(From 'Hamilton: The Musical' because I am newly made Hamiltrash...)

Another night, another ball. But it wasn't something you minded; you were used to them by now.

Ever since your brother began to climb through the ranks as the right hand man of General Washington, you'd both been invited to countless parties or balls and all kinds of festivities. It was at one of these balls that Alexander's heart glowed red when he met his soulmate, Eliza Schuyler.

You were delighted for your older brother, and for your new sister-in-law, when they shared their vows and began a new life with each other. And since you were still a young and very single lady, Alexander and Eliza insisted that you continue to stay with them. It was admittedly awkward for a while, but eventually the three of you worked out a routine. And then a baby boy was born and everything was thrown off track, but it was a lovely time.

But that was a while ago now. And you started to wonder if you'd ever find your own soulmate and settle down...

However, you were not the type of girl who dwelled on things you couldn't change, if you did that, you'd have lost your mind ages ago, on that tiny forgotten spot in the Caribbean. So you put on the dress you'd picked out, with the help of Eliza, and made your way down the stairs to meet up with Alexander. They both smiled at you as you stepped up to them.

"You look lovely, Y/N," Eliza complimented. You blushed and your brother added, "I'd expect nothing less from a Hamilton!"

You followed them into the carriage and filled the time with pleasant conversation and jokes the whole ride there. However, neither you or Eliza could prevent Alexander from ranting about his problems at work. His favorite problem to lament about was, of course, Thomas Jefferson. Your brother hated that man to his very core, and was not afraid to show it.

"And the worst thing is that he'll be there tonight! Trust me, if it were my decision, that pompous, egotistical, son of a–"

"Alexander!" Eliza warned, "We're almost there and I don't want talk like that to ruin our night. Please, Alex, promise me the two of you won't start something?"

"But–!"

"Alexander..."

"Fine! But if he tries to start something with me, it won't be my fault! I think then I'd have every right to–"

"Walk away? Yes, I agree. That would be the most logical decision, brother," you finished for him, casting the same warning look his wife gave him. The man sighed, knowing he couldn't fight off the two of you.

Finally, the carriage came to a stop and you were the first to step out onto the drive of the mansion where the ball was being held. You waited until Eliza and Alexander entered and were announced, then you prepared yourself to be announced without an official escort. You tried not to think about how people might stare or whisper about you, about how you haven't found your soulmate by now. Instead you attempted to smooth your dress and stepped up to the top of the stairs. The man next to you announced you and you quickly made your way down into the ballroom, simultaneously trying to hold your head high and keep yourself from making eye contact with anyone. Then you made a beeline for a chair at the side of the room, a quiet place to keep out of the way of everyone else.

It seemed only a few moments before a bright faced Peggy came bounding up to you, squealing, "You're here! What're you doing sitting down?! Don't you want to dance with all of the fancy suitors?" You laughed and replied, "I know you believe in searching for a soulmate one person at a time, Peggy, but I think I like waiting for fate to intervene, instead..."

"But who knows how long that will take? Don't you think you're..." Peggy trailed off when she saw your smile drop from your face. She quickly tried to recover, "Oh, not that you-! I didn't mean-!"

"No no, you're right Peg," you stood up and brushed off your already spotless dress, "I need to do what Alexander always does: take initiative. Do you mind introducing me around the room?" You held out your hand to the youngest Schuyler sister, and the girl gladly accepted it. Then you found yourself being dragged around the room, dancing occasionally, and meeting all kinds of new people.

For the moment, the two women took a break, enjoying glasses of champagne and glancing around the room as Peggy searched for their next victim, I mean, new acquaintance...

"Hmm... it doesn't look like there's much of anyone left, Peggy. I supposed we're done for the night, right?" You asked hopefully, your feet beginning to drag with every step you took. You just wanted to sit down at this point... However, Peggy seemed to have a different idea, "Mmhm, yeah, just one more, I promise!" Then she snatched the glass out of your grasp, took you by the hand, and led you blindly across the ballroom to a smaller corner by the back doors leading to the gardens. Before you even knew what was happening, Peggy stopped in front of two men and began, "Excuse me, gentlemen, I'd like to introduce someone. This fine young woman is Y/N Hamilton."

With barely enough time to collect your bearings, you turned to the men and curtsied politely. And just as you straightened, one of them took your hand, kissed it lightly, and said, "A fine young woman indeed..."

You blushed and looked up into the face of the man who said it, only for everything inside of you to freeze on the spot as you stared up into the face of... Thomas Jefferson.

You stood in shock, at a loss for words. Your mind fuzzy and blurred, you almost didn't notice his eyes flicker down to your bodice, before his eyes widened and he said, "Oh no..."

Just as your mind caught up enough to be offended by his stare at your chest, you glanced at his own. It glowed, right where his heart was. Panic growing, you looked down at your own chest now. The same glow emitted from it.

You threw your hand over your chest in a painfully useless act to stop the glow. A gasp escaped your lips and you frantically snapped your head up to look him in the eye, your brother's worst enemy, your apparent soulmate. You cried out, "No! Not you! Anyone but you!"

Immediately you realized your mistake as heads all over the room turned and stared at the four of you. You bit your lip and pushed past the two men in front of you to escape into the gardens. You didn't look back, and hoped with everything you had that no one would follow you.

