A/N: Thank you so much to those who reviewed! It's cool to know there's still some Liberty's Kids fans out there.

This takes place in between the pilot and the second episode, The Intolerable Acts. Many of the happenings in Episode Two actually span a six month timeframe in 1774, so the lockdown I mention below is made up to atone for this. That won't be relevant until the next chapter, but I digress.

December 18th, 1773

"The city is in lockdown. No one is allowed in or out." Moses stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the three of them in turn. "I'm afraid it may be a while yet before we're out of Boston."

"How long?" James was leaning against one of the barn's stall partitions, his arms crossed over his chest. Sarah's eyes slid over to Henri, who was sitting across from her at the small table inside the barn. They had all been in the gracious company of Phyllis Wheatley for two days now, but both Sarah and James had spent the time pointedly ignoring the other. That suited her just fine. It was his fault her locket had been lost.

"I'm not sure." Moses grimaced, rubbing the back of his head. "Between the lockdown and waiting on the new axle, it could be weeks...or months."

"Months?" James sounded horrified as his entire face folded into an incredulous frown. "Moses, we can't do that. To leave the print shop closed for a few weeks is one thing, but months?"

"Mr. David Hall is running it in our stead. Remember?" James huffed as Moses offered him a reassuring smile. "It will be fine, James."

"I will have to write him. No use in publishing this story months from now." James smacked the pages he was holding to emphasize his point, frowning. Moses approached, slowly shaking his head.

"I'll have to proof them first, James. Let's have a look." He handed them over hesitantly with a heavy sigh. Moses took them from his hands and began reading, moving slow about the barn. James' gaze suddenly moved toward her.

"This is your fault, you know." Sarah's eyes narrowed as she met his gaze, anger igniting in her chest. He was staring at her coldly, obviously annoyed, and she found it outrageous that this was how he had chosen to break their wall of silence. She scoffed, standing slowly.

"My fault? How on earth is this my fault?" Moses paused, looking up at her from the pages, then at James.

"If you had just come to Philadelphia as planned, we never would have had to come down here," James replied, those wild eyes of his alighting with frustration. "Now I won't be able to work. It's your fault."

"James." Moses' voice had a quiet admonition in it but James ignored him and did not take his eyes off of her.

"I've scarcely been an apprentice for half a year," James bit out, "and any lost time will have to be added to my seven-year contract."

"Do not level blame at me just because you are frustrated." She mirrored his stance and crossed her arms in front of her. "I had no choice but to board the Dartmouth instead of the Dover as planned. The original journey was cancelled at the last moment due to a leak -"

"Then perhaps you should have taken it as a sign to stay where you belonged." James straightened, dropping his hands to his sides. "You never should have come here."

"James, stop." Moses moved quickly to stand in front of him, blocking his line of vision to Sarah. "I will not tolerate this behavior. Apologize right now."

"No." James shoved past him, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "I have not said anything that isn't true."

"You are being rude and unkind. And you will not treat a young lady like that, especially in my presence." Sarah watched as James' face hardened, his shoulders pulling back in stubbornness.

"You will not make a liar out of me by making me apologize for something I am not sorry for." His arms folded across his chest again. "I will not do it."

"And I refuse to be sorry for coming here." She moved around the table to face him, though they were still separated by a good ten feet. "I have every right to want to see my father."

"Who is on the frontier," he snapped. "Not in Philadelphia."

"Philadelphia is where we are supposed to meet."

"When?" he demanded.

"I...I do not know." She wrung her hands nervously in front of her as the now-familiar sadness settled in her chest. "We sent word of my plans months ago, but he did not respond. Mail service is practically non-existent out there."

"Then what was the point?" James gestured wildly, the anger returning to his features. "Why come here at all?"

"Are you honestly going to tell me you wouldn't do the same for your father? If you did not know where he was, or when you might see him again?" A hush fell over the room as James' face fell. He did not reply; only stared at her.

"That's enough." Moses turned sideways and looked at her before turning his gaze back to James. "Apologize, James."

"No." Moses' face visibly darkened.

"I am not asking."

