Tell Me No Lies

by Proserpine

A/N: I wrote this almost five years ago. Just so you know.

Chapter 2

There are different sorts of mob girls. Some sleep with just one man--and they are therefore are connected with the mob. Some sleep with many different men for presents and favors. --Arlyne Brickman, "Mob Girl."

Gypsies, tramps and thieves

We'd hear it from the people of the town

They'd call us gypsies, tramps, and thieves

But every night the men would come around

And lay their money down--"Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves," Cher.

6:30 PM, the same day.

"So you've decided to make an appearance after all. " Liz paused. "I am pleased. " Though her tone did naught to suggest it.

"Yes, Mumsy, I've decided to take my place in life. " A self-satisfied smirk played about the girl's lips. Liz(or, "The Harridan" as she was more commonly called) took her errant daughter in, lips pressed together in a facsimile of a smile.

"See that you do," she snapped, and swept from the room.

Still smiling, Tabbs pulled a tiny vial from her jeans' pocket. The liquid inside was a pretty green color, appearing tranquil and without vice. "KooKoo Cola and Rat Capone, meet the Green Fairy. " Tabbs murmured. "Force me into marriage, will they? We shall see about that. " An impish light entered the girl's lucent green eyes, and she sang in a clear, sweet voice: "Come along, you belong, feel the fizz of KooKoo Cola..."

~~~~~~~~~~@------~~~~~~~~~~

The Gilded Cage

The front page of the Rodent Reformer was passed around, oohs and aahs erupting at all the right moments in Yvette's narrative.

"Mon Dieu, he is an upright citizen! Not one of our associates, surely! " Angela trilled, pointing to Chip's picture and winking at Yvette. "And what a body! If only he would have the stamina of Tony, then we could have a little competition! "

The female chipmunk tossed her long auburn hair, offended, and arched a delicate brow in disbelief. "What makes you think

he does not have stamina? One look at this--" here she ran a paw from head to toe "--and he will last the whole night! "

"Yes, that is all the law is good for, one night. " Chiquita added dreamily, not noticing her companions' stares of incredule.

"You, Chiquita? "

"No. " Chiquita giggled. It was not the nicest of laughs. "Mumsy likes to entertain sometimes. "

"Oho..." Now they understood, and met each other's glances in surpressed mirth. "A double standard, then? "

Chiquita eyed them slyly from the corner of one eye. "If you could call it that. "

The door swung open without warning to reveal a swollen eyed "Romy" . After a moment of shocked silence, they ran to her, pulling her in and closing the door behind, hugging her silently, wishing the nightmare would end, that Moishe was still alive.

"I'm so sorry, Romy. " Yvette whispered to her friend after a few moments. For more than you will ever know. "We all loved him. " It was a statement of fact, nothing more, and yet Yvette's conscience tore at her, tore at her heart most of all. I am alone in my grief...alone...alone...alone.

"Yes. " Angela echoed. "He was an angel, truly. "

Only Chiquita hung back, perhaps because she and Romy were not on the best of terms and never had been, but most likely because she had not "known" Moishe like the others. I cannot grieve for a lover of many, a philanderer like my father! See how they mourn with her, false jades who would have had him for their own, for keeps, had not he loved her and only her. They will sleep tonight in their doll's houses, in their own cold beds, cursing the only girl he ever loved, because she stole him away from them, even in

death he cried out her name. I will not be like them, offering false condolences. "Romy..." Chiquita began. "I am sorry. "

And Gadget held out an arm, and drew the younger girl in for a group hug, letting her body convulse in false sobs. After awhile, she herself spoke. "I thank you. You are truly friends. "

"Oh, Romy! " Yvette cried, dissolving into tears again. Angela fiddled with her necklace, a strand of microscopic seed beads.

"You should not go to the party. It's too soon. " Chiquita offered. "After all, it is only Tabbs. Eddie will understand, or I will convince him. " A malicious smirk ran amuck upon her already sensual features. "By the by, where's Mack?"

"Out in the hall. " Gadget answered the teenager, feeling rude for leaving him there.

"Dios, let him in! " Angela cried, swinging open the door and pulling the golden-haired, cigar puffing hit mouse/bodyguard into the room. "You are Romy's escort for the dinner, then? "

"Affirmative, " Mack confirmed lazily, and met Chiquita's eyes in an unreadable look. The young girl darted across the room to press a scrap of flimsy in his paw and whisper

"So it is true, then? "

