Molly emerged from her room clothed in her newsie outfit. "C'mon if we gotta do dis den lets go," Molly told Spot, not looking at all like she wanted to go and sell.

"All right," Spot agreed, walking out the door after nodding at everyone else in the main room.

Molly, afraid to even look at them, followed Spot closely.

Once out on the street Molly said, "Spot can't we jest skip taday? Der prolly aren't any newspapers anyway an' we could jest take a break…"

"I'se Spot Conlon. I can always get newspapers. An' I'm not gunna letcha sit 'round an' feel sorry foh youhself."

"I wasn't plannin' on it. I was gunna go talk ta JB an' convince him not ta tell Bittah an' den I was gunna visit Jimmy," Molly informed him. "I'm not really da sittin' round an' feelin' sorry foh meself kinda goil…"

"How wouldja get JB not ta tell Bittah? Did you completely miss him bein' angry wid you?"

"Psh..he wasn't angry, jest hurt. But if you don't want me to try den I won't…no skin off my back. I was jest doin' it ta be nice ta you," Molly pointed out.

"If you think you can den by all means try," Spot allowed, pointing down the street where JB and Cards were already selling newspapers.

"Alright, I will. I'll see you latah, I guess."

Spot nodded and continued on his way to get his newspapers.

Molly took a deep breath before walking closer to JB and Cards and saying, "Hey guys."

Cards looked at her in astonishment. "So he's hoid," Molly thought.

"Uhh…hey Molly. Look…you might not want ta…" Cards started.

"I know he's mad. Can you give us a minute?" she requested.

Cards glanced at JB and back to Molly before agreeing. "Yeah, I'll be ovah der."

"No, Cards you might as well stay. I'm not gunna talk ta da cheap whore," JB told him.

Molly glared at JB. "You know what, I just came over to explain things a little since I thought you at least deserved that but I guess this just proves once again that we nevah woulda worked out."

"What? Because I don't like da fact dat you jump in bed wid lots a guys?" JB questioned.

"No. You'he jest too damn normal an' always lookin' ta be a good guy an' you jest expect da everyone you meet is gunna be like dat," Molly replied. "I know dat I have problems an' don't act like normal goils an' I accept dat an' am happy wid dat. You jest couldn't deal wid it 'cause all you've met are normal people."

"So dat is what all dis is about. You think I should be fine wid you jumpin' in bed wid Spot an' actin' like a complete whore. I'm sorry but I'm nevah gunna be fine wid dat," JB told her, angrily.

"Dat's fine. I don't expect you ta be. We're jest too diffohent foh anythin' ta have happened between us. You need a nice goil who you can spoil an' who will hang on youh every word an' dat you can…I dunno…take moonlit walks on da peer wid or somethin'. I am definitely not dat goil…"

"Den why did you evah say you'd be me goil?" JB questioned. "I haven't changed since I asked you at all."

"Yeah, but I have. I thought dat I could be dis othah person cause I was tryin' ta get away from my past but I guess I can't. It's jest too hard an' why bothah…"

"I could help you…" JB offered quietly, thinking he was seeing a glimmer of softness behind her hard facade.

Molly sighed. "JB I'm not lookin' foh help. Dat's anothah thing. You need a goil who's dependent on you an' I'm not dependent on anyone anymoah an' I don't evah plan to become dependent on anyone anytime soon."

"So, what? Basically youh tellin' me you want ta get tageddah wid Spot, right? Are you lookin' foh me blessin' or somethin? Cause let me tell you…"

"Argh!! I'm not gunna get tageddah wid Spot an' if I was I wouldn't give a fuck about youh blessin'. I jest wanted to explain a little why things didn't work out foh me an' thought I'd give a little variety ta da whole 'It's not you it's me speech". Lemme get down ta it, doh. Foist, I am definitely not da person you think I am. Second, things nevah woulda worked out between us. Thoid, I'm hopin' we can still be friends."

"How da hell am I supposed to know who you are when you've obviously been lyin' ta me since I metcha! An' FRIENDS? I'm tryin' ta restrain meself from soakin' you!"

Molly gave him an amused look. "JB, you couldn't soak me even if you wanted to."

JB clenched his fits, looking like he had to fight even harder to restrain from hitting her.

"Sorry, not da point I know, jest statin' a fact. Anyway, I haven't been lyin' ta you from da beginnin'. In fact I've been amazingly truthful. You prolly know moah about me den anyone else…except foh maybe Spot. Well, you know as much as Spot just don't undahstand as well."

"You know what? You yelled at me foh makin' dis a contest between Spot an' me but den you are always comparin' us. I'm not Conlon an' I nevah will be," JB told her, angrily.

