Christine was haunted by that memory of once again meeting the notorious Mr. Lee. Her dreams were plagued by him. She shuddered every time she even thought of him—though she tried desperately not to. She had to tell Connor. But…how would she ever be able to do that? She couldn't just show up at the manor. He would not care for that, nor would he appreciate her presence. It would only remind him of her betrayal.

As the door opened, Christine expected to hear the commotion of another posse of redcoats or of local men and women. But as she turned around, she gasped and almost dropped the mugs she was holding.

Connor Kenway shut the door behind him quietly and looked around as if searching for someone in particular. He had changed a great deal since their last encounter. She could scarcely recognize him, and yet she knew it was him. He had cut his hair seeming to now sport a hairstyle that was common in his heritage. Along with that, three lines—six total—of what she recognized as 'war paint' ran down each cheek. Other than that, he looked the same. Yet, there was something about him that told her he had been through a lot. A war of his own if she could call it that. He carried himself gracefully, yet purposefully. A look of determination set in his features.

Catherine spotted him and sauntered toward him while Christine stared. They exchanged only a brief wording and she stared on as he took a seat in his common way in front of one of the local men innocently sipping his ale.

"I forgot how rude he could be."

Christine didn't give off any indication that she had heard Catherine. She couldn't seem to stop staring at the man who had just walked into the tavern. It seemed to Christine he wanted answers of some sort by the way he was deliberately squeezing the poor man's wrist. Through their hushed conversation, she faintly heard the words 'Charles Lee'. She knew that if she were going to inform him of Charles's recent whereabouts, she would have to do it now while he was not even twenty feet away from her.

As he rose to leave, his eyes met hers and held them. Though it was only for a moment, Christine felt a sudden and familiar jolt of pleasure upon their brief encounter. She tried to smile, but only ended up being embarrassed by a local man who yelled at her to quickly fetch him his drink. She looked at Catherine who was already taking the drinks from her hands. But the second she looked back at Connor, he was already halfway out the door.

…

Connor closed the door behind him after exiting the tavern, but suddenly it burst open again.

"Connor, wait."

"Spare me your apologies. What is done is done."

"I'm not here to apologize though since you mentioned it, I do. Truly I am—"

"Enough. What is your business with me?"

"Lee. I encountered him. Just four days ago."

Connor stiffened. "Are you certain?"

"He had greasy black hair, same as his mustache. And he was dressed in black and grey with a deep British accent. I would have recognized him anywhere."

Connor turned back around for the first time since he exited the tavern. "What did he say to you? Did he...seem to remember you?"

"I believe he recognized me, yes. But he couldn't say where he recognized me from. Catherine got to him before he could speak any further."

Connor nodded pleased with that information. Suddenly, he stepped closer to her. She had forgotten how tall he was and it made her take a step back out of intimidation. In a matter of seconds, he grabbed her hands and looked down at her. "Please, be careful."

At his touch, she felt the same spark as before. Without even realizing it, she grabbed his hands. She touched his arms, his fingers, his wrists, anything she could touch to let her know that he was real and that he wasn't just a mirage. Her fingers moved up to his chest where she found herself running them down the buttons of his white shirt. His breath hitched slightly and he suddenly pulled out of her grasp.

"Forgive me." She breathed.

Connor cleared his throat, taken aback by her fearlessness. They had encountered one another again the first time in a year and it still made some part of him grateful to see her. Even with her betrayal. He had missed her. He could admit that. He had missed her stubbornness, her pouting. All the little things she did that made a part of him feel some happiness. He had been through and witnessed too much anger and sadness in his twenty some years, but she somehow made him forget that.

He touched her cheek earning a blush from her and half smiled. "It is good to see you again. I mean that."

Christine's head shot up at his words. "But I deceived you. I—I lied to you. You cannot mean that!"

Connor briefly closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. Then he reopened them and met her gaze. "It is true that I was angry when I found out. You deceived me, yes, but I have had a year to process it all. To think about what you did. I suppose now I am more confused than I am angry."

"I should have told you. I just…" Christine shook her head suddenly. No. There was no excuse for what she did. She should have just left New York a woman instead.

"What is your true name?"

Her eyes rose to meet his and she could tell he was confused. His face held all the signs. She wanted right then to tell him everything, but not now. Not now while Lee was still on the loose. So instead, she just answered this one simple question.

"Christine. Christine Woodman."

"Thank you for the information, Miss Woodman. But I must take my leave now. Take care, alright?"

He pulled his hand away from her cheek but she quickly grasped it, tightly in her small hands. "You too, Connor. Please… be careful."

Connor nodded and without another word, he left leaving Christine to watch him as he disappeared amongst the crowd.

…

Finally updated! Reviews would be much appreciated!