I want to apologize for the delay on this chapter. Last week was the event week from hell and I didn't have any free time to write. I hope to make that up to you this week.

This chapter contains adult themes and suggestions. You have been warned.

Chapter 21

Alistair looked across the ballroom at his breathtaking Queen. She was everything he had ever wanted and more. She was talking with Bann Teagan when she caught him watching her. She smiled her radiant smile at him as she excused herself from Teagan. She glided over to him, slid her arms around his waist as she pressed her warm body against his and he felt his body begin to respond the way it always did when her warm tantalizing frame was enfolded into his tight embrace. She grinned up at him, "Now that his Majesty has danced with every fair maid in the kingdom is my turn to feel your strong arms led me around the dance floor?"

"You are the only woman I want in my arms…or for that matter in my bed," he groaned into her ear as he pressed his hips into hers as he guided onto the dance floor. Their bodies were close together and heat radiated off both of them. Maker, he wanted her; he ached for her and he wanted to bury himself so deeply in her that he would be lost forever.

She moaned into his neck, "I am yours, Alistair. Do with me what you will?" He growled as he paused to gain control of himself. Yes his beautiful wife was always willing and eager. The image of her from last night as her naked body glistened on his bed as she quivered, quaked and chanted his name flashed across his mind. He smiled as he recalled the way her body writhed against his tongue as he brought her to the point of ecstasy over and over again and when he finally entered her and her warmth enveloped him he knew that he had died and gone to….

"Alistair," a voice intruded on his dream as a hand roughly shook him awake. "Alistair, it's time to wake up. We need to head to the hospital," Anders said.

Alistair opened his eyes as he survived the room and recalled where he was. "Alistair, you aren't going to believe this," Anders said astounded as he headed down the hall. Alistair hoisted himself up and followed.

They entered a small room across the hall from the room where Alistair had found the clothes in. The room had a large water basin with handles attached to it, a tub with similar handles and two metal spouts that protruded from the wall – one was positioned low near the top of the tub and one was high in the wall. What the hell were those for?

Across from the bath was a loo….a bloody loo in the same room were you where supposed to bathe? How disgusting! The look of revolution must of have shown on his face because Anders said, "I thought the same thing you did, Alistair, but watch." Anders reached over and pushed the handle on the loo and watched in amazement as the water in the bowl flushed away only to be replaced by fresh water.

Alistair looked at Anders shocked as a grin spread across his face, "That's bloody brilliant."

"That's not all," Anders continued as he turned the handle in the tub and watched with wonder as water poured out of the spout into the tub. Anders then turned another knob and Alistair stared as water cascaded out of the high spout in a warm heavy stream. "I have to tell you standing up while you bathe is definitely different, but I like it. It's like bathing under a warm waterfall. Now, if I could just find a pretty girl to share this amazing experience with."

"How did you figure out how all of this worked?" Alistair inquired as he looked around the room.

"I saw it on one of the TV shows. I explored Alex's apartment and found this privy and she has her own private privy just off of her bedroom chamber," Anders replied.

Alistair nodded as he looked at the mirror above the sink and noticed that it opened. He swung the mirror and studied the content of the small cabinet. There was a strange razor with a handle and three small blades; there was also an orange and blue can that had the words 'Gillette fusion shaving cream' written on the can. Alistair picked it up and pulled the lid off. He stared at it as he pressed the button on top – white creamy foam sprayed at his face and Alistair threw the can into the sink.

Anders began to laugh. "It's harmless, Alistair. Men here in this world use it to shave. It helps a lot – not so many knicks and cuts. It's actually very soothing. You should clean up before we head to the hospital. You're looking like a hurlock's arse."

Alistair raised an eye brow and said, "Thanks a lot."

Anders cocked his head, "I only speak the truth. That tall bottle there that says 'Old Spice Body Wash' is soap and they use it with that scrunchy looking ball. It makes a lot of suds. I like it."

