Merry Christmas! I finally got my laptop and now I can work on my stories for as long as I want whenever I want! Here's my present to you guys!

*haha now im talking in my head*=thoughts

/now im serious and putting emphasis on these words/=emphasis

Chapter 23: Malik

I was forgetting something. I knew I was. But what?

I absently petted my black mare's neck as we Altair and I approached the holy city of Jerusalem. The sight was always one that left me in awe. The city somehow managed to look bright every time I came even if it was made of stone. It was something I sometimes wondered about.

"Still haven't remembered?" Altair asked.

I huffed quietly and shook my head ever so slightly while I kept an eye out for the guards watching over the market just outside of Jerusalem's gates.

"Do not worry," he murmured. "It'll come to you soon enough."

"Before or after we're dead?" I asked, half joking and half serious. I got no response. As Assassins we had to remember every single detail while on our missions, for our plans and our lives depended on those details, which was why I was so frustrated at how my mind was skipping something.

When we dropped off our horses, which had a small episode where my black horse tried to eat Altair's hood and nearly had me breaking composure to laugh at the look on my friend's face, we stood in the shadow of a stall regarding the guarded gate. I turned and gave Altair a dry look. "We're not going to have a repeat of Damascus, are we?"

He gave me an equally dry look before he turned and approached a pile of crates set right beside the outer wall of Jerusalem. I felt like breathing a sigh of relief: we were going up and over. "Finally got some sense?" I teased as he began to climb up the crates and up on to the wooden poles sticking out of the wall. He only flicked a rude hand gesture at me.

I smiled a bit. He really seemed to be mellow right now. The road trip here had been uneventful to the point of boredom. It was all day on a horse in the hot sun and falling asleep early with one of us on guard. Altair finally heeded my warning after the bandit incident. We had barely talked during the day: just spending the day in comfortable silence.

But nights were a different story entirely. Like any good Assassin the night seemed to work with us the best and had Altair and I talking around the fire and debating and discussing and even a night of joking. It had been a surprise to me that Altair had a sense of humor. It was clear to me that I still had much to learn about my partner and friend.

Once we were inside the city I blinked my eyes to Eagle Vision and looked around while tuning my ears into the chatter whirling around me. I was getting a feel for the area and its behavior at the moment. There was no need to do so in Damascus, nor the time, because it was late and hardly anyone was around and we were being chased by guards. Altair leaned against the cart, waiting, watching me. I ignored him. There were about a dozen guards in the open area right outside the gate, a third of them guarding the gate. It was a lax number of guards. The chatter going on between the people of Jerusalem was meaningless: I heard nothing referring to the Brotherhood or Tamir's recent death. Though I did hear some heralds and men talking about King Richard's victory in Acre and how Saladin was the greatest man ever. All in all it was a very relaxed setting.

I blinked back to my normal eyes and turned to motion to Altair that I was ready. He responded by standing straight and heading over to a nearby church with a tall tower. When I realized he intended to climb it in order to locate the Bureau I lightly grabbed his sleeve and pulled him a different direction. "I know Jerusalem like that back of my hand," I explained at his look. "I have a lot of things that often require my attention here. I know where the Bureau is."

He gave me an odd look but I shook my head and began to lead the way. It was weird for me to have business outside of the Brotherhood, especially for a Master Assassin, but I sort of just accumulated these things over my years. Now it wasn't for-profit business: more like keeping tabs on the going ons of the city. Speaking of that… I added exploring Solomon's Temple to the top of my list. I needed to see if anything of value was left behind from Altair's mission. It had been a few weeks and there most likely wouldn't be, but I would feel better after I checked. Not to mention I had to meet up with Markus… Jeez, how would I find him? Even if he was in the city he could be anywhere.

"Things to do. Things to do," I murmured.

After a good ten minutes of weaving our way through the streets and dodging beggar women, I finally walked around a featureless building until I found the little alcove with the latter. It was a quick trip up and an even quicker drop into the Bureau. I turned to smile at Altair, who was looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "I told you that I know this city," I reminded him.

"That you did," he replied softly.

Without any further discussion we turned and walked into the inner room of the Bureau. It took all of my Assassin's training to not freeze on the spot as I spotted that familiar face. I suddenly remembered what I had forgotten. Whoops.

"Safety and Peace, Malik," I greeted out of habit than anything else. I was mainly focused on Altair's reaction. It was a very subtle change. His back and shoulders stiffened and his fingers twitched, but what worried me the most was how he bowed his head ever so slightly.

"Safety and Peace, Malik," Altair echoed.

The lean black-haired man looked up and placed his quill in the ink pot. I saw the fury and anger leap into those dark eyes as they latched on to Altair. "Your presence here deprives me of both," he snapped, quicker than a whiplash. It seems that I had been forgotten. Even I had the urge to hunch under the venom and hate in that voice. Dear God, I could not imagine how Altair felt that blow. "What do you want?" he demanded.

