RRMC, two days later, 11 AM. Things are starting to get back to normal. Dylan, in his usual jersey and jeans combo, is seen
sitting at the motor pool talking to DJ, who is checking the battery of the Street Rover.

DJ - You know Dyl, for a guy such as yourself, I'm still really amazed you were able to pull off such a risky stunt the other day.

DYLAN - *shrugging* Well, there's a time and place to try everything, Deej. Guess this one just happened to work right.

DJ looks at Dylan and grins.

DJ - Yeah, and it was by chance that you could disguise yourself as Pitch well enough. Sneaky, but still pretty dang cool.

Dylan laughs lightly at the comment.

DYLAN - Just trying out the "101 Dalmatians" trick, I guess.

DJ rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

DJ - Well, when you put it THAT way...

He gets up and scratches his head.

DJ - Well, that's all set. This baby's in tip top shape now. *stretches* I'm gonna go get some coffee, Dyl. Care to join me?

DYLAN - Nah. Not a big coffee fan.

DJ - *shrugs* Suit yourself, bud. *walks over and pats Dylan on the back* She's all yours to drive if you want to. You take it
easy, buddy. I'll catch you later.

DJ walks out.

DYLAN - You too Deej.

He gets up and walks around a bit aimlessly, thinking.

DYLAN - *to himself* Heh, I'm STILL thinking about this. *grins* Well, I know what my power is...but...*looks at his chest*
...how can I really use it?

He hears something and quickly turns to the doorway. Standing there is Alan, looking rather down.

ALAN - Dylan?

DYLAN - Hi Alan. *walks over to him* How are you feeling today?

ALAN - *sighs* Still very strange. I'm still not used to being....*looks himself over* like this...

DYLAN - *nods* I see what you mean. Give it time, bud. We're here for support.

Alan gives Dylan a weak smile.

ALAN - ...Are you always this caring?

DYLAN - *nods* It's what's in my heart, dude. *smiles*

ALAN - Heh, and a big heart at that....

Dylan blushes a bit. Alan scratches his arm.

ALAN - There's something I need to do, Dylan. Is there a car I could possibly use?

DYLAN - Well the Street Rover is usable now. I'm sure you could take it for a drive.

Dylan points to it. Alan nods in acknowledgment.

ALAN - Thanks...Um, would you come with me?

DYLAN - Me?

ALAN - *nods* Yeah. I just feel kinda comfortable with you around, truthfully.

DYLAN - *smiles* Of course I'll come along.

ALAN - Thank you. *smiles a bit* C'mon, let's get going.

Alan walks over to the Street Rover and gets in. Dylan gets into the passenger side and both buckle up. Alan turns the
already-inserted keys in the ignition and soon they drive off...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boston, Massachusetts, an hour later (hey, time goes how you want it to. ;) ). Alan and Dylan sit in the Street Rover, parked
outside of Alan's house. Alan is rather shaky and nervous.

DYLAN - Alan, you gonna be all right?

ALAN - *nods a bit* One way or another I'll have to be...I'm just afraid what my wife will think.

DYLAN - I'm sure she'll understand, Alan. If she is how you say she is, she'll know what you mean.

ALAN - ....Thanks Dyl...I appreciate the support here....*sighs* Guess it's now or never...

He gets out of the Street Rover and closes the door. Dylan follows in suit. They slowly walk up the walkway and up the porch
to the front door. Alan gives a deep, nervous sigh and rings the doorbell. Moments later Julie opens the door. She looks rather
surprised but confused to see two canosapiens standing at her door.

JULIE - May I help you?

ALAN - Uh...hello....Julie...

JULIE - *confused* I'm sorry but do I know you?

ALAN - *nervous* Y-yes you do...it....it's me...

JULIE - Me who?

ALAN - Julie, it's me, Alan.

JULIE - ........Excuse me?

ALAN - It's me, Julie. It is. Really....

JULIE - *shakes her head* I'm not in the mood for cruel tricks, sir. Besides, my husband disappeared days ago without
notice...*tears up slightly* And he was CERTAINLY no dog...

ALAN - But Julie...

JULIE - Look, it's best you stop with the pranks and go. I have more important things to deal with. Now if you'll excuse me...

She starts to turn away. Alan holds the door open.

ALAN - Julie....please....*heart sinking* Please...listen to me...

JULIE - Good day, sir...

She closes the door on his face. Alan lowers his head and tears up as his heart breaks painfully. Dylan puts an arm around his
shoulder.

DYLAN - I'm sorry, Alan...

ALAN - *sniffles* ....It's okay....I didn't expect her to believe me anyway....

He turns away from the door and stops, then looks down at his set of dog tags hanging from his neck. He then slowly takes
them off and places them by the door.

ALAN - Guess I....won't need those any longer....

