Across the Times
By: Nightingale
Rating: PG13
When the two returned Jack had the boy dressed back in his clothes and in bed again. Gin walked into the small kitchen and set a pot of water to boil before reentering the room. She took off the blankets and told Jack to get the boy the thinnest clothes they had and to keep only one blanket on him.
Jack seemed to get some life back into him while he helped Gin with the small boy. She returned to the kitchen and checked the water. Seeing that the water was boiling she put the small packet of ingredients into the water and took it off of the fire letting the water take on the yellowish color. Suddenly Jack appeared in the doorway.
"What is that" he asked
"Tea it'll help his throat." She stated her back still facing him
"I never did say thank you for all this."
"It's no problem." she said as she turned to face him wiping her hands on her skirt Jack turned to leave again when he turned back one more time.
"How did you know what to do? You're not a doctor."
Gin turned back to the pot thinking quickly.
"I had two sisters."
"I see" Jack said softly as she turned back to judge his reaction
"You don't look too good, Jack."
"I'm fine."
"Sit down I'll get you a cup as well."
Jack watched her get a piece of clean cloth she happened to buy as well. She used it to strain the tea and poured it into three cups. She set one on the table in front of him and took another with her.
"You stay here and I'll go give this to...to...I don't even know his name."
"Well his real name is Tyler but we call him Timid"
"Timid"
"I've never seen someone so scared and shy."
Gin nodded and walked out of the kitchen back into the bedroom.
Jack looked down at the cup before him. It smelled okay. He shrugged his shoulders and brought the cup to his lips to take a drink. As soon as the liquid hit his tongue he about spit it across the room. It had such an odd flavor and one that didn't really appeal to his taste.
Soon Gin walked back into the room and picked up her cup. She looked at it and sighed as she took a sip. Jack watched her grimace as she swallowed.
"Why do you drink it then" he asked
"It's good for your vocal cords"
"Where did you find out about this awful stuff."
"I use it when I do shows."
"Shows"
Shit…her mind flew for an answer.
"I've acted in a few musicals and stuff like that" they had those back then right?
"Don't you think you should be heading home" asked Jack
It was getting late and the newsies had returned from selling not that Gin really noticed giving Timid all of her attention.
"Don't have one anymore." She stated as she checked the boy's temperature again
"Oh Jack I forgot to tell you. She completely told off Spot." Stated Blink excitedly suddenly joining the two in the room
"You what" Jack asked her completely ignoring that Blink had been ease dropping.
"Well my brother is in Brooklyn and well he wanted me here...thought it was safer and all. Spot had other plans vowing to watch over me if I'd be his girl."
"You said no" asked Jack in shock
Gin nodded almost proud of herself.
"You said no to the fearless leader of Brooklyn" Jack was in shock would any girl dare to deny Spot anything.
"Yes" Jack started to laugh.
It was something that hadn't happened since he found Timid and it felt wonderful.
"Well I'm sure that the girls have an extra bunk for you." Jack stated
"Thank you"
"You have to go sign in and meet Kloppy first."
"Kloppy"
"Mr. Kloppman. He runs the joint." Answered Blink
"I see"
"You have to meet the guys and girls as well." stated Jack
"Well I met some of them at lunch though I couldn't tell you their names" Gin laughed and Jack laughed with her.
What was it with this girl that brought him such cheeriness? Jack found it so easy to laugh with her contagious smile and light, musical laughter.
"Well I think we should get going so you can get some sleep." She stated
Jack nodded and got up and led her to the desk at the front where she signed Nightingale.
"I thought it was Gin"
"It is. Gin's short for Nightingale"
"How'd you manage that"
"A friend of mine took the first three letters and switched them around…Gin"
Jack just shook his head and called for Kloppman to come meet the new girl.