Balto replied. They kissed again, putting their paws around one another, letting this one last much longer. They moved apart slowly when they finished. “Thanks, Jenna,” said Balto, his voice shaking. “You’re welcome, Balto,” said Jenna, her voice shaking as well.  “Goodnight,” she said. “Thanks again.” “You’re welcome. Goodnight, Jenna.” Balto turned and began walking away. Jenna went to go inside, but her feelings pulled her back to the porch. She stood there, unable to keep herself from grinning, watching Balto walk down the street. She was surprised when he turned around. “I wonder what he’s doing,” she thought. Then, he blew her a kiss. She giggled with happiness, and then blew him one in return. He grinned ear to ear and took off down the street, laughing joyfully. She sighed, and walked into the house.

Eager to ask Balto questions about his first date with Jenna, Boris had been sitting on the deck of the ship for some time, staring out toward the town. Finally, he spotted Balto walking toward the ship with a spring in his step, his face shining. He got up and stood by the end of the ramp as Balto came up. “Well,” he said, “how’d it go, eh?” Balto sighed deeply, an ecstatic smile on his face. “Too wonderful for words, Boris.” His smile slowly broadened, and he began laughing. “It was fabulous, Boris! Fabulous! Oh, it was perfect. I brought her some flowers, and we went to the dog’s restaurant, and we talked for a while, and danced, and she was so gorgeous, and, and…golly, it was just awesome!” He began pacing back and forth on the ship, looking like he didn’t know what to do with himself. “Boris, I love her. I love Jenna with all my heart!” “Well, did you tell her that, fido?” “No. I just…I couldn’t.” “Sheesh! Well, you should! You’ve waited this long already, huh?” “Well…it’s not like I don’t want to, but whenever I think about trying…I just lock up; I can’t help it.” “If you really love her, it shouldn’t be that scary to say so. Ah, handle it however you want, but I say why hold it in? Let her know the way you care. Or better yet, if you can be sure she feels the same…” He paused, smiling. “Oh, well,” he said, walking into the wheelhouse with a yawn. “Goodnight, my boy. I’m glad you had a good time.” “Goodnight,” Balto said. He lay down under his old gray blanket, curling up against the cold of night, but sleep didn’t come for a while. Instead, he remained awake, thinking hard about what Boris had said.

About a week later, the dogs were all hanging out and socializing in the machine room. Jenna happened to look toward the door and saw Balto standing there, a little hesitant about entering, still in the process of becoming socially comfortable. She caught his eye and tilted her head back, inviting him in. He entered cautiously, smiling, and Doc saw him. “Ah, hello, Balto.” Everyone turned to acknowledge him, and several dogs offered him a place to sit, but the invitation he accepted was Jenna’s; she let him lay down next to her under a blanket she was using. Balto quickly became comfortable with speaking to everyone, which was fortunate because most of the dogs, obviously not really knowing him, were now interested in finding out about him. He tried his best not to look at Jenna too much, because since he was right next to her, it was obvious to everyone if he did it. Incidentally, Jenna was having exactly the same problem. The difficulty was even greater for the both of them because of the quiet but very pleasant sensation of being in such close proximity. Eventually, the other dogs gradually left the room, until only Balto and Jenna were left. “That was fun,” said Balto. “You should come more often,” Jenna replied. “It’s really nice to just chat with…” “I actually meant being with you like this.” “I know.” They looked at each other for several moments. “So, um, Jenna,” said Balto, “I don’t have anything to do tomorrow night, and I wondered if maybe you would like to do dinner again?” Jenna smiled. “I’m open, and I’m game. It’s a date.” “All right. See you at nine?” “That’s great. I’ll meet you at the restaurant. It was good seeing you tonight.” “Same here. Bye.” “Bye.”

The restaurant was nearly empty the next night, and the lights were turned down low, with a gentle melody from a twelve-string guitar playing on the radio. Balto and Jenna had managed to get one of the special seats, an end table with a wraparound wooden seat as the chair. It was set up so that curtains could be drawn over the front if those sitting there wanted privacy, obviously for romancing. A rose scented candle burned on the table, creating a moody yellow light. The two of them did eat, but only a little; the distraction created by each other was far more alluring than the food. Jenna was wearing a subtle but sweet perfume, and Balto had washed and combed his fur with Boris’ help. As the evening progressed, both found themselves slowly moving towards each other on the seat, speaking in quiet voices. “Jenna?” Balto said. “Yes?” she replied. “I just…I wanted to say that I’m glad you decided to go out with me. It was awfully nice of you.” “You’re welcome, but it’s hardly a sacrifice, you know. I should be thanking you for giving me an opportunity to go on a date with a nice man.” “Don’t forget, I owe you one for actually taking interest in me in the first place.” “Because you’re so sweet and decent. Besides, you had to take an interest in me, too.” Balto smiled at her. “That wasn’t exactly difficult.” “You, Balto, are a very charming man.” “And you, Jenna, are a very lovely lady.” They moved closer to each other. Balto stared into Jenna’s liquid almond eyes, fighting with violent passion, finally forcing himself to speak.

