It was the end of another day as Mush and Feister walked back to the Lodge. It had been a few days and there hasn't been any sign of Will, which was good, but it also put them on guard.

As Feister was talking Mush listened with a smile. Though it had only been a few days since he realized his true feelings for her, he felt like he's been in love with her since forever. Actually, now that he thinks about it maybe there was a little something there when they first met. But Mush had a feeling that Feister didn't like him like that. He was just her big brother/best friend. Plus, why would an amazing girl like her, go for a lame guy like him.

Besides Feister still wasn't the kind of girl who went out on dates, or flirted with other guys, but Mush knew it was going to happen sooner or later. After all, she's fourteen, isn't that the age when girls start liking/dating boys?

The only thing Mush knew was that if, and when Feister starts dating, he would just smile and be happy for her. After all, that's what she did for him. There was also something else Mush knew, and it was that when Feister does start dating he can, and will soak anyone who breaks her heart.

And he was sure the other boys would do the same. After all, she's their little sister, and they're her brothers. As he was thinking that there may be a small chance Feister would start dating it made him sad to think she might leave him for some bum she met and....now he knows how she felt when he went out with Lacey.

"Hey, you'se ok." was what pulled Mush out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, I's fine, why?" he asked quickly.

"Yer thinkin' bout a goil," Feister said, with a hint of sadness in her voice. But she learned to hide it when the subject came up. Now, Feister knew very well that Mush had been taking a break from dating after the fourth break up happened back in spring with some girl named Genevieve.

But as soon as Feister saw that look she knew all too well it would only be a matter of time before Mush started going out with random girls, and forgetting all about her. Again. All Feister could do was put on a smile, bite her tongue, and remind herself that she'd rather lose him to some random girl then lose him completely. Which is easier said than done.

"How'd ya know that?" Mush asked worriedly. Which made him wonder, how does this girl know him so well?

"Ya got that stupid look that makes ya look like an idiot," she replied with a half hearted smile. But she felt her heart drop, and that burning feeling in her stomach. Now, Feister knows that Mush wouldn't go for a lame girl like her. Why would he? After all she's just his little sister/best friend.

"What? Ya mean like this?" Mush made a funny face that made Feister laugh.

"Yer such an idiot." Feister shoved him to the side, which made him shove her back. Mush then snatched her cap, making her braids fall just a little ways past her shoulders.

Now, Mush knows very well that Feister hates it when someone snatches her cap. Hence why he did it. For some odd reason he didn't just liked. He loves getting her mad. Yes, it's tempting fate by getting a girl like Feister mad. But Mush still does it anyways.

"Mush!" she exclaimed while jumping up to try to get her cap back. Mush only held her cap in the air and laughed at her sorry attempt to get it back. This was one of the many reasons she hates being short. "Give it back!"

"Ya hafta catch me!" with that Mush ran off to the Lodge.

"Hey!" Feister yelled while running after him. By the time she got back to the Lodge Mush was already there. She walked up to him with an annoyed look on her face. "Bout time ya got back," Mush said as he put Feister's cap back on her head and pulled it over her eyes.

"Yeah well you." she shoved his shoulder. "Got a head start," she finished as she tucked her braids into her cap.

"Not my fault yer old bones can't keep up," he teased with a smirk. Feister then fell to the ground. But it was all a part of her plan. "C'mon Feisty, get up."

"Why'd ya shoot me so hard?" she then rolled to the other side while holding back her laughter.

"If ya don't get up I's lockin' ya out," he replied while pointing to the door.

"Race ya ta the bunk room!" Feister popped up and then ran inside.

"Hey!" Mush yelled as he ran after her. He should've known that was her plan all along. Once he ran up the stairs he looked around for the smaller girl, but she was nowhere to be seen.

BAM!

The next thing Mush knew was on laying on the ground on his stomach, and he had a pretty good feeling who was on top of him. "Ya know Feisty, there's this thing called air that I's kinda need ta breathe ta live. In other words can ya get off me, yer heavier then ya look!"

"Yer no fun," Feister grumbled as she got off of him. What had happened was that she had hid in one of the top bunks, and wait for the right moment to jump him. Literally. Hey, she put pillows on the spot where she was going to land so he was fine.

"No fun, huh." Mush smirked, he then saw Feister's eyes widened before she made a run for it. "Get back here Feisty!'