"And I am not sorry!" James exploded, face contorting with distress. He gestured toward her with an extended arm. "Why are you defending her? You've known her for all but two days, whereas I have worked with you for years."

"That's right. You have. And many things have changed for you in that time, haven't they?" Something unspoken seemed to pass between them as she watched James' shoulders slump. She looked to Henri, who only shrugged. "Belligerence was tolerated when you were young, when you did not know better. But now that you are officially an apprentice, it is most unbecoming. More than that, it is unacceptable."

"I am not a child," James said coolly, a shadow passing over his face.

"Then I would ask you stop acting like one." Moses pointed at her again, and it suddenly felt like the temperature had dropped as James looked to her, nothing but disdain in his eyes. "Apologize." She stared right back at him, raising an eyebrow. His mouth twitched as he looked back to Moses.

"I will not do it."

"I am incredibly disappointed in you. And if Dr. Franklin were here, he would be as well." Moses turned to look at her. "Please accept my sincerest apologies, Sarah. Such ill manners are not representative of those employed by the Pennsylvania Gazette."

"Apology accepted, Moses." She moved her gaze to James, unable to keep the defiant edge from her tone. "Thank you."

"You little shrew," James spat, suddenly. "If anyone here deserves an apology, it's me. After what you did -"

"James, final warning," Moses snapped, but it seemed James was on a tangent, the pent-up frustrations from the last few days finally reaching their tipping point.

"No one wanted you here. Least of all me. I honestly cannot understand what Dr. Franklin sees in you, especially since he is a patriot, a man who regards England and anyone from it as domineering, insolent, and stupid." He moved to charge her way, anger punctuating every word. "And I agree with him. We all would have been better off if -"

"Enough!" Moses' shout rang loud through the barn as he shoved James back, hard, sending him staggering backward into the stall partition. Sarah's hands flew to her mouth, instinctively reaching for Henri who sat frozen at the table; but she could not take her eyes off of James as shock - and something else - washed over his features.

"One more word from you and your contract with Ben is terminated. Do you understand me?" Moses pointed at him and though his back was turned, she could see in the posture of his stance that he was furious. Silence descended, heavy and uncomfortable. James' chest was heaving, his lip trembling, and even from where she stood, she could see the shine of tears in his eyes. He looked at her briefly, his eyes no longer angry but replaced with something else. It took a moment for it to register. Fear.

He was afraid.

"Answer me. Do you understand?" Moses' tone was serious. James looked up at him, clearly upset, then jerked out a nod. Moses sighed and turned back around to face her, his face grim. "Forgive us, Ms. Phillips. It has been a trying few days and we..." His voice trailed off as James bolted from behind him, running to the barn doors. "James," he called out, but it sounded weary, resigned. James flung the door open and sprinted out, disappearing into the night. Henri stood with a cry of concern on his lips, but Moses only shook his head, motioning for him to sit back down. "Let him go," he sighed. "He needs to clear his head."

"Moses," Sarah said softly, watching as he moved to shut the door. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," he said quickly, a bit too quickly, as he pulled the door closed but didn't latch it. He stood there for a moment, one hand braced against the wood; then he turned around and walked over to them at the table, shaking his head. "I should not have done that. It's just been awhile since I've seen him so...so..."

"Angry?" she offered.

"Fearful." Sarah frowned as Moses' gaze moved beyond her, some unknown memory playing out in his eyes.

"Fearful? Of what?" He ran a hand across his chin, suddenly looking hesitant.

"That he will lose 'is apprenticeship and 'ave to live on the street again," Henri piped in. Her eyes widened as she looked at the young boy, half expecting him to be joking; but his face was drawn and serious, and the sight of it was like a dagger to the heart.

"I've known that boy since he was ten years old," Moses said from behind her. Turning back to face him, she found nothing but sorrow in his gaze. "He's a fighter. A survivor. He was very difficult when he first came to us. Bright and diligent to be sure - but difficult." He sighed, eyes slipping shut. "There is a fire within him, Sarah, one that ignites when he feels threatened. And that fire, the one that's kept him alive all these years, is yet to be extinguished. It urges him to fight, to lash out. It does not excuse his behavior, but..." He opened his eyes, shaking his head forlornly. "He is still so fearful we will take this all away from him."

