Okay so you might notice some weird/abrupt scene transitions here. That's because I cut them off because while I do want to keep this story PG-13 to at the most R... I did write porn. You can read the chapter, including the porn, in full, on my writing blog which is shotgunsandstars on tumblr. That is the only place you can find the full, nsfw, chapter.

Jake was glad when they finally landed in Pluto's large, cavernous, hanger. They'd been flying for days and Jake was worried about Lucy. She seemed so beat down. She misses Desmond, Malik said. We all miss Desmond, Jacob said, irritated Malik would quantify Lucy's missing over everyone else's. Desmond was his friend and they'd just left him there in the middle of the jungle that by now was probably crawling with proeathans. You know what I mean, Malik said. Doesn't make you any less wrong old man.

He got up from his station when they landed and went up to the pilot's chair. "Hey," he said and touched her shoulder. She looked up. She had circles under her eyes. Clearly she hadn't been sleeping well. To be fair none of them had been. They slept in bursts, to fly as long as possible to get to Pluto quickly. Once here though they could afford to slow down.

"Oh, hey Jake," she said.

"You look like you could use some sleep," he squeezed her shoulder, "Pluto has super comfy beds, remember?"

She smiled, "Yeah, I remember," she said.

"Good, c'mon," and he helped her to her feet. Once up he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "He's okay," he said as they left the cockpit, if Rebecca followed or was already out Jake didn't know. He wasn't paying attention to her.

"I hope so," Lucy said softly, people were disembarking, some having to be shoved to stand and gawk at Pluto's hanger like country bumpkins in a big city.

"What is all this?" Pluto demanded from outside. "Where did all these humans come from?"

"Life of the party just showed up," Jake said blandly, Lucy chuckled a little. They walked down the gangway.

"Hey Pluto," Jake waved.

Pluto narrowed his eyes at Jake, "Where is Altair?" he demanded.

"No idea. Around," Jake waved his hand in a dismissive manner.

"Here," Altair appeared next to him and as always Jake was hyper aware of his existence. Altair needs some sleep too, Malik said. We all need sleep, and probably an IV drip, Jacob groaned.

"What are all these humans doing here?" Pluto demanded.

Altair looked at the Assassins, "Help," he said, "Now we're all hungry and tired." Pluto frowned at him, "Don't act like you aren't happy to have something to do. You haven't had purpose in a long time, now you do."

Pluto regarded Altair through slightly narrowed eyes, "Something you know quite a lot about, don't you, second son?"

"You could say that."

"Very well," and then Pluto grew several sizes larger than a normal human, there was some nervous talking. "Humans," he said loudly, "My name is Pluto, your host. There are no proeathans here, you are safe in my care. Follow the indicated line to the lifts, leave your weapons here, you won't be needing them, and frankly, they're useless anyway." A glowing yellow line appeared on the ground going to the wall where a circular lift was visible. "Food will be forthcoming," and that was good enough for most of them. Food had been scarce when they left the Southern states, as the land was covered in deep snow and there were few animals. No one had eaten yesterday.

"Hold up," Altair said as the Assassins walked past. Pluto shrank and split into two, one going with the Assassins, the other staying with them. Hawk and Ezio joined Altair and Jake, Lucy was leaning heavily against Jake. She was fading fast, Jake didn't blame her, they'd just flown for nine hours, and Jake understood the strain it put on a human body to fly a proeathan craft. "We're here, what next?"

"It appears your pilot is in a deep need of fluids and key proteins," Pluto said, looking at Lucy, "Also sleep. All of you do. I had another numia prepped for you, but now I see it will be too small. It will take me some time to bring out another one."

"How long we talking here?" Altair asked.

"Two days perhaps. Its in pieces right now, I will have to assemble them and then prep it. But with it you should get from here to Demeter in one straight shot," he glanced at Lucy, "Hopefully at least."

"I'll be fine," she said defiantly but Jake wasn't sure how true that was.

"Very well. Until the numia is ready you'll be staying here."

Altair clearly didn't like the idea of having to stay in one place for so long, not until they'd gotten to Demeter, but there was nothing he, nor any of them could do. "Fine," he said.

"Little rest never hurt anyone," Ezio put in.

"Indeed, follow me," and Pluto led them to the lift. The Assassins were already gone.

"Where are the mortals?" Hawk asked.

"I took them to the living quarters," Pluto said, "I am currently telling them that they may request whatever they want and where they may sleep. Why did to bring them here?"

"Like I said, they're help," Altair said.

"You can't expect us to take down a plantation by ourselves," Lucy sighed. "You know we'd probably die."

