The days spent with Angelica, Eliza, and the children are wonderful, but pass too quickly. I return to the city late Tuesday evening. My thoughts on Angelica, still surprised by her brazen reclamation of me. As I draw near the town square, I realize that I am not yet ready to be home, nor do I want to encounter Alexander. I consider my option and press my hand to my chest, the letter my wife intends for Jefferson there, on my promise to deliver it.

I scarcely think of my decision as I turn Prospero in the direction of Jefferson's present lodgings. I ride up to his house, and as I dismount a servant approaches from the house. I hand the reigns to the servant and ask if the hour is too late.

"No, sir," he says quietly, and I nod.

I head inside, greeted by another servant, or slave this time. She approaches curiously, much bolder, and more self-aware than the slaves my father kept. "You wish to see Master Jefferson?" she asks, and I nod.

"Very well, sir," she says and turns, calling back, "He's in his study reviewing some papers. I shouldn't think he would mind the company."

I follow her to a large door, and then she gives a knock, "Master Jefferson."

"Yes, Sally, lamb?" he returns, and I raise a brow, realizing this must be his Sally Hemings.

"Sir, you've a guest," she returns.

"Ah, yes, send them in, and prepare drinks for us, as late as it is in the evening, whiskey will do, and then you may take your leisure, my dear."

She opens the door further for my entrance and Jefferson rises from the chair behind his desk. "Well, Mr. Laurens, this is a surprise. Hamilton mentioned your return would be tomorrow. I hope all is well with Angelica and the children," he says, his eyes scrutinizing me, awaiting my reply.

"Yes, they are well," I reply, and then sigh, "I needed the time to clear my head."

"Really?" Jefferson says, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. "I imagine this need to clear your head may bear some relation to the man's broken nose, then?"

I feel the heat rise up my neck and into my face. He laughs, "I seem to recall when I left that we were all in surprisingly good spirits. What happened Laurens?"

I consider what I should or shouldn't say, and Sally comes in with a tray of two whiskeys, she serves me and then Jefferson, then she bows and leaves. I knock the drink back quick, wince at the burn of it.

"Sweet Jesus, Laurens, what happened?" he asks, and I'm surprised at the concern I detect, no trace of his usual arrogance.

"I am a man given to impulse and weakness, that Alexander would take advantage of it under the influence of his own weakness and passions was upsetting," I respond.

Jefferson nods thoughtfully. "I see. Care to talk about it, or no?"

"I've resolved the situation with my wife," I say, and then sigh. "I stopped Alexander before things could go too far."

Jefferson snorts. "I should say so if his face is anything to judge by. I must admit there was quite a bit of speculation over Hamilton's face and your sudden disappearance. He, surprisingly, offered very little explanation, and he has been quieter since your departure. I thought I should at least let you know, that he has gotten the votes."

"He has that working in his favor, at least," I mutter.

Jefferson gets up and hands me his drink. "You need this more than I do."

I knock it back as well, feel his hand give my shoulder a squeeze. "It is not my place to judge these matters. While I find Hamilton an annoyance, I can concede his intelligence, as for you, given my correspondence with your wife, and what I have learned of you, I am an ally, a friend to you. I am honorable with my word, as most Southern gentlemen are. If you seek my confidence or counsel, I can promise discretion, given the knowledge we share of each other's weaknesses. Just don't expect me to attend every dinner party you host if Hamilton is there, I don't give a damn how good your cobbler is."

I laugh and retrieve the letter from my breast pocket to give to him. He raises a brow at me. "Angelica asked me to deliver this as she felt I would be swifter than a courier."

"Did she now? Careful, Laurens, I think your wife likes me," Jefferson adds with a toothy grin.

Given the two drinks, I've had and that his whiskey is strong, I give into impulse, and pull at my collar as I say, "Careful, sir, she bites."

His eyes widen and a low whistle escapes him, "Hamilton may need to fear your wife more than your right hook, judging by that mark."

"And there are more," I reply with a snort.

"I now wonder if you really have equity in your household, or whether Angelica has a firm grasp over her dominion," Jefferson says.

"Her grasp is firm," I say with a lowly shake of my head. "She made sure I knew I was hers as soon as I arrived on Saturday. We very nearly missed dinner, actually."

"Sir, I think it's time for some water for you now, you've had your fill of whiskey, your tongue has grown too loose. Have you even eaten today?"

I shrug. "Not since this morning."

"Come on, we'll see what we can find in the kitchen, bread, and cheese work for you, or should I get Sally back down here?"

I shake my head. "Bread and cheese is fine. No need to disturb her after you've dismissed her for the evening."

