Title: Cuts Like A Knife

Author: Stress

First written: May 12, 2002

Edited and replaced: January 21, 2005

Summary: Part I of the Soul Mates Series; She thought that life couldn't get any better. She had friends and a family that loved her – she was taken care of and had no complaints. But that was before he came into her life. And, no matter how hard she tries to escape his grasp, he'll never let her go.

At the DistributionCenter

"I'll take a hundred papes, my good man," Rip said with a charming smile, a smile that masked his true feelings. For Rip was in the grip of an uncontrollable anger. Ever since he awoke in the alley the evening before only to discover that Jess had left him alone, Rip was furious. And to make matters worse, Jess had failed to show up at the distribution center that morning. He had waited all morning for her hoping that he could apologize to her for what had happened the day before, prepared to forget the fact that she had ditched him in that alley. Now all he wanted to do was make her pay for standing him up since, as a result of his waiting for her, Spindle had become glued to his side.

"Rip, my darling, are you ready to go and sell?" Spindle purred, tucking her long red hair behind her ears. "I'm so excited; we haven't sold papes together since the last time I was with you in Harlem."

"Yeah, sure, Spindle. Whatever you say," he answered, his blue eyes clouded as he searched the crowd one last time for Jess. When he didn't see anyone with a head of blondish-brown curls approaching the distribution center, he sighed and followed Spindle down the street.

Grasping his hand in hers, Spindle walked side by side Rip, laughing out loud to herself. Every now and then she would try to start up a conversation with Rip, but all attempts failed. She gave up, just being content in sharing his company. Maybe there wasn't someone else, after all. Spindle had second-guessed him, especially since she had not seen him at all yesterday. He was gone by the time she had reached the distribution center and none of the newsies had said that they had seen him. She had also waited for him until after ten but he didn't show up to the lodging house until far after she had gone to her own. Feeling happy that things were finally back to the way they were when she had visited Rip in Harlem, she decided to start up another conversation - this time about them. "I'm so glad that our relationship ain't a mess."

Rip, too busy with his own thoughts, ignored her laughter and chitchat until something caught his attention. "Did you just say 'Jess'? Why would you say her name for?" Rip asked suddenly as he stopped in his tracks.

"Jess? I didn't say her name! Why did you think I said her name? Is it because you got that tramp on your mind," Spindle thundered as she snatched her hand out of Rip's loose grip.

Rip, forcing down the annoyance he felt at himself for speaking Jess's name, tuned out the "tramp" comment again. "Of course not, my sweet. You're the only girl on my mind. How often do I need to tell you that?" he said in a deep voice as he stood behind Spindle and ran his arms up and down hers.

Spindle shivered at his touch and completely melted into his arms. As she looked into his blue eyes, Spindle felt her anger slipping away. "I'm sorry Rip. I know, I know. I love you and you love me and we're going to be together forever. Right, Rip?" she said as she turned her head around to face him, a crazy look in her emerald eyes.

For the first time in his life Rip actually felt uneasy. He didn't like the way that Spindle was looking at him so he broke the gaze. Because he didn't want to answer Spindle's question he distracted her by pulling her close to him and giving her a big kiss.

When they broke apart, Spindle looked up at him, satisfied. Rip quickly changed the subject before Spindle had a chance to repeat her question. "C'mon, me lady. Let's go sell our papes."

Rip and Spindle strolled around New York all morning and afternoon long. To any one who they came across, they seemed like the perfect couple: so happy and so in love.

Isn't it great how things can seem to be and yet they are totally false?

It was about five o'clock or so that Rip began to get antsy.

Spindle noticed right away but pretended not too, so that they would continue to walk around the city together. Now that she had spent the entire day with him and was sure that he still loved her, Spindle didn't want to give him the chance to go out looking at any other girls.

After about twenty minutes Rip finally spoke up. "Spindle, dear, would you mind terribly if I took off and met up with you later? I got some business to take care of and it kind of can't wait," Rip walked behind her and began to caress her neck, blowing on it gently until he could sense her begin to weaken.

And weaken she did. "Sure, Rip. I'll meet up with you at the lodging house later." Spindle leaned over and gave him a quick kiss so that he knew what he would be returning for.

Rip patted her on her head and sent her on her way. He thought he would never get rid of her. After spending the entire day having Spindle follow him around like a puppy dog, he was hoping that he could have a little time to unwind. Usually he had Jess to help him unwind, but he wasn't sure if she'd be there when he arrived at "their" alley. "She better be waiting for me, otherwise next time I ain't going to be so gentle," he snarled to himself as he started towards said alley.

Too preoccupied with thoughts of what he would do to Jess if she disobeyed him, Rip didn't notice that Spindle had turned around and began to follow him in the direction of the alley.