Hi! *ducks for cover from flying objects* Ahem. Well, chapter fourteen is up! A lot of people seemed to like the romance scene in the last chapter. :) This chapter's a little more on the blah side, but stuff still happens. I think you'll like one particular little bit in here. ;)

Please enjoy!

Ch 14 - Soap Bubbles

Spot POV

Spot sighed and ran a hand through his wet hair. Well, at least he hadn't gotten punched in the face…

Spot paced back and forth across the dock, letting all his thoughts flow freely to the front of his mind, as they did when he swam. Artemis had reacted…well enough to the kiss. Her confusion and surprise had been rather obvious at the start - and expected - but she had kissed him back (eventually). And she didn't freak out on him afterwards - although most girls didn't, honestly - even though it had been completely out of the blue. But what was Spot supposed to do? Just stand around and stare at her and watch Pirate and see if Spot actually did like her? No, that would never do. So, he had kissed her. Which confirmed that Spot liked her, yes. That he was interested in her, yes. But why did it still not seem all together?

Spot growled at himself. Of course it didn't seem all there, the girl kept secrets! Everyone kept secrets! But something was still off…He shook his head and turned back to his earlier and most pressing problem: Queens.

If Sher Khan had time to visit, even in the middle of the night, something was up. Queens's second in command hardly let her out of his sight, except when the leader of the borough was planning something. Well, they were certainly irritating enough, Spot snorted. Randomly showing up on the edge of the border - if Cat, Sparrow, and Bolt were to be belived, which they were - visiting other boroughs. At least they wouldn't do anything until after the strike, most likely during the fall or winter when it was cooler.

This was giving Spot a headache. He needed another swim. And just when he had put his clothes back on.

Artemis POV

Well the next morning didn't completely suck. I didn't have a hangover too bad, just a minor headache. A quick mental slap helped me ignore it for the most part. Although I woke up late again and had to dress quickly and scoot out the door. Funny how we're on strike but I'm still running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

Eww. There goes my breakfast.

Or maybe not, because that little bakery was selling some amazing smelling muffins still when I ran by, so I did a double take and splurged on two. They cost me fourteen cents all together, but they were well worth it. Nyom nyom nyom. On to the next food stop!

"Guess who!" I yelled, sneaking into the kitchen and covering Ben's eyes. He was standing at the sink, washing dishes.

"Get offa me, ya loony!" Ben laughed. Then he turned around and gave me a big hug, soapy hands and all.

"Augh! Sibling abuse! Sibling abuse!" I laughed, hugging him back. "Mercy!" Ben laughed and stepped back to look at me. Apparently I didn't look as okay as I thought I did, because Ben frowned a little bit. Then he squinted real careful like at my eyes. He patted the clear counter next to the sink for me to sit. I hopped up, grateful that he was willing to listen to me again. For someone who's not related to me by blood, he sure acts exactly like a brother.

"So, what's the drama this time, princess?" Ben asked, returning to the sudsy sink. Hee hee, sudsy sink. Sudsy, soapy, sloppy-eeenough!

"Gee, um, where do I start?" I asked sheepishly, thankful for the clatter of the kitchen. This was always a good place to talk about the latest drama and whatnot.

"Why don't you start at the beginning?" Ben prompted me, wiping his blond hair out of his eyes. So I started from the beginning. The very beginning.

I told Ben how, after his brother Brett died, I had been able to stay at the apartment for about a month before someone spotted me on the streets and nabbed me. Thankfully the apartment had been locked and the authorities didn't know where it was. So all they could do was ship me off to some orphanage/boarding school in Jersey, but that didn't work because I broke out and ran back here to New York. Except, being fifteen, I forgot that they would remember and get me again. Thus began the round of orphanages and "correctional facilities" - "who's food sucks, by the way," I put in for good measure - that always tried (and failed) to confiscate my knives. At one point I took the headmistress's giant scissors and lopped off my hair, which had been to my waist. That alone sent me on a whole other round of random places. Then at the last one I had figured out a good way to break out, so I stole some money and ran.

Then I started to tell Ben about the newsies. How Manhattan was closest, and they were a friendly crew. Jack Kelly, Racetrack, Much, Kid Blink, Crutchy, Skittery, Lark, Flyer, Red, and all of them were a good crew and we got alone fine. Except, some of Manhattan wasn't so comfortable adding more girls, and they didn't like me.

"You didn't throw a knife at one for thinking you were a boy again, did you?" Ben asked dryly. I stuck out my tongue.

"No," I said. "Now shush, you're interrupting." Ben raised his hands in peace and I continued.

