chair.
“As have I, sir.” Balto replied, and Henry shook his head.
“Enough with the sir, its Henry.” he said, and Balto smiled.
“Yes, sir. Sorry, Henry.”
Jenna laughed, and the two looked at her.
“I’m going to get ready for bed. Balto, I’ll show you your room. That is, if you don’t mind, Dad.” she said, standing. Henry shook his head.
“Not at all.” he said, and Balto stood.
“Many thanks, Henry.” he said, and the brick husky smiled.
“Not at all.” he replied, and Balto followed Jenna from the room. As she led him up the stairs, she spoke over her shoulder.
“So what do you think of my father?” she asked, and Balto chuckled.
“He’s a good man. I’m just grateful he isn’t turning my away because of wolf blood.” he answered, and Jenna chuckled as well.
“He’s always been outspoken about that. Several times he’s taken in a wolf that’s come through town because noone else would.” she said, as the opened a door.
“Here’s you room. I’m just across the hall if you need anything.” she said, and he smiled.
“Many thanks, Jenna.” he said, and she smiled back.
“It’s the least I could do.” she whispered, and leaned in towards him, slightly. He smiled wider and leaner closer. Their lips met for a split second, before they pulled back.
“Good night, Jenna.” Balto whispered, running a paw along her cheek.
“Good night, Balto.” Jenna whispered back, taking his paw and squeezing it briefly. They each took a step back, smiled one last time, and turned into their respective rooms. Balto smiled to himself as he unbuckled his gunbelt and dropped it onto the bedside table. Drawing one of the Colt’s, he cocked it and laid it where he could grab it easily. Lying back on the bed, he closed his eyes and thought of Jenna. After a few moments, he started to sing, quietly.

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

He paused for a moment, then spoke into the darkness.
“Lord, keep her safe. I’ve finally found someone I love, Lord don’t let me lose her.” he whispered, before falling asleep.
“Balto, wake up, Doc wants you.” Jenna said, shaking Balto gently.
“Huh? Oh, Jenna. Good morning.” he said with a yawn.
“Good morning. I thought you would want to sleep in, but Doc wants to see you.” she said, smiling as she sat on the edge of his bed.
“Huh. I wonder what he wants.” Balto muttered as he swung his legs over and sat next to her.
“Balto, about last night, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-” she started to say, but he cut her off with a paw over her lips.
“Don’t be.” he whispered, and kissed her.
“Balto...” she whispered as they pulled apart a moment later.
“Jenna, I’ve always been honest, especially with you, so I have to tell you now, I’m falling in love with you.” Balto whispered back, before kissing her again.
“I’m falling for you, too.” she replied, as they held one another.
“Jenna, we should go, before they come looking for us.” Balto whispered a few minutes later.
“I don’t want to,” she complained, as she stood and frowned.
“Neither do I, but I need to go.” Balto said, buckling on his gunbelt.
“Do be careful, Balto. I couldn’t bear to see you hurt.” she said, watching him holster his Colt.
“You, too, Jenna. Steele is merciless, and views females as nothing but playthings to be used then thrown away. Be very cautious, and I would suggest carrying a gun.” he said, kissing her again as he passed and picked up his hat.
“I will.” she replied.
“Oh, and Jenna?” Balto said, pausing as he was about to go downstairs.
“Yes?” she asked, turning to him with a smile.
“Don’t make any plans for tonight.” he said, and disappeared.
Balto trotted through the town, tipping his hat to passerby before he found Doc.
“You asked to see me?” he asked, walking up behind him.
“Yes, I did. Where would Steele come from?” Doc asked, turning around.
“I don’t know. The only predictable thing about him is violence, so the only the only thing I can tell you about his attack is that he’ll try to kill as many as possible. Is there a cellar or something underground where the women and children can hide without being hit?” Balto asked, looking around.
“Several.” Doc answered, beckoning Balto to follow him. “I’ll pass the word they’re to hide there fist sign of trouble.”
“Alright.” Balto said, thinking that he would have to drag Jenna there.
“Here we are, this is what we’ve finished of a road block so far.” Doc said, breaking Balto from his musings. He looked up to see a group of dogs shoveling dirt and dumping it over a pair of overturned wagons. Several others were sharpening stakes and adding them to the barricade.
“Looks good. There’s the other side of town, though.” Balto said, “not to mention the spaces between buildings.”
“We’ve already boarded up the buildings, they couldn’t get through there without us knowing.” Doc told him, and Balto smiled.
“Good. More than once he’s sent dogs through windows and such.” he said.
“I know.” Doc replied. “We’ve got it covered here, why don’t you wander around town and meet everyone? They wont trust you if they don’t know you.” he suggested, and Balto nodded.
Wandering down the street, he was watching everyone bustle about when he heard his name called. Jon was walking towards him, waving.
“Balto! Care for a drink?” he asked, and Balto shook his head.
“A little early for that.” he said, and Jon laughed.
“So come for the companionship.” Jon offered.
“So, that song you were singing yesterday, you said your mother taught it to you. Why didn’t your father, if he wrote it?” Jon asked, when they were seated at the saloon.
“Well,” Balto started, and sighed. “He’s gone. I don’t remember him, but my mother said that he had to leave, that he couldn’t stay, that he wanted to, but somehow couldn’t...I spent a couple years trying to find him, but I never could.” Balto said, staring at the table. Jon reached over and patted his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” he said, softly. Balto looked up, and half smiled.
“No, its no problem. I still hope I might find him, but I doubt I will.” he said, and Jon smiled.
“Never give up hope.” he said.
“I’ve never found the slightest trace of him in five years. I don’t think he’s even alive.” Balto told him.
“Maybe he is. What was his name?” Jon asked, sipping his drink.
“Charles, but everyone called him Charlie. So my mother said.” Balto replied, and Jon frowned.
“Said?” He asked, and Balto looked back down at the table.
“She’s dead.” he said, softly, before standing. “I have to go Jon, I’ll see you soon.” he said, and left. Jon watched him go, then buried his face in his paws and cried.

