Disclaimer: I own nothing, I make no money.

Author's Note: Sooooo, I just finished writing the last chapter. After this one, there are only four more. GASP. I know. It's been fun kids. And that means that it will all be posted pretty quickly since it's done.

I'd like to thank the guest reviewer Judy. I can't thank you personally through a PM since you don't have an account, but believe me, your reviews throughout the story have been noticed. Thank you for taking the time to submit your words and encouragement. Please enjoy.

Interlocking

Chapter Thirty Eight: After

"Krem grunts softly in thought, and then he glances back down to her. 'Have you given much thought to…after?'" - Krem and Harding find each other in a world torn apart. A story told in brief glimpses.

The Inquisition's scouts and minimal ground forces make their way back to Skyhold in the early morning hours. The bulk of the forces are still gathering their strength, organizing the supplies and the wounded back at the main camp in the Arbor Wilds. The Inquisitor has already arrived at Skyhold just ahead of Harding and her scouts. She can see the imposing keep across the next snowy hill. She tugs her horse along beside her.

"We're getting closer to Corypheus," Krem speaks alongside her. He and the Chargers are accompanying the scouts back to Skyhold.

Harding looks up at him as she trudges through the snow. His face is looking off toward the mountains, his lips pursed tight in thought

She shrugs. "Might not be long now. Before he makes his move against us."

Behind them, the Inquisition forces trek through the deep snow and calm wind. Bull's laughter can be heard not far behind. Stitches and Rocky walk just ahead of them, trading conversation. Half a dozen of Harding's scouts trek further up the path from them.

Krem grunts softly in thought, and then he glances back down to her. "Have you given much thought to…after?"

Harding looks up at him as she walks. "After?"

Krem shrugs a single shoulder, his gaze returning to the mountain path before them. "After all this is over." His voice is low.

Harding mulls the words over a moment as she watches him. "Depends I guess."

"On?"

"What the world is like when it's 'over'."

Krem is silent a moment.

Harding lets out a puff of breath in the chill mountain air, and she looks to the path as well. "Could be nothing but scorched earth. Or we could be dead." She ends on a soft exhale, the words weighted and dragging.

Krem nudges her with an elbow. "Don't be so dramatic." But even as he says it, even as the words leave him with a false chuckle, he knows – just as well as she – that it could very well happen. He pushes the thought from his mind.

Harding sighs. "I know, I know. It's just…I wonder if I should even be thinking about an after at this point. I mean, wouldn't it be better to focus on the now?" She flicks her gaze up to him as she asks it.

Krem adjusts the collar of his armor with one hand, blowing a breath through his lips. "I don't know, Lace. I mean…" He stops, looking down at the snow as his boots plod through it. "Thinking about an after – an after with you – is probably exactly what I need to focus on, you know?"

Harding smiles up at him, warm and loving. She links her gloved fingers through his. "You're such a softie."

Krem rolls his eyes and smirks down to her. "You can't tell me you don't love it." He squeezes her fingers in his hold.

Harding tries to hide her smirk as she looks ahead of her once more. "I don't."

"Liar."

"Mush."

"You can't resist me."

Harding snaps her head up to him, a scoff on her lips, hidden somewhat by her laugh. "You are so full of yourself." She can't resist the smile tugging at her lips.

"Most nights you're the one who's full of me," he whispers huskily, suggestively waving his fingers between them. He grins wolfishly down at her, winking, and he revels in the blush he sees cross her cheeks.

Maker, how can he still do that?

Harding turns her gaze from his, tilting her chin up and tugging on the horse's reins. "Arrogant, cheeky Vint." But she is smiling.

He leans down as he pulls her hand up with his own, and he plants a short kiss on her gloved knuckles. He lowers their joined hands and continues alongside her, watching her steadily for a moment, a content smile lighting his features. He simply watches her. There is a calm and a peace to their steady walking, the majestic, snow-covered mountains towering around them. The air is bright with the sun's rays. It smells crisp and fresh.

Her hand is warm in his, even through the gloves.

Krem clears his throat and looks back to the trail. "I'm serious though. I think about it all the time. Of maybe, you joining the Chargers once this is all done. Coming with." He pulls in a shaky, nervous breath. He has never said it out loud.

Harding quirks a brow his way. "Joining the Chargers?"

"I told you once before, that you'd always have a place with us."

"Hmm." She narrows her eyes in thought.

"You're already family. It wouldn't be a stretch to move you from Lead Scout to a position with the Chargers." He glances at her out of the corner of his eye.

Harding swallows thickly but does not look at him. "I…don't know."

"Why the hesitation?"

Harding pulls her lip between her teeth. They round a bend in the path and see the entrance to Skyhold close ahead. "Krem, I…" She hesitates.

He squeezes her fingers once more. "What? You can tell me."

She sighs, finally looking up at him. "I like it here. With the Inquisition. And whether we win this fight with Corypheus or not, the world is going to need some serious putting back together. The Inquisition won't simply disband. They could still use me. And I could still do some good. I feel like I belong here." She stops, her mouth opened as though to continue, but then she shuts it. Looks away.

Krem feels a slow, heavy breath fill his lungs as he contemplates her words, holding her hand in his. "I get it." He nods. Mostly to himself. "I get it, Lace. I just…"

Harding glances up at him to find his mouth pulled in a tight line, his brow furrowed. She knows what he is feeling. Because she feels it too.

He sighs, raking a hand through his hair. "I just don't want to leave you."

"I know," she insists, swallowing tightly. "I don't want to leave you either but…I mean…we'll figure it out."

"How?" He glances down at her. "The Chargers are my family."

She opens her mouth, then closes it, then, "We'll figure it out." Her words are more sure than she feels.

Krem shakes his head, his eyes moving to their joined hands. "It's not like we can –"

His words are cut off by the violent, thunderous tremble of the ground at their feet, the sky suddenly bright and blinding with a green light. Krem and Harding move their arms to cover their eyes, and Harding is jerked back suddenly by her horse's frantic rearing.

"Whoa, whoa," Krem tries to soothe the mare, moving to grasp the reins in Harding's hands. The earth quakes beneath their feet. The light flashes, and then rescinds, until it is only a swirling green hole in the sky above them.

A breach.

Again.

Something sinks inside Harding at the sight. All around her are the panicked and bewildered cries of her comrades. The mountains rumble around them and Harding has a hard time keeping her footing. But this time, as she looks up the path to Skyhold, she can see the rocks at the base of the keep loosen. The towering fortress is slowly being lifted into the sky, piles of snow and mud cascading down the mountainsides around it. She reacts instantly. Calling out to her scouts to fall back.

Her eyes lock with Krem's.

Somewhere in the distance is the burrowing, chilling voice of Corypheus, washing over them in waves of dark promise.

Krem reaches for her.

The world tears apart around them.