Author's Note: I'm back! I had to leave this while I did a bit of costuming but the event is over and I can focus once again. Of course now I've got a wonderful Zevran story brewing in my mind (it will be branched off from his exit in this story though, not touching the former Zev stories I've done. Stay tuned!) but I need to finish this one first - I'm too excited about it! Hope you enjoy (and hope there aren't too many distracting mistakes...still a bit rusty haha)

~Obscured by Clouds~

Soft streams of sunlight filtered in through the partially open window and gently splashed across Drea's face. Even with her closed eyes, she was aware that she was tucked in closely to Nate with her head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around her. Slowly she opened her eyes but kept still, not wanting to ruin the moment. A small smile melted onto her lips as she looked at her hand on his bare chest. It was comforting just to feel the steady rise and fall from his relaxed breaths as he continued to sleep next to her. Tracing her eyes up from his chest to his face, she found herself fascinated by his peaceful expression. As she carefully studied his features, it distantly occurred to her that he must have taken after his mother – it was difficult for her to find traces of Rendon. Or maybe all she remembered of Rendon was how his face was always twisted by his anger…

"What?" Drea felt the rumble under her hand as Nate spoke. She kept quiet and watched his closed eyes, wondering if he was talking in his sleep. Not getting an answer, Nate added, "Why are you staring at me?"

Gently scoffing, Drea replied, "What makes you think I'm staring at you?"

Finally, Nate cracked one eye open to see her looking up at him and arched his eyebrow at her pointedly. Frowning, she lamely defended herself, "Well I'm staring at you now."

His chest rumbled again under her hand as he chuckled. With a soft sigh, he pulled her in closer and they fell into a comfortable silence as Drea absently started tracing her fingers through the hairs on his chest. With his eyes still closed, Nate brought his hand up to rest over hers before asking, "How did you sleep?"

"I always sleep well when you're here," she lifted her head to look at him as she spoke. Slowly he opened his eyes and blinked enough to focus on her. Lovingly, he reached over and gently caressed the side of her face. In a soft voice, Drea whispered, "I love you Nathaniel…"

Having heard those words for the first time he hesitated, his hand hovering by the curve of her jaw line. Quietly, he asked, "Because I help you sleep?"

Drea's eyebrows raised with indignation as Nate tried to keep from grinning. "I was starting to think I slept well because I loved you but I wonder if it's just so I don't have to put up with you being an ass," she shot back as she tried to hide her smirk.

"It's love," he replied decisively, "And I for one am glad to hear it. I was starting to feel cheap and dirty about this whole thing."

Giving up, Drea groaned and rolled away from him onto her back. Laughing, he rolled towards her and propped himself up on his elbow. Looking down on her he smiled again, sincerely this time but she frowned in return. Trying again, he repeated himself, "I am glad to hear it because I've been in love with you for…a while now. And it's nice to know I'm not the only one feeling this way." Emphasizing his point, he leaned down to close his mouth over hers, taking pleasure in their quiet morning.

Unfortunately it was not long before that tender moment was a mere memory and she was angrily shoving open the dungeon door for her and Arkon. As she expected, Anders sat next to Ashlyn's cell where he spent most of his spare time. The loud slam of the heavy door startled them both but before either could say anything, she stormed up to Anders. In a stern voice, she demanded, "Have you gotten any information from her?"

An unsure look crossed the mage's face at his commander's sudden entrance and questioning. Taking his silence as a no, Drea stepped over to the cell and spoke to the prisoner, "Well that is unfortunate. I was hoping to spare Anders from what's to come next but it seems you're giving me no choice."

Ashlyn's eyes darted from Drea to Anders, looking for answers to explain the cryptic words. Seeing Anders return her confused gaze, Ashlyn hesitantly asked, "What…do you mean?"

Taking a step back, Drea leaned against the guard's table and crossed her arms. To stay out of the way, both Arkon and the guard moved to the back of the room near the door. Keeping her expression hard and her tone cold and business-like, Drea answered, "I mean exactly that. You have given me no choice, bard. I have tried being rough, being friendly, even relying on Anders to get you to talk and nothing has worked. But the fact is, I have to know who sent you and why. So since I have failed in getting this information, I will be sending for an interrogator from Fort Drakon." Drea let that linger in the air for a moment before turning to Anders and continuing, "I have seen the carnage left in their torture rooms once they are finished and it is…well quite frankly horrifying. So my heart goes out to you Anders because it will not be easy to sit back. But I do expect you to."

