*NOT MY FIC*

OhMyGosh! OhMyGosh! OhMyGosh! Somebody made some Fan Art for me! *Does Happy Dance!* Thank you so much cdblue, who took the time out of your day to do something so nice and so flattering! I appreciate it so much! I hope to see more from you! (No pressure though ;p) I appreciate ALL tributes from my readers!

View Here: art/Ready-To-Fall-360962406

P.S. Kanen'to:kon is pronounced Canon-Doe-Go. We'll be seeing him so I thought I should let ya'll know how to say it. Just in case. =]

Ratonhnhake:ton (Connor) is pronounced Ra-Doon-Ha-Gay-Do. Again, I'm sure most of you know that but still… There it is!

WARNING: Racial Slurs in this Chapter

Ready to Fall

Part II: Destined Chance

Riding the Aftershock


1775

Davenport Manor


Allowing my legs to straddle the back of my desk chair, I leaned forward and crossed my arms over the top, causing the aged wood to crack under my weight as I stared towards the bed. The dawn had broken through my windows and encased my body in soft shades of orange, kissing my bedroom with warmth. I lowered my chin to my forearms and relished in the feel. But it was not due only to the morning sun as it slowly ascended over the Manor. It was her…

Aveline was there, lying on my bed with her hair splayed across my spare pillow, breathing steadily in a dreamless sleep. She was beautiful, just as she had always been. Her dark skin was smooth, and contrasted attractively against my white sheets, making it all the harder to stay grounded against the desk chair. I would have burnt down the Manor for the chance to kiss her awake. Her lips where swollen from sleep, her mane in a scruffy mess of bed-head, and her flesh tinted with the sun's morning glow.

It had been a week since we returned from Boston, and ever since then, she had slept in my room. In my bed… But it was not just my room or my bed, when she was there. The whole room changed. There was a hint of perfume that laced the air and fell to my coverlet to settle against the fabric, knitting pleasantly into a shared scent between the two of us. Not only that, but I had even noticed that my own personal scent had altered just a touch. Everywhere - my clothes and skin, I could smell her there - on me. And even though it wasn't very strong, it lingered, causing me to keep certain distances from Achilles to insure he was in the dark about our sleeping arrangement. I was not sure how pleased he would be and did not want him to find out. Ever. He might have put a stop to it all together… And that just wouldn't do. Not after realizing how accustom I had become to sharing my bed with Aveline.

She shifted against the mattress slightly and I smiled as she tossed onto her back. She tended to get hot at night. Many times, had woken to find the covers kicked to the foot of the bed, and my bare chest exposed to the chilled night air. And countless times, had I woken to find her nightshirt hiked up, showing off a decent amount of her toned thighs… Very nice, toned, thighs. And though I was not complaining, still I was confused. In Boston, I understood why she allowed me to sleep next to her, seeing as how I was too tall for the undersized loveseat in the corner of our suit. But now, she willingly snuck into my bedroom in the dead of night even though she had her own - most of the time without asking my permission – leaving me to wake with her breasts shoved up on my back, sides, or chest, my legs tangled with hers, or her backside nestled against my groin – leaving me to wake with her… Much like anyone else in my position, I had to wonder why. Why would she do that? She had her own bed to sleep in so why choose mine?

What was I to her?


About an Hour Later…


"Good morning, Connor. You're up rather early." Achilles said with a faint smile crinkling the skin around his eyes.

"Old man…" I acknowledged. "I have errands to run."

"Oh," His eyes surfed the foyer before noticing something was missing. "Without Aveline?"

"I do not take her with me everywhere I go…" I growled as I turned to open the door.

"No need to get grumpy." He replied with a smirk. "I was just curious as to why the two of you have been sneaking out alone at odd hours in the morning."

"Like I said, I have errands to…" I blinked, registering the last of his sentence. "Aveline is gone?" Wasn't she just asleep? In my room?

"Has been for a half hour."

"Where?"

"She didn't say. The two of you have been so secretive lately." He finalized with a knowing smile.

His words were laced with subliminal undertone. I shifted my weight uncomfortably. He always seemed to be one step ahead of me as if he had eyes everywhere. He didn't come out and say, I know Aveline sleeps with you, but he didn't have to. His words suggested as much.

"I have nothing to hide." I lied. At least, I never meant to be secretive with my errands. "I need to see Mister Fulkner and speak with him about the Aquila's supplies. Then, I need to pick something up from Ellen's shop. Mariam was looking for me as well."

"Sounds like a busy day…"

"It is."

"Get to it, then." He told me with a chuckle as he turned and limped away. Clearly he told me of Aveline's earlier slip out on purpose. He wanted me to look for her.

I stepped out onto the front slab of the Manor with intentions to fulfill the responsibilities I had mentioned to my mentor, but somehow in the transition from indoors to out, I decided to search for Aveline. It was just an hour ago she was sleeping in my bed. Where had she gone? And why hadn't I noticed she left?


After a few hours of search and complete waste of my morning, I found myself following Aveline's trail upstream from the Aquila until I came to its end – to a shallow waterfall. After spotting her mare, tied to a lowered branch, patiently grazing through a patch of wildflowers and wading ankles deep in the creek bed – I knew I was close. I culled the reigns of my horse, pulling him to a stop just where the Hellcat's mount was, and began to secure him next to her. And even though I had found her nag, rather too easily, that still did not explain where shewas. The trail I had been following was that of her horse – the heavy strides of her mount guided my way there but now that I had located the animal, her trace had disappeared entirely. With a sigh, I stalked towards her horse and began investigating – looking for any signs. But by now, she could be anywhere…

But then, a beat… A mudded trail of her footprints, lead towards the short waterfall, showing me exactly where she had gone. From the telltale signs of the slickened dirt that had fallen from her boots, she had climbed the rock side, and vaulted up and over the falls. I willingly followed the footpath until, at length, I too was at the top of the small rapids and scanning the waters steady torrent in search for Aveline. Aside from the dense sound of the water cascading over the stunted cliff side, it was calm. In fact I could not remember the last time my surroundings had been so… tranquil. The afternoon sun bore down over the slow moving water and looked beautiful glistening across the stream. The wind soothed my sweat beaten brow as it breathed through the trees. And the birds sang in high-pitched voices, happily prattling as they flew overhead. For a moment, I relaxed, forgetting the reason I had climbed there in the first place.

Until…

"Hey!"

My entire body tensed at the sound of Aveline's voice as it assaulted my ears. I looked around to find that she was actually, nowhere to be seen, which instantly put me on my best guard. Instinctively, my stance lowered as if to prepare for some sort of covert attack. A slight spattering sound against the water caught my consideration and I quickly turned my attentions on the stream. But it was too late. By the time I caught sight of her, she had already made her move…

With an aggravating slap against my left cheek, I was hit in the face with a thickset heap of sludge from the creek's bottom, courtesy of Aveline… Quickly taking my palm, I swiped the mud off my brow and jawline before snapping my hand towards the ground to send the muck flying back into the water. Once my face was somewhat cleared, I looked up to see her waist deep, standing in the stream. And while still feeling the grime over my skin, I glared at her. That is, until I managed to really see her.

She was clad in nothing but her lingerie. White, lingerie. Drenched, white, lingerie. It was then I determined that she was the very pinnacle of evil, especially after feeling the way my pants tightened at the sight of her nipples poking through the now sheer cloth of her bandeau. At that, my gaze shifted down and I had to convince myself she did not know that everything she was wearing, at least over her breasts, was completely transparent. But then again, maybe she was very aware, especially after crossing those fine lines back at the tavern…

The sound of water sloshing behind her as she made her way towards the bank, filled my ears - my brow puckered and I glared towards my boots. I had a feeling we were getting ready to play another one of her games. Keeping my gaze trained to the ground, I listened carefully as Aveline came closer. Then, before I knew it, she was standing in front of me, dripping wet, and chuckling at the smeared mud on the side of my face.

"Looking for me?"

"No," I lied.

With a scoff she said, "Right. You just happened to bump in to me – all the way out here…"

"Achilles said you were gone. And I did not remember seeing you leave the house." I finally admitted. "I was just curious…"

"Well, you found me…"

"I guess I did."

After a short time of silence, she noted the way I kept my eyes away from her and said, "Look at me…"

"I … I-I cant." I said hoarsely, still determined to keep my gaze down.

"Why?" Her tone was light and teasing. She knew…

"Your uh…" I began gesturing with my fingers in a crisscross motion over my chest. "It's no longer covering… I… I just can't."

"You didn't seem to have any trouble looking at me this morning." She jested as she hooked a cold, wet finger under my chin. It took me a moment but then I remembered, I was watching her sleep, only apparently, she was had been awake that whole time. After she began tilting my head up, I complied easily enough without putting up a fight. It was not as if I did not want to look. I was still a curious male, who held high appreciation for the female body…

Predictably, the lower half of her undergarments, although thicker and less clear, also left little to my imagination… I allowed my gaze to linger over her bare thighs a bit too long before I realized she was smirking at me.

"There…" She purred, "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Finally forcing my eyes to drag up her relatively, wet, naked body, I landed on her face. Her heavy, dark, hair was soaked and clung to her neck and back… "I guess not."

Then I smiled nervously… She may have been a Hellcat, but she was gorgeous.

"Hmm…" She hummed. "It seems you've gotten some mud on your face."

"I wonder how." I spat sarcastically while rolling my eyes. Needless to say I wasn't smiling anymore.

"Well, lets go clean it off." She started before clasping a hand around my wrist and dragging me towards to water.

"N-No!" I yanked my arm out of her grasp, which caused her to turn and eye me rather dangerously. "I know where that's going…"

"What if I promise not to get you wet… Much."

"Exactly." I replied. "I would rather stay dry today, Hellcat."

"If you're so worried, then why don't you strip?"

I blinked, "St-Strip?"

"Yes… It means remove clothes."

"I know what it means!" I snapped.

"Then what's wrong?"

"Nothing! I just don't-"

"Don't tell me your shy, Connor."

"No, but-"

"It's not like you have much of anything to hide anyway…" She finalized while crossing her arms over her chest and eyeing my crotch playfully.

At that I glared. It was the second time she had ever remarked on my size being… inadequate. And that was twice too many. "Alright, fine. I'll strip."

Slowly I began unfastening the many buckles, buttons, and the sash that covered my attire, hoping that in some small way I could harass her with an unhurried, torturous, strip tease. But I acted out a bit more confidently that I actually felt. Instead of me inflicting any amount of torment on her– it was quite the opposite. Her scrutinizing gaze raked over my actions as I removed my robes. Her eyes reminded me of a rabid dog after acquiring its first taste of blood. Her lips, which had long since curled into a predator-like smirk, parted seductively at the exposure of my chest, arms, and abdomen. At that, I realized I may have actually been having some kind of effect on her and tossed the upper half of my clothing behind me before moving on to my pants. With a new gained confidence, I pulled off my boots, then the buckskins covering my legs, and finally dragged my pants down until I was able to step out successfully without tripping over them and making a fool out of myself. She watched… She even licked her bottom lip ravenously as her sweltering eyes scoured my body like a starved wolf.

"Better?" I quipped after I was left in nothing but my underthings.

"Much." She replied throatily, once again taking hold of my wrist. "Now can we go?"

"Lead the way."

With a victorious smile, she pulled me towards the bank and into the water. At first, I was not excited about the idea after feeling the way the sodden mud slimed around my feet and ankles, and the way the cold water assaulted my heated skin. But after Aveline forced me to go further, pulling me to the creek's deepest point, it wasn't so bad. My body had cooled, making the water a comfortable temperature, and the creek bed, instead of feeling like slime, transformed into smooth pebbles under my feet.

Now standing ribs deep in the water, an awkward silence fell between the two of us and I looked to the bank where I'd left my cloths. How long would I have to stand here? Was this it? I meant to say something - break the silence - but before I could, an onslaught of water slapped up against my bare chest and engulfed my head. Now drenched completely, I glared at the Hellcat.

