Fiona is excelling in Medical School, as expected, but she doesn't understand why Miss Mary Postlethwait doesn't like her. Not that it matters to Fiona, although students have approved schedule changed while her own denied multiple times. It doesn't truly bother Fiona until she is suddenly given a day off, which she greatly appreciates, but upon returning to the Hospital she found out an important surgery was performed yesterday. Fiona was not pleased.

Fiona immediately telephones Alaya and vents.

"What do you want to do?" Alaya whispers back through the phone.

"Nothing. I just am upset that I missed the surgery. It was important."

"Why not talk to someone?"

"I am whispering because I want privacy, why are you whispering?"

"Because you are whispering." as Alaya giggles.

"I needed to hear that giggle. I do not feel obligated to confront anyone."

"I understand."

"I better go, see you in a few nights. I love you."

"I love you too."

Fiona immediately felt better just complaining to her wife. She continues on rounds, completed paperwork and late in the afternoon she joins her peers for a lecture on transfusions. A Belgium doctor Albert Hustin, had successfully performed the first non-direct transfusion. She took her seat and pulled out a book to study until the lecture begun. She looks up when she hears familiar voices.

It was somewhat, but not really, a surprise when Dr. Flora Murray and Dr. Louisa Garrett Anderson come for a special visit to the Medical School. They both had their medical training here, for Fiona it was too much of a coincident they visit soon after her conversation with her wife.

Fiona was getting up to greet them when she caught Flora's eyes and a subtle 'no' sign was given and settled into her seat to check her notes.

Louisa and Flora took their seats directly behind Fiona.

"... as I was saying I am here because we need women surgeons, I came to evaluate for possible candidates. Who are your brightest?"

Fiona is pretending to read her notes as she holds her breath until she hears "... Fiona Flint-Saint Clair and ..." she relaxes and continues to study until the lecture starts.

A next day the Medical Director's office summons Fiona. She sits outside, feeling childlike as if waiting for the principal in primary school. Soon she three other of her fellow medical students join her. They all soon are talking and trying to figure out why they are all there. Entering the waiting area is no other than Miss Mary Postlethwait. Fiona heart is pounding.

The door opens and the Medical Director calls everyone into her office, including Miss Mary Postlethwait.

Miss Mary Postlethwait quickly stands to the right side of the desk as the four medical students all stand in front of the Medical Director's desk, like faire shooting ducks all in a row.

"As you know, this institution had developed the greatest medical minds in London. Many are active alumni members and come back to recruit for their own practices and organizations. We have Alumni looking for future surgeons, we gave them your names as potential doctors."

The women finally relax and all offer genuine smiles.

"Don't get too excited. We are talking strenuous schedules and added responsibilities. Your night shift will be post-op and you will be on call, even on your day off. Which mean your entire professional and private lives will be in the hands of Miss Mary Postlethwait. Any questions?"

Fiona is excited and curses Miss Mary Postlethwait with her mind.

One student spoke up, "What if we aren't interested in surgery? I am primarily interested in general practice and Pediatrics."

"Oh I see. Well then I will inform our generous Alumni of your decision. I assume the rest of you women want to take on the challenge?"

Fiona without hesitation, "Oh yes!" The other two quickly nod in unison.

The Director turns to Miss Mary Postlethwait, "I leave these three women lives and schedules in your capable hands."

Miss Mary Postlethwait nods to the Director, "Yes. Thank you."

Miss Mary Postlethwait leaves the Director's office with the medical student who rejected the opportunity while giving a disappointed look to the Director. It looks as if Miss Mary Postlethwait has a new victim.

The Director waits until her door is completely closed, "Please sit."

The remaining three grab a seat pull out their notebooks and pencils.

"I can see why you three are the best," the Director waiting for all ready to take notes. "You will have an office, shared of course. You will also spend time at the different facilities receiving special training with the following focus ..."

The Medical Director discussed new curriculum, schedules and expectations, " ... Since there are no surgeries scheduled this evening you are dismissed for the day. Spend time with your families tonight. Share with them about the changes and good luck. We expect great things from this program."

The medical students turned to leave, "A moment Mrs Flint-Saint Clair."

