A/N: Well. To start this off, I am terribly sorry that this update took two months to get done. Two whole months. Gah! I'm really, really sorry and I didn't expect it to take so long. Everything's been so busy lately and school's coming to a close, so you all know what that means - exams! Yippie. Anyways, I hope you guys like this chapter because... well, I have no idea when the next update is going to be. I have plenty of other projects on the go - one including a very... interesting collaboration with Googleit6, which will be uploaded here eventually - and plenty of other oneshots that I'm dying to finish once school's over.

And a heads up; there's one paragraph in here that may... Ahem, disturb a few of you to your very core. My beta reader suggested I take it out - but hey, I like the gruesome depth of it.


Chapter Eight, Hold up, Can You Repeat That Once Again?

Desmond lay with his eyes open and stared at the blank ceiling.

Everything he had just been told ran through the younger man's mind. How had he come into unknown contact with other Assassins and not even known it? But what if it was a lie and this golden pass was copper spray painted the colour of betrayal? He had no reason to trust Shaun Hastings in the first place; he had gotten them stuck in this forsaken place after all. And what had that been about Eagle Vision? It sounded like some weird supernatural power in those corny sci-fi movies Desmond had seen previews of, or just even on a poster. Everything seemed off and he wasn't feeling confident in the answers Shaun had given him.

It had been on instinct that he had affectionately put an arm around Shaun. He wasn't protecting the British jerk, but more so the answers that he desperately sought after.

Now, he pulled away, gathering in a sleepy clump by himself.

He needed more answers, but with the way the place was wired, he doubted he'd get them any time soon. He wanted to know how Shaun knew that he was an Assassin, what his position was in all the propaganda. He didn't exactly look like the fighting type of guy and it intrigued him. He wanted to know more things abAUout Shaun and his strange techniques to cover up the exchange of valuable information. Did he do that to everyone? Desmond shuddered and cursed himself for being so undeniably stupid. How could he have gotten himself mixed up in sex when he was supposed to be hiding? Running?

Instead, he was a simple minded idiot, caged under Abstergo's watchful eye.

The place was completely being watched over, not giving anyone a single moment of privacy. Slowly, he turned his gaze back to Shaun, whose chest was rising and falling slowly, matching the tempo of Desmond's own heart. Sighing heavily, he looked away, trying to remind himself that it was this man's fault for his capture. If he had ignored him, pushed him away, he would be back home, getting ready to rise for a new day - with tedious tasks that came with the secret life of an Assassin. It sounded ridiculous, but he ran away from it all and suddenly, he wondered if he was the first Assassin captured. Had these insane bastards captured others, taking them in for their own crazy tests? Suddenly, Desmond felt an instant wave of hysteria wash over him.

What were they going to do to him?

In his lifetime, Desmond had seen a few horror movies. Always rented under his fake name from the local movie rental store; he had used up plenty of nights in watching movies, which he had suspected the 'normal' people spent hours doing so with their friends – something Desmond didn't have. The mad, sadistic scientist traps his victims in the basement, waiting to tear them apart for his own mischievous plans, a scene extracted from any child's deepest nightmare. Was this is exactly like a horror film? Suddenly, a single movie's title ran through his panicking mind.

The Human Centipede.

What if Vidic was exactly like that man...? He even looked a bit like him too – though perhaps older! The sudden thought made a cold sweat break out and Desmond immediately slipped off the bed, looking for any escape. He rushed to the door, trying to figure out a way to open it. He did so quietly, looking for any signs of an exit. But it seemed the whole place was rigged with sliding doors, something he wouldn't be able to open without a key card. Quickly, he scurried into the bathroom, eyes darting to every single corner, looking for a simple sign. A moved tile, a tiny secret lever or button- anything that would help him. Taking in a deep breath, he took a step back from the pristine shower.

There was no way out.

Slowly, he turned back to the bedroom, to find Shaun had rolled onto his side and was snoring softly. Heart beating heavily in his chest, he sat back on the bed. What could he do? Would anyone know about his capture? Would he ever make it out alive?

