A/N: I don't own anyone but Alex/Sklyar despite what someone says…
"Odessa, named for the ancient Greek colony of Odessos which was established in the 6th century BCE where Varna, Bulgaria now resides though human habitation has been ongoing well beyond the Greeks. The Varna thermae are the largest public buildings ever uncovered in Bulgaria. Statues of Asclepius and Hygeia, deities of medicine and health, were discovered in the northwestern sections."
Desmond nodded numbly, bored and anxious as the others set up. Shaun was spouting off his normal historical dialogue which today was taxing on the remaining nerves. He had not slept, instead practicing with his hidden blade. Every thrust, stab, block, kick, and punch had to be timed, operate in fluid perfection. He couldn't fuck up, not even allow one split second of hesitation. Cross couldn't get a chance! His mind crafted what his heart desired: The steely flash cut off by the spring of crimson rushing from the deep fatal wound; the shower of blood splattering across his face, teasing his lips with a taste of sweet iron and copper. The last thing he wanted Cross to see with his final breath was the twisted victorious smirk cast upon his enemy's face.
William frowned at the distant stare in his son's face. Desmond wasn't focused which was dangerous for an Assassin. The older Miles had witnessed the consequences of lacking focus when it was imperative to exercise self discipline and restraint.
"William," Harlan's slender form blocked his view. William blinked and looked up to see a flash drive being offered. "This is the floor plan for the library where the statue of Poseidon is on display."
"Any idea of where the Piece is?" William hurried to have Shaun decipher the plans.
"One of our spies examined the statue while posing as a tourist and couldn't determine where or what the Piece is. But on the drive is an inscription located at the base of the statue."
"Good work Harlan," William nodded shortly at the younger man.
"When do we move?"
Skylar shifted her eyes sideways at Daniel who was on his second cigarette. She chose to stick with one but could've gone for a second. Maybe she would take up his offer.
"Nightfall."
"Works for me," she shot out an open palm to which Daniel silently deposited a second smoke in the waiting hand. "I work better at night anyways. Not as many people to have to worry about."
She took a deep long drag before speaking again. "So what did recon find out?"
"The library has a statue of Poseidon as part of an exhibit. The Piece is located on or in it. But what it is no one knows."
"Give me five minutes and I bet I can find it."
"Yeah," Daniel snorted, "You and that freaky ass vision of yours."
"That freaky ass vision as you call it has retrieved a few Pieces for us. You're just jealous you don't have it. But then again you don't exactly complain about it either."
The knowing smirk crossed her lips as Daniel rolled his eyes. While he outwardly groaned he was a bit envious of the trait she held. Sometimes he yearned to be able to identify targets with the simple switch of sight. He had asked her once what it was like to see the world as she could.
"It's as though an entire part of me has awakened Daniel; a part of me that had been asleep for too long."
"Any word about the Assassins?"
"No," Daniel regrettably shook his head.
"Hmm," Skylar took another drag with eyes scanning the horizon. It was early autumn with night being cold to chill the bone and days that teased with the gentle kiss of the sun. She was dressed for the time of year and with the mission looming over them light but durable was key. Neither one had dined with the others, claiming they operated more efficiently without a heavy meal to drag them down.
"I had another one."
"Another what?" Daniel realized his error half way through the question.
"Vision, dream, whatever the Hell you want to call them. It happened on the plane."
"Oh yeah?" Daniel took another cigarette out but quickly snatched a second knowing she would need one.
"Yeah," she sighed disgustedly. "I mean seriously it's pissing me off. People walking around taller than us dressed like something out of a science fiction novel holding glowing golden balls."
Daniel listened intently. Skylar was describing a Piece of Eden; specifically an Apple. It would appear her mind salvaged something that existed before Arkhangelsk. Warren and Alan would want to know about this.
"Sounds like your brain took a harder hit than you thought," the older Templar chuckled.
"I'm serious Daniel!" Skylar had no patience for his smart ass remarks. "This isn't something I made up! It felt REAL!"
"Sorry," his apology was patronizing.
"You know what? Fuck you. I'm going inside." The angry storming of boots followed by the violent slam confirmed he was alone. Finishing off the last fourth of his cigarette, Daniel groaned and rolled his eyes at nothing in particular before making his way towards the door.
"Jesus she's such a pain." He growled in inner frustration.
"God he's such a prick sometimes!" Skylar wanted to hit something; something solid and hard. Instead she was reduced to sitting at the head of the conference table, banging her knee against the underside of the solid marble. The briefing was at 2100 and it was only 2000. Great, she had an hour to wait.
