Control

-One Duel Confrontation-

The mission went far too smooth at first. Laurens couldn't actually believe it's happening.

Hamilton wasn't even acting, he's actually screaming at Arnold for the inconsistencies he found in the letters. Washington wondered if it was just luck or actually destiny that Hamilton fit in to distract Arnold. It would probably be enough threat, in another way of course. Burr felt pity at Arnold, who's trying to explain his best about the inconsistencies. Burr stood as the replacement to lead the soldiers' training. He kept a close eye on Mulligan and Andre. Mulligan's doing a good job on distracting Andre. Laurens and Lafayette was waiting outside of Arnold's tent. They were discussing random stuff as they kept a good look at their surrounding. No soldiers in sight.

Eliza's inside. Slowly inspecting every single letters. Found bunch of them, tucked away nicely in a box. Foolishly unlocked was the box. Eliza considered putting all the letters in her bag but the letters would be threatening to get out. Eliza needed to read everything just to make sure she got the most important ones. That's her only mission. But all the letters are way too important. The letters had confidential, important information. Only higher-ups would know this. And it was all addressed either to or from the British. It would explain the previous battles they've lost.

Eliza clicked her teeth. Unforgivable.

Lafayette and Laurens panicked when they saw Arnold walking toward the tent. Screaming, shouting Hamilton at his tail. The two men saw Arnold turned at Hamilton, "I need some space. I'll explain to you later evening. Am I understood?"

Lafayette and Laurens quickly put their bodies as defense to make sure Arnold's not able to get inside. Arnold realized their intention and was about to command them. He was surprised when Eliza walked out. She was still wearing her mask but her long hair was out. Clearly anyone would identify her as a girl. The wind she carried around her was cold. Threatening. As if a wolf's territory was entered. The men froze. Eliza glared. "Benedict Arnold. I challenge you to a duel. A matter of life or death."

Eliza walked toward Arnold. Lafayette and Laurens immediately made way for her. Didn't know what got to their feet, it felt weak with fear. The girl in front of them is not the girl they really know… or is it the real face of the girl they thought they knew? Eliza threw the letters at Arnold's face.

There was a brief silence. Until Hamilton caught up of what Eliza had said and shouted, "What the fuck!? No!"

"Mademoiselle, êtes-vous fou!?" Lafayette shouted, not caring who hears. Asking if Eliza's crazy right now kinda feel appropriate. Laurens thought so too.

"If you do not accept it, then I will eagerly report all of this to Mr. Washington." Eliza continued, completely ignoring her friends' pleading.

"So you're giving me a chance to live," Arnold started talking, "By killing you."

"Yes." Eliza confirmed. A cold smirk on her lips caught Arnold's attention. A shiver down his spine. Eliza continued, "If it helps, in my last will, I will write for this three boys to not tell a single soul."

"…I accept it." Arnold answered.

"We will go with old fashion rapier, yes?"

"Understood." He grabbed the letters Eliza shoved on him before and walked in his tent. As he passed her, he can't help but feel the shudder as if a Grim Reaper is right next to him. Eliza was glaring at him, at his soul. Hamilton ran to her and grabbed her arm, surprising her and Eliza, even if it's only a small portion, reverted back to her own self. Her eyes were no longer cold, no more fear around her. But Eliza didn't listen, she wasn't able to. She doesn't know what Laurens or Lafayette or Hamilton was talking about as they dragged her to Washington's tent. Eliza felt Lafayette's hand carefully and softly took her mask off. She's guessing Hamilton's talking about what they just did.

But in Eliza's ear, it's all silent. She can only hear her heartbeat.

The thrill of the kill. Soon… soon I'll have it.

"WHAT!?" Washington shouted. So hard that the birds that usually rested peacefully on top of his tents flew away, scared. So hard that it actually brought Eliza back. She saw Lafayette, Laurens and Washington looking at her. Washington was hinted with anger. Lafayette and Laurens was drowned in worried. Hamilton… Hamilton ignored eye contact with her. It made Eliza felt alienated.

"EXACTLY MY THOUGHT!" Hamilton barged in, but he was locking eyes with Washington. Eliza wished she could see the expression Hamilton have on his face. Is he worried… or angry… or maybe he doesn't care at all? She wondered.

"What were you thinking Elizabeth!?" Washington asked angrily. He stood up from his chair, walked around the desk to look face to face with Eliza.

"There's more advantage if we do it by duels. We can end this faster and with less commotion." Eliza answered head-on. Lafayette slapped his forehead while Laurens massaged his scalp.

"But if you get killed-" Washington called in.

"Me? Killed by another man? No no no no no. I will not be killed for such a petty reason."

