Dragon Age, Dragon Age II, and all related characters, locations, etc. are the property of BioWare. No infringement upon any of BioWare's rights as owner is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder. I do not profit in any way from the writing of this work of fan fiction.

Author's long-winded Notes:

I hope that you'll bear with a little as I explain the history of what prompted me to write this piece. If not, please feel free to scroll down to where the story actually begins. I promise I won't be offended. I would have put these notes as a separate chapter to make it easier for you to skip them, but it's against the site's guidelines.

Still Here? Thank you.

When I posted my story 'Recriminations of an Empty Bed' (shameless plug inserted - check) much of the feedback I received either through reviews or pm was asking for more. At the time I was (and still am) working on a Isabela/f!Hawke story (as well as plugging away on the two ongoing stories I've left hanging and hope to update soon - I hate when that happens too, sorry!), but I promised myself that if an idea came to me then I would revisit 'Recriminations'.

Two things collided recently: I decided to replay DA2 after setting it aside some time ago, and I treated myself to the PC version of Scrivener. I dutifully imported my existing stories and half thought out writings into it and thought what now? Eventually I decided that instead of trying to continue an existing project that a brand new story might be a better way to get comfortable with the program and its features. [Not to sound like I'm giving a software review, but so far I'm loving Scrivener even though I'm barely scratching the surface of what it can do.]

Looking through my idea book, and with DA2 fresh in my mind, I decided to write this as my Scrivener trial run. While to me the characters are the ones from 'Recriminations' it didn't make sense to update that story as this story takes place much later in the characters lives. That being said this story can be read without first reading 'Recriminations' (although why not, it's only 650 words - shameless plug #2) as the only assumptions I make are that the reader has played Dragon Age II and has a familiarity with the characters and locales. This story takes place in the later stages of Act III, but before the final confrontations.

Now onto a little rant about Isabela.

Isabela is a great, fun character and easily (along with Varric) one of my favourites from DA2.

To me Isabela works as a character in the game and in Fan Fiction because she is so versatile: need a kick-ass rogue to take down some enemies or pick some locks - Isabela's your girl; a sultry, seductive woman to add some spice - Isabela's the easy pick (in more ways than one); or need someone to deliver a humorous, often sexually charged, one liner - Isabela's got your back. Even though I'd heard it before I still almost spit out my drink when I was replaying DA2 and Isabela uttered her line about Aveline's thumb. I'd forgotten just how funny some of the random conversations could be.

Pick any situation and Isabela fits the bill more often than not. The world of DA2, Kirkwall, and especially Hawke's story is a very bleak one where so much is dark, under threat, and lost, but to me Isabela best reminds us that there can still be fun. Isabela, besides being a worthy rogue in her own right, serves to lighten the mood and generally take the mickey out of the more serious characters (cough - Aveline, cough, cough - Fenris).

Of course that's not to say that Isabela is a shallow, one note character - far from it. In my opinion, one of the things BioWare does perhaps better than any other developer is create deep, rich characters and worlds for their games. I like Skyrim and Fallout and many other RPGs but at the end of the day, to me at least, there isn't the same connection to the characters, their stories, and their world as in the Dragon Age (or Mass Effect) games. Most of those other characters and their supporting cast end up being rather bland and unremarkable in comparison. Generally, apart from finishing the game, I couldn't care less what becomes of them and certainly wouldn't think to write about them.

Bringing my rant back to our illustrious pirate, have your Hawke interact with Isabela or better yet romance her and the layers are peeled back exposing a far deeper character than what appears at first glance. In this story I am hoping to put Isabela in a situation outside her comfort zone and bring out some of how I see her - a flawed character, created by often cruel and harsh circumstances (admittedly some of her own making), but strong and determined to live her life on her own terms. Yet, she is also a character who can be a fiercely devoted friend and lover even if it goes against her 'better' instincts.

I think one of the biggest flaws with Isabela is in how she sees herself. She doesn't believe in love or lasting commitments because deep down Isabela doesn't think that she's worthy or deserving of them. So she armours herself against the truth and regrets, and lives accordingly and unapologetically solely in the present. Her personal motto seems to be: if I don't care then I can't get hurt.

