" I talked to the Viscount, and what the Apostate said is true," the Knight-Commander didn't turn from her window when Cullen entered the room. " The Qunari situation is being held together only because she has been the in between. The Arishok will talk to no one else. This is tricky, to put it lightly, and no one wants to see this ordeal get out of hand. I have agreed to let her go, but on a condition."

Cullen didn't let his relief show, "which is?"

"That she becomes a Templar's Charge."

"You wish for one of us to stay with her while she wraps up this business with the Qunari?"

"Yes," The Knight-Commander said.

"Then what?" Cullen asked.

"If she proves she isn't a threat then she remains an apostate. If not, she returns to the Gallows.

"Who are you assigning as her handler?"

"Who other than the Templar that brought her here?"

Cullen resisted the urge to run back to his room. He didn't want to give the Knight-Commander a chance to change her mind. He thrust the door open and Hawke jumped at his sudden entrance "Let's get you out of here," he said.

Hawke was so excited she offered him her elbow to be lead out.

The companions were back to planning a rescue when the templar came through the door of Varric's suite. Aveline stood up, we didn't think. . . "

Hawke smiled at her friends shocked expressions, "who missed me?"

"So does having a Templar babysitter mean we won't be able to go on our weekly naked runs through the woods anymore?" Isabela teased.

Hawke smiled, "we will just have to pick a different night each weak. I will keep you posted." Isabela chuckled as she signaled the waitress for a refill.

"Where are you going to keep him?" Merril asked shyly.

"Hawke is my charge. I will be staying in her estate," Cullen replied

"Excuse me?" Hawke was liking this charge and handler thing less and less. Cullen said that is was sort of like the Qunari with their mages. As long as she was good, she wouldn't have to wear a leash.

"Oh, Hawke, can I please go with you when you go home to show mommy your new pet?" Varric asked smiling from ear to ear.

"I could post a guard outside the estate's entrance." Aveline stepped in.

"None of those guards brought the Mighty Hawke to her knees pleading with the Knight-Commander." Cullen said smugly.

"Neither did you," Fenris said looking accusingly at Anders. Hawke hadn't heard him say anything since her arrival. He had held her at arms length, hands shaking. Then, the healer had stepped forward and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"How did you end up in the circle?" Cullen had been playing the part of her captive, and he had started to believe it himself.

"I have a question for you Knight-Captain," Anders said from his corner. Everyone, except Cullen, held their breath. "As Hawke's 'handler' will you be taking in her mage companions? It is no secret that not only is she an apostate, but she travels with them. How much danger are they in?"

" 'The Templar who accepts the charge no longer has any authority over other mages. The Charge is that Templars only concern.'," Cullen quoted. "It used to be common practice to have templars and their charges, but slowly as mages began to rebel faster than the templars without charges could react, the practice become obsolete. For better or for worse, Hawke is my only concern."

"Well, that is a relief," Merril said.

"Marian!" Leandra grabbed her daughter and started crying in relief. "Aveline came by and told me what happened. Maker, what would I have done if I lost you too? I am so glad you are all right."

"Mistress Amell," Cullen said in greeting behind Hawke.

"Mama, let's go sit down, I have to explain what is going on," Hawke said as she lead her mother to the den.

"Thanks for coming, Anders," Hawke said as she lead him into her estate. "I just thought it best if we didn't go anywhere we would regret later."

"I appreciate it, Hawke. It seems like I have moved up in the world now that I am making house calls in Hightown. Did he hurt you?" Anders asked loud enough for Cullen, who was in the den could hear.

Hawke moved up the stairs towards her bedroom. She wanted to talk about what happened. "Anders,"

"Don't, Hawke. I can't believe that happened. That I could do something like that to you.

"You didn't" Hawke whisper as she lowered her eyes.

"Yes, I did! Justice and I are the same. And from the looks of it, I no longer have control of him," Anders said putting a finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

"Well, I will accept an apology, but it's not fair that I want normalcy again and you are being a stubborn ass!" She pulled away from his touch and glared up at him.

Anders blinked in surprise, "Alrgiht, Hawke, I am sorry. Can you forgive me?"

"Yes," she smiled.

Cullen followed them upstairs and watched the exchange. He clenched his jaw and wanted to tear the abomination a part. Varric and Fenris had accompanied to the estate last night and told him what happened after Hawke had gone to bed.

"So, I hope you aren't mad, but I don't actually need any healing. I just wanted to get this whole situation cleared up." Hawke said

Anders laughed, "So much for Hightown house calls."

When Anders left, Cullen cornered Hawke in the entrance hall. He couldn't stand watching the abomination flirting with her. He wasn't able to control it, but his feelings for her were becoming apparent to him with every moment he spent with her.

"Are you and him in a relationship?" Cullen didn't want to dance around this.

"No!" Hawke exclaimed. She liked Ander's well enough, but Justice terrified her.

"Then why do you lead him on the way that you do?"

"I don't. Anders is kind of fragile."

"Fragile? He nearly killed you!" Cullen shouted.

"I don't see how this is any of your business!" Hawke yelled trying to get around him so she could get to the safety of her room.

"You are my business, Hawke." His voice was thick. He cupped her face in his hands and couldn't stop looking at her lips.

"Cullen?"

He bent down and barely brushed his lips over hers, then pulled away and retreated to his cot in the den.