Cat opened the door and smiled to herself. The Hanged Man hadn't always been her favorite place, but now the sounds and smells brought happy memories. She was glad for it, as the walk back to Kirkwall had seemed even longer than usual since Zevran hadn't spoken at all.

She had tried to keep quiet, and give him the time to think, but eventually she tried to talk to him and he had asked for more time before they spoke any more of the future.

She may have pouted a little… okay more than a little. He wasn't mad or anything, she could tell that much, but once they reached the tavern, he had headed off on his own, promising to meet up with her tomorrow. She could only hope that he wouldn't leave Kirkwall just yet.

Enough of that for now, she thought to herself. He wouldn't just leave without saying anything, so at least I know there is still time to talk about it. Later, I guess.

Cat scanned the room, zeroing in on their usual table, and seeing it occupied by others. She frowned, as that felt just… wrong. She perked up a moment later, spotting Isabela at a nearby smaller table, and she headed over.

She stopped in her tracks, once she noticed that Isabela was sitting with a pretty, dark haired woman, and they looked like they were in their own little world. She was debating on if she should join them when she heard Isabela call her over.

"Sorry to interrupt," Cat said with an embarrassed look to the two of them.

"Nonsense!" Isabela boomed, catching Cat's arm and dragging her closer to sit down. "I was hoping I'd get to introduce you two."

Cat sat and tried not to stare across the table, wondering why the woman looked familiar. She had thick, blunt cut bangs across her forehead, and the rest of her chocolate-brown hair fell in large curls to her shoulders. She was giving Cat a little smirk at her scrutiny.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Cat," Cat said, giving her a smile.

"I call her Kitty," Isabela added, slinging her arm over Cat's shoulders.

"This is the one that should be your first mate, but got tangled up with Garrett instead?" the woman asked with a smirk, which caused Cat to look at her more closely.

"Do I… know you?" Cat asked, staring openly again. "You seem so familiar…"

"Kitty, this is Charade," Isabela said with a wink. "Hawke's cousin."

Cat's smile was huge, but she caught herself quickly, and remembered to act surprised. "I didn't know Hawke had a cousin!"

"Yes, well, apparently neither did he," Charade said, beaming back at her. "I'm starting to think that Gamlen may not know either."

"Gamlen is the type to brag about his fortunes, and he would most definitely have been bragging about his gorgeous daughter if he knew about you," Cat replied.

"Ooh, I like her," Charade said to Isabela.

"Too bad Hawke got to her first then," Isabela teased, and Cat gave her a withering look.

"Didn't you tell me that you tried to get to her first?" Charade smirked back.

"Hawke must be ecstatic," Cat said, changing the subject back as she waved down a waitress to order a drink. "He lost his sister a few years ago, and though he wouldn't think of replacing her, just knowing about you will help heal that wound a little more."

"I'm trying to not ask many questions about him," Charade said with a grin, "though it is difficult. But I don't want to run out of things to talk about when I see him and his mother."

"You never have to worry about that with Hawke," Isabela chuckled. "He's nosy, and he'll ask you a million questions."

"That's not nice Issy," Cat chastised her. "Though she's right," she added to Charade. "But he means well. If he decides to take you under his wing, he'll want to know everything about you so he can know what, in his opinion, needs fixing."

"That's where Kitty got his attention," Isabela smirked. "She keeps secrets, and it drives him crazy, in a good way of course." She gave Cat a wink to let her know she was teasing.

"So Charade," Cat said, turning back to the other woman, "how did Issy charm you into coming to the Hanged Man?"

"Oh it didn't take much," Charade answered, her eyes twinkling in amusement. "It's just my kind of place." She propped her elbow on the table and sat her chin in her palm. "Though, from what I've heard, you'd be the one to get all the juicy Isabela details from?"

"That's me all right," Cat replied with a grin.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Isabela groused.

"No, not for awhile," Cat answered back sweetly.

Charade gave Isabela a smirk. "Don't worry," she said. "I've suddenly decided it will be much more fun to discover all your secrets on my own."

Cat chuckled, thinking that Isabela was definitely intrigued with Hawke's newfound cousin. She didn't mention to either of them that she was now hoping they could be something more than a flirtation to each other.

"I don't think you'll need my help with this one," Cat replied, pointing to Isabela with a jerk of her thumb.

"I like you," Charade said bluntly, and Cat looked at her in surprise.

"Uh, thank you?" she said, wondering what the woman meant.

"I wasn't sure I would," Charade continued, her smile more gentle now. "I mean, not that it's my place to say who Garrett can be with of course, but I suppose… I'm feeling territorial for some reason."

