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1893 - Atlanta, Georgia

At the very-most southern point of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, Terminus Station, styled "A Cathedral of the New Age" by her city, bustled with all the activity of an evening rail hub. Travelers and porters hustled this way and that amids the clamor of hundreds of voices. The throngs brought a sort of heat to the building despite the frost collecting just outside her doors and on the edge of the platforms. The temperature had dropped sharply that afternoon, and everyone expected a storm. Friday evenings were increasingly busy, and this was no exception. So long as the storm held off, the trains would run.

Among the canine crowd, two figures moved with distinct purpose of direction, heading toward the hiss and puff of an engine at the platform. The smaller of the two, though not by much, was a cocker spaniel wearing a long blue skirt beneath a lighter blue long-sleeved shirt and an ascot that matched her skirt. Beside her walked a gray mutt wearing a similar shirt that nearly matched his fur with brown pants and vest, complete with a dark red ascot. They had been on their way out of the rail yard and into Atlanta proper when a messenger called out to them and handed over a letter. Now here they were, back at the terminal.

"I still don't understand," Lady said, glancing aside at her mate as they walked. "Are you sure the call boy didn't give us the wrong envelope?"

Tramp shook his head, but barely glanced up from the note. Instead, he held out the envelope it had come in. "Read it yourself, Pidge."

Sure enough, it read 'Lady and Tramp Dear'.

Tramp began reading the message aloud, "In recognition of your years of exceptional service to the W&A Railroad and as a way of saying thank you, I hope you will do me to honor of joining myself and my wife on the 6:30 Special from Atlanta. Simply present this note to the conductor and he will see you're settled. Signed, Balto Seppala, General Manager." He handed it over to Lady, who read it again herself. "Seems simple enough to me."

She wasn't convinced. "And you're sure this isn't some cruel trick by Chief?"

"Nah, Chief's a mean old dog, but he doesn't do tricks, just chews you out. So whaddaya say, Pidge? Do you suppose there'll be dinner?"

"I suppose so, but with the GM? We've never been treated so nice." A tendril of dread poked at her heart. "You don't think we're being let go?"

Tramp furrowed his brow and thought a moment. "Nah, why waste the invite if they're giving us the boot?"

Lady smacked him on the arm. "I'm being serious!"

"So am I. You and I are getting on in years, but we ain't out to pasture by a long shot." He chuckled, taking back the note and tucking into his vest. "And if the railroad still has a place for the Yonah, it's still got a place for us."

With a slow nod, Lady tightened her ascot and brushed down the front of her shirt. "I hope they don't mind our attire. We didn't exactly bring clothes for anything fancy."

"I'm sure he knows that," Tramp replied, checking the buttons on his vest. "If he wants a cab crew for dinner guests, he gets a cab crew, in all our sooty glory."

They found the conductor helping a very posh poodle into the first class car. The dalmatian was one of many Tramp and Lady had seen in seemingly every job on the railroad, but neither could quite place his name. The five spots around his muzzle nagged at Tramp. Thankfully, once he clapped eyes on them, he smiled and gave a short bow, gesturing toward the tail of the train. "Mister and Misses Dear, you're expected. Just this way please." He waved away the paper Tramp held out and marched down the length of the train to a long yellow car with an oxide red roof. They couldn't help but notice that all of the shades were drawn. Mounting the rear platform, he side-stepped the two chairs and knocked briskly on the door. At a muffled reply from inside, he opened the door and gestured the two of them in.

Stepping inside, Lady and Tramp found themselves in a room that seemed more cabin than rail car. Deep-varnished cedar lined the walls and covered the floor, hidden only by a small rug just inside the rear door they'd entered and a rather large one before the fireplace. Gas lamps illuminated a small sofa and two comfortable chairs facing a roaring fireplace on the far wall. A stock of wood stood to the right and a door to the corridor on the left. Above the fire they faced themselves in the reflection of a polished mirror, and at its top was a bronze plaque that read: Endurance Fidelity Intelligence

For a moment, the two looked around confused until a figure stood from where he'd been kneeling behind the couch. With a soft click, the well-dressed man shut the grate in front of the fire and turned to face them. His was the face of a brown and tan wolf-dog wearing a gray suit; a face that both Lady and Tramp recognized.

"Mister and Misses Dear, sir," the dalmatian announced.

"Of course, of course, please come in," Balto said, smiling broadly. "You too, Freckles, just for a moment." He stuck his hand out to Tramp, who took it with only a moment's hesitation. "I'm glad you could make it, Tramp. Jenna will be so happy. And Miss Lady of course."

Lady held out her hand for a handshake, only for Balto to sweep it up to his lips with a small bow. Her cheeks flushed pink. "Really, Mister Seppala, I'm not worth all that."

"Oh, please, call me Balto, we don't have to stand on ceremony here. And yes you are, the both of you. That's why I invited you to ride with us. Well, it was Jenna's idea after all, but I suppose my signature still counts for something." He turned to the dalmatian conductor, who stood fidgeting at the door. "I'm sorry, I know you have a lot to do still, but once we're off and running, please do stop in for a hot drink. It's frigid out there tonight."

The dalmatian beamed and nodded. "Certainly, sir, thank you." Quick as that, he was out the door and gone.

"He's a good boy," Balto said aside to the pair. "But where are my manners? Dinner should be along in a minute, why don't we go in?"

Lady and Tramp could only glance at each other and follow. Through the door was a small corridor, likewise lit with gas lamps, with three rooms on the right. As if reading their minds, Balto gestured to each in passing.

"This one's ours, the lavatory's in the middle - with a tub, if you believe it, Jenna was very keen on that - and your room's here." He stopped at the end of the short corridor and glanced back. "Do either of you want to lie down or freshen up for a minute?"

Again, the two merely glanced at each other and shook their heads.

With a shrug, Balto turned the knob. "All right, in we go."

The dining area glowed a fainter yellow than the saloon, and while the lamps didn't provide the same heat as a fireplace the room was just as cozy. Two pairs of cushioned chairs faced each other across a small dining table set for four. They were arranged so the diners could see out the windows if they looked past the person across from them, and possibly to prevent a sudden stop from planting an unfortunate guest's face in their plate. At their entry, a red and white furred husky stood from the nearest chair clad in a smart-looking skirt and suit jacket not so dissimilar from Balto's.

"How nice of you to join us!" Her broad smile only faltered slightly as she approached. "I hope we didn't derail your own plans for the evening."

"It was awful nice of you to invite us," Tramp replied, glancing at his wife. "We didn't have anything planned, really, Just a quick dinner in town and a bed for the night."

"Well, I think we can at least manage dinner and a bed," she said with a laugh. "I hope you don't mind we took the liberty of ordering for you, but if you see something you like we can always swap plates."

"You won't mind swapping dishes?" Tramp cocked his head.

"Of course not." She turned back to the table as Balto held her seat out for her. Gesturing for Tramp to sit across from her, she sat. "After all, I designed the menu. I'll be happy with anything I get."

Lady slipped into her seat as Tramp followed Balto's example before pushing her up to a stunning display of cutlery. She glanced across at the General Manager and then at her husband, feeling as though she was already missing something. The two gentlemen took their seats and just then came a knock on the door at the front of the car.

"Perfect timing," Balto declared. "Dinner is served."