"And what if it is? " He replied in a whisper himself, a myriad of emotions skittering across his features. "I guess you'll never know. " And Gadget was left to wonder--and perhaps discover. For in truth, she yearned to know the secret of this blond man who seemed so achingly familiar....

RRHQ, 7-ish

Chip, alone with his thoughts, wandered into Gadget's workshop where her latest invention, as yet unfinished, lingered on in its final stages where it would remain until her return. Her return...he clenched his fingers together, pursed his lips against the cry of anguish that threatened to befall him--what if she gets hurt somewhere, what if she needs me, needs us, what if...what if....The possibilities were endless. Snap out of it, Chip, he told himself, crossing the room to put away a screwdriver, forgotten on the floor. Mack--the name was bitter in his mind--will watch out for her. And besides, Gadg can take care of herself. Why am I so worried? Because you love her, that's why. The accusation flew unbidden into his mind, and he wiped a smidgen of dust off the new invention, determined to ignore the words, the truth. He exited the room sharply, gently closing the door, and, instead of going to his room, made a beeline for Gadget's, praying Romy would be absent.

She was. He took a decisive step forward, not stopping to think as he brought Gadget's pillow, still indented with the shape of her head, to his nostrils and breathed in her scent, sweet and somehow smelling of machine oil. He let his eyes drift shut, dreaming of another time, dreaming his dreams and of what could be. A startled, feminine gasp, and Chip realized with some resentment and trepidation that he was the interloper here, not her. He did not speak, what was there to say? After all, what could he say?

"You resent me, don't you Chip? " It was spoken with a certain sorrow that he was both unsure how to react to and also could sympathize with.

"I...I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. Resent you? " Chip turned to glance questioningly at Romy, who

was fidgeting with the cuff of her borrowed shorts.

"Do not lie. You are in love with this--with Gadget, yes, you are, and you resent me, Mack, who take her away from you as we did. " A pause. "Took her, that is the right English, yes-no? " Her perception was startling, and Chip clutched the pillow tighter. "No, monsieur--she went of own free will. What shall I say to you, Mr. Leader-of-Rescue-Rangers? Yes, you resent me--Mack--Moishe--for her going and me left in place of girl you love. Well, I love--love! --Someone also. You think I too not in pain? You think you is only one? "

"I don't resent you for anything. " Chip replied stiffly. "It's not professional. "

"Pfft! " Romy waved a hand airily, her voice bittersweet. "Love is not professional! I have this heard many times said. "By my mother--" here a pained expression "--Maman, who ruined even Mr Monterey, by Aunt Betsey, by other Dolly-Mops, by me own self! But I...I loved him--love him. And Moishe ...he loved me. I know he did, " she continued softly, twisting a curl nervously. Her voice was full of unshed tears and cracked in a sob on loved. "I feel funny. " She suddenly announced, silver eyes blinking furiously in an effort not to cry.

"So do I. " Chip admitted, unwilling to give another name to the emotion which swelled within.

"Where does Romy sleep? " Romy asked, voice tremulous in the silence which followed.

"Here, I suppose. In Gadget's room. " Chip found that he did not want to give up the pillow, and pointed to the bed with a gulp. She looked at him, then the pillow, and did not speak for a full minute. Then, crossing to the bed and curling up in a fetal position upon it, she looked up at him with torture in her eyes.

"Yes..." Romy began, and her tail twitched back and forth. "funny. Please, I want alone to be. "

"Funny..." Chip let his voice trail off, and, nodding to her, bowed his head over the pillow as he exited without pomp or circumstance, perhaps into a better understanding of love and loss, or at least one of the two.

~~~~~~~~~~@--------~~~~~~~~~~

7 pm

"You'll stay with my mother. " Mack told Gadget outside the beautiful, 3-story, obviously professionally made dollhouse. "She was Romy's mother's soul sister. Aunt Betsey to you. "

"Will she know? " Gadget questioned, a tad bit fretfully.

"Will she know. " Mack repeated, laughter in his voice. He shook his head at her, a bit condescendingly, and Gadget frowned at him. Mack rapped on the door, still shaking his head.

"Well, will she? "

Mack sighed. "Romy spent a lot of time abroad as a child. Mother might guess--but most likely not. First though, it's to dinner." There was a click, and the door swung open to a warm, light-filled hall where a maid stood starched and stiff to take wraps, or, since they had none, to direct Gadget to a pink and gold gilded poarlor, Mack beyond. He gave a reassuring wink as he was escorted on, and Gadget was left alone, the door closing with a satisfied click behind her.

