Looking back on it in the future, Adelaide would place a majority of the blame on Benji. He was the one who created the device. It was entirely his fault.

He'd been hired by Abstergo to work on the animus, to make the original design even better and, well, he needed the cash. What he didn't need to do was create a much smaller device which, apparently, had the ability to not just allow people to view genetic memories, but send them back to the period said genetic memories were set in.

This was, obviously, not a good thing. Since Adelaide had the necessary training, yet wasn't one of Abstergo's most wanted, she was tasked with getting the thing back.

This lead to her current predicament of running through the maze like halls of Abstergo, the device hidden under her jacket, alarms blaring as she cursed one Benji Dunmore under her breath. Couldn't he have at least mentioned the alarms?

To be honest, she probably should have expected such a device to be under high security, but still.

She needed to get out and Adelaide was clever enough to know the front entrance would be blocked off. She had a vague recollection of there being a way onto the roof. But that was no help - there was no way down, not unless she wanted to end up as a splatter on the pavement below...

Which would also destroy the device, putting an end to that problem.

For a second, Adelaide felt almost betrayed...used. Did the Assassins see her as another piece in a game of chess? To be used and lost when what she provided was no longer needed?

Then she heard the hammering of footsteps behind her, yelling and she ran towards the flight of stairs.

The air hitting her face was a cold relief, everything looking almost unearthly in the electric lights. She sucked in a sharp breath, walking closer to the edge. She glanced down, her stomach churning.

Adelaide's mind went back to the poem they used to read in school, and the lines in Latin - Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori. It is sweet and honourable to die for one's country. Replace one word with 'cause', it sounded a lot like what Adelaide was supposed to think. To feel.

She had always hated those lines.

Her eyes flickered between the device in her hands, and towards the ground. She only turned when she heard footsteps behind her. The men were wearing the typical security uniforms of Abstergo and they were closing in on her. She could almost feel the impending drop behind her. It was death, probably, either way - a splatter on the pavement or held by Templars. Or...

She had no clue where the device would send her, but Adelaide wasn't ready to die, not yet. She could feel it under her jacket, almost burning.

"There's nowhere to go." One of the guards said. "So come forward, away from the ledge. We might let you live."

"I think I'll go back." Adelaide retorted and, before they could comprehend her words, Adelaide had pressed the button on the device and everything went black and she felt like she was falling.

Maybe she would end up as a splatter on the pavement anyway.

XoxoX

When Adelaide came around, she realised she was wet. She was also alive, which meant that her stab in the dark plan hadn't failed.

There was a slight rocking motion and Adelaide was ultimately relieved that she didn't get seasick. Or, well, she'd overcome it.

She managed to swing her legs over one side - she was on a bed - and was relieved to note that she was still clothed. Though her combat boots were missing.

A flood of panic overcame her. Where was the device? If she was wet...Oh shit. Shit, shit, shit!

"Calm down." Adelaide actually yelped at the sound of another voice, head whipping around to stare at the newcomer.

He was tall, a scar on one side of his face. He wore a dark coat, with red lapels. His hair was tied back and he looked friendly enough, not a threat. He had both hands up, a sign to show he was unarmed. Adelaide knew better.

"I know you have a hidden blade." Her voice sounded raw, shaky and she cursed herself internally. The man's eyes widened.

"You know who I am?"

"I have a vague idea." Adelaide coughed. "Where am I?"

"Just off the coast of Albany." The man said. "But you should know that, considering we found you in the middle of the ocean." His voice was curious, a question in it. Adelaide didn't bother answering it.

"Long story. I was...lead on, I suppose." His eyes softened at that.

"You were an Assassin." He said and only then did Adelaide notice the necklace hanging from one hand. The Assassins symbol glinted in what light was in the room and Adelaide's stomach churned.

"Can I..." She held out her hand and the man dropped the necklace into it. Adrian had given it to her and it hurt, to know that maybe he knew she was walking into an impossible mission. She blinked hastily, realising she was crying. "Sorry."

"Don't be." He'd knelt to be on her level, offering a handkerchief. Adelaide took it, dabbing at her eyes. "I understand. I was...I suppose it would be betrayed by those I called brothers. They shot me in the back rather literally." He smiled bitterly.

"Not quite as drastic. I was asked to retrieve a sort of device...only I didn't realise that the end result would end up with me dead or captured." Adelaide ran a hand through her still wet hair. "The device got me to the ocean I guess. It's probably at the bottom of the sea now - where it should be." There was a finality in that sentence that surprised Adelaide. Shay offered her a smile.

