Hi guys! This idea came to me last night, where I decided "Maybe I should write about a ship I used to hate!" I used to hate Eliza and Maria as a relationship, or even a friendship, but slowly it grew to me and now I have my own fanfiction about it! Hamilton belongs to Linnamon Roll, please enjoy.

"Will that be all, Miss?"

Eliza nodded at the store employee, pouring the bag of berries into her straw basket. The brunette wrapped her poncho tightly over her dress as a cold gust of wind blew over the town. She walked faster than she normally would have, skeptical about leaving her children all alone as she went shopping. Her husband Alexander fled to Boston for work without a heads up, leaving her all alone with a handful of children again. The thought of being left behind without more than a wave goodbye just made Elizabeth depressed all over again. That's just what he did. He hardly had time for his family anymore, and if she didn't know any better she'd figure he'd use any excuse not to spend time with his family. Especially his wife.

But no matter, she was used to it. She's never been enough for anyone, not her husband, not her sisters. That was just how the universe worked for her. Just little Eliza in the background, unimportant as usual.

As she made her way to the apple stand, she saw a woman with a scarlet red dress on an ice old bench with her arms wrapped around herself, shivering. Her wavy brown hair was sticking up in all directions, and her quivering lips were purple. Eliza stuck out her bottom lip with sympathy, and walked towards the woman. "You look cold," she observed aloud.

The girl shrugged her shoulders, "Well it's winter, what did you expect?" Her tone was harsh and unwelcoming, but Eliza wasn't going to let that scare her away.

"Why stay out here with no covering? If you stay out here you'll catch a chill." Eliza dropped her basket next to her, pulling off her poncho.

"You don't have to-" The woman protested, but before she could finish her sentence the poncho was already wrapped around her arms. She shifted uncomfortable in the bench. She wasn't used to being treated so kindly by others, "Thanks," she said, her voice faltering.

"My name is Elizabeth Schuyler, but people call me Eliza."

"Maria."

Eliza smiled at her, "You seem nice." She sat down next to the stranger in the scarlet dress, but Maria slid further away from her. Eliza, trying not to take offense by that gesture, decided to stir up some conversation. "I hardly ever go out to the city, I'm a house worker." She felt her cheeks turn pink. Probably as a result of the chilly weather.

"Aren't we all? Just women. Nothing but toys." Maria rolled her eyes at the thought. Eliza looked down sheepishly at her lap, mute. Maria exhaled deeply, the mist from the cold weather floating higher into the air until it disappeared. "My husband's doing me wrong." Maria traced her sleeve with her finger, wincing every time she brushed against a bruise. "Do you have one-" she turned her head over to face her, pausing as she saw Eliza's eyes start to glisten with tears.

"Hey-" Maria whispered, sliding back toward her until their hips were touching. As she said it, she put her hand on Eliza's knee. Eliza was so startled she flinched, nearly falling off the bench. "I'm sorry," Maria's face flushed, "But why must you cry?"

Eliza placed clasped a hand over her mouth, her glistening tears becoming silent sobs that shook her whole body. Maria grabbed her free hand, no longer caring how weird it must've felt for her. Eliza squeezed her eyes shut, multiple tears racing down her porcelain cheeks. Maria wanted to bring her hands to her face and gently wipe the tears away from under her eyes, but she feared that would scare her away. She was Maria's only company in years besides her dreadful domestic partner.

"Shhhhh...don't cry. Everything will be okay, everything is alright..." Maria cooed. She started to feel like she was going to cry herself.

Eliza sniffled, slowly removing her hand from her mouth. She opened her now puffy red eyes. "I'm sorry," managed to choke out between helpless sobs, "It's just-"

"Is it a husband issue?" Maria raised an eyebrow at her.

Yes, Elizabeth thought mentally, a husband that's away all the time. And on the rare occasion he is there, he's in a whole other world. A husband that is off doing his own thing too often, to the point where occasionally I don't feel like a wife anymore. To the point where I'm used to his absence. The point where I'm used to never being enough.

Eliza's blood suddenly boiled with resentment towards her spouse, as she said these words through gritted teeth. "No. I don't have a husband."

Maria raised her eyebrows, "Really? Someone pretty as you?"

Eliza stiffened, she hadn't even realized she said that out loud. "Uhm, nope. I-I guess not." she tried to hide her guilt with a soft smile, "Guess I'm not a catch."

