Hi! This little story here is just something that popped into my head, and well I thought I should write it down. It takes place in the vattican mostly, some of the ruins form in the game. It's a little after Ezio's time in Rome. The characters are the children of his assassin recruits. I don't own Assassin's Creed! niehter do I own the last name Abette! Well that's it mostly. Review please!

~Ciao!

"Fiorella!" Signore Abette shouted down the halls of the family villa. Fiorella sighed and put her quill down.

"Coming papa!" Hastily putting away her writing things and scurried down the hall to her father's study.

"Ah, there you are my child. Signore Gianfo is here to see you. He wishes to accompany you to an art exhibition this afternoon. I think you should accept." Signore Abette sat at his desk, looking up from his work only when his daughter came in. Around him were various papers of various importance and the odd quill or two was scattered here and there.

Fiorella smiled. Her father was often scatterbrained. He had a lot on his mind what with his work for the pope.

"It would be my honor papa." Fiorella wasn't exactly attracted to Severnio Gianfo the way her father wanted her to be. He was a few years older than Fiorella, and was by no means unappealing, it was just that Fiorella was interested in…other things. Severnio was a nice man who liked her for who she was. He knew her well and they were good friends considering Fiorella had explicitly told him all she wanted was his friendship. They often went on outings together to appease Fiorella's father.

"Excellent! And by the way, have you two made any progress? All I hear is 'Papa I don't want to rush it' and 'Papa we'll get there!' No news of engagement or love or anything! Is everything all right?" This time, Signore Abette looked up from one of his important papers.

Fiorella sighed. I seem to be doing that a lot lately… Fiorella thought. "Yes papa. We are quite fine. In fact… um…" Fiorella struggled to find something positive to say about her non-existent romantic relationship. "Severnio… asked me to go to… the Pope's Midsummer Ball! Yes, yes, that's what he asked me alright!" Fiorella blushed severely, and hoped her father wouldn't notice her cover up.

"Oh that's wonderful!" Her father's voice was slightly muffled by the papers he was so close to.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I shall pay him a visit. Right now!" Fiorella needed a reason to get out of the house, and she needed to tell Severnio about her sudden want to go to the ball.

"Alright darling. Be back before diner or else your mother shall give you a good talking to." Signore Abette's voice was lost to Fiorella's ears as she raced back to her room to grab her cloak. She hesitated by her window, which over looked the Vatican, the holy inner sanctum of Rome where she not only had the chance to reside, but where the revered pope dwelled. I am so lucky that papa has the job of Minister of Finance; otherwise I would not be so blessed.

Fiorella moved to her mirror to pin back a stray of her brunette hair and smooth down her collar before dashing down the stairs and out the door to the streets to meet her friend.

"Hey, Fiore, how's that mother of yours?" A vendor across the street yelled.

"She is doing fine Rilando! Thank you for asking." Fiorella smiled, giving a small wave before she set off to the Gianfo residence.

After a few blocks, she came to the most prominent villa on the streets of the Vatican, beautifully decorated with Greek statues and winding vines, Fiorella had always admired the work of the gardener, and of course, Mrs. Gianfo's taste. Fiorella dashed up the marble steps to the grand doorway, and knocked three times. After a few moments, a maidservant came, respectfully showing Fiorella in and offering her a drink, which she gracefully declined. Fiorella had no taste for any sort of alcohol, but rather preferred the simple flavor of coffee, a new beverage introduced to the Italian country from the Turks. Fiorella milled about in the foyer, awaiting her best friend and admiring the décor when a voice said from behind her;

"I thought we were just friends Fiorella, but now you come rushing into my arms whenever you have the chance? My my, I didn't know I had such charm!" Severnio appeared form an archway a few feet away. He had a broad smile on his handsome face that managed to reach his green eyes. He wore a loose, white shirt, trousers and brown boots.

"Severnio! Do not tease me so, for I shall leave and never come back! And you would not want that, now would you?" She joked. Severnio laughed.

"Of course not my darling. Now, what brings you so suddenly and might I add, unexpectedly, here?" Severnio gestured to a pair of couches sitting in the rays of sunlight streaming in through a window. Fiorella sat down, gathering her skirts around her.

