Abandoning Responsibility (Open)

[Mike D. Greaser]

"Good point,but so have you. And concerning your culinary skills, I've been so far unimpressed."

Leaning against the counter, Mike chuckled and crossed his arms. "Well, cooking is not my specialty..." He replied and shrugged in a nonchalant manner. It was true. Cooking was not what Mike was good at. He usually just got food from the local diner or a vendor. Why his landlord's wife had given him all this food was beyond him. What exactly did she expect him to do with it? Mike realized now that this food was a blessing. Without it, Alice and Mike would have gone hungry tonight. There was no way either of them were planning on going out to eat. That was suicided at this point.

"I don't see you coming up with any brilliant ideas."

Mike scoffed and rolled his eyes, jokingly. He was glad she knew he was joking, and glad she would joke back. It was like Alice was a whole different person. In public she was a quite, obedient, talk when spoken, young girl. But now she was an exuberant, funny woman. Mike was enjoying this side of her. He was glad she wasn't a stuck up snob. If she was, this would have been a very long night...

"Hm. There's more than I expected to be in here..."

Mike nodded, expecting that. "My landlord's wife insisted on supplying me with all of this..." Mike shook his head and chuckled, as if remember a memory of her. She was a plump woman, who always seemed to smile. Mike guessed she didn't have any children of her own, and that is why she liked to check up on Mike every day and make sure he was eating well.

When she pulled on her trousers, Mike smirked. "You really look cute.." He mused, giving her a once over. These clothes looked so much better on her than the dress she was wearing earlier. When someone wears a dress like that, you only focused on the clothes, not the person wearing them. At least, that is what Mike thought. With something simple and not so flashy, one could actually see the person.

"For goodness sake. Let me see.."

She pushed him aside and took up his place. "Well, okay then!" He replied, laughing. She was taking charge and Mike let her. It was actually somewhat amusing. While she looked over the food, Mike watched. What were the supposed to make with this exactly? Mike was tempted to go ask his landlord's wife for help. But then she would insist on coming upstairs with him and helping him. Then that would turn into the daily inspection of his apartment and cleaning rampage. Explaining Alice would not be very easy. If it was anyone else, she would probably smile and wink. But this was Alice Roosevelt. Not exactly what one would expect in Mike's apartment.

When she pushed the eggs aside, a few rolled a bit farther than she obviously intended. Two of them rolled of the counter and fell to the floor. Mike lunged for the eggs, trying to stop the mess that he knew was coming, but was only rewarded in slipping on them and landing on his back. "Ow..." He groaned. Well, that was graceful.

"And you're a man, so you should be sitting in an armchair getting drunk, but I don't expect you to do that, do I? I wouldn't let you even if you wanted to..."

Mike clenched his jaw and tightened his grip on the counter, turning his knuckles white. He knew sooner or later that their personalities would clash. They were both stubborn people stuck in an apartment for the night. There was no doubt that they weren't going to get along the whole time. "That is a stereotype. A lot of men don't drink and are helpful to their wives." Like Mike's dad, for instance. Mike had the best dad anyone could ask for. They got along great and their family was the picture perfect family. Until that one night... Mike shook his head and willed those thoughts out of his head. That was years ago and he wasn't about to get emotional. His face went straight back to the emotionless mask he usually wore and he looked up at her.

"Yes you did," she said, her brutal honesty coming into play. "Otherwise you wouldn't have said anything. But I don't care. Sometimes I agree. Women have to be a certain way, did you notice? They have to be copies of one another, perfect replicas of perfect housewives and tender mothers and obedient daughters. Otherwise the world will explode or something..."

Mike knew she was upset and immediately regretted saying what he said. Even if he felt that he was right, this wasn't the time for fighting. They were going to be spending the night together and they needed to be mature or else this was going to be a long night. "Listen, I'm sorry," he said, reaching for her. "I didn't mean it like that. I love you the way you are...." He trailed off realizing what he'd just said. Of course, he just meant friendship love. Like a brother/sister thing, no more. He waited for her reaction, seeing how she felt about that subject.

"We'll make bread," she said with a definite nod. "Go get some water, and we'll be just fine."

Mike nodded and headed to get water. But just bread? That wasn't going to hold either of them over, unless they ate a loaf a piece. But that didn't sound very appetizing to Mike. But it was a start. If they could make bread, than they could make many other things. Maybe sandwich's? Mike believed he had some fresh meat in there some where.... He came back with a bucket of water and set it down on the counter. "There ya go."

"I'd rather not risk it. I'm in enough trouble as it is." Her words transitioned into a joke. "If I come home with a broken arm on top of everything, my father would most likely break my other one..."

Mike grinned and lifted her out of the dip. He twirled her a few times and then brought her back to the beginning position. They swayed back and forth, just enjoying each others company. Finally, after a few minutes, Mike said what he knew was on both of their minds. "What are we going to do tomorrow morning?" They couldn't just waltz up to her house and say 'Daddy I'm home! Oh, and this is the street rat that saved me.' That probably wouldn't go over well.

"If you wait...you might just hear what you want to hear..."

Mike stood there for a moment, smirking. She was playing with him and Mike wasn't sure if he liked it or not. Did she actually want to kiss him or was she just playing along? When it came down to it, was there any true feelings behind her actions? Mike hoped there was, because there was some behind his... He shook his head, not wanting to think about that. Mike D. Greaser did not fall for anyone.

