A fairly short chapter, but I really wanted to get an update in to keep me motivated.

As requested there is more of Amy and Malik in this chapter as well as a bit of explicit content (though not as much as there will be in the future)

Everything will begin picking up pace again in the next chapter and if anyone wonders what Amy looks like I think of Christina Hendricks but younger and with freckles.

Please let me know what you guys think!

Chapter 25: Think of me fondly

The two weeks that she was gone was torture.

Altaïr would have never thought that recovering would be so frustrating. He had of course had his share of injuries over the years, he didn't think there was an assassin alive who hadn't, but none had been this bad. He lay in bed, his skin crawling as he itched to even leave the room. The tan walls that seemed to shrink around him did nothing to help him ignore the fact that Anass hadn't allowed him outside since Sam left.

The assassin peered down at his injuries. The largest cut was healing well and had closed enough that it no longer needed to be bandaged. It was still very sore whenever he shifted, but that was a very small price to pay. The rest of his body was covered in faded bruises, the black and blue fading to a greenish yellow color. Altaïr felt fine other than the ever increasing restlessness building within him.

He pulled his sheets back over his chest as he rolled over. The time he had spent there had given him many hours to think and his mind felt clearer as time passed. He thought about every moment since Samantha had come into his life: every mistake, every word, and every emotion. Things might have turned out so differently if he hadn't been so used to pushing people away. Perhaps if he had not seen her as a potential weakness his life would be much easier. That was the past, though, and he realized if he was going to win back her affections he would have to move forward.

Altaïr pushed his sheets off of him with a frustrated huff. He could no longer simply lay there and feel as if time was wasting away. Clean clothes were neatly folded on the stool near his bed, courtesy of Anass laying them there the day before. The assassin wondered if the healer had done so on purpose, if he knew Altaïr would soon wish to leave. There was no use thinking about it further and he quickly donned the pants and dark blue tunic provided.

He walked over to the basin to his left, rolling his shoulders and reveling in the fact that he was up and walking again. Splashing the tepid water onto his face helped a little with fighting off the warmness of the room and helped him feel much cleaner. There was a looking glass above the basin and the polished metal surface showed him a slightly blurred image of himself. His dark brown hair stuck up oddly from his time spent in bed and he ran his fingers through the thick locks in an attempt to tame them. Altaïr hadn't looked at himself in weeks and he found that he no longer appeared tired or angry. He had always thought he was handsome enough, the scar over his lip and his slight stubble gave him the roguish appearance that many women seemed to like, but now he wondered what Samantha thought of him. She was attracted to him, if the dance and kiss that they had shared was anything to go by. Perhaps she no longer felt that way. After his many blunders he could not say that he blamed her in the slightest.

Altaïr massaged his forehead with his hands. There was no use worrying about it now, especially since he was determined to go outside and get a bit of fresh air.

After yanking on his boots he made his way to the door in a few long strides. He was surprised when the door opened just as his hand was about to touch the knob. Altaïr had planned to leave unnoticed and deal with Anass later, but now he knew that he was caught and about to be lectured. Instead of the healer he was greeted by a bright smile and the woman that had constantly been on his mind.

"Altaïr," she greeted, the knowing smile growing larger, "heading somewhere?"

He was more than happy to see her. His heart swelled at the sight of her and at the fact that her smile was for him alone.

"Out of this forsaken room."

An impish look overtook her features, "I think we might just be able to sneak past Anass if you'd like to get out of here."

Sam grabbed his upper arm and after what seemed like a quick flurry of motion and walking he found himself whisked outside. The afternoon was turning into evening, and as the sun lowered in the sky so too did the temperature. It was a blessing to have the cooler air hit his face after all of the time he had spent cooped up in that room.

He and Samantha didn't speak as they walked, and he simply followed wherever she was leading him. Their feet found their way out of the fortress. They passed women travelling back from the market and other assassins as well. Each one going about their own business and not taking note of either of them.

They were headed down the hill leading to the town when Sam stopped suddenly. Altaïr looked up to find that they were standing below the old withered tree on the cliff side. It was only when Samantha released his arm that he realized she had been holding it the whole time.

"Care to sit with me?" She moved and sat near the edge of the drop off, feet swinging slightly.

The question was so simple and yet he still found himself smiling slightly. Altaïr sat down next to her while thinking about how pleased he was that she had arrived that day.