"Well, you're his family," Cat replied.

"We just met earlier today," Charade said with a frown.

"Family is family," Cat said in response. "No matter how long you've known each other. Believe me, I can relate."

"Should I be asking your intentions with my cousin then?" Charade smiled sardonically at Cat.

"If you like," Cat replied, not making it easy for her, and grinning when Charade frowned.

"I thought I was joking, but now that you're making me ask… I really want to know. It's new for me to get so attached so quickly. Maybe I'm coming down with something."

"Hawke has that effect," Isabela chimed in.

"All right then, I'll bite," Charade said, the corner of her lips quirking up. "Are you going to marry Garrett and single-handedly restore the noble line of the Amells?"

"No," Cat replied just as easily. "I think you'll find Hawke will be willing to pawn that job off on you."

"No?" Charade asked, looking confused. "Wait… to which part?"

"Both," Cat answered. "Hawke doesn't want to get married, and I can't have children."

Even Isabela looked surprised, and Cat realized that she hadn't ever spoken of it with her. She hadn't been in a relationship since she had known her, and so hadn't thought of it. She had made her peace with it, but she supposed that in this world, it would be seen as a sort of curse or burden for a woman. Especially one involved with a noble.

"You…" Charade looked concerned, "Have you seen a healer?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, years ago," Cat said, and decided it was time for her to go, so Isabela could enjoy her time with Charade without Cat bringing the mood down. "And I've overstayed my welcome," she announced as she finished her drink and stood. "Charade, I hope to see you again," she said with a smile.

Her eyes still showed concern, but she smiled back. "I'll make sure you do," she replied.

"Good." Cat gave Isabela's shoulder a squeeze and then stepped away, and moved towards the entrance, wondering if she should head home, or try to find the others near Varric's property in Hightown. A thought popped in her head, and she decided to go to the clinic.

Isabela watched Cat's back as she left the tavern, and turned to her companion. Charade was looking at her expectantly.

"I have two questions about this, and then we can drop it, for now," Charade said.

"Seems reasonable, though I promise no answers," Isabela said.

"Who knew loyalty could be so attractive?" Charade murmured with a smirk, and then focused on what she wanted to know.

"If what she said was true, do I need to slap some sense into Garrett?" she asked, and Isabela chuckled.

"No, not now at least," she answered. "He's been straightforward with her since the beginning. As he is a mage, he's preparing for his title and protection to suddenly disappear. Then he'll be an apostate on the run. He seems certain it will happen."

"I see," Charade replied, frowning.

"And the second question?" Isabela asked, leaning forward, giving Charade a view that hardly ever failed at changing the subject back to more pleasant topics.

Charade was indeed enjoying the position her companion was in, but she continued with her train of thought. "I feel a need to help her," she admitted, "though I don't know why. Maybe because of my new family, but," she shrugged. "Will you let me know if there is something I can ever do for her?" she asked.

Isabela didn't have many soft spots, but Cat was most definitely one of them. "If I think of something you can do, I'll let you know," she agreed. "Now, what were we talking about before Kitty came over?" she thought for a moment. "Oh yes… I was guessing the color of your underpants."

They grinned at each other, their fun removing any sad thoughts that may have lingered, though each of them decided to do something about those thoughts at another time.

"I can sense something Varric, but I wouldn't say that it's a tear in the veil," Anders said as he looked around the great room.

"I don't know what it is, but I can feel something- like spiders on the the back of my neck," Varric replied.

"Thank you for that image, dwarf," Fenris grumbled.

"Let's just look around, shall we?" Hawke said in a placating tone. He received nods in reply, and he headed towards the stairs. He didn't add in his own feelings, as it was obvious that something was amiss.

As they reached the top of the stairs, a bedroom door opened, and they could see someone peeking out.

"I thought the people who lived here left?" Hawke asked Varric quietly.

"So did I," Varric seethed. "Who are you?!" he demanded loudly. "What are you doing here?!"

"Are… are you real?" the question came as if Varric hadn't just shouted.

"Uh, yes," Hawke answered. "As real as anyone."

The door flew open, and a dark haired woman ran at them. "No, you have to leave, quickly! Before it comes back!"

Anders stepped forward and caught the flailing woman, looking in her eyes. "Wide eyes, short of breath," he mumbled. "She's panicked."

"Where is it?!" Varric stepped forward, and Hawke glanced down at him in concern.

"Take it easy Varric," he said.

"She knows what's going on here, Hawke," Varric shot back. "And she's going to tell us, or else."

