Risen

"Will he be the same?"

"Of course, my Lady. He will be the same Colonel you know and love."

"And everyone else, hates."

"God willing."

~Doctor Harris and Lady Catherine Tavington~

Upon entering the medic tent, Catherine noticed the bodies of other fallen British soldiers. One lay against the far side of the tent , and the others were positioned towards the back. Both were covered in old, ragged blankets.

Immediately in the centre of the tent on an old makeshift table, lay the body of Colonel William Tavington. Unlike the other two, he was not covered, and this struck her as odd, but she kept it to herself.

She stiffened as she gazed at him laying there as if he were merely asleep. Perhaps he was, but she knew better. If only he was…

"Ah, Lady Tavington! Good of you to join us! I know this is difficult for you, but I can asure you, that in a few short hours, everything shall be as it should be." Doctor Harris beamed at her.

Catherine moved closer to the table, and looked down upon the face of her husband. She fought back tears and a choking sob, as her eyes moved over him.

He looks positively healthy! She grinned slightly at this thought. Even his skin colour is the same. Are you here, William?

As if he had read her thoughts, Doctor Harris spoke up suddenly from beside her. She found herself gripping William's arm in support.

"He is here, my Lady. Only partly so. Granted, I expected him to be here fully before now, but he seems to have other ideas."

Catherine nodded absently. She still held onto the Colonel's arm.

He felt warm to the touch.

"Doctor Harris?"

Both Lady Tavington and Doctor Harris turned at the sound of the voice. Harris moved aside to allow her to enter further into the tent. He indicated Catherine by a curt nod in her direction.

"Lady Brobeck, allow me to introduce Lady Catherine Tavington."

The lady's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the name. She seemed shocked to finally see the Colonel's wife, and the eldest daughter of the Lord General. After a moment, she shook herself out of the shock, and nodded at Catherine.

"Lady Tavington, it is a sincere pleasure to finally meet you, though, I wish it were in a much better situation."

Catherine studied her for a moment, and then smiled.

"Oh?"

Lady Brobeck returned the smile.

"Yes, it is a rare occurrence when I must meet the wife of a dead officer. When I do, she is usually of the highest rank." She nodded at the Colonel. "The wife of a Colonel is usually cause for great excitement, even in death." Again, she nodded at the Colonel.

Catherine watched Lady Brobeck. And to think, her husband had turned traitor to King and Country. No small wonder that she was now here. She was certain, that the Rebels would have dearly loved to capture her. She would have proven to be a very useful tool.

I do like her. Moreover, she thought with a smug smile, she would be perfect for Banastre. William would certainly approve of the match. Yes, she is perfect.

Catherine returned her gaze to that of her husband. Allowing her hand to move down his arm, she placed her small hand into his, and smiled slightly.

Just as she had thought. He was warm to the touch. He would come back to her soon, and she needed but a little patience until he did.

But when?

Again, Doctor Harris seemed to have read her thoughts.

"Just a few hours more, my Lady. One more infusion, and he should be with us once again."

"Will he be the same?" She inquired.

"Of course, my Lady. He will be the same Colonel you know and love."

"And everyone else hates." She sneered at both him and Lady Brobeck.

"God willing." Harris smiled darkly.

Catherine eyed him slightly.

"And, Benjamin Martin?"

"As good as hung, Lady Tavington."

She nodded.

"Good. I do not believe he should be allowed to just go about his life, as if he has done nothing. He killed my husband!"

Lady Brobeck laughed coldly.

"And, the Colonel killed Martin's two children. He believes he has gotten his revenge."

"Maybe, but I want my revenge. For myself, and for William." Catherine said softly. "For the children we will have."

"May God bless both of you with many heirs, my Lady." Doctor Harris bowed slightly to her.

Lady Brobeck grinned coolly.

"Yes, I am quite certain you and the Colonel will have many children. Perhaps if I would have had children, Robert would not be off begging to be killed? Ah, but it does not matter now, he has chosen his side, and I, mine. If he is killed, so much the better. I do not wish to be married to a traitor. I was raised to be loyal to my King, and loyal I shall remain until I die."

Doctor Harris snickered softly.

"What of your other loyalty, Lady Shannen?"

"I have told you where it lies, and have given you my word on it. Now, it should be quite enough. If not, then perhaps it is not my loyalty that need be questioned."

Harris nodded.

"It is enough, Lady Brobeck. I am certain Lady Tavington would accept your loyalty to both her, and to the Colonel."

"And your loyalty, Elijah? Where does it lie now?"

He stared at Lady Brobeck coldly.

"The same as yours, my dear. There are few who gain my loyalty, as I am sure you know. My King and Country. Lord Cornwallis. Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton. And, "He looked towards Catherine, who still held the Colonel's hand, "To Colonel and Lady Tavington. My loyalty is not given freely, and cannot be bought."

Both turned and watched Lady Tavington. She seemed deep in her own thoughts, and neither wished to disturb her. However, she also seemed tired.

Doctor Harris moved to her, and swinging a chair up behind her, helped her sit down. She smiled wearily at him, and returned her attention to her husband. She still held tightly to his hand, as if he were her only support.

In truth, he was just that.

"Lady Tavington, perhaps you should rest a bit? We still have a few hours, and I will wake you if he should come around."

Catherine nodded absently.

"I could use a nice rest." She stated flatly. "May I remain here? With William?"

"Of course, my lady. He would be pleased to find you here when he wakes."

Again, Catherine nodded. She laid her head against the Colonel's shoulder, and closed her eyes. Moments later, she was fast asleep. Still, she held his hand tightly in her's.

When he was certain Lady Tavington was indeed, asleep, he motioned to Lady Brobeck and they began the last infusion. He hoped this would be the one to bring the Colonel back. If not, it would have proven a fruitless endeavour.

The last infusion finished, they retreated to their respective cots, and lay down to rest. Doctor Harris kept his eyes on the Colonel. Lady Brobeck quickly fell asleep. It would be a long night.

-CT-

It seemed as if many hours had passed, when Doctor Harris noticed a slight movement from Colonel Tavington. He rose from his cot and quietly made his way over to the table.

He watched for a moment before the Colonel moved once more.

"Come now, you know you wish to wake!" He hissed.

Suddenly, Tavington's eyes popped open. Harris smiled icily to himself.

"Ah Colonel Tavington, I see you have decided to rejoin us!"

Tavington's eyes flickered to Harris. A slow, cold smirk spread over the Colonel's face.

"And why would I not have?" Tavington questioned.

"Well, it took you quite some time. We were losing hope, my dear Sir." He inclined his head towards Catherine.

Tavington raised his head and looked down at Catherine. He smiled again, but this time it was a warm, loving one.

"How long has she been here, Doctor Harris?"

"A few hours. She had been in mourning much longer, and has only just left your quarters. Lt. Colonel Tarleton was set to remove her from them forcibly if need be."

Colonel Tavington grinned faintly.

"I see. She looks quite pale. Was she ill?"

Harris shook his head.

"No, she was not, Colonel. We had not expected her to mourn as deeply as she did. Tarleton was very worried about your wife, and kept a close eye on her the entire time."

"And?" Tavington eyed him.

"Lady Tavington was given the last infusion three days ago."

"Did she resist it?"

"No. In fact, she had no idea I was given them to her."

Tavington nodded.

"Good. I will be the one to tell her about it. However, it will have to wait until I am entirely well again. As her husband, it is my duty."