Awed, she began to examine the room, dropping her boa on the settee, looking for the wires crisscrossing the carpet, but apparently all electrical wiring was interior. "I'd like to meet the mouse that engineered that! " Gadget exclaimed in a slightly hushed voice, tone bordering on reverence. There was the sound of muffled female voices, and instantly on guard, Gadget practiced a phrase in her head, just in case.

In stepped three females: the first, a matron of a mouse with strands of gray lacing her severe brown updo, smart gray dress doing nothing for her; the second, a queenly mouse-woman who looked Gadget up and down coolly, her dark red hair also swept back, clad in a tasteful dark blue evening gown; and the third a plump bat who sniffed the air superfluously and said in a nasally voice: "Who let the trash in? "

"Hush, Carmenita, perhaps she will explain what she's doing here. " The redhead shushed, her silky voice lending a calm air of authority to the situation.

"The maid--she bring Romy here. " Gadget managed, trying her "accent" on for size. The graying mouse-woman's eyes narrowed.

"Maria! " She screeched, and the bat beside her squeaked, covering her sensitive ears with both paws.

"Yes, mum? " The maid appeared in the doorway.

The woman pointed a shaky finger at Gadget. "Did you let that in here? "

"Y-yes, mu-ma'm. " Her voice came out confused.

"Please fetch a duster--to sweep out her dirt. And the perfume--to eradicate her stench. "

"Do--do you want me to get rid of--of it, mum? " The vole stammered, gesturing to Gadget.

"No. " Crisply.

"Am--am I fired, ma'm? "

"My husband will speak to you in his study on the matter tomorrow Maria, you can be sure of it," the brunette replied, indirectly answering the girl's question and dismissing her with a wave of one paw.

"Really, Liz, I do think that was unnecessary. " The redhead stated, and the brunette seemed to shrink before their very eyes. She gestured feebly at Gadget, and sank down onto the settee, flicking the boa to where it settled in a heap upon the floor.

"It's just so hard to find good help these days..." Liz trailed off, subdued tone lending her person an aura of helplessness. She shot Gadget a dirty look. "...Especially with a husband like Richie. " The name was given significance, but Gadget hadn't been informed of enough to know exactly what Liz meant, so she let it be. She would have Mack explain it to her...later.

The bat sniffed again, snout high in the air. "I'm surprised you're even acknowledging the creature! Why, my William would never, never--"

"'Your' William must have his fun, Carmenita. Like my Eddie says, boys will be boys. " The redhead commented, beginning to wander, touching each framed stamp, each tiny detail, with an air of superiority. They defer to her like she's the Queen of Sheba! ...Eddie's wife. Gadget thought, impressed. Liz likes to pretend she's on top, but one carefully chosen word from this woman knocks her to the ground.

"And you think Eddie isn't above a little sumpthin' on the side? " Carmenita paused craftily for good measure.

The redhead leveled the bat wit one look, reduced her to a groveling mass of black fur and black eyes. "So, Carmenita, how are Bernard and Lily? "

"Oh. " Carmenita, waved a wing, obviously greatful for the change in subject. "I decided Europe was too blasé for me this year, so I've not seen hide nor hair of them. "

"Really? " Liz asked. "Lily sends the darlingest letters to Richie Jr. ! If they weren't nine years apart, I'd say it was quite the match! "

Carmenita flushed with pleasure. "Oh, you're too kind! " She simpered. "Lily's only twelve, after all! A child! "

"You can mold children, Carmenita. " The boss' wife commented. "They're easy to shape. "

"Gus...? " The incriminating question hung in the air.

"I had a child. " The woman said coldly. "He is dead to me now. " The cold tension in the parlor was so thick Gadget was surprised they didn't suffocate on it.

There was a timid rap on the door, and the vole-maid, Maria, leaned in. "Dinner, ma'm. I'll be workin' on the room during."

"See that you do. " Liz snapped, and the boss' wife swept imperiously past them both, leaving Carmenita and Liz to follow.

Gadget and Maria regarded each other--Gadget in pity, Maria in resentment. "I go too? " Gadget began to ask, but was interrupted by a teenage mouse with long brown hair and green eyes, clad in a pair of miniature jeans--probably doll's clothes--and a long sleeved t-shirt with a lightning bolt straight down the center.

