Jacob Frye wasn't your ordinary Assassin. Wasn't your ordinary man either, as far as Frederick Abberline was concerned. He was the most troublesome man he'd ever come across, with his secrets and his comings-and-goings at Scotland Yard, he practically knew all of Abberline's men by name he'd been arrested so many times. No one could ever figure out how he kept wriggling his way out of the lock-up, but Abberline knew quite well. It wasn't that he had any sort of soft spot for Jacob, don't be ridiculous, he had to let Jacob do what he did if he wanted to rid London of those terrible Blighters. He just wished Jacob could be less…chaotic in his methods sometimes, like his sister. Maybe a lot less unlawful too, he was a familiar face in the Yard now, and that was never a good thing.
"Sir? Up ahead," one of his men pointed up the warehouse they were looking for; on the wharf of the Thames.
The warehouse wasn't of any particular importance, it was merely the spot that was picked out for two violent idiots to bash each other's brains out for the rights to 'own' the Thames. Outside the warehouse and along the wharf itself, several of Jacob's men loitered about – what were they called again, The Rooks? – And were handing out green coats to the red-clad Blighters that had obviously surrendered in the fight. Abberline shook his head at the various men and women that lay dead along the ground; however, he noticed with slightly horrifying awe, that none of the slain casualties wore green. The Blighter leader had most likely been chucked into the river by now, and so too would the dead who followed him if no one was around to police The Rooks. But he'd heard The Rooks didn't like being policed, and from the untrusting looks he was getting as he and his men walked further towards the warehouse, he could confirm that was true. Like Jacob, The Rooks didn't appreciate the police force and their rules, they fought for justice in their own way and didn't like to be told otherwise. That they stood for good and justice was the only reason they were out of jail. Abberline intended to enter the warehouse and give Jacob a good lecturing, but he found that getting in to see the 'boss' wasn't as easy as that. He was stopped at the door by a group of three rather grisly-looking Rooks.
"Where'd ya think you're going coppa?" one of them growled. He was a big burly man, bald on his head but hairy everywhere else, he was almost two heads above Abberline, and he looked mean to boot. His men took a step back, but Abberline stood up straight in defiance to the thug.
"I'm here to see Jacob Frye," he declared.
"What do you want with Mister Frye?" the woman beside him said shrilly.
"Mister Frye don't got nothing to discuss with a coppa," a young man added defiantly.
"On your way mate," the burly man grumbled. "Before this gets ugly,"
"Looking at you lot I'm pretty sure it already has," Abberline muttered under his breath.
"What you say about us coppa?!" the woman snapped. "You're in for it now, get 'im Bert!"
The burly man – Bert – took a step towards Abberline and grasped his arm. Just that single grip would be enough to shatter his bones, that, Abberline knew for certain. Bert was a rough contender with a grip of steel, he wouldn't be able to fight this one off.
"Bert, Evelina and Simon! Stand down!"
Fate would have it that Abberline's saviour that day was to be Jacob Frye himself, standing tall and leaning over the railing to one of the upper walkways inside the warehouse. The three Rooks in front of Abberline turned to face their leader, possibly questioning his judgement.
"But he's a coppa sir! He was askin' for ya!" Simon called up.
Jacob gave an easy laugh. "It's alright lads, this one's with us. Let him through. But only him. Your men can wait outside, they'll be alright. Tell the others not to bother them Bert,"
"Yes Mister Frye sir," Bert nodded and escorted Abberline's men out, the other two moving out of Abberline's way so he could get through.
"Freddy! Come on up," Jacob seemed happy to see him, he always seemed happy to see him. He always seemed happy in general now Abberline thought about it.
"Jacob how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?" Abberline said exasperatedly.
"Aw come on Freddy, you don't really expect me to call you Sergeant do you?" Jacob laughed.
"Expect it? No not really,"Abberline sighed.
"There's a good man. Join us?" Jacob sat himself back down at what looked like a card table, at which Evie was sitting, drinking tea and shuffling playing cards.
Jacob pulled out a chair for Abberline with a grin, leaning his hand on his chin. "Evie and I were about to settle a bet with a game of poker,"
"What bet is this?" Abberline asked taking a seat between the twins.
"We made a bet that the first one needing to be saved by the other in a gang fight hands over their gauntlet. Evie insists she saved my arse today, but in reality it was I that pulled her out of danger during the fight," Jacob explained.
"You did not, that thug was this close to cracking you over the skull Jacob Frye, and you've got the scar to prove it!" Evie cried.