"I know dat…you whine way too much ta be Spot," Molly informed him.

JB was looking angrier by the moment. "WHINE?"

Molly shrugged. "Yeah, whine…nag…whatevah. Oh no you caught me in bed wid anothah guy…big fuckin' deal. We were broken up, we'd haven't even been tageddah a week, an' Spot an' I were a one night thing."

"Is dis what you came ta talk ta me about? Ta tell me I'm too normal an' dat I whine an' will nevah be as good as Spot? 'Cause I really don't need ta heah it."

"Actually, no, I came ovah ta ask you a favah…things jest didn't go exactly as planned."

"A FAVAH?! Youh gunna ask ME a favah?!" JB inquired, incredulous."

"Yeah. Can you not go spreadin' 'round dat Spot an' I slept tageddah? We nevah planned on anyone findin' out."

JB looked at her, as if surprised at her gall. Then, relenting, he assured her, "No one will heah 'bout it except Bittah."

"Bittah? You especially can't tell her!"

"She desoives ta know what kinda boyfriend she's got an' I'm goin' ta Manhattan, anyway."

"Why're you goin' ta Manhattan, anyway?"

"It's none a youh business but I'm gunna stay der. It's easiah ta stay at a Lodgin' House wheah you already know people."

"Well, you know people heah…"

JB laughed at her. "Spot isn't gunna let me stay aftah dis mornin'."

"Yeah he is."

"You obviously don't know him as well as you think you do if you think dat."

"Actually, I do…he told me dis mornin' you could still stay der."

JB looked surprised at her. "Did you talk him inta dat?"

"Well, I didn't think it was right dat you would have ta get kicked outta youh house foh reactin' how any normal person would when dey walked in ta dat situation."

"You nevah fail ta amaze me," JB informed her.

"Anyway, not da point. You can't tell Bittah."

"Yes, I can. She's got a right ta know all dis. Why wouldn't I tell her?"

"Der's no point in tellin' her. It'll only hurt her. Nothin' would change between her an' Spot if you didn't tell her. She'd get ovah her little fight an' dey'll go back ta bein' da somewhat dysfunctional couple an' everythin' will be great again."

"Why do you care so much? Did Spot tell you to do dis?"

"Do I really seem like da person dat would be takin' ordah from Spot?"

"Well, you didn't really seem like a person dat would jump in bed wid him eithah…"

"If you won't do it foh dat reason do it foh me."

"Yeah, dat's a great argument. Why would I do it foh you?"

"Foist a all cause when Bittah finds out about it she'll try ta fight me an' we both know dat I'll prolly hurt her really bad an' den feel bad 'bout it latah…"

"What makes you think you could do dat? Bittah's a pretty good fightah."

"Well, if she's dat good den I'll end up hurt an' still feel bad."

"You'd get what you desiove."

"JB da probability of me bein' da worse of in da fight is slim ta none. I've seen her fight befoah."

"Dat one time at da bar? Dat was nothin'."

"Jest, trust me.."

JB snorted. "Yeah, cause dat has worked out so well in da past."

Molly glared at him. "Fine, get Bittah killed. You'll feel guilty aftahwards doh."

JB rolled his eyes. "You'he not as tough as you pretend to be."

"How da hell would you know? Because you heard a small part a my past?" Molly asked angrily, tempted to tell him what she had revealed to Spot earlier but realized that it probably wouldn't be the best idea.

"You mean der's more bad stuff?" JB asked, stunned.

"You have no idea. Anyway, da second reason is 'cause you still care about me an' don't wanna hurt me," Molly told him.

"What? How do you figuah dat? Revenge is seemin' like a really great idea right now."

Molly scoffed. "Now who is tryin' ta act tough? If you didn't care 'bout me den you wouldn't a offohed ta help me, or be dis upset ovah me an' Spot, or still be talkin' ta me foh dat mattah."

"You don't know dat. I jest wanted a little closure."

"Is dat so?" Molly asked, walking closer. "You don't care about me at all an' wouldn't do me dis one little favor?"

"No. I don't owe you any favors aftah how you have been actin'," JB told her, looking worried when he noticed her advance.

"An' you really don't care about me at all?" Molly asked, standing even closer to him.

JB, a little flustered at her being this close, stammered, "M..Maybe a little…"

"Enough ta do me dis one favah?" Molly inquired.

JB could feel her breath on his neck and tried to remain strong. "No…Bittah needs to know an' I hope you do get beat up."

"You don't mean dat," Molly assured him, pressing her lips against his softly.

JB, shocked at first, stood there without doing anything. Then, after a few moments he began kissing her back.

