"Surpri- Ack!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Cat took at closer look at the attacker that she currently had face down on the floor, her arm twisted behind her back. "Leli?!" she gaped, and feeling horrible she quickly released her. "I'm so sorry!"

Leliana's laugh tinkled, though she was wincing as she stood up, rotating and rubbing her shoulder on the way. She was dressed rather plainly, in a simple dress rather than armor, and Cat felt even worse.

"It's fine," Leliana replied. "You actually aren't the first person to react that way, though Zev usually has a dagger to my throat." She laughed again, this time grinning at her friend. "I may not share that you bested me… he would never let me live it down if I did."

Cat moved over, giving her a hug and squeezing tightly. "I am sorry, though I am really glad to see you," she said.

"You know you're only half dressed, right?" Leliana asked, laughing again as Cat jumped back, and searched for her shirt. "I guess I'll have to start actually coming through the door like everyone else. But where's the fun in that?"

"How many times have you walked in on things you shouldn't have?" Cat asked shrewdly.

Leliana merely gave a wicked smirk, and Cat shook her head.

"Too bad I didn't walk in on you and your man here, though I knew I wouldn't," she responded, not giving an answer to the question.

Cat turned to glare at her now. "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, uncertain if she should be insulted.

"No offense intended, I promise!" Leliana said with a smile. "I was actually surprised that you didn't notice me. I followed you all the way home from that tavern."

"Really?" Cat asked, disgusted at herself for letting her thoughts distract her from keeping aware of her surroundings. "Be a friend and don't mention that to anyone, okay?" she asked.

"Oh?"

Cat sighed. "At best I'd get a few lectures, but if Zev knew, he'd take it upon himself to go back to training me." She winced at the idea. "During that time, he wouldn't let me get more than an hour of sleep before his next attack came."

"Training to expect anything, no?" Leliana laughed, and moved over to a chair to sit. "Brutal but effective."

"That's what he said, but I still don't buy it," Cat laughed along with her. "He just wanted to torment me."

"No, that's just a side benefit," Leliana replied, before waving Cat away. "Just go ahead with whatever you were doing," she said. "I don't have much time before I have to go meet the Grand Cleric."

"Is that why you're here?" Cat asked, doing as she said, and going to her closet in order to change her clothes.

"Yes, among other things," Leliana answered, wondering what Cat was doing as she went through several items of clothing, looking at each and then putting them back. "Doro- oh! I mean, Divine Justinia- wanted to see what all the fuss was about here in the Free Marches."

"Still getting used to the new name huh?" Cat asked, looking over her shoulder.

"It's difficult only because she has me use her given name when we are alone," Leliana answered. "Cassandra and I are ready to use Justinia regardless."

"Do you like being the Left Hand though?" Cat asked.

"Very much," Leliana answered, looking pleased. "It is wonderful to see the fruits of my labors, to have the power to correct things that are wrong. I feel as though she will do so much good, though it is taking longer than I may like."

"Change takes time," Cat said, looking back at her clothes.

"Speaking of," Leliana asked, and Cat turned again. "What exactly are you looking for in there?"

Cat sighed. "Well, Hawke has been gone for awhile, and I spent that time debating with myself but… I think that it is time I tell him some things about myself… like where I came from, and how I came to be in Thedas."

Leliana grinned, glad that her friend was trusting the Champion- and herself- enough to get to this point. "I think that's a fabulous idea!" she clapped her hands to punctuate her words. "So you want to look amazing…" she gave a suggestive wink.

"Well, yes of course, but I fear that we won't actually talk if I look like I want him to tear my clothes off," Cat admitted. "Though I really want him to," she admitted, her face red. "It's kinda been awhile, you know?" She rolled her eyes at her friend's laugh.

"Can I be honest?" Leliana asked.

"Of course," Cat replied wondering why she would ask.

"The Champion is coming to you after some significant time has passed?" she asked, and Cat nodded. "So you want to wear something that will tell him to take you, and then you will tell him that he cannot because you need to talk?"

