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Chapter Text

PRIVATE NURSE
CHAPTER ONE
The whole thing started with the phone call we should have expected, considering everything that had been going on with her for the past few months.

Since the fire in late June, the Medical Department had gradually improved. Our hours had been expanded. We were now open twelve hours from 8 AM to 8 PM although if we got an overnight patient, an extra nurse would be called in to stay overnight till the morning shift. Michael Twoyoungmen was in touch with a nursing agency that could provide a night nurse if we needed one. All cleared by security, of course.

And we also had an expanded staff now. In addition to Head Nurse Norma Kilbride, and me, (Nurse Leta Macaulay), we had Susanna Whitehawk as a nurse’s aide, Melba Taylor as an additional nurse, (she was a friend of Norma’s), David Adams as a med tech, and Marie Donahue, an ultrasound tech who came in once a week on Thursday, when Dr. Twoyoungmen was in. Once they had been cleared by security and introduced into the Department H program, we had briefings on the various members of the Flight tiers, especially their medical histories and how any illness or injury might be specifically impacted by their powers. The were eager to learn and to attend almost all of our patients. That is, all except for one patient.

You guessed it.

Snowbird. Narya.

The Ice Queen. The Frequent Flyer. Doc Twoyoungmen’s Pet.

Or, as I overheard David whisper to Susanna one day, “The one patient we never want to get. And the one patient we always get.” Susanna was a sweet girl who had the same sweet personality as Marrina and was a hard worker, but all she could do was nod her head in agreement.

For, even with the new staff, there was still the same old problem.

Most of the staff did not like Snowbird.

Now, much as I liked Narya, I could see their point-of-view. Snowbird was the coldest person on the planet. Her attitude towards everyone she met was haughty and patronizing. Being a child of the Inuit gods, she tended to embrace this part of her heritage, while ignoring the fact that she was half-human. Indeed, she despised her humanity, and treated all humans with contempt, as if she thought they were far beneath her. Very few people could get along with her, or even tried. Shaman, Dr. Michael Twoyoungmen MD, who had delivered her from her goddess mother, Nelvanna, and then, raised her, was one of the few.

Elizabeth Twoyoungmen, Shaman’s daughter, also known as Talisman, was another. She had great mystical power, and could make Narya kneel before her. But Elizabeth also recognized that, instead of pulling mystical rank on her, Snowbird needed Elizabeth to treat her as a sister. In this way, Shaman and Talisman could provide the family Snowbird needed to be grounded to the earth, and to be a member of Alpha Flight.

My Aunt Heather was the first woman friend Narya had made before she joined Alpha Flight. Most of the Flight accepted Snowbird, if not especially liking her. They knew her shape-shifting powers –the ability to change into any Arctic animal—as well as her super-strength and flight were too valuable for Canada’s super-team to lose. But most of them accepted her only on sufferance.

As to the Medical Department staff, only Norma Kilbride and I were able to treat her. Norma had a wonderful no-nonsense attitude to Snowbird that I hoped to imitate. Maybe Snowbird accepted Norma because Norma had been with the Medical Department since the very beginning, and that Dr. Twoyoungmen also respected her.

Nurse Melba was beginning to warm up to her, and Snowbird was tentatively beginning to accept her. Nurse Melba was Jamaican-born, and had been a Canadian citizen for six years. She had a loving husband, and two children, a boy and a girl. Everyone loved her, and if anyone could thaw Snowbird even a little, it was Nurse Melba.

And I like to believe Snowbird liked me, also.

Our relationship had of course started the day of the barbecue my Uncle Mac and Aunt Heather had thrown the day after I arrived in Canada for a vacation, that had turned out to be a job interview in disguise for the position of Department H nurse.

I liked to think that Snowbird and I initially hit off because I could make her laugh. Or because I was a birdwatcher. Or because I was a competent nurse. But probably, most of all, I had not hesitated to help save her life when she was seriously injured in a fire fight the same day we met. Afterwards, when she was recovering overnight in the infirmary, she confided to me about how all the medical personnel had not wanted to treat her. My compassion was stirred for this strange young woman, whose proud coldness masked a deep loneliness. During that fateful night, we made a pact that if she ever came into the infirmary for any reason, I was to be her private nurse. It was a vow I was happy to keep. After all, I wanted to help this important member of Alpha Flight. And what a wonderful friend she would make if she only let her guard down!

There was another reason. I had just become engaged to Philip Maltby, the head medicinal chemist at Department H. And Snowbird’s newly-discovered first cousin! The day before Phil and I had become engaged, Snowbird had discovered through a DNA test, that she had human relatives in Canada. One of them being Philip! So not only was I Snowbird’s friend, but I was going to be her cousin-in-law, as well. But then, Alpha Flight was full of complicated and interconnected relationships. Most of the people on the team were related to each other in some way or other.

There had been a change in the Alpha Flight roster in the last few months. In September, Elizabeth Twoyoungmen, a newly-graduated archaeologist, had taken leave from Alpha Flight, to go on a dig in Corfu for three months. Liz and I texted every day, sharing personal news and jokes, (nothing that would impact the security of Alpha Flight, don’t worry). And Liz also texted Narya with pictures of Corfu, which Narya must have appreciated since Snowbird had been bound to Canada at the time of her birth, and could not leave the country without dying.

Not that Snowbird didn’t have a few health issues, anyway. Her mixed heritage yielded strange results. In her human form, she could be as vulnerable as any other unprotected human being. And she was not immune to internal problems, as well.

Such as the one which had been bringing her into the infirmary every week since the last week in June.

It was Thursday. Dr. Twoyoungmen was in his office, ready for any emergency that came in, and also, for any patients who had an appointment with him. Such as Snowbird.

In late June, during a visit to the Medical Department for a stomach ache —solved when she regurgitated an owl pellet—Michael had, with his mystical/medical senses, detected that Snowbird had a tiny cyst forming on her left ovary. He sent her into town for an ultrasound which confirmed his diagnosis. The ultrasound lab was sworn to secrecy about any member of Alpha Flight who came in, so we were safe there. In the meantime, Dr. Twoyoungmen kept watch on the cyst, monitoring its size, making sure that it did not grow any larger or cause Snowbird any pain. This is standard procedure with ovarian cysts. Snowbird was to have an ultrasound every week, as a result. This may seem to be excessive, but in Snowbird’s case, this was necessary, since according to Dr. Twoyoungmen, well-versed in super-hero medicine, shape-changers often had tumors and cysts that could grow very quickly. He was keeping on top of it.

For three months, Snowbird came into the Department H infirmary to have Michael examine her, (with a nurse in the room as dictated by protocol, and I was always her nurse); followed by a trip into town to the lab. Then, one day, in September, I was greeted by a happy Nurse Kilbride.

“Come see!” she crowed.

I went, along with the other staff, into Exam Room 1.

There was a brand-spanking new small ultrasound machine!

“Norma!” I gasped. “How did we get this?”

“Gift from Jean-Paul Beaubier and Kyle Jinadu,” Norma stated proudly. “They heard tell we need one. So, this showed up here this morning. Just in time for our Frequent Flyer.”

“Terrific!” I exclaimed. “Now she won’t have to go into town for an ultrasound test. “

“Dr. Twoyoungmen should be pleased,” David contributed.

As Michael was. “Splendid. This department is really improving.” He motioned out into the hallway to include our almost-new sterilizer that Puck had acquired from a medical supplies buddy who “owed him a favor”. (We had long since quietly decided not to question any item Uncle Judd got for Alpha Flight.)

And so, when Narya came in her weekly visit, she was surprised. Perhaps pleasantly, (though with her cold demeanor, it was hard to tell.)

Dr. Langkowski wanted to be in on it as well. He was there was for the inaugural voyage of our new ultrasound machine.

“Well, well, Birdie!” he boomed jovially. “Hop on this table, and we’ll just have a little look-see, shall we?”

