Disclaimer: I do not own that is Assassin's Creed. I just enjoy pretending I do.

Chapter 2

Honest?

The next few days went by quickly, leaving me a frantic mess. After I had gotten back from visiting my Dad, Max called me to tell me I had to host the dinner that night. I supposed it was my turn to have everyone over before we left for the expedition. You could imagine I was pretty upset. But, before I could tell off Max, he hung up.

My apartment was a complete pigsty: boxes, tools, and random artifacts littered my living room, and my kitchen was screaming to get a good scrub. I didn't even want to look in my bedroom, knowing that I hadn't bothered with anything in there since I got home from the Amazon expedition. So, to make a long story short, my apartment was in no shape to have company.

"I really should hire a maid. No, a butler. Then I would never have to get up from the couch," I contemplated. I stood in my kitchen eating an apple as I watch the flat screen in the living room. I took another bite from the red fruit and looked away from the History Channel and sneaked a glance at the filthy counters of my large kitchen. I let out a dramatic sigh. "Might as well start with the kitchen. Can't cook if the stove is covered with ancient scrolls."

When I finished my apple, I tossed it in the trash and moved over to the counters, grabbing a box of African pottery. Slowly but surely, the kitchen started to clear out. I was one for never cleaning and cooking, so I just made my kitchen another storage area. As I cleaned, I found things that had been missing for months. I was quite surprised when I found an Incan headdress behind my expired Frosted Flakes in a cabinet. When I say surprised, I meant that I screamed loud enough for the people below me to come knocking on my door to see if I was alright. Sheepishly, I just said I was watching a scary movie and assured them I was in no danger. After I retreated back into my apartment, I took the Incan headdress that had a sickly twisted face carved into the gold with red eyes and placed it on the pile of other weird artifacts I had found around my apartment.

I headed back into the kitchen to continue my cleaning. The counters were clear of boxes and dirt, and I just had to work on the grimy floor. I went over to the dog food bag that sat against the pantry door. I began to move the giant bag back into the pantry as thoughts of Logan and my Dad floated into my mind.

My Dad was extremely happy to see me when I visited him the day before. He told me he was getting quite lonely being in that house all by himself. It broke my heart every time he spoke about being alone. I knew it was his way of saying he wanted me to move back in with him, but I knew that I couldn't. He would eventually find out about Abstergo if I lived with him. It was a risk I wasn't willing to take, so I just made it my duty to try and be there for him as much as I could. I knew it wasn't what he wanted, though it was all I can do. With expeditions popping up at the last minute, it was hard to see him when I wanted. After my Mom died, Dad had become a little lost. He used to be very headstrong and playful, like how I am described now and again. When the car crash happened, my Dad's spirit seemed to disappear and got replaced with sorrow and a distant mind. Although, yesterday, his spacing out didn't happen as often. I just hoped it meant he was getting back control. Also, Logan could help by keeping his mind from wandering. The German Shepard no doubt would keep him company. For being as old as Logan was, he still acted like a hyperactive puppy.

As I grabbed the mop to start washing the floor, my lie still burned in the back of my head.

Dad had asked me why I was leaving Logan with him. I knew I was going to be asked that question, but the breath still caught in my throat when I heard it. Lying to Dad was still the hardest thing I could ever do. So it took me a moment to form the words.

"I was offered an opportunity to become a historian for English castles on the west countryside. The museum had told me I would be a perfect addition to their team," I lied, swallowing down the urge to tell the truth.

"Well, that's wonderful! Isn't that exactly what you always wanted, Alice?" Dad had delightfully asked, with his strong southern drawl. I nodded quickly.

"Yes, I was ecstatic when I heard the news. They told me all the things I needed and how long I would be away," I explained, trying my hardest to hide my discomfort. "The first expedition is going to be longer than a year."

"That's quite a long time. But don't worry about me, Alice, I can tell you're worried about leaving me," he sighed as he leaned back in his giant chair. "Logan here will do just fine." At the sound of his name, Logan barked and laid his big head on Dad's knee.

"Oh, I know he'll keep you company, it's just…" I trailed off, knowing I couldn't finish the sentence. Dad looked up at me as his eyebrows furrowed together.

"What is it? Do you need money? Do-"

"No, no, Dad. It's nothing, don't worry about it," I said soothingly. "If I was in any kind of trouble, you know I would tell you."

A faint smile grew on his face.

"I know you would, Alice. You are the most honest person I know." The words stabbed my heart, leaving me trying to fight a growing grimace. If only he knew the truth. He probably would never talk to me again. The thought almost brought tears to my eyes, but instead I smiled brightly.

"Is there anything you need, Dad?" I asked after a small silence. Dad shook his head, making a few chestnut strands of his long hair fall in his face.

"No there is not, sweetheart. Thank you for asking, though." He smiled as he began to pet Logan's head. The dog's tail began to wag fiercely.

"Alright then, I should get going. I've got lots to pack." It wasn't a lie. "I love you, Dad. And don't let Logan boss you around or he'll get fat," I joked as leaned down to the chair, wrapping my arms tightly around his broad shoulders. Then I moved back to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"I love you, too. Now don't forget me while your prancing around in ancient castles." He smiled playfully.

"Of coarse I wouldn't, I'll e-mail you as soon as I get there," I replied as I backed out of the family room. "Bye Dad!" I called as opened the storm door. I watch him wave as Logan came bounding towards the closed door, barking his good bye.

The whole ride home his words haunted me. I was always honest before I worked for Abstergo. But now it was just lie, after lie. I'm sure I was just digging my own grave with each lie. My father deserved better than this. If he really knew what was going on, he could move closer, or I to him, though he had told me before not to set my world around him. He said he didn't want to weigh me down. I just couldn't help but worry.