"Not a chance Mush brains!" she shot back as she ran past Finch and Henry, who almost fell over. Mush also ran passed the older boys and well...they fell over.

Feister knew Mush was ganging on her so she hopped up to Jack's bunk and when Mush started to climb up she jumped over to Elmer's. "I knew you'se was slow, but I's didn't think you'se be this slow," she said as she turned her head back to Jack's bunk, but Mush wasn't there. She quickly scanned the room, but there was no sign.

Then, she felt someone pull her down and carry her on their shoulder. "Mush," she laughed.

"Yeah?" he asked innocently as if nothing was happening.

"Put me down."

"Ok, he shrugged then dropped her onto one of the beds, making her land on top of on Race and Albert's laps. Before the two boys could say anything Feister popped up and yelled right into Mush's face, "I hate you!" She had gotten up so quickly her cap slipped off, which made her braids fall down.

"Yeah, I know," Mush smirked, while trying to hide his smile because he liked seeing her braids. It also took all his will power to not brush away a small piece of hair that was in the corner of her eye. Feister rolled her eyes before quickly picking up her cap and put it back on her head. But hey, at least she didn't tuck her hair in, right?

"Hey Feisty!" Sniper called as he ran up the stairs and over to where the slightly younger girl was.

"Woah, slow down Snipeshooter, where's the fire?" she joked.

Sniper rolled his eyes at the use of his full name. But he shook it off and held a small package to her with a letter on top. "Klopp said ta give this ta you'se." Feister took the small box and saw the envelope with the name "Claire" written on it.

"Who's it from?" all four boys asked.

"I'll um...be right back." with that Feister ran to her room and closed the door. Which the boys found weird. Anyways, Feister sat down on her bed and opened up the envelope. She then found a letter that read.

"Dear Claire,

Or, should I say Feister. It's Will, your brother. I just wanted to say sorry for causing you all that trouble, and for getting the Delanceys involved, for hurting you, and for putting your friend into the Refuge. I didn't know what that place was really like, but I do now. I never meant it to go that far, I never meant to hurt you. I just wanted us to be a family again.

Mom and Dad are gone and all we have left is each other, but, I guess I lost you too. Actually you lost me first when I ran away. But I have a reason for what I did, and it was because money was tight and I was just another mouth to feed, so that's why I ran away. I left New York, hopped a train to Boston and stayed there.

By the time I was fourteen I heard that Mom died about seven years ago, and Dad well..you know all about that. But, I didn't hear anything about you. I didn't know if you were dead or alive. I was worried about you, so I started to save up so I could make it back to New York.

When I got enough money I came back and started looking for you. It took me months, but when I came to Lower Manhattan and asked around, a lot of people said to try the Newsboys Lodging House on Duane street since they heard stories of Manhattan's girl, who I'm guessing is you.

When I found you I was happy that you were alive and safe. But you were completely different from the girl I knew ten years ago, and, well...I just wanted to say that you have become a beautiful young lady, you look so much like Mom, you definitely have her eyes, laugh, and smile. I know that because well...I've seen the way you laugh and smile with the boy named Mush.

I can tell you like him, a lot. But, just promise me you'll be careful in more ways than one. Even though I know you can take care of yourself, you're still my sister no matter what. Well, again, I just wanted to say sorry for everything and that you won't be seeing me around anymore, if you've made it this long without me then

I'm pretty sure you can do it more. I'm going to find a job in Bronx. So, if you ever want to see me, I'll be there. But I highly doubt that will happen. Just remember I still love you no matter what, and I never stopped. I love you, Claire, Feister. Whatever your name is I love you

William."

Ps, while I was at our old apartment I found a few things I thought you'd want, and something that Mom would have wanted you to have. It was our great-grandmother's. It's been passed down and I know Mom would've wanted you to have it."

Feister then opened the package and inside and saw a few things from her childhood. There was a small stuffed bear that was old, but it was still in good condition. She smiled and remembered her mother made her this when she was still a baby, when she started talking she named it Honey. She also saw her old keepsake box. It was actually her father's old cigar box that he gave her after he got a new one. She opened it up and saw everything was still in there. Rocks and trinkets she'd find on the street. Pieces of fabric, lace, and a few buttons.

A small perfume bottle that smelled like lavender which was her mother's. One spot was empty because that's where she kept what little money she had. It was empty because she took it when she left the apartment. And last but not least a family photo from when she was a newborn sat in the middle. She then noticed that a silver necklace that had a heart locket on top of the picture. Which she guessed was the one her great-grandma had.