Snowbird gave him a cold look. “I wish you would not jest, Walter Langkowski,” she stated coldly. “This is a most serious matter to me.”

Dr. Langkowski instantly pulled a straight face. “Forgive me, Snowbird. Now, let’s see what Michael and I can find out.”

There were five of us in the small exam room. Dr. Twoyoungmen, Dr. Langkowski, Marie the ultrasound tech, me, and Snowbird. Narya had decided that I had to be there as well. She never stated why. I suspected that this was a comfort measure. She had changed into a blue examining gown, with a white drape covering her upraised legs, her feet in the stirrups that I had pulled out from the end of the table. Now, she lay back on the table, and waited for the ultrasound test to begin.

Snowbird assumed the facial expression of a haughty queen. Let’s get this over with, her expression seemed to say.

But then, she silently gripped my hand. And that grip told me everything she was too proud to say in words.

Snowbird was afraid.

And I knew my presence there would be a comfort.

I squeezed her hand back. Don’t worry, I wanted to say.

Marie was gentle with Narya during this most delicate of tests. We all watched the images that came up on the screen. I didn’t have a lot of experience with ultrasound, just the standard nursing school rotation. Plus, I hadn’t seen any of the previous images Narya had had. So, it was up to Michael Twoyoungmen to tell us how she was faring.

The image looked pretty murky to me. But then, Dr Twoyoungmen began to speak to us. He pointed out the ovarian cyst, which resembled a small, clear black circle. Then, he used a special measurement on the cyst. He said no more to us after that.
Michael continued to stare at the image, though. Then, he said a few words in a low voice to Dr. Langkowski. I was left to wonder if this was good or bad.

Michael turned to Narya then. “All right. You can get dressed now, Narya. I will see you in my private office as soon as you are ready.” He and Dr. Langkowski, looking serious now, walked out of the room.

Marie, having finished the test, excused herself and wheeled the ultrasound machine out of the room.

I was left alone with Narya.

She turned her head, and I saw fear in her strange eyes.

“Leta,” she whispered. “My kinswoman-to-be. I am afraid.”

I tried to comfort her as best as I could. “Go talk to Michael. See what he says. Then, you’ll know where you stand.”

“I have seen previous images of the cyst.” Narya sighed. “I can see that it has grown bigger.”

I was concerned. “Any pain?”

Narya hesitated. “A little bit. But I have used my healing glow to overcome it.”

“Tell Michael what you just told me,” I urged. “Remember, we’re all here to help.”

Narya continued to look into my eyes. “The offer to be my personal nurse still stands.”

“And I would be honored to serve you,” I said and meant it. “Go see Michael now.”

Snowbird sat up on the exam table. “I shall. Wish me luck, my dear friend.” She reached for the costume she left folded on a chair.

I excused myself from the room. A workman was coming in then, with an injured arm, and I had to attend to him. But I did see Narya, in full costume and tiara, walk into Michael Twoyoungmen’s private office, just as Dr. Langkowski was leaving.

I said a swift prayer for her, hoping a pagan demi-goddess wouldn’t mind that I’d prayed to a Christian God to help her.

After I’d tended the workman, I came out into the hallway. I saw Narya saying goodbye to Michael Twoyoungmen just outside his door. She looked somewhat relieved.

“We will keep a watch on it, Narya,” Michael was saying.

“I trust you, my oldest friend,” Narya replied. “Until next week, fare you well.” She turned then, and saw me standing in the hallway. “And remember, my kinswoman-to-be, my offer still stands.” She then turned and walked out of the Medical Department.

Susanna came up to me just then. “What offer was that?”

“To be her personal nurse.”

Susanna shuddered. “Well, all right, then. Better you than me. Or than any of us.” I could understand her point of view. To those who were new to the Department or who did not know her well, Snowbird was one scary being.

I was to remember her offer after she left. I had no idea how soon it would be before it came true.

Or how suddenly.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER TWO
“Incoming!”

At Norma’s shout, we all froze from our tasks. “Incoming” could only mean one thing. Someone in Alpha Flight was hurt, and being rushed into the Medical Department, possibly for immediate surgery. But we waited to hear Norma’s further instructions.

It was 9AM on a Monday.

The one following the previous Thursday when Michael Twoyoungmen had been in his office in the Medical Department, and Narya had had her first ultrasound there.

Early in the morning, at 8AM, we had seen our beloved super-team, Alpha Flight, leaving the base for a field exercise in Fort Albany. Most of the members of Alpha Flight were there: Guardian, Sasquatch, Shaman, Snowbird, Aurora, Puck, and Marrina. Oh, and my Aunt Heather, in the suit at last! In July, she finally convinced the powers-that-be (and my Uncle Mac) that she should be in the suit. Since then, she had been in the training room, and today was the first day she had gone out in the field on a training exercise. Was she the one who was hurt? Or was it someone else?

“Contact the surgical team: Rita Whitehawk; Dr. Yee….” She went on with the names of our on-call surgical team, who were familiar with super-hero medicine and the particular quirks of the members of Alpha Flight; and who also had to be ready at a moment’s notice. Norma went on, “Set up for a laparoscopy.”

“Who is it, Norma?” I asked, for us all. “And how badly was this person hurt?” But as soon as I heard the word “laparoscopy”, I had my suspicions. And Norma’s next words confirmed it.

“Snowbird. And she hasn’t been hurt. At least, not externally. She just collapsed in the field during the training exercise in Fort Albany. Dr. Twoyoungmen thinks her ovarian cyst has ruptured. It seems to have grown faster than he thought it would.”

“Isn’t there a hospital in Fort Albany?” David asked.

“There is,” Norma confirmed. “But Dr. Twoyoungmen doesn’t want them to take her. He thinks they wouldn’t be able to treat her properly. Better to bring her here, where at least, we’re better equipped to take care of her. Fort Albany isn’t so far away from here, so they should be back shortly. Now, let’s move it!”

We went into action: sterilizing the required instruments, setting up the OR….

“Is the rest of the Flight coming back?” I asked Norma when we had a second free.

“No, honey,” Norma replied. “They’re staying to complete the exercise. Anyway, there really isn’t anything they could do here. Work is the best cure for them in this situation. Now, the surgical team is starting to arrive.”

Within minutes, the scrub room was a hive of activity. Then, the doors of the Medical Department had swung open, and Michael Twoyoungmen walked in with an unconscious Snowbird in his arms.

“Ruptured ovarian cyst.” Michael confirmed our speculations. “Bleeding into the abdomen. Prep her for surgery immediately. Leta, come with us into the OR. We will need you as our circulating nurse.”

“Yes, Michael,” I answered automatically. I had done this kind of work in the OR at St. Mark’s in New York, so I was not unfamiliar with my place in the operating room.

“Also, as I have told you once before,” Michael told me in a lowered voice as I accompanied him into the surgical suite, “it will be a comfort to Narya that you were here with her.”

What could I say but what I usually said? “Michael, it’s an honor and a privilege to attend a demi-goddess.”

Michael smiled. “I am glad that is your attitude. Now, on to the surgery.”

The operation began shortly thereafter. For the second time within a year, we all watched Narya’s beautiful features disappear under general anesthesia into the reddish-black face of her “true fires”. Since we’d all seen it before, it was no longer a shock to us this time.

Michael inserted the long introducer, and then, the laparoscope with tiny camera and light into Snowbird’s abdomen. He explained what he was doing as he went along. “Since this patient is not allowed by ancient laws to bleed, we will do our best to minimize blood loss. We also want to preserve the ovary….”

We watched, fascinated. Michael Twoyoungmen was the deftest of surgeons. He managed to remove the ruptured cyst, and do repairs. “This is a functional cyst. Of course, I will send it to Pathology, but I can tell that it is benign, as these types of cysts almost always are. Narya’s prognosis is excellent. She will need only a short recovery period.”

