Requested by: Americas-Sweetheart
OC: Angelina Hamilton

As usual, the bar was crowded with drunken men, many of them jeering about politics and the revolution. Angelina wiped the bar stools, trying to keep a straight face. Everyday it was the same old gossip and rudeness.

She only wished her brother could see how ridiculous the men acted. He would understand and shut them down with a few words. But he was busy at work, like he normally was.

Angelina brushed strands of hair out of her eyes. She was exhausted from working day and night, supplying men with alcohol. No matter how many times she pleaded for some sort of break, the request was denied.

Just as she went to refill a drink, the door to the bar opened. Angelina didn't want to be caught staring, but she looked up to sneak a glance at the person who arrived. It was definitely no one she expected.

Standing in the doorway, her elegant, cherry red dress falling to the ground, was a woman Angelina had never seen in her life. But she would not deny the feeling of joy she got when she laid eyes on her.

The woman pursed her lips, scanning the bar eagerly. When she spotted Angelina, there was something in her attitude that changed. If she had wished to, she could have easily gone and flirted with the men. She chose to go over to Angelina, the only person who wasn't intoxicated.

Angelina gulped, ducking behind the bar. The woman stepped up and cleared her throat. Her dark brown eyes looked the woman up and down before speaking. The voice that emerged was very promiscuous.

"You look quite too lovely to be slaving away at this bar for men." When Angelina didn't answer her, the woman held out her hand. "Oh, I don't believe I've introduced myself, now have I? You can call me Maria." She winked.

Feeling her throat go dry, Angelina searched for the right words. Her brother was a genius with picking up women. They all swooned at his feet, while Angelina struggled to make any sort of impression.

"I-I'm Angelina." She took the woman's hand and shook it. It would be wrong to look at Maria and think of romantic things. But Angelina couldn't help herself. The woman was quite attractive and eye grabbing.

Maria took a spot at one of the bar stools. "So, you work here often?" Her hands were sliding up and down the bar table, making Angelina's stomach flip.

"Yes, I do. And you probably don't want to be doing that, the bar's quite dirty." Angelina went to grab a glass when she heard Maria say something that made her breath stop.

"I don't mind being dirty, darling." Maria bit her lip, watching the woman. Angelina turned around and laughed, shaking off the feeling she had gotten. Inside however, she was feeling very overwhelmed.

Angelina cleared her throat, not meeting Maria's intimidating gaze. Instead, she tried to strike up a conversation. "Can I get you a drink, miss?" She prayed that Maria wouldn't take the chance and flirt with her, even though another side of her weakened at the thought.

Maria smiled, a genuine one for a fact. "No, I don't need a drink. Just dropping by." Her eyes never left Angelina. She was truly intrigued by the flustered, young woman in front of her.

Sharpening her tone, Angelina stuttered, "Well, what do you want then?"  God, why I am getting so anxious around her?

With a flutter of her eyelashes, Maria murmured, "I was looking for company. You happened to be the first face I saw, darling." It was the way she said it, that made the moment seem unreal.

Angelina bit the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to not say anything she might regret later. She always found herself falling for people around her.

First it was John Laurens, who seemed to be interested in her. But only a few months later, she sensed something growing between her brother and the man. She hadn't let it dishearten her too much.

If she fell too far into the lovesick trap she knew too well, it could be a terrible mistake. It was a risk she was willing to take though. And the woman, Maria, seemed to be quite the woman.

"Oh, I'm flattered." Angelina twisted her hands together, managing to smile. Still experiencing butterflies, she hid her blush.

Maria tilted her head, curls of brown hair slipping on her shoulder. "Has anyone ever told you how gorgeous your jawline is? God, the things one could do to that jaw." She gave Angelina another wink.

Angelina knew exactly what Maria was getting at. And though her mind told her not to think the way she did, she quite liked it.

Clearing her throat for what felt to be the hundredth time she replied, "No, but you're he first to compliment me in that manner." She raised her eyebrows, making Maria smirk.

"You never told me your last name, I gotta know a girl's full name before I become too overdone with myself," Maria smiled as she spoke.

A man stumbled out of the bar, leaving Angelina distracted for only a moment. She didn't know if it would be appropriate to tell the woma her full name, when she hadn't even done the same. "To be fair, you haven't told me yours, Maria."

Maria shivered visibly, taken in by the tone she set off. "You like it to play it that way then?"

Angelina nodded. "Yes, unless you don't want to." Both women were suddenly closer than intended, with Angelina leaning over the bar almost too into the moment. Realizing how close she had gotten within a matter of seconds, she backed up.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"Don't apologize, you needn't. I would do whatever it takes to be in that position again with you," Maria said encouragingly. She turned to face the window and cursed loudly, without care.

Angelina fidgeted at her language as the woman rose from her stool. "I have to be somewhere. But this won't be the last time we cross paths, now will it?" Maria raised a single eyebrow.

Taking a deep breath, Angelina pondered on the invitation. If she were to see Maria again, then it would mean they were serious. If she were to decline the opportunity, she might be without love for longer.

"I don't believe so, Maria."

Undoubtedly satisfied with her own answer, she held back an excited grin. Maria nodded back, also relieved with the answer. "It's farewell until we meet again, Angelina."

As Angelina came out from behind the bar, Maria took her by the hand, drawing her in close. Their bodies brushed together and neither woman spoke for a few moments.

Angelina's heart pounded. She felt light headed and lovesick. Maria noticed, taking advantage and kissing the other woman on the cheek. She waited for a reaction as she pulled away.

When she realized Angelina was too dazed and flustered to reply, she stepped back. "Farewell, Angelina..." She waved her fingers before stepping out of the bar.

Thinking to herself, Angelina gripped the edge of the bar. She had never been kissed on the cheek by a woman. And she had liked it. That definitely was a sign that she had truly fallen for the woman in the red dress.

Her mind drifted to the thoughts that some might cover their eyes at. She was hopelessly in love with Maria. It happened in just a blink of her eyes, meeting a woman she would never erase from her memories.

But she only wished that the affection and feelings she felt would soon be received.

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A/N: Thank you Americas-Sweetheart for the request! I really liked continuing it, and using Maria as the love interest!