After a short amount of time Molly pulled away, trying not to smirk. "Are you shoah you cant do me dis one favah?"

JB still looked a little shocked. "I uh…guess I could not tell her…at least foh awhile."

"JB youh da greatest!" Molly exclaimed, hugging him.

"Uh…thanks…" JB said, now confused how things had come from him being furious at her to doing favors for her.

"Well, now dat, dat is settled I gotta go. I'm gunna visit Jimmy. I'll see you latah," Molly told him, walking off before he could say anything else.

Cards walked over from where he had been selling papers across the street.

"What jest happened?" JB asked Cards.

Cards shrugged. "Couldn't tell you. Dat goil is somethin' else, doh."

"Dat she is…"

Molly strolled into the bar casually, planning on a quick visit with Jimmy. Her plan was foiled immediately when she noticed Katie, Jenny and Marissa glaring at her coldly from behind the bar.

"Bettah deal wid dis now," Molly thought walking over to them. "Hey, you guys!" How's youh day goin'?"

"You bitch!" Katie exclaimed.

Molly was slightly taken aback, not expecting Katie to be so blunt. "Excuse me?" she questioned.

"You hoid me! You knew dat I liked Spot an' you jumped inta bed wid him anyway. Friends don't do dat ta friends."

"Well, I'm sorry but one, Spot Conlon doesn't even know youh alive. Two, we nevah thought anyone would even find out 'bout it an' three we'se only known each othah foh a week. It's not like we're best friends!" Molly explained. She wondered if all people got hurt so easily or if it was just over dramatic people in Brooklyn.

"Dat's it," Marissa decided. "Pack youh stuff an' get out a da apartment. If we aren't youh friends den we don't gotta keep you der."

"You guys…" Jenny started, thinking that was kind of harsh.

"No, you know what? Dat's fine wid me. At least I know of a certain Brooklyn leadah's bed dat is always open ta me," Molly agreed, looking straight at Katie as she talked.

"Whore," Katie stated coldly.

Molly rolled her eyes at the comment. "I've been hearin dat a lot lately," she thought.

"Do you know wheah Jimmy is?" Molly asked Jenny.

"In his office," Jenny responded neither rudely nor warmly.

"Thanks," Molly responded before walking off, fully aware that Katie and Marissa were still glaring.

Molly knocked on the door post of Jimmy's open office.

Jimmy looked up from his work. "Molly! Good ta see you! C'mon in," he greeted, standing up as she entered.

"Thanks," Molly said, entering the room. "Good ta see you too"

"Take a seat," Jimmy offered, pointing out a chair.

"All right," Molly agreed. "I jest stopped by so dat ya wouldn't worry or whatevah."

"I appreciate it. I was worried aftah JB came in heah lookin' miserable last night. Are you okay?"

"Oh…dat…well JB an' I got inta a small fight…well a big one actually. An' we broke up."

"I see…so how're you den?" Jimmy queried, not looking at all surprised.

"I'm doin' pretty good actually. Been havin' moah fights dis week den I'se had in me entire life but I'm gettin' through dem," Molly informed him, playing with a pen she had picked up off his desk.

"Why is dat do you think?" Jimmy prodded, very curious at how such a nice girl could manage to anger so many people.

"Prolly, cause I'm not tryin' ta get dem ta like me. I quit dat awhile ago," Molly revealed. She felt she could be completely honest with him and likes that he was trying to be paternal.

"Whydja stop?" Jimmy interrogated.

"Der was no point in it. I didn't hafta get people ta like me 'cuase dey had had all already heard a me an' most a dem were scared so dey acted nice or liked what dey'd heard an' wanted ta be me friend already. All I had ta do was keep me rep."

"An no one's hoid a ya here?"

"Well, dey's hoid 'bout me…jest dey hoid 'bout da me from two yeahs ago not da current me. An' da two are a lot diffohent but it's good cause I'm tryin' ta get rid a me old reputation 'cause I was tired a goin' through me life fightin'."

"So, why dontcha staht tryin' ta get people ta like you 'gain?"

"I dunno…I jest feel so fake doin' it. I don't wanna be 'round peple dat don't jest like me foh me."

"What 'bout JB? He liked you foh you," Jimmy pointed out.

Molly hadn't expected this. She thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, youh right, he did."

"But still you aren't tageddah," Jimmy stated. "Do you know why?"

"'Cause I like him too," Molly admitted without hesitation. Seeing Jimmy's perplexed face she continued. "I'd really be no good foh JB. He was already fightin' wid his friends ovah me an' I jest got ta thinkin' dat der was no way JB an' I would last as a couple jest 'cuase we're really diffoahent an' so I broke it off befoah I ruined his life moah."