We all breathed a sigh of relief. Snowbird would be ready to return to Alpha Flight very soon, after all.

After Snowbird had been wheeled into Recovery, Michael spoke to me. “I would like Narya to stay overnight. I will stay here until she emerges from the anesthesia, and tell her the good news myself. With Narya’s healing factor, theoretically she should be able to rejoin Alpha Flight in the morning. However, she has also been through a traumatic experience just now and needs more rest. In the morning, I will visit her again to see how her wound is healing. Now, I would like to make a special request of you. While she is here, I would like you to be Narya’s personal nurse during the day. As I recall,” he smiled wryly, “you always preferred private duty.”

“But, Michael, what about my duties here? What about the other patients that will be on this floor?”

“I will speak to Nurse Kilbride. We have enough staff now that you can be assigned to this private duty. You will be Narya’s special nurse during the daytime, while I will arrange for a night nurse. But perhaps, you can also sleep on the premises during this time in case the night nurse needs help with her. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Michael,” was all I could say again.

“Good.” There was some noise in the hallway and in the waiting room. The other members of Alpha Flight were back, and anxiously awaiting word of Narya’s condition. Michael patted my shoulder. “I will tell them now.”

I watched him walk down the hallway, and heard him speaking the comforting words to the rest of the Flight. There were exclamations of relief. Now all Narya had to do was get well.

I went into Narya’s private room to await her arrival from Recovery. I remembered the last time I had attended her here. That had gone well, and we had even bonded. Well, Narya, I thought, looks like I’m going to be your private nurse after all, just as you always wanted. We’ll get along fine.

Shortly after this, Snowbird was wheeled into her private room, and transferred to her bed. For the second time since I’d known her, I watched her true fires fade out, and her beautiful human face return. She opened her strange eyes.

And then, the real fun was about to begin.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER THREE
Snowbird looked up into my eyes. “Leta,” she stated. “I am in the Department H Medical Department.” There was no surprise in her voice. “And Michael had to operate.” She touched her lower abdomen, where there were two Band-Aids, one above and one below her navel. “He removed the cyst, did he not?”

“Yes,” I confirmed.

“And it was…benign?” For a moment, there was fear in her eyes

I wasn’t supposed to discuss her diagnosis with her until Dr. Twoyoungmen did, so I squeezed her hand and told her, “I’ll get Michael for you.”

Michael was out in the hallway talking to Nurse Kilbride. The rest of Alpha Flight, relieved that Snowbird was better, had left the infirmary to go about their business. I called softly to him, “Doctor, Snowbird’s awake.”

Michael excused himself, and went into Snowbird’s room. He came to her bedside and took her hand.

“Michael,” Narya quavered. “How am I? Was the cyst…benign?”

Michael smiled then. “You are fine now, Narya. And the cyst was indeed benign. We got it out with no trouble, and with the minimum of blood loss. Your prognosis is excellent.”

“Thank the gods,” Narya closed her eyes. “Michael…I was so frightened out there in the field. That sudden pain…that bleeding inside me….”

“Now, Narya.” Michael continued. “I have just told you that you have nothing whatsoever to worry about. As a matter of fact, I will be discharging you tomorrow morning, provided I find you fit again for duty. In the meantime, just relax and let your healing factor take over. And I have assigned Leta as your private day nurse, just as you would wish it.”

Narya opened her eyes, and looked pleased. “Indeed, I would. There is nothing I would like better.”

“And this afternoon, you can have visitors.—Just two at a time,” He added in an aside to me. “And, Narya, I want a report of your eating a good dinner. No lemmings or field mice yet.” He smiled wryly.

“Michael, when will I be able to shapeshift again?” Snowbird queried.

“We will discuss that tomorrow. I would have you wait a day or two.” Michael released her hand, and stepped back from the bed. “I must return to the Sarcee Reservation Hospital, where I have a full afternoon’s worth of patients. Until tomorrow, fare you well.” He walked to the door. “Leta, I would like a word in your ear before I go.”

We walked out into the hall. “I would like to give you some instructions about Narya’s post-operative are. Take her vital signs three times a day, morning, noon, and bedtime. I have left orders for pain medication if she needs it.” He named the medication which we fortunately had in stock. I nodded. “As to visitors, I mentioned that that she can have only two at a time. Do not let them stay too long, as Narya needs her rest in order to facilitate her healing factor.” There were more instructions, followed by the last one. “Stay with her constantly. Keep the hypo-gun at the ready, although I do not think you will have to use it. You will go off duty at 8PM tonight, when the night nurse, Sylvie Marceau, will take over. A nice young woman, recommended by the agency and cleared by security, as all incoming personnel, even temporary, must be. If you should have trouble of any kind,” he hesitated, “do not be afraid to call me.”

“All right, Michael,” I replied. I hoped I wouldn’t have to.

“Very well. Until I return tomorrow morning, fare you both well.” He walked out of the Medical Department, and in the hallway withdrew some powder from his ever-present magical pouch, encircled it over his head, and disappeared into thin air.

Michael’s part for the day was over. Mine was just beginning.

Dr. Michael Twoyoungmen MD. Typical doctor in one way. He spent five minutes with the patient, then left the hospital to go about his business. Leaving the patient to be tended by the staff nurses 24/7.

That was certainly the case now.

And unlike the first time Snowbird had had surgery, when she recovered so beautifully, this was not the case now. She was cranky and irritable.

“Leta, hand me the television remote. I wish to watch the CBC.” Snowbird watched the CBC almost constantly. When she wasn’t doing that, she would switch to a nature program, which she would then proceed to criticize for its inaccuracy.

“That commentator knows not whereof he speaks! Snowy owls do not fly only at night! We fly during the daylight as well. This is because we have long hours of daylight in the Arctic. By Hodiak, I should like to take that man to task! To spread such tripe…”

“All right, all right, Narya.” I tried to calm her. “You’re talking to a birdwatcher here. I know that man is wrong. Now, let’s see if we can find another program….” I took the remote from her hand. “Oh, here’s a fashion show. Let’s watch this.”

We settled down to watch the show with its everchanging parade of beautiful clothes. (Clothes which I probably couldn’t afford, but anything to distract Snowbird.)

Then, when a golden dress appeared on the screen, the announcer proclaimed, “With this dress, EVERY woman can become a goddess!....”

Snowbird screamed in rage. I jumped out of my chair.

‘BY HODIAK AND NELVANNA! This is worse than that so-called nature program! No, every woman CANNOT be a goddess! Why do mortals speak that foolishness?”

“Narya, please calm down,” I begged. “This isn’t worth your getting upset.” I wondered if I would have to use the hypo-gun. Well, she hadn’t turned into a polar bear yet.

“Turn off that television,” Snowbird ordered. “I have had enough. You must find something else for me to do.”

I realized that. What could I think of to distract her? Suddenly I thought of something.

“Narya, you’re going to have visitors this afternoon. Why don’t I fix you up for them? I can comb your hair. You know how much I like attending you.”

It was the right thing to say. Narya looked mollified. “Very well. Fetch a comb.”

Narya had lovely silken white-blonde hair. Goddess hair. It was a pleasure to comb it out. Snowbird showed an almost sensual appreciation of this service. She sighed softly and closed her eyes.

Finally, peace was restored.

Then, I got a better idea. “How about a backrub, Narya?” I asked. Patients usually responded well to this ministration. This was even more successful. Narya seemed almost to purr. “I will go to the spa Aurora recommended in Ottawa,” she mused. “I shall charge it to Department H. My health is of the highest priority to this nation.”

Boy howdy, would my Uncle Mac blow a fuse over that? I remembered how angry he’d gotten over Snowbird’s last fake “medical” expense, going to a nail salon after a tough mission, and then, calling it a health expense. But this was no time to argue the point. Instead, I just kept on massaging her.