"Well, papa asked about us. And how we were doing." Fiorella grinned in apology as Severnio groaned. He knew where this was going. "So, at first I had no idea what to tell him. Don't worry; he knows naught of what really goes on betwixt us. I told him instead that you asked me to the Pope's Midsummer Ball." Severino perked up at the mention of the ball.

"Really? And what did he say?" Severnio relaxed minutely.

"He was quite pleased. So now, you have to take me to the ball." Fiorella blushed.

"Well m'lady, it would be a pleasure to escort you to such an event." Severnio grinned wickedly, as though he had something else in mind. "I was going to ask you to go anyway, but, I was hoping this time we could go as a real couple?" Severnio suggested. Fiorella smiled.

"I am truly sorry, but not this time. Now come, I do believe we have an art gala to attend?" Fiorella giggled.

"Fine. But I get to hold your hand in public!" Severnio stuck his tongue out playfully and Fiorella huffed.

"Fine." She repeated, "But only to keep up appearances!" She warned.

"Of course. Only to keep up appearances." Severnio bowed out of the room, his long, curly blond locks falling into his eyes. As he bowed, Fiorella noticed that the top of his shirt was slightly unlaced, leaving a bit of his chest visible. Fiorella blushed even more furiously than before, and quickly looked away.

Soon Severnio returned, this time with a fine embroidered vest over his shirt and a thick leather belt on.

"Shall we depart?" Severnio held out his arm and Fiorella grudgingly accepted it. They strolled through the streets. Enjoying the beautiful weather and commenting on this and that, Firoella contemplated about the future.

If she could not find someone who she really loved and loved her back, who would she marry? Would she marry at all? She knew her father would be deeply disappointed if she could not stay with Severnio, but she wanted to be with a man of her choice, she could not just wed the first man her father set her up with, even if he was the son of a family friend and well prepared to care for her.

But I have little choice. If I did marry Severnio, I could be happy. Maybe I could learn to love him, in time… Thoughts raced through her head, and she became quiet. Severnio noticed her lack of attention and smiled gently. He understood that she had much to think about, he too had much to consider. But both of their thoughts would have to be interrupted as the sounds and sights of the gala reached them.

Fiorella Looked up and glanced at Severnio. He had a distant look to his eyes, but when he heard the bidders shouting out prices for the artwork, he soon came to.

"Well then, shall we see what culture has in store for us today?" Severnio asked, grinning stupidly at Fiorella. In response she merely giggled.

The square was filled with people of all sorts buying and selling assorted pieces of artwork form sculptures to original paintings to jewelry. One man in particular stood out against the crowd. Tall and broad shouldered he wore magnificent robes of fine burgundy silk, leaden with jewels and expensive embroidery. Atop his head sat a feathered hat that sagged slightly with the weight of the peacock feathers. He stood at a stall, conversing with the vendor in a low tone. The vendor's face was livid with rage, but the man remained cool and calculated.

As Fiorella and Severnio passed by, she could hear snippets of the conversation;

"…outrageous! Never have I been offered such a low price and never shall I stoop so low! Giovanni Gratello's work is nothing but the finest and should be bought as so!" The vendor's face reddened as he yelled at the man. The man stood, looking impatiently at the vendor.

"Are you quite done now? I would like to bring my recently purchased painting home." When he spoke, his voice was deep and authorative. The man reached into his fine robes and procured a small bag of coins.

"WHAT? I have just told you, my work shall not be bought for nothing more than pennies, or are you deaf?" The vendor threw his hands into the air and continued ranting. The man looked at the vendor and smiled. From a small leather scabbard on his belt, he drew a small, glittering blade.

"Actually, I think it's quite enough," The man shoved the blade against the vendor's throat, his eyes gleaming menacingly. The vendor gulped visibly. "Don't you agree?"

"Er…. What was I saying earlier, of course, such a-generous offer." The vendor smiled sheepishly and pocketed the money.

"Good." The man sheathed the blade, returning it to his belt. Fiorella shivered and drew closer to Severnio.

"Giancarlo Aturatelli. Not a man you should mess with. He's been getting more powerful around here." Severnio looked at the man with a disapproving expression

"But why would he pull a blade on an innocent man like that? I just don't understand! Couldn't they just bargain?" Fiorella pulled her cloak tight around her and glanced back to Giancarlo. He had moved on to look at other pieces but seemed to be offering civilized prices. No one else seemed to have seen what had just happened.

