Author's Note: We're going to speedrun these next two chapters bc, in my mind, if they were in the actual episode, they would just be a series of clips that would total maybe 10 or 15 minutes of screen time (at the most). Also, there is a time jump, and I'm not too keen on dragging this out longer than it needs to be.

The adrenaline from running away soon faded. By time the sun was rising, Molly's was half asleep on her horse, her head bobbing as sleep tried to take her, but she kept fighting it. Ironically, the more tired she became, the clearer her head was.

At sunrise, she stopped her horse and sat there for a moment, staring out at the vast landscape of woods surrounding her.

What am I doing? She asked herself. And suddenly a wave of regret washed over her. She regretted everything, and now the guilt was coming. She lied to Mary in that letter. She told her that she had fled in order to protect them. But she lied. The truth was, last night, Molly had only been thinking of herself. She was scared, so she ran away, like a coward.

She had panicked last night, and let her fear guide her decisions. That was why she stole the Judge's horse, and that was why she was dressed like a man.

But now, she realized the reality of her situation. She had nobody. She had nowhere to go. She was still on Long Island, and the only way off the island was by ferry. But if she did secure a ferry, she knew she couldn't go to New York like this. There was no way she could explain any of this to anyone without revealing herself to be a Patriot.

And she was too frightened and too proud to admit her mistakes and return to Setauket. Her only hope would be if she managed to sneak back to the dead drop and wait for Caleb to visit. But she had no idea how long that could be. With Abe and Rogers' alliance, she doubted they would be signaling Caleb for a very long time.

As for her letter to Mary, she asked Mary to cover for her. Although she trusted Mary, she also would not blame her friend for revealing the true nature of her departure. She looked down at her lap. Her dress was still hung over the horse's back. She didn't know why she had kept it.

For a brief moment, she considered seeking out Selah. She knew he was in the Patriot controlled territory, but she had no idea where. She hadn't heard new from him or of him since he and Ben led the attack on Setauket. Even if by some miracle she did find him, she could not hide her involvement with the ring from him. And she had no desire to endanger him with that knowledge.

So, that left her with only one option: Ben.

Although she had not heard from him in months, she still remembered the last letter where he detailed his location.

I apologize for the lack of correspondence. I am afraid I well overestimated my ability to write under the present circumstances. We have finished settling into our camp for the winter. We are in Pennsylvania at a place called Valley Forge. The weather has already proven to be harsh, and Washington expects no attacks upon our army until the ground can thaw in Spring.

"Valley Forge, Pennsylvania." She said aloud. That's where Ben was.

She threw her dress to the ground. Then she clicked her tongue and steered her horse around so that they were traveling south.

It was midmorning when she reached Southampton, Long Island. Her horse was utterly exhausted, and she was too. She was starving, and she hadn't slept, and her thighs ached from riding for so long. She had never been to Southampton before, so she knew she little chance of being recognized. Southampton was located on the furthest southeastern corner of Long Island.

She sold her horse to the first merchant she found, and then used that money to purchase some food. She gulped down her meager meal and then headed down to the docks. Southampton was even small than Setauket, so she knew she could not be picky with her options. She could feel the eyes of the locals on her as she walked through town; they didn't often get outsiders.

She spoke to the first fisherman she saw. He was unloading supplies from his whaleboat.

"Morning." She said, trying to make her voice sound deeper.

The man squinted up at her. He was middle-aged and had a thick blanket of grey stubble covering his chin.

"Aye?" he asked gruffly.

"Do you ever ferry persons to the mainland?"

He scoffed, "From here? I'm afraid you've gotten yourself lost. The mainland is that way." He pointed absently in the direction of town.

She knew she was referring to York City. That was where pretty much everyone was ferried to the mainland.

"I'm not lost sir." She said. "I am seeking a man with a boat who is willing to ferry me to New Jersey."

The man laughed aloud.

"Oh, are you now? Well, sir, waters are dangerous this time of year. Did you know that?"

Molly scowled with annoyance. She just wanted to get off of Long Island as soon as possible.

"Aye, I'm aware sir." She replied. "I'm willing to pay any man generously if he will accept the task."

The man stopped laughing and looked her over, realizing she was being truthful.

"How much?" the man asked.

Molly fished the pouch with the money she had just received for selling the Judge's horse, and she tossed it to the man. It far exceeded any rate that would be charged ferry one person to the mainland, and she knew that. The man opened the pouch and counted out some of the coins. Then he looked back up at her.

