The drive to the airport was boring. I filled Ezio in on what had been happening. I told him about the people I had to track. The part I left out was the male, Desmond Miles, was his descendant. I would let him figure that out when he saw him. I knew I had to do everything in my power to keep the apple in that vault. I did not want another added to our already dysfunctional family. I mean, Altair and I were once on again, off again lovers, Ezio was kind of stuck in the middle of us now, and I could not even mention his name without seeing red. Yeah that's something I want to wish on someone else.

We pulled into long term parking. Ezio had already called his office and told them an emergency had come up, and to clear his calendar for a while. I was already on leave from my other job. I was the head of a security company that specialized in large corporation security. That was how I got mixed up with Abstergo.

The plane tickets were already purchased. I had paid for all of them. We were to fly out of LaGuardia, get a connecter flight in Washington DC, then fly out to Madrid. Get one more flight to Florence, and take a car to Monterigionni. It was going to be a long flight. All of our seats were with each other. Ezio promised to sit between me and my old master.

I walked in the airport with nothing. The Assassins guild was shipping my weapon over in a crate. I could get it from customs in Florence. Ezio, on the other hand, had some things in duffel in the trunk of his car.

"Being a detective, you can leave at a moment's notice. I always have everything on me." He pulled out the hidden blades from the bag. "See? I carry everything one would need on a trip." He smiled at me as I shook my head.

He checked his bag and then headed over to baggage claim to get the third in our little party. The one I was not happy about getting. If I did not need the help, I would have gladly left him there to find his own ride back into the city.

I took a seat on one of the chairs nearby as Ezio stood up at the carousel for Altair. I watched for him, but did not know if I would recognize him with so many years had passed between our last meeting.

I got my answer a moment later. Altair rounded the corner looking like he had the last time I saw him, just in more modern clothes. His hair was just as short, and his eyes were the same honey color I had fell for. He had more muscle though. You could tell the years of being a bounty hunter were good to him. Ezio had put in some muscle, but he hid it under the business suit he had on.

He saw Ezio first, then turned his head and looked right at me. Our eyes connected. He had me in that look of his, like I was a new target for him to take. I hated that look. "Alanna?"

I stood and walked over to him. "Been too long."

We looked at each other for a minute, before he spoke again. "You cut your hair."

That's what he noticed first, my hair? He really was an ass. A hello or some similar greeting would have been nice but no, he says something about my hair. "And you are still a dick. Now that that's over. I will come out and sat it. I need your help." I glared at him.

"With what?" He crossed his arms over his chest, eyes narrowing.

"Not here. Too many ears. We will walk over and get some coffee." I lead them from the claims to the Starbucks a little ways down. We got some coffee and headed for a deserted place to talk. We found it not far away.

He sipped his and looked at me. "Now that we are away from everyone else. What do you need help with?"

I told him everything I had told Ezio. I watched his face for any sign he might agree. Even if he didn't, I would still make him. I would either guilt him into it, or con him into it. Either way, he was getting on that plane.

Altair turned to Ezio. "What do you make of the whole thing?"

"I am going. You are the one that wanted her found, mio amico. You have her back now, and you do not believe what she is saying. You really are a suspicious ass, Altair." With that the third of our little rag tag team walked off, leaving me with Him. I wanted to call him back, but I stayed my tongue.

He turned to me. "I am sorry. I should have not taken my anger out on your story. I have had to track some moron all over Georgia for the last week. Then he shot me. It took everything I had not to kill him. He was wanted alive. So I stabbed him in the leg."

I stared at him. He stabbed some guy in the leg because the guy shot him in the arm. "You really have turned into an ass, haven't you?" I could not believe I was standing here talking to him. I should still be mad at him.

The prized smirk showed up. Now I really wanted to smack him. Cocky, arrogant dick. I wanted to walk away. Oh how I wanted to walk away, but I stayed, until he opened his mouth. "You used to like it."

When in the hell did he become perverted? I really need to get away from him. "I am leaving now. You have two choices. Either keep your mouth shut and help me, or leave on your own. Ezio will probably give you the keys to his car. I will not deal with you." With that, I turned on my heels and walked away.

I found Ezio flirting with some flight attendances. They smiled at him, and flirted right back. I think the man would die if he did not flirt. I sat down in one of the uncomfortable chairs. We still had nearly an hour until our flight began to board.

"I'm sorry."

I looked up at Altair. "Why should I believe you? Too many times you have apologized for things, and then did them again."

"May I sit with you?" I shrugged. I really didn't care at that point in time. He sat down and rubbed the back of his neck. It was a habit of his when there was something to say, but he did not know how to say it. "Just spit it out. You are not going to offend me."

He did not look up from the floor. "Why did you leave?"

The question caught me off guard. I thought about my response. I really didn't want him to know that I had fallen for him so long ago. I knew with him, it felt like it was just a way to hold onto the past. "I had to. I could not stay there any longer. I knew you needed the same."

He finally looked at me. I could see something in the depths of his eyes. "I had missed you. You were the only constant in this world."

I shook my head. "That is why I left. You must stand on your own two feet. I see you have done that well since we last parted ways." I offered him a small smile.

I never wanted to fight him. I never wanted this hatred between us, but it did. With him leaving me that morning, and then my leaving the country. It had caused a rift between us. One that I am not sure that can be repaired.

"Boarding for flight 328 bound for Washington DC. Please proceed toward gate 4. Now boarding for flight 328 for Washington DC."

"Well, that's us. Let's get going before we have to wait forever. I hate lines." I stood and headed toward Ezio, who was still flirting. I had always wondered if he knew how bad he did that. I think it was the Italian blood. Must be from his mother's side. I know where his father's blood flowed from and there was nothing there. "They just called our flight. Let's move."

"I am sorry ladies. I must get to my flight. Look me up when you are in town again." He brushed past them, and walked over to me. "I'm sorry. I didn't even hear the announcement."

I laughed. "I am not surprised. You seem to have a one track mind when it comes to the ladies."

"You wound me with your words, Alanna. I think of other things." I saw the small smile on his lips.

"Uh huh. Yeah, I so believe that." I walked back to where I had left Altair. "Come on. Let's get a move on."

Okay, I made this one a little shorter. It really is filler. I had to get Altair back in the game, and get them all on their way to Monterigionni. That is when it should get interesting. Next into the game are Desmond, Lucy, Shaun and Rebecca. I am hoping to have the new chapter done by the end of the day. Now, that does not mean I will post it. Tomorrow, I promise. See ya then!