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

Chapter 24

"Fighter!" CJ looked up from the chunk of wood she was trying to carve. Sera and Talon were waving to her, peeking around a corner. Obviously they were up to something. Tommy was taking a nap, so she was currently free to be involved with any prank they had going on. And it was obvious they had one.

"Yeah?" She asked as she went over to them.

"We're going to prank our leaders. You in?" Sera grinned at her.

CJ returned the grin. "Of course I'm in."

"You don't even know what we're going to do." Talon exclaimed.

"Doesn't matter. I'm in."

"Brilliant!"

They quickly made their way to Cullen's office. CJ was the lookout while Talon and Sera searched for something they could mess with. Sera put a block under the corner of Cullen's desk, making it just a little wobbly. It was going to drive him insane! Josephine was next, a bucket of cold water on top of the door, leaving Josephine and whoever she invited next to be soaked. Leliana was more difficult.

"Hey, who's up there?!" The three froze at the sound of a voice. Exchanging a look, Talon called out, "RUN!"

Laughing, CJ sprinted out from the tower, quickly winding her way down to the ground level. Talon and Sera had gone to the tavern, CJ made her way to Tommy's room, to see if he had awoken. He had not, but his face was twisted in fear. A nightmare.

"Shh, it's all right, little one." CJ whispered, sitting next to him and running a hand over his back.

"Mama! Run!" He whimpered, and turned into CJ, clutching her shirt tightly in his hands. Knowing he wouldn't release her easily, CJ carefully shifted so she was laying down next to the boy, an arm draped over him.

"Shh," She said. "Mama's here. She's right here."

As he drifted into a deep sleep, CJ fell asleep as well.

When they awoke, CJ took the boy down to the stables. He always enjoyed spending time with Blackwall, hearing the stories the man had to tell. They spent the rest of the afternoon there, CJ managing to keep an innocent face when Josephine finally tracked her down.

"You!" She exclaimed. "You were the one to trap my door!"

"Josie, I don't know what you're talking about." CJ answered.

"Don't even try, CJ!" Josephine retorted. "Your partners already gave you up! You rigged a bucket to drop on me!"

"I never touched the bucket." CJ answered honestly, only to be met with a scowl.

"I will get even." Josephine exclaimed before stalking away. For a moment, CJ felt a flash of unease. Josephine really wasn't a person to be messed with. Blackwall was staring at the retreating figure with a look of longing in his eyes.

"She's beautiful when she gets all worked up, isn't she?" CJ grinned as his eyes snapped to her. "You should tell her that."

He flushed dully. "You are not one to be giving relationship advice, fighter." He muttered. CJ laughed.

"Yeah, you're probably right."