CH 29

Duncan looked over his shiny black 69 Thunderbird with the mechanic in front of the auto shop. The man with the grease smeared on his open shirt waved proudly at the open hood, showing the engine.

"Engine and tranny rebuilt, and it's been restored repainted down to the frame, new top, carpet and new leather on the seats," the man bragged.

Duncan smiled. "All new hoses and radiator too?"

"Everything has been redone. The only thing that's not original equipment is the new power brake unit there and the tires."

"It looks like it just came off the showroom floor," Duncan agreed. "Very nice job."

"It's beautiful," Inari agreed.

The man grinned, "Hey, it's a classic and a survivor. Gotta take care with these cars that are one of a kind. Very few of them left."

"You have, thanks again," Duncan said and shook his hand with a smile. He then closed the hood and asked Inari, "Want to go for a ride?"

"Keys are in it. Be careful with it now, hate to see it even get a scratch," the man said in warning.

"I'll be very careful," Duncan agreed. He guided Inari around to the passenger side and opened her door for her. He got Inari in the got in his own seat. Duncan stared the car and smiled. He revved it a couple times. "Sounds great. Thanks Pete!"

"Any time, Mr. McLeod," the mechanic said happily. He was very happy with the $40,000 McLeod had paid to have his car fully restored.

.

Duncan had finally stopped putting off the inevitable. Long ago, a Gypsy woman had told him he would 'bury many women, but marry none'. Whether it was a prophesy or a curse, he'd lived with that knowledge for a long time. It seemed to be true for hundreds of years. Until Inari.

Kaede's wedding and her pokes now and then that he should marry her mother so Kaede could have an official mom and dad had prodded him along. He'd also noted that while Inari already considered them married, there was no actual document saying so.

They had their 'second' wedding, as far as everyone else was concerned, in Glen Finnen with all the finery and partying at the Inn as most first weddings. Inari loved it. They were even going on a honeymoon

Duncan didn't fear that Gypsy woman's words any longer. There wasn't much that could hurt Inari and if trouble came, there was plenty Inari could do to protect herself.

With his newly restored car and his new wife, Duncan had to go visit Charlie. Driving to the Dojo, Duncan parked in the garage across the street and brought his new bride up to the second floor.

Going in the Dojo Duncan saw it was empty, except for Charlie's head at the desk. Halfway across the floor, Charlie looked up.

"We're…" Charlie stared to yell, 'we're closed' then got up and ran to the office door. "Mac?" he cried.

"Hey Charlie, I brought someone to meet ya," Duncan said, all smiles. "Inari, this is my good friend, Charlie Desalvo. Charlie, I'd like you to meet Mrs. Inari McLeod."

"Well I'll be!" Charlie said with a bright smile as he came over and shook Inari's hand. "Never thought I'd see the day! Congratulations to both of you!" He then shook Duncan's hand vigorously and asked, Inari, "How did you corner this guy?"

Inari giggled. "I refused ta give up," she said, which made Charlie laugh.

"Hey!" Charlie said quickly, "You have to meet Brenda. Remember Asia down in the Zone?" Charlie asked. "Well I started helping out down there and met her friend Brenda a while back. We got married last year."

"Congrats, Charlie," Duncan said heartily. "What do you say to all of us going to dinner tonight?"

"I say fantastic! We know a great place to go." Charlie agreed. "Let me call Brenda and let her know. Heading up to the loft?"

"Just a stop to pick up a couple things. We'll be right down." Duncan told him.

"Great, I was on my way out. I'll take you to meet Brenda."

"Sounds good."

.

Duncan got his camping gear he had stored away and Charlie met them when they came down to sat Brenda was eager to meet Duncan who Charlie talked so much about. Charlie and Brenda's place was only a couple blocks down, so they walked it. Like Kouta and Kaede saw when they were here, Duncan noted an alley with tents of the homeless.

He frowned and asked, "Charlie there's homeless on the streets now?"

