Disclaimer: We don't own Newsies! Sad! We'll get over it! Luvs!

Everyone was still in shock that Sarah would actually look at Oscar not to mention have sex with him. It was just too weird of a thought to be true.
"That is going to be one ugly baby." Maggie said breaking the silence. A few Newsies nervously laughed. Jack had walked upstairs, just as pale as David, and had been there ever since.
"Someone should check on him." Spot suggested. Maggie jumped up and ran upstairs to check on Jack. Jack was sitting on his bed, or rather, Maggie's bed, considering it was the bottom bunk, with his head in his hands.
"Jack, I'm so-"
"Yet, somehow, I knew it. I knew it had to be something like that. I did everything right. What went wrong?" He was mumbling to himself.
"She was stupid, Jack! She is a stupid little heart breaker! I-I'm so, so, so sorry Jack!" Maggie wrapped her arms around him. He pulled away.
"Maggie, you're my best friend. Let's not ruin that...okay?" Maggie was shocked.
"Uh-okay..." Maggie's eyes filled up with tears and she left the room and walked downstairs. There was Bumlets, standing next to Racetrack. "Forget Jack!" Her mind shouted. She grabbed the back of Bumlets's neck and pulled him into a full out kiss. Everyone stood in shock. Bumlet's sank into to the kiss and thoroughly enjoyed it.
"Er... I'm just going to go." Gwen headed for the door.
"I'm going with her." Spot shaded his eyes from the abnormal sight. Gwen sighed as she stopped.
"I never expected this." Gwen stared at the sky. It seemed like she expected an angel to fly die and answer her questions.
"None of us did." Spot shoved his hands deep into his pockets looking at the sky himself.
"I thought that things would turn out much differently." They began walking.
"How did you think things would be?" Spot walked beside her taking in her every motion and look.
"You're in love with her aren't you?" Gwen looked up and smiled.
"I-what?" Spot was startled.
"You're still in love with her. Even though she wasn't in love with you, you let her go because you love her so much." Gwen smiled but it seemed to be a sad one.
"I don't know what you mean." Spot stated.
"All the better." Gwen looked back at the ground.
"H-have you ever been in love?" Spot didn't know why he asked the question but he knew that it was too late to change it.
"I've had boyfriends in the past. I've never been in love." Gwen grew red.
"How many?" Spot was in dangerous territory but he couldn't stop himself.
"I've had two that were just a couple of dates. Three that were actual boyfriends even though it only lasted about a week at the most. Then there was that one time when I was stood up. Why do you ask?" Gwen looked up at Spot as they turned the corner.
"I don't know. Lately it has been romance drama so... I don't know."
"Have you had girlfriends? That's a dumb question. Of course you have. You're Spot Conlon."
Spot raised his eyebrows. "What's dat supposed to mean?"
"I don't know...you've just always been kinda a lady's man. Or so says your reputation."
"I see. It's not exactly what you think."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't go out every night and hook up with some girl. Sure I may do a charming act like take off my cap and bow or something but I'm not a lady's man."
"Well, girls love to look at you." Gwen smiled and kept walking as Spot froze. He blushed. "What?"
"How do you know?"
"I do happen to be a girl, Spot!"
Spot grinned wickedly.
"So you admit you're attracted to me."
"Oh come on! You're not that handsome."
"Ouch! Gee you can be icy!" Spot placed his hand on his chest doing his best to pretend to be hurt.
"If you talked to Maggie I'm sure she would tell you many stories about my 'iciness'."
"...Yeah...Maggie."
"Yeah... you did a kind thing. It might not have been what you wanted but... what you did was really sweet."
"What do you mean 'not what I wanted?" Spot looked thoroughly confused. Gwen just smiled and walked on.
"Please tell me you're going to tell me."
"You should know." Gwen grinned.
"What?"
"Again, you should know."
He caught Gwen's gaze. "What do you mean?"
"Poor naive Spot. Under all of that discipline and danger lies a boy who has no clue."
"I don't know what we're even talking about!"
"Of course you don't." Gwen said in a cutesy baby voice as she pinched his cheeks.
"HEY!"
Gwen walked off grinning.

Back at the Lodging House:
"Bumlets? Maggie? What are you doing?" Jack asked in a rather panicked voice.
Maggie stopped sucking Bumlets's face. "Jack? Oh, hey!" Bumlets and I were just..." she giggled as her voice trailed off.
"Oh, god no." Jack whispered under his breath.
"You know, we should go on a date sometime." Bumlet's grin was as big as a moon.
"That sounds like fun!" Maggie and Bumlet's walked out talking and smiling, Jack nearly puked right there.
"Woo wee! You missed that one by a mile." Racetrack stared at the door like everyone else.
"Please, for the love of all things living, tell me this is a joke." Jack was stunned and clearly angry.
"Wish we could Jack. Believe me we wish we could." Crutchy answered.
"I'm going to-" Jack began to fume.
"Whoa! Hang on a sec! You can't just do that! Then Maggie would get all mad at you and you would lose her even more!" Specs stopped Jack from leaving the house and burning up New York with his gaze.
"Why are we even discussing this?!" Jack's emotions would be a big blob of paint if it were a painting.
"Oh, please, Jack, You can't be far into denial that you don't get it!" Specs was smiling, "Just listen to yourself. Why else would you care?"
"Because she's my friend!" Jack snapped.
"Mm-hmm." Everyone answered grinning and shaking their heads.
"WHY DOES EVERYONE DO THAT?!"
"Poor, poor naive Jack." Mush grinned and ran away as Jack began chasing him. The newsies flew into a fit of laughter practically rolling across the floor at the thought of Jack denying the truth that he was completely clueless.
Maggie and Bumlets were still swapping spit...

