SNOWSWEPT

by CuddleFae

Dr. Lauren Lewis has been assigned to oversee the opening of a new hospital. Overwhelmed by all there is to know and learn in an unfamiliar land, she crosses paths with a mysterious woman with a dark past - a past that has caused her to live by one rule. Trust no one. Thrown into a desperate struggle, can they overcome the barriers between them in their fight to survive?

7. Chapter 7: What is Normal?

A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks for the reviews, follows and faves! It means so much to get that feedback and I do appreciate it.

So, somehow, I lost track of the chapters I'd posted! I thought I'd posted this one, but I didn't, so you'll find another update right after this chapter! So, chapters 7 & 8 are new with this post. Sorry for any confusion. Both chapters are equally long since that's what everyone seems to be asking for.

I sort of changed my direction from my original plan, so if I didn't catch any errors, please forgive me!

Also, I just want to say that there's some discussions in here about Big Jim's treatment of his family. I don't feel that it should be a trigger, but don't know the sensitivity of these issues for every reader, so just putting that out there.

Just an FYI – once again, I have to say that I'm no expert on Alaska or the Iditarod. I've visited there and in addition, I've done a ton of research for this story, comparing sources until I seem to find consensus on the issues that apply. If you plan to go to Alaska, this chapter does give you some hints about the climate of acceptance, but you really should read up before going.

Enjoy!

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CHAPTER 7: What Is Normal?

Nome Animal Hospital, Sunday after the Iditarod Race

The scans performed on the dogs in Nome had showed fully isolated, non-metastatic tumors. Despite this news and constant reassurance from Lauren, Bo had been pacing back and forth in the waiting room for most of the day. Saturday through Sunday, the surgeries on all of the dogs were performed by Dr. Harrow and her team whom Lauren had recruited from the race. The veterinarian was impressive in her diagnosis and prompt response to the tumors, so Lauren felt it prudent to use her rather than a veterinarian Bo didn't know. Now that Bo had received word that her beloved Harper was on the mend - and so far, cancer free - Lauren thought Bo would feel reassured as her pups entered surgery one by one. Instead, she was nervous, unsettled and agitated for the duration of the weekend.

Kenzi had managed to get her to go to lunch, but other than that, she still seemed to be eating and sleeping sporadically as he had on the Iditarod Trail. Little Jon had informed Lauren that it was normal for the mushers to take some time to get back into a normal routine, but Bo was barely eating or sleeping, so Lauren was concerned. She was, after all, the human doctor around here.

Jenna had been out of surgery for days, so Bo had decided to visit with her last. She was in a crate and had stood and wagged her tail almost immediately when Bo had arrived. The visit seemed to lift Bo's spirits, so Lauren was grateful for that small reprieve from her sallow mood.

Now, Bo was sitting on the floor with Jenna sleeping quietly in her lap, the musher stroking her fur gently and continuously. Finally, Bo spoke, the topic quite unexpected,

"Lauren, you really don't have to go to this thing if you don't want to. I'll totally understand. You must be exhausted." Bo said, emphasizing the point for what the doctor believed was the fifth time.

Smiling, the blonde replied, "You've won your third straight Iditarod, Bo. You deserve to be celebrated and I want to be there for you."

Bo nodded, looking down at the sleeping Jenna, but Lauren noticed the muscle move in her temple as her jaw tensed.

"Bo, talk to me. Is there a reason you don't want me to go?" She offered an out just in case Bo wasn't willing to talk right now, "Maybe because you want me to stay and keep an eye on the dogs? It would be understandable if you were worried about leaving them alone with strangers. You're so accustomed to being on high alert because of the constant threats on their lives and your own, I wouldn't blame you for wanting someone to watch over them. I'm more than willing to stay if that's what you need from me."

She watched as the musher's face contorted into deep thought, then sadness, then anger and finally, what appeared to be guilt. Still, Lauren waited, all too aware by now that sometimes Bo needed time to think.

"Honestly, Lauren, it's not that I don't want you to go. I would love to have you there. It's just that… well, these people… a lot of them are really…"

"Conservative assholes."

They both turned towards the sound of Kenzi's voice as she entered the room. Bo was scowling at her as she approached,

"What? Well, they are, and you know it. That's why you don't want the Doc to go… that and the fact that some of them don't want a cheechako around."

"Don't use that word." Bo gritted her teeth, but Kenzi continued,

"Plus, you're afraid someone will catch on to what's happening with the two of you and they'll start throwing their version of the bible around."

Before Bo could speak, Kenzi turned to Lauren,

"Your call, Doc. There are definitely some people here who are waaay less tolerant than what you're probably used to on the East Coast, but you already know that. You are new to Alaska, but you've already been introduced to how outsiders can be treated. I'm pretty sure you don't really care about anyone else's religious points of view since you're all about science and seeing is believing, so… like I said, you're call, Doc."

Lauren smiled, "Oh, believe me, there is still plenty of intolerance everywhere in the world and Boston is no exception." She sighed, "Although I'm sure we are a bit better off than most places in our country. But Bo, it's not like I'm going to be hanging all over you. I don't even have to sit next to you. That honor should belong to Little Jon and Mark anyway. They're your gear haulers, checkers and dog handlers."

"Hey, what about me?" Kenzi asked, offended.

Lauren smiled, "You're very important, too, Kenzi. Of course, Bo only has two chairs on either side of her." She looked at Bo, "I'm not unaccustomed to intolerance and I'm quite used to being the new kid around here. Let people talk, Bo. I've learned to care more about what I think of myself than what others think of me. I'm a good person who came here with good intentions. I'm learning every day and I'm determined to become the best I can be, no matter what my naysayers may think."

"I'm the best friend. I should be sitting next to her." Kenzi mumbled, still stuck on the seating arrangements.

Bo shook her head. She was grateful for her best friend, but sometimes she could be a bit possessive and… well… clingy. It frustrated her. She replied to the pair,

"Look, seating arrangements can all be worked out when we get there. The bottom line is…" she turned to Lauren, "…I don't want anyone giving you any trouble. I know you don't need anyone to protect you or fight your battles for you, but I'm just having a hard time rationalizing exposing you to the idiots that might cause trouble so that you can sit through a long, boring awards dinner."

"Rationalizing, huh? Impressive." Lauren grinned.

Bo smiled, "What can I say? The stretch before and after the ghost town of Iditarod was very long and very boring. I learned the word insatiable…" She leaned in and whispered to Lauren, "…which is how I can now describe my appetite for all things Dr. Lewis…" she pulled back smiling, "… and objectification…" she leaned in once again, "…which is something I will try very hard not to do with you, but you are so yummy in a hospital setting… even a doggie hospital setting, that it is difficult…" she pulled back, grinning from ear to ear,

"I think we can discuss your vocabulary lessons later." Lauren replied, swallowing hard as she watched Bo's eyes roam up and down her body. She took a deep breath and moved to the other side of the treatment table, putting some distance between them. She checked Jenna's pupils despite having checked them just moments ago.

"Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is – it's your decision, Lauren. Just know that if you come, anyone who has heard the gossip about us may not have enough restraint to hold their tongue. It's like a big indoor buffet with the traditional Iditarod song and then the awards. People talk through most of the awards anyway. It's long and chaotic, but… well, it's expected that I attend."

"Bo, we're all going and that's that. If you consider me part of the team that helped you to win, then I'm going to celebrate with the team. If you don't, then that's a different story and I'll stay."

Bo smiled, "Of course I consider you part of the team, Lauren. You were much more than just a girlfriend to me. I mean… a friend."

Lauren grinned, "Girlfriend is fine, Bo… except when we're at the dinner or in public, of course."

"Big city girl is going back in the closet." Kenzi said, tapping the table.

Lauren rolled her eyes, "Yea, well in my profession, it's not exactly a topic of public discussion."

"Oh, really?" Kenzi asked.

Lauren nodded, "There are plenty of patients who would not want a lesbian doctor, Kenzi. I know what I have to do and I do it. Besides, haven't you ever heard you shouldn't miss business with pleasure or professional with private lives? I am accustomed to keeping the two separates."

"Well, then you better explain that to that Nadia chick." Kenzi said, accidentally pulling out a plug on the EKG machine.

Lauren took it from her and plugged it back in, "Please don't play with the equipment. They're sensitive, specially calibrated machines that are necessary for animal care and they don't come cheap – especially to Alaska."

Kenzi mocked Lauren by mouthing her reply and walking to the other side of the room to sit in the guest chairs.

"What about Nadia?" Lauren asked.

Kenzi shrugged, "She was talking all this smack about you in the emergency clinic set up in the Constitution Dining Hall at the hotel."

Lauren's eyes went wide, "She… you… uh… wait… you mean…"

"Yes, your ex-fiance is here. Yes, she's playing Doctor back at my hotel. Yes, she's talking shit about you to members of your community. No, none of them are buying any of the shit she has to say although some of them have never met you, but the word of their neighbor should be good over the word of some big city slicker doctor."

Lauren shook her head, "No, no, no, no, no. I cannot believe that Evony brought her here!"

Kenzi shook her head, "Apparently, she didn't. Apparently, she just got on the plane and showed up. Evony's exact words to me when she walked into the hotel with the doctors were 'Lauren is going to flip her shit', but she couldn't send her back because the flights were all grounded again."

Lauren closed her eyes, taking deep breaths before she opened them to see Bo staring down at Jenna, her jaw tensing once again. Great. Just great.

"Bo, you know you don't have to worry…"

She waved her hand at Lauren, "I'm not worried about Nadia, Lauren. I'm worried about you… and I guess I'm a little worried about us. I mean, I had hoped that when the race was over and Big Jim was caught or killed that things would get back to normal." Bo laughed, "Whatever normal is for us. Come to think of it, I don't think we've experienced any sort of routine that could be considered normal yet."

Lauren smiled and laughed, "Thank you."

"For what?" Bo asked.

"For trusting me." Lauren smiled, lowering her eyes, "I mean, with Nadia."

Bo shrugged, "Well, I can't imagine you would leave a wife you truly loved to live in a cold, barren state on the other side of the country for a year. And if that wasn't enough to convince me, the fact that Evony sent you here would be all the evidence I would need."

Lauren laughed, "You don't think Evony would split up a happily married couple? You give her too much credit."

Bo shook her head, "Actually, I'm not giving her credit for anything other than being the wise business woman she is… wise and devious, that is. She would have done anything to keep you happy if it meant good things for her bottom line. In this case, moving you away from your source of misery was win-win for her. She gets her doctor back in form and she gets her business venture here started off on the right foot."

"It would seem you are her equal in the business world." Lauren grinned.

"Well, I've had to do business with the likes of Big Jim all my life."

Lauren smiled, "Very true."

"So what's our plan?" Bo asked.

Lauren looked up at the clock, "I guess we should go get ready for the Awards Banquet."

Bo nodded, "I have to do the fan meet and greet at four o'clock, since I missed the mushers banquet in Anchorage, but the actual Iditarod Banquet doesn't start until six. Are you sure you want to sit through two hours of watching me meet random fans?"

Lauren smiled, "I think it would be an honor… I mean… unless the rest of the team isn't going."

Kenzi stood, "Oh, we're going all right! They have whore derves!"

Bo and Lauren looked at each other and shook their heads. Bo corrected, "According to my word calendar, that phase of a meal is actually called the hors d'oeuvres. Appetizers Are you forgetting that your hotel isn't actually a brothel anymore?"

"Whatevs. Can we go now?" Kenzi asked.

Bo nodded.

Kenzi stood, "Finally! Momma needs some meat!"

The pair laughed as they watched Kenzi make her exit, listing all of her favorite foods that are at the banquet every year.

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Nome Awards Banquet, Nome Recreation Center

Lauren tapped her toe to the music, watching as the crowd, seated at family-style tables around the large cafeteria sang along,

Music playing from older gentleman singer, crowd sings along…

Away up in Alaska
The state that stands alone
There's a dog race run from Anchorage into Nome
And it's a grueling race with a lightning pace
Where chilly winds do wail.
Beneath the northern lights, across snow and ice
It's called the Iditarod Trail.

Kenzi leaned over to Bo, "It looks like the Doc likes the song."

Bo looked over to see Lauren's head bopping back and forth, her fingers keeping time to the rhythm. She looked around the table to see the Morton family all singing along. She was pretty sure Lauren would be doing the same if she knew the words. She smiled, unable to stop the small snicker that came from her mouth. She loved this side of Lauren… this after-hours adorable, giddy little geek that had come into her life almost five months ago now.

She looked back to see Kenzi had started tapping her fingers as well. She picked up the young girls' phone, clicked on the camera and turned to the video. Leaning back, she aimed the camera and hit record… Kenzi would kill her for this, but her best friend was definitely losing some cool factor points in this moment and she had to record it for all of posterity. She would be horrified, and Bo would forever have something to hold over her head.

Finishing the video, she sent it in a text to Lauren with a message not to delete the video. As a courtesy, the doctor had turned off her phone when she came in despite Bo assuring her that even if it rang, it would never disturb the event. People talked and shouted the entire night.

Well, give me a team and a good lead dog and a sled that's built so fine,
And let me race those miles to Nome, one thousand forty-nine
Then when I get back to my home
Hey I can tell my tale
I did, I did I did the Iditarod Trail…

"Bo, you didn't tell me there was a theme song! This is so much fun!" Lauren said, her eyes lit up with excitement before she turned back to watch the crowd sing even louder,

I just pulled out of Safety
And I'm on the trail alone
I'm doin' fine and I'm pickin' up time
And runnin' on in to Nome.
There's no sled tracks in front of me
And no one's on my tail
I did, I did, I did the Iditarod Trail!

Bo watched, her eyes welling with tears as she laughed even harder at Lauren suddenly joining in on the chorus, her voice at full volume and… gods love her… just a bit off key. She turned to Bo, now clapping,

"I've got to find the lyrics to this song and learn them! There's so much comradery and tradition. Can't you just… feel it in the air? Isn't it incredible?" Lauren smiled, her eyes going back to the man on the stage,

Well, give me a team and a good lead dog and a sled that's built so fine,
And let me race those miles to Nome, one thousand forty-nine
Then when I get back to my home
Hey I can tell my tale
I did, I did I did the Iditarod Trail
I did, I did I did the Iditarod Trail
I did, I did I did the Iditarod Trail.

As the song came to a close, Lauren jumped to her feet, applauding and pumping her fist in the air while everyone else at the table sat, clapping and laughing at the blonde's excitement. Finally, Lauren realized that everyone was looking at her… from their seats. She looked to the stage as the musician spoke,

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I don't know if you've had the pleasure, but if you haven't, that excited little lady over there is from back east in Talkeetna. She's their new physician and her name is Dr. Lauren Lewis! Don't ya'll remember the excitement you felt at your first Iditarod? It's clear that our state's newest resident has caught the fever!"

Lauren looked at the man, suddenly taken aback, "Oh… I'm not actually… a resident… I'm…"

"We can't hear you Doc! A little louder!"

She looked down at Bo who looked more than disappointed and re-thought her comment. Shit. She did it again,

"I'm very excited to be at my first Iditarod! Since I've arrived, I've had one incredible experience after another…"

"Yea!" Shouted a man from under a baseball cap, "We heard you almost got yourself killed on a dog sled!"

Another person shouted cheechako, but Kenzi held Bo in her seat as Lauren blushed with embarrassment. Still, she stood her ground and tried to keep the mood light as she replied,

"Uh… yes, but… I've learned to look before I leap around here since then. I just… I love Alaska. A great state and great people! Woohoo!"

She pumped her fist as she slowly lowered herself to her seat, the crowd eventually giving a quiet, polite round of applause,

"Come on, everyone, you can do better for our newest Doctor! It's not so easy putting up wth the likes of stubborn Alaskans like all of us."

The applause began again, this time with a bit more enthusiasm.

Lauren placed her napkin on her lap, "Tough crowd."

"Lauren, just ignore them."

The blonde looked at Bo, "A room full of people? Right. I'll ignore them, Bo."

"I warned you that they could be…"

"Are you seriously going to say I told you so to me right now?" Lauren asked, trying to keep the conversation between just the two of them, but most of the eyes at their table were on them. She offered a tight smile, "Virginia is for lovers, Florida is the sunshine state, Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love and Alaska is just plain cold all around."

"Lauren…" Bo began, but the blonde shook her head, whispering,

"Let's not do this here with all of these eyes on us, Bo. Okay? You warned me. I came. My choice. No regrets. I'm a big girl. I can take it. Please, just enjoy your dinner."

Bo looked up making eye contact with an older couple who stopped by the table. They stared at her a good long time before the older woman placed a hand on Big Jon's shoulder,

"I'm sorry for your loss, Jon. You too Pops, Mark, Molly, Little Jon. My condolences. Big Jim was a good man. I know he was tough on your boys, but he worked hard for our community. Brought in a lot of jobs. Kept people employed and kept the money coming in so we could all survive."

Bo couldn't help but chuckle under her breath. She picked up her fork and pushed some food around her plate as the man challenged her,

"Something you wanna say, Bo?"

She looked up at the man, her eyes set like steel, "Not at all, Sid."

The woman spoke instead, "You know, he was just trying to save your soul from going to Satan, Bo."

"Oh, is that what he was trying to do?" Bo asked with a smirk, "Well, he could have just told me instead of trying to beat it out of me…" she turned her eyes towards the man, "Isn't that right, Sid? You were there. I only recall a few select words and none of them had anything to do with him fearing for my soul."

She turned back to the woman, "I suggest you read the papers for the news from the investigation so you can get your facts straight."

"I'm sure we know all of the relevant facts, Bo. You and your kind are going to bring hell on earth. And now word has traveled that you're trying to pull this innocent doctor into your den of sin."

Lauren shot a mouthful of water across the table, coughing several times while Little Jon slapped her on her back. She looked at Bo who shook her head before she looked at the woman again,

"Well, the doctor is here to celebrate the victory of this team. No need to bring her into this." Bo said, looking back down to her meal, but the woman persisted,

"The likes of you should not be representing this great race in our state. We can't even verify you're a native citizen."

Bo shrugged, looking up at the woman, "Even if I wasn't, what's your point? It's an international race. It's open to anyone. Why are you really here at this table, Minerva?"

"I… I just wanted to…"

"Stir up trouble? Come thump your bible at me?" She laughed, "Oh, wait. Big Jim's going to jail so the two of you plan to be the new power couple in Point Siku and Anchorage?"

Kenzi laughed, "Boy are they gonna be disappointed."

Pops cleared his throat, "Enough!" He shook his head, his eyes on Bo, "Enough."

She had never seen a tear dribble down this man's cheeks as long as she'd known him, but there it was. A single tear Bo watched him wipe from his face before he stood up, throwning his napkin down next to his plate before he turned to face the couple,

"Minerva, Sid. It was nice of you to offer your condolences, but my Dad isn't dead. He's alive and in prison."

"But this woman is trying to stain his good name."

Pops laughed, "Good name? My Father was a bastard. He cheated on my mother… although I'm actually not sure if that was true. He may have cheated on Bo's mother."

"Pops…"

"No, Bo. I won't cover for him anymore. I'm done defending a man…" He turned to Minerva and Sid, "Who sinned more than the entire Morton family combined. The man you're defending is Bo's Father."

Minerva gasped and Sid just stood there looking defiant as Pops continued,

"That's right. He was Bo's father. He had three other sons – Bo's brothers. From our ages, one can assume that he was having an affair with Bo's Mom. Yes, he knew exactly who Bo's Mom was, so if she is a half-breed, it's because he provided half of the seed from which Bo was born. Now I believe the two of you spout an awful lot of opinions about the seed of a child being a gift from God, so if that's what you believe, then Bo is a gift from God sent to you by a man you've put up on a pedestal for beating both of his wives and at least this son."

Bo could see the hands of her brother trembling now as he exposed a truth from his past in front of the entire table to the two visitors,

"So don't you dare come to me with praise for that man. He was a foul, cheat and a dishonest businessman who didn't have an ounce of love for anyone in his heart. Anything you saw that may have resembled love was an act… a mask designed to keep you all fooled. Everyone at this table knows the truth of who is was – with the exception of the good doctor who you should leave out of this because she's better than any of us. Just go into Talkeetna and ask the victims of the fire and they'll tell you all she did for strangers despite having burns and wounds of her own."

Bo's eyes moved quickly to Lauren who lowered her eyes to her plate. This was the first Bo was hearing of any burns or wounds to the blonde. She had only seen the small burn on her arm and face. Were there more? She's been so wrapped up in her own shit that she hadn't even noticed. She'd been so distanced from her as a means of protecting her, that she hadn't had the opportunity to see her body since… well, she didn't know how long it had been.

She turned her attention back to Pops who now had a finger in Sids' face. She didn't know what the man had said, but Pops was furious and his sons were now flanking him, having risen to their feet,

"Back off, Sid. You don't know what you're talking about. Do yourself a favor and listen closely to what happens at this banquet. Then, get out and actually talk to people outside of your rigid religious cult… listen, rather than spout your nonsense and maybe you'll start to understand that there are two sides to every story and those two sides go beyond Minerva's side and Sid's side."

He felt his son's hands on his shoulder and visibly relaxed, "Now, I'd appreciate it if you would go back to yours and leave me to mine."

The two men stood staring at each other for a long while before Minerva spoke, "Come on Sid, let's leave them be."

The two walked away, the Morton men waiting a beat before they returned to the table, sitting down to resume their meal.

"Dumb putz." Pops mumbled.

The group laughed before Bo said, "Thanks."

He looked up at Bo, his eyes once again brimming with tears, "You and I have some catching up to do for sure, but know that you're not alone anymore, Bo. You're my little sister. I'll always have your back. It's you and me now, kid and we're going to make sure that history gets the story right. I won't be silent anymore. Even if it means that I have to stand up at a banquet and set the record straight with the likes of Minerva and Sid."

Bo's eyes filled with tears as she stared back at her newfound brother, "Thanks, Pops."

He laughed, "Actually, my name is Tosh. You can call me Tosh."

"Well, that'll take some getting used to." Bo smiled.

The table was quiet for a long while until the late arrivals spoke,

"Hey everybody. Sorry we're late." Little Jim came to the table accompanied by Kurt, "All of the dogs are settled in their kennels in their respective locations." He winked at Little Jon, "As their handler designated."

"Thanks, Tom." Little Jon laughed, "Right?"

Little Jim laughed, "Nah."

Molly looked between her son and her nephew, "Who's Tom?"

