Hello! Here is another chapter! :3

A/N: Translations can be found in the A/N at the end of this chapter :)

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

After escaping the Tavern, Ann faces death itself.

Enjoy! ^^

XVI

Her life flashed in front of her eyes and she screamed, knowing it was too late to think such things, no matter what she felt, there was no more time, death was right before her.

And death didn't wait.

"Ann!"

A shout pierced the air.

Ann raised her arms up for protection, her eyes closing, the last thing she saw was the wolf throwing itself at her, then complete silence. She felt no pain, collapsing onto her knees, with her hands still sheltering her face. She thought she was dead, or was going to feel the pain any-time soon, but nothing of the sort happened. She hesitantly opened her lids, eyes immediately widening in shock. She stared, astounded at the man who stood before her, her body completely paralysed. He wore all the familiar equipment, his signature navy jacket, his hidden blades, even his matching cocked hat. On his left cuff he had the symbol of an eagle while in his hand was a long metal sword, the one he must have bought with him, soaked in the blood of the beast that was about to attack her. She looked up, recognising him, unable to believe her own eyes.

"Haytham?" She asked, her voice quiet, startled. He looked down upon her fragile and traumatised form, into her unsettled emerald eyes. He dropped the weapon and slowly stepped towards her, kneeling on one knee in front of her, closely enough for her to feel his heat, to feel that he was there. She relaxed her arms, reaching them out to touch him, he took hold of her forearms though, and pulled her into him quickly, fearing she would disappear if he didn't. He let her tie her hands around him and in his hair, her fingers tangled in his short pony-tail already. Their bodies collided and he embraced her as tightly as he could, her chin resting comfortably on his shoulder as he clenched the lace of her corset at the small of her back, never wanting to let it go. She leaned in and pressed a kiss to the soft skin of his neck, slowly and tenderly, hoping he knew how she felt about him, hoping he still wanted her, hoping they could stay like that for all eternity.

"I was so afraid you would die right there, before my eyes," he whispered into her ear as softly as he could. She nodded, pressing her lips to his neck again. He pushed her away softly after a while and smiled, "everything is alright now, you're safe." She placed her hands on his cheeks, cupping his face gently, his palms responding as he rested them on top of her own, her touch like ice against the fire of the blood that rushed to his skin. They just stared into each others eyes, for the first time having no idea what to say to one another.

"Haytham..," she finally managed to whisper. He noticed how her hands trembled, and took hold of them tightly. She was frightened, like a small lost child, like Connor must have been so long ago. But it seemed Haytham was getting a second chance, and he was planning to protect Ann until the bitter end. He wasn't going to make the same mistakes. He learnt his lesson. Or at least he hoped he did.

He stood up, pulling her with him, onto her shaking limbs. She held onto his arms for support as she found her balance and looked him in the eyes again.

"How did you find me?"

"I went for a walk, don't think I don't know the area as well as you do Ann," he replied, softly chuckling to himself.

"Connor must also be searching for me, I ran from the tavern," she admitted, and when Haytham didn't reply, instead diverting his eyes away from hers, she tightened her grip on his arms. "He started saying things that were out of the ordinary. I didn't understand him at all, and felt very awkward." Haytham still refused to speak, and Ann began to feel uncomfortable. "Why do you stay silent?"

"I don't know Ann, you said you needed time... But do you?"

She let him go and crossed her arms, the past two days were hell. He was all she thought about... If he was safe, if he would wait for her or disappear and leave her like everyone else she ever loved. She dreamt about him, desired him. She imagined his hands, the feel of his skin and even his smell. She would lie if she said she indeed needed more time to think through everything, but what other choice did she have? The man who stood before her ordered her Father's death, but at the same time was the man she was hopelessly in love with. That broke her even more.

"You killed my Father..," she began and then sighed, "it's difficult to get over something like that, you can't even imagine how long I awaited the day I would find the killer."

"I also avenged my Father, if that is what you mean."

She looked up at him and he caught her gaze, there was a certain unsettling distance in his eyes, as if he already gave up on her. She shook her head then.

"I don't want to avenge him, your death, or Lee's death, won't bring him back to me."

"I understand."

"I forgive you Haytham," she added quickly, and his eyes lit up, widening slightly in surprise.

"That... I don't understand."

