Hello!

Here is another chapter! It's not my best one, but I am not sure. Please review! Tell me what you all think.

-Moon

The weeks that followed Johnson's death was a blur for Catherine. Herself and Connor were hard at work to gain the support of the natives to gain native land legally. A lot of the natives refused the sale, Catherine understood, unlike Johnson, she did not pressure the issue.

Though, Connor had managed to speak to the village elders and the Clan Mother to allow Catherine to own legal right to the land. Connor was able to explain on the behalf of Catherine that by owning their land, no one would be able to step foot on the native's land without her permission.

After the signing became legal, Catherine felt the chance to relax for the first time since coming back to the Colonies. Though, the one thing she had on her mind was that Martian had made his way to the colonies. In seeing him on the Johnson estate, she wanted to track him down.

Catherine sat by herself to think about what was next. Boston was erupting in chaos from the Boston Tea Party and the blockade that blocked the harbor. Samuel Adams had called for a boycott of any English goods, but it was only a matter of time before violence broke out on the streets again.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the sound of the front door opening and closing behind her. She sat out on the porch of the Davenport manner, Connor approached up from behind her, tapping her on the shoulder.

She glanced up at him with a gracious smile, "Ello Connor," She patted the spot next to her.

Connor walked up to her to take a seat, he sheepishly glanced around before pressing a kiss to her cheek. Catherine pushed him away with a giggle, "We can't let anyone see us."

"Why not?"

"Do you think Achilles would let us sleep in the same house?" She chuckled.

Connor smiled, "He already knows, I had gotten quite a talk from him."

"A talk?" Catherine raised an eyebrow, "What did he say?"

The native assassin shook his head, "He is worried that it would affect our work."

"I have to admit, I have some concerns too." Connor raised an eyebrow, "But, we can work through this." Catherine patted his arm with a small smile.

"Agreed…I have a letter for you. It arrived yesterday while you were helping Myriam with her hunting."

Catherine took it from him, "It's from James…" She tore the seal of the letter.

"What does it say?"

Catherine scanned the first few lines before glancing at Connor. "There is going to be a meeting in Philadelphia it shall be known as the Continental Congress. It's going to be a group discussion on how to respond to the British government's coercive actions. He is going to be there with Samuel Adams…They want us to attend."

"No, they think me as one of their own. You should go for yourself."

Catherine folded the letter nicely, stuffing it into her pocket. "Then I will. I just need a day to prepare."

"At least let me take you by ship."

"You just said you did not want to come."

"I still can take you,"

Catherine small smile, "You just want to spend more time around me…"

"It could be that…I mean I have not seen you in four years."

Catherine smiled as she listens to his words. "I appreciate that Connor but I will just go by horseback, I don't you to be suck into this unless you want too."

"I'll stay here, besides I need to help prepare for the arrival of Warren and Prudence."

Catherine could remember when they stumbled upon the couple struggling against British troops. Half of their livestock laid in puddles of blood and the earth was ruined where nothing would grow there. After aiding them, Connor offered a place on Achilles land to live in peace in exchange for trade of their goods. Connor took in assisting Terry and Godfrey of building a barn and proper home for the couple. The red hair lass looked forward to greeting them once she returned from Phildiphea.

She stood up from the steps, "I better pack for the journey." Catherine placed both hands on her hips looking over the dirt road. A moment of silence, she thought back to when she last visited the city. A phantom pain throbbed in her side where a musket ball was once embedded into her skin.

"Catherine?"

She hummed in response turning back to face the native. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Aye, just thinking about the last time I was there. I was shot by my own best mate then woke up on my father's ship."

"Maybe you shouldn't go to then…"

Catherine waved her hand away, "No, its just nerves with being back in the Colonies that's all. I haven't even been back home yet. I am supposed to meet Samuel Adams in Boston and we are going to travel together to Philadelphia."

Connor saw the agitated look on Catherine's face, he slowly stood up and walked over to her. He outstretched his arm to take her chin gently, catching the woman off by surprise. She placed her hand gently over his wrist while he gently pushed back the copper-colored locks. He leaned over to gently pressed her rose-colored lips. Going from an uncertain look to a wide smile that showcased her teeth.