"Ah, but the magic of you four is just that; you don't die," Pluto grinned, "Most proeathans don't know of your existence, or your abilities." The lift stopped and they got off, following Pluto down a brightly lit hallway. "They would take you to be inspected if they killed you, or you'd be held and taken north to Juno for experimentations. In that time I don't doubt you'd regenerate and take them from the inside out."

"Would have been good of you to share that plan with us before now," Ezio complained.

"You're smart, I assumed you'd figure it out. Now, here we are, I'm sure this is familiar," he showed them to the cafeteria he'd shown them the first time they'd been here. "And you, girl, get some sleep," he added to Lucy, actually rather sternly at that. "You and your copilots will need to run simulations for the numia I am giving you, its different than the old one."

"Easier or harder to control? The damn thing handles like a leaf on a windy day," Lucy sighed.

"It should be easier," Pluto admitted.

"Great. Food first, I'm starving," and she pulled Jake away from the AI and the others.

"Feeling okay?" Jake asked as he went with Lucy to select something from the massive array of food dispensers. Jake knew it was the same crap that made up their MREs, tasted different, was colored differently and formed into different shapes, sometimes had a different texture, but for the most part was all the same shit. Wasn't meant to be eaten as a luxury clearly.

"About as good as I can be," she sighed, flicking through what looked like fish of some sort.

"Don't get the seafood. It tastes like paste," Jake advised.

"It all… sort of tastes like paste," she said.

Jake laughed a little, "Sort of, yeah," he admitted. "I'm getting a pizza."

"I didn't know the proeathans had pizza."

"They don't. I told Pluto to make sure he had fucking pizza the next time we came here. I'm a fucking New Yorker; I need pizza to live otherwise I shrivel up and start crying."

"Really?" Lucy looked at him out of the corner of her eye, "I heard you used to do the same thing when Altair looked at you."

Jake glowered at her and she laughed. "That was like six years ago, things are different."

She smiled at him, "Yes," she said, "They are."

"Anyway, pizza, want to share?"

"How do you eat it?" she looked over at his screen.

"Classic, pepperoni, and I like it with onions," he shrugged.

"Half onions. I don't like onions."

"You don't- Lucy, I don't think we can be tight anymore if you don't like onions," Jake said seriously.

"Tight? I thought we were married already," Lucy said, sounding confused.

Jake laughed, "What Desmond's gone for a week and you're divorced already? That's rough."

"Jake," she gave him a look.

"What, you started it. So pizza or am I gonna eat it all myself."

"Half onions," she said.

"Fine," he rolled his eyes and asked for a pepperoni pizza with half onions. "Any idea what Pluto is going to have us flying now?"

"No," she said, "I was only allowed to fly simulations for small craft before. I have no idea what to expect for big ones."

"He said it'd be easier," he said helpfully.

"Hopefully," she frowned, "I don't know how I'd do on a transatlantic flight flying one of them. Ezio and Altair did it last time, but that was just planes. Numia-" she trailed off and Jake supplied the rest of her annoyed sentence.

There was a pleasant ding from their station and a pizza was produced from the window, steaming slightly. "Well, looks right at least," Jake said, grabbing the plate.

"Pizza is a human invention," Lucy said as she followed him to a table to eat, "Lets just be glad if it doesn't taste like crap."

"If its made of the same stuff as our MREs, I'm not holding my breath," and he took a slice. I've yet to have real pizza, Malik said. I know, I'm sorry, Jacob said. So far I've been unimpressed with food of this century. Jacob scowled at Malik, the only food you've had has been shit that's why. End of the world Malik, get with it. The conditions for cooking were the same as in my time! Why is the food so inferior? Because food you ate was shit, didn't I just say that. Be glad we share the same body or I would strangle us. But then you wouldn't be able to stare longingly at Altair's ass if you did that. Shut up Jacob.

"Its fair," Lucy said when she took a bite. "Nothing spectacular."

"Nope," Jake agreed as he chewed. The entire exchange between Jacob and Malik had only taken a second or so. "Better than the steak at least," he shrugged.

"Much," she agreed. They ate in silence for the most part, they were both tired from their trip. Jake watched Lucy start to droop while she ate. "You need a bed," he told her.

"I'm fine," she waved him off. But she didn't finish her slice. Jake quickly finished his own slices and went around to her side. "Jake! Oh come off it I don't need to be babied," she complained when Jake lifted her from the chair. He didn't carry her because he was pretty sure she'd slap him for that, but he did start to lead her towards the living areas.

"I know. But tell me it isn't nice when someone looks out for you?"

She didn't admit it at first, "Yeah," she said quietly and gave him a little smile.

