AN: First things first, sorry for the wait guys. I've been so busy with school and softball and my beta was really busy for a huge project she had to work on so lets just say that updating stuff was a thing low on our list.

Anyway, to those of you who were demanding Desmond and the others earlier, you're welcome.

Enjoy!

-Silverwing

Connor slowly walked down the hallway to his locker, having returned from his three-day suspension; his return only reminded him how much he didn't want to be there. He forced himself to ignore the glares Ben Church, Tom Biddle, and a third year senior Vieri were giving him as he walked down the hall. Connor didn't pay attention to them and just kept walking. He ducked when the expected paper ball flew toward his head, but it was suddenly swatted away by someone else. "Not up in here!" he crowed, standing next to Connor.

Connor looked at him in surprise.

The guy crossed his arms and looked at the group. "Get out of here, you little shits."

Church and the others rolled their eyes and walked away. Connor opened his mouth to say 'thanks', but the kid was already flinging an arm around Connor's shoulders and talking away.

"I'm Desmond Miles, fellow Senior. I was astonished and thrilled to hear that you finally kicked the shit out of Hickey, after the stuff they've been doing to you all semester."

"I didn't really kick the-"

"It doesn't matter. You're the only one to stand up to the bastard and that makes you the hero of the school. You, Sir, have balls."

Connor couldn't decide whether Desmond irritated him or not yet.

"Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you are about to become the most liked guy here."

Connor stopped at his locker, shrugging Desmond's arm off. "Yeah. Thanks for letting me know. It's really not a big deal."

Desmond barked out a laugh. "Just share some of your fans, 'kay bud?"

He walked away, leaving Connor feeling confused. "Fans?" he muttered, shaking his head and getting his books.

In physics class, he took his normal seat. Pulling out the homework Ellie had gotten for him while he was suspended; Connor turned them into the 'Late' box near Mr. Volpe's desk.

He went back to his spot, confused to see a sticky note stuck to the table next to his book. Reading it, he suddenly felt light headed. It said: "Call me: 555-3445".

Connor looked around the room, feeling a blush creep up his neck as he spotted Anna and her posse. Her other friend, Dobby, was giving him a weird look and mouthed, 'Call me' with a wink.

Connor felt the blush come to his cheeks. He cleared his throat roughly, tucking the sticky note into his book so he wouldn't hurt her feelings.

This was going to be an interesting day.

Ellie sat down in English, huffing a little as she looked down at all of the sticky notes and slips of paper various girls had given her to give to Connor. Word had apparently got around that the pair were just friends and the female part of the population was ecstatic.

Connor basically ran in, quickly getting in his seat and pushing some stray strands of hair back from his forehead. "I don't know if I can take another sticky note," he said.

Ellie held up her handful with a smirk. "So I assume you don't want these?"

Connor literally blanched at the huge stack. "W-what are those?!"

"All of the phone numbers of the in the junior class with the XX chromosome. Are you interested?"

He shook his head, looking even more shocked. "What the hell? If I had known this would have gotten me a girlfriend, I would have punched someone my freshman year," he complained, resting his head on his desk.

Ellie snickered. "You wanted to be a man and have a girlfriend in your Freshman year?"

Connor shrugged, peeking at her sheepishly. "What guy didn't?"

Ellie shrugged. "Touché."

"Excuse me."

Ellie watched as a kid stood by Connor's desk, holding out his hand to Connor. He held out his hand to Connor. "Paul Revere. Yes, like the Revolutionary hero. You're Connor right?"

Connor tentatively held out his hand, giving Revere's a firm shake. "Yeah, I am."

"Well, I'm holding a little party next weekend. I was wondering if you and your friend," he gestured to Ellie, "would like to come. It's just a little get together. Nothing shady."

Connor didn't look convinced. "I'll think about it."

"Okay! Just tell Dez or Sam Adams if you want to."

Ellie arched a brow as Paul walked back to his seat. "Paul Revere…didn't one of his parties get busted?" she mumbled, trying to remember if it was just a stupid rumor or not.

"Would you go…if I decided to?" Connor asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ellie's brows rose. "Do you want to?"

Connor shrugged. "Not really. I'm not good with people I don't really know."

Ellie smirked. He didn't have to tell her that. "It would give you a chance to meet other people...especially all of your fangirls," she snickered, resting her arms on the desk.

Connor shook his head. "I don't like how all of this is happening. It's only because I punched a douche bag."

Ellie's smirk turned into a proud, approving grin. At least he wasn't letting all of this get to his head.

"Just keep on keepin' on, Connor. It will grow old in a couple days."

Boy, was she wrong.

Connor rolled out of bed that Saturday and trudged down the stairs with a large yawn. He passed his father, who was opening the door to get the morning paper. Once in the kitchen, he heard his father curse.

"What in the bloody hell is this shit?"

Connor hurried to the entryway, eyes widening as he stared at the porch. Haytham was scowling down at the various cards and baskets on the porch. He pointed his scowl at Connor. "Becoming quite the charmer, I see," he growled, kicking them out of the way as he went to get the paper.