Maria scoffed, "You totally are. Your beauty should have men crawling on their knees."

Eliza sniffed, trying to still her rattling body from all the crying, "Usually I'm the one that does the crawling."

Maria gave her a sympathetic smile, "Let's get you cleaned up, huh? I have a cozy inn just a couple blocks away. Does that sound nice?"

Eliza stood up eagerly from the bench, her eyes throbbing. Too many tears for just one night. "I'd love that," she admitted, "And we can feast on berries!" she gestured toward her basket.

Maria giggled, "Delicious!" She wrapped Eliza's arm around her's, eagerly leading her down a few blocks until they reached the inn.

Maria jammed the key into her room, Eliza still clinging onto her right arm. As the door opened, the two women tried to walk into the room at the same time, causing a collision in the small door frame. Eliza laughed, "I've never encountered a door so small." But Maria's eyes filled with worry. "Stay behind me." She whispered, pushing Elizabeth behind her as she grabbed the coat hanger by the door, holding it like a bat. She stepped cautiously into the room, checking every inch until she dropped her shoulders with relief. "He's not home yet."

Eliza shuddered, placing her basket of berries on Maria's shelf. "That husband of yours is no joke, huh?"

Maria blinked quickly. She suddenly became very interested in the floor. "Let's not talk about me. I brought you here for you."

Maria pat the bed, "Lay down, silly."

Ordinarily Eliza would've refused, not wanting to be rude, but she could no longer contain her exhaustion. The pale brunette collapsed on her back, exhaling deeply as the mattress hugged her body in all the right places. "I don't know how to express my gratitude."

Maria smirked, "The berries were enough." She popped a few into her mouth before pulling off Eliza's poncho and walking into the bathroom. Elizabeth closed her eyes, causing her eyes to sting once more. She was embarrassed. Showing so much hysterical emotion wasn't ladylike, as her father always told her since she was young. Ladies got thrown into the nut house for such behavior. No tears allowed. She was just grateful Alexander hadn't seen her like this.

She was grateful Alexander wasn't seeing her in another woman's bed.

A cool washcloth brushed against Eliza's cheek, causing her to sprout up and gasp. Maria took a step back, "Sorry, just trying to help."

Eliza's shoulders fell, "I apologize, you frightened me."

She fell back down, letting the mattress catch her. Maria slowly let the washcloth brush her skin again, wiping the skid marks from her tears. Eliza giggled as the wet cloth tickled her skin.

Maria threw the now dirty cloth onto the floor and joined her guest on the bed. She laid on her side to face Eliza, her face now grinning. "That felt nice," she hummed.

Maria sighed, "So talk to me. What upset you?"

Eliza seemed to shrink in Maria's small mattress, her face turning red. "I'm lonesome." It wasn't a complete lie, but she wasn't lonely because she was single. She was lonely because her husband constantly brushed her aside. Maria didn't need to know this, though.

"I understand." Maria pushed herself closer to Elizabeth, "But you don't need a husband to feel happy."

Got that right, Eliza thought.

"My husband makes me miserable every day of my life," Maria tried to stand upright, but winced as her bruised arms pushed against the mattress. She slowly lowered herself back onto the mattress.

Eliza turned to her side, to the two were facing each other. "I'm sorry," she apologized for the millionth time that day.

"For what?" Maria asked.

"I've been sobbing over being lonesome, but you have it far worse. I should be the one washing your face and giving you the gift of comfort, I'm such a bother." Eliza stood up, ready to storm out of the room in tears when Maria gripped her arm. "Stay..."

Eliza stood still, letting Maria's fingers dance toward her torso, gently pulling her back onto the bed. Eliza, although filled with guilt, didn't fight her touch. She was tired, she didn't want anyone else.

"How do you stay so strong?" Eliza's voice quivered.

"My days and nights are full of tears," There was a smile on Maria's face, but her voice was not happy. Her smile faltered, then faded away.

Eliza brought her hand to Maria's cheek, "You are the bravest woman I've ever met."

Maria Reynolds softly placed a hand on her hand, brushing against it. The two started into each other, both close to tears as they pushed their bodies closer to each other's.

