A short little chapter. More to come I promise!

Stepping out of the tent, Cassandra squinted against the harsh light of the morning sun. It appeared a good portion of the camp was all packed and awaiting orders to move out. She found Alex leaning over a map spread out over a barrel with Cullen. Cassandra couldn't help but smile upon seeing Blackwall lingering a bit out of the way from the pair so no one would think twice about what he was doing. She knew the Warden was trying to remain as close to the Herald as he could without drawing attention.

She joined the two doing her best to ignore how winded she felt after such a short journey. "What's our next move?"

The Herald jolted at the sound of Cassandra's voice. She looked up surprised. "I didn't think you'd be on your feet so quickly."

Cassandra raised a brow. "Have you learned nothing about me in the last few months, Herald?"

"Well, I figured dropping a mountain on your head might slow you down." Alex smiled happily at her friend. "At this point, I think it would take a large army of Griffins to bring you down."

"Let's not test that theory please," Cullen politely asked. Resting a hand on the hilt of his sword, his gaze settled on the Seeker. She was still far too pale for his liking. He knew better than to try to get her to lay back down. "I'm not sure I can handle another scare anytime soon."

"Even if such creatures existed, I don't plan on finding such a battle." Wanting to chase the worry from his golden eyes, Cassandra broke out that smile she reserved just for him.

Groaning, Alex rolled her eyes in mock disgust. "Can you please refrain from jumping the Commander until we at least finalize our plans?"

Feeling bold after her brush with death, Cassandra held Cullen's gaze. "I'm not sure I can promise such a thing."

Cullen choked on air and flushed a deeper shade of red than his cloak. "I-er…Umm." He cleared his throat. "I'm going to, umm, brief someone." He pointed blindly over his shoulder. "Over there."

The heat in his parting look left Cassandra with a warmth no fire could reproduce. She felt her cheeks start to burn well aware plenty of people were watching their exchange.

"Minx," Alex grinned.

Wanting to advert the conversation, Cassandra glanced over the mage's shoulder. "Nice shadow."

Not it was Alex's turn to blush. "So…" She turned her attention back to the map. "About our plan."

Cassandra watched Alex trace a path on the parchment while she explained about the mythical Skyhold Solas spoke of. As plans weren't, it wasn't the best one but seemed to be the only option as they couldn't linger in the mountains any longer and there was nothing left of Haven to return to.

"So," Cassandra started. "I heard I missed a rousing rendition of a 'Dawn Will Come' while I was out cold."

Alex narrowed her eyes. "I rather not talk about it."

"Why?" Cassandra wondered. "They believe in you. Believe that-."

"And look at where that belief has gotten them," The mage muttered. "They lost their homes and loved ones. Now, we're stranded in the middle of the Frostback Mountains while facing a threat far greater than the Breach."

"You've given them hope, Alexandra," Cassandra shot back. "Hope of finding a new home. Hope that the Inquisition still stands. Hope that together, we can meet this new foe and vanquish it."

Alex shifted her weight from foot to foot unsure of herself under the Seeker's praise. The young woman looked up from the map. "Are you going to sing to me now?"

"Maker no."

"You're saying you don't believe in me?" The young woman asked in jest.

But Cassandra sobered and clasped her hand over Alex's shoulder. "I would follow you into the darkest depth of the fade without question."

Though she was fighting an overwhelming surge of emotions, the corner of Alex's lips twitched upward. "Still think you should sing."

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "I should've let the wolves eat you."

"Nah, you like me too much."

"Hmm, if you say so."

Alex squeezed Cassandra's arm. "Thank you, Cass."

"For what?"

"Facing death with me."

"Lex." Cassandra made sure to avoid using the mage's title. Cassandra wanted Alex to know she didn't just see her as a charge to protect because of the anchor. She didn't want her to think she didn't care. In truth, Cassandra cared deeply for the woman as if she was her sister. "It's like you said. I like you too much to leave you on your own to face such things. But, let's not do it again for at least another week or two. Maybe a month."

"Need time to break in our Commander?" Alex swore she heard Blackwall try to smother his laughter. She struggled to do the same. "I sure hope you're not going to wait too long to progress whatever the next step is for you two."

Cassandra glanced over her shoulder at Cullen. "I think dropping a mountain on my head knocked some sense into me and taught me time isn't guaranteed."

"Good."

"And you?" Cassandra settled her gaze back on Alex. She kept her voice low, "I believe we had a deal."

