Bianca had felt a worrying suspicion as soon as they set foot in the hospital; as soon as she saw the name over the door – she recognised it - Maggie worked here! She knew this was a big hospital and she had hoped that the chance of bumping into her ex would be slim… and yet here was Maggie all set to treat her. Not that it was a bad thing seeing her again after so long, but now after everything she had gone through with Marissa it felt awkward somehow.

"Bianca! You look… I don't know… different somehow." said Maggie, glancing briefly in Marissa's direction before giving Bianca a big smile.

"Well I've been through a lot." said Bianca, self-consciously returning the smile "But you… you haven't changed a bit."

Maggie looked down at her shoes.

"I'm getting older." she said dismissively.

"Nonsense." said Bianca, "You really do look just the same!"

"Thanks," said Maggie with a modestly smile. "And you are looking a lot better than I expected… after I heard about the shooting…"

"I got your card, thanks… and the flowers, they were lovely."

"I'm glad."

Marissa was looking from Bianca to Maggie.

"I take it you to know each other?" she inquired.

Bianca hurriedly made the introductions.

"Sorry… Marissa, this is Maggie Stone. And Maggie this is Marissa."

"We dated… a long time ago." clarified Maggie as she reached out to shake her by the hand. "Are you Bianca's friend?"

"Girlfriend." corrected Bianca. Was she mistaken or was there a tinge of disappointment in Maggie's eyes at the news. Bianca also noticed Marissa was scrutinising Maggie a lot more closely.

"Maggie Stone…" said Marissa, shaking her hand more firmly. She looked back to check with Bianca that she was correct. "Um... I'm sure I know that name."

"You're cousins… in a way." said Bianca looking from one woman to the other.

"We are?" Maggie asked.

"She's David's daughter… um… Babe's twin."

"Babe had a twi… You're dating Babe's twin?!" stammered Maggie. She seemed to have trouble grasping the fact, but as her lasting memories of Babe was from years ago and included the nightmare of Miranda's abduction it wasn't surprising. Babe was the least of their problems when later they returned to Pine Valley and had their messy break-up.

"Oh… well, hi cousin." said Maggie, her doubt replaced with curiosity as once more she and Marissa shook hands, not knowing what else to do.

"Hi back." said Marissa, a family reunion not really something she was expecting when she awoke this morning.

Bianca watched them both with amusement.

…

"So…" said Maggie finally, picking up her medical file again. "What can I do for you?"

"It's my toe." said Bianca.

"She caught her big toe a few days ago and this morning she lost part of the nail and it looks infected." said Marissa.

Maggie got to work examining her foot.

"I'll have to drain this," she said after closely examining the wound, "The infection has gotten behind the nail. I'll get you some pain killers, it won't hurt."

"It's fine just do it, I won't feel it. It's how it got in such a mess in the first place."

Maggie looked up and Bianca could see her taking in the crutches and the leg brace propped up again a chair, and also the scars on her neck.

"It's… um… a nerve paralysis… after I was shot… I have some movement but no sensation in that leg." she explained.

"I'm so sorry." said Maggie softly.

"I'm coping." said Bianca, and then she turned Marissa, reaching to grasp her hand and pull it to her heart. "With a little help from the ones I love."

Marissa, who had clearly been feeling left out of the conversation, smiled at Bianca's words.

"And you have to wear this?" Maggie asked picking up the leg brace and examining the shoe."

"I was worried that the shoe could it be what is making her toe so much worse." Marissa explained. "It's steel soled and if it's catching her toe..?"

"Possibly." said Maggie putting the brace back down. "Bianca," she said taking a deep breath. "We will drain the wound and then I'll glue the remainder of the nail back down and send a nurse in to dress it. I'll also subscribe a course of antibiotic's to help fight the infection… And with the brace, it would be wise to wear it as little as possible until the nail is completely healed. Try to keep your foot open to the air, maybe wear something open toed."

"I can't really walk without the brace at the moment." said Bianca awkwardly. "I'm still getting my strength back."

"Then maybe use a wheelchair as a temporary option." said Maggie, "I can get you a loan from the hospital."

Bianca's face fell.

Marissa squeezed her hand however.

"No… but thank you, we'll find a way to manage without the wheels." said Marissa, knowing that right now the word 'wheelchair' was the last thing Bianca wanted to hear.

Bianca gave her a grateful grin.

...