Nobody knew when Holiday would be back. So Rebecca worked as fast as she could to crack his Laptop. As an hour rolled by Rebeca seemed to become increasingly frustrated and was muttering to herself.

"Anything?" Shaun asked.

Rebecca shook her head. "No, but I must say, Holiday has quite a sophisticated firewall. Honestly I would kill to meet the guy who invented it."

"Like on par with the Templars?" Shaun was still convinced that Holiday was a Templar."

Rebecca shook her head, "Not even close, The Templar network's got nothing on this."

Lucy came back in reporting that Holiday had returned. As quickly as possible Rebecca turned off the Laptop and put it back in Holiday's bag.

Holiday came in with a smile on his face and was rubbing his full belly. The assassins busied themselves with their work as if nothing had happened. Though the question was burning in their minds no one was eager to approach Holiday about the rings. Holiday walked over to his station and stared at his bags with a thoughful look on his face. He gave his backpack a slight kick before unzipping it. He let out a sigh and turned to the others. "Y'know certain people here are particular about other people messing with their shit."

"I don't know what your talking about?" Shaun replied quickly.

Holiday glared at him and shook his head. "If your going to snoop into my things. Make sure you put everything in the exact spot and the exact position."

Lucy stood up and gave him a glare of her own. "You speak of invading privacy, Yet you have been nothing but dishonest with us since the beginning."

Holiday cocked his eyebrow and leaned back in his chair. "Dishonest? In what way?"

Lucy stared at Holiday incredulously. She couldn't believe that he was actually going to deny it. "You claim that you didn't know the Templars. Yet how do you explain the chain of Templar rings in your backpack?"

Holiday stared at her perplexed. "Wait, you mean the guys I've been hunting recently are the same people you're fighting against?"

The Assassins returned the stare. "They have a red cross as their sigil." Shaun snapped incredulously. "Are you telling me that you never put two and two together."

"Groups all over the world inspire their logos from those of the past," Holliday reasoned. Doesn't mean that they're all connected. The American Red Cross for example. They use a Red Cross hence the name but that doesn't make them Templars."Holliday frowned as he became unsure about that. "Does it?"

"I'm sure their not related." Rebecca replied. But everyone could see that they were not sure about it either. Abstergo was after all a pharmaceutical company.

"How long have you been doing this?" Lucy asked, her face clearly worried.

"I have been tracking their activities for most of my life. Ever since I saw my parents killed by one wearing such a ring. Sometimes I find a whole bunch of them. That just makes things a whole lot more fun for me." Holiday reached into the bag and pulled out the chain. "I was never good with names, but I never fail to put a face to a trophy." He brought the last ring in the chain to his finger. "The cardinal I told you about was one of them, number 54."

He ran his fingers along the chain until he came across a certain pair. He held the pair in his fingers and showed them to the group. "This pair belonged to a couple in Southern California. Grade A bible thumpers who abused their three daughters, mentally and physically." He smiled obviously fond of the memory.

Holiday went further down the chain and came to another set of rings. "This one belonged to a software billionaire also in Southern California. He spent a fortune to cover up his son for a crime he didn't commit. His actions ruined the lives of a few good families. This included a local sheriff and his daughter." Holiday's smirk became solemn. Clearly the memory was a bitter one for him. "She became heavily victimized by her school for defending him. Rejected, ridiculed and if I hadn't been there, she would of been raped as well." Holiday was burning with anger as he recalled that point in his life. "But the thing about that event was the daughter didn't break down and give up. Instead she channeled her emotions and made herself stronger. That was true strength."

He fingered the three rings that followed. "These were his associates, His head of security, the replacement sheriff, and his brother. After that I came to despise the 1% and everything they stood for."

Going further, Holiday gathered a dozen of the rings together. His grin had broadened. "This group was one of my proudest moments. Me and my brothers stormed their headquarters in Constantinople. One of those rare moments where that particular cell was all in one place at one time. it looked like they were preparing for an attack."

The assassins stopped what they were doing. Their eyes widened as they realized what he meant. "Istanbul?" Shaun asked in shock. "That was YOU?"

