Blue walked in and gathered Tinker's hair behind her so it wouldn't get in
the way. "Took dat pretty hard, huh?" he asked her.
Tinker sat down on the ground and wiped her mouth. "Maybe jest a little," she muttered. "How long has dat been goin' on?"
"Tanight," he answered. "I'm really sorry."
"Yeah, well me too. An' now I gotta talk ta dat jerk," she grumbled.
"Well, den, get ta talkin'," Spot said, walking in. "What da hell are ya doin' burstin' inta me bedroom?"
"I had somethin' I needed help wid but I guess I shouldn't a come heah," Tinker told him. "You really are da meanest most horrible.thing!" she yelled, not thinking of a better insult.
"At least I wasn't screwin' yoah best friend in der," Spot told her.
Blue looked from Tinker to Spot and decided he was unnecessary. He closed the door as he left.
"I didn't 'screw' Jack! All we did was kiss.once! An' dat ain't even what I'm talkin' 'bout," Tinker corrected.
"What are ya talkin' bout den?"
"Da fact dat ya did all dis jest ta hurt me," Tinker answered.
Spot looked thrown for a moment. "I don't know what yoah talkin' 'bout."
"Give me a break, you prolly knew da second I entered Brooklyn. Spot I lived heah foh two an' a half months. I know how things work."
"Did ya come heah foh a reason?" Spot asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah. Ya gotta come ta Manhattan by tomorrow wid all yoah boys," she told him.
"An why's dat?" Spot inquired skeptically.
"I ovah heard Weasel hirin' da Crips an' dey're gunna attack da newsies," Tinker explained.
"Are ya shoah? Dat don't sound like da Crips ta me.beatin' up street kids ain't der style."
"Dat's what da leadah guy said but den he found out dat Jack is Tim's boy an' said he would do it."
"Figuahs ya'd be doin' all dis ta save Jack," Spot muttered.
"What da hell is yoah problem? If ya don't remembah Jack's yoah friend, too. He's been yoah friend foh fuckin twelve yeahs an' now 'cause of one stupid kiss dat ya don't even know da whole story 'bout yoah willin' ta jest abandon all yoah friends? You are definitely not da guy I thought you were," she told him angrily, before getting up and starting to leave.
Spot grabbed her and pulled her back. "I didn't say I was gunna abandon him. When is dis attack gunna happen?" he asked.
"Tomorrow.dat's all I know," Tinker said, taking her arm out of his reach.
Spot tried to digest all the information he had just received. "Wait a minute.whadja mean I don't know da whole story 'bout dat damn kiss? I saw it wid me own eyes!"
Tinker rolled her eyes. "Dat ain't important anymoah. Look, will ya help us?" she asked.
"I want ta know what ya think da whole story is," Spot insisted. "Explain ta me how ya weren't jest bein' some whore dat was goin' in-between two best friends."
Tinker glared coldly at him. "Ya wanna know da fuckin' truth? Huh? Jack was drunk an' kissed me! Dat was it! An' you came 'round da fuckin' cornah blamin' it ALL on me.fohget trustin' someone yoah supposed ta love..no.dat's to much foh da 'great' Spot Conlon!"
Spot stood there stunned. "What?" he asked slowly.
Tinker threw her arms in the air. "Nevah mind. Look, can I count on ya tomorrow or not?"
Spot clenched his teeth. "If I have ta ask ya ta tell me da story one more time der's gunna be hell ta pay. Jest spit it out. I got a right ta know what me old goil an' best friend are doin'."
"Fine! Fine...We were at da party an' Jack got real drunk so I said I'd take him home 'cause you know how he gets when he's drunk.ya nevah know what he's gunna do an' I didn't want him ta start a fight wid one a da guys. An' so we got inta da alley an' he kissed me an' befoah I even knew what was happenin' you came up an' threw him off me an' were blamin' me," Tinker told him.
"Why da hell didn't you tell me dis befoah?" Spot asked, furious.
"Why da hell didn't you give me a chance ta tell ya dis befoah?" Tinker asked, just as furious.
"I'm gunna soak him. I'm gunna save him tamorrow jest so dat I can soak him meself," Spot muttered to himself.
Tinker grabbed his arm. "Don't you dare Spot. I swear dat if ya evah touch him I'm gunna." she trailed off trying to think of something she could threaten him with.
"Ya'll what?" Spot challenged.
"I'll.I'll.well damn it I'll think a somethin' really bad ta do!" Tinker claimed.
"Well, while yoah busy thinkin' I'll soak him," Spot rationalized.
