A/N- Yes, I know what you're all thinking: "Finally, Elly has decided to get off her ass and do some work. About goddamn time."

And I realize this chapter is shorter than usual, which is mostly because I wanted an interlude into the actual story without having to repeat the game's script. I promise I'll try to fill in most of the gaps in the next few chapters.

Anyway, amidst technical difficulties, load of Biology, a cart full of Psych, and dashes of biased and patriotism-inspiring political science course that makes me want to break something, we're hopefully back on track.

Besides, I have a good excuse for everything.

Eden backs me up on it, too. Well, took a moment of convincing, but she's cool with it.

Here's some proof: http: / / lionpawheart . tumblr . com /post/4972486064/eden-ships-destiel

I stood silently in the middle of the tavern floor, my fingers already on the hilts of my blades, waiting.

I really should have known it was an ambush.

A tricky one, too, I noted with a small bite to my lip. They blocked all entrances, coming from all sides and surrounding me almost too expertly. I didn't like it in the slightest.

One glance at the stunned barkeeper told me that he was not a part of it. None of the other customers were either, as they all nearly dropped their tankards in surprise at seeing the city guard crawl into the room.

"I thought this was a bit too convenient," I muttered to myself, counting the soldiers with my eyes. "Fifty gold coins for some unimportant head when there are thousands on mine? Heh..."

Five. Niccolo was right, they didn't have groups larger than that. Even in its current shape, a city the size of Roma, required its forces spread fairly thin, no matter their numbers. Not to mention Cesare still had an ongoing campaign throughout Italia that drew away most of his resources. Good for me, not so fortunate for the guards. Almost sad, really. If they just all broke down the front door, my seat would have been cooling by the time they got a chance to look around. Which meant they would walk away. But now, I had little choice.

What surprised me slightly was that the man that hired me to take care of his "business problem" was dragged in tow by the guards. They were likely making sure that this was a real tip off, but I was almost thankful that they spared me the trouble of chasing him down myself to get back my compensation.

"That's her- the bitch that killed the captain," one of the guards nodded to the others. I made an offended grimace.

"Darling, you should have been thankful that you didn't join him back then, and left it well enough alone. But for that comment, I'll rip your throat out."

"You're bluff-"

"Sure I am," I rolled my eyes. I was not about to approach them, throwing knives made my point just as effectively as claws, which I sadly lacked. Well, not all of us got to be wolves, despite our nature... "Bluffing. Ha! Very well, you got me 'cornered'. Now what? You're going to wave your little sticks around at me? Tell me, have you ever actually used them in a real fight, or have you spent most your days poking them into haystacks in search of thieves?"

No one replied to me. There was a muffled yelp as my employer was dropped to the ground, and then they all raised their blades. I cocked my head to the side, and pulled out my own without any real intention to use it. I was really not impressed by their numbers. Only four, when Ezio and me have worked through small battalions, which made these deaths sort of unfair. But after all my years, I was not one to ponder the technicalities of my job. It's easier to sleep that way.

I stood still for a moment, allowing them to approach me a bit closer. Just as they came within sword's length, I jumped onto the top of the long table at its far side. The leverage worked, and the startled piece of furniture rose like a wild stallion, knocking one of the men on the chin. I caught the flying bottle, and smashed it on another guard's head, kicking him in the stomach away from me.

The few patrons still sitting in their seats either dived for the door and windows or slid under their tables. The guards suddenly halted, slowing backing up and taking a more careful approach. Curiously, they stayed silent, not taunting me or boasting of their prowess. But that still didn't make them any less stupid. Assassins were jacks of many trades, including finishing enemies at a distance. There was a reason why the best of us lived through all situations into our late years.

"Sorry for the damage," I muttered to the barkeep on my way out the back door, where I saw my employer dive just moments previous. "There's gold in their pockets." The man nodded with familiarity, which told me this was not his first time getting rid of bodies. I didn't hang around to help though, flying out onto the backstreet a second later.

He tried to run.

How silly of him.

