The waiting was killing her. It was well after most peoples bedtime and Anders still had not shown himself. Thoughts raced through Leigh's head. Did the Templars find him? Was he hurt or stuck healing someone at the clinic? Did he decide that it was better not to come? Her heart began to sink down to her toes as she paced in front of her fire place. Her room felt like the walls were closing in on her, so she went to stand out on the balcony overlooking the small courtyard of her estate. She had not had any time to clean it up since they had moved in here. It was overgrown with ivy and out of control rose bushes. She would have to remind herself to ask Merrill for help in turning it into a well groomed garden. The cool night air felt good on her skin, but she still could not get comfortable. She wanted Anders to be here now. The anticipation was slowly driving her mad. She looked up at the sky and sent a silent pray that he would walk through the door soon.

Anders stopped at the entrance to Leigh's home afraid to try the door. Would it be open or worse locked? He could not decide which one would hurt more. He took a deep breath and held it as he turn the doorknob. The door opened slowly without so much as a creak. Inside it was quiet. Bohdan was nowhere to be seen neither was his son. The house was dark save for a few candles burning to light the stairway up to the top floor. He slowly shut the door behind him and ventured in further. His heart hammered in his chest as he climbed the stairs up to Leigh's room. Half way up the steps Anders noticed her door was open. Both relief and dread filled him. A sound of soft footfalls made him freeze on the stairs. They came from behind him making him spin around. A very large brown hound stood at the bottom of the stairs staring at him. The dog appraised the person in front of him with curiosity. Being a cat person Anders could not be sure if the dog was readying to attack or just trying to size him up.

"Easy boy, I was invited." Tovis cocked his head to the side and let out a soft whine. After a few more seconds of man and beast staring at each other Tovis broke the gaze and headed back to his bed by the fire place. Once the dog had curled himself back up Anders stared back up the stairs. It did not take him but a moment to make it to the door of Leigh's room. The sight that greeted him was something he was not expecting. The woman he loved was standing by her fireplace staring into the flames. The light of the fire danced off of her gown and her skin bathing her in ethereal light. She looked deep in thought. She was the most beautiful woman that he had ever laid eyes on. His feet carried him into the room of their own will. Leigh must have heard him because she turned just after he crossed the threshold of her room.

"You came!" In her voice sounded relief and joy. "I thought you might changed your mind." Seeing her turn to face him fully only made him ache for her more. The nightgown hugged her ever curve and dipped enough in the front he could see the swell of her breasts. He felt like he was walking into a dream. That she would disappear in a puff smoke if he tried to touch her. A warm smile donned his lips as he stopped just shy of her.

"Justice does not approve of my obsession with you. It is one of the few thing that we disagree on."

"I was about to come looking for you. I was worried something happened to you."

"When I was in the Circle love was just a game. It gave the Templars too much power if there was something you could not stand to lose." His face turned sad and he turned away from her. Leigh saw pain etched in his eyes. "It would kill me to lose you." She closed the distance between them wanting to make that pain go away.

"You aren't going to lose me. I am here and always will be." His hand reached up to cup her cheek. Leigh felt waves of magic flow into her skin from his touch. A shiver of pleasure ran down her spine.

"No mage I have ever known has dared to fall in love. This is a rule I will most cherish breaking." His lips met hers in a tender kiss. Leigh's arms wrapped around him pulling his body closer to hers. Anders deepened the kiss and all doubt fell away. He wanted this, he wanted her now and for the rest of his life. Leigh broke the kiss long enough to shut her bedroom door. She did not want to be interrupted by anyone. She returned to his side and took him in her arms again. The slow tender kisses made way for more forceful passionate ones. Hands roamed over trembling bodies of their own accord. Leigh tried to undo the clasps that held his heavy coat on his body, but her normally deft fingers fumbled. She felt him smile against her mouth as his hands captured hers. "Let me do that." The tenor of his voice sent shock waves right to her stomach and below. With a few quick flicks of his wrist he had the clasps undone and shrugged himself out of the coat. Leigh's hands pulled at his linen undershirt so she could feel his bare skin. He shuttered under her cool fingers as they moved up his stomach to his chest. She felt his heart thrumming under his skin and knew hers was racing just as fast. Without breaking their kiss she started to walk backwards to her bed and he willingly followed kicking off his boots as they went.

Leigh laid herself down on the bed and pulled him down with her. Anders sought out her neck placing kisses from her jaw to her shoulder. A soft moan escaped her lips as he lightly nibbled on the sensitive skin where her neck and shoulder met. He watched her eyes roll up in to her head in ecstasy. The feel of her silken gown under his fingertips was driving him crazy. It was a barrier he wanted gone, but he was not about to rush this night. He had learned the longer the foreplay the better the ending. He shifted their bodies so they could be beside one another. Their eyes met and both could see the fire of passion in the others eyes.