"An' ya wondah why we didn't tell ya? I figuahed dat aftah a while ya'd get ovah it an' realize dat I would nevah do anythin' like dat if ya really knew me an' Jack wanted ta tell ya but I didn't want ta ruin yoah guys' friendship," Tinker explained.
"Why da hell do ya think it hurt so bad? I always figuahed dat ya'd nevah do anythin' like dat an' der ya were in an' alley kissin' me best friend an' not havin' any excuse," Spot pointed out. "I don't read minds ya know."
"It's not important anymoah," Tinker decided. "Da important thing is dat ya come ta Manhattan an' help da boys an' dat ya don't soak Jack."
"I'll help but I ain't makin' no promises 'bout soakin' Jack," Spot told her.
"No, promise. You know how Jack gets when he's drunk.almost as bad as you," Tinker explained. "He apologized a bunch da day aftah when I told him what happened."
"I'll help," Spot told her. "We're leavin' tomorrow really early.'bout two.ya can sleep in my room an' I'll sleep in da bunk room."
"I don't need your favors.I can sleep out in da bunk room," Tinker said, huffily.
"I said dat you'll sleep in my room an' ya will. Goils aren't allowed ta stay in da bunk room of a boys lodgin' house," he explained. "Not ta mention some a me boys ain't exactly da gentlemen type dat yoah prolly used ta in Manhattan. C'mon," he told her.
Tinker, exhausted, in any way possible, from her day gave in and followed him.
"Der's some a yoah old stuff ovah der," Spot said, pointing to a corner of the room. "Do ya need anythin' else?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine," Tinker assured him. "Thanks."
"No problem. Hey.Tinkah.you were right," Spot told her awkwardly.
"'Bout what?"
"Wid Jersey.I wanted ta hurt you how you hurt me," he said, even more awkwardly, hating to deal with his emotions.
"Uhh.nice ta know," Tinker said, looking at him oddly. "I don't know what ya expect me ta say ta dat."
"We didn't sleep tageddah, really," Spot told her.
Tinker tried to stifle a laugh but failed.
"What's so funny?" Spot asked.
"I knew dat.ya had yoah shirts on da floor but not yoah pants.dat an' ya had a sheet in-between ya," Tinker told him, laughing harder now.
"Ya saw dat?" Spot asked.
"I ain't stupid," Tinker pointed out.
"Jersey's gunna be upset dat her plan didn't work," Spot told her.
"Yeah.nice try, doh," Tinker said.
Spot rolled his eyes. "Well.goodnight," he said, leaving.
"Yeah, g'night," Tinker replied.
~~~~~****~~~~~
Spot sighed as he closed the door quietly. "Well, ya screwed dat one up pretty bad Conlon," he muttered to himself. He took one look around the bunk room and realizing it didn't look all that appealing he climbed out the fire escape instead of into bed.
Spot stayed up the entire night, reviewing his past with Tinker and Jack in his head. By two he had realized what a jerk he had been and had a small pile of half-smoked cigarettes that he had absently smoked.
He rubbed his eyes, exasperated with everything that had happened and was determined that he would be in a good mood for the rest of the day, hoping that Tinker would possibly forgive him and they could get over this. He hadn't wanted to admit this to everyone, since his feelings weren't up for public discussion, but he had been in a bad mood ever since he had turned the corner and found Tinker and Jack kissing.
Spot stood and went to get everyone up for the long day they had ahead of them.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
"Hey, wake up," Spot said, nudging Tinker.
Tinker mumbled incoherently and turned away from Spot, snuggling into the blankets.
Spot shook her arm again. "C'mon Tinkah. We gotta get goin'."
"Five moah minutes," Tinker muttered.
"Right now," Spot insisted, pushing a little harder.
Tinker pushed his hands away. "All right, I'm up," she informed him, her eyes fluttering open.
"Good, now let's go," Spot suggested taking her hands and pulling her into a sitting position.
"I don't wanna get up!" Tinker groaned.
"If we don't get goin' now den we won't be in time ta get inta position," Spot reminded her, trying to drag her to her feet.
"I don't care! All dey wanna do is soak Jack. He's too cocky foh his own good anyway," Tinker whined, swaying on her feet sleepily.
Spot laughed. "As temptin' as it is ta leave our best friend out ta dry I think dat I'll go."
"Have fun," Tinker encouraged, edging back toward the bed.
"No ya don't," Spot told her, grabbing her hands and pulling her out into the main bunk room full of many tired looking boys.
"Why da hell are you so awake dis mornin'?" Tinker asked, noticing he was the only 'wide-eyed, bushy-tailed' one of the group.
"Nevah went ta sleep last night. Things ta do," he told her.