Little Jim looked around the table, heaving a great sigh before speaking, "I'm changing my name."

Molly and Mark spoke a collective, "What?"

Bo smiled, "I vote yes."

Again, the couple replied in unison, "What?"

"Me too." Said Pops.

"Me three." Said Little Jon.

"Me four." Kenzi said, "Not that I get a vote, but if I did, I'd vote yes."

"To what?" Molly asked.

"I'm changing my name Mom. I won't spend the rest of my life named after a murdering thief who cheated on his families… both of them…" he looked between Pops and Bo, "… no offense."

Bo smiled, "None taken."

Pops nodded, "Look. We've all got some baggage to deal with – Bo especially. Bottom line is that we need to support each other through this difficult time. We need to be as much as team through this as we were through Bo's race."

He looked at Bo, "I know you think I wasn't there for you during the race, but I promise you I was… I was just working…" he looked at Little Jon and Little Jim, "… behind the scenes… way, way behind the scenes. Just know that I did make a contribution and you'll find out eventually. I swear it's not another horrible world-shattering secret. You've had enough of those for now."

"For life." Bo mumbled in reply, "I'm grateful for the role that all of you have played in this race. If I haven't said it – and it doesn't seem nearly enough – thank you all. But to get back to the topic at hand, what do you say to Little Jim changing his name?"

Molly and Mark looked at each other, joining hands and smiling, before Molly replied, "We're on board as long as you'll take the name we originally wanted before it was decided that someone needed to be named for the patriarch of the family."

"Who decided that?" Little Jim asked.

Mark laughed, "Big Jim, of course. Apparently, he was done waiting for one of his two wives to name a child after him, so he insisted. You were the last born, so the burden fell to you."

Little Jim laughed, "Lucky me. Okay, Mom. So what's my name?"

Molly looked at Mark who nodded, "Little Mark."

"Uh… well… it's… consistent…" Little Jim replied, everyone at the table remaining still and quiet.

The couple laughed, "We're just kidding!"

Everyone laughed as Little Jim asked again, "Okay, seriously? What were you going to name me?"

Molly smiled, leaning into Mark, "Michael."

"Michael." He replied, looking at his parents, "Mike for short?"

Molly smiled, "I had imagined calling you Mikey, but since you're all grown up now, I suppose Mike is more appropriate."

He grinned, "You will always have a right to call me whatever you want, Mom. You carried me and fought like hell to give birth to me, so I owe you. Dad, you passed out in the delivery room, so you have to call me Mike."

Mark laughed along with the joke, but stood and raised his glass, "I know a toast with water is weird, but I'd like to make a toast anyway. To my son Michael. May he grow up to be as tough, as smart and as good looking as his Mom."

"Here, here!" Yelled Big Jon, "And to my son, newly crowned LJ, may he grow up to be nothing like me and everything like his Mom."

"May God rest her soul." Yelled Pops, "She was a good woman, Jon. LJ, you still look just like her, so you're on the right path."

The two cousins roughed around before turning their attention back to Bo. Little John raised his glass, "And a toast to the woman of the hour… and our great aunt… Bo Dennis, ladies and gentlemen."

"To Bo!" They all yelled out before they all resumed their meal.

"Pass the bread, please?" Kurt said, Bo passing him the basket.

"So where are my dogs?" Bo asked.

The newly minted Michael replied, "Oh, here and there. Some are at the hospital here. Some are at the hospital in Anchorage. Some are at Kyle's Kennels being taken care of by her staff."

"Kyle's Kennels?"

Little Jon intercepted the question, "I know you're worried about them, but Kyle has some of the most secure kennels on the planet. Not only does the building lock, but the kennels themselves also lock."

Kurt smiled, "And my sister installed a state-of-the-art security system there last week. It's monitored 24/7 by a security company… alarms and all. If anyone tries to take your dogs, they'll either get caught or we'll be hot on their trail. You couldn't keep them any safer at the hotel, Bo."

Kenzi nodded, "I'll have to agree with that. I don't have any of that high-tech stuff, BoBo."

"Okay. I'll have to… I guess I'll just have to trust you on that." She said, reluctantly.

Little on leaned over, "Trust me, Bo. I've seen the place. It's better than anything we have to offer the dogs and they're getting round the clock care. There's full time Vet Tech staff there because they take emergency cases twenty four hours."

Bo nodded, "I didn't know that Kyle had branched out like that."

"The place is amazing. If a dog needs it, she's got it. She even has a doggy swimming pool in there."

Bo looked at LJ, "A doggy pool?"

He nodded, "Water therapy is apparently a thing for dogs who are recovering from leg or paw injuries."

"Hmmm… maybe that will be good for Harper."

He smiled, "I already talked to the Vet about that and she agreed it sounds like a step in the right direction. I stopped in to see her. They have her up and walking on a doggy treadmill."

"A doggy treadmill?" Bo asked.

He smiled, "The surface is this fake grass stuff and there's a screen on the wall that has a flat snowy trail in front of them so that they think they're driving a sled."

Bo grinned, "Oh, she must be in heaven."

"She thinks she's finally the lead dog again." Little Jon laughed.

"I miss her like crazy."

"You'll see her soon, Bo." He reassured.

Meanwhile, Lauren who was the right of Little Jon, was chatting with Molly who was on her right. Molly asked,

"So are you alright after that little encounter with Minerva and Sid?"

The doctor smiled, "I've met plenty of Minerva and Sid's in my life. Unfortunately, they're not only native to Alaska."

Molly nodded, "Still, you'll encounter their kind on occasion, but honestly, Alaskans really just want to live and let live. Most of us are of the you do you and I'll do me mind set. I'd say a bit segment of our population just want to be left alone."

"So it's not LGBTQ friendly, but is tolerant enough that you can live your life as a part of that community?"

"Kenzi could probably explain that best." Molly replied, "Of course, she speaks a language I don't understand."

"Kid speak." Lauren nodded.

Molly laughed, "Talk to Kenzi. She'll explain. I only know there's a few bars in Anchorage where your people can hang out and be themselves."

Lauren laughed, "My people?"

"Well… look, I'm not all into the politically correct language. I'm gonna say the wrong thing sometimes, so I'd appreciate the assumption of a need to forgive me until I learn what I need to know. No sense trying to teach me lessons that don't really matter to you."

"Don't be overly sensitive. My lifestyle isn't your lifestyle, so don't make me learn something that doesn't apply to me."

Molly shrugged, "I guess so… in a way. Look, I want you and Bo to be comfortable around me and my family. Just tell me if something I say offends you and I'll fix it. If you're not offended, don't make a big deal out of something that doesn't really matter to you."

Lauren nodded, "I'm not offended by 'my people', I just consider 'my people' to be the group sitting here at this table. Not every damn gay, lesbian, queer and trans person in the world."

Molly smiled, "Fair enough."

"So… what can I expect… I mean… if… hypothetically… I decided to make a life in Alaska… and I'm not saying I will… I just know that, well… if this thing with us works out, one of us will have to consider a move."

Molly shrugged, "I think no matter where you go in this world in this day and age, there is bound to be a group of people who aren't going to accept people who don't love in the traditional sense. This place is no different. There are places that aren't for you and there are places that are. Of course, the same could be said for me in a way. I wouldn't necessarily be welcome at Myrna's or The Raven, but you would be… if you're into that kind of thing. Kenzi's been to those places with Bo and says they're very different in the type of clientele."

"I haven't heard of those places." Lauren admitted, "I mean, I haven't exactly left the clinic much since my arrival."

Molly smiled, "You do work a lot, Doctor. You need to get that girl to take you out on a proper date."

Lauren grinned, "I'm not sure Bo is the proper date type."

Looking at Bo, Molly grinned, "I have a feeling Bo is going to be opening herself up to the possibility of a lot of new things now that so much of her world is changing."

Nodding, Lauren replied, "I agree, but I want to be her constant, Molly… while I'm here. I don't want her to think that I'll be yet another thing that is forcing change on her. It's bad enough that I'm leaving in six months."

Molly looked at her, pausing for a moment, "You're really going to leave?"

"I have a mortgage, I have personal belongings, I teach at the local university three days a week and only have a one year sabbatical. And Evony owns my contract. She can send me anywhere she wants for the next three years."

Looking at Bo, Molly's smile fell, "That's going to be… difficult."

Lauren looked at Bo who was laughing with Mark and Little Jon. She loved seeing her laugh and smile. She hadn't really noticed until just now, but this is the longest she'd ever seen Bo smile and she couldn't recall a time where she'd ever seen her laugh this much,

"She looks… happy."

Molly smiled, "She does. I can't recall ever seeing her laugh like this."

Lauren nodded, "Well, you've certainly known her much longer than I have, but I'd have to agree." Tearing her eyes from Bo, she turned back to Molly, "She has a family now. If I have to leave, she'll have all of you… she's got a lot of catching up to do… a lot of new opportunities. She's going to be very busy."

Molly chuckled, "And you think all of that can replace you?"

Lauren shrugged, "I just think there will be plenty of distractions when I go."

Molly placed a hand on Lauren's forearm, "Child, do you want to go?"

She looked up at Molly, her eyes brimming with tears, "It'll break my heart to leave." She turned so that Bo couldn't see the tears fall, picking up her napkin to wipe them away, "But I have a life back East that will require some closure. I hope you can understand that there will have to come a time when Bo and I are apart… for at least a while."

Molly smiled, "Well, as they say. Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

She patted Lauren's arm before sitting back in her chair, "Lauren, I have no problem with your sexuality no matter what the Minerva and Sid's of the world may think. I just live my life and let people live theirs. If you're a good person, do good for your community and treat people with respect, then you're 'good people' to me. You love Bo, I'm good with that as long as you treat each other right – especially if you're going to be around my son. Bo's family now, so I expect we all just want to see her happy after a life full of misery."

She crossed her arms and tossed her napkin up on her empty plate, setting her utensils across the napkin,

"If you're going to leave, please be honest with her… and LJ and Mikey. They've grown to care about you, Doc. Bo doesn't let people in easy, so make sure you keep it clear that this year trial thing may be just a year."

Lauren nodded. She was pretty sure that Bo was aware from previous discussions, but Molly was right. She needed to make sure she wasn't getting Bo's hopes up about how long she was staying. As much as it would break her heart to leave, eventually, she had to go back East… if for no other reason than to deal with the shambles of her life she'd left behind. Her thoughts were interrupted by Little Jon,

"Doc? You good?"

Lauren looked at the young man she had come to call friend, "I'm good. Just thinking about… all the work that will have to be done when I get back."

Little Jon smiled, "No need worrying about that right now, Doc. You have a room at the hotel until we get everything squared."

She nodded, loving the look of pure happiness in his eyes, "You where success well."

"Success?"

She grinned, "Your relationship with Bo has become everything you'd hoped for and then some, right?"

He smiled, "It has. You noticed."

She nodded, "Of course. You're a champion handler, you road a drag sled at the start of the Iditarod and you have two Iditarod champion dogs. That will open doors for you, Jon."

He smiled, "That's what Bo said."

"You don't seem happy about that." Lauren suggested.

He shrugged, "My place is working with Bo… on her team. I know she'll encourage me to set out on my own, but now that I know we're blood… well… I just can't leave that."

Lauren smiled, "I understand. You all need time together – to become the family you were always meant to be."

"You get it." Little Jon replied.

She nodded, sitting back in her seat. She noticed a flurry of activity towards the stage, "Looks like they're starting to get things going."

Jon nodded, "It'll take them a bit longer."

She asked aloud, "So what's the name of this place again?"

Molly chimed in, "It's the Nome Recreation Center."

"And what do they do here?" Lauren asked, trying to get a picture of what went on beyond the Iditarod sponsorship signs. They were seated at rectangular tables in what appeared to be a basketball gymnasium with light blue and light tan walls.

Big Jon jumped in to explain, "It's sort of Nome's all-inclusive facility for all things sports, fitness and recreation. We're obviously in the gymnasium, but they also have a weight room, bowling alley, multi-purpose room, rock wall and racquetball court. They run fitness classes like that jazzercise stuff and they run programs for the little kids year round."

Mark added, "They also have showers, saunas and men's and women's locker rooms. It's a pretty nice facility."

Little Jon shook his head, "But our convention center in Anchorage is a state-of-the-art facility that rivals anything you have on the east coast, Doc. Too bad you missed the Finishers Banquet where they do all of the pre-race press stuff. That place is amazing."

Lauren smiled, "Well, you'll have to take me there one day when we get back."

"It's a date!" Little Jon almost shouted with a grin, before looking at Bo, his eyes wide, "I mean… not a date, date… I mean a… I… uh… like she can count on me to take her… professionally… when she wants to go. I mean… if she wants to go… with me, I mean… instead of you… not that she would prefer me over you but…"

Bo had to let him ramble on in his discomfort, but when his voice started getting loud enough for others to hear, she stopped him,

"LJ, I think we all get what you meant. No need to explain."

He sighed, "Oh. Really? I mean…"

"No need, LJ. Really."

Lauren just smiled, taking the last bite of food from her plate. Her attention then drawn to the man on the state with the microphone,

"Okay, mushers! Let's get to the awards, shall we?"

Everyone applauded as he continued,

"First, I'd like to address the singular dog death that resulted. One of Bob Bufort's dogs was showing signs of pneumonia during the last leg of the race. He pulled him from the line and put him in the basket while out on the trail. When he crossed the line, he called for a Vet. The dog was checked and immediately transferred to the hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the dog didn't make it. Now, in accordance with race rules, Bob is required to scratch from the race which also discounts him from the rookie musher trophy. The rule in no way declares guilt or negligence on the part of the musher but be aware that PETA has requested a full inquiry into the death. Race officials will be investigating the incident, but preliminary findings show no evidence of negligence in care on Bob's part."

Lauren frowned, unaware that any of the dogs had died. She leaned in, Little Jon sitting back so she could whisper to Bo, "Is it normal for dogs to die during the race?"

Bo shrugged, "I don't know that I would call it normal. Dogs die. People die. It happens. This organization has wanted the race ended for years. I can't speak for all of the mushers, but I'm sure that with sponsors putting money on the line, there are those who feel pressured to perform and may do some questionable things. I have no evidence of that, but it is the main reason I only use Kyle, Mark and Big Jon as my sponsors. They know how to treat the dogs and don't expect me to do anything that isn't in the best interest of the dogs. They know how much they mean to me."

Lauren nodded. She's never considered that there might be anything shady going on behind the scenes at the race. She assumed that all mushers were dog lovers and caretakers. Now that she thought about it, Little Jon had mentioned that there are companies that are in the business of breeding, selling, raising and training sled dogs. It reminded her of the puppy mills back east that were continually being investigated for animal abuse. She hadn't seen anything she would label abuse at the race. Then again, she wasn't on the trail with the mushers and hadn't seen every animal at every checkpoint.

She turned her attention to the speaker who was finishing up other general race announcements. She looked at Bo who was twirling her butter knife on her thumb, clearly bored with this part of the event. Lauren couldn't blame her… if she was being honest, she was bored as well. Finally, the awards portion of the evening began,

"Our first award is the PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award!"

The crowd cheered as the presenter stepped to the podium, "As you know, this award is presented to the first musher to reach the checkpoint of McGrath…"

Lauren's eyes were set on Bo as she scanned the room, knowing that the award they were presenting must be a sore spot for the musher. She had a goal of winning at least five checkpoint awards, but this one was not going to be one of them… and Lauren knew why.

Bo was held up on the stretch from Rohn to Nikolai by Big Jim and his men, so she was delayed leaving Nikolai to get to McGrath. It was clear that the events leading to the checkpoint were on Bo's mind, but as the coffee was passed around the table, she smiled softly at Little Jon and poured herself another cup. She then turned to Lauren and mouthed the name Mitch.

"This year's winner is…"

Lauren smiled softly as Bo's prediction was confirmed. The brunette shrugged and said, "Win some, lose some."

Little Jon leaned over to Lauren as the next award was started, "I promise there's awards coming to her that will take away some of the sting of the ones that she loses. I promise."

Lauren nodded, turning her attention back to the presentation of the next award,

"The GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award is presented to the first musher to reach the checkpoint of Iditarod. This year's winner is Mitch Hayward!"

Lauren smiled as Bo again gave a polite round of applause for her rival. The prize for this checkpoint award was $3000 in gold nuggets and a commemorative trophy. Bo had been hoping to bring in a good amount of cash to help with repairs around the town.

"… the Lakefront Anchorage First Musher to the Yukon Award! This year the award was supposed to be given at the Anvik checkpoint, but apparently, our musher was in a bit of a hurry!" The crowd laughed as the speaker turned to Bo, "So, Bo Dennis, the Lakefront Anchorage executive chef invites you to give him a call so he can cook you the 5-course gourmet meal you missed! They did send along the cash reward of $3500 one dollar bills served on a commemorative gold pan! Come on up here and get your reward, Bo!"

The crowd cheered, Bo doing the one thing that she'd told Lauren she dreaded about this event… go up in front of people… every time she won an award. She hated people… well, most people. She hated social situations and she hated attention the most. Still, everyone at Bo's table was cheering loudly for their leader. Bo smiled, giving a polite smile as she accepted the plate. She was clearly uncomfortable when the announcer put his arm over her shoulder for a picture and quickly hustled off the stage and down the stairs back to the table.

"The Bristol Bay Native Corporation Fish First Award is presented to the first musher to reach the checkpoint at Kaltag! Our winner, again, is our own Bo Dennis!"

Bo groaned as she again stood from the table and returned to the stage as the announcer continued,

"Bo receives a $2000 check and a certificate for 25 pounds of fresh-caught Bristol Bay salmon! It's ironic that Bo probably has a cache full of salmon already, right, Bo?"

Again, Bo smiled politely before returning to uncomfortable form for the photo before exiting the stage. No sooner was she back at the table, was she headed for the stage again to receive the Northtrim Bank Achieve More Award for being the first musher to reach the checkpoint at White Mountain. With another check in hand for $2500 and a one of a kind print by Anchorage artist Marianne Weiland, she returned to the table with a huff.

Lauren couldn't help but laugh as she leaned across Little Jon yet again and whispered, "Please tell me you are not complaining about winning money that you can use as planned."

"I just…"

"Hate the attention, I know, but fame is a small price to pay for what you're getting. How about that gratitude journal?" Lauren reminded.

Bo shrugged, "My pre-race journal and Iditarod journal were taking up all of my time. Sorry."

Bo cracked a smile when she looked at Lauren who returned the smile, "There it is. I love when those dimples show."

The Rookie of the Year award was given before Bo's rival Pete was announced as the recipient of the Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome award. Bo was happy for Pete. His quick leg with Mitch on his heels the entire time was quite an accomplishment.

"And now, the Anchorage Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Official Truck Award is presented to the Iditarod Champion! Bo Dennis, come on up here and receive the keys to your new Dodge Ram 1500 4x4, valued at $40,000!"

Bo returned to the stage, the Morton men laughing as Mark said, "Think she'll sell this one too?"

Big Jon shrugged, "Why would this year be any different? Heaven forbid she should have a truck to get from job site to job site. You know our Bo, native to the core and sled dog traditionalist."

Little Jon defended, "She likes her old truck. Why not sell the extra if the money is what she wants?"

Kurt laughed, "As her mechanic, I'll tell you why – because I'm keeping that old Ford together with duct tape and wishful thinking, Little J… I mean LJ."

After the Most Improved Musher was awarded, the announcer continued, "The Donlin Gold Sportsmanship Award is chosen by the recipients fellow mushers. It is given to the musher who demonstrates good sportsmanship throughout the race. I have been asked to read the following from the mushers,

"The recipient of this award may keep to herself on the trail, but she would not hesitate to lay down her life for any one of us if it came down to it. The problem is, she's usually in front of us. This year, but being in front of us, she prevented us from falling into one of the many traps set by a horrid man. She raced, despite the danger to herself, to draw fire away from all of us. It is the epitome of sportsmanship that Bo Dennis not only participated but won with grace and dignity despite the menace on the trail. We give this year's award to Bo Dennis, not only for her sportsmanship, but her courage in the face of danger and adversity as well."

"Here here!" Someone yelled from the crowd as Bo approached the stage, shocked at being the recipient of the award.

"Bo receives a check for $3000 and a commemorative trophy."

Unwilling to speak for the other awards she received, Bo stepped to the microphone for this one, her eyes down and said,

"Thank you. I'm honored. This award will always have a special place in my heart."

She stepped away from the microphone as the room cheered for her once again, some standing, some moving to shake her hand. Lauren held her breath, knowing that the physical contact was very uncomfortable for Bo, but that the idea behind the gesture was likely appreciated. The speaker, however, called her back to the stage,

"Bo, if you'd please come on up here again. Let's speed this up and give your tired legs a rest." He watched as Bo returned to the stage and began,

"The Most Inspirational Musher Award is again chosen by the recipients fellow mushers. Their note says, simply, ditto."

Everyone laughed – even Bo – as she returned, accepting the cash for the return of her 2019 Iditarod entry fee. She stepped to the microphone and said,

"Ditto."

Lauren watched as Little Jon excused himself from the table during the presentation of The Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award, Golden Clipboard Award for the most outstanding checkpoint, the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award for dog care and the Red Lantern Award, the last presented to the final finisher of the race. Lauren listened intently as she learned about the story Red Lantern and the Widow's Lamp and the customs associated with each. Finally, the announcer was ready for the last presentation. As with all of the awards, a presenter came to the stage to give details about the award, its history and meaning,

"And, the final award, folks, is the City of Nome Lolly Medley Memorial Golden Harness Award…"

Bo turned to Lauren, "Where's Little Jon? This is his favorite award. It's not like him to miss it."

Lauren shrugged, not knowing why the seat between them was still vacant, but she did notice something else,

"You know, Minerva and Sid look absolutely appalled at the support you're receiving from your fellow mushers. They left a few minutes ago."

Bo laughed, "An award that makes losing the checkpoint awards worthwhile."

They both turned their attention back to the stage where they could see Little Jon approaching the stairway. Lauren's smile stretched across her face as she recognized the dogs he had in tow. She leaned over and placed her hands on Bo's forearm. The musher, placing a hand on Lauren's,

"…which is presented to the most outstanding lead dog. The winner is again, chosen by the mushers. In a unanimous decision, we have a tie…"

"Oh my…" was all Bo could say before the host continued,

"… this year's award is to be shared by this year's champions, Diana and Nike."

