A/N: Hello there, glad to see some are still intrested in this little story, reviews much appreciated as always. Like promised, I wouldn't abandon it. But yes I am taking rediculiously long to write these chapters, sorry about that. C: Not much inspires me for this story, which is sad. But hey, here's the next chapter.

Chapter 6

He laid there superbly, and when I mean superbly I mean very, very still. I for one, could honestly say I've never seen anyone this still in my entire life. I couldn't help but lean over and check his pulse once or twice. I know, I'm terrible, although I'm sure another would do the same. It's not like I intended for him to be dead, it was just a good show is all I assure you.

Well, this continued for a couple hours; boring boring boring. That is, until Rebecca came in the room. Two cups of coffee in her hands; she defiantly knew how to keep on my good side.

I've been coming up with a new plan to put the mess into order again (Desmond I mean), since you see the previous one failed miserably. All I could think of was playing around with the Animus, you know, exposing things to him that'll sort him out. Who knows, I hear that's how Sixteen did it. Played with the software, or whatever. Told Desmond things he couldn't have found out on his own.

That man knew many things didn't he ... I wonder if he ever discovered how to stop the bleeding effect. Well it's not like I can talk to him now, I'm not even sure if Desmond is in a fit enough condition to speak to the man. He hasn't been mentioned in a while now, he'd only helped with the sync nexus, then disappeared. Perhaps Desmond's condition is keeping him away when he does plug into the Animus? I'll have to look into this.

"Rebecca," I called casually, not wanting to sound needy in any way. "Had any suspicious behaviour with the Animus lately?"

"No, not that I recall." She didn't even correct me by calling it 'Baby', hmm, I half frowned. It's not like how it used to be anymore, even I've toned down with my usual cocky-ness a bit I suppose.

"What time is it then?"

"Nearly Seven." It's been three hours then, another and we let Desmond out. He's been incredibly still, how was this even possible. "You know ... I've noticed your quiet worried about him,"

"Really now?" I could hear her muted 'yes'.

"Very worried." When did she become so ... So, what's the word? Inspective? "Something happen between you two?"

"Not that I'm aware off," I replied gruffly, I didn't know I came across as so obvious.

"It's like you've forgotten all about Lucy, and focusing on Desmond. I guess I could understand, don't want another of our team to die," in a way yes. "I'm glad,"

"Glad? Why, you would do the same." She would, even if she wasn't right now.

"That Desmond has someone there for him, at least." So she acknowledges her behaviour lately, some would say that was the first stage to recovery, acceptance or something. "I haven't been around him lately, sorry,"

"It's fine," I shrugged, "You knew Lucy longer, I don't blame you." I don't blame anybody. "It's a dangerous job, what we do," we knew that well. "I just never expected one of us specifically to, you know." Die.

"None of us did,"

Silence captured the moment. "Let's let Desmond out now," this conversation worried me, she simply nodded and got working on it. I heard her tell Desmond she was going to let him out and then I relaxed.

Who would have known it would be better to leave him in there rather than out.

"I need to go back in." His first words upon coming back into the real world. "Now." Furious, what got on his bad side I wondered.

"I thought you hated the Animuis," I questioned, quirking an eyebrow upwards.

"Not now Shaun, you don't understand," Whoever did? I frowned.

"What is it you're not telling us." Telling me, He avoided my glare, and just tightened his fist. I swore one of these days were going to brawl like teenagers. His temper and my pressing questions, not a good combination I tell you. "And on the country, I think you're the one who doesn't understand." I challenged him.

So much for the little chat me and 'becca had.

"Fuck you," poor bastard. Couldn't think clearly, couldn't think of a good comeback, couldn't do anything right could he? I signed, that's all I could do now. He wouldn't open up, I tried last time but he became difficult. Rebecca, unfortunately was right, I'm starting to care for him. And not just for the sake of the mission.

"Listen, Miles." He met my eye, finally. "Your delicate situation is becoming critical. I hear you, screaming in the middle of the night, I see you talking to people who aren't there," I was beginning to sound like someone else, "We're trying to help you. Not ourselves, you." I knew he knew this, but, I'm not too sure now. "It's about time you bloody listened to me, come back here in an hour, that's all I ask." Maybe by then he'll get the whole 'still' thing out of his system. It was uncanny watching his stillness for the past few hours.

He said nothing, rather he looked me dead in the eyes be standing up, and strutting his arse out of here. We should get some exercise equipment for him to take out his anger on or something, I recall him using that 'training course' back in the other safe house, he would always go there when he needed steam to blow off.

We're supposed to be on the same side, not fucking arguing.

Damnit get a grip Desmond.

"Give it ten minutes, then talk to him," she said, concerned.

"Really 'becca? To that? I rather keep my life intact thank you, I'm not the assassin that goes out and jumps across buildings, I sit behind desks and research all the important things." I'm not going near that beast for at least an hour. Then I can be certain it's safe.

"A word of advice, it's not good to leave Dez on his own. He needs someone real, keeps him grounded." That made sense. I guess. Curse this woman, I grimaced unhappily.

"I'll consider it." I was getting soft.

Now I felt like the assassin, eavesdropping on his conversation like this, this was so laughable I found it difficult to contain myself. He was talking to himself, about his 'problems', guess who to? Technically no one but it was Ezio, I heard him say his name once or twice.