"Thank God I've found you! " The girl exclaimed, pushing the maid out and shutting the door in her face. "What did Mack say about the letter? "

"Nothing. He did not read it--or at least, he told me nothing if he did. "

The girl, who couldn't have been a day over sixteen, frowned. "Sure he did, Romy. He always reads my letters. " She grinned. "Good thing us three are such good friends, huh? "

Gadget shook her head. "If he did, he did not say. "

"Well...everyone's still getting situated for dinner, so you'd better go in. " The girl opened the door back up, pulled Gadget from the parlor, pointed to the sound of laughter, "You sure he didn't say anything?" and at Gadget's shake of the head, was gone.

~~~~~~~~~~@--------~~~~~~~~~~

As Gadget entered the dining room, Mack was at her side. "Some pointers, " he hissed. "Those three women are Abigail, Liz, and Carmenita. "

"I know. " Gadget whispered. "I met them. "

"You met--" Mack's brow furrowed in surprise and consternation. "Ok. The men are Richie "The Saint"--black hair, brown fur, "Sharp" Eddie--the boss--the short guy over there in the Armani (mine was a prize for a job well done), the burly rat is Tommy "da Roach"--another one of Eddie's men, and those other guys you see are a few "associates", " he gestured to a chipmunk, a vole, a lizard, a hamster, a star-nosed mole and their wives. "And that's--"

"I know. " Mack felt the girl beside him stiffen. "Rat Capone. " He patted her arm, and Gadget's eyes were drawn to Mack's powerful fists, which he kept on clenching and unclenching, a sub-conscious reaction most likely that confused her even more.

A little bell rang, and Liz clapped her paws, ever the graceful hostess. "My friends and family. " She smiled, but that smile looked wrong on her, forced somehow. "May I invite you to take your seats? " Note the seating placements, which I have lent the honor of arranging to my youngest, Chiquita. I know what you're thinking--Liz let Chiquita engineer the seating? "

"Yes, Liz, actually we were wondering. " Abigail's voice was faintly amused, and yet somehow Gadget felt chilled.

Liz continued her charade, pretending not to hear. "And since I trust my daughter's judgement, you shall too, and perhaps be--ahem--pleasantly surprised.

Gadget met Mack's eyes with a bit of trepidation. "G'wan. " He encouraged, heading towards the long table himself with dark, unreadable eyes.

"Ah-ah-ah! " Liz's nagging voice rang out as Mack tried to switch two name cards. "Let's honor my daughter's judgement, please! "

Scowling, Mack took his seat. Gadget found her own at the crowded table in a matter of seconds, and squeezed in beside the handsome mouse Mack had identified as Richie. Richie gave her a suave smile, his huge gold ring--gold wire wrapped six times--resplendent on his left paw. She returned the smile, though a bit tremulously.

"I'm glad to see that smile, I had hoped for this. " Richie whispered in her ear, his voice rich with...with something Gadget would have rather of not have identified. Instead, she gave the barest of nods, letting her eyes wander and wonder at the other guests, avoiding eye contact with one Rat Capone. The boss acknowledged her with the barest of nods, his wife's eyes stared past her as if she didn't exist. In fact, the only kindness she found in the room belonged to Mack, and this Richie beside her! "You're looking pensive tonight, " Richie murmered gently.

"Yes. " Gadget answered absently. "Strength. " He squeezed her hand.

"Will you say the blessing? " Richie asked Eddie. Eddie smiled, like a benevolent god upon his children's antics. He bowed his head. The other guests copied him.

"Madonnas and whores say their prayers same as anybody. " Her voice, barely above a whisper, was directed at Richie's raised brow.

Eddie began. "Peace in--"

"Hi! Am I late? " A voice cut through Eddie's monotone, and Gadget recognized the girl's she'd met earlier.

"No, Tabbs, the guest of honor is not late. She is fashionably late. " Liz ground out, pointing to the designated chair in between Mack and Rat Capone, and the girl paled, glancing at Mack with stricken eyes for the barest of moments. The girl threw her mother an insipid look before hopping over the chair and sliding in, oblivious to Capone, about to pull it out for her.

"What's that you're wearing, Tabbs? " Abigail leaned across to inquire. "I love it. "

"I think she's in her "rebellion" stage, darling. " Eddie answered his wife, expressionless at Tabbs' choice of baggy jeans, same long-sleeved t-shirt, and multiple piercings(upper ears, earlobes, two in one brow, and lip). Her hair was streaked purple, glittery silver, and blue. Liz, a legend in tempers, was glaring daggers at her teenage daughter, who smiled pleasantly.

"Isn't this what you wanted, Mumsy? " Tabbs' sarcastic voice cut through the tension. "A daughter dressed to impress? "

Liz began to speak, but was cut short by Eddie. "We will begin dinner. " It was a command, not a request, and a servant, who had probably been waiting with the steaming platter of chestnuts for some time, entered.

