To Wait A While

I was holding on for dear life as the waves pounded against the ship. My knuckles turned white as I held onto the railing with a death grip, my stomach was churning with the rocking of the ship, and I could feel myself sweating bullets. Shay stood beside me at the helm and I could he him chuckle slightly. I suppose to a seasoned sailor such as he would have found the sight of me quite humorous

"Do you need to sit down?" he asked me with slight humour, and despite it all I laughed at myself too.

"Perhaps… how long will this trip take?" I questioned as I looked towards him. He stood proudly at the helm, an air of pride all around him, and I couldn't help but admire how well he took to the sea.

"It shouldn't take too long. If you need you can stay in my cabin until we reach the homestead," he suggested. I nodded in response and took up the offer.

"I… think I will do that," I said slowly as I started to make my way towards his cabin. Descending the small stairs I nearly fell over and I saw Shay nearly leave the helm to check on me had I not reassured him. "I am fine," I simply said as I smiled up at him but blew out a breath of air once I turned away from him so he would not notice before reaching the door to his cabin and letting myself in.

Once closing the door behind myself I located a bed towards one side of the cabin and I quickly made my way toward it and sat down. I hugged myself tightly as I tried to drown out the thought of myself travelling over the ocean. I had to think of anything at all to get my mind off of the current situation, and my mind instantly travelled to the thought of Haytham, and so my nerves calmed slightly.

'I wonder how he is fairing. Perhaps a lot better than I,' I thought. 'Do you miss me as greatly as I miss you… my love?'

It was true that I missed him greatly, but with each passing moment, I felt that being reunited with him was just a dream that would never come to pass. A small glimmer of hope still remains, but I have recently accepted… with much dismay… that it could never be, we were from two different worlds.

Sad to say, yes, and it may seem a little shallow of me to dismiss this quite easily… but it would be unfair for either Haytham or myself to be holding ourselves back because of our relationship. Perhaps it was wrong of me to play with his emotions like that, but deep down I believe Haytham knew… he knew that we could not stay together forever.

Through the fabric of my shirt I grasped the necklace that Haytham gave me all that time ago. It was probably the only material thing that I had to remind myself of that life. Whatever the case, that life is gone now, wether I liked it or not. I was not quite sure how long I was lost in my thoughts, perhaps just under an hour, maybe half. I was stirred from my thoughts when the door to the cabin opened and Shay stepped through.

"We're here now," he simply stated as he walked up to me and held out his hand. I accepted it as he helped me stand and I followed him out. We quietly headed up the path towards the manor that was situated at the top of the hill. "I'll do the talking… OK?" I nodded in understanding as we continued to head up the hill. We soon reached the manor and saw that Achilles was outside the front talking to someone. Once he noticed us he dismissed the person he was talking to and turned to us.

"Any news?" Achilles asked hopefully.

"Could we talk Mentor?" Shay asked, hinting that this conversation were to be private. Achilles looked to Shay and I and nodded as he motioned us toward an outdoor table set located on the side of the manor. Achilles sat on one side of the table and Shay sat on the other side with me sitting next to him.

"So what do you have to report?" Achilles asked once again and Shay hesitated for a moment allowing Achilles to continue his questions. "Do you know what kind of power waits?" he asked, referring to the location in Lisbon. Power? So is that all that he wants? I wanted to respond to that statement but I held my tongue and allowed Shay to speak as requested.

"Not exactly Mentor-" Shay finally started to say but Achilles cut him off quickly.

"Then why are you here? Every moment that we delay the Templars are closer to taking over the colonies," Achilles cut in, as if that were the only reason why the Assassins are searching for these Pieces of Eden.

"I just don't think that we should be meddling with these precursor sites, I have seen what that box can do, what if-"

"As Assassins it is our responsibility to ensure the freedom of all mankind. If these Pieces of Eden fall into the wrong hands then everyone is doomed," He simply stated as he stood rather angrily from his seat. Achilles paused for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. "A ship and a crew worthy to travel across the Atlantic have been prepared for you, Shay, hurry to Lisbon and recover the Piece of Eden for me," and with that Achilles walked away, leaving Shay and I alone.

No words were spoken for some time, I hung my head sadly, and I noticed Shay had a rather rage full look set upon his face. His right arm rested on the table and his fist was clenched tightly. I didn't like the fact that Shay's pleads went unheard and were dismissed so easily, so I reached out to lightly place my hand on his arm, and I gave him a small smile when he turned to face me. It seemed to work somewhat as his face softened and he let out a deep sigh.

"Sorry," was all I managed to say. I felt that perhaps all of it may have been my fault. After all, it was my idea, not Shay's.

"You have nothing to apologise for," Shay replied as he stared into my eyes.

