All belongs to the awesomeness of Bioware

A/N: I absolutely loathe the robes the mages get in DA2! So I decided to create new ones, I hope my descriptions are good enough because I am rubbish at drawing… But anyway enjoy :D!

Chapter 6

Hawke held the last sovereign in front of her face. That was it. That was fifty. She was able to go on the expedition. She had picked this last coin up from a spider that attacked her when she was exploring a cave in Sundermount last night. Maker, how do they have coins on them? She thought. Right now she wouldn't care if Andraste herself gave Hawke the last sovereign. All that mattered was she was going on the expedition that was setting off that afternoon. The sun was just rising so Hawke had enough time to prepare and let Bartrand know that she was joining.

While heading to Hightown she saw Varric walking up that path as well and tapped him on the shoulder. She was a peculiar sight at the moment, her bag was overflowing with coins and Varric guessed that she had been attacked a lot for the money by the look of her. She had a cut lip and many bruises on her lithe frame.

Hawke embraced Varric with such force that it nearly knocked him off his feet. She almost picked up him, but she wasn't strong enough for that. Hawke was a mage after all and couldn't do that much heavy lifting. "I have it! I have it!" She yelled happily.

Many citizens were looking at her funny, but Hawke didn't seem to care. "Then it looks like you're going on this expedition Chuckles," Varric said releasing himself from Hawke's tight grip. He had never seen her this happy before. He found it odd that she was happy to go to the blighted Deep Roads.

Her eyes became filled with emotion. "Thank you Varric, I couldn't have done it without you… You're the best friend I've ever had."

Varric smiled. "The same is said for you Chuckles. But let's not tell our other companions that. I think they'd all rip me a new one."

Hawke laughed. "Wouldn't dream of it."

"What are you two doing?" A voice asked.

Varric and Hawke turned around to see Aveline giving them a strange look. She was wearing her well-deserved guard captain uniform and had a guardsman named Donnic on her heels. He looked nervous and Varric noticed that the man's eyes kept drifting to Aveline's rump.

Hawke then suddenly threw her arms around Aveline. They were good friends so Aveline was not surprised by this action. Hawke was very touchy-feely and was affectionate towards her friends. Aveline hugged Hawke back in an awkward fashion. Aveline never really could do anything without being awkward.

"I've got it!" Hawke said shoving the gold piece in Aveline's face.

Aveline smiled. "Good Hawke… But I am sorry to say I cannot go on the expedition… The guards need me." Aveline said looking disappointed.

"I understand. Try not to light Kirkwall on fire while I'm gone."

Aveline laughed and walked off with Donnic to complete patrols.

OOO

Hawke had given the coins and the maps to Bartrand. He was positively shocked that the girl he had rejected months ago came to him with the money and the resources he needed. Varric had smirked at his brother's expression. They joined the rest of Bartrand's men in the crowd.

Bartrand jumped up on a makeshift stage to make his speech.

"Just another thing to fuel his ego," Varric said. Hawke chuckled.

"We've chosen one of the hidden entrances that I personally found myself!"

Hawke's jaw dropped at that one. She was about to speak up when Varric put a hand on her arm stopping her. Leave it to Bartrand to take all the credit… Varric thought.

"The Deep Roads will be nice and virginal! Ready for a good deflowering!"

His men all gave each other looks and Varric scoffed. "Now there's an interesting image."

Bartrand strained to look into Hawke's eyes. "Well looks like you've got the money, Hawke. We're starting in two hours. It'll take a week to get to The Deep Roads and there will be left over Darkspawn from The Blight. Gather all the gear and people you need, but I've only got room for two more people so chose wisely."

Bartrand then went over to his men to discuss plans and he looked as if he was going to kill anyone who gave him bad news. Varric looked at Hawke. "I'll stay here to keep Bartrand from murdering anyone. In the meantime choose who you want to go with you."

