Hearing familiar footsteps, Cassandra finished checking the straps of her saddle and turned with a smile already on her face. "Hello, Handsome." She laughed at the slight blush dusting Cullen's cheek.

The Commander was dressed in his armor with his weapon on his hip and shield on his shoulder. While she was going to the Hinterlands with Alex, Hawke, Bull and Cole. Cullen was leading an expedition of his own to investigate the alarming numbers of Red Templars along the Storm Coast with Varric, Solas, and Blackwall. Vivienne and Dorian were keeping themselves busy by pouring themselves into the newly discovered scrolls into the personal history of Corypheus in hopes to find the creature's true origins and hopefully a weakness.

Josephine had voiced her hesitance to letting Cullen venture from Skyhold to lead an expedition of his own. With the issue involving Templars, the Commander was the perfect one to figure out exactly what was going on at the Coast. He was leaving behind his best Lieutenant to cover his duties while away. Cullen's trip wouldn't take nearly as long as the Inquisitor's.

Cullen had to admit that wearing his full armor felt strange. He hadn't truly fought since the aftermath that immediately followed the explosion of the Conclave. Sparing and fighting in the field battle were two different things. It had to be like riding a horse. Once Cullen held his weapons at the ready for the first time every ounce of training, every instinct would come rushing back to him.

Cullen smiled. "You left the bed early." Well, more than usual. Cassandra was always to first to rise, moving about the room just loud enough to keep him from going back under and motivating him to get out of bed. After she dressed and brushed a kiss over his brow, Cassandra would find her way to the empty gardens where she always found the most solace for her morning meditations. Cullen had joined her for a time or two and found himself enamored by her unwavering devotion.

"My trip is a tad longer than yours. I had to double check we had out supplies." Shifting closer, Cassandra's eyes darkened as she ran her fingertips over his heavily marked throat bared for all to see. Knowing he wore them proudly made Cassandra's blood start to heat.

Cullen tilted his head back ever so slightly allowing her better access to trace the marks she left the night before. Thinking of it. Maker! Cullen fought back the surge of arousal invoked by the simple touch. A low growl escaped from the depths of his throat as memories flooded his mind. He would love nothing more than to throw the Seeker over his shoulder and escape to the tower. He would submit to her all over again. After winding him up, Cassandra would tease until there was a burning ache that caused a mixed sensation of pleasurable pain and in the end, deny him what he desperately needed.

"Why are you smiling?" Cassandra asked wearing one of her own.

Taking her hand, Cullen ran his fingers over her knuckles. "Remembering that when I get back that I have to get the headboard fixed." He recalled the moment perfectly that resulted in the broken furniture. Cassandra was perched above him riding him once again to the brink. He'd been wound so right under her rule, that he found purchase on the edge of the headboard as he feared he'd hurt her with his touch. The moment he peaked, the tension coiled in every fiber of his being, snapped alone with the piece of wood he was holding onto. "I'm thinking about going with maybe one made of iron. Be a lot harder to break."

"That almost sounds like a challenge."

"I know you're fond of them."

"C'mon Commander." Alex grinned at the couple before pulling herself onto her mount. "Kiss her so we can get on our way."

Cullen's expression sobered as he cupped the back of Cassandra's head. Stay vigilant. Stay safe." And come back to me.

"You too, Commander." Cassandra drew his lips to her.

Alex watched transfixed by the heat and the gentleness of the love beyond the passionate exchange. Blushing, she averted her gaze as Hawke joined them, leading his horse by the reins. She swore she felt his on her or maybe it was Blackwall's disapproving one. Alex had made it a point to avoid the Warden at all cost.

"I believe the Inquisitor said kiss her," Hawke stated watching the pair smile, but not part. "Not swallow her."

Cullen ended the kiss with a slight nip at Cassandra's bottom lip. "Do I detect a hint of jealousy, Champion?"

Cassandra quickly looked to Hawke watching him playfully dismiss the thought, but she saw it. For the briefest of moments, the man's stormy grey eyes flickered in Alex's direction. Yes, Cassandra silently concluded. Something was defiantly there. It was her mission now to uncover as much as she could during their trek to the Approach.

