Music: Really Slow Motion- "Asha"

Reunion of the Eagle and Wolf

The bombardment had stopped, at least long enough for Caroline to hoist Amelia safely onto the horse. They headed to the nearest safety zone with haste, leaving the ruins of the home behind without a single glance back and Amelia was happy to go. She'd left all her belongings there but compared to surviving and seeing her home again, she didn't care. They were material things and could be replaced- her life didn't have that privilege.

The streets were desolate for the most part as their horse sped by but brick, wood, and stone debris littered the roads. It hindered their speed since Caroline wanted to keep the horse safe but at the same time, she needed to find Amelia medical help. Amelia refused to add more horrific images to her mind, burying her face against Caroline's back and closed her eyes. The eldest Burnett focused on finding an emergency infirmary set out to handle the aftermath of the attack, tuning out all the noises but the clacking of the horse's hooves.

Once they entered the margin between north and east of the city, Caroline spotted numerous aid stations. She could see women donning white aprons over simple linen dresses and white hair caps, buckets of water in each hand as they scurried by. People were lined up outside the infirmaries searching for lost loved ones and several had posted notes for them on the exterior walls. Caroline spotted militia men being carried in cots while others who were able to walk were getting out of wagons and helping those that couldn't. Had there truly been a fight between the British and the colonial militia? Is that why the town resembled a war zone?

This war for power and independence is leaving civilians in the crossfire, she thought bitterly as she weaved her horse through the street.

The bombardment had ended but now came dealing with the aftermath for both soldiers and civilians. Caroline could see physicians and nurses tending to the injured that arrived, assisting them inside the buildings to begin offering medical services. She didn't want to intrude between soldiers that bore open gashes, burns, and gunshot wounds. All she needed was a flat surface to assess Amelia under adequate lighting and if she needed to, she'd jump right in to assist with her care.

She wandered through the dusty street until she found one infirmary that wasn't packed with militia men and hopped off the horse. Amelia grasped the front of the saddle as exhaustion and pain lined her dusty face while Caroline grabbed the lead. She tied it to the nearest post in front of the two-story brick building and quickly clambered onto the porch. The doorway was open and she walked inside to find the nearest person for help.

The first floor had chairs for people to sit down while cots rested in the rear side, filled for those with severe injuries. Caroline's eyes landed on a shorter lady wearing a powder blue dress as she cut bandages from white fabric. Her loud footsteps over the wooden floor alerted the short brunette and her gray eyes widened to Caroline's frazzled appearance. After jumping ship into water, drying via horse ride, entering a dilapidated building, and helping Amelia to escape- yes, she looked a little worse for wear.

Her unkempt red hair stuck out in wisps, giving her a wilder appearance, and she pointed outside to beckon, "Please, my sister needs help with her leg after our house was demolished by the cannon fire. I was in the harbor and just got to her in time."

The little lady blinked rapidly because to her, Caroline appeared to be the one that should be checked. The tattered shirt, patched up trousers, and small gashes on her hands spoke otherwise. Caroline chuckled awkwardly to her state of dress and reasoned weakly, "Uh, I was like this when I got here?"

Her focus had been to get Amelia out of that house and removing piles of debris out of their way was nothing to her. The cuts could be mended by removing splinters with tweezers and dousing her skin in alcohol. It was nothing compared to rope burn and blisters from working the sails, in her opinion. Before the nurse could scatter elsewhere, she repeated desperately, "Please, I just need to know if someone can help her or not."

They were receiving any overflow from the more acute stations along the street so they were fine in accepting civilians. She nodded quickly and pointed to one of the empty chairs, "Yes, you can bring her in and I'll fetch the next available doctor."

"Thank you!" Caroline breathed with relief as she ran back outside to fetch her little sister. She found Amelia shifting over the saddle as her right leg stung but she kept her eyes locked onto the horse's mane. Her fingers threaded through its grayish white mane as it helped her to dull the pain and yelling of residents through the streets.

Caroline's hands swept over hers to snap her back to attention and Amelia jolted straight in her seat. Her wide eyes relaxed at seeing Caroline and the elder girl kept her voice steady as she instructed gently, "It's all right, I'm here. I want you to slide your right leg over to this side to dismount and place your weight on the left foot on the stirrup."

Amelia was hesitant to move her leg at all but Caroline squeezed her hands with reassurance. She didn't want to aggravate her injury but she also needed medical aid, placing her in a tough spot again. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself that she made it this far and couldn't chicken out. Otherwise, Caroline had risked her life for nothing. Her stomach clenched nervously and her hands turned clammy as she placed her left foot on the stirrup to stand up. She gripped the pommel of the saddle as she slowly slid her right leg over the horse, wincing and biting down on her bottom lip to the pain that shot up to her knee. Caroline quickly leaned forward to grasp her waist to offer support and encouraged, "Good. When you're ready, slowly let go and I will catch you to help you down."

