Okay, so this is my favorite chapter of all time. So far. This was my favorite part of the movie, and my favorite chapter.

And another thing, re-watch this part of the movie in Youtube. As Spot says his cute little line in his cute voice, the boy to the left of him is who I think Silver is. He's always stood out to me for some reason (when I wasn't drooling over Gabe) so I made him one of my OCs. So, there. I told you Silver was in the movie!

Oh, and before I forget. Mo ghrá means 'my love' in Gaelic.

CHAPTER ELEVEN


She lives and breathes in a world that brought her to her knees
And now I'm addicted to her 'c
ause that girl is just like me
And I'm gonna choke on her life again
I'm breathing it in like a deadly poison.
I just want to get through to her,
Before her last breath

~ "Adalia" by Madina Lake


We stood outside the Distribution Center. And I was pumped as hell. Talking with Silver the night prior had really boosted my confidence in the fact that I could do this. I could do this. I could be strong. And I wasn't just severely excited that Spot was back in Brooklyn moping.

Well, okay, that was some of it. A lot of it. Most of it, actually.

So, anyways, we stood outside. After another rousing speech from Jack Kelly, we were all there, staring down the scabs because we were going to fight for our rights. They didn't look as nervous today, probably because they knew they weren't going to win. It would be funny watching their faces as we beat them down again today.

"Everyone remain calm," Dave said, ever the voice of reason.

He and Jack exchanged looks, like they were both trying to outdo the other one. Jack looked back at the scabs, thinking for a few moments.

"Let's soak 'em for Crutchy!" he shouted and we charged like the cavalry into battle, heads held high and confidence billowing out of our ears.

I didn't hear what Race said, but he looked scared as he ran back towards Jack. I craned my neck and saw big giant men wielding bats and chains. If my eyes could fall out of my head, they would have because they got so wide so quickly. I stumbled backwards, frightened as hell. The crips surrounded Jack, keeping the rest of the newsies out so they couldn't reach in to help him.

He fell back against the stairs of the yard, trying not to look nervous but I knew he was. I felt someone behind me grab my elbows, pulling my arms back to keep me still. I was stiff. Numbness started spreading through my shoulders and down my arms. I was terrified now.

"It's Brooklyn!" Mush cried, just when all seemed lost.

I looked up as everyone cheered. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see the bastard in my entire life. Silver winked at me and the Brooklynites took aim, letting marbles and small rocks fly all over the place. One after the other after the other.

"Hey, Spot!" Jack called, waving, before being attacked by two guys.

Spot grabbed the hook nearby and plummeted down, kicking the guys that held onto Jack. He was always the brave one, always the one to take risks, and jump from fire escapes with only a flimsy little rope holding him. Oh, God, forgive me.

Silver came down next, pushing through the crowds, punching as he went, until he got to me. "Duck!" he told me, and I bent forward just as he punched the guy holding me and I was free. I gasped and toppled into him. Silver grasped me firmly and I looked up at him. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," I gasped, my face flushed with excitement and fear.

"Good, now go!" Silver smiled devilishly and I wasn't really sure why he was. He disappeared into the crowd and a hand grasped my elbow. I was not going to put up with this anymore.

I whirled around, fist raised, until another hand grabbed my fist and blue eyes stared into mine. "Lissa, I'm sorry," he said quietly, almost so I couldn't hear him.

I shook my head. "This is hardly the time," I said loudly, over the sound of fighting.

"Then forgive me," he insisted.

I nodded. "Fine, fine. I forgive you. Can I go now?"

"Yeah," he smiled, pleased, and turned to go.

"Spot," I grabbed his hand and he turned back around, curious this time. I leaned in close and his mouth brushed mine, so lightly, but I grinned. "Jus' wanted to say that I knew you'd come."

I plucked the hat from his head and disappeared into the crowd, using his hat to stuff up my hair into. I punched and fought until Spot wretched the gates open and the rest of the Brooklynites stormed in, pushing the scabs back easily.

I smiled and turned around when the trio of Brooklyn's birdies caught my arm. I smiled at Flint, Avery and Sneak, who were grinning at me. I spit shook with each of them and then we proceeded to do the stupidest dance known to man at the time. The three were so completely jazzed, that it jazzed me, too.

I let out a squeal when arms came around me from behind, picking me up and spinning me around once. I turned around, expecting Silver, but came face to face with shining blue eyes and the biggest smile I'd ever seen.