"What the hell was that for?!" I bit, now shivering from the splash.

"We are here to clean the mud, remember?" She reminded me while snickering.

"I could have just wiped it!"

"But that wouldn't have been as much fun."

"Hellcat…" I snipped just before cupping my hands under the water and bringing a small amount to my cheek to scrub away the dirt.

"Why don't I do that for you…" She offered.

"Why don't you just keep your hands to yourself…" I countered, remembering what transpired between us in Boston.

"Is Connor Kenway afraid?" She snarked as she reached forward and pulled my hands away from my face.

"Not at all. I would just prefer it if you kept at a distan…" I looked up to find that she much closer than I anticipated. Our adjacency, which caught me by surprise, forced me to fall silent.

In one quick move, she glided even closer and placed her hands on my shoulders for purchase before drawing her legs up and hooking her knees easily around my hind... "You were saying?"

My palms immediately latched onto the undersides of her thighs and I pushed her up a little higher against my torso, but not just because I wanted to feel her legs – which I did… The fact was, it was an instinct to hold her away from my oncoming erection. Although, the only thing I had accomplished was bringing her breast just below my chin. That, along with having a pair of long, dark, legs wrapped around my waste, did nothing to quell my arousal.

"I don't remember." I replied honestly. I really had no idea.

Once Aveline had settled herself flush against me – body pressed into mine, and legs straddling my hips, she brought her wet hand to my face and gingerly began palming away the dirt. I leaned into her touch unconsciously and closed my eyes, relishing in the feel of her slick hand as she washed the muck from my jaw. Then, the fingers of her free hand ascended from the water to rest on my neck, her digits instantly twisting in the leather string around my throat. At that my eyes opened… It was only natural after feeling a slight restriction to my windpipe, even if it was not too threatening. After all, this was still Aveline.

I suddenly remembered how close she was and despite the cool water encasing my body, I felt my blood heat to an agonizing warmth. Moreover, I seemed to have forgotten how transparent her bandeau was but had after finding it exceedingly difficult to tear my eyes away from her breasts, I was reminded. I bit my tongue as if to stop myself from making a sound but I hummed with pleasure after feeling her hand drag down my face again.

"Try not to enjoy this." She remarked with a smirk as she continued washing the mud from my face, running a thumb over the curve in my lip.

"Not to worry." I replied. "I wont."

"Liar…"

I watched her face –it was scrunched with determination as she smoothed the last of the grime away from my jaw before I asked, "What are you doing all the way out here?"

Aveline shifted a bit and rinsed her muddy hand before coiling her arms around my neck and interlocking her fingers together behind my head. Once she was comfortable, she looked to me and said, "I just needed to get out of the house."

Her tone was abnormally unhappy and I had to wonder, "Why?"

At that her lips tightened and she sighed while leaning away and arching her back for a good stretch – pushing her wet breast closer to my face and making it that much harder to really listen to her, what with the sound of blood pounding in my ears. All my senses were heightened – the sound of the water as it rushed over the falls, the proximity of our bodies, the sight of a wet female wrapped around me, and the feeling of her long legs as they tighten around my hips. With my palms flat against the underside of her thighs, all I would have to do was slide my hands up a few inches and…

"Because." She started as she straightened herself out. I shook my head a bit to rid myself of the urge to grab her backside and forced my attention on her voice. "It's not the same."

"The same?"

"The Manor is completely different from what I remember. It's not just an old house anymore, its a home. And it doesn't feel like mine."

"Aveline, you know it's your home-"

"Yes. But it's changed. And so has the Homestead." She replied. "I wanted to go for a ride this morning and everything was just so… different."

"Different how?"

"There's an Inn for starters. Farms. A church. A blacksmith… Hannah."

"Achilles and I have worked hard to expand the Homestead and give those people new lives."

"And that's great. But …"

"You feel left behind." I stated. Her eyes found mine seconds before she hunched against me and place her head against my shoulder. "You should not feel that way."

"But I do."

"Aveline," I waited until she lifted herself back up to look at me. "Even if things change, no one has forgotten you."

"Maybe Achilles didn't." She said argumentatively.

"Oh, and I did?" I growled, immediately falling victim to quarrel she'd just baited for me.

"Of course!" She slapped my shoulder – wet flesh colliding with wet flesh – and elicited a grunt from my discomfort. "You've been otherwise engaged. Chasing that blonde skirt everywhere she goes…"

"That's not true! I have hardly spoken to her since-"

"Fine. It may not be all that bad but you haveshown interest in her."

"So? And what if I had?" I bit. "What does that mean for you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"If you ask me, you seem a bit jealous."

"I am not jealous!" She barked as she challengingly pushed her face towards mine… As if it would intimidate me.

I smirked because I knew I was on to something…. Her lips were so close to mine that I could almost taste them. "Does it bother you when I talk about her?"

She closed her eyes, "No…" Clearly a lie.

I removed my palms from her thighs, slid one arm around her back, and took her jaw in the grip of my other hand, forcing her to look at me. "Aveline," I whispered, our lips only a breath away from colliding. "How do you feel about me?"

"Connor…" She seemed to be struggling with something – having some sort of inward battle with herself as if she could not admit that she felt the same way I have for the past few years. Once again her eyes shuttered to a close, causing my finger to gingerly tighten around her chin.

"Open your eyes." I bid quietly as I allowed my hand to slide from her jaw to the back of her neck where I proceeded to pull her closer. "Say it."

"Connor… I don't-"

"Ratonhnhake:ton!"

Both of us froze at the voice that had suddenly called out a name I had not heard in years. I looked to the bank, where I'd thrown my clothes, to see a familiar face from my past. He stood tall with his bow in hand, quiver half empty from the lost arrows – clad with buckskin hides - quail feathers in the long braids that trailed down to his hips, and elaborately beaded jewelry that was true to the Kanienkeha:ka people. My people.

"Kanento:kon." I replied while lowering Aveline into the water, allowing her a bit of modesty. But if Kanento:kon's eyes were any indication, from the way they had bulged and zeroed in on the Hellcat, he had already seen more than enough. That or he could not wrap his mind around the fact that I was wading with a woman… I was never known as a philanderer back in the village. "What brings you here?" I asked, hoping to tear his gaze off of Aveline. Even though she was submerged from the neck down, under the murky water, I still did not like the way he stared. It was as if he could see her.

"Hunting."

"Is game scarce near Kanatahseton?"

"No. A bear has been threatening the village."

At that I moved away from Aveline and started to make my way towards the bank. "Is everyone alright?"

"Does that matter to you?" He asked through gritted teeth as I stepped onto the shore and grabbed my clothing.

I looked to him with narrowed eyes before pulling my pants up over my wet drawers. "Why wouldn't it?"

His gaze shifted behind me, "It just seems that your tastes have changed."

Turning to catch sight of what he was staring at, I found Aveline. She was wading as she had been before I stumbled upon her, only she was sure to keep her body shrouded by the water now that Kanento:kon was there.

"It's not important who I keep company with…" I said as I turned back to face him. Was he angry? "Is the village alright?" I asked again, this time a bit more critically.

"If you must know… The bear attacked some of the children playing outside the village. Two boys are dead, along with a little girl." His eyes clenched. "We had trouble finding the remains."

My mouth, which apparently had been hanging open, snapped shut. Why was I not informed? I could have kept a look out for the beast or possibly joined the hunting party. "I would like to help you."

"Are you sure you can spare the time?" His head nodded back towards Aveline. "You seem rather busy."

"My people come first."

"Alright." He agreed, "I'll wait for you upstream. Meet me there once you've, calmed." He hooked his head towards my groin, silently reprimanding me for being in such a state of arousal in his presence. I felt my face heat with a slight blush…

After that, he turned and walked away, keeping close to the water's edge. Once he was out of sight, Aveline wasted no time in swimming towards the bank and getting dressed. Once she was informed of the situation, she was more than eager to help.


The Frontier


Hair still dripping, I pressed my shoulder into the trunk of the nearest tree with my bow pointed down and an arrow ready to be fired. With my bowstring pulled tightly, I lifted my weapon and aimed for my target's heart… Then I released. With a distinct whistle the arrow flew through the air and embedded itself into the skin of the doe – right in the kill shot. At first, she lurched and kicked her back legs, unsure of what hit her, then she ran into the forest, leaving a speckled trail of blood behind her.

"Good shot, Ratonhnhake:ton." Kanento:kon said as he slapped me rewardingly on the shoulder blade. "Now we look for the body. If we string her up, the bear will be sure to smell the blood."

"Wouldn't it have been easier to use a poisoned dart?" Aveline asked as she stared off in the direction the doe had gone.

"What? Poisoned dart?" Kanento:kon asked, looking back and forth from me to her.

"Now we have to track it and waste daylight. If we would have used a poisoned dart, it would have fallen here."

"That is not the way the Kanienkeha:ka do things." He answered.

"I understand that better than most. But I would hate to see that bear prey on anymore lives, especially children – all because we were busy tracking the bait.

"And what would a woman know about hunting?" He said rather harshly, causing Aveline to cross her arms and glare.

"How about I give you head start so you can find out…" She bit.

"You couldn't find me if I had bells tied to my ankles."

"No one said anything about finding you. I believe hunting is what we were referring to."

"Snake…"

"Arse…"

"Fool…"

"Enough!" I finally said, bringing my hand up to pinch the bridge of my nose. "What if we separate into two groups?"

"Whoever finds the bear first is the better hunter." Aveline said, looking hastily towards Kanento:kon.

"Agreed." He replied with a smirk.

"Wait," I started. " I did not mean for the two of you to-"

"Start now." Aveline said to him, completely ignoring me.

"We're wasting time…" He quipped.

Suddenly, Aveline turned and started following the injured doe's blood trail. I made to go with her since, at least to my knowledge, she had never before encountered a bear. But the moment I took my first step to catch up with her, Kanento:kon quickly clasped one of his hands over my shoulder. Turning my head slightly to regard his expression, I caught sight of his reproached eyebrows. They were both raised rather skeptically and his mouth was formed into a thin line.

"Going with her?"

"Yes… Is that so wrong?" I growled while shrugging out of his grip.

"It wouldn't be." He replied. "If she wasn't one of them."

"Them?"

"Open your eyes, Ratonhnhake:ton. She is a colonist!"

For a short moment, we stood silently, and glared at one another before I said, "She's agood woman."

"That's no woman!" He snarled. "I watched the two of you earlier. She threw mud in your face and humiliated you by provoking you to strip down half naked. And what's worse, you let her…"

"How long where you there?!" I asked hotly, trying to control the grinding of my teeth.

"You are weak to her… charm." He finalized harshly. "She is nothing more than a seductress. She's an isolated wolf, hungry for small game and injured prey."

I glared. "She never-"

"You've become a plaything…" Again we both fell silent and stared at one another until, at length, he said, "Come on. We can't let her win."

Begrudgingly I followed Kanento:kon as he walked away. Even though I did not want to believe it, some of the things he said made sense. He was right; Aveline did not treat me with respect… But I'd be damned if I was her plaything.


Late Afternoon…


"CONNOR!" Aveline screamed once again in the distance.

Kanento:kon and I sprinted through the tree's, dodging mud holes, thorn brushes, and of course, each other as we frantically backtracked towards her. It was unmistakable… She had found the bear. We could hear the beast's guttural snorts and huffs along with a sharp cracking as fallen branches snapped under its quick and heavy strides.

With a panicked heart I realized, it was chasing her.

"Connor, help!" She called once more, her voice winded and tired...

Then a grating roar struck our ears before a pain filled cry ripped from Aveline's throat, causing our feet to beat faster through the woods. And at last, we finally made it… I jumped through the trees with my hatchet in one hand and unhinged blade in the other. As prepared as I had been for a battle, I was not equipped to handle the scene that knit before me. Aveline was on the ground, scooting backwards away from the beast, covered in blood. Her clothes and skin stained, and her hair, which was once carelessly tied behind her head, had fallen loose and was matted down from the crimson fluid. The trees, leaves, and dirt around her were cover as well… I felt my heart rate speed up to an unbearable frequency in realization that she may be fatally wounded. The animal – the grizzly, was slowly closing and was the only thing blocking my path to her - and then, something snapped.

