I have never seen so much dirt in my life in one place.

I shook my head in disbelief as I brought another full bucket of muck from the floors of our bedrooms out to the front stairs and dumped it over the side.

I had cleaned all of the rooms we would sleep in, shaking what dust I could from the bed sheets and cleaning what surfaces I could. Now it actually resembled the fortress it might have been at one time, at least in the areas that had been taken care of so far.

When we had first walked into the Peak, the hallways had been littered with debris, bones, and other things best removed but that was all gone now. We as a team had made the Peak habitable, at least for our short stay and I was proud of us.

"That is it. I am through."

I spoke out loud as if convincing myself to quit cleaning and it worked. I retired my broom, bucket and rags to the corner of the hallway, wiping sweat from my brow with the one clean spot on my arm.

I was a complete and utter mess as I looked down at myself and I needed to get into a bath before I encountered anyone else. I was always neat and clean and for others to see me in this disheveled state would not do. Especially with my standing as their leader.

I headed back to my own room and took a look at the fireplace. Good, the usual hooks were there, the same ones that we'd had at the Cousland Estate. I had found the steel tub that would attach to those hooks and cleaned it out a bit but I needed water to clean it out fully. There was clearly no running water at the Peak and hadn't been for years so I was now at a loss as to what I would use for this bath I so desperately needed.

Of course. The snow outside!

I hefted the bucket over my back and headed outside to the front, not coming across any of my friends.

I wonder what Leliana and Wynne are finding in the basement.

Hopefully enough treasure to be able to turn this Peak back into what it once was.

I will be able to contribute some gold to it's rebuilding, but I will not sink all of my wealth into it.

I walked down the stairs yet again and dug the bucket into a large snow drift, pushing it down into it and then pushing it back out, snow now within it. I grabbed more armfuls of snow and dropped them into the bucket as well. I certainly did not want to make this trip twice and filled it as much as possible.

Bucket now filled, I was not entirely sure as to how I could get this back to my room on my own but I was going to try my best. Struggling with the weight, I sighed and thought I might just have to make more than one trip.

I heard crunching in the snow beside me and saw Morrigan standing next to the other end of the bucket and she curved her hand around the other handle, looking at me.

At the end of the snow bank, I stood and smiled. I never expected Morrigan to help me with such a menial task but here she was.

"If this is your way of apologizing then I accept."

Morrigan gave me her squinty-eyed stare and smirked.

"Let us get on with it then. Why must you always talk so much?"

Nothing was different but at least I had the help I required.

I said nothing more and we trudged up the stairs with the tub in tow and we were panting by the time we reached my room.

"I do hope this will fill that tub. I have no intention of making that trip again."

"Perhaps you could just...magically make some more water appear?"

Morrigan glared at me.

"It does not work like that, Warden. You of all people should know that by now. But if you would like electricity in your bath, I would be happy to oblige."

I shook my head and declined Morrigan's generous offer and turned back to the fireplace, watching the fire slowly melt the snow into the water that would provide my tired and dirty self some relief.

Morrigan walked away from me to the window where she commented on the view.

"'Tis a shame really that so many people lost their lives in this place, though it is understandable that they did not give up. And this view is impressive, the mountains... I have never seen such in the Wilds."

I turned to Morrigan and walked to her, smiling about her comment.

Both of the views before me were breathtaking and the snow coating the mountains outside the window that peaked all around us like a fluffy blanket was almost like a dream.

A cold dream that I wanted no part of right now.

"It's true, no one should have died here. But that is what comes of outlawed magic use."

Morrigan turned to me, one eyebrow up.

"Do you really think it to be as simple as that, Warden?"

"Forbidden magics are just that for good reason."

"You only believe such as you do not partake in the practice of magic, Warden. Otherwise your view would be a different one."

I knew better than to get into a debate with Morrigan about magic so I did not answer her but went back to check on the water.

"Avoiding the subject, are you?"

Morrigan knew I refused to answer but followed me, questioning why.

I laughed.

"I know better than to get into this argument with a mage, Morrigan. Particularly you."

"Oh? Why is that? Do you fear I will use my magic if you disagree?"

"No, but I do not like to lose arguments."

I smiled and laughed again and swore I saw a smile on Morrigan's face before she turned away.

The water was finally warm within the bucket and we lifted it out and managed to get most of it inside the tub, only spilling a bit. I was actually surprised Morrigan had not left after we'd arrived in my room. I had not expected her to stay and help again.

