The Doctor smiled. The place looked interesting and the music was good. The long rough-timbered room with wood floors was warm and smelled of the pine of which it had been built. He sat down at a small table near the large fireplace. It had a good view of the low stage and he watched the two women with pleasure. It had been some time since he had heard mandolin and hammered dulcimer played well.

He seemed to have dropped in on a group of 'hippies' slightly displaced in space and time. He was QUITE sure it was later than the 'sixties', or even the 'seventies'. The satellite dishes he'd seen at the end of the other large building nearby were post his consecutive years as an exile in his second regeneration. He was also at a higher latitude and on a different continent. He ordered an herb tea when the server came. He was rather pleased with himself. THIS time he'd actually remembered he needed 'money'. He sorted through and found he did have some of the right type, then winced. He was sure it was after the date on the bill, but the denomination might be a problem, WOULD be a problem. When the server in the long skirt returned, he smiled at her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I only had one VERY large bill. Is there a place nearby I can exchange it?"

"How big? Oh, MY, that big. Hmm, if you'll trust him with it, I'll send my son to our 'bank'. Joseph might be able to do it. He owns the store. Or, we can just call a cup of tea neighborly and invite you to stop back by."

"Neighbors being all persons in QUITE a distance, I imagine. Actually, I wasn't planning on staying long, but the music is too good to leave and it's very pleasant here. I think I'd like to support a "neighborly" establishment. I'll trust your son and give him my thanks."

"Kipling!"

"Yes, Mom?"

"Kip, run this to Joseph and ask him to change it."

"Wow! I've never SEEN a thousand dollar bill before. Never seen a coat like that before either."

"Kip! Just run the errand. Sir, I apologize."

The Doctor decided he liked the boy and his mother. He was delighted he'd 'stopped off' on Earth. He usually was. And he'd gotten in the habit of looking for humans when he wanted company. "That's quite all right, Madam. My attire has caused comment less nicely phrased. This is an interesting place."

"My old man thought the people around here needed a place to just get together. Wish he'd lived to see it get busy."

"I've brought back a sad memory."

"No, a good one. Been too long to be sad and all my memories of Jim are good ones. I'm Sarah. How'd you get in? The pass is closed and the mail flight was canceled."

"I have my own transport. It's by the river. A bit of a trek up here."

"Be careful. It's warmer than usual today, but by tonight it'll frost your ears in a couple minutes."

"The warning is understood and appreciated. Exactly where am I?"

"Well, you're at the Gathering Place. It's what Jim wanted, so that's what I call it. A lot of the people here came in by dog sled or skis. Just a wide spot on a bend in the river with a mail drop, a supply store and our place. You lost?"

"Not really. If one has a compass and a radio, one is never completely lost. But I do feel I've stepped back in time a bit."

"Unreconstructed hippies. The bush is full of them. Leave it all behind and live off the land. We cheat a little. Washers and dryers and satellite communications. But electricity is expensive when you're running a gasoline generator, so it's conserved. Got a nice room left."

"Hmm, you know, I think I might like to spend the night."

"Good. I'd worry about someone headed out. Got a gale warning up. That's why so many here, I think. Most will just bed down by the fire. Probably get some more. A prospector's cabin or an ice fishing camp aren't always pleasant places to be if the wind's rising. They get lonely."

"I know the feeling, Sarah. I usually have a companion or two, but I'm traveling alone. I'm the Doctor."

"Doctor? Of medicine?"

"Of many things. More tea? It's excellent."

"Thanks. Gather the herbs myself."

"Mom! Um, here's your change, Sir. Mom, Joseph says it's going to be bad and don't let anybody go home. He says get the DOGS in."

"Oh, oh. Spread the word, Kip. See if anyone knows if anyone else is coming and isn't here. Then sound the storm warning. I'll start bringing in wood."

"I'll help."

"Thanks. Samuel! Borrowing your parka! Here. Put this on, Doctor. Keep you warm and Samuel from trying to help. He's getting on and still thinks he should do MORE than his share. Damn, here comes Sennick."

"Damn?"

"He's persistent. Sennick! Dogs in the shelter! Oh!"

