Connor stuck some toast in his mouth, hurrying out the door to the mustang. It was the first day of second semester and he wanted to get out before Haytham could bother him about a college visit again. Even though Connor had planned one, his father was determined to get him to plan more visits.

"Get back here, you twit!" Haytham's voice sounded from the door.

Connor saw Ellie walking out of her own house, toward his car. He leapt off the porch, almost slipping and falling on the ice in the process. He beckoned to her, hurrying toward his car.

"Hurry!" he said, getting in. He tossed his bag in the back seat, quickly buckling up.

Ellie got in right as he turned the ignition. "What's going on?"

Connor pointed at Haytham, who was now standing on the porch with a stern look. Ellie rolled her eyes, cranking her window down. She poked her head out. "See ya, Mr. Kenway!"

Haytham waved them off before walking back inside.

Ellie rolled her window up again, arching a brow at Connor.

Connor stuffed the rest of his toast in his mouth so he wouldn't have to talk yet. He pulled out of the driveway.

"Did you just shove a whole piece of toast in your mouth?"

Connor nodded, focusing on the road.

"Gross."

He rolled his eyes, stopping at the stop sign. He finally managed to swallow his toast.

"So, why was your Dad grumpy?" she asked, resting her on the middle console.

"He's always a grouch."

Ellie gave him a look.

"We were talking about college visits the other day and he got mad when I told him I only planned one," Connor explained, pulling out of the cul-de-sac.

Ellie nodded, setting her book bag at her feet. "What college are you visiting? Skidmore or Empire State?"

Connor stopped at a stoplight, looking at the weird horses on the road again. "Skidmore."

Ellie nodded, looking through her bag. "I know their English department is good. Why Skidmore though?"

Connor shrugged. "Well…my mom went there. I decided to check it out."

Ellie grinned. "That's cool. What are you planning on majoring in?"

Connor bit his lip a little. He remembered his father's reaction to his idea. "Well…"

"Well?" Ellie asked, leaning toward him with an expectant look.

Connor looked out the window again, trying to get off the subject. "What are those statues here for?"

Ellie looked out the window at a statue painted many colors. "The companies sponsor artists to decorate those horses. The ones that are displayed still are the ones that the companies bought. It's part of some art show. Now, quit avoiding the subject and just tell me what you want to major in." She pinched his arm, smirking at him.

Connor sighed. "I told my dad I wanted to get into vet school."

Ellie quirked a brow. "So, biology?"

Connor nodded, furrowing his brow a little. "Yeah. I'm not sure if I want to do that just yet, though."

Ellie shrugged. "Well, if you do biology, you can always do something else with that degree. You don't have to do the vet thing."

Connor looked at her in mild surprise. She had a point. "Why the sudden interest in what I want to do?" he asked when the light turned green.

Ellie gave him a teasing grin. "Does it matter?"

Connor shook his head. "Not really."

He finally pulled into the school parking lot, frowning at the building.

"What is it?" Ellie asked, giving him a concerned look.

Connor sighed. "Another semester."

Ellie thumped his shoulder. "You should be glad! It's your last one! Come on," she laughed, getting out.

Connor grinned a little, shaking his head.

Now that he was dating Ellie, this semester might not be so bad.

Ellie walked into English, sitting down in her usual spot and resting her head on her desk. She hated the beginning of the second semester. She was still on Christmas Break mode.

"Tired?" Connor said as he sat down in front of her.

She looked up at him, resting her chin on her arms. "Can this day be over already?"

Connor grinned, resting an arm on her desk. "If only."

Claudia walked in and Ellie instantly tensed up at her storm-cloud expression.

"Damn that pervert!" she snapped before cursing more in Italian.

Ellie exchanged looks with Connor. "You still haven't told Ezio about that jerk?" she asked, turning toward her friend.

Claudia sniffed in irritation. "I don't want to run to my brothers whenever someone bothers me. He's not worth their time," she grumbled.

Ellie quirked a brow. "I think they would say differently."

Claudia rolled her eyes, pulling her chapstick out. "Whatever. I just can't wait to graduate. Can it be May already?"

