Chapter Summary: The return trip to Skyhold was a little more eventful than Cara had expected. Taking a moment to clear her head isn't at all helpful.

A huge thanks to Tess for her editing and patients. This chapter had a number of changes before we were both happy with it.

Edit: 5-24-16 Switched from First Person to Third Person POV.

Cara was saddling Rascal when Mia approached for a favor. She agreed without hesitation. The sly smile told her she should have heard her out before accepting so easily. With the current trouble in Crestwood, there was a shortage of horses. Even in town, they were either plow horses, or rough broke, none anyone could handle.

Fenris lacked experience with horses. Since Cara was the lightest person and the most experienced rider, Mia had decided Fenris would ride double with her.

"Why can't he go on foot until we get to Lake Calenhad? Iron Bull did until we reached Dennett's farm. That is how he and Hawke got here."

"If he wasn't injured, he could," she replied.

Cara groaned. "Fine. But if anyone cracks jokes I'll throw lightning at them."

"I will make sure everyone is sufficiently warned," Mia grinned. "It won't stop them, you know."

Fenris looked pale and Cara wasn't sure if he was uneasy about the horse or if it was the wound.

"Horses can sense your fear, they react to your emotions. Try to keep calm." Cara held Rascal's bridle in both hands, holding his head steady and turned enough to see Fenris beside him. "He likes his neck rubbed right under his mane."

Fenris shifted his weight, then reached out a hand. "Is this necessary?"

"It is, if you want to stay on."

Fenris' eyes widened a bit. "Are you certain this is wise?"

Cara sighed. "Unless we wait a week for you to heal and walk, this is the best we can do. Maybe when we reach Redcliffe, we can get a mount for you at Dennett's."

Rascal danced around Fenris, ears back, and Cara patted his neck.

"You've faced darkspawn, blood mages, giant spiders, Red Templars and a dragon. A horse can't be more frightening than any of those things."

Fenris smirked at the horse. "No, but I can kill any of those things. I doubt you would be pleased if I used the same defense with your mount."

Cara couldn't help the smile. She would never tire of his wit.

"Rascal has two weaknesses. A good scratch under his mane and apples. The greedy boy will eat apples until he makes himself sick." Cara handed Fenris a sack half full of apples. "Go ahead - give him one, and then scratch his neck again."

One crunchy apple later Fenris's tension eased, and Rascal's ears perked up.

Mia led everyone out of the Keep. They mounted up outside, with Rascal taking the rear. Cara quickly slipped into the saddle and held a hand out for Fenris. Rascal watched with eyes and ears alert, but he held still. Cara rubbed his favorite spot and cooed, and Fenris swung up gracefully. He adjusted himself behind the saddle.

"Sorry, elf, that won't work. You have no choice but to share a saddle."

"That is definitely not a wise idea."

"Well, it's the only way this works. I realize you're loath to touch a mage, but you will have to deal with it."

Mia turned to check on the delay. "Everything alright back here?"

"Just getting the details worked out," Cara said.

Fenris slid into the saddle behind her. She refused to think about his thighs pressed against her. His hand brushed against her thigh before he jerked back, then tried to find a place for it once again. She turned to look at him. He tried to put his weight on his arms, holding himself away from her.

"You'll never make it to camp if you don't relax."

"There is nowhere to put my hands. How are you not uncomfortable?"

"I'm not sitting on the edge of the saddle afraid to touch someone. We're only sharing a horse, Fenris. I promise I won't bite..." Cara might regret this later, but he needed to relax. "Well, not hard anyway."

He chuckled then coughed.

"You can rest your hands on my waist. It's acceptable when sharing a horse."

After a moment's hesitation, Fenris leaned forward and pressed against her back. His breath fluttered across her ear, voice husky. "Is this acceptable?"

Words caught in her throat. "It's fine."

She lied. It wasn't fine. Cara was pressed between him and the saddle horn, the motion of the mount rocking his hips forward. The warmth of his body pressed against hers and his hands on her hips caused her stomach to flip.

"Are you more comfortable?" he hummed.

"The two of you are awfully quiet back there," Dorian called back.

"Not everyone needs to hear the sound of their own voice all the time, Dorian," Cara retorted.

