1901

Clouds of thick, dark grey steam flooded from underneath Station 13. The shrill whistle of the Pullman Coach's horn could be heard throughout the platform, causing everyone to cover their ears to avoid hearing the ear-piercing shriek.

A black coat swiftly navigated the platform, forming a dark and brooding demeanor across the station. His light, red hair was hidden by a black bowler hat. The mysterious man was linking arms with a woman, who had the exact opposite aura as the man beside her.

She wore a long, burgundy trenchcoat that complimented her light complexion. Her dark, chestnut hair was pulled back in a nice, buffed bun. Her cheeks were warm and rosy, and she wore a slight smile that was calming and caring. Her free arm hooked under her bag and cradled a small baby bump that was forming at her stomach.

The couple were known as the Hamiltons. Both being very young and very rich. Their lives were known for being very gallant and elegant, a life longed for by many.

Alexander Hamilton was one of New York's best lawyers, always enchanting the courtroom with his charming presence. He was a tough, fiery lawyer inside the courtroom. Always passionate, and quick to counter the opposed statements. Outside, he was cold and analytical, always surveying before he said anything.

Eliza Hamilton, formerly Eliza Schuyler, was a New York socialite who was born into one of America's wealthiest families. Despite her vain sisters and her rich upbringing, Eliza managed to be a kindhearted spirit, who regularly funds an orphanage nearby (although there was talk that the Hamilton's were planning on buying that orphanage), and is friendly with the children who live there.

Alexander pointed to the first compartment of the seven-carriage train, signaling where they would be staying for the next twenty-four hours. Eliza nodded, and the couple began walking towards the compartment, their hands clasped in each other's. Alexander showed the conductor their tickets before helping his wife board the carriage and stepping onto the compartment himself.

Across the Hamiltons, on the other side of the platform stood a dapper-looking man checking his pocket watch, looking up at the train. He glanced down at his ticket, looked around, and swaggered towards the first carriage. This very fine looking gentleman is John Laurens, son of the esteemed Civil War veteran himself, Henry Laurens.

John was a very controversial businessman, owning three clothing factories. However, the controversy begins when you learn that the Laurens' factories were notorious for being the one of the only workplaces that offered equal pay to it's employees, for that was what John believed in. Men and women (of all races and colors, of course) were all accepted in the factories.

He made quite a bit of money (inheriting most of it from his father, who did not agree with John's most colorful views) from the factories, managing to buy out another factory in Philadelphia, where he was heading to now.

Just a few feet away from him were the two Schuyler sisters, Angelica and Margarita. The two were traveling together under each other's company, although it was frowned upon for a woman to travel alone. Unbeknownst to the two ladies, their sister was boarding the exact compartment that they were to be boarding.

Angelica managed to marry into the Church family, an insanely wealthy family from England. Currently, she was visiting her younger sister, Margarita (more known as Peggy), who happened to meet her at the New York dock.

Angelica wore a periwinkle dress of satin, frilled with lace on the sleeves and collar. Gold designs were etched around the bodice, and she wore a silver locket with her small painting of her first-born child inside. Her sandy hair was covered by an exceptionally large hat, where her curls were styled to stand out.

Peggy wore a simple, long red dress with a black belt around her already slimmed up waist. She wore an abnormally large black bow in her dark, curly hair, complimenting her pale complexion nicely. Peggy had eloped with Stephen Van Rensselaer, who happened to be six years younger than the young Schuyler, which caused a bundle of controversy surrounding the Schuylers and Van Rensselaers.

The two Schuylers were conversing lightly, laughing and enjoying each other's presence greatly. Their attention was grabbed by the second shriek of the Pullman's whistle, indicating for them to board. The sisters looked at each other with grins, sashaying off towards the carriage, hand in hand.

We now pan down towards the ticket booth, where a fine, pale young man is buying his train ticket. He's wearing a long, dark frock coat and a white scarf. His grey waistcoat had a breast pocket for his chained, golden pocket watch.

The man is known as Gilbert du Mortier, Marquis de Lafayette, a French nobleman with a gallant reputation. Lafayette pulled out a small wallet, revealing a photograph of him, his wife, and his daughter looking merrily towards the camera.

"That'll be 20 dollars, sir," A ticket master told Lafayette, his hand out to collect the money. Lafayette nodded, and placed the money into his hand.

"Thank you, monsieur," Lafayette gave a small smile in return for the ticket. The whistle gave another shrill trill, causing Lafayette to jump back in alarm and the ticketmaster to cover his ears idly.

"You should probably go now, sir. Enjoy your ride. Next in line please!" The ticketmaster told Lafayette, slightly smiling at his reaction to the trill. Lafayette, who was still recovering from the shriek of the whistle, stepped out of the way, silently thanking the man.

Lafayette had recently travelled to New York in hopes of finding land to buy for his wife and child. The Frenchman and his wife, Adrienne, had been wishing to buy a house in America for quite some time now. Unfortunately, Lafayette has not been successful in his efforts to find a residence in New York, so he was now traveling to Philadelphia with high hopes.

Quickly, Lafayette showed the conductor his ticket and boarded the first compartment. When he entered the compartment, the door behind him shut. He looked around to scope out who he would be spending the next twenty-four hours with. Lafayette analyzed around the compartment, taking in the elegant decoration.