Cat pressed her lips together as the ridiculousness of her thoughts was put before her, and she tried not to laugh, though didn't quite succeed. "Probably not the best idea," she answered, muffling her giggle.

"He definitely owes me one for this," Leliana laughed. "So either have the fun and then talk…" she paused at the look on her friend's face. "No?"

"If he... you know, gets upset about it all? I don't want either of us to regret what we did together," Cat replied. "I'm overthinking this, I know, but…"

"If that is how you feel, then that is how you feel," Leliana replied easily. "So then you should probably just dress normally, nothing special. Her eyes lit mischievously. "But you could always have a surprise or two under your clothes. You know, like as a reward if he does well during your talk."

Cat giggled, "Oh you!" she threw her hands up. "You're horrible!"

"I have many that would argue with that," she replied with a smug look, and Cat laughed again as she shook her head.

"So I look all right just like this then?" she asked, looking down at her dark pants and tunic.

"You look lovely," Leliana answered sincerely. "You can have your talk, and then when he least expects it, you can tell him to rip your clothes off." She laughed again as Cat grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at her.

"I'm sorry to keep you, son," Leandra apologized again, and Garrett just turned slightly so they were facing each other on the sofa and smiled.

"Really Mother, its fine," he replied yet again. "I want to check in with some people, but they aren't expecting me so soon."

"I'm sure there are many that will come looking for you once its discovered that you have returned," Leandra replied with a shake of her head. "I know I don't tell you often enough, but I am so very proud of the man you have become."

"Oh… well, thank you," Hawke replied, somewhat flustered at the unexpected feeling her words brought.

She smiled at him, knowing full well that praise always hit him hard since he never expected any. "I suppose this isn't the most opportune time, but I've come to realize that there really is never a good time to ask your grown son if you can get remarried."

Hawke stared, wondering if he had heard correctly, then he grinned. "I don't recall Lord Henley asking for my mother's hand in marriage," he replied shrewdly.

"Oh you," Leandra waved the thought away. "We are too old for that nonsense."

"Not so," Hawke said, grabbing her hand. "You are most precious to me, and he should ask my pardon before stealing you away."

Leandra flushed in pleasure, and gave his hand that covered hers a pat with her free hand. "That's a very sweet thought," she said, smiling. "I'll be sure to let him know." Her smile fell as she looked down, and she pushed herself to continue. "What I am really worried about, Garrett… is leaving you all alone."

She looked up at him again. "Orana wants to go with me," she said slowly, hoping to soften the blow. "And Bodhan is feeling ready to move on again… I think he is only truly happy when traveling."

"Mother, you don't have to worry about me," Garrett said, smiling back at her, wanting to get rid of the sad look on her face. "I just want you to be happy, that's all I care about."

"Right back at you, young man," Leandra shot back. "I can't let myself be happy if my children aren't, you know that."

"I know it hasn't escaped your notice Mother, but I am a mage," he said resolutely. "And while Kirkwall has been good to me, making me the Champion of the city and what not… it can't last forever. Eventually, I'll have to either go to the Circle, or live as an apostate."

"I know that Garrett, I'm getting old, not senile," Leandra's voice had the slightest edge to it, though because of fear for her son, not anger. "And while it pains me that you have to deal with such a decision, I know that you can still have a happy and fulfilling life." She smiled at him again, swamped in memory. "Your father and I did."

She was confused at the disbelief she saw on his face, and her head tilted slightly in confusion. "What is that look for?" she asked.

"Mother, I don't mean to argue with you…"

"But?" she asked, amused that he was trying so hard to be tactful. Something he rarely did for others.

"But… that's not what I remember," he looked away, ashamed but wanting to be honest. "I was old enough to understand that we ran from home after home because of what Father, me, and Bethany were."

"That's true," Leandra agreed, but Hawke could tell that she didn't really understand what he was getting at. "But many people move around looking for better opportunities, not to mention the Blight."

"This was more than normal people had to deal with, and you know it," he retorted, getting slightly annoyed now.

