Ch 4: (Still 2013)

Gabby peaked out of a shaded alley, watching warily as Jay and Mal joked around. She wasn't sure what to think of their recent…whatever it was. It wasn't really a partnership, and it certainly wasn't a friendship. But it was…interesting.

It'd been about a year since her first run-in with Mal when she tried and failed to steal from her. Since then she'd been seeing more of Mal, and not just around the Isle. Her and Jay sort of hung out once in a while. Nothing too weird, really. They mostly just competed to see who was the better thief. Gabby might be biased to say that Jay was the best, but even she had to admit that Mal was an accomplished thief as well.

Gabby stepped back into the shadows of the alley when some cackling young witches walked by. Gabby stealthily reached out a hand and picked a mysterious vial off one of the girls' belt. She returned completely to the shadows before they spotted her and looked down to examine what she'd snatched.

It was a small vial of a light purple liquid. Probably some random potion the witches had made. It could fetch a pretty penny. Stuffing it into an inside pocket in her red leather jacket, Gabby peaked out of the alley again. Jay was looking around the market, probably scanning the market for any food to steal.

A quick glance around the area, and Gabby ventured from the alley and crossed the marketplace. She stopped at Jay's shoulder, her eyes dancing over the dull rainbow of moldy produce.

"Preference for dinner?" she asked, her eyes not leaving the food.

Jay hummed thoughtfully, picking up an apple, tossing it in the air and catching it once before putting it back. "Something sweet on the side. Don't care much about the rest."

Gabby narrowed her eyes thoughtfully as her eyes landed on the apples. "We still have that jar of honey at home?" The recipe she was thinking of required sugar and lots of sweet things, but those kinds of things weren't on the Isle of the Lost. The closest things were natural things people could find by accident, like maple syrup in maple trees, or honey from bee hives. Even then, very few people knew how to find those things.

Jay thought for a moment. "I think so."

"Get me a loaf of bread." Gabby decided, swiping a lemon off the produce as she turned toward him. "I'll get some apples. I'll try and make an Apple Brown Betty. My mom made it a couple times when I was younger, and taught me how to do it."

Jay shrugged easily. "Sure. I'll get the bread and we can head home."

Gabby nodded and moved around him, casually swiping a few apples and stuffing them anywhere she could in her clothes where no one would notice them. She turned away from the produce and started to head back toward Jafar's Junk Shop, when something hooked around her ankle and she went flying.

In a blink, the dirty ground flew toward Gabby's face and she closed her eyes, putting her hands out to stop her fall. Her palms hit the hard pavement, sending a jolting pain up her arms, but it wasn't enough to stop her fall. Her stomach and chest splashed in a muddy puddle that smelled like a sewer, and her knees hit the pavement.

When she blinked her eyes open, she saw her apples and the lemon rolling away from her across the pavement. Laughter echoed in her ears, but one laugh stood out. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw several people pointing and laughing, though they mostly continued on their business. One person, however, was practically standing over Gabby, clearly the person who'd purposefully tripped her.

Mal.

Gabby looked at the ground and rolled her eyes. Pushing herself up, she winced at the throbbing in her arms until she was sitting up on her knees.

"I think you lost some stuff." Mal mocked her as she walked by, kicking one of the apples so it rolled out of sight.

Gabby gritted her teeth, taking a deep breath and slowly standing up. She wiped her palms together and tried to wipe some of the muddy water from her clothes. Turning around, she looked up and saw Jay watching her, not even hiding the fact that he was one of the people laughing.

Gabby swallowed the lump in her throat and turned around to start picking up her apples. After all, she shouldn't take it personally. This was the Isle. Everyone laughed at and picked on everyone. People even bullied their own partners and gang members. This wasn't even the first time Jay had picked on or laughed at her. Jay and Mal were always picking on her, but she just told herself it was all in good fun. They'd never really threatened or harmed her, so they were much better than people like Harry Hook or Gabby's own father.

Gabby stooped to pick up all the things her little "trip" had sent rolling, and headed toward the Junk Shop, planning to get started on dinner.