Too bad we're gay, Malik said. I know she's really, really, cute, Jacob agreed. Also too bad Desmond would put us Under. Yes that too, lets avoid giving him a reason to do that, Jacob said. They found an empty room, the door sliding open. "So get some sleep, and we'll see you tomorrow," Jake told Lucy.

Lucy sighed, "Yeah. And lets… find another copilot," she said.

"You don't like Rebecca? I thought you two were friends," Jake said, mouth becoming a slant.

She looked at him sadly, "Yeah, so did I. Night Jake," and she closed the door in his face. Jake stood there a few moments staring at the door. We should do something, Malik said. I think we should just leave it, Jacob said. But- Malik seriously, just leave it. Don't get involved in girl drama. That seems silly, Malik said. You knew like… five girls in your entire life, trust me okay? Very well.

Jake left Lucy's room and went to find Altair. It didn't take him long to find out he wasn't around, and not only that, but according to Hawk, hadn't had dinner either. Idiot, they both said when they heard that. "Pluto," Jake said, once he'd left Hawk, "Oi I know you hear me."

"What is it?" the AI asked, but didn't show himself.

"Where's Altair?"

"In his room."

"Which one?" And he looked down when a line appeared on the floor. "Right, keep that there," and he went to grab some food for Altair because the stubborn idiot needed to eat. "Thanks," he told Pluto as he followed the line to a closed door. He made it open and went in with some soup, because he could actually pour it down Altair's throat if he refused.

Stubborn idiot Malik thought when they walked in, Altair lying on the bed on his back. Don't be so hard on him, Malik, he's old as hell. He's still acting like a big, dumb, baby. Our big, dumb, baby, Jacob calmly told Malik. Malik didn't seem amused. You acted the exact same when he was ignoring us in the beginning. Insanely moody and sulky. You two are exactly the same, Jacob said. Jacob grinned to himself when Malik reluctantly agreed.

"Altair," Jake called, because he knew what a loose rocket Altair was when he got like this. No need to surprise him. Like that was even possible. Almost six years and Jake had never once surprised Altair, though Malik claimed it was indeed possible to do so. Jacob said once he saw it he's believe it, but until that happened.

"What?" Altair growled and it sent a shiver through Jacob that even Malik felt. Maybe they should just leave. Malik quickly shot down that idea. They weren't leaving. Altair was acting like a child when he was the leader of their little group.

"You didn't show up for dinner," Jake said, sort of lifting the bowl towards Altair.

"Not hungry," Altair said still not looking at him. Jake frowned. Like they gave a shit. Altair got on Desmond's ass when he didn't eat he'd get on Altair's ass when he decided he wasn't going to eat. He hadn't eaten since they left Mercury and it was pissing him off.

He walked over to Altair's bed and sat on it. Altair sat up because Jake just didn't sit on his bed. He physically shoved the bowl under Altair's nose. "Eat," Malik ordered and as always Jacob thought the archaic Arabic felt heavy on his tongue. Altair looked at them, frowning a bit and then took the mug. Malik grinned in smug, knowing, satisfaction. He did like it when Altair listened and he was always known to cow in front of Jake when Malik talked. Not for the first time Jacob wanted to know if such a thing could be taught.

Jake sat on the bed, opposite Altair and watched him eat, to make sure he did. The ancient sulked and ate his stew, sucking it down. "Go away," he said.

"No," Jake said, crossing his legs neatly. "You're being moody," Altair growled wordlessly at him and lowered his bowl; it was empty. Speed Eating, a book written and published by Altair ibn La'Ahad. Shut up, now was not the time to try and have witty or smart alik dialog with yourself, Malik snapped. But I do that all the time. Shut up Jacob.

"Excuse me," Altair said angrily. He was at a limit here, they both knew it. There was a lot on Altair's shoulders. Everyone expected him to know what to do, where to go, what happened next. Right now though he… didn't know. Desmond was gone and he had no idea what to do and the only information the AIs gave them about Desmond was just 'he's safe' and 'he's got things to do'. It wasn't helping at all. Jacob was pretty sure everyone just sort of forgot that since he'd first seen Desmond through the Apple centuries ago he'd been grooming himself for this moment in time. Live a few centuries for a single person and to have them in your hands and then snatched out of them was enough to start to break anyone. And this hadn't happened once, it had happened twice.

Malik frowned at Altair, troubled that his Grandmaster was troubled. He didn't like when Altair was troubled. Never had been. He liked it less when Altair was angry at nothing. Without asking he reached out and took Altair's face in both his hands. "It's okay," Malik said softly. Jacob let Malik lead here. He could do it, but there was something sort of cool about watching someone disarm a nuclear warhead. The first time it had happened Jacob had been nearly just as surprised as Altair had been by it. Malik had been the only one unsurprised.