Gwen and Spot came back to a house of boys teasing an angry Jack. Everybody at once began to tell the story of 'Naive Jack.' Spot burst into laughter as Gwen thought everything over with a fine toothed comb. Jack stormed outside. Gwen followed.
"Hey." Gwen sat down next to Jack.
"Hey." Jack stared off into space.
"That's an interesting story they're telling." Gwen shrugged staring across the street.
"They say I'm clueless." Jack mumbled as he placed his head on his knees.
"I'm in the same boat. I get the feeling that Maggie thinks I'm clueless."
Jack grunted as an answer.
"I think it's interesting that you don't want what you want to be true so badly that you ignore the signs." Gwen said.
"I don't know what everybody means."
"That's where I think you're wrong. I think you do know you just don't want it to be true. Maybe it's because you're afraid you'll ruin it. Just think about it for a while." Gwen stood up and walked back into the house leaving Jack to his thoughts.
Maggie came up and sat down next to Jack later that evening. "Hey, Jack, how are you?"
"Good...I guess..." there was an awkward silence. "Maggie, can I ask ya something without ya takin' it poisonally?" Maggie nodded. "Why are you and Bumlets goin' out?"
Maggie shrugged. "Why not?" She had him there. He, of course, couldn't say anything without giving away the most secretive part about him.
"'Ey, Maggie!" They both looked up. Bumlets was standing beside Maggie, "some of us are headin' over to Medda's...wanna come?" Maggie nodded and stood up. "Jack, you can come too, if you want..."
"Okay, I will." Jack stood up and joined the group.
"Gwen!" Maggie and Gwen talked giggling about something that was apparently amusing.
Jack shook his head, "I'll never understand women."
"And yet you love them." Spot grinned.
"So do you!" Jack snapped punching Spot's arm.
"Well I have one particularly on my mind." Spot zoned out grinning like an idiot.
"Spot. SPOT!" Jack shook him out of his trance.
"Wh-WHAT!?" Spot was quite startled.
"We're here." Racetrack grinned. They entered the building and took a table closest to the performance arena. Medda came out. The crowd, especially Race, cheered as she curtsied to the hypnotized audience.
"Oh he makes me laugh.
Ah ha ha ha ha!" Medda began.
"She sings like an angel." Race sighed.
"I'd bet you'd like to kiss her wouldn't ya." Crutchy whispered.
"Yeah-wait... what?!" Race stood up straight looking thoroughly confused.
"Ooh!" Everyone cooed teasingly. Race blushed darkly and focused once again on the now dancing Medda. The beat was a fast ballroom one.
"She sure can dance." Gwen commented.
"Yeah she can." Maggie agreed.
"It'd be nice to know how." Gwen sighed.
"You don't know how?" Spot looked down at Gwen surprised.
Gwen looked down blushing as she shook her head.
Spot sighed, "do I have to teach you everything." Spot grinned taking her hands gently.
"What? Well, I know how to sing and read so you won't have to teach me that." Gwen grinned her face heating up like an oven as Spot placed one hand pin her hip the other in her hand.
Bumlets came over and kissed Maggie. Maggie giggled.
Everyone either rolled their eyes or pretended to puke behind them. Jack did his best to hide his resentment and anger.
Gwen looked at her feet most of the time, trying her best not to squish Spot's feet.
"You need to look up not at your feet." Spot said lifting up her chin.
"Look everyone! We've got some lovebirds in our midst." Medda shouted. The spotlight rushed over to Gwen and Spot.
"Should we bring them on stage?" Medda was answered by a screaming and cheering crowd. Spot and Gwen tried to back up only to be pushed forward by the Newsies. Gwen grabbed Maggie's hand while Spot forced Jack in front of him.
"What are you doing!?" Maggie hissed.
"If we have to dance, then so do you!" Spot answered grinning. They were welcomed by the applause and cheers of the people. Gwen and Spot began to dance and Jack and Maggie followed suit.
Maggie's heart raced as she tried to stay cool about it, as was Jack. Bumlets had a grim look on his face. Gwen and Spot knew that a silent war had begun between the two boys. It was a war for love, so they knew that they would fight dirty.
