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*****Hellooo. I just wanted to give you a heads up. This chapter contains some foul language and spouse abuse. This is my official warning so please do not get offended.*****
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"And you call me crazy! This is insane Connor, I hope you know that!" The branch you were standing on shifted under Connor's weight when he pulled himself up next to you, a wild smile gracing his face. "I thought you said you used to climb trees with your father." A breeze made it's way through the tree swaying the branches as it passed. You knew under those soft leather gloves your knuckles were turning white. "I did. But those trees were lower to the ground and I would climbed down not jump out." "Well were is the fun in that?" Connor lifted his eyes from you and on to the branches over head. "This is as far as we go." "Alright. What now?" "Now we go down." You followed Connor's line of sight until your eyes fell on to a pile of hay not far from the base of the tree. "You want me to jump off and try to land in that...that...speck down there!?!" "There will be no trying. You will land in the hay, I promise." He caught you off guard when he placed his hands on your hips turning you away from him to face outwards from the tree. He adjusted your stance and positioned your body all the while explaining how to jump and land safely. After you finished processing Connor's words you took a deep breath. You turned to Connor and he gave you reassuring look. "Well, here's to having faith." Connor almost looked shocked at the statement. You took one more deep breath and exhaled slowly. With a quick pace you made your way across the branch pushing off when you reached the end, arms extended like a bird in flight...

　

Loud clanks from David pulled you back to reality. With every downfall of his hammer a shower of red and orange set flight. You had spent most of the morning at David's, watching him as he worked. It had been a long three weeks since you were at the homestead last. Only a week ago you spotted your favorite brother-in-law waiting anxiously for his ship to lay anchor. It had been months since he left and there was much to catch up on before the two of you reached home. Michael's reunion with Sarah was bittersweet. She had been counting the minutes since her love had left. Michael swept her off her feet every chance he got, stealing kisses before he set her back on the ground. The fun really started when Ben returned from school. Ben told his father of everything he had learned since his departure. Michael and Ben wrestled and rough housed while you and Sarah prepared a dinner that everyone hardly touched. Dinner consisted more of laughter and conversation than actual eating. The following day you came to the desicion to make way for the homestead, giving your sister's family their privacy. You didn't expect Connor not to be there. For the past two days you had been spending your time watching and helping your new friends with their daily tasks. In the evenings you made small notes for Achilles of what activities happened that day and what skills you have learned. Every hair on your body stood when you heard screams coming across the way at Ellen's. You pounced to your feet like a startled cat, "David! Get the others!"

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Connor's POV

Perfect. It was the only way to describe his day with (y/n). Well, almost perfect. The only thing that would have made the time spent with her better would have been if he was less apprehensive. If only he had sat just a little closer, or brushing her hair from her face, maybe even getting another kiss on the cheek from those soft lips. What he wouldn't give to hold her like he had done before when she was injured, sweeping her up and holding her close. He could have kissed her that night. He should have kissed her outside the manor when she pressed her lips to his cheek. He should have kissed her in the tree. When he had laid his hands on her hips he thought for sure she could hear his heart threatening to beat through his chest. Then, with one simple leap she was gone. If she only knew how much truth was in those simple words she had spoken. She didn't just take a leap of faith, she took the leap of faith. He watched as she landed safely in the pile of hay just as he promised before he hurled himself out of the tree. He emerged from the hay only to find himself standing alone. His ears perked at the sound of laughter from above. (Y/n) was already half way up the tree again. "Are you just going to stand there?" He raised an eyebrow with a devious smirk, "Is that a challenge?" He raced towards the tree running up the side of the trunk. She scurried up and across branches all the while laughing and screaming, making him laugh, as he got closer and closer.

Connor chuckled to himself as he walked down the front steps of the manor, her laughter echoing in his mind. (Y/n) had been here for some time now. He knew this because while she was at the homestead, he was talking with Michael. A tinge of guilt pulled at his heart. His visit with Michael was...informative. His heart ached even more. Is it because of the secrets he carries or the anticipation of telling her. No, it is her reaction that he is dreading. Connor was never close to his father. He knew who or what he was, it was not secret. But (y/n), she had a relationship with her father that only Connor could admire. But everything she knew about him was a lie. Soon he will have to tell her, she will know everything. Knots began to form in his stomach. Maybe he shouldn't go looking for her just yet. "CONNOR! Thank God you're back. There is trouble at Ellen's..." Connor, knowing full well of Ellen's troubled past with her husband went into a full sprint with David, Godfrey, Terry, Norris and Myriam at his side.

