Anders burst into the Hawke Estate, blood dripping from his fur robes and his blonde hair plastered all over his face in sweat as though he had just run the length of the Free Marches. The door to the living area almost flew off its hinges, knocking Bodhan off his feet, causing him to spill the contents of dinner from his tray. Aveline, Varric, Charade, Sandal, Leliana, Fenris and Merrill all jumped to their feet in surprise, having only just sat down for supper.

"Where is she!?" Anders demanded angrily, glaring at them all like a raging bull. He tipped over the dinner table in a fury, tossing their plates and mugs crashing to the floor loudly, "Where is Hawke? I can't believe she did this to me!"

"Anders! Calm yourself my good man!" Aveline said worriedly, "What has happened to you?"

"TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!" Anders yelled crazily, pointing a shaking finger at the Guardswoman, "I want to hear it from her own mouth how she betrayed me!"

"What are you talking about, Blondie?" Varric asked calmly, wiping gravy off his chin which had spilled from his spoon after the sudden interruption to their supper, "Hawke hasn't left the Estate in days."

"Don't lie to me, Varric," the mage spat angrily, "She's been scheming behind my back! How else would the Templars have found my hiding place?"

Aveline frowned in confusion, "Anders, be reasonable. Hawke hasn't ratted you out to anyone. Why would she?"

The mage paced up and down angrily, holding his staff tightly in his bloodied hands. Justice was shining in his eyes.

"That's what I'm going to find out," he growled. "She must be in the Templars pocket for real now."

Varric wheezed a laugh. "I assure you, Blondie. The bruises on Hawke's body tell a different story. She's upstairs right now sle-"

Anders didn't wait to hear the rest. He dashed towards the stairs, a murderous glint in his eye. The others scrambled out from behind their chairs and immediately chased after him, some withdrawing their weapons.

"Anders wait! Be reasonable!" Aveline yelled, bounding up the stairs as fast as her heavy armor would allow. The mage reached Hawke's bedroom door before anyone could stop him and kicked it open, causing it to smash off the wall with a deafening crash!

Isabela jumped out of the most relaxing sleep she'd had in her life. She could feel Hawke close by, flinching and squirming as she lay trapped in another sweat-soaked nightmare. The pirate glanced towards the door and saw a bloodied man, lit up by the lanterns on the wall, his eyes glowing a bright, magical blue.

"What the-?...Anders? What are you doin-?"

"Shut it, Whore!" the mage interrupted, marching over to the bed. "I'm going to kill her, that bitch!"

Before anyone could catch up (and before Isabela was truly awake) Anders lunged over the bed like a mad man, dropping his staff to the floor, and wrapped his hands around Hawke's throat as she lay sleeping, squeezing as hard as he could.

"ANDERS, NO!"

Aveline sprinted into the room, closely followed by Fenris and Leliana and they immediately began to try to wrestle the out-of-control mage to the ground. A wave of mana surged through Anders, and projected from him, spinning the room into magnificent light and stunning the others, throwing them back over the small chairs in front of the fire.

"Get your hands... off her!" the pirate growled as she tried to pry his fat fingers away from Hawke's throat. Lana's eyes flung open then, roused by Isabela's shouts and the sudden lack of air in her lungs. She began to choke and splutter, scratching at the mages arms desperately and staring up in shock into the crazy eyes of Anders as he pinned her down, continuously trying to squeeze the life from her.

By now the others had gotten back to their feet. Aveline and Fenris grabbed the mage's arms once more as Isabela clawed at his grip desperately trying to loosen it as the woman below him turned blue. Hawke felt her eyes water as her head went light. The room began to spin. What's... going... on? She thought, seeing the murder in Ander's eyes and feeling her life slip away under his strength.

Finally the others managed to tear him away and dragged him back as he kicked and struggled, screaming in fit of rage. Hawke inhaled sharply, feeling the air assault her lungs once more, making her cough repeatedly in relief. Dazed and disoriented, she heard shouting and yelling somewhere nearby and felt Isabela's warmth leave her suddenly, followed by the sound of what she only assumed were punches. Lana closed her eyes tightly, amidst the commotion, bringing a hand to her side and grimacing as the agony in her tender ribcage intensified tenfold due to the pressure of the grown man who had dived on top of her so suddenly. She had no idea what had just happened.

