A/N So I'm a little sadistic. I hate reading cliff hangers…but I LOVE writing them. Mwahahaha. Oops…did I give something away?

Sarah felt as though her legs were going to fall off. But she couldn't stop running. Annabelle's life might depend on it. After what seemed an eternity, Medda's came into sight. It was already getting late. The sun was beginning to set.

She threw the door open and collapsed to her knees with exhaustion. Several Newsies looked at her in confusion. One of them being Jack.

"Sarah, it's about time ya got here…where's Annabelle? What's wrong?" Sarah had tears in her eyes. Jack pulled her to her feet, but she pushed past him. She began grabbing random Newsies whose backs were to her. Panic had set in. "Sarah, what the…" Jack caught up with her as she ran farther into the crowd of party goers. He grabbed her and spun her around to him. "What's wrong?"

"Spot…I…have to find Spot. Where is he!" Jack was even more confused. Annabelle didn't wait for an answer. She pulled herself from Jack's hold and began running toward the stage. "Spot!" she yelled. More and more Newsies were beginning to pay attention to the commotion. The piano player stopped playing to watch the scene. Sarah finally caught sight of Spot sitting at a table to the far side of the room with some of the Manhattan Newsies. "Spot!" she screamed. He looked up and his eyebrows knit together.

"What?" he asked as the frantic girl ran over to him. Sarah collapsed into the table and David tried to help her into a seat, but she roughly pushed him away. "Where's Annabelle?"

"J-James, she's with James…" Sarah had to take several deep breaths. She was beginning to get light headed and her vision was starting to swim from the physical and emotional strain.

"Great," Spot said and rolled his eyes. Sarah tried to say something, but Spot was already ranting. "Ya tell me ta come here, get a guy's hopes up and then ya come burstin in here tellin me that she's back with her fiancé. Ya really sick, ya know that!"

"Shut up, Spot!" Sarah shouted over him. "James, took her. Don't you get it he took her. Kidnapped her. After he brutalized her guardian Mrs. Long and probably Annabelle too. He's abusive." Spot flew to his feet.

"Where is she?" Jack raced over to the table and as he saw the encounter between the two. Sarah was slightly taken aback by the fierce look that had come into Spot's eyes. "Damnit, Sarah, where is she? Tell me!"

"St. Michaels, he's going to force her to…" but Spot was already running for the door. "Jack we have to do something," Sarah pleaded. He forced Sarah to sit.

"We'll handle it," he said and David nodded. "Race, Mush, gather the boys and get ta St. Michaels. I gatta go stop Spot from gettin himself killed."

"Jack!" Sarah called when he turned to leave. He looked back at her. Sarah's eyes were wide with tears. He bent down and kissed her.

"I'll be back," he promised. Sarah nodded wordlessly and watched as Jack and David ran from the building.

X

Annabelle ripped her arm away from James' grip. He had forced her into his coach that was rapidly speeding down the road.

"Your plan isn't going to work James," Annabelle said as she scowled at him. "I won't marry you." James casually leaned back in the coach. His calm demeanor was unnerving.

"I think you'll change your mind once we're at the church," he said flatly. "Nothing is stopping me from turning the coach around and bringing dear Mrs. Long with us."

"I'm already eighteen, James, you're too late," Annabelle argued. James only laughed.

"Poor naïve Annabelle, you don't understand how the world works do you? Technically you are eighteen, but your parent's estates are not legally in your name yet. You must have a lawyer sign them over to you."

"And once we're married? Do you think anything is stopping me from having everything signed into my name?"

"If your hands are broken, how can you sign for anything?" The chilling way he looked at her sent a shiver down her spine. She sat back and closed her eyes, a tear rolling down her cheek. She was trapped. "Don't defy me Annabelle, it will be the last thing you do."

