Disclaimer-I don't own it. Get over yourselves!
A/N-Two chapters in one day! Das ist alot des Schreibens!
Spot lifted the limp girl up into the Lodging House with great caution. "Dollar! Get out heah!" He called as he passed Dollar's office. Dollar came out, saw his sister and glared at Spot.
Spot laid Docks carefully on the bunk. He placed a hand on her bloody forehead. "She's got a fever..."
Dollar laughed. "Yeah? Well, I'd like ta know where da hell ya were when dis was goin on?!"
Spot shrugged. "She left before I knew what was happenin. Dollar, ya can soak me latah for dis...or at least try, but now ya gotta be heah for ya sistah! I don't know what dey did ta her!"
Dollar's blue eyes flared. "An' nothin woulda happened had ya been a leadah and watched her!"
A rather fat doctor walking in put the heated argument to a stop. He had a cheery red face and gray beard with a round nose. Spot almost laughed but the blood all over him kept him somber.
"Well, now this young lady certainly has taken a beating has she not?"
Spot could only nod as Docks issued a strained moan of pain. He swallowed. He was going to get it for this one. Dollar was much bigger than he was and he had Luke on his side. They would macerate him and make sure it was painful.
The doctor leaned over Docks and then shook his head. "I need you boys to leave so I can work on her. She'll need clothes when I'm done here."
Dollar grabbed Spot roughly by the arm and practically dragged him out of the room. "Dollar I didn't know what was gonna happen! I didn't even know she left until I ran inta her an' even den I had to go punish who sent her away!"
Spitfire stormed into the room. "Dollar dis is my fault entirely. Don't blame Spot."
Dollar glanced at the girl and gave her a sharp nod. "If she ain't okay Spitfire, me an' youse gonna have some problems..."
Spot's cold eyes snapped onto Dollar. "Touch her an' I'll soak ya," He said coolly. Dollar glared but left the room with the other two.
It took a good four hours to clean Docks up and by the time the doctor was done it was near 3 in the morning. Spot had fallen asleep and his head was resting on Spitfire's shoulder. "Alright, you kids are welcome to come in. She has a fracture in her arm and a concussion. She'll be fine if she wakes up in the next hour so I can check her eyes.
Dollar stood up and made his way into the room. A clean white bandage encircled Docks's blonde hair and a splint was on her left wrist. She was completely covered in bruises and cuts.
Spot looked over Docks. She was most certainly a mess. He sighed. If she didn't wake, Dollar would make him an example to the other boys of what happens when you mess with the McGowen kids. All together there were eight of them. Luke was 28, Dollar was 22, Marietta was 18, Docks was 16, River was 13, Star and her twin sister Sunny were 9, and the youngest was Rain at 3 years. They had parents but every time another baby was born they were sent out on the street to find their siblings. That was just the way things with the McGowens worked. You have a baby and send it to its brothers.
Dollar grabbed Spot roughly by the arm and tossed him into the spare room. He slammed him the wall and got within inches of his face. "Alexander Conlon...what happened ta me sistah?"
Spot let his arms drop from their defensive position. You didn't fight Dollar because if you did, you then had problems with the entire family. "I don't know Dollar. Ask da Delanceys. If I knew who did dat I'd go kill 'em for ya but I don't. Until Docks can tell me who did, I can't do anything but when she does tell me I'll kill 'em. Its as simple as dat."
"It ain't simple Spot. If she don't wake up from da concussion she ain't evah gonna wake up! She'll die!"
Spot nodded and let his head drop. "I'm gonna go lookin' for 'em tomorrow. I'll bring dem back alive so you can toy wit 'em. Awright?"
Dollar threw him to the floor. "You bettah hope Lucas an' River ain't heard about dis yet...dey wouldn't be so nice ta ya."
Luke was definitely not on Spot's list of people to make angry. He was a bigger version of Dollar McGowen; what, with the dark eyes and blonde hair. River was more like his sister in actions but in looks, he was the outcast, His black hair and blue eyes set him off from the rest of the McGowens. Then there was Sunny and Star, who had green eyes and red hair, Marietta who had brown hair and green eyes, and Rain who had blonde hair and blue eyes.
