A/N: Before I start, this is NOT HISTORICALLY ACCURATE. I know Lafayette is already married and his wife is like a pretty cool icon in the French Revolution but LET'S PRETEND THAT DOESN'T EXIST :) Anyway, this might be a little OOC, I'm not quite used to how they act and such but I imagine them like energetic puppies of joy for now. Uh, also, warning that there is swearing and mature/suggestive themes.

Chapter 1: Genevieve

Genevieve Alcott didn't ask for much. She was a tavern owner's daughter, comfortable in her home. She wasn't happy taking care of her younger siblings - constantly making sure they wouldn't get sick and that their clothes were not threadbare - but she couldn't complain. She loved her siblings more than anything besides her father.

And she had tried to fade into the background as Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and so many more took the spotlight. Genevieve tried courting various men of higher status so that the elevated wealth could help her siblings. Which would've been any sane woman's idea. After all, there was a war on their doorstep.

But after a particularly terrible time of courting a bland, sexist man, she realized that she could do anything a man could. She could be something better than just a trophy on a rich man's arm or a politician's wife, dropped into social gatherings left and right. She could be a woman who could help change the country they lived in. If anything, she could help change the country her siblings would grow up in - it was their future that would nurture with the new nation they'd build, free from the British reigns. They were at the back of the tavern near the supplies when she told her father of such. Of course, he was completely baffled of the idea.

"Genny," he tsked, "You are a sweet, beautiful woman. Why would you go to war when you can be safe on Philip Schuyler's land?" She didn't have the heart to argue with him. William Alcott, a kind man of forty odd years and a widower, just wanted what lived of his wife safe. Genevieve barely managed to not make up a witty retort. It was pure luck that the Schuyler's daughters had seen her once upon a time when a man had stepped just a few paces too close and had decided that this was a woman that they could befriend.

Especially since Genevieve was literally biting back at the man.

"Of course, Papa. Must be my imagination again." she said with a fake smile and he kissed her on the cheek. That was two years ago, when the beginnings of the war were stirring amongst the commoners. She had never brought it up again. Now, she merely worked at the tavern at nights and oversaw her siblings during the day.

"Shall I go pick up Bennett and Ettie?" She asked when she noted the time one day.

"Yes, yes. That'll be of great help, sweetheart." William replied as he went back to the front of the store. "Perhaps visit Schuyler's mansion as well. I saw a letter from Peggy." he added hopefully and she nodded. Bidding her father farewell, she exited through the back of the tavern and joined the main crowd shuffling down the street.

Merely staring straight ahead, she wrinkled her nose at a nearby horse's droppings. A man yelped when it splattered to the ground beside him and she barely managed to contain a laugh. Glancing at his wide brown eyes and freckled face, she preserved the memory for future laughs. Travelling quickly to the small school her siblings attended, she saw them running around in the field with their friends.

"Bennett! Ettie! Time to go!" She called and they peeked their heads up to look at their older sister. Running over to her, they embraced her tightly with a hug. "Ettie, you have a rip on your dress." She scolded lightly, not wanting to think about the sewing she'd have to do later. It was always such a tedious task - one that she felt abhorrently for. Harriet Alcott stuck out her bottom lip and tried to hide it in the other ruffles. "It's fine." she waved it off with a sigh - she'd rave about her frustration later to herself. "Go get your things. Father wants me to go visit the the Schuylers and as much as I love the grass stains on both of you, it really isn't fitting." She murmured, ruffling both of hairs. "And say goodbye to your friends,"

"Fine. I just hope John* isn't busy again." Bennett sniffed, turning on his heel and grabbing their youngest sister with them. Ettie giggled and ran after her brother. Her flaxen hair was falling loosely from its once elegant bun. The golden curls bounced by her cheeks as she scooped up her bags and books, Bennett doing the same as he helped his sister with a few of her books.

Their friends ran up to say goodbye and she clasped her hands in front of her, smiling fondly but with a tad of weight at the corners of the edges. Bennett was already turning twelve, Ettie being eleven in a few months. They relied on her - there were one too many times she was mistaken for their mother. None of them had remembered their mother as much as she had. Joanne Alcott had died in afterbirth of Ettie when Genevieve had been nine.

The brunette could remember the numerous times she had asked where her mother was and the broken look in her father's eyes when he had told her. "She isn't coming back, sweetheart. She is with God, and the angels." In a way, her brother and sister were lucky that they only had stories to match the woman she had called her mother - their favorite was most often about how they married at nineteen, falling so deeply in love that they had Genevieve only a year later. Apparently, she had been such a hassle that her parents waited until she was older to have more children.

