AN: Okay, I know it's a little cliche but I've gotta get this out: Casablanca is the greatest movie ever. I just saw it at our Movie Club at school and now I know why it's number two on the list of greatest movies ever (or something like that). Humphrey Bogart is such a bad ass, but a sophisticated bad ass with his white tuxedo suit coat and cigarettes that never fall from the edge of his lip. Seriously, if you haven't checked it out...do so!
This one's a little short but I was excited about the possible feedback.

Klover: Best reviewer of all time...spread the love. We're up to 11 reviews baby!

Miracle; Shame on Teepot, no spacing in the last one. This stupid iMac hates me. Hopefully this next chappy will do the trick!

Disclaimer: waste of space, I know, but I've gotta include the whole I-am-not-affliated-with-NEWSIES-or-DISNEY-in-any-way-please-do-not-sue-me' shpeal (is that how you spell it?)

Chapter 5

With the younger boys given strict instruction to remain downstairs and all those not interested in losing large sums of money bunking somewhere else for the night, the weekly poker game began within the top floor of the Manhattan Lodging house. Currently, Race was leading the pack—already forty cents in the hole—but Jack didn't seem that far behind. He was a little distracted, the departure for Chicago only a few days away. Miracle had disappeared again, someplace that she always seemed to avoid explaining. And Tess, stubborn, proud, ridiculous Tess, had formed a nice bruise along the side of her face that she refused to explain.

Klover fanned out the cards, resting them on the table as the boys surrounding groaned in protest. That's rightRoyal Flush. Hand em over.

In the time it took Klover to collect her winnings, Spen waltzed into the room. His awkward walk drew attention and the boys greeted him warmly. Blink chuckled from behind his cigarette. Nice shina.

Spen sneered at the comment, his bad mood from yesterday having carried over into the next. This only encouraged the group and others threw in comments as to the origin of the bruise. Jack leaned back in his chair, tipping his hat so that it sat high on his head revealing all of his grin. Hope dat she took off some of da price afta givin ya dat dere punch, Spen. The boys erupted into boisterous applause. You'se neva can get a good hooka when you need one dese days. If ya know what I mean.

From his bunk, Spen turned from undressing, his boots kicked to the side and shirt partly unbuttoned. He titled his head to the side and held Jack's gaze, challenging him as he snapped. No kidding! You're telling me cause I woulda expected ya to warm me, Kelly. I mean, you'se told us she was a firecracka but dat dere Tess, whoo-ee, she's a wild one. Whispers cut the tension as Jack's jaw became visibly tensed. If ya know what I mean.

The two boys glared at the other. Klover, pockets full of change, had no problem raising her voice over the others' surprised silence. Spen, shut you're mouth or I can guarentee you will be getting another shina from a goil and it won't be as pleasant as da foist.

Spen ignored her remark, although he knew Klover posed a threat. Just by the tone of her voice it was obvious that she'd been informed about his attack on Tess. He started in on Jack. Or maybe she hasn't given ya da pleasure. God knows, she's been hoaring herself all ova Jack moved so fast that he'd pinned Spen to the floor and thrown five good punches before the other guys could grab him. He stood, seething and bright red, as Spen shook off the offered help.

From his seat at the table, Race organized the cards he'd just dealt out. shuffling continued as the edge of his cigar balanced on his lips, but he desoived dat.

Spen, flexing his shoulders, wiped at his bloody nose. Fuck, Kelly. I ain't touchin her again, not after she gave me dis. She wasn't exactly willing for the otha night, seen as she's savin herself for you

Jack's anger surged again, and the others in the room let him go, silently agreeing to count to fifty before interfereing again. But their plans were broken when Tess stormed in, pushing herself inbetween the swinging arms of Jack and Spen. The fight was halted, as Skittery and Mush restrained Jack and Spen was left on the floor.

Tess snapped, trying to grab his attention but to no avail. He was glaring at Spen as if the devil himself stood there. What in God's name are ya doin? It didn't seem as if Jack planned on calming down anytime soon and Tess needed to know why he was so upset with Spen. She had her own reasons, namely the night of the party, but Jack had always gotten on with the boys, befriending everyone. She placed her hand on his chest and nudged him towards the bunkroom. We need ta get you'se outta hea.