"This is strange." Gwen breathed as they danced.
"I know. I didn't realize that Medda would take people onto the stage." Spot muttered.
"Well, now we know." Gwen nervously chuckled.
"Gwen... there's been something I've been wanting to ask you." Spot wouldn't meet her eyes.
Maggie bumped into Spot mouthing 'sorry.'
"It's so typical of them to bring us out here." Maggie fumed as they danced.
"I know. It's almost as if they planned it." Jack shook his head slightly.
They raised their eyebrows and looked over at Spot and Gwen, who were oblivious to the rest of the world. "You were saying?" Gwen asked, nearly, missing his foot.
Spot choked on his words.
"Dammit! Why is this so hard!" Spot thought furiously.
"Spot? You ok?" Gwen looked up into his eyes.
Spot's heart raced. His palms grew sweaty and his face was burning up.
"Dammit!" Spot thought.
"Let's give these lovely couples a round of applause!" Medda shouted. The audience clapped as they were ushered off the stage. Gwen was thoroughly confused when Spot dragged her outside keeping his head down.
"He's finally got the courage." Maggie smiled, happy that Gwen would finally know. Jack shook his head.
"Spot are you ok?" Gwen repeated. Spot stopped and turned around.
"I..." Spot studied Gwen confused face, "I need some help."
"Ok. With what?"
"You-you see there's this girl that I like."
Gwen's eyebrow's rose.
"Spot Conlon, having lady troubles?! Wow this is serious! I'm sorry go on." Gwen teased.
"I just don't know how to tell her that I'm in... I think I'm in love with her." Spot turned around and rested his arms on a broken fence.
"Wow." Gwen was stunned.
"He is love with Maggie!" Gwen thought excitedly.
"Are you positive you're in love with her?"
"That's the only way I can explain how I feel every time I look at her. I have to hold myself back so that I won't kiss her every time I see her beautiful face."
"He's serious about her. Well, he'll have competition." Gwen thought.
"I think that if you truly love her, you should find out of she feels the same way." Gwen stood beside Spot looking at the scenery before them.
"I know but... it's so hard."
"I think that proves that you have strong feelings about her. I wouldn't worry so much about it." Gwen smiled and walked back inside followed by Spot.
"I should a' just told her!" He could kick himself for not thinking about it...
"You didn't tell her." Race hissed.
"I just couldn't do it." Spot sighed.
"Man you've got to speed things up or you'll lose her!" Racetrack clutched Spot's collar.
"He's got a point." Jack muttered.
"A point that also applies to you!" Race growled.
"I've already lost her!" Jack spat.
"But you can still win her back!" Race snapped.
"Thank you, Confucius," Jack and Spot both mumbled together.
"IT'S NOT CONFUSING AT ALL!" Racetrack released Spot to fume that these two leaders couldn't understand the simplest thing in the world.
"Are you guys ok?" Maggie asked leaning against Bumlets.
"FINE!" The boys spat in different tones.
"They keep saying that but they aren't believable." Gwen murmured as she watched the performance.
"I know. They are so confusing." Maggie shook her head. Those who didn't know them would've thought she was nuzzling against Bumlet's arm. Bumlets swiftly kissed Maggie's head and made his way down to her neck. Jack got blinded by jealousy and attacked Bumlets.
"JACK! WHAT THE-" Maggie screamed as the boys rolled on the floor exchanging hits and misses. Everyone jumped in pulling them from each other. The boys struggled against their restraints to kill one another. Jack had a black eye while Bumlet's had a bloody nose. Each had bruises and cuts everywhere. They realized that the building was completely silent. Medda walked over to them.
"I like you newsies but I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Medda pointed to the door angrily. The newsies quickly and quietly left.
Once outside, the fight resumed. Once again the newsies separated the two.
"Save it for another time!" Gwen snapped.
"Bumlet's are you alright?"
"Yeah, but he isn't." Bumlet's spat at Jack's feet.
"Everyone's going insane." Crutchy sighed as they made their way home.

