Thanks to everyone who posted and reached out to express how you enjoyed the group's reaction to Helena.
Now, it's Helena's turn.

Thanks to AsgardianBlade who always tells me if I'm going astray with these beloved characters.

The English Patient

Gloria was more than gracious in inviting the threesome into her abode, seeing how they were practically on her heels. As Helena's bodyguard, Pete felt it was his duty to find out anything he could about the woman who would be staying at the Townhouse that evening. He began to visually scan the room for clues about the nurse's background.

"She's got kids," he said, looking at two frames, each containing a son in a graduation gown. "Smart kids," he said and his friends looked at him and wondered how he knew that. An old wedding picture on the shelf was the only thing that indicated Gloria had a husband. "She's married," he whispered and Claudia and Eileen looked at each other – both thinking the wedding band on her finger could have told them that. "He's not here because this place is definitely a chick apartment," Pete said, stretching his arm in front of his mouth so only Eileen and Claudia could hear him. He determined this by sizing up the woman's living room furniture.

"That's the same couch that was in your apartment before you moved in with Jane," Claudia pointed out. Pete's head swung to look at the floral pattern. "Are you sure?" he asked in disbelief.

"Well, she's an HG Wells fan," Eileen smiled, noticing several of the author's books on a shelf.

"Helena will like that," Claudia remarked.

Gloria gathered a few things and put them in a small suitcase and returned to her guests in the living room. No one mentioned the collection of books, but Pete did ask about her sons.

"They're both away at college," she said and offered no more, although Eileen noticed how warm her smile was when she looked over at the pictures.

"She's hiding something," Pete whispered to Claudia who looked at him in disbelief. There was a vibe in this apartment, but he couldn't place what it was.

"I hope you and Jane never open up your own detective agency," the techie whispered back as they returned downtown to the Townhouse.

Back at the Bering-Wells residence, Helena had fallen asleep instantly in Myka's lap and remained there for quite some time. Myka didn't move and watched carefully as Helena grimaced in her sleep if she moved her hand. "Stop being so brave," Myka whispered to her unconscious lover, hoping her words would reach her. Irene came in quietly and asked Myka if she needed anything, but Myka had all she wanted right there. The only time she took her eyes off Helena was to answer Irene. Other than that, she held her wife in her gaze, gently touching her face or stroking her hair to keep Helena in slumber.

The group eventually reentered the townhouse and found Irene waiting for them. She asked Leena to show Gloria where to put her things upstairs.

"So…., Mrs. F," Pete said, watching to make sure the nurse was far enough away so she wouldn't hear him, "…..how well do we know this woman?," he asked in a hushed tone.

Irene stared at him and told him they had done a thorough background, credit check, as well as fingerprints. "Why, Mr. Lattimer?" she asked.

"Pete thinks her couch looked suspicious," Claudia said in a very serious tone and then cracked up.

"Just a vibe," he said, making sure no one was around.

Irene had long listened to Pete when it came to his vibes because he had proven on more than one occasion to be onto something; especially when it came to Helena. "A …bad vibe?" Irene asked cautiously.

"No, not bad," Pete admitted and then the word popped into his head. "Old."

"Anyone over twenty-five gives you an old vibe," the techie kidded him and then looked at Irene, adding quickly; "Present company excluded, of course."

Gloria appeared with Leena at the top of the steps and the trio excused themselves and went into the dining room. Leena returned to the kitchen to get dinner ready for the group.

"How is Helena doing?" Gloria asked when she got back downstairs.

"She's still resting," Irene said and then made her decision. "A word, please, Nurse Brown?" she asked and pointed to the living room across the hall. The woman followed Irene into another massive room and sat on the couch where Irene indicated she should sit.

"Ms. Brown," Irene started and the nurse said she wished Irene would call her by her first name. "Gloria, as you no doubt know, the women you are now medically responsible for are celebrities to the press, objects of curiosity to the general public, and for a rare few, obsessions. I know you are a woman of discretion, but I feel compelled to reiterate that anything witness or interact in, must be handled with the utmost confidentiality. I hope you understand that given the fact you are now involved in their personal lives, I need to insist on this," Irene said.