On the usual occasion, Maria was afraid James Reynolds would walk in on her and see. When she was just sitting there doing nothing, she was afraid she'd come in. When she was asleep she was afraid he'd come in. But now, the one time she was doing something she shouldn't have, she wasn't worried. "You can kiss me if you want to." Maria internally winced at her words, fearing she was coming off as too desperate.

Eliza's body tensed, she hadn't expected this. She imagined it, she might've wanted it too, but...to have it happen. To be someone's first choice. Was Maria putting her ABOVE her husband? That never happens.

It took her a moment to realize her body was already leaning in. But she had no more worries left. Usually when she knew she was showing too much emotion, or she was doing something wrong, alarms would go off in her head. But her head wasn't ringing, and the moment was just right. Screw it! Their lips interlocked, and Eliza's hand clutched Maria's cheek even tighter. Her lips were warm like a fireplace, she wanted to do this forever. Whoever her husband was took advantage of her, she was a goddess of kissing. Maria gripped Eliza's hair, getting more passionate with every move. She could feel Maria undoing her hair, probably making it look like a mess. She loved it. Eliza tried to keep up, worried she was being a stick. The pale brunette moved her other arm around her hip. Gettin' scandalous up in here, Eliza thought in a joking manner. She felt bad for Alexander, she never realized until now how much she sucked at making out. Maria didn't seem to mind, she was smiling through their kisses.

They stayed like this for a while, their mouths moving simultaneously as Eliza kept one hand on her cheek and another around her waist. Maria moved her fully dressed body a lot against her blue gown, but Eliza wasn't one for being sexy. She was the quiet simple girl in her family. If any Schuyler was a monster in bed, she had no doubt it would be Angelica.

I am a terrible kisser, Eliza thought to herself as she traced her thumb along Maria's cheek, I am a terrible person.

"Stop." Eliza pushed herself back, pulling her hand away from Maria's beautiful face. Eliza could see Maria's heart sink in her expression, and she felt horrible.

"What's wrong?" Maria's voice cracked on the last word. Eliza bit the inside of her lip. She knew Maria was used to being rejected, and she knew how vulnerable the girl was. But she didn't want to give Alexander an excuse to leave her permanently.

"I can't do this." She quickly got off the bed.

"Why not?" Maria followed her, wrapping her arms around her shoulders, "Please don't leave me, I am helpless."

"I just can't." Eliza said, her expression cold.

"Yes you can, it's not like you have a husband." Maria said, although saying it out loud it seemed less believable. A gem like this? Single? Elizabeth's stiffening form gave her the answer.

Maria pulled away, angry. "You told me you were single!" She yelled, her voice echoing in the small room.

Eliza's breathing speed increased in panic, "I'm sorry. I just got...I needed...I wanted..." her words blended into each other. She gasped for air. This can't be happening, this can't be happening.

"You made me believe that..I...ugh! Just go!"

Elizabeth turned around to face her, trying to bring a hand to her soft face again, "I do like you. Don't be upset."

Maria swatted her hand away, then brought her hands to her face, lowering herself at the foot of her bed.

"We have something in common!" Eliza squeaked, "My husband leaves me alone all the time! We both just want comfort, if you could let me inside your heart..."

Maria lowered her hands from her face, as if considering Eliza as worthy. Maria knew she had no place to tell someone not to cheat, it was just the lying part. She didn't want to be just a fling. Maria stood up, placing a soft hand on her shoulder. "I understand, but you have to leave."

"You're still angry." Eliza yelped.

"We'll talk about it later." Maria's hard look made beads of sweat form on Eliza's forehead.

Eliza felt terrible. She widened her eyes and her heart started to pound. Maria walked over to the basket of berries and held them towards her, "Would you like these back?"

Eliza shook her head. She couldn't speak even if she wanted to. So she turned around and tore down the hall as fast as her legs could carry her, purposely leaving her poncho behind.

A/N: Sorry for any historical inaccuracies, I know ponchos weren't used until the 1850s. I bet you didn't know that though, and I could've totally gotten away with using it in my stories. CRAP, WHY DID I SAY THAT? I BLEW MY OWN COVER! Anyways, I hope you liked it. Sorry about typos, I double checked but somehow I always miss at least one. Feedback will be appreciated, unless no one reads this. I never really read a lot of Hamilton fanfictions, are people still doing that? I'm not along, right?