Specs handed in his pad of paper, pencil and apron.
"Tibby, I'm done. I'll see you tomorrow."
Tibby waved goodbye and we headed out the door and down the street. As we walked to the Monroe's house, Chatterbox and Spot told us exactly what Jack had done to piss them off.
" I was waiting downstairs for Spot and Jack came inside from selling his papes. Well he noticed me and smirked at me."
"'E gave me da same look when 'e tried to pick me up. When 'e walked up to me and tried puttin' 'is arm round me, I'se decided to introduce 'im to me fist."
We all laughed. Jack has stayed away from Dodger ever since.
"Well he walked over to me and just as he got in front of me, Spot came down. Jack looked at him and scoffed. 'What are you doin' hangin' round with this guy when we could spend time together."
Spot interrupted here.
"I did something I thought I never would have to. I punched him in the face. I then turned to Chatter here and asked her out. Dodger told me that I should go for the chance. She could tell I liked her."
We all laughed. Besides being a great fighter and listener, Dodger is a major matchmaker. She watches people for a while and figures out whether or not certain people should go out. She's never been wrong yet. She encouraged Fastdancer to ask Racetrack out and the two of them are going strong. Aqua (Midtown Newsie) and Mush have been going out for several years. They were the last couple she set up before Jonathan and Katherine showed up.
Specs and Dodger weren't set up by anyone or encouraged. Them going out was like a dare.
~*~* Flashback a month and a half~*~* Specs POV
"C'mon Race. Just deal those cards!"
We were all sitting around the table while Racetrack and Fastdancer were kissing. Race broke the kiss and dealt out the cards. It's nearly been 2 years since Dodger had been taken away or rather ran away. Her cousins Jonathan and Katherine traced her to Manhattan since she spent more time here then with Whiz, her cousin in Midtown. We all missed her. She was a great person to have around when you were in trouble. Either in fights or you had problems; she was normally there with words of advice or a fist to fight. Kid took her running really hard. They had actually been selling their papes when she caught sight of them. She didn't say anything. Just dropped her papes and ran off. When all of us got back to the lodging house, a note was left on Kid's bed. He actually still had it underneath his pillow, hoping she'll come home.
Dear Kid, Specs and all others
I'm sorry to do this, but I can't let them get me. My past has finally caught up with me and I can't bear to go back. If I ever come back, I'll try to explain but until then, I've got to run. If two people come around asking for a girl named Skyler, tell them the name isn't familiar to you. If they describe my looks, tell them I've never been around there. I can't go back. Just can't. I love you all and I'm sorry.
S.D.M
"Specs, your turn to deal."
I came out of my trance, took the cards up and started to deal them in. The door opened up and in walked a kid soaked to the bone. I hadn't realized that the weather had turned sour. We all turned to look at the person. They were wearing a long black coat and the hat was covering their face. We watched as they walked over to Kloppman.
"Ya got an extra room?"
Kloppman eyed the person, not sure if they were a girl or boy.
"Ya we do. It'll be."
Before he could say that the first night was free, the person plopped down money.
"This'll cover tonight and tomorrow. I'se don't like anythin' free."
Jack, being the leader and cautious of new people, especially those who didn't take the first night for free, was the first to walk up to the person.
"You there, what's your name?"
"Dat's for me to know, and youse to find out. So I'se guess youse might as well find out now. Da name's Tempa."
I caught a glance at Fastdancer who had a puzzling look on her face as the person turned around and started to walk up the stairs. 'C'mon Jack. Do the initiation.' I thought watching him or her go up.
"Well we've got an initiation process before you can stay here. You have to fight us."
The person turned around and the small bit of face I could see, I saw a smirk show.
"Youse shore youse wanna fight me? Youse jist met me. I'se could take ya by surprise."
" I think we're willing that."
The person nodded, set down the sack they'd been carrying and discarded the jacket and hat. The hair was blond and looked like a dye job. Probably a guy. He pushed back the hair that covered the face to show a scar along the jaw.
