Disclaimer: See chapter 1or 4.


Chapter 7

Ext. Some Distant Road- Dawn: 6:00 am

It was the beginning of a pleasant day. Birds were chirping and searching for the first worm as the sun peaked down from behind the mountains onto a road where a British convey traveled on. Some soldiers marched on foot as covered wagons wheeled along behind them. It was relatively peaceful until...

Men rose from behind trees and bushes, muskets pointed and fired. British soldiers fell rapidly as flashes of musket fire were seen left and right. Sparks soon ignited the wagon covers on fire causing the few soldiers left to shout and run for cover only to be shoot down before one wagon went up in an explosion, thanks to the gunpowder it carried.

The men, clearly seen now, were Continental militia. They quickly unloaded the gun powder still left in the other wagons yet to be exploded. With gunpowder and muskets taken from the dead, they moved on, happy with their lot and cowardly victory.

Ext. Fort Carolina Mansion Bedroom - 7:00 am

Rays of sunshine fell down upon British Headquarters and peeked into every window with curtains drawn back. Beyond one of these windows something groaned and cursed the sun from within...

"Ugh!" It grunted as it buried its head under its pillow. "Go away!"

Light spread around the cozy room where in its center sat a bed where the something was laying. It was laying atop the covers dressed and without shoes while its back was turned to the window, where the light poured from along with...chirping.

"Shut up!" It screamed from under its pillow.

Silence reigned over the room, earning a pleased murmur from the creature this time. Minutes ticked by and the creature remained still. The rise and fall of its back revealed that it still lived.

Thunk! Thunk!

"Miss. Cat? Miss. Cat, the Lord General requests your presence in the study." A voice called, muffled through the door.

Silence answered.

"Miss. Cat? Are you all right?" Asked the voice with timid concern.

Silence was again the voices answer.

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

"Alright! I'm up! Damn morning people!" Shouted the creature.

Cat groaned and pulled her head out from under the pillow before rolling...

Thump! Bang!

"Ouch! Damn it, that hurt!"

The maid, who owned the voice, jumped at the sound. Half concerned, half terrified, she knocked again softly.

"D..Do you need help, Miss?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks, anyway." Cat called back from the floor, where she had rolled to from the bed beside her. Grunting, Cat braced her hands on the floor and pushed standing herself up. She glared at the bed as she rubbed her injured arm.

"Very well. Good bye, Miss." The maid called back, lingering for she was still uncertain.

Cat rolled her eyes, exasperated at the girl. After smoothing the wrinkled in her shirt and pants the best she could, she walked to the door and wrenched it open. The maid jumped back, startled. She stared at Cat as if she was an unknown and dangerous animal.

Cat stared back, amused. She was unaware of her tousled hair and stockinged feet. (Thanks to the other maid, who 'lost' her socks)

"Mary, I'm fine. Go to your other duties." Cat prompted, smiling a bit sleepily.

Mary smiled back slightly before curtsying. "Yes, Miss."

Mary scurried away, not a hair out place. Cat watched her, hair everywhere and in every which direction there was. Plowing a hand into said hair, Cat turned and walked back into room, picking up her discarded boots on her way back to the bed, where she put them on.She stood and went to vanity where she washed her face and neck, before grabbing her brush and walking to mirror where she preceded to brush her hair up into a sloppy bun. As she stood there in front of the mirror, she grimaced at herself.

"I shall have a proper bath tonight." Cat vowed to her reflection before tossing her brush back onto the vanity. She left her room and clambered down the stairs, where at the bottom, she waved and greeted the servants she knew after only two days. As she reached the study door, she smiled at the doormen.

"Hello, boys. How's it hangin'?" Cat greeted, amused at their confused faces.

One of them opened the door and Cat went through, snickeringuntil she beheld the most nauseous thing a person could see in the morning...

O'Hara was grinning. Tavington was scowling darkly (no change there) at O'Hara while Cornwallis looked on. Jacob sat quietly, glowering at O'Hara and Tavington. 'Uh oh, Jacob glowering at O'Hara in not good' Cat thought.

"Good Morning, Gentlemen!" Cat caroled, despite her hatred for the morning and its people.

Three men stood at her voice, smiling warmly. Cat glowered at O'Hara before sitting followed by Cornwallis and Jacob. O'Hara remained standing.

"Colonel, must I repeat that a gentleman stands when a lady is standing!" O'Hara lectured.

