A/N: Heya, folks! Here's another hot plate of fanfiction, ready to be devoured. Hope you like it!

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As the sun sank lower in the sky and the land was bathed in an orange glow, the Dragoons camped in the safety of a little glade. Crickets and other equally musical insects filled the air with their songs. A tent was set up for the few wounded. Alys wondered what would become of those that had died.

She looked across the clearing to where her fathers perched on a stump, meticulously wiping the blood from his saber. A sickly, cold shiver flew up Alys's spine as "The Butcher" finally made sense. He had cut those men as a butch would slice the throats of animal before hacking them into pieces. Never had she seen such ruthlessness. Never. He swept his rag up and down the length of the blade. And he doesn't even think twice about it, she marveled. Well, he doesn't need me here at all.

The sound of snapping twigs and crunching grass caused her to turn away from her father and look over her shoulder. Fields stood there, looking exhausted but unhurt. He grinned at her and his teeth shone through the dirt and sweat on her face.

"Hey," he said and plopped down next to her, extending his hand. She shook it warily and pulled the brim of her hat down to hide her face. "I wanted to thank you again. I think you saved my life back there."

Pride conquered Alys's fear for a moment and she said, keeping her voice low and masculine, "What do you mean, 'think'?"

Fields smiled even wider and he laughed a little. "Alright. You definitely saved me and for that I am forever grateful to you."

Alys smiled into her chest. "It was nothing," she said. Fields said nothing for a moment and twiddled his thumbs uncomfortably. With a wry appreciation for the irony, Alys thought of their awkward interaction at the ball. Truly, boys would be boys, no matter what the situation.

Then he jumped up. "Thanks aren't good enough," he said firmly and pulled her to her feet. "I'm going to tell the Colonel of your bravery and recommend you for a higher position."

Alys resisted. No! He'd know her! "Really," she said. "You don't have to do that. It was nothing! Your thanks is plenty for me!" But Fields was already pulling her along.

"Nonsense," he said. As much as Alys resisted, the boy was much stronger than her. Curse those soldiers and their vigorous training!

"Please, don't," she begged. Fields turned around and stared hard at her face, searching for something. Alys looked down swiftly. Fields smiled gently.

"Don't be embarrassed," he said and pulled her off again. Alys groaned mentally. This was it. She was going to be discovered and given the verbal, if not literal, lashing of her life. Then she'd be sent back to Middleton Place while her friends and father were killed. She rolled her eyes bitterly and wished she had died in that last attack.

"Colonel!" Fields called. Tavington looked up, already disinterested.

"What is it, Private?" he said with infinite patience.

Fields gulped but stood his ground, bowing humbly but keeping his voice strong and clear. "I only wish to bring this young man to your attention, sir," he said, motioning to Alys who was lingering behind him. "He did more than just his duties as a soldier in the skirmish today. I owe him my life."

Tavington raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" he said, looking beyond Fields to Alys trying desperately to disappear. "Well come then, boy, step forward." He smirked derisively.

Alys obeyed, bracing herself for imminent doom. Then, eyes still on the ground, she saw her chance! The earth was wet from South Carolina's classic humidity and some places were just a little soggier than others. One of those places happened to be two feet in front of her. With a great effort to make it seem natural, Alys stumbled and fell, landing face down in the mud.

Colonel Tavington looked amused as Fields helped her up. She wiped her face off, but not too much, so that a coat of black mud still concealed her features. "Well, well," the Colonel said, lips curling upwards into a little smile. "I'd say it's a worthy accomplishment that you yourself survived the day." He picked up a sheet of paper and made a little note on it. "Rest assured that I will tell the General of your heroism and you will be rewarded."

Alys nodded and tried to hide a grin. It was too delicious. She would have loved to see the look on her fathers face if he had know just who it was that was so heroic. Added to that, she had mud on her face. What could be sillier? "Thank you very much sir!" she said, a bit of a giggle in her voice.

Tavington suddenly looked up at her and drew very close, peering into her eyes as if he was peering into her soul. "What did you say your name was, Private?" he asked suspiciously. Alys cursed herself. What had possessed her to speak?

"Um, ...Jacob ...D-Danvers, at your service, sir," she said soberly. Tavington held her there for a moment longer, then relaxed.

"Very well, Mister Danvers," he said. "I thank you for your brave service today. Carry on." Alys bowed and turned away, letting her breath out in a whoosh once she was out of earshot. Bidding goodbye to Fields, she wondered how many years that encounter had taken off her life.

