Anders wove his arms around her middle and rested his chin on her shoulder. His stubble tickled her skin but refused to shudder under him. He could feel her tense at his touch.

Theresa turned her head to see the side of his face. "Anders, I…"

"Just one," he said quickly, "just one night. Please."

She looked away from him in shame. Ashamed of herself. Ashamed that she was trapped by her modesty and her desire. "He'll know."

"Is that stopping him?" He asked her shoulder. He could feel her skin under his lips, her taste, her smell, it was all there, if only she would just say yes.

She didn't respond to his question. "I am your commander, such actions are unprofessional."

"Then why did you kiss me in your office before? Was it unprofessional then?" Anders grip tighten on her abdomen, "Was it wrong then, to reach out, to need something, someone to hold on to?"

Theresa clinched her jaw. Her life is so lonely. She was afraid to hold on in fear that they would let go. Her fear is well placed in Anders though. He has a tendency to run away. But he hasn't

Not yet, no. But what happens to him when you tell a man, who doesn't want to be tied down to anything, that you love him? What happens then? It's easier to deal the pain of not knowing than to run head long into something that will hurt more later. Alistair taught you that,

"It's okay to be selfish sometimes, Thess. Its okay to admit that your human. No one will blame you if you make mistakes."

"Yes they will. Because everything always rides on me. Everyone has such high expectations of me that I'm not allowed to fall or fail."

He cupped her chin so she had to look at him. Tears were in her eyes. Anders gave a sad smile and wiped one away with his thumb. "You don't have to worry about that with me." He leaned in to kiss her but didn't. Only when they spoke did their lips meet. "I'll catch you if you fall Theresa."

She wanted to say yes. His warm breath on her face, his heart at her back, and in his arms, she felt safe. He offered her a night of want a need not love or devotion. He gave her a release, not binds. She put her hands on his and tried to remove them. "However,"

"I dare you to say yes." He said quickly.

Theresa sighed. "I'm not twelve Anders and don't give into…"

"It's easy to say no. It's easy to be afraid. But I know you thess, you would sooner sink at sea than tremble in the harbor. So I dare you, I dare you to be brave, to be fearless, and I dare you to trust me."

Theresa smiled at him. He is turning out to be an excellent grey warden, you know seeing as how they have to motivate troops and all. Theresa pulled herself out of his arms and took a few steps forward. "Its easy for you, Anders, all of your fears have been saited."

He have small chuckle and shook his head. "No, there is still much I'm afraid of."

Theresa raised a brow. "Such as?"

"Well, armored ogres, dark spawn that want my blood to find and raise new arch demons, and I have this small thing about clowns. And snakes. But," he said drawing near Theresa, "I'm also afraid of you."

Theresa hid her face. "I know I smile a little when I decapitate dark spawn, but is it so bad that I like my job? I mean it's the best."

Anders pinched the bridge of his nose. "You really are oblivious aren't you?" he looked at her again and smiled. "i…" his words seemed to catch in his throat. He took her hands into his. "I want you. And I know that you want me. The question is, will you have me?" His voice grew husky as he knelt down to her lips. He pulled back at the last second to allow her time to consider. Anders waited. The seconds ticked by louder than this hammering heart in his ears. His brows furrowed and his fear was realized, through the squeezing of his heart her rejection was the most painful. He inhaled her scent one last time and pulled away from her.

Theresa caught him and gently pressed her lips to his. Ander's eyes shot open, hers were closed as her hands came to rest on his chest. Anders held her face in his hands as he offered her a sensuous kiss. Her tongue barely touched his lower lip and an animalistic desire tore through Anders. He jerked her closer to him. He couldn't get close enough to her. His hands went to the small of her back and her hair as his kisses became more hungry and feverish. Their kisses became a duel of tongue, teeth, and lips. Theresa turned to catch her breath as blood rushed back into his head. Anders looked at her and wanted to apologies for taking things too quickly but when he saw the blackened lust in her eyes and the mischievous smile on her face, he knew he'd be lucky if he could keep up tonight. His own smile returning. "You know, we didn't get the king a proper wedding gift."

Theresa scoffed and lifted her hands as if to weigh something. "Save Ferelden, sliver platter ware. Yea, you're right, he probably wanted the silver." Theresa smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled the cord that was holding his hair back. His golden locks fell and framed his face like in the rare picturesque moments that she was fortunate enough to see. His head was slightly tiled at her with a soft smile on his lips. Theresa swore at that moment that from now on, all future lovers are to have long hair. Period.

