;sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Schools been getting busy for me. I don't own anything but the plot and OCs;

June 26th, 1926

Maeve followed Sky up the steps of the abandoned apartment complex. 'Take care of'? Was Skyler going to get someone to kill Todd? If he was, it'd probably be a white man. Whites always killed colored folk and got away with it. Maybe a lynching mob? Hopefully not the ones who killed her daddy.

"So..." Maeve asked as they reached the top floor. "When are we going to meet 'em?" Sky chuckled and opened the door to their main room. "Right, now squirt." He replied walking inside. "Hey, Tony! Get ya ass out here!" Maeve sat on the beaten up couch feeling suddenly anxious. Tony was going to kill Todd? After the two weeks she had been there, Maeve wouldn't have guessed Tony was a killer. He actually was a very nice man.

Tony walked out of the kitchen followed by Chuckie who, to no ones surprise, was chatting about food. "Its about time! I was wondering when you'd guys get back!" The eleven year old said. "Never mind the food right now, Chuckie." Sky said. "We got bigger things to worry about-" "but I'm hungry!" Chuckie exclaimed plopping down next to Maeve. Skyler sighed and tossed him the bundle of bread and cheese. "What's going on?" Tony asked leaning against the wall. "The little birdie finally sang." Skyler replied pointing a thumb at Maeve. "And -get this- for the first time ever: ya where right! Her step-daddy abused till she ran out into the streets."

"A-are you going to kill him?" Maeve asked hugging her legs. She hated Todd, but she didn't think she could handle knowing she a plotted for someone to murder him."Kill him? Sky what have you been telling this kid about me?!" Tony demanded. Sky put his hands up in defense. "I didn't tell her nothin 'bout killing people. I just told her you'd take care of him." Tony rolled his eyes and turned to Maeve.

"No, I will not kill your step-father." He said kneeling down to her level. "Then...what are ya gonna to do to him?" The eight year old asked. "Squirt, have you ever wondered where Mr. muscles got his police radio from?" Sky asked while crossing his arms. The eight year old furrowed her eyebrows. True Maeve had never considered where Tony would have gotten his radio from. It was expensive and in to good of condition to be found in the junk yard.

"I'm in the police force. I work undercover on the streets to find runaways and take them back to their homes as well as find abusive parents." Tony explained answering Maeve's thoughts. "And what Sky means by 'take care of' is that I'm going to arrest your step-father for abusing you." Maeve slowly nodded her head, less anxious now everything made sense. "Now," he said walking over and picking up a busted up pencil and some old paper. "Tell me everything he's done to you."

Maeve told Tony everything. From when her daddy died to Sky finding her in the trash can in the alley way. Tony never interrupted her. He just nodded along and scribbled a few things down. Sometimes he'd ask her to show him some of her scars she had gotten on her shoulders and her head. Finally, once he had gotten everything he needed, Tony stood up and went to his room for a couple minutes.

Chuckie, who had been pigging out on the bread and cheese, piped up: "So when are we going to go lock him up?" "You ain't goin' no where, Chuck." Sky said while Tony reentered the room now wearing a badge and a belt with large pockets. "Aw but I wanna help!-" "You'll be more help here. We're already risking one kid by taking Maeve." Tony said putting on his old jacket to hide the badge. Chuckie groaned and crossed his arms, but none the less stayed put while they left.

"I already radioed the station. They're on their way. Especially when they heard your step-daddy is black." Tony said closing the door. "Ya didn't tell 'em I was black, did ya?" Maeve asked looking up at the police officer. Tony's silence was enough of an answer. Of course he wouldn't. Then the other police wouldn't have done a thing. "Well, Squirt." Sky said as they walked out the front doors. "Lead the way."

XXX Skip to Maeve's house XXX

Maeve lead Sky and Tony down the large alleyway that went strait to her and her Nichole's apartment complex. She looked at the front door, scared. Todd was in there (he never left the apartment at night because of his drinking habits) and judging by the time so would her momma. "You ready, squirt?" Sky asked patting her head lightly. Maeve nodded and moved forward.

