Chapter 1
Hello, I Hate You
She had been walking home from her successful theft of a artefact from a Templar storage room when she decided to walk to the end of a jetty to clean her hands of paint that she had used to artistically tag a wall with the Assassin logo. At the end her toe caught on something sending her tumbling into the oceans water with a small cry of surprise at the sudden motion and cold, beneath her shirt the small artefact burned hotly and her body vibrated. When she resurfaced the land was a mile away making her panic for a moment and think she had fainted.
Loren treaded the water, feeling like she was a novice again after that stupid mistake. How did I get so far out? She wasn't under long, was she knocked out? But there was no sight of the cities towering skyscrapers ad lights, and the sun burned bright in the sky. Fear tightened her throat as she looked into the water, were there sharks? She was petrified of sharks…
'Don't hyperventilate, breath and move slowly.' Carefully she turned her head further around in hopes to see anything she could use to get to the land, in the distance she could make out a ship heading towards her making her sigh in relief. It looked like an old one, maybe a Caribbean style tourist ship?
She began to swim in its direction, hoping they would see her before a shark got her. Nothing else mattered.
As she grew closer there was an almost musical whistling and the ship snapped its sails closed to come to a slow and steady stop, a voice carried across the still water to her ears. "Sir something's in the water ahead!"
"What the hell is that?" Men leaned over the edge as Loren swam up beside the ship, "Bloody hell, it's a mermaid!"
"If I was a mermaid I would shoot myself in the head!" Thinking the man's words were childish Loren answered in a snappish tone as she treaded the water beside the ship, "Can I have a hand out of here?"
A young man dressed like an old style Captain scaled down the side of the ship similar to a parkour master. Loren took his hand and let him pull her up so she could grab onto something to climb on her own.
Together they vaulted over the railing with ease, the 'Captain' looked to one of his men while returning to the wheel, "Faulkner see to it that she is dry and warm, we will be returning to Davenport soon."
"Of course, me boy." The older man sent some men to grab towels and something to eat, when they returned Faulkner wrapped the towel around Loren's shoulders and gave her an apple.
Loren took the apple with a simple nod for thanks and bit into it after examining it thoroughly, the apple was surprisingly fresh meaning these people hadn't been out in the sea long. Standing up on the upper deck behind the Captain, Loren ate the apple and baked in the sun to dry while looking out at the ocean behind the ship.
Land surrounded them as they floated into a strange lake like area beneath a cliff where a mansion sat, the Captain and woman walked off the ship while the others cleaned and carried out cargo.
Waiting outside the small cabin like area just off from the ship, Loren looked around the beautiful land as the Captain changed into something else, most likely his normal clothes.
"This is…" She whispered lowly to herself as she took in the scent of wood and land, it was clean and fresh. The last time she had been in a place like this was back in the Daintree rainforest Farm she lived and trained back in Australia.
"It is a beautiful land." The Captain walked out behind her in a very old style robe and his Captain clothes folded over an arm, Loren looked back at him. She examined his face closely after checking out his clothing making the young man tilt his head slightly, "What?"
"You're an assassin?" She spoke with a hint of amusement, he didn't look like much and dressed so obviously.
The man's eyes flashed for a moment, his body tensed up like he was expected trouble. It was the same reaction many novice Assassin's got when someone asked them that question and it almost made Loren snort.
Raising her arm, Loren pulled up her sleeve enough that the young man could see the straps of her hidden blade the small buckles were shapes at the Assassin symbol. The man looked at it in surprise, "You're… also an Assassin?"
Loren hummed in agreement as she covered her blade again, the brown skinned man looked her up and down before gesturing for her to follow him. They walked along a carriage road up the hill towards the mansion, Loren looked around as she stuck close to the man.
"What is your name?" He spoke politely, though the tenor of suspicion was there in his words.
She looked at him with an uncaring expression, not bothering to answer or ask for his. The young man shrugged as he held his hands folding against his chest in an odd habit to calm his frustration. He had the urge to hit her.
"I am Connor."