"Well," his voice thick with naughty thoughts, "I think I know how we can make it up to the crown." He leaned in again and stole her breath with another savage kiss. His hands snaked up her back and pull on the lowest ribbon that was holding her under dress to her body. He pulled it slowly, wanting her to know exactly what he was doing.

Theresa felt the smooth fabric slide across her waist and pull away from her body. Oddly, it felt…erotic. All of her nerve endings were ablaze and working twice their normal capacity. Her breathing was labored and dismissed the thought of asking him if it was his doing. Their kisses continued as he reached for the second ribbon under her bust. Theresa jutted her chest out, unable to fill her lungs with enough air, he pulled the ribbon across her chest, just missing her now pebble hard nipples.

Theresa broke the kiss, Anders gave a disgruntled groan at her absence but moaned as she continued to kiss, nip and suck down his neck, slowly undoing the buttons on his warden frock. Ander's fingers explored her curves and tight rear as she finished the frock. She opened it and remembered that his vestments also had a ridiculous amount of buttons as well. She gently slammed her head on his chest in disappointment and Anders laughed at her misfortune. He had one ribbon to go in exchange for her twelve plus buttons. "Ah, if only I were in my robes. But no, we HAD to look good for the king. We HAD to dress up the mage. Maker forbid if this should ever happen again."

Theresa gave him a look of amused annoyance. He gave her his most charming smile, intentional or not she couldn't tell, and helped her with the button until he was only wearing his breeches and boots. Theresa placed her hands on his chest and felt the heat from his skin, like her own little fire, and how hard his body had become since Rylock. She moved her hand and felt something on her fingers. A golden earring through his nipple. Hey look, a matching set. Theresa pinched the bridge of her nose. "When did you…"
Anders shrugged his shoulders. "what can I say, you've inspired me."

Theresa looked into his eyes. "You're an idiot."

His lecherous smile returned with new…swagger. He circled her, the tips of his fingers tracing the neckline of her dress as he turned. He stood behind and pulled her raven black hair to one side. He kissed the shell of her ear and whispered. "Perhaps, but I'm your idiot."

His hot breath caused shivers to run down her spine and she arched her back to him. Anders smiled and took the last ribbon in his hand. He pulled it slowly with one hand while the other held the dress up on her chest. He dropped the satin ribbon to the floor. He put his hands on either side of her shoulders and kissed the crook of her neck. He ever so slowly lowered the silver dress over her body, waiting for her to reject. But she didn't. when her hands were released from the fabric, she plunged one into his hair and the other to follow his right hand. Her dress pooled at her hips.

From his vantage point, he could see her glowing, alabaster white skin. He wanted to laugh, she, who was allowed outside during her childhood, was whiter than he was. But he contained his mirth to a smile and trailed his hands up her torso, feeling every scar on his way up. His fingertips barely grazed her skin as she arched her back almost painfully into him. He kissed her jugular and slowly moved his hands to her breast. She moaned as his hands grazed by the underside and she gasped as he hands fully held her swollen chest. He could feel her hardened nipples through the thin fabric. He enjoyed the small sounds she made when he ran his thumb over them. He relished when she would pull his hair in pleasure when his hand traveled a little too low. He could feel her heart in his hands. The contestant thumping was driving his heart to do the same.

He removed her breast bind and let it fall to the floor. Theresa wanted to cover herself but Anders' hands covered her before she could react. His fingers were calloused from his fire spells, his hands from recently learning to use a blade, and the strength they held as they cupped her rising bosom was of learned experience. Theresa moaned as his hands kneaded her flesh . His peppered kissed never left her neck and shoulder.

He slowly trailed down her taught stomach. Theresa released a gasp as he slid down her sensitive skin and under the fabric that held at her hips. Theresa could hardly contain herself has his fingers traced above her pubic. Anders stopped everything and looked at Theresa. She blushed, realizing what he now knew, or better yet, now knew what didn't exist.

"How old are you again?"

"It's this thing they do in Antiva." Theresa tried to explain through her flaming blush that was growing on her face. "The whores shave their pubic hair so that it doesn't mat. And since hair collects scents, it just seems more hygienic, and personally, I… kind of… like it." She turned her head to look him in the eyes. He was wearing a huge smile and raised eyebrows. "and if you have a problem with it"

"Oh no, none, what so ever!" He held his hands up like he was surrendering. "I not complaining at all." And pulled her close into a hug again. "You have no idea how annoying it is to have hair stuck between my teeth, back of my throat, ugh." He kissed the crook of her neck. "This should prove to be…interesting." He said as his slid back to where they were, one cupping her breast while the other making its way down to her clit.