So at the first party I attended as a newsie, this jerk from some other borough starts trying to talk smack to me.

"Please tell me you didn't break his nose," Ben mock pleaded. I glared at him, but the darn guy had his eyes focused on the sink, and thus my Ultimate Burn Death Glare was wasted.

"What did I say about interrupting?"

Anywho, so Spot - who I didn't know at the time - comes up and breaks it up. And he was pretty dang intimidating at this point. Especially when he told Jackal off. Then Cowboy comes up, and starts talking me into this bet of his that'll get me into Brooklyn - once we come up with a valid reason - because of the issues. So then I'm in Brooklyn, and things go up and down from there. I went into detail about Pirate, and Jackal, and Sparrow, Cat, Emotions - especially the tidbit about her and Spot having been together - and Sparks, and all the rest of them. Extra careful detail was put into all the fights I'd been in, and how Spot had reacted to them. Then I told Ben all about last night, giving enough of the gory details without divulging too much. (I didn't tell him I knew Spot's real name. That would just be asking for it.)

"So that's the story," I said, a little out of breath. "But I don't know if Spot actually likes me, or if I'm just 'interesting' and kill time. I mean, it can't be easy, trying to keep Brooklyn together during the strike." I propped my chin on my hand and waited for Ben to pass his judgment. It was usually pretty good. He frowned at the soap bubbles for a second - they glared back, by the way.

"What's bugging me," he said carefully, "Is what you say Spot said after he kissed you. 'That wasn't so bad' or something?"

"Yeah, I don't know," I sighed. "Maybe he just meant that I'm not a bad kisser? It's Spot, for cryin' out loud. What do you think about this whole thing in general?"

"In general, I think it's hilarious," Ben told me frankly. "I mean really, you of all people trying to win over Spot Conlon? No, don't look at me like that," he said, seeing as I was kind of glaring at him. "We both know that those other boys were just because they thought you were a bit of a pretty face. And we both also know that you were never really interested in any of them. You sound interested now, though." I sighed.

"Spot's…interesting, that's for sure," I said carefully. "And I guess I do like him, kind of. He's the only boy - besides you and Brett - who has ever given a flying fig about my fighting."

"Artemis…"

"Okay! Okay!" I said, throwing up my hands in defeat. "He's different. I don't want to say he's 'special' or anything, but he kind of is. I didn't punch him in the face for kissing me, that's for sure."

"You're still not being honest," Ben said dryly. Ultimate Death Glare Burnage! (It failed.)

"Well what do you want me to say?" I snapped. "That suddenly I'm in love with Spot Conlon or something? Do you want me to say 'Ohmaigawd I love Spot sooooo much!" I quipped, making my voice as fake, high pitched, annoying and shrilly as possible. Ben winced and lightly covered his ears.

"Alright, I get the point," he muttered. "You're not going to be very open about this Conlon kid yet. Fine. But it sounds like he's not going to be very open either, so maybe you should do something. I think," he continued, "that Spot's probably almost as confused as you are right now. From what I've heard - and this is just word off the streets - he isn't exactly the type that usually makes long term commitments. So he's picked you, for now at least. Start with that and go from there. Now, I assume you also wanted to know about the jobs I have for you?" I sat up straight and clapped my hands together. Enough with the Spot-chatter for now.

"Yup! Gimme some jobs!" I chirped.

"Well," Ben said, pulling a piece of folded paper out of his pocket, "This first job here, the guy's willing to pay you twenty dollars-" I whistled "-yeah, I know. Anyway, he's willing to pay you that much to get into this house here," he showed me the address, a very ritzy looking place, "and get the following items. Bonus for some of 'em." Ben gave me the list and proceeded to fill me in on the rest of the details. I ended up taking the job and two others, just for good measure.

The sun was blazing as I left the restaurant. Love you, too, universe. Now please go take a nice cold bath, okay? The day is so different from the night….in so many different ways. Ack, not thinking about last night, not thinking about last night…..crap I'm thinking about it. But what am I supposed to do? Go back to the docks and act like nothing happened? Or should I act like something happened? Maybe today would be a good day to avoid the docks. Play it safe (as "safe" as it got in Brooklyn).

Dear Spot: Next time you kiss a girl, please tell her just what in the heck she's supposed to do the next day. 'Kay thanks.

"Hey, Artemis!" I turned around to see Pirate strolling up.

"Hey," I said. "What's up? Need something?"

"Nah, just saw you wanderin' 'round and figured I should wake you up befoah you hit a wall," he said, grinning. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Meh." I kept walking, only to stop as Pirate called out.

