Hours had turned into days. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months before Alexander, John, Hercules, Lafayette, Thomas, James, and Aaron all finally reached land. They had mindlessly sailed before stumbling upon Virginia. They rushed to the nearest infirmary, quickly getting Jefferson, Madison, and Burr all cleaned up. The others waited outside, it giving them time to think about everything. It all happened so fast.... Hamilton seemed angriest knowing Jefferson was actually about to reveal the peace treaty between them, France, and Britain. But then this happened. He stood alone, tuning himself out from the world before Laurens finally tapped on his shoulder. He looked up, the freckled man unusually somber. "Yes, John?"
"Uh.... It's about Thomas and James."
".... What happened?" asked Alex, sounding more demanding than curious.
"They're still alive, if that's what you're thinking, it's just.... They did everything they could. James is blind.... Thomas lost an eye and an arm.... There's nothing they could do about that."
Hamilton felt his chest tighten and burn. ".... Oh.... That's.... Atrocious...."
"Yeah.... But don't worry, Alex. We'll avenge them. We'll avenge Washington. We'll avenge--!"
"Stop, stop, /STOP/!" he yelled, causing Laurens to flinch and lean back a little. Hamilton had never once yelled at him. "Just stop! Okay?! Just - Just /stop/! John, I'm sorry, but there's no way we could avenge George - Avenge /any/ of them! King George has made it very clear with where he stands. If he can ruin the White House and kill the president in the same day, then.... I'm sorry, there's just no way."
Laurens blinked. Never had he ever heard such pessimism from Hamilton - Of all people. His brows furrowed. ".... Now that's not the Alexander that I know. The Alexander that I know would stand up and fight for what's right! He would look at everything that's happened to us and say, 'It's nothing.' He would not throw away his shot and--!"
"WELL, I JUST DID!"
Silence filled the air. Nobody said a word. Hamilton simply shot up, grasped Laurens by the shoulders tightly, and shot a ferocious glare at him. Laurens stared back, horrified and dumbfounded by the words that had just left his friend's mouth. Finally, Hamilton recomposed himself and spoke in a somewhat calmer tone.
".... I just did, Laurens. Without Washington, Jefferson, Madison, /AND/ the White House, who are we, mere orphans and or immigrants, to say that we can fix this? We can't win! Do you not get it? We're..... He's too strong.... He's just too strong."
".... But.... But Alex--"
"Don't argue with me, please. I've had enough for one day."
He released Laurens, changed his expression into one of despair, and walked away. Laurens could feel his heart sinking into his feet, shattering on the way down. He never thought he'd live the day to hear those words leave Hamilton's mouth. He never wanted to.
".... Tomorrow there'll be more of us...."
---
Hamilton bustled into the infirmary, pushing away some doctors and nurses until he reached the room Burr was in. He wished to speak with him first. He knocked, a distressed, "Come in," being the answer. Alexander frowned at the response but entered, opening the door slowly and poking his head in. "Mister Burr, sir? Are you feeling alright, sir?" Burr sighed and rubbed his cheek, hissing in pain quietly afterwards.
"I'm quite alright, thank you. Word got around rather quickly from New York to Virginia. The doctors wanted to make sure that no other bullet wounds were lodged in my body. How are you, Alexander?"
Alexander shut the door and sat in a chair next to it. "A bit stunned, but.... I-I'll be okay, thanks."
"Ah.... Were you or any of the others injured in the attack?"
"No, no. Just our pride...."
".... Alexander, I don't like it when you make self deprecating jokes like that...."
"Well, I'm not sure what else to say! Okay?! We've lost everything, Burr! Everything! If we can't fight for what we stood for, what can we fall for?"
Burr was silent. He, too, had never heard such words leave his mouth. He studied him before sitting up and placing a hand on his shoulder. "A-Alexander, wait. Try to relax, alright? Don't tell me you're implying that we resort to just.... Just giving up, do you....?"
Alexander said nothing. He simply jerked his shoulder back and tried to glare at him, however Aaron could see the hurt in his eyes. It caused him to frown. ".... I am, Mister Burr. Who can run as president now if there's not even a place for them to stay in?"
".... We can always rebuild it and--"
"We? Who is this 'we' you speak of? You, Mulligan, and the others? Or are you including me in that mix?"
".... I.... Figured that was implied...."
"Just forget it Burr, forget it. There is no 'we.' There is no 'us.' There is no 'team,' and there sure as hell ain't no America!"
"Now you just BITE YOUR TONGUE, ALEXANDER!"
The men went mute. Hamilton didn't flinch when Burr raised his voice like that.
".... You just bite your fucking tongue, sir. We /will/ win. We /will/ avenge Washington. We--"
"Ugh, /enough/! You sound just like Laurens!"
"Oh? Is that to say he would agree with me?"
"Obviously! I don't understand how you two could possibly think we could prevail against King George, especially when he has a battalion of his own and we don't!"
"King George is a fool who runs his mouth off. And remember what I said about those who do that."
Alexander clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He yanked Burr up by the collar of his shirt, the two scowling at each other.
"Then why, oh why, is George Washington /dead/?"
Burr did not have an answer. He merely kept his mouth shut and softened his expression. Satisfied, to an extent, Hamilton released him and stormed out of the room. Burr reached out for him but hesitantly retracted his hand. Should he go after him....? Should he make sure he'll be alright...? Upon remembering what Hamilton said, how he had the audacity to speak in such a manner.... It was a sign of a hurt and demoralized soldier. Burr, too, then clenched his fists.
".... I'll show him... We all will....
Just you wait...."
