Chapter Text
You pulled the bike over onto the side of the road and reached into the inner pocket of your jacket. You didn't need to check the caller ID. You knew exactly who it was. He was the only person who'd have the gall to call you on your day off. And yes, it was your day off no matter what everyone else might try to tell you. You had worked nonstop with various teams throughout Europe and you needed a vacation. You were getting that vacation even if the entire continent was on fire.
"William," you nearly growled it into the phone.
His voice was low, softer than usual, "I need your help."
You nearly cringed. You rolled your eyes shut and leaned back in the seat. "I'm off duty, William. And you know it. I was very clear about this."
"I wouldn't have called you if it weren't important." He gave a long sigh but his next words were very determined and very bitter, "It's my son."
You leaned forward into the handlebars, your arms draped over them. "No." You had only heard about Desmond but you had heard enough. Rebellious teenager who ran away from home because the Order just wasn’t the thing for him. "I'm not chasing him down for you. He left on his own accord. That was his choice. I’m not some lost and found, William."
"No, you don't understand." He was suddenly desperate now, his voice reaching a different tone. "They already found him. Abstergo has him in Italy."
You sat a bit taller. Damn it. Italy was half way across the continent. There was no way you could get there quickly enough. And then on top of it, you'd have to coordinate a team together. You couldn’t simply break into Abstergo and steal one of their prisoners without a proper strike team. "What do you need from me? I'm on the other side of France."
There was a pause of silence as if he hadn't realized you were so far away. William had received your email a few nights ago, a very clear email that you were taking a week for yourself. You’d only just finished up your last mission in Czech so of course he couldn’t have known where you were. "We have a contact on the inside who is going to help us get him out."
You clenched your eyes shut. "Who is this contact?"
"Lucy Stillman."
“Lucy.” The name left a hollow feeling in the pit of your stomach. "I don't trust her. That whole mess with Clay..."
"She's going to help us get him out." William spoke it as if he were trying to convince himself of her allegiance. "There will be a team distracting most of their guards during the escape."
"William." You made sure your tone was level but serious. "What do you need of me?"
"He's my son. And you're my best." You heard the distinct change in his breathing, coated with worry and fear. "I need you there."
You were one of the best. You had more successful missions than any other in the Order. You’re specialty was going undercover and collecting information fast, killing the target, and getting out unnoticed.
He spoke his son’s name with a harsh tongue, “If Desmond is as stubborn as I remember… he’ll try to leave the moment the opportunity arises.”
"And you, what, need someone there to feed you info?” Annoyance flustered inside of you. You had better things to do, lives to save. “I'm not spying on your son it that’s--"
"No." William gave a low groan. "No, I need someone watching his back. I need someone making sure that when Abstergo tracks him down again--"
"Okay." Your hand reached up and squeezed the muscles in your neck. The ride through the French countryside had been long. And it was night and you hadn't yet slept. "I'll ride there but it's... going to take some time. When is this happening?"
"The very moment you reach the city." His voice wavered with both uncertainty and nerves. Others wouldn't have heard it. They would have only seen William's hard outer shell and his cold, calculating nature. But you'd known William for some time and you were trained to pick up on subtle clues.
You shifted in your seat, readied yourself for the arduous venture. You would need to stop for the night soon enough. No matter how dire Desmond's situation was you couldn't handle hours of more driving. "I'll inform you when I reach the border."
William hung up without any cordial good byes or good lucks.
You stuffed the phone back into your jacket.
You drove for two more hours stopping to rest at the closest hotel. You woke up early the next day and drove the rest of the way, reaching the city just before night fall. William sent you the coordinates to the warehouse, some industrial building that was long "abandoned". They had been expecting you, causing you little trouble when you asked for the details.
They led you to their maps and notes, their surveillance footage and the plethora of photos. You read through everything and organized all of it into piles, assigning the teams based upon their skills and knowledge. You had worked well into the night, sleeping only an hour before the sun rose.
You debriefed the group, explaining to them the errors in their plan's timing and the holes in their surveillance. You showed them which teams were going where, explaining in full detail as to why until they were nodding in agreement. You couldn't have someone doubting your expertise. Doubt would lead to hesitation and there could be no hesitation.
