My dears, I am so so so sorry I haven't posted for awhile. Musicals, school, friends... Okay, no excuses! Here's Chapter 10. Thanks again (and as always) to theater104, and this time to daughterofterpsichore for all their help! Now, I know you may want to slap Keys right now. Don't worry, that's the point. She'll get better, I swear! Now, on with the story.

The streets of New York City were bustling with pedestrians and shoppers. Keys was preparing to go sell to a teenage boy across the street from her, when a hand grabbed her arm.

"Hey!" She spun around, and stopped dead. It was Oscar Delancey, looking apprehensive, "Oscar? What do you want?"

He let go of her arm, "Well, I was wondering if I could buy a paper."

"A pape'? You work around the circulation desk, why would ya'-" Keys paused. She knew flirting when she saw it. And she also knew that Finch was three feet behind her. "A pape'? Sure."

Oscar smiled, and Keys had to admit, he wasn't bad looking. Pulling a newspaper out of her bag, Keys put on her prettiest smile. He handed her a penny, but she waved it off.

"Please. This one's on the house." Oscar scratched his head.

"I have to pay you back somehow… How about lunch tomorrow?"

Keys fluttered her lashes, while she had a mental debate.

It is really nice of him to offer lunch. But at the same time, I should refuse… I am still kinda dating Finch. Or am I? If I'm available, then going out to lunch with him isn't a crime. On the other hand, he is a Delancy Brother, and they're supposed to be no good. But on the other hand maybe if I make Finch jealous, he'll realize that he wants to make up. On the other hand… oh what the hell!

"I'd love to come. Where should I meet you?"

Oscar winked, "Right here would be fine. And make sure to dress nicely!" Then, he began to walk away with a bounce to his step.

Keys straightened her cap and called the headline once more. She had a date with a Delancey… This should be fun!

"Why ya' gettin' all dolled up?" Stars asked, watching Keys carefully brush her hair. She was in her best green dress that accentuated her curves and long legs.

"I'm going out with Oscar today. He offered to buy me lunch. Ain't that sweet?" She cooed, pulling on her normal boots. Taking a long look in the mirror, Keys blew the reflection a kiss.

Stars looked at her with a funny expression, "Oscar? I thought ya' was with Finch?"

"I'm not. And since when was my love life any of your business? That's right, it's not." And with that, Keys flipped her hair.

"It's been my business since Finch started havin' nightmares. Nightmares about you."

Keys paused, "What do you mean, Stars?"

"I mean that Finch is havin' nightmares about you leavin' him. You gettin' hurt… They'se is serious, Keys."

"Stars, I can't be attached. I've been thinkin', and he needs to come back on his own. I won't chase him." She brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.

Stars frowned, "And why not? He was almost killed for ya'. Isn't that enough?"

Keys threw her hairbrush on the bed angrily, "What's with you? I can do what I want and ya' can't do nothin' about it!"

"You don't gotta do this to prove a point. Finch already would do anythin' for ya'."

"Oscar might be wonderful, but you'd never know, because nobody ever gave him a chance!"

"Bullshit!"

She gasped, "Stars!"

"Keys, I'm just sayin', don't do this."

"You can't do anythin'. I'm going, and that's final."

At the street corner where Oscar told her to meet him, he was there. Oscar was holding a perky daisy, and when Keys walked up to him, he held out his arm.

She giggled, "What a gentleman!"

"I try." Oscar led her to a nice sidewalk cafe, and pulled the chair out for her, "Thank you for coming. It's hard for me to interact with girls, since I have such an infamous reputation. You're one of the only people who saw past the rumors."

Oscar was quite the charmer when he wanted to be. Maybe he isn't so bad… She thought. "Well, I always try to delve deeper than what's on the outside." But she flinched. That's what she told herself about Finch.

After the two had ordered, Oscar put his hand on hers. Keys started moved it, then relaxed. She knew that there's two ways to go about things. There was the flirty way and there was friendly way. The friendly way would be the easiest, since Oscar seemed like he was looking for a kind companion. But the flirty way would be more fun.

