I've always loved the song Learn To Be Lonely and, after playing DA2 with a few Anders romances, started thinking of him when I listened to the song. To me its sad, but happy at the same time?

'If you can do something about it, you should."

Anders could still hear the Commander saying those words, her husky voice hard and fierce. But what good did those words do him now? He still couldn't believe she was dead. The only thing protecting him from the unrelenting pursuit of the templars and she was dead. Anders felt a chill run down his spine in fear. Why of all the Wardens in Thedas did they send an ex-templar to watch over him?

Now he had no one left who could stop them. She had died before she could name her replacement. Now the only ones who knew him either did not have the voice that the Commander had, or the authority for that matter, or they were too grief-stricken to care. No one left to protect him.

That templar was always there, though. Taunting him. Calling him blood mage. Anders had never even thought of being a blood mage. He was a healer. He helped people. That's all he wanted. To help people and live in peace. Why couldn't they just leave him be? A few tears trickled down his face and he buried his face in his hands. His strawberry blonde hair was loose from its usual ponytail and helped to further hide his tears.

Sigrun had tried to speak on his behalf but they didn't listen to her like they did the Commander Something about when the Commander glared at someone with those ice cold eyes, people listened. Or wound up dead. Anders had been so impressed by her both times she had stood up to Rylock for him. The bitch templar had called him all sorts of filthy names and had warned Commander Cousland that he would betray her. But the Commander had stood firm; she had even called Anders a friend. That would make her his first real friend, ever.

Sure, he had been close with a few people before. Karl and him had stolen more than a few private nights together before Gregoire found out and shipped Karl to Kirkwall. But that was so long ago, before his long year of solitude, he barely remembered it.

But the Commander was different than all of them. She didn't fear him or hate him, like the templars. She didn't seek his company because there was no other options, like his fellow mages. She didn't care that he was a mage and she had called him friend. Those words had meant so much to Anders that he had nearly wept for joy right then and there. But a lifetime in the Tower had taught him to keep his emotions contained.

And then there was Justice. Anders had questioned the Commander's judgment when she had let him stay at the Keep. Even though Spirits were suppose to be different than demons, the creature made him nervous. The smell of the decomposing body was enough to churn his stomach and Justice often twitched involuntarily. It was... unsettling. But they had talked often and the creature seemed to have his heart, metaphorically speaking, in the right place.

Thinking about Justice seemed to call to him because when Anders looked up Justice was standing there, watching him with his strange eyes.

"If you can do something you should. That woman was always saying that," Justice said, causing Anders to shiver.

Anders, being a mage, could hear the spirit's voice in his head and with his ears; which gave off the feeling he was constantly hearing an echo when the creature spoke. The auditory sensation unnerved Anders every time.

Anders shrugged his shoulders. "Yea, well she's dead now so I see those words did her a lot of good," he replied sarcastically.

Justice furrowed his brow at the mage's harsh words. "You are angry," he said but it sounded like a question.

Anders sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Angry? Who, little old me? Why would I be angry? I thought everyone lived to be harassed by templars."

Justice frowned, or tried to. Mostly the rotting pieces of skin just dripped further down, revealing part of the teeth and gums underneath. Anders closed his eyes and struggled not to throw up. "Why is this one angry?" Justice asked.

Anders shook his head and changed the subject. "Better question: Do you think Andraste was really as hot as the statues make her out to be? I mean, wouldn't she have looked more barbarian?"

A piece of Justice's cheek fell off and landed on the ground with a very wet plop. Anders held back from gagging, not wanting to offend the spirit. Justice looked down at the decayed piece of flesh. "I am falling apart," he stated simply.

Anders attempted a grin that looked more like a grimace, but Justice didn't notice. "I can see that."

Justice looked back at Anders again. He thought about trying to frown again but thought better of it. He didn't want to lose anymore pieces of Kristoff's flesh. "I need a new host."

Anders eyebrows shot up into his hairline. "So, what? You're going to search Ferelden for corpses to haunt? Why not go back to the Fade?"

"I do not think I can return to the Fade," he replied.

Anders furrowed his brow, not failing to notice how Justice had failed to answer part of his question. "So, what do you plan on doing?" he asked, cautiously.

The muscles near Justice's eye started convulsing, causing his eye to twitch madly. His lower lip sagged a bit more, like it was about to fall off as well. "I thought that a living host might be more habitable than a corpse," he replied.

Anders paled at those words, suddenly very nervous. "A living host? So you intend to force some living creature into housing you in their body?"

Justice shook his head and bits of flesh flew everywhere. "No, I seek a willing host."

Anders wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or vomit. "Yes, I'm sure that'll work out great for you! 'Hi, random stranger, I am a spirit of Justice,. No, no! Don't be alarmed! I'm not a demon I just want posses your body until you die of perfectly natural causes! It'll be fun!'"

"I was hoping you would consider the idea. I think if it is a willing host, a friend..." Justice let his words trail off, uncertain.

Anders heart jumped a little. The spirit considered him a friend? Maybe, just maybe, if he had a spirit working with him... maybe then he could do something about his life. Maybe he wouldn't have to rely on anyone else for his freedom. He wouldn't sit here, night after night, wishing the Commander wasn't dead. Wishing he was dead instead of her. Maybe Justice was the key to his freedom. Maybe Justice could help him. Slowly Anders felt a small smile spreading across his lips.

"You know what, friend, that doesn't sound like a half bad idea..."