Connor groaned, leaning back in his desk chair. "Yes please."

Ellie tugged on his ponytail. "Jerks. You keep reminding me that I have one more year."

Claudia leaned close as Mr. Lee walked in. "At least you won't have to deal with this stronzo your senior year."

Ellie shrugged. It was true.

"Alright class, we are going to start off with a tale called Great Expectations this semester and I am expecting a one page report about it next Friday," Lee said, writing 'Charles Dickens' on the board.

Ellie shared a look with Connor. Lee would assign something like that at the beginning of the semester.

"Sparknotes here I come," Claudia hissed quietly, tucking her chapstick back in her purse.

Ellie grinned, shaking her head. She wrote down what Lee was writing on the board about Dickens. About 20 minutes later, a folded piece of paper landed on her desk. She looked up, seeing Connor look toward the board again.

She unfolded the paper, grinning. Is it just me, or is his hair greasier than usual?

She scribbled on, Maybe it's the shampoo he's using.

She tapped his shoulder, quickly tossing the paper over and smiling as his shoulders shook as he held back his laughter. Ellie smirked and played with the end of his hair a little, seeing what he would do.

He turned his head a little, still looking at the board. She poked and prodded him all of class, giving him a teasing look whenever he looked at her.

The bell finally rang and everyone quickly made their way out of class. Connor started to poke her. "You think you're so funny, don't you?!"

Ellie tried to get away, but he grabbed her and started to tickle her. Claudia smacked them both.

"You're both children!" she laughed, hitching her purse higher.

Ellie stuck her tongue out as she walked away, rolling her eyes at Connor. Claudia suddenly froze. "Oh merda. Connor, walk in front of me, will ya?"

"Why?" Connor asked, pulling his head away before Ellie could tug on his braid.

"Douche-io is ahead in the hallway. Hide me!"

Ellie laughed as poor Connor was shoved in front of Claudia, acting as a human body guard.

Poor guy.

Ellie was happy to take her time while walking out of Calculus. Luckily, Connor was in there with her again. He didn't walk toward the senior locker bay, following her instead. "Do you need to go to your locker?" she asked, glancing at him.

He shook his head. "Ellie, are you a part of any groups?"

Ellie shook her head. "Nope, not unless you count track. Why?"

"I'm just bored. I want to do something else besides homework here," Connor said, leaning against the locker beside her.

Ellie stuck her books in her locker. "Join a sport."

Connor's nose scrunched at the suggestion. "What sport? I didn't really do competitive sports at my last school."

Ellie looked up in thought. Wrestling and basketball were out of the question, since their seasons were almost halfway through. "Track? You kicked my butt when we jogged all the time, and I'm one of the top hurdlers on the team."

Connor didn't look too sure.

Some boys walked by. "Man, you better get a new glove or coach is going to kick your ass," one of them said, chiding the boy beside him.

The other boy waved him off. "Eff that. I'm not playing for that asshole ever again."

She recognized them as baseball players and she felt the light bulb click on inside her head. "Baseball," she said, looking at him.

Connor arched a brow. "Baseball?"

Ellie closed her locker, pulling her coat on. "Yeah. I'm sure you could do it. You're a natural athlete, after all."

Connor smirked. "How do you know?"

Ellie rolled her eyes, thumping his shoulder. "Don't push your luck. Besides, you played when you were little, right?"

Connor rubbed the back of his head, moving to walk down the hallway. "Yeah, but I stopped playing when I started high school so I could help mom out."

Ellie grinned. "Desmond plays. Maybe he can hook you up."

Connor perked up a little at that. "Yeah, maybe he can."

They continued walking toward the door. Ellie grinned and reached for his hand. She almost giggled when she felt him tense up. The way his enormous hand basically engulfed hers was almost laughable.

She shivered and walked closer to him when they walked outside. "I want spring to come already," she grumbled.

Ducking, she managed to get Connor's arm around her shoulders as the light snow fell. "You're not doing your boyfriend duty and keeping me warm!" she huffed.

Connor laughed, tightening his grip around her. "I'll do better in the future."

"You better, or no more homemade sweets for you!"