"So ya knew I'd come, didja?" he asked.

I shrugged, smirking slightly, mocking him. "A little boidy told me."

He smiled again and hugged me tightly, and I didn't mind. His hug was much stronger than the ones he gave me when we were children, but he was still strong. The cockles of my heart constricted around each other when I felt his hands move down to the small of my back. It felt right. He felt right.

"I'm sorry 'bout what I said before," he said gently. Oh, God, he was so delicious. "Ya were right about what ya said. About me bein' good at bein' alone and about me being only into meself. And I don't like it. I was hopin' ya could gimme another shot."

I leaned back and put on a thoughtful face. Spot smirked at me and I pretended my heart didn't flop all over itself inside the cave of my chest.

"Well, I guess I can give ya another chance," I decided after a few moments, smiling when he pulled me back against him.

His body was warm against mine, damp from fighting, his blue eyes still gleaming with pride and exhilaration of battle, but his jaw wasn't set tight like it usually was. He was staring at me and I looked away, even though I knew he could see right into my pupils, down my throat and into my soul.

"Quit lookin' at me like that," I whispered, embarrassed beyond belief.

He didn't say a word for a long moment, until one slipped through.

"Lissa."

His mouth met mine and we kissed. His hands tightened on my back and I gripped his shoulders and the kiss started surging into something more than just a kiss. My body was flush against his. I couldn't breathe. I could've died right there, content and sated, kissing this boy – no, this man – that I thought I would never see again. Like those dime romance novels I used to have to read when I was a rich girl, his hands slid up my back and he kissed me deeply.

Until we parted, and it was over.

He smiled at me and I smiled back. Life was good. Life was really good.

"Well, finally," a voice said from beside us, and I looked up at Jack Kelly, who was grinning at me.

I shrugged and ducked out of Spot's arms, still wearing his cap, since I loved seeing his hair. "Let's go, boys. I'm hungry and someone is gonna to buy me lunch."

Later, back at the Lodging House, I was left alone after Spot and Jack decided that it was probably a good idea to discuss the next phase of the strike. I had no business sitting there with them while they discussed leader-type things, despite the fact that Spot tried to keep me at his side. I merely fished a cigarette out of his pocket so I could go smoke. He didn't let me get away without kissing my mouth roughly. If I didn't know him better, I would've been pissed as hell.

But what he didn't know was I like that arrogance around him. I liked him looking so confident. It was… sexy.

I plucked Spot's hat from my head, shaking my head violently to release my long hair, which billowed down my back. I ran my fingers through my hair and placed the cap on Spot's head, winking playfully at him before I shuffled for the door.

"Dave, wanna come with?" I asked, heading out the door before getting his answer. I didn't see the angry glare that Spot sent Dave as he walked out after me.

I sat down on the stoop, and Dave contented himself to watch me smoke, probably thinking. It made me nervous to be under such scrutiny. Spot's eyes never bothered me, because I was used to be watched by him. And I grew to be all right with the Manhattaners watching me, too, when they finally found out I was girl. But I didn't know David, and having him stare at me made ice slide through me. Could he see how wrong I was? Could he see how dirty my soul was when he looked into my eyes?

But I hid it well, stuffing it down under my pride and the mask I had crafted for myself for years. It was painful, because I wasn't sure if he could see who I really was. I almost wanted Spot to come out and save me from this darkness.

"Do you think Spot will join the strike now, Angel?" Dave asked, shattering the silence.

"Dunno, Dave," I admitted, taking another drag. The darkness was clearing. I could think a little better. The cigarette helped. "Today sort of proved that we ain't ready. We couldn't handle it, ya know? If Brooklyn hadn't shown up, we would've been soaked half to death."

"You really think so?" Dave asked, trying to contain his surprise.

I liked this kid. He was smart, and I appreciated smart people.

"Hell yeah." I inhaled more smoke, holding it in my lungs until I felt the burning in my chest. "It was a trap. Didja see those chains? Woulda hurt like hell, it would."

"Can't believe Spot Conlon let his girl fight today," Dave said, thoughtful, before looking over at me.

I rolled my eyes. "I ain't Spot's girl, Dave. I ain't nobody's girl."

"Then why does he kiss you?"

"Because he's a bastard." I laughed and then smiled.

"Well, you two seem close. Why couldn't you talk to him? You know, convince him to join us?" Dave asked, and we both looked at each other at the same time.

