So this is a sequel of sorts. This would be my sequel to Mismatched-lover 's story Just Beyond My Reach, My Assassin. There will be a bunch of references to this story so I highly recommend you read it! It is also an amazing work! I have recently talked to Mismatched-lover and she agreed that I could make this sequel and I have her support so... Without further a do .. Chapter 1!


Standing on the top of the Empire State Building and looking out at the view is probably one of the most beautiful things one can experience these days. Well, at the moment it is anyway. It makes you think what this nation was founded on and what it has become. The view symbolizes what America looks like to its surrounding neighbors. From the top you see all the grandeur and you look on in amazement at all the tall building and sparkling lights. It makes you think about how nice it all is. But what you can't see is all the small people at the bottom, wandering around. They come in all shapes and forms: suits, tourists, the homeless, police, the crazies, and just normal civilians; the list goes on and on. But that represents what you can't quite see unless you pay attention. Because without all of those small pieces, we wouldn't amount to the stories and the hype around it all. Then you are plagued by fog and storms on other days. It isn't pretty. America isn't all the time either. The views are a little different. You can't quite see the grandeur anymore but underneath it all it's still there.

It's all a big puzzle and you just have to find your place in it.

"Gabby! Come on!"

All the hustle and bustle of New York and where did I fit in? Well, I wasn't a tourist, but I found it hard that, after living in New York for 25 years, I still hadn't stood at the top of one of the tallest buildings in the city. And since it was my birthday and my best friend was paying, how could I say no?

It was February 23, 2013, and it was starting to snow. Seeing the city get covered in a soft white blanket was even better to behold. It was freezing. But you couldn't really tell. And even though I was spending my birthday in the frigid cold air of the big apple, I was having the time of my life.


Why did I let them drag me into this? I mean, you would think a master assassin would have better sense than to let this happen.

You were wrong.

It was pretty much Shaun and Rebecca pulling me to this skyscraper, saying as a thank you we are going to sit around and listen to screens tell us how this old building came to be back when the stock market crashed. Because, according to them, I wasn't cultured enough. I mean, seriously, I think they just said "what the heck I want to see the view. Let's use the opportunity to use this as a thank you to Desmond while we're at it."

But whatever.

"And now welcome to the top of Empire State Building."

Why did the elevator have to sound like the animus?

I walked out onto the balcony and tried to find an open place at the edge. Shaun and Rebecca went their separate ways to enjoy the view. As I peered over the edge, down at the puny streets, my brain began to spin. Afraid I was going through unwanted memories, I took a step away and offered my spot to another person.

What was so good about being up here anyway? What I really need down on the streets is a bail of hay. Now that would be fun. I can see it now. The Times would have it on the front page. Man jumps from the State Building and survives!

That's not going to happen. I saw a bench a few feet away and walked over to sit down.

Now that I was done with all this "save the world" stuff, shouldn't I just go home? Ah, what am I saying? I can't go back now. It would be impossible to go back to making drinks every night now.

I don't know what possessed me at that moment to go into Eagle Vision, but I did it anyway. Looking around I saw the same colors lighting up the crowd as usual, the kind blue. I turned around on the bench and checked the other way.

Now that's something I've never seen before.

In the crowd between an Asian wearing a panda toboggan and what looked to be a school group, was a girl. But she lit up in a blend of bright radiant gold, not the yellow that signified a target, but something deeper and warmer with flecks of a sea colored blue shining through.

I instantly came back to my regular eye sight to get a closer look at her.

She looked to be about my age and she was...hot. She looked to be about 5'4", but she was wearing heels, so you could deduct an inch or two. I then focused in on her face. She had an olive complexion and high cheek bones. And her eyes. They were a light blue with tiny bits of green mixed in. She had dirty blonde hair that came just below her shoulders. She had a slim body that had curves in all the right places. She was wearing what I presumed was the latest fashion in New York. I had seen it all over fifth avenue. She seemed too at ease to be a tourist, so I made my mind up that she lived around here.

But there was something about her that just screamed "no" to me. My mind didn't want me to go anywhere near her.

But since when was I a person to play by the rules? Last time someone was screaming at me in my head, I was in a temple in New York listening to the people of the First Civilization tell me what I had to do to save the world. And because of that, I think it's okay if I go against what my mind tells me for once.

I stood up and tried to make my way closer to where she and what seemed to be one of her friends were standing. At that moment the school group that was taking up a bunch of space thought it was time to head back inside the building to warm up. I casually walked over where they once stood when the girl dropped her camera to the ground. Before she could kneel down to grab it, I bent down to scoop it up.

"Drop this?" I asked while going to hand over the camera.