The Next Day

"Wake up Shorty!" Spot shouted shaking her awake.
"I'm not Shorty." Gwen mumbled as she sat up.
"You didn't think I wouldn't have our lesson for today, did you?" Spot grinned as he shoved toast under her nose. She ate and waited until Spot left before she dressed.
"I brought the weapons you chose. We'll do everything as we would in Brooklyn." Spot placed everything in a deserted area and jumped to the rooftops followed by Gwen. They didn't say anything as the jumped from rooftop to rooftop. The returned to the area and sipped water before they began the lessons. Maggie followed, having nothing to do.
"Hey Mags. Whatcha doing?" Gwen waved.
"Watching you two. I want to see what you do in these lessons." Maggie sat down.
"Start with the bow, then we'll work on the staff." Spot corrected her grip before sitting next to Maggie.
"I'm told that you didn't tell her." Maggie sighed.
"I couldn't."
"You need to really soon. I'm getting anxious." Maggie whispered. They watched Gwen.
"Me too. If I don't do it soon, I'm gonna lose my nerve."
Maggie smiled. It was the first time in a long time that she felt at peace with the whole Spot thing.
"Spot! I broke an arrow!" Gwen grinned sheepishly.
"How'd you manage to do that?!" Spot got up and walked over. He saw the arrow in the target. Half of it broke from the impact.
Maggie watched as the two quarreled a bit only to laugh at one another in the end.
"To the staffs." Spot picked up one and tossed the other one to Gwen. She caught it and began wheeling it around testily. The two stood in the staff-fighting stance. Spot quickly corrected her footing and resumed.
"A test?" Gwen asked her eyes locking with his.
"A test." Spot answered.
Spot began the fight. He began with a high strike, which Gwen blocked. He swiftly swept his staff to a low strike, which was once again blocked. Gwen swiveled her staff attacking Spot's side while Spot knocked her shoulder. Gwen forced her staff in a crescent attack nearly striking Spot's other side. He blocked then pushed himself through the air over Gwen's head. Once he landed he striked her back. She dropped and rolled forward thrusting her staff between Spot's legs using her strength to make Spot fly. He softened his fall using his hands to slap the ground as he rolled forward and stood up once again.
Maggie was amazed at how fast the two fighters were moving. They had trained long and hard.
Spot rushed forward, his staff horizontal gripping Gwen's stomach and forcing her backwards. Gwen rolled over lying on top of Spot. She used her staff to quickly push herself to her feet. Spot did the same. Gwen mid-striked Spot blocked. Spot high striked aiming for her collarbone. Gwen blocked and twisted her staff to catch Spot's right cheek. Spot forced his staff to the right driving Gwen's staff to her side. Gwen seized this opportunity to trip Spot and place her staff at his throat.
Maggie stood up clapping.
"Wow. That was amazing. You've taught her well Spot."
Spot nodded in appreciation.
"Well," Gwen said, a bit irritated and out of breath, "I don't get any credit?"
Maggie smiled. Gwen did as well.
"You defeated Spot, I believe that you should win an award or something." Maggie grinned.
"Well... I suppose I did didn't I?" Gwen pulled Spot up.
"So that's what you do with this time."
"Just about." Spot chugged his flask of water before sitting down.
"It's quite fun." Gwen gasped as she stopped drinking water.
"I can tell." Maggie smiled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Spot snapped.
"Oh that it's fun to beat you up." Gwen grinned before she ran from the tired Spot. Once they were out of earshot Gwen mouthed, "I know who you're in love with."
"Who?" Spot mouthed back he ran and put her in a headlock.
"It's been ever so obvious."
Spot's heart stopped. It seemed like she was laughing at him in a way.
"Enlighten me o' woman of Manhattan."
"You've always wanted to hear stories about her. You've protected her. You've been able to talk to her unless it concerned the subject of love. It's been obvious who you like." Gwen wiggled out of the head-lock.
"Who?"
Gwen grinned and nodded over to Maggie who trotted up.
"You two are very friendly with each other." Maggie teased before Spot could deny Gwen's accusation.
He did anyway. "ARE YOU MENTAL! OF COURSE I DON'T LOVE HER! Not like that, anyway!" Gwen was astonished. Maggie knew exactly what was going on.
"Gee, Spot, love ya too!" Maggie grinned sarcastically. Gwen didn't take it like that. She was jealous but she wouldn't admit it.
"Maggie? I thought you said you love Jack! What changed?"
"Gwenny, I was just being sarcastic. Besides, you heard him; he doesn't love me like that!"
"Then who?" Maggie shook her head and chuckled.
Spot looked down covering his bright neon red face as he took Gwen's hand and started walking down the street.
"Spot? Spot, what's going on?" Gwen asked. Thunder crashed in the distance. When they were far from home Spot looked up. Little beads of sweat rested on his temples.
"I've tried to tell you this before but... but I couldn't." Spot paused nervously wringing his cap in his hands.
"I don't know what you mean." Gwen looked up at Spot's troubled face. A raindrop splashed on her nose. Then another, then another. Gwen saw that Spot was looking at her in a strange way. It was pouring rain. They were soon completely soaked.
"Spot?"
Spot took a long, deep breath and wrapped his arms around her. Then, right there in the pouring rain, Spot showed Gwen what he couldn't tell her in words. His kiss was powerful and meaningful. It was a pure kiss. One that held true to Spot's feelings. Mouths were slightly open as they embraced one another's lips. Gwen sank into it forgetting everything around her. The kiss broke.
"I love you." Spot whispered.

