Hey everybody! Um, warning! It gets kinda amazing in here… if you catch my drift ;D Have fun!

~Read, Review, be Merry!~

~Aena Firestar~

Chapter 20

Rolling Like Thunder

The rain came, and with it thunder and lightening. I didn't care though. I was gradually getting soaked to the bone, but it was a nice change from the heat.

"Alera." I turned around to see Altaïr behind me. He was getting soaked too, but he seemed to not care as well. He walked up to me. His soft eyes ran over me. Talal's blood was still splattered on the left side of my face and on my sleeve. Altaïr lifted his sleeve to my face and gently wiped away the blood. I didn't have anything to say. I didn't know what to say, but his eyes held understanding in them. It was one of those moments that didn't require talk or an explanation, because we both knew nothing needed to be said.

"Come on Alera. Let's get out of this rain and back to the bureau." He said softly to me. I nodded and followed him across to the next rooftop and back towards the entrance of the barbican. The guards were gone and the streets were disserted. Everyone was inside, sheltered from the storm. We jumped down and walked into the street.

"Wait!" I stopped and so did he. "Did you free the slaves?"

"Yes, I did. I found the latch to open the door and I saved all that could be saved. Don't worry Alera, I wasn't going to leave them behind." He gave me a reassuring smile. I smiled back and nodded. We continued walking. The rain never ceased, and even got heavier every once and a while. "I hope Alario is in the bureau." I thought to myself.

We didn't speak but instead focused on getting back to the bureau quickly, which we did in no time. We slid the roof open and jumped in. Altaïr grabbed the ledge on the wall and slid it back closed. Several candles were lit and gave the bureau a substantial amount of light. I glanced at the bookshelf but Alario wasn't there.

"Alario?" I called and walked into the room where Malik was behind the desk. He was reading a book. Candles lined the desk so that he could see.

"He's with me. He's alright Alera." Said Malik looking up from his book. I looked around and saw Alario perched on the back of a chair behind the desk. I smiled and walked over to him. I stroked his slightly wet feathers and he rubbed his head under my hand.

"Have you killed Talal?" asked Malik. I nodded and pulled the bloody rose petal from my pouch. "I didn't even know! The warning bells never sounded!" I smiled. Malik set his book down and pulled a dusty; leather bound black book from underneath the desk. He opened it up and recorded the death.

"Is that not a good sign? Thanks to Altaïr and the rain, I didn't have much of a problem with killing him and then getting away with it." I looked over at Altaïr who was leaning against the wall. I shot him a smile and he returned it.

"He helped? That's a surprise. What did he do? Stand on the side lines and watch?"

"No, actually he didn't." I snapped. Malik looked at me. I softened up. He is my friend after all and I don't like needlessly snapping at my friends, but he shouldn't be so harsh. "He killed Talal's guards so that I could go straight for Talal himself. If it wasn't for him then I would have had to chase Talal and would have called a lot of attention to myself. He also saved the slaves in the holding cells. I'm quite proud of him." Malik gave a thoughtful nod.

"Alright then. Take some rest. I can see that the both of you are soaked to the bone." Said Malik. I took off my weapons and boots and laid them out on the floor to dry, then I stripped my wet robe off and my blood red cloth belt. My tunic and pants stuck to my figure. I squeezed what water I could out of them both, but I stayed in them, for I had no extra clothes to put on. My hair was wet and was beginning to wave so I pulled it back into a ponytail.

I walked into the entrance area to find Altaïr already stripped down to his regular clothes and laying amongst the pile of cushions. I walked over and flopped down between him and the wall. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. I desperately needed to meditate. I put my hands to my face and rubbed my eyes and the bridge of my nose. God, what a day and what a kill. I took another deep breath and rested my hands on my stomach and laid there with my eyes closed.

