Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed 2 or any of its characters. They belong to Ubisoft as far as I know...that includes Ezio, unfortunately *sighs*. I do own my obvious OC's and any other characters are not familiar/seen in the original game, though.

Author Notes: It's been awhile but it's meant I've been able to re-write this about three times. I don't write unless I'm in the right frame of mind otherwise I spout absolute nonsense and haven't been able to concentrate as of late. Thank you to the people who reviewed on my last chapter, anyway. Reviews really motivate me and I LOVE them! ^_^

Thoughts are in - Italics.
Translations are at the end.

Chapter 3: Uninvited

After Valentina had departed from the stables - shortly after Grazia was cared for and put into her stall for rest – she took to the cobblestone streets of the marketplace, examining the various stalls that were set up. The area was full of hustle and bustle from its many visitors, with the occasional shove of a shoulder and a curse of a corrupt voice. Apart from the horrid nature of the high society, this part of Firenze was generally crime-free; there was no need to think of pickpockets or anything else of that sort, but it happened occasionally.

Out of the corner of her eye there would always be a quick flex of the hand before the rich were swiped of their treasures. She paid them no heed, naturally. They were at fault for being so careless. Besides, they were rich enough. Who could blame the poor souls for trying to feed their families? Thieves who stole out of greed or the fun of it... well that was another matter entirely.

"Ah! Valentina, my fiore Italiano! You grow more grazioso with each passing day!"

There was only one man she could place that familiar voice with and that was one of her most faithful and trustworthy friend's she had (and probably the only one in this corrupt place).

"Leonardo!" she greeted him cheerfully as he joined her on her walk, "You flatter me. I'm surprised you have not found a woman to claim your own, yet."

The tall, lanky, fair-haired artist offered his arm of which she took with great appreciation. For some unknown reason she was the only young female able to get this close in proximity to him. Any other and he would become a nervous wreck or stutter his way into awkwardness.

"Signorina, art is my only love as you well know," he smiled softly as they exited the busy square. "How is your family?"

Valentina averted her eyes from his startling blue coloured iris'. Her life was frustrating and she had only hoped she could have avoided the discussion.

"You can always trust him to bring something like this to light..."

"Is something troubling you?" he asked inquisitively with a curious look. They had managed to walk to his workshop in that short time – that only seemed a lifetime to her. When she quickly retreated into his domain without a word, he followed, eager to show her his work in progress.

Inside the rather stuffy main room it was utter chaos, to put it lightly: canvas' lay against dusty walls in continuously growing piles and various pots of 'liquid colours', charcoal, brushes and the like littered his worktops. Anyone would be surprised that the floor was still visible with such a mess. The humid air held a strong scent of paint mingled with clay.

Leonardo quickly overtook her with a small comical leap over his clutter and stood in front of a lone canvas, a yellowing sheet (perhaps once a brilliant ivory in its previous years) covered it. He carefully pulled it away to reveal a beautiful sketch of a horse. She had known him to draw many pictures of the elegant creatures, but this was by far his best as of yet.

"Leonardo... it is the most magnificent thing I have ever seen," she whispered softly in awe as she ran a hand delicately along the lines, mesmerised somewhat. His cheeks flushed crimson at her comment and shrugged slightly.

"She is still in her early stages. I drew her in honour of Grazia," he smiled fondly of his work as he too examined it. "She is the most amazing of specimens if I ever saw one." Valentina patted his shoulder with a great sense of pride.

"I am speechless. I am sure she will be happy to show the rest of the horses when it is hung in the stables."

He gaped with astonishment and looked quite close to fainting. "But-"

"I'm joking, Leo," she chuckled with amusement at his face as she called him by his affectionate nickname that only his closest friends would dare use. He relaxed in relief as he was reassured. He couldn't bare to see his work demolished by the magnificent, but mischievous equines whom would surely attempt to eat it.

A knock at the door startled them. Placing the sheet back over the canvas protectively they went to greet the visitors.

"Hello, Leonardo."

"Madonna Maria!"

Maria Auditore stood in the entrance as she greeted the artist. The woman whom Valentina knew quite well was like a second mother, perhaps more than a mother than her own in these times. She was wise and patient beyond years and seemed to have a knack for knowing about virtually everything that went on.

Adjacent stood a rather tired looking son: Ezio.