Connor picked up a basket filled with candies and treats. He felt a blush come to his cheeks. How did these girls find out where he lived?

Connor stiffened as he realized why his father was cranky about it. "Oh crap."

Haytham walked back up with the paper, scowling still. "You hit the school bully and now you're every girl's knight in shining armor. Bloody great."

Haytham smacked Connor's arm with the newspaper. "Get this cleaned up," he ordered before walking back in the house.

The door shut behind him, leaving Connor on the porch with the embarrassing gifts. He sighed; at least these things could be used for something. He texted Ellie. "Look at my front porch for something funny."

He waited a few minutes, jumping when her door opened. She walked out onto her front porch, pausing and just staring at the mounds of gifts. Connor sheepishly held up the basket.

Ellie burst out laughing, jogging over to his yard. "Are you freaking kidding me? I've only heard of this happening to the quarterback!" she cackled.

She walked up onto his porch, pausing when she saw the rest of the gifts. "Holy. Schnikes."

"Yeah."

Ellie snickered, letting more cackles out. "Holy crap. This is priceless."

Haytham suddenly opened the door and poked his head out. "Can you two stop giggling and get that off my porch?" he snapped, shutting it again.

Connor actually felt embarrassed by his father for once.

Ellie arched a brow.

"This used to happen to him when he was my age, according to my grandfather," Connor explained, grinning.

Ellie rolled her eyes, chuckling. "Why does that not surprise me?"

Connor scratched his head. "I don't know why. He's a pretty big grouch!" He said the last part loudly, hoping that his father was still waiting on the other side.

"Clean it up, you berk!" Haytham barked from behind the door.

Ellie laughed, grabbing some of the cards and opening them up. Little slips of paper floated down.

Connor picked them up, rolling his eyes at the amount of phone numbers he had been given. Together, they carried all of the gifts to the trashcan sitting near the side of the road. Connor looked down at the baskets he was carrying. One had homemade cookies in them and the other had candy bars. Connor held out the one with candy to Ellie.

"Don't want to waste food," he mumbled, taking the Ziploc bag full of cookies out. Ellie shrugged, grabbing the candy. They tossed the baskets and walked back to the house. Ellie dug into some M&M's.

"How did they even figure out where you live?" she asked, popping some into her mouth.

Connor shrugged, pulling out a chocolate chip cookie and taking a massive bite. "Beats me."

They walked back inside, greeted by a scowling Haytham.

"What?" Connor asked, swallowing his mouthful of cookie.

"Why are you eating those?"

"Don't want to waste food."

Haytham rolled his eyes, walking toward the kitchen. "Bloody, boy-crazy chits," he grumbled.

Ellie looked up at Connor in amusement. "He really doesn't like that, does he?"

Connor took another bite of the cookie. "I guess."

Connor suddenly remembered that he had to help Achilles fix something in his attic today. "Well, I have to head over to Achilles' in a few minutes. Wanna come?" he asked.

Ellie arched a brow. "Seriously, do you even have to ask anymore?"

"Guess not."

Connor frowned at the insulation he was trying to staple in. The staple gun Achilles gave him jammed two times. Connor held the insulation in place, glaring at the stapler. "Okay, you piece of crap, work!"

He stapled the insulation in, grinning in satisfaction when it didn't jam. "'Bout time," he grumbled.

"How are you holding up, Connor?" Achilles asked, slowly walking up the stairs.

"Well, I got most of the insulation in. I just have a couple more places," Connor replied, helping Achilles up the last part of the stairs.

Achilles looked around, nodding in satisfaction. "Well done. Ellie showed me how to make an interesting casserole, so you have to come down and help us eat it when you're done."

Connor grinned, thinking about the food. His stomach gurgled and he turned to get back to work. "Ellie told me about your fight the other day, Connor," Achilles continued, leaning heavily on his cane.

Connor almost dropped the insulation he was holding. "What?"

"Now tell me, was this fight out of anger?" Achilles asked.

Connor felt like he was being tested somehow. The old man seemed to be searching for a certain type of answer and Connor didn't know what it was. So, he wung it. "He was saying stuff about my friends and my people. I just snapped."

Achilles nodded. "Let me guess- he said something about Miss Johnston?"

Connor frowned. "Didn't she tell you that?"

Achilles shrugged. "She told me you were defending your friends. I wanted to hear your side of the story," he paused and grinned, "And I know what you're going through. I also know that men like us would only fight back if someone they care about is being targeted."

Connor blushed at the old man's choice of words. "W-well…"

"I am correct though, right?" Achilles asked, tilting his head a little.

Connor cleared his throat roughly. "Yeah…I was mostly angry about how he was talking about her and my friends."

Achilles shook his head in amusement, tapping Connor's shoulder with his cane. "Son, I suggest telling her soon before it's too late."

Connor blanched. Sure, he decided back at the reservation that he liked Ellie, but telling her? There was no way. No way in hell.

"A-Achilles you have the wrong idea-"

Achilles pointed his cane in Connor's face. "I used to be a father. Don't lie to me."

Connor rubbed his neck, staring at the floor sheepishly.