"Moses," she said softly, searching his face. "Moses, I do not understand." He looked to her again, his eyes awash with some unknown grief.

"James is...he's an orphan. Were we to terminate his employment, he'd have nowhere else to go." His mouth moved as he nodded to himself, his voice dropping. "But he's a good lad, Sarah. Loyal and passionate and kind. I would trust him with my life." Sarah balked, trying her best to keep her face from betraying her disbelief at his words. "But life has not afforded him much kindness. It's been very hard for him. He has suffered, immensely. By the time he came to us, he was half dead. It's a miracle that he..." His voice trailed off as he shook his head again. "His story is his alone to tell you, and I will not rob him of the chance. I know he has not shown you much kindness these last few days, and for that I truly am sorry. But I would ask...I would ask you to show him some grace, if you can find it in your heart. He needs it. Truly...truly needs it." He sighed through his nose, sadness filling his features again. "I promise you this is not who he truly is."

"Well. I..." She struggled to find a response, head swimming with this new information. What sort of suffering had James fallen victim to? "I will do my best, Moses. Assuredly." The man nodded, looking morose.

"Let me know when he returns, please. I'm going to go lie down for a bit." Sarah and Henri nodded their agreement, standing mute as he moved past them to bed down beside the horse stall. She wasn't sure what to think now, save her rising concerns. Just what had she gotten herself into with these folk?

"I like James," Henri suddenly said. She turned to look at him, startled, but he gave her a genuine smile. "He is nice to me. Most of the time, at least."

"I wish he were nicer to me," she replied softly. The young boy put a finger to his lips, thinking.

"Maybe if you were nice to him first," he finally said, his face alighting with the seeming profundity of his thought, "he would be nice to you too!" She laughed, shaking her head lightly as she reached out to tousle his hair.

"Henri, you are a riot." He giggled along with her, but his eyes moved to the barn door.

"I hope James does not get lost. It's dark and cold outside." She followed his line of vision, pondering the thought. Then looked back at him.

"I'm sure he will be alright. But you certainly won't be if you don't get some sleep." She tapped him lightly on the nose, eliciting another giggle. Already she loved this boy dearly, like a little brother. And Moses was wonderful too. If it weren't for James...well. She would certainly have more peace about the situation.

"Will you sing to me like you did last night?" She nodded, smiling as she followed him to the bed of hay opposite where Moses lay sleeping. The evening previous, Henri had proclaimed he was far too bored to fall asleep and had kept them all awake by singing lullabies to himself. Compelled by her own exhaustion, she had offered to sing to him until he felt sleepy and it had worked like a charm. She wondered if this would become a nightly routine for them now, finding she did not mind if it did. Henri settled in with a smile on his face, cuddling into the hay; then quietly, so as to not disturb Moses, she began to sing.

Cock a doodle do!

What is my dame to do?

Til Master's found his fiddling stick,

She'll dance without her shoe!

Henri giggled, but kept his eyes closed. Sarah clasped her hands around her knees, and continued.

Cock a doodle do!

My dame has found her shoe.

And Master's found his fiddling stick,

Sing Cock a doodle do!

She sang through the verses until his breathing changed and his sweet face relaxed. Standing carefully, she tiptoed from his spot, and snuck a peek at Moses, who was also sleeping. Hands on her hips, she looked up at the loft where she had slept the last two nights, then over to the barn door. Then back up. Sighing quietly, and not quite sure what was compelling her to seek him out, she edged quietly across the floor and outside into the cold night.

The moon was still bright in the sky, lighting her way as she tread carefully over old snow, down the pathway leading to the Wheatley residence. She cast a quick glance around, hitching her skirts as she moved. "James?" she whispered. "Are you out here?" Only silence met her as she spun around, trying to spot him. If he truly was wandering the streets of Boston, she would not go looking for him. He had been gone for a while though, so it did seem more likely that he had left the residence altogether. She had only just decided that was likely the case when a scuffling sound caught her attention, coming from the side of the barn. She crept forward with a suddenly-pounding heart, rounding the corner with apprehension.