She walked to the window and sat down. Mike smiled and joined her. It was kind of strange, sitting and looking at a blind. Mike had shut the curtains earlier, not wanting anyone to see what was going on. But now he almost wished the curtain was open, that way he could look out on the street and see what was happening. He stayed quiet, enjoying the silence.

[aliceroosevelt]

"Well, cooking is not my specialty..."

She gave him a look. "You don't say..." she said in a voice that was tinted heavily with sarcasm. If it were, they wouldn't be worrying about what to have for dinner. Alice was starting to wish she could cook. She was beginning to realize more and more that with her upbringing, she wouldn't last a week in the world outside the gilded walls of her home. She needed to learn life skills, but she didn't know who in the world could teach them to her. Not many people liked her enough to put up with her stubbornness and impatience.

"My landlord's wife insisted on supplying me with all of this..."

"Hm," Alice said, looking over the array of groceries. She could only imagine the landlady if she was thoughtful enough to supply Mike with them: the maternal type, for sure, aging and perhaps portly. It seemed that most kind landladies fit that description; only the crotchety ones were slim. "Well. She must be a nice lady. Not very practical, considering if you didn't happen to meet me at the polo grounds today you probably wouldn't be needing this. If not practical...nice." She offered Mike a slight smile.

"You really look cute.."

She felt herself blushing again. It was an unconventional word, cute, but she knew it was a compliment. "Why, thanks," she said, trying to act as if his compliment wasn't anything much. "I have a wonderful tailor." This was quite the joke, considering how ragged the clothes were and how ill-fitting they were on her. She was surprised she was at ease enough to joke, considering her predicament. But the thrill had worn off, and now she could pretend, just for a while, to be a friend of Mike's, helping him in the kitchen. For a while, she could forget about being Alice Roosevelt and focus on being Alice. That, she realized, was what put her most at ease...

"Ow..."

Alice burst out in hysterical laughter. She laughed until she was gasping for breath, falling to her knees on the kitchen floor, clutching her sides, tears forming in her eyes and sliding down her face. Her laugh was loud, roaring, close to obnoxious, actually (Alice never personally liked her laugh, but seldom heard it). But she laughed until she could no longer stand it, and her laughter slowly stinted into gasps, sighs and chuckles. "Oh, my God..." she said breathlessly, grabbing the counter and pulling herself to her feet. "That was...amazing..." Her face was red with cheer, her smile so wide it showed slight dimples in her cheeks.

"That is a stereotype. A lot of men don't drink and are helpful to their wives."

He was getting agitated. Good, Alice thought unapologetically. Let him get agitated. He had done it to her, so she wasn't about to back down. Sharply she replied, "And so was what you said. So if you can stereotype, so can I. Although after meeting me, I can't believe you could stereotype a woman. Or am I not as rebellious as I give myself credit for?" She turned a sharp look toward him, her face unyielding and wholly hard.

"Listen, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I love you the way you are...."

She thought little of his use of the word love. Although a little premature in any sense of the word, she wasn't one to think before she spoke, either. "Fine," she said with a slight sigh. "It's over, then. Let's get on with things..." She wasn't one to dwell on things like that, and only held grudges if she wanted to. But for some reason she didn't think holding any type of grudge against Mike would be a good idea...

"There ya go."

She nodded in thanks, and set up the yeast in the water. "We have to let the yeast..." she paused, trying to think of the technical term, "...ah...get ready. Meanwhile, we can mix the flour and water." She picked up the flour sack and held it up. Unfortunately, she had seized it from the wrong end, and white powder poured over the counter. Alice gasped and threw down the bag. It landed in the pile of flour, causing it to spread like dust into the air, coating her in white. She coughed, cursed, and wiped it from her eyes crossly.

"What are we going to do tomorrow morning?"

She shook her head. "We'll think about tomorrow morning, tomorrow morning. Right now I don't know what to do or how to do it, so I'll be staying here until I get an idea." She didn't know how long it would take for her to think of a plan. It was a tricky predicament, and she would have to go about it carefully. She thought for a moment, and considered her father would be getting worried around nightfall...

He joined her at the window, not speaking. She sighed and pushed back the curtain a little to examine the tenements that surrounded Mike's. They all looked the same: shabby, dilapidated buildings, full of desperate people. She felt guilty, almost, that she lived in a big house with servants and got a new dress every two weeks or so. "Have you always lived like this?" she found herself asking Mike. "In such a place?"

[Mike D. Greaser]

"You don't say..."

Mike stuck his tongue out at her childishly. Even though they both were starving, Mike found this situation very entertaining. The villain and the damsel in distress. The two most unlikely people, searching for something to eat. What was really funny about the whole thing was even though there was a whole counter of food in front of them, neither of them could find anything to eat. Suddenly, Mike burst out laughing, sounding somewhat like a hyena. He just couldn't stop laughing. This was so funny to him. She'll string along. She loves me so. That funny honey of mine!

"Well. She must be a nice lady. Not very practical, considering if you didn't happen to meet me at the polo grounds today you probably wouldn't be needing this. If not practical...nice."

Mike laughed and nodded. She had just expressed exactly what he was thinking. "Yeah, she is nice. I don't think she believes I can take care of myself..." Mike shook his head and chuckled. He half expected Alice to retort. She obviously didn't think Mike was able to take care of himself. But he was. He'd made it this far and he was pretty well off. But he knew he would be better with parents. That is probably why his landlord was so concerned about him. Pity the child who knew his parents

"Why, thanks. I have a wonderful tailor."