"Snatch." Freeze. Turn around slowly. Stare incredulously. Do I talk in my sleep or something? Pirate stood there and just looked at me with this kind of sad look on his face.

"Dat was my name, back when I first became a newsie." He brushed a bit of hair out of his eyes. "When I was about…this tall-ish. I was good at grabbing things, so my friends decided to call me that." He held his hand at the level of his waist.

"Wh-what?" I stammered like the smart cookie I am. Pirate gave a little smirk.

"Dey didn't figure that 'Pirate' was a better nickname until a few years later. Wanna know what we called Pilot?" he asked. All I could do was blink at him. " 'Sharp.' Of course, he was da sharpest one, aside from our last friend. But then again, Spot's always been 'Spot.' Don't think he'll ever change that."

My head reeled about as it tried to absorb all this. Sharp was the kid who knew how to find my house. And that was Pilot. And then Snatch always took me home, always knew how to cheer me up, always always always…..and that was Pirate? Then the last one, the last one was…was…was…..oh hell. Spot?

"But," I started. Pirate sighed.

"Yeah, we look kinda different now, huh?" he said. "Well, ya nevah really saw Spot, cuz he was really anti-social then. Still kinda is, but not so much. An' da one time you had ta talk to him, it was dark right? He told me da next day how 'the little puppy dog dat's always gettin' lost' ran into him. It was funny. Although, I didn't think you'd forget us, all those times we had ta help you."

"I didn't…forget," I said quietly. "I just didn't know who you guys were, and things got kinda complicated."

"Complicated how?"

"I may or may not have run away from home a few months later," I muttered. Pirate laughed.

"So ya really didn't forget us then?" he asked. I shook my head. A relieved look came on to his face. "Oh good. I thought you had, the way you acted when we foist met." I frowned.

"Pirate, I was tripping on the sidewalk and you grabbed me. Then we ate lunch. Plus, I'd kind of been going around orphanages for almost two years. Not exactly an ideal situation for remembering your childhood."

"Well, I'm just glad you remembered us. And," he hesitated. "It's okay…if yoah with Spot. I thought I'd hate it, but it turns out it doesn't make me as mad as I thought it would." Pirate grinned. "Besides, now I can flirt wit' dat goil over in da Bronx."

"Pirate," I said sternly. "I am not. With Spot." Pirate just smiled a weird, knowing smile, waved and left. Boys. Really now. You'd think they'd come up with a cure for it or something. And how had he figured it out?

That's it, I am definitely not going to the docks today. It's not safe.

Which leaves me the rest of Brooklyn to wander around. Too bad the Park's in 'Hattan or I'd just sit there. But that would require crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, and the coming back, and - hey, hold up. Those are some newsies I've never seen before.

"You fellas need something? Get lost?" I asked, wandering up to them. The big one eyed me (I think he was trying to decide if I was a girl or a guy. Thank goodness for this hat). The other two just kind of stood there and looked around.

"Nothin' ta do with you, pipsqueak," one of the others snapped. "Now go back to da Bronx or where evah yoah from." I glared at this one. Cheeky thing wasn't much taller than I was, with messy brown hair flopping in his eyes. They all had the looks of street fighters - eyes flicking everywhere, balanced as they were for a fight, some scrapes, clothes that had seen better days. No impressions of knives anywhere, though. I kept my hands in my pockets.

"Are we not still in Brooklyn?" I quipped. The tall one - let's call him Bruiser - glared the affirmative. "Then I don't need to go anywhere. Although you boys should probably tell me what it is you're doing here."

"Yoah Brooklyn," the other one said in a disbelieving tone.

"Yup."

"An' just why should we believe you?"

"Would you like me to call Spot over?" I asked sweetly.

"Conlon? Ha," Bruiser snorted. "He ain't got nothin' on us."

"That's so nice to hear," drawled a voice behind me. The one that called me "pipsqueak" visibly blanched. I'll give the big guy credit for not going pale or green. The last one had disappeared back to whatever hole they crawled out of. "I wasn't aware that you'd become so brave since da last time we met."

Spot stood, perfectly at ease, hands in his pockets, giving the most contemptuous smirk I've seen in a while to the pair. Absentmindedly he took out his cane and inspected the gold topped end before twirling it lazily about.

"Since you won't tell her what it is yoah doin' in Brooklyn, why don't you tell me?" Spot asked easily. Keeping the same level tone, he said, "Or did you think I wouldn't noticed when Queens decided to intrude in my territory?" His eyes flashed once at the both of them.

