Disclaimer : I don't own any of the characters in this story and am gaining nothing but enjoyment from writing it. lol Verity/Fallon, Benji and a few others do belong to me.

Authors Note: This story is based on the film and not book, I just wanted to clear that up now as it will cause questions, lol. enjoy

Chapter 4

As the sunlight filtered through the thin curtains that framed Verity's bedroom window. Scipio yawned opening his eyes, startled at the unfamiliar surrounding he tensed, next to him Verity moved huddling herself into his naked chest more.

Scipio looked down in amazement when he realised where he was and why he was.

Relaxing against he breathed out and slowly sat up causing his bed partner to slide further down his chest to his stomach, watching her for a few moments he smiled to himself, she was even cuter when she was asleep, not the usual cocky and funny cute he knew her as but the kind, innocent cute. Smirking at the thought of what she would do to him if he told her he thought her cute, he gasped when the girl moved in his arms.

"Stop watching me sleep!"

Smirking more he saw her eyes were now open and looking up at him, sleep clouded some of her vision and she moaned rubbing her eyes to clear them.

"We should get up" he told her pulling her up so her head was level with his shoulder, bringing his head closer to her shoulder he rested it slightly.

Verity looked at him and then at the window gage the time by the intensity of light creeping in. She figured it was about 6.00am.

Making a sound of agreement she looked back over her shoulder at him, and his naked chest. Blushing she turned her head away.

"I still need to go to the Stella and tell them you're home before I go home as well" he told her not realising she was blushing.

Verity turned over and gave a brief glance at his face before her eyes wandered down.

Looking down to where she was looked he took in breath quickly; his face tinted red as she looked up her own face matching.

"About what happened…?"

Verity pulled her hand up and pressed her index finger to his lips.

"What happened last night happened, it shouldn't have but it did, we can't change that… I'd rather it have been you than someone else"

Not knowing what to say he nodded as he sat up and looked round for his boxers and pants.

Thankfully they were on the floor by the bed he leant over and pulled them to him, slipping his boxers on first he pushed back the bed cover and stood up. Reaching for his pants he noticed first that Verity hadn't moved and second she was watching him with a grin on her face.

"Aren't you getting up?" he asked tilling his head slightly.

Verity smiled back and shook her head. "I need to get a shower first, why don't you go ahead and tell Hornet and the boys I'll go round later, then you can get home before your father realises your gone" she told him.

Grimacing slightly he nodded, sitting on the bed he pulled on his black boots. Looking behind him as he pulled his jumper on, Verity sat behind him looking over to the window with a small smile on her face. Leaning over he tapped her arm getting her attention.

Verity smiled and shuffled over under the covers over to him. Leaning up as he began to speak she kissed him sweetly, after returning the kiss Scipio pulled back and looked at her.

"I'd better go" he said reluctantly.

Verity's smile dropped but she nodded.

"See you tonight Thief Lord"

Grinning he leaned over the bed and kissed her again.

"Yes I will see you tonight Shadow Master" he said with a smirk as he headed for the door.

When she heard the door click shut downstairs Verity pushed the covers back and got out of bed. Wincing at the dull throbbing between her legs and the healing bruises on the rest of her body. Heading for the bathroom she walked up to shower and turned the dial to the temperature she liked it best, turning round she caught her reflection in the mirror.

Walking up to it she looked more closely. Turning her head left and right she checked. Something was different she was sure of it but she couldn't see anything different. Sighing she shook her head and went back to the shower. Getting in she washed herself as quickly as she could mindful of the bruises and the scraps the suited man had given her.

If only she could trust her friends and Scipio not to do something in retaliation, she would have told them it was Dottore Massimo who had beaten her for taking his wallet.

Washing off the last bit of soap, she turned the dial back to its off position and climbed out of the shower, taking one the towels her step-mother had left out for her to use she dried herself off and walked through to her bedroom again.

Pulling open her door to the oak wardrobe she looked in and picked out a pair of faded blue jeans and a red hooded jumper. Changing into them she looked at herself in the mirror looking of any signs of the bruises showing. Finding none apart form the one on her jaw she nodded to herself and shut the door. She'd just have to tell her godmother she's knocked herself a little too hard. Jumping down the stairs two at her time she regretted her decision to do so when she landed on the hall floor as her legs screamed in protest. Shuffling into the kitchen she open the drawer next to the sink and pulled out a box an aspirin and filled a glass tumbler from the sink with water, swallowing them down she walked to the fridge and opened it. Peering in she pulled a face, her stepmother had left re-heatable food for the entire week for her to eat.