Rushing headlong, I charged the bear's hind and buried the edge of my tomahawk in the back of its leg, causing it to roar and jolt around to face me. I hunched forward defensively and waited. Our eyes locked and as if it was smirking at me, its lip curled up to expose its set of large, sharp, canines – they too were cover in blood. Suddenly it lurched back and supported itself on its hind legs, allowing another aggressive roar to rip from it's wide-set lungs before dropping back on all fours with a groundbreaking thumpagainst the forest floor. With a power filled swat, its front paw lunged in my direction. It claws would have sunk into my flesh had I not tucked my body and rolled under it's swing. I did happen to hear my robes tear, as they were not able to evade the attack as masterfully as I had done. With the unhinged, hidden blade, still in my hand, I pulled my body up off the ground and ran the weapon to the hilt into the beast's shoulder blade.

A dark, heavy, growl pounded in my ears and on instinct I withdrew and stepped back as quickly as I could. Instead of injuring the grizzly, really injuring it, the only thing I had accomplished was angering it further. It once more mounted its hind legs – standing at least twice as tall as I. A heavyweighted paw lifted in the air and just as it was about to strike down on me, an arrow suddenly zipped past and drilled into its ribcage. At that I turned to find Kanento:kon readying his next shaft… He pulled hard against his bowstring and released the shot – this time the tip burying into the animals hip. With the bear's attentions elsewhere, my eyes snapped to Aveline as she pushed back against a fallen tree, eyes frantically beating back and forth from me, to the bear, to Kanento:kon. Blood was everywhere… If her injuries were anything like they appeared, she would not have much time left.

"Kanento:knon!" I called just as he was about to let the next shot fly, "Get Aveline and go!"

He nodded once but still, released the arrow, hitting his mark just above its elbow. Then he swung his bow around his shoulder and bolted for the girl, sweeping her up in his arms effortlessly and running for safety. The bear tried to tear after them, but I anticipated this, and placed myself between it and Kanento:kon. And as if I were an annoying fly, he charged and struck, knocking me to the side with it's dense paw, hitting directly across my right bicep, causing me drop my hatchet and roll against the ground. I felt and heard my flesh tear before a sticky warmth pooled out and over the arm of my placid robes. From as much blood as I appeared to be losing, I could not help but wonder why I was not experiencing any pain. My adrenaline had been rushing through my body so fast, that I did not feel anything… Pushing the thought of my injury to the back of my mind, I got back to my feet and readied for another attack. The bear kept coming forward, slashing and swinging as he did while I flawlessly sidestepped and jumped back from his series of outbreaks. And then, I saw my moment…

The beast lowered its head and made to snap my thigh in its furious teeth but before it could, my foot reared back and I quickly kicked its snout, catching it by surprise. Then, I grasped the unhinged knife in my hand and drove it into the back of its skull. There was a hazy snarl as it took its final breath and then it slowly sank to the ground, head first... Dead. I twisted the blade experimentally before finally removing it all together to make sure it had actually passed. Then I rounded it, taking the end of my boot and shoving the rest of its up-righted body over so that it fell to its side, tentatively testing its ability to fake death.

After deciding it was really dead, I knelt and began to wipe my knife clean against its dirt-soiled fur, but as soon as I moved my limb, there was an unpleasant prickling sensation in my upper arm. At first I thought nothing of it but when the annoying sting turned into something more of a heated throb and then to a searing burn my left hand slapped over the wound and I bit the inside of my cheek in an effort to work through the onrush of pain, running from my fingertips, to my tailbone.

Forcibly dragging myself to my feet, I held fast to my arm and shuffled slowly in the direction Kanento:kon had taken Aveline…


I finally came up on Kanento:kon as he knelt by a shallow brook and continuously dipped his hand in the water to bring it to the Hellcat in order to rinse the blood away. As I approached, I could see that the once clear water had taken up a dark shade of red as her blood ran downstream with the current. My eyes clenched, half from the pain in my arm and the other half from Aveline's condition before I started staggering my fatigued body towards them a bit faster.

"Kanento:kon…" I said slowly. He glanced to me, still supporting Aveline against his now blood stained torso and continued to clean her up. "Is she alright?"

At that she turned and looked to me, my injured arm drawing her gaze every so often. "I'm fine…" Her voice was stronger than I expected which caused me to smile.

"The blood isn't hers, Ratonhnhake:ton." Kanento:kon said. "It's the doe's – the one you shot. Apparently, she was dragging it around and did a poor job of gutting it I might add. She made a mess of things. In the end the fresh blood attracted our bear."

"I did not do a poor job!" She proclaimed hotly. "It came out of nowhere and shoved me into the cut I made. You're just mad that I found it first!"

Kanenton:kon rolled his eyes and said, "Your snake still bites… As you can see." His eyes landed on the bloodied hand clasped around my bicep… Undoubtedly he noted how heavily I breathed and how futile my efforts were to mask the pain dragging its way through my arm. "Stay here. I'll forage for yarrow."

I nodded, knowing that a yarrow plant could be useful… It would help to clot the blood pouring from my wound. I stepped forward and took his place beside Aveline once he was gone and began shedding my upper attire, carefully trying to avoid soiling my robes anymore than I already had. Once my upper half was completely bared, I landed hands first in the water and started splashing the five, wide, claw marks in my arm, wincing as the cold stream collided with my heated blood.

"Are you alright?" Aveline asked… Her idiocy, for some reason, infuriated me.

"Fine." I growled irritably but only because I was hurting.

"Don't talk to me that way…" She snarled.

"Then don't get attacked by grizzly bears andhave me fight it to the death."

"No one asked you to do that!"

"You did!"

"I didn't!"

"You screamed for me!" I barked, "You wailed my name… What did you expect?"

"If you didn't want to then why did you come running?!"

"Because, Aveline…" I replied, watching the blood run down my arm and flow downstream. "It was either you, or the bear. And it was not going to be you…"

"So you do care whether I live or not…" She snipped.

My head snapped to her and I shifted my weight to rest on my heels. "Of course I care! Why must you be difficult?! I just risked my life to save yours and you repay me by wising off?"

"I would have been fine if it wasn't for my stupid leg!" Her voice broke slightly and she leaned against her bent knee to clutch her ankle. For the first time, I noticed that her foot was bared and resting in the cool stream, allowing blood to glide from her skin to the water.

I reached for her and grappled her shin a bit harder than she liked. Aveline quickly jerked, swatting at my wrists, and hissing in protest but I held fast. "Let me see it." I growled in a very serious tone as I pulled her leg towards me. If she was hurt, I was in no mood to battle her. I would prefer the bear to her fury…

"No-Ah! That hurts!" She barked.

"Stop! I need to see."

"Let. Go…"

"Aveline, please." I stared at her with hard eyes, hand still latched over her shin, and mouth pursed in determination.

After feeling the muscles in her leg relax, my grip slacked and I bent over her leg before gently pulling her foot in my lap. Then, I began rolling up the hem of her trousers, trying to avoid irritating her injury. I failed miserably after the rough fabric pulled over an open gash just under her calve, causing her to wince in pain. Muttering an apology, I pushed her pant-leg up as far as the elasticity would allow, and got a good look at the laceration. It was nothing serious but still, painful and if remained untreated, it could lead to infection.

"How did this happen?"

"The damn thing charged me while I was dressing that doe and I ended up falling on my sugarcane machete."

"We need to take care of this." I said, still watching blood seep from the cut. "It's getting worse."

"Well," She snapped as she tried pushing my hands away again. "What does the greatConnor Kenway, propose we do?"

"I know your leg hurts," I growled. "But that does not mean I'm going to be patient with your temper. You're not the only one in pain."

Her eyes fell to my clawed bicep and suddenly she looked apologetic, "You're right, Connor. I'm… I'm sorry." Her hand extended slightly and she leaned forward, allowing her fingers to brush tentatively over the shoulder of my injured arm. "I should thank you."

Still holding her leg I replied, "Well, thatwould be a first."

"That's not true. I've thanked you before."

"Name once…" I challenged. And Of course, she was not one to back down from a provocation.

Suddenly Aveline leaned forward, her lips pushing slightly into my bare shoulder, her mouth landing just above my torn bicep before pressing a light, teasing, kiss over my skin. I tensed and felt her lips glide across my limb, from my shoulder to my arm where she placed another timid peck, this time closer to my injury. And then I remembered, she had thanked me before… The first time she and I went to Boston – she kissed my crushed fingers one by one – showing gratitude for saving her from that slave master all those years ago. Then again, the day she left the Homestead, she kissed the corner of my mouth. It was her own special way to acknowledge my altruism for her. And now, again… She showed thanks for rescuing her from the bear by kissing around the wound it inflicted over my bicep.

As she again, lowered a reserved kiss to my arm, my muscles twitched a bit under her lips before I grunted my approval. "What are you doing?" My voice came out in a way I did not recognize as my own - a low, soothing, whisper.

"Kissing it better…"

Much like it did when the two of us were hiding in the back of that wagon four years ago, the pain ebbed away little by little. And as if sucking the life right out of me, when she pulled away, I felt like something had been ripped out of my chest – a void that I never realized was there. A pain that could only be healed by her.

Aveline flinched sideways before I realized her gestured had caused my grip to tighten uncomfortably around her already battered leg. "Sorry," I muttered hastily, relaxing my hand a bit, and sympathetically rubbing my thumb over the bone on the inside of her ankle. "Does this hurt?"

"No…" She answered quietly before leaning back on her elbows and capturing her nicely, shaped, bottom lip between her teeth.

My gaze lingered over her mouth – I could not seem to pull my eyes away. Her lips were perfect - her bottom a little fuller than her top, making it look like she was constantly pouting. They were well rounded, tinted a shade of appetizing peach, and curvaceous… Much like other areas of her shapely body. "We need to clean this, Aveline." I said, trying to turn my focus elsewhere, and gesturing to her cut.

"Don't touch it." She said in a solid tone.

"It will get infected if you don-"

"Just leave it alone."

After managing to calm my gawking, I shifted my eyes towards her injury and asked, "Do you trust me?"

She looked to me as if I had bitten her – as if it was ridiculous of me to even ask such a thing. Even if it was, I did not know the answer. "Yes…" She responded cautiously.

At that I smiled, hoping she would comply to my forth-coming request. "Take off your pants."

"What?!" She snapped.

"Take. Off. Your. Pants," I repeated, this time slower as if she did not comprehend the language I had uttered.

"What on earth for?!"

"Trust me."

"I-I do but-"

"Don't tell me your shy, Aveline." I spat teasingly, repeating the same words she had spoken to me earlier before I was persuaded to join her in the stream.

Then, a flash of determination later, her hands went to her belt, where she began unsnapping buckles and unhooking buttons. The next thing I knew, my fingers were wrapped around the top hem of her trousers, helping her slide the fabric down her curvy thighs, and carefully trying to avoid grating against her scored calve. With her pants removed, I scooted closer, settling my crouched body between her knees, and pressed her bare foot against my shoulder. Gripping the hemmed leg of her discarded trousers, I ripped them in half, breaking the fine thread that held them stitched together before taking up a wide scrap and winding it around her calve for a make shift bandage.

"How does that feel?"

"It still hurts." She replied.

I felt my mouth curl into a wicked smirk… Sitting between the Hellcat's naked, stunning, legs, which begged to be touched, I remembered Black Horse Tavern and all the tortuous things she had done to me there. I was in the perfect position to initiate the payback I owed… And while feeling myself tumble over that thin line of inward control, I dipped my head a bit before lowering my mouth to her ankle and began peppering a trail of kisses up her shin… "And now?" I purred.

With her eyes wide she watched me, "What are you doing?"

