AN: I was really happy with the response I got from my first chapter. I had meant to update before now, but we all know how life can be. Here's chapter two! Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

"So what you're telling me is that, after all the trouble the slattern's put us through, you've decided you're through with her?"

"That's not…!" Hawke hung her head. "That's not what I mean."

"Then what do you mean, Hawke?" The captain's green eyes narrowed. It was not as if she and Isabela had become friends over the years, but the two of them were companions. The pirate caused more than enough trouble for Aveline and her guards on a regular basis. But when the Templar captain started questioning her leadership, Isabela had been right there with Hawke at her back. "It's unbelievable, to be sure, but the wretch loves you. Would you throw that away for something that could be?" The red haired woman leaned against her desk, crossing her arms over her chest.

It amazed her that Hawke was coming to her for love advice – of all people! But when Aveline considered what other options Hawke truly had, she realized she actually was the best choice. "You haven't seen Tallis in years, Hawke. Not since that Orleasian retreat." She sighed, holding her head in her hands. "I just don't want to watch you make a mistake, Hawke… Marian. I thought the two of you were getting along alright. Rumor has it, she's even stopped her outings to the Rose."

Hawke worried at her lower lip. "I know, Aveline. Believe me… You're not saying anything I haven't already thought about. But… Bloody Maker. I feel this disconnect between 'Bela and I. I… I don't even enjoy sex with her anymore." Aveline blushed furiously. "And Tallis… Thoughts of her haunt me." The champion ran a hand through her short hair. "I just can't seem to stop thinking about her."

"And just whom are you thinking about, sweet thing?" Isabela sauntered into the captain's office, slipping a possessive arm around the dark haired woman. "Me, I hope." She grinned, looking to Aveline. "Morning, Big Girl."

"Whore."

"Is it ever too early for this?" Hawke asked, already exasperated.

"Never." The pirate queen lightly kissed Hawke's cheek. "Come on, Hawke. I managed to get us a really sweet tip. There's supposedly a dirty shipment coming in today. Let's go have some fun."

The thick brows of the guard captain rose. "Oh, no you don't. If anyone is going to investigate illegal smugglers, it will be me and my men. I can hardly trust you to keep your own nose clean. I would have to be some sort of fool to let you walk in there without supervision."

Hawke threw up her hands. "Enough. Both of you." The champion sighed, obviously tired of this old game. "Aveline, what if you just accompany us?" She carefully took a step away from Isabela. Hawke tried to make it look casual as opposed to actually distancing herself from her lover. "That way – if there are smugglers – we're not going in blind. And that way, you can oversee the raid personally."

Isabela pouted. "Sweetness…" The pirate queen blinked her large, honey colored eyes up at the champion. "Do we have to bring, Mommy? She'll ruin all of our fun." She then slipped an arm around Hawke's neck, whispering huskily against her ear. "Can't we ditch her somewhere? You know how I get after a good fight." Her tongue darted out and teasingly traced the arch of Hawke's ear. Hawke cleared her throat and visibly moved away from the woman. "Fine. Have it your way. See if I share my secrets with you again."

"Come on." Hawke said, her tone suddenly shifting to business. "Let's see what these smugglers are all about."

"Hold it."

The dwarf slammed down his tankard of whiskey as if it were a gavel, effectively halting the woman's speech as she retold what had transpired earlier that night. "You and Isabela decided to take a little outing." Hawke nodded her response. "But then you decided to bring the captain of the guard with you." Hawke nodded again. "And now you're trying to tell me—"

"Yes, Varric!" The rogue slammed down her own tankard to cut the man off. "Tallis was on the flaming ship!"

"There it is. Just like ol' Jack promised it would be." Isabela crouched low, keeping close to the shadows. Hawke looked over her lover's shoulder, seeing the ship finally docking. Half a dozen men leaped off the side of the ship, securing the vessel to the dockside. "It's funny. I don't recognize the outfit. Normally bandits like to all dress like one another. The Crows. The Sharps. The City Guard."

"Shut it, whore."

"See what I mean? Anyway, these men –"

"Are obviously a set up." The Champion of Kirkwall disappeared in a cloud of black smoke and carefully traveled within the shadows until the first of many men was within her reach. One hand reached out, gripping the back of his tunic, as the other lashed out with a dagger, bringing the sharp blade across his throat. Before the moonlight had the opportunity to gleam across her silver weapon, arrows were already flying through the sky, coming from the ship, itself. "Isabela! Aveline!" Her dominant hand shifted, thrusting a dagger under the clavicle of another man. There were suddenly so many more smugglers. Hawke, deflecting an arrow, made her way back to her companions. "Perhaps we should have brought the company of guards."

"Now, darling, why would you say a thing like that?" Isabela was suddenly to her left, protecting her blind spot. "You and I work so well together. Who needs backup?" The honey-eyed woman winked and disappeared back into the shadows.

Battle weary, Hawke made her way toward the ship. She had to know what was so damned important. She had to know why so many men were on board – had been on board. The dark haired woman slid her twin daggers into their sheathes and grabbed the rope, slowly inching her way up. She knew Isabela would have been able to climb the thing must faster than she could. Hawke felt like a slow moving target, hanging on the braided rope that tied the ship to shore. Finally, Hawke set foot on board. And she saw exactly what – or rather who – all those men were protecting.

Numb, Hawke stepped slowly toward the figure that remained tied to the mast. Nimble fingers untied the cloth gag, and bright blue eyes gazed upon the red haired elf once more.

"Hello, Tallis."