Jack sat meditating in front of the fireplace, it's moody light casting random shadows across his angled face. A cigarette perched on his bottom lip, unlit for the moment as his brown eyes kept watch on the fire.

Christa, rubbing sleep from her eyes, came downstairs then, wearing one of Jack's shirts over her bodice. Her underskirts swelled and fell, like waves in an ocean, as she walked and came to the boy by the fire.

"Jack?" she questioned, her voice quiet, "You okay?"

Jack grunted a response, and Christa had expected little else. She put her hands on her hips. "Jack, it's five in the morning. I'm too tired to decipher your moody little grunts!"

"Go back to sleep, then, 'cause my business ain't yours," Jack said, leaning back further into the ratty armchair, which was probably decades older than even Kloppman.

"Jack…" Christa was getting exasperated now, "What's wrong?"
"Nothin'! Go back to bed!"

"If nothing's wrong, then why are you getting so upset? And why were you having troubles earlier tonight, hm?"

Jack stiffened and sat up. "Bug off," he whispered sullenly.

"Not 'till I find out what's wrong."

Jack started at her for a moment with tormented brown eyes. "I can't see you anymore, Christa."

Christa frowned. "Why?"

"'Cause I love someone-"

"Oh, I know that."

Jack stared at her, open-mouthed. "What?"

"A person'd have to be blind or stupid to not know." A cynical smile -the only kind of smile she could make- twisted onto her face. "He is a pretty boy. I don't blame you in the least!"

A blush brought color to Jack's pale cheeks. "You… you know? That I…"

"Jack, I'm not stupid. You've been drooling over that kid for weeks now."

"And you slept with me? You knew, and you still slept with me?" Jack sounded terribly guilty, and Christa's heart went out to him; he was a good guy. Not the best guy, no, but not the worst either. He knew right from wrong and he knew how far to go across the line before someone would get hurt. Yeah. A good guy.

"I mean, I never even paid you or nothin'!" Jack continued.

Christa scowled. He was a good guy, yes, but still a guy.

"You are so stupid!" She cried, "Men are so stupid! I'm not a whore, Jack; I never asked you to pay me!"

"Christa-"

"People call girls like me whores, but that's not it. That's not it, Jack!"

"What is it then?" Jack asked seriously.

Christa paused. "What it is, is needing someone warm. To be warm. Needing to love." She blinked, and was surprised to feel something hot and wet leak onto her right cheek. "Is that so bad?"

Jack stared at her for a moment, then sighed. "No," he said, "it's not bad at all."

Christa smiled.

"I'm sorry, Christa," he said softly.

"No harm done, I guess. I'll just get my things and be off."

Jack stood at the door and waited while Christa got dressed.

"Christa, I'm sorry," he repeated as he opened the door for her, letting in the dawn's pink light. She rolled her sapphire eyes.

"Shut up, Cowboy," She said, heading out. "And good luck with the kid… what's his name?"

"Kid Blink," Jack answered with a slight smile.

Christa smiled back. "Yeah. Good luck with him." She paused. "Be warm."

And with that, she turned and walked down the front steps and onto the grubby sidewalk, he head high and her lips curved into a knowing smile.

***AUTHOR'S NOTE***

Jesus Christ it's been a while since I did a good old-fashioned one-shot. Probably 'cause I've been too busy with Outkasts and school… then there's that new story I'm starting up with Sita. Ah well.

For the curious, I've finished the Outkasts Epilogue and am typing it up now. ^_^ So you'll see it soon enough. I'm gonna reach 400 reviews! I know I am! XD I'm so excited! XD