Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

But... How else can we find out anything about what's going on? About Dad? Maybe... Nodding to herself, Bethany steps around Carver. "'l'll talk to him," she announces in a low voice.

[Carver Amell]

"What? No! Bethany, they're probably here to find you. If anything, you should hide and I'll go."

[Bethany]

"I'm finally getting to the point of learning real, magical healing. I am not losing my spot. And... I need to know what happened to Varric's." Bethany looks at him with stern eyes. "And you can't ask, not after... Your new job."

[Carver Amell]

"I'll cope," he says, scowling. "What if they're after you? What if they take you away? No, I'm not letting you."

[Bethany]

"... letting me?" Bethany asks in a very quiet, very dangerous voice.

[Carver Amell]

Carver meets her eyes. "I'm not letting you go. Not ever. I'm not letting Marian's death be... I'm not letting anything happen to you. No matter what."

[Bethany]

Oh. That's.... Oh. "Thank you, Packbrother," she says softly. "But I need this. So... Together then? That way, we're together, no matter what happens?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver hesitates for a moment, then nods. "Together. Like always." And if anything happens, I'll protect her.

Side by side, the pair approach Andy, Carver's chin high, almost defiant. 

[Andy za'Frane]

Spotting them about sixty, seventy feet away, Andy springs to his feet with an expression of deep relief. "Oh thank Astea," he exclaims. "Are you both alright? Where-" He cuts himself off, takes a deep breath, then says more calmly, "I have cold sweetened tea and some meat pies. Would you like some?"

[Bethany]

"What's happened to my Da- to Varric?" Bethany demands, ignoring the offer.

[Carver Amell]

Carver crosses his arms, trying to look intimidating. 

[Andy za'Frane]

"Ah, well..." Crap. I can't really tell them much about an ongoing case but I need to get them to trust me enough to come back to the station. "He's... being held for questioning at the moment."

[Carver Amell]

"For what?! He didn't do anything wrong," growls Carver

[Andy za'Frane]

Andy winces. "Ah, well, there are a few charges being investigated at the moment," he tries to deflect but hurries on at Bethany's scowl. "There's suspicion that he might be, ah, involved in the incident at Golden Shores. And your mother is claiming he'd taken the two of you."

[Bethany]

Bethany stares, aghast, at the first charge. At the second... "Taken? Like- she's saying he kidnapped us?" She shrieks.