He and Dylan start to walk down the porch steps. Julie, who was watching the whole time from the window, quietly opens the
front door and looks down at the tags then picks them up, looking them over. She stops, then turns one over to the backside.
Inscribed in the back, as it always had been, were the words, "Alan & Julie...Love For All Eternity". She slowly looks up to
Alan and Dylan, who are almost to the street. She swallows hard, realizing that...

JULIE - *calling out* Alan?

Alan and Dylan stop and turn back around.

ALAN - Julianne...

Julie begins to tear up and hurries out to the lawn. Alan runs back to her and embraces her tightly as they both cry weakly.
Dylan watches a few feet away, smiling a bit.

JULIE - Alan...I...I don't know what's happened to you....but.....I know it's you now...I'm sorry.....

ALAN - It's...it's okay......it's okay....*sniffles*

JULIE - God...I just....*swallows* Oh God.....

She releases the hug slowly and looks him over, both saddened and relieved at the same time.

JULIE - But....what happened?

ALAN - *deep breath, wiping his eyes* Well....you see I...

Just then Jamie comes out the front door and runs up to Julie.

JAMIE - Hi Mommy! *concerned* Why ya cryin', Mommy?

JULIE - *wiping her eyes* Jamie, I...

Jamie turns her attention to Alan.

JAMIE - Who the doggie, Mommy? Is he a friend of yours?

ALAN - I..*stops and turns to Julie* Well...

Julie knows what Alan is thinking and a tear runs down her face. She gives a subtle nod to him. Alan then looks back to Jamie.

ALAN - Yes, I'm a friend of your mother's...

JAMIE - Wow! Just like a Road Rover!

JULIE - Yes, just like a--.

JAMIE - Do you know my daddy, Mr. Doggie Man?

The words pain Alan's heart badly, for he then realized what he had to say. He stoops down to one knee next to Jamie.

ALAN - *holding back the pain* Yes....I do...

JAMIE - Where'd he go?

ALAN - ....He.....*cringes for a moment* ...had to go somewhere.

JAMIE - When will he be back?

Alan closes his eyes, badly pained inside. Dylan walks over to him but Alan looks up at him and gives him a reassuring look.
Dylan nods sadly. Alan then returns to face Jamie.

ALAN - I don't know when.....but someday......

JAMIE - Hope so. I miss him a lot.

ALAN - .....So do I....

Jamie then hugs Alan tightly. Alan returns the hugs gently, trying not to cry, but he can't keep his heart from breaking...

JAMIE - Thanks Mr. Doggie Man. I can't wait till Daddy gets home.

ALAN - *sniffles* He'll be back....I promise you....

They release the hug and Jamie runs back in the house. Alan looks on after her. Julie approaches Alan, a disheartening look on
her face.

JULIE - Alan..

ALAN - ....

JULIE - The doctors at the hospital called before you got here.....Shawn is....

Alan hears his foster son's name and his heart drops and his ears droop back, a pained look appearing on his face.

ALAN - He.....?

JULIE - They said....he hasn't long left to live.....please.......go to him....

Alan begins to shake with fear.

JULIE - He needs his father now more than ever.....even if he is no longer himself.....

Alan gives a weak nod and hugs his wife tightly.

ALAN - *almost crying* God....please no.....

Julie hugs him for a few minutes, then they release the hug. She looks deep into his eyes.

JULIE - Go....he needs you.....

She kisses him on the cheek. Alan sniffles, then steps back and turns away, walking to the Street Rover, Dylan following. At
the car door he stops and looks at his wife once more, then gets in. Once ready, he and Dylan drive off in the direction of the
hospital.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RRMC, meantime. Dervish is seen pacing around the dining hall anxiously for some reason. Cobber comes in from one hall and
cocks an eyebrow at the sheltie.

COBBER - Gotta use the little doggie's room, Orange Boy?

He snickers. Derv sticks his tongue out in reply.

DERVISH - *grinning* At least I don't wet the bed.

COBBER - Heh, funny coming from you, though I do recall you ending up in those Ricky Martin leather pants last week.
Bladder problems?

He snorts, grinning. Derv starts to say something but shuts up and just smiles at a thought. Cobb looks at him weird.

DERVISH - ....

COBBER - What?

DERVISH - Nothing. *snicker*

COBBER - Eh, whatever. What are you waiting around for anyway?

DERVISH - *holding up a camera* Group photo, fuzzy.

COBBER - *confused* ...Why?

DERVISH - We're due for one. Besides, I plan this one to be REALLY interesting.

He grins evily and laughs a bit.

COBBER - *raised eyebrows* O-kaaaaaaaaay....

He turns to go.

COBBER - I'll see ya 'round....*snicker* Swiffer....

He starts to walk off then notices something on the ground.

COBBER - Oh neat. A dollar.