Spot sighed and headed to the spare room where Docks was. He planned on sitting up with her but Spitfire wouldn't have it. She said he had to go to sleep and get rested so he could find who attacked the girl. He gave in to her quite easily; he didn't feel like arguing.
He trudged up to his room, which was separate because he was the leader, and slumped onto the bed, heaving a sigh of relief. He was content until someone knocked on the door. He stumbled over and opened it. Dusty stood, silhouetted in the doorway.
"Hey new goil. How's it rollin'?"
Dusty leaned deftly on the wall and shrugged. "You seemed upset so I'se decided ta check up on ya. Ya awright?"
Spot groaned. "You obviously don't know me. I'm nevah upset. Ya don't need ta check on me."
Dusty seemed surprised by the irritated tone in his voice. "Awright. I can tell ya don't want me heah. Bye." She turned sharply on her heal and left. Spot slammed the door after her. The last thing he needed was some smutty little girl after him.
He laid back down on his bed and closed his eyes. The exhaustion headache was killing him but the sleep that coaxed him away numbed the pain and within minutes he was sleeping.
It seemed to be only moments after that, that Dollar was shaking him awake. "C'mon Spot...presses are rollin'! Get up!" Spot rolled over and off the bunk with a loud smack as he hit the floor.
"Did she wake up?" He asked groggily. ` Dollar glanced at him with a slight grin. "Yeah she did. The Bronx boys jumped her. She didn't say what they did exactly, but she was hysterical. You can try ta talk ta her but I doubt you'll get anything."
"Hey Dollar, I ain't sellin taday. I'm gonna go look for dem boys. Awright?"
"Yeah. Go. I'd take someone wit ya though. Docks can fight so I know one boy didn't do all dat damage." "I'm only gonna take one at a time. Den when dat one spills I'll go find da ones he told me bout." Dollar nodded. "I like da way ya think but I'm tellin' ya ta take a boidie. Someone dat can get outta dere fast if ya in trouble. Ya like me bruddah an' I don't wanna see ya in somethin' ya can't fix. "Fine. I'll take Star an' Sunny. Dey're da fastest goils we got." Dollar thought for a moment. "Take 'em." At that he left Spot in the room alone. Spot pulled his hat and suspenders on and ran upstairs to Docks's room. She was awake and sitting up, talking to Penny. "Hey Docks. How ya feelin'?" He asked softly, sitting next to the bed. She turned toward him and tears stung her eyes. "I've been bettah Spot. But I been worse too." "Why are ya cryin'? Ya weren't cryin' until I came in heah." Behind Docks, Penny was furiously shaking her head as if to tell him not to ask. He gave her a quizzical look and then turned his attention to Docks. "I gotta know what happened ta give 'em what dey deserve." Docks frowned. "Kill 'em. Dats about all ya can do." She reverted her green eyes to her hands, which sat folded in her lap. Spot was shocked at the reaction. Docks was actually the least violent of the McGowens and she had just told him to kill someone. "I don't think I understand ya...why should I kill 'em?" Docks's green eyes were blazing as she looked up at him. "Ya don't wanna know. Go Spot." "I ain't leavin' till ya tell me what happened. I can't kill some of the Bronx's boys for no reason! I gotta know what da hell happened last night!" Docks clenched her teeth. "If I tell ya, ya gonna go crazy! Get outta heah Spot!" Spot stood up. "Ya think because ya bruddah's own da newsies dat you can tell me what ta do! Well, ya can't! I'm ya leadah an' ya answer ta me!" Docks felt the tears roll down her cheeks. "I'm protectin' ya Spot. Now go before I call Luke and Patrick." Spot frowned. Luke and Dollar, Luke and Patrick...the same people. He smashed the door open and tore down the steps. Shots saw him at the door and grabbed his elbow. "Spot? What happened?"
"She won't tell me what happened! She hangs all ovah me but she can't tell me why she got herself soaked last night!" He snapped and pulled his arm away. Shots gaped at him.
"She didn't tell ya? She told Penny, Spitfire, an' me...I guess it is bettah dat ya don't know though. She made us promise not ta tell Luke an' Dollar or any of her family. And you..."
"She made ya promise not ta tell me?! Why is she hidin' from me?! I didn't do nothin ta deserve dis! Did I?"