"You back inside, Sarah. I'll get the wood. Point me. I see it."

The Doctor struggled against the rising wind. It had nearly blown Sarah down. The man, Sennick, was hurriedly unhitching dogs and taking them into a low sturdy looking shed. By the time the Doctor got back with the first load of wood, several people were leading dogs that way. He got the wood in and headed back out. A sudden row detoured him to the shed. He shouted "QUIET!" and the dogs stopped barking. He listened for what they'd heard and ran out. Someone was in trouble.

He fought the wind and blowing snow. He wasn't sure if it was falling or just blowing. He was thankful for the parka that sheltered his face and shielded his body. The 'snow' on the ground had been thawing in the sun when he'd walked from the TARDIS mere moments before. Now it was pelting against the thick parka as ice crystals. He decided it was doing both and it was blinding.

He heard the dogs and shouted. The answer was a shouted plea for help. He followed it and found the sled. The dogs and man were struggling to get the sled up a slope. He put his shoulder to it and it moved. A bit. He pushed again and mused he was getting a great deal more exercise than usual. The sled started moving and they got it up the slope.

"LET THE DOGS LEAD AND HANG ON!"

The man's shouted instructions make good sense. He couldn't see the lead dog, let alone the building they were headed toward. A sudden cry from the sled told him why it was so heavy. There was a woman on it and she was in pain. A second cry told him what kind. He heard a horn that would carry for miles. The storm warning obviously.

Suddenly the dogs were pulling hard and the building loomed up before them. They knew where they were going. The cacophony when they pulled into the shed was deafening.

"QUIET! Thank you."

"Never... Well, I'd have got quiet too, I guess."

"JOHN!"

"Hang on two more minutes, Julie."

"I'll get her in. I don't think she HAS two minutes. Oh, my."

"This is our fourth. Girls, help with the dogs."

The Doctor picked up the woman and headed for the patch of light. He HOPED it was the door to the building. The very pregnant woman stiffened with the pain. He moved faster. Pregnant was becoming past tense in a hurry.

"We're almost there, Julie. I'm the Doctor. Sarah!"

"Oh, lord. This way! Kitchen. It's warm and private. Here. Put her on the table."

"Her water broke on the way in. Clean cloths and hot water, Sarah. Get this off me, Kip, then you go."

"Yes, Sir. Parka off."

The Doctor shed his coat and washed his hands quickly. Sarah was plowing through bundling to get Julie exposed to deliver. She was more than ready. In two minutes he was tying off the cord and Julie and John had a new son, a very loud one. Sarah handed him a squeeze bulb of warm water and he cleaned the baby's eyes, then used the empty bulb to clean his nostrils. Sarah took the bulb and handed him a warm damp cloth. He smiled and cleaned the squalling healthy boy. Sarah was taking care of Julie. It looked as if she may have had more experience than he had.

John ran in just as the Doctor finished cleaning the baby. He smiled widely, took Julie's hand and kissed it. He beamed when the Doctor laid his son in his arms.

"A boy, John. Told you. Told you I didn't need to come. Not a bit of trouble."

"Didn't REALLY doubt you, Julie. A boy. A son. Thank you, my beautiful lady. And thank you, Doctor. We'd have never made it up the slope. The thaw made it hard going for the dogs. They're pooped. So am I. Took half again as long as usual. Couldn't chance the river. Had to come overland. Oldest girl helped some, but she was dragging bad before we got five miles."

"How far did you come?!"

"About seventeen miles, Sarah. The thaw really made a mess of things. Almost lost Sweet Pup in muskeg. Topsy sat down and held her til I could haul her out. She was disgusted. Not supposed to have to watch every step in February. Real odd weather. Snowin' like crazy down south and ten days above freezing up here. Well, Julie, what's his name?"

"John Andrew Junior, what else? You waited long enough."

"Every minute's been good, Sweetheart, and I wouldn't trade the girls for anything."

"No kidding. Spoil 'em rotten. How's Jenny?"

"She's by the fire. Kip took her over and she's telling him all about the trip. Old Samuel's got Lucy and Lindy on a blanket and they're about asleep."

