The Service — Chapter One

The Service Part One

Chapter One

Episode 1: If I say it's OK, then you'll never say good-bye.

Monty sighed as he walked into the main room of Ranger Headquarters. He hated what he was about to do. He stood in front of the door of his friend, and team mate Chip Maplewood and sighed. He thought to himself how this type of behavior would have long worn out his patience, forcing him to take matters in his own hands, and settle this problem once and for all. But this wasn't normal circumstances.

It was almost a year ago that Gadget and her friend Caprice discovered that their "friendship" for each other went deeper than they had thought; that they had serious feelings for one another. And after much difficulty and tribulation, Gadget had decided to declare her love for Caprice. Of course the fact that Gadget was still in a (four month long) relationship with Chip at the time did complicate the issue. And after a month of strained relations, and other such things that happen when one goes through such a breakup, the two had managed to work things out. He had hoped, of course, there would be some kind of happily ever after to this but...

Monterey let out another deep sigh as he approached Chip and Dale's door and lightly but firmly knocked. Monterey had always considered himself to be an eternal optimist when it came to the rough spots in life. He had faith that things would eventually turn out for the better. But this was one of the few times that his heart and his instinct that governed things like this gave him conflicting messages.

There was a pause for about a second, then a voice said "Come in." Monterey walked in and saw Chip writing something, the sound of pen scratching words on to paper filled the room.

After about a minute the chipmunk stopped, inspected his handiwork, rolled it up and put it in a tube marked * S.A.P.S. Meeting *. Chip turned to the large mouse. "Hi Monty! Is there something I can do for you??"

Monterey rubbed the back of his neck and fidgeted for about a second. "Chip... Are you feeling OK?"

The reddish brown chipmunk looked at Monterey, puzzled by his question. "I'm fine. What makes you say that?"

"Well the last case we were on you seemed a bit..." He searched for a word "Careless."

Chip gazed at him still confused. "Careless?" He let out a chuckle and stood up. "Monty don't you think that's a bit extreme?"

The big mouse leaned casually against a nearby wall "Maybe, but you gotta admit, you did take some big chances there."

Chip harumphed as he put his tube of papers with two others. He looked at Monterey. "I'm a big boy Monty. I can take care of myself." Chip began to walk towards the door, tubes of papers in hand. "We caught the bad guys. And nobody got hurt." He looked at Monterey as he neared the door. "Besides I thought you liked that kind of action."

Monterey thought about Chip's statement for a few seconds. "Well, that's true... But there is a difference between action and recklessness."

Chip smirked at the statement as he walked through the door and in to the main room, (closely followed by Monterey). "Monty. Monty," Chip sighed. "The rangers are tougher than they look. And a little aggression, now and then won't hurt them any. It'll just keep them from getting complacent."

Monterey frowned a bit. Chip's glib answer didn't inspire his confidence. He was about to confront Chip on this, when the chipmunk turned towards him and said, "Now I am sorry Gadget wasted your time on this. But I have work to do! And reports to deliver." he shook the tubes of papers for emphasis.

"Now hold on there mate!" Monterey felt his temper rise. "No one sent me to do anything! I was just concerned, that's all."

Chip gave him a skeptical look, and snorted. "I have heard that before...." Monterey pulled himself up to his full height, and looked down at the chipmunk with a hard gaze. And through a straight tight lip said "Are you calling me a liar? Mate." His voice had a low rumble to it that would have made any other rodent cause to be more than a little wary.

Chip defiantly glared back at the tall muscle mouse. And after a long pause said. "I don't need a baby-sitter.... And you are not my mother. I can take care of myself." With that said, Chip turned and walked into the Ranger's conference room and went to the table that stood at it's center.

Monterey angrily watched Chip turn away from him. He resisted the urge to reach out and stop him from going. * Steady Monty ole boy. Steady. Your pally is just blowing off some steam, that's all. No need to make this harder than it has to be.* He let out a long quiet sigh. *Right.. time for the main event...* Monterey thought carefully about what he was going to say next, as Chip silently organized his tubes of papers. Monterey then quietly walked over to the bottom of the stairs that went to the front door.

When Chip had collected all of his things, and put them in to a shoulder sack he went to the front door. Only to find Monterey blocking it with his arms crossed. Shock and surprise flashed across Chip's face. But it was quickly replaced with a look of defiance, and determination.

Monterey was silently impressed by this as well as dismayed. Very few rodents had the fire to stand up to him when he had his "I am not going, and you can't make me" look. And not be at least a little scared. Of course this meant that Chip wasn't going to back down either (as he usually did). *This could get ugly * he thought to himself. He didn't even want to think about what could happen if......

"Is there something you want to say. Monterey." Chip's determined look matched Monterey's.

"We missed you at the restaurant yesterday."

A long pause. "I was, busy..."

A skeptical look of surprise graced Monterey's face. "Oh really? With what?"

Chip shook his tubes of papers.

"Oh yeah ... Right..." Monterey sat casually on the steps. "Every one was there you know. Foxglove. Dale. Zipper. Gadget. Caprice." Monterey appeared to be casual as he said the names. But he remained alert to Chip's reactions. Sure enough when he said "Gadget and Caprice". A flicker of emotion played across his face.

"Good... I hope you guys enjoyed your selves."

Monty sighed. "You know mate there was a time when you would have at least given us some token sign that you cared about the rest of us."

The fires of indignation raged within Chip's eyes. For several long seconds he said nothing. Then with a stone cold mask of civility and a low even voice he spoke. "What are you trying to say? Monterey..."

The mouse glanced at the ground, then looked at Chip. "You should have been there Chip."

Chip's expression didn't change. "It wasn't a meeting. It wasn't a case. It wasn't even a formal dinner! There is no good reason why I should-have anything!!"

