Hello people! I am pleased to announce that Protego Totalum is back to reviewing!!!  And, of course, I would like to thank Red-Cherry-Flowers and Broken Amethyst! (Not just because they like my story, but because they leave helpful and encouraging reviews)! And thanks to Bet Dawkins-Lontail's Loyalty, ASGT and Kat Maximoff, Weasley Is Our Queen, and SirNotAppearingInThisShow! Was that all of you? I hope so! Umm… Warning: CharleyXGuinever mush… yeah. On with the show!

Chapter 36: Sad Good-byes And Happy Helloes

"Charley!" Fagin cried, "Let Bill in, my dear, and light him up the stairs."

Charley, who was unaccustomed to letting people in, hadn't even noticed the loud pounding on the door. He was momentarily reminded of his friend, the Artful Dodger, who always used to answer the door. He slowly got up, lit a candle, and limped down the stairs, praying that Bill had been too drunk when he shot him to remember the event.

"Password!" Charley yelled through the door.

"Plumy and slam!" Bill growled back at him.

Charley tried to ignore his fear and opened the door.

"Fin'ly!" Bill said. "You'd think I 'ad all the time in the world!"

Charley was too scared to speak. Hoping that Bill wouldn't notice his limp, he led Bill up the stairs. Assuming that Bill wanted to talk to Fagin, Charley headed for the stairs that led up to his bedroom.

"Yeah!" Bill said addressing Charley. "You just better go on up an' get 'er!"

Charley stopped and turned in the direction of Fagin and Bill. "Get who?" he asked, even though he knew perfectly well whom Bill was talking about.

"Yer know right well who!" Bill growled back. "You an' Fagin have had 'er long enough!"

"Bill, my dear, it's only been a couple of days! I-"

"I don't care what yer got ta' say, she belongs with me an' 'er mother!"

Charley had already gone halfway up the stairs when he heard Bill's last remark. He ran the rest of the way up the stairs and found Guinevere grabbing her things and getting ready to leave.

She gave an apologetic smile up to Charley before continuing to grab her personal property.

Charley reached down and touched her shoulder. She straightened up and looked at him. Charley held his arms open in an invitation. She gave a weak smile and then allowed herself to be wrapped in his arms.

"I wish you didn't half to go…," Charley said softly, burying his nose in her hair.

"Well, Daddy's right. I live with 'im an' mamma. It's where I'm s'possed ta' be."

"I've gotten used to you being around… kinda liked it… a lot," Charley said hoping that he was getting the point across.

Guinevere pulled away from him and stuffed her things into her bag. She headed for the door that led to the stairs, but Charley grabbed her arm and pulled her to him again.

"Charley… I hafta go…," Guinevere said carefully.

A yell from Fagin proved her point.

Charley sighed with disappointment. Guinevere pulled back from him a little. After bestowing a kiss on his lips, she pulled the rest of the way away from Charley and headed down the stairs.

She could feel Charley staring at her, but she continued down the stairs without looking back.

"Here she is, Bill, my dear!" Fagin announced. "Where's Charley, Guinevere, my dear?"

"How should I know?" Guinevere shrugged, pretending not to care. She smiled at her father.

Bill gave an approving nod. "C'mon! Nance's home waitin'!"

Fagin led their way down the stairs, carrying a candle. After saying his good-byes, he walked back up the stairs and entered the kitchen.

Charley was staring out the window at Guinevere's retreating figure.

"She'll be back, my dear," Fagin pointed out. "She can visit. You can even work together."

Charley just nodded. He hoped Fagin was right. There was something inside him that was telling him that his last chance to see her had just been lost forever. He had tried to tell her, but the words just wouldn't come out. If only his thoughts could reach her. He could tell the world to her!

I love you, Guinevere.

----

Guinevere tried to keep her mind focused on her father; it was hard. Her mind kept wandering back to Charley. She chanced a look back; Bill noticed.

"What yer lookin' back for?" he asked roughly.

"I just keep feelin' like I forgot somethin'… left something important behind…" She was being perfectly honest with her father. She knew she had left something – well, someone important behind.

Bill stared at her for a moment, shook his head, and then redirected his attention to the streets ahead.

"Nance's got lunch cookin'. Said it was lamb."

"Oh," was all Guinevere could say. Compared to Charley, her mother cooking lunch seemed very uninteresting. Guinevere could stand it no longer.

She suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.

"What?" Bill asked.

"I just remembered what I forgot! It'll only take a minute for me to get it! Go on ahead of me! I'll be back in no time! I can't believe I forgot it!" she tried to smile and laugh as though amazed at her forgetfulness. She turned and ran back towards Fagin's before Bill could come up with a good response.

Giving an oath, he turned and headed the rest of the way home mumbling to himself. "The girl's just like 'er mother!"

----

Guinevere wrenched Fagin's door open, ran up the stairs, and opened the next door. Upon entering, she looked around frantically. Her eyes lighted on Charley. He stared back at her in shock. She dropped her bag of belongings and made for him.

Fagin glanced over at them before heading off into another room.

Guinevere pulled Charley into a tight hug. After a moment, he relaxed into her arms.

"I'm sorry," Charley said suddenly.

"For what?" Guinevere confusedly pulled back from him enough to look into his eyes.

"I'm sorry… for not telling you the first time…" Charlie began.

"Telling me the first time… What? Charley, you're not making any sense…"

"I'm sorry for not telling you that… I love you," Charley said.

Their hearts pounded against each other. Guinevere's mouth was open in shock. Once she recovered, Guinevere smiled.

"That's what I came to tell you!" She paused, trying to imbed the moment in her memory forever. "I love you, Charley."

Charley smiled and then pulled her tightly to him, pressing his lips against hers.

I know the story is kind of depressing right now, but doesn't that last part at least make you feel kinda good? Maybe it's just me. Well, REVIEW!