I kinda want to finish the entire story... -C

Lafayette and Hercules watch as everyone walks into the room. She can't help but tremble and duck under his arm. Why are there so many people with AIDS and HIV? One bad decision destroys your whole life.

They introduce themselves halfheartedly as they sit down. Lafayette can't help but notice all of them have a certain gleam in their eyes. It's a defeated look. Their meetings keep dwindling down. There were plenty of them in the beginning and then they all started dropping like fruit flies.

"James." "Gordon." "Abigail." "Pam." "John."

Their eyes slide over to Lafayette and Hercules expectantly. Lafayette carefully picks her way to a seat, sitting down. "Hi, I'm Laf."

Hercules walks forwards and shakes hands with the man leading the group. After all, this is his first time there. He feels a little out of place. Most of them aren't decked out in the finest coats and clothing...But that's the one thing Hercules has always been able to get for himself. His tailoring skills are what keeps him off the street after all.

"Hercules Mulligan," he introduces himself softly.

The man smiles at him. Then, his eyes flicker to Laf and then back to Hercules. He raises an eyebrow. "I see...I'm Paul."

Lafayette and Hercules sit there as it begins. Slowly, her hand creeps to his. Within moments, they're crashing against each other, fingers entwining. It's a silent show of support between the two of them. Lafayette can't even think about how they just met that day. Something about Hercules just clicked and resonated so strong in her head. Hopefully, to Hercules, there was something about Lafayette too.

"There's only us," Paul slowly says.

Lafayette clutches Hercules' hand tighter. "There's only this."

There's a loud crash and then a very loud cuss word.

John staggers into view, holding his ankle. His notebook dangles between his other hand. He has a very sheepish smile, and the bright red blush emphasizes the dark freckles upon his cheeks. "Your, uh, door leapt out and surprised me."

Hercules snorts at his friend.

"Oops?" John finishes, shrugging. All of his curly hair leaps a little on his shoulders while he does that.

Paul chuckles lightly. "And you are?"

"Oh, I'm not-" John notices the look of Lafayette. "I'm just here-"

"I don't have-" He cuts himself off, wondering if that's offensive in a way. Alex never had HIV, so he never got it. He didn't do anything like heroin either. John, despite being a very reckless man, does know how to protect himself. "I'm here with-"

"Just say your dang name," Lafayette whispers.

John flushes even brighter. "John! My name is John! Haha. Well, this is quite...Cool. Whatcha doing?"

He pulls a chair over slightly and sits next to Hercules. Hercules is trying his absolute hardest not to break out laughing at John's blunder.

They start continuing their affirmation.

James cuts them off. He's a rather small man, curling in on himself. Lafayette can see little similarities between him and Hercules. He clears his throat. Despite having an exceptionally small voice, he can command his audience well. "Excuse me, Paul?"

"Yes, James?" he asks.

James' eyes slide over to Lafayette, crinkling ever so slightly. "I just can't...Get behind this credo. I'm dying, Paul. And not of some random disease like usual. I'm going to die because I made a mistake with Dolley."

"Okay, then, James. But...James...How about Thomas?"

Lafayette bolts straight up at the mention of her twin. When everyone stares at her, she sheepishly shrugs and shakes it off.

"What?"

"How about Thomas? Doesn't he make you feel good about life?"

"I guess," James spits out, shrugging slightly.

Lafayette raises an eyebrow. Thomas could rave about his new boyfriend for hours, but apparently, James is not the same way. Then again, he's not nearly as outgoing as the two of them. Despite having the same face, many people fall for the 'not-twins' act. Their parents practically disowned Laf after hearing about the AIDS, but they disowned Thomas first. Now, Thomas has a name like Jefferson to end his name.

"Is that all?"

James sighs heavily, sounding like he's suffered long and hard just to confess that. "He's the reason that I've felt so good all year."

"So why choose fear?" Paul replies.

Lafayette calls out instead of James, feeling as if she really knows them. "He's a New Yorker, sir."

"Fear's our lives," Hercules finishes.

The two of them grin at each before high-fiving. John shushes them, looking quite intently at James.