The story, although told humorously over dinner, was rare even then. It hurt much more for her, ten times as much for her father. Swallowing, she sighed and closed her eyes. Her last promise to her dead mother had been to be there for her siblings. And here she was, eleven years later and still upholding it. Breathing in the smell of the wind, she could imagine her mother with her father, about to scold Ettie for tearing her dress just as she just did.

Ah, all in dreams. Blinking, she returned to the present as Ettie and Bennett began their way back to her.

"Mademoiselle," a voice to her right nearly made her jump but she managed to stave the feeling to. "You seem to be…" her head turned to see a man with dark skin and friendly brown eyes. His black hair was pulled into a ponytail, and his stubble neatly trimmed. "... deep in thought." He finished lamely and she forced a polite smile back at him.

"I was." She agreed, turning to face him. He bowed and offered a hand to her. Hesitating slightly, she placed her hand in his and he brushed his lips against her knuckles. His grip was soft, allowing her to pull away if she was uncomfortable. It was unlike the many men she she had the displeasure to meet - grabbing her hand in theirs roughly, unyielding so she couldn't escape. Bowing her head in a greeting, she allowed the smile to fade to one of her smaller, more genuine ones. By now, Ettie and Bennett were just a few metres away, watching the stranger warily but not aggressively.

They knew that their sister had spoken to many different men in the past. At least this one seemed kind. All had tried to court her but all failed. After a few moments with his lips pressed against her knuckles, he straightened and smiled. "Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, at your service." She blinked repeatedly at the ridiculously long name. "Many of my friends call me just Lafayette. And you? If it is not too much to ask for." Her hand fell away from his to grab a fistful of her dress. Sweeping into a curtsey, she bowed her head again.

"Genevieve Alcott."

.

"Yo, Laf!" John ran after Hercules and Lafayette with a panicked look. "That wasn't funny, guys." Lafayette drew his eyes away from the woman who had barely managed to contain her laughs as he walked around the horse with Hercules.

"It was, though." Lafayette smirked as John scrunched up his nose at them. Hercules was still howling with laughter.

"And all the ladies saw you too." Hercules added, trying to contain his laughs and failing. He nearly collapsed from laughing so hard as he ran out of breath. "Aw, man. That horse is my favorite horse."

"Not funny, guys!" John repeated, irritated. "I'm lucky it wasn't on me."

"Oui, you are." Lafayette drawled wryly as they continued down the street. Women and men alike were walking in and out of buildings, chatting amiably. They broke from the main street after a while, turning into an alley to take a shortcut - according to Hercules that is. "Anyway, I do not want to be associated with this fool when I pick up the beautiful women of America."

"If you can, that is." John retorted as they entered another main street and turned left.

"I am French. Of course I can." Hercules slung an arm around both of his friends and brought them together.

"Come on, boys. Can't we just get along?"

"No." They both chimed but resumed their languid pace to the park. Breaking free of the main crowd, the three of them found a cafe relatively close to the park to grab a bite to eat. Ordering quickly, they lounged back in the chairs under the shade of the overhang in the front of the cafe. John winked at the women sitting on the other side of the porch as Hercules took a sip of his tea. There was a school across a distance away, the children streaming out from the building. Lafayette smiled at their childish innocence.

"Someone catch your eye, Laf?" Hercules asked, settling down his tea and leaning forward. He lowered his voice and his eyes scanned for someone that might have snagged the Frenchman's attention. Lafayette shook his head, rubbing an itch away on his nose.

"No, just the children. They are very free." He felt a pang of nostalgia. Back in France, he had had tutors and governesses before his parents died. Never classes with other children his age. "It is good to see."

"Uh-huh," John drawled as he sent another smirk at the ladies. Lafayette rolled his eyes at the man's antics. A few children ran down the hills, chasing each other and screaming playfully. "I wanna see some action." He sighed as there was a sharp call.

"Bennett! Ettie! Time to go!" Lafayette's interest piqued when he saw the same woman who was laughing at John before. Now, he could see she was wearing a simple blue dress but it was beautiful on her.

"If you want to see some action, go get yourself some." Hercules snorted, taking another sip of his tea. "How many do you think he can get, Laf?" The man looked at his friend when there was no reply. "Laf?" Snapping out of it, the Frenchman looked at his friend dazedly. "Are you alright?"

