Nancy was sitting at the table, her feet swinging back and forth as they dangled off the chair. She was happily flipping through a pack of cards. She didn't yet know how to play, but she liked to look at the pictures and the shapes. Some of the cards had big red hearts on them, and some of them had four- leaf clovers. She wasn't very good at counting, but if she concentrated she could count how many of each shape was on a card. Some cards had funny- looking old men with crowns, and some had fat women.

Bet sat beside her, moping as usual. Lizzie had given her a particularly hard spanking for complaining loudly about the porridge Lizzie had cooked up for breakfast. That was how Bet was- she would be quiet and sullen as a sad little mouse sometimes, but every once in a while she would flare up and do and say the most ridiculous, dangerous things. Lizzie called these episodes 'temper tantrums', which Nancy had never heard of. She'd always happily gone along with what the older children and Fagin told her to do. It never even occurred to her to disagree or complain, unless there was an injustice done against her.

Harry was with them that morning, as it was raining particularly hard and there could be no fresh pickings outside. He and another boy, George, were smoking long pipes and playing cards with another deck- a full, shiny, pretty deck that had come in a beautiful gold box. Harry had nicked it off a gentleman the day before, and given Fagin the box, but kept the cards. Nancy had gotten the old tattered deck.

Nancy loved rainy days like this, when everyone was inside and together. It made her feel… safe.

"Betty, here." Nancy handed her some cards. "Look at these."

Bet took the cards, glanced at them, then threw them on the floor.

"Bet!" Nancy exclaimed. She was about to shove her when suddenly, there was a loud bang on the door. Lizzie perked up- as did Nancy. Everyone knew what that bang meant. Bet hopped off her chair and scrambled over to the corner of the room, where she sat with her head between her knees, shaking slightly. No one paid her any mind. Harry got up and opened the door.

Bill Sikes entered, dripping wet. His tall hat was sopping; his coat was completely soaked. As he walked Nancy could hear his boots squish and slosh- they were filled with water. George and Harry both ducked out of his way just in time, as without a word he removed the coat and threw it onto the table, splashing water everywhere. Bet and Nancy both were sprayed with it. Bet squeaked- Nancy just pressed her playing cards to her chest to keep them dry.

"Where 'ave you been in this weather Bill?" Lizzie demanded, picking up the coat and bustling over to remove his hat and help him take off his boots. When she had done that, she brought everything over to the fireplace and laid it all out neatly in front of it. There was no twine on which to hang clothes.

Bill just rubbed his hands together and grunted. Without being asked, Nancy leapt off her chair and ran over to the cupboard, picking out the green bottle that he liked. However, before she could bring it to him, Lizzie hurried over and took it out of her hand. "I'll take care of that, thank you," she said nastily to the little girl. Nancy frowned, and followed her back to the table.

When he had received his drink, Bill took a long swig and smacked his lips together, satisfied. "I've been scopin' out a job, Liz."

"A job?" Harry piped up suddenly. Nancy hadn't realized it before, but he was wearing his hat inside today, and he had it cocked to the side just like Bill wore his.

Bill ignored the boy and continued speaking to Lizzie. "There's this big house I've had my eye on for weeks," he said. As he spoke, he pulled Lizzie down next to him and stroked her hair, unthinkingly, as he usually did. "But the doors an' windows is always locked, every time I go. Except for one very small window in the basement."

"How small, Bill?" Lizzie breathed excitedly. She jumped at any chance to help him with one of his ventures; he never, ever let her.

"Too small for you, if'n that's what yer thinkin, girl." Bill yanked playfully at her hair and Lizzie yelped. Then she frowned.

"Well why are you tellin' me about it then, Bill Sikes?" Lizzie demanded.

"You asked where I was, didn' you?" he asked.

"Billy," Lizzie whined quietly. Bill grinned. They were both so wrapped up in each other, they didn't seem to notice that the younger children had all stopped what they were doing to watch their exchange with fascination. Even Bet was staring from her little corner.

"What?" Bill murmured to Lizzie.

"You never let me go with you! All I want is to help you, Billy," Lizzie said, her volume escalating.

"You do help me. By stayin' here," Bill purred.

"You don't trust me!" Lizzie exclaimed. She was getting worked up. "All you ever want me to do is clean your boots, and wash your clothes, and… other things… but when I actually want to help-"

Bill suddenly grabbed the back of Lizzie's hair. For a moment Lizzie's eyes widened, afraid he was going to hit her. Then he pulled her towards him and kissed her deeply. Lizzie immediately responded, sighing and sinking into him, forgetting all about her complaint.

Nancy blushed and looked away. Lizzie and Bill were so grown- up, and so pretty, and so… in love. Nancy was sure they were the most in love people she had ever seen. Lizzie always took care of Bill, and did whatever he asked. Bill was always kissing her and touching her, and his voice was softer with her than it was with anyone else.

Nancy heard Harry cough, and she looked up. Bill and Lizzie pulled away from one another. Lizzie looked around at all of the younger children as though it had just occurred to her that they were there, and she blushed. Bill barked, "If ye don' like it, leave."

