Chapter 2- Brownie Stealing Robots

Sarah, like always, was the second person to wake up that morning. She quickly scavenged the contents of the small kitchen and finally settled on toast. As it was cooking she looked for a clean glass to drink out of. She was halfway inside one of the cabinets when she heard the door open. She didn't have to see who it was to know it would be Danielle.

"Hey, munchkin? You in there?" Danielle's voice was right behind her. She was being uncharacteristically quiet so as not to wake the others. Sarah frowned as she snagged the glass and began trying to get out of the cabinet.

"I told you I don't like the name mun- eep!" Here eyes fell on what Danielle had brought. Danielle smirked knowingly. "Well if you don't like the name, I'll just take these brownies and-"

"No!" Sarah nearly yanked Danielle's arm off. "No! You can call me a one eyed, one horned flying purple people eater for all I care." She jumped as Danielle held the brownies out of reach. "Just gimme!"

Danielle laughed. "Fine. Here ya go. I thought you could use something other than toast to energize ya today. It's what, Friday?"

Sarah nodded. "Yep." She tore off the wrapping on the brownie and shoved some into her mouth. "That and weekends are the worst."

Angie slowly made her way into the kitchen. "Hey guys… I thought I smelled chocolate." She wasn't a morning person like Sarah or Danielle, but she didn't hate mornings like Jessa. She simply got up when she needed to and fell asleep when she went to bed.
"Nu-uh!" Sarah clutched the brownies to her chest. "Robots don't eat chocolate."

Angie rolled her eyes. Because of her obedient internal clock, Sarah was convinced that Angie was part robot. "Very funny. Now hand over the brownies."

"Never! Go back to your recharge cycle and leave us humans alone." Angie raised an eyebrow.

"Sarah, I will fight you for those brownies."

Sarah looked unconvinced and unconcerned. "Nah. You're a peaceful robot."

Danielle was smiling. "Don't be so sure, pipsqueak."

"But Angie doesn't fight."

Danielle pointed to the bag Sarah held. "Sarah. That's chocolate. This…" She pointed to where Angie was standing. "is Angie."

Sarah nodded in understanding. "So you saying it's her time of month?"

Danielle snorted at Angie's shocked face. Danielle smirked. "No, Sarah. I just meant that chocolate is Angie's version of pizza for you."

"Oooh… In that case…" She ripped off a huge hunk of the brownie and handed it to Angie. Angie grinned. "Thanks."

"Nobody should go without their pizza." Sarah said solemnly. Danielle shook her head. Jessa slumped into the kitchen.

"Well good moring sleeping beauty." Danielle smirked. It was so much more fun messing with Jessa when she was half asleep. Sarah grinned too.

"Jessa, help! The evil Robot stole my brownies…"

Jessa yawned and collapsed at the table. "That's nice Sarah…" The other three giggle softly. A few minutes after Jessa had got her coffee she looked surprised. "Wait, what Robot?"

Mutant Ninja

After Jessa had gotten over her initial morning grogginess she too partook in the great bounty of brownies. "Mm… so warm…"

Sarah grinned. "You shoulda seen them when Danielle first brought em. They were still steaming!"

Jessa cast a speculative glance at Danielle. "How exactly did you come about these brownies, Danielle?"

Danielle rolled her eyes. "I didn't steal them, Jess if that's what you were thinking."

"I didn't say anything. I just find it suspicious that these brownies came from our frugal budget."

Danielle shrugged. "You don't want them? Fine. See if I care." She stood up and grabbed the duffel bag she'd dropped by the table earlier.

"I'm out. See you guys later." Sarah frowned at Danielle. "Aren't you gonna eat? You didn't even take a brownie."

Danielle shook her head. "Nah. I ate earlier." Angie bit her tounge to call Danielle on her bluff. Angie was probably the only one who could call Danielle on a lie.

Danielle shifted her bag on her shoulder. " Angie I put coupons on the counter. You and Jessa need to go shoppin sometime today." Sarah's eyes shone.

"Ooh! Can we get-" Angie cut her off. "No, Sarah. No more frozen pizza."

