Disclaimer: Not mine. I own nothing. Don't kill me.

A/N: Again I have updated! Joy to the world! Peace to all men! Halleluiah!

Yay.

I have amazing news! I watched the latest version of Oliver Twist! Which actually isn't that bad. It's a bit more factual and acurate than the musical, but I am a loyal Oliver! watcher, so I can't elaborate on that. But Oliver and Charlie are brilliant. I still can't decide which Dodger is better, Jack Wild or Harry Eden. They're both so lovely.

Ahem.

I like this chapter. It has loads of Charlie in it. He's so fun to write. And there's a cute moment between Dodger and Lettie, and a new character, and more of sneaky evil Tom Doyle, and Nancy finally enters...

You know what, why don't you just read it?

There were many things that the young Master Charlie Bates was afraid of. Of course, he would never admit it – oh dear me no, to the outside world, he was just as brave as Dodger. Only, as he would often say, with a more cautious, sensible nature.

Which, as Dodger put it, just meant that he was a coward that would never jump into danger unless someone was holding a gun to his head.

Charlie preferred to say that he was interested in self-preservation.

But anyway, let us get on.

There were indeed many things that the young Master Charlie Bates was afraid of. He was afraid of the traps. He was afraid of getting scragged. He was afraid of Bill Sykes. He was afraid – though if you ever repeat this, he'll deny it profusely – of the dark. Bullseye could send him into a slight panic, the lads at the Three Cripples could alarm him at times, and he had vowed to never be in a room alone with Tom Doyle, for fear of his blood pressure. He could get a little afraid of Fagin, could get a little nervous around Nancy, and would sometimes ever become a little wary around Dodger.

But there was one thing that he had long ago decided never to be afraid of. The one thing that he had decided that yes, he was never ever going to be in anyway scared of. A short, sullen little creature with hair that had never been brushed and a face that had never been washed. Oh yes, he, Charlie Bates, was not going to be scared by Lettie Hackdown.

So why had he backed into a wall, almost shaking in his boots, to get away from the girl?

Self-preservation, as we have said, of course. After all, the girl did not look happy. And that shopping basket was looking pretty threatening.

"But Lettie!" Charlie whined, back up against the wall of the Three Cripples, "I don't like shopping!"

Ah yes. Another one of Charlie Bates' fears. Shopping.

"I don't care!" Lettie snapped, reaching up and grabbing Charlie by the lapels on his coat, "Fagin said I need an escort to look after me in town, and I'm damn well gonna have one!"

"You don't need an escort! You're so….tough, and defensive and very, very scary!" Charlie blurted out, trying to edge away from the girl, "And why d'you need me? Take someone else! Take Jamie, or Baccy, or….ow!" He yelped as Lettie yanked him back to his original position, "Or Dodger! Take Dodger! I'm sure he'd love to come with you!"

Lettie jammed her hands on her hips, "Charlie, I need to get this food for you lot, or you're all gonna starve. Jamie's on the job, Baccy's nowhere to be found, and Dodger's still being a complete and utter louse!"

"I'm always a complete and utter louse," Charlie said demurely, folding his hands behind his back.

"Don't I know it," Lettie growled, "Look, you're coming with me, whether you like it or – HEY!"

Charlie was running, sprinting as fast as he could go. He was running as fast as the wind, as fast as a bolt of lightning, as fast as his legs could take him. He was speeding, dodging, ducking around the patrons of the Three Cripples. He was rapid, swift, like a flash, running at a rate of knots, running speedily to the door…..

And suddenly completely stationary.

Charlie was beginning to wonder why he was dangling three feet off the floor.

Tom Doyle smiled charmingly as Charlie began struggling from under his arm, "Miss Lettie, I believe this belongs to you?"

Charlie had never seen Lettie change from scowling to smiling in such a short period of time, "Oh….um…..yeah….that…that's mine….he's…he's meant to be helping me…."

Tom shook Charlie hard enough to hurt, "Shame on you, Charlie!" He said jovially, "You should always be willing to help a lady!"

"Yeah…." Charlie snarled, "I notice you're always helping them….undress, that is."

Tom dropped Charlie so suddenly that the boy hit the floor with a crash, "I would be most delighted to help out any young lady of such beauty and charm, were it not for the fact that I am unfortunately called away on business," He doffed his hat and sauntered off, winking at Lettie as he went.

Charlie struggled up and stared, disbelievingly at Lettie, who was staring into the distance, eyes slightly glazed over, with a large grin on her face, "I don't believe you," He groaned.

----

"Uh……Lettie?"

"Yeah?"

"I know I'm not a complete expert on shopping and all that, but….."

"What?"

"Why the hell are we outside a dress shop?"

Lettie shot him an exasperated look, "Honestly, Charlie. Why d'you think?"

Charlie stayed still for a second, before he leapt back, eyes wide, hands outstretched, "Oh no. OH no. You're not getting me in that shop. Not for nuffin'. We're meant to be food shopping, Lettie. FOOD SHOPPING!" He clasped his hands pleadingly, "Remember? You NEED to get this food before we all STARVE, Lettie, STARVE!"