"Thank you so much for inviting me." Keys nibbled on her croissant. It was warm, flaky, and nothing like she'd ever eaten before.

"Of course. It's nice to talk to someone who doesn't look at me is if I'm something to be hated."

She leaned closer and batted her lashes sympathetically, "Why would anyone hate you?"

Oscar laughed, "Well, my brother and my reputations are… quite tarnished… to say the least."

"I don't think that's true. Ya' seem like a great guy. First off, ya' personality is sparkling-"

"-Like your eyes?" He interrupted and Keys genuinely blushed. He was such the gentleman! It was new to her, to be treated so much like… like a lady. Finch had never been smooth with her, she had to go to him. Finch never gave her charming compliments. Finch didn't talk so easily with her.

Keys let his fingers trace her hands outline on the table, but couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't meant to be. Oscar was wonderful, but Keys's heart tugged in a different direction. Tugged towards the sky. Like a bird. Like a bird… Keys thought. No! Don't do this to yourself! Let him come after you, not the other way around. Finch will come back, but on his own time. Now just enjoy yourself!

Oscar abruptly grabbed her hand. "Can I ask you something?" He was very serious right now.

"Um, sure?" Keys bit her lip nervously. Was he okay?

"Can I kiss you?" He swallowed, leaning on the table. "Sorry to be so forward…"

Keys was speechless, before trying to say no, but it came out, "Yea-ah?"

Oscar grinned, and kissed her on the lips. It was short, but he seemed satisfied. Keys was breathless. Who'd have thought she'd would kiss a Delancey?

"Thank you." He smiled, looking at her with a content demeanor.

After paying the bill, Oscar left, leaving Keys sitting alone at the table. What the hell just happened? She wondered. I didn't like that at all… Actually, it was awful. I never want to do that again. Keys decided, wiping her mouth off.

Walking down the city street, Keys fiddled with her necklace. The Lodging House came into view, and she took a deep breath before going inside.

"H-hey, Stars." Keys muttered, changing into a large flannel and pants. She threw the dress into the back of the tiny closet, and sat down heavily, sighing loudly.

"I can't believe ya' did that, Keys." Stars crossed her arms. "I can't believe ya' did that to him."

"Well, Oscar asked me if he could kiss me, not the other way a-"

"What!" Stars grabbed Keys' shoulder. "Ya' let him kiss ya'!"

"Yes. And I'll have you know that he was a very good kisser." Keys lied, braiding her hair. "So there."

Stars gasped. "Didja really just say that? Ya' think Oscar Delancey is a good kisser?"

Keys frowned angrily, "So what? I can have my own opinions. And you're just mad because I'm not limiting my options. Finch is-" She stopped, "What I mean is-" Keys couldn't think of anything to say.

"What is Finch? Not good enough?"

"No! Well, he's just too scared to kiss me or anything. I initiate everything, and even then, he's quick to let go." She defended, turning away.

Keys was being a right idiot, "This is so stupid. Is that really the most important part of a relationship?"

"It's not! I just- All I- Ya' know what?" Keys fumed, "I do care about Finch. I don't want to be with Oscar! It's just too damn hard to be with someone who's too scared to hug you, or hold your hand. Finch is a flighty bird, and I love that, but sometimes it's easier to just be with someone who will- I dunno- willingly touch you without minutes of coaxing."

Stars stopped, staring at Keys, "Well then… But still-" She recovered from her momentary shock, "-Isn't Finch worth it? Or do ya' need a guy who will kiss ya' at a seconds notice?"

Keys shook her head, "No. I just feel like Finch shouldn't be scared to be with me. He should warm up to me, then I don't have to persuade him to do every little thing. He can make his own choices. And if Finch never kisses me again, I'd be fine with that. Just as long as I know he cares."

Thank you for reading! Chapter 11 is in the works, and if you have something to say to Keys, she'd be glad to hear it... Though, let's not be too mean! :)