Mike smirked, ready to get back into their game of flirting. "Oh really?" He inquired, taking a step toward her. "And how did you repay him?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as he looked down at her. Mike was at least a few inches taller than her.

Oh, my God... That was...amazing..."

Mike rubbed his butt, very sore. "Blast," he mumbled. When she started to laugh, Mike glared up at her. Why was she laughing? He whined to himself. This wasn't very funny. At least Mike didn't think so. His bottom was throbbing and it felt like he wasn't going to be able to sit down for a couple of days. "Oh you think that is funny?" He asked, sneering at her. He reached for her ankle and yanked, hoping to pull her down next to him. He started to laugh, ignoring the pain in his rear end.

"And so was what you said. So if you can stereotype, so can I. Although after meeting me, I can't believe you could stereotype a woman. Or am I not as rebellious as I give myself credit for?"

Mike looked at her, wincing at her words. She was right though. He had done exactly what he was telling her not to do. He was sorry he had even opened his mouth. I'm sorry for everything I've said, and all the things I forgot to say to. He shook his head and looked away from her. Shrugging, Mike decided to stay quiet. So far, his words had only gotten him in more trouble.

"It's over, then. Let's get on with things..."

Mike nodded and offered a small smile. "Okay, so bread?" He raised his eyebrows and looked at the food on the counter. How exactly were they supposed to get bread from this stuff? It just looked like a bunch of crap to Mike. He'd never baked before, and had never really paid attention when his mother had told him about her latest recipe. Mike was about to give up on this and get some food. He could go buy some and then bring it back. But leaving Alice here alone didn't seem like a good idea.

"We have to let the yeast.....ah...get ready. Meanwhile, we can mix the flour and water."

Mike smirked as she struggled with her words. But really, he didn't have any room to be smiling. He didn't have a bloody clue what was going on. Suddenly, the room was in a cloud of white stuff. Flower. Obviously, Alice had dropped it or something. It had happened very fast and now Mike couldn't see anything. They both stood there, covered in flower, just staring at each other. Then, Mike started laugh, uncontrollably. "You... got...a ....little...something...on.... your.... FACE!" Mike started laughing harder, doubling over and clutching his side.

"We'll think about tomorrow morning, tomorrow morning. Right now I don't know what to do or how to do it, so I'll be staying here until I get an idea."

Mike nodded. "Stay here as long as you need," he offered. He really didn't mind. She was probably safest here. Who would guess Alice Roosevelt would be here? But Mike hoped that her dad's secret police or whatever didn't come charging in. He really couldn't get arrested, not yet.

"Have you always lived like this? In such a place?"

Mike sighed and continued to look out the window, thinking. "No," he said, finally. "I used to live with my parents in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. I was pretty well off." Mike shrugged, willing himself not to get emotional. It had been years and he wasn't about to break down now. Not here, not with this person, not ever. Mike just wasn't that kind of person. He inhaled deeply, trying to hide his emotions.

{Ah that was awful. I seriously have major writers block}

[aliceroosevelt]

Suddenly, Mike burst out laughing, sounding somewhat like a hyena.

Alice was temporarily worried that Mike was going insane, but after a short while she began to chortle too. "Have I said something?" she asked, laughing only because he was, and sounding ridiculous at that. She was curious as to what had set off his sudden fit of laughter. But then again...she rethought if she really wanted to know...

"Yeah, she is nice. I don't think she believes I can take care of myself..."

"Can't imagine why she'd think that..." Alice said almost immediately. It was something her father said to her quite often when she complained about Edith treating her as if she couldn't take care of herself. "Well, I don't know why she'd come to that, Lee..." her father would tell her. He never called her by her first name.

"Oh really? And how did you repay him?"

Alice smiled wryly. She knew he was trying to flirt again, and she decided to go about it another way. Their innuendo was getting boring. "Well Mike...that's rather ungentlemanly of you. I could retort with something equally scandalous, for I know that's how you'd want me to respond..." She looked up at him, the glint in her eye again. "But after all...actions speak louder than words..."

"Oh you think that is funny?"

"Are you kidding?" Alice laughed. "That was the funniest damn thing I--OH!" she cried out as Mike grabbed her ankle and pulled her down with him. She landed across him, sprawled on the floor. She propped herself up and found herself leaning over him, staring him crossly in the face. "Oh, you..." she grumbled, the rest of her mutterings so quiet they were incoherent. Carefully she tried to get to her feet again, taking care not to slip on the egg.

"You... got...a ....little...something...on.... your.... FACE!"

Oh, well, he was having a grand old time. Meanwhile, Alice was looking like a clown, covered in flour. Angrily she glared at him, and then grabbed handful of the spilled flour. She threw it in his face, making a white flour across his nose. "How strange. So do you," she said freshly.

"Stay here as long as you need."

She nodded. "Thank you," she said, and sighed. She didn't expect Mike to be half as hospitable as he was turning out to be. It occurred to her suddenly how little she knew about him, and yet how much she trusted him. But now, now there was more: their quiet flirting, brazen remarks and soft, comforting conversation... Trusting desire, starting to yearn...?

"No. I used to live with my parents in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. I was pretty well off."

She looked at him, and tried to imagine him as a child, younger and living in a fine house with a family. She found that she couldn't, and was half ashamed. She wasn't exactly known for her broad scope of understanding or perception. She found herself asking him, "What happened?" Something must have, she reasoned, for him to be where he was now...

[Mike D. Greaser]

"Have I said something?"