Anders then pointed toward two other bottles that had the word 'AXE' printed on it. "The one that says shampoo use first - that one cleans your hair; then use the one that says conditioner – that one makes your hair nice and soft. Here feel," Anders said as he leaned his head toward Alistair.

Alistair gingerly touched Anders hair and nodded. "And you learned all this from TV?" Alistair asked.

"Yep, the tv shows take these short breaks in between telling the story and they show these advertisements for different products in this world. Some of the advertisements are more entertaining than the show. I counted ten different ale announcements. Oghren would be happier than a nug in mud. And the women they have pushing these products…sweet Andraste's arse, Alistair. I didn't think they made women like that. I think I am in love with this world," Anders said dreamily.

"I'll have to take your word for it," Alistair said. "Now if you don't mind I would like to bathe in private."

"Of course," Anders said as he turned to leave. "In the closet there you will find bath sheets. They are as soft as baby's bottom," Anders purred as he closed the door.

An hour later Alistair emerged from the privy chamber feeling ten times better; Anders was right – the conveniences of this world were astounding and it wouldn't take long to grow accustom to this life style. Even as king he wasn't use to this level of pampering and now he didn't have to deal with guards and advisors following his every move. Yes, he could definitely get use to this world.

They reviewed the map one more time as they made their way out of Alex's quiet neighborhood toward the hospital. Despite the late hour the roads that surrounded Alex's sleepy street were bustling with activity. There were crowds of people moving up and down the sidewalks from bar to bar. The pubs that they passed had loud music pulsating from them and scantily clad women poured out of them. Alistair had to drag Anders along in order to keep them moving.

"Alistair, did you see the way those women were dressed?"

Alistair nodded as he quickly looked at the titillating risqué women that they had just passed, "I would have to be blind to not see them."

"Do you think they are hookers?" Anders asked.

Alistair shook his head. "No, I think it's just the way they dress here."

Anders glanced over his shoulder one last time at the provocative women, "I love this world!" He exclaimed.

As they continued to walk in the direction of the hospital Anders handed Alistair several sheets of paper that had the numbers 10, 20 and 50 written on them. "What is this?" Alistair asked.

"It's very strange, but I believe it is this world's currency. They don't use gold or silver here. On TV, I saw people purchase goods and then hand the merchant this paper money," Anders replied.

"And where did you find this currency?" Alistair inquired.

Anders smiled sheepishly as he responded, "Well, my curiosity got the better of me while you were asleep and I poked around in a few of Alex's drawers." Alistair noticed Anders cheeks redden and Alistair felt the anger begin to rise as he imagined Anders pawing at Alex's Victoria Secret small clothes.

"And what else did you find besides money?" Alistair demanded.

"Aaah, well, she has very nice taste in clothing," Anders sputtered.

"And?"

"She has a very steamy selection of Victoria Secret items. You are a lucky man, Alistair. Once she makes a full recovery I am sure you will receive the pleasure of seeing her in those very tempting items," Anders replied nervously.

"And what else?"

"That was it," Anders said anxiously.

"What aren't you telling, Anders?" Alistair insisted, but as Anders started to protest Alistair cut him off. "Don't lie, I can tell you aren't telling me everything."

"Well…your majes…" Anders began as he caught himself referring to Alistair by his formal title and corrected himself. "Hmmm, Alistair, it seems that Alex has some interesting….aaah…toys."

"Toys?" Alistair questioned.

"Yes, there was an item that looked like a replica of a man's private parts," Anders began as he glanced over at Alistair uneasily as he quickly continued. "It had several buttons and when you pushed them the replica spun and vibrated."

Alistair feigned shock as he asked, "And what the hell would she do with that?"

Anders faced turned a deeper shade of red as he awkwardly tried to explain, "Well, it looks like the parts…would fit in all the right areas and…and that she would be able to accomplish some self….gratification."

Anders looked up at Alistair just as the king broke out into laughter. Anders scowled at him, "What the bloody hell is so funny?"

In between fits of laughter Alistair said, "The toy that you referred to is called a vibrator and the women in this world use it for self-fulfillment."

Anders looked stunned, "They do that? I mean girls like Alex do that!"