As it happened, there was no need for swapping plates. The waiters from the dining car brought four steaming plates of meat and vegetables and a bowl of mashed potatoes to go along with them. It seemed they'd just left when there was a shrill whistle outside and with a subtle jolt they were moving. Outside the frosted windows the lights of town flashed by before fading away, though none of the four really noticed. The food was exquisite and the company friendly and warm. More than once, Lady closed her eyes for a long moment and opened them again, not quite convinced what was happening. Keeping one ear on her husband, she gathered Jenna was a banker and quite good at her job, but as they carried on she found herself more and more drawn to Balto, the General Manager. He'd been an engineer once himself, she discovered. That was how he met his wife, though he openly wondered at how he got so lucky. In turn, she shared a few of her more harrowing stories from the footplate, including a near tumble from the cab that could have easily been the end of her. Balto had nodded seriously at that, even producing a notepad from his vest to jot down the troublesome landmark that had caused it. That done, he reached out and placed his hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I'm very glad indeed your husband was there to catch you. I'll make sure that marker gets adjusted so no one else has to go leaning out to see it."

Lady flushed at his touch and nodded over a small smile. "Thank you." Was she imagining things, or did he wink at her? Her mind began to wander, fixated on the massive paw that so easily enveloped hers.

At the same time, it seemed Tramp was chatting happily with the GM's wife. Lady knew many of his tales by heart, having been there herself, but more than even the mention of a decrepit old steamer named the Yonah, she was surprised to see something more than a polite smile on Jenna's face. Though she'd never known him to be interested in figures and bookkeeping he seemed very keen on her stories, just as she was on his. Once or twice, she saw him shift a bit in his seat, and thought Jenna had winked at him.

And so the late afternoon passed to evening.

They were just finishing their plates when there came another knock on the forward door, and at a signal from Balto in came the conductor.

"Ah, wonderful, you remembered." Turning to his wife, "Jenna could you get the kettle off the fire, I promised Freckles a cup of cocoa."

With a matching smile, his wife disappeared down the corridor, reappearing with a cast iron pot held in two gloved hands. Balto held out a cup of powder and with a flourish presented the steaming cocoa to the young dalmatian. As he took it, Balto put his hand on the lad's shoulder.

"I'm sorry to be a bother, but we're hosting a private party the rest of the evening, so I'd appreciate it if you would only come and get me in case of emergency, which I'm sure I'll know if it happens."

The conductor nodded firmly and slipped back out the door, placing a sign in the window behind him.

Jenna nodded to him and hefted the kettle. "I'll be back in a minute." Without another word, she slipped down the corridor again.

Balto sat heavily and looked across the table at his guests. "My wife has a proposal for the two of you." He paused, clearing his throat as their ears perked up. When he spoke again, his tone had dropped noticeably, and he seemed almost to be reading from an invisible script. "Since this is not a work proposal, your answer will have no impact on your duties, rank, salary or anything else related to your roles on my railroad." He looked at each of them in turn. "It is very important to me that you understand this before we go any further." Settling back in his chair, his face and voice brightened. "I don't want you to feel obliged to say yes. I hope you believe that."

Lady merely nodded, but Tramp folded his hands on the table and grinned.

"A proposal? For the both of us?" He glanced over at Lady, who seemed to sense something in his voice and opened her mouth to speak, but not fast enough. "Well, Mr. Seppala we're flattered. The thing is, Lady and I are already married, and happily so."

Lady cut her eyes at Tramp, then looked to Balto. The wolf-dog simply stared back at Tramp and slowly set down his glass. For a long moment, the only sound was the distant puff of the engine and the claclack-claclack of iron wheels on iron rails. Tramp's easygoing grin wilted into a ghost of itself as Balto interlaced his fingers over his empty plate and sighed.

"I should have chosen my words more carefully," he said, cracking a smile. "It's not that kind of proposal."

"Of course it isn't," Lady replied, her voice strained.

Balto looked to her, then back to Tramp as the mutt winced in time with a thump from under the table. Titling his gaze up and back, he half-turned his head toward the corridor. "Although, she has been very complimentary of your relationship. It's clear you both love each other dearly. Maybe I'm wrong, and Jenna has something bigger planned." He looked back at the two, who were now staring at him in open astonishment. He snorted, and his muzzle broke into a broad grin as he laughed. "Ha! Oh, I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist. I needed a laugh."

Tramp sagged a bit in his seat and chuckled along, while Lady put a hand to her chest.

"Well, I guess we all did. But what's this thing you and Jenna want to talk about?"

"Let's call it a proposition," Jenna replied, stepping into the dining room and shutting the door behind her. "I knew proposal would be a bit much."

"I suppose I should have known the Tramp would take it the wrong way?"

Jenna smiled at her mate. "Wouldn't you?" Turning to the mutt in question, she continued. "But you are right on one thing, it's principally because you're both married that I feel I can make this offer." She paused as her guests leaned forward. "I've tried to think of a clever way to bring this up or word it with a bit more flourish, but sadly I've come up empty-handed, so I'll just say it plainly and have it out." Seeing everyone nod, she sat up straight and looked first at Tramp, then Lady. "I wonder, Mister and Misses Dear, how you would feel about swapping partners for the evening?"

The two looked at each other, then back across the table at their hosts.

"I understand it's a big question, and I hope you can see why I didn't want to beat around the bush. The fact of the matter is we both find you two very handsome." She looked at Tramp and gave a small grin. "And we thought we might offer a little fun for the trip. We're going straight through to Chattanooga, then coming back Sunday."

Balto cleared his throat. "That's all true." He paused and looked meaningfully at Lady. "Particularly the handsome part. But the proposition is just that; it's up to you." He finished his water glass as Jenna settled into the calm poise of a banker. "We'll be stopping in Marceline just around 1 in the morning to switch engines, if you want to hop off."

"I'm afraid it won't be a full night's rest," Jenna put in with a note of concern, "but hopefully you'll at least sleep comfortably."

"Far better than we would in a bench seat, that's for sure," Lady replied, nodding to Jenna, then looking at Balto and putting a hand on his. "Thank you again for inviting us along."

Balto nodded, smiling. "The pleasure's all ours, believe me." He looked between them, possibly judging their expressions. "Tramp?"

Lady saw her husband glance at her, then back at Balto. "We, uh, figured Chief might be expecting us," the mutt said plainly. "We're still on the extra board for a few more days at least, but there's always a need for extra hands."

"True enough, but given all the time you've spent with the railroad I think a few days' rest is well deserved." The GM produced a pair of folded papers from his jacket pocket. "And that's whether or not you want to stay on to Chattanooga and back. I just need to know which dispatch to send to the office when we stop in Marceline, to let them know how long they'll be sort a cab crew."

Jenna leaned forward, smile widening. "We'd be in Chattanooga around 7 tomorrow morning and spend most of the day there." She nodded to her mate. "Balto and I have a bit of business to attend to, but then we could have a nice lunch, maybe see a bit of the town. Then, we'll tack on to the tail of an evening milk train and take our time heading home. We'd be back in Marceline around 7am the day after tomorrow." Blinking suddenly, she glanced aside at Balto and gestured to their guests. "Listen to me telling a cab crew how long a train trip will take."

Tramp was quick to reply. "No apologies needed. You clearly know you stuff, Miss Jenna."

Meanwhile, Lady's ears perked, and she felt her tail quiver in her seat. A few days off? That was almost enough to distract her from the unbelievable proposition that Miss Jenna of all people had made. The conversation had shifted so quickly back to business, it was like they hadn't just been seriously discussing swapping partners with the General Manager and his wife. She watched Balto's attention bounce between his wife and her mate, and she thought she caught a hint of a nod. Then his eyes flicked over to her and his ears flattened, but his muzzle quirked up in a grin. She felt her cheeks flush. This might be serious.

