I still can't believe how well this story is doing. 14 followers in only three chapters? I can't thank you enough! elfen silver power ranger: I'm glad you're enjoying it, thank you for reviewing! filledwithsilence: I updated a day earlier for you! :) I might start updating a little quicker from now on as well.
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The summer of 1756 was one of the hottest I had ever experienced. I took to wearing only my white shirt and trousers around town and wrapped my hair up into a bun to keep it off my neck, but I was still too hot under the searing sun. I kept getting odd looks from various people but I couldn't care less, I never had. I considered myself a man and never made any effort to make myself look like a real woman because I had grown up surrounded by nothing but men who thought of me as one of them. In fact the very prospect of men eyeing me up confused me until I realised that someone could actually find me attractive. I liked to look good, that is, wearing expensive men's clothing though I always made sure it hugged my form because it was more practical for moving around. I had just never given it any thought. Sure, I had thought of marriage and imagined finding the perfect man but that was all it was to me, a dream. So when I found Haytham buying some fruit from a market store and joined him, I felt uncharacteristically awkward when I noticed him looking at my body rather than at my face.

" Is there something wrong with my shirt? " I asked, looking down at myself before understanding why his eyes had wondered.

" Nothing at all. " His husky voice answered as he passed some money over to the vendor who tried to hide a smile from us.

I bought my own fruit and caught up with the Templar who was already half way down the street. " I've been thinking. " I started happily.

" That's a novelty. " He smirked, looking down at my offended face. " Don't leave your mouth hanging open like that, you might swallow a fly. "

Outraged, I immediately slapped him across the arm, wondering how he could still be wearing his heavy gear in this heat. " How dare you! " I cried. " I've not said anything rude and you're just standing there insulting me every chance you get! "

" And yet you remain. " He pointed out.

I had no answer because he was right. Something about him intrigued me and I couldn't walk away from him when he was around, so I simply grumbled under my breath and followed him.

" Are you going to tell me what you've been thinking or are you just following me for no reason? " He eventually asked when I didn't say anything.

" Well, " I started, unsure of where to start. " I understand what you said to me last time, about your cause. I understand and agree to some extent, but… " I frowned, looking around me. " Could we speak somewhere more private? " I suggested, eyeing a few men that were watching us from the corner of the street, seeming very interested in the both of us.

Haytham nodded and directed me towards a small tavern that was deserted at that time of day. The barman was surprised when he saw us walk in and we ordered ourselves a drink before sitting at the table in the back corner, far from the barman so he couldn't overhear us.

" You were saying. " He nodded to me as he lifted his cup to his lips.

" I didn't realise the Templars fought for justice and order. I thought you only wanted power. " I started before he cut me off.

" Some Templars have indeed been corrupted in the past, but it is not in our beliefs. " He commented, watching me from underneath his hat.

" Um, ok. But what I meant to say was that I agree whole heartedly with what you said to me but I have to disagree when you say that freedom is nothing but nonsense. I would rather live my life fighting for my freedom than to live at peace with someone telling me what to do. " I explained to him whilst he listened carefully, not interrupting this time. " I do not hold your allegiance against you, in fact I quite admire you for choosing to devote yourself to what you believe is the just cause but I'm afraid I cannot and will not cease defending the Assassins. "

Haytham paused for a while, looking down at his cup before speaking. " You are wiser than I thought. " He started, before pausing again. " Therefore I no longer think you are ignorant for choosing your allegiance though I would still prefer it if you came over to my side. " He said, looking at me.

" What I did think though, however crazy this might seem, but I think we should work together. At least for a time, to free America from the British and declare our independence. We would achieve much more if we worked together, and I believe we could be almost invincible. " In truth, the idea had been infiltrating my mind ever since I had fled the Southgate Fort the first time I had met him. Seeing him and his allies infiltrate the Fort so easily and kill the same man we Assassins wanted dead had made it painfully clear that we had the same objectives, just different ways of proceeding.

Haytham smiled and then started laughing. " You are right, it is a crazy idea. " He took another sip from his drink and slammed the cup down on the table. " It is a good plan but I fear neither my men nor yours would agree to it. I'm afraid there is simply too much hate between us. "

" But we don't hate each other. " I stated, unhappy that my idea wouldn't work.

" We do not? " Haytham smirked as he teased me like he always did and for once I decided not to take it to heart and instead took it as nothing more than a friendly tease.

" No, I simply dislike you. " I grinned back at him, turning his smirk into a smile. " So we'll agree to disagree? " I asked, extending my hand as a sign of peace.

