The bottle came around again and he took a sip.

The taste hadn't gotten any better, but he wasn't drinking it for the taste.

Jack passed the bottle to Mush and tried to ignore the burning in his throat as it slowly disappeared.

He watched as the cards were passed over the table and a few spare cigarettes were thrown into the middle. He didn't have anything to bet, so he sat out. Cards wasn't his thing anyways. Besides, he couldn't afford to lose himself in a game. He had business.

'Business', he thought wryly. That is what it was to him now. That's what he convinced himself it was.

Jack watched Mush frown as he swallowed a sip from the bottle before passing it on. No, definitely not enjoyable. But it got the job done. When you bought it for a dime off a guy on the corner, you couldn't be picky.

It didn't taste good enough to drink slowly and there was never enough of it to pretend it was something to be enjoyed. There was really only one thing cheap liquor was good for, and, luckily, being drunk often made the taste disappear. You just closed your eyes, drank as much as you could as fast as you could, and hoped to God you could still see after.

"Jack, hurry it up." A voice reminded him that the bottle had found its way back to him again. He slid it past without taking anymore

"You're gettin' soft on us, Jack," Skittery laughed. His voice was just steady enough to convince a casual observer he was sober. He'd, in fact, had twice what everyone drank and was still going strong. If Jack had to take a guess, he'd say Skittery had been drinking since before he could walk. It would explain a few things.

"I got things to do tonight," Jack shrugged nonchalantly. Or at least he hoped it looked nonchalant. He sat back in his chair and hoped the haze of smoke and divided attention would keep anyone from noticing that he was anything but relaxed.

"Things like what?" Specs asked as he flicked the ash from his cigarette. He picked up his cards and looked at them with glossy eyes, not really listening for an answer.

"You gonna go teach Spot which side of the bridge is his?" Skittery said to an eruption of laughter and a few choice comments about Brooklyn. It probably wouldn't have been as funny if they were sober enough to realize it wasn't that good of a joke.

"You gonna get yourself a job polishin' Pulitzer's shoes?" Mush continued. There was more laughter.

"Maybe you'll show Blink how to throw a real punch, huh?" Specs said. There were some tentative laughs, but noticeably fewer than before.

"Shut up," Mush snapped.

"Geez, it was just a joke," Specs said defensively.

"Yeah, well it ain't funny," Mush said.

"Sorry," Specs said as he passed Mush the cigarette he had been smoking. Mush took it and nodded, accepting the apology with a drag on the end.

"Say, any of you bums been down to see that new store on the corner?" Dutchy asked in a clear attempt to change the subject.

As soon as it became clear there would be no trouble, Jack turned his attention away from the conversation and slid the bottle past him again. He watched Mush take a longer sip than before.

It was true you could forget if you drank enough of the stuff. But he only wanted to forget his fear and the regret that would keep him from going through with what he had to do. He didn't want to forget how his legs worked or his balance. He didn't want to forget how to speak properly or which streets to take.

If you drank enough you forgot everything. But in the end, you always remembered what had made you want to forget in the first place. That never went away, until you had more. He knew some people that lived from one day to the next like that, between ignorance and remorse. God knows, if he could afford it he might be tempted to as well.

"Hey Jack," a boy shouted for his attention from the other room.

"Hey what," Jack responded absently as he rubbed the drowsiness from his eyes. Maybe he hadn't stopped soon enough.

"Someone here to see ya," the boy responded.

"Tell'em I ain't here," Jack called back. His patience for conversation was gone and there was no telling if he could muster up enough restraint not to give whomever it was a black eye simply for existing.

He heard laughter from the table at this remark and a half-grin found its way to his mouth. It actually hadn't occurred to him that whoever was asking for him would hear his voice too and know that he was in. Not exactly at his most stealthy, but he credited the...the, what was it they were drinking again?

He asked Skittery as much, but all he got was a shrug and then a smile. It didn't matter really. Now, what was he thinking about before...

