Nathan and Will had made it this far. They were almost out of danger… just a few more yards and they would be safe by the cover of night and distance from the camp. So far they had been very careful, going at a steady pace, not making too much noise, and meandering their way around, getting closer and closer to freedom. Now they stood before a clearing, the woods 20 yards away. Will was still a little heavy on his feet, his head still throbbing at his temple where he was hit, but he knew he had to continue – no time to rest.

"Lets just stay quiet. The weeds are tall, so it'll be hard for us to move quickly without being heard…" Nathan stated as he crouched on the ground next to his friend. "I'll go first. If they see me, then you'll know not to continue this way."

"But you'll be caught. You have to come along Nate." Will said incredulously.

Nathan nodded. "But better me get caught than you."

They stayed here a moment, surveying their surroundings. There was only two lone tents in view of the field leading to their freedom. The lights were dim, perhaps the occupants were sleeping. And seeing the size of the dwellings, they weren't mere soldiers quarters.

"Ready?" Nathan said, taking a long look at Will.

He nodded solemnly as they both stood.

Nathan began cautiously, taking one slow step after another. Making sure his heel hit the cold ground first, as to not make any crackling noises with the dried leaves below him. Will watched with a heavy heart, anticipating a shout or a gun shot…but none came. The only sound was his breathing. Not even Nate's steps could be heard.

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General Graham sat with his head hung low. His golden pocket watch being tossed back and forth between his hands. He was one of the Rebel officers tents, surrounded by 'Patriots' as they called themselves, all around a table, discussing plans, disputing routes, and swapping information. They had dragged him in only an hour before to try and extract what his doomed plan of action would have been if the British had succeeded. They had already interrogated MacDonald but the old staunch man was of no use and refused to even open his mouth…except to cough. The General was sat near the doorway now, in a rickety chair, being watched by both of the guards in the entrance. The Rebels had said "You sit there. We're not done with you yet." …as if he was some sort of child to be ordered around, to sit in the corner to be punished for his mistakes. It was humiliating.

He sighed and rubbed his tired face with his hand. He felt as if all his dreams had crumbled down upon him, with his shoulders sagging and his chest heavy. The General looked up into the sky that was still slightly visible from where he sat. So many stars, so many miles of nothing…so peaceful and far away…why had he come here?

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By now, Nathan had made it almost all the way across to the opposite side. Will watched him closely, still being only slightly visible in the night air. It looked as if he had stopped…then with open, and waiting ears he heard a faint whistle – his signal that it was alright to continue. So he followed the same path as his friend before him, one foot after the other, slow and steady – staying quiet and poised as he drew himself out of the cover of the wood.

The guard at the tent shivered suddenly as another small gust of cool wind blew in. He tightened his arms around his jacket and shrugged his shoulders forward. With a quick glance around him he looked quite bored standing there, then something caught his eye. It was…what? …a man? Yes, most definitely a man was walking across the tall grasses couple dozen yards ahead of him. The guard squinted to get a better look, turned and faced the direction in which he saw the mysterious person. Then he noticed the red jacket. Immediately he raised his rifle which was already loaded.

"Hey Danny! Look, a Redcoats trying to escape." He said, talking to his fellow guard sitting on the ground.

The other man stood and went to his comrade's side to make sure he got the same view. "Sure 'nuff…" He said, slightly amused.

By now the General who was sitting mere feet away, had already had his interest perked and was straining to get a view of the field from his confined seat.

"Well don't stand there! Shoot him, hes tryin' to get away." Said the second guard harshly.

"Well…well don't you think we should yell out a warning? Something? … perhaps he'd turn back."

"Turn back?" he spat with a laugh. "He's trying to slip right under our noses! Are you going to let him?"
The first guard sighed quickly and lifted the rifle to his shoulder.

Finally the General stood and walked up behind the two men. He saw the figure they were speaking of, walking due east. He was almost to the woods by now, whilst being watched by these two men and himself. He peered through the failing twilight, attempting to get a good profile of the soldier…he had a mop of curly dark hair, he wasn't large, but of a slight, young build…and his jacket had dark spots – blood spots. Turner!

