A/N: Well everyone, here we go! Assassins, assassins everywhere! We're moving back into some questing, and hopefully you guys are ready for it, because I know I am!

I very much appreciate your comments, and hope you know that they really make my day!

Sorry for making you guys wait for this, I had it all ready to go yesterday, and as I read through it one last time, I realized it was going a totally wrong direction. So, I had to rework it. I like it much better now, and that's what counts I guess.

Enjoy!

Cat huffed out a breath and would have shaken her head at the display as Cullen and his recruits ran out of the gate. However the man holding his hand over her mouth made movement impossible. She was tucked into a small shadowed corner near the merchant's stall, with two men- one holding her, and the other blocking her from view.

They chuckled to each other as the courtyard emptied of templars, and the man behind her said quietly, "Not a sound, or I cut out your tongue," before releasing her face.

"You laugh, but there's no way you'll get me out of here now," she whispered harshly.

The man in front of her looked back arrogantly. "Oh no?" he asked quietly. "And you are not as smart as you think. We obviously did not come in by way of the gate."

"That templar recruit that spoke to me," she said, keeping her voice low, "one of yours?"

He smirked at her again with a small shake of his head. "Women are so willing to do anything to get the man they fancy," he replied. "So easily controlled."

She narrowed her eyes in a glare. "I'm not going," she hissed. "You'll have to kill me."

He stepped closer, crowding her with his body, his smirk turning ugly. "Do not think I won't," he replied. "You are bait, nothing more. And while bait is better wriggling on the hook, it can still be useful if not."

He peered into her eyes until she was unnerved enough to look away. He was attractive enough, with light hair and eyes the color of aged whiskey. In fact, they were the same color as Hawke's. But what frightened her was the coldness in them, the look that told her he would enjoy hurting her, for no reason at all, and she knew she needed to get away.

She suddenly went limp. The man behind her, surprised by the dead weight hitting him, barely caught her before she crashed to the ground.

"You always scare the more delicate ones," the man who caught her said.

"She isn't delicate," the other man said, dashing Cat's hopes for an easy escape. "she traveled with Arainai, you fool."

Cat moved quickly, bringing her leg inside of the one holding her, tripping him. He fell backward, and she rolled with him, grabbing for her dagger that he had put in his own belt. She moved into a crouch, facing the cold-eyed man, as they scowled at each other.

"You idiot," he muttered to the man currently on his back with the girl's knife to his throat. He looked at the girl with a sneer. "What's your plan now?" he asked condescendingly.

Cat sneered back at him. "I don't want to kill you, but I will," she said in a mocking tone. "Back up," she ordered.

He smiled, as if he was enjoying her, and took a step forward. "I said back!" she hissed, unnerved.

His smile grew, as he could see how he affected her. "You'll be punished for this," he said calmly. "Surrender now, and perhaps I'll only take a finger."

Cat knew she wouldn't be able to get out without killing them, and she couldn't afford to fight two on one. She thrust her dagger into the second man's chest, giving him a quick death. Pulling it back out, she readied herself for a fight for her life.

The cold-eyed man didn't even glance down at his partner. He merely reached behind him, unsheathing his short sword, without looking away from her. Cat glanced around her, seeing no one to help, and no escape.

"You think that would upset me?" he asked, his voice silky. "I would have killed him myself for being taken down." He looked from his sword to her small blade and looked amused. "You have five seconds to surrender," he warned.

She thought about it, for just a moment, thinking that it may be better to wait for another time to escape, but the look in his eyes changed her mind. She wouldn't put herself at his mercy, for she could easily see that he had none.

"I would have been disappointed if you had," he said with a smirk, and stepped closer, bringing his sword back to strike. Cat did the only thing she could, and screamed at the top of her lungs.

She had surprised him, but only momentarily, and he struck out. She stopped her scream to dodge, though in the small corner, there was nowhere to go to avoid the blow. She screamed again, in pain this time, as the sword point missed her stomach, but caught her in the side, and she felt the warmth of her blood even as she went to her knees.