"Isn't it JB's choice whethah you were ruinin' his life or not?"

"No it isn't. I care enough 'bout him ta know dat I had ta back off. Even if I was ruinin' his life he wouldn't a admitted it ta me."

"You don't seem ta care 'bout gettin' Spot inta fights wid his goil," Jimmy pointed out

"Well, if I was makin' Spots life too hard you could bet dat he'd tell me. 'Sides Spot knows me too well foh me ta push him away again."

Jimmy pondered all the information he had just received before asking, "Why didja come back ta Brooklyn?"

"All me friends are heah an' dis is home ta me. Also…dis is wheah me life stahted ta get off track so I figuahed it'd be da place ta get back on track too."

"I see," Jimmy replied looking to be in deep thought.

"Dat's it? I tell ya all dis stuff an' ya jest see? Shouldn't ya give me some advice or somethin'?"

'You don't seem ta need a lot a advice. You know why you do stuff an' have youh reasons. Whdja want me ta say? Play nice wid da othah children?"

"Somethin' along dose lines. Or lecture me dat I need ta let moah people in me life 'cause I jest push people away 'cause I'm scared dey won't like da real me."

Jimmy laughed. "But why would I tell you all dis when you already know?"

Molly shrugged. "I dunno."

Jimmy laughed again. "You are a lot smahtah den you give youhself credit foh."

"Thanks," Molly replied. "Dis isn't how I saw dis visit goin' at all. I figuahed I'd say hi an' show ya dat I'se alive an' den split."

"I'm glad we had dis talk doh."

"Me too. But, sadly, I gotta beat it. I gotta find a place ta stay tanight."

Jimmy looked surprised. "Already movin' outta da apartment wid da goils?"

"Not quite. Got thrown out," Molly corrected.

Jimmy was quite curious to know why she had been evicted but seeing the look on Molly's face he decided it better not to ask. "So wheah are you gunna go?" Jimmy questioned.

Molly shrugged. "I dunno…prolly back ta da Lodgin' House."

"Is dat what you want?" Jimmy asked.

Molly shrugged again. "Won't mattah much. I'll have enough money soon ta get me own apartment. A week or two can't kill me."

Jimmy thought for a little while. "Why don't you come back ta work soonah. Dat way you'll be able ta get youh own place an' privacy soonah."

"You mean it?" Quipster asked.

"Yep, on one condition. You gotta work hardah ta make friends wid people. I can't have ya bein' in fights all da time when ya work heah."

"All right," Molly agreed. "You got a deal."

Jimmy extended his hand. "Ya start work tanight den."

"I'll be heah," Molly said, shaking his hand. "Thanks a lot. I won't letcha down."

"I'll see ya tanight den," Jimmy agreed, rising while she elft.

"See ya," Molly said before exiting.

Molly was just about to leave the bar when she noticed Bitter sitting at a table with a dark haired boy that she didn't recognize.

"Hmm…interestin'," Molly thought, heading over to her. "Heya Bittah," Molly greeted.

Bitter looked up quickly. Then, seeing who it was, she rolled her eyes. "Oh, it's jest you," she stated distastefully.

"Yup, jest me. I gotta talk ta ya," Molly told her.

"Who's youh friend, Bittah?" the boy asked.

"She isn't me friend. In fact I'd go far enough ta say she's moah me enemy," Bitter informed him.

"Tsk tsk. Wheah are youh mannahs, Bittah?" Molly questioned. She stuck out her hand to the boy. "Me name's Molly."

The boy glanced from Bitter to Molly before shaking Molly's hand. "Me name's Soul."

"Good ta meetcha, Soul. Are you a newsie too?"

"Yep, Brooklyn," Soul stated.

"Oh…dat's interestin'."

"You know any Brooklyn newsies othah den Bittah?" Soul asked, interested.

Bitter rolled her eyes. "Dis is da whore I'se been talkin' 'bout. She's 'good friends' wid Spot."

Soul's face seemed to lose a little color when he heard this. "Well…Bittah an' I are jest sittin' heah an' talkin'. We aren't doin' anythin' else," he stammered, looking worried.

Molly rolled her eyes. "Like I care if youh bangin' Conlon's old goil."

Soul's eyes widened at her bluntness but before he could reply Bitter broke in. "Why did come ovah heah if it wasn't to gloat ovah how youh gunna tell Spot."

"I wanna call a truce," Molly told her.

"What?"

"Jimmy's gunna lemme start workin' heah again but I gotta get a long wid everyone if I do an' I figuahed if we called a truce da othahs would be civil too."

"Whadda I get?"

