A/N: I don't anyone but Alex (Though Kadar will argue otherwise…..)

Agh! I struggled writing this chapter but I needed to get over this before the fun can commence.

So this is more filler or as some of you may like to think of it as getting closer with some humor at one of their expense and also goes to everyone's favorite researcher, crazy blonde, and AC's Father of the Year: William.

And Juhani was in ACR and ACB and he wasn't around long but I am giving the man a bit more screen time :)

"So the Templars they want this."

Alex held the Apple with care. It was silent in her hold but she was content with it being as such. It had morphed into a comfortable weight in her small but sturdy palms. The Assassin observed how she seemed to be cradling it against her, like a mother would when protecting her child. His eyes were neutral giving nothing of his thoughts away.

"Yes," Kadar answered.

"What's so important about this?"

"I was never told of its worth," Kadar shook his head miserably. "But Altair had said the Master wanted it retrieved."

"Who was this master?"

"Al Mualim-"

"The Master," Alex clamped her hand over her mouth. She was shocked at her ability to understand his tongue. Shock turned to elation as she began to laugh through her muffled hand.

"I've never spoken or understood a word of Arabic in my life."

"Can you understand me Alexandra?" He couldn't but help to crack into a full blown smile. Alex turned bright red as the spray of blush fanned across her neck and face as she let out a short but light laugh. It was the sensation one got when they got on a bike, never forgetting how to ride. But she never took a single class in Arabic or whatever dialect he was speaking. Surely it was a dead tongue.

"Yes…." The squeak shot her voice up further embarrassing her.

"H-How is that possible?"

The Apple illuminated in her lap, as though it was telling her it was the reason for her newly discovered linguistic ability. Of course! She shook her head and softly admonished herself for her own oblivious statement. Kadar found his eyes trailing the soft chocolate taffeta as it cascaded down her then around her face. He had caressed them when she slept, reaffirming his initial assumption that the finest silk that once lined the streets of Masayf were like burlap against his touch. The young assassin once again felt the desire to bless his skin with those sweet strands.

"If it makes you more comfortable, we can speak like this. No one will understand us."

Her voice whipped his mind like the desert siroccos that would sting the eyes and burn the skin causing Kadar to look up.

"Kadar are you alright? Did doing the Time Warp knock your brain loose?"

Time Warp? What was that?

A befuddled look instantly chided Alex.

"Sorry," she rubbed two fingers up and down the gap between her eyebrows in a sign of frustration. "I forgot you don't know what that means."

Kadar perched at the edge of the sofa, studying the peculiar gestures and movements. Women from his time did not speak or behave in such mannerisms let alone reside without family or husband. These times were peculiar indeed.

"Teach me what you know. You promised you would."

Alex felt her heart hammering while waiting for the assassin to acknowledge. This sudden surge of energy had been summoned from nothing. Where had it come from? It was nothing like she had been intimate with or known existed. But resistance would not be welcomed.

"And I intend to honor that vow."

"Then let's get started."

Her eyes went down to the soiled wrinkled grey robes and her nose crinkled at the odor wafting from his general direction.

"But first maybe you should clean up."

Kadar looked down and clutched a fistful of garment in his hand. She was correct for he did not easily recall the previous time he had bathed. A hot bath would be embraced by the slow rolling ache that was gathering in his shoulders and legs.

"Come on, I'll show you the shower."

"Shower?" The assassin cocked his head to the right.

Damn! His eyes are simply gorgeous! Hell he's just gorgeous all around!

"Yeah," Alex casually shrugged. "It's where water comes out of pipes behind the walls."

Water coming out of walls? How was that fathomable? Surely some method of sorcery was responsible!

"Hey," Alex waved a hand an inch from his face. "You coming? Don't worry the shower isn't anything bad. You may find you like it."

Kadar said nothing and shuffled behind his unintentional host.

"Okay," Alex turned the hot and cold water faucets on then stuck her hand under the steaming stream. "Now tell me if this is satisfactory."

Kadar stood mutely behind her, watching the water flowing from the narrow pipe. He looked at the walls, hoping to find some panel or opening to reveal the source of this. The assassin leaned over and pushed against the slick white tiles frowning at his efforts as they fell flat.

"Where does it come from?" Awe lifted his voice from fear to wonder.

"The building has pipes behind the walls that carry water to the tub, the sinks, and the toilet."

"Toilet?"

