Tommy's blood ran cold like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over his head as he stared with wide eyes.

"How did you get this address?" he pressed, narrowing his eyes at the visitors that seemed just a bit too friendly to not seem suspicious.

He was interrupted, however, by Sager pushing past him, his whole body wiggling in excitement as he circled the couple's legs.

"Oh Sagebrush," the woman burst into sobs and dropped to her knees, rubbing Saber all over while he licked the tears off her face. Tommy could do nothing but gape at the exchange, mouth hanging open in surprise.

"Tommy who's at the door hon?" Mrs. Monroe asked coming up behind her son. "Oh Mrs. MacTire, Derek..."

Macy went over and heard her mom. "Wait, Mrs. MacTire? As in Sage's parents? What brings you two here?"

"They're here for Saber. And they claim that they're the owners of him," Tommy answered, having a hard time believing this.

"Really? How's Sage? I haven't seen him in weeks,"

Mrs. MacTire looked up from hugging Saber tears in her eyes. Derek stepped in quickly.

"Sage has been ill since that snow storm we had. Really hit him hard. He got sick while looking for Sagebrush."

"Oh," Macy now felt a lot of guilt. "...I think it was my fault. I accidentally ran over your dog with the jeep and we've been taking care of him ever since. I didn't know it belonged to Sage or he got himself sick because of it."

Derek shook his head. "Sagebrush loves newly falling or fallen snow can't get enough of it. He got away from Sage while on a short walk and Sage the stubborn idiot that he is kept the search going even after he was soaking wet." Saber growled a little knowing his brother was actually talking about an incident that had happened years ago. "You have no idea…" Derek had started, getting choked up as he rested a hand on Macy's shoulder in gratitude, his eyes watery with tears as well.

"I… No problem… He…" Macy was at a loss for words. These people were so obviously Sab...Sagebrush's owners that she couldn't even question how they'd found him all the way out here. She'd spent enough time with Sagebrush to know his behavior with them was out of character when compared to other strangers.

"I have, um, I have his vet papers?" Macy's voice sounded higher than normal and there was a lump growing in her throat that was making it hard to swallow and an ache in her chest that had started to squeeze. They were too busy in their reunion to pay attention to her so she walked like a zombie to the folder of follow up instructions and walked them back to the door in a state of shock.

"Thanks," Derek said with a bro-like slap to her arm, none of it feeling quite like she'd expected this scenario to go. Mrs. MacTire was already leading Sagebrush out to their SUV, unbuckling his collar before helping him into the backseat.

"That's how he got lost in the first place," Tommy mumbled angrily as he watched the scene, swallowing back the loss of not even being able to say goodbye.

"Don't know how we could ever repay you, thanks again," Derek was already halfway back to the SUV, throwing them a small wave before climbing in. With a crunch of tires and the rev of the engine, they were beyond his line of sight before they had even cleared his driveway.

The family stood with their door wide open in shock for longer than they could even recall. Sagebrush had become such a part of their life that they weren't even sure what to do with themselves. Mr. Monroe soon led them in and back to the kitchen table. The latch of the door closing seemed to echo in the now empty house and the silence was immediately deafening. Sagebrush hadn't even been a loud animal but just his presence in the house had filled the spaces they hadn't even realized were empty until he was gone again.

For once, Macy and Tommy didn't say anything. Not even Tommy was his usual happy self. The two Monroe kids were just too upset to even talk.

Mr. Monroe sighed. "Kids I know it's upsetting but we knew this could happen. Let's be thankful that Sagebrush's owners found him and that we know the people, then you might be able to see him again.

"Yeah. I guess that's some good news. And you're right," Macy shrugged, still not smiling as she left.

"Tommy...maybe Sage will let you use Sagebrush in the race if he's feeling well enough." Mrs. Monroe offered.

"Maybe..." Tommy muttered.

Macy wandered around the house at a loss until she finally found herself on the couch staring at the TV without registering what was on. Lunch came and went and then it was time for supper but she wasn't hungry neither was Tommy who sat glumly on the floor. It didn't seem to matter when there wasn't a certain someone to cook for, when someone else wasn't relying on them to keep them fed.

Her whole body still felt cold and eventually she gave in and grabbed the closest hoodie to pull over her head. She folded her hands up inside the pocket and then looked down at where they rested over her lap. White hairs stood out against the black fabric and that was what did it.

"Dog hair everywhere," she tried to be mad but instead broke the floodgate of sobs that had been teetering on the edge all afternoon.

