Wow I'm so teribly sorry for the long wait! I guess the Newsies kick wore off for a bit, causing me to shut down any writing. Anyway, thank you to everyone who helped pull me back in, as a reward I made this one nice and long! Oh, and if you haven't already, go see The Dark Knight. Christian and Heath are amazing!!
Anyone of Us
Chapter Eight
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone you recognize, I'm not making any money off this. It's all for fun, blah blah blah.
Harriet broke away first and turned. Now the wall which she was previously against was to her side. She stared at Jack with raised eyebrows waiting for an explanation. Should she be angry? Feel violated? Slap him? She felt none of these things. Surprised, yes. Shocked, yes. But in no way did she fear for her life.
"We'se going to collect ya stuff", was all he said, sauntering ahead of her placing his cowboy hat back on his head. "I'se wanted it to kinda be a surprise."
Harriet tilted her head and opened her mouth to say something. Pure shock caused her to close it again. Was that all he had to say to her? After all that? No, she decided. She wasn't going anywhere until they had a talk. She leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms, staring at him coolly.
"Wat?"
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
"Why not? I'se doing dis for you ya know."
"Well that's all very sweet, but I'm still not going. Not yet anyway."
"Where do ya wanna go den?"
She didn't care, on the street was fine. Unless they got into a blow out argument no one would be the wiser.
"Jack, what was that about?"
"What?"
"Yesterday's evening edition. Don't fake it, you know damn well what!"
"I'se nevah heard a goil cuss before. Youse a little spitfire."
"Stay on topic please," Harriet countered uncrossing her arms. Someone had to take charge here, and it sure as hell didn't look like it was going to be him.
Jack shrugged. "You wanted it?" he tried.
Harriet shook her head no. It was the last thing on her mind.
"I'se wanted it?"
She shrugged. Maybe, who was she to say what he did or didn't want?
"Look, Jack. I'm not mad or anything, but you just don't come right out and kiss a girl, especially without knowing why."
Ah, you're not mad.. Wanna do it again? "I'se sorry."
Harriet bit back a smile and took a few steps closer to where he now stood. "It's perfectly fine. Besides, some girls go through many, many years waiting for this kind of bait to hold over a man. I just got mine early is all."
"What kinda bait?" Jack asked, rubbing his face.
"Oh you'll see" she replied patting his shoulder and skipping ahead. Had Jack been experienced, he would have seen that in truth, Harriet had absolutely no idea.
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"Ja-aackk, how much further?" Harriet whined fanning herself with her hands. "It feels like we've been at this foreverrr."
Jack grunted. She was right, but the day the great Jack Kelly admitted his idea probably wasn't the best meant the day the Earth exploded. "I'se don't know.. You tell me."
"I'm not the one leading this expedition."
"Dis what?"
"This.. adventure."
"Doll, dis is ya territory. I ain't nevah been to Joisey."
"I ain't, I mean I've never been hiking it in the dark."
I hate walking! Harriet thought bitterly. Whoever invented feet was a real a-hole.
"Jackkk" she tried again, "Maybe we should just ask somebody!"
"Nah, we'se don't need to. Ever'thing is fine."
"Is not!" she argued running up to him. "We're lost and you know it."
"We are not lost. We know 'xactly where we are... We ju't don't know wha' everyting else is. We'se don't needs help, we ain't stupid."
"No I never said we were, but please Jack. I'm cold, I'm tired, and I want to get this over with."
"Want me to carry ya?"
Harriet stiffened. She may be tired, but she wasn't weak. "That's not what I meant!"
Jack chuckled, it was fun to rile her up. "Are all youse richies like dat?"
"Like...what?"
"Easy to, aw excuse me, but piss off?"
She shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure. Men, maybe. The stress of having to provide for a family and work non stop. Women, I suppose having to marry into the right type of family and produce the kids. I guess so, yes" she agreed.
"What about you?" he asked, as they turned onto Grace Ave, Harriet leading by instinct.
"What about me?" she echoed.
"Are you easy to piss off?"
"What do you think?"
Jack grinned. "I'se think no way. But I'se do t'ink you use your uh, position to keep everyone gone."
"Gone?"
"Away."
"I mean, youse easy to tawk to when youse guard is down. I like dat."
Harriet never even realized it. Did she really keep a wall up with him? She didn't think so, she was only trying to... protect herself.
"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, "I'm sorry if I've been rude or cruel. I didn't even realize it."
"Youse think I'd leave ya, huh?"
"No!"
He looked at her gently.
"Maybe... a little."
"Youse one of us now, we'se family. I ain't going nowhere, I promise."
"Wow," Harriet shook her head and smiled, trying to lighten up the somber mood they had created. "Good to know we'll never be alone."
Jack smiled and nodded and resumed walking with her.
"Oh, by the way Kelly?"
"Hmm?"
"That kiss wasn't half bad."
