Chapter 23

I woke up rather suddenly the next day - I did not move suddenly or jump awake as I had the last few days, just simply opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling above me. I was on alert for about all of five seconds before recognizing that I was laying in a plush bed inside of Teodora's bordello. At first, I was disgusted by the thought of all the immoral deeds that had gone on in this very bed but I pushed the thought away and purely thanked God that I was safe from Borgia.

I glanced over at the open window on my right side and watched the city go on with it's life like nothing had ever happened. Nico entered my mind - his blue eyes and soft smile. He was a nice boy and didn't deserve what happened to him. I felt the tears build up in my eyes as I thought of him and holding him when he was a bambino. I did not bother to wipe my tears when I heard a faint murmuring to my left side. Turning my head toward the sound, I found Rosa - her crutch was propped up against the wall and a book was spread across her legs, which were set up on my bed. I watched her as her finger moved across the page, pausing every so often when she didn't recognize a word.

I watched her intently, relaxing into my lavish bed and listened to her read to herself. She didn't seem to notice that I was awake so I let her continue her reading, uninterrupted. It was relaxing, hearing her read after the many hours I was locked away from human contact. The words appeared to frustrate her after a time and she closed the book suddenly - I was a little surprised at my lack of reaction to the sudden slamming of her book but did not question it as I looked her way. She was looking out the window on the other side of the room.

"You're doing much better." I said, my voice was weak and hoarse from lack of use. Rosa looked at me sharply, relief coloring her features before she covered her emotions from me again. I smiled weakly as I tried to sit up but a sharp pain went through my side and I sunk back into the bed with a grimace on my face.

"Careful, Aria." Rosa reprimanded as she stood briefly before sitting down roughly on the side of my bed. The movement jostled me for a moment and I scowled but the pain was gone as I relaxed. She pulled the blanket off my body and I made a sound of annoyance when the cool air touched my warm skin. Looking down, I saw that I wore a very short shirt; it was long enough to cover my breasts and barely that - I wore an old pair of britches and my torso was wrapped up tightly but I could see blood staining the area I had been stabbed.

I smiled in spite of the sight, reflecting on the thoughts of the slaver dying by my hand. He had ruined my life and now he was finally gone - I had my revenge now; for my mother and for myself. Rosa noticed my smile and smiled herself, though she looked a little unsure. She pulled up my bandage a little, looking at my wound and letting me see for myself. It did not look infected, though it was very red. I could feel how deep the blade really had went after I focused on the area. I could tell that some muscles in my abdomen had been damaged and sighed; they would take forever to heal back up.

"How long until I can be back at arms?" I asked Rosa, who looked thoughtful for a moment and then saddened.

"I'm no dottore but it looked like you'll be on bed rest for some time." I groaned at her answer and tried to sit up again - this time Rosa helped me and soon I was resting against pillows and the headboard. We talked for a time about the state of Venezia; the thieves still held the mercato and everything had been quiet, for the moment. I asked after Dante and Rosa said with a frown that she had not seen him since I was brought here.

"What about Ezio?" I inquired, wondering why my hero wasn't here to greet me as I woke. It was unlike him.

Rosa smiled widely this time, "He was dead tired so I sent him to sleep not too long ago - after he spent all night refusing to leave your bedside. He asked that I send word of your waking." Her brown eyes looked a little guilty for a moment, "I should probably do that." I nodded and we said our goodbyes as she grabbed her crutch and hobbled out of the room; leaving me alone. I leaned against the headboard heavily - the thought of Nico unable to leave my mind in peace; I wondered where Dante was and if he was okay. I hoped he didn't hate me for not being able to save his brother. I looked down at my hands; I knew I hated myself for not saving him.

The door opened and I half-expected Rosa to walk through but instead Ezio entered, looking half-asleep and still tired. He was wearing a normal tunic; the top was open to show a little of his chest and also brown pants. His long hair was down; to my surprise, he never wore it down. I was smitten with the sight of it - it made him more handsome. I also noticed that he had shaved in a while and a fine stubble had grown on his face. It also made him all the more attractive. I blushed to myself; he had been in the room for all of five seconds and I was already salivating over him.

He smiled at the sight of me sitting up in bed and sat down on the side carefully. "I'm glad you're awake." He said and I nodded, happy to see him. I thought I never would again. Ezio grabbed my hand and held it tightly. "How are you feeling, cara?"

