Disclaimer: I own nothing

Note: I hope you guys like this update. I have so many ideas floating in my head for this story. I was hoping to finish this chapter much sooner than this but with pulling double shifts at work and Halloween coming up, I've been making costumes for everyone. After the holiday though thankfully I'll be able to update much quicker. So I hope you love this chapter and I hope you guys review so I know what you think.

Bethany nodded once before smiling gently.

"Hello sister."

Marian opened her arms and Bethany instantly went into them and the group wasn't surprised when they noticed the younger woman's shoulders begin to shake from tears. Marian murmured soothing words calming her and kept her arms around her until her tears had subsided and she finally said.

"I'm sorry. I've just missed you so much."

Marian took a breath to steady her voice and said.

"I've missed you to Bethany. I would come if I could. You know that but I would be to tempted to smuggle you out."

Bethany nodded and let out a small laugh before Marian looked from Cullen to Bethany before looking back to Cullen and snapping angrily.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? If Meredith discovers Bethany missing.."

Bethany held up a hand stopping Cullen's protests at Marian's outburst and said calmly.

"We've taken every precaution and I trust the Knight Captain completely. You should trust him as well sister. Meredith does not know we are here. You have my word."

Marian looked as if she was about to protest but finally nodded making Bethany smile again. The group was silent behind her and Bethany said softly.

"Does my being here ensure your trust in the Captain?"

Marian remained stubbornly silent until Cullen spoke again.

"Your brother is coming as well."

Marian shook her head once more in anger.

"If you've written to him your an even bigger idiot than I thought. There's no way to ensure that won't be taken straight to Meredith!"

Bethany turned to Cullen this time and said.

"She's not normally like this."

To her sister she said.

"I'm sure five sovereigns is enough to buy loyalty. Cullen knows the dispatcher and trusts him. I think we should to."

Marian shook her head before replying.

"Nothing your telling me is making me feel any better. For the record by the way, I was planning to write Carver as well."

Bethany nodded before grinning.

"Who would've delivered it sister?"

Marian remained silent before sighing in defeat realizing that accepting their help meant she and her son had a lot more help than they did now. Finally she nodded before saying grudgingly.

"I would have thought of something. I always do. However, thank you for your help. If my sister decided to trust you I must as well and I appreciate your help."

Hugging Marian again Bethany spoke with more urgency.

"We need to leave before much longer. We can't risk staying."

She paused before asking.

"I am told," She said raising her gaze to her sisters, "that I have a nephew. May I meet him?"

Marian looked to Cullen once more before looking up the stairs to Aveline and Merrill before nodding her head. Aveline stepped aside and Leto peered around Merrill to look down at his mother questioningly.

"Its alright Leto. Come here."

Walking quickly down the stairs his face instantly lit up when he saw Bethany whose mouth had covered her mouth with her hand and Marian saw her eyes glistening with tears. Leto smiled at her before asking.

"Are you aunt Bethany?"

She nodded.

"I can tell. Mother's told me all about you. Your even prettier than mother said."

Bethany let out a small laugh.

"Your a flatterer aren't you?"

Turning back to Marian she commented.

"He's got his father's eyes and there's no mistaking he's a Hawke."

Marian grinned before replying easily.

"I know."

Bethany grinned at Marian and then looked up to Fenris and offered him a gentle smile but was not surprised when he didn't return it. Feeling a tug on her hand she turned back to Leto who had pushed his hair aside and was pointing to his ears.

"I have his ears too!"

Bethany grinned before she heard Cullen clear his throat. Looking at him she pleaded.

"One more moment. I've just gotten to see him for the first time."

He shook his head in warning.

"My lady I'm sorry but we really must go."

Frowning she said.

"And I said one moment. I still need to tell my sister something important and it will not wait."

Cullen exhaled in frustration but nodded seeing her expression. Marian suppressed a laugh and looked to Bethany.