"I'll act civil ta you, too. Ya might find me a helpful ally. An' I won't tell Spot 'bout dis. We both know dat Soul would get da soakin' a his life if Spot found out."

Bitter thought it over. "All right, truce."

"Good, now ya gotta come find Spot wid me."

"What? Why?"

"Cause I gotta tell you somethin' an' I don't want one a us ta end up dead."

Bitter looked shocked and worried. She surprised Molly by agreeing. "All right. Dis bettah be good, doh."

"I doubt you'll think it's good but you'll prolly wanna know."

"Fine. He's prolly back at da Lodgin' House by now."

"Let's go den. Bye Soul."

"Bye."

"Bye Soul," Bitter said, kissing him quickly on the lips.

"So what da hell is this 'bout?" Bitter questioned on the walk back to the Lodging House, she had grown tired of the awkward silence.

"You'll find out soon 'nough," Molly responded.

"I really jest don't get you," Bitter stated.

"Well youh 'bout ta learn more den you want ta know I think," Molly assured her, as they entered the Lodging House.

The two walked straight into the bunk room and found Spot talking to Cards. Both looked over completely shocked to see the two together.

"Dis is like da strangest day evah," Cards muttered. "I think dat I'm gunna…go far away from heah. 'Less you think youh gunna need some help, Spot."

"I think its best dat you flee," Spot agreed, looking slightly nervous.

"C'mon," Molly commanded Spot. "We best go in da sick room foh da convahsation we'se 'bout ta have."

Spot looked at her curiously, then glanced at Bitter. Without a word, he got up and led the way to the sick room.

Once they had all assembled, Molly closed the door and locked it. She looked at both of them, not sure if she was ready for what was about to ensue.

"What's dis all 'bout?" Spot questioned, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

"Dat's what I'd like ta know," Bitter stated. "It's not like I want ta be heah wid eithah of you."

"Look, I got some things ta say and I thought dat ya both should be here ta heah dem," Molly began. "So, look jest listen and don't interrupt and we'll see if we can get through dis widout any blood shead. Foist of all, I'm sorry for all da problems I caused wid da two of youse."

If possible Bitter and Spot both looked more confused than they already did.

"Look I'm not exactly da type foh apologies, I know," Molly agreed, in response to their facial expressions. "But, I had dis talk wid Jimmy taday and I realized some things 'bout myself. An' I know I been startin' some fights and I coulda worked hardah ta keep things civil 'round heah, especially since ya did me a big favah by takin' me in an' everythin' Spot. But, Bittah, you'se gotta realize somethin'. Da two a you'se were meant foh each othah. I know dat you'se been upset cause Spot an' I used ta have somethin' but it's ovah now an' he cares 'bout you." Molly really hoped at this point that JB had kept his promise and not informed Bitter about what he had walked in on the morning before.

Bitter and Spot continued to appear more and more perplexed.

"But…" Bitter began to argue.

"Wait, I'm not done yet," Molly cut her off. "And, yes, I know what stahted youh whole stupid fight and that's all it is: stupid. Look, I know Spot's an idiot when he talks almost all da time…hell, even Spot should know it by now. But, you know dat he loves you now, so jest let it go. Now, foh da real reason I had to bring you guys tageddah… Look, I'se decided dat I'm prolly gunna stick 'round heah for awhile so Bittah I'se gunna have ta tell ya somethin' an' it's pretty much gunna give ya a reason foh hatin' me but since ya already do I don't got nothin' ta lose and I'se jest gunna respect ya 'nough ta say it to youh face."

"Look, Molly…" Spot intervened, unsure what she was going to reveal but hoping that it wasn't the fact that they had slept together.

"Ya know what I'se still not done," Molly stated, firmly. "Okay, look Bittah, I'se jest gunna tell ya dis. I know who you are. Look, da reason dat I freaked when ya said you were from da Shadows is cause I'se fought da Shadows befoah. I'm gunna spare you most a da details and jest tell you, I'se kinda been all ovah da place too an' people know me down in Chicago as 'Quipstah'."

Bitter's eyes widened as she tried to comprehend all the information that had been included in that simple statement. Spot simply glanced between the two girls, not knowing what to do at all.

"Dat means dat'chu…" Bitter gasped, still unsure how to react.

"Look, you'se gotta undahstand somethin' befoah you get mad," Molly intervened. "Der is a long story befoah dat one fight. An' I know you prolly don't care but I didn't want things ta turn out how dey did. An' trust me I undahstand how much it prolly hurt you ta lose youh best friend cause I went through da same thing."

Bitter began to look furious. "You bitch! You think you undahstand but you don't. You ruined my entire life! You know I looked foh you for a long time an' now heah you are and I jest don't know what to do I'm so mad!"