I listened to the rain on the rooftop. It was quiet and peaceful. I also heard the soft, calm, rhythmic breathing of the person next to me. It made me smile. I heard Malik rustle around behind his desk. Footsteps followed behind the noises and then a door softly closed. Altaïr and I were alone now. Thunder rolled off in the distance, and I felt a wave of weariness and sleep wash over me, but at the same time I felt comfortable and peaceful. I felt safe. I rolled over on my right side and draped my left hand over my waist and my right hand up lying beside my head. I resisted the urge to roll over onto Altaïr, because Malik would bite my head off if I did. My thoughts were ruptured as I felt movement beside me.

A soft, contented sigh was released from the being beside me, and then I felt something warm and calloused run along the palm of my right hand. I kept my eyes closed. Altaïr's fingers kept stroking my palm and then he finally rested his hand in mine. I gently laced my fingers with his and opened my eyes. Altaïr smiled at me and his beautiful eyes gazed back into mine.

"I thought you were asleep." He whispered.

"I almost was." I smiled as he ran his fingers down the length of mine and then back up again. "Were you watching me sleep?" I raised an eyebrow playfully.

"Yes I was. It's become somewhat of a habit." He pulled his hand from mine and I missed his touch, but the longing was replaced with satisfaction as I felt his warm hand run over my cheek. I closed my eyes in content.

"Stalker." I mumbled. He ran his hands down my body and stopped at my waist. His grip tightened and he pulled me towards him.

"You know you like it." I heard the smile in his voice. I opened my eyes and saw that we were so much closer than before. His hand was still on my waist, but then he wrapped his arm around me and ran his hand up my back. He found my lose ponytail and pulled my hair down. He then ran his fingers through it and slowly rubbed the back of my neck. Chills shot down my spin and I drew my shoulders up.

"Stop it. That tickles." I said with a smile. Suddenly a loud clap of thunder rolled. I jumped and moved closer to Altaïr. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him. I buried my face in his chest as another loud clap rang out. His chest vibrated and hummed deeply as he chuckled.

"Well, now. That's interesting. Desert Rose isn't afraid of slavers or Templars, yet thunder scares her." I looked up at him and he smiled and kissed my forehead.

"I'm sorry. Its just…Ever since that night… It reminds me of…"

"Shhh… No need to explain and no need to apologize. If thunder is what gets you closer to me then I wish it would storm everyday." He smirked and pulled me on top of him. I was straddling him now and his hands rubbed my lower back. I smiled down at him and rubbed my hands down his chest and leaned closer to him.

"You don't have to have a storm for me to get closer to you." Altaïr's hands snaked up my back and pulled me down closer to him. We both smiled and I lightly kissed the corner of his mouth, right on his scared lip. He tried to kiss me on the lips but I pulled back just out of reach. I smirked.

"You are such a tease." He whispered playfully.

"Only to you. Besides, you know you like it." I smiled and leaned back down and brushed my lips down his neck. I came back up and we brushed noses and I kissed his scar again.

"Why is it that your lips are only limited to my scar?" he whispered. I laughed but didn't answer. I kissed him down his jaw and to the other side of his neck. I bit him once and that earned me a soft, almost inaudible moan. He quietly and deeply laughed. "My turn." He whispered. Thunder struck and Altaïr rolled over on top of me. He straddled me. I ran my hands down his bare, muscled arms. They were slightly wet from the rain still. He had his hands on either side of my head.

*Altaïr had Alera at his mercy now. He leaned down and touched his forehead to hers. She closed her eyes. He leaned down further and brushed noses with her, then he slowly pulled away with a smirk on his face.* My eyes shot open at his retreat. I leaned up to try to follow him and close the space but he was just out of reach.

"Damn it…" I barely breathed out. This was torture for me. That smirk never left his face.

"Its painful isn't it? Something you want so bad, but it's just out of reach." He whispered to me. I tried to arch into him but he caught my for-arms and held me down. I looked into his eyes. They held an amused glint to them.

"Altaïr this is not fair. I didn't tease you this bad…" my words faded into a quiet moan as he leaned down and kissed my collar bone and neck. He lightly bit me. He then trailed his kisses to my throat and another small moan emerged. He chuckled. It heated my blood to the boiling point.

"Cheater…" I just managed to breath out. He smiled.