"What? No large Native name, how boring." Loren snorted out.
"No, the people here can't pronounce it so I was given this name." That admitted to his heritage and the fact that Connor was not his real name, it made Loren smirk as he didn't notice the bit of information he gave her unawares.
"Oh? What is the original?" She looked at him expecting him to try and keep it secret, Connor looked back with a raised brow.
"Ratonhnhake:ton." He spoke it slowly so she could catch the pronunciation.
"Ratonhnhake:ton?" Connor gave her a small smile as she pronounced it, it wasn't perfect but was better than most. He nodded politely and greeted some villagers who passed, they waved and spoke his name cheerfully.
"Oi there Connor!" A French accented voice sounded behind them, the two turned.
"Norris, it is good to see you." The two men gave a quick handshake by gripping the others forearm in a tight grip before the French man looked at Loren.
"Who's this?" He held out his hand for a shake only to flinch back as the woman gave him a haunting look, he looked to Connor with puppy dog like eyes.
"No name, I am taking her to see Achilles."
"Ah, new Assassin then? Good luck No Name… see you at the Tavern tonight my friend?" The cheerful man asked Connor cheerfully.
"I am sorry, I have business to deal with. Another day I will." Norris looked like a kicked puppy as he nodded and went away, Connor looked to Loren and flinched slightly at the harsh look she was giving him.
"You let everyone here know about you and the Order? That is a stupid action that only a Novice would do." That made the man twitch and give her an equally harsh look, he said nothing and sped up towards the mansion.
Inside they veered instantly to the right into a sitting room, a dark skinned old man sat in the seat looking at the empty fireplace and holding the top of his cane in gentle hands. He looked over as the two walked in, he almost chuckled at the similar expressions the two had.
Connor looked like he wanted to punch someone and the woman looked like she just heard something revolting, Achilles listened as they snapped at each other. "Are you a novice?"
"No I am not, let it rest."
"Really, could have fooled me. So far I have seen you make two mistakes only a novice would make, what next I wonder?" The woman sneered at the taller man, Achilles twitched at the term she used. Was this woman an Assassin?
"Connor, who is your friend?"
"Not a friend." Connor replied instantly while giving her a glare, "Just some floating body we picked up in the ocean."
"So defensive, what happened to the politeness from before?" The woman's voice dripped with contempt before she turned her attention away from Connor as if getting bored of him, "Achilles I presume?"
"That is I. Can you explain the situation if the boy won't speak?" Connor snorted and stormed over to the corner to cross his arms and watch defensively, the other two didn't pay him any mind as Loren sat in on a chair in front of the man without asking for permission first.
"What is your rank here?"
"I am the Mentor." Loren eased up her shoulders and bowed her head in respect making Connor look on with a scowl of annoyance, "What is your name my dear and rank?"
"Loren Smith, Master Assassin." She answered smoothly in a respectful making Connor glare at the back of her head.
"And how did a Master Assassin end up in the ocean of the Colonies."
"Colonies?" That made her frown, the only time she heard that was during history on America and Australia and how they were Colonial countries in the 18th century. It was Connor's turn to snort.
"Don't know where you are? Isn't that a Novice thing to do?" Both Achilles and Loren gave him cold looks making him look like he bit into a lemon and glare at the floor like an angry child.
"Look, I have no idea how I got here. When you say Colonies do you mean America?" Achilles nodded, "Fine, how far from New York are we?"
"A few days ride." Loren twitched at that and frowned, "What is wrong?"
"… What is the year?"
"1778… are you alright?" Achilles slowly stood making Connor uncross his arms with unease at the look on the older man's face, Loren had gone a sickening shade of white and gone into a quiet state of shock. "Connor go make some tea… Miss. Smith?"
Connor rushed off to do as Achilles said while the old man tried to bring the woman back from wherever state of mind she had fallen into, why did the year made her so frightened?
Returning with the hot tea, Connor was met with the sight of Achilles pulling himself off the ground with a struggle. "Old man, what happened?" He set down the tea and helped the man up with a strong pull of his arm, "Where did the woman go?"