"You think you can take da both of us Spot?" The big one sneered. Spot smirked, and I got the shivers. That had to be one of the most evil smirks I've ever seen. And coming from Spot, it was rather terrifying.

"Wrong question," Spot said calmly. "The better one would be: do you two think you can take on me." Oooohhhh, that got their tempers going.

"Let's go Spot, here an' now," the smaller one spat out. Spot grinned.

"Gladly. Artemis, do me a favor and hold these for me?" He handed me his cane and slingshot. Oh yeah sure Spot why don't you just ask nicely and I'll gladly do you a favor blehhhhhhhh. Thpth. My mental age is that of a three year old.

The big one cracked his knuckles as Spot loosened himself up a bit. (Did it never occur to these guys that while yes we are on a side street, there's still people around?)

Even with two against one, Spot still clearly had the upper hand. He moved fast and then hit just as fast (and probably really hard), knocking the wind out of one before dealing with the other. He just alternated back and forth like it was a game. And frankly it looked like a game. Spot was grinning, throwing fast punches and generally looking like he was having a good time. The two would have some nice shiners later.

They wandered off, groaning. Spot just came over and took his things back, not even out of breath. He glared in their direction with a furious look on his face. Made me want to back up a step, but that probably would be a bad idea.

"You should watch where ya go wanderin'," he said, still watching to make sure the two were leaving. "Queens is startin' some trouble again."

"I could have taken care of them myself," I reminded Spot. He looked down at me and grinned.

"I know. I'd just rather you didn't have to. Besides, dey needed some remindin' dat I don't just sit at the docks. They needed remindin' that Spot Conlon watches ovah his territory," he said. Then he clapped me on the shoulder and left. I rubbed the spot, watching as he easily made his way through the crowd that had built up again. There were a few - okay, quite a few - girls who eyed him as he walked by. I frowned. He's mine girls. Well, maybe?

"I believe that was Spot Conlon, wasn't it?" I groaned and rolled my eyes. The hell is it with people today and sneaking up on me?

Without turning around - I knew he'd be standing close enough to hear me - I growled out, "And what the hell do you want, Damien?" He just laughed and walked closer to me. I turned around to face him.

"Is that any way to talk to your dear younger brother?" he asked. Today he was dressed much as he always had in nice clean clothes, black hair parted to the sides and out of his face, dark eyes watching everything. Too bad he was taller than me now, otherwise I'd still be able to sock him in the face.

"Younger brother, yes. Dear? No," I told him sternly. "Now go away and leave me alone, twerp." I turned and started walking. If he followed me…yup, he was following me.

"Where ya goin'?" he called out.

"Away from you."

"Aw, c'mon, Artemis-"

As soon as he said my name I whirled about, unsheathing a knife into my right hand as I did. As I turned I saw the perfect target: an old, wooden lamp post. Once I was facing him I let the dagger fly. It flew perfectly, straight past the side of Damien's face and into the wood with a nice thunk. He froze for a second, then wiped off a drop of blood that oozed from his ear. Too bad I only nicked it, instead of taking it right off. Must be some speck of sisterly love I still have for the kid.

Damien sighed before turning around and going to retrieve my knife. It was a game we'd played as kids, though not with knives. I'd throw something - usually a ball or a marble - at a target of his choice, he'd retrieve whatever I threw, and we'd continue. Looks like the habit's still there.

"Still got a temper, huh?" he said quietly, wiping the blade before handing it back. I nodded my thanks and sheathed it.

"Guess so," I said easily. "Now seriously, what did you want?" Damien shrugged.

"I saw you, so I came to apologize. Except, well, you got involved with those kids from Queens. I was going to help you," he said hastily, seeing how I glared at him. "But then Conlon showed up. Damn, he fight's well, doesn't he?"

"It's one of the reasons I'm in Brooklyn."

"So you're really a newsie?" Nod. "Huh. Well, I'm sorry for scaring you so bad the other day." I sighed.

"It's not your fault, Damien," I said. "It's his fault. I hate him." He nodded.

"Yeah, I know. But I'm still living with him, so I kind of have to do what he says. Sorry." He had on that stupid grin he always wore when he got in trouble and had to apologize. I smirked at him.

"You are such a baby, little brother."

"I object to that," Damien said calmly. "I object strongly. So strongly, in fact, that I think I'll put you in a head lock." I dodged.

"Ha, you wish," I laughed. "Good seeing you, I guess." He tipped an imaginary top hat at me before turning around and leaving. He's grown up well, all things considered. Still a bit of a brat sometimes, but that's probably just my perspective as his older sister. And don't remind me that he's a good bit taller than me, or I'll knock your block off.