"Well if dis is gonna be youse guys fate, lets git movin'."
Racetrack, Mush, Kid Blink, Jake, Snoddy, Snitch and I followed him and Jack outside while the others followed and stood in the doorway. He stood off to one side while we all stood together on the other. I put my fist in hand and cracked my knuckles. From where the guy stood, I saw him cringe. Where had I seen that before?
I looked to Jack and saw him run at the guy. and completely missed him. Seeing that Jack actually missed a person shocked all of us. All at once we lunged at the guy. Within minutes, Mush and Snoddy were on the ground clutching their stomachs. The rest of us circled around the guy. He just stood there though and smirked. We caught one another's eyes and all knew what the other was thinking. In a circle, the guy can't get out.
"One.Two.THREE!"
Jake yelled. Racetrack, Kid Blink, Jack, Jake, Snitch and I all ran at the guy but ended up smacking into one another.
"What the?"
I looked around and saw that the person was nowhere.
"Youse boys are too slow. I'se swear youse slowed down a bit."
We all turned around to see the guy standing on the bench near by. How did he get there?
"I'se learned a thing or two while on da road."
The speech was coming more and more familiar, but why? I looked to Jack and saw that his face was becoming a royal red. This guy was really aggravating and Jack couldn't stand this anymore. Jack ran at the bench, tried to grab the guy's legs but ended up getting a foot in the stomach. As Jack went down, the guy jumped down and looked to us.
"Looks like Jack-be-nimble ain't as nimble as 'e used ta be." Jack-be- nimble! Only one person we knew would call Jack that name: Dodger. I started laughing and looking up, I saw the infamous smirk. All the others looked at me like I was mad so I started saying the rhyme Dodger would say to annoy Jack.
"Jack-be-nimble, Jack-be-quick. Jack CAN'T jump the candlestick. He burned his pants not once but twice and had to sit on a block of ice!"
Mush, Racetrack, Kid Blink and Jack all grew wide-eyed from where I could see. I heard gasps coming from the doorway. Those who had shown up since she disappeared were the ones gasping. They had all been told of her. Jack was the first to walk up to her. They'd always been good friends and I'm sure he was doing what all of us wanted to do, make sure she was really there. As soon as he was close enough, she reached up to her hairline and pulled her hair, which thankfully was a wig. Her black hair fell down and I noticed that she now had red streaks.
"Welcome back Dodge."
"It's good ta being back."
With that, she spat in her hand and stuck out for Jack. Dodger was back. Jack took her hand and pulled her into a hug.
"About time you showed up. Your bunk was starting to get cobwebs all over the place."
"Ya well I'se 'ad some unsettled business to attend to but wit dat behind me, can I go git some shut eye? Walkin' from da station is startin' to hoit." We all walked in with Kid Blink and I trailing behind. I looked to him to see for the first time a genuine smile.
"Glad she's back huh?"
He nodded.
"I knew I was missing something in me but I realize now it is the fact she was my best friend. Now that she's back, I don't like her more as a girlfriend, just as a friend."
We entered the building to see Fastdancer giving Dodger a lecture.
"You could have written you know!"
"Sorta 'ard when youse travelin' every single day. I wasn't able to stay in one place for more den a day. Jonathan and Katherine were too close. I'se finally got dem though. Dey followed me all da way back were I'se from and luckily, an old friend went to da police."
Fastdancer and Dodger headed up the stairs and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one watching them. All of us who had known Dodger before she left were all smiling to having our rock back.
~*~*Later that night~*~*
"Boys, time for bed. The girls will get an extra half hour since they don't need to be told."
We all groaned and packed up poker chips, loose change and the cards. One by one we slowly went up the stairs and as usual I was last since I helped Kloppman close up the house. As I passed the girl's bunkroom, I couldn't hear any noise. I opened the door slowly to see that the lights were all out.
'I wonder if Dodge is up to one of our late night chats?'