Hawke walked slowly out of Hightown. Who would she bring with her? Aveline couldn't come, Merrill was far to fragile and would have nightmares for weeks if she even saw the entrance of the place, spending weeks with Fenris seemed unbearable to her, Isabela probably do every one of Bartrand's workers right in front of Hawke since The Deep Roads had little privacy. That only left two options.

Hawke raced to Darktown after sending word to Carver. The expedition was setting off soon and she prayed that Anders would be able to come. He was the most logical option, a grey warden, a healer, and the only person besides Varric who wouldn't drive her crazy after spending a few weeks with them. But after that episode with Fenris, Anders had been avoiding her at every turn. Hawke hoped that she hadn't scared him off with her flirtations that obviously made him uncomfortable, but she had stopped in the past few weeks. She missed him terribly and this strange feeling was starting to manifest within her. She had never felt it before. The fear that he would reject her invitation to the expedition was alarming. She cared so much for him and when he avoided her it told her he didn't want her at all. He had rejected her advances, but rejecting her friendship was even worse. It was as if he was cutting all his ties to her. And she was beginning to fall in love with him. If she could never be with him then she at least wanted to be there for him.

She ran up to his clinic breathless and knocked on his door. When no one answered she shouted his name.

OOO

Anders ran as fast as he could to the door when his name was called. All his patients had left an hour before and he was getting some much-needed sleep. He threw on his coat and opened the door.

Hawke stood in front of it. She was flushed, desperately gasping for air; her hair was loose and wild. This was how she usually looked at the end of one of his fantasies. His entire body ached looking at her in this state.

"Andes," she breathed.

He gulped, hearing his own name like that sent the same effect through him. Even after trying to avoid her, his love for her had not diminished. She still haunted his sleep and staying away from her was not proving to be a helpful solution. "Do you need healing?" He said trying to keep his tone neutral.

"Anders… I know you're busy and I don't want to disturb you—"

"You never disturb me," he said. Why did you say that?! You are encouraging her! The recesses of his mind were getting louder these days. It was as if Justice was pushing through. He hated how Anders mind was always on her and not the mages.

She smiled and then took a breath. "Bartrand's expedition to The Deep Roads is setting out in two hours and…" Her head suddenly dropped and her tone became uncharacteristically quiet. "I need you."

The pain that rippled through Anders was one he had never experienced before. The hurt in her voice nearly sent him over the edge, but something held him back, a message stopped him from kissing her right then and there. This is what she will look like when you hurt her. Anders instead patted her shoulder.

"I'll be there, just let me prepare and I'll meet you in Hightown…"

Hawke's eyes lit up and she grasped Anders' hand on her shoulder. "Thank you! I have to go tell Varric, but I'll see you there!"

She took off down the alleyways of Darktown. Then only bright spot in this wretched place was gone.

OOO

Hawke was waiting in Hightown for the expedition to make way. Carver had already shown up and was sitting on a crate polishing his new sword. He had bought it in the market from the extra money that Hawke had found after battling a few bandits on the way back from Darktown. He had been overjoyed to join the expedition, but had to make a stop at the Alienage before he went to Hightown. Hawke wondered why…

Hawke was wearing armor she made out of strange leather she had bought a week earlier. Well she didn't make it. Mother did, for Hawke was always terrible at sewing and other girly activities. She was told the leather would enhance her magical abilities. The merchant was a good friend from her days as a smuggler so she trusted him. She wore chainmail under the garment to protect herself better and her mother was kind enough to line outfit with fur she had from a rabbit she had cooked the other day. Hawke loved her Mother for her caring nature. She wanted to repay her for everything she had done for her and this expedition was going to do just that.

Anders arrived and sat down next to Hawke. He looked worried. Hawke put a hand on his arm. "Are you alright?" She asked.

"Lirene's taking care of the clinic while I'm gone…"

"That's not answering my question."

He looked at her with those eyes Hawke loved so much. She shivered. "I'm fine, I am honored that you chose me... For the expedition."

Hawke gave him a sad smile. "I know you hate The Deep Roads… But I could never leave you behind."