"Oh, Carrie, are you sure you can bear my weight?" she asked weakly because she feared falling to the ground and sustaining another injury.

"We'll take it slow" her sister promised to convince her to get off the horse and get her treated quickly. Otherwise, they'd move at a snail's pace and set back her treatment. Amelia was frightened which was normal after enduring such trauma but Caroline needed her to focus. She was only a few feet off the ground but it stirred anxiety in Amelia to the risk of her landing. Caroline wrapped her arms around her waist to convey trust since she planned on catching her similarly to how noblemen treated their ladies. If Elizabeth had been there and they weren't involved in post battle trauma, she was sure she'd be laughing at their current poses. Her sister was delicate to her right now and she smiled when Amelia wrapped her arms around her shoulders to shift the weight of her upper body onto her.

Caroline didn't budge at all as she held onto her like their father had done when they were tiny tots climbing trees. Amelia raised her left foot off the stirrup to dismount completely and Caroline bore her weight easily to set her down gently, "Land on your left foot only."

The constant weight shift was growing uncomfortable to her left knee but she needed to walk somehow. She smiled nervously for making it through the next step and Caroline comforted her worries, "Safe and sound. Now, it's time to get a look at that foot."

Caroline gripped the red sash over Amelia's waist to assist with her gait and the two hobbled into the infirmary. Her coaxing to help Amelia off the horse allowed staff to prepare a canvas cot and a small table with supplies to treat her. Amelia's hands clutched Caroline's side when she heard groans and cries echoing from the deeper corridor of the first floor. The mousy brunette that Caroline spoke to waved them over to the cot and catching Amelia's worried gaze, reassured her, "Don't worry, dear. If we can patch you up 'ere, we'll set you up with the women and children."

Amelia nodded quietly but her hands shook as she released her hold of Caroline to sit down on the cot. Caroline kneeled on the cold stone floor to remove her leather shoes and smiled up at her, "It'll be all right, I'm right beside you."

Caroline saw Amelia's right ankle was very swollen in an angry purple but her gaze shifted away when the nurse handed Amelia a simple white linen dress. Other nurses running around grabbed wooden partitions to enclose their little section into a square and their nurse explained gently, "You'll need to change into that so the doctor can check your injuries."

Amelia clutched the fabric to her chest modestly as her vulnerability made undressing rather unwelcome for her. Changing in her home or a private clinic was one thing but this environment was unfamiliar to her. She didn't want to be scrutinized for further injuries by a stranger but Caroline spoke up, "Give me a few minutes and she'll be changed."

Shrouded in the little privacy the partition offered, Caroline squeezed Amelia's trembling hands to offer, "I'll help you out of these clothes and I-"

Amelia burst into tears as the prospect of wearing a thin dress or her rag of a dress in the middle of a war-torn infirmary wasn't what she expected when she'd woken that morning. Everything that belonged to her was gone, her body was battered, and all she wanted was to be home again with her family. She began to regret having dreams of building her own life, especially at seeing Caroline's lean frame and dusty face, and wondered where they'd gone wrong. Why was having hope for the future biting both into failure?

Caroline stood up to hug her tightly, holding her head close to rub the back of her head just like their mother did when they cried as children. They didn't have time to grieve what happened as their physical wellbeing came first but Amelia hadn't experienced danger like that. The robbery attempt back at the homestead was the only stressful situation she experienced while Caroline had grown to compartmentalize her own dangerous fights. She shushed Amelia's sobbing into soft sniffles and reassured softly, "We need to have you checked, Amelia. Once it's done, we'll leave this place and I will take you home."

She was taken aback to how easily those words had flowed from her mouth and realized she missed her home. It was enough to calm Amelia because without Caroline's timely arrival, she was truly alone in Boston. Her voice was muffled against Caroline's overgrown shirt as she asked, "Really?"

She had to face her family at some point and for Amelia's sake, a trip there was mandatory. If she chickened out from guilt, she could simply lead Amelia home and bail at the last minute. Hopefully, that wouldn't happen. She'd dug herself into a corner in order to comfort Amelia but she'd promised and agreed, "Yes . . . we have to go home."

By the time the nurse and the doctor arrived, Caroline had helped the newly changed Amelia to raise her legs onto the cot. Amelia felt like a sack of bricks once her back touched the cot but stopped herself from falling asleep, closing her eyes briefly. Unfortunately, they snapped open seconds later when she felt hands fiddling with the makeshift splint on her leg. She didn't want anyone to touch her sensitive leg and Caroline threw her right arm over her chest to keep her still and reminded, "Think about how next week, you'll be back home eating mama's cooking."