"Great leftover Lasagne from two days ago and whatever that it?" she sighed in disgust pushing back a container of unidentifiable food.

Shutting the refrigerator door she turned round and leant against it.

"Let's hope Ida has some food worth eating" she said aloud as she picked up a pair of black trainers and her dark blue coat and heading out the door.

She had to say it, if she had a say in the matter she would be living with her godmother. Ida Spavento was the most perfect person she could think of to raise or look after a child. As Verity left her godmothers house she sighed contently her stomach was full of delicious homemade bread made by Ida's housekeeper and the best honey money could buy in the city of Venice. After her fantastic breakfast Ida had told her of the new house she was buying. They'd then gone and looked at it on a quick trip before her godmother had to go off to a photography shoot with some rich family. Yes Ida Spavento was perfect, but what would she think of the double life Verity was leading. Shuddering Verity pulled her jacket put around her face, she didn't want to think about that. Putting on a smile she headed off in the direction of the Stella to see her friends.

Taking the more crowded route she managed to pick several wallets from unknowing tourists. With the money from one wallet she stopped at some of the many stores along the side of canal and bought food that she knew Hornet, Mosca and Riccio would be able to cook and live on for a while. With the bags of food she set off again to the Stella. Once she had arrived she slipped down the side passage and kicked the door with her foot, as her hands were weighted down with the food. Mosca opened the door slowly, peering round he caught sight of her and the bags of food she was carrying. Stepping forward quickly he took one of the bags from her and helped her through the door with a big smile on his face.

In the theatre Hornet was sat on one of the red cinema chairs reading one of the books that Verity brought her from time to time. When she walked in the younger girl dropped her book and ran over. Riccio heard the commotion and looked over his balcony.

Verity smiled up to him and waved him down to come see what she had brought.

Hornet and Mosca sat on the stage with her as she pasted along the wallets and opened one of the bags of food, pulling out a giant cream bun for each of them.

Riccio's eyes widened at the size, putting his hands forward he accepted it eagerly.

Munching on the buns, Hornet smiled to her friend happy to see she was feeling better.

"Scipio said you were feeling better" she told the girl.

Verity nodded in answer as she finished the cream bun and started to count the money from the wallets.

"So you must have let Scipio see your hideout?" Mosca asked

Verity nodded again then stopped realising what she's told them.

"How did you know that?"

Hornet shook her head and smiled, pointing to the girls clothes.

"Your wearing different clothes, Scipio was in the same clothes he left in"

Verity rolled her eyes at herself.

"Oh yeah" she said lamely then laughed then went back to counting.

Hornet laughed at her friend hugging with one arm, the other still holding the cream bun.

"Thank-you for the money and the food"

Verity looked up at her friend and gave a brief frown, then shrugged her shoulders. "It's not a problem, well you have €400 here that should keep you going for a bit, or at least I hope it will. I gotta go now my master wants to see me today"

Riccio looked up "Are you coming to the Stella tonight?"

Looking up Verity grinned. "Of course I am, you can't get rid of me that easily even if you are a lousy pickpocket" she teased.

Scowling back Riccio then stuck out his tongue, jumping down from the stage he bowed mockingly. "Allow me to show you the door Oh Great Shadow Master"

Verity bit her lip. "Why Thank-you lousy pickpocket boy, that is very kind out you"

Hornet and Mosca laughed out loud at the face Riccio pulled as he walked off to the door mumbling.

Verity looked back and waved at the two sat on the stage and followed the young boy to the door.

At the door Riccio stood waiting a slight scowl on his face.

"I'll see you tonight Riccio and I was only joking you're a really good pickpocket"

Riccio's smile returned as he opened the door. "Where are you three heading to day?"

"To St. Marko's" he replied.

Verity nodded. "I might see you there; it will depend on what my master wants me to do"

Well i hope you enjoyed, i had totally forgot about this story, i've almost finished it, just a few tweaks to take care off. i'll up load all the chapters i've finished already today.