"Deep breaths," Maria told herself, gazing at the digits written on the napkin lying on the table in front of her.

Slowly, she dialed the number, and put it to her ear.

She waited a few moments as it rang, then internally flinched as the tone stopped, too used to an angry rant on the other end.

Instead, she was met with the softest "Hello?" she'd ever heard.

Earlier that day...

Maria stepped through the glass doors of Burr & Hamilton Law, her heels clicking on the marble tile as she approached the front desk.

A young woman smiled up at her, the name plate on the granite counter reading Dolley Payne Todd.

"Here to see Mr. Burr?" Dolley asked. When Maria nodded, Dolley simply smiled and pressed a button on the intercom.

"Sir, Maria Reynolds is here."

Maria heard Burr's garbled voice say "Send her in, please, Dolley."

Dolley nodded invitingly at Maria, gesturing down the hall. Maria briskly stepped across the tile, until she stood in front of Burr's office door. She raised her knuckles to tap on the pebble glass door and knocked quietly. The door opened, and Burr stood there, smiling pleasantly at her. "Miss Reynolds," he greeted, his soft voice wreathing its aura of calm. She was about to reply in kind when a loud voice sounded from behind her.

"Mr. Burr, sir! What are you up to?" Maria quickly spun to see another man, wearing a large grin, his shoulder length hair flying as he sprinted down the hall while trying to avoid spilling the coffee in a very large mug, coming to an abrupt halt in front of the two.

"Alexander, was that necessary?" Burr asked wearily.

"Exercise, Burr, sir," the man said, only a bit breathless. His gaze fell on Maria. "And who is this charming young lady?"

"Maria Reynolds, one of our newest clients," Burr answered swiftly. "Please don't scare her away."

"Miss Maria Reynolds!" the other man said warmly. "Pleasure to meet you." He held out his hand.

Burr rolled his eyes. "Miss Reynolds, this is my associate, Mr. Alexander Hamilton."

Maria nervously held out her hand, and Hamilton grasped it with a firm shake. "Mr. Burr, thank you for meeting with me on such short notice," she said.

"Of course, Miss Reynolds."

"Please, just Maria."

Burr inclined his head towards her. "Of course." He stepped aside, directing her inside his office.

"So we already told this asshole to leave her alone, right?" Hamilton asked, leaning back in his chair, his feet resting on Burr's desk.

"Save the vernacular, yes," Burr said.

"And he doesn't listen. How typically male, the little shit," Hamilton mused. Maria had to suppress a laugh.

"Please, Alexander, not in front of our clients," implored Burr.

"And who does he have as a lawyer?" Hamilton lifted his coffee mug, and Maria was briefly reminded of Eliza as she wondered where he had gotten such a gigantic mug.

"John Adams."

Hamilton choked on his coffee, and they all took a moment as Hamilton tried to expel the liquid caffeine from his lungs.

"John Adams? That fat motherfucker, he doesn't know the law from his ass!" Hamilton exploded.

His eyes met Maria's with a crazed sort of fire. "No worries, Miss Reynolds, he's going down!"

"Hello?"

Maria froze for a moment. Her tongue felt like lead in her mouth. She swallowed hard. "Oh, um, hi. It's Maria. From earlier?"

"Right! Of course! I'm Eliza. But you probably already knew that. How are you doing? Are you okay?" Eliza asked, rapid-fire. She sounded so genuinely excited to talk, and Maria felt herself calm down a little.

"I'm good, thanks. You?

"I'm great," Eliza replied warmly.

" I'm really sorry I couldn't meet you earlier; I had to run and meet my lawyer, and then we were there forever. I only just got home-" Maria rambled on before cutting herself off.

"It's okay! Really," Eliza insisted. "Is everything okay now?"

"Well...I think it is, for now," Maria said shyly.

"That's good."

"'Liza, who are you talking to?" a voice called in the background.

"Sorry, those are my sisters," Eliza said. "Give me a sec." There was a muffled sound, like she was covering up the mouthpiece. "I'm talking to Maria!"

"The cute girl you couldn't be quiet about from Colonial? You, go girl!" Maria smiled. Eliza said she was cute?

"Sorry, I'm back," Eliza said suddenly.

"You have sisters?"

"Yeah. Angelica and Peggy. We split the rent together. Do you have any sisters?"

"Yes, Susanna and Sarah. We're not really close though."

"Oh. That's a shame."

"Yeah. I'm hoping I can change that, but I think I need to get my own problems sorted out first."

"That's probably smart."

Maria laughed. "I hope so. Mr. Burr always says one should try and get back on their feet before they try to jump."

"Burr?"

"My lawyer," Maria explained.

"Aaron Burr?"

"You know him?"

"He's a friend and law partner to one of my old friends."

"Hamilton?"

"Oh, God, is Alex your lawyer too?" Eliza groaned.

"One of them…" Maria said, feeling uneasy. "Why?"

"Well, there's nothing wrong with him; I'm not saying that, he's just a little...excitable, I guess."

Maria couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, I've noticed."

"Oh. Good." Both girls laughed. There was a bit of a silence that followed.

"Hey, so, um,..." Eliza hesitated before picking up speed. "See, I know a guy, and he invited my sisters and I to his anniversary party, and we're allowed to bring a plus-one. I know we don't know each other very well, but would you want to come? With me?"

"Oh, well-"

"I mean, you don't have to," Eliza said quickly. "I just thought maybe- you-know- we could get to know each other a little better-"

"Eliza?" Maria said quietly, and Eliza went silent, anticipating her answer.

"If-if you'll have me, I'd love to," Maria said softly.

"Really? Great! If you come by Colonial tomorrow, I can give you the details," Eliza suggested.

"That sounds great," Maria replied.

The two girls stayed up late into the night, discussing dreams and favorite colors.

Maria knew eventually she'd have to explain the entire mess with James, but not tonight.

Tonight, they could just talk.

Review please!