Requested by: AngelaLogic
OC: Catalina Jefferson

"Alexander, are you alright?"

Eliza hovered over her husband's desk, worried he hadn't gotten any sleep. He often stayed up into the early hours of the morning, writing until he fell asleep. At times, she found herself concerned for his well being.

He sniffled loudly, wiping his forehead on his sleeve. "I just had to get this written before Thomas comes at me with something else." His hands shook as secured the piece of parchment with ribbon. Eliza looked down at him but didn't reply.

She knew he was referring to the constant arguments Jefferson and himself had. The two men just couldn't agree and they were always finding ways to make the other look pathetic.

"You know Thomas will find a way to make your writing seem pointless." Eliza placed her hand on top of her husband's, smiling softly. Alexander chuckled. "I know. Maybe I just can't accept it."

He sighed, standing up from his chair. "Well, whatever the case is, Thomas is a bit distracted lately." Eliza raised an eyebrow. "Distracted?"

Alexander rubbed his chin. "His sister is in town for a few days. He's very protective of her, while she's her own person." There was a soft laugh from her husband.

"Maybe that will be my key to defeating him."

Then there was the sound of a carriage outside, horses neighing. Alexander lifted his head up and peered through the curtains. "That might even be him at this moment."

Moving past his wife, he left the room. Eliza walked towards the window, pressing her face closely to the glass. As Alexander had guessed, it was Thomas. He stepped out of the carriage, straightening his jacket and looking either way.

She watched him turn on his heel and face the carriage again. With a curious feeling, Eliza followed his movements. Thomas reached his hand out and connected it with a female hand from inside the carriage.

The person who stepped out was someone she recognized. Her heart sank deep in her chest at the woman who had just stepped onto the stone. Eliza pressed a hand to her head. No.

She heard Alexander call to her from the hall, so she dashed out of the study, praying it was just a vision. Alexander was at the door, already opening it for Thomas and the woman.

Eliza wanted to tell him to shut it, but by the way he was asking her to stand with him and greet them made her feel guilty. Ducking her head so he couldn't see the shame in her eyes, Eliza stood beside him. She swallowed hard, her throat going dry.

"Pleasant to see you again, Jefferson." Eliza bit her lip as Alexander nodded to his colleague. It was almost like fate, with Thomas arriving at their doorstep so shortly after they discussed him.

Thomas gave them both grim looks. "Well, even though I despise being in your presence, Alexander, I needed to discuss some things with you, which unfortunately required me to come here." Sensing Alexander's tension, Eliza squeezed his hand. But she was also squeezing his hand for reassurance for what was to come.

The woman stepped into the house quietly behind Jefferson. She resembled him in every way, bright eyes and combed back hair. Her dress fell elegantly to the floor, a daring purple color that stood among the rest of their outfits.

Eliza cleared her throat uncomfortably. She was positive her cheeks had turned red already, and that she was sweating. The woman laid eyes on her, mouth opening in surprise. She smartly shut it before either of the men noticed.

Thomas placed an arm around her shoulder. "I don't think you've had the chance to meet my lovely sister, Catalina, yet." While Alexander shook her hand, Eliza's thoughts started spinning around. Sister? That was his sister?!

She internally groaned to herself. Why?

Catalina turned to Eliza. There was something her eyes were saying that neither of the men noticed. But Eliza could clearly see the lust building up. She could see the way she looked at her like she did once before.

"I presume you are Mr.Hamilton's wife?"

Feeling as though the world around her was caving in, Eliza panicked, thinking of what to say. "Y-yes. You can call me Eliza."

With a smirk on her lips, Catalina replied, "Of course. Pleasure to meet you, Eliza." How she said her name made Eliza shake a bit. She hoped Alexander couldn't see her nervous and anxious attitude change.

"We can leave you two to be and get to know each other." At Thomas's words, Eliza practically said no, but it came out as an unsure whimper. Alexander raised his eyebrows, looking at his wife.

By the way she shrunk back at Catalina's handshake, he knew something was wrong. He didn't want to question her though. Eliza was shy, maybe she just felt nervous because it was Jefferson's sister.

Catalina smiled to her brother. "I'd love to get to know Eliza." As her eyes bored into Eliza's skin, the men began walking down the hall to the study.

With their feet hitting the wooden floorboards in sync, Alexander called over his shoulder, "I don't believe we will be very long." However, his colleague chuckled and said, "We might be a few hours, who knows."

Once the two men were unable to be heard, the women were left in the main hall. Catalina took a step towards Eliza, who stuck a hand out in defense. "Stop."

"Eliza, you shouldn't feel afraid of me. You felt so comfortable sharing yourself to me over those few months, why should you feel worried now?" Her body was suddenly closer to Eliza's than either of them had wished.

