A/N: I don't own anyone but Alex/Skylar...
Skylar had assumed the couch as her bed for the next several days yet continuing to adhere to her rigorous routine of training which was promptly at 5 AM each day. She wasn't ready to return to the bed she occupied with Cross. Skylar wanted him to squirm just a little bit longer before reclaiming her place. Though he wore a mask of stone, his partner knew better. A sharper exhale of breath when he collapsed on the bed; a brief narrow glare at the vacancy beside him. Yeah, he was getting anxious.
This particular morning found the younger Templar pushing her body with additional sets of wind sprints on the treadmill. The sweet rush of adrenaline was purging her mind and soul of the negative energy that had clung to her like a plague. Focus was on the windows five feet before her, catching random streaks of lightning in the pre-dawn skies. Her fists curled tighter into themselves, pinching the skin beneath each slender crescent. She didn't adhere to the rising ache in the front of her quads, dismissing the burn to an afterthought. Pain was good. Ear buds planted firmly with the hard core banging and thundering of metal continously fueled her body.
Daniel watched her through the door.
For the last 20 minutes he hovered around the entrance, fixated on the rampage playing out in the center of the facility. There had been no sign of abatement in her speed or time she charged at such a pace. Shaking his head to himself, Daniel pushed the door forward and took a breath.
"Skye," he hollered her name as he approached. Skylar rolled her eyes and continued on.
"Skye," Daniel raised his voice but she blocked him out. Nope, not gonna acknowledge him.
"SKYLAR!" This time he shot forward, hitting the emergency stop button on the machine. Skylar's feet abruptly halted beneath her jerking her upper body forward with a violent thrust. Muscle memory instantly kicked in, signaling her hands to latch on the side rails thus steadying her torso as her legs kicked out, feet planting on the sides. Knuckles whitened then fingers numbed and breath hardened into deep pathetic wheezing. Ice turned to fire as her eyes landed on his. As the cliché went, if looks could kill...
"What the fuck you jackass?! You could've killed me!"
"Well if you would've stopped acting like a spoiled brat I wouldn't have had to do that now would I?"
"What do you want anyways?" She fought to steady her breaths, inhaling through the nose then out her mouth. She ceased to pick up sensation in her fingertips, forgetting her hands had a death grip on the rails. Daniel captured a glimpse of the severity of her workout: Sweat slid over her face, chin and neck like miniscule rivulets, saturating the tight slate athletic top. Her calves and inner thighs wavered, quivering in the wake of recovery.
"They wants us upstairs at 0900. But before that you are to see Dr. Sung."
"Fucking lovely," she inhaled but a pause in her rhythm hitched her breath and ignited a deep pained cough. Skylar curled her fingers over her heart, hissing between fits and struggles for air.
"Skye," Daniel swung under the rail, looping an arm around his partner's waist. "Come on, stand up." He tilted her back and against his body, opening the airway. His other arm steadied her shaky upper torso, letting her head settled against his cheek. "Breathe for me; breathe for me like the other times this happened."
Subconsciously his hand covered her heart, growling as it continued slamming her ribcage. The last time this happened she wound up in intensive care for two days. That earned him one ass chewing from Sung and a three hour "meeting" with Vidic and Rikkin. Meeting! It was a three hour loss of his life he was never going to get back.
Make sure she carries it on her at all times!
She was smoking again wasn't she? Goddamn it Daniel! Sung warned you about that!
"Nope," he shook his head. "You're not going to crash out on me again. Not going to happen."
Daniel bent his knees and hooked an arm behind her knees. He was mindful of her breathing, tilting her body enough for it to depend on his and keep the head and shoulders up. Now she was wheezing.
"Fuck," he muttered and darted through the glass door, deciding to take the back stairs so no one could question and snitch to Vidic or Rikkin. No damn way he was being tormented with that shit again. "Don't you dare pass out Skye or so help me..."
His boots thundered with a furious cadence of two steps at a time. Three more floors to go; just three more fucking floors to go! His thighs and calves burned, ached, and threatened to stop obeying his will but Daniel continued, risking bodily mutiny.
"Tears..."
"What?!" Daniel huffed cursing his smoking habit at that moment.
"Lines..."
"Skye you're talking crazy!" Final floor!
