Hello!

A/N: :3 Sorry for the long wait, I'll try to get chapter 26 up as soon as possible, since this one is shorter than the others. :)

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

Ann discovers that something in her life is missing...

Enjoy! ^^

XXV

'Every gift which is given, even though is be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.'

Christmas Eve…

"That was lovely, thank you for taking me," Ann said, smiling at the man as they walked, side by side, down St James's Street in central London. It was a clear evening, but the air was still chilly and the alleyways layered with ice. Ann held onto Haytham's arm with lively Christmas enthusiasm, as they were just returning from White's Chocolate House after a meal and some hot chocolate, which Ann confessed was a true delicacy. "I didn't know they'd let me in, since I'm a woman and that certainly looked like one of those gentleman's clubs you told me about."

"I have my ways you know," he admitted, "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

"Of course I did, the chocolate was delicious, I've never really tried anything like it."

He was dressed in his usual attire, it never seemed to change, except for his tricorn, which he let Ann borrow since no one was around at that hour anyway. She had one of her many winter gowns on, patterns of emeralds and wine reds shining in the few lamplights. She styled her hair in a loose up-do, convincing Julie she could do it herself, and wore the warm silk gloves Haytham bought her the previous day when they went shopping.

"It's a beautiful night yet the streets seem so empty," she muttered.

"Yes, everyone must be celebrating with their families; See? All the windows are glowing with light," He replied, reaching his hand out to point at the terraced houses that lined the streets, decorations lined window-sills and fiery hues were escaping the glass; The street may have been empty of all life, but what went on inside was a complete contrast to the abandoned streets of London. She gazed even higher up, smoke was indeed escaping chimneys, and faint sounds of laughter and chatter could be made out from inside the buildings. The city was truly alive with the Christmas spirit, and Ann's smile seemed to fade as she struggled to remember the last time she celebrated anything like it with her own family, or what was left of it. Everyone was rejoicing with their close family and friends, exchanging gifts and sharing a meal, no matter how far they might have lived from each other, or how little they saw of each other, they still came together at that specific time of the year, still found a moment to tell each other they cared. To put a smile on their child's face as they gave them a gift which never failed to express their love, no matter how rich or poor the family was. She only remembered one occasion when her and Father sat by the fire on Christmas Day, he gave her a small music box he carved himself, it was one of the few gifts she ever received from him - and a special reminder of him - and she packed it along with her clothing for the journey to London. She made a mental note to search for it later, but the smile that faded from her lips didn't return.

"Ann," Haytham spoke up, stopping mid-step as she kept on trotting down the path, staring into space. "Ann!"

"What?" She asked, suddenly woken from the trance, noticing he was steps behind her, waiting and looking at her with worry in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I was daydreaming." Her voice wasn't convincing so when he caught up to her he stopped her from walking ahead, instead grasping at her arm and bringing her closer. She gazed up into his eyes quickly but looked away, completely giving away the fact that something was bothering her.

"Is everything alright? You seem like you're in a different world."

"No, I- I was just admiring how lively the houses are and… Yes, everyone must be enjoying themselves, with their families," she stuttered but couldn't force herself to smile.

"Ann," he whispered, his palms landing on her shoulders, caressing them softly, "Ann, I know you miss your Father.'

"It's not that, It's not."

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know, it just… Knowing all these people are with their families, and I'm not, because I don't have a family, it just upsets me," she whimpered with reluctance.

"I'm your family, have you not realised?" He asked slowly, lifting her chin up with his thumb, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

"I do," she countered, "I'm sorry if that came out wrong."

"No, don't apologise, I know what you mean, I too always felt that way, thus I never really celebrated Christmas."

"Me neither, not when Father died."

He pulled her in all of a sudden, tying his arms around her as she felt the warmth of his coat against her cheek, her fingers digging into the fabric, eyes closing after a moment.

"We have each other and we can celebrate together, we're family."

"I know," she whispered. He let her go after a while and reached out to caress her cheek, wanting her to smile again. "In my life, I only ever wanted a family."

"I actually wanted to ask you-."

