Lucy and Desmond lifted the latch that held the bookcase in place.
"Hey you guys did it," Rebecca gave Lucy a high five.
"About bloody time," Shaun griped.
"Hey Desmond, do you have a barrel." Holiday asked.
"Uhh, no," Desmond replied looking around. "Why?"
"Because a bottle isn't big enough to hold the that guy's whine."
Desmond and Holiday broke into fits of laughter, Shaun was not amused. "That's very funny Holiday, maybe if being a hitman doesn't work out you can be a comedian."
"I tried that once, Holiday grinned, his then pretended to sob. "Nobody gets me," (sniff).
Shaun's attention was now focused on the wall across from the bookcase. "What's that?" He asked pointing to a drawing on the wall. The image was an equilateral Triangle cut up into smaller triangles.
"It must be something Ezio left behind." Desmond switched to eagle vision to see if their was something behind the drawing. Sure enough, three numbers appeared. 'There's some numbers, 1419, 1420, 1421." Eventually the strain of eagle vision, caught up with him and Desmond got a lowered his head and pressed his hand to his temple. Holiday and Lucy were by him instantly.
"Maybe you should lie down for a bit," Lucy suggested gently putting her hand on his back.
Desmond shook his head, "It's alright, I'm fine," he said reassuringly. Though they both knew that he was far from fine.
"What was that you were doing just now," Holiday asked.
"Eagle vision," Desmond replied, "It's complicated."
Holiday didn't question it any further. After moving all their equipment to the sanctuary. The team started setting everything up. Holiday manage the heavier equipment at 6 foot 2 inches. Holiday was powerfully built. The extra set of hands ensured that things got done quicker. Holiday carried Baby, (Rebecca's version of the animus) into position and they were finally ready.
"Are you sure the van is safe Holiday," Lucy asked.
Holiday nodded. "Positive, i make it a point to be thorough when is comes to covering my tracks."
"Everything looks good Rebecca declared. "No structural damage and no cell signal. We should be good here for a couple of days."
"O.k what the fuck is that stench?' Holiday cried out.
"It's ...my clothes," Desmond admitted.
Holiday was baffled. "What did you do dive into a sewer?"
"It was Lucy's idea, " Desmond said defensively. Pointing his finger accusingly at her. Lucy turned around with a smirk on her face. She cocked an eyebrow and somehow she manage to make it look sexy.
"Aww, how sweet," Holiday said mockingly. He then mewed and made a cracking sound while waving his fist as though it held a whip.
"Hey Desmond snarled halfheartedly, "I'm not whipped?"
"Did she give you a thank you kiss afterwards?"
"No."
Holiday smirked. "Whipped."
"Well I didn't want Lucy to stink. I still kinda owe her."
Holiday's smirk turned into a genuine smile. He then gestured both his hands at Desmond as if presenting him to a crowd. "Now here's a true gentleman right here folks. Willing to do the dirty work for the little lady."
Lucy crossed her arms. "Hey I am fully capable of doing 'the dirty work as you put it."
Now it was Holiday's turn to cock an eyebrow. "Really cause you still smell like strawberries and cream the last I checked." Holiday paused for a moment before breaking into a fit of laughter.
"What's so funny," Rebecca wondered.
Holiday manage to compose himself before speaking. "I just realized something, when Ezio came here, he got a sponge bath and enjoyed a lovely night with a smoking hot countess. Desmond comes here amd gets a bath in sewage with no chance of a happy ending."
"Ugh," Lucy groaned. Desmond chuckled despite himself, for he had been thinking the same thing while he was down there.
"Wait a minute guys," everyone stopped to look at Rebecca. "We're gonna need power down here. There's a line nearby I can hook up to but the wattage is weak. Rebecca walked over to the men handing them a box of power draining devices.
Shaun groaned, "Yeah, yeah, of course, Is there anything else you would like? Some caviar perhaps. Or maybe I could knit you a lovely hat."
"Oh brother," Holiday rubbed his temples to keep his temper in check. He turned to Desmond, "I'll fling him off the cliffs, you say it was an accident."
Desmond smiled and shrugged. "I'm in."
"Me too," Rebecca raised her hand
Holiday snatched the box from Shaun's hand. "I'm gonna help Desmond. the sooner we get this done the sooner we can get back. The last thing we need it to be caught in broad daylight." Holiday sniffed Desmond's shoulder, "Besides, Angel eyes really needs a wash. I got some clothes you can use."
"Thanks Michael," Desmond said gratefully.
So Desmond and Holiday exited the villa. and split up in search of Circuit boxes. Sprinting through the rooftops Holiday and Desmond covered a good deal of ground and were able to find the circuit boxes they were looking for. After they installed the last power drainer they met back up and looked for a public restroom. When they finally found one. Holiday gave him a towel, a sweater and sweat pants, all black. Desmond wondered if Holiday had any other color clothing. "Here," Holiday offered him the clothes. "They're a bit big for you but their dry and warm."