"Someone here to see ya, Jack," the boy said again, reminding Jack that he hadn't won his peace for the night after all.

Jack gave a frustrated sigh as he shoved his chair back from the table and stood. It wasn't like he was playing or still drinking, or that staring at the mole on Dutchy's neck was something he'd rather be doing, but for once, just once, he wished he could go five minutes without being responsible for something.

"If it's your mother, tell her I had a good time last night," Specs called after him. Jack waved off the laughter and catcalls that followed. He didn't dignify it with a response, that would have only started an night- long event of arguing whose mother was indeed less respectable. Not that there was a question, of course, Specs just didn't like admitting it.

Jack crossed the room, ruffling up his hair and putting on the best half- asleep, just woke up expression he could muster on such sort notice. If whoever the visitor was had even a shred of decency, they would suggest coming back at a reasonable hour and apologize for depriving him of his valuable sleep. All he wanted was for them to go away, the apology would be an added bonus, but one he could live without.

He turned the corner and stopped abruptly.

The color left his face as he set his jaw. His eyes became instantly alert and he tried to push any remaining haze from his mind.

He didn't know who he was expecting to find on the other side of the door, but he would have sooner thought to find himself face to face with his dear, sweet mother.

His eyes moved between Spot and Blink as he tried to force words from his mouth. He was speechless. He couldn't even find a place to focus the rage that was very quickly coming to the surface.

Spot had gone against his word, he had broken his promise. The lousy welsher. He should never have deluded himself into thinking he could trust Spot. He went after Blink, even after-

Jack's eyes quickly moved to Blink. He was barely able to contain the hate that rising inside of him.

Blink. The rat.

How dare he even think of coming back. He would be sorry. God, he would be sorry for ever messing with Manhattan.

Jack's hand brushed over his pocket, feeling the hard metal through the cloth. He would be ready when the opportunity came.

Blink stayed a clear distance away. He didn't trust the situation, Jack noted. That was the one smart thing he had done all day. For if he had been even remotely close to within arms reach, Jack would have had no qualms about soaking him in front of everyone they knew.

The situation being as it was, however, Jack silently crossed his arms, effectively barring the way. If there had been any doubt that they were unwelcome, it was now abundantly clear.

"What's this?" Jack said finally with equal measures of anger and disdain as he met Spot's eyes coldly.

"Let's go inside," Spot nodded to the door, unmoved by Jack's anger.

"No," Jack said flatly. There was no way he would allow a welsher like Spot in, let alone Blink.

"We gotta talk," Spot stated simply, as if that would be reason enough.

"Talk."

There was nothing Spot could cook up at this point that he would believe. He had broken his promise to stay away from Blink. Worse than that, he had brought him back.

"Nah," Spot said as he glanced sideways down the street, apparently concerned that someone else might be within earshot. "Inside."

"He ain't comin' any closer," Jack maintained, narrowing his eyes at Blink.

"You got somethin' to say to me?" Blink shot back.

Jack spit to the ground in front of him, "I got nothin' to say to you."

Spot held out his hand to stop Blink from moving.

"Inside, Jack," Spot said evenly as he took a step forward in an almost challenging move. But instead of threatening him, his voice lowered to a tone that only Jack could hear, "Trust me, alright?"

Jack snorted under his breath. Trust. That was rich.

"What do you got to lose? If you think he's it, then I'm bringin' him to you free of charge. Call it a favor," Spot said, keeping his voice down, "You invite me in, I'll call that a favor. We're even."

He had a point, Jack couldn't argue with that.

He didn't know what Spot wanted out of this, and there was no doubt in his mind Spot wanted something, but at the moment he couldn't see what it was. All he knew was that this spared him the trouble and danger of finding Blink on his own. Spot had done him a favor, even as much as he hated to admit it at the moment.

Jack glanced to Blink quickly. At least if he was inside, he would have nowhere to run.

Jack turned abruptly back into the house without another word.

