A/N: It's been almost a year since I updated my stories on here, and I apologize for that. I honestly completely forgot that I still had an account on here until a few weeks ago. But rest assured, now that I've remembered, I will finish uploading all of my Crutchie and Jennie stories!

Jennie came to in the back of the police wagon, surrounded by other women. A few of them glanced at her curiously, but no one spoke. Most looked ashamed, and two were even crying.

As Jennie's eyes adjusted to the dark interior of the wagon, she slowly pushed herself up onto one of the benches built into the side of it. Breathing deeply, Jennie silently cursed. She had been an idiot thinking going on strike was a good idea, and now she was paying for it.

The wagon suddenly lurched to a stop, and the back door was thrown open. Jennie blinked at the sudden burst of daylight, then shivered as the cold winter air seeped into her bones.

"Come on, out you get," a policeman ordered, his voice gruff. Another man began to pull women out of the carriage, pinning their arms behind their backs to prevent anyone from trying to escape.

Jennie and the others were soon tossed into a holding cell in the basement of the police station, already crowded with other people. There was hardly room to sit down, but Jennie managed to find a small corner to settle herself in. With no way to get word to Crutchie or anyone else for that matter, she had no choice but to wait and see what happened.

-Break-

"Please, sir, I'm beggin' ya. Just tell me where my wife is!"

The policeman behind the desk looked bored. "Like I told ya, I don't know. What with everythin' happenin' all over the city, we're swamped." He held up the large ledger in front of him for emphasis. "Now, if you could tell me anythin' at all about the policemen you say arrested her, then maybe I could help ya."

Crutchie looked over at Miriam and Sofia hopefully. "You didn't happen to see her get arrested, did you?"

Miriam glanced at Sofia, then shook her head regretfully. "No, we didn't see anything. We only heard about it later, from another girl who was nearby when it happened."

Crutchie groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Great. Just great."

-Break-

The next morning, Jennie was awakened by the door to her cell clanging open. A policeman stepped inside. "Jennie Morris?"

Jennie quickly stood up, brushing off her skirt. "That's me."

The policeman nodded. "Follow me, miss."

Jennie was taken to a courtroom, along with several other women. Her heart thudded as she looked around at all the polished wood furniture, and the judge seated behind the bench. She was in real trouble now.

When Jennie's name was finally called, she was led up to the judge. He glared down at her through a pair of spectacles, looking extremely disapproving.

"So, Miss Morris. It seems you have decided to take part in this foolish strike."

Jennie said nothing, only bowed her head.

"I won't lie to you, I find your actions most offensive. Grown women, parading in the street. And for what? You have good jobs, fair wages." He shook his head. "A waste."

Jennie's stomach twisted, and she had to bite down on her cheek to keep from speaking. Anger would only get her into more trouble.

"I sentence you to a fine of ten dollars, or a week in the workhouse," the judge declared, his tone ominous.

Jennie's head spun. Ten dollars? She didn't have that kind of money just lying around, much less in her pocket!

"I…" Jennie's voice cracked. She cleared her throat and lifted her head to look at the judge. "I don't have ten dollars."

"I do."

Jennie spun around as a voice rang clear and strong behind her, and she could have cried in relief. Katherine was there, along with Miriam, Sofia, and-

"Charlie!"

Crutchie grinned at Jennie, looking as though he wanted to knock down everyone in that courtroom and run to her right then, but he remained composed.

Katherine continued to speak. "I'll pay the fine, Your Honor. Gladly."

The judge looked back and forth between Jennie and her rescue party, then finally nodded. "Very well." He banged his gavel. "Next case."

-Break-

"I can't thank you enough. All of you," Jennie declared, holding tightly to Crutchie's arm as they walked home. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

"We were happy to help," Katherine said, smiling kindly. "And before you say anything, I don't want any reimbursement for the fine. Consider it an early Christmas gift."

"That's really too kind, Katherine," Jennie protested. "We can't accept something so generous."

"Of course you can," Katherine replied. "I'm your friend. This is what friends do."

"It's still too much-"

"Oh, be quiet and let her do something nice for you," Sofia interjected. "We would all do the same in a heartbeat if we could."

"She's right," Miriam agreed. "I've only known you a short time, but I'd do all I could to help you. I promise."

Jennie looked down at her feet, blinking back tears of emotion. "Thank you," she whispered.

The rest of the walk home was silent, Miriam and Sofia both eventually peeling off from the group to go back to their own apartments. Katherine, however, walked all the way to Crutchie and Jennie's apartment with them, since she and Jack lived slightly farther uptown.

"I know we both sound like parrots at this point, but thank ya again," Crutchie said, giving Katherine a quick hug. "I don't know how we would 'a gotten through all this without you an' Jack."

"No thanks needed," Katherine said. "I was happy to help." She turned to Jennie. "But maybe try not to get arrested again?"

Jennie laughed, though the sound had a slight edge to it. "I'll try my best."

"Good." Katherine gave them both a small wave. "Well, I should get back home. I'll see you both soon, hopefully."

"See ya, Katherine," Crutchie called after her. He turned to Jennie. "Wanna go inside?"

Jennie hesitated. "In a moment," she said. "I just… I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Do you… do you want me to go back to work now?" Jennie looked up at Crutchie. "I know I can't go back to the strike, that wouldn't be fair to you and Faith, but… do you want me to go back to the Triangle?"

"No." There wasn't the slightest hesitation or hint of doubt in Crutchie's voice. "You don't gotta go back there. Unless you want to, of course."

"I don't." Jennie leaned into Crutchie more. "But how will we make ends meet?"

Crutchie sighed. "I was gonna tell ya later when you'd had time to rest an' recover." He smiled slightly. "But I've already told Jack an' Katherine, so I should tell you now. I got a job."

Jennie gasped. "Really? Oh, Charlie, that's wonderful! Where?"

"This bank, the Fifth Avenue Bank," Crutchie said. "Still workin' as a clerk, but the pay's better than before."

"I'm so happy for you, Charlie," Jennie said. "For both of us."

"Thanks, Jennie." Crutchie leaned down and kissed Jennie deeply. "I'm sorry it took so long."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Jennie reassured him. "Nothing at all." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Now, come on. Let's go inside before we both catch our death."

Crutchie chuckled. "Good idea." He took Jennie's hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Let's go home."

A/N: The Fifth Avenue Bank was a real bank in New York at that time. It was actually one of the first banks to have a row of teller windows just for women to use. Admittedly I don't know for sure if they employed clerks, but seeing as they were a bank I assume they did.

There are just a few more stories left in this series, and I will do my best to have them posted here in a timely manner (although if you really can't wait to read more they are on my AO3 account). In the meantime, feel free to leave a review and let me know what you thought of this!