Author's note:

Hi everyone,

Hope you all are still with me! I know it's been too long, but I can't let this story go. It literally haunts me sometimes. I can't tell you how many times I have re-written this and the next chapter, but I am finally, finally, finally! at a place where I can continue the story.

I've even gone back and read from the beginning (wincing at some of the errors, or continuity problems) just to get myself completely immersed so I'll be in the right frame of mind for what is to come.

I'm still writing the next chapters today, but I wanted to post this as soon as it was ready, so that you needn't wait any longer than you must. I'll keep doing the same until I make up for my super long absence!

Thanks for reading!

Cat was frozen in place, the air full of tension, and no one was speaking- which just made it worse- there was no coming back from this. Nate said enough for Hawke to know that he doesn't know everything, and yet not enough, so I'll still have to explain…

Part of her had always thought it would be easier if someone else had just "accidentally" told Hawke. Now she was thinking it was even worse.

Hawke glanced at Nathaniel when he spoke, then looked back to Cat in question. She seemed defeated, though he didn't actually understand why. True, whomever was harming the Grey Wardens had set their sights on her for a reason, but Nathaniel's words didn't make sense. What could she possibly tell them, that someone from Thedas could not?

His mind was racing, as he tried to put it all together, but it was as if he had pieces from several different puzzles- nothing fit into a comprehensible picture.

She was still hiding something from him- and since his last adventure that involved the wardens had changed everything- he couldn't handle being in the dark again. He needed answers- why this was happening. Cat could apparently tell him that much.

He had hoped that by insinuating that she was leaving him for Nathaniel- she had a tendency to blurt out whatever was on her mind when she was shocked or upset- would do to get what information he was lacking.

He hadn't wanted to resort to dirty tricks in this. He wanted her to trust him, to believe in his feelings for her, and to tell him everything about herself- holding nothing back.

Obviously, he hadn't been successful, and he wasn't exactly sure how else to get her to see that.

I simply need to regroup, that's all, he told himself as he looked around the room. He needed a plan, a way to let her know that she could trust him. He needed to know everything, but he wanted to learn it from her, not from someone else.

He could only think of one way to do so, and he almost felt… well to be frank, like Isabela, for coming up with sex as the answer.

However, nothing else was coming to mind.

Cat looked up in surprise as Hawke stepped closer, taking her hand, and started speaking. "All right everyone, I think we could all use some time to collect our thoughts and cool our heads."

Anders practically wept in relief, the tension between his chosen family had had him strung tighter than a bowstring. "That sounds like a great idea," he chimed in, giving Nathaniel a glare. "Varric, I think the Warden here could use a drink, what do you say?" he suggested.

Cat just looked at Hawke in confusion as everyone around her was shuffled out from around them, and Nathaniel argued at being pushed along. She looked over as Nyssa said something to her, but her mind was whirling in so many directions that she just nodded without comprehending the words.

Confusion was probably too mild a word for it, she felt utterly dumbfounded. She had seen the anger and hurt in Hawke's eyes, and yet now he was just looking at her with such love… she wasn't quite sure what was coming.

What should I do? she wondered. She doubted she'd get very far if she tried to leave but couldn't see how being alone with him right now would be a way to diffuse the tension between them. It helped that everyone wasn't listening now, but she also felt more alone, as if her entire support structure was gone.

Hawke pulled her to him, placing his arms around her, though holding her loosely enough that she could back out of the embrace if she chose. "Can we just… put all that aside for a little while?" he offered in a murmur.

He could feel her relax in his arms and smiled to himself. Perhaps this was the right call after all, he thought, feeling her arms come up to encircle his torso. Going with the moment, he leaned forward and gently kissed her.

"What's all this?" she asked on a sigh. He could see that she was taken off guard, probably expecting me to yell at her, or demand answers… he thought. And for good reason, as that is most likely what I would do.

"I… just want… you to… know how… I feel… no matter… what…" he said in between trailing feather light kisses up the side of her neck in a way he knew made her weak. He brought their faces together, and gave her a lopsided grin. "Let me show you?" he asked.

They were a passionate pair, and most often she would fight him a little before surrendering to him. It drove him wild to have such a strong woman yield herself to him, and he knew that she loved it just as much- perhaps even more when he was the one to relinquish control.

That wasn't was he was looking for now, he didn't want the power struggle this time, though it never failed to excite them both. He wanted her consent to let him have his way- a chance to simply worship her body, and he was asking her not to fight him on it.