"Isn't that a bit extreme?" Anders quietly asked as he uncomfortably folded his arms over his chest.

"I would rather not," Drea admitted as she dropped her arms and started tapping her fingers along the table. "But I'm out of options Anders. If you can think of something, I'm all ears."

The two exchanged an intense stare but Anders remained quiet apparently having no other ideas. As Drea watched the colour slowly draining from his face, she heard some movement behind her – the door opening and hushed whispers – but kept her focus on Anders. Finally, he broke eye contact and lowered his gaze to the floor. Clearing her throat, Drea finished in a softer tone, "I don't like it either Anders, but Ashlyn is the only one who can help herself now." Turning her attention to Ashlyn, and noticing the distinct nervousness across the bard's features, Drea addressed her, "And you've got until the interrogator arrives…maybe a week…if you want to spare yourself…and Anders."

Secretly, Drea was hoping this would be enough to intimidate Ashlyn into giving up her employer. She had no intention of sending for the sadistic prison torturers she had seen, and doubted Alistair even kept them on in Denerim. But if the bard held strong Drea would have to come up with something. It was finally the guard nervously speaking to her that pulled Drea out of her thoughts, "…Commander? You have a visitor that…is insisting to see you now."

Turning to face the guard by the door, she could see he was young and flustered. Given the serious tone she had set in the room, it wasn't a surprise he was worried about interrupting. With his one little phrase, her curiosity was piqued. This visitor was obviously insistent enough to be lead to her in the dungeon of all places rather than taken to be greeted in the main hall. Giving a sharp nod, Drea signalled for the guest to be let in. Wasting no time, the young guard cracked the door open and nodded to the guard that was guiding the visitor.

Suddenly, the door was thrown open and a cloaked figure sailed into the room. Pushing herself off the table, Drea turned to face the person and realized the face was completely hidden. Instinctively, her hand dropped for her sword... "Finally," the figure grumbled as she brushed her way past the guard.

Before she even pushed the cloak back from her face, Drea knew. The voice was unmistakable. Her heart leapt into her throat but she was frozen to the spot. As the hood dropped back from the woman's face, her fiery red hair greeted the room and a coy smile beamed from her lips. "Leliana," Drea breathed.

With that simple rustle of a dropping hood, Drea felt pulled into a dream. Nothing was real. Nothing else mattered. The anxious pair behind her, the looming threat of a mad witch, the throngs of people depending on her…they all faded into nothingness as she stared at the red-headed beauty standing in the room. She couldn't blink, she couldn't breath, and she couldn't risk waking up. Slowly she noticed Leliana was drifting closer to her and somewhere in Drea's mind she realized she was the one moving. She couldn't feel her feet taking one step in front of the other, it felt more like she was floating, like her body was lighter than the air around her. Suddenly, she was there. At the end of her fingertips was the woman she had spent many nights with in her dreams.

As Drea approached, Leliana reached her arms out to her. Wordlessly, the women collapsed against each other in an emotional embrace. Drea was comforted by the gentle berry scent from Leliana's hair as it filled her nostrils. It was just as she remembered. Quietly, the two stood wrapped in each others arms - holding each other for much longer than what was considered proper. Finally, with great effort, they pulled away slightly so they could look at one another. Drea couldn't help but run her fingers through Leliana's hair before resting her hands on her shoulders. Her hair was longer now…

For a moment she stood with her lips parted, trying to form words, but it was impossible to grab even one of the dozens of thoughts that flew through her mind. She could feel herself cracking against the rush of emotions and struggled to hold it in. Her eyebrows creased deeply as she was captured by Leliana's cool blue eyes. Finally finding her voice, she murmured just loud enough for Leliana to hear, "I'm sorry…Lil I'm so sorry…I shouldn't have just left…not like that…"

Taking a step closer again, Leliana shook her head against the apologies. "Shhh," she cooed with her warm, intoxicating smile, "It's alright. I understand."

For a second, Drea could only hold her breath as she fought back the tears that were forming. "I…just can't believe you're really here," she hiccupped slightly as she struggled to keep her voice under control. So many thoughts pounded through her head that one blended into the other and formed a fog between her and reality. Through the fog, time seemed to speed up and slow down simultaneously. Pausing for a moment to collect herself, she glanced at Leliana's dark robe again. Grasping at something on a lighter note, she asked hesitantly, "Were you the mysterious woman in the tavern then?"