Fiona remained standing.

Director standing up and put our her hand, "I must thank you." Shaking Fiona's hand.

"I do not understand."

"Why didn't you tell anyone you were a close family member to Louisa and Flora?"

"I want their support not influence."

"That is noble, but unfortunately unacceptable. Today women must rally together to make sure our full potential is reach and opportunities are opened to our gender in this male dominated society."

Fiona nods, because she understands. Her mother has used terms like network, human resources and synergy.

"You are young, but understand how our society works. Being a wife is much easier than an intelligent physician. Louisa and Flora has shared with me some information of your family. I understand it is non-traditional?"

"Yes. Non traditional is the best way to describe my family."

"Well you will find that, like myself, there are those here who are champions of all families."

"Yes Director, I do know. But it is so hard to tell. Sometimes friendship has a price."

The Director smiles, "I would love to meet your family. Discuss your future."

"I will talk with my family tonight."

"Excellent. Enjoy your night off ... while you can." She smiles and returns to her desk.

"Thank you for this opportunity, I will not let you or the institution down." and immediately leaves the Director's and bikes home.

She parks her bicycle in the storage room across from the basement entrance and heads up to the residence level. She enters the kitchen. Jenny turns, "I thought you were not home for another few nights."

"I will share with your tonight. A good opportunity came my way. Where is Alaya?" A large thud came from ceiling. Jenny and Fiona look up. Fiona smilies and heads to the attic gym. She opens the door quietly and sits in the corner to watch Vastra and Alaya in hand to hand combat. It is quite aggressive. Fiona enjoys watching the speed and grace of the Silurians.

Alaya is matching her mother with counter movement and trying to find an opening to attack. Alaya is frustrated and soon makes a mistake to find herself flat on the padding floor. Vastra extends her hand but Alaya stays down, "Why can't I win? What am I doing wrong?"

"You are allowing your frustration getting the best of you. What are you trying to do?"

Alaya with a devilish look, "To successfully put your buttocks on the padding."

"That is why I will always win."

"Clarify please."

"I already know what you want to do and that is my advantage. Change your goal."

"Interesting. I will." as she lets her tongue smell the air.

Fiona is astonished, she has never seen her wife tongue check the air. She only sees Alaya's tongue when they are intimate. She wonders if this is how Alaya found her in the hospital.

"I believe dinner will soon be ready."

Vastra teases her daughter, "Do you smell anything else?"

Alaya flicks her long tongue in and out, "I smell my wife."

"You do?"

"There must be something of hers in the attic, the scent is strong" She stands up and flicks the air and instantly sees her wife in the corner. She clasps her hands and is nervous.

"You found me!"

"I will always find you."

Fiona walks towards her wife, "You are beautiful and your amazing tongue." As she touches Alaya lips, "It pleases me seeing you being yourself. I find it absolutely marvellous. I hope you tell me, when you are ready, how your tongue works. What you taste or smell."

"Truly?"

"Of course."

Vastra interrupts, "Alaya is correct, it is time for dinner. I wonder what we are having?"

Alaya smiles at Fiona and licks the air, "Beef stew and brown bread."

Fiona kisses her wife, "I find your whole body fascinating."

They all work their way down to the kitchen and Alaya just realized, "You're not supposed to be here. What happened?"

As they all sat around the table Fiona described the day, including the new surgical opportunities. She turns to Alaya, "Can you add insight as to why Flora and Louisa showed up today?"

Alaya just ate her dinner and asked, "What will this new opportunity mean for your schedule?"

Fiona opens her notebook and goes what the Medical Director has explained and what the Director has told in private.

Jenny becomes protective, "We might be non-traditional, but it seems a bit vague. What does she know?"

Fiona agrees, "I didn't want to inquire or ask her to clarify. She is expecting to develop a friendship with our family. I am not sure what to do? What has Louisa told her?"

"I will call after dinner and get specifics."

Fiona turns to her quiet Alaya, "My dear I am grateful you contacted our Louisa. It has made me very happy."

Alaya looks up to her wife and smiles, "I am relieved."

Fiona grabs her wife's hand, "You are lucky, this time. Please talk to me before you take our problems outside the family."