"Care ta share?" Tinker inquired.
"Nope. C'mon you'se guys. Let's get goin' ta Manhattan," Spot ordered the entire group.
All the tired Brooklyners filed out the door and down the street toward Manhattan.
Tinker was surprised but pleased when Spot remained beside her during the walk. She felt a little odd with the awkward silence between them. Spot, however, showed no outward sign of even noticing the silence.
Finally, after a long pause, Tinker thought of something to say. "Uh .Spot? What're we plannin' ta do gettin' theah dis early?"
"I wanna make shoah dat da othah newsies won't run so we'se gunna hide. If dey run den Brooklyn goes home an' doesn't help wid da strike. If dey fight den we'se in," Spot explained, looking slightly relieved they were talking.
"Um.not dat, dat isn't a good idea an' all but won't it be hard ta hide all dese people?" Tinker asked, looking at the multitude of newsies.
Spot cocked his head to the side. "Don't ya trust me?" he joked with a smile.
Tinker laughed. "A course. Don't know what I was thinkin'. Spot Conlon ain't a mere mortal. I shoulda known bettah den ta question him," she teased.
"Dat's right," Spot agreed, smugly. "Don't you fohget dat."
"Course not," Tinker assured him. "Wouldn't dream a it. Speakin' a dreams yoah plan bettah be good cause I'm damn tired an' could be sleepin' in yoah nice, warm bed right 'bout now."
Spot laughed. "It's good. Relax already!"
The rest of the way Spot and Tinker joked back and forth. The conversation was slightly forced at some points but it was much better then it had been before. They managed to steer away from any subject that might have forced them to think about their future, both just relieved to be talking again.
During this time Tinker was thinking, "Dis is da Spot dat I fell in love wid. Da ole Spot befoah dis whole mess started."
Spot was thinking, "Aw.doesn't she look cute when she's sleepy.I wondah if I'll evah see her like dis again.prolly not.Hell, I prolly won't see her evah again. I doubt she'll fohgive me foh befoah. Gotta remembah ta thank Joisey foh her brilliant plan."
~~~~~~In the Square~~~~~~
"All right, everyone dat I didn't say find an alley or somethin'. I don't care what ya do, jest be back in time foh da fight," Spot commanded. "Da boys I said, you follow me."
Spot, Tinker, and a group of Brooklyners walked toward the World Distribution Office. "Be really quiet, boys. Der's people dat live heah," Spot warned in a hushed voice.
"Whadda we doin', Spot?" asked a tall boy.
"We'se gunna climb up der," Spot said, pointing at the roof. "Den we're gunna hide an' we wait foh da attack."
The group nodded and followed Spot over the gate and up the roof.
"Stay down 'til I give da sign," Spot ordered.
The boys all nodded and situated themselves around the Distribution Office, waiting for the coming event.
Tinker took her place next to Spot. Neither talked but just stared off into space, thinking. Tinker's head was soon slipping to the side a little while she fought to keep her eyes open.
Spot noticed her on-going battle. "Tired?" he asked.
"Jest a little," Tinker admitted with a sheepish smile.
"C'mere," Spot said, putting an arm around her. "I'll wake ya up when somethin' happens."
Tinker looked very surprised before snuggling into him very content.
~~~~~~~A Few Hours Later~~~~~~
Spot noticed movement down below and removed his arm from Tinker. He propped her carefully against the wall before scrambling around the roof checking that his boys were awake and alert. Once he had gone around to all his boys he returned to his own place finding Tinker awake.
"Yoah up," he commented.
"Yeah well sleepin' against a wall is hardah den sleepin' against you," Tinker informed him with a sleepy smile.
"No kiddin," Spot joked. "I had ta warn da boys, see," he told her, pointing at the gang that was assembling down below.
Tinker looked at the sky. "Da newsies should be comin' pretty soon."
~~~~~~~Down Below~~~~~~~
Wisel hurried forward to greet the leader of the Crips. "Yoah late," he said, angrily.
"We got heah in plenty a time," the leader assured him. "I don't see any newsboys."
"We had an agreement," Wisel persisted.
"Yeah, you give me money an' I show up ta scare off da little kids. I'se heah now wheah is me money?"
"Heahs da rest. Ya bettah do a good job or I sweah dat." Wisel started.
"You'll do what?" the leader asked, moving forward threateningly.
Wisel took a few steps backward for safety and then said, "Well, let's jest say it won't look good foh yoah reputation if ya couldn't take care of a few kids."
The leader glared at him before taking the money and assuring him, "We'll get da job done."