Bo's eyes went wide as she watched Little Jon stroll onto the stage with Nike and Diana in tow. Everyone at their table applauded their leader as a smile stretched across her face, her eyes welling with tears. Bo stood and walked to the stage, Lauren smiled, knowingly for the only award that had drawn an emotional response from Bo was the one given to her dogs. She wasn't surprised. Bo always credited her dogs with the win. She said they were the best part of her.

Joining Little Jon on stage with the dogs, Bo accepted the two golden harnesses, helping the presenter to put them on the pair of champions. Bo whispered to Little Jon who hesitated, but then stepped to the podium to speak on Bo's behalf,

"Hi. I'm… LJ Morton, Bo's handler. She's got her hands full over there with that energetic pair, so asked me to say a few words. This year, right before the race began, we learned that… well, my great great grandfather… had lined all of Bo's kennels with asbestos… intentionally. Thanks to Bo and these two young ladies, he's now sitting in prison awaiting trial for a whole lot of charges. As many of you probably noticed, Bo's top dog Harper did not race this year. That's because she's battling cancer from exposure to that asbestos. We're happy to report that she's on the mend, but just before the race, we learned that Jenna, Hestia, Nemesis and Iris, four other dogs from Bo's regular team all have similar tumors. Hestia and Iris had such large tumors that they were deemed unfit to race."

He looked over at Bo who was focused on the dogs, so he returned his attention to the audience,

"I guess what I want all of you to know is that… well, you had your reasons for picking these two… but the reason we're so emotional about you picking them is that… only members of Bo's team really know what these two accomplished and I think you need to know who you are really honoring here today."

Little Jon had to catch himself as he, too, was overcome with emotion. He pulled it together and continued,

"Throughout the early stages of the race, Bo and her dogs were being chased by a group of men – all now under arrest – who wished her and her team harm. We all know that Bo knows that trail like the back of her hand and, years ago, found a cave to take shelter durng the race."

"Hey! Don't give away my secrets!" Bo shouted, leading the room to laugh.

"I'll talk to you after the awards, Little Jon! You've gotta tell me where that cave is so I have a chance of beating this woman!" Shouted Pete.

"Little Jon, you tell that man anything and you're fired!"

Pete replied, "I'll hire ya, Little Jon!"

Bo smiled, as she shouted back, "Damn right you would! That boy raised two champions that ran with my team this year, Pete!"

Pete looked at Little Jon, "Good for you, young man!"

Little Jon waved everyone off, "Okay, so this is about the dogs, not me. Anyway, Bo was being chased and need to hide her team, so imagine trying to get your dogs to run head on into what appears to be a mountain, but is actually a cave with an entrance covered by pine boughs. She called out the turn and told me she could only pray they wouldn't stop and tangle the entire team leaving them all fair game for the chaser."

He smiled, looking at Diana and Nike, "They obeyed, running right into the blind opening. They didn't hesitate, they obeyed the commands and probably saved all of their lives. I guess the even bigger thing is that they were leading a team of dogs that were completely unfamiliar with each other including – as Bo mentioned - two dogs who belonged to me who had just topped three hundred miles for the first time just a week before the race. They led a team of rookies through some pretty bad weather as the Iditarod goes, while dealing with flying bullets and close calls."

He looked around the room, "And if it's not too much trouble, if you could keep Bo's dog Muk in your prayers and such. Big Jim stood over him, shot him and left him for dead. Somehow, that tough little boy managed to survive the trip in Bo's basket back to the next checkpoint and continues to fight like hell to survive. This whole team's got strength, courage and character. They're fighters and they were led by these two ladies. I think I can speak for them and the entire Dennis team – we are honored that you have chosen Nike and Diana to wear those gold harnesses. Thank you all."

Bo and Little Jon were congratulated by everyone as they walked back to the team's table, Diana and Nike happy to accept head rubs from the audience, walking with excitement in every step.

When the host concluded the ceremony, everyone stood to say their goodbyes. Their table was immediately surrounded by people wanting Bo's autograph – something that wasn't supposed to happen at this event. She told them to stop by Talkeetna, hammer a few nails and she's be happy to give them an autograph. Most had heard of the fires and were happy to offer their help. Some, as Lauren expected, wavered at the suggestion, offering money instead. Bo politely declined and showed surprising skill in exiting those conversations without offending people… too badly.

It took about forty minutes for the crowd to dissipate, but when it did, Kenzi whispered to Lauren that Hale was picking her up for a little alone time. Lauren nodded, both women knowing she should leave before Bo could hear the Deputy's name. The rest of the group had another issue to resolve,

Mark asked, "So, heading back home plans. Who is staying at the hospital with the dogs until they're discharged and who is taking these two award-winning healthy dogs home? We also have two of Kyle's company trucks to get back home if Kurt's flying the plane back. My truck has to go back too."

Bo turned to Mark, unsure of how to answer his question, "I don't want to take up more of Kyle's Kennel space then I have to. I could kennel them here until..."

Big Jon spoke up, "Actually, your dogs have brand new homes in a new barn waiting for them when they get back to Talkeetna.

"Wh-what?" Bo asked.

Big Jon replied, "Well, while you were all dealing with the fire victims, race prep and the Big Jim situation, I wasn't being as much of an asshole as you might have thought… and neither was Pops… I mean… your brother."

Bo shook her head, looking at her brother, "I take it this is the thing I'd hear about later? The stuff that was way back behind the scenes?"

Pops nodded, "Our friendly neighborhood 'entreprenuer' type…" He said in a sarcastic voice, "Flew in these…" he looked at Big Jon, "… A-mish?"

Big Jon shrugged while Lauren stepped in, "It's actually pronounced 'ah-mish'."

Pops nodded, "Right. Well, these Amish fellas that Evony flew in with a mess of lumber cleared the land where the old clinic and kennel were. Cleared that land in a day… like a well-oiled machine they are. Anyway, then, they raised a barn in another day. It's got this fancy red tin roof that they say will prevent the snow and ice from building up on it."

He looked at Lauren, "Built a clinic same size as the kennel barn, but they didn't do any of the electric or anything. We've got Bo's guys on that and Kurt hooked us up with the same people that did Kyle's security system. Once the electric's in, they'll put that in too."

"But… even with the fifty-thousand-dollar purse from the race and the money from the sale of the truck, I can't afford…"

Lauren laughed, looking at Pops, "Tosh, I take it all of this is being paid for by Evony?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Bo exclaimed, "I am not going to owe her!"

Lauren looked at Bo, "I assure you, Bo. You won't owe her anything and if she says you do, you can just remind her that you know that she paid for all of it with her insurance policy. Evony never builds without having more insurance than she needs. She knows that if a building burns or is flooded years later, that it will always cost more to build because the cost of technology is always going up."

"So, she's not actually paying for anything?" Bo asked.

"Absolutely not." Lauren replied.

"You're sure."

"One hundred percent." The doctor smiled, "I promise."

Bo looked at Pops, "Tosh? You know anything about the insurance?"

"I know that Evony isn't writing the checks this time. Some other company's doing that." He lowered his eyes, "And we're not letting you sell another truck, Bo. You're gonna keep this one and take something nice for yourself after all you've been through. Your family is insisting…"

Bo went to protest, but Tosh held up a hand, "Your family would be offended if you did different. Knowing we're blood hasn't changed the way we all feel about you… well, I guess it's just added to it… we want you safe and that old clunker isn't safe anymore, Bo. You know Kurt will vouch for that."

She sighed, giving a slight nod of her head before turning to Lauren, "So who's footing the bill for all of this?"

Lauren explained, "Evony's insurance company. Once we get back and I see one of the checks, I'll be able to compare it to the policy."

"You mean the policy that burned in the fire?" Bo asked.

Lauren shook her head, "No, I mean the policy that is locked in the fireproof safe that Evony had installed in my hotel room. All of her pertinent contracts, policies, deeds and warranties are in that safe. She has electronic backups for everything on her own servers as well."

Bo nodded, acknowledging that she was in favor of that idea, "So all that's left for me to do is build their houses?"

Big Jon shook his head, taking off his cap and pushing the hair back off of his face before replacing it,

"Nope, they built these miniature versions of the barn inside – one for each of your dogs with room to spare for new pups. Pops had them do hand carved name plates for each house, too."

LJ smiled, "And there's this exercise run that goes around the whole top part of the barn with a railing so they can't fall off. Oh, right – there's steps for them to get up there and come back down. They called it an elevated track – something they have at their fancy high school back in the town they come from called Lancaster, Pennsylvania."

Lauren smiled, "I did a school tour to the Amish Village there when I was a child. They're amazing people that live a very dedicated and unique life."

Big Jon nodded, "There's a veterinary clinic up top with a lift to take dogs up there if they can't walk. That was Little Jon's idea."

Big Jon patted LJ on the back, the younger Morton explaining, "I figure when the Vet comes out to give shots and checkups, they can now have a proper area to work instead of having to walk through straw with land mines of dog dung."

Bo laughed, "You mean so you don't have to pick up the dog dung before the Vet comes every time. I take it you're planning on expanding my kennel?"

Little Jon shuffled his feet a big, "Well, I mean… since I'm your official handler now and… well, two of my dogs are champions… that maybe we could…"

"Of course, Little Jon." Bo smiled, "My student becomes the teacher."

Little Jon grinned, "I know the whole LJ thing is going to take some getting used to..."

Bo smiled, "You'll always be Little Jon or Jon to me, but I'll work on it… LJ." She clapped her hands together, looking around at the group before turning back to her young friend,

"So, Mr. Handler, if you'd like, you can take Diana and Nike back, then start moving all of the dogs into their new homes if you think they're ready for it. If not, you can leave them at Kyle's Kennels until I get home. It may be a day or two."

"I can keep them all with me if you don't trust them to be with anyone else. I mean, I think they'll be fine, but if you think…"

Bo shook her head, "It's your call as the handler. You know what you're doing. I trust you."

LJ smiled, "Thanks. Do you think the dogs will be okay in a new place? I mean… is there anything I should know or that I have to do? I mean… I just… remember that I'm new at this handler thing, Bo."

Bo shrugged, "Like I said, I trust you. That means I trust your instincts. You'll make mistakes, but they've got their own instincts too. Listen to your gut but listen to the dogs above all else."

He nodded, "Right. Listen to the dogs."

"Other than that, they're pretty adaptable if they're with a human they trust. After all you did for them, they should be good. The ones you haven't worked with should be okay with you once they see the others accept you. Of course, all of them may be a bit off because of the new home. In addition, whether they were here or not, they're all off of their regular schedule due to the race or me being away and not training them regularly. You also have to remember that the last time they were inside a kennel, it burned down around them. They may not be too happy about being inside."

LJ shook his head, "You know, you're not making me feel all that confident about my ability to handle this without you."

Bo laughed, "It'll be a good experience for you. One day, you'll be on your own with this."

LJ smiled, "Not any time soon, I hope. So, you think I can handle it, then."

Bo smiled, "It doesn't matter what I think now, does it? It only matters what you think because the dogs will respond to that." Bo looked at his Uncle and Dad, "One other reality you need to be aware of is that you now have champions in your care. That means that they are very valuable."

LJ looked at his Uncle Mark, "We already talked about all of that. Uncle Mark told me that people will try to put their best dog into the kennel, hoping that they can knock up one of our girls and then demand payment or a pup from the litter."

"That's correct. That's why I was concerned about who was with the dogs at Kyle's." Bo replied.

"Uncle Mark also told me that they may try to get one of their top females mounted by one of our males so they can keep the champion line to themselves, giving us nothing."

Bo nodded in reply again, waiting for the next concern.

LJ finally added, "Worst case, they literally try to steal our dogs."

Bo nodded, "And a flight would be the perfect time to do that. They can hire a pilot who agrees to bring them the entire plane load of dogs – the worst of that being that they may decide to get rid of you to silence any witnesses." Bo explained, "Which is why one of us flies the plane… our plane, checked by our mechanic."

"Whoa. I hadn't thought of that." LJ said, surprised.

"Yea, well nobody likes to think about the horrible things that people may be doing when no one is watching." Bo said with a sigh, "Your great grandfather wasn't the only bad guy in the world, LJ."

Little Jon replied, "Right. Well, hopefully we've all learned our lesson about those types."

They all nodded in agreement, everyone thinking back on their relationship with Big Jim before Bo cleared their thoughts with a return to the subject at hand,

"So, what's the plan for security until the alarm system is finished?"

"Well, Kurt was heading out to check on Kyle's plane while you were in there talking to all of your adoring fans." Mark replied.

Bo smirked, "Ha. Ha. Okay, so Diana and Nike on the plane and who is riding with Kurt?"

Every Morton hand went up, including Molly's. Bo nodded, "Okay then, Lauren, Kenzi and I will stay here to wait for the others to be released."

LJ nodded, "Kurt will come back for you."

He hesitated before he added, "Aunt Molly has her two best girls with her."

Molly patted her hips, "Dorothy and Auntie Em will serve as air marshals for the return flight. Mark, Big Jon and Pops can caravan Kyle's trucks. We'll leave your new truck for you and Lauren so you can get around here while you're waiting for the dogs to be discharged. Then someone can come back to drive home our truck."

Bo shook her head, "My truck isn't safe for transporting dogs. There's no crates or belts. They'll still be fragile when they're released."

"I have to agree with Bo." Lauren replied.

"Okay then, we'll leave your truck for now and fly you all back if we have to. Once we unload the dogs from the plane, we'll fly back out to check on the trucks – make sure they're all good going across the access roads. They're still pretty shitty this time of year."

Pops nodded, lifting his hat to scratch his head, "Was like riding a rollercoaster on the way out here. Damn permafrost is definitely not meant to hold a highway."

Little Jon smiled and turned to Bo, adding, "You'll have Tamsin and Dyson as law enforcement with you on the return flight to keep the dogs… and you… safe."

Bo slouched, offering her sarcastic reply, "Right. We couldn't let anything happen to the star witness in the feds case. I'll feel so much better having Tamsin around to protect me… and Mr. Hero. Can't wait."

LJ gave her a tight smile, "Okay then, we'll get these two out of here. Do you want to come and see them off?"

Bo shook her head, kneeling down to give each of her lead dogs some love before they parted ways,

"No. I'm going to make sure our kids in the hospital are all okay. I want to make sure they know I'm with them all. I'm going to see if they'll let them all be in the same area together."

She stood, looking around at the group, "Thanks again, everyone. I can't tell you what it means to me that you've all stood by me through this."

Pops threw an arm over Bo's shoulder, then the other over Mark's. Mark threw one arm over Molly's shoulder who threw her arm over Michael's shoulder. It continued until they were all standing in a circle,

"One team, one family… blood or not." Pops said with a smile, looking at the group gathered together.

Bo smiled, "One team, one family… blood or not."

They all smiled, repeating in unison, "One team, one family… blood or not."

Everyone set out across the gymnasium, headed for the exits and on to do their part to get everyone home safe and sound. Bo turned to Lauren, "Where's Kenzi?"

Lauren looked at LJ who smiled and waved goodbye, leaving her to give Bo the news, "Uh… she had a date… with Hale."

"Traitor. Hope she's getting back to Talkeetna with him." Bo said, getting the dogs up, "Hike."

The pair set off ahead of Bo, pulling hard on the lead, "Easy, girls. There's not a sled back here."

"Bo…"

The brunette shook her head, "I don't want to talk about it, Lauren. Kenzi's on her own. Let's just go see to the dogs."

"Okay." Lauren said, shaking her head as Bo walked towards the gym exit.

"I can't wait until they discharge them." Bo commented.

Lauren ran to catch up to her, "It shouldn't be too long."

"I'll give them twenty-four more hours." Bo said, bluntly.

"Bo, that's not reasonable." Lauren argued, shaking her head.

"Sure, it is. Their incisions are closed, they're awake, they can lay on a plane to get home."

Lauren shook her head, "Bo, altitude caused air pressure changes that must be considered. Their hydration levels, vital signs, vulnerability to infection due to blood loss during surgery are just a few of the concerns. They didn't have a minor cut, Bo. Flying has effects on the body that most people don't think about until they have symptoms in the air. Dogs are the same."

"Fine. I just want to go home as soon as possible." She pushed across the parking lot to where the truck was parked, pulling up her hood as the cold night air rushed towards them.

The sting of the cold made Lauren's eyes water. She stopped, watching Bo walk the distance to the other side of the parking lot where they had parked. She refused to run to keep up with a woman who was suddenly angry for no apparent reason. More importantly, she wasn't about to let Bo snap at her yet again. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, giving them a chance to adjust to the sudden drop in temperature. She looked up at the sky. It was crystal clear, the stars the brilliant backdrop that reminded her of the long nights spent at the Iditarod waiting for Bo to arrive – not knowing if she ever would.

"Lauren?" Bo yelled across the lot, but the blonde ignored her.

She closed her eyes, "Nadia." Opening her eyes, she spoke to the heavens, "That's why I hate it so much when she uses that tone. She sounds just like my ex-wife. That snarky demanding voice that reminds me of what it's like for someone to treat me like an inconvenience… an annoyance."

"Lauren! What are you doing? I want to get to the hospital." Bo yelled louder, her insistent tone grating on the blonde's last nerve.

"There it is again." Lauren laughed, moving her head until her eyes came to rest on the brunette, "Why are you so angry all of a sudden?"

"I want to go."

"You're frustrated… furious even. Why?"

"Because I want to see my dogs and instead, you're standing here in the parking lot. It's freezing cold and I want to go, but I'm waiting for you because you want to talk about the anger that you're causing by holding us up!"

"I'm causing your anger?" Lauren laughed, "Your anger has been a constant in my life since we met! Why don't you replay our conversation from the time your family left until now. You were plenty calm and cooperative with them."

"They weren't holding me up!" Bo snapped.

Lauren shook her head, "Bo you are always and I do mean consistently patient, kind and calm with them. I'm the only one you seem to feel you have a right to be angry with and I've told you that I'm not going to take it anymore. So just replay that conversation one more time. Maybe you'll catch on about why I'm the one who's angry for a change." Lauren started to walk towards the truck, "But then again… probably not."

"Lauren, what are you talking about?" Bo asked, walking after the blonde.

Lauren stopped and turned to face the brunette, "You know, you laughed tonight. You laughed in a way that I've never seen… in a way that Molly has never seen and she's known you for a very long time."

"What?"

"You laughed. You were happy. You have family now. You have what you've probably always wanted… needed. You just didn't know it before. Now you do."

Bo thought about it for a moment, a smile slowly stretching across her face, "It's nice."

Lauren nodded, "I think that's what you liked about me… why you opened yourself up to me. I was an outsider like you. We fit because you had nobody else except Kenzi… and she had Hale. She's had Hale for a long time and since she had Hale, there were times when you were alone. I think that's part of why you have a problem with Hale."

Bo shook her head, but Lauren turned and continued walking toward the truck,

"Don't you see? I was what you needed to make you feel a part of something. It was you and me against the world… a world you weren't a part of… at least not until now. You're not alone anymore. You have all you need… finally."

"Lauren, what are you talking about?"

The blonde smiled, shoving her hands into her pockets, "I'm the outsider now."

She slid into the passenger seat of the truck, leaving Bo outside, confused. The brunette moved to the driver's side, sliding in and starting the engine. She turned the heat on high,

"It will warm up soon. It's only a short ride to the animal hospital from here." She put the car in gear, "Lauren, what was that all about?"

Lauren smiled, "Just giving you something to think about."

"But I don't understand."

The blonde shrugged, "It's okay. Let's just focus on the dogs right now."

Lauren knew that at some point, Bo would take apart the details of the night. It's something Bo did when she was on training runs. Riding across the open tundra did something for her mind… allowed her to replay moments, conversations or memories. She always came back to Lauren with some revelation from the trail.

Hopefully, this night would be one she would deconstruct before Lauren headed back East. No matter how much she loved Bo, she would not subject herself to another relationship like she'd had with Nadia. No matter what.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Three Weeks Later - Talkeetna – New Barn, Kennels and Clinic

When the team had returned to Talkeetna, they'd done so without Bo and Lauren present, but Evony was there with her team of doctors and had brought in Bo's own workers to do the inside of the new barn veterinary and training facility, kennels and Lauren's clinic. She'd then sent Bo's workers to get started on the new hospital at the other end of town.

Everything had come together including a welcome wagon from the community for their victor, Bo Dennis and team. The pair were then taken on a tour of Lauren's new clinic and Bo's barn and kennels.

The first week had been hectic, Bo doing interviews with the press about the race and giving statements to the Feds about Big Jim. There was enough evidence to put him away without Bo's testimony in court, so it was unlikely she would have to testify. Plenty of people in the community were now willing to come forward and provide testimony on Bo's behalf, including most of the men he'd hired to do her harm. With him behind bars, people felt safe again.

Of course, his damage, it was discovered, extended well beyond Bo's small world. He had been charged with extorting businesses, money laundering and a host of other offenses. Federal charges from other states had also been added to his sentence meaning that Big Jim Morton would never see the light of day again, except from a prison yard in an undisclosed Federal Penitentiary.

He was gone and Bo felt a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Still, in his statement to the feds, Big Jim had testified that her mother had run off in the middle of the night. He admitted he had beaten her badly and she had attempted to leave with Bo. He caught her in the barn, attempting to put Bo into the basket of the sled and flee. He ripped Bo from her arms and struck the lead dog with a whip, causing it to take off. He called to the dogs to mush until she was out of sight.

He swore that was the last time he had seen her. Bo didn't believe it, so she asked if she could talk to him. She wanted more details. She was sure he was leaving something out. It would be his last victory if he could make sure that Bo never knew what had happened to her mother.

So, with Tosh by her side, the two siblings entered the interrogation room, each taking a seat in the chairs on one side of the table…

FLASHBACK…

Bo was less than excited to see Tamsin enter the interrogation room. She took a deep breath,

"I'm sure I'm the last person you want to see, but I'm the lead agent on the case, so it's my job to be here for any conversations with the accused. He has waived the right to have his attorney present for this interview."

"Whatever." Bo replied.

"Good. Some rules then… no touching, no standing. If he touches you, stands or raises his voice, the guards will intervene as needed."

She waved to the door and two guards entered the room, each standing at the wall on either side of the empty chair across from the siblings.

"If the guards need to intervene, that is the one time you should stand immediately and move to the rear wall where I will stand between you and the accused."

Bo laughed, "You'll protect us, huh?"

"Bo." Tosh warned, twisting his mouth at his sister.

"Fine." Bo replied, "Can we just get on with this?"