Soon, she was blissfully asleep on her stomach.

Norma looked around the door just then. “Is it safe to come in?”

I put a finger to my lips. “I just got her to sleep,” I whispered.

Norma nodded. “What was all that screaming about?”

I told her. Norma laughed silently. “You’ll have to take her vitals at noon. Then, David will come in with a meal tray.”

I nodded. “For now, we’ll let her rest. Michael said she needs it.”

If only the rest of Snowbird’s stay was as peaceful.

At noon, after she awakened, I took Snowbird’s vital signs, which were good and strong. Then, David came in with a meal tray for her. I excused my self to go into the break room to get a sandwich and drink.

“How’s it going?” Norma asked cheerfully.

“You sound like Uncle Judd.” I said brightly. “All you need to do is add an ‘eh’ onto the sentence.” We laughed together.

Suddenly, I heard screeching from Snowbird’s room. David ran out of the room, in time to dodge the splintering crash of a tray against the wall out in the hallway.

Norma and I looked at each other. Then, we rushed out into the hallway. David was standing there in shock.

I hurried up to him. “David, are you all right?”

He nodded, visibly shaken. I felt sorry for him. “We’ll find out what this is all about.”

Norma and I walked to the door of Snowbird’s room, the rest of the medical staff following in our wake.

Norma turned to us. “Now watch me and learn.”

She entered the room, with us behind her.

Snowbird was sitting up in bed, her arms crossed across her chest. She looked furious.

“All right, Your Majesty.” Norma assumed a firm stance. “Now, what seems to be the matter?”

Snowbird’s face hardened. “I have just been served the most revolting meal of my life. Thin soup. Lime Jello. A cup of water. Do you call this food? I do not!”

“Snowbird dear, you have just been served a hospital meal. On Dr. Twoyoungmen’s orders. He wants you to eat, remember?”

“I want Michael Twoyoungmen! I insist on speaking to Michael Twoyoungmen! At once!”

“You can’t have him, sweetcheeks,” Norma stated calmly.

“And why not?” Snowbird snapped.

“Because he has an office full of sick people who need him. Now, this isn’t a life-or-death emergency. So, you’ll just have to make do with us. Now do you really mean this about not eating?”

“I do indeed,” Snowbird huffed.

“Very well,” Norma turned in the doorway to speak into the hallway. “David, fetch the NG tube.”

Snowbird was curious. “What is that?”

“It’s a naso-gastric tube. A slender tube that we can thread through your nose down into your stomach. It will make sure you get the nourishment you need. If you won’t get it one way, we’ll see that you get it another. And Dr. Twoyoungmen will agree with us. We’ll see that you don’t pull any more of this foolishness.”

Narya suddenly seemed deflated. “Very well. As long as I am here, I will suffer this invalid’s diet, if I must. Fetch me another tray.”

Norma spoke firmly. “What’s the magic word, Princess?’

Narya seemed puzzled. “Michael Twoyoungmen has taught me many magic words. Which one do you mean?’

“The most important ones, sweetheart.”

“And they are…..?”

“’Please’ and ‘thank you’.”

Snowbird looked taken aback for a second. Then, she relented. “Very well. Please fetch me another tray.”

“All right, Snowbird. And while we’re on the subject of manners, you should apologize to David, as well.”

Snowbird looked shocked. “I? Apologize to a mortal? Never!”

“You’ll get along better in this world if you treat other people the way you would like to be treated. Would YOU like to have had a tray thrown at you?”

Snowbird seemed to consider her words. Then, “Very well. Ask Medical Technician Adams to come into the room.”

Norma did so. David came in, looking wary. Who could blame him?

Snowbird spoke regally, if reluctantly. “Medical Technician Adams, I apologize for throwing that tray at you just now. It was quite wrong of me to do so. After all, you are not responsible for the dreadful food they serve to invalids around here. Accept my humblest apologies.”

If Snowbird is humble, then I’m Lady Gaga, I thought to myself.

But David accepted her apology, and even brought her another tray, which she graciously accepted. And I made sure Snowbird ate every bite of food on her tray.

“You see,” Norma confided to the staff later, “the way to deal with Snowbird is to treat her with respect, but at the same time, don’t take any nonsense from her.”

Peace was restored once again.

Then, it was one o’clock and time for visiting hours.

And I was about to meet some of the most unusual people I would ever see in my life.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER FOUR
I had just removed Narya’s emptied tray and had it sent back to the kitchen, when I heard a stirring outside in the hall. Narya settled back against her pillows in a satisfied way. “Ah, visitors.” She smiled.

Since Snowbird was the only patient on the floor, I knew they must all be for her. “I’ll let them in,” I told her, walking back to the door of her room. I peeked out.

The hallway was milling with the members of Alpha Flight: Guardian, Vindicator (my Aunt Heather’s new code name), Puck, Marrina, Sasquatch, Northstar, and Aurora. I had the feeling that there would be a few more to come.

“All right, everyone,” I called into the hallway. “Just two visitors at a time, please. Dr. Twoyoungmen’s orders.”

I went back into Snowbird’s room, and sat in a chair next to her bed.

Then, the door opened, and a pretty Tsuu T’ina girl put her head around it. “Hello, may I come in now?”

“Liz!” I jumped up, and raced over to hug her as she edged into the room. “Elizabeth Twoyoungmen! I thought you were in Corfu.”

“I was, until I got Heather’s text and teleported here.” She hugged me back, and then walked up to Snowbird’s bed. “Hey, foster sis,” she added softly. “How are you feeling?”

“Quite well, my sister,” Snowbird greeted her coolly.

“I heard Dad had to operate,” Liz continued. “That must have been really scary for you.”

“If so, it was only momentary,” Snowbird replied. “But he removed the cyst successfully, and I am receiving good care now. I should be fit enough in the morning to rejoin Alpha Flight.”

“Hey, that’s great!” Liz exclaimed. “I was really worried about you for a minute. By the way, I have someone else here who got word of your operation, and wants to see you. Just a minute….” She walked to the door. “Okay, you can come in now.”

A shy Inuit teenage girl walked into the room. Someone with whom I was only vaguely familiar. She was wearing a white costume with touches of blue, and had a pair of white wings folded over her back.

Now where I had seen her before? She wasn’t a member of Alpha Flight.

Elizabeth Twoyoungmen put me into the picture. “This is Amka Aliyak, otherwise known as Snowguard of the Champions. I mentioned that you had been taken ill, and she wanted to come visit you.”

“Hello,” the shy young woman spoke for the first time, and approached Snowbird’s bed. “I came to see how you were feeling.”

Snowbird went into her gracious queen mode. “How nice of you to come see me. Come closer, so that we may speak. Oh,” looking in my direction, “and this is my nurse, Leta Macaulay.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Amka clasped my hand.

Snowbird was not finished with me yet. “You may be interested to know that Leta is the niece of James MacDonald Hudson, otherwise known as Guardian of Alpha Flight.”

Amka’s eyes widened. “Really! That’s awesome!” I later learned that Amka was Guardian’s biggest fan, and had combined his code name with Snowbird’s as a tribute to them both. And I was truly pleased to have met her.

“Now come to my bedside,” invited Snowbird. “Tell me of the happenings with the Champions, and in your hometown of Pangnirtung….”

Then, to my surprise, they started speaking in a language that I realized was Inuit. The hero-worship on Amka’s face was awesome to see, and Snowbird seemed to accept such worship as her due.

While the two young women were conversing in their native tongue, Liz drew me outside into the hallway. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Narya,” she whispered, jerking her head in the direction of Snowbird’s room, “but…is she really going to be all right? I mean…this isn’t going to be like…my mother?”

