This story is set during Awakenings. The game will be the backdrop to story, but it is not a retelling of the game. It is Josie Cousland and Anders' story. It is a prequel to Set Fire to the Rain.

Disclaimer - Just to be clear this story is not an A/U in the true sense of the word, but it won't follow game canon either. I have taken liberties for the sake of the plot. I hope you enjoy it!

The Beautiful Ones

Chapter 1 – U got the look

"U walked in, I woke up, I've never seen a pretty girl look so tough

Baby, u got that look

Color u peach and black, color me taken aback

Crucial, I think I want ya

U've got the look, u've got the hook, sho'nuff do be cookin', in my book

Ur face is jammin', ur body's heck-a-slammin', if love is good, let's get 2 rammin'

U got the look, u got the look"

U got the look by Prince

Anders couldn't believe his luck had finally run out. He had been free from the Circle for almost two years. He knew that it was because of the Blight that he had stayed free for so long. He wouldn't wish darkspawn on anyone, but if it hadn't been for them, he felt sure the Templars would have caught up with him long ago. Now as he sat in the dank dungeon at Vigil's Keep, waves of nausea rolled through him as he thought about going back to the Circle and what they would do to him once he returned. This had been his seventh escape, if they let him live, he was sure by the time they were done he would be wishing for death.

The dungeon door opened and his jailer stepped in carrying two trays of food. The guard slid the tray through the opening at the bottom of his door; and then through the slit on the cell beside him where a sullen man with long black hair sat stoically on the floor. Anders stirred the slop in the bowl; he lifted his spoon and watched as the goop plop back into the bowl.

"I believe they feed the darkspawn better than they do their prisoners," Anders chuckled trying to make conversation with the man in the other cell, but to no avail. The man remained still as a statue and as quiet as a chantry mouse. Anders pushed the tray away and stood up to stretch. He wiggled his fingers and he felt his magic beginning to return.

The Templars had stopped at the Keep last night to rest before heading further south toward the Circle. Before they had thrown him into the cell they smited him to ensure that he wouldn't cause any problems during the night, but as he slipped the veil open he felt the warmth of his magic begin to course through his veins, and he smiled. If he just pretended to still be drained, he might be able to attack the bastards while they still had their guard down.

The prison door opened again and that bitch Rylock stepped in. "Get on your feet, Mage. It's time to go."

"Good thing I didn't want to eat breakfast," Anders replied looking down at the bowl of mush.

Rylock didn't reply. She just waited for the guard to open the door. She roughly grabbed Anders by the arm and pulled him toward the exit.

"If you like it rough, all you had to do was say so. I'm always up for a round of naughty Templar," Anders stated dryly.

"Shut up, Mage before I shut you up," Rylock as she nearly dragged him up the stairs to the courtyard.

"Bifferd, Giles and Nigel," she yelled as she waved over three Templars over. The two knights ran up to her. "Secure this apostate while I let Seneschal Varel know we are leaving."

The one named Giles spun Anders around and gathered his arms behind him to secure his wrists. He had the rope secure around one hand when Anders heard the whistle of an arrow and gurgling from behind him. Anders whirled around and saw the tip of an arrow protruding from the Templar's throat as the knight crumbled to the ground. Anders looked up at the Keep's ramparts, he saw a Hurlock taking aim at him, Anders dove out of the way as the arrow whizzed by his ear. He rolled to his feet just as a Genlock charged him, Anders threw a stone fist spell at it, sending it stumbling backwards.

Anders looked around and saw darkspawn by the dozen pouring over the walls and battlements of the Keep. He ran for the stronghold's main doors. As he entered the throne room, he realized that the Templars had followed him inside. Their swords were drawn, but they weren't trained on him. Anders pulled the door's brace into place just as the first blow of the battering ram smashed into the doors. The barrier held, but its hinges buckled under the stress. It wouldn't take them long to break through. If only he had a staff. He glanced around, but saw nothing.

"Do the Wardens keep darkspawn here at the Keep?" Nigel asked.

The other knight smacked him in the back of the head. "Don't be stupid. The darkspawn are drawn to Wardens and that is why they are here," Bifferd explained

"How do you know that?"

"My uncle is an Orlesian Warden, remember."

Another loud crash broke against the door and this time the sound of splintering wood could be heard.

