After a meltdown of epic proportions, Snow found himself bedridden again while Heat ran to take an ice bath to cool down before he got heat stroke. Cinder and the other fire servants had to clean up the lava and make sure the hot half of the island was still stable, so that left Flurry to take care of Snow. It was turning out to be a simple task because Snow didn't seem to want anything but to wallow in his own misery. Flurry wanted to help, but he was sure he'd done enough damage by not talking to Snow about the doubts he'd had about the visit.

Finally, Flurry just had to do something and hurried to make Snow something to put on his stomach. He couldn't stand seeing his sire so upset, and all he wanted to do was take away his pain. He spent an hour making a special treat before he hurried back across the barrier to find Heat trying to console his twin.

"It really wasn't that bad," Heat was saying.

"Did you see the look on her face?" Snow lamented. "Oh, she's disappointed, Heat! I couldn't even control myself!"

"That's enough!" Flurry exclaimed, and Snow turned to look at his servant in surprise.

"Flurry?" he asked, his brows drawing together.

"Yes, it was bad," Flurry said, striding over and setting the tray on the bedside table. "But I saw the look on your mother's face. She was not disappointed, she was worried and scared for you, sir. She wants to help you."

Snow squirmed a little at Flurry's words. "Did she really look worried for me?" he asked in a small voice.

"She did seem to be exceedingly worried when you started laughing," Cinder pointed out as he came in. Ash came in behind him but stopped in the doorway.

"Oh, don't remind me," Snow groaned, covering his face.

"Status?" Heat asked Cinder.

"The island is stable and the lava has been cleaned up. Everything is perfectly fine."

Snow looked relieved as Cinder walked over to stand by Flurry.

"Excuse me, sirs?"

Heat turned to see Ash still lingering in the doorway. "Yeah?" he asked.

"May I, ah, may I see the damage? To be sure which recipe would be best…"

Snow grimaced, but he nodded slowly and Heat helped him to sit up. He swung his legs over the side of the bed. Ash came over and gingerly touched Snow's feet. Snow let out a strangled noise. Ash grimaced.

"And that's what I was afraid of," he sighed.

"What?" Heat asked.

"We're past the point of my knowledge," Ash replied. "All I have scribbled down for damage like this is 'Contact Mother Nature no matter what Heat says.'"

Snow paled. "It's that bad?" he asked faintly.

Heat knelt down and peered intently at Snow's swollen feet. They were so injured that they were turning black. "Let me put it this way, Snow," Heat said. "If you were human, you'd have frostbite so severe that amputation would be the only solution. And if Ash says we need to contact Mother, we'd better do it."

"I can't handle the family again today," Snow groaned.

Flurry had listened to all of this without comment, and he turned and left as Snow began to weep again. Cinder watched him go, curious as to what he was doing, though he had his suspicions.

Flurry made his way to the edge of the island then opened a portal to Mother Nature's garden. Peering around, he could see the Elements talking in small groups, but Mother Nature and Father Time were sitting outside the cottage speaking quietly. Flurry approached without fear. He didn't care what either of them thought about him. It was Snow's opinion that really mattered.

"Excuse me, sir, ma'am," he said politely.

They both glanced over, clearly surprised to see him. "Yes?" Father Time asked.

"We have a problem that needs your immediate attention."

"Which would be?"

"Snow's feet are injured very badly. It was not Heat who did it, but I will tell you no more than that. Ash cannot do anything with the damage and recommends that we ask for help."

"Did Snow send you?" Mother Nature asked hopefully.

"No, ma'am."

"Heat?" Father Time asked.

"No, sir. I believe Heat is trying to convince Snow to let you come. I came on my own because Snow needs help, whether or not he's willing to admit it. And this time, it's you that must help. So I've come to fetch you, Mother Nature."

Mother Nature studied him for a moment then stood up. "I thought that looked bad. Describe the injuries."

"Heat said it's akin to a human getting severe frostbite."

Mother Nature nodded. "I need a few things." Raising her voice so that it boomed across her island, she spoke firmly. "Come here, dears! It's important."

Flurry shook his head. "I don't recommend they come, ma'am. I must insist they don't, actually."

"They're not coming," Mother Nature said briskly. "They're going to help me gather ingredients. They're spread all over the world. Go back and wait for me. I'll be there in half an hour."

"Yes, ma'am."

Flurry turned and portaled away. When he got back to Snow and Heat, Snow had calmed down and was eating the treat that Flurry had made for him.

"There you are," Snow said. He smiled weakly. "I wanted to thank you for this."

Flurry looked at the tray of small meat pies and shrugged. "Comfort food," was all he said.