"Perhaps we should… still go… If we go – then… I am not sure – but it is better than anyone else… meddling with the site," I spoke hesitantly and slowly, and I was surprised with how I sounded, for I normally know what to say. I shook my head and hung it in shame.

"I can't take you with me Milla," Shay suddenly said and my gaze snapped back towards his.

"What? Why?" I asked quickly.

"It would be too dangerous,"

"I have nowhere to go Shay. These Assassins do not care about what happens to me… except for you. Allow to me to travel with you to Lisbon," I asked hoping that he would agree. I saw in his eyes an internal battle as he mulled over what I had said. "I will be fine, I will not get hurt, just do not leave me here alone," I asked once again as I stared into his deep brown eyes. After a few moments he gave me a small smile and nodded.

"Alright then, I'll take you with me… but are you sure you can handle crossing the Atlantic," Shay added with a sly tone and a smirk and I laughed slightly at that.

"Oh, so are you mocking a lady now, is that it?" I teased.

"I wouldn't dare," Shay replied. We both soon left the manor and headed down the path where the ship Achilles mentioned was waiting.

"I just wish I could have been more help," I sighed as Shay and I walked side by side.

"It's not your fault Milla, and besides, I would rather the Mentor take his wrath out on me rather than you," Shay confessed and I was touched by it.

"That is very considerate of you Shay. Thank you," I replied with a smile and we continued walking in silence.


Once we were on the ship we had quickly set sail out of the bay and headed for the open ocean. Despite my current fear of the ocean, I felt more at ease standing by Shay, but I couldn't explain why. Perhaps it was because of the energy that waved from him, he was more calm and assertive when sailing, something that I quickly admired. Shay would somewhat laugh at my clumsiness on deck but had said that I was improving.

"It won't be long before you are a full-fledged sailor," Shay declared.

"Me? A Sailor? I highly doubt that," I replied with a slight laugh.

"No, really, you have only stumbled once or twice now," Shay continued.

"Well thank you for the compliment," I said somewhat sarcastically but Shay knew I did not mean it to be offensive and chuckled slightly. It was a beautiful afternoon, the breeze was blowing steadily enough to keep the ship going, and the sun was hanging low in the sky. We stood in silence for some time, the crew below working away diligently, and the only sounds were the chatter coming from the crew, the sails blowing in the wind, and the waves that crashed against the hull of the ship.

"I'm glad that you're here Milla," Shay spoke up after some time.

"How so?" I looked to him quizzically, his features set in a hard stare, his gaze out towards the horizon.

"I really enjoy your company," he responded as he turned to me with a small smile before looking back out over the horizon. I smiled lightly too before replying.

"I very much enjoy your company as well Shay," and I really did enjoy Shay's company. He was unlike anyone I had met before. Humorous, honourable, reckless in the form of just being lively rather than anything dangerous, and he was a rather independent individual.

"Milla… can I ask you a question?" he spoke softly and I let out a soft hum to signal him that I was listening. "Do you think that maybe… perhaps… we put off going to Lisbon?" he asked hesitantly and I gave him a look of confusion. "What I mean is that until we get more information on what we should expect," he finished and I gave him a knowing look before giving him an answer.

"I think we have all the information we can get Shay. We know very little about the Pieces of Eden and the precursor sites as is, what more can we do? I finished explaining and Shay let out a heavy sigh. "Are you just procrastinating?" I asked and Shay turned to me quickly as he tried to explain himself.

"No! I just–" I let out a laugh as I watched his surprised expression. I quickly calmed myself down before speaking.

"The Assassins have the Precursor Box as well as the Manuscript. Even the Templars manage to get them back, it will take them a while to be able to decipher the lot, and even if they locate the Precursor site they still have to get there. Do not worry about it Shay, if there is a reason that you want to put off this mission, then I will not hold it against you," once I finished speaking Shay seemed to relax somewhat. His face returned to normal as he looked back out over the horizon.

"What will we do then?" he asked me.

"We?" I asked.

"Yes, we," he smirked, "The world is a dangerous place for a young lass such as yourself to be all alone," he added and I giggled slightly.

"Well then, if that is the case, then perhaps I will need an honourable gentleman to escort me," I joked as I batted my eye lashes at him playfully.

"Perhaps I could fill that position milady," Shay joked back as he grinned at me wildly. I hummed thoughtfully before I spoke.

"You are honourable, yes, but I can think of plenty other men who are more… gentlemanly," I smiled his way and Shay gave me a mock hurt expression before chuckling slightly.

"In all seriousness, where would you like to go, Milla?" Shay asked me and I had to stop myself and think upon it.

"I do not know," I thought lightly.

"Well… where did you live before coming to America?" Shay asked then.