Then a loud knock came from outside my door, causing me to hit my head on the table. I was on my hands and knees, scrubbing the floor since the mop wasn't cutting it. Rubbing my head as I spewed out a sting of curses, I looked at the clock over my fridge. It wasn't even near time for the dinner party to start.

Another loud knock came as I struggled up from the floor and made my way to the front door. With a frown I looked through the peephole to see who it could be. I saw two familiar electrifying blue eyes staring back at me.

"Birger," I growled as I undid the locks and pulled open the door. "What do you want? You do know that you're two hours early, right?"

A wide grin plastered itself onto his face when I snapped at him, causing my own frown to deepen. "Why Alice! It's great to see you too! Oh, thanks, I would love to come in!" he cheerfully cried, ignoring my words as he pushed past me and waltzed into my apartment.

"Birger! I do not have time for games today!" I shouted as I slammed the door and followed him into the living room. I walked up next to him to give him an evil glare. But the awestruck displayed on his face extinguished it. "What? Is my apartment really that bad?" I asked, forgetting how he rudely pushed his way into my home.

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. My hand curled into a fist and I punched him in the arm to wake him from his dazed state. Birger jumped when my fist connected with his shoulder.

"Oh, sorry," he mumbled and continued to look around my living room. "I knew you were going to need help preparing for the dinner, but I had no clue it was this bad."

I punched him again.

"Ow, okay, okay. Sorry. But really, I came here to help and from the way things look right now, I'm sure you need it," Birger explained as he turned his whole attention on me. I bit my lip as I glared at Birger.

"Fine, start with the living room. Then when I'm finished with the kitchen, would you cook dinner?" I asked, knowing that Birger's food was a lot better than my own. Another wide smile grew on his lips.

"How'd I know you would ask that?" he asked sarcastically.

"Because you've eaten my ribs before," I retorted. I watched as Birger pretended to gag. "Okay, get cracking Mr. Sarcastic," I ordered as I returned to scrubbing the floor.

A good hour went by as Birger and I cleaned my apartment. I finally got my kitchen floor to sparkle like it did when I first bought the place, but, my hands were raw and my back ached horribly. Also, we were running out of space to hide my artifacts and books. All my bookshelves were full and the few closets I had were so over crowded that if you opened the door too roughly it would all come tumbling down. The first time it happened I found it hilarious because it all landed on Birger. However, when it happened to me it wasn't so amusing.

Anyway, we had to start stocking boxes in my bedroom along with piles of books. But we got the main household to look presentable for the get together. I closed the door of my room and walked down the hall and into the kitchen where Birger was cooking pasta. I slugged my way next to him and leaned on the granite counter top, watching the medic cook.

Out on expeditions, you normally don't get good food. Though, with Birger around, even cabbage and canned beans taste good. When we're home and he has access to delicious ingredients, oh boy, there could be a lavish feast fit for all kings.

"What's on your mind?" Birger's voice snapped me out of my daydream as he stirred the noodles boiling in the pot. I sighed and looked up at Birger's azure eyes.

"Oh, nothing. I just don't understand why Max has to torture me."

Birger chuckled softly as he continued cooking.

"It's because you're the only one he can't control. You have the tendancy to reveal who he really is," he explained. "And let me tell you, the real Max isn't that great of a guy." Birger smiled.

I returned the smile and let my eyes wander back towards the delicious food in the pan. We didn't speak as Birger cooked, but my worries started worming their way out.

"Birger, there is something that has been bothering me though," I said softly, not looking up to meet his eyes.

"What is it?" I could hear the frown in his voice. I was quiet for a moment, trying to put the words together.

"These Abstergo agents, do you think they're archeologists like us, or are they like those men on floor forty-six?" I asked, fiddling with my fingers in front of me. Just thinking about the men on floor forty-six gave me chills. When we walked by them to get supplies, they would stare us down with cold glares. By the looks of them I knew that had killed people in the past. The bullet wound scars they bared proved my theory. They were the men who used the heavy artillery machine guns that Abstergo buys.

"I don't know, Alice. But the way they're taking this expedition so seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if they were those men," Birger sighed as continued stirring.

"But what also is a little strange is the first Piece of Eden. Who do think they had to kill to get it?" I asked, laying out my worries for him to see. His head snapped toward me.

"I don't think they killed anyone yet, Alice. And I sure hope they won't," Birger said in a low voice. "I heard they dug it up in some tomb in the ancient fortress in Masyaf," he mumbled, his temper on edge. "Please, Alice, don't do this. Don't cause trouble with Abstergo. I know they can kill people, and I don't want to lose you to them," he pleaded, turning his whole attention on me. I bit down on my lip as I met his hard gaze. I knew he was right. But, was it right to give them the Pieces of Eden and believe they're going to keep world peace? No human can resist power like that, no one.

"Alice!" he shouted, knowing I was thinking against his wish. I jumped slightly and felt blood trickle its way onto my tongue

"F-fine. I won't question their true goal." I said bitterly while applying pressure to my lip. He knew as well as I did that I would never stop thinking about it, though.

"Thank you."

I ignored him. "Now, I think this is just about done. I'll get dinner all together. How about you go take a shower. Everyone will be here soon," Birger suggested, changing the subject. I just glared at him and then pushed away from the counter and stalked my way into the newly cleaned bathroom.

Author's Notes: Thank you for reading, and I hope you keep reading. Thank you S. J. Endeavor for editing once again. It is a major help. Please feel free to comment or leave a suggestion.