Amelia's eyes narrowed suspiciously to the newcomers since she was rather attached to her splinted leg. Having to change into different attire already spiked her frazzled nerves and she wasn't looking for any new surprises. Caroline brushed a hand over her head and soothed with a light joke, "Come now, don't tell me you're becoming the new Eliza."

This time, Amelia shot her sister a mock glance of annoyance but released the tension in her body. It wouldn't do her any good in the condition she was in. Still, she watched the medical team like a hawk as they stood at the foot of her cot.

"Good afternoon, young lady, my name is Dr. Peters and I'll be taking a look at your leg to see what the problem is" the blond middle-aged doctor introduced himself and his English accent only caused Amelia to tuck her legs closer to her body. One look from Caroline, however, convinced her to allow the medical staff to assess her leg.

Amelia winced as she felt the pressure of the splint release and Caroline glanced back to see everything being peeled off her right leg. The doctor pressed his fingers against certain points over her lower legs, drawing painful groans and hisses around the lower right leg only. Amelia wasn't keen on seeing the damage to her body and Caroline shifted her upper body into her line of vision to pipe up, "You're going to have to eat a lot to regain your strength. I'm certain mother will be over the moon for that."

Caroline heard water dripping into a bowl and turned back to see the nurse cleaning Amelia's skin to rinse dirt and other debris away. The lukewarm water stung against her open wound, causing her to pull her leg out of the doctor's hands. The Englishman glanced at the reluctant Amelia, giving her a few seconds to relax, and deliberated on his assessment of her legs, "Your left leg has bruising that doesn't require treatment but your right ankle is fractured. We have to set the broken bone or it will heal crookedly and you will have a limp for the rest of your life. It will hurt and the same goes for the wound on your calve that requires suturing but we will give you medicine to help you sleep."

Amelia glanced at Caroline with fear to enduring more pain and the elder sister reassured, "It'll get better after."

Amelia wasn't sure about that since the debridement of her wound by the nurse was causing uncomfortable stinging to her exposed flesh. They hadn't begun to fix her ankle in the slightest and she wanted to shrink away from it all. The doctor snapped her attention back as he asked calmly to gain her cooperation, "Now, did you hit your head or bruise a rib during the bombardment? It's perfectly all right to be honest."

"Not my head, I fell on my left side but it's nothing compared to my foot" Amelia dismissed quickly since the rubble that fell on her legs caused the most damage. Caroline raised an eyebrow to ensure she wasn't trying to minimize anything and she insisted, "Honest. The roof caving in knocked the wind out of me but that was it."

Caroline grabbed a folded blanket from the foot of the bed to drape over her pelvic region and upper legs. She'd done similar onboard the Invincible when she'd been knocked around during sea warfare against pirates. Amelia wasn't a fan of medics, being a private person, and reluctantly raised the white gown to bare her left side to the doctor. There was no visible bruising which was reassuring and when he pressed his fingers against her rib cage, she barely winced to the examination.

He nodded with satisfaction that the damage was localized to the right leg only which made the treatment plan easier for him. The same went for the frightened Scottish girl. Cleaning the wound with alcohol and suturing it with silver threading would aid healing, adding a dressing saturated with honey would fare better than leeches, and straightening the ankle bones back into place with another splint would help the young lady. He voiced his plan to the nurse, who hurried to retrieve the materials needed, and he glanced at Caroline to say, "You should be seen as well."

"She's the priority, tend to her" Caroline dismissed swiftly since she appeared horrid but it had nothing to do with sustained injuries. She'd had worse during her journey and simply asked for a rag with alcohol, along with tweezers to remove splinters. Reaching into her half-torn sailor's shirt, she retrieved her money pouch from inside her undergarment to toss it at the man. As much as she'd imagined buying a new weapon and clothes with the pay she earned, her family came first and she ordered, "Here is all the money I have, take it and help her."

Amelia's eyes widened to having her expenses paid by her and objected, "Carrie-"

"I'm not letting you pay anything after what you just went through" Caroline interrupted because she deserved to be healed and sleep off the entire incident without worry over finances. Their parents would've done the same in her stead and nodded for the doctor to carry on with his work, "Thank you."

Amelia frowned to being indebted to another, even if it was her sister, but Caroline smirked at seeing her fear replaced by annoyance. Hmm, maybe she did have more of that Burnett gumption than she realized. She clutched Caroline's hand as she gazed at her freshly cleaned legs and sighed softly, "This will hurt terribly, won't it?"

