I do not own ACIII, they belong to Ubisoft

Enjoy! :3

Arlette had changed into a long white camisole, with puffy sleeves that showed her slim,freckled arms. She pulled the thick quilt covering the bed,it was quite heavy actually, and smoothed the sheets below, "There...much better." she smiled softly, sitting on the edge of the bed to bounce on it for a few seconds. It wasn't as soft as her bed, but it was still confortable and smelled really fresh and her long red hair on a loose braid, Arlette blew the candle out before lying on the bed, pulling the quilt up to her chin so she wouldn't get cold at night. She had no idea of what time it was, nor she cared about it.

Arlette just wanted to sleep, or at least try to. Adrik leaped on the bed, curling his body against the back of her knees before falling into a deep slumber along his owner, "Adrik?" the cat flicked his eyes open, moving the slit irises towards Arlette, "I can't sleep." she whispered, looking straight at the wall with her lower lip curled inside her mouth, the small teeth nibbling against the soft tissue gently. The girl brought her legs up to her chest, lying in fetal position while big yellow eyes stared at her form in the middle of the night, "Meow..." Adrik rubbed the top of his head against Arlette's lower back, before climbing up her waist to land in front of her, slipping his body below her left arm.

The cat purred contently before twisting his head towards her face, staring at the red head girl with curiosity, "I'll be fine." she whispered, letting her fingernails scratch behind the small feline's pressed his head against the inside of her elbow, purring silently as Arlette moved to scratch his chin, she couldn't help but smile as the cat fluttered his eyelids closed, "You are so silly." she giggled,her eyebrows curving downwards a little bit before closing her own eyelids.

Arlette seemed to float into dreamland for a few seconds, until she heard a commotion down the hall. Her eyes fluttered open and she rubbed a fist over her eyes, she could hear Achilles' voice, that was quite hard to miss, and apparently she could hear Connor's voice as well. Arlette felt the heat taking over her cheeks when she heard Connor say her name, twice, "O-Oh dear..." she managed to place her head upon the pillow and give her back to the door in case he decided to enter the room in pure anger.

But he didn't.

Arlette peeked over her shoulder in curiosity, she could no longer hear their voices nor their footsteps. Maybe he wasn't as mad she thought he'd be? Or maybe he was too tired to scream at her now and would do on the next morning. Arlette started to nibble on her bottom lip nervously, shaking her head quickly to get rid of those thoughts, "No,no!" the impact caused by her palms against her cheeks made Arlette wince and let out a small whimper.

She really thought that it would help her stop being so paranoid.

Now she had a stinging sensation upon the flesh of her cheeks. And was still paranoid.

Morning had arrived silently, there was no sun however, only dark gray cloud hovering above the homestead, preparing to land a violent storm against Boston's busy streets. Arlette woke up startled by a loud thunder and heavy rain pattering against the windows, the girl slowly sat up on the bed with a hand against her face, a grim look taking over Arlette's features. The silent night of sleep she was expecting never happened, it was actually replaced by long hours of staring at the ceiling and crying her eyes out until they started to hurt. Now she had dark bags below her eyelids, and very red eyes from sobbing against the pillow. Arlette wasn't in a hurry as she left the bedroom towards the kitchen, her steps were small and slow, almost if something was preventing her to arrive her destination.

"Good morning Arlette."

Arlette looked over her shoulder and saw Achilles just a few steps away from her, "Good morning Achilles." with her voice quieter than normal and seeing the dark bags below her eyes, Achilles knew she hadn't slept at all.

"Breakfast is ready, and don't worry about eating too much. Me and Connor woke up early this morning." he said with a soft smile, carefully walking past her towards his spot on the balcony, to watch the rain. Arlette tried to smile but nothing happened, she was still with eyes downcast and mouth in a thin line, but as soon she entered the kitchen, her eyes widened in surprise. It was a beautiful sight, many types of breads, fruits, jams and sweets were all presented to her in the large mahogany table. It was a work of art indeed and the smell of that fresh baked bread was making her stomach churn, remembering her that she had skipped dinner last night. Arlette sat on one of the chairs, smiling fondly at the small bowl of cream by her feet, with the large black cat lapping it's contents eagerly.

