Disclaimer: I don't own the song "Smile." Don't sue…review! hehe…that rhymed! go me! *happy dance for the ability to rhyme*

Chapter 4

Spot exited Irving Hall and walked around the side to where he had left Aslyn. Queens, he thought to himself, always thinkin' 'dey're bettah 'dan us.

That was when he saw him. He had Aslyn pulled closely to his body with a hand covering her mouth. He was whispering something to her.

Spot approached slowly, creeping through the shadows. He continued until he was behind the stranger and pulled his slingshot out. He aimed and fired. The man that was holding Aslyn, pulled his hand away from her mouth and grasped the back of his head in pain.

He turned on Spot, "You little scoundrel!"

Spot noticed that the man was still clutching Aslyn's hands.

"Let go a' her," Spot said, calmly.

"I can do whatever the hell I please with her," the man said through clenched teeth, "she is my sister."

"Let me go, Matthew," Aslyn pleaded, struggling to break free from her brother's grasp.

"Shut up, you stupid whore," Matthew shouted at her.

"I said, 'let go a' her,'" Spot said, raising his fists.

"Please, Matthew," Aslyn begged again.

Matthew turned and struck her across the cheek. He let go of her wrists and she stumbled backwards. Matthew hit her again, knocking her to her feet and Spot lunged on him. Spot punched Matthew repeatedly and the two men were enthralled into a bloody battle.

After he had thrown a few punches and taken several more, Matthew stood and turned to Aslyn, "You're nothing but a worthless slut befriending this street rat," he said, "Father won't be pleased when he hears of this." He then spit in Spot's direction and stormed away.

"Spot," Aslyn said, rushing to Spot's side, "are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine," he said, wiping blood from his mouth, "but what about you." Spot took Aslyn's wrist in his hand and pulled her sleeve back.

When Matthew had been clutching her wrists the cuts had began to bleed again.

"We need ta' get you back to da' lodging house," Spot said, taking her by the hand.

He escorted her through the lodging house and into his tiny bathroom.

"Here, take a seat," he said, motioning to a small stool next to the sink.

Aslyn did as she was told. And Spot proceeded to clean and bandaged her newly opened cuts.

"Thank you," Aslyn whispered to Spot when he was done. She began to head towards the door, but Spot pulled her back.

"You's welcome," he said, giving her hand a squeeze, "But tell me's somethin'. Why was ya' brother tryin' to hurt ya'?"
"It's most likely because my father is mad about my disappearance and he's sent Matthew out to find me. Matthew must have seen me with you on the docks or selling and followed us to Irving Hall. Matthew probably thinks that if he brings me back father will give him free reign over me. Then he'll be able to do whatever he wants to me," Aslyn replied, slumping to the floor.

"I'm sorry," Spot said, crouching next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and sung softly in her ear,

Smile, though your heart is breaking

Smile, even though it's aching

When there are clouds in the sky

You'll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile, and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through

For you

Aslyn smiled to herself and snuggled into Spot's warm embrace.

"Where'd you learn that song," she asked him.

"Me (*my) mother taught it ta' me. I use ta' sing it ta' me (*my) sister whenever she was depressed," he answered.

"Thank you, Spot," Aslyn said.

"For what?"

"For everything."

Spot smiled and leaned into her. Aslyn returned his smile and met Spot's mouth with her own. His lips were warm and soft against hers and although they did not linger long a surge of joy swept over her body and she smiled.

A/N: please review!