"Who me?"Lindsay gave Ginny her best innocent look. But most of the effect was lost when her friend actually snorted out loud.

"Lindsay, I'm serious," Ginny persisted."This island has a prison on it. Do you really think you can just waltz onto a ferry and not have anyone notice?"

Lindsay's face was suddenly transformed by an expression so wicked that Ginny actually shivered.

"God, you are stubborn!"

"Mmmm.... Miss Chisholm." Lindsay made a clucking noise, but her eyes twinkled."If I'm not mistaken, blasphemy is the ticket straight to you know where."

Ginny narrowed her eyes."Just be careful, please. You still need those stitches to heal."

That reminded Lindsay that she was uncomfortable and she shifted in the bed.

Ginny carefully reached behind her and fluffed her pillows.

"You don't have to worry about me, Ginny. You have enough concerns without one more."

Ginny's hands stilled."Why shouldn't I worry?" she snapped, truly worried that Lindsay would hurt herself."There's no one else out there worrying about you, is there?"The words had barely passed her lips and she already regretted them.

Lindsay froze for a second, stunned by the unexpected jab."No," she finally answered, her voice low and dejected."I guess there isn't."

God."I'm so sorry, Lindsay."Ginny closed her eyes, her heart in her throat."I didn't mean to..." She sniffed."I only meant that it's no bother worrying about you."When her eyes fluttered open, she used them to beg Lindsay not to be upset."I don't mind, honestly. We're friends, right? Best friends, even?" she asked hopefully. C'mon, please Lindsay, please don't be mad.

The look on Ginny's face tugged at Lindsay's heartstrings and her gaze dropped to delicate lips threatening to tremble. She felt the oddest urge to take Ginny's face in her hands and lean forward and...

"Lindsay?" Ginny was beginning to panic, fearing that she'd finally stuck her foot so far inside her own mouth there'd be no retrieving it. She stood up.

Light-brown eyes snapped up to meet Ginny's. "No. I mean, yes," she blurted out, clearly confused. She reached out and tugged on Ginny's dress until the younger woman reluctantly sat back down. "I mean..." Lindsay shook her head as if to clear it. What was the question again? Oh, right. She was apologizing for telling the truth. "It's okay that you said that. You're right. I don't have anyone who cares what happens to me..." She clamped her hand over Ginny's open mouth. "Except you." Her mouth shaped a lop-sided grin. "My friend."

Ginny exhaled raggedly and they both exchanged relieved grins "So you'll go to the church I told you about?"Lindsay set her jaw."And you tell them you're Catholic and fifteen and not a day older?"

"I may not be a very good one, but I am Catholic. I'm almost eighteen and I'm not lying to a nun!"

"Huh, I didn't know you were Catholic." Lindsay's scratched her chin."Chisholm sounds English or something. What makes you not a good-?"

"My stepfather was Irish," she interrupted, "and he insisted that Alice and I convert when he married Mother." Ginny waved an irritated hand and asked defensively, "Do you have something against Catholics? Does it matter?"

Lindsay blinked."No. I... I."She stopped and tried again. "No."

"Good. But I'm not lying."

Lindsay's face suddenly hardened."Ginny, would you rather sleep outside, alone in the cold? Because that's what you'll be doing."And I won't be there to look out for you. Don't be a fool, girl.

Ginny thought about that and mentally cringed. Forgive me, Father, but I have a feeling I'm going to be doing a lot of sinning in the near future. "I'm fifteen. Got it."She looked away."But after tonight, I'll have the entire day tomorrow to start looking for the kids. I don't think I should just do nothing."

Lindsay knew that the first thing they'd agreed to do when they were released from the hospital was make a trip back to Ginny's tenement. The surviving residents would likely be scattered throughout the same area and one of them might have seen what happened to the Robson children."We'll go back to your building tomorrow... together. Okay?"

