8

Ezio stood in front and reached up to the edges of his hood pulling it back slowly revealing his handsome face. Jessica felt her heart flutter at the sight of him, even though he was acting like a complete bastard he was still hot, she thought to herself as he slowly began to undo his cape. He dropped it to the floor and began to start undoing the belt and red sash which were tied around his waist.

"What are you doing?" she asked confused as he undressed in front of her.

"An eye for an eye" he replied smiling taking off the white and red garb complete with his hood attached leaving just a cream, long-sleeved shirt underneath. "Here, put this on" he said throwing the heavy material towards her, she caught it with a gasp as it knocked her back. She steadied herself.

"You want me to wear...this?" she looked at him gone out, "Because this will look so much better...especially with bear legs?"

"Hey hey hey now let us just get one thing clear" he began walking slowly towards her having reattached his cape and belt, "I didn't say it would look better...like I said I preferred you before" he grinned cheekily "however it will look more...normal" he laughed as she scowled at his remarks.

"Whatever" she replied slipping on the heavy material over her head and fastening it up the front. It was way too long for her and she looked and felt ridiculous. "Yeah...this looks normal" she said sarcastically as she took an unsteady step forward struggling with the weight of the thing, Ezio laughed "I can't even walk properly in this thing" she whined pulling a funny face as she took another few steps the material catching the backs of her legs as she walked.

"That's it, come on, you can do it" Ezio coaxed as though he was talking to a baby trying to learn to walk. She thought about what she must look like and failed to stifle a little smile at the images in her mind.

"Ahhhh so you do smile" Ezio said laughing as she took a few more steps.

"Yes" she said trying to sound serious but failing, "Oh my god" she said suddenly.

"What now?" Ezio sighed.

"My bag, I left my bag on the floor" she said turning and making her way back over to it. Her and this bag Ezio thought as he watched her stagger towards it. She bent over reaching down for the bag but the weight of her new attire carried her further forward than she intended causing her to tumble forwards head over heels. Ezio rushed over stifling fits of laughter as she landed on her bottom a couple of inches in front of her bag after having performed some sort of strange forward roll over it. She looked as though she was shaking from behind, he could hear a strange whimpering sound as he approached her. The hood had flipped on over her head and was now covering her face. He knelt down concerned placing one arm around her quivering body.

"Madonna are you okay?" he asked as she sat there her legs outstretched on the grass. She didn't answer; frustrated he pulled the hood down to reveal her half laughing, half crying face. "Are you laughing?" he asked confused, unable to work it out.

"No" she spluttered as a few tears escaped her eyes, "Well yes but no as well", she raised her arm to wipe away the tears. "I'm just having a really strange day" she continued through fits of hysterical laughter and tears as Ezio remained at the side of her, his arm still wrapped firmly around her.

"Very well" he laughed a strange look on his face, "Are you hurt?" he asked.

"My back...I think...but I hurt that earlier when you threw me to the ground" she replied.

"I'm so sorry" he replied standing up and outstretching his hand, reminding her of Antonio, she felt so confused. She hesitated for a moment before cautiously placing her hand in Ezio's. "Ready?" he said, she nodded in response and with that he pulled her up gently.

"Woah" she said her head spinning as she tried to find her balance. Ezio caught her as she drifted into him, her legs felt like jelly. "I feel a bit sick" she admitted as a queasy feeling began to take over her stomach.

"Okay okay" Ezio said in a more serious tone. Keeping her steadied with one arm he bent down and reached for her bag throwing the strap over his body so it rested over covering his own pouch. "Let's get you to the city" he said as he pulled her in towards him and they began to head for the road.

"Thank you" she said genuinely grateful.

"Don't thank me just yet" he said smiling, "We have to try and get you passed the guards first", she smiled up at him, somehow she knew that he would manage it."Hey you never told me your name" He said as the pair began to make their way up the dusty road and towards the city gates.

"Oh...it's Jessica" she replied.

"Jessica...what an unusual name" he said.

"Erm...is that a compliment?" she asked.

"Sorry" he laughed, "It's a nice name, I have just never heard it before".

"Oh I see...it means God beholds or foresighted...along with other various things" she added.

"Ahhh interesting and how old are you Jessica?" he asked her looking straight on towards where they were heading. She didn't answer for a moment taking time to study his face now his hood was off. She could see a few lines here and there but nothing that gave to much away regarding how old he was, except he had a bit of a beard but so had her last boyfriend and he had only been a couple of years older than her. Not that she was comparing him to her past boyfriends or anything.

"I'm 21" she then decided to answer.

"Oh..." Ezio replied.

"You?" she enquired.

"32" he said flatly.

"Only 32?" Jessica said shocked, "Why are you in Rome so soon? I'm sure you were 40 when you first got to Rome" she began to ramble confusing Ezio.

"What are you talking about?" he interrupted. He took his eyes off the road ahead and looked down at her his brow furrowed causing Jessica to shut up having realised her mistake.

"Sorry my mistake...I mean I don't know what I am talking about" she lied badly looking up at him with a small smile. She wanted to avoid having to explain the wonders of modern technology for as long as she possibly could even if it was just a dream, besides he didn't even know she was from the future yet anyway she thought to herself cringing as she did so. The notion sounded so ridiculous in her head, never mind out loud. Ezio didn't question her further but she could tell he didn't believe her. They were coming up towards the gates now and right enough a row of 4 guards were standing in the threshold, Ezio flicked Jessica's hood up to cover her face. His mind was beginning to race as he immediately began to start to take in everything surrounding him, suddenly on full awares. Every threat, every escape route, every obstruction as they neared the guards.

"Stop right there" one of the men called in Italian, Ezio and Jessica both came to stand still in front of them. Jessica fidgeted nervously on the spot, but Ezio stood remaining composed, cool and calm.

"Buonanotte messere" Ezio replied politely as the guards studied him.

"You look familiar..." the man said, "Have I seen you somewhere before?" Jessica panicked thinking it was the same guard who had approached them earlier, she hadn't seen then having had her eyes closed, but Ezio knew that it was a different man.

"Not that I know of" Ezio replied.

"Hmm...very well" the guard spoke suspiciously his gaze falling to Jessica's bare legs. "Where are his trousers?" the guard asked as the other three watched curiously.

"He...lost his trousers messere" Ezio replied, Jessica chuckled under her breath after hearing Ezio's comment

"He lost his trousers?" the guard quizzed sceptically raising one eyebrow.

"Si messere" Ezio replied innocently, "He gambled them in a game of die...and lost." The guard leaned in towards Jessica looking her up and down warily as she tried to stifle more giggles upon hearing Ezio's excuse.

"Who would want to play for trousers?" they heard a guard to the right whisper to another.

"Very well" he said after inspecting them for a few moments. He stepped aside to let them through and they were in.