Purposely hurling a throwing knife so that it would only nick him on the shoulder rather than outright killing him did its job. Squealing, he froze and turned around, another mistake. By then, I was easily on top of him, kicking out and landing a blow to the back of his knees. As it sent him careening forward onto the cobblestones with a painful thud, I put my boot on his back. Taking my time to pick up my knife from the ground and sheath it, I sighed, "You really thought that five guards could take care of me? And here I was told that I was not underestimated in Roma…I'm not sure whether to be thrilled or insulted."

"Don't- don't kill me!" he whimpered, recognizing my voice. He was a pathetic sight, I noted with a frown. Terrified of me. Fear... hm, it was as good a weapon as any, and I already found out that we would have to adapt a dirtier arsenal to extend any sort of influence in the city.

"Why on earth would I kill you?" I shrugged, withdrawing my dagger. Deftly spinning it around on my fingers, I made sure he saw the flash of it in the dim light of the torches from the street. "I mean, I know why you did it. Hell, I probably would have done the same in your spot. After all, you've got your lovely wife and children to care for..." I tested waters, my voice almost sickeningly sweet. He immediately stopped struggling. We stayed like that in silence, the dark softly enveloping the alley where the moonlight didn't reach. He heard the underlying threat in my voice, as clearly as I intended it.

I felt slightly guilty for meaninglessly threatening kids, but I wasn't about to tell him that.

After a moment, he whispered, "Don't- don't harm them. Kill me- but don't touch them..."

I smiled to myself with a rising sense of relief, putting away my blade. I bent down, and ripped his pouch of money from his belt. "Good answer. But if you lead more guards to that tavern, or ever try to bring harm on me or any other assassin, I won't think twice." I began walking away, already counting the money I got. Then I remembered something, and turned around for another moment. The man was still there, only twisting his head to watch my retreat. His eyes were wide with confusion or fear, I couldn't really tell.

"Oh, and spread the word to those who still haven't rolled over to die. It's your free will we are defending, despite the hellish welcome we get, what with being chased around like rabid wolves." I turned away again, and couldn't help the cold grimace that settled on my face. "I just wish you would get that through your heads. After all, for how long are we going to do good deeds without question or reward, and still be considered the bad guys?"

I don't really know why I said that out loud, but perhaps it was something that had been bothering me for a while. I asked Ezio the question before, so long ago that I didn't even remember the exact wording. But after we killed so many tyrants, prevented so many conspiracies, saved countless innocent lives, we still received only fear. Wouldn't it be nice for the citizens to cooperate every once in a while? Hell, maybe even donate a bit of gold? God knew the hideout needed softer beds...

I climbed into the warehouse quietly, through the only unboarded window of Niccolo's office. All lights were out, though I had no problems with seeing. Not that there was much to see, just a locked drawing table and scarce furniture. As far as I knew, Machiavelli didn't even spend most of his nights here, which meant I could confidently use the window as my main entrance.

I tiredly rubbed my forehead, and walked out of the room, into the hallway. Without sparing my own bedroom a glance, I went straight downstairs, pulling the newly acquired materials out of my bag as I went.

Niccolo was sitting in one of the old armchairs in from on the fire, seemingly deep in thought. He held a glass of wine with both hands occasionally bringing it to his lips, but I don't think the amount of liquid diminished at all. He seemed exhausted, if anything. I caught sight of a slightly worried grimace that went away the second he noticed me, settling back into his usual cold expression.

"Had a good night?" he asked without looking up at me. There was no tension in the air between us, so I guessed he was simply too tired to remind himself of what I shouted to his face in earlier that morning.

"Better than some. And don't tell me you were up with your papers all day again."

"No. Meeting your husband, actually, which is just as exhausting. The man is even more stubborn than you."

"Yes, it comes with the job description. Trust me, you're no better…wait, he's here?" my voice was renewed with expectation, despite the wave of sleepiness rolling over me.

"I don't know. He left a few hours ago, but he may have come back already. Was there something you wanted?"

"I got a map of the city."

Niccolo glanced up at the scroll of considerable size in my hands and raised his eyebrows. Then stretched out his hand, taking it from me. Flipping it open, he looked closely to the inked lines on it.