Tavington looked up at the general sneering, but before he could say anything Cat spoke.

"General, it is seven o'clock in the morning...," Cat stressed morning as she glowered at the man, "...Shut up!"

General O'Hara looked affronted, but Cat turned to Cornwallis, dismissing him. Cornwallis tried to hide a smile.

"Miss. Cat, we are here to see if you are able to ride with the dragoons...," Cornwallis began, "...Doctor Collins and the others are impressed with your work after Camden therefore I shall have you ran a trial with the Dragoons. If Colonel Tavington finds you skilled enough to handle his men and the situations in which you will find yourself in with the Dragoons...," Cornwallis threw a telling glance at Tavington , who remained passive, his face unreadable, "... Then you shall be allowed to travel with Dragoons for the remainder of this war."

Cat's eyes narrowed at Cornwallis. "Why the sudden change of heart? Last time it was I went along whether he...," She jerked her head at Tavington, "...Like it or not after a good report from the doctors."

Cornwallis shifted in his chair before turning stern. "I'm afraid I was a bit too hasty and flippant with my decision last time."

"In another words, you thought I wouldn't have handled all the blood and gore. Am I right?" Cat asked dryly, nailing the truth on the head if the look on Cornwallis's face was anything to go by.

On her left, Jacob ducked his head to hide a grin. Cornwallis shifted again with a flush to his cheeks under Cat's knowing eyes. On Cat's right, Tavington was smirking at Cornwallis's embarrassment. This was only a mild payback for all the reprimands he had to listen to.

O'Hara came to his rescue. "Sir, the other news."

"Oh, yes...," Cornwallis cleared his throat as he regained his composure, "...There will be a lawn party in nine days hence. All officers are to attend as well as doctors and...," He leveled Cat with a stare, "...Nurses."

Cat paled as she stared back.

"No." She yelped, a wild look to her eyes.

"Oh yes and after lunch today you are to have your first fitting for a ball gown and for other gowns needed for everyday as well." O'Hara said with relish, thinking he was soothing her worries, when he was really making them worse. He beamed at her, waiting for the enthusiastic 'thank you' he was obviously expecting for Cat's chance to get new 'clothes'.

Cat turned her head and narrowed her eyes at O'Hara. "You've got to catch me first."

His face was writhed with surprise and confusion at her words asshe turned back to Cornwallis, ignoring the amused Tavington beside her.

"Please don't make me! I don't wanna go!" She pleaded, her hands pressed together as if in prayer.

"You will attend and you will go to your fitting, willingly." Cornwallis thundered, holding a hand upto stop any protests, "No more. You will and that is final."

Cat crossed her arms as she threw herself backwards into her chair, pouting as she glowered at the smirking Tavington beside her. She scowled.

"Ass." She snapped.

"Bitch." He retorted.

"Groveling dog." She growled.

"Clinging Whore." He hissed.

"Enough." Cornwalis bellowed, slamming a fist onto his desk. "Cease this profanity and vulgarity in my study."

"Yes, my lord." Both murmured even as they threw venomous glares at each other.

Cornwallis relaxed into his chair, sighing deeply.

"Dismissed." He flapped a hand at the door.

Tavington, Cat, and Jacob stood and turned towards the door. Cat hightailed it out of the study with Tavington and Jacob following.

Silence.

"My lord...?"

"Yes, General?"

"...Was she playing coy?"

"..."

- - - - -

Cat practically ran out of the Mansion and out of the fort all together. She slowed only when she was outside of the high fence and on the path to the tents. Soldiers milled around, some ignoring her, others watching. She ignored them all as she entered the mess tent. Taking a plate, she piled breakfast onto it before sitting down to wolf it down. She finished in record time and left the mess tent to walk to the med tents. She entered the tent beside the Surgery tent and watched as housemen and a few nurses worked diligently, helping with the last breakfast or taking away trays before giving treatment and medicine. Cat breathed in deeply and smiled. Here was where she was needed and where she belonged. 'For the time being.' She thought before walking further inside to the cabinets where she grabbed an apron and her cart, which had been prepared bynurseCat was replacing. She wheeled over to her first patient, who was looking much better.

"Well, someone's looking cheerful this morning." Cat greeted. She smiled down at the young soldier.

He turned towards her, face half bandaged along with both hands, and smiled up at her.

"It's nice to know that I'll live with all limbs attached." He whispered back, not wanting to stretch or agitate his burned cheek.

