p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Thomas was not a patient man, but he seemed to have infinite patience for Alexander Hamilton. Perhaps it was the exhilarating rush he got from their debates or the genuinely dejected expression that the man makes when Thomas turns him away. Maybe it's just the overwhelming desire to prove him wrong. Whatever the reason, it had led to the intolerable man lingering in his office at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Hamilton, no," he growled. "I'm not signing that damned thing no matter what you promise. You're word's about as good as dirt anyways."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You're the only one who hasn't signed it yet," he whined, the obscenely long contract cradled in his arms like a child. It may matter to him more than his actual child, come to think of it./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "James hasn't signed it," Thomas pointed out./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You're the only one whose opinion matters that haven't signed it yet," Hamilton corrected./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas rolled his eyes, far too exasperated to defend his friend's honor./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Listen, Hamilton, I want a good night's sleep. We can talk about this like civilized men in the morning."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You'll never be civilized," Hamilton sniffed. "But fine. I can wait 'till tomorrow."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" And then the man stalked out of his office, Thomas behind him. The lock clicked as he closed the door and watched Hamilton leave. Rather than striding towards the exit, he retreats back into his office. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Good Lord,/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas thought. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"When does he sleep?/em/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" It was no secret that Hamilton didn't often take breaks, but since the whole Reynolds debacle, Thomas had yet to see him leave the office. He was loath to admit it, but he was getting somewhat concerned. Not out of care for Hamilton's health- that notion was ludicrous- but it was rather irresponsible of his rival to be this lax with his sleep schedule./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Finally, his politeness got the better of him -he often resented being such a gentleman- and knocked on Hamilton's office door./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" The man opened the door, somehow looking alert despite the dark circles under his eyes. "What do you need, Jefferson?" he asked with a sigh as if he hadn't been the one keeping Thomas at work for the past four hours./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Are you not going home?" Thomas asked, staring at the man with a gaze that dared him to say no. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "No," Hamilton said. Perhaps Thomas wasn't as intimidating as he thought./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You can't stay up all night," Thomas sighed, leaning against the doorframe./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Watch me," the other hissed. "Besides, on the off chance that I sleep tonight, I certainly won't be doing it at home."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You can't tell me you plan on sleeping in your office?" Thomas asked incredulously./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "That is exactly what I am telling you, Jefferson. My housing situation is a bit difficult as of late."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You gave Eliza the house?" Thomas asked, shocked./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "I gave Eliza everything. Well, besides full custody. I do want to see my son."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas considered this for a moment. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Maybe he's not pure evil,/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" he thought, but then he remembered why the two had divorced in the first place, and that thought was quickly gone. It was the least he could have done for poor Eliza. Still, it was hard to resent a man who had nothing./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Spend the night at my house," Thomas said decisively./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Hamilton tilted his head in shock, then had the gall to start /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"laughing./em/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "A kind offer, Jefferson," he said, grinning, "But I'm afraid I'm not keen on the idea of spending my night in the sewers."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas rolled his eyes. "Fine, but do at least get some sleep tonight. You are far more insane when deprived of it."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You can't tell me what to do," Hamilton replied loftily, and Thomas wondered if now he would avoid sleep out of spite. He wouldn't put it above him./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas took long strides towards the building's exit, avoiding locking the door behind him. However doubtful it may be that Hamilton would be leaving his office tonight./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" He pulled his keys out from his pocket, the name brand logo digging into his palm as he clicked the button to unlock his car. He opened the door and slammed it a little too hard when getting back in, the noise echoing along the empty street. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Hamilton./emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" He thought bitterly. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Making me feel bad for him, then laughing in my face. /emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"A thought persisted, though, a thought that he despised. A thought that told him to walk back in and bring the man home with him whether he liked it or not- because really, was Hamilton capable of making his own decisions? A thought that told him, maybe, just maybe, he was so annoyed because he genuinely cared for the man./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Hamilton, no," he growled. "I'm not signing that damned thing no matter what you promise. You're word's about as good as dirt anyways."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You're the only one who hasn't signed it yet," he whined, the obscenely long contract cradled in his arms like a child. It may matter to him more than his actual child, come to think of it./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "James hasn't signed it," Thomas pointed out./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You're the only one whose opinion matters that haven't signed it yet," Hamilton corrected./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas rolled his eyes, far too exasperated to defend his friend's honor./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Listen, Hamilton, I want a good night's sleep. We can talk about this like civilized men in the morning."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You'll never be civilized," Hamilton sniffed. "But fine. I can wait 'till tomorrow."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" And then the man stalked out of his office, Thomas behind him. The lock clicked as he closed the door and watched Hamilton leave. Rather than striding towards the exit, he retreats back into his office. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Good Lord,/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas thought. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"When does he sleep?/em/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" It was no secret that Hamilton didn't often take breaks, but since the whole Reynolds debacle, Thomas had yet to see him leave the office. He was loath to admit it, but he was getting somewhat concerned. Not out of care for Hamilton's health- that notion was ludicrous- but it was rather irresponsible of his rival to be this lax with his sleep schedule./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Finally, his politeness got the better of him -he often resented being such a gentleman- and knocked on Hamilton's office door./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" The man opened the door, somehow looking alert despite the dark circles under his eyes. "What do you need, Jefferson?" he asked with a sigh as if he hadn't been the one keeping Thomas at work for the past four hours./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Are you not going home?" Thomas asked, staring at the man with a gaze that dared him to say no. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "No," Hamilton said. Perhaps Thomas wasn't as intimidating as he thought./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You can't stay up all night," Thomas sighed, leaning against the doorframe./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Watch me," the other hissed. "Besides, on the off chance that I sleep tonight, I certainly won't be doing it at home."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You can't tell me you plan on sleeping in your office?" Thomas asked incredulously./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "That is exactly what I am telling you, Jefferson. My housing situation is a bit difficult as of late."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You gave Eliza the house?" Thomas asked, shocked./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "I gave Eliza everything. Well, besides full custody. I do want to see my son."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas considered this for a moment. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Maybe he's not pure evil,/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" he thought, but then he remembered why the two had divorced in the first place, and that thought was quickly gone. It was the least he could have done for poor Eliza. Still, it was hard to resent a man who had nothing./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Spend the night at my house," Thomas said decisively./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Hamilton tilted his head in shock, then had the gall to start /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"laughing./em/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "A kind offer, Jefferson," he said, grinning, "But I'm afraid I'm not keen on the idea of spending my night in the sewers."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas rolled his eyes. "Fine, but do at least get some sleep tonight. You are far more insane when deprived of it."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "You can't tell me what to do," Hamilton replied loftily, and Thomas wondered if now he would avoid sleep out of spite. He wouldn't put it above him./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Thomas took long strides towards the building's exit, avoiding locking the door behind him. However doubtful it may be that Hamilton would be leaving his office tonight./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" He pulled his keys out from his pocket, the name brand logo digging into his palm as he clicked the button to unlock his car. He opened the door and slammed it a little too hard when getting back in, the noise echoing along the empty street. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Hamilton./emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" He thought bitterly. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Making me feel bad for him, then laughing in my face. /emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"A thought persisted, though, a thought that he despised. A thought that told him to walk back in and bring the man home with him whether he liked it or not- because really, was Hamilton capable of making his own decisions? A thought that told him, maybe, just maybe, he was so annoyed because he genuinely cared for the man./span/p