Desmond was confused. "What happened in Istanbul?" He asked.

Lucy sighed and told him the tale. "In 2000 our greek assassins received word from an informant that the Turkish and Syrian Rites had gathered in Istanbul to launch a full scale assault on their last remaining hideout in the region. They were on the brink of extinction, but the attack never came. Curious they sent a team to check out the Templar headquarters in Istanbul. What they found was what looked like hell had been unleashed. Dozens of Templars and their allies dead, their bodies were near blown off. The headquarters looked ready to crumble and had been stripped of everything. Of all the bodies found, not a single opponent was found. Who ever attacked them took them by surprise and took them out quick. There was no sign of collateral damage. It wasn't a battle it was a slaughter."

Lucy finished her tale and turned toward Holliday. "Are you telling me that you took out that entire facility on your own?"

Holliday laughed and shook his head. "Of course not, I'm not an imbecile. It was me and my brothers."

"You have brothers?" Rebecca cut in raising her eyebrow.

"Two, Vincent and Jacob and they're just as skilled as I am."

"As if one of you was not enough." Shaun grumbled. "Honestly I don't know whether to thank you or not."

Lucy had gotten over her shock and spoke up again. "Why did you attack it?" She asked, truth be told , Lucy found it hard to believe that this man was responsible for that attack. Whatever story he told will confirm the truth.

Holliday sighed and recalled the event. "I had just learned that the ones who killed my parents death lived in Constantinople. One day I was assigned to take out a group that was suspected of planning a covert attack on Israel. They were meeting in Constantinople. With permission from my commander. I called my brothers, with a dump truck rigged with C4 and using the sewer tunnels. We stormed the building." Holliday went on to describe the raid with pinpoint accuracy. "The leaders gave me my first set of Templar rings."

"You do realize it's called Istanbul right," Shaun commented.

Holliday scoffed, "Let the turks can call it whatever the hell they want. To me, it is will always be Constantinople."

The assassins decided not to go further into the subject. But now a part of their order owed it's survival to a Ruthless Killer with a Code.

Desmond turned to Rebecca "Have you ever killed anyone before?" Desmond asked. He often wondered if the other assassins ever had to actually do something outside their usual zone.

Rebecca shrugged. "I dated a guy once. He was an electronics expert around the time the Assassins first contacted me."

Desmond raised an eyebrow, "And?"

"And now I'm single."

Desmond's mouth dropped. "Are you kidding?"

"Of course I'm kidding." Rebecca scowled. "Do you think I would joke about someone I actually killed. Death is only funny when it'a not happening in front of you. I should know."

"Are you kidding," Holliday snickered. "I do it all the time, watch." He cleared his throat and began. "Once Upon a Time, two men fell into a pit of caviar. One drowned, the other struggled for a bit, then he drowned. Moral of the story don't fall into a pit of caviar."

"Is death really such an indifference to you." Lucy snarled at him.

Holliday shrugged. "The gods in their infinite wisdom gave us two pleasures to entertain us before we die. The thrill of fucking a woman who wants to be fucked, and the thrill of killing a man who wants to kill you."

Rebecca shook her head in disgust. "How can you live with yourself doing that Holliday."

Holliday looked at her, his smiled disappeared. "I was raised in Israel, Becca. A world where war was all that happened, and it never ceased." His tone became grave as he looked down to the ground. "I've seen kids carrying bombs, I've seen fanatics massacre a school just because they didn't like who attended it. You've never had your morality tested until a child runs at you with C4 strapped to it's belly."

Everyone remained silent for what seemed like an hour Then something Holliday said caught Lucy's attention. "Did you serve in the IDF?"

Holliday nodded, "I was trained since I was six by my godfather. Once I turned 18, I joined Shayetet 13.I stayed with them till I was 26."

"What made you leave?" Lucy asked.

