Disclaimer: I own nothing from Newsies. Brigid/Roisin Dubh, Doyle, Liverpool, Banshee, and Ginny are mine.

Firefly Conlon- This one is a little longer! ;)

elleestJenn- Thank you for reading! Hope you continue to enjoy it. :)

Royal shadow1- Thank you for the high praise! :)

RiotAct- Ah! Thank you for beating life with a stick! Someone needed to do it... ;) LOL!

It took Brigid longer than she had anticipated to sell the last of Liverpool's papes, as her mind was no longer focused on headlines. A protesting growl of her stomach reminded her that Doyle and Liverpool were waiting at the Harp and Shamrock, and that they would begin to worry if she didn't show up. Forcing her mind back on track, she quickly rid herself of the last two remaining papes and set off to join her friends.

Brigid turned down an alley shortcut that Doyle had shown her last week, proud that she had remembered it. Her pride was forgotten, however, when she noticed a ragged, dirty girl huddled against the wall. She appeared to be sleeping, but as Brigid drew nearer, she noticed that the girl's breathing was shallow and uneven. She knelt down and shook the girl gently, but got only a quiet moan in response. With a muttered curse, Brigid jumped up to get help.

Brigid raced out of the alley in the direction of the tavern and her waiting friends. She had barely made it a block, however, when a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her to a sudden stop. Brigid turned, prepared to fight, and was only mildly relieved to find that the hand belonged to Banshee, Spot's fearsome looking second. She shuddered as she pulled herself quickly from his grasp and backed up a step. Banshee scowled at her from beneath the brim of his battered brown derby.

"Where ye off t' so fast, Roisin?" he growled.

"Dere's a girl in da alley back dere. I t'ink she's sick," Brigid explained as she watched Banshee warily. His dark eyes scanned the street around them and he tugged absently at his chin length brown hair. Though his hair was worn long to cover it, Brigid could see the scar that ran down the right side of his face from temple to chin. Feeling her eyes on him, Banshee glared at her before turning away from her. To Brigid's surprise, he started back towards the alley. She fell in step beside him, but kept glancing at him nervously.

"Jaysus, Roisin, I'm no' gonna hurt ye, a'right?" he said without looking at her. He spoke gruffly, but Brigid was startled to hear an undercurrent of hurt in his tone. Of all the boys that she had met, Banshee was the only one that she hadn't taken a liking to. He was a formidable boy and Brigid could see why Spot had chosen him for his second as they were similar in temperament, although Banshee didn't have Spot's charm. Now Brigid wondered if maybe she hadn't misjudged him.

When they reached the alley where Brigid had found the girl, Banshee hurried to the still form and dropped to his knees.

"Ah, shite," he muttered as he gently rolled the girl to her back and studied her. Behind him, Brigid shifted nervously.

"Do ye know her den?" she asked as Banshee cradled the girl in his arms and rose to his feet. Banshee nodded.

"Aye, she's Ginny O'Reilly," he answered with a slight frown. "Spot's been wit' her a time or two." Brigid noticed an undercurrent of anger in Banshee's tone as he looked down at the girl, his eyes gentle.

"What's wrong wit' her?"

"Not'in' a decent meal an' some rest won' cure," was his short reply. Brigid let out a sigh of relief.

"Where are ye takin' her den?" Brigid asked. For a split second, Banshee's dark eyes were uncertain, but then they hardened with resolve.

"T' da lodgin' house," he replied firmly as he began walking with long, determined strides.

"Spot won' let her stay," Brigid cautioned as she hurried to keep up with the taller boy. Banshee shot her an angry glare that almost caused her to falter.

"Where else can I take her huh? Ye give me a better idea, Miss High an' Mighty!" Banshee demanded angrily, causing the girl in his arms to stir. Brigid shook her head with a sigh.

"Lets go," Banshee ordered, gentling his tone so as not to wake the girl.

