"Ben," she breathed.
"Grace."
"So it's true?" she whispered, not wanting to wake anyone in the house, "You're going as well?"
Ben straightened, "Of course," he answered sharply, "If I have any belief in the Cause, I must stand up for it."
Grace glared at him.
"You and your precious cause. You think you men are the only ones who feel the same? Can I not be as passionate for the Cause, can I not wish to do everything I can for it? But can I not also worry about those that leave to fight for it?"
Ben looked at her closely. The moon illuminated much. Grace Brewster stood before him, her hair draped around her shoulders, her eyes burning with a passion that he knew only too well.
"Is that concern for me I hear?" he teased gently.
Grace sighed, pulling her shawl closer around her shoulders.
"Don't be ridiculous," she said, her voice only slightly relenting.
"Because if it were," he said, taking a small step closer, "I would also express my concern for you, and that I will … well.."
Ben trailed off, not sure what else to say. If he was honest with himself, he wasn't entirely sure what brought him here in the first place. But he knew he couldn't leave without saying goodbye. He couldn't leave without seeing her one last time.
He smiled sadly, and bowed his head, "Goodbye, Grace."
He turned to leave, putting his hat back on and hoping, with everything that he possessed, that this would not be the last time he saw-
"Ben," Grace called quietly.
He turned just as she came in front of him. He could now see every detail of her face, the way her eyes stared into his, a longing in them that he had never noticed before, her eyes wet with tears that she would never allow to fall.
"Be careful," she whispered, "Please."
Ben smiled. He gently took her hand in his, and with all the grace he could muster, bent to kiss her hand.
"Anything for you."
The two stood underneath the moon, the air thick with words unsaid, with promises longing to be made. He would later think back on this night. How he would lay awake at night, thinking of how she looked under the moon. The way her eyes met his and in that single moment, he saw his whole future laid out before him. Everything he stood for was right there in front of him. Her smile would be the last thing he saw as he surrendered to sleep. Oh, he would wish that he kissed her. How he would long to be able to pull her into his arms, to shield her from everything this war would throw at her. To place himself between her and anyone who would wish her harm. But neither of them knew what was to come. How could they?
With a sad smile, Benjamin Tallmadge bowed to his Grace, and by the light of the moon, he left. She didn't call for him again, and he didn't turn. For if he had, he would have seen the single tear that fell down her cheek. The one tear she dared let fall, and any resolve he would have had would have crumbled.
Grace watched as Ben walked away. She stood by her doorway watching until he was swallowed by the night. Every fiber of her being praying that it would not be the last time she would see those blue eyes.
"Lord bring this man back home to me."
A story I've had banging around for a while. Let me know if anyone is interested!