A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! There is plenty more to come!


Being back in Manhattan was an adjustment – like putting on an old favorite dress that you forgot you owned.

All around her in Tibby's, people were laughing, talking, and joking. She knew this was just another night in Manhattan, but she felt so out of place. It felt wrong without Tumbler. She felt eyes on her.

She looked over at Skittery and saw him watching her, worried. She put on a fake smile, but by Skittery's expression, she knew he didn't buy it.

He rested his arm on the back of her chair and leaned in closer her. "You wanna get out of here?"

Adelaide rubbed her lips together and shook her head. "No, let's stay."

She could see the brief look of disappointment on Skittery's face before he nodded and moved his arm to around her.


Adelaide sat on the roof of the Elizabeth House, looking east. Over the rooftops, she could see the very top of one of the arches of the Brooklyn Bridge. Beyond that, she knew was Spot and his newsies in the Newsboys Lodging House on Poplar Street - no more tenement basement for them.

She found herself missing Brooklyn. She missed the familiarity and the routine. Manhattan was home – friendly and welcoming (at least her friends were), while Brooklyn was cold, but predictable.

"Hey," said a soft voice behind her.

She turned and saw Skittery climbing up the fire escape.

"Hi," she said, turning back towards Brooklyn. "If Miss Emily catches you here, she'll call the bulls."

"Eh." Skittery shrugged. "Everything okay?" He sat next to her, both their feet dangling off the edge.

Adelaide nodded.

"You've been kind of quiet tonight."

"It's been a big day," she said, looking down at the people passing on the street below.

Skittery put his arm around her. "I know it's hard without Tumbler."

Adelaide rested her head on his shoulder. "It was one thing living in Brooklyn when I wouldn't see him anyway. But being back here...where he should be…" She closed her eyes.

"We'll get him back, Aide," said Skittery.

"Just tell me everything's gonna be okay."

"Why?"

"Coz when you say it, I feel like it actually will be okay."

Skittery put his fingers under her chin and tilted her face up so she was looking at him.

He leaned in and softly pressed his lips against hers. Warmth flooded through him when he felt her kiss him back.

"Everything's going to be okay, Aide."

Adelaide rested her head on his shoulder, her forehead resting against his neck.