I'm so sorry that this has taken me so long to get out. I've got a lot going on right now but when Winter Break comes I'll try to finish the story. I feel like the end could be near but then I remember things and well...there might have to be a sequel. Either way I promise once things get a little less hectic I'll sit myself down and write something good.

So yeah... this isn't great but it'll tide you over...i hope

My eyes fluttered open and I squinted against the glare of sunlight streaming into the room. I lay there in silence for a moment mulling over my thoughts. So many things had changed in the past few months. My friends, my enemies, my relatives, and my love life. Before the newsies I didn't really have a love life. But then I had Rebel and now…Spot, I think. I'm not sure how serious we are yet.

"What are ya thinking about?" Came the voice of the young man lying next to me.

In my surprise I let out a small scream, "How long have you been awake?"

Spot shrugged, "Half an hour maybe."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"Ya looked so peaceful I didn't want ta disturb. Besides we're taking the day off so there was no need."

"No selling today?"

"Yep."

"Good, I don't feel like selling." I said getting out of his bed and stretching. (A/N: If that didn't clear up that Bethany is in SPOT'S room at the lodging house then I will right now: Bethany is in SPOT'S room at the lodging) "What?" I asked, noticing Spot's watchful eye.

"Nothing, I'm just glad yer back."

"I wasn't gone that long."

"I know."

"So what do you want to do today?" I asked sitting down on the bed.

"Whatever ya wanna do." He answered sitting up.

"I just want to stay in bed all day," Spot raised his eyebrows suggestively, "And talk!" I added, blushing.

"Only talk? Or can we have a little more fun than that?"

"Spot what-" I was cut off when his lips captured my own. The kiss was seductive and more intense than any kiss I had ever had. After a few minutes I found myself being pulled into Spot's lap and not protesting. The kiss seemed to have taken over my ability to think clearly. I was living in the moment, doing what felt right. Soon Spot's hands were traveling and I found I didn't want him to stop. At that moment his hands could go any where they wanted and I knew I wouldn't stop him, I couldn't. It was intoxicating, like the time I got drunk. Everything was a new experience and was all a little hazy.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! "Uh, Spot, we'se got a situation!" Spot growled in response to the voice at the door and continued with the aforementioned activities. "Spot I know ya hate being interrupted when yer with a goil but I also know Martyr's in there and well…I think she might be in trouble."

Spot ignored the voice but I pulled away. "What?" He asked breathlessly, "What's wrong?"

"Didn't you hear that? I might be in trouble."

"SPOT! PLEASE LET ME IN!"

"Oh, come in!" A very frazzled looking Shadow entered the room, pushing a few fallen strands of hair back behind her ears. "Yes?" Spot asked coldly.

"Ah come off it Spot, this is serious, don't act mad that I interrupted yer make out session."

"Excuse me?" He asked in the same cold tone.

"I said 'there's a guy at the door looking for a Miss Bethany Fullmer', dressed real hoity-toity guy but kinda cute."

"Well tell him she ain't here."

"We're trying but he ain't going for it. Keeps saying he knows she's been living here for the past couple of months."

Spot stood up and exited the room mumbling about "idiots following his girl". Shadow looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Sleeping with Spot now eh?"

"NO! I just- it was…I just slept here." I finished lamely.

"Right." I glared at her and pushed my way out of the room. I crept down the steps quietly and stood listening to the voices from the door.

"Sir, I assure you I know that Miss Fullmer is here and I would appreciate it if you would bring her to me so I don't have to get the police involved." The voice sounded familiar but I couldn't quiet place it.

"Is that a threat carrot-top?" Carrot-top???

"Look do you know who I am? We've met personally through Miss Fullmer and even if we hadn't you should recognize me."

"I know who ya are I just don't give a damn. Just 'cause yer rich don't mean we're gonna give ya what ya want, Mister Malloy." Malloy? As in Rupert Malloy? I peeked my head out around the corner and looked at the door way, sure enough there stood Rupert Malloy looking very desperate indeed.

"Rupert?" I asked coming down the rest of the stairs.

"Bethany!"

"Martyr go back ta the room." Spot commanded. I narrowed my eyes at him showing how much I disliked being told what to do.

"I'll stay here if I please," I said through gritted teeth. "Rupert, it's so good to see you." I exclaimed turning to face him.

"Likewise,"

"So what brings you to this part of the city?"

"Well I need to talk to you in private actually." He spoke anxiously and quite hurriedly.

"What? What's happened?" I asked pulling him by the arm around the back of the lodging house.

"It's your brother."

"What? Is he hurt? Or sick? What? WHY WON'T YOU ANSWER ME???"

"I can't you won't stop talking!"

I took a deep breath and willed myself to calm down. "Rupert," I started slowly, "would you kindly tell me what is the matter with my brother."

