Sorry that it's taken sooo long for me to update. It's exam time for me and I have been working my butt off for it. This is pretty much a filler chapter; the real action and the assassination of Francesco de Pazzi will be in the next chapter! (Which, I hope, won't take as long for me to put out!) I hope you all enjoy! Please review! :3

Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed 2.

Thanks to all that reviewed last chapter!

Captured Smiles

KaoruKobayashitheone

brittany

Shelleythesnail

Figgs

BlahBlah112

If I Surrender

Chapter 6: Preparing for Firenze.

My eyelids fluttered at the sound of constant knocking at my door. I really didn't feel like moving at all; my side was burning and aching with every breath that I took. Yawning, I stretched out a little to loosen up my muscles before I felt my hand touch something, or dare I say it, someone. I gasped and recoiled, peeking a glance at my bed partner.

Ezio was laying with an arm draped over his eyes and the other was wrapped around my shoulders; I honestly couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed the warmth of his arm before now. His mouth was hanging open a small amount and I could feel his silent breathing against my face. He looked more peaceful than I had ever seen him before and I took the chance to study him closely without his sly remarks.

He had a faint scar on his full lips that I had an urge to reach out and touch. I did not dare to move at the moment for the fear of waking him; Assassins' wake easily due to the dangerousness of our daily lives. His eyes were covered by his arm and I pouted, wanting to study those long eyelashes that I am usually captivated by.

I blushed and looked away from him wondering what had gotten into me this morning. I never thought of Ezio in such a way before, sure he was cute but I never let my emotions wander from me too far. Any relationship between the two of us would end badly; Assassins' aren't meant to live happily ever after.

The knocking began again, breaking me out of my dreamy stupor. I grew very still until the knocking was followed by the voice of my father, asking how I was feeling this morning. I panicked and jerked myself out of Ezio's grip, causing him to wake up and begin to protest. I slapped my hand over his mouth and put a finger up to mine. The knocking came again and Mario called my name and Ezio's' eyes grew wide; there was a silent communication of panic that ran through both of us as our eyes met.

"One moment, padre." I called out as I pushed Ezio towards my window. He began to climb out but stopped and turned back to me. He grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles before slipping out of the window and into the villa. I was in shock for a second but remembered that my father was waiting on me.

I stopped in front of a mirror to smooth down my dark hair and rubbed my eyes to remove the sleep. Deciding that I was presentable I walked calmly to my door and opened it. Mario was waiting patiently as always and smiled when he saw me.

"Ah, there you are!" He exclaimed as he offered me his arm so we could make our way to breakfast with the others. "I was beginning to think that your wound was worse than we had originally thought."

"I am feeling better today. But I do have some wonderful news!" I said, excitedly. Mario looked surprised and he paused in his walking.

"Well, would you care to tell me over breakfast?" He asked and I nodded and we continued our way to the dining area. I studied the villa as we went; noticing that the improvements that Ezio had been buying were making the place seem so much more luxurious. It had almost been two years since Ezio had come and the years had been good to the villa and Monteriggioni in general. The town was more alive than I had ever seen it; new stalls were being opened in the marketplace and more visitors came.

We finally made it to the dining room and I was seated beside Claudia, who greeted me cheerfully.

"Buon giorno, Claudia." I turned to Maria who was opposite my father at the table. "You as well, Maria."

Her blank, brown eyes met my green eyes briefly before lowering back to her food causing Claudia to frown unhappily. Claudia fidgeted in her seat before inquiring where Ezio was. As if on cue, he walked; no, that's not the right word. It was more like a saunter into the room. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him as he smirked at me and took the seat across from me.

"Did you sleep well, Aria?" Ezio asked with a playful edge to his voice. I just stared back at him, keeping my emotions in check. I felt his foot nudge mine from underneath the table.

"Sí." I answered calmly when on the inside I was a blushing fool. How could he say something like that in front of my father? Does he want him to know! Ezio just laughed and began to eat.

"Aria." Mario said and I turned to him a little. "Tell me of this good news of yours." I could feel all of the Auditores' eyes on me, with the exception of Maria who was still looking at her untouched meal. I straightened my spine and sat a little taller; this made me feel a little better.

