A/N: Yes, yes… I know… I just posted…But I'm posting this cus it's really more of a filler than the last chapter was and I know for a fact that between semtests and holidays I'm not going to be updating in a while. :) Enjoy…

Chapter 10

Dear Maker.

If you are listening, please do me a favour and start a bar fight in the Hanged Man. It's this tavern in Kirkwall… You know, in the Free Marches? It doesn't have to be anything elaborate, it could even the same as last week when that idiot pinched Isabela on the arse and she rammed him head first into the wall… Or you could get inventive… I don't care… Just please don't leave me like this for a moment longer.

P.S… If you are feeling very generous, could you kindly send Aveline over to my table?

Yours Truly,

Abigail Hawke.

Abby lifted her head from her prayer, once more awkwardly meeting Donnic's chocolate brown eyes. The guardsman watched her warily. The Maker only knew what was going through his mind. In a rather selfless attempt to help Aveline get laid, she and Isabela had decided that the pair should meet for drinks at the Hanged Man. This no doubt would have worked out fabulously if it wasn't for the fact that Aveline had opted to chicken out of the mission. Abby's brow furrowed angrily. She was going to murder her for this.

And Isabela, she thought viciously, her eyes flickering around the crowded bar in search of the pirate. This had all been her idea. She should have been the one to carry it out. But no… Isabela somehow ended up in a secluded table at the other end of the tavern, drinking and playing cards with Tristan. Lucky whore.

"So…" Donnic let the word hang in the air between them and Abby winced, mentally preparing herself for whatever mind numbingly boring conversation was about to ensue. She met his gaze again, silently begging the Maker to heed her prayers.

I need to start talking to Sebastian more often, she thought idly. Maybe he could give me some pointers on getting the Maker's attention,

"Had any interesting cases lately?" she asked, forcing some semblance of interest into her tone. She tried to force her eyes to stay on Donnic's face while he answered her, resisting the urge to let her gaze wander around the crowded bar in search of a more interesting focus. She could dimly hear Merrill's high pitched giggles as the elf listened in on one of Varric's tales. The tavern was particularly full that night, its dusty and warm interior filled almost to bursting with drunken patrons. The only silence in the entire establishment seemed to resonate from the table where she and the guardsman sat.

"I've been working dockside with those smugglers. Or at least I had been until I was reassigned to Hightown patrol…" Donnic's voice became dejected towards the end of his sentence and Abby winced again.

Way to go Aveline. Killer move that one was! she had to grit her teeth to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the red-head's foolishness. It was a maker-damned miracle that Aveline and Wesley had ever progressed far enough to get married. Abby's brow furrowed slightly as a thought struck her.

Wait a second! Wesley was a Templar, wasn't he? They take vows, don't they? Dear burning Andraste! How did Aveline actually manage to seduce that man away from the Chantry! She shook her head in confusion. Divine intervention had to have been in play for that particular union to ever be.

The door to the Hanged Man opened, allowing a blast of chilly air to seep into the stifling heat of the bar and distracting her momentarily from her thoughts. Abby glanced towards the entrance, though it was no longer with any semblance of hope. She had long since resigned herself to the fact that Aveline simply wasn't coming. Now it was merely a case of waiting for Donnic to get the guts to decide to leave. Which by the look of sheer agonized boredom spread across his features, shouldn't take too much longer. A shock of white hair suddenly caught her attention.

There, she thought, casting a sour glance towards Isabela as Fenris strode into the bar, seating himself down at the table where Varric and Merrill sat. You see? He doesn't only come in here for me, Honestly… She loved Isabela like a sister, but the girl had no clue sometimes.

Last night was just an exception. He must be lonely. He still hates me, I'm sure,

Still, it was fun, getting drunk at Denarius's mansion on the magister's expensive wine. Fenris had even been surprisingly talkative. I must be growing on him, she thought cheerfully. Given time, one could get used to anything – even mages.

"There were supposed to be others coming, weren't there?" Donnic suddenly piped up. He too had shot a glance towards the entrance as the door opened, though his expression still portrayed a little hope.

Others? No, no, not at all. Well maybe one other person. But we won't worry about her. She'll be dead in a few hours once I get my hands on her,

She forced a smile to her lips. It felt more like a grimace. "Plans changed,"

He nodded his head slowly, looking anything but impressed. He lifted his mug of ale to his lips slowly, then changed his mind half way through the action and returned his untouched drink back to the table. Obviously not even sheer and absolute boredom was incentive enough to make him drink the ale before him.

Okay. If Aveline isn't going to have the plain decency to show up, and the Maker isn't planning on bailing me out of this, I might as well make myself useful, Abby thought resolutely. She leaned a little closer to Donnic, a you-can-trust-me smile now plastered in place of her grimace.

"So… Aveline is a great Captain huh?"

"Look!" Donnic pushed himself to his feet, his dark eyes flashing in annoyance. Something inside of him seemed to have snapped. "I can see now you're trying to use Aveline to get close to me, but it isn't going to work. I like a woman who is direct. All this game-playing…" he shook his head in disgust. "Good night Serah,"

Abby sat frozen, staring at the spot where Donnic's head had been only moments before, her mouth forming a perfect 'o' of surprise.

What….? My damn! Conceited much? He didn't just do that, did he? Abby felt a stir of indignant anger rising up within her.

"I… I couldn't do it…" Aveline's mortified voice came from somewhere above her head. Oh so now you show up, "What did he say?"

Abby's blue eyes flickered upwards. "Your boyfriend is under the impression that I am interested in him,"

"He what? Oh Maker," Aveline dropped into Donnic's vacated seat, resting her head in her hands. "What a mess,"

Abby rubbed her throbbing temples with her fingertips, calling forth a little healing magic to help wash away the pain.

