The trip was a slow one, on account of the road conditions, but they were here at last. Tooling slowly across the snow-covered lane, Ben reached the end of the drive and put the vehicle in park. "Home sweet home." He said in an almost too quite tone, looking blankly ahead before turning his piercing blue eyes to Conan and Aralyn, "The best of wishes to both of you."

Conan turned and smiled softly at Ben, a thank you quite visible in his eyes and he prepared to get out of the vehicle. And to you, Ben. May the winds fly you home safe at the end of your travels. It was yet another little mystery about the boy, this way of saying goodbye. As he slid down out of the truck, he turned back to help Aralyn down, voice soft, tone light. One day I shall have to have a long talk with you Ben. Such an interesting man I've not met in a long time.

In and out of the drive she had faded in and out of sleep, even though the road was beyond a little bumpy. Head resting on Conans shoulder, she smiled as home came in sight. At last. She smiled at Ben, then sat up and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek Stay out of trouble, child. She murmered in her sleepy haze. With that, she slipped out of the truck and began to walk slowly towards the house, her mind foggy, her body weak. She walked up the stairs and was about to walk inside when she turned to Conan. Come in tonight. Its cold in the barn.

He was never completely comfortable indoors, but he knew she would just fuss about it, so he simply walked along beside her, waving back at Ben. After all, he could always slip back out to the barn after she went to sleep. He opened the door, led her inside, and made certain that she was comfortable before he curled up in a corner on the floor, under a window that made him less-claustrophobic. He drew his blanket over himself, and closed his eyes.

The cream-pelted golden retriever ran, yipping and throwing his dial in the air. His nares had caught a familiar scent, but old...and sorrowful. Cookie remembered in one, solid, happy word: Aralyn. His mistress, his savior. I remembered the day I arrived in my box at the pound.

One, troubling thought ran through his mind - would she remember him? Cookie hoped with his heart that she would. Bounding up the porch and indoors, he ran up to her, sitting at her feet and panting with a golden smile.

---

They Dubbed me: Cookie

They Molded me: Brute

My Blood is of the: Golden Retriever

My pools are Dyed: Dark Brown

My Pelt is Hued: Creamy Golden

I Belong to: Woodland Farms

My Heart Belongs to: Othello and Akia

"I'll look forward to it." Came Ben's reply to Conan's last remark about them speaking again. His tones and expression were shrouded once again, so that his emotions and intentions could not clearly be seen, though there was no hint of anything evil. They were just... cryptic in a way.

Aralyn's little kiss caught the man off guard, but he couldn't deny that he liked it. Not in the way Pickett would have liked it... oh no, not like that at all. He liked it in a way a father cherished their daughter's affection. As usual though, what he felt of this was not evident to anyone else but him.

"Take care." Ben said, nodding his head in a farewell gesture as the two departed and made for the house. As soon as they disappeared inside, the engine of the truck revved again, and was soon gone.

She smiled over at Conan, her eyes beginning to drift closed when suddenly a golden form caught her attention. COOKIE! Came her loud exclaim. Immediatly her hand flew to her stomach, a wince crossing over her face. She tried to hide the pain that was etched there, and even succeeded but couldn't hide the pain from her eyes. Her breath left her in a soft woosh as she went back to small little breaths. Laying back on the couch, she pulled a blanket over her and patted it softly. Come on big guy. She murmered to him in a signal to get up on the couch with her to snuggle.

He hadn't been asleep, but with his eyes closed her sudden cry startled him, and he sat up, smiling a little but in a fond, exasperated sort of way. Gonna have ta learn not ta do that, Aralyn.

And he watched Cookie twitch and wiggle in joy, still smiling that old, tolerant smile. Looks like somebody missed ya. Just ya mind where he puts 'is paws. Might hurt ya without meanin' to. He wasn't really very trusting of dogs, but even he knew that dogs did not wag their tails to make a breeze. So he figured it was safe.

My mistress has returned. Came the happy thought through his head. The innocent puppy had no idea what in the world had happened when he had been gone, but all he knew was - it was good to be home.

Hearing Aralyn's happy cry made him as well yip. He ran in a tight circle and then jumped lightly on the blanket, being careful of where he stepped.

He laid himself down, resting his dial delicately on her lap. Sighing with a happy, strange relief.