Learned helplessness is the giving-up reaction, the quitting response that follows from the belief that whatever you do doesn't matter.
-Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Animus?

Desmond was confused. It's where he appeared to be, but not living out the lives of any of his ancestors. He was just... stuck. In that in-between area of gray and white. He tried to remember what happened before, but nothing. All he could recall was little snippets of... a shower? Foul smells, the crack of a broken neck, and screaming...

There was an orange glow in the distance. Desmond squinted. It appeared to be getting bigger - closer? - and there was a roaring sound, a whooshing.

Fire! Desmond's eyes widened and he cried out, whirling around. He knew it was no use, but he sprinted away from the oncoming glow. He could feel its heat. And then it was upon him.

Desmond screamed for a good few seconds, expecting to find fire rushing down his throat, burning him from the inside out. But nothing. Tremendous heat, but no pain. He cracked open an eye - he had squeezed them shut - and stared at what he was faced with.

The fire rushed by all around him, never flicking less then three feet away. If he reached out, the flames would curve away from him, as if afraid of his touch. Confident, Desmond took a step forward. His little air bubble moved with him.

Dessssmondddd. Said Assassin jumped about a foot off the ground, air following him of course. He'd heard a moan, kind of like a ghost from the horror movies he used to love as a kid. The voice came from his left, slightly in front of him. Desmond followed it warily - what else was there to do? - and as soon as she came into view, he instantly regretted his decision.

It was Lucy. In the middle of the fire, screaming, screaming so loud Desmond wanted to cover his ears. She was on fire, rolling on the ground, trying to put it out, but the floor was burning too. Desmond choked, his breath catching in his throat. He ran over to try and help her, but the closer he got, the more the temperature in his sanctuary rose.

"Desmond," Lucy cried, dragging herself with hands nearly singed down to the bone. Her face was melting away, her hair long burned off. "Help me!"

"I can't," Desmond moaned, backing away as he felt himself starting to burn.

Lucy screamed again, long and loud, rolled onto her back, and was still. Her body continued to burn until the skin was blackened and shriveled.

LET IT ALL BURN
I will burn first
God I've tried, am I lost in your eyes?

"No," Desmond sobbed, dropping to his knees. "Lucy, I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" And, not being able to bear the sight of her, he turned and ran.

Just let me burn, it's what I deserve

The fire melted away. Just like that. The entire gray area jumped up into the air, taking Desmond with it. He was tossed around like a rag doll until his eyes snapped open. Back in the Sanctuary.

He moaned, thinking his dream was reality. Lucy's dead. I've killed her. Desmond shut his eyes again and raised a hand to his head.

"You're awake." Desmond bolted upright. Lucy!

"You're alive!" he gasped in response. He quickly looked her up and down. She stood next to his cot, looking very normal, no fire or burn marks.

"What...?" Lucy looked confused, but shook her head. "Never mind. Desmond, what's been happening to you? We found you in the tunnels, swimming in that disgusting water, screaming your head off. Naked, no less."

Despite his situation, Desmond blushed. Turning his head away, he muttered, "I don't know. I can't remember." He looked back up at her, suddenly scared. "Am I going crazy?" he asked softly.

Lucy laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I sure hope not." Then she walked away, leaving Desmond to his dark and brooding thoughts.

It could be stress from the Animus. No, that wasn't right. He wasn't having any dreams about being Ezio, nor seeing any ghosts. Maybe he really was going nuts.

He soon started seeing blood running down the walls, spiders descending from the ceiling to eat out his eyes, more fire. He spend most of his time outside, so he'd have somewhere to run.

Now, he stood on the roof of the Villa, staring over Monteriggioni. No visions or deathtraps yet.

"Desmond." Lucy's head and shoulders emerged above the roof.

Desmond looked sideways at her, not moving. When he didn't answer, Lucy climbed the rest of the way onto the roof, walking over and standing next to him.

"Listen.." she began. "I know you've been dealing with a lot lately, but maybe you could try getting back in the Animus? It might be able to take your mind off of..." She trailed off as Desmond's blade flicked out of its sheath. Lately, it had started turning into a hissing, writhing snake before his eyes, but it decided to stay metal this time.

She didn't understand. He didn't just not want to get back in that machine, he couldn't. He knew that getting in there would just be another nightmare. Desmond pulled his blade back. "I..." he began, but he couldn't find any words. Then he sighed and looked back at Lucy, eyes pleading. "What's wrong with me? I keep seeing things that aren't there, things trying to kill me. I can't sleep, because I'll have nightmares about God knows what. I can't eat, or the food will turn into spiders or snakes or organs. I can't drink, the water always turns to blood. I can't even stay in one spot, because what if the room I'm in sets on fire?"

Lucy shook her head. "I'm sorry... I can't help you," she said sadly, leading Desmond to look away. "But I'll always be with you, supporting you, and I will do anything - anything - I can to get you through this." She laid a hand on his shoulder, comforting him. Desmond looked back, suddenly aware of how close they were.

"Thank you," he murmured, leaning his head closer.

Their lips met. It was unlike anything Desmond had ever experienced, made him feel like he could do it, he could beat the visions and nightmares and hallucinations. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her body closer. Lucy ran her hands through his hair, accepting the kiss. They stood there, lost in each other.

An owl hooted loudly, leading the both of them to jump and break apart. They were both panting, Lucy's hair beginning to come out of its bun. Desmond reached his hand up to stroke her cheek, but to his surprise, she pulled away.

"I'm sorry," she said, backing away. "I just can't deal with this right now." She reached the edge of the roof and dropped down, saying as she left "Just... think about that Animus, okay?"

Desmond was left alone, standing on that roof, unspoken words caught in his throat.

So, how was that? Worth the wait? I went on vacation, and had a lot of writing time. I've finished another chapter, but I just got back and it's -checks- 3am. Posting this, then going to bed. Hope you enjoyed and let me know what you thought :)

Yes, the kiss was clichéd, and though I don't really support the pairing - I just kind of roll with it - I liked it. It'll make sense later, don't worry ;)