"Screw it," she muttered under her breath and sprang from the seat.
Daniel returned to the quarters finding the smaller case open but the Walther PPK absent. There was no need to speculate as to Skylar's whereabouts.
Skylar took a deep breath.
Her arms were raised with weapon clutched calmly in her grip. She waited.
The first target sprang from its hiding place; a crude cutout of what was supposed to be an Assassin. Two steps each accompanied by a pull of the trigger tore through the hypothetical heart and head of the unfortunate target. That was the last of the targets but it was enough to purge some of the tension gathered in her mind. Her anger had morphed several targets into the likenesses of the Miles men as another had taken on the image of Vidic and another had shifted to her partner.
Her relationship with Daniel was complicated to say the least. Some days she felt as if they had paved inroads with one another others she wanted to strangle him.
This night was the latter.
"Skye!"
Skylar was in the process of checking her weapon and reloading it before acknowledging him. Her head tracked up until her piercing gaze was trained upon him.
"What do you want?" She was cool in her greeting but Daniel waved it off as he descended the metallic steps. "Here to get a few more hits?"
"Jesus what is your problem tonight?" Normally Skylar was upbeat when they were on a mission but her mood was downright irritable and it was beginning to grate on his nerves. Skylar whirled around on her heels with a look etched deep in silent rage.
"What's my problem? What's my problem Daniel? Gee how about the fact I keep having those fucking dreams which have caused me to lose sleep. I've seen them even when I'm AWAKE!"
"You've been seeing-"
"THEM! Yes Daniel I have been having hallucinations. Now can you see why I'm a little agitated? And here you were thinking it was PMS."
Saying nothing more, Skylar brushed past her partner and started up the stairs. Daniel was left to absorb and wonder what this could mean. Was she being subjected to the bleeding effect like had had been? Or was it something deeper? Either way it could compromise the mission. The last thing he needed was having Skylar enduring any form of psychological fuck.
"Damn it," he growled and took the steps two at at a time.
Skylar found her feet leading her towards the briefing room. It suited her fine as several of the recruits were already seated and waiting.
The vibration in her pocket caused her to stop and fish her phone from her pocket. Against her better judgment Skylar read the waiting message.
We need to talk
"The fuck we do," she shoved the phone in her pocket and proceeded for the room.
Desmond reached the roof of the school, using the awning which adorned the the main entrance.
"Alright I'm at the main entrance."
"The guards are making their rounds and are approaching the front. Wait for my word before you proceed."
The wind was whipping up, running through the flimsy pullover. Desmond shut his eyes and attempted to shun the bone chilling cold that penetrated his flesh. The Piece was in the statue of Poseidon but what it was no one had been able to determine. The Templars were somewhere close by, exactly where they didn't know.
"Alright proceed to the right and there is a key pad straight below there."
He dropped to the landing, rising from the crouched stance he was well versed in. Desmond didn't require further instruction as his Eagle Vision ignited highlighting the sequence that would grant him access.
"And you're sure security won't detect this?"
"No; I'll reroute it so the system doesn't alert anyone."
The bright cerulean jumped at him like a snake. Desmond effortlessly punched the correct code and took a step back. The angry red switched to pleasant green with an accompanying click.
"At the main atrium turn left and continue straight down the hall."
Without acknowledging the directions, Desmond quietly stalked towards the main atrium then to the looming corridor ahead.
He noticed the doors to the library were shut, pass code required which was not a surprise. The young Assassin gained access with ease, not once doubting his ability to enter. He swung the door behind him as to not have the rent a guards raise any alarms.
"Okay I'm here."
"You'll need to use your Eagle Vision. But then again you already knew that."
A quite snort filled the earpiece as he began his search, noticing against the light of the full moon how massive it was.
Poseidon, God of the Ocean...He was one of Them...
Sighing, Desmond flipped his extra sense on, watching the room become bathed in a gentle electric blue. Selecting a corner of the massive library, he swept his head from left to right, picking up nothing out of the ordinary. Shelves, volumes, furnishings, and artifacts lined the walls. Still, he wasn't about to call it quits.
Shifting his body around, he turned his attention to the base of the statue and repeated. The one aspect of having Eagle Vision which Desmond loathed the most was being dispatched on tedious assignments like this. He was the only one of the group that had the capability which put him at the front of the line for these missions.
The blow was sharp and deliberate.
Desmond felt his body arch outward along with the air in his lungs.