"Oh wait that's right," Alex did a face palm. "You probably called them latrines. Well that's improved too. After you go you push this," she gestured at the handle then pushed it causing Kadar to draw his sword. Alex smiled crookedly and placed her open palm on the side of his blade. She calmly pressed it down showing it wasn't any threat. "And it takes everything away. There are no open pits or ditches here making things more…..sanitary. We don't have to worry about dysentery or other illnesses. And the best part there is no stench."

Kadar noticed the lack of urine or feces which was a breath of fresh air. The latrines and pits were harbingers of disease and stifled the air with human waste. Perhaps this time wasn't so bad after all.

"But anyways," Alex suddenly reached out, snatching his wrist closest to her. "Is this alright?"

Kadar jerked forward allowing her to manipulate him. The powerful torrent greeted his chilled fingers, sending a fan of warmth from the tips up his hand and wrist.

"This is….." Words failed to form on the tip of his tongue.

"I'll take that as a yes." The grip lightened off his wrist taking the warmth along with it. Alex stood with her back turned to him and retrieved a few towels from the shelf.

"Okay so when you-" her mouth froze then dropped open at the sight that greeted her vision. Kadar was standing in the dark leggings and only the leggings. Her heart quickened into a sprint as her eyes absorbed and burned the image in her mind. The young assassin wasn't taut but he wasn't shapeless either. His body was lithe and easy on her eyes; perhaps a little too easy….

"Oh I'm sorry…." Alex fumbled with her words dropping the towels in her attempt to avert her stare from his half nude form. Through the corner of her eyes Alex captured glimpses of a lean but toned form. It wasn't blatant like some of the fitness nuts who thought the larger the better. No it was perfect for his frame. Biceps waved like water with each movement of his arms as they kept secure the only barrier between between her eyes and all of him. Her face and neck started to burn causing her ears to tingle at the faintest tease of full on nakedness. Kadar smiled shyly at her sudden embarrassment and a light pink flush graced his neck and face. He couldn't but help to find her agitation adorable.

"I….uh….penis….I mean perhaps! Perhaps I should go!"

Alex flung the door open and slammed it behind her, grateful to be out of there. Her back slid down the face of the door until she was parallel to the floor. Behind her she heard the assassin's footsteps padding quietly around.

"Oh my god he probably thinks I've lost it."

The back of her head meets solid wood as the voice in her head repeatedly screamed:

You dumbass! You dumbass! You dumbass!

"Alexandra," Kadar quietly called from the other side breaking the train of curses.

"Yeah," she hollered back. The door clicked then pulled open showing off Kadar now clad in a towel. One hand fiercely gripped the soft thick cotton that was wound around his slender waist. An innocent look was cast across his face as he stood there in the doorway.

Jesus! Why does he have to look like that! He isn't even trying!

"I do not know how to make the water stop."

"Oh," Alex laughed uneasily. "Right….."

Keeping her eyes pointed at the floor, Alex brushed past the assassin and went straight for the tub. She twisted the faucets with urgency, wanting to get out of the presence of the other. It wasn't that he made her uneasy; it was the opposite. Alex felt a few stirrings from being within the same vicinity as Kadar. No, it was because she had been alone and a very good looking man landed in her living room from out of thin air and was now clad in just a damn towel!

His eyes were on her even as she had her back facing him. Alex took a short breath hoping to stabilize her shaky hands. Her heart was another matter. Its persistent slamming against its bony cage thundered in her ears. Did he notice?

"Okay when you're done just pull the chain and the water will dong I mean drain! I mean drain!"

Alex practically ran him over on her way out, banging her shin on the edge of the door; a reward for her effort to escape. The pain was an afterthought for the priority of being free of the assassin's curious stare was her priority. Kadar simply tilted his head, confused over her peculiar behavior while watching Alex trip over her feet and landing on the plush carpet stomach and face first.

"Don't worry I'm fine!" She slipped and fumbled in her sorry effort to stand up. These times were strange indeed.

She paced the room in self anger.

Alex wanted to slap herself repeatedly for her tongue twisting where Kadar is concerned. The Apple began to pulse reassuringly from its resting place on the couch. She dropped beside the shining orb and cradled it in her lap. The weight was comforting and warm allowing for Alex to relax but slightly. It seemed to respond to her touch, glowing brighter when the very tips of her fingers ghosted across the top then circumvent the top half.

