Hey everyone! It's been a while since I updated, huh? I keep getting little notes that this FF keeps getting favorited every week or two, so it still seems like it's kinda active! That's awesome!

The chapter's on the shorter side, and there's not as much, but it's again one of the parts we never really worked through in the RP. Everything's changing in my memory, so it might wind up completely different by the end of this FF. To my America who made this with me, I hope you are enjoying this anyway.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Amelia arrived where Francis was staying. It was a high end hotel. The one running it at that time of night was a young gentleman, not much younger than herself. He was well trimmed, and making eyes at her. "Hello, I wish to know which room Mr. Francis Bonnefoy is staying in to discuss a deal between my husband and himself." She said simply.

The man's eyes drooped a bit. "Ah, yes, does he know that you are coming to see him?" He asked.

Amelia shook her head. "No, I-."

The man shook his head, and waved a hand. "I am sorry, but he has turned in for the night. Perhaps you should come back tomorrow with your husband-"

Amelia reached over and grabbed the collar of his shirt. "I'm so sorry to trouble you, but you know that I simply must see him!" Her words were strong, bidding, but her gestures were somewhat threatening.

The man was not going to be intimidated by a simple woman! He gently tried to move her hand away from his collar. "I am sorry miss-"

Amelia's eye bore right into the man's. "Give. Me. His. Room number. If not I will go and knock down every door in this establishment. And you will be powerless to stop me." She gave him a smile not to be argued with. "Understood?" Her grip on his collar grew tighter and pulled him down a bit. The man was forced to bend over from her grasp.

"Y-yes Ma'am! He's in room 34, just go down that hall and turn right. Second door to your left!" He gestured quickly.

"Thank you." She let go of the man's collar, and gave him a well smile before trotting off down the hall.

The man rubbed at his throat, but bit back his need to call the bouncer, not wanting to be shown up by a woman and just let her go.

Amelia had found Francis's room. She knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked again, louder this time. There was a groan from the other side.

"'Ow is coming to wake me up at this late hour?" She heard the Frenchman protesting.

"You couldn't have been asleep for more than eight minutes." Amelia protested. "Now come and open this door."

"'Aven't you caused me enough pain today madam?" The Frenchman shot back.

"Clearly not as if you knew better you would open this door."

There was a pause. "Why would I open ze door of I knew better?"

"Because, lock or not, I will break this door down and make you listen."

A gasp. "You could not do such a thing!" He said in disbelief

Amelia just watched the door. The silence seemed to explain to Francis she was telling the truth. The Frenchman slowly opened the door a slight bit, and Amelia pushed into his room.

Alfred came back flying on his feet. Sure he had been booted out by Amelia, but he just had a great night! He went and celebrated a good harvest with his workers, danced with plenty of the ladies, and the end he kissed Ivan again.

He wasn't in the state of mind to think about the fact he was quickly becoming unfaithful to his wife, and with a man no less! All he could think about was the large, somewhat awkward man with kids that worked for him.

He came back into the house, trying to at least hide a little bit of the excitement that he had coursing through his veins. He couldn't let Amelia see how happy he was, right?

The look Nadeen game him though, he knew he wasn't hiding it well. "What's got you flyin' so high, Mr. Jones?"

Alfred felt the grin spread across his face. "Ohh nothing'." He said, drawing it out and wiggling.

Nadeen knit her eyebrows together. "Nothing?" She questioned him.

It didn't take much for him to tell Nadeen he went to the festival. He didn't stop when a look of indignation came over her features. He stopped after he told her about dancing and the food. He knew better than to spout off about Ivan and himself.

"You know the Misses ain't gonna be happy," Nadeen warned him. "You should know better than to go off like that! What if you were needed?" She continued, scolding him.

Alfred huffed. "Was I needed?" He demanded.

Nadeen put her hands on her hips. "No, but you still should know better." She said, unwavering.

Alfred and Nadeen held each other's gaze. Then Alfred looked away. "I'm going to bed." He grumbled, not wanting his mood ruined.

"Ain't you going to ask where your wife is, Mister Jones?"

Alfred stopped. He looked over to the house slave. "Should I?"

Nadeen tilted her head to the side. "If you care to know, she left."

That caught Alfred's attention. "Why did she leave?" He asked, bewildered. Not to go get him, surely.

"To go see that French fellow."

"What? Why?"

Nadeen gave him a sharp look, but Alfred didn't shut up.

"Why would she go out this late to go see him?" He demanded.

Nadeen sighed. "She went out because she is going to repair the problem she made." She continued as Alfred slowly nodded his head. "But you should be proud to have your wife, Mister Jones. She is a very strong lady."

"Yeah I know," He grumbled.

"If she were a man, she would be a force to be reckoned with." The house slave mused.

Alfred snorted, which received a sharp look from Nadeen, but he chose to ignore it as he waved a hand. "I'm heading up to bed."

He head Nadeen's feet shuffling away after a while. Alfred went up to bed and sat on it heavily. He stared up at the ceiling and wondered aloud, "If she was a man, huh?" He closed his eyes. "…She'd be scary to be married to."

He rolled out on the bed, fully clothed, and fell asleep, thinking of the night's kiss with Ivan instead.