Cat may not have understood all that he was asking for, but she could see that this time would be different. He wanted to show her- so she would have to let him do things his way if she were to agree.

Her curiosity won out, and she gave him a nod. "All right," she said breathlessly.

He smiled fully now, and bent slightly to pick her up, and started up the stairs. She wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the sensation of the muscles in his arms flexing on her back and legs as they went.

He let her do as she pleased with him as he made his way to his bedroom, giving him sweet kisses and murmuring ideas that had his body reacting more quickly than he planned. He reined himself in, reminding himself of the goal. Once he put her down, he put some space in between their bodies and reached for the buttons on her tunic.

"This isn't like the other times," he warned her. "Remember… that first time?" he asked, the strain of holding himself back was making his voice sounding gravelly and deeper than normal, and caused her to shiver.

She wasn't exactly able to think straight, the backs of his fingers were grazing her as he slowly undid each of the three buttons. He was so close to where she wanted his hands, and the anticipation was causing her heart to pound.

He pulled back and hearing her whine, brought a smile to his face. "You didn't let me touch you, or make a sound, or even move," he spoke slowly as he brought his hands to her waist, pulling the tunic up as he moved over her curves, spreading his fingers and pressing in here and there in a torturous way.

The sounds she makes… he thought, wondering if he was going to be able to do this. "Good thing I prefer to hear you, because I don't think you'd make it very far otherwise," he groaned as she leaned into his hands.

Everything about her was made to drive him crazy, and she had no idea just how she did it. She made him feel like a king, a god among men, and he did all he could to reciprocate, but always felt that he fell short.

But he constantly wanted another chance to try.

"Garrett…" she was begging for him as he just stood and looked at her. He couldn't seem to help it, he felt he needed to get as much of her in his memory as he could.

He grimaced at the thought and shook it away. "Don't worry love," he told her, reaching down to pull his own tunic over his head. "We have all the time in the world."

Commander Baxter had just about had enough of his captain second guessing all of his orders.

"I don't think I need to explain this, do I Captain?" he asked snidely. "If my orders are too difficult for you to understand, I can always give them to another."

"No, sir," Cullen replied smartly. "I am merely… concerned, that is all. The Captain's place is in the field, and there are many that would see this as an attack-"

"You need not lecture me on protocol," Baxter rolled his eyes, hearing his loyal men snicker behind him. "However, as I said before, having the Champion of the city involved in this, makes a difference, does it not?"

"Well-"

"And would it not be more prudent to have the highest authority of the templars present when confronting the Champion about this?" Baxter continued, not letting Cullen finish his thought.

"Yes, if-"

"Right then, it seems we agree after all," Baxter smiled again, and Cullen knew he would not be able to sway him.

"The Champion may be innocent in this," Cullen reminded him.

"True," Baxter conceded. "However, better to be prepared, don't you think?" He turned back around to the group of templars that were awaiting his orders.

"As I was saying, we have received information that our Champion continues to have dealings with unsanctioned, apostate mages," he informed his men, pacing in front of the line that they made. "We will bring him in for questioning at once."

He turned back to Cullen as the men scrambled to gather their shields and helmets. "I trust that you will have what I have required prepared for our return?" he asked, and Cullen nodded.

"I shall make ready the interrogation room and cell, though I believe we will only need the former."

"Better to be prepared," Baxter said again, and gave Cullen a nod. "Though I admit, I hope you are right, and I am wrong," he lied easily. No sense aggravating the man further, he thought.

He turned away, gesturing to a lieutenant as he walked away from the captain. The woman came forward eagerly, and Baxter had to look away, finding the red tint to her eyes very unsettling.

"It's time, Lieutenant," he stated quietly with a frown, not wanting to be overheard. "We will uphold our end of the bargain. Bring the woman, but make sure you are not seen."

He didn't like using a civilian, but he disliked the unknown of the new, more powerful lyrium more. He believed Samson was truly trying to help the templars, however, he had personally felt the seductive call of the red. He needed more information- which meant that he needed Samson.

"Of course, Ser," she answered, giving him a salute and a smile that he found somewhat creepy. He mentally shook himself to focus on what he was doing.

Samson had given information regarding a few apostates in the city, and had not asked for much in return. He wanted a mage; one that would be given the red lyrium in order to see the effects it could have on spellcasting. And he wanted to speak to the Champion's woman. In return, the templars would be given all they could possibly need.

Baxter didn't even have to consider before agreeing.

"Is no one going to explain? Seriously?" Varric asked in disbelief.

