A/N: I had a writer's block back in 2011, inspiration was gone...but did my best to finish.

CHAPTER 4 - ACCEPTANCE

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During the journey back, Hawke's condition had improved greatly, enough to make her stand, despite she was still in pain. There had been no talk however, between the pirate, who remained at the ship's wheel, and the warrior, sitting on a far end with Aveline and Varric. Yet Isabela was unable to peel her eyes of the woman with radiant personality, remembering the old days, when they had fun solving frenzied missions. The only one who seemed to notice her daydreaming was Merrill, standing close, watching curiously. "Hawke seems better, don't you think?"

Isabela nodded, "She does Kitten..." releasing a long sigh, "I was so selfish, I didn't realize how close we were, until she was gone. What a tangled web we weave Kitten."

"Sometimes it's worth to climb a mountain to get a flower, than to buy one in the market." Stated Merrill with firm conviction. Isabela blinked confused and looked at the elf surprised on how she could say strange things with absolute normality. "Is the journey that matters." Merrill squeezed her hand. "It is the quest that teach us lessons, and yours was to accept your feelings lethallan."

Isabela smiled. Merrill wasn't as naive as she thought. "Not bad, Kitten. But I'm not sure about her feelings. I was too late. Maybe I rightfully deserve this." A look of sadness surfacing on her eyes.

"Many times I saw her watching the sea, her eyes shining when she did. Her love for you is there, besides, you saved her." Merrill continued "What is meant to be, will be. Or at least that's what Keeper Marethari says." Merrill smiled.

Isabela nodded, giving her a shy smirk, "Thank you Kitten."

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By nightfall, they had arrived at Kirkwall's dock, and Hawke was eager to get away. In her condition, Aveline and Merrill had to help, supporting her without raising suspicions about her injuries. Thankfully the bad weather had driven away most citizens, clearing the docks, and adjacent pathways.

The pirate helped bringing down the gangplank, stepping back for them to pass. She would not accompany them this time, presuming would be better to give Hawke time to recover.

Before following the trio, Varric went back to Isabela. "I know you may have other interests Rivaini, but this time you were the champion's champion. You did well. Now you know what feels to be a hero." Varric gave a wink, and resumed his way.

The pirate stood there, embracing herself, rubbing her arms, not from the cold, but anxiety. Varric was right, now she understood. The world of adventures, one night stands, smuggling and treasure hunt, had become part of her foundation, but it was all momentarily, hollow, while Hawke was hope, constant and real. Yet after all she said and seen, she wasn't sure anymore if the warrior would forgive her, forgive the seduction and betrayal of her past. Either way she had to talk to her.

The pirate closed her eyes, gave a long sigh, and went off back to the ship. The decision between leaving for good, or belonging somewhere, had been made.

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The day after at late hours, Isabela walked the alleyways ridges towards Hightown, its building stones and pavement shining with the torches lights. At Hawke's state entrance, a few twitches, and the heavy wooden door opened with a faint noise. She waited, and hearing no sound but the crack of the fireplace, she stealthily moved to the stairway, and to Hawke's bedchamber. Slowly pushing the semi-open door, she stepped inside, but nothing of the warrior. Where is she?

"Good night Bodhan, Sandal..." came the loud answer from another room. Right, when she gets in, talk to her. But then Isabela pondered if her old habit of invading her privacy would be wise. Moving quickly to the door, she saw Hawke already on the corridor. Shit! Back to the room, she searched, finding cover behind the thick rough-woven curtains. Between a small gap, she peered through, seeing Hawke enter and the door close. Brilliant plan Isabela! Step one: go talk to Hawke, step two: something exciting happens, step tree: you lose her!

While planning a good excuse or another escape, a noise called her attention back to the room. With interest she spied as Hawke removed her gloves, belt, and began unlacing her tunic in such aching slowness, Isabela had to restrain herself from reaching up. This must be step two! Reluctantly she looked away, trying to forget the warriors lean and finely sculpted skin. Meanwhile Hawke had stopped the unlacing, quietly reaching for her sword, and aiming to a silhouette behind her curtains. When the pirate opened the gap again, her heart palpitated at the sight of a sharp sword pointing at her. "Out, now!"

Isabela's opened the curtains slowly, knowing rushed movements would be very stupid. "Hi, it's...me."

Hawke wasn't surprised. Still in a weakened condition, she turned away, lowering her sword, placing on a crest. "This isn't the time Isabela." A painful moan escaping her lips as she sat in the bed.

The pirate couldn't agree more, it was a silly idea. But it would be more silly to hold regrets. It had to be done. Clearing her throat "I-I...Are you feeling better?" She asked sitting at the warrior's side, a good space between them.

Hawke frowned adverting her eyes to the pirate, confused on how to interpret that woman. "If you came all the way to ask that, you could have knocked, I don't want to change the locks again."

When an awkward silence followed, Hawke continuing impassive, Isabela tried again. "Hawke, I'm not good with words, but I wanted to apologize about what I said, and the whole Qunari situation. I thought it wouldn't but, leaving you was far more painful when I realized you made me belong here." she confessed.

