Chapter 6:

It was dark and rainy as five wet figures stopped outside the Brooklyn newsies lodging house.

There was a tiny sniffle. "Daddy, I'm tired... and cold..."

"I know sweetheart, we'll go inside in a minute."

Ann gripped Spot's hand tightly as he led them all down the streets of Brooklyn, towards the lodging house.

A person, who appeared only as a shadow in the dark night, watched their progress through the streets. Thought he'd know enough to stay away, he mused to himself.

Molly shifted Kendra, who was whimpering, from one hip to another. "We nearly there?" she asked.

"Another block or two," Spot answered.

"And they ARE expecting a load of us, right?"

"I hope so."

"Why did we have to come at night?" Andy asked sleepily, dragging his feet along the wet street.

"I'll tell you when you're older. Stop splashing in the puddles."

"I'm not splashin'," he said grumpily and smothered a yawn.

"You're splashing water on your sister."

"No I'm noooot," Andy whined.

"Andy..." Spot growled.

He whimpered and fell silent.

"There it is," Spot finally said. Molly sighed in relief. "Let's go you two," he said, nudging the twins forward.

Sleepily, they dropped his hands and stared blearily at the lodging house. "How come we came here?"

"Because Momma asked us to."

Ann sneezed. "Can we go inside now?"

"Yes. Come on."

They followed him into the building. To his relief, the only ones up were Hades, Rae, and Chris.

Rae flew into his arms, "I was so worried."

He smiled quietly. "We made it here safely. I was careful."

Ann tugged on Rae's skirt. "Momma...I'm tired...and cold...and wet..."

"Aw, Annie..." She took Ann's hand. "Come on, let's get you upstairs and changed."

"You too, Andy," Spot said, shoving the little boy toward the stairs.

"Yessir," he said sleepily, following her.

Molly shifted Kendra from one side to the other as Chris walked over to her. "Hey, Chris," she whispered, ducking her head.

He smiled very faintly. "Hello," he replied quietly. "Do you need any help with her?"

"If you don't mind, she's getting a little heavy."

He took her and carried her across the room. "Got a change of clothes for her?"

"In this bag," she said, following him across the room, carpetbag in hand.

She drew out a little nightgown and headed over to him. "If you could take her jacket, I'll change her," she said.

Chris sat her on the couch and eased off her little jacket.

"Cold," Kendra whimpered and clung to Molly.

"I know, baby girl...let's get you changed..."

She nodded, sniffling, and plopped down on the ottoman, rubbing her nose on her damp sleeve.

"Can you find us a spare blanket, Chris?" Molly asked as she changed Kendra.

"I'll try." And he went off to search for one.

Once in a dry nightgown, Kendra crawled back into Molly's lap and snuggled against her trying to get warm.

Not too long after, Chris returned. "Here you go... It's not very thick, but that's the best they had to spare."

"It's better than nothing," Molly said, wrapping the blanket around the shivering little girl.

"I wanna go asleep," Kendra mumbled drowsily, clutching the blanket tightly.

Molly kissed her forehead. "Then go to sleep, baby. Molly will hold you."

She nodded and closed her eyes. Within seconds, she was very fast asleep.

Molly smiled and held Kendra closer.

After a long moment, Chris decided to pursue a very delicate question. "Are... you going to tell her, when she's older?"

Molly took a deep breath. "Most likely."

"I don't mean to ... you know, upset you when I ask... I hope I don't," he said, looking at her searchingly.

She sighed. "No."

"Are you sure?"

: She slowly nodded.

He looked at the wall next to her head, a bit embarrassed. "Er... well, I'm glad."

A moment later, Rae swept into the room. "You two should be in bed... it's awfully late."

"Where are Kendra and I supposed to sleep?" Molly asked.

"Spot and I are in separate rooms, you can sleep in my room, Chris can sleep in Spot's."

Chris nodded and turned to Molly. "Want me to carry her up the stairs for you?"

"That would be wonderful... my arms could use the rest."

Chris stooped and picked up the little girl.

She squirmed and made a little whimpering noise but, surprisingly, she remained asleep.

"Put Kendra on the pallet on the floor next to Annie and Sam.  You can have the other bed," Rae told Molly.

The girl nodded a bit sleepy herself and followed Chris up the stairs.

Rae stretched out on the couch and closed her eyes.  "You wanna share that couch?" Spot asked, standing near her.

Rae shrugged. "I don't mind. I could fall asleep standing here right now- I'm that tired."

She sat up and let him sit beside her. He put his arm around her shoulder and she slouched against him.

"You know, Rae," he began, but when he looked down, he noticed she had already fallen asleep. He smiled. "It can wait."

He adjusted her so that she was more comfortable and propped his feet up on the ottoman. And then he felt a very firm prodding at the back of his head. "What in the world...?" He craned his head around and was nearly poked in the eye by Hades. "Yes?"

"I just can't believe it... you're really alive."

"Not if you don't quit poking me."

She gave him another firm poke before skirting around the couch to sit in the chair across from him. "So... she let you live..." She whistled low. "Imagine what would happen to her image if people saw you walking around?"

"It would take a mighty blow...but that's not why I'm here..."

"Darn..."

"Sorry..."

She sighed. "I guess it's okay... I can't imagine what she'd do if you DID come here for that... I think I'd have to leave Brooklyn."

"I wouldn't do that, Hades. I saw too many territorial fights when I was here..."

"I know. I have too, you know," she pointed out. "I'm only saying, is all."

"I know. So how have ya been?"

She shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Everyone is FINALLY starting to listen to me a little more. I mean... not that they didn't before, but since you had been the head man around here..."

"They didn't listen to me much either..."

"Yes they did."

He gave her a slight smile. "Everyone but you and Rae..."

"Well, see, we have minds of our own," she said teasingly. "That, and we were the only ones mean enough to soak you back."

He snickered.

"How have you been, Conlon?"

"Doing well...There's never a dull moment around our house."

"It must be like having your own lodging house again... except half the people are under seven."

"That's about it..."

She smiled. "Well, can't say we miss you," she said.

He laughed and then suddenly turned serious. "Can I ask a favor?"

"Depends... whad'ya want?"

"I'm worried about Rae...she's been awful tired lately...help me keep an eye on her?"

After a moment, she shrugged. "All right, but if Rae gets mad about me stalking her or something, I can't promise I'll keep quiet on it."

He nodded. "I guess that the best I can hope for."

"You KNOW it is." And she grinned again.

Spot yawned. "Yeah."

"You should go to bed. I suppose you've had a long day?"

"It's been a long week." He glanced down at Rae. "I hate to disturb her."

"Sleep down here.... wait.. if one of the younger ones sees you...." She shrugged. "You're a man, just carry her up."

He laughed. "Thanks a lot, Hades."

"Not a problem." Then she stood and went up to bed herself.

He carefully lifted Rae into his arms and carried her up the stairs.

Rae opened a sleepy eye and mumbled something before snuggling against him and falling asleep again.

He stopped outside the door to the room she was sharing with the girls and gently shook her. "Wake up for a minute, sweetheart."

"Mmm, mm... what?" she mumbled sleepily.

"You're going to have to walk the rest of the way to your bed."

"Mm..." She yawned and stretched when he sat her down. "All right..." she murmured.

He gave her a gentle kiss. "Good night, baby."

"Goodnight Spot." She returned the kiss and headed into the room she shared with the other girls.

With a sigh he headed down the hall to the room he was sharing with Andy and Chris.

It had been a very long day. Longer than he had thought it would be. Wearily, he closed the door behind him and collapsed onto the bed.