"Better than before." I replied, sincerely. I felt my side twinge as I said that and I visibly winched, causing Ezio to glance down at my stab wound. I noticed his eyes lingered on my short shirt and the swell of my breasts that barely hung out of the bottom. I pulled the shirt down self-consciously and he met my eyes with a smirk on his lips.

"I'm glad to hear it." Ezio said after staring at me for a moment. He smiled and ran a hand through his messy hair. "You gave us quite the scare. Dante and I couldn't find you the next day. We looked everywhere… Dante actually gathered the information from Isabelle Grimaldi. She was bragging to her friends about sending you to Borgia." I scowled at the thought - wishing I had killed her before she had the chance to wreck such havoc on my life. I could tell Ezio was sleep deprived because of the dark bags under his eyes. He was still handsome, I would never deny that but he looked so damn tired.

"Have you been sleeping?" I asked, not wishing to think of my capture and torture at the moment. The memory was much too fresh in my mind to dwell on. Ezio smiled a little awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Not so much." I must have looked like I was about to scold him for he spoke quickly. "I was too worried about you to think about sleeping."

"Your health is essential, Ezio." I said but did not go on; I had no wish to turn our true first reunion into an argument. My cheeks flushed as I thought back to what Ezio had called me before I blacked out in the dungeon. Ezio noticed and grinned, asking what was on my mind.

"What you said in the dungeon." I said boldly, smiling at him as he smirked and reach out to touch my face. He ran his thumb across my cheek tenderly and I leaned into his touch as his face came toward mine. I closed my eyes and was about to kiss him when I thought of the Epirus bow. "Where is the bow?" I asked as suddenly as it entered my mind. I cringed inwardly at my horrible timing. Ezio seemed surprised by my abrupt and unexpected change in subject but answered despite that fact,

"It is with Leonardo - safe." I relaxed, feeling relieved that it was safe and sound. "I need to tell you something, Aria." Ezio said and I looked over at him; green eyes meeting a deep golden brown, wondering what he needed to say to me. I wanted to know but I could tell that he was exhausted and needed more rest before any serious conversations were to go on.

"Let's wait." He seemed disappointed by my words but I smiled at him, making him smile back at me. "Rest and I will let you tell me what ever your heart desires." His golden, brown eyes met mine that instant and I flushed at the intensity of his gaze. I wasn't sure what he wanted to speak to me about but I could tell that it was something serious.

"I do not wish to leave you, yet." Ezio answered as his face came closer to mine.

"Then do not." I said and scooted over on my bed some, to give him room to lay beside me. Truthfully, I did not want him to leave me, either. I was comforted by the sight of him and did not wish him to leave my company. He helped me lay back before laying beside me - we were both turned toward each other. We stared at one another for a short time and as Ezio drifted off into a deep sleep, he murmured to me,

"Ti ho perso, cara." I could not help but smile widely at his words and he smiled back to me in his sleep.

"Ti amo, Ezio." I whispered back, certain that he would not hear but it felt wonderful to say anyways. I watched him sleep for a while; sometimes I would run my fingers through his long, brown hair and other times, I would gently run my finger along the stubble on his jaw line. I wasn't sure if I would ever gather the courage to tell him how I felt when he was awake but I knew that I couldn't keep it inside forever. I considered his words to me - he called me his love so did that mean that he loved me as I loved him? It was confusing me so I looked up the ceiling for a time before going to sleep, snuggling into Ezio's warmth.

Year 1485

Ezio never got the chance to tell him whatever he wanted to tell me. It wasn't brought up again and I assumed he had forgotten and I did not think to bring it up again out of my own nervousness. Five long years had passed since that fateful night that I had been taken by Borgia and we all had been rather busy. I was out of commission for a few months so I could heal and work my body back up to it's normal strength but I was eventually pulled into jobs from the Thieves Guild and from Teodora.

The Templars had been extraordinarily quiet the past few years. Borgia even left Venezia for a time and did not return until recently. I stood on top of a tower - at the meeting point Ezio and I had agreed upon and waited for my fellow Assassins arrival. We knew that there was to be an important Templar meeting in the Campo San Stefano and we would not be missing it. I looked up toward the sun, calculating what time it was and began to tap my foot in impatience at Ezio's tardiness.