There were red velvet seats with a gold trim on the sides of the seats spread around the compartment, with most of the passengers already claiming their seats. The carriage was dimly lit by the warm flicker of the oil lamps above the seats.

Right above the oil lamps were racks for passengers' luggage, and Lafayette swung his bag over, placing his bag on the rack. The room smelt faintly of peppermint and pipe tobacco, giving the hint that the last cart of passengers were smokers. Laughter circled from the back left seats, where a gentleman and three ladies were talking animatedly.

The back right corner of the compartment, however, bore a vastly different tone. There sat two men, both conversing privately in hushed tones. Occasionally, one of the men would turn around and look about the carriage, paranoid of being overheard.

These secretive men are New York congressmen Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Burr was wearing a long, dark maroon frock coat and a bowler hat that matched his coat in color. Jefferson, on the other hand, had his black frock coat off. His deep magenta waistcoat was exposed, and he had a glass of brandy in one hand, and a cigar in the other.

Burr had been campaigning for United States President, with Jefferson being his right hand man and Vice President. Philidelpha was their next stop for their campaign. The two had given Lafayette dirty looks as Lafayette looked their way. Lafayette looked away from the table, bringing his gaze to a man who looked to be at least ten years older than Lafayette. In an attempt to be polite and make "friends", he gave an apologetic glance towards the man.

"Monsieur, may I sit with you?" He asked. The man looked up the book he was reading, analyzing Lafayette.

"Sure," he said in a thick Irish accent, gesturing towards the opposing seat. Lafayette sat down, thanking the man silently.

"So..why are you heading to Philadelphia?" Lafayette asked tentatively, wondering if he made the right choice by choosing to make conversation.

"I am a tailor, sir. I'm hoping to bring my wife to America with this job. This job in Philadelphia will help me earn more money."

"That is nice." Lafayette smiled. "I am in a similar position, mon ami. My wife and I want to buy land here so we can easily stay in America. It seems Philadelphia is one of the cheaper options."

The man nodded. "I am Hercules Mulligan."

"And I am Gilbert du Mortier, Marquis de Lafayette, but you may call me Lafayette if you please." They shook hands, beginning a new conversation about the housing prices in America and how different they were from Europe's.

Meanwhile, behind the pair were the Schuylers and the Hamiltons, both conversing animatedly.

"And the baby! Oh, I'll have to tell John to buy silk for a nightgown!" Angelica exclaimed to Eliza, her gloved hand in Eliza's.

"Oh  Angie, you don't have to do that-"

"Nope. I've decided. I am going to spoil your child rotten. I'll be the favorite aunt." She nudged Peggy, who was speaking with Alexander about politics, in the ribs with her last sentence.

"Exactly! Stephen was just—what exactly is Angelica lying about?" Peggy turned her attention to her elder sister, who was chuckling into her hand.

"Oh nothing," Eliza giggled, "Our dear older sister is just trying to out-aunt you."

"Is she now?" She fake-glared at the oldest sister. "Well that won't do, will it?"

"Sisters, we accept both of your gifts graciously." Alexander replied, cutting off both Angelica and Peggy. He rested his hand against Eliza's, who grasped it firmly out of view from everyone.

"I think the baby will decide who the favorite aunt is." Eliza laughed, rubbing her husband's hand.

"...I'll be damned if one who does not stay, arrives first for all to see..." John Laurens read softly to himself, the soft light of the oil lamp illuminated the crisp pages of his book. He sat across from the Hamiltons and Schuylers, and next to Lafayette and Hercules Mulligan. Instead of being with someone, he sat alone, just as he liked it.

He was startled (as was everyone else) by the whistle shrieking once more. There was a jiggling with the door handle, causing everyone's attention to be turned towards the train's entrance. The door swung open, revealing the conductor, who was looking around the room wearing a mystified smile.

"Welcome," he stepped in the carriage "to the New York Express, riding to Philadelphia. I shall be your conductor for this trip. I see the looks on your faces, don't worry, I'll be out of your hair in a moment. I just wanted to remind you all that if you flip the seat cushions that you are currently sitting on, you will have your beds for the evening. Just ring a maid, and she'll assist you with the beds. There are curtains under the luggage rack if you need privacy. We'll be off in a moment, so if you would kindly remain seated, we'll be off. Have a lovely ride, and thank you for choosing the New York Express."

He left the carriage, locking the door behind him. Everyone looked around uneasily. There was something about his tone and aura that felt off-putting. The shared uncomfortableness didn't last long, for everyone went back to their own conversations after a second.

There was a loud thud, which elicited screams from a few of the passengers, and a slow chugging noise. The cart lurched forward, causing Lafayette, Angelica, and Burr to fall onto the ground in front of them.

Once the passengers had sat themselves in their seats again, the train began to pull forward. The train slowly began to chug away from the station, the trees and ferns outside moving faster away from the train as it sped up.

And with that, the New York Express was on its way to Philadelphia. The grey steam left a trail behind the train as it chugged forward along the iron, rusted rails. The occupants watched, fascinated, as the trees sped by the train, being so immersed with the beautiful, lush scenery. Unfortunately, they had no idea what was to occur on that ride to Philadelphia, on the New York Express...

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A/N: Thank you to mckennarowell for suggesting this! Originally this was supposed to be a one shot, but I decided to write a short story with it. This will be 6 chapters, and they will come out whenever I please. Have a lovely day!