"Kissing it better," I replied as I leaned forward, daringly placing my hand on the underside of her thigh and bracing myself on the other next to her hip. I gently pushed her leg back, causing her foot to slip and her knee to hook over the curve between my neck and shoulder. "You once told me that your mother used to do this when you got hurt. You said it takes the pain away…" I finalized with a smirk as I grazed my mouth across the inside of her knee, placing a small kiss there as well. "Is it working?"

"It's starting to." She answered with an appreciative hum after my teeth softly nipped her inner thigh.

I pushed her leg back a little more, angling it towards her torso before I bit again, this time capturing a section of skin on the underside of her thigh, "Your gorgeous," I breathed in a tender gasp without caring whether or not she had heard. I had waited years to get a hold of those perfect legs and was not about to let them go.

Unless of course…

"Con-Connor stop…" Her voice was firm. I pulled my mouth away from her leg and braced myself with my palms flat against the ground on either side of her. When I finally looked down at her, I noted that she had become a complete mess. Her hair clung to the mouthwatering beads of sweat running down her neck, her lips had parted, and eyes, even though shrouded by thick lashes, had darkened significantly... She was beautiful.

"Why?" I had to maintain control, even if it frustrated me to stop. I found myself breathing hard with lust, trying in vain to keep myself from touching her body but I could not help it. My hand kept flying back and forth from her hip to the camber under her hind. Spirits, she was soft… "Why?" I repeated with a knit brow.

"Connor, we can't keep doing this…" She replied

"Doing what?" After she remained silent, I glared down at her and moved my hand up her body until I was cupping her jaw, "Can't what?" I snarled.

"We can't… I can't…" She tried seconds before her eyes clenched.

"Is it that you can't? Or that you won't?"

"You're not-" She stared again but I could not bear to hear the words.

"I'm not what?!" I barked, lowering my face to hers, which caused her eyes to snap back open. "Not respectable enough for you? Not good enough?"

"No! It's none of those things-"

"Then what?" I gnarred through clenched teeth "Is it because I am nothing but yourlittle toy?"

"Toy? N-No!"

"Then what am I to you, Aveline?! What do you want from me?!" I all but yelled.

She winced at the rough sound of my voice as it grated against her eardrums. And then, her eyes glazed with a thin film of unshed tears… "Get off of me!"

"NO!" I roared, "Not until you answer me..."

"I hate you!" She bit, causing something unpleasant to grip inside my chest. I new she was only being defensive. A cornered Hellcat was an unstable one. I new she did not hateme. In fact it was just the opposite. She was my best friend and I was hers… But her words still burned in my mind like a bullet to the heart.

"That's fine…" I replied hotly, shaking my head and lifting my body away from hers. "I don't care anymore!"

"Go to hell!"

"Only if you won't be there…"


Popping another wilted piece of yarrow into my mouth, I began to chew, drawing forth the odd mixture of bitter-sweet taste from its leaf before taking it and padding it into the wound of my maltreated arm. Even though I had dressed the injury, multiple times, there was really nothing more I could do to prevent it from bleeding further until we reached the Manor. Even Aveline, still had blood draining from her leg… Her crude bandage had flooded not even an hour after I bound the wound and needless to say, after our dispute she would not let me get within ten feet of her to apply the yarrow.

The ride home had dragged on, especially after Kanento:kon left to return to Kanatahseton… We offered to help him take the bear back to the village but he refused, saying how it would not be right seeing as how he was not the one who made the kill. Instead, he hacked off one of its front feet to bring home… He would give the claws to the parents who lost their offspring due to the animal's wrath. With the beast dead, their children's spirits could rest.

Aveline and I had not spoken to each other since we started for the Homestead… The silence was heated, thick, full of strain, and absolutely maddening. I would almost rather scream at her the entire way but thought better of it considering how angry I was with her. She exhausted me. Infuriated me. And now that we had gotten into another row, I was completely nauseated. It was either from that, or the cool summer wind assaulting the exposed gashes on my arm… Either way, I wanted to vomit.

Our horses stalked up the path to the Manor slowly as they dragged the carcass of a nine hundred fifty pound bear behind them. To leave it behind, seemed like such a waist of meat, pelt, and trophy so the Hellcat and I decided to strap it to our mounts and go from there. At least we knew Achilles would appreciate the extended period of feasting on bear for the next few weeks.

Once we were to the middle of the yard, I hoped off my horse and unfastened the ropes that were tied to my saddle. A few seconds later, the leash around the bear slackened and I turned to do the same to the other end attached to Aveline's. By the time I was facing her, I found that she was still mounted and staring down at me with remorse… Her eyes always gave her away. She wanted to apologize to me but I knew her pride would not allow that and I was notabout to let her off so easy. So, after snapping my gaze towards the ropes in her saddle straps, I untied the knots, and expertly ignored her.

"Connor?" She started with a soft voice.

"What?" I riled hastily.

Maybe it was my tone, or perhaps the anger lining my face but whatever the case, she suddenly did not have anything to say and it frustrated me even more. "Never mind," She said quietly as she slid from her horse and strode to the front stoop of the Manor.

I on the other hand was uninterested in going inside. The last thing I wanted was to see her face, watch her strut haughtily from room to room, and hear her voice. I was at my wits end and wanted nothing to do with that Hellcat. So, I took my pleasurable time outside, unbridled the horses, and poked around at the stables until it started to grow dark. With the sun setting behind the Manor, I strode irritably towards the front door and before I knew it, I was inside. Achilles predictably stopped me the very second I crossed the threshold.

"Oh good!" He prattled happily as he faltered toward me. "You're home too. How did your errands go?"

"They didn't…" I replied, slinging my torn robes over my shoulder, and stalking past him... I was left in nothing more than a bloodied undershirt, which somehow, went unnoticed by Achilles.

The old man hobbled towards the front door and looked out the window to admire the shades cast by the setting sun…"Connor?" He asked with forced patients…

I stopped and turned back around to regard him, "Yes?"

"Would you be so kind as to explain whythere is a bear carcass rotting in the middle of my front lawn?"


Three Days Later…

Davenport Manor


"I still can't believe you killed a bear!" Hannah beamed as she scooted her chair a little closer to mine. "That's incredible!"

"It was easy," I lied with a smirk…

"Could I see it again?"

"By all means," I quickly placed my arm flat against the dining room table and rolled my sleeve up to reveal the five, angry, depressions crookedly lining my bicep.

She giggled a bit obnoxiously and I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes… I was beginning to think of Hannah as a child or even an annoying little sister. As much as I hated to admit it, Aveline was right; she wastoo young for me… At least when it came to maturity. The odd thing was, I did not seem to notice until I reunited with the Hellcat in New York. It did not matter if she was kind, gentle, caring, and beautiful – it was just not enough. She was absolutely perfect but somehow I needed more than that. I needed someone who challenged me – changed my way of thinking – someone who understood... I was tired of predictability in my daily routine – whether it be running errands on the Homestead, hunting venison for Achilles' dinners, or Hannah. Nothing satisfied me like the impulsiveness of that backbiting woman I had grown to adore.

Hellcat or not… I wanted her and no one else.

Just then, I caught sight of Aveline out of the corner of my eye as she ghosted past the kitchen entry, stealthily moving dishes and pots, and being careful not to make a sound. For the past few days, she and I had avoided each other like two, territorial, alpha-wolves… She did not come to my bed and I did not go looking for her when she disappeared in the mornings for her now habitual rides. In fact, I had been spending most of my time with Hannah in a pathetic attempt to gain her attention. It was becoming clearer and clearer that my efforts were in vain since she did not seem to care what I did or who I spent my time with as long as I wasn't pestering her… As she usually did when I entertained my blonde guest, Aveline flat out ignored me, even if I spoke to her. It was getting to the point where I wondered whether or not she actually knew I was there, and I could not accept that.

I turned my head back towards Hannah, who was still gawking at my arm as if I had embedded diamonds into my skin. "Uh… Could you excuse me for a moment?" I asked as I pulled my sleeve back over the wound. "I'll be right back…"

Once she nodded and relaxed against her chair, I was on my feet and heading for the kitchen. And the very second the Hellcat sensed my presence lingering in the doorway, she turned her head slightly as if to confirm the suspicion of being watched. I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe, glaring at her through a downcast expression. Her cold eyes locked to mine for a moment and then, her attentions were back on her original task of heating a pot of water and ignoring me… With her nose in the air she stalked past me and reached for a mug on the top shelf that was nailed to the wall next to the larder. Balancing on her toes, she elongated her body as much as possible, making pain-staking efforts to get a hold of her targeted stein. The ends of her fingers barely grazed the dish and she grunted with annoyance for being too short. Other small noises of strain began to fill the room as she, in vain tried to retrieve the mug, causing me to snort in pure amusement. At the sound of my snickering, her head shot to me while she was in mid reach and she glared before normalizing her body to its original height and placing her hands on her hips.

"Need some help, Hellcat?" I jeered as I lurked towards her.

"Not from you." She countered. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?" She nodded her head towards the dinning room.

"She will be fine on her own for a few minutes…" I replied, "Besides, I came in here to talk to you."

"No one is stopping you…" She bit as she turned to stare up at the just-out-of-reach-mug.

"You are." I growled. "You have been avoiding me."

"Well, you've been busy."

"Doing what?"

"Charming little girls." She riled.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I leaned against the kitchen wall, stared at the floor, and shook my head. I really didn't have anything to counter her with. It was true… I had been entertaining Hannah for the last few days, and had nothing to show for it. It only pushed Aveline further away…

When I finally looked back up, I saw that she had reassumed the position of standing on the balls of her feet trying to ineffectively pull the mug off the shelf. So, pushing myself off the wall, I warily stepped behind her and wrapped one of my limbs around her narrow waist to hold her tightly against my body. Surprised by the abrupt contact, her arms dropped to her sides in an attempt to free herself from my embrace, and she curled forward defensively. She failed of course. My sturdy grip had not lessened and she was left to do nothing more than to voice her protest, writhe in my hold, and dig her nails into the back of my hand and wrist. But as I started to reach for her mug, she realized what I was doing, and altogether calmed before patiently waiting for me to complete the task that she could not seem to do on her own. Effortlessly, my hand clasped around the earthenware and I brought it down from the ledge before holding it eyelevel, in front of Aveline…

"Is this what you wanted?" I asked quietly.

To my surprise, instead of snatching the mug, sending her heel back to collide with my shin, or elbowing me in the ribs, she stood completely motionless, with her back still pressed to my chest. Both of her hands came up to gently cradle the dish as if I were passing off a flightless bird and she crane her head towards me to regard my expression. Even through my clothes, I could feel body heat radiating from her torso which drew me closer. I lowered my head slightly and flattened my mouth on the section of skin where her jaw met her ear just to feel her pulse quicken under my lips… She smelled so fresh, like spring trees on a windy day. I wanted to be with her so badly that I would have killed a thousand men just for the chance. Seemingly, Aveline relaxed into me and I found that I had responded by placing my free hand on her hip to pull her closer. Her head fell back against my shoulder and her hind seemed to involuntarily arch back into my crotch… It may have been accidental, but either way, I grunted and wished she would do it again… And again. And again.

"Aveline…" I whispered, remembering that Hannah was sitting just on the other side of the wall. "Tell me you want me."

At first she did not answer. My hand dragged from her hip, to her ribs, then to her exposed neck, and lastly landed at the base of her jaw where I gingerly gripped, holding her head back against my shoulder.

"Tell me…"

"I can't." Her voice was rather broken as if she was on the verge of tears.

"Then tell me to stop touching you – to leave you alone…" I challenged as my free arm snaked tighter around her body.

"I-I… I can't do that either."

I huffed. Even though I did not want to hear those words, I would have at least had a bit of closure in our relationship. "Then what canyou do?"

"Your little girlfriend is waiting in the next room." She bit in a feeble attempt to change the subject. "Maybe you should go back to her…"

"This is not about Hannah…" I growled next to her ear in a low tone.

"Then what's it about?!" She snapped.

