Authors Note: Ello there mates! So in the middle of me singing Oom Pah Pah, as I was jumping up on the table, and had a lovely encounter with the ground, HAHA thank goodness it was only rehearsal! Over spring break I will probably have a lot of updates

Hope you lot like this chapter!

Endless wait

Nancy walked to the Three Cripples slowly. She knew not to worry about Bill, but this was the first time he'd ever traveled so far. They needed the money, of that she was sure. Bill was in favor of the Gin these days. Almost in too much favor. It made him change, and she was constantly going to buy more Gin.

Bill was always angry, mostly at her. This was why this morning was very odd indeed. There was an air about him that she didn't trust. She loved him, but she couldn't deny her fear every time she saw him. Every time his hand would curl around hers she would flinch involuntarily; then casting him a fake smile she would return her hand to his.

Running to the fountain she stared at her reflection. The right side of her face sported a red hand print, but she had had worse. Oh so much worse. Her hands gripped into fists as she tried to fight back the memory that was invading her mind. The night Bill wouldn't stop. She had yelled at him for taking Charley on one of his jobs. Course she had yelled him before, but never had he seemed to feel guilty about it. She had seen the guilt in his eyes, and he nearly killed her for it.

But it was my fault. Nancy told herself. And he had been drinking.

The morning after, he had given her a string of pearls and soft words asking for forgiveness. She had given it to him, but things between them were different now.

She put her hands to her neck where the pearls should have been. They were gone now, in rage Bill had taken them and pawned them off for Gin.

No longer could she express herself freely around him without a fear of getting him angry.

"Why can't I learn to keep my damn mouth shut?" She whispered to her reflection. It stared back at her not having an answer. She sighed and continued her slow pace.

"Nancy! You're 'ere!" Bet smiled genuinely and embraced her best friend.

"'Ello Bet," Nancy smiled back, but it was far from true. She laughed darkly at herself at the thought of the last time her smile had actually been real. Bet misread the laugh and grasped her hand.

"Happy today?" Bet said curiously.

"Not at all." Nancy said.

Nancy envied the young girl now at her side. Bet had a soft and kind spirit. Nancy referred to her as an angel with her golden curls and sky blue eyes. Even though Bet had her own fair share of troubles; using her body and stealing to keep alive, it didn't bother her it seemed. She was always smiling, Nancy wondered if it was just a mask, and if it was, then she sure hid her pain flawlessly.

They entered the empty tavern and took a seat on the stools.

"Didn't know you were comin to work today." Bet said getting two glasses and setting them down.

HA! Work? Is that what she calls it? Nancy thought.

"I didn't come to work Bet. I came for drink." Nancy grabbed a Gin bottle and ignored the glasses bringing it strait to her mouth. She just about drank half the bottle before handing it to Bet.

"Nancy…" Bet said hesitantly. She could tell her friend was upset, for some reason Nancy was always troubled about something.

"Wot?" Nancy quietly looked down at her hands. They were rough and freezing.

Bet put her hand on her shoulder. "It's Bill ain't it?" with a weak nod Nancy stared at Bet with tears. "Don't worry so much Nance! 'E'll be alrigh'"

That's what everyone always told her. That's what he always told her!

He'll be alright. He'll be alright. He'll be alright.

"Oh yea! Well wot if 'e's not!" Nancy snapped shrugging off Bets hand. "I'm sick and tired of everyone thinkin' e's bloody invincible...'e's human jus like the rest of us! E' ain't bullet proof! " She couldn't help but think of him getting caught, and hung, or shot, or being put in the clink, or anything else that would kill him! Or take him away from her. She new it wasn't healthy but Bill was like her drug, she had to be with him or die.

"I'm sorry Nance." Bet said in a low voice.

Nancy just shook her head. "It's alright. You wouldn't understand anyway."

"Well, when is 'e supposed to be back?"

"Tomorrow night hopefully." Nancy answered.

"And wot you gonna do? Stay 'ere till then?" Bet replied putting her hands on her hips.

Nancy just laughed. "Course not! I'm doin wotever your doin."

And so they waited. They spent the day in the city. Pickin' a few pockets here and there just for fun. Nancy had wanted to visit the boy's at Fagin's but they were probably out on the job for today. She couldn't help but think that Bill wasn't coming home that night, and wouldn't be there in the morning either.

That night as she laid down on an empty bed her thoughts would not let her sleep. Nancy feared that if she closed her eyes, tormenting dreams would invade her mind. The sound of a gun shot, the sound of the clinks bars shutting with a loud thud...the drop.

Oh how she fantasized the life she wanted to have! The happy life! Bill as the toff who went to work at a respectable, safe job. She at home with children and maids. She would see him off for the day with kiss, and see him every afternoon when he came back from work. No worries, no thieving, no wondering if they would be able to eat that day without stealing.

Thinking about the boys made her even sorrier. She loved them all despite the fact they sometimes got on her nerves. She couldn't bear to think what their early upbringing would do to them. If she had the power, she would love to grant them a life of prudence and love. But that world did not exist. As far as Nancy new, they all were stuck in this life.

Course, she had to admit, it was exciting, the life she had.

Nancy took the last swig of the Gin before passing out on the bed.

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