A/N: Thank you to all my reviewers! Your reviews mean so much to me and I'm absolutely thrilled that you enjoyed my last chapter.

Chapter Seven: Don't Stand So Close to Me

Theresa snuggled deeper into the warmed covers; hibernating if you will. She wondered slightly why she wasn't being assaulted by the two large pit bulls she had adopted Tony and Romo. Never mind, their probably digging through the trash can….but I'll deal with that later. Ten more minutes would not save her from the giant mess that was surely waiting, lulled deeper into dreamland by the sound of horses with their...carriages...and the distant shouts of the Dragoons…doing their…drills….

Theresa shot up as quick as a bolt of lightning; greeted to the terrible stabbing pain in between her eyes…her brain felt as if it might literally explode. Putting her head in her hands; she groaned pathetically. When she finally opened her eyes and squinted as the harsh sunlight streamed through the window assaulting her eye sockets, she saw a familiar female in a large day gown sitting at the foot of her bed working on needle point.

"You finally awaken..." Charlotte chuckled not looking up from her work. She groaned again as the events of the previous night came rushing back like a bad dream.

"God…" Theresa moaned; the ache in her head becoming almost excruciating. "No no, I didn't, no no I wouldn't." she continued to mutter her little mantra as Charlotte placed her needle point down on the bed; and made to way over to the door; cracking it slightly.

"Molly; she just came around; could you bring some tea and toast."

"How long have I been out of it?" Theresa asked laying her head in her lap.

"Almost all day."

"What!" she hissed.

"Don't fret... I said almost." Oh God. She felt disgusting.

For the next few days Theresa avoided the Colonel; Bordon and generally any Dragoon like the plague. Embarrassed by her own behavior; humiliated; even though Charlotte swore that not a single person realized just how drunk she was. Theresa knew two who did; Bordon and the absolute worst person to know something like that; Tavington… Who had practically confessed to hating her with a passion. God only knew why.

Standing in front of the Lord General she begged like a teenager begging to go out. Cornwallis leaned on his palm he seemed to genuinely consider her plea.

"Please sir; church is very important to me, if I miss anymore I think I might lose my mind."

"Theresa I do understand your request; I do….but dear, it is too dangerous for you to go off into town on your own, there is a large anti English sentiment...and I would hate for you to get caught in the middle." He said thoughtfully, he stood looking out the large window.

"Please sir, I can take care of myself!" he raised an eyebrow.

"You my go down to the dragoons camp; Captain Wilkin's…is a ...local… tell him he is under orders to escort you; I expect you back before night fall."

"Oh Thank you sir: thank you." Theresa jumped excitedly. She rushed around the side of the mans desk wrapping him; mush to his surprise in a tight hug. Unsurely at first; he relaxed and a soft chuckle escaped as he patted her on the back..." Go child;"

Theresa had dressed in the prettiest gown she owned; well Charlotte had made for her; did her hair and make-up. Although she always refused the powder, she was fair skinned as it was; she wasn't going to make it worse. But it was a nice break from seeing women looking like Snooki. She held the heavy light blue dress up; the morning dew still clung to the grass, dampening her shoes a bit. She had Molly tighten her corset extra today; to add some extra 'fullness' to her chest; it was church; back home you always had to have some cleavage for church. Cleavage helps your cross hang straight.

Finally as she came to the tents, the soldiers as looked her up and down. She felt a bit violated; but thrilled at the same time. She had always been 'smart' even a little nerdy; she had never been looked at the way she was being looked at now, it felt good. She saw a man tending to the fire, who she vaguely remembered from the ball, as Captain Wilkins.

"Excuse me?" he looked up; a genuine smile seemed to find a place on his lips.

"Miss Theresa, how are you today, ma'am?"

"Well, thank you. Can I ask you for a favor?" The young man raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

"I suppose I'll do my best."

"General Cornwallis sent me." The man perked up a bit. "I wanted to go to church and he said...ugh...that I needed an escort and sent me to you…since your...local." She stammered a bit.

"Oh the Lord General said this?"

"Yeeeahhhh." She wrung he hands nervously.

"I don't really have a choice then…" he smiled. "But I would be honored."

"Excuse me?" a familiar cold voice said behind them, Theresa turned to see Tavington coming out of his tent, damnit! Of all places; she just had to see him today. God hated her.