His companions looked at him in surprise, but Varric didn't care. He knew in his gut that something about that idol that turned Bartrand stark raving mad was a part of this. He just didn't know how, and it chafed at him.

"Where's the idol?" Varric asked, as politely as he could muster.

Hawke's eyebrows rose, at the threatening sound of his friend's normally cheery voice.

"What idol?" the woman asked.

"Don't waste my time with lies," Varric snapped. "Tell me where it is!"

"I swear, I don't know anything about an idol!" the woman wailed, scooting back from the angry dwarf.

"You're hiding something!" Varric scowled, the rest of his words cut off as an angry growl echoed through the house. Hawke and his companions looked at each other in surprise.

"Maker, no!" the woman cried. "It's happening again!"

She pulled away from Anders, and ran past the others towards the stairs. They could hear her chanting, "Get out! Get out!" as she hustled down them.

"Andraste's earlobes, what is happening?" Anders mumbled to himself.

The scream had the four of them running for the stairs, and looking over the balcony.

"Tell me I'm just seeing things…" Hawke said.

"Uh, if you are, then I am too," Anders answered.

"Great," Hawke replied wearily.

"Its… a golem," Fenris frowned down at the spectre below him. "But I can see through it."

"Yeah," Hawke replied.

"But then, how did it harm the woman?" Fenris asked.

Focusing on the scene below, they could see that the spectral golem was indeed standing over the woman that had tried to escape, and she looked dead.

"Spirit damage, don't you think?" Hawke asked Anders, who nodded.

"Fenris, Varric, hold out your weapons," Anders said, as he held out his arms and chanted. The other two did as he said, after looking to Hawke and getting a nod. Within moments, their weapons had an eerie glow to them.

"They should now damage the spirit, if that is actually what it is," Anders said as he opened his eyes.

"Let's take care of it then," Hawke said, pulling out his staff.

"I don't like it," Varric said as he moved to the landing and took aim. "It reminds me of that idol."

One fight and about thirty minutes later, Varric stood over the ground where the glowing golem had disappeared. He frowned as he stared at the floor, wondering why the strange feeling hadn't gone away.

Then he saw it, a small red fleck of stone. He reached down and picked it up, and simultaneously wanted to hold it close and throw it far from him.

"What's that?" Hawke asked, feeling repulsed.

"It's… a piece of the idol, a tiny sliver. Bartrand must have chipped a piece off before he sold it," Varric speculated. "It's hard to believe that this is what made him go insane."

"You would think that would make you want to crush it under your boot," Hawke said, frowning at the strange look on Varric's face.

"Are you serious?" Varric asked, shocked. "Think of what we could do with this!"

"What?" Fenris asked.

"What?" Varric replied, confused.

"What could we do with it?" Fenris asked again, rolling his eyes.

"Well, so many things, like…" Varric stopped, seeming stumped on what he could actually do with the thing.

"I think we should probably get rid of it," Hawke suggested.

"What? No!" Varric snapped. "I get that you're looking out for me, Hawke, but I need this!"

"Varric, you haven't been yourself since we got here," Hawke replied, concerned.

"It's not the whole idol, it's just a sliver!" Varric argued. "Everything my brother did years ago was because of this thing, and I need to understand why!"

"Here we go again," Anders interrupted. "Do you want to end up like your brother?" he asked Varric. "Because that thing's magic only seems more potent now."

"I…" Varric stopped, rubbing his face. "Hawke… I need some answers," he said, his emotions and his mind conflicting with each other. "Please."

Hawke looked to Anders. "Maybe, we could ask Sandal?" he suggested. "And take some precautions?"

Anders frowned. "Such as?" he asked.

"I don't know, like a time limit of exposure, and then so many days before exposure again to study it?"

Varric could tell Anders didn't really agree, but the fact that he wasn't disagreeing meant that the idea had merit.

"Here," he said, handing it to Hawke. "Ask your enchantment boy about it, and I'll make some preparations. I know some people that handle raw lyrium, and I'll want something at least twice as thick as what they use."

He looked up at Hawke. "Thanks Hawke," he said, even as he winced. "Uh… though I think I need some fresh air. My head is swimming like I drank too much."

Hawke had told them that they were free for the rest of the day, but he noted that while Fenris and Varric had left, Anders was still accompanying him as he walked towards home. The blond mage didn't speak, though it appeared he wanted to, and finally Hawke just asked.

"Something on your mind Anders?"

"Huh?" Anders said as his eyes refocused on his friend. "Oh, yes Hawke. Too many things, I suppose."

"Want to share?" Hawke offered.

