Phyllia looked up from her call, and held up an index finger in a clear gesture to beg patience. After that business was conducted, she gave the dark brown haired man a pleasant smile.

"Of course. I was told to expect you, Mister Fortis. I will page Doctor Valkonan for you." She played the phone buttons like a concert pianist, and spoke in hushed tones into the receiver. Then she nodded in satisfaction, and hung up the phone. "Doctor Valkonan will be with you shortly. Please have a seat while you wait."

Phyllia returned to the difficult task of fielding incoming calls with the grace of a Duchess at a formal dinner party.

The Chief of Staff at Riverview Clinic's knee length white labcoat flared out behind her as she strode confidently toward the reception area. She flashed Guill a bright and apologetic smile.

"Good morning, Guill. I'm sorry you had to wait, but I was tending to a patient, and it took longer than I thought." Her emerald and diamond ringed hands rested easily on her coral pink surgical scrubs covered hips as she stood before him.

"It's time for you to fill your end of the wager, Chef Brat. I do hope you brought your A Game today." Her hazel eyed gaze twinkled with impish merriment, which harmonized perfectly with her mischief laden smile, when she regarded the head chef and co-owner of Cucina Marthae.

Maranya smiled with delight when Guill presented her with the flask of borsh' and the box of prianiki. "You know us all too well, Guill. Though I personally would confine your beating to the Outback," she declared with a wink.

The containers were temporarily set on a table by the chef so she could take the rolled up parchment in both of her ringed hands to unroll it. Her hazel eyes widened with amazement at the intricately embellished words. She blinked rapidly a few times to avert a sudden urge to cry from happiness at the very thoughtful gift.

"I'll need to drop these off at my office. If you'll excuse me, please." She gathered up the treats and the parchment carefully, and headed back down the hall to her office to do just that.

Maranya returned to the reception area a few moments later with a bright smile. "Now, before we proceed on to your assignment for today' should you decide to accept it that is" do you have any questions?"

Maranya noted the tension and nerves in the usually unflappable Chef with a tick upward of her brow. Then she smiled reassuringly. "This is nothing like facing me in the ring at the Outback, you know. They're a great bunch of kids, truly. And, once you get to know them, I think you'll feel the same way as I do."

She nodded in the general direction to indicate where they were headed. "Come along then, Guill. You have eight hours to entertain a ward of sick children. Piece of cake."

Maranya nodded thoughtfully while she and Guill walked toward the Recovery Ward. "Very perceptive of you, Guill. I thought that it didn't show. Too much," she admitted with a rueful expression.

She pushed the door to the ward open with the palm of her right ringed hand, and gestured expansively to the assortment of young patients that occupied some of the beds which lined the two long walls.

"Good morning, you hooligans," the Good Doctor cheerfully declared. "I've brought a visitor for you. This is Guill, and he's a good friend of mine. Guill, meet the gang. This is Aissa, Colin, Bridget, Vinny, Bobby, Tracy, Pauline, and Mary." She indicated each child in turn with a nod of her head. "Oh, and two returning reprobates of mine, Stevie and Ernie." The fond smile on her face belied her words when she regarded the pair of boys in adjoining beds.

"Now, I have to go see some really sick people," she stated. Her smile still remained on her lips. "Try to be nice to Guill. Please."

Then she turned to the Chef Brat. "They're all yours. I'll see you in four hours for lunch."