I was literally on cloud nine. The city glimmered and gleamed in the moonlight. I held Crutchie's hand in mine, our fingers unlaced. The chill of the air threatened to disturb us but it felt like it was just intimidated by the warmth we brought. We walked slowly on the streets, admiring the city. I liked the way I could feel my skirt flow as I walked. It wasn't a new feeling, just an old one being refreshed.

After Crutchie and I came back downstairs, earlier this evening, he took me outside and told me he wanted to show me something. I was confused. "This late?" I asked. "The moon is already coming out." Then he turned to me and smirked. "I know. It's much more...exquisite at night." I was still curious as we strolled down the road. Is there something I haven't seen yet? I turned my head to look at Crutchie. He still had that sideways smile plastered on his face. He must have something really great to show me.

"So, I don't get any clues?" I asked trying to figure out where in the world there is to go that is more "exquisite" at night, in New York, that I haven't already seen.

Crutchie laughed quietly, "I told ya B, no clues!" I let my head fall back dramatically and groaned. "Okay fine, you won't give me clues, but you never said I couldn't take a guess or two at where we're goin'" I saw Crutchie playfully roll his eyes and I smiled. "Okay, let's see...hmm... Are we going to the window? No wait I've already been there"

"Ya like, everyday!" I carefully swatted Crutchie in the arm. I continued to rack my brain for an answer but eventually gave up and enjoyed the walk with the boy next to me.

After another block or so, Crutchie slowed his pace and turned to one of the fancier apartment buildings in the city. For a second we just stood in front of it looking up towards the roof. Before I could ask any more questions, Crutchie pulled my over to the fence separating the street from the building's property. The gate had a padlock on the latch but that didn't surprise Crutchie. I watched curiously as he pulled out a needle-looking piece of metal and started picking the old lock to the gate. In no time at all, the lock clicked open and Crutchie whipped his head around to face me. I think he was way to excited, but I guess I shouldn't make an assumption before I see what he was so excited about.

It made me just a little nervous that we were basically breaking into private property but, I tried to push that aside seeing that Crutchie has obviously done this before. He gestured for me to join him and sneakily hobbled onto the land. I jogged up to the open gate and my heart skipped a beat. My mouth formed a smile automatically and I gazed out across the small lawn.

Carefully, I stepped out onto the soft, snow-covered grass and continued observing the spectacle that Crutchie wanted to show me. In front of my feet laid the first stone of many, making a path that twisted and turned throughout the elegant garden. Even though there was a white blanket covering them, I could tell there were rows and rows of flowers that were previously planted and waiting to re-bloom in spring. There was even a frozen, mini waterfall in one of the corners.

Crutchie cautiously made his way back over to me and I met his warm eyes with a smile.

"I know it's covered in snow and all, but I really wanted to show you dis." We both looked across the compact wonderland hidden behind the fence, but before I could reply there was a faint tumult coming from the back door of the main building. My stomach jumped for a second and I turned back to Crutchie in panic. He seemed to stay fairly calmer than I did but, quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the open gate. The light on the outside of the door flickered on with the sound of creaking wood. We just made it around the corner of the fence when, believe it or not, Morris Delancey walked out. Crutchie gestured for me to leave or find somewhere to hide but I hesitated. The gate was still open. I saw Crutchie mentally debate whether or not to close the gate. I panicked and tried to tell him to get out of here. He finally started out towards the ally as fast as he could without being too loud.

Slowly I stood up on my tippy toes and peeked over the top of the fence only to find Morris already heading straight towards the gate. I knew I didn't have enough time to run out of this situation without being too loud so I tried to act as casual as I could. Slowly I backed up into the darker area of the street. Morris came out in front of the gate and looked around suspiciously. I acted as innocently as I could and started walking slowly towards him, knowing I would be noticed sooner or later.

He was examining the old lock on the gate when he looked up to the sound of my feet on the cold road. Immediately he ignored the gate and leaned up against the fence casually. As I walked up closer to him I faintly spotted Crutchie in the alley next to the apartment building. There was fear and abhorrence in his shadowed expression. I tried to signal to him that I had this under control, but I wasn't sure he could tell.

I was snapped back to the situation by another voice saying, "Well hello there. What is a young girwal like yourself doin' out here alone?" I quickly turned my head towards the Delancey brother and put on a fake smile. To be honest, Morris was actually pretty handsome. I tried to ignore that fact and just answered simply, "I was just on my way home." He smiled and left the unattended gate and strutted towards me. I kept myself poised and continued walking forward.

"We both know how dangerous the streets of New York can be at night." I avoided eye contact but allowed him to walk up next to me. "Hows about I escort you home? With me around you won't see any trouble." You have no idea how hard I tried not to scoff at his last remark. No trouble? Ya tell me that when I'm with the rest of my boys! When I'm with Crutchie. Crutchie! I quickly looked back to the alley he was hiding in and silently sighed with relief. He was still there but the anger in his face grew. I tired to calm him as discreetly as I could and quickly looked back to Morris who had already taken my arm with out permission.

After a while of walking in the dark streets and drowning out Morris' pointless and cocky conversations, I told him that I was home and let my arm out of his. I thanked him and turned down a street I haven't really even been on and just heard his goodbye and more cocky comments about himself. I turned back around sprinted back to the alley Crutchie was hiding in as soon as Morris was gone. Luckily he was still there. I wrapped my arms around his neck, careful not to accidentally knock him over. He wrapped his left arm around my back and I leaned back to look into his eyes.

"That was close," I whispered. He smile his adorable crooked smile and nodded.

"Thanks for...takin' care a dat for me," I smiled back and hesitantly kissed his cheek. His face deepened in color and I took his hand. We walked fairly briskly back to the Lodging House and silently hoped no one else would notice us. Sometimes, love is strongest when you're the only one who notices it.

A/N Hey guys! Our plot is developing! Soon the drama will pick up and we will get into the strike! and FYI this is the first time Crutchie finds out that Morris sometimes stays at that apartment building so if you were wondering that then there's yer answer! Follow me on twitter hannahheil!

PLEASE REVIEW!

~GTHN