First Steps

"And what threat do you pose as, girl? I have enough against you at this moment to not only put you in jail, but to have you executed!"

Charles was enraged at her sudden appearance, and her snide remarks weren't helping the matter.

"You do, but you won't."

They were waiting outside of the jailhouse, waiting for Haytham to arrive and assess the predicament. Annie knew that they would try to pull a stunt and pardon Thomas, but thanks to Benjamin, it would not be so easy.

"Do you think," Charles steps closer to her, looking down at her, "You can just walk up to me, and talk as though you hadn't disappeared with an assassin, and betrayed us? I have been extremely lenient with you, as has Haytham. Do not expect us to extend it. If I were in charge, I wouldn't even be speaking to you." He spat the last part, but Annie held back to urge to punch him in the jaw.

"You are blinded by power; I wish I had realized it earlier."

His glares were interrupted by Haytham as he jumped off his horse. He was visibly irritated.

Haytham nodded at Charles, and then looked at Annie. He sighed and shook his head, walking past them into the jailhouse. They followed behind him, Charles now tense at Haytham's demeanor.

There was a little lobby where a crying woman was standing, waiting for the word on her husband's arrest. There were two large benches, at which Haytham stopped at.

Haytham turned to Annie, "Wait here, and do not think about leaving." He looked at the two guards who were standing in front of the door leading to the jail cells. "Watch her, will you?"

Annie obeyed, and tried her hardest to ignore Charles' smirks.

When they disappeared, she felt nervous. She had no plans formulated; only longing to get Connor out and go back to the manor. That would have to be her first move. She knew she couldn't talk Charles or Haytham into freeing Connor. She knew that, and she wasn't sure if she could count on Connor to break himself out. Maybe she could work underneath, incognito. Or perhaps her best bet would be for her to find Benjamin and report what happened, even though she's sure all of New York and even Boston knows of the infamous assassins' arrest. Whatever her plan would be, she needs to tell Achilles.

She was pulled from her thoughts when Haytham came back out from the door, alone. Annie stands to get his attention, and he stops.

He moves his hands behind his back, and she looks up at the tan man with pleading eyes.

"What is to be done to him?"

"What is to be done with you?"

She looks down, biting her tongue. Annie couldn't take the disappointed look in Haytham's eyes.

A familiar sigh leaves his lips, "I suppose you are to be let go."

"Why?" She asked before she could stop herself.

By the look on Haytham's face, he didn't know either. So Annie just nodded, and he continued towards the door.

Annie looks back at him, "Connor-"

He stops, "I know." Was all he said before continued walking out the door.

… Is your son.

She had so many questions, but they would have to wait.

Charles and Hickey come from behind the door, Hickey looked none too pleased. Though he managed to give an obnoxious wink at Annie.

Annie stood in front of them, blocking their path.

"Let me see him," she demanded.

Charles broke into a sarcastic grin, "If you think that I-"

Annie moved closer to him, grabbing at Charles' coats. "Let me see him," she growled, her eyes narrowing.

Though she was much smaller than the two men, she tried to look menacing.

His lip twitched, and he grabbed her wrists, squeezing them and pulling them away. "You are pushing your luck." He snarled.

"Ay'," Thomas says smirking, coming up behind Charles. "Let 'er see 'im. I wanna know wot she plans on tellin' 'im. Come on swee' 'art," Hickey ignored Charles' glares, and holds his arm out to Annie.

It was good opportunity to scout out the jail, though she preferred to talk to Connor in private. She'll take what she can get. So she pulls away and wraps her arm around Hickey's, almost reluctantly, giving a smirk at Charles while he stood there disapprovingly.

Hickey led her through the door, smiling. "Lucky fer you, I'll be stayin' here. F'anks to tat' asshole Tallmadge."

Annie looked around, wrinkling her noise at the stench. Two guards moved apart for them, and Annie pulled away to see Connor.

She smiled softly at him, even though he had bruises and cuts over his face. He quickly walked over to the door, ignoring Hickey.

He grabbed her small hands, holding them in his. "You are okay?" He asked.

She nodded, "Yes."

A sigh escaped him, "I'll get help, I promise." She says to comfort him.

Hickey starts laughing. "'Course ya will."

She throws him a glare before looking back at Connor.

"Leave," He says, "Go to Achilles, he will know what to do." He whispers the last part.

Annie nods in agreement, her eyes sad.

"Awl right lets' get tis' show on ta' road." Hickey bellows beside her.

Connor lifts her hand to lips and kisses it before letting go. "Be careful," he says before pulling away.

She gives him a smile and nod.

Thomas wraps and arm around her shoulders, pulling her away. "Come on, swee' 'art."

"Get off me, you prick."

They both can hear Connor grip the metal bars, watching their retreat. Annie was trying to pull from Thomas' grip, but evidently unsuccessful. She felt for Connor, though she was happy to be leaving that hellhole.

When they walked through the door, Charles Lee was still standing in the same spot, with his arms crossed.

"Come on, Thomas. I'll show you to your quarters." Charles says, dismissing Annie.

Thomas pulls away, that indolent look back on his face. Charles puts a hand on his shoulder, spinning him around and leading him back inside the jail.

When she was alone again, she fled.

Her first priority was to find Benjamin Tallmadge; he would know what to do.