Scratch. The quill snapped causing Tess to sit up sharply. Rubbing her green eyes, she blinked to see that she had fallen asleep while completing paperwork. Sighing she dropped her head on the table; it had been three months since she arrived in 1765, it was now August. Those first few weeks had been full of panic attacks, worry, and anger at the universe for dumping her here as a colony. State. Her mind was automatically corrected.

"I am not a colony." Dipping the pen in ink, she continued to transcribe the work that would go to England. Apparently, she was owned by the country and king; that thought was enough to make her mad. "Mad like King George will be."

"Massachusetts," she stood as her boss Governor Thomas Hutchinson walked into the room. "I need you to draft three more documents, and please deliver these to John Hancock."

"Yes, sir." She nodded in affirmation as he moved to collect his coat and cane.

"Do try and find some time for yourself, if possible, I know you detest this, but it is for the best." He sighed, "I am worried that these colonists will rebel with this new declaration from parliament. But it is the King's order, and I trust you will follow the law if you do so the people will stay content to follow King and Country." He moved as if to say something else before shaking his head and exiting the office.

Tess unclenched her fists and looked down at the folder on her desk. I think I know what this is. Holding her breath, she opened the folder, "The stamp act." She whispered as she ran her hand over the document. Burn it.

"What the hell?" She yelped in surprise pulling her hand back to her chest in surprise at the thought that sprang unbidden to her mind. "The people will not like this new taxation."

Every so often she would glance to the act that held the official seal of the King and Great Britain. There was also a letter addressed to her from America, hidden in her coat pocket. She had caught a maid rummaging through her desk, no doubt on orders from the Governor. They did not trust her, or him as they thought her to be.

Standing up she fastened the buttons of her coat and picked up the folders and slipping on her hat she walked out the door. What she wouldn't give to see the looks on everyone's faces if they knew she was a woman, not Adam Jones. Maybe that would stop some of the sexist comments. The others had mercilessly teased her when she voiced her opinion that women should be allowed to attend Harvard, at least Abigail Adams had agreed with her. She shook her head realizing that she would have even less freedom than she already did.

"This sucks." She groaned as she stepped outside into the hot, humid Massachusetts weather. It wasn't as bad as she complained it was, being a state did have it's perks. "I am not a colony. I should be free."

Nodding at the passing citizens, she remembered her bosses comment earlier, "It's like they think I own them, and by extent he, the King, and England owned them." She muttered under her breath. People are not property.

Adjusting her cap, that rested atop her dark hair she knocked on the front door of the John Hancock home; she smiled thinking back to the first time they had met; she had almost passed out due to the excitement. "Trust me to fangirl over the founding fathers rather a movie star. All those wasted jokes and puns that no one is going to understand for a couple of hundred years.

The door opened, and the butler ushered her inside. Handing him the hat she opened her mouth to speak. "Please tell Mr. Hancock that Adam Jones is here to see him."

"Of course, Mr. Jones." The butler nodded as he exited.

Walking further into the entrance hall she touched a candlestick in the room she jumped in surprise as it snapped off its hook. Green eyes widening she was tempted to set the candlestick in the vase by the coat rack. She jumped as the butler walked back in and dropped the candlestick in the vase. Guess I'm pulling a Will Turner.

"Mr. Hancock will see you now."

"Thank you." She said clearing her throat as to make sure her voice didn't come out to feminine.

"Mr. Adam Jones." The butler announced as he left her just inside the study closing the doors behind him.

"What's up Johnny?" She relaxed when she knew the butler was out of hearing range. "I brought you-"

Stumbling she wheezed as she was glomped and swung around by a complete stranger; when finally set down, she looked to see a young man around her age grinning widely.

"So you're Massachusetts!" He exclaimed. "My name's Alfred F. Jones, but you can call me America. I guess I'm your older brother or dad, but dad just sounds strange."

Tess shook her head at the boy's loud voice. "Did you just say you're my dad?" She looked the boy up and down; they didn't look much alike except they both had tan skin and a cowlick that seemed to defy gravity.

"America, please lower your volume. You're going to scare the poor boy." John Hancock said standing up coming over to shake her hand, "I'm glad you could come. I assume you received America's letter?"