"How about we get you into a real bed, Julie? this kitchen may get real busy in a bit."

"You got one? Looks pretty crowded, Sarah."

"Is, John, but I've got the big room still. I'll get a fire started in the stove and run a warmer between the sheets. Be back in a minute."

"John, come over here."

"Yes, Doctor?"

"Tell me what's wrong."

"Wrong?"

"John, that sled was loaded with everything you could get on it. You've got five extra dogs with you. You didn't really expect to get here before your son was born, but you'd rather have delivered him on the trail than stay snug at home. Why?"

"The weather's been spooky. Three days ago it was SIXTY degrees for twenty minutes, then it dropped. The dogs have been acting odd. Quiet and whining in the morning instead of... Doctor, I just wanted to get us all out of there. Sounds silly, but I just knew we should get out."

"I won't argue with a woodsman's instincts, or a dog's."

"John?"

"Yes, Sweetie?"

"Check on the girls, please. I know Kip said they were fine, but... "

"On my way. Doctor, would you hold my boy?"

"Certainly. Your turn, Julie. Talk to me."

"He suddenly started packing two days ago. The girls just pitched in, even the littlest. She carried her favorite toys out and put them on the sled. Doctor, I love the home we built, but my grandmother's portrait is on that sled. I packed it. So's my wedding gown. We left fourteen years of hard work, grabbed the kids and dogs and ran for it. The Athabascans were clearing out of the area too. I think John wanted to get us on the mail plane."

"Hi. Room's ready. I'll have to give Kip a raise. He's got a fire going in every stove and the cots and extra bedding out. He's making up cots for the girls and John is transferring Lucy and Lindy to them. He's got the cradle out of the back too. And feeling rather smug about... Did you hear something?"

"Yes, Sarah. Someone else is out there. I'm getting rather good use of Samuel's parka. Do point him out so I can tell him thank you."

"Doctor, there's fluorescent fish line on the shelf by the door. Run it out."

"An excellent idea."

The Doctor stepped out of the kitchen and found two men putting on parkas. They'd heard it too. He grabbed the reel of line, handed it to one of them and wrapped the other end around his wrist. He grinned when Kip practically dove at his feet with a pair of mukluks in his hands and an elderly man, he assumed Samuel, held mittens for him to push his hands into. His spats hadn't even slowed Kip. He stepped into the slightly large mukluks, nodded and he and the other two went out.

The one he'd handed the reel stayed on the porch. The other moved out with him. The storm horn blew two quick blasts. The answer was a shrill whistle. The man with him pointed. The Doctor nodded. He thought it had come from that direction as well.

A dog howled and they shifted direction a bit. The man with the Doctor whistled, then shook his head. It wouldn't carry into the wind. They pushed on. The Doctor yodeled and was answered with a whistle. Much closer than the last. He yodeled again.

"HERE. WE'RE HERE!"

The Doctor knelt by the lead dog. His companion moved along the traces to the barely visible sled. The dog pushed to her feet and gave a weak wag of her tail. The Doctor began following the line back, looping it around his wrist. The dog was straining to keep even. He reached down and grabbed her harness. Suddenly he felt a tug on his arm. The man on the porch was helping.

The Doctor couldn't think of anything that had ever looked as good as the light which he struggled toward. Suddenly there were figures coming toward him. One patted his shoulder as he went by. It was as nice a compliment as he'd ever gotten. The dog beside him was walking easier. She'd gotten help. It said a good deal about the load that the lead dog had been pulling that hard.

When they got close enough to the porch to see it, the Doctor waved to the man on it and headed for the barely discernible shed. He unreeled from his wrist as he went. The person on the porch kept the line taut. The Doctor mused he was probably a very good fisherman.

The kennels in the shed were full, but there were tie off spikes stacked by the door. He picked one up and headed down the long shed. The dogs yipped greeting and quieted. The Doctor thanked them and screwed the tie off stake into the frozen earth under the straw. A woman came up beside him and began unharnessing the dog.

"I thought we'd had it. I was sure we were close, but it was too thick too move. The wind kept shifting, or else we were headed in circles. Couldn't SEE a compass. Name's Tess. A lot of people owe you thanks."

