Sorry for the wait, but I accidentally used up the entire months Internet bundle *sheepish grin*

So here's the update. Enjoy Xx

'So... 'we' are in a coma?'

Garrett thought for a moment. 'Basically, yes. And if we don't get out of it soon... well, I think you can figure that one out on your own, yes?'

James swallowed. 'Right... So what do we do?'

Garrett didn't answer.

'Hello? Did you hear me?' James asked after a minute.

'I did... But I'm afraid I don't really know.' Garrett said, looking oddly embarrassed. 'I just thought I should at least try to get you up to speed and then we work our way from there.'

James stared at the man in the mirror. 'Seriously? You spin this whole tale and then you don't know how to get me out?'

Garrett rolled his eyes. 'Touchy touchy...' he breathed and rubbed the back of his neck. 'Listen, for now just stay in your 'hovel' or whatever this is. Don't go out there because chances are that the people are most likely... demons.'

'Okay, fine I'll-' he stopped. 'Demons? Are you kidding me?'

'Um... no.'

James raked his fingers through his hair and rested his head in his hands. 'So... everyone at the office? Even Jenny?'

'Chances are high, especially with this Jenny person. She's someone close to you, right?'

'Kinda... I've actually been considering a relationship, there've been some signals.'

'There you have it then... Desire Demon.'

'Wha- Oh who gives a shit... Fine, I'll stay here.'

'Good boy. I'll be here, in the mirror... thinking.'

James sighed loudly. 'I'm going to go sleep now... Or at least try to.'

'Sweet dreams.' Garrett whispered, 'Or not.' He added with a grin.

James flashed him a glare before turning the corner. 'Wait, how do I know you're not a demon?' he called from the other room.

'Oh you flatter me, James.'

Garrett could practically hear James frown at this, making him grin again. He turned slowly away from the scene before him to face the reality of the situation. The strange green sky swirled high above, thunder and lightning crackled across it. The twisted plant life that surrounded him swayed violently in the strong gusts of wind that howled through. Garrett walked forward, kicking one of the many demon corpses that littered the ground out of his way. He glanced back over his shoulder at the floating window into James's apartment. He sighed deeply.

'How am I going to get you out of this...?' he whispered softly to the wind.

It was deathly quiet in the cavernous room. The only sound was the occasional sob that came either from Merrill or Isabela. The two women stood holding each other as they cried over the loss of their leader and friend, even though he wasn't actually gone. Isabela was a bit taken aback by her display of sorrow, but as she watched the tiny elf break down she couldn't help herself. She let all her worries, doubts and fears stream down her cheeks, promising that she would drink herself into a stupor later.

Fenris was standing against the wall, obviously trying to look unfazed, but in between the tears Isabela could see him shivering. Aveline stood next to Varric. The two were gazing in silence at the two figures on the ground a few feet away.

Anders, his face splattered with Templar blood, was cradling an unconscious James. He sat there, softly stroking the scarred face as tears fell from his eyes. Varric walked forward then, but he stopped when Anders flashed him a fierce look, the blue rage of Justice burning in his tear stained face. The dwarf turned to the left and caught sight of the lead Templars body. A piece of parchment was crumpled in his stiff hand.

'Anders... We need to move him away from here. He needs to get treatment for those wounds.' Aveline whispered. Anders raised his face to her, glanced back down at James before nodding. In a swift, unnatural motion he stood, holding James tightly in his arms.

'Lead on then.'

'Would someone please get her out of here?' Anders yelled. Aveline moved forward and pulled a distraught Leandra out of the room, shutting the door behind her. The sobbing was muted now, but only just.

'Anything we can do?' Varric asked, stepping towards the bed where Anders worked.

'Um...' Anders began, to distracted to really focus on the dwarf.

'We'll just leave you to it then.' Varric said softly before shepherding the others from the room. Isabela pulled back however.

'I'm staying.' She whispered and walked over to stand on the opposite side of the bed.

'Anders, pass me that cloth and water.'

The mage looked up at her, about to protest, when he saw the tear run down her cheek. He sighed and handed her the cloth and bowl of water.

Silently the two worked. Isabela gently scrubbing the filth and blood away, while Anders went about healing the most severe injuries and placing poultices on the minor ones.

It was well past midnight by the time they finished. Isabela went about gathering all the left over supplies as Anders tucked a blanket around James. He then bent forward and placed a light kiss on the man's forehead. Isabela saw this and couldn't help but feel a stab of pain and jealousy. Anders turned towards her then.

'You love him, don't you?' she whispered.

'With everything inside me...' Anders replied.

Isabela closed her eyes, blinking away tears. She wanted to kick herself for trying to back away from James when they could have been together. Now she had lost him.

'Be there for him... Give him what I can't, ok?' she said, her voice cracking.

Anders watched her carefully, 'I'll try, Isabela... But with Justice-'

'Promise me, Anders.' She interrupted. 'Promise that you won't ever hurt him.'

After a short pause Anders nodded. 'I promise.'

Isabela gave him a tight smile. 'Goodnight, Anders.' She said before turning towards the door.

'Goodbye, James.' She whispered before stepping out.

Anders stared at the door for a few moments, feeling slightly guilty. He'd known that James and Isabela had been intimate but he never suspected that Isabela had actual romantic feelings for the man. He took a deep breath before turning back to the bed.