Monterey felt his anger rise. "It was important Chip! You know Gadget considers us all as family. She wanted everyone there for the announcement!" There was a long pause. "She could have told me it was important you know." Monterey sighed and said almost to himself. "There was a time when she wouldn't have to."

A pained look flashed across Chip's face. He blinked, his eyes had watered a bit and he became sadly thoughtful. There was a long pause before he spoke. "What does this have to do with me not caring about the others?"

Monterey nodded slightly. And with a softened his voice (although he was still a bit angry), he said, "We all depend on you mate... You're our leader." Chip looked down uneasily.

"There are certain things that are expected from ya. And when you go off and do that crazy stuff...... Well, you know we are going to get concerned." Monterey relaxed a bit. *All right Monty. Here is where my pally says "You're right Monty." we make friends again. And this matter is closed!* The big mouse waited expectantly for Chip to say the words that would mark the end of this ordeal. But all he got was silence.

"Expected of me....." Chip looked at the ground thoughtfully for a few seconds, then at Monterey. "You know Monty. Everyone seems to expect, a great many things from me..." He lowered is eyes and sighed "Maybe, too much..." Then with a stern voice. "But to say I don't care about the others is way out of line Monty!!" Chip pointed at the mouse resentfully to emphasize his words.

"See here Chippah! If ya really cared about the rest of us! You and Caprice would make nice like!! And let Gadget get on with her happiness!!!" Monterey angrily retorted.

"GEEZ Monty!!! What do you want from me!? To get down on my hands and knees, and kiss her ring!!?"

Monterey suddenly found himself standing face to face with Chip. Barely in control his anger, Monterey finally decided to say what was on his mind about Chip's situation. Despite the consequences! "Its been a year now mate!! What I....." Before Monterey could finish, and Chip react. A distinctive voice halted all conversation.

"Chip? Monty? Is everything all right? in there?" A female mouse with blond hair walked down the stairs from the upper floor of the Ranger HQ. "I heard shouting."

Gadget?! Monterey didn't know that she was home. In the months that he, and Chip had been, talking things over. There was always an unspoken agreement, that Gadget wouldn't be told about their, discussions. And they both knew why. Of course one day she would find out. But he had hoped that would be after Chip had fully accepted Caprice, as well as the situation. Unfortunately, Chip was being his usual stubborn self!

Monterey knew that he about a second or so to come up with an answer that would satisfy Gadget's curiosity. He quickly went through his mental list of stock answers, and just as quickly found that she had heard just about all of them! And the ones that were left were not very good! Monterey never liked lying to Gadget, never! Even when it was for own good. Of course the fact that he was not very good at it didn't help either.

"Monty, and I were just discussing cheese. And well, you know how he gets when he talks about that."

Monterey watched in fascination as Chip fibbed big time, to Gadget. So sincere, was voice. So convincing, his manner. If it wasn't for the fact that they, had, been arguing a second before..... Chip, and Gadget looked in his direction. * Think fast Monty! * he told himself. "Uh. Right Chippah. You know how I get, when we start to talk about BRIE" Monterey took a deep breath, and sighed happily. "Ahhh. Brie 86. Now that was a good year!" He then began a long tirade about the cheese. The way it smelled. The texture. The taste. And a whole bunch of esoteric trivia connected to it. It was not long before Gadget's eyes glazed over with polite indifference to the subject.

"Uh is that all Gadget?" Chip casually remarked.

The blond mouse's face perked up at the thought of a change of subject. "I really came down remind everybody that Caprice, and I are going to the movies. And we thought you guys would like to come with us."

Chip looked at Gadget with detached interest. "Well I don't know Gadget, I....."

Monterey saw his chance. "What kind of movie?"

The female mouse turned to Monterey. "Shakespeare in Love."

Monterey groaned inwardly, and wished Gadget and Caprice could have picked something more Chip friendly. But he couldn't pass this up. "We would love to go Gadget!"

Chip blinked in surprise. "We would !?" He glared at Monterey in annoyance!

Monterey saw it, and thought * Come on Chipper! Don't do this! Just go along, just, go, along....* He continued in a cheerful voice. "Sure we would Chip! We could all use a time out from work."

Gadget turned for his answer. Her blue expectant eyes, and Monterey's fierce but silent glare from behind her, stifled any retort he had about the subject. Instead, he glared back at Monterey. Gadget looked towards Monterey, then to Chip, and back again. "Monty?" There was concern in her voice. "Is everything all right?"

Monterey looked at her with a not-quite innocent face, and said, "Of course everything is all right Gadget luv. Isn't that right, Chip." Gadget and Monterey looked at the chipmunk.

There was a short pause. "Sure Monty... No problems.. None whatsoever." Gadget frowned sadly, and looked in askance at Monterey. He tried to look as if there was "no problems". But the faint trace of worry, and frustration told her otherwise.

Eyes downcast, Gadget turned to Chip. "You know Chip. If you really don't want to go it's, OK..." Gadget looked up, and stared directly into his eyes. "I, understand...."

There was a long pause. "I..." Chip found himself entranced by Gadget's, expectant gaze, and somewhere deep inside him, an emotional conflict was resolved. With a mental sigh, he gave his answer. "Sure Gadget. I would love to go with you... With, both, of you."

Gadget's eyes watered slightly, as she softly said "Thank you." She gave him a light kiss on the cheek, and slowly walked out of the front door. Chip watched Gadget leave, as he absentmindedly rubbed the spot that she had kissed. For several long seconds he stared simply at the door. "Monty.." He turned towards the mouse. "Why did you say that for!!?"

Monterey was startled by Chip's sudden change of demeanor. But he quickly recovered and crossed his arms. "Chip, when was the last time you have been on an outing with us?"

He looked at Monterey confused. "And I don't mean anything formal. Just Chip and the Rangers going out. Enjoying each others company."