Charlie shook his head sadly. "Yeah, Mac, I swear it's getting worse all the time. I never used to lock the doors, but now if I don't I find people sleeping inside, especially in the winter," he grumbled. "The only good thing about it is they work cheap for some cash and a warm place to stay for the night. They're everywhere too. You should see the Zone. People packed in everywhere. Someone needs to do something about it."

"We do what we can," Duncan said in a huff. "Any more problems down in the Zone?"

"It's gotten better," Charlie replied. "Brenda got the city to put police patrols down there on a daily basis, that factory had been converted into housing, and Asia had volunteer help with her clinic and a school has been started. Still not the best, but much better than it was, even with the extra homeless."

Coming to an apartment building, Charlie unlocked the door and let them into his first floor apartment. "Brenda, I'm home. Got Mac and his wife with me!" Charlie called.

Duncan surveyed the place. It wasn't large or grand, but it was tidy and homey. "Nice place, Charlie," he commented.

Brenda came out of the bedroom in a light top and jeans. A pretty black woman, she beamed them a smile. "Hello! You're this Duncan I've been hearing about?" she asked. "Thank you for all you've done for Charlie! And Asia still talks about you two cleaning up the Zone." She came over and pumped his hand.

Inari bowed to her, "Greetings, Brenda, happy ta meet ya."

Gazing at Inari's bright red hair and the green contacts she was wearing, Brenda said, "Wow, you're a pretty one."

"Thank ya lass," Inari replied sheepishly.

Turning to Charlie, Brenda said, "We're taking them to dinner, right?"

"We are, let me get cleaned up and changed," Charlie said and went in the bedroom.

"Well, come in and sit down," Brenda coaxed with a wave of her arm.

"So, Brenda, Charlie tells me you're working in the Zone?" Duncan asked.

Brenda was eager to talk her volunteer work, as well as doing her best to put pressure on the City Council to help with the homeless and education problems in the city. She even got the city to help sponsor construction projects and pushed to get welfare for the homeless. It was obvious she was proud of what she did.

"So Inari, what do you do?" Brenda asked.

"Nay as much active as you," Inari admitted. "I take care'o the house, watch me daughter's baby and keep the teenagers in line. That pretty much gives me a full day."

"Raising kids right is very important," Brenda agreed. "Especially keeping teenagers in line. I must say, you look good for your age. You don't look old enough to have teenagers."

"We just age well," Duncan offered.

"I'm thinking you're in your forties?" Brenda guessed.

"Close enough," Duncan replied.

Inari giggled and cast him a sly look.

Brenda eyed Duncan. "You know, Charlie told me about the time those men came after you. They shot the crap out of the Dojo, then you two went after them. You both got shot and Charlie spend weeks in the hospital, and was still recovering long after. He said you took one in the heart, he saw it, but you were on your feet and fine right after. You didn't even go into the hospital. Charlie said you told him it was magic."

Duncan grew a weak smile. "Doan know how else to explain it," he offered.

"But you did get shot."

"There's things we just can't explain," Inari told her.

Brenda shifted her gaze to Inari. "So you know about that?"

Inari chuckled. "I know about much more lass. Like I said, we can't explain."

Brenda grinned. "Yeah, OK. Charlie said you're one evasive son of a bitch."

Duncan shrugged. "Gotta be."

"Aye," Inari agreed.

Charlie came out putting on a gray pullover. He tapped Brenda on the shoulder and asked, "Find out much?"

Brenda frowned at him. "No, Duncan's like you said, evasive as all hell. Inari won't give an inch either."

Charlie laughed. "Birds of a feather," he said. "Come on, we get there a little early and we can grab window seats."

.

On the way, Duncan and Charlie talked about how the city had changed some good, some not so good. The place they went to was a nice bay side restaurant. Charlie was right, the place had a nice atmosphere and comfortable booths. They got menus and made their orders.

Once the waitress got their orders and left with the menus, Charlie waggled his finger at Duncan and asked, "I gotta know something, McLeod, has Inari here calmed you down a bit? No more diving into trouble?"

Duncan smiled at Inari and said, "She does her best to keep me in line."

Inari let out a snort. "Aye, Kaede's takin the lead on that now."