"Seriously, you wanna play?" Desmond asked.

Connor pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing a little. He shifted the phone to his other hand. "Well, I decided that I needed to do something with my time. I already fixed most of Achilles' house so I won't have anything to do when I'm bored."

"Ha, you know, Ellie could help with that."

Connor frowned at the teasing suggestiveness in Desmond's voice. "What?" he growled.

"Never mind! Okay, so tryouts are in a couple weeks. Wanna meet at a gym and throw a little to see where you're at?"

"Sure, when?"

"I can go now man."

Connor looked at the clock. It wasn't too late and Lee was the only teacher that really gave homework that day. "Okay, where?"

"My dad lets me use the Bureau's gym sometimes. I can get us in there."

"Alright! Let's see what you've got!" Desmond said, tossing the ball in the air.

Connor readjusted the glove a little before holding it up. "'Kay."

Desmond threw and Connor's old ball days quickly came back. They started off easy before it became some sort of a competition. Desmond's throws gradually increased in velocity, and Connor had never been one to sit back.

Soon, the boys were trying to throw it out of each other's reach. Connor blinked in surprise when Desmond full out dove for a ball he threw a little too far left. Desmond quickly got to one knee and zipped it right back.

"Dude, I've been the starting shortstop for three years. Nice try," Desmond laughed, getting up.

Connor looked at the ball. "What positions are open?"

Desmond rubbed the back of his head. "Well, the catcher from last year tore his ACL and coach had to put Sam behind the plate. He does okay until the pitcher throws something out of the strike zone. So, you have a chance there. We also had a couple outfielders and the third baseman graduate last year."

Connor held back a grin. "I used to catch."

Desmond's face lit up. "Seriously? Show me."

Connor frowned. "Now?"

"Yeah! I can pitch. That's my second position."

Connor scratched his head. "I don't have any gear on me..."

Desmond rolled his eyes. "Well, if you're gonna be a pus-"

"Fine! I'll do it!"

Desmond smirked as he stepped back. Connor crouched down, grumbling curses toward his friend.

"Ready?" Desmond called out.

"Sure."

Desmond wound up and let it fly. Connor caught it easily without flinching. Desmond continued to throw fastballs, but Connor felt uneasy when he suddenly smirked. Desmond threw again and Connor quickly dropped to his knees to block the drop ball, letting it bounce up and hit his chest.

"You ass!" Connor growled, throwing his glove toward Desmond, who was cracking up.

"Dude! That was awesome! Adams can't do that to save his life!" Desmond crowed, jogging over to him.

Connor had to stop himself from rubbing where the ball hit him.

Desmond clamped a hand down on his shoulder. "Dude, you might just be the new starting catcher we need. How was your hitting when you played?"

Connor shrugged. "I was third or fourth batter a lot."

Desmond whooped. "Yes! We won't have a hole this year!"

Connor shook his head in amusement at Desmond's enthusiasm. "I haven't played in three years," he said, looking at the ball in his hands.

Desmond shrugged. "Don't worry man, we have a couple months to practice before the first game. We'll have time to get you up to speed."

Desmond was basically dancing with glee as they walked out of the gym.

"We'll win the conference this year for sure!"

"So, you're going to try out for the team?" Ellie asked, dumping some brown sugar into a bowl. They had decided to hang out at Connor's house and Ellie had brought over some baking stuff.

Connor hopped up onto the counter, letting his legs dangle. "Yeah, Desmond says I have a good chance, so I guess I am."

She nodded, cracking a couple eggs and adding them to the sugar. "What position are you going to try out for?"

Connor grabbed an apple out of the fruit bowl. "Desmond said I had a good shot at catcher or third base, so hopefully one of those."

Ellie grinned as she put the vanilla in. "You'll make it. I know you will."

A bashful grin came to his face as he ducked his head, putting the apple back. "What are you making?" he asked, clearing his throat a little.

"Cookies," she replied, dumping the melted butter in.

He peered over into the bowl. "What kind?"

Ellie smirked, walking over to where the flour was. "You'll just have to see."

