Okay in this chapter, Henri does the whole translator French thing. Translations at the end of the chapter. The end is approaching. Aren't you sad? Only two chapters left...

And 'member, I don't own LK anymore than you do. This one's set during In Praise of Ben...Where Sarah comes back.

I'm off working in the backyard, while Moses supervises, when we hear the armonica being played. We decided quickly to go inside and investigate. Mainly because I can't play the armonica to save my life, Dr. Franklin's in France, Moses was out here with me, Sarah's no longer here, Sybil doesn't know how (for all we know, anyways), and Henri, well, Henri can barely read English. So, we walked in.

First thing we see just happens to be Sarah. My first thought is: Yay! No more excessive chores! That's just downright pathetic.

I see the girl I love, and the first thought I have is: Yay! No more chores! This thought was followed by: She's back? I could really go on forever, couldn't I?

Naturally, Sarah starts talking to Moses. She always talks to him, and never to me! I don't really know much about her. Well, besides the answers to those stalker questions. I don't really care much about her brothers and sisters though.

Why is she hugging Moses? She kissed him too, well, before anyways! I mean, I had to kiss her. And then I dove off the ship and into the equivalent of a cold bath. She's hugging him again. I really wasn't paying much attention to what she was saying. Guess that's all about to change.

"Moses, I am an American now!" Sarah exclaimed.

It's about time. I'm tapping my shoe against the floor, because, frankly, her hugging Moses is bothering me. Reeeally bothering me. She turns around to me, grinning, and I realize I must've voiced my thoughts out loud.

"James, even you cannot ruin my good mood now!" Sarah chirps joyously, hugging me.

I don't know how to react. I don't even get why she's hugging me. We really need to have a nice long little chat, don't we? Anyways, I reluctantly wrap my arms around her. Not because I don't like her, because, hello, I do. But, it's just kind of strange to hug her.

Especially after what happened on the boat and now that Sybil's here. Ah, Sybil's here. How on Earth could I forget? Oh yeah, Sarah's here. Hey, wait a second, they're both here! Oh great. This is just terrible for me. Oh well, I'll deal with it.

We break apart at the sound of Henri fighting. Ten continentals that it's Charles again. I've had it with that little kid. We need to give him the Ben Lecture. I'm saying this because I've heard the lecture many a time myself. Long story. Very long story.

First time I heard it, I was a little scamp on the streets and didn't know who he was. I saw Moses, mind you, this was when I was like nine. Or something around then. Anyways, I was so sad and dirty. He'd just won his freedom and gotten a job with Dr. Franklin like literally a day before. Of course, I knew how my parents died.

And the lightning rod thing, well, and, you know, the fact that they were feeding me, made me stay. Half of it, I think, was the fact that I reminded him of himself. That's way beyond the point though. Point is that I had a home. Anyways, I helped Moses with the newspaper, with me being cute and all, I was at a ripe age for being a newsie.

I made some pretty good cash with that job. I loved the newspaper, even back then. Eventually, however, I got promoted to Apprentice Reporter, or something to that effect. I forget now.

See, now here's the part where I share my sad tale about how my parents died and why I'm here. I really should be more specific in this area, but, hey, this Charles guy's annoying me.

This day just seems to stretch on and on and on. You see, I'd be going on about what's been happening, but frankly, I don't care. As soon as we're done with Charles and Charles Senior, I grabbed Sarah.

"What is it, James?" Sarah asked, alarmed.

I sighed and let her go.

"Look, Sarah, we really need to talk," I replied quickly.

Sarah nodded and walked upstairs.

"James, I am terribly sorry about what I said to you. I was so confused at the time," Sarah explained, apologizing.

I waved it off.

"Sarah, it's fine. I was pretty awful to you too," I answered, trying to apologize.

She shook her head.

"No, James, I was wrong. I was not so sure about my decision in the first place. I should have listened to you," Sarah disagreed.

So girls are actually wrong sometimes?

Did she say she was wrong? Seriously. That never happens. This is scaring me. Really scaring me. I think I need to sit down.

"James, we have neglected to talk about anything even remotely important, do you realize that?" Sarah nagged.

I rolled my eyes.

"Nice to see you too," I retorted sarcastically.

She frowned.

"I am trying to be serious, James! I want answers! Why do you care so much? Why did you kiss me? You know I could go on forever," Sarah scolded.

I looked her in the eye.

"I want answers too! Why are you back? Why did you kiss Moses? And, most importantly, why did you kiss me back?" I countered.

Sarah had the grace to blush and we stared at each other awkwardly for a long moment.

Sybil appeared randomly before us.

"Hey James!" Sybil cheeped.

Sarah's eyes widened and so did Sybil's. Please don't tell me that they know each other. Well, they're hugging, so they definitely know each other.