"Isabela stop!"

"Someone grab her!"

Leliana and Varric tried desperately to restrain the pirate as she swung punch after punch at the already bloody mage, who was now dangling limply between Aveline and Fenris. Merrill, Charade, Bodhan and Sandal all watched from the doorway, stunned into paralysis by the scene.

"I'll kill you, you son of a bitch!" Isabela yelled, trying to get at Anders again as the others held her back. "Let go of me! I'm going to string him up!"

"Calm down, Bela," Leliana cried, holding her around the waist in a bear hug as the pirate's arms flailed wildly, trying to hit any part of the mage she could. Varric was holding one of her legs.

"Ancestors, Rivaini!" he groaned, doubling over grimacing, "You kicked me in my special place."

Aveline and Fenris lowered Anders to the floor, seeing that he had finally calmed down (or rather been knocked senseless by Isabela). The Guardswoman picked up his staff and tossed it to Merrill by the door, keeping it out of his reach. She bent over beside him, cautiously.

"What in the name of Andraste are you playing at, Anders?" she growled, as he glared up at her, "You could have killed her!"

"I meant to!" the mage spat, looking up at them all then. His nose was gushing blood thanks to Isabela's right hook. "She sold me out to the Templars. They came looking for me. I know she did it!"

"WHAT?" Isabela screamed, still trying to squirm free of her captors, "I'll cut out your tongue you lying piece of shit! Hawke wouldn't grass anyone up! LET. ME. GO. LELIANA!"

Suddenly Fenris leaned down and grabbed Anders to his feet by the scruff. He dragged him over to Hawke's bed and thrust his gaze towards a battered and bruised Lana, who lay slumped across it lost in an onslaught of pain.

"Look what they did to her!" the elf growled in his face, his lyrium tattoos glowing dangerously, "The Templars tortured her a few days ago! I'm so sick of pathetic mages who think that they are the only ones suffering at the hands of those Chantry bastards! Why would she betray you? What reason would she have you idiot?"

As Anders' eyes traced over the gasping and wheezing form of Hawke, he noticed for the first time that there were dark bruises around her eyes and forehead and many cuts on her face. She also seemed thinner somehow than he first remembered her. He had never seen her in a worse condition physically. Suddenly Anders and Fenris were both roughly shoved aside as Isabela finally broke free from Leliana's hold. Instead of charging the mage again however she rushed past him and reached across the bed to check on Lana. She leaned over her.

"Hawke!" she asked frantically, "Hawke?"

The woman was grimacing in pain. She had turned her face into the covers, not wanting anyone to see just how much. The others crowded round now, hearing her continuous gasps for relief.

"Enchantment!" Sandal whimpered, tears streaming down his face as he worried about her. Bodhan place a hand on his shoulder.

"There, there, my boy. She'll be alright," he said kindly, though looking rather shaken up himself. His uniform was plastered with stew.

"We have to do something!" Leliana exclaimed worriedly, placing a hand on Hawke's back, "Merrill?"

"N-no!" Hawke breathed suddenly, causing the little elf to halt in her tracks. She couldn't deal with more untrustworthy magic. Although Merrill meant well, she was no healer. It had been bad enough getting her ribcage mended the first time by an untrained blood-mage. She needed another healer besides Anders. Bethany, Hawke thought desperately then. Her sister could have eased her pain in a heartbeat. But she's long gone. We don't have that same relationship anymore. A hand touched hers then, which she had held across her side.

"Isa...bela..."

Isabela ran her other hand through Lana's hair soothingly then. "I'm here, Sweetness," she said softly in her ear, "I've got you."

"Let's give them some space," Varric said quietly, as the others watched Isabela hold her as she suffered. Knowing his friend Hawke like he did, he knew she wouldn't want people seeing her this way. She was normally so invincible, a hero to them all. It didn't bode well for people to see her so broken, and it was unsettling for them to see just how much the Knight-Commander's treatment had weakened her.

