A warm breeze made the tree branches rustle in the night. The sounds of the crickets and frogs could be heard from the lake, giving the area a peaceful aura. Normally, this would have been a soothing sound to Connor. But now, he was terrified. He hugged his father's briefcase to his chest, leaning back against a tree, wondering what to do.

You're an idiot! Achilles told you not to do this!

Connor thought about what could happen. He could get killed. What would his father say to his grandmother and everyone else if he got out of this? His mother would also kill him again when he saw her in heaven or wherever. And what about Ellie?

He regretted his decision immensely. This was a horrible idea.

Connor bit his lip and looked down at the briefcase. He could just wait on the side of the road for the FBI and apologize to Altaïr. But, he did not know whether they would show up on time or not.

He stood up and began to walk toward Lee's Park. His knees felt like they would give out any moment. He took a deep breath and tried to steel himself. He could do this. He was an adult. He faced these goons before with just a tomahawk and his fists.

Remembering his father's advice from a couple months ago, Connor stood tall. 'It's alright to be afraid, but don't kneel down before your fear and let it be your master. Defy it and rise up and be something more.'

Connor took more confident strides now.

A weight suddenly fell on his shoulder and he almost yelped. His body reacted before his mind did. He grabbed the person's wrist and tried to throw him over his shoulder, just like Achilles taught him to. But, this person knew how to fight.

Connor soon found his arm being twisted into an awkward angle.

"You were stupid to run."

Connor looked over his shoulder in surprise. Altaïr's golden eyes glowered down at him.

He let Connor's arm go and Connor took a few steps away.

"Why?" the agent asked, cocking his head and taking a few steps as well.

Connor shook his head, not really knowing why. He gulped down the lump in his throat. His heart was leaping around in his chest. "If they spot you, I can lose my dad and best friend."

Altaïr shook his head, looking exasperated. "Connor, do you think we don't know what we're doing? Besides, this sicko most likely wants to hurt you to get to your dad. Didn't you ever consider that? Why else would they want you to bring that shit here?"

The realization hit Connor.

"Dad did something bad to help Jenny, didn't he? He had to if he pissed them off this much." Why did his father have to be an expert at pissing people off?

Altaïr looked at him in surprise. "You mean he never told you?"

Connor shook his head. "He only told me he had to help her get out of her situation!"

Altaïr shook his head. "Dammit Haytham!"

"What did my dad do?!"

Altaïr took a deep breath before finally looking at him again. "You're dad basically caused the undoing of this gang's power in the Middle East."

Connor honestly wasn't that surprised.

"You're lucky that the rest of the team isn't here yet. We still have time to do it your way."

Connor looked at him in shock. "What?"

"You're going to go in alone and I'll back you up. We have about 15 minutes before the rest of the team gets here. Does your dad have anything else besides those papers in his briefcase?"

Connor put the numbers in and opened it. Altaïr tilted his head. "Huh, looks like he was expecting this." He frowned. "What's with the hatchet?"

Connor shrugged. "I just felt better with it here."

Altaïr arched a brow, but didn't say anything else.

"Okay, you're going to stick that pistol in the back or your pants. Make sure you can pull it out easily. You only have five minutes. Just do what they say; we'll make sure you all get out of this alive." He held out a microphone and recorder. "You also need to put this on. We'll need evidence."

Connor did as he was told. His heart was racing even more now.

Hopefully this could work.

Haytham forced himself to keep his mouth shut as Warren Vidic took Cross' spot across from them.

"How are you Haytham?"

Haytham bit his tongue.

"Did you say hi to Jenny for me?"

Haytham moved his wrists; slowly making sure the clasp of the zip tie was hovering above the space between them. It shifted along and he finally stopped fidgeting when the zip tie was in the proper position.

"I know the FBI will be following your son here, so this could get interesting. How is Holden? I am curious, since you burnt down a building to save him and all."

Haytham heard the kids let out small gasps.

"Ask him yourself when he takes your bloody arse to jail."

Vidic chuckled. "Is that all you can come up with? I know you can do better than that."

"I don't bother with twats like yourself."

"Oh really? Because it seemed like you seemed to bother a great deal when you infiltrated our house in Jerusalem and released merchandise that cost over three million dollars, Haytham."