"Sarah! Nice to see you again," My girlfriend began, "Was I interrupting something?"

Sarah and I exchanged a brief look.

"No, nothing at all," I said, faking a smile.

Sybil nodded brightly. I looked nervously between the two of them.

"How do you two know each other?" I asked nervously.

Sybil smirked at Sarah, who looks really uncomfortable.

"Well, it is a long story," Sarah explained quickly.

Sybil gave Sarah a searching look. Why do I feel so awkward? Oh yeah, I'm in love with Sarah and I'm with Sybil. Great. Here comes Henri, just when you think it can't get any worse. His eyes widen at the scene and a smirk stretches from ear-to-ear.

"Hé, le Garçon d'Amant! Maintenant vous devez choisir entre eux, non?*" Henri taunted.

I winced. I knew Garçon d'Amant, he'd been calling me that a lot lately. Lover Boy, he'd been calling me ever since Sybil arrived.

"L'homme, vous êtes fou, Henri!" I retorted.

Henri shook his head and Sybil and Sarah turned their heads in amazement.

"You speak French?" The girls asked in amazement.

Sybil's tone was more of a wow-you're-even-better-than-I-thought-tone, while Sarah's was more of a you-speak-French-since-when-again-tone. Heck, I'm shocked that I remembered it.

"Les dames, mon ami sait ici Français. Pas un lotissement, mais quelques- uns. Pas le regard a étonné si," Henri replied, grinning.

Didn't catch all of that. I'm rather glad I didn't.

"What'd he say?" Sybil asked, confused.

I shrugged.

"I'm not fluent," I muttered.

Henri grinned.

"Oh, cela a raison. Je dois vous dire cheres femmes, je devriez encore pas? La vérité est que James vous aime ici, Sarah. Je pense. D'autre part, il y a de la preuve pour soutenir l'aimant Sybil aussi. Quand même, je pense qu'il va enrouler avec Sarah parce qu'il l'a embrassée! Et je sais parce que j'écoutais aux portes sur leur conversation. Il l'a si mauvais pour elle. Mes cheres femmes, James formera finalement son esprit. Pas la crainte!" Henri ranted.

I shook my head. Oh, le frère. Oh brother. I'm thinking in French. I must be going insane. I didn't know I knew that much.

"James, je, être si jeune et unexperienced me vous peut offrir seulement le si petit conseil. J'espère qu'il aide. Choisir sagement, mon homme. Bonne chance," Henri replied seriously.

I understood like two words of that entire speech. He really needs to start speaking in English more. I nodded cautiously and noticed something for the first time. Sarah was wearing a gold ring with a diamond set in it. An engagement ring.

Only one name comes to mind. Major James Raleigh. How he makes my blood boil.

But if she's got an engagement ring, then why is she here? Unless he's coming here, to America. But he hates Americans. All this thinking is confusing me even more.

Why is that ring on her finger?

This is so frustrating. However, Henri seems to have noticed, just judging by the gasp on his face. He looked directly at me, questioning me with his eyes. I shrugged, knowing that his next words would be in French and about the ring.

"James, pourquoi Sarah porte-t-il cet anneau? Il paraît si cher. D'où il est venu? Reçoit-elle épousé? Huh? Je veux des réponses maintenant!" Henri exclaimed.

I shrugged.

"Henri, just ask her. I don't know anything," I grunted.

Henri looked thoughtful and the girls frowned. Sybil smiled.

"James, I'll get dinner started," Sybil stated.

I nodded, not willing to cook tonight. Henri shook his head and ran downstairs, looking petrified.

"I must stop her before she commits a crime against cooking!" Henri shrieked, flying down the stairs.

At least I wasn't cooking anymore. I think we all were tired of food poisoning. Alone at last.

"Sarah, I have a lot of questions for you," I whispered.

Sarah nodded and moved back into her bedroom. To go in or not to go in, that is the question.

- Loren ;*

Okay, uh, review...

Translations:

1. Hey, Lover Boy! Now you'll have to choose between them, no?

2. Man, you're crazy, Henri! (Even though they didn't use man as a slang term back then, but yeah)

3. Ladies, my friend here knows French. Not a lot, but some. Don't look so surprised.

4. Oh, that's right. I should tell you dear women some more, should I not? Truth is that James here loves you, Sarah. I think. Then again, there's strong evidence to support him loving Sybil too. Anyways, I think he's going to wind up with Sarah because he kissed her! And I know because I was eavesdropping on their conversation. He has it so bad for her. My dear women, James will eventually make up his mind. Do not fear!

5. James, I, being so young and inexperienced myself can only offer you so little advice. I hope that it helps. Choose wisely, my man. Good luck.

6. James, why is Sarah wearing that ring? It looks so expensive. Where did it come from? Is she getting married? Huh? I want answers now!