"Maybe…" Thunder rolled and I put all my strength behind myself as I rolled us over. I was back on top now. "Damn it…" he mumbled playfully.

"Your damn right." I said as I perched over him. I leaned on my arms and looked down at him. He rose up on his elbows in an effort to meet me half way. Brilliant green burned into my sapphire blue as we stared into each other's eyes. He cupped my face with his right hand. He traced my scar on my cheek. I leaned into his touch and softly kissed his palm. I decided to tell him now. "You know it was a failed mission." I whispered softly. His eyes searched me for an explanation. "When I was first captured by Talal, it was a failed mission." I felt his lower ab muscles tense underneath me as he rose up all the way. I could only imagine what those muscles looked like underneath his clothes. My imagination ran wild.

"Was this one of your first missions?" he asked, bringing me from my daydream. I noticed he was sitting all the way up now, but I was still sitting on him. Only now I was in his lap. I went to move but his strong arms wrapped around my lower back. I saw his biceps roll under his skin. I couldn't control myself and ran my hands slowly down his shoulders to his biceps.

"Yes, it was one of my first missions. I was seventeen at the time." The pain welled up into my chest. I locked eyes with Altaïr. "I was seventeen and Robert wanted me. I was seventeen, and they captured me." I gritted my teeth as hot, angry tears ran down my face. Altaïr wiped them away and I sunk into his chest. His arms were still wrapped around me, but I no longer sat in his lap. I was on my knees, leaning into him. He softly ran his finger through my hair as he held me. He whispered soothing words to me and rested his chin on my head. I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked back up at him. "I spent two days in the bowels of Talal's holding cells, but it felt as if it were two years. He kept the windows closed. I was disoriented and lost track of time. The first day, he shackled me and beat me for information about the Brotherhood, but I never gave in.

The second day, he beat me again, but before he could deliver the devastating blow…" I paused and smiled. Altaïr looked at me expectantly. "Kalin was there. He was dressed in his white robes. Malik and Kadar were with him. They broke into his holding cells and killed off the guards, but before they could get to Talal, he ran like a gutless coward. Malik and Kadar found me and freed me as Kalin chased after Talal. I soon joined in the chase. Even though I was wearing nothing but my tunic and pants and was armed only with two throwing knives and my short sword, I tried to chase his ass down. But, Kalin had lost him. He wasn't upset though. He was mainly happy that I was all right. Malik and Kadar were happy too."

"What did Al Mualim think?" asked Altaïr worriedly.

"He was the one that told the three of them to come find me. I returned back to the master, and he wasn't mad at me. He told me that this particular target was a target we could easily kill another time. He was just glad that I was alright." I smiled. Altaïr returned it.

"The master has done that for me a few times as well." I nodded, but then a thought and memory pricked at my mind. I rubbed my right shoulder. Altaïr caught me. "What is it?" he asked with slight concern. I looked down.

"We left out of his ware house, but somewhere up on the roofs the bastard tried a last attempt at getting me, and he almost did." I pulled down my tunic on my right shoulder to reveal a scar right below where my collarbone and shoulder bone connect. It was white with age and about two inches long. Altaïr lightly ghosted his fingers over it.

"I can heal that for you. Let me ease your pain, Alera." He whispered. Altaïr leaned forward and lightly kissed my scar. His smooth, warm lips moved rhythmically on my scar. He then trailed them up my neck. He laid back down on the cushions and I perched over him again. We looked into each other's eyes and smiled.

I then slid off of him and laid back down beside him. A low thunder rolled and the rain got a bit harder on the roof. Altaïr turned on his side to look at me. I smiled, then closed my eyes and rolled over on my left side. I felt Altaïr's arm slowly wrap around my hip. I grabbed his hand and laced my fingers with his. He moved closer in response and I melted into him. The warmth of his chest was against my back and his arm was wrapped all the way around my waist, our fingers laced. I felt his warm, soft breath on my neck.