"I don't undahstand?" Molly questioned, starting to get angry herself. "Like youh da only one wid a hard life? My best friend was killed too dat night by YOUH best friend. An' at least I gave youh's a fightin' chance. Sam was stabbed in da back in da middle of a brawl. I faced youh leadah head on an' happened ta be da bettah fightah. 'Sides, you said youhself dat you came lookin' for da killah a youh friend. Why would it be surprisin' dat I did da same?"

"So youh proud a what you did?" Bitter interrogated, angrily.

"I nevah said dat. And I ain't nevah been proud of hurtin' nobody," Quipster informed her. "I jest said you shouldn't act like I'se so horrible when you were gunna do da same damn thing. If you'he askin' if I'se sorry 'bout doin' it den da answah is no, doh. I'se gone through dat night in my head a million times an' I'se shoah I would do it da same way if it happened again. But, I do undahstand how you feel, whethah ya believe me or not, and I am sorry 'bout hurtin' you like dat."

Bitter stared at her, still in shock of everything that had passed in the short conversation they had, had.

"Why did you even tell me dis?" Bitter questioned.

"Cause since I left Chicago all I'se been doin' is runnin' from me past an' I can't do it anymoah. I realized dat when I found out dat you were from da Shadows. I jest can't out run things no mattah how hard I try, and I think dat you can undahstand dat, too from what Spot's said 'bout ya. Every time somethin' bad happens in me life, I'se always taken off an' tried ta be someone new. An' lately I'se jest realized dat I am only one person an' I jest gotta live wid whatevah happens in life. I came back heah jest wantin' ta be plain ole Molly again, widout everythin' else dat happened in between but it jest don't woik like dat. So, now I gotta try ta make peace wid who I was, an' who I am now an' wid who I want to be."

Bitter stared at her, intently. Surprisingly, her facial expression didn't hold any anger, only understanding.

"So, you told me so you could free youhself, is dat it?" Bitter questioned, trying to comprehend everything.

"No, I told you cause when I was realizing all dat, I also realized dat when me past caught up wid me, you would prolly find out. An' I know we ain't friends or nothin' but I figuahed dat you should find all dis out from me…dat way at least I would know when you were gunna try an' come aftah me," Molly joked lightly. "Look, you desoived ta know what happened. An' I figuahed, strangely, if anyone would undahstand all dis, you would be da one."

Bitter nodded in complete comprehension. The two girls stood there together, and for the first time realized that they weren't as different as they had perceived.

And as quickly as the moment had came, it passed. "Dis don't like make us friends or nothin'," Bitter stated, roughly.

"I didn't assume it would," Molly assured her. "Look, I'se jest tryin' ta keep me job heah okay. I can't have you comin' in an startin' anuddah fight 'bout shit you don't know nothin' 'bout. So, if we'se gunna fight, I'd raddah do it heah, dat way Spot can stop me befoah I hoit'cha too bad."

At the mention of Spot, Bitter looked over at him, as if she was surprised that he was still there. "You knew 'bout all dis didn't cha?" she queried, realizing he hadn't looked as surprised as she did.

"I knew 'bout some of it," Spot answered, warily. "Look, it wasn't me place to tell," he began to explain, not wanting to start a fight with her, especially since he was supposed to be the mediator.

"I understand," Bitter cut in. "I don't know why, but I understand all of it. Look, Molly, even doh you'he pretty dumb ta think dat Spot would need to protect me in dis situation since you of course would be da one ta get soaked, you don't need ta worry 'bout it. Look, its been quite a while since any a dis happened, an' I jest don't have da energy ta relive it all. So, let's jest agree dat what's past is passed an' we can both jest let it go."

Now, it was Molly's turn to look shocked. "Really?" she questioned.

"Yeah, really. I do undahstand, more den you know, 'bout everythin' you'se been sayin' and I respect you foh jest tellin' me 'stead a trying ta hide it. An' you don't gotta worry 'bout youh job as far as I'se concoined."

Molly nodded in acceptance. "Good ta heah it. An' I realize we ain't gunna be friends or nothin', but I'se hopin' we can at least be civil. Cause, I'se assumin' once you an' Spot get ovah youh stupid fight dat you'll be stayin' heah. An' I figure I'll be stickin' 'round foh a while, too…"

Bitter looked slightly uncomfortable for a moment. "Youh shoah der's nothin' goin' on wid you an Spot?" she inquired.

"Look, we'se friends. Actually, he's prolly me best friend right now, an' I'd like it ta stay dat way. But, we shouldn't make him chose or nothin'. Nothin' more den friendships gunna happen I sweah. What's past has passed, right?" Molly assured her.