You were honest with team leaders. The mission was suicide. People would die. You were honest with the teams’ members. Their only goal was to be a distraction. None of them should be heroic. None of them should throw their life away. It wasn't your most glorious speech. You were too tired and bitter for that. They needed a realistic lecture, anyway. You were facing the entire corporation of Abstergo.
You headed a small sniper team positioned on a nearby building. They looked out over the main entrance, picking their targets for the beginning assault. They targeted only Abstergo's hired grunts and avoided the civilians as best as possible. The few contacts on the inside were warned ahead of time, standing on the tips of their toes for the upcoming assault.
You set yourself up at the corner of the building, watching the parking garage across the street. You walked each team through the plan again and readied your replacement for when you would have to leave to retrieve Desmond.
It happened fast, each second speeding up as the attack began. The snipers picked off their targets, initiating the full on onslaught. You reminded them not to be heroes. They were no use to the Order if they were dead and heroes always ended up dead.
You could only guess what Lucy was doing. You only hoped she was as reliable as she made herself seem. Lucy had been given information for a rendezvous point but what she did passed exiting the building was up to her. You had no control over that factor and it bothered you not being on the inside.
You clapped a hand against the team's leader and left the area. You joined your bike and sped down the various streets until you found yourself at the location. You waited, counting the seconds and then the minutes, furiously pacing around your bike. Anything could have gone wrong in your absence. Lucy could have flaked, deciding things were too heated for an evac. The teams could have been decimated, the police arriving and surrounding until their was no escape.
A four door pulled up to the curb and parked just in front of your bike. Lucy stepped out and slammed the door shut. She was covered in blood and her nerves were still rattled. She pumped her fists in a desperate attempt to shake away the adrenaline.
You clenched your jaw. "Where is Desmond?"
She threw a hand towards the back end of the car. "He's in the trunk."
"What?" Your brows pinched as you marched forward. "You stuffed him in the trunk, Lucy? What the hell? Open it." He was your target, the one person you were supposed to keep safe and he was locked in the back of a trunk.
She hadn't expected your anger, taken aback for a moment. "I don't want him to know where we're going."
"You think he's a traitor?" You huffed, gasping at her audacity.
"No. That's not it." Lucy shifted her weight, just as stubborn as you were. "The less he knows the better."
You didn't budge from your spot. Your body was rigid with annoyance and exhaustion. "Open it. We don't have time for this. He's not a prisoner."
She spun on her heel and unlocked the trunk, throwing it open. "He's fine. See?"
Desmond was curled up, shielding his eyes from the flash of intense light. "There already, huh? Can’t say it was all that fun."
"Desmond Miles?" You stepped forward. "I've been assigned at getting you to safety. If you'll come with me."
"Are you serious?" Lucy folded her arms, digging her fingers into the muscle.
"You put him in the trunk of your vehicle." You stared her down, daring her to argue again. "I’m taking him from here."
Desmond sat up, tossing his attention between the two of you. He slowly jostled his way out of the trunk, shoes smacking the asphalt. He rubbed a hand over his short hair and along his neck. "Listen. I don't want any more trouble--"
"Get on the bike, Desmond." You tossed a thumb over your shoulder and focused on Lucy. "We will meet you there. The others have already arrived."
She reached up and slammed the trunk closed. She plodded back to the driver's door and disappeared inside.
Desmond was already running his hands across the bike, looking it over as if he knew what he was looking at. "This is a pretty sweet ride."
You waited for Lucy to drive off before snapping up the helmet. "Get this on."
Desmond took it, spun it between his hands. "I'll drive."
You gave a bitter laugh. "I don't think so."
"C'mon. I had one of these babies... You know, until Abstergo came along." He flashed you a childlike grin, an eager child with a birthday present. “Besides, you look tired as shit. Worse than me, I bet. And I’ve been sleeping with an old man watching me.”
Your brows pinched. “Do I even want to ask?”
“Nah,” Desmond laughed. He tossed you the helmet and slid onto the front of the bike. “You know you wanna let me drive.”
You were tired. Beyond tired, really. And letting Desmond drive for a bit couldn’t hurt too much. Even if Abstergo was still looking for him he’d have a helmet on. “Fine.” You pulled the keys from your jacket and slapped them into his open palm. “The place isn’t far. I’ll tell you when to turn.”
