I wrote this chapter because I was feeling bad about not updateing regularly. Keep in mind that I'm in my June exams so I don't know when my next one will be up. And to make things worse, winter has arrived, so my brain is a bit frosted over. Sorry if it's no good, but please enjoy!

The city was HUGE! The group had to stop every few minutes to pull James away from whatever it was that caught his attention. Even things that they found ordinary had a mystifying effect on him. They were trying to make their way to the Keep. A contact of Aveline's had given her some information about a job concerning the son of the Viscount. Seeing it as an opportunity to make some money and get on the Viscounts good side, they jumped to get there early.

Merchants were setting up their stalls as they passed through Hightown, yet another distraction for James. Bethany couldn't help but laugh as a thoroughly annoyed Anders pulled him along. Isabela and Aveline were walking ahead of the group, bickering as usual.

They rounded a corner and arrived in the Keep's courtyard. James paused, taking in the sight before him. After a moment he said, 'So, where's the escalator?'

Bethany and Anders exchanged a look before latching on to a shoulder and dragging him forward.

'The Viscounts office is to the left, Throne room is straight on and the Barracks is to the right.' whispered Anders as they entered. And the Blooming Rose is outside, round the corner. You should really pay the lovely men and women there a visit... snickered Garret. James ignored him.

'Remember, you're the leader of the party, so you kind of have to do most of the talking.' said Bethany. James nodded, though he still felt slightly unsure about what he had to say. This would be the first time he spoke to someone other than a group member. And apparently this Viscount is the equivalent of the Queen of England, so it was natural to be slightly nervous.

The group noticeably rearranged itself as they walked up the stairs. Everyone fell a few steps behind James, making him stand out, which in turn made his nervousness grow. At the top of the stairs a man with bright red hair was talking to a rather bitchy looking woman. James stopped and waited for them to finish. She stated that she was part of some mercenary group and was demanding information about the missing son. The red head tried to speak calmly but his growing impatience was clear. After a few moments the woman gave a cry, sounding a little like someone in a pirate movie, declaring her impending victory. She turned, gave James a sour look and stomped down the stairs.

'I didn't realize that finding the Viscounts son was a contest.' James said as he stepped closer to the red head.

'It isn't...'

'Well, someone should tell her that.' James motioned toward the woman who was now mouthing off to some people downstairs.

The red head sighed. 'Anyway, can I help you?'

James proceeded to tell him of their interest in helping the Viscount and asked for any information that they had on the missing boy. He covered every angle, silently thanking his obsession with CSI and the crime channel.

'You should hurry though, if you want to find him first. That bitch isn't going to sit back you know.' The red head said as they turned to leave.

'I thought you said this isn't a contest.'

'Well, like you said, someone should tell her that.'

A breeze was blowing as they stepped outside. Bethany whispered praise for his handling of the situation as she passed him, making him relax. Aveline suggested they go to the Hanged Man. When James asked why, Isabela merely said, 'Why not?' while hooking her arm through his and pulling him along.

The Hanged man did not smell very pleasant, not that James expected it to, but still. Groups of people sat clustered around small wooden tables, each engaged in their own various stages of intoxication. A barman with a rather bored expression stood behind a counter while 2 women distributed drinks. The atmosphere, excluding the smell, was rather cosy.

Isabela pulled him towards the bar and ordered a drink. Aveline took up station against a wall, keeping a close eye on everything. Bethany had excused herself on the way to run an errand for her, or rather 'their' mother. James still had to meet her and he wasn't looking forward to it. Anders walked up some stairs in the back of the tavern, pausing only to look back at Isabela rolling on the floor with laughter, while James sat at the table a dreamy look on his face. The cup he was holding slid from his hand and hit the floor with a clang. This caused Isabela's fit to start a new. Anders grinned and continued up the stairs.

Down the corridor he came to a stop in front of a stone carved door. He knocked lightly. 'Come on in.' Called a gruff voice. Anders pushed on the door till it slid open. He drew in a sharp breath as a sharp piece of metal nearly poked his eye out. 'Oh, it's you, Blondie.' said the dwarf, holding a rather intricate crossbow mere inches from his face. 'Varric... Seriously? You could just have asked, who's there?'

The dwarf burst into a throaty laugh, 'Now where's the fun in that, huh?'He stepped back and gestured for Anders to come in.

'What can I do for you?' he asked and sat back in a big chair by an equally big table. Anders sighed and sat down next to him. 'You remember Hawke's little accident up on Sundermount?'

'Of course... My version is better though.' He said with a grin.

Anders gave a nervous chuckle. 'Well, there've been a few developments...'

'So... The really short ones are dwarves?' Isabela nodded. 'And the really skinny ones are elves?' She nodded again. 'There are two elves in our group, Merril and Fenris, as well as a dwarf, Varric.' James gave her a blank stare. 'You don't remember them, do you?' James shook his head. 'Honestly Hawke, this is very strange.' James gave her a lopsided grin, 'Well, like you said, now you can seduce me all over again...' Isabela gave him a smile, not a typical Isabela smile, but a sincere one.

'Ready to go?' asked a voice behind him. He turned to see Anders looming over him. 'Um, sure. Where to?'

'The wounded coast.' Said Aveline. 'A group of mercs over there said that the Viscounts son was last seen headed that way... With a Qunari...'

'What's a Qunari?'

Anders sighed. 'You'll see.'

Ok, so how was it?

For those wondering why it's marked as a Hawke/Anders romance but there's only Isabela action going on, it will all be revealed later. Lets just say that James is going to get around, if you know what I mean.

P.S: I've decided that I'll only update if I've recieved enough reviews. So if you want more, give me more.