The small man awkwardly rubs at his hands. "Okay, so some of what you teach is a little...Shifty. I can't just believe all of this stuff. I rely on my intellect, and that was supposed to guide me through life. Not end it before I even have a chance to marry Thomas or raise children or do something with my life. It's so hard trying to rely on opening up. Thomas knows that I can't because..."

"Thomas loves you," Lafayette whispers. "Trust me. I've heard him babble enough to figure that one out."

James smiles at her. "Thanks, Laf. But...Reason dictates my death. I'm three years over due."

John bolts straight up, mind churning the moment he hears those words. That's when Aaron should have died. His closest friend, besides Alex he supposes, should have died alongside James Madison.

Hercules wraps an arm around John. "Don't worry."

"Let's call Thomas, huh?" Lafayette whispers to James.

James smiles weakly at Lafayette.

Peggy has never felt more alive than onstage. Maybe it's silly, or maybe she's stupid. However, the stage is almost its own kind of high. She can never get over the twirling and the rush when you feel people's eyes.

   Peggy adores the spotlight. As a dancer here, she has finally been able to show the world that she belongs there. Maybe nobody truly knows her there, but does it matter? She gets what's important...What she wants.

   She twirls around on stage again, her short skirt flying up slightly. Immediately, she is met with approval. A few men applaud and whistle. Peggy knows that they aren't her type of audience...They aren't the ones she would want to date. However, it's a living. And...She'd be lying if she said she wasn't enjoying herself.

   When her shift is finished, she has gleaming sweat on her dark skin. Peggy leans over the table in her smaller dressing wound. Her fingers splay on the table while she stares at herself in the mirror. Right once Peggy is about to walk away, her phone beeps.

   The memory suddenly flashes in her head as she abruptly realizes what time it is. Her shift went to midnight tonight? Or at least, close. She had forgotten that fact...And apparently, she had forgotten the fact Angelica or Eliza said they needed to speak it her. She just knew that it was something she didn't want to be doing. Every text from her sisters usually brought up duty and responsibilities, which is not Peggy's fondest ideals.

   Sucking in a breath, she glances over at the caller ID. Then, she winces before blithely picking up. Even though she wants to put herself in danger, she knows picking up is practically suicide. "Hello!"

   "Peggy? Hey! We need to talk about Dad and Mom," informs Angelica.

   Peggy clears her throat. "Maybe later? I need to go!"

   "Go where? It's midnight-"

   "Almost!" With that, Peggy hangs up and continues getting ready for the day...Er, night. She knows that she needs to be running off to join something...Or anything. An idea starts spinning in her head.

   She knows for a fact Aaron will be awake right now.

   Peggy flings herself into the dressing room, and she starts looking through everything. She wants to be the cause of a fight tonight. People can jump on each other, fighting over her, just because she put on an especially tight skirt. Peggy changes into a simple top that doesn't even reach halfway down her stomach. Then, she wears tightly clinging yellow skirt. She twirls and shakes, ready to flirt with anyone who comes by.

   Social rules have stopped applying to her for quite some time. Sure, Peggy remembers all of the rules that people had told her when she was younger. Philip Schuyler tried to drive into her mind how a proper lady acted.

   She bursts through the back door of the club, grinning. "But who breaks the rules? This gal! Screw you, Dad! Oh wait, Mom already did that."

   Sniggering slightly, Peggy starts skipping down the street, flashing her legs slightly at whoever sees her.

   "You look hot!" someone calls.

   She turns on her heel, winking. "Yeah?"

   With that, Peggy charges forward. She starts thinking as she walks. Where is she going to take Aaron anyway? Peggy has never been a girl to just...Make an unimpressive date. She's going to bring Aaron somewhere cool. A movie? A feature flick? Something that's entirely awesome? What kind of thing can Peggy do?

   What kind of man is Aaron? Will he be jealous when Peggy gets them in for free by swinging her hips and popping her lips? Will Aaron allow them to do that? Even though Peggy will be completely fine persuading the man to let Aaron get in too...Would he? What should she even do?

   Either way, they're going out.

   She darts down the street. Even though it's cold and she's practically freezing, Peggy knows that she isn't going to change. Maybe she should have popped a coat on...A hat even. Maybe she should get someone else to get her something...