Spot…

When they arrived at the church, Mr. Doyle got out first. James shoved Annabelle out of the coach and Mr. Doyle grabbed her by the arms to prevent her from running. When James finally exited, he grabbed her hand and forced her to link her arm around his. Annabelle went rigid as she felt the barrel of his gun pressed against her lower back.

"Here we are," James said in a cheery voice and began forced Annabelle to walk up the steps of the cathedral-like church. Each step made Annabelle's heart sink a little farther.

The inside of the church was cast in a crimson haze. The dome of the ceiling was made entirely of red stained glass. It made the church look as though the air was on fire. It felt like it too.

There was a father standing at the base of the dais wearing a black robe. He looked up and smiled as he saw the three of them approaching.

"Mr. Winchester, Mr. Doyle, I've been expecting you," he said in a happy voice. "And this must be Miss Danvers. It's lovely to finally meet you." Annabelle didn't say anything as James had pressed the gun harder into her back. She looked at the Father with pleading and teary eyes. "Are you alright my dear?"

"She's fine, Father Peter," James answered quickly. "We're just very eager to get this over with." Father Peter glanced between Annabelle and James with slight confusion. He nodded, however, and gave a polite smile.

"Alright then," Father Peter said clapping his hands together. "Let us begin then." He stepped behind the pulpit and opened the large bible that was placed on it. "Dearly devoted children of God, we mark this day a blessed occurrence as two lives become one. Under the sight of God and the witness of man we join Mr. James Jonathan Winchester and Miss Annabelle Mary Danvers."

Spot…he's not coming…

"And we symbolize this union with the ring. A perfect circle that represents unity, completeness, and wholesomeness. Do you have the rings?" Mr. Doyle pulled the tiny jewelry pieces from his pocket and handed them to James. He made Annabelle place one on his own finger before he began to place one on her finger. As he did, however, he had to remove his hand from the gun that was in his pocket. Almost as though it were instinct, Annabelle jumped away from James.

"I won't marry you!" she screamed. James instantly grabbed for his gun, but Mr. Doyle stepped forward and placed a hand on James' arm.

"Come child, there is nothing to fear in holy matrimony," Father Peter said as he came around the podium to stand in front of Annabelle.

"He's forcing me to marry him; he said he'd kill me if I didn't!" Annabelle yelled. She was beyond frantic at this point. Father Peter placed a hand on Annabelle's shoulder.

"Then I suggest you marry him," Father Peter said in a quieter voice. Annabelle looked at him in shock. His only response was a small wink and a push toward James.

"Yes, come Annabelle, let's finish the ceremony," James beckoned. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She struggled and tried to pull away.

"Stop it, no let go of me!" she screamed. James yanked harder. Annabelle tripped and fell to her knees. She kept struggling against James' grip as he tried to haul her to her feet.

"Get ya hands off my girl!" The four of them turned to see a flustered Newsie standing halfway down the aisle and walking quickly toward the altar.

"Spot?" His steely eyes flickered down to Annabelle. It felt like an eternity since she'd looked into his eyes. While Annabelle was distracted, James yanked her to her feet and wrapped an arm around her neck pinning her back against his chest. His right hand clutched the gun as he aimed it at Spot who froze in his tracks.

"This must be him," James whispered while his lips were pressed against Annabelle's ear. "You don't want me to shoot him do you?" Annabelle could only shake her head, a series of tears spilling from her eyes.

"Spot…you have to leave," she said as strongly as she could. Spot took another step forward and Annabelle winced as she heard James cock the trigger. "Just go!" she screamed.

"Annabelle, ya gatta be kiddin me. He's got a gun pointed at ya head, ya think I'm just ganna walk out the door and be on my way?" Spot took another step forward.

"James," Annabelle pleaded. "Don't shoot; it's murder. You'll go to jail!" James looked down at Annabelle as though he were pondering it.

"You're perfectly right, Annabelle," James said and lowered the gun, but not his hold on her. "Mr. Doyle, if you'll be so kind as to remove this unwanted guest." Annabelle screamed again as Mr. Doyle withdrew his can and began walking swiftly toward Spot. "Father, if you'll be so kind as to continue."