I guess I will go to the docks, it's not safe for my mental health to be wandering around like this. Plus, the docks have targets for me to throw knives at, which I could really use.

~Later~

Unable to sleep, I snuck out the back door and walked down to the docks. They were pretty at night, and you could hear little cricket bugs. Little cricket bug go chirp! chirp! Little cricket bug go chirp! Man, am I out of it or what. Which is why it surprised me that someone else was also down at the docks again.

"Gwah! Oh, hi Spot."

Spot sat up from where he had been lying on the crates. He shoved his hair out of his eyes before saying, "Hey. What're you doing down here?"

"Can't sleep," I said sheepishly. He patted the spot next to him. Tentatively, I went and sat next to him, with about a foot of space between us. Spot laughed quietly.

"No, it's like this," he murmured, scooting over and closing the space. Easily he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. It was nice, in a way.

"Oh. Okay," I stammered. "Sorry, I'm not good at this, and it's been a really weird day, an-" Spot cut me off with a kiss. Mrmph! When he pulled back, he was smirking.

"You are so mean," I quipped. Spot just smirked.

"You needed to stop talking." I stuck my tongue out at him.

"So what were you doing out here?"

"Watchin' the stars," Spot said lazily, flopping back on the crates. Some fish nets covered them, making them more comfortable. I leaned back and put my head on Spot's arm. Makes a nice pillow.

"Wow, you can see them better from out here. Not nearly as nice as the country, but it's alright," I said. Spot just nodded. We just lay there for a while, just staring upwards. Spot was warm in a comforting way. I started drifting in and out of consciousness. Hastily I swiped at my eyes.

"If yoah gonna fall asleep, you should go back to the House," Spot said quietly.

"I'm okay."

"Artemis…" Spot's voice held a bit of a warning tone.

"What?"

Spot rolled up on his elbow and looked down at me. Vaguely I wondered if he would kiss me again. That would be nice. I think he was glaring again.

"Go back to the lodging house." I shook my head. Spot sighed and stood up. Then he grabbed my hands and pulled me up, too.

"Oi!" Spot wrapped me up in his arms. I was smooshed against him, with nothing else to do. Clearly, someone doesn't play fair. I grumbled a bit before wrapping my arms around him. It was clear that Spot was smirking. Really, how could he not be?

"It'll be fine," he said. I shut my eyes and just listened. "I always take care of my goils. And we've got a party in Manhattan tomorrow. So don't worry 'bout things, alright?"

"Merph," was all I said. Spot pulled me back a bit and tilted my head up for another kiss. It was soft and sweet, and I felt safe with his arms around me. Really, he is such a player.

After that, it was much easier to fall asleep.

Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in...are you aware...

Well, I hope that was enjoyable. Thank you everyone who has added this to their favorites/alerts!

Question for everyone: what music do you listen to when you write? Doesn't matter what you're writing, I want to know! Usually I listen to J-Pop (Japanese pop), and recently K-Pop (Korean). Stuff in other languages.

Eavies: Loooooooove. That may have been the climax, maybe not. ;) Glad you enjoyed the little romance scene. And I hope you keep writing!

RandomRiter: Well, it's all in your perspective what's a little action and what's a lot. Heehee. Hope Artemis was more of her sassy self in this chappie.

Austra: Gwah! I updated! I updated! :P Sorry, I was on my summer travels when I left you all with a cliffhanger.

xxWickedWench: Thanks love. I needed the encouragement cookies. They were delicious. And I love long reviews, even when they end up rambling.

news to the maxx: Phew! Glad it was a believable chapter. And wouldn't a lot of us like to have been in her spot (heehee "spot") to see Spot swimming around...

Ms. Tink: Thanks love!

xXEmiShaeXx: Your review gave me the warm fuzzies! ^_^ I'm so glad you like the way I'm writing Spot. He's a tricksy one!

Lacey White: Hello! Hello! Please keep enjoying this fic!

LucyOfNarnia: Glad you liked it!

NewsieGoil09: I will continue this story to the best of my abilities!

Spot'sGalFrom1899: Hiya! Yup, Artemis is one of my favorite's, too. I think Athena's my second favorite. Anywho, please enjoy!

Well, well, well. Will you look at that! 11 reviews for one chapter! Looks like I owe you guys a new chapter lickity split. I'll get right on it! Also, I am still writing my other fic, Eyes of the Tiger with David, it's just been on a hiatus. My apologies.

Love, Saya