Chapter (5): Rescue Rangers' Reunite!

"It's been one year since the Rescue Rangers' parted ways. Dale and I got back into doing missions a month after Monterey and Gadget left. It's now nearing the end of November and the cold has set in. Dale's recovery from his lung transplant has come to an end; he's able to give one hundred percent effort to anything he does now. I wish I could say the same for myself, I went to the doctor yesterday and he recommends I use a cane now for walking as the arthritis in my right knee has become almost unbearable. It's difficult to move and even more difficult on missions, I fear I may need to step down from assisting in missions; leaving Dale on his own. Dale hasn't spoken or planned to ever take Monterey and Gadget back, but I can tell this line of work is taking its toll on not only me, but him as well. I plan to go and see Monterey and Gadget to try and sort this out once and for all." - Chip wrote in his daily journal entry as he then proceeded to set his book and pen down and went downstairs to the kitchen.

"Good morning Dale." - Chip said as he sat down.

"Morning Chip." - Dale replied.

As Chip then grabbed the newspaper and his coffee he then paused and turned to Dale.

"You know Dale, I was thinking, I'd like to go visit Gadget today." - Chip said.

"Why?" - Dale asked.

"Well, it's been a year Dale. I'd like to go make amends for what happened." - Chip said as he continued reading his paper.

"Amends!" - Dale said slamming his mug on the table.

"You realize they started it." - Dale said in frustration.

"Well you know what Dale, I'm not going to be around forever. So sooner or later you're going to have to grow up and make amends for the past events." - Chip replied in a frustrated tone.

"But Chip-" - Dale argued.

"But nothing Dale, we are going today. I'm not getting any younger and neither are you. This has gone on way too long. - Chip said as he coughed.

"I'm not going to be able to do missions any longer Dale, can't you see that. I won't be able to take care of this place forever. You'll have to take care of this place when I'm gone, so in the time being I would like it if we had some extra help around here." - Chip said.

Dale then sighed.

"Alright Chip." - Dale said, defeated.

"When do you want to go?" - Dale asked.

"After breakfast. It seems to be clear skies for now." - Chip said.

As Chip and Dale finished breakfast, they didn't speak much further on the subject. Dale was still struggling to grasp Chip's reasoning but agreed with him anyway. After they had finished breakfast Chip and Dale then got their winter gear on and prepared to head out to the airport where Gadget's home was located.

As Chip and Dale were finishing putting their winter gear on, Dale had appeared to have problems getting his jacket zipper to work.

"Here Dale, let me help you." - Chip said as he stumbled over to Dale with his cane.

Chip then was able to free the zipper on Dale's jacket.

"What would you do without me Dale." - Chip mumbled to himself letting out a slight chuckle.

"I'm not sure." - Dale replied, with a laugh of admiration.

Chip and Dale then walked outside and got into the plane, starting it up and taking off towards the LaGuardia Airport.

"You know Dale, I know you don't like this but it's in our best interests." - Chip said as he controlled the plane.

"It's not that I don't like Monty and Gadget, I just don't like what they said. They know something they didn't need to know. That was our past, you buried it and started new lives, they had no business digging up those old memories." - Dale explained calmly.

"I agree Dale, but Monty had a point. We've hidden so much of who we are that they felt deceived. Truth be told, Dale, they didn't even know we were related until I was nearly on my deathbed. I get the fact that we didn't want them to know about how much pain and suffering we went through when we were younger but when we kept so many secrets from them already it was bound to come out eventually."

Dale sighed and nodded.

"Look, there's Gadget's plane." - Chip said, pointing at the large decommissioned plane as he prepared to land.

As the plane landed, Dale assisted Chip out of the plane and helped inside as he was unable to walk properly by himself. Once inside, Chip then proceeded upstairs to where Gadget was staying.

"Hello, anyone home?" - Chip called out to the echoing room.

"Hi, can I help you?" - Gadget said as she walked up to Chip.

"Gadget, it's Chip and Dale." - Chip said.

"Chip?" - Gadget said as she didn't recognize him due to his hair being grey and the cane he used to walk.

"It's been a while." - Chip said with a smile.

Gadget then pulled Chip in for a brief hug.

"I've been thinking about you guys a lot. What happened to you Chip?" - Gadget asked.

"Age, Gadget, age." - Chip replied.

"Golly, did you want to sit down?" - Gadget offered.

"Actually I'm good, the doctor says I should keep moving so my knee doesn't seize up on me." - Chip said.

"Hi Dale." - Gadget called out to Dale who stood back admiring the view outside.

Dale didn't reply to Gadget.

"Is he still mad about what Monty said?" - Gadget asked Chip.

"He's warming up to this still, but he'll come around eventually." - Chip said.

"Well gosh, what are you guys here for anyway?" - Gadget asked.

"We're here to make amends to what happened a year ago. What I did was wrong, I accept that now. Dale and I have been working slowly on bettering the way we communicate with each other." - Chip said.

"I'm glad to hear that Chip." - Gadget said, smiling.

"Where's Monterey and Zipper?" - Chip asked.

"Oh they're on a safari right now in Brazil, they should be back in a week or so." - Gadget said as she walked over and picked up the postcard she received from Monterey.

"I'll tell him you stopped by when he gets back." - Gadget said.

"Well that's just it Gadget, Dale and I are here to see if you guys will come back. We want to make the Rescue Rangers' a team again." - Chip said.

"Gee Chip, I don't know. It's been so long since I did anything like that." - Gadget said in disagreement.

"Gadget if I can't convince you to come back with us, then just let me tell you something that I've been wanting to say for over two years now." - Chip said.

"What is it, Chip?" - Gadget asked.

"About nine years ago, I had the opportunity to run away and start a new life with a squirrel named Rebecca. I loved her so much that I got her this ring, and planned to marry her. I still keep it in my coat to this day. Why I tell you this Gadget is because, when we broke up I felt lost inside and didn't know where to turn next. However, that all changed when I first met you here three years ago. To be honest, I may have lost my way but you helped me find it again." - Chip said, as he took Gadget's hands' and smiled.

Gadget was speechless, she too had feelings for Chip but never knew just how deep Chip's love for her was. She then leaned in for a passionate kiss with Chip that brought back memories to the first time she'd done it when Chip was in the hospital bed, bidding his farewell.

"Golly." - Gadget said, still seeming speechless.

"I-I just needed you to know that Gadget." - Chip said as he let go of Gadget and turned to leave.

"Come on Dale." - Chip said as he walked past Dale in somber.

"Chip, wait!" - Gadget called out, running with a suitcase in her hand.

"I've changed my mind. I'm coming back with you." - Gadget said.

Chip smiled at her response and put his hand out to her, she took his and they walked off towards the Ranger Wing.

Dale then nugged Chip.

"So are you and Gadget good now?" - Dale asked.

Chip smiled and wrapped his arm around Dale's shoulder.

"Never better Dale." - Chip replied with a large grin.

"So what's are plan from here?" - Dale asked Chip.

"Just watch and learn Dale." - Chip said as they got into the Ranger Wing.

As they took off towards home, all had started to go back to normal. Chip's knee still hindered his ability to move but he managed. Chip and Gadget started dating. Monterey Jack returned with Zipper to Gadget's plane 2 weeks later seeing Gadget's note and returned to the Rescue Ranger'; apologizing for his poor choice of words in the past to Chip and Dale. Dale took his time warming up to the Rescue Rangers' being a group again but Chip helped Dale along the way. Dale later threw out all of the old memories of his father in hopes of starting on a clean slate; making his and Chip's secret no longer a fear but a thing of the past.

The End.

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