The first guard still held the rifle, poised to fire. His finger was ready on the trigger as he tried to get his target in his sights. Just then, General Graham's hand flew to the muzzle and pushed it down facing the ground, and away from Will.

The second guard grabbed the older man by his jacket and pushed him back into his chair. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Let him go."

"What? You're not giving the orders around here. Of course you want to let him go, he's one of you!"

The General shook his head and lifted his head to gaze at the younger man confidently. "He's not one of us. He was never meant to be here…just – let him go."

The two guards turned around and saw no sign of the escapee. By now the first guard had slung his rifle over his shoulder, slightly relieved he wasn't forced to fire it. The other man stood there obviously flustered. "Well that's it then. He's gone anyway…"

They heard a commanding voice from inside the tent. "What are you carrying on about out there?"

The three men looked at each other. Then finally, the one who had been so forceful before, became a bit more passive as he replied back to his commanding officer : "Nothin' sir. Just saw a deer in the wood…our mistake."

The General couldn't help but smile slightly at the young man. But the sentiment wasn't returned as he turned and mumbled under his breath, taking another puff of his cigarette and assuming his original position outside the door on the ground. The other did the same, leaning against the post, closing his jacket around him once more and looking longingly towards the forest.

Now, the heavy weight that had been weighing on General Graham felt as if it had been lifted…even if it was only slightly.

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Elizabeth held the pins precariously in her mouth as she hung the wet clothes on the line. Katy ran around her, all giggles and squeals, hiding behind the pinned up sheets and hanging bed clothes.

"Good morning!" Lucy called from the yard next door.

"It is isn't it? The sun is out today, but its still a bit too cold for my liking." Elizabeth replied, taking a break from her pinning to hug her shawl closer around her pregnant form.

"Well that's coming from a girl who's spent half her life in the Caribbean! I'll take this weather over a winter snow any day!" The redhead said with a laugh.

"I do love the snow…" Elizabeth confessed as she turned her back, continuing to hang another sheet. "That's one thing I most definitely missed once we moved from England."

Lucy smiled at her childish enjoyment. She also noticed as Elizabeth's back was facing her, how she didn't even look like she was carrying an eight month old baby. Her form was still thin, only when she would turn to the side to reveal her profile, or to the front, when you could see her swollen middle – did you have an idea that this tall, lithe woman was with child.

"I remember when Will and I were children and we would pray for snow. We would pray so hard in the winter months to see just one flake fall from the bright, hot sky…you can imagine our disappointment when none ever came." Elizabeth said with a smile as she walked towards Lucy with her wicker washing basket balanced on her hip.

"Oh my…you were so deprived when you were younger!" Lucy teased her.

"You shush!" She chided with a laugh and a playful slap on her girl friends arm. "I was deprived in a way I suppose…" She said, as she thought out loud. "I never had a sense of myself. I was told who I should be, and what I should be. I think that's one of the greatest things Will has ever given me. The chance for me to know myself."

Lucy smiled, and nodded her head. "He's a good man Lizzy…"

Elizabeth gave her a solemn grin.

"But what would make him a better man is if he'd hurry up and get home so you an deliver this baby!" She said with a pat on her friends stomach.

Liz couldn't help but laugh, Lucy always managed to pick up her spirits. "I couldn't agree more! I think this baby takes it out of me far worse than Katie ever did."

"Moving a lot?" Lucy querried.

"More than a lot." She laughed. "You'd think there were two babies in there!"

Lucy paused and gave Elizabeth a sideways glance.

Liz returned the odd look by raising her eyebrow and cracking into a smile. "I know what you're thinking Mrs. Harrington, but really – what are the chances?"

"You're right, it's rare" She said with a teasing tone. "But I just wouldn't be surprised if I were you…"

Elizabeth was silent for a moment, pondering the idea of having twins. She would have her little girl with two babies…it was a wonderful image in her mind…but only as long as Will was there by her side.