sniggered ''So, groups no smaller than three aye? We'd better comply then Theo''

Theo nodded ''Yep. Lets find Nick. We should have a couple of minutes''

Jack raised an eyebrow, his smile never wavering ''What for may I ask?''

Theo smirked ''Oh I think you know my friend''

Jack's grin widened ''Lets go then''

Both dogs padded away down the street

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

The first thing Balto noticed when he woke up was the dull ache at the back of his head. His vision was blurred, and it took several seconds before it started to clear up.

Staggering to his feet, he realized that it wasn't just his head that was pounding. His entire body throbbed in pain, and he winced.

''What happened to me?'' he thought.

That was when he looked down at his back leg. There was dried blood surrounding a sizeable bite mark, and there was a small pool of blood on the floor where he had been lying down.

''How did that get there?''

He shook his head, trying to clear the throbbing pain. It wasn't painful as such, just annoying. What was more, he was finding it difficult to remember what had happened. Everything was a blur.

Shaking his head, he tested his weight onto his injured leg. It hurt, but nothing he couldn't handle. He looked round.

''How did I get here in the first place?'' he thought, but no answer came to him.

He took a step forward, and stopped. His mouth felt like cotton, and there was a bitter taste at the back of his throat. He scrunched his face up as he swallowed.

''Urgh! What was that?'' he tried to think, but again nothing came to him.

Frustrated, Balto padded out of the factory.

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

Dingo sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time that night. His mother was asleep by the fireplace, after eventually crying herself to sleep. Dingo shook his head, then continued looking out of the window. The street outside was completely deserted, and there was no sign of Kodi.

''It shouldn't have taken him this long to get back''

Dingo frowned. Was it possible that something had happened to Kodi? No. That couldn't be possible. Kodi was tough, far tougher than Dingo himself. There had to be another explanation.

''Maybe he stopped to see Dusty. Yeah, that'll be it'' he thought.

With reluctance, Dingo turned away from the window and padded up to Jenna's sleeping form. It broke his heart to see her this upset, and all because of his father.

Dingo suppressed a growl. This was all Balto's fault. His fathers stupid actions had caused his mother such pain, and all for nothing more than a one night stand.

''If he ever shows his face here again, I'll...'' Dingo snarled in frustration. He didn't know what exactly he would do, but it wouldn't be pleasant.

A sudden scratching at the door caught his attention. After a moments hesitation, Dingo padded up to the door and pushed it open. What he saw took him completely by surprise.

''Doc?''

Dingo stepped back as Doc bolted inside the house. Dingo immediately noticed the troubled expression on Docs face.

''Doc? What's the matter?''

''Where is your mother Dingo? I need to talk to her, urgently''

''She's...she's back there'' Dingo gestured to where Jenna was asleep, his forehead creasing in concern.

Doc nodded ''Ok, I just need to have a word with her, then...''

Dingo cut him off ''Doc, is there something going on?''

Doc sighed ''Dingo, I'll explain later. Right now I just need to speak with your mother''

Dingo frowned ''Doc, tell me what’s wrong''

Before Doc could answer, there was a scratching at the door.

Dingo frowned ''Well, it's about time he showed up!''

''Is Kodi here? I need to talk to him as well'' Doc said as Dingo padded up to the door.

''Kodi, you'd better have one hell of an excuse!'' Dingo called out as he opened the door.

He staggered back in alarm at the sight that met him.

Kodi stood framed in the doorway, one leg pressed to his side. His fur was slick with blood, and another dog behind him was holding him up.

''Kodi? Kodi, what happened?'' Dingo stuttered as Kodi limped inside, escorted by Carver. Dingo noticed the vicious looking slash wound on Carver's muzzle as he passed by.

''Hey Dingo could you give me a hand? This guy weighs a ton!'' Carver said, forcing a smile.

Dingo padded up to Kodi's other side, and together helped Carver escort Kodi towards the fireplace. Jenna looked up in alarm.

''Kodi? Oh my God, what happened?''

Kodi looked up weakly as he lay down on the floor. Jenna moved closer and nuzzled him.

''Kodi? Kodi speak to me'' Jenna choked, unable to tear her eyes away from Kodi.

Kodi's eyes opened slightly, as he tried to focus. Taking a ragged breath, he lay his head back down on the floor and closed his eyes.

''Doc? Doc get here quick!'' Dingo shouted frantically.

Doc rushed up to Kodi, and laid an ear on his chest.

''He's breathing'' Doc said, relief in his voice.

Jenna sighed with relief and lay here head on Kodi. Dingo turned to Carver.

''Where did you find him?''

''I found him further up the street. I thought he must have gotten into a fight or something, what with the injuries he's got'' Carver replied.

