A/N So, a little about what I'm doing in Texas, in case you're curious. I'm an intern at the Honor Academy (amazing place). Worst part about it, we do corporate exercise, which I love because I used to be a personal trainer…except that its at 5:45 in the morning…that makes it 3:45 my programmed time. Ya, it rained this morning. Really hard. It was cold. Anyway, here's the next chappy.

Sarah, David, Les, and Jack stepped onto the familiar pier in Brooklyn Tuesday evening. The sun was hanging low on the horizon, but it would still be a few hours before it completely set.

David and Jack greeted their familiar companions and Sarah walked directly up to the group she was looking for. Switch, Trick, Duke, Boxy, Snitch, and Bones were all standing in a huddled group comparing their newly bought marbles.

"Hey Sarah," Trick greeted. The tightly formed group spread out to accommodate the new arrival. Sarah, who held a bundle of card, handed each of them a folded piece fo paper neatly decorated with colored ink. "What's this" Trick asked as she opened the card.

"Can't ya read?" Duke asked. "It says right here 'You're invited! It's obviously an invitation of some kind." Switch slapped Duke on the back of the head.

"I'd call ya an idiot, but alls I gatta do is let ya open ya trap and everyone would find out anyways." Duke raised a fist, but Trick pushed him away.

"Annabelle's birthday is on Friday. We're having a get together at Medda's to celebrate," Sarah elaborated. The six of them nodded in understanding. "So, can you come?"

"Ya, sure sure," Switch answered. "We'll be there…but uh…" Switch took hold of Sarah's elbow and pulled her off to the side. "Is this somethin we should, ya know, keep quiet?" Switch gestured to Spot who was sitting on his usual crate talking with David and Jack. Les wasn't far off playing with Jinx.

"No," she said boldly. "In fact…" Sarah placed a hand on Switch's shoulder and used the stability to climb on top of a crate. "Can I have everyone's attention, please!" she called loudly. Slowly the Newsies on the pier turned to see what the commotion was. "Here, these are for you!" Sarah tossed the large pile of cards in the air and the papers caught on the wind and drifted over the assembly. They all grabbed what the could and opened them to read. Sarah hopped down from the crate, her eyes fixed on Spot. He seemed completely callous to Sarah's outburst. He made no attempt to grab a paper.

"Can't wait till Friday," a Newsie said as he walked up to Sarah. She smiled fondly at him, unsure of what his name was though his face was familiar. She sighed. Plan B. Without hesitation, she grabbed an abandoned card from the ground and marched directly up to Spot. He turned his attention from whatever David was saying. She thrust the card into his face and he took it with a slight scoff.

"What is this supposed ta be?" he asked. Sarah raised her eyebrows as a way of telling him to read it.

"It's an invitation!" Duke called from his standpoint a few feet away. Switch rolled his eyes and gave Duke's shoulder a good shove. Half a second later there was a splash and a round of laughter, but Sarah's eyes were focused on Spot. He was glaring at her, but she refused to look away from the icy glower. Spot dropped his eyes to the paper and flipped it open. His eyes darted from left to right as he read the contents.

"Well?" Sarah asked and folded her arms across her chest. Spot chuckled bitterly and closed the card. His fierce stare met Sarah's again.

"Well what?" he asked in response. Sarah rolled her eyes. David and Jack were standing to the side watching the interaction with fascination. "Ya think this is funny, some kinda joke?"

"Do look like I'm joking?" Sarah bit back harshly. Spot jumped off the crate and stood directly in front of Sarah. Jack instinctively took a step forward but David pulled him back. "I should hate you for what you did to Annabelle, but I'm choosing to forgive you." Spot rolled his eyes and turned to walk away. Sarah pushed his shoulder hard enough for him to slam his back into the crate he had previously been sitting on. "So you should choose to listen when I'm talking to you." Spot looked at her in confusion and shock. Sarah sighed, her face softening. "Just…listen for a moment. I can't tell you everything, but…you should come on Friday."

"I don't know what ya tryin ta do Sarah, but ya can't make nothin happen that's not supposed ta happen?" Spot's voice had quieted to barely above a whisper. His words were strained. "It just aint ganna work, alright?"

"No, it's not alright!" Sarah said and stomped her foot. Jack intervened at this point. He grabbed her arm and began to pull her away from Spot. "No, stop!" she yelled and pushed Jack away. "I'm sick of sitting by and watching while everyone else gets to say whatever they want. None of you know Annabelle's side of this, none of you!" Sarah's eyes were darting between Jack and Spot now. Her death glare landed on Jack, however, who was beginning to get upset.

