I believe this chapter will make the rating change for the fic. ;) I'm not overly detailed as I am a more descriptive/emotional writer than anything else. But I hope you all will enjoy the fluff.

The journey back to Kirkwall was awkwardly silent. Fenris had disappeared, and not even Varric's gift for bringing cheer into a solemn mood worked. Hawke knew that Fenris was probably venting out his frustrations in his own way, but she was stilled worried about him. This rogue habit of his was not something she would tolerate much longer, especially when she had no idea where he was. "Cheer up, Hawke," Varric said in a perky tone. "Frowns don't belong on a face as lovely as yours."

"Thanks Varric," Hawke sighed. "I'm just worried." She kicked a rock and watch as it bounced off the trail they were taking back to Kirkwall.

Anders huffed, throwing up his arms. "Why? It's obvious that he doesn't appreciate you and your efforts. I can understand why he would leave me behind, but he has no right to be an ungrateful little bastard to you."

The moon was high above them, but it was beginning to make its descent. If she knew that she would be saving a helpless boy in the Fade during the day and help destroy a slave ring by night, she would have greatly considered staying in bed much longer. "It's all right, Anders," Hawke assured. "That's just how he is. Actually, when I think about it, you two are very similar." She smiled and laughed when the mage gave her a flabbergasted look.

"You wound me, Hawke," Anders said with a frown.

"Actually, I can see it as well," Aveline added. "You both may be on opposite sides, but your passions are very much the same."

"Enlighten me," Anders said, crossing his arms.

"Well, Hawke for one," Varric smirked.

One of Hawke's eyebrows rose in curiosity and Aveline put her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Oh Varric, stop," Hawke said pursing her lips. "You're embarrassing me. Stop fishing for a story that isn't there." She gave the dwarf a light shove. "Besides, you know you're the only one for me."

Varric ran a gloved hand through his hair and puffed out his chest. "I knew it. I just wanted to hear you say it."

All of them, save for one, laughed.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Sparrow was the first to greet her when she walked into the Amell estate courtyard. The Mabari barked and whined, then barked happily again. His little tails was whipping around uncontrollably. He jumped on her licked her face several times before she forced him to sit. "I'm happy to see you too!" Hawke said laughing. "I'm sorry I didn't take you with me. It would have been quite entertaining watching you terrorize those slavers."

"Oh, you're back." Hawke saw her mother standing at the front door. She looked a bit worried, and that set Hawke's nerves in alarm.

"Is there something wrong?" Hawke asked worriedly. "Did something happen while I was away?"

"There is a… en elf here…" her mother said in concern.

"Fenris?"

"No, a young girl," Leandra continued. "Oh, actually, I don't know how young or old she is. Don't elves age differently than us? Dear, I hope you know what you are doing… Maker knows, I never anticipated that you would bring a slave-"

"She's not a slave," Hawke snapped, and she regretted her tone. Her mother wasn't an evil woman, perhaps ignorant to the oppression of slaves, but she would never wish ill will on any of them. "I'm sorry mother." She felt horrible for being disrespectful. "It's been a very long day." She walked up to Leandra and hugged her. The Hawke family was disappearing one by one, so Hawke treasured her mother more and more each day.

"I trust you, dear," Leandra said, patting her on the head. It reminded Hawke of the time that she came to her mother screaming and crying because Carver had teased her to no end. Every time, she would run into her mother's arms and with one magical touch, her mother would ease her suffering. "Now go wash up when you're finished. Adventurer or not, you are still a lady of nobility. And I will have you smelling like one."

"Of course," Hawke laughed.

Leandra retreated to her room for the night, and Hawke followed her mother's advice. She made her way to the washroom, taking care not to drop her armor on the ground so as to not wake her mother. She took her time cleaning herself, enjoying the warm water over her aching body. Hawke stared at her arms and legs for a moment. It was a wonder that she did not have more scars on her body considering what she put herself through since leaving Fereldan. She poured a bucket of water over her head, washing out the dirt and dust from her hair. The water smelled incredible. She would have to thank Bodahn for adding Rosemary to it the last couple of days.

She put on a simple night dress and went to find Bodahn. Before she said good night, her mother had said that the two dwarves were showing the elf girl around the estate. She found them in the study. "Ah! Mistress Hawke!" Bodahn said in great cheer. "Miss Orana says she can help share the cooking schedule with Sandal and myself."

The elf bowed to Hawke. "It is good to see you again mast-"

Hawke held up her hand. "There will be none of that. It's either Mistress Hawke or well… Hawke," she laughed. "Orana, is it? That's a pretty name." Hawke smiled when she saw Orana blush and duck her head low, embarrassed at receiving a compliment. "Your first task, Miss Orana," Hawke said.

"Yes? I can cook and clean. I even learned to play the lute." Orana's long pointy ears twitched. How strange that her eyes became so much brighter at the mention of a job.

"Get cleaned up, and get some rest," Hawke finished. "Bodahn can show you where the washroom is and where you can rest. And tomorrow I believe I will take you out and give you a tour of Kirkwall. Perhaps we can even go shopping for new clothes for you."

Orana almost cried. Unexpectedly, she threw her arms around Hawke. "Thank you!" she squeaked. But then she backed away, her hands covered her mouth and her eyes were wide in horror. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."

Hawke gently grabbed her hands and lower them. "Never apologize for something like that. I can tell I have a lot of work to do with you," Hawke said. "Now then, Bodahn?"

"At once, mistress!" said the dwarf. He lead Orana by the hand and guided her out of the study. Sandal followed, quite ecstatic that there was going to be another person living with them.

There was a knock at the front door and it caused Hawke great concern. No one had ever visited her this late, so had to she assume that it was an emergency. She hurried to the door and opened it.