Haytham felt sick to his stomach. So, his sister and all of the people he and Holden helped, were just merchandise? "That's what happens when you call my sister merchandise, you-"

"Now now, let's be civil. Do you want to know what exactly is on those papers and the disk you stole?"

Haytham tilted his head. "Amuse me, twat."

Vidic shrugged. "I don't respond to that, Mr. Kenway."

"Then I don't want to know, because I refuse to call you anything else."

"You really don't want to know?"

"No. I want you to let these kids go. They have nothing to do with this."

"Nice try, Mr. Kenway, but Miss Stillman needs to be punished for what she almost told you."

Haytham tried to think of how to get the kids out without them getting hurt. He could care less about himself at the moment. "Listen, you sick fuck, this is between you and me. Do what you want, but keep the kids out of this."

"Who the fuck do you think you are Kenway?" Cross shouted, pointed a gun in his face.

"Someone who ruined your boss," Haytham snapped, glaring up at the man.

As he stared down the barrel of the gun, Haytham suddenly remembered why he shouldn't be so reckless.

Connor.

He would be damned if he let him and Ziio down by being shot now.

"Say one more fucking word Kenway."

"Daniel! Now is not the time for this. Let's wait until Connor arrives."

Haytham's heart dropped to his feet. His son was going to be in danger because of him. His throat closed up and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He couldn't even take care of his own son. Everything he did in the past to protect him has gone to waste.

"Stop!"

Haytham whipped his head around and for the first time since this started, he felt terrified.

Connor was standing on the edge of the picnic area and the briefcase was in his hands.

Connor's heart was racing at the speed of light as he took the situation in.

Cross had a gun pointed in his father's face and his friends looked terrified.

Haytham had what looked like dried blood running from a spot on his temple down to his jaw and everyone's hands were ziptied.

Connor frowned when he saw Dr. Vidic from Skidmore sitting at the table. No, no way.

"Hello, Connor. I was disappointed that you didn't choose Skidmore. I would have loved to see your father's face near campus more. I might have even helped you into a good study abroad program."

Connor felt sick. He shoved the feeling aside and remembered to say what Altaïr told him to say. "I have what you want. Let them go and you can have it."

Vidic beckoned to him. "Come closer, I need to make sure you aren't playing a mean trick."

Connor walked forward, stopping ten feet away from the table, again, just like Altaïr said to.

"Now, is there anyone here with you?"

"No," Connor answered, shaking his head. He wondered when Altaïr would show up. The agent didn't tell him that.

Cross pointed the gun toward him. "Are you fucking lying?"

Connor shook his head. "No!"

"If you don't stop pointing that damn thing at him, I'll-," Haytham growled.

Vidic held up a hand. "Now, Daniel, I'm sure Connor here has better character than Mr. Kenway. Connor, would you please put the briefcase on the table?"

Connor took deep breaths trying to relax. He avoided looking at his father as he set the briefcase on the table. He looked at Desmond, trying to look brave.

Desmond looked like he was terrified yet pissed off at the same time. Lucy looked terrified as well.

Connor was just glad he wasn't the only one.

He stepped away back to his spot.

"Now, Mr. Kenway," Vidic paused.

Cross pointed his gun at Connor again.

Connor's heart leapt up to his throat. He tried to reassure himself and remember that he had a gun in the waistband of his jeans. The tomahawk was there as well.

"Get them out," Vidic growled, glaring at Haytham.

Connor gulped as his father reached forward and put in the code. The briefcase opened with an ominous click.

Vidic quickly swiped the briefcase away from Haytham and pulled the papers and floppy disk out. "Ah, I've missed these," he said, looking through the papers.

His brow suddenly furrowed. "What the-?! These are fake!"

Before anyone knew what was going on, Haytham quickly swung his hands, backhanding Vidic in the jaw. He kicked Desmond and Lucy over so that they fell to the ground near the picnic table. Cross pointed the gun back at Haytham and Connor saw his chance. He quickly grabbed whatever weapon came first. The rough handle of the tomahawk met his fingers and Connor threw it without thinking.

Memories of when he and Josh would throw hatchets at trees came back to him as the tomahawk sailed through the air. The blade imbedded itself into Cross' shoulder and the shot went wide. Cross shouted in pain, cursing as he pulled the tomahawk out and threw it aside.