"Yes, but I'll be here every step of the way and I'll make sure they medicate you heavily" Caroline joked gently to decrease her anxiety as she sat down on the cold floor to wait beside her.

Caroline remained rooted next to Amelia as the younger girl slept soundly on top of her canvas cot. The infirmary had been incredibly lucky to escape with only external damage from the cannon fire so supplies hadn't been hindered. For the first hour, Amelia had jolted awake with fear that they were under attack again or that Caroline would leave her. The eldest Burnett promised neither would occur and they were stuck together until Amelia was medically cleared, finally allowing her peace of mind to sleep. Caroline, meanwhile, sat in a chair and tried to keep the faint sounds of cries and groans out of her mind. Never did she think the British military would brutally attack the colonies like this and could only be reminded of a loyal dog that yearned to be free after years of service, only to be shot by a jealous master. She wanted to live a life away from politics but when it threatened to harm her loved ones. . .nobody treaded through that and lived.

Footsteps echoed behind her and she mentally thanked the hospital staff that had cared for her little sister. Amelia's injuries weren't as severe as others there, mainly the militia, but her sister would've perished if left in the bombarded area. It was enough to bring tears to her eyes that she'd been abandoned to fend for herself under that rubble. She'd promised to care for her when they were kids and she'd left, only to come back to this. Amelia deserved better than what she received; out of all her siblings, Caroline had always held the best of expectations for her. She leaned down to adjust the thin blankets over Amelia's slim shoulders, protecting her from the elements for the night. Her foot had been set back into place and splinted again for safe measure while the gash on her leg had been sutured and covered with a dressing. Hairline scratches had been cleaned with alcohol and irritating splinters had been removed by tweezers. She really hoped no word had reached Davenport about the attack or their mother would surely be grieved. It was bad enough that she'd left without a single goodbye but an injured child that was miles away would devastate her. Her mother wasn't getting any younger and Caroline wanted her health to stay the way it was.

For the first time since departing Davenport, guilt struck hard for Caroline. She'd left her family to wonder where she was, even to this day, just so she could taste a little freedom. Meanwhile, Amelia had worked hard on her path to teaching and had received a horrible reward for it. She'd left the siblings who looked up to her for guidance and knew in her heart that Elizabeth took it the hardest. While she and Amelia were the best of friends, she and Elizabeth were kindred spirits so leaving her behind cleaved a painful wound. Her parents, who had worked their hands to the bone to always provide a home and food on the table, had also had their love shoved back at them with that abrupt leave. It was a horrible guilt that ate through her heart and clenched her stomach into painful tight knots when she pondered over it. Not to mention, she hadn't even added in the cargo load of regret for casting aside Ratonhnhaké:ton and their relationship. What kind of person would-

"Caroline?"

Her head snapped to the left to that soft familiar voice, half-believing sleep deprivation had caused her to hear phantom voices. Instead, she turned to find Ratonhnhaké:ton standing beside her, his own clothes splattered with dirt in various areas, and she found herself speechless to his arrival. Had he been in the chaos as well? Was he injured? What was he even doing in this part of Boston? He exuded a different image than the confident captain she'd last met as exhaustion lingered in his eyes, his shoulders were hunched, and his voice sounded drained.

Her tired gaze met his after a year of not speaking to him, minus their scuffle in the south, and her old emotions surfaced with the force of a rogue wave upon a ship. His disheveled appearance only served to spike that longing because having Amelia injured was already eating at her. She stood up to embrace him as the day left her emotionally drained and his arrival was a beautiful blessing after missing their familiar faces. Ratonhnhaké:ton looked as if he'd been in battle himself and she detected a faint hint of gunpowder in his clothes. Her fingers grasped the thick fabric of his trademark white and blue long coat, eager to hold him tightly in her arms. Her right hand brushed over the polished wood of his bow and rested on top of his quiver to avoid jostling his weapons.

He merely rested a hand on her upper back to maintain respect and to prevent being chased out for touching a colonist (even more so if they assumed she was a man) in public. Despite it was nighttime and most of the medical staff was by the entryway to their floor, the concern never left his mind. How he wished he could hold her close for a few minutes and feel the warmth of her skin against his. Nonetheless, he was relieved to find not one, but two, of the Burnett girls. Even if Caroline itched to leave by dawn, he wanted to speak with her just once.

"You're here, you're really here" Caroline whispered with relief and squeezed him tightly, afraid that he'd disappear. Her body had been running on adrenaline for long hours and the silence of the night brought back the emotional worry, the physical pain from bruises, and the memories of watching her sister scream. He soothed her heart in a way nobody ever could with his presence alone and she sighed, "I've never seen a more delightful sight."

Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't believe his luck after the day he'd had between destroying a British frigate and participating in the battle of Bunker Hill. After everything he'd endured in the past year, he was finally earning a kind token in life by simply being in her presence. As much as he wanted her arms to stay wrapped around his sides, he had to convey a platonic outlook. Caroline hesitated in releasing him when he tugged away but a second later, granted him that. Her arms crossed over her chest to maintain that body warmth shared between them and she turned back to Amelia.

Her sister had slept right through their reunion as the day's event left her deprived of energy. Caroline was grateful for that since it had been emotional enough reuniting with her and now, it was their turn. Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't see any injuries over her covers, save for a few scratches on Amelia's freckled cheeks, and he asked quietly, "Is she all right?"

"Yes, her right ankle was injured when the flooring gave way under a cannonball" she explained because she wanted to erase the memory of her sister crying out for aid. To be left alone and injured was a dreadful feeling, one Caroline expected more for herself than Amelia. The situation could've been worse but whenever she saw her siblings in pain, it shoved a dagger into her heart. Her fists clenched in anger to the people that had hired her since her family trusted them to be kind to Amelia and she snapped tightly, "They just left her! Like she was worse than a pet! If she'd been in Davenport, everyone would've helped without question. Why weren't citizens evacuated? I-"

"She is safe now, focus on that" he soothed gently before her volume wakened Amelia, or other patients nearby, and she nodded slowly. Tears burned the inner corner of her eyes but she took a deep breath to calm herself. He was right, she had to look at the positive side of this predicament and that was having her safe and sound. Ratonhnhaké:ton was curious to how she managed to make it into Charlestown after being out at sea and asked softly, "How did you find her?"

"I heard about the fighting in east Boston when I docked and headed on horseback- first thing I ever stole" she answered bashfully to her new skills and offered the chair for him to sit. Although she'd been horse riding for most of the day, she imagined he'd been on his feet due to the state of his attire. He raised a hand to decline because once he sat down, he'd fall right to sleep from exhaustion. Her fingertips brushed over a dirty patch on his left shoulder, evidence of rolling into cover on the battlefield, and she asked inquisitively, "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to make sure she was safe and if injured, inform your parents" he replied evenly since it was the best answer he could come up with. He couldn't exactly explain partaking in battle and ending lives while Caroline had been trying to salvage her sister's. Caroline's brow furrowed to how he managed to narrow his search and he quickly covered his tracks to explain, "I tried to reach Amelia at her employer's but they turned me away in their haste to evacuate. I returned after the bombardment was over, but the home was abandoned. I noticed the cluster of infirmaries here so I investigated."

"You're a natural detective" she complimented sweetly and admired his commitment to Davenport's residents. Meanwhile, she'd been docking without a care in a port and if it wasn't for the crowds objecting to the blockade, she wouldn't have known about the siege. He was a natural hero while she felt foolish for craving an adventure, murmuring softly, "You look like you battled your way through the town."

"Eh, somewhat" he answered with reluctance in his voice and she nodded quietly. Some things didn't change. He was a man of few words but resentment of her could also lead to that. Caroline realized she had to begin preparing countless apologies and ways to fix the wrongs she made. Amelia was asleep for now but he was there, alive and kicking, and acknowledging her. Her lips parted but no sound came out, ashamed to how to even begin, and he whispered, "Caroline, I . . ."

Remembering they were inside an infirmary, he couldn't simply talk about private matters there. At least not theirs. There were many things he wanted to ask but he hesitated, glancing away from the one woman his heart had desired for over a year. Drawing in a shaky breath as he controlled a surge of emotions flooding through him, he suggested, "We should speak outside and let Amelia sleep."

Caroline nodded silently since a year had passed between them and he deserved that privacy. Discussing their severed relationship in an infirmary was not the best or ideal place to start. She crept away from Amelia, darting a glance back at her to ensure she wouldn't wake up. It made her nervous to leave her after everything that occurred but she also needed time with him to begin mending what she'd broken.

The two walked out of the building quietly without being noticed, hearing the chirps of crickets as the stone building blocked out the pained groans of the patients. Thankfully, Amelia was not one of them. Caroline motioned for him to follow her behind the building where the garden lay, away from prying ears or curious eyes, so they could be alone under the moonlight. The night sky betrayed none of the chaos that had occurred that day as the stars twinkled silently above them, the ominous grayish-brown dust gone. She heard a faint neigh and a swish of a tail, telling her that her animal accomplice was still safe. Caroline had repaid the valiant horse she stole with free grass to chew on behind the infirmary and after Amelia had her foot reset, she'd cleared out the nearest empty shed (or maybe it had been a house) from the aftermath to make it a temporary stable for horses. She didn't want him bearing the elements or being stolen . . . again.