Desmond took the articles gratefully and entered the restroom. Ten minutes later he came out and handed Holiday his wet clothes. Holiday put the clothes in a bag and folowed Desmond back to the sanctuary. As they headed back the two friends got to talking.
"So what do you think?" Desmond asked.
"Of what?" Holiday wondered.
"Lucy Shaun and Rebacca?"
"Oh," Holiday raised his head knowingly. "Your little A-Team. They seem like good stock. Rebecca is tough as nails and twice as sharp. Seriously that girl has a gift. Pity she lives in a world that doesn't fully apprieciate her talent. Shaun is a wise-ass motormouth. But then what do you expect from a brit. Good thing he has a mind that compensates otherwise he would be unbearable."
"And what about Lucy?"
"Ahh," Holiday smiled devilishly gazing up at the moon. "She's a lovely little thing, full of honey she is." Holiday paused as his smile shrunk a bit. "Or at least that's what she wants you to think."
Desmond cocked his eyebrow, "What does that mean?"
"All women are dangerous Desmond, especially beautiful ones. Sweet as honey and deadly as a hornet. Such is their nature."
Desmond chuckled. "Well your right about Lucy being dangerous. I saw her whip two Abstergo guards with ease."
Holiday raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Well thats a first. A beautiful girl that actually CAN take care of herself. I'm in love, though it seems too good to be true."
Desmond shrugged. "Maybe, but I won't dwell on it too much."
Holiday nodded "Fair enough, anyway trying to understand women will make your brain hurt. He thought for a moment before saying "Is she seeing anyone?"
"No." Desmond didn't like where this was going. "Why?"
Holiday grinned knowingly. "You like her don't you?"
Desmond blushed, he knew better than to deny it. "Yeah."
"Have you asked her out?"
That took Desmond off guard, "I don't think so, why?"
Holiday stopped and looked at him, his face displayed surprise. "Someone I know should ask her out."
"What does it matter to you?" Desmond demanded.
Holiday nodded, "You never had much of a love life, I've seen you flirt with other girls. But I never seen you look at them half the way you look at Lucy."
"Well I don't think she's interested, I mean she probably only thinks of me as a friend."
Holiday groaned and spread her hands in exasperation. "Unbelievable, hot woman, into you, and your not doing anything about it. Fate has sent you a golden opportunity here Desmond. Take advantage of this."
"Oh gee I'm sorry Michael for not dating," Desmond snapped sarcastically. "I've just been a bit busy oh I don't know. RUNNING FOR MY LIFE. Not to mention that there's an apocalypse coming. So forgive me If I don't have time to have a life."
Holiday sighed, "Soldiers have duties to their countries as well Desmond. But it doesn't stop them from trying to have a life."
On that, Desmond fell silent. Then as if a bell was struck something else Holiday said finally registered. "Wait, you think Lucy likes me."
Holiday nodded. "Positive, but you won't go anywhere fast by standing around. Sometimes you just have to take a breath, make the plunge and hope you don't hit the rocks."
Desmond Looked at Holiday bemused. "That's very poetic, did you come up with that all by yourself."
Holiday shrugged. "I don't know, perhaps somebody made it up a long time ago."
They continued walking before Holiday put his hand in front of Desmond. his eyes scanned slowly in all directions. Desmond began having images again, he paused and pressed his fingers to his temples trying to shake them off. It took a little longer this time before he succeeded. Holiday put his hand on Desmond's shoulder. "Maybe you should get some Zs before going back in that machine." He suggested.
Desmond nodded. "Not a bad idea."
Holiday sighed. "There must be a better way than this."
"I wish their was Michael." Desmond replied grimly.
Finally they made it back to the Villa. "We're back" he announced.
"Just in time," Lucy told them. "The sun's rising."
"YES," Rebecca shouted delightfully. "System's booted and we're good to go."
"Did you miss me?" Shaun asked. His question was met with silence. "Anyone? No? Hello I'm I speaking out loud?" Again he was met with silence. Shaun shook his head and went to his computer. "Workaholics." He muttered.
"Lets get started," Lucy said typing furiously on her computer.
Desmond paused rubbing his head. "Actually if you guys don't mind, I would like to get a little sleep before going back in the animus."
Lucy looked up at him. Her mind was conflicted. One one hand she wanted to get everything done and over with as quickly as possible. But she didn't want to push Desmond over his limit. In the end her concern for Desmond's well being won out and she nodded. "Alright, Desmond, we'll begin when your ready.
Rebecca "I'll do system's check on Baby while you get some sleep."
"I'll go look for a laundromat." Holiday said shaking the bag with Desmond's wet clothes
Desmond crawled into his sleeping bag. It didn't take long for weariness to overtake him. Desmond was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