Tamsin nodded, "Remember, no questions or discussion about what happened at the race. You are here to discuss your Mother and his knowledge of her disappearance as well as anything that happened prior to or after that time up until you made contact with him in Point Siku. Do you both understand these rules as I have presented them to you?"

"Yes." The pair replied in unison.

Tamsin turned towards the guard, "Bring in the accused."

Bo looked at Tosh who smiled, "It's okay. I'm right here with you. Let's see what we can learn about your Mother."

"Thanks, Tosh."

"You bet, Bo."

They looked up to see Big Jim enter the room in a bright orange jumpsuit. Bo didn't think he could look any older, but that's exactly how he looked… like he'd aged ten years in a matter of weeks.

He sat, eyes down, his handcuffs being unlocked and then locked to a metal pole attached to the table. Bo wanted so badly to hold in the joke in her head, but she just couldn't. Not wanting to break any of Tamsin's rules, she leaned over to Tosh,

"Who'd have known that silver is totally his color."

Tosh grinned, whispering back, "You have really got to stop spending so much time with Kenzi."

They looked back at the man, seeing that his eyes were still down,

"I want to know what really happened to my Mom." Bo said, loudly and clearly, getting right to the point.

"I already told them what I know." He replied, not looking up at Bo.

Bo shook her head, "Then tell me again."

He was silent, causing Bo to look up at Tamsin who walked to Big Jim, "Inmate, I remind you that this is a court ordered interview. You will answer all of the questions asked by Ms. Dennis and Mr. Morton or be found in contempt."

He looked up, making eye contact with the pair. Bo couldn't stop the gasp that came from her mouth. His face was… battered, three of his teeth broken and one of his earlobes was torn off.

"Wow. You look more and more like my Mother… after one of your temper tantrums. How's it feel?"

He lowered his eyes again, but Bo wasn't in the mood to wait,

"Start from the beginning. What happened to my Mom?"

He looked up at Tamsin, who crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot a few times. He sighed, turning back to Bo,

"You were asleep. I came home, probably drunk. We fought. She left."

"Wait… tell me about the fight." Bo interrupted.

"She accused me of cheating on her." He looked at Tosh, then back down at the table, "I denied it."

Bo laughed, "Right, because you weren't cheating on my Mom, you were cheating on Tosh's Mom with my Mom."

He nodded his head.

"So when you fought, you mean you laid your hands on her."

He nodded again.

"You beat her."

He nodded again, "I'm sorry."

"Oh, is that what you are?"

"Bo." Tamsin warned, "Get to the point."

"She took plenty of hits from you. You told the Feds that she ran with me, intending to leave home. After all of the punches she took, why leave on that night?"

"She was in bad shape."

"So it wasn't just one punch."

He shook his head, "She was unconscious when I left her lying on the kitchen floor to go to bed."

"How did you know she was leaving if you went to bed?"

"the dogs were barking out in the barn. It took me a bit to get dressed, but when I got out there, she had a fully packed sled and was helping you crawl into the basket."

"Then what?" Bo asked.

"I asked her where she thought she was going."

Silence.

"Geez, do you think you could just tell the story without me having to ask?"

"She told me she was done being beaten. That she was leaving. She tried to pull out of the barn, but I stood in front of the dogs, holding the lead. We argued. I moved closer and took you out of the basket. She pulled out her rifle, but I was holding you in front of me… my hand around your neck."

"What?" Tamsin asked, stepping towards the table and opening his file. She pulled a pen from her back pocket and started to write.

"I threatened to snap your neck if she didn't leave. She said she wasn't leaving without you. I told her that she wasn't going to be leaving then. She held the gun on me, and told me she'd blow my head off if I didn't give you to her. I held you in front of my body and told her again that I would snap your neck before she'd get a shot off and if she fired, she'd hit you. I told her to leave or I'd kill you."

Bo shook her head, looking at Tosh, "I've lost track now. How many times has he tried to kill me?"

Tosh shrugged, "Well, I'm not sure. Those times he beat you in the jail cell in Anchorage… was he trying to kill you or just beating you like he did your Mom?"

Tamsin intervened, "While this sibling chit chat is cute, please remember why we're all here."

Bo looked up at Tamsin, "Just trying to be sure we have all of the facts from this man who is under your protection, so that we can pursue trying to find the innocent that is still possibly out there, isolated from her family."

It was not lost on Tamsin, the level of disdain in Bo's voice, but she had a job to do and bosses that were making sure she was doing it… by the book. She was warned about not making an emotional mistake that would give this man an out to escape staying in federal custody for the rest of his living days. She took a deep breath and smiled at Bo, giving her a nod to continue.

"So my Mom left?"

"Not at first. She resisted for about fifteen minutes. You were screaming and crying, she was screaming and crying, so I held you by the throat with one hand, grabbed my whip with the other and hit the lead dogs. They took off running. Your Mom dropped her gun, I reached out to grab her and pull her off the sled, but you wiggled out of my hold, so I grabbed you and she got away."

Bo smiled, "Good for her."

"That's the last I saw her."

"And that's what I find so hard to believe."

"Well, that's the truth."

"Right. Then why did you have Jacob following me all of those years?"

"I thought you would lead him to your Mother."

"If I found her, I suppose that would have been the case, but I never did. So you honestly expect me to believe that the woman you cheated on your wife with, that you obsessed over keeping as a possession, that you beat whenever you came home… you expect me to believe that you just let her go and never tried to track her down? You? Big Jim? The King of vengeance?"

He was silent and that told Bo all she needed to know.

"You're lying. You know something."

He looked up at Tamsin, "Why don't you ask her?"

"Tamsin?" Bo asked.

"She's the only Fed in the room. They know where she is."

Tamsin scowled, "What do you mean we know where she is?"

"It was 2011 when my oldest son caught up with a Federal Agent named Justin Guinn. He and two of my men questioned Jimmy outside of Flanigan's Pub in Portland, Oregon. They were… let's say… very convincing about why Jimmy should tell them where your Mother was. He swore he didn't know."

Tamsin turned away from the group, staring out the window as she heard the familiar agents name. She'd worked with him when she'd first started at the bureau. He'd retired riding a desk because of injuries sustained in the line of duty. He was a great agent and a good man. What a shame.

She turned her attention back to the conversation, hanging on Big Jim's every word,

"So, the trail went dry until I was taken into custody in Utah. Her sister had come to see me, trying to find your Mom."

Bo's eyes went wide, "My Aunt?

He nodded, "Heard she died of cancer a few years back."

"Asbestos roof, by any chance?" Bo asked, her arms crossed over her chest as she steeled her eyes on the man.

He lowered his eyes, "Can't say what the cause was, only that they say she never stopped searching for her sister."

"They say? Who says?" Bo asked.

Big Jim shrugged, "People. I don't know. Your brothers did the talking and evidence gathering."

Bo shook her head, "Real live special agents my brothers turned out to be. Where are their journals?"

"What?" Big Jim asked, his eyes moving quickly to Tamsin and back to Bo.

The brunette smirked, looking at Tosh who said, "Dad, one thing we all had in common besides blood was your incessant demand that we keep journals. That they'd serve us well one day. Where are her brothers' journals?"

He looked at Tamsin again who shrugged, "Court order, buddy."

"At their house in Nome. There's a loose floorboard in each of their bedrooms. There's journals and their cash in there."

Bo laughed, "Can't trust a bank."

"Your brothers learned from what you went through back home."

"What do you know about that?"

Big Jim shook his head, "When you lift the floor board in Murphy's room, you'll see."

"So you still think the Feds know something about where Mom is?"

"Murphy said all roads led to the Feds. I wasn't willing to send my sons to Quantico to join the FBI just so they could find your Mom."

Bo looked at Tosh who shrugged, "I guess we're done here."

They remained seated while Tamsin gave the guards a nod, pointing to the siblings to move to the back wall. Once there, the guards released Big Jim and then secured his handcuffs to his ankle chain. As they led him to the door, he turned back,

"I wish thing could have been different."

Bo shook her head, "Translation, you wish you would have killed me when I was in the barn that night so that you wouldn't have gotten caught. We have nothing else to say to you. I have no Father. I never had a Father."

He nodded, leaving the room.

Tosh wrapped an arm over Bo's shoulder, "He's gone, Bo. We never have to see him again."

"Good, because I don't think I ever want to do that again. Although it was nice to see him quiet and humble."

Tosh shrugged, "Personally, I thought it was kind of creepy."

Tamsin stood on the other side of the desk, "Word has it he's been having a rough go in prison. It seems some of the people in there are men his boys crossed. He's paying their penance as well as his own."

Bo nodded, "So, he's not in a country club prison."

"Hell no. He'll be in a regular old cell. Maybe if he makes it twenty years, he could be given a little more privacy, but I doubt he'll last that long."

"So, is he right? Do the Feds know where my Mom is?"

Tamsin shrugged, "I'll have to look into that, but Justin was a higher-ranking agent. If he didn't know, I doubt I'll gain access. I promise I will try."

Bo nodded, "Thanks."

They left the room. They were both ready to head back to town and Bo was ready for everything to get back to normal… whatever that was.

- End Flashback -

So, Bo now knew more than she did before, but she also had a ton of work to do after being away for so long. Evony's visitors from the Amish community back east were working on the homes that had been destroyed in the fire to free up Bo's crew to work on the hospital.

Bo was busy getting the barn all set up and working with LJ to keep the dogs on their rehabilitation schedule. The good news was that Harper was up and moving again. The two were inseparable, mainly because Bo wasn't willing to let her out of her sight. She hadn't actually moved more than about a hundred yards from the barn and kennel since she'd gotten home. She'd heard too many stories about valuable animals being stolen. She'd always worried about Harper, but she was too old for puppies. Now, she had to worry about all of the young dogs who were desirable for breeding.

She hadn't seen much of Lauren lately. They were both busy in their separate buildings getting things organized. Lauren's clinic was filled with patients most hours of the day seeking treatment for the virus she'd come to Alaska to research. She was frustrated that the disease was still a mystery to her and things were getting worse. Much worse.

Bo had asked her out to dinner and Lauren had agreed to go when she had some free time. Somehow, Bo couldn't help but feel that something had shifted between them. All of their conversations had been about work or ongoing construction. They had some idle chatter about the plumbing and electrical renovations that Kenzi had finally agreed to do as well as some talk about her newfound family, but nothing personal.

Bo had brought her lunch at the clinic on several occasions. They'd gone out on a few sled runs with some of her dogs, but there were no romantic moments, no talk about feelings, no physical contact other than good bye pecks – most of the time Lauren offering a cheek. The doctor had flown to Oregon and Seattle to meet with the team of researchers about the disease and had spent some time visiting Kyle before coming back. She was gone for about five days in all. When she got back, she didn't seem all that happy to see the brunette. Bo knew that the doctor was upset with her, but she couldn't place why.

Pushing all of those thoughts aside, she decided it was time to get the dogs back on schedule. She was going back to running short distances with teams of six. She needed to move some supplies out to her homestead site and since it was only a couple of miles into the woods, a smaller team was fine.

She had confided in Tosh about the home she had been building and he had promised to keep it quiet as long as she kept the new truck and sold her old one as he'd mentioned the night of the banquet. She argued, but when Kurt explained why it made sense to keep the new one and sell the old, she couldn't argue. He found a buyer for the old one and the deal was done.

"Here are your girls, Bo!" LJ called out.

"Great! I want to get as many runs in as I can before the weather warms up and we have no snow."

He nodded, "I'm going to run the boys. We'll go in opposite directions, right?"

Bo nodded, "Absolutely. You take horny and the boys so the girls can have some peace."

Bo and LJ hitched their teams and loaded emergency kits onto the sleds, Bo adding a few extra supplies for the house - cabinet fixtures, nails, wiring and electrical boxes. Her home was almost ready. She'd made a lot of progress since they'd come home since everything else had been taken from her plate. Now, only the power system and small finishing touches remained.

"See you back here in a few hours, Bo! Don't forget to take Elsa in to Lauren before you go! You'll really be in the doghouse if you forget!" LJ yelled, "Hike! Hike!"

Bo smiled, waving him off as he pulled away. It was nice to see him coming into his own. His confidence was up and he was working hard to build a partnership with Bo. The barn was massive and they'd discussed a lot of ways to use the space, some that could make money. In the end, the pair had agreed it would be nice to open up an additional Kyles Sleds and Things store, but they had to wait for Kyle to do that. While Bo was gone, some small miracles had happened. Kyle's condition had improved to the point where they were able to remove the breathing tube. Needless to say, Lauren was ecstatic at the news.

Bo looked over her shoulder, the clinic window now much bigger, but still facing the barn door opening so that Lauren could see Bo come and go on the sled. Bo waited, staring up at the glass, hoping for a glimpse of the blonde. She missed the days when Lauren would wave to her from the window before she left. Now, it seemed that the doctor didn't worry about Bo's whereabouts. Was that because she didn't care or because after seeing the Iditarod, she was confident in Bo's ability to return home?

The truth was, Bo didn't know. Lauren hadn't taken her team out for a run since they returned. LJ had been running her dogs. He'd even started to work them in with Shadow and Elektra's group. It seemed that Lauren was pulling away from her and Bo didn't know if she should give her the space she seemed to want or try to close the gap. She had no real experience with relationships and therefore, no idea of what the right thing was for her to do to fix whatever the problem was.

With one last look, she sighed. She pulled the ice hook and grabbed the sled handle… but turned back again. Her chest ached seeing no one waving. Taking a deep breath, she pulled out of the barn parking lot, crossed the road and headed down the trail to her future home.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Inside the clinic, Lauren was working on the latest specimen's she had gathered from her patients. Last week, she had talked to three different epidemiologists at three different public health research facilities in Seattle and Portland. While they hadn't come up with anything conclusive, she'd learned two things. First, what the disease was not and second, that whatever it was, it was mutating faster than any flu she had ever seen.

Now, she had a call in to the CDC in hopes that they could help her to narrow down the strains using their databases. She'd sent two samples in vacuum sealed containers by plane, so she was hoping to hear something by the end of today's work day, east coast time.

She'd considered hopping a flight back east so she could talk to these people personally, but Evony would not allow it. Not until she had something conclusive to take with her. If there was one thing Lauren knew, Evony did not invest in the hypothetical. If her treatment was hypothetical, she wouldn't pay for manufacturing of the vaccine or the flights that would get her to the companies that could do it.

She heard the electronic bell sound signaling that someone had entered the clinic. Truth be told, she had grown kind of fond of the old-fashioned grocery store bell that was strung above the old clinic door. It was a quaint sound that reminded her she was in small-town Alaska. Now, the clinic had all of the bells and whistles she'd had in Boston, without the patient load of home. In some ways, the silence had become deafening, but in other ways, she enjoyed the quality relationships she was able to develop with her patients.

She laughed at the thought that she was actually developing a bedside manner. It wasn't all journal entries, surgical technique demonstrations and consultations with the famous cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Lauren Lewis. Here, the pace was slower and she was just plain Doc. It's funny that the term she'd loathed when she'd first arrived, she'd come to love. As much as it could, it made her feel a part of this community… an important part.

Still, she missed Bo. She missed the connection they had. She'd never had that with Nadia and she felt sure it was a once in a lifetime thing, but she had promised herself and the musher a long time ago that she would never try to change her to suit her needs. Bo had to decide the kind of person and partner she wanted to be. She could only hope that Bo would recognize that Lauren was unhappy with continually being on the receiving end of her anger, frustration and a multitude of other negative emotions. She would need to find a healthier way to channel those or say goodbye to Lauren for good.

Lauren pulled off her glove, turned off her microscope and returned the lid to the petri dish. She then recapped all of her solutions and moved to the sink to wash her hands. She froze when she heard the voice,

"So, this is what has become of the great Dr. Lauren Lewis."

She told herself this was bound to happen sooner or later… but of course, much, much later or never would have been a really great option as well. She rinsed her hands up to her elbows and then ripped a paper towel from the dispenser. She dried her hands, pressed down on the foot pedal of the trash can and discarded the refuse before turning around, a tight smile on her face as she shoved her hands into her lab coat pockets,

"This is my personal office and lab. It would be appropriate for you to wait in out front. What can I do for you, Nadia? I'm sure you didn't just come for the five-cent tour of my new clinic."

She chuckled, looking around the clinic, "You can't be serious, Lauren. This is where you're working? You're the most brilliant surgeon in cardiothoracic medicine of our generation. This is so… beneath you."

Nadia leaned on the window sill, but then pulled her hand away rubbed her fingers, her face expressing all of the disgust she felt about being here.

Lauren laughed, "Really, Nadia? This clinic is brand new – as in just built from the ground up three weeks ago. Everything in here is state of the art. Why are you here, Nadia? Evony told me that you were not on the emergency team list she assigned to come after the fire. She's pretty pissed you showed up after she'd expressly told you that you were not to come."

She walked across the clinic where Lauren stood. When she reached her, she leaned across the counter and placed her hand on her ex-wife's,

"I came to be sure you were okay. It's my right as your wife. I was worried." She hung her head, "Look, this isn't easy for me to say, but… I was wrong. I acted rashly. The truth is… I miss you."

She leaned in, closing the distance between their lips. Lauren remained perfectly still until Nadia had just about reached her and side-stepped the attempted kiss,

"And you can't be serious, Nadia. What really happened that has you running all the way here to try to retrieve me."

Lauren heard the electronic doorbell ring again. The last thing she needed was to start an argument that people could use as gossip, so she tried to keep her temper under control.

"Aw, come on. It's not like that, baby." Nadia said, trying to temp her with a smile and a seductive look in her eyes as she approached her again.

The blonde stepped back, "I'm not your baby. I never was your baby. The only person's baby I have ever been was my mother's and that ended when I became a toddler at about fourteen months of age."

Lauren looked down, seeing the tan line on her ex-wife's ring finger, "Got dumped, huh?"

"What?" Nadia asked.

Lauren chuckled, "Your hearing is perfect and I'm standing five feet away. What happened."

"She wasn't you." Nadia replied, her eyes set on Lauren's as she reached for her yet again.

Lauren pulled away, "No, she wasn't. And I thank all of the Goddesses in heaven who helped me to see the light."

"Now that's not nice." Nadia said with a scowl.

Lauren shrugged, "I don't feel I need to be nice to you."

"You left me alone to handle cleaning out the house, to run the cardiothoracic ward, to handle all of our investments… everything. You owe me, Lauren."

Now there was anger in the brunette's eyes. It was all too familiar to Lauren. This is what she did when she wanted to get her way. This was the Nadia that she would cave in for, just to avoid the argument. Fortunately, she wasn't the same Lauren anymore.

"No, Nadia. You did all of that to yourself. You asked for the divorce. You were the one who tanked our relationship. You always needed me to do what you wanted me to do. You tried to mold me into your perfect servant. Well, I've had a lot of time to think since moving here and I've learned a great deal about the person I am and want to be. Trust me, she isn't your cup of tea."

"We had a good life, you and me." Nadia insisted, walking towards Lauren again.

"No, Nadia. You had a good life. I was merely existing… going through a daily routine that provided me no support from my partner and no challenges in my work life. I was merely the famous doctor who brought you the fancy parties and high life that you always wanted… not to mention a spotlight on your own work once we were married."

"I earned my own way in the surgical world. Just last month I went to a conference to teach…"

"My bypass technique?"

Nadia lowered her eyes, "Evony sent me…"

"She told me. She needed someone to fill the conference spot because I was working at the Iditarod."

Nadia laughed, "Now you're a doggie doctor? Really, Lauren. This isn't you. What are you doing here?"

"Living the life I choose, Nadia. And I never thought I'd find myself agreeing with Evony, but this position has allowed me to put some much-needed space between us. I'm focused on finding the future I truly want in my life."

"So that's it?" Nadia asked.

"Yes." Lauren replied, emphatically, but Nadia was not ready to take no for an answer,

"No, I won't let it be! We're a couple! That means we make decisions together."

Lauren laughed, "Oh, is that right? Then where was my part of the decision when you filed for divorce? Or, how about before that? Where was my share of the decision in the house we bought, the job we took, the dinner parties we attended, the vacations we took… hell, I didn't even get to pick my own clothing style!"

"Baby, we both know your taste in clothing came from your downtown roots. I was just helping you to dress for your station as a top surgeon."

Lauren heard the cling of dog tags and froze. She prayed it was LJ and not Bo.

"Nadia, you really need to leave."

"Go on, girl. Go see Lauren. Good girl."

Shit. It was Bo dropping off Elsa.

"Not until you say you'll give us a chance." Nadia insisted, reaching out to Lauren and gripping her upper arm.

The blonde looked down at the hand, "That is not happening, and you should really leave now."

Nadia pulled her closer, squeezing her arm more tightly, "Lauren. You're mine."

"Nadia, I said no."

It happened so fast that Lauren couldn't speak. In a flash, Bo's knife was at Nadia's throat,

"Whichever hand you don't want to lose, remove from the doctor."

Lauren was concerned that Nadia's eyes did not hold as much fear as they should, but then again, she knew nothing about Bo and even less about Bo's connection to her,

"Nadia, I'd do as she says if I were you. This is not a hospital in Boston. This is Alaska. The rules are different here. You are threatening the town doctor. We're too remote for a 9-1-1 call here. She'll handle this her way."

The visitor released the doctor's arm, allowing Lauren to step away and face Bo, "Please. Release her. She was just leaving."

"It seems to me she was refusing to do just that. Seems someone isn't good at rejection. Do you want to do the introductions?"

Lauren swallowed hard, "Bo, this is Nadia… my ex-wife. Nadia, this is Bo."

"Just Bo? Isn't that kind of a dude's name?" Nadia asked, tempting fate.

Whispering in Nadia's ear, Bo replied, "Just Bo." She looked at Lauren, "Apparently, I don't rank a title."

Lauren shook her head, "Bo, please at least lower the knife?"

Bo reluctantly released Nadia who turned and stepped towards her, "Who do you think you are?"

"Oh, honey, please don't even think about coming at me. Trust me when I say you aren't ready for it. Not by a long shot. You may bark like a grizzly, but I don't need my shot gun to take you down."

Nadia laughed, "You think I've never seen a gun? You don't scare me."

She caught Lauren looking at Bo and laughed, "You're fucking this?"

The blonde shook her head, "This has a name. It's Bo. Do not walk in here disrespecting the good people of this town, Nadia."

Nadia stepped towards Lauren, pointing a finger at Bo, "Really? You're choosing her over me?"

