"Hey, Rose." Another voice appeared in front of her. She hissed through her teeth.

"Delancys." She stood up roughly, releasing herself from the hold they had on her.

The looked her up and down. "Seems you wasn't dis ladylike when we last saw youse."

She glared at them.

"What? Got nuttin' ta say ta ya old pals?"

She spat. "Nothing for the likes of you." At 'you', she threw a punch towards Morris' face. He sprawled back onto the ground, a stunned look on his face. Oscar advanced, but didn't get far. A right hook caught him square in the jaw. "When will you learn? This has got to be the third time you'll have to get your jaw wired, Oscar. Fourth for you, Morris? I should have known."

Oscar grabbed Morris and ran. Red chuckled, turning around. She ran smack dab into a chest.

She looked up a few inches. "Blink!" She smiled, the first true smile since she'd been imprisoned, as it were. She immediately wrapped her arms around his waist. He, likewise, enveloped her in a hug. They broke away at the same moment.

"It is so good to see you, Blink." She sank down to the green bench. He sat beside her, setting his papers next to him. "How are you doing?"

He shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Sellin's a bit laggin', but it's me own fault." He paused, looking at her. "You okay?"

She shrugged also. "Yeah. Could complain. But at least the bed's warm and so's the room. I work. It's okay."

Blink looked away. He could see something wasn't right. He could see the black eye she had so skillfully covered. He wondered if she had practice.

She touched his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"Well, you me best friend, Red! Well, goil friend." He sighed. "I miss ya."

She laughed. "Is that all? By the way, how did you find me?"

"Nikki. Jack set me up on a blind date." They both grinned at the irony.

"Well, she's always been nicer…well, the nicest one to me. I'm glad she set this up." That way she'd be able to distract my guards. Red knew she had them. How else could the Gorgon keep a track on her the way she had been? She glanced up at the bell tower. Five after. Ten more minutes. "You read Jack's poem, didn't you?"

"Yeah. It's really good, Red. Ya should publish it 'er sum'thin."

"They don't like women writers. Especially young women writers."

A pause.

"I hoid da Angelboid last night."

"Really? What was it like?"

He sighed. "Like heaven."

For the next few minutes they chatted, just happy to see each other. Red glanced up at the bell tower again.

"I gotta run, Blink. Bye." She got up, waved, and was off before Blink could say a word.

"Bye?"

- - - - - - - -

Red trotted down Bean Street. As she neared the Fury's house, she stopped. Something wasn't right. She cautiously moved along the sidewalk.

She suddenly spun around. No one. She did another 360. Still nothing. What is going on?

A hand came over her mouth. She found herself looking into a pair of very angry eyes.

- - - - - - - -

Thank you Garen, NewsieGoil, and ellestjean for reviewing...if there was one more, sry if i forgot you! Thank you for the great reviews! It makes a day brighter than night! 'mutters' Now only if Mrs. O would let me submit this for Creative.