Every step up the stairs made a larger knot in Maeve's stomach. None the less she pushed herself up the steps. If Todd was going to jail then this would be worth it. Finally she reached her apartment door. Tony stood right behind Maeve and Sky held her hand in his as he knocked on the door. Maeve could hear Todd yelling at her Momma to go get the door like the lazy drunk ass he is. Then she could hear her momma yell: "coming!". Maeve squeezed Sky's hand harder as the knob turned and opened.

Nichole opened the door. She had changed a lot since Maeve last saw her. Her eyes where red and slightly puffy and her curly hair was a little mangled. She was still wearing her work clothes signaling she had just gotten home. Nichole's eyes grew wide when she saw the two white men standing in her doorway.

"Good evening, Mrs. Adair." Tony greeted calmly and kindly. "Good evenin'." She greeted back while crossing her arms. No one had called her 'Adair' since she married Todd. "What can I-" She cut off when she saw Maeve. Her slight red, black eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped. Maeve smiled weakly. "H-hi, momma-" "Maeve!" She exclaimed cutting off her daughter and pulling into a hug. "Oh my lord, sweetheart! Thank god you're safe! I was so scared! I came home and Todd said you had ran away and I kept lookin' for ya whenever I could but I could never ya!" Nichole exclaimed still not letting go of Maeve. "I was so scared those lynching mobs had gotten to you."

After calming down, she finally pulled away from the hug and turned to the two white men. "That's Tony." Maeve answered before her momma could even ask and pointed at Tony. "And that's Sky." She pointed to Skyler. "They've been taking care of me ever since a ran away." Nichole stood up and awkwardly held out her hand to them. She never thought she'd try shaking hands with white folk. "Thank ya for takin' care of my daughter." She said. Sky accepted the handshake. "Just doin' my job, Miss." He replied. Tony cleared his throat loudly. "If you don't mind, Miss. Adair, we'd like to have a word with you step-husband." He said. "It has to do with Maeve." Nichole furrowed her eyebrows but nodded. "Of course, please come in." She said gesturing them inside.

"Hey, Nick. Who was at the door?" Todd's voice asked from the Television room. Tony stopped Nichole from answering and gestured them to stay put before walking into the room. Maeve leaned a little so she could see through the kitchen door way. Todd was laying on his favorite chair watching the game shows while drinking beer. Nothing new here. Todd's eyes shifted to Tony and he glared. "Nichole why is there a street rat in our house?" He yelled.

Tony didn't take any offense from this. He kept a serious expression and glared back. "Sir, I am Tony Baldwin of the New York undercover service for run away children." He took out his badge and showed it to him. Todd turned back to the television. "Well you're waistin' your time, Baldwin." He replied. Tony furrowed his eyebrows and crinkled his noes at the strong smell of alcohol. Obviously this man was drunk.

"Sir, I never go anywhere were I will waste my time." Tony replied calmly. Todd laughed. "Pal, I don't got a kid to run away. So you'd best be waisting you're time." "Sir, I have met your step-daughter, Maeve Adair and she has told me plenty." Tony said cooly. Todd's expression went serious when he heard Maeve's name. She could tell he was calling her every dirty word he new inside his head. "Sir you are under arrest for child abuse. Come quietly and peacefully or I will use force."

"Now hold on, hold on." Todd said while he stood up knocking over several beer cans. "I ain't never laid a finger on that kid." "That's not what Maeve told me." Tony said reaching for one of the pockets on his belt. "And she has scars to prove it." "Listen pal, I don't know where she would've gotten-" "She's also described her beatings. Saying you constantly shove her into walls and beat down on her head and insult her because she's a darker tone of black than you." "The kid just made-"

"YOU DID WHAT TO MY BABY?" Nichole, completely ignoring Tony's command to stay in the kitchen, and came bounding into the room and look of pure rage on her face. "Nick, I didn't-" "YOU HURT MY LITTLE GIRL BEHIND MY BACK! I BET YOU THREATENED HER SO SHE WOULDN'T TELL!" "Nichole-" "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" She screamed. "You can't-" before he could finish, the loud echo of Nichole's hand slapping Todd across the face echoed through the room.

