Secrets in History.

By Kaimaler.

HOLD UP I got a poll up! :D
Since another story of mine will end rather shortly I'm confounded as to which catagory I'm going to do next! The poll is up and waiting for you to vote! :) Please, vote, I neeeeeeeeed inspiration!

Disclaimer: Wishing upon a star doesn't work; sorry to break the news Jiminy.

Monteriggioni was a welcome sight to Vanessa. With her entire torso wrapped like a mummy, she couldn't relax, her usual slouched position pulled the wraps and pinched her skin; she instead sat straight up, not daring to tear the fabric or her skin.

The entire trip back she could feel Ezio's constant staring. He was watching in case she doubled over in pain or complained about problems while riding. He was ready to jump off his horse and pull her down every second of the way. It was too much to say he cared specifically about her so much as about the pain she was experiencing.

She said she had felt it before, that she had been shot before and injured due to it. A female guard was unheard of in Italy; he hadn't met a soul that knew of a woman fighting for the city she and her family resided in.

It was almost unspeakable; but there she was, in what she called a uniform, brandishing some kind of weapon (he was sure of that now) on her hip with another, less dangerous tool on the opposite side.

Another thing that interested Ezio was her appearance. She was clean, as if she washed herself every time she got a spec of dirt on her clothes or skin. Of course, right now she had a considerable amount of dirt staining her clothes, but it wasn't even enough to mar the obvious cleanliness beneath it.

Her hair was glossy and light, her skin dark and without a mark, her clothing was expertly made; custom perhaps? Everything about her screamed out to him rich girl. Somehow though, she didn't seem to have a single florin on her.

Not once did he spot a pouch or hear the familiar jingles of small metal coins. She was immaculate yet poor, or maybe rich where she was from. The future, Ezio inwardly scoffed. He told himself it couldn't be so he couldn't be called crazy. Then again, there wasn't another option in his head any more. He ruled out various ideas, family, husband, children, guardsmen, foreign country, etcetera. There wasn't a thing pointing to the opposite.

Ezio half hoped that while in Florence someone would recognize her and claim her as a medical patient or a family member and tell him her motive for escape. Not a single person in all of Florence had spoken up or even gave her a second thought. In the city, many looked at them, seeing her attire as just a foreign fashion.

Not a one took her as theirs.

He felt defeated. With his family in ruins, his profession as an Assassin only beginning to take off; he couldn't risk this woman running about. She could easily compromise him or the remnants of his once whole family in Monteriggioni.

It was all too much to believe at the same time. He told himself this was all just taking so long to understand because of what has happened in such short time; two years, suddenly his father isn't a banker, he and his brothers are dead, himself wanted by many powerful enemies. Templar's threatening everything his father strived for.

Too much, it was all too much. He sighed, this woman was a puzzle he would solve, just another of the opposite gender that confounded him beyond belief. If he could throw away his training to be a banker like his father to be an Assassin like his father, then he could deal with a woman claiming to be from the future.

Right now, it seemed, she was content with their ride to Monteriggioni. She liked his uncle, that much Ezio knew; but she also liked to tease him when given the chance to.

Now there was a game Ezio was more then happy to play. The future hadn't changed that much Ezio could see. There was still the battle of the sexes, the dominance of one or the other and romance. Ah romance, Ezio mused, his own thoughts drifting from one beautiful woman to the next, Christina being the first and best in his own mind.

Of course, she was all he had currently and even then; Ezio hadn't seen her since before his father and brothers died. He hadn't heard one word about her health or her family. He assumed their safety and hoped their family was in no ways knowledgeable of his targets' secret lives. It was highly unlikely as Christina's family, though nobles weren't deeply involved in the politics his father had been in.

Vanessa Ryder. Curious name, yet Ezio was no stranger to foreign names. His time with his father had familiarized him with many outlandish names; many he couldn't pronounce and had no hopes of even spelling correctly.

She was... odd to say the least. Her choice words and appearance was enough to bring eyes to her, yet now, thinking about the times he had spoken with her in the past few hours; she was much, much more different then he initially thought.