Chip thought for a moment. "What about the time we went to Dale's comic convention in San Diego?"

Monterey looked sternly at Chip. "With Caprice?"

Chip stammered a bit. "That Italian restaurant?"

Monterey taped his foot impatiently. "In the last 5 weeks?" Chip bit his lip, and thought hard. But nothing came to mind. He looked down, guilty as charged.

"I know your not trying to snub her, or us. But it doesn't look right."

Chip walked to the table, and set his tubes of papers on it. "I know Monty. It's just that..... You see... It's... I've been... I...." Chip let out a long mournful sigh as he slumped his shoulders forward, and hung his head low.

A flood of relief washed through Monterey's body. * Finally * he thought to himself * It's all over! * Monterey walked over to Chip, and patted him on the back. "It's all right mate. It's just a movie. Not the end of the world." He waited for a response, but got none. This was not good. It was another break from the usual pattern. "I know mate. But Caprice is part of Gadget's life now. And she wants her to be part of our family as well."

Chip trudged over to the couch that sat in front of the room's TV, and plopped down on it with a sigh. "One day at a time I guess".

Monterey watched the couch for a long while, trying to think of something to say that would help. But nothing came to mind. He turned, glanced backwards at his friend, and then silently walked in to the kitchen. Zipper was there to greet him, and looked at him in askance. Monterey shook his head sadly and said simply "I don't know zipper. Chip seemed to be getting better for a while. But now... Come on lets make lunch."

Chip stood silently in the partially shadowed corner of the animal theater waiting room. It was a place where animal movie patrons could stay in safety, as the humans entered and exited the movie house. Chip looked at he clock on the wall. It was 15 more minutes till they let every one in to the theater to sit. *Shakespeare in Love!* he thought to himself. *Bah humbug!!* This was one of the more nicer things he had to say about his current predicament.

Chip sighed. He hated indulging his darker emotions. It was counterproductive, and it always got him in to trouble. This was especially true since the incident. Chip closed his eyes, took a deep breath, held it for a second, and let it out slowly. With great effort and willpower, he folded those bad thoughts, and confusing feelings. Those painful notions, and uncertainties. In to a small hidden place, deep down with in himself. Far away from the light of day, out of sight, out of mind.

Chip opened his eyes, and looked around. *It will be time to go in soon.* he caught a glimpse of the others in the distance. everybody was there. Dale, Foxglove, Monterey, Gadget, and..... He smiled at the thought of his friend Dale and Foxglove together. Though those two were going through some rough patches, they were still together. Hopefully everything will work out for them. Hopefully... * Somebody around here has to have a happily ever after. * "Almost time to be seated" he muttered to himself as he walked towards the spot where his friends were. *They are probably wondering where I am.* He knew that he promised to go with them, but... Sigh. *Monty was right. I just can't snub them. They are my friends!* He watched a small mouse who was standing very close to Gadget with a thoughtful gaze. * Caprice.. * A jumble of emotions coursed through him. Chip was always uneasy around Caprice since the incident, despite Gadget's best efforts to make them more comfortable with each other. It was not he didn't like her or anything. But at the same time she was not exactly his friend either. She was more like an, acquaintance. A person he knows because Gadget is going out with her. Anything more than that made him, confused. The whole situation made him, confused. And he had learned long ago that it was not going to get any clearer.

As he neared his friends, he saw that they were talking, laughing. Conversing about this, and that. Saying the kind of things that friends say to one another when they are at ease with each others presence. Chip however, did not feel at-ease. He felt... Felt.... He couldn't put a word to describe the emotion. He had felt it before, but it usually faded away in to the background noise of his life. Nowadays though... * It's probably nothing. * And he went to join the others.

Chip stood forlornly in front of the entrance to the Rescue Rangers headquarters. He watched the retreating forms of his friends as they disappeared in to the moon lit night. He did have a nice time at the theater. Not that the show itself was all that entertaining, he had long since given up on such relationship/romance stories. Especially those with the words "Shakespeare" in them. *Has it been so long since they went some place just to enjoy each others company?* Laughter, and snips of conversation shook Chip out of his ruminations for a while.

He listened forlornly to the sounds as it floated through the night air. Yes the movie was not to his liking, but that didn't matter. He was in the company of friends, and he liked the feeling of camaraderie that it invoked. He didn't even mind the fact that Caprice was there. almost... *But nothing lasts forever....* He had hoped that after the show the others would stick around, and hang out together. He sighed, turned towards the front door, and went in.

Chip stood at the top of the stairs, and looked around the dimly lit conference room. "Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home!" His triumphant words floated about for a few brief moments before it was swallowed up by the room's shadows, and empty spaces. With a sigh he walked down the stairs, and at the bottom he stopped and looked around once again. In all the years that Dale, and he had lived in this tree, he had never really noticed how spacious the place was. "Sure is a lot of space here..."

The silence, and shadows weighed heavily upon him, almost to the point of stealing his breath away! For a few brief moments he felt an almost uncontrollable urge to do something. Dance, jump, run, yell!! Anything, as long as it was motion! Chip walked unsteadily to the table at the center of the room, and calmed himself. He then noticed a bag of tubes, and papers sitting on it. It took him a few seconds to remember that he had put it there earlier in that day. "work! That's what I need! Something to keep my mind focused!" Chip picked up the bag and went to his room. Several minutes later, Rescue Rangers Headquarters was filled with the sound of a pen scratching words on to paper.

Episode 2: Deeper Down

Gadget watched Chip step confidently up to the stage to accept the S.A.P.S. citizenship award with a mixture of pride and apprehension. About a month ago, for some reason, Chip had decided that the Rescue Rangers should be more local with their Rescues. With that in mind, he decided to help out the provincial S.A.P.S. with their problems. And after a week of reports and helpful hints. Finally decided that they should go out and help them. At first Gadget had been some what unsure about this change in Ranger operations. Not that she didn't want to help. It was just that she thought that the Rangers should go where ever their help was needed. But Monterey had reminded her that "Charity begins at home" And after some thought (and seeing that the S.A.P.S. really did need the help), she reconsidered her assessment. The mission turned out better than she or any of the Rangers had hoped but this didn't quell her foreboding feelings towards Chip.

