Hawke found herself wandering Kirkwall late one night. She thought it to be very peaceful, even if it could be quite dangerous. She had already made her way into Hightown, with her arms over her head just thinking. She hasn't had anything to do for about a month, and even if this disturbed her plans for the expedition, she couldn't help but be grateful for the break. Thanks to Meeran and Varric, she was able to raise about thirty-seven sovereigns from various treks her companions made throughout the city and its outposts. Hawke vaguely wondered why her companions still decided to stick around. Even Fenris. Hawke shivered when she thought of his name; she didn't know what to think of him.

"The markets are closed." said a gruff voice beside her, interrupting her thoughts. "Come back tomorrow."

One of Aveline's guards were staring at her through his helmet, obviously suspicious. He had a tight fist around the hilt of his sword, daring Hawke to do something.

"Don't be silly, my good man." Hawke said looking at him. "I'm not here to shop."

"You are in the Hightown market." the guard continued, his eyes looking her over with an obvious distaste. No, Hawke didn't have the most expensive clothes, but she did alright. "Do not dally about. Leave."

Hawke looked at him and raised an eyebrow, "I wouldn't touch a guard on the behalf of Serah Aveline, the Guard-Captain. But if I was a malicious person, I would give you such a spanking."

Smiling more broadly at the guards lack of words, she jogged away feeling satisfied. By herself again, her thoughts returned to Fenris. She had watched him closely the past few weeks, whether by choice or not, she did not know. He was a unique and formidable warrior, very effective on the battlefield and while his demeanor did not show it, he learned to work well with the others. Fenris's relations with her companions, including herself, were guarded at best; spoke only when spoken to, and voiced an opinion that he deemed useful when necessary, which, funnily enough, was whenever Anders was around. He would sit a few feet from the others, quietly observing them, and watching…for something. Fenris was incredibly paranoid. Hawke has more than once, met his eye, but he never turned away first. She could have sworn that something changed when he looked at her, but he would politely incline his head just so, and Hawke would move her eyes in a different direction, away from his gaze. She couldn't stand that stare, not without feeling quite out of her element. That curious feeling she had in the pit of her stomach and recently grown in the past few months and she was starting to hate it.

Hawke was also fully aware of Isabela's intention to bed him; Isabela never tried to hide this, but she seemed incredibly determined with Fenris. It appeared, Fenris was the only one she had not been successful with, and this could not tolerated, but Hawke could understand the want, in this instance. Hawke was impressed with his skill and his dedication, and his markings, his hair, his eyes…Hawke shook herself mentally, wiping the thoughts from her head. It almost seemed futile, when Fenris would fold his arms across his chest and ignore Isabela's advances with a straight face. He would look at her, with a courteous stare sometimes, even bringing out a smile on his face, listening to her flirtations, and even allowed Isabela to touch him, on the shoulder or the arm. Fenris seemed almost flattered at the attention he was given, but he was often quick to remove her hands, which she took as another invitation to tease. Hawke had to laugh at Isabela; she must have a thousand tricks under that chemise of hers, Hawke thought smiling to herself.

Varric liked the elf, but Hawke believed that was just Varric. He got along with everyone and was wise enough not to put himself in the middle of the politics that often became heated arguments between her friends, again, Anders. "It's a lot of humans in skirts…I get them mixed up.", he once said. Varric often spoke to the elf, however, in an effort to have him join in with the rest of the gang, he had even successfully gotten Fenris to join a game of Diamondback. Hawke wasn't sure how he did it.

The mages, Merrill, her sister, and especially Anders were wary of him, convinced he would turn them in as soon as he got the opportunity. Hawke wasn't sure herself when they voiced their concerns, but she had to believe that he wouldn't. Hawke had spoken to Fenris about her trust and he certainly had plenty of chances, and she told Merrill and Anders so, but they seemed unconvinced, save for Bethany, who was only cautious because that was her nature. Hawke had to admit her surprise at Bethany and Fenris' relationship, though; they got along well enough, and avoided subjects such as blood magic, which they both highly disregarded as inherently evil. Merrill tried having conversations with him, perhaps simply because he was an elf and felt they had something in common, but he refused flatly to say anything to her. Anders and Fenris never got along, it is also where most of the arguments began after the two say some sort of indignant comment of blood mages or mage oppression.

