A/N:

I just realized how my story isn't especially romantic or fluffy, but kinda philosophical and very little of actual OcxConnor "action". Reason is because I don't want it to be like 80% of the stories about AC, where a young and naive girl finds her other half in our mysterious assassin, giving herself to him and his dedication, etc etc. It's not wrong in any way, of course not, but I just want to come with something new. I want to portray the very essential – what we fans love about this gaming series – but with a twist using my own plotline, therefore adding all these extra characters. I hope you like it and please continue to read, follow/fav and review! Feedback is as always much appreciated!

Chapter 6:4

1776, June 28th

Two days passed in a rush and I had no idea how to react when a furious Alex knocked on my door.

I had barely been outside, mostly occupying my time with William and trying to coax out some more information about the "Judicators" but he kept quiet about the matter. He mostly ate and slept, probably recuperating his overseen health from his chase to find Connor, and told me a little of his journey from the year that had passed. I heard nothing of his further goals and he spoke little of else, only to mutter some amenities whenever my aunt came by at home.

I rarely saw my aunt nowadays, being busy with the general good store down the street, and starting a local printing house where she would publish commercials and her poems together with the man she presently was sharing her bed with. When I had brought the sergeant home, my aunt saved me her preaching about boys for once, and told me to let him stay for as long as it was necessary. Since my sixteenth birthday, I had told her about the Templars and the Assassins, and she seemed to think ever in my favor since then, as I no longer had to lie about why I carried a dagger in my backpack all the time and what my dark sketchings portrayed. My aunt had of course threatened to strangle me to death for scaring her with such a revelation, but quickly got adjusted to the truth of what I told her. It explained to her why I always was in a hurry to obey Master Kenway – who she thought was my sword art teacher; yes, she actually let me train with weapons instead of learning how to knit – and I was, unfortunately, told by her how much of an "agreeable man" he was. Maybe she was teasing me, maybe not, but I could impossibly imagine my mentor with any woman at all. Certainly not because I thought he was... you know, but he simply seemed to me like a man completely dedicated to his work.

A true Templar.

The words echoed through my mind as I hurried to invite Alex inside. An immense amount of rain drenched Boston in its haziness and he was soaked to the bones, shaking his head like a dog as he held up a yellowing paper. "Look at what you pitiful people are doing to the world."

The heavy rainfall had almost washed away what letters the ink was showing and I had a hard time studying the article, processing his words meanwhile. His green-gray eyes watched me intensely and I cleared my throat before reading outloud.

"'The suspect has proven himself rightfully accused of the matter of the assassination of George Washington. The penalty for treason is death. Bear witness to his execution..." My voice trailed off as I gasped in horror and stared up into Alex's angry expression. "An execution," I repeated, suddenly feeling dehydrated, and soaked my lips. "What is this? And what are you talking about? Who exactly are 'you'?"

He flung the paper to the ground and gave out a loud growl of frustration. "You are very well aware of what I'm talking about, Melissa, so don't try to sneak yourself out of this," Alex snarled and gripped my shoulders, shaking me back and forth almost violently. "This is because of you and your fellow Templars."

I froze. How? When? ...Who?!

"Where did you learn of that? From whom?" I exclaimed and pushed him away from me. Alex took a step backwards but didn't lose his footing as I had hoped him to. "What's wrong with you? Calm down."

A mocking smirk spread across his lips. "I heard it from a friend of mine, how you belong to this stupid organization and helps them pursue their dream of total domination all over the world," he replied and scoffed. "How distasteful. You and your 'Master' Kenway. Now I finally know the truth about you and it would've been commendable, your act of hiding all of this from me, but it seems now like it has all backfired. What a pathetic group of maniacs."

I hit him in the face.

"Nobody," I breathed as I quickly backed away from him, afraid that he might counterattack me in an instant, but then remembered that Alex was probably the worst fighter in all of America and stopped. He would know nothing about openings and chances in an opponent's attack. "Nobody is allowed to speak so lowly about the Brotherhood," I continued and clenched my right fist, the one I had used to strike him. "Not even you, Alex. I'm politely asking you to leave from here in an instant before I throw you out."

He shook his head and sighed, gingerly rubbing the side of the face where I had hit him, and tryingly turned his jaw from side to side. "Ouch."

"Get out," I warned him and pointed at the door. "Now."

"I'm curious," he said and raised an eyebrow. "How exactly are you to 'throw' me out? Literally speaking? Or do you think I'll just obey you like you always do your 'Master'?"

What has happened to him? He's not the Alex I used to know; he's so filled with hatred, I thought as I stared into his sharp eyes. Where is the boy I used to know? How did he become such a twisted version of himself?