Gasping for breath, Mike calmed himself. He leaned on the counter for support and shook his head. "No, you haven't..." Mike took a few breaths, trying to breathe steadily again. "It's just this whole situation..." Mike started laughing again. Right now, he wasn't sure it was the situation that made him laugh or the lack of sleep. He was very tired. It had been a long day.

"Can't imagine why she'd think that..."

Chuckling, Mike pulled himself onto the counter. "Are you being sarcastic?" He inquired, unsure of her tone. He began to swing his feet, aware of the fact that he wasn't helping at all. He was about to just give up on the whole food thing. They could go hungry for a few hours. Suddenly, his stomach started to growl, rather loudly. Okay, so food was a must.

"Well Mike...that's rather ungentlemanly of you. I could retort with something equally scandalous, for I know that's how you'd want me to respond..."

Mike was cut off guard by her words. He'd expected her to reply flirtatiously, just as they had done for the past few hours. She obviously was playing him. Mike decided to go along with it. "Oh, so sorry, my dear..." He took as step back, bowing mockingly. He wasn't really sure how to go from here. If they were going to act regal and what not, Mike didn't have the slightest idea how to do that. "But after all...actions speak louder than words..." Mike raised his eyebrows. "And what are you suggesting?" He smirked.

"Oh, you..."

Mike laughed at her face. It was quite funny. She started to get up and Mike had thought about pulling her down again. But instead he thought of something better. He scooped up some of the egg yokes and grinned evilly. "Hey, Alice!" When she turned, Mike threw the eggs at her. He began to burst out laughing, rolling on the floor now.

"How strange. So do you,"

Mike narrowed his eyes playfully at her. "Oh really..." He glanced around. His eyes landed on the water and he grinned. "Well you have some water... all over you." He grabbed the bucket and started to pour it on her. He only succeeded in dumping half of it, since it was so heavy. He set it back down on the counter and smirked widely at her.

"Thank you,"

Mike glanced over at her and smiled. They were actually being hospitable. No flirting, no arguing, just talking. Turning back to the window, Mike grinned. "I have plenty of food, as you can see..." He chuckled. "And you can use my clothes. I have to work in the morning, but you can just stay here." He realized that their plans were staying. At first, it was just going to be stay here for a few hours then go back. Then, it turned into an over night. Now it was as long as you need. Mike didn't care, though. He was enjoying it.

"What happened?"

Mike hesitated, then replied, "They were murdered..." He looked to his left, trying to hide his face from her. She was the first one he had ever talked to about this. He wasn't used to opening up like this. Mike couldn't decide if he liked it or not. Tear pricked his eyes and he wiped at them angrily. He didn't like this, not one bit.

[aliceroosevelt]

"It's just this whole situation..."

Perhaps Alice was on the wrong end of things, but she honestly could see little humor in everything that was going on. Ultimately, she knew she had to return home at some point, and that was what worried her to no end. But she had to admit, from an outsider's perspective the whole situation must have seemed ironic, at least: the Governor's daughter and a street rat, trying to bake bread in matching outfits. How charming. She shook her head at Mike. "Well I'm glad one of us finds it funny," she said with a tired grin.

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"Just a little," she teased, with a playful smile directed toward him. Sarcasm was her forte.

"And what are you suggesting?"

She smiled suggestively, approached him until there was only a breath of space between them. With a finger she reached out, touched his lips, and ran her finger to his collarbone, where it rested lightly. There wasn't a single notion of the lack of confidence she felt as she said to him, "How revolted would I turn out being if I kissed you right now?"

"Hey, Alice!"

Crossly she sneered at him, and he picked up the yolk and threw it at her. She cried out, wiped the sticky mess from her cheek, and grabbed for the second yoke. "You'll pay for that..." she said with a rather unladylike snarl, and pressed the yoke against his cheek with a splatter.

"Oh really...Well you have some water... all over you."

He picked up the bucket of water. "Don't you dare!" Alice cried, but before she could react he had drenched her in water. She gasped, dripping wet, and gaped at Mike for a moment. He put the half-full bucket on the counter. What an idiot. Without hesitation she picked it up and sloshed the rest of the water on him.

"I have plenty of food, as you can see...And you can use my clothes. I have to work in the morning, but you can just stay here."

She nodded by way of thanks. "I won't stay for too long. I just have to think whether my father will be angry or relieved depending on when I come back..." She needed a good night and day before she thought her father would be genuinely worried. If it was one of her younger siblings, even Teddy, who was the second-eldest, Theodore Roosevelt would be sick with worry by this time. But because he knew of Alice's frequent acting out, he wouldn't be so concerned.

"They were murdered..."

Alice's breath caught in her throat. "Oh..." she said, embarrassed to the core that she had pressed about something that turned out to be so dreadful. "I...I'm sorry..." she stammered out.

[Mike D. Greaser]

"Well I'm glad one of us finds it funny,"

Mike gave her the best puppy dog face he could. "Aw, someone had a bad day?" He said, jokingly. The both had had a bad day. If not bad, it had been long. A very long day. It wasn't how Mike had planned on spending his day, and Mike guessed the same for Alice. But even the worst day can turn out well. And this day had definitely turned out well for Mike, and he hoped the same for Alice.

"Just a little,"

Mike, who was still sitting on the counter swinging his legs, chuckled. Instead of retorting back, Mike took his leg and kicked her gently. It wasn't a hard kick, just a gentle nudge.

"How revolted would I turn out being if I kissed you right now?"

