First off, Ben will waver in and out of OOC brought on by desperation, intoxication, and torment. Ben is not a gentleman in this story! This is basically romance and smut...Read tags for other warnings as my writing is dark and gritty. There is also a graphic rape scene, so do not pretend like you have not be warned and are offended.

I also bend history to fit my story!

Like the majority of my fanfic, the inspiration for this fanfic was drawn from a dream.

Chapter 1: Hostages

Major Hewlett has been wounded and is recovering in New York, leaving Captain Simcoe in charge of Setauket. With threat of siege, Simcoe has ordered a retreat taking hostages.

"I say we hang them up just like they did our brethren!" Caleb hissed, glaring out the open door of the Strong Tavern at the row of hung Setauket Citizens swaying with the tide of the frosty wind.

"No! Do not abase yourself to their level of brutality. Prove that you are men of honor!" Anna pleaded from the cluster of cowering townspeople. She had grew up with Ben and Caleb, and she knew their hearts. If they commit such atrocities, the act would embed itself in their souls, only to wound and fester.

"Bah! You cannot speak reason to a rebel! They bear no honor!" Ensign insulted.

Roaring, Caleb hurled the butt of his musket across Ensign's head. The young British soldier crumpled to the floor, eyes rolling to the back of his head.

Cinnamon threw herself between Ensign and Caleb. "Cease, you animal!" her accent British and sassy.

Ben glared at the reckless, impulsive beauty. How dare she label his men feral when it was her countrymen who had executed men without a just trial. "Sit down, miss!"

Folding her arms, she met his glare, flaunting insolence. "I will not!"

Ensign groaned painfully as he struggled to lift his head. "Miss. Hewlett, please."

Ben cocked his head, noting the concern in the soldier's tone without understanding his guttural words.

One of the other British soldiers grazed Ensign with his boot, shushing him as if he had just allowed a bottled secret to air.

"What did you call her?" Caleb snapped.

When Ensign did not reply, Caleb raised his musket once more. This time Cinnamon slapped it away.

Ben stepped forth, catching her wrist and pulling her from the protection of the captured British soldiers. When the men protested, Ben's Patriots aimed their weapons.

"Ben, stop this!" Anna shrieked. She had never seen Ben behave anything but a gentleman in the presence of ladies.

"How dare you manhandle me! Release me this instant!" Cinnamon stomp her foot in huff, pouting like a spoiled brat.

"What is your name, girl?" Ben asked, tightening his grip upon her wrist.

"I am Cinnamon Hewlett and I am the proud granddaughter of Major Hewlett!"

Caleb smiled. "Ben, are you thinking what I am thinking?"

Emotionless, Ben nodded, shoving Cinnamon into Caleb's snare. "I am way ahead of you, friend."

"You can not take her!" Ensign shouted, only to greet a kick in the belly.

"Ben, no! This is not you!" Anna tried to step forward, but was halted by her husband.

"Ben, Caleb, do not do this! This is wrong!" Abe joined Anna's protest. His wife glowering with suspicion.

Ben jerked Abe from his wife's clutches, shoving him out the door and out of hearing range. "Simcoe has my father and Caleb's uncle. He is holding them only to kill them before our eyes, or he would have executed them along with the others. This girl is our only hope."

"What will your superiors think of you imprisoning a female? Have you thought about this ludicrous plan for more than five minutes?"

"I will charge her as a spy. Being a female did stop the Redcoats from imprisoning Agent 355!" In a less smug tone, Ben continued, "I have gave my all for this cause. I have bled for this war. My brother died for this war. My father is all I have left. He is not a sacrifice that I am willing to render, regardless of the stain it will place upon my reputation."

Abe shook his head and placed his arms around Ben's shoulders in brotherly bonding. "Simcoe is twisted. How can you be so sure that he will even consider the trade?"

"He will. He will have to."

Abe's voice intensified, "you are positive he will agree?"

Their eyes locked. Abe was right. Ben was not confident, but he was not about to admit that. "Farewell for now, Mr. Culper," Ben cast over his shoulder, withdrawing to the docked boats with the rest of his soldiers. Caleb had already tied a fussy Cinnamon and was in the process of threatening to gag her if she did not cease her arrant insults.

Notes:

Agent 355 was a female spy in the Culper Ring under Benjamin Tallmadge. She was imprisoned on the Jersey ship.