Command and Conquer: The Wolf, the Agent, and the Demon.

An Assassin's Creed and Command and Conquer crossover


Prologue

Trinity, New Mexico, 1946

"Stop playing with that thing!" Doctor Albert Einstein said to his aide impatiently, as the latter fiddled with the camera that would record their time traveling.

"I've just go to adjust this," the skittery aide replied, taking a moment to add his finishing touches. "With our miscalcualtion a week ago, I want to keep this on record, in case you don't come back." After he finished with the camera, he then went back to working at his computer, typing away furiously.

"Give me the sequence calculations. Now!" Einstein demanded, losing his patience.

The aide, a skinny fellow with slicked black hair and wide, expressive eyes, moved to another keyboard, moving so that Einstein was in view of the camera. "They're already done," the aide said, handing Einstein a clip-board as the elderly man sat in the chair that had been designed for traveling back in time.

Einstein's intent was to remove Hitler from the world before he could begin his reign, and he wanted no mistakes this time. While Einstein scribbled away on the clip board, he spoke. "Ja, that is what you said before, and what happened? I'm thrown into Ancient Asia in the middle of a forest, surrounded by man-eating wolves!" He said, handing back the clip board when he was finished. "It was by sheer happenstance that I met creatures who understood my plight."

Eric Van Berg, the aide assigned to Einstein, returned to his computer. "I'll believe that when I see it, Herr Doctor. I still cannot believe that you survived, or what you claimed to have seen or heard. Parallel universes, a wolf that used to be a man, a fight between angels and demons?"

Einstein, ignoring him, began to clean his glasses. "I wonder if it will be raining," he muttered to himself, referring to where...when he was going. He hated rain.

"Stand by," Eric said. The machines around them roared to life, and seconds later, Einstein disappered in a flash of light. A few seconds later, he reappeared, and fiddled with his watch.


"Did you find him?" His aide asked, when Einstein had returned a short time later in the same flash of light.

Einstein nodded, and said slowly, "Hitler is out of the way."

Eric smiled. "Congratulations, Professor Einstein! With Hitler removed..."

Einstein forestalled him with a raised hand. "Time will tell. Sooner or later, time will tell," he finished, resetting his watch.

What neither knew was that this act of well-intentioned interference would change the world forever.


I stood next to Gabriel, watching as the Soviet Union rose to power. Without Nazi Germany to unite the West and the Soviets, there was no cooperation and no Cold War. A year after Einstein offed Hitler, the war between the two factions erupted. America, unsurprisingly late to the war, found itself and it's allies hard-pressed to defend their territories from the invading Red Bear.

"What a bloody mess," I said, shaking my head. "The old bugger did it."

Gabriel shrugged. "Yep. And guess who has to clean up the mess?" He finished, clapping me on the shoulder.

I nodded, fingering the hilt of Michael's...Gabriel's two-handed, double-edged blade. "One man against the entire sodding Red Curtain. It's like Christmas came early!"

Gabriel chuckled, and slapped me on the butt playfully. "Ah, loosen up, would you? You won't be going in without party favors."

He began to tick off the 'party favors.' "For instance, you get to keep your powers you had in the Forest. Along with that, you will be able to heal others and bring them back from the dead. You will have increased metabolism: that is, you will be stronger, faster, and will be able to self-heal from non-mortal wounds. You will be the best shot, have the best eyes, and the smartest of the pack. You'll also be able to transform into your wolf form at will: just think about your sister, and say 'for the Forest,' and you won't have opposable thumbs. To turn back into a human, you'll think of your human body, and say 'For my Father.' You'll make Stalin shake in his iron boots!"

I widened my eyes. "Oi, what brought all this on? I haven't exactly been a good boy, you know."

Gabriel shook his head. "This ain't about you, Fido. All your powers are to keep you on pace with Luci. See, seeing as he handed you your ass recently, Dad figured you could use a mulligan."

I smiled. "If that be the case, I can't wait to face that demon again, and hand him a beating he won't forget!"

Gabriel clapped me on the shoulder. "That's the spirit! Go out there, and make me proud!"

I paused. "What about San? When will she get to visit me?"

Gabriel waved his hand. "Oh, I'll make sure you guys find a good time to catch up. Now, Lucifer might not be who you think he is inhabiting, so keep your head on a swivel." He paused, and then gestured. "Oh, and before I forget..."

I gasped as an itchy feeling came over me, and looked into the nearby pond (from which I had watched my family after my death) and saw that my beard had been replaced by a clean-shaven face. My hair had become short, almost bristles against my head. "What was that for?"

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "It suits you, and it'll help you later. You'll thank me for it soon enough. Good luck, kiddo." He raised his hand to my forehead, and I was blinded by a flash of light before everything went suddenly black.


When I became aware, I found myself standing in the midst of a green forest. I only had time to look at myself to realize I was wearing my old Assassin uniform from back home (black leggings, my Wolf cape, and a black leather jacket), a Hidden Blade strapped on each arm, and the sword strapped over my shoulder.

Just as I was wondering where the deuce I was, a voice called from the woods. "Freeze!"

