A/N: Holy Guacamole! So many reviews for last chapter! They make me love you! This chapter is all about Connor and Evangeline. Happy reading! =D

Decisions

Chapter 11: One Step Closer

Connor's POV

After my encounter with Father, I took to the trees and started heading back to the Homestead. I let a small smile tug at my lips, for I have defeated one of the Templars. Of course, it wasn't the cleanest kill, but a kill nonetheless. I made a promise to myself that as soon as Johnson was dead, I would begin courting Evangeline. My smile brightens at the thought of one day marrying her and raising our children. I stop myself; I should capture her attention before thinking such thoughts.

What would she like? She was a very beautiful woman with virtue; she probably would not appreciate beauty products. Flowers, maybe? No, there's no sentimental value, that would send a signal saying I knew little of her likes. I sigh, finding an offering for her would be harder than I expected. I look down at the ground and my eyes immediately land on a young buck. A thought dawns on me. Of course! She's a seamstress, she would make use of quality furs!

I quickly unsheathe my Tomahawk and leap from the trees. The hatchet slices the deer's neck, making for a quick kill. After thanking the gods for the good fortune, I skin the animal and drape it over a tree branch for when I'm finished. I continue on. By the time I've finished, I have six wolf, three deer, two beavers, three foxes, and on bear. Smirking to myself, I collect the spoils and make way to the Homestead.

Upon my arrival, I jog up to the manor to speak with Achilles. When I enter, I find the old man sitting in the parlor playing chess against himself. He looks up and motions for me to come sit with him.

"I assume your first mission went well?"

His words remind me of the aftermath of my first Templar mission. My brow furrows for a moment in anger before I realize the old man's still waiting for an answer.

"Yes. Everything went as planned. Johnson is dead and will not be a nuisance to us any longer."

He smiles, proud of my work.

"I think you've earned yourself a day off, Connor. But, tomorrow we start bright and early. Don't be late."

He stands and shuffles his feet over to the stairs. I contemplate on helping him, but I decide against it. For I've seen my mentor in action. He may look as fragile as glass, but he most certainly can take a hit. I smile at the memory of when I first met him. He mounted me before I had a chance to react.

I decide that I should go search for Evangeline. I'd like to for these nerves to be gone before night. I ponder on whether or not I should change. I shake my head in disagreement with that thought. She is a simple woman. Fancy outerwear would not be the way to win her heart. I decide to go in my normal Assassin robes, she likes them anyway. She's been trying to find a way to sew something similar to them but has had no success. I straighten out the furs and drape them over my arm. I let out a breath. After gathering up some more courage, I begin down the same, weathered path to the tailoring shop.

I open the door to find Evangeline restocking some shelves, my heart stops at the sight of her. Her long, wavy, black locks are tied back into a ponytail with a white ribbon; she wears a light pink dress which I assume she sewed herself by the looks of the familiar stitching. I grin; she manages to look ravishing in the simplest of things. She turns around at the sound of the door shutting.

"Hello, and welcome to- Oh, Connor! How splendid of you to drop by!"

She smiles and I can see her white teeth, she takes care of herself.

"Afternoon, Evangeline. How are you today?"

I try to keep my voice even. She's making me giddy with her bubbly attitude. Of course, this was normal for her, but my nerves were doubled today.

"I'm doing quite well…fantastic today! How about yourself?"

I take notice of her "fantastic-ness" and decide to question her about it.

"I'm well, but I'd like to know what has occurred that makes you so energetic."

"I have sold five of my own dresses today! A very wealthy lady from Boston came through the Homestead yesterday. She noticed my dress and asked who made it. Once I told her I was the seamstress, she asked if I could sew the same one in a few other colors. To make it even better, Ellen let me keep all the profits since it was my design alone!"

My eyes go wide, she was a good seamstress, but I never suspected her to be that good. I quickly recover from my shock.

"Well, that truly is…fantastic. Maybe these will be of use to you." I pull the furs from my arm.

Her smile does the impossible and widens. She strokes the furs to feel their quality. Her eyes widened as well upon the realization that they were fresh.

"Connor! These are beautiful! How did you manage to get a hold on such fine spoils?"

"Evangeline, I am a skilled hunter."

I smile at her forgetfulness. She surprises me by giving me a hug, being more than happy, I return the embrace. She loosens her grip and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I feel my cheeks heat up and wish my hood was covering my features so she couldn't see the blush forming.

"That's so unbelievably sweet of you. You must be the only gentleman left in the colonies. I really appreciate the gift, Connor. I will put good use to these furs for winter coats; we're going to need them soon."

"You're very welcome, Evangeline," I decide now is the time to make a move. "Do have a minute?"

She glances over to a clock on the right.

"Well, technically, I can't leave until four o'clock. But, I believe Ellen will make an exception for the man who brought her shop such fine furs. But, between you and me," she lowers her voice to a whisper. "I'm keeping all the fox furs to myself."

I smile at her humor.

"I'll let you stay until you've finished work, I'll see you in a bit."

She surprises me by grasping my forearm. Her grip is firm, but not firm enough to cause pain.

"Oh, Connor! Don't be a fuddy-duddy! Besides, it's three forty-five anyway."

I blink in surprise, this should be easier than I earlier assumed. Maybe she returns my feelings.

"Now, what did you need me for, Connor?"

"Oh, nothing important. I was just wondering if you'd like to accompany me on a walk."

"Of course! It is the least I can do to repay you for those magnificent furs."

I put my right arm in escort position and she eagerly accepts. I open the door and exit the small shop. I feel her relax into my arm. Blushing, I step forward onto the same path I took to get to the shop. I plan on taking her to a specific tree to talk. This tree is one where I think often, I go there to prepare myself mentally for missions. I always find its pine smell comforting. I lead her a little deeper into the forest. I assume the quiet is too much for her when I hear her feminine voice.

"Pardon my asking, but where are we going? I am not familiar with this wood."

I smile, she's so polite.

"I don't mind your asking, in fact it is welcomed. I'm taking you to a place that is very special to me. I come here to think."

"Why do you come so far out into the woods to think? Surely there are much closer places that would offer the same things! There could be wolves or even bears out here!"

Her fear for my well-being makes me chortle, had I not told her a while ago that I am a skilled hunter?

"Don't worry, Evangeline. If things get a little hairy, I will protect you. I am a skilled hunter, remember? Besides, our tread is quiet. If we continue walking like this, we shouldn't draw any animals towards us."

She glances up and looks me in the eyes with a bright smile. The afternoon-late-evening light compliments her tanned skin ever so nicely. Her green eyes sparkle and her ebony hair shines. I sigh, somewhat in anticipation for my question to be asked. She notices the sigh, but doesn't ask about it. For this I am grateful; it would be difficult to explain that I was sighing in approval of her absolute beauty. She turns her gaze back to the narrow path that we walk. I notice a few familiar landmarks and make shifts and turns accordingly until I see the large oak.

It is beautiful. Standing out from the other trees, the leaves are crisp with signs of an early summer and the branches are old and weathered. It amazes me that something some new can begin from something some old. It reminds me of the colonies. These old British provinces fight for a taste of something new. Freedom, something that this land has never had the luxury of seeing before. I stop my mind from wandering to far from the task at hand. When Evangeline realizes that this is place I meant to take her, she wiggles her small frame away from my arm. She walks up to the tree with more grace than a doe and does something I'd never expect a woman of her class to do. She kicks of her shoes and begins to climb the tree. I try not to look completely surprised, but I can't help it. It gives me a great sense of happiness to know that my love interest enjoys the simple pleasures of nature, but it also gives me a sense of uneasiness. I've known her for so long and still failed to see the other sides of her. She must have been reading my mind when I hear her speak.

"I know your startled by my behavior, I would only expect you to be. Most people never get to see my adventurous streak, for I am too wary of them. But, you make me relax, Connor. I like that."

I smile for what must be the thousandth time today.

"I appreciate your words. You ease my thoughts and actions as well."

She smiles and pats the spot on the branch next to her. I quickly climb up the branch and sit in the previously patted spot.

"It is beautiful, Connor. I appreciate you showing it to me. Now, what is it you wish to talk about?"

My smile falters into a flat line at the realization that she knew I planned to have a discussion with her all along. I planned on sneaking the question in, I guess that's out of the question.

"Who said I planned on conversation?"

"You, silly! You took me to a place that you come to by yourself to think. No man would take a petite young woman this deep in the forest to engage in 'conversation'. I know you have something important to say, so just spit it out!"

I jump back a little in reaction to her forcefulness, but I quickly regain my composure. Guess it's now or never.

"Evangeline, pardon my ignorance to such things, but I need to get this out. So please, just bear with me." She grants me her full attention, "I'm not sure if you know, but I care deeply for you. I care for you more than any other woman I've ever met. When I'm on my excursions, I think of you. When I head back to the Homestead, I anticipate our reunions. You push me to continue with my goals, despite the fact that I'm so ready to quit. I would like to begin courting you, with your permission of course. My apologies for-"

I feel her delicate hands wrap on the edges of my robe collar and pull me to her. Her lips mold to mine for a kiss, an earth-shattering-heart-stopping kiss. She pulls away, and I turn my head so that she can't see extremely apparent red on my cheeks. I've had the eyes of many women upon me when I lived in Boston with my family. But, I never had time for them. I was always training, or studying on the Assassins. I feel one of the same delicate hands on my jaw; Evangeline turns my face towards hers.

"Of course, Connor. It would be an absolute honor for you to court me. I've been waiting for you to ask that question since I first came to the Homestead. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you, you would be mine. Strange words coming from a woman, I assume, but that doesn't mean they're any less true. I've had affections for you for quite some time. I can't wait to begin our courtship."

She wiggles her way into my lap and drapes one of my arms around her waist. I pull the stray hairs that frame her face behind her ears. She sighs into my embrace and closes her eyes. We spend the rest of the afternoon like this, in a tree no less. Now with one step of the beginnings of our relationship down, I must move on to the step of showing my affections for her daily. I'll need help with forming small yet meaningful gestures. I rack my brain for people who would help with my situation and would also keep it confidential. I gulp when the one person comes to mind, Achilles. Looks like I will finally need him for more than Assassin training.

A/N: Boy this took forever! Sorry guys, but I had to get my mind into deep romance writing. I love writing this stuff! Okay please read and REVIEW! Remember, be a friend.