Wisel nodded. "We ring da bell in 'bout twenty minutes. Make shoah yoah boys are ready," he told him before disappearing into the office.
~~~~~~~~On the Roof~~~~~~~~
"Look at dem," Tinker said in awe. "How could anyone be so horrible? Dey brought chains an' stuff ta beat up little kids!"
Spot smirked. He never failed to be surprised by Tinker's innocence. "Don't worry 'bout it. We'll take care a it."
Tinker smiled at him. "I guess he is still da same Spot dat can make everythin' right," she thought to herself.
Spot looked a little awkward for a moment before telling her, "Yoah not goin' down der."
"What did ya say?" Tinker asked, confused.
"I said yoah not goin' down der. I'se seen ya fight an' I ain't lettin' ya," Spot reiterated.
"But.dey might need me help.I've got a bettah chance den some a da little kids dat'll be der," Tinker protested.
"If yoah down der it'll jest make me worried an' I won't be able ta fight me best. Jest stay up heah, all right?" Spot asked.
Tinker thought it over for a moment. "Fine, if ya want me ta stay heah den I will," she decided.
Spot opened his mouth to stop her protests but was surprised when none came. He looked at her strangely. "Ya mean it?" he questioned, stunned.
"Yeah," Tinker said, as if it made perfect sense.
"Ya know dis is da first time ya've evah done anythin' jest cause I asked ya," Spot told her.
Tinker laughed. "Don't think dat it's gunna become a habit," she warned him. "It's jest dis once.gotta keep ya guessin'."
"It was too good ta be true," Spot joked.
They sat in silence for more time before Spot decided to tell her what was on his mind. "Tinkah?"
"Yeah?"
"Ya nevah liked Jack, right?" Spot asked.
"Well he's a great friend an' all.but not like dat."
"Oh, well.den I'm sorry. I shouldn't a.ya know.did what I did." Spot told her, looking extremely uncomfortable.
"Ya mean it?" she asked.
"Yeah."
Tinker burst out laughed. "Dat's da foist time ya've evah apologized ta me 'bout anythin'!"
"No it isn't," Spot protested. "I've known ya foh twelve yeahs I can't be da first time dat I'se apologized!"
"Yeah it is! You haven't evah apologized! Da closest ya came was when we were seven an' you got mad an' threw me doll dat me muddah gave me inta da watah! An' den ya only said 'dat was dumb a me ta do'."
Spot smiled sheepishly. "Well, der's a foist foh everythin'. Jest don't expect dat it's gunna become a habit."
Tinker laughed. "Too good ta be true."
"Ya know what would really be too good ta be true?" Spot asked, leadingly.
"No, what?"
"If ya could fohgive me?" Spot asked, trying not to seem too hopeful.
Tinker pretend to think about it for a moment. "All right, do you fohgive me too?"
"Yeah, definitely," he agreed.
"So.uh.now what?" Tinker asked.
"I dunno.maybe we could.uh." Spot tried to suggest but he couldn't quite get it out.
Tinker, being the more open of the two, simply asked, "Could we maybe give it anuddah shot?"
Spot smirked. "Yeah, I think dat'd me a good idea."
Tinker smiled. "I knew ya were gunna say dat."
Spot looked at her oddly. "Uh.all right?"
"Oh.I had dat conversation wid Jack, huh? It's jest I was braggin' 'bout how I can tell what yoah reactions ta stuff are gunna be," Tinker explained.
"Really.can ya tell what I'm gunna do next?" Spot asked.
"I'm thinkin' yoah gunna kiss me," Tinker prophesied.
"Yoah good," Spot mumbled, leaning in to kiss her.
Tinker smiled before kissing him back. Their kiss continued on, maybe making up for lost time, for a long period of time.
Tinker finally noticed something out of the corner of her eye and turned her head abruptly.
"What?" Spot asked.
Tinker pointed. "Look," she ordered. Down on the ground Jack was surrounded by members of the Crips and things weren't looking too good for him.
"Ah well," Spot muttered, going to kiss her again.
Tinker laughed. "C'mon Spot hurry up," she demanded. "Give da sign. Look he's on da ground."
"All right, all right," Spot agreed. He waved to a couple of the boys on the roof and they popped up immediately. Spot then followed their example and popped up, raising his sling shot. "Nevah feah, Brooklyn is heah," he exclaimed, looking extremely cocky.
~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~
And the rest, as they say, is history. Tinker and Spot got back together and remained happily together for a very long time. Spot, although angry at Jack for a short while, maintained his friendship with him. The leader of the Crips was shamed after his brutal defeat by the newsies and had to leave New York after the rest of the city heard about it. Spot continued to help Jack with the Newsie Strike and eventually they beat the 'big boys'.
