The van stopped and Desmond finally exited the Animus. Holiday put a hand on his shoulder.
"You alright," he asked, concern clear on his face.
Desmond gave his friend a half grin. "I'm half dead. but for the most part yeah."
Holiday sighed in relief and nodded, giving Desmond a pat.
"Lucy," Rebecca called from her computer, "I can't get a position on Ezio's P.O.E."
"P.O.E?" Desmond asked confused. "would you mind elaborating for me please."
Lucy turned around from the driver seat. "Sorry Desmond, she means Pieces of Eden. Minerva talked about temples around the world and apparently they are the key to stopping whatever is going to happen to the Earth."
"So not only are we fighting these Templars, we also have to stop the apocalypse as well." Holiday said with exasperation.
"You got it," Shaun said. "You still want to stick with us Holiday?"
Holiday shrugged, "I might as well, I've got nothing better to do for the time being."
Lucy opened the back of the truck and everyone got assassin hideout turned out to be a villa in Rome. Since the Templars were patrolling the border, it was their only option.
"To find the Temple we need to find Ezio's Apple of Eden, If the animus reading are accurate, Minerva altered it when she touched it."
"Are you sure we can trust this Minerva person, or god or whatever the hell she is." Holiday asked his voice on edge.
"What are you getting at?" Lucy asked stepping up to him threateningly.
Holiday raised his hands in defense, "Look I don't exactly trust the word of a member of the very race that enslaved humanity. Did it not occur to you that she may be toying with us to do her bidding. I mean why help us now."
"Hey listen," Shaun bristled. "It was Minerva that warned us about this end of the world event."
"Oh, I have no doubt that the apocalypse is coming," Holiday countered. "Hell the Mayans saw it coming before anyone else did. "I'm just saying that we should be cautious around these time wizards lest we do something rash."
"Who are you to make any suggestions?" Shaun snapped. "You're not part of this team. Frankly, why we are still letting you tag along now that we know what you are is a mystery."
Holiday advanced on him. "I know perfectly well what I am." He jabbed a finger into Shaun's shoulder causing him to wince in pain. "At least I'm not false, I don't hide behind some veil or try to ignore what I've done. Desmond is one of the only people I can sincerely call a friend. So for his sake, I will help him and I never betray my friends. I may be a cold blooded killer as far as you're concerned, but I'm no siren."
"Enough," Desmond shouted. "We don't have much time, and this bickering is not helping us find the P.O.E."
That shut everyone up and the groups dispersed to collect their things. Looking around Desmond notice something familiar about their location. "We're at the Auditore Villa," He told Lucy. It certaintly looked different from what it did from his sessions in the animus.
"Yes," Lucy nodded, "sadly."
Holiday looked around checking to see if they were being watched. "You sure this is safe?" He asked Lucy worriedly, "I was under the impression these Templars had a strong presence in Rome. Won't they think to look in the former home of their sworn enemy?"
Lucy nodded, "They do, Rome is the location of their primary headquarters, but we have no choice. The Templars are watching the border."
Rebecca chose this moment to speak up as turned towards the group. "Ezio hid the P.O.E in 1507, but when i try to access the sequence, Desmond turns out remembering something else?"
"Like a memory within a memory?" Desmond asked. This sounded just like his first days at Abstergo when he was unable to access a certain part of Altair's memory.
"Exactly," Rebecca replied, then her face became uncertain, "maybe."
"Exactly, maybe?" Desmond questioned. He wasn't liking her lack of confidence in that answer.
"I believe you experienced something similar back at Abstergo." Shaun spoke up. Desmond nodded. "Yeah, I did." He said grimly.
"At Abstergo Subject Fifteen exhibited memory within memory patterns," Lucy explained. "But then again she was pregnant. The memories of the Fetus' parents where competing."
Shaun rubbed his chin in thought, "Well Desmond's not pregnant, at least as far as we know. Probably just a big lunch," He said patting Desmond's belly.
Desmond glared at the historian. Sometimes the brit's sense of humor was lost to him."
"What happened to her? Holiday asked. Everyone turned towards him. "Subject fifteen, what happened to her." He asked again.
Lucy looked down to the pavement. "I-I'm not sure, They took her to another facility and that's the last I heard of her."
Holiday's voice expressed concern, everyone could tell. But Desmond sensed something else, worry, anxiety and 'fear'? It was only for a moment but Holiday's eyes flashed with it.
