disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with The Black Donnellys.

Later that night, Teddy was playing cards with her mom at home, "Ma, can I ask you a question?"

"Anything."

"Was dad a good dancer?"

"Where did that come from?" Helen looked shocked.

"I've just been thinking about him lately and wondering."

Helen smiled, "He danced well enough. You may not remember this, but when you were little he would put on the radio and have you stand on his feet. Then he would dance with you around the living room like you and he were in the fanciest ballroom ever."

"Really?" Teddy was shocked; her mother didn't usually talk that much about her father.

Helen nodded, but Teddy could see sadness in her eyes. When he was killed, Helen went into a deep depression and she hadn't been the same since then.

Helen might not be the easiest woman to live with at times, but her children would defend her to the death.

"There's this father/daughter dance at school and I can't go because dad's not here."

"I see." Helen smirked, "I'm guessing that's the dance that Tommy told me you got into a fight with that Gabriella girl for?"

Teddy just nodded; she didn't want to say anything that would set her mother off about the fight again.

"Maybe we can do something that night if you don't plan on going."

"Well, I was going to ask one of the guys to go but I don't want to hurt any of their feelings. Plus I don't know if any of them can dance."

"I believe they all can, but instead of asking just one of them why don't you ask all of them to go."

"Do you think they will say yes?"

Helen laughed, "You think they could say no to you?"

Teddy giggled, "I don't think they ever have."

Helen got a dreamy look in her eyes, "Your brothers treat you like your father did. He used to say when you first smiled at him you stole his heart. He said everyone would know you were a Donnelly and proud to be Irish because you wore it in your eyes." She looked directly at Teddy, "He told your brothers that it was their job to keep an eye on you and to always keep you safe."

"Sometimes they're a little too protective."

"I know they can be, but they know how bad the streets can be and they don't want to see you get hurt."

"I know, ma, and I love them for it. Most of the time." She got up, "Is it ok if I go down to the Firecracker? I want to ask them about the dance."

"Go ahead and since you don't have school tomorrow why don't you walk home with them."

Teddy kissed Helen's cheek, "Thanks mom."

When Teddy got to the bar she rounded up her brothers, "I need to talk to all of you."

Jimmy yelled, "I can't leave the bar."

She looked around and yelled for Joey. He walked over to her, "Whatcha' need sweetie?"

Teddy gave him a dirty look, "I need you to watch the bar so I can talk to my brothers. If you even think of stealing anything, I will kick your ass myself."

He nodded and went behind the bar.

Teddy took her brothers downstairs, "I want to tell you what has been bothering me."

"Guilt because you took my shirt again without asking?" Shawn laughed

"I don't ever feel guilty about stealing your clothes." She slapped him playfully, "This is serious. They are having that stupid father/daughter dance at school and for obvious reasons I wasn't going to go." They all got quiet as Teddy continued, "I talked to ma and she suggested what I was already thinking."

"What?" Jimmy asked.

Teddy could tell that her brother was getting impatient, so she continued, "I want to know if you guys want to go with me? I understand if you don't…"

Sean stood up, "I'll be happy to go."

"Anything for you." Kevin kissed her cheek.

Tommy smiled, "It's about time you told us what was going on. Of course I'll go."

The three of them looked at Jimmy and went upstairs to relieve Joey.

Teddy turned to Jimmy, who was leaning up against a table, "How about you, will you come."

"I don't dance very good with my leg and all."

"I want you to come."

"The other three are going you don't need me."

She shook her head, "I want you there and I'll always need you. You're my big brother."

"I don't know."

"Please Jimmy. You don't have to dance just come. Please."

"Ok, you know I can't say no to you. I never could."

"Thank you! Thank you!" She gave him a huge hug, "Will you still come with me to get a dress?"

"Of course, you think I want other men looking at you while you try on dresses? I don't think so."

"I love you, Jimmy."

"I love you too. I remembered something today you may be interested in."

"What?"

"I remembered that dad used to call you his little spitfire."

"Why?"

"Because of your Irish temper. When you were little and didn't get your own way you would throw a temper tantrum."

"I would?"

"Yep, he used to tell me that when you older you would have a temper like mine and I was to watch over you. When he died…" Jimmy wiped his face quickly, "I promised I would watch over you and so did our brothers."

"I know ma told me. I'm sorry I'm a pain in the ass at times."

"You wouldn't be a Donnelly if you weren't."

Teddy smiled at Jimmy, "Enough of this mussiness let's get back up there."

"Yea, Joey probably robbed me blind by now."

When they got to the top of the stairs Jimmy put his arm around Teddy's shoulders.

She put her arm around his waist, "You leg is bothering you, isn't it?"

"No, not really."

"Liar, I know you better then that."

"It doesn't hurt."

"Ok, whatever you say shortie." Teddy moved fast to get out of his reach, "Ma said I could stay till you guys leave, so teach me to tend bar."

