Corset in Congress (A Hamilton Genderbend)

Chapter Forty-Five: The World Was Wide Enough

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.

Burr's POV

There are ten things you need to know. Then you can condemn me.

Number one:

We rowed across the Hudson at dawn. My friend, William P. Van Ness, signed on as my number two.

Number two:

Hamilton arrived with her crew: Nathania Pendleton and a doctor that she knew. Turns out she brought the same doctor we used in the Laurens-Lee duel. Foreshadow, much? But I didn't see it. How could I not see it? 

Number three:

I watched Hamilton examine the terrain. I wish I could tell you what was happening in her brain. Her face expressionless, her posture and form uniform, almost mechanical. For some reason, this fact enraged me even more. How could she care so little, after she's taken so much? This woman has poisoned my political pursuits!

Most disputes die and no one shoots, I thought sarcastically. Yeah, right. 

Number four:

Hamilton drew first position, looking, to the world, like a woman on a mission. This is a soldier with a marksman's ability, I realized, and it finally hit me. She's going to shoot.

The doctor turned around so she could have deniability.

Five:

Now, I didn't know this at the time, or I would've chosen a different spot, 'cause I'm not heartless, but we were near the same spot her son died, is that why?

Six:

She examined her gun with such rigor? I watched as she methodically fiddled with the trigger. I remember thinking vividly, Her son died holding that pistol. God, what have I done? 

Seven:

Confession time? Here's what I've got. My fellow soldiers'll tell you, I'm a terrible shot.

Eight: your last chance to negotiate.

I sent William in to meet with Nathania to "set the record straight," but I knew nothing would come of it. The two of us had sunk into a blood fever, baying for each other's blood like wolves, and we wouldn't stop until we had the other's head on a stick.

As I watched the two attempt to right our wrong, something struck me. Now, they won't teach you this in your classes, but look it up! Hamilton was wearing her glasses. Why? If not to take deadly aim?

It's her or me, the world will never be the same!

I had only one thought before the slaughter: This woman will not make an orphan of my daughter!

Number nine!

Look her in the eye, aim no higher!  Summon all the courage you require! I scream inwardly, blinking tears out of my eyes. This is one shot I can't afford to miss.

Then count:

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine!

Nathania and William yelled the next commands, and the world shrank to two things: their shouts and Hamilton's heart.

"Number ten paces! Fire!"

My finger squeezes the trigger, and the bullet explodes from the barrel.

Alexandra's POV

The bang shocks me out of my thoughts, and I watch in horror as it approaches. Out of all the possible scenarios, I didn't expect this one. I expect, I don't know, Nathania and William to sort it out, or Washington to break through the veil and tell us to stop being dumb fucks. But this, this I didn't see coming.