"The worst of the storm is over," Ryder said, eyes heavy as he stared at the calmer waves outside the Sea Patroller's windows. "Pups, let's all head to bed. It's late, and I think we're past it."

Relieved yips and sleepy groans carried through the main cabin as everyone slowly peeled off to their bunks and pup houses. Skye stayed close to Chase, nudging him toward his pup house with a look that made him soften immediately.

"Come on," she murmured, trying to sound casual, but her tail wagged in a nervous little rhythm.

Chase gave her a gentle nuzzle. "I'm coming, my angel."

Ryder watched them for a second longer than he meant to.

Marshall padded up beside him, quieter than usual. "Ryder... I know this is unexpected and, uh, a lot. But I just want you to know Everest and I aren't ready yet."

Ryder's shoulders loosened a fraction. He smiled and scratched behind Marshall's ear. "Thanks, buddy. I appreciate you saying that."

Marshall looked relieved, as if he'd been carrying that worry since Skye's news broke, then limped off toward his bed.

Ryder tried to do the same.

He really did.

He lay down, pulled the blanket up, and stared at the ceiling until the darkness blurred. His ribs ached every time he breathed too deep. His leg felt like it had its own heartbeat inside the cast. And the moment his mind started to drift, the memories came — falling beams, screaming crowds, Chase's pup tag in his hand, the look in Skye's eyes when she thought he was gone.

His heart kicked too hard.

His thoughts wouldn't slow.

So when he couldn't take it anymore, Ryder finally accepted the truth: sleep wasn't coming tonight.

He sat up with a quiet groan, reached for his crutches, and carefully made his way to the bridge.

Katie noticed the empty space beside her almost immediately.

She cracked one eye open, sighed, and sat up. "That boy is going to have a breakdown if he doesn't sleep," she thought, then slipped out after him.

Ryder was halfway to the radar panel when she stepped into the bridge doorway.

"Ryder," Katie said softly. "You okay?"

He jumped, shoulders jerking. "Jeez, Katie—"

"Sorry," she cut in quickly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Ryder exhaled, rubbing his face. "I'm fine. Just... can't sleep."

Katie stepped closer. "Anything I can help with?"

Ryder let out a breath that sounded almost bitter. "Not like you can magically heal my leg."

"If I could, I would," she said instantly, no hesitation, then leaned in and kissed him. "Try to rest, okay? Even if it's just... sitting."

Ryder nodded, not trusting himself to say much.

Katie left, padding back to bed, and Ryder stared out at the dark sea for a long minute before dragging himself toward the mini-fridge and grabbing a cold soda.

Maybe caffeine was a stupid idea.

Maybe it would keep him awake longer.

But at least being awake was quieter than the nightmares.

"How much longer, Robo-dog?" Ryder asked.

"RUFF RUFF!" Robo-dog hit a button, and the navigation display popped up: 24 hours to Adventure Bay.

Ryder's chest tightened with relief he didn't want to admit. "If you can get us there sooner... I just want to be home."

Robo-dog barked again, and the Sea Patroller's engine tone shifted slightly as it sped up.

Ryder sat down in the captain's chair, intending to stay alert.

Instead, exhaustion finally won.

His eyes slid closed.

His head dipped.

And he fell asleep sitting upright, crutches leaning beside him like a reminder that even rest had to be earned the hard way.

When Ryder finally opened his eyes again, the bridge was brighter. He blinked, neck stiff, and realized he was being watched.

All the pups were standing there in a loose semicircle, staring like he was a museum exhibit called "What Not To Do."

"That can't be comfortable," Rubble said, brow furrowed.

Rocky tilted his head. "Did he not go to bed? I thought he did."

Zuma looked between them. "Do we wake him up?"

Ryder cleared his throat, wincing as his spine popped. "Ugh... morning, pups."

"Morning, Ryder sir," they chorused, instantly relieved he wasn't... worse.

Katie appeared behind them with breakfast already on trays. She handed the pups their bowls, then pressed a bagel into Ryder's hand.

"Thanks," Ryder muttered. "I regret falling asleep here."

Katie laughed softly. "Stiff neck?"

"Very."

She rubbed his neck with warm hands, and Ryder made a quiet noise he would deny later.

"Thanks, Katie," he said, voice a little more human again.

Then his eyes flicked to the radar screen.

And his whole body went cold.

A ship.

Fast.

Wrong angle.

Wrong speed.

Coming straight at them.

"Robo-dog—hard left!" Ryder snapped.

The Sea Patroller lurched, turning just in time. The other ship blasted past them so close Ryder could've sworn he felt the air shift. A second later it slammed into rocks behind them with a sickening crunch.

