A/N: So this is getting a little more into the first season, no flashback this chapter. There's no Tommy and we're getting a little more into Nell's business. Please read, review and enjoy. Thank you: Judging. All Day Every Day and Guest for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I own what is mine.

Chapter Eleven

A delivery boy.

That's what Alfie had called her and after the past few days, Nell was inclined to think him right. She bit her lip as her hand smoothed over the satchel she carried. Inside laid a pile of mending, some medicines for some of the poorer townsfolk she'd visit, and notes to be passed on to various individuals. A majority of the time her bag was filled with packages that contained her supplies. In truth, she doubted that she needed to wrap her papers and inks from public view, but people asked fewer questions about package delivery than they did about documents.

It had taken her longer than she would have liked to get her supplies smuggled out of her home and into the backroom of a lesser used warehouse. Yet, it was her side trips to drop off mending and medicines that kept people from noticing her constant trips to the working district. The only thing left in her basement was her work desk and her stone box trapped safely in the wall - which is where it would stay. Anything she needed she would pull out and take with her, but otherwise, she didn't trust having the documents kept in the warehouse. It meant more back and forth for her, but it was hindrance she was willing to accept.

Even still, her trips had given her an added benefit of hearing the rumors running through Small Heath. Whispers of a new inspector spread like fire as people speculated about his presence. In a few circles, the story was that the Inspector was in Small Heath to clear out the IRA and the Communists, in others it was the Bookmakers Gangs he was after, few ever mention the robbery at the BSA – robbery was too commonplace in Small Heath after all. Meanwhile, Nell could only curse the fact that the Inspector had arrived a day after her return to Birmingham. She had figured she would have a few more days before he made an appearance, but luck was not on her side. Campbell had been in town less than a week and already he was making life difficult.

As it stood, she still needed to get word to Johnny Dogs for a meet and get her cottage ready. James hadn't waited a week. He needed a safe house before the month was out, his dangerous man was getting too close.

"Miss. Donovan!"

Nell turned at the sound of her name, firmly broken from her musings. A poorly dressed washer woman made her way across the street, Nell sighed internally, but forced a smile to her lips as she greeted the woman, "Mornin' Mrs. Pratt."

"Mornin' child." Mrs. Pratt exclaimed with a beaming smile that showcased three missing teeth. Yet, her smile disappeared as quickly as it came as she fiddled with the pockets of her threadbare apron.

Nell raised a curious brow at the older woman's sudden nervousness. A good many of the washerwomen knew Nell on sight, would smile at her and greet her. This was mostly in part due to the medicines and spare coin the Nell would pass on as she made deliveries. Gratitude for a kindness rarely seen to them, "Is everything alright, Mrs. Pratt?"

The older woman grimaced as she drew a small pouch out of her apron to hand to Nell, "I – I never got the chance ta thank ya properly. The medicines ya got fer me Paul – I don't know what we would 'ave done. He 'ad been so sick, couldn't work and well I – I."

Nell hastily stepped forward and closed the older woman's hand back over the pouch as she realized what the older woman was trying to do. She could feel a flush rising up her neck as she tried to quell her embarrassment, "Mrs. Pratt you don't need to pay me. I appreciate the gesture, truly."

"We won't be 'avin no charity, Miss." Mrs. Pratt pushed and Nell could see the woman's sense of pride being bruised. It was a strange thing to see in Small Heath, but it was a sentiment Nell could appreciate. She never liked being given something for nothing. Tommy had learned that quickly when he had tried to give her gifts as a simple just because gesture. The amount of arguments that had led to still boggled her mind.

Her smile became a little more genuine as she murmured, "You are a rare bird in these parts, Mrs. Pratt."

The washer woman seemed to preen at that comment as she pushed the coin bag back towards Nell. It was only when Mrs. Pratt forced the bag into her hand that she realized it wasn't money the older woman was trying to give her. She curled her fingers around the paper that the washer woman had stored under the bag and pursed her lips thoughtfully as she negotiated, "Why don't we jus say you owe me a favor, eh? I much rather 'ave a favor than money."