"Mother of god," He whispered running his hands through his hair. "These Bastards even experiment on pregnant women. Are there no depths these fuckers won't sink to?" Holiday's fists were clenched and veins were popping from his neck."If the animus does even half the thing you claim it does to the mind, I can't imagine the state it must of left her in. In fact I bet my life that they would of put the damn infant in that machine if it would get them what they want."
The assassin's listened to Holiday's rant with the look of shock on their faces. This was the most emotional they had ever seen him. It was rather odd that this man who speaks of killing like it's restaurant talk become so enraged at the unknown fate of someone he didn't know.
"Are you sure you still want to stay with us now, mate." Shaun asked nervously.
"Oh yes my friend," Holiday said. He pulled out his maglite and activated the stun gun. "In fact as of right now the Templar Order has my full undivided attention." He ran his thumb along the length of the weapon as a smirk spread across his face.
Lucy decided to change the subject before things got awkward. "Can we skip to a later memory?"
"Nah," Rebecca shook her head. "It seems Desmond will have to be fully synced to access the memory."
"That sounds familiar," Lucy acknowledged. "At Abstergo. Desmond was unable to access his later memories until his synchronization improved."
Something must of happened here," Shaun concluded. "Something traumatizing that's destabilizing the memory. Either that or Rebecca is not as good an engineer as we thought."
"Thanks a lot asshole," Rebecca snarled.
Holiday nudged Desmond in the shoulder, "Is he always like this?"
Desmond looked at him sadly. "Trust me, it can get worse."
"Wonderful."
"But I've already lived Ezio's entire life already." Desmond told them. "What more can there be?"
"We'll find out soon enough," Lucy put her hand on his shoulder.
"We should get in before someone notices us." Holiday said with urgency.
Rebecca nodded, "Cellphone surveillence can go right through these walls."
Desmond cocked an eyebrow. "Don't you mean satellite surveillance?"
Holiday gave a short laugh. "With the money Abstergo has, they likely switched to cellphones while we were still working on WiFi."
"He's right Desmond," Rebecca agreed. "Abstergo upgraded ages ago." She looked at Lucy worriedly, "They're going to find us."
"No they aren't," Lucy said confidently. "Follow me."
The five companions headed for the rear of the villa and entered Mario's study. It looked just as ruinous as it had been during Desmond's session in the animus. Except now everything had at least five decades of decay and all personal items had been taken out. Only a large wooden desk remained.
Lucy walked over to the bookshelf that blocked the hidden passage way. The others tried to help but for all there might, it wouldn't budge.
"A beam must be blocking it from the inside." Lucy sighed.
"We need tarps to cover up the van." Rebecca urged.
"There should be another way in." Holiday suggested, "maybe a cave or something."
"Guys," Desmond called out getting their attention. "I think I got something." All of a sudden he started sprinting towards the cliff.
Lucy and Holiday looked at each other and went after him. Desmond was standing on a beam right on the edge of the Villa walls."
"Whoa Angel Eyes," Holiday exclaimed with his hand outstretched. "What are you thinking."
"Trust me," Desmond said assuringly, then he jumped. Holiday and Lucy watched in awe as he landed lightly on a pile of hay."
Holidaysighed in relief and put a hand on lucy's shoulder. "You go with Desmond, I'll stay and help the genius and the limey."
Lucy nodded and began desending down the Ladder to where Desmond landed. As she got down, Lucy eyed Desmond with astonishment. "Desmond, that was pretty...awesome."
"It just felt natural," Desmond replied with a smile. He looked around and saw the remains of a mine shaft. "It seems Holiday was right about a cave." He remarked. "We can get in through here."
"Good job," Lucy said with a smile
Holiday was looking down on them, impressed by what he just saw when Shaun came up beside him. "O.k. so we'll just wait here then shall we. All alone, stuck with this guy." He jerked his thumb in Holiday's direction. "With massive targets painted on our backs."
"Uhh," Holiday groaned. "I can tell already that you are going to get on my nerves," he growled.
As Desmond and Lucy headed deaper into the mine, the moonlight quickly faded behind them. Soon everything was pitch black. Lucy reached into her pocket to get a glow stick, but she seemed to be struggling to activate it.
"Shit," she grumbled, "why won't this thing turn on."
While Lucy struggled with the glow stick. Desmond took the opportunity to stretch his muscles. It was rare for himto be out of the animus and rarer still to be outside. It may be a long trek to the secret entrance and He knew he was in for some long animus sessions. Desmond breathed in the outside air finally feeling a bit of freedom he hadn't known in months. Being alone with Lucy made things a hundred times better. He was rarely had some real personal time with her and Desmond intended to take advantage of it.
