Convoluted

At the beginning of the semester, I broke my ankle and have been non-weight-bearing since, and unable to drive, too, since it was my right ankle. There's been a group of six or so of my classmates that have really helped me out. My problem is that a few of them I don't know very well. I mean, I get notes, we talk about classes and stuff, but we don't get together outside of class. What do I get them as a thank-you gift? I want it personalized, not just some random candy I bought to give them. And most of them are very straight-and-narrow Christians, so no alcohol. Any ideas?

I'm been reading the Nightside series by Simon Green and the Bordertown novels by Terri Windling and others, and I like that kind of setting. For those that haven't read them, the two cities are in-between places (kind of like Sigil from Dungeons and Dragons, if you get that reference).

For example, Nightside is the one place where Heaven nor Hell has dominion. Bordertown is where Fairyland and the real world collide.

I'm looking for novels set in fantasy cities that are where conflicting places collide, there's no real organization, and many types of people coincide. Any recommendations or suggestions?

Of parents that die before their children are grown, what is the most common cause of death?

I'd like a real source I can look at, if you answer this question.

I already read Digger, Girl Genius, Megatokyo, Sinfest, Questionable Content, Gunnerkrigg Court, and Phoenix Requiem....oh, and Lackadaisy Cats.

I want someone with plot; not just a new punchline every day. More like Girl Genius or Digger than any of the others I read.

Oh, and I want something fairly established, so that it might last me a little before I catch up to the current.

And last condition, I don't want to have to pay for it.