And there he was. Sitting in the shadows, his back up against the barn, his legs tucked in front of him. He had wrapped his arms around his knees, pressing his face into the crook of his elbow. She stared at him a moment, wondering if he had heard her, but he remained where he was, unmoving. It was only then she noticed his shoulders were shaking, then heard the muffled gasps for breath. Her eyes widened as realization came, swift and heavy. Crying. He was crying. Pity clutched her heart as she watched him, unsure if she should speak. Should she slip back inside before he spotted her? Spare him the embarrassment?

"James?" Her mouth decided for her and his body jerked, head slamming loudly back into the barn. Whipping his head in her direction, she spotted the same fear she had seen earlier in the seconds before his features changed, pulling into a guarded scowl.

"Go away." She took a step closer, heart sinking as he turned his head away, anxiously wiping at his face with the backs of his hands.

"It's very late," she said softly. He did not move, did not react, so she took another step toward him. "You should come back inside and get some rest."

"I am not going back in there. I will sleep outside tonight." She frowned, arms wrapping around herself - it was freezing out here.

"Nonsense. You will freeze. Come back inside." He still did not react and exasperation, along with concern, rose like a fire in her chest. "James, honestly. You are a human being, not an animal. You cannot sleep outside." Slowly, his head turned toward her, his eyes searching and angry in the dark.

"I've done it before." Her frown deepened, watching as a shiver wracked his body as if to refute his words. "And it sounds like I'll need to get used to doing it again." She stared at him a moment, confused. His teeth chattered as he spoke. "If I am to be out of a job, that is."

"Oh, no. James, no." She spoke quickly, gesturing toward the barn. "I spoke to Moses. He feels very badly about what he did, but assured me your employment is safe. There is no need to worry." He moved his gaze in front of him, staring blankly.

"Glad he assured you," he muttered darkly.

"He asked us to let him know when you returned." A moment of silence passed between them as she watched him shudder again. She nodded behind her. "So how about you come back in where it's warm and we can -"

"Why are you out here?" His tone was curt, but did not sound as angry as it had before, so she took it as a good sign.

"Despite your rudeness," she said calmly, without spite, "it did not seem right to leave you out here alone."

"Well, no need to worry." His voice matched his expression now, blank and impassive. "I am fine. Goodnight, Ms. Phillips."

Maybe if you were nice to him first, he would be nice to you too!

Stubbornness taking a ferocious hold of her, she closed the distance between them and sat down beside him, pressing her back to the barn as he did. She could see him turn to look at her in her periphery, but she kept her eyes ahead, focused. "What are you doing?" he asked. Tucking her skirts around her legs, she sighed quietly and spoke to the bushes in front of her.

"Well if you are sleeping outside, I thought it only fair I do the same. Seeing as how it was me who got you into trouble."

"Sarah..." He sounded irritated now. "Go back inside."

"No."

"You won't be able to handle it out here."

"You think so?" She finally turned to look at him, meeting his eyes with what she hoped was intensity. "Try me."

"You know what? Fine." He moved his head forward, swallowing thickly. "Go on and freeze then. I don't care." The two of them sat in silence for a few moments, thinking. She did her best to conserve her body heat, wrapping her arms around her tightly, but shivers soon began running in consistent waves up and down her spine. By the third time her body shuddered, James slammed his head against the wall with a frustrated sigh. "Stop this. You've made your point. Go back inside."

"Not unless you come with me." He turned to look at her at the exact same time she moved to look at him.

"Why? An hour ago you wouldn't have cared if I lived or died. Why are you doing this?" She tilted her head, studying him.

"Despite my heritage, I believe in treating others as I would want to be treated." His brow dipped in confusion, so she smiled at him to accentuate the point. "Even if I am a domineering, insolent, stupid shrew." His features softened as he closed his eyes, exhaling through his teeth.