*~0~*

Gabby's leg was bouncing anxiously, her back leaning against the rough brick wall behind her. Her red top, black leggings, and brown knee-high boots were well-hidden in the shadows of the alley.

Her light blue eyes flashed up when she caught sight of something red and white. She relaxed against the wall when Carlos De Vil slipped into the narrow alley and leaned against the opposite wall right across from her. He glanced nervously out of the alley before looking back at her.

"So? You got it?" he asked quietly.

Gabby nodded. "You?" Carlos nodded in return. Gabby leaned down to open her backpack. It took a bit of yanking and wrestling, but Gabby finally managed to pull a pillow from her backpack. It was a bit shabby, considering she made it out of an old t-shirt she'd found on a boat and stuffed it with spare fabrics and feathers.

"It's not my best work, but…Here." she said, passing the pillow over to Carlos. He grinned widely as he took it, looking down at it as if it was the most precious gift he'd ever received.

Keeping the pillow tucked under one arm, Carlos reached into his jacket. He pulled out an old, beat-up looking laptop.

"Here. I finished it a couple days ago. I've checked it out, it works fine. There's a crack in the corner of the screen, but other than that it's good." Carlos explained as he handed it to Gabby. She looked it over, noting the several dents, scratches, and dings adorning the top and bottom. She opened it to look at the screen and keyboard. Sure enough, there was a crack in the corner of the screen and a couple keys were missing from the keyboard.

"It's perfect." Gabby smiled, looking back up at Carlos as she closed the laptop again. Some might argue having a working computer or laptop was pointless, seeing as they got no Wifi on the Isle of the Lost, but it could still come in handy. If nothing else, there might be some music or games saved on it from the previous owners or something. "Pleasure doing business with you." she joked.

"Same to you." Carlos returned with a slight laugh, almost hugging his new pillow to his chest. He'd made an offhand comment to Gabby once about his living situation; he basically lived in his mother's dressing room, sleeping on a lumpy mattress on the floor. He'd never even had a pillow, so Gabby offered a trade. She'd make him a pillow if he could get her something in return. She really wasn't picky about what he offered in exchange. Sure, she probably should have chosen something that Jafar could sell; if he ever found out she hadn't she was done for. But instead, Carlos offered to fix up a laptop for her to use and she jumped at the chance.

"Well, I should get going. I need to get dinner for Jay and Jafar." Gabby announced, stepping towards the entrance to the alley. "Good luck on that Weird Science project."

Carlos nodded with a smile, since villains certainly don't say "thank you". With that, the two departed in opposite directions; Carlos heading for his home in Hell Hall, and Gabby heading for the marketplace after stuffing her new laptop into her backpack.

She was wandering the market, scanning the foods for dinner ideas, when she was yanked to a stop.

"Ah, my favorite little pet." Harry's mocking voice spoke in her ear, his grip on her backpack pulling her to a stop.

"Let go of me." she ordered, trying to pull herself free of his grip.

"Ah, ah, ah. Not yet." Harry told her, pulling her backpack off her shoulders. Gabby stumbled when her backpack was no longer attached to her shoulders. She turned around to see Harry open her backpack. For once, he was alone without his little gang of pirates.

Gabby lurched forward and tried to wrestle the backpack from his grasp. "Give that back!" she ordered frantically.

Harry easily pulled it from her, holding it above her head. Gabby tried to reach it, but he was taller than her and was dangling the backpack from his stupid hook. She was tempted to jump for it, but didn't want to embarrass herself anymore than necessary.

"Give that back." she pleaded, looking between the backpack and his face. He was smirking arrogantly at her.

"Oh, well, because you asked." Harry mocked, lowering the backpack. Gabby tried to grab it, but he pulled it out of reach again. "If you want it back so bad, why don't you reconsider my offer?"

Gabby gritted her teeth, trying not to glare at him. "Why do you want me to join your crew so bad? I obviously have nothing to offer." she pointed out, waving a hand toward her backpack.

"I disagree." Harry countered, still with a smirk as he gave her a once over. It made her skin crawl. "I think you have plenty to offer. And not just that body of yours." Gabby grimaced in disgust, instinctively taking a step back. "You probably have plenty of useful information on Jay. Information that could benefit me."

