TRIGGER-WARNING: Transphobia
WARNING: Swearing
DISCLAIMER: The musical belongs to Lin-Manuel Miranda.

I've searched information about transexuals laws in France. I've read articles in Spanish, English and French (though I'm still not very good in this last one language...), especially those of personal experiences and legal stuff concerning the matter. Still, if I've gotten something wrong (in any of those fields), let me know. *This chapter is set after 2007, I've become a mess with the dates at this point and I can't place a concrete year*

***and that also goes to my translations, if you can call those that***

It was usual to hear things like 'time heals everything', or encouragements such as 'they wouldn't like to see you like this; they'd like to see you keeping on', and so on. Thomas never understood any of them when he was little, when he was saturated by idioms to look good when his father left, neither he did as an adult when Jen and his mother were passed the torch of external sympathy.

Maybe he was weird… (Alright, he'd always been at some extent, his mother had made sure to let him know plenty of times). But he never found any comfort in such shows of support. Honestly, he saw them as false, sometimes, depending on whom spoke. The other part, the littler group of people who were really close to him, well… He didn't feel much, either, but at least he was more sincere and thankful for their company and genuine concern.

After Jen left, he'd managed to keep going thanks to his wife and daughter. They were enough reason to get out of bed, and each time he held either Patsy or Mary in his arms he felt the smallest glimmer of proof that he was indeed as human as they came. The two girls had become his anchor to sanity. Especially when Jane abandoned the world and he, by own choice, didn't assist to the funeral.

He could see Martha's disapproval and judgement when she saw the days passed and he showed no interest in going to say his last farewell to his remaining parent. Lucy had tried to contact him. With sharp and cold messages, but tried to reach him. She was the oldest right behind him and had become the head of the law firm once Jane passed away, since Jen hadn't showed interest towards the family business (and she wasn't there anymore to changer mind) and he was as good as ostracised.

Lucy had always been a bossy individual. Not a born-leader as his mother had tried to picture her. It was part of her DNA, just as her brunette hair, her dark skin. It was something she came and would leave with. Thomas didn't want to be present now that she could set that beast free.

It was selfish and childish, borderline coward, but it was what he'd done and what tormented him some nights. A phantom that whispered in his ear when everything seemed calmed and perfect around him, when he needed the quietness the most. He'd signed a life-long sentence, fooled into thinking that he might find some mental peace now that his mother was gone. He never expected the deceased woman to harass him with more force than before. Maybe because of that he'd always heard that of 'never disturbed the dead'.

Seemed that his agnosticism couldn't save him.

James was more into the spiritual side than him, and Martha stood to another level he'd ever seen. Thomas knew that if he went to them they wouldn't tag him as insane or laugh at him, but he'd still shameful of admitting what was going on inside his head, of the clear voice that invaded his mind and froze him up with insecurities he thought to be over with.

He supposed he wasn't afraid of being judged by his fears of something hounding him to exhaustion; he guessed it had something to do with something scarier, like the reality of his actions and the repercussions he deserved, no matter how hard.

Thomas kept his silence. He had a master in the field. His wife had enough with the complicated pregnancy she was facing and James had done enough for him by finding him this job, he didn't need to hear Thomas complaining about irrational fears or made up excuses to not face his responsibilities.

The trip to France was unexpected and very inopportune. Thomas feared King's decision had more to do with the aversion he seemed to feel towards him than the 'it's for the good of the company and you fitted the profile' bullshit he'd pulled on. Thomas didn't want to push his luck by declining (it wasn't like King had left much room to a discussion about his decision), and he knew he was already walking on thin ice after the favour he'd asked his boss for. Thomas hated to be tied up like a puppet, but he also despised not using till the last resource to help those he loved.

In for a penny, in for a pound, as it was said…

Martha was equally stubborn now than when she was healthier. It cost hell to convince her to stay in the States while he was abroad. All his efforts were down the drain once he informed her about taking the girls with him. Thereafter, she refused to give in, and Thomas ceded and also made her suitcase. He thought a change of airs would do her better than be left with two girls to raise without his help.

Thomas thought the only good thing about this ordeal was that it happened during the summer and he wouldn't have any trouble with the girls and school. Besides, he was hoping them to learn a new language, which always do you good in the long run.

Thomas wasn't an expert in French in any form, but he managed and learnt fast. Maybe too fast, he preferred when he didn't make out what his workmates said about him. Thomas kept the knowledge to himself; he knew it was the best option. Besides, as time passed and his work paid off towards the rest of the personnel, the majority changed their behaviour towards him.