"She just ran out… you have to find her Connor." Groaning in annoyance, Connor rushed out to track her down. He followed her path to the stables and sighed, she had taken a carriage horse.
Climbing onto the back of his white mare, Connor rushed in the direction the path led. Into the woods he went, every so often he had to stop to examine the ground before continuing on.
He blinked and his vision blurred for a moment until everything looked ghostly. He could see the glow of deer and hares but nothing golden or remotely human. All that was left ahead was a cliff, Connor stopped his horse and looked around. Inside he felt queasy as he always did when using this strange ability.
The large brown stallion used to pull the travel carriage ran past, returning to the manor most likely due to not being tied down. Connor rode in the direction it came from and looked up, Loren was there sitting on the rocks overlooking the homestead.
Connor climbed off his horse and began to scale the cliff face, his horse stayed put due to its different training. An Assassin horse through and through.
Loren didn't even look up as Connor lowered himself onto the warm stone beside her, the wind blew gently into their faces as they stared into the beautiful valley. The young man looked at her from the corner of his eye, she looked calmer.
"Are you well now?" The woman glanced at him for a second before returning, for a moment he thought she wasn't going to answer him again.
"I will be." Her voice was quiet, just above a whisper. Connor looked at her before turning his gaze out across the valley again. For a while they sat like that until Loren stood up suddenly, slowly the young man rose beside her. "I think I should return and apologize to Achilles, hope I didn't break his back."
Connor snorted humorously at that because he knew the old man was stronger than he appeared, he began the climb down with Loren beside him.
The white mare sniffed him and tried to chew his hood, Connor pulled it away before the fabric could get a stain and climbed up. Without hesitation the woman jumped up behind him and held him so lightly on his sides that it felt like she wasn't there.
Slowly he rode back to the mansion, inside Achilles greeted them again. "Feeling better?"
"Yes, I apologize for my action sir."
"Are you going to tell us what happened?" The old man leaned back in his seat while frowning at Loren.
"No." The word was curt, Achilles looked slightly annoyed but he shrugged it off. They all had their secrets, he won't bring it up again. Though Connor looked like he might with the frown the young man was giving her back.
"What is your plan? I am guessing something has changed in your plans now…"
Loren bowed politely, "I would like to request a position here until I return home or contact my brothers and sisters."
"You are welcome, I think it would be a good idea to send you and Connor to see Ellen about new clothes. You appear to only have those and they will stand out in this country… whatever that nationality is." Achilles gave Loren's jeans, boots and long-sleeved black shirt a pointed look.
"Of course… thank you." Loren bowed again.
Connor led the way to Ellen's shop patiently.
"Connor!" A little girl ran over and hugged the Assassin around the hips, the young man looked uncomfortable and simply pat the girl on the head, "Mother is inside, bye!"
The two Assassin's walked into one of the houses after knocking, a beautiful woman sat at a table going over clothing designs.
"Ah Connor, how are you? Good, is something wrong?"
"No, Ellen. I just wish to request that some clothing is made for Smith, something easy to move and run in."
"She an Assassin too? Ok I can get right to work, my dear stand here and let me take some measurements." Loren raised her arms and let the woman measure her, the woman stood back and rubbed her lower lip with her thumb in thought.
"Something wrong?"
"No, just wondering what kind of clothing I can do for you. A few pairs of trousers and a shirt are a must… how about a robe or coat."
"Those would be perfect." Ellen's eyes flashed.
"You might need to wear good running clothes but a lady can still be fashionable."
"I understand, but don't go overboard I…"
"I will pay for it." Connor broke in, "I am guessing you don't have the correct currency?"
"I… lost my money in the ocean…" Loren blushed for a moment for admitting to being penniless before straightening her face and clearing her throat.
Ellen pulled out paper and began to go over designs, "How about the robe?"
At the sight of the designs, Loren went quiet and began to think while rubbing her lower lip with her thumb. At her request the seamstress passed over her drawing utensils. Loren looked over what Ellen had done and looked back at Connor's clothes with tight lips before drawing her own design, "Maybe something like this?"
