"What? John... what are you doing here?"

"Shhh." John started to untie the ropes around her ankles. The ropes had begun to cut into her skin, leaving her dark skin bruised and slightly bloody. She whimpered. "It's okay. How did you get caught, Miss. Lewis? You're usually so careful."

"Hamilton." John hissed slightly under his breath as he began to break the ropes on her wrists. Alexander Hamilton, adoptive son of the Washington's. The best vampire hunters in the town. George Washington was the Mayor, and John shouldn't have anything against him. But, like with most people who constantly wanted to kill anything that seemed to be associated with 'black magic,' John couldn't help but have a strong... dislike for him and his vampire hunter family.

Now, Alexander Hamilton specifically wasn't to bad of a person. He studied with John when the two were in school, and actually had a... redeeming personality. But the fact that he killed people, and he didn't actually have to (John and others needed to— it wasn't a choice, though John still hates himself for it), didn't settle well with John. "I know," grumbled Maria. "I'm pathetic for gettin' caught so easily."

"No, Miss. It isn't your fault."

"I should've known not to feed," Maria cringed slightly, "during the day. But off I went. I was just... so hungry. James doesn't let me eat all the time, you see? He just... doesn't share. But that... that's what he's supposed to do, ain't it? He's supposed to care for me." Maria was shaking, slowly rubbing her sliced wrist.

"C'mon, Miss. We aught to get you to my house where I can properly clean you up." Maria nodded and allowed John to help her out of the cart.

"My ankle hurts an awful lot," she mumbled, glancing down at her foot. She wasn't wearing shoes. "And please, you don't have to be such a gentleman. Call me Maria." John simply nodded and wrapped an arm around her to help her stand.

"Hurry up, Hercules! We must get the girl! The execution is starting soon." John cursed quietly under his breath. He walked faster, Maria limping along slowly.

"Sorry Mi— Maria," he corrected, "hope this doesn't bother you to much." He wrapped his other arm around the back of her knees and picked her up, running as fast as he could with her bridal-style in his arms. He weaved through alleyways as he made his way back to his home, trying to not be seen by anyone. The yells of the men, and the crowd, faded behind them as he ran. He was out of breath when he arrived at his house.

"John? What's wrong— oh my."

"Betsy," John gasped for breath, "please don't tell anyone." He put down Maria and helped her inside, Betsy following behind apprehensively. "Help me fix her up."

"My lord! What happened to you, sweetie?" Maria bit her lip and looked over at John.

"I... um... I saved her from being killed I suppose." Betsy looked up in surprise. She began slightly dabbing Maria's cuts with alcohol.

"You mean...?" John nodded. Much to his surprise, Betsy didn't look disgusted or frightened, she just silently continued to clean up her wrists while John examined her ankle. It was red and puffy, fairly bruised and a bit bloody.

"Shit, how hard were you tied up?" Betsy hit John's arm.

"Don't curse in front of ladies!"

"Sorry."

"They pushed me a few days ago. Fell straight down, ankle caught on a rock. I s'pose them tying me up right after didn't help fix it."

"It's sprained," John sighed. "I'll have to splint it." Maria cringed.

"Is it that bad, John?" she asked, voice slightly trembling. "I'll have to be off it for a while, right? How will I... uh..."

"Hunt? I'll bring you some." Maria nodded. Betsy's eyes widened. She abruptly turned towards to John.

"I'll get Maria situated in your room. After dark she can come sleep with me." John slightly shook his head at the idea. "After I get this missy situated I will have to have a talk with you. You have a lot of explaining to do." She helped Maria up and slowly but surely helped her up to John's room. "You're father should be home soon," Betsy called over her shoulder. "Oh! And I won't tell anyone about this." John sighed as the two walked up to his room. He began pacing around the room, trying to think of what to do. Damn, he was in trouble. That's when he heard laughs outside. He quickly sat down and waited, picking up his father's discarded news paper and pretending to look interested.

His father walked in, slightly disgruntled and upset. Patsy was carrying Mary, and seemed to only be relived. Harry and James were playing together, and Mary was dozing off on Patsy's hip. "When did you get home?" John looked up and was met with his father's cold stare.

"I left before the crowds streamed back into the streets. I didn't want to be caught up in some kind of traffic." His father stiffly nodded and turned towards Patsy.

"Set her in her room for a nap. C'mon James, you best be getting some rest as well." James pouted and followed Patsy reluctantly. "Now. Where is that child? Betsy!" Betsy came running down the stairs.

"Sorry, sir. I was just fixing up the kid's rooms. What do you need, sir?"

"I would like you to start making lunch. I'll be in my room. Harry, get upstairs and get your studies done!"

"Yes, Pa." Harry smiled and ran up the steps. John quickly grabbed the newspaper off the table and stood, before walking towards the staircase.

"I'll be in my room if you need me," he said. No one responded, the only sound was that of pots clattering against the tables as Betsy made their food.

John's room was cold and dark, just as he had left it. He stepped in and was met with the sight of Maria sitting on the bed and looking absolutely lost. "Your house is so nice, John. Thank you for letting me stay."

"The pleasure is mine," John softly said. "Now, lets get a closer look at this ankle." He bent down and studied it once more. It was almost the same as before, perhaps a bit more puffy and blotchy with darkening bruises. He lightly touched it, causing Maria to wince and pull away slightly. "Sorry."

"It's quite all right," Maria sighed, her voice shaking ever so slightly.

"Let's get you fixed up." John grabbed some alcohol he always kept in his room and dabbed it on a piece of cloth, dabbing it on her skin to clean the wound. He then wrapped a fresh piece of cloth around that, making sure not to tie it off to tightly. He grabbed the newspaper he had brought up and rolled it tightly, making sure it was stiff enough that it couldn't bend. He then took two of his hair ribbons and used them to tie the paper onto the back of her leg. "This ought to do for now. Let's keep you off your foot for a while and then slowly introduce you to walking."

"The way you say that makes it sound like you're talking to a new born. I know how to walk, John. You ain't gotta introduce me to anything." John held up his hands, offering a smirk.

"I'm sorry, Miss."

"I've told you not to call me that," Maria tsked, smiling ever so slightly.