Requested by: MichaelaTheWordsmith
OC: Adelaide Schreave Washington

The world was changing, so very quickly, and the scent of war on the horizon. Women huddled inside their homes, praying for their spouses who were risking their lives. No one said much, mostly looked at the sky for some sign of hope.

Occasionally there would be several men pulled in on stretchers and people would hope it wasn't a loved one.

With the chaos going on, Adelaide, who had just arrived in America, wandered without notice. She tended to stay in the back of the crowd, even though had a bright soul. Often she wished that all the fighting would stop, the constant sound of sobbing and shooting made her weak.

It wasn't often she ventured out into the daylight, instead the woman preferred to write letters to her dearest friends across the ocean.

Having acquainted herself with Elisabeth of Valois and Francis II, the three of them quite often exchanged letters. Francis tended to be protective of her, asking how they were treating her in America. Many would think that would be a sign of something romantic, but it was only a brotherly affection.

On the other hand, Elisabeth was quite the opposite of the protective male. She managed to encourage her friend to pursue her dreams and take risks. The two women relied on each other in almost everything, so when Adelaide told her she was leaving, it was a difficult goodbye.

She wrote of her adventures in America, to her friends, who wanted to hear all about the war and the new nation. Often times, her adoptive father, General Washington, was mentioned.

Adelaide tried to warm up to him in the best way she possibly could. He was welcoming, but still cold. The war was constantly on his mind, taking away some of his characteristics, and creating a different man.

That didn't stop her from being the kind hearted woman she was. Whenever he asked for her assistance, she was there. Seeing him go off to war was heartbreaking. She prayed every night to see him return.

Besides spending her time writing, Adelaide visited the soldiers when she could. Some of them hadn't left to fight yet, while others were terribly injured. Even in their pain, they all still greeted with respect and generous remarks.

On one special occasion, she happened to meet a man who sparked her interest. They met before the chaos began and then lost touch. It was surprising when they crossed paths on the battlefield of blood and guns.

"John?"

Adelaide rushed to the soldier's side upon seeing him in the medical ward. Wincing, he grabbed her hand. "Adelaide. Nice to see you again, miss." He coughed roughly, only to yell at the increasing pain. She tried to soothe him, but he hit his head against the thin pillow.

"Who would have guessed this would be how we would meet again?" Still cringing at every movement, he managed to wink at her.

There was no denying the fact that he was a charming man. But the string of men walking into her life didn't stop there.

A few weeks later, Adelaide met another man by the name of Aaron Burr. He seemed similar to the soldier, but very mysterious. There was something about him that intrigued her, leaving her to think into the late hours of night.

She would lay staring at the ceiling, hair strewn on her pillow, pondering about the man. Aaron was not as much of a fighter as he tried to make himself seem. She knew that he was a thinker in every way.

The two friends wandered along the streets, arms linked together, their conversations never ending. When she was with him, it was a different way then it was with John Laurens. It was almost as if she became another woman with each of them.

But one late night, in the same restless position, Adelaide thought maybe she felt more than just friendship. Both men respected her, cared for her, and looked at her with admiration. What if it was something more?

It took her many letters and nights but she finally understood her feelings. When she laid all the key points in front of her, everything clicked together. She realized she had to say something to them.

"John," she said quietly one day to the soldier, who was occupied by reading a letter. When he looked up, she took a few breaths. "I need to tell you something."

Raising his eyebrows, the way he did when he was anxious, he placed his hand in hers. "I'm listening." Listening. Her heart swelled. That was even more of a sign.

There was no other way to hold back saying it, so she blurted it out. "I think I'm in love with you." She waited for his reaction, palms sweating nervously.

John opened his mouth in shock. Looking at the sky, he finally said, "I-" But she interjected, feeling nervous. "Look, you don't have to accept this. I had to tell you, if I-"

She didn't get to finish, as he cut her off with a kiss. Adelaide shut her eyes and hesitated before kissing him back. It wasn't going how she expected, but it was better.

After a few moments of nothing but smooching, he pulled back, only keeping a hand on her neck. "I think I love you too." She blushed, overwhelmed with emotions. But that all was silenced, for the two kissed again.

Later the next day, Adelaide talked to her father about the love situation. She had her heart set on John, but she reminded herself not forget Aaron.

"And you're sure that what you're feeling is real?" The General wasn't a stranger to love, just not educated on the subject. When his daughter came to him with her story, he tried to assist her as best as he could.

Nodding her head, she replied, "Yes. I want you to be accepting of our relationship." It made her nervous to the possibility of him saying no, but she hoped that wouldn't happen.

"Why wouldn't I be? You love him, he loves you, that's what matters, right?" George picked up his quill again to go back to writing, but his daughter cut him off.

"Father, it's not that simple." She pressed her lips together and sighed loudly. "I think that Burr might be a possible love-"

At the name, her father stood up. "Burr? No, darling, I accept you and John." He scowled, bowing his head. Burr. Out of all the men his daughter could have feelings for, she chose him. With all his power, he would keep her with John Laurens.

Adelaide exited his study without another word. She rushed to Burr's place, hoping to talk to him. Not even letting him open the door fully, she barged in and began speaking.

"I know this seems outrageous, we have such a great friendship, but I need to tell you-" He shushed her, trying to calm her down, but she continued anyways. "I sort of have feelings for you, Aaron."

Aaron took a step back. It wasn't a reaction out of shock, it was out of acceptance. For many years, he had waited for someone to say that they loved him. And this was the moment.

"Adelaide, I-"

The man who had waited for so long was silenced. He crossed his arms, trying not to show his disappointment. "However, my father would never accept our relationship. I have talked it over with him and he said no."

There was a pause. Aaron stepped forward, placing his hands on her waist. Their heart rates accelerated the closer they became. "He doesn't have to know anything. God, do you know how long I've waited to hear you say that to me? I have loved you in a way that one cannot explained since you arrived."

Feeling attracted and disgusted, she pushed away. "I-I don't think hiding a relationship from my father is the greatest idea. Perhaps we should listen to his command. I'm sorry." With a quick glance back at him, she left Burr waiting once again.

It didn't take him long to figure out that she had her heart set on John Laurens. While everyone fell head over heels for the appealing couple, he kept his distance from Adelaide. If he intruded on their relationship, he would only make things worse.

But he never expected what was to come.

At the notice of her beloved passing, Adelaide sobbed uncontrollably. She tightened her grip on the letter and crumbled it up. "John!" Her weeping echoed around the empty house. With her father off at war, there was no one to comfort her.

The letter dropped from her hands as she collapsed on her knees. She should have known this would come sooner or later. John had been so passionate about fighting, he took it too far.

Clenching her hands into fists, she wept over her dress, not caring about the stains. It took her a few days to regain self conscious. When she did, she took the moment to visit Burr.

He greeted her with kindness and sympathy, the best thing she could ever wish for. Sobbing on his shoulder, he soothed her. Limply wrapping his arms around her, he tried to calm her down. "I'm so sorry..."

Adelaide didn't respond, just kept weeping loudly. There was no words to describe the pain she felt and how it was breaking her by every beat of her heart.

She reminded herself that he was finally at rest and safe. Even if that didn't seem like reality to her, she had to accept that he was gone.

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A/N: Thank you MichaelaTheWordsmith for the request! And my apologizes for not posting it sooner. There's many others on the way.