"Amazing! You have an eye for design, you should be my student or an artist." Ellen clapped her hands and lifted the page, "I will take this design and tweak it for you, colour?"
"Grey and black will be enough." Loren chuckled and smiled at the older woman, Connor crossed his arms and tilted his head. It didn't look like a fake smile, Loren was being very kind to Ellen and it was a surprise.
"I understand, I will get some other clothing done up for you too... a dress would be good too."
"Thank you Ellen." Loren bowed her head with her thanks, Connor thanked Ellen as well before leaving the house. The two walked down the road to return to the mansion as it grew dark and wolves began to howl from the thick wood filling the Homestead.
They were quiet the whole way, listening to the sounds of nature and the distant jolly song coming from the Tavern.
Achilles wasn't in the sitting room but had gone to his room for the night, Connor gestured Loren to follow him. Upstairs he showed her into a room filled with Native style banners and other interesting artefacts that instantly drew her attention.
"You can sleep in here until something can be arranged. The other Assassin's I trained live in the Tavern, but you seem like the type to stay away from such a crowded place."
"What gave that away?" She said sarcastically with a roll of her eyes, Connor gave her a warning look as he struggled to not throw her outside into the dark cold through his open window. "And where shall his mighty sleep if I take his bed?"
"I will sleep here too, if you have no complaints."
"It's your bed, and won't be the first time I shared a bed with the opposite gender. Once I had to share a bed with three senile old men once in a single room home… not a pleasant experience." Connor grimaced at that thought and distracted himself with removing his weapons, robe and boots so he was wearing only a plain shirt and his pants.
Quickly Loren removed her boots and her gun from the back of her pants, before Connor could look back she hid it beneath the mattress and sat on that side so Connor wouldn't lay there. She was pulling her platted hair out of its low bun when he turned around again.
Like all Assassins he lay down on top of the covers and crossed his arms under his head as he propped up on the pillow. Loren pulled her hair from the plat it was in and ran her fingers through the waving locks with a grimace before rolling to her side on the bed also above the covers.
Connor gave her back one look before he closed his eyes, at first his mind on alert in case she did anything dangerous during the night but without meaning to he drifted to sleep due to the exhaustion of the day.
Next to him, Loren frowned. Not even a second asleep and already she could tell the man was a rough sleeper, god she was going to get a bruise in her arse with that damn punch… and the kick that followed.
-A-
"Who is she? She looked like a modern assassin with her clothing." Desmond asked as he climbed out of the animus and noticed the others were pale with surprise.
"That was Loren Smith, an Assassin from Australia who went missing two years ago after a mission in New York. She was to steal something from a Templar storehouse and had succeeded, we got reports of the artefact going missing along with the paint tag she left on the wall, but couldn't find a trace of her…" Shaun answered while rubbing his face with trembling hands.
"Shaun?"
"She was a good friend of mine and Rebecca." The mentioned tech woman looked like she was going to cry from shock and relief.
"Loren didn't die! She was my best friend… a sister…" Shaun put his hand on Rebecca's shoulder soothingly, "I can't believe she was thrown back into the 18th century!"
"Lucky Gal, possibly my favourite era!" Shaun laughed, his voice trembled with relief. Desmond looked to his father for more information.
"It is as they said, Smith was sent to London to get an artefact believed to be from the First Civilisation… she probably has it with her still." William sighed, "Your mother really liked her… I hope she stays… stayed safe."
That's right, Loren Smith was in the past. Will she return? Only one way to find out…
"I want to get back in there, maybe we can find out what happens or help?" The others looked sceptical about that possibility but they could hope.
-A-
She had been glaring at him all day, Connor looked back as he played a board game with Achilles. "What?" He snapped in annoyance, finally giving up on ignoring her.
"I will suffocate you with your pillow." Her words were dark and filled with venom making the two men look over defensively, "The bruise on my arse is the size of a goddamn building."
"W-what?" Connor stuttered in confusion, Achilles gave him a judgmental look making Connor grow a little pink in the cheeks. "What do you mean? I didn't touch you!"
