footsteps on the stairs

[ivegotmypride]

She'd been too late.

That was exactly what she realized when she'd opened the door. The second the door was open she could feel something was off in the air. She took a few tentative steps into the den and called out, "Oi! Who's about?" a customary way to greet the denizens of the den.

She already had a very strong idea who was about. And she didn't like it.

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[knowntoherfriends]

To the flat? It seems like a good idea but she finds herself shaking her head.

"Jem goes there, so does Fagin," she said, her words sounding panicked. "They'll find me."

[ivegotmypride]

"They won't be getting in, even if they do come. We'll keep you safe, I promise." She gives Jackie's hand a squeeze. "We'll get you warm and something strong t'drink." Nancy knew that was exactly what she'd wanted.

At least Jem was smaller than Bill had been, she couldn't help but think.

[knowntoherfriends]

"Fagin always finds a way," it's said with a dark look. They both knew that when Fagin saw a way of making profit, he would make sure he got the money he considered rightly his. But she still clung tight to Nancy's hand, like a little child desperate to not let their Mother out of sight. The only thing that could keep Fagin at bay - Jackie figured - was Bill in a mood. Nancy had told her that Bill was on their side, an' considering that it had taken till Jem...

Well, she had no reason not to believe Nancy's word here. All things considered, the flat was safer than the den. For now.

"C'n we go?"

[ivegotmypride]

"Let's." She's not going to dwell on the bad, not right now. They've got to get Jackie out of here and in to a safe space.

Nancy takes the lead, bringing the two of them through side-streets that members of the gang would not likely be hiding in. The side streets also helped with their shortcuts, and it wasn't long before the two of them were climbing the stairs up to the flat.

"I'll get you some gin," Nancy said as she unlocked the door and ushered Jackie in, locking the door promptly behind her. After that, she closed the shutters. Give them some privacy.

[knowntoherfriends]

When the door is locked, Jackie feels safe to breathe, at least for a few moments. She slides down against the heavy door, until she's sitting on the floor again, and then her arms are wrapped once more around her legs, staring at the floor without really seeing it there.

What was she going to do now? Now that Jem knew, the others would know. Mouse, Charley... they'd all treat her different. She wouldn't be the Artful Dodger, not to them anymore.

She looked up slowly. "...What?"

[ivegotmypride]

"To drink, love. Calm your nerves."

They were here. They were safe. Jackie could relax here, though she was sure that was the last thing the younger girl felt she'd be able to do. Nancy takes a bottle off the shelf and comes down to sit next to Jackie. She takes a swig then offers the bottle to the girl.

"Take your time. Drink as much as you want."

[knowntoherfriends]

Gin. To drink. Drink to calm her nerves. She took the bottle from Nancy, nodding and taking a long drink from it. She can dimly remember a time when the gin used to burn as it went down. Not anymore. She stares at the bottle. Fagin had a rule - as soon as you were old enough to reach the bottle yourself, you were old enough to drink.

How old had she been?

"...How long till they find me?"

[ivegotmypride]

Nancy couldn’t remember when gin burned.

“Oi! Stop thinking like that, Jackie. They’re not going to touch a hair on your head, I’ll make sure of that.” She was firm in her words.

“And I’ll chop Jem’s cock off myself.”

[knowntoherfriends]

She couldn't stop the snort that came at Nancy's comment. "Not like he's got much of one to chop in the first place," she muttered, unable to stop the words as they came out. It was a comment she had been making for years, it was automatic to just say it now.

And then there was a moment of stillness.

And then she was crying.

[ivegotmypride]

“Oh, love,” Nancy presses Jackie to her chest again, wrapping her arms around her. She was content to stay here holding the crying girl for as long as was needed. She’d heat some water for her to bathe in later. For now, she’d stay here.

[knowntoherfriends]

"It's not right, Nance," Jackie managed to spit out, tears rolling down her face and voice cracking. "None of it, none of it's right." She hurt, not just physically, but a bigger hurt that she couldn't explain. She knew what would happen, Jem would get praise for being a man, and she would be... Well, who cared about her, really?

