AN: Only three more chapters. Less, if Scary breaks her neck hanging Christmas lights. Let's all hope for that, shall we?

SwordStitcher-Oh, I was. I took a little chunk of time to explain this fact to her. Jonny doesn't know about that. Shh. What don't I know about? Nothing. Go back to your chemistry set.

Jasmine Scarthing-Cute? Did you just describe me as cute? I think you're cute, Jonny. What is wrong with you? Kitty must see something in you. Just be quiet, Scarecrow.

Voodoo-Mutant-Child-Rats, you say? With, long, scabby tails and yellow little teeth? And the plague? Shut up, I'm working. Plague is scary. You get boils.

"His fever's not abnormally high…"

"Yeah."

"He doesn't seem to be in danger of choking…"

"No."

"I think we'll have to wait him out."

"Wait him out-! Mum, what's wrong with him?"

"Nothing."

"What?"

"From a technical standpoint, nothing's wrong. I don't know what's going on. If you want to take him to the hospital, we can, but there isn't anything for them to find."

Kitty sighs and rubs her eyes. She knows that technically nothing's wrong. Plenty of people sleep through earthquakes, for crying out loud! But Jonathan's not a heavy sleeper. He never has been, at least not since she's known him.

"No, I…he doesn't like hospitals. He always gets pneumonia when he goes in one."

"I don't know what to do, then."

Kitty shrugs.

"I guess you're right."

"I'm sorry, Kitty."

"Will you stay here?"

"Sure, sweetie."

Good.

It's very hard to keep from saying Kitty's name. All that gets him is a dirty look, though. It's not worth it.

"Um…rabbit?"

"Yes. I followed him down here. What are you doing down here, Jonathan Crane?"

"I…" He coughs. "The same."

He coughs again.

Please remember me, Kitty, I just want to go home.

"Are you ill?"

"A bit." You know that, earlier you were telling me to go to bed. "It's nothing serious."

"Good. This way, I think."

Well, she's still as bossy as ever. That's something.

"Fine."

"You look terrible."

I'm sure I do, so let's go home, please.

"Yes."

"Are you sure you can continue?"

It's as close to concern as he's going to get, probably. He'll take it.

"Yes."

She gives him an odd look but lets the topic drop. He almost wishes she'd fuss over him, even though he doesn't particularly like it. He might even appreciate a hug-one of the really tight ones that makes it hard to breathe. He gets neither.

"There!" She's off like a shot, calling to that blasted rabbit. He follows her, wishing she'd slow down. "Mr. Rabbit, wait!"

Ohh, when he gets his hands on that thing…

"Alice!"

"Come on, Jonathan Crane!"

Just Jonathan, please.

"K-Kitty, please…"

"It's all right, love, I'm right here."

He's having another nightmare, by the looks of it-he's twitching and everything. It's pointless to shake him and she doesn't bother.

"I'm right here." She rubs his head. "Jonathan, love, you're all right. It's just a bad dream."

He quiets down soon enough. She'll have to ask him about this later.

If there is a later.

She reaches back for her mug. Her tea went cold a while ago, but she doesn't want to get a fresh cup.

What time is it…two-thirty. God, it's too early to be up. She's never been up this early, not even back in high school-he was always in her room by ten or so.

"Please…"

"Shh, shh. You're all right."

He coughs and rolls over, pulling her blanket around his shoulders. She really needs to get him his own or get a new one for herself.

"You're all right, love." she says again. "I promise you're all right."

Now, if only she'd believe it herself.