"Ça va."

"Has a certain pretty brunette caught your attention?" John sang excitedly and Lafayette groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Oooooooooh."

"John!"

"What?" He asked innocently before smiling mischievously. "What about a bet?" Hercules looked interested at that. "Go, talk to her and drinks are on me tonight." The brunet pulled his friend up and pushed him in the way of the woman. "Go!" He resisted, planting his feet on the ground as Hercules got up too.

"Come on, Lafayette. You're so uptight." The bulkier man pushed harder and Lafayette yelped, tripping over his feet from the force. Barely managing to regain his balance, he glared at his friends over his shoulder.

"Casse-toi," he threw the insult over his shoulder but did go up to the woman. Swallowing his heart hammering in his throat, he approached the lady carefully. Her brown hair was pinned up into a braided bun and her green eyes revealed that she wasn't particularly paying attention. Sidling up to her, he glanced over his shoulder to see John and Hercules nearly jumping up and down in enthusiasm. Sighing, he debated on what to do.

Did he tap her on the shoulder? Just plain out speak to her? Why did I agree? Merde. Lafayette shook his head - might as well get it over with. "Mademoiselle," he made sure he didn't stumble over his words as she turned. "You seem to be…" Ringlets of hair framed her face as she pinned him down with narrowed eyes. His mouth went dry and anything he was about to say disappeared. Opening and closing his mouth repeatedly, he finally finished dumbly with, "... deep in thought."

"I was." She finally turned to completely face him, skirts swishing. Remembering his manners, he bowed with one hand behind his back and another offered to her. Her hand slipped into his after a moment and he kissed her knuckles. Nervously, he hoped his palms weren't as clammy as he thought they were and kept his grip loose in case she felt disgusted. The scent of new flowers and fresh wind ensnared his senses. He was scared he was taking too long to be appropriate but she didn't pull away until he pulled away first, and her hand fell away.

She was smiling. Although it was small, he appreciated that it was genuine, if he could hope. Giving her one of his own large smiles, he introduced himself. "Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, at your service." She blinked, stunned as most Americans were by his name. "Many of my friends call me just Lafayette. And you? If it is not too much to ask for." She curtseyed towards him, head bowed in proper etiquette.

"Genevieve Alcott." She replied as two children finally approached. The girl was almost a reflection of Genevieve except with her blonde hair. The boy had darker golden brown hair and brown eyes. Must get it from their papa, Lafayette mused as they clutched onto the woman's bottom half of her body.

"Genevieve," he repeated, knowing he butchered her name. "Ah," he clicked his tongue as the young blonde giggled. "Genevieve." The more he said it, the easier - the more beautiful - it was to say. The brunette placed a hand on either of her children's backs. "You have beautiful children." Immediately, color flooded her cheeks and he flushed as well, knowing he made a mistake.

"Oh! You've got it wrong," she chuckled awkwardly as did he, "they are my brother and sister. I am not married."

"I apologize for my mistake," Lafayette murmured sincerely. He couldn't help the elation at the fact that she wasn't taken. Genevieve stared at him, not saying anything. Her lips were slightly parted as her brother tugged at her dress.

"Genny, we were going to Mr. Schuyler's, right?" Genevieve snapped out of it and blinked a few times before nodding.

"Right. It was nice meeting you, monsieur Lafayette." Taking each child's hand in her own, she began to guide them away when he called after her.

"I hope we meet again!" She paused and he was afraid he was about to be reprimanded for being outspoken. When she turned around, however, there was a slight tug up at the corners of her lips.

"As do I." She tilted her head and looked at him for a few seconds. "Goodbye." Turning around again, she disappeared into the crowd. Feeling his heart hammering against his chest, he raised a hand to feel it.

It throbbed uncontrollably. "Adieu." He whispered to the empty air. Her fragrance still remained and he paused to imprint it on his mind before returning back to his friends who were bursting with excitement.

"Lafayette!" they screamed as he came into hearing range. Many citizens looked at them before returning to their tasks as the two grown men tackled him to the ground.

"Merde! Get off of me!" He yelled as John giggled, looking between Hercules and Lafayette. The other did the same, a devious expression on his face. "John, you are a dead man."

"If he's dead, who'll help you marry that woman?" Hercules pointed out and Lafayette blushed. "You are a lovestruck man."

"I - I just met her. We - I," he stumbled and John laughed again. "She's beautiful."

