Chapter Eleven – At The Cripples

Every so often, after a good day's work, Fagin would take one or two of his young charges at a time to the Three Cripples, as a reward for their services. Bill had been the most often of the lot, and he loved the place; tonight it was his and Jeremy's turn for the privilege, the two of them having picked some very fine items while out at work that morning.

The tavern was crowded as usual, not helped by the fact that Bulls-Eye had decided to join the trio and make a foursome out of it. Despite the fact that he'd originally returned to the den with Bill, the dog was now always at Jeremy's side, not that either of them minded. Bill was glad to be rid of it and Jeremy actually liked it, so all was well in that regard.

They made their way to their usual table and took their seats, Bulls-Eye flopping at Jeremy's feet. Fagin ordered three mugs of gin before leaning back in his chair a little, surveying his two wards with pride.

"Fine pickings this morning, my dears," he said with an all knowing smile. "Fine pickings indeed! How do you do it, eh?"

Bill and Jeremy gave each other knowing looks. Recently they had started to work together as partners (Fagin was right, Morris was no competition) and managed to get much more than they would working on their own. Despite this alignment, Bill still brought the most valuable or interesting items to the table, but Jeremy didn't seem to mind. If he did, he never showed it, at any rate.

The gin soon arrived and, as they always did, Fagin and the boys toasted their success and that of the gang. The tavern customers were used to these outings by now and no longer found it strange that every so often a toast would be drunk to Fagin's Boy's and Their Canine Mascot (said mascot barking his assent at every toast drunk).

The formalities being done with, Fagin and his boys engaged themselves in discussion as they always did, about the gang, the state of the streets with regards to their line of work; the usual. However, Fagin soon steered the topic in a direction the two boys hadn't thought of before.

"I've had a thought, my dears…" he said, having downed his third mug of gin. Bill frowned and listened hard, but Jeremy was distracted momentarily by Bulls-Eye attempting to lick his gin mug clean for him.

"Go on," Bill urged Fagin, leaning over to push Bulls-Eye off of Jeremy so the other boy could pay close attention to the matter at hand. Fagin had that look in his eye again; the crafty look, the look that plainly said he had a plan in mind.

"This won't really matter for a few years, but I thought I'd rather bring it up now than never, what with you two being here together and all."

He paused and cleared his throat, while the two boys exchanged confused looks.

"Have either of you ever considered housebreaking?" Fagin asked, his face serious. "You pick pockets the best of the bunch, my dears, but, in a few years, you won't be as suited to that particular profession. Housebreaking, I'm sure, you could both do, am I not correct?"

Bill nodded solemnly, mulling it over in his mind. He could see it now; Bill Sykes, housebreaker. That, as with many other titles he'd landed over the years, had a nice ring to it.

Jeremy nodded eagerly, excited at the prospect. Fagin wanted him to go housebreaking, not only that, but housebreaking with Bill Sykes? Tonight couldn't get any better, surely! Housebreaking with Bill Sykes!

Fagin chuckled at the boy's expressions, clapping his hands together with wicked delight.

"Of course, you'll need to wait a few years for this, my dears. I just thought I'd mention it, see what you thought. But all my worries were fruitless I see, you like the prospect, eh, my dears?"

The pair of them nodded again, and Bulls-Eye barked loudly, as if wanting to have his share in the discussion. Fagin leant down to scratch the dog's ears, informing him that, if he was a clever dog for the next five years or so, he might be allowed to go on jobs too. Bulls-Eye seemed pleased and began to lick Fagin's face; Fagin made a disgruntled noise before resurfacing to face Bill and Jeremy, both boys howling with laughter at this exchange.

"Yes, yes, very funny…" grumbled Fagin, wiping his face with the back of his hand.

"You're right Fagin; very funny!" Jeremy cried, before being submerged once again with childish laughter.

Fagin soon was laughing too despite himself; the situation was somewhat amusing he had to admit.

All too soon they took their leave; it was another day on the job tomorrow for all of them (Bulls-Eye accompanied Jeremy to help him pick pockets, with varying success).

As the four of them walked back to the flat, Fagin and Jeremy in animated discussion (with Bulls-Eye lumbering along at the latter's heels), Bill hung back, deep in thought. Housebreaking… it sounded glamorous, surely, but was it the right decision? But if he didn't break into houses would Fagin throw him out, even though he promised he never would? Could he have been lying, even though he seemed so sincere? Bill knew plenty of people who did just that.

"Bill? You comin' or wot?"

Bill hurried to catch up with the others, composing himself to act as normal. There was years before this would even matter, Fagin had said so! But he couldn't help feeling worried…was Fagin telling the truth when he said 'you'll be the greatest man of all time'? Did progressing from picking pockets to robbing houses constitute greatness?

Bill Sykes certainly hoped so.

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A/N: Hope this chapter was worth the wait, my dears! =)

Hopefully I'll have another one up soon before exams officially begin the day after tomorrow.

The next chapter will skip about five years, just so you are aware. Big time leap, but I don't want to have this story crammed with filler chapters for lack of anything better to write, you know? Never fear, this story has a long, long way to go! He hasn't even met Nancy yet (but he will soon…) :3

R&R my dears!