A/N: Many thanks to my awesome reviewers! (blushes) You guys are great! It was nice to see my anonymous reviewers up there! I should have unblocked you guys sooner! Thanks again and I hope you enjoy this chapter…

It'd been three weeks, and there hadn't been a sign of her. No other borough had seen her. It was as if she disappeared. Spot was frustrated. Kale wasn't at the orphanage like she said she would be. Three of his newsies could attest to that.

He paced the docks, running a hand through his hair. Why couldn't he just get her out of his head? He slammed his cane down on the docks and immediately his newsies became silent. He looked around at them, all staring at him expectantly. He nodded to one of them, and she immediately stopped what she was doing and made her way over to him. The rest resumed their activities.

"What is it, Spot?" Hawk asked, concern in her eyes.

Spot made sure his face gave away nothing. It wouldn't be good if Hawk figured out just how worried he was about Kale. "Hawk, I need ya ta go ta Queens an' talk wit Viper. I need da latest 'e's got."

Hawk nodded, "I'm on it." She immediately headed in the direction of Queens.

Spot then turned his attention to the rest of his newsies, his gaze landing on one in particular. He watched her for a few moments before she turned her head and met his eyes, seeming to have sensed him staring at her. She smiled at him, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously. He gave her a nod of acknowledgement and she promptly flipped her shining blonde hair over her shoulder and resumed her conversation with a few other newsies.

It was no wonder that in the five months she'd been there she'd had eight boyfriends. She was gorgeous. Her hair shimmered and was always perfect, much to his amusement. It was next to impossible to be a newsie and stay so… intact. Her eyes were gems of deep blue, her laugh like bells tinkling, and her lips rosy and full. Despite her loose clothing, it was easy to tell she had curves in all the right places. Irresistibly beautiful. There was no question as to why the boys had dubbed her 'Doll.'

He turned his attention away from her and out onto the sparkling water. Sighing, he recalled his conversation with Jack Kelly a few days ago. He had reluctantly shared what had been occupying his thoughts the past few days, worried that it was affecting his leadership and awareness. Jack had laughed saying, "Spot, it happens ta da best a us. Ya jist gotta get 'er outta yer system."

Spot furrowed his brow, wondering how exactly the best way to do that was. He'd already spent nights shooting bottles, smashing crates, and taking swims long after it was dark. Nothing had cleared his head.

Then he remembered Jack's advice from later on in the conversation. "Ya need a distraction. Dat's all, Spot. But it 'as ta be a good one, uddahwise it won't woik."

A slow smile made its way over his face and his turned his head again so that Doll was perfectly in view. She stood with a few other guys around her, twirling her hair and giggling every once in a while. Nope… there couldn't be a better distraction. Besides, he had noticed her from time to time studying him. He wasn't stupid, she wanted him. He just hadn't been interested… until today.

He hopped down from the crates he had been settled on and casually walked over to the group Doll was standing in. "Heya, Doll." She turned to him as he spoke and the other boys became silent. He looked at them. "Ya kin go." They dispersed instantaneously and he turned his attention back on Doll, giving her his most charming smile, "Care ta join me?"

She tilted her head, a light dancing in her eyes. She batted them playfully, "Join you where, exactly?"

He chuckled softly, turning on all the Conlon charm he could muster. "On a walk, a coise." He raised his eyebrows, extending his elbow to her. She hesitated only a moment before slipping her arm through his.

They began to leave the docks, but Spot paused, locating another newsie. "Hey, Muck!" The other boy's head snapped up, looking at his leader. "Yer in charge… I'se takin' a break."

Muck looked at Spot and then at Doll and then back to Spot. Curiosity hid in his eyes, but he said nothing, only nodding and returning to his conversation with a few of the other boys. Satisfied, Spot continued his walk with Doll.

Spot led her to a secluded alleyway before turning to her. She watched him with curious eyes. He gave her another practiced smile, and she turned a light shade of pink. Spot smirked, "I'se makin' ya squirm, Doll.

She cast her gaze downwards, "I-"

He reached out and tilted her chin up gently. "It's cute." She smiled in return and he took her hands. "I've been meanin' ta talk witcha for a while." He studied her, wondering why he'd never felt anything for her... why he still felt nothing for her. He shook the thought from his head. She was simply a much needed distraction. He let go of her hands and leaned against the side of the alleyway, "So… I've been watchin' ya."

She smiled wider. "I noticed." She fluttered her eyelashes and ducked her head slightly. "Should I be reading into that, or is it just you being you?"

He smiled, "Oh, you've got that down good."

She gave him an innocent look and twirled a piece of her light hair around her finger. "What do ya mean, Spot?"

She was good, no doubt about it, but he was done playing games. He stepped toward her, capturing her hands and leaning toward her, but she ducked him, pulling her hands from his. She took a few steps away from him toward the entrance of the alleyway before pausing, looking over her shoulder. "Well… are you gonna get me, Conlon?"

He almost smiled. Oh, she was very good… a master. She practically had him convinced he wanted her. He couldn't stand it when girls played hard to get, and she most likely knew it. She was staying close enough to tempt him, but far enough to be unreachable.

In a rush of movement, he had recaptured one of her hands, keeping her from being able to escape. He wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her against him. Their faces were inches apart. He leaned forward capturing her lips with his own, and she melted against him as he took the kiss deeper.

After a moment, she pulled away. "Spot." Her whisper was so soft that it was barely audible. "I don't wanna be your toy."

He gave her his most irresistible smile, humor gleaming in his eyes. "Baby, every goil wants ta be my doll."

She rolled her eyes, but a smile played on her lips. She sobered almost immediately, however, and looked him straight in the eyes. "Why are you doing this? This isn't about her, is it?"

Spot blinked. He knew full well who she was talking about; he just hadn't planned on her picking up on it. He quickly came up with a response, determined not to give away his reason for his sudden interest in her. "Her who? Lisa? Nah… I'se ovah her."

She gave him a look and tried to step back, but his arm was still around her waist. "You know I'm not talking about Lisa, Spot. I'm talking about Kale. You've been distracted lately."

Spot smiled. She had practically fed him his words on a plate. He traced her face with a finger, "Baby… you'se a distraction. I jist couldn't keep me eyes off ya."

She giggled, "So… this is really about us?"

He kissed her again, "Nah. It's all about you."

This time she kissed him.

A few minutes later, a winded Mole turned into the alleyway. "Spot!"

Irritated, Spot pulled away from Doll. No doubt he'd picked a good distraction. She was almost too good of a distraction. He felt his lips curve slightly. She was a darn fine kisser.

He pulled his thoughts from the girl wrapped in his arms and turned his attention to Mole. "Whatddaya want, Mole. I'se kinda busy."

Mole shifted from one foot to the other, obviously uncomfortable. "I can tell ya later… I jist thought dat ya'd like ta know…"

Spot took a slow breath. "Spit it out, Mole," he demanded, obviously annoyed.

Mole looked down at his feet before meeting Spot's cold blue eyes. "She's back."

Spot immediately dropped his arm from where it still rested around Doll's waist and took a step toward Mole. "What?" He spoke through gritted teeth.

Mole took a step back as Spot took a step forward. "She's back. I saw her."

"Where is she?" It was more of a command then a question.

Mole shifted his feet again. "She was with an older woman. Dey was both dressed up all nice an stuff. She was in a dress an she was carryin' one a dose frilly umbrellas. I almost didn't recognize 'er. She didn't talk ta me a'tall. I don't know where she went when she left, but dey was headed toward Queens."

Spot met his eyes, making sure that his next statement would be heeded. "Find out where she is, Mole. I want an answer… by tonight."