"This is about you…" I murmured with my lips barely touching her skin. "It has always been about you."

"Prove it…"

"And just how am I supposed to do that?" I riled knowing that it would be an impossible little assignment. "You wont even let me talk to you."

"Maybe if you weren't a complete arse."

"And maybe if you were not a Hellcat." I retorted. "Do you want me or not?"

Her elbow shot back and dug into my stomach before she hissed out, "I neverhave."

"That's a lie."

"I'm not the one who is lying, Connor."

I did not like her tone, it suggested that I was the liar here. "What is that supposed tomean?"

"You know damn well what it means."

"I have not lied to you, Aveline." I rasped, beginning to lose my patients. I felt my mouth open slightly at the temptation to bite her out of frustration but I repressed the desire by clasping my fingers tighter around her jaw.

"You're doing it now."

Just before I could retaliate, a dinning room chair screeched across the floor in the next room, signaling Hannah was no longer sitting. Both of us tensed after hearing the patter of her feet as she glided towards the kitchen. And in a shaky effort to bait Aveline, I said, "Last chance… How do you feel aboutme?"

She responded by tossing her elbow into my torso yet again… In other words she felt nothing – or so she lead me to believe. And as much as she wanted me to think that was true, I knew better. Everything we have been through together was confirmation enough that she cared. And I would prove that to her once and for all. Allowing my limbs to slide away from the Hellcat, I turned and began walking for the dinning room to cut Hannah off… By the time she set foot in the kitchen I purposely collided into her. One of my hands flew to the back of her head while the other coiled around her body before I rapidly pulled her close and crashed my lips against hers in a heated kiss. Of course it caught her off guard and she objected the assault by flattening her palms against my chest in effort to push me back. But then, she grew accustom and even started to like it, what with the way melted against me. She aided in my malevolence by turning bright red and giddily throwing her slight, pale, arms around my neck.

When I finally ended my osculation with Hannah, I gathered her in my arms just to gloatingly hug her in front of Aveline. Then, with a vindictive smirk, I glanced to the Hellcat… The rise and fall of her chest had accelerated, her knuckles were white from how hard she was gripping the mug in her hands, and her eyes were full of spite, shock, and even pain. With my arms still wrapped around Hannah, I lowered my cheek to the top of her fair-haired head, being sure to keep staring at Aveline with an arrogant expression that was sure to be hurtful. I had achieved a great victory; I kissed Hannah in front of the Hellcat and yet, I felt like the foundation of my entire world just collapsed. It did not feel like a win. I felt as if I had lost something, perhaps a piece of myself, or maybe even her. Her eyes glazed and the stein in her hands suddenly dropped to the floor, shattering into hundreds of pieces – her heart along with it. Almost instantly, at the realization of how my action had affected her, I felt bile gathering in my throat. Not only did I hurt her, but I hurt myself… In more ways than one.

"Connor!" Snapped a voice I recognized all too well.

Quickly untangling myself from Hannah, I turned towards the door that lead to the hallway and frowned. Achilles was standing there, his eyes molten with anger and his posture rigid. It was the first time I was ever thankful for his walking stick, for it was the only thing holding him back from tearing my head right off my shoulders. At the slight break in tension between Aveline and I, she darted past our mentor and started for the stairs all while keeping her head down.

"May I please see you in my study…?" Achilles' voice was like stones grinding against one another.

"I was just-"

"Now, boy!" He snapped as he turned and tottered away.

I was reluctant to follow him since I knew he only wanted to scold me but I excused myself from Hannah's presence and followed the old man into his study. The very second I set foot inside; he turned and quickly threw the butt of his cane into my temple in one swift motion. I staggered back holding my head. For an old man, he still had the skill and perception of an Assassin.

"What are you doing?!" I barked as soon as I was able to brave past the throbbing sensation attacking my skull.

"You know very well what that was for. You know better than to blatantly toy with Aveline the way you did."

"Me? She has just as much fault in this as I… She does nothing but play with m-"

"Shut! Up!" Achilles boomed. My mouth snapped to a close. Though I had seen him mad before he had never actually spoken to me in that way before. "Considering who you are- what you are, you know better than anyone that today could be your last if your lucky – if, your lucky. It could also be hers."

"I know that… I just-"

"You what? Wanted to get even? Wanted to show her what it felt like to be played with?"

"Yes." I answered sheepishly. It seemed like a better plan when it was not said out loud. It was disrespectful even if she did deserve it.

He hummed…"Tell me, Connor, was it worth it? Would you be happy if she died – her last memory of you being that of you kissing another woman?" He asked, his words causing me to drop my head. "Even if the two of you are too blind to see it, I know you share something special. But that little stunt you pulled in the kitchen has the aptitude to ruin everything!"

"I never meant to hurt her. I only wanted to-"

"You never meant to hurt her? What did you think was going to happen?!" He snarled, "Surely, you did not expect her to run in to your arms!"

"I didn't think-"

"No you didn't." He butted his cane against the floor like a bull pounding its hooves against the ground, readying to charge. "I could beat you senseless without batting a single eye of regret." He riled.

"Then do it." I dared.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you… A mishandling to liberate your suffering." He sneered. "But I won't. I think the punishment would be far greater if I sent you upstairs so you could listen to that girl cry and know that your were the cause."

"Achilles I-"

"I don't want to hear another word from you. You know better than to act that way – not just towards Aveline but Hannah as well. I cannot stress how severely disappointed I am in you, Connor." He said sorrowfully as he shook his head. "More than I've ever been… Get upstairs."

I glared as his demand. "I'm not a child, Achill-"

"Then stop acting like one." He gnarred. "Upstairs. Now."

His eyes narrowed into hardened pools of mahogany, relaying how truly furious he was with me. Not only had I shown fault in a potential lover, but I betrayed Aveline's trust as a friend all because I lost my temper… All because I loved her so much that I could not think straight anymore.

Pinching my tongue between my teeth to stop myself from saying another word, I turned and did as I was told... And just as Achilles predicted, by the time I entered my room, I could vividly hear Aveline from across the hall sobbing. Even with my door shut, it was as if the entire Manor was made of material thinner than eggshells.

I sat on my bed and placed my head in my hands, and just listened to her cry…


I was hardly asleep when I heard someone shuffling almost soundlessly outside my door. And at the mere hope that it could be Aveline, I literally sprang from the mattress and hauled for the entry. By the time my hand wrapped around the knob, my heart was beating furiously against my ribcage in anticipation. Ripping the barrier open, I looked out expectantly to an empty corridor to see that she was not actually there. In fact, I stared straight across the hall to find her door was still boarded shut with her locked inside…

But I could have sworn someone was there…

Then, completely startled, I jumped back after feeling a small, soft, object brush up deliberately against the skin of my inner ankle. Looking down, I saw the silhouette of a slight form slinking through the darkness of my bedroom, uninvited.

It was not the Hellcat, but it was her little minion…

"Patriot…" I said to myself in exhaustion.

I was disappointed to see him. Somehow my heartbroken mind had jumped to the conclusion that it was Aveline, scuffling about outside my room. I wanted it to be her. I wanted her to need me tonight in some way. And more than anything, I wanted to redeem myself for earlier - atone for my actions. Achilles was one hundred percent right; my little stunt, as he so eloquently put it, did have the ability to ruin anything I had or may have had with Aveline. It was irresponsible. Stupid. Rash. Senseless. And I hated myself for it.

Patriot then rubbed alongside my leg again, drawing my attention towards him. With a heavy sigh, I pitched forward and scooped him up in one palm and propped him up against my chest before turning and gaiting back toward my bed… As much as I did not like him, I appreciated his company.

After Aveline finally cried herself to sleep, I couldn't seem to think of much else. Those sounds were somehow more haunting than the screams of her nightmares, especially since I knew I was the one who caused them in the first place. I was beginning to loose sight of myself, thanks to her coquettish behavior but that did not make things right… What I did was brutish.

I lowered myself on the pallet and pulled Patriot against my stomach before shielding the pair of us under the coverlet. Once he settled comfortably, I began running the tips of my fingers over his forehead, guiding my digits down the path between his overgrown ears, and listened to him drone lazily in appreciation. Shortly after, his consistent buzzing started to pull me into a much-needed sleep.


The Following Morning – Preparing to Sail for Boston

Davenport Harbor


"Good morning, Captain." Said my first mate, Robert Fulkner, as I stepped onto the dock.

"Mister Fulkner…" I replied while tipping my hat in his direction. "I trust all preparations have been made?"

"Aye, lad! Her cannons are armed, the damages from our last expedition have been repaired, the hauls stocked with supplies, and her sails are ready to take wind."

"And what of the flag?"

The British flag I asked Mister Fulkner to pick up from Ellen earlier this morning – an item critical to our success. Flying it at the top of the Aquila's mast would ensure a lesser chance on taking fire during the façade. It wouldn't work for long, but long enough for us to sail past the fleet, unharmed, disguised as a British scout-ship. Aveline and I had gone over the plan countless times… She was going to, one by one, destroy the fleet and stop the attack on Boston, while I, was to bored Lee's ship, take the ring, and if all went well, put an end to his injustice once and for all.

"Ready to fly on your command, Captain."

"Excellent." I said while gaiting past him to start up to ramp but by the time I was aboard, I heard my name.

"Connor!"

After halting mid-step, I cringed at the light, feminine, voice that filled my ears. I flung around as if someone's flintlock had unexpectedly gone off and saw long, blonde, curls, a perfectly pressed dress, and a sickeningly charming smile. Even if she was the very last person I wanted to see, I grinned and welcomed her as she sauntered towards me.

"Miss King." I said kindly as I reached forward to help her onto the deck of the Aquila, "How are you?"

"Hannah…" She corrected with confusion as she took my hand and stepped aboard. "I think you and I are far past pleasantries, especially after last night." At that she bit her lip and turned strawberry pink. "Don't you?"

I set my jaw and stared at her, wishing that I could undo my actions somehow. "I actually wanted to talk to you about that…"

"Oh, Connor. I was so happy!" She beamed, flinging herself around my neck. "It may have been a bit unconventional but, all the same, I barely slept a wink last night."

"Me too," I replied but I had trouble sleeping for and entirely different reason… Or should I say different woman.

Hannah pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes, still keeping her arms coiled around my neck, "I went straight to the Manor this morning – Achilles said you were getting ready to go back to Boston?"

"That's true…"

"So soon? You were there just two weeks ago."

"I have business I could not attend to until now."

Leaning forward, Hannah quickly placed a lingering kiss on my jaw, "I was hoping to spend some time with you today…" She purred quietly.

"I…Uh…"

"Oh! And you must speak with my father… If we are going to court one another, I think he'd like to be informed."

"The thing is… Well…" I stuttered. What did I get myself into?

"When will you be home from Boston?"

Finally, a question I could answer… "If all goes well, we'll return by the end of the week."

"We?" She snipped as her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're not going with that spiteful, mud duck, woman?"

I glared at her… "If you are referring to Aveline," I paused my snarl so that the Hellcat's name could sink in to Hannah's thick head. I didn't appreciate the racial slur… "Than yes, I am."

"Why do you go away so much?" She bit. "And with her, of all people…"

"I told you, I have business in Boston," I replied hotly. "And as for her, she's been my friend since I was a boy… Besides, I need her to go with me."

"Why not take me, instead? What could she possibly do for you in Boston that I couldn't."

I eyed Hannah with a smirk… Her very short, petite, form held nothing of value from a fighter's perspective. I doubted she could even carry Patriot around the Manor without spraining her wrist. She would be absolutely helpless against the Templars and pose as a liability for me.

"She is stronger…"

"Stronger?" Hannah started. "Are you shipping cargo?"

"No…"

"Then why would I need strength?"

With a sigh I replied, "Aveline and I… We protect people."

Cocking her pretty blonde head she asked, "You mean to say, the two of you are in some sort of law enforcement?"

"Something to that extent…" I conceded. "Something bad is about to happen in Boston and its our duty to intervene."