Cat grinned at him as she gathered her supplies to tend to his burns. She sat on the edge of his bad, a glass of clear liquid in hand.

"Any pain?"

"Yes."

"Is it a dull, bearable throb or a sharp annoying sting?" She asked, studying his face for any hint to the degree of pain.

"The second one." He said in a low tone.

Cat nodded as she lifted and poured a half inch of lauduam into the glass of water. "Thought so. The lauduam from last night hasn't completely worn off. Lucky you. Burns never feel pleasant with any type of pain reducer."

She tilted the glass to his lips and he drank slowly, but drank it all. She sat the empty glass on the cart before gently and quickly removed the bandage on his cheek.

"This will hurt." She warned as she poured brandy onto a rag. He nodded and braced himself as she placed the brandy soaked rag onto his cheek. He cursed and hissed before quickly glancing at Cat.

"Sorry, Miss." He mumbled as he grimaced.

"It's all right. I curse as well. Just don't tell anybody." She winked as she removed the rag and began to apply the burning salve onto his cheek. She put a clean bandage on his cheek before turning to his hands. She unwrapped the bandages around one hand before applying the same salve. She wrapped clean bandages around his hand before repeating the procedure to the other hand. She cleared up before turning back to him smiling.

"Need anything else?" Cat asked, smiling down at the young man.

"No, Miss, I'm set." He raised his arms, where a book rested on his forearms.

"Okie dokie. Have a nice rest of the day, soldier." Cat wheeled away, leaving another person to ponder her words.

Cat, for the next two hours, helped re-bandaging wounds and gave lauduam to the ones with pain.

It was a quarter past nine when she relaxed and realized she only had one patient left. She wheeled her cart over to the amputate patient and smiled down at his sleeping face. She leaned over and gently shook his shoulder.

"Soldier? Time to wake up." Cat caroled.

The soldier moaned. "Go away, Sanders."

"Soldier, I'm not Sanders. Now wake up!." Cat said sternly and loudly.

The young soldier jerked awake, staring upwards at her in confusion. Cat smiled down at him. What a mistake! The soldier grinned back and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her atop of him.

"Impatient are we, Sweet?" He asked, in what he thought was a suave voice.

In answer, Cat reached up and twisted his ear.

"Ouch. Let go!" He yelped, trying to twist away from her grip even as he pushed her away. And for the second time that morning, Cat fell...to the floor. Cat cursed and scrambled up to glare down at the soldier, who was running his ear as he scowled up at her.

"I'm your nurse, soldier, and you will treat me with respect!" Cat snapped, unaware of two pairs of amused eyes.

"You sorry who- Nurse? What? Why?." The soldier sat up and looked around, confused. In a frenzy , he threw off his covers and froze.

Cat was silent, her anger gone as she waited for his next reaction. The soldier stared, disbelieving, at severed thigh. Cat moved forward and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"It couldn't be saved. I'm deeply sorry." Cat whispered, compassion in her eyes.

He lifted dazed eyes to hers and Cat watched as the dazed look disappeared to be replaced by anger.

"Sorry? You're sorry?" Are you missing a leg? Are you half a man? Wait, I'd say that's a no. You're just a woman. You understand nothing." He sneered angrily, shrugging her hand away roughly.

Cat's eyes sparked and narrowed.

"Just a woman? Let me tell you something, boy! I've seen on man lose both legs, another lost an arm and a leg while another lost both arms as well as a leg! I've watched women fall apart when they have been told that their husbands, sons, and brothers aren't coming home, but are under six feet worth of dirt!" Cat said with deadly calm. "Personally, I had to accept that I would never would have children. However, does that make me less of a woman? I still have the parts don't I?" Cat gestured angrily to her breasts and lower, "No it doesn't and a loss of a limb doesn't make a man any less of man! You can still walk with the help of a cane, yes, but at least you can walk. Some have to live the rest of their lives in a chair!" She paused, enforcing sadness into her face and voice, "At least, you can still have children."

The soldier sat stunned as he stared at her silent and shocked. Cat nodded satisfied and turned to his wound.

"Cat!"

She turned to Jacob with an uncertain smile. She tilted her head in question.

Jacob cleared his throat, obviously fighting laughter as he avoided meeting her eyes.

"The Lord General is requesting your presence in his study."

"Ordering, you mean." Cat retorted dryly, grinning at him. Jacob choked as Wilkins, who stood a few feet behind him stifled a smile.

