Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Newsies. I do own Kate and Moody. I don't own the song either.
Chapter 8
All week Kate had noticed that Spot had been kind of avoiding her. She had seen him twice but he would only give her a quick kiss, say hi, and then leave. She missed him. She had asked Jack if he knew anything about why Spot wasn't around much, but Jack just shrugged his shoulders saying he didn't know much. He had seen Spot going into Medda's around noon one day but that was all he knew. Maybe Race would know something. She thought. Race had been going to Medda's to see one of the girl's everyday that week. Or at least he might be able to find out. She would ask him later at Tibby's.
Kate waited and waited and waited. Where are you Race? You're usually early. She thought to herself. Newsies were starting to arrive, saying hello to Kate before going to order and talk to their friends. Finally Race arrived.
"Race! Come over here."
"Hey. What's up Kate?"
"I need to talk to you."
"Sure. About what?"
"Do you know why Spot hasn't been around much? Jack said he had seen him going into Medda's around noon one day and I was just wondering why Spot would be going to Medda's then."
"Sorry Kate, I don't know anything." Race said after a moment of thought.
"Would Moody know?"
"I don't know but I can ask her."
"Would you? Oh thank you so much!" exclaimed Kate giving Race a huge hug. Race just laughed and ordered his food.
Kate enjoyed the rest of her lunch with the boys. She couldn't remember the last time she had laughed that much. She would be sad at the end of the week when she went back to singing but she would happy too.
That evening Kate waited for Race at Tibby's. She hoped he had remembered to ask Moody. Finally Race walked in with a huge smile on his face and Kate rushed over to him.
"Race, did you ask her?"
"Ask her what?"
"If she knew why Spot was going to Medda's during the week."
"Oh yeah. I asked her."
"Well, what did she say?"
"She told me why but made me swear not to tell a soul. I'm sorry Kate."
"That's ok. Thanks anyway. I'll see you later Race." said Kate, the disappointment evident in her voice. Race just watched her walk out of Tibby's with a smile on his face.
Friday night came and all the Manhattan newsies were going to Medda's show, all except one. Kate had decided that she didn't want to go and Race and Jack were trying to convince her.
"Come on Kate. Ya gotta go." Race pleaded.
"I don't want to."
"Why not?" asked Jack.
"I don't need to see Spot with his other girlfriend." Kate said spitting out the word girlfriend.
"How many times do I have to tell ya. Spot ain't cheatin' on ya. Trust me." Race said looking Kate in the eyes. Something in his eyes told her he was telling the truth.
"Oh all right, I'll go."
"Yes! Well, let's get going then or we'll be late."
The show had been wonderful. The performer's had done a great job. Race of course cheered the loudest after Moody's performance. Kate had a wonderful time watching the boys while they sang along with the songs and danced and talked with friends. Everyone was just starting to leave though when Medda suddenly ran out on stage.
"If everyone could please take your seats, we have a special performance for you."
"I wonder who it could be." Jack said taking his seat. Race just smiled.
Medda walked off stage and Spot walked on. The audience fell dead silent. No one could believe that The Spot Conlon was actually up there and going to perform. Kate just stared at the stage.
Spot stood in the middle of the stage sweating. He couldn't believe he was doing this. He never would have done this for any other girl. He couldn't believe he was risking his reputation to show Kate just how much he loved her. Forget about your reputation. Kate's worth losing that and you know it. A little voice in his head said to him. He looked over the audience until he saw her. When Spot and Kate locked eyes, it was like the rest of the world disappeared. He heard the first chords of the song and began to sing.
Find me here
And speak to me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place
Where I find peace
Again
You are the strength
That keeps me walking
You are the hope
That keeps me trusting
You are the life
To my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
Yeah
You calm the storms
And you give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall
You still my heart
And you take my breath away
Would you take me in
Take me deeper now
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
'Cause you're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything
Everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything
Everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything
Everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
Everything
Everything
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better
Any better than
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
When Spot had finished, the audience was dead silent. During his performance, Spot had walked off the stage and over to Kate, who had started crying. She stood up once he was done and threw her arms around his neck. The audience then erupted into cheers and catcalls. A smile came to Spot's lips.
"I love it! It was beautiful!"
"I was hoping you would like it."
"So this is why you haven't been around much. I was starting to worry."
"Yeah, it is."
"I almost didn't come tonight, but with a little convincing from Jack and Race, I decided to and I'm so glad I did."
