The tossing around of [i]husband[/i] and [i]wife[/i] and [i]married[/i] very nearly caused William to smirk in humor, even laugh.  How he and Keziah thought alike to have made up the same lie: it was incredible, and -- by the reaction of the Colonel -- plausible, because other than scrutinize the two of them as they talked, he said nothing to show his doubt about their claim.  And he could have, very easily in fact.  Before Keziah had entered the room, the Colonel had grilled William about his recent history extensively: when did you leave the Colonies for Europe, when did you get back, when were you betrothed to the lady with whom you travel, and more.  William hadn't been sure whether the Colonel was more interested in William's story about being a recently arrived Hessian deserter or Keziah's true spouse.  

"You will be afforded the safety, security, and the hospitality of the Essex County Second Regiment," the Colonel said in a formal and firm tone after a long moment of simply studying the two.  He looked first to Keziah. "You my lady will tend to the Regiment's wounded..." And with a more solemn tone added, "...who never seem to diminish in number."  He looked to William, cleared his throat, then continued in his commanding voice, "You, sir, will provide my Lieutenants with all you know of the British Forces ... those occupying the City of Boston and those beyond, should you know anything of them as well."  He glanced between the pair as he continued, "You will reassure me that you are worthy of the Regiment's time, energy, and trust ... of the Continental Army's time, energy, and trust..." 

William understood that to be the Colonel's [i]or else[/i] threat without actually using those two words.  As he'd listened to the man laying out his own personal assignment, William [i]should[/i] have been contemplating how he was going to help the Patriots without possibly altering the future.  Would his actions change things to come?  What was that word ... [i]paradox?[/i]  What about the [i]Butterfly Effect?[/i]  William didn't even know whether he was in the same time line from which he came.  Could he have been in a different time line, a different dimension, a different...?  [i]Fuck![/i]  Suddenly, he wished he'd watched a few less documentaries on history and few more on science and ... [i]quantum[/i] whatevers. 

Regardless of all that, though, the first question out of William's mouth for the Colonel was, "But Keziah and I--"  He hesitated a moment, then corrected, "My wife and I ... we remain together, yes?  You aren't splitting us up?"

The Colonel studied the pair another moment, then responded by calling in a soldier from beyond the door, telling him, "Find an empty house for the gentleman and lady.  Something comfortable ... one of the now empty Loyalist homes.  If there are troops in it now, evict them.  They can sleep in a tent."

"Yes, sir," the man said, turning and leaving quickly.

The Colonel looked back to the pair, once again took a moment, then stressed to the Sergeant who had been in the room throughout the [i]interview[/i].  "Put Guards on the home.  And have them escorted every where they go.  If one of them attempts to flee ... shoot the other."

Without hesitation, the Sergeant barked back, "[i]Yes,[/i] Colonel."

"My name is George Hardison," the Colonel told William and Keziah, "but you will call me Colonel or Colonel Hardison in the presence of my men.  If there is anything you need--"  He glanced to the enlisted man, "Sergeant Taylor will see to the need as best he can."