"Didn't touch me? DIDN'T TOUCH ME!?" The men flinched at her angry tone and the accusing finger she pointed at Connor, "I feel like my body was used as a punching bag, what the hell do you dream about to make you flail around the bed like a turned over retarded turtle?"
"I don't FLAIL around!" Connor felt mortified while Achilles felt some humour at how Loren described Connor's actions.
"Want me to show you the bruises? I think it would be obvious that it is from your knuckles and feet."
They glared at each other, Achilles sighed. He had been worried for a moment there that Connor had molested the woman in his sleep. He didn't approve of Connor and her sharing a room and a bed, but he wasn't about to let Connor stay with him. Especially more so now if the young man was a rough sleeper, he would be able to handle being punched in his sleep. And he wasn't about to ask the woman to share his bed either as he didn't trust her, he slept lighter now due to his age.
Connor could sleep on a couch but that would just make the young man's temper flare and be in a bad mood, worse than when he was speaking with Loren.
The game was finished with Connor loosing foully, he stomped off in annoyance. Connor hated to lose.
Loren had already gone upstairs after growing bored of watching them.
Without a care he stomped into his room, his body froze and eyes widened a fraction. Loren looked over without a hint of embarrassment as she stood stark naked while using the reflection of the window to look at the massive bruise on her backside and the others dotting her back.
Connor winced when he spotted them in his attempt to look anywhere but her upper torso, "Sorry…" It looked like he had beaten her up like Ellen's husband had.
"What? For the bruises or coming in like a sulky child… you lost?" The woman faced him and spoke like she was fully clothed, not a lick of shame. Connor twitched in annoyance and embarrassment at her words and glared at her.
"Just get dressed and leave me alone." Unable to think of anything else to say, he turned and tried not to stomp away, instead he walked softly to the room across from his to reach the balcony. Outside he sighed as the cold air cooled down his flushed skin and was thankful that he was darker skinned making it harder to see his blushing. That was the first time he saw a naked woman.
He couldn't help but feel appreciative of her body and bit his bottom lip as he remembered it. The woman was temperamental but she was good to look at that's for sure, such smooth skin marred with faint scars from her childhood. There had been a large one on her hip that looked like something took a bite out of her.
Waiting for a while to give her time to dress and to let himself recover, Connor returned. Loren was dressed again and brushing her auburn hair with Connor's old bone comb, the woman had left it out of its usual plat and bun after her morning bath so it sat dead straight.
Connor removed his robes and weapons before lying down on his side of the bed, he tucked himself on the edge as Loren lay on the other side. He was almost afraid to go to sleep.
"Try keeping to yourself this time." Not bothering to answer her, Connor closed his eyes and relaxed his mind. Falling asleep was fast and easy.
For Loren it was harder, Connor had rolled over onto his stomach almost instantly and hit her in the back. A deep sighing groan came out of her, Connor rolled again so he was in his side facing her. Before he could move again, Loren wrapped her arms around his torso and locked his arms against his body.
The Assassin twitched in his sleep but didn't wake up much to her relief. Locking her wrists behind Connor, Loren rested her head under his chin and sighed. Finally she got some unhindered sleep!
-A-
In the morning, Connor woke up early like always. He stiffed when he couldn't move his arms and looked down, Loren was latching around him with arms and legs. Looking around the room nervously, Connor tried to think of something else and not the warmth the woman released nor the feeling of her tight against sensitive areas.
A small humming grunt warned him that she was waking up, the woman let him go the instant she woke up and rolled onto her back with a cold expression. "I…" Loren glared at him through her fingers as she rubbed her face making him go silent.
"You damn man, not one second asleep and you started." Slowly she sat up with a wince, before Connor knew what she was doing the woman undressed. Covering his eyes, Connor rolled over so his back was to her. Peering through his fingers he couldn't stop eyeing her reflection in the glass.