Even though Dodger and Kid Blink had gone out, she and I would always have these late night talks about anything and everything. If someone or something was bothering, she'd drag me out to the fire escape and we'd talk. I was the first person that she told that she had been beaten most of her life but she never said who did the deed.
I crept into the room and saw Dodge's sleeping figure facing the window. The moonlight was coming into the room and hit her bunk slightly, illuminating her face. She looked like an angel and I decided now wouldn't be a good time for us to talk. As I turned to leave, she stirred.
"Specs? What are youse doin' in 'ere?"
"I thought maybe a talk was in order. Like our old ones."
She smiled at me and nodded, throwing back the covers. I opened the window across from her and stepped out. Turning around, I took her hand and helped her out. We sat down on the iron and had our feet hang over the edge looking up at the stars. The clouds from the rain earlier had passed and twinkling lights occupied the sky.
"So you're finally free?"
"Yup. Me old neighbor was da poison (person) I went to. 'E used to be da one I went to for bandages and solitude. 'E vouched for everything I said and as soon as Jonathan and Katherine showed up, da bulls put dem away for domestic abuse. Dey tried to fight, but didn't work."
I looked at her and once again noticed the long scar along her chin. Starting an inch from her ear, the scar traced her jaw line and ended below the corner of her lip. I reached out to touch her jaw. She didn't realize what I was doing until I touched her. I felt a shock go through me. I don't know if the fact of seeing her again or maybe new feelings caused the shock. Dodger looked away.
"How?"
"For once, I wasn't able to dodge. I was in Sacramento 'idin' out when Jonathan and Katherine caught up ta me. I'se was sittin' in a restaurant, in a booth none da less when dey showed up and slipped in beside me. Dey told me dat I 'ad caused dem enough trouble and at that, Jonathan slapped me from across da table. 'E and Katherine den pulled me out of da restaurant only to be slapped again by Katherine. She's da one dat put da scar on me face. She 'ad put a family ring on that 'ad sharp edges."
Raged surged through my entire body. I cracked my knuckles and saw her wince.
"I'se always 'ated when youse did dat. Don't worry though. I gave Katherine a marking dat she'll never forget. I ended up trippin' 'er before runnin' off again. She broke 'er wrist fallin' down."
Silence over came us as we looked up at the stars. I took a glance at Dodger to see her try to stifle a yawn. I moved closer to her and without saying a word, she placed her head on my shoulder and I put my arm around her. With her there truly felt like old times. I looked down at her and saw that she had fallen asleep.
"Guess it's time for bed Sky."
I slowly got up, lifted her into my arms and carried her in through the window. Once inside I placed her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
"Night Skybright."
My nickname for her. I crept out of the girl's room and back into mine that I shared with Skittery, Snoddy and Snipeshooter. We had finally convinced Kloppman to build rooms for us.
~*~*A week later~*~*
"Dodger! Come back here with my hat!"
I looked up from one of my books to see Jack chasing after Dodger. She'd been back a week and finally set some disorder in our lives. At least once a day when she's in Manhattan (she moved back to Midtown. Whiz yelled at her for an hour before he let her into the house.), she'll bug Jack, Racetrack and I.
"Jack youse know I'se playin' wit ya. 'Ere is your 'at."
She tossed the hat to him before Jack could get close enough and then ran over to me. We talked a bit about that day's headlines when Kid Blink and Racetrack finally got back from selling. Dodger jumped up and started bouncing around. Kid Blink looked at me.
"She's had coffee hasn't she?"
"Ya. I know I shouldn't give it to her, but she threatened to hide my specs on me."
Both boys shook their heads and laughed. Race said,
"You've got it bad for her buddy."
"No I don't."
"Yes you do. I've seen how you are around her. And believe me, it's not like when she and Kid were going out. You stare at her for a long time until one of us yells at you."
Damn, why did I have to be so transparent? Just then, Dodger ran up to us.
"Guys! Let's 'ead over to Medda's, I'se up for some games. Me got too much energy."
With that, Jack, Race, Kid Blink and I followed the ever energetic Dodger over to Medda's.
