Chapter 35: A Bunch of Rubbish

A/N: OH my! A sweet fluffy chapter with a visit to Fagin's encased. But there are a few dark undertones mixed in. Enjoy!

Warning: Contains fluff and adorableness, and the mention of Bill's beatings.

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After a while, Nancy quietly slid out of bed and got dressed for the day. She left Bill's breakfast hot on the table before drawing her shawl up around her shoulders and slipping out into the chilly London morning. The sun seemed dreadfully deceiving as the temperature outside was absolutely frigid. She wouldn't be surprised if there was snow on the ground soon.

Nancy wandered through the streets, listening to the click of her boots on the cobblestones as they echoed eerily through the silent lanes. It seemed as if there wasn't a soul about in this part of town. That, of course, did not strike Nancy as particularly odd seeing as they lived in a place where work and all other villainous deeds were done in the black of night. Nancy winced heartily every now and again at the feel of her still bruised ribs. They were monstrously tender to the touch, and she wouldn't wonder if she hadn't broken something. She shook her head nonchalantly at the thought of Bill, poor man didn't know his own strength. Or at least...that's what she dared to hope. Finally Nancy made it to where she was going, and plodded up the steps to a wood bridge before knocking jubilantly on the door.

"Plummy and Slam!" she called the moment one of the boys let her in.

"So early my dear?" Fagin asked, squinting into the light as he emerged from his den. The other boys yawned in an irritated manner as they sat up and rubbed the sleep from their eyes. All except Dodger who was already on his feet, fully dressed, and making an elegant bow right in Nancy's path.

"M'lady," he said with a brilliant smile. Nancy waited until he had pulled himself out of this ridiculous gesture before giving the boy's hair an affectionate ruffle.

"Alrigh' then Dodge?" she asked with a smile.

"Never better," he said sarcastically. The boy very theatrically dropped the hat to it's rightful place atop his head, only to have it batted down over his eyes by a passing Charley.

"Cor Dodge! You're such a baboon when she's around," he cried rather to the annoyance of the Artful. Charley reached for the gin bottle Fagin had just taken from the cupboard and offered it to Nancy with a smile.

"That's what I'm talkin' about Charley," she said taking it from his grasp.

"I was just about to get tha'!" Dodger cried defensively. Nancy took a swig before handing the bottle back to Fagin as she took a seat at the table.

"I'm sure you were Dodger," she said with a smile.

"Not 'alf I was, and then some," he insisted. Nancy laughed as she played idly with the choker on her neck. She still had it from when Bill had given it to her years ago. Nancy sighed contentedly, it was a very fine day indeed. Dodger was sitting next to her, already chattering away while Charley was having his usual fit of morning laughter.

"So why're you 'ere then Nance?" Dodger asked as he continued to chatter.

"Not um...on business I hope my dear?" Fagin said rather nervously. Nancy hadn't noticed until now he was standing in the kitchen with a toasting fork.

"Just 'ere for a visit Fagin," she assured him.

"Well then!" he cried jubilantly as he set the sausages down on the table. "We are delighted to see you!" Nancy laughed as Fagin gave her hair a ruffle, only to feel his hand jump back as if it had been bitten. Simultaneously Nancy was ducking away with a sharp intake of breath. He'd run his hand across the spot where her head had hit the wall just the evening previous. The pain now shooting through her skull was nearly unbearable. In an instant Fagin and Nancy exchanged a silent and meaningful look. This didn't need to be brought up, not in front of the boys. After all, they'd only worry after her.

Nancy played a few rounds of cards before Dodger made the usual announcement that it was time they were off. She waved them all goodbye, wishing luck to her two favorite pick pockets and giving them both a swift kiss on the cheek. This only left them a bit dazed and stuttering in response as they led the others out into the street and on the job. Nancy waited until the last one had closed the door before she sat back down at the table, laughing heartily.

"I really ought to stop doin' that. The poor things get bent way out of shape over it," she said laughing once more. She really was in a grand mood this morning, which would've lasted quite a while longer, if it weren't for Fagin bursting her bubble.

"Did you um...hit your 'ead on something my dear?" His inquiry was very nonchalant, but both he and she knew that there was a strong meaning behind it. Nancy's hand flew instantly to where the pain was flowing from. She could feel a large bump knotted beneath her hair. For some reason, and Nancy wasn't sure entirely what that reason may be, her instincts told her to lie to the old man. They told her to lie for all she was worth.

"Oh," she said chuckling slightly. The smile on her face was even more strained then it had been when she walked in that morning. "That blasted dog! Always in the way, I tripped right over it Fagin. 'E was under my feat and all, next thing I new my head and the wall were the best of friends." She smiled as convincingly as she could and it was dead silent in the flat. All seemed to hang on a precariously thin rope drawn taught with the tension around them before the sense of serenity tumbled right off it with Fagin's next sentence.

"You know, you're always welcome 'ere if things ever get to bad."

"What're you talkin' about Fa-"

"You know what I mean my dear," he said giving her a meaningful look. "By how old I am you can bet your life I was not born yesterday. I know a thing or two, and I know how Bill can be-"

"Stop it Fagin," she said irritated "you don't know what you're talking about!"

"Sadly I do my dear. If 'e ever does something that's too much, ever hits you too hard or-"

"Bill would never!" she cried in shock. "'E loves me. 'E's a good kind hearted man. 'E's Bill, the same Bill you've always known Fagin."

"That's what scares me I'm afraid."

"I tripped over the dog I tell ya!"

"Well if ever it's not the dog," Fagin said laying a tentative hand on her arm for what seemed to be comfort. "You're welcome to stay 'ere." It was quiet for a moment, and then Nancy spoke with such absolute malice in her voice that it frightened the old man a bit.

"'E is not ...the monster the world makes 'im out to be." With that she indignantly ripped her arm from her grasp and stormed out of the flat.

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By the time Nancy returned home, Fagin's words had got to her. She expected to open the door to see a ten foot tall monster, growling with fists clenched and ready to strike her down until she was fit to lie in a grave. To her immense relief, she opened the door to see Bill. That was all, Bill eating his breakfast and the dog at his feet. Immediately Nancy walked in smiling softly.

"Where you been all mornin' then?" he asked good humoredly.

"Fagin's," she said with a smile. "Just stopped by for a visit."

"The old 'un 'ave anythin' good to say?" Bill inquired, poking fun at the usually chatterbox-like old man.

"No," Nancy said sweetly as she wrapped her arms around Bill's neck. She laid a kiss on his head before continuing. "Just a bunch of rubbish."