Jenna touched his hand and they stood up. "We don't want you to feel put upon, of course," she said. "We'll just be in the saloon in case you'd like some privacy. Your room is the closer of the two in the corridor. It's perfectly fine if you decline, and turn in for the night." She turned for the door, but paused with her hand on the knob. "I do hope we can all at least continue as friends. It's been a lovely evening, and I hope I haven't undone that." Faster than Lady or Tramp could reply, she stepped into the corridor and disappeared.

Balto made to follow her, but turned back. "Please remember what I told you earlier, and believe me when I say she means it. We will certainly understand if this is not to your taste. No offense taken." He took a breath and nodded to each in turn. "Tramp, Miss Lady, thank you for dining with us tonight."

Turning on his heels, he stepped into the corridor, closing the door behind him. His footfalls faded quickly beneath the rhythmic clacking of the wheels.

For a several seconds, Lady and Tramp sat in silence. Lady watched the door until there was a very faint click in the distance, surely the saloon door. Tramp hissed and she looked over in time to see him drop his hand away from the opposite arm where a small red mark could be seen beneath the fur.

"Yep, definitely awake," he said, shaking his arm. "Definitely not a dream."

"Definitely not a joke either," Lady added. "What do you think?"

Tramp cocked an eyebrow. "You're asking me?" He paused and thought a moment. "I bet the GM's sweet on you, and wants to see you out of that skirt. Lord knows I do."

"What? No. I wish you'd stop that. Just because a man looks at me-"

"Pidge I saw the look he gave you when he called you handsome." The last word came out almost comically deep, and Lady chuckled, but her cheeks flushed again at the reminder. Then there was the feel of his hand across hers.

She couldn't deny the naughty thoughts that had entered her mind at his touch. Still, she grinned at her husband and shook a finger. "No, Jenna said they both thought we were handsome, and she was looking at you. This was her idea. He might be just along for the ride." Her grin faded as an odd feeling poked at her. "But then why would he agree with her on everything?"

Tramp stroked his chin. "You know, you're right. He's not sweet on you, but I'll be damned if he doesn't want to lay you down."

It wasn't like she didn't get looks now and then. But those looks hadn't led to anything, until now. She twisted her fingers in her lap. "So maybe he does."

"And I'm willing to bet the feeling's mutual. Whaddaya say, Pidge? Fancy a bit of wolf in you?"

Her cheeks now bright red, Lady cocked her head. "And you're not the least bit interested in Miss Jenna? Because I know bedroom eyes when I see them, and they started halfway through dinner for her."

They both took a deep breath and she realized there was more than one sweet smell in the air. An image of Jenna across the table from him, chin resting on her palm, flashed through Lady's mind.

"Oh, you're one to talk," Tramp growled playfully. "Swapping stories about being on the foot plate, getting him reminiscing about his younger years. You make a man feel young and handsome, he's gonna act like it."

"Seat a confident young man across from a beautiful lady," she countered, "a little attention and an a bit of an ego begin to look real attractive."

The two suddenly fell silent, glancing across at the empty chairs, then back at each other.

"Well," Tramp said, licking his lips. "I guess we've got our answer."

On the other side of the car, Balto stood with his hands in his pockets, eying the nameplate above the fireplace while Jenna paced by the door. He smiled at her, tried to look encouraging, but it didn't seem to help. Just then, her ears perked up at the sound of a door opening and her expression fell.

"That was quick," she murmured, striding over to stand next to him. "I suppose I was too forward."

Balto put his arm around her. "No, you were right to be honest and up-front. I'm sure they appreciate that."

Both turned in surprise when there was a knock on the saloon door, and a moment later, Tramp and Lady walked in. Balto felt his wife's tail thump against his leg as the two engineers approached with a small smile.

"Well, we've thought about it, and after careful deliberation we only have one question," Tramp began, glancing aside at Lady, who raised an eyebrow at him. Turning back to Balto and Jenna, he gestured to himself and his wife. "Which of us would you say is the most handsome?"

Balto and Jenna barely had time to look surprised before Lady smacked him on the arm.

"Will you honestly-! Is everything a joke to be made for you?" Looking at Jenna, her scowl vanished and she grinned. "We'd be delighted."

Her grin broadened when Jenna positively beamed, clasping her hands together with a little hop. Lady flicked her eyes over to Balto who, while not beaming, was at least smiling as he gave her a small nod.

"Oh, I'm just so happy to hear you say that," Jenna gushed, looking to Balto. "Well, now that that's settled, where do we start?"

"Perhaps a toast?" he offered with a suddenly wider smile.

Jenna pranced past them into the corridor, announcing that she would bring the good chardonnay.

Watching her go, Balto chuckled. "As if I stocked bad chardonnay."

"I heard that!" came a distant playful call.

The other three shared a small laugh.

"I'm only saying I know what my wife likes," Balto called back.

Jenna swept into the room with a bottle in one hand and four glasses in the other. Balto popped the bottle as she passed out the glasses, and shortly the four full flutes tapped together. Balto was first to speak up.

"To Mister and Misses Dear."

Jenna heartily agreed, but it was Lady that spoke next.

"To handsome gentlemen."

"To beautiful ladies," Tramp added.

"And to a wonderful evening just beginning," Jenna concluded, as they all drank.

"This tastes wonderful," Lady remarked. "Dare I ask how much it cost?"

Jenna began to answer, but Balto touched her arm. "It's not important, let's just enjoy it," he rumbled, taking another long sip. "Enjoy the night."

"I'll drink to that," Tramp laughed, tapping the GM's glass. When he lowered his glass, he saw Balto's was already empty. "Can't say I blame you, this really is good."

"Hmm," came the murmured reply. "Would anyone care for something stronger? Tramp, some bourbon perhaps?"

The mutt's ears perked up. "Now you're talking."

"Right this way." He motioned for the corridor. "Ladies, anything else to your taste? Wine? No? We'll be back shortly."

"You'd better be," Jenna said with a grin. As their footfalls faded, her ears dipped and her tail stopped wagging. Half-turning to Lady, she sighed. "He's nervous."

"I think we all are, a little bit. I am at least. It's the not knowing what's next." She tapped her foot, thinking. "We could follow those two and lead them by the hand, maybe start with a dance? Though you have my permission to drag Tramp straight to your bedroom if you want."

Jenna laughed, waving her hand. "As fun as that would be, it's better if we build to it, though I like the dancing idea. We could play some music, loosen up."

Lady finished her glass and followed Jenna's nod to a familiar decoration in the corner that she hadn't noticed before. "Ooh, records, anything nice and slow?"

"That might be just the thing." She shrugged off her suit jacket, revealing a dark green shirt and ascot similar to Lady's, but underneath a vest that matched the suit. "Sorry, with the fire this is a bit much."

"Of course. No danger of being indecent now."

Jenna's ears and tail perked, and she looked at the phonograph. "Oh, I think there's every danger. I have an even better idea, a little surprise for our boys."

At the front of the car, Balto capped the crystal decanter and picked up his glass. With a nod and a smile he toasted Tramp, who did likewise before they both took a long sip. The gray mutt smacked his lips appreciatively.

"Ah, that'll warm the belly."