~*~*3 hours later~*~*
"Keep that coffee away from her! I do not want to be awake all night like yesterday."
"Aww, poor Fast. Youse know youse wanna stay up. Now, Specs, give me da coffee and youse won't git hurt."
I shook my head.
"You've had too much Dodger. Say good bye to the coffee."
"NO! I'se will rescue me beloved coffee from da wretched Specs." At that, Dodger started to come towards me but Racetrack stopped her in her tracks.
"Dodger, I've got a wager for you. I bet you 3 cups of coffee that you can't kiss Specs here for more than 3 minutes."
"Race. Dat's not fair. 3 more minutes without da coffee will put me into withdrawal!"
I saw Race winking at me, trying to get me to go along. If I was to finally tell Dodger how I feel, now was the time.
"You probably can't even last. Ladies and gents, the infamous Dodger can't last a kiss without coffee."
Laughter filled the room and I looked to Dodger. She still stood firm.
"I'se ain't gonna kiss Specs. I'll jist go to another place for me coffee."
"All other places are closed."
"Fine. I'll just go without the coffee."
Dodger was giving up to easily. Something was up. She never gives up anything, especially her coffee this quickly. Suddenly it hit me. She doesn't want to kiss me because she likes me. She doesn't want her feelings shown in front of everyone.
"I think maybe I should just give her the coffee. Have you guys ever seen her without her coffee? Believe me, not a pretty sight. The temper comes out."
Jack shook his head.
"Specs, you're not backing out are you? C'mon. I dare you to kiss Dodger and Dodger, I dare you to kiss Specs."
Oh boy, he had to use the dare card. Dodger has never passed up a dare in her life, well as long as I've known her. I saw her groan.
"Fine. But I'se betta git me coffee afta dis, or I'se not comin' back 'ere for a LONG time. Oh, ya, can wese at least 'ave privacy."
Before anyone could object, Dodger grabbed me and pulled us out into the hallway. Once we got out there, for once, Dodger didn't have her certainty about her. She kept shuffling around.
"Listen Specs."
Before she could say anything or leave, I leaned in and kissed her right on the lips. It was a deep, passionate one but it wasn't a quick peck. We both stood there, my hands now cupping her face. The kiss was soft and her lips felt the same way, like velvet. I slowly parted from her and looked into her eyes. I was hoping that the bright angry green wouldn't be there and I was lucky it was. Thing was, her eyes had changed to an aqua colour.
Neither of us spoke at first. We just stared at each other. Colour rose in her cheeks and a small smile rose to her face.
"Wow."
She whispered, as if not wanting to ruin the moment. I smiled.
"I've been wanting to do that ever since you came back."
"I'se been wanting youse to do dat since youse carried me to bed two days ago when I fell asleep on the fire escape again."
"Listen, do youse wanna go out for dinner tomorrow night?"
She nodded.
"Oui, si'l vous plait."
I laughed and we went back into the room holding hands. Everyone ooed and awed and Racetrack soon got chased around until he gave Dodger the 3 cups of coffee he owed her.
`@`@`@ End of Flashback `&`&`&
~*~*Kid Blink's POV~*~*
I looked at the two couples. Chatterbox and Spot had their arms around one another as we walked. Dodger and Specs we holding hands. We finally got to the Monroe's.
"I think maybe I should just go in. If Whisper's out of her room, she may run back if she sees you all."
With that Chatterbox disappeared into the house and returned 10 minutes later.
"I got my father's address book. Let's go back to Tibby's, write the letters and send them off today. That way, Michael and Andrew can come sooner."
At that, we headed back to Tibby's, hoping that her friends may be able to help in getting her out and about once more.
A/N and DISCLAIMER: I'd like to thank Ice Renegade, Volcanous, and Raider for their reviews for chapter 14. I'm finally getting over my writer's block for this story so I should have chapter 16 up later this week if my school play doesn't take up too much of my time. Oh ya, I don't own the Newsies or Fastdancer. I do own, all ideas of this story, Whisper, Chatterbox and Aqua.