There was a moment of silence as the two women contemplated each other before Mrs. Pratt broke off laughing and pulled the bag toward herself. Nell quickly slipped the paper into her pocket to be viewed later, "And ya say I'm the rare bird, luv?"

Nell merely shrugged with a soft smile as she tried to find a way to politely depart. She could practically feel time slipping away from her. Patience had never been Nell's strong suit, "Are we good then, Mrs. Pratt?"

The washerwoman waved her hand, still too giddy from hearing someone not wanting money to be serious, "Oh yea, luv. Ya need anythin' ya jus let me know."

Nell nodded sagely as she slipped past the older woman to continue down the street. She didn't make it far before she felt eyes on her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she purposefully kept to her path. A quick glance in a shop mirror showed her two familiar shadowy figures trailing her on the other side of the street. For a moment she wondered if Mrs. Pratt had noticed these men and that was the reason for her secrecy. She has to give him credit, his spies this time were blending in much better than Lenny had, but then Tommy had actually chosen bodies that blended into Small Heath's background. She sighed knowing that Tommy had Birmingham under his thumb. There probably wasn't a move she had made in the past few days that he didn't know about.

Nosy bastard.

"Miss. Nell! Miss. Nell!"

Nell sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as she turned toward the voice of a very familiar ten-year-old. Was there a light that turned on whenever she was thinking about one of the Shelbys? Finn dashed around bodies as he made his way to the pained looking woman. He didn't seem to mind that Nell wasn't greeting him with her usual sly smile as he tugged at her skirts, "Miss. Nell, you 'ave to come quick!"

Nell finally opened her eyes to stare down at the excited child as he tugged on her skirts. The scenario was all to eerily familiar to when he had dragged her from her house the week before when John's children were sick. She quickly snatched up the hand that was trying to tear a seam in her dress, "Finn, calm down. What's 'appened this time?"

Finn huffed in frustration as he pulled her in the direction of the Shelby house, "It's Arthur! He's 'urt bad."

"The why aren't you fetchin' the doctor?" Nell asked exasperated as she let the boy guide her. A pang of worry filled her body as she remembered the rumors of Arthur being taken in by the coppers. Jail was not a pleasant place for a Peaky Blinder to be currently. The tides of favor were moving against the bookmaker gang with the local police as Campbell made quick work of weeding out the Catholic guard for new Protestant men. She frowned as she finally noticed a black bag in Finn's hand, "Is that my medical kit?"

Finn frowned at her impatiently in return as he nodded his head, "Arthur won't see a doctor. Ada and Aunt Poll are trying to care for 'im, now."

Nell shook her head unsure which part of that answer she wanted to question first before deciding the less she knew the better. She did cock a brow as she growled lowly, "How'd you get my bag?"

"I 'ad the key from when I was feedin' Specter." Finn smiled innocently up at her.

She narrowed her gaze on instinct, "You stole toffees, didn't you?"

Smartly, Finn said nothing as he renewed his original determination to get Nell to the Shelby house.

It was a safe assumption that none of the older Shelbys knew what their youngest had been up to when he came hurtling through the back door of the house shouting her name. Nell tried not roll her eyes as she followed a few feet behind. Twice she had tried to get her medical bag back from Finn and twice had been thwarted by the little bugger. It was like he knew it was the only leverage he had to get her to look in on Arthur. Tommy and Polly were more than capable of caring for Arthur, she didn't need to be - Christ!

Nell paused briefly in the doorway as she took in the scene before her. Arthur looked like he gone ten rounds as someone's punching bag. Blood coated most of his face and she had to fight not to wince at the swelling that was starting to develop. Polly was trying to sort out his hands as John watched from the side. She wasn't even sure what Ada was doing placing wraps in boiling water, but she wasn't about to question it. Beyond the general surprise at her appearance, Nell sensed an underlying tension that boded of oncoming danger. There was no denying she was in the Shelby household.