Danielle shook her head. As she left she heard the distinct whine of Sarah's 'I really wanted pizza' voice. "Awww…"

Mutant Ninja

Despite their various jobs they each got off work for lunch about the same time. They usually tried to eat together. One of their favorite places was a sandwich shop nearby the pizzeria Sarah worked at. It was also nearby the book store where Angie worked and the electronics shop that Jessa worked for. Danielle was the only one who had to travel a good distance to get to lunch, but she didn't mind the distance.

Today they sat around "their" table discussing their day. Danielle shifted in her seat, tugging her jacket sleeves. Sarah shook her head in amazement. "Dang, Danny. I don't know how you wear those sleeves in this weather."

Danielle shrugged carelessly. "I don't get hot." The like was so much easier to tell the millionth time around.

Jessa grinned. "She's just naturally cold hearted." The group laughed at the joke, but Angie kept a sharp eye on Danielle. They finally got up to go.

"Angie, you coming? We're going grocery shopping." Angie gathered up the remaining trash. "Go ahead, guys. I'm gonna go with Danielle."

Sarah shrugged. "Fine with me. Let's go, Jessa." She herded Jessa towards the exits.

"And no pizza!" Angie called as an afterthought.

"…aw."

Danielle chuckled. "Some things never change, do they, Ang?"

"Nope. You ready?" Danielle nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

They left the shop and took a left that led to the grittiest street in their area. It was loud and full of obnoxiously rude and low people who would sooner push you in front of a bus than look at you… and it was their first 'home'.

This is where they'd learned to survive on the streets. Jessa and Sarah had as well, but more so for Angie and Danielle. Sarah and Jessa rarely came here, if ever. That made it the perfect place for Angie and Danielle to talk.

Angie sighed as somebody shoved past her. She glanced at Danielle, who was looking a little off. They walked over to the bridge that over looked one of the worse slums. They looked over the edge. This is where they went when they needed to regroup, make decisions about the group or just talk.

"You alright?"

"I'm fine." Danielle bit out. Her hands gripped the railing tightly, turning her knuckles white from the effort.

Angie rolled her eyes. "We're not at home, Danielle. Quit with the tough guy act."

This is one of the few times she put her foot down. She respected Danielle and vice versa. They knew each other had different opinions and they listened to one another. Angie trusted Danielle not to do anything totally stupid and Danielle respected most of Angie's decisions even if she didn't agree with them.

But when Danielle made a decision that hurt herself, Angie had to put her foot down. Danielle was stubborn, but so was Angie.

"I'm fine. I'll be ok." She looked up at Angie. "Really, Ang. I'll manage."

Angie sighed. "Look. I trust you. Sarah trusts you, and under everything, Jessa trusts you." Danielle frowned, but listened. "Sis…" They only called each other that when they were serious.

Angie placed a small object in Danielle's hand. Danielle's hand gripped it tightly. "No, Ang. I can't. We don't have the money… I'll be fine.

Angie laid a hand on Danielle's shoulder. "They need you, Sis. And you can't help unless you're ok."

"But they need the money more than I do."

Angie's violet eyes turned hard and icy. "Danielle! Shut up! I could understand if you were a druggie who needed a fix, but this is your life, dangit!" She faced Danielle in an aggressive stance. "Quit being so stubborn about this and just accept help!"

Danielle sighed, leaning against the railing. She smiled slightly. "You are the most stubborn person in the world."

Angie knew she'd won and relaxed against the railing with her sister. "I have to be to deal with your sorry butt… thanks Ang."

"Hey…we're sisters Danielle…in every sense of the word except for blood."

"Thank goodness. I'd hate to look like you."

Angie gave a rare laugh. "Likewise, sis." She glanced up at the sky. "Common. Let's get home before Sarah burns down the apartment."

A/N: Danielle's nickname is pronounced 'Danny' like the guy's name, not 'Dahny' like Donny. I'm just trying to clear up any confusion…(And I know a girl who's name is pronounce Dahny and she gives me the heebie jeebies)

And I know the end of this got a little serious, but everything will be revealed!