"Tomorrow?"Ginny's forehead creased."But you're not being released-"

"When they think I am," Lindsay finished."I'll be fine. You just need to trust me. I need a little time, but I'll be on the morning ferry tomorrow. We'll go to your building together and talk to your neighbors."

Ginny wanted to argue Lindsay out of trying to leave the island early, but one look into resolute eyes told her it would be useless."Thank you," was all she said, but the softly spoken words conveyed more than gratitude. They were laced with affection, and Lindsay found herself willing to do whatever it took to ensure she'd see that particular look more often.

It had taken her nineteen years but the rail-rider finally had a true friend. Lindsay wasn't sure which surprised her more, that it had happened at all or how much she loved it. She still craved quiet and the relative solitude of the tracks and a rhythmically moving boxcar. But she admitted that, even though she wanted those things, they would be just as enjoyable if Ginny were there too. Maybe even more so.

As their time together in the Charity Hospital lengthened, each woman had appointed herself the other's keeper and the staff had been left with little choice but to back off in deference to that simple reality. Except for the dispensing of medication, which was by necessity left to the nurses, Ginny and Lindsay each helped the other with the care of their wounds, bathing, and, when need be, other even more intimate necessaries.

What had, at first, caused each woman to blush hotly, quickly grew routine between them. They felt far more comfortable than with hospital staff, and nurses stopped fighting the inevitable, going so far as to allow the young women to push their beds together at night so they could continue their quiet conversations and not disturb the other patients.

A nurse walked by and glanced at the number etched into the metal post at the foot of Ginny's bed. She picked up her chart and nodded once."You're on the seven a.m. ferry. Come with me."

Ginny looked down at Lindsay and licked her lips nervously."Tomorrow?"

"I'll be there."

Lindsay was shocked to find herself pulling Ginny into a quick but gentle hug. When they separated Ginny brushed her lips across Lindsay's cheek as she withdrew."Tomorrow then."

"Wait!"

Ginny and the nurse stopped."Umm.. let's trade coats. Yours smells like smoke and I know how..."

Ginny's throat closed, but she managed to nod. The smell of smoke on her coat was giving her a headache and irresistibly pulling her thoughts to places she didn't want to go quite yet.

Lindsay reached under her bed and handed Ginny her black woolen jacket."The nurses cleaned off the bloo... er... they cleaned it the first night."

"Thank you."Ginny slipped out of her coat and laid it carefully across Lindsay's bed. Her fingertip grazed Lindsay's foot for just a second before Ginny turned away.

She didn't look back at Lindsay as she strode purposefully down the long hospital bay. With every step, a new and nearly overwhelming feeling of loss that she could neither explain nor even understand threatened to send her to her knees. This wasn't right. She and Lindsay had become a team. You don't split up a team, her mind whispered brokenly.

Lindsay lay back down and stared at the ceiling. A plan formed in her mind and she smiled, biding her time until dark.

When Ginny and three dozen other men and women were finally herded out the hospital's front door, she was greeted with a stiff blast of icy air that smelled like water and tossed her newly shorn hair. She felt naked without a hat and self-consciously turned up the lapels of Lindsay's coat as she boarded one of the wagons heading to the dock. The tattered garment was heavier than hers, and warmer. If not for the slightly long sleeves the fit would be perfect. She burrowed deeply into it and closed her eyes, eagerly accepting what comfort it brought.

At the docks, several milling guards moved over to talk to the nurse who'd escorted the former patients from the hospital. The nurse handed one of the men a folded piece of paper and he efficiently fastened it to a clipboard.

A line formed and Ginny was the second to last person to board.

"Name?" a guard barked out.

She fought the urge to tell him none of your business."Virginia Chisholm."

The man nodded, crossed off her name, and began questioning the next patient, all without looking up from his clipboard. The boatload of people was processed in less than five minutes and Ginny took a spot along the back rail.

