Disclaimer: Newsies and all da udda characters don't belong to me...sides Enchanted.
~*~

The weeks had passed slowly, and soon, it was springtime. Winter was over for good. Enchanted still did not trust any man besides Mush. Whenever Spot would reach for her to give her a playful hug, or when Skunk would call her name, she would shy away, suddenly scared.

Mush hated seeing her like this even worse than he had seen her on the bed in the Brooklyn Lodging House. She was always nervous, always depressed. The sparkle of mischief in her large, brown eyes was replaced by a haunting emptiness. The crooked smile that always played on her thick lips was gone. She increasingly lost weight, until she was about as scrawny as Spot.

Mysty and Spot refused to even look at each other. Baby and Race were the same, not even wanting to be in the same room as each other. In other words, things had returned to normal between the four of them.

But Spot's drinking problem had gotten worse. Not a day went by when he was reminded of his mistakes; the insensitivity he had shown to Mysty, and the anger he had expressed towards Enchanted. At least every night, he swigged six glasses of beer, and every morning he would wake up with a monstrous hangover. The Brooklyn newsies didn't even talk about rebelling, though if they had, they would have easily succeeded. With his temper induced by the alcohol that swam around in his blood, Spot was unpredictable and temperamental.

Tapper, Gears, Slings, and Smalls watched as the four made themselves more and more miserable each day. Putting their heads together, they discussed what to do. They could not just sit back and let this happen. Baby and Mysty were their friends too. One cold afternoon, all three of them put their plan into action.

Spot came walking into the Manhattan Lodging House. It was evident he was drunk by the way he was walking back and forth, not able to walk in a straight line. Drowning his sorrows in beer always seemed effective for him...but now he wanted something else. The first girl that came his way was Baby. "Heya," he leered stupidly. His hands reached out and he grabbed her hip.

Baby gasped. "Git your hands offa me!" she ordered, struggling to get out of his grasp. He kissed her hardly, silencing the scream that was about to come hurtling out. Baby squealed. The kiss had hurt for her, her lips weren't used to such rough kisses. When he finally pulled away from her, he started kissing her neck. "GIT OFF A ME!" she screamed, "HELP! SOMEONE GIT DIS---HELP!"

Tapper perked up at the sound of the scream. "Hey, someone's in trouble," she said, stating the obvious.

Smalls darted off the bunk bed she was resting on and to the stairs. Leaning over, she saw Baby being attacked by Spot Conlon, who looked like he had some 'urges', he had to take care off. "Oh fo' da---" she grumbled and flew down the stairs rapidly, taking two steps at a time. "Spot?!" she shouted, trying to pull him off the hapless girl. "Spot, stop it!" Grunting, he pushed her away, using much more force than he should have. She went crashing into the counter, bumping her elbow with great intensity.

"SMALLS!" Baby screamed, still trying to get out of his hold.

"Now dat..." she snarled as she got on her feet, cradling her hurt elbow, "Was da last straw!" With a running start she tackled Spot from behind. He lost his balance and fell on top of Baby, whose head collided with the hard wooden floor with a resounding smack.

Smalls stood up and pulled Spot's body off of Baby's. "Sorry," she apologized to Baby, "I'se had ta!" Spot groaned and put a hand up to his head. Without hesitation, she let go of his other wrist. He fell to the floor as he lost his balance, in a crumpled heap. She jumped on top of him, and started smacking him on the head. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" she shouted.

Tapper laughed at the sight she was making, and pulled Smalls off of an unconscious Spot. "Dat's enuff!" she proclaimed.

"But I'se was havin' so much fun!" she complained, crossing her arms and pouting.

"He's gonna be mad when he wakes up..." Gears said, raising an eyebrow.

Smalls took one look at her bruised masterpiece. "Oops..." she murmured. Spot would not be in the best of moods when he awakened.

"Hey, look!" Gears pointed at an already swollen eye. "He's gonna have a shinah!"

"Anudda one?!" Tapper shouted, pushing aside Gears to stare in amazement. "Wow! And ta t'ink dat only goils have been givin' dem ta him!"

"He ain't gonna be too happy bout dat eidder," Gears noted, "Jeez, Smalls..."

