Fawnie Shelby awoke to the sound of a gun firing and it did not help her horrendous headache.

The gunshot wasn't too far from her bedroom, Fawn pushed the covers back and switched on her bedside lamp with haste. She was quick to push her wardrobe aside to look out the window, Arthur stood behind his house with a gun in hand.

Her body relaxed as she watched Thomas console their eldest brother. At least it wasn't Italians doing the shooting this time. She sighed softly despite the ache burning in her chest... tears flooded Fawn's eyes as she stared out the window. She began crying silently but upon hearing her door open, she quickly wiped her eyes and forced a smile onto her face.

"You've got work to do, little lady." Her aunt Polly stood in the doorway with a soft expression before closing the door once more. Fawnie exhaled loudly and tried to ignore the pain in her heart at the nickname... it was once used to describe Winifred and Fawnie Shelby, the youngest sisters and the best of friends. Thomas deemed them the 'Little Ladies' due to them constantly hosting tea parties in the parlor...

Only family was allowed... it was a very exclusive event. One that Fawn remembers clearly now, how Winnie would prepare the tea and how Fawn would go and beg baker Donald for some biscuits if Pol hadn't made any. Fawn's last tea party was one for the books... the one where Sylvia Taylor was the guest of honor and Tom actually showed up for the first time in years.

If only Fawn could turn back the clock...

━━━━

Fawnie sat in the place she had a love/hate relationship with... John's office. She was counting out the money that Finn dropped at the corner of the desk that morning. Fawn looked between the book and the code often so she wouldn't make a mess of the books. 

Heels alerted Fawnie of a new presence, her head snapped up as Linda Shelby walked into the Den. Fawn set the pencil in hand down and stood up, walking to the doorway of the office to hear what Linda had to say. "I said to Arthur while I'm stuck in this fucking place," The woman that Fawn had a strained relationship with pulled her glove off each finger slowly, "I want something to keep my mind busy."

The young woman turned her gaze to her aunt's face, Polly snorted at Linda's statement, "What? You're going to take bets?"

Linda gave Polly an unamused look and shrugged, "I have always been able to do addition and subtraction without pen and paper. But I'll need a telephone. Apparently we have special clients who take bets by telephone." Fawn didn't want to be rude but what Linda described was Fawn's job. She didn't take bets by the phone often... but Fawn prided herself in her mathematical abilities. She is the only Shelby to have finished school anyway.

"Linda? This is a betting shop. And that's Fawnie's job," Polly stated.

The blonde set her purse down sternly, "Look. Arthur said yes. Tommy said yes." Fawnie met Polly's eyes and the older woman nodded, Fawn gave Pol a small smile in thanks.

"But did God say yes? Gambling is a sin, Linda. And it is Fawnie's job."

"I don't care who's job it is, she's clearly not doing it now." Linda pointed at the dejected Fawn with a venomous scowl, why Linda disliked the youngest Shelby was unbeknownst to Fawnie herself. Luckily, Fawn hardly ever dealt with Linda so she was often safe from Linda's hateful glare.

For some inexplicable reason, Fawnie felt terribly embarrassed. She blinked away the angry tears that pricked at her eyes and turned into the office, Fawn closed the door behind her and leaned against the door for support. A knock sounded, "You alright dear?"

Fawnie swallowed a sob, "Yea, yea, I'm– I'm fine." She chewed on the top of her thumbnail to distract herself, "I'll be out in a moment." It was times like these when Fawnie thanked her past self for closing the blinds on the walls of John's office... she squeezed her eyes shut and brought her hands up to cover her face, Fawn's chest heaved despite not being out of breath.

She wiped her eyes dry and slowly opened them. John's words rang clearly in her head like the bell on the clock tower. "You are a Shelby, no matter what they say. And as a Shelby, it's your job to not take any shit from anybody! Not even us," John was well aware of Fawn's insecurities... especially how worried she was about people finding out about it. 

The fear of being called a fraud was always there, even from a young age, Fawnie strived to be the most Shelby a Shelby could be. Maybe that's why she adopted Tommy's personality. Her silver tongue ready at any moment to lay waste to her enemies' egos. Even if Fawn lacked any remorse for Tommy, she felt green with envy at his ability to portray no emotion even in the most dangerous of situations. 

Fawnie collected herself and got ready to tell Linda what it was. She opened the door and stuck her chin up just as Linda did. "It's my job so find something else to do, Linda." Out of the corner of her eye, Fawn saw Lizzie and Polly smirk at one another. Linda gave Fawn a surprised look and said nothing. "Phone is in the back by the way," She announced as Finn entered.

"Boy." Polly snapped toward Finn to gain his attention, he paid her no mind, "Boy, where are you going?" Finn turned back as he walked. 

Finn raised his eyebrows and slowed to a stop, "Well, Arthur's not coming in today. He's taking the day off. So..." He scratched the back of his neck and sought out Fawn's eyes, she shook her head no. 

"So what?" Lizzie asked with her armed crossed, eyebrows drew downward in confusion.

"So today, Tommy said that I'm in charge." His twin couldn't help the laugh that left her lips, "What's so funny?" Even though Fawn felt she could cry at any second, the thought of listening to Finn was outright hilarious.

All of the women– Linda included –glanced at each other with amused looks, even Fawnie gave her aunt and Lizzie a wowed smile, "Nothing," Fawnie mumbled before bringing her hand up to stifle the chuckle that tried to escape.

Polly stepped up to Finn and patted his cheek teasingly, "All right, sweetheart. Ladies? Let's give our boss a first day that he'll never forget." 

━━━━

For as long as Fawnie could remember, her mother had blonde hair and green eyes, much unlike Fawn's Shelby-like appearance. But lately... it seemed the memory of her had morphed into that of rich brown hair and dark eyes, the same face that Fawnie only knew for almost two years. The face of Sylvia Taylor. 

Ever since John's passing, Fawn's mind has been reminding her of the year that broke her young mind. 1919 was the worst year ever– besides the year her brothers were drafted that is –that year she lost more than the family gained. Sure, the Shelby name now had legal beside it, but the Shelby family was hit hard.

Plagued by the loss of two strong women, a copper that wouldn't let go, and an iffy barmaid who stupidly fell for Thomas Shelby. Fawnie– despite being only eleven at the time –remembers finding her sister's body with perfect clarity. If anyone knew any better, they'd think it just happened. Fawnie sometimes wished it was her who got played, even if she was a child at the time. 

Winifred was so close to finishing school. The loss of her old sister truly was the only reason Fawnie herself finished school completely. She wanted to do right by Winnie's name and she wanted to make her family proud. Only four years separated the girls' age-wise but despite it, Winifred, Fawnie, and Finn were as thick as thieves... constantly causing trouble and regularly pranking one another.

Oh, how Fawnie truly wanted to go back in time and do things right...