Altair sighed and unlike if someone else had tried to touch him right now he didn't smack Malik's hands away. Instead his eyes lidded a bit and he seemed to droop a slight bit instead. "You're okay," Malik said soothingly though Jacob remembered the first time he'd done any talking he'd chided Jacob for having a different voice. As if Jacob could do anything about it. At least the accent came through. "You're acting silly right now," and he stroked Altair's cheeks gently.

"I'm trying," Altair said softly.

"I know," Malik said, scooting a bit closer to him, "I know you are. Everyone knows you are doing everything you can."

Altair opened his eyes and for one of the rare times were uneasy. Jacob would have called it fearful and Malik didn't argue with him. "I'm not enough," Altair said. "It's not enough. I lost him again," he hung his head.

"Shhhh," Malik soothed, running his thumbs across Altair's cheekbones. "You're one man. You can't do everything or be everywhere. You know that." Not that he doesn't try, Jacob chimed in. Shut up Jacob.

Altair looked up at them from under his brows. His amber eyes were tired. "I have-

"You don't have to do anything," Malik said and pressed his forehead to Altair's. "You're old. You're allowed to not do everything."

"I'm not old," Altair said, slightly insulted.

"Yes. You are," Malik said patiently. "We're both old."

Altair gave him a sort of look, "You aren't old Jake," he said.

"We are old, Altair," Jake said, the two of them speaking at once and while it was one voice there was the dissonance of two people saying the same words. "I just got a second chance," Malik continued without pause. "… We got a second chance." Still want to catch Altair by surprise? Malik asked. What are you going to do now? Do you? Curious Jacob said yes, yes he did want to actually catch Altair by surprise.

Altair was sort of confused by that statement and he just got a lot more confused when Malik kissed him. Jake knew what Altair was like when he was suddenly startled or surprised. He just froze, like a deer in the headlights, and seemed incapable of dealing with what happened for a few seconds. The kiss was short and nearly chaste, but it wasn't some friendly thing either. There was desire behind it. Then it was over and Altair was staring at them, mouth slightly open, eyes wide, face fully broadcasting his shock.

Oh this is amusing, Jacob said. Isn't it though? Haven't seen him like this since we Woke the first time, Malik said smugly. Please, that was a fucking nightmare if there ever was one. I try best not to dwell on it, Jacob sighed. You got to kiss Desmond again why are you complaining? I didn't ask you to do that thanks! Jacob said hotly. He was so damn hung up on Lucy… Do you know how drunk I had to get him to get him out of those jeans of his? Yes, Jacob, I do, I remember. Really drunk. Not drunk enough to be totally incapacitated but mother of god trying to get a bartender drunk is like trying to out drink a rock. I don't see why you're complaining, Malik said, amused, he did have sex with you the next day. Yeah and then I got scared to death by Altair and Templars and fuck everything else. At least you got to have sex with him. Yeah, sorry about that, Jacob was actually rather apologetic about that.

Living with an entire other person in your head was complicated enough. Add to it the fact that nine hundred years ago Altair and Malik had been into each other without being in to each other. Too much responsibilities and social restrictions against them to allow anything but a platonic bond between them.

Jacob was, mostly, over Desmond but damnit did he turn Jacob into a protective bear. How many times, after the first time in Russia, had he been awake, listening for if Desmond got up and moved around, or on the road, coaxing him to eat? He was sure the guy didn't know Jacob had him on suicide watch twenty-four seven. He hadn't told anyone else about it. Another reason on the rather extensive list that included sassing Altair that he loved Lucy. She sort of turned off Desmond's suicidal tendencies. Thank god.

Malik had always been into Altair. Jacob knew that. And judging by the reactions he got now from Jacob, Jake and the memories he had from Malik clearly it was reciprocated. But there was nine hundred years of baggage to deal with.

Altair wasn't a modern dude by any stretch of the imagination. He was more like your grandpa on steroids. Malik was modern, even if he still only spoke archaic Arabic and some french, german and english thrown in for good measure (nothing modern speakers could understand very well). They were one and as much as Jacob was the slightly gay twelfth century Assassin with one arm and the co-leader of the Syrian Assassins Malik was the bi twentieth-first century New Yorker who'd barely gotten his AA and scraped together a living working at a cafe and had a fetish for old motorcycles.

It made feelings complicated. Jacob had always been too scared to think of Altair to think of him as anything but their Fearless Leader. Then Malik had come along and gained all of Jacob's modern insight and knowledge and morals about the LGBT movement in the United States and despite the restrictions remained was so… open. Open for people who were gay, or to be gay. That's when Jake started thinking about Altair in 'wow he has a nice ass I wouldn't mind tapping that', and it was all Malik's fault. It had taken a while for Malik to bring Jacob around to the idea that Altair wasn't as scary as he looked and once Malik took over some times and told Altair what for he could be rather enjoyable. Even when Desmond had been taken be the proeathans the first time Malik was there to keep Altair in line so he didn't explode or allow Ezio to get off the wagon and keep Hawk from getting lost within himself.