"Come on," Hercules got off his friend, dusting himself off. "John, get off him. Up you get." Pulling him up, he helped dust off the dirt. "We need a plan so you can see her again."

.

As her siblings changed, Genevieve sneaked into her father's room and took out simple tunics and pants that he had outgrown. They fit her well, as she knew from past experiences, and were able to be hid when she folded Ettie's torn dress over them. She'd need those for later.

Once Bennett and Ettie changed into clean clothes, Genevieve folded her sister's dress over her arm. Hopefully Eliza could fix it better than she could. The children ran down the stairs just as she hid the clothes. "Come on, kiss Papa goodbye and bring your work. Just because we aren't at home is no excuse to fall behind." She ordered and they nodded, going to the doorway that connected their home to the back of the tavern. Immediately, their father appeared, hugging his smaller children.

"If you have dinner at their place again, then I will not stay up for you. I'm getting old." Embracing his oldest child, he pulled back after a few moments. Kissing her father's cheek, she patted him on the arm.

"Of course, Papa." Genevieve promised as they began to leave. "If we come home early, I'll help around."

"You don't need to." He said but didn't put up any more protest about it. "Tell the Schuylers I say hello. Stay safe!"

"Alright, come on children." She made sure they had all their books and papers in their bags before placing a hand on each of their backs. They stuck close to her in the main crowd, not wanting to be lost. "Work first, alright?"

"Yes, Genny," they chorused and Ettie turned to hold onto her sister's hand.

"Will Peggy be there?" She asked and Genny thought of the youngest Schuyler. It was just after half past three so it was unpredictable. They could be sneaking downtown again or upstate in the library.

"Hopefully, sweetheart. Now, let's not dally." She ushered and they ran on ahead once they broke through the main crowd. Now they were mostly uptown and not many populated the streets. It was quiet aside from the few conversations and it left Genevieve to her thoughts. Lafayette, she remembered the Frenchman earlier that day. He was kind, charming and good looking but yet, he was still flustered under her stare. Despite their short exchange of words, she wanted to see him again - what she said to him was sincere.

But that'd have such a low chance. For all she knew, he could be out of New York by now. Ignoring the disappointment in her heart, she continued up to the gates of the Schuyler house. Angelica, Eliza and Peggy were all lounging in the shade of a tree, reading books. "Hey!" She yelled and they all looked up, smiles spreading across their face.

"Genny!" They greeted, getting up and motioning for the servant to open the gates. Her sister ran into Peggy's arms while her brother ran up to Angelica and tugged at her arm.

"Where's John?"

"Inside. I'll take you to him, alright?" Angelica proposed and Bennett nodded. The oldest sister hugged the other oldest sister briefly before smiling. "I'll be right back."

"Behave, alright?" Bennett scrunched his nose up at his sister and began pulling Angelica to the mansion. Turning to Eliza and Peggy, she embraced the two as well. "How's your father? Mine sends his regards."

"Tell William we do as well." Eliza grinned and swept her arm to where the mansion. "Why don't we go in and I can fix that dress?" The brunette eyed the dress folded over her friend's arm with an amused glint. "Come on, Peggy, lead the way."

"I will!" Ettie stated proudly and Peggy rolled her eyes playfully. The blonde pulled the youngest Schuyler sister away at a run and she hitched up her skirt to follow. Eliza and Genevieve laughed at the pair and as soon as they were out of sight, Eliza's smile shrunk. Under the younger woman's look, Genevieve shifted the dress into her arms to reveal the men's clothes.

"Are the training grounds open?" There was a sigh and Eliza shook her head.

"Angelica can get them to leave. It's just a few of the soldiers training but they always do whatever she says." She said with a wink and Genevieve sighed in relief. "Genny, are you sure this is what you want to do? People die."

"I know, but this is what I want."

"They'll never accept you."

"They'll never know." She retorted as they walked up the path to the house. "Just keep my brother and sister busy." Eliza's hands clasped around hers and she stopped. Sad brown eyes met defiant green ones. The former pulled Genevieve into a short but tight hug. "I'm sorry, Eliza."

"Just be careful," the brunette whispered and they continued their way up again. This time, Eliza's arm was around Genevieve's waist and it was the same for the latter. The grip was tight, as if they'd never have enough time together.

A/N: First chapter finished. If I get positive reviews then I'll probably post more. Favorite, follow and review! Hope you enjoyed!

* "Fine. I just hope John* isn't busy again." John Schuyler is the first son who lived to adulthood and fifth born if you don't count the other John Schuyler who died after one year.