Haytham studied my hand for a while, making me think he would laugh at me, but then he firmly took hold of my hand and shook it. " Agreed, little assassin. "

We ended up spending the whole afternoon in the tavern, buying several more drinks and talking about various things from what we thought of the local produce to our favourite season. I learnt that while Haytham enjoyed the heat, he simply loved the beauty that snow brought to everything it touched, that his favourite colour was blue and that he really loved the music a violin could produce. I found myself enjoying his company far more than I should have and enjoyed listening to his deep voice and the sarcasm that dripped out of his mouth made me laugh. But when I asked about his family he tensed up and refused to speak, making me feel rather foolish for asking.

" I'm sorry, let's talk about something else. " I coughed nervously, gulping down the last of my drink. " I just hoped to discover a happy family for once. "

Haytham looked at me with sad eyes while I apologised with a nervous smile. " I remember you telling doctor Smith about yours. Would you care to expand? "

I hesitated, taking a deep breath. " I'll tell you one day, if I ever trust you enough to do so. " I smirked, teasing him once again. " Only Achilles and Khan know about that. "

" Khan? " Haytham frowned. " Your husband? "

I burst out laughing, giggling like a child under the growing influence of the light alcohol we had been drinking for the past few hours. " Kahnawà:ke has always been and will never be anything more than my best friend, my brother in arms, my team-mate, my confident, my - "

" I understand. " Haytham cut me off, covering my mouth with one of his hands. " An Assassin, like yourself? "

I rolled my eyes and stared at him like he was an idiot for even asking the question, which I actually believed at the time. It seemed obvious to me, why would I allow myself to hold so much affection for someone if they didn't share everything in my life?

Not long afterwards, the sun started setting and the tavern started getting busy. " Sorry Haytham, I have to go to work now. " I decided, standing up.

" You mean you have to go bet all your money on the hope that you can win a fight in a dirty, dusty, noisy pit while being watched by a dozen drunken men. " He sighed, to which I nodded. " Mind if I watch? " He asked.

I looked at him like he had grown a second head before nodding slowly. " I didn't think it was your sort of thing. " I shrugged as we left the tavern.

" It isn't. " He said simply.

I left it at that as we made our way through Boston to my local boxing club. When I entered, a match was in full swing and about fifteen men were cheering them on from around the ring. I went up to John, the manager and accountant, and handed him a small sack of money. " Good evening John! The usual please. " I smiled at the short bearded man as he scribbled something in his book.

" Of course Eleanor, your opponent is that man over there. " He said, pointing at a tall well-built man who must have been in his mid thirties, his face and arms looking sunburnt and sore.

" All of it on Eleanor. " Haytham said proudly, putting down his own purse of coins on the table. When he saw the look I was giving him he simply smiled. " I may as well make some money off of you. "

I rolled my eyes and discarded myself of my boots and sword, which I decided to leave with Haytham who might as well make himself useful to me, and went to wait on the opposite side of the ring from my opponent while waiting for the match to end, which it did fairly quickly.

I took my spot in front of my opponent and quickly assessed him. The sun had burnt both his arms so that would be a good place to hit. The rest of him seemed solid and uninjured other than that he had tired feet, which I wouldn't be able to use as an advantage in such a small place. He was taller and had more muscles than me so I would have to avoid being cornered at all costs. I nodded, signalling that I was ready. When he nodded back, I charged at him, bringing a smile to his lips as he thought I was acting irrationally. But instead of trying to strike him down, I simply aimed for his arms as he lifted them to protect himself and he hissed in pain as the sunburn made him extremely fragile. I smirked and kicked him in the leg, getting ready to strike again when he unexpectedly flung his arms out, holding me against him as he dived to the floor, crushing me underneath him. Groaning in frustration, I wriggled underneath him as he slid in between my legs and as soon as he lifted his chest off of mine, I punched him in the face and he answered my kneeing me in the groin, making me groan loudly in pain as I lifted myself off the ground to try to dull the thumping pain that coursed through my body. He wanted to play dirty, so I would play with him. I head butted him, making the most out of him still being between my legs, and punched him again for good measure. When he fell backwards, I jumped to my feet and went to kick him, but he grabbed my foot and twisted it. So as not to end up with a broken foot, I twisted my body away from the man in the same direction as he twisted my foot and landed on the floor once again. I heard him get up behind me so I waited for him to strike. He went to jump on me but just as he did, I rolled over and he landed painfully on the floor. I kicked him hard in the spine and he cried out, clutching his back with his hands and refused to move. I counted the seconds in my head, and when I got to thirty, I grinned widely and lifted my head up as the crowd cheered at my victory. I spotted Haytham smirking at me, wiggling his eyebrows and I laughed.

