Falling Through Time: Basking in Firelight: Book 2

Constitutional Convention Take Two

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Warnings: None

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Hamilton finished telling Jefferson about his life that night over dinner but Jefferson didn't seem any different for it. He just sipped at his wine and listened like it was all some sort of sad sob story that didn't affect him in any way. When Hamilton finally finished, Jefferson set down his glass, cleared his throat and said, "So, I guess that means you're my boyfriend?"

Hamilton choked on his food. After hitting his chest a couple times and taking a drink, he finally replied, "I guess you could put it bluntly like that," he trailed off, knowing what Jefferson must be thinking. No memories at all about Hamilton and here he was telling him they'd been romantically involved in two lifetimes. Now he was sitting across the table. Hamilton was wondering where this left them.

"And I'm going to make another guess and say that that's not really the case anymore?"

Hamilton's heart froze. Jefferson said it. He actually said it. He didn't consider them as anything other than associates anymore. Hamilton expected it but it still tore him apart. "I guess not," Hamilton barely managed to say. Jefferson watched him with an intense stare, looking for something Hamilton didn't know.

The rest of the night passed in mostly awkward silence. Hamilton wanted more than anything to leave, but he agreed to stay, so he would. Jefferson showed him to his room and then disappeared to his own.

He couldn't sleep that night. Nightmares plagued him every second he closed his eyes. Whether Jefferson had a nightmare or not, Hamilton didn't know and he couldn't bring himself to walk out into the living room to see if there was a cup of tea waiting for Hamilton to claim. So he opted to stare at the ceiling all night instead.

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Jefferson went on with his life and Hamilton tried his best to. He did what he always did when he couldn't cope, he threw himself into his work. Hardly slept, hardly ate. His friends dropped by all the time, trying to coax Hamilton into a night off, a couple of drinks at a pub, but they never got much out of him. Lafayette tried to set up times when both Jefferson and Hamilton would meet up, but Hamilton always found some sort of excuse and he didn't even want to think about what Jefferson might think about it all. Lafayette said that Jefferson spent most of his time alone or with either himself, Madison, or Burr since he could remember the three of them. Burr was trying his best to patch things up with Jefferson and Hamilton. Hamilton refused to forgive him but Jefferson didn't seem to even care that Burr had shot him, he couldn't even remember why he stepped in front of Burr's bullet, he knew why now since Hamilton told him, but Jefferson felt Burr couldn't be held accountable for something Jefferson decided to do on his own.

In Hamilton's opinion, Burr deserved to have Hamilton's hands wrapped around his throat.

Lafayette kept putting off his return to France in favor of trying to help his friends.

Before anyone knew it, the Convention was finally upon them. Hamilton had spent all his time preparing for it. This was what all the blood and fighting had been for. A brand, sparkling new, strong central government. This is what Hamilton and Jefferson fought for so hard and it was finally here for them to shape with their own hands.

It was to take place in Philadelphia's Independence Hall where the original Constitution was adopted and signed. Everyone felt it was appropriate. So Hamilton stood before the old building like he did so many years ago when he was still so young. So so young. Now he felt ancient. With all that he'd seen, with all that he lived and didn't live through. He almost felt older than dirt, but when he stood in front of that Hall again, he felt like he'd been thrown back in time.

"Brings back memories, doesn't it?" a familiar southern accent said from next to him. 

Hamilton almost jumped out of his skin. "What do you mean? You weren't here for the Constitutional Convention. You were still in France."

Jefferson rested his cane on his shoulder, looking up at the building, "No, but this is where we signed and ratified the Declaration of Independence, which I put so much time and sweat into writing. This is where our efforts turned us into a sovereign nation. As of July 4, 1776, we were no longer the colonies, we became the United States of America. That document is one of my proudest accomplishments."

Hamilton looked over to see the pride on Jefferson's face. "Well, I guess it's time to get started all over again." Without waiting for a reply, Hamilton walked in the doors. Instead of it being a whole bunch of representatives of all the states gathered around at their separate, respective tables like the first time, It was one long table with countless chairs around it. Those there were the ones that had fought in the war. The leading generals as well as their seconds and thirds. Then there was the added addition of one mostly political addition from each state.  Hamilton took his seat to the right of the head of the table, no doubt where Washington would sit.

Slowly, members began to fill in. Jefferson wandered in and looked around. The table was massive, thick and well crafted. He had to admire the craftsmanship that went into it but at the same time, he wondered what kind of tree was felled just to make it. Madison was already sitting near the center of the table, Jefferson went to join him but found all the seats were already full. He studied the table closer. Everyone had sectioned off according to state. New York and Virginia, currently being the most powerful and influential states were in the center, but Hamilton sat separately, to the right of the head of the table, which was currently empty. That's when Jefferson realized there were only two vacant seats left. Did he really spend so much time outside admiring the architecture of the building? Jefferson slid into his seat.

Washington was the last to arrive. He walked in the door, glanced around and saw that the only seat available was at the head. He really didn't want to sit at the head, it was a symbol of power. As were the two seats on the right and left. With a sigh, Washington took his place at the head of the table, nodding his greetings to Hamilton and Jefferson on his right and left. Washington couldn't complain about that arrangement. Between the three of them, they held the entire public face of the Revolution. They all had massive influence. If anything, it was the only proper arrangement, even if Washington didn't like being at the head of it.

"Alright," he said, looking at each member individually, "Let's form a government."

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