Author Note: This story pretty much follows the regular chain of events except for the battles of Waxhaw and Camden and the taking of Charleston, which not only do not take place in 1778, but are also months apart, not days. Everything else is in its place. Also, there will be two troops of 'Green Dragoons'. The Green Dragoons are led by Colonel Tavington in the Movie uniform, but the British Legion will be led by Lt. Col. Tarleton. They both exist in this story. Finally, at least for now, for the purposes of this story, William and Susan Martin are twins. If you spot a historical inaccuracy, please let me know! There will be places where it will purposefully not be, but I'll let you know about those if you ask. Enjoy! Review replies are at the bottom!

Chapter Three

Goodbye

"All of you stay here," ordered Benjamin. Katherine watched anxiously as he sprinted into the burning house, praying that it wouldn't collapse on him before he came out again. When he did come out, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Nathan, Samuel." Benjamin tossed muskets to both boys.

"What are you doing?" Katherine asked. "You're not going to go after him, are you?"

Benjamin stared at her incredulously. "You would let Gabriel hang?"

When she heard that, Katherine felt some of the tension in her body dissipate. "No, of course not. I thought you were going after the Dragoons."

"Without horses?!"

She let herself laugh a little. "Somehow, yes."

"Alright, I want you to hide in the fields with Margaret, William and Susan. If we aren't back by sunset, I want you to take them to Charlotte. Is that clear?"

Katherine nodded. "Crystal."

"Boys." Benjamin lopped off, the boys running after him. The children watched them until they disappeared into the forest, then Katherine took charge. She reached into the oak and pulled out her pouch. Lugging it over her shoulder, she jogged back to the children.

"Okay. Let's get in the corn." Katherine picked up Susan and started to walk away when Margaret stopped her.

"What about Thomas?"

Katherine looked at his cold, pale face sadly. "When your father comes back, we'll bury him. We can keep an eye out for him in the fields, Margaret. We can't do anything right now."

Margaret looked at her, tears streaming down her face. "What if they don't come back? How can you be so cold about this? Do you even care?" William's eyes were as wide as saucers.

Katherine looked straight into Margaret's eyes. "I can't cry right now because if I let myself, I'll lose any control I have right now and I won't be able to keep the rest of you safe." A tear slipped down her cheek and her head weaved slightly as she looked the devastation around her. "Of course I care. He was my brother too." Closing her eyes, she continued, "If your father doesn't come back, we'll go to your Aunt Charlotte's like he told us." Margaret started to interrupt but Katherine held up her finger. "I'm sure that she'll send someone to guard his body and in the morning, we'll bury him. Alright?" She stepped away.

"I'm sorry." Katherine looked back and sent her a sad smile and a nod. Margaret took William's hand, following Katherine into the fields.

Katherine stepped out of the fields when she saw the wagon and all of them safe. She sent up a silent prayer of thanks before calling back, "They're back." She picked up Susan and ran toward them. Benjamin knelt at the side of Thomas's body. Katherine's eyes met Gabriel's. She leant over the grieving father. "Benjamin, we need to bury him and get the children to Charlotte's."

The expression on his face when he looked at her haunted her for the rest of her life. But Benjamin slowly stood and walked over to a shovel and a hoe that had been left out by the men. Gabriel took the hoe and they walked to the little graveyard where Elizabeth was buried. As they started, Katherine picked up a bucket of water and some cloths. One of the dead soldiers' smocks was clean and she took that. She knelt at the boy's body. "William, find two clean blankets." By the time he had returned, she had put the body on a dirty one, washed and bandaged the wound, and put the clean smock on. The boys helped her move the body on the clean blanket. Katherine and Margaret wiped the dirt off the boy and Katherine positioned his arms on his chest. Using a piece of wood from the carcass of the house and charcoal, they put together a passable headstone for Thomas.