"Yeah. Ya don't treat her like she treats ya. Ya treat her like a baby an' she ain't no baby Spot, trust me!" Shots regretted his tone when Spot's fist connected with his face.
"Tell me now or get more pain in three seconds den ya will at da end a ya life!"
Shots felt his heartbeat skyrocket. This was not where he wanted to be, at the mercy of the famous Spot Conlon. "Dey soaked her real bad Spot...an'...I can't tell ya Spot, I promised her!"
Spot clenched his teeth and hit the other boy again. "Spill or get more!"
Shots tilted his head and spit blood. "I can't!" He caught Spot's fist before it hit him. "Stop it! I promised her!"
Spot brought his knee up and it struck Shots's stomach with a sickening thump. The oxygen rushed out of the other boy's lungs, leaving him fighting for breath. "Tell me now Shots!" Shots shook his head and groaned as another fist hit his throat, keeping the precious air out of his body.
"What da hell is goin on heah?!" Luke McGowen threw the door open and stepped outside. "SPOT! What did he do?"
Spot was shaking with fury and dropped Shots's battered form to the ground. "Held important information from his leadah!"
"What important information is important enough ta soak ya own best fighta?"
"Information bout an enemy borough...the Bronx ta be exact!" Spot hissed the words through clenched teeth and glowered at Shots, who lay motionless on the ground. Luke lifted the beaten boy off the ground and to his feet.
Shots knew well that Spot could work Luke McGowen to his advantage. He nearly groaned when Luke lifted him up and stood him on his feet.
Luke gazed at Shots and asked, "Are ya ready ta tell ya leadah what ya know?" A crowd had formed around the fight and was now hushed.
Shots grimaced. "I can't...I promised someone I wouldn't...a Brooklyn goil dat I wouldn't...I'm sorry."
Luke sighed. "Take him Spot. Do what ya want, he's your boy." And with that, he walked inside.
Spot seized Shots by the arms and threw him to the ground, giving him a quick kick in the abdomen before punching him in the mouth. "Tell me!" Shots shook his head. He couldn't take much more of this. He'd be forced to hit back soon and he knew that's what Conlon wanted.
Spot picked him up and slammed his body off the side of the building. Blood ran in a thick stream down Shots's face. "I'd tell ya Spot I would but I promised her! Stop it!"
Spot brought him to the ground again, and pulled out his cane. "I'm gonna start wit dis if ya don't tell me now Shots! Spill!" Shots broke at that exact moment. He had seen other boys die at the mercy of that cane and he wasn't about to join those ranks. He pushed Spot backward and stood up.
"I ain't gonna let ya! I made a promise ta a McGowen an' dey can do a lot worse den you!"
Spot swung the cane with full force, connecting with Shots's side. The crack rang through the crowd and Shots went down on all fours, coughing blood into his hands.
Spitfire opened the door in time to see him fall. "SPOT!" She screamed and fell to her knees beside Shots. "What did ya do dis for?! He didn't hurt no one!" She gently turned Shots over onto his back and examined the damage. "If ya wanted ta soak someone, go soak da creeps dat hurt Docks, not him!" She cried.
Spot dropped the cane. "Tell me what dey did!"
"No. I promised I wouldn't...don't tell me dat's why beat on him. Because ya wanted ta know what dey did! Ya bastard! Ya coulda killed him!" She stood up and grabbed the closest newsboy, which happened to be River McGowen. "River, go get Luke and Patrick! Tell him we got anuddah injury. NOW!" River nodded and ran inside, but not without fixing Spot with a piercing blue gaze first.
Shots coughed and rolled over. "I'm okay, really Kendra I am."
"You ain't looked at yaself lately have ya?" Star asked, stepping forward and ripping the hem of her skirt. She then wrapped it around the bleeding cut on his side. Glancing at Spot she said, "My bruddah's are gonna kill ya for dis one."
Luke and Dollar were outside in minutes. "What da ya...what da hell happened heah?!" Dollar asked, lifting the bloody newsie off the ground and taking him inside. Spot, Spitfire, and Star followed.
Luke stopped his sister. "No Julietta," He whispered, using Star's birth name. Star nodded and left, not wanting a confrontation with her oldest brother.
Dollar set Shots on a bunk. "Alexander, ya dead!" He grabbed Spot and threw him to the ground, kicking him in the side. Spot stood shakily and nodded.
