pardon?” the old St. Bernard asked, watching Balto carefully. After a moment he spoke.
“Even if I said I wouldn’t, I would have to. Steele knows I’m here now, and to leave would be suicide. Besides, before coming after me he’d burn this place to the ground.” Balto said, watching the light filter through the bottle of whiskey.
“And what kind of dog would I be then?” he asked, looking up at them. Doc stood.
“I have some work to do.” he said, and turned to leave.
“Doc.” Balto spoke up, and Doc looked over his shoulder.
“I’m not doing it for the pardon.” the wolfdog said, and Doc smiled and nodded.
“I know.” he said, and left. Jenna smiled and put her paw back over Balto’s.
“I’m sorry.” she whispered, and he glanced at her.
“For what?” he asked, confused.
“Everything that you’ve been through. You didn’t deserve any of it.” she explained, and he smiled at her.
“You don’t need to be sorry for any of it.” he replied.
“Well, I am. How about I make it up to you, though. What would you say to a tour of our little town with nothing in it?” she asked, standing up and offering a paw. He stood as well and took it, smiling.
“Sounds like a start.” he answered, as she led him out of the bar. They wandered, still holding hands, but not wanting to let go. Jenna paused in front of a small store.
“This is Old Jon’s Curio’s. He’s got some really neat things, come on.” she said, and dragged Balto inside. The walls were covered in knickknacks, the counter was covered in scales and various tools, and the old husky that sat behind it looked as if he was covered in dust. Jenna walked up to him, while Balto wandered over to a guitar leaning in a corner. Picking it up, he plucked at it and adjusted the tuning.
“Be careful with that.” the old husky said, brushing Jenna aside and striding over to Balto, belying his old age.
“It was out of tune.” Balto explained, then looked back down at the guitar.
“Just be careful. That’s a good guitar.” Jon said, and Balto smiled.
“Yes it is. Let me see...” he said, and adjusted the tuning a bit. Then he started picking it, and then launched into song:

Wake up in the morning
And I raise my weary head
I got an old coat for a pillow
And the earth was last night's bed

I don't know where I'm going
Only God knows where I've been
I'm a devil on the run
A six gun lover
A candle in the wind, yeah!

When you're brought into this world
They say you're born in sin
Well at least they gave me something
I didn't have to steal or have to win

Well they tell me that I'm wanted
Yeah, I'm a wanted man
I'm a colt in your stable
I'm what Cain was to Abel
Mister catch me if you can

I'm going down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth

I'm going out in a blaze of glory
Lord, I never drew first
But I drew first blood
I'm no one's son
Call me young gun

You ask about my conscience
And I offer you my soul
You ask if I'll grow to be a wise man
When I ask if I'll grow old 
You ask me if I known love
And what it's like to sing songs in the rain
Well, I've seen love come
I've seen it shot down I've seen it die in vain
Shot down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth

'Cause I'm going down in a blaze of glory
Lord I never drew first
But I drew first blood

I'm the devil's son
Call me young gun

Yeah!

Each night I go to bed
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
No, I ain't looking for forgiveness
But before I'm six foot deep

Lord, I got to ask a favor
And I'll hope you'll understand
'Cause I've lived life to the fullest
Let the boy die like a man

Staring down the bullet
Let me make my final stand

Shot down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth

I'm going out in a blaze of glory
Lord I never drew first
But I drew first blood

I'm no one's son
Call me young gun
I'm a young gun, yeah!

Young gun, yeah
Young gun...

When he finished, he lowered the guitar and looked at Jenna and Iron, who stood there speechless. Jenna found her voice first.
“That was wonderful, Balto.” she said, clapping. He bowed his head, sheepishly.
“My mother taught it to me, she said that my father wrote it.” he muttered, and Jon smiled.
“Nonsense, kid. You did a great job, I couldn’t play that guitar any better myself.” he said, and held out a paw. Balto took it and smiled back.
“Balto.”
“Jon.”
“Well, Jon, we better be moving on. I would love to come back, however.” Balto said, smiling at the old husky, who nodded.
“Please do.” Jon said, and watched the two walk out of his store, them smiled to himself and picked up the guitar. Leaning it back in the corner, he wandered to the back of a store, humming a song.