Aveline who often said she didn't get to the Hanged Man as often as she wanted to, seem to be the voice of reason, if anything. She often said she believed in the guard; it is what Kirkwall depended on. The fight between the Templars and the Circle were the extreme ends of a spectrum and she refused to believe both were right, but believed furiously in the guard. "If it's family, your protect. Doesn't matter who it is, blood or not," she told Hawke one night after another bout had ended and Anders had stalked out, irritated. Hawke thanked the Maker for Aveline.

Hawke walked until she stood in front of the Amell estate. This was not the first time she wandered here, settling herself in a happy little fantasy that she had concocted up for herself. Her eyes followed the long columns outside of the empty house, wandering what it might look like with her family's crest on it. Dead vines crept up the sides of the home covering the windows and door. Not welcoming at all, but she could ignore this when she imagined what she could do for it when she saw the expedition fall through. If she saw the expedition fall through, she sighed, thinking about how much coin she had.

"Hawke."

Hawke would know that voice anywhere. It was deep and soft, but clear. She turned her head and smiled, "Hello, Fenris."

Fenris gave her a nod as he walked board her from the shadows

"How are you?" Hawke asked, glad he didn't know what she was thinking, "Is it often you wander at night?"

"It's peaceful." Fenris replied, standing in front of her and surveying her. "Less accusations of me stealing. Back again, I see?"

Hawke raised an eyebrow. "Have you been following me, Fenris?"

"I don't deny it." Fenris replied, straight-faced. "It can be dangerous running through here at night."

"I am capable of taking care of myself."

Fenris gave her a small smile and there was a flutter in Hawke's stomach.

"Why haven't you shown yourself before?" Hakwe asked to change the subject. She began to walk with him, away from the estate.

"I thought privacy is what you wanted." Fenris replied sounding slightly surprised. "You don't seem to have much of it when we're all together. Your attention is often sought out amongst the others."

"I don't mind the company too much." Hawke replied with a shrug. "It's with good people."

"Perhaps." Fenris replied.

"So, why show yourself now? Something on your mind?"

"You…could say that." Fenris replied hesitantly.

"Tell me."

Hawke waited until Fenris continued but he said nothing as they walked. He seemed to be formulating something in his mind, unable to put it into words. They eventually found themselves in front of his mansion. Fenris opened the door and invited Hawke to follow. She did, and continued following him as he led her to the upper floor again. Hawke had noticed he had moved some things around, like the old human remains and a few shelves, but not much else. It looked as if he tried to clean the place up but decided against it. There was silence as he started a fire in the room and she contemplated him, sitting on a bench that faced the fireplace. She enjoyed watching him, she realized, then. Fenris's muscles, strong and powerful on the battlefield, denied his movements now. She enjoyed how fluidly he moved, how soft his actions were in everything he did. Hawke knew she was staring but could not help herself.

"I saw something before I found Anso in Kirkwall, Hawke." Fenris suddenly said, sitting beside her gazing into the now blazing fire. "It disgusted me."

"What did you see?" Hawke asked, looking at him, feeling concerned.

"Hunters were after me. Someone had given me away." Fenris shook his head, his hair falling over his face as he stood up. "I knew it for days, but I had become lazy, or I was becoming wary of the pursuit. Either way, I didn't know who gave me up, but I saw it in the eyes of the patrons in the tavern. Whatever meager possessions I had, I wrapped them in a bundle and jumped out the window of a room I rented."

"I saw…" Fenris continued, sighing as he lifted his hands to the fire. "An elf, a derelict, sleeping in the street with rats." He made a face. "When I escaped Danarius, I believed elves to be free. I was a fool. How did I know so many of my people would squander their freedom by living like frightened cattle? Was I to wear the meager clothes humans expected us to wear, run off with the rebellious clans, taking whatever scraps were given, or fight?"

"You decided to fight." Hawke answered him.