"I remember my past." I said evenly and my father dropped his fork in surprise. He eyed me with a curious gleam in his eyes and Claudia began questioning me immediately. Ezio continued to munch on his food, though his eyes never left me. Even Maria was looking at me now. I coughed a little nervously and continued, "My name is Aria d'Este. Daughter of the late Borso and Penelope d'Este."

I watched for the different reactions. For Maria, it was indifference; she looked back to her food. Claudia squealed asking me if that was why I was questioning Ezio about the family yesterday and Mario sat silently. His face was a stone cold mask and I almost felt like flinching away from it - almost.

"We need to speak in my office after breakfast." Mario said, not even glancing at me and looked to Ezio. "You as well, Ezio."

The rest of the breakfast was filled with silence, even Claudia could tell how tense my father was. I wondered if it was because of who my family was. Ezio snuck me a few questioning looks but I just returned the looks with a mask of my own. No one could see the inner turmoil inside of me at this moment. No one could see that I was hurt that my father wasn't happy for me; there must be something I'm missing, but what? Mario had never treated me this way before.

As we finished breakfast; which, I really didn't finish mine as much as I picked at it mindlessly, my father rose and gestured for Ezio and I to follow him to his study. We followed Mario as silent as mice and when we came into his office he leaned against his desk and crossed his arms. "So, you are a d'Este?" He questioned and I nodded. "You do realize that the family had strong ties to the Templars'. It is believed that some in the family are Templars', your father especially."

I was silent. What could I say to that? The man who was my father is dead now and I didn't even know I had a father a few days ago; why was I being treated like such a criminal? We stared at each other for awhile and Ezio stood silently in the corner.

"I don't know what to say." I said quietly but my father was already turning to Ezio and gesturing towards his wall.

"Any of those look familiar?" Ezio looked at the papers and nodded. "Your father was able to find and even translate a few before…"

He trailed off as Ezio thrust another old looking paper into his hands, roughly. Mario squinted at the page for a long while before asking who translated it.

"Leonardo Da Vinci." Ezio answered. "A friend of the family."

"Aria." Mario turned towards me and I stood a little taller, my hands behind my back. "Please tell Ezio about these pages. You have studied them much more than I have."

I nodded and turned to the board as Ezio came to stand beside me. I gestured to the pages and began, "You see the words on these pages appear to cross from one page to the next."

"Is that something underneath it?" Ezio asked as he leaned closer to study the pages.

"Yes, a map of some sorts. At least, that is what I believe."

"A map?" Ezio asked and turned towards me with a skeptical face. "Where is it supposed to lead, then?"

I shrugged and looked back to the pages. "My father and I; and notes from one of your fathers old notebooks have managed to make out bits of a… prophecy across these pages." Ezio seemed surprised and studied the pages closer as if he was trying to see the prophecy for himself. I looked towards my father who gestured for me to continue with a grim face. "These pages were written by an Assassin, like us. His name was Altaïr and he once held a piece of Eden. He also spoke of something powerful and ancient; hidden beneath our lands."

"What is it?"

I began to speak but my father interrupted, "What indeed. We hope to solve that little mystery by collecting the rest of the pages."

Ezio spoke with conviction, "Then let me help. I will take on my fathers work; all of it. I'll start with the page that Aria picked off of Vieri's corpse. Leonardo will decode it in no time."

"Bene." Mario said and looked from Ezio to me. "You both will be heading to Firenze as soon as Aria is healthy enough."

"I could go myself." Ezio suggested. "Francesco de Pazzi should not be too hard of a target to catch."

I scoffed and both men turned towards me. "Francesco de Pazzi will be paranoid because of his sons death. You think it will be so simple to find him? He will not leave hiding for quite some time, Ezio."

Ezio pouted as my father nodded and said, "She is correct." He turned to Ezio and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Aria is very capable. She will be a valuable ally for you to have in the city."

Ezio was working to keep his anger in check as he turned away from my father to me. He pointed a finger at me and said, "Our bet will begin as soon as we head to Firenze, Aria." He gave a small bow to me and my father. "I hope you feel better soon. "He flipped his cape over his shoulder and stormed from the room, obviously not happy with the decision that Mario had made. I turned to my father and saw that he was sitting in his chair at his deck, turned away from me.

"I wonder what your real father would have thought of you begin an Assassin instead of a Templar."