"I see you've finally relaxed, Fenris. Cara is a skilled horsewoman," Dorian said. "But then she is a woman of many talents." His slight grin told her he was setting her up rather than paying a compliment.

"You know, they say riding a horse is a lot like sex," Iron Bull said, "it's all about matching rhythms."

Sera cackled.

"Really, Sera, it wasn't that funny."

Funny would be her laughing her ass off her horse.

Unabashed, Sera measured the lyrium running through Fenris's skin. "Those markings make you move through things, yeah?"

"What of it?" Fenris' tone was sharp, his markings slightly glowed and Cara could feel the energy of them along her skin.

"You guys could be doing it right now and no one would know."

Solas let out a tired sigh and Cassandra made a disgusted noise.

"Sera!" Mia tried to stop the giggle, which made her admonishment ineffective.

"You can ride with me Fenris, if you tire of the view," Dorian offered.

"The two of you can discuss the first thing that pops up," Iron Bull added with a hearty laugh.

"I swear, the next person gets a bolt of lightning shot at their ass," Cara warned.

Varric chuckled. "Alright, kids, that's enough, don't provoke the scary elf."

"Cara isn't scary," Sera said. "Well, she is, but she knows it's just fun."

"I didn't mean Cara," Varric answered.

Solas looked back at her and Cara shook her head, then let out the breath she held. "Sorry. I knew when Mia suggested this, something like this might happen."

Fenris chuckled. "You have no control over their behavior, and have nothing to apologize for. I've heard much worse from Hawke and our friends."

"Still, it's not just you they tease. They are using you as a way to tease Solas."

"Then you and Solas are together?"

"We are...it's complicated."

"You hesitated. The two of you did not share a tent last night."

"I didn't hesitate. It's not easy to explain. Why didn't you leave with Hawke?"

"I would like to help the Inquisition. Varric has written often since he came to Haven. I've learned a great deal about the Herald. He mentioned you often, too. I wonder how much is true?"

"Knowing Varric, it's mostly exaggerations. He did forget to mention I was a mage."

Fenris snorted. "You are no mere mage. I'm not sure what you are. I doubt even Danarius could have matched your power. Yet, you are not a blood mage."

"What you saw was a product of the thin Veil in the grotto, nothing more. Ask any of them," Cara nodded ahead, "I have fallen weak after many battles from expending too much mana. I am an ordinary mage."

His hands gripped her hips. "You cast spells effortlessly, without the use of a staff. Even the most powerful Magister in Tevinter uses a staff to focus and strengthen their spells. Pretend if you like, I will figure you out eventually."

"So what did Varric write about me?"

"He said you have skill, but lack experience in battle. I wonder, do your hands still shake when you take a man's life? Or have you hardened yourself?"

"Taking a life will never be easy for me."

"I once thought that was a weakness, to mourn the loss of life."

"Once?"

"As a slave, I was ordered to kill without question. But this is about you, not me. Varric wrote of your selflessness, kindness, and determination. It takes courage to face a man in battle knowing you must kill or be killed."

"You sound as if you're impressed, but I'm a liability on the field when fighting the living. They have families, loved ones. I take no comfort in their deaths other than to know they won't harm anyone else."

"Then the dwarf didn't exaggerate your character. Nor your beauty."

"Looks fade over time. A person should be judged by their actions, not their looks."

A low grumble of laughter resonated in his chest. "Humble too, all are qualities I admire."

"I'm flattered, but I think you have the wrong impression."

"And what about the flattery and suggestive comments? The blushes as you look away?"

"I apologize for flirting, I meant to ease the tension between us, nothing more." Cara turned to look back - and the smug look on his face made her heart skip a beat.

"Your racing heart says you haven't made up your mind yet."

"You're imagining things." She turned forward.

His lips were warm against her ear as he whispered, "these markings heighten more than just my strength. I can hear your pulse race through your veins." He pressed himself against her ass, his arousal apparent. Cara bit her lower lip to hold the moan. His tongue, warm and wet, traced along the vein on her neck. "You can't hide your desire from me. I can smell it, taste it in your sweat."

"Don't," she whispered in return.