"Good morning to you too Adrik." she teased with a short smile, playfully pushing the heel of her foot against the cat's flank. Adrik purred, curving his body against her foot, closing his eyes blissfully. Arlette continued to play with Adrik while the tan colored bread disappeared under a generous layer of strawberry jam, the strawberry chunks made Arlette's mouth water.

And forgetting everything that she was thaught on the last 17 years of her life, Arlette gave the slice a huge bite, some of the jam smearing against the tip of her nose and cheeks but she did not cared about it. She couldn't remember the last time she tasted something so good and fought back a loud pleasured moan from leaving her lips. That was the last thing she needed on that morning.

A yelp left her lips as another thunder echoed from above, it seemed to shake the manor's estructure as if it was light as a leaf. The girl lowered her breakfast, placing a hand upon her chest and feeling how fast her heart was beating.

"Arlette-"

"AAH!" Arlette almost fell from the chair, but stopped and blushed at the sight of Connor standing on the threshold, "O-Oh..C-Connor... I-I'm sorry, I didn't meant to scream." she said timidly, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear as a blush spread all over her face and neck, "Good morning." she said quietly, averting her gaze towards the floor. Connor fumbled with his hands nervously, not sure how to talk to her after what had occured, "Achilles told me...about your mother." he had to pause his words as soon he saw Arlette flinch, "I'm sorry Arlette."

The girl looked up at him with the big, sad blue eyes before smiling weakly, "Thank you." that was her whisper of an answer. She wiped a napkin on her nose and cheeks, looking at the jam's residues against the fabric when she was finished. Connor sighed, walking towards Arlette and stopping right behind her chair, his hand hesitated a bit, hovering on her left shoulder. Why was it so hard for him to comfort someone? Especcially if that 'one' is Arlette!

"I miss her."

Her quiet voice made him snap his gaze towards the red head girl, hand clenching in mid air, "I know." that was his quiet reply, before he continued, "I miss my mother as well...at least you spent time with her." he said the last part bitterly, his jaw clenching in anger. Arlette looked up at him, before smiling weakly, "My mother would've liked you." she whispered, playing with the fabric of her camisole absently. Connor lowered his eyebrows, his hands finally resting against the chair's top rail, "My mother would've liked you too."

Arlette sent him a weak smile and Connor frowned at the sight of her eyes shining with fresh tears. The girl quickly wiped her hands below her eyes, sniffing a bit, "I-I should get changed." after standing up from the chair, she excused herself. Connor watched while Arlette walked back to the guest room, his eyebrows downwards.

"Why do you keep fighting it?" Connor moved his head towards his mentor's voice, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion as Achilles gave a long sigh, "You keep fighting what you feel for her, even after you two had kissed." Achilles hit the end of his cane on the wooden floor, "I do not understand that."

Connor opened his mouth, but closed it again. He had no answer for that. It was just who he was, it wasn't easy to just forget all the bitter things that had happened on his past so he and Arlette could live happily ever after in a white little house surrounded by a flower field. Achilles chuckled gently, "You said she means more than just a normal woman. I also remember you saying that she was worth fighting for." well he had a point.

"It's not easy." Connor said in a quiet voice, looking towards the room Arlette was staying, "For me at least. I can't just forget everything that,-" Achilles held up his hand, sending Connor a glare before raising his head towards him. "And may I know what Arlette has to do with your village? With the death of your mother? With your father? With the Templars?" he asked firmly, making the young Assassin groan and turn away from him,

"You're afraid Connor." Achilles said wisely, smirking when Connor quickly turned around ready for a bitter come back, "You're afraid of feeling. The many years of bitter thoughts in your mind made you afraid of feeling anything else but anger."

Connor frowned deeply, clenching his hands tightly by his hips, "That's not true." he lied through his teeth, making his mentor chuckle once again, "I am not afraid of anything." with that, Connor turned on his heel and marched towards the guest bedroom.

