Running Out of Time

Chapter 8 - You're The One That I Haunt (Satisfied)

"Why do you have to follow me to work," Peggy looked up at Hamilton as she swaddled a baby. They had been separated for two days and were finally starting to get back into routines. Being stuck together had some funny moments but it was a huge relief, for Peggy especially, to be separate again. If she had been in a position where they were stuck while she had to do this job, she wasn't certain how it would go, she didn't want to think about it.

"Peggy, look," Hamilton stepped away from the window where he had been watching people walk through the halls, "it gets boring being alone and not being able to do anything. At least here there's something to see." He had to make something up, he thought he did pretty well. There was no way he would tell her the real reason he was there. He wasn't lying about the house being boring and lonely but there was always another reason.

It had been the second time Hamilton had heard a stranger speaking to him. He knew it had been the same person both times, it was a personal mission to find out who it was. Although he wasn't sure aas to the reason why, something made him feel that this was where he needed to be. The person was somewhere here. However, that came with its own secondary issues. Not only was this a hospital where people come and go all the time, it was also a very large hospital. Hamilton knew it might be nearly impossible to find his mystery voice here but Eliza would tell him to keep his head up, so, that was what he would do.

"Why don't you go follow Laf around? I'm sure that's more exciting."

"Are you sure?" Hamilton hadn't considered this. It might actually work. Lafayette dealt with all kinds of people and he basically had to move all over the place. This might be the key Hamilton needed. "You won't miss me?"

Peggy laughed, "I'll come find you before I go home."

--

Hamilton wandered around the halls for a short while pretending to look for Lafayette. He had spotted Laurens a few times, he seemed to being doing a pretty good job with everything. Angelica and Eliza were doing good jobs as well, everyone had something to do except him. Of course, he had to find Lafayette and find his body before he could be a person again but he didn't see that as much. His friends were doing great things and he was just watching.

He managed to wander for about an hour before he finally found Lafayette. At first, Hamilton thought about going somewhere else but eventually decided against it. He noticed that his friend was talking to another doctor, as he got closer he recognized the man. It was Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton wanted to be over there listening in by this point but his legs wouldn't carry him fast enough. When he finally reached the two, Jefferson was already gone on his way.

"Peggy told me to come follow you instead," Hamilton explained, "I think she might be getting tired of me."

"Well aren't you in for a treat," Lafayette smiled and walked down a hallway. Hamilton wasn't sure whether or not he liked how this was going.

--

"I am never doing that again," Hamilton crossed his arms as he followed Peggy towards the main entrance. "Your job is much more fun than his. I'm telling you Peggy, I've seen some things. I don't know how he does it." He couldn't help but look over and notice Angelica and Jefferson having, what seemed to be, an enjoyable conversation. "Hey, Pegs," Hamilton attempted to stop her, "why is your sister so happy to be around Jefferson?"

"They're almost friends," Peggy told him quietly as she continued to walk.

Hamilton took one more moment to look around as they were exiting. Outside, he noticed Eliza and Maria sitting on a bench with a coffee in their hands. He could tell it was a quick little date, it was cute. They looked to be genuinely happy together, it was something Hamilton had always wished for Eliza. He couldn't be happier for the two of them. It was nice to see them in love, even if nothing had been admitted yet. He was hoping he might be around when the confession is finally made.

"We're not going home," Peggy explained to him as the got into her car.

"Okay, then where are we going?"

"Laurens invited me over, he just wants to hang out and watch movies but I'm not going out of my way to drop you off at the house," she carefully backed out of her spot and made her way to the street.

"That's cool with me." It could turn out to be a nice time even if no one knew he was there.

--

Hamilton wandered around the apartment while Laurens and Peggy slept on the couch. They had been trying to finish a series of five movies but they both happened to fall asleep. There wasn't anything Hamilton could do, so, he left them there. He thought it was nice to the two of them so relaxed, they had both been having a pretty big week. Hamilton wanted them to have more times when they could relax and be themselves, it was something they could use more of.

Hamilton couldn't deny that he was getting a little bored just wandering around looking at the little trinkets Laurens left laying around. There were a some small ceramic turtles here and there but nothing that was overly exciting. Hamilton decided that it might be a good idea to check in on the house. Sure, Angelica was there but she might need his ghostly company, she could be lonely.

--

Hamilton stood in the kitchen with his mouth hanging open. He could not believe the sight in front of him. Standing in the kitchen making a cup of coffee like he lived there was Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton couldn't wrap his head around why this man was standing in the kitchen or why he was clearly only wearing pajama pants with absolutely nothing else. He couldn't figure it out even if it was worth all the money he had even seen.

He was completely clueless until Angelica's footsteps trotted down the stairs. "You have got to be kidding me," Hamitlon said aloud, it didn't matter, they couldn't hear him anyway. He almost didn't want to believe it despite the fact that Angelica was clearly wearing Jefferson's shirt. This was not possible, they were co-workers. Angelica was one of Hamilton's closest friends and he despised Jefferson. There were even times when they would discuss the common dislike for the man. 

"We're still not friends," Angelica said taking the coffee from Jefferson.

"We don't have to be," Jefferson sipped his own drink.

It was in that moment where the world around Hamilton stopped for just a second. He recognized Jefferson's voice. This was the man who he had been occasionally hearing speak to him. Hamilton was extremely confused by it. Why Jefferson? Of all people, why did it have to be that Hamilton was hearing Thomas Jefferson say somewhat kind things to him. They had never gotten along, something wasn't adding up for Hamilton. There was only one major mystery left to solve at this point and he was certain Jefferson knew something about Hamilton's body, the only trouble would be finding out what.