It wasn't long into my trip to Florence that I had met an absolute goddess. Long curls that hung a fair way down to her back. Soft gentle eyes unlike any others I had ever seen. Her face just seemed so gentle, so… Perfect. Her name was Maria.

It was a cold day, I had been following a corrupt mercenary for a few hours, I was tired and hungry. With the few florins in my pocket I went out in search of food. Every place in the heart of Florence was closed. Giving up I laid back against a cart of hay. Then right before my eyes I saw a bakery, it looked as if it was closing but I thought maybe if I hurried I could get a stale loaf of bread, it would fill me enough until morning when I would reunite with my brother Mario.

I quickly moved my feet against the cobblestones of the street to the bakery door and I quickly tried the handle. Locked, merda. I went to bang my fist against the pine door before it opened and I nearly hit the poor woman in the face. I stopped my fist above her brow, my faced flushed quickly and I retracted my hand before speaking.

"Pardon me signorina, I was wondering if you have any goods left from today."

And let me tell you, her angelic features never faltered as she looked me over, she was curious.

"I'm sorry signore, we are closed."

She went to close the door but I stopped it with the toe of my boot.

"It won't be long, a few moments and I'll be gone, I'll even wash down the table and sweep the floor beneath my feet."

Her look softened as she opened the door allowing me to enter, a smirk came to my lips as I walked behind her. She went behind a wooden counter and near an oven still smoldering and pulled out a rack of fresh hot bread. My mouth was watering as she took some butter and melted it over the top of the golden crust before wrapping it in some linen and bringing it my way. I went to give her the money and she shook her head. I set down the hot loaf of bread took her hand and opened it sliding the coins into her warm palm. My hand was tingling my heart fluttering and the stunned look on her face, was as beautiful as her smiling. My gloved hand then closed her fingers over the coins whilst the other patted her hand, I then took my loaf and sat down at the table to eat.

It wasn't long before the bread was gone but when I looked up from the feeding frenzy I had started there was a glass of wine and some cheese. Glancing to my left I saw the smirking woman turn to finish her chores. I ignored the other food for a moment and stood. I walked to the counter and hopped over it with assassin like grace before my feet hit the floor on the other side. I walked up to the woman and spoke.

"Thank you for the drink and cheese mio caro, but I cannot accept, I do not have the means to pay for such things."

She then looked at me, mystery shimmering in her eyes as she spoke.

"I know, you pulled out all your florins to give for the bread. You looked thirsty and simple bread will not fill a man. I have three brothers, even that wouldn't fill them. Now sit eat, warm yourself at the fire and relax."

"Signorina," I protested, "I can't accept this without means of payment." I said. She then smiled and spoke in her soft voice.

"You can, and you will. Now go sit and eat."

I chuckled to myself and gazed at her and spoke.

"I'm Giovanni, it's a pleasure."

I said trying to sound as dignified as her as I reached for her bare hand and kissed it gently.

"I am Maria." She said gazing at her hand before I glanced from her hand to her eyes.

((Okay, first Fanfic, be as cruel as you want. Review please!))