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Back to Reader's POV <3

Quincent had his hands around her neck, pushing her against the side of her house. His goons were scattered about. Some watching him and others throwing rocks at Ellen's house. At first sight you felt all the blood drain from your face, panick almost starting to consume but there was something else. Something growing in the pit of your stomach. Your hands went from trembling to fist, everything around you faded into nothing. Everything exept Quincent. You ran behind him kicking him behind the knee of his supporting leg causeing him to kneel and release Ellen. She fell on her rear gasping for air, you pulled her to her feet and away from his reach. Quincent, in a fit of drunken rage, screamed and lunged off the ground to charge at Ellen again only to run squarely in to the base of your palm before he could even stand. A crunching sound came from his nose which was followed by a steady gush of dark blood. Tears filled his eyes as he covered his nose. "YOU BITCH! YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" Ellen had taken a few steps behind you giving you some room to manouvuer around drunk. He slowly rose from the ground clentching his fists. He drew his arm back preparing to throw a punch. You ducked out of the way grabbing his arm forcing him to continue his swing, throwing him off balance. A series of short jabs to the back of his ribcage labored his breathing. He saw an opening and ran to attack Ellen. You jumped between them getting caught in his grasp. He tightened his grip picking you up off the ground and squeezed, his liquored breath oozing around the back of your neck, making your skin crawl. Precious air was being forced from your body and it felt like your ribs could give in at any moment. With every wiggle you made the pressure around you tightend, forcing your grunts in to a scream. You bent your knee pulling a small dagger out of your boot and planted it in his thigh. He let out a scream releasing all the tension in his arms. You reached up breaking his hold and brought your arm back down sharply burying your elbow in his abdomin, a wheeze escaping through his foul lips. You spun around and punched him in the cheek, spinning his head forcing his body to follow only to be caught by Connor. Quincent's angry gaze never left you. You backed up keeping yourself between him and Ellen. Some of the troublemakers ran as soon as the others showed up to help. The ones who stayed, now littered the ground either uncounsious or to injured to move. Connor had lifted Quincent off the ground by his shirt, getting his attention. "Ellen and Maria are free of you. I say so. The people behind me say so. Believe me when I tell you if I EVER see you on this land again," Connor slammed the vile man on th the ground, grabbed the blade sticking out of his leg and twisted it before pulling it out causing Quincent to let out a blood curdling scream, " I will end you." Connor released Quincent and he scurried to his feet. "You can have them", he stumbled away anxious to flee for his life. Your eyes never left Quincnet as he hobbled down the path towards the trees. It wasn't until you felt Ellen's hand on your arm that your body relaxed letting out the breath you've been holding. "Thank you. All of you. Nobody has ever stood up for us before." David gave you a nod before looking to Ellen, his voice low and reassuring. "We protect our own, Ellen." She looked to the ground as she took his words to heart. She then corrected her posture and composed herself. "This is my home, now. I'll find a way to show my gratitude to you all. I promise."

"Are you okay?" You placed your index finger under Ellen's chin tilting her head up. Lines of bruises wrapped around her neck where Quincent's fingers held her tightly. "Yes yes, I'll be fine. I don't want to cause a bigger fuss than I already have." Connor walked to her side getting a closer look. "Ellen, you should go see Dr. White." David spoke up from behind you. "I will walk you there. No one will make a fuss. You need to get looked at." Ellen looked at the three of you cautiously then looked around the surrounding area. Norris and Myriam already parted ways. Godfrey and Terry were collecting the injured to send them on their way, completely unaware of the conversation. "Fine, I'll go." You let out a sigh of relief and adjusted her shaw to hide her neck. "There, no one has to know." Tears filled her eyes but they never fell. She was stronger than that. She thanked you then left with David. Connor watched as they walked away, "Are you alright?", never taking his eyes off David and Ellen. You looked up examining his face. His brows were furrowed and jaw set firmly in to place. You decided to answer carefully, he looked as if he could hunt down every sorry excuse for a man that was there and bring down an unspeakable wrath that would leave them begging for death. "I'm not hurt if that's what you are worried about." He finally brought his eyes to you, practically burning in to your very soul. "Connor, I'm fine. I promise. I'm a little shaken that's all", placing your hand on his arm trying to reassure him. "I saw you get between them. No matter how hard I ran. I ... I felt like I wasn't going to get to you in time." He relaxed but something in his eyes begged to tell you more. The thought of him caring for you, in any way, set the butterflies in your stomach into an uproar. "I can take care of myself remember?" He huffed a small chuckle, "Yes, I know." You flashed a wide smile at him, "And don't you forget it." The both of you began to laugh walking back towards the manor. "I am glad you are back though. I'm pretty sure if I watched David any longer he was going to put me to work." Connor hummed in agreement but seemed a little lost in thought. "Connor, is everything alright? You seem distracted." His brows furrowed again. " Yes, sorry. I have some business to take care of at the inn. Is it alright if we talk later tonight?" It was a punch to the chest. Something is wrong. He is hiding something. Those chocolate eyes betray him every time he speaks. All it takes is a simple nod from you for him to turn his back and walk away leaving you with an unshakable cold feeling.

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The golden glow from the setting sun illuminated your room at the manor. You had prepared a small fire and lit some candles for when the sun finally set, if it ever would. The afternoon drug on forever. You haven't seen Connor since he left for the inn. What is he hiding? You would have asked Achilles if you could find him. You walked the manor, the land, the homestead but there was no sign. How does an old man just disappear! With every passing minute you sank lower and lower. Even the fire couldn't stop the shadows from closing in on you. I wish my sister was here.You sat in front of the fire with your arms wrapped around your legs, face buried in your knees, home sickness washing over you. A heavy knock drew your attention to the open door where Connor was standing. "May I come in?" You simply nodded and returned your gaze to the fire. He entered, silently sitting next to you on the floor. His eyes memorizing every feature on you face. "Connor?", your eyes never left the flame, "If something was wrong you would tell me...wouldn't you?" He nodded lowering his head to stare at the floor, he knew where this was going. "So what are you not telling me? I haven't seen you in weeks, what changed? Did I do something to upset you? You can tell me." He could feel you watching him so he forced himself to raise his head. Your (e/c) eyes locked with his. "(Y/n) there's..." He took a deep breath and sighed, "No, you didn't do anything wrong. I need to tell you something but I'm just not sure how. I know it is going to upset you but it is something you need to know." You heart was so confused, it didn't know wether to beat as fast as it could or stop completely. "Connor what are you tal..." You were distracted by footstep entering your room.

"Michael?"