Healing

Chapter One: Confessions

In the heart of Rio de Janeiro was the aviary of Doctor Tulio Monteiro, who was currently attending to a very special patient: Jewel, one of the only two remaining blue macaws in the world, who had earlier that day had her wing broken when a cage fell on it. Though Tulio was not aware of exactly how her wing had been broken, he did everything he could to ensure it's repair.

"There, that should do it." Tulio smiled, as he finishing applying a medical strap to Jewel's broken wing.

"Knock, knock." Linda Gunderson said gingerly as she entered the treatment room, her pet Blu (the only other remaining blue macaw) riding on her shoulder, and the brazilian orphan Fernando by her side. "How's the patient?"

"Not too bad, actually." Declared Tulio. "It's just a standard break. It should only take two weeks for her wing to set, and four more afterward for it to get back to full strength."

"Hey, Jewel." Smiled Linda, pointing to the shoulder Blu was on. "You have a visitor."

Blu hopped off Linda's shoulder, clearing the short distance to the examination table by flapping his wings lightly.

"How are you doing?" Blu asked Jewel softly.

"Okay, I guess." Said Jewel, taking a look at the strap. "Feel kinda stupid with this thing on, though."

"It doesn't hurt, does it?" Asked Blu worriedly.

"Nah." Said Jewel. "That hu- Tulio put some kind of paste on it, made the pain go away. For a human, he's actually pretty nice."

"I told you you could trust humans." Smiled Blu.

"Yeah." Murmured Jewel, still looking at her strapped wing.

"Jewel, I'm sorry." Said Blu, a guilty look on his face.

"Sorry? For what?" Asked Jewel, puzzled.

"For what I said last night." Said Blu. "You know, during our little... disagreement."

"Oh, that." Realised Jewel. "Well, I think saving my life was a pretty good apology."

Mere hours ago, Jewel had fallen out of a poachers' plane, her injured wing seemingly guaranteeing certain death. Blu jumped after her, despite being unable to fly himself. Shocked and touched by his act of sacrifice, Jewel kissed him. In a single moment, Blu experienced a feeling of infinite bliss. His heartbeat increased a thousandfold. The joy he felt spread out to his wings, enabling him to fly at long last, saving them both.

"Really?" Asked Blu.

"Really." Smiled Jewel. "Jumping out of that plane after me was both the craziest, and sweetest thing a bird's ever done for me."

"Come on, you know I had to." Blu shrugged, humbly rubbing the back of his head with his wing.

"How so?" Asked Jewel, tilting her head curiously.

"Because... because I..." Blu stuttered. 'Come on!' He thought to himself. 'Just tell her already!' Swallowing hard, he tried again. "Jewel, I... I... I love you."

"Oh, Blu." Whispered Jewel, her eyes tearing up. "I love you, too!"

Overcome with jubilation, Blu wrapped his wing around Jewel's uninjured appendage, leaned forward, and kissed her deeply. Now it was Jewel's turn to feel infinite bliss.

This display of love did not go unnoticed by the three humans.

"Well, would you look at that." Smiled Fernando.

"My little Blu is in love." Sighed Linda.

"There just might be hope for the species yet." Chuckled Tulio. "Once Jewel's wing is fully healed, we can release them into the wild."

"Release?" Repeated Linda.

"Of course." Said Tulio. "It's important for any chicks they might have to grow up in their natural environment. And said chicks will need their father around, of course."

"Of course." Said Linda, hanging her head. Deep down, she had known such a moment was coming, from the moment she agreed to bring Blu to Rio. But it didn't make things any easier. Making for the door, she mumbled "Excuse me."

"Linda?" Asked Tulio. "Fernando, keep an eye on our lovebirds, would you?"

"You got it." Nodded Fernando, as Tulio followed Linda out of the door.

Tulio found Linda in the corridor, looking very glum.

"Is there something wrong, Linda?" Tulio asked.

"No, it's okay." Sniffed Linda. "I know Blu's going to have to stay in Rio. That's for the best. It's just... It's going to be pretty lonely back in Moose Lake, with just me in that big, empty bookstore."

"Oh, yes." Mumbled Tulio sadly. "You'll be going home soon, won't you?"

"Yeah." Sighed Linda.

"You don't have to." Said Tulio. "You could always... stay here."

"What?" Asked Linda, surprised.

"You could work here at the aviary." Explained Tulio. "Every so often, we go and check up on the birds in the jungle. That means you wouldn't ever not see Blu again."

"I don't know..." Said Linda, undecided. "Why are you so interested, anyway?"

"Because..." Caught out, Tulio decided to confess. "Linda, I know we have only known each other for a couple of days, but they were the most incredible days of my life. I have never met someone like you, someone like me, before. I... love you, Linda."

"You do?" Gasped Linda, who had also been harbouring feelings for the good doctor, but had been reluctant to act upon them. She hadn't been in many relationships in her life, mostly due to her devotion to Blu. Even her prom date had come in second to the blue macaw. But there was something about Tulio she could not explain, something that drew her to him. Moving in close, she grasped both sides of his face, and pulled him in for a kiss.

"You know, I think I just might stick around, after all..." She smiled, as she and Tulio shared a loving look.

To Be Continued...

(Rio and all associated characters are the property of 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios.)