He grasped her shoulder when they reached a knoll tucked away to the side of the hospital to avoid any nighttime strollers. Not that they imagined any would after a battle. His fingers could outline her frame easily, noticing how loose the sailor's outfit hung off her. Under the moonlight and the lantern glow around the building, he could see her far better than the dim lighting of the interior. He'd searched for her without stop and it was a relief to find her there but he noticed she'd lost weight. Her cheeks were more outlined, there were small random bruises on her arm joints, and her beautiful auburn hair had been severed into a boyish cut. The brightness in her deep blue eyes was still there but the travel had taken its toll on her body. He hadn't taken the time to even assess her condition when they'd locked paths back in North Carolina and he wished he had.

Her hand instinctively rose to touch his as the small action reciprocated his worry and he asked, "Where have you been?"

"Traveling" she answered with the shortest truth since that had been her main goal. She'd seen numerous cities and colonies, met people from different lands, and had made acquaintances. There had been hiccups and stumbles down that road but she'd gained valuable skills in return. The Caroline she'd left behind wouldn't have dared to grapple with a man and she'd gotten into scuffles during pirate attacks to protect herself. The girl with wonder in her eyes had been chiseled into one that had sought those answers and she deliberated, "I hunted on my own for the first month around the countryside but I didn't earn very much. After that, I was in Boston when I saw a ship and approached the crew at an inn to see if they wanted an extra hand. After having my face take a few hits, I gave the same in the form of broken bottles."

His free hand rose to grasp her other shoulder and his grip tightened to convey his worry for her. Why had she gotten into fights with violent people? It was imperative to be discreet in dangerous places! She'd never been meek but she knew when to not be confrontational. Caroline smiled sympathetically since neither could do anything about it now. Their paths had diverged by her own making and she'd learned how to survive, continuing her tale, "Let's just say they weren't impressed but the group next to me saw potential and I boarded another vessel as a deckhand days later. Some sailors were complete jackasses and some were decent but I learned my way. I even made two acquaintances out there which made the journey less lonely. I traveled to places I'd never imagined visiting in my life and fought some less than honorable people."

The lack of sufficient nutrition, constant exercise, and violence explained the weight loss. He felt muscle definition and the contour of her bones, rather than curvy fat, lining her shoulders. The loose shirt hid her feminine frame and he wondered how much the woman had changed. The bruises on her arms could've been gained today or in the past but he took notice of a hairline scar on her left cheek, correlating similarly to the one he carried on his right cheek.

He refrained from touching her face due to etiquette and their history, asking with concern, "How much fighting did you do? You've been a lumberjack's child for years."

"I learn pretty fast when my life depends on it" she replied confidently with a simple shrug as she practiced the lessons she learned from everyone. He'd taught her to hunt and fire pistols, Faulkner had helped her swordsmanship and wielding rifles, Duncan increased her speed and climbing abilities, and Aveline had given her tips in concealing herself and wearing many faces. She didn't take any of it for granted and wouldn't have learned half of that if she hadn't gone off alone into the world. Her calloused fingers met his half-gloved hands to squeeze them and she met his gaze to remind gently, "I'm not a child anymore and this is what I needed to grow- a sense of freedom away from my family to find myself."

Breaking away from her family and home had been hard but that goal allowed her to see what her potential and weaknesses were. She'd been able to survive in a field where only men were allowed and she'd loved it more than hunting in the outdoors. Other colonials would see her as insane for trying to break free from her expected role as a woman but Caroline wanted to push past her limitations. If she lived to an age where she could have a grown daughter, she would hope for the same fiery spirit in her as well to challenge society's conventions.

She was aware young women her age were married by this point and disliked the idea of switching one home for another, pointing out, "I never wanted to go from being with my folks to marrying a man who I'll have to be a dutiful wife for the rest of my life."

"I never would've asked that of you" he insisted because he wasn't raised like a colonist but one who would see his partner as equal. However, he understood that attempting to keep her bound to Davenport for her safety and the happiness of her parents had also been a restraint for her. Caroline was headstrong and it had clashed against his sentiments as well by preventing her from discovering his second life. If he'd agreed to her original idea of traveling in the Aquila, the past year would've turned out differently.