"You already have too much on your shoulders," Anders balked.

"Sure, but have you seen my arms?" Hawke teased as he flexed his biceps for his friend. "I can carry a lot more."

Anders frowned as he studied Hawke's muscles. "Are you bigger? I mean, I don't remember you being quite so muscular," he corrected.

Hawke laughed loudly, and gave a few more strong-man poses. "You know how most men have a fancy for a specific piece of a woman? I'd say it's usually breasts, but for me, it's always been about the ass. High and tight, but plenty to grab a hold of."

Anders spluttered, wondering where this was coming from. "I'm suddenly grateful there isn't a dress code for your crew," he said dryly. "I don't know how we'd all feel about tight pants."

Hawke laughed again, clapping Anders on the back as he hooted. "Good one!" Anders rolled his eyes, but Hawke calmed down quickly. "Though I'm lucky in that regard, as Cat always wears tight pants, so I haven't had to make the rest of you. But my point is, that Cat likes muscular arms. That's what she fancies."

"Really?" Anders asked, trying to think back on his interactions with Cat. "I don't think she's ever said anything that I can remember about that."

"No, she wouldn't, would she?" Hawke smiled. "I first noticed, that first night we were together, when I picked her up and carried her up the stairs. I thought it was just all the pent up desire, but since then when she sees a guy with big arms, or whenever I pick up something heavy, she gets a certain look in her eye."

"She gives you an odd look, so you decide to become a thug?" Anders asked, feeling like he was missing something. "That seems strange."

Hawke stopped, and gave Anders a questioning look, then suddenly burst into laughter again. He shook his head in disbelief at his friend. "Uh, that would be strange, but I was trying to be discreet," he said as he gave Anders a wink. "It makes her hot," he explained. "Seeing muscles ripple gets her randy, and I absolutely love to get her juices flowing at any possible opportunity. That's why-"

"Okay, okay, I get it," Anders cut him off.

"Oh, come on," Hawke pouted. "No one ever lets me share."

"That's because it's CAT you're talking about!" Anders shook his head at the thought. "None of us want to think about her like that." A thought popped into his head. "Except maybe Isabela," he added. "Or Zevran."

"Yeah but even thinking of talking to either of them about it feels wrong," Hawke muttered. "Like dirty instead of sexy."

"Guess you'll have to find someone else then," Anders replied.

"Maybe I'll try Sebastian," Hawke theorized. "Since he's made vows, but has a colorful past, maybe he'll think of it like reminiscing."

"Why do you even want to share?" Anders asked. "Are you trying to make us jealous, or just wanting to brag?"

"Brag of course," Hawke replied, though he looked at Anders with concern. "Why… would you be jealous?" he asked cautiously.

"Not of Cat, not like that," Anders said, and Hawke looked relieved. "Just… well… you're happy is all. Some of us may be a little jealous of that."

"Sorry my friend," Hawke reached out, and pulled Anders closer, his arm over the smaller man's shoulders. "I have no doubt you'll find some happy, and just like me, you'll feel the need to brag."

"Well…" Anders began, then cut himself off.

"No, tell me," Hawke asked curiously.

"It's just… I was thinking that living how I am now isn't working. All I see are injustices, and sooner or later I'm going to do something that gets me killed. I think… I think I need to be separated from Justice if I'm ever going to try to have a happy life."

Hawke glanced at him in confusion. "The only way I know of is to kill the host, and that's not a solution."

"No, that's not what I was thinking," Anders agreed. "But after you gave me that Tevinter chantry amulet, I've been looking into how the Tevinters dealt with spirits. And I think I found a ritual that may work."

"Really? You don't sound sure," Hawke replied with a frown.

"I'm not," Anders admitted. "But I'm not the only mage that's turning to desperate acts."

"I'm not asking about other mages," Hawke said seriously. "I'm asking about you."

Anders looked away, so Hawke didn't see the guilt on his face. "I'm not exactly asking permission," he said quietly.

Hawke frowned. "What are you asking for then? Help?"

Anders shrugged. "If you want, I'll take it, but no. In case it doesn't work… I just wanted someone to know, I suppose."

"And that's me," Hawke mused. "And not Cat?"

Anders glanced at Hawke, then away again. "She wouldn't understand," he mumbled.

"And probably try to stop you," Hawke added. Anders nodded.

"Very well," he continued. "I won't try to stop you, and I won't tell Cat." Anders looked relieved. "Will you tell me about the ritual?" Hawke asked. "And what you need help with?"