~~~~~~~~~~@--------~~~~~~~~~~

RRHQ

"I like her. " Foxglove protested to Monty. "Why can't you accept her? " Cuddled in the hollow of her wings snuggled a baby, who made unintelligible gurgles to herself.

"It's a long story. "

"Since when have you ever shyed away from a long story? " Foxglove questioned, kind laughter in her voice.

"I don't want ta talk about it. " Monty crossed his arms across his barreled chest, a forbidding pose.

"Talk about what? " Romy's sultry purr interrupted, eyes red. Foxglove crossed the room to lay a wing of comfort on the girl's shoulder, and switched baby to the other side, and though Monty fumed at Romy's entrance, he was loathe to cause a scene in front of Foxglove and the wee one.

"I can't cry gracefully either, so you're not alone! " Foxglove assured her.

"Naw, but I love ya just the same. " Dale swung in and nuzzled Foxglove affectionately, accepting their baby from her,

who burbled happily up at daddy. Romy grinned sadly, and held out her arms.

"May I please hold le enfant? " Foxy and Dale's eyes met, then Dale held the baby out, who waved her paws and latched onto Romy's curls. The girl laughed, but it was strained somehow. "Come Josephine in my flying machine and it's up she goes, up she goes... Balance yourself like a bird on a beam in the air she goes, air she goes..." Romy sang softly, rocking the baby gently. "Can I keep her? " She asked wistfully, the words falling like stones in now now-silent room. "I know...I can't. But can I hold her sometimes? "

"Sure. " The word was from Dale's mouth before he stopped to think. So he held out his arms for his child, and Romy complied. Foxglove echoed Dale after a moment, and the smile of friendship was offered and taken gladly. Only Monty was left to see the tears begin again, and hear Romy's anguished moan,

"Moishe, oh Moishe, why did you leave me? ", and this time, he forced himself to lay a comforting paw on her shoulder--and when she looked up at him in panic, to exit with nary a word.

~~~~~~~~~~@--------~~~~~~~~~~

The dinner had been delicious so far, but Gadget found she could not completely enjoy it. Unknown tensions, fears, and desires crackled in the air, from unseen & unheard forces. Across from her, Tabbs steadily drank her KooKoo Cola, and there was a faintly glazed, almost half-mad expression in her pale green eyes. Beside her, Mack looked troubled, and Rat Capone was eyeing Richie's heavy gold rings with a greedy gleam in his eye. Liz, Carmenita, and the associates' wives were listening to Abigail regale everyone and anyone who would listen with a tale of her recent travels, their eyes wide with admiration and envy. The men chatted at length of inconsequential things. Richie, beside Gadget, feigned interest as his paw crept to rest upon her leg. After the initial, rude start, Gadget was faced with a quandry: What would Romy do?

The answer was unsettling: she did not know.

Gadget let her own paw drop, lacing his through hers and holding it still. He awarded her with a huge grin, and Gadget managed a wan smile in return as she leaned across the table(careful not to dip her dress in her plate) to talk to Tabbs.

"So--Tabbs--we go shopping sometime, yes? " All conversation stilled. A low gasp was torn from Liz's throat, and Richie dropped Gadget's paw.

"Sure, Romy. " Tabbs replied, but it was absently, and she stirred her food dully with her fork.

"We'll talk later, young lady! " Liz hissed through clenched teeth. Then, in a kinder tone: "So, darling, tell Rat Capone here about your dowry--your, ahem, gold. " At this, Capone visibly perked up.

"Youse foine goil'll be my moll, see? "

"Please, let's just enjoy the dinner. " Liz forced another smile.

"Yes. " Richie's suave baritone rumbled. "We talk business after dinner around here. " He squeezed Gadget's knee fondly under the table, and Gadget forced her nervous, niggling feelings down. You could not miss the look Richie sent Eddie, like a small child begging for assurance. It was truly a crime, to see this handsome man reduced to a child.

"Tabbs, do you agree? Have you anything to add to this? " Eddie's deep voice questioned the teenager.

"Yes. " Tabbs' voice grew louder, more confident, and she stood up in her chair, saluting the boss with a gleam in her eye. "Yes, indeed I do. " She raised the KooKoo Cola bottle, drained it, and tossed it across the room to where it hit the wall and shattered into a thousand glittering pieces. Then she stepped onto the table, faced the rest of them(except Mack, who was livid) with a bittersweet expression in her eyes and belted out the following, crooning each verse drunkenly: "Come along, you belong, feel the fizz of KooKoo Cola, it's the cola for makin' you proud! Get to the store, take all you can carry, we got the flavors--absinthe, rum and cherry!"

There was a long, tension filled silence in which Tabbs fixed the Boss with a gamine grin and exited. Then the entire table erupted in a flurry of voices. "She'll be my moll, see?! ", "Tabbs, how could you? ", "Young lady, go to your room, this is your father speaking and I mean now! " , "You go, girl! ", "That child is such a handful, Liz! why, if she were mine... "

"Business is business. " Eddie rose, clappping a paw upon Rat Capone's shoulder. He glanced at Tommy, who rose heavily. "Come. " Mack, too, rose, but for a different reason.

"Where is powder room? " Gadget whispered to Richie.

"Out that door, up the stairs and down the hall. First door on your right. "

Gadget, also, rose. No one spared her a glance. So it was not noted when Richie, after a few moments of idle chatter, followed her.