Another bruise was forming in her rib cage while the others were already starting to fade, Connor felt guilty before making an annoyed sound as Loren threw her clothes around his floor and left the room without dressing making him feel a startled fear like feeling in his heart. "Where are you going like that?"
"Breakfast, my clothes smell. Get over it boy!" Her voice was muffled as she walked down the stairs, as Connor stood to get dressed there was a loud yell and shatter. Achilles must have gotten quite the shock.
As Connor descended the stairs while running fingers through his fringe to push back the lose hair he could hear voices, "Eggs again?"
"Y-yes… Miss Smith where are your clothes?" Achilles tried to speak normally but he stuttered badly and seemed to forget what he was saying
"Upstairs, I am sick of wearing them. Want me to make you tea again?"
"I… yes I'm sorry about that." The old man apologized like it was his fault, and Loren didn't correct him. Connor walked in with an angry expression.
"Can't you wear something else then? I can give you one of my old shirts…"
"No thank you." The woman made herself and Achilles tea and gave the older man his as he fell into a chair, Loren leaned against the bench and sipped her tea without a care.
"Do you do this all the time?"
"Yep." Loren commented smoothly in a cool voice, there was a knock on the door. Connor rushed to answer it while praying she wouldn't move.
"Connor! I came to ask if you are coming to the Tavern tonight?"
"Yes!" The Assassin spoke almost desperately making Norris frown, "I think I will sleep there too…"
Norris was no longer listening, his eyes goggled around the man. Looking back Connor howled angrily, "Stop walking around!"
Loren stopped at the stairs bottom and turned. Opening her arms wide she gave the men a good view, her face said this was to spite him and that she really didn't give a damn before she turned and walked up the stairs. Turning back the red faced Connor stared at Norris as the man stood with mouth wide open in shock and his own cheeks tinged with pink.
"Norris…"
"I-I… should go…"
"Yes you should…"
The day following these events had Loren still walking about naked as her clothes were being cleaned along with Ellen's. Connor didn't tell the older woman about why the clothes were there and lied, saying Loren was wearing his old clothes. If she knew the truth she would have a heart attack and give Connor a big talking to.
Connor sat in the sitting area with his face buried in his hands, Achilles was outside looking over the Devonport valley while reading to stay away from the naked woman. And Loren was sitting lazily in the seat across from him drawing on a piece of paper with legs thrown over the armrest.
She seemed in a more cheerful mood after a good night's sleep without Connor, he had taken up a room in the Miles End Tavern after joining the others with drinks. Where Norris kept asking him questions like 'Was Loren still walking about nude?' or 'Have you banged her yet?'
The thought of 'banging' the woman and what that entitled made Connor flush, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"Oh? I didn't know nothing could make a man blush so brilliantly, cute."
"Smith…" He growled out through his teeth, Loren shrugged and went back to her drawing. For an hour they were like that until she got bored and went back upstairs to nap. With a relieved sigh, Connor leaned back into the chair and relaxed. He felt hot beneath the collar and very thirsty for some reason.
'Ellen please get those clothes finished soon…'
-A-
He had to leave the Animus again. Shaun and Rebecca were both chucking while Desmond and William looked flushed, "Good old Loren. Even being thrown back hundreds of years she doesn't change…"
"Seriously, she did that?" Desmond's voice was raspy, he could feel Connor's frustration through the weak Bleeding Effect connection they had.
"Nearly all the time, Australia was very hot in summer and it became a habit for her whenever the temperature went high. I remember the first time I saw her doing that, she wrestled a crocodile in the river edge to protect some young assassin kids… that's where she got the scar on her hip from." Rebecca laughed at the memory.
"I saw her walking around the flat we all lived in one time." Shaun shook his head with a smirk, every afternoon for a week when she arrived in the sweltering apartment Loren had stripped before finishing coming through the door and walked around like nobody was there. It had taken him an age to get used to her and not flinch when he saw her pass by his vision. Thinking about it made him have to struggle to not lick his lips.
A sigh originated from William, he had heard stories about the confidence those in Australia's forest Farm's and didn't' believe it until now.
He and Desmond weren't going to be able to forget this.