I helped my opponent stand up and we shook hands, and I went back to John to collect my money. As I attached the money to my belt, Haytham appeared and gave me my boots and weapons back and watched me as I put them on again.

" I have to admit I've never seen anyone fight so gracefully. " He complimented me, and I smiled widely up at him. " You are very skilled. "

I winked at him as I took hold of his hand without thinking and led him outside onto the dark streets of Boston. " Come on, I want to show you something. " I felt happy and light hearted, and desperately wanted to share something with Haytham and I could think of only one thing.

Not letting go of his hand, I led him through some back alleyways, through people's small gardens and finally arrived at the docks. Neither of us spoke of which I was thankful. I had finally realised whose hand I was holding and felt terribly embarrassed, but dared not let go in case he realised I was embarrassed and chose to tease me. So I held onto his large, soft hand and guided him to a secluded part of the port, the farthest tip of the port where you were surrounded by water and looked directly at the ocean and on a night as clear as this, the moon and the stars shone like diamonds in the sky and were reflected in the softly rippling waves of the ocean. We sat down on the edge, our legs dangling over the water in silence, breathing in the salty sea air and hearing nothing but the waves crashing around us. It was the most peaceful place I knew of and I closed my eyes in delight.

I had let go of Haytham's hand when we sat down but as I sat there with my eyes closed, I felt his hand brush over mine before slithering in between my fingers. I opened my eyes and looked over at him, seeing the moon shine in his grey blue eyes as he looked down at me, his pony tail fluttering around his neck where he had taken his hat off. I felt myself smile up at him before I knew it, and felt the sudden urge to kiss him. I rested my head on his shoulder and watched the waves of the ocean as I cursed myself for wanting to kiss a Templar. Not just any Templar, the god damn Grand Master! I still didn't know why he was being so nice to me all the time but I knew I had lost the battle. I was starting to feel something for him when I knew I shouldn't. I wanted to spend time with him, see him smile and protect him. But at that moment I mostly wanted to feel his lips against mine.

I sighed as the was went on inside my mind and I felt Haytham's shoulders vibrate as he chuckled a little. " What is the matter young one? " He asked calmly, hiding his laugh.

I sat up to look at him. " For the last time, stop calling me young! " I protested, frowning.

" Don't frown, it makes you look like an old woman. " He smirked, searching my eyes for the frustration and anger he knew he produced so easily inside of me.

I took a deep breath, calming myself down and looked at him sternly. " You are insufferable. "

Haytham grinned and squeezed my hand in his. I looked down at our intertwined fingers and thought that it looked pretty. I don't know how two hands could look pretty but it did, and I smiled again. I felt Haytham's gaze upon me so I looked up at him but he wasn't looking me in the eye. He was looking at my lips. I immediately stopped smiling and begun to panic, but before I could move his lips were on mine and a wave of pleasure shot through my entire body as I melted into the soft, tender kiss. He held my face with his free hand, stroking my cheek with his thumb and I instinctively wrapped my free arm around his neck, holding him against me as he kissed me softly, delicately, as if I would brake if he was to harsh. My insides melted into a warm, happy mess and I smiled as our lips parted, looking up into his grey blue eyes with an overwhelming sense that everything was as it should be.

He smiled back at me and rested his forehead against mine and looked me straight in the eyes, still stroking my cheek. " Your arrogance, impulsiveness and childish behaviour are rather addicting. " He sighed happily.

" Your sarcasm, teasing and mysteriousness are as well. " I smirked, mimicking his nonchalance and earning a smile from his soft lips.

" Damned Assassin. " He cursed me, kissing me on the tip of my nose. I groaned unhappily, making him chuckle as I leaned up to press my lips against his again, this time more forcefully as I intertwined my fingers in his hair, ripping off the red ribbon that he used to tie it back. Haytham kissed me back, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me against him, before abandoning my lips in favour of my neck, leaving a warm trail of kisses down my chin to the bottom of my neck, where he rested, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.

I grinned to myself, feeling childish and giddy like I used to feel whenever it was my birthday and I knew I was going to get a present. I just wanted to smile and laugh and hug Haytham like he was a giant teddy bear and run around shouting that he was my teddy bear and no one else's. And yes, I was new to this feeling so I didn't exactly know how to deal with it. I didn't care that he was a Templar, I didn't care that he was the enemy. He was just Haytham to me now, and there was no point in fighting how I felt about him anymore, and I only wanted him all to myself. " What are you thinking about? " He asked, nudging my neck with the tip of his nose as I smiled, breathing in the smell of his soft hair.