Smalls puffed out her chest proudly. "I'se gave da famous Spot Conlon a shinah!" The people watching all broke into mock applause.

Gears turned her attention to the girl still on the floor, her blonde tresses spilled on the wooden floor. "And you'se, Baby---" she said, helping her off the floor, "Have a lot a explainin' ta do. Whad did ya t'ink you'se was doin' hookin' up wid Spot when ya really know you'se still got feelings fo' Race?"

"I'se...I'se..." she faltered, and then took a deep breath. "When Mysty became Race's girl---" she began and told all the gathering girl newsies the truth.

At the very end of her tale, they had ended up in the Bunk Room. Tapper shook her head disapprovingly. "Baby, you'se understand dat you'se could have prevented a whole mess a problems if ya had jist come ta us?" she gestured a hand at the six girls who were now assembled around Baby. "We'se are da best at matching people up!"

Baby's strong façade wavered and she burst into tears. "Thank...thank you!" she whispered through grateful tears.

"Any time," IF answered, patting her on the back, "Stop crying!"

"We'se gonna need da boys' help on dis one," Gears said, as she scratched her head, planning on what to do. "Jist one or two ta gang up on Race and talk some sense into him."

"Mush would do," Sling spoke up, "He's a lil sweetie. And...um..."

"Blink?" Switch Blade asked. All their looks converted to her. "Whad? He's a lil sweetie too!" All the girls present smiled at her misty smile.

"Aw right," Tapper agreed, "Mush and Blink."

Baby watched with a satisfied look on her face as the girls talked in a frenzy making plans on what to do. 'Me friends,' she thought happily. 'Dat's whad friends are for'

~*~

Mush and Blink exchanged swift yet sly glances. Race was already searching for his morning cigar. Blink had gotten orders from his girlfriend last night, Switch, to talk some sense into Race. He knew what they were trying to do. He wasn't as blind when it came to businesses of the heart.

And Mush, as innocent and naïve as he was, also had observed the way Baby and Race would gaze at each other, or the way Mysty and Spot would purposely pass by together, giving meaningful glances. He was all too glad to help.

"SNIPESHOOTAH!" Race bellowed and tackled the boy who rested peacefully on the bed besides him.

"WHAD?!" Snipeshooter shouted back, struggling to get out of his tight hold.

"GIVE ME MY CIGAH!" Race ordered.

"I'se don't have it! It was gone when I'se woke up!" Snipeshooter stated truthfully.

Race released him. The last time that Snipeshooter had said those exact words to him had been the first morning he and Baby met, a long time ago. 'Could Baby have actually---' he pondered, and then threw away the idea. Baby was too shy to do something like that.

Mush and Blink popped up behind Race. "We'se gotta talk ta ya, Race," Mush began.

"Not now!" Race snapped, "I'se gotta find me cigah!"

Blink shook his head, and then pushed Race on the shoulder, back down on the bed. "No. You'se gonna listen ta me, aw right? I'se wanna know why you'se asked Mysty ta be your goil when you'se still have feelings fo' Baby."

"I'se don't have feeling's fo' Baby!" Race cried indignantly.

"Oh really?" Blink smirked, "Tell me dat your heart don't leap up in your chest every time she passes you'se..."

"Tell me dat every time tears pass out of her baby blue eyes, you'se wanna kiss em away," he frowned, and kept going, trying to find inspiration. All he had to do was think of Enchanted, and soon the words rolled off of his lips, "Tell me dat every time her lips coive up in a smile, ya feel inspired to kiss 'em. Or dat you can't help but wanna draw her ta you'se body in an everlastin'---" he stopped. "Quick," he whispered, "Whad's annuda woid fo' hug?"

"Um...uh...embrace," Blink snapped his fingers.

"In an everlastin' embrace..." Mush finished.

"Wow," Blink whispered in shock, "Did you'se rehearse dat last night?"

Mush shrugged, "Nope, jist came up wid it off da top a me head."

Blink nodded. "Good job---"

Race looked at Mush with an incomprehensible look on his face. "If you'se don't know whea me cigah is, could ya point me ta who has it?"

