*I am incorporating a tiny bit of the game here, but once again I've changed it and it won't play a huge role in the actual story but will come up at the end.*
You Don't Have To Stand Alone
Chapter 37 – The Ties That Bind
Anders' recovery took a few days and Allison hovered over him constantly making sure that he wasn't exerting himself too fast, too soon.
"I'm fine Love, honestly." Anders said for what felt like the fiftieth time. "There are people waiting to get into the clinic and it's time to reopen."
Allison studied Anders' complexion, pleased to see him looking healthy. She wasn't sure that he was ready to treat patients though.
"I don't know…" she said doubtfully.
Anders took her hands in his and smiled down at her. He truly loved this woman with everything he had and he would never forget how she had saved his life in the Fade.
"As you love to point out, I'm a healer, it's who I am. I need to do my work." Anders explained patiently.
When Allison nibbled her lip in that way he loved, Anders bent down to kiss her until he felt her relax.
"Fine. Go forth and heal." Allison grumbled. "But don't overdo it or so help me I will have you back in that bed so fast…"
Anders grinned at her, his eyes twinkling.
"Sweetheart, you don't have to threaten me to get me into bed." he teased in a sexy voice.
Allison snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Alright, rein it in. You've got work to do and if you're going to be busy then I'm going to run some errands." Allison said, batting at the hand that was moving towards her butt.
Anders grabbed her elbow before she could leave, his once merry eyes now dark and somber.
"You shouldn't be out alone, not now, not until Alrik is caught." Anders said solemnly.
Allison placed her hand on his cheek, feeling that warm rush of gratitude that he was alive and with her.
"I'm going to Lirene's and then I'll see if Isabela's at the Hanged Man. If she's not then I'll come back home okay?"
Anders stared at her for a long moment before he released her.
"Please be careful. For me." he said quietly.
Allison reached on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his."I will, I promise."
Allison grabbed her backpack and waved once more before she left.
As Anders had stated there was a line of people waiting to be seen by him now that the news that he had recovered had made its way around town.
Allison knew that Anders would feel better back in his element and it gave her time to put some plans she'd been considering into motion.
Lirene was busy as usual but she took a small break to talk to Allison.
"How is Anders feeling?" Lirene asked.
Allison knew that the woman had been instrumental in helping Anders to set up his practice when he first came to Kirkwall.
"He's good. There hasn't been any residual issues from the poison." Allison replied.
"Good. That Alrik had better watch his back if any of us sees him first." Lirene said darkly.
"Thank you. It meant a lot to see how much everyone cares for Anders." Allison told the woman.
Lirene looked a little surprised. "It's not just the Healer, we care for you too. You've been a big help to him and you've made him happy."
Allison flushed at comment and went on with her reason for visiting.
"I've actually been hoping to be more of a help to you and the refugees." she began.
Lirene waited for her to continue.
"I was wondering what you'd think of opening a soup kitchen?" Allison asked, feeling nervous that Lirene might say no.
"What's a soup kitchen?" Lirene asked, frowning at the unusual phrase.
Allison laughed. "Of course. Let me explain. Where I come from there are people who have an organized method for feeding the disadvantaged. They have volunteers come and they serve soup to those in need."
Lirene considered it.
"That's a lot of soup. Where would we get it?"
Allison smiled and pointed at herself.
"I'd make it. I thought that, if it was ok with you, I could use your kitchen. We could start with maybe two times a week at first to see how it goes? I could cook the soup here and we could serve it out front." Allison explained.
Lirene nodded as she spoke and Allison took courage from the fact that she hadn't told her to get lost yet.
"If the refugees knew that they could be fed at regular times, it might give them some hope." Allison concluded. "What do you think?"
Lirene smiled; a rare act. "I think it's a great idea. When can you start?"
Allison and Lirene worked out a schedule and Lirene said she would get word around while Allison gathered supplies for the coming week.
"Where are you going to get the money for all this?" Lirene asked worriedly.
"I think it'll be ok." Allison assured her. "After that weasel Umbar was kicked out of town, a new merchant took over buying and selling runes in the Gallows courtyard. I'll just pick up where I left off with him."
Once that was settled Allison headed for the Hanged Man with a spring in her step. She finally felt truly useful for once and it was nice.
She went upstairs and knocked on Isabela's door.
Isabela noticed Allison's happy demeanor and cocked a brow.
"Did you and Anders play the" Naughty Mage and the Big, Bad Templar" this morning?" the pirate taunted.
Allison stuck out her tongue at Isabela. "I don't kiss and tell." she said haughtily.
Isabela smirked. "If we get some Juniper Berries in you, you will."
Allison made a face and flopped on Isabela's bed.
"You're incorrigible you know that?"
Isabela grinned. "I know. It's why you love me."
"It's one of the reasons, true." Allison agreed and then became serious.
She got up and walked over to Isabela and to the pirate's embarrassed pleasure, put her arms around Isabela in a tight hug.
"Thank you so much for helping Anders Isabela." Allison said earnestly. "You're my best friend. I hope you know that."
Isabela broke her own rule about displays of affection and returned Allison embrace for a moment.