In short, she is far from the 'tits and ass' bimbo that she might appear on first introduction.

/End of Rant

I don't know if my motivations and thoughts mean anything to you, but there they are for whatever they're worth.

I do hope you like my story and I thank you for reading (especially this large, somewhat rambling note if you've made it this far).

As always any comments, criticisms, or praise are both welcome and appreciated.

Also, barring any last minute revisions this story is finished and additional chapters will be posted every second day until complete.

Now let's get on with the show.

Chapter One:

It was the morning sunlight breaking through the sheer curtains that woke Isabela up and let her know that something was wrong.

'Where am I?' the pirate thought, knowing right away that she was not in her room at the Hanged Man.

Still in the grip of sleep Isabela began to take stock of her reality: she was naked and not in her own room or bed; her head was throbbing from the after effects of too much rum; and speaking of throbbing, there was a hard cock nestled in the crack of her ass and a hand on her tit.

She felt the person behind her begin to stir. Her movements, slight as they were, must have woken whoever's bed this was, eliminating any chance of a clean escape.

"Bela, is something wrong?" a deep, groggy voice asked in her ear.

Unconsciously she sighed in relief, recognizing the voice. She would never admit it aloud, but she would have been upset and disappointed had she woken up in similar straits with anyone else.

"No Hawke, just trying to remember what happened last night."

Now that Isabela knew she was with Hawke, bits of last night came back to her and her surroundings became more familiar. She remembered playing Diamondback last night here at his estate with their friends and staying after everyone had left - it was a long walk back to Lowtown after all. There had also been a couple of shots of rum, but not nearly enough for the hangover she currently possessed. While the stakes for their card games were not high the bragging rights were immense and she had wanted to keep a clear head. Besides which rum, ale, brandy, and even whiskey (the good stuff Hawke kept in his study) didn't seem to taste right to her lately.

The headache and the curtains had thrown her off, but now she vaguely remembered Hawke saying that Orana had made new curtains for his bedroom. The pirate smiled at the delicious memory of why that had been necessary. She had torn the curtains, rods and all, right off the windows while Hawke was fucking her raw on top of his desk a few nights ago. To his credit Hawke never missed a beat, only commenting that she was destroying his house after they had collapsed on his bed, spent.

"I've never fucked someone senseless before. I suppose I am a Champion at that too," Hawke deadpanned.

The pirate didn't need to turn to see the lopsided smirk or the glint in his blue eyes that together formed the smug, self-assured look that was no doubt upon his face. Yet turn she did, swinging the pillow that had previously been underneath her head at Hawke. "You bastard."

Hawke accepted the first pillow hit before even trying to catch Isabela's hands. While the blow was not entirely unexpected, the Rivaini pirate was fast and he probably would have taken it regardless. He also figured he owed Isabela that one for his comment, good natured though it was.

She got another hit in before Hawke finally managed to get a hold of her wrists. Switching tactics, the pirate quickly straddled Hawke's chest and used the additional leverage to begin to push his hands back above his head. As she leaned over him her breasts came into range of Hawke's mouth and he stretched up to take one into his mouth. Both rogues knew that there was more than one way to win a fight.

The pair continued their wrestling as foreplay until finally resuming where they left off last night.

…

Isabela rolled off her lover onto her back, and struggled to catch her breath. Hawke had always been a passionate lover but ever since she had begun spending entire nights in his bed their lovemaking had been raised to new heights. It was almost as if he was trying to prove something to her. Trying to give her a reason to stay and wake up beside him.

She had never been a morning person, late nights and too much drink saw to that, but Hawke was slowly trying to change that. Most mornings he would complain that she was the reason he now overslept to which she would respond that he was the reason they were up so late the night before. Then she would taunt Hawke, warning him that if he couldn't keep up then she would find someone younger who could. Of course Hawke was never one to refuse a challenge and their mornings typically began the same way their nights ended, with mind-blowing, unadulterated sex. It was such a perfect way to bookend the day that a small part of Isabela wondered why she had resisted for so long.

She felt Hawke turn to face her, his head resting on his left arm. His right hand reached out to cup her chin. Isabela turned onto her side, mirroring his pose. Hawke's eyes sparkled and he looked as though he was steeling up his courage to say something profound.