The second strike came in the center of his solar plexus.
The Assassin gasped creating a deep pained wheeze from the depths of his chest. He couldn't stop his body from swinging backward and to the floor.
"Well look who brought their stupid little knife to a gun fight."
The all too familiar voice taunted from the shadows.
"Cross," Desmond snarled. Before he could rise to his knees the third hit took his knees from beneath him. The Assassin's smacked the solid granite flooring causing his unseen assailant to grimace.
"Find it," Daniel barked his order with the warmth of a drill sergeant. The other spun on their heels creating a soft echo of footsteps behind them. Desmond stole a glance of his attacker, noting the smaller frame . He suspected a woman.
"I'm on it," his companion snarled with annoyance.
Wait! That voice!
Desmond started to rise but Cross struck him down with a sharp blow of the butt of his gun. The Assassin stumbled back, landing with both hands breaking his fall.
"Boss wants you alive. We have unfinished business."
The Templar sneered and cocked the hammer, poising the firearm between his enemy's eyes.
"Should kill you; say one of the guards shot you, mistaking you for an intruder."
"Do you ever shut up?!"
Cross grew enraged, kicking the downed Assassin with the tip of his boot. The steel toe edge cracked the bottom three ribs, eliciting a deep cry of pain. He grinned with glee, watching as Desmond clutched the damaged bone with his arms.
"Have you found it yet!?"
She seethed from where she resided along the base, completing her translation of the ancient tongue inscribed in three neat verses. When they got back...
And with it he created the waters of the world...
Her eyes flickered upward, focusing on the trident which rose proudly above the head. Of course! The trident was believed to have created the oceans rivers and lakes of the world!
The golden echo radiated in the darkness, like a beacon on the shore.
"Got it," she muttered. Countless hours spent training and sparring came to fruition as her athletic form catapulted from the base and ascended the formidable idol. Through the beams of silver, Cross spotted his partner racing for the top.
She couldn't but help to feel as though the artifact was beckoning her closer, stirring an unknown pull that had been dormant in her psyche. Shaking off the feeling, she shimmied up the golden shaft, now focused solely on the Piece. All time had stopped as she arrived at the prongs, extending a hand towards her prize. Biting down on her bottom lip, she continued leaning forward with hips pressed tight against the slick surface.
It was the size of a marble; smooth and cold but dense. It possessed some weight, reminding her of a ball bearing from an antique gun.
Mera...Please...
Instantly her fingers curled around it in a possessive stance with such ferocity it caused the tendons in her wrist and forearm to bulge beneath the skin.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Cross heard her impassioned plea.
"LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!"
"No," he knew what was happening but kept the weapon steady. Desmond was certain he was familiar with that voice.
"Alex," he whispered. Was she alive!? Had she survived!?
Her feet landed on the floor, racing towards them. An anguished shriek flooded the library as she unleashed her rage upon the Assassin. Her first jammed the center of his spine, popping several vertebrae. Desmond felt his back bow inward but his tongue went limp. His forehead rammed into the barrel of Cross's gun but the initial jolt wasn't detected. Shock had silenced him.
"You son of a bitch!" The woman hurled her fist yet again, this time slamming the back of his head.
She was just warming up.
"Alex," Desmond pleaded.
"Who?! What the fuck are you attempting Miles!?"
The sole of her boot crushed his right hand. The lone row of pearl glistened in the moonlight as he continued to wallow in agony.
"I've waited a long time for this." She lifted her leg, ready to break a few more ribs. Vidic didn't say they couldn't break him before bringing him in.
"SHIT!" Cross heard sirens approaching from the distance. Someone had triggered the alarm. "We need to go NOW!"
He clawed at her arm, clutching her bicep. It had to have been those bastards! Only they would be pussy enough to do such a thing.
"Goddamn it Cross!" She howled as he dragged her away. Desmond struggled to get to his feet as the lights of the police cars altered the scene. The hurried shouts in Ukrainian were like a fire nipping at his heels, seconds from burning him if he didn't get moving.
Desmond hobbled from the line of sight, seeking a hasty exit. The nearest escape was the side door to his left. Forcing his legs to carry his wounded body, he collided with the solid metal door and out into the chilled Odessa night. He darted for the row of trees and pressed his back against the impressive trunk as the police scoured the grounds and building.
"Desmond, start walking forward. We're about 300 feet away."
Rebecca's voice provided a pathway, guiding him away from the chaos and to the safety of friends. The last image to grace his vision was that of his father as he lifted him into the interior of the van.