"I'm working on upholding my end," Alex softly assured. Being raised in a circle left her very little experience with men. And Blackwall was far from the man she conjured in her head all those lonely nights in the tower. He was a warrior and a bit older. She was deathly afraid of making a fool of herself in her attempts to pursue a relationship with him. "Baby steps."

For now, Cassandra wouldn't push. Blackwall wasn't the easiest man to read and hadn't made it exactly clear that he was interested in the mage. "When do we move out?"

"Within the hour." Alex began to roll up the map. "Go see your Commander before he bursts."

Cullen was waiting for her, beaming bright with a smile.

It made it next to impossible not to return it with one of her own. "What?"

"She looks up to you, you know."

"Of course, she does. I'm taller," Cassandra joked. A habit she seemed to be doing a lot more of recently. Alex must be rubbing off on her.

"I'm serious, Cassandra."

"I know. I can only hope I don't let her down."

"You were willing to die with her. I doubt there is a risk of that."

A bit uncomfortable with the current topic, Cassandra decided to change it. "Are you ready to move out?"

Even though it was a time, Cullen had to ask, "Are you sure you don't want to rest one more day? We can join the second wave setting off tomorrow."

The idea was tempting as she ached straight down to the bone and felt if someone breathed too hard, she'd fall over. But Cassandra would push through it. To be there with Alex in case she would need her blade. And despite the fact Cullen asked the question, Cassandra knew he understood that need. "No need to worry yourself over me, Commander."

"I'll always worry about you." Cullen stopped himself before he could brush his knuckles over her cheek. They were in the middle of camp and more than a few pairs of eyes were watching them. Talk had been stirring ever since the night he carried her from the blizzard.

Cassandra raised a brow. The Commander suddenly became anxious. "Cullen?"

Closing his eyes, he took a moment to drown out the ambient noise and focus on the sound of his name falling from her lips. Rolling in her Navarran accent, there was a softness to it causing a nice warm feeling to spread through his chest. "I would very much like to kiss you."

She let out a soft laugh. "Are you going to ask every time?"

"Well, no." Cullen clutched his hands at his side, desperate to touch. "But we are in camp."

"Shut up and kiss me, Cullen."

HE surged forward having every intention for it to be a light kiss. Then the next thing he realized, he had her face in his hands, crushing his mouth to hers. There was this need that lashed out and took hold, demanding more. Cullen felt her shift and afraid he was about to end up on his ass in the snow, he started to pull away. Cassandra let out a high pitch whine of protest and found her pressed fully against him, kissing him senseless. He tried to be gentle, but Cullen couldn't find it at the moment. He had this unfathomed thirst for her.

Gripping his wrist hard enough to bruise, Cassandra met him beat for beat. Lips, tongues and even teeth clashed as they attempted to devour one another. There was so much heat settling in the pit of her stomach making her year to have his hands all over her. And now, if it were possible.

Cullen caught her bottom lip between his teeth and drew away at her hiss of pleasure. He was hard and straining, fire coursing through his veins, leaving his head swimming. Cullen figured it showed great strength not to drag the Seeker from camp to find a nice and very secluded spot nearby.

"Well," Cullen started fighting to even his breathing. He didn't let her go. In fact, he pulled her tighter against him wanting her to feel how much he wanted.

Maker, he wanted.

He put all his concentration into the act of forming words. "If people weren't talking, they sure will be now."

Cassandra tilted her head back searching his flushed face. She wanted nothing more than for him to kiss her again. There was so much passion in his touch. So much need. "Does that bother you?"

"Having them all know you're mine? No."

"Then let them talk."

"Break it up you two!" Alex shouted across the camp. "Seeker, if you could peel yourself away from the Commander and find your armor, we're about to move out."

Snickering, she pressed her lips to his for another quick kiss.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

They didn't travel far that day as the map didn't exactly help navigate the terrain of the mountain range. Cullen sent a scouting party ahead to hopefully make the next day's journey easier. Then they began to set up the small number of tents they possessed. There would be lots of sharing until they came across natural structures to help protect them from the elements.

Cullen and the others set off to find enough fuel for a fire to get them through the night.

Dorian bent down to scoop up another piece of wood. It was damp, but finding a dry one in this snow proved futile. "That was some kiss. Guess the flower idea worked."

Cullen nearly frowned thinking his first romantic gesture, or his attempt rather was buried in the rubble of Haven. He'd have to replace it. This time it would be just the right flower. Even in such a cold tundra, there had to be a few in bloom.