"Maybe I should stay," Charade said uncertainly to the dwarf, as he ushered the others out of the bedroom. She was staring warily at Isabela, who was stroking Hawke's brown hair affectionately as she knelt beside her on the bed. The others had already begun to make their way towards the door. "I mean, I am her cousin."

Leliana turned back, seeing the untrustworthy glare Charade was giving the pirate. She walked over and placed an arm around her shoulder, steering her towards the door.

"Come on," Leliana said reassuringly, "She's in good hands with Isabela. She'll look after her, don't worry."

"The pirate?" Charade asked sceptically, as Leliana walked her towards the bedroom door. The last time she had seen them together before their ordeal, Isabela had smacked Hawke across the face and left her in tears. She glanced over her shoulder at her, concerned.

"Trust me," Leliana said, giving her a small smile, "I'm sure Isabela is the only person Lana wants at her side right now."

Varric turned on his heel and followed the last of them out of the room. He turned to close the door.

"Thanks Varric," Isabela said, turning to throw him a quick smile. The dwarf winked at her.

"Anytime, Rivaini."

He closed the door tightly behind him, blocking out the noise echoing up from the Estate as the others argued with Anders downstairs.

The pirate turned her attention back to Hawke then, who still had her face buried in the bed and had a vice like grip on her side. As soon as Lana heard the door close a huge gasp of pain escaped her, which she had held back in front of the others.

"Arhhh!" she breathed, "Are...t-they gone?"

Isabela took her hand. "They're gone, Sweetness. It's just me now." Hawke breathed harshly in response. "Are you alright?" the pirate asked, unable to see her expression. "Look at me."

Lana whimpered in pain and reluctantly pulled her face out from the covers, seeing the pirate hover over her, concern of her face. Isabela felt her forehead, staring down into her bloodshot eyes and cursing Anders for the further damage her had caused her. She was only starting to get better as well. This would surely set her back a few more days.

"You're running a fever," the pirate said, worriedly, remembering seeing her toss and turn before the mage had attacked her. "You're sweating."

Lana screwed up her face, eyes closed tightly.

"I was...had n-nightmares again," she gasped, her mind flashing back to the latest: Meredith lashing a very young Bethany repeatedly with a metal chain, laughing evilly amidst the screams and telling her that her sister had abandoned her forever. Lana tightened her grip on Isabela's hand as a wave of pain (brought on by Anders diving on top of her as she slept) overcame her once more.

"Where does it hurt, Sweetness?" the pirate asked, stroking her cheek. It was a few seconds before Lana responded.

"E-everywhere," she croaked, breathing heavily, "My ribs..."

"Sssshh, try to relax," Isabela soothed, still holding her hand. She leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, seeing Hawke's eyes flutter restlessly beneath their lids. "I'll take care of it."

Hawke could feel the pirate gently manoeuvre her onto her back and uncurl her from the tiny ball she had formed. She pried Hawke's arm from around her midsection and placed it on the bed at her side. Isabela then slipped her own hands under Lana's shirt and gently caressed along her ribs. They still felt intact thankfully. She heard Hawke sigh and felt her loosen up slightly, though she was still hyperventilating.

"Calm down, Sweetness," Isabela whispered, feeling the anger bubbling in her fade away after the nights events, "You're fine."

"What...happened?" Lana asked, still confused by the attack. "Was that...Anders?"

"Yes. Or Justice, whatever you want to call him. The bastard tried to strangle you," Isabela informed her, filling up with anger once more. "Maker knows why. Seemed to think you had betrayed him to the Templars or something. He was covered in blood from head to toe."

Hawke groaned again before continuing.

"He thought...I...That's insane," she said, wondering what in all of Thedas must have happened to the mage for him to believe something that preposterous. "Why would he t...think that?"

The pirate frowned, "Good question," she said, stopping what she was doing and withdrawing her hands from under Hawke's shirt. "I think I'll go find out you know."

As Isabela made to climb off the bed Hawke's fingers caught hers weakly.

"No," she pled, opening her eyes and staring up at her, "Don't go yet...I was h-having such...a good night with you...before he showed up."