"Dad..."
"Shhhh, don't speak. Relax."
Desmond took a burning breath determined to speak.
"Alex..."
The blanket of the night prevented him from seeing the confused expressions cast on everyone's faces.
Skylar was beyond pissed.
Desmond Miles had escaped and Vidic was throwing the bitch fit of the century. What was he getting his panties in a wad for?! They recovered the Piece which was now being analyzed in one of the labs. But her partner had blabbed that she had another "episode" which she wanted to keep quiet.
Now she was in the training room pummeling the practice dummy without gloves. With every strike she pictured Daniel's face then Vidic's. That arrogant smirk on the old man's face only stoked the fire which raged deep in her belly. Now Dr. Sung was concerned, having requested to see her once she got done. Well, the doc was going to have to wait a while because she wasn't in the sharing kind of mood.
Well if he thought she was going to share that bed with him tonight, Daniel had another thing coming. It wouldn't the first or the last time she chose the couch over his bed.
A few of the recruits had taken the role of spectator, observing the senior agent unleash Hell upon the torso punching bag. The bright lighting amplified the beads of sweat that steadily flew off her arms, shoulders, neck, and face, giving her an intimidating illumination. Skylar knew they were hovering like vultures, probably waiting for the opportunity to see if they could take her down. Maybe she should extend that sliver of hope. There wouldn't be a shortage of volunteers.
The violent thrusts, punches, kicks, and lunges ceased.
Skylar was panting hard as she straightened up with eyes dark and turbulent.
"Who's first?"
Simultaneously three from the front row stumbled and raced against one another in which Skylar shook her head with disgust. These were supposed to be the BEST and yet they had the mentality of adolescents! Still their tenacity wasn't to be overlooked. She could use that energy to her advantage when she resumed her hunt for Desmond Miles.
"I want a shot," the olive skinned recruit halted inches from her. The lean hungry stare told Skylar he was eager for battle. Good, because battle he was about to get.
"Step right up," Skylar took two steps back, pausing to curl her fingers back and forth in a summoning gesture. "Take your best shot."
Where she had been irate moments before now amusement brightened the dull stare.
"With pleasure," the recruit cockily cracked his neck and knuckles. Everyone watched with bated breath as their comrade rushed across the mat and towards Skylar. She didn't move but remained alert and sized her opposition. Her knees were soft, slightly bent while her hands dangled by her sides. No indication of what she was anticipating could be read.
The unfortunate recruit unleashed a macho yell and drew his right arm back. Skylar snorted at this and readied for her counter strike. Just a few more inches and...
Her body suddenly dropped, crouched on the mat with leg swinging parallel to the ground. Muscle rippled through her inner thigh and calf, exerting a level of power which caught the would be attacker at the ankles, shocking his body long enough for Skylar to sweep his feet from beneath his hips. His body propelled forward then up with feet sailing above his head with back slamming into the semi rigid surface. The force of the landing expelled the air from his lungs creating a pained whoosh that even his fellow recruits had grimaced at the sound of.
"Stupid move, rookie," she was harsh in her words, criticizing him for selecting a move that is easy to neutralize. "Never charge your enemy like that! Try again!"
The fury returned as Skylar circled him, annoyed he had not gotten up.
"Get up!" She shouted. "I said GET UP!"
"He's not moving." One of the others rushed over.
"Get help!" A third one shouted. Skylar stared dumbly at the fallen recruit. Jesus! Were all of the recruits going to drop from a simple fucking block?! She struggled to restrain her emotions as she ran to the com box and called for medical.
"What the Hell is going on!?" Daniel finally arrived. He saw the group hovering around the down man then looked straight at his partner.
"It was a basic block. He came at me so I swept his feet from under him. Not my fault he landed hard."
"Damn it Skylar!" Cross was growing equally angry. He dug his nails into her shoulders until he could feel his nails break the skin on the tops of her shoulders.
"I didn't hit him that hard. How many times have we done that move and walked away with nothing more than a few bruised bones?!"
The medical team had arrived and in the process of stabilizing the patient.
"How hard did you hit?" His voice dropped into a low serpentine hiss. His body shook from the adrenaline rushing through his veins. Everything around him was shut out save the icy knives staring him down.
"I-I don't remember. They wanted a shot at me so I offered them just that. Fucking stupid rookies! If this the best you have Daniel, we're royally FUCKED."
"If you didn't have a meltdown in Odessa we would have Desmond Miles right now! I find it rather convenient that it happened right at that moment."