It was his uncle that taught him to give more thought into things. Especially things he didn't understand or confused him. His new patience and the silent guidance of his father through writings and books had shown him and gifted him with knowledge well beyond his years. It was good for him, in his line of work, to pay attention to the lesser known facts of the world. He could never tell if they'd save his life one day.

Vanessa served as a mystery, one he'd uncover for what it truly was in time, but for now she was an entertaining woman. She distracted him, not from work, but his mind wandered to the world she must come from that allows women to serve as guards and who knows what else. Do women lead families? Could they become bankers like his father? Could they train to be doctors?

What else did women do in the future that they didn't do now, in his lifetime?

He wanted to ask, but the question stuck in his throat after he realized how offending it would sound if he just stated his thoughts to her without refining them. What more could women do? He knew already the opposite gender had the ability to do much more then the few professions they were allowed, however, social acceptance was pivotal. Of course, a woman would marry another equal class man; become a nun, or a courtesan.

Somehow, social acceptance wasn't so important when one is given the option of being a nun or a courtesan. A woman chose the latter more often then the former.

Ezio tried. Very, very hard too, but he just couldn't see it. Vanessa a nun? Courtesan?... wife? No, none of these things were her.

He momentarily congratulated her in his mind of her ability to look beautiful without an income. He'd never speak a word of it to her, unless to tease her, in which case he made a note to always have this ready in case of Vanessa playing jokes on him.

For now, though, it seemed all was well. With her injuries she'd have to remain under supervision; something Ezio was sure he could pay some mercenaries to do. His uncle, oh no, he wouldn't let Ezio get a word in on her condition. Harming people unaffiliated with the Creed or the Templar's was unacceptable. No doubt his uncle would blame him before sending him off to care for her.

Vanessa coughed, snapping him from his thoughts. He knew it was nothing, but it gave his eyes a reason to linger on her form. Clean, manicured, maintenance, all these things and more. Below the layers of perfectly stitched foreign clothing, Ezio could make out Vanessa's body easily. This was why women wore skirts and dresses; to hide their legs. It was improper to show them.

Here sat Vanessa upon a horse, her legs defined for the world to see, her shirt showing more of her revealed body to his eyes; any mans eyes. She was clad but comfortable in detailed boots with laces, a shining metal pendant attached to her hip, a weapon on the other, and a black-colored bar with a clear opening.

He had to ask what that was some other time.

"What?" Vanessa had a defensive grimace on her face. She caught him pondering whilst staring at her on horseback. "Nothing bella donna, I was merely thinking."

She scoffed, "I'm surprised." She shot him a playful glare before turning her eyes to the road ahead of them. "You know, one day your teasing will come back to haunt you." Vanessa chuckled; Ezio could see half of her smile from his side. "Maybe one day, but for now, it's all I got going for me."

He knew she was commenting on her position of being stranded in an unknown country. He'd feel the same if he were in her shoes, but he'd have more in his favor. Allies, friends, connections, and people looking for him.

Ezio wondered for a moment as he had time if someone was looking for Vanessa. In her tired state asking her wasn't best as she may come to realize a sad truth or a proud topic. Ezio didn't want to take the risk; the former would destroy her already beaten form.

Then he saw it. His fascination with this dark skinned foreign woman. She was like his father, Giovanni. She was fighting for herself without giving backup a second thought. Facing her battles alone, probably afraid, but masked flawlessly with confidence anyone could mistake for cockiness.

She was a mirror image of him. She refused to allow himself aid, but only when she truly needed it; when she was doubling over from pain in the ally and Ezio supported her. Yet, the usual gestures of a gentleman went by, ignored; she was telling him they weren't necessary. She could handle herself.

Ezio's might as well have had a light blub form out of nothing above his head and flash at Vanessa. She saw his expressions change rapidly with every thought running wildly through his mind. She just trotted her horse a little farther from the expressive man and kept an eye trained on him just in case his obvious unhinged behavior flew her way.

Epiphany or not, Ezio made a pact silently with himself that aiding her wasn't the best idea, letting her go at her own pace would actually compliment her more then any other act he could possibly think of.