[ivegotmypride]

She shakes her head, taking off Jack’s hat so she can better soothe her. She presses a kiss to the top of her head. “I know it ain’t.”

Jem would want claim on Jackie now- same as Bill had Nancy. They’d all seen it. But she wouldn’t let that happen.

“It ain’t your fault.”

[knowntoherfriends]

"I ain't being his," she gabbled, looking up at Nancy with panic on her face. She realised what people would think, what would be expected. "I ain't being his, not ever," she said again, desperate to make someone understand how very little she wanted it.

[ivegotmypride]

“You won’t be.” Shes firm in tone.

“I promise, Jackie. We’ll- we can get you out of London. Bet’s got family in Reading.” Dodger was going to hate the suggestion.

[knowntoherfriends]

"Leave London?" Her voice show how much she hates the suggestion. "Can't leave London! London's... it's home." The idea of leaving the city was just against everything she could ever think of. Even if it was the only way she wouldn't have to fall into what their people expected, she couldn't do it.

"I ain't leaving, an' I ain't being his."

[ivegotmypride]

“You may not have a choice, Jackie.”

They never really had any sort of choice in their lives. They pretended they did, but they were all destined for this. If anything, perhaps leaving was a choice they’d never be offered again.

“I know it ain’t great but we don’t know how the others’ll react. Maybe just till this blows over and we sort Jem out.”

[knowntoherfriends]

"I ain't leaving!"

There was fury in her voice now, pushing back from Nancy and scowling heavily.

"Even if it's all changed, even if they want to make me be his... I ain't doin' it." She breathed deeply. "I'm the Artful Dodger, better than all of 'em put together an' they can fight me fer it, but I ain't givin' up easy."

[ivegotmypride]

Nancy let go of her as requested and set her jaw. So Dodger was determined. That was good, at least.

“You’ll have to work twice as hard, Jackie. We know what Fagin’ll do.”

[knowntoherfriends]

"Like I don't do twice the work already to hide what they fail to get," she snarked, jaw set.

[ivegotmypride]

"Don't you dare cover for them anymore, Dodger." She was surprisingly stern. "They say thick as thieves but Jem just proved that that means bugger all to him." They were supposed to be a family, of sorts. You weren't supposed to do that to family.

And yet.

[knowntoherfriends]

The sternness surprised her, as did the words. Nancy, Nancy who loved them all and would cover for them against Fagin, telling her not to do that? Jackie couldn't help but stare, the slightest of frowns creasing her forehead. But then again... she knew Nancy was right. Jem proved it meant nothing to him, not if he could make himself a big man with knowledge the others didn't have.

"...He'll be tellin' 'em now."

[ivegotmypride]

She did love them. All of them so much. But Dodger was someone special to her, abovethe others. And if Jem hurt Dodger, he’d hurt Nancy. He didn’t deserve Dodger’s goodness.

“I hope you put up a hell of a fight. You tell em you did. And what a coward Jem is.” Bill had taken her publicly. Partially to save her from Fagin’s hands, Nancy was sure. But also to show all watching who really ran them. Who they should fear.

Jem took Dodger alone, because what if he failed?

[knowntoherfriends]

"I bit him," she said. "His hand, when he tried to cover my mouth." Not that it had done much good. He had still managed to hold her down, still managed to... She couldn't let her head think it on, not for a second. It hurt too much to let those thoughts enter.

She hurt too much.

[ivegotmypride]

“Good. Don’t let him get away without a fight.” She had tremendous respect for Dodger in that regard. Her first time... well. It was different. She wanted Bill.

“What do you need from me?”

[knowntoherfriends]

If Jackie was being completely honest, the idea of not fighting Jem had never crossed her mind. Fighting was what she did when it came to Jem, though it was usually with words and had her running rings round the older boy before he had really gotten out of the gate. Fighting with fists, well, he had the advantage of not just being taller than her, but having several pounds of weight on him as well.

"...Someone to back me up, to stand in my corner. No matter what." It was a lot to ask, especially since the lads were going to side with Fagin and Jem, and they both knew that. Jackie reckoned she might have a chance if Nancy stood with her. If Bill decided to fall on the sides of the lads though... she would lose any support.