"I sure hope they get back soon. It's raining pretty hard." Maggie stared out of the window into the gloomy gray sky.
"Ah don't worry about them. They'll be alright." Jack placed a hand on Maggie's shoulder and looked through the window. Thunder clanged making everyone's bones rattle. Lightning illuminated the house. Spot shoved the door open and walked in, water dripping from him. Maggie could see no Gwen with him.
"What-" Maggie began as everyone rushed over to Spot.
"I finally told her."
The room remained silent waiting for an explanation.
"I kissed her. I told her I loved her, and she ran from me." Spot slumped into a nearby chair.
"Wh-what?" Maggie said out of breath. She stood in utter disbelief. "Oh my God. I-I can't imagine why she would do that."
"Neither do I." Spot sighed, "I hadn't realized how hopeful I was until that happened."
"Wow Spot. What did you do?" Racetrack looked down knowing that that wasn't the best thing to say.
"I dunno."
The Lodging House was silent as the Newsies puzzled over the strange actions of Gwen Sparrow.
"This isn't odd at all." Mush said sarcastically.
"Has she ever acted this way before?" Jack asked realizing that Mush would know best.
"No, not that I know of. It may be that she just had he first kiss but I dunno."
"THAT WAS HER FIRST KISS!?!?!?!?" Everyone shouted standing up straight.
"Er... yeah... she's a very reserved person."
"She told me she's had boyfriends before." Spot sat down his legs going numb.
"She has... she's just never been kissed." Mush scratched his head.
"This just keeps getting better and better doesn't it." Spot rolled his eyes feeling like he was going to die.
"That must be it, Spot. I know Gwenny, she runs away sometimes. It's gonna be okay." She put an arm around Spot and half hugged him. Spot wasn't thoroughly convinced. It made sense to him but he couldn't get the little voice that said "you did something wrong" out of his head.
"I wouldn't worry about it Spot." Jack could see that Spot had changed since he met Gwen. He was a little more paranoid and had gone a bit soft. "Yeah, she just needs some time to think." Crutchy said giving Spot his warmest smile.
"Thanks... I'm just gonna hit the sack." Spot flopped on a bed and fell asleep.