"So what is her side?" Spot asked bringing Sarah's attention back. "What…what does Annabelle think? I mean…is she ok?" Spot's eyes looked desperate. Pained.

"I…" Sarah shut her mouth. "I can't tell you…I mean, I can't tell you everything. I promised I wouldn't." Spot sighed in frustration and began to walk away again, but Sarah stopped him. Although, much nicer than the previous time. "But what I can say, is that you should definitely be there on Friday." Spot raised his eyebrows and Sarah nodded. "You should come, Spot. Really," Sarah said sincerely.

"Ok…" Spot replied after a moment. "I'll come." Sarah's eyes brightened and her arms instantly flew around Spot as she squealed in excitement. Jack's and Spot's eyes met. Jack was glaring furiously and Spot was holding both of his hands up. Sarah caught herself and quickly stepped away from Spot.

"Well, um…good. Then you should do that, let's go Jack." She grabbed Jack's hand and began pulling him down the pier, her cheeks burning red.

"What was that all about?" Jack asked once they were out of ear shot. Sarah offered him an apologetic smile.

X

Annabelle met Sarah outside Tibby's on Thursday around noon. They hugged, as their usual greeting, but there was a definite excitement from both of them that was uncommon. They entered the restaurant, sat and ordered, before falling into conversation.

"So how have you been since we last saw one another?" Annabelle asked politely. Sarah laughed and folded her hands on top of the table.

"Don't act coy, Annabelle, I know what you're really wondering," Sarah said knowingly. Annabelle grinned and broke eye contact. "Oh fine, I'll tell you since you won't ask. The plans for the party are going splendidly. I've invited everyone we know, and I'm sure, with the Newsies, more people will come that you've never even met. Medda even agreed to cancel her show for the night to let us have the party at her place."

"Oh no, she shouldn't have done that," Annabelle said in shock. "I don't want this party to inconvenience anyone."

"One thing you should learn about Medda is that she will never offer anything that she isn't sincerely willing to do," Sarah reprimanded. "Anyway, down to the real question you won't ask. The answer is yes…he's coming." Annabelle smiled softly and dropped her eyes to her hands. "Aren't you happy?"

"Yes, I'm happy, I promise…just nervous I guess. I mean, I don't know what he thinks or how he feels so I don't know what seeing him will be like," Annabelle admitted.

"Well, I never promised him I wouldn't say anything so I'll be perfectly honest. Its completely obvious that he is still very, very much in love with you and when I personally gave him the invitation…let's just say he's excited for tomorrow."

"Really?" Annabelle asked with her eyes wide with hope. Sarah smiled and nodded. The similarity between Annabelle and Spot was becoming more apparent to her. They were so much in love and neither of them knew it. Annabelle laughed despite her watery eyes. "Now I don't know what to wear." Sarah laughed too.

"How about I come over to your house before the party and help you pick something out? Then we can go together!"

"That would be amazing! Sarah you're the best friend I could ever hope for. Thank you so much." Annabelle moved seats so she was sitting next to Sarah instead of across from her and gripped her in a tight hug.

"You're welcome Annabelle," Sarah said genuinely. "Now, about what you're going to wear. I'm thinking something gorgeous…"

X

Annabelle twirled around in a circle as she examined herself in the mirror. The emerald colored dress was perfect. Her hair was combed back and a golden hair comb held the left portion of her hair away from her face while her curly locks fell over her back.

Everything was going to be perfect. Hopefully. As she stared at her reflection, butterflies danced in her stomach. The gold key necklace that hung from her neck stood out against the green fabric. What would he think?

"You look lovely, Annabelle," Mrs. Long said from the door. Annabelle turned around and smiled. "I was thinking," she continued as she stepped farther into the room. "This boy, this…Spot, well, I can't say I completely agree with any relationship, but…he seems to make you happy and well, what I'm trying to say is that, maybe you could bring him by sometime so that I might meet him properly." Annabelle felt overwhelmed. Was she hearing things?

"Thank you," Annabelle said sincerely and she kissed Mrs. Long on the cheek. "If everything goes well tonight I will."

"You're going to have a great time," Mrs. Long encouraged. The sound of heavy knocks on the front door interrupted any further conversation. "You'd better go and get that; we can't keep your friend waiting." Annabelle smiled brightly and ran from the room. "Annabelle, please… don't run in the house!" Mrs. Long called but Annabelle was already down the stairs. She took a deep breath, straightened her dress, and flung the door open.

