"broken girls blossom into warriors"

+ + + + 

Nellie let the hot water cascade over her back. Every time she closed her eyes, she still pictured Kowalski's hand pinned to the desk. So instead, she stared at her feet, watching the foam from cheap shower gel twist and turn around her toes. 

The shower did her well but the image of Kowalski kept haunting her. Not even the hot water could erase the sickening feeling of his touch or the memory of her attack. She remembered what Sweet Pea had said. She'd defended herself. She was not to blame. Yet, she was the one who had stabbed a man. She may have provoked his attack by returning to his room. It was for a greater good, she reminded herself, returning her thoughts on the prize: Hiram Lodge's downfall.

She rubbed herself dry with one of the harsh towels. Pulling the oversized T-shirt over her head, she caught her reflection in the fogged mirror. Rubbing away the last bits and pieces of mascara running down her cheek, she dabbed the towel on her damp hair, leaving the humid room behind to enter the living room. 

To her surprise, Sweet Pea wasn't alone. Since she was in the shower, she hadn't heard their visitor entering. The Serpent sat on the bench, his arms crossed over his chest, making his biceps bulk in a threatening way. His dark glare was pinned on Mister Harrington who uneasily watched the young Serpent sitting in front of him. His grey eyes were fixed on the snake curling on the boy's neck.

Before she could hide away in her bedroom to find some trousers to wear, Mr. Harrington noticed her presence and stood up. 

"Miss Hearst," he said, relief washing over him. Inside the messy trailer, the uniform clad Mr. Harrington seemed out of place. Sweet Pea followed Harrington's stare, pinning on Nellie's bare legs and throwing the old man another dangerous look. 

However, Harrington did not look at Nellie's legs. He was already relieved she seemed alright after what had transpired at the Five Seasons that day. She had witnessed a traumatizing experience, of that he had no doubt. Secretly, he was proud of her bravery to defend herself in front of a dangerous man like Mr. Kowalski. 

"Miss Hearst," he repeated not knowing where to begin. "It's quite difficult to find the right trailer in this park," he said, his face turning friendly and caring. The deep lines carved in his forehead relaxed a bit as his eyes softened.

"Mr. Kowalski has left The Five Seasons," he announced, causing Nellie to look back up to her employer. "He has received the necessary medical care and will not sue the Five Season or you, for that matter," he continued. Nellie leaned against the kitchen counter, her damp towel hanging limply from her arms, barely covering her tanned skin.

"However, I am afraid you can no longer be under our employ. The Board has decided to stop your employment immediately without notice," Mr. Harrington dropped, gauging her reaction carefully. Nellie swallowed and nodded, accepting of their decision. 

Sweet Pea stood up straight and walked over to the girl. His long legs carried him there in seconds. Standing protectively in front of her, he pointed an accusing finger to Mr. Harrington. 

"She only defended herself! That filthy bastard should be the one send away, not Nellie!" he said, his voice rising. Mr. Harrington nodded his head in approval but nothing could change the decision. 

"I understand your concerns, young man, but this is out of my hands. Kowalski has more influence on the Board than I do, I am afraid." Harrington said, casting his eyes shamefully to the ground.

"So that man can harass Nellie, but she can't defend herself?" Sweet Pea yelled at the injustice. Nellie wrapped her hand around his upper arm, drawing him closer to her chest. "It's not that bad, Sweet Pea, I'll find a new job."

Sweet Pea turned his head over his shoulder to face her. This innocent girl would do anything to avoid confrontations, he thought. Sweet Pea himself wasn't that easy to convince.

He threw another glare filled with daggers at Mr. Harrington. "Where can I find this Mr. Kowalski?" he said lowly. His voice sounded feral, thirsty for blood. 