He needed to show her that he trusted her to watch out for herself, like a parent letting go of a child; a full grown, guard woman, child. With a weapon and short fuse.

Arriving at the open gate of Monteriggioni, Vanessa slowly lifted herself off the horse and pulled it into the small stable. Ezio stood nearby in case her injuries hindered her from dismounting. He wasn't going to baby her, but what she displayed to Leonardo earlier made his own chest ache. She needed help if they stopped her; otherwise, Ezio wasn't going to bother her.

Nodding, Vanessa followed close behind Ezio, now marveling at the sight of what could be her new home. She knew she'd have to integrate herself into society; but Monteriggioni was a safe place, somewhere Vanessa felt that she could go next door and ask for sugar. It was a small, close knit family of travelers and down to earth residents.

If not Monteriggioni, Florence, if not there apparently Vanessa couldn't live anywhere else if somehow she failed in both cities.

Of course, she predicted the usual fleeting glance at a woman living alone without a man in the house. It was sad really now that she thought about it. Coming from a time where women fought for their rights, had won, and were accepted into everyday society without a problem. Naturally though, jobs would often consider a woman closer then a man; facing discrimination charges after hiring the fourth male employee in a row wasn't pursued.

Women were still struggling to be accepted properly by others. Vanessa was slightly lucky; with her Native American background she was a minority and got jobs easier because her ancestry also gave the employing company thumbs up on diversity.

Less chance to be sued for hiring a blonde secretary with less on her resume then Vanessa did when working at Starbucks to pay for college over an older woman with so much experience under her belt she should have been hired as a manager then an accountant.

Right now, her ancestry would work against her, making people question her heritage rather then just passing it off without a second thought.

After climbing the remarkable staircase Vanessa tried to remember to ask Mario why someone would build so many stairs in a single small area; they entered the Villa Auditore and Ezio pulled out a few codex pages Leonardo deciphered and walked purposefully to the office room where they met with Mario early that morning.

"Uncle." Ezio greeted, his uncle had been looking at some a top the desk. "Ah, nipote. Were you successful at locating the book?" He approached, Ezio just shook his head and instead handed his uncle the codex scrolls. "I'm afraid not uncle, it was no where to be seen."

"No matter." Mario was sure the Templars knew many assassins around Italy; it wouldn't hurt the brotherhood if it was attacked again. The Assassin's hadn't had a break from their insistent threats for generations. No book would change it, but it would've been safer to have it in their hands.

"I've been sent from Firenze by Il Magnifico to attend to some unfinished business. I'm looking for Jacopo de' Pazzi." Ezio stated, Mario only laughed in response. "Ha! Who isn't? We've been at it for days!"

Ezio smirked at his uncle's reply. "Then perhaps what I carry with help us both; a list of his co-conspirators. One of them will talk before he dies." Mario smiled; it was a breakthrough on both sides. "Excellent! These men are sure to lack Jacopo's resources, which means they will be easier to find. I will put my scouts to it at once."

Mario bowed slightly, "I appreciated the help uncle. I've got something else for you as well; more codex pages." Ezio happily handed the decoded scrolls to his uncle. Rolling it one out before him, Mario examined the words. "Ah, let's see what we can learn."

"What is this...? What prophet...?" He tore words apart, pulling previous codex pages to mind, trying to connect an unfinished puzzle with lost pieces. Mario glanced between the scroll and Ezio, he still couldn't figure out what the pages were talking about.

"What did you find uncle?" Ezio looked to the back of the scroll curiously, "Just another damn mystery! The text here roughly translates to; "Only the prophet may open it..." There's reference to two "Pieces of Eden." But these pages offer no answers, nipote. At least not on their own. You must find more."

"We'll have to save it for another day uncle. I have a mission to attend to."

Vanessa blinked. He couldn't be serious. Prophet? Pieces of Eden? The book! Speak up you dolt!

"Wait, hold up!" Both men stopped, Mario was ready to continue on Ezio's mission but stuck midway. "I know that! Only the prophet may open it. There's more to it if I could just remember it all..."

Ezio flashed looks between his uncle and her to the codex page in his uncle's hands. "How do you know about it when we only just discovered it? I doubt anyone has read these pages since they were written." He accused, not forcefully; but Vanessa was quickly showing she knew too much for her own good.