"No, I don't." Gabby lied. "Jay doesn't just tell me things."

"Ah, but living together the way you do…surely you must know something. Have you considered…being a spy? Working with me secretly while gathering info on Jay from the inside?"

"Never." Gabby declared. "Now, give me my bag."

Harry eyed her for a moment. "What's so special in this bag?"

Gabby swallowed nervously. "Nothing, I just want it back."

"You really should brush up on your lying skills, pet." Harry smirked, lowering the bag to look inside it. Gabby grabbed it and tried to yank it from his grasp, but then she felt a hand grab her arm. Her vision whirled and suddenly her back was pressed against a brick wall. She blinked and pressed into the wall when she saw Harry's face staring down at hers.

"Let me go." she tried to sound strong, but it came out as a whimper.

"I don't think so." Harry whispered, trailing the tip of his hook down her cheek. Gabby turned her head away, closing her eyes and hoping he'd just let her go. She waited a moment before trying to yank her arm free. She struggled for a few seconds before Harry let go of her arm only to slam his fist into her gut.

The air was forced from her lungs and she hunched over, gasping for breath. Harry stepped back, seeing as she wasn't going anywhere. She coughed and gasped, unable to do anything. She tried to stumble away, but Harry shoved her back against the wall, grabbing her shoulder in a painful grip.

She looked up at him fearfully, knowing there was no way for her to escape. She couldn't possibly fight him. He was bigger, stronger, and relentless. She was already overpowered, she could never defend herself.

Harry raised his hook, to do what, Gabby wasn't sure. Then, a familiar, tan-skinned hand covered in a black, fingerless glove shot out and grabbed Harry's wrist.

Gabby and Harry both looked over at Jay, who was glaring coolly at the young pirate.

"I'd prefer you not injure my henchman too badly. She's still got some use in her." Jay told Harry calmly. When Harry didn't move, Jay added, "That's your cue to let her go and get lost, Hook."

Harry narrowed his eyes at Jay for a moment before slowly releasing his grip on Gabby's shoulder. She winced and lifted her hand to hold it, as it ached. Harry started to leave, but Jay didn't release his wrist.

"Hand over the bag. Pretty sure it's hers."

Harry glared at Jay for a moment. In a flash, he dropped the bag and swung his fist at Jay. Jay managed to block it and throw a punch to Harry's jaw. The pirate stumbled back before slashing his hook at Jay. The thief ducked backward to avoid it before swinging his leg out against the backs of Harry's legs. They buckled under him and he stumbled. Jay took the moment to punch him in the cheek.

"Get lost before I take another swing." Jay threatened while Gabby snatched up her bag and held it to her chest. She trembled against the wall as she watched Harry closely. Slowly, as if not wanting to walk away from the fight, Harry backed away before turning and disappearing around the corner of the alley.

Gabby finally released a breath in relief, slouching her shoulders as the tension left her body.

"You just can't help it, can you?" Jay snapped. Gabby looked over to see that he was glaring at her.

"What?" she asked quietly.

"You don't even fight back." Jay snapped. "You just stand there and take it. You can't do that on the Isle. You should know that by now. You were sheltered with your dad, but you're not anymore. I watched Harry confront you for a few minutes before I stepped in, just waiting for you to fight back, to try and escape. Something. But you just stood there and waited for him to hurt you."

Gabby flinched. "I-I couldn't fight him. Look at him! He's bigger and stronger than me. What do you expect me to do?"

"Anything but just standing there." Jay snapped. "Sure, you're smaller, but he's not a genius. Outsmart him. You're not an idiot, I know that, so don't act like one. I can't keep stepping in and helping you. Help yourself."

With that, Jay turned and walked away, probably to continue stealing things for the shop.

Gabby stayed where she was, trying to compose herself. After all, she couldn't cry. This was the Isle. Crying was a sign of weakness.

But maybe she was already weak. Jay was right. She couldn't just stand there and let it happen. She couldn't continue to let people like Harry Hook push her around. She needed to learn how to defend herself.

