Chapter Nine

"This is not a goodbye, my darling, this is a thank you." – Nicholas Sparks

Somehow time took hold of the mahogany surfaces, golden lights and clinking glasses, stretching them into a warm blur with no end. Lady was hardly aware of where she was. Tramp's lips must have put a spell on her as she was entranced by his every word, but she wasn't the only one hypnotized. Their conversation was its own little universe, a bubble inflated with bliss but charged with the fear of its inevitable burst.

They talked about many subjects; how she wanted to be a nurse and her lemon obsession, how he worked for a locomotive assembly factory and greatly admired Charles Lindbergh. Things like her past at the orphanage or his time in France stayed buried, like some unspoken agreement had been made between them. Tramp instead spoke about the many places he'd travelled, like Ontario and Colorado. Lady talked about her parents unusual parenting style, and their trip to Paris where she'd discovered her love of baking.

The only thing that managed to take them from their conversation was the sound of the phone. Leon, who'd replaced Jerry, received each call that came in. When he clicked down the receiver he would then relay the newest update; where and when fights had occurred and who'd it involved. Only when he was finished did Tramp begin to speak again.

As they continued, Lady grew to love how he told stories. He used lots of hand gestures, comical expressions and a plethora of different voices to tell his tales. Stories about mining camps, logging on wintry rivers, train rides over vast plains and, most fascinating to Lady, construction work on a skyscraper. Not a soul could rivet her attention the way Tramp did, or make her laugh in such an unladylike manner.

"You were up that high and you weren't afraid?" She asked.

"I was kinda nervous at first but, boy, those sky boys were fearless. They made it look easy, doing ironwork up there. I'm not the type to wanna be outdone so I just followed suit."

Lady studied him and smiled thoughtfully. "It's fascinating, you've led such an adventurous life compared to mine. I've only been to one country outside of my own and that was years ago."

"It had its benefits, especially for a restless person like me. But it's not perfect by any means." He shrugged. "An everyday life is something I don't know how to navigate, though I'd be lying if I said I don't envy it a little."

"Just like you said, it's not perfect either. It can be comforting but it's much more monotonous than you'd expect."

He chuckled. "So then what's your take on this little "adventure" we had tonight?"

"It was…terrifying." She admitted, starting to feel bashful. "But not all of it was terrible. Meeting you and Peg is something I bet wouldn't have ever happened had it not been for this, and I guess I'm sort of…grateful in a way."

It was Tramp's turn to study her. "What a funny little bird. You really are so different than I'd ever expected."

"What did you expect?"

"Honestly?"

"Yes, I'd prefer it."

"That you'd be sheltered and a bit snobby, that's about it. But you've surprised me a lot."

"Well I—"

Ba-ring! Ba-ring!

They both turned to see Leon pick up the phone. He firmly nodded several times, muttered a few quiet words and set the phone back down before walking over to the two of them."It's over for tonight." He rumbled. "They've all gone back to their territories for now. Buster just confirmed it."

Tramp took his relaxed arms off the counter and clapped the man on the shoulder. "Beautiful. Thanks for keeping us posted. You've been helping me out so much tonight I'm gonna repay you somehow. But before I get ahead of myself, you wanna do me one more solid?"

Leon adjusted the band of his eye patch and nodded. "Whatever you need."

Lady looked at Leon's cleft chin, robust frame and wild oatmeal curls. He was actually rather handsome, she deduced. But his attractiveness was more masculine and quiet, not breathtakingly obvious like Tramp's. She wondered what his cornflower blue eyes had looked like before his injury.

The two men didn't seem to have to communicate with each other what needed to be done, because Leon tugged at his cap and left the shop once again. Then, finally, the absence of conversation and music made Lady remember herself and glance around in surprise. The two of them were the only ones left at the counter and the record had finished its last track, so it crackled in silent circles. Peg was gone from the bar with no more men to serve and had joined the few leftover stragglers in the dining area. She caught sight of the wall clock above their heads and suddenly gasped, her eyes wide with shock.