Anders shoved the guilt aside, knowing that Hawke wouldn't appreciate the deception, and would most likely kill him when he found out Anders' true intention. Hopefully that wouldn't be until he had finished his plan.

"Well, it's pretty simple actually, it's collecting the ingredients that will be difficult," he told Hawke.

"Hello Adrius," Cat called as she entered the clinic.

"Cat, my dear, what a pleasure," the older mage stood to greet her.

"The pleasure is mine, as always," she replied with a smile. "Is the delivery ready to be taken?" she asked.

"Yes, it is right over here," he pointed. "But didn't Anders tell you that he would take care of it in the future?" he asked with a smile.

"Yeah, he did," she admitted. "But if he is going to keep paying me, then I have to do my part of the work!" she argued.

Adruis held his hands up in surrender. "I still refuse to take sides," he reminded her gently. "You two are too determined to make each others' lives easier, so who I am to stop you?"

"You would think we'd be better at just accepting the help, wouldn't you?" she asked with a grin. "Though if he rants this time, you can just tell him that I went to see my friends in the Rose, so I just took it with me, since I was going anyway."

"You don't have to make up reasons to help," he said.

"Oh, I'm not," she replied. "It's the truth."

He stopped, looking at her skeptically. "You have friends… in the Blooming Rose?" he asked.

"Oh! I suppose Anders wouldn't have said anything," she said with a grin. "It's quite the story and misunderstanding. Would you like to hear it?" she asked.

"I'd love to," he answered echoing her grin. "Would you like tea while we chat?"

"Yes please!" she answered. "How can I help?"

"Now, now, you just sit down," he said, pointing to table, and seeing it still covered with Anders papers. "Though I suppose you can pile those up for Anders and put them on the desk."

"This is quite the stack," she said as she started straightening them. "Is he still working on his manifesto?"

"It seems to be a constant work-in-progress," he answered as he moved around their small kitchen space. "Anders is undoubtedly one of the most resilient men, and mages, that I've ever met. He is determined to have people understand that magic is not a curse."

"It's admirable," Cat said, as she walked the stack of papers to the desk.

"Yes, it is," he agreed.

"Not just that he would strive for a solution for all mages," she explained. "But that he would try to do so peacefully first."

Adrius watched her as she moved back to sit at the table. "What do you mean?" he asked as he brought the tea to table.

Cat could see the guarded expression on his face, and she smiled. "I think you know," she replied, "and I'm so glad that he has a friend to help him stay grounded."

Adrius sighed. "I do try," he said. "Though it is hard to tell what is Anders and what is Justice."

"Yes, it is," she nodded in gratitude as he slid one of the cups to her. "He would probably say that they are one and the same, though I disagree."

"You do?" he asked, surprised.

"Maybe that's the wrong way to say it," she considered. "More that I think he doesn't really believe it. He will say things sometimes, like how he and Justice disagree on a point, or that Justice doesn't like something… things like that."

"Hmm, I see what you mean," he mused. "I'd not thought about that."

"Justice tends to go straight towards punishment and death for things seen as injustice," she continued. "And while Anders has no qualms about that if necessary, he wouldn't see that as the first course of action. That's why I think so highly of him, I suppose. That he would go against what is now an ardent desire inside him, to save the lives of those that wouldn't do the same for him."

She looked down at her teacup. "I only wish it would be successful, but I think we both know better."

Adruis sighed again, seeing the crestfallen look on her face. "You are very perceptive," he said softly.

She looked up, and smiled sadly. "I know my friend," she corrected. "And while I wish there was another way, I don't disagree with his stand. It is not morally right to treat all mages like rabid animals. That's like saying all in the chantry are like the Divine, or all criminals are murderers. It's not realistic, nor is it logical."

"People that fear magic hardly ever use logic," he replied with a humorless smile.

"It's sad, but true."

Adrius studied the girl across from him, his emotions swirling. He had had a few moments of regret since he had used his magic to save her life, though those moments were whenever he was feeling sorry for himself. He always shooed those bitter thoughts away.

Now however, he knew he wouldn't have those awful thoughts again. If he had known Cat then, even as little as he knew her now, he would have run to her side even faster. She was as rare as a high dragon, her spirit as beautiful as the majestic Anderfels.

"Please don't feel obliged to tell me," he asked, "but I wonder if someone in your family was a mage? You don't seem to have the same fear of us."

She flushed a little, and looked down. "No," she answered. "Though I suppose I was raised a little unconventionally. Most people tell me that I have different views of the world, and how things are."

"I'd agree," he nodded and sipped his tea. "But add that I think it a wonderful thing."