I closed my eyes and kept my hooded head turned towards the sunlight, enjoying the warmth. When I opened my eyes, I looked toward the city on water below me and watched as people bustled among the streets and mercato. The city had many tourists at this point, since Carnevale was coming up so soon. I had to admit that I was excited - Carnevale was a lovely fair to attend. Ezio and I had went with Leonardo the last few years and it had been so much fun. I had Leonardo help me pick out a mask for the festivities this year and I thought of it tucked under my bed in my room at the Guild along with the Epirus bow. I didn't like to bring the bow out too often for it attracted a lot of attention.

As I thought of Carnevale, I heard a pair light footsteps behind me. "Nice of you to finally join me, Ezio." I said in an irritated tone as he came to stand by my side. He was smirking when I glanced over at him and I rolled my eyes before looking back down at the city.

"Are you ready?" Ezio replied casually, ignoring my annoyed remark at his delay in arriving.

"Always." I answered and then I jumped, aiming toward the haystack as I twisted in the air to look upward before hitting the hay. The great height of the tower to the ground always knocked the breath out of me but I rolled out of the way as Ezio landed beside me. We caught our breath before standing and melting into the crowd of the Campo San Stefano. We had spilt up but always kept the other in our sights as we searched for the Templars.

We found Carlo Grimaldi first - or should I say, Ezio found him first. I noticed when his eyes flashed to a vivid gold before settling back into his familiar golden, brown and soon he was nodding and heading the way he had looked. I followed behind him, not too far but not too close and we came upon Grimaldi. He looked quite older than he had the last time I had saw him; I supposed the life of a Templar was taxing on a person. I took in my surroundings and I noted that another man was heading toward him - his robes were dyed a deep red, signifying his position as a State Inquisitor. I knew this man by the stiffness of his jaw and the harsh brown of his eyes. He was Emilio Barbarigo's cousin, Silvio. He looked very upset at the moment. I positioned myself in a group of courtesans, remaining unseen from the Templars but I was close enough to hear their conversation. I saw Ezio position himself in a group of men talking; they looked confused at his presence in their group but did not question it.

"Where is Emilio?" Silvio asked Carlo with malice in his voice. It was clear that the two men did not see eye to eye.

"I don't know." Carlo snapped back at the man. "I told him to be here at this time."

"In person?" Silvio asked, glancing about nervously. I kept my eyes turned away, not wanting to make unnecessary eye contact with the targets.

"Of course I told him in person!" Carlo said back, annoyance and exasperation in his tone at Silvio. He scoffed as he crossed his arms, "I'm alarmed that you do not trust me, Silvio." Silvio ignored this and I could see Grimaldi visibly grit his teeth but the other man did not notice, still looking around apprehensively.

"He may arrive with the others. Let us walk for a while." Silvio said. Ezio and I made eye contact, both of us worried that we would not be able to shadow them properly while they were on the move. Ezio nodded his head toward the men walking away and I sighed before shadowing their steps. I could sense that Ezio was staying behind because I was, of the two of us, quieter and could blend in with the crowd easily. It was difficult to shadow the men because Silvio and Grimaldi both kept looking behind them suspiciously. They strolled around the entire rectangular campo before coming back to where they had started. I rolled my eyes as I relaxed back into the crowd of courtesans and I could practically feel Ezio's amusement at my irritation for following two men for no apparent reason.

"While we're waiting, you can tell me of how things are at the Doge's Palace," Silvio said as he and Grimaldi sat on a stone bench near a wall. I suppose they chose that area so no one could sneak up from behind them.

"Well, to be honest with you, it's not going too well. Mocenigo keeps his circle close. I have tried to lay the groundwork, as you asked, making suggestions in the interest of our Cause, but of course I am not the only one vying for his attention, and old though he is, he's a canny bugger."

Silvio watched a nearby stall as a young girl picked up a complicated-looking glass figurine and inspected it before sitting it back down carefully. "Then you must work harder, Grimaldi. You must become part of his inner circle."

"I am already one of his closest and most trusted associates. It has taken me years to establish myself. Years of patient planning, of waiting, of accepting humiliations."

"Yes, yes," said Silvio impatiently. "But what have you to show for it? Not a thing and why is that, Carlo?

Grimaldi made a sound of annoyance and a gesture of frustration. "I don't know. I do my best for the State. I work hard… But the fact of the matter is, Mocenigo just does not like me."

"I wonder why not," Silvio said coolly as he sneered into the crowd.