Theresa jumped when he touched it. She could feel his smile on her back as he kissed her skin. Theresa moved her hips into his hand and purred as she held onto him by his hair. He nibbled the shell of her ear as his finger moved lower to wet core. He gave a confident grin, knowing that it was him that had gotten her so wet and not the king. He returned his ministrations to her clit and Theresa heard him whisper something.

Lightning. She was being shocked by him. Theresa threw her head back and bit her lip as the fire hot electricity ran through her veins. Her knees buckled under her but Anders held her up. His fingers continued to circle her clit as the lighting storm ran through her body.

She regained control of herself before Anders did it again. Theresa shuddered under him and her ecstasy was forming at her nether lips. Anders smiled again. Her head flopped forward and her breathing was labored. Anders pulled her close to him, waiting for her to regain her composure and ability to stand on her own. He kissed her military tattoo at the base of her neck and waited.

She took a shaky breath and leaned against him again. Her eyes still closed she smiled. She opened her mouth to say something but words couldn't form in her mind yet let alone tongue.

"I know, I'm pretty amazing."

Theresa gave a small chuckle and pushed her back side into him. She could feel his erection through the thin fabric of her dress. She turned in his arms and rested her head on his chest. His heart was pounding. She could fall asleep to the sweet rhythm. Her eyelids were growing heavy. Her fingers laced through his chest hair. She kissed his mage scar and took his nipple ring into her mouth and gently pulled. Anders gave a small hiss of pain but felt his cock twitch in pleasure. She rested her head again on his chest.

Anders quickly gave her a rejuvenation spell and she perked up instantly. "What, isn't it nap time yet?"

He gave a low chuckle and lifted her head to look at him. "we have only begun." His voice was low and raspy, like a voice of more to come, with a certified promise.

Theresa smiled and lifted herself onto her toes to meet his lips. His kisses were softer, less demanding, but still just as hungry for more of her. He swooped her in his arms and proceeded to carry her to bed like a new wife. He set her down gently with ease. He laid down beside her with his hands on her torso and just looked at her for a moment. Theresa felt his eyes rake across her skin and embarrassment of her scars took over again. And then Anders did something she didn't expect. He kissed every scar she had on her chest. Every wound that he couldn't heal, every battle that he wasn't there to save her, he kissed every physical memory of a failure, or pain, or loss. He didn't know the story to some, and judging from the amount, he never will, but he wanted her feel beautiful. Because she was. She saved him, countless times, she was kind to people, and even with her fearless and impenetrable mask, he knew she was just as scared as he was. She was beautiful, and he wanted her to know that he…

He kissed the long scar on her left arm, the one a shriek gave her, the first wound of hers he healed. His lips traveled down the length of it. He traveled further and kissed her wrist, her palm and tips of her fingers. He looked at her eyes and saw a small amount of fear.

His eyes were quintessence of lust but Theresa felt something in her stomach. Something that said that this wasn't just going to be a one night thing. Something in him wanted more. More than just sex. She wondered if she was able to give it to him. She wondered if she would able to trust him that much.

Anders came back to her lips and kissed her deeply. "do you still want this?" His voice was serious as he looked into her eyes.

Theresa swallowed her fear. Does she want him? Does she want this night? Could he give her a life without loneliness? "Yes."

He gave her a confident smile. Theresa's stomach clinched. She gave him a bigger smile and took his face into hands. She kissed him deeply. Her passion was met by his.

He broke from the kisses and moved to her neck. The scruff on his chin and jaw scratched her skin and she loved it. She found herself leaning into his face to better feel him. His hands went back to her breast and continued to tease and kneed her. She gasped and arched her back as he took a nipple into his mouth and sucked. She arched her hips and wove her fingers into his hair as he continued to work her soft mounds until they were red from passion.

Theresa felt the familiar warmth of healing and saw him healing her nipples back to their original pink. "Many uses for magic huh?"

He just nodded as he kissed his way down her stomach. Leaving heated fire with each kiss. He gently pulled the fabric past her naval and kissed the mole that was just below it. He sat up on his knees and looked her in the eyes. His eyes pleading as he gently tugged the fabric from her body. She smiled and lifted her hips so that it could be removed. Anders smiled wider. He pulled the fabric and her smalls off her body slowly, watching each new inch of skin reveal itself. He then threw fabric over his shoulder and lowered himself down. His hands went to her calves and traced his fingertips over her skin. His fingers were cold but left an inferno in their wake as he trailed kisses up her legs.