*Altaïr breathed in her scent and his grip on her waist tightened possessively. Rose, jasmine, and now rain all mixed together to form a very lethal combination. He was addicted now. She pressed herself all the way against him and laced her fingers with his.*

I loved the protective, possessive feeling his aura was pulsing out. The tight but comfortable grip on my waist had me reeling with feelings and sent warm shocks through my body. I felt the slow rise and fall of his chest against my back, but most importantly, his heart beat. It was slow and content and was lulling me into the edge of sleep. I felt his hand roam from my waist up my side and to my neck. He tucked my hair behind my ear and pushed the hair back away from my neck. His hand then ran back down my body and wrapped around my waist again, pressing me to him. His breath tickled my bare neck.

"Altaïr…" I said in a half whisper half moan. I suddenly felt lips brush the back of my neck. I tensed for a split second and then relaxed. He kissed my neck and my body was wracked with chills and warm shocks. I melted further into him as I had a slow and steady rush go over my body. "Altaïr, if I fall asleep…don't leave me." I whispered. I felt him pull me as close as possible. He ran his kisses up my neck.

"I'm not going anywhere." He breathed. His breath sent so many chills down my spine that I had to hold back a shiver. I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing. I felt the rhythmic beat of Altaïr's heart and the slow, calm rise and fall of his chest. Every now and then I felt smooth lips press against my neck. The rain pattered on the roof, and the warmth of Altaïr's body against mine sent me into a beautiful sleep.

It was dark. The floor underneath me was no longer warm and covered in cushions, it was damp and cold and hard. I felt the absence of Altaïr. His warmth and his body were no longer beside me. I was cold and wet. I opened my eyes and stared down at myself. My tunic was ripped a little and my pants were ripped in the knees. What the hell had happened? I observed my surroundings and realized exactly where I was. I was face to face with cold, iron, unforgiving bars. I was back in Talal's holding cell.

I heard footsteps and the rattle of chains. Oh god no! He's bringing back the shackles! I immediately stood up and looked around for some sort of weapon, but nothing was present. My cell was empty. I heard Talal's evil laugh.

"Well now Desert Rose. Are you going to spill your secrets to me today?" he asked with a wicked smile. I spat at him and backed up to the farthest corner of my cell.

"You will learn your place, bitch!" he yelled.

"You cannot touch me! I know Robert paid you good money not to physically harm me." I yelled to him.

"You still have three more days here until Robert arrives to collect you. Your bruises will be gone by then, and if they aren't, well it will be worth it none the less." He opened the cell and two of his guards walked in. They caught me and I thrashed and kicked. I managed to kick one in the groin and I punched the other in the stomach. I ran for Talal next, but two more guards tackled me to the ground and shackled me. They wrapped the chains around the metal rings in the wall. My movement was limited and just about all my energy was spent. Talal approached me and backhanded me across my check. I felt the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. I slowly turned back towards Talal.

"Tell me about the Assassins!" he yelled. I spit my blood at him and it hit its target, right on his cheek. He wiped it away and then delivered a punch to my gut. The air was stolen away from me as I gasped for breath. I wanted to throw up. I wanted to slump over on my knees. Where was Altaïr? Where was Malik? Why am I here? I felt a sense of abandonment and loneliness over come me. Tears started to pour from my eyes.

"Tell me about the Assassins." He said sternly.

"Go to hell you bastard!" I screamed at him. This time he raised his fist. I gathered up all energy I had left. He was about to punch me in the jaw when I lifted myself up from the chains and kicked him in his chest.

My body tensed and my breath caught in my throat as I opened my eyes. I drank in my surroundings. I was back at the bureau. The warm cushions and floor were underneath me, but most of all, Altaïr was still beside me. His arm was protectively wrapped around my waist and our fingers were still laced. I felt the steady rise and fall of his chest. He was asleep. The rain still fell outside; everything was just as I had left it. I snuggled closer to Altaïr. He responded by taking a deep breath and running his hand up my stomach. I didn't move, for I didn't want to wake him. The feeling of loneliness and abandonment was gone. A realization hit me: I'm safe and Talal is dead. I'll never have to deal with him again. I closed my eyes as those beautiful words Altaïr had told me echoed in my mind.

"Look for me in the shadows. For I will always be at your side."