"Aunt Poll, I brought Nell." Finn stated eagerly as she stepped into the room.

John commented before Polly had a chance, "What the fuck do you think she'll be able to do? She's not a doctor."

Nell ignored them as she stepped closer to Arthur, unknowingly taking up the same spot that Tommy had occupied moments earlier. She tipped a finger under his chin as she scrutinized his wounds, noting the stiff position he held himself in, "See you've been makin' friends."

"Can never 'ave too many, luv." Arthur replied sagely, his gaze weary and pained. She was careful not to ask questions about what happened. The heaviness in the air almost forbid it.

"She fixes people! She stitched up Mitcham Hayes last month!" Finn fairly shouted.

There was a brief moment of silence as everyone processed his words. Nell felt a moment of panic as she cursed the small child. Not many people knew about the small medical favors she did for others, it wasn't something she wanted widely known. Her eyes cut to Finn, "How'd you know about that?"

"All the kids know." Finn said plainly as if she should have already expected to be infamous amongst the Small Heath's child population. It's not like she was passing fucking toffees out in the street, "When Doctor Mac won't 'elp people, they go to you."

Nell bit back a groan as suddenly she felt four pairs of eye boring into her. Fucking lovely – she shook her head and picked up the bottle of rum that Arthur was nursing curiously, "Did you actually use any of this as antiseptic or is it all in your gut?"

Finn finally handed over Nell's kit as Polly answered, "Tommy used some of it to wipe 'is head."

Nell nodded, not daring to question where Tommy had drifted off to as she turned to Finn, "Since you're so good at breakin' into my 'ouse, go back and grabbed the jar of green goo under the bathroom sink, yea?"

She didn't watch as the boy darted off, but turned her attention back towards Arthur. Luckily, someone had set out enough cloths and water to make cleaning him up easier. She dampened a rag and went to work wiping away the excess blood. She worked quickly, barely noticing the quiet conversation around her. In all, Arthur was lucky. Only two of his gashes actually needed stitches, the rest were superficial at best. His nose wasn't broken by some miracle, though she made him put cotton swabs in his nostril to absorb whatever blood was inside. She pulled open her kit then to remove a needle and thick thread, as well as a small vial of cocaine.

She looked to Polly, "You got a small bowl?"

Polly nodded as Nell directed Ada to put the needle and thread into a cup of alcohol for a few minutes. She took the bowl from Polly and tapped a small amount of cocaine inside before dripping in a few drops of water to make a paste. Arthur watched her curiously, "Whatcha you gonna do with that?"

"I'm gonna put this on your deeper cuts. It'll numb it up for a bit so I can stitch you without you feelin' it." Nell murmured as finished with her paste and began to gently apply it to his wounds. She ignored his low grunts as she made sure to cover everything, "You take any body shots?"

"A few." Arthur murmured quietly, the alcohol he had consumed was taking effect and his eyes were starting to droop a bit. He wouldn't be awake for too much longer.

"Where'd you learn to do this?" John piped up as he watched Nell prep her needle.

She shrugged, not really wanting to answer that question as she decided to be as vague as possible, "Learned some of it from my mum, some from yours. Some I learned from the Lee's and the Roth's and the Gray's. Some I learned in London, some in Wales – all over really."

It took her a minute to realize she sounded a bit like Alfie when he was being obtuse and stifled a moan. She'd been spending too much time with the Jewish gangster. Polly, however, seemed to perk up at the information as she questioned almost lightly, "Is that what you were doin' when you left?"

Nell had to fight not to tense at the older woman's silky tone. It hadn't taken Nell long to figure out that John hadn't been the one to tell Tommy about Charlotte and while Ada knew just as much as her aunt and brother, she seemed to be at war with her older brother since his return from France. That left Polly, "Amongst various other things...Can you feel that?"

She prodded the edge of one of his gashes with the tip of the needle. Arthur grunted tiredly, "No. You left?"