Gloria immediately responded that she understood completely and assured Irene that she would never divulge any information she was privy to. "No one would believe me," she thought to herself.

"Thank you, Gloria," Irene said, getting up from her seat.

"I think it's wonderful the way y'all come to her rescue," Gloria said as the two were leaving the room. "Yet," she continued, getting to her point. "Helena does not strike me as the type that likes to be rescued."

Irene stopped in her tracks. The woman didn't sound accusatory or flippant. Her tone was very matter of fact and she wore a pleasant smile as she said it. She was, Irene understood, just stating something she was observing.

And she was absolutely right.

Irene finally realized how everyone, she especially, had morphed into overprotective friends as soon as Helena was hurt. And Helena was allowing it, probably because it was coming at her from all sides.

And that was something that was about to change.

"Hello you," Myka said softly when dark eyelashes fluttered and Helena opened her eyes. Looking up at Myka was Helena's favorite thing to see when she awoke.

"Sometimes I dream about you, just so slumber does not part us," Helena said poetically and Myka leaned down and kissed the lips that spoke those heartfelt words.

"How is your hand?" Myka asked and Helena lied and said it felt much better. Of course, staring up into jade pools of concern would do that to a person.

When Helena said she was hungry, Myka texted Leena and suddenly, they could hear the scrambling of several pairs of feet outside the room.

"They really are making a big fuss," Helena noted and Myka said that everyone was worried. The couple got up and went into the dining room.

Just before opening the door, they heard Pete shout – "ACT NATURAL!" Myka held the door opened and Helena walked in.

"How are you feeling? Pete, Claudia, Eileen and Leena asked all at once.

"Very well, thank you," Helena said, taking her seat at the head of the table. Myka sat down to her right. Pete, who was at her left side, jumped up and opened the folded napkin as Helena stared at him. Then he wobbled back and forth as he tried to decide if he should put it in her lap or tie it around her neck.

"Do sit down, Pete," Helena said, gently taking the napkin from his wavering hand.

"Oh, sure," he said, and sat down immediately.

The group passed the large dishes of food around so that each could take a portion, but when it came to Claudia, she refused to pass it and instead, got up and put some of Helena's plate. The Brit looked at Myka, who gently intertwined her foot with Helena's under the table in an attempt to keep her calm.

"Do you want…?" Claudia was asking as she held a piece of chicken on a fork in front of Helena, ready to give it to her should her mouth open. One look at the expression in Helena's eyes informed the techie – she did not. "No, of course, Myka can feed….I'll go back."

Gloria watched from the other end of the table, noticing the change taking place in Helena. Irene noticed it too, because she was an expert in reading when Helena was losing patience. "I think Helena can manage," Irene said, not wanting to step on anyone's good intentions.

"I read once that using your other hand to do things is actually good for your brain," Eileen announced as she, Claudia and Pete suddenly became left handed. Eileen managed just fine, but Pete proved to be less dexterous. He used his fork to stab a piece of chicken and sent it flying across the table. His attempts to put the utensil in the vegetables proved to be equally as challenging, and most of them now circled his plate.

"If you are attempting to me make me feel more at ease, it is appreciated," Helena said, placing her left hand on his arm to beg him to stop.

"What? No, I like bite size pieces. Everyone does, right?" he said, needed the group's help. Irene rolled her eyes and put her head in the hands as Claudia confirmed that bite size was the right size and proceeded to put three pieces in her mouth. "See hod dey fet?" she said.

"Do you want tea? I'll get tea," Eileen said, trying to distract everyone from staring at her fiancée whose mouth couldn't hold any more chicken.

"I'll make it," Leena volunteered because it was the third time she got hit with Pete's failed attempts at spearing his food.

"It's okay everyone," Myka was trying to say, as she looked down the table at their friends – and then it happened.

The constant talking, the merited, yet feeble attempts to help, and the idea that Helena was helpless, was all too much for the now awake patient. "THAT'S ENOUGH!" came the command from the head of the table – and everyone's heads swung and looked - just as Helena slammed her hand on the table to accentuate her point.

Her injured hand.