Time slowly ticked away and Desmond felt himself tiring. Gently, he closed his eyes, wishing to fall away into a sacred heaven, somewhere else other than the bleak Abstergo jail-like bedroom. He felt his heart beat slowing down to its regular pace and he was beginning to feel more rational. But still, the thought prodded at the back of his brain, telling him whatever he was going to do wasn't anything for the greater good. That he wasn't safe – but he wasn't in any danger either. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard the door slide open and he immediately opened both of his heavy eyes.

"Desmond Miles, how nice to see you once again," Doctor Vidic smiled coldly at him, grey eyes sparkling with a demented happiness that reminded Desmond of a murderer. "We've been looking everywhere for you! I had my men tearing apart the town looking for the infamous Desmond Miles, and boy, did they ever tear some places down. No worries, we'll fix them up as soon as our operations are done."

"Interesting..." Desmond replied dryly, sitting up. He glanced at Shaun, who was still asleep, unaware of Vidic's terrifying presence and the pain in his body. For a moment, Desmond was jealous of his ignorance. There he was, in dream land, while Desmond looked up to the tight face of an old man, possibly one of the higher ups in the facility.

"Though, I'm still curious as to who this interesting man is. A friend of yours?" Vidic grinned as he walked over to Shaun, leaning over him. Just as Desmond opened his mouth, Vidic's hand commanded him to stop. "It doesn't matter – he knows something that we need to know." He stood over the British man, staring and only staring, hands behind his back. Desmond bit his lip as he felt himself getting ready to scream, or jump at the man. He knew that wouldn't end very well – what with the big goons waiting at the entry doors of what seemed to be a laboratory. His staring caused unease in Desmond, winding him up as Vidic stared directly at Shaun's eyes, as if he were willing him to wake up. It had been one of the most terrifying things he had ever seen – definitely the creepiest.

Suddenly, he pictured Shaun sprawled out on the cold concrete floor, body bruised from a heavy fight. Mouth askew as he would try to wiggle away, caught in the corner as Vidic would emerge, his white coat swaying as he walked toward the trembling historian. He could imagine Shaun backing into a wall, a small whimper escaping his lips as Vidic crouched down, to be level with him. Shaun would jerk his head away as Vidic placed a single cold, bony finger under his chin, sending multiple shivers down Shaun's spine. He didn't want to picture Shaun getting violated against his own, strong will that was gradually chipped down into nothing by the harsh assault of the Templar's leaders. His naked body would be exploited in front of the doctor's eyes, much to his own sick desire to degrade the struggling man who was fighting for his life. Bruises would blossom cruelly from his torn up shoulder and the insides of his worn out legs- but in Vidic's perverse mind, they would be beautiful. As he touched it, Shaun would only be able to roll his head pathetically, as he groaned in his deep voice, almost a growl, for Vidic to get away. Desmond knew he would lose, be torn apart by the strong, steady hands, skin completely unwrapped, a disgusting mess all over the tiles. And the blood would soak the once pure white walls, staining the material as his body lay in a mangled wreck upon the floor. He didn't want to visualize it so vividly in his head, but he could.

"Ah, welcome back, mystery man," Vidic smiled, snapping Desmond out of his disturbing thoughts. Desmond looked over to see Shaun jump back, knocking into Desmond's leg. Shaun looked over his shoulder and instantly cringed from the pain. Desmond said nothing as Shaun looked back to Vidic, who was finally pulling away. "If you don't mind... I'd like to ask you a few questions. The both of you, while you're awake..." Desmond noticed something in his eye, but he couldn't exactly pinpoint it. But from a wild guess, he figured it was disgust.

"Oh, go ahead. Shoot, doc. It's my pleasure," Shaun answered sarcastically and Desmond felt heavy dread fill his stomach to the brim. He remembered that tone from their quick argument before their... "conversation" as Desmond preferred to call it.

"First off... More a command than a question, but from the people in the upper levels... They've asked me to tell you two to knock it off. None of those... morbidly disturbing sexual acts are to be done here. Do I make myself clear?" Vidic scowled and Desmond had to bite back a laugh. He hadn't actually thought they would complain about that, although, he had figured someone had been watching them through the few cameras scattered on the room's ceiling.