"You're not helping matters."

It glowed brighter in reaction. Did it just get….warmer?

"What is it about you….." she let her words trail from her tongue. "I suppose it's more like what are you….."

"Are you…..Are you humming?" Amusement was the best choice to describe her reaction. Alex suddenly thought of the Apple as a strange metallic kitten purring only it was pulsating in lieu of the other. It was as though it was speaking to her in its unique way.

Her hands lifted the Apple up and level to her eyes with her neck craning and contorting in hopes of finding some type of button or switch; sadly no such feature was visible on the surface. Subtle vibrations tickled her palms to which Alex couldn't but help to let the tiny smile curl in the corner of her mouth. It was reacting to her. The thin lines of gold were deeply illuminated outlining the random curves and lines.

"Maybe you're the one causing my dreams. You sure as Hell keep showing up in all of them. I mean seriously….."

Alex let out a short laugh that was more of a snort as it dawned on her she was conversing with an inanimate object. Was she finally losing it? It sure felt like it.

But for supposedly being void of life, it seemed to respond to her when she spoke or touched it. And it did somehow transport a supposedly dead man to the middle of her living room; a supposed dead man who had quite a few knives and one wicked sword.

Alex suddenly felt drowsy and stretched out on the couch, clutching the Apple flush to her breast. Rings of ice vanished behind fleshy shutters as she was lulled into a light slumber. The Apple responded to the rhythm of her body's mechanics until it fell silent in her hold.

Her mind was slowly being invaded by images of another time and place.


"Let us see how our guest is doing now."

Vidic strolled with an air of arrogance under the blinding lights of the corridor. The wide hall was bustling with activity as he carried a brisk pace. Daniel Cross was tight by his side, having returned from decimating another Assassin compound, this time in New Mexico. Memories of Denver were still fresh in his mind; haunting him in the darkest corners of his soul. He refused to return to the Mile High City after that though an explanation had not been offered regarding his adamant declaration. Cross wouldn't even breathe a word as to what he had witnessed within the concrete walls below insanity of planes and humanity overhead.

The failure in Denver led to the destruction of the Apple the Templars had possessed which compounded the urgency in their mission.

The boy had been a gift to Abstergo from its own Lineage and Acquisition Department. The great grandson of Nikolai Orelov, renowned member of the Russian Assassin Brotherhood and now a Master Templar, responsible for the rapid downfall of the Assassins: The Great Purge. Vidic couldn't have plotted or dreamt it any better. Make the boy a sleeper agent send him packing into the world, uncovering the Assassins as he traveled. The Mentor was dead and those fucking Assassins now leaderless; well almost. That damned William Miles continued to elude them.

The younger blonde held a steady but deadly glint to his eye as he glanced over at Warren. Fortunately for them Daniel continued his prescription therapy and weekly sessions with Dr. Sung, allowing for him to retain focus on what was needed. The Bleeding Effect continued regardless with bouts of his ancestors' memories reaching such levels he had confused the doctor for Nickolai's wife.

Daniel was going to be needed very soon.

"I haven't spoken to him since I returned," Cross leveled his gaze on the door ahead. "But he is able to speak some English though he struggles and becomes frustrated."

"That is to be expected," Vidic sighed and slid his card through the reader. "And it is expected to be understood given the….circumstances."

Daniel didn't acknowledge Warren's words instead he was studying the large figure seated on the edge of the bed. It was hard to comprehend that this man was the one who had brought Altair Ibn-La'Ahad to his knees in Solomon's Temple. Too bad he didn't kill the bastard. It would've saved them a great deal of trouble.

"Good Morning Robert," Vidic's voice grated upon everyone's ears. Robert de Sable pulled his eyes from the wall and to the grey haired man in the long white coat. He did not look like a Templar. He wasn't dressed in the robes or acted like one! How could this man claim to be a Templar?

Robert's eyes narrowed with suspicion as the silver haired man was joined by a younger blonde haired man. He knew his name was Daniel which meant Judgment of God in the tongue of the Jews. His stature was dark and threatening; perhaps he lived up to his name. But this other man he was uncertain of.

"I'm Warren Vidic, the head of research here at Abstergo."

"You do not look like a Templar."

Vidic's brow ticked with irritation as Robert spoke in French.

"I thought you said he spoke English Daniel." The older man was incensed as Daniel's claim was starting to prove false.

