Redhawk Caldera don't stop until your heart goes numb.

Finley raised a good point -- perhaps it was Ashton's demeanor and attitude about life that would make him the perfect culprit. Elwood didn't think he would be quite so easy to fool, however; Finley wasn't giving him much credit. The medic was a pretty clever guy, he just had an interesting perspective and way of speaking and acting.

She dismissed that idea quickly, though, instead latching on to the thought of blaming the plateau wolves. That would, indeed, provide the most distraction, which is what they would need in order to escape with the firebirds in tow. And then they would run away together and live happily ever after!

The implications of her phrasing -- that they would raise the pups together -- did not dawn on Elwood; he was helping her plan this whole ordeal, wasn't he? So he expected that he would be there with her, though he didn't realize that if she took the role of "mom," that only left one other position for him. His only reaction was to clap her on the shoulder with a paw and proclaim exuberantly, "You're brilliant, you know that?"