Hey there! I'm updating this really quick. It is after 2:30 in the morning and I would like to get this done. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I think it's really good. Took me forever to type it up! But now it is done and ready for your reading pleasure!

Tanks too: Tears in a Bottle, hobbit1400, elleestJenn, and the lead lady herself Perch for reviewing the story! I'm glad you all liked the chapter! Twitch, I will see about putting you in, but don't feel bad if I don't ok?

Now, on with the show!

Chapter Two

Pale sunshine streamed through the dirty windowpane and danced across the peaceful face of the girl. With a low groan, she stretched as far as she could reach. Her eyes fluttered open only to shut them immediately at the glare of the light. The sensation of warmth and a flannel nightgown made her eyes open again in confusion.

"I'm not dead?" She glanced around at the room trying to sort out the details on how she got from the freezing alley to a warm room.

A soft snore and sigh brought her attention to the floor in pure confusion. A soft blush filled her cheeks at the sight of a half-naked boy on the floor beside her bed. She couldn't help but let her eyes travel over his handsome face. The sun reflected off his golden hair giving him a golden glow like a sleeping angel. The light soon moved to shine on his face. She stifled a giggle as he stretched his arms lazily above his head. He blinked his bright blue eyes up at her startled face and smirked.

"Mornin' sleepin' beauty!"

She felt her face turn a bright red at his greeting and at the fact that she had been caught staring at him. "G-g'mornin'." She tried to calm herself and glanced away hoping he wouldn't notice her embarrassment.

The boy stood to his feet and stretched his lean body toward the ceiling. Her eyes were naturally drawn to his toned chest.

"Youse feelin' bettah?" His deep voice brought her silverish eyes from his body to his face. She couldn't help but feel as she gazed into his beautiful eyes that he was laughing at her.

"Umm…yeah, I's feelin' lots bettah, I guess. Do ya mind answerin' a few questions? Where exactly am I, an' who are you?"

The boy grinned at her questions as if she should know the answers. "Youse in da Brooklyn Lodgin' House. I's Spot Conlon, leadah o' da Brooklyn newsies."

The girl nodded her head but still had a rather confused look on her face. "What's a newsie?"

Spot stared at her in surprise, "Youse nevah hoid 'bout newsies!" She shook her head. "Well, we are boys an' a few goils who sell papes fer a livin'. Most boys you see wit newspapahs undah dere arms are newsies."

A light came on in her eyes, as she finally understood. Spot grinned down at her before pulling his shirt over his head, much to her dismay.

"So, youse gotta place ta stay, or was you plannin' ta sleep in dat snowdrift for da rest of da wintah?"

The girl blushed and shook her head, "I jist haven't found a place ta call home yet."

"Well den, youse ken stay heah wit us. Youse'll have ta loin da way o' da newsies, but dat's da easy part. Jockey'll make soah dat da fellas don't bother ya."

Her eyes sparkled at Spot as he gave his permission to stay. "Tanks so much…! Um, what was youse name agin?" She mentally berated herself for so soon forgetting her rescuer's name.

Spot smiled at her flaming cheeks and took her hand in his, "Me name's Spot Conlon. An' you are, Miss?" He looked at her and raised her hand to his lips.

His lips brushing her hand dent shivers up and down her spine and a fresh blush to her already flaming face. "I's-I's-Youse ken call me Perch."

Spot kissed her hand again before releasing his hold. "You jist stay heah. I'll send Jockey in wit some clothes fer ya."

"Tanks fer helpin' me, Spot." Perch smiled softly at him.

"Anyting for a poity goil." He winked and smiled at her rosy face before walking out into the hallway. "Jockey! Git youse butt ovah heah!"

"Wut do ya want now Spot?" Jockey placed her hands on her hips and glared down the hallway at him.

Spot simply rolled his eyes at her. Jockey was always grumpy in the morning. "Ken you git da new goil sumptin' ta weah an' eat?"

Jockey grinned at him and gave a mock salute, "Yesh mon capiton!" She pushed through the group of groggy newsboys toward her room. She reemerged a few minutes later with a bag of old cloths and a tray with a simple breakfast on it. She flashed Spot a bright grin as she passed him in the hall.

Perch glanced up from where she was fixing Spot's bed to see a smiling girl with shining azure eyes and auburn curls with natural highlights of golden-red skip through Spot's door holding a big cloth bag and balancing a tray.

"Heya! I's Jockey. I's da only goil in dis place. Well, at least, I was till now!" She crinkled up her freckled nose and smiled impishly at the grinning Perch.

Perch gave a musical laugh and moved to take the tray from Jockey's hand. "Heah! Let me help you sit dat!" She placed the tray down on the small nightstand and turned back to Jockey. "I's glad dat I ken help bring a little class ta dis place!"

Jockey grinned in reply. She spat in her hand and held it out to Perch. "Jist be warned, Spot loves ta be in charge! So, what's youse name?"

Perch looked at the offered palm incredulously before copying Jockey's actions, "I's Perch, an' it's a pleasurah ta meetcha Jockey!"

Jockey gave her hand a warm shake before heading out the door. "Eat real quick and git dressed! We's gotta sell taday, an' I's teachin' ya! So don't dilly dally too long!"

"No worries!" I'll be quick!"

A few minutes later, Perch stuck her head out into the hall. "Jockey?"

Jockey spun around from her position at the stairs. "Perch! Wow! You is much fastah den me when I's getting dressed!"

Perch grinned and walked over to her new friend. "So, we sellin' papes or what?"

Jockey grinned and handed Perch a coat, hat and pair of mittens. "Coise we's sellin'! It's what we do! Bettah put dese on cause it's mighty cold out!"

Perch followed Jockey down the stairs while bundling up against the cold. She looked up to find Spot pacing impatiently at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hey Spot! We's heah!"

Spot came to a stop and looked up at the two girls. Well, he really just looked at Perch. "Ready kid?" He offered his arm to Perch, ignoring Jockey's howls of laughter in the background.

A wide grin spread across Perch's face and wouldn't be forced away, no matter how hard she tried. Spot led the trio out of the lodging house and into the chilly morning. Jockey couldn't help but snickered most of the way to the DC at Spot's attempts to be a gentleman.