"I'll be back in a few weeks, Connor." She pulled away from his hand. "I'll send a letter with news about the outcome of the Congress." She stood up from her spot. "I shall get provisions ready for the journey. I am going to leave at dawn."

Connor stood up, towering over her. "Alright, I'll let Achilles know you are leaving."

"I promise, I won't get shot this time." She touched his arm with a reassuring look.

"I will hold you to that."

/

The Boston Neck was a familiar sight for Catherine Cormac. She could not remember the last time she crossed the gates into the town. She missed being amongst the crowded streets, she was careful to keep her hood pulled up. She would hope no one would recognize her since everyone presumed she was dead. Dressed in her assassin coat, she was sure that no one would recognize her. She had her hair tied back into a loose ponytail. She was wary of any of her red hair would peak out.

Looking upon the cobbled streets and brick buildings, she remembered the feeling of home. Catherine could roam the streets blindfolded and would know of the directions towards her home. In quick haste, she kicked the side of her horse to make it to Samuel Adams home before nightfall.

She turned down Winter st where the house lied, she climbed off her horse, giving him a quick pat. She tied the reins of the animal around a post. Landing hard on the ground, she dusted her coat before strolling towards Adams household.

A woman of color open the door, she recognized her as Surrey. "Master Adams is excepting me. I am Catherine Cormac."

"Of course, come this way, Mistress." She held the door open for the Irish woman. She took down her hood, she turned her head at the sound of footsteps. James appeared out of the living room, she had to take a double look at her friend. James Quinn had grown a beard.

"Catherine!" He ran over to give her a tight hug. "I am relieved to see you don't smell of frog."

Catherine chuckled as she squeezed her childhood friend in return. "Don't be dath, James. They don't just eat frogs….They eat snails too."

"It's good to see you had not changed." His green eyes light up with joy. "Now, I want to hear about everything."

"I am pretty sure, I explained everything in my letters or you just like hearing me talk out of my arse." She hit his arm and smiled. "Where is Adams?"

"Follow me," James grabbed a hold of her hand and led her to the study. Samuel was leaning against the window looking out onto the streets. "Sir, Catherine is here."

Samuel looked at young woman, "Catherine, it's good to see you lass. You look well for someone who is supposed to be dead."

Catherine chucked a laugh, "So, no one suspects me? Not even after I bought a huge plot of land."

"I do admit it was risky. Some of the Aristocrats of Massahuttes are curious as to who bought such a large amount of land. All they know it's a mysterious young woman who may, or may not had a hand in William Johnson's death."

"Good, let's leave it to that. So far, the Templars have not caught wind that I am alive."

Samuel eyed Catherine for a moment, "I have to admit, I am a little surprise that it was you that showed up and not Connor."

Catherine shook her head. "No, he had business attend to back on the Homestead."

"Alright, but I am just a bit concern a young woman would not find interest in politics or would be welcome there."

Catherine felt her lip twitched at the rage that boiled inside her, but she knew that Samuel's concerns were justified. She took a deep breathe of sigh. "No worries, I understand, I just find it ignorant that it women would not be allowed to have a say in the climate of the changing nations."

"I am sure it would all be fine as long as you keep your head low. "

Catherine spoke with a laid back tone. "When do we leave for Philadelphia?"

"In the morning, we can't leave the city by ship, but I have arranged for us to travel by carriage down the King's Highway." Samuel spoke up, "I suggest turning in for the night, so we can set out early in the morning."

"Aye, it sounds like a good plan. I need to find room for myself tonight."

"Don't worry about it, Cathy. I had two rooms booked for us at the Green Dragon Tavern."

Catherine nodded, "Alright,"

"Very well then, I will see you both in the morning in front of the Green Dragon." Samuel Adams walked the two to the door. "Right before dawn,"

"Thank you, we will see you then."

James patted Catherine's shoulder walking out with her. "We should heading to bed."r

"You go on ahead. I want to take a look around…I will meet you at the tavern." Catherine touched his arm.