I exhaled. Or was it because I left him in such a horrible demeanor that day? Did I really lose him permanently as I actually wished that day? Or... can I bring him back? "Just leave, I don't want to call the soldiers."

"All of the soldiers currently stationed in Boston are loyal to the Continental Army," he immediately answered. "So what are you gonna do, Mel?"

"She's not going to do anything; I am."

William emerged out of my room, casually pulling out a flintlock pistol from his waistband and aimed at Alex. "I'm not a soldier but a sergeant and it's my right to dispose of violent civilians without issuing a report to my commander," he said coolly, cocking his head to the right. "Even though shooting isn't my thing, I won't miss you from here."

I couldn't believe what I saw. "Hey!" His eyes flickered to mine and I swallowed, not knowing how I should continue. "I thought you were in a coma or something," I muttered and crossed my arms. "Nice to finally hear of you."

He shrugged and approached me while pointing his gun at Alex. "Thanks, Rawling," William replied sarcastically.

"What did you say?"

I turned to Alex and his eyes were locked on the sergeant behind me. He looked like I had punched him in the stomach with all of my force or perhaps hit him in his face again, his face all drained of color.

"Excuse me, but could you be more precise?" asked William and I nodded in agreement. "What is wrong with you today, Alex?" I added when all of a sudden, the realization struck me like a bullet. "Does this have something to do with that Elizabeth?"

"I wonder," Alex replied, ignoring our questions, "what did you call her?"

William leaned against the wall next to me and cocked the hammer of the gun. The mechanic sound made me shiver in disgust but I wasn't ready to warn him not to shoot. Alex obviously didn't listen to what I said and if this was necessary to make him leave, I would accept it without questioning. Something was not right with his irrational behavior and I had an inkling or two about who was behind all of this. Neither did I think the sergeant to be a trigger-happy fool and he would definitely not shoot Alex inside of my house... only I hoped that Alex would think the other way around.

"I said 'Rawling'," answered William and huffed as Alex flinched as he mentioned my name. "Is it offending or anything?"

I remembered the days when Alex used to call me that and understood that he did as well. The two of us quickly looked at each other, then away. "No," said Alex, slightly dejected, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just... an old memory."

"So you two have history?" asked William and turned his pistol towards me then Alex. I grimaced when his attention returned to me. "Maybe I shouldn't disturb and let you two make up or something. The tension in this room is quite vibrant."

"Shut up," I snapped and rolled with my eyes. "Whatever the two of us had," I continued, my voice almost a whisper, "it's gone now and has been for a while."

He shrugged again. "Then what brings you here?" Williams emerald-green eyes suddenly focused on Alex and scrutinized him from head to toe. The sergeant was slightly shorter and skinnier, but nothing of his former lifelessness remained and he stood straight. "If it isn't to meet with this hot-headed little animal-lover," he pointed at me and I was tempted to hit him, "then you must be here to check on me. What has Elizabeth told you about the Templars and the Assassins? Of how much use are you exactly?"

Alex stiffened and clenched his fists. "How did you know?"

"Not hard." William made a disappointed noise with his tongue. "I know Elizabeth better than you could ever imagine. She's a despicable creature and a liar, but also very possessive. I guess she sent you here to check on me which means she wants me back. But you can tell her to fuck off; I've had enough of that bitch's misfortune."

I confusedly glanced between the two men and tried to catch their attention. "Excuse me, but what is going on here?"

Alex ignored me. "But then you should also know that she won't just let you off that easily," he said. "You owe her everything you have."

"I thought so, yes," replied William in an instant. "But now I know I don't." He turned to me and sighed. "Long story, Rawling, and I'll take it as soon as I dispose of the trash. But don't you wonder how your dear friend," he motioned towards an increasingly irritated Alex, "knew about you and the Assassin?"

I grew cold again and stared at Alex in aghast. He steadily met my gaze but I could see something similar to shame in his green-gray eyes. "Is he telling the truth, Alex?"

"I'm afraid I can't object, Mel," he answered angrily. "Elizabeth told me everything."

But how? How does a blind girl know so much? I shook my head in an attempt to clear my head of thoughts and signaled to the door. Since William's grand entrance with the gun, Alex had seemed to be calming down. A strange fury was still boiling beneath though, and it was with utter care I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Could you please leave?" I asked softly, my hands so comfortable with touching him but still not. "I don't feel the urge to see you in..." I paused. "Not in a while, at least. Keep away from me, please."

I thought he would put up with a resistance, a flaming speech, but he gave me a scornful look before quietly leaving.