"Patrick, not now. Help me heah!" Luke snapped. "And you, Alex...go see if Docks is okay. She still won't tell me what happened. Someone soaked her but when and how I dunno."
Spot walked hurriedly out of the room to Docks, where he met Spitfire. She was telling the hurt girl what he had done.
"So he does care about me..." Docks said softly. "But he shouldn't a' done dat... especially ta ya boyfriend!" Then she looked up and saw him. "I hear ya soaked Shots ta see what happened ta me? If ya wanted ta know dat bad den ya shoulda asked. I don't want ya hoitin innocent people!"
Spot sat down. "I know, but I can't let whoever did dis get away wit less den dey deserve. What happened? Please Reilly? Tell me?"
Docks shrugged. "Dey got me in an alley, soaked me, an'...other things..."
Spot gave her a perplexed look. "Uddah things? What kinda things?"
Docks's eyes again reverted to her hands. She then glanced at Spitfire as if pleading for her to tell him. Spitfire nodded. "C'mon Alex. I'll tell ya out heah." She led him out of the room and into the hall, shutting the door.
Spot crossed his arms. "What is it?"
"Youse was more right den ya know when ya said dere were guys out dat wouldn't think twice 'bout tossin her in an alley an' rapin her...because dat's what happened...dey raped her."
Spot's eyes widened and he pushed the door open, pulling Docks into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry I even asked ya tell me dat Reilly! I wouldn't a done it if I'd known!"
She nodded but hugged him back. "I know ya wouldn't have. Dat's why I didn't wanna tell ya. You owe Shots big time."
"I know but I owe a few Bronx boys dere death sentence huh?"
She smiled. "Yeah I guess..."
He frowned. "Anything I can do ta make ya feel bettah?"
'Hell yeah!' She thought to herself. 'You can stop sleepin wit ya whores an' drinkin' like me faddah!' "You can gimme a kiss?"
He smiled. "Course I will!" He leaned in and caught her mouth. "Better?"
She laughed softly. "A little. Get outta heah before Patrick comes in!" She pushed him away and he left.
A/N-Another chapter! Go me! Thanks to all of you guys that actually review this! I love you all! Mwahahaha!
Spot lifted the limp girl up into the Lodging House with great caution. "Dollar! Get out heah!" He called as he passed Dollar's office. Dollar came out, saw his sister and glared at Spot.
Spot laid Docks carefully on the bunk. He placed a hand on her bloody forehead. "She's got a fever..."
Dollar laughed. "Yeah? Well, I'd like ta know where da hell ya were when dis was goin on?!"
Spot shrugged. "She left before I knew what was happenin. Dollar, ya can soak me latah for dis...or at least try, but now ya gotta be heah for ya sistah! I don't know what dey did ta her!"
Dollar's blue eyes flared. "An' nothin woulda happened had ya been a leadah and watched her!"
A rather fat doctor walking in put the heated argument to a stop. He had a cheery red face and gray beard with a round nose. Spot almost laughed but the blood all over him kept him somber.
"Well, now this young lady certainly has taken a beating has she not?"
Spot could only nod as Docks issued a strained moan of pain. He swallowed. He was going to get it for this one. Dollar was much bigger than he was and he had Luke on his side. They would macerate him and make sure it was painful.
The doctor leaned over Docks and then shook his head. "I need you boys to leave so I can work on her. She'll need clothes when I'm done here."
Dollar grabbed Spot roughly by the arm and practically dragged him out of the room. "Dollar I didn't know what was gonna happen! I didn't even know she left until I ran inta her an' even den I had to go punish who sent her away!"
Spitfire stormed into the room. "Dollar dis is my fault entirely. Don't blame Spot."
Dollar glanced at the girl and gave her a sharp nod. "If she ain't okay Spitfire, me an' youse gonna have some problems..."
Spot's cold eyes snapped onto Dollar. "Touch her an' I'll soak ya," He said coolly. Dollar glared but left the room with the other two.
It took a good four hours to clean Docks up and by the time the doctor was done it was near 3 in the morning. Spot had fallen asleep and his head was resting on Spitfire's shoulder. "Alright, you kids are welcome to come in. She has a fracture in her arm and a concussion. She'll be fine if she wakes up in the next hour so I can check her eyes.