"The book with the list! It had a lot of other things in it. On one page there was a circle with markings all over it, the words were "Only the prophet may open it" and another one... It didn't make any sense at the time but whatever it said was the about the prophet that scroll's talking about."

Mario stepped forward. "What was the name of this book? Was it written by a man named Altair?" She shook her head, "No, but his named was mentioned a lot, talking about something he did a long time ago."

Ezio didn't believe this; Leonardo just translated this scroll a few hours ago and Vanessa's claiming to have heard of it beforehand. Or maybe it wasn't beforehand, maybe it was the future? She's never wavered from her story, if she is from the future then someone must've read and written the translations down sometime in the future.

Her past, his future.

He sighed, that was too confusing. He had to stop thinking about it before he gave himself a headache. "Something about being in a floating city." She decided to save cursing herself out for later; she needed to remember more about it. That little bit wasn't doing anyone any favors. Mario was clearly pushing her on, hoping to get more answers out of her.

"Who wrote that book anyways?" Ezio broke Vanessa's concentration. "Who could possibly know of such things? So many things, names of Templars and Assassin's, now what the codex pages are prophesying..." He trailed off; Vanessa remembered the author of the book or journal easily.

"Rodrigo Borgia." She shrugged, it didn't matter who wrote it but what was inside that counted.

The two relatives shared a concerned looked before turning back to Vanessa. She felt their quiet stares; they'd start burning holes if she didn't pull them out of their trance. "What? I'm sorry I can't remember much about the stupid journal! I swear I'm trying to remember as much as I can, but if you couldn't tell at the time it wasn't the most important thing going wrong in my life!" She defended, causing Ezio to reel back and Mario to rest a hand on her shoulder.

"Calm down madonna, we're not upset you cannot remember. The author of this book does greatly concern us though." He gestured her to walk with him, away from Ezio and to the bookshelf behind the desk. "Rodrigo Borgia is behind all of this, if you don't know that already." She shook her head lightly. Mario scanned the shelves, pulled a book and the entire shelf slid back, groaning loudly as it receded within the wall.

"Whoa." Vanessa gulped. She was in the fifteenth-century with two men now walking down a massive stone staircase (again with the stairs) to a hidden underground basement. Something Vanessa didn't want to be doing and desperately wished this was just a route to another exit or to an underground stable, things usually didn't go well when walking arsenals led people below.

Dungeons. Torture chambers. She may have said some choice words; was Borgia so bad? Sure he was a corrupt leader, but then who wasn't? Accepting bribes, slaughtering enemies mercilessly, did they think she was on his side because she had his journal? Surely popes didn't just go around selling their journals as souvenirs.

"Hey, listen, I'm sorry I can't tell you everything I read in the journal." She shrugged; she didn't want to know what was at the end of these stairs. "Like I said, I'm from the future and on my way back to the-" She corrected herself, using their terms. "-barracks to turn my uniform in I had stopped at a local library and was looking for a few books on Spain or the Spanish language; then I found the book, figured it'd be nice to have, bought it then read it. That's all I can honestly tell you, the rest is kinda' blurry."

Mario sensed her sudden spike in fear, just the look on her face told him she was expecting something else completely when they arrived at the bottom step. "Do not worry piccino, we aren't angry with you." He chuckled, Ezio almost missed the entire meaning when his uncle stepped beside Vanessa and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I, unlike my nipote, believe you. I'm aware that no matter what I know there is always much more to learn, the mystery of this world outweighs my knowledge a hundred times over. I am more then willing to accept that which I am ignorant of given the chance." He smiled to the woman under his arm.

Vanessa saw the room Mario led her to. To her relief, it was only a large room filled with seven statues. The one in the center differed from the rest with a sturdy metal grating protecting the armor Vanessa could see stored at the feet of the statue within. Whatever man the statue was modeled after meant to the Assassin's more then the others.

