Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Newsies, but I own the others.

A/N – I'm sort of out of it today, so the editing might be pretty bad. This chapter is pretty long, and I apologize in advance for any mistakes!

"Jesus Christ…" Riley Cardoni mumbled to herself in disbelief, looking into the cracked full length mirror of the storage room. Her fingers slowly traced the forming bruise on her upper arm, given to her by the infamous Brooklyn leader that now sat downstairs.

Never in her whole life had Riley been deliberately hurt by another person. Whether Spot did it intentionally, she would never know. The only thing on her mind right now was getting as far away from him as possible. Riley silently cursed herself. Her stubborn curiosity had gotten her in trouble before, so once again, her curiosity in Spot Conlon had gotten the best of her, and she was now paying for it. Her mother would always tell her 'Curiosity Killed the Cat' – but Riley never listened; I mean, she wasn't a cat, and it's not like being curious could actually hurt you… Right?

Sure, curiosity couldn't hurt her… But Spot Conlon could. And he just did.

Taking out the decorative comb from her long hair, Riley couldn't stop thinking about the first day she saw Spot Conlon. She was in awe with his looks, but there was something else about him… Something that gave her chills… Something that made her want to know more. Even if it was just his name, or why he looked so powerful; she had to know.

So there she sat, alone in the storage room of the Brooklyn Newsboys Lodging House, waiting for her hands to stop shaking from her encounter with the most powerful street kid in all of New York.

After a while, Riley walked downstairs to see the common room full of loud newsboys. She coughed when the heavy smoke filled her nose from the cigarettes and cigars.

The first person that saw her was Spot. He sat at a table with a bunch of other boys, and gave her a questioning look. Riley could have sworn she saw his eyes go soft once he saw her, but shook the idea out of her head. Biting her lip, Riley looked away and walked quickly across the room. She felt Spot's eyes following her, and felt goose bumps on her arms, despite the temperature of the warm summer night. She reached the door and left the lodging house, walking into the fresh air and taking a deep breath as she made her way down the street; her destination – Bonnie's apartment.

By now, most of the newsboys had seen Riley and watched the door close behind her. All eyes suddenly turned to Spot.

"Follow her," Spot ordered, his eyes still on the door. Whip, one of his newsboys, grabbed his slingshot from the table and followed Riley out the door.

Walking through Brooklyn at night was dangerous, but the thought didn't even enter Riley's mind. At that point she could've cared less if something happened to her. Anything was better than dealing with Spot Conlon.

A long and lonely walk brought Riley to the familiar steps of the apartment building. Reaching the top floor, she knocked on the door and put her hand to her hip as she waited for Bonnie to answer. Furrowing her eyebrows when no one did, she knocked again.

Once again, no answer. "Bonnie?" Riley asked, knocking a little louder. She tried turning the doorknob but it was locked.

Resting her forehead on the door, Riley let out a long sigh. "Fuck," She mumbled to herself. Spot Conlon's familiar voice rang through her head,

Girls shouldn't swear – it's unattractive.

"Shut up," Riley whispered to herself, turning around and resting her back on the door. She stood there for a few minutes and considered her options: Stay there and wait for Bonnie to come home in hopes that she'd forgive her and let her stay… Or go back to the lodging house and try tomorrow.

Deciding that she didn't want to take the risk of waiting all night, Riley pushed herself off the door and walked back down the stairs. She exited the building and felt the warm night air on her skin as she started her journey back to the lodging house.

It was darker now, and the streets were getting quiet. Riley ran her fingers through her hair and crossed her arms over her chest as she walked. Whip casually followed close behind her, making sure to keep his distance so she wouldn't notice.

One thought kept running through her head – would Bonnie forgive her? They never really fought before. Well, they have, but over stupid things… Like clothes, or what they would eat for lunch that day. Nothing like this.

Shaking the thoughts out of her head, Riley bit her lip and looked at the ground. "You don't have to hide from me, you know." She said, her voice breaking the silence of the empty street.

As expected, a voice answered her back. "…You saw me?"

Riley smiled when Spot's newsboy answered her, but continued walking. "I didn't need to see you. I just knew."

"Was I loud or something? Did I make a lot of noise?"

She noticed the worry in his voice and turned around, walking backwards. "No, you didn't make a sound," She reassured him. "I just had a feeling Spot would send someone." He nodded, and Riley slowed down and waited for him to catch up.

Whip took off his hat, revealing his blonde hair, and wiped his forehead. He was actually very handsome. Why do all the bad boys seem attractive? Placing the hat back on his head, he finally caught up to Riley, and they walked side-by-side.

"That girl is probably in Manhattan. She's there all the time."

"Bonnie?" Riley asked, looking up at him.

