Steele and Karlee were waiting at the beach for their friends to show. Both were sitting, facing the ocean listening to the waves lapping the soft sand. Karlee rested her head against Steele’s shoulder. Steele had his tail curled around her. They weren’t dating but Steele allowed himself some free leash and Karlee didn’t mind it.

But everyone realized how much Steele changed. He was still a bit of a glory hog but he was more understanding and caring. He seemed happier, more when Karlee was about.

"Hey guys." Austin called out. The two huskies faced the approaching friends. Austin, Jasmine, Sandy, Nikki, Dalton, and Zip circled around the two.

"Finally! Thought you needed a map." Karlee said. The group of friends broke out laughing.

"So who wants a race?" Zip called out. Dalton barked and Nikki joined in. Austin barked happily then Steele and finally Karlee. "Alright looks like we have a good race! As you know from Balto’s Boat and back here where the lovely Sandy and the beautiful Jasmine await!" Sandy drew the line and the racers lined up.

"You mates better be ready cuz Karlee is one tough jet." Austin spoke and Karlee blushed a bit.

"Ready!" Sandy yelled.

"Set!" Jasmine shouted.

"GO!" Zip howled and the five racers took off. Austin was leading with Karlee and Steele at his side. Nikki and Dalton tied behind the 3 front runners. Karlee stretched her legs as far as they could go. Steele kept up with her as Austin was falling back just a little. As they neared the land struck boat, Karlee was the first to reach it. She wheeled around and Steele was soon to follow the husky. Nikki had dropped to last. Now Austin was dealing with Dalton for third.

"Come on Austin!" Zip cried.

"Show those guys!" Sandy barked excited. Jasmine raised her head and howled. Steele and Karlee were approaching the finish line. Head to head, sides heaving and breathing short and quick. Karlee shot Steele a smirk and let loose. She broke away and crossed the line. Karlee had yet again won the race. Karlee slid to a stop. Steele couldn’t slow down fast enough and he crashed into Karlee. "Oof!" They toppled to the ground.

"Ow…that’s got to hurt." Zip said. Austin came in third and when he halted Jasmine licked his cheek. Then the husky blushed. Austin smiled.

"Hey come on, about another?" Austin grinned and Jasmine giggled before giving his cheek a kiss. Austin sighed with a love-struck expression. "You got that right sweets." He winked and Jasmine just smiled.

Steele stood over Karlee as she laid on her back. "Did I just get hit by a train?" Karlee groaned. Steele chuckled and was about to lick her cheek. But he stopped himself.

"Sorry about that." Steele spoke. Karlee giggled softly.

"That’s okay."

Not too far off, Captain watched the happy group and snarled. He wasn’t happy about the situation. "Will we struck tonight at your older brother?" A mix breed asked.

"Not yet." Captain hissed.

***

Later that evening, Karlee was resting at her owner’s feet. William was reading after a tiring day. Brian laid in his bed. Karlee was a bit concerned for Brian. He had become ill tempered to the others and rarely left the apartment. There was scratching at the door. Brian didn’t raise his head. He just lay there like he was dead. Karlee was curious as her owner got up. Karlee rose to her paws and followed William. When he opened the door Steele’s scent floated through. Karlee smiled. "Hello Steele." Karlee was surprised to know he was here. "Here’s Karlee." Karlee bounded out of the door and her tail was wagging furious. William watched the two canines jump around each other as if it’s been forever that they last seen each other. He gave a hmm… before closing the door.

"The moon’s almost full. Would you like to join me in a nightly walk down by the beach?" Steele asked. Karlee smiled.

"I would love to." She smiled and gave him a loving expression. Her smile was contagious and so he had to smile to. The dogs walked quietly down the stairs and through the doggie door in the room were laundry was done.

***

They walked side by side through the wet sand from the tide. Karlee sensed something was troubling Steele. She rubbed up against him. "What’s wrong?" Steele snapped out of his thoughts and looked down at Karlee.

"Nothing’s wrong." He answered before he licked her cheek. He froze. Oh he just crossed the line. "I’m sorry Karlee I didn’t mean to!" Steele lowered his ears and looked away from her. Karlee just looked at him blankly. She smirked before moving to where she could see his face.

