*Chapter 31*

When Blink broke the kiss, Silver backed up, her heart racing and her mind not doing anything at all as a dozen emotions slammed into her. Blink studied her, hoping he hadn't made a mistake. Silver Fists was completely speechless as she stared into Kid Blink's eyes. What had come over him? Deciding she didn't care what had come over him, Silver came back for more.

"Wow." Blink breathed when Silver had set him free after the second kiss. "Silvah..." He was at a loss for words. The two stuffed their hands in their pockets and trudged back to the Lodging House, keeping their thoughts to themselves for the time being.

*

"What is it?" Bottle Cap sighed, watching Spin's back as she retreated. She was so close to hearing what had happened with Spin and Caps and her infamous brother put a stop to it.

"I know you wanna catch up wit' Spin but we got uddah things ta worry about right now." Spot began, sounding surprisingly caring.

"Is something wrong?" Bottle Cap tucked some hair behind her ear to stop it from blowing carelessly across her face.

"Is somethin' wrong? BC, ev'rything's wrong!" He exclaimed, "Don't you undahstand dat if Ben finds you..." He stopped, looking into her eyes in a way only a brother could. "I don't wanna lose you again, Kate." He finished.

"What can I do? I can't live my life in fear, Spot. If I do that, then he's already won." Bottle Cap explained slowly, talking to herself just as much as she was talking to Spot, "I feel so safe now that I'm with you, I know you'll protect me."

"An' I will." He nodded, "But what if I ain't theah? What if ya all alone?" Katie, for maybe the first time in a very long time, felt that someone really honestly cared about her, loved her. She couldn't help but stare at her "brother," a guy who, until a few days ago, had only existed in her mind, in a movie.

"I'll tell you anything I can, Spot. I'm a fighter, he knows that. He'll keep his distance for a while, I hope." She said, feeling her blood run smooth, as though this were really her life.

"What does 'e look like?"

"That I don't know." She said slowly, hoping that he wouldn't ask why.

"Uh, ya lived wit' him fah yeahs, BC." Spot reminded her, "How can ya not know?"

"I don't know how to explain that...but it is the truth." She looked down, "Maybe someday you'll understand." She added before turning and walking toward the lodging house. Her heart seemed to hurt as she reached the door. If only she could think of what Ben looked like, if only she could assure everyone, and herself, that he wouldn't get her.

"Heya Bottle Cap." A voice came from behind her. "You plannin' on openin' dat door or are ya just havin' a starin' contest wit' it?" She turned to face Popper who, as usual, had popped up behind her.

"Oh, I thought I'd have a glaring contest, actually." She told him seriously, "Gotta practice for when me and Spot get into our next fight."

"Well, how 'bout ya take a breathah an' let your component let me inside?"

"I can arrange that." She nodded thoughtfully, "But only if you tell me where Dibs is."

"You drive a hard bargain, definitely got Conlon blood in ya." He said, feigning a look of thoughtfulness. "Last time I saw, Dibs was down on da docks."

"Congradulations! You're the lucky winner!" Bottle Cap proclaimed as she stepped aside, "Thank you, come again." She added as she headed off to find Dibs and Popper stared at her shaking his head before disapearing into the lodging house.

*

"Wheah you two been?" Dutchy inquired as Kid Blink and Silver Fists entered the lodging house, both looking a bit flushed.

"Races..." Silver said, sounding distant, stealing a glance at Blink before heading up to the girls' bunkroom.

"Uh, yeah dat was odd." Jack said, raising an eyebrow at Blink.

"Yeah, what's up wit' her?" Chipper cocked her head at him. Blink could only smile, the goofy kind of smile that any girl would recognize.

"Oh my goodness! You guys kissed, didn't you?!" Dragonfly exclaimed. Blink flushed a brilliant crimson and studied his feet.

"I oughta get ta bed...I ain't feelin'...noimal." He said quickly, taking the stairs two at a time to escape the embarressment of falling for his best friend.

Silver Fists laid still in her bunk, staring up at the bottom of the top bunk. Her mind whirled as she played the kiss over and over in her mind, a smile set upon her lips. Bottle Cap wouldn't believe this! There she lay, her thoughts swarming, when suddenly a lightbulb switched on and she sat bolt upright, hitting her head.

"Of coise! Why didn't I think of dat b'foah?" She smacked her forehead, jumping out of bed and sliding on her shoes. It was still light out and she had to get to Bottle Cap as soon as possible.