Maggie was awakened with the opening and closing of a window. She sat up quickly blindly through a punch. A blurry figure stood before her.
"Gwen." Maggie quickly stood up and hugged her. As her vision cleared she could see that Gwen had been out all night in the pouring rain.
"Gwenny, tell me everything that happened. Don't leave anything out!"
"I" Gwen wrapped herself in a warm towel and sat down.
"After we left-" The words choked in her throat. Gwen didn't know why she began to cry but she was glad that only Maggie saw.
"It's ok. Tell me everything and it will all be ok." Maggie wrapped her arms around Gwen rocking back and forth.
"I didn't know." Gwen sobbed, "I didn't expect this."
"I know you didn't, but it happened."
"He-he kis-ssed me and he said that he loved me."
"That's wonderful!" Maggie grinned.
"No... everything's going to be different. I don't know what to do."
Maggie waited patiently for Gwen to slow down her tears to continue to explain.
"I... there were signs I just d-didn't know it was about me."
"You were just being care-free." Gwen sat up.
"What do I do? I can't escape from this, I know that. I just don't know how to deal with it."
"Tell me what happened and then I might be able to help." Maggie said soothingly.
Gwen paused gathering her thoughts.
"He lead me far from where you were. I asked him what was wrong. The rain came down and... and he kissed me."
"And how was it?" Maggie grinned.
"He meant it. It was powerful and..."
"It was great wasn't it."
Gwen nodded blushing.
"It just seems like you're unsure of how you feel about him."
"I think that's it... I just don't know how long it will take for me to figure it out. Were you this unsure when Jack kissed you?"
"No, Gwenny. That's different...he's always drunk when he kisses me," Maggie said, choking back tears, "Spot loves you, Gwenny! Do you have any idea of what I would give to have that? Not with Spot, of course, but to have someone love you like Spot does..." Her voice trailed off as she stifled her tears.
"I'm sorry!" Gwen through her arms around Maggie cursing herself and her stupidity.
"How do you know he doesn't love you?" Gwen knew this was a dangerous area but she had to know.
"Gwenny, before she broke up with him, he was gonna tell Sarah that he loved her! I can't compete with her, even if she is gonna have Oscar's baby! He isn't just going to forget that he loves her! Besides...who would love me...?" Her voice was barely over a raspy little whisper. She was still trying to choke back her tears. It was Gwen's moment, it would be bad for Maggie to ruin it.
"People misunderstand things and feelings." Gwen whispered.
"Look forget about me! What happened to you is more important."
"You can't decide what is more important and what is not. I feel that there is something else. Something you looked over or you didn't want to believe. I just... I want you to be happy."
Maggie smiled.
"You shouldn't worry about me."
"I still do..."
"So, what are you going to do about Spot?"
Gwen sighed knowing that it was best to stay on this subject.
"I can't wake up tomorrow and act like everything's normal. Spot would feel worse than he does now. I don't know what to do. I-I can't think of what to do." Gwen eyes brimmed with tears once more. She hated not knowing what to do. She hated uncertainty especially from within herself.
"Well...do you love him?"
"I...don't...know..."
"Okay..." Maggie loved this not being about her. "if he were to leave you, without any explanation, no note, nothing, what would you do?"
"I... I'd be sad and probably hunt him down to smack some sense into him" Gwen smiled trying to lighten the mood.
"Gwen, be serious."
"I don't know exactly how I'd react. I know I'd be sad but... I wouldn't know what I'd do unless it happened." Gwen stared at the floor thinking very hard.
Spot came in. "'Ey, Mags, what's with the-" he stopped and stared at Gwen, wide eyed. Gwen blushed furiously and continued to stare at the floor not knowing what to do about it.
"You needed something?" Maggie asked knowing that neither of them would speak
"Never mind..." Spot turned to leave.
"Do something or you'll regret it!" Maggie mouthed to Gwen.
"S-Spot!" Gwen shouted.
He turned around. Gwen bit her lip as she stood up and walked forward.
"What-what you did was sweet and... I just need some time to figure out what I think and how I feel." Gwen forced to keep looking at his face.
Before Spot could say anything, Bumlets came in. "'Ey! A party and I wasn't invited?" He went over and kissed Maggie. Unfortunately, Jack was at the door. Jack once again attacked Bumlets. He wasn't intending for Bumlets to walk away from the fight. Spot tried to stop them and got a black eye for it. Mush and Specs finally managed to pull them apart. Maggie, who had stood there in shock, watching, started to yell, "JACK KELLY, WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!" Jack looked at her, bewildered. "Jack, outside, NOW!" Jack stood up and followed her out of the room, apprehensively. "Jack, why are you doing this?"
"Why are you kissing him?"
"Why do you care?" She demanded. "You have made it painfully clear that all I am to you is a crutch and a buddy to talk to! The only time that you pay me any attention is when you're drunk or when I'm kissing someone else! So, Jack why do I matter to you?"
"I don't know!" Jack was angry now, too, "it's not like you are as important as Sarah! If I had known Sarah was gonna dump me, I would'a left for Santa Fe!" Those words stung Maggie. But she would not let him know it.
"What is it with you and your precious little Santa Fe? If that's what you want, you should just go! You've got money and it's not like Sarah and you are working out! So, just go and stop making my life miserable!" Both their voices were raised, but no one dared to go out there and see what was up.
"You know what? That's a great idea! I'll leave as soon as I'm finished packing!"
"FINE!" Jack walked away and into his room to pack. "DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT!"
Jack had packed and left the next morning. His bunk was empty and neatly done. It seemed that Jack had really left for Santa Fe.
"Maggie?" Gwen found Maggie crying into her pillow.
"Maggie." Gwen sat by her side rubbing her back comfortingly.
"I didn't think he'd really leave. I didn't want him to leave." Maggie sobbed through her pillow.
"No one thought he would. Maybe he'll come back."
"Face it Gwen! He's not coming back!" Maggie sat up her eyes red and puffy.
"I know this is hard, but you can't stay in here forever."
"YES I CAN!" Maggie shoved her head back into the pillow. Gwen looked at the door to see every Newsie there and waiting to help comfort their friend. Spot came over.
"Jack's angry. When people get angry they do stupid things. Everyone does that." Spot said speaking the truth.
"He won't come back. He's finally going to be a real cowboy. There's nothing left for him here."
"There's everything here!" Gwen said shocked.
"Friends and a life he never wanted." Maggie sobbed into her pillow, not caring who came in to look. "Just leave me alone!"
The newsies looked at one another questioning what to do. In the end they decided it was best to leave. Gwen looked back before closing the door.
"I'm worried about her." Gwen said as they sat down downstairs.
"We all are." Mush muttered, resting his head on his arms.
"We need to cheer her up." Racetrack began thinking very hard.
"We can't cheer her up with a poker game Race." Gwen thought harder.
"What about getting wasted." Specs suggested.
"I don't know if that works with women. Does it?" Spot asked Gwen.
"It works sometimes... I think it might this time as well. I just don't like the thought of taking out my friend to get drunk."
"She doesn't have to get drunk and you don't have to take her." Mush sat up straight.
"I can't have one of you guys take her out! Boys don't understand girl troubles."
"She's right about that." Crutchy commented.
"Besides, knowing her in this situation she will get drunk."
"Better drunk than bitter." Race commented.
Gwen scowled.
"I suppose... I don't know! Maybe we should try something else instead."
"What else do we got?"

"I dunno...let's think on it for a little while..."