She just wasn't sure how.

*~0~*

Gabby unlocked the several locks on the shop door before slipping inside out of the light drizzle outside. She closed the door and relocked every single lock. One time she'd missed a lock and Jafar's rampage had quickly taught her a lesson she would never forget.

"Jay!"

Gabby froze. That was Jafar's voice, but it sounded off. A familiar kind of 'off', though.

Gingersnap swooped through the shop just then and landed on Gabby's shoulder. "Booze." she whispered in Gabby's ear. "Booze."

Gabby gulped slightly, reaching up to pet the bird's head. Gingersnap had started using that word in reference to Jafar's drinking, probably having heard Jay use the term.

Sure enough, Jafar stumbled into the main part of the shop, steadying himself on the shop's counter.

"Where'sss Jay?" he slurred, obviously drunk.

Gabby swallowed nervously. "Um, he's not here yet. He should be back soon."

"Then why're you here?" Jafar demanded, his words slurring together.

"Um,…I just got back." Gabby answered slowly, unsure how to answer without making him angry. "He's probably still out getting stuff for the shop."

"And why aren't you out getting stuff for the shop?" Jafar demanded angrily, stumbling toward her.

"I did." Gabby answered defensively. "I just got back from getting stuff for the shop and dinner."

"Well, that's NOT ENOUGH!" Jafar screamed. "You should still be out there, making me rich! I should be rich! A ruler of Agrabah! But STUPID Aladdin and his BLASTED GENIE robbed me of my glory!"

Gabby anxiously stepped back as Jafar stumbled closer and closer to her. She'd seen him in a drunk rampage a few times before, but Jay had always been there to handle it, and Jafar usually took his anger out on his son. She'd never been the direct target of his drunken rage.

"M-maybe you should go to bed." she suggested. "You'll feel better after lying down, and I'll have dinner ready soon."

"No, I won't LIE DOWN!" Jafar snapped, stumbling closer still. Gabby stepped sideways since the wall was behind her, slowly moving around him. However, she didn't expect the drunk, stumbling man to move so fast when he suddenly lurched forward and grabbed the collar of her shirt. Gingersnap flew off with a screech of protest. "DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Jafar screamed in Gabby's face. "This is all your fault! I should be rich and living in a palace! But I'm stuck here, with a no-good son and someone else's unwanted little brat!"

Gabby tried to pull herself free, but he had a firm grip on her shirt collar and she couldn't get loose. Suddenly, she saw a flash of red as Gingersnap swooped down and pulled the back of Jafar's robes up and over his head before flying out of sight again. Not knowing what was happening, Jafar released Gabby to try and pull the garment off his face.

Figuring her best chance would be to leave and come back after Jafar had calmed down, Gabby dashed for the front door. Unfortunately, there were twenty-four locks to unlock before she could even hope to get out. So she really had no hope. She only managed to unlock four of them before Jafar had freed himself and he came stomping toward her.

He grabbed her by her hair, which she had in a ponytail, and yanked her away from her only escape. She stumbled and slammed into the counter, sliding down to the floor. She rubbed her shoulder with a wince, but that was the least of her problems. Jafar had pulled a dagger from his belt and was walking toward her, his dark eyes narrowed with rage.

Gabby frantically looked around the room, desperate for something to defend herself with. But she found nothing. So, as he came closer, Gabby scrambled to her feet and ran to the side, hoping to at least put some distance between herself and Jafar. Unfortunately, with her only escape locked, she was reduced to putting distance between herself and Jafar by running around the shop and trying to find a way to defend herself.

She ran around a few shelves, contemplating running into the kitchen or something, when she actually looked at one of the shelves. Set on one of the taller shelves was an antique china plate. It was grimy and had a couple chips in it, but that didn't stop Jafar from pricing it at $99. It was considered to be one of the most expensive items in the shop, and would probably never be sold, though Jafar would never admit it.

Snatching the plate from the display, Gabby spun around and held it in front of her chest, hoping Jafar wasn't too drunk to realize what this was. He stopped a few feet away from her and looked at the plate. Gabby was hopeful that this would work, since he'd stopped instead of charging at her with the blade aimed for her throat.

