Eliza could feel everyone's eyes on her as she rode into Valley Forge. She supposed it wasn't often a strange woman rode thorough the centre of camp. She thought it might feel weird being back at Valley Forge, but it didn't – it felt like coming home. The only thing that would have made it feel more like home was if Alex was there.
When Eliza had opened her front door to see a member of the continental army standing there, she'd feared the worst. She'd had to read Washington's letter twice before it had sunk in. Alex was still alive. Alex was still alive, but he was in danger, and there was no way Eliza was just going to sit there and wait for news. She had demanded to be taken back to see Washington and to her surprise Corbin hadn't objected at all, he'd merely lead her outside and helped her mount her horse.
Corbin and Eliza dismounted their horses just outside HQ and Corbin passed their horse's reigns to a solider standing guard at the entrance,
"Take them to the stables," he said before leading Eliza inside.
Eliza looked around HQ, taking it all in. It hadn't changed much since she'd left. She could easily spot Alex's desk, still covered in piles of paper, seeming unorganised to everyone apart from himself. John's desk was still next to it, much neater than Alex's desk, however there was still a half-written letter sat in the middle of it. Eliza looked over at what used to be her desk. Sitting there was a man she hadn't seen before. He was leaning on his hands, seemingly sulking. She gave him a small smile, but he just glared at her,
"Eliza Hamilton, Sir," Corbin announced with a salute.
Eliza turned to see General Washington sat behind his desk, flanked by two more soldiers Eliza didn't know. Washington stood up and walked around to the front of his desk, "Thank you, Corbin. Please go and tell Lafayette and Mulligan to report here immediately. Dismissed,"
Corbin saluted again then turned and marched out of the tent. As soon as Corbin had left Washington turned and smiled grimly at Eliza, "Mrs Hamilton," he said, "Allow me to introduce Darragh, Hays and Harrison," first indicating to the soldiers standing either side of him, then to the solider sulking at Eliza's old desk. Eliza nodded at each of them in turn. Washington winked at Eliza, "And this, gentlemen, is Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Schuyler,"
Hays and Darragh's mouths fell open and Harrison shot out of his seat,
"The spy‽" Harrison cried incredulously,
"But Schuyler's information has been invaluable!" Darragh exclaimed,
"Indeed," Washington said smugly, as he leant back and perched on the edge of his desk,
"Does Hamilton know?" Harrison asked. Before either Washington or Eliza could answer Laf and Herc burst into HQ,
"Eliza!" Laf cried in surprise. Herc beamed and the two of them ran over to her, pulling her into a tight hug, "It's so good to see you again," Laf said,
"Shame it's not under better circumstances," Herc added,
"Did everyone already know about Schuyler‽" Harrison cried.
Washington coughed and the three of them reluctantly broke their hug. "Now that everyone is here and acquainted, if you would all please follow me."
Eliza followed Washington around the corner to a secluded area of the tent where a large meeting table sat. Washington took his seat at the head of the table with Lafayette and Harrison sat either side of him. Eliza sat down next to Laf with Herc on her other side and Hays and Darragh opposite her.
"I am sure you have all heard by now that Laurens and Hamilton have been captured by the British," Washington started.
Eliza glanced down at her lap, seeing Laf, Herc and Washington had made the twisting feeling of dread in her stomach die down, but hearing Washington say it out loud had brought it all right back.
"In exchange for their return the British have requested that we leave the city-"
"We can't let them take the city!" Harrison cried,
"We also can't leave John and Alex!" Herc countered,
"We can't sacrifice the entire city for two men,"
"But they're not just any two men, they're Laurens and Hamilton!"
Washington rubbed his temple.
"As hard as this might be to here, that doesn't matter!" Harrison snapped,
"Well, it should! Laurens and Hamilton know far too much for us to leave them in the hands of the British!" Hays argued,
"Silence!" Washington shouted and everyone fell quiet, "Thank you. Now, as I was saying, we have been ordered to leave the city in exchange for Laurens and Hamilton's return, however, we cannot pay this price," Washington glanced at Eliza, as if he expected her to object but she didn't. She knew they couldn't give the city up to the British and Alex would never forgive them if they did. "But," Washington continued, "As Hays just pointed out, Laurens and Hamilton are far too valuable for us to risk them remaining in enemy hands,"
"So, we're attempting a rescue mission?" Laf asked,
"Indeed,"
"I'm going on it," Eliza instantly said before catching herself and remembering who she was talking to, "Sir," she added,
"I expected nothing less Schuyler. Lafayette, you will lead a small team of Schuyler, Mulligan, Hays and Darragh to the British camp, where you will attempt to rescue Lieutenant Colonels Hamilton and Laurens. Harrison, you stay here as back up,"
"With all due respect sir, I would like to go on the mission," Harrison said,
"I need somebody here to act as back up should something go wrong," Washington insisted,
"There are lots of people here you could use as backup," Harrison said, "But there are only a handful of people who know about this mission and we're walking into the lion's den. We need all the men we can,"
"It would be helpful to have another person on the mission," Laf said, "Then we can split into teams of two,"
Washington groaned, "OK, Lafayette, you will lead a team of Mulligan, Schuyler, Darragh, Hays and Harrison to rescue Hamilton and Laurens,"
"Yes sir," Lafayette said,
"Good. Lafayette, you stay here, and we will go through the details, the rest of you go and get ready, we're meeting at the stables in one hour. Dismissed,"
"Yes sir," everyone said before getting up and making their way out of HQ.
As they walked outside Herc took hold of Eliza's arm, "Come on, I'll help you find some suitable clothes,"
Eliza smiled weakly at him, "Thank you,"
Herc smiled back at her and looped his arm around hers, "Let's go to John and Alex's tent. Alex's spare uniform should fit you well enough,"
"Do you not have to get ready?" Eliza asked.
Herc shrugged, "Laf will pick up some guns, what else do we need?"
The two of them walked side by side through camp.
"How have you been?" Eliza asked after a minute, "I haven't seen you since the wedding,"
"Well, I'm less drunk than the last time you saw me," Herc grinned,
"Really? Shame, I would have loved to see you try and waltz with John again,"
Herc glared at her, "We agreed to never mention that ever again,"
"Oh, but you can't expect me to never bring it up, it was such a perfect moment," Eliza teased,
"But you promised!"
"Na-ah! Alex and Laf promised, I didn't say anything,"
Herc pouted at her, "I don't suppose I can get you to promise now?"
"No way!" Eliza grinned.
Herc and Eliza fell quiet, and their pleasant mood dissipated,
"Anyway, I should be asking you how you're doing?"
Eliza looked down at her feet, "Not great, honestly,"
Herc tightened his grip on her arm, "Yeah, me neither."
The two of them reached Alex and John's tent and Herc lead them inside.
"They'll be OK," Herc said, sounding like he was trying to assure himself as much as Eliza, "They can't kill them, they'll lose their bargaining chips,"
Eliza sat down on the edge of John's bunk as Herc knelt down and pulled a chest out from under Alex's bed,
"But he's Alex," Eliza said, fiddling with her sleeve, "What if he says something stupid and they decide he's not worth it,"
"He's not going to reveal anything," Herc said as he stood up holding Alex's spare uniform,
"That's not what I meant, and you know it. He's going to throw one too many insults and they're going to hurt him for it,"
"Then we'll just have to go and rescue him before they get a chance," Herc said as he presented the clothes to Eliza.
Eliza smiled weakly at him as she took the bundle of clothes.
Herc paused for a second just as he turned to leave, "He'll be OK Eliza. Alex is strong."