Terry was sitting in the window watching the snow fall in big flakes. One booted foot was on the ledge with her hands clasp around her knee. The other leg dangled down toward the floor. She seemed to be lost in some little world of her own.

Actor studied her, watching the play of gray hued lights on her face. He set the last piece of purloined typing paper in front of him and picked up the piece of charcoal from the fireplace that he was using to draw with. Quickly he sketched in the rough outline of the girl and the window. His hand slowed as he started putting in the details. Luckily, the girl had fallen asleep and that gave him time to work more precisely. He wished he had real charcoals and artist's paper instead of the clumsy piece from the fireplace. He worked at it for an hour before putting the finishing touches on it.

About that time Casino came up to the table with a deck of cards. He glanced to see what Actor was doing and stopped short. Laying the deck of cards on the table, he walked around behind the Italian and looked over his shoulder. Actor studiously tried to ignore him. Casino found himself truly impressed with the con man's artistry.

Casino kicked at the sprawled foot of the sleeping Chief in the chair behind them. The Indian came awake with a start and shot an annoyed look at the safecracker. Casino motioned behind Actor's back for Chief to come take a look. The Indian rose and looked over Actor's other shoulder.

"Hey, Man, that's good!' said Chief in surprise.

"It's nothing," said the con man uncomfortably.

"That ain't nothing," said Casino.

Casino picked up a poker chip off the table and flipped it at Terry. She jerked awake, picked up the chip on her chest and gave Casino a dirty look. The safecracker's hand flashed out and he grabbed the picture away from the Italian.

"Give that back!" demanded an irate Actor, standing with enough force to knock the chair over.

Casino jumped out of reach.

"Casino!" said Terry sharply, "whatever that is, give it back to him! Now!"

Casino shook his head and walked over to her. He held the paper out and she took it from him with a look of annoyance. She came off the window ledge, kicking the safecracker in the backside with a booted foot. Terry glanced up at Actor, surprised to see him with drawn together lips avoiding her gaze. She looked down at the paper in her hand and stared. She shot a look back up at Actor and then to the piece of charcoal on the table.

"You did this with that?" she asked in awe.

He still avoided her gaze. Shrugging he said, "That is all I had. It is just some scratching."

"If this is scratching," said Terry, "what do you do with real charcoals?"

"It's nothing," objected the Italian. "Would you just give it back, Teresa?"

Garrison came to the door of his office, a look of annoyance on his face. "Will you guys keep it down?"

Terry started over to her brother, "Hey, look at this."

"Teresa!" barked Actor.

Craig looked at his second curiously. He had never seen the Italian looking embarrassed. He took the paper from Terry and studied it. "Damn, Actor, this is good." Craig was impressed at the detail and character in the picture. It had life and was definitely his sister.

"There's more of 'em," said Casino, reaching for scraps of paper on the table.

Actor's big hand slammed down on top of the papers. Chief had righted the fallen chair and Actor sat back down, hand remaining firmly on the sketches. Terry moved over to him and laid a hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly. "Let me see," she begged softly. He still refused to make eye contact with her. Terry reached down and took his wrist. He allowed her to pick it up.

As she spread the other scraps of paper out, he said, "It is just something I play around with. I don't know why you must make such an issue out of it."

"Maybe because they are damn good," suggested Chief.

Craig carefully laid the picture of Terry on the table. He leaned an arm on her shoulder and looked at the remaining sketches with her. There was one of the fireplace, another of the suit of armor, and one of Chief's hands caressing the switchblade. Craig remembered seeing the man doodling on paper before and throwing the scraps in the fireplace.

"And you've been throwing these away?" he said in disbelief.

Actor shrugged.

"Well don't throw the one of Terry away," said Craig sternly. "If you don't want it, I do."

Actor pushed it toward Garrison. He gathered up the rest of the pictures and got up, carrying them up the stairs.

"I gotta admit that's good," said Casino, pointing to the portrait.

Craig picked up the paper and headed back to his office. "Hey, Sis, next time you're in London, see if you can pick up a frame."

"Sure," replied Terry. "I think when we get a lull between storms it's time for another shopping trip." She had a sneaking little plan up her sleeve.

Terry tapped on the closed door to Actor's bedroom. "Who is it?" she heard. "It's Terry," she replied. "Can I come in?"

"Of course."

She opened the door and slipped inside, holding the package behind her back. She was quick enough to see him put something in his desk drawer and close it. He turned to her with a smile.

"And what is the reason for this pleasure?" he asked with a genuine smile.

Terry ambled up to him. "I wanted to wish you a happy birthday."

She was the first person today to do so. He had thought they had forgotten it. He should have known Terry would not forget. "Thank you, cara."

Terry bent down and kissed his forehead, bringing the package around to hand to him. He took it in surprise. "You did not have to do this," he said.

"Oh yes I did," said Terry smugly. "Open it."

He looked at her curiously and untied the string. Carefully opening the brown paper around the bundle, he stared in surprised delight. There were a box of artist charcoals, a box of pastels and two thick pads of artist's paper.

"I don't know anything about this stuff and I don't know if you work in color. I did the best I could. I hope it's all right," Terry said.

Actor looked up at her with a delighted grin. "Oh, these are more than all right. I have never had the chance to work with pastels before, or real charcoals."

"Yeah, well, don't you be throwing out the pictures. I want to see them," smiled Terry.

Actor set the bundle carefully on the desk. He stood up and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, Little One," he said. Terry tilted her head back and grinned up at him. He bent his head and gave her a quick hard kiss.

"You're very welcome," she said amused.

He released her and she stepped back to sit on the foot of his bed while he sat back in the chair.

"But where did you get these during wartime?" he asked.

Terry laughed, "Oh that was an experience. I took the Tube to SoHo."

"You went to SoHo by yourself?" exclaimed Actor, concerned.

"I had two switchblades on me," she shrugged. "But, boy was that eye opening."

Actor chuckled, "Never been to the seedy part of town with the homosexuals and transvestites?"

Terry shook her head. "No. Some of them make very good women."

Actor laughed.