There was no doubt about it, Mike had feelings for this girl. He didn't know how it happened, but in the last 24 hours, she had stolen his heart. Now, with her lips inches from his, Mike found himself loosing control. At a loss for words, Mike simply shrugged. Without hesitation, Mike closed the space between them. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her towards him. Mike wasn't sure how she would respond, but he had an idea about how he wanted her to.

"You'll pay for that..."

Mike smirked, but it was quickly wiped of his face by a handful of egg yoke. "You're gonna get it.." Mike reached up and grabbed an egg from the counter. He quickly cracked it over her head. He laughed.

"Don't you dare!"

Water fell all over Mike's head and he gasped. Immediately, Mike tackled Alice, being careful not to hurt her. Now, they were swimming in a puddle of water, flour, and egg yokes. The wrestled for a few moments, both laughing uncontrollably. Mike pushed her off of him and grabbed a towel off the counter. "Stay back..." He warned as he twisted the towel and began to snap the air with it.

"I won't stay for too long. I just have to think whether my father will be angry or relieved depending on when I come back..."

Mike felt his heart drop. He'd actually wanted her to stay. "Anything works for me." Inside of him, Mike wanted her to stay for a very long time, but he would never admit it.

"Oh... I...I'm sorry..."

Mike shrugged and kept his face turned away from her. "I'm pretty much over it," he lied. He wasn't over it; not in the least. His whole life consisted of avenging his parents. He certainly wasn't over it.

[aliceroosevelt]

"Aw, someone had a bad day?"

Alice sent him a mock glare. "You have no idea," she said. In reality, nothing could have been more true. She had woken up to the incessant screaming of her little sister, trying to get Alice to braid her doll's hair. Then Edith insisted on tying Alice's corset tighter than it normally went, resulting in her extreme discomfort for the remainder of the morning. Then that blasted polo match, being bored out of her mind, chastised by her father and forced to watch over her youngest brothers until finally she could no longer stand it, and left Teddy in charge. Her bad luck continued with passing out in the Harlem River, leaving her dress behind and having to walk through New York in practically nothing at all.

However, other than that vast multitude of points in her day, it turned out not to be so bad. She met someone who was actually worth talking to, she was able to liberate herself from the skirts, corsets and ruffles of her every-day life, and most of all... She stopped and grinned up at Mike. "But I think things started looking up near the end..." she said, almost to herself.

Without hesitation, Mike closed the space between them. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her toward him.

Alice drew a sharp intake of breath at his approach. A moment later she found his lips on hers, and her body stiffened. A parlous fear seemed to overtake her for a moment...and then, slowly her shoulders fell again, and the tension left her body. She was aware of his arms around her waist, zero space between them. Her hand reached up and placed itself lightly on the back of his neck, pushing him deeper into the kiss.

It was a feeling unlike anything: it was exhilarating, making her heart swell with some kind of newfound passion she had no idea existed. She also felt ultimately defiant, as if she had done the one unforgivable thing and committed a crime like no other, and it gave her power. But then...a prick of fear. She was frightened, suddenly, at this wave of different and unfamiliar emotions. With a gasp she stumbled back from the kiss, backing herself out of Mike's arms. Her fingers touched her mouth, almost in disbelief. Then her eyes snapped back to Mike, at a loss for words at a game that had become real so quickly.

She cared for him. There wasn't a doubt in her mind she cared for him greatly. And the fact that everything had spread over her so quickly was unnerving. She didn't want to be away from him...and yet, she found herself unable to be near. "I..." she stammered, trying to collect her thoughts. "I'm sorry...I..." A pregnant pause. Lord, what a fool she was! "I have to go...in the other room..." She pushed past him out of the kitchen and ducked back into the bedroom, where she could shut the door between them.

Inside the bedroom, she sat on the bed and hung her head, wringing her hands in her lap. She was such a fool. She knew that Mike could and probably would follow her into the bedroom...she couldn't exactly lock him out...but a moment alone was all she needed. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to clear her mind so she could think rationally.

"You're gonna get it.."

He suddenly cracked an egg over her head. She screamed and grasped for what she could on the counter. She found the yeast and it poured over the both of them. Disgusting, she thought, but laughed nonetheless.

"I'm pretty much over it,"

Although he said this, he still wouldn't look at her. She almost knew he was lying, and that was partially because no one, not in a thousand years, could get over the murder of their parents. "You're lying," she said outright, "but I'll pretend I don't notice for your sake."

[Mike D. Greaser]

"You have no idea,"

Mike smirked and leaned against the counter. "I'm sorry to hear that," he began, with mock sincerity. "But I had a wonderful day. I woke up, ate stale bread, cleaned up and then went to the polo grounds. From there I met this girl..." He looked over at Alice and smiled. "I'm not sure if you know her. Anyway, we had a wonderful time talking and such. Then we both decided to be bloody fools and went swimming. But that wasn't the best part. The contraption around her waste was to tight and she couldn't breathe. So, being the handsome, brave, and fine gentleman that I am, I pulled her out of the lake and ripped off her dress. Yeah, that was pretty much the highlight of my day." He finished and smiled, proud of his speech. He wondered how Alice would react, especially since there was a few suggestive comments in there.

Her hand reached up and placed itself lightly on the back of his neck, pushing him deeper into the kiss.

Mike smiled against her lips, happy with how she responded. He pulled her even closer to his body, smashing them together. Mike was amazed at how this felt. Their bodies fit together like puzzle pieces and her lips felt so right. Nothing could stop this moment... except for Alice. She pulled away, fear in her eyes; and Mike's heart sank.