Amid the ovation of the audience, Chip gracefully accepted the award, then gave a brief speech of appreciation on behalf of himself and the rest of the Rangers (being careful to name them all), before returning to his seat. Gadget looked on with unseen concern on her face. Ever since she walked in on "the talk" Monterey and Chip had about a month ago, she had begun to revise her perception of him. She knew that Chip, and Caprice didn't exactly get along. It was sad but not unexpected. *sigh.* She had hoped that Caprice would win him over as she had the others. After several awkward months it seemed that they were at least going to be more than just civil with each other. She had hoped for better, but she was a practical girl and knew otherwise. The only thing that gave her faith that the situation would eventually resolve it self was the fact that Chip seemed to accept the relationship, and to a certain extent, Caprice as well. Sure it wasn't what she wanted, but one thing at a time. Acceptance, then friendship? Maybe....

Chip’s exasperated sigh broke Gadget out of her ruminations. "Wow those lights are hot!" He wiped his brow as he sat down.

As he showed the others the highly decorative award. Gadget silently observed Chip trying to decided how she was going to find out what was wrong with him, and how she could help. She understood Chip, his moods, likes, dislikes. The deeper part of him that had always fascinated her for so long. At least she was beginning to know that part of him... Something was wrong with Chip. Gadget was sure of it! Never mind the dedication he put in to his Ranger duties or the reassurances he, and others, had given her. Something was different. Of course what happened between Caprice, and her would change things. She had long ago accepted that as part of the consequences of her relationship with Caprice. Despite this, she had hoped that even with this change of circumstances, he would still confide in her. Trust her. Tell her things. Let her comfort him like the close friend she is. But, she was a practical girl...

"What?"

Gadget blinked a few times, and brought her mind to the here and now. "Huh?"

"You looked like you wanted to ask me something."

Gadget quickly ran a few scenarios through her mind, compiled information, and came to the conclusion that she was not ready yet for questions. "Uh, nothing Chip. Just thinking that’s all." she let out a nervous laugh.

Chip looked at her suspiciously for a few seconds. Then shrugged his shoulders and looked at the award with a nearly silent sigh.

"MR. Chip Maplewood? May I offer you and your team a congratulations!" The Rangers turned towards the source of the voice and saw an fat immaculately dressed mouse standing in the company of other mice who were holding sevral almost rodent size cameras.

Chip stood up and greeted the mouse with a handshake. "And you are?" "MR. Thornbush. Kevin Thornbush. Publisher of The Mouse Sun Times." The fat mouse gave Chip’s hand a vigorous shake.

"Did you know that the Rescue Rangers are a favorite among the readership of my paper?"

Chip looked surprised. "Really?"

"Oh yes! Why in the last few years that your group has been, well, Rescuing. You have become well known among those of us. So it’s only natural that my paper would cover your exploits!" The mouse grinned pridefuly.

Dale looked at Monterey in surprise "Zowie! We’re famous!!"

"Way to go cutie!" said Foxglove as she gave Dale a highly affectionate hug.

"Crikey!! I knew all that hard work would pay off!" said Monterey with an expansive grin of satisfaction.

Caprice gave Gadget a chaste yet heartfelt hug as she told Gadget that she was proud of her. Gadget blushed in response.

Chip smiled simply.

"If it is OK with you. I would like to take some pictures of you Rangers with our new compact digital camera, and let my reporters ask some questions concerning the work you do.

All the rangers looked excitedly towards Chip and waited for his decision. Chip stared blankly at the others, then at the award. "Ah, sure. Lets do it..."

Chip was lost in thought as he sat forlornly at the table and examined the award the Rangers had gotten. It was already late in the night and most of the guest had gone to bed, leaving only the nocturnal animals and the Rangers to enjoy themselves. Chip however couldn't care less. He let out a quiet melancholy sigh as he looked at the inscriptions on the award. On it was the words of a grateful community thanking them for work and caring enough about their lives to help them in their time of need. It was not that Chip didn’t appreciate their sentiments. He did, he really did! It was a final validation that all the work he, and the others, had done over the years actually meant something. That they had affected other people’s lives for the better. That the idea Dale and himself had, once upon a time so long ago, was indeed a good one!

*So why don’t I feel more excited about this? I am at the top of my game. The papers are about to publish some of our exploits. The things that I have dreamed about are finally coming true.* The sound of laughter wafted through the air causing Chip to look towards its source. There, in the faraway table, partially shrouded by shadows. Gadget and Caprice sat and talked in a animated fashion among themselves. He looked at them in a detached manner as his mind drifted. *She looks so happy. Wish I could have done that... I wonder what I could have.....* He mentally shook his head to stop that train of thought. It was the beginning of an old, useless, string of logic whose conclusion was bitter as well as true.

It took Chip several seconds for him to realize that his staring had evoked an uncomfortable silence between Gadget and Caprice that even he could sense from where he was sitting. His mind quickly raced as he tried to think of something that would put them at ease without making a totally idiot of himself (which was happening more frequently than he would have liked). Chip decided to raised his hand to wave towards them in a friendly fashion. Which he did. They returned the gesture in an awkward manner. Upon seeing this, Chip sheepishly turned away and made an exaggerated thinking pose (which was what he was doing in first place) to show that he wasn’t trying to intrude upon their domain innocent fun. Soon he was lost in his thoughts once again as he looked at the award.

