Chapter 7: Daughter Vs. Father

"Shaun, who is that?" I asked as I stared at a tiny looking figure off in the distance. We were still quite a little ways away from the shore, and it was still the middle of the night. Dawn was probably still three or four hours away, but I could clearly see someone standing there, looking out over the lake. With as cold as it still was, someone would have to be crazy to be out here in the middle of the night.

Shaun pulled out a large pair of binoculars and stared through them towards the shore. "Fucking hell," he whispered loud enough for both Rebecca and I to hear him.

"What is it?" Rebecca asked, reaching for the binoculars.

"Arm yourselves, now," Shaun said, not quite answering the question.

I didn't even have to ask. A gut feeling told me that it was Abstergo waiting on us. I don't know how they would have found out so quickly, but if I were to guess, I would probably say that it had something to do with the conversation that I overheard. I rushed back to my room, peeled my wetsuit off of me, and threw on a pair of form fitting jeans and a long sleeve shirt. I pulled on my boots, strapped my shock blade to my wrist, and grabbed my baton. I was hoping that it wouldn't be who I thought it was, but I was mentally preparing myself for anything.

Rebecca was already dressed and back on the deck of the ship by the time that I finished. She too was lacing up a pair of black steel toe boots, her weapons on her person as well.

"Take the wheel, Becks," Shaun said as I stared towards the shore, the figure who was waiting for us growing closer and closer. "I'm going to go get ready."

I did my best to keep my heartbeat under control as Shaun pulled the boat up to the dock. I stared at the man who was waiting for us as I jumped off the side and landed gracefully on the wood, the apple tucked securely under my arm. Rebecca and Shaun followed me down, very close behind.

"I should thank you," Jack said, the cocky smirk on his face made me want to knock every single tooth that he had down his throat. "Thank you for going to all of the trouble of recovering the artifact. It saved me a great deal of work and headache."

I strolled straight past the man, off of the dock and onto the concrete shore before turning to face him. My hand was clenching my baton so tightly that it was making my knuckles white. I don't think that I had ever known true hatred of someone before now. I fingered the button that would extend my baton, not quite ready to attack yet. I had some things to say first.

Jack spoke before I got the chance, as Rebecca and Shaun came to stand next to me. "Recruiting kind of young are you?" He said, still wearing that sarcastic smirk that made me want to hurt him. "What daycare did William pull this one out of?" He pointed at me, and I had to suppress a laugh. If only he knew.

"Take the apple, Shaun" I said, turning around and handing the box off as Jack approached me.

"Don't get used to having that, Shaun," Jack said, and the sarcasm in his voice just pissed me off even more. "I'll be taking possession of that quite soon."

"Over my dead body," I said as Rebecca stepped up to stand right at my side. I gave her a side glance that clearly stated that he was mine when it came to it.

Jack just laughed, the sound cutting through the night air. If anyone had been around us the sound would have carried to them. "Well, that shouldn't be too much of an issue."

"Shaun, you and Becks go get the cars. I've got this," I said.

"Oh, don't leave just yet," Jack said softly. "It wouldn't be as fun for me to kill her without you all around. Especially you," he pointed at Rebecca. "I can see the look in your eyes. The young bitch obviously means a lot to you."

"Guess you don't recognize me," I said, my tone mocking the old man.

"All I see is the little brat who somehow managed to get inside Abstergo and overhear more than she needed to."

I pressed the release button on my baton and took a few steps forward. If Jack did not recognize me, then I had nothing more to say. I wanted to get this over with. It wasn't like I really wanted to kill him, but it looked like I was going to have no choice. There is no way that he was simply going to allow the three of us to walk away with the apple without a fight, so I would have to fight the man who fathered me, most likely to the death.

Jack smiled as I stepped forward, pulling out a small, but powerful flashlight from my belt. I hit the button on the bottom of it twice, causing a strobe light effect right in his face. My intention was to blind him in order to give me an early opening for attack. He lifted his hands up to shield his eyes as I dashed forward, closing the distance as Rebecca yelled something at me that I didn't hear. He must have saw my attack coming, because as I swung my baton upward, intending to smash it into his chin, he stepped backwards causing my blow to miss entirely. I knew that I was in trouble when I saw his large fist flying straight at my face. I didn't have time to duck or dodge.

It felt like the bone in my nose shattered when he hit me, and I felt a warm, steady stream of blood start pouring down my face. I felt stupid as I stumbled back with a yell and dropped to one knee. I should have known that something like that would happen. I had let my emotions get the better of me and telegraphed my attack. Jack must have seen it coming a mile off.

I heard Rebecca scream and dart forward. I tried to stop her but couldn't say much through the heavy flow of blood. She was about to make the same mistake that I did, and sure enough, I was right. She swung wildly, not even bothering to use any kind of weapon. I saw Jack easily block the punch and he threw Rebecca aside like she was a ball of paper.