"Okay but-" As Washington was about to continue his explanation, someone walked in the tent. No bother announcing himself before waltzing in. For sure, it was John Adams. He looked at Hamilton with such displeased eyes before moving to look at Washington. He was about to say something but his eyes caught Eliza. Hamilton hissed quietly. Laurens' knuckles turned white. Lafayette would bare his teeth, growled if Adams took another step closer to them.

"Oh God, Mr. Hamilton! Why is a woman in this tent!?" Adams shouted. The tent was silent. So silent they could hear the grasshopper outside. Hamilton felt personally offended that he was blamed.

"Mr. Adams, it's best for you to walk in some other time." Washington said, not bothering to answer Adams' previous question. He massaged the bridge of his nose and sit back on his seat, trying to process what Eliza just did before Adams barged in.

"Apologies, Mr. Washington, shall I escort the lady out?" Adams asked, was about to offer his hand to Eliza. Hamilton stepped in, standing between Eliza and Adams, acting as a shield and a small growl on his chest. Lafayette and Laurens visibly glared at Adams. He's either oblivious or easily shrugged of the predicament that he's not wanted in the tent.

"No need for that." Washington waved his hand.

"But sir!"

"Close the door on your way out." Washington dropped. Adams took a defeated salute and walked out. Hamilton and Eliza glaring as he did. Lafayette and Laurens looked clearly annoyed. Eliza turned to Washington, took out and held the knife she had kept hidden, "Lemme kill him."

"Hold your horses Elizabeth."

"Booooo, I would love to see the lady kill that fat motherfucker."

"John. No."

"I would love to see this woman torture that arrogant man first, then kills him."

"Lafayette."

"Maybe she could even-"

"Alexander." Washington furrowed his eyebrow, confused as to how they suddenly forgot what they were talking about before. Hamilton, Laurens, Lafayette and Eliza looked down, guilty as they said their sorry in union. Washington leaned back on his chair, "Lafayette, go ask Hercules and Aaron, if they can look for a rapier Elizabeth can use?"

"Sir, you can't possibly be agreeing to her duel!" Hamilton cuts in.

"Well now I know none of you guys have seen Elizabeth with a rapier." Washington answered. The boys looked at each other, tried to recount every time they've seen Eliza being a badass soldier. They've seen her bare-hands, with guns, with knives but never really seen her with swords. Their final look was given at Eliza who had a smirk on her face.

"I like to keep my trump card hidden." She started explaining, "Well I gotta use it now since I don't know what Benedict are capable of."

Lafayette decided to agree, he trust Eliza that much. He turned to Washington, "I'll look for a rapier she can use."

"No!" Eliza rejected quickly. She moved and this time she can see Hamilton's expression. She felt butterflies in her stomach when she found Hamilton's worried and angry. He cared about her… that's enough for her. Eliza started talking, "Alexander can you write a letter for Laurens and I to leave to my house? I'm much more comfortable with my own rapier."

"Excuse me." Hamilton fixated his eyes on the girl he loved the most, "You and John?"

"Mr. Washington needs you here and I'm pretty sure Laurens misses Peggy." Eliza stated, oblivious to the hint of jealousy in Hamilton's voice, and Laurens immediately blushed. It earned a few chuckles and whistles from his fellow friends. Washington sighed in defeat, asked for Hamilton to stay and write the letter and for Lafayette to ready horses for Laurens and Eliza. They followed the orders. Lafayette turning to take the horses, Hamilton started writing the letter while Laurens and Eliza head to their separate tent to take some stuff.

"Okay now I'm suspicious. Why me?" Laurens asked, they were halfway before separating ways. Eliza just smiled.

"Peggy probably misses you already. I bet she doesn't say much in the letters to you. But if I let you read my letters, it'll become obvious. I'm doing my sister a favor… well a favor to you too."

"You love teasing me, don't you?"

"Maybe." Eliza giggled and walked ahead from him. Laurens had to take a second look, maybe a third. Make sure she's the same girl who, before, challenged Arnold on a duel. He still remembered how the atmosphere around her was different, how her eyes pierced. But at the end, it is the same girl. Eliza continued as she clapped her hands, "Plus. Peggy knows where we hide our rapier."

"Peggy knows?" Laurens asked, confused.

"Oh yeah, she's my training partner." Eliza exclaimed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Then she added, "She's scarier than me once she holds a rapier."

Laurens gulped. Eliza was already powerful enough, what will Peggy be? Heck, Peggy's already strong bare-handed, beat up half of the soldiers in the camp. To think the cutie Laurens fell in love with might be that powerful as well. Eliza saw the tension that appeared and laughed to cool it off, "Don't worry, she'll never hurt a soul. She just likes playing with rapier."

Laurens visibly sighed in relief. Eliza added, "But you should've seen us when she took on a band of bandits that barged in the house one night. She was awesome. She got them all hanging on the wall. Crying for mercy."

"That sadistic side of you Eliza. That sadistic side."