Elsa stepped up between her master and the stranger, her teeth bared as she snarled at the Nadia. Bo smirked, crossing her arms over her chest, waiting to see how Lauren responded.

"There is no choice, Nadia. You and I are long done. Like you said, it's been over long before you gave me the papers to sign."

Nadia took a step closer, but this time, Elsa barked lowering her head and readying herself to lunge,

"Elsa, Come Gee!" Lauren said, watching as the dog obediently turned and came back to her, "Good girl. Good girl."

Lauren could hear the low growl that was still coming from her lead dog. Both Kyle and Bo had warned her that the bond she'd developed with her lead dog would likely turn into a very protective one that she would have to watch when anyone appeared to threaten her. Even a child running into her arms could be misconstrued by a dog as an attack. She put a hand in front of Elsa's snout,

"Stay." She commanded before turning back to Nadia, "You need to leave."

"You have a dog?" Nadia asked.

Lauren shrugged, "Like I said, Nadia. I've changed. You wouldn't want the woman I've become."

She laughed, "Oh, but you think she does? She's obviously just attaching herself for your money, Lauren." Nadia scanned Bo, "She sure as hell needs a fashion rescue."

The blonde had about enough, but still, she laughed at the thought of Bo needing her money, "Wow are you way off. Bo doesn't need anyone or anything, let alone money. You know nothing about her, so I'd recommend you stick to picking on me. But if that's why you came, you've said enough and it's time for you to leave."

Bo stepped up, "Now, do you need a ride somewhere or can you find your way?"

Nadia turned to Lauren, "This isn't over."

"Oh, yes, it is."

All three women turned to see Evony entering the clinic from the cold room, pulling off the hood of her bear fur coat. It had been a gift from Bo and Lauren for helping Tosh and Big Jon with the work crews on the clinic and kennel.

"Dr. Anastas, I believe you have a flight to catch back in Anchorage. The train is pulling into town in twenty minutes." Evony strolled up to Nadia, standing eye to eye, "Be on it or you're fired for harassing one of my doctors."

Nadia laughed, "You can't be serious, Evony. She's my ex-wife."

"Yes, the key word there being 'ex', Dr. Anastas. I'll ask you one more time after which, I will give this woman permission to strap you to the dog sled she has outside and drive you to Anchorage in the blizzard that has once again graced this village."

Nadia laughed, "I'm from Minnesota, Evony. A little snow never scared me."

Lauren just shook her head as Bo turned to Evony,

"Permission to strap her to my sled?"

Evony turned to Bo, "Oh please, take her out of my misery. If she dies, I'll finally have a legal way out of this one."

"Contract?" Bo asked.

"Two more years."

"You have to start putting loopholes in your contracts so that you can get rid of people you don't want to deal with anymore." Bo quipped, flipping her knife over and over in her hand.

"New knife?" Evony asked.

Bo nodded, "Yea. I lost the one I left in Big Jim's chest to the FBI evidence locker. I had to get a new axe, too."

"Couldn't get the blood off from killing your brother?" Evony asked.

Bo shook her head, "Gotta give credit where credit's due. Hale made that kill. My axe landed after the bullet went through him."

"True. I guess he's good for something." Evony nodded, sharing a smirk with Bo as their eyes held a wicked gleam. They turned to Nadia as she suddenly stepped out of the space between them,

"Uh… I'll just be heading out to catch that… train." Nadia said, taking a few steps backwards until she ran into a triage table. She headed towards the exit, Lauren calling out to her,

"Nadia! You have to put on your gloves, sunglasses and hood! You'll…" Lauren cringed as the door slammed, "… get frostbite."

She turned to the two brunettes who looked very pleased with themselves, "You two are horrible."

Bo shrugged, "I was just answering the bosses' questions." She nodded to Lauren's arm, "You alright? That's awfully red."

Lauren waved her off, "It's fine."

"Really. You should put some ice on that."

"I'm fine, Bo. Really." Lauren reassured her.

Elsa sat proudly by Lauren's side, staring up at her, tail wagging rapidly as Bo smiled, "Your little girl is here."

Lauren turned and immediately smile, kneeling down to welcome her dog into her arms. She checked her incision and then lifted her onto the table to change the bandages that covered her burns.

"Good girl. You were vicious! Absolutely vicious! Good girl!" She set to work carefully pulling the bandages free while small squeals came from Elsa, "I'm sorry girl. We've got to see to these so that they don't get infected. If they do, you'll be wearing these bandages much longer than either of us would like."

Evony pulled on her gloves once again, "Well, since I have no desire to see those nasty burns, I'll catch up with the two of you later. Ta!"

She waved, pulling up the hood of her coat and walked quickly towards the cold room door. The room fell quiet again with Bo standing silently by, watching as Lauren tended to Elsa's burns. While the young dog seemed to be running around playfully, eating well and generally behaving as her old self, the burns still looked very bad in Bo's eyes. Still, she had to admit, she'd never seen burns from a fire before – not on people or dogs.

"They don't look better." Bo commented, "Not that I know anything about burns."

Lauren turned on the magnifying lamp and slid it over the burn that took up much of Elsa's thigh, "You know plenty about burns. Frostbite is a burn. Sunburn is a burn."

Bo shrugged, "I've never seen… well… in the clinic, after the fire… it was scary seeing people who looked like their limb had been thrown on a grill for too long."

Lauren nodded, "Burns are scary… especially the first time you see them. They can heal if they're tended to properly, but you're right, some of the victims of the fire will never fully heal."

"Like Kyle?" Bo asked.

Lauren nodded, "I'm telling you, Bo, it's a miracle she's alive."

"So her whole side…"

Bo stopped, seeing the doctor already shaking her head, "She'll be scarred for life. They'll do a series of skin grafts, but she'll never be as she was."

Bo nodded, "It's a good thing she was never one to be vain."

"Unfortunately, vanity has nothing to do with the way a burn victim feels when they first see themselves. People like Kyle tend to struggle to live with their appearance. Strangers stare and worse yet, the people who know and love them tend to try to make them feel better by telling them they look fine."

Lauren sighed, dropping her instrument, "Elsa, I need you to be still, baby girl. I don't want to hurt you." She looked up at Bo, "Can you hold her for me?"

Bo nodded, "Of course."

She moved to the table and placed a hand on Elsa's midsection.

"You know, I never thought I'd find myself working on canine patients so frequently."

Bo smiled, "Maybe you should go back to school for Veterinary medicine."

"I'd actually consider it if I wasn't so busy trying to cure this damn plague."

"It's a plague now?" Bo asked.

Lauren shrugged, "By every definition of the word. It's febrile, bubonic, pneumonic and I've just had my first case that proves it's septicemic. The only thing it isn't is bacterial… at least, I don't think it is. My colleagues in Seattle and Portland agree that it's viral. It's approaching epidemic proportions in the village and is now spreading to the towns surrounding Point Siku. We've got twenty-five cases in Anchorage and as of this morning, twelve cases here."

"Sounds serious." Bo replied, now truly concerned. She took a chance and asked, "So… would all of that have anything to do with why you haven't seemed very interested in anything beyond friendship with me lately?"

Lauren stopped what she was doing, her eyes remaining set on the wound before her. She continued to work again, as she spoke,

"I just… I'm very busy with this. People's lives are on the line here, Bo. I can't really deal with our stuff until I've dealt with this stuff."

"We have stuff?" Bo asked.

Lauren pulled off her gloves, disposing of them in the trashcan next to the table. She turned off the magnifying light and pushed it away before taking a bottle of saline and squirting it across the wound to rinse away any debris. Bo controlled Elsa when she flinched, whispering reassuring words that quickly calmed her. Lauren pulled out a pouch and tore off the top, pulling out an alcohol swab,

"She's got a bit of infection starting in there. I've removed the abscess, but I want to be sure it's clean and sterile before I cover it so I can be sure I'm ahead of any spreading. Hold her tightly, please. This will burn a bit."

Lauren held the stick carefully, using tweezers to squeeze the fluid from the sponge onto the wound. Elsa whined a bit but Bo held her still, leaning down to whisper in her ear,

"Good girl. You're such a brave girl." She scratched her head between her ears, giving her comfort until the pain subsided, then watched as Lauren applied antibiotic ointment and a clean sterile dressing.

"You don't remember our discussion after the banquet then?" Lauren asked.

Bo shrugged, "I was tired, worried about the dogs and… in a mood, I guess."

Lauren nodded, "And once again, I was the recipient of that mood."

"Lauren, I'm sorry if…"

"No apologies, Bo." She stopped what she was doing and looked up at the brunette, "You promised me that when we got back, you were going to take steps to work on the things that you agreed you needed to change. I need you to take those steps, Bo."

"I will, Lauren. I just… with getting the barn and kennel going, finishing my house, exercising the dogs, getting back into my trapping before the thaw and dealing with the feds, I just haven't had time…"

"To do as you promised me?" Lauren asked, cutting her off, "I'm not a priority. I get it. But I've already lived that life. As I told you in the parking lot that night, your life is changing. You have family and a support group now. You may find that they're all you need… that I was just filling a temporary gap..."

"Lauren, I love you." Bo said, "Please stop pushing me away."

"Oh, Bo please. You've been pushing me away for a month." She removed her lab coat and shoes by the cold room door and began pulling on her mukluks.

"Where are you going?" Bo asked.

"I've got a patient to see over in Chase." Lauren replied.

"You're not taking your sled up there, are you?" Bo asked, worried.

Lauren dropped her arms and looked up at Bo, "Of course not, Bo. Kurt is flying me up."

"I would have flown you." Bo replied.

"LJ told me you were taking the dogs out. I'd actually expected you an hour ago."

Bo nodded, "I forgot to drop off Elsa. I was halfway there when I remembered, so I turned around and came back to bring her to you."

Lauren sighed, "Well, that was very nice of you. Thank you for coming all that way."

Bo lowered her eyes, "It was my fault I forgot. I have to start making a to do list. I'm not used to having all of these responsibilities. It used to just be work and survive. Now… well… all I want to do is be with the dogs, finish my house and be with you, but there's all of this other stuff and… well… I don't know. I just need to figure out how to handle this new life… around all of these people. I need… I need…"

She shook her head, lowering her eyes before turning to walk to Lauren's desk. Quietly, she picked up the phone while Lauren watched, curious as to what had just happened to make Bo decide to make a phone call in the middle of their discussion. Lauren crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head until she heard Bo speak,

"Yes, is this Dr. Faith Gray's office?"

Lauren watched in disbelief as Bo made the call she had promised to make as soon as the race was over. It was three weeks late, but it was being done, nonetheless. Of course, there were two items of concern. First, that Bo was doing this because she still wanted the help… for herself, not to appease Lauren so they could have a relationship. Second, that Bo would actually follow through and go to a series of appointments.

She watched as Bo hung up the phone, "She has an opening tomorrow at noon."

"Did you take the appointment?"

Bo nodded, "Can you watch Harper while I'm there? Kenzi said I have to get all of the dogs out of the hotel tomorrow. They're going to start ripping out insulation, so it won't be safe for anyone to breathe the air without a mask."

Lauren sighed, "What is she doing with the guests?"

"A little-known fact, Kenzi owns a train hotel at the south end of town."

"A train hotel?" Lauren asked.

Bo smiled, "A long time ago, she bought a large plot of land that was attached to the land the hotel sits on. She wanted to be able to add an outdoor patio for summer, expand the restaurant, add additional rooms or additional parking if she wanted to. Then, the railroad was laying new track and needed a place to put the old until it was finished. They made a deal with Kenzi, paying her to allow them to store the track there."

She laughed, thinking of how business savvy her best friend was on this deal, "They'd already had old train cars left on the land from when they redirected the tracks back in the day, so Kenzi changed the deal to get them to lay the old track on her property and put both sets of train cars on the old tracks. She then hired me to convert the train cars into hotel rooms. There's a parallel set of tracks that have a hand car that takes guests from their car to the main hotel for check out and meals at the restaurant."

"What a great idea." Lauren smiled.

Bo nodded, "Evony's not the only business woman around these parts." Bo smiled, "Anyway, she's moving the guests into the train cars since they're usually empty through the winter months until tourist season starts. My guys finished them while we were gone because she had already decided she was going to start the renovations. Plus, she thought if you still needed hospital rooms, you could use the cars."

Lauren nodded, "That was very nice of her to think of the medical needs of the people in town."

"Lauren, she was thinking of your needs and how to make your job easier."

The blonde nodded, "Well, I really must be going. I don't want to hold Kurt up."

Bo nodded, lifting Elsa off the table. She shook her coat out and began wagging her tail as Lauren pulled on her parka.

"Are you taking her with you?" Bo asked.

Lauren smiled, "I thought she'd enjoy the trip, but then I found out we're going to have to travel by snow machine. Molly is going to take her for a while and then put her in the kennel if LJ doesn't get back early enough to take her for a walk or a ride in the basket of his sled."

Bo smiled, "I'm sure she'll enjoy any time she gets to spend with her favorite human, even if it's just a walk over to Molly's."

Lauren smiled, "I miss her, so a little walk will be great. I really need to go. Kurt's worried about some line of storms."

Bo nodded, "Rightfully so. I could be pretty bumpy, but he's a great pilot." She hesitated, but then decided it needed to be asked, "Um, Lauren… I hate to ask again, but you never really confirmed that you could watch Harper tomorrow."

"Oh, sorry. Of course. Can you drop her off here?"

Bo nodded, "I can just leave her over in the kennel if you'd rather just check on her now and then."

Lauren shook her head, "She hasn't been in the new kennel yet and since you won't be there, I'd think that might be a bit rough on her mentally. She's just getting back to normal after being shifted from space to space and you've been away for quite a while. I'd like her to be around someone familiar, so if Mark or Little Jon can't take care of her, it should be me."

"I don't want to inconvenience you if you're busy with patients. I can ask Mark or Little Jon."

Lauren shook her head, "Mark is busy restocking his new store and Little Jon is dealing with exercising forty dogs now that you've combined your kennels. I'm at least in one place. She'll be fine with me, Bo."

The brunette nodded, "Okay. I'll pick her up before I go back to my house or wherever for the night."

"Well, I'll see you at some point then. I'll probably be gone until tonight."

Bo nodded, "Safe travels."

"Well, that will be up to my mechanic and pilot, Kurt." Lauren laughed, giving Bo a peck on the cheek, "Thanks for making that appointment, but I just want to say two things. Please make sure you're seeing Dr. Gray because you've decided you really want to and be sure you're going for yourself. You have to want to focus on you, Bo. You can't do this for me. If you're doing this for me, it won't work."

Bo scowled, "We won't work?"

Lauren shook her head, "The treatment won't work to become the person you want to be, Bo. You'll just be trying to be the person you think I want you to be. I want you to be you, Bo. The you that Big Jim and your past has prevented you from becoming all of your life. I'm want to meet that Bo."

Lowering her eyes, the brunette replied, "Because this Bo isn't good enough? Because you can't love this Bo."

Lauren threw her backpack over her shoulder and pulled up the hood on her parka before pulling on her gloves,

"I'm not even going to dignify that remark with a response. You know I don't feel that way about you. What I know from my own experiences and yes, as a doctor, is that you have to want to be better for yourself, Bo. You have to love yourself before you can give yourself to anyone else. If you don't, it's likely you'll never be happy in any relationship. Others don't make us happy, Bo. We have to be happy with ourselves first. It's something I've just come to realize about myself as well… even more so after the… visitor… to the clinic earlier."

Bo nodded, "You did shut her down."

Lauren shrugged as she raised her collar and pulled the zipper up to her neck, pulling her goggles up from her neck,

"You could hear our conversation?"

Bo sighed, "I tried not to, but it was kind of hard not to hear. You two were…"

"Loud. I know. That's how it always was until I would cave in and give her what she wanted so she would stop yelling or crying or threatening to leave."

Bo shook her head, "Like I do."

Lauren hung her head, knowing that Bo was starting to recognize her own behaviors, "Bo, we're a work in progress. We both have work to do. I'm dealing with a plague, I'm still fresh off of a divorce and I still have some things I have to settle back east at the year's end. You have a new business and a lot of work to do on a new hospital, not to mention that you're still trying to figure out what happened to your mother and finish your house. We've got stuff, but that doesn't mean we don't love each other."

"I do love you." Bo said.

Lauren smiled, "And I love you, Bo, but relationships take more than love. We're out of sync."

"Because we're not spending any time together, Lauren. We're always on opposite schedules."

"And that's okay, Bo. For now, that's just how it's got to be. We'll get things straightened out. It's just going to take some time. A little break isn't a break up, Bo."

Bo frowned, "It sure feels like one."

Lauren walked across the clinic floor, wrapping her arms around the brunette, "I'm not happy with you right now, Bo. I told you the other night, I feel like an outsider in your world."

She pulled back, "Figure out this new world of yours, then we'll see if I still fit."

"You'll always fit, Lauren."

The blonde smiled, leaning in and giving Bo a soft kiss before pulling back, "We'll see, Bo. Just… for now… you do you and I'll do me and when we have time to be together, we'll do some us time. Okay?"

"You promise there will be some us time?" Bo asked.

Lauren smiled, "I'm sure we'll figure it out."

Bo lowered her eyes, "Will you have dinner with me when you get back? I would love to cook for you… the way my Mom taught me. I think you'll love it."

"You did promise me a real live salmon bake on an outdoor grill." Lauren hinted.

Bo laughed, "You do know it's still winter here, right?"

Lauren shrugged, "I'm sure you'll find a way to keep us warm."

Bo shook her head, "Now see? You say we need a break, but then you go talking about me keeping you warm."

Lauren smirked, "You said we weren't spending enough time together. It's called a compromise. I don't not want to see you, Bo. I'm not intentionally pulling away from you. I'm just not happy with the way you treat me when we're in public and when you're angry. That's what the counseling is for."

Bo nodded, "You said earlier that you talked to Kenzi. What did you mean by that?"

Lauren shrugged, "She told me about the lesbian night life in Anchorage."

"Oh yea? What did my very straight best friend tell you?" Bo asked, curious.

"Your very straight friend owns a hotel, so makes it her business to know everything there is to know about the area so she can properly advise her guests."

Bo nodded, "Okay, so what advice did she give you?"

Lauren smiled, "That you're overprotective because of the way you've been treated, but that you were treated the way you were because of Big Jim and his close proximity to the religious conservatives. She said most people across the state just want to be left alone, so don't usually care about gay, straight or otherwise in these parts as long as you don't flaunt it in their faces."

"Okay, so that much is all probably true." Bo nodded.

"She also told me about that small minority of conservatives who have brought forth Proposition 1, and that Fair Anchorage is a group that believes if the law passes, it would bring discrimination back to the town and target the transgendered population."

"All true." Bo replied.

"She told me that this small group will try to make your life shit, but even they would leave us alone because of the you do you and leave me out of it philosophy. As long as you're not in their bubble or causing trouble, they probably don't care."

Bo nodded, pretty much agreeing with Kenzi's assessment of the general vibe in these parts.

"She said there's a really public LGBTQ scene and a low-key scene. She tends to think that it's the teeny boppers who are always shitting rainbows or proclaiming their support of gay rights that draw the wrong kind of attention... her words, not mine."

"That's Kenzi." Bo chuckled, "Continue."

"She said those kids tend to be out late at night in the bars whereas the before-nine crowd tends to be the older, low-key group."

"So, is she saying that we're old, so we have to get home and go to bed?"

Lauren pulled back her hood and lowered her zipper, "No, she said the older more established people tend to hang out with their circle of friends and work seriously on things like Fair Anchorage. They also attend events around town and participate in the community. They're out, but they're not covered in rainbows and glitter."

Bo looked at Lauren, "Were you ever covered in rainbows and glitter?"

The blonde smiled, "I used to love unicorns when I was a kid."

Bo smiled, "I've always preferred black."

"Then she told me about four bars in town and that you used to go to one?"

Bo nodded, "I was young and bored. It was entertaining. Depending on the bar, there's something for everyone. I'm not the fetish type. I'm just me. I was drinking a good bit back then, so it was a way to blow off steam."

Lauren chuckled, "I wish I could go back in time and meet young Bo, the bar queen."

Laughing, the brunette replied, "I was far from the queen."

The doctor reached out, grabbing Bo's pants by the waistband, pulling her towards her, "The mysterious Bo Dennis… a hint of danger in her eyes… oh, I'm sure you were a wanted woman."

Bo smirked, "I didn't say I wasn't wanted. I just said I wasn't anyone's queen."

"We'll see about that." Lauren said, leaning in and biting down on Bo's bottom lip, giving it a tug before releasing it and her pants, "I've got to go. See you for dinner."

Bo swallowed hard, frozen for a moment before she realized Lauren was heading or the door, "Call Kenzi if you're going to get held up or snowed in up there so I know to hold off on dinner."

"I will."

Bo watched as Lauren closed up her outerwear and opened the door to leave, but she turned back, remembering Bo was still in the clinic,

"Lock up for me?"

Bo nodded, "Will do."

"Come, Elsa! We're going to go see Molly!"

Elsa ran to do the door, tail wagging. Bo laughed as she watched the pair leave. She stood in the clinic, her eyes wandering around the new, larger space. She looked up at the staircase that led to Lauren's new 2nd floor apartment. It really did hold all of the comforts of home for the doctor. Bo thought for a long moment, making a dinner plan. Finally, she turned out the lights and headed out. She still needed to get to her house and finish up a few things before she could create the perfect dinner night out.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Bo pulled up in front of her house and smiled at the fully finished structure. It was much larger than the original footprint, but it was worth the extra effort. With the exception of installing the windows, ceiling support beams and appliances, every inch of this place was done with her own two hands. She was proud of her work… of what she had built here. Her eyes welled with tears,

"I'm home." She smiled, "I wish Harper was here to see this."

She made a mental checklist as she surveyed the property. With the exception of the solar panels to provide power and the cache that still needed to be dug for food, the place really was finished. At least, it wasn't what most people would consider livable or even what Bo wanted to call livable, but it was still better than the shelter she had on the ice up in Barrow, the small hut she had in Point Siku and the apartment that Kenzi allowed her to keep in exchange for being an on-call plumber, electrician and all-around repair person. This place was hers and that made it better than any of the others. The parts she'd carried with her today would finish off most of the minor things inside.