He reached her thigh and Theresa realized what he was about to do. She sat up and tried to get away but he held her by her hips. He looked up at her without his lips leaving her skin. She became paralyzed, she wanted to blame him for using magic like that, but knew it was her own doing. She leaned back down and waited with anticipation.

"what's this one mean?" Anders asked as he kissed her tattoo that was on her left thigh. His lips moved up and inside her thigh.

"Its…ahha…it's the Arishoks warrior symbol. Its supposed to go on your back."

"why isn't it?"

His breath was hot against her skin. He gave a little lick on her other thigh, his tongue was cold like ice. The combination of heat and ice made Theresa arch her back and buried her head in the pillows. "female…I'm a female."

He gave a small chuckle, scrapping his chin against her thigh. "hm, you don't say." He laid down between her legs and brought his arms under her legs, but had his hands on her hips to hold her down. He opened her neither folds and with a quick flick of his enchanted tongue, made Theresa pray to the maker. Anders gave a confident smile and continued his ministrations.

It wasn't long until her legs started to shake and quiver. Anders moved his hand to where he was and gently ran a finger along her opening before inserting it. Theresa whimpered something and held his hair. Theresa rocked her hips to each of his thrusts. She was getting increasingly wet and Anders added another finger as he continued to suckle her engorged bud. She arched her back and rolled her hips forward, damn near breaking his nose.

Anders smiled as he found a patch skin inside of her and gently pressed it. Theresa writhed on the bed below him with more vigor than before. Two simple words crossed his mind in a sing song tone, found it. He continued to press and push her spot as well as licking, sucking, and rubbing her bud until her interior muscles clamped down around his fingers. She threw her arms up around her head to clutch at the pillows as her body trembled at his touches. Her body was on fire. She felt all her muscles contract and relax at the same time. When her climax passed, she could breathe again, but found it difficult to inhale.

Anders removed himself from between her legs while she recovered and removed his boots and worked on the laces of his breeches. He let them fall where they may and turned to look over her quivering body again. She was resting on her elbows with a satisfied smirk. Anders strutted to let her enjoy all his goodness. He watched her looking him over. Her eyes dropped from his chest to his more than eager member that was throbbing almost painfully so. Then she did something he thought she'd never do. She laughed. Laughed. At little Andy. Talk about a kick to the libido.

Theresa realized her mistake the moment she did it. She covered her face with her hands at her embarrassment. "Maker, im sorry. I'm so so so sorry. It's not you its…maker that's worse." She looked at him for a moment and he looked like he'd taken the offense to the next level. "Can I tell you the thought process that went into the laugh?" Anders crossed his arms over his chest and pursed his lips. He'd been ohhed awed but never, NEVER, laughed at. "Um well, you know how earlier today you were complaining that you looked like a pirate?" She looked up at him again, almost afraid to. "And you know how the hair line that leads to the pubic is called the treasure trail?' His amusement never faltered from his scowl. Theresa smiled at the thought and tried to get the accent right. "Yarr, thar be the treasure." She quickly covered her face again.

A few seconds passed before Anders bent forward laughing. Theresa gave a cautious look. Anders regained his composure but was still smiling. "Could you say that again?"

Theresa's blush was making its own body heat. "Yarr there be the treasure…" her voice grew small and she curled her arms around her legs.

Anders beamed and crawled toward her on the bed. He held her face and kissed her. Her musk on his face turned her on. "You are too adorable." Was all he said between kisses.

"So your not mad?"

"You want me to be?" He asked as he laid her down again. Theresa shook her head and looked up at him with her arms wrapped around his neck. "Okay then." His hair was framing his face and he looked angelic, unless you knew what he was doing, or thinking. He pressed their noses together and placed himself at her entrance. "You still want to do this?"

Theresa smiled at the kindness he showed by asking. "Why do men do that? Wait until your hot and heavy and ask 'you still wanna'? And in my current state of mind, what do you think. Know what, no, I don't. I can take it here, you go and enjoy your blue balls."

Anders sucked his teeth. "Yeah, I'm going to push now." Theresa winked and curled her hands in his hair. He took her lips as he pushed himself into her tight core. They both gasped. "Maker…" Theresa tightened her grip on his neck and chuckled.