"I didn't have time to read it all the way." She confessed, "I'm here on orders of Governor Hutchinson."

John Hancock wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Sam you might want to see this." He called over his shoulder to Sam Adams who sat in an armchair. "Good old King George gave us a letter to help remind us to be loyal to the Stamp Act. Please feel free to have a drink." He motioned for Tess to help herself to drink.

Pouring herself a glass of beer took a drink and turned to see America staring at her in curiosity before he smiled. "Hey, we're going to go visit Paul," he shouted over to John and Sam as they looked over the documents. John waved his hand in consent.

"Hurry to finish your drink," America said as he wrinkled his nose. "We need to talk."

Tess gulped down the contents of her glass and set it down to follow America as he was already halfway out the door. She grabbed her hat from the hall before following him outside, "Hey wait up!"

"Walk faster; it's not my fault you're slow." He called over his shoulder. She cursed under her breath and raced to catch up with the country.

"Why are you disguised as a boy?" He looked over to her, "I guess the height helps. You're tall for a girl, but you do realize that some of the other states are girls, right?"

"Yeah I know, it was France's idea." She answered. "I'm not going to complain; those corsets look uncomfortable anyway."

America threw his head back in laughter. "Believe me, they are." He seemed to realize what he said and hurried to say, "it was a dare. I was also very drunk; that is why I don't drink unless I have to."

"Why don't you drink?" She asked in confusion. "There's nothing better than a good Boston brew."

"Eh, I'm just not fond of it I guess." He smiled, "coffee's good, though."

"I prefer hot chocolate," Tess commented. "But anything besides tea is good in my book." She stopped, the tea act would not technically pass until 1773.

"Why don't you like tea?" Alfred asked her before commenting. "I guess you don't want to be like England, do you?"

Opening her mouth to comment, she quickly closed as she realized that America was not finished speaking. "Let's go somewhere more private," grabbing her arm he pulled her into a side alley and made a left then a right before walking up to a smithy. Opening the door her pulled Tess inside before quickly locking it behind him.

"Paul, I'm here!" He shouted looking around to make sure there were no customers in the room. "Oh and you're officially closed."

Footsteps sounded from the back, and a dark-haired man in a smith's apron walked up to Alfred and clapped him on the back. "Isn't this the governor's assistant?" He asked smiling.

"Don't worry. Meet Adam Jones, otherwise known as Massachusetts." America proudly announced clapping Tess on the back. "He wants to join in on the rebellion."

"He said that himself, or are ye just assuming things again?" Paul said shaking his head. "What do ye think?" He said turning to her, "I've always wondered if you existed."

"Uh, he uh." She swallowed before confidently replying, "I want to join the resistance. We are and have right to be free. I'd like to be a part of the Sons of Liberty."

Paul Revere narrowed his eyes before holding out his hand for her to shake. "Welcome. Sons of Liberty, what do you think Alfred? I think that sounds like a great title for our little band of brothers."

Noting her mistake, Tess closed her eyes and silently berated herself. They hadn't decided on the name yet.

"Sons of Liberty." Alfred savored the words on the tip of his tongue. "I like that; Sam was looking for a name to unite us." Turning to Tess, he grinned blue eyes shining brightly. "Welcome to the Son's of Liberty, Massachusetts."

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I do have a reason why America does not like to drink, in 1920 there was a nationwide prohibition on alcohol. Please know that I am not preaching for or against alcohol. Tess/Massachusetts drinks it as she is kinda known for beer. I hope that makes sense. Also, America doesn't say 'dude' yet as he hadn't been introduced to it yet; hanging around Tess will quickly add it to his vocabulary.

A little bit of history: the Tea Act did not pass until May 10, 1773. The Sons of Liberty were officially created from smaller groups, in August of 1765. Slavery did exist in Massachusetts at this time in history, but there were more freedmen than slaves in the colony. Massachusetts and many others were vehemently against it, which is good because it was very wrong.

If you're confused as to her appearance she has tan skin due to the Native American tribes, that is also where her height can be attributed to the Wampanoag, Susquehannock, and other tribes. She is 5' 8" so very tall for a woman at that time. She has dark brown hair, green eyes, and thick dark eyebrows, (not as thick as England's.) Please favorite, comment and let me know what you think!