"You are my real father, Mario. You've raised me. The man that was my father left me and my mother to die. I don't really care what he would think of me; besides, he's already dead." I said coldly and crossed my arms across my chest. Mario turned and smiled at me.

"I am glad to hear you say that, little one." I couldn't help but return the smile he had.

"Do you remember who put you in the state that I found you in?" I knew to what he was referring and I lowered my head in shame; wishing that I had a hood to hide my eyes or at least the disgust and fear in them.

"Sí, I do. But, I do not recall ever hearing a name. I just know that he is or maybe even was a slaver." Mario nodded and told me to go rest for the remainder of the day. I wondered through the large rooms of the villa and soon found myself in the gallery. I saw that Ezio had made some more new purchases. I looked at the art without really seeing because my mind was elsewhere.

"I would have never pegged you as a lover of the arts, bella." Ezios' voice rang out from my left side and I almost jumped out of surprise but was able to compose myself as I turned to him slowly.

"There is much you do not know about me, Ezio." I replied icily; something Ezio didn't miss. A dark eyebrow rose and he clucked his tongue at me.

"Always so cruel." He laughed and winked at me. "Even after we spent the night together."

My face involuntarily colored; something else Ezio did not miss, sadly enough for me. I tried to turn and leave the room but his hand circled around my bicep. I growled and gripped his hand with my own before breaking his grasp and pushing him away. His face held surprise as I stared him down.

"Never touch me without permission." I yelled and then stomped away to my room.

Once I made it to my room and closed the door. I sat on my bed and put my head in my hands and berated myself on such a loss of control. I was just so confused; how could someone be so infuriating to me? I laid back on my bed but I caught a glance of someone at my window. Ezio was sitting on my windowsill, looking at me with unveiled sadness. I looked away, feeling ashamed of how I treated him earlier. I looked back and noticed the small pout on his full lips and I sat up with a sigh, wondering what I should say to him now.

"I apologize if I angered you earlier, Aria." Ezio said quietly. I turned towards the window to apologize to him as well but he was already gone and a purple hyacinth was laying in his place. I stood and moved across my room to the window. I ran my rough, battle worn fingers across the smooth petals and sighed again. Ezio was beginning to make this a lot harder than I anticipated. Gathering the flower and placing it in a small vase I kept in my room; I turned and closed the shutters.

It took me a long week for me to begin training again and another week after that for me and Ezio to be able to leave for Firenze.

I got up the morning that we were supposed to leave and called my maid to start me a bath; probably one of the last I was to have for awhile. I soaked in the tub, trying to relax and prepare myself for the extended period of time that I had to spend with Ezio. My eyes wandered across my entire room until my gaze landed on the new outfit that Claudia and Maria had been working on for me. I was surprised that they even knew it was my birthday and even more so when I saw what they had gotten me. I got out of the tub, wrapped myself in a towel and went to my present and ran my fingers over the crimson sash and the pure, white fabric. It was very well made; designed to be similar to Ezios' outfit, only more feminine.

I dried off my body, slipped into my smallclothes and began to pull on my new outfit. I pulled on the brown pants first; they hugged my curves more than I liked but it was not too uncomfortable. Next came the new tunic and the sides we down to my knees. Luckily, there were slits between my legs and up the sides of my legs as well. The edges of the tunic were beautifully embroidered with red and I admired it in my looking glass for a moment. The front of the tunic came down a little low but again, hugged my curves and made it nearly impossible to mistake me for a man. The sleeves of the tunic flowed over my arms and hands and were embroidered with the same red pattern. Next, I wrapped the red sash around my stomach and noted that there were places to slip throwing knives into the sash; fixing the Assassins' mark on the sash, I began to slip on my new brown boots. They went up to right below my knees, making it easy for me to free run without being hindered. I slipped on my fingerless gloves and placed my bracer on my arm before pulling up my hood and heading out of the door.

I found a maid and told her to send the few belongings that I had thought necessary for the trip to my horse outside the city gates. I started towards my fathers office to talk with him before I left, first stopping at the armory to gather the weapons I needed. I slipped a good number of throwing knives into my sash; I loved that I couldn't feel the knives too bad and they were hard to see. I slipped a dagger into my left boot; I am left handed and strapped another to my thigh. Lastly, I made my way over to where we keep the swords hanging and grabbed my two preferred swords; one short and the other long.

