Connor sighed as the bitter wind blew through his coat, whipping it around his legs as he looked out at the sea. He and the Aquila have not sailed in so long, he wished he had a good reason to take her out again, but the Templar and British threat were nonexistent now. He was desperate enough to take her to Martha's Vineyard. Connor exhaled deeply through his nose. He truly enjoyed sailing. He loved the thrill of flying over the water he viewed as untouchable as a child. The wind whipping at his clothes and at some of the untied ends of the sails made him feel alive in a way.

He readjusted his hat, debating whether to call his men and go to the Vineyard. He heard old Peg Leg laughing on the dock behind him. Connor stiffened, remembering some of his recent, previous adventures.

He had collected a three of the four pieces of leather he had discovered on his travels. He frowned; he could not possibly go find the last one now. He had the Homestead and Ellie to think about now. Connor grinned a little, tugging at the leather cord he wore around his neck along with his necklace now. A gold ring hung on the cord, hiding safely under his shirts.

Connor wore the ring when he was not on a mission and when he was just helping around the homestead. Ellie had given him the cord so he could keep the ring safe while he was on a mission.

"Hello Captain," a teasing voice said.

Connor glanced over his shoulder, seeing Ellie standing on the deck. She walked up the stairs, standing beside him at the wheel. She shivered as the winter wind tore through her cloak. Connor shook his head, turning around and wrapping his arms around her. He knew she hated the cold. She hated being in it, she hated seeing snow, she hated everything about it. He, though, enjoyed it immensely. It gave him a good reason to hold her close like how he was now, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"What are you doing?" he asked in amusement, wondering why she would walk out in this weather. She would usually avoid going outside during this time of year.

"Hugging you," she said with a smirk.

Connor squeezed her, shaking his head in amusement. "Why are you out here?" he asked, rubbing circles into her back.

Ellie stepped back a little, looking up at him. "I just received letters concerning Washington's troops and rubbish like that from a contact; I thought you would like to see them. They aren't that important though."

Connor frowned. He wanted nothing to do with the Patriots, now more than anything. "They are not important," he said, pulling her close again as she shivered.

Ellie would only put up with that for so long. She tugged on the front of his coat. "Let's get inside. I'm freezing."

Connor nodded and followed her into the cabin. She tossed her cloak on a chair, taking a seat. "How you can stand the cold in your usual coat I will never know," she said with a sigh.

Connor kept the fact that he was wearing another shirt underneath his usual ones to himself.

Ellie smiled up at him, looking around the cabin. "Do you miss sailing? You've been coming out here a lot lately," she said, looking at him again.

Connor held back a chuckle of amusement. Of course Ellie would notice. He took a seat across from her, resting his elbows on the table. "Perhaps," he said, reaching across for her hand.

She twined her fingers with his, giving him a sad smile. "You can go out if you want you know, I wouldn't mind."

Connor knew she was lying. She would miss him and he would miss her. Ever since they married, Connor was finding it harder and harder to leave for long periods of time. The last six months were bliss for him. Even though Achilles had passed in the early spring, shortly after their marriage, Connor could not remember a time he was this happy.

Being with Ellie in a relationship was one thing, but being her husband was a completely different world. He and Ellie have learned more about each other in the past six months than they did in the nine years they knew each other.

"I do miss sailing, but I do not need to anymore," he said, leaning back in his chair.

Ellie shook her head. "No, you do. You can go to Martha's Vineyard. Oh, what about those letters Peg Leg gave you, I know you went to a few places for those things!"

Connor shrugged. "Perhaps someday, but I do not need to right now."

Ellie cocked her head. "And why not?"

Connor stood up, making his way over to her. He rested his palms on the table, leaning down. "Because I need to be here right now," he said softly, giving her a peck.

Ellie grinned, scooting her chair back. She stood up, wrapping her arms around his torso again. "I'm flattered Captain."

Ellie started to play with the strap looped over his shoulder, biting her lip.

Connor looked at her hair. She had only pulled half of it back today, leaving some to still fall in waves past her shoulders. Connor loved her hair. He honestly disliked it when she wore it back. He started to run his fingers through it, reveling in how soft it was. Ellie's eyes slowly closed with the action, a small grin crept onto her lips.

She reached up, running her fingers through the part of his hair that has grown back. Connor closed his eyes as her fingers gently ran to the back of his neck, gently massaging the skin just below his hair line.

Connor loved her hands too. They were gentle and soft when they touched him. He felt her step closer to him, closing the distance between their bodies. He loved how her body felt against his, how they fit perfectly together even though he towered over her. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing his lips to the top of her head.

His heart felt too big for his chest as they stood there, just being together.

She pulled back a little, looking up at him. She reached up, resting her hands on his shoulders. She got up on the tips of her toes, pressing her lips to the sensitive skin right below his jaw.

Connor held back a groan, digging his fingers into the fabric of her dress. Here? Now?! he thought in surprise. When he and Ellie had their intimate moments, it was usually in the privacy of their room late in the night, not in the middle of the day and out of the blue.

Ellie brought him out of his thoughts when she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down a little. "Have I ever told you that I love your Captain uniform?" she asked with a coy grin.

