A/N: Thank you all for your follows and comments! I really appreciate them! Happy Holidays!

Previously:

"I should thank you, for saving me, I suppose," she said, as she wiped them off and put them back in their sheaths.

"You don't need to," he replied with a smirk. "In fact, I could have helped sooner but was enjoying the show."

She smirked back, enjoying his humor, as it reminded her of Zevran. "I knew I wanted to meet you, Nathaniel."

Cat watched as the surprise, then suspicion, a bit of unease, and finally acceptance crossed the man's features. Then, true to his style as a rogue, he smirked at her, and gave a flourishing bow.

"You must be Catarina," he replied. "I've heard so much about you."

"Good things, I hope?" she asked with a smile, searching for something to wipe her face with.

Nathaniel stepped forward, using his canteen to wet a bit of cloth, and proceeded to hold her face as he wiped the blood from it. She could feel her cheeks getting hot as he looked over her face once he was done. "They hardly did you justice," he finally replied, releasing her.

She knew she was blushing now, and enjoyed watching as his serious expression split into a smirk. She knew she would be trying to make that happen at every opportunity. "Just… uh," she cleared her throat. "Just call me Cat," she offered, and he nodded, the serious expression back. "And what do you prefer?" she asked. "Nate?"

She grinned as the smirk returned. "Pet names already? Very well," he said. "Nate it is, but just for you."

He looked around, and moving quickly, searched the bodies for anything worthwhile. "I'm hoping to impose on you further, Cat," he said, coming back to her. "I've been separated from my group, and can only sense them faintly. I hope you know this part of the city? I would prefer to avoid more confrontation if I can help it."

"Gladly," she replied. "Though I would like to get home and grab my armor first, if that's all right?" she asked.

He nodded, "Wise decision," he said, taking in her tunic, pants, and cloak. "I'm afraid you don't pass as a man anyway."

"Oh, I wasn't trying to."

"No?" he asked, with an eyebrow quirked up.

"It's just more comfortable," she replied with a smile. "This way, it isn't far."

She led the way toward her home, grateful that he had no problem scaling to the roof tops, and even more amazed at how quietly he moved. A few times, she even lost sight of him.

Getting into her home was easy enough, and there was still enough light that she didn't need to light a candle to see.

"You are quite the master of stealth," she said quietly, making her way to the kitchen.

"It is one of my skills," he answered modestly, looking around. "You keep your armor in the kitchen?" he asked in confusion as he saw where their destination was.

"No, but I've traveled with Grey Wardens before," she replied, pulling out several items from the cupboards. "Eat whatever you like, I'll go change and be right back."

He smiled genuinely at her, and gave a nod. "My thanks, Cat."

"Any time," she replied, heading quickly up the stairs.

She stayed quiet, and dressed in the ever decreasing light, but she knew her way around enough that it wasn't a hindrance to her goal. She didn't dawdle, but didn't hurry either, thinking that the more time she gave the Qunari, the fewer of them they should encounter on the streets.

Finally dressed, she armed herself with several more daggers, including adding her shoulder holsters with her extra large blades. I can hardly call these daggers, she thought as she put them in the sheaths. More like sickles.

Making her way downstairs, she went back to the kitchen, noting that Nathaniel wasn't where she had left him, and grabbed a small bag for her belt, filling it with a few things that might be needed. Next she grabbed a water bag, and slung it over her shoulder, cross-body to keep it in place.

She turned to leave to look for him, when she noticed him leaning against the doorway watching her.

"Ready?" she asked. "Did you get enough to eat?"

"Plenty, and thank you again," he replied. "I know they are in an easterly direction, though that is all I can sense."

"As far as I know, they should be, or soon will be, in Lowtown."

He fiddled with something on his belt, though he glanced up at her from under his lashes. "I doubt I will ever get used to that," he said seriously. "But I suppose it could come in handy now and then."

"I suppose," she replied, looking uneasy.

He stepped forward then, searching her face as Fenris always did, and she wondered if she was clearly showing her emotions as Fenris constantly claimed.

"Don't tell me anything you don't want to," he said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I'd hate to depend on your word for everything I do," he added with a small smirk.

She chuckled quietly. "Thank you," she said. "It's not that I am keeping secrets, just that I truly don't know everything."