"Ness," Mario preferred her full name, but did as she wished. Apparently she didn't agree with his taste in names. "That man is Altair, he wrote these codex pages hundreds of years ago to warn us of the future. Soon, that day will be upon us and we must be prepared for anything." He explained, showing her the codex in his hand. "What you may know could be very important to us; though if you find you cannot remember no matter how hard you try, please, do not concern yourself with the mumblings of Assassins." He chuckled.

Scanning the room, Vanessa could read a few names, no one she knew, but all equal. "Rodrigo Borgia is the Grandmaster of the Templar order. He is our greatest enemy." She bit her lip, "It is imperative that you avoid his men at all costs. You are associated with us Assassin's, they will soon discover you and perhaps your knowledge; I will ask you to remain in Monteriggioni until otherwise safe and I understand if you deny my wishes."

Vanessa calmly smiled, eyes closed. She was relived that they'd at least want to protect her from their problems; she wanted to stay in Monteriggioni anyways. It would be much easier to adjust to life with Ezio and Mario around to show her how life works in the fifteenth-century. That is, of course, if they had the time to show her.

She had to make sure someone would, even if she had to go all the way back to Florence to learn. "On one condition." Mario grinned, she was a good woman, nice where it mattered, but he didn't know her well enough. He'd go along with her cautiously, waiting to hear she was with Templars or a spy. He'd be ready in case. "Anything madonna."

"I want a job." She stated matter-of-factly. "I'd rather be part of guards in Monteri-" Vanessa cleared her throat; she just realized she never actually said Monteriggioni properly. She couldn't pronounce the word. "-Here, but to be compliant, I'll take work as a physical trainer or something of equal worth."

Mario was stunned, a woman asking to take part as a guardsman -woman- rather then the usual seamstress or nun. He knew fine well many women hated both positions and he was no stranger to the courtesans; but as a soldier?

"I'd like to see what you can do before I agree." He said carefully, "Naturally. I had to undergo thorough training just to be on the force, but I was once SWAT." She shrugged, not even realizing the confused look Mario gave her.

Vanessa wasn't even paying attention to Ezio who stood silently in the background, watching a woman swindle his uncle for florin.

"Swat?" He questioned, seeing Vanessa laugh at herself.

"Special weapons and tactics. It's a high risk job, but we work our way through hard training before even being considered to join a SWAT teams rank. We'd deal in hostage situations, riots; we do our best to resolve dangerous situations to save hostages, various other things. It's been some time since I could even do half that stuff, but I have the training under my belt; I can teach others given the supplies." She ran through quickly, she wasn't SWAT anymore, she kept that job barely a year.

"You say you are a police officer now you say SWAT." Mario mulled the new idea, "Why do you say you meet those requirements now?"

Vanessa pulled up the sleeve of her left arm. "I was shot, unfortunately for me it was a shotgun at near point black; shattered the bone. I can't hold the rifles we'd use as a SWAT team anymore. I'd be a liability on the team though they'd keep me; I decided it was best not to stay. So I became a cop instead."

Mario didn't know what a shotgun was; he still wanted to ask questions. "Before you ask-" Vanessa saw him about to speak up to ask her about it. "A shotgun is basically a gun," She pulled out her pistol. "About three times this size depending on model. It fires rounds about twice the size of these," She popped out the clip, showing Mario the size of her pistols' bullets. "Which pretty much explode upon penetrating skin. I actually should say I was extremely lucky to survive; he was aiming for my head and missed."

Mario nodded; a guard of any gender would face the same life threatening obstacles. He'd give her the chance she needed, "We will hold a sparring match and then we will see."

He held his hand out which was taken happily by Vanessa, "Just remember, bad arm doesn't mean I can teach a bunch of soldiers how to compose themselves. I know what to do even if I can't do all of it anymore."

"Of course." He released her hand, "You both must be tired, go, get some rest. I believe Ezio will be quite busy by day break."

Vanessa shivered, the underground room was colder then the entire house and after entering the heat of Monteriggioni, she relaxed greatly.

Ezio was to lead her to her room once more, Vanessa liked his gentleman behavior though not a word passed her lips, she'd still appreciate the gestures and the offers. Such manners weren't displayed in the modern era; her modern era at least.

