A/N: This is my second Liberty's Kids story however this one is intended to be long term. Haha...we will see. James and Sarah are married, if you can't tell, and Henri is in France. Henri is sending his eleven year-old daughter to the Hiller takes place roughly around the tail end of the French Revolution when Robespierre takes over, and the Reign of Terror is about to begin.

Disclaimer: I do not own Liberty's Kids or any of the characters.

The wayward sea crashed violently against the Boston pier as James Hiller stood in a familiar spot. What seemed like a lifetime ago he had waited impatiently for a Miss Phillips to arrive in the then American Colonies. Now Mr. Hiller stood in the United States, married to the same woman that had once caused him an incredible amount of agitation. However, this time James was pacing alone, unable to complain to Moses, and not about to unknowingly meet his future wife.

Through the foggy distance he could see a well-endowed ship approaching. He forcibly reached into his pocket uncovering an ordinary folded piece of parchment. It was not the item itself that interested him but the written word inside. Perhaps he had overlooked a section where Henri revealed it was all a farce and that he was not sending his French eleven year-old Daughter to live with James and Sarah. James scoured the letter hoping to find such a proclamation but to no avail. Henri had assumed sending his beloved young daughter into the tender care of the Hiller Household would be permissible. In normal circumstances, Sarah and James would merrily accept this child as if she was one of their own. But the Hillers only received the message a week ago, making preparations difficult.

Upon receiving the letter, Sarah was frantically about the house with a list of unpleasant chores for their three children. James imagined his eldest child, Ann, eagerly awaiting to scrub the floor, wash the windows, and dust furniture in an effort to help her mother while his youngest, Ben, begrudgingly did what he was told. Of course, the middle child, Lucy, would have outwitted them all and hid in the attic by now, not returning until necessary. In fact, if James were not required to pick up Henri's daughter immediately, he would have been stuck in the house attempting to avoid his wife's demanding gaze.

Such short notice made it nearly impossible for James to arrive in Boston punctually. Did Henri remember that James lived in Philadelphia, located in an entirely different state? Or had French geography consumed Henri's mind? He was terrified he would have to confront a sobbing French child who had been waiting alone for many hours. Or worse someone would discover and lure the girl away from the meeting spot. Luckily, the ship had not arrived on time, as he probably should have expected in the first place.

James reread Henri's letter once more.

My trusted friend James,

I am afraid I have news of extreme importance. It seems that there will never be peace in this beautiful country we call France. Even after establishing a new government the country is filled with corruption. The Jacobins, a radical political party, are growing in power. They have captured my old ward Lafayette and imprisoned him!

Maximilien Robespierre, a Jacobin and head of the Committee of Public Safety), has targeted and charged many claiming they are "enemies of the revolution" even though they had supported it. He brutally executes them using fixed evidence, weeding out what he believes to be the unenlightened citizens. Robespierre is a dangerous man who will destroy those who are not as radical as him.

God knows I have seen enough violence and revolution to last a lifetime, even when I support the cause, however this is all my daughter, Ginette, has ever known. She was born into this French Revolution and has never seen a proper democracy in action. I humbly wish you to take her into your home until this chaos diminishes. I have snuck her safely out of France and she will arrive in the Boston port on the 25th of September. Please, take care of her. She is what is left of my late wife and my only family. (Well, besides the family you, Sarah, Moses, and me had many years ago.)

Many Thanks,

Henri

P.S. How is your family?

James had to admit Henri was being a responsible father, sending his daughter away from the continuous threat of French turmoil, but could he have been a little more organized?

"I suppose desperate times calls for desperate measures." James muttered allowed, placing the letter back in his pocket.

This was Henri's way, jumping into situations without a second thought, and this time James could not blame him. When Henri arrived in France with Lafayette there was no denying trouble was brewing. A few more years passed and Henri had fallen in love with a young woman named Isabelle, who was equally prepared to revolt against an abusive monarchy. At seventeen they believed their love infinite, and so they passionately married. Soon they discovered Isabelle was pregnant bringing Henri inexplicable joy. Once again, he was going to have a family, the one thing he craved for since his parents' death.

But poor Isabelle was not strong enough to survive the birth of her daughter. Shaken by the tragedy, and continuing to fight toward a French Democracy (as Isabelle would have desired), Henri made a vow to protect little Ginette with his life.

If this send-off was the only solution to keep Ginette safe, than the situation in France must have been worse than James originally thought. Perhaps Henri would be less afraid to die if he was left alone to fight for his beliefs, knowing his daughter was safe. After all, Henri could have traveled to the United States too, but James knew full well Henri would never willingly give up his ability to fight for a cause. Whatever the case, rereading the letter was just what James needed. He was no longer apprehensive at the prospect of protecting this young girl but welcomed it as his duty.

All of the sudden the noise of the arriving ship hit James' ear, and he escaped his deep thoughts. He intently observed the ship's crew efficiently tie the boat, preparing for passengers and cargos swift exits. A few moments later, a young tired girl with a lightly warmed complexion left the ship. As she headed toward James, he clearly saw her chestnut hair and dark brown eyes. She was the image of her father though admittedly much more graceful and feminine. Her straight posture and directive walk indicated an air of confidence and command. Her expression, however, indicated a deep unsettling sadness at being thrown across the sea. James realized if anyone should be upset by the situation it was she. Separated from her brave father, conflicted country, and familiar culture the girl would most likely resent this young United States she now stepped foot in.

James approached the confused young girl.

"Miss Ginette LeFevbre?"

She nodded definitively.

"I am Mr. Hiller, your father's friend. I am here to take you to my household."

Ginette stared frozen at the lean blonde man. A strange thought entered James' mind.

'Surely, Henri taught her English as a second language?' he wondered, frightened if he had not. James could not comprehend much French. Without English what was he to do?

"I… apologize, sir. Tank you for your…uhh…houzzpiiitality." She finally stumbled through, unable pronounce the word her father diligently taught her. Her nerves were strong under each English word. It was evident she knew at least a little bit of the language.

"It is our pleasure." He replied, trying to ease her tension. She sighed at his kindness, letting the previously trapped air out of her lungs. James chuckled silently relieved as well, and grabbed the small bag she carried. The blue dress she wore was home to an array of wholes. Dirt and mud swept the hem as the thin material was worn. He noticed the raggedy state of her apparel realizing Sarah would wish to correct the situation as quickly as possible. With light steps, Ginette soaked in the surrounding city before following her father's good friend into the waiting carriage.

A/N: I don't speak French so I couldn't do much if that was the only thing Ginette spoke. REVIEW!