"Good, you'd be a pain in my ass if you knew everything." He smirked at her again, and began walking toward the stairs. "Going out the way we came in?" he asked, stopping and looking back.

"Probably best," she replied. "Though we'll have to go back to ground to get to Lowtown."

"Very well, lead on," he said, and she walked past him to do just that.

Moving quietly through the streets was something she was used to. Moving quietly through the streets with a handsome man at her back, who gave her flirty smirks, was something she had dealt with before.

However, this was different. Nate was a gentleman, in every sense of the word, coming from his heritage as a nobleman's son. But, he was also a rogue, and while his duty came first, Cat could tell that he hadn't closed himself off to having fun.

The main difference, for her, was that Nate knew about her. Knew, and didn't really care. He didn't ask for insight, he didn't question her motives, or her knowledge. He just accepted what she gave, and that was it. She found it incredibly freeing, in a way that- except for Zevran- she had never been able to be before. Even when with Zevran, there were always others around. Here she was able to be… completely herself. And she loved it.

Moving into Lowtown, they were both much more wary, sensing the enemies around them in greater numbers. They moved slowly, peeking around corners before moving on.

Suddenly he grabbed her, spinning her into an alleyway and pressing against her, his hand over her mouth to cover her gasp of surprise. They were both silent, focused on the street around the corner. Nathaniel kept close, focusing on his stealth ability to keep them concealed.

Cat could hear the talking, and recognized the guttural words of the Qunari language. Both of them stiffened slightly as the talking became so loud that they knew the speakers were near enough to see them if they looked closely.

Hidden by shadow, both from the alley and from Nathaniel, they waited, and waited for the warriors to move on. Even as the talking moved away from them, they still waited. Once she could no longer hear anything, Cat turned her head, to look at Nate.

He was still focusing, but she could tell that he was tired. Holding a cloak of shadows around them was draining his energy, and he had held it much longer than she had seen Isabela ever do. She raised her hand, touching his hand that was on her face to let him know it was safe.

His eyes opened, and quickly darted around. He didn't move otherwise, and she could feel the shadows lifting from around them. It wasn't until he deemed it safe that they fell away completely, and his hand moved from over her mouth, to her cheek.

"I apologize," he murmured lowly.

She smirked at him in response, which had his brow raising in question. "I think perhaps it is safe now," she teased him quietly, as he still had her pressed up against the wall. Funny… she didn't seem to mind too much.

"I think you may be right," he replied quietly. "But we should stay like this awhile longer just in case," he teased her back, with a wiggle of his eyebrows, and she was a little surprised at his jovial attitude.

Wasn't this the man that was always serious? she thought. Strange that no one seems to be exactly as expected. She had no doubt that he was often serious, perhaps even dour at times. After all Alistair always wrote about him that way. Though in contrast to Al, almost anyone could be described that way… she thought.

"We'd better move on," she finally said, and he immediately moved, taking her hand to help her straighten up. She smiled in thanks, thinking that she could be in serious trouble with him. He was practically perfect. "Let's go," she said, stopping to look around, before heading out of the alley.

"Right behind you," he said in her ear, and she shivered. Glancing back over her shoulder, she came face to face with a smirking Nathaniel Howe… and she smirked right back.

"I sense someone Constable."

"How many times do I have to say it?!" the Constable of the Grey complained. "Alistair, my name is Alistair. It's easy, see? Al-i-stair…"

"Of course sir," the warden recruit replied, snapping a salute. To which Alistair sighed.

"Why they are insisting on this strange sense of protocol…" he grumbled.

"It's Nathaniel," Carver grumbled to him. "Finally."

"Are you sure?" Alistair asked, looking back over his shoulder.

Carver shrugged. "Who else would it be with the taint?" he replied.

Alistair rolled his eyes. "That's why we stay vigilant, Carver," he explained again. "Because one day it could be someone else."

But Alistair didn't worry, because he knew. He could tell the difference having worked closely with the man for so long, like… recognizing someone's smell. He crinkled his nose in disgust at his own metaphor.

He walked over to head Nathaniel off, he was moving slowly enough. He stood in an intimidating pose, ready to tell him off for wandering off like that. "There you are," he said, as soon as he caught glimpse of him. "We've been-" he stopped short as he saw the other person next to him.