"Yes?"

He smiled at her. "You're… when was the last time you…"

Theresa blushed and rolled her hips forward. Anders didn't take the bait. Instead, he looked her in the eye, waiting for a response. "two and a half." She said so quietly that she wondered if she said anything.

"Two and a half what?" Damn his elven hearing. Theresa pushed her hips forward again. He held her still. "Days…months…" her bashful smile appeared again. He raised a brow at her. "Years! Mightly maker, you were in Antiva for Andrasties sake."

Theresa scowled. She put her heels into the bed and trapped on his leg. "If you're done." She pushed her hips causing him to loose balance and rolled them over so that she was on top. Theresa pulled her hair out of her face and saw that he was doing the same with a smile.

"Just glad I decided to make tonight about you."

She leaned forward on his chest and kissed him deeply, "as am I" she pushed herself back and began to move herself up and down his firm member. Anders put his hands on her hips and watched her ride him. Her breasts bouncing in time with her thrusts, hitting her sensitive spot every time, his hands found her bouncing joys and kneaded them. Her breathless moans were a chorus to his ears as he leaned up and sucked and gently bit one nipple while his other hand went to stimulate her bud. He flopped back down on the bed and, grinning like an idiot, slapped her ass that had the elfs hand tattoo. She sighed at the pain "maker…" she moaned while he pulled her down to him and kissed her.

Theresa shot back up and felt her body coiling, ready to break. She threw her head back and rode the wave after wave of pleasure that was possessing her body. She felt her muscles tighten around Anders and she wanted more. As if he could read her mind, he lifted her at the knees and thrust himself into her. He continued her orgasms and she wanted to scream but bit her lip.

Eyes closed, biting back an orgasm, and her hands went to her hair to get it off her neck. Anders had never seen her look more erotic.

Theresa rested her head against his chest. She kissed his scar as he said "Still not done yet."

"Andrasites flaming knickers. Seriously?" Anders laughed as he rolled them. "You're making this into a punishment."

He out her legs on his shoulders and positioned himself at her entrance again. "Are you really complaining." He pushed himself into her again. Theresa moaned at every thrust he made. He set a pace for her benefit but she was rocking her hips faster than he was and in his hurried pace, he lost his self control. Guttural grunts emerged from his throat. Their song of moans increased as the speed peaked.

Anders removed himself from her and rolled her over onto her hands and knees. He reentered her from behind. Theresa's screams of harder and faster never fell on deft ears as he pushed down on to her so hard he could feel her cervix. Each demanding thrust to be further inside her drove him closer and closer to the edge.

"Anders…" it was a mix between a moan and a scream. In that one moment, knowing that it was him that was causing this much pleasure to her, his name on her lips, that he was the one inside her, sent him falling forward. The world went white as he spilled his seed deep into her. His stomach clinched as his member drained itself into her. His body became weak and he braced himself onto Theresa.

She turned to look at him from behind and smiled. She lifted herself and gently rolled him onto the bed. His breathing hadn't evened yet but he was smiling at her. He opened one eye to watch her lay down beside him. He reached an arm to put around her and she accepted it. They laid there until they regained their breaths.

Anders rolled over and threw his arm over her middle. Theresa looked at him, he seemed asleep. "I take it you're not leaving?" she whispered.

"You want me to?" he groggily asked, nuzzling her hair.

She smiled. "No." her words were soft.

He opened his eyes and looked at her. Her hair was tousled, swollen lips, and half lidded eyes, "Maker, your beautiful." Ran out of his mouth without remorse of reprimand. He wanted to scold himself, but she gave him his favorite bashful smile. All other thoughts left his mind as he leaned in and kissed her.

When they parted, Theresa rested her head on his chest and fell asleep to his heart beat.

Anders played with her hair and wondered when the last time he got a good night's sleep was.

XxXxXxXx

Anders woke the next morning to the sound of voices. He felt the bed that was under him for a warm body finding that he was alone. He rolled over and sat up, rubbing his eyes and getting the hair off his face. He yawned and reflected. Maybe she regretted sleeping with him. Maybe she didn't want anything else to do with him. What if this was a one night thing? What if she never wants to talk about it?

"Will you keep your voice down." Theresa was on the other side of the closed door. Anders didn't even notice that the bed chamber and the sitting room were disconnected by a door.

"Why? Lest we should wake the apostate?"