Bitter searched her face, discerningly. "What's past has passed," Bitter agreed. "So, youh gunna be stayin' heah?" she questioned.

"Well, if it's cool wid Spot. I jest got kicked outta my apahtment," Molly confided. "I seem ta have some trouble gettin' along wid goils. Who woulda thought?"

"It's fine with me," Spot threw in. He looked at Bitter expectantly.

"Me too," she agreed. "Hey who knows, we could be friends eventually. Den Spot'd really be in trouble. We could gang up on him!"

Molly laughed out right at this statement, remembering Spot confiding it as one of his fears. "Dat could be a plan," she agreed.

"So things are alright wid us?" Spot asked Bitter.

"Yeah, I guess. I was jest ovahreactin' a little bit 'bout you guys I guess," Bitter conceded. "I shouldn't have been so jealous."

"Well I'm glad you can admit you were da one in da wrong," Spot stated, smugly.

"Whatevah, ya dumb ass! You coulda been more undahstandin' an' stuff 'stead a bein' a complete idiot an' always takin' her side!" Bitter retorted, hotly.

"Yeah…plus da whole sayin' you loved me thing," Molly added.

"Yeah! Exactly," Bitter agreed. "Seriously!"

"Seriously!" Molly agreed.

Spot groaned loudly before walking towards the door. "It's already started," he moaned.

Molly and Bitter exchanged a mischievous glance before starting to laugh and followed him out the door.

"I'm glad dat you guys have made up," Molly declared walking down the hall with them. "Youh good foh him Bittah. Seriously, he was jest too cocky foh his own good last time I saw him."

"Yeah, I'm tryin' ta break him from dat whole, 'I'm gunna demand to know 'bout people's past' thing but it ain't been workin' very well foh me."

"Did ya try givin' him a shinah?" Molly inquired, jovially.

"Yeah…maybe if we both soak him…" Bitter planned.

"ENOUGH!" Spot commanded, though there was a slight pleading tone.

"Hey, speakin' a back tageddah," Bitter began. "What 'bout you an' JB?"

"What 'bout him?" Molly questioned.

"Not dat I really care…I'm jest sayin' you guys seemed like you liked each othah and whatevah. Plus if youh wid him I really don't gotta worry 'bout you an' Spot."

"You don't gotta worry 'bout us no mattah what," Molly pointed out. "But I don't think JB an' I are gunna woik cause…" she trailed off once they entered the bunk room.

Most of the people in the room were staring at them completely confused. Wish, who had been talking with Martini, Cards and JB, walked across the room with the others trailing.

"Bitter, you know who you are talking to, right?" Wish questioned, staring at Bitter like she had lost her mind.

"I ain't crazy, goil," Bitter declared, noticing the stare.

"Well, when did we staht likin' her 'gain?" Wish inquired.

"I dunno 'bout likin', I jest undahstand more," Bitter explained, not knowing how much to divulge. "We jest had a good convahsation an' she explained some things ta me."

JB quirked an eyebrow at Molly. "What kinda convahsation?" he inquired.

Bitter looked at Molly then back to the rest of the group. "A private kind," she answered.

Molly shrugged. "I don't care who you tell, it's fine. However, I am goin' ta go pick up me stuff from me apartment while you do cause I figuah it might be awkward if I'm standin' right heah."

"You shoah you don't mind?" Bitter inquired, knowing she wouldn't want to tell everyone her own past.

"People always find things out soonah or latah," Molly decided, shrugging again. "What's da difference, anymoah?"

"You want some help movin' youh stuff heah?" Spot asked, hoping to get a chance to speak to Molly in private.

"Nah, dat's okay. I figuah I can always talk one a da boys der inta helpin' me. 'Sides, remembah what we jest told you 'bout bein' a dumb ass. You jest got back wid youh goil…spend some time wid her," Molly lectured, rolling her eyes. "Man, some people jest nevah learn!"

Spot scowled deeply, realizing that he liked it much better when Molly and Bitter hated each other.

"I'll be back in awhile," Molly informed everyone and walked out of the room and the Lodging House.

Bitter quickly began to recant the entire conversation for Wish, Martini and Cards as Spot made his way to his bunk to do some thinking. No one realized that JB had disappeared from the room.

Molly stopped abruptly when someone called her name on the street. She turned around to come face to face with JB.

"What do you want?" she questioned, cautiously.

"What is going on?" he asked. "I jest don't get you at all. One minute youh dis nice friendly goil, den youh startin' fights wid everyone, den you turn out ta be some whore, den your all da sudden nice again. And, what did you tell Bittah?"

Molly studied him for a moment. "Why do you think I'm gunna answer dat?"

