The air was cool, crisp and the sky clear. It was the perfect day and she was with the perfect companion. Only last night they had arrived in Venezia and after a good night's rest, here they were walking arm in arm, towards the San Marco Piazza.

She was smiling, something she hadn't done in a long time, and looking up at the sky so that she could feel the warmth of the sun on her skin. Sighing deeply, she turned to Machiavelli who was escorting her through the crowds as carefully as possible.

It had been three months now and even though she had wanted to spend every moment with him, something or the other had always come up to hinder their plans. At first she had wanted to have a small picnic by the cliffs, but Machiavelli had been given information of an important Templar agent.

Then when he had planned a ride in the boat, she had just found another Romulus follower's lair. It had been all too annoying for her to not be able to spend any time with him as he was often called away for work as well.

The only bright side was that La Volpe had left that very night to go to Firenze. He had claimed to have some important work there, but she knew he was only trying to avoid them. Her Mother and her Uncle had gone back to Monteriggioni to salvage what they could of the city after the attack.

Claudia was only glad her Mother was told of Machiavelli's innocence and she promised that upon her return she would throw a feast in their honor. She had wanted to tell her Mother of her pregnancy as well, but as she was away, she had wanted to do it in person.

"Lost in your thoughts." Machiavelli asked softly.

"Hmmm." She said, leaning her head on his shoulder. As weeks passed by, her belly was starting to get bigger and bigger until the robes no longer fit, so she had to make do with new dresses that would accommodate her new size. Not that she was complaining. After such a long time, she was finally comfortable, although not wearing her vambraces made her slightly nervous.

For some reason, the vambraces had started to feel heavier on her wrist and the Dottore had advised her to forgo them for the time being. And Machiavelli had forbidden her to carry a weapon in case she hurt herself.

"I'll protect you." He had said. She hadn't argued, because that meant that he would be with her every single moment.

"Have you spotted our target yet?" Machiavelli asked.

Claudia straightened. "Uh…no. Not yet." She gazed at Machiavelli who was scanning the crowds. The only way she could get Machiavelli to come to Venezia was by lying to him about a Templar present in this area. After spending months practically apart, she could think of no other way to make him come here, since Machiavelli was also committed to his work.

"Where did you find out about him?"

Claudia frowned. She had thought that he would be happy to spend some time with her, but apparently he was only ready to spend a few hours, before he was talking about work again.

"Despite Antonio's betrayal, the Venetian thieves under him are still loyal to our Order." And just so that he wouldn't doubt her, she quickly added. "Rosa told me."

Machiavelli turned to her and smiled. "Do you remember what we promised each other two months ago?"

"Three months ago." Claudia mumbled, knowing fully well where he was headed.

"No more secrets."

"Then you would have come if I told you I just wanted some time away from everything?" Claudia asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course." Machiavelli said.

"Oh." Claudia looked down at the street they were walking in. "I didn't want to risk it since you appear to be more committed to your work."

Machiavelli stopped walking, put a finger under her chin and lifted it so that she was looking into his deep brown eyes. "Nothing is more important to me than you."

Claudia smiled, blushing. "Then we can spend a whole week, here?"

"A few days." Machiavelli said. "Let's not forget the people who are counting on us."

Claudia made a face and started to walk again. Machiavelli took her arm and pulled her closer towards him. "But for these few days that we will allow ourselves, you can ask from me anything you want."

Claudia suppressed a smile. "Davvero?"

"You have my word."

They were walking towards the Basilica and were now nearing the Campanile di San Marco. She looked up at the tall bell tower and then at the narrow gap between the two buildings. She started to walk faster, pulling Machiavelli behind her.

"Claudia, what are you doing?"

Claudia reached the small gap and then pushed Machiavelli against the wall of the bell tower. "You said I could ask you of anything." She said, pressing against him.

"Claudia…" Machiavelli said and tried to push away. "The guards near the Basilica will spot us."

"I don't care." She said softly and put her arms around her.

Machiavelli put his hand on her arms. "This isn't a good idea."

"I don't care." She said, leaning closer and kissing him. Machiavelli was startled at first, but gradually, he eased into her kiss and put his hands on her waist. When she pulled away for breath, she grinned at him cheekily.

Machiavelli narrowed his eyes at her and then spun her around, so that she had her back pressed against the wall. "You really don't care, do you?" He reached down to capture her mouth in a passionate kiss. His lips grazed over hers while his hands stroked her waist and then gently caressed her belly.

He broke the kiss and gazed down lovingly, his hands still on her stomach. Claudia put her hand over his and they both looked at each other, saying nothing, but still everything.

*/*/*/*/*/*

The sun had set and they were now seated by the docks, watching the gondolas bobbing gently in the water. There was music playing somewhere behind them and she heard the excited chatter of women as they passed by.

She had her arm laced around his and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Are you tired?" he asked.

The truth was that she was. As days passed, she was getting more and more tired, but if she told him that, he would insist that they go back to Roma so that she could rest completely under his care. She wasn't ready to go back yet. Not only was she forbidden to participate in any Assassin missions, she was to spend every day in her bed as Machiavelli would fuss over her for being too tired.