Anders raised his brows. That was the king. What was he doing here? He smiled at himself at the stupidity of the question. Why else would he be here? Anders stood and shook his head at himself. He looked for his smalls and breeches in the tousled mess of clothing on the floor.

They had a heated argument that he couldn't make out very well. Mostly he heard the hard 's's and the rolling 'r's that some Fereldens got when they got passionate.

Anders decided that his breeches were a lost cause and seeing as how his robes were in the other room, he ripped the sheet off the bed and wrapped it around his waist.

"You think that I would give up my self respect to be your mistress?" She harshly said.

"Apparently, your self respect comes cheap."

"And the idea that you have to fuck all women must be genetic." Ouch.

With his hand on the door, he heard the sound of slapping flesh and knew that this was getting out of hand. He flung the door open and saw the king standing over Theresa, she was holding her cheek. Without hesitation, Anders used a force push and sent the king flying, hitting the opposite wall and slumping to the ground. Anders knelt down beside his commander and held her face. She looked slightly frightened as she looked past him.

His heart squeezed and he doubled over from the pain of being drained of mana. The king was using his templar abilities to deplete him. Theresa put her hands on his shoulders to hold him up.

"Alistair, stop it." The pain continued to course through Anders body. Anders fell and braced himself on his hands and knees. "Stop it NOW!" Anders tried to breathe through it but he couldn't inhale. Theresa acted quickly. She found a blade and stabbed herself in the hand.

The pain stopped imeatadly as Alistair clutched his hand at his chest, his own blood seeping into his tunic. Theresa dropped the blade to the ground and lifted Anders face. He was breathing heavily and his focus was fuzzy. "Are you alright?"

The metallic smell of blood was in the air. Even though he was short on mana, he reached out and healed her hand. He couldn't do much but at least it slowed the blood loss. Theresa was shocked at his actions. After being drained, he was still fighting to preserve life at all costs. She lifted him slowly to his feet and held his chest with the bloody hand.

The king looked at the two. "You dare shed blood around a malificar?"

Theresa saw Anders burns as well as Alistair did. Theresa helped Anders to a couch to catch his breath and regain his mana. "he's a good man."

"get away from him now." Alistair ordered.

Theresa spun and met his heated gaze. "And what, run to you?"

The king paused for a moment. He watched Anders hold Theresa's hand and felt his own hand become healed. "Don't you dare touch her." He warned Anders.

"It's time you left, Alistair." Theresa said with hatred in her eyes. Alistair looked the two over. She was wearing the mages frock. And that's all. The middle three buttons were done and the sleeve now had blood on it. Anders stood behind Theresa and watched Alistair closely.

"Are you really choosing him? A mage? A malificar?"

"A warden." She interjected quickly. Alistair snapped his jaw shut. "I will always choose him."

Anders looked between the two scorned lovers and swallowed.

Alistair showed himself the door in silence as he slammed the door behind him.

Theresa took a deep breath and flopped on the couch. Anders looked down at her. She protected him again. His smile faded as he noticed the red hand print on her face. He scowled and knelt in front of her. HE looked furious as he healed her cheek. Theresa stopped him quickly. "He did this, let him live with it."

Anders ripped his hand away. "He should never hit you."

There was such anger in his voice that it made Theresa step back from the usually whimsical Anders she knew. She laughed slightly and waved it off. "Who hit you as a child?"

He angrily took her hand and healed it. The blue light was warm and she felt her body relax to the magic. When he finished, he just looked at her hand in his.

"Do you remember what I told you about how I was caught by the templars the first time?"

She leaned forward slowly and touched the scar on his chest gently. He lifted his gaze and looked at her. She nodded. Anders sighed and looked away. "It was my father. He was a farmer in a small village of miners. For years, he had difficulty farming on the land. Every year he produced fewer and fewer crops. What money he did make, he spent on booze. After awhile, he didn't even try to pretend to be a farmer and just became a drunk." He paused in remembrance as Theresa scooted closer to him. "He hit my mum everyday. He would break her down physically and emotionally. And yet she stayed with him. One day, she was in the market and it was just me and my twin sisters. Father stumbled through the door, looking for mum, and we told him where she was. He started to rant about how useless she was, how it was her fault that he couldn't grow anything. That's when he looked at Annex." He bent his head, hiding his face, "he grabbed her arm and hit her. She screamed so loud. Alex started to pull on his leg to get him to let Annex go, but he swatted her off him. I was their older brother, I was supposed to protect them. And watching him do that to them, something in me snapped, and i…." he clinched his jaw. "I pushed him and I later realized that I ran large amounts of electricity through him and exploded his heart. He fell to the ground, blood foaming in his mouth. Annex started to cry and ran to me to comfort her. My mother returned. Alex and Annex told her what I did and she…" Anders clinched his fist. Theresa could hear his knuckles popping. "She took the girls and ran through the village screaming 'my son's a monster, my son's an abomination.'" He gave a forced laugh. "neglecting the fact that he's the one who beat his family everyday. I'm the abomination. I'm the monster. She ran to the chantry in the next village and got the templars to take me away, but not before the villagers had their own form of justice on me." Anders shook his head and traced the lines on Theresa's hand.

