The next day Felicity woke bright and early. She had hardly been able to sleep at night. She was happy that Jonah had found a warm place to sleep tonight as he was staying in one of the empty rooms. She had pulled out the few worn letters she had received from Ben and read them over and over again in the moonlight. The pale parchment was stained with mud from wherever Ben was encamped, she could see where his hand shook from cold and where his tears mixed with hers on the page. For the past three years the Ben she knew existed only on paper, she couldn't wait to see him in person again. She fell asleep hugging the letters to her chest. But her peaceful slumber was short lived. Her dreams were consumed by nightmares. She saw the drunk British soldiffer chase after her, laughing greedily as she ran towards Ben. She kept running, but could never reach him. The drunk British soldier grabbed her as she struggled to break free. Ben gallantly came to her rescue with a sword drawn and fought with the soldier to free her. The battle was fierce, but finally Ben slayed the Redcoat and Felicity ran towards his awaiting arms. She was finally going to be in his arms. Finally be able to feel the warmth of his mouth on hers, to feel his hands caress her body. Ashe was finally going to be with—a look of horror and shock passed over Ben's face and his slowly fell over into her arms. As he was falling, Felicity saw over his shoulder, Henry, standing with a musket in hand, with smoke rising from the barrel. She looked at her own hands, holding the slumped Ben, and they were covered in blood.

Felicity bolted upright in bed, breathing heavily. She looked at her pale hands in the fading moonlight. It was just a dream she thought, trying to relax, but her heart was racing. She walked over to the basin and splashed water on her face, it was just a dream. She said to herself again, and climbed back into bed. When the sun rose she took special care in dressing. She put on a raspberry-colored dress that had tone-on-tone embroidery and curled the ends of her hair with clay curlers. She packed a basket with bandages and medicine, remembering that Ms. Plumby had promised her a loaf of bread. Peering into the looking glass she studied herself; Ben had not seen her in years, what would he think?

Mister Merriman knocked on the door, "Felicity? Are you almost ready? Breakfast will be served soon." Felicity answered the door, "Oh, Lissie, you look lovely," he smiled fondly. "Will you escort an old man to his breakfast?"

Taking his arm, she playfully reprimanded him, "Father! You are not old!" when the arrived in the dinning room, Jonah was already there, placing a plate of eggs on the table. Setting the dish down, he rushed over to Felicity and hugged her.

"I'm going to live with Ms. Plumby! I'm going to help her run the inn!" he explained happily.

"Jonah! I'm so happy for you!" she hugged him back.

&&&

After breakfast, Mister Merriman took Felicity to the jail where Ben was being held. Along the way, Felicity saw the tattered flag lying in the dirt as British soldiers walked over it. She paused for a moment, then continued on her way. Finally they reached a gray, stone building.

"I am going to stay out here and watch the horses while you go in, be careful," Mister Merriman said, taking Penny's reigns.

"Thank you Father," Felicity hugged him and went inside the jail.

Stepping inside, it took a minute for her eyes to adjust from the light. She found the jail keeper sitting with his feet on the desk, eating an apple.

"What can I do for you, miss?" she said, sitting up straight.

"I was wondering if I may visit a prisoner?" she asked sweetly.

"Your not one of the regular women that come to visit them, is there a rebel in particular that you want to see or are you here on charity to the lot?"

Felicity just smiled sweetly and lowered her eyes, a tip she had learned from Elizabeth on how to get your way with men. "A little of both I guess."

It worked, the officer smiled and unlocked the door. "You have one hour, that's all, if they give you any trouble just holler."

Felicity thanked him and walked down the long hall, surrounded by prisoners behind cold iron bars. The stench made her dizzy, there was almost no light and the air was foul. As she walked down the corridor, desperate men held out their hands to her, some asking for food, others water, even more catcalling.

"Just a kiss lass, for a poor soldier!" they called. Felicity's eyes scanned their desperate and defeated faces, looking for Ben. Her heart broke to see their faces, face full of promises, now weak from lack of sunlight and good food. Their bright eyes were encircled by dark bags, their clothing dirty and wrinkled.

"Ben?" she called weakly, the sight of it all was too hard to bear, it crushed down on her heart.

&&&

Ben sat in his cell as close to the tiny barred window as possible, trying to breath in the fresh air. Zachary was huddled in the corner, shivering, despite of the heat. "Is it nice out?" he asked weakly.

"Beautiful." Ben answered with a sad smile. He picked up his jacket lying on the ground and draped it over Zachary's shoulders.

"Thank you," Zachary's teeth chattered.

"Come on mate," Ben vigorously rubbed Zachary's shoulders, trying to stimulate blood for warmth, "think of the sun, think of your wife."

