"You are remarkably quiet, Warden."

Duran glanced at Zevran. "I'm thinking," he responded.

The pair was slowly making their way back to the armorer, their time away not quite what they were expecting.

"I must admit, I am surprised," Duran finally spoke. "I assumed you wanted to keep Cat closer, not send her away."

"It isn't like that," Zevran protested. "I am not wanting to send her away, I am simply trying to keep her safe."

"I see," Duran replied, and they both fell silent as they walked.

After a time, Duran spoke, "How do you think she will react to this?"

Zevran smirked, though it was tinged with sadness. "I'm not entirely sure," he responded. "I'm more worried about how all the others will react."

Cat wasn't sure what had happened in the last several hours, but everyone was acting strangely. They had met up with their group at the tavern, and had gotten their reports. While successful, both Alistair and Leliana were morose over the outcomes of their individual tasks.

She supposed their lack of cheer could explain the overall mood, however even Duran and Zevran seemed glum which was unusual. She tried talking them out of it, to no avail, and soon just grew silent. After all, everyone was allowed to have bad days, and she had had her share. She just wished she could help cheer everyone up.

The following morning Cat saw she was the last to arrive for breakfast. As she drew close, her friends stopped talking which immediately put her on edge. She stood to the side of the group, inwardly debating between demanding they talk and staying silent. The awkward tension was surrounding them all, and she finally burst.

"All right, what is going on?" she demanded. "You all are acting very strange." She looked around at them seeing guilt and sadness which confused her.

"It's nothing Cat," Leliana said quietly, causing Cat's ire to spike.

"Baloney!" Cat hissed. She heard Dog whine softly, as Leliana winced. Cat felt awful. Something was wrong, but Cat shouldn't take it out on her. "Look, I'm sorry, Leli." she said. She looked around at the others. Perhaps she had offended someone, or caused a problem somehow. "If I have done something…"

She was met with silence. Morrigan, rolling her eyes, gave her ever present "ugh" sound and walked over to Cat.

"They have found a way to send you from the blight's path," she informed Cat. "And now they are too upset to tell you so."

Cat reeled back in shock, as everyone began talking and arguing at once. Morrigan smirked and returned to her seat as a few of the others berated her for her callousness.

Cat held up her hand, in a gesture for them to stop, and after a few moments they were quiet. "You're sending me away?" she asked quietly, eyes on Duran. Zevran cleared his throat and she turned to him.

"That is what I promised you," he said. "To get you to safety."

"Well yes," Cat replied, "but…" she bit her lip because she absolutely refused to cry. "But I thought… I mean, I was getting better, I thought I could help."

Alistair stood to get her a chair, and guided her to it, helping her sit.

"It's not that we want you to leave Cat," he told her. "But all of us agree, that we want you to be safe."

"Really?" she asked, "all of you?" She looked around to see them all nodding, some more emphatically than others, but all of them were nodding. "Wow, that's probably the first time you all have agreed on anything!" she laughed seeing the refusal on their faces turn to acceptance as they realized it was true.

Cat sat in thought. She didn't want to leave, but so many things could go wrong if she stayed. She took a moment before asking, "Not that I'm agreeing to this, but how would it happen exactly?"

"Zev has a friend who is a captain, and she's setting sail to get away from the blight." He paused as Cat looked incredulously at Zevran. He continued, "We're pretty sure we can book you passage…" Duran trailed off, unsure what was going on between them.

"You want to send me off with Isabela?" Cat asked in disbelief.

"Why am I not surprised that you know of her, little dove?" Zevran chuckled. "But yes," he answered her. "She is escaping the blight, she will be able to keep you safe, and she owes me a favor." He grinned at her, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. "It will be a grand adventure, I'm sure."

"I'm sure," she parroted back to him, again lost in thought. "Okay," she decided. "I'll meet her, but if I don't like her, I'm not going."

"Well of course not!" Leliana stated.

"You don't have to," Alistair agreed.

"Let's get this over with," Oghren said in a bored tone.

"Yes, we'll head to the brothel." Duran said with a grin.

"What?" Oghren turned back, ecstatically. "Heh, heh. C'mon boy," he waved at Alistair. "Time to lose that virginity!"

"What?" Alistair exclaimed. Then realizing his voice was confirmation, lowered his tone and asked, "Why would you say that, to me?"

"Heh, I can smell purity a mile away. It's a gift." Oghren's face fell. "Though, not as great as you might think."

"That's too bad…" Alistair said, rolling his eyes.

