Setting Penny down on the couch in the staff dance hall, I took the seat next to her. She had told Robbie and judging by how much she was still crying the news was not what she expected.

"So what did he say?" I asked her quietly hoping that she was crying for a different reason.

"He told me that I was a liar and a whore and that the baby wasn't his. He said that no one would want me with a kid and that I should get rid of it. He was so heartless Johnny. I never thought he would be that heartless. I thought he loved me." She said wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"I know." I said taking her hand in mine.

"So then I asked him for money and he laughed. He laughed and said he wasn't going to pay for my mistakes. So I went and called my mother. And all she said was I thought you already had a kid. My mother said this. So I called around and was asking about a new pocedure that I have heard of. It's called an abortion. But it's $250. So I called my mother again and asked her for money. But she said the same thin Robbie said. She called me a whore."

"What do you think you are doing? If you're in trouble come to me. I'll take care of it. You should've come to me in the first place." I said taking the blanket Billy handed me when he and Baby walked in. Baby had a concerned look on her face and I had to wonder just what Billy had told her.

"Forget it Johnny. I'm not taking what's left of your salary."

"Penny that's my business." I said forcefully to her. Taking the drinks that Billy handed us, I gulped it down. And turned and looked into Penny's eyes again.

"Besides it wouldn't be enough. Oh god it's hopeless." Penny started cry and I didn't know what to say to Penny. But even if I had I couldn't because Baby decided to speak up.

"Don't say that. There's gotta be a way to work it out." She says that so confidently. She just doesn't realize just how cruel the world really is.

"Baby? Is that your name?" I heard Penny ask. "Well you know what Baby, you don't know shit about my problems." Penny had such venom in her voice. I had never heard that kind of hate in Penny's voice before.

"I told her." Billy said quickly in Baby's defense.

"Jesus, Billy now she's gonna run and tell her little management boyfriend and we all get fired. Why not sky write it 'Penny got knocked up by Robbie the creep'." Penny snapped. Looking at Baby I could tell that she wanted to say something but all she said was that little punk's name. She couldn't believe it.

"Robbie?" She was so certain that Robbie was such a nice guy. Jumping up I started to get upset with her.

"Look," But Billy got to her first. So I sat down and continued to think of something Penny could do. I could hear Billy explain the situation to her. But then she had to open her mouth and try and fix things.

"Well if its Robbie there no problem I know he has the money. I'm sure if you tell him..." She didn't get any farther than that because Penny interrupted.

"He knows." She said as a matter of factly. And then the venom was back again. "Go back to your playpen Baby." Baby's face fell and she just turned silently walked out of the door. After she left I felt sorry for her. I wanted to go talk to her and make her understand but Penny needed me more.

"Ok, look here's what we are going to do. We are just going to go along as if nothing is wrong. We will figure out something soon. I promise you that. Billy tomorrow call that doctor and see if you can get her an appointment." Billy and I finally got Penny to calm down enough so that I could walk her back to her cabin. Standing outside her cabin door, she hugged me and kissed my cheek.

"Thanks Johnny. You are a great friend. I don't know where I would be without you."

The next day Penny and I went through our normal day. Dance lessons upon dance lessons. Billy had gotten a hold of the doctor and came to tell us the news after our last dance lesson of the day.

"So what's the deal?" I asked gulping water down as Penny and I cooled down.

"I can get Penny an appointment for Thursday."

"We can't do Thursday. We do our act at the Sheldrake. If we cancel we lose the season's salary and next season's gig. We can't cancel. We need the money. What are we going to do?" Penny started crying and taking her in my arms I held her close.

"Penny calm down. We will figure something out." Later after Penny finally calmed down, we could just relax and have some fun, and a couple of beers. I was on my fourth beer of the night when Baby tapped Penny on the shoulder. Geez when will this girl get the hint? Handing a wad of money to Penny, Baby smiled at her and me.

"Here's the money." Penny pulled away from me and took it from her.

"You mean Robbie?" Penny asked in disbelief.

"No you were right about him." Baby said kinda laughing.

"So where'd you get it?"

"You said you needed it." God doesn't this girl ever stop helping people? I could tell the beers were affecting the way I was thinking because I was never this cruel. I just wanted to shake some sense into her and shake her hard. Taking a swig from the beer I was holding Penny turned to me almost giddy.

"Is this kid for real?" Glaring at her and at Penny I was trying very hard to be nice but the alcohol had dulled my senses and I heard myself speak rather rudely.

"Yeah it takes a real saint to ask Daddy." Baby's smiling face dropped and I wish I could take back what I had said because it takes a lot of courage to ask for that kind of money from anyone. The next thing I know Penny is handing the money back to Baby.

"Thanks Baby, but I can't use it." Penny pulled me close and started dancing slowly with me. I couldn't believe what she just did.

"What's the matter with you? You should take the money."

"Johnny I am not going to take her money. It wouldn't be right. You know I cant use it."

"Can't somebody else fill in?" God she just has to fix things.

"No Miss Fix it. Somebody else can't fill in. Maria works all day, she cant learn the routines and Janet has to fill in for Penny. Everybody works here. What do you wanna do it. You wanna take time out from Simon says?" I was drunk and I knew it. I was being cruel and I knew but I just couldn't stop. I wanted to make her see that the world was evil. And not everyone was as kind hearted as she was. Penny pulled away from me as I said this.

"Johnny."

"It's not a bad idea." I nearly spit out my beer.

"It was a joke Billy."

"She can move." I could see Penny starting to get her hopes up. Oh no. I know that look. Not on your life Penny.

"No it's the dumbest idea I've ever heard of."

"I can't even do the meringue." Baby stated.

"Johnny, you're a strong partner you could lead anybody." Penny's face was so hopefully. No! I'm not going to do it. I can not be in the same room as her and not want to kiss her and shake her senseless. Nope, I'm not doing it.

"But you heard her she cant even do the meringue. She cant do it. She can not do it." But Penny looked at me with those great big blue eyes. Aww shit. I promised Penny I would help her. Shit. "Fine. Be at the studio tomorrow at nine."

"Thank you Johnny."

"Yeah yeah. I'm getting out of here. I'll see you in the morning Baby. Night Penny, Night Billy." Back in my cabin I flopped down on the bed and thought. Baby looked good tonight. She was wearing a more revealing outfit then the first time I saw her and danced with her. Tight in all the right places. My body started responding to my dirty thoughts of Baby. No. I am not going to go there. I have to be her teacher and keep things platonic between us. Max would kill me if he knew what I was thinking and what I wanted to do to Baby Houseman.