"I've always fought." Fenris told her in a low voice. "City after city, Danarius' hunters thought to pin me, and I've always managed to escape. I traveled the streets at night to learn about dark corners and I learned to listen. I enjoyed killing those dogs." Fenris turned and sat beside Hawke again, "There was a time I thought I was going to die. One particular slaver had a nasty scar on his neck-which I gave him; I thought he perished, but alas, that was not the case. He was out for revenge."

"And you survived."

"Yes." Fenris looked at her, then. He paused turning away from her again, "I…am afraid, Hawke."

Hawke said nothing as she looked at him. She wondered what it was like to constantly look over one's shoulder, fear death in every corner. People were always after her, but most of the time it was deliberate because she provoked it.

"Fenris, if it's protection you want, you have it." Hawke told him eventually, trying to come to a conclusion of what he wanted. "There is no need to ask. You can't do everything by yourself."

"It is what I have always done." Fenris said, stiffly. He relaxed slightly. "I…thank you. I suppose my pride got in the way of my judgement."

"Happens to the best of us." Hawke said standing, yawning. "Well, it's late, I should be getting back."

"I will accompany you." Fenris said rising to his feet.

"You don't have to..."

"I would like to." Hawke blinked at this, feeling that weird sensation again. She swallowed and nodded her head, his eyes watching her carefully.

It was comfortable silence as the two of them walked into Lowtown. Hawke was aware of Fenris' every footstep beside her, she noticed his scrutinizing peers through the streets and dark alleyways, and she was also conscious of how their hands would inevitably touch at times as their arms swayed. These feelings continued to creep through her and were unrelenting. Hawke continued to remind herself, for the sake of her mother and Bethany, she would not and could not give in to whatever this strange feeling that was slowly overcoming her; it was a silly, internal struggle that she had hoped was not apparent on her face. Before she knew it, they were in front of Gamelen's hovel.

"Thank you, Fenris." Hawke said, plastering a smile on her face and looking at him. She reached behind her for the handle, before turning to him and clearing her throat.

Fenris looked at her, strangely, a way she had never seen before, a small half-smile on his face. She didn't know what to think as she stared at him, her heart thumping, unaware she was slowly backing away from him. Then he did something that was completely unexpected, surprising her. Fenris slowly reached up and ever so gently touched her cheek; she could feel the rough callouses on his hands. Hawke was also very aware how close his face was to hers and he was inching closer. Hawke could feel her heart pumping even more rapidly, and wondered vaguely if he could hear it. She wasn't entirely sure how to respond to his advances; her mind was alternating between rational and irrational decisions.

However, she didn't have to come to one.

"I'm sorry, Hawke." Fenris said softly, taking a sudden step away from her. "I don't know what came over me."

"It's all right." Hawke said dryly. "I…" I, what, she thought to herself.

"I will take my leave." Fenris said with an incline of the head, and hurriedly disappeared into the shadows of Lowtown.

Hawke tried to say "wait" and "don't leave", but they were stuck in her throat. With a sigh, she turned to face Gamlen's door, and smacked her head against it before turning the handle.

A few days later, Hawke was in Hightown's market looking through supplies when she heard a sudden commotion. She looked up and saw a Kirkwall city guard post something on a column. Hawke watched as a sudden slew of people gazing around it talking rather anxiously. She elbowed and pushed her way through the crowd to read it the announcement. Quickly, she ripped the parchment off the column and ran to the Keep.

"Aveline!" Hawke shouted into the barracks. Hundreds of heads turned to look in her direction but she ignored them. "Aveline!" she said again waving the paper around.

Aveline ran out looking around, when she saw Hawke she sighed, motioning her into the office. "Of course it's you, Hawke."

Hawke slammed the parchment on her desk as they walked in. "The Viscount's son is missing!"

Aveline closed her door and stared at Hawke as she walked to her desk. "It's nothing to be happy about, Hawke."

"No, no, no." Hawke said said shaking her head. "You misunderstand. Of course, it isn't happy for him, or the Viscount, but it's good for us! We could use the money!"

Aveline sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "Hawke, sometimes I wonder about your true morals. Someone's life could be at stake, and all you can rave about is how much coin you might make off of it."

"Aveline, you know my priorities are Bethany and mother." Hawke said, looking her straight in the eye, her smile becoming a frown. "I will do whatever it takes to get the Amell estate back, if it would allow my mother and sister to be happy again."