"He does," Daniel calmly responded.

"Then what is his problem? We don't have all day to play these games! Find me someone who can speak French damn it!"

Daniel craned his neck around and jerked his chin up at Juhani who was standing quietly to the right of the door. The brooding Fin was a promising recruit for becoming a Master Templar. He crossed the room and stood alongside Cross. The man displayed no fear or aversion in the presence of the Templar. He knelt down, locking neutral rings of sepia with hardened orbs of dark brown.

"You have nothing to fear here Robert. We are Templars the same as you."

"Impossible!"

"No, it isn't. The times have changed and our abilities and influence have grown. We blend in with the world now. It is easier to carry out our mission."

"You do not dress like a Templar."

Robert's tone conveyed mistrust and cynicism.

"Just because we do not wear the attire such as yours doesn't mean we do not abide by what the Templars believe in."

"Where are the Assassins? The Al-Sayf brothers and that half breed Altair Ibn-La'Ahad?"

Acid rolled off the very tip of his tongue at mention of the Master Assassin.

"By what do you mean? They are dead."

"NO! The younger one vanished! The Piece of Eden began to glow and flooded Solomon's Temple with a painful light. Altair was thrown from the Temple by my hand and the other, Malik Al-Sayf was gravely wounded but the Piece of Eden was gone."

Juhani nodded and rose to his feet. He turned around to face the Master Templars.

"What did he say?" Vidic demanded with the temperament of a child.

"It seems as though Robert didn't come alone. One of the Assassins from his time made it through as well; one of the Al-Sayf brothers is here."

"Keep asking damn it!" Vidic frantically shooed his hands at the Fin.

Cross pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to quell the simmering annoyance from Vidic's childish behavior. If he continued snapping and barking orders around he may very well lose it right then and there. Juhani pivoted around and returned to Robert.

"What of the Piece of Eden Robert?"

"That Assassin must have it. When I awoke to this….this….place, I had nothing but my sword though that was ripped away from me."

"We have stronger more powerful weapons that make the need for a sword no longer necessary."

The Templar's eyes lit up at this as his mouth barely curled up.

"Intriguing…"

"We outnumber the Assassins. Daniel led many charges against their camps and strongholds. He killed the Mentor."

The ghostly curl materialized into a definitive and sinister smile. During his time no one had successfully slain a Mentor.

"The Assassins are not as powerful now?"

The malicious expression deepened as it widened. Robert's grin reminded Daniel of the Joker from a deck of cards. Juhani shared his sentiment and lifted his lips a little higher.

"No. They are in hiding. The Templars have the money, the resources, the weapons, and the people."

"I am intrigued by this. Perhaps you can show and educate me."

"Of course we will as we are all brothers and sisters in arms."

While Vidic couldn't understand what was exchanged between the two men, the gestures and shift in body language allowed him to breathe out with relief. Daniel simply smiled at his recruit.

"He's in," Juhani clasped his hands together.

"Excellent! Now we can get down to business!" Vidic was grinning from ear to ear. "Come now let us get Mr. de Sable in some more comfortable clothes and better acclimated to his new surroundings."

Vidic turned where Daniel was staring forward at the Frenchman. His face was masked with an unreadable expression; nothing new considering Cross was after all a cold detached human being.

"Daniel follow me to my office."

The blonde took a deep breath, stemming back the rising migraine that was accumulating in the center of his skull as he followed the man into the corridor.

"Daniel, we have been working on a new project: Project Uni."

"Okay," he wondered what Vidic was talking about.

"We recently started Project Uni following a discovery from a genetic identity from Subject 16."

Now his interest was gaining speed.

"For centuries we were under the assumption that the First Civilization had gone extinct after the Toba catastrophe; we were wrong Daniel. The First Civilization survived. Some didn't mix their genetic code with humans and maintained pure lines. They spread out after the disaster, keeping away from the others. They viewed humans and their kin who interbred as inferior; throwing away their chance to restore the balance."

"How? You said so yourself the planet burned when the flare hit and The First Civilization was obliterated like roaches."

"But that was before Subject 16."

"So who's the target?" Daniel was to the point. He was anxious to get back out in action; especially after Denver. Vidic leaned back in his seat with fingers laced neatly together. "Who's the lucky boy or girl?"

The beads of bronze took on a dark luster as delicious thoughts of extracting an unsuspecting Assassin or other unlucky bastard. An accompanying sneer served to cast a malicious aura about the man.