In Memory of Thomas David Martin

Who died on the 29th of May, 1778

In the 15th year of his life

Benjamin and Gabriel walked back, the grave dug. After a few minutes of kneeling there, Benjamin nodded. While Katherine carefully covered Thomas with the other blanket, Benjamin and Gabriel took a length of rope and wrapped it around the body, forming a sort of mummy. They tenderly carried the bundle over to the hole and gently lowered it in, Gabriel jumping in to receive it. The children and Katherine followed and stood there while Gabriel and Benjamin filled in the grave, Katherine picking up William and shushing him as he started to sob. When they were finished, Katherine firmly shoved the headstone, more like headboard, into the ground at the head of the grave. After standing there for a few moments, Benjamin began to pray.

"Lord, we pray the you would accept this child and keep him at your side with his mother. We asked that you embrace him and help us to understand the manner in which your mercy works. And forgive us our sins, Amen."

Benjamin was overcome with emotion, his children gathered around him, and for a few minutes, they only grieved.

Benjamin glanced at Katherine and she smiled reassuringly. "Come now," he ordered softly, "We need to be at Aunt Charlotte's before dark."

As they rode away, Katherine took one last look of the place that was her home for the last three years. Somehow, she knew she would never see it again.

They shook into the plantation's drive just as the sun set below the horizon. One of the house slaves exclaimed, "Mr. Martin!" shocked his bloody state. Katherine saw Charlotte leaning over the second floor balcony.

She meets them at the porch. "Benjamin, what happened? Are you hurt? Gabriel? Where's Thomas?" At the mention of Thomas, William gives a tiny sob.

Katherine takes it onto herself to break the news. "The battle went right past the house. Gabriel was wounded and found his way home." Gabriel smiled faintly. "In the morning, after we collected the wounded, the British Army arrived. At first it seemed like all would be well, but then the Green Dragoons showed up. The leader said we were harboring the enemy and ordered the property burned. He then forced Abner and the rest of the hired men to join them. Then they found the dispatches that Gabriel carried." Charlotte's eyes were wide at this point. "Gabriel stepped up and said he carried them and that we had nothing to do with them. The leader ordered them to take Gabriel and hang him for being a spy." Charlotte gasped. "Benjamin tried to change his mind, but that only made him angry and he threatened to shoot us. As it is, he had all the Continental wounded shot. Thomas," Katherine swallowed and her eyes watered. "Thomas tried to free Gabriel and he just shot him in the back. He called Thomas a stupid boy." Now she let out a sob. Charlotte was horrified. "Ben caught Thomas and held him till he died. They," she waved her hand at Nathan and Samuel, "went with Benjamin to save Gabriel. Then we buried Thomas by his mother. That's what happened."

Charlotte just stood there for a few moments composing herself before ushering them inside. Soon Margaret, Susan, and William were in one bedroom and Nathan and Samuel across the hall. Katherine watched as Charlotte leaned over Margaret, tucking her and the others in. "You're safe now," she whispered lovingly to the young girl. "Try to sleep."

"Goodnight," Margaret barely managed.

Katherine leaned over her pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Goodnight and sleep tight."

"Goodnight," smiled Charlotte. Benjamin's exchange with Nathan across the hall caught their attention.

"Father," Nathan said, arms tucked behind his head.

"Hmm?" replied Benjamin, gazing at him.

"I killed those redcoats," Nathan stated like it was the most naturally thing in the world. He was only thirteen!

"You did what I told you to do." Benjamin paused. "You did what you had to. There's no wrong in it."

Nathan's reply shocked all three of them. "I'm glad I killed them." He stared at his father. "I'm glad."

Benjamin suddenly found great interest in tucking the sheets around the boy. "Get some rest." He stood up and headed for the hall, but he stopped and reached for Samuel. "Samuel," he started.

Samuel turned away, hands over his face and curled in a ball. The look on Benjamin's face as he sat on the stairs, both doors now closed, broke the women's heart.

Charlotte attempted to comfort him. "You've done nothing that you can be ashamed of."

Benjamin just looked her. "I've done nothing, for that I am ashamed." He sighed and rested his face in his hands.

No one who knew the story on the plantation got much sleep that night.

Early the next morning, Charlotte and Katherine found Benjamin siting by the fire in the music room, grasping his late wife's necklace. Charlotte set a breakfast tray next to him. The trio looked back when Gabriel came in wearing his uniform.