I turned to see a figure emerged from the woods, twin pistols pointed at my face. She was tall with tanned skin, with brown almost red hair that hung down to her shoulders, and wore a dark tank-top and camoflague pants. Other than her hair, clothing, hazel eyes, and non-Asian appearance, she was the spitting image of my adopted sister: same tanned skin, same facial structure, same height, same strong body, and the same sharp and expressive eyes. She was much more fetching than San, though!

I straightened, giving her an appreciative once-over. What a rack she had! "Steady on, luv. I'm on your side. What's your name?"

She stared back, her eyes narrowing as she took me in. "Agent Tanya Adams, and keep your hands where I can see them. Who the hell are you, what's with that get-up, and why the fuck are you carrying that antique?" She finished, pointing to the sword.

I had to suppress a chuckle. Susan would be horrified by this woman's language, horrified enough to wash out her mouth with soap!

I bowed. "John, Assassin from London. I'm on an assignment to off Stalin. As for the sword, it's a family heirloom, and I'm rather good at using it."

She nodded, and holstered her weapons. "You want to kill that bastard too? Well, you and the rest of the fucking Free World, including yours truly. How'd you get here, on the border between Germany and Poland?"

I winked at her. "I'm just that damn good at my job. Stealth and infiltration, and all that! Dare I ask why you're here?"

She shrugged. "Actually, I'm on my way to a Soviet camp to rescue prisoners. Care to join me?"

I grinned, lowering my hood. "Too right, I do!"


Tanya's breath was cut short by the mere sight of him. Good God, wasn't it illegal for anyone to be so gorgeous?

Although she was not close to him, she could see that he towered over her. His close-fitting army told her that this man was ripped, and his face was thin and chisled.

He had a cleft chin, dark hair, small ears, but what most attracted her attention was his eyes: as green as the forest around, sharp and intense, permeating calm confidence. There was an odd look to them, as if he had experienced things no one his age would usually experience.

There was another odd thing about him: there were three tattoos on his face, two long upside-down triangles starting from the middle of his cheeks to the start of his neck, and a much smaller upside-down triangle on the middle of his forehead. These gave him an air of danger, and made him look even more dishy!


I smiled at her reaction, and raised my hood back into place. The old me would have teased her, but now, I just cleared my throat, and said. "Shall we be off, then?"

She nodded after a moment. "The camp's not far off, just a few miles east of us."

I smiled, and gestured ahead of me. "Ladies first."

She smirked back. "In that case, you lead the way!"

I let out a bark of a laugh. San and Amaya would have liked her. "That's cute, but since I've no idea what the plan is, so I'll let you go ahead of me."

As I followed her, my heart seared with homesickness as I looked around at the forest around us, and then shook my head at myself. I had to move on now.

I was brought out of my thoughts by her voice. "So, you're an Assassin, huh? I've come across a few of those in America. Greatest goddamn killers I've ever seen, but they hate taking orders from anyone, especially beaurocrats."

I sent her a smirk. "Yeah, killing and sneaking around is what we do best. You work for those arseholes!" That was a problem, but I could wait before I settled it.

She chuckled. "Yeah, but I hate those cocksuckers!"

She could not help but note that, as they moved through the forest, he was aware of every sound and sight, not even missing the bugs around them. He moved like a hunter, confident and powerful, cold and dominating. He stalked, alluring and intimidating. He was unlike any man she had ever seen or met.

After a short time of traveling, she spoke again. "Can I ask you a question?"

I nodded. "Be my guest, luv."

"Tanya. Were you always an Assassin?"

I nodded again. "Yes, for as long as I can remember. My parents were too, and I've been so even after they left."

She frowned. "You mean, after they died?"

I shook my head. "No, they left, as in disappered. They just vanished, as if they didn't even sodding exist in the first place."

She hesitated, hearing the pain in his voice, however faint it was. "I'm sorry. I lost my parents too, but in a car accident."

He stopped walking, and turned to her. "I'm sorry for you in return. Were you always an...er..." My voice faded away, not knowing quite how to put it.

She let out a laugh, grateful for the change in conversation. "A Tom-Boy? Yeah, I was always into guns and the military, growing up in the Appalachian mountains. My dad was a general in the Army, and my Mom was a CIA Agent. I always thought that girls who were into getting ready for marriage or playing with their fucking dolls to be idiots."

I smiled. "You remind me of my adopted sister."

After another quick pause, she spoke again. "Where'd you get that cape? Is that real fur?"

I smiled. "A while ago, off of a dead wolf I found while out in the country."

She whistled. "I know lots of people who'd give real money for that thing."

I grinned ferally. "It's not for sale, and they're welcome to try!"

She smirked back. "I like the way you think!"


A few hours later, we stopped for the night. Since we were within a mile of the enemy base, we made sure that we were well hidden from any sight by covering our make-shift camp with branches cut down by my sword.

"About damned time that thing came in useful. I don't know how you got used to lugging that thing around."

I laughed, as I sat down next to her, leaning my sword against a near-by tree. I couldn't help but see that, by the way that her shirt was currently situated, she was showing more cleavage than usual, and she had the best abdominal muscles I had ever seen on a bird. "It was at first, but I got used to it."

"Noted, but my eyes are up here, you big pervert!" She snarled, jabbing one of her callused fingers in my face. If this womanizer wasn't so damn handsome, she would have broken his fucking nose...did she just think he was handsome?