"I understand that. I'm Shay Cormac." He offered a hand. Adelaide took it.

"Adelaide. Adelaide Devare."

"There are some clothes in the dresser that may be a bit big, but I think you'll prefer to be wearing them instead of a dress. We'll be reaching land soon, so you might want to freshen up." Shay got to his feet. "Come onto the deck when you feel up to it." And he left.

Adelaide managed to make her way over to the drawers and open them. A simple, cream shirt was there, along with plain brown trousers, socks and a long, brown coat. She fingered her own jacket - it had a black hood and the lack of it would make her feel almost exposed. Still, she changed. Her own clothes would dry soon enough, and she would get some more inland - Shay would loan her money, right? The shirt was huge, almost long enough to reach her knees and the trousers were way too big. She kept with her black ones, cursing her tiny frame.

Being small was useful when sneaking around. Not so much when your hands were engulfed by shirt sleeves.

The coat was big, but warm. It reminded her of Adrian, and the thought hurt.

She hid the necklace under her shirt, found her boots next to the door and made her way onto deck.

The sea air was salty but it felt clean and fresh. The men were going about their business and Adelaide combed her fingers through her hair, suddenly self conscious. She would prefer a proper brush, but she couldn't find one. Maybe Shay would loan her one?

"Come up here, miss!" The voice startled her, and she turned to see a man with friendly eyes and a wide brimmed hat grinning at her. "Might be safer than being lower down." Adelaide wasn't sure about that, but headed up anyway, the man steadying her.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it. The name's Christopher Gist."

"Adelaide Devare."

"I know. Shay's first mate." He said at Adelaide's confused look.

"Also a bloody eavesdropper." Shay added. Adelaide muffled a laugh...Or attempted to. "Your hair's still a mess."

"I'd tie it back." Adelaide hummed. "I couldn't find a brush."

"We can sort that out later." Gist decided. "Captain, you might want to see this."

Shay turned, along with Adelaide, and the first thing she saw was smoke. Something was burning. On fire. Shay cursed loudly and colourfully.

"Kesegowaase got here first." He growled and Adelaide stared.

"Kesegowaase?"

"An Assassin." Shay said, but was giving her an odd look. "Shouldn't you know that? Wait, never mind, the Colonel -"

"We'll dock. We'll help him." Gist murmured and Shay nodded, before steering his ship into dock.

He swung over onto the dock, before turning to face them again.

"Keep her safe, Gist - the ship and our guest."

"Hell no, I'm coming with you!" She could help Shay. Bits and pieces of her memories were rushing back to her, on what happened here. Who Kesegowaase was and what the Assassins did and she could help Shay. Yes, there was a victory for him, he didn't die here, but he saved her life. She owed him a debt. Adelaide made to jump over, only to be restrained by an arm around her waist. Gist, the prat, was stopping her from following Shay.

"Aye aye, Captain." And Shay was off, lost in the crowds and, as soon as he was out of sight, Gist released Adelaide, raising an eyebrow. "I don't want to know what that was, do I?"

"Probably not. He saved my life. You both did." Adelaide frowned, staring at the city. Something was off...but she couldn't put her finger on it. "I owe him a debt."

"And rushing into something and getting yourself killed isn't going to help with that." Gist retorted, though his voice was gentle. "Shay has been in worse scrapes before - he will reach the Colonel and keep himself safe."

"...the Colonel?"

"Yes, you won't know him. George Monro?" Gist started at Adelaide's curse and let out a yell when she leapt over the side of the boat. "What are you doing?!"

"Hopefully saving a man's life!" Adelaide yelled back. Gist stared. "You coming or what?"

Chris snapped out of his daze, ordering one of the men to watch the ship, before vaulting over himself.

"How do you -"

"Trust me - come on!" And Adelaide was running, trying to figure out where the hell it happened, where she had to go. It was a fire, she recalled vaguely from Adrian's rants. So look for a fire - easier said than done, she thought.

Then Adelaide smelt smoke, strong and cloying and that would be it, wouldn't it? She followed her nose, ignoring the part of her brain screaming at her to run.

"Move out of the way!" She yelled as she reached the burning house, people crowding it. She was ignored, much to her annoyance, and ended up weaving her way through, wasting valuable time. Seconds, which could be used to save a life. Idiots.

Chris was following her and they stood in front of the burning house, the heat scalding. "Good God...the Colonel…"

"Is in there." Adelaide took off the coat, thrusting it into Gist's arms. "I'm off in."