Gadget walked unsteadily towards Chip’s table. Her mind was awash with various scenarios concerning how she would talk to him. It wouldn’t be the first time that she would have some difficulty speaking to him. Most likely it wouldn’t be the last either. It was just that he looked so troubled, that she felt compelled to go and speak with him.

At first she was unsure if she should go. After all she was with Caprice and it wouldn’t have been fair to her if she just got up and walked over there. Caprice, however, was more than a little understanding and encouraged her to go and see if he was all right. Now as she approached him, she began to have second thoughts about this course of action.

*Maybe this could wait till tomorrow.* "Hi Gadget," Chip said listlessly. He didn’t even bother to look up at her.

"Hi Chip.. Is everything OK??" Based on what she knew of Chip. Gadget’s mind picked four possible scenarios that could flow from this opening question.

"Huh? Sure. Everything’s fine..."

"Well you looked like you could use some company." Gadget waited for him to object to her suggestion as he always did. Instead he just shrugged. She was somewhat surprised at his lack of resistance towards her suggestion.

"So what are you doing?" Gadget asked as she sat down.

"Just, thinking that’s all.."

"What about?" She asked with genuine interest. "Another case"?

There was a long pause. "Yeah... The next case..." Chip roughly fondled the award before putting it abruptly down on the table. Although he tried to keep calm Gadget couldn’t help but notice what was happening.

"Chip! What’s the matter!?" She immediately went over and tried to comfort him.

"It’s nothing." Chip said as he waved her off. "I... I Just need some air. That’s all..."

Chip stood up weakly and started to walk towards the door. Gadget attempted to help him but he refused her.

"It’s OK Gadget! I’m not a baby! I just need some air that’s all!!" Gadget let go of Chip, shocked at his outburst. Chip took a half a step, stopped, and slowly turned around to face Gadget. He walked towards her and spoke in a meek, small voice. "Sorry Gadget.. I, uh..." he looked down, ashamed. "I didn’t mean to yell at you. I, I know your just trying to be helpful." He patted her shoulder gratefully. "But I will be all right..." He turned, and walked slowly out the door.

Gadget stared at the exit that Chip had taken. A look of concern, and determination blazed across her face. * Well Chip Maplewood! If you think I am going to stand here and watch you, uh... Whatever it is that's bothering you, hurt you. You had better think again! * With that in mind, Gadget decided to commit a portion of her brain's computing power to the Chip problem. And mentally opened a file with his name on it.

Episode 3: Reality Check

"That's not me!!" Chip yelled as the last of his breath escaped from his chest. A heavy blow hit his back, and he felt for sure that this was his last moment on earth. Slowly he opened his eyes; all was dark before him. For the briefest of moments he was sure that he had passed in to the afterlife. The worried face of his closest friend peeking at him from the top of their bunk bed however proved those fears false.

"Chip! Are you all right?" Dale asked. Though from the tone of his voice Chip could tell his concern was genuine. The inflection was from one had not had much sleep in many a day. * Foxglove and he must have done another marathon all niter!! I‘m going to have to talk to her about that, * Chip casually thought to himself. The notion quickly vanished as he began to realize that he had fallen out of bed in a most undignified manner. A wave of embarrassment washed over him as he disentangled himself from his bedcovers. "It was just a stupid dream," he grumbled to Dale as he stumbled into bed.

"Gadget again?" Dale’s voiced floated down from the top bunk.

"None of your business," Chip growled. There was a long silence before he spoke again. "Yeah... Sort of..."

"What’s it about?"

".... I... I don’t remember all of it... Just bits and pieces." Chip shuddered, as he thought about what his dream could possibly mean.

Dale attempted to settle his nerves, by telling him that it was only a dream, and other such reassurances. But Chip only half listened. The restful arms of sleep was no longer his to embrace, as the ghosts of his troubled mind hovered about him. It was half past three in the morning when it became obvious that he would get no more sleep, it just wouldn’t come to him. With a groan of frustration he got up, and decided to begin his morning rituals early.

The calm August rays of the saturday morning sun streamed lazily through the kitchen window of Rescue Rangers Headquarters. Gadget Hackwrench, sat at the kitchen table with her body bathed in the sun’s golden brilliance and a cup of coffee in her hand. She watched contentedly as Monterey Jack and Caprice made breakfast, as the blithe sounds of the tree coming alive to greet the day wafted through the air.

She looked around for a moment, sat back, took a fortifying breath of the coffee’s fragrant steam, and sighed. *What is wrong with this picture?* This was the first thought of logic that came to Gadget’s mind as the effects of her morning coffee began to set in motion the higher functions of her brain. She looked around, got her bearings, and started to do an analysis of what was happening before her.

"Hmmmm. Let’s see.... Monty is here." She watched the big Australian mouse as he went in to the kitchen to make some more breakfast.

"Zipper..." The fly buzzed by her to say good morning before going out for food (Gadget didn’t even want to think about what a fly would want for breakfast). "Hmmm. who else.." There was a low groan followed by some mumbling as Dale shambled in to the kitchen.

"Dale??" She looked at the chipmunk in surprise. "You’re up early." Her face scrunched up with concentration as her brain began to supply her with data concerning the last time he got up early (which ,baring some emergency, was almost never).

Dale weakly waved in her general direction as he mumbled a "good morning," towards her. Gadget knew getting anything else out of him was next to useless as he was a big a zombie as she is before her morning coffee. Maybe even more so. It only took her a few quick calculations to know what was out of place. *Chip isn’t here,* she thought.

Now it wasn’t an unusual thing for Chip not to be at breakfast. Since the incident, more than a few things that Chip did, that would normally concern her, didn’t. Well, not as much. She remembered the first few times it had happened. Some days he would just not be there. At first she thought it was something she or Capsie had done. Maybe he was avoiding her again. But Monty, and especially Dale, had convinced her otherwise. Though, after dropping in on one of Monty’s talks with Chip, she was tempted to think this was not totally true. However, Chip always came back. A little late of course, but he came back. And if he didn’t they always found him at the police station ready to look for cases. Unless, it was a weekend, in which case, Chip would be gone for nearly the whole day! But even then he would come back, and they all would enjoy the evening meal.

