A/N: Wow! Can you believe it? I'm back! Yeah… I don't really even have an excuse for how long this has taken. I've been… busy? Yah, no… really it's just that I've had this horrible writers block and when I finally got rid of it, I couldn't decide which one of the six different endings to this story to post. Thanks to Charlotte for helping me figure it out. And super duper thanks to the people who nagged me and nagged me to post. You guys rock so hard! If you happen to be wondering what my above comment means, yes, this is the ending to this lovely journey I fondly call "the bane of my existance" but you probably know better as "Hard Beginnings". I'm considering adding an Epilauge (mostly to balance out the prolague, of course) so you may see that in the near future. Love to all my faithful reviewers! I feel so blessed by each and every one of you! I never could have finished this without you all!

Kale's mind was elsewhere as she walked down the streets of Queens, one hand clutching her purse, the other limp by her side. Aside from the air having the bitter bite that comes with the Autumn season, the day was beautiful. It had been about a week since she had gone shopping with Dorris and found the dress she was to wear to her ball, and as more of the plans took shape, she became increasingly excited about it. She bent her head against a particularly cruel gust of wind and gasped as it whipped through her dress and bent the brim of her hat toward her face.

"Excuse me, Miss," an apologetic voice spoke as she stumbled back a few feet, her balance thrown from running into someone. In her surprise she had dropped her purse, and she now found him holding it out to her. "I should pay moah attention ta where I'se goin'."

"Yes, you should," she snapped, snatching her purse back from his calloused, ink-stained hands. "I almost-" she froze as her eyes met his.

"Kale?" he asked in disbelief.

"Spot?" she echoed. They stared at each other for a moment.

"What the heck are you wearing?" he finally asked, surveying her outfit with disdain.

"A dress. Haven't you ever seen one?"

He glared at her in response "Don't be a smaht ass."

"Well, it was a stupid question," she replied defensively. He shrugged, surprising her. He was usually so quick with a comeback. "What are you doing here?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"I had business," he answered elusively.

"In Queens?"

"Now who's asking stupid questions?"

"Well, you could have been somewhere else and decided to take stroll. You do have an annoying habit of popping up every now and again. Besides, Nettie hasn't asked about you in a while. For all I know you've been seeing her secretly behind my back!"

He quirked an eyebrow, "Seeing Nettie?"

"I wouldn't be surprised," she mumbled.

"I thought you said she was too young for me."

"Since when have you listened to anything I say?"

His only response was a smirk that told her she was right and he was proud of it. "Let's get out of the wind," he suggested as she shivered, her dress clinging to her legs from another gust of wind.

She followed him into an alleyway, and immediately felt warmer. "This is better."

He leaned casually against the wall and took off his cap, pushing his hair back into place. "I like the hat." His casual tone almost kept her from realizing he was mocking her.

"I do too," she answered, copying his tone.

He looked up, an amused expression on his face, "Sure you do."

She crossed her arms across her chest. "It's a fine hat, Mr. Conlon. But you wouldn't know fine if it came and hit you in the face."

"It wouldn't dare," he replied, once again surprising her by not getting angry.

She smiled a bit. "Probably wouldn't."

He smirked. "That's what I like ta hear. Submission."

"I'm not submitting… I'm agreeing. It's quite different."

"Quite different?" he mocked, not bothering to mask it this time. "Since when do you say quite?"

"Since I learned to be a lady."

"Since you started wearing elaborate dresses and ridiculous hats, you mean."

His voice was colder and she immediately put up her guard. "It all depends on who you ask. I've gotten quite a few compliments on this hat, thank you very much."

"Well, it's been nice seein' ya, Kale," he said, pushing himself off the wall. "Maybe we'll do it again sometime."

"Don't you dare walk away from me, Spot Conlon," she warned.

"Why not? You do it all the time, Kale. I'm just…returning the favor," he answered, his voice icy with an edge Kale was all too familiar with.

Her jaw dropped, and for a moment they just stood. Composing herself, she brushed off her skirt and then spoke quitely. "Good day, Mr. Conlon." She gave a small curtsy and waited for him to leave. But he didn't.

"Did you just curtsy?" he asked incredulously after a moment's pause.

She blushed. "Y-yes."

"What happened to you?" His accusing tone made it more of an insult than a question.

"Whatever do you mean?"

His eyes narrowed as he glared at her. "Nevermind. I'se sick a playing games wit chu, Kale. I guess I'll see you around."

"Spot… wait…" she pleaded softly

He met her eyes once more, but she could no longer read the emotion in them. He had shut her out, like too many times before. "I'll be in Brooklyn if you evah want ta find me," he said. He held her gaze for only a moment and then turned and walked slowly out of the alleyway, letting out a shuddering breath he hadn't even know he was holding.

0o0o0o0

Spot fought the urge to run as he turned down the street that would lead him away from Queens and back to Brooklyn. He was so lost in his thoughts, and the memory of Kale's captivating green eyes, that he didn't hear the voice calling his name until it was practically a scream.

"Spot!"

He turned, surprise flitting across his features as he found Kale running to catch up to him. "Kale? What are you-"

"I didn't want to have to go all the way to Brooklyn," she panted, interrupting him.

"What do you mean?" He narrowed his eyes, refusing to read into what she was saying.

"I mean that… that I need you." She blushed profusely as she spoke, and ducked her head to keep him from seeing.

"You need me." he said flatly, unable to believe she meant it.

"Yes." She peeked up at him nervously expecting the worst, but was instead met with the typical Conlon smirk.

"Sorry, I'm still not quite understanding. Could you say that just one more time?" he asked as his smirk expanded to a grin.

She gave him an irritated glare, but repeated herself anyway. "I need you."

His eyes gleamed as he reached out and took her hands in his. "You need me? Spot Conlon?"

She laughed. "Yes, you. O great leader of the Brooklyn newsies."

Spot brought her hand to his lips, kissing each of her fingers while holding her gaze. "Kale?"

She stared up at him, her skin tingling from where his lips had touched it, giving her butterflies. "Yes?"

"I need you too."

A/N: So… hopefully you guys are somewhat satisfied! Again, you might seen an epilague for this. And… maybe a sequel? I dunno… what do you guys think? Do you want to see a sequel? Let me know and I shall obey, O great and powerful reviewers! sends love