Glorianna stared toward the Brooklyn Bridge, where a none-to-happy looking Spot Conlon awaited her with Gospel and Bites, with trepidation. She didn't understand him. One minute he was kissing her, the next he didn't want anything to do with her. She sighed sadly.

Blink glanced down at his melancholy sister and put his arm around her, "It'll be alright, sis. Spot'll watch out for you an' all come an' visit as often as possible."

She nodded up at her brother, "I'll sure miss you, Mikey."

"Same." He answered softly, and kissed her cheek gently.

She quickly hugged Jack and then Mush and walked away from them. They said a hasty goodbye to Spot, Gospel and Bites and walked away. They all walked slowly towards the Brooklyn Lodging house.

They reached the end of an alley and Spot gave a sharp whistle and waited. Soon a similar whistle was his answer and he nodded, "Alright, coast is all clear, we's free ta go ahead."

Glorianna looked puzzled, "What was that all about?" She asked Bite-size softly.

"Secret code, I don't know what dey all mean. Gosp doesn't even know all of 'em."

"I'm nervous, Bites."

Bite-size smiled consolingly at her, "It'll be okay, Sunny. Spot won't let anything 'appen to ya! Cross my heart!"

Glorianna smiled back, "Alright, Bites. I believe you."

"Good!"

"Well, heah we are." Gospel said grinning, "Your new home sweet 'ome."

"Thank you guys, thank you so much…" She told them all softly.

"Aww, think nothin' of it, Angel." Gospel said giving her his warmest smile. He could tell she was nervous and scared and he wanted to calm her as much as he possibly could.

She smiled tentatively back at him and blushed, "Thanks, Gospel."

Spot frowned but didn't look at them as he opened the door, it would be better if the two of them fell for each other and left him out of it. He nodded to himself, confirming his own plans in his mind. If Gospel and Priss got together, then he wouldn't have to worry it about it anymore. She'd be his best friend's girl and then he could move on. Yeah, that's it she'd be his girl and they'd be happy, kissing and courting and walking around hand in hand. She'd tell him she loved him and throw him that amazing smile with her amazing eyes all lit up and---Spot shook his head, his fists clenched. He couldn't believe his reactions to his own thoughts. He was ready to beat his best friend and it wasn't even real.

"Hey, Spot, ya alright?" Bites asked, "Cause ya look a liddle angry or somethin'."

"Naw, naw, I'se alright, Bites. Just thinkin', dats all." Spot replied irritated at himself for getting distracted, "Come on, I'll take ya upstairs and introduce ya to all da guys."

Glorianna nodded at him, extremely nervous about meeting the Brooklyn newsies, about staying here with Spot. She was worried about her father finding her and forcing her to marry Mr. Walker, heck, she was worried about a lot of things; her stomach was roiling and it all showed in her face when she looked up at him.

Spot sighed, it finally melting through his head that there was more to this situation then just his feelings. It had never occurred to him to wonder what she must be feeling. But looking into those big violet eyes told him everything. Glorianna was so worried and scared she was about to throw up, "Aww, cheese, Priss. I know you're worried, but dere ain't nothin' for you ta be afraid of. Got dat? I won't let nothin' happen to ya. You're safe wid me." He smiled softly at her and patted her shoulder, "Now, da guys is rough and tough, I ain't gonna lie and say dey ain't, but you be rough and tough right back, an' wid a liddle woids from me, dey won't bodher you one bit, alright?"

She nodded with all the confidence that bravado lent, "Alright, Mr. Conlon." She answered softly.

He nodded, "Alright den, an' don't call me, Mr. Conlon!" He growled, taking her hand and leading her up the stairs.

Bites looked over at Gospel and grinned, "he's hooked on 'er!" She whispered smiling.

Gospel nodded to himself, but in his heart he felt something fall. For he was starting to see everything it was that Spot saw in Glorianna. Maybe he shoulda pushed Spot away from her instead of towards her, but of course, it wasn't in Gospel's nature to be anything other than the best friend possible. Because of this he could no more push Spot away from Gloriana for his own gain, then he could make her prefer him over his grumpy, shorter, yet undeniably loyal friend.

As Spot entered the large bunkroom he quickly released Glorianna's hand. He gave two sharp whistles and everyone turned. Glorianna stared at the group apprehensively. Most of them were big and mean looking, half of them sporting black eyes and insolent smirks, much like their leader's trademark smile. Must be a trademark of Brooklyn, she thought to herself.