"It's great to be outside, away from the animus for a change." He said with a smile.
"Yeah well this isn't exactly my idea of a 'good' time," Lucy retorted in frustration.
Desmond let out a short laugh, "oh let me guess, you're one of those 'in bed at six' types huh."
"Hey," Lucy looked up trying to sound offended. "I know how to have fun, Desmond."
"Oooh," Desmond clapped his hands mockingly. "Very convincing, I'm convinced now."
"Okay, okay," Lucy said defensively. "After we save the world, I'll show you."
Desmond chuckled. "Can I get that in writing. or wait I'll write it, you sign it."
Lucy laughed playfully. 'Gods he loved it when she laughed, so sweet and light. Lucy is usually so serious abut everything. Desmond was glad he was able to lighten her mood for once. Even if it may be for only a moment.'
"Yes, we have light." Lucy exclaimed as the light of the glow stick came to life. She handed him a second one and they attached the lights to their belts.
The two made their way down the mine, Desmond continued to see ghosts of people running through the tunnel, an after effect from his time in the animus. finally they came to an iron gate and a lever.
"They escaped through here." Desmond said pointing at the gate.
"What," Lucy wondered.
"Ezio and the villagers," Desmond explained. "I see them now."
Lucy put her hand on his. "I know this may be difficult Desmond. But please, try to compartmentalize. Focus on the here and now, don't dwell on the past."
'I try,' Desmond thought, 'devil curse me I try. But each day it becomes more difficult to do so.' subject Sixteen died because of these visions. "What if I can't stop Lucy, He asked her worriedly. "How long before i'm writing symbols on the walls?"
"Don't joke about that." Lucy said firmly almost pleadingly. "Clay is dead, we must focus on the present."
Desmond sighed and nodded, "you and I both know I wasn't joking." he thought grimly before turning towards the lever. He pulled it all the way to the floor but the gater only opend a fraction. The strain on the lever became too much before Desmond had to release it. "Wonderful, it's stuck." he mumbled.
Lucy studied it for a moment. "I think I can get under there."
"Are you sure," Desmond asked noting the skeleton of someone who had been crushed by the gate."
"I'm sure," She reassured him. Once again desmond pulled on the lever, as the gate lifted, Lucy rolled under it. As soo as she was clear, Desmond let go.
"Any chance of lifting that gate," He asked hopefully.
LUcy looked at him like he was insane. Not unless you want me to end up like this guy, She nodded at the skeleton.
Desmond nodded, "Alright, I'll find another way around." Desmond looked up and saw another tunnel. that led directly above the one Lucy was in. Desmond climbed the beams into this tunnel and saw Lucy running below him.
"I can drop into the corridor below through here," Lucy called out.
"Watchout for bats," Desmond called back.
"Where?" Lucy ducked, her arms over her head as she looked around franticaly.
"I maent in case you see any." Desmond responded with a laugh.
"Remind me not to make you a lookout." she replied with a note of irritation.
Desmond couldn't resist, "lookout for rats."
"Very funny Desmond." Lucy sounded firm, but he could her her laugh softly.
Eventually they got back together and continued down the path. Desmond saw more images of people and Desmond put his hand on his forehead as he strained to erase them from his peripheral vision."
"You okay Desmond," Lucy asked worriedly. placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, " he replied drawing himself up, "more ghosts that's all."
Lucy rubbed his arm worry still etched her face despite his assurance. "I'm here okay, just stay with me."
Desmond relaxed a little bit, somehow just Lucy's touch along seem to help matters. 'God what would I do without her.'
Finally they came upon a steep ledge the tunnel seemed to be at least twenty feet above them. "Desmond, We can't climb this." Lucys said.
"How about you giving me a boost?" Desmond suggested.
Lucy dismissed it with a wave of her hand, "Bad Idea."
Desmond smiled. "Okay, how about I toss you into the air and you grab the ledge?"
Lucy shook her head franticly, "that's even worse."
Desmond sighed before he noticed something. "Wait a minute." He saw a rope attached to a counterweight, and emembered Altair and Ezio's tricks. He took Lucy's hand. "Follow me," He said giveing her hand a gentle squeeze. Desmond climbed up onto the platform helping Lucy up. "Hold on," he whispered as he wrapped his arm around her waist holding her tight. His other hand held the rope. The feel of lucy's body against his sent a thrill all over his body.