Grimaldi was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice the snub. "It's not my fault! I keep trying to please the bastard. I found out what he most desires and lay it on for him - the finest jams from Sardinia, the latest fashions from Milan -"

"Maybe the Doge just doesn't like sycophants."

"Do you think that's what I am?" Grimaldi sounded dismayed at the very thought of that.

Silvio rolled his eyes and retorted, "Yes. A doormat, flatterer, a bootlicker - need I go on?"

Grimaldi looked at him with anger apparent on his aging face. "Don't you insult me, Inquisitore. You haven't a clue what it's like. You don't understand the pressure in the -"

"Oh, I don't understand the pressure?" Silvio said, his voice rising in his own anger.

"No!" Grimaldi said before sighing exaggeratedly, "Just listen, I am close to the man. I have dedicated my life to establishing myself in this position and I tell you I am convinced I can recruit Mocenigo to our Cause." Grimaldi paused. "I just need a little more time.

"It seems to me that you've had more than enough time already." Silvio broke off and Ezio and I watched as he raised a hand to attract the attention of an expensively dressed elderly man with a elegant white beard, accompanied by a bodyguard who was the largest person I had ever seen in my life. Ezio had apparently thought the same as he looked at me with wide eyes. I smiled and looked back to see what transpired next.

"Good morning, cousin," The newcomer greeted Silvio. He turned to Carlo and said stiffly, "Grimaldi."

"Greetings, Cousin Marco, " replied Silvio. He looked around. "Where is Emilio? Did he not come with you?"

Marco Barbarigo looked surprised and then grave. "Ah. Then you have not yet heard the news."

"What news?"

"Emilio is dead!"

What?" Silvio exclaimed, sounding rather irritated that he did not know this type of information yet. "How?"

"I can guess," spat Grimaldi before continuing bitterly, "The Assassino." Ezio and I made eye contact again and he wiggled his eyebrows at me and I stifled a laugh at the expression.

Marco looked at him sharply. "It is so. Borgia was suspicious of his absence and we searched the canals for years. His body floated up late last night. It must have been there for - well, for long enough. They say he had swollen up to twice his usual size."

"Where can the Assassin be hiding?" Grimaldi said, looking about nervously and fidgeted with his hands, "We must find him and kill him before he does any more damage."

"He could he anywhere," said Marco. "That is why I take Dante here everywhere with me. I wouldn't feel safe without him." He broke off, looking alarmed for a moment as he whispered to the other men, "Why, he could be here, even now, for all we know.

"We must act fast," said Silvio quickly, also looking around with fear evident on his face.

"You're right," Marco agreed with his cousin.

Grimaldi made a pathetic sound before whining, "But Marco, I'm so close. I feel it. Just give me a few more days." He was pleading with the man but Marco would have none of it.

"No, Carlo, you've had quite enough time. If Mocenigo will not join us, we will remove him and replace him with one of our own, and hopefully it will be this very week!"

The giant bodyguard, who shared the same name as my dear friend Dante and whose eyes had not ceased from scanning the crowds from the moment he and Marco had arrived (though he must not be intelligent for I knew his eyes had came over me at least once before moving on,) now spoke. "We need to keep moving, signori."

"Yes, the master is probably waiting on us already, anyway." Marco said and the men began to walk away from us.

I met Ezio in the middle of the street. "Follow them and see what Borgia is planning. I will go and inform Antonio of what we have already learned." Ezio nodded and started to turn away but I stopped him. He turned back, impatience on his face but it erased as I kissed him deeply before pulling away. "Essere sicuri." He smiled and nodded before following after the men as I headed back to the Guild.

I thought about Ezio as I walked back. I was still unsure of the nature of our relationship. We had never really defined what was going on between us. I thought back to years ago when he said he needed to talk to me but he never did. We had not been intimate except for the very first time in Monteriggioni and it confused me a little because Ezio never made a move on me anymore. I wondered if he had simply lost interest in me. Sure, he kissed me and called me pet names but he never went further and I wondered if he even really wanted to. I frowned and shook my head, ridding the thoughts. This wasn't the time to be pining over him - something serious was about to happen to the Doge and we had to prevent it, if possible.

I met up with Dante along the way and he greeted me kindly. "Aria, very good to see you."

"You as well, Dante." I replied with a smile. After Nico had died, our friendship had been a little tense and while Dante mourned, we never really spoke. A year or two ago, he came to me and we had a deep conversation about Nico and life in general. It brought us closer and I was always thankful that I had not lost my brother because of my inability to save his. I still blamed myself but it was easier to move on knowing that Dante did not hold it against me or blame me himself.