"Tibby, I'm done. I'll see you tomorrow."
Tibby waved goodbye and we headed out the door and down the street. As we walked to the Monroe's house, Chatterbox and Spot told us exactly what Jack had done to piss them off.
" I was waiting downstairs for Spot and Jack came inside from selling his papes. Well he noticed me and smirked at me."
"'E gave me da same look when 'e tried to pick me up. When 'e walked up to me and tried puttin' 'is arm round me, I'se decided to introduce 'im to me fist."
We all laughed. Jack has stayed away from Dodger ever since.
"Well he walked over to me and just as he got in front of me, Spot came down. Jack looked at him and scoffed. 'What are you doin' hangin' round with this guy when we could spend time together."
Spot interrupted here.
"I did something I thought I never would have to. I punched him in the face. I then turned to Chatter here and asked her out. Dodger told me that I should go for the chance. She could tell I liked her."
We all laughed. Besides being a great fighter and listener, Dodger is a major matchmaker. She watches people for a while and figures out whether or not certain people should go out. She's never been wrong yet. She encouraged Fastdancer to ask Racetrack out and the two of them are going strong. Aqua (Midtown Newsie) and Mush have been going out for several years. They were the last couple she set up before Jonathan and Katherine showed up.
Specs and Dodger weren't set up by anyone or encouraged. Them going out was like a dare.
~*~* Flashback a month and a half~*~* Specs POV
"C'mon Race. Just deal those cards!"
We were all sitting around the table while Racetrack and Fastdancer were kissing. Race broke the kiss and dealt out the cards. It's nearly been 2 years since Dodger had been taken away or rather ran away. Her cousins Jonathan and Katherine traced her to Manhattan since she spent more time here then with Whiz, her cousin in Midtown. We all missed her. She was a great person to have around when you were in trouble. Either in fights or you had problems; she was normally there with words of advice or a fist to fight. Kid took her running really hard. They had actually been selling their papes when she caught sight of them. She didn't say anything. Just dropped her papes and ran off. When all of us got back to the lodging house, a note was left on Kid's bed. He actually still had it underneath his pillow, hoping she'll come home.
Dear Kid, Specs and all others
I'm sorry to do this, but I can't let them get me. My past has finally caught up with me and I can't bear to go back. If I ever come back, I'll try to explain but until then, I've got to run. If two people come around asking for a girl named Skyler, tell them the name isn't familiar to you. If they describe my looks, tell them I've never been around there. I can't go back. Just can't. I love you all and I'm sorry.
S.D.M
"Specs, your turn to deal."
I came out of my trance, took the cards up and started to deal them in. The door opened up and in walked a kid soaked to the bone. I hadn't realized that the weather had turned sour. We all turned to look at the person. They were wearing a long black coat and the hat was covering their face. We watched as they walked over to Kloppman.
"Ya got an extra room?"
Kloppman eyed the person, not sure if they were a girl or boy.
"Ya we do. It'll be."
Before he could say that the first night was free, the person plopped down money.
"This'll cover tonight and tomorrow. I'se don't like anythin' free."
Jack, being the leader and cautious of new people, especially those who didn't take the first night for free, was the first to walk up to the person.
"You there, what's your name?"
"Dat's for me to know, and youse to find out. So I'se guess youse might as well find out now. Da name's Tempa."
I caught a glance at Fastdancer who had a puzzling look on her face as the person turned around and started to walk up the stairs. 'C'mon Jack. Do the initiation.' I thought watching him or her go up.
"Well we've got an initiation process before you can stay here. You have to fight us."
The person turned around and the small bit of face I could see, I saw a smirk show.
"Youse shore youse wanna fight me? Youse jist met me. I'se could take ya by surprise."
" I think we're willing that."
The person nodded, set down the sack they'd been carrying and discarded the jacket and hat. The hair was blond and looked like a dye job. Probably a guy. He pushed back the hair that covered the face to show a scar along the jaw.
"Well if dis is gonna be youse guys fate, lets git movin'."