Lettie sighed petulantly, peering into the window, "I know….but Nancy said I needed a new dress and I had to come here today to get one."

"You hate Nancy! Why are you suddenly listening to her?"

"Because I do…..besides, it's a toss up between going clothes shopping and food shopping, and I want to get a new dress."

Charlie looked at her disbelievingly, "That means it's a toss up between annoying Nancy and annoying Fagin."

"I'd definitely prefer annoying Fagin to Nancy."

Charlie kicked the side of the pavement, scowling, "I hate clothes shopping."

Lettie smiled sweetly, "I know. That's why I brought you."

"You little –"

"Well, it was a choice between you and Dodger, and really – "

"Fightin' with the lads again, are we Let?"

Lettie folded her arms and glowered up at the lovely Miss Nancy, "So?" She grumbled.

Nancy raised her eyebrows at the girl, "No need to get so snappy, Lettie. Still sore from that last spat with Dodger, eh?"

"No. What did you want me here for, anyway?"

Nancy smiled cheerfully, "Wanted to introduce you to your new best friend," She beamed.

"Sorry?"

Nancy patted Lettie on the shoulder, "Being cooped up with those boys all the time can't be good for a young 'un like you, Let. So I found you a friend," She indicated to the girl standing next to her, "Cordelia, say hullo to Lettie, will you?"

Cordelia smiled and waved at Lettie. The girl was Lettie's age, but willowy – extremely tall and thin, with long brown hair that swung gently about her waist. She was pale, in an extremely elegant way that outshone Lettie's blanched white skin, and freckles thinly decorated her high cheekbones. Her thick black eyelashes slanted upward, and her dark eyes were flecked slightly with gold. She wore a deep velvet green dress that sucked in her waist and flared out around her leather boots. She was a complete contrast to the small and messy Lettie.

Lettie opened her mouth and then shut it. She opened and shut it again. She swallowed and turned to Charlie for support, only to discover that the boy was staring at Cordelia in the exact same way, but with a tad less panic and a smidgen more joy in his stare.

Lettie closed her eyes and groaned quietly.

----

"Nancy, who is that girl?"

"A sister of a friend. Why did you look so shocked when you saw her?"

"Apart from the fact that she looks like she stepped out of the fairy court, you mean? And her name! Where did she get that from?"

"Lettie, it's a nice name. And she's a pretty gel. I'd think you'd be happy."

"And did you see the way Charlie was gawping at her! He's not s'pose to like girls yet! How come he stares at her?"

"Because she's pretty."

"Okay, I get it…..OW! Don't pull so tight!"

"Stop being such a baby, Lettie….It's the only way you'll fit into a corset."

"I s'pose Cordelia doesn't even need one of these bloody contraptions….She looks half-starved!"

"She's slim, Lettie."

"Well, someone should feed her something...Stop pulling!"

"Put your arms up Lettie, I can barely fit this thing on you!"

"I know how to dress myself Nancy, you don't have to help."

"Yes, I do…..you'll tear it if you don't watch out!"

"This petticoat is tangling…..Nancy, all these straps are getting in the way!"

"Stop squirming you little wretch! Ah…..there you go."

"I can barely breathe! Nancy!"

"It's the latest fashion."

"It's the latest fashion to be asphyxiated?"

"No stupid, the dress. Don't you want a look at yourself?"

"I'll look stupid."

"No you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"No you don't."

"Yes I……No I don't."

"See?"

'….'

"It doesn't look bad, does it?"

"I look….I look like one of them actresses on stage. Or one of your dancers at the Three Cripples."

"Um...that's good Lettie."

'….'

"I bet Cordelia would look better in this."

"Lettie!"

"Well, she would!"

"That's it……sit down and shut up."

"What're you doing back there – OW!"

"I'm brushing your hair. God knows you need it."

"You're ripping my hair out!"

"If Cordelia can cope with it, so can you."

"…..Damn you."

"I love you too, Lettie."

"What've you done?"

"Tied your up with some ribbons."

"They're pretty."

"They should be. Tom Doyle bought 'em for you."

"…….Oh."

----

"Don't you dare laugh," Lettie muttered as she hid behind the kitchen door, "But I'm coming out."

Charlie waited five seconds after Lettie appeared before doubling over with laughter.

"I knew it!" Lettie wailed, diving behind the curtain, "I knew you'd laugh!"

"Oh gawd!" Charlie yelped, collapsing against Baccy, "Look at her togs! Look at her...Oh, my eye! She looks like a right toff! Quite the little lady! Oh, hold me someone while I laughs it out! Oh lord, what fun it is!"

Lettie scowled, and, reaching behind the window sill, grabbed hold of a tile which she threw straight at Charlie's head. This did not, in fact, quieten Master Bates, but sent him into a louder fit of laughter than his first.

"Spruced up alright, didn't she?" Jamie said admiringly, folding his arms, "Nancy bought all that for you with the money from the latest job, did she?"