"Yeah, Bonnie." Whip confirmed with a nod of his head. He suddenly raised his eyebrows and glanced down at her, "Doesn't she hate you?"

Riley looked away. "She doesn't hate me. She's just… Just…"

Whip smiled. "Jealous?"

"She's just mad at me." Riley corrected him, unable to hide her smile. "Besides, why would she be jealous?"

"Because she used to hang around Spot all the time."

The smile disappeared. "Yeah, I heard about that…"

"He always gets those hoity-toity girls."

Riley cleared her throat. "Those what?"

Whip looked away embarrassingly. "You know what I mean."

They walked silently down the streets of Brooklyn – something most people weren't brave enough to do. These streets were rough, and the people who lurked around at night were feared by those who stayed confined in their own homes once the sun went down. Fortunate for Riley, Spot and his boys were the ones people were scared of, so being with Whip gave her no reason to worry.

The sound of Whip muffling a laugh brought back Riley's attention. She glanced up at him with a look of confusion. "What are you laughing about…?"

"Nothing, just…" Whip smiled. "Is it true Spot is the reason you got fired from your job and kicked out of that apartment?" His smile widened when she rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Yes, it's true. No, it's not funny," Riley shot him an accusing glance before looking in front of her again, "and no, I don't want to discuss it any further."

"But you obviously have money, right? So why aren't you with your parents?"

"It's a long story." Riley replied shortly.

Whip scrunched up his eyebrows. "But you would pick to stay with a bunch of newsies instead of going home?"

"In a heartbeat." Riley answered sincerely. "Listen, my parents are great and I love them but there are some things you wouldn't understand."

"Guess so," Whip replied, shrugging his shoulders. "And that girl actually kicked you out of that apartment? And you let her?"

"She has the power to tell my parents about Conlon," Riley explained. "And she must know by now that I got fired, so she could use that against me, too."

"Won't they find out anyway? They gotta check up on you and stuff, right?"

Riley let out a small laugh. "No, they would never come to Brooklyn. It took me a year to convince them I would be okay here."

"Okay, but… Wouldn't a girl like you usually be married by now?"

Riley bit her lip; it was true, she was at the age to be married. That was the reason she left, that was the reason she… No. She promised herself she'd forget all of that. Shaking her head from all those thoughts, Riley pushed the memories aside. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I have myself a girl, so I ain't hitting on you or nothing… But you're a knockout, kid." Whip pointed out, causing Riley to smile shyly and study her feet. He shrugged his shoulders in confusion. "I bet those high an' mighty shmucks were probably lining up at your door trying to scoop you up in their arms, right? Am I right?"

"Let's not talk about Staten Island, okay?" Riley asked, a bright smile still on her face.

Whip smirked. "Just curious, that's all."

Just curious… Those words wiped the smile right off her face. Ignoring his last comment, she shook her head. "Well, Bonnie has no reason to be acting this way." Riley said, her eyes fixed in front of her as they walked. "She's overreacting, and I just need to talk some sense into her. I can't stay in that lodging house anymore."

"C'mon, it ain't so bad."

"Well, people are allowed to talk to you, sweetie." Riley pointed out obviously.

Whip took off his hat, fidgeting with it nervously. "Right… About that… You're not gonna tell Spot, are ya?" He asked tentatively, quickly glancing at her.

"He won't know you spoke to me." She replied, suddenly remember Ryder's vicious black eye. "I won't say a word."

"Just don't tell him that you knew I followed you," Whip told her, putting on his hat. "He'd get pissed if he knew I got caught following someone." He pulled out his slingshot and started fidgeting with it. "I'm supposed to be quiet, so I'd get in trouble for you knowing I was following you and -"

"He's not going to find out," Riley cut him off, a small smirk on her face. Spot Conlon definitely knew how to make his boys nervous.

"I'm Whip, by the way." He said as they turned another corner, now close to the lodging house.

"I'm Riley."

"I know."

Riley sighed. "Of course you do."

"I've been here for three years." He stated matter-of-factly. "Spot will get used to you. Just don't do anything stupid that'll make him hate you and you'll be fine."

Riley looked up at the tall newsie beside her. The street to the lodging house was just around the other corner.

"Thanks, Whip." Riley said quietly. He raised a questioning eyebrow, and she let out a small laugh. "You know, for the advice. And don't worry – I never talked to you."

Riley continued walking while Whip waited around the corner, as if he was just following her the whole time. She sighed as she approached the lodging house. The only thing Riley could do was hope to God that Spot didn't find out Whip talked to her. She didn't want another newsboy to get a black eye on her expense.