...One Week later...
"I'm really worried about Maggie," Gwen said, sitting next to her brother as the other newsies filed in. This was their first newsie meeting since the strike. "She won't eat. She won't talk. She's not even moping. At least then she'd be doing something. She just lies there, staring at the walls. I don't think she even sleeps."
"I know. I tried to talk to her and she completely ignored me." Racetrack entered the conversation.
When everybody got settled, Spot started the meeting, "Okay, Jack's left, Maggie's pretty much lifeless, Bumlets is...gone..." everyone smirked lightly. No one had seen Bumlets since Jack left. Spot continued, "there is still stress over the awkward atmosphere from the poker game and the days that followed...we need to fix this!" The newsies nodded in agreement.
"LET'S GET DRUNK!" Race shouted standing proudly on his chair.
"Race." Gwen pulled him down.
"C'mon Gwen! You know that's the best way to fix this."
Gwen grew quiet.
"Whatcha thinkin bout?" Mush whispered. Gwen subconsciously smacked him.
"Don't do that! I have a lot of things on my mind." Gwen blushed and looked down as memories flooded back into her mind.
The house fell silent as the Newsies looked back and forth from Spot to Gwen.
"Um... I'm going to think about you're idea Race." Gwen quickly left forgetting her coat.
She walked down the streets thinking hard. Things weren't as weird between her and Spot when they should've been. The snow floated lightly down. Gwen stopped.
"Spot Conlon get down from there!" Gwen turned around to see Spot descending from the rooftops.
"What are you doing?" Gwen asked.
"Searching for my princess." Spot smiled.
"I'm sorry but she went down the street a few blocks ago, try there."
"I was being serious."
"So was I. I saw your girlfriend Catleen was it?"
"We broke up weeks ago." Spot said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Gwen asked.
"I thought you knew."
"Well I didn't."
The two stood there wondering 'what now'?
"I don't know how I feel about you Spot." Gwen whispered.
"I know, but you need to figure it out."
Gwen continued to look at the ground afraid to see his face.
"I love you Gwen."
Gwen flinched but smiled. She looked up into his face.
"That's the first time you've said my real name."
"Is it?"
"Well, to me anyway."
Gwen continued to look into Spot's face. She realized that her heart was beating faster than normal. Her cheeks flushed and she looked down again. Spot lifted her chin and kissed her. Time stopped as did her heart. She felt something, something unfamiliar to her. Something she didn't noticed before. Her stomach flew to the heavens. Her mind went blank as she was caught up in the moment. It seemed like fireworks were blasting their radiant colors around her. Love had found Gwenivere Margaret Sparrow.
The kiss broke. She smiled.
"I-I didn't think that someone would be able to love me let alone noticed that I was here. You proved me wrong Spot. I don't know how to say this... I-" She paused her stomach twisted as she grew more and more nervous.
"You don't have to say it now." Spot whispered.
"Yet I want to scream it from the heaven's."
"Where you descended taking on the form as a human." Spot grinned.
Gwen locked eyes with him and she knew for sure.
"I love you Spot Conlon." Gwen smiled.
"Would you like to go on a date sometime my princess." Spot grinned tossing his coat around her. She breathed his scent.
"I'm no princess."
"You sure look like it." Spot placed his arms around her as they started back for the Lodging House. Gwen nuzzled up close feeling like this was a dream.

Maggie's PoV
It's been 7 days, 17 hours, and 13 minutes since he left. I couldn't move. My whole body felt numb. I didn't know whether that was from the pain I felt the first 3 days, or whether I was sub-conciosely doing it to myself. Everything that I didn't want to admit was slowly gnawing at my mind. Yes, I loved Jack. No, he didn't love me. Yes, I was the one who drove him away. No, nobody wants me...no one ever will. I faintly heard Mush's voice saying, "Mags, please get out of bed." But I couldn't straighten out the words quickly enough, let alone have the strength to answer. Was this how Jack felt when Sarah dumped him? The pain came back to me. All the pain over the years, not just from Jack, was burning inside of me like a blue flame licking my insides until they were ashes.
No one ever loved me. Not enough to stay. Mom left when I was three, she never wanted a child and had tried to kill herself when she found out she was pregnant with me. Father was abusive and left me in the street to die...I would have died...if it hadn't been for Spot. Another burst of pain. I did, at one point, love him. It caused me so much heartbreak.
I heard someone come in, but didn't bother to look up. The first couple of days, I jumped up everytime I heard someone enter, hoping it was Jack. I had lost hope...I had lost him. It was Mush and Specs. Both of them had worried looks on their faces. They tried to pull me up, but my body flopped in their hands like noodles. I plopped back onto my bed.
"Maggie, you have to get up." Mush whispered in my ear.
"Everyone's worried about you." Specs knelt down beside my bed. I continued to stare at the wall. When I didn't answer they finally left. I cursed silently as the tears flooded onto my bed.
No one would ever love me, no one would ever love me, no one would ever love me. I felt utterly hopeless. I did this to myself! I drove him away!

Regular PoV
Gwen and Spot smiled as they saw the house. They heard the house cheer as they walked in.
"I knew you two would end up together!"
"You two are so cute!"
"God your lucky!"