"Worst. Night. Ever," she growled and Aveline looked stricken.

"I just don't understand why it's so hard for me," the Guard Captain groaned. "It seems so easy for everyone else…"

"Everyone else?" Abby echoed, one brow raised in bemusement. She had better not be talking about Fenris. There is nothing going on between Fenris and I. Good grief Isabela. Stop spreading your gossip. Some people actually believe those ridiculous lies of yours, "Who exactly has it so right?"

Aveline shifted slightly in her chair, her green eyes gazing wistfully towards the back of the tavern, where Tristan and Isabela still sat.

"How do they manage it?"

"They're not together," Abby pointed out quickly. She would murder Isabela if she tried. She didn't need to see her newest family member suffer a broken heart. It might seem cruel of her to think, but Abby knew the pirate too well. Once she had had her 'duel' and was satisfied, she would swiftly move on to her next worthy opponent.

"I know," Aveline nodded her head, her eyes not leaving the pair. "But they just look so damn comfortable together. I wish I could just talk to Donnic. But it's like when I'm not on patrol, I just freeze up and can't say a thing,"

"So then maybe you need to be on patrol," Abigail pointed out. "If that makes you feel more secure, then so be it. The point is that you need to get your feelings out into the open,"

"Is that really such a good idea? I'm his Captain… Things could get very awkward if he doesn't reciprocate my feelings for him," Aveline expelled a ragged sigh, dragging her fingers down her cheeks in agony. "I should just give all this foolishness up and pretend it never happened,"

Abby drummed her fingers thoughtfully against the weathered table before her, considering it carefully. On the one hand, she knew that Aveline's job meant the world to her. Should things between her and Donnic not work out, it would make things even more difficult for the Guard Captain than they already were. On the other hand, she was certain that her job alone would never make Aveline happy. The woman deserved another chance at a husband and a family.

"You have to try, Aveline," she said, giving her a gentle smile of encouragement. "If you don't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Life is all about risks,"

"What are you suggesting?" the Guard Captain's voice was a sigh of defeat.

"Well, like you said, we need to make sure you're comfortable enough to be able to talk to him. You said you're good on patrols, right?"

Aveline nodded mutely.

"Brilliant," Abby gave a cheerful smile. "Then arrange a patrol with him. Make it along the Wounded Coast, that way you'll have some semblance of privacy,"

Aveline instantly shook her head. "That won't work…" she moaned. "I can't have a deep and meaningful conversation with the man while I'm up to my neck killing bandits,"

Hawke's smile never wavered. "Honestly Aveline. You have so little faith in me. There won't be a single bandit along that patrol – I can assure it,"

"And how can you do that?" the Captain asked doubtfully.

"By going on ahead of you and clearing the way," Abby replied quickly. She placed a reassuring hand on her friend's broad shoulder. "Come on… It won't be so bad. By the end of tomorrow, all of this will be nothing more than a funny memory,"

"I sincerely hope you're right Hawke,"

"Trust me," Abby said reassuringly as she rose to her feet. "I'm always right,"

At this Aveline could only roll her eyes disdainfully and Abby gave her a wink as she sauntered past her, heading for the table where Fenris, Merrill and Varric sat together.

"Deal me in," she sighed, dropping into the seat next to Varric wearily.

"Hello Hawke!" Merrill said cheerfully, waving from across the table. "What were you doing with Guardsman Donnic? Were you two on a date?"

Abby rolled her cobalt blue eyes as she reflected on the most awkward few hours of her life which had just gone past.

Well according to Donnic it was a date, she thought irritably.

"Yup," she nodded her head absently while sifting through the hand she had been dealt. "Best date of my life,"

"Really?" Merrill tittered excitedly. "That's simply wonderful Hawke! You deserve to be happy,"

"Merrill?" Abby sighed as she placed her bet on the table. She raised her blue eyes to meet the Dalish elf's brilliant green ones.

Merrill nibbled at her bottom lip unhappily. "That was sarcasm again, wasn't it?" she guessed.

Abby nodded her head. "Well done,"

"So what were you really doing with the guardsman?" Fenris probed. Abigail glanced across at him. His eyes were narrowed in concentration, cautiously scanning the cards in front of him. He leaned forwards, adding a few of his own coins to the pile in the centre of the table and lifted his head to meet her gaze.

"Playing matchmaker for Aveline,"

"Wait a second," Varric held up one hand excitedly. "Aveline is interested in Donnic? As in the guardsman? As in… You know… Romantically?"

"You mean your partner in crime didn't tell you all this already?" Abby asked, one brow rising in surprise. "You'd better watch out Varric. You might just lose her to Tristan Amell,"

"Never!" Varric declared vehemently, while casting a reproachful glance towards the table near the back where the pair still sat. "Between my chest hair and Bianca, what more could a woman want?"

Abby laughed softly. "How could I forget?" she teased.

"If you were playing matchmaker for Aveline, then why wasn't she at the table with you and Donnic?" Fenris asked, his voice suspicious.

"She backed out at the last minute. She was too scared to join us," Abby gave the elf an uncertain glance. Why in the Maker's name did he look so disgruntled?

"That's awful," Merrill sighed. "Poor Aveline,"

"We're going to try again tomorrow," Abby reassured her. "Aveline is going on a patrol along the Wounded Coast with him. I'm going to clear the way ahead to give them some time to talk,"

"Alone?" Fenris shook his head. "Too dangerous. Let me come with you,"

Abigail smiled brilliantly. "You took the words right out of my mouth. In fact, all three of you are coming with me," she tossed her cards on the table and stood up. "Get an early night's sleep guys. Tomorrow is going to be a long day,"