know it? Everyone in Alaska has heard about Balto! He's famous for what he did here! I'm telling you, people will be talking about it for years to come you mark my words Jenna!'' Carver beamed.

Jenna laughed ''He was really brave. But talk to him about it, and he'd just tell you that he was only doing what had to be done, and anyone else would have done it in his position''

Carver shook his head ''Then he's too modest. Believe me, what he did was no mere feat! I wouldn't be surprised if they unveiled a statue in his honor! Can you imagine that?'' he laughed.

Jenna giggled ''I can't see that happening myself. But everyone is grateful for what he did, especially me''

Carver nodded ''By the way, where is the man himself? I'd very much like to meet him''

''Oh he left for a mail trip a few minutes before you arrived. He should be back by tomorrow'' she said.

Carver raised an eyebrow and gestured at the door ''In this weather? Blimey, he's keen isn't he?''

Jenna paused ''He'll be okay. He left before it started snowing, so he'll be all right. It's our anniversary this week''

''Congrats. I'd have brought a gift if I'd known'' Carver smiled.

Jenna couldn't help looking at Carvers nametag. The name read 'Drake'. Carver noticed.

''Old name. Never really cared for it myself, but I can't throw it away. Too many happy memories''

He sighed, and then looked at Jenna.

''Right then, I'd best be leaving. I've intruded on you time enough already'' he turned to leave.

''Wait a minute Carver, why don't you stay here tonight? It's snowing really hard out there, and you've said yourself you have nowhere to stay'' Jenna said.

Carver smiled ''Thank you Jenna, but I'll be okay. Besides, I wouldn't want to intrude''

''Don't be silly. Please, I'd hate the thought of you freezing out there with nowhere to go. Please?''

Carver sighed, and smiled ''Okay, you've guilted me into it. But just for tonight. Tomorrow I'm out of here, snowing or not!''

''Thank the lord for that'' Kaltag muttered. Jenna shot him a look. Carver noticed.

''Oh he's just sore at the moment. Believe me, its the least I deserve after what I did to him''

''Don't put yourself down. It was an accident, and he has no right to say those things'' Jenna said.

Carver smiled ''Your very sweet Jenna. I hope Balto knows how lucky he is''

Jenna laughed ''Oh stop, your embarrassing me!''

Carver chuckled ''Sorry''

''Don't be. Your a very nice guy Carver'' Jenna said, smiling at him.

Carver winked ''Thank you. Well then, I'd best get my head down now otherwise I'll never sleep. Goodnight Jenna''

''Goodnight'' she said as Carver padded away towards the wall. She sighed, and looked at the billowing scene at the window.

''Goodnight Balto''

*************

Balto was walking through the streets of Nome, a smile spread across his face.

He had made it to the shed, but had then been told that the storm was worsening, and they wouldn't be pulling out this week, due to the extra snow. Balto was delighted. He hadn't wanted to go in the first place, and now he could surprise Jenna with his return.

At least, he would have done if it hadn't of started snowing. He knew that he wouldn't make it back to Jenna tonight, so he was looking for shelter for the night. He was wearing the red bandanna Jenna gave him every time he went out on a trip. It was sized for Jenna though, so it fitted rather tightly on him. He smiled. It was a nice gesture. He didn't really need it, but it reminded him of her.

He paused for a moment, and then continued walking.

''Excuse me?''

He heard a voice behind him, and he turned round. There was a white female malamute standing there, concern evident on her face.

''Excuse me, can you help me? I'm lost, and I don't know where I can get out of this blizzard. Can you help please?'' she asked.

Balto smiled ''I'd be glad to. Actually I know just the place; I was on my way there. Come on, I'll show you''

They walked on for a while, until a large shed appeared through the swirling haze. Balto turned back to the female.

''Here we are. It's not much, but it'll do for tonight''

She smiled ''Oh thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't of shown up''

Balto smiled as they reached the barn ''No problem at all. Happy to help''

She beamed at him as he pushed open the door and stepped inside ''Your face is really familiar. Have we met before?''

Balto shook his head ''I don't think so''

''No no, I have seen you before. But where...oh! Your Balto!'' she gasped.

Balto rolled his eyes and chuckled ''I was when I last checked''

She laughed ''I can't believe it! Everyone I talk to has heard about you. You’re famous! ''

Balto sighed ''Anyone else in my place would have done the same thing. I don't know why you guys make a big deal out of me''

She moved closer to him ''And so modest. You really are like they say. I'm Karla by the way''

He nodded ''Nice to meet you Karla. Have you been in Nome long?''

'No, I've only just got here really. I can't tell you how scared I was when it started snowing like it did. Thank you'' she smiled.

