BioWare owns all but my character's and her dog's names. : )

So, back to the real world and all it's pitfalls. Oh, and a bunch of loving friends who have nursed our beloved Kai through yet another coma. What will they have to say this time?

Thanks so much for staying with me. Your reviews have just made my telling of this story so much more enjoyable. Thank you, and please those who haven't reviewed please do. I love to know what you think.

Blessings! : )

Kai wanted to comfort her brother; she made a vain attempt to pat him on the back, but her skin felt like the thinnest of silks and if it tore, her spirit would just go back to the Fade. And she was not about to try and come back a second time. Fergus leaned her gently back, still grasping her by the arms and holding her upright so he could look at her.

"Okay, new rule everyone." Her voice sounded like a whisper, she cleared her throat. "No more letting the Warden go into a coma. No going unconsciousness unless it's sleep related. M'k? Everyone got that?" She smiled at them

"Hah, you stop by for a short visit, and I am a bad influence," Alistair's beloved voice sounded in her ear. Relief washed over her. Fergus looked furious, and she thought he was about to shake her, but he simply laid her back on the pillows Zev had been piling behind her so she could sit up. Fergus had tears in his eyes and looked caught between fury and relief.

"Hmm, your joke seems to have gone over as well as mine used to." Used to, you mean usually, right? "Hey-y." She did a mental smile.

Then it struck her, Wynne. "Is Wynne all right?" She tried to raise herself up but was gently pushed back onto the pillows by Zev. Not that it took much. He could have used his pinky to get the job done.

"My dear Gray Warden, Wynne is fine." She went to get more broth, as it seems that is what you like to eat, since you seem to keep going into comas." Zev smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I do wish it would cease this obsessive need to be unconscious for days as I am always the one who gets put on guard duty," Shale growled from her corner. "One would think that it would understand I spent quite enough time standing in one place to last even a golem's lifetime. One would also think it is part pigeon the way it likes to toy with me."

"Sorry Shale, I will try to do better, really," Kai mumbled, her face flushing.

"Huh!" Shale growled.

"Kadan" was all that Sten had to say, which was almost worse than having Shale rant at her, as his tone implied anger tinged concern. And fear? Fear for her? Oh, my.

Leliana just wiped her very swollen and red eyes with what looked like a very wet handkerchief and came over and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Oh, I am so happy, I am going to tell Wynne!" And she left the room almost skipping.

Argus jumped up on the other side of the bed and barked at her before lying down and shoving his nose under her hand. She obliged by rubbing his head. "So, how long this time?" Kai asked.

"Almost two weeks this time, little sister." Fergus looked down at the covers, trying to get control of himself. Kai reached out and grabbed his hand. She just squeezed it while he sobbed and choked out her name.

"You could slap me if you want." She jiggled his hand.

Fergus wiped his eyes and obliged her with a little choked laugh. "I wish I could, but Wynne would have my head on a pike, sister dear." Fergus leaned down and kissed her hand and put his other hand over hers.

The door suddenly swung open as if a great wind had blown through, and Wynn practically ran through the opening and right to her bedside. Kai just stared at her. "Feeling your oats Wynne?" Kai's laugh was cut off when Wynne scooped her up and hugged her so tightly she couldn't breathe. When Wynne finally released her, she stepped back and put a hand on Fergus's shoulder. Fergus hadn't let go of her hand through that entire exchange, and he continued to stroke it as if she might disappear. Apparently, she had been giving people that impression lately.

Kai felt guilty for all the fuss she seemed to be causing everyone. "I am so sorry, everyone, really." Kai felt tears forming in her eyes, and she chose to focus on hers and Fergus's linked hands.

Zev just brushed her hair back from her forehead. "My dear Warden, it was not entirely your fault. You were poisoned after all."

"Hey, where is my food?" she joked at Wynne, giving her a pointed look and a sly smile.

"Watch it, young lady, or I will turn you into a frog," Wynn retorted back. But, she was smiling with her eyes bright. "Leli is bringing it. When she told me you were finally awake, I handed her the tray and sent her back to the kitchen to get bread to go with the broth. We get to start all over again with you, young lady. It seems you like keeping us on our toes."

Kai realized that they were missing a dwarf. "Hey, where's Oghren?"

"Ah, the dwarf has been drunk ever since you took ill," Sten explained. "I shall go and fetch him. Though whether or not he is sober enough to understand when I tell him you are awake remains to be seen, Kadan." Sten simply touched her face and turned to leave, almost running into Leliana with the tray causing Leli to giggle and Sten to growl. Touching her face was the equivalent of Wynne's tight, rib cracking hug. Wow, I really must have frightened them very badly. It was hard to feel any concern for that in the Fade. Now, she felt terribly guilty.

Leliana set the tray down on Kai's lap and put a napkin across her chest. "Do you think you have enough energy to eat on your own?"

"I think I can manage, thanks," she smiled at the pretty bard. "I am so sorry to have made you worry, Leli." Leliana only smiled at her and made shushing motions with her hands.

"I think the rest of you should all go get some sleep, and Shale can stretch her legs." I will stay with her since I was next on the "Kai rotation." Wynne looked at Leli and patted the bard's cheek.

"Okay, but wake me if she needs anything, promise?" Leliana kissed Kai's forehead again and turned and left.

"I am glad it is awake." Shale touched the bed and smiled – well, it was as close as her stone features would allow – and walked out, her steps shaking the floor.

"I am not going, I can't. I just need to stay." Fergus just continued to hold her hand in both of his.

Wynne shrugged at him. "You and Zev are exhausted, but you have to make up your own minds." Wynne's look encompassed both of the men still sitting in the room with the look of a mother facing two stubborn children.

She sighed and brought over another chair. Kai noticed that there seemed to be quite a large grouping of chairs. "Sorry, Argus old boy, I need this hand." She patted him once before picking up the horn spoon next to the bowl. Argus gave a soft woof of approval before laying his head back down on the bed. This is familiar, Kai thought as she soaked bread and spooned up broth. But she got full faster than before and set the spoon down next to the bowl. "Maybe I can eat more later?" Kai looked at Wynne, who took the tray and removed the napkin, setting them both on a table in the corner. "Where are we? This isn't the castle at Denerim." Kai took a good look around the room, it wasn't at Highever either.

"Ban Teagan's home, for now," Zev said. "Though that might have to change so Anora doesn't find out the truth."

"So Anora doesn't find out what, Zev?" Kai asked him.

"That you are alive."