Chapter 1: You Belong With Me

Marshall had been reading a good book when he heard his best friend's voice, sounding a bit distress. I can only guess about what. He thought, rolling his eyes as Chase came up to him, talking through his pup tag.

"Come on Skye, it was just a joke!"

"Well, it wasn't a very funny one, Chase." Skye had answered back, but before Chase could explain himself, Skye had cut off the call. Sighing, the German Shepherd hung his head, before looking at his friend.

"Girlfriend trouble?" Marshall muttered, uninterested, but this seem to fly over Chase's head.

"Yeah. This time over a joke!" Chase sighed and sat down next to Marshall. "I don't know what's wrong. Every day, it seems like we are getting into more and more arguments. This isn't the Skye I know, the one that I fell in love with."

"Maybe she's PMSing," Marshall teased, causing Chase to laugh.

"I wish that was the case," The German Shepherd said, before sighing once more. "Still, I have to make it up to her. I have to be a better mate."

Why do YOU have to be a better mate? Why can't SHE get over herself and realize just how special you are? Why do you ALWAYS have to explain yourself to HER when SHE needs to be the one apologizing for putting you through so much stuff? Marshall thought to himself, but didn't dare say it out loud. It would come off as bitter and a bit envious, and give Chase the wrong idea.

"Whatever works, Chase." The Dalmatian said, flipping a page in his book. Chase sat there for a moment, looking at him, before biting his lip.

"I'm taking her out tonight. That should put me on the good side." He said, looking back at Marshall, who was still more interested in the book than his best friend.

"So go do it. Don't waste your time with me." Marshall said. Sighing, Chase got up and began walking towards his pup house. Meanwhile, Marshall did his best not to cry, struggling to finish his story. It's not fair. I loved him first. He thought. "She doesn't treat him right, she doesn't appreciate him like I do, she doesn't love him like I do..."

You belong with me Chase...

It was during the middle of the night that Marshall had heard a soft knocking at the door. Barely opening his eyes, Marshall yawned and open the door to see Chase standing there, tears in his eyes. Sleep immediately left the Dalmatian.

"What's wrong?"

"We got into an argument." Chase said, taking a step inside the Dally's pup house. "We said some things and...god, it hurts..." Chase sobbed. Putting aside the selfish part of him, the one that wanted to yell at Chase even more for waking him up because of his and Skye's relationship problems, Marshall nuzzled him slightly.

"There, there. It can't be too bad." He said, but Chase shook his head.

"It's worse than the last time. Skye...she...she told me that she never loved me." I knew it. Marshall thought bitterly, but let Chase continue. "Said she was with Rubble the whole time we were dating. Why would she do this to me?"

To be honest, I kind of saw it coming. Marshall thought, but shook his head. He couldn't say these things to Chase, not while he was hurting and he certainly wouldn't appreciate his friend rubbing the salt into the wound.

"I don't know, Chase, but what I do know, is that Skye wasn't the one for you." He said, nuzzling the German Shepherd again.

"Then who is?"

ME! The voice in his head wanted to scream out, but Marshall kept silent and continued to comfort the heartbroken Shepherd.

"You coming to the dance, Marshall?" Chase asked. Marshall blinked and looked at him before looking back at his book.

"I have to finish..." He whispered, but Chase had heard him and frowned in disappointment.

"Oh...okay...if you change your mind, you know where to find us." He said before walking with Ryder and the rest of the pups. Marshall watched them go, feeling torn. Looking down at the book, Marshall bit his lip, before glancing back at the group before they were too far away to see, and couldn't help but notice how a certain flying pup was trying to move closer to Chase. Eyes narrowing, Marshall slammed down the book and stood up.

"I think it's time for a wake up call, Skye. You can't have the best of both worlds." He said, before storming down the road, following the group.

When Marshall arrived, the dance was in full swing. He glanced around nervously before spotting the group, more specifically, spotted Skye trying to dance with Chase. The German Shepherd was doing his best to ignore her, but Marshall could tell, any minute now, he will waver, and give in. And then, he'll be all hers again, and do the exact same stunt she did before. Marshall thought, scowling, before walking towards them.

It wasn't long until Chase had spotted him and his amber eyes glittered with excitement, but there was something else too. Something Marshall hadn't seen before and it made his gut squirm.

"Excuse me, Skye, but I would like to dance with Chase if you don't mind." Marshall said, startling the pup. Skye blinked, looking at both of him, before shifting on her paws, nervous.

"Um, sure Marshall. Go right ahead." With that, Marshall pulled Chase to the dancefloor and began dancing with him.

"Thanks." Chase whispered. Marshall smiled sadly.

"What would you do without me Chase?" He asked, half-serious. It was amazing just how much trouble the German Shepherd could get into, romantic-wise. If it wasn't for Marshall, Chase would still be in a in-and-out relationship with Skye, and Marshall wasn't sure how much his poor heart could take it.

"I'd be a dead pup," Chase answered, half-serious as well. "Marshall...there's something I've been meaning to tell you..."

Marshall stilled. Please, please, please tell me those three words I have been desperate to hear! He begged.

"Marshall...I...I...I think I love you." Chase said, blushing a little. They stopped dancing and Marshall looked at him with wide, surprised, eyes before he broke into a smile.

"I love you too, Chase. Always have." With that, Marshall kissed him, causing Chase to grin. "Mate?"

"Mate." Chase answered before kissing him again, making the Dalmatian giggle.