The pain felt like fire encasing Helena's hand and she lost her breath momentarily as it registered. Myka jumped up and held onto to Helena as Gloria came down the length of the table to check the bandage. There was no blood, but she knew from Helena's expression, the pain was intense.

Helena felt she had only herself to blame and, therefore, wanted to get past this moment as quickly as possible. "I am okay," she lied again and no one, especially Myka, believed her. "I would very much like to enjoy this delicious….meal," she said, and Myka still had not let go of her.

"Are you okay?" Myka asked and Helena smiled through the pain and said she was.

Having everyone treat her as helpless was getting on her nerves; being helpless snapped her right back into being in control. "Let me show you, Pete," Helena said, forcing herself to get past the pain. She took the fork with her left hand and proceeded to gently pierce the meat. "Try it," she said as Myka took her seat and watched her.

Gloria returned to her seat next to Irene. "Please give her something for that pain," Irene whispered to the nurse as Helena continued to instruct Pete how to be ambidextrous and the table applauded.

The calm that Helena insisted upon returned to the room and everyone finished the meal in peace. Then, Irene once again took charge, instructing everyone to help Leena clean up. Gloria even insisted on helping, and Myka took the opportunity to go to the kitchen and assure the group that their good intentions had none gone unappreciated.

Meanwhile, Irene joined Helena in the library. "I do not know what you did to them," Helena said, sitting down on the couch, referring to Pete, Claudia and Eileen, "…but I want them fixed by the time I come back to work tomorrow. I could not stand another minute of their care-taking." Helena instructed and then added, "As much as I appreciate it."

"I think they were worried…," Irene offered as an explanation.

Helena stared at her. "They? I believe the pronoun you meant to use was the all-inclusive 'we'. You, especially, were most out of character today and I found it particularly unnerving," Helena said, sharing her heartfelt feelings.

Irene's eyes spilled the very laugh her lips attempted to contain. If Helena demanded of anyone not to ever alter their behaviors, it was Irene. "I apologize," the intuitive woman said.

"As you should," Helena huffed, regaining her rightful place in the universe. "They follow your lead, for heaven's sake."

"Duly noted," Irene said, accepting her verbal punishment. "Are you sure you want to come….," she was about to ask when the intense glare from the dark eyes told her not to finish that thought. "Of course."

"And please, tell that nurse that I am not the type of person who wishes to be hovered over or annoyed. I'm only letting her stay because it was Myka's idea," Helena said, not happy with the woman's presence.

"I'll be sure to tell her," Irene assured her friend. "Do you need me to do anything else?"

"Fixing all of this…..," Helena said, waving her good hand in the air in the direction of everyone in the other room, "…should keep you busy."

Myka returned from the kitchen and noticed the smile on Irene's face. "I have gotten all my instructions," she said, winking at Myka and telling Helena she hoped she had a restful night. She took a deep breath, trusted that Myka would take care of things and proceeded to get everyone out of the house.

"My guess is that she is still in pain," Irene said to the nurse as she got ready to leave after the others. "She won't admit it and there's nothing you can do if she does not want help. Please call me if you need anything. And Gloria?" Irene said, as Andrew waited in the car to take her home.

"Yes?" the nurse said from the doorway.

"You were right about Helena tonight. I appreciate that," Irene said sincerely as she left.

"How do you feel?" Myka asked Helena as they sat alone in the library, the house quiet now.

"I feel relieved that the three ring circus has left town," Helena lamented.

"They care about you," Myka said, knowing that Helena already knew that.

"I instructed Irene to fix them all, herself included, by the time I am back tomorrow," Helena shared.

"That's a tall order," Myka laughed at the thought. She loved how in Helena's mind, if something was broke, you fixed it. Even people.

When they got ready for bed, Gloria asked if there was anything that either of them needed, but Helena declined. She thanked her for her help and said they would see the nurse in the morning.

Helena meant at work because she didn't know what an early riser the nurse was.