"Lines that only gods can see..."
Shaking his head, the older Templar slammed his lower back against the solid steel bar, forcing the door open and clearing the way to cover. It was still early enough most of the staff were either asleep or beginning to stir. He silently thanked the fact this corridor was lined with a thick layer of carpet that dulled his hurried thunder.
"Finally," he lifted one knee to keep her elevated while fishing his back pocket for the key card. His own heart quickened as the loss of the smooth plastic in his back pocket. "Shit," he clumsily traded arms and patted the lining of the opposite pocket. "Fuck," he felt his partner sliding down his body.
"Not happening," his had frantically swung to the front, checking the right side of his pants. "Got it," he told himself and shoved the card in the reader hard enough it took two times for the lock to register the code. The beep, click of the lock, and turn from red to green was victory for the Templar as he propelled both of them inside and slammed the door behind them. Fuck it if anyone heard that. They wouldn't know who it was.
"Heart..." Her plea was pained, pathetic to his ears. Daniel lowered the smaller framed woman in the chair and tore the nightside stand drawer open.
"Got it," he snatched the inhaler and gave it a few hard short shakes. "Alright Princess, open wide."
He noticed her hand remained clutched to her chest but ignored it and focused on getting the lifesaving aerosol down her throat. Skylar was bordering between consciousness and unconsciousness but could hear what Daniel was saying. She dropped her jaw and found the power to wrap her lips around the plastic applicator.
"You know the drill Skye. One...Two...Three..." His fingers depressed the narrow cylinder, expelling a thick mist past her lips. "Come on inhale damn it."
His eyes flickered down, spotting the rise of her chest. It remained high, letting the medication absorb into the lungs then bronchial tubes before settling into the alveoli. The rattling continued but Daniel dismissed it. Like this episode it would fall silent. Skylar's face was twisted in agony but she painfully exhaled, keeping her lips sealed. Already she could feel a difference in her body as the constrictions gradually opened.
"Fuck..." she groaned and opened her eyes. "Hurts..."
"No shit," her partner rolled his eyes. Skylar shot her arm up, giving him the finger.
"You're so caring Daniel," she snorted. "How can I ever repay your kindness?"
"What the Hell happened?" He turned serious at the drop of a breath. "What did you mean by lines that only gods could see? Or how about the word eyes?"
"I-I don't know. Probably has to do with my freaky vision as you love to call it." She felt control returning, granting her the freedom to breathe without hesitation. But Skylar was suddenly tired. A hot shower and a nap before seeing Dr. Sung sounded great at that moment. "I don't want to see Vidic and Rikkin. I'm so sick of hearing them talk for the sake hearing themselves talk. Couple of megalomaniacs."
Daniel made a face then frowned. "You look like shit."
"Thanks for the observation Captain Obvious." Skylar curled her hands around the arms of the chair, taking a breath before lifting her sluggish frame up. Before she could accomplish one step, the bulkier wall that was her partner impeded her path. "What the Hell are you doing?"
"You really think you're in any shape to do anything? Stubborn ass." His hands reached for her shirt, drawing it up and over her head. Skylar wanted to fight back but it had taken the reserves she held to get up in the first place. So she resolved to let her visibly agitated partner strip her down. He knelt to slip the shorts down, feeling the pressure of her hands clamping over his shoulders. One knees rose then lowered followed by the other. Bra and underwear joined the rest leaving her naked and shivering. She ran her hands over her arms but it was for naught. The air conditioner hummed, chilling the room even further. Did they really keep it that cold in there?
"Alright," he quietly sighed. Skylar craned her neck to see he was fully nude. Even in her debilitated state...
Daniel came alongside her, hooking his arm around her waist then draping her arm across his shoulders.
"Thanks," she covered the hand resting on her hip with hers. No sarcasm or taunt in her tone. He pretended not to notice how she leaned more into him while padding towards the bathroom. He attempted to ignore the subtle linking of their fingers.
No...No...No...
She's just using me for support and nothing more...Besides getting closer than what we are can't and won't happen...
Skylar locked her elbows, bracing her body to the slick fiberglass surface. It was hard to be in a position of dependency but she was in the process of recovery from the latest pulmonary attack. But the massaging jets were succeeding in soothing her aching muscles and breathing the steamy puffs was therapeutic, and it did feel incredible having Daniel's hands sweeping the richly lathered cloth over her skin.
