"Do you know where you're going?" Isabela asked, complaining as they trekked further away from the city. Cat was glad that Isabela had asked, because she was wondering the same thing.

"Of course not, we're looking for someone who was kidnapped. The kidnappers didn't leave us a map," Carver replied sourly. "I'm following the tracks."

"What tracks?" Cat asked curiously. It couldn't hurt to learn about tracking after all.

Carver's frown disappeared as he gestured Cat forward. He began explaining what he saw on the ground, and how to interpret both the tracks and any disturbed foliage. Cat's curiosity waned as Carver grabbed her hand to pull her along, so she pulled free.

"What's that track?" she asked pointing, grateful for the distraction.

Carver glanced down, and immediately back to Cat. "Spider,"he said. "Cat, what is-"

"Spider? As in the giant kind?" Cat demanded, cutting off whatever Carver had been about to ask. "I'm out of here."

Carver smirked at her, which only caused her irritation to grow. "Are you scared of spiders Cat? I'd protect you, you know." Cat rolled her eyes, as she turned to look around them. No one else looked worried, so she tried to calm down.

"I'm sensing a story…" Varric drawled.

Cat mused, and decided to share. It would help distract her from thinking about spiders. She didn't have to give details of the people involved, and it would be smart to not be so mysterious all the time in front of Varric, who literally found out secrets as a career.

"Oh it is. Would you like to hear it?" She asked, smiling at the look of shock that crossed Varric's features before he grinned at her.

"Absolutely."

"Well," Cat began, as she gestured for everyone to continue walking, and she waited a moment before slipping back in at the middle of the group. Everyone could hear her better from here, but really she just didn't want to be on the outside in case spiders did show up suddenly. "the first time I saw a giant spider, I was in Ferelden. One of my traveling companions and I were annoyed at each other."

"Really, why?" Varric asked.

"Why is that important?" Cat replied.

"For context."

"That's not the point of the story, Varric, so I'll just say he was very overprotective, like a certain pirate." Cat frowned at him. Give him an inch, he'll try to take a mile…

"Anyway," Cat continued, "It started raining, and eventually it was raining so hard that we couldn't keep traveling. We had a wagon with us, and it kept getting stuck, so we decided to find some shelter. My companion was ranting about how I was going to catch my death and so on, even trying to get the mage in our party to create a barrier over me so I would stay dry."

"And the mage said…?"

"She vehemently disagreed, and threatened to remove his teeth and wear them as a necklace if he asked again," Cat said with a laugh. For as scary as she was, Morrigan could come up with the most intriguing threats.

"I'll have to remember that one," Hawke said with a smile.

"Yes, well, he stopped asking, but he wouldn't let up about it, until finally I snapped at him. I told him I didn't need his protection and I could find my own shelter, and I didn't want to hear another word about it. He didn't say a word, even when we found a cave and I ran in without letting the fighters check it out first."

"Ooh," everyone said in sympathy.

"Yeah, that's where I met my first giant spider, and I'll be glad to never see another one."

"So did he end up saving you from the spiders?" Isabela asked with a wink.

"Yes, he did. He asked for a kiss for his bravery, but I was so upset I ended up slapping him, and then yelled about how he could have let me go in there by myself." Cat remembered with a laugh. "Good thing he swore an oath to protect me, otherwise he probably would have killed me, for all I put him through."

"Oh?" Varric questioned. "He swore an oath to protect you?"

Cat joined Isabela, who was laughing loudly now. "Everything makes so much sense now!" Isabela said in between peals of laughter.

"No, not really," Varric grumbled. "If he swore to protect you, where is he? Did he die saving you from some horrid beast? That would make a really good ending to the story."

"No, he's not dead, at least, he wasn't when I left Ferelden. Who knows?" Cat explained.

"Spiders!"

The shout went out, and Cat shuddered. "Crap!" she muttered, looking around wildly. She jumped as a spider scurried over from the side, coming straight for her. She wished momentarily for her crossbow, but took a step and leaped just as the spider went to strike her. She landed awkwardly on it's back, and she dug her daggers into it's head.

"Ugh! Oh, disgusting!"

"Cat! Just kill it! We don't need the commentary!" Isabela called out to her.

"Shut it Issy!" Cat yelled back. True, everyone else had killed multiple spiders while she had only taken one. She rolled off the spider as it dropped to the ground, and shook herself, trying to get rid of the gross feeling of spider fur. "Blech!" She saw the last spider going towards Varric, so she ran forward, only to have the spider explode. Right in her face.

Hawke smirked as the spider exploded from the inside out, and was about to yell out to Varric about owing him, when he saw Cat, standing frozen. She was next to his kill, and she was absolutely covered in spider guts. She turned her head, and Hawke felt fear for the first time since he was a little boy. She looked like she was going to murder him.

"Uh, sorry about that Cat…" He didn't finish as she held up her hand. She started towards him, and he backed away.