"Wish I could smell cheese instead…" Oghren muttered.

Cat walked arm in arm with Zevran, and the others were content to give them space. She wasn't sure what to say, or even how to handle this. Its true that they hadn't known each other very long, but he had saved her life more than once. And the close proximity, spending everyday together with the group had forged some sort of relationship, though she couldn't really define it.

She could tell that he would be fine without her. Of course, she knew that already, but it was nice to see the friendship that he shared with Duran, and even the small ways that the others showed that they trusted and cared for him.

"Zev," she started, bringing his attention to her. "If this goes the way you are hoping, then I may never see you again."

"That is true little dove," he replied. "Although, there is no guarantee of this. After all that has happened, it is hard to not believe in the impossible." She smiled, remembering their journey to this point. She would not have believed it herself if she hadn't been witness to it.

"I have pledged myself to the Warden," Zev continued. "Otherwise I would accompany you myself. But I believe this to be the best way for you to be safe, and Isabela is trustworthy, for the most part."

Cat found it hard to speak, and so they continued on in silence. As they came up to the Pearl, Zevran reached forward to open the door, and said quietly, "Just give it chance, all right? We all desire your safety most of all," then ushered her inside.

He must have spoken with the others previously, for only Duran, Oghren and Alistair had accompanied them across town, and the three of them went to the bar upon entering the establishment. Zevran escorted Cat over to the opposite corner of the room, where she recognized Isabela sitting with only a bottle for company.

Isabela wasn't quite as Cat had pictured, for she was wearing armor instead of just a tunic. Though she showed as much skin as she was able, and Cat wondered if the armor served to protect anything, or was simply for show. However, she did wear a bandanna, keeping her long hair away from her face, and Cat was a little envious of the myriad of twists and braids that she had in her hair. It seems like a mix of braids and dreadlocks, and it was beautiful.

They came near the table, and Isabela looked up with a smirk.

"Well… hello there kitten. Zev what have you brought me?"

"Hello Isabela. And my name is Catarina." Cat spoke before Zevran could, as she wasn't patient enough for the flirting, and wanted to get this over with.

Isabela gave Zevran a knowing look. "You were right, she is feisty, and I like it." She gestured for the two of them to join her, and they sat across from her.

"I hear you are looking to escape the blight, and I can help. It's the least I can do for a friend." She gave Zevran a wink and a smile. "And I owe him, of course."

"I'd say thatZev is looking for me to escape," Cat replied. She could see Zevran glance at her, though she kept her eyes on Isabela. "I imagine it can be difficult to battle darkspawn with a distraction such as myself around."

"Little dove, you are not a distraction," Zevran began, but Cat waved him off.

"Zev, you should go get a drink. Let Isabela and I get to know each other." She glanced at him briefly, not wanting him to see her nervousness.

"But my dove-"

"No, go on Zev, leave us to our girl talk," Isabela added. They watched as he got slowly to his feet and walked away. Isabela smirked. "I have seen him wrap plenty of women around his nimble fingers, but I never thought I would see it the other way around."

"He's my friend, though I think he feels as if he is responsible for me," Cat replied. At Isabela's look, she pushed forward. "I'll be honest with you, I don't want to go. However, my friends are concerned with keeping me safe. I am no warrior, though I can take care of myself. But, if something were to happen to one of them because of me, I would never forgive myself." Cat steeled herself, noting Isabela waiting for her to get it all out. "If it will put their minds at ease, then I'll go."

"Well, kitten, that's very noble-"

"But," Cat interrupted. "I have conditions," Isabela smirked at her again, but she continued. "I do not sleep with those I travel with, I earn my keep, and I will need to be taught how to sail so that I can be a part of the crew, not just a guest. Fair, Issy?"

Isabela looked startled for a moment at the nickname, then realizing that it was in response of her calling her kitten, smirked. It seemed that Zev hadn't been very forthcoming when he spoke of this girl. Isabela had been ready to take her along, simply to pay her debt, but now that she had met her, she was intrigued.

"Rules are made to be broken, dovey," Isabela gave her best seductive smile.

Cat's face became as stone. "Do not call me that."

Isabela's eyebrow rose. "More than a simple nickname, hmm? Or perhaps only one that he can use? I'd say you're halfway in love with him already."

"I've been in love, it's not for me," Cat spoke back with no emotion. "Do we have a deal?"

She took another moment, as Isabela was no fool. There was something she was missing, but she always went with her gut, and it was telling her to take this girl along. "Welcome aboard. We leave tomorrow, at noon."