I needed to regain my composure and stop letting emotions take control. It would get not only me killed, but everyone else as well. I got to my feet as Jack walked past me, laughing. He held out his hand towards Shaun, silently demanding that he hand over the apple. Shaun extended his baton, but I knew that he would not be overly useful in a fight while trying to hold on to the apple.

"That the best you have, old man?" I said through gritted teeth, trying to smile in spite of the pain.

Jack stopped and turned to face me just as Rebecca jumped up and came to my side. I wanted him to lose his cool and wildly attack me like I had with him. I took a deep breath through my mouth, as my nose was not exactly functional at the moment. I was pretty sure that it was broken.

"You've got balls, kid," he said with a smirk on his face. "That won't save you though. I'm leaving here with that apple."

I glanced from Shaun to Rebecca, hoping that they would catch the meaning in what I was about to attempt. I had a plan quickly forming in my head, but in order for it to work, I needed Jack angry. I needed him to have me at his mercy, ready to strike a killing blow. "Come get me then, you treacherous fuck!" I screamed out, taking a few steps towards him, raising my baton and hitting the mechanism on my shock blade. "Let's see what you've got!"

"What are you doing?" Shaun asked, his voice worried.

I waved a hand at him while Rebecca looked at me as if I had lost my mind. "I've got this," I said, pointing my wrist blade at Jack and motioning for him to come get me.

"You've got this, do you?" Jack said, cracking his knuckles and advancing on me. "We shall see."

I looked over at Rebecca when Jack was about five feet from me, the cocky smirk on his face telling me that he did not see me as any kind of challenge for him. "I love you," I said to her. It was the first time that I had ever said it out loud to her and I meant it. I needed Rebecca to know exactly how I felt in case things went badly for me and for the briefest of moments, I thought I saw a hint of moisture in her eyes.

"I love you too," she told me back, and I smiled at hearing it. If things went badly, I could at least die happy knowing that she felt the same way. "Now kick the shit out of this prick."

I nodded at Rebecca and then looked over to Shaun, signaling that this was my fight and that he should not interfere. I cracked my knuckles and stepped forward. "Let's see what you've got, old man," I said.

"Your funeral," Jack said, advancing on me.

He swung at me and I nimbly dodged, taking a step to the side and swinging my baton at his side. I caught him with the blow, but it was only a glancing shot. He was quicker than I anticipated. He threw a strong punch at my face which I managed to block before he grabbed me by the arm and flung me to the ground. I kicked at his kneecap and the shot landed flush. Jack groaned in pain as I jumped back up and followed up with a punch to his jaw and a solid baton blow to his neck. He stumbled back and I quickly pressed my advantage. Another punch to the face and Jack dropped to a knee.

I knew this was my chance. I could end this right now. I engaged my shock blade and stepped forward. Jack looked up at me and the smile on his face gave me pause. I brought my blade closer to his neck, but my slight pause gave him exactly what he needed. Jack grabbed me by both of my ankles and yanked forward. I felt my feet leave the ground and white lights popped in front of my eyes as my head crashed down on the concrete. And then he was on top of me, his full weight pressed down on my chest, a thick calloused hand wrapping around my throat.

"Cute," he said to me, pressing down harder on my throat. He wasn't cutting off my air supply, but I knew that he could end me at any moment. "You're good," he admitted as I stared up into his eyes. "You know what's better than that cute little baton though? Hell, what's even better than that nifty little blade?"

"Certainly not your pathetic mocking," I said and felt his hand squeeze my neck tighter.

He laughed. "Mouthy until the very end," Jack went on. He reached into his waist band and what he pulled out brought a cold sweat to me. He had a small handgun pointed directly at me head.

I heard Rebecca scream, but it sounded as if it were coming from miles off. Heavy footsteps were approaching us, and Jack turned the gun on Rebecca "One more step," he warned, "and I blow her pretty little brains out all over the ground."

I managed to turn my head ever so slightly to see Rebecca. She looked petrified, while Shaun stood there in shock, the box with the apple still tucked under his arm. I knew that both of them were helpless right now. I was on my own, with only one shot.

"Do it," I managed to gasp out. "Go on and kill me. You killed your wife, after all, why not kill your…daughter." I put as much emphasis as I could on that last word. I wanted it to really drill into his head, for Jack to truly understand what he was about to do, not that I thought that he would care.

"What the fuck did you just say?" He said, his voice full of vitriol.

"You heard me," I said, trying to lift my bladed hand and failing. "You killed your wife, my mother. Finish the job, if you've got the stones."

"You fucking lie!" He exclaimed, but there was something in his voice that questioned what I was saying.

"Look into my face, Jack," I said as his grip loosened ever so slightly on my neck. "Tell me you don't see a bit of Nora there, or of yourself for that matter."

I saw the realization hit him square in the face. Jack knew that my words were the truth, that I was indeed his daughter. He loosened his grip on my neck even more and let go of my wrist. "Madison?" He asked. "Is it really you?"