"See, Gadget," Dale would tell her with supreme self confidence that she rarely saw in him. "He came back! He always comes back!!" Then he would go to his life long friend, and they would carry on with their lives as if nothing strange happened.

Now a days Chip’s absence was a thing that happened from time to time. Though the boys seemed to accept this new behavior without much of a fuss, it still jarred Gadget when it happened.

*Chip should be here. to greet the others in the morning.. To greet... Me, in the morning....* Gadget sighed. "Maybe Dale was right and this is just a guy thing that Chip is going through," she said softly to her self. Still there was a part of her that wouldn’t let the matter rest.

*Chip should be here,* the thought rambled through her mind. Caprice sat down to the table and placed a plate of food before the blond mouse. Without so much as a second thought, Gadget began to eat as her mind methodically searched through the facts that she had gathered so far about Chip’s behavior. Which was not much.

A lot of what she knew about his frame of mind was, until recently, just a vague feeling of anxiety on his part. Which, she supposed, was only a natural part of the breakup. But now that she thought about it... She shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

*And he isn’t here for breakfast!!* Gadget looked down apprehensively at her empty plate as inconsistent fears strutted before her mind’s eye, whispering their fearful overtures in her ear. With supreme effort, Gadget forcefully excised all useless speculations from her mind. * No! I’m just jumping to conclusions,* she sternly thought.

Gadget abruptly got up from the table, and with plate in hand, haphazardly walked towards the sink. She Ignored the surprised and concerned looks she got from her partner and friends. * The only way I am going to solve this problem is to first define what exactly is the problem! * Gadget mindlessly washed her plate as she thought of flow charts, decision trees, blueprints, and other things that would help her mind understand the nature of the problem. later, as Caprice and Gadget went about their morning affairs. Gadget, with much anxiety, quietly scribbled notations, and strange equations in a small notebook paying little head to the world around her.

Chip walked aimlessly through a section of the park that was almost never visited by humans. There were more than a few place like that in the park. Places where the paths and roads never came near. Places where only park officials and maybe some rare few hikers actually knew existed. It was in one of these locations that Chip had found himself .

He was not sure why he had come to this section of the Park so early in the morning. Not that he cared anymore. He had been to all of the usual places so many times that he had become weary of the very sight of them. This day however, something in the back of his mind softly suggested that he walk in this direction instead of taking the usual route. So he got dressed and jogged out to this place.

The sun had begun its slow lazy climb in to the seasonable Saturday August morn. The various animals in local the community were up and about doing the morning’s chores. In a slow easygoing walk, Chip meandered through the nice calm community, as he had more than enough time to do so before heading back to the home. With a few trade items he had on him, Chip bartered for some food, and sat down to enjoy a light breakfast before heading home. As he did so, a faint taping of a martial drum wafted through the air. It was soon accompanied by musical fifes that complimented the drums in such a way that he felt compelled to stand and salute! Or at the very least, march to the lively tune. Curious, Chip walked towards the source of the music. Soon, he found himself among a large throng animals who had also heard the music and was eager to see its creators.

As Chip approached the source of the music, he was greeted by an astonishing sight! There, before his eyes, was a regal troop of rodents of almost every type! Marching by him to the beat of the music in strict military formation. They were dressed in baggy red pants, with a yellow sash tied neatly around their waist, and blue waist coats trimmed in gold. Toped off with red fez hats perched smartly upon their heads. They carried javelins made of a dark wood, that glistened in the morning sun. And short swords in bright brass scabbards that were highlighted in silver.

So boldly they marched! Confident in their stride! Cocky in their manner! Chip was mesmerized by the sight! They seemed so sure of themselves, as if the was not a doubt in their mind about themselves, of their ability to do their job, or their place in the grand scheme of the universe.

Chip watched them thoughtfully as they marched down the large grassy lane that served as a major road for the animals in this part of the park. Even long after they had left his sight, and the music had faded away. A plethora of confusing thoughts and feelings washed through the chipmunk.

"Do you need any help?" A soft voice intruded upon his thoughts. Chip looked around and saw no one. "You know, if you want to catch up with them you can."

Chip scrunched his face in confusion. "I don’t need help," he said unsteadily. It wasn’t unusual for him to talk to himself in the privacy of his mind. It was a tool that he used to help him think out difficult problems. What was unusual, was the fact that he was starting to get answers! And in a woman’s voice!?

"Are you sure?" the soft feminine voice asked. "You seem to be lost."

Chip became annoyed. "I know what I ’m doing!" At least he thought he knew. What if he was wrong? A small chill of fear started to slowly crept up his spine.

The voice laughed softly. "You have no idea how many times I have heard That line before. Mr. Lost soul!"

"I ‘m not lost!"

"Oh really?" More laughter. "Well that is good to hear. Why don’t we walk to my campsite, and we can talk in a civilized manner."

"Campsite!?"

There was more laughter. This time it seemed to be louder, yet still soft in tone. "You really are a Lost soul!"

Chip closed his eyes and messaged his forehead with a groan. It had just dawn upon him what was going on. His face was flushed with embarrassment, as he slowly turned around to meet the mystery speaker.

A female field mouse stood before Chip. She was about his height. Her fur was a brownish color, and her expressive eyes were a steel gray. She wore a fancy knee length, dark blue, double breasted frock coat. It was trimmed in gold, with gold buttons. She had a fancy yellow sash tied around her slender waist with a saber sheathed in a brass and silver scabbard. Chip stood before the woman uneasily, not sure what to say or do next.

