Disclaimer: I do not own West Side Story or any of the characters contained therein. Raquel, however, is mine, so please don't steal her!

Author's Notes: Thanks to those of you who have read and reviewed! It makes me happy! lol. This fic is too much fun... I'm not sure how long it will last, but I'm pretty sure it will be really long. lol.

Chapter 12: Del Campo

Anita ended the discussion saying, "I think Maria and Teresita have finished dinner. Now let's enjoy it..." she sent a warning glare Del Campo's way.

They all sat down to eat. Raquel was stuck sitting between Del Campo and Baby John.

Anita had put Devante back down before they had begun to eat. And all of a sudden, Baby John felt scared. These people... at least most of them... were hoping to see Raquel marry Del Campo. "And who can blame them?" he thought. "It sure be alot easier on her to be married to a Puerto Rican."

But from the looks of things, he had two very special people on his side. Maria and Anita... And... he really hoped... Raquel, too.

As they ate, Raquel tried, in vain, to keep Del Campo calm.

"Raquel, why did you bring this boy here?" Del Campo asked quietly.

"Because he is my friend. And... Do I have to report to you about everything? Because last time I checked, we weren't married."

"Well, we're supposed to be!"

"Says who?" Raquel demanded.

"Says I... and Chino."

"Oh, I see. Well, I say you left out one very important person."

Baby John sighed. He really hated the way Del Campo was talking to Raquel.

Anita and Maria did all in their power to make Baby John feel welcome. But they could only do so much when Teresita and Del Campo kept giving him looks that said that he was unwelcome, unwanted.

Raquel sighed. Why couldn't Del Campo just let her be happy? They had been friends long before he had decided he wanted to be more than that.

As they ate, the room remained silent until Del Campo stood and said, "Raquel!"

She looked at him, fearing what he might say.

He looked at her for a long moment, before saying, "Si tú lo quieres... Puedes tenerlo! Pero, no puedes tenerme como un amigo!"

Raquel looked at him incredulously. His Spanish words hurt more than Action calling her a spic. They hurt more than the bruise Anybodys had given her. How could he make her choose between her feelings for Baby John and her friendship with him?

"Del Campo!" she exclaimed, somewhat angrily. "Do not do this! You are a dear friend. I want to remain good friends. Please do not do to me as my brother did to Maria."

"Who are you?" Del Campo shouted. "The Raquel I know would not speak badly of her brother when he is so soon to die. And because of a Polack, one of this boy's friends, no less."

Raquel stood to face him. "Don't you dare! You do no better by insulting the memory of one who is gone. Especially in the presence of the one who loved him."

Her own words surprised her. She had never believed she'd see the day when she would protect Tony. "And besides!" she added. "John is not a Pole, so it is of no concern."

"So? He is a Swede!"

Baby John sighed. He was actually half-Swede, half-Norweigian, but he supposed it was no time to argue about that.

Raquel sighed. "You, Del Campo... You were once my dear friend. But you are no better than those who slam doors in our faces and call us 'spic.' You hated Tony... and why? Not because of any wrong he had done. Because he was a Pole. And you hate John... not because I care for him so much as because his eyes are blue and his hair is blonde."

Del Campo glared at her. "You are foolish, Raquel. So foolish. What do you think the Swede wants from you?"

"Much less than you wanted!" Raquel said, nearly spitting the words. "You boys always warn us girls, 'Stay away from the native boys. They only want one thing from a Puerto Rican girl.' Well, I for one have never met a white boy who wanted any more from a Puerto Rican girl than a Puerto Rican boy does."

Del Campo's glare would have taken the fight out of someone less than Raquel. But she wasn't backing down.

"Don't look at me that way!" she said.

"And why not? You are no more than a Swede's ramera!" A few of the girls gasped before the room went totally silent.

Raquel's eyes burned with anger as she turned to Del Campo and slapped him. "I am noone's ramera."

Del Campo touched his face in shock. "What the..."

Raquel just glared at him. Anita, never one to take alot of junk from anyone, stood up quickly. "Del Campo, I will not have you insulting a guest of mine! Now... either you treat her respectfully, or leave."

"You are no better, Anita. You are just like her!"

"Go away!" she insisted.

Del Campo stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him.

The room was silent for a moment, before Teresita stood up, took her purse, and headed toward the door, saying, barely civilly, "Adios, Anita."

OoOoOoO

A/N:

Ash... and A-Rab, Action, and Baby John- Yeah, Action, how come? lol. I agree with Ash. You're too lazy to review. Goof-offs. Yes, Baby John, you and Raquel had fun teasing that cabbie, huh? lol. I got the baby's name from an ethnic name site, because I didn't want to give him the everyday Spanish baby name. Action and A-Rab, you need Gutter Guards for your brains, you nasty boys! And, Action, if you can't be nice to Baby John, I shall beat you up... Badly... The baby was cute, though. lol. Ash, I think we need to find a new amusement for Action-boy. He's rather annoying sometimes. And, yes... I, too, like the idea of Beth and Ice getting together. Just keep A-Rab from killing anyone. I'd like to kill Graz myself. Yes, Action, A-Rab is right... I feel sorry for him, not you. lol. Poor Baby John. Now you're gonna beat him as A-Rab beats you... whoa, wait! Come back! Hey, Action... gimme some of that popcorn! BTW, another song that reminds me of WSS (the gangs) is "Welcome to Paradise" by Green Day

Morwenlalaith- Thanks so much! I agree that Baby John needs lotsa love. What will happen with the lovely love triangle? I shall fill you in soon! lol. I'm glad you liked the other chappies, too. A-Rab is quite cocky, huh? But it's kinda cute. lol. I love him, and most definately Baby John. lol. One chapter comin' up! lol

Tonyboy- Yeah, I completely understand, because I've been there before, and I'm there, now. I really miss William, because he's gone away from our town. He said he never wants to come back. I know he'll come to see his parents and all, but he wants to act on Broadway someday... And that means no more of this little nowhere town I live in. I hope that she didn't want the friendship between you two to end as well. I really hope she'll come around. She sounds so beautiful. I wish I looked like that. lol. Good luck on the job thing... Maybe you'll like the job with your stepdad so much you'll just keep doing it. lol. I know you'll open your mouth. lol. I bet you'll get Tony, and you won't even have to worry about a second choice. lol. I know if I saw you play Tony, I'd be bawling my eyes out... If I saw William play Tony, I'd cry, too, but I don't think he looks the part. He's 6ft4in, and he has a mop of red hair. lol. And bright blue eyes. lol. Never liked a redhead before him. Glad you liked the chapter! I'm glad that you'll get to see Joel!

Eaglesgirl- Glad you like the chappy. I hereby make you honorary Chino's girl, though it can't really happen. lol.

Translations:

Si tú lo quieres... Puedes tenerlo! Pero, no puedes tenerme como un amigo!- If you want him... you can have him! But you can't have me as a friend!

ramera- whore