It is absolutely some of the best writing and one of the best series I've read, well worth the read.
"HELITAC 2 had just checked off station with the HAZMAT when the scope of damage to the incomplete building became apparent. The fire had weakened the structure and a chunk of debris broke off including rebar and large beams. Marshall and I immediately realized that two fire pups from Quint 23 would be killed by the debris and rushed to save them. I don't know exactly what happened after that."
"How could you not know what happened?" Smudge asked in surprise, "it was your scene."
Cinder took a deep breath before softly continuing. "We managed to save both pups but one of the pieces of rebar pierced my side and staked me to the ground."
Smudge gasped in surprise and horror as Cinder softly continued, "Marshall I'm sure could give you the details about what happened after that if you ask him, but I immediately lost consciousness and didn't wake up until much later in the hospital. That was when they told me the extent of my injuries."
"How bad was it?" Smudge gently asked, thinking that it must have kept Cinder hospitalized for a fairly long time.
Cinder looked into Smudge's eyes, trying to read him and praying and wishing and hoping that he would understand. "All things considered, it wasn't that bad, I was discharged less than 24 hours after waking up." Smudge's jaw dropped in surprise. "A plethora of scrapes and bruises. There was only major damage to one of my organs..." a soft sniffle escaped Cinder, "my uterus, I was bleeding so much from it that they had to remove it to save my life..."