Lettie paused for a second before nodding, "Yeah," She walked out from the curtain, causing Charlie to fall to the floor and kick his feet in his mirth, "Shut up Charlie."

"All done up, and looking like a lady," Charlie snickered, stuffing his 'kerchief into his mouth, "Oh, my life, my life! She does look proper! Oh, Fagin, look at her!" He cried, leaping to his feet, "Do look at her; it is the most jolly sight I have seen in my life! I can't bear it; it is such a jolly game I simply cannot bear it!"

"Quiet it down, Charlie!" Lettie pleaded, collapsing into a chair, "Shush, and go back to dreaming about Cordelia!"

"Ah, and there's the step at the door," Charlie said loudly, "And it's the Artful for sure; for he hasn't arrived yet, and what a pity! He'll miss out on all the fun and games! Do go and let him in Fagin, for I can't let him go without seeing Lettie all done up like this."

"Don't you dare!" Lettie yelled, scrambling to her feet, "Don't let 'im in Fagin, he'll tease me so much for sure!"

"You cannot avoid him until you grow out of that dress, my dear," Fagin reminded her calmly.

"Watch me!" The girl hissed, "I'll just hide here until…AH!" She squealed as she fell over Charlie's outstretched foot and went tumbling to the floor, just as Dodger entered the room.

The boy looked at her for a second, "Cor," He muttered, "Who done you up so nice, Lettie?"

"Shut up," Lettie hissed, walking up to the fire and stirring the pot in an aggravated manner, "I've only just had to deal with him."

"Oh. That had to be hard."

"It was," Lettie grumbled sullenly, "Pass me that salt. And I got a new best friend today."

Dodger shrugged, passing her the salt, "Oh. Huh. Why d'you sound so unhappy 'bout it then?"

"Cos I don't like her."

"That defeats the whole idea of being best friend's with her then, don't it? It ain't Tom Doyle then?"

Lettie flushed, "No, it ain't."

Dodger's countenance brightened noticeably, "Oh. That's good then. What's the matter with this girl then?"

Lettie jerked her head to the opening door, "See for yourself," She grumbled as Nancy, and Cordelia walked through the door.

Dodger made an interested face, "She's pretty."

Lettie glowered at him sourly, "Oh, you think so?"

Dodger nodded, smirking, "Yeah."

Lettie sighed, and looked over at where Charlie was now talking animatedly to an interested looking Cordelia, "Urgh," She grumbled, "Look at the smitten look on her face!"

"I was going to say that he was the smitten looking one," Dodger intoned, "Don't half look disgusting, don't it?"

"'S horrible."

"I'm never going to end up like that."

"Nope. Me neither."

Lettie looked up and beamed at Dodger, who returned a slightly crooked grin in return, "About that stupid Doyle….."

"Oh, you should have seen her face!" Nancy's carrying voice reached the pair, "Like she'd just been shot!"

"She does look darling, don't she?" Cordelia's voice was rich, musical, "And those ribbons suit her so terribly. Did you say Tom Doyle bought 'em for her?"

Lettie swallowed and looked up at Dodger. Her beaming smile was the same as it had been a moment ago, except with a slight uneasiness.

"You know...the funniest thing happened today..." She began.

A/N: Cackle. Oh, I do so love writing Dodger-Lettie-Doyle love triangles. Which, as time goes on and the kids get older into their teens, are gonna get more and more interesting.

Aw, and Charlie's got a crush on Cordelia! I'm not trying to make you hate her, honest, she's a very nice character. Just a little too...perfect.

And now, thankyous to... Vechababe (Yeah, Tom Doyle is not a nice guy. He gets worse as time goes by, too. But no, Lettie isn't trying to get Dodger jealous...yet, at least. And yeah, Harry Eden's too cool for words) vionette (Yeah, fanfic is so easy to get addicted to. And I have to agree, the book is pretty hard to read unless you're a serious bookworm. But I reckon Dodger would seriously screw up his love life. Over. And over. And over again) touchnotthecat (Dude, you're back! START YOUR FIC AGAIN!) GarenRuyMaxwell (Yeah, I'm trying to be historically accurate. Besides, it's so freaking hard writing little kids that I have to old them up a little bit) jumanji (Aw. I send you virtual chocolates and ice for your poor hand) Ericketiting (Everyone loves Charlie. He's adorable) thewannabedwarf (Witty banter rocks. It's so easy to write.) QueenoftheBadgers (HELLO! You and your long, rambling and off-the-point reviewsd are back! I know, the prostitution bit is just...horribly to think about. But it works. And I LOVE writing Charlie and Dodger. They're both so adorable. Plus writing jealous Dodger and sneaky Tom is just...fun.) and SugarPeaches (Yay! I feel so loved.)

And that was...long. Get on reviewing. REVIEW! And eat a lot of Easter Egg chocolate.

HAPPY BELATED EASTER, EVERYONE!

Quick extra note: On another completely different note, as I am completely bored at the moment, can someone give me some Oliver Twist challenges please? I just need something to write about when I'm not adding on to this.