I knew what she meant. Elizabeth’s mother, Kathryn, had died young of cancer. It was Michael’s failure to save her that had driven them apart, and only recently had Elizabeth reconnected wit her father. Liz had also come to accept Narya as an important part of her father’s life, and the two were slowly learning to live as sisters. Now, as I could see the concern in her deep, dark eyes, I realized how far their relationship had truly progressed. Liz would be devastated if anything happened to Narya now.

Fortunately, I was able to reassure Elizabeth that all was truly well. “Liz, she’s truly all right. The cyst was completely benign. I was in the OR with her, and saw it for myself. And your father didn’t find anything else wrong with her, either. You can trust us. She’s going to be all right.”

Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, thank God. Now, let’s go back in there. I have a few things to say to the Bird-lady myself.”

We came back inside just in time to see Amka turn an amazed look in our direction. “Leta,” she spoke in an awed voice. “Snowbird tells me you’re engaged to her cousin. Is that true?”

“Certainly, it is,” Snowbird spoke haughtily. “I always speak true. Indeed, she is the betrothed of my human kinsman.”

“That’s great!” Amka enthused. “When are you getting married?”

“Next spring,” I replied. “We haven’t set the date yet.”

I showed her my engagement ring. “It’s an agate I found on the beach on the Gaspe Peninsula. Philip surprised me by having it set into an engagement ring. This stone has a special meaning for us.”

Amka studied the ring. “It’s really beautiful.”

I smiled. “Thank you. But let’s talk about you. How do you like being in the Champions?’

“It’s wonderful,” Amka was pleased to say. “Of course, I can always come back to Pangnirtung if they really need me.”

Snowbird spoke up from her bed. “You should have accepted Friend Judd’s offer to join our Beta Flight program. You would have been a natural for our team.”

Amka turned to her. “Thank you, Snowbird. But the Champions saw me first. And I like it there.”

Snowbird seemed to accept what she said. “Very well. But if you ever change your mind, we will be here for you.”

“I’ll remember that,” Amka said. “After all, I’ve got two favorite heroes on your team. You and Guardian. Not mention a certain nurse in your infirmary.” She smiled at me.

Snowbird smiled coolly. “It quite pleases me to hear you say that. And now,” she extended a hand in gracious dismissal, “you must go. And thank you for visiting me.”

“Good to see you’re feeling better,” Amka spoke happily. “I’ll tell the Champions you said hello.”

“Please do,” Snowbird graciously dismissed her. “Fare you well, Amka.” She added something in Inuit that made Amka smile. Then, Snowguard left the room, walked out into the hallway to briefly speak to the members of Alpha Flight assembled there, and went outside to spread her wings and fly away.

What a lovely girl, I thought. And what an asset she could have been to Alpha Flight.

Elizabeth remained behind only a little longer to talk to Narya. I gave them some privacy by standing outside in the hallway, talking to my beloved friends (and family) in Alpha Flight. Then, Elizabeth opened the door, and came out into the hall. She turned in the doorway for a last farewell to Narya. “Glad to see you’re looking better, foster sis,” she called. “Get well soon, you hear? I’ll be back from Corfu in December. Then, we’ll have fun times together.” She closed the door, and came up to us.

“Now, I’ve got to go back to the dig in Corfu. See you in a couple of months.” With a bright flash, she teleported out of sight.

We were all a little staggered. I was the first to recover. “All right.” I spoke cheerfully. “Who wants to be next? Remember two by two.”

By four o’clock, all the members of Alpha Flight had visited Snowbird, and were assured of her recovery. Narya received a box of Laura Secord candy, Tim Horton’s doughnuts, and a scraggly bunch of flowers from Puck. To each member of the Flight, she gave her assurances that she would be well enough to rejoin them tomorrow.

Each one left looking relieved.

I thought the members of Alpha Flight would be the last of Narya’s visitors.

But I was wrong.

I was just arranged Puck’s little bouquet of flowers in a vase, where I heard a small commotion, accompanied by cries of fear in the hall.

I rushed to the door to see what it was.

There, walking slowly down the hallway, was the strangest being I had ever seen. And this is coming from someone who had seen a number of strange beings during my time with Alpha Flight. Such as a space alien like Marrina, who had turned out to be really sweet.

This strange woman did not seem to look sweet. Think of Marrina gone bad. Picture if you will a tall green -skinned woman, with hair flowing like seaweed, cold wet skin, and feet looking like flippers. She looked as if she had come from the very depths of the coldest sea. Indeed, she was dripping cold water all the way down the hallway. I could see my fellow staff members ducking into rooms and closets in order to avoid her. Not that I could blame them. This woman was scarier than Snowbird.

Snowbird! She must be here to visit Snowbird! No other explanation could be made for this woman’s sudden appearance here. But who was she? I steeled myself to come up to greet her.

“Hello,” I spoke kindly. “May I help you?”

This strange woman looked at me coldly. “I am here to visit my kinswoman, Narya. She who is called Snowbird by mortals.”

Of course! It was obvious.

“I will take you to her now.” I led the way to Narya’s room. “Whom shall I say is calling?”

“Sedna,” the strange woman replied. “I am Narya’s aunt, her mother Nelvanna’s sister. And the only other one of the Inua to remain on the earth.”

What could I say to this? “Very well.” I opened the door to Narya’s room. Narya was lying in her hospital bed, resting after all the company she had received. At the sight of this unusual woman, she sat straight up in bed.

“Sedna!” she cried. “My kinswoman! My aunt!”

Sedna walked forward to greet her niece. “My kinswoman. My niece. This person—” she glanced contemptuously in my direction—“has brought me to you.”

“Accord her some respect.” Narya spoke loftily. “She is the betrothed of my mortal kinsman, as well as being my personal attendant and companion.”

Well, that was a fair way to describe me, I thought wryly. How can you describe a nurse to a being who will never need nursing care?

Sedna looked at me with a fraction more respect. Narya then introduced us.

“This is my aunt Sedna. She is the goddess of the sea. And,” Narya hesitated, “of death.”

For a moment, I was spooked. What could this woman possibly do to harm us? Was anyone on Alpha Base in danger? And, come to think of it, how had she gotten past our security?

Narya answered my unspoken thoughts and fears., “The ways of the gods are not for men to know. My Aunt Sedna managed to slip past the guards using a masking spell provided by my cousin, Turoq the Shaper. Although she lives in the depths of the coldest sea, my kin have granted her leave to come and visit me. In this way, they may be assured that I am all right now, and will recover. And she means no one here any harm.”

Sedna nodded in my direction. Then, she turned to Narya and began to speaking to her. For the second time that day, I heard the Inuit language being spoken in my presence. Only, even to my untrained ear, this sounded like a far more primitive version of the Inuit that had been spoken between Narya and Amka.

I excused myself from the room. “Would either of you like a cold drink?” I asked before I left.

Both goddesses stopped talking and turned to look at me. “No, thank you,” Snowbird replied coldly. “We have no need of it. But I shall call if we need anything.” Then, they went back to their Inuit conversation.

Dismissed! I thought, as I went out into the hallway towards the break room. Tea and cookies would be the ticket right now. Normalcy in the middle of weirdness.

Sedna did not stay much longer. Fifteen minutes later, I saw Narya’s door open, and Sedna slip into the hallway. She turned back to call a farewell greeting in Inuit to Narya. Then, she came up to me.

“Farewell, mortal,” she spoke coldly. “Continue to take good care of my kinswoman. Be assured that the Inua pantheon appreciate your efforts.” Then, she left my side to walk down the hallway and out the door. No alarms rang, so I guess she must have gotten by security again. It was beyond me to question this.

She had also left a trail of water down the hallway. Doors opened all along the hallway. One by one, my co-workers poked their heads out the doors.

“It’s all right,” I called. “You can come out now. It’s safe.”

They all looked relieved. “Anything we can do?”

I looked at the trail of water all the way down the hall. “You can get mops and help me clean this up. I haven’t seen so much water since the night the autoclave broke. And while we do this, I’ll tell you all about the lady we just saw.”