"Kaede?" Charlie asked, wide eyed. "Mac, you been teaching Kaede how to get into trouble?"

"Kinda does it all be herself," Duncan said in a grumble.

"Your Kaede's a wild one, huh?" Brenda asked with a smirk.

Proudly, Inari said, "Kinda, but she did get Knighted by Queen Elizabeth fer her troubles. Her name's officially now Dame Kaede."

Brenda choked on the drink she was sipping, spilling some on the table. As she hacked and Charlie thumped her back, Brenda stared at Inari then Duncan, then back to Inari.

"What's this?" Charlie asked. "Kaede's a Knight?"

Finally catching her breath, Brenda squeaked out, "Your Daughter is Kaede Kikumura?"

"Dame Kaede Kikumura now," Inari said proudly.

"You're her parents?" Brenda cried.

Charlie eyed Brenda and asked, "What's so special about Kaede?"

Brenda gaped at Charlie. "The Witch of Glen Finnen?" she asked. "The woman who single handedly taught those Muslims in Paris not to attack people? The one who drove those aliens off the planet? The Tidal bay Massacre? The Wind of Death? Charlie, you didn't see the board down at Asia's clinic?"

"Little Kaede?" Charlie asked in disbelief.

"I take it Kaede has a fan club?" Duncan asked.

Brenda swung her gaze to Duncan. "She's a friggin hero! Everyone I know looks up to her, all the girls want to be her! Every picture and bit of information on her anyone can find is posted on that board. Official news, pictures found on the net, it's all up there. She is an inspiration to young people. Any time one thinks about getting in trouble, all me and Asia have to do I ask them if they think Kaede would do that. She is the inspiration and hope many of the young people we deal with. She's a real live Wonder Woman to those little girls! She even has a regular job tending bar, just like a true super hero."

"Our Kaede's famous," Inari said with a grin.

"Seems that way," Duncan agreed, not happy about it.

"Is there any way you can get Kaede here to see the kids?" Brenda asked in a plea.

"We'll have to ask," Duncan said blankly.

"Lemme check," Inari said and pulled out her phone. She punched in Kaede's number.

"Hey hon … Aye, me an yer Dad are havin a gay time here in Seattle … Aye, We'll stop by'er grave for ya. We woan fergit Uzuki. Got a lass here that wants ta ask ya a question."

Inari then handed Brenda the phone. Brenda took the phone, staring at it like it was a bar of gold.

"Hello?" Brenda said meekly. "Yes, Brenda Desalvo … Charlie's wife … I work with homeless people and we have a bunch of kids that really look up to you. It would mean a lot to those kids if you could come talk to them …. Right, they live pretty bleak lives … no, no orphanage … Some have indoor places to stay, may are in tents and … Me and Asia and a few other volunteers do what we can … Yes, Charlie knows where the place is… OK…" Brenda handed the phone to Duncan.

Duncan took it. "Hey sweetie …. Yeah, Brenda's the real deal." He chuckled. "I'll tell them..."

While Duncan talked to Kaede, Brenda told Charlie with a happy squeak in her voice, "I just talked to Kaede Kikumura!"

Stunned, Charlie looked at Brenda, then Duncan. "I had no idea Kaede got so famous. When did this happen?"

"Somewhere between killin Mayu's kidnappers an splatterin aliens in the Congo," Inari replied with a grin.

Charlie gaped at her, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, OK, I get it. When Mac told me it was magic, he wasn't blowing me off. You do really have some kind of magic, and Kaede has inherited it."

"Aye, Me Kaede's a chip off the old block," Inari stated.

"So, is it true? Kaede a witch like, for real?" Brenda eagerly asked.

Inari grinned and looked at the condiment basket on the end of the table. packets of sugar lifted up and did a spin in the air, then one by one, flew back into the basket. "Ya might say that," she said with a wink.

'Hon, ya doan want people seein that," Duncan grumbled.

"Mac, all this time?" Charlie asked, wide eyed. "I mean you … Ritchie too?" he asked in a squeak.

"We aren't like normal people, Charlie. We have to keep a low profile or else it would be a constant media circus around us, and quite possibly panic or becoming lab rats if we became general knowledge," Duncan explained.