Haytham quickly jabbed his forearms toward his hips. A loud snap sounded throughout the air and the broken zip-tie landed at Haytham's feet.

Haytham grabbed the briefcase and swung it toward Vidic's head. A sickening thud sounded as the briefcase connected with Vidic's temple.

Lucy rolled to her feet, swinging her foot up and knocked the gun from Cross' hand.

Desmond dove toward the gun, successfully snatching it off the ground. "Lucy! Run!" he shouted.

Connor pulled the pistol from his waistband and pointed it at Cross. He hoped he wouldn't have to use it.

Cross pulled another gun out and shot toward Lucy. Lucy had hidden in the trees by that time.

Another shot sounded out and Cross fell with a yelp of pain.

"Drop the weapon, Vidic!"

Connor almost collapsed with relief. Altaïr was there.

He looked toward where the FBI agent's voice came from and was shocked to see that his lip and eyebrow were bleeding. One of his eyes looked like it was turning black quickly.

Connor looked toward Vidic again to see the older man holding a gun and aiming it toward Haytham.

Vidic's lip curled. "Where are they? Where are the passwords?!"

Haytham shrugged, looking smug. "I burned those. These are copies and I erased everything on the disk. I knew you would crawl out of your hole to find them. The FBI used Jenny to find out what they were, and your bank accounts are empty."

"What?!"

"Drop the weapon!" Altaïr shouted again.

Connor looked around to see more FBI agents coming into the clearing. He saw Miles heading toward Desmond.

Vidic let out a snarl and pointed the gun toward Altaïr.

The shot of another gun sounded out and Vidic fell. Everyone looked at the shooter in shock. Desmond glared at Vidic, slowly lowering his gun.

FBI agents ran toward Vidic and Cross.

Connor didn't bother to see what happened next. He ran toward his father.

"Are you okay?" he asked breathlessly, trying to see if Haytham was hurt.

Haytham's eyes met his. "I've had worse. Are you alright?"

Connor nodded, suddenly feeling very tired.

It was over. It was finally over.

Haytham winced in pain, sitting down at the picnic table.

Connor immediately knew his side was hurting him. Altaïr suddenly walked up to them and tossed something towards Connor.

Connor caught it and blinked in surprise to see that it was his father's pills.

"Take care of your old man for a few minutes," he said with a smirk.

Connor handed the pills to Haytham, shaking his head in amusement. He sat down across from his father, sighing in relief.

They sat in silence for many moments. "I'm sorry, Connor."

Connor looked at Haytham in bewilderment. "What?"

"For putting you through this."

Connor saw the shame and sadness in Haytham's expression.

"It's not your fault. It's not like you asked these psychos to do this."

"Yes, but I couldn't even keep a simple promise to your mother."

Ah, that explained it.

"She wouldn't have blamed you."

Their eyes met again and Connor could see his shoulders slump down and he exhaled deeply.

Connor really believed that his mother wouldn't have blamed his father for all of this. Life just sucked sometimes and there was nothing anyone could do about it.

He looked down at the briefcase sitting between them on the table. "So, are your passwords Mom's birthday or is that a coincidence?"

Haytham let out a small chuckle. "It's not a coincidence."

Connor smiled a little. He was trying to ignore the fact that he was shivering now. He suddenly felt a light weight settle on his shoulder. He looked to see an agent smiling kindly at him, letting go of the blanket. "You did well."

The agent looked at Haytham and shook his head. "You seemed to have passed on your knack for getting in trouble to your kid, Kenway," he laughed.

Haytham scowled at him. "Bugger off, Holden."

Holden shook his head and patted Connor on the shoulder. "You're probably shaking from the adrenaline, kid. Just give it time to run its course. Also, you know we're going to want to take you both in for questioning, right?"

"Thank you, Holden," Haytham said, clasping his fingers.

Holden nodded and walked away toward where Miles and Desmond were standing.

Connor sat with his father in silence. He looked back at the tomahawk that was now lying on the ground. Connor wanted to pick it up, but he knew that the agents probably wouldn't appreciate it if he did.

"Why the tomahawk?" Haytham suddenly asked.

Connor shrugged. "I just felt safe with it."

Haytham grinned and looked down at his hands. "I suppose you want to know what happened in Jerusalem, hm?"

"That would be nice," Connor said. What in the everliving hell did his father do to piss of this many people?