"What's wrong?" Tramp asked

"It's five o' clock." Lady said, stunned.

He laughed and stretched his arms above his head. "Yeah, guess it is. We should probably get you home huh?"

Lady marveled at how she'd felt exempt from time's passing. Tramp stood up from the bar and called Peg over. "Well Pigeon it looks like it's finally time." He said.

Lady knew what he meant but for some reason she asked: "Time for what?"

Tramp still continued to smile but his eyes grew wistful. "To say our goodbyes."

Her smile faded as disappointment covered her like a cold tide sweeping onto the shore. "Right." She whispered.

But when she walked up the stairs and retrieved her clothing from Peg's room, the reminder of home made a thrill jump throughout her body. She would be back in the world she knew well, where gangs and car chases didn't exist. When she came back downstairs Leon had pulled around in a beat up Model TT truck at the front of the store, it's headlights gleaming in the waning morning darkness.

"You ready to go, Pidge?" Tramp said by the front door.

"Yes, I'm ready."

Before she could take a step forward, Peg appeared behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. Draped over her arm was a wool, gravel colored coat. "Here take this, it's from the coat closet and hasn't been claimed in months. I don't want you getting cold again and also I don't wanna see you back here, got it? Can't have you getting sullied by this nasty business."

Lady took the coat and grinned as a wave of affection washed over her. She didn't think twice and hugged Peg tightly. "Thank you for everything. You were an angel." Her robe and hair pressed against her cheek, which smelled of food smoke and a foreign perfume like faded oranges.

Peg patted Lady's head and sighed. "But if you ever find ya self over this way again, come find me, huh? Maybe you could catch one of my shows."

"I most certainly will." Lady said, pulling away.

"And—" Peg said, her voice going quiet as she glanced at Tramp behind them "—a word to the wise, don't get too cozy with Trampo. He's a man ya know, and you don't need that kinda trouble."

Lady paused and pursed her lips before nodding, though she wasn't at all sure what she meant. Was she saying he wasn't safe to be around somehow? Before she could ask for clarification Peg was all smiles again and swiped a finger underneath Lady's chin. "Now off ya go, and don't get into any more trouble."

Lady slowly turned back, confused, but nonetheless waved Peg goodbye and met Tramp by the door. They left the warmth of the shop, the bell tinkling as they went out. Lady's breath frothed out in front of her in the cold and she quickly slipped the coat on. It smelled of dusty wood and was rough enough to be sandpaper, but it was blessedly warm. She also tucked her hands into the silky carcass of her crumpled dress to keep her hands warm.

Leon hopped out of the driver's side and went around to the flatbed, which he climbed into. He pulled out a large gun and sat it across his lap as he got situated against the bed's wooden frame. "Just some insurance in case any trouble comes." He said when he saw her staring at him.

"We're not expecting much to happen, but we gotta be careful." Tramp added. He guided her to the passenger side with his hand lightly pressed to the small of Lady's back. "I promise I won't drive like a maniac this time."

Lady turned her head, laughing softly. And nearly pressed her face into his sternum. She looked up at his dazzling mouth, knife edge jaw and ebony eyes. Her smile faded, her heart thump wildly at the base of her throat. A feeling rose from the spot where his hand touched her back, and with it the minuscule space between them changed.

A pull was the only way she could describe it. A tenacious, electric force that froze them in place, like they were caught in a great internal battle of tug of war. Who would lean in first? Him or her? Tramp must have felt it, for his smile waned and his subdued expression made her heart beat even faster. Ba-thump. His brows knit, and his breath came out in white billows. Ba-thump. Was he staring at her lips? Ba-thump. He was warm and so close—ca-chink!

Leon cocked the rifle in his hands, the loud sound breaking the atmosphere between them. Tramp's hand fell from her back and they pulled away like they'd been stung. He cleared his throat, swiped his hair and wordlessly went around to the driver's seat. Lady bit her lip as she got in the truck, feeling bewildered, and shut the door behind her. As they pulled away down the road she had to make herself look away from him, the golden lights of the Junkyard going by and getting lost in the dark.