"Alright, that's enough of that." Isabela said finally, pushing Allison away gently.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone that under your magnificent chest lies a mushy, gentle heart." Allison teased.
Isabela threw a shoe at her and Allison ducked, giggling.
"I assume that you came here for some other reason than harassing me?" Isabela asked.
"I was wondering if you'd come with me to the Gallows?" Allison asked.
"What do you want to go there for?" Isabela inquired.
"I have something for Cullen and Anders would have a fit if I went there on my own after the last time." Allison explained.
"He's not the only one." Isabela said, a threat in her voice.
Allison put her hands up. "I know, I know! I wouldn't do that until Alrik's out of the picture. If you don't have time maybe we could go another day."
"No, now is fine. I could use a trip outside, I've been indoors too much." Isabela complained.
"Thanks Isabela."
Allison and Isabela stepped outside and Isabela locked the door behind her. Allison motioned towards Varric's room.
"Where is Varric anyway?" she asked.
Isabela rolled her eyes. "He's with his useless brother."
"Bartrand? Wow, he never talks about him. What's the deal?" Allison asked.
"Oh the fool has some scheme to make them rich as usual. He claims he found some artifact and now he wants Varric to use his contacts to sell it." Isabela said in disgust.
"I take it you think that it's a piece of crap?" Allison observed.
"That's putting it nicely." Isabela retorted. "It's a hideously ugly little statue that no one in their right mind would want."
"Well if anyone could sell a hideously ugly statue, it's Varric. " Allison said with a smile.
They made their way to the Gallows and Allison asked the guards at the gate if Cullen was available.
She couldn't figure out why the two men were giving Isabela such strange looks but eventually they were taken up to Cullen's office.
Allison paused outside his door.
"Isabela would you mind waiting out here while I talk to him?" Allison asked.
Isabela shrugged. "No problem. There are plenty of pretty young men to talk to."
Allison hesitated at the look in Isabela's eyes and put a restraining hand on her friend's arm.
"Please, try to control yourself." Allison pleaded.
Isabela just licked her lips.
Allison stepped inside Cullen's office and it was as efficient and warm as the man himself.
Cullen stood hastily when Allison entered the room and came around his desk to greet her. He took her hand and bowed over it.
"Allison! It is very good to see you." Cullen said sincerely. "How is Anders?"
"He's fine Cullen, thank you." Allison felt shy and hoped that Cullen would like his gift.
"What can I do for you?" Cullen asked, gesturing towards a chair.
Allison sat down and reached inside her backpack.
"I have something for you, if you don't mind that is." she said and took out a necklace made of chainmail.
Cullen's eyes widened in surprise. "That's for me?" he asked.
Allison got up and pushed Cullen towards the chair instead. When he sat she put the necklace on him and stood back to admire it.
"Perfect." she said.
Cullen studied the rune stone that was affixed as a pendant, tracing the symbol with his finger.
"What does it do?" he asked curiously.
Allison smiled. "I call it a Blessing because in a practical way it provides a shield against enchanted weapons but I also threw in the Tevinter symbol for happiness which doesn't really do anything but it's my wish for you."
Cullen was overcome for a moment and couldn't speak.
"Do you like it?" Allison asked nervously.
Cullen stood, cleared his throat and smiled. "No one has ever given me a gift that I will cherish more." he said finally.
Allison's expression became unsure and Cullen watched, concerned.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Allison took a cautious step towards him. "I just…I know that our relationship has been kind of…complicated at times, but I really care about you Cullen and I just wish that we could be in each other's lives somehow without…" she let the sentence drop.
Cullen tilted her chin up. "I care for you as well, and I know that I've made things "complicated", as you put it. But after all that's happened these last few weeks, I realized how much I value our friendship and I am content to leave it at that. I'd like to be in your life as well."
Allison grinned and threw her arms around the Templar who chuckled and hugged her back.
Cullen smiled warmly and it wasn't awkward which made Allison grateful.
"Thank you for saving Anders, Cullen. I can never repay you for that, no matter how long I live." Allison acknowledged.
Cullen shook his head. "Nonsense. Alrik hurt you and he hurt Anders. He's dirtied the name of the Templars and it's my duty to put it right."
Cullen hesitated before continuing in a wry tone. "And I must admit that Anders is not completely wrong about the deficiencies in the way the Circle operates. It's strange because I hated him when we were in Ferelden but he's so different now. He has a purpose in healing others and it's an honorable one."
Allison pretended to be horrified, putting a hand over her heart and gasping.
"Watch out Cullen. You sound positively reasonable!" she said with a shudder.
Cullen threw back his head and laughed. "Don't tell anyone."
"I promise." Allison said with mock seriousness.
Cullen saw her out to the gates once more and Allison waited around for half an hour before Isabela showed up again looking very satisfied.
Allison studied Isabela's tousled appearance. "You look like the cat that ate the canary." she commented.
Isabela grinned. "Well there was some eating involved…"
Allison plugged her ears. "La la la. No, I don't want to hear it."
Isabela shoved her playfully and Allison laughed.
"I can't take you anywhere."