Harrington shook his head. "He has left Riverdale. I cannot give you his residing address in New York, I am afraid. Besides," Mr. Harrington said, squinting his eyes the slightest. "You do not want to turn Kowalski on you. He doesn't cower away for anyone. This man is not to be messed with. I should've known trouble would come when he was residing in the Five Seasons. A powerful man like Kowalski is unstoppable. He wouldn't hesitate to threaten you, kids. And let me tell you this, his threats are never empty," 

"This is the best solution you could hope for," he finally decided, straightening his jacket and heading towards the door. "Although I am terribly sorry for the way this went," 

Before he departed he turned to Nellie, who had circled around Sweet Pea to face the man that had given her a job without questioning her past. Something she would be forever grateful for. "It was a pleasure having you under my employment, Miss Hearst,"

As soon as the door closed, Nellie turned around to face Sweet Pea. He was still angry, furious waves drifting off his skin. She placed her hands flat on his chest, making him immediately snap his head in her direction. She looked at him with solid warm eyes. "Don't worry about me, Sweet Pea. Mr. Harrington is right. This is the best solution. I face no punishment and Kowalski is gone. I have been taking care of myself for months now, this little downturn won't stop me."

A gentle smile tugged the corners of her mouth upwards. Her hands on his chest worked calming, causing Sweet Pea to regain his breath. "Yet, it's unfair," his voice came out restrained. He wasn't entirely sure if it was because of his anger at the situation or Nellie's proximity. He carefully wrapped his hand around one of Nellie's wrists. His thumb caressed the flesh of her thumb. 

"Well, life is quite unfair but we have to go on either way," Nellie whispered, her gaze lowering to their hands about to intertwine. 

Her thoughts evaporated underneath his touch. Everything was feelings and emotions. Nellie felt safe when Sweet Pea was near. She liked knowing he had her back. The way he handled tonight was only proof that she'd found an ally in him. For a second she'd thought about telling him about her father. 

She looked up to him, catching his loyal brown eyes meeting with hers. She swallowed. He only defended her because she was innocent, she thought. If he knows about her true intentions with her father, he'll be appalled by her violent nature. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. 

"Goodnight, Sweets, thanks for everything," she hesitated, her lips playing with the idea to kiss his cheek but she decided against it and hurried herself back into her bedroom before she'd give in. She couldn't bare the thought of his rejection.

+ + + + +

It was deserted on the road to Riverdale, except for two dark cars, hidden on the side of the asphalt. Kowalski was leaning against his, observing the bandage around his hand. The scar stung. He gritted his teeth in annoyance. 

Finally Hiram Lodge deserted his car and stalked over to Kowalski. He confidently tucked his hands in the pockets of his tailored suit. 

"Kowalski," he addressed the other mobster, holding out his hand to shake. Kowalski squinted at the gesture, rising his bandaged hand in sight. Hiram rose an eyebrow. 

"What happened to you?" he remarked, knowing that it had been long since Kowalski ever did his own dirty jobs. The man was attacked.

"Your daughter is what happened to me." the other man sneered, his lips pressed against each other and eyes spitting fire.

Hiram shook his head, a smile playing around his lips. "Veronica?" he asked, but was immediately met with un unpleased look of Kowalski. 

"That bastard one of yours," he said, pushing Hiram to the side with his good hand. Hiram squinted. 

"I do not know who you're talking about," he denied Nellie's existence. Lenny Kowalski scoffed, leaning back against his car. 

A low rumble erupted from Kowalski's chest. "I don't know why you're so intended to keep her a secret. Your wife wouldn't mind. We both know she hasn't been exactly faithful either during your time behind bars," Kowalski said, his hand absentmindedly toying with the bandage around his hand. Hiram clenched a fist at the thought of Hermione's alleged affair with Fred Andrews. 

"However, you know that I am faithful to you and your cause. I don't like being stabbed, Lodge. Since she's yours, I'll let it slip but on one condition: I am your sole supplier of weapons,"

Hiram ran a hand through his hair. "I can't have unlicensed weapons in SoDale," he muttered but Kowalski already sat down in his car.  Before he speeded off, Kowalski lowered his window and threw Hiram a dark glare, filled with promise.

"Well, you will have to or you find yourself on the other side of my barrel, Lodge." 

A/N

Dedicated to @WeAreAllScrewed for the support, votes and enjoyable comments! Thank you so much!