"Oh it's just a scratch," Jacob dismissed. "What about that woman who had her knife to your throat eh?"
"I had that completely under control!"
"Only the cards will tell sister dear!" Jacob declared with an extravagant wave of his hands as Evie handed out the cards.
"So this is what you two do after violently taking control of the city?" Abberline said dryly.
"I wouldn't say taking over," Evie said mildly. "It's in our best interest however to take back control of these areas from the Blighters, and lessen Starrick's hold over London. Sometimes the violence is all these thugs understand Sergeant Abberline,"
"Plus, without us Freddy, you'd be up to your neck in Blighters like before. Weren't you so very relieved when we came along?" Jacob smirked.
"For the first five seconds yes," Abberline muttered. "Miss Frye is always pleasant to work with, but you Jacob…"
"You know what they say, I'm as troublesome as I am handsome," Jacob winked.
"No one says that, ever." Evie said sipping at her tea as she threw down her hand of cards.
"Yes they do. Everyone says that." Jacob replied, showing his own hand. "I am troublesome, but I make up for it by being very handsome. Right Freddy?"
"I've seen better. But I'll agree with troublesome," Abberline rolled his eyes, but Jacob gave a chuckle at the visible flush on his cheeks.
"Oh Freddy," Jacob grinned. "Such a sweet talker,"
"Mind flirting elsewhere brother dear?" Evie said sweetly.
"Why? Uncomfortable sweet sister?" Jacob smirked.
"More so the Sergeant than me,"
"Freddy doesn't mind, do you Freddy?" Jacob glanced at Abberline, who mostly seemed to splutter on the air. Jacob chuckled.
"I came here for a reason Jacob," Abberline said impatiently.
"Ah yes, of course how rude of me. My beloved sister I must forfeit our match in favour of taking care of Freddy's little problem."
"Does this mean I'm right?" Evie smirked.
"Far from it, we will continue this another time,"
"Admit defeat Jacob, you can't survive without your big sister," Evie said smugly as she got up from the table and climbed onto the railing.
"Four minutes Evie, you're older by just four minutes it doesn't count!" Jacob shouted after her as she jumped over to the window and climbed up onto the rooftop and out of the warehouse. Jacob shook his head, but turned to Abberline again as he packed up the cards.
"So, Freddy. My favourite policeman, what can I do for you?"
"Don't think I don't know you're just saying that to avoid a lecture Jacob Frye, because I do." Abberline said gruffly. "You can't just start gang wars in the middle of town in broad daylight, people have died out there."
Jacob shrugged. "Bad people deserve to die Freddy."
"That's not your call to make,"
"Isn't it? What's your police force doing exactly? Not much as far as I can tell, that's why we're here. If you lot did your job properly, you wouldn't need me."
"Jacob the only reason you haven't hanged yet is because I need you," Abberline warned. "The second that stops being true –"
"Are you threatening me Freddy? Someone might take offence to that," Jacob's eyes shot up from Abberline to something behind him, and in turning the Sergeant realised their conversation had been louder than expected, and attracted some of Jacob's loyal Rooks, who were none too happy about their leader being threatened.
"Need us boss?" Evelina asked, narrowing her eyes at Abberline.
Jacob shook his head. "It's alright lads, Freddy and I have our differences is all."
"Differences indeed," Abberline replied sourly.
"My lads and I are only doing what your people cannot and will not do," Jacob insisted.
"I won't deny that, but Jacob you have to admit you are a lot like the centre of a hurricane. There's chaos wherever you go, whatever you fix you cause ten more problems in your wake."
"Doing your blood pressure in eh?" Jacob grinned. "Evie gets like that. I know I'm chaotic Freddy but so is Starrick, he's just more by the books than me. It's a brutal world out here for people like us, what, did you think thugs fighting over territory would be pretty? It's a gang war Freddy there are going to be casualties, and as long as they aren't my men I don't give much of a damn."
"Those were people Jacob!"
"Bad people. Evie and I always give Blighters the chance to retreat or to join with us, so those who fight us fight us willingly. People who fight against my sister and me get killed Freddy, that's just how it's always been. I'm an Assassin. Sometimes it's necessary,"
"And sometimes it's avoidable. Jacob I can't keep covering up after you, I will lose my position and then I will be no help to you at all. I've kept the police off your trail so far but there's only so much I can do to keep you out of jail and out of the reach of the hangman's noose."
Jacob leaned back, and smiled. "Freddy you do good work out there, I wish I could say the same for your fellow officers. Alright, if it'll give you peace of mind, I will endeavour to…be more discreet in my operations. Can't have you losing your job now can we?"
