Chapter 77

A chill went through Billie as she gazed out the window. She didn't know why she was looking out for the window was foggy and old and at night it was almost impossible to spot anything. Still, if she could spot John returning home her fears would subside. It was hard to be without him- it always had been, but this time in a different way. The only time Billie was sure about his safety was when he was with her. It was silly of course, for John was no safer at Billie's side than Pete's or Red's or Homer's.

It was definitely chilly in the room. Once cold air got in it never seemed to leave. Billie tightened the sweater she wore over a nightgown and began to pace again. She'd been waiting for him for hours, promising to herself and to John that she would stay up until he returned. Billie had been so close to losing him that it changed her outlook on everything. He was precious, but not invincible.

Billie didn't entirely trust Pete, either. She understood that the men needed money but Pete wasn't concerned about the dangers of the job. Maybe he did know the risks, but he and the rest of the guys chose not to think of them. If they did they wouldn't accomplish anything; they would cower and die to their own fear. It then hit Billie that she had to be the same way- she couldn't prevent anything from happening and therefore her worry was useless.

During these debates inside her mind she heard the door rattling. John.

She skipped to greet him, pulling the door open and a second later her eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped.

John stood like a looming shadow, his heavy overcoat draped over his shoulders. He was grinning and what alarmed Billie was the animal peeking through his coat- a puppy. "He followed me home," John explained and Billie smirked, knowing it was exactly the other way around.

"Oh, Johnnie…" she sighed with a mix of hesitation and happiness. He stepped into the apartment and Billie closed the door behind them, hearing the puppy whimper lightly. John sat on the edge of the bed, allowing the puppy out of his coat and to prance on the mattress. Before Billie sat as well she hovered over John, using her fingers to tilt his head upward, and kissed him deeply.

For a moment their lips and tongues united, Billie pulling away just as John was warming to the affection. "Mmm," he eyed her lustfully. "I should bring home puppies more often."

"No," she smiled, sitting on the bed and watching the apprehensive little dog. "That's for coming home to me." She glanced up, she and John sharing a warm smile before Billie looked back to the puppy. "Where did he come from?"

"Found him in the back of the truck," John explained, petting and comforting the puppy contently. "He's a rare breed and expensive…I think someone paid for him and meant to transport him by the back of that truck…"

Billie tisked at hearing about the puppy's poor circumstance. "See this?" John pointed to the dog's back. "They call them 'Ridgebacks.'"

The dog had obviously made a bond with John for he had a tendency to lean away from Billie's hand and brush up against John. There was a distinct twinkle in his eye and the corners of his mouth turned upward in a natural, honest smile. The puppy was staying, she knew that much.

"What about Clark?"

John grinned knowing she had already accepted the animal. "What about Clark?"

Now that John had a dog perhaps he'd ease up on Billie and her cat. "What if they don't get along? He's going to be big," Billie pointed to the puppy and his large paws. "We'll need lots of food, and space for him to run…"

"Don't worry, doll," John said distractedly, cradling the puppy in his arms. A moment of quiet passed between them and when John looked up he found Billie starring his way. He chuckled as she rolled her eyes. Now she knew how he felt when she cuddled that damn cat instead of himself. "Here," John picked up the puppy and held him out for her to take. Slowly Billie took him into her own arms, the dog sniffing and making little squeals. Naturally he was adorable and completely unique with the stripe down his back. He had floppy ears and beautiful jet black fur. After thoroughly sniffing her face the puppy gave a few licks to her cheek.

"We'll have to think of a name-"

"Already did."

Of course he did. "And what is it?"

"Bocephus."

Billie sprang up and looked him in the eye. "What?" She was truly confused and amused. John chucked again at hearing the tone of her accent when she was surprised. "I hope that means I can call him 'Bo.'"

John nodded. "Yeah, Bo."

"Bocephus," Billie muttered the name to herself and started to laugh at the strangeness of it all. John still managed to surprise her and she leaned forward, pecking his lips. When they became close Bo started to whimper, possibly thinking Billie was hurting John, and only stopped his low growling when she had pulled away. Billie looked down at the tiny dog, her mouth open wide, playfully offended.

"You can't be mean to me now," John teased with a smile. "I'll sic my dog on ya'."

Billie's blue eyes grew wide with his taunts. She lunged forward into his lap, pushing his back to the mattress. As they rough-housed Bo trotted alongside them, yipping and yapping and jumping. It was amazing how John always found (or made) the opportunity to help others. To encourage goodness and happiness. John Dillinger was a thief and a savior.