"Stop fidgeting." Mr. Burr suggested quietly. "The jury is going to see a scared kid, and when you start talking they'll feel lied too, whether its a conscious thought or not."

I took a deep breath and shoved my hands into my pockets. "I'm nervous."

"You should be. If a man goes up against your father and isn't worried, he's absolutely mad."

"That's comforting."

Mr. Burr chuckled. "Philip, that doesn't mean that you're going to lose. Nervousness will keep you paying attention, and you'll get more in tune with the courtroom's atmosphere once everything is underway.

The doors at the back of the room were knocked open rather viciously. I gritted my teeth and forced myself not to look over my shoulder.

"Burr." Pa's voice was like acid.

"Hamilton." Mr. Burr returned the greeting in a flat tone.

"Philip."

"Pops." I didn't look up at him, keeping my gaze focused on the front of the judge's bench.

He moved towards our table for a moment, but Mr. Burr calmly pushed his chair back and stood up. "I'd suggest you go sit down, Alexander. Badgering your opponent will do nothing for you."

I took a deep breath as Pa backed off, going to sit down on the other side of the courtroom.

"See? All it takes is a little practice." Mr. Burr smiled to me as he sat down. "Unfortunately, you'll have to learn on the fly, but I saw enough spark in that argument when you first challenged him to know that you'll have this under control easily."

"Thanks, Mr. Burr...." I took another deep breath and looked down at the folder sitting in front of me on the table. This entire situation was honestly terrifying. I was stepping into my father's court, where he reigned supreme and was rarely challenged. Alexander Hamilton, prosecutor extraordinaire, versus a teenager with no previous experience.

One for the history books. If I could pull it off.

"Your mother and Theodosia just showed up." Mr. Burr commented as the door opened again.

I huffed. "I was hoping they wouldn't. I don't want them to see this."

"Why not?"

"I... I'm sort of scared."

"Of losing?" He raised his eyebrows.

I shook my head. "What if I get up there and I turn into him? I wouldn't want them to see that."

"Philip. I have known you properly for only a few weeks and I can already tell that the only thing you seem to share with your father is his last name... and according to Theodosia, your tendency to out-wit people bigger and higher than you."

"And my temper." I admitted. It didn't come out often, but I had Pa's spurts of aggression that came with anger or stress.

"Which are all things that your mother and Theodosia already know and can accept." He promised, smiling. "You're going to do great, your arguments are sound and I think we've anticipated a lot of your father's moves here. Deep breaths."

I nodded and closed my eyes for a moment, running through the arguments I'd put together in my mind. Sure we had them all written down, but after going over them so many times in Mr. Burr's office I basically had them memorized.

"Just keep your head clear, you'll do fine." He patted my shoulder and stood, stepping over to the low wall between the court floor and the seating for spectators to talk to someone.

I nodded and ran my fingertips over the edge of the file sitting in front of me. This was for Mom. This was for Theo. This was for me.

I was so lost in thought, I didn't realize it was nearly time to start until everyone was asked to stand. Mr. Burr came back over to stand at my side while the judge came in.

We went through the usual court proceedings. As the prosecution, Pa made his opening statements first. He went on a whole spiel about being denied his rights as a parent and only wanting what was best for me. Then he sat down and the judge called defense, us, to make our opening statements.

I stood up. Pa cleared his throat immediately.

"Your Honor, I believe the lawyer should be making the opening statements, not the client, who is a child."

"Mr. Philip Hamilton, Mr. Alexander Hamilton is correct."

"I'm actually representing myself." I shifted my grip on the folder. "Mr. Burr is here to provide counsel and oversee my case as I am a minor and was in need of someone to make sure I was not breaking any laws."

The judge paused, then nodded slowly. "Very well. Proceed."

I took a deep breath and turned to the jury. "Ladies and gentlemen...."

[A/N disclaimer I took Business Law last year and we briefly talked about lawsuits/criminal cases and things so that is really the extent of my knowledge and I'm trying to look up information to keep this as accurate as possible, my apologies if it is incorrect]