Turning, Cullen gave the mage a slight bow of his head. "Safe and swift travels, Alexandra. I hope you find the answers you seek."

"As do I, Commander." Alex returned his gesture. "May the Maker watch over you and your companions. Try not to let Varric get you into too much trouble."

"I'll try my best." Cullen sent Cassandra one last parting look before watching the Inquisitor's party start across the bride. Maker, he silently prayed. Bring her back to me.

"Wipe that look off your face Curly," Varric insisted. "Your woman is tougher than steel. Even dropping a mountain on her head couldn't slow her down."

The memory was still an open sore. Shaking it off, Cullen climbed up onto his horse. After checking to make sure his party was ready, he clucked his tongue and Tempest broke into a trot trailing behind the first group.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

They made it to the Orlesian boarder by nightfall. Camp seemed a better option than going out of their way to find an Inn or Tavern. And Cassandra found herself grateful because if they had she'd be denied the scene before her. While Bull and her worked on keeping the fire going, Alex begrudgingly let Hawke talk her into continuing Josephine's dancing lessons.

"How do you know how to dance anyway?" Alex asked after the Champion gently correct her stance. She was doing her best to distract herself from the fact his hands were on the small of her back to force her to straighten her spine.

His voice grew soft and a touch of sadness filled his stormy grey eyes. "My mother actually. Not in the formal settings by any means. My father was an apostate after all." Hawke realized his hands were lingering and dropped them to his sides. "There were many town dances. I sometimes would wake in the middle of the night to find them dancing by candlelight."

"She convinced you dancing is one way to a woman's heart," Cole spoke sitting cross-legged on a nearby boulder. His brow scrunched. "It both brings you pain and joy to think of her. Of all of them you lost."

Hawke swallowed his emotions before they could leak out in his voice. "Yes, it does. A common reaction when you lose someone you love."

"I'm sorry," Cole softly apologized. "I brought you sadness."

"Its okay, Cole," Alex assured him. "IT happens when remembering sometimes. Even happy memories bring sadness."

"I believe you need to start from the beginning, Alexandra." Cassandra smiled at the Inquisitor's look of displeasure.

Cole turned his gaze towards the Seeker. "Why don't you show your skills? You have them, but you mask them."

A noise of displeasure rumbled in the back of Cassandra's throat.

Bull broke out in a grin. "Holding out on us, Seeker?"

Hawke arched a brow. "Where does a Seeker of Truth and Hand of the Divine develop such a skill?"

She felt her cheeks start to burn. "In my service to the Most Holy. We attended many formal gatherings. Leliana was quite insistent I learned."

"To catch the attention of a man," Cole stated making Cassandra's blush deepen. "Wanted you to be happy. To heal. Cullen healed you and healed him."

Face scolding hot now, Cassandra stood in hopes to divert attention and keep Cole from continuing his ramblings. Left unchecked, who knows what the spirit would pluck from their heads. "Come, Bull." She smiled at the warrior's perplexed expression. "If I have to be subject to this torture so shall you. Don't want you to feel left out."

The Qunari pushed to his feet. "Don't be mad if I step on your toes."

"Do Qunari not dance?" Alex wondered always eager to learn more about his species. The circle had very limited teaching on them. Mostly they focused on the ancient wickedness of mages, the scripture of the Chantry, and the Templar order. Until she left the circle, Alex didn't realize how sheltered her life had been.

Bull sent her a wicked grin. "Our dances are a little more sensual and usually take place in the bedroom." He winked at Alex. "Or not. We aren't bashful about their sexuality as you Ferelden's."

"Oh." Alex felt the heat coil in the bit of her stomach as she let her mind wander a bit into a personal fantasy. "Good to know."

"Though, I've heard about certain aspects of life in the circle. You mages can do pretty wicked things to spice things up in the bedroom." Bull's booming laughter filled the camp. "Alright, Seeker. Let's see how well of a teacher you are."

Cassandra pinned him with a look. "If your hands start to drift, I will not hesitate to knock you on your ass."

