A/N: Disclaimer: I own none of the recognized characters. I simply am borrowing them to satisfy my muse.

Chapter 37

"Mama!"

CJ was barely aware of the voice. Everything around her was dark. Something was pressing down on her.

"Mama!"

"CJ!"

What the hell happened? She couldn't remember.

She opened her eyes. Or thought she did. Everything was black. Very consciously, CJ closed her eyes and then opened them again. Still black. Had she lost her sight again? Terror shot through her, and CJ fought it down. Her heart was racing, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. That brought the smell of smoke. And some pain.

Smoke? Why was there smoke?

"Mama!"

She closed her eyes again. Took another deep breath. Counted to twenty and took another deep breath. And then she opened her eyes again. Blatt's face was inches from her own. CJ started. He was the weight that was pressing down on her. And he was dead. Very dead. A shard of wood was pierced through his throat.

"CJ!" She didn't respond. "CJ, can you hear me?"

"MAMA!" Tommy. Tommy's voice, calling for her. He'd been falling. CJ blinked again as her memories pieced themselves together. "MAMA!"

"Tommy," Her voice came out hoarse. Weak. But she was alive. There was rubble all around. Bits of the burned barn. CJ was staring up at the sky. Stars were out. It was night. How long had she been out? Hours, apparently.

"CJ?" That was Cole. "CJ, can you hear me?"

"CJ?" Dalish.

"Here," Her voice cracked. She couldn't get any louder. Instead, she began to struggle, trying to slide out from under Blatt's weight. It was slow going, but at last, she was free. All of her limbs seemed to be working. Weakly, she got to her feet. CJ was wobbly, but she stayed upright.

"Mama! Answer!"

"Tommy," She took a staggering step forward and almost went down. She caught herself on a charred piece of wood. It was still warm, but it seemed like most of the fire had gone out. "Tommy," She said again, taking another step. "Tommy!" Her voice was louder now. "Tommy!" She reached the outer wall, and tripped, falling face first into a snow drift.

Hands were there in moments, helping her up and out.

"CJ, thank Andraste." That was Rocky. "Bull would have killed us if you didn't come back. I really mean kill us. Stone dead. And not nicely, either."

"Glad to help you avoid death." CJ croaked. "Where's Tommy?" Standing was too much of an effort, so she sank down into the snow. The cold felt good on her suddenly hot skin.

"Mama!" She saw Cole approaching, carrying the child who was frantic to reach her. "Mama!" Lia and Dalish were right behind Cole, Lia fighting through the snow as fast as her legs would carry her.

"Tommy," The boy practically fell into CJ's arms, clinging to her and crying. "Shh, baby, I've got you."

"You are insane." Dalish said bluntly as Lia crashed into CJ, hugging both her and Tommy.

"I've known that for a long time, Dalish." CJ gave them a tired smile.

"What of the Qunari?" Rocky questioned, looking back at the remains of the barn. "Is he gonna come stumbling out of the ashes like you did?"

"He's dead." CJ said firmly. "It's over." She hugged the children. "It's over."

"We've got camp set up." Dalish said. "Come on."

The children weren't too keen on letting go of CJ, so she walked with Tommy in one arm and holding Lia's hand with the other. Cole walked directly behind her, she suspected so he would be able to catch her if she pitched over backwards without warning.

It wasn't more than a quarter of a mile, but CJ was exhausted by the time they finally reached it. She sank down tiredly, Tommy settling onto her lap and Lia pressing in to her side. Blankets were draped over the three of them. She let out a harsh cough, wincing as her lungs hurt.

"Are the kids all right?" She questioned as the others moved around, preparing things for the night. Lia was falling asleep, and Tommy was coughing.

"Some bumps and bruises. Scared as hell. In need of some good food and care, but other than that, they'll survive. Tommy's cough will be sticking around for a while. As will yours. Smoke doesn't do lungs any good." Dalish listed off. "What about you? How badly are you injured?"

"Nothing bad." CJ shrugged. "My chest hurts some, and I've probably got some bruises. But they'll heal."

"You were lucky, fighter." Rocky exclaimed, bringing over some water. CJ drank eagerly. She'd had a couple of mouthfuls of snow, but she was still thirsty. Tommy accepted a drink but then burrowed back into CJ, one hand clutching her shirt tightly, the other firmly corked into his mouth as he sucked on his thumb. He hadn't done that before. "Damn lucky. That barn burned down around your ears, and you made it through without a single scorch."

"All my scorches are on the inside. Just can't see 'em." She coughed again.

"We'll head home tomorrow." Dalish said as Cole sat next to CJ. "There are a lot of people pretty eager to see you all."

CJ looked in to the fire. "How upset was Bull? When he found out I was gone?"

"Ripped the door off the cell. And then destroyed one of the tables in the dining hall when no one was able to say when you were last seen."

"He was worried." Cole commented.

"I thought he was going to snap Solas in two when he finally admitted to seeing you leave." Rocky said.

CJ sighed, and looked down at Tommy. The boy had fallen asleep. She could handle Bull's anger. She'd face anything for her son. It was worth it.

"Is Krem ok?" She asked. "I didn't hurt him, did I?"

"Hurt his pride pretty deeply," Dalish snorted. "He's not going to be living that down for a long time! Knocked out by an unarmed and bound captive? That's hilarious!"

CJ smiled. "I bet he's not taking too kindly to your amusement."

Dalish shrugged. "Serves him right for falling for your tricks. You're a crafty one, Fighter. You and Bull make quite a pair."

"Damn right we do!" They all laughed.

The trip back to Skyhold was slow, the two children were unused to riding for long periods of time. Not to mention that all of the horses were much too large for them anyways. Chet tolerated the children pulling on his mane with grace. He was a good horse. CJ would make sure he was well taken care of once they got home.

As they traveled, the others filled CJ in on all that she had missed.

Blackwall's real name was Rainer. Thom Rainer. Who was not a Grey Warden. Who had been a captain in the Orlesian army and accused of treason when he accepted a bribe to take out one of Celene's allies. But they didn't just take out the ally. They took out his whole family.

CJ frowned as she'd heard that. Blackwall had lied to them all. She was going to have a long talk with the man. If Talon hadn't cast him out of Skyhold or sentenced him to death. She wasn't sure how she would have dealt with it if the decision rested with her. Though, right now, she was not exactly unbiased towards the man. His actions had enabled Tommy to be kidnapped. Yes, she and Blackwall needed to have a very long talk. Maybe involving a dagger or two.

They were maybe a day out of Skyhold when they crested a hill and came upon an army marching out.

"Fighter!" Sera called out in delight, waving an arm. "You're back!"

Their small group was quickly engulfed by the army, being ushered through towards where Talon and Cullen were waiting.

"Mama! Da!" Lia called, catching sight of her parents. The girl was off the horse and rushing forward even before CJ could stop Chet.

"Lia!" Aria yelled, dropping to her knees to embrace her daughter. Her husband was right beside her. CJ couldn't help but smile as the family was reunited. She was happy this had turned out all right.

"Da!" Tommy's delighted yell sounded out right before he and CJ were grabbed in a tight embrace. She was hauled off Chet by Iron Bull.

"Bull," She began, trying to turn her head to look at him. But he was holding her at the wrong angle. Tommy was talking excitedly.

"You two are coming with me." He said sternly, and marched off, still carrying them.

Yup. He was upset. Great.