"I think you heard plenty," Anders grumbled as he glared at Nathaniel again. "Since someone said more than enough!"

"Look," Nathaniel shot back, "grumble at me all you want, but I'm just trying to protect her, and you know it."

Anders deflated slightly, since he knew Nathaniel spoke the truth, but it still grated on him. "Still, there had to have been a better way."

"I realize you are all being tight lipped since Aveline has joined us," Varric said more quietly, and the group glanced up at the bar where Aveline was getting a drink. "I'm only saying that we can be much more effective, if we know what's actually going on." He took a swig of his own drink, but there was no reply. "Just saying," he added, rolling his eyes.

"It isn't our place to tell, Varric," Merrill said apologetically.

"And I'm not sure what exactly everyone knows, to be honest," Nathaniel admitted. "It may have looked like I have no qualms about sharing this, but it's quite the opposite."

"You say that like you actually shared something," Varric groused. "All you said was that the Little Dove knows about our world. I still don't understand what has everyone in a panic. True, she has some pretty lofty friends, but we can protect her."

"That was more than enough," Anders shot Nathaniel another glare. "Obviously, Cat chose not to share that with Hawke."

"I know," Nathaniel sighed wearily. "And I wouldn't have said anything, if Cat's life wasn't in danger."

"When is it not?" Aveline chimed in as she sat down to join them. She frowned, having expected some laughs, but only seeing the two men shift their eyes away from her. "Oh, it's a serious threat then?" she asked, her eyes going flat. "Fill me in."

Varric looked around, and made a disgusted noise. "Fine then," he said in challenge. He looked up, giving a few signals to his people to ensure they weren't being listened in on, then continued. "I don't know the whole story, but I can tell you what happened today."

He looked around again, but nobody was stopping him. "Knowing you, you just want the facts, and not the story," he started, and Aveline gave him an appraising look and a nod as she drank from her cup. "Well, if you think back to when we first met the Little Dove, and how strange she seemed, especially when talking about mages and templars…" he started.

"So much for just the facts," Aveline grumbled.

"Well, turns out, she's not from Thedas," Varric continued, pleased at seeing Aveline's mouth drop open a little.

"Not from-" she paused and leaned in. "Not from Thedas? Then she is from beyond the great waters? How can that be?" she asked quietly.

"That's the part that didn't get explained," Varric grumbled, glancing around at the others. "But since Hawke was the one who said it, and no one disagreed, I'm going to assume it's not only possible but a fact."

"It makes a strange sort of sense," Aveline replied, frowning as she thought it through. "Besides the insanely impossible part I mean."

"Exactly," Varric agreed, thumping his palm on the table. "And we've been chasing after the Little Dove, only getting bits of how she's leaving the city, she's in danger, blah blah."

"She IS in danger!"

"She IS leaving!"

Anders and Nathaniel hissed at the same time, then turned and rolled their eyes at each other, falling silent again.

"So, we follow Hawke to the manor, where we finally find her- bag packed and ready, Shade here fighting with Nyssa over who's going with and who's not- when Hawke butts in and says he'll be just a minute to pack a bag for himself," Varric finished.

"So, he's dumping his responsibilities, to go with her?" Aveline asked dryly, though her smile gave away how pleased she was at the news. "Good."

"Except Cat refused and said he couldn't leave Kirkwall," Merrill chimed in. "That took me by surprise too!"

Aveline frowned again. "Did she say why?" she asked.

Varric shrugged. "Just that Kirkwall needed him."

Aveline took that in, and then turned to Nathaniel. "And how did you get involved in all this?" she asked, trying to see the bigger picture.

He frowned at her question but didn't reply.

"Apparently whoever is after her, is also harming the Wardens," Anders spoke up, deciding there was no longer a point to staying quiet. "So, Nathaniel figured, if the wardens don't know where she is, they won't be able to put her in danger."

Aveline nodded, understanding the tactic. "That would work, sure. But for how long? Is Cat meant to stay away forever? And if so… why not take Hawke with her? Leandra would understand. They are not tied to this city, simply because he was named Champion. "

"I think that… that is exactly what she thinks," Anders said morosely. "More, that everything we gained would be lost if Hawke were to leave. The mages wouldn't have public support without him, and we'd be right back where we started six years ago."

The silence was longer this time, as each of them tried to think of a solution. Aveline and Varric were wishing their friends wouldn't leave but knowing it would be better for the both of them if they did.