"I forgive you because like I said before..," her voice turned into a quiet murmur, "I don't want to lose you."

He stared at her, and then before he gave her a chance to say anything else, he took a step towards her and lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger, catching her lips with his own swiftly. She responded softly, as if she expected it, but broke the kiss after a moment, instead preferring to lift her eyes up to stare into his. At that moment she desired his gaze more than his lips. She felt his body against hers as he still held her chin up, tilting her head slightly, observing her.

"You've matured since I last saw you. You've learnt self-control."

"I was always better at self-control than you."

"Point taken," he agreed and smiled.

"I will have the travel papers soon, are you still planning on taking me?"

"Of course... If you wish. My plans for you haven't changed."

"Is that a good thing?"

"That is a most excellent thing, Ann," he replied and brought her closer until their lips brushed again.

"Thank you," she whispered and he hesitated then, seeing the worry in her eyes again.

"I promised to protect you and I will continue to do so until my last breath."

She nodded, somehow disappointed with his response but happy at the same time knowing he was the one who was there for her.

"Ann, don't question my feelings for you, they won't change."

She felt as his hand curved around the edge of her cheek, caressing her skin as his other palm found her shoulder. She smiled and closed her eyes, asking softly, "what are your feelings for me?"

"What do you think?" He replied and let her go. She looked at him with confusion in her orbs. He was not a man who spoke of feelings, but that left him shrouded in even more mystery. "Why do you think I went out looking for you?" He asked and picked the sword up, turning away, unable to look at her without showing his guilt. He felt like a coward for not being able to tell her what really went on in his heart when she told him she forgave him. He felt like the heaviest burden he ever carried was lifted off his heart. Like he could conquer the world now that he knew she still wanted to be with him. After all that happened, she was still there. He couldn't believe it.

"I went for a walk."

He lied. She smiled to herself and approached him, kneeling down to pick the sword up, seeing as he was struggling.

"Your injuries haven't completely healed yet, don't overwork yourself," she muttered and attempted to hand him the weapon. He looked down at her and smiled, refusing to take it.

"It's yours now. I'll teach you how to use it when you return."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I want you to have it," he eagerly forced it into her hands, taking her palm and folding it around the handle. Still holding on, he stepped behind her and guided her hand, swinging the deadly rapier around. She carefully stepped back, colliding into his chest with his arms still around her.

"Thank you," she said and felt as his warmth enveloped her body, she dropped the weapon and looked up, he rested his hands on her stomach and brought her closer. He was glad he was much taller, as he had another chance to take her lips into his and this time not let her get away. She returned the kiss more feverishly than before, knowing that not being with Haytham was worse than anything that ever happened to her. She wanted to just stay with him forever. She turned around, breaking the kiss again. He was slightly startled and looked her in the eyes, realising that he never desired anyone so strongly before. Something shook his heart, and he missed her more than ever. For a second he held onto her, not wanting to let her go.

"Ann... Remember that you're mine."

"I do," she whispered and pressed her lips to his cheek, lingering for a while longer, something in her heart telling her that Haytham loved her despite how difficult it was for him. He smiled at her warmly when he let her go, and nodded in approval, a certain pride growing in him as he watched her take the sword and swing it around on her own before disappearing into the forest with her hand raised, waving at him with a smile on her face.

"I wish you knew... Knew how much you mean to me."

Ann didn't hesitate to make her way back to the Manor, knowing Connor was probably angry with her sudden disappearance, especially as she took so long to return.

When she finally saw the inviting lights of the front porch, she let out a thankful sigh. She knocked on the door a few times, before hearing footsteps on the other side. Her hand struggled to hold up her corset, which came undone when she ran back to the Manor, while she held Haytham's bloodied sword in her other palm. The door creaked open, the lit corridor coming into view as well as Connor's bare chest. She gasped and looked up into his eyes, his own widening considerably when he recognised her in the dim glow. He was half-naked, and very well-built.

"Annora!" He said in a loud voice, trying not to shout, "I was looking everywhere for you, where did you run off to?"

"I'm sorry, I got lost and then..," she quickly improvised, "I ran into a dead wolf."

"You must have run far then, you're pretty fast in that skirt of yours, I couldn't catch you."

"I apologise for the trouble I've caused."

