June 1764 Setauket, Long Island

"Jonathan! Wait for me!" I yelled from the edge of the path in the woods.

There was no response meaning he was probably far ahead even though I had asked him to wait for me to go play in the woods. My brother didn't like the nuisance of his little sister wanting to play with him because hanging out in the woods was only for boys. Although I was 10, only one year younger than him and made sure to keep up with whether it was in studies or running around town. My father was making me take etiquette lessons ever since my mother passed away 3 springs ago and John hadn't waited for it to be over.

"Jonathan, I know you're here!" I called out looking through the trees for any sign of my brother and his friends. I heard something large rustle in the trees and I clutched the book I had brought with me tighter to my chest.

I heard muffled voices over running water from ahead. As I approached the river I saw my brother and his friends climbing trees hanging over the water. The first friend to notice me was Ben who offered me a friendly smile before it was cut off by my brother's protesting.

"Abraham grab this bran- Beatrice what are you doing here? Go home, we are tree climbing! There's no way you can do it with your dress!" he said to me, clearly annoyed.

"Yeah Bea this is no place fer a lady" said Caleb mischievously using my nickname.

"It's nonsense, I've climbed plenty of trees besides I'm not the one who doesn't know-" but I was cut off before I could attempt to embarrass him.

"Go home Beatrice." he tried to say sternly but I knew better than to take him seriously.

"Nope. I'm coming up." I said starting to gather my skirts.

"It's really okay John" said Ben kindly as him and Abraham tried to reason with him. However, he was not happy and threw his arms up to protest. Just then his balance gave way as he went tumbling into the water.

"Jonathan! He doesn't know how to swim!" I yelled up to the boys, rushing to the edge of the water.

"We're coming!" they yelled as they tried to climb down the tree but it was no quick feat to overcome. I realized I had to act now. I took a deep breath as I rushed into the water. I quickly felt the current rush against my body as I tried to steady myself. My brother was being whisked down stream rather quickly as I tore after him. I could feel my many skirts begin to weigh me down as they absorbed water but I stayed afloat.

"John! Grab my arm!" I called to him. His fear stricken eyes met mine as he grabbed my hand. I was able to steady us both on a log in the middle of the stream. I too was nervous but I tried to stay calm.

"Okay Jonathan, I can get us to the bank but I need you to kick your legs too." I told him as he nodded in response. We began to move from the log but he quickly grabbed it as soon as he let go.

"I can't Bea!" He said panicked.

"Yes you can! If I can you can!" I told him more firmly this time. He grabbed my shoulder and I found it slightly more difficult to moves us both through the water but I sighed a breath of relief as I felt the rocky ground come up under us. Caleb, Abraham, and Ben were there to meet us to help pulls us out of the water. I coughed as I could feel my muscles become heavier on land.

"Gave us a good scare now?" said Caleb looking to both of us as Ben helped me up on to my feet.

"Thank you Bea." said Jonathan sincerely.

"I'll tell you what John, your sister here is no typical lady." said Caleb grinning as we all shared a laugh. I took such statement as a compliment.

October 1776 , Virginia

I looked out the window to see the sun shining through the trees scattered across the estate. I thought back to my Long Island home that I hasn't seen in 10 years. While I was still young my father packed up what was left of my family to move to New Jersey. It was there I learned about politics and philosophers through various tutors and visits from some of my fathers more robust friends. It seemed a quiet life away from the turbulence that was growing in the colonies. However it became impossible to stay neutral on any matters as neighbors turned on each other. Fighting began over a year ago, or at least that's when my brother and father went to fight under my uncle's leadership. Suddenly my life was uprooted yet again and I was to stay with my aunt because a woman living on her own at an age of courting was highly improper.

"Beatrice!" a voice called outside the door. It was my Aunt Martha.

"Come in" I called setting my book down. She made her way into my room sitting down on my bed. My back was to her as my chair faced the window.

"Your brother wrote to you. He's in Connecticut right now but he should be able to attend the November ball." My aunt exclaimed. A ball. That's right. In the midst of all this chaos of a war going on I was expected to think about parties. Men were dying for our freedom and independence and of course I found little solace in what I heard in letters from my brother and uncle. My father who was a stubborn man, unfortunately didn't make it through last winter, no bullet could kill him but sickness was another matter. He was a fair man who I missed dearly but the older I got the more discourse there was between us. He wanted me to live the life of a proper woman.

"Oh good, thank you." I said smiling thinly and accepting the letter.

"Yes and I was planning to visit your uncle in the winter to help him but he has also requested your presence as well on this visit. He misses his favorite niece dearly." at this I genuinely smiled. My Uncle George had always encouraged me to learn as much as could, preaching knowledge for both men and women. The famous General George Washington to most but someone who always acknowledged my talents, to me.

"And Beatrice dear, this ball will be a good chance to meet suitors, eligible soldiers who -"

"Who would never pay attention to me if my last name wasn't Washington. Aunt Martha I want to be happy and fall in love as much as the next lady but I know where I stand. No man is worth compromising my mind, and you'll find men much prefer a subordinate wife." I shot back to my aunt knowing as well as her I would only be considered an "eligible bachelorette" for a short period of time. Maybe it was naïve of me wanting to marry for love but I didn't intend on being unhappy the rest of my life.

"And now that your uncle and I have began to watch over you, we want nothing more than to see you happy but you must keep an open mind. Although, I know yours is more open than most. Now dinner will ready soon I suggest you get out of this house for a bit." She said giving me an endearing smile before turning on her heels and leaving.

I took my aunts advice which seldom went unused and gathered my brother's letter before heading out to find a bench outside. The autumn weather was rather welcoming but when a breeze blew, warnings of winter were present. I opened up my brothers letter expecting to hear much of the same details I received in every letter.

Dear Bea,

I wasn't planning on writing you but Uncle George said he wanted to discuss something with you without alarming Aunt Martha, anyways here it is. I hope you are well and I know you're probably eating much better food than I am right now.

I paused at my brother's odd message and pulled out the second piece of paper enclosed in the letter.

Dear Beatrice,

Your aunt tells me of your eagerness to help with social preparations however I thought wiser to this and suspected much reluctance from someone who struggles to keep her opinion quiet but still wishes to please people. My dear niece you cannot please everyone. After my brother passed your aunt and I promised to take great care of you but I more than anyone can understand the restrictions he placed on you. While seeking a woman's intellectual input on a matter may be quite the opposite of casual, I guarantee nothing about war or this task is casual. Since you are a smart, capable woman I of course expect you to make this decision to help me on your own terms. I understand I sound rather cryptic but you must understand the dangers of presenting information in a letter. I look forward to discussing more with you when you visit next. No need to respond, I'll see you soon enough.

Your favorite uncle.

George W.

I hardly knew what to think. My "intellectual input" ? I knew my uncle valued my beliefs but I hadn't the slightest clue as to what he meant? What role could I play in this war?

Hey guys really wanted to right a story like this so I decided to give it a shot, I know it's not 100% accurate but I love history so why not. I really hope you guys like and it and know that feedback means the world to me! I love talking about the show so I like hearing your guys thoughts, thanks for reading!

Disclamier: I do not own an of the plot lines potrayed by the show ( I mean obviously I don't own the historical figures either lol)