Anders and Merrill were dreading the thought of the city without its Champion, and wondering if they would be able to hold things as they were, though knowing if Hawke left, they would most likely follow suit.

Nathaniel's foot was tapping, he could practically feel the breath of those that pursued him on his neck. He needed to get Cat out as soon as possible, though he was beginning to think Alistair had been right, and he should send her away without learning where she was going. He could stay and help in Kirkwall for a time- maybe that could convince her to go all the sooner. And someone would need to tell Hawke about Carver…

Varric could see someone giving him a signal meaning news- the significant sort- and since the table was quiet, he gestured them forward.

"Sorry to interrupt but got word that a group of templars are headed through Hightown. Sounds like they are headed to arrest the Champion, based on what the chatter is," a man told him in a hushed voice.

"Arrest Hawke?" Merrill squeaked, and Varric barely stopped himself from slapping his own forehead.

He really needed to remember that his elf friend had… well, ears.

"What?!" Anders' whipped around to face him. "What did you say?"

"On their way to him as we speak," Varric answered, moving to collect Bianca. "We can make it if we hurry."

"I'm coming with you," Merrill offered, standing as well.

"That may not be a good idea," Aveline stated as she also stood. "We can't go charging in there, they'll know we were tipped off." She tried to stay calm as she thought over her options. "They can't just arrest him for no reason, more than likely they want to talk to him again, you know, trying to get him to incriminate himself."

"I thought Curly was going to put a stop to that," Varric frowned. "But at the same time, I think Aveline is right. Though he should have tipped us off, if only for the Little Dove's sake."

"Then we go slowly, like we're just heading to his house, but I'm still going," Merrill argued stubbornly. The others nodded, and quickly finished their cups.

Nathaniel stood as they started to make their way out of the tavern. He gave Varric and Anders a weighted look, which had them hanging back. "I'm sorry, truly. The timing is bad, but then again, it always is."

He glanced down at Varric, but no longer cared about keeping secrets. "Remember our last adventure?" he asked, seeing the dread-filled question on each of their faces. "Yes, exactly. It isn't over."

He could see the stricken look on both of their faces, and he gave a nod. "It can control every single warden it gets close enough to through the taint. The only way to protect her, is if she can sense the taint." They could see the slight tremors in his hands, and became even more concerned.

"Then Hawke can't-" Varric started, cutting off as Nathaniel gave a slow shake of his head.

"No," he answered solemnly. "I have to do this."

"Why you?" Varric asked, his eyes narrowing. "Being a warden, aren't you putting her in more danger?"

He started moving, not listening to the questions as they trailed after him out of the tavern. Without looking back, he took off at a jog.

Anders looked down at Varric, the dwarf looking frustrated. "Isn't it obvious Varric?" Anders asked quietly.

"No," Varric replied angrily, trying to shake off the frustration of the warden and his issues. He just wanted to help his friends.

"The wardens have been infiltrated by something that can control their minds, just like those carta dwarves. And yet Nathaniel is here, trying to get Cat to safety." Anders continued walking, rubbing his head on the way.

Varric's mouth opened, and then shut again as he realized the point that Blondie was making. "But we killed it! That… darkspawn-magister thing."

"I agree," Anders replied, as he started to walk after the rest of their group. "But somehow, it used its connection to the wardens to not only escape death, but come after Cat…" he trailed off, not wanting to lie.

"Oh…" Varric answered, things clicking together in his head now. "And the only way it could have, is through the wardens… all of whom were with us. This is not good," he mused.

"If they've taken Hawke for interrogation, it could mean the wardens are using the templars to keep him away," Anders said, his face grim in anxiety. "I need you to go help Nathaniel, Varric. Do whatever you have to, but Nathaniel's right. Cat needs to run." He looked up towards the city, then back down to his friend. "We have no idea what that thing is capable of."

"Or what it actually wants with the Little Dove," Varric added. "We could be wrong." He looked up at Anders hopefully. "There could have been other wardens there, like the ones that wanted to try to use it- maybe that's how it got out."

Anders didn't agree, which Varric took notice of.

In that same moment, he realized what Anders had seen that he had not. I see, Shade… he thought with pity. You're the reason she's in this mess, aren't you? So, you've got to be the one to get her out of it.

Garrett was tired.

Hours of interrogation, yet again, did that to a person. He had no idea why the templars continued to harass him like this. It wasn't as if they had any new evidence of wrong doing. In fact, this time they didn't even have new questions.