"Like Kaede's findin out," Inari agreed. "An we'll nay be run outta our home," she added firmly.

"The castle, Kaede told me you're living in a real castle," Charlie said.

Duncan nodded. "Aye, it's the old Campbell castle."

Brenda's eyes were shining in eagerness. "So Kaede is a real Knight, living in a real castle. Where's this?" she asked.

"Glen Finnen, right?" Charlie prodded.

"Aye. We got a comfertable home," Inari agreed.

Charlie chuckled. "No wonder you can afford to keep the Dojo open. Mac, just HOW much money you got?" he asked.

Duncan shrugged. "Enough. The thing is, we can't be letting everyone know where we live. There are people after us."

Like that guy you cut his arm off of," Charlie said with a grin. "Speaking of him, did you ever get him?"

"I got im," Duncan said simply.

"It makes sense now," Brenda said. "In that news story, the reporter didn't say where Kaede lived. Only that she was a bar maid. She was only reporting what Kaede wanted her to report."

"That was the deal to do the story," Duncan confirmed.

"Damn, Kaede's famous," Charlie breathed. "I never would have guessed she's able to take out the bad guys. I mean she's not very big."

"Her power ain't in'er body, it's in'er mind," Inari replied. With a wide grin, she said, "I bet ya'd both faint if we told ya the rest of it."

"There's more?" Brenda asked.

Duncan nudged Ianri with his elbow and shook his head.

"Aye," she agreed sadly.

"Well?" Brenda asked in a coax.

"Sorry I kin nay tell ya," Iinari said.

"Seen that comin. Time for the McLeod family clam up," Charlie said, which made Duncan shrug with a grin.

"Duncan, after dinner, I want to go see this board they have up on Kaede," Inari said.

"Yes, please do," Brenda agreed quickly.

.

After their tasty dinner, Duncan and Inari followed Brenda and Charlie down into the Zone. The area was a shut down factory and dock area. Since it was shut down, the homeless had gathered there. Once controlled by a manipulator and thug, Duncan had gotten rid of the thug, and Brenda's efforts to spread news about the plight of the homeless here had helped improve the area.
It was still bad, but in the ruins donated materials had built shelters and helped turn the gutted factory into a poor apartment complex. Asia's medical center was in the same steel walled ex-warehouse, but now had a decent patient area and three donated old hospital beds as well as medical supplies and a real patient waiting area. A chunk of plywood about 4 feet square on the far wall of the patient area had papers and pictures held up with small nails.

A woman and her 10 year old boy were in the waiting area that now had padded chairs.

Walking in, Charlie saw Asia and announced, "Asia, look who the cat dragged in!"

"Charlie!" Brenda cried, "Stop it, these are Kaede's parents!" At her words, the woman and boy snapped their heads up to look at the group.

Asia came over. "Hey Charlie, Brenda," she greeted. She then focused on Duncan. "If it ain't Duncan McLeod. Welcome back, it's good you didn't forget about us!" She came over and hugged him.

"Asia, this is my wife, Inari," Duncan introduced after the hug. He noted that Asia had gray creeping into her hair. The people he knew here were getting older.

"Hi, I'm Aisa," Asia said waved.

Inari dipped her head in a bow. "Greetings, I understand you do good work here."

The boy looked at the pictures on the board, then came over to look at Inari. "Lady, you look a little like Kaede. Do you know her?"

Inari looked at the boy, then the pictures. "I should, she's me daughter."

"REALLY?" the boy cried as his eyes flew open. "You're Kaede's mom?"

"Aye, and me husband Duncan here is her dad."

Bouncing in place, the boy cried, "I gotta go tell the guys!"

He went to run out, Asia caught his arm. "Hold on, Billy!" she said firmly. "First you see me, then you can go tell your friends."

"But Asia, this is Kaede's mom!" Billy cried, pointing to her.

"Billy! Do as Asia tells you!" the woman said firmly.

"Awwwww," Billy pouted as Asia took him over to give him his checkup.

