Chapter Ten – Reunion & Revelations

Fagin entered the flat unbidden, the other three quiet at his heels, trying not to wake Dodger. They needn't have bothered; Dodger was already awake, pacing angrily about the loft, a scowl on his face. He didn't even notice his old friends as he rounded on Fagin.

"Where've you been?" he spat, his hands curled into fists, his tone nothing short of livid. "Out at the pub again, were ya? Makin' yerself ill again?"

Fagin blanched and had the decency to look embarrassed.

"As a matter of fact, my dear-"

"Wot do you expect me to think, eh Fagin, when I wake up in the middle of the night an' find out it's just me? You could've gone to the pub, sure, but you could've got caught! Wot were you tellin' me about being caref-"

"DODGER!"

Dodger abruptly stopped his flow of accusations at Fagin's sudden yell. He hadn't been caught and he wasn't ill…but he could have been! Dodger had reason to worry, didn't he?

Fagin coughed.

"I was actually trying to draw your attention to these three, my dear. I don't deny that I went out for a little drink…but look who found me!" He grinned sheepishly at Dodger, by way of apology, but Dodger didn't notice; his eyes fixed on those of his old friends.

"CHARLEY!"

"DODGE!"

The two boys engulfed each other in hugs, while Fagin, Jamie and Harry looked on, the latter two giggling at the fact that Dodger and Charley were embracing. Realizing this, the older two sprang apart and instead rounded playfully on the younger boys, trying to hug them too.

Pandemonium soon ensued, the younger boys squealing and squirming to escape, Charley and Dodger laughing their heads off as they began to tickle their victims instead.

Fagin too was laughing; it was so pleasant to have some of the boys back. He suspected these four had always been the loudest, which made it all the better. No longer would the loft be eerily quiet and lifeless.

Eventually the boys grew tired of their game and gathered around the table. Fagin poured them all a drink, and they engaged themselves in pleasant conversation for awhile. Dodger related all his and Fagin's countryside escapades, while Charley, Jamie and Harry brought the other two up to date with the happenings in London.

Despite the fact that it had been almost a month since the murder of Nancy and the death of Sykes the traps were still on the lookout for Fagin and any of his acquaintances. Meaning them. No matter where they went, they were in danger.

Charley and the others had, like Fagin, first fled to Toby's house, but Toby hadn't let them in. Because he was going to betray them to the traps. Peach on them all. But the three boys hadn't known this. Having left Toby's, cold, scared and confused they'd gone to the Cripples where, thankfully, they'd been allowed to stay.

But they'd seen the wanted posters, they knew the danger. They knew what would happen if they got caught.

As the conversation veered in this direction, Charley's good humor seemed strained once again, and he fidgeted nervously with his hat. Harry and Jamie, getting tired from the day's excitement, didn't seem to notice. That wasn't to say Dodger and Fagin didn't. Why was he acting this way? They couldn't tell.

A few minutes later and it was clear that Harry and Jamie needed to retire to their beds. This they did, with Fagin's help and it was soon just he, Dodger and Charley, grouped about the fire.

"I'm glad you came back, and brought the lads with you Charley, my dear…" Fagin said with a small smile, which Charley duly returned. "But I can't help wondering…"

"Wonderin' wot?" Charley asked, the colour draining from his face.

"Well…you don't seem…altogether yourself, my dear. What's the matter?"

"Fagin!" cried Dodger, with a roll of his eyes. "No wonder Charley ain't 'imself! We're all in danger, ain't we?"

"True," Fagin said, with a nod. "True."

"So why're you pickin' on 'im then?"

"Because, I'm afraid, Charley is not just himself for fear of getting caught. There's another reason, isn't there?"

Dodger frowned; what on Earth was Fagin talking about? He glanced at Charley; his friend averted his eyes, instead gazing forlornly into the fire. How had Fagin known?

"Whenever the subject of peaching's come up, young Master Bates here has gone as quiet as anything!" Fagin continued. "Is there something you aren't telling us, Charley?"

His voice wasn't at all friendly now. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Charley shrank back in his chair, biting his lip.

Dodger gasped. No…this was impossible! What was Fagin thinking, what was he saying?

"You're the one that peached, Charley. You told the traps all about us!"

"What?" cried Dodger, fear and shock engulfing him. 'Fagin, what on Earth-"

He stopped in his exclamation as he saw Charley nod, his face petrified and shameful all at once. Dodger could hardly find the words to say; how could Charley have betrayed them? After all these years? And for what purpose?

"W-Why?" he stammered, staring Charley full in the face. This was impossible, it didn't make sense…

"Can't you see?" Charley cried. "See what happened to Bill? He's been in the clink before, an' then 'e got killed by the traps. Toby got killed by 'em too! Bill murdered Nancy! Can't you two see wot a mess this life is? You really want to stay 'ere, stealin' food just to live through the night, always lookin' over yer shoulder to see death at yer heels…" He tailed off, getting to his feet.

Dodger stared incredulously at him, Fagin still appeared angry. How could Charley say these things? Then, he realized, he was being hypocritical. Hadn't he and Dodger ran away to turn over new leaves? Wasn't that what Charley was trying to do now; trying to escape this life while he could?

"I'm sorry Fagin. I'm sorry Dodge. I shouldn't have peached on you but I couldn't think wot else to do. Can't you see this is wrong?"

With that, Charley Bates turned on his heel and fled the den, without a last look back.

A/N: Sorry Charley fans, but it had to be. For the sake of my plot. You know.

Poor little guy. D: Gaah, I'm so cruel.

R&R m'dears!