"I love you." Leigh's voice was a trembling whisper. Anders placed his hand on the side of her neck and let it slip down her bare arm. A glittering trail was left in it's wake. It made her skin tingle. He did the same to the front of her neck to the top of her gown. Each touch made Leigh's breath hitch and her body shiver with pleasure. An amused smirk came to his lips while he watched her reactions. "That's not fair, you have a advantage I will never have." Her voice came out breathless and shaky.

"Would you like me to stop then?" His voice was husky with want.

"Not on your life. I have never felt anything like this before." Taking that as permission he pulled up the side of her nightgown and ran his hands from her knee to her breast leaving that same glowing trail on her bare skin. "Holy Maker." She pulled at his shirt til she was able to get it over his head. It was his turn to moan when she placed hard wet kissed along his chest and neck. Her hands gripped his neck possessively and pulled him closer to claim his mouth again. Anders was a bit surprised at how comfortable she was with this. Instead of being shy she was forceful. Her fingers played with the Tevinter Chantry amulet she had given him. A thoughtful smile came to her face. "I thought you said it was too dangerous to wear this?"

"Well, it was a gift from a very ravishing woman so I decided what the hell." His own fingers played with her necklace, but his face turned from joking to sincere. "The fact it came from you means I would wear it regardless if it meant death for me or not. You have stood beside me from the beginning even after I gave you every reason not to. I..." Her lips cut him off with a soft sweet kiss. Leigh did not need to hear those words to know he loved her. He was here that is what mattered. The kiss became more forceful again before Leigh broke away to roll off the bed. Anders propped himself up on his elbows watching her with confusion on his face. She gave him a devilish look as she hooked her thumbs on the straps of her gown. She pulled the straps off her shoulders with a agonizing slowness til her gown fell to the ground like a silvery puddle. She wore nothing under the nightgown and Anders felt a wave of heat travel from his stomach to his nether region. Her body perfect as far as he was concerned. It was supple and well proportioned. He could not take his eyes off of her as she took off her amulet and placed it on her dresser. Her eyes sparkled as she crept up the bed to were he was laying. She looked like a cat stalking it's prey which only made ache more for her. "I guess I am over dressed." She nodded and began to untie the string that held his trousers on his body.

Leigh did not look at him while she hooked her fingers on the pants to pull them down. He lifted his hips off the bed to make her job easier. Once both his smallclothes and pants were discarded on her floor Leigh crawled up the bed to hover over him. Anders tangled his fingers in her hair bring her naked body against his own so he could taste her lips again. She rocked her hips against him teasingly and she heard him growl into her mouth. Anders couldn't take it anymore his head felt like it was spinning and ache between his legs could only be quelled by sheathing himself in her heat. With one swift movement he wrapped his arms around her and pinned her beneath him. Anders bit her lower lip as he eased himself into her center. Her back arched off the bed to let him fill her completely.

Their bodies moved slow not wanting to rush the feeling of ecstasy they both had. Anders rocked his hips down as Leigh rolled hers up to meet him. Her nails raked his back while his mouth busied itself with her nipples. Her moans became higher in pitch with each thrust. She ran her fingers through his hair and lifted his head up to hers. He planted kisses as he went up to her lips. Their kisses had been heated before, but it did not compare to them now. Tongues battled, teeth nibbled and hands roamed while their bodies remained connected. Leigh pushed his shoulders so that she could flip them over. She sat straight up on his lap and slowly moved her hips in a circular motion. His eyes fluttered closed and a low groan sounded from him. Sweat began to trickle down her chest making her body slippery as his hands moved up her stomach to cup her breasts. Leigh could feel herself building to her release. Her hips rocked harder and faster against him, her breath coming out in pants and she moaned loudly. Anders felt her insides tighten around him and his hands gripped her hips holding her hard against him. Leigh's head fell back and she cried to the heavens when she came. Anders was not far behind her. He ground his hips into her with one last hard thrust and his essence flowed into her. Leigh lowered herself onto his chest trying to catch her breath and slow her heart. She felt his arms wrap around her and placed a kiss on the top of her head. The sound of his heart thrumming under her ear lulled her to sleep. Anders stayed awake a little while longer watching her sleep. He brushed her hair out of her eyes and saw a smile playing on her lips. It made his heart swell to see her happy. The fluffy comfort of her bed made it hard for him to stay awake. His eyes started to close and the last thing he remembered doing before falling asleep was covering them up.

Anders woke to the feeling he was being watched. He shot up in the bed and it took him a moment to remember where he was. Looking to his left he saw Leigh was no longer in bed. A soft whining sound made him look to the end of the bed. There stood her Mabari hound Tovis staring intently at the mage.

