I want to give a big thank you and shout out to everyone has stuck with this Fic for the last year and a half. You are the true MVPs, I also want to give a big thank you to everyone who had reviewed or follow. We are nearing the end to Catherine's origin story. I promise you there will be a second fic after I am done. Though I will most likely be taking a little bit of a break from writing to actually fix this fic. I notice there is some confusion in this story but I can fix this.

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Stay classy!

Moon

Shay had taken peek outside on the deck of his ship while he waited for Catherine to dress.

"It looked like snow finally has hit us. You want to dress warmly, Catherine." Shay pulled on his brown coat with the blue accents.

"I know," She wined to him. "I am well aware of the winters here. It's not like I haven't lived here." Catherine replied with a sarcastic tone.

Catherine walked out from behind the divided screen, looping her scarf into her coat. He turned back around to face his only daughter. Catherine wasn't sure how her father would react when he saw her in his coat. He didn't say anything, but she could see his dark eyes were studying her. Catherine froze under his gaze until he walked over and fixed her collar.

Shay brushed her hair off her shoulder. "You should tie your hair back for once."

Catherine shook her head. "It's fine. I like it down." She pushed her father's hand away.

"You will get yourself hurt if you don't keep it up. Just keep it in a relaxed ponytail."

"Eh. Too much work." Catherine shrugged as she followed her father out onto the deck. "I like my hair,"

Shay laughed, "you have always had a free spirit girl."

"I wonder where I get that."

A soft white powder had dusted the ship. There were no sounds of any of the crew, just Gist waiting for Shay and Catherine. "I knew it was going to snow. The crew has already gone to warm there hands at the local tavern, but I rather go to my personal favorite." He winked at Catherine, referencing to her home.

Catherine knew it had been months since she stepped inside her own home. She left it in Azure's hands to run her mother's business while she was gone. She gritted her teeth at the thought of the foreign woman.

"I am fine with that as long as Azure is not there."

Gist dropped his smile, "you know about that, eh?"

"Aye, I do. My good friend James told me he saw her with Thomas Hickey, they were talking and touching each other. Like they knew each other too well."

Shay shook his head. "Hickey has always been after that girl, they have a bit of history together if I am not wrong."

"Well, I don't care. All I know is that you're the only person stopping me from wringing her neck."

Shay stopped Catherine from taking another step. "She cares about you. Only concerned as I am over your well being."

"Let's not talk about her anymore. I am just hungry…"An idea popped in her head, "There is a bakery not too far from here that sells fresh hot sweet bread. I use to go all the time when I had spending money. "

Gist smiled, "Actually, that's not a bad idea. Shay, why don't you go ahead and head to your home. Catherine and I can take the walk. I love this kid, so I don't mind." He patted her shoulder.

"Behave, girl," Shay pointed at his own daughter.

Catherine smiled cheekily, "I will papa. Ill see back home."

Hearing the words of home leave her lips felt good. It was nice to just lay low with her father for the next few days. Even though he was unaware what the young woman had planned. She felt guilty for lying to her own father who was trying to protect her. He may never want to talk to her again after giving him the slip.

Soft snowflakes twinkled from above. They piled into Catherine's head, the white flakes popped out in her fiery hair. Gist's head was protected from his own hat.

"So, I have a question, miss Cormac?"

"Mmh?" She hummed in an answer.

Gist scratched "Who is that native boy everyone is talking about?"

Catherine cleared her throat as played by pushing her hair back with her fingers. "A good friend, I lived with him in his village after my mother died."

She was trying her damn best to protect Connor from the Templars. Connor was a blind-spot to the Templar Knights, no one knew he was an assassin. If everyone held their suspicion that she was disguised as Achilles only student. Connor would be safe from detection.

Gist hummed, "And is it true that he is Haytham's son?"

"He doesn't know his father. His mother died when his village was burnt down and he said his mother never talked about his Da." Catherine stuffed her hands into her pockets to keep them out of the cold. "Connor is a kind boy. He's a good friend… he was my support when my Ma died."

Gist smiled softly, "you sound like you fancy the lucky boy."

Catherine laughed blushing, "he's a good friend, that's all."

"Don't worry girl, your secret is safe with me." He patted her shoulder.

Catherine brushes his hand off embarrassed. It was like he knew about the single kiss she shared with Connor.