James blinked in surprise but with a quick nod of understanding. "You want to see how Boston has changed."

Catherine nodded, "Yes, I want to see the Snowdrop Tavern."

"Won't people recognize you?"

Catherine gave a grin before pulling her hood covering her auburn hair. "Remember, I am an Assassin. My job is to hide in plain sight…Let me work." The Irish assassin walked off, leaving her oldest friend behind.

With night clouding over Boston, the streets were empty besides a few stragglers that roam the streets. Catherine dragged her gloved fingers across the brick buildings as she walked. She could sense Orla's presence in the area, high above her the moon cast the shadow of her wings.

Being home was an odd feeling especially since everyone thought that Catherine Cormac was dead. Catherine knew that her own gravestone was next to her mother's grave. Both of them empty, no one was the wiser of that existing knowledge. Not even her own father, Shay Cormac.

Catherine kept her hood down until she reached the street of her childhood home, right in front of the harbor. She could see light shining through the windows with the carrying sound of music could be heard.

Life was indeed alive in the old Cormac home. Catherine paused in front of the window to see a whole bar full of patrons. She recognized a few from the old days when both mother and daughter ran the place. She saw an older gentleman in his late forties wiping down the bar.

It dawned on Catherine that her father must of the sold the place. She did not blame him though, there were so many painful memories in the old building.

Catherine pushed her hair back deep into her hood in hopes no one would recognize her. She pushed open the tavern door and made her way to the bar. The older man looked up at the younger woman, "How can I help ye, Lass?" he spoke with a thick Scottish accent.

"Can I have a whiskey?" Catherine asked.

"Aye," he poured the amber liquid into a small glass before passing it to her. "Are you passing through, I have not seen you in these parts before. "

"You can say that…I actually grew up in Boston." She took a sip of the bitter liquid.

"Really? Been gone long?"

Catherine nodded making small conversation, trying to get a better understanding of the man that bought her mother's tavern. "I've been in Paris for the last four years…I actually knew the family that lived here, Rose Cormac and her daughter."

The Scottish man paused before sighing, "That is a sad story. The poor sob that I bought it off of lost his wife and daughter within in 8 months of each other."

"I heard…"

"He was a generous soul though, he sold the place to me cheap. Just a few days after I stepped off the ship from Scotland with me' wife and children." The older gentleman pressed a sad smile on his lips. "He had a broken heart, but he wished me all the happiness in this place with my family."

The Irish and Scot made small talk about each other lives.

Catherine listened to the man talk of his fortunes since securing this place of business after his hardship in Scotland. He fought in the Jacobite uprising back in 1745, he was under the clan McKenzies. He escaped the battle of Culloden and managed to make a three-day journey back home. He had been lucky enough not to be caught by British soldiers, or he would have been shot.

He spent hard years of hardship after the failed uprising, he had felt the brunt of the British mistreatment. He decided to take his wife and children to the Colonies for a new life. It was not easy for the man, but here he stood after close to 30 years of hardship.

Catherine's story was not as fruitful as his, she had made up a story about having a wealthy uncle that took her in after her family died of smallpox. She was traveling around the colonies to find her own fortune after living in France for the past few years. Catherine felt that was a good cover story enough for her.

Two hours of conversation past for Catherine, she did not realize the time until she happened to notice the patrons of the tavern were leaving for the night. Her own eyes felt droopy from her day-long journey into Boston. The tavernkeeper glanced at tired eyes.

"Listen, if you need a room tonight, I have a spare bedroom I can rent out."

Catherine's ears peeked, she knew that she had a room at the Green Dragon Tavern even with her horse there. James had was kind enough to take her horse to the stables near there. Catherine pressed a smile on her lips. "Thank you, that's kind enough for you to offer."

"You look like you had a long day, come, I'll introduce you to my wife."

He gave an order to barmaid to keep the patron's orders filled while he was upstairs with his guest. Catherine followed the man up her childhood steps, her fingers traced lightly under her fingertips. He held the door open to allow her to enter into the upstairs apartment.