Todd stumbled over from the slap, a red hand mark on his face. Maeve clasped her hand over her mouth. Not to stop herself from gasping, but from cheering. She had been hoping to see that for years. Todd noticed her giggle and growled. "You piece of trash!" He barked shoving Nichole into Tony and running at her. "Maeve!" Nichole yelled while Tony pulled out his gun. The eight year old scrambled back into the kitchen. Before Tony could even aim, Sky stepped in front of Maeve and punched Todd across the jaw sending him flying back onto the ground. The eight year old looked at Todd wide eyed then at Sky who was now standing between them. "Only trash I see it a drunk bastard in front of me." He growled while Tony cuffed him.

"Maeve!" Nichole ran into the kitchen and hugged the eight year old. "I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry." She repeated over and over again while Sky and Tony hulled Todd out of the apartment.

July 10th, 1926

two weeks gone past since Todd's arrest. Even though the court wouldn't bother with a black-vs-black case, Todd left New York to god knows where so the odds where they'd never see him again. which was fine by Maeve. The eight year old moved back in with her momma as soon as Todd left with his belongings. Before she did, however, She went back to say good bye to the Street Rats before they went their separate ways.

Chuckie was holding back tears as he hugged Maeve good bye and told her to take care. The eight year old thanked Tony a million times while hugging him good bye around the waist. The police officer chuckled a little and ruffled her hat covered hair. Sky walked her back home to make sure she made it safely. They snuck some cookies from Maeve's favorite bakery as a last minute treat and made their way back to the apartment complex.

"Ya take care, alright squirt?" Sky said squatting down and pulling her into a hug. "And if ya ever find yourself lost on the streets, know ya always welcome with the Street Rats." Maeve nodded, her throat closing up a little. They had only known each other for a week and a couple days now, but after spending everyday with Sky Maeve felt like she had known him her whole life. Now, they'd part and go their separate ways. Maeve would go to an all blacks school come September while Sky continued to live on the streets. "Take care of yourself too." She said hugging back. Sky sighed and pulled away. Maeve nodded and walked into the apartment complex.

Now here she was, Two weeks later, back home showered up and dressed in nice clothes like a young lady would (but still wearing her flat cap). Back to proper manners and being polite to white folk who insulted her. You'd think she'd be happy, off the streets and back into a nice house. But the eight year old couldn't help but feel sick inside. Like a piece of her was still on the streets. She missed jumping cars with Sky, and Pranking Tony with Chuckie and having to work for your meals, and listening to the police radio late at night. And Maeve's attitude showed it. She'd slump through the day with her head hanging slightly and a blank expression that would guarantee she'd win poker.

Maeve slumped into the kitchen to help her momma with dinner. Nichole had already started cooking. After a simple dinner of spaghetti, Maeve helped her momma clean the dishes. Nichole looked over at her only child and sighed while setting down her dish towel. "Go on." She said. "What?" Maeve asked looking confused. "Go on back if you wanna. Just promise to come back." She said leaning against the counter.

Maeve looked shocked at her mothers offer and blinked a few times. Her momma went through all the trouble of divorce, getting a raise at work and making sure there was food on the table. But her momma told her to... Maeve squeezed her eyes shut as she came to a decision.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sky walked down the alleyway next to the expensive deli shop. He was on his nightly runs looking for scraps he could manage to turn into food, but now it didn't seem as fun. He didn't want to admit it out loud but, he missed that crazy eight year old.

Most people on the streets would see a kid as dead weight and just another mouth to feed. He on the other hand, had grown a soft spot for the eight year old. Maeve had been fun to run around with. She was always so curious and loved to learn what he did and tried to copy his actions.

The king of street rats opened the lid to another empty trashcan and swore under his breath before slamming it back on to the can. "Sky!" Looking up Skyler noticed a small figure running at him. It was the outline of a little girl with curly hair and wearing a flat cap. "Maeve?" He asked as the eight year old ran up to him and hugged his waist. "What'd you doing out here this late?" The eight year old looked up at him and smiled.

"I came back home."

;thanks for reading and please leave a review!;