Samantha didn't move or speak and the only sounds were that of people in the small town below. Altaïr said nothing, not wishing to break the relative silence just as much as he did not know what to say. Should he say how much he had missed her? Or maybe ask about how things had gone with Malik?

Altaïr's thoughts drifted. A light breeze picked up and he could smell the light scent of lavender mixed with the musk of horse that wafted to him from Samantha. He could not help but realize that she had probably come straight from the stables to see him. The thought had his heart fluttering, something that he was quite unused to. The assassin looked to the woman next to him. Her hair was glittering gold, the light of the setting sun filtering through the barren branches of the tree above them. He did not know how he could have ignored her for so long.

"Malik was pleased to see me," her voiced reminded him that he was staring and he quickly looked away, "and Amy too."

"How are they?" Altaïr felt obliged to ask. The loss of Malik's arm must have been hard on both of them, but he had never bothered to ask.

"Doing well," her smiling face looked to him, "they seem much happier than they have in a while."

The conversation went on a little longer, Samantha speaking about how her trip had gone and how she was surprised that she hadn't run into any trouble.

"When do you think you will be well enough to hunt down our next target?"

Altaïr wished he could say soon. "At least another week, if not more, are you eager to work with me again?"

"Yes and no," was her quick response.

"I promise this time will not be like the last."

A small laugh preceded her response, "Somehow I actually believe that."

The comment made him feel much better. Just the idea that she may actually begin to trust him again was enough to make him smile.

The sun was down and purple was creeping into the sky when Samantha rose and dusted herself off.

"It's been a long day of riding so I hope you don't mind if I return to my quarters." Her hand was extended towards him, one that he would have never taken before.

Altaïr allowed her to help him up. His actions since she had gotten there had clearly not gone unnoticed.

Samantha embraced him, an awkward motion that was no doubt worsened by the fact that she probably thought that he would pull away or yell at her.

He hesitantly returned the hug, arms encircling her body. Altaïr wondered briefly if she could feel his heart hammering against his chest as he worried that he would ruin everything again. After a moment he relaxed, feeling how warm she was and how perfect the moment felt calmed him considerably.

She pulled away and he allowed her to step back. "Thank you," her voice was soft, "for being kind to me again."

Altaïr could tell that she was avoiding his gaze.

"I hope that you remain true to your word."

Sam left after that, leaving him alone to think on her words and hope that he would not let her down.

It had been nearly half an hour since Amy had come back from the market. Malik had been nowhere to be found so she preoccupied herself with putting away the vegetables, herbs, and other things she had bought.

She had finished a while ago and found that she had nothing to busy herself with.

Fingers tapped against wood as the minutes went by. Amy sat at the table near the entrance of the bureau waiting for something to happen. It had been days since Sam left with a few other assassins back to Masyaf and ever since the bureau had been empty other than her and Malik. Now she was left with nothing to really entertain her.

Books that she had read many times over lined the walls and the thought of drawing even more anatomical figures had her yawning. Sand no longer covered the stone floors around her and all cobwebs and dust had been cleaned long ago. The assassins who came in had even learned to take their shoes off at the entrance to avoid her wrath should they track in dirt. She had always kept a clean house and this was no different.

She knew that this was her home now. Malik was there, and wherever he was she would be too.

They had finally come to the point where professions of love came often from their lips. Amy knew that she was going to eventually marry him. Her past ideas of princess-like dresses and extravagant cakes were long gone as she realized that she didn't care what her wedding was like as long as she spent the rest of her life with Malik.

Amy's thoughts drifted to Samantha. She was lonely, that much was obvious from the last time she had visited. Sam had talked about how she wished she could be in Jerusalem more often, as she and Malik were her only two friends. Thinking about it made her heart ache and wish that Sam had at least one other person who was there for her when she needed it.

The thought of the last time Sam was here reminded her that she needed to be researching. Her friend had been complaining of coughing up blood, something that could medically be caused by many different things. Amy went through a mental checklist of what could possibly be wrong. Samantha hadn't really had any recent injuries so she immediately crossed that off her list. Lung cancer was a possibility but Sam didn't smoke and as far as Amy knew didn't have a history of it within her family. The most hopeful prospect was that the cause was bronchitis. From what she could remember coughing up blood because of it was actually pretty common and was usually not life-threatening. Amy worried her bottom lip with her teeth, hoping that nothing was seriously wrong. If it was, none of the medicine from this time could save her friend.