"It should," Balto replied, his voice a little deeper for a moment. "Made in Alaska, meant for a long cold night. Northern Lights Limited is a fine label."

"I didn't mean for you to tap into your private stock."

"Nonsense, it would be rude not to." The GM took another sip. "Well, I suppose we're in for it now."

"In spades," Tramp agreed with conspiratorial smile, glancing back at the door. "Maybe we shouldn't have left them alone."

"You're probably right, but unless we hear screams I think we can enjoy a drink for a minute."

As Balto took another sip, Tramp took a step closer and lowered his voice. "Sir, are you sure you're still up for this? Miss Jenna was over the moon, but you don't look quite so excited."

Balto set his jaw, peering at him over his glass.

"If it's me you're worried about, I'm happy to walk back in there and tell them I've changed my mind, felt too odd doing this with the boss. That way, the ladies are mad at me and not you."

Balto lowered his glass, the start of a frown on his face. "Have you truly?"

Tramp cocked his head. "Well, no, but that's not the point."

The frown vanished, and his tone brightened. "Then don't do that. We've talked it out, we've all agreed, and we've only just started." He took another sip. "Everyone's all excited, I'd imagine. Some of us just might not know quite how to handle that."

A look of recognition came over Tramp's face, and he nodded seriously. "Ah, so, in case it's Jenna that needs extra special attention, to help her with that, is there something I can do?"

Balto's face reddened slightly, but he huffed out a breath and seemed almost to talk to his glass. "She's usually one to take control, but doesn't mind when I do. She...enjoys it a little bit rough; nothing too wild, but sometimes a bit of fang and claw." He trailed off, seeming to remember Tramp was there, and cocked an eyebrow. "Good enough?"

Nodding vigorously, Tramp gulped down the rest of his bourbon. His eyes went wide and he coughed once before clearing he throat. "Got it," he rasped.

Balto snorted, and his muzzle cracked into a grin. "That's why we sip bourbon." Finishing his own glass, he took Tramp's and set them aside. Unbuttoning his suit jacket, he continued, "And if it's Lady? What would make this a very special night for her? Take her mind off her nerves?"

Tramp's eyes widened again, but Balto was focused on draping his jacket over his chair for just long enough not to notice. When he looked up, the mutt spread his arms. "Oddly enough, sounds like the same thing you told me; a bit of back and forth, a bit rough. If she wants more, I bet she'll tell you."

The GM raised his brow, but motioned to the corridor and led the way. "We'd better get back before Jenna suspects I've absconded with her date for the night."

Tramp could only nod and follow, feeling as though he'd still missed something.

Scant seconds later, they reentered the saloon and spotted Lady and Jenna standing back near the phonograph. Both quickly noticed all the shades had been drawn. The ladies strode up to meet them, all smiles.

"There you are," Jenna scolded playfully. "I was beginning to think you'd taken Tramp to another car entirely."

The two men shared a glance and a small smile before Lady spoke up.

"Tramp, you do know it's Miss Jenna you're supposed to undress, not her husband, right?"

Out of the corner of his eye, the mutt saw Balto's cheeks flush, and he took a step between them. "And I suppose Miss Jenna's jacket just magically wound up on the chair there?"

"Too warm," Balto and Jenna chorused, almost deadpan.

The men looked at each other, the ladies looked at each other, and the four of them burst out laughing. As their hosts wiped their eyes, Tramp caught Lady's attention. He quickly patted his chest and made a motion of tying a knot. For a moment, she looked confused, then quickly shook her head. He breathed a sigh of relief. No hidden ropes.

"Before we get started," Jenna began, "I think it's important we're all on the same page." She looked to Balto, then Tramp. "Gentlemen, you're both splendid, but tonight Miss Lady and I are in charge. Everyone should ask if there's something they want to do, or speak up if they're uncomfortable, and we'll all be respectful of that." She paused, seeing their nods. "Finally, there's no wordplay tonight. Yes, no, stop, go, all mean just that. This is new for us, and I want everyone to enjoy themselves, even if that means stopping. The rest of us will sort out what happens after that. Fair? Good. Now, gentlemen," her content smile shifted into a broad grin, "we have a little something to break the ice." She motioned back toward the fireplace. "If you two could find a seat. No, you don't have to sit next to each other. In fact, here take the two chairs. We'll save the sofa for later." She glanced over at Lady and nodded, then turned to Balto and smiled. "Follow our lead, boys."

There was a soft buzz and click, then the rising, tinny sound of a small band filled the room. The phonograph hummed out soft, bouncing woodwinds and piano over a string quartet that seemed very fitting against the crackling of the fire. The song was familiar, but without the vocals Tramp could only hum along as Balto undid the buttons on his vest and shrugged out of it just in time to take Jenna's from her outstretched hand. He tossed them over the sofa and Jenna winked at him before making room for Lady in front of the fire. Now the ladies stood facing their dates, just as they had over dinner, and at a nod they reached up to their necks.

Lady pulled her loosened ascot down to her waist and let it slip from her fingers. Casting her eyes over to Tramp, she saw the mutt was just as nimble and already dropped his tie. He met her gaze without turning his head, but his muzzle curled up and he winked before looking back at Jenna. Returning her gaze to Balto, she saw him toss his tie with their vests and lean back in his chair, a ghost of a smile on his face. The music began to swoop and jump, and she found herself swaying with it as her hands went to the collar of her shirt.

Beside her, Jenna hummed, following the melody with voice and body as her hands traced down her chest, undoing the buttons with barely a pause. Lady followed along, trying to time the unfastening of her buttons to the strings' rhythm. Glancing right, she mimicked Jenna in an exaggerated shrug that pulled her shirt out of her skirt, and let it slide off her arms behind her. The move, she noticed, also thrust her chest forward and she felt a twinge of excitement when she looked at Balto. The wolf-dog was leaning forward, and only glanced at the lace bra she wore before fixing his eyes on hers. Blushing, she looked to Jenna, who noticed and met her gaze. The husky also wore a lace bra, ringed in pick fabric, though her nipples could be seen through the mesh covering. Miss Jenna was well-endowed indeed. Any doubt as to whose idea the night's fun was vanished, and Lady smiled when she spotted Jenna's flushed cheeks. She could feel the men's eyes on them. A quick glance at Tramp found the mutt absolutely enthralled, his lanky but toned chest bare. No wonder. She knew what her own wardrobe did to him, and with Jenna wearing something quite similar...

Looking back to Balto, she saw the GM was also staring at her, his smile widening. Smiling back, she took in his broad chest and shoulders, with more than a little muscle beneath that tan fur. Stepping toward him, she felt more than heard her shoes on the rug. As she bent to undo her laces, Lady watched Balto do the same. His eyes never left hers, and a heat washed over her as first one then the other shoe came free. Balto leaned forward and plucked hers up before tossing them aside with his own. Belatedly, she realized her position gave the GM a perfect view of her cleavage. With a grin, she reached up and cupped her breasts, squeezing them together as her tongue slipped out to trace her lips. Was it her imagination, or did she hear the beginning of a growl?

Before she could place the sound, a faint scratching replaced the music. Balto swept up from his seat, stopped the phonograph and reset the needle. Letting her hands trace down her sides to her waist, Lady flicked her eyes over to Jenna and Tramp. The husky seemed to have taken her lead and squeezed her breasts before reaching back to just above her tail. Her mate was slipping off his boots, his muzzle quirked in a lopsided grin. As Lady and Jenna slowly drew themselves up to face their dates, the wolf-dog sat down again, leaning back into the chair as before. His head tilted slowly to one side, and in the flickering warmth of the firelight she saw his lips curl back to reveal the tip of a fang. The sight sent a shiver down her spine.

