(This fanfic is about the film The Patriot, but for this fanfic to work I have changed a few facts. Firstly, Colonel William Tavington does not die. Secondly, Ben Martin does. Thirdly, and this is the largest difference, the Americans do not win the way and so their country remains in England's clutches of control. So, if you're going to read this fanfic bear in mind these three facts. Now, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. It's not very good though as unfortunately the plot is mine.

Also I do not own The Patriot or the characters within it, just so y'all know.)

Chapter Twelve

Weeks passed and summer changed to autumn. The tall trees looked like they were on fire as the leaves turned bright shades of yellows, oranges and reds.

As the trees changed, so did Susan and Colonel Tavington. They had become friends.

Tavington had healed rather quickly, and Susan had spent hours each day keeping him company because although he was healing fast, he had to stay in bed.

On several occasions they'd had heated discussions on subjects they strongly disagreed on and although their voices were raised, they never struck out, and always calmed down. Susan would sit on the bed, legs curled up underneath her, and Tavington would be sat up against the headboard of his bed. Both would have flushed cheeks as they shouted their opinions at one another. The butler and soldiers always found this quite amusing, as the friend's voices carried around the entire house.

Throughout their time together the two came to see the other in a new light.

Tavington discovered Susan wasn't just beautiful but intelligent, opinionated and strong-minded as well as being a fantastic chess player; unfortunately for him. He'd never been beaten in a chess game until Susan came along. Tavington, or William as she now called him, just fell more in love with Susan with every single passing day. With each day that passed he also came to realise she may be returning these feelings, because each day he grew more kind, more caring, more loving around her. She was like a fire to his heart of stone and ice, warming him up from the inside and breaking down his cold, cruel demeaner. He knew that in enough time, that would be who he used to be, and he'd be someone else entirely. He'd be the man he could have been. He'd be a good man.

Susan had found that out already. She now knew Tavington wasn't quite the cruel, brutal man she'd thought he was as he had a soft side to him that was caring and kind. She liked this side best. She'd spent so much time with him, that this side was becoming more and more apparent. Some days were entirely this new self he had. As his old personality started to break away like chips of ice from an iceberg, she found herself liking him more. Not just liking but…loving…possibly. Over the weeks since they'd forgiven each other and become friends she'd found him increasingly handsome, and she'd also been falling in love with the good side of William. William. She liked the way his name rolled off her tongue like sweet honey. Tavington sounded harsh, cruel, demanding. William sounded soft, sweet and kind; just like how the colonel was turning out to be. Susan had indeed fallen in love with William she realised. All she had to do now was see if he still loved her.