"Yes, well, Anna will take care of..." Jacob trailed off, looking down at the soldier in question.

"Mills. Cornet Andrew Mills." The soldier answered quickly, still staring at Cat in a daze.

Jacob nodded. "Anna will take care of him."

"Very well." Cat nodded to Anna, a petite blonde, who was well liked among the soldiers.

"See ya later, Doc." Cat called over her shoulder as she left the tent with Wilkins.

They walked in silence, both looking ahead until...

"Was it true?"

Cat hid a smile. "Which part?"

Wilkins snorted before he could catch himself as he threw her a sidelong glance. They walked through the door into the fort.

"Ah, that part. No, it isn't." Cat threw him a grin. "But he doesn't know that." She warned.

"Of course." He assured with a solemn face that was thrown out the door at the amusement in his eyes.

As they climbed the stairs, Cat burst into laughter while Wilkins smiled faintly.

"Did you see his face?" Cat gasped out.

The servants that passed and were passed exchanged looks that clearly said 'She's lost it.'

"Indeed. While your method of diversion is unorthodox, it was highly affective. On the behalf of the Dragoon officers, I thank you." He said formally.

A the study door now, all Cat could do was throw him a shocked face before the door was opened once again for them to enter. This time, however, Bordon stood, in Jacob's stead, beside Tavington. O'Hara was standing behind and off the side of Cornwallis, who was seated as usual behind his desk. 'An authority thing.' Cat mused as she walked up to stand on Tavingtons' left. Wilkins stood beside Bordon, who stood on Tavingtons' right.

"What do I owe for this summons, sir?" Cat asked sarcastically.

Cornwallis chose to ignore her tone. "A convey was suppose to be here at nine o'clock..."

Cat and Tavington both waited with barely concealed impatience. Bordon and Wilkins remained unreadable.

"...Alas, however, it is not here therefore you, Cat, will go along with the Dragoons to find this missing convey." He paused and waited until he locked eyes with Cat's. "This your trial, Cat. No tents, cots, or safe working conditions."

"I'm well aware of that, Sir. Aren't we wasting time?" Cast asked, anger a faintly visible in her face.

Cornwallis's face reddened in anger. "Do not speak so to me, Miss. Johanson. You benefit and live on my good graces."

Cat pressed her lips into a thin line and she spoke through gritted teeth. "Understood, my lord."

"Good." He shifted his gaze to the others. "Dismissed. All of you."

Cat turned and stalked out. She was at the bottom of the mansion stairs when she came to jerking stop thanks to the hard hand gripping her shoulder.

"What?" She snapped, turning furious eyes to Tavington.

Tavington narrowed his eyes at her as his grip tightened on her shoulder causing her to flinch.

"You will address me with respect in front of my men and you will follow my orders precisely and without question. Understood?" Tavington barked, glaring at her while standing way too close as he towered over her trying to intimidate her. Cat returned his glare before nodding after another painful squeeze from his hand.

"Understood, Colonel, sir." Cat said, her tone barely respectful.

"Good. Come along." He let her shoulder go before turning and striding away. Cat scowled at his retreating back before following, brimming with anger.

They stopped at the stables where Tavington, Bordon, and Wilkins mounts their saddled horses. Cat stood quietly, staring at the various Dragoon mounted horses. Tavington moved his horse close and sneered down at her.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Tavington gestured over towards a huge black horse, saddled, but unmounted.

Cat followed the gesture and stared openmouthed at the horse. 'Beautiful,' was her first thought. Her second... 'I'm going to die.'

The beautiful horse was huge and pawing the ground before rearing repeatedly, trying to get away from the five grooms, who were trying, in vain, to control him.

Cat, against all better judgement, began walking toward the horse.

"Sir, do you think..."

"Silence." Tavington ordered, watching Cat and the horse with a predatory gaze. "Just watch."

The horse caught sight of Cat as she approached and stilled, tense and ready to strike. Cat went slowly, hands held out from her body and shaking as she watched the horse watch her. She stopped as he reared, kicking out and pawing the air with his strong legs before returning to the ground. The five grooms moved in and held him firmly. Cat walked forward and grabbed the reins from one of the grooms.

"Move." She ordered loudly. The grooms gladly scattered and the horse reared again, obviously trying to scare her.

"Down now!" Cat commanded, tugging firmly on the reins. He returned to the ground and charged. Cat fell backwards onto her ass, but didn't get angry. Cat tugged on the reins, bringing the horses head closer so she could grab the bridle. She brought his face close and looked into his light brown eyes that almost appeared red. Her green ones reflected understanding and anger while his reflected rage and fear.