Helena managed to fall asleep immediately, but Myka sat up against the pillows most of the night, watching over Helena. She was so afraid she would turn on the hand, that she put pillows on Helena's side and kept watch. When Helena arose at four thirty in the morning, Myka had finally fallen asleep, exhausted. Realizing that Myka had kept watch, Helena gently kissed her, covered her with the blankets and slipped out of the bedroom and went downstairs to do some work. In the dimly lit room of the library, Helena sat with her laptop and attempted to make up for lost time. Her handicap, however, proved challenging as she attempted to answer several important emails. It seemed typing with one hand slowed Helena down. She tried to speak her responses, but without a good cup of tea in her system, she had trouble forming complete sentences.

"Bloody hell," she uttered more than once as she dealt with her new difficulty.

"What are you doing out of bed?" Gloria asked from the doorway – forgetting for a minute who she was dealing with.

Patience was not a strong suit for Helena so early in the morning. Oh, who are we kidding? Patience was not a strong suit for Helena any time of day when someone disturbed her.

"I do not wish to be disturbed," Helena said as graciously as she could. It must have worked, she thought, because the woman simply disappeared.

A few minutes later, as Helena's hand throbbed from using it to type, Gloria reappeared and came into the room. "Bollocks," Helena said and was about to dismiss the nurse when the woman put a tray down on the table with two cups of tea.

Helena's eyes went from the cups to the woman and back to the cups. The last thing Helena needed right now was to be polite. She would have just thanked her – for her efforts – and sent her on her way, but the woman made herself at home on the couch near Helena. She took one of the cups for herself and pushed the tray closer to Helena, much the same way one does when enticing an animal with food. "This is a beautiful room," Gloria said as she looked around, not really paying attention to her patient who was not following any orders.

"Yes," Helena said slowly, trying to figure out how to get rid of her. She did what she felt was her only option at that hour of the morning – she sent a text to Irene.

"I have a collection of HG Wells books, myself," the nurse shared as she turned around to look at the tomes.

"Oh God," Helena said and all but threw herself back on the couch thinking the nurse was going to make every effort to….. connect.

"Nurse Brown, I do appreciate this …..," the Brit began her soliloquy after quickly thinking – What would Myka do? - "…..But I have a great deal of work to do and would appreciate it…"

"Have some tea," the nurse suggested and this time, she put hers down and handed the other cup to Helena.

One should not have to be this polite in their own home, the Brit thought to herself, but heard the words come out of her mouth. The affable nurse held the cup in front of Helena and waited patiently, ignoring the Brit's comment and deliberate eye roll.

"I am peculiarly particular …," Helena began explaining as she took the cup and having decided that the woman deserved the truth. "….about my tea."

"Oh, I am, too," Gloria said and Helena all but moaned that now she would have to correct the woman on TWO things; One – that her tea was subpar in spite of her best efforts; and Two – she was not British and therefore, she could not possibly be particular about her tea.

The grim duty showed on Helena's face as the nurse began the arduous task of learning all things Helena. "Try it," Gloria said and practically pushed the cup in Helena's hand.

"Does Irene Frederic know you are this unrelenting?" Helena asked because someone was going to pay for this.

"I doubt it," Gloria answered truthfully. "Come on, It's getting cold."

Helena decided she would give in …this once, but shared - "You are annoyingly persistent." Irene would have to set her straight later when she arrived to fire her. She took the tea, took a sip and was about to say – thanks anyway – when her taste buds told her that this was no ordinary tea! Helena swallowed and the disbelief showed on her face.

"Who made this?" she demanded to know, taking another sip to be certain.

Gloria laughed at the question because they were the only two awake at this hour. "I did," the woman answered. "Do you like it?"

"Is….. Miss Sullivan in there?" Helena asked, looking around because it was the closest thing to Eileen's tea the Brit had ever tasted.

Unfamiliar with Helena's addiction to the younger woman's tea skills, Gloria laughed again and said no one was there.

"You? You made this?" Helena asked, unable to contain her surprise.

"Yes, ma'am," Gloria affirmed again, as Helena drained the cup.

"And you could do this …again?" Helena asked suspiciously.

"Yes, I could," the woman asked, unfazed by the line of questioning and still enjoying her cup.

"Where did you learn to make this?" the interrogator asked, stunned by the quality of the brewing.