She missed Sagebrush so much that it felt like a hole had been punched right through her heart. Sagebrush wasn't just a dog; Sagebrush was so, so much more. She'd never met an animal that was so intuitive, that had so much personality that had made her happier than any of the success she'd had over the last few years. Her word count was higher than any other time frame and he knew it was the comfort of having Sagebrush beside her that had kept her motivated to plow through. She wasn't distracted and looking for any excuse for human interaction, any chance to go out. Sagebrush had filled that anxiety she'd always had about being alone. She didn't do well on her own.

Her sobbed racked through her body until she had nothing left. She ended up curled on the dog bed full of white hairs, sniffling pathetically until she finally passed out.

Sage was exhausted, there was no other way to put it. After his mom and his brother had shown up at Macy's door, the rest of the day had been nonstop. He appreciated the enthusiasm his family had for his return but after the 350th hug, he just wanted his own house, his own bed, his own shower.

God, his shower had been heavenly. He stood under the hot water until his skin was pink and his fingers were wrinkled. Showering had been something he hadn't even realized he'd missed so much until the water was cascading down his body. He'd missed his comfy clothes, as well. His sweats and worn out tees felt so soft against his skin and he crawled into bed while his body was still shower warm and his hair was still damp. The sheets were crisp and cool and he star fished out over the whole mattress, taking full advantage of his human form.

He laid there with eyes burning and heavy limbs waiting for sleep to take him but it stayed just beyond his reach. He'd grown used to having the sound of another breathing beside him, a warmth not far away.

Macy and Tommy started to creep back into his mind after he'd pushed them away for most of the day. The elation over seeing his mom had been so overwhelming he hadn't even given them any type of goodbye or thanks for everything he'd done for him. Not only did he feel like an idiot but he also felt guilty for sneaking away from him the way that he had. To Macy he hadn't been a person, he'd been a pet he'd grown attached to and Sage had essentially run away from her with a suddenness that probably stung.

The next day, Macy and Tommy were back to their own schools. They both were still feeling depressed to a point that they weren't focusing that much during classes.

Sage walked down to the lunch room where he instantly noticed Macy sitting glumly at a table.

"Is this seat taken?"

"Huh?" Macy looked to noticed Sage. "Oh, not really. Go ahead."

Sage took a seat with a smile. "I wanted to thank you for taking good care of my dog. He's like a brother to me."

Macy gave her best smile. "Yeah. It's the least we could do. Sage, I'm really sorry that I caused you to end up sick in finding him. I didn't know," she looked down sad again. "I feel like this stupid move in is nothing but bad luck when I'm around. Maybe I should have been the one to get hit by a moving car instead of your dog."

"Hey. None of that. Look what time did you meet up with Sagebrush or leave your house?"

"It was past four because my brother accidentally forgot his homework at school," Macy answered, dreading the memory. "So, we drove before the snow became worse and tried hurrying back. That's when your dog showed up."

"I lost Sagebrush at 3:30, so it wasn't your fault. It just happened and no one ended up worse for wear than a few bruises and a sick spell. We're all alive and should be happy about it." Sage replied placing a hand on top of hers.

"I guess," Macy shrugged, still not feeling better. "If you ask me, my visit here has only made me feel worse. I thought I found happiness, but I was only fooling myself."

"Hey come on now. I'm sure you had some fun, Sagebrush tends to bring smiles with him"

"I noticed. He sure made my little brother smile. Tommy and his friends even tried taking down the posters I set up all over town for anyone missing your dog. Along with their crazy nonsense theories about Sagebrush being a Wolfblood."

Despite repeating these dumb moments, Macy couldn't help but actually miss them.

Sage smiled. "He's an unusual one that's for sure...so you going to the race next week?"

"I was. But now, I don't think I'm up for that anymore," Macy answered glumly. "Tommy was debating on asking you about having Sagebrush be part of the race. But even he's still unsure on participating."

Sage smiled a thought coming to mind. "You know I don't mind at all. It could be my way of saying thank you. I'll have my brother drop Sagebrush off the day before the race. I'd do it myself but I have to head out of town for some business."

"I guess that would be a nice surprise for Tommy. I'll be sure to have my brother not quit on this race,"

"Since the race is on a Saturday, how about Sagebrush stays for the weekend? I can pick him up on Monday."

"That might work," Macy smiled a little.

"Now there's a smile and a beautiful one at that." Sage said with a smile.

Macy rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'm only smiling because I'm agreeing with your idea on Tommy doing the race and letting him have his fun with Sagebrush for the weekend.

"I mean it...you're really beautiful inside and out."

It was at moment that Macy noticed something when she looked into Sage's eyes a kind of warm that seemed misplaced as if it belonged somewhere or to someone else.

"Uh...Thanks,"

"What time should Derek drop of Sagebrush?"

"No that should be fine. Hey I got to go, but I'll talk to you again soon." Sage said getting up and leaving abruptly.