Philip was Narya’s last visitor for the day. He came after work, and we kissed briefly in the hall, before I led him in to see her.

Snowbird received him with her usual graciousness. Then, her face briefly saddened. “How I wish my love, Douglas Thompson, could be here with me. But he was quite unable to get leave from the RCMP to be here.”

“Well, anyway, he’s coming here first thing in the morning to take you home,” I pointed out. ”Aunt Heather told me so.”

Snowbird brightened. “Ah, yes. I cannot wait till I see him again.” She smiled at me and Philip. “I, too, know what it is to love someone.”

Afterwards, Phil and I kissed in the hall.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night,” I whispered.

“Can’t wait,” Phil whispered back.

Our next kiss was a promise of happy times to come.

Narya had a good dinner, even though she made a face at the food on the tray. Meat loaf and a green salad, accompanied by a carton of milk.

“I long for the day when I can hunt prey again,” she sighed after she had finished, and I had removed her tray.

“Most likely after you’re discharged tomorrow,” I told her. “But we’ll see what Michael has to say, first.”

Then, I took her vital signs. All were normal, or at least, what passed for normal for Snowbird.

“I can never understand,” I mused after I stripped the blood pressure cuff from her arm, “how someone with your low blood pressure keeps from passing out.”

Narya smiled. “It is not for you to understand the ways of my body. It is most likely the strange combination of my heritage.”

“Well, at least, your heart is strong,” I continued. “I’ve never felt a stronger pulse!”

Narya continued to smile benevolently. “That is because within me beats the heart of the Great North. This land keeps me strong. And it is my duty to protect it.”

I went off duty at 8 PM when the relief nurse, Sylvie Marceau, came on. I gave her the report of Snowbird’s condition, showed the hypo-gun in case she would have to use it, and bade both her and Snowbird farewell for the night.

“Dr. Twoyoungmen wants me to stay on the premises in case you should need help,” I continued. “But I don’t foresee any trouble. She should have a quiet night.”

Sylvie nodded as if she understood. Then, I retired to the break room couch. I sent a quick text to my fiancé, Philip, saying I loved him, and would see him tomorrow night. Then, I settled down for the night. Everyone else had gone home.

I thought we would have a quiet night.

But I was wrong.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER FIVE
3 am. This is when trouble often strikes.

I was awakened by sharp screams from Snowbird’s room. I jumped up from the couch in the break room where I had been sleeping, and rushed into the hallway.

There I saw Sylvie outside the door of Snowbird’s room, a cell phone in one hand, and the hypo-gun in the other. She looked worried.

I rushed up to her. “Sylvie! What’s happened?”

Sylvie looked at me with a combination of fear and relief. “She woke up just now spiking a fever of 105. I have a call right now in to Dr. Twoyoungmen. He—”

She never finished the sentence. From inside the room came a sudden growl. The unmistakable growl of a polar bear.

Sylvie and I rushed into the room.

There beside Snowbird’s disheveled bed, sat a large polar bear. Its eyes glowed red, as it faced us.

Sylvie was not unfamiliar with Snowbird’s shape-shifting powers. She had been briefed by Michael Twoyoungmen before she reported for temp duty at Department H.

“Sylvie, close the door,” I instructed. “Quickly! This is our strongroom for dangerous patients. If we can contain her, she won’t get loose to harm herself or us. Quickly!”

We shut the door. In the same second, Sylvie’s cell phone buzzed. She answered it.

“Hello, Dr. Twoyoungmen? This is Sylvie Marceau. Hate to wake you, but Snowbird woke just now with a fever of 105. She just turned into a polar bear.” I indicated that the Sylvie should hand the cell phone to me, which should she did.

“Hello, Michael? It’s Leta. We have Snowbird contained in her room with the door closed. You’d better come right away to look at her.”

Michael’s voice came over clearly. “I shall be there immediately. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Michael.” I handed the phone back to Sylvie. “He should be here STAT.” Hospital language for immediately. “And when Michael Twoyoungmen says ‘immediately’, he means—”

Michael appeared even as I spoke, dressed as Shaman, with the ever-present medicine pouch at his side.

“Michael!” I greeted him with relief. “She’s in there.” I nodded towards the closed door. Sylvie looked fearful.

Michael was all calm authority. “I shall handle this. Stand aside.” We did so. Michael cautiously opened the door. And was almost knocked down by the large snowy owl that flew from the room. Sylvie and I gasped.

The Snowbird-owl flew down the hallway towards the glass door of the infirmary; slammed right into it; and slid down the glass. Instantly, the owl’s shape flowed like mercury back into the beautiful human form of Snowbird. We started to run down the hall towards her, only to see her human shape flow into the form of a white lemming. It ran towards the hall towards us, and darted past.

“We’ve got to catch her!” I shouted.

Even as I spoke, the lemming’s form shifted into that of a gyrfalcon, that soared upward into the hallway and turned. It shrieked and dived towards us.

Sylvie and I turned to run. If there was only a way to duck this new creature. And what about Michael?

Suddenly, there was a stillness in the air. We turned back to see the gyrfalcon frozen in mid-air.

Michael had his hand raised. I saw the remnants of powder in the air. Then, I realized what had happened. He had cast a spell to still any flying object in the air. Sylvie and I were amazed and were relieved as well.

“Nurse Marceau, the hypo-gun, please,” Shaman directed.

Sylvie handed it to him. Shaman fired the needle into the gyrfalcon’s breast. It began to flow back into the unconscious form of Snowbird.

Shaman ended the spell, and Snowbird dropped into his waiting arms.

“Now, nurses,” Michael spoke seriously as he carried the unconscious Narya in his arms, “let us go into the patient’s room so that I can examine her properly.”

Michael’s examination did not take long. “This fever is a post-operative complication. I will put her on antibiotics; but the important thing is to reduce her fever as quickly as possible. I will leave medicine for that, as well. Also, I will have to put her under sedation so that no harm will come to her or anyone else in this department.”

Sylvie and I nodded. But there was more.

“In the interests of safety, I will put the Medical Department under lockdown. No one but medical personnel will be allowed in here. No visitors. And any patients will have to be treated elsewhere until this crisis is over. I will alert the incoming medical staff as to this development, as well as the rest of Alpha Flight. Fortunately, there are no other patients on this floor at present.”

“Michael, how long do you think this will last?” I asked.

Michael sighed. “Probably about a day. Narya has a healing factor, as you know, but when any kind of illness strikes her, she needs help to get to the point of being able to heal herself.”

He turned to Sylvie. “Nurse Marceau, I had engaged your services for the night. However, do you wish to stay on a little while longer until the crisis is over? An extra pair of hands will useful in helping Narya get well.”

Sylvie looked undecided. I tried to help her. “You’ve been up most of the night. Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll stay with Snowbird while you sleep. Then, we can take turns taking care of her. When Nurse Kilbride comes in, she’ll probably set up a schedule for the medical staff to get Snowbird through this crisis.”

Sylvie relented. “All right. If you’ll just show me to the break room….”

Michael looked gratified. “Good. I will let Nurse Kilbride and the others know. Narya is under deep sedation now. I will leave extra barbiturates with which to load the hypo-gun. But let us pray that we will not have to use it again.” He walked to the door of Snowbird’s room. “I have to return to the Sarcee Reserve Hospital. But keep me informed of Narya’s condition. Check in with me every hour. For now, fare you well.” He went into the hallway, encircled the air above his head with transportation powder, and disappeared.

I directed Sylvie down the hall to the break room.

Then, I went into Snowbird’s room, and closed the door.

Even with a few hours left until dawn, it was going to be a long night.

4 AM

Some regard this as the hour of death. Others as a time when secrets are revealed.

In Snowbird’s case, the former fortunately didn’t happen.

But the latter did.

