April 11 2022

Connor listened to everything Jack told him. He listened as the man told him about Clipper's journal and about Faith and about Abstergo, the company that was owned and run by Templars. Listening was easy enough. Believing was another matter entirely.

Jack tried to prepare Connor for the changes he would experience on leaving the room. As if the room itself wasn't enough of a change from what the Native was used to. Powering machines from a plug in the wall, water coming from pipes underground. It was inconceivable. Connor had not known how incredibly difficult it would be for him to adapt. To get used to the way things were in the twenty-first century. It would take time. Much time.

The only thing that made it all easier for Connor was knowing he would see Faith again soon. As soon as she agreed to Jack's terms. He had always known his wife was stubborn, but this was beyond maddening. He wanted to see her. He needed to see her. To talk to her. To explain.

Connor made his way downstairs, from the room he had been given to sleep in, to the large room that housed the sitting and eating area. He noticed Edward seated on the couch with Desmond. They were speaking about something Connor didn't understand. Edward glanced up and nodded at Connor. Connor returned it. It was odd to see his grandfather. To talk to him. But that was not the strangest thing Connor had experienced in the last week. It was only a drop in the bucket.

Noticing Jack at the table, Connor made his way over and sat across from the man. Jack glanced up for only a second before returning his attention to the communication device in his hand. A cell phone, Jack had called it. It was used to speak to people who were not in the same room as you. Not even in the same country, according to Jack. Connor wished he had one to speak to Faith.

As impatient as he was, Connor waited for Jack to finish what he was doing before inquiring about his wife. He could tell by the man's expression that there had been no changes.

"She's not exactly accepting right now. Especially to me."

"Does that surprise you?" Connor ask. He knew the story, about Jack being Faith's father. Jack had told him the first time they met. He had told him everything. The man was honest, if nothing else.

"Not really."

"Let me talk to her."

Jack studied Connor. "I've not told her about you yet. I'm worried about how she might react."

Connor had heard that before. Jack was constantly afraid to divulge too much to Faith. Afraid of what she might do if she knew the entire truth. Connor felt it wasn't the correct course of action. He had tried to convince Jack of that.

"She is stronger than you think," he told Jack.

"Is she?"

Connor remained quiet. He had always thought Faith strong. But maybe he didn't know her that well. Not anymore. He never would have believed the woman he loved capable of taking her own life. Even though he had seen her do just that. With his father. He had known Faith's intentions the entire time. Just as he had known that her dreams were tormenting her. And that Abby's death had destroyed her. Faith was never the same after he showed her the cave. She was unfeeling. Distant. The way she spoke, the way she acted. Connor knew he was losing her. She was not the woman he married anymore. She had not been for two years. He wondered what else had changed about her since then. She had obviously gone through a lot. Was she even the same person he had known? He wasn't sure. But he hoped.

Before anything else could be said, the door opened and Peter came through carrying five boxes of food. He said hello to everyone, using the same offensive terminology he always did. It wasn't as if the boy was rude, that was just his way. Connor actually liked him. He stood up to help Pete put the pizza on the table.

"Thanks, bro."

Connor didn't mind that either, Pete's colloquial term for brother. They were – in a way – brothers.

"Pizza again?" Edward stated as he got a slice for himself.

"It's the cheapest way to feed all you people," Pete told him. "Besides, the girl at Little Caesars always gives me extra jalapeno cheese sauce. I think she likes me."

Desmond looked up at him from where he was sitting. "She must not know you then."

"Fuck you, Miles." Pete smiled as he said it.

"Watch your language, boy." Jack said that at least four times daily.

Pete mumbled an apology as he sat down next to Desmond and looked at him. "I texted you."

"I got it," Desmond replied.

Pete waited for a moment, as if expecting more. Desmond remained quiet, prompting Peter to ask, "And?"

Desmond looked at the other man. "How old is she?"

