Chapter 18…………… Finally………………Sorry about the wait, writer's block for months................................................................

"I'se tried to be da poifect liddle angel dey wanted me ta be," Storm said when she finished her tale.

"You'se paid for a lot o' things ya didn't do," Spot said as they crossed the Bridge.

"Nah," she stopped and looked him square in the eye. "I'se paid for being borne."

"Storm, it ain't youse fault dat dey did dat ta ya," Spot said softly.

"Den who's fault is it? Huh? I'se got hit fer bein' wrong! I'se always wrong! Dat's all dey'd say ta me!" she said angrily. "Ain't no one eva tol' me dat I'se right, cuz I ain't."

"Storm," Spot said still calm and gentle.

"Ya know, it'd be bettah if youse was mad at me," she whispered harshly. "I'se bringin' all sorts o' hell down on New York and da newsies."

"We'se gonna handle dat when it comes," he replied as they stood in front of the LH. "Fer now, let's jist turn in."

"Al'ight," Storm said quietly and defeatedly. She turned and looked at Spot and a small smile crossed her lips. "I owe ya, Conlon."

"Yeah," he replied smiling too.

As Storm headed into the LH she stopped and turned. Reaching in her pocket she drew out a small package and a leather bag.

"Happy Boithday," she said as she tossed the items to Spot. Giving him one last smile, Storm walked into the LH and up the stairs to her room.

##################################LH Manhattan##########################

"She came by tanight," Race whispered as he got ready for bed.

"Did she even notice dat I'se wasn't dere?" Mush asked quietly.

"Yeah, she did," Blink said. "She left not long afta she got dere."

"Wid who?" Mush asked. No one answered him. "I'se ain't stupid! I know she left wid sumbody! Who was it!!?"

"Not dat it mattas ta youse," Skittery said hotly, "but she left wid Conlon."

"Conlon? Why?" Mush asked. "She neva liked the cocky type."

"Maybe, 'cause youse pushed her away," Blink growled, throwing his hat down on his bed. "Youse really toined things against yaself."

"So, she's in Brooklyn?" Mush asked quietly. "Alone with Conlon?"

"Why do youse care so much?" Jack spat suddenly. Everyone jumped back from the angry cowboy. "Youse da one dat tol' 'er ta leave! Youse da jackass dat forced 'er outta Manhattan!! It's youse own fault!!"

"Jack," Race whispered. "Calm down, Cowboy."

"Da hell I'se gonna calm down!!" Jack yelled. He went to his bunk and grabbed his discarded hat. "I'se goin' ta Brooklyn ta see 'er."

He started out if the room and then stopped. Turning swiftly to Mush, he added,

"And by da way, Conlon's replaced ya in 'er eyes."

Then the cowboy was gone, and Mush was left with his mouth hanging wide open.

####################Brooklyn LH#################################

Storm had woken up to the sound of someone banging on the LH door. Remembering her dream from the night before, panic quickly over took her. Looking out the window that occupied one side of the room she and Magic shared, Storm realized that it was still night and that Magic wasn't in bed.

"What da hell's goin' on?" she whispered as she climbed out of bed.

Walking across the hall, she banged on Spot's door. After knocking and kicking for about three minutes, Storm gave up and started shouting through the door.

"Conlon," she hollered.

"Wha?" a sleepy voice called through the door.

"Dere's someone at da door," she said.

"So answa it," he called back.

"Conlon," she whined.

The door swung open to show a shirtless Brooklynite leader grumbling to himself as Storm stood in his doorway.

"Ya happy now?" he asked angrily. "I'se awake."

"Stop whinin' Conlon, an' go answa da door," Storm said as she turned back to her room.

"Why do I'se gotta do every ting 'round 'ere?" Spot asked himself as he started down the stairs.

"'Cause youse da leadah, dat's why," Storm called down to him as she shut her door.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," Spot muttered as he reached the door. He undid the four locks on the heavy wooden door and swung it wide open. "Kelly?"

"Heya Spot," Jack said smiling a fake and exhausted smile.

"C'mon in," Spot said as he stepped back. Jack walked in and listened as Spot shut and locked the door behind him.

"You'se newsies gonna have one helluva time tryin' ta get in dat door," Jack said nodding towards the locks.

"Nah, dey all climb up da fire 'scape ta get in," Spot said. "Now ya wanna tell me what youse doin' in Brooklyn at..." Spot stopped to look at the grandfather clock in the lobby of the LH… "One in da morin'?"

"I'se wanted ta see Storm," Jack said. "She awake?"

"Yeah," Spot said shaking his head slightly, a confused look coming into his eyes. "Why didja walk all da 'ere ta see 'er when we'se was in Manhattan two hours ago?"

"Conlon-" Jack started but a creak on the stairs silenced him.

"Jack?" Storm asked as she came down the steps dressed in only an oversized, knee length, white button up shirt.

"Storm, put some clothes on," Spot said glaring at the girl as she stopped in front of the two boys.

Completely ignoring Spot, Storm stared at Jack, questions written in her eyes.

"What did 'e say?" she asked.

"Anna, I'se don't t'ink 'e needs ta 'ear dis," Jack whispered jerking his head in Spot's direction.

"Alright," Storm said. Reaching forward, she grabbed Jack's hand and pulled him up the stairs with her.

"Storm!" Spot called as they reached the second landing where his bedroom and Storm and Magic's room was located.

"What Conlon?" Storm said whirling around on him.

"Where doya t'ink youse takin' him?" Conlon asked his cool, leader demeanor firmly in place.

"Jack wait in dere," Storm said softly, pointing to her room. Jack k nodded and opened the door and walked in. Giving Storm a half smile, he then shut the door behind him.

"Storm-" Spot started.

"No, Conlon," she said. "Dere's something dat I'se haven't tol' ya, yet. Jack knows. He knows e'eryt'ing. I'se been writin' ta 'im since I'se left."

"Why didn't ya tell me? Why didja let me t'ink-"

"T'ink what, Spot?" Storm asked gently, taking a step closer to the boy.

"Dat I'se was important ta ya?" he finished almost inaudibly.

"Spot," Storm whispered smiling. She reached up and brushed the sandy hair away that had fallen in his eyes. "Youse are important ta me. Youse me savior, me leadah."

"Dat's all I'se is?" he asked closing the space between them. "Jist youse leadah?"

"Spot-" Storm but stopped when he wrapped and arm around her waist. He leaned down slowly, praying that this time no would interrupt them.

"Yeah?" he asked as he hovered over her lips.

"Kiss me damnit," she said and jerked his head down, forcing his lips on hers.

How's that? Good?

Good suggestions welcome. ANd i will start working on the next chapter tomorrow. Promise.

luv ya

Ldy Fox