I snapped my eyes to hers guiltily. "Right, so it is."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't let it happen again. The last thing I need is another man drooling all over me."

I nodded. Can you blame them, sexy? "Have it your own way."

They were silent for another few minutes, and then I noticed Tanya began to shiver, but she hid it rather pointedly. I paused, and then unclipped my cape before draping it over her.

I expected her to protest, but her jaw only clenched before she nodded in thanks. I nodded back, trying to push my feelings away, as Rin taught me. It used to be easy, but it wasn't. You're thinking with the head between your legs, not the one on top of your shoulders! But it was more than lust, but I didn't know what it was.

Just as she seemed to fall asleep, a voice sounded from behind me. "So, she seems nice."

I turned in time to wrap my arms around my little sister as she leaped into my arms, whom I had not seen since she had come to the Spiritual World. Gabriel had been training me extensively with all kinds of weapons and scenarios to the point that I had barely any time to see her or her family.

In the Spiritual World, and in heaven, a person stayed at the prime of their life, so San was at her best.

She felt real and warm, and I breathed in her scent. "She seems that way so far. It's so good to see you again."

San smiled, her warm breath wafting against my neck. "You too, big brother. You like her. I can see it when you look at her, and she suits you. Eboshi was a passing thing, thank the Forest, and Rin turned you away. This might be different."

I snorted. "I've known her for only a day, and you're playing the sodding matchmaker, little sister?"

San smirked. "You were always whining about your needs, weren't you? Well, here's a girl who can stand up for herself, and knock you on your ass if you need it, so you'd better take advantage while you can. Speaking of the girl, did you know she's still awake?"

I flinched, and turned slowly to see Tanya standing up, arms folded over her chest, which, once again, did tantalizing things to her impressive rack. "You've got some explaining to do, big guy. Spill it, or I'll spill your miniscule brains from your fucking skull!"

Turning to San, she spoke. "You too, Shorty, and keep your hands where I can see them!"

San raised her eyebrows, looking amused. "How charming, not to mention rude."

I sighed. "You'd better sit down, Tanya. This will take some time."


Tanya raised an eyebrow. "I'd prefer to stand, thanks. Now talk!"

She also took the time to survey the girl. She was Asian, around John's age, and looked well-built despite her small stature. She had sharp brown eyes, shoulder-length brown hair that was dark enough to pass as black, but other than that, it was like looking into the mirror. She wore clothes and mocassins made of the same fur as the cape draped over her shoulders (the same that John had), wore a head-band, and arm bands on either bicep. She also had the same tattoos as John.

San stepped forward, and tilted her head in a bow. "I'm San of the Wolf Tribe, John's adopted sister. I'll do the talking, and trust me, you'll be sitting down soon enough."

Tanya snorted. "The name's Tanya, and I'm not a person who likes to be threatened."

San smirked. "If I wanted to threaten you, I'd have a knife at your throat."

Tanya sneered. "Go ahead and try, Shortstop!"


Chuckling, San turned to me, and laid a hand on my arm. "Show her the wolf in you. That's a good start."

I gave her a flat look. "It is? Are you sure?" Her narrowed eyes answered my question for me.

I winced. "Righto. For the Forest." I let out a gasp as I felt my body expand and elongate, but it felt like I was coming home!


Tanya, who was about to snarl something about her still being within earshot, swore violently as John transformed into a huge wolf, at least ten times the size of a normal wolf, jet black except for a red fringe on the tail.

She drew his pistols, but San was there at a dead run, knocking them from her hands. "Don't hurt my brother!"

Tanya shoved her back, and pointed at the beast. "What the fuck? WHAT THE FUCK!?"

"It's still me, Tanya. Settle down, yeah?"

She opened her mouth to argue, but then looked into the animal's eyes, seeing only John's eyes. "What the hell are you?"

San spoke up. "It's a long story. Will you listen without trying to shoot us with those contraptions of yours?"

Tanya nodded, after a moment of thought. "Fine, Toots. I promise I won't shoot you if you are honest with me." After a few minutes of listening, she decided to sit down.

I curled up next to her, dozing off, so I don't know how long it took San to tell her everything.

I was only woken up when I felt Tanya stand up again. I opened one bleary eye to see Tanya pace back and forth. "This is crazy. None of this makes sense. According to you, Madam Butterfly, you're dead, John's a Were-wolf, and he can travel across universes? I need more proof."

San rolled her eyes. "Gabriel warned me you would be like this, so he gave me the power to how you everything." With that said, she stepped forward slowly, hand reaching out to Tanya in a sign of peace.

I expected Tanya to shoot her, but she stood still, seeming to think that San was not threatening her. Seconds later, San's palm was on Tanya's forehead.

Tanya let out a cry of surpise as she was shown a series of what can only be described as memories: a kindly elder lady taking in a grieving younger John, a lion about five times the size of any lion at the zoo, the four Pevensies hugging John after he been killed by the White Witch, the Wolf Tribe, and John's death. In short, she saw everything that had happened to John is the spanse of a few seconds, what had occured within decades of his life.

"Well, fuck me!" She said, after San had removed her hand, before falling in a dead faint. She would have hit her head on a root if I hadn't stopped her by putting my body at her back, gently guiding her unconscious body to the ground.