Fenris stood in front of her. She couldn't read the expression on his face, but she knew that whatever they were about to discuss was probably not appropriate for her mother to hear. She kept many of her adventures from her mother's ears, and she preferred that her mother never knew about the day's events. Her mother's wrath would be great indeed if she knew that her oldest was out risking her life every other week.

She stepped outside and closed the door behind her. She was glad to see that see that he was unharmed, but she was still annoyed that he had left them the way he had.

"I… was thinking about what happened with Hadriana," Fenris started. He began pacing, an act of nervousness that was very unlike him. "You didn't deserve my anger, so I want to apologize, but you should already know that I uncomfortable with open affection."

Hawke narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. "I heard the word 'apology' in there, but I don't think I received one."

Fenris stopped and looked at her. His eyes always made her heart flutter, but this time, she swore to herself that she would stand her ground. "I can go if you wish," he offered.

"What happened back there," she began, "it's not healthy, Fenris. "This hate that you have is eating you alive."

"And what would you have me do?" he argued. He had a nasty habit of letting his anger suddenly flare up. "Let Hadriana slip by me as though I never saw her? No, that witch deserved her fate. Damn her and every magister like her."

"Look at you," Hawke countered. "You may not wear chains, but it's obvious you are not free."

Fenris took one step forward, his eyes were now burning with hate. "You know nothing of being a slave! It's their fault that this venom courses through me. This hate is a poison I cannot rid myself of, and they put it there!"

She was getting angrier, but she tried to keep herself calm. "And I'm trying to help free you. What is happening to you?"

Fenris closed the gap between them. "What has magic touched that it doesn't spoil? I'm an escaped slave and an elf living off the means of helping others who should have learned to protect themselves. Sooner or later, the perverse blood in your veins will corrupt you too."

"Take that back…" she warned.

"You already know it to be true-"

Hawke felt the last of her control slip. She didn't let him finish. Raising her fist, she punched him hard, forcing him back several steps. It didn't stop there. Her body moved on its own, unleashing attack after attack. She had tried so hard the last several months to help rid him of his hate for Danarius and his past life. How many times must she remind him that his past no longer mattered? All that mattered was the memories he was creating now. He was surrounded by friends, and she tried time and time again to show him unconditional affection. And this was his appreciation?

She was much faster since her armor was not weighing her down, but she threw wild punches and kicks, not even caring if they connected with Fenris' body. Her frustration drove her, and it made her reckless. How could he be so cold? Why was it always about him? He had no idea how many times she had defended him to the others. The last punch she threw was her last. He stepped closer to her rather retreating out of her reach. With a firm grip on her arm, he turned and dug his shoulder into her chest and threw her over his shoulder.

He sat on her legs to prevent her from kicking him and he pinned her hands above her head. When she finally lost the will to fight, she started to calm down. They had never been so close before and it was both disturbing and exciting to her. His lowered his face to hers, keeping her hands bound in his grasp. His voice was low and husky. "Command me to go… and I shall."

She took several deep breaths, feeling her chest against his when she inhaled. Was this really happening? It was only in her dreams that he had been so dangerously and intimately close to her. What would be the consequences if she asked him to stay? "If you leave… I'll kill you," she breathed. Might as well find out. She was done waiting.

His kiss was fierce and full of unresolved passion. He was hungry for her touch and he wasn't shy about his expressing his desire for her body. He came up for one breath, then he dipped and kissed her again. He had let go of her hands and she took no time in running her fingers through his hair. She wanted to always keep him close; he belonged with her. Whatever demons haunted him, she wanted to be the one that helped him conquer them. He grabbed her arms and pulled her up to her feet never breaking their kiss. With one fluid movement, he lifted her and made his way for the door.

She felt the solid wooden slab against her back. Damn, she had closed the door, hadn't she? She reluctantly withdrew her fingers from his hair and desperately searched for the handle. Fenris' hands were keeping her hips close to his, and she wasn't about to lose the momentum they had. She kept her legs wrapped around him, and she giggled when her fingers closed around the door handle. She fumbled with it for a moment, and groaned in victory and desire when the door swung open. Fenris walked in, kicked it close and made his way upstairs.

She had always wondered how strong he was. When she could afford to steal glances, she found herself admiring Fenris' technique and ability with a sword. He was so precise and flawless. No doubt all his training had toned his body and Hawke had fantasized about the feel of his body over hers. But they were always fantasies. Fenris playfully bit at her lip, reminding her that this was no fantasy she was having.

They encountered the same problem with the door to her bedroom, but it proved to be a far less complicated obstacle. Fenris kept one arm around her body and used the other to rid her of her nightgown. She helped him shed parts of his armor off when they finally reached her bed. Why did he have so many bloody pieces on? She promised herself to remedy that in the future.

He crawled over her, forcing her to lay on her back, both relishing the feel of skin against skin. He looked unsure for a moment, his eyes were searching hers for a chance that she would deny him. But she brushed her fingers against his cheek. She then began to trace the lyrium scars that covered his chin, his neck, his shoulders, and his chest. "You're perfect, Fenris," she whispered. She placed her hand over his heart. "Wholeheartedly, remember?"

Apparently, she had given him all the reassurance he needed. His need for her came back and he hungrily claimed her lips once more. He ran his hands over her body, taking great care to give her the attention she needed and deserved. She pulled him close, silently pleading for him and she groaned in pleasure when he claimed her body as well. He moved hungrily against her, and she felt complete.

Never before had she felt this way about anyone in her life. Fenris had stolen her heart without even trying and here he was sharing her bed. She wanted him to stay with her always. She couldn't bring herself to say it just yet, for fear that she would scare both him and herself, but when he drew closer to her, her lips brushed his ear. It was not even a whisper, but her lips moved and she wished perhaps one day she could voice those three simple words to life.