"Don't worry about it, I wanted to talk to you about it but didn't get a chance. I couldn't sleep knowing you were out there somewhere, alone, you left your blades and knife in the tavern. I was so worried," he admitted and sighed heavily, reaching his hand out to run his fingers through his hair. She felt guilty, having to lie and use him and make him worry. He was a man who also had an unrequited love, for her. The worst thing was taking advantage of his kindness instead of letting him go and letting him forget her. She felt too cruel and wanted to end the act as soon as possible. He let her inside and led her to the living room, the fire already lit, illuminating the beautiful decorations and the luxurious furniture. It was warm and Ann quickly approached the heat, carefully dropping the sword beside her feet, reaching her hands out to warm herself up, she never felt so cold. Connor stood next to her suddenly, his arms crossed.

"Where did you find the sword?" The man asked, looking at the object with suspicion, as if he had seen it before. It was very familiar.

Ann took a breath, quickly making something up on the spot, "it was in the dead wolf."

"Why would the hunter leave his weapon behind..," he mused, "he must have been very skilled to kill such an animal with just a sword."

"I don't know, I didn't see anyone," Ann evaded Connor's investigation, the man evidently intrigued by the situation and the woman's story.

"Why did you take it? What if whoever did this," he pointed to the blood stains on the metal, "will want to take it back?"

"It's a sword, I took it because I thought it would have been useful for self-defence, and if he wants it I'll give it back, what's the problem?"

"The problem is that I recognise the sword, yet I don't recall where from."

"Maybe you saw it in a shop or something, why are prying so much into such a little matter?"

He shook his head, sitting in one of the armchairs opposite the fire, watching the woman and sneaking a look at her creamy legs, skin shining in the light.

"What's happened to your corset?"

"The lace came undone when I ran. See... it's ripped," she turned her back to him and he blushed. The lace really was ripped into two, the garment was falling apart while her bare back became visible in the light. At least that wasn't a lie.

"About before..," he changed the subject, coughing awkwardly to get her attention again while struggling to tear his eyes away from her skin, "are you married Ann?"

She looked from the fire to his eyes, seeing how he wasn't convinced about anything she said that night, and then back to the blaze again.

"No, I'm not, but I'm hoping to be one day."

"So I take it that the man you are with is going to marry you."

Such a possibility never crossed Ann's mind, so she half-lied again.

"I don't know. But I hope he will, that's why you must understand that you don't know me Connor, so you are doing yourself great injustice by esteeming me and falling for a woman like me," she spoke solemnly, hoping he wouldn't want to continue letting his feelings grow and attempting to engage in an affair with a woman he barely knew.

"But, feelings change, will I never be able to make you feel the same way?"

"I cannot see the future Connor," she replied, and let out a sigh, "but for now, that man is the object of my tenderness, and I cannot change that in order to satisfy you."

"You drive me to despair... You are the first woman I took such an interest in, yet despite this, I am unable to be with you."

She stepped away from the fire, sitting down with her legs crossed instead, taking the corset off. Her patterned dress - also ripped at the back - was still underneath, but she felt cold nonetheless, hoping the fire would warm her and ease the tension in her body as well as in the conversation between her and Connor, who seemed desperate to win her over. It hurt her more and more, not being able to respond to someone's feelings and give them the hope she once needed.

"I'm sorry that it has to be this way, but I will never change my mind, I will love the man for all eternity."

Connor didn't speak, instead deciding to watch the fire as it crackled, the girl's hands reaching out to the warmth again, closer than before.

"I've arranged the passage," he muttered after a long while. She looked towards him quickly, their eyes meeting. She finally saw the longing in his own orbs, the pain of not being able to get what you want, the pain of not being loved back by the one you desire. She was sure he only desired her though, it couldn't have been love if he knew little of her past and present life. She felt a tear drop from her lashes and hastily turned away to wipe it with the back of her hand.

"Thank you, I-."

"A friend of mine, Marquis du Lafayette, is leaving for France and will be stopping by in England for some time, he is in possession of a war ship which has space for a few passengers. You can tell your sister she is in luck, the ship is leaving in a week."

"A week?"

"Yes, the conditions will be harsh as it is a winter voyage, but the seas have been calm lately as he tells me. I will give you the papers tomorrow..."

She got up, walking over to him, bowing her head gently. When she met his eyes again, she felt the same pain as before. If there was anything she could do to make him realise that he really wasn't in love with her. He was precious to her, but not in the same way as Haytham.