"I just left the Thieves Guild. A man and two women were asking after you and Ezio. I think the man said he was Mario." Dante smiled; he knew exactly who the man was and how important he was to me.

I brightened immediately, momentarily forgetting the attack plan against the Doge. "Papa is here?" I squealed very unlike myself and hugged Dante before grabbing his arm and tugging him toward the guild. "Come with me, Dante. I have to tell Antonio something that you and my father should hear." He nodded and I let go of him before running toward the guild with renewed energy. Dante followed after me closely and we made it into a little race on the way there. I left him behind in my excitement and didn't look back as I drew closer to the headquarters.

I burst through the door to find Rosa standing beside Claudia and Maria, talking with them both. "Claudia! Maria!" I exclaimed and Claudia made a sound of excitement as we exchanged hugs. Maria was much more reserved but her brown eyes twinkled at me and I could tell that she was doing much better than the last time I had saw her.

"You look great, Aria." Claudia said with a wide smile. I took her in - it had been six years since I had seen her last. She looked older and more refined - she was certainly as beautiful, if not more so, than her mother.

"Look at you!" I replied, gesturing at her lovely noblewoman's dress. "Beautiful as an Auditore always is." Claudia giggled at my compliment and blushed as Dante entered the guild. He was out of breath from chasing after me and I laughed. "You've both already met Dante?" I asked and they nodded. Claudia couldn't keep her eyes off of him and Dante noticed, awkwardly looking away while a faint flush began crawling up his neck. I grinned more widely now. This was sure to be interesting. "Where is my father?" I asked and Rosa spoke.

"He is with Antonio in his office."

"Thank you, Rosa." I retorted and nodded to both Claudia and Maria before gesturing for Dante to follow me in. I noticed his blue eyes flicker toward Claudia for a moment before he walked after me. I smiled to myself as I entered Antonio's office. Antonio, Armando and my father all sat around his desk, laughing at some thing my father was saying. They turned as I entered and I lowered my hood as Mario stood from his seat.

"Ah, figlia! You've finally arrived!" I smiled and made my way to him and gave him a tight hug that he returned. "You look good." Mario said as his one good eye twinkled at me in a happiness that I had not seen for quite some time.

"I'm so glad you're here, padre!" I answered and hugged him again, evoking a laugh from all the men in the room. "Not that I mind but why are you here?" I asked as he sat back down and I leaned against the wall near Antonio's desk.

"Carnevale, of course!" Mario answered and I smiled at his enthusiasm. It had been so long since I had been near him and it was nice. "Claudia wished to come and we have decided that Ezio should be inducted into the Brotherhood officially sometime." I nodded at this as he continued, "we are staying at your old home - it's been rented out after that tragedy all those years ago." He smiled at me but I could see his worry behind his grin and his eye. "We must talk of what happened to you, cara."

I nodded, "Of course, padre. But another time. Ezio and I discovered a plan against the Doge." Each person in the room became intrigued and listened as I explained what I had heard earlier. When I finished, the men all breathed out a sigh and leaned back in their seats with the exception of Dante, who was still standing and ran a hand through his short, blonde hair.

Antonio sneered at the situation, "Treachery like this no longer surprises me."

"Si, I have to agree with that." Dante replied and we all sat in silence, thinking of what we could do.

"We will have to see what Ezio has learned before we really make any decisions." Mario said and we all nodded in agreement. As if thinking of him summoned him, Ezio breezed through the door with a relaxed smile. I could tell that he was as happy as I was to see our family here. After greeting his uncle, he explained to us that he basically heard the same plan the other men were talking about from Borgia.

"This will certainly take some serious planning." I said and Antonio continued after I spoke,

"Si, the Palazzo Ducale is so strongly defended that it makes the Palazzo Seta look like an open park…"

"Nothing is impenetrable." Ezio retorted with a devilish smirk on his lips. The men outright laughed while I blushed and hid my smile behind my hand. Leave it to Ezio to throw out an innuendo while planning a rescue for the Doge. I went to look out the window as the men discussed the Palazzo Ducale and a possible way inside.

Armando, who had been remarkably quiet the whole time said, "We have such little time on our side and there is no way through the grille at the top of the walls. Even so, think about all the guards there."

I watched a group of pigeons become frightened by a nearby child running past them and they took to the air. I sighed and gestured their way, "Look at the birds - if only we could fly."

