Hello! :)

Thank you to all those who are following, reviewing and leaving a favorite. It means a lot to me :) Hopefully you will enjoy this chapter as we discover more about Annora, her past and what role she will play in Haytham's future!

! AC3 Ending Spoiler Alert ! Disclaimer: All characters (except Annora and Marie) belong to Ubisoft, as do the cover images.

V - I will Protect You - Annora and Haytham are visited by Annora's sister who stirs up trouble. Haytham's feelings for Annora grow while he gains her trust, her own past shining through as she has to deal with the painful memories that come back to haunt her.

Hope you all enjoy! ;D - AssassinSuzy

V

'You oppose tyranny. Injustice. These are just symptoms.

Their true cause is human weakness.

Why do you think I keep on trying to show you the error of your way?'

His eyes shifted from the window to the ceiling and back again. Charles was nervous about seeing Annora like he was never before. He was thinking of things he wanted to say to her, confessions and worries. How immensely he cared for her now that she wasn't safe with that bastard searching for Haytham. That he would return with her to England if she wanted to, end all this, escape. Be with her like she always wanted to. But what if he's too late? What if he has to work on gaining her trust again after what he has done to her? All he desired was her happiness, despite being a miserable and cruel man himself. He saw everything in a different light now, a new wave of regrets flooding him. He didn't know if it was a good decision to become a Templar, to risk losing everything in favor of a 'new world'. "I want you to be my new world Annora", he whispered as he turned in the uncomfortable bed. He would see her the next day, and right now, that was his only comfort among the midst of recent events. His only hope.

Wednesday 19th Sept

A loud knock on the door awakened Annora the next morning, the light of the rising sun blinding her vision. Slightly startled, she quietly stepped off the bed, fearing the worst. She rubbed her eyes sleepily, noticing Haytham's peaceful form still slumbering deeply.

"Haytham", she tried whispering again, but this time only a breath escaped as his lips landed on hers.

She bit down on her lips, yesterday's events coming back to her. Her heart began to ache.

"I honestly apologize, it's my fault", Haytham shattered her thoughts, his deep voice suddenly causing her to jump.

"Yes, yes it is".

Another loud knock, this time more forceful, immediately dismissed Annora's thoughts. She made her way downstairs with added haste and soon enough reached the door, opening it ever so slightly.

"Ann? Can I come in?", a red-haired woman stood there, peeking in nervously, exchanging a rather worried glance with Annora who did not expect a visitor so early in the morning.

"Marianne? What- Why are you here? What's happened?"

"I need to talk, I won't be long", the woman spoke quietly, her eyes swollen and her skin pale. Annora let her into the house and they both sat on opposite armchairs, an unusually uncomfortable tension rising in the air.

"What's the matter?", Annora asked, her voice wavering with worry. Marianne was her older sister, who lived with her husband and five-year old son outside Valley Forge. She was the only one in the family who visited after Annora decided to become independent, or rather when she decided to run away.

"I found out that Peter is cheating on me", the woman suddenly cried out. Annora's face instantly sank and turned to immediate anger and resentment.

"But you have a child right? Why would he do that?", when the woman didn't reply Annora reached out and eagerly held her sister's hand, who grasped at it in response, holding back her tears with her other hand. Her palms were dry and chapped, her overall state so much different from the perfect sister figure Annora grew so fond of.

"I don't know, he never said he was unhappy, he never told me anything!"

"Have you spoke to him about it?"

"Yes and he's denying it but my neighbour says she's been seeing him leaving late at night and meeting up with a woman right outside our house!", her words came out rushed while she flew her hands around to support her point.

"My goodness! That's outrageous! If I get my hands on that bastard I will-"

"I'm moving to Boston for now", Marianne stated plainly. Annora instantly shot her a surprised gaze. "I'm taking Ben and moving in with Mother", she finished. Annora's jaw dropped and her heart sank, she would leave her to go live with their mother, the only sister she had left that would bother visiting, providing her at least some company. Everyone was leaving her. She knew perfectly well that Marianne was hurt and wanted to get away from her husband but going as far as moving in with their mother was, it was the worst decision she could make. Their mother hated them. Well she hated Annora. Marianne could always stay with her and Haytham, who was probably staying for another few months, they would work it out somehow. There would be a way. There had to be.

"But- But-", Annora struggled to piece her words, "you could stay with me!"

"I thank you for the offer my dear sister but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I burdened you like that"

"You're not a burden, we would work some thing out right?"

"I'm sorry but I can't", the middle-aged woman replied sadly, Annora's heart sank even more, but suddenly rose when her sister gripped at her palm.

"Ann you should come with me, it's not good to live alone like this without anyone. Come with me please, I'm worried about you", concern was written all over her once pretty face, her red locks flowing to the side. But Annora snapped.

"You know I will never go back to that whore!"

"Annora please, just because she remarried-"

"She cheated on Father and you know it, that's why he left"

"You can't sit around alone all your life Annora, you're a woman for God's sake you just can't! And you know that damn well!" It all suddenly turned into a shouting match. Haytham, now awoken by all the noise, propped himself up, catching every word as it was thrown around.