"Promises, promises."

0o0o0o0o0o

"Alexandra!" Cassandra cried out watching the mage fall clutching what looked like her chest. A brush of energy surged through her veins. Casandra bashed her shield into the Red Templar's face before the tip of her blade found it home in the man's neck. She didn't give her chance to breathe before launching herself at her next opponent.

Hawke reached the Inquisitor first while Bull and Cole took care of the last of the corrupted Templars. "Alex? Alexandra?" Carefully as he could, Hawke rolled the mage onto her back and his heart sank straight into the pit of his stomach. The front of her robes was drenched in blood.

"Where is she hit?" Cassandra demanded skidding in the dirt beside the pair.

"I can't tell."

Pushing his hands aside, Cassandra used her boot knife to slash through Alex's armor without care to the Inquisitor's modesty. There was a large laceration across Alex's sternum, right below her breastbone and between the rib cages. "Shit, it's deep." With no other mage, a health potion could only do so much. "We need to get out of the open."

Hawke lifted the injured woman in his arms and quickly followed Cassandra into a nestle of rocks that provided the best cover. "What can we do?" Guilt leaked out from his voice. This was his fault. He was the one to suggest they seek out lodging near the Crossroads taking them off their direct path back to Skyhold.

"Since we don't have the thread to stitch it and a potion is useless, we're going to have to cauterize the wound."

"Can't we get her to town?"

Cassandra pried off her armored gloves. "We risk her bleeding out and any Red Lyrium in the wound would spread faster." She leaned in closer to inspect the laceration and cursed to the heavens and back. "There are shards embedded in it."

Cole appeared kneeling beside them. "We must remove. Corrupts everything it touches. Its song is all wrong."

"Cole I need a fire to heat a blade," Cassandra snapped to shut the spirit up. "Bull I need your flask to sterilize the wound and blade when I'm done. Hawke move so Bull can hold her still."

Hawke hesitated as the Qunari placed his rather large flask on the ground next to Cassandra."

"Move!"

He complied, moving to Alex's feet while Bull took his place and carefully wrapped his arm around her front.

Cassandra wiped the sweat from her brow and readjusted his grip on her boot knife. "Keep her as still and quiet as possible. Who knows how many Templars are lurking about." Trying her best to ignore the pain she was about to inflict on her friend, Cassandra dug the tip of the blade into the already bleeding wound.

Hawke found himself holding his breath watching the Seeker work with steady hands and completely calm demeanor. Later, he would allow himself to be impressed. Right now, his heart was wrenching as Alex came awake with a scream already caught in her throat.

Bull's large hand covered her mouth trapping the sound. "It's alright, Boss," He tried to soothe even though it did no good.

"Hawke hold her legs," Cassandra ordered when Alex started to kick. "Quickly."

Fumbling, Hawke clamped his hands over the mage's ankles. Alex's wild gaze connected with his. "You have shards of Red Lyrium in your wound." He wished for a steady voice. He just didn't have the Seeker's resolve. "Cassandra has to get them out before any of it spreads."

Alex nodded in understanding.

Cassandra eased the blade away. "I need something to put pressure on the wound."

Cole offered a hand full of fabric from the lining of his coat. "Will this help."

"Yes." She passed it to Bull. "Lay her down and press it against the wound. I'll sanitize it once I'm about to begin."

Alex found her head in the Qunari's lap. "More?"

Swallowing the limp in her throat, Cassandra turned to the small fire Cole. After wiping it clear and dousing it in a quickly with Bull's flask, began to heat the metal of the knife. "I'm afraid the worst part is yet to come."

"What does that mean?" Alex weakly demanded letting out a soft whine as Bull applied pressure to her wound. "And don't sugar coat it, Cass."

"Not my style, you know that." Cassandra's quip drew a painful laugh from Alex. "I doubt you have the strength nor the mana to heal yourself. Meaning I have to cauterize the wound to stop the bleeding."

Alex closed her eyes with a sigh. "Let me guess, that's going to fucking hurt."