Passing through the small library and making my way into the office; I smiled as I saw my father came up from the sanctuary. We exchanged a small hug and he looked at my new outfit. He looked me up and down; I did a slow twirl to show him the entire outfit."You look like a fierce Assassin, little one."

I laughed fondly, "You always say I look fierce, padre."

"I cannot help what is true." His voice boomed and he gave a small laugh. His one good eye studied me closely. "Are you ready for your journey to Firenze?"

"Sí." I answered. "I will miss you, though."

"And I you."

After saying a goodbye to my father, I went upstairs to find Ezio. I got to Maria's door and saw that Ezio was sitting on the bed beside her kneeling form. Claudia was also there and Ezio had one of her hands in his own.

"I will be back as soon as I am able." He said to the two women.

Claudia groaned, "Must you leave? Mario has me doing bookwork and mother never says anything!" She pouted at him. "I will have no one to speak to once you and Aria leave."

Ezio chuckled and kissed his mothers forehead before standing and doing the same to Claudia's. "What about those girls in the city?" Ezio asked as he and Claudia walked towards me. Claudia sighed and told him to forget it. She caught me by surprise when she threw her arms around me. I stood there and threw Ezio a look for help but he just smirked at me. I patted her back softly and she released me.

"You better take care of my idiota of a brother." She said and gave a small smile as Ezio protested. We walked down the stairs and came to halt at the door.

"You know him." I said, glancing with a smirk at his now annoyed expression. "He needs more help than I could give." Claudia laughed and Ezio huffed, crossing his arms like a sullen child. I touched his arm and said, "I jest, Ezio."

He rolled his eyes and turned back to Claudia. "Take care of mother." She just nodded and continued her way into the library. Ezio gestured to the door as he pulled his hood up over his head.

I lead the way out of the city and we both came to our horses. My horse was a white steed that I liked to call D'Angelo. Mario got him for me when I first became an Assassin and he has been the only horse I have rode since. Ezio was riding another steed that the men like to called Diavolo. He was named for his jet black coat and haunting eyes; he was also named for his temperament. He threw more men than any other horse that we have ever had. I wonder how Ezio will fare with such a wild horse.

I approached my horse and cooed at him affectionately. D'Angelo nickered back and reaching out, I rubbed his nose and slipped him an apple that I took from the villa. He ate happily and let me pet his neck. Looking over at Ezio, I saw him reach out to pet Diavolo as well but the horse nipped him on the hand and snorted at him grumpily. I chuckled and attempted to cover my smile behind my hand. Ezio shot me a irritated look as he rubbed his hand and began to get atop his mount.

I followed suit thinking of how nothing had been the same since Ezio left that purple hyacinth on my windowsill. I asked Claudia why he had chosen that certain flower and she explained to me that it meant true sorrow. He never gave me the chance to apologize and he was running in and out of the villa so often that I didn't even really have time to. We began the journey to Firenze in silence; both of us enjoying the weather and the scenery. I glimpsed at Ezio but he was looking the opposite way. Breaking the silence, I finally asked,

"Are you prepared to see Firenze again?"

Ezio gave a wistful sigh and answered, "I don't know, bella."

"I haven't ever been." I admitted. Ezio seemed to perk up and began to tell me of all the wonderful things about the city. I listened and ignored all the times he called me beautiful, deciding to give him a break considering where we were going had to be difficult on him. It was beginning to grow dark when we could finally see the city in the distance now. It's size was surprising to me and I was itching to climb to a view point to check out the city from above. "Where are we going first?" I asked, the excitement almost slipping through my calm exterior.

Ezio grinned, noticing me fidgeting and replied, "We are going to go see Leonardo da Vinci!"

After leaving our horses at the front gate, I followed Ezio throughout the city. He showed me landmarks and I kept the places stored away in my memory, in case I ever had to find my way through Firenze. Which, I believe, is a strong possibility. We approached a small home that had a courtyard attached to it and Ezio knocked on the door a one or two times before entering.

I entered a room that appeared to be a huge workshop. There were unfinished projects and paintings waiting on easels to be finished. Books were littered everywhere; on the tables, chairs and even the floor. Ezio navigated throughout the maze of tools and what-nots expertly. A man appeared to be working at a desk diligently and jumped as I shut the door behind me. He turned and exclaimed,

"Ezio? You're still alive!"