"See ya around," Macy muttered, actually feeling a bit better than before.

A week later and Tommy was waiting anxiously by the front window bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"Is he really coming?! Is he, is he, is he?!" Tommy asked with excitement.

"For crying out loud, of course, he is," Macy groaned, as if this wasn't a big deal. "Will you calm down?"

Soon a familiar SUV pulled into the driveway, Derek stepped out of the car and went to the passenger doors where a familiar white furry face hopped out.

"He's here! Saber's back!" Tommy exclaimed happily.

"You mean Sagebrush. But yeah," Macy corrected.

"Hope you know what you're doing bro." Derek said as they walked up the drive. Sage barked before rushing to the door and scratching at the door barking happily.

Tommy immediately opened the door and came down for Sagebrush to come. "You're here! Come on, buddy! I missed you!"

Derek smiled as he watched his brother follow Tommy inside, just as Macy came to the door.

"Brought the collar you had for him and the leash." Derek said handing the two over. "My mom said she'd pick Sagebrush up on Monday. Seems Sage is going to be late."

"So I've heard. Thanks for letting us have Sagebrush for the weekend. Tommy has really been looking forward to this," Macy replied.

Derek smiled. "Eh to be honest that guy has been a bit out of sorts since we brought him home. Have fun, my Dad will be presiding over the race tomorrow. Good luck."

Derek shook Macy's hand before leaving. Coming back into the house Macy found Sage cuddled up on the couch with Tommy watching America's Funniest Home Videos.

"Glad to see things are back to a good start," Macy said, already sitting next to Sagebrush and petting him Sage nuzzled her hand licking her fingers gently.

Macy let out a small giggle. "Hey, quit it! That tickles!"

Sage gave a wolf smirk getting up and licking around her neck and face tail wagging happily as he pushed her to where she was laying on the couch.

"Eeeeeahahahahahahahahaha! Stahahahahap!" Macy dissolved into uncontrollable laughter, trying to push Sagebrush off her but couldn't.

Sage licked around her face more licking her cheeks and along her jaw before settling on her neck.

"Get off meheeheeheehee! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Macy pleaded, her eyes tearing up from laughing so much.

Sage licked her eyes free of the tears before pulling back and abruptly attacking Tommy's neck and face.

"Hey! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Sahahahahahahaber! Nohohohohoho!" Tommy was in a fit of giggles now, hugging his tummy.

Sage moved down attacking the kid's stomach with his tongue gently nipping it with his teeth. That caused Tommy to shriek and dissolve into louder laughter. It tickled so badly for him. After a few minutes Sage stopped sniffed the air then hopped down and headed for the kitchen his tail acting all sorts of cocky. Macy was at the kitchen preparing something yummy for Sage. For once, she was happy to do this again.

Mr. Monroe stepped in and grinned. "Okay how is it that the dog eats the good stuff and I'm stuck on vegetarian?"

Mrs. Monroe chuckled. "Because you need to watch your cholesterol."

"And Sagebrush doesn't seem so keen on the dog food products we bought for him. He seems more into natural foods like this," Macy reasoned.

Sage barked and reached for a piece of steak and bacon on the edge of the counter.

"Hey, patience, mister! You'll have your meal as soon as I'm finished," Macy replied.

Sage whined and gave her puppy dog eyes as he thumped his tail on the ground ears pressed to his head.

"Hey, no puppy dog eyes. It's not happening," Macy replied. Sage huffed and turned around heading for the living room again.

"I may miss him, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be a pushover," Macy remarked.

The parents chuckled as they all sat down to eat their dinner, Sage and Tommy joining them quickly.

Later that night Sage laid beside Macy as she flipped through photos on her computer.

"I'm glad you're back, Sagebrush. Things really weren't the same without you," Macy replied.

Sage looked up at Macy and cocked his head before looking at the computer showing Macy with two other girls in front of the Empire State Building.

Noticing Sagebrush's curious look on the computer, Macy answered, "Those are my friends back in New York. The blonde girl with blue eyes is Tina, and the redhead with glasses his her older sister Amy. They're the Fitzpatrick Sisters."

Sage sniffed at the computer accidently moving to the next picture which showed the three in the Central Park all smiling and laughing Tina with a pasta salad on her head, Amy with a meat sauce on her glasses, and Macy with a banana peel on her head. Cocking his head again Sage looked at Macy curiously.

"Yeah, my brother finished doing a crazy skateboard move that ended with our lunch toasted on our heads," Macy admitted, chuckling at the memory. "We had to laugh at how funny that was and commemorate it with a selfie."

Sage noticed small tears escaping Macy's eyes and gave a whine nuzzling her wrist.