"It's not the world's most pleasurable experience. I know that one personally," Cassandra muttered her gaze seeking out Cole. "Can you do anything to help her? Take her pain away?"

Cole shook his head. "I can try."

"Here," The Seeker pushed the flask into Hawke's trembling hands. "Douse the wound in it."

First, Hawke held up a stick to Alex's lips. "Bite down. Trust me it helps."

"I'm almost regretting leaving the circle," Alex mumbled before taking the stick between her teeth."

Hawke placed a hand on the Inquisitor's stomach as Bull raised her a bit and poured the rest of the flask over the laceration. Her small whimpers of pain grated on his heart.

Cassandra pulled the now glowing blade from the flame, turned and found Cole perched next to the injured woman. She looked at the other two. "The longer we keep her still the quicker we get this done." Her dark gaze flickered to Alex's hazel pain filled one. "Ready?"

"Do it," Alex pleaded around the stick.

Clearing her mind once again, Cassandra pressed the flat of the knife to the wound. Both bull and Hawke used all their strength to keep her still, but Alex's screams, though muffled, would haunt Cassandra's dream for months to come.

Cole laid a pale hand on Alex's shoulder and the mage's cries of anguish tapered off and she stilled ever so slightly. His own face contorted as if he was feeling the pain himself.

"Done." Cassandra pulled back and Alex went limp. Now her hands shook, her voice wavered. She hastily dropped the bloody knife and wiped her hands against her pants to clean them as much as she could. "We need to… To collect the mounts. Make our way to the Crossroads."

Alex spit out the twig, head lolling in Cassandra's direction. "Thank you, Cass."

The Seeker gave her a tight-lipped smiled. "Can't have an old woman like me out live a young whippersnapper like you." Cassandra felt her stomach start to churn. She had to get away before she broke. "Need to get fresh bandages from our supply to dress the wound."

No one dare say a word when Cassandra scrambled to her feet and took off.

Bull found her a bit later in a scrub of bushes dry heaving and shaking like a leaf. It was rare to see her so rattled. "Here." He offered her a water skin and sat.

Taking it, Cassandra took a gulp, swished it around her mouth before spitting it out. The acid taste was still there. "Alex?" Cassandra asked taking another swig.

"All bandaged up and ready to go." Bull watched Cassandra struggle to gather her wits. "You did good, Seeker."

Pressing the heel of her palm to her eyes, she fought the tears. Fought to keep her voice steady. "I caused one of my closest friend's great pain."

"Necessary to save her life," He reminded digging in a pouch for a pinch of mint. "To wash the horrid taste away."

Cassandra happily took it and began to chew. "Have we gathered the packs and mounts?"

"Waiting on you."

"Okay then."

Bull took her by the shoulder. "You can take some time."

"It will only worry her."

"Do you ever put yourself first?"

"Once about ten years ago," Cassandra found herself falling back on a joke. "I didn't like it very much."

Bull let out a booming laugh. "You finally found a sense of humor."

"I took an oath to protect those above all others, even myself." Cassandra spat out the chewed-up mint. "Lt's go."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Alex woke disoriented and in a good amount of pain. She looked around surprised to find herself in a comfy bed surrounded by wooden walls. Upon further inspection, Alex found Cassandra sleeping in her chair at her side, Hawke dozing propped up against the wall near the door and Bull snoring by the hearth. Shifting, Alex hissed at the burning pain scorching across her sternum.

The sound was enough to wake the Champion.

"You're awake." Immediately, Hawke pushed to his feet making sure to move quietly so not to wake the others. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alive so that's something." She tried to move, realized she was clothed on in her breast band from the waist up and clutched her blanket to her chest. "How long have been out?"

"Nearly a day," He whispered. "You've been free of fever and Cole says he can't hear anything. I'm guessing that means Cassandra got all the shards out."

Alex looked at her friend. Even in sleep, Cassandra's features were scrunched in worry. "I'm surprised she even slept."

Sheepishly, Hawke rubbed the back of his neck. "We sort of spiked her tea."

She arched a brow. "That's a sure fine way to get your ass kicked."