"We don't have a name or location yet as these lines are showing to be highly difficult to trace. They were meticulous in covering their movements."

"So what you're saying is that you don't have shit."

Vidic ignored Daniel's snide comment. He could be a sarcastic shit sometimes.

"Yes well our fortunes will soon change Daniel. Think about it: A living breathing member of the First Civilization or rather a person with such concentrations of DNA! Envision the possibilities! We could learn so much about and from them."

Vidic was giddy like a schoolgirl who was experiencing her first crush. Daniel likened it to a wet dream for the scientist.

"So what about the other one, Desmond Miles? If we have someone who is First Civilization why go after someone of lesser quality? Surely this other one will give us what we need."

"Oh but not true Daniel. Mr. Miles is a descendant of Altair La-Ahad, a Master Assassin and Ezio Auditore, another Master Assassin. We can still extract invaluable information from his genetic memories. Here, allow me to show you what Doctor Nakamura uncovered."

The heavy thud of the blonde dropping in the chair resonated around the walls as Vidic hit a few keystrokes and swiveled the laptop around.

"Now pay attention," he patronized the younger Templar. "After Toba the survivors scattered into several nomadic groups. They avoided the humans and their kin as I said before, keeping the bloodlines clean for thousands of years. We need Mr. Miles because we need the map and we need the other for her or his DNA. Do you get it now Daniel?"

Then it dawned on him.

"Is this Desmond the same Desmond I noticed in the Prophet's Codex?"

Vidic pivoted his laptop back around and rose up, leaning over his desk. His palms flattened on the solid speckled plane of granite giving me further leverage across the furnishing.

"What do you think Daniel?"

Daniel was scathing at the manner Vidic addressed him. He wasn't a fucking child and sure as hell wasn't psychic!

"Well now that we have established an understanding," Vidic's personality flipped on and off like a switch; maybe he needed the pills Daniel was taking. "I need you to track down Mr. Miles and bring him here. Once we get the location of our other subject you are to extract and bring them here."

"I know how to do my job Warren," Daniel fired back. "It was me who brought Subject 16 here in case you forgot."

"I haven't forgotten Daniel; no one has forgotten your loyalty and contributions for Abstergo. You're one of our top operatives which is why you are being told this."

"I would've found out anyways given I am part of the Inner Sanctum. It would be foolish to keep me in the dark about something like this."

"Of course we wouldn't have done such a thing. You have been instrumental in our success. But I need you to retrieve Desmond Miles and bring him here. You will be on the next flight to New York."

"Great," the blonde exhaled with frustrated joy. "Finally I can get back out!"

"We need you out there Daniel," Vidic turned somber. "We're so close to it."

The impenetrable block of rust softened at the unspoken concern. Daniel was aware of the consequences of failure and that was not an option. Though the Assassins languished in partial obscurity, they continued to remain a very real threat to the Plan.

"I'll be with the recruits. Call me when you need me."

The reply received was a curt nod of the older man's head as Daniel casually strolled out into the corridor. Vidic tapped his index finger to his chin as he pondered what Juhani had said about an Assassin from the 12th century coming through. He pulled up his email and wrote a brief email to Rikkin.

Subject for Animus Project located but learned from de Sable an Assassin from his time vanished with the Piece of Eden from Solomon's Temple. Will obtain image of suspect Assassin and track down.

His finger tapped the send key and Vidic waited. It didn't but five minutes before Rikkin had issued a response.

Excellent work Warren. Continue working with de Sable and obtain information regarding this Assassin. If they have the Piece of Eden as proclaimed then this is a high priority on par with the Animus Project and locating the remaining pieces. The results from recreating the Shards of Eden are intriguing but clearly not of the same standard as the originals.

Again I cannot stress the importance of tracking down Subject Seventeen and uncovering the missing memory.

May the Father of Understanding guide you.

A.R.


William was staring blankly as the strange message blared back.

To: William M.

From: 01001101 01100101 01110010 01100001

Subject: Find them

42 21 29 71 3 49

Who was it this sender was referring to? He recognized the series of zeroes and ones as binary code but the other numbers' meaning was elusive. Was this a ploy? Had the Templars succeeded in locating and hacking into Hephaestus? Or was it someone else?

There was only one way to find out.

I hope you all like this little installment! I love hearing your feedback!