"Very well," he says and leads me to his kitchen. The bread is out on the counter, and he finds the cheese in his pantry, giving me instruction on where to find a cup and the store of water. He cuts the bread, two fair-sized pieces, and sets the plate before me with a shrug. "Not your fancy meals, but I leave the cooking to women."

"Just when I start to respect you, you have to be an ass," I mutter, and his rich laughter fills the room, and it is comforting, eating bread and cheese, and just enjoying friendly company without expectation or the underlying struggle to withhold my weaknesses and impulse

He chooses to ignore my comment, "So, what should I expect tomorrow? I imagine you will be at the meeting tomorrow for the final vote?"

"Already?" I say with some surprise.

"Why delay when we've worked out our compromise?"

"Fair enough," I reply, and then sigh. "I think it's time I go home. See you in the morning, Jefferson, and… thank you."

He nods, claps me companionably on the back, and laughs, "Hey, I know I have a reputation for certain things, but I take my honor and things said in confidence seriously. I'll be sure and write back to Angelica tomorrow. If you need, the Democratic-Republicans can offer you a seat tomorrow."

I snort, "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not switching parties just because Alexander is an ass."

"Your loss," Jefferson says with a shrug as he sees me to the door. I wait for the servant to retrieve my horse, mount him, and then head home.

Wednesday is awkward, to say the least. I take my usual seat by Alexander, but the tension between us is noticeable and I can feel Jefferson's calculating gaze on us, offering sympathy to me with a nod, and adding to Alexander's nervous energy and fidgeting.

As the meeting is called to a recess for lunch, Alexander finally addresses me, near stuttering in his nervousness at first before finally he says, "Join me at home for lunch?"

I nod and follow him outside. He doesn't live far, his house further in the city than mine. We take the brisk walk and it isn't long before we are in his home and being served a nice, thick vegetable soup and bread. Both of us choose water to drink rather than risk drinking, especially with a meeting to return to.

The meal begins awkwardly and I avoid looking at his face, already having inventoried the crooked nose and bruising beneath his eyes earlier that morning.

"What can I do to make this right?" he asks, halfway through the meal.

I look up and sigh, knowing it was coming and dreading the arrival. "I've confided my indiscretion with Angelica, she knows we had a moment or two of weakness, and that is all she knows, that is my part with you. I hope you've taken my advice and seen to taking care of the other circumstance. I've made peace with it; my wife and I are settled in our grievances. You still have me, you're my closest friend, but I ask that you do not confide in me more than necessary your affairs with the woman I saw on Saturday."

He considers my words for a moment and with a nod responds, "That is fair, I think."

"Fair or not, please spare me that," I reiterate.

"Okay," he says, and then sighs. "So, how are Eliza and the children?"

I snort. "Taking the easy route, I see."

He laughs. "I imagine Angelica is probably cross with me. I would rather ask about my wife and children, who are only annoyed and saddened by my having stayed behind for work."

Choosing to hold back the vitriol I could hurt him with, and working toward righting the hurt between us, I tell him about my time spent with the children, how well Pipin and Lexi get along, and how Pip has improved his riding. I also give him news of his daughter Angelica, and Eliza, given her condition.

We fall into our usual comfort in our conversations, and while I still feel a pang of hurt and guilt, I know this, like so many other things has been resolved, suppressed, and while it hurts, can be dealt with, because I love him too much to lose him over his weakness. I'll bear the hurt that I hope his dear Eliza will never know.

We spend the next several weeks working on putting to action his financial plan, and in that time, I notice a change in Alexander, an anxiousness, and decide to confront him on the matter.

"Dinner, tonight, I left instructions for Molly to set a meal for us," I say to him as the meeting is adjourned for the day.

He nods stiffly. "I'll go home, change, and will be there within the hour."

He hastens away, and as I watch him, my eyes narrow in suspicion, Jefferson catches up to me.

"Seems you've resolved your friendship with Hamilton. Plans this evening? I was thinking you could join Jemmy and me for dinner and drinks. He has some questions for you regarding his parent's estate."

I shake my head. "Perhaps tomorrow. I have plans with Alexander. Something is bothering him and I mean to determine what it is. Would tomorrow evening work?"

"Yes, and should you need to talk, then I can recommend Jemmy join us on Monday instead?"

"That sounds agreeable," I reply.

He nods and then, "Oh and I would like to make arrangements for you and your family to join me and the girls for dinner. They return in a fortnight, is that correct?"

"Yes, I think Angelica would enjoy that," I reply.

"Good. Mary and Martha look forward to meeting your Alexandra and Andrew."

We part and I head home to ready myself for dinner. Once I'm home I dismiss Molly for the evening and change for dinner. Alexander is on time, and I know he is bothered by something.