Lady twiddled her fingers together nervously as they both didn't utter a word, the truck rumbling and bouncing down the street. What was that? she wondered. He felt it too, right? It wasn't just me? She glanced at him. His eyebrows were still knit as he kept one hand firmly gripped to the steering wheel with his eyes trained forward. Silence dragged on and she looked out the window again, the smooth touch of the dress soothing her into comfort. The streets crawled by and vanished behind her, the twisted spines of iron staircases and shop signs heavy with morning stillness. Her exhaustion rose to the surface as the car calmed her and weight pressed onto her eyes and limbs like rocks.

Tramp took one unfamiliar street after the other. Several miles away from the Junkyard she began to see, what she assumed, were remnants of a night of gang wars. Broken window glass glinted on the ground, street signs sat bent on their crooked poles and the muddy streets were indented with frantic tire tracks. She watched it go by with a small pit of dread and thanked her stars she'd be away from it all again soon. With that thought her weariness grew stronger as the city continued on around her. Lady sleepily blinked.

Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Pigeon. Pigeon, I'm sorry to wake you."

She opened her eyes, and realized with a jolt they'd been shut. Lady looked around. The sky looked as if pale watercolor had bled onto its dark canvas. And more importantly they were in a completely different area than before. Tramp smirked apologetically next to her, the morning glow catching in his hair, turning it silver. "I fell asleep?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah I couldn't stand to wake you." He replied.

As she got her bearings, Lady realized they were on Rosedale, the bridge, the one they'd fled across earlier, a half mile behind them. The mansions she knew so well stood in the dim morning like beacons of safety and calm, their lamps glowing softly against the multi-colored oak trees. She awoke fully and gathered her clothes tighter into her lap as an unnameable pang crept into her stomach.

"You okay?" He asked. "I thought you'd look a lot more happy to be here."

"Ah no, I am. I just wish I hadn't fallen asleep is all."

Tramp looked like he understood without words. "Well I woke you cause I don't know the way to your house from here, Pidge." He said, turning away.

"Oh right, I'm sorry."

"Don't sweat it." He rapped his knuckles on the window behind them and she saw Leon in the flatbed put his gun away and sit on the floor. "I'll go where you tell me."

Lady gave him directions and sat back in her seat, fiddling with her hair. As the streets passed by she felt more and more unhappy. She realized with each one it brought them closer to their farewell. After everything she'd been through and witnessed, how did it make sense she felt this way? They continued on in silence. The truck bumped along until suddenly Tramp brought them to an abrupt halt, making Leon swear as he hit the back of the window.

"What gives?" He asked through the glass, rubbing his shoulder.

Lady peered out her window and saw the mayor's house at the end of the street. Sawhorses blocked off the drive like skeletal fingers and glossy police automobiles lined down the street. Lady perked up. It was a welcome sight to see some form of order added to all the madness. But Tramp must not have felt the same way because the truck began to crawl backwards away from the scene. As he guided the truck he looked annoyed, biting the inside of his cheek. "Shit, didn't think that one through." He said under his breath.

"What's the plan?" Leon's muffled voice came from the window.

"I'm gonna have you take the truck up the street, and wait for me there."

"What are you gonna do?"

"I'll walk her home and meet up with you."

Leon grunted and made his way out of the truck bed, taking care to duck his head under the hedge bushes lining the house beside them. Lady watched, puzzled at first. She replayed the night in her head, piecing things together one at a time; guns, theft, alcohol. All at once she realized how removed from their lives she truly was. Police were more of a hindrance than a help to their world, a thought that made her shiver.

The boys switched places, being careful not to slam the door behind them. Lady got out and stepped into the cold morning, burying her hands into her dress even further. When they were clear Leon went to step on the gas but stopped, and to her surprise turned to face her.

"Take care, small one." He said and a corner of his mouth twitched. Was that a smile?