"Oh, this has been handed down through the years. Not everyone can make a good cup of tea, you know," Gloria shared, proud of her family tradition of the perfectly brewed cup of tea.

"Where are you from?" Helena asked, staring at the woman and meant planetary system.

Gloria's body shook when she laughed at the odd place of that question in the conversation. "Virginia, originally. Why do you ask?" the nurse wondered, but she wasn't doing the questioning.

"C'est impossible! Do it again," Helena instructed and rose from her seat.

"You want another cup…. now?" Gloria laughed and then noticed this was no laughing matter to the woman standing at the door waiting for her, wearing a very serious expression. "Okay," she said and followed Helena into the kitchen, where the Brit sat at the island and watched every move the woman made.

"I don't use teabags," Gloria said, her back turned as she used a tea ball and loose tea leaves. Helena almost swooned at the thought. The water boiled and was poured; the tea steeped as Gloria watched the time carefully on her watch. Then, at the exact moment, Gloria presented the second cup to Helena, who waited only a moment before sipping it. Helena closed her eyes as her palate detected that this was as good as the first one.

"You might want to let it cool just a little," Gloria suggested, afraid Helena would burn herself.

Then Helena realized what she had just stumbled upon. "You must not tell anyone you can do this," she instructed.

"No…one?" Gloria asked, because there was nothing normal about this request.

"Myka, maybe. But no one else. Especially Miss Sullivan! Never tell Miss Sullivan! Do I have your word?" Helena asked in all seriousness.

"Sure…," Gloria agreed because she couldn't imagine being tortured for this secret. Helena got up from her seat with the cup and was walking out. Gloria quickly learned that anything she wanted from Helena might have to be negotiated. "On one condition," Gloria stipulated. Helena stopped and looked at the woman. "You let someone help you with that typing you were trying to do," Gloria said, taking the cup from Helena and carrying it for her.

"I have a great deal of work that must be done," Helena explained, giving the woman the benefit since she did have her tea.

"Mmm, mmm, mmm," Gloria said, telling Helena the deal was off unless she agreed.

"Oh, good. Another obstinate woman in my life. As if I needed one more," Helena ranted, but was paid no mind. She followed the woman into the library and sat back down. "Very well," she said and Gloria was glad to see the woman had come to her senses. The nurse had hoped Helena would wait until she got to work to have one of her assistants do the work, but she was about to learn that Helena never waited.

"Here," she said to the nurse whose idea it was. Helena handed Gloria the laptop and began to dictate what she wanted the nurse to type in response to the opened email. Gloria drew in a deep breath and accepted that she had been outsmarted – this time. She diligently typed as Helena verbalized what she wanted. Thirty two emails later, Helena was sitting very satisfied with her tea and her work.

By seven thirty, Irene Frederic was walking through the front door - having received a text from Helena that instructed her to come and fire the woman. She expected to find Helena on a rant about the guest, but instead she found her boss thanking Gloria for completing the correspondence task. Irene watched Helena's demeanor as she appeared to be … content.

"Oh, good morning, Irene," Helena said, a lilt in her voice.

"Everything…okay?" Irene asked, looking at the women.

"Indeed," Helena affirmed, going upstairs to see Myka.

"Don't forget, we need to change that bandage before you go to work," Gloria said and Helena said she would be down with Myka soon to take care of it.

Irene noticed that Gloria was holding the tray with two empty teacups. "Oh, and Irene?" Helena called from the top step and breaking Irene's concentration.

"Yes, Helena?" Irene asked, trying to piece this puzzling scenario together. After all, she had been summoned there to remove the nurse.

"I changed my mind. You can keep her," Helena said before disappearing behind the bedroom door.

Irene smiled uncomfortably at the woman who now realized why Irene was there so early. "I guess Helena was finally impressed with your impeccable nursing skills," Irene said, thinking that was what caused the change.

"Something like that," Gloria said, looking down at the tea cups, but not saying another word that would betray her promise. "Something like that."

I borrowed the word 'morphed' from Aidyl James to describe what was going on with the gang in relation to Helena. Perfect word.