"My darling, Valentina," Maria smiled towards her 'adoptive' daughter and didn't hesitate to hug her warmly. "I have not seen you for many days now. You are well, yes?"

"Very well, grazie."

Maria didn't need to ask as she silently knew already of her predicament with Vieri and his father on a pending trial for murder. Although being of higher class allowed for more influence, she and other women would forever have limitations to speak out. However, that did not mean she abides by those rules behind closed doors.

Leonardo passed her with two boxes full of newly framed paintings. The young woman peered over his shoulder for a second, very inquisitively.

"An investment," the wise mother said simply in answer to the curious glance. "Help Leonardo, would you, Ezio?" Maria smiled, motioning to the second box that was precariously balancing in his arms.

Ezio let out an aggravated groan as he relieved the artist of half his burden despite the fact he seemed to handle the weight well (just unable to carry two large crates at once). He walked ahead, Leonardo at his side attempting to generate a conversation between them.

"I do believe you should have a creative outlet, dear. Leonardo gives to the world through his art. You should find something similar."

Ezio shrugged and looked back at his mother awkwardly, "I-I have plenty of outlets."

Maria's brow furrowed as she prodded a long nail into his back. "Other than Vaginas." His cheeks flushed a deep red with his head held down in shame, Valentina shuffled uncomfortably at Maria's side and Leonardo... Well Leonardo seemed blissfully oblivious as he prattled on about birds and flying...

"He still insists on seeing that Harlot..."

Within the courtyard of the Auditore home the clatter of the two boxes met the cobblestone floor. The faint noise of the outside world was heard from the only entrance and exit through the Iron Gate lined with beautiful creeping ivy and crimson flowers. Maria did always love her garden.

"Thank you, Leonardo; I will surely enjoy your fine paintings..." A glance from Signora Auditore that was shared between her own son and his childhood friend cued her departure into her home. "Please, would you allow me to take up some of your time to aid me in arranging them on my walls?"

With a heaving sigh and a defeated nod he dragged the boxes into the home following Maria like a faithful canine.

Valentina gazed down at her folded hands, fumbling with her fingers as they entwined around themselves idly. "You can't stand all day."

She looked across the courtyard at the irritable young man spread out on a stone bench, his face shadowed by the darkness of the alcove. He shuffled his feet to the floor and allowed her to sit next to him. Valentina welcomed the refreshing coolness of the air the shade offered; a haven from the rising temperatures in the sunlight.

Many minutes passed as they sat in silence. She felt negative feelings ooze right off of him without even a single word. It was an uncomfortable silence, almost like they were trysting to see who would crack and speak first.

"How is-"

"-the engagement going? …Just eccezionale."

"Actually I was asking about your family's health…."

"Oh….Of course…"

Her cheeks became tinted with a soft red as she sat there in embarrassment. Valentina could feel his gaze piercing her very mind, as if sifting through her thoughts. It sent a shiver down her spine.

Without further ado she felt it best to dismiss herself to avoid further embarrassment. Brushing off the skirt of her dress, she nodded a farewell and past him to the gate. A rough hand caught her wrist. Unmoving he sighed deeply with worry or annoyance she did not know.

"Be careful, Val," he muttered softly within the confines of the shade. She couldn't see his face so didn't know what to make of the comment. All that the noblewoman knew is that it would play on her mind for the rest of the evening…

The quaint study of Signor Raphael Bianchi was decorated in a comforting shade of gold that reminded any Fiorentini of the barley fields that lay outside of the city walls. The family palazzo was her solace – her sanctuary in its own silence.

She sat in her father's armchair, in almost darkness; the only light source was from the afternoon sunlight in the form of shards that crept in from the slightly open drapes and a single candle flickering on the desk that Fabrizia had recently lit when her father sent the message from the Auditore household that he wished to speak with her when he returned. The dust which was visible within the sunlight suddenly became interesting to her as she watched it dance and float under its own spotlight.

The door opened with a gentle creak and there appeared her father. Rather tired in appearance he gave her a slight smile, acknowledging her presence and headed straight for his liquor cabinet in the corner. He poured himself a glass of the finest wine and sat himself down on the chair opposite his daughter, giving up his own cushioned chair for the wooden one where guests would generally be seated. They shared a comfortable silence; the only noise was emitted from the clock in the room which softly ticked to each passing second.

"How would you feel about leaving Firenze for a while?"