Haytham sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I promise that I will tell you as soon as we get home. Now is not the right time."

Connor nodded in understanding, glancing toward where Desmond was standing with his own dad. Their eyes met and Connor tried to give Desmond an encouraging smile. Desmond grinned back and looked at his father again. Lucy was being escorted by Holden back toward where he assumed the FBI's cars were.

Connor let out a yawn.

All he wanted was a good bed to sleep on now.

It seemed like years before Haytham and Connor were finally allowed to go home. Connor still felt like collapsing, despite the multiple naps he took at the Bureau between interrogations and the hospital visit.

They walked into the house to find that everything was put back into place. Even the tomahawk was back on its place on the shelf. Haytham walked into the kitchen, picking at the bandage over his temple. "Come on, it's about time I told you this."

Connor followed his father into the kitchen, plopping down into a chair.

Haytham made tea and set a mug in front of Connor before he sat down with his own across from him.

They sat in silence, slowly sipping tea. Haytham finally spoke. "Shortly after your aunt disappeared, I met a man whose sister had also disappeared. That man was the agent you met, Holden. He wasn't a part of the FBI at the time, but he knew how to get around. He promised to tell me anything he found out. This was long after I started seeing your mother and I didn't hear from Holden the rest of the time we were together.

"Shortly after we separated, though, I received an email from Holden, who was now an Agent at the time and all the email said was; "I found them." He also left instructions on where to meet him. I was still on an emotional downward spiral because of your mother leaving, so I gladly cancelled everything and left. I didn't give a shit about what was going to happen or how I was going to help Jenny.

"I met him at an airport and the next thing I knew, I was traveling to the Middle East. Holden then informed me of how these bastards were tricking students into thinking they were studying abroad when really they were being trafficked. He then told me that he knew my sister was in Jerusalem and he believed that finding her would lead us to his sister.

"We landed in Jerusalem and spent two weeks trying to find Jenny. Holden found the trafficker's men and he and I interrogated them with…certain methods. They told us where they were keeping her in one of the houses the bastards owned. She was too old to traffick so she was in charge of taking care of the 'merchandise'."

Haytham paused for the first time since he started talking and Connor saw the knuckles on the hand holding the mug handle turning white. Connor understood why his father was angry. He was honestly shocked that his father, a smart, sophisticated, stuck-up lawyer, had dropped everything and traveled around the world into a situation where he could have been killed.

I was still on an emotional downward spiral because of your mother leaving…

Connor waited patiently for his father to continue.

"Jenny recognized me and helped us find Holden's sister. The traffickers caught him while we were helping people from three houses escape to a nearby embassy. Jenny and I went back after we ensured everyone was safe. We found him at a trafficker's hideout." Haytham paused again and Connor could literally hear his teeth grinding together as he clenched his jaw.

He took a deep breath and Connor slowly saw the tension leave him. Haytham itched around the bandage on his temple and he looked lost in thought. He finally met Connor's eyes again. "They did horrible things to Holden. They made him a eunuch, then tortured him to try to find Jenny and I. I broke into the warehouse and got him out. I didn't hesitate to steal those papers and that floppy disk, because Jenny knew they were there." He paused before saying, "And then, when I was finished, I set the building on fire."

Connor stiffened. This sounded like a horrible version of the movie Taken, and his father was Liam Neeson's character on drugs.

"We never found Vidic, but we did find Reginald Birch. Holden used his resources to land him a spot in prison. I also gave the papers and disk to Holden so the FBI or CIA or whoever could use them to find the bastard. They were given back to me when they seemingly proved useless. Jenny was refusing to have anything to do with them at the time. We returned home and I found out about you four months later."

Connor put his head in his hands, trying to take it all in. "You're just a lawyer slash championship fencer! How did you manage to do all of this?!"

Haytham sighed. "I learned quickly with Holden. I was surprised at myself at first as well, but I was damned if I was going to let Jenny stay there any longer than she had to be."

Connor looked up at Haytham again. He suddenly saw his father's inner-demons in his eyes. Anger, guilt, and sadness were there. Connor couldn't find it in himself to say what his father did was completely wrong, but burning down a building was a little too far. "D-did anyone…die in that building?"

Haytham rubbed his forehead, letting out a deep breath. "Most likely."

Connor stared down at his mug. "Do you regret it?"

