Always and Forever... Maybe *Spot Conlon*

I reach Brooklyn in the pitch dark. I can make out two shadows standing on the docks. As I reach them, I see one's tall and the other's shorter than me.

"Where ya think ya going?" The taller one asks, grabbing my arm.

I don't flinch. "I's need to talk to Spot. I was here earlier, with Jack Kelly."

The shorter one grabs my hat and pulls it off. My long hair falls down my back. "I's don't recognize you."

I roll my eyes. "It's pitch black, course ya don't. Just tell Spot that Danny is here."

The taller one scoffs. "Yeah right. Ain't no way Spot knows who you's is."

"I'll go tell him," A smaller boy speaks up from behind the two 'guards'. He looks around eleven, though I can't see his features very well.

The shorter one nods at the boy. "Yeah, you's do that Chet."

"Can I have my hat back now?" I ask, yanking my arm out of the taller one's grip. The shorter one hands me the hat back and I put it on.

Chet runs back to us. "Spot says ta let her in."

"Lucky you," the taller one sneers. "I kinda wanted ta throw you in the harbor."

I ignore him and push past the two of them. I walk down the dock until I reach the pile of crates.

"Ya shouldn't be out this late. It's dangerous on the streets, darlin'," a voice says behind me. I turn around and am face to face with Spot Conlon. Those ice-cold eyes are staring me down.

I cross my arms over my chest. "I's can defend myself."

Spot smirks. He's close enough where I can make out almost every detail on his face. "Sure ya can, darlin'."

He walks around me and sits on the crates, pulling his cane out of his belt loop and resting it against his leg. "What brings ya out here so late, anyways? Surely ya brudda didn't allow it."

"You don't know nothin' about what my brudda says to me," I spit out. "And I's came to talk about the strike."

Spot sighs. "Look, I told Jack and the Walking Mouth that I ain't puttin' my newsies at risk for some stupid strike. We're sellin' here in Brooklyn just fine. Who says I have ta care what 'Hattan does?"

"If you's still worried about us being serious, don't be," I say, walking closer to him so I can see his face. What a face that is.

"Why's that?"

"I's almost lost one of my best friend's to the refuge today when we were storming the gates! Spot, we ain't playin' no more. We's serious."

Spot tilts his chin up to look me in the eyes from his crates. "Let me guess, you's stepped in and saved ya friend from the bulls. Well, congrats. You's want a medal? It ain't enough, darlin'. Nothing you say is gonna change my mind."

I close my eyes and breathe. I have an idea, but it could either embarrass me badly, or it's gonna cause Mush to kill me. I open my eyes.

"What?" Spot asks, his eyes challenging me. 

I walk around him, my hand circling on his shoulder. Once I'm behind him, I lean down to whisper in his ear. "Well, King of Brooklyn, I guess you know that actions speak louder than words."

I walk in front of him again and sit in his lap, straddling him. I don't know where this sudden burst of confidence is coming from. Spot, as surprised as I am about my actions, raises his eyebrows. His eyes flick to my lips for a moment before meeting my eyes again.

I smirk. "Like what ya see?"

"I could ask you the same question," Spot says, voice low.

I stroke his jawline slowly. "Oh, Spot. I think we both know that I liked what I saw the moment I first saw ya."

Spot smirks again. "I bet ya think you's got me all figured out."

"I do," I say. "You're just a poor boy with a big ego and trust issues."

"You forgot heartless," Spot adds, his eyes drilling into me.

"Right," I whisper.

I get off his lap and step back from him. He stands up and steps closer, his lips inches from mine. He tilts my chin up. I close my eyes as I feel his lips brush mine. Then, his warmth and him are gone. I open my eyes and see him heading towards the Brooklyn newsies lodge.

He stops halfway and turns back to me. "Ya should head home, darlin'."

"Ya ain't goin' walk me home? Didn't ya say it's dangerous?"

I can sense his smirk even though I can't see it in the dark. "I's got newsies out everywhere. They ain't gonna let anythin' happen to ya. You'll be fine. Get home before ya brudda knows ya gone."

"Ya don't have to tell me twice," I say, turning around.

"Goodnight darlin'," Spot calls.

"Goodnight, Spot."