For the past five years, nearly six now, Jake had watched Altair sort of dance around them, trying to figure out just what Jake was. Just who he was. Jake knew that Altair had a better idea than anyone who or what Jake was. He'd been the one to pull Jacob out of the primordial soup that had been his mind from a chaotic, strangely checked, Bleed, and then lock everything away. Only one managed to stay, what had caused the attack in the first place. Altair knew, but acted like he didn't. Except when Malik talked to him at least.

Altair's few seconds of being shocked to stillness was about to be over. Jacob was a bit worried. You're going to get us killed, he said. No I'm not. Yeah you are, he's going to murder us for that. Need I remind you how fucking done with us he was the first time you kissed him? Jacob groaned. Don't be such a baby Jacob, he would never hurt us, just like he'd have never hurt you. Yeah he would, he hurts Ezio and Hawk all the time, Jacob said. Altair has never laid a malicious hand on you, Malik said. Even when he was angry, do you want me to play a run of all the times he's touched you in the past six years? I can do that you know I've got better cerebral control. Jacob just moaned, no, please don't. I don't need to be reminded. Good. Now shut up and watch. I hate you. Love you too kid.

Altair blinked, the first move he'd made in about five seconds. A not there noise came out of his mouth that just sort of sounded confused but wasn't a real word. Yeah and we're in love with this guy again why? Jacob asked. Shut up Jacob. At least Desmond would just smack me if we kissed him. Desmond is also busy having sex with Ms. Bombshell-Blonde and Malik rolled his eyes. Priorities. I have plenty of priorities thanks, Jacob huffed. They clearly don't include getting laid. … Laid? What do you think? I honestly try not to think about Altair having sex thanks, Jacob frowned. Why? It's like thinking about your older best friend having sex. Well I know I used to be able to hear Maria down the hallway- THANK YOU MALIK! Malik just laughed at him.

They both shut up and Jake got to be surprised right back when Altair kissed them. Now what did I say? Malik asked smugly. Shut up old man. The entire brief exchange took the nano second between Altair kissing them and they kissing him back. Jacob had to admit, Altair was a good kisser, even if he seemed out of practice. Jake's hands left Altair's face and he wrapped his arms around Altair's neck.

Somehow Jake found himself on his back though he could honestly say he couldn't recall when that happened. Altair was nearly pressed up flush against them, kissing them like he wanted nothing more in life than that. The attention was nice, the kissing really nice. Getting kissed by an ancient immortal had it's perks.

It felt like the first time they came up for air, panting slightly. Jake looked up at Altair with half lidded eyes to see Altair's were fully open and he still looked surprised. But not that frozen sort of surprise. His eyes were slightly blown and he looked wrecked, despite the fact that all they'd done was make out. Malik was fucking beside himself and kept tugging on Jacob like a six year old who just got the most expensive toy on his Christmas list under the tree.

Altair seemed to hesitate a moment, like he wanted to say something but didn't. He licked his lips before speaking. "I feel slightly foolish asking this," and Jacob smacked his hand across Malik's mouth so he didn't make them say something smart. He wouldn't put it past Malik to say something to ruin this. "Malik?"

Malik shoved Jacob's hand off so he could speak, "Who else? Jacob's in here too," he added since Jacob was giving him a bit of the stink eye. Altair sighed and sort of hung his head. "What?" Malik asked, sliding his hands around to cup Altair's face. "What's wrong?" because clearly something was wrong.

Altair looked at them and then leaned his forehead against theirs, like he didn't want to look at them and admit whatever it was. Admit that it was something. For a moment there was no talking and all that was heard was the breathing that passed between them. "I want you," Altair said after the silence, his voice soft and calm, more than Jacob had ever heard it.

"So do I," Jake said without reservation and moved Altair's head so he could kiss him again.

—

"Can we do it again?" Malik asked when it was over and everything felt good and warm.

"Shut up Malik," Jacob actually had to say out loud since he never got he chance to tell Malik to shut up. Malik just gave him an offended look.

Altair chuckled and nuzzled against his jaw, Jake tipped his head back to give him more room and he shivered when Altair said, "Yeah, we can do it again." He sucked on Jake's earlobe and continued, "In a few minutes," and kissed behind Jake's ear and holy shit Altair please don't stop doing that thing with your mouth. I bet Altair gives good head, Jacob thought. Oh please that needs to happen, Malik agreed with a sort of groan. Jacob laughed at him, someone has thought about that way too much huh? You know, Malik sighed. Someone's got a thing for Altair's mouth! Shut up Jacob. Nope.