"As fascinating as your family history is, Biff, I don't believe now is the time to chronicle your lineage," Anders said as he began to back away towards the far end of the throne room. Both of the Templars followed his lead as they headed out of the room and down a long corridor. Near the end, Anders could see a body on the ground as they got closer he saw that it was a mage. From the gash in the girl's side he didn't think she was alive, but he knelt down and examined her. It was as he thought, she had bled out. As Anders stood, he grabbed her staff, but was halted when he felt a strong arm grasp his arm.

"What do you think you're doing, Mage?" Nigel asked.

"I'm grabbing a weapon so that I can help fight off the darkspawn," Anders replied.

The Templar was about to grab the staff out of his hand when there was a loud snarl from behind them. They turned to see six darkspawn including one carrying a staff advancing toward them.

"Aaah, it might be a good idea to let him keep it for now," Bifferd said as they rushed out of the corridor and into a large room with the darkspawn right on their heels.

Anders spun and immediately began to cast spells at that darkspawn mage. If they were going to have a chance in the Void of winning this battle, he knew that monster needed to be dealt with first. Anders threw up a repulsion graph to keep the other darkspawn off of him while he dealt with his darkspawn counterpart.

The emissary was strong, but Anders could tell that it was weakening and that it didn't have the ability to heal itself. Once it was drained of its mana, Anders froze it and then quickly dispensed of it. He spun to face the rest of the room. Nigel was already down, but so were three other darkspawn. However, that still left two more that were advancing on Bifferd.

Anders threw up a protective barrier around the knight and then began casting spells at the hurlock and genlock. He had just taken down the genlock when the barrier fell. Anders saw that the Hurlock had made its way behind the Templar and was in a position to strike as the protective wall came down.

Anders yelled out a warning, but it was too late. The Hurlock drove his sword through the knight's back. Blood oozed out of Bifferd's mouth as he collapsed to his knees. He made a gurgling, raspy sound as the darkspawn moved up behind him; the monster raised its sword then swung low and hard, removing the templar's head.

Anders didn't waste any time. He froze the Hurlock in place then he cast a walking bomb before he began to cast fireballs at it. Just as the beast had regained the ability to move the bomb went off, killing it instantly. From behind him the door burst open and Anders whirled around to face whatever new hell awaited him. Instead, his eyes widened as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen raced toward him. He doubted she would remember him since he had kept his hood up to conceal his identity, but he had never forgotten her. As a matter of fact, she had a reoccurring role in several of his fantasies.

Maker's arse, she was even more beautiful then he remembered, with all of that raven hair as it swirled around her face and those sapphire eyes that pierced right through him, literally sucking the breath right out of his chest.

"I didn't do it," he said.

"Andraste's sweet tits, 'I didn't do it'! That was the best thing I could think of…I'm doomed," Anders thought.

She smiled at him, tilted her head slightly to the side and Anders felt his groin tighten immediately. What the fuck was wrong with him? It's not like this was the first gorgeous woman he had ever seen. Hell, he had bedded his fair share of beauties, so why was he reacting this way?

"Well that's a bloody shame. Now I don't know who to thank," her cool sultry voice washed over him and Anders groin hardened even more. Thank the Maker for loose robes.

"Oh, well for the darkspawn you can thank me. For the Templars you would need to raise the darkspawn from the dead if that is who you meant."

She grinned at him and her eyes danced with impish delight. "So I take it you won't be saying a few words at their memorial service."

"No, but I'll gladly set fire to their pyres though," Anders replied as he grinned back at her.

"So it's you that I owe my gratitude to for dispensing of this batch of darkspawn. What should I call you?"

"You may call me Anders, my dear lady. Obviously I'm a mage and sadly a wanted apostate."

"An apostate? Here at Vigil's Keep?" A dark haired woman asked as she stepped up behind the rogue.

The warrior was pretty, but beside the raven haired beauty she was a wallflower. However, if there was one thing Anders knew, it was women. Breathtakingly beautiful women were used to getting noticed by men even when another attractive woman was around, but if you wanted to get a beautiful woman's attention you had to ignore her…no matter how difficult that was. So Anders turned his attention to the warrior.

"You weren't here when I arrived, I'm sure I would have remembered a lovely lady such as yourself. You seem like the type of woman that leaves an impression on a man," Anders purred as he stepped forward looking into the warrior's eyes.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the rogue do a double take at the woman behind her and he had to suppress a grin. The warrior coughed out of embarrassment then stuttered, "T-thank you."

"So the darkspawn killed the Templars. Isn't that convenient for you," the rouge stated, drawing his attention back to her.