Alistair laughed even harder, "And they make fun of me because I'm a chantry boy. Yes, they do "that"! Just like you do "that"; girls like Alex have the same needs and desires as you and I do." Alistair retorted.

"And you know this how?" Anders asked.

Still trying to control his laughter Alistair said, "From Alex – we have had some very intimate and personal conversations. Alex calls it pillow talk."

"Wow! Damn, Alistair, you are a lucky man," Anders muttered.

"Now, stay the hell out of her drawers. If we need to look for something in there I will be the one to…" Alistair stopped in midsentence when he realized that Anders had stopped walking a few feet behind him. He turned and watched as Anders waved his hands around and made weird facial expressions. Anders grinned and pointed up to a large screen that was hung on the side of a building. The screen was similar to the TV screen in Alex's apartment, but this one was massive. Above the screen a sign read, 'You should be in pictures'. In the middle of the screen was Anders as he jumped around and waved his arms and Alistair with a dumbfounded look on his face. Alistair searched the area as he tried to find the source that projected their images up on the screen.

Two girls gawked at Anders as the passed by him. "Damn, tourists. You would think they have never seen a jumbo-tron before," one of them said.

Alistair quickly walked over and grabbed Anders arm. Anders looked startled. "Stop that," Alistair hissed under his breath. "You are drawing attention to us. Whatever that is, it's normal here so act like it's a common thing to see your face on a large screen on the side of a building," Alistair grunted as he pulled Anders down the street. Anders continued to wave at the screen until they were no longer visible on it.

"That was awesome," Anders murmured stunned. "How do they do that without the use of magic?"

Alistair continued to pull Anders until they rounded the corner and headed down the street that the hospital was on. Several blocks later they saw a sign that read, 'St. John's Hospital'. They walked around the building till they saw a sign that read, 'Hospital Entrance'. However, when they tried the door it was locked. Another sign read, 'Hospital entrance closed between 11:00 pm – 6:00 am. Use Emergency Room entrance'.

They walked toward the Emergency Room entrance sign and as they approached the doorway the doors slid open; both Alistair and Anders jumped back startled and the doors slid closed.

They glanced at each other as they cautiously approached the door again; once again the door slid open. Alistair whispered under his breath, "Act like that's normal."

Anders nodded as they walked through the doorway and the doors slid closed again. "There is nothing normal about this world," Anders muttered back. The room was filled with people that seemed to vary in degrees of illnesses. At the far end of the room was a large desk with a staff person behind it.

As they made their way over to the desk they passed by a tired looking, but pretty woman who held a small child in her lap. The child's face was a deep red and she had tears streaming down her cheeks as she cried out, "Mommy, it hurts. My head really hurts. Please make it stop."

The young mother brushed the hair out of the girl's eyes and cooed, "I know, sweetie. We will see the doctor soon and he will make it better."

"But we have been here for hours mommy and it hurts even worse," the tiny girl whimpered.

Alistair felt Anders pause, he felt the veil to the Fade slip open and he felt the healing spell surge out of Anders and flow across the child. Immediately the child's cheeks began to return to their normal color, the mother's hand pressed against the girl's forehead and a shocked look spread across her face. "You don't feel as warm now, Ella. I think your fever broke. How are you feeling?"

The child yawned as she curled into her mother's shoulder. "Much better," she murmured as she drifted off to sleep.

Alistair smiled as he whispered, "For all the wonders this world has, they don't have you my friend. Let's go find Alex."

They approached the desk and a stern looking woman who didn't even look up at them said, "Fill out the form at the end of the desk and return it to me. The doctor will see you as soon as possible."

"Aaah, we are here to visit someone who is in the hospital," Alistair said.

The woman stopped what she was doing and looked up at them. "What is the name? I will see if they have been seen by a doctor yet?"

"Her name is Alex Seymour," Alistair replied.

A man that was standing behind the desk looking over a chart of some kind glanced up and studied him.