Gripping her wounded side, she forced herself to stay alert, dodging the next blow aimed for her neck, by throwing herself toward the man. She could hear him laugh, and then suddenly he was gone, as she heard shouts and footsteps running toward her, and everything went black.

Cullen thrust his sword into the back of the man carrying Cat, trying at the same time to catch her before she fell, though he didn't make it. Leaving his sword where it was, he left the other two men to the recruits, moving to help Cat.

He felt uneasy the entire time they chased after these four, something was definitely wrong here, but he had little choice but to pursue. He made it to her, noting in fear that her hair was darker and shorter than his friend's. The change of clothes was one thing, but this was proof that he should have listened to his gut. It wasn't Cat at all.

He turned the woman over, surprised that he recognized her, yet he probably shouldn't have been. Of course these decoys were from the gallows, they would have noticed strangers around. He glared at the mage, as she lay there weeping, and he stood up without a word.

Cullen moved back to collect his sword. He gave orders to bring the mage, as well as the bodies back to the courtyard, and took several recruits with him as he hurried back. He knew he didn't have much time to find her trail.

He saw the small crowd of people, as well as a group of mages that kept their distance. He strode forward, determined to deal with the issue quickly, and move on to find Cat.

Coming up to the group, he asked what was happening, and one of the stationed templars turned and saluted him.

"Knight Captain, sir, we caught this mage using magic here in the courtyard," he spoke, gesturing toward a man on the ground. His eyes widened even as the templar continued. "We believe he cast a blood thrall on the girl."

Cullen moved forward, ignoring the small blade that Cat was pointing toward them, as he knelt down on the other side of the mage.

"Cat?" he asked softly, and her eyes flicked to him, then back to watch the other templars.

"Cullen," she said, sounding relieved. She raised her voice, "I'm not a thrall," she said firmly, but Cullen could hear the weariness in her voice. "He and his friends saved my life."

"His friends?" the other templar snapped, looking around the courtyard, glaring at several groups of mages that were looking their way.

Cat continued speaking to Cullen, ignoring the others. "He used his magic to heal a wound I had," she said gesturing to her side, where her shirt was covered with blood. "I'm fine now, but they," her voice turned harsh, "just did a smite without bothering to find out what was going on."

She glanced back down to the mage, looking worried. "He hasn't woken up," she said quietly.

Cullen made a quick decision, calling for the mages nearby. "Come, get this man and take him to the senior enchanter," he said, his voice ringing with authority.

"Knight Captain…" the templar said, but stopped at the look Cullen pinned him with. He gave a disgusted look, and turned on his heels, heading back to the templar barracks, the others following behind him.

"Thank you," Cat breathed, finally able to lower her dagger. She smiled at the mages that inched forward. "Maybe, step back a little, Cullen?" she said quietly. He did so, though reluctantly, and the mages came closer to gather their colleague. "Please, will you let him know how grateful I am?" she asked them. "What's his name? I will inquire after him the next time I come, and tell him myself."

The mages glanced at each other, uncertain of what to do, but they must have been able to see Cat's sincerity, and looking at the Knight Captain, and receiving a small nod, one said, "Adrius," quietly before they left, carrying Adrius with them.

Cullen gave her a moment, then grabbed Cat's shoulders. "Are you all right?" he asked quietly. She nodded wearily, but firmly.

"The healing packed a punch," she said, rubbing her side. "He was trying to get it done quickly, to avoid being seen." Cullen glanced over to where the mages had gone, and Cat looked up in concern. "He'll be all right, won't he?" she asked in concern.

"I believe so," Cullen replied, though she didn't trust his words. He was looking at them as if the mage was already doomed.

"Come on," he said, helping her up. "I need to see you back to your friends."

Cat nodded, but looking down, winced. "I can't go back like this," she said, holding out her shirt. "They see the blood, and they will all throw a fit, and overreact."

