Hello darlings!

I got most of the things on my to-do list done today so I decided to take a break and finally post this. College kicks my fangirling in the rear sometimes.

Love you all!

Silverwing


Conner's mind was plagued with worry the entire week. What if Ellie didn't like his old home? What if she found their customs too strange? What if she thought he was entirely too weird? He flopped onto the couch, cursing himself for over thinking it all. Besides, it was Ellie he was talking about. She wouldn't think a single negative thought about his people.

He kicked his feet, groaning again. Who was he kidding? It wasn't Ellie he was worried about.

And that was how his father found him.

"What are you doing?" Haytham asked, sounding confused.

Connor turned his head, shrugging. "Wallowing."

Haytham shook his head, setting his briefcase on the floor beside the coffee table. "Wallowing in what?"

"Everything."

Haytham sighed, shrugging his suit jacket off before sitting down in the armchair. "Does this have to do with Miss Johnston visiting the reservation?"

Connor wondered if his father somehow managed to learn the mind reading trick women had during the time Haytham dated his mother. He pushed himself up onto his elbows, tapping his fingertips together. "Maybe…"

Haytham smirked. "That girl has an open mind and doesn't have a single mean bone in her body. She'll accept anything you or your people do."

Connor nodded. "I know…it's not really Ellie I'm worried about…"

Haytham nodded. "Ah. You're worried about all your friends and your grandmother."

Yes, Haytham must have learned to read minds. His mother must have given him lessons.

Connor slowly nodded, feeling sheepish. He knew he shouldn't be worried, but he couldn't stop himself.

Haytham's smirk grew as he stood up. "I've been there before son. It doesn't get any easier," he stated, heading toward the entryway to the weapon room, smiling at Connor teasingly. "Think of it this way- at least she isn't your girlfriend or anything," he said, throwing his jacket over his shoulder.

Connor stiffened and he felt his whole body heat up for really no reason.

Well damn.

"Oh, your grandparents are coming over tonight. They finally allowed your grandmother to leave the hospital."

Connor almost perked up at the news, but frowned as he thought of the third visitor. "What's Jenny's story exactly?"

Haytham sighed, throwing his jacket on the coffee table. "Long story short, she went to college and joined the wrong crowd, just to annoy your grandfather. She got in way too deep and had some big issues. We've supported her for a long time."

Connor leaned against the entryway, furrowing his brow. "So, is she your older sister?"

"Yes. She's eleven years my senior."

Connor grimaced. "So…what's the whole story?"

Haytham frowned, leaning back against the counter. "Why do you want to know?"

Connor shrugged. "Oh, I don't know, it would be nice to know what the heck is going on with the family sometimes," he said sarcastically.

Haytham shook his head. "Jenny is from father's previous marriage. She and father never really saw eye to eye. Her and my mother even more so. She was the first one to come to the States. Went to school in California if that says anything about the whole, in too deep thing."

Connor nodded. "Why the whole tantrum thing though? Side effect to quitting?"

Haytham sighed, looking weary with the action. "Yes and no. Well…she's never been fond of me. So, naturally she doesn't like anything that has to do with me. She and your mother almost got in a fight once."

Connor's eyes widened in surprise. "Ista? In a fight?" he asked in disbelief.

Haytham grinned. "I was…as surprised as you are."

Connor nodded. "So when grandfather showed interest in me and weapons…"

Haytham shrugged. "Naturally, she didn't like it. The side effects of withdrawal only amplified it," he said, frowning. He looked at Connor. "Don't judge her, though. She's been through some tough times."

Connor gave him an expectant look.

Haytham frowned. "What?"

"Such as?"

"My particular... Line of work got her out of some big trouble. She would be dead if it wasn't for me," he admitted, giving him a stern look.

Connor gulped. "What trouble?"

Haytham sighed. "You'll have to find out from her. That's not something I can tell you."

Connor nodded. At least he knew a little more now.

Haytham waved him away. "Now go get dressed."

Connor looked down at himself. He was wearing a nice flannel shirt rather than his usual ratty tees he wore. "What's wrong with this?"