The two made small talk along the way to the market where she knew of the bakery. She even stopped to purchase fresh meat along with a vegetable to make dinner. Gist was kind enough to hold onto her groceries that was packed into a basket. It was nice to be out for a walk knowing that a few days ago she was on bed rest for a bullet in her side. She still felt tender in the gut, but it was a dull thud.

Everything was peaceful during the first snowfall of the year. It was Catherine's favorite time of the year, she loved the snow in the Boston streets. She could remember the season long snowball fights with the other children. Everything was just and perfect as nothing had changed.

"Christopher Gist?" A cynical voice spoke up behind the two.

His voice crawled up Catherine's skin. The teenager shifted her whole body to see the man that stood before her.

Cold chilling blue eyes stared down Gist and Catherine, but his only focus was on Gist.

"Ah Lee, its good to see you old man! How are you?"

Her stomach clenched as she heard him speak with a question with a cheery smile. Gist and Lee were talking back and forth like old friends. Catherine shut down completely in rage, she wasn't sure if she should vomit, or scream. Catherine fought herself from hyperventilating as she tugged on her own sleeves. Their words were just echoes until Charles Lee laid eyes on the young girl.

"Who's this?"

Something in her mind snapped, her hair stood up from her neck as she clenched her own fist.

Catherine glared with venom. "Who am I?"

He had looked right at her across from the rooftops and smirk with a victory. She didn't reply before she jumped on the unsuspecting man with full force. Punching the man with full force, reaching for his throat with hands that were like claws. Catherine was too fast for Gist. It was a small victory that she had broken his nose.

Lee was a lot stronger even with her bone breaking punch. He was deadly quick, he kicked the girl in the gut to knock the wind out of her. She fell back into the ground only looking up at him. She scrambled to stand, but Gist grabbed her to prevent any more attacks on Charles Lee.

"You kill my mother!"

"Your insane!" Lee shouted.

Gist realized his mistake into stopping to talk to Lee. The older gentleman had forgotten the catastrophic event that Lee had caused. "Catherine!"

Lee looked shocked at the brutal force the girl gave, "Your dead girl." His lower eye socket was already swelling while blood drained from his nose. Charles Lee did not show the pain he was suffering from his bruise face.

Gist cleared his throat as he struggled with Catherine, "Catherine go home!" He pushed her into the opposite direction. "Go home to your father."

Catherine knew she'd worsen the situation if she stuck around. Her pain intensified from the hard kick.

Lee put two and two together when he realized the young woman.

"You." Lee's voice was vile. "Your Shay's girl."

"I am! You murder my mother along with other innocent people." Catherine gritted her teeth.

Charles Lee didn't say anything, but only glanced at the crowd that was forming around them. "This young woman is ill and needs help." Lee touched his neck, feeling the grazes that Catherine left. She even drew blood from her nails.

Catherine ripped her arm away from Gist. Catherine was about to out-lash at the Templar for gas-lighting the teenager. She wasn't a craze lunatic. She was angry at him, she wanted him dead. Her emotions blinded him, but she wasn't strong enough. Gist held a tighter hold of her, so she wouldn't lunge again.

"Charles easy! Catherine stop!" Gist held back the young woman.

Her knuckle bled from the one hard punch. She breathed heavily glaring daggers at the man before ripping her body away from Gist. A heavy stare down was meet between the Templar and the Assassin novice.

"We're done here." Charles sneered at the young woman before stalking off.

Catherine gave a scream of exacerbation before she shook Gist loose and ran. Her cry was animalistic and hunting. The young woman ignored her thudding pain as she ran down an alleyway. Running behind business and homes, she didn't know of the direction she was heading. Tears blinded her field of vision.

Charles Lee was standing before her with a sneering look. He didn't even recognize her, but he stared right at her from the rooftops. She wanted the man dead, but it was impossible. If she had a weapon, Catherine would of lodge the blade into his throat and watch him gurgle his own blood. She had to stop herself from going any further because she felt sick. Bending over, the contents of her stomach fell to the ground.

"Dear god girl, are you okay?" A concerned voice asked her as a kind hand touched her shoulder.

Catherine stiffened as she felt it, but relaxed when she turned around to see a familiar face from a day of tragedy.

"Dr. White?" She gasped.