"Thank you, that's all I ask." Abberline sighed in relief. "You are such a headache to me Jacob Frye,"
Jacob chuckled. "I can see I've caused more stress to you than usual yes. But I think I can make it up to you,"
"How?"
"Drinks later?" Jacob smiled, tilting his head to one side – in a way that he somehow seemed to just know Abberline couldn't resist.
Abberline was reluctant to admit it, but it was true. "Fine. As long as you're paying,"
"For you? Of course," Jacob purred, his fingers brushing against Abberline's wrist, teasing along the cuff of his uniform. "You need a night out Freddy, you work too hard."
"And whose fault is that?" Abberline chuckled. "You're the one making the work for me,"
Jacob smiled softly. "Maybe that's true. And I'm hearing you complain, but we both know if I wasn't around, you'd be complaining more."
"Do we both know that?" Abberline murmured, looking up at Jacob.
Jacob just smiled cheekily. "Shall we find out?"
Abberline didn't realise how close they'd gotten until a Rook called for Jacob, and the Assassin was up and at the railing, giving his men orders, leaving Abberline's face to grow heated at the intimate closeness.
"I'm sorry Freddy, do you still need me? One of our Rooks has got himself stuck in a crossfire of two Blighters gangs in Whitechapel, I have to go and get him out,"
"I'll save my lecturing for later then, and I should be on my way anyway," Abberline replied, getting up and walking with Jacob to the outside of the warehouse. "Don't get caught in the crossfire yourself Jacob, I don't want to be cleaning up bits of Frye off the streets of Whitechapel,"
Jacob grinned. "Concern for me Freddy? Well aren't you a sweetheart," he teased.
"I'll have no one to beat at cards if you die," Abberline shrugged.
Jacob laughed and raised an arm, shooting his rope launcher to the rooftop of the warehouse, using the rope to pull himself up onto the roof.
"I let you beat me at cards Freddy!" he called over his shoulder.
"Keep telling yourself that Jacob!" Abberline called back, watching the Assassin scale his way along the wharf by rooftops and ropes.
Watching Jacob climb was exhilarating, whether it was him scaling Big Ben or him leaping down from St Paul's Cathedral. But Abberline had work to do, he had no time to watch Jacob and his acrobatics today. He turned on heel, called his men, and started his march back to Scotland Yard. He could almost guarantee that when he left the wharf Jacob looked back to see if he was still watching him, and was put out that he wasn't. Very attention-seeking was Jacob Frye, not that Abberline minded giving him that attention. He sighed and shook his head. He had no idea what to do with Jacob; he threw those suggestive glances and those cheeky smiles his way a lot, but Jacob did that with a lot of people, he was charming, he used his charisma to get his way, Abberline couldn't afford to think he was special. Then again, how many men did Jacob openly invite out like that? How many men would accept such an invitation?
Oh it was no use, if he were to take Jacob seriously he'd ask Evie for advice, and he wasn't about to do that. Getting involved with Jacob could only spell disaster he knew it.
He knew he was right.
"So he finds us a Gatling gun if you can believe it. Good man, good find, but then the Blighters want it back, so Ned cranks up the train and we're off, and I'm manning this gun to defend us all the way it was crazy."
"Sounds like you had an eventful day," Abberline commented. "What happened to the gun?"
"Damn thing jammed, overheated and blew up. Useless to us, we detached that compartment of the train. Shame."
"So destructive," Abberline tutted, shaking his head, albeit fondly.
Jacob smiled over his pint. "You love it, admit it." He said smugly. "Without my destructiveness you wouldn't have these stories of mine to listen to. You don't want me as sour and dour as you Freddy, you need a counterpoint."
"A counterpoint, is that what you are?" Abberline raised his eyebrows.
"Yes indeed, I'm a joy to be around. You're welcome by the way." Jacob winked.
Abberline rolled his eyes and took a deep drink from his pint. A shine of gold caught his eye, and his gaze fell onto the gauntlet Jacob wore. It was a similar design as the one Evie wore but much more…grandeur. Typical of Jacob's personality. Growing bold, Abberline reached over and traced the golden 'A' embossed on the leather. Jacob kept his arm still, watching Abberline with lidded eyes.
"Why an A?" he asked.
"Marks me as an Assassin," Jacob replied. "We all have them. You probably seen one on Greenie but he's more subtle about it,"
"So it's an organisation?"
"The Assassins, yes," Jacob replied. "And every agent has one, but Evie's and mine are special. Aleck attached rope launchers and dart launchers to give us an edge in the city."