As though satisfied he'd memorized the exact shape and taste of Jake's neck Altair pulled away and situated himself to lay his head on Jake's stomach. Altair looked satisfied and as happy as Jacob had ever seen him ever. Though still touched by all his burdens. Far less than normal however. Jake reached out and cupped one of Altair's cheeks and the ancient turned into it slightly.

Then Altair sighed, it wasn't a good sigh. "What?" Jake asked.

Altair didn't answer straight away, "Do you believe in reincarnation?" he asked.

"What?" Jake asked, confused.

"Reincarnation," Altair said again.

"…Not really," Jake said.

Altair pressed his face into the warmth of Jake's stomach for a moment, then he looked up at him. "I've been alive a long time. I don't believe in god, in any god. God doesn't exist. I mean how can god exist if he let something like me and Cain go on existing for long long?" He looked distant. "I've killed so many people."

"You always upheld the Creed though didn't you?" Malik asked.

"When I could," Altair promised.

"Then you are not as dirty as you think you are," Malik said gently.

Altair pressed his face into Jake's stomach again and stayed there for several moments. Jake ran his hand through Altair's hair. Then Altair looked up at him again. "I've seen a lot of people," Jake nodded. "Sometimes… I see the same people."

"What?"

"I met a man once, who looked like my father."

"Oh Altair," Jake cupped his face.

"He acted like my father. I've met another man five times. John, Marco, Leonidas, Sophie, Christopher, all the same person. They looked alike, they sounded alike, and in my eyes they were the same soul. They were born hundreds of years apart. But… I knew them. They were my friend every time." Jake said nothing and Altair pressed his face into Jake's palm. "I've tried looking for who I've lost," he said into Jake's skin. "I've looked for Maria, my children, my friends," he glanced at Jake, "you."

"Did you find us?" Jake asked softly.

"I found Rauf once," he said. "No one else." He was silent for a bit, kissing the inside of Jake's hand, Jake let him be silent, he knew Altair wasn't done yet, but didn't want to ruin whatever was going on for him. "I didn't even know it was him till later," he eventually said, "after I'd seen other people. They never knew me, but I knew them."

"Where's this going Altair?" Jake asked him gently, prodding him in the right direction.

"I thought, because I've seen some people, even some who appear together consistently, that I could find who I was missing too. I never found any of them," he looked so heart broken that it physically hurt Jake. "The people I loved, would keep appearing away from me, because I couldn't go with them."

"Oh Altair," Jake sat up a bit.

"I can't die. I can't change and become someone else. I will never move on from this world. I thought my punishment for this life was I would never hold the people from my mortal life ever again, because I could never become reborn and join them in the next life."

"And now?" Jake asked him.

Altair looked up at him, "You scare me," Altair admitted, sitting up with Jake, between the younger man's legs. "The day I first saw you I… was so scared."

"Why?" Jake asked.

"Because I'd found you. I'd convinced myself I'd never find you, or Maria or anyone I'd ever cared about. Then there you were, right in front of me. Remember we argued that first time?"

"I remember. You were pissed I'd slept with Desmond."

Altair hung his head in slight amusement, "I was," he agreed.

"Jealous?"

"You have no idea. I spend nine hundred years looking for you and you sleep with my grandson."

"Sorry. Do I still scare you?"

"Yes."

"Why?" that didn't make sense.

"You aren't what I expected, especially what happened to you."

"What were you expecting?"

"Jacob," Altair admitted. "I knew who you were the moment I laid my eyes on you," he leaned forward and took Jake's face in his hands, Jake was keenly aware of Altair's missing finger on his cheek. "You were perfect."

"I wouldn't call me perfect," Jake said.

"You also made me angry."

"Why?"

"Because… you didn't know me, or care. I didn't miss all the times you looked at Desmond."

"You were a jerk," Jacob reminded him.

"I was," Altair agreed. "I just thought after all this time I could have someone back."

"You do though," Jake said. "I'm still here, I'm still me. I know you want Malik but-

"No," Altair cut him off.

"No?"

Altair sighed and let Jake go, hanging his head. "When you went Under and I didn't fix you, I knew what was going to happen. I didn't… want him to be here."

"Why?" and Jacob watched Malik's heart fall into a thousand pieces. "Why not?" Jacob asked, "He loved you, he still loves you."

Altair looked at him, "He's a shadow Jacob," Altair said. "My Malik is gone. I always knew that and knew I'd never get him back. Malik was important to me-

"He's in here," Jacob said firmly. "Just because he's a memory doesn't make him any less here."