"What you accusing me of? Conspiring with the enemy!? In case your mind slipped Daniel, I wanted to kill Desmond but you kept me from doing that. Gee I wonder why. Didn't you have a little meltdown in Brazil? If I recall you had a fuck up yourself; speaking Russian and acting crazed. I heard Desmond Miles got away then too. So DO NOT even accuse me of cavorting with THEM."
She tore his hands away from her but then with lightning speed hurled a right hook, belting him across the left side of his face just below the eye. Daniel lost his balance, falling flat on his ass. It was already beginning to sting where her knuckles pummeled. Skylar took off, desiring nothing more than have him gone from her sight. She left him there to nurse his wound and pout like a child. Just who the Hell did he think he was?! She couldn't control when Freaky Vision popped up! Goddamn hypocrite was what he was.
Daniel searched for his wayward partner, feeling his anger subsiding. His eye was throbbing harder where she had punched him but Dr. Sung had assured him it would result at worst a black eye. He didn't mean to lash out at her like that. He was frustrated and enraged Miles had gotten away again and Skylar had nearly killed one of their recruits. Luckily the latter was going to be fine and walk again. His spine was bruised but no cracks or broken vertebrae with a mild concussion from smacking the back of his head on the mat. For now he would be on bed rest with continued monitoring in the infirmary.
Probably back at the apartment.
He marched up the back stairs, taking two at a time until he reached the 9th floor. One swipe with his key card and he was a 100 feet from the front door.
Daniel paused at the entrance, knowing she was still seething. That was the thing about Skylar: When she got mad it lingered like a bad taste in the mouth. This would be no different. So Daniel chose the path of least resistance. He would apologize for his uncalled for accusations but didn't expect her to trot to his bed. She would need time and space to calm then she would come to him.
He entered, finding the main room bathed in the dark. The sound of the shower penetrated through the bathroom door. It would be best to wait and say what would be needed to be said face to face. Daniel kicked his boots off and sat on the edge of the bed. The ice pack that had been given was placed over his face, numbing the sting to a tolerable level. He realized Skylar wasn't thinking straight when she did that. It was emotion that dictated that little display. Whispers would carry about how Abstergo's best agents got into it with Daniel taking a beating from Skylar.
Goddamn gossip whores would have something to gawk about behind both their backs. He laughed at this because Skylar despised those same middle aged men and women who had no life outside of work and found that needling into hers and Daniel's partnership satisfied that superficial void. He would love to see her put those twats in their place, effectively silencing their loose lips.
He would wait for her to come out.
The water had turned cold some time ago but Skylar had not moved. She stayed seated on the shower floor, hugging her knees tight to her chest. Tears blended with water, consumed by the harsh jets that assaulted her head, legs, and arms.
I didn't mean to hit him but he pushed all the right buttons this time.
Why did he have to say those things?
Her knuckles ached but they would heal. Skylar had returned to the apartment and went for the shower, hoping the soothing rhythm of the water would calm her. Anger was gone but replaced with remorse. She had lost her control in front of the recruits; something she swore never to do. Rikkin and Vidic were well aware of this by now she was certain of this. Well fuck them because she was in no mood to listen to their lecturing bullshit.
But she would have to face her partner. The thought made her shudder as he was probably still pissy about being hit and how she treated that recruit.
"I can't win."
As if whatever force or forces out there would listen to her whining. Letting out a frustrated huff, she got to her feet and twisted the faucets off. Snagging the thick blue towel from the rack, Skylar wrapped herself up marched out of the bathroom.
Daniel slid the pack off at the sound of the door clicking. She emerged with a towel draped loosely around her body. Her hair was flat to her neck and shoulders but it was the eyes; they were softer but kept avoiding his gaze. She sat down on the couch, linking her hands together as she fought to find the right words.
"I'm sorry I hit you. I was angry and I lashed out the only way I knew how."
"You have dead on right hook Skye."
"Not funny."
"Look, I said something I shouldn't have. It wasn't right."
"Is that an apology?"
Daniel shrugged. "Yeah, I guess it is."
"I guess I'll have to take it."
"So are you going to crash-"
"I'll take the couch. Won't be the first time."
"Your call Skye. You do what you want." He wasn't being sarcastic just making an observation.
"Thanks," she went for the dresser and pulled out a fresh shirt and clean underwear. Daniel watched her drop the towel and dress.
She retrieved her pillow and spare blanket then padded across the room.
"Hey Skye," he called out.
"What?"
"I'm sorry."