"I'll blame it on, Bull." He smiled at her soft laugh. Hawke laid his hand over the one not holding the blanket and gave it a firm squeeze. "I'm glad you're okay, Alexandra. I'll go scrounge up some food."

The clicking of the closing door was enough to wake Cassandra. In one blink, she was on full alert and reaching for the blade she leaned up against the bedside table. She relaxed when she realized there was no immediate threat.

"Always so jumpy?" Alex asked amused.

"You're awake."

"And a bit undressed for my liking." She'd already been modified by being in such a state in front of Hawke. Maker help her if Bull began to awake. And there was no telling where Cole was lurking about. "Wouldn't mind a tunic."

Cassandra made her way to her pack and pulled one out. "Maybe a bit big on you." She handed it to Alex. "I'm sure we can find replacement robes or have on of your dirty ones laundered."

One the tunic was in place Alex let the blanket drop. She found Cassandra holding out a vial. "What's this?"

"Healing draft to help with the pain," Cassandra explained amazed the Qunari was still snoring and sound asleep. "A mage helped seal your wound, but warned there would still be pain and leave a bit of a nasty scar."

"What's a scar in comparison to my life?" Alex gulped down the contents and set it aside. "Besides, I'm going quite a collection. Got some ways to go to catch up to you and Bull."

At the sound of his name, the male Warrior stirred. "Hey there, Boss." He lifted himself on his elbows. "Still with us, I see."

"So, it seems," Alex replied with a smirk. "There is still too much to learn about your people and their dancing."

Bull's laughter masked Hawke's return. "I'll give you a lesson if you like."

Cassandra nearly smirked at the frown Hawke was sporting. Her time traveling with them had confirmed her suspicion that the Champion harbored a great deal of affection for their Inquisitor.

Shaking her head, Alex clucked her tongue in disappointment. "My, what would Dorian say?"

If it was possible, Bull was caught off guard.

Alex laughed. The pain was well worth it. "Your face right now."

Hawke carefully cleared his throat. "If the Inquisitor can stand it, the kitchen is making us a very early morning meal downstairs."

"Take Bull and find Cole," Cassandra insisted. "We'll be right down."

Alex waited until the males were gone before moving to the edge of the bed. Even with the healing draft, the pain was enough to steal her breath. The wash bowl on the dresser seemed to be further than all of Ferelden. "Mind helping me up, Cassandra."

"Of course." Slipping an arm around her waist, together they made it across the room. "I'll get you a chair."

Alex didn't have it in her to argue. Pouring water from the pitcher into the bowl, she looked at her reflection. Her skin was paler than Cole's and her braid was all but undone. "Maker, I look horrible."

Cassandra set the chair behind Alex. "At least you're alive."

"Touché." Sitting, Alex gaze flickered to her friend. She could still see a tint of red staining Cassandra's hands. Her blood. "Thanks to you."

The Seeker dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand. "Wash your face and I'll braid your hair. I'm afraid a proper bath will have to wait until we're back in Skyhold."

"Hopefully, we're setting out once we eat."

"I doubt you'll find a complaint from any of our companions. Certainly not me."

"Eager to return to your Commander?"

"Along for a real bed and a hot bath." Cassandra smiled. "Cullen is an added bonus."

0o0o0o0o0o00o

Cullen was waiting inside the gates along with Dorian for the group to finish their journey across the stone bridge. He caught Alex's horse by the reins, immediately concerned by how pale she was. "Welcome home, Inquisitor. I must say you've looked better."

Alex eyed the Commander taking in his healing bruised eye and gash running along his right cheekbone. "I could say the same for you."

"I'm not the one who is about to fall off a horse," Cullen playfully shot back helping her down from the saddle. He gave her a brotherly kiss on the cheek. "Glad to see you've made it home safely, Alexandra."

"I have your Seeker to thank for that. Go, greet her. I need a bath and-."

"To see my wonderful face to look over your wound," Dorian finished for Alex. "We'll get out Ambassador to fetch you some clean clothes and bring a bath to your room."