"Do you ever want to visit them?"

Anders was silent for a time. Theresa began to wonder if he heard her. "I made it back to Blood Stone on my third escape. I found out that my family died of the plague. The templars found me sitting outside my families shack, like I was waiting for them to come home or something. I went back to the tower without a fight. I had nowhere to go. No family to speak of. Nothing. I was alone."

Theresa tiled his chin to look at her. "And now?"

He looked away and ripped a small section off the sheet he was wearing and applied it like a bandage. "My point is that you should never let anyone hit you. You're too strong to be taken down like that."

Theresa smiled at him and waited for him to finish healing her. He moved to stand but she slid off the couch and straddled his hips. He gave her a confused look but she hugged his neck. "It may be dysfunctional, but you'll always have a family and a home with the Gray Wardens." She leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to his, her smile never faltering.

They broke apart breathless and he rested his forehead on hers. "Why do you always choose me?"

"Why shouldn't I?"

"what if I hurt you?"

"What if you don't?"

"But if I do…"

"And if you don't?"

Anders got annoyed at her lack of foresight. "That's hardly an answer."

She chuckled at the fact that she was riling up emotions from the mage. "It's hardly a question." He gave an annoyed growl and Theresa threw her head back and laughed at him. "I'll tell you what, you're…fairly decent in bed…"

He raised an offended brow and scowled. "Fairly decent? I remember someone cumming five times last night from me and my 'fairly decent' actions."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, well, the deal is," she leaned forward and hugged his neck again while looking into his green gold eyes, "if you be my whore and heal my boo boos, I'll be your shield and protect you from evil templars. Deal?"

He smiled, his hand trailing an invisible lines down her body. "What if I don't need nor want a shield?"

"Then you must not want to be nor need to be my personal bed warmer."

He shook his head at her. "How can you take all this in stride?"

"I could freak out if you'd like."

"Touché." He said as he leaned up to kiss his perfect hero.

She hummed at his kiss and leaned into his chest, her finger tracing the scar on his chest. "Is that why you learned healing? For repentance?"

Anders rubbed his neck awkwardly. "It doesn't matter how many lives I save or the fact that he was an evil man, I still have blood on my hands."

Theresa tiled his head and gave a knowing smile. "evil prevails because good men fail to act."

Anders lowered his brows. "Didn't I tell you that?" She nodded. Anders smiled and kissed her again, deeply, their tongues dancing as their hands went to removed the small amount of clothing they were wearing. They stood to walk back to the bed chamber and Theresa pushed Anders onto the couch.

Anders smiled at her roughness and enjoyed the smile that played on her lips. She playfully kissed his lips then dragged her lips over his chin and throat, suckling at the hollow of his flesh. She dropped to her knees between his legs and still moved her lips lower down his body, quickly laving at his nipples and gently biting his nipple that had a ring going through it. He threw his head back and gave a quick intake of air at her actions. Her hands massaged his thighs as she kissed his abs.

His cock was hardened and pointing at his stomach when Theresa leaned down to lick the moisture that had collected on the tip. One of his hands went into her hair and tightly wound it around his fingers. He tensed up, like he was forcing himself not to thrust his hard cock into her wet, warm and eager mouth.

She grasped his member as she tortuously circled the tip with her tongue. His hand gave a firm squeeze of hair as her hand pumped him but she didn't give him the release he wanted. She looked up with a smile as he looked at her with his lips slightly parted. He watched her take him into her mouth. She smiled and gently sucked the tip of him as her hand pumped him hungrily, wanting his seed. She smiled again and removed her hand. He groaned but the oxygen left his lungs as she took all of him into her mouth. The urge overtook and he forced himself to go deeper into her mouth. Theresa gagged slightly but soon accommodated him. She pulled off and smiled at the mage and went back to just sucking the head. Her hands went to work on his shaft and he threw his head back as her other hand cupped his tightening testicles.