A heavy silence filled the air as the question hung over their heads like a dark cloud.

"Every day."

Connor looked up, studying Haytham's expression. He knew how good of a liar his father could be, but he knew that he wasn't lying about this.

"Is this one of the reasons why you and mom decided it would be best for her to have full custody?" he asked.

Connor had to know. He just had to know.

Haytham nodded. "I didn't want to put you and your mother in danger," he explained. He suddenly shook his head. "It's funny," he continued, his voice sounded like he was choking up, "I do that, and all of this shit happens when you're finally in my life and she's gone."

Connor suddenly realized why his father was saying this. "Is that why you never tried to fix things with her too?"

Tears were in his father's eyes as he nodded and Connor felt his own throat tightening and his heart rate started to pick up.

"Did she even know?" he managed to choke out. Did his Ista just believe that Haytham didn't want to be with her anymore because of a stupid argument?

Haytham shook his head and Connor realized that tears were starting to trail down his own cheeks.

He didn't know whether to be angry or sad about this. He knew his father did it to protect them, but it was completely unfair to him and Ista.

"So she believed that you just didn't want to fix things the whole time? This was why I found her crying when she thought no one was looking?!" Connor forced himself to growl. He couldn't keep these thoughts inside. He clenched his fists, trying to calm down. His knuckles soon hurt from the effort.

Haytham looked him in the eye. "I don't blame you for being angry at me. I wish I could have replayed that whole part of my life. I wish I could do that every day, but I finally just accepted that I just can't. I'm not going to weep over what could have been and now my only focus is to make it up to her in every way by being the best father I can be. I know that sometimes I am a shitty father, but let me tell you, Connor. I try my best because I know what I did was wrong and this is the only way I can right my wrongs toward your mother, if I ever can."

Connor knew that he wasn't getting the whole story. "What did you tell her? 'Sorry, we just won't work out. You can keep the kid.'"

Haytham looked like he was just slapped. Connor didn't regret his phrasing. He had to know. He was sick of not knowing.

"I said horrible things to make her not want to be with me, Connor. A part of me died with every word I said to her."

"What did you tell her?!" he exclaimed. Connor kept picturing the times he found his mother crying. He had to know why.

Haytham looked like he was having an inner-war with himself when he didn't answer right away. He finally returned Connor's stare and said, "I told her I didn't give a shit about her culture."

Connor felt like he was just punched in the face. He just stared at his father, not believing what he just heard.

"What?" he whispered. No, he didn't want to believe this. His father always seemed interested in what his people believed. This can't be the same man.

Haytham looked fully worn down and ashamed now. "It was the only thing I could think of to keep her away. I hate myself still and I wish I could apologize to her with all my heart."

Connor couldn't answer. He stared down at his mug, trying to imagine how his mother must have felt. No wonder she never let him see his father. That was why his people made sure he never was allowed near her.

No wonder she seemed so angry and sad whenever he asked about Haytham.

"Connor, I won't blame you if you want to move back to your grandmother's before you go to school," Haytham said quietly.

Connor whipped his head up in shock. He actually was considering it for a moment; he was shocked that his father knew. He thought it through. Sure, he could move back to the Reservation for the summer before going to college, but he felt that it would defeat the purpose of why his mother decided to have him live with his father.

The statement was now the dark cloud hanging over them.

"I don't want to," he finally said. He had come this far with his father. And he knew why his father did the things he did now.

Haytham looked thoroughly shocked, for once. "You don't?"

Connor shook his head.

Haytham scratched his head. "Why?"

Connor bit his lip before taking a deep breath. "It wasn't like you did it just to be a douche bag. I also happen to know that you actually do give a shit about our culture."

Haytham stared at him for a moment before letting out a small chuckle. "I suppose I do."

Connor couldn't help but grin. "Besides, someone needs to stick around the next time you get your sorry ass in trouble."

Haytham full out laughed at that one. "Your mother would have said something like that," he paused, looking reminiscent, "You look just like her, you know."

Connor ran his fingers through his hair. "She told me I look like you."

Haytham shook his head. "No, you're definitely more like her. That's probably for the best too."

Connor chugged down the rest of the tea, deciding not to argue the point. Most of the tension was gone now and he felt a little more at peace with everything.

He finally knew what his father was hiding this whole time.