"Not you, but the ideal" she corrected firmly because she sought control of her own life, not have another designate her daily routine. Ratonhnhaké:ton was the only man she'd seen as a true partner but their clash on her safety had pushed her away. It didn't decrease her love in any way as she acknowledged his viewpoint but wondered if it had severed his. Her sense of self valued more as she attained adulthood and her voice softened, "I needed a break to find who I am and to know that I could find footing in this world to survive. If it wasn't for that escape, I wouldn't have found Amelia and I'd have been back home miserable without that experience. Fate works strangely."

He respected her choices in life, even if he didn't necessarily agree with them. There were many unspoken questions that needed to be explored but all of it couldn't be done in one night. The exhaustion from the day and their reunion was enough to contemplate with their emotions running high. One question that he needed answered was her next step after today and he asked quietly, "Amelia is safe now, what will you do?"

"My ship is on shore for a few more days since it has to unload cargo for Boston" she explained with a slight frown to planning the next leg of her journey and avoided his gaze. Every time she looked into those brown eyes, guilt and regret struck her. Life at sea was exhilarating but without true friends to share it with anymore and her family at home, her conscience was tugging at her. Her fingers squeezed his hands instinctively to relay that inner conflict and she admitted, "I was ready to drop off a letter for home but this happened. I jumped overboard to leave the ship behind because I needed to know where she was."

She what?, he thought with astonishment to everything she'd done that day for her family. He had a very sharp memory and part of him was certain she was the unnamed sailor that almost ran him down with that gray horse. If he managed to get a look at her claimed stolen horse, the case was closed.

Her gaze shifted back to the hospital with concern for the recovery of her sister and she whispered, "I don't want to leave Amelia. . . not after what happened. . ."

"Do you want to return to sea?" he proposed softly to maintain a neutral stand on her choices. He couldn't risk repeating the same mistake that led her to leave Davenport. If she decided to venture out again, it would be her decision to make. She was a capable adult like she claimed and he'd allow the consequences to lay on her shoulders.

"I . . . don't know" she answered honestly as the sight of familiar faces brought that longing from the first day she left. She missed sleeping in her bed, smelling her mother's cooking, seeing the beautiful wildflowers and mountains of their town, and most importantly, she missed everyone. She missed him. Her hands flew up to run over her eyes, closing them as she ran her own thoughts by him, "I saw the ocean, different lands, peoples, cultures . . . but I don't know if I can do it all again. It's . . . a lonelier road than I expected."

Her brow furrowed as she delved away from being Ishmael Bartlett and Grace Blackburne to who she really was: Caroline Burnett. She'd been locked away for so long and now that she stood in front of the man that had helped shape that life, she longed to return to him. As exciting as traveling was, she found more happiness sharing those moments with others. If she traveled again at sea, she'd head further out than she had this time and who knew what could happen back home in the meantime. All she could think of was her little sister being in danger by herself and she sighed sadly, "I've missed Amelia and my family so much. . ."

"It could be fate's way of telling you to return" he suggested innocently since her family missed Caroline and never ceased trying to find her. The Galloways, who were essentially a second family, had also searched alongside the Burnetts for her. Caroline bit her lower lip with uncertainty because a return would leave her grounded without access to the sea (Davenport's cove would be guarded by his crew) and another impromptu escape would be monitored by her parents. That is, if she got bitten by the wanderlust bug again.

He pulled her hands away from her head since she'd begun to grasp her short strands out of nervousness and he reassured, "Davenport has grown since you left. We have farmland now, mining, an inn, and even a huntress that you could work with. There is no need for you to venture into danger out at sea with strangers. I have the Aquila, sail with me if you wish because I'd rather you do so with me than be injured on some unknown vessel."

It would place his secret life at risk but he'd rather bear that fallout than lose Caroline abruptly. He didn't want to cross paths with her again and fail to recognize the woman he'd fallen in love with. Even now, her boyish strands, oversized clothes, and thin frame changed the appearance of the vibrant flushed cheeked girl with the long braids and curvy waist that he'd last seen. Her spirit had changed but it didn't match the physical body as it had in Davenport.

"I have been gone for a year" she whispered faintly with contemplation as the thought of going home filled her with yearning to hold her loved ones. Even the animals of her homestead were missed. Despite the length of time, her nerves kept winning at the option to flee when she imagined the anger and shame of her parents towards what she'd done. Shaking her head, she met his gaze with fear at returning to that hot mess and proposed, "What if they're mad for my leave? I was always the one they depended on, their oldest, and I simply left them. The shame and disappointment-"

"Your family misses you, I've seen it every time I visit" he interjected to dissuade any negative thinking from her end since he'd been in their home plenty of times. No matter how much pain she'd dealt them, her parents simply wanted to see her to know she was safe. He shook his head when he felt her pulling away from him but he was adamant to win against her fear. There would be no retribution for her leave and he placed her shaking hands over her heart to reassure, "You're their daughter and their sister, it will be forgiven."