Proper electrical outlets, the cable for the satellite and the wiring for the lightning rod over the barn would all be installed this week. Then the solar panels would be mounted once the snow was gone. For now, the wood stove inside could heat the house without the solar panels, and she could survive off of what she could fish or trap in addition to dry goods. She had managed to dig a shallow cache for storing some food and meat, covering it with an old truck mounted camper so the bears didn't get at anything she put in there. For Bo, all of this was an upgrade from how she'd been living. Sure, at the hotel she had everything – except privacy. Walking into the hotel was always uncomfortable and now it had been even worse. Everyone knew the scandal of Big Jim and his family… and Bo was the bastard child. Yup, she would hold her breath and keep her head high during the day while working as part of society, but at night, this would be where she could relax and be her authentic self… she could take off her armor and be as vulnerable as she wanted to be.

She supposed that everyone lived like that – at least in part. She remembered her Mom teaching her to watch people when she was young. How they would be relaxed and comfortable talking to one person and transition to a straighter, tight smile when another person approached them. Whether at the market, in school, at the library, at village gatherings or meetings of the elders, Bo became a student of body language and reading people. It was a skill she carried with her ever since. She knew Kenzi's bark was worse than her bite from the moment she'd met. She knew that Big Jim was a bad man from the time she'd heard his name whispered in the village when she arrived… of course, she'd known the man who was her father as a child was bad from first-hand experience.

She sat down on a nearby stump, finally giving permission for the tears to fall. She cried loss of a real father in her life as a child, she cried for all that her Mom suffered to protect her, she cried for her brother and his sons and grandsons, she cried that she'd never had the courage to stand up to him earlier. Maybe if she had, her brother would have felt empowered to do the same and his kin never would have had to experience his abusive ways. She cried because if she'd allowed the memories in sooner, she could have found the truth of her Mother long ago.

At some point, the tears became about her relationship with Lauren. She was consumed by fear of what was to come… that she would never be enough… be good enough. What if she couldn't overcome this anger that raged inside of her, impatiently waiting to rear its evil head at a moment's notice? She hoped this Dr. Faith Gray was really good at her job. Right now, she wished she was in her office. She felt lost even though she had a fuller life than she'd ever had before. She felt… broken… that Lauren was the glue that was holding her together.

She chuckled, "I guess you were right, Doctor Lewis. It's not your job to hold me together. I have to do that for myself. You're not my mother. You're my partner… at least I hope you are. It's my job to love you… to allow you to be who you want to be, to do the things you want to do… without condition. You're not perfect… I think I thought you were, but you're not and I have to accept your imperfections just like you have to accept mine. The problem is that some of my imperfections are downright ugly. No one should have to live with that… you wouldn't be in your right mind to want to."

She looked out to beauty that was the land surrounding her new homestead, taking a deep breath, "Now's not the time for self-pity and self-loathing, Bo. Get your shit together." She chuckled, "Mom would say, Ysabeau, spending time feeling sorry for yourself is not going to solve your problems. Your dogs don't sit around pouting over things they did wrong. You beg forgiveness and promise to do better. Now get up and get better."

Looking up at the snowswept mountains, she smiled. Despite the fact that they always reminded her of just how small and insignificant she was in the grand scheme of things; they always gave her strength. She'd waited for years for a piece of land to come available on this river beneath this mountain and now, here she was. Since the roof had gone up, she'd spent a lot of time sitting up there just staring at her mountain. It helped her to process things. Besides, they were breathtaking this time of year. The snow and rain would soon move out which means the fog would lift and they would be fully visible… except for Denali, of course. She had her own weather system, so she would continue to play hide-and-seek,

"Remember to count your blessings, Ysabeau. Look at all you have. You're healthy, you've got a roof over your head, you've got dogs who are happy and they love you to the moon and back just as you love them. You finally have this little piece of heaven." She smiled, "You actually own all of this and no one can take it from you. Look around. Everything you need to survive is right here."

Her eyes teared up again, "I miss you, Mom. I miss you so badly. I wish I could talk to you right now. I could really use your advice." She sighed, "But, I'm going to go see this doctor who – hopefully – can help me to fix what's wrong inside. I think… I think I have to let go of you, Mom. I think… by holding on to my past that I'm holding on to the anger."

She sat down on the bench of the sled, the dogs following her lead and laying down as well,

"You know, I always thought my anger was because of all that Big Jim had put me through, but I think the anger has always been there… since I was a little girl. I think I was angry at you for not standing up to him. I think I was angry at you for letting him treat you the way he did."

She let out a light chuckle, "And now, I'm pretty sure I was mad at you for letting him take my brothers away from me. I think I'm really, really… really mad at you, Mom. But I think the good in Lauren reminds me of the good in you. I haven't had a smart, kind, strong woman who cared for me in my life since you left… or died. I think maybe I'm taking my anger out on her because in some twisted way I see you in Lauren. But I think that my anger also comes from my frustration over not knowing the truth. Where are you?"

She heaved a great sigh, standing up and grabbing the rail, causing the dogs to bark and stir, "Whoa, girls."

She smiled, 'I guess that's why I'm seeing Dr. Gray, right kids? She'll be able to figure out where all of this anger is coming from and how to put a cork in it… maybe even get rid of it."

A collective bark made Bo laugh, "You guys really are more human than canine, aren't you. That's why you make everything better." She looked up at the homestead, "This is it, kids. This is going to be your home away from home when you're not at the kennel. I hope you like it. It's going to be a bit cramped compared to the kennel… which I'm sure you'll grow to love once you get used to it. Your uncles spoiled you rotten. Your dog houses are almost as big as this one. Don't think I'm going to let you turn into couch potatoes. We're going to work harder than ever to pay back all of the hard work that they put in for you, right Ladies?"

Again, the dogs started to bark causing Bo to shake her head. She really did wonder how much they understood of what she said.

"Wow, look at this." She said, looking at her home, thinking of the months she'd spent building the structure.

She hadn't had time to fish or trap for her own food, so she'd taken one day earlier in the year to stock the small outdoor ground fridge. For water at this time of year, she would melt a few barrels of snow each day so she would have water for drinking, cooking and showering through summer. When Bo had purchased the property that once belonged to an old miner named Buddy Bowers, she was going to use the existing barn as her home. She thought it would be an easy renovation, but when she considered the size and how hard it would be to heat in the winter, she changed her tact and made it storage for her growing construction company. Amidst the backhoes, plows and other machinery sat twenty old barrels, fifteen currently filled with drinking water, the rest empty… for now.

Just after purchasing the property, she had acquired fifty old whiskey barrels from a guy cleaning out an old mining warehouse. They'd been sitting there from back in the big gold rush days. She made some repairs and modifications to repurpose them for water. Some were for melting snow and were attached to a small heating system and the rest had filtration systems and taps attached for drinking water. They were lined with galvanized steel and were near the heated barrels to prevent the water from freezing and fracturing the barrels. She had the creek to use for bathing and general cleaning. It was ice cold, but Bo had been doing river baths all of her life. It was no different now.

Of course, there were emergencies where frostbite and hypothermia were involved, so Bo did dedicate one barrel to catching rainwater for warm water bathing. It was attached to the downspout of the house and had a hose that ran through a pipe behind the fireplace. The pipe ended in the top of another barrel next to the hearth that looked like it would be for holding firewood, but actually, it would fill with warm water whenever it rained. There was an overflow valve that dumped any excess water into the drainage pipe beneath the house. She had told Tosh about her brilliant idea for accessing hot water which she was grateful for, since he cautioned her about leaved clogging the lines and causing a pipe to burst inside the house – or worse – inside the fireplace. Three days ago, she'd made sure all of the lines were clear with a snake and then added screens to the spout and before the house. If anything got clogged, it was the rainspout and barrel that would suffer and that would be visible to Bo.

Sometime during the summer, her guys would bring in the backhoe and dig the cache for food. Right now, the permafrost was way too hard for digging a hole that deep. Next year, she'd hunt and trap all year round, stocking up the cache to have food to last through the winter. She wouldn't have to work so hard year-round in blizzard conditions. Tosh was already worried about where he would get his stock of fur for his customers, but Bo assured him that she would trap whenever he needed her to do so. Otherwise, she and the dogs could just cozy up by the fire and watch old movies on TV… something she'd never done before. Maybe Lauren would even be there. A girl could dream.

She hadn't planned on a garage, but had then realized that in the winter, the dogs she'd used to get here would need a place to stay. She'd given in and added an attached three-car garage off the kitchen. She would use one bay for her new truck and the other two as a kennel for the dogs she used to get home. There was a large loft overhead for storing her sledding gear and extra sleds. She'd installed a pulley system for moving items up and down since none of them would fit through a fold-down staircase.

She moved the team around to the garage entrance, stopping to open the door before driving them straight into their temporary home. She closed the garage door and disconnected her sled and the leads, allowing the six dogs to run free in the hay-filled space. Bo had built waist-height partitions around the perimeter of the space to allow for each dog to have their own crate.

It was well known that dogs needed their personal space, especially sled dogs. Like regular siblings, when they spent too much time together, a disagreement would ultimately break out. The problem with dogs was that they settled their disagreements with teeth and teeth led to Veterinary bills and shortened careers. For that reason, Bo had put swinging fences at the front of each crate so she could keep them somewhat confined at night. They didn't lock, allowing each dog to get out – the fire had taught her that - but another dog couldn't get in without invitation.

They could also all easily jump their partition, exit the building through the doggie door on the side and go to the back of the fenced in yard. For good measure, Susitna River was beyond the fence. She knew they would jump the barricade and head to the safety of the water if a fire got too close.

When she was sitting at the police station last week waiting for Tamsin to interview her, she'd been watching QVC. They had this gallon jug that mounted on a bowl and continually filled a water dish for a cat. Bo decided to make one of her own using a water barrel. She walked over to her invention and pulled the cork on top of the barrel releasing the air at the top. She smiled as the water flowed,

"Yea, girls! Look at that! It works! Come and get it!"

She watched as they all circled the trough, some drinking immediately, others just coming for curiosity. With the dogs busy with their new toy, she moved to each crate and put down a bowl of food, calling each dog by name to their respective crates.

"Okay, kids! Need anything else?" she stood, hands on hips as their heads remained down in their food bowls. It would take a few more days for them to stop feeling like they were starving because of the massive calorie burn they'd endured during the race.

She smiled when Aphrodite came to her with her bowl between her teeth. She squatted down, taking the bowl and stroking her head,

"Oh, my little goddess of love. I'm sorry, but you don't get more until dinner time, sweetie. I know you feel like you're still burning 13,000 calories a day, but you literally only burned about two thousand just now. I promise I won't let you starve."

The champion nudged the bowl with her nose, a small whine escaping as she stared at Bo with big, sad eyes.

"Oh, you look so pathetic." Bo pouted. She knew that she felt like she could eat every second of the day, she couldn't imagine how the dogs felt. Even though she knew it was just their minds playing tricks on them, she turned to the cabinets behind her and opened up a box of her homemade chew sticks,

"Okay, how about a treat instead?" Bo asked.

Aphrodite's tail wagged and she gave Bo a doggie shout out. That was all it took for the other dogs to come running,

She tapped the pups' nose, "You were supposed to keep it a secret! Not tell your sisters!"

Bo laughed as she handed out a chew stick to each of the dogs. They carried them back to the privacy of their crates, laid down and instinctively began chewing.

"Okay then, that seems to have satisfied everyone's cravings." She looked around, pleased with the new kennel. For now, she'd leave the crate doors open, "Okay then, time to install the rest of the electric boxes, cabinet fixtures and… well, whatever else I can manage before I have to start cooking a dinner to top any dinner our favorite doctor has ever had." Her heart sunk, remembering Nadia's words, "Our very famous, very wealthy, world renowned cardio thoracic surgeon doctor who has probably eaten in the best restaurants in the world. Oh shit, shit, shit!"

She took a deep breath, "No. I'm not going to go there. Those fancy east coast restaurants have nothing on salmon fresh from a cold Alaskan river cooked by a native who learned to cook from a long, long line of native Alaskans."

She looked down at Aphrodite, "She has never tasted organic food that's as organic as what we can make here, right?"

Bo frowned when rather than a tail wag and a bark, the dog named for the Goddess of Love returned to her chew stick,

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, pal."

She sighed, leaving the small kennel area to enter the house via the garage door that connected to the kitchen. Stepping into the room, she immediately felt the chill.

"Okay, so we're apparently going to try out the new fireplace. She looked around, realizing the furniture she'd built was still missing the cushions,

"Crap. Where did I put that box of cushions Molly made for the sofa and love seat?" She looked around at all of the gear she'd been sorting through for the Iditarod, "Damn, this place is a mess. If you're going to have Lauren over for a salmon bake, this house cannot look like this."

She took in a 360 view of the house, finally looking up at the ceiling, "Okay, so tools and excess materials go to the tool bench in the garage. Two back up sleds go in the training shed outside, the other three go to the garage loft with the extra rigging gear. Let's move all of this crap first."

She set about her mental to-do list, making quick work of the small jobs before coming to stand in the middle of the room one more time. She looked around, finally taking a moment to take in the area she'd uncovered. She smiled, once again feeling the satisfaction of a job well done.

It had taken a year for every tree she'd cut down to be ready to be stripped, seasoned and varnished for use in the house. The whole project had taken five years from the date of land purchase. She ran her hand over the wood, her fingers feeling the bump of each knot and crack in the wood. She walked along the wall, admiring her workmanship. She smiled at the long reddish stain in the wood,

"I literally bled for you, house." She laughed as she recalled the creative string of curse words she'd spat when she'd planed her finger instead of the wood. Almost took the tip right off. She had called Selene via Kenzi and been told to glue it back on. She still wondered what happened to the glue that was now inside her finger, but Selene assured her that her body would take care of that.

Stepping back, she spun around, taking in the layout. She was so proud of this house. It was her greatest accomplishment – possibly even bigger than the Iditarod because in her mind, the dogs won the race. She'd designed the open floor plan, with a full bathroom downstairs next to a small guest bedroom. It was literally only big enough to hold a single bed. She had a large loft upstairs that was her bedroom and office. Any heat from downstairs would rise and make it quite comfortable if the fire was allowed to burn for a few hours. Of course, if she did have overnight guests, she would be more than willing to give up her larger bed to sleep on the couch or small bed in the downstairs bedroom. House guests?

"Who are you, Bo Dennis? I can't believe that the thought of entertaining guests even popped into my head." She thought about what Lauren had said for a moment and sighed, "I guess Lauren is right. I really don't know who I am anymore." She stared out of the large windows to the river, "So much is changing… I'm changing. It's not a bad thing, I suppose."

Again, she thought of her Mom, "Ysabeau, just as the ice changes on the sea and the rivers, so will your life as you grow. You can try to hold back the ice, but ultimately, you'll be forced to go with the flow."

She watched the current of the river, strong and restless in some places while calm and clear on the shore, "I get it, Mom. I finally get it. When I'm out in the world, I feel like that angry current in the middle filled with whitecaps and power. When I'm here and it's quiet, I'm calm and life seems… simple. This is what you meant by finding my home within my heart so I could always carry it with me. My home is the shore where it's calm. That's how I stop being so angry."

She stared out at the river, a sense of calm overtaking her. She could feel herself relax. Water always did that for Bo. It was one of the reasons she had chosen this river to live. She'd built her home far enough from the shore to allow for the spring melts and rainy season, but close enough to sit there at night.

She moved her attention back inside; well-aware she was pressed for time with everything still on her to do list. She examined the furniture in case they ended up sitting inside for dinner. Every piece of furniture was built to serve a dual purpose for storage. Under the sofa seat, now covered by one of Molly's cushions was storage for the blankets that Seline had made for her from the old clothing she had left behind as a teen. She smiled thinking of the old woman who had given her a home in the village when no one else would accept her presence. She lifted a couch cushion and pulled out the first blanket Seline had ever made for her. She sat and held the blanket, running her fingers over one of the patches. Bo smiled recognizing the Iditarod shirt from her days as a spectator.

She really needed to go visit Seline. She'd gone to see her right after the race, but now it had been two weeks since she'd returned to Point Siku. She thought of Lauren emphasizing that she was very busy now with her new family. She had to admit that she had been putting time with everyone else on the back burner. She had traveled to Anchorage several times each week to spend time with Tosh, but never pushed further south to the village. She and her brother were catching up… there were a lot of apologies and a lot of sharing over their lost mothers. Tosh had felt grateful that he was there by his mother's side when she died. While it was a great loss, at least he knew what had become of her. Bo still had no closure. Her meeting with Big Jim had created nothing but more questions.

Still, she needed to make more of an effort to see Seline. The woman had essentially been her surrogate mother and deserved more from Bo. When no one else would take Bo in, Seline was there standing up to the council, standing up to Big Jim and welcoming her into her home. Sure, her real mother had taught her about food, trapping, plants, making furs and clothes, breeding dogs and training them for sledding, but Seline had taught her how to survive here among people. She taught her about their community, taught her native ways, taught her native medicines and taught her how to navigate her way to owning land, building a business and more. She owed Seline more than she could ever say. She may not be her blood, but she was still family.

Again, she was reminded of Lauren's words. Bo had felt like an outsider because she wasn't native, and she had no blood relatives here… or so she thought. Lauren was now living in the same shoes Bo wore for over a decade. The doctor had no blood here. She had friends, but would they stand by the doctor no matter what? Bo had experienced first-hand how people could turn on you if they had no tie to you beyond a superficial friendship. Little Jon had stuck by her because their connection went beyond friendship… they were connected by gratitude, a life-threatening event and by a love it took her a long time to let in.

"I really do need to get rid of the tunnel vision when it comes to people and think about what others are going through… think about what Lauren is going through… think about how I'm treating Seline. I can't just ignore her now that I have a real family. Hell, listen to me! She is real family, Bo! She's your second family after the one your mom gave you."

She thought of a question that Seline once asked her,

'If you only had hours to live, child, who would you want to spend them with? More importantly, with you isolating yourself from our society, who would think to dedicate those hours to you?'

Bo was overcome with emotion in that moment as she pondered the question. Her answer now would be a house filled with everyone she loved, but when it came right down to it, Mark and Molly would want to be with Michael. LJ would want to be with his dad, Big Jon. Big Jon would want to be with Pops…Tosh. She knew she would be the next choice for Tosh, but would Bo be anyone's number one? Would Lauren want to be with her if she only had hours to live? Did Lauren have family back in Boston? She'd mentioned a brother… but Bo couldn't even remember the conversation now.

"Damn, I suck!" she shouted, "I can't even remember conversations I've had with a woman I claim to love! Back at the clinic, I couldn't even remember the night at the awards banquet. She's been waiting for me to act on something she said, but I wasn't even listening!" She thought about those words, "I don't listen to her. I'm always stuck in my own world with my own feelings. I really, really suck!"

She heard the dogs barking so immediately moved through the kitchen, grabbed the mounted rifle from the wall, cocked it and opened the door, raising the barrel to her cheek. Seeing nothing, she lowered her weapon and tucked it back inside the door,

"What's going on in here?" She looked up to find a sled cushion ripped apart in the center of the kennel. She shook her head, as she walked over and picked it up, then gathered all of the stuffing from the hay, "Who did this?"

All of the dogs backed into their respective kennels, "Oh, I see. No one's talking today, huh?" She turned to Aphrodite, "You? No?" She stood, hands on hips looking down at her second wheel dog, "I gave you a treat!" She looked across the kennel, "I gave you all treats and this is how you repay me?"

Bo watched as they all laid down, her eyes coming to rest on Aphrodite who moaned and fell over onto her side, "So dramatic."

She looked up to see the uneven stack of cushions. They'd jumped up on top of a counter to snag the cushion which must have been hanging over the crate of Artemis. She tried not to laugh,

"Artemis…" but she lost her battle when the team dog covered her face with her paws, "Okay. You're forgiven. But I'm building taller walls. For now, we'll move these into the shed."

Bo grabbed the stack of seat cushions and walked through the side door that led to the backyard. She had yet to build houses out here for the dogs and she had no straw for ground cover, but it would do for the dogs to relieve themselves when necessary. She knew they preferred to sleep outside, but with the risk of people trying to steal her champions, she was keeping them all under lock and key for now.

She looked up at the sky, instinctively checking the weather through the moon and stars. In another month or so they would be safe and happy out here if they wanted. The doggie door would allow them to move in and out as they pleased – something they couldn't do at the kennel in town.

The fence she'd erected out here was an overhead fence made of wire. Mark really wanted her to build a wood fence with a locking gate because of the value of her dogs, but Bo had enough on her to do list for now. He had reminded her that anyone could float down the river in a boat, take the dogs and be gone before she could even get outside. Bo didn't agree, because she knew her dogs would bark like crazy as soon as they heard someone come anywhere near her land. She would be up and running stark naked into the winter night to put a bullet or an axe into anyone who tried to harm or take her dogs, but still… it was worth considering.

She stared out at the river, happy to see the water level was high and moving swiftly. It was good for fishing, not to mention a good indication that the temperatures were rising, however slightly, and spring would be coming soon. She took a moment to take in the scenery of the rising snow-covered mountains and blue-green glacial waters before taking a deep breath, sampling the fresh, crisp, clean air.

"I love you, Alaska." She smiled, "And I know I need to be better… be my best. I need to let people see my heart… because it's my mother's heart and she is the very best part of me. She taught me better… she taught me kindness… she taught me to do good for others…" Bo lowered her head, "…she taught me to do good for others despite how they treat you." She released a breath, "I guess I didn't remember that lesson until just now. Lauren does that every day. She does everything she possibly can for everyone else no matter how they treat her in return. I've only been doing things for Lauren if it benefitted me." She scowled, shaking her head, "Mom would be very unhappy with me."

With one last look to the horizon, she turned and headed back inside, determined to do better… to be better… starting with Lauren… tonight.

She looked around the house, drawn to memories of how she'd built much of this place with scrap materials from the hospital and clinic. This wood was all that remained of those two structures, burned to the ground in the fires. She was glad that she had something left of all of the work she'd put into those two jobs – especially the Clinic.

While logs made up the primary structure, the interior walls were made from the salvaged barn wood, giving it a rustic charm. It was plenty big enough for her and a small team of dogs, functional and fit perfectly into the landscape that surrounded it… in her opinion. It was quaint, and exactly what she wanted. Every nail, driven into every piece of wood was put there by her hammer and her sweat. The home was slightly understated for someone who was a builder by trade, but at least it was hers. With plenty of land, she had built the garage and multiple sheds for storage. She didn't need to take up space at Kyle's, Mark and Molly's and Tosh's place to store her trapping and sledding gear. She could have food and supplies on hand for the dogs and a proper roof over their heads. They deserve more comfort than she had previously provided, so she was happy for that at least.

