A/N: I don't own any of these characters. Anyway, thanks for reading/reviewing as usual, at this point I don't really know where this story is going but here you go! And again, didn't proof read, apologies in advance.

Hercules' infatuation with Elizabeth Sanders didn't diminish. Though they didn't meet again for several more months, their letters grew increasingly flirtatious as time went on.

As much as Hercules despised the taunts he received over his chosen profession, he tactfully ignored them and focused on his studies instead, and of course, his correspondence with Elizabeth.

When he went home for Christmas in December of 1756, he couldn't seem to take the large grin off his face after receiving word that Elizabeth would try to visit him over the holidays.

This greatly concerned his sister, who interrupted their relatively quiet Christmas dinner by asking, "are you okay, Herc? You seem a little strange."

"Hmm?" Sarah had interrupted his reverie. "Oh, I'm fine. Great, in fact. I'm just really happy right now."

Sarah caught on immediately. "Who is she?" She asked, waggling her eyebrows.

Hercules sighed, unable to control the blush creeping into his cheeks.

"Why do you assume it's a girl? I mean-"

Sarah didn't buy his excuses.

"Oh, all right," he gave in. "Her name is Elizabeth Sanders. She's the daughter of the English professor at school."

Mrs. Mulligan couldn't wait any longer, and interjected excitedly, "oh I'm so happy for you Hercules! I can't wait to meet her!"

Hugh looked disgusted, considering he was still 11 years old, while Hercules' father had a questioning look on his face.

"English professor's daughter, huh?" He asked. "Are you sure she's of an appropriate status?"

Though the Mulligans were not poor, merely upper middle class, Mr. Mulligan considered themselves above everyone else, a fact that annoyed his wife and confused his children.

Hercules' mother immediately turned to her husband with an accusing look on her face. The whole family braced for the outrage about to follow.

"Hugh, this isn't 1705 anymore! Hercules can marry whoever-"

"Wait, mother, I never said anything about marriage," Hercules said alarmingly.

"Of course you did, dear," Mrs. Mulligan replied, turning around with a knowing look in her eyes.

"Anyway," she continued. "Hercules can marry- fine court, anyone he wants, regardless of social class or status. He will choose whoever he loves, not whoever has the most money."

Judging from the silence that ensued after her speech, Hercules' mother looked around in a satisfied sort of way, and determined that it was effective enough to continue eating her dinner.

Hercules finally decided to breach the tense quiet.

He coughed awkwardly, and said, "speaking of which, Elizabeth has offered to come and see me next Tuesday. Is that alright-"

"Of course, dear!" Mrs. Mulligan responded predictably. "This must be so exciting for you! And since she's meeting your family, we must meet hers, I bet she's lovely, you know, we should probably prepare for the wedding soon-"

"Mother," Hercules pleaded. "Can you not say the word "wedding" until I at least get out of school? And for God's sake, please don't mention it when she comes."

His mother looked resigned. "Fine, I promise I'll try not to embarrass you on purpose."

"Good," Hercules replied, trying not to sound too harsh with her.

He leaned back in his chair and tried to pretend that everything would go smoothly next week.

Hercules paced anxiously in front of the door as he waited for Elizabeth to come. He was dressed in his best clothes, had polished his shoes, and even attempted to smooth the wrinkles from his shirt.

He had at least three papers to write for school, including one ironically for Elizabeth's father, but he couldn't care less about them at the moment.

Jumping as he heard the knock on the door, Hercules hurried to open it before his mother could, not willing to face embarrassment quite yet.

Standing there on his doorstep was Elizabeth, wearing a lovely sky blue dress with an intricate lace trim and cuffs (hey he wasn't a tailor for nothing—he kept up with fashion for both genders).

"Mr. Mulligan," she said politely, a teasing manner clearly visible in her eyes.

"Miss Sanders," he responded, following her lead. "Welcome to our home." He stepped aside to allow her to pass through.

"After you," he smirked, watching as she rolled her eyes and entered the house, a polite smile still on her lips as she saw Hercules' mother in the kitchen.

"You must be Miss Sanders!" The older woman exclaimed, rushing forward and grabbing Elizabeth into a bear hug, surprise at the gesture evident on Elizabeth's face. "My dear Hercules has spoken much about you," she said warmly.

Hercules shot his mother a slightly annoyed look, not entirely genuine though.

"And you must be Mrs. Mulligan," Elizabeth responded, still full of grace. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"And you," Hercules' mother replied, unable to keep the excitement of meeting her eldest son's beloved out of her voice.

"Now, come into the parlor," she stated, business-like. "Some tea, perhaps, to get you warmed up?"

Mrs. Mulligan guided both of them into said room, and then bustled off into the kitchen, pulling out her best set of china.

"Your mother seems like a kind woman," Elizabeth began, once they were seated.

"She is," Hercules agreed, "but a little overly enthusiastic sometimes."

She laughed. "I think that was evident in the large hug she gave me when we first met."

He chuckled in return. They stayed in comfortable silence until his mother came in with tea and finger sandwiches. As she glided over to their seats, she leaned over and whispered something in Elizabeth's ear, which caused her to first blush but then turn significantly paler before placing the refreshments on the table.

"Now!" Mrs. Mulligan said cheerfully, juxtaposing Elizabeth's fearful look, "I want to know all about Miss Sanders here."

Hercules took Elizabeth's hand in concern, for her face had still not returned to her normal complexion, but nevertheless, Elizabeth found the strength to explain her father's line of work, her own pursuits in learning, for her father refused to allow his only daughter to be uneducated, and her uncle, Admiral Sanders, who was in the Royal British Navy.

It soon became mainly a female conversation, with Hercules' mother chatting amicably about this and that while Elizabeth politely responded. Meanwhile, Hercules nodded occasionally to show that he was still listening, while desperately wanting one of those finger sandwiches, but felt that he couldn't take one, as it seemed to only be for the ladies.

After talking for nearly three hours, Mrs. Mulligan glanced at the clock, and said in surprise, "goodness, look at the time! Elizabeth, I've likely kept you here for far too long, my apologies. Well, it was nice meeting you, and I hope to see you soon. Hercules, would you be a gentleman and escort her out?"

Hercules jumped as he was called, as he had been mindlessly daydreaming, but jumped to his feet and offered Elizabeth his hand. She took it gratefully, and they walked in silence to the front door. As she stepped outside, Hercules hesitantly asked, "Elizabeth, what did my mother ask that frightened you so much?"

Elizabeth paused, then began to laugh, saying, "it was terrifying at first but seems quite amusing now. She first welcomed me into the family, but then threatened to toss me into New York Harbor if I hurt you."

A/N: Phew! I had no idea where that was going. Anyway, Elizabeth was actually the niece of an Admiral Sanders, but I enjoyed Hercules' mother threatening Elizabeth. Like, all nice and stuff, but when it comes to her children, she isn't going to take any shit.