"Ok, but not flirting."

"Whatever you say, boss."

Teddy had been working the bar for about two hours when an old family friend came into the bar. Teddy jumped over the bar and gave him a hug, "Freddy, it's been a long time."

"To long, sweetie, way to long."

Teddy kept her arm around him and walked him to a stool that was occupied by Joey, "Joey, move."

"I was here first."

"I'm only warning you once, move or I move you."

Joey got up, "You Donnellys think you own the whole world."

Jimmy yelled over, "I do own the bar, so move."

Teddy stuck her tongue out at him and Freddy sat down. When she was sitting Teddy climbed back over the bar, "What're you drinkin', Freddy?"

"Scotch neat and none of the watered down crap your brother tries to pass off on his other customers."

Teddy laughed and gave him his drink, "So what do ya know?"

"I know that there is buzz around the kitchen about you and Charlie Caterro in a car."

Teddy blushed, "This place is full of old women who don't know how to keep their mouths shut."

"Is it true?"

"Uh, well…" Before she got a chance to answer Huey Farrell walked in and up to the bar, "Theodora, we need to talk."

She didn't look at him, "It's Teddy and I'm working."

Huey walked to the end of the bar and in a more stern voice said, "Theodora Ann…"

"Donnelly, I know. I'm coming." She looked at Jimmy and he waved his hand for her to go, so she did.

Huey walked her out to the back alley, "What did you think you were doing?"

Teddy leaned up against the door, "What do you mean, Huey?"

"I mean with Charlie, what were you doing?"

She smiled, "Makin' out, why?"

Huey looked at her and shook his head, "Do not get smart with me little girl. Your father would not have appreciated you talking to me like that. I thought your brothers would have taught you better. Didn't they teach you any respect?"

"Yes they did."

"Then why aren't you showing me any?"

Teddy turned her face away from him, "Sorry Uncle Huey, I didn't do nothin' with Charlie. Tommy stopped us before we could do anything."

"Are you lying to me?"

"No, I wouldn't do that. I know better then to do that."

Huey smiled, "You are beginning to act more and more like Jimmy everyday, that ain't good."

Teddy looked at him shocked, "Why not?"

"Jimmy has a smart-mouth too and it gets him in more and more trouble." Huey put his arm around her shoulders, "I have smoothed things over with Nicky and Charlie. We all agreed that the two of you won't see each other anymore."

"I already told Tommy…" She remembered what he had said about respect. Teddy nodded, "Ok, whatever you say, Uncle Huey."

"Good girl. Now go back to your brothers."

Teddy headed back in the bar and held her head high until she got to Jimmy.

Freddy look at Teddy, "So what did Huey have to say?"

Jimmy didn't notice that Teddy was upset until Freddy pointed it out, "What's wrong?"

Teddy shook her head, "Nothing he only wanted to talk."

Jimmy waved Tommy over, "You talk to her. Huey had a word with her outside and now she won't tell me what is going on."

Tommy took her out from behind the bar.

Teddy looked up at him, "Tommy, I'm sorry if I don't show you enough respect when the time calls for it."

He sat her down at a table in the back and called Kevin and Sean over, "Ok, spill it."

Kevin looked at Teddy, "What's with the look?"

"That's what I'm trying to find out, spill it."

"Huey found out about Charlie and me. He said he smoothed things over with Nicky, so everything is ok." She sat back and crossed his arms.

"You're not going to tell us are you?"

She shook her head, "Nope, you'll get mad at me."

Sean stood up next to her, "No, we won't."

"You won't, but her will." She pointed to Tommy.

"Tommy, you need to stop being so critical of her. She never wants to talk to you because you always flip out." Kevin was attempting to be logical.

"Shut up, Kevin. Tell me what happened to upset you and I promise I won't get mad."

"I had a smart-mouth with Huey so he put me in my place, that's all."

"So Huey said something to upset you?"

"Yep, he said that he thought you had taught me more about be respectful."

"He said this because you had a smart-mouth?"

"Yep."

"Ok." Tommy got up and walked away.

Teddy smiled, "That was easy. If he took everything like that maybe I would tell him more."

Kevin shook his head, "He's going to blow, just not yet."

Teddy looked at Sean, "I want to go home, will you walk with me?"

Sean looked at Teddy, then at a girl giving him the eye in the corner and then back to Teddy, "I guess so."

"No, you go entertain your friend." She turned to her other brother, "Kevin?"

"I don't have girls falling at my feet, so let's go." Kevin took her hand and she stood up.

Teddy went over to the bar, "Jimmy, Kevin's walking me home. I'll see you later."

"Ok, 'night." He turned toward her, "Is tomorrow ok with you to go pick out a dress?"

"Ok." She grabbed onto Kevin's arm and they walked home.