Leonardo had sandy blonde hair and pale blue eyes. He reminded me of Dante, in those few ways. I stood behind Ezio slightly, feeling a little shy. Ezio looked impressed as he glanced around the shop and said,"Look at this place! These past two years have been good to you, Leonardo."

Leonardo backed away with a sad expression, "But you are not the same at all, are you?"

Ezio looked away, shaking his head. He turned and snaked his arm around my waist to push me forward and into view. He grabbed the top of my hood and yanked it down, smiling as I glared at him. Leonardo considered me with bright eyes and a smile.

"Ah, and who is this?" Leonardo said as he took my hand and placed a kiss to it. Ezio began to answer but I interrupted him,

"Aria Auditore."

"Ezio!" Leonardo turned towards him and cried out. "I was not even informed of the wedding?" I gawked, a very apparent blush now covering my face as I tried to stutter out that we were not married. Ezio just laughed and shook his head.

"Ah, I wish." I elbowed him in the side as nonchalantly as possible as Leonardo apologized for the mistake.

"It is still a pleasure to meet you, Aria." Leonardo said happily and turned back to Ezio who was holding up the codex page.

"I was hoping that you could help me with something." Leonardo nodded enthusiastically and took the page to his desk, which he cleared off by knocking every to the floor. Ezio and I exchanged an amused look as he began to study the paper.

"This one is a little tricky." Leonardo said, not even bothering to look up from the paper. "Very clever in it's use of ancient languages." I stepped forward and leaned my elbows on his table and watched as he scribbled note after note on a separate piece of parchment. Ezio was pacing behind us impatiently and Leonardo was speaking to himself softly. I pointed out something in particular and Leonardo seemed to want to jump for joy.

"Oh! It seems to be a manual for different assassination techniques." I looked at the different ones with interest and Leonardo and I began discussing it in excited tones. Ezio was trying to look over our shoulders and see what all the fuss was about but Leonardo told him to wait and leaned over the paper a little more. "There is a series of sketches that I would like to look at a little more closely."

I took the hint and got out of his way and walked through his workshop, looking at all the paintings. One in particular caught my attention and I stepped closer to study it. It was of a woman and a child feeding; I particularly liked the landscape out the windows behind the two. I noticed Ezio come to my side.

"É il quadro piú bello che io abbia mai visto." I murmured softly and Ezio nodded. We stood side by side and I could feel his hand brush against mine. I looked over at him but noticed that he wasn't looking at my eyes but at my lips. I could feel a blush begin to start up but was saved when Leonardo yelled out in triumph. Ezio brow furrowed but he turned to the man anyway. I took this as a chance to move away.

Leonardo explained his findings to Ezio, who asked if he could make two instead of one. I kept my distance from Ezio so I couldn't really see what Leonardo would be making. I liked surprises, though. Except for the ones where you get ambushed by your enemies; those aren't that fun.

"I won't have them finished until morning." Leonardo explained to Ezio. "But you are both welcome to stay in my home!" Ezio agreed that it would probably be for the best if we didn't attempt to stay anywhere else in the city and I couldn't help but agree with the logic as well. Where else could two Assassins' stay for the night. Then came the bad news from Leonardo.

"I only have one spare bedroom."

Ezio, of course, let a saucy smile plaster his face as he explained that it was no problem. I stared at him with my mouth agape, unbelieving that he actually thought I would consider this. Leonardo had his assistant escort us to the spare bedroom and I followed, letting my anger build up as we went.

"You can't be serious, Ezio." I snarled from the doorway after the assistant left. Ezio turned and looked at me with a false frown. I placed my hands on my hips and stared him down.

"Bella, it will only be for a couple nights." Ezio grabbed my hands and pulled me into the room; closing the door after I was in. "Besides, have you already forgotten our little bet?"

I scoffed. "I did not know that the bet included me sleeping with you."

"I never said that you had to sleep with me." Ezio smile grew, if that is possible and then he winked at me. "But if that is what you would like…"

"Ezio?"

"Yes?" He drawled.

"Shut up."

Thanks for reading!

Idiota - Idiot.

D'Angelo - Angel Messenger.

Diavolo - Devil.

É il quadro piú bello che io abbia mai visto - It's the most beautiful painting I have ever seen.

.

P.S. If you spot any mistakes, let me know! I was in a small hurry when I posted this!