"She's got quite the mouth on her, hasn't she?" San asked, smirking. "Don't worry, Brother. She's alright, but she won't wake until morning. She needs her sleep anyway."

I sighed. "I wouldn't be surprised if she blows my bloody head off when she wakes up. Spiffing, absolutely spiffing!"

San sniffed. "It was better to tell her now than to wait until she really trusted you. Overreacting ill-becomes you. You and her will be fine. I must go now, but I shall visit you soon."

I rested my muzzle on her shoulder, and rubbed my head against her cheek. "Right, luv. See you soon, yeah?" With a kiss to my muzzle, she was gone.

I decided to sleep as well, as we had a long day tomorrow, but not before becoming a human again.


When I woke up, I sat up to see that Tanya was already awake, munching on something that looked like a cereal bar. When she saw that I was awake, she fished in her pack, and tossed me one without a word.

I unwrapped it and took a bite, finding out that it was exactly what I thought it was. "That was quite something last night." she commented, finishing the bar long before me.

I grimaced, finishing the bar before replying. "I won't blame you if you want to pop my head off, or call it all a dream. It's what I would do."

She shook her head. "Nah, it was too lucid to be a dream, and my imagination ain't that good. I've got no choice but to believe you."

I couldn't help but smile. "You're taking this a mite better than I expected. I thought you would shoot me."

She arched an eyebrow. "I can do that. But you'd probably catch the bullet, like you did in that Forest of yours."

I winced playfully, leaning my back against one of the trees around us. "I could, but I'd prefer not break my head right before our mission."

She smiled back, then paused before speaking again. "Do you really want to do this? All this crap with angels and demons, I mean. I know you promised yourself to that asshole with wings, but it's all a tall order."

My playfullness faded, and I paused before shrugging. "I don't have anything else to do, and since I'm already dead, I'd either go to heaven or hell. I'd prefer holding off going either way, and this seems the best way to do it. Besides, Lucifer has made it more than personal for me. No, I want this."

Tanya nodded, appreciating the honesty, but saw that there was pain behind his words. But she didn't have the right to pry further. They didn't know each other enough for that yet, but she decided to reward him for his honesty with some truth of her own. "My father didn't die in a car accident. He was assassinated by the Soviets. That's why I work for the Allies."

He opened his mouth, but she raised her hand, smiling. "Don't bother saying anything, big guy. It's the thought that counts."

I nodded. "Righto. So, what is your plan with the camp?"

She reached into one of her many pockets, and produced a sizeable map, which was covered with markings and circles, showing that she was a careful planner. I felt a smile stretch across my lips. So, she was like San in most things, but like Rin in other ways. There were two guard-posts at the gate, two barracks buildings, a garage for automobiles, and an enclosure where the prisoners were kept. The base was built in the middle of a perfectly nice forest, and was about three football fields long. According to Tanya, there were at least one hundred enemy soldiers, and two dozen captives, a few of them VPs. "What I need is a distraction to plant C4 on all the buildings, and then free the prisoners," she finished.

"Piece of cake! It's not even a challenge!" Gabriel said in my head.

I grinned at his confidence, and my own soared. "I can do that. Leave it to me, yeah?" I assured her.

She frowned. "What? How the hell are you going to do that?"

I winked at her, and hefted Gabriel's sword. "You worry about your end of the bargain. Now, let's go free some prisoners, although I'll be there in a matter of seconds! Don't you fret, because I'll cause enough of a show that you'll get into the fort right sharpish!"

"Gabriel?"

"Way ahead of you, big guy!"

Tanya spoke then. "You'd better not do what I think you're going to-shit!" She finished, as he disappeared as if he was never there. She gathered her stuff together, and hurriedly started on her way. "God damn that man!"


I expected to be taken to the location instantly, but I found myself standing in an area of pure whiteness, with Gabriel standing in front of me. "Now, before you start tearing up the big red Bear, I have to tell you something concerning your...my sword. You've heard of Tennis, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I watched Wimbledon from time to time."

He returned the nod. "Good. Similar to the racket hitting the ball, you can hit any projectiles coming at you straight back at the shooter. So, swing away, Merrill!"

I nodded, although mystified by that last bit. "That's good to know. And my name's John."

Gabriel, seeing my confusion, shook his head. "Oh, for heaven's sake! You really should have watched more television when you were in that apartment of yours. Well, let's fix that, shall we?"

Before I could stop him, his palm pressed against my forehead, and all the movies that had ever been made, and consequential quotes in those movies, flowed into my head. "There. Now, you can quote movies to your heart's delight. You're welcome!"

I nodded, feeling slightly sick from the mass-insertion of all this knowledge. "Lovely. Well, shall we get on with it?"

Gabriel grinned. "Buckle up, Wolfie. Next stop's downtown!"


A short time later, it was hard to say who was more surprised to see the other: Me or the Soviet gits standing guard at the entrance to the base, standing only feet from each other.

I reacted first, killing them both, before turning to enter the base. The trouble was that there was no gate, and now, about two dozen armed Soviets had seen me killing their mates.