Nothing had changed in the upstairs residence, the furniture was in the same exact spot. Nothing had changed besides the family that lived in the old tavern. Catherine could see the old chair that sat in the living room. She could still remember sitting in that chair as a child, sitting in one of her parent's laps.a

A woman working in the same kitchen that Rose use to cook what felt like a lifetime ago turned to look at her husband.

"Iain, I see we have a guest."

"Aye, this is Catherine, we are lending out the back bedroom."

Mrs. McKenzies turned around wiping her hands on her apron. "Looks like she's had a rough journey, poor lass can hardly keep her eyes open." Se walked up to the younger woman, touching her shoulder. "Have something to eat before you turn in for the night." The woman looked at her husband. "Go ahead head back down to the bar and finish up for the night."

Iain smiled at his wife before peeking her on the cheek, "I hope we can talk more in the morning."

"I apologize, I will be leaving for Philadelphia in the morning. Though, you can expect to see me around Boston more often."

"Well, then, Mistress Catherine, it was lovely to meet you." Iain smiled before walking downstairs.

The woman went into the kitchen to fetch a small bowel with a slice of bread. "My name is Jenny. You're from Boston?"

"Aye, lived here all my life." Catherine glanced around the room. "Your husband said you had children?"

"The wee the bears are asleep, we share a room with them so we can earn extra money to rent out the room."

Catherine reached into her pocket, "Your husband didn't mention the price."

"3 pennies,"

Catherine reached into her pocket and placed them onto the counter, "times are rough, eh?"

"Yes, I am afraid so…" The Jenny sighed, "We spent every last coin we had to get in the colonies."

She glanced around the untouched apartment, Catherine listened to her talk as she ate her stew.

"Where did you use to live?" Jenny asked she caught Catherine looking about the place.

Catherine did not realize she was starring about the place, she cleared her throat as she took a bite from the stew. "Not far from here…"

The older woman caught through the lie, Jenny placed both of her hands on her hips. "Are ye sure about that, lass?"

Catherine gave shifted side ways to look before meeting her eyes. "I ask you not to repeat this to anyone…"

"I swear to you girl,"

Catherine took a deep breath, "My name is Catherine Cormac, I use to live here with my mother."

The woman mouth widened in awe, "I thought you were dead. Your father said that,"

"Aye, I know, but he I had to leave town in fear for my safety." She glanced back at the woman, "No worries, you are not in danger with me here. Everyone still thinks I am dead."

"Why are you here then?"

Catherine did not know the full reason why maybe she was just curious about the condition of her home? The young woman was silence for a few minutes before glancing at her. "I just wanted to meet the family that was taking care of my mother's tavern." She gave a small smile. "I think she can rest in peace knowing that our home is good care."

"Oh dear, I am so sorry I can't imagine what you must be going through."

Catherine shook her head no, "It's alright. I've recovered and live happily on the frontier." She finished the last few bites of her stew. "I am doing work that gives me purpose."

Jenny flashed a small smile at the younger woman, "Well," She reached back into her pocket and grabbed Catherine's hand. She placed the money back into her hand. "It would not be right to charge ye in your own home."

The woman waved her hand for Catherine to follow. Catherine didn't hesitant before following the woman to the back rooms where she took a flimar turn into her old room.

The walls were still the light pink, but the walls repaired were the chipping had started. All of her things were gone, even her drawings. Her old bedspread was replaced, but her old bed frame was still there with her furniture.

Catherine's heart swelled at the sight of her old bedroom.

"Listen, I know it's not much, but I do have some of your old things packed away. I had them stored in case your father would still want them."

Catherine nodded, "I don't know if I require any of it…"

The woman paused for a moment, "if you are sure, I can keep it here until you require anything."

"Thank you." Catherine smiled, " I will turn in for the night. I have a long journey tomorrow to Philadelphia."

"Goodnight, miss. Cormac…Don't worry I will not tell a soul." Jenny shut the door behind her.

Catherine sat on the bed, taking in the moment of being home again. She pulled off her coat, folding it in half. She brushed her fingers through her hair one time before kicking off her boots. Catherine blew out the candles that lite up the room before laying down for the evening.

Within moments, she drifted off to sleep feeling at home.