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," to Haytham, a sickeningly familiar voice spoke up out of nowhere, prompting him to immediately take a step back from the woman. They both quickly turned to look at the source and noticed Francois approaching them, his hands stuck in his jacket pockets, his expression smug as if he just caught them doing something out of the ordinary. Ann felt more than awkward, it was the wrong time and place, and she certainly didn't want Francois to have heard any fragments of the conversation she just tried to have with Haytham. Out of nothing more than etiquette she bowed her head to him for a few moments, noticing he eagerly returned the gesture.

"No..," Haytham replied with a slight undertone of annoyance, "you haven't."

"If I had known I'll be seeing you here, Miss," Francois turned to the woman, "I would have brought along a suitable gift."

"There is no need," Ann said quickly. "I have everything I need, and there is nothing I want."

"There is always something we might want though, isn't there?"

"We were on our way to the carriage, and since it's getting dark, we want to resume the journey home," Haytham interrupted.

"I understand," Francois muttered, his expression as if sinking, "since I will be under your tuition from the New Year onwards, Master Kenway, I decided to thank you with a gift which I had delivered to your Manor. I hope it will do in exchange for the great service you are providing me."

Haytham had to stop himself from glaring at the younger Templar, but instead nodded his head and put on a polite smile in the form of a thin line on his lips. "Thank you, that's very considerate of you."

"I will see you another time, excuse my interruption; Merry Christmas, Anne, Master Kenway," the French-man replied and exchanged a glance with the surprised woman. He brushed past her suddenly, their arms making deliberate contact, and he stood very closely to her for a few moments. "I'm glad we could see each other again, Miss." He disappeared straight away after murmuring this to her, his tall form disappearing in the evening shadows. Haytham grabbed her by the same arm, a gasp escaping her lips when her eyes suddenly darted to his own, their shade surprisingly different.

"I may have no reason to hate him, and I cannot, knowing he is a fellow Templar brother, but damn that bastard to hell for he is a despicable man."

"Haytham…"

"Many years ago, I was visiting White's with my family. It was my eighth Birthday, and my Mother, Father and sister were with me," he began explaining as she looked towards him with hopeful eyes, for it seemed like the first time that the Templar was opening up to her about his dark past. "My Mother was attacked, the mugger wanted to steal her necklace but my Father let him go…"

"I-."

"That day Father asked me if he did the right thing, if indeed the thief should have been freed like that from the consequences of his actions."

"What answer did you give him?" Ann asked, Haytham quickly catching her gaze after he spent a while staring into the distance, in deep thought.

"I wanted to enact revenge on him, he ignited in me a fear over my Mother's safety, I couldn't imagine why someone would want to hurt us, hurt her..," he replied, "but then I thought over it for a second, I could see it in my Father's eyes, he wanted something else, he wanted to see if I was ready for something which at that time I was unaware of. So I told him I would've offered the thief clemency, because I realised that everyone deserved a second chance."

"I see, so you know you should offer that clemency again, to Germain," was all Ann could muster up. She took a step forward and reached her hand out, softly grazing the surface of her knuckles against his own, "you must have really admired your Father."

"Yes, I did, but I wonder where the me from all those years ago disappeared to. Since when have I stopped being merciful? Where did that man go?"

"I'd say he's right here," Ann murmured and noticed as a smile played with the corners of his lips, something in his eyes changing, as if a new speck of hope was being born out of those few words of hers. "Maybe you got lost along the way, maybe you didn't have anyone to remind you of what you once knew, but the good in you never left to begin with."

"Thank you," he said.

"I'm here for you."

"I know," he whispered and brought her hand up to his lips, "you're all I need this Christmas Ann…"

"Let's go home Haytham."

They began walking again, this time her hand tightly holding onto his, unable to contain the happiness she felt when he shared even a glimpse of his past with her. From time to time he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and caught her smiling again, just like he wanted her to. At that moment he really felt what could only be described as relief, like a heavy weight fell off his heart, he finally had someone who would listen, and he was eager to give her snippets of his life, to keep her wanting more. He knew - as a reward - he would indeed enjoy an interesting night with her... Yet, for one reason or another, which he was still blindly unaware of, nothing was better than holding her in his arms as she fell asleep.

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Till next time!

AssassinSuzy