"I'm sorry," she heaved. The swaths of cotton abated. Skylar pivoted around, using the wall to keep her upright. "I'm sorry for being a bitch."
She bit her lower lip and averted her gaze to their feet but not before Daniel spotted the humiliation lining those rich sapphires. He realized this had taken a substantial summoning of stamina to tell him that. Apologize was not a word in her vocabulary though his ears did not deceive him. "You could've been vindictive and left me there then told the others you found me like that."
"You think that?" His face darkened.
"Daniel, you aren't exactly warm and fuzzy. I'm surprised you didn't then tell me it was something I had coming for being a cast iron bitch."
"Yeah I could've done that," he shrugged. "But I didn't."
"Yeah and I'm grateful for that." The subtle pressure of his fingers on her chin caused Skylar to look up. She attempted to look away but Daniel's hold increased.
"Skylar," he spoke in an even voice. "We're partners and yes we fight; yes we have wanted to kill one another; and yes we get on one another's nerves. Sometimes things are so tense between us Vidic melts down. But I will always have your back. Yes, you pissed me off to no end over what you did to that recruit. And I was ready to drop kick your ass back there in the workout room; but then you had that attack."
"Daniel Cross are you going soft on me?" A light smile cracked her lips.
"No," he retorted faster than he wanted. "I'm not going soft. I'm still going to push you, piss you off, make you wanna kick my ass, and yes even make you want to kill me some days."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you or else I would be worried. You can be rude and a pompous ass but that's just part of your charm." The smile widened. "Partners don't always play nice with one another. I think we've shown that enough don't you think? We have thrown down on one another more than a few times."
He simply chuckled and drew her into his embrace. Skylar didn't protest and mirrored the gesture with her arms locked around his waist. Their hips nested together then slowly started grinding against one another.
"And I will always have your back."
Their bodies pressed harder. His hands lightly traced the ridges of her spine, pausing at the very tip before gliding back up. He had spent two years shaping and crafting the toned beautiful form, watching her grow stronger with each passing day. Daniel had a swelling of pride over the end result of his tireless efforts. She was a knockout in tank tops with equally perfect legs and ass that invoked envy in several of the female employees though he had experienced springs of intolerance towards the male employees whose eyes lingered as she walked by.
She had taken to hand to hand combat with ease, favoring a hunting knife when firepower was unavailable. Her skills with a sniper rifle were equal to any military sharpshooter on the Continent and Skylar had joked about entering the Olympics which garnered a few admonishments from Vidic and Rikkin.
There is something about carving into an Assassin that I find...intoxicating...
Their mouths collided with a heated fury, finding . Daniel groaned and pressed her to the wall, hungering for more; a part of him had grown addicted. It had been difficult not having her in their bed; even if it wasn't sexual, the absence of her touch had been gnawing at his mind. His hands traversed her sides then front, roughly massaging then kneading the supple breasts.
Skylar felt as if her soul was being stolen with the power he radiated over her. But then did it really matter if he stole it? Both were on the Devil's left according to their enemies.
"Skye," Daniel withdrew leaving a narrow trail of saliva between them.
"If it happens again-" She was silence with his lips.
"I won't have to carry your ass up three flights of stairs," he snickered.
"Damn I've missed you," she broke down, knowing he would win this round. It didn't help he was fully aroused and rubbing between her legs. "Bed..." She choked her word.
"Mmmm hmmmm," he was already flipping the water off and tugging the curtain back. His arms lifted her up and onto him, locking her ankles round his back. Both were dripping wet but sheets could dry or be changed.
The cool but familiar sensation greeted her naked back and ass as they sunk into the bed. Daniel was eager to reclaim those sultry lips, to intertwine his tongue with hers in that delicious dance they shared many times. Her legs unhooked but caressed the damp sides of his abs and torso, parting her legs for him. He pushed against her, feeling her resist at first but gradually she relaxed, her body remembering what it was like having him inside. The fluttering walls elicited a deep feral growl as his hips pulled back then thrust again.
