Disclaimer: DA, I don't own it, or its characters.

A/N: I know it's been ridiculously long since I updated, and I'm awful, but don't worry, I've been thoroughly punished. Lavinia Luscious tossed me head first into Lake Calenhad...so here I am, soaking wet, with a new chapter for you...Oh and as a warning, there are naughty bits in this chapter. Just for you, my lady Lavinia. *Winks* I know you love the skin slapping...oh wait maybe I should stop there. ;P On with the show!

The Sponge

Maker's blood, not this again. "Your Majesty," I say smoothly. "I take it your meeting with the Commander went well?"

He casts an annoyed glance in my direction and completely disregards my question. "Just what is he doing here?"

I sigh heavily, running my fingers through my hair. If there's to be any diffusing of the situation, I need these two to be out of each other's sights. "We were catching up on old times. He's an old friend from-"

"A friend?" Anders interjects angrily. "Don't downplay it Ellie, that sort of thing is beneath you. " He turns to the king. "Your Majesty, before you met the lovely teyrna, she and I were lovers."

"Anders! Stop that!" I hiss.

He pays me no mind. "I'm sure you figured that part out for yourself. What you're really wondering is why we stopped being lovers. Am I right?" I watch as Alistair's jaw clenches. "Yes, that's what I thought. Well, it's quite simple. Seeing as I was an apostate at the time, I was constantly being hunted down by those irksome templars. I don't have to tell you about how bothersome they are though, do I? At any rate, one evening, after Ellie and I had retired for the night, our camp was attacked by, you guessed it, templars! They managed to knock poor Ellie out, and dragged me off to the Tower. We haven't seen each other since." Anders leans back in his chair, his chin raised defiantly as though daring the king to assault him again.

Then Alistair does something that completely takes me by surprise. "It must have been difficult for both of you, not knowing the other's fate. I can't even imagine…" Huh? Where was this coming from? "I apologize for hitting you earlier. No matter how well deserved it was, it wasn't very…kingly of me."

Even Anders seems shocked by this about face. "Yes, well…I did provoke you after all. It's just…I could tell that you and she…and I still…" his gaze falls to the ground.

I reach out and place a hand on Anders' shoulder. "Anders? I know we haven't finished talking yet, but…I imagine the king came here to discuss business. He did just meet with your Commander after all." I try to keep my voice as soft and soothing as possible. I can see the emotions playing out on Anders' face, and I don't want him to feel like I'm casting him aside.

He lets out a deep sigh. "Yes of course, I'll leave you to it." He forces a strained smile and gets to his feet. "Ellie, your Majesty, I shall see you both tomorrow I'm sure." He bows before leaving the room.

"He still loves you," Alistair says softly. My muscles grow tense and I look over to him.

"I know…"

Alistair's shoulders seem to sag. "I—I love you with all of my heart Elissa, but if seeing him today has somehow changed the way that you—"

I lift a finger to his lips to silence him. "That's just it, Ali. Even after seeing him, after rehashing the old memories in my mind, I still love you more than anything." I pause for a moment. "It's kind of scary to be honest," I admit. I watch as a sly smile begins to form on his lips. "What are you grinning about, eh? You look distinctly like the cat that ate the—"

"Pigeon?" He waggles his eyebrows at me.

I blink a few times. "I do believe the expression is 'the cat that ate the canary'."

"I once had a very large cat…did I ever tell you that?"

I moan, tugging at a few stray strands of hair. "Please don't tell me his name was Mr. Wiggums, because honestly, I think it'll be the death of me. All I want now is a warm bath and a bed."

Alistair cocks an eyebrow. "His name was actually Maurice. That part about the bath though? I figured you'd want one, so I took the liberty of having one drawn up for you."

"Really?" I glance over his shoulder. "When's it due to arrive?"

He grins roguishly. "I do believe it's all set and ready…in my chambers."

My eyes widen. "After the day we've had, you can't honestly expect me to do anything but pass out?"

Alistair leans forward, his full lips brushing against my ear. "Just trust me…" he whispers, his tongue snaking out to lick at the lobe. An involuntary shiver runs down my spine. Ugh, it's not right for one man to hold such power over me!

Upon reaching Alistair's chambers, we find that the bath is in fact ready and waiting. I practically let out a hoot of pleasure and begin tugging at my nightshift. Alistair grasps my wrists gently before I manage to get it off of me. He tugs me gently so that my back is pressed against his chest.