Anders raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Isn't it though; the Maker works in mysterious ways. So my dear lady who are you exactly?"

The warrior spoke first. "I am Mhairi and this is Warden-Commander Josephine Cousland."

The rogue blushed as she said, "It's just Josie. That's what everyone calls me."

Humility was the last thing he had expected to find in someone so striking who also happened to be the Hero of Ferelden.

"Well, my dear Josie, it would appear that you have a darkspawn problem and since my captors are conveniently disposed of, I would be delighted to help you rid yourself of this infestation."

She smiled the most radiant smile back at him and his heart leapt in his chest. "Delighted might be a strong word, but I appreciate the help. I'll even throw in a cookie in for you, if you do an extra good job."

"A cookie, huh? Add some whipped cream and a cherry and I believe we have a deal," Anders said with grin as he imagined spreading whipped cream down her neck to valley between her breasts and licking the path clean.

She chuckled. "Are we negotiating?"
He grinned back at her, "Always!"

"Well then I believe we have come to an agreement. We could use a mage. Are you any good at healing?"

"Am I good at healing? My dear lady, my healing abilities will make your toes curl."

"I don't need my toes to curl. I need a mage that can heal. So besides the ability to charm my recruits out of their smalls, will you be able heal the injured that have fallen here today?" The Commander asked as her features took on a hardened expression. It was as if she realized that she was enjoying their flirtation and she had to stop it immediately.

"Yes, Commander," Anders replied stunned by the sudden change in her mood.

"Good, then let's clear this Keep," she instructed.

If Anders had the gift of foresight he would have never made the offer to help no matter how beautiful the Commander was or how often he had fantasized about her. Now as he sat on his bed, dripping in sweat from the nightmare he had just woke up from, he wanted to kick himself for his stupidity. He was now a Grey Warden.

When he woke up this morning, he had thought about all the possibilities that the day might bring, but this wasn't one of the outcomes he had imagined. In his wildest dreams he never envisioned himself as a Warden, but here he was, blood now humming from the taint that flowed within. He ran his fingers through his long blond hair and let out a sigh. This is what happens when you think with the wrong head!

He had to admit that he admired the way Josie stood up to both Rylock and Queen Anora. It was apparent that there was some bad blood between the Commander and the Queen. He wasn't sure why, but he definitely wanted to find out the story behind it.

There was a knock at the door and Anders called out that the door was unlocked.

The door opened and Josie Cousland stood there with her hands behind her back. Now that all the blood and gore was cleaned off of her she looked even more beautiful. He wanted to know what it was like to kiss her, but how could that ever happen now that she was his Commanding Officer?

She smiled at him, "Can I come in?"

"It's your Keep, I'm pretty sure you can do whatever you want."

"I'm sure I might raise a few eyebrows if danced naked in the moonlight," Josie said with a grin.

"I'm pretty sure it would raise more than eyebrows," Anders chuckled.

As she sat down beside him on the bed and the scent of lavender, vanilla and spices inundated his scenes and it took all of his self-control to stop himself from leaning in to breathe her in even more deeply.

She gave him a knowing grin and he heard her snicker under her breath, he shook his head in defeat. All the progress he had made, his nonchalant attitude toward her, his flirting with Mhairi, were completely undone in seconds by her planting that visual of her in his head - Josie, in the moonlight, naked, dancing, Maker help him. She knew exactly what that comment would do. Damn she was good and that made him want her all the more.

"I wanted to stop by and see how you were feeling after the joining," she said.

"Should I feel special or will Oghren and Nathaniel also be receiving a visit from their Commanding Officer tonight," he asked.

"I will be visiting both of them too, but I won't be giving them this," Josie said as she pulled a plate from behind her back. Sitting in the center was a big chocolate chip cookie with whip cream, a cherry and a side of ice cream that was melting.

"I had Cook heat the cookie up a little so that the ice cream would melt some."

"Well, now I do feel special," Anders said as he stared at the gift.

"I was starving after my Joining. I had the biggest craving for something sweet, but there was nothing in the entire camp, not even an ounce of chocolate. Alistair had to hold me back to keep from storming into King Calian's tent demanding some chocolate." A sad smile briefly flickered across her face before she pushed the emotion down. "Anyways, earlier when you asked for a cookie with whip cream as part of your negotiating strategy…"

"Don't forget the cherry," Anders interrupted.

She smiled. "Of course, how could I forget the cherry? Anyways, I thought you might have a sweet tooth and knew this might help with that Warden craving."