Heat came into the room, looking steamed despite his blue color. "Flurry, help me convince him he needs Mother's help."

"That won't happen, sir," Flurry said simply.

"Then what do we do?"

"In cases such as this, I take matters into my own hands."

Snow choked and turned to cough. "You didn't!" he rasped once he'd caught his breath.

"Didn't what?" Heat asked, bewildered.

"She'll be here in half an hour," Flurry said, using a no-nonsense tone. "And there's no worming out of it. So just accept it and enjoy your food."

Snow groaned and looked miserable. "I guess if you did that, I'm being too stubborn."

"It's a bit much, sir," Flurry said, his lips twitching.

"Oh, really?" Snow smiled a little. "Then I guess it's good I have you looking out for me."

Flurry looked very pleased by Snow's praise and he glanced away as he smiled. Cinder grinned at the flush that rose up his friend's cheeks, and even Heat smiled at the compliment. It was nice to see Flurry so happy because he was always so solemn. It was clear that Flurry and Snow knew each other very well, and it was sweet to see them like this. But a thought suddenly occurred to Heat.

"You're not close with anybody in the family, are you?"

Snow glanced over. "Depends on what you mean," he admitted.

"You don't share anything with anyone outside of your servants," Heat said. "Just like me."

Snow stared at him, a sad smile on his face. "Just because I get along with the family doesn't mean I trust them. But I still have to disagree with your statement."

Heat grew agitated. "Which part? Being like me?"

"No. Not sharing anything with the family."

"Really? Who do you share with?" Heat asked. He snapped his fingers. "I bet it's Aurora. With the polar lights and all, you've spent a lot of time with her."

Snow shook his head, amusement gleaming in his eyes. "Not Aurora. She's too bright for her own good sometimes." He lightened his voice and did an eerily good impression of their sister. "'I don't see why you're worried about being cold, Snow. That's both what and who you are. It's only natural to feel cold.'"

Heat grimaced and clenched his fists. "She said that, eh?"

"They all did, in one way or another."

"Then who do you share with?"

Snow laughed softly. "You, of course. Do you really think I'd be sitting here and enjoying anything about being unable to even walk if I didn't trust you, Heat? You did the one thing they never did. You understood when I told you it hurts. You didn't dismiss me, even though we scrap like cats and dogs. Often. Maybe I should have told you sooner."

Heat thought about this. "Might have been a good thing it happened after we switched."

Snow set aside his empty tray and shrugged. "Who knows what would have happened. But I think you noticed something was wrong even before that. You followed me into Wintersland and you never did that before."

"Ah, North was stirring up trouble," Heat said dismissively. "That bluster ball doesn't get to hurt you like that. That's my job."

Snow laughed again, staring fondly at his twin. Then there was a firm knock on the palace doors.

"That would be Mother Nature," Flurry said.

Snow grimaced but waved at him. "Let her in, Flurry. I want to get this over with."

"Right away, sir," Flurry said, but Cinder turned and bolted for the doors.

"My castle, I answer!" he called back.

"Hey!" Flurry yelped, then ran after him. "He ordered me to do that!"

Heat and Snow couldn't help but laugh, and they were still grinning when the two servants came back, bringing with them Mother Nature. She paused and looked at the opposite forces before her and was utterly astounded at the difference. Father Time had mentioned that something had changed, and now that she saw the two of them together, it was obvious. They weren't teasing, arguing, or fighting, which was a novel experience.

"What do I need to do, Mother?" Snow asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.

"Nothing yet, dear. I need a couple of your servants, Heat."

Cinder hurried for Ash while Flurry strode over and stood by the bed, waiting for orders. Mother Nature shifted the island so that a stone table rose from the floor, and she sat down and spread out an array of plants. Ash came in and he and Cinder stood waiting for instructions.

"I've taught you before," Mother Nature said to Ash.

"Yes, ma'am," Ash said. "I still use all you've taught me. But I don't know how to handle this."

"Several ways," Mother Nature replied. "First, we need to make a cream that will numb his feet. It's similar to what I've shown you before, but it's much stronger. This is to be used only in severe cases, am I understood?"

"Clearly, ma'am," Ash replied.

"Alright, let me see your feet, Snow," Mother Nature said, turning to the bed.

She observed the damage closely, and despite her gentle touch, Snow cringed away and had to bite back an oath. Mother Nature looked grim as she turned back to the table and began instructing Cinder and Ash on the way to make the cream.

