Requested by: smallstargazer
OC: Esther Freya Sterling

If there was a place in the world that one could go and not have to listen to anyone, Esther would run there. Being an antisocial woman in the time of revolution was difficult. She found her strings being pulled everyday, like she was just a puppet.

But she didn't let that trait define her. The world was changing and there needed to be leaders and independent beings. Even though she came across as timid, the woman was well educated. Many said she once crossed paths with Jefferson and it didn't end well.

However, she would never have imagined to meet someone who understood her. She was close with the infamous Schuylers, who always told her that she would find someone just like her. They had faith when she didn't.

All that changed the second one man walked into her life. Esther wasn't the type to fall in love, she tended to knock men to the ground with her unlikely behavior. She rarely let any man do the same to her.

She would have never expected to meet the person who would make her rethink everything. It happened on a late winter evening, at a casual dinner, hosted by the sisters. Well, mostly their father, but the purpose was solely for the women.

"Esther! How delightful of you to come. I was worried when Angelica said you might not show." Stepping up to her was one of the sisters. With hair that fell to her shoulders, a petite figure, and a glorious smile, Eliza was certainly quite a woman. She took Esther's cloak, chatting away politely.

"I overheard my father talking about some of the guests. Many gentlemen." Looking over at her friend, Eliza winked.

Crossing her arms, Esther whispered, "I am not interested in love. How many times have I told you? I don't need a man." Even though she didn't admit it, her stomach flipped. Always convincing herself of her independent spirit, Esther had no idea if she was actually compatible to live without a man.

At least for now, she was set on not having a man hooked on her arm.

Shaking her head several times, Eliza said, "I promise you, that will change when you lay your eyes on some of these men. Maybe one will spark your interest. I know that by the end of the night, I'll have acquainted myself with one. Or so I hope."

Both women chuckled. Esther put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I'm sure you'll have many racing after you." Her friend blushed at that, covering her mouth as she laughed.

When the guests arrived, Esther found herself beside the oldest sister, greeting them. Each walked in, some alone, some with a woman at their side. All of the men eyed Angelica in a way she didn't know was possible.

Just as she went to go to the ballroom, Esther laid her eyes on a very particular man. Thin in appearance, curls of hair tied into a ponytail, stood a man she never had seen before.

"Good evening, ladies." He bowed his head, taking off his hat. Esther took note on the fact that he actually had hair, unlike many of the men who had wigs.

The man turned around and kissed Angelica's outstretched hand, smiling up at her. He turned to Esther, who was looking at him with a stricken expression.

"And you are?"

Opening her mouth, trying to speak, Esther frantically said, "Esther." She straightened her back as he kissed her hand. It was foolish to feel so weak around a man. She reminded herself that she was not that type of girl.

"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Alexander." He hesitated before holding out his hand. "Would you like to join me?"

Esther glanced at her friend, who looked vaguely let down. But she would have plenty of men on her heel the rest of the night. She gave her a definite nod. "It would be an honor."

They linked arms and walked down the hall towards the ballroom. Alexander looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "Know the sisters well, I suppose?"

She nodded. "Certainly."

Although Esther thought she had him fooled, she didn't. He could clearly see what she playing with. Her closed off, cold attitude was very obvious to something more. And he took advantage of that.

"Are you often at things such as this?"

Determined like me, she thought. "No. I'd rather be writing alone. Away from the noise and excitement as pathetic as that sounds."

Alexander found himself smiling. "Really? I have to agree with you on that miss-" He cleared his throat and she quickly answered.

"Sterling."

He nodded and continued. "Well, you certainly see eye to eye with me, Miss.Sterling. Do you read as well?"

As they entered the ballroom, many people looked their way, whispering. Esther ignored their states and replied, "Of course. How can one write without the words of wisdom to do so?" She walked alongside him, passing by familiar faces.

They unlinked arms, just so they could see each other. "Tell me more about yourself. You're quite intriguing." He leaned against the wall, smiling, hoping she would reveal more.

Esther smirked. He was trying to be sly, but she was smarter than that. "There's nothing more to know. And I barely know you, it would be improper to spill my secrets to you."

Alexander took a step forward. "I can keep a secret. We don't know one another but we are alike. If we never meet again, how am I to remember you?"

Picking up a glass of wine from the table beside them, Esther replied, "All I want to be remembered as is the girl you couldn't seem to crack apart." She sipped the wine, before saying, "You should have already figured that out about me."

The candles around them flickered as he licked his lips. She certainly was a tough woman to break apart. He tended to judge a woman right on the spot, but she kept him hanging, and wanting more.

"I think you are giving yourself too much credit, my dear." He went to say something else, but glanced at the sisters who were twirling around on the floor.

Esther felt her heart sink in her chest. No matter how many men she met, the sister always would take them right away. The second they caught one's attention, that meant it was over for her.

Disgraceful, she thought as she set down her drink. "Make a move. I'm sure one of the sisters would love to have you tangled up with them tonight." She gave him a look.

Alexander crossed his arms. "You think I'm that kind of man, now do you? I would love to let you know that no matter how much they flash their dresses and hips, you're the only that I want to be tangled up with." He picked up a glass and downed the drink.

Esther felt herself breaking, but she reminded herself not to. He had just struck a sensitive cord in her, a cord that almost broke. But she was not letting him off that easily.

"Tell me about yourself then. You already know about me, how about you tell me?" She took a daring step forward, just to stand closer, and intimidate him more.

Alexander replied, "I know what you're doing here. You're playing with me the same way I did to you. All you need to know is that I am very much like you." He bowed his head.

Esther kept feeling herself drifting closer and closer to him. "Well, that's wonderful. Now I can determine just how you'll react and what you'll say if we're that alike."

They were inches apart. Though both their minds screamed to take a step back, they didn't listen for once. They linked hands and he asked, "May I dance with you?"

She tightened the grip and whispered, "That depends if you can dance or not."

Chuckling, he whispered into her ear, "I guess we'll find out soon enough."

The pair joined the other couples and people on the floor. The music echoed off the walls, illuminating each individual. Esther was certain they were performing some old folk song she knew quite well, but she wasn't listening.

Her eyes were fixated on Alexander's. God, those eyes. He didn't seem to mind that she had been looking at him for a long time.

"Esther."

Snapping out of her daze, she realized that his hand was on her neck. Esther didn't back away, but just replied, "Yes?"

Alexander didn't respond. He only pulled her closer and laid her head against his chest. At first it wasn't by choice, but Esther found herself not refusing. She kept her head against his chest as they rocked back and forth, swaying to the rhythm.

The rest of the night would be one neither one of them would forget. And certainly they wouldn't forget one another. Esther finally understood what it felt like to fall in love.

And she couldn't have felt any better.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
A/N: Thank you smallstargazer for the request! I really liked writing this; I had fun writing their relationship. Got quite a few more one shots that will be posted soon.