Chapter 7

[A/N]: Sorry, this one is a bit short. The next one should be a bit longer. Hope you're enjoying! Feedback is always welcome!

"Buongiorno, Rosa. Still in bed, I see?"

The thief turned from her book to find Ezio closing the door to the sunny Venetian morning.

"Si," she answered as she closed it, "as I promised."

"You make it sound like you're doing me a favor."

"If it were up to me, I would have been on those crutches yesterday."

Ezio grinned as he set up their chess board. "I find it difficult to believe you were making much progress from the floor."

She swung her fist at his arm but he managed to move just before she landed a punch.

"Careful, you might knock the board over."

"Oh, what a shame that would be," she rolled her eyes.

"Are you afraid I'm going to beat you again?"

"Listen, stronzo," she began, "if you think…"

She paused and considered for a moment before glaring at him.

"I know what you're trying to do," she told him.

"I have no idea what you mean," he shrugged. "If you're afraid of a rematch, all you have to do is admit who the better player is."

"Fine," she grumbled as she rotated herself to access the game board. "If you're going to gloat like a child, I'll give you your rematch."

"I'll take what I can get," he accepted as he positioned the last pawn on the board. "You begin."

She moved one of her pawns forward and leaned back as Ezio looked at the board.

"So," she began, "what demanded your attention yesterday? I assume it was important since you left me unsupervised. Or did you just go drunkenly chasing after the girls of Venezia?"

"No, a chase is not necessary. The girls of Venezia have a strange way of bumping into me," he replied wryly as he selected his move.

"Hmmph," she snorted, "then what kept you busy for a whole day?"

"I was visiting a friend. I figured we should catch up a bit."

Rosa stopped in the middle of her move and looked up at Ezio, her face pale.

"Did you tell him where you were staying? Or anything about us?"

"He knows nothing," he reassured her. "I told him I was safe, and he was more than satisfied."

"Oh," Rosa caught her breath, "va bene."

"A little paranoid, are you?"

"With good reason, Ezio," she said as she finished her move. "Our whole operation could be destroyed if enough information gets to the wrong person. It is good you know how to keep a secret."

"It comes naturally in my line of work," he remarked as he made another move.

"Mine as well. I suppose that means we'll never really be able to get to know each other," she shrugged.

"Give it time, amica mia," Ezio smiled.

"Are you beginning to trust me?"

"Not at all. I seem to recall you promising me not to do anything reckless a couple weeks ago."