Sorry all if some of the facts aren't entirely correct according to the books or movie! (Like the SP sickness)... Enjoy!

Felicity stared upward at the top of the ladder. She knew that creak sound all too well. Ben must have woken up! She bent her right leg and stood up on it. She winced in pain and grabbed the ladder for support. It seemed to groan and lean toward her to hold her weight. To balance it out Felicity grabbed the rung with both hands and then limped to the nearest wall. A single tear slipped down her cheek.

Pegs lined the wall Felicity was up against. She grasped at them and made her way to the door in the shadows. The pain was sharp even if she moved it the least bit. Why Felicity, do you have to be so clumsy? She scolded herself. Why now? Why didn't I want Ben to see me? I suppose I just didn't want to get in trouble with Father. But how am supposed to explain my twisted ankle. Great!

Drip drop, Drip drop. Felicity looked up and saw a leak in the roof. She continued to make her way across the perimeter of the barn. She glanced toward the door and noted that the sun was about to let its rays shine for the world to see. Thump! Felicity's hand bumped a dangling bridle and it fell with a jingle and a thud at her feet. "Come On," she muttered. She leaned to pick it up and slipped. "Really!"

By this time, Felicity was 5 stalls away from Penny's stall. Felicity turned to the loft and glanced at it hesitantly. She crossed her fingers and hoped Ben wouldn't come down. Why don't you want him to come down? You know you can't make it across the yard to the house by yourself!

Nervous butterflies filled her stomach as she saw a black boot appear on the top rung of the ladder. When we reached the sixth rung he turned to look about the barn. As his eyes swept past Penny's stall his eyes met Felicity's.

Felicity gave a weak smile. Her ankle was throbbing. Now what? How is he going to help her even if he wanted to with his wounded arm? Curiosity snuck in amongst her other thoughts. How was his arm wounded and why was he even home? Home. Felicity's smile broadened some more.

Ben made it down the ladder and walked as fast as he could toward her. Felicity noted that he had a slight limp. "Are you okay?" he asked his voice laced with compassion and worry as he approached her.

Felicity smiled up at him. "I 'twas careless and fell. I believe I sprained my left ankle," she paused, "It's good to see you Ben."

Ben smiled back and said, "It's good to see you too, Felicity. I better get you back to the house."

Felicity's eyes shot wide as she scrambled for a valid protest. "Um, no! No thank you, I mean. I couldn't allow you to do that."

Ben's expression turned quizzical, "And why ever not?"

Felicity looked around. "Well, they would be mad if I went to the barn during such big of a storm."

Ben looked at her and said blankly, "But, your dress is damp and you can't walk."

Felicity felt like saying "I know that!" But she didn't instead she sat biting her lip as her mind raced. Felicity's mind raced. My parents wouldn't like it one bit if I came back from the barn damp and with a twisted ankle after a storm. Besides how do I explain Ben? Maybe I could say...

"Felicity?" Ben asked peering down at the ankle, "Come on. I'll help you."

Felicity tried to get up. Ben reached out his un-bandaged arm.

"Ben, your arm!" Felicity cried out -concerned and curious. She sat back down.

Ben sighed and sat beside her, "It's fine. Really."

"Ben, will you at least tell me what happened to it?"

Ben scratched his head before replying, "Well, we were camped a good ways away from half of our group due to the food supply. We were pretty well armed. We were going to meet with another Patriot group and direct them back to the group. We did successfully however; on the way back considerably small groups of The King's army were walking near us just then."

Felicity leaned forward, "And then what happened?"

Ben chuckled at Felicity's curiosity, "14 and still as curious as a cat! Well, we hid low waiting for them to pass us- gun ready."

"And?" Felicity asked, and then paused hoping she didn't sound too eager.

"They heard a noise or thought there was game so they started firing at random. One just missed my leg. We fired back. And a bullet must have found its way to my arm." He finished telling his story and tapped on the cast for emphasis.

Felicity gasped, "Is it feeling better now?"

Ben nodded, "A bit. Still hurts. I got stitches. Doctor says I'm blessed it penetrated but more my side of my arm- it did nick my bone slightly. Fractured more of less than broken- I dare say."

There was a moment of silence. Felicity wanted to know why he was here. Finally she spoke, "It's really good to see you."

"You to Felicity," he said. "Is your group passing through Williamsburg?" she asked hesitantly.

Ben looked away, "I was dropped."

Felicity's heart stopped and then it went out to Ben, "May I ask why?"

Ben glanced up at the pretty young woman in front of him. "Yes, but your ankle! Surely it must be bothering you. We must get you to the house."

Felicity raised her hand and rested it on his arm to calm him down. "My ankle is feeling alright right now. Please tell me."

Ben shook his head, "It's a complicated story," he paused. "After I was wounded they sent me to the hospital. It was at its capacities and so I was tended to and then placed with the others. Sick, wounded, and the alike." Ben shifted his leg. Felicity glanced at it. His leg seemed stiff almost. "Oh yes, while during that encounter I mentioned earlier I must have landed on a rock or something but, I cut myself right where I was injured about 2 years ago. When I ran away..."

Felicity smiled in spite of herself, "I do remember that." Her smile disappeared, "But the amount of blood you lost, how did you fare?"

Ben shook his head, "Don't recall. I must have passed out. Either case I was weak from loss of blood after being tended to. I was placed next to a man named Samuel Jones. Good fellow, reminded me of your Father. He passed away two days later from Smallpox."

Felicity gasped, "Oh! I'm so sorry!" Ben laid a reassuring hand on Felicity's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Don't worry, the poor man suffered enough I suppose. He was good company though. Anyways, Smallpox spread through the camp rapidly and I came down with a fever right about when I was to be returned to my group."

Felicities sat straighter, "But, remember when we came down with a mild case of Smallpox? You caught it too. Doctor said we couldn't get it again."

Ben nodded, "And the good doctor was right. I probably got the fever from the damp and crowded conditions. They were mighty afraid that I fell ill with Small pox though and with my wounded arm and injured leg they..." He faded. Felicity nodded, "I'm so proud of you for fighting for our country. I'm sure you will continue to do what's best. No matter what."

Ben sighed, "I explained to them. But, they wouldn't hear of it. Not that small pox could be only introduced to them by me." Felicity looked up at him and said encouragingly, "I'm sure you will find your way back into the army once those wounds are healed."

"I suppose," Ben said looking Felicity straight into her eyes. Their eyes seemed to communicate with each other for a few minute before Ben said tenderly, "Felicity, every night before I went to bed I would look up into the sky and think about you. I've missed you."

Felicity smiled, "And I've missed you Ben Davidson. More than you will ever know."

They leaned in toward each other slowly. But Felicity's ankle moved and she cried out in a bit of pain. Reality seemed to awaken them both and Ben got up. "Come on Felicity, we got to get you inside. Sooner the better." Felicity nodded in agreement and Ben extended his arm to help her up when the barn door swung fully open.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Review! And suggestions!

Note: SP sickness= Small Pox sickness. Didn't want to give that part out quite yet!