Morrigan walked out of the door without a word after that so I figured that she must be angry that I would not participate in her argument.

That or she was simply done with me. She tended to get what she needed and then disappear on people, though I am not sure what she would have gotten out of this. I would thank her later for her help as I had no intention of letting this water cool down at all.

I closed the door in the wake of her retreat and hurriedly removed my clothing, knowing the water was cooling with every second gone by. The water was so warm and relaxing and I heard myself sigh out loud and I dunked beneath to get my hair under control.

After I resurfaced and wiped the water from my eyes, Morrigan was there beside the tub and I jumped a bit, never expecting to see her.

"Morrigan? What are you..."

"I was simply getting my things for the bath."

Her things for the bath?

"Oh, you are having a bath as well? You should have let me know. I would have helped you."

Morrigan rolled her eyes.

"Did you really think that I helped with this water because of guilt? I intend to make use of it as well, Warden. I am not about to go through this difficulty twice."

Morrigan heeded the look on my face and added a footnote.

"With your permission of course."

I was speechless for a moment as I pictured Morrigan out of her clothes and in the tub alongside me.

Thankfully I snapped out of my daze quickly.

"If you wish, Morrigan. I believe there is room enough in here."

"There is plenty of room. How is the temperature?"

"Fairly warm but cooling rapidly. The Peak is quite chilly and it does not help that the stone is cold as well."

Morrigan placed her arm into the tub and I tried to remember that her being near me was normal when suddenly the water's temperature got much warmer.

"I thought you said your magic was worn out for today?"

"I am never worn out, Warden. I simply needed a rest."

Morrigan was of course happy to have her way and I closed my eyes again, avoiding the undressing that Morrigan had begun. She was certainly not shy about it. She knew that she was beautiful, as was every other part of her I found, peeking a bit.

Oh my.

Maybe this is not such a good idea.

I spotted Morrigan place her towel on the side of the tub and realized that I had been so intent on getting into the water that I had not even brought a towel over to use. I would just have to wait until Morrigan left the room to get my own from the pack on the bed.

In a moment I felt Morrigan step into the tub over me and heard her settle down across from me, sighing as she felt the warmth and water welcome her. This tub was certainly smaller than I had thought it was and I felt Morrigan's leg against mine.

I kept my eyes high as I did not need to be distracted by what I could clearly see through the water beside me should my eyes chose to wander so.

Which they did choose to do several times.

The only sounds in the next few minutes came from our slight movements under the water as we did not speak. I was strangely nervous and was not sure why.

Morrigan broke the silence a few minutes later and I was surprised she had any words for me that I had not asked for.

"I hope that the Darkspawn do not find this fortress before we are able to leave."

I answered swiftly, having had the same thought already much earlier today.

"I doubt they will travel so far from their path to Denerim. We might get some loose bands of Darkspawn, but nothing we cannot handle."

I saw Morrigan shudder.

"The Darkspawn are such horrid creatures. The worst about them is that they have no soul within. That is terrifying in itself."

"To have a soul and do the things that Darkspawn do... Well, maybe they would not be evil if they did have a soul."

Morrigan sniffed.

"It is not the soul that makes a man evil, but the choices that he makes. So many are quick to blame others or their circumstances when it is only themselves they have to blame."

I nodded and then I suddenly giggled and Morrigan looked at me.

"What is so funny?"

"I just...I cannot believe you and I are actually having a conversation."

Morrigan looked surprised by my comment and as if she could not believe it either.

"You are less annoying than the others is all. I was simply speaking my thoughts. If you would prefer, I will remain silent."

I shook my head.

"Why would you say that? I do not prefer you silent. I actually prefer your thoughts sometimes. I like the way that you speak your mind and offer the truth as you see it instead of what you think I would like to hear. I know the others get annoyed with you easily but I know what drives you and it is fine with me."

This comment was of great interest to Morrigan.

"Oh? And what is it that you think drives me?"

I shrugged as I answered Morrigan.

"Pleasure and getting what you want."

Morrigan looked shocked for a moment then tried to hide the emotion.

"I believe everyone is driven by those things, Warden."

"But some of us more than others, no?"

Morrigan regarded me with careful eyes and I smiled.

"Is it so strange to find someone who understands you?"

Morrigan began going through my soaps that were in the basket at the edge of the tub, smelling them and she never answered me.