"You did say you were exhausted, my lady. I wouldn't want you to strain yourself. Allow me." Without further preamble he slides my shift over my head. He rests his hands on my shoulders and begins to trail soft kisses along the curve of my neck. I sigh happily, and as I turn toward him, he holds me firmly in place. "Tut tut. You are not to move a muscle." He murmurs softly. As there is no breast band to remove (I mean honestly, why would I wear that bloody thing to bed anyhow?) he cups my breasts gently. The warmth begins to pool in my center, and as he begins to slowly roll my nipples between his thumb and index fingers, I'm sure that my smallclothes are sopping wet. "So beautiful…" he whispers into my ear. When his hands fall away from my breasts I let out a small moue of protest, but am quickly gladdened when he removes my (now mostly damp) smallclothes. He lifts me gently then, and lowers me into the warm bath. The water is like heaven against my flesh, and it smells of lavender and Andraste's Grace. When I see Alistair reach for a sponge I suddenly realize that he's actually going to bathe me. My cheeks flush at the thought of him catering to me so willingly.

He wets the sponge and gently rubs it against my shoulders, gliding it down my spine to the small of my back. He repeats this motion several times. He moves the sponge to my chest, brushing it against my collarbone, down between the valley of my breasts…he makes sure to cleanse every square inch. My eyes fall shut as the sponge slides to my lower abdomen. He very gently asks me to scoot down so that I am further submerged in the water. I'm only too happy to comply. I sense him move to the other end of the tub where he gingerly grasps one ankle, lifting it out of the water. The sponge glides up my calf to my knee…and is soon very dangerously gliding up my inner thigh. My breath hitches slightly, but just as he reaches that place he pulls away, and moves instead to my other ankle, repeating the action. I never knew a bath could be so damn erotic! My breathing has become rather laboured from all this teasing. I'm snapped out of my blissful state by his husky voice in my ear. Wait, how did he get to this side of the tub without my noticing?

"Only one spot left to clean…" his hand dips into the water and cups my mons. I let loose a gasp and part my thighs. He chuckles throatily, not hesitating to flick his middle finger against my clitoris. I bite my lower lip to stifle a moan. "Don't stay quiet on my account," he rumbles. "I hear the walls of the Keep are very thick indeed." His finger moves from the small nub to my slit, and he inserts two fingers, causing my back to arch. He reaches down with his free hand and unlaces his trousers, freeing his erection. For a moment I expect him to pull me out of the tub and have his way with me, only instead he begins to stroke his shaft. I look at him questioningly. "I told you, you aren't to move a muscle…at least not voluntary…" With a cheeky grin he inserts a third finger inside of me, and by all that's holy, I nearly see stars. His thumb runs circles around my clit as his fingers deftly thrust in and out of me. I can hear that his own breathing has become quick and laboured. I can only imagine how quickly he's pumping his length. My hands come up of their own accord and grip the sides of the tub. My thighs begin to quiver maddeningly, and I can tell that I'm very close to having a mind blowing orgasm. "Tell me," Alistair rasps. "Tell me when you're going to come." I nod my head bewilderedly, barely aware of what he's just said. As his middle finger suddenly grazes that special spot on the front wall of my canal, I know that I am undone. "Now," I hiss softly. I let out a cry of pleasure, and to my utter delight, Alistair joins me in my peaking if his own grunts of ecstasy are any indication. I continue to ride his hand through the intensity of my climax, until finally my muscles turn to jelly. My head lolls to one side and I smile at Alistair, my eyes completely glazed from having been sated so fully.

"That was the best bath ever," I murmur.

"Well, you certainly are thoroughly wet," he quips. I groan and splash water at him for his awful jest. "Let's get you out of here, lest you turn into a prune." He reaches into the water and cradles me into his arms. He lifts me out of the tub and stands me upright, allowing me to use him for support since my knees seem to have weakened substantially. After drying me, he carries me to his bed.

"Is this where we make mad passionate love?" I ask sleepily.

He slides into bed and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me to his chest. "No, this is where you sleep, my dear. You wanted a bath and then bed, and I've always said that your desire is my command."

"And the incredible orgasm in the tub?"

"Oh that? Well, is it my fault I can't keep my hands to myself? Besides, didn't it make you nice and sleepy?"

"Yes, I suppose it did, at that," I purr. He chuckles and plants a kiss on the crown of my head.

"Get some sleep, my love. Tomorrow we both need to chat with the Commander. Needless to say, I think you'll be interested in the information he's collected."

"Less talkie, more sleepy," I murmur groggily.

I can practically hear Alistair's smile. "Maker's breath, if I loved you anymore I think my head would explode."

Now that would be an interesting sight…though I wonder idly which head he's referring to. That's the thought that clings to me as I drift off into the Fade.