Skylar felt his mouth break away from hers, seeking the burning flesh of her neck and shoulder. Her skin was sweet to his tongue, sending deeper charges through his body.
"Fuck me from behind..." Her eyes opened showing the lust dominating her being.
"Sure?" He breathed along her ear, not wanting to to have a relapse. Damn that would be a disaster.
"Yes..." she sighed. Daniel pulled out, mindful as he turned her over to her hands and knees. Skylar was a wanton sight with hips jutted up offering herself to him. He absently licked his lips before bending down and kissing along her spine. A moan of pleasure was his reward, urging him on until his lips were pressing between the wavering blades. A finger teased around the throbbing folds then softly slipped in, pumping a few times before retracting, replaced with his solid prick.
"Skye," he whispered her name. Skylar fisted the damp sheets and blanket, feeling her body rocking back to meet his steady thrusts. His hands wandered over the juts of her hips and firm ass, giving the latter a sound smack. His lover yelped while he laughed and repeated his act on the other side. A dirty look was cast his way but Daniel sneered and fucked her harder into the mattress.
"Daniel...Daniel..." Her voice climbed higher.
"Mmmmmm," he quickened his thrusts, welcoming the rush of honey that painted his cock and thighs. Rich velvet tightened around him, bringing his own end closer. From out of nowhere, a gentle touch graced the patch of skin nested behind his balls, catching him off guard. Daniel gasped at this invasive but not unwelcome caress. "Christ..."
His lower body coiled like a spring, gathering power the more it constricted. Now those same fingers were massaging the tender glands, teasing him as he felt his will slipping away. His heart sprinted out of control, thundering in his heart as the pressure snapped. His breathing was rampant and fast but his mind was swimming in euphoria. His body tingled from head to toe causing him to shudder as his hips calmed then went still.
"Skye," her name slipped past his lips, the final act in their heated reunion.
Their legs gave out with their bodies tumbling to the bed. Daniel rolled over to his side, keeping her connected with his body. He found his hand carding through the damp raven locks, noticing earlier they reflected like the feathers of one in the light. Skylar couldn't resist the silent calling to graze her fingers across the protruding collarbone then climb up the the solid hill of muscle.
"You know we'll have to clean up again."
"Duh," the shining rings rolled up; there was the Skylar he knew. But she was strangely silent for a few moments; as if she was contemplating something. Her fingertips stretched up then feathered his right cheek. What the HELL was going on with her? She didn't do this! Not even on her good days! Fluffy sentimental bullshit was NOT her way.
"Alright then," he slapped her ass one more time before helping her up and out of bed. Skylar felt a little lightheaded but it was a side effect of the medication. It would pass like everything else had. Her body's fatigue had amplified from their sexual romp. Damn hormones! Needing a good screw! It was worth it though. "Come on Princess," he scooped her up carrying her across the room and back to the bathroom.
As they stood beneath the water, Daniel watched his partner. Something in his mind was off. Of course he was concerned about her health as it would be detrimental to many but he couldn't disregard the nagging bit that was stabbing his mind. Everything that occurred, beginning with Skye's attack sparked something. Something Daniel wasn't certain he was comfortable with.
Of course he needed her; she was his partner and the key to exterminating the Assassins but he was finding that wasn't the only reason he needed her. And it terrified him.
"First off, what you did to that recruit was beyond reckless!"
Vidic crossed his arms and fired daggers at Skylar who shrugged in her seat. Rikkin's face was frozen in a mask of discontent for the younger Templar.
"You realize the other recruits are freaking out over this?!"
She shifted in the plush leather seat, extending then crossing her legs one over the other in an attempt to be comfortable. It was going to be a long meeting.
"And I have reassured them it was a freak accident and Skylar was not hell bent on killing him. Besides, he's stable and back in his quarters resting."
"That is not the point Daniel!" Rikkin spoke up. He didn't yell or raise his voice as Vidic chose to do but used a low menacing octave. "The point is one of our best agents lost it and we almost had a dead man! I cannot stress the importance of exercising restraint when working with fresh groups. I should reassign Skylar for this."
"Absolutely not!" Daniel narrowed his eyes at the CEO. "If you think for one moment I am going to take one of those lower agents you're dead wrong."