I just had to open my mouth and end the conversation I guess.

I continued washing, intent on finishing up and ending this slight unease that would not leave me.

I felt a sting as I went deeper into the tub and then noticed a laceration on my arm and took a look at the severity of it.

"'Tis not that deep. You will be fine."

So she was not done with me then.

"Just another scar for my collection. They just keep adding up."

Morrigan grunted.

"Perhaps it would be wise of you to choose different companions to fight beside you. Ones that would be able to shield you from such injury."

"What do you mean? I think Wynne and Leliana and you make a fantastic team."

"Ah, but one of those you have mentioned does not fully concentrate on the task at hand. She is much too concerned with the Maker and chasing after what she thinks is love. Not to mention the other one. The age of dirt has nothing on her."

I was shocked at Morrigan's sudden harsh opinion. I was not prepared to have to defend anyone's honor right now.

"I do not believe in the Maker either but Leliana is a fine fighter and I am glad to have her on my side."

Morrigan cocked an eyebrow at me.

"Did you mean on your side or in your bed, Warden? 'Tis most obvious why the two of you get along so well...And most sickening."

I had no words to respond to that but was rescued by a firm knock on the door. Before I could ask who it was or give them permission to enter, I heard Leliana's rich voice fill the room as she sang her words upon entry.

"Warden, my Warden! Where are you?"

Morrigan let loose an evil sounding laugh and added one last thing.

"Speak of the zealot and she appears. How lovely."

"I'm here, Leliana."

Leliana spun around with a smile that quickly faded as she spotted Morrigan in the tub with me as well. She had something in her hand but I could not tell what it was from my position.

"What...is she doing in there with you?"

Leliana suddenly looked too angry to speak but she managed another sentence before I could answer.

"What is going on in here, Detra?"

"We are just... Morrigan helped..."

I thought I knew what I would say but actually having to speak with Leliana staring straight at me as angry as she was made me very nervous.

Morrigan did not help things by letting out a mellifluous laugh and I shushed her as I turned back to Leliana.

"So this is what you do behind my back? And with her?"

Leliana's last word was saturated with such disgust that could be heard a kilometer away.

"What? No, we are simply bathing. There is nothing..."

Morrigan snorted.

"You would go along with this, Warden? You would allow this simple, self righteous and not to mention easy girl to take up any of your time? I say she is not worth your concern."

Leliana's eyes blazed in Morrigan's direction and she placed whatever was in her hands on my bed.

"You would do well to leave right now, Morrigan. You do not want to see me angry."

Morrigan was not to be deterred.

"'Tis a better idea that you not anger me, little girl. I think 'tis you who are not welcome as I am in here and you are not."

My mouth opened as I watched these two women openly threaten each other. I knew they were not best of friends but I could not believe things could escalate so swiftly.

I saw Morrigan's hands flare with light and I grabbed them, pushing her hands under the water into her lap, holding on to them.

"Morrigan- no!"

Leliana had drawn her dagger and was advancing towards the tub and I could not believe my eyes.

"Leliana! Stop this! Stop right now!"

Leliana ignored me as she neared us, her eyes fierce and unwavering on Morrigan and I grabbed her wrist and held on even as I was still struggling to keep Morrigan's hands under the water.

"Stop it! Both of you! That is an order!"

I shook Leliana's wrist to get her attention away from Morrigan and finally she looked at me.

"Put your weapon away. Now!"

Leliana still looked angry as did Morrigan but they both obeyed my order, finally ceasing and desisting. Leliana and Morrigan still stared each other down but at least they had put their weapons aside and Leliana was now backing away a bit.

I had to take some deep breaths as my heart was beating out of my chest. I was not sure if I was going to be able to hinder their fighting but now that I had, the stress was taking its toll.

I eyed both of the women, berating them.

"What the sodding hell is wrong with you two?"

Leliana stood back and folded her arms, demanding an explanation again.

"There is nothing to explain, Leliana. We are simply bathing and that is all."

Morrigan giggled and Leliana flared up again.

"Leliana, I will talk to you later. Please just leave."

I watched Morrigan smirk at Leliana and her eyes darkened further.

"I do not trust her but I will do as you say, for now. You had better have a good explanation for all of this, Detra. We will speak later, as soon as you are finished here."

"No, I will find you later, Leliana."

Leliana lingered a few more seconds and then stomped from the room, slamming the door behind her.

Morrigan laughed again and I gave her a dirty look.

