To all who have been reviewing, thank you! To those who haven't, why not start now?! Follow me on twitter! Linkage is on the profile!

They returned to the Lodging House late that evening, with Alex almost falling asleep at Spot's side. The house was almost silent when they arrived, and the fires appeared to have gone out some time ago. Alex stumbled up the stairs towards her bedroom, Spot helping her as she went. Her stone eyelids lowered themselves of their own accord, and she struggled to keep them even halfway open. Eventually, Spot swung her into his arms, carrying her up the final steps of the stairs. He tried to tread lightly, knowing that his steps made loud creaking noises that resounded through the entire building.

Pushing the door open with his back and crossing the bedroom that was once his, Spot laid Queenie down gently on the bed. Her eyes almost immediately slid completely shut, and her breathing evened out in moments. Spot allowed himself to breath a side of relief. He took his cap off, walked to the wall and slid down it. Laying his cane down, he ran a hand through his hair. This girl would be the death of him, he knew it.

A few moments passed by as he watched her sleeping form, before she began to shiver, even under the blanket. He stood quietly, crossed to the bed and leaned over her. Careful not to disturb her, he snapped the window shut, cringing at the sound of the rusty window closing. His eyes snapped down to her, assured somewhat when the sleeping girl didn't even stir.

Nerves floated around in his stomach as he moved away from her. Deep down, he knew that if Rabbit was missing, it couldn't be a coincidence that Queenie just embarrassed Captain in his own territory. Then again, as close as Spot and Captain were, Spot couldn't imagine the other leader taking part- much less orchestrating- something like kidnapping. On the other hand, every Newsie in New York had heard about the feud between Queenie and Captain. They met the first time, Spot knew just before she moved in with the Queens boys. They had one meeting and, to his knowledge, the two never met up again until Spot brought Queenie to Captain. The one time Spot had asked, Captain said,

"Da girl's trouble. Never pulls her own weight, just bewitches guys left and right. Dey do whatever she wants. She's just trouble, Spot. Don't mess around wit dat."

Spot bit his lips, recalling the memory, and slowly made his way from the bedroom, shaking his head to clear it. Letting the moonlight guide him, the boy wondered down to the kitchen, originally intending to make himself a coffee, but settling for a beer instead. The older boys kept a stash hidden from Queenie in the back of the pantry, and Spot took the liberty of pouring himself a glass. He sat there in the kitchen for a long moment, consumed in his thoughts, yet trying to block them out. Thinking and worrying about Queenie hurt, but Spot couldn't help it. She was growing on him.

A long time passed, and the moonlight shining through the windows shifted. He finished his beer and washed out his mug, knowing full well Queenie would kill him the next morning if he didn't. Spot felt his eye lids get heavy. Making his way up the stairs as quickly as he could in the darkness, Spot grunted as he tripped over something outside Queenie's door. Looking down, he laid eyes on a half-asleep form guarding the door.

"Roller, whatcha doin' here?" Spot asked, trying to be as quiet as he could.

He kneeled down so he could be at eye level with the little boy. Fully dressed- though some of the buttons were in the wrong loops and his shirt was half tucked in, Roller sat at attention outside Queenie's door, holding his wooden sword in one hand and his slingshot in the other. He looked ready to attack any one or anything that could possibly threaten the Queen.

"Ise just-"

The little boy yawned.

"Ise just heard youse guys come in and Ise was worried about Queenie."

Roller looked around, as though he was afraid someone would hear him. He leaned in, whispering to Spot.

"Wese all worried dat whoever got dat little kid in Queens is gonna try and snatch up Queenie right from under us."

Spot smiled and helped the little boy to his feet.

"So Ise told the boys Ise would keep first watch," he said, proudly displaying his toy sword and slingshot.

The older boy looked won and tousled the younger one's hair, smiling at him.

"Queenie's fine, little man. She's just tired. And so are youse."

Roller didn't look convinced.

"Tell ya what, why dontcha let me take da watch for tonight? If youse want, Ise can even tell Queenie that youse did the whole night's watch."

The little boy smiled.

"Okay, Spot."

Straightening Roller's cap, Spot said,

"Now youse gotta go to bed so Ise can take up the watch."

He turned to run to the bunk room, but spun around to face Spot.

"Youse got ya slingshot?" the little boy asked.

Whipping it out of his back pocket, Spot showed his small friend the weapon.

"Now youse gotta go to bed, little man."

Roller did what his leader said, and Spot could hear him yawn as he made his way to the bunk room. Chuckling under his breath, he gently pushed the door open. The girl sleeping in his bed did not stir as he opened the door, though she had pulled her body to the farthest corner, nearly hiding herself in the blankets. Spot sighed and crawled into bed next to her, praying that he would wake up before she did.

Making himself comfortable, Spot laid on top of the blankets, yet found it impossible to put any kind of distance between him and the girl. Her breathing came in steady pats upon his chest, and he let their rhythm pull him into a deep, carefree sleep.

Please nominate me for the New York Newsie Awards! PLEASE! And follow me on twitter like Skitt'sGirl (My best fanfiction friend) does! Because she follows me, she knows when I'm gonna update, some chapter spoilers, and she can communicate more directly with me! It's awesome! I can't wait to see y'all on twitter! Linkage is on my profile! :D