A flash of something ran across Ezio's face and he grinned quite broadly. I could tell from the look in his eyes that my words sparked a plan in his mind and we waited for him to reiterate it to us. "I miei amici," Ezio began as he looked to each of us before letting his eyes linger on me. "I think it's time for us to visit a certain artist by the name of Leonardo da Vinci."

"Perhaps tomorrow, Ezio. It is getting rather late." Mario said and Ezio nodded, before excusing himself and leaving the room to go speak with his mother and sister. I watched after him and Mario nudged me, "Well, go on. I can tell that you want to go." I smiled and kissed my padre's cheek before walking out of the office with Dante. We met the group outside in the courtyard where Claudia was begging Ezio to take her on a tour of the city.

"Claudia, I am so tired and have been so busy. Perhaps in a few days?" Claudia pouted at him as I cleared my throat and spoke,

"Dante hasn't done much today - he could take her on a tour." Ezio eyed me and then Dante with a glint in his eyes. Dante, himself, looked surprised at my suggestion and a little nervous. Looking back to Ezio, I could tell that he didn't want his baby sister to be alone with another man but Claudia nodded enthusiastically at that idea, smiling over at Dante with large doe eyes. Ezio seemed skeptical of this coarse of action so I said, "Come on, Ezio. La protezione e nella sua descrizione del lavoro." Ezio sighed but nodded reluctantly and Claudia laughed heartily before hugging her brother tightly and thanking him repeatedly. After the two left, Maria excused herself to rest, leaving Ezio and I alone.

"Would you like to spend the afternoon together, Ezio?" I asked him quietly and he looked at me in surprise. "We haven't spent nearly any time together for the past few years."

Ezio smirked and I smiled for I had missed seeing that smirk directed at me. "I knew you would miss me." I rolled my eyes at him and turned to walk away but he grabbed my arm and twisted me back toward him like I knew he would. "I would love to spend this evening together."

"Bene." I replied, trying to stay serious but some eagerness slipped through my voice, causing him to grin at me. "Are you hungry?" I asked and he nodded so I led him toward a small restaurant that I came to every so often.

After we decided upon what to eat and told the chef, we sat a table with two cups of ale. Ezio kept smiling at me and I smiled back over the rim of my cup before asking, "What are you smiling about?"

"You, of course. Just remembering the time I found you drunk off your ass in a tavern in Firenze." Ezio laughed and looked as if he was picturing the moment as I groaned and sat my cup back down on the table.

"Of course you would remember that." I answered back in good humor, remembering vividly the entire night. From the Assassination, to Cristina, to the tavern and to the beautiful sunrise upon the tall tower. "Not my best moment, honestly. That night was full of embarrassing moments for me, if I do recall."

Ezio smiled, "Ah, yes. I do believe I made you pass out from my overpowering good looks and charm. Not to mention my superb skill."

I snorted as I took a drink ale and choked before laughing as it finally went down my throat. "You are so vain."

"For good reason, I assure you." Ezio retorted with a wink to me, causing me to laugh again. Luckily I had not been taking a drink this time around. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed spending time with Ezio.

"You seem awfully proud at having made me pass out." I said and Ezio rose a brow at me, obviously wondering what my next comeback would be. "Perhaps I was just so aghast by your supposed overpowering charm and good looks that I passed out from the absurdity of it all."

Ezio made an playful annoyed sound as he rolled his eyes and took a long drink of his ale before sitting it back down. His eyes glimmered at me mischievously as he replied, "Do not deny my prowess over you."

"You must be delusional." I countered with a short laugh and we silenced our joking as a barmaid laid our food in front of us and gathered our cups to refill them.

"I'm glad you still think of those times as well." Ezio said warmly and I looked up at him in surprise. Ezio ignored my stunned look and continued, "It's been long time. I feel so old."

I rolled my eyes. "You are only twenty six, Ezio!" Then I looked at him closer before looking at him in surprise and said, "Oh, Ezio. Is that a gray hair I see?"

"Where?" Ezio exclaimed, being rather vain and I could see that he was playing along with me. I stuck my tongue out at him and Ezio smirked.

"Don't do that."

"And why not?"

"Don't stick your tongue out unless you plan on using it for something." He pointedly looked down at his lap and I gasped before punching him on the arm. He rubbed his arm but his smirk did not fade as he continued, "Admit it, you've thought about it."

