ivegotmypride | trepidations

She hadn't needed to use the gun. The next person to walk through the door had been Bill. Nancy'd sorted it out- he'd already agreed to keep her secret long before. Nancy knew, definitively, he was on her side. He hated the old bastard, and he knew what the man did to girls, same as he knew what he did to boys, and he knew what the street was to Nancy.

So Bill had let Jackie stay at their flat for the night- though he got his bed make no mistake. Nancy'd set up as best a spot as she could for Jackie to curl up, and even so she'd fallen asleep with the other girl in her lap, once more. But they couldn't hide away for ever, Bill'd told them that flat out. They had to return to the den. Pretend everything was normal, test the waters and see what Jem'd done told everyone.

She'd hoped, now that they'd had time to cool, she would not have need to bring the pistol along, tucked into her basket like it was nothing.

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From:

knowntoherfriends

Jackie found herself staying a lot nearer to Nancy that she would have dared do any other time. She knew she had to go back to the den - annoyingly, Sikes had been speaking sense when he pointed out that she couldn't hide out forever. Still the idea scared her. Going back to someplace she didn't have that air of security anymore.

And who knew what Jem had told them all while she was gone?

Still, she squared her shoulders, jerked her head so that her hat sat at just the right angle and walked into the den. It seemed quiet. Good thing they came when they were all out trying to earn their keep.

From:

ivegotmypride

the proximity between the two women didn't bother Nancy. She'd grown used to, in the last few days, the girl being nearer to her than ever before. And no wonder. She knew what she was going through. How terrified she had to be. But Jackie had Nancy in her corner, and Nancy had long since vowed to take care of the girl no matter what.

Which was why she was here. To provide a buffer between the girl and the old devil, if needed.

"Plummy and slam," she called out, moving into the den. No, the boys were out. Good. That made... whatever would happen next better.

Honestly, not even Nancy knew.

From:

knowntoherfriends

The silence of the den was a little unnerving, but Jackie reckoned it had to be better than coming back and seeing Jem's face. She looked back at Nancy, giving a small shrug, before she walked further in, looking around as if she was expecting someone to pop out of the corner.

"Well, well, where have you been, my dears?"

... Well, bugger.

From:

ivegotmypride

Nancy's ready for the old devil.

"What business is it of yours, Fagin? We're free t'come and go." She tells the old man like it's nothing, crossing her arms over her ample chest. "Dodger and I were lookin' at a place out in the country. Bill got a lead and wanted us t'check it out." It's a lie, but she was a born liar. It came as easy as breathing.

From:

knowntoherfriends

Fagin for his part, seemed simply amused.

"Nancy, my dear, can't I just ask after you?" And that smile was still there.

"Ah yes, dear Dodger. Jem has been telling some tall tales about you."

From:

ivegotmypride

Nancy places her hand down, keeping Jack behind her as she takes a small step forward.

“Ain’t like you.”

She presses her lips together. “Since when d’you believe anything Jem’s Been saying? Boys a born liar more’n any of us.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

Fagin gave a slow look to Nancy.

"Since our Dodger disappeared for three days. Did you, my girl?"

From:

ivegotmypride

Well. He knew. Brilliant. Nancy swallowed.

She shouldn’t insult him and play dumb. She knew that. With a glance at Jack she steeled herself.

“Jem nearly put your best out of commission.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

"My best shouldn't have been lying to me!" Fagin snapped,looking between them both with anger. Quick as it was there, it faded. "Anyway. There's other ways for her to bring in the coin."

From:

ivegotmypride

There it was.

“Don’t see why change it- Dodger brings in twice as much as the others as-is.” She crosses her arms, glaring at the older man.

From:

knowntoherfriends

"I do-" Jackie went to say but Fagin shot a withering look.

"Accordin' to whose books?"

From:

ivegotmypride

“Absolutely everyone- yourself included. Don’t ‘the next Bill Sikes’ mean anything to you?” She arched an eyebrow.

“You don’t keep books. If you did they’d be as crooked as you.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

"I like to have some record, my dear, you know that." Fagin glanced between the two. "And as you know, Jem's claimed her."

From:

ivegotmypride

“Over my dead body he has!” She steps closer toward the old man. She’s not afraid of him. Perhaps she should be.

“He won’t touch the girl, not again, or I’ll cut his cock off. He don’t got a claim- she won’t have him and I won’t let him.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

Jem claimed her

Jackie couldn't speak to that, it choke in her throat. No, no, no, she couldn't have it. No. She could feel the knife that they'd made a sheath for against her arm. She'd cut his cock off herself if she had to.

"It's the way it's always been, my dear."

From:

ivegotmypride

“Not anymore it ain’t.”

She stamped her foot for emphasis, her bright green eyes dark and narrowed.

“Jem don’t deserve Dodger. It wouldn’t have happened had he made it- don’t try t’say Bill an’ I had the same because we both know it ain’t.” She and Bill were mythic.

From:

knowntoherfriends

"And what does Bill say about all of this?" Fagin waved his hand. "Takings are down."

From:

ivegotmypride

“Because Dodger hasn’t been covering for the others, that’s why.” She won’t let him use Bill against her.

“An’ I don’t care what he thinks.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

And there was a think smirk that appeared on Fagin;s face at those words, as if he had been waiting to hear them in particular.

"Then you won't mind my asking him about putting our dear Dodger to other work."

From:

ivegotmypride

“No,” she says calmly. “I wouldn’t. Because Bill sees things, Fagin. He hears ‘em, too. Knows what the work does to me. And that ain’t Dodger’s life. She’s worth twice what the others are doing the same work she’s always been doing. You put her on the street and what’s to stop her from leaving you for good?”

Dodger was her own person. She could get out of this. With any luck. Nancy was in far too deep to ever get out.

“We both know Bill hates having me on the job.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

There was a long silence, Fagin clearly weighing things up in his mind.

"We'll see."

From:

ivegotmypride

“No. you’ll see. I know what Bill thinks. I know him better’n you.” She smirks. “Beside- It’ll make you look weak t’the others. Going to the great Bill Sikes.” She rolls her eyes.