Chapter 1

Requiescat en Pace

Finally! This is my first fanfic and it's about time too… it's taken me 3 years, yes 3 years to get my butt in gear and have a story worth telling. Basically this story is a long shot but it sprouted from a dream I had about 2 years ago while re-playing Assassin's Creed 2. It will include everyone from when Ezio visits Venice to when he defeats Cesare Borgia in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, so as you can tell this story my take a while, Also I'm going to re-jig some events that happened and put some in different orders.. I hope it won't confuse you but if it does I will explain it later. Anyway this is more revolved around Ezio and Rosa and what happened if Ezio came back for her, so it's going to get lovey-dovey, but not for a while. So without further ado let the first chapter begin.

-000-

He could hear her, that horrible blood curdling scream, the one that he prayed he'd never hear leave her soft lips. He knew exactly who could inflict this pain on the one he loved and cherished so dearly, however he couldn't concentrate enough to know where it was coming from. Moments passed that to him felt like hours. He remained still trying to calm his mind and regain control of his senses.

"Take a deep fucking breath idiota, if you want to help her you must calm down!"

He shouted in his head. Another scream came, this time it was closer and more pain etched it's self in the noise. Ezio whipped around so that he was facing north, an alleyway came into his view. He knew this street very well as it was the one that lead right out into the streets before the open fields that encircled Firenze where they used to sit on the large rock that rose a few feet from the ground and watch the sun go down. Without hesitation Ezio began to sprint along the alley, darting past bits of broken building and avoiding the bodies that now made the streets their final resting place. He could feel fatigue setting in, his armour was heavy and didn't help the fact that he was still recovering from the battle to protect Caterina Sforza and her children. He was not a weak man by any standards, just pushing twenty three; he was at a prime in his life, his muscular frame stood tall, around six foot one, with long dark brown hair and a pair of angelic eyes to match. The years had been kind to his face but unfortunately battle had not, the one flaw that his face possessed was a scar running from just below his nose to the middle of his chin, courtesy of Vieri De' Pazzi. Horrific thoughts crossed the young Italian's mind, he felt his stomach tie its self it knots and felt like it was being stretched from all angles. This feeling occurred because Ezio realised that there were no more screams encircling the area which made a sickening thought creep in and poison his mind… death. At last he reached the end of the alley where the street opened out and instead of its usual welcoming glow of people working and chatting; silence, blood and chaos filled its place. He scanned the area for her but there was too many people and not enough time to scale a building for a better view so being the well rounded Assassin that he was Ezio took a moment of silence, he closed his eyes and let out a ragged breath, he could feel the world around him die away and could only hear that which was vital to him. All sound ebbed away except for the faint noise of crying. He opened his eyes but they were not as they were before, for now his eagle vision was engulfing his irises and they shone gold instead of dark brown. He scanned the area again this time sure that he would find and save her. He was right about one thing, he would definitely find her. Gold was the only colour that mattered to Ezio at this moment in time as this was the giveaway that would reveal where the one he loved was, he looked around the whole street and just when he began to doubt hope he caught a glimpse of it, the tell-tale sign, Gold.

He ran full force into the wooden door that blocked the way between him and a small courtyard that he had previously christened as the place he would propose to her in. A life time could not have prepared Ezio for the scene that would meet his vision in the next few seconds. The door collapsed to the ground, Ezio entered the courtyard, Altair's sword drawn prepared to fight. He stood still, completely frozen by the sight of his beloved Cristina curled up against the wall clutching her chest and barley breathing, red stained her dress in many places but the most distinct was her stomach which was creating a larger stain by the minute. Ezio was never an angry man by nature, when his father and brothers were murdered he felt anger but that quickly became numb and turned its self into determination and a promise to avenge them. But now the feeling Ezio had surpassed anger on such a level that he felt he could murder the whole city and not regret anything. He took note of the two guards standing over her, laughing and making remarks that turned Ezio's anger into what can only be described as Apoplectic. He gripped the sword in his right hand and without a care in the world swiftly proceeded to stab the first guard in the back of the head, piercing the blade right through and out his mouth. He threw the blade to the left decapitating the guard in the process. He drew his sword from the guards head and turned to meet the terrified expression of the second guard, the assassin strode towards him sword by his side. The guard begged and pleaded stating that he had a family and that he only followed orders. Ezio's foot connected with the guard square in the chest which sent the scrawny man hurtling to the floor. Ezio stood over him just as he had done to Cristina and growled

