November 1777
Tessa was very much begrudged at being summoned just as she was readying for bed, but did enjoy Benjamin's flushed face at the sight of her in her night clothes. He would not tell her the meaning of the meeting, and rather sheepishly avoided her eyes as he lead her towards the main tent.
"Miss Perez, I apologize for the urgency," Washington greeted, picking up a piece of paper, handing it to her, "But this is of the upmost importance."
After scanning her eyes over the document, they widened as she looked up at him, "Is this true?"
"The British are bankrupt." Washington confirmed, "Now, this is a copy, the authentic one has already been sent off to the French,"
"And you want me to publish it to raise American morale, and lower British morale." She finished, "I was going back to Albany anyway, I'll leave tomorrow instead."
"Much appreciated."
"Anything to help sir."
The group was dismissed, off to complete their various tasks. Benjamin and her walked arm in arm back to her cabin. The snow falling around them made their goodbye all the more romantic.
"If you want, you're perfectly welcome to join me in Albany for Christmas." She offered, holding her hands in his, "I'm sure that my family would love to meet you."
"The prospect is both exciting, and terrifying."
"They'll love you." She assured him, "My sister already feel like she knows you, from how much I've talked about you."
"You've told her about me?"
"Don't act so surprised, I could hardly keep you a secret." She said, "Now go, I need my beauty sleep."
"You could never sleep and you would still be beautiful." He told her, pressing a kiss to her forehead
"I would also be dead." She retorted, pushing him away to open the door, "Goodbye Benjamin."
She awoke to tragedy the next morning. Stepping out of her cabin, she grabbed onto one of the soldiers, ordering him to tell her what all the commotion was about.
"Someone was murdered."
"Who?" She demanded, clutching his arm, "Who?"
"Sackett." He replied, "Someone named Sackett."
Shoving him aside, she hitched up her skirts as bolted past the tents. Coming up to Sackett's caravan, she slowed down, her chest heaving with anxiety. The sides of the tent were rolled up, revealing Washington sitting on a chair next to the bloodstained floor.
"Sir," she whispered, stepping closer to crouch in front of him, "How did this happen?"
"A spy killed him, to steal information," Washington said, "Major Tallmadge warned me against trusting him, and I didn't listen," he said, "I was so sure I was right."
"You cannot blame yourself." She said, setting a hand on his shoulder
"But it is my fault."
No words from her would ease his guilt, so she didn't bother saying anything more. Besides, there was someone else that was in greater need of her comfort. Just as she had done a less than month prior, she found in sitting on his cot in his tent.
"Benjamin," she called out in barely a whisper, stepping inside the room, shutting the door behind her, "Washington told me about Sackett," she said, moving closer to him, reaching out her hand to set it on his shoulder, "I am so sorry."
He did not reply, his eyes remaining glued to the floor, his hands gripping the bottle. Taking the glass from his hands, she set it on the table, taking the seat beside him. Reaching her arm around his back to place it on his neck, her other hand cupping his cheek.
"What do you want me to say?" She asked, leaning her forehead against the side of his head, "What do you need me to do?"
"If Washington had just let me do my job," Benjamin said, "Then Sackett would still be alive."
"What if is a dangerous game to play, and I beg you not to engage in it." Tessa warned, "I admit, I do not know grief in the way that you must, so I do not know how to comfort you," she said, "But I will remain by your side as long as you need me."
"I always need you." He whispered, his lips pressing kisses to from her temple down her cheek
Knowing exactly where this would lead them if she allowed the current chain of events to continue, she gently pushed his chest back.
"Talk to me," Tessa whispered, to which he only hm'med in acknowledgement, "Tell me about Sackett."
"You knew him." Benjamin pointed out, "What else do you want to know?"
"No two people know the same person in the same manner." She replied, "So tell me."
She didn't know if it was a wise request, but it did serve to lift his spirits, even if for only a short amount of time. He recalled many a story of his time with Sackett, and she listened to each one intently, responding when necessary. This was all he needed from her. Company and comfort.
"When are you leaving?" Benjamin asked, "I suppose you still need to deliver the report to your father."
"I suppose I do." Tessa said, dejectedly, "You, could always come with me," she offered, "It might do you some good to get away for awhile, my family would be welcome to have you."
"I can't just run away,"
"It wouldn't be cowardly," she said, "It would be completely understandable."
"Now is not the time for a holiday." Benjamin chided, pushing himself up, "I'm needed here now more than ever. I have to stay, and finish what Sackett started."
"Of course, I just, I thought you may want to take some time to grieve, away from all of this," Tessa said, fiddling with her fingers in her lap, "I just wanted to help you."
"I know that." He admitted, crouching down in front of her, reaching out to grasp her hands, "I should not have yelled at you. I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for," she assured him, "Your anger is perfectly understandable."
"But I should not take it out on you." Benjamin replied, "All you have tried to do is help me, and for that I am grateful." He said, "I don't know what I will do when we're apart."
"You'll have to be satisfied by my letters." She said, "Though I know I will miss you terribly."
"As will I."