Dollar stood up and made his way into the room. A clean white bandage encircled Docks's blonde hair and a splint was on her left wrist. She was completely covered in bruises and cuts.
Spot looked over Docks. She was most certainly a mess. He sighed. If she didn't wake, Dollar would make him an example to the other boys of what happens when you mess with the McGowen kids. All together there were eight of them. Luke was 28, Dollar was 22, Marietta was 18, Docks was 16, River was 13, Star and her twin sister Sunny were 9, and the youngest was Rain at 3 years. They had parents but every time another baby was born they were sent out on the street to find their siblings. That was just the way things with the McGowens worked. You have a baby and send it to its brothers.
Dollar grabbed Spot roughly by the arm and tossed him into the spare room. He slammed him the wall and got within inches of his face. "Alexander Conlon...what happened ta me sistah?"
Spot let his arms drop from their defensive position. You didn't fight Dollar because if you did, you then had problems with the entire family. "I don't know Dollar. Ask da Delanceys. If I knew who did dat I'd go kill 'em for ya but I don't. Until Docks can tell me who did, I can't do anything but when she does tell me I'll kill 'em. Its as simple as dat."
"It ain't simple Spot. If she don't wake up from da concussion she ain't evah gonna wake up! She'll die!"
Spot nodded and let his head drop. "I'm gonna go lookin' for 'em tomorrow. I'll bring dem back alive so you can toy wit 'em. Awright?"
Dollar threw him to the floor. "You bettah hope Lucas an' River ain't heard about dis yet...dey wouldn't be so nice ta ya."
Luke was definitely not on Spot's list of people to make angry. He was a bigger version of Dollar McGowen; what, with the dark eyes and blonde hair. River was more like his sister in actions but in looks, he was the outcast, His black hair and blue eyes set him off from the rest of the McGowens. Then there was Sunny and Star, who had green eyes and red hair, Marietta who had brown hair and green eyes, and Rain who had blonde hair and blue eyes.
Spot sighed and headed to the spare room where Docks was. He planned on sitting up with her but Spitfire wouldn't have it. She said he had to go to sleep and get rested so he could find who attacked the girl. He gave in to her quite easily; he didn't feel like arguing.
He trudged up to his room, which was separate because he was the leader, and slumped onto the bed, heaving a sigh of relief. He was content until someone knocked on the door. He stumbled over and opened it. Dusty stood, silhouetted in the doorway.
"Hey new goil. How's it rollin'?"
Dusty leaned deftly on the wall and shrugged. "You seemed upset so I'se decided ta check up on ya. Ya awright?"
Spot groaned. "You obviously don't know me. I'm nevah upset. Ya don't need ta check on me."
Dusty seemed surprised by the irritated tone in his voice. "Awright. I can tell ya don't want me heah. Bye." She turned sharply on her heal and left. Spot slammed the door after her. The last thing he needed was some smutty little girl after him.
He laid back down on his bed and closed his eyes. The exhaustion headache was killing him but the sleep that coaxed him away numbed the pain and within minutes he was sleeping.
It seemed to be only moments after that, that Dollar was shaking him awake. "C'mon Spot...presses are rollin'! Get up!" Spot rolled over and off the bunk with a loud smack as he hit the floor.
"Did she wake up?" He asked groggily. ` Dollar glanced at him with a slight grin. "Yeah she did. The Bronx boys jumped her. She didn't say what they did exactly, but she was hysterical. You can try ta talk ta her but I doubt you'll get anything."
"Hey Dollar, I ain't sellin taday. I'm gonna go look for dem boys. Awright?"