Motioning to the board, Brenda said, "Everything we can find on Kaede, goes up here."

Duncan and Inari studied the board. Pictures from news clips were posted, as was the one of Leniu's bar with Mayu behind the bar. Kaede walking down the street in Paris, Kaede and Kouta on jet skis in Mexico, Kaede hanging in the air off the beach with the fin of a shark under her. Someone had even gotten a picture of the tidal bay ruins not long after the bodies had been taken out, showing blood splashed everywhere inside. The surprise was one of Kaede kneeling at the Inn, with the Queen and Duncan holding the sword down touching Kaede's left shoulder.

"That is you there, with the Queen of England," the woman said as she looked at Duncan.

"Aye, the sword was too heavy fer the Queen ta handle herself," Duncan replied.

"It's true, you are Kaede's father," the woman said, gazing at him.

"And Inari is her mother. We heard about this, so we had to come see it."

"I remember you," The woman told him. "You were here with Charlie, you beat up those thugs and made them go away."

"Someone had to do it," Duncan offered.

"Now, your daughter is putting bad people in their places. Good for her!" the woman said firmly.

"Aye, good fer her," Inari agreed. "She'll be coming by in a few days." Turning to Brenda, she added, "Doan fergit when she's comin."

"Trust me, that is one thing I will not forget," Brenda beamed.

"No press," Duncan stated firmly.

Brenda nodded. "No press. I'm going to tell all they kids we're having party up in the speaker's hall. This will be so great!" she said with a wide smile.

.

Kaede had already been asked to meet with Mr. Henderson and the Alien rep. in New Mexico. He and his UN buddies had found a place they believed would suit the aliens, and be remote enough that they would be left alone there. The Aliens agreed to look at it, and wanted Kaede there to approve of the place. Simon Canyon was place the Rio Grande flowed through, it was sparsely populated and the weather was nice and warm, a place that met all their needs. Instead of a flight back to Scotland, Kaede arraigned to be taken to Seattle first after the meeting in New Mexico. Once she saw Charlie an Brenda's needy kids, Duncan agreed to pick her up in Seattle and take her home before he and her Mom went to Paris.

The meeting with the Aliens and Mr. Henderson went well. The aliens approved of the place and they agreed on trading a place to live and help to start their own community in exchange for tech. to be shared for peace. No tech was to be used for any war materiel. Kaede insisted on any space venture be multinational. Mr. Henderson agreed to take this to the UN to ensure compliance. It was a good fruitful meeting.

By the time the meetings were over, Duncan and Inari were headed up to his cabin. Mr. Henderson got a agent to meet Kaede at the airport in Seattle to make sure there was no trouble.

Getting off the plane and into the terminal in Seattle, Kaede recognized Doctor Anne's husband holding to the KAEDE sign. She went over to him.

"Yer Anne's husband, right?' Kaede asked.

"I am." he said with a smile. "Roger Dickson. It's good to see you both again. How's your baby?"

"Kanae is growin like a weed. Sure keeps us hoppin. I'm headed to Charlie Desalvo's Dojo, then to the place they call the Zone." Kaede explained.

"Trouble there?" Roger asked.

"Nay I know of. Charlie's wife asked me ta come see the kids there."

Roger grinned and said, "Many other kids will be jealous of them. Pink wigs with fake horns are becoming very popular lately. There's even a web site dedicated to Kaede."

They're makin way too much-o me," Kaede said blankly.

Roger shrugged. "You're a real life super-hero. Come on, we'll get your luggage then I'll drive you to Charlie's place."

.

The Dojo was open when Kaede and Roger went in. Charlie was on the small mat, showing a couple older teenage girls some defensive moves, his back to them.

One of the girls frowned at Kaede. "Hey! This is a serious workout place. Get that fake shit off yer head!"

"It ain't fake," Kaede replied flatly.

Charlie turned around. "Kaede! You're a day early."

"Hey, Charlie, good at see ya. I'm gonna spend the night in the loft," she said and hugged him when he approached. "Tamorra at eleven we're going down?"

"We are," Charlie agreed.

