Chapter three is here and ready for reading! Enjoy

His breath was thin and body ached, but god did it feel good to be doing this! It seemed to be natural, innate. Damon stretched then leaped all across the upper beams, adrenaline coursing through him keeping him from tumbling to certain death. But Damon couldn't deny it was a satisfying, indescribable rush to be up so high where the ground was viciously taunted by his defiance. It was an incredible new angle of perspective that tested his skills and oh; there were no words how strong he felt. But he could sense the end was looming; his legs becoming jelly-like and sweat gathering behind his neck and under his arms as dark collective patterns. Dr. Swartz had explained numerous times how much he used to enjoy this; making trouble with Daniel and scaring the staff by popping up at a random window.

Daniel.

Damon had not seen the elder man as of recent-not since the strange interaction between them in the same gym a week ago. Not that it necessarily bothered the younger Templar that he hadn't seen him. Or did it? Shouldn't it? Wait, this was his friend, ally, and partner from what Swartz told him. The two had been through a lot of laughs and struggles. They had driven the entire building mad once. 'Partners in crime', the elder loyalists called them. And yet…it felt wrong smiling at the older, even cooperating with him. As if something waaaay back in his mind was screaming 'NO DON'T.' It was a nagging feeling that refused to die; Damon desperately yearned to believe what his doctor/friend said but fighting with the fact his inner thoughts fought the spoon fed memories wasn't granting him any closure.

Or was it just Cross he was struggling with? He had spoken with some of the staff and they were great people, it felt natural to melt into conversation with the girls in the reception office and other long term members. And Swartz was as pleasant as he could be. Others however left a heavy weight behind his eyelids, as if he had issues with them in the past. Others like Cross.

Yet with this doubt he found himself craving the company of him as well. There tended to be this sliver of sarcasm embedded in every word he spoke, making it difficult to tell when he was serious or not. His curt reactions paired with this irritable aura around him left curiosity in Damon, wondering what made him so angry. He most likely knew before his accident-something that had taken years of trust and work to be broken free.

He let his weight take him backwards, his legs wrapped securely around the sturdy pole against the back of his knees. The world goes upside down, his shirt giving way to gravity just like the blood to his head. He lets himself hang there as the noises of other attending gym participants do their routine, totally clueless to the recovering asset above them. It's amusing yet saddening for some hidden reason. His head becomes heavy. But he doesn't quite yet rise, finding the change in focus to leave a tint of comfort in his mind. Something being absolutely opposite of everyone felt a bit more right than being part of major brotherhood like Abstergo.

"I'm not attending the funeral if you break your neck." A voice calls loud enough to reach the ceiling and Damon's ears. The young man craned his neck in an awkward 360 degrees to spot the figure of the missing agent. What is Daniel doing here now? He crosses his arms over his chest, finding enough power to ever so lightly swing displaying the defiance he felt.

"You're wouldn't be invited anyway." He sniped back, noting the change in the other's demeanor. He seemed more comfortable than he had the previous time he had seen him. Cross just stood there shaking his head with hands planted on his hips.

"Well either you climb down or fall down; either way I could care less but Rikkin needs to speak with us." Offering a snide rebuttal was highly tempting and Damon finds his mouth acting before his brain could intervene. "You haven't been here all week and that's it?" It's too far a distance for Cross to catch the narrowing of his bright green eyes, but he hopes that he can detect his dissatisfaction.

But still Damon obeys, hoisting himself up and quickly maneuvering before he can fall, coming to his feet and leaping from one platform to another then coming to rest on a sturdy piece of equipment before taking the short leap down and in front of his companion.

Daniel did indeed look better-more rested and content with his dirty blonde hair in a careful spike. The aggravation was still etched into his face and eyes still held same bitterness as before. But in the broader scope of things, the older Templar looked much more approachable. Even Damon was beginning to tak on a healthier aura, growing aware of his environment and regaining his senses.

The two survey one another in a spout of awkward silence, older events replaying over at each other's presence. Damon wondered if it was he himself that suddenly made the other vanish then suddenly reappear. Insecurity had been something he had kept at bay as to not concern Swartz. The awkward silence was broken when Daniel inhaled, releasing the breath in a tight puff of air.

"We should get going, Colt." Damon narrows his eyes again, watching Daniel's back leave him in the occupied gym with disinterest. Tightness coils his stomach that leaves a bitter taste in the back of his throat and tongue as he hurries to catch up with Daniel. So much for a warm welcome…

"Well hello to you too." He quipped following the other through the pristine walkways of the Abstergo building. It felt the same day was playing out in a vicious cycle of people saying hello and acting as if the the youngest member had never gone missing. Damon found it unnerving all of a sudden-as if his growth in awareness and independence just made him uneasy with their familiarity.