Tinker sat down on the ground and wiped her mouth. "Maybe jest a little," she muttered. "How long has dat been goin' on?"
"Tanight," he answered. "I'm really sorry."
"Yeah, well me too. An' now I gotta talk ta dat jerk," she grumbled.
"Well, den, get ta talkin'," Spot said, walking in. "What da hell are ya doin' burstin' inta me bedroom?"
"I had somethin' I needed help wid but I guess I shouldn't a come heah," Tinker told him. "You really are da meanest most horrible.thing!" she yelled, not thinking of a better insult.
"At least I wasn't screwin' yoah best friend in der," Spot told her.
Blue looked from Tinker to Spot and decided he was unnecessary. He closed the door as he left.
"I didn't 'screw' Jack! All we did was kiss.once! An' dat ain't even what I'm talkin' 'bout," Tinker corrected.
"What are ya talkin' bout den?"
"Da fact dat ya did all dis jest ta hurt me," Tinker answered.
Spot looked thrown for a moment. "I don't know what yoah talkin' 'bout."
"Give me a break, you prolly knew da second I entered Brooklyn. Spot I lived heah foh two an' a half months. I know how things work."
"Did ya come heah foh a reason?" Spot asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah. Ya gotta come ta Manhattan by tomorrow wid all yoah boys," she told him.
"An why's dat?" Spot inquired skeptically.
"I ovah heard Weasel hirin' da Crips an' dey're gunna attack da newsies," Tinker explained.
"Are ya shoah? Dat don't sound like da Crips ta me.beatin' up street kids ain't der style."
"Dat's what da leadah guy said but den he found out dat Jack is Tim's boy an' said he would do it."
"Figuahs ya'd be doin' all dis ta save Jack," Spot muttered.
"What da hell is yoah problem? If ya don't remembah Jack's yoah friend, too. He's been yoah friend foh fuckin twelve yeahs an' now 'cause of one stupid kiss dat ya don't even know da whole story 'bout yoah willin' ta jest abandon all yoah friends? You are definitely not da guy I thought you were," she told him angrily, before getting up and starting to leave.
Spot grabbed her and pulled her back. "I didn't say I was gunna abandon him. When is dis attack gunna happen?" he asked.
"Tomorrow.dat's all I know," Tinker said, taking her arm out of his reach.
Spot tried to digest all the information he had just received. "Wait a minute.whadja mean I don't know da whole story 'bout dat damn kiss? I saw it wid me own eyes!"
Tinker rolled her eyes. "Dat ain't important anymoah. Look, will ya help us?" she asked.
"I want ta know what ya think da whole story is," Spot insisted. "Explain ta me how ya weren't jest bein' some whore dat was goin' in-between two best friends."
Tinker glared coldly at him. "Ya wanna know da fuckin' truth? Huh? Jack was drunk an' kissed me! Dat was it! An' you came 'round da fuckin' cornah blamin' it ALL on me.fohget trustin' someone yoah supposed ta love..no.dat's to much foh da 'great' Spot Conlon!"
Spot stood there stunned. "What?" he asked slowly.
Tinker threw her arms in the air. "Nevah mind. Look, can I count on ya tomorrow or not?"
Spot clenched his teeth. "If I have ta ask ya ta tell me da story one more time der's gunna be hell ta pay. Jest spit it out. I got a right ta know what me old goil an' best friend are doin'."
"Fine! Fine...We were at da party an' Jack got real drunk so I said I'd take him home 'cause you know how he gets when he's drunk.ya nevah know what he's gunna do an' I didn't want him ta start a fight wid one a da guys. An' so we got inta da alley an' he kissed me an' befoah I even knew what was happenin' you came up an' threw him off me an' were blamin' me," Tinker told him.
"Why da hell didn't you tell me dis befoah?" Spot asked, furious.
"Why da hell didn't you give me a chance ta tell ya dis befoah?" Tinker asked, just as furious.
"I'm gunna soak him. I'm gunna save him tamorrow jest so dat I can soak him meself," Spot muttered to himself.
Tinker grabbed his arm. "Don't you dare Spot. I swear dat if ya evah touch him I'm gunna." she trailed off trying to think of something she could threaten him with.
"Ya'll what?" Spot challenged.
"I'll.I'll.well damn it I'll think a somethin' really bad ta do!" Tinker claimed.
"Well, while yoah busy thinkin' I'll soak him," Spot rationalized.
"An' ya wondah why we didn't tell ya? I figuahed dat aftah a while ya'd get ovah it an' realize dat I would nevah do anythin' like dat if ya really knew me an' Jack wanted ta tell ya but I didn't want ta ruin yoah guys' friendship," Tinker explained.