"And most agents don't have that?"
Jacob shook his head. "Only thing a typical Assassin has is this," he flicked his wrist, and a slender blade shot out. Abberline moved his hand back slightly. "A hidden blade, it's how we're so efficient at our job so to speak, we always have a weapon on hand. Literally."
Jacob flicked the blade back in. "Don't worry Freddy, it's perfectly safe when it's sheathed like that,"
Abberline went back to tracing the 'A', and eventually his hand stilled, and just rested on Jacob's wrist. "The Assassins…" he murmured. "What…who exactly are you Jacob?"
"Oh I'd love to tell you Freddy," Jacob sighed. "But the Creed forbids that kind of talk. I don't usually follow it to a letter, but I do believe in keeping our secrets."
Abberline looked up at Jacob. "The Creed?"
"They're basically rules that keep all Assassins under control of the Council. Rules like don't kill innocents, don't tell civilians about us, don't betray our secrets to Templars, that kind of thing. And I would love to tell you about me Freddy I would, I really would." Jacob sighed, and glanced out the window. "But then I'd have to kill you."
Abberline froze. Jacob's eyes slid back to him, and he smiled. "I wouldn't," he murmured. "But technically I'd have to. The less you know about me, and about my people, the better Freddy. Could be dangerous. You might get hurt."
"Concern for me Jacob? Well aren't you a sweetheart," Abberline smirked, throwing Jacob's words back at him.
Jacob threw his head back and laughed. "You walk a dangerous line Frederick Abberline,"
"I could say the same for you," Abberline countered.
"Aye, but I'm used to it. It comes natural to me," Jacob replied. "I grew up an Assassin, danger is like an old friend."
"And I'm a police officer in London, you think danger isn't familiar to me?"
"Ah Freddy…" Jacob sighed, nursing his pint almost sorely. "Why would you want to know me anyway?"
"We are working together."
"And on a business basis, you know everything you need to know about me." Jacob said into his pint. "I'm a dangerous man Freddy, you sure you want to know more about that man?"
"I asked didn't I?" Abberline didn't know what possessed him to ask these questions sometimes, he really didn't.
He'd known Jacob for maybe three months, if that. They were on a strict need-to-know basis of introduction. They played cards sometimes on Abberline's night off, and they occasionally shared drinks after Jacob walked triumphantly into Scotland Yard with a Blighter for Abberline to put into custody, but that was it. There wasn't much else he needed to know about Jacob other than he was an Assassin, an associate of Henry Green, and was here to help him restore order to the streets of London in return for the police force overlooking some of his and his sister's illegal activities, and illegal methods in restoring order. Abberline knew next to nothing about the Assassins; he'd assumed that the Fyre twins were ordinary assassins, not part of a larger organisation. That made it slightly more sinister. He had so many questions; why were these Assassins taking an interest in criminal life in London? What did they send the Fryes for? Why was Jacob so intent on killing Starrick? What was a Templar? Was Starrick a Templar, is that why Jacob wanted him dead? Why did semi-important men and woman end up dead whenever Evie or Jacob were involved? Who was the enemy the Assassins were trying to get rid of in London? Were the Assassins here to do good, or was he helping dangerous criminals get more powerful? Did Jacob and Evie intend on taking over London, ruling it in Starrick's stead? Was that the Assassin's objective?
"You don't want to get too involved with me Freddy, it's a bad idea trust me," Jacob shook his head. "It's a terribly crazy idea."
"Have I given you the impression I was turned off by crazy?"
It was Jacob's turn to blush now. He bit his lip, looking down, unable to meet Abberline's eye. Another side to Jacob Abberline hadn't seen before. Where was his cocky smirk? His flirtatious smile? His teasing words?
"Freddy, I…" he started, but then seemed to think better about it, and shut his mouth. He opened it several times to speak, but couldn't seem to find the words.
Finally, he looked up, his confident grin securely back in place.
"And here I thought you were such an upstanding law-abiding citizen. Skirting the law now aren't we Freddy?"
"Law is one thing. Morals are another."
"Like that's any different from what you lecture me about doing,"
Abberline rolled his eyes. "You're a lunatic Jacob it's not the same."
Jacob smirked. "Then morally I'm not a good choice eh?"
"You are a criminal." Abberline agreed. "A good-looking one, but still a criminal."
Jacob slowly started to chuckle. "Knew you thought I was handsome. You're not so bad yourself Freddy, we can't let that handsome face suffer hard labour for such criminal activity."
"Flatterer."
"I know."