"You're the girl from all those years ago aren't you?"

She felt her heart rise and crossed her arms, turning her head away as if trying to deny it but not being able to. She heard him smirk, they both knew it, but it was considered a taboo topic.

"Yes, I remembered back in the cemetery."

"Is that why you ran away? I thought it was because of the kiss."

"I indeed ran away because of what we did, not because I discovered the native boy from that time. You're still that boy, in your eyes... There's still hope and strength. You knew the man, yet you stayed with me instead, and comforted me. You haven't changed."

"And you're still the same girl, except now you've grown up to be an even stronger woman. But you still cry, despite all that strength. You cry because you know you loved that boy, and you hate the fact that I am still the same, but you love me no longer."

She nodded, he spoke the truth. She was so young, so she considered the boy who saved her to be her love, her protector, like in all the fairy tales Father read to her. But life wasn't like that, she never saw him again after he disappeared, so she gave up and decided to forget the boy who now sat before her as a man. She forgot her love for him, her childish and naïve affection, and grew up without ever imagining how close by he was. If she found him sooner, maybe her feelings would have been different. But what was she to do when she already loved another? She believed Haytham's feelings for her were of equal, if not greater, measure.

He was the Father of that boy, and nothing seemed to matter when she was with him, so she gave up her everything for that nothing and decided to not let herself be swept away by her past again. She decided to love Connor differently, through memories, through her past, and always hold that feeling dear, but never act on it, never let it take control of her. It was for the best, so this time, Connor had to learn to forget.

"I love you Connor, but more like a brother, a friend. It's the love I harboured for you since we met long ago, and it will always be with me. But I cannot betray myself nor the man I want to begin a new life with."

"I'm sorry... For not searching for you, for being too late, maybe if I didn't concentrate so madly on my revenge, I would have you by my side today."

"I hope you find someone you truly love Connor," she replied, giving him a broken smile, "you're too good for me. You don't deserve a wretched girl like me."

He shook his head, "no, don't say that, I will love you no matter who you're with, so that one day I can pass this love onto another." He stood up, startling her slightly, "just please remember me." He suddenly took her hands and pulled her into himself, her breaths escaped in a gasp as she felt his skin against her palms. He held her in an embrace, resting his chin on her shoulder, nuzzling his nose and taking in her scent. He had to remember every little detail about her from how her skin felt against his own to the feeling of her fragile body holding onto his as she tried to keep her feet on the ground, his strength lifting her up. After a while he let her go, keeping his hands on her shoulders, caressing them with unimaginable fondness in this eyes, as if there really wasn't anyone else for him.

"If you ever feel alone or abandoned, return to me, I will be waiting and I will always welcome you here," he said and she smiled again, reaching out in a struggle, feeling as her lips were grazed by his skin as she pressed a kiss to his cheek softly. She lingered though, for a second imagining a life with Connor, they would grow old together, they would stay in America and travel the country whenever they wanted to. It was enough for her, but she knew she would have only lied to herself if she said she would have been happy with such a life. If it wasn't with Haytham, she preferred to be alone. Haytham was much older, he would leave her sooner, but he could still be a Father, he could still be a husband, and a lover. He was her everything, and the more time she spent with both men, the more she began to differentiate her feelings for each of them. The more she knew that her place was with Haytham, whether in America or London.

"I'm glad I met that boy again," she whispered and stepped away, he wanted to take her hand and stop her as she walked away and towards the doors, tell her he wouldn't let her go, that she had to be his, that it was meant to be, but something stopped him. He realised that if he truly loved her, he would let her pursue true happiness, even if it wasn't with him. "Goodnight Connor," she said and he smiled, lifting his palm to feel the skin on his cheek, hoping to feel the remnants of her kiss, to savour them and relive those seconds over and over, in both his dreams and his daytime fantasies. He heard her footsteps as she climbed the stairs, his feet leading him to the doors, leaning on the frame and watching her shadow as it disappeared in the darkness.

"Kwah tokén:'en sén:ta'wh, Annora."

A/N Translation: Kwah tokén:'en sén:ta'wh = Have a good sleep/good night.

More chapters coming soon! :) Please leave a review/fave/follow if you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you! ^^

Till next time!

AssassinSuzy