She slowly added the dry ingredients. "Have you told your dad about wanting to play?"

Connor flinched. Ellie felt her heart sink a little. Connor seemed to do that whenever his dad was mentioned now. "You haven't?"

Connor shook his head. "I was going to wait until tomorrow."

Ellie nodded. Tomorrow was Saturday, as well as the college visit. She looked down at the dough, poking it to see if it was the right consistency. She put a little more flour in, stirring again. "Why wait?"

"I was going to wait until he was in kind of a good mood. I think the case he has is stressing him out right now."

Ellie frowned. "Are the FBI still looking for the head guy?"

Connor nodded. "Yeah, and they keep pulling Jenny in for questions. My dad doesn't like it at all."

Ellie walked over to him, placing a hand on his arm. "It'll get better. You'll see." She remembered when Connor told her about the whole gang thing that happened to him and Desmond. She never wanted to see him that worried or scared ever again.

She nudged his hip, reaching for the cabinet behind him and pulling out the chocolate chips as he ducked.

Something touched her back as she dumped the chocolate chips in. Connor was standing right behind her, peering into the bowl. He gave her a pleading look.

Ellie frowned, trying to hold back a grin. "No."

He pouted a little, leaning down to her level.

Ellie almost sighed in exasperation. He was very good at the puppy dog pout. His big brown eyes weren't helping either.

"Fine! You can have a little," she said, throwing her hands up with a grin.

Connor grinned and plucked a small clump of dough out of the bowl. "Nia:wen," he said around his mouthful.

Ellie shook her head in amusement. "You're welcome," she said, pecking him on the cheek.

Connor grunted in surprise, peeking at her as she stirred the dough. She smirked at him.

"Why do you have to do that?" he asked, swallowing the last of the dough.

Ellie feigned innocence. "Do what?"

"Surprise me all the time," he said, leaning back against the counter.

She grinned devilishly. "Surprise you how?"

Connor pouted, furrowing his brow. "Very funny."

She let out a laugh, walking to get the cookie sheet and parchment paper out. "You make it too easy!"

He looked away, crossing his arms. "That doesn't mean you should do it all the time," he grumbled.

Ellie poked him with the end of the parchment paper roll. "We're dating now. I can kiss your cheek whenever I want."

She set the cookie sheet and parchment paper down. "It's not like you can't do the same, you know," she teased, looking at him over her shoulder.

She had to hold back a giggle as his face turned pink. Turning back to the counter, she spread some parchment paper out on the cookie sheet, rolling some dough into a ball and placing it.

Tan, strong arms wrapping around her waist caused her to let out a small squeak, dropping her dough back into the bowl. She tried to look at Connor over her shoulder, feeling her cheeks start to tingle at the feeling of him holding her like this. "Is this you doing the same?" she asked, not sounding as teasing as she would have wished.

Connor rested his chin on her shoulder. "Maybe."

She chuckled softly, lightly bopping his head with the clean side of the wooden spoon. "Well, if you want me to finish these cookies..."

He only tightened his hold. Ellie rested her head back against his shoulder. They stood in a comfortable silence for many moments, just listening to each other breathe.

"You remind me of my mom when you bake. She used to all the time," he mumbled against her shoulder.

Ellie reached up, touching the side of his head and gently digging her fingers into his hair. She knew that actions spoke louder than words with him, so she stayed silent, just letting him know she was there.

"Should I return later?"

Ellie jumped and Connor almost fell over at the sound of Haytham's voice.

Ellie looked at the older man in shock. How did he walk into the house without them noticing? Connor told her his theory about Haytham being trained by ninjas and she started to believe it. "Uh, hey Mr. Kenway," Ellie said, picking at the collar of her sweater sheepishly.

Haytham nodded to her, peering over into the bowl. "Make sure to clean up when you're done," he said, looking at Connor, who had retreated to the other side of the kitchen by that time.

Connor nodded, looking away from them. Ellie almost laughed at how pink his face was.

Haytham nodded, grabbing his briefcase before walking out of the kitchen.

Ellie glanced over at Connor. "He really was trained by ninjas, huh?"

"You have no idea."