No wonder the conversation was so cryptic. It was about a woman. Connor wasn't interested in that. He didn't care about any one else's dating status. It was none of his concern. He concentrated on eating, but was still able to hear everything being said.

"Twenty-three, twenty-four. A little older than me."

Desmond shook his head. "Too young."

Pete laughed at that. "It's not like you're Dad's age."

That got Jack's attention. He looked at his son. "Are you implying I'm old?"

Instead of answering that question, Pete just shrugged at Desmond. "Fine, I'll see if Mom has any single friends."

That got Edward's attention. "If you're taking request, I'm good with anyone over legal drinking age, whatever that is these days."

Connor almost choked on his pizza. He had read about his grandfather's cavalier attitude toward women, but witnessing it was completely different. It was odd to think of Edward as young and single. According to the conversations they had, it would be years before Haytham was born. Edward had not even met his future wife yet. Still, having a tryst with a random woman in a random time...It was uncomfortable to contemplate.

"We all have more important things to worry about than hooking up," Jack told them.

"Debatable," Edward replied.

Pete chuckled at that. Then he looked up at his father, his expression turning serious. "Still nothing?"

Jack just shook his head. Peter held out his hand, waited for Jack to hand him the keys to the room where Faith was being kept. After receiving them, Pete stood up. He still watched Jack closely.

"Permission to do this my way?" Jack gave him an expression of refusal, which Pete ignored. "Wasn't really asking."

Connor watched him as he left the room. "What does he plan to do?"

Jack sighed loudly. He clearly wasn't happy about the new development, but he was accepting it. "You'll get to see your wife soon, Connor."

Desmond stepped into the office. He didn't bother knocking. The door was unlocked, so he entered. Jack was sitting in an office chair in front of a group of monitors. Five of them showed the grounds surrounding the complex and the gated entrance. Three displayed each of the levels of the building and four were each of the rooms in the basement. Only one of those was on. It was that one Jack was watching. The one showing Faith's room.

"Something to say, Mr. Miles?" Jack didn't turn. He just watched as Faith and Connor sat on the edge of the bed and talked.

"Nope," Desmond answered honestly. "Just wanted to see how things were going."

Jack raised a hand, gestured to the screen. Faith was speaking animatedly to Connor who was only listening with an expression Desmond couldn't identify. Desmond wondered what they were saying. He wished the cameras had a sound feed. But they didn't. He could only watch as his ancestor and the woman who married him conversed in private.

"They're talking," Jack stated.

Desmond nodded, knowing the man didn't see it. "Any idea what they're talking about?"

Jack shrugged. "Some of what Connor is saying is in Kanien'keha."

Desmond stared at the screen. It wasn't as if the monitors were high resolution. The quality was actually pretty bad, compared to the standard these days. He could see Faith's mouth moving, but could make out no words. "You can read their lips from such poor quality?"

Jack shrugged again. If he didn't know the man better, Desmond would have accused him of lying. But Jack was not a liar. He was many things, but he was always honest – even if the truth was hurtful. That was one of the reasons Clair got angry with him so often. He had no filter.

After another moment, Desmond saw Faith shake her head. She got to her feet. Connor took her hand, standing. He said something that made her turn toward him. When they were facing each other, Connor put his hands on Faith's shoulders and touched his forehead against hers. His lips barely moved as he spoke. Whatever he said this time made Faith embrace him. Feeling uncomfortable at the display of affection, Desmond looked away. He noticed Jack reach up and turn the monitor off.

"I guess Faith will be joining us now." He didn't sound happy about it.

Desmond, however, was relieved. While he still wasn't sure if they could trust Jack's daughter, he did like the idea of having her where he could keep a close watch on her. He really hoped Connor was right, because – if he wasn't – this would turn out bad for all of them. Very bad. And it would end up hurting the Native the most. Desmond wasn't sure Connor could take losing his wife a second time.

He said a silent prayer to whatever God existed that things would go as planned.