It seemed her past had come back to hunt. Lyle White eyes widen at the sight if the poor girl. "Miss. Cormac, I didn't realize it was you."

"I…I just have a bad stomach ache."

Lyle White patted her shoulder, "eat some ginger root tonight, It will help."

Catherine didn't say, but she just stood there shaking. Her past was hunting her like she was a doe escaping wolves

Lyle rubbed her shoulder. "Let me escort you home. I am sure your mother is worried sick about you."

Catherine wiped around, "What? You know my mother is dead." She felt far worse then offended that he didn't remember her, or mother dying in his place of business. "How dare you…"

Lyle looked surprised, then had a wave of understanding. "You don't know…Samuel Adams never told you. I thought you were in on it…" Shock expelled across the older doctor's face. "Let me get you home, and we can discuss it there."

Catherine shook her head "I can't."

Dr. White shook his head in understanding. "I was given instructions to not allow your father or others to know." He gently touched her shoulder.

Catherine felt numb from the news of her mother. The day felt unreal, dealing with Lee then running into the man that cared for her mother. She was alive. She gasped hard before breaking into tears.

"I know it a lot, but you should pray to God in thanks that you have been gifted with a second chance with your loved one."

Catherine felt the world that she had known for the last year came crashing down. She couldn't be happier.

"Catherine! My girl. Are you alright?!" Gist came running up behind her.

Catherine wiped her lips clean. "I am." In Gist's eyes, she must of looked like a crying child.

Gist rubbed her neck, "Poor girl, I am so sorry, I forgot about what happen." He glanced at the doctor. "Thank you for keeping an eye on her."

"It's no problem of mine. Are you her father?"

"More like a family friend. I should be getting her home. She isn't feeling the best of today."

"Get her out of the cold. The poor dear needs a good cup of tea. She is clearly shaken." He rubbed her back, "I would see you tomorrow after a night's rest to check your symptoms. Give you something for your nerves. You still remember where I reside?" He reached into his pocket to hand her a handkerchief.

"Aye, I do."

Dr. White nodded, "good day to you both."

The good doctor walked out of the alley heading towards the busy street. Gist wrapped a protective arm around the poor girl watching tears run down her own face. To the outside world, everyone would assume the young woman was suffering. Inside though, she was happy and relieved to hear the news of her mother.

When the old quartermaster and Catherine return, Shay pounced on Catherine with worry. She brushed him off, making a comment on how she wanted to make dinner.

"No, you go sit down." Shay ordered, "I will." He felt overwhelmed by the sight of his daughter. She had broken down into a sad sight again.

Catherine undressed her outer garments and hung her coat on the clothes rack. She slouched in the old chair in her living room. Closing her eyes for a moment to rest, she could hear Gist and Shay talking from the kitchen. Her father would be angry, but she didn't care. She heard that her mother was alive and breathing. She wished her mother had come to her. Though, she didn't even know if it was true.

She glanced up as Gist as he went to leave. "I am going to find the crew to be with them for awhile. Rest girl."

Catherine didn't reply as she watched him leave with the door closing behind him. Shay walked out from the kitchen with a concerned look on his face, Shay knelt before her. Noticing the busted knuckle, he took it into his hand. "Catherine. Why did you attack Lee?"

Catherine bit the inside of her cheek in rage. "He didn't recognize me and it made me want to kill him." She could taste the blood.

Shay sighed before glancing at her, "I heard you about broke his face in."

"It's felt good. He didn't expect a little girl to throw a punch like that."

Shay chuckled before brushing her hair out of her face. "Are you alright? Gist also said it wasn't easy on you."

"No, it wasn't. I almost killed him."

"Understandable, Lee is a bit of a rat. I couldn't even land a hand on him." Shay placed her hand back into her lap. "I'll be right back."

He stood up to go grab a blanket for her from another room, he came back with a few scraps of paper and a charcoal stick.

He tucked her under the blanket laying the items near a table. "Just relax."

Catherine shook her head. "What is he doing here in the city?"

"I don't know, but don't you worry about it, sprout."

Shay went back into the kitchen to prepare a meal for Catherine and himself. He listened for Catherine while he went to cut the meat to prep a stew. He looked through the cabinets, he could hardly remember where everything was stored. He finally found the dusty kettle in the bottom cabinet. He would have to make a reminder to get fresh water from the well out back.