---

Alys removed her boots and gasped with delight as she slid her feet into the cool, clean water of the stream. She knew she'd heard the sound of running water and seeing as she was hot, tired, sweaty and covered in more filth than anyone else, she'd gone off in search of it. To her great pleasure, she found it just a ten minute walk from the encampment. Close enough that she wouldn't get lost and far enough away that she would be safe from peepers and discovery.

After a preliminary look-around to make sure she was completely alone, she stripped off everything - leggings, breeches, coat, shirt and the infernal bandages she used to conceal her curved chest, all of it - went into a pile on a big rock. She hopped back and put the coat back on, just for modesty's sake. Then she waded out into the middle of the stream, almost laughing out loud with pleasure. The water was so good! She kicked her feet around, splashing water up her legs, then cupped it in her hands and poured it over her neck, torso, face, hair. It trickled slowly over her skin - a fantastically beautiful feeling.

And she couldn't have found a more tranquil place. The setting sun glittered on the rushing water and the stones like thousands of jewels. The bugs churred and a few birds whistled and a breeze blew through the trees around her in gentle, soothing hush. She felt as if she was the only human being on the planet. I would like to be an Indian, she thought. So I could bathe like this every day. She closed her eyes and listened to the evening's sounds.

A splash startled her out of her reverie. She spun around to see Fields standing by her clothes, staring at her in shock.

"I knew it!" he said, pointing his finger at her, half in triumph, half in anger. "I knew I recognized you!"

"Don't look at me!" Alys shrieked and pulled her stolen coat tightly around her. Fields averted his eyes long enough for her to button up and splash back for her breeches. When she was halfway decent, he started in on her.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he demanded. She crossed her arms and scowled like a little girl. "This isn't a game!" he continued. "Men died today! You could have gotten killed yourself!"

"I'm not playing at any game!" she shouted back. "And if I hadn't been there today you wouldn't be here now, so there!"

"God damn it, Alys!" He fumed and paced and glared at her, but he couldn't speak. "This is really dangerous!" he said finally. Alys laughed at him and he became angrier. "I'm serious! I think you should go home immediately!"

Alys looked around. "I don't think I even know the way back," she said bluntly. Fields groaned and threw his hands up in the air. "Will you calm down!" Alys said, trying to maintain a level of maturity. "Considering I don't have any of your training, I think I handled myself very well out there. You have nothing to worry about. You already know I'm a terrific shot."

Fields nodded, unconvinced. "Uh huh, uh huh, yes. You're a good shot when you're shooting at practice dummies and canteens. But that's nothing compared to shooting a real person." Alys's frowned, her confidence punctured. Fields knew he'd got her there. "Did you shoot at anyone today?" he asked. "Did you kill anyone? Because let me tell you, there is nothing like that, nothing!" His face was white and intense. "If you stay, you'll eventually have to do it. I don't think you want that."

Alys sighed and shivered. The quickly cooling air was even colder on her wet skin and hair. "You don't understand," she said to Fields. "You lose everything if you fight. I lose everything if I don't. Do you see? I don't care about myself. If my father dies, I got nothing left." She met his eyes desperately. "I don't want to be alone," she whispered.

"But you were out there today! You saw how it was!" Fields protested. "Do you really think you can protect him?" Alys smiled sadly.

Fields groaned but he could not deny the compassion he felt for her situation and the respect for her bravery. "Fine!" he relented, angry at his weakness. Alys smiled and embraced him.

"Thank you, Fields," she said.

"Don't mention it," he grumbled, trying to hide his pleasure. "And it's David."

Alys nodded. "Thank you, David."

"Don't mention it," he said again and blushed. He looked at her in the soldier's uniform and had to laugh. "How did you ever hide those?" he chuckled, pointing to her breasts.

Alys swatted him in indignation. "That is none of you business!" she snapped and hit him again. He fended her off and she crossed her arms over her chest. He laughed again.

"You're a skillful girl," he said and had to dodge another smack. But looking up he saw that Alys was laughing as well. He was suddenly overcome with admiration and affection, as well as the desire to never, ever see her get hurt. He took her hand and pulled her to him. "Are you sure there's nothing I can say to make you go back to Middleton Place? Where you'll be safe?" he asked sadly.

"Nothing," Alys answered firmly, looking directly up at him. Fields sighed.

"Then there's nothing," he said. Alys smiled playfully and shook her head.

"No," she said. "And you don't want to fight me. I'm a big girl."

Fields smiled slyly. "Not so big that I can't do this!" And with that, he picked up her sturdy, compact frame, swung her around and kissed her.