Dingo looked closer at the wound on Carver's muzzle, who turned away in embarrassment.

''Where did you get that Carver? Looks pretty bad''

Carver shook his head ''It doesn't matter''

Dingo frowned ''You told me you were going to find Dad. Did he do that to you?''

Dingo looked straight into Carver's eyes, who turned away unable to hold his gaze.

''He did didn't he?'' Dingo frowned.

Carver nodded, raising a paw to wipe away the blood surrounding the wound.

''Look, it isn't important. It was my fault really''

''How could it be your fault? He's the one who injured you! And from the looks of it he did a damn good job!'' Dingo replied.

Carver shook his head ''I shouldn't have gone looking for him. It was my fault. I had no right in getting involved in things that don't concern me''

Dingo growled ''When I see him, I'll...''

Carver lay a paw on Dingo's shoulder ''Hey! Don't talk like that kid. He's your Dad after all''

Dingo shook his head ''Not anymore he isn't! He stopped being my Dad the moment he left the house!''

Doc padded over ''We're going to have to get Kodi to the vets. He'll be better there''

Dingo nodded, and padded over to Jenna, who was nuzzling Kodi's unconscious form.

''Mum, he'll be okay. We're going to take him to the vets okay?''

Jenna nodded, causing tears to run down her muzzle ''I know he will. He's a fighter''

Dingo smiled faintly, and then turned to Doc and Carver.

''You guys stay here and look after Mum. I'll be back in a minute''

Doc shook his head ''No you won't Dingo. I'll come with you''

Dingo frowned ''Doc, what was it you came over for?''

''I...I was going to tell you about the current situation. I've called an emergency meeting at the mill, and I came over to escort your mother after...well, you know'' Doc looked embarrassed.

''Situation?'' Carver asked.

Doc nodded ''I'm afraid...we have a murderer in town. Maybe more than one''

Jenna looked up startled ''Murderers?''

''We've found...four bodies around town''

''Four?'' Carver's jaw dropped slightly.

''Are you sure Doc?'' Dingo asked.

''Yes, I'm afraid so. That's why I will help you take Kodi to the vet. It's not safe to be alone on the streets'' Doc looked at Carver.

''While we're gone, will you...'' Doc gestured to Jenna.

Carver nodded ''Sure thing. The least I can do''

Doc smiled ''Thank you''

With Docs help, Kodi was lifted onto Dingo's back.

''I won't be long Mum'' Dingo nuzzled Jenna, before padding out of the house with Doc in tow. As soon as they were gone, Jenna dissolved into tears.

Carver padded over ''Jenna, I know it's hard, but he's going to be all right''

Jenna shook her head ''He said...he wouldn't be long. That's what Kodi said before he left''

Carver sighed ''Dingo will be okay. He's got Doc with him. There's no point in you getting into a state, you'll only make yourself feel worse''

Jenna choked back fresh tears ''If Balto was here he would...'' she stopped.

Carver smiled faintly ''You still have feelings for him don't you?''

Jenna nodded slightly ''I do. I still love him but...could I have just ignored that? Could I have just let it slip by?''

''No one has any right to make you think that Jenna. Something like that...you just can't ignore it''

Jenna nodded ''Your right I know...but I can't stop feeling the way I do about him''

''I understand. It's been tough, and what's just happened hasn't made it any easier. He's a part of your life, and it's okay to still have feelings for him''

Jenna smiled faintly ''Thank you Carver''

Carver returned the smile ''Hey, you made me welcome when I showed up here. It's the least I can do for you''

Jenna's smile vanished as she noticed the wound on Carver's muzzle ''Did he really do that to you?''

Carver sighed ''It doesn't matter. If anything it's my fault. I should have given him time to cool off. If it was me instead of him, and some nosy outsider started questioning me about personal matters, I would have reacted exactly the same way''

''That doesn't make it right'' Jenna frowned.

Carver smiled sheepishly ''Believe me, it isn't the first time I've stuck my nose into things that don't concern me''

Jenna glanced at the window ''I hope he's okay''

''Kodi? I'm sure he will be. He's a fighter, just like his Dad''

Jenna didn't know what to make of that last comment.

Carver's forehead suddenly creased up in concern ''I wonder what this meeting is about?''

''I don't know. Something like this has never happened before'' Jenna replied, a sudden stab of fear causing her to shiver. Carver noticed.

''Hey, don't worry. I'll look after you until Dingo gets back. You have my word''

Jenna smiled ''You really are sweet Carver''

Carver nodded ''Thank you''

A scratching at the door caught them both off guard. Carver frowned.

''They can't be back this early''

''Jen? Jenna it's me'' a familiar voice called out from the other side of the door.

Jenna stood up off the floor and padded up to Carver, a deep frown on her