'Don't say it. Please don't say it,' Isabela thought. Hawke had the look of someone about to say words of heartfelt adoration. She had seen the look before in the post-coital aftermath of a few lovestruck fools and it was a sign to her to get out quickly and never come back.

Most women in Kirkwall would give anything to share their Champion's bed or hear him express words of love and devotion, but Isabela was not most women. As much as she enjoyed Hawke's company, and that was far more than she cared to admit or deserved, the thought that Hawke might say he loved her filled her with dread.

Isabela didn't know what she'd do if he said those words. Probably run again for all the good it would do, just like she did after Hawke had damn near killed himself defeating the Qunari Arishok in single combat. He had fought not for the people of Kirkwall whose city was under siege, but to protect her. It had been a brutal and bloody battle and she remembered Hawke looking to her when things seemed at their worst. In the moment of his greatest doubt he had looked to her and she had seen the fear in his eyes. A fear not of his own death, but of what the Qunari would do to her as their prisoner if he failed and it had given him the strength and motivation to carry on and prevail.

It was that moment when Isabela had seen the depths of Hawke's feelings for her and it had scared the shit out of her. It had scared her so much that she had fled Kirkwall for almost three years until she had finally admitted to herself that Kirkwall and Hawke was where she belonged. It was another six months of the two of them tip-toeing around one another, trying to determine what the other's feelings were before they had found themselves in bed together again. Another eleven months of either Hawke or her sneaking out in the middle of the night from whoever's bed they had ended up in before Isabela had awakened one morning here in his bed, and that had only been two weeks ago.

At no time since Isabela had come back to Kirkwall had either of them shared their deepest feelings or discussed what happened during the time they were apart, and it worked for them. Sharing heartfelt declarations complicated things. She now spent the night for a few simple reasons: it was easier than walking back to the Hanged Man in the dead of night; Hawke's bed was more comfortable than her own; morning sex with Hawke was even better than night sex with Hawke and left her feeling surprisingly energized and alive; and finally breakfast at Hawke's was far better than the grub Corff served - that's it, end of story.

"Judging by the 'Oh Hawke, Oh Hawkes' you know who I am," he moved his hand up to feel her brow and his voice dripped with false concern, "but do you know where you now are now?"

Isabela let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. She wasn't sure whether to smack Hawke or kiss him for not ruining her day. Unfortunately both were liable to lead to the rest of their morning being lost in bed and truthfully the rogue wasn't sure she could take anymore; Hawke had the stamina of a bull. Thankfully as she was thinking up a response there was a discrete knock on the bedroom door, letting them know that there was hot water in the lavatory and that breakfast was soon ready.

"Still have all my senses Hawke. Don't worry, I won't tell the Champion's many admirers that you're slipping." It was not her best comeback but Isabela wasn't prepared to give Hawke the last word. With a laugh Hawke began to get out of bed and Isabela smacked his bare ass, letting him think that she was desiring more and that he was leaving her wanting. She did that knowing that Hawke was too considerate of his servant's efforts to take up her challenge. He really was a lousy noble, but a great lover.

Hawke turned to face her. His eyes scanned her body from the tips of her toes to the top of her head, drinking her in and setting Isabela a quiver. He knelt on the bed and reached out and Isabela cursed herself, thinking that her challenge might have been accepted. Instead Hawke grabbed her hands and pulled. "Get up you pirate, we mustn't keep everyone waiting."

…

After a quick wash the pair dressed and went downstairs together to the kitchen. Hawke was perhaps the only noble in Kirkwall who ignored his fancy dining room and instead ate his meals in the kitchen with his servants. While his late mother Leandra had been born to nobility, Hawke was not and he wasn't comfortable with its trappings. He was the eldest son of an apostate father and a mother who had renounced her family for love. As he often said, "I grew up mucking out stables and baling hay." or "I know what it's like to go to bed after a hard day's work with an empty stomach."

"Good morning messeres," Bodahn said cheerfully as they entered the room. The dwarf waved Orana back to her seat and moved to dish out everyone's meal; beginning with Sandal (it was easier that way).