At a signal from Jenna, both men quickly stood, and Lady found her gaze locked on Balto's golden eyes. She almost didn't notice him slowly undo his belt and trouser buttons as she fumbled for the fastening above her tail. Even as she undid the hooked connection, she and Jenna bent at the waist once more to draw their skirts down their legs, step out of them and cast them aside. There was the sound of cloth falling in a heap. Tramp had dropped his trousers, and a familiar musk quickly filled the room. Though she hardly had to guess at his equipment, Lady looked anyway. The boxers that were already a bit small on him were stretched taut by a very pronounced bulge at the front. Jenna gave a breathy moan at the sight, one hand slipping up between her legs.

Another rustle of fabric brought Lady's eyes back to Balto. She looked first to his face, a sliver of a smile below his dipped ears, then curiosity drew her gaze down and she drew in a breath. While the GM wasn't quite pitching a tent, the prominent outline along his upper thigh left very little to the imagination. Not even fully hard yet, and probably a match for Tramp in size. The lace bra and cloth panties suddenly felt very restricting. As she drew herself up to standing again, she couldn't help but notice Balto's muzzle crooked in a grin beneath narrowed eyes. She looked quickly to Jenna, who slowly straightened as well. The husky was indeed wearing lace stockings attached to the waistline of matching pink-ringed panties.

"Looks like we're the ones that are overdressed now, Miss Jenna," the cocker panted, her tongue tracing her lips again. "Would you gentlemen help us with these?"

Spinning on her heels, Lady faced the fire, watching Jenna mimic her move. The husky winked and gave a knowing smile as they looked to the mirror in front of them. Though both knew what was coming, seeing the two men step up behind them with ears forward and muzzles spread in wide grins was enough to get their tails wagging feverishly. The fire gave off just enough light that they could see the men's tails moving slowly side to side, like predators stalking their prey. Even expecting it, Lady still arched her back and gasped silently when two large hands brushed against her back, deftly unfastening her bra clasp. Then she felt his hardening shaft, still covered by his boxers, press between her rump cheeks and she cooed, rocking her hips back and forth. She heard Jenna gasp as a soft clatter behind them indicated the departure of her own covering. Rather than let it fall, Balto guided Lady's shoulder straps over and down her arms before snatching it and tossing it aside. His hands came up to cup her breasts and give them a gentle squeeze as he nuzzled against her ear. For a moment, they could just about look sidelong at each other.

Flicking her gaze back to the mirror, Lady grinned and blinked slowly, committing the image to memory. Balto stood behind her, the both of them dressed only in their skivvies, cupping her breasts in both hands as he nuzzled against her neck with a hint of a canine showing. His hips met hers, nestling his still-covered length between her cheeks. Beside them, Tramp had his arms fully wrapped around Jenna; one across her chest to squeeze and grope at her ample bosom as the other caressed her stomach, The mutt was nuzzling under her muzzle to kiss her neck. Jenna moaned, drawing Lady's eyes to between the husky's legs, where Tramp's fabric-covered length thrust slowly back and forth, brushing against her panties. Jenna reached behind her to grab Tramp's hips and hold him against her. Feeling Balto's breath across her ear, Lady did the same. For a briefest moment, her eyes met Jenna's in the mirror and they winked. The men were ready, let the fun begin.

"Nearly there," the cocker cooed, nuzzling against Balto's cheek.

Beside her, Jenna moaned, but released Tramp's hips. "To your chairs, gentlemen," she said, though her heart was not in her words. "But don't sit down just yet. It's our turn again."

This time, Lady felt more than heard the low rumble of a growl as Balto released her chest and eased back. Feeling her heart pounding, she smiled at the mirror, bent forward, and pulled her panties down. With a quick kick, they sailed against the wall with her bra and skirt. Turning to look over her shoulder, she saw Jenna extend her arms as she lifted her panties with one foot while balancing on the other. A graceful flick of her toes sent the garment flying, and she planted both feet before hiking her tail and looking back at Tramp, licking her lips. For his part, Tramp stood quite still, but between the his lazy grin and the slow flexing of his fingers she could tell it was everything he could do not to pounce on the burgundy-furred husky. Finally, Lady looked back to Balto and her eyes went wide. The brown and tan wolf-dog stood by his chair, arms crossed, grinning down at her. A small gasp flooded her nostrils with a scent not entirely new to her, and she realized she'd smelled it earlier, in the dining room. Lady and Jenna drew themselves up and turned to face each other.

"Well, Miss Jenna," she sighed, feeling her eyelids sink ever so slightly. "They've been good and waited. I think they deserve a little treat." Leaning closer, she whispered, "Have fun, I know I will."

Jenna's smile widened and she gave a nod before they turned back to their dates. With a quick toss, she shifted her ears behind her shoulders and strode up to Balto, bringing her hands up to his sides. The wolf-dog uncrossed his arms and let them hang down.

"Are you ready?" she said with a knowing grin.

"If you are, I'll follow your lead," he replied. "You're beautiful, Miss Lady."

Casting her eyes up and down his muscled frame, she nodded. "You're pretty good looking yourself, Balto, but I'm afraid you're still overdressed. Why don't we fix that?"

Slowly she dropped to her knees until she was looking right at his undergarments. The outline from before was now a growing bulge at his front. Lady took a breath, hooked her thumbs into his waistband, and pulled the garment down. She flinched as his member sprang up, nearly hitting her nose. Balto gave a soft exhale as she reached up and gently took it in her hand, beginning to stroke back and forth.

"Oh dear me," she whispered, glancing up at him as both her paws wrapped around his length. "This looks almost painful. I hope Miss Jenna's been kind to you."

She cast a glance to her right where Jenna had also dropped to her knees and relieved her date of his skivvies. The husky kissed along Tramp's hardened length, then with one hand still holding it she stood and guided him after her.

"We're taking the sofa, dear," Jenna said, nodding for Tramp to lie down.

From where she knelt, Lady watched as Tramp settled in, one leg hanging off the side of the sofa and the other on the armrest. Jenna climbed carefully on top of him, kneeling above his shoulders before almost crawling down his body to kiss his member again. A shiver went through her as wet slurping sounds competed with the crackling fire, and she took the mutt into her mouth.

"No trouble at all, dear," Balto breathed.

Lady turned back the wolf-dog, cheeks flushed at how easily she'd been distracted. Balto seemed to sense something else; his smile faltered and he reached down to cup her cheek in his hand.

"Are you still sure you want this, Miss Lady?"

She felt a flash of anger, but stifled it and gave a wide grin. "Absolutely." Shrugging his hand off, she planted a kiss on his tip, then opened her maw to suck on the head. His free hand clenched briefly, and she let her muzzle drift past the tip before pulling off again, still stroking his shaft. "Don't worry about me, Balto. I'll be fine." This time, she leaned forward, humming happily. His length was still soft enough that she could prod it with her tongue and delight at the sight of his abs clenching. Quicker than she expected, his tip reached the back of her muzzle, before her nose could bury in his stomach fur. She tried again, with the same result. Leaning back, she licked her lips and quirked an eyebrow just as a small whimper reached her ear. Out of the corner of her eye, Jenna was already hungrily bobbing her head on Tramp's shaft, her tail wagging over a quivering rump. She stared down Balto's length, then glanced up at the captivated wolf-dog. "You should worry more about your stamina."

