Aqua nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Jack next. She had the day off work and was going to go to the market with the small amount of coins she had managed to scrape together, as well as the things she had to offer for trade - a few embroidered handkerchiefs stitched by her and Elsa and some small wooden carvings from Ven. Jack easily caught the basket that nearly fell from her hands when she saw him.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in alarm.

"Thought I'd lend you a hand at the market shops since I was going out that way too," he shrugged.

She eyed him suspiciously. His face betrayed nothing. He could insist all he wanted, but she doubted that he actually had the same schedule as her to go to the grocery. But he grinned and held out her basket. She hesitated but took her basket from him, checking to make sure nothing had been displaced.

"If that's okay?" he asked.

"I… suppose."

She thought about his younger siblings. How they counted on him to bring home food, the way that Elsa and Ven needed her too. Elsa worked nights so was often too tired to go shopping during the day. Shops would be closed by the time she was aware enough to go out. As for Ven, if he went out, he often risked getting even more sick. He was currently on an upward swing so neither Elsa or Aqua wanted to risk him getting worse again.

"Swell," Jack said. "Let's go then. What is on your list?"

"Oh… um, bread, beans, cabbage and maybe some jam if it's not too expensive."

Jack was silent, as if contemplating her list. Then he nodded before starting to walk down the street. She hastened to catch up to him. She had no idea what he was thinking or what he was planning to do. It wasn't like one of their usual 'dates' after all. Normally, he showed up, took her to dinner and they argued/bantered back and forth. She was completely caught off guard by this change in their routine.

She was just getting used to the whole 'being taken out on dates' aspect of their deal. It had helped their savings immensely, not having to pay for protection fees. They were starting a little nest egg of savings. They were nowhere near having enough to buy their own property out of the city, but if things kept the way they were, perhaps they would someday. That was their ultimate goal after all. To save enough to leave the city. Ironic considering how many people were moving to the cities to find work.

"What do you need, Jack?"

"Oh, the usual," he said dismissively. "But it'll be nice to shop with someone."

Was he being vague on purpose? She certainly hoped he wasn't intending to do anything rash. She never could tell with Jack. She looked him over. He had forgone his usual jacket and was wearing a blue button up and a white bowtie with a black vest. She could see a silver pocket watch chain disappear into one of his vest pockets. His slacks were black and his shoes were polished to a shine. He was the epitome of high society.

She felt almost like a vagabond next to him. Her dress was a simple cotton dress that had once been a lovely shade of purple and blue plaid but was now rather faded and washed out. Her cotton stockings were one of the few pairs she owned that didn't have a visible hole or run in them. Her low heeled Oxford shoes were scuffed and the soles were barely hanging on by a thread. Her felt hat had seen better days but she still tugged it as low over her face as she could get it.

He stopped to smile at her once they reached the shopping area. Then he stuck to her side. However, when she collected the first items that she needed she lost track of him in the shop. He went about grabbing items here or there. It was only when she went to pay that she realized something was up. Jack was already there and waiting with the cashier.

"Hey, sweetheart," Jack greeted. "Get everything you needed?"

She nodded mutely. She had no idea what he was planning but she cautiously set her basket on the counter, removing her small coin purse. She hoped she had enough in the purse. She hadn't wanted to grab too much out of their little savings bundle but they needed the basic supplies. Soap and other toiletries were just as important as food was. Ven had to keep his strength up too.

The cashier looked everything over and turned to Jack. "What do ya say ta $10 for the lot?"

She didn't have that much with her. But before she could protest, Jack was already handing over the money. Her eyes went wide and she watched them exchange the money. Jack was paying for their food. That was more money than even her protection fees used to be. What on earth had he bought?!

Jack grinned. "Come on doll, we've got more errands to run."

He placed her basket in her hands. Immediately her hands curled around it and her coin purse dropped into the safety of the basket. Jack grabbed a few items that were on the counter before placing them inside. He grabbed his bags, wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her out. All the while, her mind was racing, struggling to comprehend what had just happened.

"Jack," she uttered. "What on earth did you just do?"

"Paid for our groceries."

"But… why?"

She nearly bumped into him when he suddenly stopped in his tracks. He looked at her consideringly. She suddenly felt very small and clutched the basket in her hands. It was a very flimsy shield from the look he was giving her. As if he could see past the front she put up when she was around him. But she wasn't afraid of him, like she had been in the past. She knew in that moment, he wasn't going to hurt her. He didn't intend to.