She smiled happily at him. "Actually that is a perfect segue into the story I promised you," she said. "As I found myself working at the Blooming Rose, cleaning the rooms and linens and such, I befriended most of the whores there. Most people couldn't understand how one could be friends with a whore."

His eyebrow rose in speculation. "Then I'd have to say that most people are imbeciles."

She chuckled. "Even for Hawke and his crew, it was a strange concept to grasp. I assume because it simply hasn't been done. Much as one doesn't make friends with both templars and mages. And yet, here I am."

Adrius laughed as well. "I can understand their confusion, but even old mages can learn and appreciate new concepts, although it is easier when we agree with them. I'm sure your friends felt the same."

"I suppose they did," she agreed, and continued to tell her story.

There was quiet after she finished, as each of them contemplated her words, and drank their tea.

"I hope you'll come visit me again, Cat," Adrius said after a minute or two. "After only a short time, I can see why Anders has such a high regard for you. And why he is so protective."

"What do you mean, protective?" Car asked shrewdly.

Adrius merely smiled serenely. "Now, you're not trying to get me in the middle of that again, are you?" he asked, and Cat sighed.

"No, of course not."

"Good. Please tell your friends how grateful we are to have this way to make coin. Let them know how many people we are able to help because of it."

"I certainly will. They always like to hear about the people that are being helped because of their coin. And they are always saying how wonderful the tonics and potions are."

Adrius smiled. "I'm glad to hear it," he replied. "Now, keep your wits about you on your way out," he said. "I'm sure you can handle anything in Darktown, but I'll worry just the same."

She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, but gave him a nod. "I'll be careful," she replied, thinking that if he were any of her other friends, she would have argued with him, not agreed to be careful.

Cat moved to the crates, and picked them up. They weren't very heavy, more like bulky, but she was able to see over them without trouble. She followed Adrius to the door, waiting as he opened it for her.

"I'll see you again soon!" she called behind her as she left.

"Farewell," Adrius replied. He stayed, leaning against the doorway, long after she was gone from his sight, replaying their conversation in his mind.

I'll have to tell Anders, he thought, though he didn't relish the idea. He'll want to know that Cat has a good idea of what we have been discussing. He frowned at his own thoughts, suddenly unsettled.

He moved back inside, glancing back one final time before closing the door.

"I wish peace were possible too Cat," he said under his breath. "But you are right, we both know better."

Fenris stopped at the doorstep, wondering again what he thought he was doing. He shouldn't have let Zevran's words eat at his determination, but he couldn't help but see the similarities.

Yes, Cat had always looked to him as a friend, and not a monster, but that wasn't who his mind had gone to when Zevran spoke of that. His mind had conjured a picture of Nyssa, and all the small interactions he had had with her since he met her.

Back then, she knew him simply as Cat's friend, one who would drop off clothes to be mended, or things that they no longer needed for her to give away to those that couldn't afford better. Even then, she had looked to him and treated him as a man. A good man no less.

Now, he couldn't exactly pinpoint what he wanted from her. She was beautiful, yes, but it wasn't simply desire that kept bringing him back. Perhaps it was the feeling of normalcy, of putting his cares aside for the time he was here.

He hesitated to knock, knowing the possibility that Zevran would probably appear in time. He didn't fault Nyssa for spending her nights with him, and if he were completely honest, which he could only be with himself, he understood her fascination with the assassin.

The man was an uncontrollable flirt, and while Fenris enjoyed the attention, that wasn't what he liked about him. He was another one that Fenris felt comfortable around because he understood the darkness that was in the world, as his other friends didn't. They didn't even need to speak of it, it was just knowing that there was another that could sympathize made it somewhat bearable.

Not only that, but seeing the relationships that Zevran had, made Fenris believe that someday he could do the same.

Finally lifting his hand, he knocked lightly on the door.

Nyssa came to answer, opening the door and smiling once she saw Fenris. His heart seemed to warm inside his chest and he felt the corner of his mouth upturn in response.

Maker, he's handsome, Nyssa thought, seeing his shy smile. "Fenris, what a pleasant surprise!" she said happily. Instead of opening the door wider, she moved towards him, almost shutting the door behind her. "I hope you have time to stay, because Zevran is here, and seems upset," she said quietly. "But I can't seem to help, no matter what I say."

She looked up at him, pleading. "Will you help me? I hate to see my friends hurting."

When he heard Zevran was there, he automatically stepped back. But her look and asking for his help had him hesitating. He didn't know what he could possibly do, but he knew he owed Zevran- the man had helped him days ago, just by speaking to him. The least he could do is try to repay the kindness.