Would you please do us the favor of confessing so we can get rid of you? He huffed a frustrated laugh. True, they hadn't said it outright, but he could read their intentions easily enough.

Now as he walked back from the Gallows, he focused on getting back to Cat, and what he would say once he saw her again.

Of course, we had been interrupted in the middle of an argument… he shook his head in disgust. It seemed angering her was the only way to get her to actually share with me.

He had tried to simply restart their earlier conversation- he still couldn't understand why she felt he should stay in Kirkwall while she left. And she accused him of using sex to get her vulnerable so he could interrogate her.

He ruffled his hand through his hair, the whole situation aggravating him.

He hadn't wanted to snap back at her, but he had. Sarcastically telling her that he knew they trusted each other in bed, and perhaps she could try trusting him outside of it as well.

That wasn't the best idea… but then I made it worse.

He hadn't meant any sort of ultimatum but knew that she took it that way. However, he had meant what he said. He couldn't remain with someone that couldn't believe in him. He had hoped that she would see that she couldn't either. Either they had trust, or they were fooling themselves.

The part that was worrying him, was if she decided that that was the case for them. He didn't want to lose her, so he had to somehow get her to understand. The past was the past- and he didn't care. He knew her now; he loved her now.

He huffed a laugh at the thought that she probably would have run from him if they had met when they were younger. They thought he was arrogant and reckless now? They have no idea how I used to be.

He wore a determined look now, deciding that perhaps this was the correct way to approach her next time. He needed to just say it all out loud, and not worry about coming up with a pretty way of saying it.

Then he stopped and looked around.

Here he was, heading through the docks towards Hightown, and yet he was all alone.

The docks were usually quiet after dark; however, it was barely dusk. And even then, there were always shady characters, and back-alley deals happening. This was unprecedented, and fairly disturbing.

He pulled his staff from his back, waiting for the trap to spring. He turned slowly in a circle, wondering where the attack would come from. Hearing a small noise he turned back, seeing a man starting to walk towards him from a distance.

He had his mana at the ready, his senses on high alert; though the man walking toward him seemed to be alone. He didn't recognize him, but he easily recognized the heraldry across his chest plate.

"Can I help you, warden?' Hawke asked, though without any sincerity. "You've obviously gone to quite a lot of trouble to speak to me alone."

"Indeed," the warden replied. "I apologize if I've alarmed you, Champion, but I couldn't risk losing him again."

"You've lost someone?" Hawke asked, as he placed his staff in a defensive position, showing the stranger that he was not in the mood for idle talk.

"I have, yes," the man answered with a nod, taking the threat for what it was. "My name is Stroud," he introduced, giving another nod in greeting, though Hawke merely narrowed his eyes as his hand began to gather flames. "And I'm hoping you may be able to help me find a traitor."

There was silence, as Hawke didn't even deign to reply. "His name is Nathaniel; Nathaniel Howe. I'm told that you are familiar with him. Have you seen him?" Stroud asked.

Hawke let go of his mana, the momentary shock followed by skepticism. "Nathaniel?" he asked in disbelief. "What is he charged with? Desertion?" he gave a snort, wondering if the man would truly leave the order to make Cat leave the city. Of course he would, he immediately corrected himself.

"Murder," Stroud answered mildly. He nodded at Hawke's incredulous look. "I'm afraid it's true- well, attempted in any case. The young man may still survive." Stroud gave a cheery smile that Hawke simply found creepy, before his heart sank into the pit of his stomach. "But then again, if what I've heard is true, you Hawkes don't go down so easily."

Anders ran.

He didn't pay attention to the people he barreled through, he just concentrated on his breath and making it to the Hightown mansion in time.

Heading towards Hawke's, he had seen several people on the streets in Lowtown as he walked through the place; and while that wasn't out of the ordinary, the fact that he recognized most of them from Darktown was.

If the people from Darktown were in Lowtown- that meant there was something in Darktown they were trying to avoid.

His deep-seated distrust of the templars and the chantry had him turning from his friends, telling Varric he'd catch up, and heading to his clinic as quickly- and quietly- as he could.

Seeing it empty was shocking, but the way the door hung broken from its hinges, and everything inside was either broken or torn meant that they had finally found him; and he hadn't been there.

There were plans in place of course. Lookouts that were paid to give warning, hiding places that were known by only a select few. He wasn't worried about Adrius being caught or dead.

No, that wasn't his current worry.

The thing that had his chest seizing in panic wasn't that Adrius could be caught, killed, or worse- made tranquil. It was knowing that he had continued to put off telling the older mage about changing his plans for the chantry.

