"Miss Evelyn," Evie's personal maid began as she helped her out of her corset, "I seen you kissin' that boy at the front gate."

"Louise, don't start." Letting her breath escape after the boning released her, she felt as if she could crumple to the floor and fall asleep right there. "It's none of your business."

"Your granddaddy ain't gonna like you seein' him." Louise helped her into her nightshift. "If he finds out, your daddy's gonna hear about it when he gets home, an' all hell is gonna break loose."

"I love him."

"You'se just thinkin' that 'cuz you ain't found a decent fella yet."

"Goodnight, Louise." Evie closed the door and brushed her hair out, tying it back and staring at herself a moment in the mirror. Louise was right; her grandfather would have a fit if he ever found out about her and Blink. But she just didn't care.

She pulled on her sturdiest slippers, opening her bedroom door to hear Louise close her own in the servants' wing. Louise was always the last to go to bed.

Evie grabbed a light jacket and stepped out onto her balcony. Climbing down the lattice as she did when she was a child and read about in the romantic fairy tales, she scurried out the front gates and headed to her destination.

"Blink."

He stirred, hating when dreams woke him. He realized he'd fallen asleep in his clothes again, and his suspenders were twisted. Grumbling, he found a more comfortable spot for his head on the pillow and tried to fall asleep again.

"Blink." He turned over to face the window beside his bed, seeing the silhouette of a girl.

"What the hell?" His voice was rough, thick from sleep. "Evie?" He sat up, rubbing his eye and yawning.

"Come with me." She headed up the fire escape and onto the roof, where he followed a few steps behind.

"Evie, what's going on? Are you okay? It's late, what are you doing here?" He looked her over, her thin nightshift leaving little, if anything, to a teenage boy's imagination. "Did something happen?"

She shook her head, stepping to him and wrapping her arms about his neck. She kissed him, long and soft, and he had all the answers he needed.

He deepened the kiss, pulling her close to him and letting his hands explore the thin cloth separating skin from skin. He knew what was coming as she unhitched his suspenders and allowed himself to be pulled down with her to the cold, hard cement below them.

Blink took her with the little experience he'd had, watching her face carefully as she winced from the pain. She hadn't been expecting it to hurt as much as it did at first, but the pain soon melted away.

She pulled his face to hers, curling her fingers in the dirty-blond hair she loved so much. Evie sighed contentedly as he covered her face and neck in soft, sweet kisses, shed silent tears as he whispered.

"I love you, Evelyn."

"I love you, too."

It was over sooner than either of them would have liked, and Blink relaxed on top of her, resting his head in the crook of her neck and panting. His hands, balled so tightly in the skirt of her shift pushed up over her hips, loosened her grip as they both began to catch their breath.

After a few minutes had passed, Blink rolled over, buttoning his fly. Evie pushed her skirt back down and they both lay on their backs, staring up at the sky. Silence seemed to settle over the whole city like a heavy blanket.

The moon shone down, seemingly all-knowing, and Blink sighed. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back on the cement of the rooftop. Shaking his head, he spoke. "Zacharias Ezekiel Erickson."

Evie rolled onto her side, propping her head up on her hand. She took the sight of him in for a moment, then furrowed her brows as she realized what he'd said. "...What?"

"Zacharias Ezekiel Erickson. That's my name."

Morning light filled the dormitory of the Duane Street Newsboys Lodging House, and it being a Sunday, Kloppmann let the boys sleep in. Most of them, out of habit, rose at their normal time, and as they did, they all crowded around Blink's bunk.

"You think they..."

"'Course they did."

"I don't think they would."

"I'm surprised we didn't hear 'em."

"I did hear 'em."

"You'se a liar."

"So?"

Blink opened his eyes, confused by the sound of voices. "Dammit, what're you'se guys doin'? It's Sunday."

"A better question, Blinky my boy, would be what you're doin'." Racetrack smirked at him, his trademark cigar dangling from dry lips.

Blink looked over to see Evie curled beside him, asleep with her head resting serenely on his shoulder. He quickly snapped into reality, and pulled the blanket up to cover them both. "Mind yer own damn business, fellas," he said, and the boys scattered, snickering.

A/N: Longer chapter! Hooray! I know the scene with Blink and Evie makin' sweet sweet luuuuv was kind of... floofy... but I didn't want to make it too terribly graphic. Hope you guys like it... and I hope you all realize the importance of this chapter:)

Please R&R, it'll make me feel special. And I like feeling special. Har. -Layne

P.S. As much as I hate casting calls... I need a couple of girl characters to be Evie's friends. Rich girls, and such. I want them to have some significance, and I don't have the time right now to make up new characters. Sooo, if you want to lend me a character, send me a PM or give me a profile of her in a review. I assure you, you will be fully credited. :)