"Sir; The Lord-"Wilkins stood at attention suddenly ignoring Theresa giving his full attention to Tavington.

"Silence." He held a hand up. Ooh bad mood. "I heard, go have a stable boy ready the horses, I must speak with the Lady...Alone." Wilkins seemed to scurry off without a second thought. Theresa brushed her dress absently chewing at her bottom lip. "Come girl," he wrapped his much larger hand around her delicate wrist; and all but drug her to the more private clearing.

"I don't wanna be late Colonel," she said softly; more to the ground as she kicked at the dirt absently.

"Anything that involves my men, you must talk to me first" he said through gritted teeth. "I am in command."

"I'm sorry, Colonel." She surrendered; never looking up. She couldn't not after the things she had said to him that night. She had behaved like a teenager; not a grown adult woman; and it was embarrassing. He hissed, and looked down at her his frame imposing as ever.

"How are you feeling?" He said a hint of annoyance; and humor rolled into one statement. Her her cheeks burned crimson as she looked away.

"I'm really sorry..." he waved her off, with a huff.

"In all honesty Miss Theresa I do not think it wise for you to...venture out."

"I know I know for my safety! The Lord General already gave me this speech."

"Woman, do not interrupt me." He said dangerously soft. He took a step closer to her leaving only a few inches between them, a slight breeze whipped the leaves of the willow tree they stood under around them.

"With all due respect Colonel, I already have the Lord Generals permission…thank you, I don't need yours too." She started to feel a bit of fire burn in her belly. He couldn't tell her what to do like a child; why was everyone treating her like a child?

"When you drag my men with you, it is my concern." He growled at her his icy gaze boring hole in to her flesh. Something in her snapped. She went into fight or flight mode; and she choose flight. Turning on her heel she walked as quickly as her feet would carry her.

"Well, have a good day." She never dreamed he would follow her but he did, she never dreamed that being some much bigger than her his strides were larger, and he caught up with her quite quickly. Grabbing her arm roughly; he pulled her arm back dragging back to him. She stumbled over her own feet clumsily and almost slipped, closing her eyes she waited for the hard cool thud of ground that...never came. She felt large arms around her waist; slowly testing she opened her eyes only to be met by his cool glare; his face so close to hers she could feel his breath on her face.

"We are not through here." He said softly. A hint of danger in his voice, the fire in her belly burned bright and she felt it course through her veins; he was such an asshole. But that seemed to add to his attractiveness. He set her down uncermoniously in a heap.

"Look, I don't care; I'm goin' to church, so I can go to heaven. Thank you, Jesus! Amen!" She said haughtily, it scared her. Why on earth would she ever want a man to touch her; why would her heart race? He was horrible.

"You're an insolent child, woman!" he pointed a finger at her. "I'm tempted to take over my damned knee right here."

"I'm a child! I'll have you know I'm a grown ass woman, thank you."

"Oh" he cocked an eyebrow pretentiously. "Twenty and three; how wise you must be." His voice dripping with sarcasm; he folded his arms smugly over his billowing loose ruffled shirt.

"Oh that's not fair!" she threw her hands in the air, and slapped them down at her sides. He advanced toward her again, as she stepped back cautiously, she knew she was playing with fire now. It was like poking a bear with a stick; she had gotten away with it a few times, but now he seemed to get angrier as the seconds past. He bent he face down to hers, their eyes meeting hardly; both not backing down.

"Life isn't fair." He hissed harshly.

"Wow, when'd you learn that Sherlock?"

"Insolent little wretch!"

"Ass." She reached back and swung her open palm at him, hard. She mouth dropped open wide when his own hand caught hers mere inches from his face.
"Tisk tisk, not very polite. I was told I was 'likable'."

"When I'm drunk." She spat. His fingers squeezed her wrist so tightly she could feel her fingers starting to tingle, much against her own wishes that wasn't the only part tingling. Their eyes bore into each other's; she couldn't help but notice just how much bigger he was…He could snap her in two if he really wanted to. She blinked. He seemed to look down at her full pink lips for a moment, a long moment.

"Go, you will be late for your services." He all but shoved her away. She stood there for a long moment watching his retreating back, confused, and more than a bit bewildered,.

A/N: Please review; it really helps get the juices flowing!