Chase's ears shot up. "What the hell was that?"

"That ship just about hit us," Ryder said, already pressing the call-all button. "Robo-dog, stop. PAW Patrol to the bridge!"

In seconds, everyone had their gear and that focused look that meant playtime was over.

"There could be hurt people on that boat," Ryder said. "All paws on deck."

He glanced down at his cast, frustration flickering across his face. "I'm staying here. I'll coordinate."

Chase nodded, immediate. "Understood."

Ryder pointed. "Rocky, I need you to fix whatever problem that ship has. Marshall — check for injuries. Everest, help Marshall."

"Green means go," Rocky said.

"I'm ready for a ruff ruff rescue," Marshall answered.

"Off the trail Everest won't fail," Everest added.

Ryder's eyes snapped to Chase. "Find the captain. Figure out what happened."

"Chase is on the case."

"Zuma and Rubble," Ryder continued, "get the ship away from the rocks if you can and check for structural damage."

"Rubble on the double."

"Ready, set, get wet."

Ryder took one last breath. "Alright PAW Patrol is on a roll."

They launched into action with practiced speed.

It was a cargo ship — not a passenger ferry — and thankfully only a few crew members were aboard. They were shaken, scraped up, but nothing fatal.

Chase returned quickly with a man in a soaked jacket, eyes wide and face pale.

"This is the captain," Chase reported. "He's... really shaken."

The captain looked at Ryder like he expected to get yelled at. "I'm so sorry. I almost hit you. I don't know what happened — I couldn't steer. I still can't."

Ryder didn't scold. He never scolded people who were already terrified.

"It's okay," Ryder said firmly. "We're just glad no one is hurt."

Rocky's voice came through on the comms. "Ryder sir."

"Go ahead, Rocky."

"The steering belt broke. The gears failed after. I had spare parts in my truck — I replaced them. He should have control back."

Ryder turned to the captain. "My pup fixed your steering. You should be good to go."

The captain looked like he might cry. "Thank you. Truly."

"Um—Ryder?" Rubble's voice cut in. "There's a huge hole in the hull over here. Not sure we can fix it."

Ryder's stomach sank.

Then Rocky rolled in with a sheet of metal like it was nothing.

"Never mind, Ryder," Rubble said, laughing with relief. "Rocky's here."

Rocky grinned. "Recycling solves everything."

Within minutes, the patch was secured well enough for the captain to limp the ship to safer waters and radio for proper repairs.

As the cargo ship finally pulled away, the captain called one last time. "Thank you! And again... I'm sorry for almost hitting you."

"No problem," Ryder replied. "Just be careful."

When they resumed course, the bridge fell quiet.

Chase stared out at the ocean, jaw tight.

"Good thing we were here," he said.

Skye's voice was softer, but it hit harder. "Yeah... except we could've all died if Ryder wasn't paying attention."

Ryder didn't answer.

But Katie's hand found his shoulder, and she squeezed like: I know. I saw. You saved us.

They arrived in Adventure Bay the next day.

The relief in the Sea Patroller was immediate. The pups were bouncing again. Ryder looked like he could finally breathe.

And then, like a cozy blanket thrown over everything sharp, Christmas came rushing back into focus.

After unpacking, everyone piled into the TV room, already talking gifts, snacks, lights, and what to hang where. Snow drifted down outside the lookout like the world was trying to reset itself.

Katie and Ryder decorated together — stringing lights, hanging garland, setting up ornaments. Callie padded through the chaos like she owned the place.

Chase sneezed the moment she walked by.

"AACHOO!"

He fell backward dramatically, paws flailing.

Marshall laughed. "I guess it's time for your kitty serum."

Chase groaned. "Why do we call it that? It sounds humiliating."

"Because it's funny," Zuma said instantly.

Marshall pulled the vial from his pup pack and gave Chase his dose.

Ryder watched, already mentally adding it to his to-do list. "We're going to need more soon."

"Okay," Marshall said. "I'll remind you."

"I wish I didn't have cat allergies," Chase muttered.

Rubble smirked. "Imagine being defeated by a cat."

Chase glared. "Imagine being single."

Rubble's smirk vanished so fast it was almost impressive.

That night, because the snow kept falling and everyone was warm and full and happy, they decided to sleep in the main room — a full lookout sleepover.

The next morning, Ryder and Chase were the first ones up.

Ryder stretched carefully, then looked down at Chase.

"Let them sleep," Ryder said quietly. "Come with me."

Chase followed him upstairs.

Ryder sat at the kitchen table with a mug of cocoa and a thoughtful look. "What are we doing for Christmas gifts this year?"

Chase blinked. "I... haven't thought about it."

Ryder smiled slightly. "I have."

