A Lesson In Love

1644 France

I sat on the top of the left bell tower of Notre Dame, with Alanna. The sun was setting and lit up the sky in a rainbow of colors. The Thames River rolled slowly through the city, as we just sat there and watched the sun fall beyond the horizon.

"I take it you have had an eventful day, if you are beginning to drink wine so early." She looked at me, gray eyes smiling at me through her dark lashes. "I have told you my day, now it is time to tell me yours."

I took another long drink from the bottle in my hand. I was not a big drinker, but today had me shaken. "It is, or was, Darim's birthday."

Her smile faded. "Oh Altair, I am sorry. I know this day is hard for you."

"He would have been turning four the year we were taken. Sef was two. I should have been there to see them grow up. To become men. To watch them have families of their own. Then died peacefully in my bed in Masyaf." I took another long drink, letting the harsh wine collect in my belly. Every year hurt, but it was not as bad as it was now for some reason.

"I should have been allowed to marry, to have a family. I did not even get to fulfill that wish." She hung her head. "I miss your children's laughter. I miss the way Malik would bark at us when we would not listen to him. He was always a sour puss, but a loyal friend."

I held up the bottle to her. "Would you like to drink with me? I have three more."

She gave me a small smile. "I would love to." She took the bottle and I opened a new one. Holding it up, she made a toast. "To those we have lost, to those we have found and to those who have not yet come into our lives."

"A wonderful toast. I have one of my own. To good wine, friends, and remembering lessons we should already know." I smiled at her, tipped my bottle and took a drink.

We sat there, talking, laughing and drinking well into the night. When the last bottle was emptied, she laughed. "I think, my friend, we are out." She tipped it upside down to show me.

I laughed along with her. "I believe you are right. And I believe I am a bit tipsy."

She stood and nearly fell herself, but I caught her. "And I believe I am as well."

Our eyes met, and we just looked at each other, not really knowing what to say. It was like the world stood still and held it's breath to see what our next move would be. Two people, who barely knew one another, thrown into each others' live on a chance encounter, then caring for one another out of need and companionship. I felt a connection to her, a kinship if you will, but there was something more there as I looked into those big gray eyes. I could not describe the feeling.

"Altair." My name left her lips like a breath.

"Huh?" I felt a smile tug at my lips as he held her close to me.

"Would you be terribly mad if I kissed you?" I watched the corners of her mouth curl into a shy smile.

"You will just have to do it and see." I brushed a few stray hairs away from her face.

We both knew it was dangerous waters we were treading in. This could change everything about our relationship. I did not want to lose her companionship, but I had to know what these feelings for her I held. Was it love, or something else? In my drunken state, I was not thinking clearly. The dangers be damned. I had to know.

I leaned down and captured her full lips. She tastes like wine, and something else. Her arms slid up mine and wrapped around my neck. I deepened the kiss and listened to her moan. Pulling back as my rational mind began to come back, I couldn't help but smile down at her.

Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled. "Are you mad at me?" She asked.

"I believe I kissed you. So the answer is no." I rested my forehead against hers.

"Altair, where does this leave us?"

That question never came into my thoughts. "I..do not know. I really have not thought that far ahead. I will tell you the truth. I am not even thinking clearly."

"Then we shall throw caution to the wind and live for tonight. Be damned of what will come with tomorrow's light. We are only human. Well, mainly human... I think?" A confused looked crossed her face, before she scrunched up her nose. "Now I am thinking and causing my head to hurt. We have good wine in our stomachs and so on, and so on. Live your life, Altair."

I laughed at her statement. She was drunk and in turn, so was I. I would not deny it. "Fine, we shall throw caution to the wind. But not here. It is far to chilly to do anything on the top of this tower."

"Then to the inn. We may be able to get another bottle of that wine."

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

I spent the rest of that evening wrapped in her arms. How I had missed the soft touch of a woman. I had been with no others in many, many years. I tried once, in Rome, but it did not feel right. I thought of only Maria. Now, she did not enter my mind at all while I was with Alanna. Was this right then? Could be actually make this work?

Alanna rolled in her sleep, her back bare to me. Her tanned skin shinning in the moonlight. I wanted to stay. I needed to stay, but as I looked at the horizon and saw the faintest hint of light, I knew what we shared was only for the night. We would never share the day as lovers if we were to keep a friendship. I took myself from her bed.

It was one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life. I gathered my things together quickly and quietly, not wanting to wake her. Best I leave before she wakes. I did not want it to be awkward between us.

Pinning a note, I took off for the frozen north. I would see her again in fifty years. I would make it right then.

Sorry I have not updated sooner. I have been sick and between work, I have not found the time to do it. Weekends are my free period, so I am hoping to get more done then. Thank you for everyone who has read this and Reawakening. You guys (and girls) are awesome.