Running her fingers through her hair, Riley walked into the lodging house, closing the door gently behind her. Despite her attempt to be discreet, the whole room seemed to freeze when the quiet wood door shut. Her breath caught in her throat when all eyes turned to look at the girl they all were forbidden to talk to. Among the crowd, Spot sat at the same seat from before, his magnetic eyes locked on hers.

Riley took in a long breath, stood up straight, and began walking to the staircase. Keeping her chin up confidently, she reached the stairs and ascended them to her room. Passing the bunkroom where the younger children were sleeping, Riley let out a breath she didn't know she was holding; happy to be away from all of that attention.

Climbing up the second set of stairs, she entered the storage room and sat on the cot. Riley wasn't the least bit tired, but she couldn't find the motivation to get up and change out of her dress. Twirling a lock of hair around her finger, she bit her lip in thought.

She really needed to talk to Bonnie…

A steady knock on her door caused Riley to jump in surprise. She looked at the closed door nervously.

"Who is it?"

"You know who it is, Cardoni." The voice said knowingly. "Open the door."

Riley tucked her hair behind her ear and stood up, taking a few steps to the door. Putting her hand on the doorknob, she stepped back and slowly pulled it open. Spot had his head leaning against the door frame, turning his eyes up from the ground once he could see her face. Riley had a look of confusion on her face; anxious to see what he wanted.

Spot stopped leaning on the doorframe and sighed. "I just wanted to say…" His voice began slowly trailing off.

Riley let go of the doorknob and tentatively crossed her arms. "Say what…?"

Spot finally caught her eye and opened his mouth to continue. Suddenly, as if he just caught himself doing something he regretted, the gentle part disappeared. His signature smirk and smug attitude took its place; and a familiar arrogant spark appeared in his eyes as he continued. "I just wanted to say that I like how tight ya dress is." He said temptingly, running a finger over the soft fabric on her waist; teasing her with his experienced hands. "You might need some help taking it off."

Riley stepped back in anger, putting her hand back on the doorknob. "Are you done?" She asked impatiently.

Spot seemed to struggle as he studied her eyes, looking so deep that she was scared he would see her true feelings. The fight to keep her eyes on his was emotionally exhausting her; she couldn't take dealing with him anymore tonight, it was too much.

After another moment, Spot was the first to look away. He let out a long sigh and once again leaned against the doorframe; his hand finding its way to the gold tip of the cane that was hanging through his belt loop. Riley bit her lip, doing nothing but waiting for him to speak.

"I just wanted to say…" Spot glanced down at his cane, unable to look her in the eye. "I'm just…" He stubbornly lowered his voice and let the words escape from his closed lips. "I'm sorry."

Riley heard him mumble something, but her mind was struggling to understand it. Did he just apologize? Or was she just hearing things…?

"You're what?"

"I'm sorry." He said more sternly, looking up into her eyes again.

A part of her wanted to tell him it was okay; that she was sorry for yelling at him, and didn't mean anything she said. But Riley couldn't bring herself to say it, because it would be a lie.

"You're a lot of things, Conlon." Riley answered quietly, the anger visible in her eyes. "I don't think 'sorry' is at the top of the list."

Surprisingly, Spot didn't reply, although his icy glare said everything he wanted to say. Instead, he glanced at her arm. A faint bruise was noticeable where he had grabbed her, and he remembered how angry she got him just by saying a few words. Riley noticed him looking at the mark, and hid her arm behind the door.

"Look, I'm trying to be nice here, Cardoni." Spot said, his jaw clenched as he struggled to control his temper.

"Yeah, well, it's a little too late for that, ya think?" She snapped, surprising the both of them with her forwardness. Realizing she was going a little too far, Riley put her hand back on the doorknob. "I'm tired so –"

"Where did you go tonight?" Spot asked harshly before Riley could finish her sentence.

Riley tucked her hair behind her ear. "Bonnie's."

He snorted a laugh, crossing his arms across his chest and still leaning on the doorframe for support. "Why would you go there?"

"Why? Because I want out of this lodging house, that's why!" Riley exclaimed, as if the answer was obvious.

Spot remained unimpressed by her rising anger and quirked an eyebrow. "Then why did you come back, Cardoni?"

"She wasn't there." Riley grumbled disappointingly, although a part of her was happy she didn't have to face Bonnie tonight.

"No shit. I could've told you that," Spot replied, rolling his eyes as he took his weight off the doorframe. "Jacky boy has that girl in Manhattan all the time."

Riley sighed. "Yeah, I figured…"

"Yeah, well you wouldn't have wasted your time walking there in the first place if you told me you were leaving." He scolded her. "What dumb broad walks through Brooklyn this time of night?"