As I was leaning over the bed, I saw Narya’s eyes open. Her white pupils were red with fever. I had just taken her temperature. It was still 105.0. I had been sponging her down with cool water, and was prepared to do so again, when Narya suddenly spoke.

“Leta, I have something I must say to you.”

“It’s all right, Narya.” I took her hand. “Whatever you have to say can wait till another time.”

“No, this cannot.” She paused. Obviously, she needed to get something off her chest.

“What is it, then?” I queried.

“Before I met Douglas Thompson…I loved another man.”

“Who?” I asked. Wolverine? Hercules?

“Your kinsman. James MacDonald Hudson.”

Startled, I suppressed a shocked gasp. I would never have guessed.

“It was when I was first recruited into Department H,” Narya continued in a breathy whisper. “I was new to the humans’ civilization. Your kinsman was the first man I had ever seen after Michael. I had a woman’s body, and my sexuality was awakened at the sight of him.”

I had to ask this. “Did my uncle ever know?”

Narya sighed. “Oh, yes. One day, after a practice session in the training room, when I had made sure that no one else was around, I took him into my arms and kissed him passionately.”

I was shocked, though I did my best not to show it. “And how did he react?”

“He was astonished. Then, embarrassed. He pulled out of my embrace, and stood staring at me. At that moment, Michael entered the training room. He realized what was going on, and asked James if he could take me somewhere so he could talk this over with me privately. James agreed. ‘We don’t want any scandal,’ he said.

“So Michael took me into a conference room and talked to me for a long time. He explained why my showing these kind of feelings for James MacDonald Hudson was a bad idea. That it would cause a scandal, indeed. That Heather was also my friend, and that I should not do anything to hurt her. That I had to understand the concept of marriage, and why I should not interfere. That this was only infatuation anyway, and tht I must get over it, for the sake of the Flight, and for my own personal sake.” She sighed again. “Michael Twoyoungmen made me see sense. From that moment, I held myself aloof from others so that I would not make that kind of mistake again. Since then, only one man was able to get past my defenses.”

“Douglas Thompson,” I guessed.

“Indeed,” Snowbird confirmed. “And then, I realized that what I felt for your kinsman was nothing compared to what I feel now for Douglas. I am glad that I was able to learn the difference.”

“I am, also,” I replied. “One thing, does Aunt Heather know?”

“No,” Snowbird spoke in a soft voice. “And she never shall. “

I nodded. “I’ll never tell her. But why did you tell me now?”

“I have felt guilty about my earliest feelings for James MacDonald Hudson for a long time. But be assured now that I have only the highest regard for your kinsman. Also, when I first met you, I originally liked you only because of your connection to James MacDonald Hudson. But now that I have gotten to know you better, and have received good care from you, I can honestly say that I have come to appreciate you for yourself. And I can also say with all honesty that I am glad that you will be in my family very soon as well. But I would like to keep my earliest feelings about your kinsman a secret.”

“Yes, it’s our secret.” I took her hot hand and kissed it

A nurse has to learn to keep many secrets. Especially those confessed in the darkest part of the night.

Snowbird went back to sleep and slept for the rest of the night.

When Norma Kilbride came in with the rest of the rest of the crew early in the early morning, she set up a schedule for us. In four-hour shifts, we would be tending Snowbird, bathing her, giving her medicine, doing everything to bring her fever down. Dr. Twoyoungmen was to be advised every hour on the hour of Narya’s progress.

Norma and Sylvie took the first shift from 8 AM to 12 PM. I slept in the break room during this time. Just before noon, I got up, showered, changed into fresh scrubs, and had a breakfast of toast and scrambled eggs cooked up in the diet kitchen, along with a glass of orange juice, before joining Nurse Melba outside the door of Snowbird’s room.

Norma came out to give us the report. “Her fever is down to 104.8. No more shape-changing, thank God, though of course, we have the hypo-gun locked and loaded, just in case.” She went on to list the medications Snowbird was on, and when to administer them. Then, “She’s been talking in Inuit when she’s awake. Just go with it. She’ll fall back to sleep shortly after, anyway. Keep a watch on her other vitals. And be sure to report to Dr. Twoyoungmen every hour on the hour of her progress. I’m just going to call him.”

Melba and I nodded. Then, we went inside to tend to Narya.

Snowbird was tossing restlessly in her bed. She was babbling in Inuit. Melba and I set up a bed bath for her.

Then, Nurse Melba started to bathe Narya. “Ah, sweet Bird-lady,” she spoke kindly, “here’s a nice bath for you. We’ll get you well.”

I marveled at Nurse Melba’s gentle touch with Narya. I had been told that I had a gentle touch, myself. But Nurse Melba’s was even gentler, I could see. There was much I could learn from her, I thought. Her soft touch, and everlasting kindness with the patients. Such as with Narya right now.

Snowbird opened her eyes wide. The pupils were still red. She spoke in Inuit, in a frightened voice.

“Now, don’t you fear, lady,” Melba soothed. “We’re here to make you feel better. Here’s a nice cool bath to do just that.”

She continued to wash Narya’s arms.

Narya sighed, and went back to sleep.

“Get her vitals now,” Melba directed.

I did so. Her temperature was down to 103.8. Her pulse was 100 and strong. Her respirations were 30. And her blood pressure was 100/80. All of these readings were elevated, and I said as much to Melba.

“Ah, but they have been going down since early this morning. I predict that we will see her fever break this evening.”

I prayed she was right. In the meantime, we were in for the battle of Snowbird’s life.

When Melba and I got off duty at 4 PM, in order to have Norma and Susanna take over, I felt more optimistic about Narya’s prognosis. Snowbird’s vital signs were gradually returning to what passed for normal for her. And Michael was optimistic about her progress, also.

“The care you have given her has made all the difference,” he stated over the cell phone when Melba and I called him when we got off duty. “The next few hours should make a real difference. Good work to all of you.”

The whole Department was pleased. We would fight for Narya and win!

Of course, there were concerned texts. From Aunt Heather. From Elizabeth Twoyoungmen. From Philip.

Aunt Heather:

HOW IS SHE? WILL SHE BE ALL RIGHT? MICHAEL IS BEING CLOSE-MOUTHED ABOUT THIS. WE ARE ALL WORRIED. PRAYERS EVEN IF SHE IS A DEMI-GODDESS.

I was able to reassure Aunt Heather that Snowbird’s fever was going down, that her prognosis was good. Aunt Heather texted her relief, and extracted a promise to text her when Snowbird recovered.

Elizabeth Twoyoungmen:

OMG! SHE LOOKED OK YESTERDAY! DO YOU THINK I SHOULD COME HOME? I CAN GET EMERGENCY LEAVE. WHAT DOES DAD THINK?

I texted Liz that Snowbird had been very sick, but was getting better, and that there was no need for her to come home. I also told her that her father was optimistic about Snowbird’s condition, and expected her to make a full recovery. Liz also texted back her relief, but still offered to come home if things did not get better. I hoped it wouldn’t be necessary for her to do so.

Philip:

HOPE SHE GETS BETTER SOON. LOVE YOU.

I texted back that I loved him, also. No further words needed to be spoken between us. Or texted. (This was the twenty-first century, after all.)

At 9 PM, Snowbird’s fever broke.

Her temperature went down to its usual 94.0. In addition, her pulse went down to 84; her respiration to 16; and her blood pressure to 80/50. The pupils of her eyes were white. Snowbird was herself again!

Michael Twoyoungmen, when he came to see her, was pleased at how we had all gotten her through the crisis.

“Good work,” he spoke cheerfully. “I will see that you are all commended for this. When you save one of us, you save Canada. Remember that.”

We all beamed. Norma, Melba, David, Susanna, Sylvie, and me. We had performed a miracle.

Canada’s great champion had been saved! And her prognosis was once again good.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER SIX
Morning. A wonderful new day had dawned.