He looked at her skeptically. "Is it really overreacting?" he asked. "You were lucky not to have been taken, let alone killed, from right under my nose."

"I handled it," she retorted.

"Yes, I can see that," he said, pulling out the blood stained portion of her shirt.

"Not the point," she said. "The point is-"

Cullen didn't hear what the point was, as Meredith called him, interrupting Cat's words.

"Yes, Knight Commander?" he replied, putting his fist to his chest, as she strode forward.

"I was told there was a breach of magic," she said with an almost gleeful expression, looking around.

"An escape attempt," he corrected, walking away from Cat toward the woman that his recruits still held onto. "There were four of them, though this one is the only survivor."

Meredith glared down at the mage, who had started crying again. "Explain," she ordered Cullen.

As Cullen gave a concise report, that one man had detained Cat, and the others had ran with the woman, making it look like a kidnapping attempt, Meredith turned to glare at Cat, taking in the blood on her shirt, before turning back.

"And the three men are dead?" she questioned, looking at the recruits' faces, feeling that her Knight Captain was holding something back.

"Yes Commander," he replied, pointing to the three bodies that were laid nearby.

"Very well," she said, looking back down to the woman. "We'll perform the ceremony immediately."

"NO!" the woman screamed suddenly. "I would rather die! Just kill me!"

"Silence!" Meredith roared. "Take her away!"

"Cullen?" Cat said quietly, but he merely glanced at her, and turned back to the commander.

"Captain, you should join us," Meredith asked, with a small smile, glancing at Cat.

"I gave my word to see Cat back home. I will be available to you once I return, Commander," he said, his voice flat and neutral.

"Very well," Meredith said, her smile growing slightly, and Cat began wondering what she was thinking. "Tell the Champion…" she began, looking back to Cat. "In her condition, it may be wise to keep her close."

Cullen stiffened, looking back to Cat's bloody tunic, and nodding to Meredith. "I will, Commander."

Cat watched as Meredith left, giving commands and basically scaring all those she passed by. Cat shook her head, wondering why all the mages and templars, or Cullen for that matter, followed her.

"Come," Cullen said, walking up to her. "I'll see you home."

Cat didn't move, still watching Meredith. "What ceremony?" she asked, though she was certain she knew, she wanted Cullen to confirm it.

"What?" he asked.

"What ceremony, Cullen?" she asked, turning to him now.

His face could have been stone for how flat of a look he gave her. "She will be made tranquil," he finally replied.

"For what?!" Cat exploded.

"Trying to escape," he replied calmly. "That is basically claiming that she is a malificar, and so she will be dealt with accordingly."

"Not that I condone it, but why not kill her as she asked?" Cat inquired.

"Meredith wastes nothing," he replied, grabbing her arm, and pulling her forward.

"Cullen, this isn't right," Cat said quietly, and he stiffened.

"You should not judge what you do not understand," he snapped.

"I understand completely!" she replied heatedly. "Wanting to free is not a crime!"

"I will not see a malificar free!" he retorted testily.

"Wanting freedom doesn't make someone evil!" she argued again.

He turned now, to glare at her. "Oh, but helping assassins to kidnap a civilian?" he asked her. "I would see her tranquil for that alone," he murmured.

"Cullen…" she gaped at him, and he turned away from the shock and disappointment in her eyes.

He didn't speak again, just led her away toward the ferry.

"What will happen to Adruis?" she asked suddenly, and Cullen rubbed his forehead. She grabbed his arm, turning him to face her. "Tell me Cullen," she demanded. "If you would see one tranquil for offense to me, would you save the other for helping me?"

He looked away. "I… I would." He shook his head at her relieved expression. "But it may not be up to me." He looked back at the Gallows. "If Meredith learns of it, I will not be able to help him."

"Surely using magic to save a life is not a crime," she said quietly, upset.

"Using magic without authorization is a crime," he replied. "But, I will do what I can."

Cat nodded, though she felt numb. Coming here was a terrible idea, she thought. None of this would have happened if I had just stayed home.

