Holy hell, look at me go. I don't think I've ever done two chapters in one day.

They're both really short though, so I'm not sure how much it counts.

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Chapter 1
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"I'm pregnant."

Altair froze, positive that he'd misheard her. Pregnant? Impossible.

He'd always been careful – well, there was that one literal roll in the hay, but for her to be pregnant?

He was going to be a…father? He didn't know how to be a father. He'd never really had one himself – unless on counted Al Mualim, and everyone knew how that turned out.

Vaguely, over the blood pounding in his ears, Altair became aware that she was still talking.

"…And the Templars are already suspicious after that debacle in Cyprus, so if they were to find out I was pregnant…" She trailed off, looking uncomfortable. "I wanted to know what you thought I should do. You are the expert at evading Templars, after all." She added dryly.

There was an awkward pause, when he realized she wanted him to say something.

"You must come to Masyaf. As soon as possible." He said, relieved that he sounded more confident than he felt.

"Masyaf?" She frowned. "That's a little closer to the Templar center of power than I would like…"

"You said it yourself: the Templar's are already suspicious of you. Masyaf is the safest place in the world for you."

"Yes, but…" She shuffled, avoiding his eyes, "Would you…want me there?"

"Maria." He said, a smile playing across his lips, "It takes two to make a baby. This child," He placed his right hand against her stomach, ever so gently, "We'll raise it. Together." He said bluntly. "My love," (She couldn't help but inwardly gasp at this; Altair never used endearments like that) "Come back to Masyaf with me. We can raise our son together."

"Or daughter." She breathed.

His mouth quirked. "Or daughter." He repeated.

"You…actually want this child?" She asked.

"Of course. Why in the world wouldn't I?"

"It's the child of a Templar." She lowered her eyes.

He chuckled again, lowly, "It's also the child of an assassin. Besides," He pulled her close again, tucking her head under his chin, "I stopped caring about your being a Templar years ago, so it doesn't count."

They stayed there for a moment, simply being together, before Maria gently pulled away. "Alright." She said softly. "I'll go with you."

"Then go. Gather whatever you need. We'll leave tomorrow." He kissed her gently on the forehead, like had that night months ago when all this had began. "I will come and fetch you."

"You do remember I live in a Templar fortress, don't you?" She said snidely, baiting him.

"That's never stopped me before." He led her over to the entrance, offering her a leg up.

"Oh, right, now that I'm bearing your child you're going to be the perfect gentleman, are you?" She smirked, but accepted anyways.

"I just know you're a terrible climber."

"And you're a terrible liar."

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She folded the last of her clothes – though why she bothered at all, who knows how long these would fit? Damn assassin. – And placed it gently into her satchel.

She was all packed.

Ready to elope.

With the assassin.

Who killed Robert.

She sighed. What a mess her life had become. And yet, somehow, she didn't regret it. Getting involved with the assassin… She sat down on her bed – she still held enough influence for a private room at least.

He'd changed so much since their first meeting. Once a brash assassin, blindly following his master's orders, now a master, practically the leader of his entire order. Even ignoring that, during the events on Cyprus… his making her see the Templar's true purpose, not to mention the numerous times he'd saved her life from messes she'd jumped into… well, it would be a wonder if she didn't fall in love with him – though she'd never admit it to him.

She'd been scared of that fact, she'd admit. How deeply she'd fallen – he'd killed Robert, after all, how could she possibly love that murderer? That was why she'd run back to the Templars in Acre, proclaiming that she'd change them from within. She snorted derisively. Even then, she'd known it wouldn't work. She just wanted away from the assassin.

Not that it had done any good. He'd always sneak in somehow, whether it be through her window or following her up to the tower…

Her eyes flickered to her window. He'd probably be coming in through there – she should unlock it. Not that it would stop him if it was. Still, she could make his job a little easier.

She flipped the lock, when she heard the door open.

"Well, that's unlike you, actually coming through the door." She smirked, without turning around.

"What else would I come through?"

She froze. That wasn't Altair's voice. That was –

"Stephen. What the bloody hell are you doing here?" And especially now, the blood prick. He just grinned, standing in her doorway like he owned the place.

"Now, now. Is it such a crime for a man to visit his wife?"