The pirate smiled at her then, remembering their conversation earlier. "Me too," she replied, recalling how relaxing her sleep had been before Anders interrupted and spoiled the mood with an attempted murder.

"T-then stay with me," Hawke whispered, trying to smile back as best she could, "D-don't let him ruin it...any more than he already has."

"Hmm, I suppose I could kill him later," the pirate joked.

"Not before me," Lana replied, giving her a small smile.

Isabela sighed then and sat herself back down on the bed beside her, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"I'm going to need to get that shirt off you," she said grimly, "It's completely soaked in sweat. You can't lie like that all night."

Hawke looked reluctant. "I'll be fine," she whispered. "I don't think I can move."

"Come on," Isabela replied, not taking no for an answer. "I'll help you."

She reached under Hawke's body gently and pulled the shirt up from behind her, manoeuvring it up to her armpits. The woman worked her left arm out and received assistance from Isabela to take out the other on her sore side, before allowing her to pull it over her head. She shivered slightly at the sudden coldness.

"Stay still," the pirate said, caressing her side before getting to her feet, "I'm going to get a damp cloth for your head."

Lana heard her enter the water-closet just off her bedroom and lay with her eyes closed. She still felt dizzy, her eyes bouncing in their lids. Even though Anders had contributed to her plight, she knew that the fever wasn't his fault. It's Meredith, she thought angrily, for what seemed like the millionth time, It all comes back to Meredith. The Knight-Commander had drawn so much blood from her during her torture. Too much...but the next time I see her, I will repay her in full.

Isabela re-entered the bedroom then with a small stone basin of water and a cloth. She placed it on the nightstand and lay herself down beside the half-naked Hawke, whose breathing was still rattled and strained. The pirate reached over and dipped the cloth in the cool water before bringing it to Lana's forehead and holding it there. Hawke moaned in thanks, feeling the water drip down her face and opened her eyes weakly. Isabela smiled at her.

"Better?" she asked, her face a short distance away as she lay beside her.

"Better now that you're here," Lana corrected, "And better knowing that we're both going to skin Anders alive very soon. Maker...I've waited years for this, ever since Bethany... Now I finally have an excuse that even Aveline can't argue with."

Isabela chuckled and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her lips. "Just focus on recovering first, Sweetness. Meredith's next on your list. Let me worry about that bastard Anders. He won't get away with this."

"I'm so stupid!" Hawke groaned, berating herself, "I never should have helped him. So far he's done nothing but a good job of trying to get both me and my sister killed. Urgghh I'm too damn trustworthy for my own good!"

"Hey!" the pirate said, frowning as she watched Lana blame herself for everything all over again. Some things never change. "This is not your fault, Hawke, do you hear me? Don't start beating yourself up again. Bethany chose her own path. You can't keep taking responsibility for her, she's a grown woman."

"But Maker knows what Anders has done now, Bela! Why would he come and try to kill me in the middle of the night, especially with all of you here? Andraste's Ass, he's gone mad! And I helped him yet again! I'm such an idiot!"

The woman tensed up in frustration, cursing herself for getting them all into this mess by her persistent trusting issues. Isabela removed the cloth from her forehead and dipped it in the water once more, then began dabbing her chest, seeing beads of a feverish sweat trickle down Hawke's neck.

"Ssshhh," she soothed, running her other hand through Hawke's hair to calm her. "Just relax, Sweetness. Let's talk about something else for now."

"I don't want to talk at all," Hawke cried angrily, feeling as though she was torturing herself worse than Meredith had. She closed her eyes, and exhaled in frustration trying to focus solely on the pirate's touch, feeling droplets of water trickle down between her cleavage as her bosom heaved in a feverish panic. Suddenly she felt the pirate's lips on hers, soft and distracting. She kissed her back, glad for something that tasted so sweet to occupy her time, lest she annoy herself with 'what-ifs' of her past. Isabela's tongue brushed lightly against hers, stealing her mind away and pushing her worries to the side. Lana raised her hand and rested it on the pirate's neck, caressing her cheek with her thumb before slowly sliding it along her throat and down across her shoulder, slipping under her shirt. A small moan of pain escaped Isabela's lips as she kissed her, her breathing quickening as Hawke's warm hand slid its way down across her back and ran across her shoulder-blade, feeling her newest scar, the roughness of it beneath her finger tips. It then travelled back up and settled at the nape of her neck, fingering the pirate's flowing, dark brown hair affectionately.

