Nancy turned to Charley and said sharply " None of Fagin's boys have ever been caught. You're lucky he's willing to take yer back."

Location : Police Station

Setting: Early 19th century

" Ma'am, may I be of any assistance to you?" A young officer, seemingly in his late 20s approached Nancy.

She stepped into the police office, wearing a flustered look on her face. Gently, she took off her hat and continued to finger the fabric of her floral dress nervously. Nancy looked withered and fragile as the morning-glory.

" Oh, oh, oh..." Nancy whined, " My brother! My little brother! He's nowhere to be found!" She dramatised the situation. " What will Mother say when she knows that dear Charley's gone!" Nancy put her hand to her forehead.

" Ma'am?" The officer led Nancy to a bench nearby. He sat her down and she took his hand in a desperate attempt.

" Please, sir. You have to help me find my little brother. He was set-up. Framed! And word has it, that...that..." Nancy slowed down as she panted and frowned.

" What has happened to you brother?" The officer prompted Nancy. He let Nancy caress his hand gently as he listened attentively to her problem.

" The Traps 'ave got 'im!" She broke down into a flurry of tears upon her last word. She brought her hands to her face and wiped her tears with her hankerchief. " What am I to do?" She cried as he patted her back and comforted her.

" Not to worry, I'll speak with the Magistrate personally and request that he release your brother on a pardonable excuse." He said to Nancy in a soothing tone. Nancy looked so fragile as if she could shatter any time from the sorrow she was experiencing.

" You will? For me? Oh, thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me!" She looked thankfully into his eyes as she smiled through her tears.

Suddenly, a group of officers passed Nancy and the officer, and with them, was Charley in their custody. He managed to catch sight of Nancy. With a surprised look, he said " Nance? Nance? Help me, Nance! Tell them I'm innocent! Nance!"

Nancy recognised Charley and immediately pleaded with the officer " Oh! There he is! Charley!"

" Rest assured, Ma'am. I'll make sure he's released." He said reassuringly. With that statement, he walked briskly into the court room and an exchange of words was audible. Nancy pressed her ear against the door, eager to find out what was going on inside the room. Then, in a few seconds, the door flung open. Nancy scrambled to the bench, pretending to sob. At sight of Charley, she cried " Oh! Charley!" She embraced Charley lovingly, showing her relief.

Charley, overwhelmed by Nancy's response, whispered to her " You're overdoing it, Nance." But relief was written all over his face as he let Nancy squish him under her tight grip. Nancy turned to the helpful officer and said " Thank you --" She looked down at his uniform and saw his badge. The name 'Robert' was engraved on it. " May I call you, Rob?" She said flirtatiously as she looked at Robert, the officer.

Location : Streets of London

Time : After Nancy and Charley had left the police office

Nancy bade the officer good-bye before she and Charley embarked on their journey home. She was relieved that she no longer had to put on an act, and that she had accomplished her mission.

" Hey, Nance, thanks for coming to get me." Charley said gratefully.

" Don't thank me. Thank Fagin. He persuaded me to do so. If he hadn't, I wouldn't even have come as close to smelling the police station. Traps..." Nancy sighed, " And you'd better come up with an excuse that Fagin would believe."

" What have I got to explain?" Charley said defensively.

Nancy turned to Charley and said sharply " None of Fagin's boys have ever been caught. You're lucky he's willing to take yer back." It had dawned upon Charley that he had ruined the good reputation of Fagin's boys. Upon hearing Nancy's words, Charley lowered his head in embarrassment and followed Nancy home. He was no longer as high-spirited and talkative as he was before. Nancy and Charley walked sullenly along the streets of London, both deep in thought, not exchanging any words.

( Hey (: Sorry if you didn't find this chapter exciting enough. But the next chapter or so should be more exciting when Dash comes into play. Please Review!)

Cheero