I could feel Altair struggling to keep his composure as he calmly and evenly replied, "Al Mualim had asked—"

Malik waved a dismissive hand, his only hand, as he turned and pulled a book of the shelf and laying it next to the map he was working on. He opened it and answered without looking at us. "—asked that you perform some menial task in an effort to redeem yourself. So be out with it."

I bristled at how Malik seemed to be acting so rudely and harshly with no provocation. Though I knew he had every reason to be furious. I had seen how very much Malik loved his brother Kadaar. It had been a blow to the man, but that did not mean he could allow that hate to cloud his thoughts and actions as they were now. He was just like everyone else right now, and I did not want to respect him less for that. So I decided to step in and try to remind the man that he needed to act properly. "He has asked that Talal be dealt with," I told him.

It was like I wasn't heard. Neither even looked at me. I felt a little miffed, though I took a deep breath in an effort to keep a clear head. It was obvious that the other two men wouldn't have it.

"Tell me about the one they call Talal," Altair commanded. Looks like his infamous anger was surfacing.

I wanted to smack him. *That's very rude, Altair!* I mentally shouted and mentally shook his shoulders. *You /ask/ for things you need, you infuriating man!* Then I took another breath and all violent thoughts were replaced with thoughts of calmly flying. Though, those went away in a hurry when Malik replied.

"It is your duty to find and assassinate the man, Altair. Not mine." He still did not look up. Instead, he idly comparing whatever was in his book to his map.

And here is where I thought Altair would be mature and concede that yes, it was his job, but it was also Malik's job to point him in the right direction. But no…

"You'd do well to assist me," he growled and I stiffened. That was a threat. Just as the thought crossed my mind he seemed to realize that as well and reasoned his words. "His death benefits the entire land."

Malik's head whipped up as he glared at his former friend and partner. "Do you deny his death benefits you as well?" he half accused, half demanded.

"Such things do not concern me," Altair replied coldly.

Malik's face flushed with anger as he exclaimed with a harsh gesture, "Your actions very much concern me!"

Altair stiffened as his pride took a blow. His hands fisted and he glared at his past friend from under his hood. "Then don't help me," he bit out. "I'll find him myself." I blinked in shock as Altair turned on heel and began to head for the door, fully intending to do as he had said. When his pride was damaged he would do anything to repair it. I had seen that much over the years.

*That escalated quickly,* I thought wearily. I had been trying my best to give them both a chance to calm down and be adults and act professionally, but it was obvious that that wasn't going to happen. Frustrated that I had to step in and mediate between two grown /men/, which was silly seeing how I was the woman here who had absolutely no place doing this, I reached out and grabbed the back of Altair's robes and yanked him to a stop.

My friend turned with a growl, but I silenced him with a very angry, but quiet, chitter. I glared at him and Malik before saying in a calm voice, "You both should be embarrassed that I have to step in. You are both grown men, but you are acting like children. Now grow up before I take a belt to your back sides like the misbehaving children you are. We have a job that needs done and done now before more harm is done." Despite my even tone it was obvious that I was angry. Very angry.

Malik blushed, embarrassed as I had said, and only narrowed his eyes at me briefly in his irritation at being told off. Altair shook off my grip and huffed harshly, glaring at me in his anger. Malik was obviously the more mature as he listened to me first.

"It won't do having you stumble about the city like a blind man," the black-haired man muttered as he picked up his quill again. "Better you know where to begin your search."

"I'm listening," Altair growled, still glaring at me. How childish!

"I can think of three places," Malik began, getting down another map. He was surprisingly maneuverable for only having one arm for such a short amount of time. "South of here in the markets that line the border between the Muslim and Jewish districts, to the North near the mosque of this district, and East: in front of St. Anne's Church—close to the Bab Ariha gate."

I nodded, knowing all the places he had mentioned. Altair was still in sulking silence: he had now turned his eyes to the door with his arms crossed over his chest. Oh dear. It looked like I had a bit of explaining to do. "Is that everything?" I asked politely.

Malik glared at Altair one last time before he set back to work. "It's enough to get you two started," he answered. "And more than he deserves."

Hearing a dismissal, Altair wasted no time exiting the room with angry, but quiet, steps. I sighed silently as I watched him go, knowing that he needed time to work off some of his anger, but also wanting to go after him and comfort him. Sadly, I knew there wasn't a big chance of him accepting my comfort since I had been one of the people who angered him.

There was silence in the room with the exception of the scratch-scratch of Malik's quill. I broke it after a few moments and narrowed my eyes at the man, which he could not see. "That was very much beneath you, Malik," I said.

He glanced up briefly to glare at me, as angry as Altair, only more controlled. "It is not your place to judge, Al-Hira. Leave it well enough alone."