"Game on, cocksuckers!" I yelled, as they opened fire. Half a minute later, almost all the Soviets in the camp were dead from my deflecting and slicing sword moves, with the rest running out and away from the camp, screaming in terror.

"Kick-ass 2, really?" Gabriel chastised.

I shrugged. "I'm a fan of Hit-Girl."

I turned to the prison compound, and was a bit unnerved to see half a dozen POW's staring at me through barbed wired fences.

"Ready to go home, mates?" I asked, cutting through the iron locks at the gates.

"Yeah, but how'd you do that, kid?" One of them asked, a tall and strong fellow with dark hair and grey eyes asked. His accent was American, his voice gruff and deep.

"I eat right and exercise, old chap. Call it magic, if you want," I said, waving my hand airily.

Thankfully, Tanya turned up in time to forestall further questions. "Job's done, and the choppers are on the way."


Once all of us were in the transportation helicopters, and Tanya had blown up the base, the same woman turned to me, and punched me in the face. "You stupid limey prick! Are you out of your goddamned mind?"

I clutched my face. Her small, hard hands were all too familiar: another thing for her and San to have in common, along with her temper. "Oi! what the sodding hell was that for?"

She prodded her finger into my chest. "You know damn well what, Dumbass! Showing off your powers to the POWs and the Ruskies, who are going to spread this story to every Tom, Dick, and Harry in their countries? Now every general's going to be after your ass, and Lucifer's going to know that you're coming. Are you always this stupid?"

I pushed away her hand. "Well, I didn't do it to spite you, I promise!" Despite my words, I knew she was right.

She snorted. "No, you did it because you're an arrogant asshole without a damned jock-strap. How do you fight with that huge melon on your shoulders?"

I grinned back wolfishly. "It's not as big as the one between my legs. Would you like to see-OW!" I broke off, as she hit me again.

Tanya, hiding her blush by turning to spit out of the helicopter, shook her head. "You can take your dirty talk, and shove it!"

I winked at her. "Whatever you say, dear."

One of the prisoners, a tall and quiet man with blond hair and dark eyes, chuckled. "You two remind me of my wife and me, although she would've cleaned your mouth out with soap, luv," he finished at Tanya, who snorted. "I'd like to see her try, soldier, and he's not my fucking husband!"

I grinned back at him, tickled at her brusque words, holding out my hand for a hand-shake. "Is that a London accent I hear, mate? Me name's John Elder Lewis, and I'm from near Smithsfield."

The man smiled, and shook my proffered hand. "Aye, Lad. Good to see a fellow Londener in all this mess. Major James Pevensie, at your service, and I thank you for getting me out of that mess!"

For a long moment, I could only stare in shock, thankful he couldn't see my face.

He had Peter's hair, Edmund's facial structure and Lucy's eyes.

This was their father.

"Well, it's sodding brilliant to meet you, Major." As we chatted, I noted he had Susan's sardonic of humor and kind smile. Thankfully, a short time later, the Major excused himself to rest from his ordeal, as I was deeply shaken by this unexpected twist.

After he was asleep, I began to pace. I wanted to see the Pevensies, but how had things changed? I had watched them disappear decades ago, after all. I didn't know how to feel about this.

Tanya watched him, feeling bad for the big goof. As cocky and quick-witted as he was, all of his confidence was gone, replaced by something she couldn't really figure out. Whatever it was, she didn't really like it.

This surprised her, since she usually liked to have the upper hand on everybody, pushing buttons until she found something she could use to her advantage. What was it about him that was different? "Where's your head at, big guy?" She asked, after a moment's silence.

He turned to her, lowering his hood to show his smile. "I'm going to see them again. Bugger, what will I say to them?"

Tanya took him by the collar, and shook him. "Hey, snap out of it, Gigantor! It's not like they're here now, so drop the dramatics!"

My anger rose, and I broke her grip with a flourish. "Don't touch me, you sodding Yank, or I'll-"

She got right in my face. "Or what, Limey? You wanna take a shot? Go ahead, take one," She sneered, pointing to her face.

I shook my head. "All I need is one good one, and I punch those pretty teeth down your pretty throat!"

She spread her arms out. "Then why don't you step up to the plate, and put your money where your mouth is, you walking Flea-magnet?"

I glared at her. "I wouldn't piss in the wind if I were you, you little bint!" Even though she reminded me so much of San, she was different in other ways.

More bleeding attractive, calculating and clever.

There was also a tension between me and Tanya, explosive and heated, driving me mad with desire and something I couldn't quite figure out. It resulted in more outbursts than I had with San in one day, and it left me curious to find out what exactly it was.

She glared back at him. "Don't test me, you son of a bitch!"

She had dated a few men in her past, but none so infuriating or gorgeous as him. She had only known him for a day, but he was getting under her skin, and the sexual tension between them made her want to scream!

God damn this man!


The base we ended up landing in was almost five times the size of the Russian base, and at least fifty times the population. "We're in the German countryside, northeast Germany to be exact. It's mainly a American, British, and German camp, the three nations seperated from the other," Tanya explained grouchily, as we walked off the helicopter and through the camp. I attracted enough stares, with my clothes and my sword, but I ignored them.

"Righto. I'll let you lead the way, then," I said, not at all uncomfortable from the stares that I attracted. I had enough of that back in the Forest, and in Narnia.