He just couldn't maintain a grip on his past aside from recalling Cross's face and Italy and…a white beard. It was hard to keep a hold on things. It was causing his head hurt and he didn't exactly derive pleasure from igniting concern in Swartz with the smallest glimpse of agony. The airy minded Doctor was consistently hanging around or in close proximity in an anxious cloud of questions; asking if his muscles were sore at all, checking his eyes, testing his reflexes, and seeming relieved after his latest blood test. Damon was beginning to liken the man to an overbearing father whose son was recovering from a football injury in high school.

He never asked about the constant battery of tests and veiled interrogations; well at least for the time being. He had only been starting to fall into routine. Let the doctor do his coddling. Besides, he was sure restoring him to full health had its risks and Swartz was simply asserting his position as doctor and care giver to the young man.

His line of thought was stopped when he bumped into Daniel who had stopped at the same meeting room Damon had been introduced in a few days before. Steely eyes that made him think of traps locked dead onto his weary emerald orbs. Daniel arched an eyebrow before giving the younger man a short push towards the door.

Damon was horribly aware of how clearly Daniel could see the apprehension within the amber flecks but nodded anyways, knowing whether he was ready or not they were going in. Daniel pushed open the and the younger is instantly reminded of his awakening and of the deep absorbing pain that was so intense it saturated through bone into marrow. He vividly recalled the blinding light and Swartz's voice speaking in high eager tones once he had awakened and regaining his motor skills among other things.

It wasn't quite as overwhelming as it was interesting.

"Ah boys it's good to see you." A strong but grainy voice booms across the room with the slightest crackle of video conversation. On a wide flat screen in the center of the conference table was the face of Alan Rikkin. His hands were folded immaculately on top of one another on the organized desk in front of him. Damon was a bit lost, only having his one brief conversation with the superior a week before when he was introduced. The only thing he could think of was offering a weak wave, letting his hand slap his thigh as it came down. Daniel threw a glance his way, pissed at the childish display. But Damon retaliated to the silent scolding by making a face at the previously absent Templar. He felt a bit too much of pride when the older widened his eyes at his behavior.

Rikkin cleared his throat and regained the attention of the bickering acquaintances, the two men appearing rather sheepish.

"Well its clear Mr. Colt that you are becoming quite content here." A soft smile graces the man's age defying face that has Damon looking down to his feet. He was the new kid after all and hearing Rikkin's words seemed like some strange kind of praise; like at parent teach conferences and being told how well adjusted he was. Daniel caught this movement and rolled his eyes, having the sudden urge to smack the other.

"Doctor Swartz kept me updated on a regular basis with his results-it's looking like not only are you meeting our expectations, but you're near exceeding them only within a week-"

"I'm guessing this is good." Daniel interjected, impatiently crossing his arms over his chest. He knew Rikkin was merely buttering up the lone Colt in line for something. The man on the screen must have caught his tone, gaze holding a flicker of criticism before he continued.

"These outcomes are fantastic in every word. But sadly you still need assistance with your retraining; which, is where you come in, Mr. Cross." Daniel felt a hot flash flare through his spine, harsh eyes intensifying in a patronizing glare. It was the best he could do for an objection at the moment. He succeeded in erasing the expression from his face when he and Damon simultaneously trade a glance with the younger's eyes holding apprehension and nervousness. It may have been Daniel's imagination but his eyes appeared just a tad darker than they were last week.

Their connection was broken when Damon snaps his head away in a motion that certainly meant 'yeah, right.' The blonde sneered towards his cheek. What a little shit!

"Dare I ask; what's my part?" He grinds out in the best effort to appear genuinely interested. Only a week in (neglecting the fact that wasn't there for that week) and he was blowing the friend façade big time. It was obvious their boss caught on to the complicated tension, a shade of corporate concern cracking his mask. He straightens, his voice darkened taking on a more authoritative and deeper aura.

"I'm recommending that you Mr. Cross train Mr. Colt. It will perhaps make things easier to remember if he has a familiar companion assisting him." Daniel wanted to bare his teeth, lash out, yell, curse and cause chaos as if he still had an endless list of drugs thrumming through his hot blood. Here they go again with dumping the new asset on him like he was some butler that would gladly take care of their expense!

But his heavy set boss was watching him, ready to rebutte his refusal. Instead with every fiber of strength he has, he relaxes his shoulders and carefully nudges the should-be-dead body next to him.

"Why not. Worth a try." The look Damon sends him practically needs an answering one. Daniel fights that impulse as well and sends the younger a charming smirk. This catches him off guard as it becomes his turn to widen his eyes. From this point on, Daniel really had to play the friend role or else the project will go to shit. He really didn't want to be remembered as the asshole that ruined a two billion dollar project. Well, he was already an asshole. So let's keep it at that.

The acceptation pleases Rikkin as the small eyes brightened into an almost disturbing rangeof giddiness.

"Excellent!" He praises as he grins charmingly towards his prized followers. "I'll be sure to inform the physicians and Doctor Swartz of these changes." He eagerly clicks a few things on his keyboard. He flicks his wrist towards the door.

