Jo crept down the squeaky old stairs as quietly as a mouse, her padded feet only making a board moan lightly where normally it would yell. She had her raggedy over sized robe on over her day clothes, lest she encounter an inquisitive sister on her way out. She tiptoed as elegantly as possible – which wasn't very, considering who she was – but her long limbs didn't fail her and she made it to the front door without incident or folly. She slipped her socked feet into her heavy boots, wide eyes darting back and forth a mile a minute.

She was working herself up into such a state that a harmless little hoot of an owl outside nearly sent her into hysterics. After the laces were done up, and her bonnet placed haphazardly over her head, she flung her coat on, nervous digits trembling as they fumbled with the buttonholes. A whippoorwill call reached her ears, muffled through the front door – he was there. She almost jumped out of her skin at the sound and she anxiously looked up the stairwell for any sign of life, breathing in relief at the lack of it.

The whippoorwill whistled again and she swiftly cracked the door open, giving the over grown "bird" a menacing glare.

"Stop it, you dreadful pest, or you'll wake the entire house!" she whispered loudly.

"You're the one who wanted me to give a secret signal when I arrived..." he smiled at her cheekily.

"Yes, but you don't have to whistle til your voice goes hoarse! Once was enough!" she argued back.

Laurie made no move to hide his amused grin. "You nervous?"

"Of course! I don't think we ought to be doing this..." she bit her lip as her nerves jangled wildly inside of her.

"Now, don't tell me you're going to back out, now? What kind of fellow goes behind on his word?"

"Oh, stop your belly aching. I didn't say that I wouldn't go, only that I shouldn't go..."

"Here's my half of the letter – " he held an envelope out to her in a gloved hand.

"Alright, I'll combine it with mine," she muttered as she quickly placed it down on the parlour table. "Oh, I do hope they understand. I know that Marmee is going to think me very rash, and poor Meg and Amy will probably give themselves a spell! Beth will understand, though – she's a real trump!" Jo said to herself more than to Laurie.

"Hurry up, Jo. Our train leaves in scant an hour."

Jo looked at him, then back into the little center room, then back at Laurie again. "Oh, Teddy...do you think we're being awfully wicked?" she asked in a timid voice unlike her.

"No, we're really not – well, not too terribly. You're going to see your father and I'm going to see Brooke. Perfectly respectable...in a way," he appeased her, but the worry lines on her young face didn't falter. "We're going to have such a grand adventure, you'll remember for all of your days. Don't you want that, anymore?"

She hesitated. "Yes, only I don't want to go down the wrong path..."

"Don't you think your father will be the better for seeing you?"

"Yes..."

"So, then wouldn't that be the 'golden path' – healing your father, helping him to get better so that he can back home to everyone?"

Jo offered him a slight smile. "You do have a silver tongue, don't you?" His wide grin seemed to knock down her last barrier. "Alright, let's be our impetuous selves and be on our way."

With one last glance in, Jo stepped out into the night, mutely shutting the familiar door behind her.

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The moon smiled upon them as they stepped out of the carriage. Laurie grabbed both of their bags, muttered a thank you very much to the driver, and began walking to the ticket counter. Jo trailed behind him, her senses on overload. She watched her young friend plop their luggage on the ground as he conversed with the man in the booth. After a moment he joined her again, buzzing with anticipation.

"Ready to board?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Laurie studied her intently. All at once his hands dropped their weight and reached for her fingers instead. Her brows knitted instantly, wondering what he was on about.

"Jo – I don't want you to do anything you'll regret..." he said so earnestly, his hands squeezing hers lightly, that she began to feel a bit lightheaded. He looked down briefly before catching her eyes again. "I think that we could have a grand time of it, if we go. I want to go – I want you to go. But I don't want you to go and then resent me for talking you into it."

The lantern light illuminated his face to her, and she felt her throat begin to restrict.

"Teddy – dearest Teddy. Thank you." Her lashes were becoming suspiciously moist, causing her to blink rapidly to dispel the threatening onslaught.

He gave her a small smile. "Come on, I'll take you home." His long fingers left hers as he started to lean down to collect their things, but her hand on his forearm halted him.

"I want to go. To Washington with you. I want to see father and all of the new capitol buildings...I do want to go. It's just that I've never really done anything big without Marmee's approval before...except chopping off my 'one beauty'..." she laughed a little sardonically at the memory.

"You did look like a porcupine, didn't you?" he teased. "But, even that – look how it turned out? You cut your illustrious locks – of which I'm glad it's growing back now, by the by, more becoming on you. It's fine and good to act like a fellow but I'd rather have you look like a girl. Besides, all was forgiven and you even had extra money for your mother to take on her trip. See? Don't you think she'll be pleased that you're going to see your father? And it's not as if you're going alone..."

"I think she'll be troubled that we two are off alone together – "

"Oh, she knows I'd never let any harm come to you. Besides, we'll have stuffy Brooke to wet blanket any truly fun ideas once we get there..." he chuckled. "So, I'll leave it to you, Topsy Turvy. Do we go or do we stay?"

She looked at him, a frown shadowing her before suddenly she burst out into hysterical laughter. "We go! And quick, before I change my mind!"

"Now, that's a good fellow! I knew you wouldn't let me down!" Laurie tripped with excitement, the luggage handles almost slipping out of trembling fingers. The train whistle shrilled through the chilly air.

"Shall we away, me lady?" he asked with a suave tilt of his head, his arm sticking out for her take.

She linked her arm through his, gray orbs twinkling.

"Let's hope the capitol is ready for a pair of mischief makers!"

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