AN: I originally started this story on AO3, and am continuing it there as well as here, under the same title and username. If you feel it reaches above the M rating, please let me know. This is rated M for some sexual contact (no actual sex scenes written), sparsely used curse words, and mild violence.

I have an outline for this story, that in total would be about 45 chapters, if I add no other chapters. While romance is in this story, it is quite plot driven as well. An update can be expected probably every 3 days.

This is the first time I have written and posted online a story for others to read, so please be kind.

One of the central characters is an original character (Katherine) from modern day Earth, who travels to the Dragon Age II universe. Katherine will have a relationship with Fenris. Just thought I would warn you, in case you would rather not read that. As of now, there will be two other relationships between canon characters.

While I love the Dragon Age II game, I am by no means an expert about it, so if something appears off in the story, that is why. I will also be changing parts of the game when needed for story purposes.

Dragon Age 2 is not owned by me and I only do this because I love the game.

I hope you enjoy.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Another year. Another birthday. One year older and still no one to share it with. No husband waiting for her at the end of the day. No children laughing and cheering her when she had yet another hard day of work. Not that she hadn't been married. She had once. Jerry. That jerk! It had been a few years since their divorce. Better to not think of him; Of the pain he caused her. After all, it was her birthday.

Sighing, Katherine flipped the television off and tossed the remote on the couch. She went to her kitchen, pulling a bottle of wine from the fridge. She retrieved one of her glasses, ready to pour some wine into it. Then decided against it and placed the glass on the counter. Katherine then took a hearty swig from the bottle. It was bitter to her, but the only alcohol in the house, so it would have to do. Wine to dull the senses.

"Thanks, Tommy, for the evening's entertainment." She gave a mock toast. She was alone and speaking to herself. Tommy was in Fort Wayne, nearly four hours away, at college. She picked up the card he had sent and read it out loud. "Happy birthday, sis. Hope it's a good one. Here's some wine to take your mind off work. Had to have James get it. Underage and all that. Love you, Tommy." Tommy wasn't quite 20 yet, and James was one of his roommates. Well, she would put her little brother's gift to good use. She would probably drink the entire bottle tonight.

Flicking the computer on and entering her password, she turned on some Les Miserables music. It was loud enough to drown out the rain outside, but quiet enough as to not upset her neighbors in the next apartment. The sad heartbreak in the powerful songs suited her just fine. Katherine then flopped on to the sofa with the wine bottle in her hand.

She took another huge gulp and couldn't help but be a little disappointed with herself. Her life was nothing like she had imagined when she was younger. She was an unmarried 26 year old; wait, no, an unmarried 27 year old. No family, no grand career. Barely 18, she had joined the Army right after high school. It was to pay for school because Tommy's dad, her step dad, refused to pay for it for her. As much as he seemed disinterested in Katherine, he did love Thomas and paid for his schooling at IPFW. Actual blood and all that. Not that Katherine had expected or really wanted him to pay for her schooling, even if he did have more than enough money; but it had stung that he kicked her out as soon as she graduated high school. It had stung even more when her mother hadn't said a word about it.

She had finished school, albeit from an online school, even while deployed twice. She had served the Army as a paralegal, and that is what she got her degree in. Now she lived in Indianapolis as a paralegal at one of the law firms. She had been at the current one for 2 years, but had served as a civilian paralegal for around 6 years. Her Basic Training photo was displayed near the TV. She looked very much the same now, just older, a little heavier. Not fat exactly, just a bit more plump than she would like. Big, light blue eyes and straight darkish brown hair. There was nothing special about her really, expect the big blue eyes. Those eyes were the only thing she was ever really complimented on. But that was okay, Katherine was resigned to that now.

A family photo was on the other side; her, Tommy, their mom, and Kenneth, Tommy's dad. They looked happy, but she knew better. Kenneth barely thought of her as more than a stranger and merely tolerated her because he loved her mother. He was a good husband and amazing father, even if he was a lousy step father.

Her wedding photo use to hang where her army one now did. Katherine had actually thought herself pretty in it. Her eyes so full of happiness. She had thought they would be together forever. Two short years later and she had realized what a cheating, lying bastard he was. While she had been reflecting, she had been drinking more and more of the wine. Even now the bottle was nearly empty and she could feel sleep looming on her. She knew she should probably put the wine up and get dressed for bed, but she didn't feel like she had the energy. Clumsily placing the wine on the coffee table, she leaned further back into her sofa and waited for sleep to claim her. Quiet and blissful sleep. No disappointment in one's self there.