Toby went to the address Pete gave him and found a house like most of the others in Nome: Standard architecture with wooden walls and a slate-shingled roof laden with snow. Taking into account the fact that they had a purebred, he took this to mean that Trixie's owners were toward the higher end of the middle class. And hopefully, he reasoned, this would mean that Trixie would turn out as approachable as Pete=s first account implied. What should I say? he wondered. He decided that it would be best to go into it slowly, hopefully gain her trust so she might give him a good hearing. With any luck, he=d walk away without any physical alterations.

After a moment, a dog slipped outside: Slender and well-groomed with an unusual blue tint to her fur and white on her face and underbelly. Definitely Trixie. He had only ever seen such a tint on two other dogs, and she certainly wasn't either of them. She didn't seem to notice him standing on the opposite corner as she walked to the side of her porch and dug at a patch of snow. Mildly curious, Toby trotted up behind her and watched as she disinterred a well-chewed, meatless T-bone.

"Good morning," he said genially.

She jumped and turned around. "Who are you?!" she demanded, her voice quivering.

Toby took a step back. Why was she so jumpy? "My name's Toby," he replied gently. "Sorry if I scared you."

Trixie calmed down. "Oh," she heaved a sigh of relief. "I thought you were him."

Toby decided not to ask who she was referring to. "Are you Trixie?"

She eyed him warily. "Yeah, that's my name."

"If you're willing, I wanted to talk to you about―"

"Sorry," she snapped, turning around. "You seem nice enough, but I'm through with guys."

"What?" asked Toby before her words fitted themselves together in his head. "Oh, no! I'm not looking for a girl. I'm already settled down."

At this she seemed to brighten. "Oh. Well in that case, how can I help you?"

He took a deep breath. His first thought had been to say he knew a guy who was interested in her and then ease into the rest. But her comment precluded that possibility. So, perhaps not all that wisely, he ventured, "You know a guy named Pete?"

The effect was instantaneous. Her eyes darkened, her fur rose and her lips curled back into a snarl. "Don't even mention that creep around me."

Toby's forced calmness began to falter. "Wait a minute, Trixie," he pleaded. "Just hear me out. He's trying to change, he just―"

"Trying to change?" she asked angrily. "Trying to change? I tried to change that sorry excuse for a dog. I've tried to change a lot of guys, and he is the worst."

"I know, but he's not what he seems. He just―"

"Get out of here," she insisted. "Now."

Toby had been around Luna enough to know when a female was on the brink. "I'm going, I'm going." And he left, wondering how Pete would respond to news of a failed mission.

Toby went back to Pete's house and told him everything about the encounter. As expected, Pete was far from happy. "She wouldn't listen even to you?" he asked. His tone was definitely one of aggression.

"I tried," Toby admitted, "but it was over the minute I mentioned you."

"You must have said it wrong," insisted Pete.

"I just asked if she knew you; that was all it took."

"You should have said something else."

"Like what?"

For a moment it seemed like Toby had won the argument. Pete stuttered, trying to think of an answer. "Like…like…I don't know. That's your job! You sweet-talk Luna all the time."

"Yeah, well, she doesn't blow her top every time she hears my name. And she loves me."

"Well, I love Trixie."

"Pete, I'm still not sure you get what it really means to love someone. You've got the concept, but not the heart of it."

Pete rolled his eyes. "Okay then, Cupid, where do we go from here?"

"I think we should just wait it out until she's had some time to cool down and you've had some time to improve more. I still don't know how we'll get her to realize you=re different, but we'll have to play that by ear." Secretly, Toby was hoping that in the meantime they would find a less hostile girl for Pete. But he knew better than to say it out loud. In any event, both of them were suddenly distracted by something coming up the road.

That something was three dogs, walking in a line as if trailing a dragnet over a lake. The middle dog was a light brown and white husky with a red bandanna draped about his neck. Toby recognized him as Ewan, one of his father's fellow officers, and another as Exile from the police force's reserved sled team. Of the three, Exile wore the bitterest expression.

