Disclaimer: I own none of the recognized characters. I am merely borrowing them to satisfy my muse

Chapter 23

When CJ woke up, she was alone. Had she dreamt the entire thing? She sat up slowly, trying to think. Surely Iron Bull hadn't been able to slip out without her waking, had he? A piece of paper caught her attention.

Kadan, I have to get back to the chargers. When I get back, it's my turn to explore you.

So it hadn't been a dream. A smile came to CJ's face. He had accepted her.

"Mama!" Tommy burst into her room, his false leg clicking on the floor with each step. "Mama! Breakfast!" She climbed out of bed and scooped the child up.

"Good morning, Tommy. Let's get dressed for breakfast, shall we?"

Once they were dressed, CJ carried the boy down towards the kitchens.

"Words in the night. Acceptance where you thought would be rejection." Cole's voice caught her attention. She grinned at the young man.

"Hello, Cole." She said. "Tommy and I are going to get breakfast. Would you like to join us?"

He nodded.

"Cole carry!" Tommy demanded, holding his hands out to the young man. CJ blinked in surprise.

"He doesn't fear me." Cole said, taking the child. "All the other children do, but he doesn't. Because he sees that you love me. He trusts me because you do." Tommy reached up to pull at Cole's hat. "I don't understand."

"That's friendship, Cole." CJ said simply, slinging an arm around Cole's shoulders. "Confusing, frustrating, often infuriating, but you would do anything to keep it."

They ate breakfast, Tommy sitting on Cole's lap. They attracted a lot of strange looks.

"I have to go." Cole said, abruptly, once he was done.

"See you later, Cole." CJ waved. Tommy copied her.

"What do you want to do today, Tommy?" She questioned, looking at the boy.

"Tour!" Tommy exclaimed, bouncing excitedly.

"All right." CJ agreed, laughing. "Touring it is!"

They started with the walls, CJ holding Tommy's hand as they walked along the top of the wall. They stopped by Cullen's office, CJ wanting to apologize for her actions towards him in Adamant.

Cullen waved off her apologies. "We all do foolish things in love, don't we?"

Her face turned red. "Did everyone know before I did?"

"Not everyone." Cullen smiled at her. "The Iron Bull was pretty clueless until you kissed him, I'd wager."

CJ shook her head. "See you later, Commander."

"Later, indeed." She led Tommy down into the courtyard, heading towards the stables. They had just reached archway when Solas and Cole came rushing across the grounds. Talon came wandering up as well.

"He won't bind me, He's a mage, and he likes demons, but he won't help!" CJ watched in silence. More than anything, she wanted to comfort Cole, but she knew anything she said would have no effect.

It was decided that Talon would have Leliana look for one of the amulets. It would keep Cole from being able to be bound by enemy mages. Cole looked at CJ after they were done arguing.

"If I turn demon. If I start hurting people, like what I did before, would you stop me?" He asked, his tone serious. "Would you kill me?"

That question tore at CJ's heart. "If that's what you wanted, then yes." She answered. He looked at her closely, inspecting her face.

"You would still love me. It would hurt you. Break your heart, tears coursing down your face as your knife slit my throat, but you'd still do it." His voice held confusion. "Why?"

"I am not so selfish that I would let someone I love live in agony if I knew they truly wanted to die. If there was no coming back for them." CJ let out a shaky breath. "But let's pray that that time never comes, shall we?" Cole nodded.

"Thank you." Then he hugged her. Surprised, CJ returned the embrace. She had hugged him before, but he had never initiated the contact.

"Mama, tour!" Tommy was getting impatient.

CJ laughed as Cole pulled back. "It seems I've been neglecting my duties as a tour guide. You can come along if you'd like, Cole."

"I think I will."