Spot took a hesitant step backward and readied himself for the attack. It wouldn't be the first fight he'd been in…Lord willing; it wouldn't be his last either.

"We…um do you have the ring?" James forced the binding object onto Annabelle's hand and waved the gun as a sign for the Father to hurry up. "Then-then do you James Winchester take Annabelle Danvers to be your wedded wife in sight of God and man…"

"I do, now hurry it along!" Annabelle struggled to look back at the fight. Mr. Doyle was swinging his cane at Spot who was jumping backward to avoid being hit. Spot run underneath one of the swings and tackled Mr. Doyle to the ground. He followed the blow with a series of hits to the face. "Annabelle!" James growled. He forced her to look back at the Father. "Say it, or he dies!"

"I…I" Annabelle took another fleeting look behind her and saw Mr. Doyle throw Spot off of him and he hit him upside the head with the crown of his cane. "I do…" Annabelle said as her mouth had gone dry.

"Then I pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss you bride." James crushed Annabelle against him and released her so quickly she stumbled backward. "If you could just sign the marriage license…" Father Peter said hesitantly. James grabbed the pen from him and pulled Annabelle around to the other side of the podium. He signed it and forced the pen into her hand.

"Sign it!" he growled. Annabelle looked up and saw Spot had gained the upper hand on Mr. Doyle. He had the cane pressed against Mr. Doyle's throat and was keeping him restrained. "Do it!" James roared and once again aimed the gun at Spot. Annabelle didn't allow herself to hesitate. She signed quickly. James released her, a sickening smile on his face. "Now say goodbye Annabelle," James said and his finger twitched on the trigger.

"No!" she yelled and threw her weight against him. The bullet flew from the gun and upward. A second later there was a shattering sound. Showers of red glass cascaded down on them and Annabelle cried out as the glass fragments cut her skin. Everyone ducked to the ground and did their best to cover their heads. Annabelle crawled away from James and toward the front aisle.

When the glass had stopped falling, Spot quickly jumped to his feet and looked around for Annabelle. He saw her crouched near the front of the room. Before he could even take a step toward her, Mr. Doyle had grabbed his foot and ripped his legs out from underneath him.

Annabelle saw an open door to the left of the dais that looked as though it led to the side alley. She scrambled for it, but James tackled her.

"Get over here," he snapped and jerked her to her feet. She slapped him and he backhanded her. Annabelle felt her vision swim and the next thing she knew she was lying face down on the ground. She could hear James standing over her and the weight of his heavy foot collided with her side. Her shuttering moan caused a surge of white hot pain to stab into her lungs. "I've had about enough of you Annabelle!" James yelled and grabbed her by the back of the head. Then. Salvation.

She could see the gun lying in front of her. She grabbed for it, but it was just beyond the tips of her fingers. Instead, Annabelle wrapped her fingers around a long piece of red glass and as James yanked her up by the roots of her hair, she rounded on him. The sharp edge of the glass connected with his cheek digging a deep gash into the flesh just beneath his right eye.

James cried out in pain and dropped Annabelle. He clutched a hand to his bleeding face and fell to his knees. The grabbed the lit candle on the podium and flung the melted wax across his face. He screamed and covered his eyes with his hands as he writhed in pain.

Annabelle almost ran to the door on the side of the dais until she heard Spot's grunt. She whipped her head around and saw Mr. Doyle had Spot pinned against a column with his hands wrapped around his throat.

She frantically looked around, but couldn't relocate the gun. Instead, she saw Mr. Doyle's cane lying a few feet from the scuffle. She hurried to it and grabbed it. Her heart was beating so heavily that all she could hear was her pulse in her ears. Fear. Then something new filled her. As she saw Spot struggling to breathe, the scowling yet enthralled face of Mr. Doyle, something new filled her. Fury. With a cry of anger, she swung with all the strength in her. The next thing she heard was the crack of the thick, cherry wood cane snapping in half as it broke over the back of Mr. Doyle's head.