Racetrack, Mush, Kid Blink, Jake, Snoddy, Snitch and I followed him and Jack outside while the others followed and stood in the doorway. He stood off to one side while we all stood together on the other. I put my fist in hand and cracked my knuckles. From where the guy stood, I saw him cringe. Where had I seen that before?
I looked to Jack and saw him run at the guy. and completely missed him. Seeing that Jack actually missed a person shocked all of us. All at once we lunged at the guy. Within minutes, Mush and Snoddy were on the ground clutching their stomachs. The rest of us circled around the guy. He just stood there though and smirked. We caught one another's eyes and all knew what the other was thinking. In a circle, the guy can't get out.
"One.Two.THREE!"
Jake yelled. Racetrack, Kid Blink, Jack, Jake, Snitch and I all ran at the guy but ended up smacking into one another.
"What the?"
I looked around and saw that the person was nowhere.
"Youse boys are too slow. I'se swear youse slowed down a bit."
We all turned around to see the guy standing on the bench near by. How did he get there?
"I'se learned a thing or two while on da road."
The speech was coming more and more familiar, but why? I looked to Jack and saw that his face was becoming a royal red. This guy was really aggravating and Jack couldn't stand this anymore. Jack ran at the bench, tried to grab the guy's legs but ended up getting a foot in the stomach. As Jack went down, the guy jumped down and looked to us.
"Looks like Jack-be-nimble ain't as nimble as 'e used ta be." Jack-be- nimble! Only one person we knew would call Jack that name: Dodger. I started laughing and looking up, I saw the infamous smirk. All the others looked at me like I was mad so I started saying the rhyme Dodger would say to annoy Jack.
"Jack-be-nimble, Jack-be-quick. Jack CAN'T jump the candlestick. He burned his pants not once but twice and had to sit on a block of ice!"
Mush, Racetrack, Kid Blink and Jack all grew wide-eyed from where I could see. I heard gasps coming from the doorway. Those who had shown up since she disappeared were the ones gasping. They had all been told of her. Jack was the first to walk up to her. They'd always been good friends and I'm sure he was doing what all of us wanted to do, make sure she was really there. As soon as he was close enough, she reached up to her hairline and pulled her hair, which thankfully was a wig. Her black hair fell down and I noticed that she now had red streaks.
"Welcome back Dodge."
"It's good ta being back."
With that, she spat in her hand and stuck out for Jack. Dodger was back. Jack took her hand and pulled her into a hug.
"About time you showed up. Your bunk was starting to get cobwebs all over the place."
"Ya well I'se 'ad some unsettled business to attend to but wit dat behind me, can I go git some shut eye? Walkin' from da station is startin' to hoit." We all walked in with Kid Blink and I trailing behind. I looked to him to see for the first time a genuine smile.
"Glad she's back huh?"
He nodded.
"I knew I was missing something in me but I realize now it is the fact she was my best friend. Now that she's back, I don't like her more as a girlfriend, just as a friend."
We entered the building to see Fastdancer giving Dodger a lecture.
"You could have written you know!"
"Sorta 'ard when youse travelin' every single day. I wasn't able to stay in one place for more den a day. Jonathan and Katherine were too close. I'se finally got dem though. Dey followed me all da way back were I'se from and luckily, an old friend went to da police."
Fastdancer and Dodger headed up the stairs and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one watching them. All of us who had known Dodger before she left were all smiling to having our rock back.
~*~*Later that night~*~*
"Boys, time for bed. The girls will get an extra half hour since they don't need to be told."
We all groaned and packed up poker chips, loose change and the cards. One by one we slowly went up the stairs and as usual I was last since I helped Kloppman close up the house. As I passed the girl's bunkroom, I couldn't hear any noise. I opened the door slowly to see that the lights were all out.
'I wonder if Dodge is up to one of our late night chats?'
Even though Dodger and Kid Blink had gone out, she and I would always have these late night talks about anything and everything. If someone or something was bothering, she'd drag me out to the fire escape and we'd talk. I was the first person that she told that she had been beaten most of her life but she never said who did the deed.
