A/N: First things first, I would like to thank you for all the reviews. Once again, THEY MAKE ME LOVE YOU! This chapter will continue with Connor and Evangeline, but will later switch to Haytham and Ziio.

Decisions

Chapter 12: The Start of a New Leaf

Connor's POV

Evangeline lies peacefully on my chest as I continue to stroke her long, black locks. She's not asleep, but her eyes are closed and her face has a serene look to it. I turn my head towards the evening sky to find that it is nearly time to head back to the manor. I lift a hand to rub Evangeline's cheek; she makes no move to get up. I smile, for she enjoys our intimate embrace. I resort to tickling her neck; she jumps almost immediately and begins a giggle fit. I knew this would make her wake, she told me a while ago of how much she hates certain collars in her sewing. She said that some materials rubbed her neck in a ticklish fashion.

She sends me a frown before she climbs out of my lap and onto her original side of the tree branch. I sit up from my leaning position and dangle my feet precariously over the edge of the branch. I turn my face to Evangeline.

"We should be heading back soon. It will be dark soon. It shouldn't be too bad if we leave now. Ellen is probably wondering where you've been for the past two-and-a-half-hours or so."

She nods in agreement before letting out a groan of frustration. I chuckle at her inability to act like a dignified lady. First tree climbing, now showing her anger; what's next? I make a motion to lift her up by her waist so that she may make it down the tree safely. She stops me and gives me a confused look.

"What on earth are you doing, Connor?"

I return her confused gaze with one of my own.

"Helping you climb out of the tree so you won't fall to your death, what else?"

"I got in this tree by myself. I'll get out by myself too."

Before I can stop her, she stands and flings herself into a small pile of pine leaves and hay. She comes out of the hay and runs to the bottom of the tree to retrieve her shoes. I'm not shocked at this point, for I now know to never be expectant of her actions. She looks at me awaiting me to come to the ground. I jump off the tree and land in a squatted stance directly in front of her. She jumps back when she sees what I have done. After composing herself, she moves to my side and tries to help me up. I shrug her off to show her that such help is not needed or wanted. Upon noticing the meaning of my gesture, she backs away giving the space I need to stand.

I debate on leading her in escort position, but decide against it. I walk back into the forest with Evangeline tailing behind me. I hear her feminine voice.

"What will we do when we get home? You do realize that I expect you to be a proper gentleman and treat me often."

She chuckles. I sense sarcasm in the last part of her speech, but I have already planned that ahead of time. I will take her places whenever I am free and we will partake in any activity she wishes to.

"When we get home, I will take you back to the shop so that you may retire for the night. As for being a gentleman, I always am one and I plan to treat you like the wonderful woman you are."

I hear her blissful sigh and I smirk. I'll have her wrapped around my finger in a matter of weeks. I shake my head to rid my mind from such possessive thoughts. But, I'm already wrapped around her finger. I try to ignore the impending thought, but it doesn't seem to leave. I shrug it off and keep leading the way to the Homestead.

I look up and see that the sky has darkened a little bit more. It must be around seven or so. When I see the corner of the small tailoring shop, I alert my silent companion.

"We are here, Evangeline."

Her head snaps up from its tilted position and I glance at her face. I take advantage of the opportunity to admire her some more. Her eyes turn in my direction for a split second and I turn away immediately. While my cheeks begin to turn a light shade of rose, I hear chuckling from behind me. Curious, I ask what is so funny.

"Why do you laugh?"

In response to my question, I receive full-on laughter.

"You, silly! I won't care if you examine me, in fact that's mostly what courting is! You examine and get to know the person of your choice better before marriage. It only makes sense. Plus, this isn't the first time I've caught you in the act, just the first time I've made it known."

I scowl, not really appreciating her statements. When I don't respond, I feel a soft hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Connor. I didn't mean to offend you; I was just playing with you."

My heart flutters a bit at her recognition of my disliking that.

"I am not offended, just a little embarrassed. In all honesty, I don't care for such petty things like-"

"Like what? A beautiful, feminine body? If you don't, I must teach you how to."

"No! That's not what I meant," I feel my palms begin to sweat out of nervousness. I try to think of a way to change the direction this conversation is taking, but my actions were to no avail. "I-uh. May we please talk about something else?" I stop trying to hide discomfort and just end it all. I receive even more chuckles and chortles. Not being able to take the lack of knowledge, I ask a second time.

"Why do you laugh? I don't understand what is so funny."

"Connor, you are so absolutely adorable. You don't even know."

"That's not how I thought I'd be described, but okay."

"Connor, it is a compliment," I raise my eyebrows at this, how could "adorableness" be a compliment to a sixteen-going-on-seventeen year old boy?

"I'm saying that I think of you as sweet, cute, and innocent. Don't argue, you are all three of those things."

"That is impossible, I may be the first two, but I am definitely not innocent. I've seen things in my short lifetime that most men never see at all."

"It does not matter; you are still like a cute little puppy."

"Please, don't compare me to animals. For I am nothing like a puppy, I lack fur and paws."

"You are too literal."

The conversation ends there. Evangeline keeps a skip in her gait and I reflect on what her earlier words about me mean. Do I really appear innocent? So innocent, that I am a puppy in her eyes? She says it is a good thing, but I don't see what she means.

I finally see the roof of the shop and let out a small sigh of relief. Maria is sitting on a stump in front of the shop and I can see Ellen working on an overcoat. I continue leading. When Evangeline and I are right in front of the shop, I stop walking and step aside so that she may walk to the shop.

"Goodnight, Evangeline. I will see you tomorrow."

I take her hand and kiss the back of it, relishing in the feeling of her smooth skin under my lips.

"Connor, you can kiss me 'for real' if you'd like. I already kissed you."

"As much as I'd like to, it is improper. For we have just barely started courting."

"It's okay if I give you consent."

I smirk and stand up fully. I wrap my arms just below her waist and lean in for my second "real" kiss. She stands on her toes and kisses back gently. I release her. She thanks me for the evening and begins to walk the rest of the way to the shop. I begin walking back to the manor, surprised that no one had seen the kiss.

When I reach the manor, I find Achilles sitting on the steps waiting for me.

"Hello, Old Man."

"Salutations. Where have you been? I know I gave you the day to rest, but I haven't seen you once on the Homestead."

"Oh, I was with Evangeline."

"It's about time you two started courting. Now I assume you would like some type of advice."

He flashes me a smug look and I return it with a confused gaze.

"How did you… "

"Boy, you are a horrendous actor. You can't lie or cover something up to save your life. When you feel a strong emotion, it shows. Especially your anger."

I debate on yelling right now, but that would only prove his point.

"I suppose your words hold some truth. I would like some advice though. What did you do when you and your wife started courting?"

"I would much rather prefer to tell you about all the Templars I killed, but I can do this as well."

~Haytham's POV~

I wake to the sound of Ziio opening clothes drawers. Realizing our plan to flee Boston, I too stand up and begin dressing.

"How did you sleep, dearest?"

"Fitfully, to be honest. I was anxious for morning."

I frown at the thought of Ziio tossing and turning while I slept like a baby.

"I'm sorry to hear that." I grab my tri-corner hat of a hutch and place it over my head.

"Don't be, it was a good kind of anxious."

She smiles at me before she leaves the room. I hear her shout over her shoulder.

"I'll ready the horses. We leave at first light, remember?"

"Yes, dear."

I begin my way downstairs and out the door. I look back to the house with a sad smile. So many memories lie in the walls of the house. Most good, some very bad. I can't help but remember when I bought it after Ziio and I married. She was so surprised that there could be something so big for only two people. I remember Connor's birth, I even remember when he left six months ago.

I sigh, not really wanting to leave it all behind. I know it is for the best. It is one of the sad things about rejoining the Assassins. But, the good pros far outweigh the bad cons. I turn to the stable where I see Ziio holding the reins for the four horses.

"Are you coming or what, Haytham?"

"I'm coming, just a moment."

I jog to the carriage and climb in the seat next to her. She hands the reins to me and I crack the whip with a loud "yaah".

A/N: Sorry about the wait! I've just been so busy with band and school. Now I am back from midstate and ready to continue with Decisions. I plan to end Decisions with Haytham officially joining the Assassins again. There will be a sequel about him in the Assassins and Connor with Evangeline. Thanks for reading! Remember be a friend and REVIEW! THEY MAKE ME LOVE YOU!