She looked up at the open beams that supported her ceiling and grinned. She had raised each beam with a pulley system on her own, climbing the rafters to lay the plywood sheets over the rafters to create the base for the roof. She had rolled out the tar paper over the plywood and only called on her men when she had to lay the large sheets of tin for the outer roof. She'd laid every stone of the fireplace, only getting help with the insert and wood-burning stove, which was exceptionally heavy to move.

She released a small chuckle thinking of her fall from the roof when she was installing the flashing around the chimney. It served her right for working on a snowy tin roof without a safety rope. Thankfully, she had fallen into a massive snow drift which had piled up against the back of the house, but still… it hurt… a lot. From that point on, she had worn a harness for anything over fifteen feet.

Shaking out her thoughts and knowing there would be time for reminiscing later, she worked quickly, installing the electrical boxes and outlet covers in each room before taking on the task of running the cable up to the rafters. She followed the length of wire, stapling it into place every eight inches or so before shimmying up the main support beam and across the rafter to attach the cable to the satellite dish connector she had mounted last week. Now, all she needed was power. For that, she needed the solar panels on her roof. That would happen later this week.

Going back out to the barn, she lifted two five-gallon containers off of the shelves and carried them inside. She slid them under the kitchen and bathroom sinks, respectively, attaching them to the spout hose so that would pump running water through the spigot on demand. She then poured water into the toilet bowl so that if Lauren needed to relieve herself, she had a place to do that. Off the grid living wasn't for everyone, so it would be interesting to see how the doctor responded to it when she saw the place.

Finally, she walked out back and opened her fishing closet. She pulled out her waders, fishing rod and tackle box before heading through the gate of the fence towards the creek. Once there, she clipped the line of her floating basket to her waist and headed into the water. It took only a few minutes until her line was in the water and mere seconds to haul in her first fish. She was grinning ear to ear as she quickly filled the basket,

"Well, lookie what we have here! Two King, two Sockeye and a Coho! That'll last me at least two weeks." She held up the massive king fish, kissing it on the lips, "You are going to make a great sacrifice tonight for a wonderful woman who loves wonderful salmon. Thank you, for your gift."

Bo pulled in her line, deciding that five big fish were probably all she could fit in the small cache she had for now. As a rule, she never caught more than she could eat or store. In the coming weeks, she would start hauling one fish at a time since the weather would break and it would be easy to catch the food she needed on a daily basis.

She would also plant her first garden, something she hadn't done since she was ten years old. Sure, she'd helped Kenzi in hers, but it wasn't the same. She smiled thinking of the time she'd spent in the garden in Fairfield where her mom grew food for local restaurants. The land was owned by the cruise lines, but they paid her mom minimum wage plus all the vegetables she and Bo could eat and carry in exchange for keeping their restaurant pantries stocked with what they needed. Her mom's garden was one of the only ones that had tomatoes. It was said that you were a champion gardener if you could grow tomatoes in Alaska and her mom was the best.

So, they would take their fill through summer and then freeze and carry the leftovers up north. Bo also remembered seeing Dr. Edwards in August. It was her yearly checkup and he always said what an energetic young lady she was. He'd give her a lollipop and then she would wait while her mom had her checkup. It was after the checkups that they always headed north, her mom insistent that they be home before her dad and brothers got home from summer fishing so they could help clean and freeze them for winter.

Well, now it was time for Bo to try her hand at growing on her own. She'd built a nice sized growing shed in the back yard, complete with glass windows on the sunny side and a small solar panel to power the growing light over the two small seed tables. There were already tomato vines were growing, which was a huge accomplishment for her first solo garden. Of course, she wasn't sure what would happen when she actually planted them in two months, but the seed had small sprouts and the small plants she'd taken from Kenzi's garden last year were off to a good start.

She had beets, potatoes, carrots, turnips, cabbage and kale planted outside as well. Since they were root vegetables, they were planted outside in rectangular growing boxes. She had made those from the old railroad ties salvaged from Kenzi's hotel land. Both seed and soil were already packed into the boxes then covered with hay. Sure, there was still snow on top, but the spring melt would slowly add water and minerals to what lay beneath, gradually feeding and watering the root vegetables. She really didn't need do anything until it was time to harvest. Then, she'd carefully did them up in late July and August, cooking and freezing anything that was left over.

Kenzi's garden was massive. Her restaurant was literally garden to table during the late spring and summer months. She saved a huge amount of money, allowing her to make more profits during tourist season to buy canned goods for the restaurant in winter. With all fresh ingredients, her guests were more than happy to eat in the hotel restaurant rather than dine elsewhere, only helping her bottom line. Add to it the traffic she got off the street and she did very well for herself.

Of course, Kenzi usually traveled across the border to the Lower Forty-Eight to do grocery shopping with her friend Vex. Bo hadn't trusted him for years, but now she had grown fond of him – especially since he was so willing to help Kenzi out. He worked in the same business and helped her friend to get discounted alcohol and supplies for the hotel. With the big RV he owned, he would help Kenzi to pick up and stock the supplies for the winter and drive them back up north, so it actually benefitted both of them – not to mention the people they served. Vex also ran a charter fishing company, so every once in a while, he would bring Kenzi a halibut or a load of crabs, charging her about an eighth of the regular cost.

Living in Alaska was rough, but those who lived there, wouldn't trade their way of life for all the sunny beaches in California. It was clear that Vex had a thing for Kenzi, but for whatever reason, her friend was stuck on Hale despite him being part of the hero squad that Bo despised... although lately, Tamsin had sort of grown on her… like a fine mold. Still, she felt like they'd all lied to her, so seeing Kenzi with them just gnawed at her gut. Still, Kenzi was a free spirit, so she wasn't sure anything serious would ever come of her and Hale. Bo felt like he was just here trying to climb his way up the ladder to a state job, but if he was, he was playing those cards close to the vest.

Still, she couldn't wait for their schedule to get back to normal. She liked it better when Hale was in Anchorage a few days a week and Tamsin was around to cover Talkeetna when she was off Fed duty. Thankfully, Dyson was in Anchorage one hundred percent of the time. She'd been very good at avoiding Anchorage lately and she wanted to keep it that way. Tosh was heading back to the Point Siku store and Mark's son Michael was now going to be running the Anchorage store since LJ had to stay in Talkeetna for the kennel business.

It was nice to work with native Alaskans who had been here all of their lives. They understood Bo best and she understood them. Of course, maybe it was just because all of her cop acquaintances were just that… cops. They had city experiences with big city ideas and always seemed to feel like they needed to change her. The problem was, Bo had lived off the grid most of her life. She was used to living a simple, quiet life and she liked it. Even now, her social circle hadn't grown bigger, there were just more strangers coming around… and the cops were always around.

What rubbed Bo the wrong way lately was her new perspective of the big picture. The cops were here to keep the town clean of crime. That's what they were paid to do, yet Big Jim had been allowed to run rampant for years. If you asked Bo, they weren't worth the money they were being paid. But they obviously needed money to survive since they had zero experience living off the land as she did. Still, if someone ordered a fur from her and she didn't deliver it, she wouldn't get paid. Why did they?

For Bo, living costs had never been something she even thought about. While others went to stores to buy things they needed, Bo went to stores to sell or trade her goods, not spend money on things she needed from their shelves. She had two fishing wheels on the Copper River – another side business where she would catch about five hundred salmon a year to sell to the small restaurants in that area so she would have money to buy lead line and supplies for the dogs. They were her biggest expense. Her tracking, trapping and fishing skills kept her fed and clothed. She used plants from the land for soap, lotion and salves. Her mom used to tell her that the bush and forests were heaven's medicine cabinet.

She looked out across the river and smiled as she thought of her mom in the garden. She so loved the spring when the garden would grow. Bo remembered the times around the last snow when her mom would pick her up, put her in the dog sled basket and head south to the garden store where she would let Bo pick the seed packets for planting down south. Bo always picked potatoes. She loved all of the different ways her mom could think of to cook potatoes.

She looked along the river bank, "Maybe… just maybe if I have time, I'll take my little motorboat down river to the cover and see if there's anything in my crab pot. Salmon, crab and kale salad for dinner sounds good. I will have to pick up Harper for the night, too. I can get her when I get Lauren."

She smiled thinking of Harper on this river before her cancer had been found. Harper was a master at snagging any fish that came within a few feet of her. She would catch a fish with her teeth and proudly prance over to Bo, dropping it at her feet. She was always very proud of herself for contributing to the catch of the day. A good amount of the salmon she'd catch before next winter would be dried, mixed with reindeer and moose meat before being made into jerky for dog snacks.

Walking to the fence at her back yard, she picked up the cutting board she'd crafted and moved back to the river, pulling her fishing knife out of her tackle box. She made quick work of cleaning the salmon, cutting them into perfectly symmetrical segments before tossing the remains into the river for the shrimp and crab to feast upon.

She cleaned her knife and then carried her gear and the cutting board that held the salmon back to the shed. Once inside, she pulled one of the burlap bags from the shelf, cut a piece free and wrapped the salmon in it. She left everything else behind as she walked back to the house.

Once inside, she headed to the kitchen, unwrapped the fish and stood staring at it.

"Okay, so… what are we going to do with you?"

She looked up at the cabinets, taking a moment to run her finger over the wood that had been left over from building the clinic and smiled. She pulled the door and groaned,

"I'm having a guest for dinner and my cabinets are almost completely empty. I have two beets, two potatoes, two turnips, a bunch of kale and a bunch of carrots from Kenzi. None of that works up to a marinade for the salmon."

She closed up the salmon, wishing she had kept it whole, when it hit her. She clapped her hands,

"Wait right there, Suzy Salmon!"

She ran out to the garage, walking through all of the gear she had yet to unpack from the race. Finally, she found the three large remaining food bags that were recovered from the checkpoints she skipped after the town of Iditarod. She opened the first one and started pulling items out one by one,

"Bucket, stirring stick, dog food, dog jerky, human jerky, human trail mix… hmmm…" she opened the bag, pulled out a handful and popped it into her mouth, "… backup knife, Heet, matches… yes! Canned beans, canned corn, canned tuna… canned peaches! Yes! Honey! Okay, that should work."

She ran inside with the three cans of peaches and the jar of honey, putting them on the counter. She stood looking at the ingredients, pausing for a moment before she remembered the old bottle of bourbon, she had in the liquor cabinet in the garage. A little touch of that would be perfect. She wished she had some spices, but that was something she would have to do without. Her shed was void of any spice plants so far. She made a mental note for later and started thinking about preparation.

"Okay, so we have no grill or grate to cook over an open fire." She thought for a moment before raising a finger as the idea hit, "But I have mom's 6-quart dutch oven in the garage!"

She ran out to the garage again, opening and closing cabinets until she found the old black dutch oven that had been her mother's. It's one of the only things she had taken with her when she left. When she'd returned home, the contents of her house had been placed in the old storage shed. Most had been picked over by neighbors and random strangers, so what she had remaining from her family home had been what she had carried with her. Thankfully, that included her mom's jewelry and favorite little trinkets, a few photos, some of the notes her mom had left her over the years and some items from the kitchen.

She grabbed the iron rod used to lift the lid off of the dutch oven from the fire, grabbed a box of Heet and headed back inside. She thought about the meal for a second and then rushed out back to the shed. She grabbed the potatoes, the turnips and the carrots and headed back inside.

"Okay Suzy Salmon… change of plans. We don't want you to be lonely, so we're going to have a little dutch oven party tonight. It's been a long time since I did this, but hopefully it works with what I have! We're going to keep two of these fillets out of the mix. I'll bring a griddle back from town when I go to pick Lauren up just in case this doesn't work. Plan B will be grilled salmon over an open fire with the kale salad. If it works, we have a one pot meal that will be fall off the bone delicious." She paused, "Of course, this is fish, so there needs to be absolutely no bones."

Bo cleaned the vegetables, then ran back outside to grab her mom's ulu from the kitchen utensil box. She started back inside, thinking about the timing of her meal. She quickly used the ulu to chop up the vegetables and tossed the scraps into a box to throw into the composting bin later.

She popped open the cans of peaches, cut the halved fruit into smaller pieces and then poured them, juice and all into the dutch oven. She poured a generous heaping of honey into the iron pot, then added a three-count of bourbon,

"Not sure how much of that is actually needed, so we're going with less is more." She used the ulu to stir the marinade around and then put the salmon fillets in three layers, skin side down. With the lid on the oven she took it outside near the back steps, covering it with snow.

"Okay, so that needs to marinate for about thirty minutes. Fire. Get the fire going."

She rushed out back to the shed, pulled out her shovel, then grabbed an armful of firewood. She ran back inside to get the Heet and ran back out again. She stepped outside the fence and moved to the sandy area near the river,

"Okay, permafrost. I'm gonna need about three feet, so stay out of my way." She crossed her fingers knowing the permafrost was usually a bit deeper near bodies of water and began to dig.

She dug and dug until she hit the frozen layer of soil at almost the three-foot mark, "Close enough. I have to remember to bring the backhoe out here in spring, dig down deeper and insert a steel ring so I can cook with the dutch oven through the winter."

She tossed the small pieces of fire starter into the pit, opened the bottle of Heet and poured it onto the wood, then tossed in a match. She waited for the fire to spread before tossing some firewood in. She watched it burn down, adding wood until she had enough to make about five inches of coals, then ran back into the kitchen to grab the vegetables.

Heading back out to the firepit, she grabbed the dutch oven from the snow and took everything to the river's edge. She pulled out the pieces of salmon, piling them up on a piece of wood before tossing the root vegetables into the bottom of the pot. She then added the marinated salmon pieces and placed the lid securely on top.

Using her shovel, she broke up the pieces of firewood until they were small red-hot coals. She scooped some of the coals onto the top of the dutch oven before taking the iron hook, catching the handle of the oven and placing the entire pot on the coals. Using her shovel, she then tossed the sand and dirt back into the pit, burying tonight's dinner.

She looked up at the sky to check the position of the sun, "Okay, gotta be back in three hours. Gotta set up some chairs. We can eat right here by the water if I put up a quick shelter to block the wind and widen the fire pit."

She looked back at the wood shed, "I'm probably gonna burn through a lot of wood tonight. I'll have to get busy chopping more or I'll run out of wood by tomorrow."

She moved to the tool shed and removed the large tarp from the pieces of furniture she'd begun building over six weeks ago,

"Sorry I've neglected you and also sorry if you're not absolutely perfect, but I'm gonna need you tonight. You're going to have to be naked because I won't have time to sand, prime and varnish, but I promise I'll keep you covered until I do that. We wouldn't want you to get weather beaten and sun burnt!"

She headed over to her tool shed and pulled out her back up tool belt. She strapped it to her hips before stuffing sand paper, her manual hand drill and some screws, nuts and bolts into the pockets. She thought for a moment before deciding that would be all she needed.

"Might be a nice time to have power tools, but Mom would never forgive me. That's for the real world business."

She opened the door, putting the wooden door stop in the top joint before hauling one chair base up and onto her head with a good deal of effort,

"Shit. Your butt is heavy."

She carried the base to the sand, placing it near the site where she had buried their dinner. She positioned the base exactly as she wanted it before going back to the shed and gathering the frame and slats for the chair backs. She then repeated the process with the second chair. She wanted to build six of these chairs, but the house had been the priority. These were the prototypes and if they were as comfortable as she'd hoped, she'd build the rest. Otherwise, go back to the drawing board and build a new model.

"I wonder if the couch pillows that Molly made will work on these. If not, I'll have to add that to the list of things I need to get in town. Mental note, Bo… griddle for dinner plan B and seat cushions to fit these chairs."

She walked to the shed and pulled out her tape measure, "You'd think I could remember the seat measurements. Serves me right for not finishing them when I had the chance."

She measured the seats, then went inside to measure the sofa cushions, "Crap. Definitely need to buy seat cushions from the store. I hate having to buy things I could have made myself." She sighed, "Hell, what am I complaining about. Lauren's totally worth it or you would just have her sit on the wood, splinters or not." She laughed, "Kenzi would be sitting on the wood."

Heading back to the river, she set to work drilling the holes through which she would attach the wooden slats. When she'd started the project weeks ago, she'd measured where to drill so that she could safely etch on a design without the bolt heads breaking up the art. When you set all of the slats in order on the base, the seatback on one chair formed the image of a full sled team and musher. The other was actually a full-sized image created from a picture of Harper.

She turned the crank on the drill, strong hands and forearms powering the bit quickly through the top, and bottom of each slat of wood before lining them up to match the base frame. She stepped back to check the alignment and appearance,

"Perfect, although I wish I'd used a picture with Harper's tongue hanging out like it usually does. Damn, you're adorable."

Her phone rang, "Crap."

She looked at the screen, seeing that it was her brother, "Hey, Tosh. What's up?"

"You comin' back into town this afternoon?"

"Yup, but only for a little bit. Why? What's up?"

"Just found something I think you'll want. Are you staying in town tonight or are you heading back to your house? Molly said she didn't think it was live-in ready yet."

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I promised Lauren salmon for dinner, so I'm cooking that here. I figured we'll just eat it here so it's hot. I'm not sure what she wants to do after that."

"Heard she flew up north. She's coming back tonight?"

"That's her plan unless the patients or the weather don't cooperate. Wait – are you in Talkeetna?"

"Yup. I'm helping Mark stock his store and do inventory. He wants to get up and running by Monday."

"I can't blame him. He's got money going out to buy stock and supplies, but none coming in."

"Yea, well thanks to your win and the money you gave him for working on the team, he's got enough to put in a decent amount of stock. I'm helping out as much as I can, but the Feds are in my books making sure Big Jim wasn't wrapped up in my business. I suspect they'll be doing the same with Big Jon and Mark's stores soon enough."

"He wasn't! His name isn't on any documents and they know it. Why are they still coming after you guys? It's just not right."

"One of the witnesses commented that he was always in the store. Apparently, they had assumed he was a partner in the business and told them as much. Of course, Dad might have told them as much. On top of that, we never did anything about his more nefarious adventures, so I guess it's a sort of guilt by inaction."

"Great. I've said it before, I'll say it again. I hate the Feds. Sorry they're giving you trouble, Tosh."

"No worries, Bo. Fortunately, Mark, Big Jon and I don't follow the Big Jim method of family financial planning. Our books are accurate to a tee. Plus, we've always shared our fortunes and our burdens. We may each own a store, but we split our profits evenly... always have. As for the Feds, Tamsin's been a big help. She seems to be running interference when she's around."

"When she's around? Where is she? I thought she was working the case out of Point Siku?"

"She was, but she had to leave to look into a lead on some other case she's working on… supposedly related to Big Jim, so I've heard. The boys here in Talkeetna heard she was in the Canadian Rockies, North Slope and then she ended up down in and now in Minnesota."

"Minnesota? That's a big trip for a guy on a sled." Bo replied, but then realized he'd said Tamsin was in the borough she grew up in, "Wait… did you say she was up in the North Slope? She went to Utqiagvik?"

"I only know she traveled up to the North Slope. It stuck with me because of your connection to those lands. As for Big Jim, apparently he didn't always travel by sled. I suppose that's how he always seemed to be around when I was a kid. Either that or his travel switched to plane when he started his second family. Still makes me crazy to think about him doing all the bad he did while trying to play family man to two clans – two clans that he left holding the bag for his misdeeds."

"Well, let me know if you get into a bind. I've got money in my bank." Bo stuck with the conversation, but now she was very curious about why Tamsin would have gone to the North Slope.

"I really wish you would use an actual bank, Bo. You know there will come a time when having some investments and a retirement fund will pay off. You can't live off the land in your golden years."

Bo laughed, "Of course I can, Tosh. Plenty of people do it. Eventually, I'll bring my fishing wheel here from Copper River and never have to cast a rod again."

"That would be quite a loss for them."

Bo smiled, "Their loss is your gain. I'll have enough to feed the whole family. Besides, there will always be someone to take my place no matter what business I leave behind."

"Sometimes I wish I'd been raised by your Mom too."

Bo frowned, "Don't think that way, Tosh. Everything I've heard and seen of your mom says that she was a great woman who raised you right. If you'd been with me, you would have ended up like your half-brothers. Big Jim was free to raise them to be hateful idiots up there. Down here people stick to themselves, but they still hold young boys accountable."

She could hear the sadness and regret in his voice as he replied,

"I wish they would have held me more accountable… held my dad accountable. I've got a life of regrets and it will take a lifetime to find redemption."

"We're all seeking redemption for something Tosh. We're human. Just when we find it for one thing, we do another. It's an eye-opening experience."

They were silent for a moment before Bo asked,

"So back to your original reason for calling. I'm heading to town in… let's say about thirty minutes? I'm going to go to the hotel for a shower and change of clothes, then the kennel to check on the dogs and pick up Harper. I have to stop by Mark and Molly's to buy pillows for the chairs I built, and I need a grill or something to cook over a fire. Hopefully I time it right and Lauren's back and ready to go."

"Okay, sounds good. How much space will you have in your sled or are you taking the truck to your house?"

Bo shook her head, "I haven't plowed a road to the house yet, so can't plow the snow to get a truck back there."

"Geez, Bo. How far away is your house?"

Bo smiled. Since her brother found out about her secret construction project, he'd been peppering her with questions every chance he'd got,

"Family dinner in two weeks will answer all of your questions about my house, Tosh. Hopefully by then you can travel by truck. If not, we'll either push it back or hitch up all of my dogs and sleds to get everyone out there. You do remember where I grew up and how I lived most of my life, right?"

She heard him chuckle as he replied, "I do, so I guess it was a stupid question. I can expect a long, winding trip through bush, over ice and through the woods then."

Bo laughed, "I suppose so. I'll see you soon then, right?"

"Will do, Bo. Safe travels."

"Unlike planes, trains and automobiles, the nice part about traveling by dog sled is that they rarely crash, flip, break down or hit another sled. See you in about two hours."

"I'll be timing you." Tosh laughed.

"Please don't. I've still got things to finish up here before I hitch up the sled and come your way," Bo laughed, "Besides, I've had enough racing for one year."

"Okay, okay. For now, no timing, but eventually I'm going to start betting on your arrival times. A guy's gotta make a living."

"I finally learn I have a brother only to learn he also has a gambling problem that involves taking advantage of his sister's sledding skills. See ya, Tosh."