I crept into the room and saw Dodge's sleeping figure facing the window. The moonlight was coming into the room and hit her bunk slightly, illuminating her face. She looked like an angel and I decided now wouldn't be a good time for us to talk. As I turned to leave, she stirred.
"Specs? What are youse doin' in 'ere?"
"I thought maybe a talk was in order. Like our old ones."
She smiled at me and nodded, throwing back the covers. I opened the window across from her and stepped out. Turning around, I took her hand and helped her out. We sat down on the iron and had our feet hang over the edge looking up at the stars. The clouds from the rain earlier had passed and twinkling lights occupied the sky.
"So you're finally free?"
"Yup. Me old neighbor was da poison (person) I went to. 'E used to be da one I went to for bandages and solitude. 'E vouched for everything I said and as soon as Jonathan and Katherine showed up, da bulls put dem away for domestic abuse. Dey tried to fight, but didn't work."
I looked at her and once again noticed the long scar along her chin. Starting an inch from her ear, the scar traced her jaw line and ended below the corner of her lip. I reached out to touch her jaw. She didn't realize what I was doing until I touched her. I felt a shock go through me. I don't know if the fact of seeing her again or maybe new feelings caused the shock. Dodger looked away.
"How?"
"For once, I wasn't able to dodge. I was in Sacramento 'idin' out when Jonathan and Katherine caught up ta me. I'se was sittin' in a restaurant, in a booth none da less when dey showed up and slipped in beside me. Dey told me dat I 'ad caused dem enough trouble and at that, Jonathan slapped me from across da table. 'E and Katherine den pulled me out of da restaurant only to be slapped again by Katherine. She's da one dat put da scar on me face. She 'ad put a family ring on that 'ad sharp edges."
Raged surged through my entire body. I cracked my knuckles and saw her wince.
"I'se always 'ated when youse did dat. Don't worry though. I gave Katherine a marking dat she'll never forget. I ended up trippin' 'er before runnin' off again. She broke 'er wrist fallin' down."
Silence over came us as we looked up at the stars. I took a glance at Dodger to see her try to stifle a yawn. I moved closer to her and without saying a word, she placed her head on my shoulder and I put my arm around her. With her there truly felt like old times. I looked down at her and saw that she had fallen asleep.
"Guess it's time for bed Sky."
I slowly got up, lifted her into my arms and carried her in through the window. Once inside I placed her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
"Night Skybright."
My nickname for her. I crept out of the girl's room and back into mine that I shared with Skittery, Snoddy and Snipeshooter. We had finally convinced Kloppman to build rooms for us.
~*~*A week later~*~*
"Dodger! Come back here with my hat!"
I looked up from one of my books to see Jack chasing after Dodger. She'd been back a week and finally set some disorder in our lives. At least once a day when she's in Manhattan (she moved back to Midtown. Whiz yelled at her for an hour before he let her into the house.), she'll bug Jack, Racetrack and I.
"Jack youse know I'se playin' wit ya. 'Ere is your 'at."
She tossed the hat to him before Jack could get close enough and then ran over to me. We talked a bit about that day's headlines when Kid Blink and Racetrack finally got back from selling. Dodger jumped up and started bouncing around. Kid Blink looked at me.
"She's had coffee hasn't she?"
"Ya. I know I shouldn't give it to her, but she threatened to hide my specs on me."
Both boys shook their heads and laughed. Race said,
"You've got it bad for her buddy."
"No I don't."
"Yes you do. I've seen how you are around her. And believe me, it's not like when she and Kid were going out. You stare at her for a long time until one of us yells at you."
Damn, why did I have to be so transparent? Just then, Dodger ran up to us.
"Guys! Let's 'ead over to Medda's, I'se up for some games. Me got too much energy."
With that, Jack, Race, Kid Blink and I followed the ever energetic Dodger over to Medda's.