"What has gotten into you? I had no idea you hated Leliana so much! Both of you are acting crazy!"

Morrigan had begun washing up again now and spoke as she continued to soap up her washcloth and herself.

"That girl is a fool and I make no excuses for my behavior, 'tis who I am. I do not like her incessant rambling about anything and everything, 'tis quite annoying as is the innocent act that she puts on. She intends to anchor you down so that you may never be free again, Warden. I say beware."

I now had my soapy cloth in my hand as well as I needed to get out of this tub as soon as possible to avoid any more conflict.

"Why do you not just ignore her? You seem to do that with Alistair and everyone else just fine. I need you two to concentrate on the Darkspawn and our mission, not fight one another. Can you promise that there will be no more encounters between you two?"

Morrigan clucked her tongue.

"As you wish. But answer me one question."

"And what question is that?"

"Tell me...do you love Leliana?"

I sighed.

"Why would you ask me such a question? I am a Grey Warden and duty comes before anything else."

"That is not an answer, Warden, that is a job description. Try again or are you afraid of what you might say?"

I sighed louder, aggravated.

"No, I do not love her."

Morrigan watched me answer and nodded her head, slowly, just once. Then she began shaking her head and giggling.

"So you have not fallen for the charms of the bard? Surely you jest! How could you resist such girlish delightfulness?"

The words just flowed from my mouth and I did not even stop to think that maybe I should not be sharing any of this.

"Because nothing lasts forever."

My body froze as the last word left my lips and I knew that I should not have said those words now. Morrigan seemed to use everything I said as ammunition so I knew I would pay for my confession later.

"Pity, is it not? 'Tis the price you pay for being a Grey Warden. You will be dead within thirty years, give or take a few..."

I awaited more doleful musings but Morrigan seemed to have lost her train of thought and stared into the water for a moment then returned to her washing.

"Let us speak no more lest Leliana come bursting in here like a twit again."

I was fine with that idea as I should have stopped speaking several minutes ago.

We finished up in the tub and Morrigan stood and I could not help but notice the water cascading down her body as she stepped over me again, making her way down the stairs and grabbing the towel that she had brought into my room.

Luckily my eyes were not caught staring at her. I could be sneaky when I needed to be. But I had never seen Morrigan with her hair down and I caught myself watching her towel it dry as did she.

Thankfully she avoided any mention of it but I had to open my mouth again.

"You should leave your hair down more often. It's lovely."

Morrigan just looked at me and smirked, her own way of acknowledging my compliment.

I noticed a large puddle of water on the floor and concluded it probably happened when I had to stop Leliana in her advance.

I still could not believe that situation had actually come to pass.

I sighed, knowing I would get some surly comment in response but still asking anyhow.

"Morrigan, could you please hand me my towel on my bed? I forgot to bring it over here."

Morrigan stepped towards my bed and picked my towel up, delivering it to me without a word. My eyes followed her the entire time and I found I could not stop myself.

I see that she was truly serious about not saying another word.

"Thank you."

I climbed out of the tub as Morrigan was again toweling her hair and I began drying off, facing away from Morrigan, a bit shy. I wrapped the towel around myself and felt a hand on my back.

"I did not know you had a tattoo. 'Tis very exquisite."

Morrigan had noticed the small tattoo just below my neck on my back and was now asking me what it meant, moving my hair over my shoulder to get a better look.

"It is the Cousland crest."

I felt Morrigan's finger tracing the outer edges and I could see the crest in my mind as she did so. I felt unusually relaxed by what Morrigan was doing and leaned into the edge of the tub, my eyes closing. I then felt another hand on my arm and my eyes reopened.

Now this was strange.

Morrigan removed that hand from me a moment later and I looked at my arm. The laceration I had found there earlier was gone.

"Oh. Thank you again, Morrigan."

"You are... welcome. You thought 'twas another reason I would touch you?"

I turned and looked into Morrigan's eyes and I saw... something.

Then it was gone.

My mind focused on one sudden, clear thought and I had to voice it.

"Did you truly not want to get your own bath together... or did you want to be here, Morrigan?"

Morrigan laughed heartily, even throwing her head back for added flavor but when her eyes returned to me for delivery of no doubt more censure, there it was again.

My hand reached out and touched Morrigan's arm as my eyes were fixed on hers and then the door was opened, Leliana exploding into the room again.

Morrigan sighed heavily but did not move away from me.

