Before you stone me to death, please take a moment to read a writer's apology:

I'm Sorry.

Really.

But now that my life has calmed down considerably, I will (try to) return to all my stories, and my reviewers!

Here is another chapter, I'll apologize (again) in advance because it's not that long. Bu tI am shamelessly bribing you with a little smut at the beginning! ;p

I just wanted to show my reader that yes, I am alive, even after four years of ignoring my stories. I am currently working on a new one (yes, I know I shouldn't) so please check it out, and give me some feedback, I truly don't know what to do with it. It's called 'The Fight for Helheim'.

Also, I have two ideas on how to progress this story. One is a hasty ending, the other might make me abandon it again due to its lengthy plan. Help me find a middle term.

Many thanks to your support!

I woke up, but kept still. I didn't even open my eyes. The smell of flowers reached my nose and I took a deep breath, reliving in my mind's eye how close I had been to the skin that emanated that smell. I heard an eagle cry outside of my window and decided it was time to wake. I opened my eyes and admired the sleeping form to my right.

Isis was laying on her back, her left hand relaxed next to her head, her little finger stroking my shoulder in her sleep. Her right hand was on her stomach, over the thin sheet that covered her. She shifted, and a rosy nipple peeked out from under the cloth. I studied it, and carefully, so as not to wake the woman, ran my palm over her breast, lightly pinching the nub between my thumb and index finger. Isis moaned in her sleep and stirred, but didn't wake.

I got off the bed and went to my wash basin, and cleaned my front of the dried juices from last night. I imagined Isis would be worse than me, so I wet a cloth, wrung it out, and tucked myself under the covers, moving slowly to not jostle the bed. I softly coaxed her legs apart and settled myself between her. Rubbing the damp cloth on her inner thighs, I admired her body in the soft morning light. When I got closer to that tempting shadow between her legs, she shivered in response to the cold water and spread her legs a little wider.

There was only so much a man could take. Poking my hand out from under the covers, I dropped the rag on my previously used pillow and returned to my makeshift hiding place between her legs. I caressed her thighs and gripped her hips lightly, bringing my face to her skin, softly kissing and licking the entrance before me. A low moan urged me to dip my tongue inside her, searching for a little magic spot I knew was in there somewhere. After not much time later spent toying around, getting excited myself, a violent shudder indicated I had found what I was looking for. I pressed my tongue down on that spot and moved it in little circles, closing my eyes at the moans that were getting louder. I released her hip from one of my hands' grasp, and started to pump myself. I felt her constrict around my tongue and remembered the feeling on my own member. Nibbling a little harder and faster, I exploded in my hand, my own moan sending vibrations deep into Isis' core, who woke up with a loud mewl that sounded much like my name.

The covers lifted and I looked up to see a disheveled Isis panting and trying to get her eyes properly open. I crawled on top of her, taking the covers with me and hid her there with me. Taking the still wet rag from my right, Isis wiped her juices off my chin and my own white mess from my stomach.

"Good morning, beautiful." I whispered after she threw the rag out of our 'tent'.

"Awesome morning." She replied, taking my chin in her hand and leaning up for a kiss. I closed my eyes and touched my lips to her soft ones. Everything about her was soft. An unpleasant thought crossed my mind. Is it wise to bed her, and feel the way I felt for her, when one day she could go back to where she came from? Then again, how did I feel about her? I took a moment to think. I felt happy, and light. I felt safe around her, even if the image of the petite woman protecting me seemed strange.

"What's wrong?" her voice shook me from my thoughts. "You look bothered."

"It's nothing." I bent down for another kiss.

"Tell me." she insisted. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, of course not." I rested myself on my elbows and looked down at her, my hands tangled in her hair. "Allah be praised, you're perfect."

"Then what is it?" she caressed the small scar under my eye.

"I just…" I sighed. "My thoughts are confused, and all this mental strain is making me feel so tired. All I want to do is stay here underneath these covers with you all day."