"Why not answer? It's not like you got anythin' left ta hide. I jest want ta know da truth," JB stated. He had followed her out of the room, realizing that if there were ever a time to get some answers that he had found it.

"Well, I ain't nevah lied to you," Molly assured him. "Unlike you," she added a little harshly.

"I ain't nevah lied to you!" JB responded, defensively. "What have I evah lied about?"

"Look, JB I don't really want ta get inta dis. It jest doesn't mattah any moah," she decided.

"Well, it mattahs ta me. I want to know what you think I lied 'bout!"

"Fine, dat night up in my apartment, I asked you if you were okay wid everythin' I told you. An' you said yes an' I trusted you. An' I ain't even a trustin' person! An' you lied to my face 'bout it cause I hoid you talkin' ta Cards 'bout it. You told him all dis stuff 'bout how it was too much foh you."

"Yeah well did you stick 'round to heah da whole convahsation?" JB inquired. "Like da part wheah I said I didn't care what you did cause I'm crazy 'bout you?"

"Well…no…" Molly admitted. "But dat don't really mattah. It jest made me realize dat it wasn't fair to you. Look, JB, I'm really sorry 'bout dis, because you'he a real nice guy and you'he definitely cute an' if we had met a few yeahs ago I'd be head ovah heals foh you…"

"What's not fair ta me?" he asked.

"Look at me, I'm a mess. I can't be in a relationship! Shit, I can barely take care a meself!"

"I don't see a mess," JB assured her.

"Well, den youh not lookin' hard 'nough. Look you asked me how I go from being nice to being a bitch ta bein' a whore, an' da answer is dat's jest me. I'm sometimes a nice kid, struggling ta get my life tageddah an' den some days I'm a bitch who has given in an' realized dis is jest how things are gunna be. Den some days I'm a whore cause I need a distraction or ta have some fun. All dose things are me. An' even doh some days I try ta change meself, it don't mattah how much I change cause all dose things are still gunna be in me. An' trust me, da nice goil in me coulda fallen in love wid you, but I also realize dat I will nevah be good foh you. An' I really am hopin' we can still be friends," Molly confided in him.

JB stared at her, enjoying that she was opening up to him once again. He wanted more than anything to just take her in his arms right then and to assure her that he was up to any challenge he had to face just to be with her, but something stopped him. There was a nagging voice in his head that was agreeing with everything she had just said.

"But, why can't I decide what's good foh me?" JB asked.

"Mostly cause I'm so much smartah den you," Molly teased, breaking into a smile. She could only take so much seriousness in one day, and she had reached her breaking point.

JB smirked at her. "If youh so much smartah how come you cant even sell papes," he joked, sensing that the subject was closed for the moment.

"Maybe I was jest letting you sell dem so dat you didn't have to feel inferior ta me in every aspect of youh life," Molly theorized.

"Bettah den me? Ya think so? You can't even balance drinks on a tray," JB countered.

"Hey! Low blow!" She pretended to look hurt for a moment, but couldn't help grinning at him, thankful that he was playing along. "Hey, JB?" she asked after a couple moments.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks…jest for everythin'," she told him, sincerely.

He looked her straight in the eye and then pulled her towards him. She resisted for a moment before snuggling into his body as he put his arms around her. She buried her head in his chest, letting go of all her problems for just a moment of peace.

"Any time," he assured her, content just to be holding her. At this moment he realized more than anything he felt a strong sense of protectiveness. More than anything he wished her could erase all the pain in her past and ensure she would have to endure no more in the future.

Molly pulled away slightly and kissed him softly on the lips.

JB looked down at her, questioningly.

"Dat was da bitch in me…" Molly explained. "Cause even doh I know I'm no good foh you I really jest wanted to kiss you right den."

JB laughed at her bluntness. "Well, no offense den, but I think I like you as a bitch more den anythin' else. At least den I'll get some action…"

Molly pulled away from him laughing. She hit him playfully on the arm. "Seriously…boys are so easy…"

"Hey, like youh one to talk!" JB countered, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"HEY! Okay…that's it youh helpin' me move in now!" Molly informed him, grabbing his arm and leading him toward her apartment.

"It depends, are you gunna get 'bitchy' if I do?" JB inquired.

Molly raised an eyebrow and responded, "I guess you'll only know if you help out."

As they continued their walk to the apartment, Molly fell silent caught up in her own thoughts. "Man, things did not turn out at all like I expected when I first got back to Brooklyn. But damnit Spot was right again! I'm takin' care a me own life widout anyone's help an' I am back wid friends. It's weird but foh da foist time in my life I almost feel like I'se got a home."