"Thank you. That was very thoughtful of you. Will you share it with me?" He asked.

"Only if I can have the cherry," she cooed as an impish grin played across her lips. She…she was fantastic. He wondered exactly what she would be like in bed and couldn't wait to find out.

Anders picked up the cherry, dipped it in the whipped cream and held it out to her. She leaned forward slowly sucked it into her mouth, leisurely chewed it then swallowed it before she tantalizingly licked her lips. "Mmmm, that was good. I think you're going to enjoy your tasty treat," she purred as she stood up.

Anders gulped as he became instantly hard and once again he found himself at a loss for words.

"I'll leave you alone to take care of that yourself," she said with grin as her eyes dropped to his lap and he wasn't sure if she was referring to the cookie that was sitting there or his obvious erection.

When the door closed behind her, Anders fell back on his bed and groaned. Maker's arse, what was this woman doing to him? He had only known her for a few hours and she had completely unnerved him. After he took care of both the cookie and the erection, he fell into a restless sleep that was filled with darkspawn and a naked Josie fighting them.

The following morning he dragged himself down to the dining hall where he found both of the two other recruits that had passed their joining. "Good morning, how did you sleep?"

"Like a baby," Oghren grunted.

"Somehow, I doubt it's from clean living, dwarf," Nathaniel replied.

"You got that right. It was that bottle of fine Antivan brandy that the Commander gave me that put me out like a candle," Oghren chuckled.

"S-she gave you brandy," Anders stuttered now feeling like a complete arse. Had he imagined the whole thing in his head because he wanted her so badly? Had she honestly just come by to check on him and brought him something out of concern to help him get over his Joining, not because she wanted him?

"Yes, the Commander is like that. During the Blight she was always giving gifts to her companions. It was her way of letting us know she appreciates us putting our asses on the line for her."

Anders wanted to bang his head against the table for being such an idiot.

"Did she give you something, Howe?" Anders asked.

"Nothing edible, but she gave me letters from my sister…which is the least she could do after what she has done to my family," Nathaniel grunted, but then his expression softened as if conflicted. "But the letters were thoughtful and very typical of Jo. To me they were better than food although I was very hungry late last night."

Thank Andraste he hadn't made a move on her last night or he would feel even more like a bronto's behind.

"Get used to the hunger. Josie and the Pike Twirler…"

"Pike Twirler?" Anders and Nathaniel asked in unison.

"Alistair, the other Warden that traveled with us during the Blight," Oghren explained.

"And what happened to him?" Nathaniel asked.

"Well, you were in the Free Marshes so you probably haven't heard the stories or the Bards songs so I'll clue you in just to save your neck. You don't want to bring it up in front of the Commander. The long and short of it is, Alistair disagreed with her decision to conscript Loghain. He felt that Loghain betrayed the Wardens at Ostagar and deserved to die for that betrayal."

"Well, he kind of had a point," Nathaniel stated.

"Don't let Boss Lady hear you say that even if I do agree with you. However, she had a point too. Her instincts told her that it had to be a Warden that killed the Archdemon. At the time of the Landsmeet, there were only three Wardens in all of Ferelden. When Riordan suggested they make Loghain a Warden, Josie's eyes lit up. Making the bastard a Warden increased both hers and Alistair's chance of survival, but Alistair didn't see it like that. He saw her decision as a stab in the back and he walked out on her, the Wardens and Ferelden."

"Wait a minute! You're telling me that this man who fought by her side for a year deserted her and left her to face an Archdemon alone all because he disagreed with her decision?" Anders asked outraged.

"He didn't just fight by her side, he slept there too. He was her lover and her betrothed. The only reason I am telling you all this is because since then she hasn't been herself. One minute I see glimpses of the old Josie and the next she is this new angry, hardened Commander. Just be cautious around her and don't bring up Alistair's name."

Anders looked up and watched her as she ate her breakfast beside Varel. The two of them had their heads bowed in deep discussion about something. Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked up and once again Anders saw pain and sadness flicker across her beautiful face. The carefree girl that he had met in those dark woods months ago was gone. Anders immediately wanted to reach out to heal her, but he knew her wounds were beyond his magical abilities. However, as a man, as a friend and hopefully as a lover he knew he could heal her broken heart if she gave him a chance.

*A/N - A huge thank you to Jinx1983, Bonkzy and Mistress Vo for working their beta magic. I appreciate it, my friends. You rock!