Karlee licked his snout. Steele was surprised and Karlee smiled before giving him a playful nip. She dashed a way’s a way before turning back to face him.

"Come on silly!" Steele’s open mouth smile grew wide. The malamute dashed after her. Karlee laughed and took to a run. The canines circled each other, jumping around, barking happily. They took to playing under the moon.

It was an hour later before they started toward home. Steele wanted to tell her but he wasn’t sure how she would react to it. But he had to tell her before his heart exploded. "Karlee I want to tell you something…" He tried to keep his voice steady but he felt like a leaf on a windy day. Karlee looked at him with her thoughtful eyes. They stopped their walking in the shadows of the small boiler room. One look at those eyes and that gave him the courage to go on. "Karlee I love you! Since the first time I saw you I never realized the feeling. Each day it grew stronger and stronger until it felt like it would burst from me. You helped bring joy to my life and I now realize there’s more to life than just glory. Karlee, I don’t deny it. I love you. And I would…" Karlee put a paw to his mouth to hush him.

"Steele…" He was listening. She was smiling. "I also have the same feelings for you. I never thought that my little daydream of being yours would ever come true." Steele gasped and Karlee licked his snout. Karlee gave him a playful, devious smile. "So what do you say handsome man? She walked to the door of the boiler room and slipped inside. Steele was standing outside and was still shocked. He approached the door slowly and peered inside. In a flash Karlee grabbed hold of his collar between her jaws and drug him into the warmth of the boiler room.

Steele grinned upon Karlee and shut the door firmly behind him. He tackled her and Karlee ended on up on her back. She smiled as Steele was licking her face. Steele rolled onto his back and Karlee hopped on his stomach. She licked beneath his chin. Steele chuckled and jumped to his feet. Karlee hopped to a stand. She lowered herself, her tail whipping through the air sassy like. Her eyes locked on him as she growled playfully. Steele chuckled before approaching her.

"Whatcha going to do? Bite me?" Karlee whispered teasing. Steele smirked before tackling her.

"That’s one suggestion." He grinned and Karlee chuckled.

***

Karlee yawned. The sun was shining through the window. Steele was stretched out on his back, still asleep. What happened last night? She was sore all over then she remembered. "Right…" She thought to herself with a smile.

Steele rubbed his back as he awoken. "Wow what a night!"

Karlee chuckled. "I say…" She stood and stretched out. Steele rose to his feet slowly and nuzzled her.

"Hello Mrs. Steele." He chuckled. Karlee rubbed her head against his neck. Steele smiled slightly.

***

"She went out with Steele last night and hasn’t come back." Brian spoke flatly. Austin looked at Jasmine for anything. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Well it sounds to me they might have gotten busy." Sandy spoke. Austin and Jasmine just looked at each other with blank faces and Brian growled.

"What’s the matter Brian? Jealous?" Jasmine asked.

"Of Steele? No I am not!" Brian defended himself. Jasmine just gave a smirk.

"Well speak of the devil!" Sandy barked as Steele and Karlee strolled into view. Brian growled and Sandy looked a little concerned at the tan husky. Austin and Jasmine galloped up to them and slowed to a stop. Austin took a whiff of Karlee’s scent and was confused.

"You smell different Karlee." Austin pointed out. Jasmine gave him a hard nudge to be polite. Karlee just chuckled. Jasmine sniffed then gasped.

"Karlee are you…" Her hazel eyes darted from Karlee to Steele then back again.

"Let me answer that for you." Steele said then turned around and yelled to anyone that could hear within a mile radius. "KARLEE IS MINE! STAY BACK!" Steele turned around again to face them with a grin. Karlee licked his cheek.

"Oh my." Was all Sandy could say as she walked up. Austin shook out of his surprise.

"Well everyone knew you two would end up together some day!" Austin barked happily. Laughter broke out. But Brian wasn’t laughing. He growled moodily before walking to the back.

***

"Wow I bet Steele’s pretty happy." Dalton said to Zip. Steele’s gang broke up but the only one who left was Captain. Zip nodded. All the dogs of Nome were on frenzy talking about the two. Karlee’s reputation helped out Steele. Everyone was being friendlier to Steele, as they knew Karlee would treat him well and that she would be disappointed in them if they didn’t begin to act a little nicer to the malamute. As well as Karlee had a