Welcome to my new story. The circumstances of the character's arrival are quick, irrelevant. To be perfectly honest, I wrote this (and drew the cover), for my own enjoyment, and am only publishing because I thought other people might want to read. If you don't like it, don't read it, it's that simple. Anyhow, enjoy.

~The Cursed One

"Hey." I said seriously, furiously, wind whipping my hair into my face, but that didn't stop me from locking eyes with the man, "Tell me you're coming back for me."

"This time is too full of events…"

"So what? That's never stopped you before!" My voice was hitching on desperation as I slipped further away, "Hey!"

I woke up.

Except, I wasn't in my bed like I should've been.

Instead I was resting my head on a wooden table, the stench of alcohol thick in the air. My panicked heart accelerated as I looked around, confused. What was this, a bar? Some men in strange clothes were talking close by me and I hesitantly approached, disoriented. I had to find out where I was and how to get back.

"Pardon me, are you Aaron Burr, Sir?" One asked, making me stop, blinking in surprise at the words. That was weird. "Oh well sure, sir. I'm Alexander Hamilton…" He was who now?! Where was I?

When was I?

Then came Lafayette and Hercules and Laurens. They were right here, in front of me. Hamilton started ranting about the Revolution. I suddenly felt very unwell, this couldn't be real. It wasn't…

Someone caught me as I fell forward.

"Whoa, hey." I came to, mind foggy, to see the faces of five men looking down at me, making me sit up in a rush, with a gasp.

"Whoa!" A couple of the more drunk ones said playfully. I got dizzy again at the sudden rush and Hamilton caught my arm as I swayed again.

"One too many, young lady?" He guessed and I looked at him blearily. He was so young, not much older than I was now. This was… it couldn't… I focused on what he'd said to me and shook my head.

"I don't, um, I don't drink." I told him, which seemed like stupid first words to a founding father but hey, what else would I say? But my answer only got the three crazy ones laughing.

"Of course not." Said Lafayette with his french accent. "Ridiculous for someone to drink in here." I felt my cheeks flush. But I made myself concentrate, still dizzy.

"Where am I?" I asked, disoriented. What year as this? Seventeen fifties maybe? Later? I didn't know anyone from this time.

"Are you lost?" I blinked up at Aaron Burr, then hesitantly nodded. "Your father must be worried." How did I explain this to them? I mean, if I said I had gotten separated from my family they'd just try to find someone who didn't exist. They might find out that my family didn't exist. Yet.

"I don't have a father." I told him. I was suddenly grateful to be well-dressed. At least I looked good. God bless my aunt's bridal shower. My words made the men sober a little and frown.

"And…"

"Not a mother either." I interrupted, heart beating fast, "O-or a brother or a friend…" I was all alone here. And chances were, I wasn't getting back, I was going to stay here… forever? With no one to even…

Hold my hand.

I blinked as Alexander Hamilton squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"An orphan." He said, "You're not alone." Wasn't I? I thought carefully, I was too old to be shipped to an orphanage, so I'd have to go do something. With what money? Where would I live? "I'm Alexander Hamilton. Meet my friends! This is Aaron Burr." I smiled and dipped my head at him, "John Laurens." He gave me a grin. "Hercules Mulligan." He gave me a more… suggestive look. "And…"

"Je m'appelle Lafayette." He took my hand and planted a kiss on it.

"Enchanté." I said, flattered, "Je m'appelle Constance." I didn't realize why the sudden silence came about, and why the five men stared at me.

Was I not supposed no know French? Whoops. I felt my face slowly redden, but I didn't lose my nerve.

"What?" I finally asked, smiling a little, "A lady can't have many facets?" I swung my legs off the table they'd laid me on.

"Evidently, she can." Burr noted.

"Can I have a glass of water?" I asked hesitantly and I sipped in silence.

"Well, I'll wish you all the best of luck." Burr said, standing, "But I'm a busy man."

"Goodbye, Aaron Burr, sir." I mumbled.