"The mage is a fool for waiting so long. I wonder who will gain the prize." His hand trailed over her thigh and between her legs. "Sera is right, clothes are no obstacle for me."

Cara expected awkward and uncomfortable Fenris, not a man bent on seduction. Or was this what he was like if Hawke didn't pursue him? Had his time with Isabela made him bolder?

"You don't play fair, do you?"

"No."

"I love Solas."

"Do you, or is it a lack of choices?"

"What will it take to convince you, I'm not interested?"

"I will believe it when it is the truth."

"Keep up you two," Varric called back.

They stopped in the Hinterlands. The camp was crowded with so many in the party. The area was clear of rifts and bandits for now, so Cara grabbed a bow and slipped out of the camp while the others put up extra tents.

She only wanted a few moments of quiet, a chance to forget how it felt being near Fenris, and to compose herself before facing Solas. Fenris was right - she was interested, but she expected the interest to be one sided.

Cara cloaked herself and slipped quietly through the trees. She expected to return to the camp before anyone noticed her absence. It felt good to hunt again. With the abundance of rams, she didn't need to go far before bringing one down.

"It is foolish to be out here alone." Fenris' deep voice startled her.

"If I wanted company, I would have asked." Her heart rate sped up. "And you would be the last person I asked."

Amusement seeped through his voice. "Afraid to be alone with me?"

"No, I only wanted to be alone. As for earlier, if things were different I would be flattered. Please, let the matter-"

The growl behind them turned her blood to ice. Quickly, she cast a barrier around them and pointed to a large boulder, away from the aggravated beast.

"There, it will give us the high ground." Cara put an ice wall between them and the ram, giving them a chance to get away. With luck, the bear would be content with the ram.

Fenris' markings glowed as he took her hand, and in seconds, the were at the base of the rock.

The bear was massive, and the sharp scar over one eye meant it had fought humans before - and remembered. With a roar, the beast crashed through the ice wall just as Cara reached the top of the boulder. It snapped its jaws and tossed its head to find our scent.

Cara let out a dark chuckle. "Shit! Not my lucky day after all."

His sword drawn, Fenris assessed their position. "We have an advantage, but this fight will not be easy."

Cara fired arrows only after the bear charged. She hoped some of them would slow the bear, even though she knew they would most likely cause more anger.

She shot a look behind her. "Did you tell anyone you were coming after me?"

"No. I followed as soon as you left the camp. I was right behind you until you disappeared." Fenris's eyes could cut glass. "I told you this was foolish."

"Save your anger for the bear." Cara cast a fireball at the encroaching animal. The smell of burning fur and flesh filled the air. It roared and screamed as it moved away, pawing at its face.

"What other spells do you command? You can grow plants; can you control the roots of the trees?"

"I don't know. I can try it if you can shoot a bow."

"Unfortunately, I left that to the dwarf." He growled in frustration. "Can you cast your storm here? Or will it drain you?"

"I can't fire arrows, keep a barrier up and bring a storm at the same time, no.."

Cara cast another fireball, but the already burnt flesh was less sensitive to the flames. The bear circled, looking for a way up. It found the sloped end of the boulder and began to climb.

Fenris leapt at it and swung his sword. A massive paw struck out as Fenris landed, and hit across his side. The barrier held, but the warrior lost his balance. Cara sent a mind blast out to push the bear off the boulder and fade stepped to Fenris. He gathered himself up, pressing a hand against his side. She cast another ice wall to buy them some time.

"Dammit, this isn't working. The arrows only anger him." Did she risk confirming Fenris' suspicions? If something didn't give them an advantage soon, she would have to.

A familiar roar on the other side of the clearing rang out. Iron Bull. "Cara, catch!"

She watched as the hilt of a sword flew end over end. The arch was too high, it would sail over their heads.

"Give me a boost?"

Fenris nodded and she stepped back. "This had better work."

Cara took three running steps and pushed off of his clasped hands. The hilt hit her hand and she closed her fingers around it, landing in a crouch behind Fenris, facing the ice wall.

"How is that helpful? It's broken."

"It's a spirit blade."