If my wings were out they would have been puffed out like never before. That sounded too much like what a man told his meddling wife. "I will do no such thing," I snapped as I crossed my arms and shifted my weight to one leg. I thought about briefly bringing up my superior rank, but I knew that would be the quickest way to get myself kicked out. "I have every right to judge. To judge the both of you. Altair's actions may concern you, but the actions of the both of you concern me." Malik didn't respond so I stalked closer and planted both of my hands on the counter top. "Listen closely, Al-Sayf. There is more that is going on beyond yourself and you'd do well to remember that. Altair himself is struggling with his own demons such as yourself and the Master—"

I resisted the urge to flinch when Malik slammed his fist into the counter top, snapping his quill and spilling the ink pot. He reared back to glare at me with all of his fury, but I met it with calm and controlled emotions. "Has he lost his only family?" Malik demanded hotly. "Did he see his little brother fight for his life not ten feet from him and could do nothing? Did he see him get run through with a sword and dropped to the ground and spit upon like a pile of shit? Did he see the life bleed out of his eyes and his blood pool around him? Did he? DID HE?!" There was spittle flying from his mouth as he roared in my face, but I didn't react. No matter how I wanted to flee and cry. I hated being yelled at. Hated it almost as much as I hated being in the dark.

Malik leaned over the counter and grabbed a fist full of my robes and yanked me on to my tip toes so our noses were nearly brushing. It was eerie how he went from yelling to whispering, but he did so with the same potent anger in his eyes. "I wasn't even able to get my brother's body. Those damn Templars had dragged him away and dumped him in some godforsaken place. And yet you ask me to pity that fool of a man? The man who has taken everything from me? My rank, my career, my brother, my life?" The last word came out as a whine and I could almost taste the desperation for an answer that shone in his eyes.

Then the anger and emotion disappeared altogether as they turned as hard as stone. "No. I hate that man with my entire being. I will rejoice when he dies. I hope he dies on this foolish quest he is on for redemption that he is not even worthy of taking. I hope he dies the most violent and unbearable death possible before being damned to Hell."

I looked deep in those hard dark eyes for a moment after he finished his rant before declaring, "You're lying."

Anger and disgust flared again before he shoved me away. I took only one step to regain my balance as I watched him pace angrily back and forth behind the counter. "You dare accuse me of lying? You thrice damned motherless—"

I slashed my hand through the air and cut him off. "I only speak the truth, Malik," I told him. "If you do feel as you say you would've told Al Mualim his secret."

"What secret?" Malik snorted, though I saw that flash in his eyes. He knew what I was speaking of.

I only stared at him for a moment before saying it bluntly. "You would have told the old man that Altair had wings and had inhuman abilities." Malik paled as he stared at me with wide eyes. "You would have created events that had never happened to paint him as a demon and a danger to everyone so Al Mualim would've had no choice but to have him killed. You would've spread his secret so far and wide that Altair would've never escaped your lies."

Like any good Assassin, Malik tried to play it off. "You have taken too much sun this day, Al-Hira," he announced. "You do not know what nonsense you speak."

I shook my head and with only a little trepidation and fear I pulled my wings out of my back so that they spread out from under my cape. Malik's eyes widened impossibly as he watched my black wings change to a dirty gold color. "Malik," I began. "You lived with Altair for all of your childhood and up into manhood. It could not have escaped your notice that he had wings and the extra strength. If you truly hated Altair as you said you would've had him killed for his secret."

"No one would've believed me," he breathed, eyes unconsciously pleading with me to let him keep his fantasy.

I denied him. "You would've cut his back open because you knew his wings are just below his skin. You would've stabbed him in the back metaphorically and literally. If you did hate him you would've done so." I paused as I folded my wings back under my skin. "But you do not hate him. Not enough to do all that. And for that I'm thankful." I looked the stunned man over one last time before I bowed my head to him in respect, "Safety and Peace, Brother."

With that, I turned and left the Bureau. I had said my piece for now and got some of the pieces going to repair Malik and Altair's friendship to some degree. The hate between them was a poison like the lies they told each other. And like any poison it needed to be sucked out so that only what was pure was left. My job was done with Malik for the moment. Altair was next, but until he was calm enough to talk to I had some snooping to do.

….Explosion…. Boom boom pow. Malik has a lot of issues at the moment. Anyway, I thought it would be reasonable for Shahin to get involved between Malik and Altair because I thought it was kinda silly how in three short meetings(six if you wanna get technical) they went from hating each other with a passion to being…acquaintances I guess. So I am having Shahin make the process make a lot more sense.

Anyway, Id like to tell you guys that I have another present for you guys! Well, its not my present to give but… I'll announce it. I have been talking to fellow fanfiction author Celiarg and it has been decided that she will be doing Ezio's story while I am working on Altair's story! So you guys get the best of two stories at one time! I don't know what the tittle will be yet, but I do know she is almost done with the first chapter if she isn't already. Just keep on the look out for an Ezio story somewhat similar to mine by the wonderful author Celiarg and get ready to be blown away.

Please Review on both stories!

Merry Christmas!

Safety and Peace, Brothers and Sisters.