Tanya led me to a tent near the northern outskirts of the camp. "Oh, I like this!" I said, looking around at the various weapons stored in the tent, with only a cot to show any semblance of living. It was a veritable armory, any manner of guns, pistols, rifles, knives, you name it, she had it.

"I thought you would. You're a man, after all!" She said dryly. "The only thing I don't have is your big poker."

I sent her a crooked grin. "Which one? Slow the fuck down!" I finished, as the red-faced the agent drew one of her pistols and pointed it at me.

"I didn't mean it like that, you pervert! Wipe that smirk off your face before I do it for you!"

I cocked an eyebrow. "Is that a blush I see, beautiful?"

She spat in my direction, and turned for the exit. "I need to debrief. I need to get away from you, and your ugly face. Don't talk to anyone, don't leave the tent, and for God's sake, don't attract attention to yourself."

I chuckled. "Yes, your Majesty," I said, watching her perfectly-rounded arse move as she stormed from the tent.

"Go to hell!"


"Ms. Parker, as successful as ever," the grizzled General Carter said, nodding to Tanya when she entered his tent, his voice deep and southern-accented. Small but strong, face vaguely resembling a bull-dog, he was a gruff man that expected nothing but the best from those under his command. Underneath his bluster and gruffness, he cared about his men, which Tanya respected.

In fact, he was one of the few men she did respect!

"Always, and don't call me that. Where's my money?" Tanya asked, annoyed that he referred to her by her father's given name.

He chuckled, tickled as ever by her brusqueness, handing her the promised cash in a briefcase. "Fine, Agent Adams. Before I continue, who the hell was the guy with you? He's armed like he's from the goddamned middle ages. I've never seen him before."

Tanya sighed, feeling a headache coming. "His name is John Lewis Elder. He's an old friend, and he's from London. He likes to do things the old fashioned way, so that'll explain the sword. He was in No Man's Land, although I don't know how he got there. He was always good about keeping secrets."

General Carter grimaced. "Okay. So you trust him? He's not a double agent? Finding him where you found him seems kind of strange."

Tanya shook her head. "I've known and killed plenty of double agents, and he's not one of them. I trust him."

He quirked his eyebrow. "Are the two of you lovers?"

She shot a look at him. "Hell, no!"

But she wanted to be...wait, what?

He chuckled. "That was quick. Can I talk to him?" He finished quickly, as her jaw clenched from the thinly-veiled suggestion in his words.

She shrugged grouchily. "Be my guest. It's no skin off my nose."


I was just lying down on the cot when Tanya came in. "Front and center, tough guy. My boss wants a word with you."

I sighed, rising. "Spiffing. Well, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't sodding expect this. Did you tell him my epic story of angels and universes?" I finished, winking at her.

She snorted. "Do I look stupid? I'd hate to burst your bubble, Cement-Head, but not everything is about you. Now, the guards outside will take you to my employer, and leave that over-sized letter opener here! You won't be needing it."

I grimaced. "If you say so." I didn't mention that I could call my sword to me at any time. She and I traded places, and before I left, I touched her arm. "Thanks for not telling him the truth."

She shifted as his touch sent pleasant shivers down her spine, something that had never happened before with anyone else.

God damn this man for getting under her skin! "Don't get sentimental. I just didn't want to lose my fucking job. Now, move your ass!"

His resulting knowing smirk made her want to kiss him and break his nose at the same time.


General Carter looked up at the huge man who entered the tent under armed guard. "John Elder Lewis?"

The tall young man nodded, the General gaining glimpses of the man's looks through his movements. "That's what most call me, General," the Brit said, pausing on the last word as he took in the stars on each of the older man's shoulders, the last word accompanied by a sneer.

The elder man nodded. Great! Another insolent merc! "Good. Would you mind taking a seat, kid? I have some questions for you."

John did so reluctantly, but not before glancing back at the two soldiers that were now standing down at side of the tent. The General could see the calculation in the young man's eyes, and he realized that the youth was deciding how easy it would be to take them on.

By the accompanying snort, he could tell John had found them wanting of any challenge. This was a killer, and at such a young age too. And he wore the clothes of an Assassin.

What kind of parents did this kid have that would let him be an Assassin?

I'll tell you what I can, yeah? The rest is...classified."

The General nodded. "Anything you can tell me would be good to know. Tanya seems to trust you, and that's the only damn reason why you've made it this far into my camp. Assassins are a dying breed, and it'll cause me hell if my superiors find out about you."

John smirked. "I don't know why she trusts me, and they can fucking try and off me."

Carter shrugged. "I don't give a rat's ass. Just how in the hell did you manage to meet Tanya, in No Man's Land, in the middle of a fucking forest?"

John's smirk widened. "I'm full of surprises, General. I'm a sodding Assassin, and I specialize in stealth and killing people. My next victim is Stalin, and I was on my way to slitting his iron gullet when I came across Tanya, whom I decided to help."

The old man snorted. "I've seen plenty of your kind, but none of them with a sword. You won't get anywhere near him with your limited arsenal, so what is your game plan when, or if, you get to him, son?"

John yawned. "Are you always this bloody boring? I always find a way to kill my mark, you old wart. I'm not just an Assassin. I'm the Assassin."