Cat nodded, and stood. She made her way back to her friends, and let them know she was heading back to the tavern. Alistair jumped at the chance to escort her, and she could tell he was not having a good time, so she agreed, bidding farewell to the others.

They were quiet for a time, as Cat was trying to think of what if anything she should tell her friends before she left. Was there anything that she should prevent? Perhaps tell them about Haven, or the High Dragon? Or maybe let Duran know about Soldier's Peak, or even Shale?

"So… you didn't like her, right?"

It took her a moment to realize what his question was. "Not really," she answered. She missed the excited look on his face and added, "but I'm sure she will grow on me." Cat's thoughts took a turn as she realized what kind of message she was sending, especially to Alistair. She had better fix it, and quick.

She turned to him, noting his crestfallen expression with confusion and said, "Al, I don't want you to get the wrong impression of me. I mean… I'm not trying to be a hypocrite, it's just that I don't want to disappoint you."

"Um, okay?" Alistair replied, unsure of what she was saying.

"What I mean is, I am a firm believer of following your heart. Of not just doing what others tell you is right or wrong."

Alistair grinned, his crestfallen expression a memory. "That's a good thing, right?"

Cat laughed, "Well, I think so." They fell back into silence as they rounded the corner to the marketplace. Cat looked around, thinking that perhaps shopping with Leli would be fun. They drew near the tavern, walking along the side of the building.

"Wait… Cat," Alistair spoke, holding onto her arm to pull her to a stop.

"Yes?" she asked, turning to face him.

"I… I just wanted…" he stepped close, and leaning down, put his lips on hers.

Cat froze, eyes widening in surprise. It reminded her of her first kiss, awkward but sweet, and she couldn't think so she simply stood there, as he ended the kiss and leaned back, his face a bright shade of pink.

"I'm sorry… I just, know you're leaving and I've been wanting to, and well…" he rambled.

"No, it's okay," she said, putting her hand on his arm. "It's just really bad timing."

"Yeah," he hung his head. "That's what everyone has been telling me."

Cat startled at that. "Everyone?!" she thought.

"But then you said not to listen to what others told you… so I thought…" he took in her confused expression, "and that's not what you were… Maker, I'm an idiot."

Cat's brain finally put the pieces together, and she realized how he took what she had been saying. "No, of course you're not," she said gently.

"Then, if that's not what you were talking about, well… well what were you talking about?" he asked. He realized that they were standing a bit close, and took a step back, however she simply stepped forward, and he gazed down at her.

"Al, you are my friend, and I care about you. Maybe in another life, it could have been something, but you have your duty and I have mine." He nodded, as he could understand. Duty always took precedence over things that he wanted.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, so I just wanted to tell you, to make your own decisions, especially when it comes to what you want out of life. Do not let others decide your fate."

"Oh, I get it," he said as her earlier words came back to him. "And you are a hypocrite for letting us decide to send you away." He cupped her cheek with his hand. "Cat, if you don't want to go…"

"No, I don't want to," she agreed. "But I'm not a fighter, not like the rest of you. I'm a liability. And as much as I want to stay, I want to give you guys every advantage to succeed. So, I'm going to go." She reached up to her cheek and covered his hand with her own. "For whatever it's worth, you're going to make some girl really happy one day." With that, she continued into the tavern, and Alistair stood against the building with a sad smile on his face.

"Sten, I need your help." Cat had finally found the warrior she had been searching for. In order for her to put her new plan into action, she needed someone to accompany her that wouldn't ask too many questions. "I need to go to the marketplace, they will be closing soon, and I shouldn't go alone."

Sten eyed her critically. "Tiny woman, we have everything we need here, there is no reason to go to the market."

"Please Sten, I'm leaving tomorrow, and I need a few things."

"It is not necessary."

Desperate times, desperate measures. "I'll buy you some cookies!"

"We must hurry then, they will be closing soon." Cat grinned at his abrupt change of mind, and hurried out the door with Sten at her back.

The next morning Cat could hardly wait to see her friends. This was her last morning with them, which made her stomach clench, but she was also thrilled to surprise them. She took the time to pack up her belongings, hardly believing that she had accumulated so many things since arriving in Thedas.

She now had several changes of clothing, her new drake skin armor, her crossbow and bolts, several days of rations, her tent and bedroll, three pairs of shoes… she counted it all off in her head as she packed. Once she was done, she realized she would need to solicit help to get it all outside.