~~~~~~~~~~@--------~~~~~~~~~~

Powdering her nose, Gadget felt a pair of arms wrap around her slim waist, squeezing tightly, affection with a twist.

"I knew it. I knew you still had feelings for me, bellisima.. " The handsome mouse whispered in Gadget's ear, letting her go as he began to fumble in the dim light with the knotted string that was his belt.

Gadget faced Richie in uncomprehending disgust. Then, without faltering, she stilled his paws with her own. "No. "

She said simply: "No--Moishe, he, I--no. " And looked at him with watery eyes.

"Aw, baby, you know I'd never hurt you or let you down like he did. "

"But you're--you're married! "

"That never deterred us before. " Richie answered placidly. "I've waited long for this. Remember, ma belle, what fun we had? "

Gadget buried her face in her paws. "No. "

"You'll change your mind, and when you do, you know the time and place. " Richie replied, fixing his belt back up. "I love ya, Romy, and you know I never tell a lie. "

There was a knock at the door. "Richie? " It was Tommy "da Roach", sporting a pair of hand-crafted, diamond-studded and spiked brass knuckles. "Eddie wants you in his office. " The door swung open, surprising Tommy, and Richie stormed out. The burly rat caught Gadget's eye, total surprise etching his rough-hewn features. He touched his brow, nodded, and hurried to catch up with Gadget's errant suitor.

~~~~~~~~~~@--------~~~~~~~~~~

Mack found Tabbs in the parlor, staring at her hands, eyes glassy. The pink and gold seemed garish in the harsh light, and when he took her face in his hands, the light seemed to soften, until they were framed in a golden glow. But perhaps not, for this was reality, and in reality, the idea of "romance" is usually a false one, and overrated at that. Yet, even in the unforgiving harshness that made her seem even more pale and vulnerable, he kissed her. She returned the kiss in full, but there were tears in her eyes and she could only cling to the lapels of his tuxedo jacket, her knees jellying though she tried to fight that.

"Why did you do that, Tabbs, why? " Tabbs could hear Mack's heart pounding and felt his chest rumble with the words as her held her close.

"Mumsy and Eddie are giving me to Rat Capone. Not as his moll--but as his wife. Surely, you being Eddie's man, he's said something to you? "

"No. " Mack insisted. "He couldn't mean you. No. You're mine. No. No. No. " But even as he denied it, with a sinking feeling he knew it to be true. "He wanted to make a connection. I thought maybe Chiquita, maybe Romy even though she's illegitimate--which makes Moishe's death make more sense...maybe even Lily when she's older, or Aletna, Gus' the informer's girl, his granddaughter. But not you, Tabbs. No. It's not true. "

Tabbs' lips met Mack's, warm and inviting, and she pulled him closer still, let him trail his lips down her neck and nuzzle the hollow above her collarbones, then swept him once again into the kiss, hungrily, savoring his every touch.

"I love you. " He told her, anguished. "I won't let them take you. "

"But you have to, " she replied with a wisdom beyond her years. "It's your job, Mack. It's part of what you do. "

"No. " Mack repeated. "No. Never. " And Tabbs held him to her, wanting to kiss him again but knowing she must not, until the only sound in the room was the steady beat of their hearts, not anymore as two, but united as one.