"Where did you find a map that size and quality?" His expression was still inscrutable, yet I swear I heard the surprise dancing around the edges of his voice. "I thought that there were no cartographers outside the Vatican at the moment. Aside from the docks, but they can hardly even draw a straight line."

"Oh, a little bit of sneaking here and there, but you really don't want to know the details," I shrugged with a grin. "Come on, let's put that huge table to use."

The "huge table" stood square in the middle of the room from before I showed up on Tiber Island. Before, it was always empty, but considering the situation, it was convenient for a map room.

"I also did all of us a huge favor and located the Thieves Guild. Sadly, they wouldn't agree with me, despite my best efforts."

"You actually managed to find it?" Niccolo raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, it is right about..." I popped the pin I got earlier from my pocket, finding the southwestern corner of the city and sinking the thin needle through the little cluster of houses, "Here. The Sleeping Fox Inn. Filled with shady characters, who by the looks on their faces and the knives they drew at me as soon as I entered, did not like company."

Telling Niccolo exactly who ran the guild and why he wouldn't talk to us wasn't a very smart idea, I decided right after I left the inn. There was no telling how he would react to something like that, and more tension was the last thing we needed at this moment.

"Bene," Niccolo nodded. "Hand me some of those pins...right here is where the brothel, the Rosa in Fiore is. Ezio said he would try to reason with the Madam first thing in the morning."

"Oh, I visited there to check the place out. The girl slammed the door on my nose, though," I added with distaste. "So I climbed in through a window along the second floor. Disgusting place, I almost choked on the smell. I really have no idea why you hold the place in regard, it is crowded, but I'm sure there is a better place elsewhere in Roma. Caught sight of Madam Salari. You were right about that, nasty woman. I'll cut my working arm off if she isn't selling our secrets to the Templars, the vibe I got off of her..." I gave out an exaggerated shudder.

"You think so?" Niccolo hummed, though lacking surprise. I guess he already suspected as much. "What did she say?"

"Oh, she yelled and screamed at one of the girls for having to take a day off because of illness, so I decided not to get between the woman and her so-called 'property.' I tried getting into her papers, but she nearly caught me and I had to get out of there. Shame, too, as this is about the time I'd suggest finding some dirt on her that we can use, or else she will prance off again into the arms of the Borgia. Better yet, we should take her into a dark corner and begin searching for a more suitable candidate to the post."

"Do you know how to run a brothel?" he pointedly looked up at me.

"I don't even know how to run a candy shop. My understanding of business doesn't go beyond the simple transactions of my job," I shrugged. "But I hoped you would have better contacts."

"I know very few trustworthy women who might fit the position. Perhaps some old acquaintances."

"Don't suppose Paola or Teodora would-

"Both of them are grounded in Firenze and Venice, and we cannot ask them to leave the positions."

"Then I have no idea. But the Madam isn't the only issue with the Rosa in Fiore; at least half the girls are playing for the wrong team, and the rest are... well, broken, for a lack of a better term. There are some very nice girls there. One even allowed me to hide in her room while the Madam walked past. Sweet girl, though she won't be able to be a courtesan for much longer. Then again, we could use her as a biological weapon, I'm sure that would be original," I trailed off.

Niccolo threw his head up to look at me with curiosity, "What do you mean?"

"Syphilis. Or as you call it here, the New Disease. I remember our mutual friend Cesare had spots like that on him, too, so I guess it's really getting around. The Madam must really not care for her establishment. Er, just heads up in case you ever want a cheap girl for the night."

Niccolo briefly smiled, looking down to the map again. "That is very unlikely."

"Whatever you say." I couldn't helping chuckling at his response. "But my point is, if we really want to get the brothel to be useful, there's a hell of a clean up job to do. Maybe Adel would know how to proceed, she was the one that read up on everything she could get her hands on. But her running the Rosa is about as likely as you." I suddenly remembered something. "Erm. There might be trouble later. My client decided the money on my head outweighed common sense. They'll probably bump the price up, now that they're sure I've survived. But I gave a good enough of a show, so next time, no one will babble-"

"Or at the very least bring twice as many guards." Niccolo sighed, rubbing his temples forcefully like a parent whose child just admitted to stashing dead birds under the loose floorboards. "Eden-"

"Yes, yes, you told me so, and I accept full responsibility for my actions. Just please do not lecture me again," I pleaded. "Look, it's no big deal, I'm sure I wasn't followed. Now, will you tell me what happened with the letter you were trying to intercept?"