The conversation around the table was good and the meal even better: eggs, sausage, potatoes, porridge and even fresh fruit: mangoes, oranges, and her favourite strawberries. Isabela cleaned her plate before filling and emptying it once again. Gradually the talk moved to everyone's plans for the day. Hawke was going to the marketplace to have the straps on his armour replaced and offered to run some errands for Bodahn and Orana (again Hawke really was a lousy noble and didn't understand the concept of servants in Isabela's opinion) since he'd be in the market anyways.

"Care to join me Bela?" asked Hawke.

Isabela considered it, but this morning's rum induced hangover from really nothing, two shots at best, was bothering her; she could normally drink most people under the table and still be fine for another. She'd been putting off going to Anders' clinic to check on a few assorted maladies for some time, perhaps she should do that today - except she hated seeing Anders for anything other than battlefield healing. It wasn't due to any lack of skill on the mage's part, but rather the rigamarole that went along with a visit. For each minute of healing there was ten minutes on the plight of mages and the oppression of the Chantry and another five about the importance of not giving her 'diseases' to Hawke. Honestly, it was a wonder that she hadn't killed him yet; if the people of Kirkwall or the Chantry knew just how much Isabela put up with they would have named her Champion instead or else vested her for Sainthood.

'Perhaps I should stop by the Blooming Rose and see who Madame Lusine uses to care for her girls?' she thought. But no, that wouldn't work; Isabela seemed to remember that Anders had stepped into that role after the templars had captured the last healer she used.

A throat cleared and then the answer came to her.

"I think I might stop by the Gallows and see Bethany."

Isabela could have kicked herself. As soon as the words came out of her mouth she saw the pained look on Hawke's face. He had never forgiven himself for Bethany's removal to the Circle even though it had been his sister's own doing. To make matters worse, since Hawke had become Champion he had openly opposed Knight-Commander Meredith over the treatment of the mages in her care. And if there was one thing that could be said about that cast iron she-bitch Meredith it was that she was not tolerant of people who went against her; especially someone who Kirkwall citizens - noble and commoner alike - looked to for leadership in the absence of a Viscount. Meredith might be the person who now held the power in Kirkwall, but Hawke was the one that most of the citizens would rally around, and apart from Grand Cleric Elthina he was the only other person in the city who gave the templars and their leader pause.

Unable to confront Hawke directly, the templar hag had instead taken to using her control over both the access to and treatment of Bethany to jerk the Champion around and try to control or punish him. She didn't outright threaten Bethany, the one time she tried that Hawke's murderous look alone had been enough for the eight templars accompanying Meredith to draw their swords and Hawke had still looked like he was about to tear out her throat with his bare hands, but anything short of that seemed fair game. Lately Meredith's game had been to make it impossible for him to see, speak, or even write Bethany, yet strangely neither she, Aveline, Sebastian, or even Varric ever had any problems.

The stupid thing was that Hawke was at least as familiar with mages and hated blood magic just as much as any templar. The only real difference, and completely understandable considering his family history, is that Hawke believed there was a better way than the Circle in its present form. To him taking young mages away from their family and locking them up surrounded by trained killers was not the way to teach magic. A frightened young mage, like his sister Bethany had once been, needed the support of their family as they came into their power, and they needed to be trained in a supportive and understanding environment. They did not need templars threatening the rite of tranquility or a Chantry who preached that their magic was a curse and filled them with self-loathing. To his mind the templars and the Chantry were one of the main reasons why a mage would turn to blood magic.

"I'm sorry Hawke."

"No it's alright Bela," Hawke said as he forced himself to smile. "Can you tell Bethy that I love her and I miss her?"

The rogue nodded.

"I should get going." And just like that Hawke was gone.

Isabela wanted to chase after him. She wanted to apologize again and rail against Meredith and the injustice that he couldn't see his sister. She wanted to hold Hawke in her arms and provide whatever comfort she could, but she didn't know how and besides that wasn't her anyways. Instead she waited a few minutes to be certain that Hawke had left before grabbing some fruit and beginning the long walk first to the Hanged Man to pick up a few things and then on to the Gallows.