The next morning, Alfred woke up alone in his bed… So, Amelia had stayed out all night? With Bonnefoy. Even though he was trying to push her away, that still made his stomach knot up. He muttered to himself. Even though he didn't love her, they were still around each other since childhood. He would worry either way.

He rolled out of bed, and headed down stairs. There, sitting at the dining room table was Amelia. She was in the same clothes as yesterday. Her hair looked like she had not brushed it since then, and her eyes drooped a bit. In her hands was a cup of tea.

Alfred took a moment. "Good morning Amelia," He said.

Amelia startled a bit, looking up towards Alfred. "Good morning Alfred." She gave him a bright smile and stood up. "I have some news for you."

Alfred frowned. "Were you out all night?"

Amelia shook her head. "No. I came back three or so hours ago. Nadeen had stayed up for me to make me this tea. However, the news." She put the cup of tea down. It was steaming, so that probably meant she had a few pots of tea. Amelia didn't elaborate and went on. "I went to speak with Mr. Bonnefoy, and," She paused for emphasis, "He is going to help fund the plantation." Amelia grinned from ear to ear.

Alfred stared at her. "Really?" He asked. "Are you lying to me?" He came closer in disbelief.

Amelia grinned and nodded. "Would I lie about this?" She asked with a chuckle.

Alfred's heart leapt. "Oh god!" He gasped. He picked up his wife and hugged her. "Yes! Oh god, we don't have to worry!" He laughed.

Amelia laughed as well, and covered Alfred's mouth. "Now now, do not take your God's name in vain." She teased as Alfred set her down. She patted his chest. "Now, I'm going to bed. I just wanted to tell you the good news!" She grinned, and stood on her toes to give Alfred a kiss on the corner of his mouth.

Alfred was feeling really relieved. He helped his wife up to their bedroom and put her to bed. Oh yes, things were working out. He had Ivan now, the plantation would have some more stability…

Nadeen was clearing the tea from the table. "Would you like a fresh pot this morning, Mr. Jones?" She asked.

"No. Thank you." He said, beaming.

Nadeen smiled. "It's good to see you and the misses make up." She gently mused. She tottered a bit as she headed for the kitchen.

Alfred noticed this. "Nadeen."

"Yes, Mr. Jones?"

Alfred grinned. "Go ahead and take a rest."

Nadeen took a moment to process what he had told her to do, but then smiled and nodded. "Thank you Mr. Jones." After depositing the tea pot in the kitchen, Nadeen retired to her quarters.

Alfred scrounged the kitchen for breakfast. He had another rough day ahead of him. He should really find another driver soon. However, he was starting to wonder what Amelia had done to convince Francis to change his mind. He also realized he might have rekindled some of the affection that he was trying to destroy.

Francis came later that day to discuss and make the formal agreement of support. He would come back and check up on the plantation every other year. Amelia and Francis were on curt terms. Francis would glance at her, but look away quickly, as if startled by her.

All that Alfred knew was that it didn't look like Francis was going to bother Amelia again for a long time.

When Alfred left, saying he had to go work out in the fields to make sure everyone was doing their job, Francis had tea with Amelia.

Francis started to speak. "This may be inappropriate."

"When have you been proper?" Amelia asked with a curt smile.

Francis sucked in his breath. He counted to five. "Would it be okay with you if I start to send you letters, madam?"

"Whatever for?" Amelia picked up a sandwich that Nadeen had brought out and started to eat it.

Francis hesitated. "Well, I have never met a woman quiet like you."

"Oh yes, the ones that don't go with men other than their husbands is a rare breed indeed."

Francis rolled his eyes and kept going. "Even with your attitude, and atrocious amount of strength, I do believe that I will miss speaking with you."

Amelia was about to point out his use of words uncommon in every day speech, but was caught by his meaning. "Do you not have feminine company back in France?"

"Oh yes, company sure. Good company is something else." Francis nodded. "Most of the women back home are somewhat bland. They go day in and day out, talking nothing but crafts and rumors." Francis looked at Amelia. "You may be rough, but I think that is part of what makes you interesting. That, and you wish to understand ze man's world." He tutted. "Not that I approve, but at least we have ze common ground."

Amelia looked at him, and after a moment spoke. "For being a womanizer, Mr. Bonnefoy, you don't have a high opinion of women."

Francis smiled. "Ah, but I would be willing to change zat if the right one came along and showed me 'ow wrong my look is."

Amelia rolled her eyes. "…You can send letters. If my husband does not approve, however, I won't send any back."

Francis calmly agreed to Amelia's terms. "I hope zat 'e will allow me to talk to you, zen." Francis finished his cup of tea, and got up. "I should be 'eading back." He said, excusing himself.

Amelia escorted him out of the house to his carriage. "On behalf of my husband and myself, we wish you a safe trip back to France."

Francis smile "Ah, merci, madam. I hope good crops are plentiful these next two years." He took Amelia's hand and kissed it. "Please, look out for my letters."

Amelia didn't feel as though Francis was trying to act flirty that time. He seemed more genuine. She smiled. "I will," She promised without thinking.

Francis had a content smile on his face. That was the last thing Amelia saw of him before he stepped into the carriage to head off down the road.

PS: When I first started rewriting this roleplay into a FF, I had been listening to Little Women as an audio book. My mind set sometimes changes to that speech pattern while I'm writing. That's why Amelia sounds different while talking to Francis. She becomes a bit more like Joe from Little Women. ( )