He barely did much other than help clients with documents and some doubt they might have, or any inconvenience the others didn't want to take care of. Countless times he'd managed to save a situation from disaster or a misunderstanding with a foreign client. But that seemed enough to earn some respect from his colleagues. If only he could manage to do that with his superior.

Thomas wasn't the most progressive neither the most conservative. To be honest, he'd always had so many things inside his head that he decided to live his life and let others live theirs as long as it didn't interfere with his own. Had he his own ideas? Absolutely. Would he fight for them? Of course, they were his for a reason. But he always had some work ethic that prevented him to do so in his workplace, especially towards the public.

So, how he, with that trail of thought, was stuck in a small desk in some corner by the entrance of the building, while Dupont was in charge of Human Resources.

The joke told itself.

"Thomas, pouvez-vous aider ma cliente, s'il vous plaît? [Can you help my client, please?]"

Thomas turned around, changing his focus from the printer to the woman standing at the doorframe. Maria Cosway and him had clicked since they met, and not only because both knew fluent English (which was always good news when in a foreign country). They shared hobbies and intellectual interests. It had been her idea to practice French when he arrived so they could improve without feeling too embarrassed. And, in such a difficult time of his life, her seemingly never-ending good vibe and bright personality was like a blessing.

Maria smiled apologetically at him, the urge in her brown eyes and the need of a breather clear in her thinned lips. He returned the polite gesture and nodded.

"Bien sûr, Maria, j'y vais [Sure, Msaria, I'll take care of it]*" he assured, pointing at the printer to let her know it'd take him a moment.

Maria sighed in relief. "Merci beaucoup. Je vous revaudrai ça [Thank you so much. I owe you one]"

"Je m'assurerai que je m'en souvenir [I'll make sure to remember]" he joked, managing to make her laugh and soften her features.

He made sure to finish his task as quickly as possible to leave the client hanging, placing the photocopies under his arm and trotting to the front desk, where a woman was waiting patiently, taking in her surroundings. After exchanging the cordial greetings, he proceeded to take her personal information to be able to contact her and have everything in order.

Thomas knew some people looked down at him for not continuing the path of studies somebody else had made for him, and he carried certain disappointments throughout his youth that still weighted on his shoulders, but in these moments those dark thoughts were left forgotten. Turned out, helping out people in small things could improve your mood and this job helped him overcome the chains of shyness and social anxiety. He surely was not the same man that started working as this for his father-in-law when young.

But he carried an annoying trait that did him no good while working with people, a flaw Thomas seemed unable to brush off: he was horrible at reading people or get to know when they were uncomfortable until it was too late. So, it was to no surprise to him how he missed the clear signs of discomfort from the woman when she handed her ID card.

And less surprising was how dismissive he sounded when he pointed out what he thought to be an error.

"Excusez-moi, mademoiselle, je crois que vous m'avez donné un mauvais carte d'identité [Excuse me, miss, I think you gave me a wrong ID]" he said, handing the card back to her.

She moved uncomfortably in spot. "Non, c'est le mien [No, it's mine]" she corrected, shyly.

Thomas took a look at the photo and name, and after some deeper attention, he saw the similarities between it and the woman across him.

Yes, undoubtedly this was the worst flaw to have while working directly with the public.

"Je suis désolé, laissez moi… [I'm sorry, let me…]" he hurried to say, typing

"Pour cette raison, j'ai eu besoin d'un avocat [This is why I needed a lawyer]" she mumbled, embarrassed.

"Comment vous vous appelez? [What's your name?]" he asked, normally.

"Claudine" she replied, relaxing a bit.

Thomas nodded and then locked at her, passing her the card. "Téléphonez-nous dès que vous êtes donné votre nouvellle carte, d'accord? [Call us as soon as you have your new card, alright?]" he explained, performing a gentle tone he'd perfectioned with the years. "Je le fairai savoir à ma collègue [I'll let my workmate know]" he promised.

"Merci, monsieur [Thank you, sir]"

And the kind smile she sent his way was enough to calm his nerves and toss his insecurities aside.

At least, for a couple of hours.

The workplace was a calm place, so when Thomas heard a heated argument, the first instinct was to get up to see what was wrong. Which was also everybody else's instinct, if the crowded hallway was any indication. As he walked closer, he distinguished Maria's voice and he made a face. She could be the kindest woman, but she also had one hell of a temper. Thomas suspected he was drawn to her because she reminded him of both his older sister and wife.

"She's my client, let me handle it!" complained Maria, red in the face.