Aveline stared hard at her for a moment, then softened her gaze. "I know, Hawke." she sighed. "Let's speak with Seneschal Bran. He would know more."

"Thank you, Aveline."

They made their way up to the opposite stairs and saw a woman that Hawke had recognized from another encounter. She also remembered not liking this woman at all.

"…Insist if you must, but Viscount Dumat will see no one." said an annoyed Bran to a very fidgety Ginnie. "If you've news of Seamus, I will relay it to him."

The woman glared at him then said with a slight mock in her voice. "Fine. Tell Dumat that my scouts have tracked the boy and his Qunari captors to the Wounded Coast. I'm taking a full company after them and when I return, I expect him to make a full show of the reward."

Bran looked at her, uneasiness playing in his eyes and said, "So many to deal with the Qunari seems…excessive."

"He may be Tal'Vashoth." Ginnie said walking away. "The Winters leave nothing to chance." She stormed off only to yell at Hawke and Aveline to get out of her way.

Bran closed his eyes and saw Hawke looking at him expectantly. He sighed and said rather impatiently. "Yes, what is it?"

"If this is about a rescue, that woman is not the type." Hawke began walking toward him.

"She is the type I feared it would attract." Bran folded his arms, looking at her and Aveline up and down, clearly not liking what he saw. "As I've told the others, Viscount Dumat's son is missing. We suspect he was taken by a Qunari. If you would like to try your hand in returning him safely and intact, you may. I have certainly not sent out any exclusivity to the Winters and their violent approach."

"Aren't there any suspicions of his absence?" Hawke asked with a raised eyebrow.

Bran furrowed his eyebrows. "Why? What have you heard?"

Hawke shrugged. "Nothing. Until now."

Bran sighed again, placing a hand to his chin. "Nothing is known. He is gone. With sightings of a Qunari. The only complication is that Seamus always had a…sympathetic mind. He might have placed himself in danger, but it is danger, nonetheless."

"The Qunari are not wild in the city. " Aveline pointed out. "Petition them for the boy's safe return."

"The Arishok," Bran said with a bit of distaste in his voice, "says it is not for him to deal with. Apparently, this group are rebels, the Tal'Vashoth, who are hunted anyway."

Hawke looked at him, then at Aveline, back to Bran. "The boy will be home soon enough. Ready the reward."

"Declare it all you like." Bran said tiredly, rubbing his palms into his eyes. "The reward will go to for the safe return of Seamus, a conversation you might want to have with the Winters, should you encounter them. On the Wounded Coast." With that, he turned around and walked through a heavy set of double doors.

"Well, Hawke, there's your answer." Aveline said to her as a loud shunt of barred doors thumped behind them.

"And of course, the Tal'Vashoth." Hawke said, grimacing. "I think I've had enough of Qunari and Tal'Vashoth for a lifetime."

"Do you know that woman?" Aveline asked her as they made their way back to the barracks.

"And why would you think that?" Hawke said, falling into Aveline's chair when she opened the door to her office.

Aveline raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, I do. She's called Ginnie. She used to work for Meeran." Hawke sighed, "Not a very nice lady."

"Hmph, well, I appreciate you doing this, Hawke," Aveline said, shuffling papers around, "whatever the reason."

Hawke winked, "Would you like to join me, Aveline? Captain of the Guard saves Seamus, Viscount Dumat's son!"

"Of course." Aveline said with a smile. "Gather the others and I'll see you at the Docks."

Hawke, Aveline, Merrill, and Fenris made their way to the Wounded Coast without much incident. Hawke found it extremely unnerving.

"It feels so unnatural here." Merrill stating how Hawke felt. "Something is terribly wrong."

"It's almost like we're the only ones alive on this bloody coast." Aveline commented. "As if we don't belong."

"I'm half expecting the Tal'Vashoth to attack us at any moment." Hawke replied, looking over the hills. "But even they're not here."

"Hawke." Fenris said.

Hawke turned her head and noticed his rather close presence. It was not as close as that one faithful night, in fact, Fenris seemed keen on keeping his distance from her. Although, she was also deliberately avoiding him; asking Varric to relay messages of possible missions he'd might want to be part of and Varric wisely avoided asking questions. Hawke knew she was being childish, but she also knew that seeing him again might put her mind in a frenzy, and what would be the consequences of that during battle? Her leadership would falter and that was dangerous.