“Well, son, what can we expect?” Doc was asking. He was sitting at the head of a table, with his deputy, Tom, and a couple of other town members.
“Twenty four dogs, at least. He might have recruited more. No, twenty one. If I can talk to Keltag and the others I can get them on our side.” Balto replied, from where he sat next to Jenna.
“Are you sure?” One of the other dogs asked.
“Very, Mr?” Balto said, and then paused.
“Jim, I run the gun store.” the dog supplied.
“Well, Jim, I’m very sure. The four of us would often talk about leaving, but when it came time to only I managed to.” Balto continued.
“The truth is there are only a dozen fighting fit dogs here, unless we arm the women and children.” Doc said, sighing.
“I’ll fight.” Jenna said, immediately.
“No.” Balto said, shaking his head.
“Why not? Don’t you need all the help you can get?” she asked, sounding almost insulted.
Balto sighed and turned towards her and took her paw.
“Jenna, believe me, you do not want to fight Steele. I’ve seen what he does to females who don’t resist him, believe me, what he does to the ones that do still haunt my nightmares. I will not see that done to you, if I have to lock you in your house, I will not see you hurt by him.” He said, softly. She smiled at him.
“If I have to I will fight. But only if I have to. Alright?” she asked, just as softly.
“Alright. But you stay close to me.” He answered, and she squeezed his paw.
“Of course.” she replied. They smiled at one another for a moment before someone coughed. They split apart, reluctantly, and looked up to the rest of the group.
“Alright, where were we?” Balto asked.
“We only have a dozen dogs, so we cant go after him, but we can defend the town.” Doc said, and Balto nodded.
“He’ll use fire, he always does. So we can expect him to try to burn us out first.” Balto told them, and Doc nodded.
“What about arms? I know that most everyone has at least a revolver, how about rifles and ammunition?” He asked, and Jim spoke up.
“Plenty of ammunition, and enough rifles to go around, and enough revolvers to bring everyone up to two if they choose.” He announced, and Doc nodded again.
“Provisions? This might turn into a siege.” he asked, looking around.
“The coach just came a few days ago, so as long as everyone doesn’t want some coffee, we should be good for several weeks.” Jenna answered.
“Good. Its getting late, everyone, get home and get some sleep. Tomorrow we get ready.” Doc said, and everyone stood. As they were leaving, Jenna turned to Balto.
“Do you have a place to stay?” She asked, and he shook his head.
“I was planning on getting a room at the motel.” he replied, and she glared at him.
“Not while I’m around. We have room, you can stay with us.” she said, and half dragged him towards her house.
“You don’t have to-” Balto started, but she cut him off.
“Yes I do. Here we are.” Jenna said, and opened the door and ushered him in.
“Dad?” she asked, once she was inside, hanging up her coat.
“In here, Jenna.” her called from the living room.
“This is Balto.” she said, as they walked into the cozy room.
“He’s the one that shot all those dogs?” her father asked, giving Balto a disapproving look.
“Unfortunately, yes, sir.” Balto replied, extending a paw.
“I hear that they were after you. Well, in that case I suppose then you could be forgiven, especially since you saved my daughter.” he said, taking Balto’s paw and shaking it. “Henry McCann.”
“Balto Shanver.” Balto said, and sat at a nod from Henry.
“Shanver? I don’t know the name.” Henry said, taking a sip of tea.
“My mother’s maiden name, my father took it when they married. His family had disowned him, they didn’t want any association with my mother or me.” Balto answered.
“Why not?” Henry asked.
“My mother was a pure blooded wolf, sir.” Balto answered, softly. Henry smiled.
“Ah, yes. The unfortunate treatment of wolves. I never saw why they are so feared, they say that they’re evil and bloodthirsty, but I’ve met my share of dogs that fit that description better.” he said, leaning back in his chair.
“As have I,