Liberty's Kids: All My Heroes and their Demons

Author's Notes: woah, it's been a while since I've written for LK. I'm still musing over what should happen at the end of Save the Last Dance, so for now, I'm writing this. This one'll be more mature, darker and have a longer plot than the other two. It also has some supernatural elements to it.

Just to note, I'm fudging the details a bit with the character's ages. I did the math and didn't like James's age at the point of 'We The People", thus, he's only 23 in this story, which takes place two years after he moves off to work on his own newspaper.

Anyways, hope ya'll enjoy.

Chapter One: Promise

" I know I'm supposed to step away
and yet I stay, to keep a watchful eye
on all my heroes,
and all their demons..."

Bethany Lawrence stood aside as her guide knocked on the door. Three loud knocks, just to make sure the occupant would hear. Then the man turned to her. " You must be Beth."

" Yes."

" He speaks of you often," said the man. Beth looked him over again. He was more of a kid, really. Red haired and obviously new to the city. She could tell by his timid glances, and rural way of dressing.

" Hopefully not too often," she teased.

The kid chuckled loudly. " He never shuts up about you. He talks more of you than what's happening in Congress."

Before Beth could comment on how natural that was, the door opened, and a man peeked his head out. " What, John? It's late." Then his eyes flicked over to Beth. " W-what are you doing here?"

" Couldn't stay away. You know that."

There was an icy silence. John shuffled his shoes together for a moment, then backed away. " Well, there you go, miss. Got to and, uh... clean the press. You know how it is," he said with a forced laugh. " Ink and all."

As the boy turned and quickly trotted off, Beth locked gazes with the man's eyes. He was half-dressed, his shirt hanging open and hair untied. He didn't look as though he'd shaved in a days. Beth stepped forward. " Oh James, is this what you look like when I'm not around to take care of you?"

" Beth, it's late."

She knew what he suggested by those words, but now, she didn't care. She leaned forward slightly, a serious expression on her face. " Lovers know not the time of day."

The words lingered in the air for a moment, then he laughed loud. " Who wrote that?"

" I did."

" You're beautiful," he whispered. " Even your words." His blue eyes searched the hallway. " You... can come in for a moment, I guess."

She puffed her chest up and slipped past him. " I had to come late. The girls say you're leaving."

" The girls, huh? I hate that they know so much." He rubbed the back of his head and sighed. " I was going to tell you tomorrow. That way you wouldn't be able to talk me out of it." He watched as she perched herself on the foot of his bed, and shut the door slowly. " But I won't let you change my mind. This is the biggest story he's given me in a while."

Beth crinkled her nose in annoyance. " Ugh. Peterson should give you better stories more often. It's not fair."

James shrugged. " I work for his paper, Beth. I take what I get. I learned a long time ago that fighting your boss for better stories..." he closed his eyes, and Beth could tell he was recalling him. James often thought about Dr. Franklin with closed eyes, as if with reverence and respect. " Bothering your boss for work can get on their nerves. And Mr. Peterson isn't overly fond of me – I try to stay on his good side."

She shrugged, surrendering her argument. " So where are you going?" She moved aside as he came to sit beside her. " Somewhere awful?"

" New York. Someplace up in New York. There's this rumor going around that people are disappearing."

With a concerned frown, she placed a hand across his shoulder. " Sounds strange. You'll be safe, right?"

" Well, that's the thing. So far, the missing people are those that served in the army." He turned to her and squeezed her hand. " So no danger. Don't fret. Besides..." He nodded towards his desk. " I got a letter from an old friend. I'm hoping I could always catch up with her, if I need anything. I won't be alone."

Her? " You mean that girl you used to write to all the time? Sarah, right?" James nodded, and her frown deepened. " I thought you two had a falling-out."

" We did," he mumbled, " but apparently, she wants to see me. I don't know why but, it's always welcome news, to hear that someone you cared about is doing well." James leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. " If you're worried about me running off and never coming back, don't fear. Sarah's like a sister to me, and I love you."

Blushing, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. " ... Very well. Go save the world. I can't wait till you leave – that way you'll come back even quicker." She gave him a small peck on his lips and rose, moving towards the door.

" ... Beth?" James stood, quickly moving past her to the door. " Stay."

" Pardon?"

" Stay." He laughed at her shocked expression. " You've stayed over before. I just want to... make sure you know that I love you."

" No one else was here that time," she hissed. " I would rather see you in the morning." She patted at the stubble on his face. " Clean-shaved, please."

It seemed as though he was struggling with his desire to keep her there, but in the end, he relented. " Fine. I'll see you tomorrow, then, and when I come back, and after that, everyday for the rest of my life." He released her, and she turned to leave.

But before she got out the door, she heard him whisper, " I promise."

Notes: Okay, I know it doesn't sounds Sarah-James right now. It will, pinky promise. Short chapter, sorry for that. It would have been longer but I doubted people wanted to hear more about Beth cx Review now please?