"I..." she stammered, trying to collect her thoughts. "I'm sorry...I..." A pregnant pause. Lord, what a fool she was! "I have to go...in the other room..." She pushed past him out of the kitchen and ducked back into the bedroom, where she could shut the door between them.

Mike's eyes followed her out, but for some reason his feet wouldn't move. They stayed where they were, planted to the ground in fear. Fear of what she thought. Fear of what she would say. Fear of what he would find if he opened the door that stood between them. Would she deny him again? Mike sighed and placed his head in his hands. This was to much.

It was several minutes later and Alice still hadn't emerged from the bedroom. Mike gulped, trying to rid himself of the lump in his throat. It was now or never, and Mike definitely wasn't ready to lose Alice. He walked to the bedroom, the dread increasing every step that he took. Slowly, he raised his hand and knocked on the door. "Alice," he cleared his throat. His voice, which he meant to be strong was shaky and sounded strained. "Alice," he said again, this time with a little more confidence.

She found the yeast and it poured over the both of them.

Mike laughed and snapped her with the dish towel. He got her legs, and was satisfied by the sound it made. Glancing around, Mike made sure there was nothing she could grab to throw at him. Seeing nothing, Mike smirked. He had her cornered, and she was weaponless.

"You're lying, but I'll pretend I don't notice for your sake."

Mike had expected that, but that didn't make it easier to hear. He inhaled deeply and exhaled shakily. This was harder then it seemed. He'd never expected talking about his parents death to be this difficult. He shrugged, trying to hide his emotions.


{"So, being the handsome, brave, and fine gentleman that I am, I pulled her out of the lake and ripped off her dress. Yeah, that was pretty much the highlight of my day." < That made me laugh. }

[aliceroosevelt]

"I'm sorry to hear that. But I had a wonderful day."

Alice was interested from the start as to where he was going with this, and as he went on with his veiled interpretation of how the day had progressed for him, and then, for the two of them, she found herself amused slightly, and then laughing. "This is starting to sound familiar," she said, privy to what he was doing. She continued listening, and chuckled at the reference to her corset as a "contraption".

"So, being the handsome, brave, and fine gentleman that I am, I pulled her out of the lake and ripped off her dress. Yeah, that was pretty much the highlight of my day."

Alice chortled, a hand coming to her mouth to hide her smile. She didn't agree with it, and considered his word choice to be more than a little inappropriate, and yet she was almost embarrassed to find it funny. "Yes," she said after her laughter had subsided. "Well, I can only suppose she was thankful. But then again...so were you," she said with a smirk.

"Alice."

His voice came softly, along with a knock on the door. It startled her, and she shifted on the edge of the bed, keeping her eyes cast down. She was ready to allow him in...she couldn't exactly keep him out, after all, it was his bedroom. She took a breath, and was about to reply when his voice came again, stronger than before: "Alice." Alice pressed her lips together in a thin line for a moment before replying, "You can come in, Mike..." The door wasn't locked. He could come in when he wanted.

As they talked about his parents, Mike seemed a little shaken up. Alice knew he wasn't as okay with talking about it as he pretended he was. She shifted the focus to herself, if only to give Mike something else to think about aside from his own misfortunes. Maybe it would console him to listen to hers? She took a breath and said, "You know I never even knew my mother? She died on Valentine's Day, two days after I was born. I didn't know my father, either, until I was two or three years old. My aunt raised me. And suddenly I had a father. Soon I had a stepmother and half-brothers and a half-sister. I hate my stepmother, because she's just a poor substitute for the wife my father loved. And I'm the only child who can't call her mother, so you can just imagine." She turned her eyes to his earnestly. "You know I was named for my mother? And my father loved her so much, when she died he couldn't bear to call me Alice? He called me Baby Lee until I was a young girl. Since then he's called me Miss Lee or Lee, my middle name. To this day I don't think he's called me by my real name more than twice in my life." Her gaze shifted out the window again. "It's a lonely feeling..."

[Mike D. Greaser]

"This is starting to sound familiar,"

Mike nodded enthusastically, getting into his story. "I know, right? Well, anyway, now we are running from the cops and her father. But if I ever see that lousy scoundrel, I shall... do something awful!" Mike's face scrunched up in thought, trying to think of what he could do to her father. He knew he was acting silly, but he didn't really care. He was having fun. His gaze trailed around the kitchen, looking for something fun to do. He felt like a child who had had bunches of coffee and now all of his pent up energy was coming out. Subconsciously, Mike bounced up and down on the balls of his feet. Maybe he needed sleep...

"Well, I can only suppose she was thankful. But then again...so were you,"

Mike shrugged. "I'm not sure if she was thankful. And if she was, she didn't show it very well. Usually, the damsel kisses the brave prince. But she did nothing of the sort," he said sadly. He began to pout, giving her the best puppy dog face. "I don't really think she was very thankful..." He continued to pout and crossed his arms over his chest, huffing. He nodded, "Oh, I was... trust me." He licked his lips. He snickered slightly.

Mike and Alice lay on the floor of his kitchen, covered in flour, water, eggs, yeast, and other things that were unidentified at the moment. Their chests rose and fell, as the both gasped for breath. "That was so..... AMAZING!" Mike said as he jumped in the air. That was the first food fight he had ever been in. He'd seen plenty of the newsies have them, but had never been in one. Mike stood in the puddle of stuff and looked down at Alice. He laughed, she looked awful. He could imagine what he looked like.