The General steepled his fingers in front of his face, seeming to ignore the insults. Perhaps Tanya had toughened him up. "You've got balls, I'll give you that. But you have too much of them. You won't get within ten miles without losing your balance due to that top-heavy, over-large head of yours. You're too young to play with the big boys, kid."

He would have continued, but was cut off by John, who leaped from his chair, and got in his face in one fluid movement. Gripped in each hand was a throwing knife, both buried into the table the General was sitting on, inches from the old man's hands. The calm, disarming, and arrogant John was gone, replaced by a dangerous being with eyes full of wrath and hate.

When the kid spoke, it was a deadly hiss. "Pack it in, you old cunt, or I'll open you a new mouth on that sagging gullet of yours, and find out if you bleed only dust from those ancient veins of yours. I'm not afraid of you or anybody in this fucking base. If you ever talk like that to me again, you'll live only long enough to find out how fucking savage I can be! I could have killed you and your guards a hundred times by now, but I'll let you live for now, if you keep a civil tongue in that sodding head of yours."

A second later, he sat back down, his former personality back in full swing. "Any other questions, old chap?"

Carter went from fearful to annoyed in a matter of seconds, realizing that this dangerous side of the kid was an act...or was it?

"Okay, kid. You want in on the action, then you've got it. Now get your puny ass out of my tent, before I blow your fucking brains out for threatening me!"


I grinned, and turned for exit, noting with a great deal of amusement that the two guard's rifles were pointed at my head. "You tell these rookies to fuck off," I tossed over my shoulder. At the General's nod, they backed off.

"Good lads," I said, smiling and then leaving the tent, and running straight into Tanya. "Hello, luv. Fancy some kip and sleep?"

She nodded in the evening light of the nearby campfires, and led me back to the tent before rounding on me. "You're a cocky bastard, aren't you?"

I raised an eyebrow, lowering my hood. "Cocky, yes. Bastard? hardly!"

Tanya actually let out a 'ha!' of derisive laughter. "You think you're so fucking funny, don't you? If you weren't so goddamn useful, I'd put a bullet in your brain for talking to the General like that!"

I chuckled. "So you like yours old, do you? I should've realized-" I would have finished the sentence, but she sent a kick below the belt to cut me off.

Should've expected that, but she was fast!

"Kitten's got claws!" I laughed in exhiliration, as we engaged in a wrestling match eerily similar to San's and mine, after I had regained my breath, that is. But unlike mine and San's rows, this wrestling match was strangely charged, leaving me extremely aroused.

Unfortunately, this distraction only served to be my downfall. Soon enough, she was straddling my chest, hands pinning my arms to the floor. Breathing heavily, we stared at each other for a long moment, our faces inches apart, before she released me, holding out a hand to help me up.

I accepted it, silently agreeing with her hesitation. We barely knew each other, after all. That had never stopped me before, but I wanted things to be different than her. "You're a right good fighter, Hellcat," I noted, feeling bruises starting to swell all over my body.

She smirked, liking this new nick-name, trying to forget his manly and musky odor. "I get that a lot. Is it just me, or were you holding back?"


Her question was answered, but not by John. "He always did that with me. He likes you." San stood in the entrance to the tent, a smile on her face.

"Do you ever knock?" Tanya asked, returning the smile, finding a kindred spirit in this young woman, seeing as she knew San much more than San knew her. "Then again, there's no door. While we are on the subject, how the blue hell did you get past everyone to get to us?"

San winked. "I have my ways." She looked around at the assorted weaponry with a cocked eyebrow. "I see Eboshi has assured a legacy of formidable weaponry."

Tanya shrugged. "I don't know about that. I'd ask you if you wanted me to show you my guns, but you probably don't have all that great of an impression of firearms, do you?"

The Wolf Girl smiled. "On the contrary, I'd love to indulge in your knowledge."

My jaw dropped. "Are you out of your tree? Since when the fuck do you like guns?"

Tanya shot him a look. "Get lost. It's time your sister and I got to know each other, and us girls need to stick together. Isn't that right, San?" She asked, turning to the smaller girl, who gave me a smirk.

"Indeed. The adults need to have a conversation, so run along now, little wolf!"

I was about to lay into her for mugging me off, but I figured it was better that Tanya and San got to know each other more, so I walked out of the tent.

"Women!" I grumbled to myself.


Tanya chuckled. "I think I'm going to like you, San. Now, this is an M1 Garand..."

Some time later, San decided it was time to tell her the truth. "Tanya, I have a confession to make. You see, when I let you see John's life, I accidently saw yours."

Tanya stiffened, and had to force herself not to panic. "Okay. Then you'll know why I left the military to become a mercenary."

San sighed. "John won't do that to you. He's not like any man you've ever met."

Tanya snorted. "All men think with their dicks most of the time, Honey. It's how they work."

San rolled her eyes. "Yes, John is a man-whore, but I don't think he'd do anything that you wouldn't want him to do."

Tanya sighed. "Okay, so maybe he's not an asshole, but it'll take me some time to trust him. And you know that he and I live on borrowed time, with the lives we lead."

San shrugged sadly. "Everyone lives on borrowed time. We just have to get as much meaning and joy out of our lives as possible before our time ends."

