Chapter Text
Ceiling tile, he decides. That's a ceiling tile, with a water stain that resembles what's-his-name, that British guy. He's pretty sure water-stained ceiling tiles aren't the usual decor, either where he expected to end up or the other place, so there's a good chance he's still alive. So. Jail then. Or prison. Trying to blow up a school probably rates prison.
"Why, hello there."
He turns his head to see the most motherly-looking prison guard he's ever seen smiling down at him. Grandmotherly, even. He frowns. "Wh-"
"Shh," she admonishes. "Don't try to talk. Take this." She holds a spoon to his lips and he feels something cold going between them before he can even think about it. "Don't try to swallow. Just let it melt."
It's ice, he realizes. He hadn't even noticed how dry his mouth and throat had been. Once the ice has melted, he tries again. "Wh- Where-"
"You're in Tri-County General," she answers. "The hospital. I'm Nurse Rivera."
He blinks. So, not a guard then. The guard's probably outside, to keep him from escaping. Not that stopping him would be too difficult, the way he feels right now. He probably couldn't escape from the proverbial wet paper bag, much less actual prison. "Um, JD," he replies. "Jason. Jason Dean."
"I know." She smiles kindly. "It's on your chart."
"Oh." He blinks again. "Right." He frowns. "Um, Veronica, is um, is she-"
"Is that your young lady? The pretty brunette?"
"Yeah," he answers. "No. Um, I'm... not sure."
"Well, either way, you'll be happy to know she's just fine, thanks to you," Rivera says. "Although she's probably asleep right now. It is the middle of the night, after all." She pulls the bedsheet up and tucks it under his chin. "Now, why don't you try to get a little more rest? I'm sure she'll be back in the morning." She straightens and steps away from his bed. Pausing in the doorway she adds, "I hear you're quite the hero, Mr. Dean. However things work out between the two of you, that young lady is a lucky girl. Sweet dreams."
He stares at the empty doorway, then shakes his head. Maybe the afterlife is weirder than he thought.