"Mio dio, Ezio, just shut up." I said lowly, feeling horribly embarrassed and I looked away from him but I knew he could tell that I was blushing. Of course, I had thought about it before but I wasn't going to just tell him that! The barmaid came and gave us our drinks again and I grabbed mine and took a big swig quickly.

"You have!" Ezio exclaimed after the barmaid was gone before bursting into laughter at my obvious discomfort. His golden, brown eyes locked upon my own and I could see how much he enjoyed the idea of that.

"You're horrible." I mumbled into my drink and Ezio guffawed a little more.

"I cannot deny that the idea of such things is rather appealing to me." Ezio said after he had calmed down from his uproarious laughter. I rolled my eyes and ignored him but he continued on, hoping to make me blush some more, "You have such a lovely tongue, I can only imagine what it would feel like on my -" I grabbed him by the thigh and he paused, looking astounded at my actions but anxious to see what I would do next.

"Ezio, you must stop with your teasing words." I tried to lower my voice seductively and I assumed it worked as Ezio looked deeper into my eyes, drawing closer to my face and I licked my lips slowly, letting him see my tongue again. His own tongue darted out to wet his own and I knew I had him in my snares. "So, unless you plan on doing something about this - about us. Then please, shut the hell up." I leaned back, releasing his thigh and he blinked as if he was being released from a spell. Ezio leaned back, looking at me in a different way than I had seen him look at me before. He took a slow and steady drink of his ale; I watched his throat bob before he sat down the cup and took another bite of his food. "Did I shock you, Ezio?" I teased, not used to him being so silent for he rarely shut up.

"Si, you certainly did." He replied, his voice was low and sensual. I gulped, suddenly feeling nervous. Just what did I do? "I'll have to think about your words for a time."

"Oh." I said, feeling a little disappointed and confused. I was frustrated by this - I wanted Ezio now but all the sudden he's playing hard to get? It made absolutely no sense to me. The last five years made no sense to me. I kept thinking of his strange actions as he paid and we exited the restaurant. Ezio noticed my frown and pulled me over to a secluded alley where we could talk in peace.

"What's wrong? You seem like something is bothering you, cara?"

"I don't know." I said, awkwardly. I wasn't sure how to tell him so I just blurted it out, "I feel like you're not attracted to me anymore!"

Ezio looked at me with a stunned expression before laughing. "What? Why would you think that?"

"It's been six years, Ezio. Six. Years. Do you not want me anymore?"

Ezio cupped my cheek and I looked away for a moment before he made me look back at him. "Of course I want you, Aria." He pulled my chin up before kissing me passionately and pulled me toward him. I wrapped my arms around his firm waist and kissed him back with all my emotions in the kiss. I wanted him to know how I truly felt. Ezio leaned back and smiled at me affectionately and said, "I just want to do this the right way."

"What do you mean?" I asked, not understand his words.

Ezio smiled and kissed my forehead before releasing me. "You'll see." With that he began to walk back to the Thieves Guild where we both stayed and I followed, wondering what he meant the entire walk.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I realized while writing this one that I haven't really gave you all much of a time line, though, I do have one written down. When I do my rewrite/edit I'm going to include the dates (maybe even some extra content :o). It's all pretty much the same as the game so no worries. I hope you all don't mind the jump in time after the beginning and you may be wondering why Ezio did not tell end up telling Aria whatever he wanted to tell her. There is a good reason for this and hopefully it will all be unveiled next chapter or the one after that. Again, I hope you all enjoyed. I did have to use some game dialog, particularly with Grimaldi and the two Barbarigo's as well as some in Antonio's office later on. I'm sure you all will recognize the parts, though! :3 Thanks for reading. Please, leave a review and let me know how the story is doing and what you think. I see how many of you read the story! lol, really though, it makes my day when I see that I have a review alert in my email :) Until next time...!

Translations:

Ti ho perso, cara - I have missed you, dear/darling.

Ti amo - I love you.

Essere sicuri - Be safe.

i miei amici - my friends.

La protezione e nella sua descrizione del lavoro - Protection is in his job description.

Mio dio - my god.

Thanks to everyone that favorited, alerted and followed this story! A special thanks to the two that did review (much love from me for that!):

xVentressx - That was my favorite part, too! ;D

& Anne Elric - I'm so glad that you like my story so much :D Le tue parole sono troppo gentile! I hope you enjoy chapter as well :D