Chapter 2

I don't own any of the characters from Ripper Street, except for Daisy and Mr Singleton

The rest of the pub watched the door close behind him and then turned to look at Jackson and Daisy.

"Well darlin'." He told her, reinserting his revolver into his waistcoat and turning to look at her. 'Ya got gumption I'll give ya that one." He smirked, tipping the brim of his hat at her.

Again she blushed. "Who was that man?"

"Oh Carmichael, he's the leader of one of the biggest gangs in Whitechapel.

"So he's a big deal?"

"Erm, somethin' like that, but you don't have to worry too much."

Homer Jackson sat back at his table and sipped whiskey until Daisy finished her shift. She hummed to herself as she whipped the bar surface down and hung up her apron, before returning with her coat. She pulled it on and did up the tiny little buttons before setting about pinning her hat into place, when a drunken American drawl called out to her from the corner of the pub.

The sound of it caused Daisy to jump and stab herself with a hatpin. She spun around to face the direction in which it came from and saw the American who had protected her earlier still sitting there. Glass in one hand and cigarette in his mouth.

She had assumed he had left long ago with the rest of the punters.

"Oh 'eck Sir, you did startle me." She told him.

"Well I'm sorry to do that to ya. Just wondered if ye cared to have some company walk ye home? Those be awful dangerous streets late at night for a pretty maiden such as yerself to be goin' about wonderin'." He informed her.

"I don't live far Sir."

"Even so a young lady shouldn't be walking these streets alone. Not after all these killings that have been happenin' as of late.'

She finally pinned her hat into place. "I don't know who ye are Sir?" She questioned cautiously.

"Names Jackson, Captain Homer Jackson. Homer to you darlin'." He introduced himself trying to stand up and swaying slightly.

"I'm Daisy, Daisy Lawson. Pleasure to meet you…Homer." She gave him a small curtsy.

"Pleasures all mine." He reached out and kissed the back of her hand. She suppressed a small giggle behind a small, petite, delicate hand. "Shall we?" He held out an arm to her and she threaded a thin one through it.

She looked up and they strolled through the night-time streets of the East End of London, which were dimly lit by gaslights. The air was chilled, causing little puffs of air to escape their mouths. Jackson paused a second to light up, causing his face to be briefly lit before the match died. He tossed it away and they continued their stroll.

A youngish girl approached them the other way. Short, petite, with wavy brown hair pinned up under her hat.

"Evenin' Mr Jackson, shall I expect ye company later sir?" She smirked.

"Not tonight Rose and tell Susan to get off my ass. I bid ye goodnight. Be careful." He tipped his hat at her.

She gave him a small curtsy, before scowling at Daisy and scurrying off.

"It seems a certain Mr Jackson is rather popular with other women is he not?" Daisy turned and have him a questioning look.

She saw him flush slightly.

"Comes with the territory ma'me, although ye need not worry about them. Now lets get ye home shall we?"

They walked along the main street for a bit longer, before reaching a side street and diving down it until they reached a small boarding house.

"This is where I bid ye goodnight Mr Jackson." Daisy told him.

They stood facing one another, the moonlight highlighting his face, almost caressing it. It seemed to make his eyes twinkle.

"Then I shall bid ye good night then Miss Lawson."

He lent in and gave her a small soft kiss on the cheek before pulling away. She could smell the whiskey and cigarette smoke on his breath as his whiskers gentle grazed her cheek, leaving a patch there that felt as though she had been branded with a red hot poker.

"You never told me what ye do?" She suddenly asked, looking back up at him.

"Something's maybe better left unsaid." He grinned, tipped his hat at her and walked off into the night. The faint tapping of his shoes, echoing downs the cobbled street as he whistled to himself.

Hope you're all enjoying what you read. Things start to get going in the next chapter :D