A/N: Hey all! School is about to start up again... sadly. I have a few more updates lined up for you all thought, so keep your eyes pealed for updates! I love you all! thanks for sticking by me. Lemme know what you think. Nothing motivates me more than reading your reviews. How was everybody's summer?
To my faithful reviewers... Thanks again everybody!
Jean-Moddalle: Good to know you're still with me :) Yeah, Rois and Eoghan are very loyal to one another but, like every pair of siblings, are prone to fighting. They love one another, but that doesn't mean they're not going to fight.
CallmeWonder: I cannot tell you how much I look forward to your reviews! Thanks for sticking around. And you are quite correct- most of the people she was fighting had no clue she was a girl. Some did, but it didn't matter, they were in it for the chance to beat someone up, they didn't care who. That's going to change with the newsies- they're a gallant bunch, even if they're foul-mouthed and dirty little boys. They have no idea what she can do. No yet at least. ;)
Bea.t11: More chapters are a-comin, don't you worry!
Guest71: I'm glad you like my portrayal of Spot! Anything in particular you think is really working? And I'm glad Rois is growing on you. Her best moments aren't really coming up any time soon... she'd got to find her way in this newsie-crowd and ditch the two guys from earlier.
Guest: Glad you liked it! Lemme know what you think of this shot. You like where the characters are going? Any favorite?
Thanks for the reviews guys keep it up!
~But Spot kept an eye on them.~
So he noticed when her body tensed and her fists clenched, the muscles in her arms jumping. She looked royally pissed, as did the boy she was glaring at. Curious, for no real reason, Spot decided that for once, he'd dive in head first. No forewarning, he'd just interrupt, stop their argument in its tracks.
The door chimed as he strode out, casting an amused look at Rois when she spun around to face him. She exhaled, her body relaxing, her fists unclenching, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Spot," she said in acknowledgement.
"Tell 'er she's gotta stay!" Eoghan burst out, any anger in his eyes giving way to a sad sort of desperation while he looked up at Spot with wide honest eyes. "Tell 'er she can't go back dere! Tell 'er she can't fight no more!"
Her jaw clenched, her eyes hardening, narrowing on the little brother who'd jumped in front of her.
Spot looked between the siblings, and made his choice. "Go back inside, kid, I need ta talk to yer sista'."
Eoghan looked like he was going to protest, but with a hard looked from Spot and a nudge forward from his sister, he went through the diner door, only looking back once.
"Well?" she asked, laying a hand on her hip and looking at him with raised eyebrows.
"He's gotta point, ya know dat."
"I knowse it," she said and Spot was struck against by her brooklyn-irish-hybrid brogue. The "I" came out as "oi" but "know" came out with that extra "se" common in this part of new york.
"So den what's yer malfunction girlie? Why ain't ya runnin' from dat ring?" He asked, arms crossed, his blue eyes searching hers. "I knowse dat you ain't enjoyin' dose fights. So why do ya stay?"
Her eyes had slid from his to the ground, her weight shifting from side to side, she was obviously uncomfortable. She took a deep breath, opening her mouth to speak but she never did. A pink tongue poked out and wet her lips, but she lost her words again. Her fingertips drummed against her thigh nervously, and then they suddenly clenched into a fist, as her spine straightened and she lifted her head, eyes rising to meet his gaze. "I can't leave… well, I couldn't… now- Now I- I…" she trailed off, her voice becoming shaky and nervous as her greenish eyes slid from his. She seemed almost… ashamed.
Scared. She was scared. She was ashamed of the fear. She was ashamed of the weakness. But only fools ignored fear. Fear kept you from being stupid. Fear told you when to be careful.
Fear was telling her to be cautious.
"I… I really do… need ta get back…" she whispered.
Spot nodded, still observing her movements with sharp eyes. "I'll walk ya."
Her green eyes widened fractionally, arms falling to her sides, flustered and going slightly red in the cheeks. "Oh, no," she said, "You don' 'avta do dat… I- I'll be fine."
He raised one eyebrow in an unimpressed manner. "Get goin' Dollface, ya ain't goin' by yourself." He smirked, "Brooklyn's dangerous, haven't you heard?" He was only partly talking about the city.
Her wide-eyes look suddenly disappeared and her eyes narrowed as her lips curled upwards. Looking over at him and letting out a small, breathy laugh, she shook her head. "How long've you been waitin ta use dat one?" She inquired with a lopsided grin.
He shrugged, feeling oddly at ease with this girl. "Not as long as ya think, I'm shuah."