"Alright fellas, dis heah is da goil I was tellin' ya about."

Glorianna smiled hesitantly at them. Some of the guys just turned back to what they were doing, not at all concerned with some new girl their leader brought home. It wasn't some new thing, Spot brought home a new girl all the time.

A few others, the one that knew him better looked at her curiously. He seemed really serious about this one and they were curious about the girl who could do that.

One boy with bright red hair and big shoulders stood up, Glorianna recognized him from her first day there and unknowingly stiffened, stepping a little behind Spot.

"So, dis is da goil ya left Brooklyn for, eh? I kin see why, Spot, she's a looker. A lot better 'n your last goil."

"Hush up, Rooster." Spot growled, noticing a tightness in Glorianna at the sight of the big red head. He didn't need another thing getting to her, she was already upset enough..

Glorianna looked up at him, finally seeing what it was the other boys feared in Spot Conlon. His voice sounded so cold, so angry. She was frightened for a moment. And his eyes, she'd never seen eyes that could look so unfeeling.

Rooster shrugged, "I was only commentin'."

"Yeah, well we don't need none of yer comments, Rooster." A tall girl with black hair and brown eyes growled, she wasn't someone you'd stop and stare at, but she was pretty enough, "Hey, Bites, good ta see ya back. Glori, I'm Forget-me-nots, ya know, like da flowah, but you can call me Forgey. Dis heah is Tex, he's me pardner."

"Yeah, her name is Forget-me-nots, like da flowah, but dat ain't why we call 'er dat. I'se, Flute, by the way." Another girl piped up from behind the large, chubbt boy named Tex. She was of an average height with short, light blonde hair and brown eyes.

"Nice to meet you." Glorianna said softly.

"Ahh, so what if I'se a bit forgetful, Flute, I cain't help it."

"Yeah, dat ain't no excuse for forgettin' ta pay back Blue, he blamed me for dat ya know."

"Wait? You two's havin' problems wid, Blue , again?" Spot asked.

"Yeah, stuff does happen when ya gone, Spot, an' what's we supposed ta do widout ya to take care of it?" Rooster said, smirking at him.

Spot's eyes narrowed, "Are ya challengin' me again, Rooster?"
Gospel's normally gentle, happy-go-lucky façade changed and he all of a sudden looked frighteningly brutal. He took a step forward, his eyes narrowing.

Rooster looked at Spot and then at Gospel and back to Spot again and his face paled, "No, no…dat's alright. Dey handled da problem wid Blue, pretty well."

"Yeah, dat's what I thought you'd say…" Spot turned slowly around his eyes still on Rooster, "So, what'd ya do wit', Blue?"

"I hid over at Caro's til' Forgey was able to talk to Blue and give 'im the money she owed."

Spot grinned then, his whole face lighting up, "How's Princess doin', anyway."

"She's right as rain."

Tex made a face then, "I don't understand dat, Forgey."

"What?" She asked, turning to the large boy.

"Rain ain't good, Forgey."

"Dat's true."

"So is she good or bad."

"She's good."

The boy looked more confused than ever.

Spot grinned, "Yep, Priss, dese are my Brooklyn Newsies. Ya were right ta be scared of 'em."

Glorianna was going to laugh, but when she opened her mouth to do anything, she burst into tears and started sobbing.

Everyone in the room looked at the girl like she'd grown a third head.

Tex's eyes widened and he looked horrified, "Aw, geeze, Spot, I didn't mean ta make your goil cry. Honest!"

Spot sighed, "It ain't ya fault, Tex an' she ain't my goil!" At his raised voice (or perhaps it was the words themselves) Glorianna began to cry even harder. Spot turned to Glori and put a hand on her shoulder, "Calm yaself, Miss Priss, it's gonna be okay."

She shook her head, "I…I don't know…what came over me! I'm just so frightened and…" She continued to cry and Spot looked distraught. Everyone was staring at them curiously, "Sheesh, come on, Priss." He said, ushering her out of the room and into the hallway. Bite Size followed worriedly behind them, "It's okay, Sunny."

Spot left Glorianna in Bites' care and went to discuss things with his Newsies. He didn't think he could handle any more emotion that day.