"Don't get too carried away."
The Newsies joked at them. Then the newsies fell silent as Mush walked up to Spot his face all serious.
"As Gwen's brother I have to say this, if you EVER hurt her I'll slice your head in half. I'll take your insides and use them as rope. I'll scratch your eyes out and break your nose." The boys smiled and began to laugh. They patted each other on the back and sat down.
"So you're happy?" Mush asked.
Gwen smiled, "I truly am. I know that being with Spot will be a challenge, though."
"Ouch!" Spot laughed as he faked being hurt.
"Show a kiss love birds!" The boys began chanting 'kiss.' Gwen and Spot leaned in and kissed hearing the cheers around them.
Maggie came downstairs. The laughing and cheering stopped. She looked possessed. Her hair was messed up beyond belief, her eyes were blood shot, her cheeks were soaked and red, her lips were bleeding from her biting them to ease the pain in her heart, and her arms had scratches all up and down them. She smiled, "I KNEW IT!" Gwen blushed and grinned sheepishly.
"Don't they make a lovely couple?" Mush asked wrapping his arm around her as they walked down the stairs.
"Indeed. Course I'm angry that Spot didn't tell her sooner."
Gwen looked up at Spot.
"How long have you felt like that?" Gwen asked curiously.
"When I first laid eyes on you."
"HA! When we first met we were scratching at each others throats." Gwen laughed.
"Okay not right when we met but I've felt like this for a long time!" Spot grinned.
"That's what all of those questions were about. That's why you wanted to listen about my past."
Spot nodded his face turning red.
"HE'S BLUSHING!" The newsies began picking on Spot immediately.
Maggie laughed. Gwen came and hugged Maggie tightly. "Are you okay?"
Maggie's face didn't darken, but she stared off into space. "Yeah, I-I'm fine." No one was convinced, but she was downstairs and that's what's important.
"How's about a celebration for the newly-er- lovebirds?!" Racetrack raised a glass.
"HUZZAH!"

One week later
"Maggie, I'm going to Tibby's. Do you want to come?"
Maggie shrugged.
"It'll be on me." Gwen shook her bag of coins.
"I can spare a few hours." Maggie jumped up and grabbed her coat.
"We'll be at Tibby's. Don't expect us too soon." Gwen called as they left.
The two best friends walked and talked through the cold and falling snow.
"So how's it feel to be with Spot?" Maggie nudged Gwen.
Gwen blushed darkly.
"It's strange that we've only been on two dates... but I like being with him."
"That's really good, you know, that things are good between you two!"
Gwen looked at Maggie. "How ya holdin' up?"
"Well, you know, good days, bad days." Gwen nodded.
"I'm glad that you're out of your bed. We was getting worried that you'd died or something."
Maggie laughed, "That's ridiculous! I'm here now and that's what matters."
"Ah but sadness and pain are veiled behind your eyes."
"I'll be...okay. It's just...hard..."
They went into Tibby's. Maggie got drunk.

"God, man, those were good times! You and me, me and Spot, Jack and Spot-" she started to giggle. Two guys, Oscar and Morris came in and smiled over at them.

"Oh God no! Maggie don't look at them!" Gwen hissed.

"Well, well, well, looky here, Morris. It's dem goil newsies all alone." Oscar chuckled.

"We'll take care of that." Morris and Oscar stood up and began walking over to their table.

"Over my dead body you won't!" Gwen shouted breaking a bottle in half holding it steadily before her. The boys took a step back.

"We've been told that you were being taught by Spot Conlon. What did you have to do to make him?" Oscar asked grinning.

"Was he any good?" Giggled Morris.

"Get up Maggie we're leaving!" Gwen quickly dumped coins on the table, hooked her free arm in Maggie's and began to back out of the door keeping the broken bottle pointed at the Delancy brothers. Once she felt the cold wind on her back and the door was closed she turned around.

"I don't want to leave!" Maggie whined.

"Do you want to spend the night with Morris and Oscar hitting on you?!" Gwen snapped dropping the bottle and taking out the dagger she always kept with her. She stopped as muffled footsteps sounded behind them.

"Can you stand on your own?" Gwen whispered.

"Don't know." Maggie giggled.

Gwen turned around as Morris and Oscar grabbed them. Oscar hooked onto Maggie, as Morris grabbed Gwen. Gwen quickly sliced his wrists and cut his face. She turned to rescue the drunken Maggie. Morris grabbed her around the elbows. Gwen thirsted her foot up between his legs. Turned around and began waving the dagger around like a sword. Morris screamed. Oscar dropped Maggie who fell into the snow. Oscar punched Gwen's back. Gwen turned around and sliced Oscar only to be disarmed by Morris. Maggie grabbed the bottle and began hitting Oscar furiously.

"What's the matter with these girls?" Morris shouted struggling to keep the kicking Gwen. Morris stuffed a sock in her mouth and punched her temple forcing her to black out. Maggie was still hitting him. Oscar punched her as well rendering her unconscious.

"Let's just get them outta here," the boys dragged them into the carriage and drove off.

The Newsies were talking about the most recent headlines when Boot's rushed in panting harshly.

"What's up Boots?" Spot asked.

"They've been kidnapped!"

A/N (Nikki): I think this is our best chapter yet. Are you intregued? Keep reading.
A/N (Kayl): I agree with Nikki, this is a really good chapter. I'm happy that this is going as planned...OMG! Maggie and Gwen were kidnapped! Call out the National Guard. Where did Bumlets go? What will happen to Spot? What will happen to Jack?! I guess you'll just have to keep reading...don't kill me! We will put up the next chapter faster if we get alot of reviews so...start typing.MWA! Luvies!