He clasped her shoulders to peer into her watering blue eyes as her resolve to flee weakened and Ratonhnhaké:ton spoke gingerly, "Come home with me, Caroline. If not for them or yourself, do it for me."

She never expected four little words to have such a powerful effect but she nodded tearfully. The sound of home sounded absolutely wonderful, despite the nerves she felt at having to face her parents, and she rubbed her blurry eyes to sniffle, "I can see how you manage to convince people to move to Davenport now."

"You will truly return home?" he asked with disbelief since he expected more of an argument. Caroline was stubborn but he figured Amelia's accident, the raging battle, her own exhaustion, and the yearning to see her home played a giant factor. It was a small victory but they could sit down to discuss their matters further on another night.

"Yes, I want to go home" she agreed tearfully and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, uncaring to how weak and childish she sounded. Even saying the words lightened her heart considerably and filled her with joy to returning home. Her arms swept over his broad shoulders to clutch him tightly and she whimpered, "I want to go home."

A/N: I'm hoping I did their reunion justice since a battle did take place hours beforehand so the two are completely exhausted. We'll explore their unresolved issues and questions in the next chapter as well. The two lovebirds have been reunited and will venture back to Davenport where their next adventures will start (i.e. the Aquila). They're slowly growing into the leaders they will be by the end of this tale.

Thank you as always to the new follow alerts and my last reviewers:

East Coast Captain: While Haytham tries to ruffle his son's feathers and lead him astray on his path, Caroline's interactions with him will be rather hilarious. I can see both men knocking off each other's hats onboard the Aquila and Caroline taking them away for lockdown until they behave. I can't wait to write out the father-son missions and watch Caroline and Robert play peacekeepers. Connor's battles within the American Revolution were definitely exciting which makes me wonder how his descendants would be in the War of 1812 (his children), the American Civil War (grandkids), the American Industrial Revolution (his great-grandkids) which is only about human expansion in technology, and the World Wars up to the present.

Faron Oakenshield: Thank you for enjoying my story so much! There will be updates for this story for sure (I lagged this month due to my new studies for a certification) since I've grown endeared to the AC characters of this time.

Next Chapter Excerpt:

In the aftermath of what was now being called the Battle of Bunker Hill, Charlestown residents were returning to rebuild their lives. Infirmaries were still working nonstop to treat the injured civilians and militia that required intensive care, accepting donations from other Boston communities. The militia men that had survived the battle unscathed were now assisting in retrieving any survivors, along with bodies buried under rubble. Boston was now under the control of the colonial militia and Caroline hoped it would stay that way as the revolution for their colonies had now begun.

While Amelia napped at noontime, Caroline had headed out for one more task before agreeing to leave Boston. She found herself standing before the ruins of the Bruce household with her knapsack in hand. Her sister had lost everything in that home, abandoning it for good but Caroline thought otherwise. She refused to have her little sister escape with nothing and would pour through the rubble to find her belongings. If not, she'd resort to the old seafaring rule of 'finders keepers' to ensure her sister had something as compensation for her time there.

Numerous houses lay in ruins and some had started to rebuild what they could. The two-story home, however, was abandoned entirely as the door was left open in the same condition that she'd left it in their haste to escape. An eerie sensation crawled down her spine since she hadn't resorted to sneaking into private homes but her life had been full of first times in one year alone. Stepping inside the dimly lit home, the floorboards creaked under her feet and her head turned in both directions to see if anybody was inside.

When nothing creaked or shifted to her noise, she ventured deeper into the home to begin her search. Looking back over her right shoulder, she called out to give the all-clear, "You can either join me or guard my back."

Ratonhnhaké:ton peeked over the open doorway to peer into the dark home as Caroline stood a few feet away. She gazed at him with amusement in her blue eyes since she'd detected him following her from a block away. It was funny to her, seeing as months ago, the roles had been reversed. He crossed his arms to having his secret trailing thwarted and his footsteps creaked over the floorboards.

"How did you know?" he asked simply as curiosity laced his tone and stepped over broken pieces of what used to be a table. Homes had been destroyed in mere seconds and he was certain that numerous families were grieving for lost spouses, children, and siblings. The Burnetts could have been one if Caroline hadn't abandoned ship and finished her trip.

"I've known you for five years" she reasoned with a warm smile to their bonds from early adolescence. Time had passed quickly for them as they grew from lanky children to confident adults. She could only wonder what the future had in store for them, especially now that her road was heading back home. Turning around to inspect a half-open china cabinet, she added in with a sly tone, "It's when you stop that I'll worry."

Thank you again for reading!