"Right. Well." He cleared his throat, sniffing. Swallowed. Then opened his eyes to look at her again. "I am...sorry." She waited for more but he clamped his mouth shut, seeming to brace himself for her reaction.

"For what, exactly?" He sighed again.

"Sarah..."

"For what, exactly?" He looked in front of him again, scooting his legs out a bit to rest his forearms on his knees.

"For...calling you a shrew." His eyes moved to find hers and she was struck by the sadness in his gaze - something she had not fully noticed before tonight. "I'm sorry."

He seemed sincere, so she bowed her head toward him. "Apology accepted. And I am sorry for hitting you in the face with those books."

"And giving me a nosebleed?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Yes. And for giving you a nosebleed."

"And for elbowing me in the stomach?" She pursed her lips, annoyance flaring.

"You grabbed me from behind, what was I supposed to do?"

"I don't know, maybe use your words and say, hey, let me go please?" She sighed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. He grimaced slightly as he stared at her. "You left a bruise, you know."

"Alright, fine. Fine. I am sorry for elbowing you in the stomach. And I'm sorry for coming here and ruining your life, and your work, even though it was at the invitation of your employer. I just want to see my father again. That's all." It felt suddenly as if her throat were closing up. He studied her for a moment.

"You miss him?" His voice had changed, sounding softer now. She nodded quickly, swallowing down the tears that were threatening.

"Very much." He nodded slowly, jaw working. She gestured toward her neck. "He gave me a locket, just before he left for the frontier - something to remember him by. I wore it every day. But I lost it when we ran from the ship."

"Oh." The single utterance was sad, sympathetic, and it struck her as odd to elicit such a response from him. "That's...I didn't know. I'm sorry."

"It will be alright. Once I am reunited with my family, it will all be set to rights again." She nodded firmly, letting out a nervous chuckle. "It's why I've been so tense these last few days, anyway. And I took that out on you. So I am sorry for that as well." He studied her for a moment, his fingers clasping and unclasping in front of him, before he spoke again.

"You have every right to be here," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have said...what I said. I just got worried. Worried that Dr. Franklin will think me a skiver and relieve me of my duties." He looked at his hands, blinking rapidly. "I want to be a journalist more than anything."

"I thought you told me you already were a journalist?" His head whipped in her direction, face pulling into a scowl; but it softened as she laughed, gently elbowing him in the ribs. "I am kidding, of course." Silence fell between them but it felt more calming this time; not so punctured with ire. Thinking on it a moment, she held her hand out toward him, startled to find his eyes were still on her. She smiled. "Truce?" He looked at her hand, then her face. A slow smile pulled at his lips, and it was only then she realized just how much nicer he looked when he was smiling.

"Truce." He took her hand and shook it firmly, fixing her with a stern look. "But I would just like to point out, I did not call you domineering or insolent or stupid. That was more directed at Parliament." A pause as they looked at each other. Then as if on cue, likely in response to the relieved tension, they both began laughing. Sarah covered her mouth with the back of her hand, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I don't know if that makes it better," she chuckled, "but thank you for clarifying."

"Yes, of course." He blinked a few times, then seemed to rear back as his gaze shifted to their still-entwined hands. He pulled from her touch quickly, clearing his throat again as he pointed around them. "You should...we should probably go back in." She nodded, yawning, as he stood. Much to her surprise, he turned and held out a hand to her to help her up. She let him do so, marveling at the sudden change in his behavior. Perhaps she had rushed to judgment a bit too quickly.

"You know, James," she said quietly as they moved 'round the barn together, "I think you've a tongue that is just as sharp as mine."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" He opened the door and stepped aside, watching her move past him. She paused in doing so and turned to look at him, smiling cheekily.

"I suppose time will tell." He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I'm not sure how to feel about that response." She shrugged, humming a bit under her breath.

"Just know, Mr. Hiller," she said as she moved inside, "that you have met your match."

Fun fact: The David Hall mentioned here was Benjamin Franklin's real life business partner. Good ol' Ben retired in 1748 (a very wealthy man) and left the management of his business to Mr. Hall. But in this universe, he just lends a helping hand for when Moses has to leave.