As he led her up the stairs, Ezio stopped to look at a painting, causing Vanessa to stand a little ahead of him, wondering if she should just continue on to her room or if he wants to speak with her. Turned out, it was the second option.

"Vanessa," He broke the silence, "I am sorry we couldn't find that book for you." He sounded sincere; Vanessa just knew the assassin had to have some senses beyond the usual run, stab, and swoon over women. "I do hope that some day soon we will be able to return you to your home; whenever it may be." He bowed politely.

"Thanks Ezio." She walked up and embraced him in light hug. "For letting me stay here with you and Mario despite your... difficulties. I really have no where else to go anymore."

Ezio hugged her back; a little surprised by the sudden action, but accepted it anyways. "No worries bella, we will take care of you until your return home safely."

"I hope I didn't set up any red flags after telling you guys it was Borgia's journal I was reading." They broke the hug. Ezio rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "It did, but not on your behalf. We trust you enough to welcome you in our home, if we did not, you wouldn't be here; much less alive."

Punching his arm, Vanessa sneered. "Well that makes me feel better." She rolled her eyes, Ezio did a dramatic bow. "You're most welcome madam."

"Sarcasm."

He huffed, "I knew that. I was replying sarcastically." Vanessa simply turned around and began walking to her door; not too far from where Ezio now stood.

"If I stay here in Monteriggioni, perhaps you can show me a few of your assassin skills; y'know, just in case." She opened the door, "You'll have to ask my uncle about that, he'd be very cross if I did so without his permission tesora."

"Oh shut up, womanizer."

Review Replies:

flyingcrispi: No problem. Well, unless I'm in the hospital, on vacation, or otherwise preoccupied. Then no, but generally; yes. :D

I KNOW I KNOW I SUCK. I cannot believe that I did that! GRRRR. I know the difference, my family started insisting that I use only the upstairs computer. The keyboard is new so all the keys are sticky and difficult to maneuver! I have a hard time typing "?" instead of "/" on it! I swear I hate it so hard...

But at least you got a laugh out of it! Ezio is the sexiest Italian man ever. :)

Yeah, there's a lot of things Vanessa can do more so then just about any person in the fifteenth-century. Excluding our lovable polymath Leonardo. But her future job won't actually be clear until a few more chapters. No, just because she prefers to be a guard as she was in NYC or ATL doesn't mean she'll be in Monteriggioni! Just that she leans towards a familiar position.

We'll see more later. :)

I LOVE LONG. I really do, no that's not an innuendo like many people would believe. Yes I only realized it after I typed this.

No I will not edit it out. x)

Isis the Sphinx: Yeah, I know. At least I'm not nagging on about how it is. :)
I know there are a lot of "thrown into 1191/1478-1497+" stories out there for Assassin's Creed (1/2) but I loved the idea of a cop in fifteenth-century Italy and a few other ideas yet to appear in the story so I will withhold them.

Oh yes, and I've always had an obsession with Sphinx's. I don't know why. I love them. I draw a lot and they tend to be a reoccuring character in many drawings. So naturally, your name strikes me. I love your username, I am jealous. We will continue the story now. :D

Thanks for reviewing of course!

Mazzax: Oooo, perhaps, perhaps not. You'll never know! I mean... at least... until that time appears... UNTIL THEN! :D
I like readers who get themselves involved in my story. Not in an egotistical way, for me or the reader. :P I mean that when readers are guessing about my story, that I make it to where it's at least somewhat interesting to their minds; I feel successful!

You are my success! YAY!
Natually, thanks for reviewing. :)

crystalfeathers: I love how you're all over my stories Crystal! :)

True, all very true. Who pays attention in school though? I don't actually know the answer, I'm homeschooled! :D
Anyways, my point is that Vanessa grew up poor in NYC and in ATL, her education makes fifteenth-century nobles look like two year-olds reading "The Tale of Two Cities." And failing.

So, with Vanessa's limitless knowledge well beyond their time, she can do a lot. But not much that won't interfere with history. Am I right? Kukuku.

Read, I suppose :P, to see where this is going. Her future job isn't actually what it seems right now. Things change, things happen, you can't predict the future!