A new chapter is up. Enjoy.

Dani POV

I regained consciousness slowly at first, but then the intense burning coming from my forearms quickened the process. The pain was so intense, it almost took my breath away, but I managed to take a couple of deep breaths and opened my eyes. I couldn't help but smile when I saw George sitting next to me, a relieved look on his face. The sight almost made me forget the pain I was experiencing. Almost.

George sat on the edge of his chair and gently took my hand. He gave me a big smile. "It's about time you woke up. I was beginning to worry."

"Sorry. How long have I been out?"

"Almost three and a half hours." He rubbed his thumb gently over the top of my hand. "How do you feel?"

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to focus. "Besides the excruciating pain coming from my arms, I don't feel too bad. The cuts and the burns will heal slowly, but my body is already well on its way to restoring my blood supply. From here on out, you just need to focus on pain management. I'm no longer at risk of dying."

George released my hand and started rummaging through a small bag. "In that case, you are probably ready for the magical purple jar of pain relief." He pulled out a small purple jar of ointment traditionally used by Dracons to treat burns in children, opening the lid and placing the container on the night stand. He also pulled out new bandages and a pair of latex gloves. He gently lifted my left arm, then paused. "This is probably going to hurt. I'm sorry."

I nodded. "Yes, it'll hurt, but I can guarantee it will be worth it once you get the ointment on. The purple jar is good stuff. It won't take away all the pain, but it should make it tolerable."

"In that case, I'll get it on you as fast as I can."

True to his word, it only took George a total of five minutes to get the old bandages off, the wounds cleaned and the ointment on. My relief must have been visible, since a small smile replaced the look of concentration on his face.

"Better?" He asked, removing the latex gloves and beginning to gently bandage my arms.

I sighed. "You have no idea." I remained completely still as George worked, regaining enough of my focus to take in my surroundings. I was obviously in one of the bedrooms in his parents house. The room was pretty much bare, only containing two beds, each with a nightstand and two dressers on the far wall, one with a G carved on the front, the other with an F.

"Is this your old room?"

George looked up from his work and nodded. "Yeah, we cleaned it out a few weeks after Fred's funeral. Most of our childhood stuff is back at the loft."

I looked a George with wonder. "You're not upset about being in here?"

George looked around, then his eyes returned to mine. "Not really. A month or two ago, I might have been, but now, all this room reminds me of are the good times Fred and I had in here. We invented our first joke for the shop right over there, by the window." He sighed fondly. "Besides, this is the only room in the house that is totally free of clutter and allows me to sleep in the same room as you without having to share a bed." He lowered his voice. "I was afraid I might hurt you accidentally in the night and I really don't want to explain our closeness to my parents."

I laughed weakly. "Good thinking." I leaned my head back on my pillow. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll pass out. You should get some rest too. You look about ready to drop."

George returned my laugh. "Sounds good to me.". He finished securing the bandages, closed up the ointment and magicked away the soiled bandages. "But before you go back to sleep, is it okay if I call your parents? I didn't know if it was against some tradition to contact the parents to give them an update on their child's condition."

I opened my eyes and smiled at George. He really was an amazing person and a good friend. "Actually, I'd appreciate it if you would call them. Tell them I love them and that I'll see them in a couple of days. Their number is programmed in my phone." I took his hand before he moved out of range. The gesture hurt, but was manageable. "Thanks for thinking of them."

"Hey, that's what friends are for." He lowered his face to my hand, kissing the top of it gently. "Get some sleep. I'll talk to your parents, then get some rest myself. Don't worry about anything."

I nodded, thinking of little else before falling fast asleep.

To Be Continued...