" I was just thinking how odd it is for this to happen when you don't know much about me. " I sighed, and Haytham pulled away to look down at me.

" Then tell me. " He smiled. " I want to know everything. "

I sighed heavily, debating on what to tell him exactly. Where did I start? " My parents were murdered when I was eleven. " I started, feeling the need to tell him everything about my family. Haytham watched me intently as I explained. " There were four of us - my parents, my older brother and I. We lived in the rich area of London called Belgravia, opposite Eaton Square, because my father was a top banker. His business partners often came for dinner to talk about their work, so I dismissed any danger when Pierre Duchateau, one of his partners, arrived after sunset one day. But I heard him and my dad shouting in the office, and one of father's guards was stationed outside the door so I couldn't listen. So I sneaked outside to try to listen from the window. I didn't understand what they were saying so I can't remember any of it, but before long, smoke was coming out of the window. I panicked so I rushed back inside and I called for my mother, for my father, for anyone… " My voice broke off at the memory and Haytham pulled me into his arms, giving me to courage to continue. " Before I knew it the smoke was so thick I couldn't see and I heard someone calling from outside. I thought it was my brother so I ran to the front door which was wide open and found myself in the streets. People were screaming and running around and no one paid attention to me. I asked people if they knew where my parents were but they all pushed me away, disgusted at how dirty I was. Before I knew it, I was completely lost and I curled up in an alley and fell asleep. The next morning I tried to go home but all I could hear was people gossiping about the fire and how my family was dead. When I finally did find my house, it was nothing but a black shell, most of the roof had fallen in and there was no way anything inside was intact. "

I sighed, not leaving Haytham's embrace as I felt him rub his hands in circles on my back, calming me. " What did you do then? " He asked.

" The only thing I could. I found some other orphans and asked if I could live with them. They told me I could as long as I stole my own food, which I found horrific but I soon found out that it was the only way I'd be able to eat, so I did. The first time I tried I was caught and had to run for my life and hide in the sewers. Luckily a boy about my age taught me how to steal but I cried myself to sleep every night. No one was looking for me and no matter who I tried to talk to, they all sent me away, even the police. I knew I wouldn't be able to live like that forever. I couldn't wash, barely had enough food and I was always outside. So when I heard about a boat setting sail for the New World I thought it was my only hope of having a good life. So I stowed away and arrived here when I was nearly thirteen. "

Haytham pulled away and kissed me softly on the lips, making my stomach flutter. " You've come a long way since then. " He smiled sadly when he noticed the tears in my eyes. " Do you know what started the fire? "

" Pierre Duchateau did, it was all over the news papers. " I confirmed. " But he had disappeared so no one could do anything to him. " I swallowed, pushing the tears back.

" My father was also murdered. " Haytham told me. " We didn't live far from where you did actually, at Queen Anne's Square, in Bloomsbury. We were very rich as well, still am as you already know. My father started training me with a sword as soon as I was six years old, and he taught me how to think by myself. When I was ten years old, my house was attacked. " Haytham swallowed, his eyes dark with memories and I ran my hand over his cheek to try to soothe him. " Several of my servants were killed. I tried to fight back, to stop them from pillaging my house but I couldn't do much against them. One of them was about to kill my mother, so I plunged my sword through the man's face. Then… My father was killed. And my half-sister was abducted. I felt like the world had collapsed around me. " Haytham bit his bottom lip and took a deep breath, brushing his nose against mine.

" Who did it? " I repeated the same question he has asked me.

" I killed two of the men a long time ago during the Spanish Independence war. But I have yet to find out who launched the attack, and who kidnapped my sister. " He spoke coldly.

" You still haven't found her? " I asked stupidly. " I'm sorry. " I whispered, not knowing what to say to him.

" Don't be. It made me who I am today. " He continued. " Just as what happened to you made you who you are. "

" Is that such a good thing? " I asked, more to myself than to Haytham.

" I wouldn't be sitting here if it weren't. " He said before pulling away and standing up.

" You're not sitting here. " I teased him as he extended his hand to pull me up, which I gladly took. He pulled me so hard that I flew into his embrace and he held me close to him.

" Have I told you how infuriating you are? " He whispered into my ear.

" Not for a few minutes. " I laughed as I wriggled out of his embrace, picked his hat up and put it on myself, earning a frown from the Templar master. I laughed again and ran off, looking over my shoulder to see him running after me.

