32AN: I know its at the very end of the month, but work's gone into overtime so its been hard to get here and stay awake long enough to focus. I had originally planned on doing a different one then this, but due to time I shortened it to something else.
This takes place two weeks after the events of my fanfic "Marshall Gone Missing" so if you are a fan of that fanfic, you'll like this one as I am calling it canon with the events.
Also a special notice, the next Paw Patrol fic update will be Partners Under Fire. Yup, after a long hiatus it's going to continue.
Disclaimer: I don't own Paw Patrol
It had been the most stressed week that Chase had ever had to go through in his entire life. Not only did he make the mistake of yelling at his best friend and broke his heart, but he killed a bear while trying to find that said friend who ran awhile, believed he was dead, ended up confessing to his crush his true feelings, and learned that his best friend had survived. It was only by some miracle that everything had worked out for Chase and his team. He had been that close to losing someone important to him again. Someone he loved like a brother.
Yet, despite having Marshall back, who had forgiven him and the others for what happened, Chase felt no sense of peace. He had betrayed the one pup in the world that had done so much for him when Chase lost his father. The shame and guilt still lingered inside of him, whispering how he called Marshall annoying and pushed him aside over a single mistake. His dreams were haunted of Marshall in a coffin, asking Chase why he couldn't save him as he lunged after him with rage.
Hence the reason why he was outside, looking at the stars at night while everyone else was asleep. He had decided to check up on Marshall, who had to rest in the Lookout due to his injuries, just to make sure he was still there before taking a break to look at the sky. His mind was filled with the events of everything that had happened when Marshall ran away to when he was found.
"If I could go back…" he muttered, closing his eyes. He wanted nothing more then to go back and tell his past self and the others they should be ashamed of what they had done. Marshall was their friend, their teammate, and one of the best pups they knew. To dismiss him, to make him feel worthless, was just an unforgivable crime in Chase's mind.
A crime that Chase himself had done.
Yet, Marshall had forgiven them. Even though their actions almost costed him his life, he still forgave them. They were still friends. They were still brothers.
That hurt Chase even more. He didn't want forgiveness. How would he be forgiven for what he had done?
He kept debating if he was worthy of being a leader if he let his emotions guide him like that. What if he got angry at any of his other friends? Or even Ryder? What if he hurt someone again with his words or actions? Am I… am I even qualified to be a police pup?
He knew his father would have been ashamed at his actions, but would he have forgiven them? He had never seen his father angry at him before. Stern at times when Chase did something wrong. Harsh when Chase misbehaved occasionally, but he always then followed it with loving care and wise words of advice. Chase took them all to heart and made sure to never disobey again.
What would my father think of me after all this? He wondered to himself, sighing as he sat on the grass.
"You stay out here to long and you're going to catch a cold," replied a familiar voice that made Chase's eyes open wide. He turned around and saw none other then his… sorta girlfriend Sky. He blushed as she walked over to him, smiling as angelic as ever, and nuzzled his neck. Even though they had kissed, confessed, and been at each other's side for a full two weeks, it was still a new experience for both of them.
Chase had dreamed of this moment ever since he first saw Skye and developed the feelings he had for her. Now that it had happened, what was he to do next? It was very scary, and not even Ryder could offer advice as he had never had a girlfriend himself; despite what some rumors of him and Katie were like.
"So…" Chase cleared his throat. "What are you doing up this late?"
"Isn't that something I should be asking you? Especially since this is the third night in a row," replied Skye, with a smile before she turned serious. "I know you're having nightmares, Chase." The police pup lowered his head. "You still feel guilty, don't you?"
"How can I not?" asked Chase, looking into her eyes. "I hurt him, Skye. I hurt my best friend-my brother-in the world and he just forgives me. I wish someone would just hate me for what I did."
"Chase, I told you like I said before, you weren't the only one who messed up," replied Skye, placing her paw on his. "We all hurt Marshall. We all went through that horrible moment when we thought he was dead, but we have him back and he's forgiven us. We should be grateful and move on."
"But how?" asked Chase. "How can I?"
Skye's reply was a kiss. His ears perked up and his tail started to wag before he closed his eyes and let Skye's lips sent him off to a place where, in an instant, he felt his worried and troubles wash away. It was her kisses that always made him feel like he was on cloud nine. Ending the kiss, much to his dismay, Skye looked at him with such a loving glance that Chase wondered what he did to earn her love. "Chase, you can move on by looking at what you have and protect it. Just as you have always done. You get better. You get stronger. And in turn you become greater. It's one of the reasons why I love you so much." She pressed her paw on his chest. "Whenever you made a mistake in the past, you worked hard to fix yourself so that you never did it again. And I've never seen you make a mistake twice. Some might think you do it just to be the perfect pup, but I know you do it because you want to do your best to help not only the citizens of Adventure Bay, but us as well."
She then began to nuzzle him while whispering in his ear. "And if you do make a mistake, we'll be there to correct you. Just as you will be there to correct us if we make one. Remember, Chase, you don't bare any burden alone. We all do, especially with this one."
Wiping a tear from his eye, Chase looked at Skye before kissing her right on the cheek. "What did I ever do to deserve your love?"
"By being the handsome and kind pup that you are now," replied Skye, giggling. "Now let's go to bed. It wouldn't do well to get up late and look all tired."
Chase nodded as he and Skye walked back to their pup houses, side by side. He still blamed himself… but not as much as he did before in his heart.
