"Why did you leave?"

The question shocked Haytham and he looked over his cup of tea into the large, curious eyes of his son. He should have known that the question would have come up, but Connor was touchy about his past and didn't really want to speak about it. The few times that he did though, the subject was approached with hatred and disdain, not with a curious sadness and a pitiful pout.

"I had to deal with my Templar work." Haytham dismissed. He did not want Connor to know of how much he was in love with Ziio and how he cared too much to put her in danger by his presence, yet after seeing Connor's face he wished he had spoken the truth.

An odd silence filled the room. Haytham was almost about to turn and comfort the boy, his son, when Connor asked another suprising question that he should have seen coming.

"If you knew about me," Connor hesitated with the question, afraid of getting rejected, "would you have stayed."

This made Haytham stuck. Would he have stayed if he knew Ziio was with child? Would he have tried his best to protect both lover and son to the best of his abilites to keep them all together and happy. Maybe if he had stayed the fire wouldn't have happened and Ziio would be alive.

Haytham closed his eyes and sighed, imagining a world where he, Ziio and Connor could live in harmony. Ziio would cook beautiful meat over the campfire that Haytham had taught Connor to catch. Connor would have learnt everything in his arms. Walking his first steps, speaking his first words. Haytham would have taught him how to protect himself. Maybe Haytham could even use his power as Templar Grand Master to protect all Indians. But would that be the case?

Would Haytham have been able to be Grand Master AND have a family. Would he be too caught up in being a father and lower his defenses, causing his own death or even his families? Maybe he would have been too caught up in being a Templar and would have ignored his son. Haytham knew what growing up in a world with a father always busy was like, and it wasn't pleasant feeling like you didn't deserve their time.

But what if he knew of his child and hadn't stayed? He would have a reason to visit and protect the village from afar. His men would have known not to burn it down. The child would be safe. Maybe when he grew up he could join his father in his work. Haytham would be able to keep the job he loved and kept his child safe.

Haytham looked into Connor's wide eyes and blatantly said "No, no I would not have stayed."

Connor seemed shaken at this and Haytham swore he could see the beginning of tears in the corner of his eyes. Haytham opened his mouth to say something when Connor opened his own mouth and started screaming.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU NARCISSISTIC TEMPLAR PIG. WHY WOULD YOU NOT LOVE YOUR SON ENOUGH TO STAY? IS YOUR HEAD TOO FAR UP YOUR ASS TO SEE THAT THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND YOU... YOU... YOU..." Connor couldn't think of another insult and so spat instead, "I HATE YOU"

Connor stormed off leaving Haytham to sit there in shock at the response. After just staying still for a few moments, Haytham buried his head in his hands and started to sob.

[A/N: That's it, hope you like. Don't own ac or the characters and so on. Please review. I'm seriously desperate for reviews. Please.]