"Because he didn't want to. Men with power like that don't have to bargain, they just threaten those with something they want." Severnio turned around to face Fiorella, and gripped her shoulders. Fiorella had a frightened look on her face. "Promise me you'll never talk to a man like that." He asked her, looking her in the eye, his expression intense.

"But I-," Fiorella began, but was cut off by Severnio.

"Just-just promise me okay? I don't want you getting hurt." Severnio dropped his gaze, staring at the flagstones beneath them.

"Okay." Fiorella murmured, startled by his sudden request. Severnio sighed, moving back to Fiorella's side.

"Now that all that is done, shall we look at some new jewelry for you?" Severnio had regained his composure, and smiled. Fiorella gulped and simply nodded.

The pair moved from stall to stall, chatting about the quality of paintings and upcoming artists. Fiorella noticed a pair of ruby earrings that caught her eye and quickly went to further examine them, Severnio not far behind. They're so beautiful, oh, but look at the price; it is too much for me, I only brought a small bag of coins certainly not enough. Fiorella thought. She put the earrings back down and turned to leave, but Severnio caught her.

"Would milady like the earrings?" Severnio handed the grimy merchant the right amount and handed the earrings to Fiorella. She gasped and smiled to Severnio.

"My friend, it was not necessary. Such a beautiful and extravagant gift!" She looked from the earrings to Severnio, and then flung her arms around him in thanks.

"It is my pleasure. You deserve things like this." Severnio chuckled. Fiorella released her grasp around him and gave him a mock reproachful look.

"Do not think this will get you on my good side Signore Gianfo!" She scolded him, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Of course not, why would I expect that? 'Twas merely a little bauble for a friend." Severnio put his hands up in defense. Fiorella giggled and shoved him playfully.

"ASSASSINO!" A woman cried out. Instantly, chaos ensued. People went running in different directions, vendors and merchants began packing away their wares, and everyone was screaming.

"Guards get him!" Giancarlo shouted. A tall man dressed in a black cape and boots jumped from a nearby rooftop. Landing a few feet from where Fiorella stood stunned. He looked up from his crouched position and grinned to her, giving her a wink. She merely stood there, earrings still in her hands, staring at the young man.

The assassin dashed forward and met Giancarlo's guards with ferocity, dodging and blocking attacks as he went.

"Fiorella! Run, get out of here!" Severnio shouted to her over the din, but his words were lost on her ears. "Fiorella? Fiorella!" He grabbed her hand, jolting her from her shocked state and dashed to an alley way where they could depart for the safety of the Gianfo villa. But in her mad haste, the woman who had warned everyone ran in between them, separating the two. More exiting townspeople filled the gap that the woman had made, and soon Fiorella could not see Severnio.

"Fiorella!" Severnio cried, desperately trying to catch sight of his friend. He jumped onto an abandoned table, trying to search for the familiar head of brunette hair, but so many other women looked just like her.

"Severnio, Severnio!" Fiorella screeched, determined to get back to her friend. She soon spotted him atop a table amidst the chaos, and called out to him, waving her hand above her head, and cupping her other hand around her mouth to try and make herself louder.

"Severnio?" But it was no use, he couldn't see her, and soon he gave up, a dejected look on his face as he got off of the table, hopeful that Fiorella would return to the Gianfo villa and meet up with him later.

"Severnio!" Fiorella scolded. She felt stung by his lack of determination but was soon distracted when the fighting came closer to her.

The assassin had downed three of the guards already and was currently fighting two more. One of the guards swung at him with a heavy sword. The assassin ducked, and punched him in the gut. The guard winced, making a gurgling sound, lowering the blade, which nicked his partner in the knee. The other guard screeched in pain, hissing insults at both the assassin and the other guard.

"Heh, fools." Fiorella though she heard the assassin say. The assassin went in for the kill on the guard with the injured knee, but eh guard who had been punched in the stomach had regained his composure and swung the sword again, this time making contact with the assassin's shoulder.

The young man reeled back, and gripped his shoulder. He removed his hand and looked at it; it was bright red, and the clothing around his shoulder had begun to darken as the blood soaked his shirt and cloak. Grimacing from the wound, he took out two, thin knives from his belt. He flung one at the guard with the sword. It lodged, embedded deep in his throat, and the guard made a gurgling sound as he went down, crimson flowing from his mouth. Now just the guard with the injured knee was left.