Sensing his discomfort, the uniformed woman gracefully walked towards him. "The name is Smith, Captain Smith." She looked directly into his eyes and smiled as she held out her paw, and Chip did likewise. Her soft silken hand griped Chip's strongly as she shook it. "And what name do you go by? Mr. Lost soul?"

"Chip Maplewood," he stammered. Chip wasn't sure why he gave this strange uniformed woman his name. In fact, it took him several seconds to realize that he had given out his name. Embarrassed, he felt the need to say something. "And I am not lost..."

She smiled at his statement, and clasped her hands behind her back. "Are you sure? People who know where they are going, do not usually stand in the middle of the road. They pick a path, and go on their way."

Chip blinked as a thoughtful expression slowly came upon him. "I was, just, thinking. That's all..."

"AH. I see. You are more confused than lost."

There was a long pause before Chip said anything. "Maybe..." He shifted uncomfortably. Then looked down at the ground. "Maybe I am a bit," he found the words hard to say. But, he felt compelled to say them. "Unsure..."

The captain bent down, and tried to get a look at Chip's face. "Mr. Maplewood? Maybe we should come to my camp. We could sit down. Think awhile. Have some breakfast..."

Chip looked up, and found himself starring directly into the captain’s warm gray eyes. "I... I, don't know," he said trying not to be sheepish. "I mean, I don't want to put you out..."

"Nonsense!" she smiled as they straightened up. "The regiment is gone. So we have more than enough food for guests."

Before he could say another word, she put her arm around Chip's shoulders, and in a friendly fashion guided him down the trail towards a rose bush that was at the end of a large clearing.

The clearing was roughly oval in shape, and consisted of gravel and packed earth that was slowly being taken over by dandelions and crab grass. It may have been a human parking lot a long time ago, though that would mean that the trail he and the other animals were using may have been a small human road at one time. Chip unconsciously scrutinized the scene before him to confirm his suspicions. As he did so, his eyes met the captain’s.

She smiled simply, and said "well? What do you think?" Chip bent down, picked up some of the gravel and sifted it through his hand. "human made," he said mater of factly. "Probably a parking lot at one time. Most likely for the park rangers since I see don't see any playground or bench ruins around here."

The captain’s simple smiled slowly turned into a toothy grin. "Well, that is very observant. Most persons around here would not have noticed that. And of those who did, only a few would care."

"Well, it’s a gift I have," Chip said with a sheepish grin. As they approached the campsite, he saw that it wasn’t an elaborate affair. only a few tents and eating spaces here and there. And not much else.

"We are only here for a few months out of the year. Mainly for recruiting. Then we go back to our base at the docks," the captain said as they walked to a spot where they could sit and eat. "If you were here earlier, when the regiment was around, this place would have been much more impressive."

As the Captain found someone to order food from. Chip watched, with great interest, the numerous uniformed animals of various types going about their business, and being very busy. An unconscious sigh escaped his lips. The captain glanced at Chip with an appraising look. "So, what do you do? Mr. Maplewood."

"I’m a Rescue Ranger," Chip said simply.

The captain arched her eyebrow at his statement, and gave Chip her full attention. "Oh really!? Interesting..... We have been reading good things about you people in the Mouse Sun Times."

Chip simply shrugged his shoulders. "That’s good, I guess..."

The mouse waited patiently for her guest to say more about the subject. But all she got was an uncomfortable silence. When the food finaly came. The two sat queitly eating their breakfast and enjoying the sights.

"So what exactly do you do here," Chip asked politely as he watched the activity before him.

"Well," the captain’s eyes lit up with excitement. "We here belong to The Service."

Chip looked at her strangely as he tried to recall some old piece of triva locked away in the deep receses of his brain. "I think I may have heard of some group called that. But I was never sure what they were about."

The captain shruged her shoulders simply. "I am not surprised. From what I hear you Rangers operate in diffrent circles than we do."

Chip shrugged and said nothing.

"So, MR. Maplewood. From what I have read in the papers, this Rescue Ranger thing seems to be very exciting," she said in a cheerfully. Is it everything you expected it to be?" She looked at him with curiosity.

"It used to be ok. Now it’s, diffrent...." he looked down frowning. "Why does things have to change," Chip said angrily.

The captain looked silently at Chip for several seconds. "Change happens Mr. Maplewood. The seasons, the stars, even life itself... It is the way of things... If we do not change, something with in us begins to die."

"what if they change too much? What happens then," Chip asked softly to no one in particular.

Captain Smith contemplated Chip’s words for a long while. Then she said, "To be, or not to be: that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take up arms against the sea of troubles, and by opposing end them."

Chip looked at her and was puzzled.

"It's Shakespeare," she said simply.

"I know that... But..."

She patted him on the shoulder in a friendly fashion and stood up. "I am not surprised that you know that." She smiled at him sincerely. "But, do you understand what he is trying to say?"

Chip looked up at her in confusion. He knew that she was trying to tell him something. Something, important. But the understanding seemed to be just out of the reach of comprehension. When it looked like a response was not forthcoming, the captain let out a slight sigh, and shook her head sadly.

"I believe I was right the first time. You are lost," she said softly. "And confused as well..."

Chip looked up at her. Not sure what to say. The captain held her hand out, and helped Chip up to his feet. "Time for you to go home Mr. Maplewood," she said as she lightly brushed the dirt off of his jacket. "Go home and think!"

"I'm really sorry But..."

"I wouldn't worry about that. Mr. Maplewood," she said as she walked him to the spot where she had first saw him earlier that morning.

When they got to there Chip turned and tried to apologize to her again. He had failed her, but he was not sure how. But he had, and because of this he had a feeling that he was being denied something special. Something......

"To be, or not to be... Think about it Mr. Maplewood. Then you will now what to do," she whispered in his ear as she patted his jacket. Chip looked down as he tried to understand her cryptic message. But when he looked up to talk to her again, she was nowhere to be seen.