She didn't speak any more, just moved along with Cullen toward the ferry.

Cullen held out his hand, helping Cat from the small boat onto the dock. She had been silent on the trip, and he wished he had a way of erasing the afternoon from their memories. He had felt something shift between them, a wall of some sort coming between them, and he didn't like the feeling.

He wished he had been able to shelter her from the ugliness of his world of magic and templars. She was so bright and optimistic about how things could be, and while a part of him had wanted that as well, the other part of him knew things would never change, as long as malificar and mages too weak to defend against demons existed.

He was startled from his thoughts as Cat suddenly spun around and moved toward an alley. He followed after her, his hand on his weapon, and saw as she grabbed a man that stood just inside the alley in the shadows.

As he came closer, he saw that it wasn't a man, but an elf, and one he recognized.

"What are you doing Fen, I could have killed you!" Cat exclaimed.

He gave her a skeptical look, and she bristled. "I'm not in the mood, Fenris," she growled. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you, obviously," he replied. "Why is your shirt covered in blood?" he asked.

"It's my new fashion statement," she snapped. "Why are you waiting for me? Cullen told Isabela he would see me home."

"Yes, I know," he replied, and both Cat and Cullen bristled this time.

"You do not trust me to bring her back safely?" Cullen asked, and Cat gave his arm a slap.

"I. Can. Take. Care. Of. Myself!" she said between her gritted teeth, and snarled as both of them looked at her as if they didn't believe her.

She stepped forward, right into Fenris' face. "Tell me the truth," she said easily, forcing herself to stay calm.

Fenris looked back at her, but didn't speak.

Cat tried again, keeping the emotion from her voice. "Tell me the truth and I'll believe you," she said to him. "Why are you here?"

Fenris looked from her, to Cullen, and back. He didn't want to say it, but he wouldn't lie to her.

"He's having you follow me, isn't he?" she asked quietly, and though Fenris didn't move, she could see the answer in his eyes. "Were you at the Gallows?" she asked.

This, he could answer. "No," he said. "I had thought you would be safe there," he paused. "Though it seems I was wrong."

"I suppose that's something." Cat turned to Cullen. "Thank you Cullen, but it looks like you don't need to take me all the way after all."

"Oh, I don't mind Cat," he replied.

"Will you please let me know of Adruis?" she asked, ignoring his comment. He sighed and nodded. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his torso, and just holding on for a moment. She felt his hand on her head, and heard him sigh again. Stepping back, she gave him a smile. "I did enjoy today, before all the excitement," she said.

"I have to say the same," he replied. "I will come visit you next time, however. I do not want a repeat of today."

"Agreed," she said, a sad smile now gracing her face. "Till then."

"Farewell," he replied, and turned to go back to the boat.

Fenris watched him go, knowing he would need to get some answers from Cat about what actually happened at the Gallows. He glanced back to her, surprised to see her face angry and determined.

"Cat…?" he asked reluctantly.

"Let's go," she said, as she strode off. "It seems Hawke and I have to talk."

"I'm sorry Hawke," Varric said, feeling like a failure. "I've got a few more favors I can call in, but so far no one knows anything."

"Just keep trying Varric, we're all coming up empty, it isn't your fault," Hawke replied, his hand brushing through his hair in frustration.

"At least Cat is safe," Aveline spoke up. "We've kept them at bay for several weeks now, that's saying something."

"Yeah, but Kitty's at the end of her rope," Isabela added. "This time with Cullen will help, but even though she's trying to stay where we want her, she's feeling like a prisoner."

"Oh, that's awful," Merrill said morosely. "Poor Cat."

"Of course I want her happy, but I'd rather her upset and here, then happy and gone," Hawke muttered.

"Perhaps she'd be happier if she could spend some time with you, Hawke," Merrill said innocently. Hawke glared over at her, but her wide eyes had his anger dissipating. Isabela smirked, glad she had asked the cute elf to say it, instead of trying herself.