So no, she would not tell him that she was tired yet. "No." she said. "I could sit her all night."

Machiavelli looked down at her pink lacy dress and then put his arm around her, drawing her closer. "Are you sure your dress is warm? It's getting cooler."

"I am fine." She said. They watched the ripples in the water for a while, before she decided that she would have to ask him what had been bothering her for months. "Did you make amends with your family?"

Machiavelli stiffened and she saw his jaw tense and his eyes harden. He didn't answer or a whole minute, before she finally felt his muscles ease up. This was clearly a subject he did not want to discuss. "After my Father passed away, I did go to see my family."

Claudia sat up straight. She put her finger on the lace of her cuff and started pulling on it. "And were they happy to see you? After such a long time?"

Machiavelli sighed. "They were neither happy nor aggrieved. They were just surprised."

Claudia swallowed and tugged out the lace from her cuff. Machiavelli put his hand over her. "You need to stop doing that. You'll ruin all your dresses."

Claudia smiled at him. "Oh. Tell me about your family."

"They're still in Toscana. My sisters are married and so is my Brother." Machiavelli said. "I spoke to him and we spent some time together. I believe they are still upset with me for becoming estranged with my Father, but we are working things out."

"Meravigliosa." Claudia said happily and then another thought occurred to her and she turned back to watch the waves on the water.

"They would like to meet you to." Machiavelli whispered. "And our child."

Claudia smiled then. "Davvero? I would love to meet them as well."

"Certamente. But only after the birth. I don't want you travelling too much." Machiavelli said.

"We could go straight to Toscana. I could have my baby there." Claudia said excitedly.

Machiavelli's face fell. "No. I have work in Roma and I cannot let you out of my sight until you've given birth."

Claudia frowned. Cold wind brushed against her and she nestled further into Machiavelli's arms, looking at the moon and the stars. Slowly, the lights came up as candles and lanterns were lit. "It's so breathtaking." She said.

"Can I ask you something?" Machiavelli asked.

"Hmm. No more secrets."

Machiavelli kissed the top of her head. "Do you still want to be an Assassin?"

Claudia turned her head to look up at him, not wanting to move away from the warmth of his arms. "Why do you ask?"

"You could leave this all and just be my wife and a Mother. You won't have to fight Templars and live in constant danger. Does this not appeal to you?" He asked.

Claudia interlaced her fingers with his. She thought about her family, then Uberto's betrayal and the Cesare. She shivered when she remembered the way he had ogled at her and hurt her. His image in her mind had always rocked her into terror, but tonight, while in Machiavelli's arms, she felt no fear.

"I could walk away." She said. And it would be easier. They could leave Roma and she would never have to see the Borgia again. "But I won't."

"Why not?"

"Because Cesare is still alive." She said, squeezing his hand.

"He will die."

"It is not only that I want to kill him." Claudia said. "I do, but I cannot forget my duties towards the Order. I am an Assassin. It is what my Father wanted and even if he didn't, if my life was something else and I was exposed to the Creed, I would still want to be an Assassin."

She shifted so that her back was now against his chest and his arms around her shoulders. "There is so much we do and so much of a difference we make. We help people and we fight their enemies so that they don't suffer our fates."

Machiavelli kissed her cheek and she smiled. Looking up at the roofs of the buildings before her, she let out a loud sigh. "Besides, I just love running on the rooftops. And when this baby comes, I'm going right up there."

Machiavelli gave a small laugh. "Bene. It is a deal."

Claudia looked at the Venetian thieves forming a group across the building from them and frowned. Of all the things, she didn't think she would miss running on the roofs the most. The rush of adrenaline in her body, the air on her face as she ran quickly, nothing seemed more appealing at the moment.

She turned to him then, a thought occurring to her. "I have just realized something."

"What?" Machiavelli asked lazily.

"I was never formally inducted to the Order. I know there was going to be a ceremony planned for the recruits. But I never got one." Claudia said.

"You cannot perform the leap of faith in your condition." Machiavelli pointed out.

"But I can get my finger branded." Claudia said. "I cannot believe I did not realize this before! For years I haven't been a formal Assassin."

"Those are just labels." Machiavelli said. "You are an Assassin because of your deeds."

"I still want a ceremony." Claudia pouted.

"You want a burn scar on your finger?" Machiavelli teased.

"Si." Claudia said huffily.

Machiavelli kissed her cheek again. Pulled his hand from her grip and reached into his pockets. "Would this do instead?"

He brought out a ring and showed it to her. "My wedding ring!" Claudia said and started to take it from his hands when he pulled it away.

"Not only that." He turned the ring in his deft fingers and showed her the inside. Claudia smiled when she saw the insignia of the Assassins engraved inside.

"That is wonderful." Claudia said, tearing up. "But does that mean I am married to the Assassin Order as well."

"This is a sign of commitment." He said and holding up her left hand, slipped the ring on her finger. "If you're sure." His fingers were still around the ring.

Claudia turned around and hugged him. "I'm sure."