Song of the Firebird

Forty Four

Scenes of Maggie's struggles at the various stages of her life flashed across Natasha's now worn out eyes. No matter how many years passed, she would never forget the plight that she and her mother went through. She had seen quite a number of men and mistakes while staying with her mother. However, that did not alone have the ability to judge her mother who was fighting to live. According to her, it was her mother's life and she alone had the right to choose the options that worked for her.

Natasha could not deny that Kirk was the reason behind their supposed mess, as he was for so many broken families, the ones like Danny's. On all her encounters with Kirk, Natasha could keep tracks of their aftermath turning out to be deadlier ones. Even when she wasn't given enough information about the accident, she could come to a conclusion that it must revolve around Kirk. She had her bets on him finding out about the fake artifact. She could only remember the real one intact, in its new place while she failed to see the location of the fake one for weeks.

If that might have been the case, she thought, then Kirk wouldn't have escaped the accident either.

On the other hand, Natasha was happy that her mother had now come to a safe place that had been monitored 24/7 with high security surveillance. The fact that her mother was taken care of in one of the hospital rooms assured her. She could only hope that her mother stayed under the hospital roof while she hoped to finish what had started with her.

With Jay on her side, after coming clean about what she was once, a part of her past, she had never felt this confident about planning a celebratory feast once it all ended.

Two weeks had swept past since the accident and she felt that she had been lagging in her plans. Sudden disappearance of Ryder had also raised a multitude of questions on his side. She wondered if he was dead or alive.

As Natasha was letting her thoughts wild, she could feel Ivy shaking her arms. Blinking, she turned to Ivy's side, without the slightest speck of emotions, she whispered, 'I will be okay.' Turning to Iris, 'I will keep in mind about what we had discussed before. I am grateful that you hadn't told Jay about it.' She nodded and smiled, 'I think I am hogging too much of your time. Thank you, Dr Williams. I am looking forward to our next visit.'

Ivy did not miss the melancholy laced on her friend's tone, while addressing her sister. When Ivy was about to ask, Iris stopped her with her palms on the air, 'That's highly confidential and you might face legal actions if you try to know about it.'

A furious Ivy muttered as Natasha strode past the door. 'This better not be a bad news.' Shaking her head, she followed behind Natasha's steps. She caught up with her, huffing, near the registration desk. Holding to her friend's elbow, Ivy said, 'Let me accompany you.. To see Maggie.. I want to see her as well.. Let me..'

Lowering her head, Natasha tapped her feet, anxiety looming in her face. 'Ivy– sweetie, I am not sure, but, I wish that it might be quite disturbing-'

'Stop the nonsense, Tasha. I have a strong heart and I will be fine', she patted her shoulder and nodded at her.

Once they were out of the Maternity block, Natasha grabbed Ivy's wrist and directed her towards the open pastry café in the corridor. Occupying the farthest seats from the counter, Natasha said, 'It is not safe for you, Ivy. This might be a hospital, but I smell something fishy. I don't want to risk you.'

'Neither do I, young lady. If you suspect so, then, let's figure it out. Together.' Natasha's grip tightened around her wrists, implying her to re-evaluate her decisions. Ivy ignored the message and stubbornly said, 'I might have to remind you that we agreed to set this straight with more help.'

'On one condition.' Natasha released her grip on Ivy. 'Just observe as much as you can and stay alert wherever necessary. Kirk might be involved in this. And, as much as I have known, he is merciless.' For the first time, Natasha felt herself flinch at her own sound, mentioning Kirk's name. It is the price, her mind reminded, for lowering her guard for the last twelve months. Half-heartedly, not wanting to continue further, she left for her mother's room with Ivy on tow.