"Why doan ya an yer missus come up fer an easy made dinner? I got a real stove upstairs," Kaede asked with a wide grin.

"And bring a bottle of Glen Finnen?' Charlie asked.

"That'd be great lad! See ya around seven er so?"

Charlie nodded. "We'll be there."

Kaede turned to Roger. "Kin ya, Anne, and little Anne make it too?"

"I'd have to check." Roger offered.

"So, check. Call me later an lemme know."

"I will," he said firmly.

Kaede headed for the elevator. Charlie turned back to the girls to see they were watching Kaede and Kouta get on the elevator and go up. "Hey, we got practice here," he said to get their attention.

The pair turned back to stare at him, the one on the right pointed to the elevator. "That really was Kaede Kikumura!" she exclaimed.

"You know Kaede? She lives here?" the other asked.

"Not since she was little, but she still comes by now and then," Charlie said, seeing they were glassy-eyed.

"Do you have any idea how famous she is?" the girl on the right cried.

"I'm beginning to find out," Charlie replied cautiously. To get them back into practicing their moves, he said, "I do know that if Kaede is working at something, she puts her all into it. She doesn't give up until she reaches her goal."

Their faces firming up, they both got into their fighting stance. "We're ready!" they chorused, looking serious.

It amazed Charlie that before, they were serious enough to learn self defense, but now, after seeing Kaede walk through, they looked fully set on it.

.

Getting up in the loft, Kaede checked the food stores, then called home to let Richie know she'd arrived, then talked to Kouta. She did a check of the place to make sure nothing was missing, then spend some time cleaning. With no one living here, a light coat of dust had settled onto everything. Apparently Dad and Mom hadn't stayed here very long at all. Halfway through dusting, the house phone rang.

Curious as to who it could be, Kaede answered it. "McLeod residence."

"Ahh hi, I heard Kaede was there?"

"Aye lass … Anne?"

"Yes. Roger just called and said you were here. Is it possible you can meet me here at the hospital? I know it sounds rushed, there is something I am hoping you can help me with."

"Gimme twenty, where ya gonna be?"

"Go to the fourth floor nursing station, I'll tell them you're coming."

"Aye, see ya then."

Kaede had taken off her long outer coat, and hadn't changed out of her purple formal dress and still had her Knight's Pendant on with the wide cloth strip necklace. Anne sounded like she needed help with something, so Kaede did a few more swipes, put her coat back on and left to go see what it was.

.

Instead of walking there and dealing with the street people or hailing a cab, Kaede jumped rooftops to get close to the hospital. Her last jump off an apartment building roof landed her on the sidewalk outside the main entrance. Going in, she followed the signs to the elevator and went up to the fourth floor. Going in, he noted several others with pink hair and horns. Right, they were copying her. At least with this fad, she didn't need to bother with a hat.

The nursing station was busy. Kaede walked up and waited patiently to get the attention of a nurse. Aharried blonde saw her and asked, "Can I help you?"

"Aye, Dr. Anne…Dickson? Me thinks her last name is, called and asked me ta come see her."

The nurse looked at a computer screen. "I'm sorry, Dr. Dickson doesn't have any patients today."

"I doan have an appointment at see her. She called and asked I come visit," Kaede told her.

"What is your problem? Perhaps another doctor can see you," the nurse asked.

Kaede frowned at her. "I ain't got no problems. Anne called me ta come see'er, bout half hour ago."

The nurse offered her a quick, condescending smile. "I can make you an appointment for … Wednesday if you want…"

"LOOK!" Kaede snapped, "Just call fer her, or tell me where she's at."

The nurse cast her a hard gaze, "Ma'am, do not get testy with me. You can make an appointment or be on your way."

Kaede reached out with a mind hand and grabbed the front of her smock to drag the woman to her. "Ya kin call Anne, or tell me where she's at. Doan make me angry!"

The nurse gaped at her. "Security!" she cried.

"If I gotta hurt them, yer getting worse," Kaede stated. "Call Doctor Anne."

The other nurses took note of what was happening. Two ran off down the hallway. A security guard came up to Kaede. "Ma'am…" he said, and moved to grab Kaede's arm, then noted the nurse was being held half over the desk by nothing.