Blink looked at him unwaveringly. "She's on da bridge."

A faint smile started on his face. Then, he nodded, a slight movement of his head, agreeing with what Blink had said. "I'll be goin' den."

Tapper and Gears watched as Race exited the Lodging House. "Yes," Gears uttered triumphantly.

Tapper got a mischievous look on her face. "Wanna follow dem?"

Gears shrugged. "Let dem 'ave dere alone time. You'se can if ya want, but we'se still gotta take care a Spot and Mysty."

Tapper exhaled, making a decision. "Well, I'se gonna see whad's goin' on." So saying, she climbed out the nearby window, and then out on the fire escape, starting to stalk Race, dodging into buildings and shadows so that she couldn't be seen by Race.

Walking along the cobblestone streets, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and didn't bother to move for the vendors and the people who were hauling heavy objects. He was now passing the racetracks, and he had to suppress the sudden urge to swerve off his predetermined path and enter the gates. The crowds were calling him... He smiled as someone zipped out of the gates and started screaming in joy. From the words Race could make out, he had just won enough money to pay off all the debts he had acquired over the years. Race shook his head. Funny how many things worked out for people in the end. Maybe, just maybe, it would all work out for him in the end...

As he neared the structure that was the Bridge, he felt doubt overcoming him. 'Perhaps...maybe I should just forget it.' Making one of the hardest decisions in his life, he slowly made his way along the bridge, evading the rattling carriages and the people. Squinting his eyes, he could barely make out a figure leaning on the railing. Picking up his pace, he came closer to Baby. Her back was to him, but there was no doubt in his mind that she knew he was there. Her hair with the unusual curly tips blew from her back as the wind swept the blonde strands first one way and then another. "Baby?" he questioned.

There was no answer as Baby silently took the cigar out of her mouth and dangled it in between two fingers.

Race could feel her blink, as if those long, dark lashes of hers had touched his cheek. He took a deep breath, and then said, "Baby...I'se been thinkin' bout whad you'se said ta me dat night. And well---"

Baby's blue eyes shifted from a white cloud in the sky and to the cigar she was holding. "Race..." she said yearningly and then gathered her courage for what she was about to say, "There will never be annuda ta replace you'se. You'se were da one fo' me. When we'se broke up, I'se lost all desire ta even search fo' annuda. And I'se still can't believe dat you'se don't t'ink I'se love you."

Race closed his eyes. Her words had lifted his heart and whatever burden he had been thinking about from his shoulders.

"I'se suppose you'll be wanting your cigah back," she said softly as she turned around.

He was dumb struck at how beautiful she looked. The light blue skirt she was wearing brought out the color of her eyes, which exuded innocence and ultimate sadness. The spell was broken when a tear leaked out of one of them.

She reached out the hand in which the cigar was resting. A tear she could not stop from falling splashed down in her cupped hand. Race reached for the cigar, but then stopped and drew back. In one swift movement, he extended his hand again, but this time, he closed her fingers over the cigar. Taking her other hand he tugged her towards him and finally, their lips met.

They kissed with hunger and desperation and as much passion as they could. When they finally stopped, Baby had suddenly become weak. She dropped the cigar she was holding and watched as it rolled around by her feet.

"Lookit dat, Race! A poifectly good waste of a cigah!" she said, in mock horror. "Why didn't ya jist take it when I'se offered it ta you'se?"

"Well, it was all soggy from your tears," he joked, earning him a punch on the shoulder. Suddenly becoming serious, he reached into the pocket of his vest. "And I'se got dis one..." he drew out a familiar looking cigar that had gotten even more old and deteriorated over time. "Baby?" he murmured, feeling internal flames at just having her so close burn inside of him. "I'se love ya."

Baby sighed in happiness. She had anticipated for such a long period of time to hear those words. "Bout time," she muttered as she pulled him closer for another kiss.

Tapper smirked. So far, the plan she and the rest of the girls had worked out was doing well. She had been out of hearing range to listen to whatever sweet words they had uttered to each other, but the way their eyes shone in beatitude and the way they had so passionately kissed said it all. Making a mental list in her head, she checked off 'Baby and Race'. "Two done. Two more ta go," she said quietly, before she turned around and started heading back to the Lodging House in Manhattan. She had a lot to tell the girls. She left the two still kissing underneath the warm spring sun.