Her hands ached and the thin, newly grown skin on her palms and fingers quickly numbed in the cold. As the boat traveled, the Charity Hospital began to take shape in the distance, peeking out from above barren treetops. She wondered, would Lindsay really meet her the next day? Or would she forget about the troublesome young woman who had asked far more of a stranger than she'd had any right to expect? Ginny tucked a lock of blowing hair behind a pink ear, her eyes narrowing and drying from the force of the cold wind whisking off the water."That's just it, isn't it, Lindsay? We're not strangers anymore," she whispered. Her thoughts turned inward. I'll be at the docks tomorrow.

"Waiting."

The next morning...

Breakfast was being served and the sound of clinking silverware and tin cups rattling against metal trays echoed through the Women's Ward.

Lindsay pushed away the runny, slightly green eggs in disgust. It was nearly 8 a.m. and the ferry would be leaving within the hour. Her heart was already beginning to pound in anticipation. It had taken most of the night, but she'd managed to steal two sets of clothing from the Men's Ward that she was reasonably sure would fit her and Ginny. Now, they were tucked safely into Ginny's coat, under her bed.

"Hey, slim," the prostitute from across the aisle called out to Lindsay."You don't haft be blue juss cuz your red-haired friend done left this place." The woman smacked her thick, ruby red lips together and made a kissy-face. Then she adjusted her ample cleavage, valiantly tugging down the rounded-collar of her hospital gown in an effort to show off what she considered to be her best feature. The bed creaked loudly, shaking along with the woman's baritone laugh."Sweet Bertha will keep you company while she's here. Never you worry."

"Shut up, slut.""Disgusting." "Godless trollop," were only a few of the raucous shouts that mixed with not a few catcalls in response to Bertha's invitation to Lindsay.

Dark eyebrows lifted and at that moment Lindsay gave up her valiant but likely suicidal plan to escape the island, which involved stealing a wagon, overpowering the ferry's guards, hijacking it, and piloting it to Manhattan. Long term strategy, she admitted privately, recalling her attempt to recover her flint and $.87, has never been my strong suit. I'm more of a 'winging it' sort of gal. She'd nearly decided to chuck it all and swim for it, hoping the current would help her to the other side, when the streetwalker had given her a better, if more revolting solution to her problem.

Lindsay swallowed hard and tried not to think about what she was going to do. Only because I promised you, Ginny."Bertha," she shouted, loud enough for everyone in the ward to hear, "I think I love you!"You disgusting, toothless hag."Why don't I just march over there and give you a big fat kiss to prove it?"

"Ooooo, why don't you, girl?"Bertha's enthusiasm was clear and she chuckled again, low and wicked."And here I thought you were ignoring me for that sweet-looking little girl who left yesterday. I shoulda known nobody in they right mind would have calf when they could have a fine, aged steak."

The room filled with startled gasps and sniggers and Lindsay was sure she would never eat beef again.

Bertha's coal-black eyes started at the top of Lindsay's head and worked their way down to her chest. Where they stayed."Mmm mmm! You shore is fine for a skinny thing. C'mon to mama now." Her voice turned playfully scolding when Lindsay failed to immediately jump out of bed."Lawdy, lawdy! Don't you make Bertha wait another minute for her kiss. C'mon!"

Out of the corner of her eye, Lindsay could see Nurse Goletz and her doctor rushing down the aisle, their eyes wide. Heh. She threw off her sheet and pushed herself to her feet, giving Bertha her best sultry look. The one she usually reserved for that special moment just before kicking some asshole guy in the balls.

Bertha's smile grew so large that Lindsay could have sworn she saw a tooth. She sat down on the fat woman's bed and Bertha gleefully, but with surprising gentleness, wrapped two meaty arms around Lindsay's waist and pulled the younger woman into her lap, unhampered by the leg she had in traction."Oooo... You feel stronger than you look," Bertha exclaimed in delight.