"Are you certain he didn't come to be alone with you?" Fenris asked. Nyssa seemed to flush at the question.

"Yes, uh, that's… anyway, come on in, you'll see what I mean."

Fenris followed her inside, listening as she announced to Zevran that he was joining them. He looked over to the lounging man, ready to leave if he gave any indication of not wanting him there. Zevran's slow smile and raised eyebrow as they walked in seemed just like the man, but Fenris could easily see the unhappiness below the surface.

He wondered why he continued to try to hide it, both from Nyssa and himself.

"What an enjoyable surprise this is," Zevran said in his sultry voice, and Fenris gave him a dry look. "How did you know I was thinking of you this evening?"

"Were you?" Fenris asked. "I don't see how you could think of anything but Nyssa when in her company."

"Oh, stop," Nyssa said as she sat down, her cheeks turning red.

"You misunderstand," Zevran replied easily. "Nyssa had asked a question, and the answer involved you."

Fenris also sat, and Zevran slid the bottle of wine he held across the table to him. "Would you like a drink?" he asked.

Fenris didn't reply, merely put the bottle to his lips and took a drink. He wasn't sure what was happening, but he felt he was taut, like a bow string pulled tightly. The atmosphere was different than he was used to here, but not in a bad way.

He had spent time with both Nyssa and Zevran separately, but having just the three of them together like this was something new, he could feel it, but pushed the feeling aside.

"The answer involved me how?" Fenris asked finally, looking back and forth between them.

"Well, it started when I asked Zev what had him so melancholy," Nyssa spoke up, looking up at him. He noted that she sat at the head of the small table, with the two of them on either side. The table was small enough that they were actually sitting very close.

"And after a lot of prodding, he admitted that he was thinking of leaving Kirkwall," she continued. Fenris looked to Zevran, surprised, but realizing he should have known. The assassin wasn't one to settle. With people, yes, but not in a city.

"When?" Fenris asked, his frown apparent as he thought of what Cat would say.

"Do not fret," Zevran said with a smile.

Fenris looked up, with a smirk. "I was thinking of how Cat would feel," he explained.

"Of course," Zevran replied, and Nyssa chuckled.

"I asked the same thing, and he said he spoke to Cat already, and she knew it was coming. She knows Zev better than we do after all," Nyssa added.

"I am not certain as to the exact timing," Zevran admitted. "Because I will wait to see your sister arrive."

Fenris reared back in shock, his eyes wide as he stared at Zevran. You are staying… for me? he thought. And as if Zevran could hear his thoughts, he slowly nodded.

But why?! The confusion was there too, and he glanced at Nyssa, wondering if Zevran had told her of his family, of his past. He could see the confusion on her own features, and breathed a small sigh of relief, knowing that he hadn't.

"You… have a sister?" Nyssa asked cautiously. Fenris turned to her, his glare much sharper than before, then glared back at Zevran. "It's okay… it's obviously none of my business."

Fenris took another deep breath, letting the anger go. "No, it's not that…. I …" He noted that Zevran was quiet now, letting Fenris decide what to tell her. Typical, he thought. Get the ball rolling, and THEN let me decide what to do with it.

He started again, realizing that Nyssa would find out eventually, and he wanted her to hear it from him. That his anger had spiked at the idea of her hearing about his past from Zevran, and that realization shook him.

"Yes, I have a sister," he said slowly. "We grew up in Tevinter, as slaves to a magister."

He heard her gasp, and decided not to look at her. He didn't want to see her pity.

"The magister granted my family freedom in exchange for me undertaking the ritual that put these marks on my skin," he explained, pointing to the tattoos on his arms. "But the ritual erased all my memories. I just barely learned of my sister again, and we have written a few times. Now, she should be on her way to Kirkwall to meet me."

"And Zev wants to stay because…?" she asked tightly. He didn't look up, but he wondered if she was trying not to cry.

"Because I fear this magister may use this as a chance to reclaim them as slaves," Zevran added in.

There was silence then, and after a few moments, Fenris dared to look up. He saw the approval, and the smirk on Zevran's face, and the assassin gestured with a nod over to Nyssa. Fenris glanced over, his eyebrows rising in surprise at the cloudy expression on her face.

"I hope you won't take this the wrong way," Nyssa said angrily, and Fenris couldn't detect tears anywhere, which surprised him yet again. "But I honestly hope that magister does come. I hope he tries something." Fenris' eyes went wide at her words. "And I wish I could be there to watch you two kill him."

Fenris saw Zevran's smile widen from the corner of his eye, and felt his own mouth twitch upwards.

