Things in the bunkhouse had quieted down as the boys situated themselves around tables to start poker games. When nearly five minutes had passed without either Specs or Gabe returning, I got curious and headed out the window. Hearing muffled voices from the rooftop, I climbed up the fire escape.

A few Brooklyn newsies stood near the ladder, quietly smoking their cigarettes. They eyed me curiously as I walked passed them toward the corner where I spotted Specs and Gabe.

"Aw, come on, Dutchy." Specs threw his hands in the air, turning his back. "I saw the two of you last night. How can you stand there and tell me that nothin is goin on?"

"Because it's not, Specs. I wouldn't lie to you."

Specs shook his head and walked away from Gabe, headed toward me. When he saw me, he brushed right passed. "I hope that the two of you are happy."

I reached for his hand as he passed, but he yanked it away.

"Specs," I called after him, only to be ignored. I glanced back at Gabe, desperate to find a way to convince Specs to listen.

Gabe nodded and visibly took a breath. "I'm the one that she's been lookin for, Specs."

Specs froze, his back to us. "What?"

"Gabriel Thatcher? Yeah, that's me!"

Specs turned and locked eyes with me, questioning Gabe's statement. All I could do was silently nod.

Suddenly, he seemed to notice the other newsies scattered around the roof. Specs came back with in earshot of myself and Gabe. "So you two aren't."

Gabe laughed lightly, shaking his head. "Nah, she seems to be partial to someone else."

He winked at me with a smile and headed for the fire escape, patting Specs on the shoulder as he passed.

Specs watched him disappear over the side of the building before turning back to face me. "So you found your friend."

I nodded, still unsure how to read Specs' reaction.

He took a few steps closer. "So, is that it? Are you gonna leave us?"

I shook my head. He took a deep breath and closed the rest of the distance between us.

"Good." He slowly raised his hand and ran a finger over my cheek. When he leaned forward, he covered my lips with his. When I finally registered what was happening, I moved my hands to the short hair at the back of his neck. Wrapping his arms tighter around my waist, he pulled me closer, deepening the kiss.

Unfortunately, the other newsies on the rooftop took notice of us and began cheering. Embarrassed, I broke the kiss and rested my head against his chest.

I could feel him chuckle a bit. "Sorry. This isn't how I wanted this to happen."

Laughing slightly, I lifted my head. With a shrug, I gently leaned up and brushed my lips over his. "Come on. Teach me how to play poker."

He raised an eyebrow at me, a crooked grin on his face. "You sure about that?"

Taking his hand, I pulled him toward the fire escape. The Brooklyn newsies watched us curiously before returning to their cigarettes.

"Hey there, beautiful," Race called as we approached the table where Jack, Spot, Race and a few other newsies were playing. "You gonna try your hand a poker?"

Specs pulled out the empty chair beside Jack for me and then knelt beside me.

"Beginner's luck, that's gotta be it," Race exclaimed, throwing down his cards as I collected the winnings from the third hand.

Everyone laughed as Jack began to collect the cards. "That's it. No more help for her, Specs."

Organizing my money and sticking it into my pocket, I stood. "If you boys will excuse me, I am going to get some air."

Specs stood beside me.

"It's ok," I whispered to him. "Stay here and have fun."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be on the roof."

Leaning against the ledge and staring out at the city, I breathed in the cool night air. After a few minutes, I heard someone approaching behind me. Gabe soon appeared, leaning on the ledge beside me.

I glanced over, smiling before turning my attention back to the buildings in front of me. "I just realized how much I missed this city."

"It's good to have you back, Bel."

We stood in silence for a few minutes, both lost in our own thoughts. Eventually he turned, leaning his back against the ledge. "So what are you going to do now?"

I smiled slightly. "I am going to start a free school."

He watched a few of the younger newsies fencing with wooden swords on the other side of the roof. "You'll have plenty of business from around here."

I nodded. "What about you, Gabe? Are you going to be a newsie forever?"

"As long as I can," he replied solemnly.

"And after that?"

He shrugged. "I guess that I'll worry about that when the time comes."

After a few moments of silence, he pushed off the wall. "I think that I'm gonna head back in. You commin?"

I took a deep breath of the autumn air. "I think that I'll stay out here for a few more minutes."

"Suit yourself." He gave me a kiss on the forehead before taking a few steps toward the ladder.

"Gabe?"

He turned back to face me. "Yeah."

"What about the money?"

He quickly scanned the roof. The younger newsies had moved indoors, so we were alone. "I don't want anything to do with that money."

"You can't just-"

"Take it," he cut me off quickly.

"What?"

"Take it," he repeated. "Use it for your school."

He slipped over the side of the building and down the fire escape. After a few minutes, I followed him into the bunkroom.

Specs smiled brightly when he noticed that I had reentered the room. His smile got wider as he made his way through the crowd toward me. Resting his hand on the small of my back, he leaned his face close to mine. "Come on."

I furrowed my brow at him. "What?"

"Let's get out of here."

I smiled. "What about the game?"

He leaned closer, so that he lips were only inches from mine. "I'd rather be with you."

He grabbed my hand and led me toward the door.

"I thought that the park was too dangerous at this time of night," I teased as we made our way toward one of the open fields in the Central Park.

"It is," he affirmed, smiling playfully, "but I'm willing to risk it."

"Is that so?" I walked slowly into his arms, pulling him into a passionate kiss. His lips were still cool from the autumn air their contact sending chills down my spine. His arms came around my waist, pulling tight against his body.

When my head began to spin, I pulled away slightly, turning in his arms. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on my collar bone. "I love you, Bel."

I turned my head, giving him a quick kiss before leaning back into his chest happily.