"Father was everything to me, even if he was an Assassin, he still meant well"

"Mother felt neglected-"

"That's no reason to cheat on someone is it?"

"Being alone will be the end of you Ann!"

"Well why don't you end it all now seeing as my life is so worthless to you all?!", Annora shouted, her armor broken. Haytham gasped for air, knowing what was about to happen, he decided against his better judgement and hastily got himself up despite aching all over. He walked slowly while a mist of silence overcame the room downstairs, suddenly broken by the loud creaking of the stairs under the slow weight of Haytham's tired body. When he finally reached the room, in all his shirtless glory and only with his cotton underpants on, he earned the surprised gaze of the red-haired woman, which could not match the shock he received from Annora. He approached her and decided to put on the most believable act he could, tying his arm around her shoulders and nuzzling his lips in her neck, taking this chance to breathe in her sweet scent. Her cheeks instantly turned a shade of bright magenta and her breath hitched, stuck in her throat just like her heart. He looked over at the rather flustered red-head and gave her a lazy glance.

"What's all this noise for, honey?", he asked casually, referring to Annora, who was close to getting a heart attack. He suddenly spun her round and pressed her small body into his, and with him being much taller, he let her cheek rest against his chiseled chest. Confused and utterly flushed she went along with whatever was now going on, feeling the heat of his skin against her own as she readjusted herself into his protective embrace.

"Annora! You never told me you found yourself a man", Marianne laughed awkwardly and felt guilty from her previous accusations, just as Haytham planned. She bowed her head in all due respect noticing his much older age and he nodded back, reaching out to press a kiss to Annora's forehead, her cheeks burning like fire.

"I don't want you leaving the bed so suddenly", he purred, swaying her hips to the side sensually. She realized by now that he was acting for her sake, to save her from her sister and the conclusion of the argument. He did it for her. She reached up on her tiptoes and pressed her fiery lips to his cheek, feeling the rough texture graze her plump bottom lip. She kissed his cheek again and again, not wanting to stop, all the while throwing her sister a persuasive glance, but not wanting to go any further in case she lost control, using the situation as yet another excuse to touch him or kiss him. However he was satisfied with her expression of gratitude, his body tensing at their close contact, minding the little argument they had the day before. Her lips reached his ear and she whispered, "Thank you". He smiled and craned his neck down to feel her heavenly skin against his mouth, sending a shiver down her whole body, wanting to feel her before she would get out of his grip and escape back to her own world of manners and etiquette, something he began to forget the more time he spent with her. He was taking on his Father's personality, back when he was still a pirate on the Caribbean Seas.

"I'm sorry for intruding Annora, had I known- anyway I'll send you a letter when I arrive in Boston"

"Take care", Annora gasped, barely being able to answer her sister in a civilized manner as Haytham tugged at her ear with his lips violently, his large hands feeling the soft fabric she was wearing as they rested on her waist. He shot Marianne a warm smile and turned to her, Annora still tugged under his arm.

"Please stay! We could have some tea and a chat", he indicated to the armchair that she just got up from. Annora almost slapped him on his side, why would he want her to stay when he was trying to get her to leave a minute ago? Marianne gave them both an awkward glance and sat back down, feeling the pressure of Haytham's less than welcome stare.

"But honey", Annora almost spat in annoyance, "you have just recovered from that injury, you cannot go around walking with that weak body of yours!"

"I can perfectly manage actually", he turned to look at her, his eyes cold for the fraction of a second. She ushered him upstairs with her hands.

"Well if you want to chat so much, how about you put some clothes on?"

"I will", he muttered before disappearing up the stairs, Marianne immediately jumping up and grabbing Annora by the arm questioningly.

"What's his name then? Is it someone I know?", she asked as Annora got herself together and proceeded to making the tea. "He sounds British"

"Yes, he's not from around here actually", Annora kept her eyes away, heating the water up as Marie prepared three ceramic cups, knowing where everything was since she visited often, however not feeling as welcome as always now that she met Annora's man. "And no, he's not someone you know", Annora added quickly, avoiding her sister asking for any more information. She had to keep Haytham's identity a secret, no matter what.

Meanwhile, said man changed into his pants and shirt as quickly as his body allowed him to and looked around for his hair tie, the one he gave to Annora when her saw her the first time. Looking to the side he spotted her tiny vanity table made of dark ebony. It had a circular mirror attached and was carved with intricate details which he did not have a chance to observe closely. Looking down he saw a small wooden frame resting upon the surface with an even smaller painting inside it, in detail depicting a younger girl with her father, a prominent and good-looking man. A white cape was thrown around his shoulder, its corner depicting the Assassin insignia. He could guess the girl was Annora, her features were painted with such fine detail and accuracy, a wide smile gracing her young face. Almost reminding him of the paintings hanged in his mansion back in London, the paintings of his Father and his sister Jenny, still young and alive.