"How do I look…" Panic. The air was thin, filled with a heaviness that couldn't be explained. Breathing was impossible. "James?"

"Why hello Annabelle, aren't you going to invite me in?" James didn't wait. He marched past her into the house, Mr. Doyle behind him. Annabelle felt a knot in her throat. Before she could even speak, James had grabbed her hand. "Don't you look lovely, dressing up for someone special?" He forced her to spin in a circle, and then his hands were on her waist.

"Stop it, don't touch me," she said and pushed his hands away. "Mrs. Long!" she called. The elderly woman appeared at the top of the stairs. Her eyes went wide.

"You…get out of here! You are not welcome in this house!" She was quickly down the stairs and pushed Annabelle behind her.

"What sort of welcome is this!" James said loudly. "Why I practically own this house! At least I will once Annabelle and I are married."

"That will never happen," Mrs. Long snapped. "Now get out or I'll call the police!" James only laughed. It was a wild laughter. Maniacal. Frightening. Annabelle had never been more afraid of James than she was in that moment. Mrs. Long huffed and walked to the phone that was mounted on the wall. Before she could even lift the receiving end, Mr. Doyle had flown to where she was. He pushed her away from the phone roughly and ripped the box from the wall.

"Stop this James!" Annabelle yelled. "You've gone mad!" James only laughed. He looked over his shoulder at Mr. Doyle who also had a cruel smile on his face.

"Hear that Mr. Doyle? I've gone mad!" the two men laughed. Then pain. James backhanded Annabelle so hard she fell to the ground.

"Annabelle!" Mrs. Long shouted. Mr. Doyle drove the end of his cane into Mrs. Long's temple and she collapsed.

"Stop it!" Annabelle shrieked. She tried to crawl over to Mrs. Long, but James grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet. "Why are you doing this?" Annabelle asked with restrained sobs.

"I told you Annabelle," he said nonchalantly. "You're mine…forever. If you think that by sending out a few letters this wedding was canceled you're wrong. Now, you behave like a good little wife and nothing has to happen to dear old Mrs. Long." He drew back his jacket and revealed the holstered gun. Annabelle instantly went rigid. This can't be happening. "Now come on."

"Where are we going?" Annabelle asked. She tried to pull away from James, but Mr. Doyle grabbed her by her upped arms in a viselike grip.

"To St. Michael's, Annabelle, to be married of course." No…James scowled. "I thought I told you to get rid of this!" he ripped the key from her neck and dropped it on the ground.

Spot…

X

Sarah happily walked up the steps to Annabelle's house. When she'd left Medda's to go and get Annabelle, everything had looked wonderful. She and her mother had stayed up all night baking an enormous cake for her. People had already started arriving to celebrate Annabelle…or at least to go to the party.

Sarah knocked on the door and it creaked open. Something was wrong. Sarah cautiously pushed the door open farther. Her hand flew to her mouth.

"Mrs. Long, are you alright?" the elderly woman was leaning against the wall with blood staining the side of her head. Sarah knelt in front of the woman who was breathing heavily.

"Sarah…you have to get the police," Mrs. Long panted. "He took her…St. Michael's." Sarah pulled the handkerchief from Mrs. Long's hand and pressed it to her wound.

"Who? Who took whom? I don't understand?" Mrs. Long opened her palm and Sarah looked down. A key? Spot's key…Annabelle's key.

"James Winchester…he took Annabelle. Mrs. Long was starting to cry. Sarah was fighting back panic now.

"It's ok, come on we have to get you to a doctor," Sarah said firmly and tried to help Mrs. Long to her feet.

"No, no…I'll be alright. You have to help Annabelle. He…he'll kill her if she doesn't marry him…you have to get the police."

"Help, is someone there!" Sarah called. She momentarily left Mrs. Long and ran down the hall and into the kitchen. She saw someone moving outside in the laundry area. She burst through the door and startled the maid who was hanging a tablecloth out to dry. "Something's happened. Call the police immediately!" The maid stood there in shock. Sarah grabbed the maid's hand and yanked her back to where Mrs. Long was lying. The maid shrieked. "You have to call the police and get help for Mrs. Long."

"Where are you going?" the maid asked, but Sarah was already out the door. In her limited experience the police weren't of much help. Sarah needed to get real help. The Newsies. Spot.

A/N No song for this chapter. Couldn't find one that worked. Any ideas? Anyway, I got 5 reviews really quickly so…here you go!