Theresa smiled as she worked. He was breathing quickly, he guided her with one hand while the other was digging his fingernails into the fabric of the couch. He would occasionally force himself up to meet her eager mouth but nothing that she couldn't handle.

He became tense and he grunted her name. His hands fisting her hair scrapped her scalp. Theresa knew he was nearing his peak and pumped his shaft harder and faster for him. Anders threw his head back. He released his seed into her as she continued to jerk his cock for more. She swallowed his salty ecstasy and was hungry for all he had to give. He spasmed a few times before his body relaxed. Anders took a few deep breaths to steady his heart rate.

Theresa wiped the sides of her mouth with a finger to get all of the mage off her face only to suck her fingers dry like his now limp cock. Anders smiled and pulled her to him and kissed her deeply, tasting himself on her tongue. He held her face in his hands. They smiled at eachother. "Marry me." He said playfully.

Theresa shook her head in shame at him. "You're cute." She kissed him again and sat down next to him on the couch.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and held her close to him. "In about ten minutes, you want to go in the other room?" Theresa gave him a confused look to which he quickly chuckled and said "Perhaps I shall regal to you the majesty of the male body when it comes to organisms."

"Not necessary, beside, as a rule, Alistair and I are not to have sex during the day." Anders returned her confused look. "What if the Empress of Orlais and the King of Antiva were in a room with Alistair when I had an organism?"

"It would make foreign affairs more interesting."

Theresa laughed and gently slapped him on the chest. "Yes, but, it would ruin our perception as a country full of prudes. Anyways, we should get back to Amaranthine today." Theresa pushed herself off the couch and stood.

Anders reflected quickly. "I have a question." Theresa rolled her eyes as to say 'as usual' but remained silent. "What are we going to do about us? I mean, do we tell everyone, do we keep it a secret…"

"Tell them what ever you'd like. But the day you start to make me sound like some cheap harlot is the night you wind up face down in a ditch, okay?" She actually smiled while she said that. "As long as we keep our personal lives personal, and our professional lives professional, and never forget that our main task is to kill dark spawn, we should be fine."

"When you say keep our professional lives professional…."

"During working hours of the day, no touching, no kissing, no heated looks, no stolen moments."

Anders nodded in agreement and stood beside her. Anders looked her over quickly, she was everything he would ever hope to find in a woman, wife, mother of his children, hero, commander. He smiled at her, not having anything to say for once.

Theresa nodded and walked to her room to change for their departure.

XxXxXxXx

A few months had gone by and Amaranthine was being rebuilt with funds from the crown. The masons that rebuilt Lothering were being put back to use in Amaranthine and also building her economy as well. The Vigil was emptied for a short while as it was being repaired and the wardens moved to a small castle in the city. Garavel had been promoted to Senchal, though while he hated the job at face value, Theresa could tell that he loved running the Arling with her like a huge military brigade. As the new Senchal, Theresa bequeathed Vigilance, a two handed weapon made of the materials of Amerithines bosom, to Garavel, which he accepted, happily.

Constable Aiden however, hated her at the moment because he let her city be over run and in doing so, wasn't even offered the position of Captain of the Guard. Instead, she looked to a soldier in Highever to take the job. Rozina came to Amaranthine with a smile and pledged to give his life for his new Arlessa.

Delihah gave birth to a son, which all the Wardens claimed to be their nephew, at Nathaniel's annoyance. He seemed to take a certain liking to watching Velanna hold Samuel.

Theresa and Anders continued to have relations with one another during the duration of their time spent together and enjoyed every moment. And as the days turned into weeks and then into months, they started to just sleep in each other's arms. And while they said nothing, it freighted both wardens.

"I think it's time I left the wardens." Anders announced one day.

Theresa looked up from her paperwork at the mage and smiled. "Okay. Sure why not." She went back to the papers. "Just remember this is a secret organization and I will kill you if you tell the secrets. THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE." She screamed at the paper. "So I'll see you in thirty years in Orzommar?"

Anders smiled and winked at her. "It's a date."

Theresa nodded and Anders turned to leave. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Irving asking you to give a lecher would it?"

Anders whipped his head at her. "How did you…"

"He asked me first. I told him to ask you, seeing as how you'd be the one to give it." Theresa looked up and saw his amused face. "So, to the circle then?"