"You have a hard time paying for things, don't you?" he asked. "Even though you have a good job. You should be living in a better part of town. You should be hitting up speakeasies and parties. A girl like you should be married by now."

She winced. Those were all true. By staying with Elsa and Ven, she was limiting herself. Ven's bills stacked up, not to mention the fact they were in debt from burying their parents. Funerals didn't pay for themselves after all. Things might have been better off for her financially if she left Ven and Elsa behind, but they wouldn't have been safe for her. No one would have left her alone if they discovered she was a single woman living alone. She would have been robbed or worse if she were alone. There was safety in numbers after all. Plus, no one would rent a room to a woman by herself.

"Yes," she confirmed softly.

"Why don't you live better?"

"Had to pay for momma and papa's funeral. Then Elsa and Ven lost their parents. And Ven's sick… We're still paying back debt and borrowed money."

Jack's expression was unreadable. He reached out and she winced, half expecting him to smack her across the face. Instead, he touched her shoulder gently with the utmost of care. He almost looked like he had been about to caress her face. Was she imagining things? He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before letting go of her.

"Let me worry about that," he said.

"What?"

He turned his back to her and started walking. Once again, she was left to scurry after him. As she walked, she looked into the basket to see what he had added to her small selection. Her mouth nearly dropped in surprise. Fresh meat, vegetables that she had only seen in the restaurants, milk, cheese and a bag of rice. Surely he was just having her carry these things for her, right? He wasn't actually giving her this!

She slowly followed him back to her apartment. She didn't even question how he knew where to find her. They already knew her work schedule at the hospital, even when she now tried to leave at different times and exit the building through different doors. She had been oh so careful, only to have it blow back into her face.

"Jack?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you…"

Jack walked her back to her apartment. Apparently, the additions to her basket were indeed for her. It took all she had not to stumble over herself thanking him over and over again. He smiled and waved her off. She walked into the apartment to find Ven inside. He was sitting on his mattress and carving something out of a scrap piece of wood.

"Aqua? What are you doing here? I thought you went to the markets."

"I did," she said softly.

He set aside his carving, brushing the shavings off himself and onto the floor. He came over to help her unload the groceries but nearly tripped over himself when he saw just what was in her basket. She too was a bit overwhelmed by Jack's generosity. He got nothing out of giving her or the others food. He hadn't even asked for a date in return. And he had been rather sly about slipping her the extra groceries. She hadn't suspected that he had picked them out specifically for her.

"Whoa! Your basket is so full!" Ven gasped. "What'd you do? Rob the convenience store?"

He meant it as a joke, but Aqua blushed deeply. She hadn't robbed anyone, but she hadn't exactly questioned where Jack had gotten the money either. She never questioned it. She hadn't said anything though it was quite obvious how Jack made his money. He didn't have a job after all. Not that Aqua knew.

"Aqua?"

"It was Jack."

"Wait, the mafia guy who-?!"

Aqua clamped a hand over his mouth. The walls in their apartment were thin. The last thing she wanted was for their neighbors to find out she and the others were not paying protection fees. They would either retaliate against her or demand she get them the same deal. The thought of Jack cosying up with any of the other women in the apartment building made her stomach churn.

"Yes, that Jack." she said quietly.

"Why would he do this?" Ven asked.

She looked over the groceries too. This would be enough for them to eat very well for a while. Laid out on the counter were fresh meats, bread, a glass container of milk, the beans she had grabbed and cabbage, but other fresh vegetables too as well as fruits. Her eyes got particularly wide when she saw several bars of chocolate. She hadn't had chocolate since she was a little girl. It was just too costly.

"I don't know," she whispered.

He hadn't asked for anything in return. He had shown up of his own accord. If anything, this deal of theirs favored her rather than him. He was losing money on her. He bought her dinners and now her groceries? Was he trying to butter her up for something? Ask for the next step in their 'relationship'? She didn't care for him like that but... this proved he wasn't all bad, right?

"Let's get this put away so nothing spoils," she said.

"What are you going to tell Elsa?" Ven asked.

"The truth."

"She won't like that."

Aqua sighed. Ven was just being honest, but Aqua was afraid to tell Elsa. She would have yelled at Aqua for sure because this had to be a sign that the mafioso was up to something. She would shake Aqua until her teeth rattled and her bones quaked just so she would return to common sense.

"No, Ven, she won't like this."