The three stopped in front of Toby and Pete. "Are you Pete?" asked Ewan.

Pete cleared his throat uneasily. "Yeah, that's me."

The husky did not look at all happy to hear it. "Officer Ewan," he introduced himself. "You'll have to come with me." Turning to Toby, he added, "You too."

"Did I do something, sir?" Toby asked, clearly confused.

"Wait a minute," asked Pete, "are you arresting us?"

Ewan shook his head. "No, nobody's under arrest," he replied, turning around as the other two fanned out to positions behind Toby and Pete. "At least not yet. But you've both been called in for questioning on a certain matter."

"What kind of matter?" asked Toby.

Ewan shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I can't divulge that at the moment, for purposes of discretion."

"What was that last bit?" Pete whispered to Toby.

"I'm not allowed to tell you at the moment because it's a situation that could be awkward for you if word got around," answered Ewan without turning his head. "And don't act as if I can't hear you."

Toby shook his head. "I should have told you, Ewan's the best officer they've got. Nothing gets by him."

"What about your dad?" muttered Pete.

Toby considered his reply. "I'm not quite sure if chief counts as an officer or not," he admitted at last.

Ewan led them two blocks to a place Toby knew very well. Unfortunately, so did Pete, and his eyes flashed in resentment. "You brought us to the old mu―" He stopped at a warning look from Toby and Ewan. "Uh," he gulped, "why here?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Toby, he asked to see you first. Pete, you'll stay out here until you're called."

Toby didn't know what to make of the odd turn of events, but he entered. There sat the lone figure of a bloodhound by the fire, his baggy jowls, lowered head, and motionless tail all speaking of a very grave demeanor. His manner was, in some ways, much like Sherlock Holmes sitting in a chair, waiting to deliver bad news to a client.

"Hi, Dad," Toby greeted, trying to sound light and carefree. It wasn't easy. Rex's posture brought back to Toby many times when he'd been scolded as a puppy for disobeying one or both of his parents.

"Son," Rex uttered, more in acknowledgment than greeting.

Toby gulped. "Uh, what's going on?"

Rex sighed, and his voice lightened a notch. "Well, Toby, that's what I'm hoping you can tell me. I received a complaint earlier today concerning you and Pete, and was hoping you could shed some light on the matter."

"A complaint?" asked Toby, completely bewildered. "What about?"

"About two hours ago, a female came to us complaining of a husky who'd been harassing her since she broke up with him last week. She identified him by name and added that you'd been assisting him by conveying messages."

Toby nodded. "Well yeah, I know I did that, but I didn't think it was harassment. I was just trying to help Pete."

Rex nodded. "All things considered, that's quite commendable. But she says she made it very clear she wanted nothing to do with Pete and you persisted regardless."

Toby paused to consider his words. "I just want to do the right thing."

Rex nodded slowly. "Please, tell me what happened."

So Toby went over the events of the past few days: Pete's request, his agreement to help, the training sessions and his conversation with Trixie. When he finished, he added, "I think Pete really does care about her, Dad. Or at least he wants to, but just doesn't know how to show it."

Rex remained perfectly still, as if he'd been carved from stone. Finally, he said, "Please go outside and tell Ewan to send Pete in. Don't tell Pete anything about the nature of this matter."

Toby obediently turned and headed out the pet flap. He knew why Rex wanted his silence on the matter. It was common practice for police to minimize discussion between witnesses so as to inhibit their ability to collaborate any false stories. Ewan spoke before Toby had even come out all the way. APete, you're next."

Pete looked at Toby uneasily. "What'd he want?" he asked.

Toby looked at the ground. "I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Police protocol," Ewan answered tersely. "Now don't keep the chief waiting."

As Pete entered, it was a far different experience than Toby's had been. Toby had been there many times before, and he knew that under the stern police-dog countenance was a kind and loving father. For Pete, it was just short of an enemy court, with Rex as the reigning judge. "Uh…hey there, chief?" Pete offered weakly.

