A/N: I started this story back in 2002, got through Chapter 6, and left it alone for a little over 5 years. I'm re-discovering my love of Newsies and have always wanted to finish this story, so I have updated all the old chapters (better language, better continuity) and will be posting an updated chapter each week (if not sooner). I've finished Chapter 7 (my first new chapter in 5 years!) and am working on Chapter 8. To say it's taking a slight deviation from the original plan would be an understatement. I've missed being part of the Newsie-verse…and I'm glad to be back. :)
Disclaimer (applies to all chapters): I don't own Newsies or anything you recognize (I watched a lot of Buffy in my youth and I fear it's seeped into all aspects of my life). I have created several OCs for this story and while there's a possibility that the newsie names appear elsewhere on this site, I intend no infringement or theft—the newsies in this story are of my own creation and mind.
Fighting Dutch
Chapter Two- Late Nights & Decisions
"Michael?" she whispered into the darkness. Even though he moved like shadow, she could always detect his presence. It was as if her veins filled with fire when she felt him approach.
"Yeah, it's me," Spot replied, stepping out of the shadows and quietly crossing the floor to her bed.
"I knew it," she smiled, standing up and wrapping her arms around him as she kissed him deeply.
The things that made him defenseless. Spot immediately encircled her within his arms, returning the kiss with equal fervor. When their lips eventually parted, he smiled at her.
"I missed you."
"I missed you, too," she replied, leading him over to the bed and crawling under the covers. She invited him to follow and he did. After she was comfortably nestled within his arms, Spot began on what he had come to discuss with her...
"So basically, Piper is the current leader of Queens and he thinks dat he's powerful enough to come over here and take you out?"
"Yeah. Apparently, he's got some tings to settle wit me an' he thinks dat attacking Brooklyn is da way ta go about it."
"Mike, you know he ain't got nothin' on Brooklyn. Youse soaked him yourself how many times?"
"Yeah, I'se did," Spot smiled in fond memory. "But do youse think I should tell da uddahs to prepare for a fight, just in case?"
"I'se think dat you should tell 'em and tell 'hattan too. Jack may not be da leadah anymore, but Race is always behind us. He should know, just in case."
"Yeah, youse right...and don't tell anyone I'se said dat," Spot smirked.
"Darn, an' I was gonna shout it from the rooftop," she laughed softly, pulling herself up on her elbows to kiss him soundly on the mouth. This motion signaled the end of the conversation.
Spot suddenly didn't care what was happening in Brooklyn, Queens, or the world. All he cared was that he was with the woman he loves…and all he could think about was where their hands and mouths were roaming…
…The next morning…
"Yo, Spot, get up!" Bunny yelled, throwing the covers off of Spot's fully clothed body.
"Whadaya wants with me, woman. Aincha know round here I'se the boss? I'll get up when I wanna get up," Spot mumbled, pushing her away from his bunk.
"Yeah, yeah, it ain't my fault youse was out late trouncin' around. We's got papes ta sell an' some Queens ta deal wit," Bunny replied.
"Oh, yeah, dat," Spot yawned, swinging his legs over the side of his bunk and hopping down gracefully. Once he was down, he pushed Bunny playfully. "Donchous evah touch me covahs again, goily."
"Oh, Spot, dat hoits. It really does," she joked, putting on a pout. Spot laughed.
"C'mon, we'se got papes ta sell an' Manhattan ta visit."
Bunny looked up at him, surprised.
"Youse gonna tell Manhattan?"
"Yeah. It can't hoit," Spot replied, leading the way out of the lodging house.
…across town…
"Kathryn, it's time to get up," Mr. Winters said, opening her door just enough to carry his voice through.
"OK, Daddy, I'll be right out," Kathryn replied, stretching her arms above her head. She caught a glimpse of herself in the vanity and something caught her eye. Or rather, two somethings. One, her nightgown was unbuttoned enough to reveal the top of her breasts, and two, there was a noticeable purplish mark above her right breast. She quickly got up to examine the mark more closely. Sure enough, it was most definitely a love bite. Spot was normally very careful about leaving marks, but they hadn't been alone together for nearly a week. It was understandable that they got slightly carried away with their kissing hours earlier.
Kathryn quickly powdered the area with the little powder left from her mother and proceeded to dress for the day. She put on some trousers under her skirt and hid her cap beneath her blouse. He father was aware that she was a newsie, but that didn't mean he knew that she dressed as one.
"I'll get breakfast started at once, Daddy," she stated, emerging from her room a few moments later. Her long brown hair fell neatly pleated down her back, showing no signs that in an hour it would be securely fastened beneath her hidden cap.
"Thank you," her father replied, looking up from his mending. "I have something to discuss with you over breakfast."
"Yes, Daddy," she responded, hanging her head over the sink. He must know about her late night visitor; he must have heard them.
Kathryn kept her head down for the duration of the preparation, trying to imagine the worst-case scenario. She finally concluded that the worst he could do was disown her, and since she could have a spot at either the Brooklyn or Manhattan lodging houses she figured that life could be worse. Ultimately she decided to pretend that nothing had happened and pretend that she had no idea what he was talking about. If he didn't know for sure, she could get out of it somehow.
After they had been seated at breakfast for about five minutes, Kathryn decided to break the ice.
"What did you wish to speak to me about, Daddy?"
He looked up at his daughter for a moment and put his knife and fork down, dabbing at the corners of his mouth with a napkin. She followed suit and folded her hands in her lap.
"Well, Kathryn, there comes a time in every young girl's life where she becomes more than a girl; she becomes a woman. And as your 18th birthday grows near, I do believe that you have grown into quite an extraordinary young woman, and as such you should begin to act accordingly."
"Daddy, if this is about the newsies, they're complete gentlemen with me. They protect me, not compromise me."
"Darling, that's not what I'm trying to say at all. As there really is no easy way to say this, I would like you to know that I will not be around forever and I want to see you with a better life than the one that I have provided," he said. He paused to gather himself up to his full seated height before continuing with finality, "Kathryn, you are to wed." Kathryn smiled, not quite comprehending her father's words.
"Of course I am to wed, Daddy. I mean to supply you with ample grandchildren to spoil. Just give me time to wed the right man."
Her father sighed.
"Kathryn that is not what I am saying. I am telling you that you are to wed. Samuel Brownston has asked for your hand, and I accepted."
Kathryn's face fell from a light smile to a display of shock, realization, and torment all at once.
"NO! Daddy, I can't!"
"Samuel is a good man from a wealthy family. It is entirely for your benefit that you marry him."
"No Daddy, please, please don't make me marry him," Kathryn pleaded, sobbing while she knelt at her father's side. It destroyed him to see his daughter so distraught, but after weighing all the options this was the one he felt suited her best.
"I'm sorry, Kathryn, but my decision is final. You are to wed Samuel in half a month's time. I advise you to begin separating yourself from the newsies, as you will no longer need to live such a lifestyle." With these words, Kathryn's father stood, placed his dishes in the wash bin, and went into his room, closing the door behind himself.
Kathryn stood in shock for a few minutes. When she realized that it was nearly 5:40am and the papers would be out shortly, she knew she had to get on her way to the distribution center. For the first time in her life, she dreaded having to face Spot Conlon.
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