Nathaniel woke up in a hospital bed, feeling rather sore. He could tell his side and shoulder were bandaged, and he was on drugs. That hardly stopped the pain, though. His eyes wandered around the room, seeing as that was the only thing he could move without it hurting. He was in a white room, basically. Everything was white, except for the pale wooden bedside table, and a few chairs off in the corner. He was momentarily blinded by the overpowering whiteness of it all. He quickly closed his eyes, feeling a headache coming on.

Why was he even here, anyway? Wasn't he supposed to be dead? He thought back to the Glass Palace, bits of memory floating back to him. Talking to Kitty, giving her the amulet, Nouda coming at them, dismissing Bartimaeus… What next? He couldn't remember anything after that.

Actually, failing to dismiss me would be the appropriate term. He gasped out loud, jerking a bit. Pain shot up his side, and he quickly lay still.

Bartimaeus? What happened? Why are you still here? Where are we? He felt confusion wash over him. He had a million questions, all begging to be answered.

Whoa, hold on there, kiddo. One at a time. Okay, so, first question. I kind of took over your body and got us out of there in the nick of time…

YOU WHAT?! Nathaniel was horrified. Bartimaeus had had control over his body? Just imagine the things he could have done! Surprisingly, Nathaniel found himself trusting Bartimaeus. After all, he had saved his life, even if he could hardly remember it. He was alive, obviously, so that should be enough evidence.

Calm down, I only stopped you from talking. No big deal, alright? The second question was kind of just answered. Oh, and we're in a hospital. I have no idea where we are besides that. I was a little desperate to keep us from dying, so I didn't really pay attention to my surroundings.

Nathaniel let this sink in. Bartimaeus had saved his life, and then dragged his near-unconscious body to a hospital. He felt relief well up inside of him. Truthfully, he was planning on dismissing Bartimaeus ever since they entered the Glass Palace. He had grown attached to the djinni, and he thought it a shame to see someone so lively and intelligent get snuffed out like that.

In that case, thank you, Bartimaeus. I truly owe you one.

Oh, stop it. You're making me blush.

No, really! If there is anything I can do for you before I dismiss you, please let me know. Bartimaeus hesitated. He wondered what djinn wished for. Probably just to be freed and forgot about. He found this rather depressing. He supposed djinn really were a bit mistreated. If he made it out of this alive, he vowed to try and get djinn and humans on the same side.

Actually, Nathaniel, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. My dismissal… Nathaniel frowned. So he was right. Bartimaeus would ask to be freed right this moment, so he could go back to the Other Place and heal himself. Bleh. I'd like to stay on Earth a bit longer, if that's okay with you. Nathaniel blinked.

Excuse me? I don't think I heard you correctly.

Of course you heard me correctly, idiot. We're reading each other's minds!

Oh… but… why would you want to stay here, Bartimaeus? Aren't you a bit weak? Don't you want to get back to the Other Place to heal?

I don't need that anymore. Apparently, while we were unconscious, my essence was feeding off of your soul, and repairing itself. Your body has been taking longer to heal, because I've been leeching off you.

Why thank you, Bartimaeus. I was wondering why I felt like crap.

You're welcome. Anyway, I feel perfect! No wonder you humans like your bodies. They're very effective at protecting you from the Earthiness of everything here.

I'll take that as a compliment. So, how long has it been, do you suppose?

I'd guess at a few days, maybe a week. There are some flowers over there on the table, and they're a bit wilted. I wonder who sent them.

Nathaniel was surprised. Who would send him flowers? He cracked his eyes open, tilting his head painfully to gaze at the vase full of roses, daisies, and violets. Wow. They're pretty. The only people I know that would send me a bouquet would be Kitty or Piper. Well, maybe not Kitty. She must hate me for breaking her promise.

What do you mean? You're alive, aren't you?

Correction: trying to break her promise. Why the Hell is this room so white?

Don't ask me. I think all the people here are a bit messed up in the head. Nathaniel closed his eyes again. Damn. That was the whitest white paint he had ever seen. He heard a door open, but didn't bother trying to see who it was. He was feeling a bit tired again. Just as he was about to drift off, Bartimaeus's voice pulled him out of it. It's Kitty! His eyes snapped open, and his head jerked to the side.

"Kitty?" His voice was more like a croak than anything. Sure enough, there stood Kitty Jones, the Amulet of Samarkand around her neck, and looking rather surprised. He was glad to see that most of her small cuts and bruises were pretty much healed.

"Nathaniel? You're awake?" He nodded mutely. Kitty was shifting around awkwardly, looking at anything but Nathaniel. "How did you know it was me?"

"Bartimaeus," he whispered simply. Suddenly, a stronger voice came from his mouth, a bit deeper than his own.

"Hey, Kitty! You're looking better!" Kitty looked shocked.

"Bartimaeus is in there too?"

Nathaniel nodded, while Bartimaeus said, "No, I've just been practicing ventriloquism." Needless to say, they looked rather funny. But Kitty didn't laugh. Actually, tears welled up in her eyes, and she flung her arms around Nathaniel's neck, taking them both by surprise.

"Oh, Nathaniel. I thought you were dead… and Bartimaeus…" She pulled away suddenly, wiping her tears on her sleeve. "How did you two get out, anyway?"

"Seven-league boots," Bartimaeus said simply, sounding a little sour. She nodded, and simply stared at them for a few moments. Then she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Nathaniel's cheek.

"Nathaniel… I'm so glad you're alive…" And then she went about cuddling into his chest, trying to avoid his wounds. Needless to say, Nathaniel's face turned a shade of red that would have rivaled a tomato.

Oh, stop it, before I puke. Bartimaeus thought nastily. What's gotten into him?