Haytham frowned. "You're really asking me this?"

Connor arched a brow, holding his hands up in confusion. "Yes?"

Haytham rolled his eyes. "That's casual. Not dinner attire."

Connor frowned. "Sorry, didn't know Will and Kate were coming over for a visit. Shall I get the Earl Grey out as well?" he said in a mock British accent.

Haytham scowled. Connor stood his ground, crossing his arms and returning his gaze challengingly.

Haytham finally held up his hands, grabbing his jacket. "Bloody hell. It's about time you stood up to me. I was beginning to think that Ziio had raised you to be spineless."

He walked out, patting Connor on the shoulder before walking toward the living room.

Connor looked over his shoulder in confusion and a bit of shock.

"Do I still have to change?" He followed his father into the kitchen, stumbling a bit.


Connor stared down at his plate, avoiding Jenny's scalding looks she was throwing everyone.

"How's school going, Connor?"

Connor looked up at Tessa, who looked healthy despite her condition. "It's good," he mumbled a bit.

"So," Edward asked, nudging Haytham with his elbow, "how many girls have stopped by your doorstep?"

Haytham coughed, choking on a bit of food. "Father," he said, giving him a warning look as he recovered.

Connor was interested. "What?" he asked, holding back an amused grin.

Edward leaned toward Connor, gesturing to Haytham. "When he was in school, all the girls who fancied him left little presents and cards on our doorstep. There was a new one very bloomin' time we opened the door. It was hysterical."

"That's enough, Father," Haytham said, clearing his throat.

Connor brought the back of his hand up to his mouth, forcing coughs out to cover the light snickers that were escaping.

Edward shot his son a teasing smile and looked at Connor again. "So? You have the Kenway looks. How many girls come by?"

Connor shook his head, snickers fading. "None."

Tessa piped up this time. "What about that pretty little thing Ellie? She's such a sweet thing. Remember when she helped ups carry our things in last time we visited?" She patted Connor's hand, looking at her husband happily.

Connor almost choked on his spaghetti. He pounded on his chest a bit, trying to regain his composure.

Haytham didn't bother trying to cover his amusement. Connor gave him a look, clearing his throat roughly as his father cackled away. "She's…she's just a friend." Connor butted in.

Tessa and Edward shared a knowing look.

Connor resisted the urge to wipe a hand down his face. Apparently it was impossible to be friends with a girl and not be dating.

"Quit bothering him. They're obviously not dating," Jenny said, giving her parents a stern look. The room went silent.

Connor looked at her in grateful surprise, only to get a hard glare back. She wasn't amused. His plate suddenly became interesting as Connor continued eating as quietly as he could.

"Have you tried the Italian Crossbow yet, Connor?" Edward asked, breaking the silence.

Connor shook his head, looking up at Edward.

Edward smirked. "Well darn. Looks like I'll just have to show you how to use it now, hm?"

Connor had never been more excited in his life.


Ellie tapped the end of her pencil against the calculus book. Out of the corner of her eye, she looked at Connor, watching as he immersed himself in the work. He stuck his tongue out a little as he worked on a derivative problem. She grinned to herself, accepting that she wouldn't be able to focus on the problems. The entire week, she thought of little more than finally meeting his family and friends, as well as visit the places he always spoke about.

The bell finally rang. Ellie quickly closed her book and tugged on Connor's sleeve. "I'll meet you out by your car," she said with an excited grin.

He nodded and stuffed his book into his backpack. "Yeah."

She quickly got to her locker, stuffing the things she didn't need inside and grabbing her jacket. In the parking lot, she found Connor's car easily, it being the most kickass thing in the parking lot now. She waited, tapping her fingernails on the hood. Connor always took longer; it was probably because he didn't push his way to his locker like everyone else did.

Ellie finally saw him walk out next to Kadar. She grinned at the pair, suppressing a chuckle as Connor the Gentle Giant towered protectively over the kid. Something about the pair gave her a happy feeling that was driven away as Hickey strode up to Connor.