"Then what do you suggest Daniel? Clearly this episode tells us otherwise." Rikkin reclined deeper into the overpriced chair. The groans of wool along leather was cause for a few snickers from Skylar.
"I see you are taking this entire thing lightly," the CEO turned his attention to her. "You realize your fate is in our hands at this particular instance."
"Yeah," she straightened in her chair but challenged her superior. Without thought of consequence, Skylar slammed her palms on the glass face surface and encroached on Rikkin's space. She dared to place herself within inches of arrogant bastard with a sneer that matched the cold which dominated her stare. "But you also forget I'm one of the few good agents your sorry ass has left. How many have died because of Desmond Miles and his father? I remember an incident not too long ago where an entire unit in Chicago was wiped out. Wiped out by a boy and his little knife. So you tell me who will be able to withstand the effects of that shiny little Apple. You? You Vidic? I don't think so. So you will leave me where I am. Without us," she gestured to Daniel who seemed to be enjoying his partner's triade, "You wouldn't have half the Pieces you do. So here's what I propose: I'll keep on those wonderful little happy pills you seem to love pushing down our throats, play good patient and see the Doc as needed, and you two will give us the missions to find and kill Desmond Miles with whatever resources and manpower we need. This brotherhood can easily finance such."
Her fingertips glided silently over the polished glass face then receded from the desk altogether. She resumed her seat as though nothing had transpired; the neutral facade back.
"And what if we say no?" Vidic huffed.
"Do you really want to learn the answer to that Warren?" Daniel cautioned. "If you want more Pieces acquired and more Assassin blood shed, you're gonna have to cut the leash you have on Skylar."
"And you're going to ensure she doesn't turn into a loose canon?" Rikkin wanted to hear this.
"Alan, you haven't worked with Skylar like I have. She understands what's at risk here. She knows how Miles works and thinks. Admit it, she is one of the best."
She sat up a little taller in her seat.
"Alright," Rikkin conceded. "I think you both have made your points. Now, let us get back to the problem facing us." He went to grab a small remote and queued a flat screen concealed behind the wall. A map of South America materialized then closed in on the country of Peru. "Approximately 12 hours ago one of our archeology teams uncovered what appears to be a lead to another Piece."
The lines...lines only gods could see...
"The Nazca Lines," Skylar spat subconsciously. "The lines only gods could see."
"That's right," Vidic raised an eyebrow. "How did you know that?"
"Another vision," she automatically replied. "I wasn't sure what it meant but now I know. Ancient peoples in the the region believed that only the gods could see the lines. The only way to see the lines is from the air. But what if they weren't just random drawings?"
"They weren't," Rikkin picked up the conversation but nodded with approval. "The animals depict those native to the Amazon Basin. But, there were several more that lay hidden under the sands. Ones that illustrated icons we believe were associated with the First Civilization."
He clicked the button calling up the photo.
"This is the Apple," he clicked again. "This one is the Staff. These are the skulls."
"A skull?" Daniel retorted. Skylar was entranced with the images.
"Telepathy," she spoke in the same monotonous tone. "Communicate with others who have one. Think of them as secure phone lines. No one can trace them."
"Exactly," Vidic turned towards her. "How did you know that my dear? We had not diverged that yet."
Skylar blinked a few times as someone who had been in a trance or daydreaming was coming out of. She clamped a hand to the right side of her head and shook. "I-I just knew it; like I had seen or used them."
"Well you do possess a high level of First Civilization DNA and it is possible you are experiencing your ancestors' memories." Vidic softened his stance.
"Freaky vision," she muttered.
"We believe there is one more skull located in or around Nazca. Find it and if those goddamn Assassins show up eliminate them."
"No wait," Vidic shot up a hand in protest. "Perhaps one alive could be of use. We need to know where their new compound is and where the satellite camps are."
"Then when you're done with them..." Daniel's eyes shined with hope.
"Yes, Daniel," Rikkin waved a hand. "Now, your flight leaves in 3 hours. I suggest you two pack and gather what you will need."
"Bout damn time," Skylar was already leaping from her seat and hurrying for the door. Before exiting she called over her shoulder, "I get Miles."
Another encounter between Templar/Assassin is looming in the jungles of South America! Will Desmond be able to reach out to Skylar/Alex?