"T-thank you." Lady stammered. "I won't forget your kindness." He looked her over and wordlessly nodded. He then pulled around in an arc and headed up the cobblestoned street until he disappeared from view. Now alone she and Tramp both headed across the road, in the direction of her street which was just a block over. They said little, their feet padding on the sidewalk in unison.

It was a strange sensation walking around so early in the morning. For the first time the inky lampposts, bleached sidewalks and perfect hedges almost looked sterile. The only thing lively to be seen were their breath clouds, which receded in and out like living entities. Lady fought with herself over what to say. She hated the feeling of finality that tugged at her body. But will we really be able to see one another again? I don't know how or when I'll see him after this.

She twirled the tail of her braid between her fingers and swallowed. "Tramp, I—"

"Pigeon—"

They looked at eachother, blinked and then went quiet again. "You first." Tramp said, sliding his hands into his jacket.

Lady licked her lips. "I wanted to thank you. You saved my life tonight—er, yesterday I mean—-I understand that. You didn't have to do what you did, and I guess I'm just really glad you were there for me."

"I don't need to be thanked, you're giving me too much credit. It's a lot more natural than you'd think getting out of situations like that."

"Even so." She insisted. "Without you I don't want to think about what could have happened."

Tramp gave a small sideways glance and continued to walk a half stride ahead of her due to his long legs. "You probably wouldn't have been in that situation to begin with, Pigeon."

"That's not true."

"Trust me, it is." His eyes hardened and his voice grew deeper. "It's my fault for involving you. But make no mistake, I'll never let that happen again."

"W-what do you mean?"

"We don't meet again after this, plain and simple."

Lady flinched. She looked out across the street, feeling a bit hurt. Their steps continued to patter against the pavement and it echoed into the dead neighborhood. "What if I didn't want that?" She murmured at last.

He whipped his head around and narrowed his eyes. "Then I'd say you're crazy. Why would you want to be around any of that again? You could've died, kid."

"I know, I just don't want this to be the last time because I—" She paused and realized she'd raised her voice"—because what kind of a friend would I be if I never spoke to you again."

Tramp's step faltered. Lady took a half pace back and peered in his direction. His face was incredulous, and his hands had fallen from his jacket pockets. "You…you think we're friends?"

Lady's eyes dropped to her feet. "Do you think we're not?"

"No, it's not that." His voice grew quiet and his eyes downcast. "It's just—even after what you saw me do?"

She paused. She would be lying if she said his fight with the other man hadn't frightened her. The violence he'd displayed and the blood on his hands were images she'd rather forget. But despite them it still wasn't enough for her to reject him."Yes." She said with confidence.

He rubbed the back of his neck and a surprised, almost sarcastic laugh escaped his lips. "You have to be either the nicest or the craziest dame I've ever met, Pigeon. I—I don't even know what to say."

Lady giggled. "That's a first. Are you really surprised? It's clear you have many, many friends."

"Is that so?"

"Well you're easy to talk to and charismatic. I'm sure you don't have any trouble."

"Wait, wait." He said, turning around and walking backwards ahead of her. "You think I'm charismatic?"

Her face went pink in record time. She hadn't meant to let that slip out. Lady looked away and mumbled a very embarrassed yes. Tramp's grin looked about the happiest she'd ever seen, so happy crow's feet appeared around his eyes. Lady's breath actually caught in her throat from it. "You said we're friends and now you're giving out compliments? You sure you're feeling alright?" He said.

She laughed and swatted her hand at him, still hot in the face. "Yes, yes I'm fine."

He grinned into her eyes for a while longer before turning himself around and matching her stride once more. They passed another row of prim hedge bushes, and they turned onto Dahlia Drive. At the end of the street stood her house, the mauve roof and brick chimney hinted with pale morning shimmers. Lady stared at it with large eyes and slowed down, a thousand different emotions running through her; relief, sadness, excitement and disappointment spilling into her stomach like soup. Tramp slowed and followed her line of sight to the house.

"That it?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Well." He said putting his hands in his pockets, and coming to a stop . "Guess you can make it the rest of the way by yourself?"