"Then," She began as she turned away. "Does it have to do with the redcoats?"

"Yes…"

"Is that why Ellen made a British flag for your ship?"

I blinked… I had never noticed how much Hannah kept herself apprised of my daily routes. And all because she cared about me. "We intend to sail with a fleet undercover… There's an illegal trade that needs to be stopped as well."

She blinked and looked at me curiously. "That… Sounds risky."

"It's not going to be safe." I admitted.

"You'll be careful, won't you?" She asked, turning back around to face me and wrapped her arms around my waist to lay her head on my shoulder. "I'll worry about you."

"You shouldn't." I replied, patting her shoulder in the same way I would do to Achilles. I did not want to lead her on anymore than I already had.

Hannah quickly lifted her head and pushed herself on her toes before snaring my lips in a kiss with intentions to recreate the one from last night. But this time, my mouth hardly moved against hers and finally, after she lingered there for much too long I placed my hands over her shoulders and pushed her back with gentle force.

"Is something wrong?"

"No… I just… I need to get going." I answered, still holding her by the shoulders. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I understand." She said with a smile. "Be careful, love."

I nodded once and watched as she turned to make her descent down the ramp. With a cross sigh, my gaze dropped down to stare at the deck floor. What was I thinking last night? I should apologize – to both Hannah and Aveline. I did not deserve to be with either one of them…

Just then, the hat on my head seemed to supernaturally fly off my crown and land on the deck just a few feet away from where I was standing. Even under some of the strongest winds, it's never done that. Stepping towards the fallen attire, I tightened my brow and dipped forward to take it up off the ground but the second my fingers came in to contact with it, it mysteriously slid just out of reach. About the third or fourth time I tried to pick it up, only to have it seemingly glide away with a mind of it's own, I noticed an array of smoothly carved wooden shanks jutting out of it… I made to reach for one but as just before I could get a hold of one of the shafts, the hat moved away again. At that I shot upright and began to look around.

This had Hellcat written all over it…

I finally found her standing on the yard above my head, leaning against the main mast, and twirling her blowpipe in and out of her fingers. I gulped a bit after regarding her expression… It was, fine. She seemed perfectly fine, which surprised me after I was forced to listen to her cry for over half the night.

"Playing dress up?" She quipped easily before hopping down from the yard and gesturing to my blue coat and angular hat.

"No more than you." I bit back, tilting my head to the hat resting over her own skull. They were not much different from one another.

She glared and placed the blowpipe back in her belt before stepping towards me – swopping my hat off the deck along the way. "Did you say your goodbyes to Hannah?"

My throat tightened at the way she said her name. "I did…"

"That's not all you said to her…" She bit throwing my hat into my chest. By the grace of my quick reflexes I was able to catch it.

"What are you talking about?"

"You told her everything…" She snipped. "The only thing you left out was Charles Lee and the Ring of Presage! What if she blabs that to the wrong people?!"

"Who? Hannah?!" I asked with a chuckle while fixing my hat over my head… I would have to pick out the darts later. "And just whowould she tell?"

"A Templar…"

"I doubt Hannah runs with Templars, Aveline."

"It doesn't matter… What matters is, if she will keep her mouth shut until we return home."

"You're just jealous." I growled as I turned to walk for my cabin.

"What did you call me?!"

"You heard me, Hellcat. You're jealous."

Her hand then came around my shoulder and she ripped me back towards her with all the strength she could muster. Immediately I put myself on defense and lowered my body with my hands out in front to catch any punches she might have intended to throw… But while I was distracted on her fists, her leg swung forward and her boot collided against my chest with a force hard enough to knock me off balance. I took at least three teetering steps back in an effort to regain my stability but before I could, the backs of my shins ran right up to railing, successfully robbing whatever chance I had left in steadying myself and the next thing I knew, I had tripped over the bar and fell overboard.

Cold water encased me… My robes were soaked, my hat had disappeared under the waves and my boots, now heavy and water logged, weighed me down, making it that much more difficult to swim back to the surface. I kicked hard until, at last, I emerged from the dark water. Sleeveing the water away from my eyes, I looked up towards the ship and saw Aveline leaning over the rail, staring at me with a malicious smirk as if she had just done herself a great favor by kicking me overboard.

"Damn it, Hellcat! Get down here! NOW!" I howled with a mouth full of water.

"Sorry…" She spat with a wink. "I'm a little busy."

"That's it!" I snarled to myself before I made my way back towards to dock… I was going to get her for that.


That Evening…


I strode into my cabin and shut the door behind me, wiping the sweat off my brow, and shedding my coat from my shoulders before plopping down on short cushioned seat just under the widow that overlooked the ocean. After a hard day at sea, I was tired, and ready for a good night's rest if weather and adversaries permitted. I kicked my legs up on the seat, one over the other, covered myself with my coat, and shrouded my face under my hat before settling comfortably against the cabin wall with my hands clasped behind my head and closed my eyes. There was nothing more calming than sailing the open ocean… Unless of course I was battling storms, war ships, or even Hellcats.

Just then, the door to my cabin burst open, unceremoniously, causing me to push my hat up with the tip of my index finger just to see what the ruckus had been. Aveline poured through looking rather gloomy compared to normal... She quickly unbuckled her hidden blade and tossed it across the room, eliciting a piercing crash to sound as it collided with the desk that was nailed to the floor in the corner. Clearly she was upset.

"Is something wrong?" I asked as she slumped down on the edge of the bed.

"What do you care?" She bit.

I glared at her and lowered my hat back over my eyes, "Sorry I asked… I was trying to be nice."

"Were you being nice when you kissedHannah?"

"What does it matter?" I replied while rolling my eyes. "You have made it perfectly clear that you don't care what I do with her."

"I don't!" She confirmed.

"Good to know…" I smirked under the cover of my hat. "I hope you still feel that way when we return get back to the Homestead."

"And just what, is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing…" I chimed playfully.

"Surely you don't really intend on courtingthat little halfwit."

"I thought you said you did not care what I did with her… or to her."

"I don't!"

"Then why are we talking about it?"

She remained silent and I tilted my head a bit to peer at her from under the bill. At some point she had slumped to the edge of my bed with her lips were pursed, brows drawn together, and her face tightened in multiple hard lines. It was then I realized that something else was the matter. Something besides Hannah… With a sigh, I removed my hat and dropped it on the floor before tossing my coat to the foot of the window seat and sitting upright.

"Something is wrong with you…" I stated. "What is it?"

She looked to me with her arms crossed over her chest and her foot tapping against the floor. Then her eyes shot to the cushioned bench I had been lounging on before she so rudely barged in… "You sleeping there?"

"Yes. Why?"

"So, I get this big bed all to myself?" She snarled

I glared at her, completely confused. Did she want me to sleep with her? Or was she just being difficult? "Considering how hostile we've been the last few days, I thought you might like have your… Personal space."

"So you're treating me differently because I'm a woman?"

"What?" I stared at her. "What are you talking about? Treat you differently? Compared to who?"

"Compared your crew…"

"What does that have to do with-"

"Do you have any idea what they've been saying about me?!"

"No, I-"

"They said you only let me aboard as your personal whore! They probably think I'm fornicating with you right now!"

"Well you're not! So, why does it mat-"

"They said I don't pull my own weight because I'm too busy lying under yours!"

"They said wha-"

"Everywhere I go on this floating prison – they stare, point, laugh, or make some remark about my color or sex!"

"Do not listen to them! They are not used to having a woman aboard and-"

"This whole thing is your fault!"

"My fault?!" I growled as I got to me feet to loom over her. "How is it mine?"

"If you had treated me like one of the crew they never would have said anything!" She yelled as she jumped off the bed to invade the comfort of my personal space.

"I still do not see why you care!" I barked, lowering my face towards hers.

"How do you think it feels to be called a whore?! Especially when we've never-"

"Forget what they say!" I boomed. "I am the captain of this ship. And I am the captain of that bed. If I wanted you I would have just bent you over the mattress and had you!"

The very instant the words were out of my mouth I froze. Aveline and I had grown closer as he habitually did during a squabble – her mouth was just barely grazing over mine, or least felt like it was. It would have taken the slightest move to trap her in a kiss. I bent my neck at just the right angle, hoping that by some miracle she would allow me this – even if it was just once. By the time I worked up enough courage to actually make my move, I started to lower my head to her mouth in hopes of finally kissing her but before I made any contact…

Slap…

My head rocked to the side and a hot, burning, throb started to swell my left cheek. Did she just…? I blinked a couple times, trying to process what had just happened and then it hit me, literally. Her fist then dug into my side with her sharp, little, knuckles biting into my ribs. I quickly snatched both her wrists and twirled her around, holding her two arms behind her back. My free hand shot forward to clasp around the back of her neck and held her forward to she could not rear back and head-butt me.

"Enough…"

"Connor, if you don't let me go I'll-"

"You will do nothing!" At that I started for the door with the Hellcat still in my shackling hold.

"What are you doin-"

"Shut up!" I snarled as I kicked the door of my cabin open. "You want to be treated like a man?!" My voice grabbed the attention of all the crewmen on deck but I did not care. I would make a public display if I had to. I was tired of Aveline and her nonsense! I shoved her through the door hard enough that she slung forth and pitched forward. And with her bent over and unguarded, I proceeded by placing my boot flat across her hind and propelling her already unstable body the rest of the way out the door. She broke her fall with her palms flat against the ground and her knees digging into the wooden floor below her. "Fine! Mop the deck!"

The Hellcat whipped around screeching in French and getting to her feet to finish what we had started but I paid no mind. By the time she reached my door, I slammed the barrier in her face and quickly snapped the lock before she could enter and disturb me any further. But with the way her fists repeatedly pounded against the door, I doubted I would have any peace. With heavy strides I stomped over to my bed a flung myself over to coverlet before finally trying to get a few hours rest…


Hours after I had fallen asleep, Mister Fulkner knocked on my cabin door to inform me that it was time for me to take the helm. It was a part of our system to take turns with one another to insure that we were fully rested for sunrise. It was not perfect, but it was doable. Our shifts only lasted two to three hours depending on how energized each of us felt…

I stood tall, with one hand resting on the helm and the other wrapped around my spyglass, which was useless at the moment since we were sailing in the dead of night. All the same, if we were not under attack, and if the sky was clear, much like it was now, boredom set in. Over half the crew was sleeping soundly enough below deck and were not much for conversation. They were not much for conversation even when they were awake…

Bringing the spyglass in my hand to my eye, I peered out over the dark water only to see nothing. Aside from the fleeting light from the Aquila's lanterns, everything else was pitch black. On occasion the stars would appear from behind the dark, clouded, sky but even that was not enough to light the way to Boston.

"Captain?"

I turned towards the voice that rapidly sounded to find a member of my crew making his way up the small flight of stairs that lead to the upper deck. He walked towards me with a shame-ridden face and his head angled down as if he could not bear to look in my eyes…

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"No… Well yes, actually."

"What is it?"

"It's miss de Grandpre, sir."

I sighed, "What about her?"

"She's in trouble."

"She is always in trouble… What could possibly be so different about it, this time?"

"… She's in a fist fight with the crew."

Snapping my spyglass shut, I snarled, "Damn it…"

And after ordering my crewman to take the helm in my absence, I began making my way to the lower deck where I then opened the grated hatched and lowered myself under the haul. Almost instantly I heard voices, shouting, and whistling as if a band of rowdy men were gambling and drinking in the streets. It smelled like a pit filled with sweat and blood… I moved quickly, weaving in and out of barrels, misplaced cannons, and drunken members of my crew before I finally found her. She was stripped down to nothing but her boots, trousers, and button-up. Her hat laid forgotten on a small wooden table off in the corner along with her vest and even some of her weapons… Her top lip was busted, her eye blackened, and her knuckles bloodied from the good thrashing she'd dealt out, from what I could tell, at least ten different men. The defeated sat in a darkened corner holding their broken noses, dislocated shoulders, or swollen jaws, trying not to draw attention to themselves. It was embarrassment enough to be beaten by a woman, colored or not…

I smirked…

Even if Aveline had taken a small brunt of the beatings, they were soon to find out she was much stronger than she looked. I sunk back in the crowd and lowered my hat over my face, just enough to shroud my identity without blocking my view entirely… I knew I should have jumped in and rescued her, but she did not seem to need it and beyond that, I wanted to watch this.