~*~

Spot groaned. The girls had asked for him to visit them in Manhattan. 'An important matter,' they had promised. He was contemplating on whether to go or whether to stay in the safety of the Lodging House. He rubbed his key at the end of his string, thinking hard.

He put a hand up to his bruised eye. Smalls had given it to him. This was ridiculous! First having his ex-girlfriend punch him two times, and then to have a girl who was obviously nicknamed 'Smalls' because she was tinier than him hit him several times up the head! He quickly stopped that train of thought. Thinking about Mysty was too painful for him.

'Should I go? Should I stay here?" he asked himself. Finally, the curiosity got to him. Getting up from his bed, he climbed out the window and down the fire escape. He didn't want to be seen by his 'faithful' newsies with yet another shiner. The warm afternoon sun made him scrunch his eyes as he made his way to the Brooklyn Bridge. He didn't look up from his feet once as he crossed the Bridge, therefore missing the two lovers that were twisted together, kissing passionately. If he was looking, he would have recognized them as Race and Baby, but he wasn't paying any attention. He also missed a familiar looking girl with auburn hair darting away in front of him.

Tapper sped up. Spot was coming already! She zipped off the Brooklyn Bridge and continued running towards the Lodging House. She tripped once, and swore underneath her breath. If Mysty wasn't there by the time Spot got there, the plan would be all shot to hell. She ran up the fire escape and dived into the still open window.

Smalls looked up. "Jeez, Tappah. Excited enuff? Oh, by da way, do ya t'ink da closet will do?"

"Whea's Mysty?" Tapper asked, looking around and then replying, "Da closet's fine!"

"Gears is getting her," Enchanted spoke up from where she was watching. Just this morning, she had come to visit Mush from Brooklyn, cowering away from whatever boy had greeted her in the lobby of the Lodging House, and not returning their sweet smiles. He had told her of the newsgirls' plans, and she eagerly awaited to join in.

"Oh, now you'se in on da secret?" Tapper questioned.

Enchanted nodded, a faint ghost of her old smile on her lips. "No one knows better than me that Spot and Mysty belong together. No matter what they say or how they act."

"Dat's good," Tapper nodded, preoccupied, "But, uh, Spot's comin' and all, so we'se bettah git Mysty heah..."

Gears ran up the stairs followed by a reluctant Mysty. They all had something planned, she knew it. Something meaningful intended for her. She sighed distrustfully and burst into the room.

At first glance, she thought they had all planned yet another gossip session. All of the girls were gathered in a circle surrounding her. At second glance, she saw a petite familiar looking girl at the window. "Enchanted?" she called out.

Enchanted smiled and waved a hand.

That's when she realized that the smile on Enchanted's face and all the other girls' faces gathered around her were malicious smiles. "What's going on?" she whispered in a fearful voice. Gears firmly took her by the arm, tossed her into the nearby closet and slammed the door. "HEY!" she screamed as her back hit the very rear of the closet. She arched her body up in pain. She didn't bother getting up and pounding on the heavy door; she knew it was locked and barricaded by all of the girls' bodies.

Gears flashed a thumbs-up to where Enchanted was waiting by the window. Enchanted, in turn, stuck her head out the window and searched the crowded streets for one of her best friend's figure. Her quick eyes jumped from one person to the other, and when she located where Spot was, she whistled, a series of three notes, two high, and one low.

Spot jumped guiltily, and then remembered where he had heard that tune before. He had taught it to Enchanted once, vowing to her that if she would just whistle it, he would know who it was, and come straight to her. But then, he had taught it to all the newsgirls... Swinging his gaze upwards, he caught a momentary look of Enchanted's hair as she waved offhandedly and then popped her head back into the Lodging House window. Remembering that she had gone to Manhattan to visit Mush, he smirked and started to wave back. His hand dropped as he recalled what had happened the last time he had been on that roof. He shook his head. Ah, the memories.