"If you come after me," Gabby told him seriously, "I will smash this plate to pieces."

Jafar glanced at the plate before glaring at her, his face twisted into a sneer.

"Let me leave in peace. I'll come back when you've sobered up, and you'll get your plate back. But you have to let me leave here, right now, unharmed." Gabby reiterated.

Jafar growled low in his throat, but he took a slow step back. Gabby sensed that was her answer. He took a couple more steps back, leaving the path to the front door open.

Hearing the click of locks and the door scraping the floor as it swung open drew Gabby's attention away from Jafar and to the door. Jay stepped in and glanced between them.

Jafar took advantage of Gabby's distraction. He flew at her, blade swinging. Gabby screamed and leapt back, bumping into the shelf behind her and lifting the plate as if it would protect her from injury. The shelf toppled over and things went crashing to the floor, but that was mere background noise.

Jay raced forward, grabbing his dad's knife-wielding hand. The two struggled for a moment before Jafar yanked his arm free and slashed at Jay's abdomen. Jay staggered away, his hand going to his stomach. In a panic, Gabby lifted the antique plate she was still clutching and brought it down on Jafar's head.

It shattered on impact and Jafar dropped to the ground. Silence fell over the shop. All Gabby could hear was her own gasping breath and the blood roaring in her ears. She stared at Jafar, not even wondering if she'd killed him or if he was simply unconscious. He was sprawled on his stomach, the knife limp in his hand, and shards of the plate around his head.

That's when Gabby remembered Jay. She raced over to where he'd sunk to the floor, leaning back against the wall with his hand pressed to his stomach. Kneeling on the floor next to him, Gabby gently pulled his hand away.

The knife had slashed through the leather of his jacket, and blood was seeping through the rip.

Gabby swallowed a lump in her throat. "Um, okay…Okay, let's get you into the kitchen." she decided.

"I'm fine." Jay argued, but his voice was weak.

"I'll decide when you're fine." Gabby stated, taking Jay's arm and pulling him to stand. She pulled his arm over her shoulders and helped him into the kitchen. She made him get up on the kitchen counter and take his jacket off. She then made him take off his shirt so she could get a good look at his injury.

Running a rag under the faucet, she got it damp before returning to Jay and gently dabbing at the cut. She tried not to blush or think about the fact that she was touching his bare abs. He was already arrogant enough. After getting all the blood cleaned off his flat stomach, she could see it wasn't too serious of an injury. She probably could give him stitches, but she figured just bandaging it would be fine.

"Hold this over your cut." she ordered him. He took the rag from her hand and pressed it over the wound while she hurried from the room. She found an old shirt and brought it back with her, ripping off two pieces. Gingersnap followed and perched on Gabby's shoulder, snuggling into Gabby's neck. Her tiny body was trembling slightly against Gabby's neck, probably from the chaos of the earlier confrontation.

Gabby took the rag from Jay and looked at the cut. The bleeding had mostly stopped apart from a trickle, revealing a relatively clean cut that was a few inches long. She folded up the smaller piece of the shirt and pressed it over the cut. She then took the longer piece she'd ripped and wrapped it around Jay's abdomen, tying it tightly to keep the fabric in place.

"Why'd you do that?" she asked quietly as she tied the fabric. "Why'd you step in?"

Jay shrugged. "I can take a knife with no problem. I doubt you could." It was a macho statement, one that hid the true answer, but Gabby didn't push. Much.

"I thought you said I need to learn to defend myself." she pointed out, pulling away and looking up at him.

Jay was looked straight ahead, not meeting her eyes. "I could see that you were doing what you could to defend yourself. He went after you when you were distracted. I figured, if he wasn't going to fight fair, why should we?"

Gabby nodded slowly, gathering up the things she'd used to tend to his wound. This seemed like the perfect time to say thank you…But villains didn't say thank you.

"I'll make us a quick dinner, and then you should rest. And take it easy the next few days, with your injury." Gabby ordered quietly.

Jay glanced over at her and smirked slightly. "Sure thing."