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

A/N: I'm sorry that this next chapter took so long to be posted. I caught up to where I am in the game a lot quicker than I thought I would. I haven't played this far in the game as much so I'm not as familiar with how the upcoming events go. I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 27

"Hey, Twiggy!" CJ scowled at the nickname. She really didn't want to be called that.

"Yes, Sera?" She looked at the bouncing elf, who seemed oddly proud of herself. "What'd you do?"

"Who says I did anything?"

"Your entire body language?" CJ retorted. "What'd you do? And am I about to be pulled in to it?"

"SERA!" Josephine's voice sounded out and Sera's grin widened.

"Oh, you didn't." CJ felt a sense of horror start to rise in her. "Please tell me you didn't mess with the ball outfits. Sera, please."

"Want a lie or the truth?"

"You're a dead woman walking." CJ shook her head. "There's no way you're going to be able to talk your way out of this. The ball is in three days! What in the world possessed you to mess with the outfits?!"

Sera blinked, startled. She hadn't expected CJ to scold her, CJ could see that in her eyes. "What?" Her tone became defensive.

"No, don't pull that crap with me. You're smart. I know you are." CJ frowned at her. "I know you know how important this is. You talk about wanting to make things better for the little people? The ones who work behind the scenes? How about helping end the civil war occurring in Orlais? Maybe make it so they aren't worried about being killed in the middle of the night just because they work in a certain house?"

Sera was staring at her.

"How about ending the war in Orlais so they can help us stop Corypheus?"

Sera stared at her, unspeaking. Josephine approached them now, her face tight with anger.

"I'm sorry." Jospehine's rant was cut off at Sera's apology.

Both women stared at the elf, who honestly looked contrite.

"What?"

"I'm sorry. For, you know, messing with the outfits." Sera muttered, kicking at the ground like a small child. "What can I do to fix them?"

CJ's jaw dropped as Josephine nodded shortly and led Sera away. She apologized. Had Sera ever apologized for one of her pranks? Not that CJ could remember.

She looked up at the sky. Was it falling? Was Corypheus approaching on his pet dragon? Surely, this must be signaling the end of the world?!

But, no. There was no signs imminent in the clear blue sky.

She was still staring at the sky when Blackwall found her, half an hour later.

"What are you looking at?" He questioned.

"Sera apologized. I'm still not convinced that the sky's not gonna fall." She exclaimed.

Blackwall chuckled. "You're a weird one, aren't you?"

"You're just figuring that out now?" She laughed. "You're a slow one, aren't you?"

"Come with me, fighter. I need your assistance."

"With what?" She questioned, but Blackwall just shook his head.

With a sigh, she followed the man.

The trip to Orlais was uneventful, though CJ hadn't been all that keen on leaving Tommy. Again. Parenthood really sucked, sometimes. They were in the Winter Palace courtyard now, Josephine had gone to find the man who had invited them, Duke Gaspard.

"Twiggy, still moping?" She scowled at Sera.

"Stop calling me that, and I'm not moping." She exclaimed.

"Are too."

"Are not!"

"Are too!"

"Are not!"

Before the argument could deteriorate further, Cullen stepped between them.

"Might I remind you ladies that the Inquisition is already on thin ice with the court because our Inquisitor is an elf?" He said. "We do not need you two fighting like children and making things worse."

CJ opened her mouth to retort, but was abruptly pulled away by the back of her tunic. She turned a glare on Iron Bull.

"What was that for?" She demanded hotly.

He just grinned at her.

"You're pretty cute when you get all fired up."

Her face flared red, and she didn't know how to respond. So instead, she pulled at her shirt, straightening it.

"Your face almost matches your shirt." Varric commented, and CJ resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. Barely.

"Stuff it, dwarf, or I'll tell the nobles that you're looking for interviews for your newest book." She threatened.

Varric stared at her. "You wouldn't."

"Try me." She retorted.

He stared at her for a moment longer. "You can be pretty scary when you want. Keep that in mind, fighter."

"You make me proud, Kadan." Iron Bull pulled her to him for a quick kiss.

"None of that," Cullen exclaimed as Iron Bull released her. "Now come on."

Much to CJ's displeasure, it had been decided that she would be one of the main group with Talon. Apparently, the story of her dragon-slaying had swept through the court like wildfire. Sera gave her a triumphant look as Leliana instructed her to stay to the side, melting into the background as soon as she could.

CJ stuck her tongue out at the elf in response.

Their group was separated in two, Talon, CJ, Vivienne, and Blackwall making up the main group while Iron Bull, Cole, Sera, and Varric would be tasked with gathering information.

CJ followed Talon into the main hall, trying to keep the disgruntled look off her face. She needed to act the part, like the Orlesian nobility, otherwise they'd eat her alive.

Once they'd been introduced, Josephine indicated for CJ to come closer.

"No doubt you will be asked for the story of the dragon and Adamant," She began. "Please keep all exaggerations to a minimum."

"I thought Orlesians likes stories." CJ answered. "The wilder, the better."

Josephine scowled at her briefly. "We are trying to keep the Inquistion as credible as possible. We do not need one of our leaders spreading tall tales."