Without another word, or waiting for him to speak, she moved forward and took him into her muzzle again. He sucked in a breath and steadied his feet, looking down at her with undisguised desire as his shaft grew hard in her muzzle. She leaned forward and drew back, tracing her tongue along the underside of his member, always feeling like she was nearing her goal without seeing it. Finally she pulled off of him, stroking with one hand as the other reached down to brush against her folds. She'd been right; he wasn't fully hard earlier. Her frustration was only magnified when a soft slapping sound perked her ear and she looked to her right again. Tramp had planted his dangling foot on the ground and hooked his other over the sofa arm. Now he was thrusting his hips up to meet Jenna's hungry muzzle. Far from recoiling, the husky had cupped her hands under Tramp's rump and seemed to be egging him on, moaning around his length all the while.

As if reading her thoughts, Balto rumbled softly, "Jenna has a longer muzzle, Miss Lady, you don't have to-"

The words were barely out of his mouth before the little cocker dipped down, angling his member to follow, and tilted her head back. Meeting his confused gaze, she rose up again, letting his shaft filled her smaller muzzle. Then with her head tilted back it slipped the slightest bit down her throat, and her nose pressed against his stomach fur. For a moment, she almost gagged, but she clenched a fist and held it, having taken Balto to the hilt. The wolf-dog shuddered and nearly lost his footing. When he gathered himself to look down at her, she raised her brow, though smiling was quite out of the question. He gaped at her, tongue lolling out, and reached toward her hesitantly. Lady quickly dipped low and released him, and he flinched away, though she began to stroke him again as she met his gaze.

"Was that too much?" she panted, smiling broadly.

"No," he gasped. "I just thought-"

"I told you not to worry," she chided softly. "Unless there was something you wanted?"

He paused, and shook his head. "You're in charge, Miss Lady."

"All right, then tell me what you wanted."

Ears flattening, he smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to hold those pretty ears of yours."

Lady almost laughed. "Hmm, I think we can do that." She reached up and brought his hands to her ears, cooing and humming happily as his fingers traced through her auburn hair to caress her ears beneath. It was almost comical to look past his dripping shaft at such a content man. With a grin, she gave his member a squeeze. "How about a compromise, something for me?"

Again, before he could respond, she leaned back and took his length into her muzzle as far as she could. His hands, still on her ears, reflexively tightened, but still teased her with his thumbs. Reaching up, she laid her hands atop his and guided him in pulling her forward until she nearly gagged, almost against his hips. Glancing up, she raised an eyebrow, and he nodded. Her hands fell away, one slipping between her legs as the other began to squeeze her breasts. Balto licked his lips and began guiding her mouth up and down his length, his teeth clenched. As soon as that started, Lady stopped looking up at him, knowing he'd at least loosened up; her eyes were barely open. Instead, all her remaining attention was given to her breasts and her soaked mound. The one hand squeezed and carressed her bosom while the other swirled around her entrance, rubbing against her nub and delving into her depths. All the while, Balto guided her muzzle along his length, low groans and pants escaping him. It was slow at first, but as she moaned around his shaft he began to thrust his hips out to meet her lips. Little by little, his pace grew faster until Lady could feel his fingers clenching around her ears. She was so close! Even so, she reached up to grab his hips, pulling him against her, stoking her own fires with every wet slap of his sack against her chin.

"Miss Lady," Balto groaned.

Lady merely dropped low and looked up, meeting his gaze as her hands fell away. He shuddered, and Lady closed her eyes. His length throbbed in her muzzle, and she swallowed pulse after pulse of his seed, humming and twisting her muzzle. Finally, she drew back and licked her lips with a great show of satisfaction.

"Pent up indeed," she murmured, wiping a hand across her snout.

Balto managed a smile and shrugged. "Or captivated by a pretty face."

"Careful, flattery will get you everywhere."

Beside them, Jenna gasped and they both looked over to see her bucking against Tramp's muzzle, tongue lolling out the side of hers. A thin trail of saliva connected her muzzle to his member, which bobbed back and forth as she still reflexively guided his hips up and down. Tramp growled beneath her wagging tail, giving her rump a good squeeze as he laid his head back, licking his lips.

"Miss Jenna..."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than she opened her muzzle wide and engulfed his length entirely, twisting her muzzle back and forth, moaning around him. Tramp's eyes shut and his thrusts became frantic. He groaned and Jenna plunged down onto his length, bobbing her head for a few long seconds before pulling back. She barely seemed to notice Balto and Lady as she looked over her shoulder at the grinning mutt still licking his lips.

"Here?" he asked, shuffling backwards on his forearms from between her legs and into a kneeling position behind her.

Jenna simply crossed her arms over the sofa arm, shifted her legs further apart and lifted her tail. When she spoke, her voice was low and smooth. "Right here,"

Lady turned back to Balto and found him still looking at her with a small smile that she couldn't help but match.

"C'mere, big guy."

With a nod he sank to his knees, but she still found herself looking up at him, just a bit. Lifting up off her haunches, she planted a kiss on his nose. His muzzle quirked in a grin and he reached out to catch one of her ears and let it flow between his fingers.

"Do you want us to retire to your room?" he asked, letting his other hand trace down her side.

Lady hummed happily, then leaned back on her arms and sprawled on the rug. "No, I think here's just fine." Spreading her legs, she crooked her finger at him as the other hand parted her lower lips. "Now it's your turn for a taste. We've got some catching up to do."

Balto licked his lips, baring his canines. For a moment, she felt her breath hitch in her chest as he moved over top of her, golden eyes and gleaming teeth reflecting the firelight. When he placed his hands on either side of her head and leaned down, jaw widening, she expected to feel his member prodding at her entrance. Instead, he let her feel just the graze of his fangs on her neck before he kissed it, then her shoulder, then between her breasts. Here he wrapped his lips around a nipple and suckled on it, first gently, then hard. She arched her back and gasped, clutching at the rug beneath her. Releasing one breast, he did the same thing to the other, eliciting another gasp. Dipping lower, he kissed her stomach, pausing to breathe in deeply before drawing back to rest his muzzle between her legs. Peering down between her breasts, she watched him shift his legs around so he was lying on his stomach, then exhale a hot breath on her nether regions. She quivered, having teased herself almost to release earlier only to stop short. The flame had dwindled, but was quickly enough rekindled, and she spread her legs with a whine in the clearest invitation she could imagine.

For a moment, he did nothing, and she was afraid he'd changed his mind, but then he looked up at her and grinned before closing the gap between them. Somewhere in the distance, the engine's whistle sounded. He ran his tongue along the length of her slit with agonizing slowness once, twice, three times before drawing back again. Just when she thought he might dip his tongue into her depths he kissed her inner thigh on one side, then the other, making her squirm. Another long, slow lick across her slit was enough to make her roll her hips, trying to urge him deeper. He puffed a short breath that she could have sworn was a stifled laugh and leaned forward, pressing his tongue into her entrance. The feeling was simultaneously satisfying and maddening; no sooner had the aching need been sated than it redoubled. Lady whined, rocking her hips as Balto began working his tongue around her sacred cavern. As he lapped and prodded with his tongue, his hands came up to stroke and squeeze around her inner thighs. He made her groan and bite her lip as his nose brushed against her clit. She groped at her breast with one hand while the other reached down to rest on the fur between Balto's ears. He paused briefly and met her gaze.