"Yeah. Go. I'd take someone wit ya though. Docks can fight so I know one boy didn't do all dat damage." "I'm only gonna take one at a time. Den when dat one spills I'll go find da ones he told me bout." Dollar nodded. "I like da way ya think but I'm tellin' ya ta take a boidie. Someone dat can get outta dere fast if ya in trouble. Ya like me bruddah an' I don't wanna see ya in somethin' ya can't fix. "Fine. I'll take Star an' Sunny. Dey're da fastest goils we got." Dollar thought for a moment. "Take 'em." At that he left Spot in the room alone. Spot pulled his hat and suspenders on and ran upstairs to Docks's room. She was awake and sitting up, talking to Penny. "Hey Docks. How ya feelin'?" He asked softly, sitting next to the bed. She turned toward him and tears stung her eyes. "I've been bettah Spot. But I been worse too." "Why are ya cryin'? Ya weren't cryin' until I came in heah." Behind Docks, Penny was furiously shaking her head as if to tell him not to ask. He gave her a quizzical look and then turned his attention to Docks. "I gotta know what happened ta give 'em what dey deserve." Docks frowned. "Kill 'em. Dats about all ya can do." She reverted her green eyes to her hands, which sat folded in her lap. Spot was shocked at the reaction. Docks was actually the least violent of the McGowens and she had just told him to kill someone. "I don't think I understand ya...why should I kill 'em?" Docks's green eyes were blazing as she looked up at him. "Ya don't wanna know. Go Spot." "I ain't leavin' till ya tell me what happened. I can't kill some of the Bronx's boys for no reason! I gotta know what da hell happened last night!" Docks clenched her teeth. "If I tell ya, ya gonna go crazy! Get outta heah Spot!" Spot stood up. "Ya think because ya bruddah's own da newsies dat you can tell me what ta do! Well, ya can't! I'm ya leadah an' ya answer ta me!" Docks felt the tears roll down her cheeks. "I'm protectin' ya Spot. Now go before I call Luke and Patrick." Spot frowned. Luke and Dollar, Luke and Patrick...the same people. He smashed the door open and tore down the steps. Shots saw him at the door and grabbed his elbow. "Spot? What happened?"
"She won't tell me what happened! She hangs all ovah me but she can't tell me why she got herself soaked last night!" He snapped and pulled his arm away. Shots gaped at him.
"She didn't tell ya? She told Penny, Spitfire, an' me...I guess it is bettah dat ya don't know though. She made us promise not ta tell Luke an' Dollar or any of her family. And you..."
"She made ya promise not ta tell me?! Why is she hidin' from me?! I didn't do nothin ta deserve dis! Did I?"
"Yeah. Ya don't treat her like she treats ya. Ya treat her like a baby an' she ain't no baby Spot, trust me!" Shots regretted his tone when Spot's fist connected with his face.
"Tell me now or get more pain in three seconds den ya will at da end a ya life!"
Shots felt his heartbeat skyrocket. This was not where he wanted to be, at the mercy of the famous Spot Conlon. "Dey soaked her real bad Spot...an'...I can't tell ya Spot, I promised her!"
Spot clenched his teeth and hit the other boy again. "Spill or get more!"
Shots tilted his head and spit blood. "I can't!" He caught Spot's fist before it hit him. "Stop it! I promised her!"
Spot brought his knee up and it struck Shots's stomach with a sickening thump. The oxygen rushed out of the other boy's lungs, leaving him fighting for breath. "Tell me now Shots!" Shots shook his head and groaned as another fist hit his throat, keeping the precious air out of his body.
"What da hell is goin on heah?!" Luke McGowen threw the door open and stepped outside. "SPOT! What did he do?"
Spot was shaking with fury and dropped Shots's battered form to the ground. "Held important information from his leadah!"
"What important information is important enough ta soak ya own best fighta?"
"Information bout an enemy borough...the Bronx ta be exact!" Spot hissed the words through clenched teeth and glowered at Shots, who lay motionless on the ground. Luke lifted the beaten boy off the ground and to his feet.
Shots knew well that Spot could work Luke McGowen to his advantage. He nearly groaned when Luke lifted him up and stood him on his feet.
Luke gazed at Shots and asked, "Are ya ready ta tell ya leadah what ya know?" A crowd had formed around the fight and was now hushed.
Shots grimaced. "I can't...I promised someone I wouldn't...a Brooklyn goil dat I wouldn't...I'm sorry."
Luke sighed. "Take him Spot. Do what ya want, he's your boy." And with that, he walked inside.
Spot seized Shots by the arms and threw him to the ground, giving him a quick kick in the abdomen before punching him in the mouth. "Tell me!" Shots shook his head. He couldn't take much more of this. He'd be forced to hit back soon and he knew that's what Conlon wanted.
Spot picked him up and slammed his body off the side of the building. Blood ran in a thick stream down Shots's face. "I'd tell ya Spot I would but I promised her! Stop it!"