"Requiescat en pace figlio di puttana "

then soullessly stabbed his blade into the guards throat, twisting it left and right. The guard gasped for breath, choking on his own blood. Ezio retracted the sword and sheathed it. He ran over to where Cristina was, bending down to her level, he wrapped his left arm around her waist and caressed her cheek with his other. "Mi amore… Cristina" he spoke these words as if someone had stolen half his voice and stamped on his throat a thousand times. He tried to fight back his tears but it was impossible, the pain was too great and he knew that the next few minutes would be precious and would be the last he would ever spend with her.

"E Ezio ?"

her voice weak and hoarse

"I'm here, piccola, I'm here"

"Ezio, I… I cannot, I won't"

"shhh angelo, its ok, I know"

He spoke tenderly, both love and pain clear in his words.

"Ezio Auditore de Firenze, you listen t… to me now, I l… love you, always have, always will. You were my greatest adventure Ezio and I wish it was you t…than Manfredo"

"Cristina, I… I can't lose you, Ti Amo Cara Mio"

"I know"

Realisation engulfed Cristina's mind and she accepted that she was going to die, but she was thankful that she got to see the love of her life one last time. Ezio was not so accepting, as gently as he could he lifted her from the floor and began to run, hoping that he'd find a doctor amongst all the chaos. Cristina had accepted her fate but still clinged onto whatever life was left in her. Ezio knew she wouldn't make it, her wounds too severe but he had to try, he would never let her go without a fight.

"Ezio, please I don't want it to happen, not like this"

"Cristina, i…I promise, I swear we will get through this."

His words were desperate and he continued to run further down the street towards the small stall that the doctor usually sold his medicines at. Cristina suddenly loosened her grip on Ezio's shoulder and her arm fell to her side. Ezio darted into the side of the street

"Cristina! Hold on! I'll get you to a doctor, you are going to be all right!"

He begged her. Ezio placed the Florentine beauty on the ground and crouched beside her, never letting go of her hand. Cristina's eyes began to close she was losing her battle with life.

"No Ezio, I don't think I am."

"No! don't go, stay with me Cristina"

"Ezio… don't you know ? I've always been with you"

She pulled out the necklace that he had given her all those years ago when he fled Florence after his father and brothers were murdered, a single tear escaped his control and made its way down the side of his face.

"I wish we c…could have had a second chance."

At that moment her eyes fully closed and her breathing ceased. Tears fell from the assassin's eyes but he refused to look away from her, he pulled her up to his chest and held her close he whispered the words.

"Requiescat en pace, my love"

He began to sob uncontrollably. His vision became blurry and fogged; he felt like he couldn't breathe and then everything went black.

-000-

And that is chapter one. I know it's a bit short but I wanted to get it out of the way so that I can progress onto Ezio and Rosa's story. I always loved Cristina and Ezio together but I think it's more of a challenge to write something around events that was only hinted at in the game. Anyway I will put translations at the bottom in case any of you are interested in them and hopefully I will have the next chapter up in a few days so please feel free to leave me a review etc. Every little helps and tell me what you guys want to see in the next chapter. Thanks for reading!

Idiota – Idiot

Requiescat en pace figilo di puttana - Rest in peace mother fucker

Mi amore -My love

Piccola – Sweetheart

Angelo – Angel

Ti Amo Cara Mio – I love you my darling