Warning: This story contains adult language, graphic violence, attempted rape, attempted suicide, and sexually explicit themes. Reader's discretion is advised. Rating - R.

Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies or any of the Newsies characters. Apollonia, Giselle, Checkers, and other miscellaneous characters are all mine.

Chapter 4: Visions of Love

As Apollonia walked down the street, she decided to take a carriage to Sixth Avenue and shop along the Ladies' Mile, dubbed so because of all of the shops targeted towards women. She wanted to buy something a little different for the theatre. She left Giselle in charge of the bookstore until she came back. She informed her that she would probably be gone for a few hours. Upon entering the store of her choice, the saleslady recognized her on-sight and immediately greeted her. She promptly told her of the upcoming event that she was to attend and informed the saleslady that she wanted a dress that was flattering and different. Without more ado, she was taken to the section of the store where the newest fashions were available. She chose a stunning red and blue ball gown with lace towering at the edge of the sleeves. She knew that Spot would love to see this striking dress on her.

After purchasing her gown, she made arrangements to have the dress delivered to her home. She could not carry a large box with her around town and shop at the same time. She then took a carriage to Michael's Emporium to purchase a silk petticoat to wear underneath the ball gown. Her next stopover was Sherry's where she purchased lilac perfume. Finally, she made her way to Wilson's Drugs to acquire some cough syrup, Aruica salve, and witch hazel. While exiting the store, she heard a boy hawking the headlines nearby.

"Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Politician dies in mistress' bed; Wife is outraged!"

Promptly, she walked up to youngster and gave him a penny. "Thanks a lot, lady." The cute, young newsie said as he walked off happy for making another sale. Apollonia looked on as she remembered how she met Spot. He was a newsie then and just as handsome then as he was now. She adoringly recalled how he showed her around Brooklyn the day after they met. Ordinarily, she would not have walked up to a New Yorker and asked them for directions, but something about Spot showed her that he was different. She loved his go-get-'em attitude, which he still had, and his no-nonsense flair. Not much about her husband had changed, except he was taller, somewhat muscular, and worldlier. He took care of her in every sense: physically, spiritually, emotionally, and sexually. She knew that her world was complete with him in it.

~

The loving Conlon couple ate at Delmonico's, a stylish restaurant known for having the best steaks. They sat through dinner talking the night away before heading to the Broadway Theatre for a night of cultured entertainment.

The theatre was beautiful as always, with its rich colors and vibrant textures, she blended in well with the interior design. Her satin dress was lavish as the colors of red and blue complimented the ruby and diamond jewelry she wore. She wanted to look extra beautiful tonight and she knew that this dress would do the trick. Her trick seemed to be working since Spot kept looking over to his left at her, paying more attention to his paramour than the dramatis personae onstage. Apollonia kept giving off an air of beauty and elegance. Her sexiness oozed all over. Spot knew that he had to have her tonight. He reached over and took her hand into his as he let his finger trace the top of her hand, touching the silken feel of her skin.

After they departed from the theatre, they took a carriage ride through Central Park. The talked throughout the night discussing several matters of the heart. Spot even looked down at her left hand admiring the wedding ring he bought for her years back.

"Remember the day I proposed to you? It was on the Brooklyn docks. We were walking tagedda in the cool light wind. I stopped you and turned you toward me. You looked up into my eyes, and when I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box, your eyes almost popped outta there sockets." Apollonia giggled at the memory.

"When I opened it, you looked star struck. You saw dat the stones went all the way around the band. I was once told not to put your name in a heart because hearts can break. Put it in a circle because circles go on forever. I nevah forgot that and I knew dat this ring would be perfect for you. I got down on one knee and asked you to marry me. And when you said 'yes', I got up and gave you one of da most loving kisses I had ever given."

Apollonia remembered that moment fondly. Spot then ordered the driver to take them to their brownstone. Lust and passion was coursing through his veins and he didn't know how long he could contain himself.

~

As soon as they got home, they rapidly made their way upstairs. She found that she couldn't maintain a single train of thought for long. She willingly gave herself up to purely physical sensations and impressions. Apollonia reached up and brought Spot's head down to hers; she molded her lips to his in a kiss which held all the longings of her heart. She allowed his tongue entrance into the small cavern of her mouth; she let her tongue duel in a loving battle with his. She breathed with him, for him, because of him. He broke the kiss, lifted her into his arms and laid her gently on the bed. Spot came down with her, pressing her down into the covers. With his weight on her, she felt complete.

"Apollonia." He breathed. "I want all of you. I need you. I love you." She felt him tense for the briefest moment. She looked deeply into his blue, impassioned eyes. He very lovingly began undressing her while she returned the gesture. She moved her hands as swiftly over his body as his were going over hers. Before she knew it, they were both naked. Apollonia caught her breath in her throat as her soft, feminine form was melded to the hard steel of Spot's body. Spot immediately began his hungry, demanding inventory of the body he had just been lauding. Her mouth and hands sought the same sensations and reactions as his did. She kissed his mouth, his face, his neck, his chest. She sucked at his nipples and blazed biting kisses down his chest, just as he did hers. Suddenly, the violent passion that raged within them began to consume them entirely.

"Yes, Spot. Yes." She breathed as he lifted her hips and entered her. He seemed as enthralled by this act as he was by her beauty. Apollonia willingly took him all the way into her. She desperately needed his driving thrusts to quench her thirst for him and the love that she sought to express with her body. Her hands grasped at his hard body with every driving force of his pelvis. Apollonia matched his pace, striving for the gale that would take her out of herself and make her one with Spot. As he came, he held himself above her for several seconds. Apollonia raised her arms out to him, and he pulled her roughly into his embrace. Both let out deep sighs of contentment, reluctant to say or do anything that would break the thrilling enchantment they were experiencing. For now, it was enough to just lie there and take in the very male essence of him each time she breathed.

Despite her best efforts to stay awake and savor the feel of him, Apollonia felt herself becoming drowsy. She was going to sleep in his arms, with him lying on top of her, their chests touching, his heartbeat in rhythm with hers. He made a sudden movement to lie beside her, while holding her close.

Freeing her mind, she found she was most aware of the body which was molded to her back. He almost completely covered her small frame as he bent low over her; his muscled arms against her sides wedged her in his clutch; his chest was flat against her back and, if she looked up and slightly over, her nose would barely touch his chin. The warmth of him against her buttocks and the feel of his long, solid legs against her shorter, firm legs were totally awesome sensations for her. "I love you, Spot." She whispered as he slept, hugging her tighter as she went to sleep deeply and soundly, wrapped in Spot's loving embrace.