"Yes, that's true," she agreed, feeling a little taken aback by his tone. "You are obviously harboring something," she reasoned. "Just tell me."

He looked up at her, not wanting to, and yet wanting to finally be rid of this secret that he had held inside for so many years. "I would… hear you," he murmured, feeling as if he were betraying her somehow. "You and Father, arguing after we were supposed to be asleep."

"Oh…" she put her hand up to her heart, feeling for her little boy holding onto this for so many years. She could vividly recall some of those fights they had had… or more accurately- the times that she would fight, and Malcolm would let her vent her frustrations on him, as if he were responsible for all their problems.

"Oh, my baby… I'm so sorry," she felt for him, but now that he had brought it up, she knew she needed to fix it. "Garrett," she started, grabbing his hand. "I want you to listen, until I'm done, all right?" she asked, and he hesitated, but then nodded.

Leandra sighed, but gave herself a moment to gather her thoughts. "I suppose, after Malcolm died, I wanted you all to just remember the best of him," she said, giving him a small smile. "But, I'm going to share a little more now, so that you can understand."

She looked up at him, and began talking, and he just listened, not interrupting.

"When Malcolm and I met, it wasn't just attraction," she began. "My parents were finishing the betrothal preparations for me to marry a man I hardly knew. He seemed nice enough, but I was feeling as if I had no say in my own life. Malcolm could relate, as I'm sure you can," she told him with a smile, and he nodded again.

"He was a good listener, and instead of telling me all the reasons why he had it worse than me, he just… understood. After I had vented all my frustration to him, I looked up in his eyes, and realized that I had just spilled all of my feelings to this very attractive man, the type of man that was the epitome of unacceptable to my father… and I admit, that seemed to make him even more attractive.

"He seemed drawn to me as well, and when I asked him about it later, he told me that he had never met anyone that was so alive, so emotional," she chuckled at the memory. "I was insulted at the time, but he explained how mages needed to keep their emotions in check, because of the dangers that could come from letting such things go.

"Over the years it would annoy me, how he would just stare at me in fascination every time I lost my temper or wept because of sorrow, or even when I would dance around the house when I was so happy I thought I would burst."

She could see Garrett blink several times, trying to see this side of his father that he never quite understood before.

"I'm sorry that you got my temperament, instead of his," she admitted sheepishly. "You and Carver both, though Bethany was more like him."

Hawke was fascinated himself, seeing his own memories in a much different way.

"Malcolm was slow to any great emotion, but he had such a strong sense of justice," Leandra continued, not seeing her son flinch at her words. "And while it wasn't exactly love at first sight or anything quite so fanciful, we soon realized that we each didn't want our lives to be without the other, and damn the consequences.

"It was more difficult than we realized at first, and yes, there were times when I felt I had been given more hardships than I could deal with," she explained. "But because of the man your father was, he felt responsible."

She looked at him sadly then. "He would blame himself for every bad thing that would happen, to the point that sometimes I worried that he would sink into despair," her voice became even more soft as she shifted into painful memories. "I started to hide my worries from him, for fear that he would sink even deeper. It wasn't the best way to handle it, but we were foolishly young, and didn't have anyone we could talk to, to help us.

"And then, your powers manifested," she said quietly, and Hawke was surprised to see her lips curve upwards. "and the dam that I had kept all my emotions behind burst." She chuckled softly at the look on his face.

"I had that same look, after I let loose all my worries and fears and your father simply gathered me up in his arms, feeling relieved that I was still the woman he had married." She looked up at him giving him a smile. "He wasn't able to take the pain and fear away, but he couldn't help me through it if I never shared it with him. And I must admit, that I still tried to hide it from him, though not successfully. My temper would eventually rear its head, and I'd take it out on him. He seemed to feel better when I did, as if things were now right with the world."

She patted his hand. "It wasn't necessarily right, Garrett, but it worked for us then. If we had had more time together, I am certain we would have adjusted as you kids grew."