Mr. Doyle's hands fell to his sides and he collapsed to the floor. Spot took a gasping breath and rubbed his throat. His vision returned to him and he saw Annabelle standing bravely behind where Mr. Doyle's wide form had just been. Half of the broken cane was still clutched in her hand. She looked wild.

Her eyes finally rested on his and she dropped the remainder of the cane. Her breathing became more normal as tears flooded her eyes.

"Hi," she said quietly. His legs carried him forward and he wrapped his arms around her. She fell easily into his embrace and buried her face in the crook of his neck. She was trembling.

Hold on to me love. You know I can't stay long. All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid. Can you hear me? Can you feel me in your arms?

"Christ I missed you, Annabelle," he murmured as he inhaled the lilac scent of her hair. She pulled away enough to look him in the eyes, her hands gripping his shoulders. "I-I don't even know where to being. I'm so sorry for everythin. I never shoulda let ya go. I understand if ya can't forgive me yet, but I'm ganna do everythin I can to try and win ya back. I still love you Anna…"

"Stop talking," she interrupted and kissed him. His grip on her instantly tightened.

Holding my last breath safe inside myself are all my thoughts of you. Sweet raptured light it ends here tonight.

They separated after they heard the doors of the church fling open. Spot pulled Annabelle behind him but sighed in relief as he saw Jack running inside.

"Ya late!" Spot called. Jack surveyed the scene and chuckled. He slowed to walking pace toward the couple. "You ok here?" he asked and sat Annabelle down on one of the wooden benches. She nodded and he bent to kiss her forehead. Spot met Jack halfway down the aisle.

"Guess I missed the party," Jack teased and the two friends gripped hands. "I should go warn the troops ta hold off. I think the boys are gatherin all the newsies in New York." Spot rolled his eyes.

"Ya gatta have a little more faith in me, Jacky-boy." Spot shoved Jack's shoulder. "Ya know I can handle myself."

"Ya, ya, but ya say the word fight and newsies come runnin," Jack replied. "Now go get ya girl and get on over ta Medda's. We got a party, remember." Spot grinned and Jack walked for the exit.

Annabelle watched the interaction with a small smile on her face. Spot was back. He'd come for her after all…a little late, but he came. Now everything would be ok.

I'll miss the winter, a world of fragile things; look for me in the white forest hiding in a hollow tree (come find me). I know you hear me, I can taste it in your tears

Her calm satisfaction melted into heart sinking fear. She'd forgotten James. Her eyes darted to the dais. He was slowly standing, blood pouring from his face. He had something clutched in his hand, but she couldn't see what it was.

Holding my last breath safe inside myself are all my thoughts of you. Sweet raptured light it ends here tonight…

Closing your eyes to disappear; you pray your dreams will leave you here, but still you wake and know the truth. No one's there.

She stood to get a better view. James was upright now and was facing Annabelle. Their eyes met. He lifted his arm and aimed the object at her…the gun. He slowly turned from Annabelle to her right. She eyes followed. Spot.

Spot.

She must have called out his name because he quickly turned toward Annabelle with a furrowed brow. He too noticed the figure standing at the end of the aisle. Then she was running. She hadn't even thought about it, but she was running. If she could just get to Spot everything would be ok. Everything would be fine. Both of them would be safe.

Bang…

Annabelle leapt forward and wrapped her arms around Spot trying to shield him from the bullet. He caught her and hugged her to his chest. Their eyes met. Her eyes were wide with fear, concern, and something else…something strange. Then…they both saw it. Red. Blood.

Say goodnight, don't be afraid, calling me calling me as you fade to black, holding my last breath safe inside myself are all my thoughts of you. Sweet raptured light it ends here tonight.

"Spot."

A/N 'Holding My Last Breath' by Evanescence.