You can come in, Mike..."

Mike took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Alice sat on his bed, and Mike bit his lip. Why had he done that? It was a huge mistake on his part. But he didn't really regret it. That was the best feeling he'd ever had. And the fact that she had kissed him back made him feel even better! She'd kissed him back! Mike couldn't help but feel excited about this. But then she pulled away...

Mike approached her carefully, afraid of her attacking him. Really, Mike wouldn't expect anything less. She had been full of surprises and Mike wouldn't put it past her if she jumped him right now. But, Mike continued to walk towards her slowly. "Alice...I'm sorry..." He reached for her, but withdrew his hand, still afraid of her.

"You know I never even knew my mother? She died on Valentine's Day, two days after I was born. I didn't know my father, either, until I was two or three years old. My aunt raised me. And suddenly I had a father. Soon I had a stepmother and half-brothers and a half-sister. I hate my stepmother, because she's just a poor substitute for the wife my father loved. And I'm the only child who can't call her mother, so you can just imagine. You know I was named for my mother? And my father loved her so much, when she died he couldn't bear to call me Alice? He called me Baby Lee until I was a young girl. Since then he's called me Miss Lee or Lee, my middle name. To this day I don't think he's called me by my real name more than twice in my life. It's a lonely feeling..."

As Mike listened to her, he felt a number of emotions. The fact that she was confessing all of this to him unnerved him. How could someone so perfect have such an awful life? Mike glanced at her every so often, marveled by her courage. He could hardly get the words "My parents died," out his mouth, and yet she was confessing her whole life story. Mike's eyes landed on her for a few moments, about the time she was talking about her name. A different feeling surged through Mike. Endearment, compassion, love? Mike couldn't take his eyes off her as she rambled on. She turned to him and their eyes locked. She turned away and continued talking. Suddenly, Mike reached out his hand and caught her chin in his hand. He used his grip on her chin to turn her so she was looking at him again. "Do you feel lonely now?" He asked, as he slowly inched toward her. Mike didn't know what possessed him, but he just couldn't stop himself. He knew his feelings toward her were real and were growing. At first, he ignored them, but now he let them control his actions. He stopped, inches from her face, waiting to see how she would respond.


{I decided to add the paragraph about them on the kitchen floor. We need to clean up my apartment }

[aliceroosevelt]

"I know, right? Well, anyway, now we are running from the cops and her father. But if I ever see that lousy scoundrel, I shall... do something awful!"

Alice grinned. Although she didn't entirely appreciate Mike calling her father a lousy scoundrel, she didn't take too much offense. It was in Mike's right to threaten the Governor (although she didn't know how long he would last if the statement were to go public) because of TR ever found his daughter with him, he would most likely kill them both. "Something awful? Well, not too awful. That lousy scoundrel is my father and the governor of New York."

"I'm not sure if she was thankful. And if she was, she didn't show it very well. Usually, the damsel kisses the brave prince. But she did nothing of the sort. I don't really think she was very thankful..."

Alice smirked. "I'll have to show my appreciation later..." she said, and gave him a wink. It was surprisingly easy to flirt with mike and be relatively comfortable at the same time. She partially knew it was a game, and she also knew there was something else, another feeling that began to well inside her that she couldn't quite name, but was so fervent she felt as if she couldn't ignore it...

"That was so..... AMAZING!"

Alice stood. She wiped her hands on her trousers and wiped the gunk off her face. "Amazing, nothing...I look like hell..." she said with a slight sneer. But a smile was hidden in her expression. She really had thought it was amazing, but wouldn't admit it, if only for the satisfaction she seemed to get from disagreeing with him.

"Alice...I'm sorry..."

She shook her head. "No...don't be sorry. It's not you." He reached for her, but drew back. In return, he rose to her feet and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I just...I was frightened for a moment. I'll admit it, I was. Because...my God, Mike, I just met you a few hours ago. And I feel...like I've known you for so much longer." She knew it was strange to be feeling the way she was, but she felt that in the short span of time she had known Mike, she had seen almost every part to him. She found him so similar to her, and contrasting just enough to keep her wondering who he was...

"Do you feel lonely now?"

Her eyes locked on his. He was inching toward her, and she knew he was going to kiss her. If not...then she made up her mind to kiss him. A pause passed between them, and slowly she shook her head. "No..." she replied. "I don't." She angled her head and closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his again.

[Mike D. Greaser]

"Something awful? Well, not too awful. That lousy scoundrel is my father and the governor of New York."

Mike shrugged and said, "I could always be the governor.." He winked playfully at her. Lord only know what would happen if Mike was governor. The whole world would fall apart. Well, not really. But pretty close to that. Mike chuckled at his thoughts. That would be the day.

"I'll have to show my appreciation later..."

Mike looked at her, aghast. "What exactly are you suggesting, Missy?" He sounded an awful lot like some old lady scolding her daughter. But it was funny. He was only playing with her, but that is why he loved her. He could play around with her, and she wouldn't take anything to heart.

"Amazing, nothing...I look like hell..."

Mike made a face. "Watch you mouth, young lady." He smirked. Only then did he notice how messy his kitchen was. He really didn't care about the mess. But what he did care about was the food on the floor. Their goes their master plan of making bread... Mike sighed and began the search for something to clean up with.

"No...don't be sorry. It's not you. I just...I was frightened for a moment. I'll admit it, I was. Because...my God, Mike, I just met you a few hours ago. And I feel...like I've known you for so much longer."