"We have not seen any Alex Seymour this evening and I don't see her name on the waiting list to be seen by a doctor either. Are you sure you have the right hospital?" The woman asked.

"Yes, this is the hospital, but she wouldn't have been seen tonight. She has been a patient here for a while," Alistair replied.

The man behind the desk continued to stare at Alistair as the woman impatiently replied, "Sir, this is the emergency room. I don't have information on patients in the hospital. You will need to come back in the morning during visiting hours."

"So you can't tell me where her room is?" Alistair said a little frustrated by lack of cooperation he was receiving.

"No, I can't," the woman replied.

Alistair glared at her. Alex was running out of time. He needed to know where she was and he needed to know now. He smiled his most charming smile and said, "Please, there has to be away to look for her. I am a good friend of hers and I have traveled a long way to see her. I may not be able to make it back first thing in the morning, but I would like to send her flowers. Could you please tell which room she is in?"

The man from behind the desk set down the chart, suspiciously looked at him and demanded, "If you are such a good friend of Alex's why are you just now visiting her? She has been in the hospital for almost a year."

Alistair looked at the man for a moment before he replied, "As I said, we don't live around here and have not been able to make the trip until now."

The man raised an eye brow skeptically. "Well, I actually am a good friend of Alex and I know most of her friends. I would have remembered meeting a handsome British man. What is your name?"

Alex had told him to say that he knew her from boarding school. "It's Alistair Therin," he replied.

The man nodded for a moment and then inquired, "Where do you know Alex from?"

Alistair smiled, "We attended Deerfield Academy together."

The man nodded and smiled, "Aaah, well that explains it. Alex hated boarding school and rarely ever talked about it. My name is Matt Reynolds. I went to med school with Alex." Matt said as he extended his hand. Alistair recognized the gesture, grasped the man's hand and shook it.

"This is my brother, Anders," Alistair said as he introduced the mage.

Matt shook Anders hand. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you. Have you come all the way from Britain to visit Alex?" Matt inquired.

Alistair didn't know what this Britain was, but it was the second time Matt had referred to him as being from there so he knew that he needed to go along with that scenario and hope that he wasn't asked anything specific. "Yes, we just arrived a little while ago," Alistair replied.

Matt glanced at his watch, "Well, visiting hours aren't for another five hours, but I don't see the harm in taking you to see her now. You won't be able to stay long, but since you have traveled such a far distance I would hate to send you away. Follow me." Matt said as he started down a long corridor. "I must warn you, Alex has been in a coma for almost a year now. She has lost a lot of weight and she looks very gaunt. I don't want you to be shocked by her appearance."

Alistair swallowed hard and just nodded. He hadn't thought about the toll that her illness would have had on her corporal body when for the past nine months he had held a young, vivacious woman in his arms. Now he was afraid at what he would find. Anders must have been able to tell what he was thinking. He leaned into him and whispered, "Don't worry, Alistair, it's nothing that magic can't heal. Give me a little bit of time and she will be good as new." Alistair looked over at him and Anders gave him a reassuring smile.

At the end of the hallway there were several sets of doors, Matt pushed a button and one set of doors slid open to reveal a small paneled box. Matt stepped inside, but both Alistair and Anders just stared into the tiny compartment. Matt looked at them curiously before he said, "Don't tell me you are afraid of elevators."

Neither man said anything. They couldn't figure how to respond. What the hell was an elevator? Maybe they were afraid of them, but just didn't know they were. Matt continued, "We could take the stairs, but her room is on the nineteenth floor. That's one hell of a workout."

Both men tentatively stepped into the elevator. Matt pushed a button that said nineteen on it. The doors closed and the box began to move upward. Alistair subconsciously gripped the railing as the elevator made its quick ascent. The doors opened to a desk with a pleasant looking woman sat behind. She smiled up at them as they stepped off the elevator.

"Hi, Doctor Reynolds, coming up to visit your favorite patient?" The woman inquired.

"Am I that predictable, Beth?" Matt asked.

She smiled, "I'm afraid so."