"You're welcome. This little lady deserves thanks too. She's a good dog."

"The best. She's the one got us through some really bad spots. Didn't you, Gyp? My girl. Fish line?"

"It worked. Rather an odd sensation being the one reeled in."

"It'll add variety to your fish stories."

"That it... How many are with you?"

"Nine sleds and thirty-seven people."

"The weather was odd and you all packed up?"

"From the looks of it, we're just the latest bunch."

"I hope there aren't others."

"I'm the farthest out my way. Gathered as I came. Got everyone between my place and here."

"Doctor?!"

"Here, John."

"Hi. We got a couple with frostbite. Doesn't look bad, but we'd like you to check. Hi, Tess."

"You came in too, huh?"

"We all did. Joseph just counted noses. He said he about got lost coming over. Ran a rope from the store. Got a sturdy line from the Place to here now, Doctor. Dogs are quiet."

"I asked them to be. I'll go check on the frostbite."

"He asked them?"

"Don't look at me, Tess. I just know I'm REAL glad he's here. He got us up the slope and delivered my son in a five minute span."

The Doctor found the line, but followed his. His fisherman was still reeling him in. When he reached the porch, they went in together.

"Thank you."

"You're the second biggest I ever reeled in. I THINK the halibut was bigger."

"You REELED in a halibut?"

"Had to cut the line. It was too big to get in the boat."

"That's a VERY fishy story."

"Fred's full of very fishy stories, Doctor. We all pretend we believe them. We're afraid he'll stop bringing all those wonderful fish if we don't. Frostbite."

"I agree. Slight. I'm surprised there's not more, Sarah."

"Doctor, YOU came in here without a parka on. They probably carried theirs most of the way. It's been May out there for more than a week. It just started being February again at dusk."

"So John said. He called it "Spooky." I received the same type of statement from Tess. How much wood was gotten?"

"A good bit. Sennick ran a rope to the wood shed and hung a basket on it. He said pulleys would have been nice. Then he wouldn't have had to guide it each trip."

"I may have... Yes, I was sure I had a pair of pulley wheels in my pocket. One never knows when they'll come in handy."

"Right. Sennick, pulley wheels. The Doctor had them in his pocket."

"Thanks. Now we can rig a couple baskets and someone only has to make the trip across and back once. Doctor, it's going to be tight crowded. I've got an extra bedroll. Give your room up to a family?"

"Sennick!"

"You'd have asked sooner or later, Sarah, and it would have bothered you."

The Doctor smiled. Sarah looked disgusted and Sennick was wearing a wide grin. He wasn't looking forward to sleeping on the hard floor, but understood the need. And he was QUITE sure he couldn't find the TARDIS in the blinding blizzard and stygian night.

"Since I haven't seen the room, nor paid for it, I shan't find it a great loss. Sarah, I'd like you to ask the people here to assemble their impressions and, if possible, their reasons for coming here into some type of, hopefully, coherent story for me. I've had rather a great deal of experience dealing with 'odd' phenomena."

"It's a mystery and you just can't resist ANY mystery."

"My curiosity HAS gotten me into more trouble than I care to remember in detail, Sennick."

"I can give you mine. Ten days ago I was watching a light snow fall when I realized it was changing to rain. I listened to the National Weather Service broadcast for why. They said "unusual southwesterly into the interior" and I thought "very unusual". Turned on my satellite receiver and watched their full cast on TV that evening. There was a front pushing warm air into the interior right over the coastal range. They were warning of high southwesterly winds at unusually high altitudes. Then they showed winds coming out of the Arctic, veering east, then shooting west below, south of, the warm front and dumping snow, lots of snow, on the northwest coast of the lower forty-eight where it's usually wet and warm. And it was coming from the east. REAL weird. Got stranger. Every meteorologist had an opinion and a theory, but nobody really seemed to have any idea why. Three days ago it changed. The flow centralized, I guess you'd call it. Warm air round and round over the interior. The meteorologists were stunned. Avalanches started closing passes and winds made air travel dangerous. It got warmer. I got nervous. The winds were beginning to slow and there was a REAL buildup of cold air over them. I decided it was just TOO weird and started packing. I think the dogs were as eager to get going as I was. I felt a change coming. The way of things was about to reassert its rightful place and we were going to get clobbered in the process. My cabin's tight, but I wanted people around me. Specifically, I wanted to be HERE with Sarah and Kip. Jim planned this place well. From the woodshed, to the dog shed, to the size of the rooms in the inn and the construction of the fireplaces in every building. I love it. I think we all do. Our own places are pretty scattered, but Jim saw us as a community and gave us his vision. When he couldn't finish it, we did. Never knew a man I admired as much. That's the story and why we came to Jim's place. This is our community shelter."