Snow and Heat watched with interest as their mother explained not only how to make the medicine, but why it would work as well as other uses for the plants. Ash, more experienced than Cinder at making medicines, was an excellent pupil, and he asked many questions. Flurry listened attentively to everything, but Cinder looked a bit bored. Mother Nature quickly noticed and set Cinder the more physical task of making the actual medicine, which soothed his irritation and helped him listen. Cinder was so quick and Ash was so thorough that by the time the explanation was done, the cream was ready. Cinder moved to pick up the bowl, but Mother Nature stopped him.

"I'll do it this time," Mother Nature said firmly.

"Yes, ma'am," Cinder said, bewildered as to how she could even touch it with all the capsaicin in it.

Mother Nature simply pulled on a pair of gloves and picked up the bowl. She settled on the bed and pulled Snow's feet over. Snow grimaced and looked away.

"Mother, please let Cinder do it," he mumbled.

"Not this time," Mother Nature said gently. She sighed. "This is going to hurt, Snow dear."

Snow squirmed but nodded. As soon as his mother began rubbing the cream into his feet, Snow's world became white with pain. He cried out and floundered for a moment before a cold hand startled him back into reality. He turned and saw Heat, and he clutched at his hand.

"Colder," he begged softly as black edged his vision.

Heat obeyed, lowering his core temperature. Snow's heat flared even warmer against his hand, and he knew that he had to be hurting him, but a little ice burn would be nothing compared to what Snow had done to his feet.

"Snow, dear, can you count for Mother?" Mother Nature asked. "Count to fifty."

He latched onto the task, which was much harder than it had been since he was very young. But he noticed after twenty that the pain was beginning to fade. He sent up a grateful prayer then focused on his counting again. By fifty, his feet were tingling with warmth but were no longer hurting.

"You will need to apply this every six hours until his feet are back to normal," Mother Nature said to Ash and Cinder. Then she turned to Flurry and Heat. "And nobody who isn't a fire elemental should make or apply this for any reason whatsoever. And I mean it, Flurry," she said. "Snow must do it himself if it's the only option. He should skip doses if that's what it takes. You are to be nowhere near it. Is that clear?"

Flurry squirmed and glanced at Snow. Snow shrugged. "Mother knows best. Promise me, Flurry. Promise you'll do as she says."

Flurry sighed but nodded. "If that's what you want. I promise I won't."

"Or order anyone else to do it," Mother Nature said.

Anger flashed across Flurry's somber face. "What kind of beast do you think I am?!"

"Peace, Flurry," Snow interjected. Flurry settled down, and Snow turned back to his mother. "He's not me, Mother. He never has been and never will be. And you'd better be grateful for that. He's promised me he won't, and he won't."

Mother Nature peered curiously at Snow before she nodded. "Very well. We need some lava rocks. I'll show you how to make something that should help reopen the circulation in his feet. Go and gather some lava rocks, all of you."

They bowed and hurried away. Mother Nature stripped off her gloves and tossed them onto the table. "Do you feel better, dear?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore," Snow said.

"That doesn't mean there's not damage," she replied. "So you are not to get out of that bed without Heat's help. Heat, do you think you can do this?"

"I've been doing it," Heat grumbled.

"Heat, please," Mother Nature begged.

"What?" Heat retorted, a chill spreading through the room.

Snow tittered. "Chill out, magma mouth. She doesn't get it."

"Get what?" Mother Nature asked warily.

"He's not complaining, Mother," Snow said, tucking his numb feet under the blankets and lying back. "He just wants to be sure you know that he's been doing good and that won't change now that you've asked him."

Heat felt himself blush and he stared at his brother with wonder. "You know that?"

Snow smiled wryly. "Always have, hothead. But I told you why I always fight with you."

A light of recognition flashed in Heat's face. "Really?" was all he could say.

Snow shrugged and closed his eyes. He was so tired, and all he wanted was sleep.

"He needs rest," Mother Nature said softly. She placed her hand on Heat's forehead. "And you need to go and cool down. I'll teach your servants what to do and they can explain later. Go on now."

Heat accepted a kiss from his mother and headed to the door. He peeked back to see their mother gazing down at Snow. She looked so worried and tired as she brushed her fingers through his orange tinted hair.

"I love you, Snow," she said softly.

Heat was embarrassed to see such an intimate moment, but the feeling was tinged with sorrow and regret. He could tell Snow was already asleep and didn't hear the words he needed so badly to hear.

As Heat hurried over to the snowy half of the island, he reflected that Snow had taken after their mother in many ways, and that included her backbone of pride. While their mother was too proud to directly apologize, Snow was too proud to admit he was hurt and angry. If just one of them would bend, things would be better. But there was a snowball's chance in the heart of a volcano that that would happen anytime soon.