A/N: Last chapter! Baby John's actions in this chapter are in the show script rather than the movie. Chapter 4: Picking Up The Pieces

Jets and Sharks faced each other over Tony's body. Maria was yelling, screaming, pointing a gun at anyone in sight, threatening to shoot them all, blaming every one of them for Tony's death, and Bernardo's, and Riff's.

Anybodys stared at the Puerto Ricans, watching them reel in shock and grief. Just like the Jets.

This is stupid, she thought. She moved forward a little, distancing herself from the Jets. On the other side of the group, Anita noticed, and nodded slightly.

She understands, Anita thought. Finally.

Slowly, by some unconscious consensus, two Jet boys and two Sharks moved towards Tony. Maria moved away, kneeling on the ground. The boys picked Tony's body up and gently, silently carried it away.

The rest of the group followed, leaving Maria alone. Anybodys hung back, wanting to help the Puerto Rican girl, but not knowing how to. She'd almost decided to go over to Maria when she felt a gentle hand on her arm. She looked up, and Anita murmured, "Leave her."

You're just a kid, Anita wanted to say. What could you possibly think you can do to help?

Keeping a steadying hand on the skinny tomboy's arm, the Puerto Rican girl guided the most loyal of the Jets away.

They reached the boundary between Jet and Shark territory, and the group started to split up.

Anita glanced back at Maria. Baby John had turned back, and was draping Maria's shawl around her shoulders. She touched his hand in thanks, and he nodded, and left.

Anybodys looked Anita in the eye for the first time.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, and ran off before Anita could answer.

It's not alright, Anita thought.

She watched the gangs make their way home – the boy who'd comforted Maria, the boys who'd carried Tony's body together, the one girl who'd apologised for an entire town…

No, it's not alright.

But it's a start.