"Tell me quickly. I don't want you risking your safety."

Bethany remained quiet for a moment and Marian knew she was choosing her words carefully.

"I know you feel guilty that you kept Leto a secret but you shouldn't. I am not angry with you."

Marian's mouth fell open and Bethany shook her head cutting off her reply.

"You've given your life to protecting me and making sure I'm safe. You've never lied to me and I have no reason not to trust you. If you thought the best thing to do is keep him a secret I trust your reasons. You've never let me down."

Marian felt tears of her own threatening to fall but remained silent until she gasped at Bethany's next words.

"Mother knew about Leto Marian."

Shaking her head in disbelief she whispered.

"How?"

Bethany shook her head before answering.

"She had eyes sister. She would talk to me about it when she visited me. Cullen always made sure we weren't interrupted or overheard. She was letting you come to her on your own but understood why you didn't. As I did. But you should know that she knew and she was proud of you. She didn't understand at first, you and Fenris I mean, but she told me she did after you two got into a horrible argument about it?"

Marian's face flushed before she smiled and nodded. Hearing Cullen clear his throat again they both glared at him until he reminded them that they had already delayed to long. Sighing in defeat Bethany said.

"There's more that needs to be said. I know I have to leave but..."

Marian wiped the tears that she hadn't managed to push back and said shakily.

"Thank you for letting me know Bethany. You have no idea how much it means to me."

She gave a shaky smile of her own before whispering.

"I think I do."

She hugged Marian tightly before Leto wedged in between them. He had tears in his eyes.

"I don't want you to go."

Looking from Marian to Leto she knelt down and hugged Leto as tightly as she could before saying.

"I don't want to leave either. I promise you'll see me again soon. I love you and your mother very much. I always will."

Turning to Cullen she pulled her hood up and they quickly made their way out. At the door Cullen looked back and said.

"I'll find a way to get word to you. I swear it and no one will learn of your son."

Before turning to leave only stopping when Marian called him.

"Cullen...you said she would discredit anyone she could and those close to me to get to me. Does that mean my uncle is in danger?"

Cullen looked at her surprised as did Bethany before looking at Marian with pride when she realized what Marian wanted to do. Finally the Captain answered.

"I wouldn't put it past her. To be honest I would be surprised if she would but he is your family."

Opening the door he turned back long enough to say.

"If you plan to retrieve him you still have time if you hurry. Although I warn you your cutting it close as are we. Come my lady."

Taking Bethany's hand they quickly began to run. Leto had begun to cry at there departure and Marian had taken to rocking him slowly trying to calm him down. When he finally stopped Marian reminded him.

"She'll come back. Who could ever stay away from you?"

He nodded and tried to calm himself. Finally he wiped his face before asking.

"What did you and grandmother fight about?"

Marian was silent and shook her head indicating that she wasn't going to tell him. This served to anger him.

"You tell me everything mother. Why not this?"

"Because someone else needs to hear it first."

He regarded her silently before nodding. After thinking for a moment he asked.

"What happens now?"

Marian was silent for a long moment and thought about the plan that she had been thinking about while she and her companions had been speaking and finally said.

"I need to get Gamlen here. I don't want to take the chance."

The group was silent until Aveline said.

"Hawke he wasn't to keen to take you in, if you recall and you were in servitude for a year. For the maker's sake you had to take on all responsibility while he did nothing."

Marian shook her head.

"But he did. Aveline. Regardless of whether or not he wanted to and regardless of what was done or not done he did and he never threw us onto the streets. He gave us a home when we needed one and a chance for a new future. I will not leave him in the hands of that...woman. I need to get him."

Leto spoke first.

"I'll be safe here mother I promise."

Her companions could see her warring with herself and remained silent waiting for her to speak. She didn't. Fenris broke the silence surprising everyone but no one more than Marian.

"I'll get him."

and that's all for now. I hope you guys like this and please review. We get another shock in the next chapter.