Suddenly the door to the bedroom opened up, the light streaming in and breaking the two of them from their brief intimate moment. They both glanced towards it, seeing Aveline hover there holding a tray of food in her arms.

"Oh Maker, I...Sorry," she apologised, her face going slightly red as Isabela straightened up from the inappropriate way she was lying and pulled the covers up over Lana's nakedness. "I just thought you two might be hungry."

"It's fine, Av," Hawke said, giving her a smile, realising that it looked like they had just been caught in the act, even though the kiss was entirely innocent (well, not entirely). "Come on in."

"Are you blushing?" Isabela teased, smirking at her, "Maker's Breath prude it was only a bloody kiss."

Hawke touched the pirate's hand. "Play nice, Bela," she said as Aveline rolled her eyes and placed the tray on the nightstand. She cleared her throat awkwardly, her eyes darting around the room (staring anywhere other than at the two women holding each other in bed).

"Well, aren't you going to sit?" the pirate asked, raising her eyebrows.

Aveline threw her a glare before lowering herself onto the bed, still looking embarrassed.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, staring at Lana then.

"Oh great! I got tortured by the Templars a few days ago and almost strangled in my sleep tonight by a crazy ass mage. Very therapeutic! I highly recommend it!" Hawke replied, her voice heavy with sarcasm. Isabela chuckled.

"Oh, forget it!" The Guardswoman said, getting to her feet, "If you're just going to joke then I'm going to go."

"Oh, Av come on!" Lana called after her, giving her a smile, "I'm sorry alright? Come back. I'll be serious, I promise."

The Guard Captain sighed and sat back down again, smiling wryly. "You really are a handful, Hawke, even when you're injured."

"You're telling me," Isabela joked cheekily, before she could stop herself. Lana sniggered as Aveline rolled her eyes.

"In the name of Andraste, come on you two! Is it possible for us to have one conversation without needless jokes and sexual references?" she pleaded. Isabela sighed.

"Fine," she relented, "But without jokes and sex the world would be a very boring place Big Girl. Maybe you need to embrace them both a bit more."

Aveline glared. "I'll bear that in mind," she said stiffly, "Anyway, how are you really doing, Hawke?"

Hawke cringed. "Do I have to answer?" she asked, not wanting to admit she was in a great deal of pain. It's hard enough that Isabela has seen it first-hand. I can't bear playing the weakling in front of anyone else.

"She's fine," the pirate lied, trying to save her from the mothering Guardswoman's endless prying. "I'm taking care of her."

"I could see that," Aveline said disapprovingly, referring to the scene she had walked in on, "I think perhaps you two should stop focusing the extent of your relationship on sex and start communicating in other ways lest you burn yourselves out."

"Aveline!" Hawke exclaimed, frowning at her. "You ca-"

"Believe it or not, Big Girl," Isabela interrupted a little angrily, her forehead creased, "We are trying to...not that it's any of your business."

The Guardswoman looked shocked, "Oh...well, good. I'd hate to see you mess this up."

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, Av," Hawke said grimly, offended, "You know you're free to leave anytime now."

Aveline sighed, "Sorry," she said bluntly, "Perhaps I'm overstepping my boundaries."

"Perhaps!" Isabela blurted out forcefully, feeling furious now and just as offended.

The Guardswoman realised she had made a mistake. "Again, I'm sorry. Anyway I just wanted to talk to you about Anders."

"Is he still here?" Hawke asked, "Did he say why he tried to kill me?"

"He took off, seemingly afraid that either you, Isabela or Varric would come looking for him. The dwarf punched him in the groin downstairs before he left, seemingly think of it as payback for the kick he received in his own from Isabela."