Connor gulped, shaking his head. She had teased him about it before, but he never got the hint of her liking the uniform he wore on the Aquila.

She pulled his hat off, tossing it onto the table. She looked up at him, letting out a soft laugh. "Cat got your tongue, Captain?"

Connor tried to make his face stoic again…no luck. "You…want to do…that…here? Now?" he managed to get out.

He knew he should not be nervous. They had been intimate many times during their marriage, but he never imagined being intimate with Ellie on the Aquila. It caused waves of heat to spread throughout his body, making it feel like it was on fire. He was nervous, though, for some unknown reason.

Perhaps it was because it was so unexpected.

Ellie started to play with his ponytail. "Yes," she said, pressing her lips to his.

Connor could not think of a reason why she would want to be intimate right then and there, but he was not complaining. He tugged on her dress, pressing her body against his even more. The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint Ellie in this way. He tried to push his nervousness aside, deepening the kiss. Connor started to gently push her toward the bed on the other side of the room, never ending the kiss.

Ellie suddenly grabbed at the front of his coat, pushing him toward the wall. Soon, Connor found himself with his back against the wall and his small wife smiling coyly up at him. She unbuckled the belt running over his chest, letting it fall to the floor. He helped her with his coat, shrugging it off, letting it join the large belt now resting on the floor.

Ellie started to unbutton the shirt, biting her lip as her fingers worked.

Connor felt another wave of heat rush through him with the action. He kissed her, spinning them around so that she now had her back against the wall. She gasped into the kiss, letting him deepen it. He rested a hand on the wall above her head, pulling away. He looked down at her, enjoying the sight in front of him.

Her cheeks were flushed and she was panting a little, looking up at him. They grinned at each other before kissing again. Ellie brought her hands up to the back of his neck, deepening the kiss. Connor stepped forward, pinning Ellie to the wall. He felt her small hands grab at the fabric of his shirt, tugging at them feverishly.

Connor stepped back, shrugging off the over shirt. Ellie helped him pull the others over his head. She pulled him forward when he threw them aside, pressing herself against him again. She placed butterfly kisses on his collar bones, moving down his torso. She paused above his heart, leaving a lingering kiss there.

Connor's heart leapt with the action. He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. He pulled away and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Konnorónhkwa," he whispered against her skin.

"I love you too," she whispered back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Connor reached forward and picked her up, causing her to squeak in surprise. She giggled as he walked over to the bed, gently setting her down onto the soft mattress. She flung her arms above her head, looking up at him through her eyelashes. Connor reached down, pulling her shoes and stockings off. He pushed the hem of her dress up, kissing her bare skin as he stood up again.

Even now, Connor still could not get over how soft her skin was. It was another thing he loved about Ellie. Ellie helped him get the dress off leaving her in her shift and stays. Connor frowned at the ties of the stays. He always had trouble getting it off. Ellie giggled at his expression, sitting up and helping him. As soon as it was off, he dove down to press kisses to her neck and collar bone. He felt her gentle fingers cling to his hair as she gasped.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton."

Connor started to explore her curves, kissing the hollow between her collar bones. He did not know why, but when she said his true name when they were intimate, it drove him wild.

His hands reached her hips and he curled his fingers around the fabric of her shift. Her hands traveled down to his back, nails digging in lightly as he moved the shift up. He pulled it over her head, enjoying the sight of her bare skin. Ellie pulled him down again, pressing her chest against his. Connor kissed her, groaning into her mouth. He felt like his body was on fire.

She moved her hands down to the buttons of his trousers, pulling at them. Connor removed them and his boots, throwing them to join their other clothes. He hovered over her, kissing a path from her naval to her neck, causing her to whisper his name again. He propped himself on his elbows, looking into her eyes. She ran her fingers through his hair, giving him a reassuring smile.

Connor repositioned their lower bodies, resting his forehead against hers before pressing forward.

Connor groaned as he slowly pressed forward, letting her adjust to him. Ellie's hands clamped on the back of his head, back arching as he entered her.

He kissed her as well as he could, not being able to focus with the mind-blowing feeling coursing through him. Ellie shifted her hips against his a little, letting him know it was okay to move.

Connor set a steady rhythm, grunting with each movement. Ellie gasped and panted in time with him, digging her hands down to his back, nails digging in gently.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton," she gasped against his lips.

Connor almost lost it then and there. Connor pressed his lips to hers in a fevered kiss as he started to reach his peak. He could tell she was close too. They both gasped out as they climaxed, he buried his face into her neck, groaning. She cried out, tugging at his hair.

Connor collapsed against her as he came down from his high. A cold sweat covered his whole body and his head felt light. He managed to prop himself up again, panting. He looked down at Ellie. She was panting as well; a small smile gracing her lips. She opened her eyes, looking up at him. Her fingers gently tugged at his hair. She trailed one hand down to the spot above his heart.

Connor shifted to his side, propping himself up on his elbow. He trailed the tips of his fingers down the bare skin of her arm.

"Konnorónhkwa," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss on her shoulder. He suppressed a yawn.

Ellie shifted to her side, scooting closer to him. She nuzzled into his chest, placing butterfly kisses above his heart. "I love you too, Ratonhnhaké:ton."

Connor fell asleep with those words ringing in his ears.