"Get him Kitty!" Isabela cheered her on, but Cat gave no notice, just slowly stalked him, her eyes honed in, and Hawke felt trapped like a cornered animal. He abruptly stopped when his back met a wall of rock, and Cat came face to face with him, and smiled sweetly.

Hawke was dumbfounded, what was she smiling for?

"Thank you Garrett," Cat said softly. "You saved me from that big… bad… spider." Cat's voice dropped seductively, and Hawke's gaze dropped to her mouth. "I just have to reward you," she added, and Hawke was no longer afraid.

Cat's arm's twined around Hawke's neck, and she could see his eyes darken. Then she struck, rubbing her face and hair to his, then turning and rubbing spider guts all over him, before she stepped back.

She could her their companions howling with laughter, and she gave Hawke a wicked grin. He looked like a sad deer caught in headlights, just standing there, covered in spider entrails with a disgusted look on his face.

"Seems we rescued someone from those spiders, you should probably go talk to them," Cat informed him, and then sauntered off. Hawke steeled himself, wiping the gunk off his face and looking for a clean spot on his clothes to wipe his hand.

He stepped up to the dwarf and men that were huddled near a fire pit, ignoring the looks he was getting in return. "Seems we happened by at the right time," he began.

Cat stepped over to Isabela, and asked for a spare cloth to wipe her face. "Sorry Kitty, though I know you don't actually expect me to carry extra linen around."

"True, but it didn't hurt to ask."

Varric stepped up, and handed Cat a handkerchief. "That was some show," he said.

"Thanks," she replied. Gesturing to the cloth she asked, "you sure you don't mind?"

"Nah, it'll wash out. Go ahead."

"Thanks." Cat used every inch, getting at least her face and hands clean. She stowed the handkerchief in her own pocket, determined to wash it before returning it.

"Well, let's head out," Hawke said. "We have a boy to find."

"You were chatting for awhile, did they want something?" Varric asked as the group continued on, down towards the coast.

"Yeah, the dwarf wanted to hire us, but it seemed pretty sketchy. Wanted us to kill Qunari deserters, in the hope that the Arishok would sell him some powder. Didn't sound like a solid plan."

"It is not." Fenris added, speaking for the first time that day. Hawke learned quickly to pay attention when Fenris spoke, as he only did so when he deemed it important. "The Qunari do not sell their weapons."

"As I thought," Hawke replied. He glanced back at Cat. "I really am sorry about that," he said, and Cat laughed.

"No worries, these things happen. Just know, I'll always get my revenge when they do!"

"So noted," he replied with a nod, a smile back on his face.

Cat followed along, keeping to herself as the group finally came across the Viscount's son. Some bounty hunters had already laid claim, but Seamus asked Hawke to rescue him from them. It lasted several hours, as the bounty hunters kept coming in waves to try to take back Seamus so they could claim the reward, and Cat took the opportunity to jump into the ocean. Being in wet clothes was nothing compared to spider guts, and she figured she would dry off before they made it back to Hightown.

She was correct in her assessment, as after they dropped off Seamus with his father and collected the reward, Hawke decided to go home to change. Cat offered herself and Isabela to go to the Rose and ask about the missing woman, Ninette. Hawke agreed, and they decided to meet at the Hanged Man afterwards. Before they could turn around, Varric declared he would be accompanying them.

It wasn't that Cat didn't like Varric, or didn't want him around… but it was much easier when he wasn't. Now she had to be on guard, and make sure to watch what she said. But she just smiled, and agreed, and the three of them headed off to the Blooming Rose.

"Issy, no wandering off, we're here on business after all."

Isabela just grumbled, even as she gave Cat a wink. Isabela liked to have fun, but she always got the job done, Cat knew she just preferred to combine the two. Making their way inside, Cat stopped to speak to Viveka. "I need to talk to Jethann, do you know if he's busy?"

"Hmm," she said, looking in her ledger. "No, today is his rest day, so he should be free."

"Thanks," Cat replied, heading up the stairs.

"You, ah, know who we need to talk to?" Varric asked, and Cat felt like face palming.

"Jethann knows everyone, so he'll be a big help," Cat replied.

She strode forward, knocking on his door.

"Oh, hey Cat. It's my rest day, so I don't have anything. But it's really early for you-"

"Jethann," Cat interrupted before he could say more. "These are some friends of mine. We're looking for a woman named Ninette, and thought you may know who she was seeing?"

"Ninette? Again? Something must have happened…"

"Can we come in and talk?" Cat asked, and Jethann straightened up."

"Of course," he stepped back, allowing the three of them in, giving both Isabela and Varric a flirty welcome.

"Oh, I like him," Isabela purred. "He's fun."

"What can I say?" Jethann said, holding his arms out. "If you enjoy what you do, you never truly," he made an obscene gesture, "work."

Cat rolled her eyes. "Jethann, we're here about Ninette."

"Oh, right." Jethann straightened and spoke to Cat without any flirting. "I heard she finally ran away from her husband. Good! He didn't deserve her, and he treated her like a doll you leave on the shelf. She was so miserable."

"So she did come here?" Cat asked.

