Alexander and Eliza Hamilton walked arm in arm down the road towards the building where Alex worked. Eliza was dressed in a pastel coloured ballgown, while Alex was dressed in full formal wear.
"It's not too late," Alex said, "We could still turn around and go home,"
Eliza tightened her grip on Alex's arm, "No. You promised Washington that we'd be there, and besides, it's nice to have a night off from the children,"
"You haven't met my colleagues, I can promise you, this is not a night off from children. Pip and Angie would make a better cabinet: they have common sense,"
"Just please try and not start an argument tonight?" Eliza said,
"No promises,"
"Just don't get us kicked out,"
"Washington would never,"
Eliza raised her eyebrow at Alex,
"Probably."
-x-
The two of them were greeted at the door by a smartly dressed gentleman, who took their coats and bags. They then followed the crowd down a corridor and into a large foyer, which had been cleared out to make a dance floor. There was a band situated between two large staircases, playing a joyful waltz. Decorations had been hung from the banisters and an arrangement of candles bathed the room in a beautiful glow.
"Oh, wow," Eliza breathed, looking around at all the decorations, "Does it always look like this?"
"No, it's usually a lot dingier than this."
Eliza glanced around at the other occupants of the room. She didn't recognize most of them, but she spotted a familiar face by the bottom of the stairs,
"I'm going to say hi to Washington," Eliza said,
"Ok, I'll just be over there."
Eliza made her way over, "Mr President," she greeted,
Washington turned and smiled upon seeing her, "Mrs Hamilton," he said, "It's a pleasure to see you, is Alex around?"
"Oh, yeah, he's around here somewhere,"
"I'm sure I will catch up with him later. In the meantime, allow me to introduce you to my wife. Martha!" Washington called,
A woman with white hair looked up at Washington's shout and made her way over to them. She took her place at Washinton's side, looping her arm with his, "Yes, George?"
"Martha, allow me to introduce Eliza Hamilton,"
Martha beamed at Eliza and offered her her hand, "It's a pleasure, I've heard so much about you,"
Eliza blushed slightly, as she took Martha's hand, "The pleasure is all mine," she said, "It really is an honour to meet you,"
"You're too kind."
There was a loud shout from the other side of the room and Eliza and the Washingtons turned to see Alex and Jefferson mid-argument.
Washington sighed, "One day they'll be able to be in the same room as each other without shouting." He made as if to go over to the two of them, but Eliza stopped him,
"I'll go," she said, "You stay and enjoy your party,"
Washington nodded at her, "Thank you," he said with a grateful smile.
Eliza made her way over to Alex and Jefferson. The two of them were so engrossed in their argument that they didn't notice her until she placed her hand on Alex's arm, "Not that everyone isn't loving listening to you argue Dear, but perhaps you would be so kind as to dance with your wife?"
"We weren't arguing," Alex grumbled, "I was just-"
"Shouting about a national bank?"
Alex let out a huff, "It's an important topic,"
"Well, if you would like to continue your argument, I'm sure I can find somebody else to dance with me. Or perhaps Mr Jefferson would like to dance?" Eliza turned to Jefferson, who had just been standing there watching Eliza and Alex's exchange, and held out her hand, "Eliza Hamilton," she said.
Jefferson cautiously took Eliza's hand and shook it, "Thomas Jefferson,"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, do you mind if I steal Alex for a bit?"
Jefferson gestured vaguely with his hands, "Be my guest."
Eliza offered Alex her arm. He took it and the two of them made their way over to the dance floor.
"Did Washington send you over here to break us up?" Alex asked as they got into hold,
"I offered,"
Alex raised his eyebrow,
"Well, your choice was me or him."
Alex looked over Eliza's shoulder to see where Jefferson had gone, "Oh, of course, he's run off back to Maddison, no doubt to bitch about how terrible I am,"
"Well, if you're going to bitch to me about him, he also deserves somebody to bitch to,"
"But I'm right," Alex whined, as they waltzed around the dance floor, "We do need a national bank, and it's incredibly short sighted to think otherwise."
Eliza let the sound of Alex ranting wash over her as she looked around everyone in the room, however, there was something missing… "Alex," Eliza interrupted Alex's rant, "Where have all the waiters gone?"
Alex glanced around the room, "They probably just went to get some more champagne,"
"But all of them? At once?"
Alex shrugged, "I guess," he said, but he didn't sound sure,
"Something doesn't feel right."
The song came to an end, but before another could start, a group of men burst into the room holding muskets. The waiters. Two of the men turned and pointed their guns at Martha and Washington, while the others pointed theirs at the crowd of guests. "Everyone out!" one of the men shouted. The crowd started screaming and everyone hurried towards the exit.
Eliza took hold of Alex's hand and the two of them looked at each other and nodded. They pushed their way through the crowd, trying to make their way over to Washington and Martha, instead of the exit. Out of the corner of her eye, Eliza saw Jefferson and Maddison trying to do the same thing.
Unfortunately, as the room cleared, Eliza and Alex very quickly lost their cover, and they only made it to the edge of the dance floor before they were spotted.
"Stop right there!" One of the waiters shouted and pointed their gun at Eliza and Alex, causing the two of them to freeze.
"Let the President go," Alex said calmly. The waiter smiled. His eyes flicked to a spot just behind Alex and Eliza. That was all the warning they got before they were hit on the back of their heads and their worlds went black.