Arlette rose her head as Connor peeked his head inside after knocking, "Hello Connor." she said gently, folding her camisole and putting it on the small bag she came with. Connor let the door close on it's own as he cleaned his throat, "You need any help?" before Arlette could even reply, he was already placing the drawing supplies on her bag, being careful with the sheets of paper. Arlette smiled at the sight, but didn't said anything until she made the the bed.

With Connor helping.

"You don't have to help me." she whispered, straightening the sheets with her hands while Connor did the same on the opposite side. The young Mohawk sent Arlette a shy smile, shrugging his shoulder a bit as his hands smoothed the pillows, "I wanted to."

Arlette smiled slightly, standing straight and popping the joints on her fingers, "It does looks good." she commented, folding her hands together against her womb and looking towards the window. Connor did the same and both watched as the violent raindrops continued hitting the glass repeatedly, faint lines of lightning could be seen in the distance, being soon followed by loud, almost angry thunders. The girl tapped her thumbs gently, lowering her gaze to her digits, "I don't think I'll be able to go to the funeral." that was the only thing she could whisper in that moment without crying. Connor twitched his fingers, thinking of something he could say to Arlette and that'd make her feel better.

But there was nothing.

So he carefully walked behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders in a comforting way. His palms were warm against her cold flesh, he couldn't help but squeeze her shoulders a slight bit, "I'm deeply sorry Arlette." he began, feeling the girl relax her tense body by the sound of his voice, "I was...busy. I couldn't,-"

"Connor,it's fine." she whispered, staring at their reflection on the window, "I'm not mad at you...I just..." her lower lip curled inside her mouth as her eyes started to sting. Arlette cleaned her throat, quickly wiping her fingers below her eyes, "I am sorry." she smiled weakly, "I just miss her already."

Connor frowned letting his thumbs caress the frail skin of her nape below the long dark red tresses, "I know you do." he honestly could understand Arlette and what she was feeling. He still misses his mother, he wondered what she'd say about Arlette if she was alive. Connor stopped his movements when the red head girl turned around to face him, her eyes shining with a coat of tears. She was shaking like a leaf, fighting back the suffering tears and loud sobs, preventing Connor from seeing her weaker side, thinking he'd judge her.

"M-My eyes hurt." was her weak response towards his worried gaze. Connor sighed through his nostrils, blushing a light pink as his arms unconsciously and awkwardly wrapped around her frame. Arlette blinked twice, the tears sliding down her cheeks and disappearing on the sleeve of his robes while her body was immobile, completely frozen in surprise. Connor stared straight to the wall,he couldn't really remember the last time he hugged someone. It surely felt strange yet felt good at the same time, "You can cry if you want." he whispered on her hair, her small hands slowly moving to rest against his pectorals as Arlette took a shaky breath.

Connor had never seen a woman cry, not even his mother and he did not liked how useless it made him feel. Arlette was sobbing and hicupping against his chest, her face was scrunched in pain and sorrow while crying her eyes out. Connor could only watch Arlette as she cried on his chest, clenching the fabric of his robes until her knuckles had turned white. The crying had stopped a few minutes later and so did the rain, Arlette sniffed, wiping her left hand below her nostrils and the other wiped the tears away, "S-Sorry...your chest is all wet now." she whispered, rubbing the end of her palm against her eye. Connor looked down at his chest and was amazed by the large wet spot there, but managed to forget about it.

"It's alright." he said, patting the wet spot gently, "I can wash it later."

Arlette smiled weakly, sniffing one last time before looking out of the window, the bright rays of sunshine peeked through the clouds, "I-I...I should go now." she said softly, picking up her bag and kissing Connor on the cheek, "Thank you,Connor. For not...judging me." she whispered, making the young mohawk fight back a smile, she made him feel like a human again and he enjoyed that.

No worries at all, only Arlette on his mind.

Yes, Connor enjoyed feeling like a human and not someone full of revenge.

Arlette stopped in mid walk when Connor gently called her name, offering to accompany the girl to the funeral. Arlette sent him a gentle smile and nodded, feeling a light pink blush take over her cheeks.