"Yes sir," Shaun replied firmly and Desmond scowled, looking down at him, where he had slumped down.

"Good. Alright – during those... sexual acts," Desmond noticed that the man's cheeks flushed the slightest bit whenever he mentioned it, "what exactly were you saying to one and another? We can't keep secrets around here." Vidic recomposed himself and stared at Shaun, who looked up at Desmond, who was looking back at Vidic. Desmond then cast his eyes down to Shaun, who sat up gradually, hissing through his teeth.

"He was just-"

"Damn it, Desmond, you like that, don't you? The way I touch your rock hard cock... Oh? You want more? Oh fuck, I'll give it to you... If only I could fuck you right now, you'd be in ecstasy, sky fuckin' high," Shaun suddenly spat out, making a pleasurable face to match his teasing tone. Desmond felt his cheeks flush a bright red, even though he knew that was not what Shaun had said at all. But then all embarrassment changed to hilarity as he watched Vidic's jaw drop, eyes like a deer caught in the headlights. Vidic cleared his throat, having been clearly tossed off balance. Shaun smirked when he leaned back into Desmond, nudging the man hard in the stomach. Desmond winced but slowly wrapped his arms around him, very reluctantly doing so. Though, he had to give Shaun props for pulling that off – he was an absolute fucking genius for that. As for this plan, a small gesture of affection, he knew that it was completely unnecessary. Though, he had to comply – what else could he have done? Desmond hoped that he was looking fine, not awkward in the slightest. He was holding a man he knew nothing about in his arms tenderly. Shaun was indeed the 'mystery man'.

"Well... " Desmond could see that Vidic had no idea where to continue, his plan of high class being blown right out the water.

"Oi! I wasn't done you stupid wanker. Where was I...? Oh, right. Oh! Desmond, I-"

"That's quite enough!" Vidic interrupted, scowling as he held up a hand. Shaun smirked and Desmond reminded himself to ask Shaun to finish that sentence for him later. Then he suddenly wondered why he wanted to hear the historian finish it. "You two, get out there – you both have tests to take," he huffed and immediately turned to the door. It slid back open for him and remained open for the both of them to go through.

"Get off me," Desmond mumbled, not batting an eye when Shaun gave him a confused look. Slowly but surely, Shaun slid off him and managed to limp to the door. Desmond sighed and got up and followed behind him, eyes glancing around the large open space. He quickly noticed that the two bulky men were guarding the way out and they didn't look like they were budging at all. Subtly, he looked over at Lucy, who was typing behind her computer. She was pretty, Desmond knew that. Her blonde hair was pulled into a neat bun and her blue eyes were kind and she looked so out of place in Abstergo, from what Desmond had seen. Maybe Shaun had been right about the double agent. For a moment, Desmond wanted to press himself up against the glass windows which replaced the walls, and peer over the streets of wherever he may be. He wanted to look at all the people below him, and be among those lucky, free and unbound crowds.

"Desmond?" Vidic called out for the third time, catching his attention. Desmond finally snapped back to reality and looked back to see Shaun and Vidic staring at him with their eyebrows raised quizzically. "Care you join us?" Desmond nodded slowly and walked over, looking for any signs of surgical equipment. He had forgotten to warn Shaun and he instantly regretted it. What was going to happen to them? Where would they end up? Who exactly was Abstergo and what were they trying to achieve? His mind pounded with question after question that he didn't have the answers for. He needed them and Shaun was his key to unlock the final mystery and its answer. He needed him, more than the historian knew.

"Yeah. What are we doing?" Desmond asked tentatively, looking at the large, light blue and grey machine in front of him.

"You'll be paying a little visit to twelfth century Masyaf, Desmond. As for Shaun, we have other... simpler means in store for him," Vidic replied with a slight smile and Desmond suddenly forgot everything that he had just thought about.

The twelfth century...?

"And this is the Animus. Welcome to the Third Crusade, Mr. Miles." Desmond glanced quickly at Shaun, whose jaw had gone slack for the same reason Desmond had just lost his train of thought. He looked back towards the sleek machine, imagining it from a terrible sci-fi movie. This was definitely not The Human Centipede.

"What... what the fuck?"