Unfortunately, Hawke did not have much choice as of now.

Fenris was pointing further down the coast at an inlet that held a maze of rocks. Hawke squinted her eyes as she followed his arm down toward the beach.

"That looks like that Winter woman we had met." Aveline said slowly, following her gaze.

"Ginnie." Hawke said, annoyed. "Seamus had better be alive, for her sake. And mine."

Hawke led the others to a fast jog down the coast and saw Ginnie slicing the neck of a Tal'Vashoth. Hawke watched as Seamus, a young boy of jet black hair, fell to his knees. Scared that he might have been killed as well, Hawke broke into a sprint.

"And the world is rid of one last Qunari." Ginnie said nastily. "Easier than I expected." She turned her head to other hunters standing around. "Call the men back. We have an appointment with the Viscount. Isn't that right? Seamus."

"Ashaad! You killed him!" Seamus said with despair. His face turned angry. "You…you, bitch!"

"Bitch?" Ginnie said, sounding amused. "See? That's why you need to be dragged home. If you've played too nice with those things, I'll wager you've gone even further than that, haven't you, brat?"

Hawke stood in front of Seamus, surprising Ginnie. "A little rough for a rescue, don't you think?"

"Hawke." Ginnie said shortly, recovering. "Competition…? Well, you're too late. The Winters-I-have already claimed him."

"Serah," Seamus was looking back at Hawke. "if I must go back, so be it. But I will not see these murderers rewarded."

"Spoiled little shit!" Ginnie cried out, making Seamus quiver, raising her arm. "I'll cut out your tongue and charge extra for bringing you back quiet!" She pulled out her daggers and looked at Hawke. "And as for you, I can do with a little entertainment while we wait for the others!"

"You talk too much." Hawke yelled, before she kicked her in the stomach, disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

Ginnie was still coughing when Hawke came from behind and kicked her legs from under her. Ginnie grunted as she landed, and spitting out sand, she stood up, her weapons drawn. From the corner of her eye, she saw her friends attacking her other men, Fenris' cry, echoing in her ears.

"Time for a little duel." Hawke said with an excited smile to Ginnie.

Ginnie yelled out and jumped int the air her blades over her head to come down on Hawke, but she was ready. Hawke rolled out of the way, hearing Ginnie land with a thud. Growling, her attacker stood up, her blades swinging dangerously close to Hawke's face. She brought up her weapons just in time, stopping one of Ginnie's blades from slicing her arm off. With a strenuous grunt, Hawke pushed Ginnie back and with one dagger, twisted one of Ginnie's weapons out of her hand. For a moment, they both looked at each other, until Ginnie reached for a boot and pulled out a throwing knife, aiming it for Hawke's face. She dodged it, but just barely, as she heard the whistling of the dagger by her ear. She felt a heavy shove, and landed hard on her back, her weapons falling from her hands. She opened her eyes as she felt a boot step heavily onto her chest. She saw Ginnie with a very satisfying smile on her face as she drew up her daggers, ready to kill. With one swift motion, Hawke twisted her body and with all her might rammed her elbow into Ginnie's knee, making her buckle under her weight and fall backward. Hawke than rolled away, took up her weapon and stabbed it right into Ginnie's heart.

"Dead and good riddance." said Seamus, breathing heavily as he made his way over to Hawke. "But she said she was waiting for more. A lot more."

Hawke nodded, looking at him. "Strip the camp, we'll ready them a fitting welcome."

Another battle was taking place, but none, it seemed, as skilled as Ginnie was, and the battle was easily fought. The four of them bested their attackers one by one, without so much as a sweat. It was not long before it was over.

"Oh, Andraste." Seamus said looking around, his face turning green. "I've never seen so many corpses."

"Soil yourself later." Hawke said angry, pushing him down for cover. "There may be more."

There was. The left over Winters had come back, this time with a vengeance. More of them had come into the fray, and were flanking Hawke and her companions around the beach. However, they were not a match for them, and they too, were easily dispatched. When things had finally calmed down, Hawke walked over to Seamus who was presiding over a Tal'Vashoth body.