He flinched at her words and Hawke stopped looking at him. Maker he was frustrating. She wanted him to just open up, but every time she tried to get close to him he would just shut her out. Hawke wanted him so badly, but he didn't feel the same way about her. She was ready to tear her hair out.

She then saw her mother arguing with Bartrand. She got up from her spot and starting running towards her. She didn't even notice Anders watching her backside when she ran.

Bartrand turned towards Hawke as she approached her mother. "Who invited the old woman!?" He pronounced, glaring at Leandra.

"That old woman happens to be our mother!" Carver said going up to Hawke's side.

Bartrand rolled his eyes. Carver didn't intimidate him like Hawke did.

"I'm sorry to halt the plans Sir Dwarf, but I need to speak to my children."

Bartrand snorted and walked towards Varric who was cradling Bianca.

Leandra looked at Carver with pleading eyes. He knew immediately what she was going to say. Merrill had given him the same look when he had to tell her he couldn't stay. It broke his heart and now telling mother would be even worse.

"Mother no. We talked about how important this is," he said trying to stand his ground.

Hawke then joined. "I can't leave Carver behind… I need him."

Carver almost smiled. He had never expected to needed by his sister. She had always taken care of herself and now she needed him. It was funny.

"Mother I'm going. It'll be fine." He said trying to reassure her, but if he couldn't reassure Merrill then he couldn't reassure anyone. He remembered leaving Merrill's house with her in tears and him promising to come back to her again. He would, one way or another.

"No!" Leandra pleaded. "It's not fine! You can't both go! What if something happens to you!?"

Carver's stomach lurched at the thought of him dying down there. The thought of his funeral nearly made him vomit. No, I will keep my promise to Hawke and Merrill. I promised Hawke I would stay by her side no matter what and I promised Merrill I would come back to her. I will keep both. He thought.

"Please mother, let him go! He wants to help! I can't do this without him," Hawke said.

"I understand you wanting to do this, but leave my baby out of this!" Leandra replied.

Anger flared through Carver. It was always Hawke who got to do everything and save everyone. He was just the baby to be left at home. He was always in his sister's shadow even in his mother's eyes. "I'm going. Besides if we're so bloody afraid of Templars I should go and she should stay!"

Hawke glared at him. The look sent cold throughout Carver that no ice spell from her could cause. It said, I thought you changed well guess I was wrong.

"Sister I—" He said trying to apologize. They had a good relationship since arriving in Kirkwall. Not perfect, but what brother and sister were perfect? And he had ruined it with one comment.

"He's going," Hawke, said her anger at Carver showed at her tone. Then her tone became caring as she hugged her mother. "Don't worry we'll be fine, we know how to get ourselves out of danger. I've done one million three thousand and forty eight times. I've been counting." She gave Mother her trademark smile.

That did not seem to work. Mother still looked terrified.

Bartrand's voice rang across the courtyard. "WE'RE DEPARTING IN FIVE MINUTES!"

Leandra turned towards Carver. "Please I beg you! Don't go! Don't do this!"

Carver tried his best to smile. "Don't worry about me so. I can take care of myself. You'll see."

He then hugged his mother telling her goodbye. Leandra did not even bother to say goodbye to Hawke, she just glared at her then walked off. Hawke looked as if she was about to cry, the look mother gave her was cold and filled with anger. Carver tried to comfort her, but she turned away from him and headed towards the mage at the gates instead.

Bartrand then approached Carver. "Personal drama over with? Then let's get underway…"

Carver sighed and headed towards the line of people ready to leave for the expedition. Varric and Bartrand stood in the front together. Varric looked uncomfortable standing so close to Bartrand.

Carver then saw Hawke grab the mage's hand. Carver's anger was near the boiling point and the mage tried to jump away but Hawke leaned in close to him.

"I'm scared," she whispered.

The mage relaxed and held her hand. "So am I," he admitted.

Varric turned towards Bartrand. "It's been a long time coming brother."

"That it has." Bartrand responded looking off. "THE DEEP ROADS AWAIT!"

No turning back now…