"During the Raid on Constantinople, I found out that he served a higher power. Never the less I continued to serve the IDF for a few more years. Then me and my squad were on a mission in Albania. Our goal was to destroy the women trafficking ring in the region. One of their captives was the daughter one of our generals. Thought we destroyed the ring and saved most of the girls, the daughter had already been given to a sheikh. As we set out after her we were ambushed and driven to a church where we made a final stand." Holliday clenched his fist. "Six of the bravest and wildest men I ever had the pleasure of fighting side by side with only I survived the night. Despite this I continued the mission solo and manage to retrieve the girl. As I killed the sheikh i saw that he had a Templar Ring on. When I returned I was given an honorable discharge. I left to find this Higher power, over the years I would discover just how far spread these Templars truly were."

"I'm sorry about your men," Lucy said with genuine sympathy.

"Thank you." He said quietly.

Desmond decided to change the subject and turned to Shaun "Shaun, speaking of dates. Are there any lions outside the pride?"

"Don't you mean Lionesses?" Holiday asked. "Unless he's gay." Shaun glared and him and Desmond smiled.

"Who was that girl you were dating?" Lucy cut in. "Kate was it?"

"Ahh yes Kate," Shaun leaned back and smiled. Katie, Katie , Katie, Kitty-Kat, Kate." Desmond crossed his arms in amusement. Behind Shaun, Holliday was trying unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh."Charmed the pants off her I did."

Rebecca scoffed. "yeah right, I know for a fact that you never even got to second base."

Shaun was turned to defend himself but ended up stuttering. "oh re-wait w-what."

"We had lunch." She said triumphantly.

"Y-you...had...lunch...with...K-Kate?" By now Shaun was sweating bullets and his face had turned red.

To add to his embarrassment. Holliday added to it. "Dear Penthouse, Something like this has never happened to me before." This got everyone laughing (except Shaun) even Rebecca. Holliday continued. "It was a beautiful sunny day. The birds were singing and my girlfriend was having lunch with my colleague. Though they may not realize it, I sensed a great deal of chemistry between them."

"HEY," Rebecca snapped. "I'm not like that okay."

Holliday cocked an eyebrow. "Are you sure, cause you look like you could go both ways."

Holliday and Desmond laughed as Rebecca got up, "I'm going to go put to get some movies," Rebecca said silently asking permission from Lucy.

Lucy nodded. "Just be careful okay."

"If you must get a chick flick, get The Princess Bride if you can." Holliday called after her. Everyone looked at him and he shrugged, "What, it's a good movie. Considering the fact that it's a chick flick that's saying something."

Desmond turned to Lucy. She had her head down like the burdens of the past few week were finally weighing her down. "Are you all right?" He asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.

Lucy sighed. "I don't like the idea of trapped here while Abstergo is out there looking for us."

Desmond gave her a comforting smile. "Don't worry Lucy, we're safe here and as long as we have you to guide us. The Templars will be one step behind."

Lucy returned the smile before it quickly faded. "But for how long, Vidic won't give up."

"Neither will we," Desmond replied. His eyes filled with determination. "Besides Holliday can handle anyone they sent after us."

"Any idea what Dr. Fossil is planning?" Holliday asked.

"Vidic is using animus data to train Abstergo Operatives."

"What does that mean?" Desmond asked slightly worried.

"Abstergo is preparing for a full on assault." She finished grimly.

"So they're using those mind manipulating machines to make soldiers now?" Holliday asked incredulously.

Lucy nodded. Holliday shook his head once again. "Will these newbies actually put up a fight this time?"

Lucy looked at him, her beautiful face dead serious. "Don't underestimate Abstergo Holliday. They're more dangerous than you realize."

Holliday cocked his eyebrow. "Really? Because I was at the warehouse remember. I've seen belly dancers put up a better fight." Lucy looked skeptical and Holliday laughed. "Experience makes a warrior, not some dream machine."

Rebecca returned a few hours later. She had a worried look on her face. "What's the matter," Desmond asked. Rebecca looked around and went over to Lucy. "I saw a white van that I'm positive was following me. It's probably nothing but I'm not sure."

"I'm sure it's nothing," Lucy assured her placing a hand on her arm.