"John said the Athabascans were leaving camps."

"Did. Two days of thaw and they said, "We're returning to our homes. PERHAPS we shall see you again." Took me a few days to move on the warning. My family wasn't days' journey away. Doctor, we're ALL here. Like we were all warned."

"How much wood is there actually cured, Sarah?"

"That whole shed. The stack under the tarps behind is curing. We've got about eight cords. Most of the people brought the small things which would run out even using the store to stock. And things to share. Camara brought twelve jars of blueberry jam. Todd's got his yogurt culture. Seth has LOTS of company by the fire. He stuck his sourdough bread starter in his shirt. He SMELLS great. Jackie has mentioned buttering him three times. Seth told her NOT in front of the children. We're a big family, Doctor. Or, like a neighborhood. I grew up in Los Angeles, actually Tarzana. My family play tourist here in the summer. We had TV stars fishing in the river and napping on the slope last year. I've got a computer, a modem and a fax. And, as of two hours ago, we're out of touch. Radio is even spotty. They know we're all here, but that's it."

"In the summer you generate power hydro-electrically?"

"Exactly. I saw you looking around, Doctor."

"Is the steam heat design Jim's?"

"That fireplace is ALWAYS burning if it's below sixty degrees. The water in those pipes behind it is hot if it's burning. Seen the hot tubs?"

"Sennick, he's seen one cup of hot tea, the kitchen and a LOT of snow. Doctor, this is a first class bed and breakfast. You haven't tasted my cooking yet. Sennick's recipe for salmon chowder is featured on the menu."

"I keep trying to get her to let me move in and take over half the cooking, but she keeps turning me down."

"You keep asking me to MARRY you."

"I want to be sure the job's permanent before I take it. Marry me?"

"I'll get you some more tea."

"Wow, progress! She didn't say, "Go AWAY." Tried. Couldn't."

"You're very much in love with Sarah."

"In love with both of them and this place that reflects them and Jim's dream. Loved him too. Scrawny little runt with thick glasses and a smile a lot like yours. You care all the way through too. So, did you show up to solve the mystery or just for Sarah's cooking?"

"I saw the planning of this place and got interested, but it's not at ALL unusual for me to drop in somewhere and into the middle of something odd. Tess is interesting."

"Yeah, but NOT interested."

"That was NOT what I meant."

"Doctor, you only think it wasn't. She's got a way with dogs. Some of the Iditarod champs have it. Gypsy's the best dog I've ever seen. She can run anywhere, but there's no better lead. John got his lead dog, most of his team, from Tess. Interesting, the natives use snowmobiles lots more than we do. Most don't own one. Couple here, of course. Tess' cabin is as well-planned as this place. Been here seven years. Anything before was before. A lot of us are like that, so it's not particularly remarkable. Some of us carry a lot of past we don't need to remember because we learned the lessons."

"I understand that rather too well. She told me she "gathered" the people who came with her."

"She's been moving since the natives cleared."

"I think I should talk to her a bit more. Thank you, Sennick."

"Doctor, one more thing."

"It is?"

"We all packed for a VERY long stay."

The Doctor liked, and understood, Sennick, but Tess puzzled him deeply. She was tall and what could be termed regal. Her hair was very dark, straight and quite short, about four centimeters, all over. Her eyes were deep set and a startling deep blue. At first he'd thought she wore tinted contact lenses. He'd noticed her hands when she pulled off her mittens. He intended to shake hands with her. He wanted to feel the calluses and the strength of her grip. And his interest in her was NOT what Sennick thought. He sought her at one of the tables by the fire. She was just rising. He slowed and watched when she stepped up on the low stage, pulled a flute from her hip pocket, climbed up on a stool and began to play.

