said Balto, “there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while.” “What’s that?” “Well,” he said, turning toward her, “it didn’t take me long to be sure, but I just…couldn’t make myself say it.” Jenna’s heart started beating faster, and she had to be careful to keep the anticipation out of her voice. “Say what, Balto? What did you want to say?” He swallowed. “I…I think…I mean, I know…I have feelings for you.” Jenna was speechless for a moment, although she felt like squealing with delight. “Do you feel anything for me?” Balto asked. Jenna finally calmed enough to speak. “I feel…yes. I have feelings for you, too, Balto,” she said, a smile making its way onto her face. “I just didn’t know how I really felt before. That’s why I never told you. It took a lot of soul searching.” Balto’s heart leapt. “It’s…um…good to know how you feel,” he said, smiling as well. Jenna nodded. “Yeah…same here,” she said. They sat there for several seconds, just looking at each other, unable to keep the joyful smiles off their faces. “Well, I guess I…um…I’d better go,” Jenna said. “Rosy might be wondering where I am.” “Okay,” Balto said. “Ah…it was good seeing you.” “The same.” As Jenna turned to leave, Balto spoke to her again. “Um…actually…there is something you could do for me, if you want.” “Sure,” Jenna said, turning back to him, “anything; just name it.” Balto looked like he wasn’t sure how to say what he wanted. He stood silent for a moment, and then looked into Jenna’s eyes. “Kiss me?” he said, softly. Jenna was a little surprised; she had never been politely asked for a kiss before. “Kiss you?” she said, equally softly. “Yeah,” he said, nodding slightly. She stared into his face for a moment. “Alright.” They slowly moved toward each other, taking small steps, their gazes locked together. Just when they began to close their eyes, Balto spoke. “Um, that is, if you don’t mind.” Jenna smiled gently, pleased by his decency. “I don’t.” Balto’s feelings surged. “I’ve…um…wanted to ask you that…for a really long time,” he said. “I thought…you might ask me some time,” Jenna said, her breath becoming a little heavier. “I…actually hoped you would. It was…a pleasant thought.” Balto took a step closer to her. “Do you remember when we were under the hospital, Jenna?” he said. “Yeah,” she said. “I’m not sure I could forget.” She moved a little closer. Balto’s next question was almost a whisper. “Would you have kissed me?” Jenna answered, her voice no louder than his. “Yes.” They moved toward each other again, and this time, there was no stopping. They closed their eyes, and the world seemed to go dead silent.

Their lips touched. They pressed a little further against each other, but still, they were mostly just touching gently. They held it there. Heat rushed to their heads, and it felt as wonderful as their rushing feelings, deep down in their hearts. They had never shared the beauty of a kiss before, and it made them feel simply fabulous. How warm it was, and soft... They let the kiss go, and then began anew, a little harder, feeding in a little more passion. It felt too wonderful for words. Balto had wanted to kiss Jenna for the longest time, and now, finally, he got the chance. It was better than he could have imagined, defying all expectations. Jenna felt like she was at the end of a long journey, feeling that for the first time the one whom she was kissing was truly her right man, and the happiness it brought made her feel as if her heart had wings.

When they moved apart, it seemed all too soon, but they both felt so grateful to each other and so euphoric that it lessened their regret. They both were almost startled by how warm they were, how hard they were breathing as the pleasant streams of passion running through their bodies began to settle. “Thank you, Jenna.” Balto said. “I hope you don’t find it rude, but I enjoyed it.” “You’re welcome, Balto,” Jenna said. “I enjoyed it, too.” They both fidgeted for a few seconds. “Well, um…” Jenna said, unable to keep from smiling, “I guess I’ll be going now. Thanks again, Balto. What you did for the town was really a wonderful thing.” “No worries, Jenna,” Balto said, as Jenna turned to go down the ramp. She looked back at him, and he thought she looked gorgeous with the moonlight shining behind her. “Thanks for the kiss,” she said quietly. Balto nodded. “You’re welcome, and thank you, too.” “No worries, Balto. See you later.” “Bye.” Balto sighed deeply as Jenna walked down the ramp. Suddenly, an idea sprang into his head. He hesitated for a moment, starting to feel frozen, just like always. But then, the kiss he had just shared entered his mind, shattering his reluctance like a hammer. He ran to the edge of the ship’s deck. “Jenna!” he called. She turned around and looked up at him. “Um…would you like to…to go out to dinner with me tomorrow?” he said. Jenna broke into a grin. “I would love to,” she said. “How does eight o’ clock sound?” Balto said. “That’ll be fine.” Jenna said. Now Balto grinned. “Great. I’ll look forward to it!” “See you then!” Jenna said, and then turned around and started walking away. Balto couldn’t help watching her. As she got further away, she began to break into a run. Balto could hear her faintly. “Wheeee!” she screamed, and jumped into the air, coming down and running toward town, laughing with bliss. Balto’s grin widened ear to ear, and he turned around and jumped three feet in the air. “Yaaaahoooo!” he screamed. Boris came running out from the wheelhouse, stumbling over the mop. “What’s going on?” he said, urgently. “Why are you so…” “She kissed me, Boris!” Balto shouted. “Jenna kissed me!” He started laughing, just like Jenna had, feeling like he would explode from joy.

