When Hawke left the bedroom the next morning, she smelt breakfast being cooked. She heard Anders coaching Isabela on how to make a proper omelette, with the woman swearing at him in return whenever she found an eggshell in the mixture.
Fenris was half asleep out on the couch, a pillow over his head as he begged them to be quieter. He had first tried to spend the night at Varric's, only to be disturbed by grunts and giggles and had fled to Isabela's.
The phone rang by Fenris' head and he sleepily tried to knock the phone off the receiver. Hawke intervened and picked up the call.
"Hello?" She asked, looking up at the still irate Isabela.
"Marian?" Leandra's voice called out in panic.
"Mom," Hawke said in surprise, "Mom, I was going to phone you. I just got home last night…you might have heard, there was a bit of an accident. We're all fine though-"
"Darling, you better come home. Please. I…I need you here."
Hawke's face paled as she sat down on the arm of the couch, patting Fenris' head for comfort. He growled slightly and curled up further down the couch.
Leandra said softly, "Marian…you need to come home. Please. It's…I can't talk about it over the phone. Just get here as soon as you can."
"Okay," Hawke said softly, her hand trembling as it held the receiver.
"I love you, darling."
"I love you too."
She hung up the phone and Fenris looked up at her in concern. The other two still puttered in the kitchen, unaware, as Fenris pulled his shoes onto his feet.
"Come, Hawke," he said directly, "You need to go home, yes? I will take you there."
0o0o0o
Hawke held onto Fenris fiercely as he drove his motorcycle through the city. His leather jacket was warm around her shoulders; it smelt of sweat and lyrium. When they made it to the apartment building, she offered the jacket back.
Fenris shook his head, "I will wait here for you. If you have need of it, I will take you back to Isabela's. If you wish to stay, then let me know."
"Come with me," Hawke said gently, "Please."
Fenris looked at her in surprise, but nodded. She took his hand as they went up the stairs, his other hand resting on the pistol in his holster.
The door was unlocked and Hawke pushed it open, letting go of Fenris. She saw Gamlen and Leandra sitting on the sette, Leandra crying fiercely as Gamlen awkwardly tried to comfort her.
"Mom," Hawke said, her voice breaking as she raced across the room, "What's wrong? Where's Bethany?"
Gamlen stood, "Bethany was taken by the CBI two nights ago. We only heard from the lawyer this morning. They have proven her abilities. She will be transferred to the Circle within the week after she is processed."
"What?" Hawke screamed, "How could you let this happen? She was safe! She had a job! Friends! How did they find out? She barely ever used her powers."
"Benjamin proposed," Leandra wept, "They were starting to plan the wedding and she told him. He did not take it lightly."
"That son of a bitch!" Hawke cursed, "Where is he? Where is she? What evidence could they possibly have against her?"
Fenris had stood there quietly to this point, waiting in the doorway with his head bowed slightly. Hawke turned to him, flushed with anger. She knew he did not approve of mages, those who had imprisoned his people for so long, but she saw only concern on his face.
He said quietly, "I will take you to the CBI headquarters. I know someone there; you will be able to see her, perhaps even talk to her for a while. I will find out what I can for you."
"Thank you," Hawke replied, turning back to her mother.
"This is your fault," Leandra said, "You should have been here. I couldn't fight them off. They took her from our home in the middle of the night and you didn't stop them."
Hawke didn't reply as she left the room, Fenris following her without a word.
As they reached his motorcycle, she paused, running her hands through her hair.
"There will be time for mourning later," Fenris said, "But now is time for action."
Hawke nodded, "Thank you…I'm glad it was you today…"
Fenris smirked, "Because I am unfeeling and you have to act tough around me?"
Hawke shrugged, a small smile on her face.
"I am not a sensitive man, Hawke. I will not hold your hand through this. But I will be what you need right now."
"And what is that?" she asked as she strapped on her motorcycle helmet.
He did not answer as she grasped his waist and the bike sped off.
oOoOoOo
Besides a short interlude at a pay phone, Fenris wasted no time getting Hawke to the CBI headquarters in the downtown stretch. She had been in this area before; it was close to the precinct where Aveline worked.
Fenris walked ahead of her as they entered the office. There was a waiting area that was filled with the men in suits, some accompanying mages clad in orange jumpsuits. Hawke looked around in bewilderment as Fenris spoke to an elf behind a piece of bulletproof glass, the men gesturing to their own hearts with three fingers. The man slipped Fenris a note underneath the glass and he glanced quickly around him before he took it.
Fenris came back to sit beside Hawke, scanning over the note before crumpling it and putting it into his pocket.
"Your sister's processing is done, there's to be no trial," he explained briskly, watching a CBI agent eye him up and down, "But you have leave for a five minute visit. Its been arranged right now. It seems she'll be in a fairly low security area; she may even be brought out for work detail for the CBI. She'll have to pass her Harrowing first, but she's fairly well prepared. I imagine she will do all right."
Hawke leaned forth, resting her head in her hands. Fenris touched her shoulder briefly and said quietly, "You need to go see her. Tell her she will be safe and that I will know if any harm comes to her and there will be consequences."
"Why are you doing this, Fenris?" Hawke asked in a whisper, "You hate mages."
Fenris' face softened, "I don't. They subjugated us once, yes, but we both are at the whims of this society. They are our brothers and sisters in the struggle. I…I sometimes am not so patient with those who abuse their freedom. But I do not hate them. I wish no harm to them."
A CBI agent came forward from the partition and called out, "Marian Hawke."
She stood, looking down at Fenris. He murmured, "Be brave."
Hawke was lead into a small room with only two chairs and no windows. There were three CBI agents inside waiting, one holding Bethany in chains. Her beautiful long hair had been shaven off; a serial number was tattooed on her bare forearm. Hawke ran forth and held her. The guards did not stop her.
Bethany cried into Hawke's shoulder and she held her sister tightly to her. She tried to think of what Fenris told her to say, but instead, she only could say what repeated again and again in her mind.
"I'm so sorry, Beth," Hawke murmured, "I am so sorry. I love you. I don't think I've told you that since we were kids. But I do. It was worth it all for you and Carver to be happy. I don't blame you. I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't do more."
Bethany said softly, "I know."
Hawke recovered slightly and said gently, "You will be safe with them, I promise. You'll be all right. You'll be safe. Just be brave."
Bethany nodded and Hawke pulled back to wipe the tears from her eyes. Hawke kissed her sister's forehead and pulled her back into her arms. She hummed a song that Bethany had loved as a girl, holding her sister under her chin as she had done when she was a child.
When the agents finally pulled them apart, Hawke was escorted out of the room, hearing Bethany cry softly behind her.
Fenris stood as she was let through the partition. She held him, his body stiffening slightly, but allowing his arms to be loosely around her. She apologized and pulled back, wiping the tears from her face.
"Take me home," she begged, "Take me home."
0o0o0o
Hawke refused to speak to the others as she entered Isabela's apartment. Fenris went to the others, explaining the morning's events quickly and quietly. She could hear them murmuring as she entered the room she had shared with Aveline the night before.
Aveline was still there, now dressed, reading one of Varric's books. She took her reading glasses off as Hawke entered, crying still. Hawke laid down beside her and Aveline wrapped her arms around her and brought her head to rest on her chest.
Aveline kissed Hawke's forehead as she held her. Aveline knew what she needed before she could ask. As she stroked Hawke's cheek, she sang that same lullaby sweet and low to her.
Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singing in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me