“Um…Jenna?” “Yeah?” “I want…will you…there’s something I think you need to know. I’ve felt this way for too long now. I have to tell you.” Jenna’s heart began fluttering, and she replied softly. “Go ahead.” “I, um, well…I…I love you, Jenna. I’m completely in love with you.” Jenna’s mouth hung open. She had somewhat expected Balto to say this, but she was completely unprepared for the joy and pleasure it brought. Balto continued. “I…tried so hard to tell you before, but I could get to it. I was always too nervous when an opportunity came up.” He cleared his throat. “So…what are you thinking?” Jenna suddenly found that it took a tremendous effort for her to speak. “It’s…I’m ecstatic, I’m terrified, I’m stunned…” She paused, then stared into Balto’s eyes as her feelings danced madly in her heart. “It’s wonderful.” He smiled at her, and she watched him reach out a paw and draw the curtains. The light from the outside faded through the fabric so that the candlelight was nearly the only light, and the ambience made them feel intoxicated. “You know, Balto…did I ever tell you how good-looking you are? You’re…a really romantic man, you know. I like this a lot.” Balto leaned toward Jenna, drawn by her beauty. He took in a deep breath of her perfume. “That smells very pleasant,” he said. “You’re…you’re so beautiful…” “Balto, um…is it, um…can I touch you?” “Sure.” She caressed his face softly, her breath shaking and becoming heavier, and spoke, her feelings rolling like waves. “Is…I would really like to kiss you.” “That sounds good…” They began kissing, hard and passionately. They moved apart, and Balto, drawing heavy breaths, reached out and ran his paws over Jenna’s neck and head. He happened to touch her ears with his claws, and she shivered. “Mmm…” “What is it?” “That…feels nice.” Balto, breathing harder and harder, gently drew Jenna’s head toward his, and they shared a long soul kiss. “Oh, man, that’s good,” he gasped. “Yeah. Oh…” Jenna said, breathing heavily. She caressed his neck and shoulders, and they continued to kiss. After a few more seconds, however, they both suddenly pulled back, and Balto spoke. “Ah…um, I don’t think we should go…” “Any further, yeah. You’re right. Whew…” They took a moment to catch their breath. “Balto…” Jenna sighed, leaning her body against his. “Jenna…” he whispered, stroking her gently. He reached out and opened the curtain, and they both sighed with regret at the moment being over. Overall, however, they were very happy. They sat up and walked away from the table, trembling and out of breath from the experience. At the door, Balto put a paw on Jenna’s shoulder, and she turned around. Unable to stop himself, he embraced her and kissed her again, and she returned both. They continued to kiss for several moments, not caring if anyone was looking at them. Finally, they moved apart, but only a little, still holding onto each other, breathing hard. “Thank…thank you for the date, Jenna,” Balto whispered. “Sure. Thank you…for telling me how you feel. It’s good…good to know. Bye.” “Bye.” Jenna walked out the door, and Balto sat down, smiling joyously. Nikki came down and sat next to him. “Yous are one lucky guy, Balto. Jenna’s never done that with anybody, ever. How was it?” Balto sighed. “Amazing.”

Jenna walked into Rosy’s house and had to steady herself against a wall, overwhelmed with pleasure. She giggled as she thought about the evening. “He loves me…” she whispered. “Oh…he really loves me…” She laughed and lay down in her bed, giggling again, her heart full of ecstasy. “Balto…” she breathed. “You’re capturing my heart.” She paused as she began to fall asleep. “Don’t stop…” she whispered, before nodding off.

A few days passed without Balto and Jenna seeing each other, but both wanting it very much. Balto was in town at a place where some dogs traded fenced goods for food and bones, looking at collars, wondering if they were as uncomfortable as they appeared. He moved one out of the pile it was sitting in to look at it. Suddenly, a strange, gruff-sounding voice came from behind him. “Hey, you need to pay for that.” Balto turned around, ready to explain that he was just looking, but instead of a grumpy dog, there was Jenna, with a mischievous smile on her face. He chuckled. “Man, that’s too bad. I