"Didn't he notice I'm in no condition to fight?" Lana asked angrily, though feeling quite proud of her trusty dwarf. She felt Isabela chuckle slightly beside her, "Even more so after the crazy bastard dived on my newly-mended ribs and tried to choke the life out of me as I slept?"

"Well, when Fenris showed him they state you were in because of the Templars he seemed to realise he had made a mistake and ran out the door, muttering something about a 'catalyst for the war'."

"A what?" Isabela asked, "What war?"

"Maker knows," Aveline said shaking her head, "But I have a feeling that's not going to be the last we see of him."

"How did the Templars find him anyway?" Hawke asked, knowing she was one of the few people who knew his location.

"I don't know. I don't imagine it would be very hard though, considering the direct action he's been taking against them all these years. They're not stupid, and from what you told me they already know of his affiliations with you and Bethany. It was only a matter of time."

"I can't believe I worked so hard to keep him out of trouble all these years," Lana cursed, feeling betrayed once more, "I was even working for Meredith to keep him and Bethany safe, and neither one of them were grateful for it! Ughh! Damn it all! Can't I ever catch a break!?"

Isabela took Hawke's hand in hers then, knowing she was getting riled up once more.

"Don't compare Bethany with Anders, Sweetness. I think she's finally realised the mistake she made by blaming you for everything over the years," she said, giving her a sad smile.

"So she's said in her letters," Hawke replied bitterly, staring up at the pirate with sad eyes, "But it's too late, Bela. She can't fix this no matter how much she writes. I'm doing this one last thing for her then wiping my hands of her entirely after what she put me through."

"Maker's Breath Hawke, don't say that!" Aveline exclaimed, covering her heart with her hand, "Bethany needs you! She always will."

"And what about what I need, Av? Why does no one ever give a damn about what I need? Does anyone ever bloody realise that I'm stretched too thin over here!? I can't do this anymore!" Lana shouted, hurt by her insensitive words. She gasped suddenly and brought a hand to her ribs again as they began to hurt after her yelling. The Guardswoman hesitated, knowing she was speaking the truth. Hawke's needs had always come last compared to everyone else's. She gave so much of herself away over the years and it had cost her dearly. Isabela squeezed her hand tightly.

"We're starting to realise it, Hawke," she said reassuringly. Lana looked into her eyes then, knowing that, though she said 'we', she was actually referring to herself. Hawke squeezed her hand back.

"I know, Isabela," she whispered gratefully, giving her a small smile. Our conversation earlier today proved that... She really is trying. The pirate winked at her and kissed her on the forehead.

"Then calm down, Sweetness," she said softly, patting her head, "All this stress isn't doing you any good."

Lana took a deep breath and tried to relax, feeling the tension in her muscles gradually release. She closed her eyes, still holding onto Isabela's hand.

"I'll let you rest," Aveline said, getting to her feet. "You'd be best to eat that before it gets cold though," she added, gesturing to the bowls of rabbit stew on the nightstand. "Bodhan says there's more downstairs if you want it."

"Thanks Aveline," Lana said tiredly.

"Yes, cheers Big Girl," Isabela said, though a little stiffly (she was still trying to get used to these newly found speaking terms with the Guardswoman) "Do me a favour and buy the Paragon of Manliness a pint at The Hanged Man later won't you? He's a little lost with the two of us out of service at the minute."

"Just this once, Isabela," the Guardswoman promised, giving her a curt nod. Varric had definitely been suffering from the lack of drinking partners, or rather the lack of familiar troublemakers he was used too recently. Once Hawke's up and about again we'll have to get absolutely besotted and terrorize the city like in the good old days, the pirate joked to herself. Aveline bade them good night and walked to the door, before disappearing into the landing and closing it shut behind her.

"Wey-hey! My old drinking buddies return!" Varric boomed across the tavern.

He jumped to his feet with arms wide open in welcome as Hawke and Isabela strolled into The Hanged Man for the first time in just over a week. It must have been some kind of record for them. Neither could remember having stayed away this long. They had a lot of catching up to do. Lana had thankfully recovered from her torture and her bruises had yellowed over the next few days, making her look a lot less battered. She sat herself down on the seat Isabela had held out for her and took the mug of ale the ecstatic dwarf had handed them both. The pirate placed herself down on the chair beside her.