"Yes, she was so much fun. Always wanting to try new things, talking about the new places she visited. I told her to be careful, but she was enjoying the freedom, and I couldn't blame her. She started going to Lowtown, she said the shops were better there, not so pretentious… her words."

"So, Cat," Varric started, and Cat tensed. "Why don't you stay here on your time off?"

"Why would she?" Jethann asked, confused before Cat could say anything.

"Well, she works here, I just assumed…"

Jethann burst out laughing. "Our little Cat, working here? Only in our dreams, sir."

Cat turned to Varric, "Wait, you think, I'm one of the workers?"

"Well, yes?" Varric added, looking confused. "You said you worked here, what else am I supposed to think?"

Cat turned to Isabela, eyes wide. "He thinks I work here."

"Well, technically Kitty, you do." Isabela's grin made Cat sneer.

"Don't give me that." She whirled back to Varric. "Wait, so everyone thinks I'm a whore?"

"Hey, you say that like it's a bad thing." Jethann said, while he got sat down on his bed, getting comfortable. Things were definitely getting interesting.

"Of course not, but these are supposedly people that are my friends! If I said I worked at the Keep, would you assume I'm the Viscount?!"

"No, but it's not like you've elaborated. So tell me, what do you do then?"

"I take care of them." Cat said, pointing to Jethann. "I clean, do laundry, get tonics, whatever I need to, to make sure they stay healthy and safe."

"And, she's fabulous!" Jethann agreed. "I shudder to think about how things used to be."

"Yes, well, now I'm in trouble!" Cat said, pacing back and forth. "Madame Lusine asked me to pretend I do work here, so she could make money sending customers to others that ask for me."

Varric started laughing at that, and Jethann sat up, worried. "Oh no, if I caused Madame to lose money, I'll be demoted. I'll have to go back downstairs!" he continued to worry, coming up with worse and worse punishments.

"It will be fine!" Isabela shouted, causing the other three to stop what they were doing and look at her. "No one has to know, and Varric can keep a secret, I'm sure."

Varric caught on, and did a little bow to Cat, "I promise on my life, no one shall hear it from me. Though I do suggest you actually tell your friends."

"Hmph, some friends." Cat had a thought pop into her head. "A lot of conversations make much more sense now…" she murmured, blushing furiously. All this time, Aveline, Anders, Carver… Garrett. They all assumed she was for sale.

"I… need some air," Cat said, going to the door, and striding out. Varric and Isabela went to follow.

"Wait!" Jethann called and they turned back. "You should know, there was a templar here asking about Ninette, though she wasn't a mage, so I am not sure why. He said he was headed to Darktown."

Varric and Isabela just followed after Cat, there was no reasoning with her now, and she was a woman on a mission.

"Anders! I need your help!" Cat called as she opened the door to the clinic. The lantern wasn't lit, but she hoped he was home.

"Cat?" Anders asked as he stood up form the desk in the corner. "Are you okay?" He rushed over, grabbing her shoulders, and looking everywhere for an injury. "Where does it hurt? What happened?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm not hurt. I just need to save someone from some bandits, here in Darktown, and I don't have time to get Hawke. Will you come?"

"Oh, I think it would be better to wait for Hawke, don't you?" Anders said gently.

"Okay," Cat smiled, patting his shoulder. "Thanks anyway." She turned around, and started to leave, but was stopped by Isabela, who looked over at Anders.

"She's determined to go anyway, so it's either your help, or none." Anders looked between them, Cat not returning his gaze before sighing.

"I'll get my staff."

They had hardly walked far, when they heard the noises of fighting. Cat ran in, attacking the first man she came to, and the others quickly followed. The fight was over quickly, and Cat moved over to the man kneeling on the ground, panting heavily.

"Are you alright?" He nodded, though looked like he needed a moment before he could speak.

Anders stalked up, grabbing Cat's arm and spinning her to face him. "You neglected to tell me I was coming to save a templar!" he hissed at her. "Now he knows where I am!"

"It's fine Anders," she said calmly, putting her hand to his cheek. There were cracks of blue light that she tried to cover, and the contact had him calming without realizing it. She spoke softly, so that Emeric couldn't hear her. "He's pretty out of it, and old enough that he won't remember the fight. If he remembers magic at all, he'll assume it was from the carta members, not us. Besides, he doesn't know who we are." She gave his shoulder a pat, and turned back to the templar.

"I thank you Serah," he said, though he made no move to get up. "This fight has proven that I cannot continue my investigation."

"You were investigating Ninette's disappearance?"

"Yes," he nodded, "as well as two other women. Everyone tells me I am wasting my time, but my heart tells me there is a connection. But it seems I cannot continue."

"We are also looking for Ninette, perhaps we can take over?" Cat ventured.

"If you would like, then here is all I have discovered," he said, handing Cat several pages of paper that looked like hand written notes. "I am going home." He stood and made his way slowly out of Darktown.

"Come on," Varric said, touching Cat's arm. "We'd better go meet up with Hawke, and let him know about this."

"Okay Varric."