"Cat!" Carver said, almost happily.

"Al!" Cat cheered, ignoring Carver as she ran for Alistair. She stopped suddenly as several wardens blocked her way, looking menacing.

"No, no, she's a friend," Alistair griped, pushing them aside. He opened his arms wide, and she jumped in them with a whoop.

"Oh, I've missed you," she said, hugging him tightly around the neck. "Letters just aren't the same!"

"I've missed you too, you've only gotten prettier," he said as he lowered her back to the ground, and she grinned at him.

"And so have you," she teased. "Must have all the female wardens in a tizzy."

She heard a couple of coughs around her, and Alistair went red in the face. She chuckled, then stretched up to kiss his cheek. "I'm only teasing you."

He cleared his throat, then turned to the others. "Set a perimeter," he ordered. "We need to deliberate."

Cat's brow went up in question, but Al's hand went up slightly in warning, so she waited, until it was just the three of them, Al, Nate, and her.

"I see you've met Nathaniel, as you wanted," he said with a smile.

"Greeted me as if we've known each other for years," Nathaniel added.

"Well, you were one of my favorite characters in the story, how could I not want to meet you?" she asked.

"Well then, my lady, I hope I've met all your… expectations."

She smiled. "Oh, exceeded them, definitely."

"On a more serious note," Alistair interrupted, looking from one to the other, not sure what exactly was going on, just certain he wanted it to stop. "Cat, can you tell us what's going on here? We got here just in time for a war it seems."

"Well…" she began, telling them only the pertinent information, it would have been much too long otherwise. "But, I wouldn't worry too much," she concluded quietly. "Hawke will stop the Qunari."

Alistair and Nathaniel glanced at each other with a nod. "That's good to hear," Nathaniel said.

"Indeed," Alistair agreed. "We shouldn't interfere, but I couldn't just leave the city to be invaded. Many innocent people would have suffered."

"So why are you here?" Cat asked. "Scouting mission?" she guessed.

"A bit," Alistair conceded. "Though mostly, I was hoping to find you."

"Me?" she asked, then looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry that it's so turbulent right now, I would have liked to have had time to visit and catch up."

Alistair and Nathaniel glanced at each other again, and Cat looked between them. "What is it?" she asked.

"From the reports we've been getting Cat," Alistair said quietly, "this city will only get more turbulent, not less. No matter how many good men like Hawke are here, this city is a dangerous place to be."

"You think I don't know that?" she asked, confused.

"We do," Nathaniel took over. "But, rather than stay here, and perhaps have something happen to you, the commander wanted us to offer to take you back to Ferelden. With us."

"It's a sound idea, Cat." Alistair chimed back in. "We can keep you safe, give you whatever you may need. You can see your friends again," he offered, trying to convince her.

"And what of my friends here?" she asked with a frown. "I can't just leave them."

"Constable!" came the shout, and they all turned toward it, weapons suddenly at the ready.

"Fall back!" Alistair called, "form ranks!" He glanced over at Nathaniel, looking pointedly at Cat, and Nathaniel grabbed her arm, taking her with him.

"No, Nate!" she called, as she was drug away from the fighting that broke out. "I don't have a bow, I need to be in melee range!"

They got to the stairs as the Qunari warriors broke through their ranks, and ran into the courtyard they were grouped in. The Wardens quickly regrouped, the warriors in the front, with the archers getting to any higher ground they could find. Cat watched as several dagger wielders moved quickly from target to target slashing vital points.

She moved away from Nathaniel, to join the fracas, when a fireball splashed at the bottom of the stairs, and he pulled her out of the way.

"Stay up here!" he yelled above the din. She shook her head, moving to jump down another way. "Just wait!" he yelled again, pointing.

She followed his direction, looking where he pointed, only to see Hawke and crew coming to the rescue. She grinned widely, and waited as Hawke let loose another spell, a ball of energy exploding near the ground and sending several qunari flying.

The lightning rained down next, and Cat was surprised to see several wardens falling victim to it. She turned to glare at Hawke for his carelessness, only to see him flinging ice spells at another qunari.