Ellie had heard a lot of dumb things in her lifetime, but Hickey messing with Connor ranked highly on her list. Hickey was at least six inches shorter and a third of the width Connor had. Gritting her teeth, she hitched her bag higher on her shoulder and stalked towards them. Connor stepped in front of Kadar, mimicking a bodyguard.

"The Injun protecting the Terrorist? This is hilarious," Hickey sneered as she walked up behind him.

Connie's eyes widened in warning as Ellie tapped Hickey on the shoulder.

"Wha-"

Ellie slapped him before he could get another word out.

Hickey brought his hand up to his cheek in surprise. "What the fu-"

"Instead of harassing people to make yourself feel like a better person, how 'bout you make like a tree and leave?" she snapped, planting her hands on her hips. She cursed herself for not having anything better to say, but stood her ground.

Hickey stuck his tongue in his cheek, stalking towards her. "Who the hell are you?" he asked, looming over her. Connor looked as if he was going to explode.

Ellie pointed a finger in his face. "Why would I tell you? You just leave them alone."

Hickey grabbed her wrist and shoved it out of his face, making her stumble a bit. "Make me bitch."

Before Ellie knew what was going on, Connor's hand clamped down on Hickey's shoulder and pulled him backwards. Grabbing a fist-full of Hickey's shirt, Connor literally lifted him up in the air as if he were a rag doll. Ellie felt her jaw drop as Connor shook him. "Leave. Her. Out of this," he growled, giving the shocked Hickey another little shake.

Ellie looked at Kadar. His jaw was on the ground, but he looked ecstatic.

"What's going on here?"

Ellie looked to see an older, dark haired man getting out of a black car. Connor let Hickey drop in a heap on the ground. Hickey wiped his shirt off. He glared at Connor warningly before stumbling away toward his truck.

Ellie looked up at Connor in disbelief. "Seriously?"

He looked down at her. "What?"

"He constantly calls you horrible names, but he swears at me once and you Hulk out?"

"I don't want you in this," Connor replied, giving her a hard look. She crossed her arms.

Ellie glowered up at him. "Oh? So I can't defend my own friends?"

"Should we go?"

Kadar was standing next to the man that had gotten out of the car. She refused to let herself look at the man's empty sleeve.

Connor shook his head. "Sorry."

Kadar held out his fist. Connor bumped it. "Nah, it's okay."

He looked at Ellie. "You must be the girl Connor told me about."

Ellie peeked at Connor quickly and shrugged. His face was so red he looked like he was going to internally combust. "I guess I am."

Kadar elbowed the man in the side. "This is the Connor guy I told you about," he looked at Connor again, "this is my brother, Malik."

Malik held out his hand. Connor shook it politely. "I've heard a lot about you," Malik said.

"Likewise," Connor replied

Malik stuck his hand in his pocket. "Well, I would love to talk, but we're in a hurry."

Connor nodded and he and Ellie waved as they walked away.

Ellie set a brisk pace toward the student parking lot as soon as they left.

"Ellie!"

"Come on. We need to talk." Her steps were forceful.

They made it back to his car. She walked toward the passenger side and planted her hands down on the hood. "Do you think I'm stupid, blind, or both? I see all the shit that goes on! Why won't you let anyone help?!"

Connor also slammed his hands down on the hood of his car. "Because I don't want anyone else to feel like this! That's why!"

Ellie stood up straight again, blinking in surprise. "What?"

As if realizing what he had said, Connor turned away and sat on the hood. "I just…don't want them to target anyone else. I can take that shit because I'm used to it. I've been through it before. But people like you and Kadar shouldn't have to."

Ellie stared at him in shock. Her mind began to whirr as she clicked this new side of him together. It wasn't really a pride thing- when he talked about taking a hit for Kadar, it wasn't a one-time thing.

"And…I refuse to let my friends get involved. The last thing I want is for you to be their new target," he continued, crossing his arms.

Ellie slowly walked around to his side, standing in front of him. He averted his gaze, refusing to look her in the eye. "Hey, look at me," she said softly.

He sighed and finally let his big, brown eyes drill back into hers.

