Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Age: Origins. If I did, I'd be totally stressed over the coming expansions and (possible) sequel. Go Bioware! Love Awakening!

Why does it rain, rain, rain down on Utopia?
Why does it have to kill the idea of who we are?
Why does it ran, rain, rain down on Utopia?
How will the lights die down, telling us who we are?

----Utopia, Within Temptation

#09: The Most Important

Zevran might've expected the Crows to come after them again, but he hadn't expected them to be that dumb. If they did come, he would've expected stealthy assassins, a couple of poisoned arrows and a fail-proof plan.

He certainly didn't expect them to strike in the busy streets of Denerim, much less in a face-to-face confrontation.

"Ah, and here is the Grey Warden. I see that Zevran isn't with you… pity. I had things to say to him. In any case, I bring the greetings of the Antivan Crows… once again." The human's lips curled a tiny fraction; a curt smile, but a smile nonetheless. He stood at the top of the staircase, towering over Surana's motley party of four.

The mage, however, seemed completely unfazed by his appearance. She lifted an eyebrow. "Who is he, Zev?"

Ah, the first line she's spoken to me in days. Zevran stepped out of the shadows then. "So, Taliesen… the Crows sent you?"

Taliesen looked surprised. "I would've thought you dead, Zev… no, I asked to take up the job. When I heard that the great Zevran had gone rogue, I simply had to see it myself."

"Well, here I am, and in the flesh too!" Zevran grinned. Surana sighed.

"Listen, Zevran. You can still come back with me. We can cook up a story… anyone would believe it. We can still go back, work together, be part of the Crows…" Taliesen went as far as to extend a hand.

"Of course I'd have to be dead first," Surana muttered. The Crow chuckled.

The assassin paused. Here is a chance I would've taken just a month ago… his gaze lingered on the hand. His own fingers twitched at the thought of acceptance, at the thought of simply killing the Grey Warden and going back to his old life. Wine, women, men… a life of enjoyment, and the price a thrill. He raised his hand, reaching out for Taliesen's. I could go back, forget all this ever happened, forget the Warden, forget Surana -

He thought of Rinna. He looked at Surana, who had turned away from him.

"Then you should give it to the one who's most important to you."

Zevran let his hand fall, taking a step back. "No." Taliesen blinked. "No," the assassin repeated firmly, "I won't do this. My place… is with Surana now. We had a good… time, you and I. I won't forget our experiences… but that isn't my life. Not anymore."

The mage turned to him, her eyes widening in shock. Taliesen scowled. "I gave you a chance, but you wouldn't take it. Then you and the Grey Warden will die by my hand today!"

Bloodshed was something Zevran relished, but it was tampered by the fact that it was Taliesen he was fighting. Surana seemed to realize this, engaging the human and leaving the others for him. Zevran slit the neck of the archers, leaping out of the way as Sten cleaved an assassin in two. He'd always marveled at the Qunari's amazing ability to wield that massive sword of his as though it weighed only a feather. The Asala was somewhat larger than most two-handed swords he'd seen. It looked heavy, too.

In the midst of a crimson shower, Zevran suddenly found himself face-to-face with Taliesen. The assassin wore a stunned expression on his face. "Zev…"

"I'm sorry, Tal. I'm sorry." And Rinna too. He slipped the dagger between the human's ribs, cleanly piercing through the heart. He hung his head as he pulled it out. Taliesen's lifeless body slid to the ground. Surana walked towards him, stopping at his side.

I killed Rinna, and now I've killed you too, my friend. Zevran took a moment to reflect on his friend's life, before glancing up. The mage was standing at the top of the stairs now, waiting for him to regain himself. Zevran hurried up as she turned to walk away. He grabbed her wrist. "Wait."

Surana turned, staring quietly at him.

"… Here." Hesitantly, Zevran dug into his pouch and opened her palm. He dropped something on it, closed her palm and pushed it back to her. Surana cocked her head quizzically at him. "It's…" he waved a hand, accidentally hitting Sten's head, "sorry, buddy. It's… a earring. A keepsake from my first mission. The man I was ordered to kill was wearing it. I thought it looked… pretty, so I kept it. It's yours now. If you want it."

The mage opened her palm then, gingerly lifting the earring with her slender fingers. She turned the plain gold earring around for a moment, as if contemplating whether to ask a question. "Is this a proposal, then?"

Zevran started. "I… well, you can… take it that way?"

Surana's lips curled into a genuine smile. "Thank you, Zevran. It's lovely."

He stepped forward. "Here, I'll… help you." She dropped the earring onto his hand, turning as he gently clipped the gold band onto the tip of her ear. "It suits you." He smiled nervously. Surana nodded, fingering her ear quietly.

The tension of the past few days suddenly dissipated then, and though she said nothing, Zevran knew he had been forgiven. And that made his heart swell with joy.

xXx

When the former Crow stepped into his room later that night, he found Surana waiting for him. She was still dressed in full battle regalia, and she was leaning on her sword. Zevran closed the door behind him, raising an eyebrow at her. The beautiful elven mage pointed the sword at him. "Teach me," she ordered with mock authority, "I want to learn how to fight."

Zevran's jaw dropped. "This, coming from the Grey Warden who's left a river of blood behind her? You're kidding, aren't you?"

She wasn't. "Teach me to fight your way," she insisted, "I don't want to be unprepared for the landsmeet."

"We're not likely to go to arms there," he pointed out.

"Precisely. The rules of the landsmeet dictate that there may be a one-on-one duel to determine the king if a decision isn't reached." Surana paused. "I've been fighting mostly on instinct now, and I think it's about time I learned a few actual swordplay moves."

"Ah, my heart. Now you make sense. For a moment there I wondered if you had had too much ale with that perpetually drunken Oghren."

She laughed. "Deal or no deal?"

Zevran smiled. "Deal."

So he taught her. He held her arms and guided her. He watched her imitate his actions. He held her waist to ensure proper body positioning. They laughed over her mistakes, and despite the severity of tomorrow's event, the atmosphere was light-hearted. At the end of it all, though, Surana sat on the bed quietly. "Can I sleep with you tonight?" she asked hesitantly.

Zevran froze. It'd be the most wonderful thing in the world – "I… no. Not today. I mean… not that I don't want to, but I…" He gave up. He couldn't quite find the words to express the horrid tightening of his chest and the twisting of his guts. "Please?"

Surana seemed to understand something of his emotions. Or perhaps he had inadvertently let his feelings play across his face. He didn't know. But the mage nodded. She rose, leaving the room – and stopped at the door. "Do you want to talk about it?"

The Crow smiled wanly. "No… not now. But… we'll talk. Soon."

She dipped her head, indicating she understood. Then the door closed with a soft click. Zevran sank onto the bed, inwardly berating himself. Maker's breath, what was he doing? He'd finally gotten back into Surana's good graces, but he couldn't bring himself to sleep with her. Andraste's flaming sword, he was kicking himself in the foot!

Zevran sighed. It's just that the concept of love is so foreign to me… Surana had been far more understanding this time, though. Perhaps she felt the same way, too?

I must talk to her. I must.

And with that resolve, the Crow slipped into a deep, peaceful slumber.

A/N: Two more chapters left to the end! I'd just like to ask if the story's been fun so far. It's been fun writing this, but I want to know how you as a reader feel, too. Are there any areas I can work on, in writing style, or plot advancement, or characterization or anything?