Rex simply stared at him, his eyes a potently neutral expression. "Do you know why you're here?" he asked.

Pete shook his head. "Look, I haven't robbed the butcher's since I left the gang, honest. I―"

"This isn't about theft," Rex replied. "You've been charged with harassment and recruiting a bystander in unlawful behavior."

Pete's face twisted into a baffled expression. "Can you put that in English?"

"Your ex-girlfriend wants you to back off."

"But…" Pete pleaded, but was cut off by a grim look from Rex. At least he perceived it as grim, though it might have been something else.

"Just tell me what happened," Rex instructed.

"Well," Pete began, "I met this Trixie chick about two weeks ago and we went out for a bit. Then I said something Toby says I shouldn't have and she blew up at me. I talked to Mom, who said I should talk to Toby, and I managed to get him to help me out."

Rex blinked at the mention of Terry, but retained his poker face. "Go on," he ordered.

"Well, I got Toby to give me some pointers and then went to see if I could get her back. She told me to go pick a fight with a wolverine, so I asked Toby to see if he could soften her up. And then that Ewok husky outside came and said you wanted to talk to me and Toby, and now here I am."

Rex shook his head, deciding not to correct Pete about Ewan's name. "Pete, Trixie asked that you leave her alone. That should have been enough."

"Yeah, but I wanted another chance. That's all I was asking for." Rex remained silent for what felt like forever, and as he did so Pete realized the irony of discussing second chances with a dog he'd never even given a first chance. "But," he admitted, "maybe I don't deserve it."

Rex shook his head. "I assume you realize I can't go easy on you just because you're Terry's son," he said.

Pete saw an opening. "Why not?" he asked. "Mom would want you to."

"Your mother understands that I have a duty to Nome and all its residents, human and canine alike. As a dog, I want to give you a chance for her sake. As your stepfather, I want to give you a chance because I care. But as an officer, I can't." Rex took his attention off Pete and called to the door, "Ewan, bring Toby in." Toby entered, followed by the officer. The two of them took their places beside Pete. "I have reached a decision," announced Rex. "Pete, Toby, because of your behavior you will share the same sentence: Restraining order. Neither of you is to go near Trixie or her home for any reason. If you do, either of you, you will be punished accordingly."

"But…" Pete protested.

"That is all," Rex cut him off. "You may go."

"Wait a minute," demanded Pete, "I'm just asking for―"

Toby grabbed him by the collar and yanked hard, cutting off the rest of the words. "Pete, you'll be asking for trouble if you keep at it. Now let's go."

"Oh, and Peter," Rex added. "The next time you choose to bother a girl, don't pick the daughter of one of my officers."

"What?" Pete asked, even as Toby and Ewan ushered him out the door. It was a tense meeting the two dogs held outside after Ewan and his fellow officers had left. "What was that stuff about an officer's daughter?" asked Pete.

Toby shrugged uneasily. "I noticed a resemblance between Trixie and Exile," he confessed, "but I wasn't really sure until now."

"I can't believe you," growled Pete. AYou should have told me. You should've stood up for me."

"I couldn't," Toby replied. "Dad's right. Harassment of any kind is against the law. You broke it and I helped you. That's all there is to it."

"I did it for Trixie!" Pete protested. "Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Toby sighed. Heaven knew how far he had gone in the past, and how far he would go if asked for Luna or their pups. But that was no excuse. "I'm sorry, Pete," he replied, "but there's nothing either of us can do but accept this for what it is. I'll help you find another girl if you want, but―"

"You know what?" Pete snapped. "Just forget it. I don't want your help anymore, so just get out of my life." And with that he turned and stormed away.

"Pete," Toby called, but that was all he got out before his half-brother whirled around and hurled himself at Toby like a runaway tank. Toby fell sprawling in the snow, and Pete stood over him with his teeth clenched and his face contorted in an expression of such anger that Toby briefly wondered if the husky actually meant to kill him this time.

"I told you to get lost," Pete growled, shoving off of Toby with pure contempt. "Lousy mutt."