Fiorella gasped. She had just seen someone killed. What if the man had family? A wife and kids to look after? What if he had yet to experience the joys of life? Now he would never get the chance, his life ended by the hands of the assassin. And what was keeping the assassin from Fiorella? Absolutely nothing. She scrambled backwards, eager to get away from the killing, but when she felt her back bump up against a wall, she turned, and saw she had backed herself up in a corner, with the assassin and remaining guard dancing ever closer.

She gulped and closed her eyes, praying that somehow the men would miss her. Leave her alone so that she might live another day.

Fiorella could see that the guard was scared, this assassin, this man had just murdered the rest of his squad in cold blood. But he pressed on, hoping against fate that he could somehow overcome the assassin.

The assassin grinned and lunged forward, his remaining throwing knife, in the space between his middle and ring finger. The guard swiped madly with his pike, managing to dislodge the knife from the assassin's grasp. Realizing that the assassin was now defenseless, his sword and knives now lay on the ground a few feet from the guard, the guard grinned in anticipation, pushing the assassin back into Fiorella's corner.

Fiorella went rigid with fright. When the guard swung to make the death blow, it could possibly hit her as well. She knew the neither the guard nor the assassin would care for her life; they were both so bent on destroying the other.

The guard continued slashing at the assassin, and managed to get a few more scrapes in. Soon the assassin was merely inches away from Fiorella. She whimpered, fearing these would be her last moments. The assassin heard the noise and turned briefly to her. The guard took advantage of his moment of distraction and swung the pike towards his head. The assassin swerved with the direction of the blade, dodging its edge by centimeters.

But the blade was satisfied in its hunt for blood, for as the assassin moved, it cut into Fiorella's cheek, leaving a deep gash that instantly oozed blood. She cried out in pain and dropped to her feet. Holding her hand to the cut, she brought out her handkerchief to stem the flow. Tears threatened to spill over, and Fiorella bit her lip to keep from crying out.

Why must men be so savage? If I die here, please keep mama, papa, and sister well Lord. Fiorella thought.

The assassins realized his folly and returned to his attack with renewed ferocity, grabbing a dagger concealed in his boot. The guard was surprised by his sudden attack and was not prepared for the assassin's sudden onslaught. But nonetheless he fought back, parrying the assassin's blows skillfully. One of the shots went wide and threatened to hit Fiorella again, but the assassin managed to block the jab.

"Run….g-get out of here!" The assassin gasped out. They were the same words that Severnio had shouted to her before they had been separated. Fiorella was shocked, mainly because the assassin cared if she lived or died, but also because he had the nerve to speak to her after everything that had happened.

"I said run!" The assassin yelled. This time Fiorella obeyed, slipping past the assassin and towards the crowd where she could disappear. But the guard grabbed her hand and swung her into him, bringing the edge of the pike to her throat.

"Not so fast my sweet!" The guard ground out. Fiorella gagged and turned away from the blade, the guard's stink getting to her.

"Let her go, she's done nothing." The assassin demanded, his onyx eyes glinting under his hood.

"Only if you surrender!" The guard gave an ultimatum.

"Okay, fine. See if I care if she dies." The assassin straightened, and returned his dagger to his boot. Fiorella felt her heart sink. How could he so suddenly not care for her if he just told her to run?

Bemused at the sudden turn of events, the guard loosened his grip on Fiorella. She took the chance and elbowed him in the gut, the breath whooshing out of him with an "Oof!" She danced away, stopping a few feet away, still entranced by the action

The assassin ran and jumped, unsheathing a hidden blade from his bracers. He landed on the guard, toppling him backwards and jabbed the blade into his throat, ending yet another life. He retracted the blade and stood up. He wobbled slightly as he looked around for his original target, Signore Aturatelli, but he was long gone. Suddenly he gasped had clutched at his injured shoulder. He glanced back up to Fiorella, looking at her frightened expression a moment before he dashed away to nurse hid injuries that he might fight another day.

The square was silent a moment before the crowd burst out into chatter about the recent events. Most of the screaming had subsided, but the place was still in chaos. Thoughts flew through Fiorella's head as she watched the receding figure of the assassin. Then, she made a rash, on the spot decision.

She followed him.

Fiorella raced after the assassin determined to find him. She wanted to thank the man for saving her and help treat his wounds, after all it was the least she could do.