"Would you be satisfied with just a memory of Eugene?" Altair demanded of him. "No," he answered for Jacob because Jacob couldn't answer, it still hurt so much to think about his big brother. "I've had to move on from Malik because I can't sustain myself with a memory." It wasn't the same though. It wasn't the same. Eugene was his brother, Malik was… complex.

Jake was silent for a moment, "When you asked," Malik said softly, "If I was in here."

"And you said Jacob was there too."

"You wanted to know he was still here."

"Yes."

"All those times you listened to me though-

"I wanted to," Altair looked at them miserably. "I tried. Why else do you think I've wasted six years when I could be with you?" he asked.

"We had the same question," Jacob said.

"I can't help but be stuck in the past, even if I just want to live in the present," Altair said.

I wish I was dead again, Malik said. Malik please- He doesn't want me, he wants you. All this time! All this time I thought he wouldn't because of you. It's not because of you Malik. It isn't. It's because of you! He just… wants you.

"Jake?" Altair asked when Jake was silent for a long time. Jacob was trying to council Malik who was so totally destroyed by what Altair had said. "Jake?" Altair touched his arm.

Malik jerked back, "Don't touch us," Malik said.

"What?"

"You don't get to chose," Jacob said. "You said you want me. If you do you can't just take one or the other."

"I know," Altair said softly.

"Then why are you doing this? Why are you hurting him like this? He waited for you."

"Because I needed you to know. Because I can't just… just have sex with you and you not know. I've wanted to move on this entire time. I wanted to."

"But?"

"But it's hard, because they won't leave me. I wish I'd been more proactive before Dubai, I would have noticed what Hawk was doing and this never would have happened. You wouldn't have to have two people in your head all the time."

Jake swallowed, "You can't change the past."

"I know. And I want you to know I am trying," he took Jake's hand, Jacob held Malik back from smacking Altair as hard as possible. He wanted to. Malik was angry. Angry that Altair would do this to them. Make something wonderful hurt so much. "I'm trying to be okay with the fact that Malik's in your head too. That's why I listen, because I know you're both there, I just don't know how much."

"We're both here," Malik said softly, "We're always both here."

"I'm sorry," Altair said softly. "I needed you to know though."

"That you've been waiting for Jacob," Malik sniffed.

"I have," Altair agreed softly.

"Do you miss me?"

"Always."

"Do you still want me?"

"I don't know."

"But you want him?"

"Yes," Altair said.

"You're a cruel person Altair."

"I know."

Malik? Yes Jacob? It's okay. No boy, it isn't. I thought I knew Altair, I don't. Not anymore. He's changed. But he isn't, Jacob said, he keeps being who he is for you. Jacob. What? Shut up, please.

"Jake?" Altair asked when they were silent.

He doesn't say my name, Jacob said. He says our name. He knows better than anyone that there are two of us in here. If anyone would differentiate it would be him. You know he would. It doesn't matter, Malik said, he said he moved on- No you aren't listening, Jacob said. He tried to move on, he wanted to move on, because he wanted to be over you. Yes Jacob I know- But he didn't. You're here, with me. He isn't over you. That's what he's saying. He says he wants you though, Malik said. Yeah, Jacob agreed and didn't that feel kinda nice, to be wanted by Altair.

But Altair isn't good with words, you know that. Somewhere along there he got it all mixed up what he was trying to say. Then what is he saying? That he's trying to accept the fact that we're both here. He's been wanting to find me, and find you, not the actual you, but his dumb 'reincarnated' you; me. I saw him was warming up to me before Dubai, I think he was going to do something, then he went Under and… this happened. Is this supposed to make me feel better Jacob?

He doesn't see me anymore Malik. He sees us. After Dubai and I went Under he knew it was us, it's always been us to him as far as whatever feelings he's really had. It started as me and he's trying to realize it's you too. He's just old and doesn't think he's allowed to have good things in his life anymore. You and me, and Desmond, are his good things, that's why he gets so upset when something happens, to us, to him.

So, Malik said slowly, he's sort of falling for us all over again? Yes. And we're in love with this idiot? That's what I said, Jacob smiled, glad Malik wasn't upset anymore. He doesn't know us though, he knew me, and he knew you, he doesn't know us and he's trying to figure out us. He's an idiot. He is an idiot, but he's our idiot.

We're going to live forever, Malik said. Yes we are. Malik was quiet for a moment, lets not mess this up eh? I'd be happy to have conversations about how we're going to have sex frankly. Of course you would. You're the one who has sex dreams old man, not me.

"Altair," they said, "you're an idiot."