A pang went through Nell at Arthur's innocent question. It was strange to have someone not know that she had disappeared for a few years. It seemed to be all anyone could talk about when she had finally returned home. She swallowed tightly, "Yea, after mum passed. I needed to get away for a bit."

"Oh." Arthur whispered softly, a shine of sympathy lingered in his gaze. He had done something similar when Louisa had passed, he understood that need to get away from the memories.

She ignored the sudden depressed silence as she went about her work. Arthur's abrupt docilness worked in her favor as she quickly tied the last of his stitches. She had begun to check his ribs when Finn came rushing back into the room with the jar she had requested. She smiled thankfully at the young boy and took a bit of the goo from the jar.

Arthur eyed her warily, "What the fuckin' 'ell is that?"

Nell chuckled lowly, "Jus some aloe. It'll help with the swellin'."

He leaned away from her and Nell raised an amused brow, "Don't be such a baby."

John chuckled behind her as he cajoled Arthur into letting her apply the soothing lotion. Though he wasn't laughing long as he suddenly was the one assigned with the duty to get him upstairs to his room. Nell was sure that Arthur purposefully put more of his weight onto his little brother than was strictly necessary as the duo stumbled from the kitchen. Ada and Finn followed anxiously behind, though Ada was less than encouraging as she made some comment about the two of them being more coordinated when drunk.

Nell snorted lightly and began to clean up her mess. The jar and some spare painkiller she had would stay with the Shelbys. Polly, however, just stood to the side and watched her – waited really. An anticipatory glint had entered the older woman's hazel eyes, "You seemed to 'ave learned a lot while you were away."

"Hmm." Nell hummed as she wiped down her needle and threw it into her bag.

Polly pulled a cigarette from the side of the stove as prodded, "It's nice to know that you weren't languishin'."

Nell raised an eyebrow at the word choice as she finally raised an unimpressed stare at the older woman. Polly sighed, "You gonna throw your punches or are we jus gonna pretend that nothin' 'appened?"

"You made it almost two years without tellin' 'im. To be honest, you lasted longer than I expected." Nell drawled lowly, though her eyes were dark with simmering anger.

"He deserved to know." Polly said firmly as she crossed her arms.

"No." Nell said softly, "He really didn't. He didn't deserve to know that he will never meet the child, we 'ad. He didn't deserve to know that his child did nothing but suffer in the few precious days she was alive. It's a wound he didn't need to bear, Polly."

"It's one you shouldn't carry on your own, either." Polly hissed back as she stalked toward Nell, "You were destroyed over that child -"

"All the more reason, Tommy didn't need to know." Nell growled as she flashed back to the betrayal in his icy eyes when he first asked her about Charlotte, "And don't pretend you told 'im to 'elp me, Polly. He barked and you jumped."

Nell should've have seen the slap coming, but didn't as she suddenly felt a sharp stinging in her cheek. Her harsh glare met Polly's, though there was no denying the older woman looked mildly horrified by her own actions, "Nell -"

Nell held up a hand and shook her head, "I think we're done."

She snatched up her bags and coat and fled from the house. Her breathing was ragged as she tried to control the furious tears that wanted to escape. God, she was fucking shaking and she wasn't sure where all the rage was coming from, because that's what it was burning rage. She made it two blocks away before she had to duck into an alley to calm herself, "Fuck!"

She slammed her foot into the brick wall she was leaning against, cursing quietly as she tried to pulled long deep breaths. A light stream of blood slither down her cheek that she had yet to notice, Polly's rings having caught against her skin. Her foot now throbbed in tandem with her face, but it was the shock she needed to pull herself together, "Fuck." she whispered lowly again.

She closed her eyes and slipped her hands into her pockets. The paper that Mrs. Pratt had slipped to her caught her attention as she felt it brush against her fingers. Nell grasped the scrap and pulled it out to view. Her grey eyes widen in surprise at what was written out on the small scrap. She nervously grabbed her things together again as she trotted off to the warehouse, she had some planning to do.