Scaling the flight of stairs, he jumped in the window. He raised his arms, ready to give Enchanted a hug. The old Enchanted would have jumped in his arms, willing to be swept up and away in his arms. But the new Enchanted---the one that had resulted from the rape--- cringed. He couldn't take it anymore. The two most important girls of his life wouldn't speak to him, wouldn't even look him in the eye. "Look, Chanty," he began and then dropped his voice to a lower volume, "You'se should know dat I'se would nevah hoit ya in me life. Nevah..." he shook his head fervently.

Enchanted just smiled mysteriously, nothing compared to the crooked smile she always had, and took his hand trustingly. "Come with me," she motioned to the group of girls waiting at the very end of the room.

Mysty frowned and put an ear to the door. All of a sudden, it had gotten silent. She scampered to the very rear of the closet again, even more afraid.

Spot followed her and watched as the girls parted for him. Only then, did he release her hand. His blue eyes hopped from Blaze's curls to Smalls' sly smile. Tapper had a knowing look on her face, and Switch Blade was fiddling around with her name sake. Gears' hands were clenched in nervous tight fists, and Kaa was twirling her dark blonde hair around one finger. IF's emerald eyes twinkled with malevolent meaning and Sling was loading a marble to her slingshot.

At this point, he crossed his arms and laughed nervously. "Aw right, goils, whad's goin' on? You'se plannin' ta soak me or sumptin'?" Enchanted smiled once again, and then took his arm, forcefully. He braced himself, expecting a blow or a punch from the upcoming girls, but was surprised when Gears threw open the closet door they were all gathered in front of, and Enchanted launched him into the spacious closet.

Mysty screamed as Spot entered the closet. Then, she recovered from her initial fear and yelled out in protest, "NOT FAIR! LEMME OUTTA HERE!"

Spot whirled around only to be met face to face with Sling. She had her slingshot drawn back and aimed right at one of his icy blue eyes. "Git back in dere," she growled.

"NO!" Mysty shouted, "I refuse to stay in a closet with Mister-High-And-Mighty-Brooklyn!"

Enchanted turned to face her. "Oh, for God's sake!" she retorted, "You say his pride is bad, but yours is even worse!"

Sling held the string back unwaveringly. "As your friends," she started, "We'se have planned a lil intervention. We..." unable to move her hands, she tossed her head back to the girls gathered behind her, "Know how much ya two love each udda. We'se ain't lettin' you'se out until ya confront it and accept it."

"Enchanted..." Mysty pleaded.

Enchanted shook her head. "You two need a little alone time." With that, Sling kicked the door, and it slammed shut in Spot's face.

He turned around nervously. For long moments, they stared at each other: the tall, yet petite girl with snapping brown eyes and long brown hair in a white shirt and in black pants and the boyish man (for there was no other way to put it, he was a man), his mousy brown hair mussed, and his eyes sapphire icy blue. He wore his red suspenders and a checkered shirt. The key glinted in the darkness.

"So I suppose you planned this, huh, Spotty boy?" she muttered.

"Why would I'se plan sumptin' like dis?" he answered.

"Right, I forgot. You love me, but you're too afraid to say it, huh?" Mysty said, her brown eyes flashing with bruised pride.

"A coise not!" Suddenly, he swore. Covering the distance between them in two brisk strides, he swept her up in his arms and held her tight. Mysty sighed and threw her arms around his neck.

He kissed her fiercely, and she returned the kiss, feeling inextinguishable heat rush through her at the touch of his lips. In the time that followed, they knew they still loved each other.

Tapper gasped. "Dat was definitely a moan!" she exclaimed. It had been about 5 minutes since they had closed the door on the two. They had heard harsh words exchanged, and then nothing else. They had all dived to the door, listening, trying to find out exactly what was going on.

Enchanted rolled her eyes. "Leave them alone!" she cried, and started ushering them out of the room. The girls all protested and left unwillingly, still trying to catch glimpses of what was happening. Before Enchanted shut the Bunk Room door firmly close behind her, she shot a glance at the closet door. "Finally," she whispered triumphantly, and for a fraction of a second, her old, twisted smile played across her lips. Then she shut the door behind her, leaving them all alone in the room.

~*~