"What did I take your spot on the bed?" The hound tilted it's head then gave a small growl. "I will take that as a yes. Sorry old boy, but three would have been a crowd." The dog let out a humph and left the room. "What do these people see in dogs? I will never understand it." Finding himself alone made Anders feel a little bit put off. He saw her gown hanging on a hook near her dresser which meant to him she was up and dressed for the day. "Guess I better get dressed as well and go back to my hovel. It was nice at least to sleep in a warm soft bed for one night." It did not take him long to find his clothes and start putting them back on. He had everything on save his boots and his coat when a voice sounded from the door way.

"You're leaving already?" He turned to find Leigh in her house finery holding a tray of food in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. "I thought you would at least stay and eat before going back to the clinic for the day." Something in her voice told him he had hurt her feelings.

"I...Maker I am bad at this." She stood stark still like a scared deer. Her eyes seem to plead with him not to break her heart. "I told you I have never been in love before and I don't know the proper way to act in all this. We never stayed the night or even more than the time it took to...well when I saw you weren't here I thought it was my cue to leave." Leigh let out a strangled giggle and put the tray and wine down and made her way to him.

"I thought you might be hungry when you woke up so I made breakfast for us. I don't want you to go unless you want to." His gaze shifted to the tray and his mouth began to water. There on two plates where eggs, bacon, what looked like homemade biscuits and some fruit. "Eat at least before you leave, please. You don't eat enough." Her concern made him feel like a cad for thinking she wanted him gone after their lovemaking the night before.

"Blame Justice, for that. Fade spirits don't have to eat to live, so when he is helping me heal he seems to forget I need to rest or eat."

"Well next time I talk to him I will be sure to tell him to give you a break. Now eat." Her voice sounded firm, but her eyes had a hint of mischief in them. Anders sat on the edge of the bed and took the plate she offered him. The first bit of the food seemed to melt in his mouth. He could not help himself and let out a groan of enjoyment. It took all his will power not to gobble the entire meal down greedily. Leigh picked at her food while she watched him eat. A small swell of silent pride came over her as she saw his eyes roll back into his head with each bite. "Has it been that long since you have had a decent meal?"

"Not really, the meal your mother made for all of us was very good, but this, this is heavenly." A flush of crimson rushed up her face

"I am glad you like my cooking. I thought I would have been a bit rusty since I haven't had any one to cook for for a while. Orana does most of the cooking for my mother so I just stopped."

"You cooked this?"

"Yes." "Decent meal check, pretty girl? Definitely check and the right to shoot lightning at fools I am still working on, but two out of three isn't bad at all."

"You know what they say about feeding strays right?" She shook her head and gave him a questioning look. "Once you feed them they never go away."

"Good because I don't want you to leave."

"You want me to stay here? With you?"

"Yes Anders I want you to stay here with me. In this house, in this room and in my bed. I love you and I want you to stay."

"You know that what you want will put you in danger. If the Templars find me you could be hung just for knowing me let alone having me in your home."

"If the Templars take you from me then I would welcome death. I don't want to have them over shadow our lives. You are safe here with me. I won't let them take you away and if they try then I will fight to keep you safe."

"Your crazy, but I...I love you I have been holding back saying it. I wanted you to have a normal life not stuck with a fugitive with not future." She cupped his chin and gave him a a slow passionate kiss.

"You have a future and she is sitting right here. It is still somewhat dark out so why don't we go back to bed for a little bit before the day jumps up and bites us."

"Sounds good to me. Should I leave my clothes on or take them off?" His eyebrow arched as he gave her a devilish grin.

"I think off, yes off would be better. This way we won't have to remove them and take precious time away from ourselves."

"I like the way you think Leigh. No wonder I love you."

"I love you too and always will."

Leigh flopped herself down on one of the benches at the Hanged Man. It had been two weeks since she had asked Anders to stay with her and those two weeks had been busy. Between helping Aveline and hunting down a deranged killer Leigh felt like she wanted to go to bed for a year and take Anders with her. She had not told anyone about their relationship yet except for Isabela. It surprised Leigh a bit that the lady pirate did not spread this piece of gossip, all she did was smile and wink.

"So Hawke how are things?"

"Things are fine Isabela. How are you?"

"I would think it would be more than fine since you got the man you want. So how is he?"

"He is over there ask him yourself." Leigh knew what her friend meant, but she was never one to kiss and tell.

"Oh your no fun. What are you afraid that some of the others won't approve?"

"I am sure Fenris will just jump for joy and Sebastian will give his blessing. Neither of them like Anders much and then there is Aveline who has taken it upon herself to act like a protective older sister to me. I just want to keep it under wraps for a while longer."

"Isn't it obvious those two have a thing for you? You should see the way the choir boy looks at you, it is all puppy eyed and sweet. Then there is mister broody, he stares too, but his is more of a straight lust thing. That and he wants to keep you away from Anders."

"Maker's mercy this is all I need. This could get really awkward and ugly."

"But it'd be one hell of a show."