"Actually, could you take a picture for me?" She asked with a smile, reaching up and tucking her hair behind her ear. Her voice was smooth and a little high-pitched, but not to the point where it was whiny. It was actually kinda cute.

"Sure" I said with ease. She came over and showed me which button I had to press to take the shot and then went over to her friend.

They smiled and I took the picture.

Leaving her friend's side, she approached me with an outstretched hand, and I handed over the camera and started a conversation. "So, what brings you to the State Building?" Wow. That was a good way to get a girl.

"Umm, it's my birthday actually." She smiled at me again, her cheeks turned pink by the chilly weather.

"Happy Birthday...?" I trailed off, hoping she'd catch my drift.

"Gabriella. But you can call me Gabby"

"Happy Birthday, Gabby." I said, showing my own smile. Gabriella. Wasn't that a name? It still wasn't as bad as Desmond. And at least she had a nickname to go by.

"And you are?" She asked expectantly, giving the camera to her friend who had approached her asking to look at the picture.

"Desmond," I replied with a nod, putting my hands in my hoodie pocket.

"Well, that's different." She suddenly looked startled, then quickly gestured to her friend now at her side. "This is my friend Maria."

I then shook hands with them both.

"And why are you up here?" Gabby asked curiously.

I smirked. "Let's just say my friends owed me one." From the distance I heard Shaun calling me to tell me that I "needed to get my ass to the elevator or I wouldn't have a ride home". "Well, nice meeting you two." I made a move to turn away.

"You too." She said sweetly.

"Maybe we'll see each other again," I said, throwing her a wink as I turned around to walk towards Shaun.

Who cares what my mind tells me. It was about time I had fun again, anyway. She will see me again.


"And why are you up here." I asked.

Who knows where this guy came from? 'Cause I want to find out more about him.

He had that kinda rough-around-the-edges vibe to him, which instantly drew me closer to him. He had an amazingly built body and he was tall. Much taller than me in my heels, which was sad to admit. I would say he was 6'2" if I had to guess. A loose pair of jeans flattered his long legs, and his white hoodie barely concealed his muscles underneath. He had brown eyes that I could stare into all day; they were threatening but calm at the same time, a strange combination. Something told me those eyes had seen a lot...but who was I to make assumptions? He had brown hair and a tan complexion and light stubble on his face as well. But what was by far the most intriguing aspect of his face was the scar that was on the left side of his upper lip.

Scars told stories and I always wanted to know them. They could be a way of remembering things good or bad. So, needless to say, the mark had me wondering.

I just randomly met this guy and I was already drawn to him. What was wrong with me?

"Let's just say my friends owed me one." Then he turned and listened to some angry British man across the balcony. "Well nice meeting you two," he finished, turning his body to show he was about to leave.

"You too." I said rather quickly, not wanting him to walk away. I wanted to know about that scar.

"Maybe we'll see each other again." Oh Lord. He winked at me. I had this strange feeling that he was addressing me there. And I didn't care then if he was some random guy off the streets of New York. I wanted to see him again. He walked across the balcony towards the British man, a smaller, black haired woman meeting up with them, and the three of them disappeared into the elevator.

Vaguely, I heard Maria whistle under her breath, and I already knew that this Desmond was one hot piece of ass. I was then snapped into reality by Maria shoving the camera into my hands.

"Look how close that eagle is, Gabby! Take a picture!" She said excitedly, Desmond all but forgotten in her mind.

Not so much in mine. I started to fiddle with the camera, my hands strangely shaking, and eventually zoomed in on the bird. Right before I took the shot, the animal snapped its eyes towards me.

That was weird.

Feeling suddenly unsettled, I shifted around on my feet. "Come on Ria. Lets sit down." I pulled her over to a bench then selected review on my camera. The eagle's eyes then bored into mine. It was like they were searching me for something or trying to tell me something. But it was an eagle. Look who's talking crazy now.

I arrowed over to the pictures Desmond took. He was a pretty good photographer. I smiled looking at the picture of me and my best friend. This really has been a good day.

"Alright, why don't we go hit Starbucks, then go to my house and change before we go to dinner." Maria smiled at me. She wouldn't tell me where she was taking me to eat, butm knowing her, it was swanky. I nodded my head in approval and rose from the bench walking towards the doors that led inside. I looked back at the view one last time, and then embraced the warmth that enveloped me swiftly. I smiled as we jumped into the elevator and began to defrost a little before having to go out and face the chaos that was New York City.


How was it? :) I can say it looks ten times better compared to the original! Thanks to my Beta :) Thanks again Mismatched-lover! Well I would love reviews! And if I get reviews next chapter will come quicker and you get cookies :) So critiques are excepted happily! But tell me whatcha think! Bye-Bye for now!