Looking around, she found the Saarebas, and yelled to Nathaniel. "Nate! Qunari mage! We gotta take him down quickly!" and with that, she slid down the stone railing, jumping over a warrior, and running with all haste toward the Saarebas on the other side of the courtyard.

She looked frantically around, but didn't see any other way up to the platform where he was, but going straight up the stairs was to face the mage directly, and that was idiotic. She saw Fenris fighting on her left, and she made a beeline for him, just as he struck the qunari he was facing.

Fenrisl!" she yelled. "I need a lift!" she pointed to her destination, and he looked quickly, then dropped his sword and bent his knees with his hands together. Wasting no time, she jumped as she reached him, steadying herself with her hands on his shoulders, and he tossed her up with all his strength.

Flying… was her thought before she landed with a roll, and came up next to the Saarebas. Moving like a whirlwind, she changed direction constantly, jumping, sliding, going left, then left, then right… anything to keep him off guard.

She could practically hear Nathaniel cursing her, as he wouldn't get a decent shot off while she was there, but she didn't care. She wanted to contribute this time. She needed to show Alistair... and Hawke. She couldn't bear being sent away again for her safety. She could take care of herself.

A spell appeared, and it became harder and harder for her to move. She knew any moment it would explode, and she would be flung far away. She could hear the yelling, yet everything was calm… and slow.

She took a deep breath, knowing she just needed one good hit, knowing she could beat the spell. She gave her all, pushing forward with all her strength, jumping up, and coming down with her daggers poised.

And then she fell, rolling on the ground, the saarebas beneath her. I did it! she crowed to herself.

She was grabbed, and hugged fiercely, then shaken. "Don't ever scare me like that again!" the voice chided her.

She was hugged again, and realized it was Alistair as he enveloped her. "You had my heart ready to jump from my chest," he complained. She looked up, seeing Fenris looking at her in question, with his sword at the ready, while several of the others finished off the remaining Qunari.

She shook her head at Fenris, and patted Alistair's arm to get him up. As she sat, she could see Hawke checking on his crew, and Nathaniel striding over towards them.

"Very impressive Cat," he said when he reached them. "I must say from what I was told of you, I wasn't expecting you to fight. I almost took an axe to the face because I was watching you."

"I can easily relate Nate," she replied with a wink.

Alistair practically choked on hearing her use the nickname. "What did I miss?" he muttered.

Cat pushed on his shoulder, "Let me up now, please," she said quietly. Alistair moved back, and Nathaniel offered his hand to help her stand. She looked from the Wardens behind her, to where Hawke and her friends stood in front of her, looking at her in question. She moved away, standing between the now separated groups of people.

"Guys," she said, looking from one group to the other. "I want you to meet some friends of mine."

Alistair preferred to let others take charge, but he wasn't slow. By the way this group of people were glaring, Cat had to be keeping her relationship with the Wardens a secret. He had decided as much when Carver Hawke had not known of their connection, but he had assumed she would have said something by now. But… it appeared that he was wrong.

"We meet again," he said, ending the awkward silence. "My name is Alistair, and this is my fellow Grey Warden, Nathaniel." He stepped forward to greet the others, who still looked at them warily. "I understand you are Carver's brother?" he asked Hawke, holding out his hand to shake.

Hawke stepped forward, shaking the pleasant man's hand. The darker one looked suspicious as hell, but they both seemed to know Cat, and be protective of her, so he supposed they couldn't be all bad. "I am. I didn't get a chance to thank you for taking him in."

"We're still undecided on that," Nathaniel muttered, and Carver glared at him.

"Nate," Cat warned teasingly, rolling her eyes, causing the archer to wink at her.

And… scratch that. Hawke decided he didn't like the man at all. "It seems that you are acquainted with our Cat as well," he said.

"Ah, yes," Alistair replied. "Cat ran right into my arms one day, and she's been a friend ever since." He smiled at Cat at the memory. "I wish we had better timing," he looked around, seeing his wardens had bandaged the wounded, and were about ready to leave. "I would enjoy sharing stories, but I'm afraid duty comes first."

"Doesn't it always," Hawke muttered in reply, and Alistair gave a small, understanding smile.

He turned to Cat then, and asked, "So, Cat? Are you coming with us then? Or staying here?"

