Leah sat near the campfire and awaited the return of Cullen and those with him. Several of the soldiers who had remained in camp commended her for her quick thinking and resourcefulness, some commenting on how it only added to her allure. While the flattery was nice, Leah didn't pay it much attention because her mind was still processing her kiss with Cullen.

While she told herself at that moment that it was just an impulsive act and didn't mean anything, she found that she couldn't stop thinking about the feel of his lips against hers and the warmth of his embrace, the look of relief washing over his face. She reached up to lightly touch her lips, pondering why he had kissed her so suddenly.

'It was rather nice if I'm being honest with myself.' she noted.

"Leah, you alright?"

She glanced over at Helen, nodding. "Yes, I was just thinking about what happened. It's rather odd, isn't it? A bear infected with red lyrium?"

"Well, the Venatori are active in the area, perhaps it was some sort of cruel experimentation gone wrong?"

"At least the beast is dead, though, ya?"

"That's true, it'd be horrible having to watch out for some mutated bear hopped up on lyrium."

Leah sighed, wondering how Cullen was taking it. He had seen firsthand what red lyrium can do to a person in Kirkwall, and given how difficult his own experience with lyrium has been over the years, she worried about him.

"Looks like everyone is back."

Leah looked up as the missing members of their troop sauntered back into camp, Cullen towards the rear of the group. She stood and waited patiently, checking in on everyone as they joined their comrades by the fire in hopes that none were injured.

Cullen and the men he ordered to remain behind had investigated the area around the attack and took a good look at the bear once it was confirmed to have died. The couple of mages that had gone along with the reinforcements took samples of the red lyrium and detailed notes about the bear, coming to a similar conclusion as the soldiers who had mused that it was tortured by the Venatori by way of experimentation.

When Cullen spotted Leah in the camp, checking on everyone's condition, he was relieved to find her acting like her usual self. He waited for the chance to approach her and when she finally made her way over to him, he presented her with her basket of herbs.

"Here, though the basket may be a little worse for wear now."

Leah took the basket and offered him a smile. "We can always repair it." She could tell that he seemed a bit worse for wear himself and her brow furrowed. "Forget the basket, though, are you alright?" She reached up to touch his forehead and cheek. "You're a bit clammy, let's get you to your tent and I'll give you a look over."

Sensing that she wouldn't take no for an answer, Cullen sighed and followed her to his tent. He stepped inside and began removing his gear, setting it to the side while Leah waited patiently for him to finish.

"Why don't you sit?"

He set the last of this gear aside and plopped down onto his bed. "You don't need to make a big fuss, Leah, I'm alright."

"Oh hush, just let me have a look at you, alright?" Leah stood in front of him, giving him a general check-up. "Have you been getting much sleep?"

"As much as I am able to."

"How are your nightmares?"

"Better since you prepared the new potion for me, but not by much."

Leah sighed, taking a cloth and wetting it before dabbing it onto his skin gently. "Your withdrawal symptoms seem to be worse than normal."

Cullen pushed her hand away, standing up and going over to the wash bin to splash water over his face instead. "I'll manage, much as I have been."

"Cullen, you need to tell me when things are getting worse instead of trying to bear the brunt of it alone." She watched him grip the edges of the table the wash bin had been set upon, his head hanging low for a moment. "If you won't tell me, then at least tell one of the other healers. You're our Commander, we need you at your best."

Cullen stared at his reflection in the water, sighing heavily. He knew that she was right, but it was hard to openly admit that he needed help.

Leah waited for him to respond, but all she got was a heavy sigh. She strode over to the wash bin, tossing the cloth over the edge. "Seeing as how you have no further interest in talking at the moment, I'll just leave you to your thoughts. Try to get some sleep, and if you need anything, you know where to find me."

She turned away and started heading towards the entrance of his tent, but Cullen grabbed her wrist to stop her. "Wait."

Leah looked back at him. "What?"

"You could have been seriously hurt out there. If I hadn't come after you..."

"And yet I am fine aside from a few scrapes and bruises that will heal in a couple of days or so."

"If you had lost your grip on those roots before I reached you, you would have met the same fate as that beast! What you did was reckless!"

Leah's eyes widened upon hearing the fear behind his words. "Cullen, I-"

Cullen sighed and loosened his grip on her wrist. "I'm sorry... you had me really worried, that's all..."

"And the kiss?"

Cullen's face erupted and he rubbed the back of his neck, refusing to meet her gaze. "A-An impulsive act, one done in relief at your safety."

Leah giggled at that. "Do you kiss just anyone like that, or am I a special case?"

Cullen groaned with embarrassment. "Maker's breath..."

"Aww, you're cute when you're flustered," Leah smiled, gladdened to see him return to better spirits. "If it makes you feel any better, you're an excellent kisser."

"While I appreciate the compliment, it doesn't exactly make me feel any less embarrassed."

Leah put her hands up playfully and stepped back. "My apologies, Commander. Besides, it was you who made a move on me, lest you forget."

"How can I when you keep reminding me?"

Leah stuck her touch out. "Should I expect more impulsiveness in the future, or was this a one-time deal?" She chuckled when he groaned. "Alright, alright, I'll stop."

Cullen rolled his eyes, but he was relieved that she didn't seem to be offended. 'Why did I kiss her?' he asked himself, wondering the exact same thing.

Outside, someone was calling for Cullen to make a report so Leah decided to take her leave. Before she did, however, she gave Cullen a wink and said, "I wouldn't be opposed to that becoming a regular occurrence."

Cullen's ears began to burn and before he could say another word, Leah disappeared outside. "Maker's breath, that woman..."