"What is this? I leave because you tell me there is nothing going on and I come back to see you..."

I only broke eye contact with Morrigan at that time, facing Leliana.

"Leliana, I told you that I would speak with you later!"

Leliana crossed her arms and stood firm.

"I am not leaving this time. Morrigan needs to be the one to leave. Unless there is something you would like to tell me?"

Morrigan collected her things and calmly walked towards the door past Leliana.

"If you think I would stay to listen to your laden drivel, you are mistaken, bard. I will gladly leave though I do pity the Warden. But then again, she has asked for this, has she not? And we shall all reap what we sow."

Morrigan shrugged at me then walked out the door, Leliana closing it behind her.

Morrigan did not walk to her room as we had simply assumed she would, but stood outside my door, listening closely to our words.

Several minutes later, her face grew dark and she waved her fingers in the air angrily before retreating silently to her room.

I sighed again, readying myself for the onslaught of questions that was sure to follow. I could just see it in Leliana's face.

Leliana returned to me and immediately started in again.

"What did I walk in on, Detra? What is going on between you two?"

I held my hand up, mentally exhausted already.

"Leliana, dear gods, please. There is nothing to talk about. It was a bath!"

I wrapped the towel around me tightly and walked towards my bed and Leliana followed.

"Don't give me that, don't you dare give me that! After what I saw, I want an explanation right now!"

I sighed deeply and looked at Leliana.

"Why was she touching you? And I saw that you were touching her back so please do not deny it."

"Leliana..."

I felt very aggravated having to explain my actions but then again, I did not want to deal with the wrath of a jealous woman either.

"She was looking at my tattoo and that's all."

"You have a tattoo on your arm? I do not see one."

"No, it's on my back. She was looking at it and then noticed the cut on my arm so she healed it."

Leliana was silent for a moment, but only a moment, working the scenario out in her head.

"So...you were just taking a bath with her and nothing happened? The two of you, naked together, and you expect me to believe nothing else went on?"

"Yes, that is what I am telling you. She did not want to wait to warm her own water so she asked to use mine. Please, Leliana, this is Morrigan we are speaking of. Do you really think she truly wants anything to do with any of us?"

"She seemed to want much to do with you from what I saw."

I shook my head and opened the pack on my bed.

Leliana paused again to mull over the facts that I had presented her with and then seemed to accept them.

"How strange those Wild folk are. I would never ask such a thing as to share another's bath."

"Oh I don't know about that. I can absolutely see you talking your way into a woman's tub and then making her believe it was her idea all along."

Leliana laughed as I hoped she would and I smiled, happy to see that expression on her face versus what I'd seen in the last half hour.

And it seems I could talk my way out of anything if I wanted to.

Leliana's stance relaxed and I removed clothes to wear from my pack.

"So you have a tattoo? Why have I not seen it?"

I laughed, picking my clothes up off of my bed.

"Well, mostly because you have only seen me on my back or in the dark..."

Leliana smirked back.

"Well, I want to see it now. May I?"

"Of course."

I turned around and moved my hair slightly so that Leliana could see it fully. I held my shirt in my hands, ready to slip it on as soon as Leliana was done looking.

"This is your family's crest, no? It's beautiful, Detra."

I smiled and thanked her, appreciating the fact that Leliana knew what it was without explanation. She too could not keep her fingers from it and was tracing it just as Morrigan had. It also seemed she could not keep her hands off of me either as I now felt her hands on my shoulders, pulling me back against her.

"I've missed being close to you..."

I relaxed and felt Leliana's hands move to my arms and her lips against my neck, causing me to shiver. If I did not put a stop to things before they began, I would be under her spell in no time.

Leliana had her own thoughts on the matter.

She did not pull away as I thought she might but leaned into me, allowing me access.

Perhaps I was wrong about what I thought I had seen between them.

Morrigan is not capable of giving even half of what I can. Detra would be a fool to even consider her.

The inconsistency of Leliana's touch brought me out of my stupor but it was still hard to move away. The promise of physical pleasure was scarce these days with things as they were so I found it nearly impossible to pass up.

This was my weakness.

"Wait, wait..."

I turned and faced Leliana, intent on refusing her advances but the look in her eyes stopped me and she did not pass up the chance to kiss me. I could not resist her lips and we kissed for a moment until Leliana pushed me onto my bed then followed, pulling my towel open as she did.

She was an excellent seductress and now I realized how much she must miss being a practicing bard.