"London… but-"

"Let's go there then," he suggested.

"There is nothing left for me there Shay and I do not want to go back anyway," I replied as I shook my head lightly. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Shay look to me sadly before he turned his attention back out towards the horizon.


It was soon night and we had weighed anchor an hour ago. Shay and I sat in the captain's cabin as we ate in silence; some candles were lit in the middle of the table. On a separate desk I noticed a terrestrial globe, and as I stared at it I had an idea form in my head, and I smiled then.

"I have an idea," I spoke to Shay who looked to me upon hearing my voice. I stood up and walked over to the globe, "Come here," I gestured and Shay walked over with a candle in hand. "We cannot decide where we should go, so why not do this…" I let my sentence trail as I motioned to terrestrial globe and spun it lightly.

"That sounds like a good plan," Shay agreed with a smile and I smiled back at him.

"So, all you need to do is spin the globe, and wherever you stop the globe is where we will go," I said happily and Shay laughed lightly at that. He reached his hand out to spin the globe but hesitated.

"Why don't you do it?" He asked as he turned to me.

"Me?" I asked as I looked up at him. He smiled warmly down at me and the light of the candle cast over Shay making him seem as if he were glowing. The light hit his eyes in a way that made it seem as if they were a golden brown and I nearly stared at him for a long time just captivated by the sight before me. Before I stared too long and made things uncomfortable I nodded in response to his question and turned my attention to the globe. I gave it a spun and watched as it spun rapidly, the continents and ocean appearing as a giant mass in my vision. After a second I let my index finger land on the surface of the globe which caused the whole thing to stop spinning.

"Where to?" Shay asked me once the globe stopped spinning. I looked to where I had pointed and let out a slight laugh.

"Uh… somewhere out in the middle of the ocean," I stated as I lifted my finger from the globe.

"Hmm… tempting, but not quite what I had in mind," Shay replied with a deep chuckle and I pat his arm lightly.

"There could be some unmarked island out there. You do not know," I said with a slight laugh. I turned my attention back to the globe and spun it again, this time making sure my finger landed on a continent or land of some kind, and once the globe stopped again I announced the location.

"Spain," I simply said. I let my finger slide from the globe and Shay's gaze was fixated on the tiny country.

"Close to Portugal…"

"…but it will still feel far enough out of the way," I finished off and Shay looked down at me with a smile. "How is your Spanish?" I asked as I looked up at him.

"I know a little. What about you?" I gave him a sly smile before answering.

"Yo diría que es más bien una excelente," I spoke and Shay gave me a surprised look and I laughed lightly.

"Since when did you-"

"It is my mother tongue. My parents are Spanish," I simply explained and Shay nodded in response. We stood in silence for a few seconds before Shay spoke once more.

"It is getting late, and we've had a big day, perhaps we should call it a day," Shay suggested and I nodded.

"OK, so… am I sleeping below deck?" I asked and Shay gave me a somewhat dismayed look.

"No, I won't allow you to be in a place like that, you will stay in here," he said.

"But there is only one bed and it would be rude of me to kick you out like that," I said but Shay stopped me from declining.

"It's fine Milla, I don't mind one bit, besides you need it more than I," Shay said as he made his way toward the door. "Good night Milla, have a good sleep," he said before turning to leave.

"I will not allow it," I finally said which made Shay stop in his tracks and turn to face me. I practically glared at Shay as he stared back at me with a soft expression on his face.

"And what would you propose?" Shay asked then. I hesitated slightly then. What was I proposing? He was willingly giving up a free bed for me but I am too stubborn to accept it. I honestly had no idea as to what I was doing, and I don't think that I will ever know, but I knew that I had to go with whatever my mind was telling me.

"Just stay here," I whispered as I took a few steps toward him.

"And would you have me sleep on the floor then?" he asked as I neared him.

"No… not that – I…," I was eventually toe to toe with Shay and all of a sudden I realised just how short I really was compared to him. His brown eyes gazed down into my own and I felt slightly nervous for some reason.

"Just stay… with me..." I whispered quietly but I felt that Shay heard me all the same.

"Milla-"

"I know it sounds strange… but-"

"It's OK," he said and a ghost of a smile graced his lips.

"Thank you," I whispered. Soon after the candles were blown out and we both slept side by side on the bed which was large enough to accommodate for the both of us thankfully, and soon I was starting to fall fast asleep.

"I promise that I won't do anything that will make you uncomfortable," Shay whispered to me.

"Do not promise me anything for I will always believe you," I whispered in response, "Goodnight Shay,"

"Goodnight Milla," Shay whispered back and shortly after I was sound asleep feeling glad that Shay was here and that I was not alone.


Sorry for the wait

Happy Reading

-Midnight