Her touch seemed to diminish his anger slightly, although only long enough for him to focus on her concerned face and register it in his mind. He clamped an arm around her waist, placing himself between her and Spen before addressing his enemy. Get da fuck outta hea, you bastad. You come back and I'll soak ya so hard da hairs on ya head will hurt.

Spen, grinning maliciously and considering his expulsion a success winked at Tess. You we right Jack, she is a shrew. It's my own damn fault I didn't listen to ya. Jack was restrained by Tess while some of the other boys took over, throwing out Spen's discarded boots and hustling him out the front door.

Come on, Tess stumbled with Jack, his arm still protectively around her waist, into the bunkroom. Shoving him in front of a mirror she began to pump water into the basin. Jack calmed at the sight of himself in the mirror, the vein on the side of his neck seemingly about to explode. His father had had that vein.

Obediently he allowed Tess to scrub his bloody knuckles with a rag she'd found lying around. The warm water stung slightly but he remained silent, watching as she tried to ignore the expanding mass of her hair as it slipped over her shoulder. With his free hand he brushed behind her ear and made sure it settled there. I'm sorry I said those tins. It was right when you got back anddat day at your place you made me so angry! They both knew he was referring to Spen's last remark, the ever powerful word shrew' that Jack had learned at an early age and tortured Tess with.

She looked up at him then, frowning slightly at the cut on his lip. Jack, maybe I should leave.

He had expected some sort of scolding, a bitter kick in the shins but certainly not the exhausted softness in her voice. What?! Why'd you'se say a ting like dat.

She laughed lightly, dunking the rag in the tub of water. I'm causing trouble, just like always. I mean, just last week Thumper was fighten with da otha boys cause dey were teasing him about me. And now, you beating up one of your boys just cause

Now wait! Jack interjected. Spen desoived dat, talking about you da way he did.

But he was your friend, Jack!

Jack stalked to the opposite side of the bunkroom room. No he ain't. Not if he can treat you like dat. He glanced up from the floor. He gave you those cuts, huh?

She relaxed against one of the sinks, her body language revealing the fact that she didn't want to discuss it. Yea, but dat pretty bruise of is is from me. Don't worry, he got the worst of it.

See, that ain't right. Why didn't ya tell me he was bothering ya?

He was drunk, Jack, just like everyone else at the party. Tess explained, wringing out the rag and scrubbing absentmindly around the mirror, gross shaving cream stains peppering the image of her worn out face.

Jack paced back to where she was standing, grabbing her arm slightly so that she really looked him in the face. He woulda bothered you again. Dat's da way he is. Always wants what he can't have.

Tess tilted her head to the side and forced a smile. Sounds familiar, eh. She nudged him lightly in the stomach.

He smiled then too, just the edges turning up as he grabbed the rag out of her hand, batted at her forehead and then proceded to wipe the single cut on his face. You stick around, okay? We've got two more days, then Chicago, and that should be enough time for tins ta settle down.

She watched as he ran the rag down his jaw and up to the other side of his face, swiftly cleaning the inside of his ears. With his eyes on his reflection in the mirror she was free to let her own eyes wander of his features. She didn't understand how a pair of strong hands could be so sexy.

You okay? His voice, this time addressing her head on, shook her out of the small fantasy she'd been creating. He smiled again, face now freshly clean. Don't worry about, Spen okay?

She nodded. Nah, I'm just thinking about Chicago. You nervous? They turned to walk out the bunkroom door, Klover's excited voice from the resumed poker game calling their attention.

Jack rested an arm around her shoulder. Nah, you?

She hesitated for a moment and he became concerned. I haven't told Skittery, yet. He laughed loudly at how soft and nervous she sounded, at how much she was worrying over something so simple. Pulling her into a headlock the two headed out the door, Tess pushing against Jack's chest and his arms only tightening their hold.