"He's…uh he's sick."

"Sick?"

"Yeah."

"With what?" I asked, fearing the worst.

"Uh…hay fever?"

"Hay fever? That's an allergy." My god, the possibility that I was talking to the dumbest man alive struck me then. His friend was sick, possibly deathly ill, and he didn't remember what with. "Do you mean scarlet fever?"

"Yeah! That's the one."

"Well where is?" I was ready to drop everything and rush to my brother's aid but then Rupert dropped a bomb…

"At home with your mother." It felt as if the world had no mercy. I had just escaped from that house and here Rupert was asking me to re-enter it. I loved my brother dearly but that was pushing it. Besides my mother wouldn't allow me to go home.

"Rupert I can't go with you…my mother-"

"I already talked to her; she's agreed to let you come home provided you attend a dinner party that is to be held in my honor tonight."

I looked at him incredulously, "My brother could be dieing and you want me to go to a party?"

"It's the only way your mother will let you come home." I thought about it for a moment. It was a little suspicious that my mother would only want me to attend one party. It seemed more likely that she would lock me up in my room again. But Jonathan was sick… and I loved him to much to have him die without me saying goodbye.

"Okay, I'll go." I said, sealing my fate. Rupert had a carriage waiting on the street. After a quick explanation to Spot I dashed out before he could stop me. That's not to say he didn't try to.

"It's a trap I tell ya."

"Oh don't be so melodramatic Spot! My brother's sick!"

"No he aint, it's a plan ta get ya down ta that awful house again."

"Spot, no mother would trick their own daughter like that."

"Yer's would!"

With an indignant squeak I turned to face him, "I'll see you soon Spot." And without a further glance I huffed away and entered the carriage.

"Yeah, yeah." He mumbled and started back into the lodging house. The trip home I was very anxious. Anxious to see my brother, anxious to see my mom, and a little anxious about the look of guilt Rupert held. The moment we had started the ride home, he'd buried his face in his hands and sat there quietly. When I asked what was wrong he replied that his head was aching, but by the fact that he started banging his head against the carriage's side about halfway there, I concluded that that was not true. His guilty expression deepened as we reached my mother's house.

"Go on, Bethany, she's waiting." Rupert said helping me out of the carriage.

"She?"

"I meant, he. He, as in your brother."

"Right…" I said slowly. We made the never ending journey down the pathway and I went to knock on the door. Before I got there Rupert stopped me.

"I just want you to know, that I'm really, really sorry. I thought it was the right choice at the time, but now… I'm just sorry."

"For what?"

"You'll see." He said and knocked on the door loudly, bringing Emma to open it.

"Ah, Miss, we've been expecting you." The first thing I noticed as I entered the house was how quickly Emma locked the door behind me. The next thing I noticed was that every window and door was shut and latched. The last thing I noticed was that my mother and Jonathan, looking mighty healthy by the way, were standing at the top of the staircase.

"What's going on? I thought you were sick?" I asked, standing perfectly still in my spot.

"Bethany, you have to understand that this was for your best interest. We couldn't have you gallivanting off with those street rats any longer." Jonathan started in a calm manner.

"What are you talking about?"

"He's not sick Bethany; it was all a ploy to get you to come home." Rupert said miserably.

My jaw dropped and I looked from face to face. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Bethany obviously you don't know the definition of 'kidding' because this is most defiantly not a laughing matter."

"But mom, you…and…but I-I thought-" I forced tears to retreat from my eyes. I felt so betrayed. Spot had been right, why hadn't I listened to him? For God's sake, my mother had locked me in my room! Spot had never intentionally hurt me, he'd always wanted what was best for me. That's why I loved him. Wait, I what? I…love him? Yes… I love him! That's why I was willing to forget my family ties and join him. That's why it made no difference that he couldn't promise me protection like my mother could. I loved him! And I sure as hell wasn't going to stay locked up in this house a moment longer than I had to. "I'm leaving,"

"No you're not." My mother said in the same calm manner as Jonathan, "You will rest today and prepare yourself for the dinner party tonight. After that party you are free to leave."

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, "Really?"

"Absolutely."

"What's in it for you?"

"Excuse me?" She asked looking quite confused.

"Why would you just let me go after this party? And why is it so important that I go to this party?"

"I just wanted you to make a proper exit from society, now go upstairs and have a break." I nodded slowly, more confused now than I was when I first arrived, and made my way upstairs. There was something unnerving about the way my mother had spoken and I didn't know whether to believe her or not. And Jonathan! He was always on my side and suddenly he's mommy's little boy? That was not the Jonathan I knew. Maybe it was the drive to make sense of the alternative universe I had just stepped into or perhaps it was the desire to see Spot again, whatever it was I decided right there I was going to get down to the bottom of this and once I did I'd leave my mother forever. No matter what it cost.

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