[A/N]: Thanks for reading! Feedback is always welcome!

Chapter 53

"I know what you're going to say."

Ezio and Rosa hadn't spoken much on their way back to the thieves' den. Ezio was too busy thinking about getting Rosa proper medical attention for her wound. He suspected Rosa's pride was responsible for her silence in return.

In fact, the only time either of them had spoken prior to this was when they came upon a doctor who (at Ezio's request and despite Rosa's objections) had given them some medicine to clean the cut. The doctor offered to help treat the wound, but Ezio declined for fear that Silvio's men would find them in public and attack.

"Do I?" was Ezio's nonchalant response as he uncapped the vial that the doctor had sold to them and set it on a table in Rosa's room.

In truth, he knew what she thought she knew he was going to say. She was expecting him to justify his earlier concerns about her safety on the mission with this example and (attempt to) forbid her from helping him like that in the future.

She was wrong. When she didn't reply, Ezio spoke again.

"I didn't become this skilled with a sword without a few scars," Ezio admitted. "It is a wonder my face is still intact."

"Mostly intact," Rosa corrected, indicating the mark on his lip.

"It's still the best face in this city," he shrugged with a grin. "What I mean to say is that you held them off longer than most people could, and you still managed to get away with only a cut to show for it."

"You're not going to make me stay in bed for a month, are you?"

He chuckled. "If this medicine works, that should not be necessary. Besides, you're more useful when you're on your feet."

She stuck out her tongue at him, but he knew she appreciated the sentiment.

"What scars do you have other than the one on your lip?" she asked. "I haven't seen any."

Ezio, who was now out of his robe, lifted his camicia* to show her a fairly large one that went across his chest, as well as a few other small ones on his torso.

"Where did you get that one?" Rosa asked, indicating the large one.

"Training accident," Ezio grinned. "One of Zio Mario's recruits gave it to me before either of us knew how to properly wield a weapon."

"Does it hurt?" asked the thief, poking it with her finger before awaiting an answer.

"No, it was a long time ago. Mario says it will heal eventually."

"What a shame," Rosa sighed. "I like it."

"If you want yours to heal, we should have a look at it," Ezio suggested, pouring some of the medicine onto a small cloth.

"Fine. I hope you know what you're doing. Give me a moment. Turn around."

She removed the garments that obstructed access to the wound. Faced with the prospect of Rosa's knee in his gut if he tried otherwise, Ezio looked away until she covered her front with the clothing and announced she was ready.

"I do not think you would be allowed in a church dressed like that," Ezio teased as he looked at her. Rosa's face turned red from rage, embarrassment, or a combination of the two (he couldn't tell).

Ezio sat behind her and looked at the damage. The cut ran diagonally across her back, but it wasn't deep enough to cause serious concern. Ezio was relieved to see it was already beginning to heal a little, but the doctor had recommended it be cleaned with the medicine nonetheless. Ezio pressed the cloth gently against it, and Rosa immediately jerked away.

"Ow…OW!" she shouted, first at the sting from the chemical on the cloth, then at the pain of the sudden movement.

"Don't move so much, mia cara. I never said it was going to be fun."

"You're enjoying this," Rosa accused.

"More than you know," replied Ezio as he leaned over her shoulder and kissed her cheek.

*I had to look this one up. From my (admittedly limited) research, I believe this would be the correct term for the white shirt-like garment Ezio wears (which he can be seen wearing in Brotherhood when Monteriggioni is attacked). In modern Italian, it basically translates to "shirt." I figure he probably took his robes off once in a while. I must confess, I'm nowhere near an expert on clothes, let alone Renaissance fashion. If anyone is, please correct me if I'm wrong.

[A/N]: With a "T" rating, this is about as suggestive as we're going to get.