"I'm afraid I might not see her again," he said with a cough.

"That's no way to think, you can do it, be strong." Ben tried to give his friend hope.

"Ben! Look here! A fine lass is in the jail! What a beauty," Nathaniel whistled and Ben crawled over for a look.

"You know, that's no way to treat a lady," John said lackadaisically, reprimanding Nathaniel for his whistle, "you all are gawking shamelessly."

Pushing his head out the bars for a better look, Ben's heart skipped a beat. His eyes were deceiving him, it couldn't be. He had seen her so often in his dreams. He rubbed his eyes and blinked, she was still there!

"Felicity?" he whispered. The girl heard him. She rushed to his cell and fell on her knees, surrounded by her billowing skirt and she fell.

"Ben!" she cried softly, grabbing his hand that was grasped tightly around the bar.

"Can it be? Am I dreaming?" he whispered in disbelief, his heart was pounding in his ears. There was a tingling sensation throughout his body, he couldn't believe his eyes. It couldn't be.

"No, I'm here, it's me," she pressed his hand to her cheek and Ben closed his eyes, contently smiling as his heart raced.

"I've seen you so often in my dreams, I never imagined . . ." he opened his eyes and studied her face, using his thumb to trace the lines of her head, cheek bones, and finally her lips. "You are more beautiful than I remembered." Felicity smiled and lowered her eyes.

"Ben, I have missed you so. I've been so worried."

"I didn't want you to worry,"

"I worry because I care," Felicity admitted slowly, her heart was in her throat as she said it.

As soon as she said it, Ben reached out. With his hand behind her head, he pulled her in for a kiss through the bars. It surprised both of them, but then, the daringness of the whole encounter surprised them. The kiss was short, warm and sweet. Felicity pulled back for a minute, blinking back tears. She looked at Ben's face, inches from hers and saw the tears in his eyes. He fiercely pulled her in for another kiss, this one more passionate than the first. The salt of their tears mingled and rested on their lips, their hearts pounding. Pulling back, their ears heard the whistles and cheers of the men around them. Felicity and Ben both blushed wildly, and retreated within themselves.

"Leave them alone, boys. You all have your own sweethearts at home, let the boy have a few moments with his!" Stephen roared.

Glancing back into the cell, "Felicity, may I introduce Stephen,"

"Nice to meet you miss,"

"John,"

"Pleasure to meet you,"

"Nathaniel"

"You've got spunk, Felicity to come all the way here. Ben's told us about you, you are one special lass," Nathaniel grinned wildly.

" and Zachary." Zachary coughed and nodded in recognition. Felicity smiled and nodded to each one as Ben introduced them. When Zachary coughed, she remembered her basket.

"I brought you something," she passed the bread, bandages, blanket, and medicine through the bars. Ben passed the blanket and medicine to John who brought them over to the ailing Zachary.

"Will he be alright?" Felicity asked with concern, peering back into the cell.

"I hope. . . . So . . . so how have you been?" he asked, shyly. Felicity told him about Elizabeth and James, about Penny and Patriot, her family and about Jonah. Ben listened intently, like he always did, and by the end of the story Felicity was crying.

"It all seems so silly! Here you are fighting a war and I was worried about dresses and dancing lessons! I was so sheltered! So ignorant! And I am ashamed, I'm a horrible Patriot! I could have done so much more to help, to help you, to help the cause!"

"Don't you say that! Helping Jonah like you did? You gave him what Jefferson talks about in his Declaration. You gave him a new life, one that was better than the old. You gave him liberty, he is no longer under the tyranny of others because he a beggar, he can make his own decisions, he has a future now. And you gave him happiness; he has a warm home, good food, and someone to care for him. And now, now you are giving me hope and strength to persevere. To make it out of here and come back to you." Felicity wept silently with her forehead pressed against the bars. Ben used his thumb to wipe away her tears, leaning close he whispered, "You given me hope, you've introduced me to love."

Felicity hiccupped, and smiled up at Ben through her tear-stained face. He softly kissed her forehead, "My Lissie." He murmured. As he held her head to his lips, letting it rest there for a few minutes, neither of them saying anything.

"The hour's up miss!" the guard's voice echoed down the hall.

"Have faith, I'll be home soon." Ben whispered as the tears fell from his brown eyes. He gave Felicity a quick kiss good-bye on the cheek and Felicity got up to leave. As she walked down the hall, the sound of her hiccups as she choked back her tears echoed off the walls. Right before she walked out the door, she glanced over her shoulder; Ben could see the tears streaming down her cheeks. She mouthed the words "I love you," right before she turned to go.

&&&

Stepping out of the jail, Felicity found her father and fell into his arms, weeping.