CJ blinked in shock. "I'm not one of the leaders." She protested.

"Yes you are!" Josephine exclaimed, but then paused at CJ's confused look. "You don't believe that, do you? Don't see how important you are." CJ shrugged, uncomfortable with the turn the conversation took.

"Don't worry, Josie." She said, instead. "I'll keep the story strictly to the one you and Leliana released. I'm not Varric, prone to making up stories at the drop of a hat."

"You forget, CJ, I've heard you in the tavern with Iron Bull's men."

CJ grinned. "I'll behave Josie. I promise."

And she did behave. She behaved when the nobles cornered her and demanded the story of the dragon. She behaved when one asked her to dance and then groped her. She behaved when she overheard a group of them making fun of Talon for being an elf. She even behaved when she happened upon a group of men and women badmouthing Iron Bull.

But CJ's patience abruptly snapped when she came face to face with someone she'd never expected to see again.

"I say," The man's companion said, peering at CJ through his mask. "You look rather familiar, my dear. Are you from Denerim, by chance?" He was Ferelden.

"I was born there, yes." CJ answered, not taking her eyes off the first man. Many emotions were flashing across his face, surprise, anger, shock, and confusion. But the one that got CJ was fear. He was terrified by the sight of her. Why was he so afraid? The last time she'd seen her father, he'd made it abundantly clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. So CJ had left. That had been almost eight years ago. Why would he fear her?

"She looks remarkably like that peasant girl, Ari? Doesn't she, Michal?"

CJ's father blinked.

"You've done well, apparently." Michal said.

"As have you." She answered, taking note of his clothes. He was no longer a servant. By his clothes, CJ guessed he had somehow managed to gain a title.

"You know each other, Michal?"

"I should certainly hope he knows me." CJ couldn't stop herself from speaking. The last time she'd seen this man, he'd sworn at her and demanded that she never come to him again. That she was nothing more than a beggar, besides the fact that CJ hadn't asked anything from him. At the age of seventeen, she'd just wanted to see him. Ask why he hadn't wanted her. "Considering I'm his daughter."

Michal reacted like she'd punched him.

"I have no daughter." He hissed.

Oh, that hurt. Despite the fact that he'd abandoned her when she was an infant, it still hurt to have her father standing there staring at her straight in the eye and saying he didn't have a daughter. Rejecting her existence without hesitation. That hurt more than she was expecting.

"Enjoy your evening." She was pleased her voice didn't shake. With that, she turned on her heel and walked away. She needed to find a quiet spot where she could get control of her emotions. She'd be no good to the Inquisition with her emotions going haywire like this.

It took some doing, but she finally found a quiet alcove that she could duck in.

'Calm down.' She thought sternly. 'What does it matter that that bastard doesn't want to claim you? You don't need him. You've never needed him. You've lived for twenty-five years without a parent. You don't need him. You've got a family now. Tommy and Iron Bull and Talon and Cole and all of them. They're your family. They're better than that bastard could ever hope to be.'

But still, her hands shook. Her heart ached. Her eyes burned.

"Kadan." Iron Bull's voice sounded out from behind her.

"You're supposed to be gathering information." She didn't turn to face him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You are lying." He placed a hand on her shoulder. The warmth was familiar. And welcome. "Kadan, what's wrong?"

But CJ didn't want to say. How pathetic would she sound? Getting all weepy because the man who abandoned her twenty-five years ago didn't accept her now? What had she expected?!

"It's stupid. It's nothing." She took a deep breath, calming herself. Once she was sure there were no tears in her eyes, she turned to look at Iron Bull. "You're supposed to be gathering information."

He stared at her, frowning. But then he sighed.

"You are much to stubborn for your own good." He muttered.

"But that's why you love me." She retorted.

"One of the many reasons, yes." He answered without hesitation.

She blinked, startled. Sure, she knew how he felt, but he'd never actually said it. Even in this obtuse manner. Before she could reply, Sera ducked her head into the alcove.

"Something's brewing in the staffs' quarters." She said. "Twiggy, you, me, Shiny, and Demon boy are to check it out. Bull, Shiny wants you with Josephine."

CJ nodded in understanding and followed the elf, giving one last glance over her shoulder as she went. Iron Bull was watching her, his face the mask he wore so well. She turned her attention back to what was on hand.

As CJ crouched down beside yet another one of the elven staff's slain body, she fought to control her anger.

"They just swept through and killed them. Like it was nothing." She exclaimed, her voice tight. They'd come upon some mercenaries' bodies. Ones who really had no business being in Orlais to begin with.

Her companions didn't speak as she closed the elven woman's eyes.

"I'm sorry we didn't get here in time." She murmured and then stood up.

"We need to keep moving." Talon said. His face was drawn with sorrow and anger.

"These deaths can't be overlooked." She exclaimed.

"They won't be." Sera's voice spoke promises of chaos. And CJ completely approved.

No one was innocent in the whole mess. CJ was disgusted with the entire affair. Gaspard had brought in chevaliers, Florianne had become Coryepheus' follower, Briala would have killed anyone who could dig up her past with Celene. And who had been caught in their quest for the throne? Innocent victims.