She took three at the same time. Each of them charged her at different angles only to discover how swift and agile she could be… Effortlessly she ducked under them and hooked one of their ankles with her hand before bringing the poor soul to the ground with bone shattering force. At that she reared back and stomped on his head before kicking his side and sending him to roll in my direction. He landed just at my feet…

The next, saw the beauty in her impatiens and began taunting her… He was clearly the instigator here. "The only reason the Captain puts up with that pretty little mouth of yours is because he puts it to better use on his dick!"

She very clearly scowled at him even if her right eye was a tad swollen from a punch she failed to evade… "At least he knows the pleasure of a woman's touch… Unlike you. I doubt you could even seduce a goat!"

"BITCH!" He howled, "I'll show you!"

Aveline readied herself for his attack but then, he never moved, instead, he winked at a man stalking up behind her as if to signal him. Then, before either of us could blink, he snatched her up in his arms and held fast, locking her limbs under his and completely robbing her of mobility.

"Let go!"

"Tell, me lass… What do you get when you cross a Redskin and a Darkie?" The ringleader growled.

"Dirty, prairie mutts!" Another called out, causing the crew to burst out with laughter.

"Do you think the Captain would give me special privileges if I let him fuck me like this little whore does? Or maybe he'd promote me for boarding her ship…?" At that he stepped forward and grabbed Aveline by the legs before wrenching them around his hips to have all the men jeer at the sight of the lecher settling himself between the Hellcats thighs.

"It looks more like a hijacking to me!" My voice rang out like musket fire over a hillside and everyone stiffened like the dead. I stepped forward, carefully maneuvering over the poor sap the Hellcat had kicked at my feet and held a hand out towards her… "Give her to me… Now."

"Captain! This isn't what it looks li-"

"Save it! Your lucky I don't strap you to a cannon and toss you overboard!" I warned. "Now, give me the girl…"

He eyed me for moment, determining the seriousness in my voice and eyes before he untangled himself from Aveline's limbs and backed away. Behind her, the man who had been holding her still, also let go… I motioned for her to come to me and she complied but something in her eyes flashed, which put me on my guard. She was angry for some reason… And with me, of all people. At that, her fist reared back and she rushed forward, readying to punch me square in the jaw, but I was prepared for her strike and easily caught her knuckles in my palm before I gripped her hand menacingly… The painful clasp I had over her fist cause her to wince and arch back in an effort to get away from me but I kept her hand in mine and towered over her as if she were an unruly wolf pup. After our eyes met, I took note that the defiance had fled from them, and then, I released her. The men started shouting again at the display as if I had somehow dominated the Hellcat with out even throwing a punch… Something they were unable to do.

"Lets go," I called over the cheering crowd.

"No!"

"Do it or else!"

She shook her head and glared at me and that was enough… I dipped forward and scooped her up before tossing her body over my shoulder and heading back towards my cabin. The men all shouted their praise. Her fists grated against my back and her knees dug into my chest but I kept my head held high and continued taking long strides until I reached the latter that lead to the upper deck. I could hear the crew hooting and catcalling all the way…

I climbed up the latter with much difficultly due to the Hellcat on my shoulder with all her shouting, and jittering, but when I finally managed to pull both of us up, I pinned her legs against my chest with my fee arm and continued on… Once we reached the cabin, I shoved the door open with my foot, which caused Mister Fulkner, who had been sleeping on the window seat, to shoot upright as if a demon was breaking free from his body... He stared at me with a tired smirk plastered on his face and watched as I tossed Aveline on the bed. I followed that up by climbing over her and pinning her wrists above her head and her flailing legs with my thighs.

"Mister Fulkner…" I started with a winded voice, never taking my eyes off of Aveline. "I'm sorry, to cut your break short but, could I have a word with miss de Granpre… Alone?"

"Aye lad…" He said with a smile. "Take your time with that one…"

Mister Fulkner gathered his things and quickly scuttled out of the room to head for the helm. As soon as the door closed behind him, I was in the Hellcat's face, yelling…

"What the hell is wrong with you!? Are you insane!?"

"What?!" She growled as she lifted her head to bite me on the neck.

I jerked away from her teeth and yelled my reply, "Fighting my crew!"

"They started -!"

"And I finished it!" I howled. "I always finished it! What the hell could have provoked you enough to get in a fist fight with the entire crew!?"

"Forget it!"

"Forget it? Just how am I supposed to forget that?!" I barked. "THEY THEATENED TO RAPE YOU! If I hadn't gone down there when I did-"

"I overheard them talking about-"

"That does not give you the right to brawl with them – just because they speak poorly of you-"

"It was not that!" She yelled. "Nevermind! It's not important!"

"It was important enough for you to take it upon yourself to beat down half of my crew! What did they say this time!?"

She did not answer…

"Tell me…" I gnarred, clenching her wrists a little tighter and keeping her body pinned between mine and the mattress. "What happened?"

She bit her lip and turned her head away, causing me to grasp her jaw and force her gaze to meet mine… "What happened thistime?"

"Th-They said they were tired of having a…" Her voice trailed away and my grip tightened around her chin.

"Having a what?" I prompted irritably.

"They were tired of having a Bush-Nigger for a Captain…"

I blinked, allowing my clutch to relax… So, it had nothing to do with her after all. It had everything to do with me… "Is that all?"

"No…" She replied, still trying to find courage to repeat their words. "One of them called you a dirty nit."

"And?"

"Gut-eater."

"Anything else?"

"Yes." She said while blushing.

"What, then?"

Her eyes shuttered to a close and she took a deep, shaky, breath, "Trail-Nigger."

I studied the plains in her face. Everything about her was beautiful, even if the angry fists of prejudice men had temporarily marred it… "Look at me…" I whispered softly after staring at her lids longer than I would have liked. Slowly, her big, pretty eyes drifted open, giving me the perfect view to admire the many different shades. "And this is why you decided to fight them? Because they called me a few names?"

"Are you angry with me?" She asked, biting her lip.

"I'm not happy..." I admitted, even though I was smiling at her. There was something about Aveline that made me want to be so much more than I had become. "But I'm willing to overlook it." I lazily lowered my head and positioned my lips over her forehead to place a quick-thinking kiss just above her eyebrow. "Get some rest, Hellcat…" I crooned against her temple. "You'll need it for tomorrow."

At that I pulled away from her and stalked for the door, taking one last look at her confused expression as she watched me before I finally exited to reassume my post at the ships helm…


The Next Morning

A Few Miles from Boston's Harbor


"We need more speed, Mister Fulkner…" I told my first mate as my hands gripped the holders, jutting from the helm in preparation to take on more wind.

"Aye, Captain." He turned and took a deep breath before calling out, "Give her everything we've got lads! Bring her to full-sail!"

The sails let loose giving us just the boost we needed to kick our speed up a notch. Boston was in view and as predicted, the fleet was just off the Harbor along with Lee's ship – right where he said it would be – hiding behind the convoy like a coward. "Ready the cannons!" I barked out. "Raise the flag!"

"You heard him men!" Mister Fulkner shouted. "Put some bulk in those guns! Get the flag in the air!"

The crew distributed like a newly destroyed colony of ants as they scuttled to their stations impatiently. I set my sights on Lees ship, grasping the helm a bit tighter. This was it… The moment I had been waiting for since I was five – for fourteen years I patiently trained, all to bring death to one man – the very one that destroyed my village and killed my mother.

The British flag was hoisted in the air, and swayed with the wind at the very top of the mast, giving the fleet the illusion that we were of his majesty's army… With that, I stepped aside and handed my post over to Mister Fulkner before heading for Aveline. She was on the lower deck, standing on the rail and supporting herself on the roped ladder with one hand, and gazing out towards Boston's horizon. I gaited down the stairs and approached her…

"Are you ready for this?" I asked as I stood next to her, peering up to get a read on her emotions. She looked nervous but I did not blame her. She had every right to be – we both did.

"Yes." Her voice was much calmer than she actually appeared.

"Listen, if something happens, I'll come for you." I said firmly. "I will drop everything and I will come running."

"You don't have to do that…"

"I want to."

"Everything will be fine, Connor." She assured me as she hopped down from the rail to stand on the on the deck with me.

"Do you remember what I told you, if we were to get separated somehow?"

"Yes…" She replied. "If I can't get to you, I'll wait there."

We looked at one another… Just staring as if it was going to be our last time. My heart clenched at the thought of this being my final chance to tell her how I really felt about her. This being the last time I would ever see that haughty glare. This being the closing moment…

"Aveline," I started, "If something doeshappen I want you to know-"

"Don't." She snapped rather brashly.

"I just wanted to say-"

"Stop it! I don't want you to say anything you wouldn't say if you didn't think this was the last time you would ever see me." She spat with a smirk. "It would just ruin it…"

I smiled. "Okay… then I guess, we will talk when this is all over."

She nodded once, leaned forward, running her mouth over my jaw before placing a quick peck on the hinge and whispered, "Becareful... Please."

In response I rapidly brought my arms up and wrapped them around her slight waist to draw her into my chest. Spirits, I would kill myself if something happened to her. "You too…"

We stood there for just a few moments more, holding one another until at length, the whistle blew, notifying us that we were nearing the fleet. Begrudgingly, I released her and she follow suit by sliding away from my hold. There was an empty hole in my chest as if she had taken something from me when she pulled back. And then she turned without giving me a final glance and started for one of the escape hulks.

Even though I reassured myself, over and over again, that she would be fine, I felt as if I had made the biggest mistake of my life just letting her walk away…


Something had gone horribly wrong…

It was as if they knew we were coming. He very second we were in rage, the enemy ship fired on the Aquila without mercy. It was only by quick reflexes and an ability to hold fast against the storm of cannons as they collided with the ship that we were able to prevail. We fired back and forth for a short time until the Captain of Lee's ship, the Rosemary, finally altered it's course and rammed straight into the Aquila. A thundering crack sounded, as wood split against wood. Men fell over board. Flintlocks and muskets fired… And then, the next thing we knew, we were boarding them.

Cannon fire sounded in the distance, maliciously ringing through the sky with bitter realization that it was happening... The fleet had begun the attack. A thick layer of storm-grey smoke filled the air, making it difficult to see even a few feet ahead. The residue of gunpowder filled my lungs, encasing me in a dense, suffocating, sheet of smolder. With my hatchet in hand, I barreled across the deck, and made a flying leap over the rail, swinging my weapon back to bury into the first jugular I came into contact with on Lee's ship. And as I predicted, an unwary crewman stood, pointing the barrel of his musket towards me as I flew through the air. He bent over his rifle and fired a bit too hastily… The ball whipped past my head and then I was on him, slinging my arm forward and slicing his neck open. He dropped to the ground at the precise time I landed on the Rosemary's deck, bracing my land on one hand and a bent knee.

War cries alerted me to the two Redcoats charging and I flew to my feet, rearing back again, to dodge the angry point from the first bayonet. Then I pitched forward to evade the next and snapped my hidden blade from the hinge in the process before vaulting upwards and submerging the entire nine-inch-length under a pair of ribs, eliciting a winded gasp as the soldier clutched at my wrist, trying in vain to claw me away. When I finally ripped back, it was only because I made sure the wound killed him. Then I turned a parried then next bayonet with a quick flick of my wrist, blocking the attack with my hatchet before thrusting forward and slicing into his throat with my unhinged blade.

Like an angel of war, I ducked, evaded, blocked, and killed with little regard for my opponents until finally the last redcoat fell face first to the Rosemary's deck. While drawing in rapid breaths to regulate my lung flow I looked around… Most of the deck was covered in blood, bodies and in some cases, even dismembered limbs. Crewmen from both the Rosemary and the Aquila lay piled on top of one another as if a disease had cripple the two ships in it's angry teeth.