"Why da hell do ya think it hurt so bad? I always figuahed dat ya'd nevah do anythin' like dat an' der ya were in an' alley kissin' me best friend an' not havin' any excuse," Spot pointed out. "I don't read minds ya know."
"It's not important anymoah," Tinker decided. "Da important thing is dat ya come ta Manhattan an' help da boys an' dat ya don't soak Jack."
"I'll help but I ain't makin' no promises 'bout soakin' Jack," Spot told her.
"No, promise. You know how Jack gets when he's drunk.almost as bad as you," Tinker explained. "He apologized a bunch da day aftah when I told him what happened."
"I'll help," Spot told her. "We're leavin' tomorrow really early.'bout two.ya can sleep in my room an' I'll sleep in da bunk room."
"I don't need your favors.I can sleep out in da bunk room," Tinker said, huffily.
"I said dat you'll sleep in my room an' ya will. Goils aren't allowed ta stay in da bunk room of a boys lodgin' house," he explained. "Not ta mention some a me boys ain't exactly da gentlemen type dat yoah prolly used ta in Manhattan. C'mon," he told her.
Tinker, exhausted, in any way possible, from her day gave in and followed him.
"Der's some a yoah old stuff ovah der," Spot said, pointing to a corner of the room. "Do ya need anythin' else?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine," Tinker assured him. "Thanks."
"No problem. Hey.Tinkah.you were right," Spot told her awkwardly.
"'Bout what?"
"Wid Jersey.I wanted ta hurt you how you hurt me," he said, even more awkwardly, hating to deal with his emotions.
"Uhh.nice ta know," Tinker said, looking at him oddly. "I don't know what ya expect me ta say ta dat."
"We didn't sleep tageddah, really," Spot told her.
Tinker tried to stifle a laugh but failed.
"What's so funny?" Spot asked.
"I knew dat.ya had yoah shirts on da floor but not yoah pants.dat an' ya had a sheet in-between ya," Tinker told him, laughing harder now.
"Ya saw dat?" Spot asked.
"I ain't stupid," Tinker pointed out.
"Jersey's gunna be upset dat her plan didn't work," Spot told her.
"Yeah.nice try, doh," Tinker said.
Spot rolled his eyes. "Well.goodnight," he said, leaving.
"Yeah, g'night," Tinker replied.
~~~~~****~~~~~
Spot sighed as he closed the door quietly. "Well, ya screwed dat one up pretty bad Conlon," he muttered to himself. He took one look around the bunk room and realizing it didn't look all that appealing he climbed out the fire escape instead of into bed.
Spot stayed up the entire night, reviewing his past with Tinker and Jack in his head. By two he had realized what a jerk he had been and had a small pile of half-smoked cigarettes that he had absently smoked.
He rubbed his eyes, exasperated with everything that had happened and was determined that he would be in a good mood for the rest of the day, hoping that Tinker would possibly forgive him and they could get over this. He hadn't wanted to admit this to everyone, since his feelings weren't up for public discussion, but he had been in a bad mood ever since he had turned the corner and found Tinker and Jack kissing.
Spot stood and went to get everyone up for the long day they had ahead of them.
~~~~~*****~~~~~
"Hey, wake up," Spot said, nudging Tinker.
Tinker mumbled incoherently and turned away from Spot, snuggling into the blankets.
Spot shook her arm again. "C'mon Tinkah. We gotta get goin'."
"Five moah minutes," Tinker muttered.
"Right now," Spot insisted, pushing a little harder.
Tinker pushed his hands away. "All right, I'm up," she informed him, her eyes fluttering open.
"Good, now let's go," Spot suggested taking her hands and pulling her into a sitting position.
"I don't wanna get up!" Tinker groaned.
"If we don't get goin' now den we won't be in time ta get inta position," Spot reminded her, trying to drag her to her feet.
"I don't care! All dey wanna do is soak Jack. He's too cocky foh his own good anyway," Tinker whined, swaying on her feet sleepily.
Spot laughed. "As temptin' as it is ta leave our best friend out ta dry I think dat I'll go."
"Have fun," Tinker encouraged, edging back toward the bed.
"No ya don't," Spot told her, grabbing her hands and pulling her out into the main bunk room full of many tired looking boys.
"Why da hell are you so awake dis mornin'?" Tinker asked, noticing he was the only 'wide-eyed, bushy-tailed' one of the group.
"Nevah went ta sleep last night. Things ta do," he told her.
"Care ta share?" Tinker inquired.