"What are you-" before Lucy could finish, Desmond kicked the lever and the counterweight lifted them up into the air. Lucy gasped and held Desmond tighter. The rope carried the straight to the upper tunnel.
As soon as their feet were on solid ground. They broke their embraceabiet somewhat reluctantly. Desmond wished that brief moment had lasted a little longer.
"Nice job, Desmond." She said cheerfully.
"I aim to please," he said with pride. As they continued desmond wondered at how this mine was able to last for so long. "I wonder hw old these tunnels are?"
'Probably dates back to the middle ages," Lucy replied. "We're lucky the beams still hold our weight as well as whatever's above."
"After all these years, I'll not so certain."
Lucy chuckled, "well I didn't want to say anything, but you're really getting fat."
"Ouch, really?" Desmond questioned with a smirk.
"Yeah, I even had Rebecca widen the animus to support you."
"Seriously?"
"No."
The pair reached a room full of Desmond's ancestors. Desmond studied the statues recognizing them from the animus. "You know, when I came here last-"
"When Ezio came her last," Lucy corrected him.
"Yeah," Desmond shook his head, "I meant Ezio."
Lucy cupped his cheek, her beautiful blue eyes close to tears. "I shouldn't put you through all this Desmond, It's not right."
Desmond took her hand into his own. "Listen, inspite of everything, I'm having the time of my life. It's all thanks to you." He meant it, Desmnd felt that as long as Lucy was by his side, he could take anything thrown at him.
Lucy smiles and rested her cheek on his hand. "Just focus on where your going okay."
"You got it," Desmond returned the smile.
Finally they reached the sewers. "How come I have to pull all the levers?" Desmond asked half heartedly.
"If I pulled the levers what will be left for you?"
"The animus?" Desmond replied hopefully.
Lucy gave him a smirk, "Nice try."
Desmond and Lucy took turns pulling various levers until Desmond realized that he had no way to cross without diving into the sewage. Desmond sighed, "great, Ezio gets a bath with Caterina Sforza and I have to swim in a toilet. Marvelous."
Diving into the filthy water, Desmond nearly hurled at the smell as well as the idea of what he was swimming in.
"Remember," Lucy said mockingly. "This is the time of your life."
"Yeah yeah," Desmond rolled his eyes. 'Good thing I like you otherwise I would of flat out refused.' Desmond thought bitterly. "I stink."
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Your exagerating."
"Easy for you to say, your not soaked in medeival toxic waste." Desmond retorted.
"Stop whining."
"How come you don't have to get wet?"
Lucy smiled mischieviously. "Because your here."
"How charming."
"Aren't I?" Lucy's said seductively.
"Always," Desmond's voice was barely above a whisper. They both laughed, 'make it almost worth setting soaked,' Desmond thought. 'Almost.' All the same he didn't mind her japes, they weren't nearly as annoying as Shauns. Probably because Lucy was simply more fun to be around.
They came across a destroyed bridge, it was too far to jump and the overhang was too high to grab onto. "Great the bridge is out. We can't cross," Desmond muttered.
Lucy thought for a moment. "I have an idea," she replied. "Stand on the edge and get ready."
Desmond locked his hands together as Lucy ran forward, Her foot connected with Desmond's hands and he propel her to the overhang. Luct walked along the overhang, looking for a release. "Let me see."
"Take your time," Desmond interjected. "I'll just stay here to die with the bats."
Lucy rolled her eyes and severed a length of rope. The rope lowered the overhang anough for Desmond to finally cross. "Nice work," he complimented.
"The bats will be dissappointed," Lucy quipped.
"For now," Desmond said with a half smile. "Perhaps the rasts won't be."
"Ohh stop with that," Lucy's stern expression only lasted a moment.
They came across a mechanism that blocked their path and was activated by levers. Desmond was determined to even the score and climbed up and pulled the lever, releasing the bridge and allowing Lucy to cross.
"Thank you Desmond," Lucy called out playfully. 'God she sounded so hot just now.'
"Happy to be of assistance My lady," Desmond gave a mocking bow as if thanking a crowd.
"You know we make a good team," She said smiling brightly.
"An effective one too." Desmond replied with a grin. It was true though they did indeed make a good team. It seemed that they complimented each other perfectly. Both had their strengths and weaknesses and together, they balanced each other out. Despite this Desmond felt that he could never be even with her. Everything she's done for him, the lengths she has gone to. Desmond was determined to find a way to repay her for all of it.
With Lucy working on the bridges and Desmond on the levers, they soon reached the Sanctuary and the hidden door.