"Uh, well, we spend the evenings together, Merrill," he replied.

"Oh, yeah, but that's not the same, is it?" she continued. "I mean, there's more to a relationship than in bed, right?" she asked with a beaming smile.

Hawke gaped at her, hearing the snickers and chuckles from the others. "It's not like that…" he muttered.

"Oh?" Isabela asked, wanting to push him a little, for Kitty of course, she told herself. "What's it like then?"

Hawke turned, giving her an exasperated look. "I just, can't sleep without her being there," he said.

"Oh, poor Little Dove indeed," Varric murmured, and Isabela gave a noise of agreement.

"Hey, why would you say that?" Hawke growled.

"Do you really want to know?" Aveline asked him. He frowned at each of them, glancing from one to the other.

"What are you guys talking about?" he asked.

"Oh, he doesn't know, how sad," Isabela said, and Hawke gave her a disparaging look.

"Don't start with me Isabela," Hawke growled with a glare. "I still haven't forgiven you for taking her to the templars."

"Do I need to explain again?" Isabela asked, her left eyebrow high. "She was practically begging. I doubt you would have denied her, had you been there."

Hawke started to argue, but acknowledged her point. "Probably not, but I would have at least gone with her."

"Cullen assured me he would look after her personally," Isabela replied with a smirk. "Or is that what you're afraid of?"

Hawke grit his teeth, yet again wondering why he let Isabela push his buttons. His pause was long enough that Varric cleared his throat loudly.

"Let's just get this meet over with," Varric said, motioning for the others to follow him out of the house.

"Who are we meeting?" Merrill asked him as she looked up to admire the stars in the sky.

"I don't know the man's name, the meet was set up by one of my contacts," Varric replied. "But I was told it would be worth our while."

"Nicely nonspecific," Hawke muttered. He strode forward, asking Varric where the meet was to take place, and made for the shopping district in Hightown. It was a good place for a meet, deserted in the evenings, but still in a relatively good part of town. "At least we're not having a meet in Darktown again," Hawke said with a smirk.

"Never going to let me forget that, are you Hawke?" Varric grumbled.

"If he does, I'll help remind him," Aveline said from behind them.

"Come to think of it," Isabela added, "we do have back luck when it comes to meets that these contacts of yours set up."

"Hey, that's insulting," Varric complained. "At least I have contacts."

"If they try to get you killed, they aren't really your contacts, now are they?" Isabela responded.

"Here we are," Hawke said as they walked down the flight of stone steps. "And… there's no one."

"Of course," Aveline sighed.

"All I was told was something about Hawke and nobles," Varric said. "I don't get it… Edge is usually very reliable."

"That's what you get for listening to someone named Edge," Isabela muttered.

"Reliable at leading us into an ambush, you mean," Aveline said to the dwarf.

"Why?" Varric argued. "It's not always an ambush."

"Hawke!"

They all turned to the sound, seeing Fenris and Cat coming down the stairs toward them. Fenris had called out, as if in warning, and Hawke appeared confused at the angry look on Cat's face. He had barely begun moving towards them when men started popping up all around them, jumping down from ledges, and even branches of a tree. They had the group neatly surrounded in moments, pointing weapons at the Champion and his crew.

As one, they looked down to Varric.

"All right, so maybe sometimes… its an ambush," he said reluctantly.

"And there is the Champion of Kirkwall," the man in front of them said, as he stepped closer. "And where is your lady friend?" He glanced over and beamed a cold smile as his second in command brought her forward, his daggers at the ready, one at her throat, and another at her back. They had learned to keep their distance.

"There you are, you little minx," he said, and she glared at him. "Don't fret… in just a short time, we'll be alone again."

"Don't count on it."

"My dear Champion, I'm afraid you've interfered in the Crow's business. And now, today, you die," the cold eyed man said, turning back to Hawke in his explanation.

He cried out as a blade hit his right shoulder, its triple pronged blade that made it look more like a sai, driving deep. The group as one turned to see where it had come from, high above on the roof behind them.