"Oh, Bill, stop," said Lizzie softly.

"Bill…" Harry said timidly. Bill looked at him. Harry gulped, working up his courage. "I bet I could get through that window…" he began.

"Don' you think I've already thought o' that?" Bill barked. Harry shrank away. "Yer too big too."

"What are you gonna do, Billy?" Lizzie asked.

Bill then looked at Nancy for the first time since he came inside. Nancy gazed back at him.

Lizzie looked from Bill to Nancy, and her big blue eyes widened. "Her?" she demanded. "Nancy is on'y a little baby, she can't-"

Nancy was going to protest that she was not a baby, when Bill stood up. "Did I ask ye, Liz?" he said quietly. Lizzie gulped back the rest of her protest.

The party was silent for a moment. Bill sat back down. "Everyone out," he said quietly.

Bet immediately scrambled upstairs. George and Harry exchanged glances, and then looked at Bill. He was sitting with both hands curled into fists on the table. "Well, Harry my lad," George said, standing up and stretching, "I'm about done with cards for the night."

Harry stood as well, yawning. "As am I, George, my dear. To be continued upon the morrow?"

"Certainly," George said. Both boys then quickly raced upstairs after Bet.

Lizzie didn't budge.

"Didn' I say everyone?" Bill said, not looking at her.

"I'm not goin'." Lizzie crossed her arms and glared at him. Bill looked at her. His gaze was hard.

"You'll do as yer told," he murmured.

Lizzie frowned. "I will not. You can't tell me what to do."

Bill slapped her across the face, hard. Lizzie turned her head and gasped, holding her cheek. She remained in that position for some time. Bill stared at her, waiting.

After a few moments, Lizzie put her hand down and stood up. Nancy could see that her cheek was red, and her pretty blue eyes were filled with tears. Without a word, or a glance at either of them, she walked slowly out of the room. At the foot of the stairs, she turned back. She looked at Bill as though she were going to say something, but thought better of it, and quickly made her way up.

Nancy was shaking. She had seen Bill hit Lizzie before. He hit everyone except Fagin, Nancy, and Bet. Nancy had never given him a reason to- although he did knock her about when she got in the way from time to time. Bet steered clear of Bill, and Fagin was in a position of authority, somewhat. He was years older than the boy.

Lizzie had a smart mouth and a fiery spirit. Bill rarely smacked her, and he never hit her hard. It was always the result of Lizzie yelling at Bill, or nagging him, or calling him names. But it always made Nancy want to curl into a ball and disappear. Princes didn't hit their princesses. Bill Sikes was a good, brave, strong prince, and he only hit when he was defending his princess. Or… well, that's how Nancy thought it should be.

"C'mere, Nance." Bill patted his lap. Nancy could feel the tears welling behind her eyes and she blinked, hard. She couldn't cry just then. But she didn't want to go near him. He sensed this. "Don' be scared, girl, jus' do as I says," he said soothingly.

Nancy looked at him with wide eyes. She realized she was trembling a little. She didn't trust that he wouldn't lash out at her. But, she realized, if she didn't do as he said, he'd hit her anyway. So, timidly, she approached him. When she was close enough he grabbed her about the middle and put her on his lap. She drew in a sharp breath at the suddenness of his movement.

"You scared a' me, little Nancy?" he murmured, taking her chin in his hand and locking eyes with her. Their faces were close- she could feel and smell his hot breath on her face. He smelled like the green bottle.

"N- no, Mr. Bill," Nancy said quietly. Her stammer gave away her lie.

Sikes paused, considering her. She stared back at him without averting her eyes, half in fear, half in curiosity. Finally, he let her chin go and leaned away. "Good," was all he said.

Bill took a swig from his bottle. He smacked his lips again.

Nancy fidgeted on his knee. Bill's left hand was on her shoulder. His grip was hard, a little uncomfortable.

"Nance, you know yer my girl, doncha?" Bill asked gently. Nancy felt her face heat up and she sank her head towards her chest.

"Lizzie is your girl," she squeaked quietly.

Bill laughed his happy, booming laugh. His entire body shook. "Yer smart as they come, little Nance." With the hand that wasn't on her shoulder, Bill lifted her face up so that he could see her eyes. Nancy felt the blush creep up again, but his hand stayed on her chin. "Lizzie is my girl, but yer my girl, like… Harry is my boy. See," he removed his hand from her chin to gesticulate, "when I needs a job done, sometimes I can't do it meself. Sometimes I need someone else to do the job. When Harry helps me with a job, he's my boy."

Nancy squinted her eyes. She understood.

"You were listinen' to me when I said about that small window? In the big house?" Bill asked, raising his eyebrows. He brought his face closer to hers, and searched her wide brown eyes with his stormy blue ones. He squinted slightly, as if he was looking for something in her face.

Nancy nodded.

"That window," Bill continued, "is just the right size for a little… pipsqueak," he pinched her cheek, "like you."