"Ashaad never lied. Never coddled." Seamus said falling to his knees. "You were worth his time, or you were not." He stood up slowly after he stared at the body for a few moments. "They are not the brutes others claim they are. Take me to my father, and I will try again to make him see."

"It's clear this was not your first encounter with this…Ashaad." Hawke said, looking at him, tears in his eyes.

"I met them, soon after their ship founded." Seamus sighed. "I had run again, to escape the keep and my father. Ashaad was to map the coast, to find an answer for the Arishok. I had so many doubts." he looked down. "Qunari have none."

"I confess, I am not sure what one does with a dead Qunari."

"The body is no longer him. And is worthy of no special treatment. That is, apparently, their way."

"Should his people be told?"

"They will know soon enough. Whether they will gain to acknowledge it, I have no idea. There was much of Ashaad that I did not understand, but it was so very worth trying."

Hawke looked at him with a sympathetic gaze. "Your father is waiting for you in the Keep."

"Than take me to him."

It was a quiet trek back to Kirkwall. Seamus hardly spoke, and the others left him alone. It was obvious how very miserable Seamus was, but there was nothing they could do about it now. Hawke did try.

"How are you, Seamus?" Hakwe asked him one night, as he sat gazing sadly into a fire. Merrill had draped a blanket over him for the cold, but he had hardly moved since then. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Serah Hawke, you've done everything you could." Seamus said, not looking at her. "For that, I owe you my life."

And that was all he would say. Hawke gave up, perhaps a bit to easily. She was certainly happy that he was still alive, but she was also happy about the coin she was going to receive.

"Father." Seamus said walking through the door of Viscont Dumat's office.

"Son! I thought I lost you." Dumat said looking extremely relieved. He was a tall man, with a spiked crown on his bald head. He had bright blue eyes and a kind face that looked as if he hasn't slept in days. Which, Hawke reminded herself, he probably hasn't.

"Enough, Father." Seamus said, tiredly.

There was an awkward moment of silence until Seneschal Bran spoke up. "Allow me to present a one Serah Hawke, you excellency. She fulfilled the bounty."

Duman looked at her under scrutiny, probably trying to figure out what sort of person she was. He nodded his head, then, "You have my gratitude. I hope you did not encounter any great difficulty on my son's behalf."

"There were…complications." Hawke said giving a side-long glance at Seamus. "But I was privileged to keep your son from harm."

"I was told the Winters had involved themselves." Dumat responded, looking at her, then turning to his son. "Was there no way to avoid an incident?"

"They murdered my friend." Seamus spoke up folding his arms in anger. "Where is the concern for that?"

Duman looked at him stonily. "It was my understanding you were captured alone. Foolishly traipsing about the coast as you do."

"I was not captured." Seamus retorted. "I was with Ashaad. The Qunari. They are not monsters to be feared. If you would just try to understand, others will see as well-"

"Better that you were abducted, than have suspicions in my own family!" The Viscont responded with his hands in the air. "Benign or not, this is too much."

"I think I've heard enough." Hawke interrupted, putting up her hands. "This is clearly not my affair."

A pause.

"Thank you, for all your help, Serah Hawke." The Viscount finally said, turning to her. "The Seneschal will see you out and hand you your bounty."

Forty-one sovereigns, she repeated to herself, forty-one sovereigns. Only nine more.

"How long are you going to fiddle with you bag, sister?"

Hawke looked up and saw Bethany's face resting on her hand as she sat at the desk in their bedroom. "We're almost there, Bethany. Almost."

"We'll have the coin before you know it." her sister paused before speaking again. "Sister, I wanted to ask you something..."

"What about?" Hawke said, placing her money bag in a locked chest for safe-keeping. No telling Gamlen might try to sneak in and steal it.

"Fenris."

The key Hawke was using to lock the chest fell onto the floor with a loud clink. Hawke quickly bent down to pick it up and hastily fit the key into the lock once again. "What about him?"

"You're hiding something from me, Sister." Bethany said, standing. "I can see it on your face."

Hawke shook her head. "It's only the wrinkles forming between my brow because of your absurd questioning."

