The poll is still up for voting! This chapter is a bit longer then the others, also thanks to my wonderful Beta, Evileduck!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN DRAGON AGE II OR IT'S CHARACTERS. I ONLY OWN ORIGINAL CHARACTERS SUCH AS RHEA!

I expected us to get attacked by a huge group of people, but nothing happened. That was good, I guess, since Hawke was currently cradling the limp body of her sister.

To be honest, I expected Bethany to pop up and say "JUST JOKING!" or something along those lines, but that didn't happen either.

As I looked at the dead body of a women who was like my own sister, I felt tears rush to my eyes. I felt my legs began to give out, but I was caught by Anders who had appeared beside me. I turned to my best friend and buried my head in the section between his neck and shoulder.

I knew that I should have him go comfort Hawke, but I couldn't let go. I didn't understand- none of this made sense. Bethany did not die during this part; I was sure of it. I knew exactly what would go down. I had played the add-on after all, and Bethany never died.

I gripped the feathered coat in my hands as sobs rocked my body. Where had I gone wrong? Or was this some kind of cosmic joke? Had the Maker, or whoever controlled our fates, decided that life had been to good for me?

I had already been ripped away from my family and planted into a world full of pain and misery. Now this? It wasn't right.

"I'm taking her home. Tomorrow, we will hunt these fuckers down and kill them. I swear that I will tear them apart. Limb by fucking limb," Hawke said in a creepily calm voice. I thought she had gone into shock, but, when I had pulled away from Anders, she had a look on her face.

It was one of sheer rage and murderous intent. I felt fear run through me, and I knew that what would happen next would change everything.

"I'm going back to the Hanged Man."

I looked back to see Varric, who I had forgotten was even with us, and nodded.

"I'll go with you. I need a drink and a strong one. Anders?" I looked at the taller male who appeared like he didn't know what to do. He glanced from me to Hawke, then back to me. I could tell that he knew it was unwise to follow Hawke right now.

"I'll go too." the mage answered with a defeated look.

When I opened my heavy eyelids, I was met with a blinding ray of sunlight. Everything went dark once more as I closed my eyes to block out the invading light. Then I realized something: there shouldn't be light. I had heavy blinds that kept any light out for times like this, when I had a pounding headache due to a hangover.

The next thing I registered was the arm that was wrapped around my waist. That really sent the alarm ringing; I never stayed with a man over night unless he was my boyfriend, and I definitely didn't have a boyfriend.

I shielded my eyes, as I opened them once more, and looked cautiously at whoever was laying beside me. I then cursed and quickly rolled off the small cot. I could not believe what had happened. I rubbed my eyes and looked down again, but the image had not changed.

Anders still lay there asleep. I had made the ultimate mistake- one that every girl knew not to do. I had slept with my best friend who I had no intention of being with.

I wanted to hope that he was drunk too and wouldn't remember what we did, but Anders didn't get drunk. I once again cursed Justice's existence. I looked around for my clothes and found them in a sort of line leading from the door to the cot. Dressing quickly, I made my way to the door, after picking up a piece of fruit. I then proceeded to throw it at Anders in an attempt to wake him, before dashing off to meet Hawke.

I don't even want to talk or think about the long three days that followed. So, let me give you the short version: Hawke killed everything that crossed her path in a gore-filled fashion. To top it off, she ripped apart a nasty abomination. Not to mention, it was filled with an awkward silence between Anders and me.

He didn't mention it once though, not even when we got back.

I haven't hung out with him since then, instead choosing to spend my time with Fenris. The elf had slowly began to open up to me, telling me things that Hawke apparently didn't even know.

I was also slowly falling for the elf, which was not good, because Hawke had set her sights on him too. I didn't want to fight with her over him, but I was finding myself wanting to spend more and more time with him.

Hawke had changed after her sister died; her smile became more forced- her laughter more fake. The only person she really smiled at was Fenris.

She had also noticed the tension between Anders and I. I realized this when she pulled me aside and questioned me about it.

"What happened between you and Anders? You guys were always together, and now you are always with Fenris. I thought you guys loved each other." she questioned with a jealous look. I could tell she was not happy about how close I was with Fenris.

"Hawke, we were never together! He never felt that way about me! It was you who he liked, dammit!" My voice got louder and louder as I spoke, and Hawke's face grew angry.

"Bullshit! If he liked me so much, why did he always spend time with you?" she hissed at me, and I gritted my teeth.

"Because you were too busy drooling over a certain elf! Look, I have no plans on not hanging out with Fenris just because you are jealous." My words were harsh, I knew that, but I had to get her off the topic of what had happened between Anders and I.

It apparently worked, because she was soon stomping off. I watched her go without a word. I didn't care, if she was mad. I had tried to help her with love and it didn't work out. Now, it was my turn to be with who I wanted.

I sighed and made my way to the Hanged Man. When I got there, I found myself an empty table and ordered a drink.

I didn't drink it though. I haven't actually drank since that time with Anders.

I missed him. I missed being his friend and listening to him complain about mage's rights. With him, I could be myself and not worry about what he thought.

Sure, I enjoyed Fenris' company, but I felt the need to constantly be perfect in order for him to consider me something other than a good friend.

"Can I sit here?" a voice asked, and I looked up to see Anders with an awkward look on his face. I nodded in response and went back to staring at my drink. "Listen… about that night. I know that you don't want to talk about it, but I think we should. It's affecting our teamwork and, more importantly, our friendship." he said with a small frown.

"What's there to talk about? We slept together, and everyone knows that you don't sleep with your best friend. It makes things awkward." I said, still looking at my drink.

"It doesn't have to be that way. Look, you mean a lot to me, and I trust you more then anyone else. Plus, I figured you would like to know that Hawke came to see me. She was… flirting. It was odd, to be honest." he explained, and I could hear a sort of excitement in his voice.

I finally looked up to meet his eyes. "I suppose that we could just forget it ever happened. I mean, no one else knows it happened. I doubt things will be the same, but I do miss being with you. Actually, I miss throwing fruit at you. Plus, you obviously need me to get with Hawke." I laughed softly after I spoke and gave a smile. I was rewarded with a real smile in return.

I looked around to see Hawke with a sinister look in her eyes as she stared at us, and I felt as if I had just made a huge mistake.

She walked towards us and sat beside Anders.

"So, I thought Anders liked me? If that's so, then why are you over here talking about sleeping together? I'm sure Fenris wouldn't want to be with someone who slept with a mage! Even I haven't done that. Oh, and Anders, thanks for talking to her for me. I knew that something had happened, and I couldn't stand for our teamwork be ruined by some silly fight." she said with a smirk.

I didn't recognize this side of her. She had always been sarcastic and kinda blunt, but she was still sweet. Now, she reminded me of the girls at my old high school who used to tease me. Had the death of Bethany warped her this much? What would happen when her mother died?

My eyes widened as I processed her words. I met Anders and saw that they were as wide as mine.

"Well, I will leave you two alone!" She said happily before skipping off.

"You… told her? I trusted you!" He hissed.

"Like you're one to talk! You only talked to me, because she told you to!" I replied with a venom filled voice.

He didn't respond and simply stood up, walking out of the tavern.

For the first time in a long time, I felt very alone.