"Nobody tells Spot what to do, Dave. Not even me," I said slowly, choosing my words carefully.

Technically, it was a lie. I wasn't really sure how much Spot would fight me if I asked him to do anything for me at this point. But I wasn't sure myself, and Davey didn't need to know that.

"But he likes you. He'd listen to you more than even me or Jack," Dave argued.

I smiled, leaning back on the step behind me. He had more guts than I'd given him credit for. "Yeah, he does like me. And I'd like to keep it that way. I jus' got back on the guy's good side. I don't need him pissed at me no more."

David sighed. "It would just be easier if you just convince him to join. Save us a lot of trouble."

"No kiddin', but life ain't about bein' easy. Spot's got his reasons, whatever the hell they are," I said, smiling.

"Yeah, guess so," he said, glum.

I grinned and flicked my cigarette away onto the dark street, and stood up. "Keep ya head up, Dave. It'll all work out." I tapped the brim of his cap and shuffled back into the Lodging House, where Spot and Jack were leaning against Kloppman's counter, talking, but Spot was holding his cane intently, knuckles white.

He was angry, but I couldn't imagine why.

"I'm goin' to bed," I announced, and the two leaders immediately looked up at me at the same time.

Spot looked at Dave, who didn't come any closer than he'd all ready gotten, and I rolled my eyes as Spot gave him an eye-soak. Jack just grinned at the silent display. I was glad at least he was enjoying this. What a bum.

"I'll be up later, Angel," Spot said, never taking his eyes from David's.

I rolled my eyes again. "Won't hold my breath, Conlon," I muttered and then shuffled up the steps.

I heard Jack snicker and a muffled thump that sounded like Spot had given him a shove, just messing around. I didn't listen in on the rest of their conversation. I was thinking. I sat down on my cot, after wiggling out of my trousers and unbuttoning my shirt. I reached under my bunk and retrieved the most precious item that I still kept with me. A music box.

My mother had given it to me, when she wasn't too embarrassed and guilty to look at me, but it was locked. Never back home had it ever been locked, and I kept my treasures in there. But it was locked now, and I had no way of opening it. I didn't want to pick the lock, because I knew the key was out there somewhere.

I ran my thumb across the familiar roughness of the keyhole, comforted by the feel of it. Sometimes if I pressed my nose to the top of it, I could still smell Ireland, as silly as it was.

My skin prickled slightly when the bunk sank slightly behind me and a strong, rugged, warm hand pushed my shirt aside slightly to kiss my shoulder. I smiled slightly, setting my music box back under my bed before I leaned back into his waiting arms.

"So what's the verdict, O King?" I murmured into the darkness, his arms warm and strong around me, the only thing keeping me from tipping over the edge of madness.

"I'se in. For now. Me boys thought it was a good idea yesterday. Just needed a good excuse to come heer," he murmured back, breath tickling my hair. "But ya knew that all ready, didn't ya, ya minx?"

I nodded and smiled, pleased by his easy affection. It was so nice to see him act this way with me. I'd waited so long to be with him again, and his softness overwhelmed me. I was used to the confident smirk, the arrogant nod of his head when he was pleased, his smug-ass comments that made half of New York's girls swoon. I wasn't used to this sweet, warm body that was hugging me so tightly that I could scarcely breathe.

I glanced down at my hands, thinking. "Spot?"

"Mmm?" He'd been buried in my shoulder, breathing deeply. I think he was falling asleep.

"Are we still fighting?" I murmured.

"Nah." He leaned up and rubbed his nose against the bone in my cheek. "Why? Do ya wanna fight?"

"Not really." I smiled and turned back to look at him and his mouth touched mine softly, for a few moments. But I pulled away to let out a yawn.

"Ya need tah sleep," he said softly, almost to himself. He ran his fingers through my hair and then let me go. I leaned back on my hand, watching him shuffle until I couldn't take it anymore.

"Sean."

He stopped and turned around to face me. He knew me too well, still, after all these years. He came back to me and leaned down, cupping my neck gently before kissing me one last time.

"I ain't goin' nowhere far. Just wanna talk to Jack," he murmured, but I knew it was a lie. He was going to talk to Dave, but I was too tired to fight him about it. "Jus' go to sleep, ghrá," he purred, his Irish making my mouth water. "I'll be here when ya wake up."

"Promise?"

"Promise."