Bethany placed a hand on her sister's shoulder and forced Hawke to look at her, an eyebrow raised.

"All right, all right." Hawke said with a sigh, as she sat on her bed. She proceeded to tell Bethany about the night she had spent with Fenris that ended quite uncomfortably as Bethany listened quietly.

"That's so romantic." Bethany said with a small, happy sigh.

Hawke made a face at her. "It was completely awkward and unexpected."

"Isn't that what love is?" Bethany said, her face lit up."Don't you remember the story about mother and father meeting? She was betrothed to that noble from Orlais, but ended up with an apostate and had his children! How strange is that?"

"I think you're reading too much into this…"

"You should speak with him again." Bethany said pulling Hawke off the bed pushing her toward the door.

"I thought you didn't like him." Hawke said, surprised.

"He's still flesh and blood." Bethany said firmly. "Mage-hating or not, he has feelings. As do you, if I recall."

"Bethany." Hawke started, trying to resist her pushes. She was out of the bedroom now and in the main room, her mother and Gameln staring at them, bewildered. "I've no idea where he could possibly be. For all I know, he'll be on a rooftop somewhere, spitting on unsuspecting passerby."

"Sister," Bethany warned, opening the front door and pushing her out. "if you don't, then I will tell Varric. Imagine the juicy gossip he'd have after that."

"You wouldn't!" Hawke said, startled, staring at her. "He already gossips about my other exploits, why must my personal relations be involved?"

"I've warned you." Bethany said with a wave of her finger. "Now, make the right choice!"

With that, she slammed the door.

Hawke pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to ignore the headache forming. She sighed and looked around. The sky was growing dark, and she vaguely wondered whether Fenris was the type to spit on unsuspecting passerby, but she had to laugh at herself for that. Hawke's smile though, turned quickly into a frown as she glumly walked down the stairs away from Gamlen's hovel, asking herself what, in bloody Andraste's name, was she going to speak to Fenris about. She continued to walk on, passing the Hanged Man, not in the mood for Isabela's innuendos or Varric's stories. Hawke saw the shops closing for the night, some calling out to her to ask whether she wanted to make any last-minute purchases. She shook her head, or ignored the inquisitions as she passed the merchants and wandered up the long stairs heading for Hightown.

Hawke was certainly taking her time, as she walked slower and slower coming into Hightown. She hadn't been here at night for awhile, which was deliberate. She was avoiding Fenris, obviously. Hawke had always kept certain relations with others behind her head, believing she would never have the time, but with Fenris, her feelings for Fenris were stronger and different than she had ever felt, and was almost desperate to act on them. Hawke's priorities have always been her family ever since her father died, and in that aspect, she believes she had failed because Carver is dead. Who was Hawke to think she could possibly hold any sort of romantic relation with anyone, when her family was her primary concern? How dare she have feelings for another individual when she had obviously failed in her duties to protect what she already holds dear? Like Carver...

Hawke cursed her sister for convincing her she could hold such a delusion and was ready to turn around and berate her sister when she felt a powerful shoulder push her to the side. She lost her balance and fell. When she could focus again, she looked up and saw Fenris surrounded by multiple raiders. Gasping, she reached behind into her pack and pulled out three smoke grenades. With all her might, Hawke threw them at the bandits, yelling a warning to Fenris who ducked and weaved out of harm's way. She was already near him as he came out of the smoke, the thieves still coughing from the surprise attack. It was clear where he was from the shining light of his lyrium brands.

"Come on!" Hawke called out to him, taking his hand and going on a sprint. "I don't have enough to take them all and you're not wearing any protection. You don't even have a weapon! " She looked at him in surprise. "Aveline's guards will take care of them."

Hawke and Fenris ran to a darkened area by a large courtyard and looked back. Already they could see the city guard doing their job in dealing with the attackers. Hawke and Fenris continued running, partly to escape and partly for the fun of it. Eventually they had stopped, against wall, panting and breathing heavily. They slid down and sat to catch their breath, then looked at each other for a moment before Hawke laughed out loud and Fenris chuckled.

"Thank you, Fenris." Hawke said when she finally caught her breath. "That's the second time you've saved me…from myself. Or was that the third?"