   "John!" she shouts.

   Said man freezes, glancing at her. His eyes go wide when he sees her bare limbs, and he immediately flushes red. Lafayette, a former friend of hers, and even Hercules pause. It's clear that they didn't expect Peggy to come over to them just like that.

   She waltzes over, hips swaying. "Jacky..."

   "Yeah?" His voice squeaks just so slightly.

   Wrapping her arms around his neck, she starts playing with his scarf. "I'm going out tonight, sweetheart...Perhaps you want to give this away?"

   "My scarf?" John defensively gathers it to his chest.

   Lafayette punches him gently, cackling. "That's no way to treat a lady, mon ami! Come on! It's one night scarf-less. And if Margarita Schuyler is heading the way I think she is...I don't think you'll have to worry about returning it. Going out with Aaron, eh?"

   "We won't be back before Christmas Day," she jokingly replies, leaning against him and slowly looking back at him. She blinks innocently, a tiny smile curls around her face. John flicks one of the curls into her eyes before he untangles himself from her. He wraps her scarf around her bare shoulders innocently.

   She grins. "Thank you, sweetheart...So...Hercules...That's a fine coat sleeve you've got there."

   Hercules and Lafayette crack up immediately.

   Lafayette untangles her arms from the black overcoat she has. "My furry Santa costume is definitely enough for this. You go win a Burrsicle over...Warm his heart."

   "And please. He knows just how lucky he'll be." Peggy giggles before skipping away.

   She scratches at her arms as she walks.

   She hates going to the apartment complex at night. She can always see the sign. The sign with all of the neon lights. Blue and green, fleshing out the things she doesn't want to see. 'Hamilton Apartment Complex.' Blue for Eliza, green for Alexander.

   She can see it in her apartment.

   At night, too, she can hear the arguments of the family below her. It's a shouting match between a teenager girl and one of her parents. She shouts and doesn't stop shouting. She shouts about wanting to be an artist and not being her brother or her aunt. She always is shouting...

   And it feels too much like home. Peggy has to go. She can't stay with all of those memories pushing at her.

   In her darkened apartment, she wraps the overcoat tighter and grabs a cigarette. She can't help but try and drown out the maybes and nevers. Maybe you can grow up and marry a boy like Eliza did! You will never be Eliza though. Maybe you can be a famous lawyer like Angelica. Your grades will never allow you to be as good as that. Maybe if you tried harder. Maybe if you wanted it more. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

   Peggy pushes open her window and grabs the ladder. It connects her to the poet's bedroom. It's time to go in.

   Aaron did not expect the window to suddenly slam against a wall and a girl slowly expose herself, the scarf and overcoat falling to the ground. She swings in, showing off the flexibility of her legs as she stretches them. "Please take me out tonight."

   "What-"

   "Don't forsake me," Peggy purrs, pushing all of the crumpled poems off the table and pouncing upon it. She shows off the slenderness of the muscles in her leg.

   "Peggy-"

   "I'll let you make me," the girl promises at last, bringing her lips close to his as she throws her arms around him. Their lips are about to meet, and he feels a weird, trembling feeling dance down his spine.

   Aaron pushes her away at the last second, ignoring the hurt expression on her face. He pushes up from the chair, used to work at the coffee table, and he starts stalking to the door, tearing up the newest poem. Whatever thought train he had on the rails had fallen off quite abruptly. Just the mere thought of Peggy had always made him feel weird, and then whatever beautiful rhyme and rhythm he had about Theodosia popped out and vanished.

   He practically spat out his words in the general direction of Peggy. "Who the heck do you think you are? Some kind of beauty queen? You can't just barge through my window, and yes, this is technically breaking and entering and trespassing! Little girl, heyo, Schuyler Number Three! The actual door, the thing most people enter through, is all the way over there. You better go...My fire's out anyway."

   "Excuse me?" Peggy huffs, bringing her arms closer to her and hugging herself. She doesn't bother to get off of the table though. She seems quite satisfied with her positioning right there.

   As the memory strikes him, he strolls over to the drawer of assorted stuff. People keep leaving crap there in their dorm. It's almost as if they don't realize how much they could sell it for. Then again, he doesn't plan to sell it at all.