She shook her head, smiling as she shoved her phone back into her pocket. She set back to work, now even more grateful than ever to have a brother in her life. Tosh was turning out to be a very good guy. She'd never realized he had it in him. He always seemed to be every bit the man his father was, but now she had learned that his job had been to play bad cop to his dad and good cop to his sons. He was actually the perfect buffer. Now, he could just be Tosh, the guy who was now very curious about her life on the North Slope and how she learned to do the things she could do and how she lived.

Currently, he was obsessed with knowing the location of her home. He wasn't raised off grid, but she had imagined he could at least figure out she was close enough to have a signature on the cell phone Lauren had insisted she buy. Bo was finally getting used to keeping it charged and, on her person, but the thing was like an anchor in her pocket. Still, it gave Lauren peace of mind, so she would continue to carry it. She smiled as she remembered the day Lauren surprised her with a phone…

Flashback…

"Bo, you could be dead out there for days and we'd never know what came of you."

"Lauren, I could have been dead for years and no one ever would have come looking for me or cared that I was gone other than the hole it left in their wallets because they didn't have my furs, fish or hammer."

"That's a terrible thing to say. Of course, people would notice and care that you were gone. You are special to many people around here, Bo."

Bo sighed, "I guess Little Jon would be upset. Maybe Mark and Molly. Selene."

"So you'll accept my gift and carry this phone?" Lauren asked.

Bo smiled, "I can't make any promises for after your gone, but for now, I will carry the phone for you."

"Thank you." Lauren replied, "I will sleep better when you are out on those long cold, dark trails for days at a time, miles and miles from anything but wilderness."

"Lauren, I really don't want you to worry and… well, I wish I could make you understand." She looked around the clinic, "Let me ask you… do you feel safe here?"

She shrugged, "I suppose. I mean, as safe as someone can feel in an unfamiliar place as remote as this."

"Remote? Talkeetna is not remote, Lauren. It's a town where most people own a tin dog or a float plane or a helicopter."

"Tin dog?"

Bo smiled, "Sorry. A snow machine. If I need help, someone can get to me."

"Not if they don't know you need help." Lauren countered.

Bo nodded, "Lauren, out there in that vast wilderness… I feel safer there than I do here in this town. I know you don't understand… yet… but when the snow melts, I want to take you to the North Slope and show you."

"The North Slope? Where's that?"

"The village where I grew up, Utqiagvik?"

Lauren nodded.

"Well, Alaska is divided into nineteen boroughs and the North Slope is the borough where I grew up."

"You want me to go up there where it's nothing but wind, snow and ice?"

Bo chuckled, "You'd be surprised. In the spring, the tundra comes to life with plants and blooming flowers. It's beautiful, Lauren… well… to me it is."

Lauren sighed, "I'm sorry, Bo. I didn't mean it like it sounded. I don't want you to think I'm insulting your birthplace. I just… well, to me it's scary."

Bo smiled, "The unknown can be scary, Lauren. I think that's why you are worried about me being – well… out there." Bo pointed out the window, "But those lands are my home, Lauren. I give to the land and the land gives me what I need. Here, I feel… out of step. Out there, the feel, the air, the snow, the land… it fills me."

Bo lowered her eyes, "I must sound like a real weirdo to you."

Lauren smiled, "You sound beautiful to me, Bo. You sound like you are totally at home with nature. I think that's the way we were created to be before man started taking from nature to build pavements, buildings, trains, cars, planes… not to mention bullets and guns and weapons of war."

Lauren sighed, pushing her hair behind her air, "Now who's going deep."

Bo smiled, "No, I agree. I wish we people would slow down and stop to look at the beauty we've been given. I wish they would only take what they need and realize that having a lot of stuff doesn't make your life better."

"Is that why you live the way you do? I mean, away from people?" Lauren asked.

Bo shrugged, "In my experience, most people tend to suck. Dogs tend to be awesome. I just prefer to stick to my dogs."

-End Flashback-

Bo smiled, snapping out of her memory. She had so many of those memories from her time with Lauren. Each of those moments led her to slowly fall in love with Lauren. Every moment since she had just fallen more and more in love.

Finishing up the first chair, she pulled the sandpaper from her toolbelt and finished any rough edges around the freshly drilled holes, careful to work the paper with the wood grain, slowly and deliberately so she did not damage any of the design. She then did a final check for any other spots that needed her attention before deciding it was as finished as she would get right now.

"And now, the ultimate test." She turned and slid into the chair, nudging her bum around to make sure she didn't catch her pants on the wood. She took a deep breath and relaxed her body into the frame,

"Damn I'm good. I could sell these suckers for sure. Very comfy and doesn't actually need a cushion, but I guess if I were going to sit for hours on end, it's a good option."

She stood and got to work on Harper's chair, smiling the entire time as she stared at her best canine friend's image. She was excited to have Harper with her tonight. It was time for her to get back to normal.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Airstrip in Chase, Alaska

"How long do I have, Kurt?" Lauren asked as the pair stepped out of the small bush plane and headed towards the airfield office.

He shrugged, "I figured you would tell me."

"Okay then. I guess I'll get through these patients as quickly as possible. You remembered the cooler, right?"

He held up a finger, "Cooler for the blood samples. Right. I didn't, but I'll get one from town and fill it with snow… I mean, if it needs to be kept colder."

Lauren shrugged, "Cold is a must."

"Okay. You brought your goggles and mask, right? We're traveling by…"

"Snow machine. I've got everything."

They entered the office, "Kurt! How are you? How's Kyle?"

"I'm good Pattie, thanks for asking. Kyle's improving every day, thanks."

"We miss her smiling face around here. Thanks for picking up the deliveries while she's under the weather."

Kurt hadn't given Pattie any of the specifics of his sisters' condition. He'd just told her that she had an accident and was going to be down for a while,

"This is Doctor Lauren Lewis."

The long gray-haired woman stood and moved towards the Lauren, "It's very nice to meet you, Doctor. Thank you so much for coming. We're at a loss with this flu. We lost Miranda Wilson yesterday."

Kurt lowered her eyes, "We're very sorry for your loss."

Pattie nodded, "It's very sad. She left those three adorable children behind. I hope you can figure this out, Doctor Lewis. The town is getting a bit tense. Parents are refusing to send their kids to school because they're afraid they'll get sick. Restaurants in town are losing business because people won't eat out."

Lauren nodded, "Well, panic can happen in situations like this. I promise, I'll do what I can. We have top researchers at many west coast hospitals working on this as well as scientists at the CDC. We're hoping for a break through very soon. The samples I'm collecting from Chase will tell us if the virus is still mutating or holding its course. We have to make sure the same virus is effecting all of the villages or if it's something different in each."

The woman looked at Kurt, "I'm not sure what she just said, but it sounds like she knows what she's doing."

Kurt laughed, "She does, Pattie. So, do you have transportation for us?"

She nodded, tossing him a set of keys, "Bright yellow snow machine out back. Anything else?"

"Do you have a cooler that we can carry these samples in? They have to be kept cold."

"Out back in the shed. Take whichever one will work best for you." She replied.

"See you in a few hours, I guess."

Pattie nodded, "You've got weather coming in about two, so I'd move faster rather than slower. Record lows coming. Go figure. Just when you think it's gonna be spring. Just be careful who you run into. Lots of cabin fever goin' round."

Lauren's heart sunk. She hoped they could make it back. She'd hate to disappoint Bo tonight by not showing up. She was already doubting them enough and Lauren had to admit, she'd been caught up in her own head. She was angry at Bo for being angry, but the whole plane ride here, she couldn't stop thinking about Bo's life story, inclusive of the parts most recently revealed. If it were her, Lauren would be angry too, but instead, she didn't take the time to consider what Bo had been going through. She just snapped to judgement right away… something she seemed to be doing a lot lately.

She was so focused on Bo's anger being displaced on her that she didn't stop to think that Bo had been raised on her own. If she got angry, she could vent that anger while alone. Now, with Lauren in the picture, when she got angry, she had no experience venting that anger with others around.

She watched as Kurt signed the rest of the paperwork for their flight plan and dropped the pen, "Thanks, Pattie. With any luck, we'll be back in a couple of hours tops."

"Thank you, Pattie. It was nice meeting you." Lauren smiled, following Kurt through the office to the back door.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Valaria Residence, Thirty Minutes later…

Lauren dismounted the snow machine and pulled off her helmet, "Kurt, please tell me the other patients are closer to this house than this house is from the airport. We'll be spending two hours just doing travel at this point."

"No worries, Lauren. I'll get you home for dinner. I promise."

Lauren shook her head, "We're not risking our lives to get home so I can have dinner with Bo, Kurt. She would kill both of us if we crashed because we were stupid… if we survived the crash, that is."

Kurt laughed, "Okay, so you're right about that. I'll call Bo while you're seeing your patient and let her know we may run behind schedule."

"And the weather. Tell her about the weather."

Kurt smiled, "I promise, I'll make sure she knows how sorry you are that you may not make it to dinner."

"No, don't tell her that yet, Kurt. We may make it. I mean… gosh, I don't know what I mean. If I can figure anything new out from this Valaria woman, I won't need to see all of the other patients. We'll head back, I'll put together a cure and then you can fly it back for the pharmacists to administer."

Kurt shook his head, "In a perfect world, that sounds great, Lauren. Just know that Bo will be fine if we stay here overnight so we stay alive. She's lived in Alaska all of her life and she's flown bush routes before. She knows shit happens. She'll be disappointed, but she'll understand." He nodded towards the home, "Your patient name is Mary Valaria, age thirty-four."

Nodding, Lauren headed for the front door of the home, her thoughts of Bo having to be pushed to the back of her mind for now. She heard Kurt start the snow machine and drive off as she raised her hand to knock, but the door opened before she made contact with the wood,

"Hi." Lauren's eyes moved down to find a young girl who couldn't be more than eight years of age.

"Well, hello there. I'm Dr. Lewis."

"I'm Elise. Are you the doctor who's going to make my mommy better?"

The doctor's hand instinctively moved to her chest. She was unaware the woman was a mother, "Well, I'm certainly going to try. Is anyone else home?"

She shook her head, "It's just me and my mom."

Lauren nodded, stepping inside the house. She looked around, seeing everything in appeared to be in order. She walked into the kitchen where she saw a step stool in front of the stove. On the table where most families would eat, she saw stacks and stacks of canned soups. In the sink was a single plastic bowl and spoon,

"So, are you doing the cooking for you and mommy?"

The young girl smiled proudly, "I can make my own soup! Mommy isn't eating. She sleeps mostly."

Lauren nodded, "I see. Can I see your mommy now?"

"Sure! She's in here."

Lauren followed as the girl ran towards her mother's bedroom. When she entered, she could smell the foul mix of body fluids in the air. She moved to the bed and tapped the woman on the shoulder,

"Mary? Mary Valaria?"

The woman struggled to open her eyes, "Yes." She made eye contact with her daughter, "Elise, why don't you go in the living room and do the school work Mr. Nelson dropped off for you. I don't want you to fall behind."

"Yes, mommy." She said, her face dropping as she turned to leave the room.

She looked back up at Lauren, her eyes falling closed again.

"Mary, I need you to stay awake for just a little while longer. I'm Doctor Lewis. Can you tell me how you're feeling?" Lauren asked, putting her backpack down and pulling out her medical bag.

"The only reason I know I'm still alive is because I can still see my daughter. You have to get her out of here. I'm terrified she's going to get sick. Please take her away where she can have proper care. I can sign…"

"Mary, I can't just take a child with me."

"Please. I heard you're from Talkeetna. They don't have as many cases as we have here."

Lauren nodded, "I'll make some calls and see what I can do."

She reached out towards her night stand, "There's paper and a pen in there."

The doctor opened the drawer and handed the woman the tablet and pen from the drawer, helping her to sit up so she could write. It took several minutes, but when she finished, she tore off the paper and handed it to Lauren,

"I know there's nothing you can do for me, but you can still save my daughter. Please save my daughter. She's had a shit life. She doesn't deserve this. She knows where everything is. I planned for this."

Lauren shook her head as she realized the note was to sign over custody to whomever she decided should have the little girl,

"Mary, where is her father? Don't you have any other family or friends here in town?"

The woman shook her head, "This town is one big plague. My little girl can't even go out and play because most of her friends are sick or being kept away from the rest of the people in town because their families are healthy. She's eating three square meals of canned soup a day that she cooks by herself. I bought a thousand cases of bottled water and had it shipped in. I turned off the faucet when I started getting sick just in case it's in the water. My husband thought… I should have listened. She's eight years old!"

"Where's her father, Mary. Can I get her to him?"

She shook her head, tears beginning to fall, "He was the third person to die from this almost a year ago. They thought it was the flu until some hot shots showed up and took blood from everyone. No one's been back since… not until you. Why did he have to die? Why do only some people die? I don't understand. He didn't understand."

The woman was barely able to talk as she fell back on the bed. Lauren helped her to slide down again, helping her to rest comfortably. She was out of breath just from sitting up for a few minutes.

"I'm sorry for your loss and that someone dropped the ball on this. I can't speak to the past, but Mary, I promise you that I'm not giving up on this. We're certain that by taking the blood of people who have lived versus people who have not will eventually render an antibody we can use to create a vaccine for prevention or a serum to cure the disease. Unfortunately, right now all we can do is treat the symptoms which you're already doing."

She handed the woman a tissue, "Trust me when I say that I've raised the alert on this. I have ten different hospital labs in Portland and Seattle working on this as well as people at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention back east in the lower forty-eight. It's becoming a top priority – especially since people flying from here to the main hubs that service North America could spread the infection and create a national crisis. Trust me when I say that this condition is getting more and more attention every day."

Mary laughed, "Too bad it's too late for me."

Lauren watched as the woman coughed and coughed, barely able to catch a breath in between. She put her stethoscope to her ears,

"Don't count yourself out yet. Now, let me take a listen to your lungs, please." Lauren said, the woman nodding.

She placed the instrument against her back, listening to the tell-tale sign of pneumonia. She fished in her bag for a bottle of antibiotics and moved to the kitchen to get a glass of water for her to wash them down.

She reached up to the cabinet and pulled down a glass before turning on the tap and allowing the water to flow into the glass. Turning off the tap, she stopped when she caught a hint of discoloration in the water against the white backdrop of the sink. She pulled her phone from her back pocket and turned on the flashlight, holding it up to the water.

"No way." She said, remembering that Mary said they'd only been using bottled water. Something she had said about her husband. What did she say? She turned and rushed back into Mary's room.

"Mary, has anyone tested you or your husband's urine?"

The woman scowled, "No."

The woman coughed again, unable to stop. Lauren mentally kicked herself for not thinking of it sooner. She assumed that because of the cold climate that this couldn't possibly be a consideration,

"Mary, can you tell me how your symptoms have progressed?" Lauren asked.

The woman shrugged, "I thought I'd get it from my husband. I didn't. It's almost a year and I didn't get it. Then, about two weeks ago, I had diarrhea. I thought it was something I ate. I was nauseous for a week. Antacids didn't work, so I went to the doctor in town and he prescribed one of those stomach medicines that work long term. It still didn't get better. Then I started getting confused," she laughed, "I thought I was getting Alzheimer's. I was terrified."

Lauren nodded, "So did you have any other symptoms after the confusion?"

Mary nodded, "About a week later, the flu symptoms started. One of my coworkers had it and his wife said his flu went away on its own after about three days. It's been seven days and I just feel worse."

Lauren smiled, "This information is very helpful, Mary."

Looking in her medical bag, Lauren pulled out the ten bottles of antibiotics she had with her, "All the same. Dammit. This won't work. This won't work for anyone. Dammit."

She turned back to Mary, "Who is the doctor in town?"

"They didn't tell you?"

Lauren's brows knit together, "Tell me?"

"The doctor died. That's why we needed you."

Lauren's shoulders sunk, "Does someone have a key to his office or is there a pharmacy nearby?"

"There's a pharmacy at the town center." Mary said, her eyes heavy now.

Lauren pulled the thermometer out of her bag and gently placed it in the woman's ear holding it until she heard the tone. Pulling it away, she sighed before writing down the number.

"So, what's the verdict?" The woman asked, her voice growing weaker by the second.

"You are guilty of a very high fever, pneumonia and a nasty bacterial infection. The problem is that the antibiotic I now believe I need to treat this is not the one that I've brought. We were going in a completely different direction."

"I don't understand."

Lauren nodded, "I'm not completely sure, but I have a new suspicion about what we're dealing with here. If I'm correct, it would explain why random people seem to be getting sick and it is not spreading consistently within a household like the flu usually would."

She offered a sympathetic smile, "What I can tell you though, is that if I'm correct and we've caught this in time, your husband may have just saved your life."

Mary grinned, "That would be so like him… to play hero even from beyond the grave."

Lauren nodded, "Okay, I need to go call that pharmacy and see if I can get my hands on what I need."

The doctor stood to leave the room, but Mary grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, "I'm having trouble breathing, Doctor Lewis."

"Your lungs are filled with fluid, Mary. You have pneumonia and an exceptionally high fever. Usually, I would admit you to the hospital, my clinic is barely able to handle basic care at this point."

"We heard it burned down."

Lauren nodded, "The next closest hospital is Mat-Su Regional, southeast of Willow. You feel up for the trip?"

She shrugged, "I can't leave my kid here."

"Your daughter can go with us, Mary. I know of a family in Talkeetna who may be able to watch her until you're better."

"Will they take her if I don't make it?" She asked.

Lauren shook her head, "Let's not go there yet, okay?"

She gripped Lauren's arm harder, "Please. You've got to make sure. Please."

Lauren watched as the woman began to seize, her body trembling, "Shit."

The doctor turned the woman quickly on her side, looking down at her watch to time the seizure, "Come on, Mary. Don't do this to me. I need more time."

She continued to wait, seconds feeling like minutes, minutes feeling like hours until finally, the woman relaxed, her body going limp. She pulled a tongue depressor and small flashlight from her bag. Using the flashlight, she checked her pupils for responsiveness and found them unequal, but responsive,

"Not good."

She pressed on the joint at her jaw to open her mouth and inserted the wooden stick, checking for vomit in Mary's mouth. Seeing none, she turned her onto her back and opened her airway. She called Kurt,

"Kurt, I'm going to need to get this patient to the closest hospital. We can't take her on the snow machine. She's unconscious."

"I'll call Miranda and arrange transportation to the air strip, then call ahead to the emergency room at Mat-Su Regional."

"Thanks, Kurt. Oh, and we're going to have a tiny passenger to take back to Talkeetna. I'm going to call Molly about watching her until we see what happens with her Mom."

"There's no one here who she can stay with?"

"Honestly, I don't know the protocol for this, Kurt. Back east we would call Children and Youth Services. I have a note from the mom – she insisted. It's signed consent and release. From the way she wrote this, she seems to know what she's doing."

"Damn. That's rough for the kid."

"It is. I've got to get back to this." Lauren said, looking towards Mary's room.

"Okay. I'll be in once I find out what we're doing. Give me about fifteen."

"Thank you, Kurt."

"You got it, Doc."

Lauren moved into the living room. When she didn't see Elise there, she turned to move to the kitchen and saw a room with a desk in it. She entered the room slowly and was shocked by what she saw. Two matching desks with matching leather chairs on opposite ends of the room were piled high with papers. On the wall were diplomas and certificates. As Lauren moved closer, she saw that one was for a Doctor Arthur Valaria, M.D. and the other was for Doctor Mary Ellen Valaria, Esquire.

"This is my mommy and daddy's office." Came a small voice from behind the doctor, "They have a lot of homework to do."

Lauren turned to see the little girl holding a piece of paper and a pencil, "Can you help me with my math homework? Mommy always helped me with my math."

She crawled up onto the chair of what Lauren could only guess was her mother's desk. Lauren moved to stand next to her and saw three legal cases on top of the desk,

"Your mommy is a lawyer?"

Elise nodded, "Yup and my daddy is a doctor. Well… he was a doctor. He got sick and there wasn't anyone to take care of him. It was winter and it took a while to get him to the hospital. By the time he got there, he was super, super sick. My daddy went to heaven."

Lauren pulled the other chair over, "I'm sorry, Elise."

She shrugged, "Is my mommy going to go to heaven too?"

Lauren didn't want to make promises she couldn't keep so she chose her words carefully, "I'm going to do everything I can to prevent that, Elise, but she's very sick. She's asked me to take you with me to stay with someone who will be closer to the hospital where we'll taking her."

"So that I can sit in her room and read to her? I read to her a lot. She likes it. I read her Oh The Places You'll Go and Green Eggs and Ham. She likes Dr. Seuss."

Lauren nodded, "Elise, your Mommy needs to sleep right now. You can visit with her for now and if she gets better then yes, you'll be able to read to her again."

Elise nodded, "She doesn't want me to be near her. She's afraid I'll get sick."

"Well, right now your mommy is sleeping because she has a very high fever."

The young girl lowered her head, "Like Daddy did. He was burning hot."

Lauren nodded, "If you want to sit in the room with her, that's fine. As long as you don't share food or drink, you should be fine."

"So you know what's wrong with my mommy?"

Lauren smiled, "I think I might. I just don't have what I need to make her better. That's why we have to take a ride down south to get her help."

Elise nodded, "I wish they would have called you sooner."

"Me too, Elise. There's just not enough doctors to go around with everyone who is getting sick. But your Mommy has just given me answers to a lot of questions, so I think we know what's wrong now."

"Can we finish my math before we go? Then I can put it in the mailbox so my teacher can pick it up. Mommy doesn't want me to fall behind. She wants me smart like her and Daddy."

Smiling, the doctor nodded, "Of course. Let's get this math finished."

Lauren watched as the child set to work on her homework. While she worked, Lauren did her own homework starting with a mental checklist of things she needed to do before they left for the hospital. Since she didn't have the proper antibiotics for the suspected condition and she still needed a urine sample to confirm her suspicion, she would at least hang an I.V. to give Mary fluids. She was clearly dehydrated. Once on the plane, they would pack her in ice to try to drop her fever which was currently topping out at 106 degrees F. She needed to have Elise pack her belongings and she wanted to take a precautionary urine sample from the child as well. They could do that at the hospital.

She needed to call Molly to see if they would be willing to care for the child until the mother was well. If she didn't survive, she would have to call protective services to figure out the next steps. She hated to see another child end up in foster care, but that was the system.

Finally, she would need to call Bo. She was definitely going to be late. Very late.

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