Did she just admit that she had feelings for him? Mike swallowed hard. This was not very easy. How could she make him feel this way? He cleared his throat and tried to sound convincing as he said, "Are you saying... are you saying that you have feelings?" Cause, Mike knew he did.

"No... I don't." She angled her head and closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his again.

Mike inhaled deeply, slightly taken back. He had expected her to pull away, but instead she decided to kiss him. And thank goodness she did. Mike kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to wards him. This was the greatest thing he had ever felt.

[aliceroosevelt]

"I could always be the governor.."

At the mental image of Mike being the governor of New York, Alice laughed. She could scarcely imagine him in a suit, much less in the Governor's Mansion and behind her father's desk. "If you ran for governor, Mike, I do believe the rest of New York would run for cover." She had a good idea of how he would fare were he to run for any kind of office. You didn't get in if you didn't have money, and that was just the way it was. There hadn't been many people born into poverty who rose into some kind of political office...

"What exactly are you suggesting, Missy?"

Alice flinched at the nickname. "Ugh! Please don't call me that. That's what Edith calls me when she's trying to be friendly..." Alice hated nicknames, anyway. Not enough people called her my her real name for her to take kindly to nicknames. To her father and stepmother, she was Miss Lee and Missy. To the public she was Miss Roosevelt, Miss Alice or The Governor's Daughter. She had even seen some of the newspapers begin to call her Princess Alice. Never plain Alice. She turned her attention back to Mike. "And take my comment in whatever sense you might. I love being a mystery."

"Watch you mouth, young lady."

Alice threw her hands up in exasperation. "Good God, you're starting to sound like my stepmother!" She smirked at him briefly before adding, "It's frightening, really, so stop. And I can curse any time I damn well feel like it. Plus, one Edith Carow is enough for a lifetime..." Alice's stepmother was for the most part a kind, bookish woman who always played the Gracious Hostess. But the two never saw eye to eye, resulting in bitter feelings. The family life for the Roosevelts was overall wonderful, and Alice felt almost as if she wasn't a part of that.

"Are you saying... are you saying that you have feelings?"

Alice grew red faster than she thought physically possible. Flustered, she stammered, "No! No of course not." She took an unstable step away from him and said, "That's not what I meant at all. And I must say you're being way too forward here, Mike...and..." she paused, and realized exactly what she was doing just then. She turned to face him again, and drew herself up to stand tall, almost defiant. "I'm lying," she said. "I do have feelings, as you put it. And dammit, I won't deny anything. I'm tired of hiding things because I feel like I have to."

Mike kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to wards him.

Her hands went to his neck as she felt herself being pulled toward him. After a moment she broke the kiss, pulled her head back to look Mike in the eye. Her entire person was spinning with emotions and feelings, indescribable and yet all wonderful. She knew that being with Mike gave her a freedom to be herself that had been previously unattainable, something that she could never find anywhere else and that she desired so badly. He gave her freedom, and she couldn't care for him more because of that.

[Mike D. Greaser]

"If you ran for governor, Mike, I do believe the rest of New York would run for cover."

Mike scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. "I resent that," he grumbled. But truthfully, he knew it was true. He could never be governor. Look at him now. He was fighting to be leader of the newsies, and look how far he had gotten. If he ran for governor, Mike was pretty sure that all hell would break loose. Even though he didn't like Alice's dad (just because she didn't seem happy with him), Mike still had an immense respect for him. What he did everyday and how he did it amazed Mike.

"Ugh! Please don't call me that. That's what Edith calls me when she's trying to be friendly..."

Mike's face held a crooked grin, but it didn't reach to his eyes. What happened in Alice's home? Mike was suddenly very curious. What was Edith like? Who was Edith? Mike bit the inside of his cheek, wondering how to go about asking her. He couldn't just ask her. Mike didn't want to offend her. But he was really curious as to what Alice had to deal with.

"And take my comment in whatever sense you might. I love being a mystery."

Mike chuckled. "Well, you certainly are a mystery," Mike stated coyly. Even if he was flirting, he was telling the truth. Every time she opened her mouth, she caught Mike off guard. But not in a bad way, by no means. That alone was one of the main reasons he had fallen for her. Yes, Mike D. Greaser had fallen for Alice Roosevelt in a single day.

"Good God, you're starting to sound like my stepmother! It's frightening, really, so stop. And I can curse any time I damn well feel like it. Plus, one Edith Carow is enough for a lifetime...

Mike chuckled and shook his head. Even though he had an amused expression on his face, Mike found himself even more curious than ever. She obviously didn't like this Edith person. Which was her stepmother? How had that happened? Maybe the governor wasn't as clean as he put off to be.

They pulled apart and searched each others eyes. Mike wasn't breathing, he couldn't. She took his breath away. Her closeness, her eyes, how she felt against him. Before Mike knew what he was doing, he said, "I think I'm falling for you, Alice." He leaned his forehead against hers and inhaled deeply. Her scent made Mike swoon.

"No! No of course not. That's not what I meant at all. And I must say you're being way too forward here, Mike...and... I'm lying, I do have feelings, as you put it. And dammit, I won't deny anything. I'm tired of hiding things because I feel like I have to."

During her little speech, Mike had pulled her into his arms. She continued to rant, unaware of the fact that he was slowly pulling her closer to him. When she had finished ranting, Mike leaned his head against hers. "Alice, stop talking..." Before she could respond, Mike had pulled her into another earth shattering kiss.


{Argh, that was awful. Not my day, sorry}