A/N: No shout-outs today *tear*. Please review.

Chapter 5

Spot pulled away from Aslyn and looked at her. She's so beautiful, he thought to himself. Spot kissed Aslyn again lightly. Then he stood and helped her to her feet.

"We's should be getting' ta' sleep so we's can get up early in da' mornin' ta' sell," Spot said as he and Aslyn entered his bedroom.

Aslyn nodded in return, and began to leave the room.

"Where ya' goin'? Spot asked her.

"To the bunkroom to get some sleep," Aslyn answered.

"Why don't ya' stay wid' me tonight?" he asked, caressing her cheek with his callused hand.

Aslyn took his hand in her own and nodded, "Let me get my things."

When she returned to Spot's room Aslyn was in her nightgown, and she quietly slipped into the bed next to Spot. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. She smiled, and he snuggled his face into the crook of neck and kissed her soft skin lightly.

"Spot," Aslyn whispered.

"Hm?"

"I'm glad you saved me."

Spot smiled and sang softly,

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use in crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you'll just smile

Aslyn smiled into the darkness and succumbed to the sleep that surrounded her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Mornin' sunshine," Spot said when Aslyn awoke.

"Morning," she replied, yawning.

Spot was already up and ready for the day, so Aslyn climbed out of bed and got ready as well. They left the lodging house and headed to the distribution office. They were both silent during their walk and when they got their papers. Each one of them was in their own world thinking of the night before. Spot kissed me, Aslyn thought to herself, he actually kissed me. He's been so good to me these past few days. I never want to leave him, but what if Matthew comes looking for me again. Aslyn's fear consumed her mind for the remainder of the walk. Spot was having the same thoughts. She's beautiful, he contemplated, I don't want ta' lose her to her family. She doesn't deserve ta' be treated like 'dat. He smiled at the thought of kissing her. Her lips were so warm and soft, he thought to himself, letting his fear of her family drift away from him, I want ta'—no, I need ta' kiss her again.

Once Spot and Aslyn had gotten their daily papers, they headed out into the streets of Brooklyn to sell. Aslyn still wasn't very good, but she was learning and improving. Spot, on the other hand, sold his papers quickly and easily, then he began to help Aslyn sell hers.

"'Danks for helpin' me sell," Aslyn said to Spot, using her Brooklyn accent when others were around.

"No problem," Spot said, "Ya' hungry?"

"A little."

"Come on," Spot said, taking Aslyn's hand, "Let's get somethin' ta' eat."

Spot and Aslyn bought lunch from a small, inexpensive diner and then headed to the docks. Once there, they sat on some old crates, secluded from the other newsies, and ate.

"Didya' have fun at Medda's party last night?" Spot asked Aslyn.

"Uh-huh. I enjoyed it," she replied, "Except for Matthew comin' and all."

Spot nodded, and took the last bite of his lunch. "Ya' wanna' go swimmin'?" he asked Aslyn when he noticed that she had finished eating.

She shook her head no, and Spot looked at her for a moment. "Why not?" he asked?"

"I can't swim," Aslyn sighed.

"Whaddya mean ya' can't swim?" Spot asked, shocked, "Everyone can swim!"

"Not me," Aslyn sighed again.

"Well, I'll teach ya'," Spot said, grabbing her hand, "Come on."

"Ya' really don't have ta', Spot," Aslyn said, pulling her hand away.

"Listen, if you's gonna' be a Brooklyn newsie then you's gonna' have ta' learn how ta' swim," Spot said, pulling her toward the edge of the dock.

Aslyn sighed once more, "Alright, alright. You can teach me how ta' swim."

"First lesson," Spot said, looking at her, "always swim with someone ya' trust." Upon saying that, he pushed her off the edge of the dock and into the cold water below.

A/N: *dun dun dun!* I love cliff hangers. If you like this story, please review. Even if you don't like this story, just review and say that you do like it. lol. Thank you.