Spot brought him to the ground again, and pulled out his cane. "I'm gonna start wit dis if ya don't tell me now Shots! Spill!" Shots broke at that exact moment. He had seen other boys die at the mercy of that cane and he wasn't about to join those ranks. He pushed Spot backward and stood up.
"I ain't gonna let ya! I made a promise ta a McGowen an' dey can do a lot worse den you!"
Spot swung the cane with full force, connecting with Shots's side. The crack rang through the crowd and Shots went down on all fours, coughing blood into his hands.
Spitfire opened the door in time to see him fall. "SPOT!" She screamed and fell to her knees beside Shots. "What did ya do dis for?! He didn't hurt no one!" She gently turned Shots over onto his back and examined the damage. "If ya wanted ta soak someone, go soak da creeps dat hurt Docks, not him!" She cried.
Spot dropped the cane. "Tell me what dey did!"
"No. I promised I wouldn't...don't tell me dat's why beat on him. Because ya wanted ta know what dey did! Ya bastard! Ya coulda killed him!" She stood up and grabbed the closest newsboy, which happened to be River McGowen. "River, go get Luke and Patrick! Tell him we got anuddah injury. NOW!" River nodded and ran inside, but not without fixing Spot with a piercing blue gaze first.
Shots coughed and rolled over. "I'm okay, really Kendra I am."
"You ain't looked at yaself lately have ya?" Star asked, stepping forward and ripping the hem of her skirt. She then wrapped it around the bleeding cut on his side. Glancing at Spot she said, "My bruddah's are gonna kill ya for dis one."
Luke and Dollar were outside in minutes. "What da ya...what da hell happened heah?!" Dollar asked, lifting the bloody newsie off the ground and taking him inside. Spot, Spitfire, and Star followed.
Luke stopped his sister. "No Julietta," He whispered, using Star's birth name. Star nodded and left, not wanting a confrontation with her oldest brother.
Dollar set Shots on a bunk. "Alexander, ya dead!" He grabbed Spot and threw him to the ground, kicking him in the side. Spot stood shakily and nodded.
"Patrick, not now. Help me heah!" Luke snapped. "And you, Alex...go see if Docks is okay. She still won't tell me what happened. Someone soaked her but when and how I dunno."
Spot walked hurriedly out of the room to Docks, where he met Spitfire. She was telling the hurt girl what he had done.
"So he does care about me..." Docks said softly. "But he shouldn't a' done dat... especially ta ya boyfriend!" Then she looked up and saw him. "I hear ya soaked Shots ta see what happened ta me? If ya wanted ta know dat bad den ya shoulda asked. I don't want ya hoitin innocent people!"
Spot sat down. "I know, but I can't let whoever did dis get away wit less den dey deserve. What happened? Please Reilly? Tell me?"
Docks shrugged. "Dey got me in an alley, soaked me, an'...other things..."
Spot gave her a perplexed look. "Uddah things? What kinda things?"
Docks's eyes again reverted to her hands. She then glanced at Spitfire as if pleading for her to tell him. Spitfire nodded. "C'mon Alex. I'll tell ya out heah." She led him out of the room and into the hall, shutting the door.
Spot crossed his arms. "What is it?"
"Youse was more right den ya know when ya said dere were guys out dat wouldn't think twice 'bout tossin her in an alley an' rapin her...because dat's what happened...dey raped her."
Spot's eyes widened and he pushed the door open, pulling Docks into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry I even asked ya tell me dat Reilly! I wouldn't a done it if I'd known!"
She nodded but hugged him back. "I know ya wouldn't have. Dat's why I didn't wanna tell ya. You owe Shots big time."
"I know but I owe a few Bronx boys dere death sentence huh?"
She smiled. "Yeah I guess..."
He frowned. "Anything I can do ta make ya feel bettah?"
'Hell yeah!' She thought to herself. 'You can stop sleepin wit ya whores an' drinkin' like me faddah!' "You can gimme a kiss?"
He smiled. "Course I will!" He leaned in and caught her mouth. "Better?"
She laughed softly. "A little. Get outta heah before Patrick comes in!" She pushed him away and he left.
A/N-Another chapter! Go me! Thanks to all of you guys that actually review this! I love you all! Mwahahaha!