Ellie bit her lip before taking a deep breath and firmly returning Connor's gaze. "Look, I don't care if you think you're invincible or whatever. But their little, annoying pokes are going to evolve into a huge-ass sock in the jaw."

He furrowed his brow, opening his mouth to argue. She put a finger on his lips. "And I think you should tell your dad, or at least the counselor, about their little comments."

Connor gently pushed her hand away, holding it in his. "Ellie, you don't get it. This isn't the first time and it will keep happening. There is nothing my dad or the counselor can do. Please, just drop it."

Ellie's heart ached for him as she sat back in defeat. He was too nice to deserve this. She sat next to him on the hood of the car. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, twiddling her thumbs.

His arm brushed against hers as he shrugged. "You were just looking out for me. I appreciate it."

"At least talk to me about it, okay? I don't want you going bonkers when those feelings get too bottled up," she said, looking up at him.

He looked down at her and a corner of his mouth lifted. Only then did she realize how close his face actually was to hers. Ellie found herself falling into his eyes again. It was strange; when Hickey was around, they were intense and steely. Now, they were soft and warm. It was as if they went through a transformation. Her arm was brushed against his again.

"Okay," he replied softly, not looking away.

She regained her composure. She grinned and thumped him on the leg, hopping off before he could retaliate. "Now, let's go! Your grandma is expecting us right?"

He grinned back and hopped off the hood.


Connor glanced at Ellie as she browsed through his CD's, biting her lip subconsciously. He readjusted his grip on the steering wheel, shaking his head out and forcing himself to focus on the road.

"Mumford & Sons, Imagine Dragons, Queen, Mariana's Trench…Kansas?!"

She held up the Leftoverture CD. "Pretty please?" she asked, batting her lashes and looking up at him with round eyes.

Connor grinned. "Go ahead."

She squealed and stuck the CD in. Carry On Wayward Son started to play through the speakers. She started to act like she was a rock drummer with the music.

Connor laughed and focused on the road again. Despite what happened not even 15 minutes ago, she acted like nothing ever happened. Hickey had made him so dangerously angry, but somehow, Ellie talking to him had cooled him off completely.

She was a spot of bright blue in the red haze he was feeling.

"I can hear the voices saaaaaaaaaay," she sang out.

Connor took a deep breath before joining in loudly. "Carry on my waaaayward soooon," they sang.

Ellie started to giggle and ended their duet.

Connor glanced at her after he pulled up onto the highway. "What's so funny?" he asked.

"I will never get over you singing!" she laughed over the music.

Connor rolled his eyes, happily

Ellie turned the music down, turning toward him a little. "So, what's the plan for tomorrow?"

Connor shrugged. "I was just going to show you around and stuff. A lot of people will be out and about because it's Saturday and all."

"Will I finally meet Josh?"

"Yes."

She leaned toward him, grinning impishly. He frowned, looking at her in confusion. "What?"

"Any girls?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

Connor gave her a shocked look. "What?"

"Oh come on! There's no way you didn't have a girlfriend!" Ellie laughed, gently punching his shoulder.

Connor groaned. "Not you too."

"What?"

"First my dad, then my grandparents, now you. Jeez."

Ellie laughed. "Oh? Who did your dad and grandparents tease you about?"

Connor cleared his throat roughly, giving her an irritated look.

She held back laughter, chortling quietly, and pointed to herself. "Me?"

He averted his eyes as his face went up in flame, cursing himself.

"What gave them that idea?"

He shook his head.

"Is it because we hang out so much? Jeez, you'd think that a guy and a girl could just be friends these days," she said with a chuckle.

To Connor's own confusion, his heart sunk a little at her words. He shrugged the strange feeling off, trying to get his mind off the subject.

"Anyway, you never answered my question," she said, poking him.

He furrowed his brow. "Why is this important?"

"I don't know. Just tell me."

He exhaled deeply, giving her a peeved look. "There was a girl that liked me. I didn't return the feelings and it turned into one huge mess," he finally admitted.

"I knew it!" She giggled.

"Knew what?"

"You're too big of a sweetheart for girls not to like you!"

Connor spluttered out a protest, which only fueled her teasing laughter.

He really wanted to get home now.