Chase perked up.

"For Katie," Ryder said, "I'm building her an ATV. So she can stop stealing mine."

Chase barked a laugh. "Good idea, Ryder sir. How long will that take?"

"With Rocky's help? A few days."

Chase nodded, impressed. "You're going full boyfriend."

Ryder rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.

They rode the elevator down again just as the others started waking up.

Breakfast was made. Katie announced she was heading to the shop.

"I'll be back soon," she promised, pulling on her jacket.

Ryder waved. "Be safe."

He turned to Rocky. "I'm going to need your help in the garage today. Katie's present."

Rocky's tail wagged. "Green means go."

The rest of the pups ran outside to play in the snow.

And that's when they noticed her.

A girl stood at the edge of the driveway, bundled in a winter coat, holding the leash of a Boston Terrier who looked like she'd rather be anywhere else than in the cold. The girl's eyes kept flicking up at the lookout, like she couldn't decide if she should come closer or run.

The pups bounded toward her.

Chase got there first, stepping between her and the others automatically — polite, but protective.

"Hello," Chase said. "Who are you?"

The girl's breath fogged in the air. "Hi. I'm Alyssa, and this is Roxy. I'm looking for a young boy. I was told he lived here."

Skye's ears lifted. She didn't wait. She sprinted inside.

Ryder and Rocky were emerging from the garage when Skye skidded to a stop.

"Ryder!" she blurted. "There's a girl here looking for you."

Ryder frowned, then followed Skye outside.

Alyssa looked at him the moment he stepped into view, and her expression shifted into something like relief mixed with fear.

"Hello," she said. "You must be who I'm looking for."

Ryder's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why are you looking for me?"

Alyssa swallowed. "I was told you knew someone... and I was hoping to get information."

"Who?" Ryder asked, voice already tighter.

Alyssa hesitated, then said the name.

"Jim Remy."

Ryder flinched — a physical recoil he couldn't hide.

The pups felt it too. Chase stepped closer to Ryder. Rocky's tail lowered. Marshall's ears flicked back.

Ryder's voice came out colder than he meant. "Why do you want to know about him?"

Alyssa's hands trembled on the leash. "I think he was my father."

Everything froze.

Ryder stared at her like his brain refused to accept the words.

Alyssa rushed to explain, voice shaking. "I'm sorry, I didn't... I didn't know him. My mom had me when she was fifteen. She never told me who my dad was until a few months ago. She had cancer and... she passed away. Before she died, she wanted me to find him."

Ryder's throat tightened.

He forced out the truth anyway. "He's dead. I'm sorry. And... he wasn't a nice person."

Alyssa nodded quickly. "I know. I read about the case. I'm sorry for what you went through."

Ryder looked away, jaw clenched.

Then he looked back at her and the words slipped out before he could stop them.

"So then... that would mean you're my sister."

Alyssa's eyes filled. "Yes. Half-sister." She tried to smile through it. "It's really nice to meet you."

Ryder swallowed hard. "I'm Ryder. And these are my pups — Chase, Zuma, Rocky, Skye, Marshall, and Rubble."

Roxy sniffed the snow, then looked directly at Rubble.

Rubble looked directly at Roxy.

And the world might as well have stopped again, this time for a completely different reason.

Rubble's cheeks went pink. "What? No, I don't—"

Skye nudged Marshall so hard he almost toppled. Marshall snorted. "Well, I guess Rubble has a crush."

Ryder, despite everything, actually let out a startled laugh — the first real one since the storm.

Alyssa smiled, and it looked like she'd been holding her breath for weeks.

"I don't want to be a bother," Alyssa said quickly. "I just... wanted to hear about Jim. And... I was hoping we could get to know each other."

Ryder stared at her. Something in his expression softened.

"It's not a bother," he said, quieter now. "You can stay for the holidays if you want. We'll... figure things out."

Alyssa's eyes widened. "Really?"

Ryder nodded. "Yeah. But I don't have much to tell you about him. He wasn't a good person."

Alyssa's voice dropped. "From what I read... I think I'm glad I never met him."

Ryder didn't answer right away.

Then, finally, he said, "Come inside. It's cold. We'll talk."

And as Alyssa stepped toward the lookout, Roxy trotted beside her—

Right beside Rubble.

Rubble followed like he'd been magnetized.

Rocky leaned toward Ryder, whispering, "I guess our ATV project is on hold?"

Ryder glanced at Alyssa, then at Rubble staring at Roxy like she'd hung the stars.

"Yeah," Ryder murmured, but there was a faint smile on his face. "For a minute."

Then he squared his shoulders, took a steadying breath, and walked inside to meet the sister he never knew existed.