She opened her door, and found Zevran in front of her, his fist poised in the air to knock.

"Good timing Zev, I was just wondering how to get all these bags out of here by myself," she said with a smile.

"My dove, I thought we agreed to keep your belongings at most to two bags, how will you carry all this when on your own?" She thought he would smirk at her, but he just looked concerned.

"Don't worry, I'm only taking two of them, the others are for everyone else," she said flippantly. She had decided that she would make this as easy on everyone else as she could, so she had to keep a smile on her face.

Zevran picked up her pack and bedroll. "Come then, the others are waiting to eat until you arrive." Cat smiled, and picked up the remaining bags then followed Zevran out to the common room. She stopped at the empty seat at the table, and placed her bags in the chair instead of sitting.

"What's in the bags, you're not taking all the food with you, are you?" Alistair joked. Cat smiled, as it seemed he had the same idea she did.

"Not everything," she teased. "Just the cheese," laughing at both her joke, and the scandalized look Alistair sported.

"Everyone?" she asked to gather attention, but realized she needn't have bothered. They were as focused on her, as she was on them. "I know that once the blight has been stopped, you all will go your separate ways and I may not see you again. So, I got you all something to remember me by," she said.

"Oh! You didn't have to!"

"As if we could forget you!"

"Wait, who were you again?"

"Alistair has already begun mourning…"

"Hey!"

Cat grinned as she walked around the table, listening to their banter and handing out presents. It had been a simple thought, remembering the Feast Day presents, but a little trickier to remember each person's present.

"Duran, yours is outside, so c'mon." Cat pulled on his arm. "We'll be back, enjoy your gifts!" she said, pulling Duran along with her as she headed to the door.

It had been much harder to find the perfect present for Duran, as she didn't know nearly enough about him, but she thought she had found just the thing. She pulled him over to the nearby market stall, and hoped that this was going to be as good as she thought.

"My lady, you've returned…" the dwarf in front of them said as he recognized her from the previous evening. Shifting his gaze to Duran, his eyes widened and he paled. "My…. my Lord? Is it really you?"

Cat watched Duran's face light up, and Gorim stepped forward to shake his hand, but Duran simply wrapped his arms around him, then held him at arm's length. They began talking rapidly, asking questions, telling each other of their survival, and new people in their lives. Cat grinned, so happy that the surprise was a good one and turning, walked back to the tavern.

Duran spoke of his companions, and remembering Cat, turned to thank her. He saw her turn the corner back to the tavern, and thought how rich his new life as a nobody was compared to his previous life as a prince. He turned back to his friend, and continued his tale.

Cat had told herself not to cry, and had held out as long as she could, but tears had escaped as she bid each of her companions farewell. They would be leaving Denerim as well, and were preparing to continue on in their quests. Zevran walked Cat down to the docks, insisting that he must see her board the boat personally, for his own peace of mind. Cat didn't care, that put one goodbye off, even if only for a little while.

"You know, little dove, you never finished your story," Zevran commented, grabbing her hand in his. She tilted her head in question. "The epic one, about the Wardens," he continued. "I believe there was a devastatingly handsome assassin in it."

Cat grinned, "That's true, I haven't," she said, then turned serious. "Would you really want to hear the rest?" she asked him.

He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "On second thought, no. I am quite enjoying the freedom of deciding my own fate for a change."

"Good!" she nodded to emphasize her point. "Keep it that way, and perhaps in the future we will see each other again." She hoped so, if everything stuck to the story she knew, they would both be in Kirkwall at some point.

He glanced her way incredulously, "Just how long is this tale?" he asked.

"Who knows?" she answered, shrugging her shoulders. He forgot his retort as he saw that they had arrived. Isabela came up, giving her directions and instructions, then Cat turned to him.

Cat didn't care that he was some scary assassin, he was her friend. She threw her arms around him, giving him a huge hug. It was hard to let go, but she finally did, then stretched up to kiss his cheek. "Take care of yourself, and the others too, okay?" she asked.

Zevran nodded once, "Farewell, my little dove," he said softly.

Isabela stood beside him, watching as Cat boarded the Siren's Call, tripping on the gangplank and laughing at herself. He smirked and chuckled to himself, as he recalled how clumsy she could be.

"Don't worry Zev," he heard Isabela say. "I'll watch out for her."

His eyes never left her, as she turned back to wave to him. He lifted his arm to Cat, in a silent farewell. "See that you do." He turned to leave, and paused. "And Isabela… thank you."