Captain Smith watched Chip from a distance as he looked towards the direction where he thought she had gone. He stood there for several minuets before leaving. One of her sergeants walked towards her, and stood by her side silently. When she finally acknowledged his presence he said, "Are you sure about that one?"

"Yes... He will be back. People like him always comes back," she smiled slightly, and the two walked back to the camp.

Caprice gazed fretfully towards her beloved as they casually walked towards the Rescue Ranger’s oak tree. Gadget’s behavior had worried her ever since this morning. While she seemed happy helping her out with the maintenance chores at the theater. The peculiar and apprehensive mood, which had descended upon Gadget at breakfast, dogged her throughout the day.

Despite her urge to ask what Gadget was thinking about, Caprice waited. She knew that Gadget would tell her what was wrong when she was ready. She also had an idea of the cause of Gadget’s distress. She just hoped, that she was wrong. Seeing that Gadget wasn’t going to speak up anytime soon. Caprice decided that when they got to the Ranger’s tree, it would be better for them to sit outside and enjoy the last of the afternoon.

"Gadget, the afternoon is too nice to spend inside. Why don’t we sit outside the tree for a while."

While the blonde mouse didn’t respond to her verbally, nonetheless, when she got to the tree, Gadget let Caprice guide her to a congenial spot on one of the lower branches.

Caprice hugged her beloved warmly, as they watched the waning late afternoon sun cast their affectionate rays upon the park. Gadget looked upon the vista before her and sighed dolefully.

"Gadget? What’s the matter?" She waited patiently as Gadget gathered her thoughts before speaking.

"He wasn’t there this morning..."

"And he should have been?"

Gadget nodded simply.

Caprice thought silently for a moment. "Well, he has done it before..."

"But today was.... Different."

Caprice looked at her apprehensively. "Different? What do you mean?"

Gadget gazed at her hands silently for several seconds. Then slowly began to tell Caprice about her wariness concerning Chip. When she first suspected something was different. About how this suspicion gained some validity at the awards ceremony. And now, this Morning. "I even made a logic chart to help me define the problem..."

"And did it help?" Caprice asked with genuine interest.

Gadget sighed and handed over her note book to the older petite mouse Caprice accepted the book warily. She attempted to read the conclusions that Gadget had reached.

"Are you sure about this?" She frowned as she looked over the equations again. Though Gadget had taught her some of the fundamentals of Logic trees. It was, for the most part, very confusing.

Gadget sighed. "Doesn’t make sense does it?"

Caprice blinked as she looked at the equations. She could only get through about four of them, before she got lost and confused by the symbols and their meanings. "Uh, Gadg. Why don’t you explain it to me slowly. Then maybe we can make some sense out of it." Caprice handed the note book back to Gadget. Gadget went over the equations line by tedious line. With Caprice’s help she checked and rechecked her results, and still, the answer was the same. Gadget threw down the note book with an exasperated sigh. "You see! I just don’t understand it! All it says is that Chip is unhappy!! But I already know that!! I wonder if I am just adding wrong......"

Seeing Gadget in distress, Caprice got behind her and began to massage Gadget’s shoulders. Under her tender care, Gadget began to relax as Caprice considered carefully her next words. She saw the equations, followed the train of logic (the best she could). Yes. The equations did say that Chip is unhappy. But there was a caveat to it. One that she was sure that Gadget didn’t see, or didn’t want to see. It said Chip is unhappy, and, or... It was such a little notation. Hardly even worth mentioning. But the more she thought about it the more apprehensive she became. "Uh, Gadget, why don’t we not talk about Chip for a while... And just enjoy the rest of the day."

"I suppose your right," Gadget said dreamily. Caprice’s arms began to hug her snugly, and she didn’t want to break the spell. "Besides, there is always tomorrow."

Caprice gave Gadget an affectionate kiss as they sat back and enjoyed the waning day.

Chip looked down thoughtfully at the tablue before him. There they were, Gadget, and Caprice. He was sure it was them. As sure as he knew his own name. Though from his vantage point within the lofty spires of the oak tree canopy, they looked like ants.

Long ago, when Dale and himself were still knew to the idea of being detectives (let alone Rescue Rangers), when they had just begun to make the oak tree their own. Dale and he decided to expand (mainly as a way to store more food and such things). As they did, they found several natural rooms within the tree. They built stairs to them, as well as platforms, to give them easy (and comfortable) access to those spaces. But that was long ago, and most of them had been forgotten, feel into disuse, or used by Gadget for some unknown reason. It was here, in one of the nearly forgotten rooms, high within the tree’s branches, Chip had idled away the day in solemn contemplation. The words that Captain Smith had told him swirled in his brain. "To be, or not to be....." The words made no sense, though somewhere deep inside him he knew that it should. The meaning seemed to be just within his grasp, and yet, as his logical mind seemed unable to comprehend its wisdom. Just as he was about to give up in frustration, and call it a day, he saw them. Gadget and Caprice.

They couldn’t see him. Of that he was sure. It was still summer, and trees leaves camouflaged him quiet nicely. Even during the winter, the room and platform would be hard to find (it was one of the reasons Dale and he went through the trouble of setting up the room in the first place).

But he saw them coming. And watched them as a hawk would watch its prey. Watched them. Walking to the oak, side by side, talking, laughing, being close. He watched them, as they sat in the lower branches of the tree. Sitting together, enjoying each others company. Content just to be...

Then it came to him. As the last rays of the sun slide beneath the horizon. It came to him. The wisdom of captain Smith’s words. It came to him. As Gadget and Caprice shared a kiss and went inside the tree. The wisdom spoke to him, softly, gently. And despite himself Chip silently wept as the clear starry night began its panoramic dance through the heavens.