Another short one, I'm sorry. It's all I was able to fit in (not really much of a holiday).Anyway, hope it's not too boring. The next one will be a lot longer. (hopefully)

Enjoy and please review!

P.S: I don't like Carver... So I've altered the plot a bit. You should be able to figure out what happened without me having to say that much.

'Where's the sink?' asked a voice behind him. Anders craned his neck to see who spoke. It was Hawke, or rather James. He looked like Hawke, walked like Hawke, but there was something different. Even though the voice was familiar he still had trouble recognizing the speaker. He turned towards the man. 'Sink?'

'Um, the place where I put this?' James said raising the cup and bowl which had held his dinner. 'Oh, um, give it here.' said Anders. 'I was about to wash up anyway.' He took the bowl from James and walked past him to pick up his own. He then went to the small room next to James' and dumped them in a bucket. He started scrubbing.

James had followed him silently, too lost in thought to say anything. He stood in the door staring blankly at the opposite wall. It took Anders a while to notice him. 'Hey? How was the food?' James mentally shook himself before answering. 'It was...um, filling.' He said, trying not to sound insulting.

Anders chuckled. 'I know it's not the best but it beats going hungry.'

'Thank you by the way, for the food. I gather that it's not easy to come by in this district.' James motioned around him.

'It helps if you have friends in high-ish places.' Anders said grinning, sticking his hand in a pocket. He got a look on his face and pulled out small piece of paper, or at least it looked like paper. 'Oh, this arrived just a few minutes ago. It's from Bethany.' He said and held it out. James took the paper, read it and then looked up with a frown. 'Who's Bethany?'

The young woman, apparently his sister, was pacing. She didn't say anything. She appeared to be in deep thought. Anders was talking, trying to reassure her, but she didn't reply. James was sitting on a chair against the wall. He was watching her, waiting. Finally she reacted.

'First Carver with his stupid heroics, pushing me out of the way and now Garret...'A tear rolled down her cheek. She reached up and brushed it away and then walked over to James and did something really unexpected. She got down on her knees next to him and stared into his eyes. They sat there gazing at each other for a while before she spoke. 'I know you aren't really my brother anymore but I-' she stopped and brushed at her eyes again, 'I will help you get through this. This can't be any easier for you then it is for us.'

James was shocked. He had expected her to scream, throttle him and passionately mourn the loss of her brother. Anything but this. Where the hell am I?

'I'm really sorry, Bethany... I didn't ask to be brought here and I-'

'Don't...' she said simply before standing. 'Have you told the others yet?' she asked Anders. He shook his head. 'You're the first.'

Bethany nodded, considering. 'What are we going to tell mother?'

'Oh crap... I had forgotten about Leandra.' Said Anders.

'Maybe we shouldn't tell her at all. Maybe we shouldn't tell anyone.' Whispered Bethany. Anders and James looked at her. 'It might be for the best.' James agreed finally.

'I suppose... Not everyone will be as accepting as you, Bethany.'

'Then it is decided. We will carry on as if nothing has changed. This secret stays between us. Agreed?'

'Agreed.' voiced Anders.

The mages turned to James and waited for his word. 'But what if someone notices? I don't know what Hawke was like, how he acted, nothing. Someone is bound to catch on.'

'We could say that your near death experience has brought about a change of heart. That it left you a bit rattled, thus explaining your sudden downward spiral in the magical department.'

Bethany nodded. 'An unfocused mage is a useless one. No offence...'

James sighed. 'Very well, we keep quiet.'

'Good. Bethany, there is something I would like to discuss with you. Privately.'

James looked at him and then at Bethany, who seemed to be waiting for him. 'Oh, right. I'll just be over there somewhere.' He said and left the room.

'What is it Anders?'

He walked over and closed the door before speaking. 'James knows nothing of this world. Nothing of its history, its laws or its people. He might not like to think it so, but he is vulnerable. Not to mention in possession of a very powerful body. It's up to you and me to teach him in more than just magic. I would have asked for Merril's help but her practice of Blood magic has convinced me otherwise.'

'Anders, you know I will assist in any way that I can. I've always kind of felt like a bit of a failure as a sister when I looked at Garret's behaviour and actions. He turned out quite badly in the end... I will not fail again.'

Anders smiled at the young woman. She has lost so much recently, but she stays strong.

'We'll have to work out a plan for how we're going to go about this.'

Anders nodded in agreement. 'We should meet up later to discuss this more. Right now I think we should return to James and start with a few basic lessons. I know it seems a bit soon but he is a danger to all with his untrained magic.'

'I agree.' She said and moved towards the door, Anders following.

'It feels odd... Kind of constricting.' Whispered James.

'It is necessary, but not permanent. You should be able to cope quite easily, since you have never felt the touch of magic or needed to control it.' Bethany said laying a hand on his shoulder. 'In a short while we should be able to undo the block.'

Anders nodded. 'You might not be the same person, spiritually, but physically you are Hawke. Your body should theoretically be able to remember all of its training and skills. We just need to find a way of awakening that power within you.'

'And how do you propose we do this?' James asked, casting a look first at Anders and then at Bethany. They both looked at each other but said nothing. 'We're not sure. Yet...'

James sighed and leaned back.

'We can start with simple brain exercises. That should open up your mind to your abilities.'

'I'm hearing a lot of 'shoulds' and I'm not sure I like it.' James said and closed his eyes. 'When am I going to wake up?' he whispered.

'Wake up? You think this is a dream?' Bethany said.

James felt his face warm slightly, he had not meant for them to hear that last part. 'I-I... I'm still mulling it over in my head. I mean... What else can this be?'

'Definitely not a dream.' Anders said as he moved closer to James. 'Listen, I know this must be really hard for you to process. From what you've told us, you come from a world that is completely different from ours, with strange kingdoms such as Africa and Asia. There is no magic, only this thing you call technology. How Flemeth was able to bring you here, I have no idea, but you are here now. It would be easier to accept it.'

'I know what you're saying is right but it's not that easy... I just...' He stopped and looked the blonde straight in the eyes. 'I need some time, I guess...'

Anders gave him an odd look. Almost like he was a parent looking at his child. 'There's plenty of that then.' He said and held out his hand. James grasped it firmly and pulled himself up. 'So, how about that brain training?'

Bethany smiled. 'Ok, first you must clear your mind...'

I should update soon. School starts again in like 4 days and I haven't touched my holiday assignments so it's going to be all Biology and Science for the next few days. I'll try and squeeze in a bit of writing! ;)