"Oh, sweetie." she wrapped her arms around me and pulled me down for a hug. I buried my face in the crook of her neck, her hair tickling my face on the right side, her warm skin soothing on my left. I felt her sigh as if contemplating something. I waited for her words as I took in her flowery scent. "I wish I could tell you that everything is going to be fine, and that you don't have to worry, but what is coming is so big…"

"What do you mean?" I rose again to look down at her. She seemed to choose her words before responding.

"I'm not quite sure what is going to happen, but what I can tell you is that it's very important that you listen to your heart and trust yourself to make the right decision." She had more to say, I could see that, but we were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Yes?" I called, annoyed.

"The master wishes to know when you will be leaving for Damascus, he wishes to speak with you before you leave." A novice's voice called.

"I will be right out." I turned back to Isis and sighed.

"So much for hiding under the covers…" she giggled and stretched. I openly stared at her body and ran my hand down her side, earning a shiver and a low moan.

"I wish there were more time, just enough to—" I was cut off by a kiss.

"But there isn't." she threw the covers away from us, both shivering at the slightly cooler air.

The master had some parting words for the both of us, but I was barely paying attention. What was so big that Isis was having difficulty in telling me? What if she was hiding something from me? I couldn't help but feel foolish, thinking she would betray me.

"Altair?" her voice shook me from my musings. She guided her horse closer to mine. "Are you all right? You've been quiet the whole trip." She looked worried.

"What? No, I was just thinking." I looked around and noticed it was well past midday. Had I really been that distracted?

"I'm here if you want to talk." She smiled under her hood. I just nodded and turned back to the road. What made me trust her so much? Was I being fooled? I brooded until darkness began to creep on us. As usual, we stopped by a secluded part of the road, and while Isis tended to the horses, I spread our blankets and prepared the bread.

"I wish there were a faster way of travelling, this is too boring." Isis turned her stick over the fire I had started.

"I'm sorry." I turned to her.

"For what? It's not like it's your fault." She laughed. I felt guilty about my thoughts. "What is it? I know there's something bothering you." She nibbled on the warm bread.

"I'm starting to have some doubts." He admitted.

"About?" Isis swallowed and put her bread down.

"About what master says. About what you are not telling me. About myself. About our relationship. Everything." He studied her face.

Isis sighed and looked him deep in the eyes.

"You're right. I am keeping information from you. But I'm afraid that if I tell you now, you will either get yourself killed because of some stupid unthought-of action, or you will kill me." She confessed. "Altair, I am deathly afraid of what will happen, and it will happen. I'm just trying to figure out a way to solve this without getting anyone killed. Or worse."

"Tell me." He demanded. Isis shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"I'm not sure I—"

"Isis, if there are lives at stake, you have to tell me." Altair said sternly.

"Fine. Might as well get this over with." She said after a long minute of debating with herself. "Your master is working with the templars. He wants the Apple for himself."

Isis watched the man next to her with apprehension. She didn't know what to expect. A knife in the chest? A punch? Him leaving her behind in the middle of the desert? Or a laugh, brushing it off as impossible? What would she do if she died here? Was that it, or would she wake up at the bottom of her stairs at home, where it had all started? Altair's eyes flashed bright gold, and she knew he was using eagle vision. What colour was she? Did he consider her an enemy now?

"My whole life, I have trained to kill anyone to utter such words." He finally said. Isis let out a breath she was holding, closed her eyes in defeat and waited for the blow. "But I feel like I can trust you."

"What?" her eyes snapped open in disbelief. She was sure this was her end.

"You told me I should listen to what everyone had to say, then ponder n those words to make my own decisions." He raised a hand to wipe away her tears and frowned at her flinching away in fear. "I have heard enough of the men I kill, of Al Mualim, and of you." He slowed his movements to show he meant her no harm. "I believe you." He watched as her shaking body seemed to sag in relief.

Isis hadn't even noticed she was crying. When Altair raised his hand she thought to run, but who was she kidding? At his words, she allowed a shaky hand to rest upon his on her cheek.

"Thank you." She whispered.

So, what happens now? Do they go back and kill Al Mualim? Do they pretend nothing happened and keep going after the Nine? Will you all heed my pleas and go check out the new story?

We will only know once I decide I have been bribed with enough reviews...