Fiora didn't move. In seconds, she tried to study all she could of the assassin in front of her. Clothed in white with a cape and a sash of red, his armor was rather light, allowing quick movement. Weapons littered his form; a sword strapped to his hip, throwing daggers in any place that would allow, a vicious dagger, and a small hammer strapped to his side. His countenance was completely shadowed save a bearded chin and mouth, which held a scar and a smirk. Fiora narrowed her eyes, what did he find so amusing? In the end, her irritation outdid her fear.

"I could have handled this on my own," she finally said, flicking the blood off her fan.

"I completely agree," he responded, glancing behind her at her victim.

"But I couldn't let you have all the fun."

His voice was deep and relaxed, flirtatious even. He obviously has no idea who I am. The smirk never left and before Fiora could react, he held her hand in his and brushed his lips along her fingers. Jerking back, she ripped her hand out of his and backed away. There were so many things running through her mind. Why is he being so civil? I just killed a man! He should be fearful or disgusted even, not cordial.

"Hmm, for courtesan you're rather… unaccommodating," he hummed, teasing.

Damn. She'd dropped her courtesan act in the fight and with the sudden appearance of her enemy, it remained unworn. It was too late now to act the part of courtesan; he knew she was much more.

"I'm currently of duty," Fiora replied, trying to salvage the situation.

"Ah, I see…"

He didn't believe her.

"Well, signore, my business is done here," she said, turning to leave but his voice stopped her.

"May I at least be honored with the opportunity of knowing your name, signora?"

Fiora looked over her shoulder at his outstretched arms, silently inviting her to trust him. Why?

"I'm afraid I don't give my name to strangers. My madre taught me it's very dangerous to do so," she smirked, flicking her fan open.

The man chuckled.

"Then let me no longer remain a stranger," he responded and gave a low bow.

"My name is Ezio Auditore and it is my pleasure to meet you."

There was a small twitch in her fanning. It was the second time that night that Fiora's insides twisted uncomfortably but she couldn't help but be amused. If only he knew who I was, then he wouldn't be so pleased.

"Ezio… A handsome name," she purred, pulling up her courtesan attitude in a hope to hide her recognition from her eyes.

Her instincts were telling her to run or to kill him, but just from her short study of the maestro, there was no way she could defeat him. So she curtsied.

"Fiora," she said, her gut twisted.

"Fiora… A beautiful name," he responded, eyeing her.

A loud bang resounded down the alley and the silent killers dropped into a defensive position, Ezio spinning around to face the noise. There was shouting and cussing, sounding more like a harmless bar fight than a threat. A bar fight or not, this is my chance, eyeing the assassin's back. Slinking backwards and away from the master assassin, she took off. She ran hard and fast, passing her hideout and hiding in the shadows of an alley. She wanted to make sure the assassin hadn't followed. After waiting for over an hour, she doubled back. Coming to the front of a shabby house, the door barred by large blocks of wood, she climbed the building and lifted herself through the open window into her current resting place. Closing the window, she pressed her forehead to the glass.

What luck she had! Not only did she run into an assassin, she ran into the MASTER of the assassins. She sighed and leaned against the wall, sinking to sit on the floor. Replaying everything that happened in the alley, she concluded that Ezio couldn't possibly have known her to be a Templar. She gave nothing away, save that she wasn't just a courtesan. During her thought process, she had removed her gear, weapons, and boots. Getting to her feet, she walked over to a wash bowl and cleaned the dried blood from her skin. Now all that weighed on her mind was whether she should tell Baltasar of her little encounter with Auditore. What bothered her more, however, was that she considered not telling him. She was Templar, was she not? Of course she would tell Baltasar.

But…

"Cazzo!"

Fiora threw down her towel and stalked over to her couch, throwing her body down. It wasn't long before her body's fatigue overuled her mind and she fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of a certain assassin and a Templar leader that was never as civil as his enemy had been to her.

"You're late."

Fiora sighed and closed the door to the back of the barbershop. Because of her late run-in with Ezio Auditore and her hour long stake out, she slept well past morning and woke in the early afternoon, something she did not ever do.

"I'm here now, just give me Cesare's assignment," she said, ignoring Baltasar's beady look.

"What happened last night?" he asked, crossing his arms and standing.

"Why do you assume something happened?" Fiora shot back, taking her usual seat by the table.

"You've just barely woken up. You never sleep this late, unless something kept you busy last night," he said, his tone of voice was irritating.

"I wasn't screwing a noble if that is what you are implying."

"Well, you are a courtesan."

"Was a courtesan."

"No matter but there is something you are not telling me."

I growled and threw my feet up on the table, making sure to make a loud bang with each boot heel.

"I saved a woman from rape last night. Satisfied?" she spit back, glaring. Why am I doing this? Why am I not telling him about Auditore?

Baltasar studied Fiora for a moment, the air was tense and Fiora only hoped he believed that there was nothing else to the story.

"You've always had a disgusting soft spot for the helpless. It will be your undoing," he finally said, taking a seat at the table too.

"And yours will be your gambling," she retorted, receiving a nice glare in return.

"Just tell me what Cesare wants done."

Sorry the chapters are short right now. I promise that they'll start getting longer as I continue. Please Review! I like to hear feedback :)