He bends down to pick it up......*RIIIP!!!!!* He stops, horrified at the sound. Derv cracks up and quickly aims his camera.
*CLICK!* Cobb bolts up and looks at the seat of his jeans. Yep, he tore them....but they look as if they had been tampered
with. Derv remains laughing, holding the camera in triumph.

DERVISH - This one's a keeper!

COBBER - *ticked off* HEY!!!!! DON'T YOU DARE!!!!!!

He charges at Derv.

DERVISH - AAAAAAAHH!!!

He runs off down the hall, laughing a bit but a little panicky too, Cobber giving chase.

COBBER - I swear I'll rip your bloody head off, you orange buttsniffer!!

DERVISH - Hey! Can't you take a joke?!

Dawn comes from the other hallway as they run off past her. She grins.

DAWN - Yep, things are back to normal, all right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, half an hour later. Alan and Dylan stand outside Shawn's hospital room, worried. Alan is
shaky and very nervous to enter. A doctor is beside them.

DOCTOR - We've done all we could. The rest remains in God's hands now, sir.

ALAN - *nodding* I understand...

DYLAN - Alan...let's go in and see him....

ALAN - Yeah...

He swallows hard, then he and Dylan slowly enter the room. Inside, Shawn is in bed, weak but awake. He turns his head to
face Alan and Dylan as the two canosapiens stand on either side of his bed. He smiles a little.

SHAWN - Hi...

ALAN - *a bit choked up* Hi Shawn...

SHAWN - Wow.....didn't think I'd get to meet real Road Rovers...You're both Rovers, right?

Dylan looks to Alan, who gives a small nod.

DYLAN - Yes, we are.

SHAWN - Guess my wish came true. I've always wanted to meet you guys. I think you're the coolest ever.

Dylan blushes as Alan smiles a bit.

DYLAN - Thanks bud....

SHAWN - Came to keep me company, I guess, right?

ALAN - ......Yeah.

Shawn smiles.

SHAWN - Thanks. I'll bet my daddy sent you. He promised me I'd get to meet you guys before I go...

Alan gives a hard, deep sigh..

ALAN - That's what he said...and he kept his promise...

SHAWN - I always knew he would. I know he isn't my real daddy but I always thought of him as that.

Alan tears up slightly at those words, but tries still to hide it.

DYLAN - Awww. That's sweet of you to say, Shawn. I'm sure he always thought of you as his real son, too.

SHAWN - Yeah, he did. That makes me happy too. Besides, I love my daddy very much.

Shawn smiles. A tear runs down Alan's face as the words touch his heart.

SHAWN - Wanna play something with me?

DYLAN - *nods* Sure Shawn. We'd love to.

ALAN - *sniffles* Absolutely.

For the next hour or so, Shawn, Dylan and Alan play some board games, tell jokes, read stories and enjoy themselves as best
they can. All this time, Alan begin to realize just how much he loves his son and how much the little guy means to him. Every
time Shawn smiles or laughs, he smiles along with him, proud of his little boy. After about 2 hours Shawn has grown very, very
tired and his voice has become more raspy. Alan and Dylan stay by his bedside, remaining close, with Dylan sitting on the bed
and Alan kneeling next to it. Despite all, Shawn still has a contented look on his face.

DYLAN - *worried* Shawn...

SHAWN - I'll be okay...I just hear God calling me. Nothing to worry about....

Alan begins to tear up again, so very afraid....

ALAN - Then....

Shawn laughs weakly.

SHAWN - You know......I always thought......about which Rover was my favorite.....*turns his head to Dylan* Dylan......out
of all of them, you're my favorite...

Dylan is struck deep by Shawn's confession. Alan looks at Dylan, amazed.

DYLAN - I.....I am.....? Why?

SHAWN - Because you're kind, gentle, loving and sweet. And you're a cute puppy too.

Shawn smiles warmly. Dylan returns it, his heart full of warmth and love. He pats Shawn's left hand.

DYLAN - Thank you, Shawn....I'm honored.

Shawn then turns his head to Alan, who looks at the boy with worried eyes.

SHAWN - Thanks for staying with me.

ALAN - *nods weakly* You're welcome....champ....

Shawn smiles. Alan takes Shawn's other hand and hangs his head, afraid and distraught.

SHAWN - And thank you........................................Daddy.

Alan's eyes go wide and he looks quickly at Shawn, who has the biggest smile on his face.

ALAN - ...Huh??

SHAWN - I know it's you, Daddy. You're the only one who calls me champ...and I could just tell...
 

Tears stream down Alan's face and he takes hold of Shawn's hand. Shawn rest his head back on his pillow, still smiling.

ALAN - I.....I....

SHAWN - Thanks Daddy, for giving me all I wanted: to meet a Road Rover....and to have a daddy that is one now and who's
gonna help save other kids like me....

ALAN - *about to bawl* .....I....I won't let you down, Shawn......I promise you.....