“Nice.” He tossed the keys a few times then stuck them into the ignition.
“Helmet,” you ordered, pushing it into his chest. “I don’t want them chasing us down.
He took the helmet without further complaint and slipped it on, his smile hidden behind the sleek black headgear.
You straddled the back half of the bike, your hands falling onto his waist as the engine revved to life. He started the bike down the street, a bit unsettled at first, but then it was like he’d driven one every day of his life. You leaned forward and hid your face behind his broad shoulder, using him as a shield against the wind.
You pointed to the streetlights up ahead. “Take a left here.” Your arms loosely slid around him, keeping yourself well in balanced as he made the sharp turn and sped up. You pressed your cheek against his back, knowing it’d be some time before having to turn again. You closed your eyes for just a moment but you must have fallen asleep. The bike came to a slow crawl, your hold around him jostling.
You lifted up your head, groggy as you sat a bit straighter. “Why are we stopping?”
Desmond pulled the helmet off and looked over his shoulder at you. “I thought this place wasn’t far. I drive any longer and we’ll be on our way to the beach.”
You groaned and pressed your head into your hand. “Damn it.”
Desmond couldn’t help grinning a bit wider. “Told you you were looking tired.”
“We’ll have to turn back.” You rubbed your eyes, feeling them sting from exhaustion.
He gave a light chuckle and got off of the bike.
Your brows dove down, a sudden spark of annoyance. “Where are you going?”
“You’re not driving and you’re too tired to tell me where to go.” He held the helmet underneath his arm and turned away. “So, I’m taking a walk and you’re coming with me.”
You stood up sharply onto your feet, jaggedly getting off the bike. “Abstergo is trying to kill you. We don’t have time for a stroll through the park.”
“I haven’t stepped outside in days.” Desmond glanced over at you. “You think I could get a little fresh air before you lock me back up? That’s your plan, isn’t it?”
You sucked down a breath, readying yourself to argue the dangers, but you swallowed those words. A walk would wake you up and ready your senses for the upcoming tasks, whatever they might be. William hadn’t quite filled you in yet. You released your breath slowly and gave a slight nod. You followed after him, vigilant to every person that walked by. “I don’t plan on locking you away.” You stepped closer to him as a group of people neared.
“Then what is your plan? Or does someone else determine where I go?” Desmond pulled his hood up and slipped a hand into his jacket pocket.
“My job is to keep you safe. From Abstergo. From traitors…” You flicked your attention to him, analyzing what emotions you could. He looked tired and a bit scared but otherwise he seemed rather calm.
He gave a soft, halfhearted chuckle. “First time I’ve been to Italy and I haven’t even seen the sights.”
You snorted at his remark then hated yourself for having done so. This wasn’t a time for joking. Desmond’s life was on the line. “You can see the sights when you’re off Abstergo’s radar.”
He slowed to a stop and faced you, the hood keeping some of his expression hidden, but you knew he wasn’t all that happy. “I’ll never be off their radar. I left that life behind me and they dragged me back in. I didn’t want anything to do with either of the Orders.”
You shifted between your feet then shuffled backwards towards the bike. “Then make sure you give Abstergo hell for it.” You ambled down the sidewalk but you made sure he was following before getting too far. You didn’t want to leave your only mission out on his own for others to grab. That’d be a terrible phone call to make to William. “Ah, yeah, I saved him alright. Then I ditched him because I’m not the endearing type.”
Desmond had the helmet on before you could even open your mouth. He straddled the bike and waited for you to join him before starting off down the street. You made sure you sat up, letting the sharp winds keep you awake. You pointed out where to turn until finally pulling up to the small abandoned warehouse.
You stood up, stretching out your back when he handed over the helmet. “Desmond.” You watched him freeze at the sound of his own name, waiting for some sort of harsh comment. You spun the helmet between your hands, watching the light bounce off of its sleek surface. “I’ve never seen the sights myself… Perhaps, if there’s a chance…”
That same childish grin started to appear. “Yeah.” He gave a nod and scuffed his shoes across the concrete. “I doubt they’ll let me run off after what happened last time.”
You huffed. “Do you know who I am?” You raised a wry brow at him. “They can try and stop me. And fail.” You swaggered towards the entrance to the building without missing a beat.
You were supposed to be on vacation, anyway.