Surprised by the question, Leliana threw her head back and laughed. Not even knowing the reason for the laugher, Drea couldn't help but smile. No one could resist her laugh – it reached right into the soul. Finally, Leliana replied, "Mysterious? Oh Maker's breath is that what your guard said? I hate to tell you this but the poor dear was too drunk to see straight. I kept the conversation short and sweet but I didn't think I was being mysterious!"

So many questions…

"I wracked my brain trying to think of who it could be but I never…" Drea's words faded away with a dying chuckle before she added more seriously, "I just can't believe you're here." Again, Leliana smiled but somehow it was more knowing than joyful. Reaching over, Drea traced her hand over Leliana's cheeks, looking for any scars, "Are you alright?"

That wasn't the question…

Reaching up, Leliana clasp her hands over Drea's. "I'm fine," she assured her as she squeezed her hands tightly.

It needs to be asked…

A pause hung in the air before Drea asked her next, inevitable question, "Is it over then? Did you…"

Before she could finish her sentence, Leliana wriggled her hand free and rested a finger across Drea's lips, silencing her. Lifting her finger off her mouth, she brushed the small bit of free hair away from Drea's face as she replied, "There will be plenty of time for that later. For now, can't it be enough that I freed myself and I came back to you?"

She came back to me…

Before Drea could answer, the pair was interrupted by a loud whine at their feet. Arkon stared up at them, clearly annoyed at being ignored for so long. "Arky!" Leliana exclaimed, noticing him for the first time. Excitedly, Arkon hopped to the side, barking loudly as he stared up at Leliana. As she bent down, he stopped hopping so she could reach over and scratch him behind the ear. "Have you been taking good care of her?" she asked before adding, "You're such a good boy!" Nuzzling his large head into her hands, he huffed a pleased response as she beamed at him.

Drea watched the pair for several moments before finally becoming aware of the fact they were reuniting in a prison with people watching. It suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable. "Why don't we go somewhere…well better than the dungeon?" Drea suggested. As if to agree with her, Arkon broke away from Leliana and started to bound towards the door.

Standing back up, Leliana wiped her hands on her pants before glancing over to Ashlyn and Anders. Gesturing their direction, she commented, "But I can see I have interrupted something. I can wait until you are finished."

Shaking her head dismissively, Drea started moving towards the door as she replied, "You didn't interrupt much of anything. It's just a prisoner of mine I'm dealing with."

It was a few steps before Drea realized Leliana had not followed. Turning back she saw Leliana was focused on Ashlyn and suddenly the mood in the room grew thick. Glancing past Leliana she saw Ashlyn no longer looked nervous – she looked frightened. Not breaking her stare into the prison cell, Leliana asked over her shoulder to Drea, "Who is she?"

There was nothing dark in Leliana's voice but somehow Drea knew something was wrong. Taking a hesitant step back towards her friend, she tried to keep her voice casual as she replied, "Just someone I hired a while back. But Lil, you've been on the road, lets just get you settled for now…"

Ignoring Drea, Leliana narrowed her eyes at Ashlyn and repeated, "Who are you?" Keeping her eyes locked on Leliana, Ashlyn slowly started to step away from the bars, moving towards the back of the cell. Anders kept looking between the two women as his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Before he could ask what was going on, Leliana accused, "You're one of Marjolaine's girls aren't you?"

Ashlyn's subtle stiffening at Marjolaine's name was enough to condemn her. Leliana's movements were a blur as she threw her cloak back to swiftly grab her bow. Calling out, time slowed as Drea ran through mud towards Leliana but it was too late – the arrow was slashing through the air towards Ashlyn. Even over her shouting, she could hear the air crackling and faintly smelled something burning. Looking past Leliana, Drea watched as the arrow twitched, was knocked into a bar, and snapped onto the floor.

Faint wisps of smoke trailed up from Anders' fingers as he turned to face Leliana. Without hesitation, she leveled her bow at the mage. "Try that again," she challenged dangerously.

Thrusting herself between them, Drea turned to face Leliana and yelled, "What are you doing?"

The dungeon door thudded loudly and with a quick glance Drea saw the guard had slipped out of the room, leaving her and Arkon alone with the sudden break of madness. She could hear her mabari's low, menacing growl. Like her, however, he wasn't entirely sure what the biggest threat was…