"Wai -" Gist's protest was cut off as Adelaide ran into the flames. She was vaguely aware that this was the second time in a day she'd walked into a life or death situation. She tore off some of the sleeve of her shirt, using it to cover her mouth and nose. Her eyes were watering, her lungs tight. The heat was almost too much, but Adelaide kept moving.

She eventually saw the Colonel, on the floor, eyes fluttering back and forth, breathing haggard and rough and coughing, burned terribly and Adelaide felt her stomach churning. She had never seen anyone injured - she knew how to heal, yes, but she was inexperienced. Still young.

She managed to kneel next to him, coughing as she moved to check the man's pulse. His eyes flickered to her and Adelaide let out a sigh of relief. It was steady, getting weaker, but still there. She moved the cloth from her mouth, coughing as smoke filled her lungs, a sudden change, but still placed it over Monro's mouth.

"Colonel Monro!" That was Shay, and Adelaide could have cried as he hefted the older man into his arms. He shot Adelaide a sharp look, before jerking his head - a silent gesture to follow him out which Adelaide did, stumbling slightly.

The sun hurt her eyes, and she blinked before taking in gulps of air desperately, enough to clear her head of the fogginess overtaking it. The crowd gathered around Shay, who was clutching the Colonel, weakly breathing, to him almost desperately.

"Give the man some air!" Adelaide barked out. "Someone get me water - not salt. Alcohol for the burns. Shay!" Shay started at Adelaide's yell. "Get him somewhere where the air is clear."

"Yes ma'am." And he began to move, still holding the Colonel close to him. Chris was staring.

"What are you looking at?"

"You. Since when do you know how to treat a man who's been trapped in a burning building?"

"Since I recalled basic training. Most of this is guess work." Adelaide swallowed heavily, brushing hair behind her ears and accepting water and alcohol from the men who gave her them. "Wish I had clingfilm. Fuck it, this'll do." She held out the bucket of water to Gist, who took it, before darting off after Shay.

"What should I -"

"Keep holding him - can't risk his body temperature lowering while treating the burns." Adelaide said. "Keep talking to him. Tell him who I am, what I'm doing."

"I can hear you." The Colonel's voice was quiet, raspy, and Adelaide cursed herself.

"Should've got you out sooner, my apologies." She tore a strip of fabric off her shirt, balled it up and wet it, before gently cleaning the burns. Monro hissed. "Sorry."

"No. It's...who are you?"

"Adelaide Devare. Shay here fished me out of the Atlantic."

"Pacific."

"Gesundheit." Adelaide managed a cheeky grin. "Going to have to remove your ring, sir." Monro hesitated for a minute. "Don't worry, you'll get it back - your hand's burnt, though. Have to remove it."

"...Alright." Adelaide gestured for Gist to take the ring - it would be boiling hot, and he had gloves - and she carefully cleaned his hand.

"Alcohol to stop infection. This'll sting." She warned, before setting to work. The Colonel held up well, Shay not releasing him from his hold. A few minutes later she pulled back. "That's the best I can do without proper medical supplies. Bed rest and clean air. No running around until those burns heal. You may be left with scarring - not on your face, they are shallow, but your hand maybe." Shay raised an eyebrow.

"How do you know this?"

"I was trained to know this." Adelaide huffed. "Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I'm useless."

"I wasn't implying -"

"You sort of were." Adelaide retorted. Gist cleared his throat.

"We should be heading back to the Morrigan." The Colonel let out a desperate noise.

"The Manuscript! The Assassin - he -"

"Breathe, Colonel. Breathe." Adelaide soothed. "We'll get it back. Calm yourself - you need to breathe. Smoke got into your lungs, you need to breathe."

"I think he understands, Miss Devare."

"Shut it, Cormac."

"He took the Manuscript, Shay." The Colonel said. "The Assassins have it." Shay and Gist sucked in equally sharp breaths, Shay's laced with a curse. Adelaide frowned.

"A Manuscript?"

"We'll explain later. On the Morrigan." And before Adelaide could protest, Shay was already walking off, after setting the Colonel down onto his feet and helping him to walk.

Watching George Munro stumble along with Shay's help, Adelaide couldn't help but think that maybe she'd messed up something very key.

Colonel Monro was supposed to die. But he didn't because of her. Messing up history was bad.

That was when she felt her steps grow uneven, her vision getting blurry. Her head was pounding like someone was trapped in it, banging at the sides, wanting to get out. She reached out, touching a wall and leaning against it. Adelaide was vaguely aware of Gist calling out for Shay to stop and when she saw his face, it was flickering...as though he was not really there.

Then, everything went black.