"I won't hurt you and if you do that to me again, you can forget any extra scoop of oats, buster." Cat warned in a gentle, but firm tone. He lifted his head and nudged her shoulder.. Cat stroked his forelock and kept talking in a low voice.

" I think you and me will get along fine." Cat observed, smiling before he lifted his head and blew a raspberry into her face.

Cat was frowning as he nickered and stomped the ground in his horsie amusement.

"Are you two through yet or do you need some more privacy? We are wasting time, you know." Tavington called sarcastically. He was smirking as he watched her and the horse. Bordon and Wilkins exchanged a look.

"Bite me, Colonel." Cat called back with good humor.

The Dragoons gaped at her than at Tavington, who looked startled, angry, and bemused before a gleam entered his cool eyes. He grinned, showing strong white teeth as he eyes Cat with a barely concealed hunger. Men shuddered and pitied Cat as they beheld the sight of a maliciously grinning Tavington. He looked hard and cruel and had a disturbing resemble of a shark, who had just pinpointed his prey.

Cat failed to notice all of it as she was trying to mount her new horse. As soon as her fot neared the stir up, the damn horse would move.

"Stop it." Cat huffed, half angry, half amused.

Cat bite her lip, thinking then...

"Oh look..."

The horse stared at her, his lip curled up, showing big wicked looking teeth. His eyes seemed to say, 'Do I look stupid to you?' Cat was torn between laughter and tears of frustration.

"Stop moving then." Cat snapped half heartedly.

She lifted her left foot and the horse remained still. She put her foot into the stir up and lifted her body... The horse moved forward and Cat clung to him, awkwardly throwing her leg over the horse before she straightened up in the saddle and gripped the reins firmly, yet loosely as to not hurt his tender mouth.

"Let's go." Cat pressed her right thigh and leg into his right side as she tugged the reins to the left commanding the horse to move left towards Tavington and the others. Cat sat straight and proud in the saddle as she stopped in front of Tavington.

"Well? What are we waiting for?" Cat asked snidely.

They moved out of fort with Cat and Tavington leading followed by Bordon and Wilkins. Outside the gate, Tavington moved his horse close to hers before leaning over to nip her ear. Cat jumped and yelped to her horses's annoyance, who flickered his ears irritably. Cat turned to Tavington angry, confused, and yes damn it, aroused.

"What the hell was that for?" She demanded

"Language, Miss. Johanson." Tavington tsked, grinning devilishly.

"Tavington." Cat growled in warning.

His grin widened as he moved closer leaning close to her face and ear.

"You said, 'Bite me, Colonel.' I thought to oblige..." Tavington explained huskily, blue eyes warm and victorious as he watched her shivered, her eyes wide and dilated in reaction to his voice.

"...the lady." Cat added, her eyes just as warm as his, yet narrowed in suspicion.

He clicked his tongue as he shook his head. "Why do you all keep insisting that there is a lady present when I fail to see one?"

Cat's eyes blazed in fury and amusement.

"Hmm, yes, well, why would any women want to be bitten by a...mutt." Cat hissed, leaning over so that they were nose to nose.

Tavington smirked. "That might be so, however, I didn't bite a woman. This...mutt bit a cat, who has yet to learn her place."

Tavington straightened away from her and rode on calling over his order for his subordinate.

"Beside me, Bordon."

Bordon rode past Cat with a questioning look mingled with sympathy before turning unreadable as he approached his commander. Wilkins took Tavington place beside her and both followed Tavington and Bordon, both silent as Cat kept her stare on Tavington's back.


A/N: Well, I would like to thank Lady Naeva, my new beta, and I would like to thank J.B. Duenweg, JeanieBeanie33, KHSsSoccerGurl, Kuro's Girl, and all the others for reviewing. Also a little note for DragonFlame: Thanks for pointing that out, however, in the main script ,which I'm also using along with movie, has Wilkins there before the attack. Again thanks for pointing it out, you've got sharp eyes. Now I hoped ya'll enjoyed this chapter...

Tavington: I certainly did.(smirks)

Cat: (scowls) I owe you one, buster.

Tavington: (devilish look) Indeed...

Cat: (uneasy look as she edges away from the Colonel) Hehe...um..please review...and..(turns) Bye! ( runs away with Tavington following)