"I never saw such a small painting", he whispered to himself. Hanging on the frame was his maroon hair tie. Knowing he was probably taking too long, he tied his hair and checked himself in the mirror, making sure he undid just enough shirt buttons to look as if he wasn't yet sober, and after a good night spent with Annora. He wanted to dwell on that rather attractive thought a little longer but knew there were matters to attend to, and hastily approached the staircase where he could hear the spark of another argument lit up by Annora's rather intrusive sibling. Without making a sound, he stood and listened.

"As secretive as always Annora, just like Francis"

"Father would turn in his grave at your lack of respect and incompetence!", Annora hissed. She turned to her sister who gave her a loud smirk.

"He was one good Assassin, shame he had no son, maybe then someone would continue his rather flawed legacy", she spat in hate. Annora fumed and was at the point of no return.

"You dare to enter his house and throw around remarks of shame and dishonor? You are his daughter Marie!", she came up close to her while Haytham went down a few steps to get a better look. "You should never forget your place!"

"You know perfectly well why our whole family despised him, he would leave us for months on end without even a goodbye Annora, don't you remember?"

"The responsibility of a great leader and a great man, honored by his inferiors and never once looked down upon by his superiors", Annora came close to her sister's face, eyes dark in pure fury and hostility. Haytham watched and nodded from the stairs, discovering Annora's other side. The side of a born Assassin. Her father's true legacy. If he trained her, who would she become?

"He was born an honored man, and was killed an honored man. So don't you lecture me about legacies or skills", she grabbed for the nearby knife, the clacking of metal prompting Haytham to come down the stairs to witness Annora during her most vengeful moment yet. Her sister's eyes grew in horror, her expression shifting from her previous cocky demeanor to one of the weak prey, being cornered in a dark alley, cowardice shining through. "Or I swear to God you will end up in the grave with that whore of a mother and all your dear sisters", Annora's teeth gritted and she lifted the knife up, Haytham knowing she had perfect control, using the weapon skilfully to threaten her target.

"You are a monster Annora, a threat to us all, we can all now see where Father's training really got you", her sister, flinching at the sight of the sharp object, spat out in disgust.

"I suggest you leave dear sister, and never, ever, come to see me again"

"Rot in hell with all your Assassin and Templar friends Annora", she turned back to walk towards the door, with added haste. Annora was just about to throw the knife but the Templar stepped in and grabbed her arm, urging her to lay down the weapon, now fully knowing the consequences of killing another person out of hate or duty. He didn't want her to be burdened by the guilt for all of her life.

"Leave the ones who believe more in words rather than actions, justice will face them one day", he said as they both on looked her exit, the doors slamming shut behind her, a deadly silence filling the air.

A loud crash of metal turned his gaze to the woman beside him, the knife falling out of her small palm helplessly, tears streaming down her face, her power gone within seconds and her hand latched onto her chest in shock. He noticed how pale she was and how she trembled, her legs about to give way. He suddenly grabbed her and crashed to the floor with her as she fell to her knees. He completely ignored the pain he felt when they crashed to the hard wooden floor, she was the one he wanted to protect instead of himself, for what seemed like the first time. She covered her face with her palms, whimpering like a lost child in the woods.

"Ann-", he whispered but didn't have a chance to finish as she threw herself into his chest in despair, her fingers clutching at his shirt, soaking it with her stream of tears, her breathing quick and jagged. He tied himself around her protectively, pressing her further into his tight embrace, finding himself completely focused on having this strong woman under his wing.

"I nearly- I-", he heard her mutter through tears, "I just wanted to protect Father"

"I know you did", he soothed her hair with one hand, his voice smooth and gentle, "I'm here". He hushed her, somehow reducing the outburst of despair to quiet whimpering. He felt her fingers trace his collarbone as she spoke against his bare skin.

"I'm sorry", she whispered. He reached out to lift her chin up so their eyes could meet. His thumb brushed her cheek, stopping a tear in its tracks.

"Whatever for?", he asked, a sad smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Her eyes gazed into his and she swore she saw a gleam of sympathy in his deep eyes, which were always a perfect brew of pale green and hazel. She shook her head and smiled back, realizing he was there for her, he understood.

"Thank you", she replied instead. He caressed her cheek with the back of his ageing hand and she closed her eyes, embracing this moment.

"I will always be here", he whispered. She smiled, a rosy color appearing on her cheeks.

"Haytham", she looked up as his eyes caught hers at the quiet mention of his name and suddenly she crashed her lips to his for a few blissful seconds to his own shock and confusion, he quickly caught her lips after she let go, covering her soft mouth with his in a fit of desire. She felt his tongue brush her bottom lip but pushed him away before she lost control, gazing into his eyes painfully as if to say 'everything at it's own pace Haytham'. He pressed her to his chest and closed his eyes, disappointed but at the same time glad that she was the one who kissed him. Glad that there was something more. He couldn't help but swear to himself, I will protect you. You who had saved me.

Hope you liked it! Please leave a fave and/or a review if you did! Thank you for reading :3

Till next time!