After working for an hour on the meal, he let it cook over the fire pit in the living room. He glanced at his daughter who was silent and staring off into space. She looked to be lost into her own thoughts, her scrap papers weren't even touched.

It upset Shay to see her expressionless, but he stopped as he studies her face especially her eyes. She looked almost happy like she knew something he didn't.

"Are you alright Catherine?"

"Aye, I am. I am just thinking."

Shay nodded, "Well supper will be ready soon. Then you should probably head up to bed. In the morning, I will have to head back to the ship for a couple of books. Will you be okay?"

"I will, you don't need to fret."

"I just worry." He didn't say another word.

After an hour, they ate supper in the still of silence. The only sound in the whole flat was the crackling of the fire. Catherine stood up from her spot to put her dirty dishes in the kitchen. Catherine didn't say another word before turned in for the night.

Catherine slipped in night clothes she had stored away in drawers. Over the summer season, she had growth spurt. She had to burrow some of Connor's clothes. She pulled back her old quilt before climbing into bed. She exhaustion her only source of light before closing her eyes. She felt a peace of mind knowing that her mother might be alive, she actually felt hope. No nightmare plagued her mind.

Shay had risen before dawn to reach out to some of the local Templars in the area. He wanted to know why Charles Lee was in Boston.

Shay gritted his teeth when he approached the Green Dragon Tavern. He pushed into the tavern and headed up the usual quiet spot where the Templars met. He spotted Azura, Hickey, and Lee. Charles sat in his chair highly unhappy trying to nurse the black eye that Catherine gave him. He couldn't help but have a sense of pride at his daughter's right hook.

"There is Shay!" Hickey grinned in his mug. "I heard your little girl gave Charlie hear quite a beating."

"It was one punch Thomas," Charles growled as he slammed the ice soaked rag on the table.

Azura rolled her eyes, "what do you expect how she reacts when you'd approach her?"

"I swear I didn't know it was her until she punched me."

Shay slammed his hands onto the table, "Stay away from her, you have done enough to her."

Charles flashed a glare, "you need to get her under control. If you'd had access, I'd say lock her somewhere like Bethlem insane asylum."

"That's not fair Charles. She is angry about her mother. It's hard for a young girl to lose an important figure in their like that." Azura glanced at Shay, "How is she doing?"

"Resting, but I am afraid she could be planning something. I don't know if I can trust her after hearing about what she did."

"Easy. You don't. Achilles poisoned her against you. The best way you to deal with her is to lock her up, or end her life." Charles glared.

"I don't want to hear your ideas." Shay glared at the Templar. "What are you doing here?"

"I had business to attend too here. I was actually on my way back to Virginia when I had to pick up something for my wife."

Shay almost forgot about the fact that Charles Lee was actually married with children of his own. Shay didn't even know how old his children were. He prayed that the kids weren't vile as Lee. He had to wonder what kind of woman would fall for a man like Lee.

Hickey sat up from his chair, "Why not have Azura just keep an eye on the girl. " He took a sip from his tankard. "Until ye get watcha looking for."

Shay didn't say any more to the other two men, "Azura, can we talk outside?"

"That's possible be better."

Azura and Shay left the company of the two men to have a small talk. "I do care about that girl, but she is making all the wrong mistakes. Lee provoked her while Achilles is whispering lies in her ear. Why not just take out Achilles?"

"Catherine and James are his only students. He can't possibly rebuild the brotherhood. I am sending Catherine to school so she can get a proper education and I will take care of the boy myself."

Azura crossed her arms over chest. "Give the child some space. I can keep an eye on her and you won't be breaking any trust with her."

"You promise, she won't get hurt?" Shay asked looking worried, "She knows about you spying on her."

"I do." She dropped her arm around the taller Templar, trying to reassure the taller man. "I know I can help her. Now, I suggest for you to stay away from Charles. Make sure that Catherine does the same."

Shay shook his head in agreement. "I need to look at some inquiries about the man that Catherine was staying with. I'll be gone for most of the day, can you try to keep an eye on Catherine while I am gone?"

"That is what I am here for." She informed him with a smile. "Now go on, she will be alright." She shooed him to leave.

He turned his back on the Persian woman, knowing she had work to do.