Back in town, Jenna ran, still laughing, into the machine room, where the dogs met to socialize and hold important talks. Right now, nothing was going on except idle chatter, and no one really noticed her run in, looking like she was in heaven. Dixie and Sylvie, her two best friends, were sitting and talking. “I can’t believe we ever saw anything in Steele,” Dixie said. “I mean…lying the way he did?” “Yeah, I know. How would you describe him now?” “I got a few words, but I’m not sure you want to hear them.” “I bet Kaltag has some good ones. Did you hear what he called his neighbor’s cat the other day? He’s told that fleabag to keep away from him over and over; I mean, you know how he hates cats.” “You bet.” “Anyway, the cat is sitting on his fence, and it jumps at a little bird, but it misses and falls off the tree branch it was trying to grab, right into Kaltag’s yard. And then, just like that, he comes flying out of his doghouse yelling ‘I warned you! Furry little…’” Just at this moment, Jenna reached them. “Oh, hi, Jenna.” Dixie said. “Where have you been?” “Hey,” said Sylvie, “what’s up? You’re glowing like a light bulb.” “He kissed me, you two!” Jenna breathed, her voice tender with joy. “Balto kissed me!”

At eight the next evening, Jenna answered a scratch on the door. Balto was standing there with a bouquet of flowers in his mouth. “Ah fough oo migh lih som fowrs,” he said. Jenna chuckled, took the flowers from his mouth, and set them down, looking up again. “What was that?” “I thought you might like some flowers.” “They’re beautiful. I really like them.” “What’s really beautiful is you,” Balto said. Jenna smiled shyly. “You charmer. Thank you.” Balto smiled back. “Shall we?” Jenna nodded and picked up the flowers. “Lef goh,” she said. Balto put on an exaggerated look of confusion. “What was that?” he said. They both laughed.

The only place in town for dogs to go out to dinner was an old storage building that no one used anymore. The dogs had made it into a restaurant and hangout. It had a bar for talking to friends and getting special drinks like fruit juice, tables made of benches or coffee tables with old cushions for seats, and a stage and dance floor, where the dogs rocked or danced slow to music that came from the complicated system of speakers that Nikki, Kaltag and Star had set up. Dixie worked the bar and Sylvie was the waitress, though they had other dogs take their positions once in a while so they could have a break for a few days. They needed no more staff than two because it took no time to serve the patrons; all it entailed was getting a bowl, pouring in the right food or drink, and taking it out to whoever ordered it. Balto and Jenna walked in and went up to the bar. Dixie came over to them, somewhat surprised at seeing Balto there with Jenna. She smiled. “Hiya, Jenna. Evening, Balto. Never seen you here before.” Balto smiled. “First time,” he said. Dixie nodded. “In that case, welcome! So what can I get for you two?” Jenna prompted Balto to order. “Well,” he said, “I’ll have peach juice and sausage, please.” Jenna laughed. “What a coincidence. I’ll have the same, please.” “They’ll be out in a sec,” Dixie said, calling Sylvie over and sending her back into the bunch of crates that held the food and drink. “Let’s get a table,” said Balto.

A few minutes later, the two of them were sitting at a table talking over their dinner. “Did you know I liked peach juice and sausage?” Jenna asked. Balto chuckled and shook his head. “I had no idea, but I’ve always liked them.” “So do I. Peach juice is the greatest.” Balto looked at Jenna, pausing for a moment before saying what was on his mind. “Jenna, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” Jenna shrugged her shoulders. “Not at all. Go ahead.” “Well, I was just wondering why, I mean…there are so many guys in this town. You’re so attractive and smart and nice that you probably could have had your pick of any one of them. And, well, I was wondering…why did you never do it? Also, now that you’re doing it some, why me?” The happy look faded from Jenna’s face. “I guess you’re right. You’d think I would’ve been able to find someone before now. It’s just…” She paused. “If you don’t want to answer, that’s perfectly alright.” Balto said. “Oh,