"I don't understand." Merrill spoke up suddenly.

Isabela gave a small smile. She liked Merrill. The girl was like the little sister she never had. She had taken it upon herself to open her innocent eyes to the world. And she took great delight in doing so. She slowed her pace ever so slightly, dropping back from Garrett's side so she could walk beside the girl.

"What's wrong now, kitten?"

Merrill's petite brow furrowed, her brilliant green eyes clouded with obvious confusion. She shot a hesitant look up at Isabela's face, then glanced away quickly, renewing her intense focus upon the cobbled ground of Hightown.

"I shouldn't bring it up… It's rather personal."

A statement which only served to increase Isabela's enthusiasm for the conversation.

"Since when has that bothered me?"

"Personal matters are the only thing she enjoys talking about." Varric muttered.

She laughed delightedly. "That's because they're so much fun." She glanced back down at the Elven Mage, giving her a small nudge with her elbow. "Come on Merrill. Let's hear it." She coerced.

"Oh… I don't know…" Merrill stalled nervously.

"Come on…" Isabela gave her sweetest you-can-trust-me smile.

"Okay then. I was just thinking… You weren't telling me the truth…"

Hawke laughed softly from up ahead. "You're just realizing this now?"

"Hey!" Isabela shot back, grinning despite herself. Have to stop smiling at him. She reminded herself. If you don't watch yourself Isabela you're going to…

"You're in love with Hawke."

"W-what?" She cried out, jerked violently away from her thoughts. Then she started laughing. "Oh no kitten. You have the wrong idea. Hawke and I are just…" She trailed off, realizing Hawke's tawny eyes were now focused intently upon her. "Well… We're just…"

"Oh! I know you're doing...that." Merrill quickly interjected. "That's not what I mean. It's just that you… Well you stare at him. When he's not looking, I mean. You sort of watch him, smiling a little. I can see it in your eyes. You love him."

"I…That's ridiculous!" Isabela spluttered.

"I'm just confused because you said that you didn't fall in love."

"I didn't… I haven't… I…"

"You're blushing Rivaini." Varric commented in amusement.
"I am not!" Isabela exploded.

Hawke began laughing then, making her feel even more ill at ease. He gave his charming crooked smile to Merrill.

"Isabela watches me because I asked her to watch my back. That's all there is to it." He assured her.

Merrill didn't look convinced, but she nodded her head. Partly, Isabela was convinced, because the girl hero-worshiped Hawke and never wanted to argue with him.

"Come on Merrill." Varric said. "I see an interesting trinket store up ahead."

Isabela waited until the dwarf and the elf had sauntered away before turning nervously back to Hawke. He grinned at her, stepping forwards to pull her into his arms. She sighed softly as his lips met hers, leaning into his chest and wondering how it was even possible that she could feel this intensely for a man. She was beginning to worry that when she finally found the relic, she wouldn't be able to simply run away and never look back like she'd intended too.

"Mmm." She murmured, as he broke off their kiss. "You smell good."

"The perks of living in Hightown." He returned.

"About what Merrill said…"

Garrett silenced her with another searing open-mouthed kiss.

"It's like I said. We watch each other's back."

She smiled up at him, her heart thudding a little faster in her chest as she considered what it might actually be like if Garrett Hawke was in love with her.