"What?!" Several of Hawke's crew said in surprise, and Cat looked over, biting her lip. Part of her would have loved to go… to see Duran again, to be safe and secure with the Wardens. But…

"What is this?" Hawke demanded.

"The commander invited our Cat back to Ferelden," Nathaniel answered, looking over at her. "They have a lot of history, and can take her to see her friends there." He turned to her now, and asked. "What do you think Cat? It would be fun to travel together."

She gave him a smile that had Hawke gritting his teeth. He asked himself why he should even care, told himself to let her go, and good riddance.

"No."

Cat and her two Warden friends looked over at him. "What was that?" Alistair asked.

"I said, No," Hawke replied. Cat couldn't decide whether to laugh, or be moved at the way the others' faces lit up at Hawke declaration, and stood firmly beside him. "Cat is part of our crew, and she belongs with us."

Nathaniel glanced at him, then down at Cat. "It isn't that simple I'm afraid," he said, and Hawke practically snarled at him. "Can you protect her from all the Qunari? From the Arishok?"

"Why would we need to?" Fenris asked.

"I came upon Cat in the streets, being dragged away by Qunari-"

"Shut up Nate," Cat hissed at him, giving his arm a punch.

"They need to know what they are getting into," he said to her mildly, and turned back to the group. "They spoke of the Arishok wanting a word with her. In my experience, that isn't a good thing."

"I can take care of myself," Cat said angrily.

"Of that I am aware, and enjoy watching," Nathaniel replied softly. "But," his tone rose, "everyone needs help at some point. Even you cannot take on hundreds of warriors at once." He glanced back to Hawke, surprised to see such animosity on his face. "By taking her with us, it may help diffuse the situation."

"I hate to do this," Alistair chimed in. "But we need a decision, because we have to go."

"She stays."

Cat glanced back at Hawke again at his words, then turned to Alistair and Nathaniel. "I guess I'm staying then," she said. "Thank you for the offer, and please tell Duran that I would love to come and visit at another time, but now really isn't convenient."

"Are you certain?" Nathaniel asked.

"She said she's staying didn't she?!" Anders yelled, then hid behind Aveline so as not to be spotted.

"As if I couldn't sense him the entire time, the fool," Nathaniel groused to Cat, who chuckled. She reached up, giving him a hug, which surprised and delighted him. She then turned to Alistair, giving him a long hug as well.

"Don't be a stranger, okay?" she asked.

"I'll try," he replied with a smile. Turning, he made his way to Hawke, saying a few words before Hawke nodded and they shook hands. "Wardens!" Alistair called. "Let's move out!"

In just a minute, the courtyard was clear of everyone but Hawke and his crew, and Cat couldn't help but feel like it was empty.

Fenris stepped forward to her. "You all right?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied. "I just miss him already."

"Ugh, Cat, how can you even count Nathaniel as a friend?" Anders complained.

"Hey, just because you got on his bad side…"

"He only has bad sides," Anders griped.

"You're crazy," she replied. "Nate is so considerate, and sweet."

"I agree with Anders," Hawke chimed in.

"He definitely looked suspicious," Fenris added.

"Oh, and you three are ones to talk?" she asked, pointing at them. "You're the epitome of-"

She broke off as Hawke had thrown his arms around her. She froze, uncertain of what was happening.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"Uh, for what?"

He hesitated, then responded. "Anders told me that you got my mother out of the house. I have never been so relieved, than I was at that moment." He let her go, standing straight. "It seems all the other nobles were taken to the Keep."

"Yeah, that's usually the way the Qunari operate," Cat said, stepping back. "We should be heading there ourselves."

"Is…" Hawke hesitated again, and Cat frowned, wondering what was going on with him. "Is there any way to convince you to stay at the Hanged Man as well?" he asked.

"None whatsoever," she replied.

He looked in her eyes, seeing the determination there. "Very well," he replied. "But don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself."

"Got it."

Hawke turned back, speaking to the entire group. "All right everyone, we're going to head straight for the Keep. If we need to defend ourselves, we'll stop, otherwise just keep moving. The more time we waste on the warriors, the longer the Arishok has of causing trouble."

He waited until they all nodded, then he stepped out in front. "Let's go," he said, leading the way.

Cat glanced back to where the Wardens had left them, then refocused on the task at hand as the group ran out of Lowtown.