"My mum was a great woman, you know?" Arlette said, taking Connor's hand as he helped her leap down a fallen log, "She liked everyone, being them american, british or slaves. Mum said that they were all the same to her." there was a pause in Arlette's speech, "I guess that's why no one really liked us..." she whispered, blushing as Connor placed his hands on her slim waist, placing her on the ground before him.

"I think I can understand that" he whispered, making way for Arlette until both ended in Boston. Arlette sighed, "Well,you sure you want to go?" she asked silently, "I don't want to keep you away from what you need to do." she said with a small shrug, smiling shyly as Connor replied with a 'it's not a problem'. Suddenly, he had disappeared in mid air, making Arlette look around in surprise but she knew he was close, more than ever.

Approaching the cemetery, she saw her father's tall, intimidating figure succumbed into a pile of sorrow and sadness, his broad shoulders were down and from the distance she was, she could see his hair was disheveled. Arlette slowly made her way to Arthur's form, his hands were clenching the edges of his hat as his bloodshot eyes continued to stare at the fresh pounds of earth that hid Helaine's coffin seven feet below them.

"Daddy?"

Arthur didn't moved, only twitched his right nostril in a small sniffing sound, his eyes were locked on his beloved wife's gravestone. Arlette bit her lower lip, caressing her father's arm gently, trying to soothe him and make his gaze snape towards her, "Daddy?"

"She's gone." was his croaky, deep voice, blue eyes still frozen on the words encraved on Helaine's gravestone, "Your grandfather...oh God Arlette, this will kill him." he said quietly, running a hand over his face in desperation. The girl frowned, hugging her father's arm and leaning her cheek on his sleeve. Both shared a moment of silence, until Arthur had opened his mouth to speak, "I need a drink."

Arlette scrunched her nose, the strong scent of pure whiskey was all over her father's clothes, but she knew that she couldn't change his mind, "I'll stay here a few more minutes, then I'll go home..." Arthur scoffed, placing the hat upon his head and looking at his little girl with a sad smile. Arthur licked his lips with his eyes glassy, both with drunkenness and tears, "Home? That's not a home anymore Arlette...," he weakly pointed to the grave and hiccuped, "She was my home. And she's gone now, forever." Arthur whispered, quickly turning on his heel and wobbling towards the pub once again, he wasn't going back to their house that night.

Arlette frowned, clasping her hands together before looking at the gravestone with tear filled eyes. Unclasping her hands, Arlette gently kissed her fingertips, pressing them against her mother's name, " Tá grá agam duit,mamaí." she whispered, remembering the few words her mother thaught her in Gaelic with a sad smile. Connor was by her side on the next minute, head bowed in respect towards Helaine, "Do you think your father will be alright on his own?"

"Yes." she whispered, "I know he needs time for himself, and if Robert was here he'd probably push him away." she said softly, hugging her arms and curlign her lower lip on her mouth, nibbling it with her small teeth, "I should go home."

"Do you want me to escort you there?"

Arlette sighed, "No...I...I need some time alone, please don't be offended." she said, turning to look at him and sighing in relief when he said there was no one taken. Connor watched as Arlette walked away from him, but he felt he had to let her go just this time, the road back to her house was filled with people right now, he shouldn't worry so much.

"Your girlfriend is quite lovely,son."

Connor grimaced, clenching his fists, "What are you doing here? I told you to wait-" he groaned in annoyance, watching his father's eyes move to Arlette's fading form, "Shall we?" he smirked, nodding his head to their desired direction. The young mohawk glared holes on his father's body, but complied in silence, walking ahead of him.

Oh God,Arthur. I feel so bad for him.

And yes. HAYTHAM!

'BUT MISS PEPPERLAND HOW ?IN THE FIRST CHAPTERS YOU SAID HE WAS DEAD?!'

Um, yes, but as you guys know, WW was written BEFORE ACIII was released and there are some...mistakes. ANYWAY! EVERYTHING WILL BE EXPLAINED ON CHAPTER 16

Reviews are love :3