When Brigid and Banshee arrived at the lodging house, Banshee sent one of the boys that were hanging around the front steps to find Spot. Then he carried Ginny upstairs and laid her on his bunk. Brigid got a wet rag from the washroom and laid it on her forehead. Ginny let out a low moan as her eyes fluttered open. When she saw Banshee, her eyes widened.

"Banshee?" she asked wearily. The boy nodded.

"Aye, ye're in Spot's lodgin' house now, darlin', " he answered. Ginny gave him a weak smile as her eyes slid shut again. Brigid pulled Banshee's blanket over Ginny just as Spot strolled through the door.

"What da hell is goin' on in here?" Spot demanded as Banshee met him halfway across the floor.

"Roisin found Ginny O'Reilly in da alley, Spot. She's no' well, an' I t'ought dat maybe she could stay here 'til she felt better," Banshee explained.

"Youse t'ought dat, huh? Where's she gonna sleep? In dat bed wit' youse? Da floor? We're full, Banshee, even if I'se did decide t' let a goil stay," Spot said. Banshee glared at Spot, his mouth set in a stubborn line.

"Roisin is a girl, an' don' even try t' tell me ye've forgo' dat, Spot Conlon," Banshee started to argue.

"What of it, Banshee? Roisin is a newsie, an' a damn good one. It's me own business if I'se lettin' her stay, an' I'se no' about t' let me login' house get over run wit' goils because o' dat!" Spot replied coldly, matching the taller boy's glare. Banshee took a step forward.

"So its alright fo' ye t' take girls t' bed wit' ye, bu' ye'll no' help one in trouble? Dat ain' da leader I started followin'," Banshee said, his voice low and deadly as he spit on the ground at Spot's feet. Spot clenched his fists, his eyes daring Banshee to continue.

"Will da two o' ye shut da hell up already? Jaysus!" Brigid exclaimed as she stepped between the two boys, who both stared at her in surprise. Turning to Spot, she put a hand on his chest and pushed him back towards the door.

"Will ye calm down, Spot? Nobody is askin' ye t' let her stay fo' good, aye? Just until da poor t'ing is back on her feet!" Brigid whispered. Spot glanced down at where her hand still rested on his chest, then raised his eyes to hers with a slow smile. Brigid dropped her hand and took a step backwards. Spot's smile faded and he looked away.

"Told youse already, we're full." he said flatly, watching Banshee as he paced around the bed. Brigid laid her hand on his arm, causing him to swing his glare back to her.

"Please, Spot?" she asked quietly, meeting his glare with a pleading gaze. Spot felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest that scared the shit out of him as he felt himself start to get lost in her eyes.

"Damn youse, Roisin," Spot growled as he spun around and stormed out of the bunkroom, slamming the door behind him. Brigid stared at the door that Spot had just slammed, her hands trembling slightly.

"He likes ye, ya know," Banshee said. Brigid laughed nervously.

"Da only person Spot Conlon likes is himself," she retorted, though she was afraid he was right. Banshee eyed her curiously.

"What do ye have against Spot?" he asked. Brigid rolled her eyes.

"Even if I did have anyt'in' against him, which I don', I'd hardly be tellin' his second, now would I?" she snapped, causing Banshee to let out a short but genuine laugh.

"I guess ye wouldn'," he admitted with a small grin.

"Why do ye care anyway? A minute ago, ye were ready t' kill each ot'er!"

"He's still me leader, an' a damn good one, most o' da time. He's just a lil arseways when it comes t' girls. He's got no use fo' 'em beyond a toss, an' dat's da trut' o' it," Banshee laughed.

"An' ye wonder what I could possibly have against da arrogant bastard!" Brigid exclaimed indignantly. Banshee's smile faded a bit as he studied her.

"Bet ye could change his mind quick enough," he said. Brigid started to laugh, but stopped when she saw Banshee was serious. Her eyes widened and she shook her head.

"No' a chance, boyo!" she exclaimed, trying to convince both of them.