Eliza bowed her head, trying to back away. But she found herself up against the wall. There was nowhere to run.

"I didn't know you were his sister. Why didn't you tell me?"

Catalina smiled. The woman in front of her was exactly how she remembered her, timid but upfront about anything. "I knew you'd refuse me. You would've been too concerned about what Alexander would think."

At the mention of her husband, Eliza flinched subconsciously. "You needn't bring him into this. That was a mistake I made. I don't wish to go down that same path against, so don't try anything."

Catalina pressed her body to Eliza's. It drove Eliza mad, how calm she was with the whole situation. Although she tried to find the words to say no, she felt pressured and shut her mouth instead.

"But then why did you cheat on Alexander, if you care so much about him?"

Neither woman spoke for a long time. Eliza's head was pounding, shouting, and consulting her. She knew she had done wrong, having a fling with another woman.

"I didn't think I would ever see you again, especially like this," Catalina said, breaking the silence. Their eyes met and she smiled. Eliza hadn't answered her first question which made her feel even more excitedly nervous.

Eliza pressed her hand to the other woman's chest, whispering harshly, "Get away." There was a pause again, before Catalina laughed at her. She brushed a strand of hair out of Eliza's face, who was heavily breathing now.

"Eliza-"

But she didn't get to finish, for Eliza pushed her away. Catalina didn't fall, only stumbled backward.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Eliza made sure to keep her voice as low as possible. Her heart throbbed at the sight of the woman, who she hated to say she still felt something for.

Catalina adjusted her dress, swishing it back and forth. "I'm just reminding you of what we had. Have you completely forgotten the fact that we were in love?"

Eliza shook her head, a few tears sparking the corner of her eyes. "No, that wasn't love. That was a mistake. You don't know what love is."

Sharply stepping towards her, Catalina murmured, "Then tell me what it is, Eliza."

God, what am I getting myself into? Eliza shut her eyes for a moment. Her mind drifted back to her husband. He was only a few rooms away, not knowing the current situation. Eyes welling up with tears, Eliza tried not to picture his face when he left the night it all began.

Alexander trusted her. And she ignored that, going and cheating. Eliza felt terrible. Here she was, talking to the woman she had been with. She had really done it this time, the betrayal was too strong.

She opened her eyes. Taking a deep breath, clutching her stomach, Eliza whispered, "You want to know what love is?" Shifting on her feet, she continued. "Love is giving someone all your trust and faith. And I don't have any of that with you, Catalina."

Unsatisfied with the answer, Catalina shook her head. "So you're saying, Alexander means the world to you rather than I? I recall you devoting yourself to me in all of those three months."

Eliza pointed an accusing finger at her. "It was a mistake. How many times do I have to tell you? We are nothing now."

The door to the study opened from down the hall. Both women separated, taking a few steps away from each other.

Alexander and Thomas entered the hall, still debating about something. "We should get out of here, Catalina, I'm tired of arguing for today." The men chuckled, like they were exchanging something secretive.

Catalina dusted off her dress. "Alright. Nice to meet you, Mr.Hamilton." She curtsied to Alexander who gave her a smile. "You are certainly a different character than your brother," he noted.

Very different, Eliza's mind whispered. She stepped beside her husband and nodded to Catalina. "Nice to meet you as well."

Giving her a smile, Catalina looked as though she wanted to say more, but held back. "Yes, as to you, Eliza." Eliza tried to ignore the feeling she got in her stomach when she said that.

Thomas linked arms with his little sister. "Let's get going. Thank you for your time, Alexander."

Alexander bowed his head to Thomas. "My pleasure, Thomas."

The two of them left without another word. The silence they trailed in their wake was unbearable. Eliza let out a long sigh as the door shut, not able to hold in her emotions any longer.

She almost forgot Alexander was still standing beside her. "My dear, are you alright?" His words seemed comforting and as much as Eliza wanted to embrace them, she backed away.

"Yes."

You're lying again, her mind persisted. Taking deep breaths, Eliza headed towards the stairs a step at a time. Alexander followed her, obviously concerned. "Eliza, is something the matter?"

She paused, facing him. The way he looked at her so lovingly and with such respect made her heart break. If only he knew.

"I'm fine, Alexander."

Eliza didn't say anything more as she walked up the stairs. Her mind kept thinking of the incident with Catalina. She just wanted that woman out of her life. How dare she come crawling back into her life.

But Eliza knew deep in her heart, mistakes always would come crawling back to make their final mark.

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A/N: Thank you AngelaLogic for the request! I thought this was a really cool idea, turning the tables where Eliza is the one who had a fling with Jefferson's sister! I liked writing it and creating Catalina's character.