"Nope. C'mon you'se guys. Let's get goin' ta Manhattan," Spot ordered the entire group.
All the tired Brooklyners filed out the door and down the street toward Manhattan.
Tinker was surprised but pleased when Spot remained beside her during the walk. She felt a little odd with the awkward silence between them. Spot, however, showed no outward sign of even noticing the silence.
Finally, after a long pause, Tinker thought of something to say. "Uh .Spot? What're we plannin' ta do gettin' theah dis early?"
"I wanna make shoah dat da othah newsies won't run so we'se gunna hide. If dey run den Brooklyn goes home an' doesn't help wid da strike. If dey fight den we'se in," Spot explained, looking slightly relieved they were talking.
"Um.not dat, dat isn't a good idea an' all but won't it be hard ta hide all dese people?" Tinker asked, looking at the multitude of newsies.
Spot cocked his head to the side. "Don't ya trust me?" he joked with a smile.
Tinker laughed. "A course. Don't know what I was thinkin'. Spot Conlon ain't a mere mortal. I shoulda known bettah den ta question him," she teased.
"Dat's right," Spot agreed, smugly. "Don't you fohget dat."
"Course not," Tinker assured him. "Wouldn't dream a it. Speakin' a dreams yoah plan bettah be good cause I'm damn tired an' could be sleepin' in yoah nice, warm bed right 'bout now."
Spot laughed. "It's good. Relax already!"
The rest of the way Spot and Tinker joked back and forth. The conversation was slightly forced at some points but it was much better then it had been before. They managed to steer away from any subject that might have forced them to think about their future, both just relieved to be talking again.
During this time Tinker was thinking, "Dis is da Spot dat I fell in love wid. Da ole Spot befoah dis whole mess started."
Spot was thinking, "Aw.doesn't she look cute when she's sleepy.I wondah if I'll evah see her like dis again.prolly not.Hell, I prolly won't see her evah again. I doubt she'll fohgive me foh befoah. Gotta remembah ta thank Joisey foh her brilliant plan."
~~~~~~In the Square~~~~~~
"All right, everyone dat I didn't say find an alley or somethin'. I don't care what ya do, jest be back in time foh da fight," Spot commanded. "Da boys I said, you follow me."
Spot, Tinker, and a group of Brooklyners walked toward the World Distribution Office. "Be really quiet, boys. Der's people dat live heah," Spot warned in a hushed voice.
"Whadda we doin', Spot?" asked a tall boy.
"We'se gunna climb up der," Spot said, pointing at the roof. "Den we're gunna hide an' we wait foh da attack."
The group nodded and followed Spot over the gate and up the roof.
"Stay down 'til I give da sign," Spot ordered.
The boys all nodded and situated themselves around the Distribution Office, waiting for the coming event.
Tinker took her place next to Spot. Neither talked but just stared off into space, thinking. Tinker's head was soon slipping to the side a little while she fought to keep her eyes open.
Spot noticed her on-going battle. "Tired?" he asked.
"Jest a little," Tinker admitted with a sheepish smile.
"C'mere," Spot said, putting an arm around her. "I'll wake ya up when somethin' happens."
Tinker looked very surprised before snuggling into him very content.
~~~~~~~A Few Hours Later~~~~~~
Spot noticed movement down below and removed his arm from Tinker. He propped her carefully against the wall before scrambling around the roof checking that his boys were awake and alert. Once he had gone around to all his boys he returned to his own place finding Tinker awake.
"Yoah up," he commented.
"Yeah well sleepin' against a wall is hardah den sleepin' against you," Tinker informed him with a sleepy smile.
"No kiddin," Spot joked. "I had ta warn da boys, see," he told her, pointing at the gang that was assembling down below.
Tinker looked at the sky. "Da newsies should be comin' pretty soon."
~~~~~~~Down Below~~~~~~~
Wisel hurried forward to greet the leader of the Crips. "Yoah late," he said, angrily.
"We got heah in plenty a time," the leader assured him. "I don't see any newsboys."
"We had an agreement," Wisel persisted.
"Yeah, you give me money an' I show up ta scare off da little kids. I'se heah now wheah is me money?"
"Heahs da rest. Ya bettah do a good job or I sweah dat." Wisel started.
"You'll do what?" the leader asked, moving forward threateningly.
Wisel took a few steps backward for safety and then said, "Well, let's jest say it won't look good foh yoah reputation if ya couldn't take care of a few kids."
The leader glared at him before taking the money and assuring him, "We'll get da job done."
Wisel nodded. "We ring da bell in 'bout twenty minutes. Make shoah yoah boys are ready," he told him before disappearing into the office.