"Goodbye, Constance." He left. Now what? Would the others start leaving until I was alone? They began to distract from me and I remembered they themselves had just met.

"I say with all of us behind it, the revolution is just a matter of time!" Hamilton said gaining loud sounds of agreement. "I think we should be good friends."

"Aye."

"Yes."

"Oui."

"Well, this has been fun but if I'm out past midnight, then I'll lose my apprenticeship." Hercules grinned and took his leave, as did Laurens with the excuse of tiredness. I became increasingly nervous.

"Perhaps, you should go as well." Lafayette suggested courteously. I didn't answer right away, taking an uneasy breath.

"I wouldn't know where to go." I told him and Alexander, "I'm not from around here." Had my home country even had their independence yet? I didn't even think it'd been named yet. "I'm South American." I told them, "I came here… to make a difference."

"South America?" I didn't appreciate Lafayette's dry tone.

"I didn't realize that their civilization…"

"I'm going to stop you there." I said swiftly, "Because whatever you may say of them now is what the British might've said of you a couple years ago." At that, Alexander broke into a grin.

"Another immigrant." He sounded like he approved, "Here to witness history."

"I'm here to do more than just watch." I told him smoothly, but then lost my confidence, "That is, if I don't starve first."

"You have nothing?" Alexander asked.

"But the clothes on my back." I confirmed, "I don't suppose one of you gentlemen might offer me a roof over my head for the night." That sounded a little formal, but I decided it was adequate for the time.

"I was seeking the same thing." Alexander told me, "Seeing as I don't go to my dorm in King's College for another couple of weeks or so."

"I see." Lafayette sighed, "Very well, you may stay with me. For the Revolution!"

"For the Revolution!" Alex said enthusiastically and I said as well, hesitantly.

We walked. I remembered that Lafayette had money only when we approached his home. A house, larger than I'd expect, and exquisitely furnished. We were led inside, and I was relieved to see Alex seemed just as surprised as I was.

"You think I come to America unprepared?" Was all our host said. We were given bedrooms and I was given some spare clothes as we settled in for the night.

The following morning, we had breakfast in silence.

Or at least, I was in silence.

Hamilton ranted on about the Revolution passionately, and Lafayette readily agreed.

"It's inevitable." I said quietly, "America is growing and one man can't well stop it. We want something to fight for, to prove ourselves, and we have the chance to really make a difference, so why hold back? We don't need Britain anymore. Arguably, we never did."

"Yes!" Hamilton said enthusiastically, "Absolutely!" I blushed and smiled, then thought of something.

"You're going to King's College?" I asked.

"With a scholarship." He confirmed.

"Would you say they're flexible?"

"They've accepted my terms for an accelerated course, even though I'm an immigrant, so I'd say yes."

"Would you mind giving me their address? I'd like to send them a letter."

"A letter?"

"Just trust me."

I sat down and wrote a letter, then sent it, refusing to tell the men what it contained, no need to surprise them if my idea didn't work.

"What's France like?" I asked absent-mindedly as I doodled.

"The Monarchy is destroying…"

"No." I interrupted, making him blink. "That's not what I mean." I sighed, "This is why I hate politics. I mean… what color is the sky? What kind of smile do people give you when they say hello? What catches your eye when you walk down the street and captivates your ears when you lay down to sleep?" I blinked and laughed bashfully, "Whoops, didn't mean to rhyme there, writer's instinct."

"You're a writer?" Alex asked me when Lafayette didn't respond, looking at me strangely.

"You bet." I said, "It's what I live for."

"I never thought of it that way." Lafayette finally said, "Of the stars you see when all is dark, and the smell of pastries in the air." I closed my eyes imagining it, "I forgot about the viola in front of the library, and that woman that sings opera as soon as the sun rises. The sunlight on the fountains and in the grass… hadn't crossed my mind for…" He trailed off and I looked at him worriedly.

"I didn't mean to make you home-sick." I apologized. But his frown melted into a dazzling smile.

"No." he told me, "You've reminded me why I need to save it. Merci."

"De rien." I said quietly with a smile.

