About ten minutes later, Anders had the misfortune to enter the room just as a book flew across it. He barely ducked in time to miss it.

He looked at the couch, where Evelyn had her arms folded across her chest and was huffing, "Um...bad time?"

Evelyn looked at him, "No, it's just that I...I can't concentrate on that damn book anymore. I read the last paragraph fifteen times and still don't have a clue what it said."

Anders picked up the book, then walked over and placed it on the table next to her, "You need a break?"

Evelyn shook her head, "It's not that...I just had a conversation with Izzy. She meant well, but sometimes she frustrates me."

Anders chuckled, "I'm sure she frustrates many people, my dear."

Evelyn glared at him, then shook her head, "Not what I meant."

Anders put her feet in his lap, sitting down, "Want to talk about it?"

She considered it. Maybe letting him know what Isabella said would make him more careful. Then again, if he were just a friend, there was nothing to be careful about. She decided against it, "No, it was nothing. I'll get over it." She smiled at him. Just then, she grabbed her tummy and let out a little gasp.

Anders was immediately off the couch, crouching next to her, "What's wrong?"

After a moment, Evelyn smiled at him, "Nothing, just surprised me, that's all."

Anders gave her a confused look.

"Here, I'll show you." She took his hand and placed it on her belly. He felt a small, but forceful kick. He laughed, "Is this the first time you've felt it?"

Evelyn nodded, "Yes. Up until now, it's more like I've been aware that the baby was there, but nothing like this."

Anders checked on the baby, he smiled, "Would you like to know what you're having, or do you want it to be a surprise?"

Evelyn laughed, "Well, I'm thinking it's a baby, but if it's a dragon, then maybe telling me now would be better..."

Anders rolled his eyes, "I meant...do you want to know if you're having a daughter or a son? Although, I have to warn you, now that I know, if I don't tell you I might slip."

She considered it for a second. Then nodded, "I think I do want to know..."

"You have to be certain, once I tell you, you can't blame me for letting you know if you really wanted it to be a surprise," he teased her.

She was smiling, and giddy with anticipation, "Tell me..."

"Only if you're sure..."

"I'm certain...absolutely..."

He smiled broadly at her, "Your son in doing quite well, Your Grace."

She was happy, "A boy?..." She paused for a moment, letting it sink in, "Well, now we can start calling him by his name, I suppose."

"You have a name picked out?"

"Of course...one if the baby was a boy and one if a girl."

Anders smiled at her, "And what is it?"

"Connor Malcolm...after our fathers." She shrugged, then added, "Since I couldn't talk to Cullen about it, I figured it would be alright."

Anders chuckled.

Evelyn furrowed her brow, "What's wrong?"

"You don't see the irony?"

"What irony?"

"Well, considering what we learned of your father with that whole Corypheus situation, it's just funny that Mr. Virtuous Templar's son will be named after an apostate blood mage...that's all."

Evelyn bit her lip, "I hadn't thought of that...do you think he'll mind?"

Anders got up and kissed her forehead unapologetically, "The baby is yours too, and Cullen doesn't have to carry it. That's your father's name. Although he and I have seen eye-to-eye on many issues recently, if he does object, that's one decision that I wouldn't back him on."

Evelyn smiled, "Well, then, Connor Malcolm it is..."

Anders sat down on the couch putting her feet on his lap again, "What would you have called the baby if it were a girl?"

"It's not obvious? Leandra Marie...our mothers' names."

Anders nodded, then said, "I miss your mother."

"I miss her too, especially now..." She patted her belly.

"She'd have been proud of you, I'm sure...although, I'm not quite certain how she would've felt about having a Templar in the family, seeing how she spent so much time running from them..." He smiled warmly.

Evelyn grinned, "Actually, she always liked Cullen. I think she'd have been alright with him as her son-in-law."

Anders laughed, "And I thought I was charming..."

She laughed too, "He does seem to have a way with people, doesn't he." She rubbed her tummy, "I wonder what this little guy will be like..."

"With you as his mother, I have no doubt he'll do fine."

"You say that...keep in mind, my mother was wonderful, but Carver's still a brat..."

Anders grinned, "Well, that's true." Pausing, he added, " I don't suppose you've heard from your brother?"

Evelyn shook her head, "No, nothing, especially now."

Anders rubbed her ankles a little, "Well, wardens generally don't keep in touch with their families, so that's not surprising."

Evelyn nodded, then yawned, "It's getting late. I should be getting to bed."

Anders stood up, then held out his hands to help her. She smiled at him and accepted. When she stood, they were awfully close, especially since her belly had grown. He smiled down at her gently and softly brushed a strand of hair from her face. She didn't object.

Why did she have to be so damn beautiful? And wonderful? And perfect? "I...," he cleared his throat and quickly changed what was running through his mind while stepping away, "we...you...yes...you...should be getting to bed. Good night." Then he kissed her forehead and quickly walked out the door.

Evelyn watched him leave. "Good night," she whispered to no one but herself.

Anders went to his room and closed the door behind him. He and Evelyn had finally been able to get past so many of the issues between them and had stopped arguing all the time, it seemed. She relied more and more on him for help and he appreciated it. Encouraged it, in fact. He loved the thought of her needing him, for anything.

The problem was that every time they got a little closer, he'd want more. With Justice, he had gotten accustomed to arguing with himself, trying to control himself. It had been awhile, but it seemed that wasn't nearly as difficult as being around her and wishing things were different.

He'd noticed that she seemed more relaxed around him. She certainly wasn't encouraging him, but she didn't push him away any more either. He thought that was what he wanted, but it only made things worse.

He went to the basin and splashed cold water in his face.

"I could make things more difficult for you, if it'll take your mind off of things..."

"Lovely! Thanks, but this is a normal problem people deal with...I can handle it."

"Doesn't look like you're handling it very well..."

"I'm not asking for your commentary."

Justice chuckled.

"And, when did you develop a sense of humor, anyway..."

"When I noticed how humorous the affairs of humans are. If I'm to be stuck here, might as well make the best of it."

Anders shook his head to clear it, then changed into more comfortable clothes and went over to his desk. He wasn't really tired, and it had been awhile since he'd written to Cullen, so he decided that it was probably time. Not that he'd be able to get it to him. In Ferelden, he had several ways of communicating with the Templar, although, the nature of their communications meant that they weren't exactly the most "honorable" means. Here, they were in the middle of nowhere and even if he did go into town, he knew absolutely nobody he could trust. Maybe Isabella would know someone? But then, where would he send it? He had been sending all of their previous correspondence to Kirkwall, but with the new assignment, it was doubtful that Cullen was still there. By the time Cullen's letter even reached Anders, chances were very likely that he had long departed the city. He wrote a letter anyway. If he did find out where he was, he'd send it along. Once he was done, he put the letter in the top drawer of his desk and climbed into bed. He hadn't realized how tired he was until then. He quickly fell asleep.