But it wasn't long before you heard the door open behind you. You kept running until you lost yourself in the hedges and rose bushes. Finally, you stopped, out of breath from your run and your tight corset. You collapsed onto a stone bench in front of a fountain and placed your head in your hands. You breathed deeply, in and out, desperate to forget what had just happened, and how everyone must be talking about your outburst. You felt humiliated, and tried so hard not to let tears fall from your eyes. Then you heard footsteps approaching. Your head snapped up in panic, expecting Jefferson. But your body relaxed when you recognized Eliza cautiously making her way toward the bench.

"Y/N? Are you alright? Peggy told me what happened..." Eliza sat down next to you and gently placed her hand on your shoulder. But suddenly you snap, words tumbling out, "What am I going to do? How am I supposed to fall in love with my brother's worst enemy?! I don't know...! If he asks it, should I just marry him...? Oh, Eliza! What is Alexander going to say?!"

Eliza pulled back and stared at her sister-in-law, pondering the same question. She took a breath before replying, hesitantly, "Well... I'm not sure what he'll say, Y/N... but everything from here on out is your decision, not his. And not mine, and certainly not Jefferson's. You don't have to marry anyone if you don't want to, and if anyone tries to force you into something–!" You cut her off by hugging her tightly. She quickly embraced you back, laughing quietly, "Alright, alright. You're welcome! Now, I think you should head back inside and explain yourself to Mr. Jefferson. I'm sure he is quite confused..."

You stood up quickly and agreed, "Yes, you're right. I'll go talk to him... but could you please break the news to Alexander? Preferably somewhere in private so he doesn't cause a scene..." Eliza nodded from where she was still sitting. "And Eliza?" You paused and looked back at your sister. She waited patiently for you to finish, "Thank you..." Her face broke into a smile and she stood to give you a final hug. Then she pushed you away and said, "Now, go!"
With a smile still on your face you dashed back toward the mansion. However, not a few minutes later, you turned a corner and bumped into the person you'd been looking for, but still dreaded to encounter.

"Ah, just who I was looking for..." Mr. Jefferson drawled. He grinned down at you, prompting heat to flood your face. You gulped and stepped back slightly, as the man made no effort to alleviate the space between you two. Then you took a deep breath, tried to draw strength from Eliza and her supportive words earlier, and said to him, "Mr. Jefferson... I understand that earlier this evening our two hearts glowed in signifying that we were to be, or perhaps, always have been, soulmates..." You paused and didn't dare look into his face as you said the word. Then you took a deep breath and continued, your speech picking up speed in nervousness, "And I'm truly sorry for my actions when I learned of this fact. I was taken by surprise and I may have said some offensive or hurtful things. But please understand, Mr. Jefferson, no matter what the universe, or God, or fate may say, I will not allow myself to be forced into marriage with anyone I have not met or gotten to know on a personal level or even talked to for more than five minutes so if you are here to ask this of me I'm afraid I'll have to decline!" You stopped ranting, out of breath and your face hot. Then you heard a quiet laugh come from the man in front of you. You whipped your head up to glare at him, angry he could be laughing at your declaration. And when he noticed your glare, he immediately composed himself and quickly reassured you, "Oh! Oh no. I wasn't laughing at you, dear. Please forgive me if I offended you. I was just, you see, I intended to tell you the same thing. I had no intention of marrying you on the spot, although I have heard of some people doing that... Anyway, I'm glad we seem to be on the same page."

You stared up at him, realization and admiration filling your eyes when you heard what he said. Then you collected yourself and stammered out, "S-So you d-don't mind that I'm a... a Hamilton?" He laughed again and replied, "I'll admit, that surprised me at first, but... you two aren't too similar, are you?" He eyed you suspiciously, obviously wary that he might have to spend the rest of his life with someone just like his worst enemy. You smiled and told him matter-of-factly, "I'm my own woman Mr. Jefferson." He grinned in relief. Then he held his arm out to you and said, "Now, if the lady would agree, I'd like to escort her back inside and spend the rest of whatever time we have left of this evening getting to know her. Will you join me?"

You pressed your lips together and hesitantly slipped your arm through his and replied, "I suppose I would. Thank you, Mr. Jefferson." He shook his head and suggested, "Please, call me Thomas." The two of you began making your way back to the mansion, and as you ascended the steps you smiled, "Then you must call me, Y/N."

He held the door open for you, and as you stepped inside he said, "It'd be my pleasure, Y/N." You both laughed as you entered the ballroom again, and Thomas led you to the side of the dance floor, where Peggy and James Madison waited. Finally, you were able to properly introduce yourself to the man, and Peggy gave you a quick hug and asked what happened. Just as you told her you'd fill her in later, something interrupted her reply.

"WHAT?!"

Everyone turned to find the commotion, and you grimaced to see Eliza desperately trying to shush her husband in his outrage. But your brother would have none of it, "HE'S HER WHAT?! NO! NOT HIM! ANYONE BUT HIM!!"

You groaned and turned to Jefferson to apologize, but he was already saying, "I'll take that as my cue to leave. I don't need a black eye tonight." You smothered a laugh and he took your hand, kissing your knuckles softly. You blushed and he said, "But it was lovely meeting you Y/N, and I do hope you'll write?" He formed it as a question, leaving the choice to you. You nodded quickly and replied, "I'd love to, Thomas. But you should go," you glanced over your shoulder to see your brother stalking his way over, "I don't think Eliza will be able to hold him back this time..." He nodded and bid his goodbye to Madison and Peggy. Then he shot a smirk toward Hamilton and scurried out of the party. You laughed quietly as you watched him go. It would be difficult to be together, yes. But it would not, it seems, be difficult for you to love him. That may already be happening...