"Probably," Holiday replied. "But just to be on the safe side, "I'll go check it out."

"That's not really necessary," Lucy tried to dissuade him.

Holliday shook his head. "A man in my position has learned not to take chances like this." He grabbed his maglite and a berretta. "I'll be right back shortly." He said as he stepped out into the outside.

As soon as he left. Lucy turned to Desmond. "How do you put up with that creature."

Desmond turned to her, his face serious. "Listen, I know he's not exactly the most pleasant character in the world but he's a good guy in the end."

"That guy has little conscience." Rebecca cut in. "He speaks of death like it's nothing."

"I still don't understand why you consider him a friend." Lucy said sadly. "Explain it to us Desmond, help us understand."

Desmond sighed, unlike his friends, he understood Holliday and why he was like this. "I never got a taste of the outside world until i left the farm. When Holliday and I arrived in New York, I finally got that taste. at first i was astounded by it. but as time went by, it rapidly became bitter. New York suited him, the chaos, the madness the people streaming along to a daily routine like pointless clockwork. As Holliday said it best. 'This is not a city it's a factory.' I also came to realize that very few people want to understand it." Desmond looked Lucy in the eye, his face solemn. Holliday is different, he understands perfectly. and he doesn't care."

Desmond's statement left them all in shocked into silence as they slowly went back to their stations. An hour later Holliday returned. Rebecca looked at him intently. "Well?"

Holliday nodded. "You have good instincts Rebecca, that white van you saw was indeed trying to tail us."

"Are they still doing it." Desmond asked now worried that they had been compromised.

The devilish smile Holliday gave told Desmond everything. "Not any more."

"Where are they now?" Lucy asked her voice showed equal concern.

Holliday rubbed his chin. "Well they should be at the bottom of the Arno River with their van shoved up their asses."

That quieted everyone's concern and they got back to work.

"So has anyone else used the animus?" Holliday asked.

Rebecca nodded. "Desmond's ancestors have such interesting lives. Mine are lame."

Desmond smirked, "who were your ancestors Becca? Accountants?"

Rebecca shook her head. "No prussian mercenary. He spent all his time firing guns. BORING."

"Oh yeah, because guns are for sissies." Shaun agreed sarcastically earning a glare from Rebecca.

Holliday looked at the Animus thoughtfully. "Desmond could use a break, Mind if I had a go at it?"

The assassins looked at each other. On one hand they didn't want to waste time. On the other he was practically giving them free access to his mind on a silver platter. Are you sure. Desmond asked unsure.

Holliday nodded, "I'm curious about my heritage."

"Only for a short time." Lucy permitted.

"Go to Ezio's timeline." He said. "I want to see where My ancestors are at."

Rebecca nodded and patched him in. Surprisingly Holliday's synchronization went smoothly and he showed no sign of distress. Rebecca's computer screen showed what was happening. everyone watched intently.

They saw a group of men surrounding a war table with a map of Rome. The leader was a big man dressed in green and holding a Claymore sword. they could hear the sounds of gunfire and explosions all around them.

The leader spoke in a voice that seemed familiar. "I want troops positioned here, here and here." His fingers pointed to certain spots on the map. The french flank is too strong, But the Borgia's poor tactics have left them in a weak position, if we can break their line we can then concentrate all our efforts to the french."

"How will we do this?' one of his commanders asked. "We barely have enough men to hold back the french, how will we deal with the Borgia."

The leader sighed and shook his head. "I'll think of something, don't worry. I retook my home, I will retake Rome as well. Standing to his full height, he dismissed his subordinates. The leader was in truth unsure what to do. "Something will turn up." he said to himself. "Something always does." As he climbed the steps he saw a familiar face coming towards him. 'Well, well, well,' He thought with a huge smile. 'Something turned up.'

"Ezio Auditore," He greeted the newcomer with enthusiasm. "Come in, Come in. I'll kill you if you don't."

Ezio smiled and embraced the man who gave him a bear hug. "Good Fortuna Bartolomeo d'Alviano."