Disclaimer: I don't own any of the newsies. They are owned by Disney. I basically only own the plot and Kate.

Chapter 1

The sun was hot as it beat down on Kate while she walked the streets of Brooklyn. All she could think of was that dreadful night. She wondered what life would have been like if that night had never happened.

Spot had just sold his last paper for the afternoon, when he noticed a girl walking down the street. Now, normally he wouldn't have paid much attention to her but something was different about her and he was curious. He watched her for a few minutes and got the feeling that she was not from Brooklyn and decided to lend her his services.

"Miss?"

"Yes?"

"Can I help ya with anything? You look a little lost."

"Do you know where I can find a job? I'm not from around here so I don't really know the area."

"I kinda got that impression. If you'll follow me, I can get ya a job."

"I would bevery appreciative. Thank you."

Spot turned around and started to walk back to the lodging house. Kate followed a little ways behind him.

"By the way, I'm Spot."

"I'm Kate. No offense but what kind of name is Spot?"

"It's just my nickname. You'll get one too."

"Why would I get a nickname?"

"All newsies get nicknames." Spot said looking at her to see what her reaction would be.

"A newsie? You want me to be a newsie?"

"It's a job ain't it?"

"I guess you're right."

"You'll start tomorrow."

"Ok."

"Well, we're here. Your new home." Spot said pointing to the building in front of them. It wasn't the most beautiful of buildings but it serviced its purpose.

"Come on. I'll introduce to you to the crew."

There were so many names that Kate knew she would never remember all of them. She was shown which bed was hers and where the washroom was. It would definitely be different than living at home but she would just have to tough it out.

Spot had decided to make her his selling partner even though he didn't need one. He figured that she might as well learn from the best. He had also given her the bunk beneath his so he could kind of keep tabs on her, to make sure she was safe. He lay wake for a while wondering why he was doing all these things for her. He didn't do this for any of the other new comers. She's a girl that's why. He thought to himself and closed his eyes to let sleep come.

He had been having a particularly good dream when he was brought out of it by a piercing scream. His eyes flew open and he almost fell out of bed. He looked around the room to make sure no one else was awake and surprisingly no one else had been woken by the scream. As he laid his head back down, he felt the whole structure move. Spot cautiously leaned over the side of the bunk and looked down at Kate. Just as he was looking over, she turned over quite fast and the whole thing moved again. Spot hadn't been expecting that and almost fell on his head but was able to catch himself before he did. Spot got down from his bunk and sat on the floor next to Kate's. He just sat and watched her while she tossed and turned. Every so often she would mumble something but Spot could never hear the words. Finally she calmed down enough where Spot thought he could go back to sleep. Once his head hit his pillow he was out.

The next morning, Kate slept through the wake up call. Spot didn't have the heart to wake her up so he decided to come back before selling the afternoon edition to see how she was. While Spot was out selling his papers, he thought about the night before and he tried to think of a nickname for her. A light bulb all of a sudden came on when he had sold his last paper and he ran all the way to the lodging house.

When Kate woke she noticed she was alone. She got up, got dressed, and went to the washroom. Once Kate was done in the washroom, she went down the stairs to the living room of sorts. She found a bookshelf and read through the titles. When she found a book she knew, she grabbed it and curled up on the couch.

This was where Spot found her. She looked so peaceful and comfortable; almost like she belonged there. He just stood in the doorway and watched her. Their eyes locked when she looked up.

Kate had had a feeling that she was being watched so she looked up at the doorway to see Spot staring at her. She felt a little unnerved under his gaze and she shifted her weight. There was complete silence between them.

"I thought that your nickname could be Nightmare." Spot said breaking the silence.

"Sounds good. Why did you choose that for my nickname?"

"You seem to have a lot of them. There's nothing I should know, is there?"

"No. It's something I'm dealing with."

"Ok. Well, if you ever wanna talk just let me know. We'd better get going though. The papes don't sell themselves."

Kate marked the page she was on and followed Spot out to the streets.

"So what do I need to know about selling newspapers?"

"Well, the most important thing to know is that headlines don't sell papes, newsies sell papes."

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning that no matter how bad the headlines are, we're the ones that sell the papes so we do what we have to do to get them sold; even if it means making up headlines."

"Oh ok."

"Wait here. I'll go get us some papes." Spot said leaving her at the gates to the distribution center.

Spot and Kate were walking to streets, when Spot noticed Jack and some of his crew walking towards them.

"Well if it ain't Jack-be-nimble, Jack-be-quick."

"Hey Spot."

"What are ya doin' around here Kelly?"

"I need to talk to you."

"I'll be right back Nightmare." Spot said leading Jack a little away from the group.

"All right."

"You wouldn't happen to know anyone by the name of Kate would you?" Spot asked as soon as they were far enough away.

"No why?"

"Just wondering. So what did ya need to talk to me about?"

"You wouldn't happen to be able to spare anyone would ya? If we don't get more newsies the city is gonna close us down."

"Sorry Kelly. I can't spare anyone."

"How about the newbie? I could take her off your hands."

"I said I couldn't spare anyone." Spot said through clenched teeth.

"All right. No need to get defensive. I'll se ya later Spot."

"All right."

Spot watched Jack and his crew walk away and wondered why he hadn't been able to let her go. He shook the thought from his head and walked back to Kate.

"You ready?"

"Yeah."

"Then let's go."

When Spot and Kate got back to the lodging house later that day, Jack was waiting at the door.

"I was startin' to wonder where you were."

"I was teaching Nightmare to sell papes."

"You hungry?"

"I'm starving'. What about you Nightmare?"

"I'm starving'."

"Let's go then." Jack said and they headed toward the bridge.

AN: I have decided to rewrite and edit this story. I hope you'll like it. Please review. I love getting feedback.