The last thing that was in the package was her old journal from when she was little. She brushed her hand over the well worn brown leather cover as she opened it. She looked through the pages that held her childhood memories, and all the songs she had written. When she got to the middle she read the last song she had written before her mother died.

When she came to the Lodge the first thing she bought when she got enough money was a new journal. And she had at least three in her nightstand draw. Everything that was in those three journals were written in French because those pages held her most deepest and darkest secrets that she doesn't want anyone to find out.

Anyways, she put her keepsake box on her nightstand with Will's letter inside. Honey sat on her pillow and she put her journal in the nightstand draw along with her others. Even though she was mad at Will for everything he's done.

After he ran away and then showed up out of nowhere, she now knew the truth. He had only done it so he could make things right, but he ended up doing it in the wrong away, which she couldn't let go of.

Mush went to the Refuge because of this whole mess, and it was her fault it happened. So, Feister wasn't sure if she forgave Will, but at least she now knew the truth on why he ran away. While she was deep in thought she didn't hear the door open, footsteps, or notice that Mush was sitting next to her.

"You'se ok?' he asked, which made her jump.

"Yeah, I's fine," she replied with a smile while looking at him.

"Yer sure?" Mush asked. With everything going on lately nothing has been fine.

"I's sure," Feister replied. "An' just so ya know, Will won't be comin' back anytime soon. He knows when he ain't wanted."

Mush wasn't sure what to think. After all that Will just gave up on the spot. It didn't make any sense. But was glad everything was over. That's he then noticed the box, and journal on Feister's night stand and the teddy bear on her pillow. "What's this?' he asked while reaching for the teddy bear. Which Feister grabbed before he could reach it. "Touch Honey an' you'se die!" she exclaimed.

"Honey?" Mush asked. He couldn't believe Feister was getting worked up over a stuffed bear. But it was kinda cute. Then again everything about Feister is cute.

"Yeah, I's had 'im since I's was born. My mudda made 'im for me an' when I's started tawkin' I's named it Honey Bear, Honey for short. An' if you'se tell anyone yer good as dead."

"Yer secret is safe with me." in all truths Mush thought it was kinda cute that Feister had a stuffed bear her Mom made for her. "What bout that." he was about to reach for the keepsake box when she whacked his hand. He pulled back an started shaking his hand to get rid of the pain. How this girl had fast reflexes he'll never know.

"Touch that an' I's kicking yer sorry bum ta Santa Fe."

"Ok, can ya at least tell me what's in the-"

"Nope," she cut him off with a smirk. And Mush only shook his head and laughed. Who knew this was the girl he'd fall for the most, but, he sure was glad he did.

Feister rolled her eyes just as memories of her once happy childhood turned dark after her brother's disappearance and mother's death, resulting her father to go down the wrong path, only then to abandoned her for his horrible girlfriend, left her broken into a million pieces came flooding back.

But at the end of it all she was found and brought to a loving family, sure they weren't perfect, but who is. And that's one of the many reasons why she loves her boys. They're her brothers, who found, and showed her what a family is, and she wouldn't give that up for anything in the world.

Mush then wrapped his arm around Feister. As she laid her head down in the nook of his arm he kissed the top of her head. In that moment he just wanted to hold her in his arms because right in that moment, he felt like that she was his girl. Even though chances were very low that they'd actually date, he was just glad that he met her in the first place.

Feister smiled, moved closer and closed her eyes. She put Honey down on the bed before wrapping both her arms around him. She was beyond happy that this whole mess was finally over. She also couldn't have asked for a better best friend. Maybe being sad, broken, and feeling like a complete nothing when her life got turned upside down was worth it.

Sure, she got hurt in the past, in more ways than one. But in the end she found a family who cares about her, and will help her through anything with no questions asked, and she also found her best friend, who would do anything to make her feel safe again.

Who knew that one little fight would lead to an amazing friendship. She felt him wrap his other arm around her and, just like many times before she felt safe, warm, and like she was his. His girl.

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────

Author's Note

And that is the end of The Past Comes Back. Thank you to everyone who read, commented and voted on this story. I know I kinda spammed you guys with double chapters (trust me I didn't want to do it either) but I had to for reasons you'll find out in the near future. On another note I've got about three one shots left and then we all get a small break from me posting stuff. Thanks for reading and thanks again for reading commenting and voting! 

Crystal