SHAWN - I know you'll keep that too....

ALAN - .....I....I love you, son....

SHAWN - I love you too....Daddy.....

Shawn closes his eyes as Alan holds his hand tightly......It goes limp...

ALAN - Shawn...?

.......No response.........

ALAN - SHAWN!!

He bursts into tears and drops his head onto the bed, bawling. Dylan walks over to Alan with tears in his eyes and kneels
beside him.

DYLAN - Alan......I'm so sorry....

Alan turns to Dylan and clutches him tightly, crying his heart out. Dylan hugs him back tightly, comforting as best he can. He
cries with Alan...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RRMC, main hall, two hours later. The whole previous group is standing around waiting. DJ stands there, looking at his watch
and tapping his foot impatiently.

DJ - Where ARE they?? It's been two hours now! *looks over at Bear, who is setting up a large camera* So we gonna take
this picture now or still wait for them?

BEAR - I guess we can wait a little longer. *in his mind* ~ *moan* Why me? I thought I had better things to do than be here
for a picture...*sigh* Eh well, guess that's life...~

BAYSON - *leaning against a wall* Can't have a picture without Dyl here, though....But they need to hurry, otherwise my
mom's gonna start getting suspicious. I wasn't allowed to have any of her homemade cookies last time that happened.

DAWN - That's it?? Just no cookies? You get off easy, you know.

BAYSON - Yeah but they're good cookies too!

He imagines having some of them and smiles happily. Dawn rolls her eyes.

DAWN - We should just call you Cookie Boy from now on.

From the nearby hall come Dylan and Alan. They are talking, but both have stopped crying and seem to have more composure.

DYLAN - One way or another, bud, we'll pull through. I promise you...

ALAN - ....I know....but.....*sniffles*

DYLAN - Alan.....you promised Shawn you wouldn't let him down.....please keep that promise....

ALAN - *hangs his head for a moment.....then looks back at Dylan* ....Guess you're right, Dyl...I can't let him down....

DYLAN - *nods slowly* And he'll always be in your heart....always. No one you love and care about is ever truly gone....*in
his mind* You're so very right about that, Alethia....so very right...

Alan nods, giving a small smile.

ALAN - Yeah....*sniffle* He's counting on me from up there. *hangs his head for a second then looks back at Dyl once again*
Dyl, I want to change my name.

DYLAN - *blinks* Change your name?

ALAN - I'd rather have a better name if I'm to be this way.

DYLAN - ..Well okay. What name then?

Alan thinks for a few moments, then remembers the name of a character his son had created in a story long ago.

ALAN - .....Edge.

DYLAN - *raised eyebrows* Edge?

ALAN - *nods* Yes. Shawn wrote a story a long time ago and his hero character was a wolf named Edge. I want to keep the
memory of him this way.

Dylan nods and smiles.

DYLAN - Well okay....Edge...

Alan, now Edge, smiles more. He looks up as if looking to Heaven.

EDGE - Daddy won't let you down, Shawn. That's a promise.

Just then Alethia notices them from some distance away and waves them over.

ALETHIA - Dylan! Alan! C'mon! We're waiting for you!

DYLAN - *noticing* Sorry! *small laugh* C'mon, Edge. *grins* Gonna be odd getting used to calling you that now.

Edge smiles and nods. Both run over to the group.

DJ - What took you two so long? We've been here for 2 hours waiting for you to show for the gourp photo.

DYLAN - *shakes his head* We'll explain later.

BEAR - *readying the camera at last* FINALLY! Okay everyone, group up!

Dawn, Cricket, Nitro, Bayson, DJ, Alethia, Dylan and Edge gather together in front of the camera about 10 feet away. Hunter,
Blitz, Shag, Colleen and Exile remain on the sidelines.

ALETHIA - Aren't you five going to join us?

Colleen shakes her head.

COLLEEN - Not this time. You all did all the work. This is YOUR moment in the spotlight this time.

She smiles. Alethia returns it. Bear sets the camera timer to 10 seconds and races over to the group.

BEAR - Ready?

DAWN - Wait! What about...?

Just then Derv comes racing in , still holding the camera. Cobber is remaining in pursuit. (Amazing how these guys can do this
for two hours, eh? ;) )

DERVISH - HEEEELP!!

COBBER - Get back here!!

Cobber dives at Derv and tackles him right in front of the group. *CLICK!!* Both Derv's camera and the main camera go off
at the same time. The others look on, laughing as Derv tries to scramble away from Cobb. The Master watches all from above.

MASTER - Nope, dogs are much more fun to be around than cats. Why did I ever think otherwise?

He lightly laughs to himself and walks away...
 

~ "Dogs come in many shapes and sizes, breeds and makes, strengths and designs, but deep down in each and every one beats
                                       the heart of a Rover..." ~