She paused, so Hawke decided to say something. "But Mother, you're missing my point," he told her, frowning. "You didn't have to have those hardships in the first place if you hadn't run away with him. You would have had your parents nearby, to help you through tough times, you would have had friends, and a permanent place to live, without having to struggle to feed your family."

She smiled and shook her head. "No darling, you missed my point. An easier life does not mean a better life," she stressed. "I don't know for certain, I could have eventually come to love the man I was arranged to marry, but I know it would not have measured up to the love and trust that I had with your father. Every hard thing we went through together forged our love even stronger- and even more so once the three of you came along. And all of those hard things were easier, because I had all of you."

She looked him square in the eyes, so he would see the sincerity in her own. "And if I had the chance to do it all again, I may change some things, certainly, but I'd still go with Malcolm. That is the one thing that I will never regret."

Hawke's eyebrows rose, the emotions churning inside himself making him feel warm in a way that he hadn't felt before.

"Looking back now, it isn't the hardships and the bad things that happened that come to mind," she added, as she moved forward to envelop him in a hug. "It's the moments that bring me happiness. Bethany grinning and giving me a clutch of wildflowers, Carver getting his first sword and looking so proud, the time you brought Hafter home and told me you'd protect him and love him." She sat back, and put her hand on his cheek. "When Malcolm would pull me into a dance, for no reason at all… Those are the moments that matter."

She leaned forward, giving him a kiss on his opposite cheek, and then stood, patting his shoulder as she walked off. She had given him enough to think about for now.

It didn't take long for Hawke to stand as well, and he made his way up to his room, going to his desk and finding the little cloth-wrapped bundle. Opening it, and seeing the small blue-gray orb that he had found during the wyvern hunt, he gave himself a smile.

He remembered all the times he would stare at it, after Cat had left, reminding him of her. He had always thought of giving it to her, but had continuously talked himself out of it.

And he couldn't give it to her now. He'd have to take time and see a merchant about getting it set into something, like a necklace. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew he didn't want to look back with regrets, and he knew he'd regret giving it to her as it was now. So he'd have to be patient for now.

"Hawke?"

Hawke hunched over a little, hoping to go by unnoticed. The voice had been faint, and perhaps whoever had said his name in question wasn't sure that they had seen him. He wanted to go to Cat, and he didn't want to get dragged into something else.

"Hawke! Wait!"

He recognized the voice now, it was Sebastian calling him. He turned, resigned to stopping, and hoping that it would be something he could put off for another time- or even to another person altogether.

He saw his friend coming towards him with a woman beside him. She appeared to be a chantry initiate, and Hawke desperately hoped that Sebastian hadn't volunteered him to help her find a relative or something.

"Hello Sebastian," he greeted him, staying cordial though he couldn't quite pull off a smile. "I'm actually on my way to Cat, so…" he trailed off, hoping his friend would understand.

"Oh, well we could get her too, I suppose," Sebastian replied. Hawke looked at him in disbelief, though he could see the twinkle of mirth in the woman's eyes, so she had gotten his meaning, even if Sebastian hadn't.

He sighed. "What's this about?" he asked, not really wanting to know, but figured he'd just get it over with. The sooner he heard Sebastian out, the sooner he could go to Cat. I can even tell Seb to spread the word to the others to not bother us for at least a day, no- at minimum, two.

"Hawke, this is Sister Nightingale," Sebastian introduced. "She's an agent of the Divine, sent here to assess the mage, uh- problems."

"Oh, really?" Hawke asked, looking at the woman in a new light. "In answer to the Grand Cleric's letter I assume?"

Sister Nightingale nodded slightly. "Only in part," she replied. "I have a personal connection to Kirkwall, and offered to come. Before things got out of hand."

Hawke crossed his arms in front of his chest and frowned. As an agent of the Divine, this woman holds the future of Kirkwall in her hands… he thought unhappily. And if she is anything like most people…

"It is not as if there is a mage rebellion here," he defended. "There are plenty of mages that want peace instead of oppression."