"Thanks Isabela what are you going to do sell tickets?"

"Maybe I would make a lot of coin that way, but oh the humanity of wasting three perfect male bodies."

"Your horrible, but right. It would be a shame to mar those bodies. Thank you by the way."

"For what?"

"For not telling anyone about us yet. It was hard enough trying to explain to my mother why he was moving in."

"What did your mother say?"

"She...she found us in bed together one morning last week."

"You two weren't engaged in anything were you?"

"Maker, no just sleeping in each others arms, albeit naked, but that is besides the point. I hadn't had a chance to tell her with us running around so much. She just laughed and walked out of my room."

"No screaming or telling him to get his hands off her daughter? I must say I am a little let down by her." Leigh rolled her eyes at her fellow rogue.

"My mother married a mage. She just told me I was a chip off the old block. She did tell me to lock my door from now on though." Isabela gave a hardy chuckle making all their friends turn to look at the two women.

"What are you two over there whispering about Rivani?" Varric looked over his mug of ale before taking another sip.

"Oh nothing Hawke was just telling me about something she use to do back in Ferelden. I just found it funny."

"It is nothing really I was just telling Isabela how I use to get the Templars to chase me when they got too close to my family." All eyes were on her now and she cursed in her head for even bringing it up. Taking a big gulp of her own ale to stall for as long as she could, hoping they would let it go, but she knew better. "You really don't want to hear this do you?"

"It would be a great side story for my epic tale I am spinning about you." She glared at her dwarven friend, but he just laughed at her.

"Fine, fine I will tell you. At least this way I will know there might be some truth to the tale. I was about ten I think. It was when the Templars were doing a huge sweep for apostates after they had a rash of blood mages surface. Our neighbor was a mean old bastard and he hated my father, so he told the Templars he was a mage to get rid of him. Now he did not know my father was really a mage, he just hated him that much. When the Templars came to our house my father and sister ran and hid, but the Templars were close behind them. I ran as fast as I could to catch up to the Templars and screamed bloody murder. I told them I saw a monster in my neighbor's field and led them there. You should have seen the old man's face. I had never seen that color puce on anything before. He cursed and screamed my father was the one they wanted. Then he made a mistake and tried to hit me for lying. The Templars grabbed him and took him away for a few weeks so they could test him."

"So the Templars never found your father or Sunshine?"

"No, but the old man was found out to be a blood mage that had killed a few families in the Bannorn."

"Your shitting me?"

"Maker's honest truth. No wonder the bastard hated my father and this is also the reason that I hate most blood mages." Merrill looked up from her mug and Leigh could have sworn she saw tears in the elf's eyes. "Oh Merrill I didn't mean you. I still have hope that you will give it up, your magic is powerful enough without using blood to fuel it. Plus you are way to sweet to be a blood mage." This made Merrill smile even as most of the rest of their companions gave Leigh a exasperated look. Leigh wanted to change the subject before this turned into a fight. "So Aveline any more information come across on what happened to Ser Emeric?"

"No, It looks like he was murdered by those shades. I have the Knight Captain breathing down my neck to find the culprit, but we have no new clues to who could have done this. Sorry Hawke."

"Your doing everything you can, don't be sorry. We will find whoever it is I am sure." Leigh let out a yawn, feeling the combination of the day and the ale catch up with her. Her eyes met Anders'and he nodded telling her it was time to call it a night. Well everyone I'm beat so I am going to go home for the night I shall see you all tomorrow. Anders do you need me to walk you back to the clinic?"

"That would be lovely, yes. Shall we be off then?" She rose from the bench and headed for the door with Anders not far behind her. Once they had both walked out the door Varric turned to the others shaking his head.

"When are those two just going to give up this charade and tell us they are together already?"

"So you all know?"

"Yes Rivani we all know. It is hard not to notice how close they stand next to one another or the looks they give each other. Why how long have you known?"

"Oh not long, but I bet it was longer than any of you." The pirate queen slung back her glass and gave Varric a wry smile. "I think they look cute together and maybe Hawke can make him loosen up a bit. I remember him being a lot more fun before he left Ferelden. I swear Kirkwall just sucks the fun right out of people."

"I wouldn't say that." When Varric looked down the table and saw the sour look on both Fenris and Sebastian's faces he corrected his statement. "Well then again maybe it does." Fenris jumped up from his seat and stalked out the door. Not too long after Sebastian bid everyone a good night and left also. "Why do I have a feeling those two are not going to let the lovebirds be happy?"

"Give it time Varric they will get over it. Well that or Hawke will put them both in their place. She is very protective of Anders and he is not helpless either."

"I hope your right Red or Kirkwall is in a lot of trouble and we have enough of that already. No use worrying about it now, we will just have to be ready when it happens. I am laying bets that is the shit does hit the wall that Hawke will be the one who puts a stop to it."