Another Chapter is up and ready to go! I was listing to the soundtrack The Greatest Showman, Never Enough inspired me to write this.

-Moon

update: I had to reupload this after I realized I uploaded the wrong file! Please excuse my error! 3 There are some different changes.

READ NOTE!

As Charles had instructed, Catherine had made her way to Boston Harbor. It was a half of a day trip arriving before sunset at the harbor. James made small talk with Catherine on the way. Their main topic of discussion was what the plans were going to be when they arrive to the harbor.

"Are you sure you don't want to visit the tavern?" James asked as the carriage came to a stop at the edge of the harbor. Catherine had seen her childhood home as they made their way to the harbor and decided not to stop.

James was relived that Catherine declined, knowing the truth about Azura. He was fearful of the out lash Catherine would have towards the Persian woman. The Templar Knights terrified him.

The coachman opened the door for them holding out his hand for Catherine to take. She ignored the hand as she climbed out herself, but she thanked the man for the journey. James followed out behind her straightening his jacket.

"You know, I have never ridden in a carriage before." James grinned as they walked away from the carriage. "What ship is taking us to Philadelphia?"

"Master Dorian said we would know." Catherine took a moment of glancing when she saw a film, tall native. "Connor!"

He dressed different than his Assassin robes or his deerskin clothing. He wore a captain's livery that was the shade of a dark blue, which suited him very nice. He even had a matching hat that had made him look dashing handsome. He had his chocolate brown hair tied back from to keep out of his face. Connor looked like he has age had matured since she last saw him.

Catherine felt hot in her clothing as he came over to greet her. "Catherine," he seemed surprised by the way she looked as well. "Charles Dorian had sent for me to take you both to Philadelphia by sea." He referred to the Aquila that sat in the harbor. "We must not delay."

He looked agitated over something, but Catherine was going to wait to ask him.

"Agreed, there are eyes everywhere in Boston," Catherine spoke as they head towards the ship. James lingered behind to take a better look at the ship. He kept glancing over her unsure how to speak as they walked back. "Yes, Connor, I am in a frilly dress." She teased him. "Paint a portrait, I am sure it will last much longer." She elbowed him in the ribs.

He gave a weak laugh as they boarded the ship behind her. "I am surprised, that's all."

Robert Faulkner stood waiting for them when he barked a laugh. "Cormac, or should I call you Milady?" he laughed.

Catherine waved him off, "Shall we set sail?"

Catherine's hawk, Aries, landed on her arm. The bird had followed them from the private Dorian property.

"Aye lass," Robert Faulkner called out to the crew as Connor went to take the helm. "Who is that fella following you."

James peeked his attention at the old sailor. "I'm James Quinn, sir."

"Well, I knew a Quinn once, bruiting type. Poor fella was shot during the French and Indian war." Robert stretched before joining Connor on the helm.

James had an expression of sadness across his face. "Richard Quinn." He watched the sails as the cloth were released from their bindings above. "When my mother settled in with my younger sisters. She confided in me she knew about the Assassins and the Templars. My father was murder by a Templars… not natives." He scratched the side of his face. "I felt ashamed for harboring rotten feelings towards your friend."

Catherine had no words, but a world wind of emotions. "So, we're destined to be friends from the start." She half-joked as she let Aries take off from her arm.

"Aye, mother was the one that helped your mother settled in Boston. When I started my apprenticeship near your home. My mother would ask me to include you when I played with my friends on the days I wasn't working. Rose and my mother would keep a close eye on each other."

"They always had. Ma always loved you and your siblings like her own. That's why she let you stay with us until you could get proper housing. When your mother couldn't afford to stay in her little house and had to move to Charles Town."

"I miss Rose, she was a good woman."

"I miss her too." She patted his shoulder. "I am going to make sure the Templars crumble. Starting with taking back the artifacts, killing Charles Lee and the rest of the Templars. Maybe change laws of the British in the process."

James smiled as he leaned against the railing of the ship. "You sound highly ambitious. What happened to the quiet Cathy I knew?"

"You pulled her out." Catherine smiled.

James spoke light heartily. "I shouldn't have pulled out as hard. Your Ma might still be here."

"It's not yours… it's mine." Catherine sighed cutting James off from even thinking it. "I want to stop talking about the faults. I want to fix it."

James glance at his feet, "you don't have to fix this. You can settle in Boston and stand your ground against the Templars."

"And let them hurt more innocent people? I am not going to stop until they are all gone and the assassin brotherhood is back on top." Catherine gritted her teeth, "Now, I am going to change into something more practical. I'll change back when we dock in Philadelphia."

Connor was watching the whole situation as Catherine stormed away below deck. He needed to tell her what he saw transpired at the docks. He wasn't even sure if Catherine knew.

The Aquila sailed into twilight, not heading towards the open coast, but more down the coast. According to Faulkner, the ship would take a route up the Delaware River. It was looking about a two and half day journey to the city.

Catherine was on deck, watching the clear star covered night sky. She was petting Aries talking to him with a gentle tone when she heard footsteps. The Irish girl turned around to see Connor walking towards her to keep the girl company.

"Connor," she smiled.

She tightened her assassin robes around her body. There was a nip in the air, a cold chill blew from the water. Autumn was in full swing. "I never got the chance to thank you for taking us to Philadelphia."

