Hello all, just as a pre-warning I wanted to throw it out there that this is my first attempt at fanfic and I ask that you all bear with me. I'm trying my best to keep this moving at a reasonable pace. I want to thank everyone that has stopped by so far to give this a read!

Also, Bioware owns everthing...I just like to muck around with it!

"Maker's Breath!" Alistair cursed as he bolted upright and ran a shaky hand through his hair. His mind reeled in the darkened quarters but he was acutely aware of the smaller body next to him gasping as though it would never draw a proper breath again. He ran his hands over his face to rid it of the sweat beading there and to try violently scrubbing away what still lingered of the nightmare. It clung to him like the fine sheen of sweat that coated his limbs. He felt her writhing beside him and knew she too was trying to claw her way out of the dream that felt all too real for them both.

He turned to face her and found himself staring into Alyssan's bewildered eyes and beautiful face, both still swimming with the horror of the nightmare. His hands immediately found purchase in her disheveled locks and he dragged her roughly to his bare chest.

"Aly," he whispered, hugging her tightly to him in an attempt to soothe her mind as well as his own. "It's over, love. Please breathe."

She nearly sobbed but choked it back refusing to let it affect her like she had during those many nights during the blight at camp. She willed the tears to stay put and gathered her thoughts before speaking. "It's been two years, will they never stop? I thought this was supposed to get easier."

Alistair sighed as he stroked her hair. "I cannot answer honestly, as I truly don't know. What I do know is that it is supposed to get better. " It pained him to know that he did not have the answers to give her. Even though he had only been a Warden for six months before she joined the order, he felt that he should have asked more questions, been more attentive. Perhaps if he had, he would have the answers that she so desperately needed now.

Alyssan Cousland snorted in derision against his neck and he smiled knowing that she was steeling herself and bringing the fierce fighter that was as quick with her tongue as a well made blade to the forefront. This was yet another reason he loved her so deeply.

It had been a year since they had made the journey to Vigil's Keep in the Arling of Amaranthine to rebuild the Grey Wardens of Ferelden and two since the slaying of the Archdemon. Even after all of that time they still had the terrible dreams that came with having the taint coursing through their veins. He deemed that it was a small price to pay in comparison to what could have happened that night atop Fort Drakon. The dreams still came, not with the frequency or ferocity they did during the blight, but enough still to remind them of their true purpose as Wardens.

Alistair's hands drifted to her shoulders as he finally released her from his crushing embrace. She eyed him balefully, instantly missing the heat and comfort that came from being enveloped in his muscular arms. With a lopsided grin and the quirk of his perfect golden eyebrow he gestured to the double paned window across from them. "Looks like a few more hours until sunrise," he mused, "and I suddenly find that I am no longer interested in sleep."

Alyssan narrowed her emerald eyes. "You act as though you woke only because I was trashing about…you had the dream as well!" she accused, jabbing a calloused finger into his chest. "I'm sure it was just the same as mine, yet now you jest as though that isn't the case!"

His grin widened as he grabbed her small hand and brought it to his lips, brushing her knuckles with a kiss. "If your dream contained a disturbing lack of cheese then yes, my dear. The blatant absence of dairy products was just awful," he gasped in mock horror. She snatched her hand away from him long enough to smack him on the shoulder before he pushed her over and pinned her with his body in two precise movements.

"Do tell me that this is some sort of advanced Templar training you are attempting to instruct me in" she giggled, unable to hide the desire darkening her eyes.

"Of course. Work always comes before play." he growled before crushing her mocking lips with his heated kiss.