Spot turned to Blink and nodded, indicating he should go first. Blink hesitated. It didn't seem like any kind of a welcome to him, but then again, he hadn't had to ask permission to enter his own house before.

"Keep your head cool," Spot said to him as he passed, "Whatever I told you, forget it. Things are different now. He thinks you're the rat."

It caught him off-guard, but Blink kept walking. He had been convinced Jack just thought it was a possibility, but didn't truly believe it. How could he? They had known each other too well. Besides, Jack didn't have any proof. Someone must have convinced him.

He had a good idea of who that someone was.

.-

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"Look what we got here," Specs let out a quiet whistle as he sat back from the table and gestured to the door.

Mush looked up from his cards to see Jack return with Blink and Spot not far behind. He hadn't expected to see Blink for a few days at least, and definitely not with Spot of all people.

To say Blink didn't look well off was a bit of an understatement. He still had the bruises and scrapes he had left with, but now there was slowness in his step, as if he was beyond exhaustion though still trying to hide it.

Mush opened his mouth to welcome Blink back, but something he saw in Jack's eyes made him think better of it.

"Hey, Blink," Dutchy greeted Blink as he nodded to Jack's former chair, "We gotta chair with your name on it."

"Yeah, have a drink, you ain't lookin' so good," Specs added good- naturedly.

"What's new?" Skittery made the obvious dig, in an attempt to break up the tension in the air. Those around the table laughed, expecting Blink to come back with something. He didn't. He kept walking without acknowledging they were there.

Jack gave the table a warning glance as he passed, which silenced them quickly.

Something wasn't right.

Mush looked to Dutchy, who could only offer a shrug as an answer.

Mush watched them as they crossed the room and disappeared into the small side room Jack and Spot had occupied earlier. Whatever was going on, Jack didn't want anyone else to see.

Something definitely wasn't right.

-

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"You think you got any right comin' back here?" Jack started even before the door had closed. He pushed past Blink, catching him squarely on the shoulder.

"Back off, Jack," Blink pushed back, his short temper getting shorter by the second.

Jack turned on him quickly. The way he stood there with the arrogance to be defensive was too much for Jack. Blink's unapologetic attitude and seeming indifference to what he had done... it was just too much.

Before Jack knew what he was doing, his hands had locked around Blink's neck. Instinctively, Blink tried to push him away, but given the fact he wasn't exactly steady on his feet to begin with, he couldn't match Jack's strength.

"Jack-" Blink managed as he struggled for enough breath to talk. The one word plea was cut short as he tried in vain to pry Jack's tightening fingers off.

The look on Blink's face was one of disbelief and utter shock, almost as if he didn't believe Jack was trying to choke him, even though he could certainly feel it.

What did Blink think he would do? Clap him on the back and wish him well?

"You think I wouldn't find out?" Jack asked with nothing but cold accusation and bitterness in his voice.

Blink glanced in Spot's direction, searching for some sort of intervention. Spot, however, had taken a chair in the corner and seemed more intent on lighting his cigarette than curbing Jack's anger.

"It's me you gotta worry about," Jack said as he caught the look, emphasizing his point by driving Blink forcefully back to the peeling paint of the wall. The thin wall shook, surprised voices filtering through from the other room.

For the second time that night, Blink found himself backed against a wall. But this time it was at the hands of a friend, a far more dangerous scenario. Jack was looking at him with an unforgiving intensity that left no room for understanding.

Their eyes met. Each a stranger to the other. A traitor. A friend willing to believe the worst. Both betrayed.

Jack realized the shock that was on Blink's face wasn't coming from the pain, it was coming from his disbelief that Jack would hurt him. There was also a desperate uncertainty to how Blink looked at him, how his fingernails were digging deeply into Jack's hands. It was almost as if he didn't know whether Jack would actually go through with it or not.

Blink was afraid.

Jack smiled to himself with satisfaction. He should be scared. He had never seen Blink afraid until just this moment. Not even when they had been caught snitching or cornered three to one.