"I must say it even got me hot under the collar." Dorian didn't need light to know the Commander was blushing. "There was so much heat. Passion. It was a wonder you two didn't burst into flames."

"Is there a point to all this teasing?"

"Only wondering why it's not Cassandra here with you so you two could take advantage of the solace."

Thinking about being with the Seeker caused Cullen's body to stir. He desperately longed to feel the female warrior come alive under his hands. Hear his name fall from her lips as he took her over the edge. Blight it! The mental image did nothing to calm his arousal. "It's not that simple."

"Do you need the birds and the bees talk, Commander?"

"I'm well versed in such things," Cullen growled.

"From what I understand is you two have been dancing around each other since Kirkwall. It's been nearly a year and you came close to losing her."

"Don't remind me."

"My point is, we are on a dangerous path. Who knows what tomorrow will bring."

"I know."

"And?"

Sighing, Cullen took a moment to pick up a large stick. "I'm a fucked-up man. I have dreams. A darkness inside me that I have to control. I need to control." It should feel odd bearing himself to the mage anger his turbulent history with them. "When I can't… Well…"

"You find the control," Dorian finished in understanding.

"And asking such a fierce and strong-willed woman like Cassandra to submit in those moments, seems like… I don't know, really." Utterly frustrated, Cullen let out a huff of breath. "I never even attempted a relationship since I was transferred to Kirkwall."

"Then how'd you find this need of yours?"

Cullen ran a hand through his disheveled curls. "With nameless women from a brothel. I'm not exactly proud of it and would rather not go into further detail than that."

"Cassandra loves you, Cullen."

"That doesn't mean she can accept this part of me."

"Don't bottle it up or avoid her. Be upfront. I think you'll be surprised."

After most of the camp had broken away from the main fire to find what slumber they could, Cassandra took the moment alone with Cullen to talk to him. Ever since returning from collecting firewood he appeared distant. "What's wrong?"

Cullen felt her shift along the long until their bodies brushed. "What makes you think something is wrong?"

"You've been staring into your cup of broth for more than an hour now."

He lifted his gaze. "Nothing is wrong."

"Don't believe you." Cassandra reached to rub the crease in his brow. "Talk to me."

He leaned into her touch, enjoying the feel of her sword callused fingertips massaging his skin. The simple touch sent his blood humming. It thirsted for her. To touch. Taste. Conquer. To be with her. "You've seen me at my weakest in those first days of my withdrawals. You saw a part of me over run by my past. My demons."

She moved to cup his lightly bearded cheek. "And this worries you?"

"What you didn't see, what you don't know, is the effects those demons over me."

"You hesitate to tell me. Why?"

"I'm afraid of scaring you or possibly driving you away." Going on Dorian advice, Cullen pushed forward determined not to stop until he got everything out. "At times the demons and my past slip out of my control and I have to get it back. By the way of dominance. Other times while submitting myself to another to rule over me."

"Cullen-."

He didn't let her finish. "But it's not always like that. I love you, Cassandra. I need you in my life. I would never hurt or want to scare you, but you need to know about this part of me."

Cassandra waited a moment or two before speaking. "Are you done?"

He nodded.

"Good." She brought up her other hand to cradle his face. "I love you, Cullen. And the way I see it is when you love someone, you love all of them. Good, bad, ugly, and everything in between."

"You're an amazing woman, you know that."

"It's nice to be reminded from time to time." Cassandra stroked her thumb over the scar scorching across his upper lip. "You never told me how you got this."

"A tale for another night. You need to rest." Cullen kissed her when she frowned. "You're trying so hard to mask it, but I know you're exhausted."

This once, Cassandra figured it was best not to argue. Mostly because he spoke the truth. Sleep, even in a tent shared with three other people, sounded delightful. "I doubt I can convince you to join me."

"I need to wait up for the scouts to prepare ourselves for tomorrow. We need to find a better path to pick up our pace. We hardly covered any ground today."

"Tomorrow is a new day."

Always one to see the bright side of things."

"Nearly dying does that to a person."

Thinking of how close she came stilled his heart. Needing to wash the thought from his mind, Cullen dropped his tin cup of broth in order to drag the Seeker across his lap. His lips just touched hers when someone behind them clear his throat. Cullen took a moment to gaze into her lust filled eyes. "Yes?"

"Pardon me, Ser. The scouts are back."

"I'll be right there." Cullen crushed the back of his hand over Cassandra's marred cheek. The roaring in his blood would have to wait. "Get some sleep, Cassandra. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Cullen."