((bounds out in a cheerleading outfit)) Yay for me! I'm starting another story! And this one is dedicated to one of my first newsie pals, Perch! It was gonna be just a one shot, but it was getting to long, so I decided to put it in chapter form. It will be short but lots of sweet things will happen in it! Ok, enough about the story! Let's get to it! I know that Perch is dying to read it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Spot or Perch. I own Jockey, Rickets, and Pins.

((bows)) Now, onto the fic!

Spot: Bout time!

((throws pompom at him)) shut up! Just cause I write about you in this, doesn't mean that I gotta like you any more then I do! So, watch it!

Chapter One

Pale lamp light shone down on the black streets and alleyways of Brooklyn. The light was neither warm nor inviting to the strangers who trudged by plowing through the deep snowdrifts that covered the streets. A sharp wind howled angrily through the nearly deserted streets and banged against the closed shutters with hard fists. It taunted the poor fools outside on such a night and danced slow circles around them while sticking cold fingers right through their thick clothes to their bones. It laughed with evil gaiety when its victims shuttered at the chill and tried to block it's icy breath.

Soon, all late home-comers left the streets and entered their warm homes, met by loved ones' welcoming embrace. The wind ran through the streets complaining at the closed doors and windows that not a soul was there for it to lease and torment. Then, a soft, lone footfall could be heard crunching down the hard packed street. With a screeching whoop, the bully turned and headed straight for the lone figure on the street. The feisty wind hit the bowed form full force knocking the unfortunate person into an alley wall.

The figure leaned against the cold brick trying to catch its breath that was stolen by the chilly wind. The heaving shadow moved farther into the safety of the alley, much to the wind's dismay. The pale glow from a small window chased away the shadows surrounding the figure revealing a beautiful girl.

She looked about seventeen. She had long, stick straight black hair that fell to her waist and was held back from her face by a dark blue ribbon. Her stormy blue-green eyes shone with a soft, sad light. She stood dejectedly against the wall, hugging her worn wool coat close about her body in an attempt for added warmth. A soft sigh escaped her shivering lips as cold and sleep over took her frozen body and forced her to the ground. Behind a crate and several boxes, she curled into a tight ball, tucking her head deep between the folds of her coat. With a small sigh and a shudder, she fell into a cold, restless sleep as the wind howled about her.

Spot trudged darkly through the falling snow and piercing wind. He was in a bad mood, and the weather wasn't doing anything to improve it. He gave a startled yelp as his feet hit a slick patch of ice and flew out from under him. His breath burst through his clenched teeth as his back connected with the icy street with a sharp crack.

With a pained groan, Spot rolled onto his side and lay there willing his breath to return and the wintry night to stop spinning. His lungs finally filled with sweet, cold air which helped to still the dizzy world. With another groan, he pushed himself onto his hands and knees and then slowly rose unsteadily to his feet.

"Stupid pokah game had ta be in Queens! It jist had ta be on da uddah side o' New Yawk!"

He pulled his cap farther down over his ears and wrapped his coat more tightly around his shivering body. Still grumbling, he turned down a near by alley and hurriedly crunched down it. In the semi-darkness, Spot tripped over an unseen object and was once again kissing the cobbled street.

He swore softly under his breath and pushed himself up before the wet snow had a chance to seep into his already damp clothes. As he was brushing some loose snow from his clothes, a small movement from behind some boxes caught his eye. He cautiously moved toward the movement. Spot had the reputation of being the toughest newsie in the whole city, but even he was nervous about meeting something in a dark, cold alley at night.

A dark mound lay curled on a small snowdrift behind the box barrier. It barely even moved except for some shallow breaths making it rise and fall. Spot felt curiousity take over his fear and move him closer to the mass of cloth. He gave it a light kick but got no response. His courage grew, and he kicked the mound again a bit harder.

"Hey you! Wake up!"

No response came except for several shuddering breaths. By now, Spot's curiosity was at its peak. He tiptoed over to the end that he thought was the head and pulled back the hood. Spot gazed down at the pale face of a very pretty girl. Her lips were a dark purple, and her skin was turning a blue color.

"What's a dame doin' out heah like dis?" He muttered to himself as he lifted the small form into his arms. "I's gotta get ya some place warmah or you is gonna freeze ta death!"

He hurried down the alley and through the quiet streets till he came to a brightly-lit building. Shifting the weight of the girl around, he freed his left hand to jiggle the doorknob and finally opened it.

Inside the lodging house, boys lounged about on the floor or on chairs at different places around the room. All heads came up when Spot entered the room. They could tell immediately that Spot was not in a good mood and that his mind was definitely somewhere else.

"Rickets! Pins! Get some hot watah an' several blankets an' bring dem to me room right now!"

A tall, gangly boy with bright black eyes and a head of dark brown hair jumped to his feet at the sound of his name and was followed by a much younger boy with mousy gray hair and gray-green eyes. They both dashed down the hall to accomplish their orders.

Spot ignored the other boys and made his way carefully up the stairway toward his room. He was halfway down the hall when one of the bunkroom doors opened behind him. He couldn't help but roll his eyes at the soft snicker that came from the short figure leaning against the doorpost.

"Find anuddah stray, Spot?"

He turned to glare at the smirking girl.

"Oh, go freeze yer head in a bucket, Jockey! I jist found dis goil outside in a snowdrift. Why would I jist leave her dere? Now, go git her a warm nightgown or sumptin' an' bring it to me room."

Jockey went stiff and gave Spot a mock salute, "Yesh, sir, Mistah Conlon, sir!" Her dark azure eyes flashed teasingly at her leader. With a flip of her auburn curls, she spun around and reentered the room she had recently exited.

Spot glared after Jockey's retreating form before continuing on to his room. He kicked open the door and carefully laid the still unconscious girl on his bed. He pulled off her frozen coat, shawl, and shoes before pulling the heavy quilt over her shivering body.

A loud thump and slosh from the hallway preceded a sharp rap at the door announcing the arrival of the three messengers. Spot rolled his eyes again when he heard Jockey teasing Pins about spilling half of Spot's water on the floor.

Spot marched over and threw open the door, making all three teens jump. He glared at Jockey who had opened her mouth to make a smart remark and silently took the blankets from Rickets.

"Tanks fellas. Now, go tell Mistah Meiyer dat we's got a new bordah, an' I's payin' for tanight."

Rickets and Pins nodded before dashing off down the hall to find the landlord. Spot turned to walk back into his room while Jockey followed close at his heels. He had pretty much forgotten about her as he poured some of the hot water into a water bottle and slipped it between the blankets.

"Well, do ya want me ta put dis gown on her or jist hold it an' look poity?" Her voice broke the stillness so suddenly that Spot started and had to mentally calm his racing heart.

"Of coise you is gonna put it on her!"

Jockey crossed her arms and stared at Spot when he made no move to leave. "Well?"

Spot copied her stance and returned her stare, "Well what?'

"You can't jist sit dere watchin' me undress her! She may be unconscious, but she still desoives some decency!"

Spot blushed lightly at er subtle implication. "I's goin'! I's goin'! Don't git youse knickahs in a knot!" He left, softly closing the door behind him.

Several minutes later, Jockey emerged, smiled brightly at Spot's scowl, and skipped down the hallway till she disappeared into her room. Spot sullenly shook his head before entering his room. He checked on the now peacefully sleeping girl before laying a couple of blankets on the floor. He pulled off his shirt and suspenders before moving to look at the girl once more.

"Soah is a perty ting!' He whispered while brushing aside some of her dark tresses. "Sleep well." He blew out the candle on the nightstand and burrowed deep into his make shift bed.