Attractions and Soldiers (Hamilton Circus!AU)

Rose

There was a bustle when James brought in the unconscious woman. Everyone was trying to understand what was going on even if they had to go into the stage in 10 minutes. Eliza arranged a place to lie her down and requested hot water and as many blankets as they could find.

"She looks so pale..." Eliza worriedly said as she touched the woman's hand "And as cold as ice. Some more minutes out there and she would be dead"

Raymond and Hercules walked in with a pile of blankets each while Margarita carried a hot teapot and a towel inside a bowl. They took out her soaked cape and covered her with the blankets while Eliza poured the hot water in the bowl.

"She is pretty..." Raymond murmured and Hercules wigged his eyebrows at him, making the Frenchman blush "Pretty familiar I was goin' to say! Let me finish my sentences, s'il vous plait"

"Now that you commented about it... She indeed looks familiar" Alexander said scratching his chin as he skeptically looked at the woman and then widened his eyes "She looks exactly like you Peggy!"

"No, she doesn't!" Peggy screeched as Eliza placed a hot towel on the woman's forehead.

"Yes, she does! Look! She has the same nose!" Hercules pointed and Peggy slapped him "Ouch, what?! I am just saying the truth, she could be your twin"

Alexander then said "Your parents never commented about any siblings with you or-"

"No, no they never did. Even more a twin. Come on, I think they would have said something... Right?" She looked up at Hercules seeking support and he nodded.

"Well, whatever if this woman is related to you or not, the show must go on, guys! Let's go!" Alexander rushed everyone out but Madison stood in place.

"Can I stay? Please...?"

By the sad look on his eyes, Alexander couldn't avoid but feel pity for the man. So he sighed before nodding "Only this time, ok?"

...

Eliza and Madison heard as the show went on and they kept on watching the woman. James was confused, worried and scared to the bone. He wanted to know what happened to his only childhood friend and how she got herself in that situation. Someone from the crew screamed for Eliza's help to fix their costume and she left right away.

James was sitting on the floor, right beside Maria's body lying in one of the many improvised rooms they made for all of the crew who lived in there. They were basically spaces surrounded by fabric, curtains or thick paper walls to give them some sort of privacy; pillows and blankets scattered around the floor to make beds and the person's belongings, which never consisted in many things.

He was brought back from his thoughts when Maria moaned softly. James more than quickly grabbed her hand and squeezed it "Maria? Maria, can you hear me?"

She softly squeezed his hand as well before slowly opening her eyes, being greeted by James relieved smile "James?" Her voice was almost inaudible and hoarse, but he managed to listen.

"Yes, yes it's me Ria" She tried to smile by listening to her old nickname but her lips ached at the movement "Do you want some water?" James asked and she gave a short nod. He turned around and filled a cup with water, helping her to raise the head a bit to drink it. She sighed deeply, like in ages she didn't have the opportunity to lie down "What happened to you, Ria? You disappeared for years, I was so worried!" He whispered and she humidified her cracked lips.

"Have you heard of Reynolds?" She murmured, her voice still sounding hoarse.

"Reynolds?" James repeated in shock. He had heard plenty of him during all the time he spent working on the journal "What did you do to get involved with him?"

Her eyes filled with tears and she bit her lip to avoid them from falling "I didn't want to get involved with him. But now I am in a mess bigger than I could ever imagine... Jimmy, he wants to kill me" Some tears started to fall from her eyes at this point "I-I don't have anywhere to go... He has eyes everywhere and..."

"We will hide you" He interrupted her, still whispering to be sure no one could listen even if the show was still going on.

"No, please don't" She pleaded in fright "If he ever finds out where I am, I can't even imagine what he is capable of..."

"He won't" James assured her, looking deep into her eyes to pass some confidence in his words "I promise. He won't be able to find you here"

She just stared back at him for a minute before furrowing her eyebrows "Where is here?"

"Hey, sorry for taking so long I had to- OH, you're awake!" Eliza walked back with a welcoming smile on her face "What is your name, sweetie?"

Maria looked in panic towards James and he tried to think in a name, whenever he noticed a pattern in a pillowcase "Rose! Rose, her name is Rose"

"Ok. Rose. I got it, James" Eliza softly giggled and both Maria and James relaxed as they managed to get through that first step "Why don't you rest, dear? I would really use the peace in this place now while everyone is still on stage"

"Stage?" Maria repeated confused.

Eliza smiled once again at her "Welcome to the Hamilton's Circus, Rose"