I watch as he eats with purpose, a testament to his upbringing that he eats in spite of his nervousness and fretting, a childhood of uncertainty over his next meal. I bite my lip, choosing not to mention it. Our meal is quiet, not entirely awkward, but also not entirely comfortable.

"What's wrong, Alex? Something has been bothering you for weeks now, and Angelica, Eliza, and the children will return soon. I know it isn't about the financial plan, we are making good progress on that end," I say.

He sits back in his chair and then leans forward his head in his hands, and I hear his ragged breathing. "You were right John. My misdeeds do indeed bear a heavy price."

My eyes widen and I reach out, grip his shoulder. "The woman, she is not with child?" I ask, fear quelling in my stomach.

He shakes his head and I am relieved at this much at least. "No, not with child. Her husband knows, and he has been extorting me for money. I've taken to paying him, our arrangement is quarterly. There is an agreement between us, and within a year I will be paid up for the services rendered of his wife. If I do not pay, he will tell Eliza. I feel that her seduction was a set-up, a machination of her husband's design, but she is not innocent in her efforts, and I am not innocent in falling for it."

"I see," I reply, and shake my head. "Has the affair ended?"

"Yes, I ended it last week, after his third letter. I cannot… Eliza will be home soon, and I have so much to repent. She deserves better. Why… Why would I risk so much?" he asks.

I take in a breath and consider his earnest question. "You've never been satisfied, and when people leave you grow more restless than usual. This is just my observation; it is not cause for excuse. You owe her a great deal of remorse and repentance."

"I owe you as well, John. It wasn't decent of me, my behavior that night after Jefferson left. I know your affections for me, and you know my own affections… I should have had more restraint, but your growing closeness with Jefferson sets me on edge. Seeing how well you two get on, I fear that I might lose you. I can't lose you, John. Of everyone I've lost and risk losing, your loss would steal away a part of me," he says, and my heart aches at his sincerity when our eyes meet.

I reach for his hand and give it a squeeze. "It's not in me to leave you, not entirely. While we cannot share a life of lovers, I am yours in love, friendship, and brotherhood. I swear, as I have from the beginning, I could never leave you Alex. Am I friends now with Jefferson? Yes, but that does not mean I hold you in any less of a regard. Only two people hold my affections so tender, you and my dearest Angelica. My children hold the part of my heart that loves as a father, your own children have that part in my affections as well. Do not fear the loss of me, do not let those fears drive you to false affections with strangers. That will not end well, and should it ever be known, you risk devastating Eliza, causing embarrassment to your family."

"Always," he reaffirms, squeezing my hand back. I smile at him and then he pulls his hand away and continues, "This would hurt Eliza and the children. It also puts my legacy I am working toward at risk. I already know my reputation, what little I have is doomed. I don't know what I was thinking. She approached me, so helpless, so seemingly scared, asking for help to separate herself and child from her husband. While I believe her fear was real, her seduction was… I tried to leave, I tried to go at first. I prayed for the strength and as always God failed me in the face of the temptation. I'm sorry, this is too much, you don't want to hear this and I agreed not to discuss this with you."

I sigh. "I ask that you disclose no more than necessary. Considering the change in circumstance of the situation, this has now become necessary. What is her name? Do you know if she still seeks separation from her husband? I ask for the sake of the child she has."

"I believe she does, but in seeking a separation, if it is on the grounds of adultery then I risk exposure. I am unable to represent her, given a grave conflict of interest and my business with her husband," he says, and then he whispers her name, "Maria Reynolds."

"If she contacts you, seeks further assistance, or even your affections, recommend Burr as a solicitor, while your indiscretion may be exposed, our practice dictates client privilege, he would be unable to disclose the information without risking his practice. I would strongly caution you against meeting further with her. Given your present situation, this would look unfavorable as we work on establishing the national bank. You know that part of the compromise includes regular audits," I reply.

Alexander nods and smiles warmly at me. "I do not know why you don't come forward with your own intellect. Why do you confine yourself to my shadow, supporting me?"

"I have nothing to prove Alexander. I seek absolution for the sins of my father and my own failings, you are creating a legacy and are at the forefront of building a nation for our children. You were born for that infamy, I was not."

"Do you think I will ever be satisfied?" he asks thoughtfully, and I bask in the calm in his tone.

"You were born hungry, Alexander. I imagine on your deathbed, after arguing with death himself, you may find satisfaction," I say with a shake of my head, and then say, "Even if you write like you are running out of time, I will see to it you have as much time as you need to secure your legacy. As Washington says, 'History has its eye on you.'"

Please be kind, feed the muse, and leave reviews.