Practice with Connor was hard. It had ended with her getting frustrated and giving up, or nearly falling and knocking down both of them. She had insisted he climb after her, resulting in 'accidental', the term used lightly because of how flirtatious Annie seemed to grow, glimpses of her panties from the dresses she maintained to wear.

Annie realized how good his patience skills were, because every time she yelled at him and stormed into the house, he would give her time and wait for her to approach him. She was grateful for it, knowing her temper was inconsistent and sometimes irritating. But she improved, learning how to adjust her weight and footing. Once Connor was confident that her climbing skills were adequate, he decided to test her endurance and stamina.

"You might want to change out of your dress for this," Connor warned.

She responded with a groan, "Unless you have some trousers for me to wear, than I'm stuck in this."

"I do not think I have any clothes that will fit you. Achilles has some old clothing that might work, go ask him, I will wait for you."

She crosses her arms and walks inside. It was hot outside, and she wanted to rest, but Connor convinced her to push herself.

Achilles led her to an old closet that had a small drawer in it, which held a handful of assorted clothes. She managed to pull out black trousers with a tight band around the knee. They must have been boys' pants, because they were a little tight around her posterior points. She then went upstairs to find a purple shirt with low sleeves. She tied up her hair to keep it out of her face, which she has only done one other time since being at the manor. She came back outside in clothes that she felt completely foolish in. Annie preferred dresses and skirts, rather than pants and buckled shoes.

The first thing Connor noticed wasn't the wardrobe change. Rather it was how prevalent her facial features were. She walked towards him with her hands on her hips, with a purple tunic and too tight pants.

"What I want you to do is run, I want to see how long you can endure it." Connor says as she stops next to him.

"Will you run with me?"

"Yes, if you wish."

"Okay, but a fair warning, I have never been good at running."

"Good, it means you have a chance to improve." Connor looks at the horizon, and back at her.

"With your word," Annie says with a huff of air.

Connor takes a deep breath and readies himself, "Go."

She takes off next to him. Annie could tell he was only going half the speed he normally would. She tried to push herself to go faster, but only exhorted herself to exhaustion. They were about a little more than a quarter a mile out before she stopped dead and leaned over, placing her hands on her knees to support herself.

She was panting, and there were a couple of sweat droplets from her forehead.

"Connor… I can't…" She coughs and wheezes. "Jesus… how do… you do this?"

When she looked up at him, she could tell his breathing was barley labored, and there was virtually no sweat. "Take a deep breath," he instructed.

She straightened herself out, and did so. She choked on the hot air, and coughed. "Please don't tell me… we have to run back."

"We can walk."

They turn around, and head back to the manor. By the time they get back, Annie's face wasn't as red, and her breath was more even. The shoes she was wearing cramped her feet. She stopped and leaned against Connor as she pulled them off and walked barefoot down the dirt, despite Connor's warnings.

"You need more stamina, so we will begin working on that whenever you are ready. We will start by running a little and adding distance each day."

"Running isn't the only thing that can help stamina," She says with an innuendo smile.

Connor gives her a confused look, "What?"

She shakes her head, the smile fading into a smirk. "Good thing you're cute," she mutters.

What.

…

For weeks Annie picked up some skills from Connor. He was a good teacher, yet she was an impatient learner.

"How about we actually do something I'm good at? Like fighting or something." She complained after she finished running the trail with Connor.

He considered this, and decided that he could do that. She had done significantly well running and climbing lately, so he figured it was okay.

They went to the space in front of the manor which was clear of plants. Connor threw her one of the blades he had, before showing her how to position herself.

"I already know this, Connor. My father taught me how to hold a sword and stand when I was seven." She smiled, "I wonder if I can best you."

"Good luck."

Connor charges her, the blade held to the side. She blocks it and pushes it up before dodging it by sliding to the side. He noticed that her fighting style was still the same as the night they met. She was good at defense, but better at offense. Moving to the left of him, she swings towards his legs. Turning swiftly and moving back, he also takes another swing. He can see her smirk arrogantly as she blocks it, yet holds it, and moves closer to him. Slamming his sword harshly against hers, she moves back before swinging again. Their blades clash multiple times, shedding bright sparks. Connor backs off to pull him blade away to break her defense, only to be trampled by her. She jumps on him, knocking him to the ground.

Annie was straddling his hips, and her sword was sunken into the earth right beside his head. One hand was on his chest, the other beside his head opposite of the blade. She leaned down, her hair cascading around her face. Their faces where only inches apart when she smiled again.

"I won." Connor could feel her warm breath against his lips as she spoke. Her hand snaked up his chest to right above his shoulder. She licked her lips before going back for her sword, trying to tease him more.

But Connor isn't so easily defeated.

Connor's hands grab her hips, and pull her forwards. Sensing what he was doing, she rolls over him. He gets up quickly, his sword in his hands. Annie stands up, weaponless. "Clever," she mutters.

They stand there, the tension for domination lingering in the space between them. As an act of honor, Connor drops the sword. She takes the opportunity to run towards him. He dodges her slightly, catching her fist in his hand. She pulls furiously, and he feels a sense of accomplishment.

But Annie slowly raises her knee, and then kicks up into his arm, kicking herself free. He straightens up, and then feels the force of something on him. Annie had taken the chance to jump on his back, nearly knocking him over. Connor leans down to try to slide her off, but her grip on his shoulders and around his waist was too tight. He reaches behind him to try and peel her legs apart, but instead, he accidently grabs her waist. He grips tighter, and feels her fidget wildly. She lets go, and stands behind him with her legs almost shaking.

She must be ticklish, Connor thought, good to know.

Connor took advantage of her open stance, and pins her down. He wraps his arms around her to cushion the fall. When they land, he feels her hips and chest jut into his to brace for the contact.

They laid there for about five seconds before Connor pulled up to look at her. They were in the same position as before, yet places switched. His face was close to hers.

"Congratulations," she says, her voice in an unfamiliar tone.

He doesn't say anything as he feels her hands snake up his upper arms to his shoulders. Connor lets out a deep breath as her hands then make their way to his cheeks. Her legs rustle against his, pulling his attention away.

Suddenly he feels a heat against his lips. His eyes go wide for a split second, before relaxing. It was a light, yet lingering kiss. She pulled back slightly, looking him in his eyes. Her hand moves to the hair on the lower part of his head, and pulls it towards her, kissing him again.

This time he kisses back, mimicking what she was doing. He doesn't worry when she pushes her body against him and rolls, straddling him once again. One of his large hands wrapped around her lower back, holding her closer while the other was on the space between her shoulder and neck.

Connor pulled away, breathing heavily. Annie's eyes were glossy, and there was a tender smile on her lips. She quickly pecks a kiss on his chin before standing up. She offered him her hand, which he took, not that he needed to.

Achilles warned him about this. Saying that getting intimate with Annie would create a distraction, along with a chain of events. But he himself was confined in a way. As a man, he longed to be close with her, yet as an assassin, he knew the major dilemmas. But for now, he pushed them into the back of his mind. There was a time and place for that.

They walked back to the house, her arm wrapped around his, and twirling a sword in the other. Connor could admit to himself that for once, there was a light in the tunnel he had dug for himself.