If Adrius was in hiding- fearing that he, Anders, had been caught… then he most likely went underneath the chantry- where the components for the explosion still were.

He knew Cat had told him the truth of what could be, and even Justice had come around, albeit slightly, to the idea of not destroying the entire city just to start a war. It was the chantry that needed to be destroyed- and that would be drastic enough for everyone to take notice.

Besides, he had told Justice, we need survivors to pass the word along, don't we?

He had felt the mixed emotions within himself, and wondered yet again if he was simply going insane. He knew that once they merged, they had become one. Yet he continued to talk to that part of himself as if it were his friend.

However, he had shied away from trying to explain it to Adrius. The man had become one of Anders' greatest supporters after all. He had helped every step of the way, and Anders had worried that he wouldn't be able to explain this sudden change of heart.

The fuse had been made long- in order to escape the blast himself- and well hidden in the sewers below the chantry- a place so foul that no one would willingly go. Well… almost no one.

The slowly leaking chemicals would pool into side by side barrels until they overflowed and came in contact with each other, causing the detonation. A small hole could give almost two days before the blast, which had been the original plan, so no one could connect him with the crime.

But now? There were so many unknowns. He needed to find Adrius. He could be wrong about everything, and Adrius was in another hiding place entirely. He doubted it, but he couldn't move forward with warning people until he knew for sure.

And he needed help.

The door opened, and Cat was relieved at seeing Cullen enter, but then frowned in puzzlement as he practically snuck in, looking left and right down the corridor behind him.

He turned sharply, closing the door quietly and motioning her over to him, speaking softly. "We should get you out of here," he said, looking once more out the window at the top of the door. "I haven't been able to ascertain why you were brought here in the first place. It was only supposed to be Hawke- something about new evidence."

"Evidence of what?" she asked, following his lead and keeping her voice down.

"I honestly do not know," Cullen stated. "I assume of aiding apostates, but since Hawke is the apostate, it is a hard thing to prove without angering the citizens." He moved them away from the door, a finger on his lips to indicate silence.

Cat listened as footsteps echoed outside the door, and they waited until they faded off again.

"I can only assume the Knight Commander is hoping to gain some information from you, however, something doesn't feel right," Cullen told her.

"I agree," she nodded, remembering the awful feeling of the lieutenant that had brought her here. "In fact-"

She was cut off as he pulled her away from the door, and covered her mouth with his hand, just as she heard more footsteps coming towards them. They could hear voices now, though it was somewhat muffled.

They were facing each other, and as Cullen was concentrating on the voices, he didn't realize that his hand was so big it was covering her nose as well as her mouth, and she was having a hard time breathing.

She pulled on his hand with hers and as he looked down, saw that their faces were extremely close together. He flushed, removing his hand slowly, urging her to stay quiet. She nodded, smiling at his embarrassment over such a thing.

After the people were gone, he turned back to her, grabbing onto her arm. "Why would an ex-templar such as Samson be the one to question you?" he wondered. He saw the stricken look on her face, and realized that his instincts were correct, though he couldn't fathom why.

"Well then," he assured her. "I shall see about getting the Knight Commander to release you. He can question you at your home, not here like some sort of prisoner."

"No, Cullen," Cat said, looking up into his face. "I have to get out of here, now." She moved away from him, putting her leg up on a chair, and pulling out a hidden dagger from her boot. "In fact, I need to get out of Kirkwall all together."

"Out of Kirkwall?" he asked, frowning at her. "It's just an interrogation, Cat, the templars do not hurt citizens."

"No?" she asked. "Not even to get who they really want?" she hated lying to him; hated all the lying. She just wished… well, to be able to just be free of all this.

She hung her head, knowing she needed to leave. Everything was changing, yet it seemed like all she had done was to rapidly bring about the end of the city. Even the Ferelden wardens were involved, though Nathaniel believed Duran and Alistair got away.

And now Carver… she teared up, thinking of how she could ever apologize to Garrett, to Leandra.

Now she knew, without a doubt. Her time with Garrett, in Kirkwall, was over.

"Cat?" Cullen asked, looking concerned.

"I'm sorry Cullen," she whispered, a tear falling down her face. "But bad people will always use those we love to ensnare us. I have to leave… I don't want to, but I have to. I have to go where no one will ever think to look for me."

He looked down at her, the sorrow evident on his face. "Forever?" he asked.

"I… I don't know," she answered honestly. "I hope not."