The Doctor sat down in the chair someone had pushed under him. He didn't even notice. The flute was wooden and obviously hand made. It was lovely and the tone was haunting. So was the melody Tess was playing. It touched feelings in him that were near forgotten memories. Peace settled over all. They were gathered and would face whatever came together.

Tess' power to carry emotion in music was near overwhelming. He examined it in himself. He was quite sure he was in the right place, he could depend on everyone around him and they could depend on him. They were all stronger for being together and for their caring. He began to really become interested in Tess. She had convinced him HE belonged. VERY interesting woman.

When she finished the piece, Tess handed a fellow near her a guitar, then led into a jig. Soon several other musicians joined. Many of the people played instruments. Their access to recorded media was limited by the expense of producing power. Most of the time they made their own music. When Tess left the stage, she came to him.

"Let's talk."

"I'd planned on suggesting it. Mmm, I smell spiced cider. Shall we?"

"It'll be on the sidebar with cups. You know."

"I was rather surprised to be sure I was part of a community. Projective telepathy, or at least... You're smiling."

"I cast a spell. I'm a witch, a white one. Goody, goody to my toes. The music helps. Learned songs from everywhere, then put them together. The weather speaks of evil. Whether you know it or not, you're here to battle it. I've been calling you for eight days. I'd begun to think I'd failed and we'd all die when I heard a yodel that was as perfect a request for location as any I'd heard in the Alps and I knew you'd come. Welcome to Earth, traveler."

"WHY is it you keep making me look for someplace to sit down?"

"My mother was Cherokee and Scot. My grandfather was a Navajo shaman. His wife was Rumanian. I'm human. The dogs say you're more. I always listen to my dogs. Gypsy says many things worth listening to. She says you're MORE than a friend. Good. I thought I'd been a good enough girl to ask for the spirits to send aid. You're a little plump for an angel, but the COAT'S "blinding brightness". Like the kitty pin. Like you. You're cute. And you're not as surprised as you think you are. Can't wait til you relax, or get busy, and start yelling. Later."

"Doctor?"

"Uh... Yes, Sarah?"

"Looks like Tess' story surprised you."

"TESS surprises me."

"That's Tess. Reads minds and likes most everything she reads. A joke, but nobody disbelieves it. Dinner's on. Thought I'd show you around a little. Starting with the big room and a check on Julie and Little John. Joseph's putting down the chronology of radio reports and weather warnings as best as he can remember. He'll get help. He'll have charts made and data assembled by dinner. He's in heaven. Thanks for giving him something to do."

"I rather thought I was going to do it."

"You said people's impressions and reasons. Joseph will just gather "the facts, Ma'am", but he WILL get those. Big room. Hi, come in?"

"Sure. Julie and the kids are asleep. Should probably wake the girls. Three little cots make one big bed and that's giggle material for HOURS if they're not sleepy. Storm's been rattling the shutters. Got me jittery. Doctor?"

"Just checking Julie for temperature elevation and listening to your son's heart. John, does Lucy have asthma?"

"Very slight. She's outgrowing it, I think, but I brought medication in case. Think she needs it?"

"No, but do pay attention. If she doesn't sound better by bedtime... Oral or inhalant?"

"Both."

"If she doesn't seem to be breathing easier, you should consider giving her the oral medication. I'll leave the decision to you."

"Thanks. Doctor, gonna' have the girls put you in their bedtime prayers. You answered mine."

"Just don't tell me I'm plump for an angel."

"He just talked to Tess."

"Sounds like her, Sarah. Heard her playing. Told us we all made it in and a reasonable celebration is in order."

"I'll send Kip with a beer and break out a couple bottles of champagne for a toast later, Papa."

"Thanks."

"Come on, Doctor. I'll show you the facilities. Sauna, hot tubs, dinner."

"I AM interested. Especially in dinner."

On to the next part of Winter Warmth.

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