"How could I take that the wrong way?" he asked. "As that is what we hope as well."

"Good," she grumbled.

"There is more you aren't saying," Zevran pointed out, though Fenris could see it as well.

"It's nothing," she muttered.

"You should tell us," Zevran suggested curiously. He was always fascinated at how her mind worked, and wondered what she was thinking.

She looked to Fenris, a flash of guilt in her eyes, before she looked down.

"I don't want to make things worse," she said.

"I'll take that into account, but I'd like to know what you're thinking," Fenris answered.

"I'm angry!" she exploded.

"I get that…" Fenris said, his chest tightening. "That I was a slave, and didn't tell you?" he asked.

She looked at him quizzically. "No," she answered. "Like anyone would blame you for not wanting to put that in your past and let it die there." She waved that away as if it were no concern, which had Fenris looking at her in awe. "No, I'm angry at your sister!"

"Varania?" Fenris asked, baffled. "Why?"

"WHY?!" she slapped her hand down on the tabletop. "You freed her! You protected her, your family, and she left you there!" She stood and started pacing. "Did she even try to contact you in all this time?! How could someone be so selfish?!"

Fenris didn't know that his mouth dropped open, but Zevran did. His grin stretched across his face, seeing the warrior overwhelmed by this little waif of a woman as she ranted.

"I… no, not that I know of, but I'm sure it was hard to find work, to survive…" Fenris stuttered.

"Bollocks!" Nyssa thundered, as she dropped back into her chair. She reached over and grabbed his hand, looking straight into his eyes.

"If one of your crew gave themselves to set you free from captivity, would you go home and leave them there?" she asked seriously.

"Of course not," he answered. "But I'm a warrior."

"And if you had no strength, no way to fight?" she asked. "It would be all right then?"

"Well, no…" he answered reluctantly.

"I'm sorry," she said, and he could see the tears now forming in her eyes, though she still looked angry. "And if you decide to keep your sister in your life, that is your decision. But I don't think she deserves you. You are one of the most amazing, most generous, most selfless men I have ever met. And you deserve more than that."

Fenris looked baffled again, glancing down as Zevran grabbed his other hand. "She's absolutely right," he said softly.

"How can that be what you see?" Fenris asked her, shaking his head. "That is not me… I'm a monst-"

He broke off as she stood and grabbed either side of his head to stop him from shaking it. "How dare you tell me I'm wrong?" she asked quietly. "I'm telling you what I see when I look at you. You don't get to tell me what I should be seeing."

She leaned down, following her heart, even though she knew it was a mistake. "You're wonderful, absolutely wonderful," she murmured, and touched her lips to his to stop any protest.

For Fenris, time seemed to slow, and if any of them had been mages, he could have blamed it on that. But instead, he closed his eyes against the onslaught of feelings. The electricity as she touched her lips to his, the jolts up his hand and arm from where Zevran was running his thumb over his skin. The feel of the slight curve of Nyssa's hip where his hand had somehow found itself.

He slowly opened his eyes, looking into her lovely hazel ones. He had the thought that they looked more blue in that moment.

"I'm sorry," she said, her fingers playing over his face. "But I didn't want you to argue with me again." She gave him a smile, and he thought it beautiful.

"I… won't argue."

"Very wise," Zevran said, and as Fenris looked to him, he noted that he had taken Nyssa's seat, and if they stood, she would be sandwiched between them.

Nyssa glanced back, then returned to face Fenris. "I knew you would help me cheer him up," she said with a chuckle. "Thank you."

"It appears that I need to return the favor," Zevran said, and Fenris glanced down to his hand, seeing that Zevran was still playing with it, running his thumb slowly up and down each of his fingers. "What could we possibly do to make Fenris feel better?" he asked with a smirk.

"I…" Fenris stopped to swallow a lump in his throat. "… am fine."

Nyssa felt her heart race at the suggestion Zevran was giving. She had never thought of it before, but the idea was suddenly exactly what she wanted, more than anything.

"Are you sure?" she asked Fenris quietly. "Because if there was something that you wanted…?" She felt his fingers dig into her hip, and her heart soared.

"I…" he looked between them, back and forth, and Nyssa was wondering if it was too much.

"I can go," Zevran offered easily, letting go of Fenris' hand, and moving to stand. But he was stopped as Fenris put his hand on his leg.

"No," he said, looking at the man, trying to convey all he was feeling. He hoped it wasn't just the gratitude, though he felt plenty of that. He was being offered everything he had ever wanted, things that he hadn't even admitted to himself that he wanted.

"No," he repeated. "Don't go."