Am I the practice to keep her skills sharp?

"This time I would like to see more than you on your back..."

Leliana's hands on my body caused all thoughts to cease and I gasped into her shoulder. I let myself go with what was happening. I do not think I had the strength left to fend Leliana off anyhow and found I really did not want to.

There was a loud tinkling of glass and ceramic shattering out of the blue as the three intact vases that remained in my room suddenly exploded into pieces, fragments falling all over and around us and clattering to the floor.

"Maker! What the...Are you all right?"

Leliana sat up and we looked at the mess all over the floor, window sills, bed and even on both of us.

"What was that?"

I remained silent and in my thoughts and shrugged.

Probably Morrigan.

There is no other way that all three would shatter at once.

It had to be her.

But why? To annoy Leliana?

To stop us from...

Leliana was watching me and I think she read my mind.

Of course she did, that was what she did.

"It was her, wasn't it?"

I shrugged again, unsure myself.

"I don't know what happened."

I was feeling uncomfortable now and I moved from under Leliana and pulled my towel off the bed, shaking the clay and ceramic pieces from it and attempting to wrap it around me again.

"Are you in love with Morrigan, Detra?"

I did not answer Leliana as I busied myself getting dressed, pretending to not have heard her question and pushing it from my mind.

"Answer me, Detra. Are you? More importantly, do you think she is in love with you? I cannot imagine such an emotion existing within Morrigan!"

I could not help but laugh at the idea and how ridiculous it sounded verbalized but I never answered.

"That is funny. Morrigan asked me the same question about you."

"Did she? Now why would she care about an answer to a question like that?"

"I wondered that myself actually."

"Oh come, Detra! Do you really expect me to believe you do not understand the reason she asked you that question?"

"I am sorry but I am not as skillful with people as you are, Leliana. I can only read so much into a person and that is sadly not much at all unless it is on the battlefield. That is why I stick with my blade and my shield; they do not require such analysis,"

Leliana got off of the bed and got closer to me.

"Morrigan asked you that question because she wants you for herself."

I thought about Leliana's statement but refuted it with laughter again.

"That cannot be true, Leliana. Morrigan is not interested in love from anyone, least of all me."

Leliana shook her head.

"Wake up, Detra. It is true. I have seen this same behavior so many times in my experience. I know this tune by heart."

I allowed my mind to indulge and thought about how it would be if what Leliana had said were true and my body tingled.

Surely it cannot be true.

"So now comes the part where you must choose, Detra. I do not share and I would suspect that Morrigan does not either."

"Leliana, I do not agree with what you are saying but what do you mean, 'you do not share'? Does that mean that you thought we were... together?"

Leliana looked crestfallen.

"You did not think...we were? But those nights, in your tent, all of our words..."

"Were wonderful indeed, Leliana, but we never promised each other a thing. There is so much and so many depending on us now that we cannot expect anything from one another besides in battle. Any kind of relationship now could jeopardize the mission that we are on and as a Grey Warden, I cannot allow that."

Leliana stared at me and then her eyes went to the floor.

"So you...you won't be with anyone?"

I shook my head, suddenly realizing that it would always be so whether I chose it or not.

"I am sorry but I cannot. But know that you mean a lot to me and I enjoy our time spent together."

Tears in her eyes, Leliana toed the fragments of vase on the floor around her feet.

"Maybe when the Blight is defeated..."

"I cannot think that far ahead, Leliana. Honestly, I do not think I will survive to see the end of the battle. I am new to the Wardens and this is all very..."

"Do not say that, Detra! You will be fine, and we shall triumph as we have thus far. You must think positively or the Darkspawn have already won."

I nodded.

"You are right, I'm sorry. Sometimes things seem so overwhelming and...I would just like a rest from this responsibility I guess."

"I understand. I will not trouble you further."

Leliana turned to leave but my words stopped her.

"Leliana, you are a great addition to my team and you are important to me. Please tell me that you will stay. I cannot win this battle without you."

Leliana looked appreciative of my comment and I got a small smile in return as she turned back to me.

"I have no intention of leaving."

I smiled back, grateful she had not taken this too far.

"If you need me, I will be here, Detra."

After I put on my shirt, I turned to thank her but Leliana was gone, the room empty.

I shook the remaining fragments of vase off the covers on the bed and crawled under them, sleep coming almost instantly and thankfully before I felt the third tear streak down my cheek.