"Cheers, Varric!" she said, holding up her mug, "Down in one?"

"Down in one!" he and Hawke shouted, sticking to their tradition. They clinked mugs and downed their pints, much to the amusement of the tavern, who cheered, egging them on.

"Same again?" Corrff asked when they slammed their mugs down simultaneously and roared loudly.

"Same again!" Varric shouted happily. He was over the moon to have his partners in crime back. As Corrff brought over a second round the dwarf sat himself down and grinned at them both.

"So, good as new Hawke?" he asked, seeing that she looked a lot better.

Lana took another sip of ale, "Almost," she said, smiling, "I just hope no one pisses me off today. I'm running out of places to hide all the bodies."

The three of them chuckled.

"No lasting pain from Meredith's hospitality then?" Varric continued, sipping hid ale and smacking his lips.

"Occasionally in my ribs, but nothing serious," Hawke answered, rubbing her side gently. "My back hurts a little though from all the lying around but it's so easy to manipulate Isabela into giving me a massage, so no complaints there."

"Oy!" the pirate shouted, nudging her on the arm with her elbow as Varric and Hawke laughed, "You owe me for all the looking after I've done, you big faker! I'd better be compensated generously."

Lana ruffled her hair playfully, "Whatever you want my little housewife," she said, still chuckling.

Isabela's eyes lit up. "Like a threesome with Zevran?" she asked excitedly.

"Except for that," Hawke said bluntly, giving her a stern look, "Get it out of your head Isabela. It's just not going to happen...not unless he sprouts a vagina and a nice rack."

Varric chuckled, "Now there's a mental image to ponder," he joked. The others laughed. Isabela had a sneaky look in her eye then. "Uh-oh!" the dwarf said, eyeing her warily, "Hawke, you realise you've just handed her a gift with that promise right?"

Hawke say the cheeky grin spread over the pirate's face as a wicked plan came to her. "Hmm, yes, I'm beginning to regret it a little now," Lana said, a little scared. Oh, Maker, what is she planning?

"I've got just the thing!" Isabela said gleefully, almost bursting at the seams.

"What is it?" Lana asked, almost dreading the answer. Anything that put a smile like that on the pirate's face was surely something either very dangerous or very dirty.

"Oh no, Sweetness. It's a surprise," she teased, winking at her, "You'll just have to wait and see."

Varric and Isabela chuckled at the look of uncertainty (and a little dose of fear) that spread across Hawke's features. Oh shit, I'm for it now, she thought worriedly, knowing how extravagant Isabela's plans could be sometimes.

"Anyway, what's been going on with you?" the pirate asked, after taking her fill of Hawke biting her lip nervously. "I feel like I haven't seen you in an age."

"Oh, same old, a little of this, a little of that," Varric said chuckling, "I got drunk with Daisy the other night. She tried to hit on half the bar and actually struck lucky before she threw up all over the man's sweater."

The three of them laughed.

"Good for her!" Isabela said like a proud mother, "She's been taught by the best."

Varric laughed even harder, "Oh really? So you told her the pickup line: 'Look at your eyes, you have such pretty eyes, like marbles...only smaller and less shiny' *vomit*."

The three of them fell into fits of laughter at the dwarf's imitation of Merrill retching all over her suitor. Poor Kitten, Isabela thought to herself as she chuckled with the others, she's too cute for her own good.

"I definitely can't take responsibility for that one," she said, wiping the tears from her eyes, "That has Kitten written all over it."

"What did the man do?" Hawke asked, wiping her own eyes.

"Ah, he cursed her, called her a knife-ear and told her to slink back off with her own kind," the dwarf said grimly, "She was pretty cut up. I took her home and put her to bed, told her a story to cheer her up."

"Aww, poor Merrill," Lana said sadly. It was so hard for her in Kirkwall.

"She'll bounce back, don't worry," Isabela said, "I'll go through flirting with her one more time to make sure she gets it. Maybe you can help too Hawke. It'll be easier if I have someone to demonstrate on."