Snowbird was ready to go home!

It was the morning after her fever had broken. Her healing factor had restored her through the night, and she was completely healed. Now all that remained was for Michael to examine her in order to mark her fit for duty, and then, she would fly back to Yellowknife on her own, in the form of a snowy owl. Douglas Thompson had originally planned to fly down to Ottawa to bring her back, but after Snowbird’s post-surgical complication, Shaman had called him to cancel this plan. And, subsequently, Snowbird had contacted him to tell him that she wanted to fly home in the form of a snowy owl. I guess this was her way of getting back to normal living again. Or what passed as normal for Snowbird.

I had also contacted Aunt Heather, Elizabeth Twoyoungmen, and Philp with the good news that Snowbird had recovered and was ready to be discharged. All of them were relieved and happy to receive this news.

Now, before Michael came into the room, I took Snowbird’s vital signs one last time. Temperature 94.0. Pulse 88. Respiration 18. Blood pressure 80/50. And all strong readings.

“Michael will be pleased at your recovery,” I stated happily.

Narya smiled widely. “As well he should be. And I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that I am glad that I had you as my personal nurse. Few would have been willing to take care of me as you have.”

I was deeply touched. “And I consider it the highest honor to take care of a demi-goddess. I’ll miss you when you’re gone.”

“As I shall miss you, my kinswoman-to-be.” Narya’s smile held a trace of warmth. Then, her gaze dropped. “I have not always been fair to the staff in this Department.”

“Well, no,” I admitted. “But through this crisis, they have been willing to attend to you, to make you better.”

“I see.” Narya was thoughtful. Then, “I have an idea. Please fetch my cell phone. And then, give me a moment’s privacy.”

I do, and stepped outside the room. Now what could she have in mind?

When Michael Twoyoungmen arrived, I went with him into Snowbird’s room to assist him with his examination of Narya before her discharge.

First, he turned back her hospital gown in order to check the tiny surgical scars. “Keyhole surgery,” I’d heard it called. They were healing beautifully.

“Splendid, Narya.” Michael approved. “Within a day or two, they will disappear from sight. It will be as if this never happened.”

Narya was coolly pleased. She seemed to take this as her right, being a demi-goddess with a healing factor.

Next, I unfastened the back of Narya’s hospital gown to bare her back and her upper chest so that Michael could check her lungs and heart, which he did briefly. He beamed with approval. “Your recovery has been perfect, Narya. You are indeed very strong.”

Narya and I exchanged a wry glance. What had we been saying all along?

After Michael read my chart notes in the computer and added a few notes of his own, he announced, “Narya, I pronounce you well again and fit for duty. I would just like to go over your discharge instructions.”

The discharge instructions that followed must have the strangest ones ever imagined.

“Michael, how long before I can shapeshift?”

“Immediately, if you wish.”

“When can I start hunting prey again in my animal forms?”

“Two to three days. However, I would like you to continue eating three well-balanced meals a day, as I have been instructing you to do. Human meals, Narya,” he ended on a stern note.

“Yes, Michael,” Narya stated in the closest thing to a meek voice I had ever heard her use. But she sent me a wry look under her lashes, suggesting tht she would be supplementing her human diet with the lemmings and mice she preferred in her snowy owl form.

“Do you have any other questions, Narya?” Michael queried.

“Yes.” Narya looked at me. “This one is extremely personal.”

“Would you like me to leave the room, Narya?” I asked.

“No,” Narya stated. “I know that whatever I say in this room will be kept in confidence. Michael,” she paused. “Douglas and I have spoken about marriage. This operation I had…” She hesitated again, then, plunged in. “Will I be able to bear children?”

Whoa. This was a big one.

Michael’s expression was kind. “Yes. This operation will not impact your fertility. We managed to save your ovary, but even if we could not, you still would have had one more. I am happy to say that there is nothing wrong with your reproductive system. You will be able to conceive children. However,” he paused, “we still do not know how a full-term pregnancy will affect your body. With your age acceleration, you might come to term very quickly. This remains to be seen. I have a suggestion,” he continued. “When you and Douglas are ready to conceive, come to see me, and I will do what I can to monitor your pregnancy and see that you have a safe birth.”

Narya’s face lit up with hope. “Oh, thank you, Michael! I long for a child to hold. With your help, I think it can be possible for Douglas and me.”

“I’d like to be your baby nurse,” I put in shamelessly.

Narya turned to me. “I would like nothing better. However,” her face took on a surprisingly coy look, “why do I think you may have one of your own by then?”

I was delighted by this prospect. “Then, our children will grow up together! Two champions for Alpha Flight!”

Michael laughed. “And I would like to be there to see that happen! In the meantime, Narya, see me in two weeks for a post-operative check-up. That is all.” With that pronouncement, Snowbird was dismissed as a patient from this the Department H infirmary.

Michael left shortly thereafter. Then, Snowbird walked into the hallway preparatory to leaving. At the glass doorway to the Medical Department, she turned back to face me. “Gather the rest of the Medical Department. I have something important that I wish to say to them.”

I went down the hallway looking for my co-workers, and finding them in various places.

Norma, Melba, David, and Susanna came into the waiting room to face Snowbird. Only Sylvie was absent. She had gone home early in the morning.

Snowbird, looking so beautiful in her cape and tiara, addressed the members of the Medical Department graciously. “I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for the excellent care that you have shown me during this time. I realize,” her face fell for a moment in a fleeting sense of shame, “that I have been less than kind to you, and have often been an obstreperous and difficult patient. But your selfless care and hard work have shown me that I was quite wrong to treat you in this way. Your good work shall not go unrewarded.” She paused dramatically.

“Before Michael Twoyoungmen came in, I placed a call to a fine restaurant here in Ottawa. I have arranged for caterers to be here within the hour. A great feast is to be sent in to you. This is my way of showing you my gratitude for the wonderful care that you have given me. You are all as heroic in your own way as any member of Alpha Flight. And now, I must fly back to Yellowknife. Fare you well.” With that, she swept graciously out of the Department H infirmary, and down the hallway.

I accompanied her to the outside door. “Narya…I can’t thank you enough, and I’m sure the others can’t either. What a wonderful gesture!” I wondered, though. How was she going to pay for this spread?

Narya answered my unspoken question. “No, I have not charged it to Department H. I have used my personal Department H salary to pay for this. Your kinsman, James MacDonald Hudson, need not worry.” She took my hand in a gracious farewell. “Till I see you again, my kinswoman-to-be.”

I kissed her on the cheek. “Goodbye. Hope we meet again under happier circumstances.”

Narya smiled. “We shall. Fare you well.” Then, she transformed into a beautiful snowy owl, and took off into the heavens, turning towards the north and Yellowknife.

She didn’t fly away a moment too soon. A caterers’ truck pulled up outside, and caterers began to climb out of the vehicle.

“Hey, lady,” one of them called to me, “where’s the Medical Department?”

I smiled at them. “Just follow me.”

What a spread! Magnificent cold cuts of ham and turkey. Potato salad. Green salad. Swiss, cheddar, and American cheeses. And extravagant pastries for dessert. Everyone was impressed.

“You know,” David spoke casually, “she’s not really so bad after all.”

“You have to try to understand her,” I said. “Snowbird is constantly fighting a personal battle between her goddess and human side, thinking that humans are weak. Anyway, I think we’ve shown her that humans aren’t really so bad, after all. That we can be strong, also. Especially when it comes to helping other people. We’re heroes in our own way, as Alpha Flight are heroes in theirs.”

There is a saying that I truly believe: Sorrow can be borne alone, but joy must be shared. I was only too happy to call Sylvie to come over, which she did right away.

Then, I placed a cell phone call to Philip. Obviously, when seeing the call was from me, he answered his phone eagerly. It was almost noon.

“Phil,” I asked. “What are you doing for lunch?”