"Why are you telling me this now? For gratitude, lust? You said we have nothing in common anymore. You don't have to explain."

"I actually do, I was afraid that all the title and status had changed you, power can make people turn into - "

"- puffed little shits?" Hawke interrupted. "So I've heard..."

"I didn't mean that way," she sighed, frustrated by her words. "I know it will sound pathetic, but I didn't understand things from your side, and I get it now. And when I think about it, even if I had a decent ship, all I care about is right here. You're here. I-I wanted to thank you for all the things you did for me. I'm glad you walked in my life all those years ago." A lump forming in her throat, "and, I think..I'm falling for you, I fell for you Hawke."

Despite a pang of sympathy, Hawke's face was unreadable. "Why the change, haven't you said love wasn't for you?"

"I know what I said. I wasn't afraid of love, I was afraid of being loved," she smiled without mirth, "life can be such a delightful irony. So tell me Hawke, do I still have a chance...with you?"

She gave a long sigh. "You are a kind woman Isabela. And though sometimes I don't understand the things you do, I accept your nature. As it is my nature to help people, it's not the title that makes me do it." She watched Isabela nod, "But honestly I'm not sure, I don't want to nurture false hopes, and see you run off and break my heart again. I think we both need time to think what we want." Hawke finished, moving to the door, and opened it. "Now if don't mind, I'm tired..."

That's it, step three. Isabela felt the sting of tears behind her eyes, it was clearly an invitation to leave. Unwillingly, she moved to the door, and both said nothing as they stood before one another.

Then without warning, the pirate slammed the door Hawke was holding. "Step four" Isabela said stepping closer, and before any protest, pressed her lips against Hawke's like an outburst of passion, a hard kiss that demanded compliance.

Hawke struggled to pull herself away from her grip only to hear her own gasping, "Stop," she pleaded, arching her neck, which only gave Isabela a better access.

"You don't want me to stop," Isabela retorted, lips sucking her earlobe, tasting skin, her fingers threading through her black hair. "And I won't run off, if you don't give me a reason to." Her hands strayed to the warrior's jaw, fingers gently caressing her lips, her face looking softer in the flickering light, "Besides I was wrong, we have something in common."

Hawke stayed still, not refusing, not encouraging, "And what is that?"

"We are both stubborn." The pirate answered, brushing her mouth on lower lips. "And I was a fool for not accepting my feelings sooner." What Hawke felt, to her dismay, was a consuming need to touch the pirate's wanton curves. Heat surged through her body, the familiar currents of energy snapping her senses.

"I'm not sure we should." Hawke said, managing to dismantle herself from Isabela's arms, but the pirate continued her deliberate approach. "We won't work..." The warrior hesitated, backing away until she hit her legs against the bed, sitting heavily.

Before she could get up, Isabela was already pinning her. "We always work." She hold her amber gaze, gently easing herself down into Hawke. The press of a thigh against the middle of her legs. "Fighters and explorers go very well together." She leaned closer, insisting on another intense kiss, hands tracing down to the warrior's thighs, until the juncture of her legs.

The idea of stopping Isabela gone from Hawke's mind. Her body seemed guided by some external desire of which she had no control. Hawke drove her hips forward, to increase their connection, when a muscle strained, "Ouch.." she gasped, her voice breathy and rough. Isabela stopped immediately, concerned, "Are you alright?"

"I will be, if you finish what you started," she purred, rolling their bodies, placing herself on top. It was her turn to possess Isabela's lips, a hand drifting up, caressing a breast. Didn't take long and the Pirate got rid of her clothes, and helped Hawke with hers. They lashed back into each other, a sensation building as Hawke kissed the impression of her belly button. "Don't stop." Isabela said in a subdued voice, and smiled. Their bodies reigniting the craving and desire of all years of wait.

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"...And the night was filled with passion, like a spilling fountain, soft skin sweating, muscles working, torrents of emotion feeling the air. Both breathing their names, their lovemaking a delight of frenzy spasms." Varric finished reading, rolling the parchment, looking at his friends sitting with him on a table, "So what do you think? Should I add more details?"

Hawke lifted an eyebrow, mouth half open, while Isabela, tried to hide a smile behind a mug. "Uh..yes it's...good, I think. Say, do you intent to tell this story?"

Varric smiled, "Maybe, under the circumstances with all that is happening, people like the distraction. Nothing like a good tale to keep things interesting."

Isabela put down her mug, "I bet! Which reminds me, Hawke and I also have to work on some unfinished details. Thanks Varric, it was inspiring." She stood up, walked a few steps swaying her hips, then looked back, "Shall we?"

"We do? Oh right..." Hawke quickly got the hint, getting up, looking at Varric and pointing a thumb to Isabella's direction. "Need to go."

Varric nodded smiling, and watching they leave the Hang-Man, he murmured to himself "And yet in the face of adversity, they became legends, their story echoing through nations and time."

A/N: Try out complete! The story was a small quest for Isabela, and different end from their last tavern talk. Thanks for reading it, hope you enjoyed, reviews welcome :)