(This fanfic is about the film The Patriot, but for this fanfic to work I have changed a few facts. Firstly, Colonel William Tavington does not die. Secondly, Ben Martin does. Thirdly, and this is the largest difference, the Americans do not win the way and so their country remains in England's clutches of control. So, if you're going to read this fanfic bear in mind these three facts. Now, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. It's not very good though as unfortunately the plot is mine.

Also I do not own The Patriot or the characters within it, just so y'all know.)

Chapter Four

Susan glanced at the small white house and smiled inwardly. It looked homely.

"Do you live alone Miss Jenkins?" Susan asked.

"Please Fiona…call me Marie." Marie replied. "And, yes, I do live alone. Both my sons went off to fight the redcoats and neither returned. My husband passed on several years before the war."

"I'm sorry to hear that Marie." Susan replied, bowing her head in respect.

Marie patted her hand. Then she opened the door to her home and beckoned Susan inside, shutting the door behind her.

"And this is my home. Your home too now." Marie replied. She put her arm around Susan's shoulders. "I always wanted a daughter, and you're the closest I'll ever get I think." She winked.

Susan laughed happily and Marie joined her. Both women laughed merrily as Marie walked upstairs to show Susan her room. She took her to a rather large room, painted white, with a comfortable looking bed, a desk and a small bookshelf.

"This was David's room. My eldest son. You can stay here." Marie told her. Susan turned to Marie and hugged her.

"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me. And I know it must be hard for you, having your sons and husband gone." She whispered into Marie's ear. Marie nodded her head and hugged Susan back.

From then on, both women knew they'd be good friends. Marie kissed Susan's cheek and left the room; it held too many memories for her. Susan placed her things on the desk and began to unpack. She placed her clothes in a set of drawers and then lay down on the bed. It was comfortable. She got up and retrieved her hamper of food and flasks of water, the she left the room to find the kitchen.

She walked downstairs and found Marie in the small kitchen.

"I've got some flasks here, and some food." Susan said, holding them out. "And I have money, to pay for my upkeep."

"Don't worry dear, you don't have to pay. The food will be graciously accepted though." Marie said, taking the hamper and looking inside. She studied the items then began placing them in various cupboards.

"Anything I can do to help around the house?" Susan asked. Marie nodded and gave Susan a list of things that need to be done throughout the course of the week; ranging from small things like collecting eggs from the chickens, to painting the picket fence surrounding the house. Being used to manual labour, Susan took up each task immediately.

By the end of the day, everything had been done. Marie had been very pleased with Susan as she'd expected it to take a week to do every possible thing, so that evening they'd dined together on a wonderful meal.

"Now, tomorrow…I'll introduce you to the other villagers." Marie told Susan over the meal. Susan nodded; she was excited. She hoped the other villagers would be as accepting, and that Tavington would never find her here.