Talon had Florianne arrested and taken into the Inquisition's custody. He'd judge her back at Skyhold. That left the question of who would rule Orlais. If CJ'd been in charge of the decision, she honestly didn't know what she would have done. Probably would have told them all to piss off and picked one of the young elven servants whose life had been all but destroyed in the mess of the night. Or put Krem on the throne. That'd piss off a lot of people.

'Probably why I won't be given that type of power.' She thought bleakly, staring out at the view from one of the balconies off of the main hall. She'd seen her father again after they stopped Florianne from killing Celene. He'd given her the same fear-filled look as he had before. But this time, there'd been something else. Anticipation, maybe? She didn't know. Just like she didn't know why he was so afraid by the sight of her. Hadn't she respected his wishes? Done what he asked? Wasn't that good enough?

"Boss decided to keep Celene on the throne." Iron Bull's voice pulled her from her increasingly negative thoughts.

"Yippee." She couldn't put any real enthusiasm into her answer. But Iron Bull kept chattering, trying to draw her out of her foul mood. She didn't really pay attention.

"Saw another qunari here. Not as big as me, but looked mean. He must have gotten in a nasty fight with someone. I could see the scar on his neck from across the room." That caught her attention, but she didn't know why. "He was with that squirrely little guy. The jumped up servant turned noble from Denerim. Mocal? Michal?"

CJ's blood ran cold as it clicked. All of a sudden, it made sense. Why Michal had been so stunned to see her. Really, more so than he should be even if he hadn't seen her in eight years. More like, he'd been told he'd never see her again. That she was dead. And who would have told him that but one of those who were tasked to kill her?

And that would explain the fear. Why he was so terrified of her. Hell, if she'd sent a team of mercenaries after someone, she'd be terrified of that person walking up to her like nothing was wrong.

That understanding quickly turned to a red hot anger. Michal. He'd sent those men after her all those years ago. It was his fault that the farmstead had been attacked. And one of those attackers was here. Alive. But not for long.

"Where'd you see them last?" She demanded, cutting Iron Bull off mid-sentence.

"What's wrong?" He asked, startled. But CJ was no longer there. She was rushing back into the main hall, scanning the faces for her father.

"Where's Michal?" She demanded, grabbing the arm of the man he'd been with earlier. CJ knew Iron Bull was right behind her, given the man's eyes kept flicking up in fear. "Where is he?!"

He pointed and CJ ran. Iron Bull was following, but he got caught in the crowd.

"Kadan!" He called, but CJ didn't stop. "Wait!"

But CJ didn't. She bolted past people, only pausing long enough to ask if they'd seen a man and qunari go by.

"They went that way," A young man said, his voice wavering. CJ had found him at the bottom of a staircase, holding his ankle. "The qunari grabbed my sister and pushed me down the stairs!"

And CJ was gone again. She had no thoughts other than catching the qunari and killing him. Like she'd thought she'd done seven years ago. From the information she'd gained, she knew the qunari was Blatt. He'd been the one who had allowed her to escape by being drunk. He would not survive again.

She whipped around a corner and froze. There he was. Standing at the far end of the hall. In his hands, he held a rope. The rope was taut, strung up through a chandelier and going out the window. CJ could hear the muffled yells of fear.

"Never thought I'd see you again." His voice was raspy, but it still brought back waves of memories. CJ fought back the fear that wanted to fill her mind.

"You're supposed to be dead." She exclaimed.

"So are you." He responded. "And yet here you are."

"I'll fix that for you soon." She took a step forward, a dagger in her hand already.

"No you won't." Blatt smiled sickly. "You kill me, I drop the rope, and then dear old dad falls to his death."

"So?" She retorted. "He's responsible for what happened."

"But is the girl?" She stopped walking, cursing silently. "She's young. Can't be more than eighteen. That was about how old you were, isn't it?" Blatt's voice turned crooning. "When we took you?" He loosened his grasp on the rope for a second, and a foot slid through his fingers. The yells grew more panicked. "You really going to let her fall?"

No. Of course she wasn't. She couldn't. And Blatt knew that. The instant he let go of the rope, CJ would only have one chance. If she hesitated for even a second, she wouldn't be able to grab it, and they'd fall. But Blatt would get away.

"I know you want to kill me, Dearie." She flinched at the name. "But what's more important? My death or her life? Choose!" He released the rope and began running away and CJ lunged forward. She grabbed the rope as it unwound from the floor. The combined weight of her father and the girl was too much for CJ to lift straight up. It was all she could do to stop the rope from slipping right out of her hands. The friction caused burns to form, but she clung to it, doing her best to wrap it around her arms, trying to gain more leverage.

Blatt paused at the end of the hall and looked back at her.

"This isn't over." She hissed through clenched teeth, glaring at him. CJ could hear Iron Bull calling her name. He was getting closer. No doubt he had more of their group with him.

"No." Blatt agreed, his eyes sweeping her body just as they'd done so many times all those years ago. "It's not. We'll meet again, Dearie. Count on it." And then he was gone.