Altair blinked, "I am?" he asked but did wasn't disagreeing either.

"Yes," and Jake kissed him, that surprised Altair, but not enough that he didn't kiss Jake back. He pressed Altair back onto the bed, his arms around Altair's neck, laying on the ancient.

"Is everything all right?" Altair asked, confused.

"Yes," Jake said, kissing him again.

"I'm missing something," Altair said.

"Malik was upset, he didn't understand what you were saying about us. To be fair you're very bad at explaining," Jacob said.

"Never was my strong suit."

Jake pushed himself up on his hands and knees, "I told him you've been trying to get us, since you know both the halves. And that's scary," he brushed his lips against Altair's, "to know that everything you really want is in one package, and not knowing how to be with them."

"It is," Altair agreed.

"You've got forever to figure it out," Jake said, "cause I'm not going to go anywhere." Altair kissed him again.

"I'm glad one of you is smart enough to know when I'm an idiot," Altair grumbled, Jake laughed.

"We know when you're an idiot," Jake breathed and kissed him again. Jake didn't let Altair talk again for a long time, instead getting familiar with the shape and feel of Altair's mouth again. "One thing," he said softly, breaking for air.

"Anything," Altair said.

"Say you're sorry. For making us upset."

"I didn't mean to," Altair said, "I am sorry."

"Really?"

"Yes," Altair said sincerely.

"Prove it," and he knew Altair got what it meant when an understanding spark came to his eye. He grinned a bit and rolled them over so Jake was on his back.

—

When Jake woke up the next morning he was alone, swaddled in all the blankets to help him keep warm. He felt sore all over. Of course we're sore Jacob said since Malik was surprised by it, we had sex four damn times last night with a hurricane in human form. I guess this is true. Of course it's true. Oh man that was so amazing last night, Jacob said as they stretched out, toes curling, back arching, he could feel where he was sticky, they'd have to wash. Where's Altair? Malik asked. Who knows, I was asleep all night.

Jake finally opened his eyes, he was facing the wall. He rolled over. "Oh," he said. There he is, Jacob said. Yes I can see that Jacob, thank you. Altair was sitting in the chair against the other wall already fully dressed his hair cut back down to a buzz, a few days worth of growth on his face shaved off. "Watching me sleep?" Jake asked him sleepily.

"I didn't want to disturb you," Altair said and Jake liked how Altair was looking at him like he was a curiosity.

"You sleep?" he pushed himself up a bit.

"For a few hours," Altair said with a shrug. About as much sleep as Altair ever got at one time.

"Good," Jake sat up all the way and stretched again. He felt Altair's eyes on his naked body like his hands had been last night. "Enjoying the view."

"Very," Altair said, emotionlessly, but his brows quirked.

"Mmm," Jake got out of the bed and dragged the blankets with him. The blankets made a soft thump as they landed on the ground when he stood up and shambled over to Altair. Altair looked up at him and Jake grinned at him slightly. "Want to touch?" Personally he wouldn't mind.

"Don't tempt me," Altair said in a low, dark, very sexy, voice.

"Or what?"

"You'd never leave that bed. And you have things to do today," Altair said. "You almost fell asleep on me last night."

"Well we all can't be insomniacs," he sat on Altair's lap. "I need my beauty sleep-" and Altair kissed him firmly, arm going around his waist.

"You'd let me take you again right here and now wouldn't you?" Altair asked him lowly when he pulled away, their mouths still almost touching.

Jake swallowed and licked his lips, looking at Altair's mouth. "Probably," he agreed. "You're really good with that little soldier of yours."

"I've had lots of practice," Altair grinned at him. "Would you like me to?" Jake didn't doubt Altair could be ready to go in a moment's notice either.

Yes, Jacob and Malik both said. "Later," Jake said. "Like you said we have stuff to do and the others would get worried if I didn't show up for breakfast."

"Hmm," Altair let him go. "Then I'll let you take a shower in private."

This time, Jacob said. This was a good idea, Malik said. And now it gets to happen more. Woo! "Yeah, I'll see you at breakfast," Jacob said and got up. He put the blankets back down on Altair's bed, though kept the sheet around him. He didn't know why. Altair had seen them naked. Mystery and distance makes the heart grow fonder, Malik chimed in. Well to him we certainly are a mystery, aren't we? I think that's why he likes us so much, Malik teased. Altair's eyes followed him as he walked to the bathroom. One of the reasons he likes us so much, Jacob said. Yes, one of them, Malik agreed. Next time he needs to come with us. Yes! Jacob said. Not now though, we need breakfast and then we're going to do simulations with Lucy and some copilot. I know, it was just a thought, Malik shrugged. Next time, Jacob promised. Yes, next time.