"Deeper," she said, giving a small tug on his head.

His nose bumped against her clit again and she gasped, only to see him grin and open his jaws wide. With his tongue still lapping around inside her sacredness, he inched forward, pressing further in as his jaw slowly, carefully clamped down on her pelvis. To her surprise, she didn't feel a single tooth, even as he worked his muzzle back and forth lashing his tongue inside her. Releasing his head to grab the rug, she wriggled back and forth, humming and whimpering as she puffed out ever-faster breaths through her nose. A low rumble in Balto's throat carried up through her sacredness and she gasped audibly, bucking her hips against his muzzle. For a moment, she swore she could feel him grin and she looked down between her breasts just as he posted his elbows and lifted her rump into the air. Claws prodded at the thin fur in the small of her back, and the faintest touch of fangs on her rump and around her mound was the final straw. She balled her fists in the rug's fibers and yelped before clamping a hand over her muzzle and groaning into her palm, the sound rising sharply with each twitch of her fading climax. Finally, Balto opened his mouth and withdrew his tongue from her depths with a soft slurp, Mindful of her tail, he laid her down and began lapping at her quivering sacredness. She put a hand to her head, panting as she watched him until Jenna's muffled voice reached her ears.

"Harder."

Lady looked over at the couch. Jenna was draped across an armrest, her muzzle buried in her crossed arms. Tramp was kneeling behind her on the couch, pulling her rump to meet his thrusts. As Lady watched, he released his hold on her, giving one hard thrust as he moved over top of her. One hand posted him on the armrest while the other wrapped around her chest and began squeezing her breasts. Jenna cracked one eye as he nuzzled against the side of her face, then craned her head around to lock her muzzle with his in a deep kiss. Tramp leaned into it and his hips began slapping against hers even faster than before. Even through their interlocked muzzles, Lady heard Jenna making soft needy noises in time with his thrusts.

Just then, she felt Balto move back and plant a kiss on her lower lips.

"They didn't waste any time," came the casual statement.

She expected him to be eying the other two intently, but when she turned he was looking at her, smacking his lips. With his eyes narrowed, she imagined he might be deciding which of her breasts he wanted to taste first. She crooked her finger and he practically crawled up her body to envelope her in his embrace. He seemed not to mind his shaft resting along the length of her entrance, even as she squirmed beneath him.

"Neither should we," she replied, giving him a sly smile as she twirled one finger in the air. "Roll over."

Balto nodded and tumbled to one side, shifting away from the fireplace once she moved out of the way. She nudged his feet apart and crawled up between his legs, pausing to run her tongue along his shaft, nestling it in her bosom and rocking back and forth to stroke it. He rumbled through a wolfish smile, posting himself on his elbows so he could watch her squeeze his member between her breasts and kiss his tip each time it came within her reach. She kept her eyes on his, and the moment his hand clenched at the rug she ceased her ministrations and crawled over his stomach, needing only a gentle touch to make him lay back down. His hands came up to stroke her back, squeezing her against him. Lady ran her fingers through the thicker fur on his toned chest, reaching up to grip his shoulders and press her lips against his. Balto growled into her muzzle, sliding his hands around her body to cup her breasts, pressing them together and brushing his thumbs across her nipples. Lady broke their kiss with a soft gasp and began grinding her hips against his, rubbing her soaking entrance along the length of his shaft. Panting through gritted teeth, Balto traced his hands down her sides to squeeze her rump, pressing her even tighter against his hips. Lady whimpered and wriggled in his grasp, nipping at his muzzle and planting soft kisses on his neck. Back and forth she rocked against him until finally she thrust her whole body forward far enough that her breasts met his muzzle and his shaft slipped from between their bodies to nudge against her waiting, quivering entrance.

"Balto, I need this," she whispered in his ear, briefly nipping at the furry tip. "I need you inside me, please."

Without a word, he guided her down. Her wet lips parted, and his shaft sank easily into her sacredness. Lady closed her eyes and let out a breathy moan as she felt his length press into her, gasping when his tip bumped against the end of her passage. She squirmed back and forth, trying to work him deeper in, but try as she might she could take him no further. His thin pelvic fur teased her rump; she was so close, but there was no trick to help her this time. She blinked, looking down into his eyes and saw him smiling at her. Nudging under her chin, he kissed her neck and began guiding her hips forward and back, filling her entirely before nearly withdrawing and repeating the cycle again. Lady bit her lip, arms planted on his chest as he moved her body along his length, slow and steady as the tide. The sensation of being filled completely and the certainty that there was more behind it made her rock her hips against him, whimpering a soft exultation each time his shaft met her tunnel's limit. Teasing was something she knew, and she gloried in his length; any thought of comparing him with Tramp faded looking down at the wolf-dog. There would be no comparison; he was her date for a night and Tramp was her mate. They would all have their fun.

Almost as if her thoughts had prompted it, she heard her mate and Jenna break their impassioned kiss with a short groan and a long sigh. Through a euphoric haze, she looked over at the two of them. Jenna was sprawled against the sofa's arm, nearly collapsed and still breathing long and shaky breaths through a half-drunk smile. Tramp had planted both arms across the armrest and had rested his forehead there as well. He'd thrust hard against Jenna at the end, nearly lifting the husky's knees off the couch. For a brief moment, Jenna opened her eyes and met her gaze. Lady couldn't help but smile, and Jenna did the same. She then leaned up to kiss Tramp's chin and whisper something, though Lady couldn't hear it, and didn't really care to. Instead she turned back to face Balto and ran her hands down his chest to grasp his and lift them gently off her hips.

"I'll take it from here," she said, her voice lower than usual, but no less joyful.

Balto nodded, tracing his hands up her sides to cup her breasts. Planting her hands on his stomach, she rocked forward until she was nearly off his length, the let her own weight carry her back down, nearly taking him to the hilt. They both let out a soft cry, and Lady leaned down quickly to kiss him before rocking forward and back again. Each time she felt his fur brush against hers she almost laughed. The tantalizing closeness of their bodies and the feel of his hands squeezing and mashing her breasts together each time she rocked forward was almost too much for her. With deliberate calm she slowed her pace just long enough to capture his hands and bring them to her lips before setting them aside. He let his hands rest a moment on the rug, then crossed them behind his head with a grin.

"Up for a show, big guy?" she replied, fingers gripping his chest fur. "I'll give you a show then."

Leaning back, she took his shaft as deep as it could go and planted her hands on his thighs, thrusting her chest forward and working her hips up and down. Slowly at first, then with growing fervor she bounced in his lap, her mouth hanging open. Low grunts and soft, panting breaths competed with the fading crackle of the fire. Balto reached down to place his hands beneath her rump, helping her rise and cushioning her fall. Her head swimming with pleasure, Lady glanced over at the couch again at a cry from Jenna. Tramp sat on the sofa with Jenna straddling him, knees on either side of his waist, one arm draped across his shoulders. The red-and-cream husky's chest was facing Lady, and even as the cocker watched Tramp dipped his muzzle to capture one of her wildly gyrating breasts, growling as he suckled on her nipple. Jenna gave a soft yelp and threw her head back, bouncing faster and faster on her lover's lap as his hands guided her.

Jenna gasped, "Oh yes, yes, keep going, mmmmm!"

Tramp only tightened his grip and guided her bouncing hips with renewed vigor, releasing her breast to nuzzle against her side. Lady didn't need him to speak a word to know he was close. A moment later, husky and mutt cried out as Tramp ground her hips against his, kissing and nuzzling against her breast. Jenna laid back against him, one hand rubbing his shoulder as the other dipped down to cup his balls.