If Achilles noticed from just being around them both a few times…who else could tell? Maybe that's why his father teased him all the time.

Connor shook it off, getting back to work while Achilles watched.

Could she tell?

Ellie walked downstairs to the Auditore's kitchen. She was staying the night at Claudia's and the family always had tasty Italian treats in the cupboards. She grabbed the crackers, moving to go back upstairs. A heavy sigh and footsteps stopped her. Ezio appeared in the entryway, holding an icepack to his cheek.

Ellie almost dropped the bag of crackers. "You actually got hit?"

"Shut up."

Ellie set the crackers on the counter. "What happened?"

Ezio shrugged, sitting at one of the stools on the counter island. "You know how we have punching bags at the training room?"

Ellie nodded.

"Well, I was bracing a bag for my student today and the chain broke. The maledizione thing fell and the chain and brace went straight toward my face. I leaned back in time so I didn't get hit too badly."

Ellie leaned forward, peeking to see the damage. "Holy cow."

"Yeah."

She popped a cracker into her mouth, cocking her head a little.

"What's up?"

"Huh?"

"Something is on your mind tesora, what is it?"

Ellie rolled her eyes. She really had to stop the head thing she did. Connor picked up on it too. Speaking of the Ox…

"I hate to admit it, but I might just need your advice," she said, taking a seat across from him.

He arched a brow, readjusting the icepack. "All right, hit me."

Ellie bit her lip, trying to put her recent thoughts into words. She decided to just not beat around the bush. It was Ezio, after all. He might come off as a block head, but she knew how smart he was.

"You remember Connor, right?"

"The Kenway kid? What about him?"

Ellie pushed her bangs out of her face. "Well, Claudia mentioned something the other day at school…"

Ezio furrowed his brow. "And that was?"

Ellie looked away, clearing her throat and recalling the moments. They had been sitting in English and Connor came up in their conversation before class started…

"You know he really blew up because Hickey started talking about you, right?" Claudia said. Ellie had just told her what really happened.

Ellie shook her head. "You should see how he is around his family and friends at his old home. I was surprised he didn't blow up sooner."

Claudia shook her head. "No, he wouldn't have. That would have just proved Hickey right in his own eyes. He blew up because you were being mentioned."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she said, taking a drink from her water bottle.

"Seriously. Guys are protective of the girls they like. Ask my brothers or dad any day."

Ellie spat out her water.

She shook the memory out of her head, taking a deep breath. "Well, Connor got into a fight with Thomas Hickey last Monday and-"

"Someone finally punched the stronzo? About time! I almost kicked his ass when he was a Freshman."

Ellie waved it off. "That's not the point. The thing is, Hickey had been picking on Connor all semester. He kept saying stuff about Native Americans and he started to bring Connor's friends into it as well."

Ezio nodded, frowning a little. "So, what does this have to do with something Claudia said?"

Ellie bit her lip. "Well…Connor punched him because Hickey said something about me. Claudia said it was because he…"

She trailed off, feeling a light blush come to her cheeks.

Ezio's eyes widened before a smirk appeared. "Because he adora?"

Ellie frowned. Being around the Auditores meant that you learned little Italian phrases whether you liked it or not. She knew what that meant. "Yes. Claudia said it was because he liked me."

Ezio chuckled, shaking his head. "Piccola, what is the problem then?"

Ellie pushed her hair back, sighing. "I guess my dilemma is; how can I tell if he does? I mean, we're really good friends and I just don't want things to be awkward now that the thought is in my mind and-"

"Don't make it awkward! Simple!" Ezio laughed, getting up.

Ellie pouted at him. "But-"

"Do you want to know the truth, bella?"

Ellie frowned. "Uh, yeah. That's what I've been asking, meathead."

Ezio laughed, throwing the icepack back into the freezer. Ellie winced at the purple mark on his cheekbone.

"Does he spend a lot of time with you?"

"Yeah, we're good friends."

"But does he go out of his way to spend time with you?"

Ellie thought about their visit to his old home. He didn't have to take her along, but he did anyway. All of the little times they spent together on an almost daily basis came to mind as well. "Yeah…"

"Does he do things for you, cara?"

Trips in the Mustang and free blizzards came to mind. "Yeah…"

"He likes you."

Ellie groaned. "That's it?"

Ezio grinned, leaning his elbows on the counter. "It's simple. We don't like to talk about lovey dovey merda so we just show how we feel instead. You girls do all of the talking."

Ellie cocked her head. "Yeah but-"

"And if a dick was talking about the girl I cared about, I'd kick his ass too. I don't blame the guy, especially if it was that douche Hickey. I almost kicked Vieri's ass once because he was talking about Christina."

Ellie grinned, shaking her head. Ezio was the last school hero before Connor. He also managed to date the prettiest girl in school while he was there. "I'm still not so sure," Ellie said, reaching for the crackers.

Ezio tapped her nose. "Trust me, you'll know when it's right."

Ellie rolled her eyes. He made this stuff sound so easy!

He grabbed a few crackers before walking away, leaving Ellie alone with what he told her.

Stupid meathead.