Lindsay wondered if the woman might actually start to drool, and she warred with the urge to knock away Bertha's possessive hands. The pungent scent of body odor caused her stomach to lurch. I can do this. Oh, God, but can I do it without puking?

Nurse Goltez slid to a halt in front of Bertha's bed."What's going on here?"

"Don't you never mind, Mizzz Nurse." Bertha dismissed Nurse Goletz without even a glance in her direction."This girl is my bizness. Not yours." She tightened her grip on Lindsay and the younger woman stifled a hiss, feeling a tiny trickle of warm blood flow from her incision. Shit. There go my stitches again.

The nurse's grizzled eyebrows drew together. She knew for a fact that Bertha had been a thorn in String Bean's backside for days."What's going on here, String Bean?"

"If my behavior is a problem, then perhaps I should be discharged? Immediately," Lindsay concluded sassily, her eyes narrowing at the doctor who had finally made it to Bertha's bedside and was huffing and sweating from the exertion.

Nurse Goletz glared at Lindsay, hoping the young woman would realize the error of her ways before it was too late. String Bean, I don't think you realize that you're playing with fire.

Lindsay lifted her chin."Now if you don't mind, I promised Bertha a big..." She paused between each adjective for effect. "...fat, juicy, wet, heart-stopping kiss. On the mouth."

There were more gasps and the doctor's face turned beet-red as he recognized Lindsay. She sounded less nasal now the splint from her nose was gone, and she looked different now that the lurid purple bruises had faded to yellow. But this was definitely the same woman. "You're the vile woman that called me an a-a..." He intentionally bit his tongue.

"What did my String Bean call you?" Bertha asked cheerfully, refusing to relinquish her grip on her prize. "I'll bet it involved cursing. Or something about that big, block head on your shoulders." Which was fine with her. She didn't like that rude doctor, anyway. Couldn't he see that she and String Bean were busy? An idea flashed through her mind and just to spite him, and, well, because she thought it would be fun, she latched on to Lindsay's neck with massive lips and sucked for all she was worth.

Jesus! Instinctively, Lindsay opened her mouth to scream bloody murder, but managed to clamp down on the impulse just in time. Her eyes widened and her gaze flicked to the floor. She was surprised not to see eyeballs rolling around on the wooden floor.

Bertha let loose with a long, drawn out, very satisfied moan.

Lindsay's stomach threatened to rebel again and she could feel her body breaking out in a nervous sweat.

A woman three bunks down crossed herself and promptly passed out.

The doctor's right eye began to twitch, a testament to his budding anger. He tore his spectacles from his face with a slightly trembling hand and tucked them safely in to the pocket of his long, white coat."Are you enjoying making a perverted spectacle of yourself with this...this hussy?"

Bertha removed her lips with a loud popping sound. She proudly examined the magnificent hickey for a moment before turning grumpy eyes on the doctor."I prefers strumpet, if you please." She grinned. "Sounds fancy, maybe even French."

The man visibly grabbed hold of his emotions and a cool, professional mask dropped over his face. His hand stopped shaking and his twitching eye righted itself."I wasn't talking to you, Bertha."The voluptuous prostitute had a violent pimp and worse husband. She was a regular at the Women's Ward.

Nurse Goltez went into damage control mode."Doctor," she began hesitantly, using her most calming voice, "I'm sure this isn't what it appears. I-"

"Oh, yes it is," Lindsay corrected forcefully, her gaze never leaving the doctor's."I'm sure you don't want my..." she paused, "influence in your hospital ward. I can be on the next ferry."

"Things wuz just getting' good," Bertha wailed, locking her thick fingers behind Lindsay's back.

The doctor nodded slowly, offering a hand to Lindsay as the young woman pried herself away from Bertha. Lindsay took the hand warily, but allowed the man to help her to her feet."You're right," he paused and glanced at Nurse Goletz in question.

"Her name is String Bean," the nurse supplied helpfully, wincing.