He was surprised when she smiled gently at him. "I agree," she answered. "There have always been factions that support the abolition of the Circle of Magi. The Divine has… tolerated them. But for now, that is not my concern."

"The last time mages rebelled against the Chantry, they ended up ruling Tevinter," Sebastian spoke up with a frown. Sister Nightingale looked around, and gestured for them to walk with her, so as to discourage eavesdropping.

"We cannot simply ignore the mages that are rebelling," Sebastian continued more softly as they walked away from the Chantry.

"No, however, every city and every Circle has its share of dissenters," the Sister replied. "But the Circle here in Kirkwall seems to have more than the other Circles' combined," she explained. "And after receiving information from the Grand Cleric, we need to discover the reasons for this, and put a stop to them." She looked at both of them seriously. "Believe it or not… no one wants an Exalted March, if it can be helped."

"An Exalted March?! Surely that is going too far…"

Hawke could understand the shock that Sebastian was feeling. His insides were twisting furiously. Exalted Marches were a fancy way of the Chantry declaring war, and war didn't care who was guilty and who was innocent- everyone suffered.

"How can I help?" Hawke asked the Sister. "I am sure such drastic measures are not needed."

"From the information I have gathered, I agree," Leliana replied with a nod, stopping to look up at the Champion's face. He intrigued her- mostly because he was the man that Cat loved, but also because he was a mage that gave her hope for the future.

"I have heard from the Grand Cleric," she continued. "And now I would like to hear from the Knight Commander, and the First Enchanter. I am hoping you will accompany me."

Hawke's eyebrow went up. "You want me to take you to the templars?" he asked incredulously. "You realize that will put the Knight Commander on edge, yes?"

He could see the smirk she wore, and understood that was exactly what she was planning on. "Ah," he answered his own question. "I see."

"I've come for the truth," she told him plainly. "And I believe you can help me get it."

He studied her face, wondering why she spoke to him as if she knew him. "Why do I get the feeling you know more than you are telling me, Sister Nightingale?" he asked shrewdly.

"Please, call me Leliana," she replied, giving him a secretive smile. "So, Champion, what do you say?"

"Wait… Leliana?" his eyes narrowed as he studied her more closely, trying to recall the descriptions from his various friends of the times they had had dealings with this woman. He wasn't certain, so he asked for clarification. "The one that traveled with the Hero of Ferelden?" he asked. "The one that took Cat away from that chateau in the mountains?" He looked less than pleased as he pressed her for an answer. "That Leliana?"

"The very same," she replied, still smiling. "Though I would say helped my friend, not took her away."

"Ended up the same for me," he retorted gruffly.

"I am her friend, not yours," she shot back, still smiling, which put him on edge.

Sebastian looked back and forth between them, wanting to calm things, yet not wanting to insert himself in their argument. It was hard for him to tell if they were upset or not.

"Cat didn't say anything to me about you working for the Divine," Hawke tried a different tactic.

"She is wonderfully secretive about her friends, isn't she?" Leliana replied, smiling widely now. "She has told me very little about you as well." She scrunched her nose, looking upset now as she gave him an apology.

"I am sorry to keep you from each other now, but I'd like to not give them time to prepare for my visit," she said. "And as you surmised, I would like to see how the Knight Commander truly treats the mages, not how well she can play innocent."

Hawke took a few moments, looking at her again and deciding that he had quite a few things he wanted to ask, yet knew she would only give him a maddening smirk or smile in reply. "Very well," he replied. He turned to Sebastian. "Seb, will you go let Cat know what is going on?" he asked, and the prince nodded. "Tell her I'm sorry, but I don't want this hanging over our heads."

"No problem Hawke," Sebastian answered. "Are you sure you don't want more help?" he asked the pair of them.

"No, this will be fine," Leliana replied, giving a slight smile. Hawke gave Sebastian a shrug, and the pair moved off from him.

Sebastian watched them leave, secretly hoping he'd catch Cat at home. He really didn't want to go to the Hanged Man- he just wanted a bath, and to sleep in a real bed. He sighed to himself and turned, walking back the way he had come.