"Perdono?" Such a sudden question surprisingly caught her off guard. "Leave Firenze? Forever why?"

Her father searched the air above for an answer. "The city is going through hard times. What with Vieri's father and-"

"I am quite capable of taking care of myself," Valentina pouted and her arms were crossed in a distraught manner. He chuckled at her childish mannerisms. A lady among society but always a child in her father's presence.

"I don't doubt it, mio caro."

Valentina left silently for the door, Raphael in tow. They met at the door and by far her father towered over her by at least a head; actually many men towered over her. "Mull it over," he said before suddenly reaching for his pocket, remembering something. In his hand he presented a hand-carved key, flowers decorated the hilt in a beautiful pattern.

"This is-" she took the key and lifted it to the light to have better view of it. "-the key to mine and Eleanora's old room?" the two girls spent their childhood in that bedroom before gaining separate ones after Rosetta was born; she resided in that very room for fourteen years until her death last year. No one had entered that room since then.

"If anything should happen, anything at all, use this key."

"What's in there?" she asked curiously, clasping the key tightly. It had just gained great importance to her. "What should happen that requires me to go in there?"

"You may find out soon," he smiled, covering a hint of sadness and remorse in his voice. He rested aged hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead "Now: off to bed, it's late."

"Buonanotte, father," she reciprocated his smile and made her way to her bedroom.

The halls were quiet and dark now. Her mother was undoubtedly asleep and as she passed the main stairway down into the Foyer and glanced to the slightly ajar door of the kitchen. The flickering light of candles could be seen and the odd clatter of pots and jars were heard. Fabrizia had long gone home and the coat draped over the railing at the foot of the stairs meant her brother had obviously travelled home to eat. Deciding against going downstairs she walked the rest of the hallway to her room. Too tired from her day she fell backwards onto her soft bed, key still clutched in her hand.

It seemed only minutes before a soft shuffling could be heard outside her door on her balcony. She chose to ignore it as she rolled over onto her back and stared at the ceiling. As it continued for over a minute she rose to her feet and cautiously but curiously crept to the doors. Through a slit in the blue drapes she craned her neck to inspect the balcony. After being sure that there was no major threat to her safety she placed her hands delicately onto the handle of the doors. Valentina clasped them tightly, she took a deep breath and opened the doors sharply. Nothing. She frowned as the sound had also ceased.

"I'm going mad, surely."

Turning back into her room a large shadow formed behind her and before she could even react, a hand roughly sealed her mouth and another slithered around her waist, holding her tight.

"Shh," a raspy, distinctly male voice breathed into her ear, making her shiver. All the mysterious bandit received was a sharp nod as she feared the worst would happen if she did not comply. He shuffled her over to the door, opening it slightly - then closing it, satisfied no one was in the vicinity. As soon as the door shut he released her.

Valentina was allowed her first glance of her captor: a white and red clad form stood before her, a hood partially hid his face, only a worried frown could be seen.

"He should be worried. If he was found he would surely hang."

"Who are you!" she demanded, picking up a nearby vase, willing to use it as a weapon. "I demand to know, now!"

"I-"

Before he had the chance to answer she smashed the vase against his head. Her captor emitted how much it hurt very audibly.

"What was that for?" he asked in a low hiss, afraid he was heard. The voice was familiar...

"Ezio?" Valentina's eyes widened as her hands flew to her mouth in shock. She moved forward and lifted his hood, and surely, he looked upon her with narrowed eyes. Ignoring the look, she pulled his head down to her height and gave it a once over. "Why are you always getting yourself hurt?"

"Youwere the one who hit me! With that stupido vaso!" he argued, swatting her hands away and pulling his hood back over.

"What are you doing here?" she asked worriedly. "There must be some reason you came here in the middle of the night?" Ezio ignored her question as he looked out of her door a second time.

"Is your famiglia safe?"

Translations:
- Firenze : Florence
- Fiore Italiano : Italian flower
- grazioso : graceful; pretty
- grazie : thank-you
- Signorina : Miss; young lady
- eccezionale: exceptional; terrific
- Fiorentini : Florentines
- Palazzo : mansion (I know it can mean Palace but I think mansion would be the more appropriate translation/term in this situation)
- Perdono : Pardon; excuse me
- mio caro : my dear; darling
- buonanotte : goodnight
- stupido : stupid
- vaso: vase
- famiglia : family