A/N: I don't know how long this will be, but my brain needs a well deserved break from DA2. Don't worry I will still finish it. I'm a multi-tasker. This is my tribute to Sten, our hunky Qunari from DA:O and a new Warden that I am making up out of the blue, so things will be different and I do not apologize for it.

I do not own Sten or the world. The concept of this Warden is mine, but the content belongs to Bioware.

Enjoy.

The ogre burst out of the tree line separating the group on opposite sides of the clearing. She went limp when Sten grabbed her and threw her back behind him, rolling she came up in a low crouch and was already running back at the ogre.

Charr howled. He charged the ogre running straight through its leg, wheeling around then snapping his jaws into the Ogre's calf. The beast howled and kicked at the dog. The Mabari refused to let go under any means, tearing a large chunk of flesh away when the force of the ogre's thrashing threw him.

Sten watched her run past him spear and sword in hand. She had a strange fighting style. Using a weapon with reach in combination with a melee weapon but she was effect with it. Granted if she wasn't hit. She didn't wear much in the way of armor, but she could evade most blows. She took advantage of the ogre being focused on the dog to charge up with Sten.

Sten bellowed a Qunari war cry "Anaan esaam Qun!" his mighty swing cutting a large gash into the side of the creature. The ogre turned and swung at him. It was a clumsy blow that he easily evaded by leaping back, but unfortunately it connected solidly with the Warden.

She took the blow directly to the face, neck and collar bone. The force of the blow dislocated her jaw, broke her collar bone and sent her flying straight at Sten. Twisting in mid-air she was able to land with her bare feet directly on his chest plate, using him as a spring board to launch herself straight back at the ogre spear leading.

Sten was suddenly surprised to see a half naked elven woman, suddenly on his chest. The scent of saffron and spice flooded his nose and reminded him of home. He also got a very good look at her legs and rear. The mixture of smells and sights left him momentarily dazed. When he regained his composure she was standing on her spear which was embedded in the ogre's back and stabbing down with her sword into the ogre's neck.

He charged forward gaining a hard blow to the ogre's gut at the same time she had jumped off it's back and using her body weight slit him from ear to ear. He heard a pop followed by her grunting when she reset her jaw. He could clearly see where her collar bone was broken.

"Sten." Her voice was slightly slurred do to the soreness of her jaw. He looked at her but otherwise didn't say anything. "I need you to push this back into place. "

He didn't even ask if she was ready. Walking up he braced her back against his arm and pushed the bone back into place eliciting a strangled cry from her. She slumped forward, her heading swimming from the pain. She would have fallen forward if he hadn't steadied her. Not even the darkspawn blood could cover the scent of saffron.

"We must return to camp." He retrieved his sword.

He watched her return from washing to the blood from herself. She was favoring her arm and her face was set in a set line of pain. She'd been short all evening with people. Wynne would not be able to help her until she rested but she was in no danger of dying just uncomfortable.

"You should just talk to her." Leliana commented on his staring.

He didn't respond. He looked away but found his gaze drawn back to where she was laying down. Without acknowledging what Leliana had said he rose going to the Warden's tent. She was laying with her eyes closed and her injured arm draped over her body.

"What can I do for you Sten?" she asked without opening her eyes.

"You can tell it was me by listening?" he asked, she could heard him kneeling.

"Sometimes by how you are breathing, besides shale you have the heaviest steps." She moved to sit up but felt resistance when he pushed her back down.

"Hold still." His voice was firm and left no room for protest not that she had the energy to anyhow.

She heard him shift again, then felt the coldness of the armor covering his knees against her head. She felt his strong fingers at the base of her jaw which elicited a grunt from her. Moving backward from there he kneaded his fingers into the pressure point. Hisses and grunts of pain ceased when the pain was relieved.

She opened her eyes making contact with his. He paused. She was pleasing to look at and there was something familiar about her too. She was closer to his heart than was wise.

"Thank you."

"You should not talk, Kadan." He could feel the heat coming off the injured joint.

She winced when he probed at it to see the extent of the damage. Lifting the corner of her tunic he inspected her shoulder.

"What is Sten doing?" Alistair asked Leliana.

She looked up and started giggling.

"What?" he asked.

"You are young, yes?" she asked.

He looked at her his brows furrowed in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?"

He was glad when she closed her eyes again, it was easier to focus then. She hissed when he began pushing on her collar bone to make sure it was set properly.

"Pashaara!" he whispered harshly.

"You try holding still when a muscle-bound giant is pressing on your broken bones!" she snapped, staring at him again.

He pushed down again and felt the pop of the bone shifting back into place which was accompanied by her strangled cry.

"OW!" she growled, blinking back the tears.

"You mewl like a newborn." Using a condescending tone to cover any trace of emotion he might have had for her.

"I am mewling?" she growled again when she sat up. "You have the hands of a dathrasi at feeding time!"

He inhaled sharply. They both glared at each other for a long time neither willing to break contact first.

"That's doesn't look good." Alistair said.

"I don't understand, "Leliana said "They were getting along so well." She sat back frowning.

Alistair gave her a sideways glance. "Getting along?" he asked "They either don't talk or they argue."

"Oh read between the lines, Alistair." Standing she went to play her lute.

The stare down went on for some time. Tiring of this game she broke contact first and abruptly, momentarily disorienting Sten. Standing him she was walking away.

"Warden, it is foolish to wander away in your condition."

Halting she turned and stalked back standing in front of him, even kneeling he was nearly her height.

"It is either Warden or Kadan, which one is it because I can't be both!" she snapped.

He just stared at her. Watching the muscles of her jaw clench and slacken, it must have painful. She had a very intense demeanor and she wasn't afraid to challenge him even injured, which garnered her a lot of respect. Kadan. Was what he thought but he didn't say anything.

"Warden." He answered.

She watched him back. Searching for something she didn't find. Not that she was surprised by it, a little hurt but she would never show it. Turning again she stalked away.

He remained there, sitting on his heels staring at her empty bedroll. She'd taken a blow meant for him, a blow he could have taken. He had not been aware that she was behind him, foolish. He had been distracted and that distraction had caused her injury.

"Vashaden!" he growled, coming to his feet he went to take his watch.

She felt Charr's head burrow under her good arm. Lifting her arm the hound laid his head on her lap. She sighed scratching his head.

"I know boy." She shook her head "and I left my healing salves back there." She sighed.

Charr whined at her, licking her hand.

She sighed, rubbing her face. "Yeah I like him too." Looking down at the hound "I just wish I knew where I stood. Kadan is not a title like, Warden, it's a feeling. " she shook her head "I am almost beginning to wish I'd never left Seheron. "

Charr whined at her again.

"No boy, you are a good reason to have left. A fine friend you are."

He barked at her happily.

She leaned against the hound using him as a pillow. Relaxed and comfortable, despite the aching pain in her shoulder and jaw, she found it easy to go to sleep.

Charr's ears twitched, raising his head he looked up at the dark skinned giant. Sten returned the hounds gaze, motioning for him to remain quiet. Sighing Charr laid his back down.

Kneeling, he was careful not to jostle her too much when he lifted her off the ground. He laid her gently on her bedroll, which he was thickened the padding with his own. He shook his head at his own foolishness. He sat on his heels watching her for some time. Reaching into a bag he carried he pulled out an Embrium flower he'd found earlier that day. He had originally gathered the plant for Wynne, though instead he left it laying next to her face.

"Kadan." He said softly.