With Bull taking our responsibility to unsaddle the horse, Cassandra made her way towards Cullen, brushing the tips of her gloved fingers under his healing gash. "Seems like you fared well enough on your first trip back to the battlefield."

The corner of Cullen's lips curved upward. "You should see the other guy."

Not caring her armor was caked in dry blood, Cassandra slid into his arms. "I'm so glad to be home."

"Tell me what I can do for you."

"I could use a bath myself."

He kissed her temple. "Go, I'll bring you a set of fresh clothes."

"I know you want a report."

"It can wait," Cullen assured.

Cassandra just slipped into the heated water thanks to a fire rune when she heard the familiar sound of Cullen's armored boots. He poked his head around the curtain and she smiled at his bashful expression. "Come in, Cullen. I believe you've found me in less decent states."

He grinned, eyes shimmering. "I'm usually the cause of those states."

"If you hope to cause one now, I'm afraid you'd be disappointed. I'm far too exhausted."

Cullen pulled a stool up to the tub and began to free her braid. "I know." He rolled up the sleeves of his crimson tunic. "I could see it in your eyes the moment you made it through the gate."

Cassandra didn't protest when he took the soap and cloth to lather up her skin. He was so gentle, so loving as he cleaned off the grime of travel. Head lolling to the side, she lost herself in the soothing sensation. "How were things on the Storm Coast?"

Cullen sensed she wanted to focus on anything but her own excursion and was more than happy to oblige to the silent request. "We grossly underestimated the number of Templars in the area. They were slowly taking over the Coast. We found the source of their continuing corruption in a vast amount of Red Lyrium growing in an underground cavern. We destroyed what we could."

"Is there any true way to destroy it?"

"I'm not sure. Varric says he has a lead on the stuff. There is a contact making it's way to the Hinterlands."

"Wonder what kind of contact that is."

He kissed her crown. "You're going to have to fully forgive him at some point."

"A point to be determined."

Cullen fought back a sigh. "With our regular patrols along with the reformed bandit group, I say there is no more risk of any more Red Templars staking a claim."

"Your letter said something about Darkspawn."

"We found pockets of them deep in some caves. There must've been a connecting tunnel to the Deep Roads somewhere." Feeling them tremble, Cullen stopped with Cassandra's hands trapped between his own. "Cassandra?"

She closed her eyes and was granted with the awful memory of the attack. Her voice shook with emotions. "It was too close. There was too many of them. I couldn't… Couldn't…"

He laid his cheek against her hair. "No matter how skilled a warrior you are, you can't completely protect her."

"She's not just the Inquisitor, Cullen." Tears burned the back of her throat. "She's family."

"I know." He loved Alex as if she was one of his sisters. The entire Inquisition had become a family, a dysfunctional one at that, but they would bleed for one another. To protect no matter the cost. Wanted to help rid her of her emotional thoughts, Cullen began to scrub her hands clean. "I hope you know how amazing you are."

A teary laugh escaped her. "It's nice to be reminded from time to time."

He smiled. "I'll do my best to remind you more."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For taking care of me."

That surprised him. "Thank you for letting me. I know it's not easy."

"With you it is." Cassandra reached a hand to hook around his neck. She smiled when Cullen made a noise in the back of his throat. "Okay, not too easy, but that's just my nature."

"Well, I figured I've got a bit of catching up to do for all those times you took care of me."

As the taint began to come free from her hands, Cassandra felt the life start to stir inside her. "I'm surprised you haven't let Dorian heal your face."

He tilted her head back to smile at her. "It doesn't make me look rugged?"

She skimmed her now clean fingers along his injured cheek. "Such a warrior, showing off your battle wounds to impress the women and inspire your men."

"I have been beating women off with a stick since I returned," Cullen smirked earning him a hard pinch to his ear. "I love you, Cassandra."

"I love you too."

"Now, let's finish getting you clean and to a healer." He felt her tense under her hands. "Guess the nasty bruises along your spine and hip have escaped your notice."

Cassandra looked down herself and blinked. "Oh."

"You need to take better care of yourself, my love."

"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?"

"So, we both need to work on it."