I smiled as he released my bladed wrist. This was exactly what I had been hoping for. Jack must have realized his mistake the moment I smiled. I saw the look of shock in his face as I thrust my hand upward. My blade sank deep into his throat, but I did not engage the electricity. I wanted him to hear me out before he died.

"That's right," I said as he fell backwards, his hand clutching at the mortal wound. "It is me, you traitorous, treacherous fuck!"

I knelt down on his chest and pressed my blade to another spot on his neck as Rebecca and Shaun both came dashing over. Jack looked up at me and for a moment I thought that I saw a flicker of fear pass across his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was a small cough and blood. I saw my father glance at Rebecca, and she knelt down next to me and engaged her own blade, but it wasn't needed. Jack knew that his life was ending.

"Why?" I asked, unsure if the emotion that I was feeling was from killing my own father or if it was relief that I had taken revenge on the man that had caused me to be raised an orphan. "Why did you kill her? Why such a betrayal?"

Jack simply looked at me for a moment before closing his eyes. His breathing was becoming quite ragged, and I knew that he only had moments left. I wanted answers but didn't think that I would get any. Jack opened his eyes and stared into mine. I stared back.

"End it, sweetheart," Rebecca said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Agreed," Shaun added. "You'll not get anything out of him. Put the poor bastard out of his misery."

Jack looked up at me one more time and this time I noticed tears welling up in his eyes. I was hoping that he would close his eyes once more, but he was going to make me stare into his while I did it. I once more jammed my blade into his throat, this time engaging the electricity. His body convulsed twice, and I did not look away as his eyes rolled up in his head. I stopped the electricity and withdrew my blade. Jack moved no more. He was dead, by my hand. I had killed the man who had fathered me. I knew deep down that I had no choice, but it was still a weird feeling.

I stood up as Shaun handed me the box with the apple in it. "Get her out of here, Becks," he said looking from me to Rebecca. "I'll take care of the cleanup."

Rebecca nodded and led me away. I wasn't sure what was going to happen to my father's body and wasn't sure that I wanted to know. What I did know was that it was over. We had succeeded. The apple had been recovered and kept out of Templar reach. I know that William would be thrilled.

I thought back on my life over the past year and how much it had changed. I had gone from a common thief wandering the streets and bouncing from group homes, to being a part of something that was much bigger than myself. I had taken the life of two people, and that was not something that I had enjoyed in the slightest, but it was something that had to be done to keep the world safe. I had come to realize who I truly was and embraced my life. I had fallen in love with someone so amazing and couldn't wait to see where life took me next.

A week later I was back home with Rebecca. I had gone through the house and removed the photos of Jack. The only ones that were still up were the ones of my mother. I found myself looking at them frequently, wondering if she would have been proud of the woman that I had become. Wondering if she would have wanted me to follow in her footsteps as an Assassin. I would never know the answer to that, but this is the life that had chosen me. It would never be a safe life, but I knew that I would be okay. I had Rebecca and she had me. Together we could overcome any and all obstacles that life would throw at us.

I walked outside to my front porch and found Rebecca sitting in one of the chairs that I had bought to spruce the old place up a little. It was a hot and humid evening, and the sun was starting to sink low over the horizon. William had shown up with Gavin the day before, and they had removed both of the Pieces of Eden from my house with the promise of bringing them to a secure location. With me having been seen in Abstergo, it was too risky to keep them here in case the Templars decided to track me down.

I sat down in the chair next to Rebecca and she handed me a glass of wine. I took a sip and sighed. It was good to be back home. I had not been gone anywhere near as long as Rebecca, but it still felt great to be back. Rebecca being back with me just made it even better. I reached over and took her hand in mine, just enjoying the feeling of feeling loved. It was the greatest feeling that I had ever experienced. I hoped that Rebecca and I would always be this happy, and no matter what the future held, that we would conquer it together.

Witchy's Notes:

Well, this has been a long time coming. I'm not overly proud about the latter half of this story, but I did what I could with what I had. After suffering through a 6 month bout of horrid writer's block that started with me writing myself into a corner, I finally managed to finish this. Of course, you guys, my lovely readers will not see this as by the time the first chapter of this story is posted, the whole thing will be fully completed. It was tough for me to write, and as I said, I am not completely satisfied with the outcome, but it is what it is. As far as I am aware, Maddi and Rebecca's story has now concluded. Aside from a short epilogue, I have no plans to revisit this particular story. I poured so much of me into both this and The Lost Staff, that I am both sad and happy to see it end. I'm not saying that I will never come back to these two. I never know what the future holds or if Rebecca and Maddi will reach out to me with another adventure. If it happens, it does, but I don't expect it to. So, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who has followed along with this tale. You guys mean so much to me and I love you all. Even if you don't comment or anything like that, it means the world to me that you are just reading my work and enjoying it. It is all that I could ask for as a writer of fanfiction. 33333