James looked so peaceful.

Anders winced at this thought when he caught sight of the mark on James's forehead. He's always going to be peaceful from now on...

As Anders sat down on the edge of the bed he recalled the night of Karl's death. He remembered the frantic manner with which Karl had begged him to take his life, to end the suffering that is Tranquillity.

A shiver ran down his spine as he considered the same fate for James. He suppressed a sob as he tried to picture life without him. Yet, as he cursed himself for even daring to think about it he reached into his jacket with an unsteady hand and pulled out the knife he kept there. The blade gleamed wickedly in the light of the candles that stood nearby. Shaking, he raised the blade high.

What did I do to deserve all this pain...? What did he do to end up here?

Suddenly he slammed his empty fist down on the bed in frustration and threw the knife across the room, before leaning down next to James, silent tears streaming down his face. Soon a fitful sleep took him.

The sun was streaming in through one of the windows when Anders suddenly sat up. He groaned as the sudden movement caused his head to throb. He turned slowly to look at James. The young mage still slept peacefully.

Anders stood slowly and walked into the bathroom. He bent to pick up the bucket of water that stood near the door, using it to fill the basin. He then proceeded to wash his hair and face before rinsing his mouth with one of the herbal mixtures in the bathroom cabinet.

As he was tying his hair back a thought came to him.

The night Karl had died he had become aware again... This was impossible, seeing as nobody had ever been able to reverse the effects of the rite of Tranquillity. Anders recalled that Karl had mumbled something about Anders bringing a piece of the Fade into this world. Anders had dismissed this notion at the time but now as he thought about it he finally understood what had happened.

'That's it!' he said loudly to himself as he entered the bedroom once more, a plan already forming in his mind.

'You sure this will work, Blondie?' Varric asked with a sceptical expression.

'It has to.' Anders answered simply.

'But-'

'But what?' Anders said loudly. 'We have nothing to loose...'

Varric sighed, yet nodded. 'You're right. It's better than doing nothing.'

Anders turned to Merrill. 'You ready?'

The little elf nodded. 'Just say when.'

'Very well. Let's get our boss back.'

He knocked tentatively on the surface of the mirror. 'Hey, Garrett? You there?'

No reply came. James frowned. He was starting to consider the possibility that he might have imagined the whole conversation he had had with the mirror.

A sudden cough nearly had him through the roof. 'Fuck, Garrett... Don't scare me like that!'

Garrett raised an eyebrow. 'I didn't realize you had a fear of coughs, so I apologize.' He bowed dramatically.

James gave him a blank look.

'You rang?'

James stared at him for a while before speaking. 'Yes... I wanted to ask if it was ok to leave yet?'

Garrett frowned. 'It's not ok to leave... EVER.' He said, emphasizing the last word.

'But what about work?'

'You obviously didn't grasp the whole convo we had last night... This isn't real! There is no job to do! Jjust stay here, it'll be the safest. At least for now...'

James sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck like he mostly did when embarrassed. 'I'm sorry... It's just so difficult to grasp.'

'Ha!' Garrett laughed, 'You should have seen yourself three years ago! You blew up a cupboard and half a bed!'

James looked shocked. 'What? Really?'

'Jip.'

'Wow...'

It was quiet for a moment. 'So now what?'

'I don't know... Read a book or something?' Garrett said, waving a hand dismissively, before disappearing.

James stared at his own reflection for a while, briefly thinking that he saw a large red sun tattooed on his forehead. He blinked and it was gone.

The phone ringing suddenly made him jump for the hundredth time that day. Taking a deep breath he reached out and picked up the receiver.

'Hello?'

'James! Where were you today?'

It was Jenny.

'Oh, um Hi Jenny.'

'Hi? That's all you have to say? The boss is furious!'

'I'm sorry Jen, but something... came up.'

Jenny sighed loudly. 'I'm coming other there to sort you out. You can't keep doing this!'

James swallowed. 'You're coming here? Um, I don-'

'See you soon.' She interrupted and hung up.

'Jenny wai- Fuck!' James cursed loudly.

'What was that all about?' Garrett asked from across the room.

'It's Jenny, she's coming here... Now.'

'Shit.' Garrett mumbled. 'You need to get out of here.'

'Ok, but where do I go?'

'Anywhere that isn't here.'

James moved to the door but hesitated. 'But what about you? How will I find you again?'

'Don't you worry about that, just go-' he was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

'James? You there?'

'Shit, she's here already!' James whispered harshly.

'James?' she called again, her tone a bit louder.'

'Don't open the door.' Garrett said softly.

'And then what? I just wait for her to go away?'

'James! Open this door! NOW!' Jenny shrieked, her voice taking on an unnatural edge. A strange pinkish glow appeared around the edges of the door.

'The demon is losing patience.' Garrett whispered, a worried look on his face. 'James you need-'

The door suddenly splintered, debris scattering everywhere. James raised his arm to shield his face, just as 'Jenny' stepped into the apartment.

'Hello James. Oh and you to Garrett.'

*sigh* I feel like it's taking forever to get this story going... But there you have it (for now)

Thanx for reading and don't hesitate to raise any objections or suggestions, I'd love to hear from you.

R&R

P.S: For those who are waiting for James and Anders to finally get together, the wait is almost over ;P