Disclaimer, you know.
The next day Dorothy did indeed stay home, however she found it rather boring. She couldn't go out to the fields since it was covered in snow and the chair couldn't really get through it. Toto and the cats were keeping themselves and the triplets occupied while Dorothy sat at the table and did the schoolwork she had been assigned. Em was sitting on the couch watching the triplets play with their kittens and Toto. Uncle Henry had gone to the next town over with Mr. Teak on his own request. Needless to say things were rather boring. Eve did eventually jump up onto Dorothy's lap along with pockets. Pockets climbed into Dorothy's pocket making her chuckle. Eve just laid down and fell asleep. Around half past eleven auntie Em got up and walked over
"Dorothy, I think it's time for a break." Em said.
"Alright auntie Em." Dorothy said as Eve jumped off her lap and onto the table.
Dorothy scratched Eve behind the ears and then brought her wheelchair over to the playpen.
"Dorothy?" Toto asked curiously.
"Yes Toto?" Dorothy replied
"How are you feeling?" Toto asked.
"Yes, how are you feeling?" Oddball, patch and Alexa asked turning away from the triplets.
"I'm feeling alright, I've had more eventful mornings, but I'm alright." Dorothy replied.
Auntie Em walked over and kissed her niece on the forehead. She then picked up Alicia and began feeding her from a bottle. Dorothy wanted to help but Em told her that it would be rather difficult to do it with only one arm. Dorothy sighed and decided to go back to her work only to find that auntie Em had cleared the table. She turned to her aunt who smiled and gave Dorothy a teasing look.
"Glinda gave me instructions to make sure you get at least a two hour break." Em said.
Dorothy opened her mouth to reply but she wasn't supposed to get too stressed so she didn't really argue. Em smiled and set down Alicia just as the phone rang. Em got up and walked over to the phone
"Gale residence, yes, what!? no! Is anyone hurt? Oh thank goodness, yes, I'll be there right away." Em said hanging up the phone.
"What's wrong auntie Em?" Dorothy asked worriedly.
"There's been a fire at the school, I have to go and get Aislynn, Ellie and Alex, no one was harmed but they're still trying to put out the fire." Em replied.
Dorothy's jaw dropped open. She was rather upset by this. She assumed this was the jester's work but the fact that no one was hurt set her mind at ease. As auntie Em pulled on her jacket and was ready to leave she began to worry about whether or not Dorothy could manage alone with the triplets. Dorothy however assured Em, that she would be fine for a few minutes, she had Toto and the cats here to help and they all knew Toto was more than capable of helping Dorothy if need be. Em nodded and ran out of the house. As Dorothy heard the sound of the truck driving away Dorothy sighed and tilted her head back. The vision in her bad eye had gone blurry for a moment causing her to blink a few times. She looked at the mirror at the end of the room by the couch. Her forehead was healing nicely and her eye wasn't as bad as it had been. Dorothy sighed and stared at her reflection for several seconds. She then saw the jester appear behind her smiling. Dorothy gasped and realized this time she was completely defenseless. She sighed and turned to him.
"Did you light that fire?" Dorothy asked practically tonelessly.
"Actually, no, that's purely coincidence." He replied.
"Then why are you here?" Dorothy asked curiously.
"Because, I knew what you're thinking, and that's that I'm lying, I'm not, and to prove that I am being honest, I shall not bother you again until you are able to defend yourself and are completely recovered, till then, Glinda won't have to worry about you being attacked as much." He said taking out the wand and gesturing to the mirror.
"I'll stop worrying about her being attacked when you've been vanquished." Came Glinda's voice.
"Hey beautiful, there's always a chance." He said vanishing.
"I really, really hate him." Glinda said appearing in the room in front of Dorothy.
"Glinda, would you mind feeding Robert and Amber, auntie Em is getting the others." Dorothy replied
Glinda smiled and nodded making a bottle of milk appear in her hand.
Meanwhile at the school
Em had arrived at the school to find the firemen still fighting the fire. Officer grey and the rest of sheriff's department had set up a barrier around the school keeping all the students and teachers a safe distance from the fire. The school looked rather badly damaged but Em knew they all could repair it again. She quickly got out of the truck and was nearly knocked over by Aislynn running into her. She was crying hard. She was shivering with fright as well.
"Mrs. Gale ace is really frightened." Alex said as he and Ellie ran up to her.
Em smiled and hugged Aislynn tightly.
"Alex, your mom wants you to come home with me, she has to hold down the shop until your father and henry get back." Em replied.
Alex opened his mouth to reply but Officer Grey walked up to Em with a megaphone in hand.
"Mrs. Gale, I'm so glad Dorothy wasn't here." Officer grey said looking back at the school.
"Yes, I know, any idea what started the fire?" Em asked curiously.
"No, we think that it was probably some faulty wiring or well, him." He replied.
"I don't think it was him, I think he would have probably trapped these guys in there." Em replied.
"It was terrifying in there." Aislynn said aloud causing everyone to stare at her.
"Mrs. Gale, ace was in there when the fire broke out full force." Ellie said.
"Oh my goodness, you poor thing." Em said picking her up.
"Mrs. Gale, if Alex hadn't gone back in there after her she would have needed rescuing." Ellie said placing a hand on Alex's shoulder.
"Ellie, please, don't mention that please." Alex said groaning
"Alex, you're a hero, you shouldn't be so, um, disappointed about it." Officer grey said.
Alex opened his mouth to reply when all of a sudden a big wind blew through and it began pouring. Immediately the fire was extinguished. The jester then appeared floating above the school. He took out the wand and shot a ball of light into the air. The rain immediately stopped. He then vanished leaving everyone extremely confused as to what had just happened. Alex however turned to see Glinda and Dorothy. Glinda was pushing a covered three person baby stroller while Dorothy had Toto in her lap. She was smiling at him. Dorothy brought her wheelchair over and took Alex's wrist.
"Alex, they're right you know." She said pulling him down so they could make eye contact and then pulled him into a quick kiss making everyone Ooh and Ah.
"Oh grow up." Officer grey said through the megaphone.
Dorothy smiled and wrapped her good arm around Alex. Ellie then walked up to Dorothy and whispered something into her ear. Dorothy looked at Aislynn for a moment and giggled. She then nodded and brought her wheelchair back over next to Glinda. They would have to go to Oz as soon as possible.
So, ace has just had a scarring moment once more. What exactly did Ellie whisper into Dorothy's ear. And I will go out saying for the record the next chapter will be the last one before we do a flash forward to Dorothy being completely recovered.