"It's been for nothing. Another code, and now Vincenzo has lost his position so I will have to find a new spy."

I demanded quickly to see the cipher, but the block of numbers told me absolutely nothing. Altair couldn't come up with any connection, either. His presence was usually almost too convenient, as he was much smarter than me in a lot of aspects. Codes and cipher was one, and he helped me break quite a few on intercepted letters. But this time, I felt only his phantom shrug as he muttered something about a key and a one-time cipher.

"Maybe Leonardo could-" I suddenly caught off, and let out a groan, dropping my head into my hand as though I just suddenly got hit by a monstrous headache. Niccolo looked up at me sharply, as though going by the heart wrenching sound, I have at the very least caught a bullet with my spine.

"What is it?" Then he must have realized what was going through my head. "I suppose you followed my advice, then."

"Why didn't you just tell me?" I wrinkled my nose, "Hearing from a herald that da'Vinci's war machines will be demonstrated to the citizens in a few months is not a good way to find something like this out. He was my friend."

"I realize."

"How the hell am I supposed to break something like that to Ezio?"

Niccolo looked slightly uncomfortable, like he really didn't care, but for some reason didn't want to say that to my face. "He will find out himself, sooner or later."

"Yes, he will," I grumbled, "Of course he will. And when he does, it won't be pretty, and I really don't want to be there at that moment. But something tells me I don't get a choice."

"He would like to hear it from you, rather than someone else," Niccolo suggested, and I nodded in agreement. "But I have to ask…will he be able to do it?"

"Excuse me?"

"Eden, those war machines are no irrelevant thing. They will easily turn the tides of battle in Cesare's favor. Which means-"

"If you're asking me whether or not Ezio can kill Leonardo, then stop beating around the bush," I snapped, nearly growling. "Sympathy really doesn't suit you, so stop trying."

He didn't even flinch or show in any way that my words had any affect. He just raised a questioning eyebrow. I sighed.

"I don't know." And I really, REALLY don't want to even contemplate it, should we discover that our dearest friend is a true traitor, I mused, my stomach churning at the mere thought. There has to be an explanation…"But not until he has solid evidence of a betrayal will we strike. Ezio is not one for meaningless deaths, you know that. Especially not his friends."

I had said the exact same words to La Volpe when he asked me the question. Though back then I pointedly glared at him, showing that I was still not buying Niccolo's treachery. I found it a little amusing that the two were so similar despite the sudden distrust.

I suddenly yawned, and couldn't help bringing it into a small stretch. "Well, I'm exhausted. I'll go get a few hours of sleep, I still have some work to do in the morning. You should rest, too."

"I think I can decide that for myself."

"Suit yourself, but the bed is more comfortable than the desk to pass out on."

He didn't respond to that, just waving me off like an annoying fly.

Before I left, though, I suddenly turned back around. "Did you know that Cesare isn't in Roma?"

"Of course. Considering the display when the guards at the southern gates said their goodbyes to him, all of the city knows he is away."

"Do you know when he will get back?"

"Why would I know that?" He raised his eyes to me with slight confusion and suspicion. "Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

"I was just asking."

I wasn't sure whether or not to believe La Volpe. What he said struck a cord of doubt, and now I really wasn't sure how to act on it. But I decided that if Niccolo was truly selling our secrets out, then we would not be sleeping comfortably (or as comfortable as one could on the rock hard beds) in the hideout. I saw no personal reasons for suspicion; the guy was a jerk and a politician, but he was one one of us and had not done anything but help.

Then again, some parts of it were...questionable.

I climbed up the stairs in a sleepy haze, my eyes already closing by themselves. But when I entered the room, I quickly realized that I would have to stay awake just for a bit longer.