Kaede glanced at him. "Back off, Lad, ya doan wanna grab me," she growled.

He backed up.

Anne came jogging around the corner. "What's…" Seeing Kaede and the frightened looking nurse, she said, "Kaede, please let her go. "

Kaede did and turned to Anne. "Hey Anne, ya got some pretty rude folks here."

Offering a weak smile, Anne said, "I still go by Dr. Lindsey here. Come with me, please?"

Kaede followed Anne down the hall. Behind them, everyone was watching them go.

Anne motioned to a door. "In here."

It was a patient room. In a bed was an old woman asleep or passed out. Anne explained. "I heard you cured a man who'd had a bad stroke. Mrs. Gilbert here was brought in two hours ago, she has had a bad stroke also. Since you were here, I was wondering if you could help her too?"

"Kaede nodded. "I'll try. Ya got x-rays?"

"On the wall, over here." Anne showed her the problem area. It was smaller than what Angus had, a clot in a larger artery. The artery looked thick.

Studying it, Kaede frowned. "Looks like the artery was already half plugged up."

"It is. She was already on blood thinners. It's too risky to attempt a surgery the normal way," Anne explained. "We're afraid of that clod breaking up and moving in closer if we disturb it. If we do nothing, that part of her brain is going to die, very soon."

"Aye, it looks dicey. I'll do what I kin. Can't promise anything," Kaede replied.

Anne nodded. "If you can do anything to help her, We'll be grateful."

Kaede went over and dragged a chair to sit by the woman's head. "May take a bit."

Reaching carefully into the woman's head, Kaede noted right away her blood vessels were weak. She sent a super-fine tendril of Mind hand into the blood vessel to come at the clot from downstream of the blood flow. Expanding it slightly to cover the clod, she used another to come from upstream to begin breaking the clod back into individual blood cells.

It took ovr an hour to disintegrate the clod. Even then she was careful and let blood flow through only the center, then let the dissolved cells through a bit at a time. Blankly, she said, "It's comin apart. The blood vessel's weak, like it's gonna start leakin any time."

Once Kaede got the clod completely gone, she touched the nerve endings if fed. Most were numb but slowly came back. Some didn't. She dissolved those so the ones behind them could take over. Mot of the way done, Kaede was loosing concentration. She had to back carefully out of the women's head. He sat back and let out a long breath.

She noted another old woman was now beside Anne. "Did what I could. This woman is not in good shape. That stuff that's thinning her blood is ruinin her blood vessels."

The woman under the covers let out a moan and opened her eyes. The one by Anne let out a gasp. "Cathy?" she asked with a hopeful smile.

Cathy looked at her. "Mar …get… wha … happned?" she asked weakly.

"Thank you!" Margaret gushed.

"Yes, thank you, Kaede," Anne said sincerely. "What you just did was a miracle."

Kaede cast her a grin. "So, ya commin ta dinner tonight?"

Anne pursed her lips and tipped her head slightly. "I may have to work late … and there is another patient I was hoping you can help with," she said with a wince as she played with her fingers.

Kaede chuckled. "Gimme five, then we'll go see'em. Got any tea or coffee?"

"Yes, right this way."

.

After getting a hot cup of tea and sitting for a few minutes, Anne led Kaede to another patient. This one wasn't as bad, fragile wise. It was a 55 year old man with an inoperable tumor in his head. Kaede reached in and got the tumor free, then used his ear to get carefully it out of him. The care she had to take here was ensuring she left none of her DNA behind. Once the bloody mass poured out of his ear, she said, "Got it, but he ain't gonna hear in that ear fer a while."

The hospital, to cover their butts, had Kaede sign that she had performed these 'operations'. It was the second time she got to sign something, 'Dame Kaede Kikumura'. It also absolved the hospital from any possible lawsuits due to complications. Anne, Roger and Beth were all coming to dinner too.

While Kaede left to go shopping for the food she'd need for the dinner, the hospital contacted the local news to let them know of the 'miracle' surgeries Kaede had performed.