"On your way gentlemen. I have much work to do." He begins to fervently scribble away on paper in front of him. Daniel is the first to leave, pushing the door open with his back and strolling out of the meeting room. He doesn't need to look to know who it is when he picks up on a weight near him.

"You're one complicated guy." Damon comments, his confusion and distress leaking through him. Not only did he not have a say to his 'buddy' training him, he knew damn well that the individual didn't want to. Not too long ago he refused to hold eye contact or even have a decent conversation with him. He held back the desire to shove Daniel through a window when he shrugs.

Damon stops and spreads his arms in the man's way, stopping his steady rhythm. The eyes that had avoided his many times calmly waited for whatever it was he had to say. The sudden change only pulls Damon deeper into his un-aimed anger. "No seriously, you've hardly talked to me, you avoid me, we get along one day and you fucking vanish without a word. And now you want to be my trainer?! What is up with you? Everyone keeps saying we're friends but I don't see it!"

Both stood directly across one another in the hall, Daniel noting that once again Damon was flexing his right hand. What can he say that's not too unbelievably cheesy? Or fake? More specifically something that wouldn't make him seem like a pathetic wuss.

"It's hard." He finally musters, loosening his stance and slowly meeting eyes with the angered experiment.

"What's hard?" Damon demands with not patience for games. They welcome him yet that keep him in the dark and it's become severely irritating within his short (appallingly short) time in the building. In what used to be his family he didn't feel like a member, no matter the amount of lavish treatment he was given. Daniel sighed as he took a few steps towards the taller man.

"Hard having to start over," he shrugged with indifference. Daniel wants to smirk when Damon's eyes soften just enough to show he understands what he means. "We weren't friends off the bat ya know. Took a hell of a lot of time and not to mention assignments that we'll never be able to do again and those things you've totally forgotten is what started our relationship. It's hard to restart that without the support of that."

Damon drops his eyes to the floor, where his sneakers and Daniels boots rest. It's troubling to know that he's forgotten everything that made them who they were as partners and as friends. He could see why Daniel would struggle with trying to replenish the closeness they shared before his capture. His distance was the lack of belief that Damon was able to hold the loyalty they had before. Without the amount of problems and solutions they had faced together. But that didn't explain…

"Then why the one-eighty in the attitude?" He retorted with that fiery distrust that had fueled the first outburst. There is something horribly familiar about the vacancy that clears away the boiling resentment off of Daniel's features. When he bows his head, something about his face changes and Damon catches sight of that other side of t Cross locked away that fed off the resentment clear in his tone and posture.

"Like I said back in the meeting room; it's worth a try." The double meaning hits Damon like a rock, freezing his body still where he stood as Daniel lifted a hand to pat his arm in an almost endearing manner.

Then he merely walks away.

Damon didn't feel the need to follow him but swallowed up by the near dizzying amount of thoughts swimming through his brain.

Daniel good.

No.

Daniel bad.

Since when?

Was he really?

Jesus Christ why was the room so bright.

Should I catch up to him?

Should I leave?

There was no end to the short but impactful messages going through his mind as he stood in the lighted hallway. The conflicting emotions that were paired with Daniel's company nibbled at his ear until he quite literally itched. He was broken; that was pretty clear considering his situation and what graphic details he's been told. He had been taken apart and manipulated. Used for profit of weakness to the Templars by the Assassins in a bloody brawl that left both sides lacking a sort of strength.

But he was back. But was he really? He had no memories of the place. He wasn't useful right now…as far as he could tell.

Yes, he had to be of some worth or else there would have been no reason to rejuvenate him as thoroughly as they had. He was worth something.

Yet that heavy pushpin in his chest argued with him.

He shook his head in frustration before the touch of Daniels' hand comes back. It's just a ghost of the impact. The friendly interaction that made Damon freeze in the first place as he pondered Daniel's words. Would it truly be that hard to just give things a try? An attempt to drift back into the cluster that had returned him to the world of the living, back to the ones who swore and claimed he was one of them. He honestly couldn't answer that so early in his lucidness.

There was only way to tell if he wanted a straight answer. He took an exhausted sigh and broke his stillness with a roll of his neck and adjustment of his legs. His hands clump inside his jeans pockets as his tongue runs over his teeth in thought.

"Worth a try." He echoes in a hesitant voice. He can still see Daniel ahead: a shrinking silhouette trotting towards the end of the extended hallway. The metaphor does not need to be voiced to snake through the hole in Damon's wall. "Guess it is... Hey, Daniel wait up!" He calls, breaking into a jog towards the paused figure. "Look I'm starving and since we are partners….Well did you want to head down to the cafeteria?" If not anything else, Daniel was worth the try.

Heck yeah done! *happy dance* I'm getting more comfortable with this so guess what-more inspiration which means improving chapters. Especially since I now have a beta :3 See ya next chapter.