Cat watched, impressed as the small red headed elf made her way down to the ground, killing five men in the process. She ran past Hawke and grabbed onto her dagger, still in the leader's shoulder and gave him a wink.

"Kill her! Kill them all!" he screamed, and with her other hand, she slit his throat open, and he fell gurgling to the ground.

"Well?" she asked Hawke sassily as she turned. "What are you waiting for?"

Cat grabbed the arm that held the knife at her throat and threw herself sideways to avoid a stab in the back. The man was distracted by the death of his fellow men, and missed her altogether.

She saw him fall back with a crossbow bolt in his neck, and she gave Varric a little salute from her position on the ground. Sitting up and glancing around, she noted Fenris standing behind her, guarding her from further injury, while Varric kept an eye out for anyone in front of her that would cause her harm.

Between Hawke, Aveline, Isabela and Merrill, plus the elf- a million dollars says its Tallis, she told herself- the Crows, though formidable, were taken care of. Cat was grateful that the cold eyed man was finally gone, though she hadn't been able to do it herself.

"Are you all right?" Fenris asked quietly, as he picked Cat up, and helped her stand.

"Fine," she replied, as the rest of the crew closed ranks, eyeing the elf in question.

"Sloppy," she said, as she sheathed her daggers. "You'd think the Crows would be better at this. They've been doing it for ages."

"Not one more step before you tell me who you are," Hawke said, holding up a hand.

"Ah, the suspicious sort, I see," the elf answered.

"Not without reason," Isabela said, though her ever present smirk was barely there. "Rogue women with knives are untrustworthy."

"We get ambushed a lot," Varric explained with a shrug.

"Your timing was awfully convenient," Hawke said, still not willing to relax.

"Oh," she replied, understanding. "I didn't arrange this, though it is no coincidence I'm here." She gave a small curtsy type bow, and said, "My name is Tallis. And I've been looking for you."

"Looking for me?" Hawke asked, wanting to roll his eyes, but didn't. Everyone seemed to be looking for him these days.

"Looking for the man with an invitation to Chateau Haine, to be precise."

"What?" Hawke asked, confused.

"Oh, so that's what Edge was on about," Varric said, and Hawke looked over at him. "You remember? Duke Prosper, the man that fawned all over the Little Dove at the banquet? The one that kept talking about a hunt?" Varric wiggled his eyebrows, and Hawke understood.

Grateful that Varric didn't give away any of his plans for the hunt as a name day present for Cat, Hawke merely looked over to the elf.

"I doubt I'd go to such a thing," Hawke said, keeping his chuckle held in so as to keep Cat in the dark, and perhaps succeed in making it a surprise.

"I'm hoping I can convince you to reconsider," she said, as she began pacing in front of him. "The duke is a delightful host… or so I hear."

"Let me guess…" Hawke said sarcastically. "This isn't merely a social call."

"I need to relieve him of something that he has no right to possess. And I can't do it alone," Tallis explained.

"You want to rob him," Hawke deadpanned.

"Well, stealing from Orlesians is never wrong," Varric cut in, though no one laughed.

"There's always a catch," Isabela said. "Whenever someone helps us, there's always a catch."

"This wasn't how I was planning to ask you this. I'd planned on asking somewhere with less… blood," Tallis said.

"What makes you think I will steal something just because you ask?" Hawke asked in disbelief.

"Well I would," Isabela spoke up.

Varric scratched the back of his head, and Hawke glanced down in question. "I may… have talked you up a bit," he said hesitantly. "Maybe more than once."

"Wonderful," Hawke sighed, shaking his head.

"What?" Varric asked, his arms out. "You'd rather I tell everyone you were a mage?"

"All I've heard is that you get things done," Tallis said. "I'm hoping that's true, though I don't have many options."

"We've barely met, and I'm supposed to help you?" he asked, still not trusting her.

"Isn't that what you do?" she countered, and Varric chuckled.

"She's got you there, Hawke."