"Yes."

They both went quiet. The street matched their silence; trees were still as if frozen and birdsong gently began to grace the air. When Lady looked up at Tramp he was staring with one of his penetrating, intelligent looks as though trying to peer into her soul.

"I guess this is where we part ways." He murmured.

"I suppose it is."

They shared a smile and looked away, their breath billowing in different directions until finally Tramp pulled his hands from his pockets and faced her."I wanna set the record straight, we are friends. I've really enjoyed being around you, Pidge and I'm kinda sad to see ya go. But we got our worlds to get back too and I hope they don't clash again." He smirked and stuck out his hand. "It was nice knowing ya, kid."

Lady gave a small, rueful sigh. She remembered how he had done the same motion when they'd found each other at the gala. She shook it and said: "Likewise. Please take care of yourself, and try to stay out of trouble."

"I'd normally never make a promise like that…but for you? I'm willing to compromise." He said, lifting a roguish eyebrow. They let go, and she instantly felt cold without the heat from his touch. She then forced herself to turn around and march her feet down the sidewalk one click at a time.

Click! Click! Click! Cli—

Lady stopped. She grit her teeth and let out a small breath. She then whipped around, her hands in fists and walked right back to Tramp. He hadn't moved from where he stood, and his mouth opened in question but she didn't let him speak. She touched his arm, leaned up on her tiptoes and planted a light kiss on his cheek.

His earthy, smoke scent caught in her hair and nose as she quickly drew away from him, her heart throbbing against her chest like gunshots. Lady had never once thought herself capable of such a gesture and wondered what had come over her. When she could manage a glance at him she found a very stupefied Tramp before her, his suave mask broken with wide eyes and lifted brows.

Her fit of courage melted away rather suddenly, and she turned to leave. "Goodbye." She murmured. As she set out down the sidewalk Tramp's voice reached her over the growing birdsong.

"Bye…Lady."

Upon hearing her name on his lips, even with her back turned to him, her ears went hot like branding irons. If she looked back now she felt her entire body would overheat so she kept walking until she finally reached her house. It was a welcome sight, one that made her stand and trace the outline of it with her eyes in appreciation. It really was a lovely house. It was slender two story Victorian, snowy white with mismatching mauve turrets and an intricately designed veranda. The light in the parlor was on, and as she watched, the curtains drew back to reveal a very distressed looking Aunt Sarah. When her searching eyes found Lady she exclaimed and raced away from the window.

Lady felt tears prick at her eyes, finding it hard not to be happy at the sight of her aunt. She walked up the steps, opened the delicate iron gate and stepped onto the veranda. The door opened and Sarah came barreling out of the house, her white hair disheveled. "Oh! Oh!" She cried, tackling her into a hug. "Oh, you're safe! Thank the heavens!"

Lady let out a sob like laugh and hugged her back, the smell of bar soap and poopery entering her nose. They pulled away and her aunt towed her into the house, fussing and fretting like a mad hen. But as she obediently followed Lady couldn't help but glance back wistfully over her shoulder.

Tramp was still there. He stood on the sidewalk, looking tall and wild against the perfect backdrop behind him. Her heart squeezed. She flashed a tearful, lingering smile at him and waved. An unreadable smirk took his face and he waved back. Then Lady went into her house, careful to shut the door behind her with a beautifully familiar click!

Hello Babes and Birds! So…five months have passed. Yikes. You have no idea how much I've missed writing in that time! My family and I moved yet again and that made it nearly impossible to get any productive writing work done. But we've finally settled in ( love love our new place!) and I gots the chapter done by some miracle! Woo hoo! That said I won't even make a commitment to a time frame for the next one, cause I get so easily sidetracked. But here's hoping it's not months again -_- Please, writing gods give me strength!

And because I'm a bum, I got nothing for my usual fun facts…but hey you got a chapter, so maybe it's alright? Also let me know if you guys like or care about fun facts in general. Let a girl know! Ciao!

— Curly