"You attract danger, it seems." Fenris replied sounding amused. "I'm glad I was there to resolve the issue."

They were silent as the dusk sky was beginning to be littered with starts. It was a peaceful night as they watched the purples and reds disappear into black.

"Might I ask what you were doing here all alone?" Fenris asked, when the sun was somewhere under the horizon. "You're a bit far from the Amell Estate."

Hawke looked at him, realizing where she was. The attack was somewhere right outside of Denariu's old mansion. "Did you see me, then?"

"I did." Fenris said with a nod. "Had I not, you would have been badly wounded."

Or dead. Hawke thought. "I was just…wandering, distracted."

"You looked extremely preoccupied. It is not like you." Fenris stood up then and offered a hand for Hawke to take.

Hawke took it, feeling his hand, and wishing to hold on to it. However, he brought it back and noticing the coast was clear, he began walking into the open air, heading for his mansion.

Hawke watched him walk away, her thoughts battling against each other, and she wasn't sure who was going to win. What was she to do, what could se do. She hesitated, waiting for some sort of reason. She felt like such a little girl.

"Fenris, did you try to kiss me?" Hawke called out, acting on impulse. She was close to bringing her hand to her mouth, close to wishing time would turn back, but no, she thought, what's done is done.

Hawke watched Fenris stop walking and stiffened. He turned around very, very slowly, his head slightly bowed, but his eyes watching her, in horror or surprise, she couldn't tell. He said nothing but merely stared.

"Fenris?" Hawke repeated, a little more determined now. She took a single hesitant step foreword. "Did you try to kiss me?"

Fenris balked for a moment, but recovered, then. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and sighed softly. "I should not have acted on compulsion, and I apologize. It won't happen again." He turned and started to walk again.

"Fenris, stop moving." Hawke said, walking over to him.

He stopped, but he did not look at her. Hawke moved in front of him. Fenris was looking at the floor, his snowy hair obscuring his eyes. Ever so slowly, she brought up her hand to his arm and with her fingers lightly touched him on his hand. He quivered as he felt her, but did not move away. Feeling slightly more brave, Hawke's fingers traced up his arm, onto his shoulder, then his neck. She could feel his muscles tense, but still, he did not move away from her, which she found to be a good sign. Leaving one hand on his neck, Hawke slowly brought her other hand to move his hair out of his face so that she may see him properly. Fenris still did not look at her, nor did he turn his head, his gaze somewhere by her feet, he seemed almost embarrassed. With her heart dangerously in her throat, she stood on her toes, cupped a hand under his chin and brought her mouth up to his, her body pressed heavily against his.

It was quick and easy, but it surprised Fenris all the same. Hawke saw it in his eyes when she pulled back and he looked at her, confused and unsure. She sighed and rested her forehead against his chest, gripping his tunic between her fingers. The guilt she had felt before were showing their ugly faces in her mind again. All she could do was close her eyes and hope she was doing the right thing. She felt Fenris' arm slowly surround her as he pulled her in for a tight hug. She enjoyed his warmth and his strength; she could have stood there all night. She could feel his heart beating in her ear, as her head rested against his chest.

"You're the only one I've allowed to touch me, Hawke." Fenris said softly to her, barely a whisper. "It doesn't hurt when you're with me."

"Hurt?" Hawke asked looking at him, confused.

"The lyrium branded into my skin was very painful, so much so, I don't recall anything from my past. Even now, I feel the lingering pain as I try to control it." Fenris said bitterly. Hawke looked over at his markings and slowly traced his arm with her finger. His voice changed, however when he looked at her. "You, however, make me feel…at ease with it."

Fenris took his other hand and combed his fingers through her own short hair, giving her the half-smile she first saw that faithful night. He kissed her then, it was longer and more passionate, something she has been longing for, for a long time. As it turns out, so was he. It was awkward and hesitant at first, both seemingly out of practice, but they continued all the same. More than once, a kiss would end and soon after another ensued, even longer and even more passionate. Hawke half-dragged, half-followed Fenris back into the closure they had been in moments before. The stayed there for a long time, feeling and touching, talking and whispering, and just staying in each other's silent company, never letting go.