"It's no problem, but I have to ask." Connor wiped his warm his hands as he stood next to her.

Catherine attention focused on Connor. "Aye?"

"Why were you dressed in such elegance?"

Catherine flushed with embarrassment, she never imagined herself to look elegant. "It's a ruse. In case if James and I are investigated, people would know we arrived in Philadelphia in style. To make it look like we are both supposed to be from prominent families."

Connor leaned on the railing looking at the horizon. "clever, did you come up with it?"

"I did, Charles said it was a clever idea." She smiled, but then frown a little. "Though, it be better if it were you accompanying me, not James."

Connor raised an eyebrow, "what makes you say that?" he asked looking confused.

"He is a blacksmith apprentice. Yes, his father was an assassin, but it doesn't prepare him for such a mission."

"That is true, but he wants to help you. He cares."

Catherine sighed, knowing how much he did care. "I don't want him to get killed, what would I tell his mother?"

Connor was quiet looked to be thinking, "what if I stayed until your mission is finished?"

"Don't you have to help Achilles with the manor? I know I'm supposed too, but I am slacking." She grinned elbowing him in the side.

"He can handle a few days without me," he beamed, "I want to help you."

"Very well," she patted his back. "I accept your help."

They went back looking at the star littered sky before Catherine glanced over Connor. They continued talking. Connor talked about stories of his tribe. One that stood out was about the one-star constellation known as the big dipper. His people called it the Nyah-gwaheh.

Catherine hung onto every word to the tale of the Great Bear and the three hunter brothers. Who hunted the bear into the stars after tracking it across the earth. She allowed him to tell her story after story under the night sky. Catherine asked him questions when she didn't understand certain words in his language. He was patient enough to answer them.

The only sound on the top deck between the two was the sound of the waves and the creaking of the ship. The chill air didn't bother the either of the teens as they talked like they were frozen in time. Catherine was sure she would never want to leave this spot after a carefree conversation. No talking of Templar, or Assassins. It was perfect.

Connor saw a jolt of excitement pass through her honey-colored eyes. The Irish girl was in an arm's length of the native giving him a chance to study her rosie features. She was a beautiful girl, almost bewitching in the glow of the moonlight. A voice in his mind begged him to kiss her if he didn't do it now. He would never have the chance especially if she was going to travel across the ocean. Catherine was eager to learn under Master. Dorian that she was a wanting to follow him to Europe.

Catherine's eyes glance up to meet his with a spark-filled smiled before lips pursed in awe. The girl overlapped her hand onto his on the smooth wooden railing.

"You know Connor, I am glad it was you that caught me in the street that day."

The native boy stepped closer to her with his hip touching hers. "I am still sorry I wasn't able to stop Lee from firing that gunshot."

Catherine patted his hand clutching it in a tight squeeze, "Don't blame yourself for that." His hand was rough from training and hard work. Catherine's eyes dropped from Happiness to sadness to remember that day.

"I don't." He reached out to touched her cheek with a gentle touch.

Catherine could sense what was happening between them, but she didn't want to fight it. The girl had rejected James who held feelings for her, but she didn't return them to him. Catherine held her breath as he leaned in close to her, but she closed the gap between the two of them. It was like electricity between the teens as their lips touched. Catherine wanted this kiss to stay this way, not wanting it to end.

She was always told her first kiss would be awkward like any teenagers kiss, but this was in no way oafish. Her mother had lied once again, but she was happy about it.

The kiss was gentle and soft. When he pulled away the two teenagers were a blushing red but happy.

Though the two teenagers were unaware. They had a small audience. On the steps from the lower decks was a small crowd watching the two them. James was included in the small crowd, his hands held two bowls of stew from the cook. One for himself and one for Catherine, he was unsure if she ate, but he wanted to keep the girl company.

What he seen, it broke his heart in two, but soon replaced by anger. Robert Falkner was smiling at the sight of them, "Well, ain't that sight to behold. The Captin' is given in his kiss to Cormac."

James dropped the bowls of stew before heading to his small cot, everyone ignored James as he stalked off.

Connor spoke in a low tone voice, "There is something I need to tell you."

"What?" She was still light headed from the kiss.

Connor licked his lips before speaking, "I came out here to tell what I saw today, but I got... distracted."

Catherine chuckled, "aww, you got distracted by a pretty girl." She squeezed his hand.

"It's about your help, Azure."

"Yes, what about her?" The girl asked taking a step back.

"I saw her with Thomas Hickey at the harbor. I think they know each other more then she let on."

Catherine went pale when she put the puzzle together. "She is spying on me." she cupped her mouth in horror. She raced in her mind to make sure she had not told Azura of any of her plans.

She let out a sigh of relief after a moment of mediation. "We're safe. She doesn't know we are heading to Philadelphia."

Connor touched her shoulder messaging her shoulder. "You should rest,"

Catherine nodded, "alright," she leaned over to give him kiss on his warm cheek. "We will talk more? maybe about us?"

Connor smiled, "alright."

All she could think about the kiss that they shared on the deck in the cold fall air on the sea.

It would never be enough to have one simple kiss from the native. She didn't want to admit it out loud, but she had overwhelming feelings for the native.