"Oh, please! Since when do you care about what I do!" Riley exclaimed, fighting the urge to laugh in his face. "As long as none of your boys are talking to me, you could care less about what I do! Or where I go! Or if I need your help!"

"Hey, if you wanna get killed out there, then go ahead and do it." Spot said, putting up his hands in defense. "But you're lucky as hell you're under my protection, doll. There are guys out there waiting for some dumb little girl to take a stroll all by herself this time of night."

Riley couldn't even think of a reply, because there was nothing she could say.

"And a girl with your looks?" Spot continued, his eyes studying her up and down. "You wouldn't last three minutes out there without my protection."

"Okay, I get it." She said reluctantly. "But… Why are you 'protecting' me?"

"You keep your mouth shut about what you saw outside The Romano Lounge that night; I keep you protected while you live with me." Spot explained easily.

Riley nodded her head, a quick chill running down her spine as the events of that particular night flooded into her memory.

"But once you're out of this lodging house, that's it. You're on your own." He said, the coldness of his words cutting through her heart like ice. "Just a warning for you, sweetface – this isn't Staten Island."

"I'm not a 'dumb broad', Conlon." She retorted. "So I would appreciate it if you stopped talking to me like I am."

"Then fucking smarten up, would ya?" Spot spat in frustration. He ran his fingers roughly through his hair to refrain from saying anything else.

Riley bit her lip as she looked at him, wondering why this one person knew exactly what to say to get her heated. This conversation was going nowhere, and now she was more confused than ever. "Well, that was a really sweet apology, Mr. Conlon, but if you don't mind I think I'm going to bed now." Riley said, her voice sarcastic and sweet as she tried to maintain her manners.

Spot sighed, crossing his arms and once again leaning on the doorframe. "Listen, Cardoni…" He began, breathing slowly to calm himself down. "I meant what I said – I'm sorry I put that bruise on your arm. You happy now?"

"Yes," Riley replied, trying to hide the smile from her face. It was obvious he hated swallowing his pride and saying those words to her.

"Good, because this is a one time thing so don't expect it to ever happen again."

"Right."

Spot nodded his head. "A'right then."

Riley remained silent as their eyes met one last time before he turned to leave. Without warning, before she could even stop herself, words were already escaping from her lips, "Conlon, wait!" She blurted out, stepping into the hallway as Spot reached his own door.

Riley clasped her hands behind her back, hoping like hell she wasn't crazy for asking for his help. "I need you to bring me to Manhattan."

Spot looked around the hallway, then back to her eyes. "Now!" He asked incredulously.

"Of course not now!"

Taking a moment to think about it, Spot eyed her suspiciously. "Why?"

"Because I can talk to Jack to make sure Bonnie is there, and then I'll show up and make her talk to me." Riley answered. He continued giving her a questioning look, so she let out a sigh. "And I won't play poker this time."

Spot narrowed his eyes at her last comment. "No, just go to her apartment."

"She probably won't even open the door if I did. Come on, Conlon."

Without answering her, Spot turned around and opened the door to his room. Riley was about to stomp back into her own room when Spot suddenly turned back around, an amused look on his face. "Say it."

Riley furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Say what…?"

He smirked. "Say please."

Riley's jaw slightly dropped in disbelief. This was all some game to him! Why does he care so much that she say 'please'! He just wants the satisfaction of hearing her say it. He wants to feel superior, knowing she had to 'plead' for his help.

"No." She said stubbornly, not giving into his wishes.

Spot smirked arrogantly. "Come on, prettyface. One word. Say it." His eyes watched with anticipation. "And say it nicely."

"This is so stupid, Conlon, honestly…"

Spot turned back around to walk into his room. "That answers your question then."

Riley stomped her foot on the ground in anger. "Oh my God, fine. Please! Are you satisfied? Please please please!"

Spot chuckled to himself before he turned back to face her. "Yeah." He replied after a few seconds of enjoying the defeated look in her eyes. "I'll bring you soon."

Riley was about to continue arguing with him, but was surprised when she heard him say yes. "Oh," She said quietly, taken aback by his unexpected answer. "Thanks."

"Yea, yea… Can I fucking sleep now?" Spot asked angrily. "Honestly, woman. You're annoying the shit out of me."

"Yeah, sorry." She answered, too tired to fight with him. Her mind was too hazy to do anything. Before she had any time to think things through, Riley was already on her cot, letting her exhausted mind rest.

There were so many unanswered questions running through her head, and her last thought before she drifted off to sleep was of Jack. Riley needed desperately to talk to Jack.

This was supposed to be two different chapters, so that explains the length! This one's not something I'm really happy with, but it would take way too long to re-write. I promise things will get interesting again. You'll see! Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you're all reading this story - I hope you're enjoying it so far!