"You can 'demonstrate' on me all you like, Gorgeous," Lana said flirtingly, running a cheeky finger along the pirate's jaw line, giving her a smouldering stare. Varric wolf-whistled as the pirate's eyes lit up. She grinned her familiar crooked smile.

"Hmm, I'll have to remember that," she replied, running her tongue across her bottom lip as she imagined nibbling on Hawke's.

"Ah, just like old times," Varric said happier than he had been in years, "You two flirting unashamed, Aveline scolding us for drinking too much, Fenris brooding handsomely, and Merrill trying her best to pick up on sexual innuendos. I'm telling you, Hawke, just get our Sunshine over here and we'll be back to the good old days in no time."

Hawke felt Isabela's hand on her thigh then, comforting her as Bethany's face appeared in her mind. She sighed and took a long swig of her ale, avoiding the dwarf's statement. Truth be told, she wanted nothing more than for things to go back to how they were before, but she couldn't help but feel that this was a close as they would get. Bethany's caused too much hurt for me to simply open my heart to her again. Isabela patted her leg caringly before draining her own pint, knowing what was going through her head.

"E-Excuse me, Serah Hawke?"

Lana turned to find a young female Templar standing beside her. She immediately reached for her dagger and jumped to her feet, as did the others. Varric pointed Bianca directly at the woman's heart.

"Tell Meredith she'll have to do better than this," Hawke spat, glaring at the woman, who looked nervous and held up her hands in surrender.

"I-I-I'm not here for the Knight-Commander, Serah," the woman whimpered, scared. "I-I have a message for you from First Enchanter Orsino."

"Then speak quickly or you'll be returned to the Gallows in a box!" Hawke growled, finding it difficult to stay her hand as she relieved the brutality she had suffered at the Templars over a week ago. The woman held out her hand then, revealing a letter with a seal of the Circle of Magi stamped on it. Isabela snatched it from her.

"Thank you," she said spitefully, "Now why don't you be a good little wench and crawl you way right back up Meredith's ass again?"

The woman nodded feverishly and turned on her heel, running from the tavern as fast as she could.

Isabela placed her blade back on her back and handed the letter to Hawke. The three of them sat round the table again and leaned in close to read:

Champion Hawke,

It took great courage the other day for you and your friend to openly oppose our knight-commander and disrupt her secret gathering in Hightown. I hope you have not suffered too much at her hands. You have my support in any actions you take. I hope I have yours as well, for there is a situation in the Circle I was hoping you could assist me with. Please meet me at the Gallows as soon as you can. Meredith has confined my mages to their cells and forbade me from travelling further than the Courtyard. I appreciate your service and discretion.

Sincerely,
First Enchanter Orsino

When everyone had finished reading they stared at Hawke, waiting for her reaction.

"He's got a bloody cheek," she said, crumpling the letter up in a tight fist. "If that bastard wasn't so weak, the Circle might be in a better position than it is now."

"You're right," Isabela agreed, "He does just seem to bend over and do whatever Meredith wants, despite all his whining."

"What are you going to do?" Varric asked, folding his hands on the table and looking at her seriously. "It could be about your sister."

"I don't think so," she said, shaking her head, "He would have said. I think this is probably just another clear up quest, trying to stop the Templars from provoking his mages again. He won't want them taking matters into their own hands."

"Are you going to go?" Isabela asked worriedly.

Hawke sighed. "I guess so," she relented, "If it keeps this whole situation under control then how can I say no? Things are already on edge as it is in Kirkwall. I can't risk letting a full-scale war erupt, not while knowing people I care about will be caught in the crossfire."

She stared at Isabela then and took her hand. "We'll go now," the pirate said, squeezing her fingers gently. The two of them downed their pints in one and got to their feet before turning to Varric.

"You coming along for the ride, Varric?" Hawke asked hopefully, smiling at him. "We're likely to misbehave a little if there's Templars involved. It could be fun."

The dwarf nodded assuredly giving her a wicked grin. He knocked back his ale like the others and got to his feet.

"You can count on me, Hawke. Let's go stir up some trouble...just like the good old days."