“Balto, here. You need to eat.” Jenna said some time later, placing some food in front of him.
“What would I do without you?” Balto asked, tucking in.
“Starve.” she replied, smiling as she sat down. It was lunchtime and her father was out helping with the fortifications, so it was the two of them in her kitchen.
“Probably.” he said, smiling at her.
“Balto, what was it like, living alone?” she asked a few minutes later.
“It was nice. Peaceful, and quiet. I’d like to do it again sometime, but-”
“But what?” she asked, watching him carefully.
“It wouldn’t feel right without you there.” he whispered, and she smiled, standing. Walking around the table, she sat down next to him and took his paw.
“Balto...I love you, too.” she said, and he smiled and kissed her.
“Would you?” he whispered in her ear.
“Would I what?” she whispered back.
“After this is all over, find a quiet place in the mountains, maybe...” he faltered a bit.
“Maybe what?” she asked, leaning towards him slightly.
“Maybe get married.” he blurted, and she froze, then smiled.
“I mean, I love you, even though I’ve only known you fro a couple days. But with everything going on, I don’t know if I’ll live through this so-” he trailed off as she placed her lips on his.
“Yes.” she whispered a moment later.
“Really?” he asked, and she smiled.
“I cant imagine life without you anymore.” she said, and he kissed her.
“Neither can I.” he told her. A minute later, Doc came bursting in.
“I hate to interrupt, but Balto you should see this.” he said, and Balto kissed Jenna again then followed th old St. Bernard into the street. As they looked over the barricade, a black and white malamute rode up.
“Balto! I know your in there! Surrender yourself and noone will be harmed!” he yelled, ice blue eyes watching the town.
“Steele, you and I both know you’ll kill everyone in the town for the fun of it, with or without