"Oh, sorry about that. I just...really miss my friends...And New York," Macy answered, using her hand to dry her tears off her face. "I know I promised dad about giving our new home a chance, but it still feels hard being here. I had better memories and moments at New York. Being here...Well, let's just saw before you, they were not the best times."

Sage nuzzled her hand before getting up and hopping off the bed and heading down the hall soon returning with his empty food dish on his head tail wagging happily.

"I think I spoke too soon," Macy joked, already getting up and making her way to the kitchen.

Sage barked with a smile as he followed her to the kitchen where they found Mr. Monroe getting out the ice cream.

"Dad, are you sneaking dessert from mom?...Again?" Macy asked.

Mr. Monroe stared at Sage annoyed. "You outed me even after I gave you a pork chop."

Sage just shrugged his shoulders and nudged the bottom of the vanilla ice cream tub.

"Hey, I didn't know. I thought he wanted something to eat after giving me his doggie dish," Macy defended, raising her hands up.

Mr. Monroe sighed grabbing another bowl and scooping ice cream into it and into the dog dish. "Hot fudge, caramel?"

Macy gave a tiny glare at Sagebrush. "You sneaky dog,"

Sage shrugged before going to his ice cream.

Mr. Monroe gave a large dollop of both into his daughters dish before stepping adding to his own then began eating.

"Don't worry. I won't say anything to mom, if you won't," Macy assured

Mr. Monroe smiled. "You and Tommy are a lot more chipper...since Sagebrush came."

"Yeah. Sagebrush may not be our dog, but he definitely brings the best in both of us," Macy admitted.

"Macy...I know it won't be Sagebrush but...what do you think about us getting a dog?" Mr. Monroe asked

"I'm not sure. I don't think there might be any better than Sagebrush," Macy shrugged.

"Honey have you been trying like I asked?"

"Of course, I have,"

"And how has that been going...friends, hobbies, new places to eat?"

"Well, I'm able to see Sage again. And there is this music club that seems interesting. And Sage has been showing me the different hangout places," Macy replied.

Mr. Monroe smiled. "Yet you still don't feel like you're at home?"

"We've been here for nearly a month. What do you think?"

"Macy watch the attitude." Mr. Monroe warned.

"Sorry, dad. Wasn't trying to be rude," Macy apologized

"Water under the bridge just be more careful. So tell me more about Sage...BANG"

Macy and Mr. Monroe turned to Sage finding him with his bowl flipped onto his head and ice cream dripping down onto his fur. Two seconds passed before the father and daughter began laughing.

"Well, I'm not sure about Sage, but his dog seems to making things more interesting than Tommy," Macy laughed.

"Looks like someone needs a bath." Mr. Monroe said with a smile. Sage growled and whined his head dropping dramatically.

"Hey, you did this to yourself. No way are we gonna leave you dirty," Macy remarked, folding her arms. "Just ask Tommy."

Sage grumbled but headed towards the bathroom the bowl still on his head.

"AAAAAHHHH. SAGEBRUSH WHERE'D YOU GET ICE CREAM? UHH YOU'RE GETTING IT ALL OVER ME." Tommy's voice shouted

Macy let out a loud laugh when hearing that. "This day keeps getting better and better."

After a warm bath and a night of peaceful rest the Monroe family were hustling and bustling around the next morning as they prepared for the exciting day.

"Macy do you have the hot lunch and drinks?" Mrs. Monroe called.

"Sure do, mom!" Macy called out.

"Tommy don't forget your hat and mittens and your scarf." Mrs. Monroe said urgently.

Sage watched all the hustle and bustle from the couch relaxed and not minding the odd show before him.

"I'm already putting them on!" Tommy exclaimed.

"Did you put on your long underwear it's going to be cold?" Mr. Monroe called.

"Yes, dad! I know!"

"Alright Monroe crew we are out of here in five minutes, bathroom, food and pack up." Mr. Monroe shouted before heading out to warm up the car.

"Already ahead of you, dad," Macy replied, taking out the lunches.

Sage smirked as the whole family walked out the door not noticing that they had left something important behind...him. Giving a yawn Sage counted back from twenty as he listened to their sudden realization on what they forgot and peddled back to the house only getting as far as the end of the block.

"3...2...1" Sage opened one eye finding Macy looking sheepish. "Forget something?" Sage asked through a look.

"Oh, shut up. Just come on," Macy replied.

Sage smirked walking with swagger as he got down and headed out to the car.

Sage and Tommy ended up coming in first place. Tommy and Macy had ended up hugging Sage to within an inch of his life. After gaining their trophy and medal Mr. Monroe took them home where he cooked a big meal giving Sage piece of steak and bacon for a job well done. Later that night while everyone was in bed Sage decided it was time to give a true thank you to Macy and Tommy.