''My pleasure. Are you here on your own?''

She sighed ''Fraid so. Just poor little me all alone in a big city''

Balto laughed ''Nome isn't really that big. I could show you around some time if you like. Introduce you to a few people maybe?''

''Oh that would be wonderful. You really are kind'' she smiled, and batted her eyes.

Balto smiled, slightly embarrassed ''Right then, best get my head down for the night''

''So soon? I thought we could talk a bit more. I've got so many questions'' she moved closer to him.

''Ah, sorry Karla. But I've got to get up early tomorrow. Big day''

''What’s so special about tomorrow?'' Karla asked.

''I'm going to surprise Jenna. I was supposed to be going on a trip today and...''

She cut him off ''Who's Jenna?''

Balto was slightly put off ''She's my mate''

Karla sighed ''Oh, your taken''

Balto laughed ''Fraid so. It's our anniversary this week, so I want to surprise her''

Karla took a step closer ''Do you enjoy your relationship?''

Balto backed up slightly ''Of course I do. She's the most important thing in my life''

Karla sighed and turned away ''Why is it always the cute ones who are spoken for?''

She walked off to the other side of the barn, and disappeared into the shadows.

Balto sighed and lay down ''Cute, but just a little too forward'' he muttered. He closed his eyes, and drifted into sleep.

*************

Hex had finally found a good place to stay for the night, an old barn on the outskirts of Nome. He'd had a hard time finding anything in the swirling white, but now he had the opportunity to get his head down. For the night at least.

''About time some good luck came my way''

His stomach growled as he padded inside.

''Nothing out of the ordinary there then'' he snarled. He hadn't eaten in over a week, and it was beginning to show. His skin was becoming loose from his body, and his whole demeanor was haggard and unkept.

He sighed and flopped down on the floor, his eyes becoming heavy with tiredness. He might find something to eat tomorrow, maybe out of a trashcan or from begging.

''Well, at least it can't get any worse'' he muttered, and closed his eyes.

A scratching at the door snapped him out of his dreamlike stupor.

''You have got to be joking!'' Hex muttered, slowly getting to his feet and yawning. The scratching intensified, irritating him.

''Ok ok, hold on a minute!'' he snapped. He pushed open the door, and surprised at what he saw.

There was a young gray dog on the other side of the door. Judging by his height, he couldn't have been more than a year old. Despite the biting cold, he wasn't shivering.

The pup frowned ''Got any room?''

Hex stuttered a little ''I'm sorry?''

The pup sighed and glared at Hex ''Have-you-got-any-room?'' he put an emphasis on each word, speaking it slowly and clearly.

Hex stared at the pup ''Yeah, sure. Come on in''

The young dog padded inside, and shook of the snow that had accumulated on his fur. Hex closed the door and padded up beside the pup, who was looking round the barn with distaste.

''Not bad. I suppose it'll do'' the pup flexed and turned to face Hex.

Hex frowned ''It aint exactly the nicest place in town, but its good enough for me. You shouldn't be so picky''

There was something about the pup that unnerved Hex. Something in his eyes made Hex feel agitated. He snapped out of it. He was only a pup. Why should he be afraid?

Hex smiled ''So, what’s your name little guy?''

The pup cocked his head to the side ''Fitz. You?''

''I'm Hex. So, are you here on your own? Where are you parents?'' he smiled. He was beginning to like having someone to talk to. He wasn't really used to it.

''Yes, I'm on my own. You the same?'' the pup, Fitz, answered, taking a step closer.

Hex sighed ''Sadly. I've only been here a few days. I'm not much of a social guy, so I don't know anyone''

Fitz cocked an eyebrow ''So your a stray?''

Hex nodded ''Yep. Still, it’s not so bad. I've been a stray since I left Anchorage a few weeks ago''

''Your from Anchorage? So am I. Were you there long?'' Fitz asked.

''I was there for about a year. I left before the attack thankfully. Pretty scary stuff was happening up there. I could sense it'' Hex said, forcing down a shiver.

Fitz frowned ''How do you mean?''

''It was just the atmosphere, I didn't like it. Like everyone was tense, waiting for something to happen. Were you there when it happened?'' Hex asked.

Fitz smirked, but it wasn't a friendly smile. It made Hex shiver. He hoped Fitz didn't notice.

''Did...have you been here long Fitz?'' Hex asked, trying to change the subject. Fitz looked at him, grinning.

''Just got here. So let me get this straight. You’re a stray, with no owners, no friends or family? No one to look after you, and no one to care?'' Fitz grinned and stepped towards Hex.

Hex backed up ''What are you getting at?''

Fitz continued to advance on Hex ''Your all-alone here Hex. As you said yourself, no one knows you in this