~~~~~~~~On the Roof~~~~~~~~
"Look at dem," Tinker said in awe. "How could anyone be so horrible? Dey brought chains an' stuff ta beat up little kids!"
Spot smirked. He never failed to be surprised by Tinker's innocence. "Don't worry 'bout it. We'll take care a it."
Tinker smiled at him. "I guess he is still da same Spot dat can make everythin' right," she thought to herself.
Spot looked a little awkward for a moment before telling her, "Yoah not goin' down der."
"What did ya say?" Tinker asked, confused.
"I said yoah not goin' down der. I'se seen ya fight an' I ain't lettin' ya," Spot reiterated.
"But.dey might need me help.I've got a bettah chance den some a da little kids dat'll be der," Tinker protested.
"If yoah down der it'll jest make me worried an' I won't be able ta fight me best. Jest stay up heah, all right?" Spot asked.
Tinker thought it over for a moment. "Fine, if ya want me ta stay heah den I will," she decided.
Spot opened his mouth to stop her protests but was surprised when none came. He looked at her strangely. "Ya mean it?" he questioned, stunned.
"Yeah," Tinker said, as if it made perfect sense.
"Ya know dis is da first time ya've evah done anythin' jest cause I asked ya," Spot told her.
Tinker laughed. "Don't think dat it's gunna become a habit," she warned him. "It's jest dis once.gotta keep ya guessin'."
"It was too good ta be true," Spot joked.
They sat in silence for more time before Spot decided to tell her what was on his mind. "Tinkah?"
"Yeah?"
"Ya nevah liked Jack, right?" Spot asked.
"Well he's a great friend an' all.but not like dat."
"Oh, well.den I'm sorry. I shouldn't a.ya know.did what I did." Spot told her, looking extremely uncomfortable.
"Ya mean it?" she asked.
"Yeah."
Tinker burst out laughed. "Dat's da foist time ya've evah apologized ta me 'bout anythin'!"
"No it isn't," Spot protested. "I've known ya foh twelve yeahs I can't be da first time dat I'se apologized!"
"Yeah it is! You haven't evah apologized! Da closest ya came was when we were seven an' you got mad an' threw me doll dat me muddah gave me inta da watah! An' den ya only said 'dat was dumb a me ta do'."
Spot smiled sheepishly. "Well, der's a foist foh everythin'. Jest don't expect dat it's gunna become a habit."
Tinker laughed. "Too good ta be true."
"Ya know what would really be too good ta be true?" Spot asked, leadingly.
"No, what?"
"If ya could fohgive me?" Spot asked, trying not to seem too hopeful.
Tinker pretend to think about it for a moment. "All right, do you fohgive me too?"
"Yeah, definitely," he agreed.
"So.uh.now what?" Tinker asked.
"I dunno.maybe we could.uh." Spot tried to suggest but he couldn't quite get it out.
Tinker, being the more open of the two, simply asked, "Could we maybe give it anuddah shot?"
Spot smirked. "Yeah, I think dat'd me a good idea."
Tinker smiled. "I knew ya were gunna say dat."
Spot looked at her oddly. "Uh.all right?"
"Oh.I had dat conversation wid Jack, huh? It's jest I was braggin' 'bout how I can tell what yoah reactions ta stuff are gunna be," Tinker explained.
"Really.can ya tell what I'm gunna do next?" Spot asked.
"I'm thinkin' yoah gunna kiss me," Tinker prophesied.
"Yoah good," Spot mumbled, leaning in to kiss her.
Tinker smiled before kissing him back. Their kiss continued on, maybe making up for lost time, for a long period of time.
Tinker finally noticed something out of the corner of her eye and turned her head abruptly.
"What?" Spot asked.
Tinker pointed. "Look," she ordered. Down on the ground Jack was surrounded by members of the Crips and things weren't looking too good for him.
"Ah well," Spot muttered, going to kiss her again.
Tinker laughed. "C'mon Spot hurry up," she demanded. "Give da sign. Look he's on da ground."
"All right, all right," Spot agreed. He waved to a couple of the boys on the roof and they popped up immediately. Spot then followed their example and popped up, raising his sling shot. "Nevah feah, Brooklyn is heah," he exclaimed, looking extremely cocky.
~~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~
And the rest, as they say, is history. Tinker and Spot got back together and remained happily together for a very long time. Spot, although angry at Jack for a short while, maintained his friendship with him. The leader of the Crips was shamed after his brutal defeat by the newsies and had to leave New York after the rest of the city heard about it. Spot continued to help Jack with the Newsie Strike and eventually they beat the 'big boys'.