There are a number of heartwarming, uplifting, happily-ever-after post-Call of the Wild stories out there. This isn't one of them. Assess your own tolerance level for downers, and proceed accordingly.
This thing has been some time in the making, and quite a few people provided help and encouragement along the way. I only hope to god I haven't forgotten someone (and if I *have* forgotten you, please write and remind me! I'm braindead!).
Many thanks to AuKestrel, Bone, Mairead/Aristide, Shoshanna, Taz, The Wild Mole, and Zen&nancy, who read chunks of this thing at various times, provided helpful and encouraging comments, and who believed in me at those times when I didn't. Valerie K. provided great Inuvik info (though I used her expertise less than I should have). Speranza gave me some helpful nudges forward and was a great sanity check. Special kudos to Carol S., who, even though she isn't a due South fan, was always ready to read drafts and listen to me babble, and who always asked the right questions.
Extra-special thanks to Beth H., Aral Griffen, and Destina Fortunato, who did a fantastic job of beta-reading on short notice. I am greatly indebted to their large brains and eagle eyes.
And massive, unending gratitude to Laura Shapiro, peerless editor and friend, who carried both me and the story through the final push. I dunno, maybe I could have finished it without her, but I'm awfully damn glad I didn't have to.
All remaining flaws in this thing are, of course, entirely my responsibility, and probably result from my having disregarded excellent advice from one of the above-mentioned people.
Any and all comments most welcome, at kat@mrks.org.
On to the story (whole document)
On to part 1 (if you're reading it in parts)