The room was a mess. Right under my feet, heavy white robes pooled, a bit to the side there lay a pile of metal that gleamed in the faint light from the window. The shirt was thrown over the frame of the bed, and muddy boots lazily toppled over to the side on the floor. Amidst the mess and crooked sheets, lay Ezio, like a sacrificial virgin in wait of the dragon. Except virgins probably had a little less chest hair, and likely didn't snore that loudly.

As though hearing my mocking thoughts, he stirred, and squinted into the darkness.

"Is it morning?" he mumbled quietly and with surprising cheerfulness, as though he thought it was just another day in Monteriggioni.

"Middle of the night, actually," I replied gently, coming over to the bed, and sitting down.

"Come here, then," he gestured, opening his arms and nearly demanding it.

"Are you going to yell at me?" I snorted, hanging back.

"No."

"In the morning?"

He chuckled, "No."

"Before or after angry sex?"

"Tempting," I saw the flash of his amused expression in the dim light, "But still no." His voice was still hoarse and sleepy, but very certain. "Just...come here."

I obliged, quickly sliding out of my robes and kicking off my boots. Speedily unlacing my doublet, I climbed up onto the bed beside him, my hand sliding over to his chest, where he caught it with his. I settled down into his side, resting my head on his shoulder. As he placed a small kiss into my hair, I closed my eyes, feeling familiar content and easy happiness in my stomach. It came out of my mouth as a small relieved sound, somewhere between a sigh and a sob. I didn't even care that my tears were leaving a mess along his warm skin.

"I missed you."

"Of course, bella mia."

"Sometimes, I get the feeling you are the only one that keeps this world from falling to pieces. So don't die again, okay?"

"Mmhm."

Pressing a kiss to my forehead, he slowly worked his way downward, brushing his lips across my eyelids, my nose, along each cheek. And finally, he pressed his mouth to mine. I eagerly returned the kiss, withdrawing only to pull my tunic over my head and toss it to the floor. Within record time, he unlaced my bodice, nearly ripping apart the stays. Sitting up, I pulled off my trousers, leaving me in my chemise. Lying down beside him again, my eyes focused on the gash of the scar across the shoulder, where he'd been shot back at Monteriggioni. Fresh and white, it stood out in pale contrast along his bronzed skin. A stark reminder of our current mission in Rome.

"Seriously, no dying, si?" I sighed with relief as I rolled over, cradling him against me. Ezio didn't reply, but his smile and practiced hands traveling under my chemise as I kissed him again told me all I need to know.

Leonardo could wait. Hell, the whole damned world could wait.

Days went by. Then weeks. We were both working hard. Separately, trying to cover more ground. All objections to my enthusiastic involvement died once it was clear that my stomach was not growing. After that, no one ever mentioned it. I don't know if it was out of simple politeness, or because they though me a walking powder keg, ready to blow at any moment, but I heard no word from anyone about my health, feelings, or general state of mind, something I was eternally grateful for.

I also have no idea what Ezio said to La Volpe, but the thief began dropping by the hideout, bringing interesting information. The tension between him and Niccolo was thick, and he usually spoke only to Ezio or me. But at least he was acting civilized, which made life a bit easier. It also made matters significantly better for all of us once the thieves were back in the cause.

Claudia arrived to Roma shortly after us and took over the brothel once Madam Salari was killed by slavers in an incident that I couldn't feel bad for. Considering I was thinking of staging an accident myself to prevent any more leaked information, I felt that this was a turn for the better. Ezio was not happy with the arrangement, but even he couldn't deny that Claudia worked wonders on the place. She ran the business much more smoothly, renovating and rebuilding, and we had our results in nearly record times as both profit and gossip flooded in.

Bartolomeo occasionally sent short messages of the situation with the French. The fight, thanks to Ezio's efforts, was turned more in favor of the mercenaries. They had men to spare for our purposes, and overall the guilds began to flourish.

The rest of us worked with our own details, for information without which, we could not move on. And once we have established outselves in Roma, however, it still took a few months for things to start happening on a grander scale of things. And the first thing that turned our collective attention was the Feast of Saint John that was held at the end of June.

Cesare had come back to Roma.