"When do you want to leave?" he finally asked.

"Immediately, if possible."

The man shrugged.

"Get in the boat."

They departed an hour later. There was no sail on the whaleboat, so Molly helped with the rowing.

"You're lucky you came to me when you did." The man chuckled. He had been attempting to make small talk since they left Southampton. Molly didn't care for it though. "With our time, I'll be able to get back home by nightfall."

It was going to be a five-hour ride to New Jersey. After seeing her disinterest, the man stopped trying to speak with her. So, they rowed in silence.

"Have you got a name?" he blurted.

It was midday now, and the sun was beating down on them. They were both thankful for it because they were chilled from the cool water and winds.

Molly said the first name she could think of. "Benjamin."

"Got a last name?"

"Brewster." She stammered.

"Pleasure to meet you Benjamin Brewster."

She glanced over at him.

"And you?"

"Lloyd Jameson."

They continued to row in silence.

When the coast of New Jersey was in sight, the man suddenly said.

"Are you in trouble?"

Molly scowled, "No. What makes you say that?"

"It's not every day a lady disguised as a man offers to pay me for passage."

She froze. He had seen past her disguise. She looked at him warily. She was terrified he'd pull a gun on her. But did no such thing.

"You know, you're too pretty to pass for a man." He shrugged, "Sorry."

He laughed when her expression didn't change.

"Don't give me that look." He chuckled, "I understand. You're running away from something. I only want to know, do you have family in Jersey?"

She said nothing.

"Friends?"

Still nothing.

The man's smile faded, "Then I doubt you've heard the stories. Loyalist cowboys roam the woods, and wait by the roads, waiting to ambush lone travelers."

Molly felt a nervous lump forming in her throat. She had heard the stories. In fact, Abe had been attached by a rebel deserter during one of his trips to York City. She knew that there were other reports of bandits along the path to the city. But she hadn't heard that the activity spread beyond that.

"Why are you telling me this?" she finally asked, no longer trying to disguise her voice.

"You're paying me well. I figure I owe it to you to let you know what you're getting yourself into."

Molly refused to say anything else until they had gotten to shore. He was dropping her off in a bay near the woods, not at a port.

"Where are we?" she asked.

The woods were looked the same as in Setauket, but they were not familiar.

"Nearest town is Middletown. Walk through these trees and you'll find the main road."

She nodded, shouldering her musket and her knapsack. It dug into her shoulder from the weight. She had managed to squeeze the contents of the saddlebags into that one bag. It looked ready to burst.

"Thank you." She said.

The main smirked before climbing back into his boat.

"Good luck. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for."

She watched him push offshore and begin to row into the open sea. They waved at each other briefly, and then she watched until he was too small to see.

Although New Jersey was considered Patriot territory, that only meant that the rebels had control of the land. It did not guarantee that the people were supporters of the rebels. In fact, Molly had heard stories of their being entire towns of loyalists under Patriot control. With that in mind, Molly had already decided that she would trust no one.

The first thing Molly did when she reached Middletown was go to the local tavern and rented a room. She did not bother eating or bathing. Although it was the middle of the afternoon, once she entered her room she collapsed on the bed and passed out. She was too exhausted to have flashbacks of MacInnis, and for that she was grateful.

She awoke the next morning and went around town making inquiries. She purchased a map from a local merchant and then returned to the tavern for breakfast. She spread the map out on the table as she ate.

As soon as she had located her current location and Pennsylvania on the map, she wanted to swear aloud. There was no Valley Forge on the map. It must be a nickname the soldiers gave it. She thought. It wasn't like she could go to any of the townspeople and ask them to point her in the general direction of the Patriot encampment. The last thing she wanted was to draw attention to herself.

So, she looked back to the map. By time she finished breakfast, she had her heading: Philadelphia.

She remained in Middletown for the remainder of the day. In that time, she purchased food for her journey: bread, dried meat, and a few bottles of rum. She also slept and began to map out her trip.

It was February. Molly now found herself on a time crunch. She had to get to Valley Forge before the ground thawed for spring. If she failed to do so, she would have no idea where Washington had moved his army. And if that happened, she feared she would find herself aimlessly wandering in Patriot territory. She had to leave as soon as possible. So, that night, she stole a horse, and she left Middletown.

Author's Note: As you may have noticed, this story is now part of a series! I'm trying out something kinda/sorta experimental for this fic, and I would very much appreciate if you could read the description for the series this is now part of. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated :)