DISCLAIMER: I own this story. All characters and certain elements in this story are the property of their respective owners.

Feels Like Home

Chapter 1

Balto sat on the front of his boat, looking at the small town of Nome, Alaska. His mind was racing from the events of the last few days. From going out and finding the rescue team, to returning the serum, and to earning Jenna's affection at last, he had a lot to think about. He sighed, wishing he could go back to town and visit Jenna and Rosy. He missed the feeling of Jenna's soft and silky fur, and the way she made him feel weak at the knees when they nuzzled. However, even though the townspeople and Steele's sled team praised him for his heroic deed, some still didn't trust him. He felt awkward being in town in broad daylight now. He was acknowledged by just about everyone, but the reactions from some of the dogs, and even humans, was clear: Balto was still the same wolfdog they had always known. And it made him angry inside. He risked his life to bring back the anti-toxin for the sick children. Rosy was the main reason he did it, but shouldn't they at least recognize him for bringing the medicine back in the first place?

He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice someone approach him on the boat. "What are you doing here, boychik?! Why aren't you celebrating with the others in town?"

Balto turned to see Boris waddling toward him. He turned back and shrugged. "I don't feel like it. There are still people who don't trust me, and Steele probably wants me dead."

Boris opened his mouth to speak, but Balto cut him off.

"And yes, I know that some of the humans and dogs accept me, but you do remember how some of them talked about me when I was at the hospital yesterday..."

Balto stood and walked over to his room and pulled his blanket over himself. Boris followed and laid a wing on Balto's head, and slowly began to stroke his thick, scruffy fur. He paused for a few seconds to try to think of something to say, and a slight smile graced his beak. He plopped down next to Balto and threw a wing over his back.

"Balto... I know you still fear how people will be treating you. But you have done great thing by getting the serum to those children. By doing that, you altered how people think of you. Not everyone will accept this at first, but they will come around eventually. You are no longer scroungy wolfdog you used to be. You are different now."

Balto looked up at Boris and a confused look came over his muzzle. "A good different, Balto!" Boris cemented his last statement by adding this, and Balto found a big smile overtake him.

"Thanks, Boris. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know."

He stretched out his paw and pulled Boris into a gentle embrace. Boris closed his eyes and sighed. Ever since he had found Balto as a pup half dead on one of the coldest nights since he left Russia, he understood why the dogs and people treated him the way they did. He was different. Truthfully, Balto deserved to be accepted by the people and dogs in town. That was all he ever wanted. "Well, that... and Jenna..." Boris thought to himself. A small chuckle escaped him as he realized that every dream that he had for Balto was beginning to come true. He gave Balto a quick pat and used his wings to push back.

"Now, I believe we have party to be at! Get up and let's go!" Balto chuckled and stood up. He stretched out and yawned deeply.

"Ok Boris. But I'm not staying long. I'm exhausted, and I need to try to sleep at some point." Balto was amazed that he hadn't dropped like a rock from exhaustion yet. He truly was tired after running several hundred miles just over three days ago.

Boris nodded in agreement, and the two walked down the plank of the ship and made their way towards town.

As soon as he was sighted on the outskirts, the people of Nome gathered to greet their hero once again. Balto felt just like he did two days ago when he made his grand entrance to town with the diphtheria serum. Except this time, he wasn't pulling a sled with an injured musher and serum. He was simply just walking side by side with Boris.

As he reached the first of the people, he remembered what Boris had said back on the boat. "You are no longer scroungy wolfdog you used to be. You are different now."

As he made his way through the crowd of people, he licked their hands, nuzzled the children, and wagged his bushy tail excitedly. "At least some people like me now," he thought. "Can't complain about that!"

"Hi Balto!"

"Welcome back, Balto!"

"You are our savior, Balto!"

These were just a few of the many things people said to him. He couldn't help but be filled with a warm feeling. Boris was right. He WAS different now. It was a good different, just like he said. His thoughts were interrupted by a woman and her husband as they knelt down in front of him. His natural reaction in this type of situation was to duck and find an escape route, but he was pleasantly surprised to feel them gently scratch his head and behind his ears. The man took a quick breath to say, "Our son is alive because of you, Balto. I'm sorry for the way I've thought of you all this time... I was wrong about you. Next time I see you around, I owe you a nice juicy steak! It's the least I can do!"

Balto pushed his muzzle into their hands and nuzzled them both. The couple looked at each other, interpreting that this was his way of saying 'You're welcome.' They pet him for a few more minutes before they stood back up and walked hand in hand towards the hospital. Balto received the same treatment from a lot of other people, some even giving him a strip of jerky in addition to the petting. He just took it all in. Normally, he was used to people yelling at him to go away, or throwing things at him because they didn't want him around. But this was new to him. He was not used to the feeling of being loved.

"Boris, you were right," he said. "They are starting to like me!"

Boris smiled proudly at Balto. Just out of his earshot, Boris said, "They have always accepted you, boychik... it just took terrible event to make them realize that they did."

After the two managed to get through the welcoming party, they navigated the maze of alleys between buildings until they made it to the boiler room, where the noise and excitement could clearly be heard from inside. As soon as Balto pushed the door open, it became dead silent, and all eyes in the room were on him. Balto's ears shot down and he winced. All of a sudden, they all excitedly began to jump up and down and bark, and the party was underway once more. Boris pushed a nervous Balto in, and then wandered off to the snacks to find himself something to eat. With Balto on his own now, he strolled around the room, conversing with several dogs who constantly showered him with thanks for rescuing the sled team and getting the serum to the kids.

He was amazed at how he was being treated. All of these dogs would usually stare him down and yell insults at him whenever he was on a food run in town. He felt like a completely different dog in front of them now. He was frequently questioned about his motives for going after Steele and the serum. His response to everyone was quite simple – "I just wanted to make sure those kids got the medicine. I don't think I could live with myself if I did nothing when I was capable of doing something." Balto made his rounds through the room until he finally made it to the food table. It was covered in various assortments of meats and dog treats. As he was about to turn and grab some from a bowl, a Saint Bernard approached him.

"Balto, I know you have heard this a thousand times, but thank you again for what you have done. My human was the musher who was with the dogs, and I am glad that you saved him!" Balto smiled. "You're welcome. How is your human doing?"

The Saint Bernard sighed. "He's doing well. His head is hurting him a lot, but the doctor said it should be fully healed within the next month or so. It could have been worse, though. He's alive, thanks to you."

Balto learned from the Saint Bernard that after he had returned with the diphtheria antitoxin, Steele's reputation was completely destroyed. He was still around Nome, but did not want to show his face in public, for he feared humiliation and retaliation from the other dogs. Balto was quite relieved, but he knew sooner or later he would have to face Steele again. And this time, if he failed, Steele would kill him. He was sure of it. "There is no way he will let this go without a fight," Balto thought. Pushing the negative thought out of his mind, he grabbed his jerky and made his way to the door. He caught sight of Boris on the way out. Boris yelled out, but he couldn't hear it. He made out the words "I'll see you tomorrow!" Balto nodded back to show he understood. The cold winter air greeted him as he left the room. He shut the door, and turned to make his way back to the boat for some much-needed sleep.

But right as he got to a crossroad between several buildings, a shadow overtook him. He looked up to see Jenna sitting there; almost as if she was expecting him.

"Hello, Balto" she said.

Balto smiled widely and walked up to her. He nuzzled her neck and inhaled her scent. He felt her lean into him and nuzzle in return. "If this is a dream... please don't wake me up..." Balto thought.

"Hi Jenna. I missed you."

He felt Jenna smile. "I missed you, too."

Balto could barely control the joy he was feeling. For the longest time, he and Jenna were just 'friends'. And now, here she was, fervently nuzzling him. Ever since he had met her, this was what Balto always dreamed he could do with her. For the second time that night, Balto realized Boris was again correct; he was a different wolfdog now. He didn't like thinking of himself as a wolfdog though, despite coming to terms with his heritage. He tossed the thought from his mind and resumed basking in the presence of the husky who stood before him. After a few minutes of silent affection between the two, they separated and began to walk together.

"So, I take it you went to the party?" Jenna asked, turning her head in Balto's direction.

Balto simply replied, "Yes. Boris made me go. I didn't want to at first, but he talked me into it."

He turned and met Jenna's eyes. They both smiled. Balto then asked her the same question. "Did you go to the party?"

She turned to face forward again and her smile disappeared. "No. I never go to those parties. All of them in the past have been about Steele. And you of all people know how Steele is." Her sudden change of tone and body language was unusual, and it caught Balto's eye. She was visibly boiling with anger now, and she was on the verge of losing it.

Balto frowned and moved himself up against Jenna as they walked, silently comforting her. She acknowledged it by leaning into him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset." Jenna nuzzled him under his chin and replied, "Don't be. For once, I'm glad that there was a party for someone other than Steele. I'm sorry I got mad."

Balto knew that he could not console her any further with words at this point. He moved his chin in towards his chest to gently hold Jenna's head there. They walked for a short while longer until they reached the main road leading to the outskirts where Balto's home was. The two stopped. Balto spoke first.

"Thanks for the walk, Jenna. I enjoyed being with you again."

Jenna smiled and wrapped her front leg around Balto, giving him a half hug. Balto sighed contently, and gently nuzzled her.

"I enjoyed being with you to, Balto. I can finally say that out loud!" she said excitedly.

Balto laughed at his love's words and gave her one last nuzzle before turning to head out to the boat. Jenna watched him as he walked away, feeling sick inside. "Why do I feel like this?" Jenna thought to herself. "He goes out there every night, and...and... he shouldn't have to sleep out there all alone tonight..."

"Balto! Wait!"

He stopped and turned around to see Jenna running toward him. Once she was in front of him, she looked down and nervously shuffled her front paws, saying, "Why don't you come and stay the night with me and my girl? After everything you've been through, you deserve to sleep somewhere warm and comfortable. The hospital isn't exactly the most comfortable place... however, Rosy will absolutely love waking up and seeing you there!"

Balto was overjoyed to hear this. But he was also afraid at the same time.

"Are you sure, Jenna? I've never exactly slept in- uh... in a place with humans before..."

At that moment, Jenna felt very bad for him. Balto had lived on a battered old boat since she could remember and had never known what it was like to feel loved and cared for. He spent most of his life living outside, doing everything he could to be accepted by people, while trying to survive on scraps in the alleys, and on the rare occasion, a strip of beef from Rosy. She kissed him on his jaw. "Of course, Balto! I don't think my humans will have any problem with you being there. Especially after what you did."

Balto smiled and in turn kissed her jaw as well, before replying, "You have no idea how happy I am that I met you, Jenna. I would love to spend the night with you and Rosy."

Jenna could barely contain her excitement. "I'm happy I met you as well. Shall we get going?"

Balto nodded, and the two then began to walk back into town towards the hospital.

A/N: This was originally supposed to be a one shot, but I decided the turn it into a nice little story. Chapter 2 to follow soon. Enjoy!