noise behind her, this time closer than when she was in Nome. She sighed, irritated.

''Go away, Jet!'' she snapped.

''I think Jet's busy right now.'' a deep voice said.

Moki jumped and whirled round. She saw the dark, pitch-black shape of Steele. His ice-blue eyes were extremely bright in the dark.

''Steele.'' Moki breathed.

He was a very large dog, much larger than her father. He smiled at her and she couldn't help but return the smile.

''No offence,'' she said, ''But your son is very annoying.''

Steele chuckled.

''Maybe to you.'' he said, ''Not to that other female, it seems.''

''Mm.'' Moki nodded.

She sat down and Steele walked over and sat beside her. They looked up at the stars and Moki thought their sparkle was a lot like the gleam Steele's eyes gave off in the dark.

''I used to watch the stars with my mate. Before she died.'' Steele said.

His voice was warm, though it seemed dark at the end.

''I-I'm sorry.'' Moki said.

Steele looked down at her and then back at the sky.

''It was over a year ago.'' he said, ''Not long after Jet, Sheen and Starla - she's my daughter - were born.''

Moki nodded, feeling oddly sympathetic. He may have been nasty a long time ago but he'd fallen in love just like everyone else and he lost the one he cared for the most.

''It must be horrible to lose someone you love.'' Moki said, quietly.

Steele was surprised by how vulnerable she sounded, saying something like that.

''Yes.'' he replied, his voice soft, ''But my children remind me of her. Especially Sheen.''

The two of them continued to talk about his mate, Perla, and what she'd been like. He shared stories about his children when they were pups and Moki told him stories about when she was young.

Soon, Moki was lying on her back, staring up at the sky. Steele lay beside her. They were quiet for a long time. On sudden impulse, the young red dog rolled onto her side and licked his ear. Steele froze, as did she.

''M-Moki?'' he said, looking over at her.

She was staring at him, ears perked up.

''I don't know why I did that.'' she said.

Steele calmed.

''It's ok.'' he said, softly.

With a smirk, he rolled over too and returned the lick. He curled his tail round hers and, after a moment of shock, Moki smiled. She wriggled over and then nipped at him. They both laughed and rolled around, play-fighting for a while. When they were tired out, Steele lay back, Moki lying on his stomach.

''You're beautiful, Moki.'' he said, ''I don't care who your father is, you're amazing.''

Moki blushed and licked his cheek. For the rest of that night, they did something that Balto, if anyone, would definately frown on. But Moki didn't care.