A grin broke over his face as she called the magic, funneling it into the enchanted hilt, and a golden blade appeared. "Now we fight. And Fenris, try not to tear your stitches."

The bear crashed through the ice wall and Cara leapt ahead. The first blow knocked it backward. Each sword strike strengthened the barrier around them. Bull joined and flanked the beast with broad swings. With the three of them attacking, the bear couldn't focus on a single target. Its claws glanced off the barrier, leaving us uninjured.

"Now!" Bull yelled. With the enhanced cloak and Fade step, Cara stepped into the bear's position and froze it. The bear shattered when she left the Fade.

A wave of relief washed over her. We survived! She hadn't froze, she hadn't panicked. Cara grabbed Fenris in a hug and kissed him on his cheek. Startled by her own actions she pushed away quickly. "Sorry, that wasn't..."

But he grabbed her waist and pulled her against him, his hand fisted in her hair and his mouth crashed over hers, demanding, possessive; everything she knew his kiss would be. Only Iron Bull's laughter brought her to her senses.

"So where's my kiss?" Bull asked.

Still shaken, she kissed his scarred cheek and punched his shoulder. "Took you long enough."

He laughed and hugged her. "I heard the bear roar. Figured you might need a hand." His hands on her shoulders, he held her at arm's length and looked her over. "You didn't panic this time, did you?"

She shook my head.

"That's my girl!" Then he turned to Fenris. "You don't look so hot, elf."

Cara groaned. "Shit, the stitches."

"Unavoidable," Fenris said.

"We should get back to camp," Iron Bull suggested.

Fenris wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned against her. Cara wrapped an arm around his waist and followed Bull. The ram hung over his broad shoulder, untouched by the bear.

In the camp, Bull explained to the others what happened, exaggerating bits and pieces of the story. Cara smiled - his tale would diffuse their irritation of her slipping out alone.

"Where did you learn such a jump?" Fenris asked.

"I forget where. Not all of my memories have returned." As soon as the half-truth left her lips she regretted it. She knew more about her past than he would ever learn of his own.

She found the buckles on his armor while he removed his bracers. The bandage was bloodied, but not as bad as she feared. When the last piece came free, she gently washed the wound. Only a few stitches had pulled.

"Not as injured as you pretended."

"Your barrier was very effective. How else was I to get you alone?"

"Oh, no. We are not doing this. It was an 'I'm glad you're not dead', or 'I'm glad I'm not dead' kiss. Nothing more. It won't happen again."

Fenris let out a quiet laugh. "Liar. I owe you my thanks once more."

"It was Iron Bull who saved us."

"You bought us time." With those words, Fenris leaned closer.

Cara could have pushed him away. Any pressure on the wound would distract him. Instead, she let him kiss her again. Hunting alone was foolish, but this was playing with fire.

"Violet, is Fenris alright?" Varric pushed through the tent flap. He coughed, hiding a chuckle. "Solas is headed this way, now that Bull is done distracting him with the details."

A frustrated sigh escaped her. "He's well enough. Not a word, dwarf."

"My lips are sealed. Though, I may use it in my next book, at least once I see how the story ends."

Solas came through the tent opening. "I came to offer assistance if needed."

"It's just a few pulled stitches. I'll have them mended in no time."

"Are you injured?" he asked.

"No, we made it to a boulder before it charged. I was running out of ideas when Bull showed up. I'll tell you the whole story when I'm finished." Cara peeked over her shoulder at him. "I'm alright, I promise."

Solas sat by the campfire, his back to the tent.

"Take a walk with me?" Cara asked.

They walked up the hill near Senna's shrine. Solas frowned. "You were fortunate the elf and Iron Bull noticed you missing."

"I know, but I needed to be alone with my thoughts."

Author's Notes: So I know Fenris in DA2 is hesitant and not the one to initiate a relationship, but it's been 10 years since he arrived in Kirkwall and people grow and change in that length of time. Since Hawke romanced Anders, Fenris and Isabela hooked up, but I saw it as a casual thing. With the weight of Danarius off his shoulders I imagine he's been thinking more about the future. So when Varric starts writing letters about the Inquisition and a mysterious elf that fell out of a rift, he's more than a little intrigued.