Thomas cocked an eyebrow at the usage of English, until he saw she was arguing with Dupont, of all people, and understood that if she could do anything to piss him off a bit more than he seemed, Maria would take it without a second doubt. He frowned, growing worry over her and the consequences of such an outburst, and was about to step in to keep things calmed (and, if he could, dismiss the rest of the people who were witnessing).

He never managed to get any words out of his mouth, though, because as soon as Dupont saw him there, his face changed to another level of rage, keeping him frozen in place and on guard.

"Jefferson, how many times do I have to tell you that you must inform me or any other superior before a problem?" he barked, accent thick.

Maria took his moment of hesitation – trying to figure out what he'd done wrong this time according to him – to answer herself. "La seule chose qu'il a fait a été d'aider ma cliente [The only thing he's done was to help my client]" she defended, making sure that everybody there understood her properly.

"He altered…" tried to argue Dupont.

"J'ai écrit sa information personnelle, monsieur [I wrote her personal information, sir]" assured Thomas, following Maria's tactic. "C'est tout[Nothing else]"

"You've got his information wrong" kept admonishing Dupont.

"Her" corrected Maria, frowning in anger. "Je sais que vous ne vous sociez pas de l'argent, mais j'ai choisi cet emploi pour aider les gens [I know you only care about money, but I chose this job to help people]" she reproved, with a level tone that sent more chills than any scream.

Thomas took a step closer after seeing the daggers Dupont sent in the woman's way. "Sir, we work for the people" he agreed, keeping his tone calm but resolute, deciding to talk in his native tongue to make himself very clear and not ashamed a superior, in fear of making matters worse. "You want to comment your ideas on certain topics? Wait until you're out of here and do it with friends, but while we're here, we must treat them all the same. Now, please, there are people waiting to be attended and this is horrible advertisement for the law firm"

Dupont inspired through his nostrils and, for what seemed the first time, realised he was being watched carefully by the first floor almost entirely. With a huff, he mumbled 'go back to work' in his native tongue, and turned on his heels, disappearing through the first door he bumped into.

"Hope it shuts him up for the rest of the week" said Maria, when they were left alone.

"With that verbal slap, I'd be surprise if he dares to make a fuss like that for the rest of the year" agreed a man at her backs.

Thomas acknowledge the man's presence with a court nod and then turned his attention to Maria, who was smiling smugly at the way Dupont had walked to.

"And I hope next time you can imitate my volume" he half-reprimanded.

She shrugged it off. "You know I'm very protective over my clients"

"That's good to know" laughed the French man. He walked closer to the pair and stretched out a hand. "Lafayette. Or Gilbert, I answer to both"

Thomas returned the polite gesture, glad to know another kind person within this walls. "A pleasure. Thomas"

Maria sent the French man a glare of complicity. "I'll show you the complete name later. It's insane"

"I didn't choose it" was his weak defence, as he shrugged one shoulder. Then, seizing Thomas with a glare, he added. "You know? You just reminded me of a guy I met back in college… In the States. He's more… fierce, but I think you could get along just fine" he explained, with fondness in his glare, surely rejoicing in his memories.

"Maybe you'll bump into him when you are back" chimed in Maria, a hand on her hip. "Though it's the opposites the ones who attract one another"

"And it's not likely I'll be going back any time soon. King will make this as long as he can" he reminded her, without getting into much detail in front of a new face.

Maria snapped her fingers. "Oh, yes, I think I'll call him" She revealed, walking in her office with an evil grin on her lips. "I've never thought I'd be glad of Samuel's existence until now"

Thomas laughed about the commentary while Gilbert eyed the girl with curiosity.

"King's partner" she explained.

"Maria…" admonished Thomas.

"It's not like they're a secret. Everyone noticed when the poor guy came for an inspection" she dismissed, waving her hand and placing her phone to one ear.

"You're leaving your client waiting" he reminded.

"Keep him busy, I'm sure you'll like each other" she decided, closing her office door for privacy.

Gilbert laughed at her mannerisms, luckily downplaying the situation. "She's quite something, isn't she?"

"You have no idea" admitted Thomas, shaking his head affectionately.

NOTES:
Claudine means sensitive and affectionate.
J'y vais = I'm coming, but I think it can also have that connotation.

Would you believe me if I said this chapter was not planned at all? Like, it was going to be about a whole different situation, and as I wrote the plot turned to this and I wanted to keep it. It might seem out of place, but I think it's necessary to show a bit of Thomas' personal morals and where and how he stands about them...

Only one chapter to go to end this prologue and in the next story all usual characters will appear! :D

Sursum corda!