"You'll have to write me something someday." Alex told me, clearly curious, though I knew he held little faith in me.

"Only if you'll write me something too." I challenged.

"It's a deal."

Days passed and I began to get used to living with Lafayette and Hamilton. I never had to search for an interesting conversation, and walks were common, I'd even occasionally accompany them to that bar to meet with the others, though I blatantly refused alcohol.

"You boys drink and we'll see who drags you home." I told them dryly. Burr laughed.

"I like her."

I did almost have to drag my boys back, complaining as Lafayette leaned heavily on me, laughing drunkenly. Alex then pulled me onto his back, piggy-back, as I yelped and he ran forward, spinning.

"Hey!" We laughed and returned and I made sure they both got into bed before retreating myself.

I got up early the following morning and sat at breakfast, excited when I saw I had my letter, rolling my eyes when the men groaned and sat by me.

"Oh look." I noted innocently, "One of us is different from the others. Why might that be?"

"Oi!"

"I'm sorry if I overstepped your boundaries last night?" Alex told me, holding his head, "I don't remember much."

"You just carried me back." I told him with a sigh, "Lafayette? That strange taste in your mouth might have something to do with what you left behind in the bushes." He groaned but Alex blinked at me.

"I apologize." He told me, "How imprudent of me." I remember what year this was.

"It's alright." I told him, "Just a little fun, I didn't have to walk, so I don't mind." I leered at them, "Eat, please."

"You sound like a mother or wife." Lafayette complained loudly, making me blink and blush, ducking my head. I only wanted to look out for them, but he was right. They knew how to have fun while I…

I turned to my letter.

"King's College." Alex read, "They answered."

"About time." I said impatiently, opening the envelope with care and reading its contents, leaning away from the others so they couldn't peek. I frowned deeply. I should've known. I crumpled the letter in my hand. "Excuse me, I have to go write something."

I stood and left, sitting in my room furiously as I scribbled on the page. A wife? A mother? Noble things, but couldn't I be more? I could make history too, I knew, I just had to try harder. I couldn't give up. I couldn't…

A knock made me stop writing.

"Can I come in?" Hamilton.

"…yes." He stepped inside and I didn't turn to face him, only just realizing my eyes were full of tears, which I blinked away. He came forward without hesitation and snatched the wrinkled letter from me, reading it in seconds.

"You want to study at King's College?" He asked, surprised.

"She what?" Lafayette, of course, was eavesdropping. I turned to them, cheeks red and fists clenched.

"What?" I challenged, "Should woman not receive the same education as men?" I met Alexander's eyes, "Do you think us incapable, inferior? If you tell me I'm destined to stay at home and sit around and witness history instead of make it, then you're gravely mistaken!" I angrily turned back to my desk, "I'm writing to them again, for real this time."

"You are insane." Lafayette remarked, "I suppose the revolution could use that. I have business to attend to…" He drifted away but Alex stayed.

"What?" I asked irritably.

"I'll help." he said finally, pulling a chair over, "We'll convince them."

"I don't need your help."

"No." He agreed with a laugh, "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't accept it." I turned to him with a frown, meeting his eyes once more.

"I appreciate it." I told him, "But I need to be able to write this myself. You of all people understand that, don't you?" He looked at me a moment before laughing and standing.

"Unfortunately, yes. Let me at least read it before you send it."

"…okay."

I got to work, explaining that the University would be the first to take a huge step in history, persuading them with my prior education and dominance of three languages. I wove my case with words and imagery, told them about my knowledge in basically all field of study. I spent hours sketching as well so they saw I had diverse skills, and informed them that I was just as capable as any man to attend the college, that I didn't care where they made me sleep (they didn't have girl dorms) and they would be turning away an opportunity to make history if they didn't allow and help me financially to attend. I also requested the accelerated course, promising I could handle it, and telling them they could move me to a normal one if they deemed otherwise after observing me.

I was folding it away into an envelope when I remembered my promise, setting it on Alexander's nightstand (he was out) before going to bed.