The doctor scowled. These indigents showed little regard for him or this charitable institution. Their impudence was nearly as appalling as their hygiene."You're right, String Bean. I don't believe this hospital ward is the proper place for you."

"Well." Lindsay smiled in surprise. That wasn't hard. And I didn't vomit. But damn, do I need some fresh air. I can't wait to get outside."I'll just gather my things then. No use in waiting for tomorrow's ferry when I can leave now." She padded over to her bunk and pulled Ginny's coat from beneath it, careful not to allow the stolen clothes to be seen. Her feet were near frozen and she slipped them into her shoes, confident that the wide-legged trousers she'd stolen would fit over them.

"I'm having you committed to the asylum right here on the island for treatment," the doctor announced.

Lindsay froze. Her mouth dropped open and she stared at the doctor, wondering if he was truly serious or merely trying to frighten her. Her heart began to pound and a jolt of fear rushed through her veins. "Wh...what?" she finally spluttered.

Nurse Goletz closed her eyes. She was afraid of this.

"You're clearly operating under a psychological malady, Miss... err... String Bean. Homo-erotic contact is akin to self-gratification in its propensity to devolve into full-blown insanity, rather than remaining the quite treatable mental dysfunction than it is." The doctor's eyes softened and he laid a sympathetic hand on Lindsay's shoulder. No wonder she had hurled profanities at him. She was deranged."Bertha performs debasing, unnatural acts for profit. As I don't think you're a prostitute, it is clearly in your basic make-up to act this way. We can change that," he assured her solemnly.

The blood drained from Lindsay's face. She hadn't heard a word since committed and asylum.

"Huh?" Bertha cocked her head to the side and scrunched up her face."I don't know what all that man is talking 'bout. But if that 'self-gratification' is what I think it is, I charge extras for that."

Lindsay cursed inwardly, wishing she'd just hijacked the boat. The asylum all because I was going to kiss Bertha? True, no one in her right mind would do that.... But still...

"Doctor, as you've said before, confinement in cases like this is such a drain on resources," the nurse reminded him gently. "I think it's a real possibility that String Bean is intentionally trying to get tossed into the asylum so she doesn't have to work.

"Hmm..." The doctor rubbed his chin as he glanced at Lindsay with a clinical eye. Was she that devious? It wouldn't be the first time someone tried to pull the wool over the State of New York's collective eye.

"Or maybe this was merely a prank, a "Prank?" the man scoffed at the nurse."I think not. After all, would you, a woman clearly in her right mind, tease in such a revolting manner?"

Hazel eyes went round."Uhhh...Well, no, but..." The heavy-set woman reached out and wrapped her fingers around Lindsay's lean biceps."I'll get everything ready for the transfer, doctor. I shouldn't have questioned. I am truly sorry, doctor. I'll await your discharge orders and notify the orderlies of the upcoming transfer."

"Fine. Fine."He puffed up his chest a little and nodded, enormously pleased with his diagnosis. "Carry on, Nurse Goletz."

Lindsay watched in horror as the man turned on his heels and disappeared through the exit. She flicked a panicky gaze at the nurse. I don't want to hurt her. But... "I hate to break this to you, but I am not-"

"I know you're not, you troublemaker." She let go of one of Lindsay's arms and captured Ginny's coat with a quick sweep of her hand. The stolen men's clothing came tumbling out."Ugh." She rolled her eyes. "I knew I should have gotten you on that ferry with Ginny."She began tugging Lindsay towards the nursing station.

Lindsay wrenched her arm away from the nurse's grasp."No. I won't go!"

"I'm trying to help you, you fool," the nurse hissed under her breath. She leaned closer to Lindsay and she shook her by the shoulders, making it look like the young woman was giving her nothing but trouble and was receiving a firm dressing down because of it. Quickly, she pressed her lips to Lindsay's ear."Grab Bertha's dress on the way out."