Tanya eyed her. "John hurt you by leaving you when he died, right?"

San nodded. "It wasn't his fault, but yes, he did. I don't think I'd ever felt so alone or so guilty, but all is well now."

There was a pause as Tanya couldn't find words to say, but she felt for the tough little thing. She knew full well how these things worked.

San straightened. "Well, I must be going."

Tanya smiled, and patted her affectionatley on the shoulder. "Thanks for coming. I hope to see you again soon."

San returned the touch with a hug. "I'll come when I can. Take care of that arrogant ass for me."

Tanya nodded, returning the hug, finding that she didn't mind doing so. It had been a long time since she'd hugged someone. "I'll do my best."


As I made my way out of the tent, I happened to walk by the Pevensie sire's tent, and could see him shaving and packing his bags. I was going to leave him to it, but my curiousity was aroused. "Going somewhere, Major?"

The man jumped slightly, and turned to me. "John, you scared the dickens out of me! Yes, I've been recalled back to MI6 for debriefing. I found out some information that could be of some value."

I smiled. Susan had obviously inherited his sharp and clever mind. "Smashing. Give your family my best for me. I met them a few months back as they were traveling to the countryside because of the London raids." At least, I hoped that was what happened. If I was in an alternate universe, I couldn't know for sure.

He looked surprised. "You did, did you? Well, fancy that! Can I assume that they are safe?"


As John smiled behind from behind his hood, the Major noted the fondness in his eyes. His family must have made a sizeable impression on the lad! "More safer than we are, Mate. Delightful little things, your kids are, from what little I got from them. They miss you very much."

Pevensie smiled, but he could tell that John knew them more than he let on. "And I miss them. I'll see if I can visit them while I am in England. But now, I must be off," he finished, making to leave.


Before he could, I caught his arm. "Let me give you a piece of advice: resign, and stay with your family. They need you more than your country does."

Pevensie frowned. "Lost yours during the bombings, have you?"

I looked away, and nodded. "You could say that."

The man shrugged, trying to shake my hold off. "Well, I'm sorry, but I have a duty and responsibility to my country."

I tightened my grip. "Your responsibility is to your family, not to a bunch of rich, toffee-nosed bastards who don't give a fuck whether you live or die," I said coldly.

Pevensie grimaced, and wrenched his arm out of my grip. "I'll think about it, mate, although I appreciate your concern for my family. Bloody hell, you've got a strong grip! If we meet again, I will want to know exactly why you care about them so much." Before I could say anything more, he turned and disappeared into the night.

I was going to go after him, but I felt a hand grip my arm. "I thought I told you not to talk to anyone, goddammit!"

Bollocks!


I was dragged back to her tent where I was finally able to get loose. "Gerroff! What did you expect me to do, your Majesty? Sit outside the tent and twiddle my sodding thumbs?"

She snorted. "Actually, that would have been better than what you did do. You should be concentrated on killing Lucifer, not poking your nose where it doesn't belong."

I felt the anger rise. "You're an only child. What the hell do you know about having a family?" I growled, turning to lean the sword against one of the tent poles.

Her reply was a cutting hiss. "No, I don't, but if I did, I wouldn't abandon them like you abandoned San!"

I stiffened, and turned to her, lowering my hood. "Say that again. Slowly, so you can think about what you are saying," I snarled, trembling with rage.

Tanya didn't hesitate, despite the unnerving and deadly look in his eyes. "You ditched her, and she was never the same after you were gone. She mourned you every day, blaming herself for not being there to save your worthless ass! You left her, just like the Pevensies left you!" The instant the words left her mouth, she wanted to take them back.

I pointed at her, my voice a roar. "Why don't you shut your fucking mouth?!"

There was an intense pause, and then I sighed. "I didn't mean to leave her, or to die because of that sodding poacher."


His voice was so pained and regretful that she felt guilty, even though it was the truth. She bit her lip as he slumped against one of tent posts, sliding down until he was in a sitting position. She had hurt him badly, but she hadn't wanted to. She let her mouth and temper get the better of her.

She didn't like him like this. Yell at me some more, hit me, or do something that reminds me that you're the tough guy still!

"John, I-"

He cut her off, running a hand through his hair. "Don't bother. You're right. I did hurt her. God, what have I done?"

Tanya moved forward, and touched his shoulder. "No, I wasn't. It might be true, but what I said wasn't right of me to say. San doesn't blame you, and you shouldn't blame yourself. It was just me running my mouth."

This was an awkward position Tanya was in. She was used to being tough, pushing everyone and everything away just to get the mission done. When she had lost her parents, she had buried her pain in anger and training.

Whatever man she had ever had, she had always put her duties above them. But she had a feeling that this would be different this time, and for the first time, she had no objections and felt no repulsion. It just felt...right. What had changed?

He sent her a crooked smile, the sparkle back in his eyes. "Who are you, and what have you done with Tanya Adams?"

She grinned back. "I'm still here, numbnuts! Don't get used to this touchy-feely crap. And my real name is Tanya Parker, not Adams."

He let out a chuckle. "Righto! I was wondering where you were."

And that was the beginning of a long partnership between the two warriors that would transcend all of the universes.


REVAMP!