~*~*3 hours later~*~*
"Keep that coffee away from her! I do not want to be awake all night like yesterday."
"Aww, poor Fast. Youse know youse wanna stay up. Now, Specs, give me da coffee and youse won't git hurt."
I shook my head.
"You've had too much Dodger. Say good bye to the coffee."
"NO! I'se will rescue me beloved coffee from da wretched Specs." At that, Dodger started to come towards me but Racetrack stopped her in her tracks.
"Dodger, I've got a wager for you. I bet you 3 cups of coffee that you can't kiss Specs here for more than 3 minutes."
"Race. Dat's not fair. 3 more minutes without da coffee will put me into withdrawal!"
I saw Race winking at me, trying to get me to go along. If I was to finally tell Dodger how I feel, now was the time.
"You probably can't even last. Ladies and gents, the infamous Dodger can't last a kiss without coffee."
Laughter filled the room and I looked to Dodger. She still stood firm.
"I'se ain't gonna kiss Specs. I'll jist go to another place for me coffee."
"All other places are closed."
"Fine. I'll just go without the coffee."
Dodger was giving up to easily. Something was up. She never gives up anything, especially her coffee this quickly. Suddenly it hit me. She doesn't want to kiss me because she likes me. She doesn't want her feelings shown in front of everyone.
"I think maybe I should just give her the coffee. Have you guys ever seen her without her coffee? Believe me, not a pretty sight. The temper comes out."
Jack shook his head.
"Specs, you're not backing out are you? C'mon. I dare you to kiss Dodger and Dodger, I dare you to kiss Specs."
Oh boy, he had to use the dare card. Dodger has never passed up a dare in her life, well as long as I've known her. I saw her groan.
"Fine. But I'se betta git me coffee afta dis, or I'se not comin' back 'ere for a LONG time. Oh, ya, can wese at least 'ave privacy."
Before anyone could object, Dodger grabbed me and pulled us out into the hallway. Once we got out there, for once, Dodger didn't have her certainty about her. She kept shuffling around.
"Listen Specs."
Before she could say anything or leave, I leaned in and kissed her right on the lips. It was a deep, passionate one but it wasn't a quick peck. We both stood there, my hands now cupping her face. The kiss was soft and her lips felt the same way, like velvet. I slowly parted from her and looked into her eyes. I was hoping that the bright angry green wouldn't be there and I was lucky it was. Thing was, her eyes had changed to an aqua colour.
Neither of us spoke at first. We just stared at each other. Colour rose in her cheeks and a small smile rose to her face.
"Wow."
She whispered, as if not wanting to ruin the moment. I smiled.
"I've been wanting to do that ever since you came back."
"I'se been wanting youse to do dat since youse carried me to bed two days ago when I fell asleep on the fire escape again."
"Listen, do youse wanna go out for dinner tomorrow night?"
She nodded.
"Oui, si'l vous plait."
I laughed and we went back into the room holding hands. Everyone ooed and awed and Racetrack soon got chased around until he gave Dodger the 3 cups of coffee he owed her.
`@`@`@ End of Flashback `&`&`&
~*~*Kid Blink's POV~*~*
I looked at the two couples. Chatterbox and Spot had their arms around one another as we walked. Dodger and Specs we holding hands. We finally got to the Monroe's.
"I think maybe I should just go in. If Whisper's out of her room, she may run back if she sees you all."
With that Chatterbox disappeared into the house and returned 10 minutes later.
"I got my father's address book. Let's go back to Tibby's, write the letters and send them off today. That way, Michael and Andrew can come sooner."
At that, we headed back to Tibby's, hoping that her friends may be able to help in getting her out and about once more.
A/N and DISCLAIMER: I'd like to thank Ice Renegade, Volcanous, and Raider for their reviews for chapter 14. I'm finally getting over my writer's block for this story so I should have chapter 16 up later this week if my school play doesn't take up too much of my time. Oh ya, I don't own the Newsies or Fastdancer. I do own, all ideas of this story, Whisper, Chatterbox and Aqua.