Benjamin cleared his throat. "We'll go to St. Helen. " In explanation, he added, "It's a free slave island north of Charles Town." Sighing, he continued, "We'll be right under the British's noses and they won't even think of it."

Gabriel interrupted, "I'm joining up with them." Startled, Benjamin stared at him, Katherine expecting it.

Charlotte didn't either. She gasped, "Gabriel." Benjamin strode slowly toward his son.

"No, no. You're place is here now."

Gabriel was adamant. "I'm going back. As a soldier, it's my duty." Katherine could only watch as it all fell apart.

Benjamin managed to speak through his growing aggravation. "Your duty is to your family." Gabriel sighed and turned away. Benjamin strode after him, Charlotte and Katherine on his heels, voice raised, "Don't you walk away from me, Boy!"

Gabriel looked back. "I'm sorry, Father. I'll find you when this is all over."

"No!" Benjamin shouted. "You're not going! I forbid you to go!"

Katherine gasped as Gabriel turned on him. "I'm not a child!"

"YOU'RE MY CHILD!"

The two men stared at each other. "Goodbye, Father." Gabriel walked out the door.

"Gabriel," he called after him as Gabriel stomped down the steps. "Thomas is dead. How many more have to die before you heed my word?"

Gabriel looked back again for a moment. He then put on his hat and mounted his horse. Benjamin closed his eyes and Charlotte shook her head. Katherine and the children stepped out on the porch and balcony to watch him go. "Yah!" Gabriel galloped down the drive and out of sight.

Charlotte put her hand on Benjamin's shoulder, but he said, "I'm not losing my family." And he walked outside.

"No, you cannot go!" Benjamin shouted as Katherine pleaded with him.

Katherine didn't let his ire stop her. "Benjamin, you know me! I can't stay here! I could be a medic, nurse, doctor, or whatever! You know I can do it!"

He turned on her and held his finger up. "You are a woman and women have no place…"

Katherine fully interrupted him, shouting, "I'm not that woman!" She quieted down. "You know that. You could use me. I'll stay back or at camp altogether. I wouldn't fight. I'd just be the doctor."

Benjamin gazed at her, remembering that long talk they had about her past. He sighed. He was too tired to fight with her any more. And she was right. "You're right, but how am I supposed to explain a woman to Harry?"

"My hair's up and I'll wear breeches," Katherine provided. Benjamin sighed.

"Hurry up." Katherine ran up to the room that Charlotte gave her. She opened her back and pulled on breeches, shedding her skirt and jacket. Tucking the pants into her boots, Katherine pulled on the shirt and waistcoat over her stays, the stay effectively making her flat chested. She grabbed the bag and flew down the stairs. Charlotte was stuffing a change or two of practical women's clothing in one saddlebag and Katherine pushed her bag into the other. Charlotte handed her a tricorn that Katherine immediately shoved on her head as soon as she thanks the blonde-haired woman. Then they turned to the children.

Benjamin knelt in front of William, who asked, "When will you come back, Father?"

Benjamin's mouth hinged as her searched for answer. "I don't know," he honestly replied. Katherine gave William and his twin, Susan, a kiss.

William supplied hopefully, "Tomorrow?" Katherine managed to swallow a laugh and a sob.

Shaking his head, Benjamin slowly answered, "No, not tomorrow." He hugged his little boy, adding, "Say your prayers."

"I will."

Benjamin turned to his now second oldest son. "Nathan, I want you to take care of your brothers and sisters, alright?" The boy shook his father's hand.

Katherine smiled faintly, adding, "Listen to Charlotte too."

Benjamin shook Samuel's hand. "The same with you, Samuel." Katherine hugged him tightly.

She whispered in his ear, "You're a brave boy."

"Alright." Benjamin picked up his little girl. "Susan, goodbye?" he asked, but Susan just looked him. Benjamin kissed her forehead. "Thank you," he said to Charlotte. They exchanged an awkward silent conversation until Katherine cleared her throat. Katherine and Benjamin then mounted the horses, nodded, and galloped off after Gabriel. She glanced over her shoulder and waved at them. She didn't know when she would ever see them again.

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