Ok, so this is for the wonderful artistart85. So, mon ami, I'm afraid it's not quite what you requested, but I wasn't quite sure how to write that so this is my best shot. It's not that great but I hope you all like it.

I own nothing, and this is totally not historically accurate.

The ship sailed into the New York harbor. Alexander Hamilton stood on the bow of the ship, breathing in the fresh air. In New York you can be a new man. In New York…. Sea spray flung up from the ocean in a fine mist, and he smiled gleefully. This was the first time he had been truly happy since his mother had died.

The bow of the boat scraped up against the dock. Sailors jumped from the ship's deck to the wooden harbor, tying down ropes, lowering sails, calling out to one another. The gangplank dropped with a loud clunk.

Alexander walked down and into the city, gazing around reverently. New York, at last. He was in America! Land of freedom, opportunities, and revolution. As soon as he got his education, he would join the fight against England for independence.

But…..where would he stay? How was he to eat, and who could he live with while he was attending school? For a mere thirteen year old, he was quite intelligent, but that still wouldn't qualify him to live alone. If Alexander could find someone to take him in, just for a few years, he could repay them later.

So lost in thought, Alex didn't notice the man on the white horse crossing his path. The horse's whinny startled him out of his reverie, and he looked up in shock, too frozen with fear to get out of the way. Alexander couldn't move as the horse reared up, hooves poised perfectly over his head, ready to slam down on him.

John Laurens bounced on his heels, excited by the atmosphere of the city. It was contagious, the revolutionary spirit. His father's hand rested on his shoulder, and John attempted to quell his excitement.

Henry Laurens had enlisted in the army to fight for independence. He'd brought his thirteen- year- old son, John, with him to New York, thinking that he might be of some use to the army, maybe as a messenger or just to help if it was needed.

They were jostled by the crowds as they made their way through the city streets, searching for someone to tell them where to find the nearest military base.

As they went deeper downtown, John couldn't take it and burst into another wide grin.

Hercules Mulligan walked alongside the tailor. He'd been apprenticed to the man, but he planned one day to socially advance, not one to be stuck sewing pants forever.

Their services had been requested by General Washington, who believed that they could be helpful. And by that, he meant they were to spy on the British.

It was an exciting opportunity, and Hercules has never been one to turn down a chance to succeed. Smiling up at the older man, they headed off to commandeer horses to take them to the army's camp.

Marie- Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette, or just Gilbert, or sometimes Lafayette, was standing in a shipyard. He was waiting for a man who'd apparently be picking him up. He didn't know his name, but Gilbert had been told that he was a pleasant, friendly man, and to be honest, he could get along with nearly anyone.

A flustered looking man approached him, and asked, gasping, "Pardon me, are you Gilbert? I'm looking for a boy of about your age, which I'm guessing is thirteen or so, he's French and I'm to look after him…" The man cut off suddenly, maybe realizing that a French immigrant might not understand English.

Fortunately for the man, Lafayette had picked up enough English to understand, and he grabbed his arm before the man ran off. "Sir, oui I am Gilbert, or you can call me Lafayette or Marquis."

The other looked relieved. "Ah. I'm glad to meet you, young man. My name….." Gilbert stopped listening, too caught up in the excitement of seeing the new city before him.

The horse was only seconds away from crushing his skull and killing him instantly, but Alexander was frozen in place. Time seemed to slow down, and he watched as the animal's legs came down slowly, and as the man mounted on the horse tugged the reins just in time to save his life.

Staggering backward, Alexander clutched at a post for support. The man on the horse swept off, throwing the loop of reins over a nearby hitching pole. "Son, are you alright?"

"Yes sir. I'm terribly sorry, sir. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble." Hopefully the man wouldn't be too angry with him, because he was enormous. Incredibly tall, and muscle- bound. Alexander did not want to invoke the wrath of this man, he'd learnt that after his father's drunken nights.

"No, no, it's ok. Say, what's your name, son?"

"I- I am Alexander Hamilton, sir."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, I'm George Washington."

John's father had managed to find someone who knew the location of the army's base. It wasn't all that far, and they were riding out tomorrow.

As luck would have it, General Washington was also going to be at the base. They'd been in the command of the greatest general in the world.

His father did not share John's attitude. Henry Laurens seemed sulky and didn't speak much. Then again, he hadn't exactly been thrilled at the prospect of leaving South Carolina in the first place. But duty calls, and here they were, fighting for the freedom of their country.

They managed to find rooms in a nearby inn, settling in for the night. Their two horses were stabled in the yard, ready for a quick departure at first light.

His excitement returned with vengeance, and John bounced on the edge of his bed. He couldn't wait to reach the camp tomorrow.

Mounted on a horse, Hercules and the older tailor were headed off to join the army. They'd stay at the base for a month or so, then they would be heading off for British territory and start their spying mission.

After, the two would frequent the camp every so often, checking up with the General. Delivering reports, exchanging information.

"You've been awfully quiet, Hercules. Scared?" The tailor teased. "Not in the slightest." Hercules retorted.

The other man laughed. Spurring their horses forward, they rode on down the road.

Gilbert followed his new companion through the streets of New York. The man talked incessantly, commenting on the buildings and the people. He replied occasionally with a nod or a grunt.

Eventually, they came to a stop outside a small house. Opening the door, the man ushered Gilbert inside. Waiting in the hall was a friendly looking woman who immediately hugged him.

"Oh, you must be Gilbert! Or, well, we can call you something else if you'd rather. But it's so good to meet you! Welcome to America!"

"Um, Gilbert is fine. It is wonderful to meet you as well, Madame."

She smiled and hugged him again. "You must be tired after such a long journey. Why don't I show you to your room, and then you can get settled in. We'll eat dinner in a little."

Nodding his assent, Gilbert allowed himself to be led through the house and to a room in the back. Much like rest of the place, it was small but nicely furnished. A window let in the daylight, a bed was tucked into the corner along with a wardrobe.

The woman closed the door, saying, "I'll just leave you to get settled in. Come down when you're ready." He flopped down on the bed as soon as she left, overcome with both excitement to be here and sadness at leaving France. No matter. Gilbert could be happy in this new country. In his new home.

So, this is chapter one! I'm sorry it was so short, but I plan on having this be a very long story. I hope you all enjoyed this. I'll have the next one up soon. See you all soon! ~RedCoatsRedder