The back door opening had all thoughts rushing out of her mind.

"Amy!"

Malik's voice calling out to her quelled all fears that someone had found the hidden door.

Amy rushed towards the back of the bureau. Her quick steps led her to Malik and she planted a small kiss upon his cheek before helping him with a few of the things he was carrying. She was immensely happy that he no longer snapped at her when she tried to help him.

"What have you been doing today?" She asked cheerily, auburn ponytail swishing behind her as she headed back down the hall.

"Some shopping and a bit of investigating. Himur and Rimal will be arriving tomorrow and will need information on their targets."

Amy had learned enough by now to know that Malik's rank was high enough that he did not need to investigate targets. She also knew that it made him feel better, that it got him on his feet and made him feel useful.

"A busy day." She commented offhandedly as she deposited a few scrolls and packages onto the table.

"No more than usual."

Her hands automatically went to work putting away what Malik had brought. After a few moments only the wrapped parcels remained. She found that her fingers lingered over them, brushing across the rough brown wrapping and twine that held it together.

"Where would you like this?"

Malik placed his hand over hers, stilling her movements. "It is for you."

She looked over to him, unsure of what to say.

"A few things I thought you might enjoy," he said before brushing her bangs to the side to kiss her lightly on the forehead.

Her fingers fumbled on the wrapping, cheeks heating up. Of all things she had expected a present wasn't one of them.

Inside the packages were books on healing herbs and a bar of soap that smelled of milk and honey. The gift was sweet, and she found herself itching to try a soap that wasn't made from olive oil and lye.

Without hesitation Amy threw her arms around Malik's shoulders and kissed him. The movement was sudden and nearly had them toppling over. Luckily Malik steadied them before pulling away.

"You like it then?" A grin spread across his face.

Amy loved that smile so much and had missed it for many months after what had occurred at Solomon's Temple. She was glad that it came so easily now.

"I do, thank you," she pecked him on the lips again before picking up the bar of soap, "but I believe that you now owe me a bath."

Malik had been hesitant about closing the bureau so early, but after Amy's reassurance that no one was scheduled to arrive he conceded.

The wooden bathtub was large enough for both of them to sit comfortably within. He and Amy had rushed to fill it with hot water, more than eager to be together. Taking baths with one another was a rare occurrence, especially since both of them were often caught up with keeping affairs within the bureau running smoothly.

At Amy's insistence their relationship had begun to include sex. He had objected for a while, but that was before he had nearly lost her to Robert. When that began so too did more intimate things such as sleeping together and bathing together. Malik found that he wouldn't change anything between them.

He watched as Amy undressed, clothes slipping off of her body easily to reveal freckled skin and wide curves. In a flash she was inside the hot water, sighing softly as she settled in and removed the black ribbon that left her red hair cascading over her shoulders. Malik could not help but stare as she draped on arm over the edge of the tub while the other made lazy circles on the surface of the water.

Clothes began to pile around him as he disrobed. He could feel Amy's eyes on him, watching carefully as more and more of his body was revealed. Malik couldn't help the small smile that graced his features at the attention.

Steam curled off of the water in wisps as he entered. Amy waited until he had soaked for a bit before facing her back towards him as an invitation for him to wash her. Malik grabbed the soap he had bought and lathered it up in the water, the sweet scent of honey filling the room as he did. The bar of soap slid over her skin like silk as his hand moved in long strokes. His chest touched her back as he moved to wash her front, moving over her stomach up to her breasts and then finally to her shoulders. The action of washing her was so sensual in itself that he could feel himself hardening.

Amy turned then, plucking the bar of soap from his hands and giving him a soft kiss before beginning her own ministrations. Malik relaxed back as she straddled his waist, water sloshing as she did. One hand massaged his shoulder as the other washed him.

He knew what came next as Amy placed the bar of soap on the small table beside the bath.

Their bodies met in a dance that they had learned the steps to quickly. Breathy moans filled the air as wet flesh melded together in perfect harmony. Malik memorized the way her kisses felt on his skin and the slow way that she made love to him. The release that had been building ever so slowly finally washed over them.

Amy rested her head on his chest and in that moment Malik swore that nothing would ever separate them again.