I woke up the next morning feeling more comfortable than ever. I sighed contently and ran my fingers over the arm that was wrapped around my waist. I then turned over to watch Haytham's peaceful face as he slept still, his hair loose and messy making him look younger than usual. I smiled happily, remembering how we had raced back to my house, and even up the stairs as he refused to loose. Once he had cornered me in my bedroom, he tackled me to the bed and tickled me until I yielded and gave him his hat back, which he simply threw on the floor and kissed me deeply. We didn't go any further than that which I was secretly glad about as I had felt more and more nervous and scared at the thought of doing… That for the first time. Instead we simply stripped to our undershirts and breeches and curled up under the warm covers and fell asleep happily.

" Stop watching me. " Haytham suddenly murmured, as if he could see through his eyelids. When I didn't answer he opened his eyes to look at me, frowning as he found it hard to adjust to the light but a smile came over his features as he saw me looking back at him. " Good morning Assassin. "

" Good morning Templar. " I smiled, lifting my head up so my nose brushed against his.

We soon got up but neither of us bothered to dress. We made our way downstairs and into the kitchen where I had some bread from the day before. I watched as Haytham rummaged through my cupboards to find some knifes and some homemade jam which he sniffed and nodded to himself, deciding it was alright and proceeded to spread it on some of the bread. I smiled to myself at his attitude, and enjoyed looking at his body. His beige shirt was untucked and baggy, the top half of the buttons left undone exposing his broad muscular chest. His white trousers, though quite baggy from the knees down, were quite tight around his bottom and I shocked myself as I imagined doing things with such a wonderful body.

" Are you going to stare at me all day or are you going to eat? " He suddenly asked in his usual half bored, half sarcastic voice.

" I thought I might just watch. " I grinned when he looked round at me with a raised eyebrow. He shook his head, exasperated and cut an extra piece of bread which he covered in jam which he then gave to me.

" Since you're too busy watching me. " He said whistle shoving his food into his mouth and walking back upstairs leaving me to laugh to myself. He was as crazy as I was.

We spent most of the morning much in the same way, lazing around on the sofa in each other's arms finding nothing better to do than teasing and insulting each other with wide smiles on our faces. I hadn't had that much fun in a very long time and was enjoying every second I had with him. It was as if time had stopped and there was only Haytham and I left in the world.

But when midday came he decided he needed to get back to work but promised he would come back once the sun had set so I begrudgingly accepted and kissed him passionately on the lips before he left. As soon as the door shut behind him, I felt lonely again. I had forgotten that I felt like that most of the time, and I felt sad.

So I washed and dressed and went to see Mary and Nora while Edmund was at work and as we talked Mary kept looking at me and smiling as if she knew something. After a while I got fed up so decided to question her about it.

" What do you know that I don't? " I asked, my hands on my hips.

Mary giggled. " You know it as well. " She winked as she brushed Nora's long blonde hair, just as golden as her mother's locks. Her big green eyes the same shade as her father's - and incidentally the same as mine - looked up at me in amazement just as they looked at everything with the same overjoyed look on her face.

" Stop being so secretive Mary! " I grew angry, tapping my foot on the ground.

" You're in love. " She giggled again, Nora laughing as well as she liked to hear her mother laugh. " It's obvious, you have a different look in your eyes than normal, and you smile more easily. "

I frowned. " Is it that obvious? " I asked, sighing as I sat down on the chair next to them.

" Of course dear. Now tell me all about him! "

I sighed and told Mary what Haytham was like, leaving out the part about him being a Templar. She didn't know about the Assassin/Templar war and I wanted to keep it that way, it was safer. But I told her how kind and well mannered he was, how sarcastic and annoying he could be when he wanted to be, and how he fought for what he believed was right for everyone.

" Yes, that's all very nice but how does he make you feel? " She asked, annoyed at my matter of fact description of him.

" Feel? " I repeated, having to think before I answered. " I don't feel lonely anymore when he's around. Even if he's always teasing and insulting me, I can't get truly angry at him. He interests me and I want to know everything there is to know about him. And I don't feel like the poor, forgotten, unloved Eleanor when I'm with him, but rather a real woman with real qualities and… Well I suppose I feel like I'm actually worth something. And he makes me think for myself rather than just listen to people which I greatly admire in him. And I feel like a little girl again, innocent and care free and I just want to hear him laugh and hug him, and - "

" You don't need to say anything more! " Mary laughed, waving her hands in the air to make me stop. " This Haytham sounds like a good man, I should like to meet him. " She smiled.

I told her she could one day, and when the sun started to set a few hours later, I went home hoping to find him waiting for me already.