Funny, shouldn't I be working right now?

Hell, all he needed was a drink. He was acting like a teenage girl right now, depressed and moody, like he'd just had a break up with his girlfriend or something.

Did Desmond ever have a girlfriend? I see him as the sort of man who wouldn't only engage himself with one night stands, no matter how rude that may seem, I was being honest. While I was on the subject, I wondered if he had any associates before all this, he couldn't have had many. Could he? Being in hiding from people you know could find you in a heartbeat if you made just one slip was difficult.

"Yes ... him again. So?" He was mumbling, I leaned closer onto the door. "It's either him or ..." What? Damnit Miles speak up. "I told you he's not a friend. He entertains himself by mocking me, treating like a Goddamned child Ezio," his temper was evident, it was useless hiding it. "Hmph, the both are almost the same now. One just less looney I guess," I heard a frustrated sigh, and more movement. Nothing out of the ordinary for Desmond.

"I just wish that ..." This was as far as my hearing could stretch, "... it's don't have to be this way." No it doesn't if he just listened. "He's trying to help me, I understand that." He sounded absolutely miserable in there, God why is this making me feel so guilty. I stepped away from the door, I just couldn't quite conjure up the courage to face him yet. I turned around, maybe now wasn't the right time. Much to my delight, Rebecca stood there with her arms crossed, oh how very delightful. I grimaced, she was about to get closer when I waved at her not too. Then threw up the 'hush' sign encase she didn't get it. I sneaked over to her, keeping footsteps soft till we were out of listening distance.

"What's going on."

"Desmond that's what. He's talking to himself in there, I couldn't have possibly gone in now could I?"

"You know it's just the bleeding effect." Oh no, it's not just the bleeding effect. I could act the therapist and understand completely that my patient over here had a mental disorder so I can approach him without concern because I am so overconfident as to how I am going to approach this.

I'm not a doctor, just a historian.

"Shaun. He needs someone, before it was - Lucy." I saw her eyes flicker at the name, "Now it's you." Firmness in her voice.

"I don't do feelings mate," I muttered, rubbing my eyes, feeling tired of all this. "Not easy to get close to someone who hates you too."

"I don't think Desmond hates you," she was implying something, with that suggestive tone and whatnot, only a deaf man could miss it. "I haven't been completely closed up these past weeks." But she doesn't deny that fact that she has indeed closed up, if not wholly. "Back when he was unconscious the whole time, sorry I wasn't helping much," it's funny hearing her apologise, to me anyway. "Getting him out of the bed was your job anyway," Ah yes, how could I forget. The duty of 'dragging out the boy who refused to wake up', that should be a book.

"I've seen him, look at you." Hold on just a second. What? Look? Yes, everyone looks at each other, whether it be directly or indirectly. I waved this off immediately.

"When he gets that way, 'possessed', he's eyes glaze over. It's not what you think." My voice was cold, face stoic. "Stop that, it's strange." I didn't like this, what she was getting at. My head was dizzy enough as it was.

We both heard a heavy 'thump', our directions turned to the hallway in a heartbeat. What was that? We exchanged puzzled looks then sped off to Desmond's bedroom. I knocked rather loudly. "Desmond, alright in there?" No reply. This time Rebecca spoke.

"We're coming in okay?" The door was opened, and we both stepped in. Ours eyes searched for the man in question, he was nowhere to be found. But the window was open, a brilliant clue as to where he has gone. My stomach flipped, this was not good.

"DESMOND!" Rebecca had her head stuck out the window, I knew she couldn't see him, or else she wouldn't be turning her head like that. "We gotta go after him!" Of course, that was obvious enough. I swallowed nervously.

"You stay, I'll look for him." We needed someone here, just encase, you know, to look after our things. I didn't wait for her to reject the idea, I simply slipped out the room, grabbed my keys and head out the front door, locking it shut behind.

For God's sake. It was what, eight o'clock in the dark, I was practically in the middle of a forest, and here I was jumping to a great adventure to find the 'special assassin'. This wasn't my style at all, I just sit behind a desk. Use a computer, and pass on my knowledge.

I've done this before. But not in the dark, and a little less noisy. I'm so stupid, I fell, fell! Out the window. I wasn't being careful, no, that fucking Sixteen is a bastard. And now I'm running from him, he tried to kill me. He said he was showing me reason, what 'reason' was a blade to the throat?

He said, I deserved to die because of what I did to her. Was this my mind playing tricks? God I - I just don't know anymore.

Sixteen came just after Ezio disappeared, he told me to trust my friends. To be open with them, seclusion was never the answer, one had to get out there. I was losing myself, all because I couldn't listen. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm not a sixteen year old boy anymore! My head feels like it's splitting in two. Did I have to sound so hopeless?

"DESMOND!" Rebecca, shit they know. Now they'll think I'm completely nuts. No, I'm not like him. I'm not going to start bleeding symbols on the ground damnit! Lucy warned my about this, she told me not to refer to Ezio or Altair as myself. She told me to rest, she told me.

I even had the proof right in front of me. And still I did not listen. Now I see why Shaun takes the piss out of me like I'm some dumb kid. Because I am one-

-I always was. And I thought, this whole thing wasn't my fault. I must be mad not to see it.