Death followed me everywhere…

"Back to the Aquila!" I rasped as I sheathed my hidden blade and replace my blood-drenched hatchet back in its strap. But the instant I set foot for my ship, a sharp whistle grasped my attention. At the shrill sound, my head snapped up in the direction it had come to find a thin, hooded, creature standing on one of the yards that jutted from the Rosemary's main mast, holding on to a nearby sail rope.

My eyes narrowed, and then it hit me… I'd seen this person before in Black Horse Tavern. The woman… She was clad in a fitted burgundy corset, a black cape, and a pair of boots and trousers to match. Her mask however, gave the appearance that her face was nothing more than a mat-silver skull with a red Templar cross, etched into the forehead. Something inside my chest crumbled away at the sight. The fear in my heart told me that this creature intended to harm me.

Masked Templar or not, this fiend of death was still human…

And then, as if she had intended on making our oncoming skirmish a challenge for herself, she dropped down from her perch and landed a few meters away. Had she ben watching the whole time? Why had she decided to fight me now? Why now kill me when I was none the wiser? Pushing any further silent investigation from my mind, I looked into the blackened eyeholes of the dusky skull and glared…

"Charles Lee…" I demanded with a hard voice. "Where is he?"

The angular structure of the mask tilted as the woman beneath cocked her head to the side. Then, after predictably enough failing to answer, she held her left hand towards me in an open-faced fashion, revealing a small yet bulky object resting in her palm. It was… A ring - the Ring of Presage. I blinked and stared at the darkened silver jewel. Somehow, I expected it to just be an ordinary band either made of silver or even perhaps gold but this was not at all what I had anticipated. Resting on in the circlet was a teardrop shaped stone that appeared to be an onyx and adorning the gem were feathered wings protruding from either side of the droplets curves.

"Hand it over…" I growled. "Now."

I watched as her fist closed around the band. Then, she placed the small item in a pouch that was tied to her belt before dragging her right hand up her hip where a braided-chain, rope with a three-branched, claw was coiled in its holster. She removed it and clasped the grip in one hand while looping the rest of the leash around the other. In very concentrated motions, she started swinging it in circular patterns through the air and the next thing I knew, she released. The claw pivoted forth, causing me to jump away from the attack and with angry dynamism it landed on point, just where I had been standing, the tips buried into the wooden deck. The woman, having missed her target, recalled the leash and began pulling it back towards her until it was again in her grasp. By the time she swung it the second time, I was better prepared. I dipped under the chain and sidestepped out of the way before rushing forward, hoping to get to her before she was able to summon her weapon back in her hands. But I was about ten seconds too late. She again slung the chain forward, her aim getting better with each throw, and this time, the claw dug into the arm of my coat. She yanked the end of her leash and I was ripped forward. The three sharp points split the seams of my coat open and bared my shoulder to the wind as the sleeve was ripped right off my arm.

Momentarily stunned by the dismemberment of my clothes, I looked up to the effeminate Templar, and gaped as she again started to lash the chain through the air. I considered my options and regarded the metal rope... She was not very big, a good foot shorter than me, and even scrawny. There was no way, she could best me and yet, the frozen sneer across her skull mask said otherwise.

Cannons rang out, demanding my attentions, and my head jerked towards the fleet… Aveline was still fighting. All by herself. And I was stuck here on an empty ship with a woman who knew how to twirl a clawed rope… I turned back to the Templar and glared. I needed to get off this ship, get the Ring, and get to Aveline.

The leash snapped towards me again and this time I took hold of it and pulled it towards me, consistently reeling her in as if she were a loathsome carp. She teetered towards me, throwing her weight against my wrenching grip, and when she was close enough I withdrew my blade and hurled it forward trying in vain to knick the artery in her throat but just in time she whipped back and evaded my attack. I battled her, weaving in and out of the chain, trying to keep her from wrapping its leash around my neck, or rip my skin and muscles from the bone with the menacing claw at the end of the devise.

By the time it was all said and done, my clothes – everything from my trousers to my coat had been shredded. And at last, I finally pinned her to the deck floor. "Who are you?" I gasped. "Where is Lee? Why isn't he here?!"

Silence…

"ANSWER ME!" I bellowed as I held the tip of my blade to her throat.

Just then, I again heard the sound of cannon fire, only this time, it seemed much closer. I did not intended to pay any attention to it, but after cannonballs ripped through the ship and landed around us, bouncing off and crashing through the deck, I decided it was in my best interest if I did. The ship rocked to the side, throwing me off of my adversary and causing me to roll across the deck. My head jerked up to get a lock on her but by the time I did, I noted that she was already running towards me, wielding her chain with all the deadly force she could muster but before she could throw it, another array of cannon fire flooded the Rosemary. I ducked down and balanced myself on ye hands and knees… Needless to say after the way the Templar stumbled about the deck efforting to regain balance; she did not have good sea legs. And that was going to be my way off of this sinking vessel…

I shot up and surged forward, keeping my body angled down to avoid cannons and her metal whip if she ever stop tripping over herself. I continued barreling towards her with my hidden blade ready to strike. Clearly, whoever she was, she had fought Assassins before. She knew to avoid letting me clip her neck, her chest, and stomach. Finally stabilizing herself, she stood defensively as I made my hasty approach, and gripped her chain before lashing it in a circular-crisscross motion through the air. She threw it again, aiming for my face but I sidestepped and pressed forward. Then I was on her again, only this time instead of pinning her to the ground like I did before, I swung my blade and cut the ties to the pouch resting at her hip, making sure to grab it before it hit the deck as I rushed passed her and headed for the railing on the other side of the Rosemary. With the Ring in hand, I sprinted away, knowing full well that she would use every fiber of her being to get it back. I heard the chink as she began whipping her leash through the air one final time, in effort to prevent me from making my escape.

Placing my foot flat against the rail I vaulted off the ship and made to land in the water but the she-devil behind me struck again. The chain shot forward and being as I was, flying through the air, and helpless to the attack, the points to her claw dug into the right side of my ribcage with a malicious hold rooted in my skin even through the thick fabric of my coat. She wrenched the leash back towards her, hoping to reel me in but my body gave way. Skin and fabric ripped away along with the claw and I cried out, twirling around in midair after the rapid yank I had received and fell to the water with my back slapping against the waves.

The saltwater burned through the wound like a forest fire and I gripped it from under the water before swimming under the Rosemary to head back for the Aquila and avoid that Medusa above my head…

After a long struggle in swimming back to my own ship, I finally made it… Mister Fulkner had sailed away and anchored at a safe distance from the Rosemary after we boarded her. He was an older gentleman and I knew better than to force him in to a fight he could not win. And beyond that, I knew he would never let me hear the end if I sunk his prized ship and lived to tell the tale.

One of my crewmen tossed a rope over the side of the boat and I grabbed a hold of it, allowing a team of five to hoist me up. They heaved until I was spilling over the railing, still holding fast to my ribs. It felt as if the skull witch had robbed me of breath, mobility, and anything else useful.

Who the hell was that…

"You alright, lad?" Mister Fulkner asked as he stood over me, holding out a hand to help me on my feet. I took hold of him and he lifted me up, continuing to hang on until he was sure I had found my footing.

"I'm…" I clenched my eyes. My ribs still burned. "I'm fine."

"You don't look it." He told me with such worry I knew something had to have been terriblly wrong with my appearance.

It was then I decided to inspect the damage dealt by the Templar. The decent tear in my coat revealed the injury. Shredded muscle and bits of grated skin hung from my torso as if a cougar had tried to make a meal out of my lung. My knees shook at the sight and my balance caved in but before I could hit the ground, Mister Fulkner's hand shot out and he caught me by the arm, right over my still sore bicep, where I had been hit by that bear. My eyes widened at the pain…

"Steady, boy… I'll help you to the cabin."

I was fading fast, something about the pain made me want to blackout but I held on a bit longer and rasped, "Hel-Hellcat…"

"She'll be fine." He said pointing towards the fleet. "She's taken care of all of them except the commanding ship."

The cannon fire had died down enough for me to think she was doing well for herself. I looked towards Boston, my movements a little rickety, and waited for her signal – the one telling me to sail towards her and bring her home - the burning of the British flag on the fleet commanders ship. But instead of seeing a small fire at the top of the mast, without warning it suddenly exploded. Boom…

That was not supposed to happen…

My mind instantly shot to Aveline being aboard one of them during the detonation and I dropped to my knees, watching the black smoke as it filled the sky over Boston. Was she safe? Did she get off in time? Why did it blow?

"No…" I whispered. That was not part of the plan. She was aboard. "No! NO!"

At my panicked and livid outburst, Mister Fulkner grabbed me and started hauling me towards the cabin. I fought him the entire way, hoping to break free and run to her. I would have swam all the way to Boston if I had to.

"Let go!" I demanded. "Mutiny!"

"Calm down!" He barked as he overpowered me and tossed me into the cabin having little care for my injured ribs. "Your in no condition to go after her!"

He stood at the door, ready to close it and lock me inside if I made a wrong move… Why couldn't he understand… She could be hurt – dying even.

My eyes narrowed at him as I stood there holding my lungs together. "Stand down, Robert…"

"This is for your own good, lad…" He told me was sad eyes. "We don't even know if she made it off before-"

"She did!" I assured him and myself. "She did…"

He shook his head and I rushed forward to break past him but I was not fast enough. He quickly snapped the door shut and clicked the lock to barricade me inside. My fist hit the barrier multiple times, enough to make my knuckles bleed but eventually the pain in my ribs and heart caught up with me and I sunk to the floor, resting my head against the door and listened to myself breathe. The ship had blown before Aveline made it off…

The Hellcat was dead… And there was nothing I could do to change that.


A/N: Aveline?! NOo0oOOOoo0o0Oo00oooO0O! (ノ´д`)

Question… Long Chapters: Yay? Or Nay?

I'm sorry I did a cliffhanger… DON'T HATE ME. I actually try to wrap up my chapters a little so you guys don't die waiting for the next lol. I won't do it often. But hopefully in 2-3 weeks we'll have our next chapter. I know! Forever, right? I'm so sorry. Writing is just super difficult and takes a lot of thought and time. But not to worry, I'll get started on the chapter right away! Which will contain battles, betrayals, and death! Hint hint, Tease Tease. o.O I really think my next chapter will be shorter sooo I doubt it will take me a month to update. No promises though! But hey! I update my profile often so if you guys are wanting a some info, just go check my status! Sometimes I have something helpful!

Sorry this took so long. This ended up being a long chapter and even though I worked on it a little each day since my last update, it just took a lot of time. I would punch out 1000 words and still see no light at the end of the tunnel for this… Long chapter = long wait. My apologies! I hope you enjoyed it! If ever I take a long time to update, I want you guys to know that it's because my chapter is extra long or requires some extra thought. I absolutely plan on continuing this story until it's finished. That's right! We are going all the way! So don't worry about anything… My updates may take a little while but, it's because I want the chapter to be perfect. =]

Mandrs: Thanks so much for your review! I'm glad to know that I brought Connor to life for you (as was my goal.) And you read this in one night? Wow! That's like 70,000 words! The very first book of Harry Potter is like 76,000ish! That's like a whole book in one night! Are your eyes bleeding? I'm not complaining by any means but do get some sleep =] And I'm so glad your lovin' it!

EagleOfMasyaf: Thank you for the candy! It will be gobbled up with much love and appreciation! More please? Lol. Oh, and not to worry, tension is my specialty so, there's plenty where that came from.

As usual, reviews happen to be an author's life… and if you could just take a second to type something nice for me in the box below, I'd be grateful! Plus you'd be rewarded with another chapter (Hopefully sooner than later).(^ω^)

Thanks guys! :D

Demi Lovato – Heart Attack (Perfect for Aveline!)

The Cab – Bad (Great song for my love triangle XD)