   Half of the stuff goes flying, whether or not it's Peggy's. "Take your powder...Take your candle! Take your sweet whisperings, and your short skirt, and your curly hair, and your brown eyes! Get out!"

   "I-"

   "Goodbye, goodnight!" He marches over and grabs her wrist and helps to drag her off the table. She yelps sadly. Then, Aaron slowly forces her to walk over to the door. He doesn't want to be too rough. Her skin has always been flawless and fragile, and why would he want to damage that? Not...That he was thinking of it like that.

   Her bottom lip quivers slightly, her eyes growing wide. She's forgotten her tough façade for a split second and revealing the nineteen-year-old. She can't be the fearless sex machine all the time, after all.

   He sighs. His thoughts are crashing into each other, and he can't control it fast enough to calm down...Talk less, smile more, he tries repeating to himself. "I should tell you-no."

   "Come back another time," Aaron finally tells her, pushing her out of the door. "Maybe then we can smile and have our temperature rise and everything you seem to expect. But until then...You better come back another day."

   "Aaron!" Peggy wails, a fat tear going down her cheek.

   He hesitates before closing the door, and that's all Peggy needs.

   She sticks her slender leg into the door's path. "You can't just forget about all of this. You can't freeze your heart...I can't freeze mine. Maybe...The pain will be easier if we stop living like there's tomorrow. We can get things done. We can make the world ours! Aaron, please. There's only us...Only this. If we regret everything, what can we do? What could we hope to accomplish in life?"

   "Sorry, I must have forgotten," Aaron mumbles.

   Peggy's finger glides to his jaw. "Yeah?"

   "The heroin users are always the prophets," he deadpans. He uses her surprise against her, and he pushes her out the door. He's not risking her coming back either. Peggy seems a little surprised that Aaron is pursuing her down the hallway, making sure that she can't just come back again...Not another day. Or maybe use the classic midnight logic that it technically is another day.

   She stomps away, going a little faster to make sure that he will stop it. However, there is a little reluctance. It's clear that Peggy doesn't want to leave him. "I-"

   "I already told you to leave," Aaron seethes. "Fire's dead...Ain't never going to start. Maybe another day-"

   "I don't do maybes!" she shouts back. "There's only yes! Say yes to this!"

   "Yeah, well, you're too cool to be slumming in the city," Aaron responds before leaving just like that.

   He's about to leave when she suddenly bounds forward and grabs his wrist once more. "Let it go, Aaron! Life sucks! We have to move on or...We will never figure out what's right! There's no day but today!"

"Peggy, it's time for you to let go of me," Aaron attempts to calmly say.

She hits her chest hard, making her hair bounce. "I can't control whether I'm ever going to be something more than 'And Peggy' in everyone's eyes!"

"Talk less, smile more," he informs her dully.

She frowns at that, shaking and trembling. "You can't just say that! That's not your motto! That's stupid! I trust my soul."

"Margarita, I have always learned to trust ladies with respect, but if you don't let go-" Aaron cuts himself off when he notices the crowd gathering to watch the waterworks.

Peggy follows his gaze. She knows he isn't a public man. The fact that John, Hercules, and Lafayette are halfway up the stairs seems to daunt him.

"Just let me be," Aaron whispers at last.

She holds tighter, raising her voice. "No other path."

"You aren't a psychiatrist."

"No other way..."

"Peggy, this is dumb and immature."

"No day but today! Isn't that what Theodosia have told you?" shouts Peggy.

It's then when something really snaps in Aaron. He pushes her off hard enough to get her to stumble into Lafayette. Then, he crosses his arms and turns away. "I don't have to babysit tonight. Take your silhouette, your hair, your beauty, your everything!"

"No day but today!" It seems that Peggy has gotten a following, her cult of John, Lafayette, and Hercules shouting the creed along with her.

Aaron's mouth settles in a straight line. "We can argue this in another dance. We can fight another way. I can talk to you and give you another chance. But not today...Come back another day."

"Another day," whispers Peggy as she watches Aaron stomp off. "And trust me...I'll be back."

Then, she eases into Lafayette's warm embrace.