Fear was something they would never admit to aloud. It was a sure sign of weakness and quick way to lose credibility. Blink managed to hide it as well as any of them, not being dumb enough to show it even if he felt it.

Jack felt fear as well. It was what held Blink by his throat and threatened to strangle him. It was also the whispering voice in Jack's mind that told him not to do it. But his fear didn't come from uncertainty. Unlike Blink, he knew how this would have to end.

"You're ...wrong," Blink choked out, "Jack.....wrong.

"Nice try, Kid," Jack dismissed the comment for what it was, an attempt to stall and get off the hook. Blink was always trying to weasel out of things, what made this any different. He wouldn't be getting out it this time, though. He had gone too far.

The thought of Blink continuing to outright lie to him, even after he had been found out, infused Jack with a new renewed sense of anger. He couldn't even be man enough to own up to what he did. Now that Blink was cornered, he was still trying to get out of what was coming to him.

"It's the truth," Blink said more fiercely as it became clear Jack was not even entertaining the possibility.

Jack let out a short laugh. If Blink wanted the truth, Jack would show it to him. He would show him what real consequences meant.

He freed one of his hands from Blink's neck and reached for his pocket.

"Jack," a voice said with a hint of uneasiness.

It was Spot. Jack had forgotten he was still in the room.

He ignored him, without so much as pausing as he grasped the handle. Spot didn't have any say in this.

"Jack, put it away," Spot said before Jack had even pulled the knife into the open.

"You stay out of it," Jack retorted coldly.

"That's enough," Spot warned him. He was standing now, his cigarette long since forgotten.

"You either shut up or get out," Jack said with more than just a casual threat to his voice.

"You're gonna listen to what I gotta say first," Spot said evenly.

Jack clenched his fist around the handle of the knife, but didn't pull it out. There was no good reason why he should've listened to Spot, but Jack wasn't exactly operating on reason at the moment. "Talk fast."

With deliberate slowness and a wisp of a smile on his face, Spot spoke, "He ain't it."

-

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A/N:

"Welsher" (also seen as "welcher")- slang from mid 19th cen, meaning (paraphrasing) someone who breaks a deal in a not nice way.

Anyone know any good period slang? I have become fascinated and must put more in!

Up next: laughs maniacally You'll just have to wait and see.
Thank you for reading! And if you get a chance, please let me know what you think :0) .

Ler Shoutouts:

Just Groovy Yea tension! I had no clue if I pulled it off semi-decently, but I am so glad that it came across. I love reading what you pick up on, it makes writing the details so much more fun. Thank you for your lovely review, my dear. They make me so happy to read :0) I hope you liked this chapter !

Danielle Thank you for reading and for your review :0)

B Hehe, Blink might not be getting to sleep as soon as expected....and the bad week is far from over....( I really shouldn't be giggling madly when I type that, never a good sign) On an unrelated note: You totally rock ( I have to say that at least once a shoutout or it just doesn't feel complete ;0) )

Gothic Author I actually typed "Gothic Auror" first (I think I've been exposed to a little too much Harry Potter ;0) ) Hehe intrigue is uber good for the soul, especially when newsie related ;0) More definitely coming soon...and I mean it this time ;0)

Owl Haha, yes, quite like Spot.very perceptive. More will come out about them, but not much more with Greene in person, that was his big scene. Thank you for your wonderful reviews, I hope you like this chapter, let me know what you think :0)

Braids Well thank you! I always read stories and swear I review them and then find out I didn't. I think it is the work of stealthy review stealers. :0) I hope you enjoyed the update!

Jenn C Anything I want? Excellent. Thank you for your kind words, as always :0)

GCRoxmySox- Hehe, I won't be stopping mwhahahah cough cough I have to stop laughing maniacally, it's hard on the lungs ;0) Thanks for letting me know how you liked the story, I hoped you like this chappie.

Plaidnsuspendahs Well thank you :0) BTW, would your name be in reference to out favorite short newsie? That rocks :0) Thank you so much for reviewing. I hope you enjoyed the update!