Lady's head snapped back to face Balto, and she realized she'd slowed her pace as she watched her mate and his date. Balto met her gaze and she grinned. Shifting her legs a bit further apart, she redoubled her pace, her cries melting into one long moan that peaked and faded each time he almost hilted inside her. His fingers dug into her rump, and she heard a low growl. Peering down over her bouncing breasts, she spoke between yelps of pleasure.

"Don't hold, ah, don't hold back big guy. Oh! Give it to me, ah! Now!"

In a flash, his hands were on her waist, holding her down just long enough to rise up and press his chest against hers. He lifted her once, then brought her down with a grunt as her arms came up to wrap around him. She worked her hips back and forth, riding out her climax as he filled her to the brim, each nuzzling the other as their releases faded. Panting, Lady laid her head on Balto's shoulder just as Jenna stood, leading a similarly-dazed Tramp by the hand. Jenna said something about washing up, and they disappeared down the corridor. Lady closed her eyes and basked in the afterglow, humming happily as Balto wrapped his arms around her.

For a long minute or two, she listened to the fire and felt the clicking of the rails vibrate up through the car's floor. Cracking an eye, she looked up at Balto to find him staring down at her with a soft smile. To her surprise, he didn't look tired in the least. A shiver ran down her spine, and she wagged her tail.

"Up for another round?" she asked, ears perked.

"If that's what you want," he replied, beginning to lift her from his lap.

Lady nuzzled quickly against him. "Leave it in, please?"

He nodded, carefully leaning side to side so he could shift into a kneeling position.

"I think a bed is in order," he murmured, hefting her up as he rose to a knee, then stood with his hands beneath her rump. His steps were slow and measured, but she didn't mind, each one ground his shaft back and forth inside her, making her moan into his chest. As they walked past the middle door in the corridor, she heard Jenna's voice rise in a laugh. Before her mind could wander too far, Balto pressed her back against the next door and she felt the latch turn. The faint glow of a gas lamp lit a small, but well-appointed bedroom. A comfortable-looking bed dominated most of the space, but left room for a wash basin and small dresser for storage. Balto was just reaching for the lamp when there came another peal of laughter from the bathroom next door. His head snapped around and she saw him set his jaw. Then, almost sheepishly, he looked back at her. Lady nuzzled against his cheek.

"You're wondering what they're up to," she said. It wasn't a question.

Balto nodded. "I'm sorry, I can't help it."

"Don't be," she replied, giving him a peck on the cheek. "What do you say we make them wonder what we're up to?" Seeing his confused expression, she reached out to touch the wall her room shared with the bathroom. "Put me up against the wall, and let me have it."

His brow shot up, but slowly a grin spread across his muzzle, and he nudged the door shut before pressing her gently against the wall. She crossed her legs behind his back and wrapped her arms around his neck, then nodded, biting her lip over a giddy smile. Balto put his hands beneath her rump for support and drew back for only an instant before thrusting into her again. Lady let out a muffled moan, burying her face in his chest as he began to pound her in earnest. At first, he was slow and steady, just as before, but quickly his pace increased and the feeling of being pinned between him and the wall was more than she could bear quietly. Draping her head over his shoulder, she gasped for air, covering her mouth at first but unable to do even that as Balto began pulling her hips to meet his ever faster thrusts. Any noise outside the room was drowned in a symphony of moans and grunts as he rutted her against the wall. Just as she felt a familiar warm pressure building within her, Balto's thrusts became slow and deep, wonderful to feel, but not what she needed so desperately.

"Don't slow down Balto, please," she whimpered, clutching at his back fur. "I'm so close, please, harder."

With a grunt, Balto wrapped both arms around her and carried her quickly to the edge of the bed. He eased her down to lie on her back and gently untangled her legs from behind him, never pulling out of her. Lady raised her legs up until her ankles were on his shoulders, and grabbed his waist with both hands. Balto leaned down until they were nearly nose to nose, clearly marveling at her flexibility. She didn't give him time to ask.

"Enough love making, big guy," she panted, wriggling beneath him. "I need you to rut me, and rut me hard."

Instantly, he planted his hands on either side of her face and hilted himself inside her, eliciting a loud, tongue-lolling yelp. Without waiting, he pulled back and did it again, and again, rapidly settling into a fast tempo as his own tongue came out in panting breaths. Lady clutched the edge of the bed for dear life, her eyes open just enough to watch Balto's face as he pounded her hard and fast, soft cries and moans slipping from her muzzle almost without thought.

"Yes, yes, ah, Balto, oh, please, ah, yes, almost, ah, almost!"

Her release crashed through her, and she opened her muzzle to cry out, only to feel Balto grind against her and lock his muzzle into hers. She squealed into his maw, both hands coming up to cradle his face as his own release flooded her tunnel and set her tail to spasming against the bed. A few quick, reflexive thrusts and he drew back from the kiss, still buried deep inside her, panting over a lopsided grin. Lady collapsed back on the bed, still riding the fading waves of her own climax.

"Hard enough?" came a winded laugh as Balto leaned down to kiss her breasts.

"Not...bad..." Lady gasped. "Jenna's one lucky lady."

"A sentiment I'm sure she'd echo right about now," he replied, cocking his head.

In the near distance, there was the sound of footfalls and a door shutting.

"Sounds like they're done with the bath." Lady let her head fall back on the mattress.

"Would you like a nice soak to relax?"

"That sounds heavenly," she murmured, feeling her eyes grow heavy. "But I'm not sure my legs will carry me there just now." She gasped as he pulled out of her and leaned down to scoop her into his arms.

"Then I will."

The bathroom was barely half the size of her room at first glance, but a sliding door to one side, toward the back of the car and the Seppalas' room, revealed a tub beneath a small gas light. The water was still warm when Balto laid her in the tub, and a quick turn of the nozzle topped it off. She cracked an eye, expecting him to join her, but saw him hesitate.

"I'll wait," he said softly. "This... I know it must sound silly, but this sort of thing is special to me and my wife. It wouldn't feel right."

She shook her head, leaning up to take his hand in hers. "Don't apologize. We're all in new waters here." They shared a soft chuckle at that. "Why don't you see if you can pry Tramp off your lovely wife. Tell him I need him."

Balto cracked a smile. "I not sure it isn't the other way around." He kissed her hand and stood, ducking back out of the bathroom.

Barely a minute later, Tramp appeared at her side and slipped into the tub with her. He looked just as tired as she felt, though there was the same satisfied smile on his face.

"Have fun?" she said with a laugh.

Tramp snorted over a broad grin. "Almost as much as you did, from the sound of it."

"Well, if you wanted to keep an eye on me, you might have invited us along."

They shared a quick kiss and she laid back against his chest. They might have fallen asleep there if not for a sudden thump from the Seppalas' room, quickly followed by another. As the Dears stared at the adjoining wall with astonishment, the sound became a rhythm. They looked at each other and back at the wall.

"And here I was bragging about my stamina," Lady said, shaking her head.

"It must be a husky thing," Tramp agreed, climbing out of the tub to offer a hand to her. "I've known some real firecrackers in my day, but Miss Jenna?" He whistled softly and made a show of nearly collapsing from exhaustion. She laughed, and together they toweled off and slipped back to their room, crawling under two layers of blankets and falling fast asleep.