I kinda set up a few things while I waited for Kid to join me on the roof. I'm kinda nervous and excited about sharing my secret. It's not really big or anything but it's kinda special to me.

Creak.

I looked and smiled as I saw Kid peek his head over the roof. "Hi."

Kid grinned and plopped down beside me. "So you're gonna tell me now?"

I nodded. "This is it." I held out a folded piece of paper to Kid.

Kid raised an eyebrow and took the paper. "What's dis?"

I bit my lip a little. "Open it and you'll see."

"Uh okay." Kid twitched his eyebrows curiously as he flipped the paper open. "Why isn't dis...?" Kid looked at me.

I nodded slightly. "What do you t'ink?"

Kid set the paper down in front of us. "You're real good," he replied as he gazed at the sketch on the paper.

I shifted a little nervously. "You really t'ink so?"

Kid laughed. "Why would I lie to you? It really looks like Spot. So you do dis in your spare time?"

"Uh sorta. The oder guys don't know about dis." I looked away from Kid a little bashfully.

"So dis is why you had me sharpen dese." Kid playfully waved the pouch of pencils in front of me.

I smiled. "Well, I wasn't sure Snipe would do it for me... and I kinda thought he'd laugh... and tell Spot." I stopped and looked at Kid. "You won't tell Spot, will you?"

Kid laughed again. "What do ya take me for?"

I laughed softly.

Kid looked at the picture. "But why did ya sketch him?"

I blushed. "Well... I just wanted to capture his eyes on paper... 'Cause he never has dose eyes like dat." I brushed my fingers across the soft almost happy eyes of Spot. "He kinda had eyes like dat when I foist met him." I looked at Kid. "I wonder why he's not like dat."

Kid pursed his lips. "No one really knows why he changed."

I cocked my head. "You mean he wasn't always stern lookin'?"

Kid nodded and stood up. "You wanna go out or somethin'? Crutchy's downstairs. He probably would like to see you."

I smiled. "Sure. Do you t'ink we can go to Medda's?"

"Sure."


Crutchy and I headed out toward Medda's on our own... well sorta. Kid and Mush were not too far behind us. Spot wouldn't be happy if I actually was just by myself with one other newsie that wasn't Snipe or Kid. Kid was doing this for me though to kinda let me feel a little free. This was just time for me and Crutchy to enjoy ourselves.

"So how was your day?" Crutchy asked.

"Mine was all right. How 'bout yours?"

"Mine was good. Hey, did I tell you about what Racetrack did ta Mista Kloppman the other day?"

I smiled and shook my head. "What's Race do dis time?"

"Well you see, Race woke up real early and went downstairs. I'm surprised he didn't wake anyone up." Crutchy laughed softly. "Anyways he got downstairs and crept inta Mista Kloppman's room."

I nodded as we turned a sharp corner.

"He got inta Mista Klopp..." Crutchy trailed off suddenly.

"Ooof!" I grunted softly as I bumped into something... uh soft? I looked up a not so happy face belonging to none other than Oscar Delancy. I'm surprised I even recognized him. I've only seen him once or twice when I was with Kid. There was a guy standing beside him who I'm guessing is his brother Morris.

"Hey, hey! Watch where you two are goin'!" Oscar yelled.

Crutchy bit his lip nervously. "Sorry, Oscar. We uh didn't see you two around the corner."

Oscar grabbed me by the shoulder. "You should watch it!"

Morris chuckled evilly. "Yeah." He advanced toward Crutchy

"Leave us alone!" I cried out as I struggled in Oscar's grip. Where in the world were Kid and Mush? I should have watched where we were going...

"Hey! You're a girl!" Oscar jerked me roughly to face him. "Eh, lookey here, Morris. She's not too bad lookin' despite being one armed."

"Let me go!" I cried as I tried to kick him.

Oscar laughed at my poor attempts. "You got a name, sweets?"

"Leave her alone!" Crutchy begged.

"Who do you think you're talkin' to?" Morris asked as he knocked Crutchy down.

"Stop it!" I yelled.

"Aw come on, sweety. Tell us your name." Oscar pulled me closer to him.

I squirmed in his tight grip. "Leave me alone!"

"Aw, come on. Let us have some fun," he crooned.

That was the last straw, I warned him... sorta. I shoved my elbow into his side and screamed at the top of my lungs. Please, Mush, Kid! Anyone! Someone please hear me!

"Ow!" Oscar yelled as he let go of me to clutch at his hurting side. Morris quickly came over to assist him.

I hurried over to Crutchy and did my best to pull him onto his feet.

"Hey, wait!" Oscar grabbed me by my hair and pulled me back.

I screamed and tried to fight back. Crutchy tried to help but Morris knocked him over again.

"No girl gets away from me," Oscar hissed in my ear.

I gulped nervously, wishing I could punch him in the face.

"Hey! What do ya t'ink you're doing?" a familiar voiced yelled.

I turned toward the voice. Thank goodness... someone heard me.

"Oscar, you dirty rat!"

"AGH!" Oscar let go of me as he protected to himself from the blur that attacked him.

Morris was yelling pretty loud nearby so I'm supposing someone was soaking him too. I scooted away from the fight. This is the last time I'm walking into alleyway without looking first.

"Hey, you okay, Stubs?"

I glanced up to see Spot offering a hand to help me up. I nodded shakily. "I-I t'ink so..."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jack forcing the Delancy brothers to run.

Spot glared at the fleeing Delancy brothers. "Dose two."

"I'm sorry about dose two..." Jack apologized as he helped Crutchy get onto his feet. He frowned deeply. "I'll get 'em good tomorrow."

Spot snorted. "You betta." He turned back to me. "Come on. Let's get ya back ta da lodge."

"Y-Yeah..." I wiped my face.

"Don't cry," Spot said gruffly and handed me a wrinkled handkerchief.

"Thank you," I replied softly as I took the handkerchief. "Um... how'd you find us?"

Spot glanced down at me. "Your scream."

I blushed a little. "I um... meant... never mind..."

"Next time, don't wander out of Kid or Mush's sight, okay?"

I snuck a peek at him. "You... aren't mad?"

He smiled slightly. "I'm just glad you're okay."

I looked at him at surprise. Maybe... just maybe... I'd be able to see Spot return to his old self.


Author's Note: Ah, got more words on this chapter. I'm feeling pretty good about this story. Thank everyone for the reviews! :) (I had to re-edit this chapter thanks to my computer having issues last night... maybe I should've waited until morning to post this chapter. X3)

Author's Comments on Reviews (due to issues with :P I'll respond to chapter 2's reviews with chapter 3's reviews in chapter 4. XP My deepest apologies, guys!)