"Actually, Beth I am here with a couple of Alex's friends from boarding school. They just arrived from Britain. I told them they could spend more time with her during visiting hours, but I didn't want to send them way without a small visit," Matt said.

Beth's face looked like she was about to scold Matt, but then she broke out into another warm smile, "You know that is going against the hospital rules, but I don't see the harm in it." She turned toward Alistair and Anders as she continued to speak, "You can visit for fifteen minutes and then please come back in the morning if you wish to see her longer."

They both nodded and Matt led them down the hallway. He pushed the door open and said, "Since you don't have long I will let you visit her alone. I hope I will see you tomorrow. Hopefully you can give me some dirt on Alex," Matt said with a grin.

Alistair smiled back, "Yes, I think I can think up a few stories about her."

"Great! See you tomorrow than," Matt said as he headed back toward the elevators.

Alistair couldn't take his eyes off of Alex. Nothing Matt could have said would have prepared him for what he now saw. Gaunt didn't even begin to describe what Alex looked like – emaciated was a better word. The bed looked enormous against her tiny and frail body. He made his way over to her and sat down beside her. He didn't even realize he was crying until he felt the tear splash down on his arm.

Anders walked over and starting at her head began to move his hands down her delicate frame. He grunted a few times in what sounded like frustration before he reached her toes. Anders looked over at him as he spoke softly. "We made it here just in time. Her organs are beginning to shut down. Alistair, you need to prepare yourself – this isn't going to be some quick easy healing procedure. It's going to take time and a lot of lyrium. Thank the Maker I brought extra. It will take me half the night to stop her organs from shutting down and to heal them. Once she is stable I can start to heal the trauma to head."

Alistair just nodded as he gripped Alex's hand and began to pray. Anders worked on Alex non-stop for the next four hours. He only stopped briefly when Beth came in to check on her. Anders quickly cast a concealment charm on both them as the nurse checked Alex's blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels. As the sun began to peek through the blinds Anders fell down into the chair beside Alistair exhausted.

"I think I could sleep for a week," the mage moaned.

"Thank you, Anders," Alistair signed.

"Well, we should head back to the house so that I can get some rest before we come…" Anders was interrupted as they heard a muffled deep voice outside of Alex's room. Anders instantly cast another concealment charm and both men moved into corner as the door pushed open. Matt entered the room followed by a man that Alistair recognized from the photo in Alex's room as her father.

"So Matt, how is my baby girl doing today?" Mr. Seymour asked as he walked over to the side of Alex's bed, leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Matt walked over to the end of her bed, looked at her chart and smiled, "It looks like she made strong improvements through night -all of her vitals are strong. It also looks like she has some color back in her cheeks. She's still fighting."

Mr. Seymour stroked his daughter's hair, "That's my girl. You keep fighting. You hear me, Alexa, don't you give up. I haven't given up on you."

Mr. Seymour sat down in the chair that Alistair had just vacated and grabbed a book that was sitting on the table beside her bed. "Now where were we, my dear?"

"Still reading her that bastardization of a classic novel?" Matt asked.

"Bastardization? That is completely ridiculous. Every classic novel should have zombies added to it. It would make them so much more interesting," Mr. Seymour replied.

"She won't be happy when she wakes up and finds that zombies have been added to her favorite classic story," Matt retorted.

"See there you go again, Matt, underestimating her. She will love this story even more with the zombies. The first time we read Bram Stoker's Dracula together she wanted Dracula to live. I think she was under his thrall," Mr. Seymour said jokingly as he opened the book and began to read:

"Mr. Collins tells me that you are schooled in the deadly arts, Miss Bennet."

"I am, though not to half the level of proficiency your Ladyship has attained."

"Oh! Then — some time or other I shall be happy to see you spar with one of my ninjas. Are you sisters likewise trained?"

"They are."

"I assume you were schooled in Japan?"*

Matt shook his head as he headed out the door; followed closely by Alistair and Anders still hidden under the concealment spell.

*The story that Mr. Seymour is reading from is Pride & Prejudice & Zombies by Seth-Grahame Smith.