"Why weren't ya gonna come?"
"My mind was playing with my heart. I'll explain later."
"I love you Kate."
"I love you too."
"Well, well, well. Looks like ya took my advice Spot."
"I was plannin' this long before you suggested it Kelly. Don't give yourself too much credit."
"Well, I hate to break up your little reunion, but we should get back to the lodgin' house."
"I agree." Spot said putting his arm around Kate's waist.
As Jack, Kate, Spot, Blink, Mush, and Race were walking back, Kate pulled Spot to the back of the group.
"Spot, I was wondering if you would come with me tomorrow to visit my family. It's on the way to Brooklyn. I could come back to Brooklyn with you after."
"I'd be happy to. I'd love to meet your family and you know you're always welcome in Brooklyn."
"Thanks Spot."
Kate woke up bright and early the next morning. She couldn't wait to see her family. She said her good morning to Kloppman on her way to the washroom and soon heard him waking the boys up. When she was done getting ready, she walked out of the washroom to find that most of the newsies awake and getting ready for their day. She made her way over to the bunk that was reserved for Spot as she said good morning to everyone. Just as she thought, he was still sleeping. She planted a light kiss on his lips and his eyes fluttered open.
"I wouldn't mind waking up to that every mornin'." Spot said with a smile.
"Good morning to you too. Hurry up though. I want to get to my house as soon as I can." she said giving him another kiss before walking away.
Kate waited for Spot down in the front lobby. She didn't know why she was so nervous. It was just her family. She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard Spot coming down the stairs.
"You ready?"
"Yeah, let's go."
The walk seemed to take forever until they finally stopped in front of a large white house with black shutters and huge columns along the front of the house. Spot felt a little awkward walking up to the door wearing his dirty off white shirt and his dirty gray pants. Kate seemed at ease though and knocked lightly on the door. They waited a few seconds then the door suddenly opened and a maid was standing in front of them.
"Can I help you?" the maid asked.
"My name is Kate and I was wondering if Mrs…"
Spot stopped listening then. He was trying to remember where he had seen this house before. I recognize this house. It was in the papes a couple of months ago. The whole family had been killed and the killer was never found. Spot's eyes went straight to Kate. She doesn't know. Should I tell her? How am I supposed to tell her? He was suddenly brought back to reality.
"Thank you. Come on Spot. Let's go back to Brooklyn."
"Uh Kate, there's somethin' I need to tell ya."
"How could they do that? How could they move and not try and find me to tell me?"
"They didn't move Kate."
"I would at least think that they would have cared about me somewhat. I can't believe they just up and moved."
"They didn't move Kate."
"What? Of course they did. Their not at my old…"
"They didn't move Kate."
"Yes they did. They're not there Spot. That means they moved." Kate said pointing to her house.
"Kate, look at me. Look at me Kate." Spot said turning her face so she could look at him.
"They didn't move Kate. They were killed. It was in the papes a couple of months ago. I'm sorry Kate."
"What do you mean they were killed?" Kate asked in confusion.
"They were murdered Kate. Your whole family is dead. The killer got away but the cops think that they were lookin' for someone."
"No."
"I'm so sorry Kate."
"They can't be dead. You're lying. They are not dead. They are not dead."
"They're dead Kate. They're dead. There's nothing you can do about it Kate."
"You're lying! Oh god, please tell me you're lying."
"I'm not lying to ya Kate. They're dead." said Spot pulling Kate into a hug.
"Oh god, no! No." Kate sobbed into his shirt. Her knees gave way and she fell to the ground. Spot just sat next to her and held her as she cried. After some time had passed, Spot helped Kate to her feet and they walked back to Brooklyn.
Spot walked down the stairs into the living room of sorts and looked over his boys. Kate had just fallen asleep and he had come down here to let her rest. He also needed to ask his boys for a favor of sorts.
"Hey, listen up!" Spot yelled over the noise.
"What is it Spot?" asked one of the newsies that was closer to him.
"Well, if everyone would shut up, I could tell ya Tracker."
"Shut up everyone!" yelled Tracker. The rest of the boys stopped what they were doing and looked at Spot.
"Thank you. Now everyone listen up. I don't know if you guys remember readin' an article a couple a months ago about a family that was murdered and the murderer was never found, but…"
"We read a lot a those articles Spot. You're gonna have to be a little more specific."
"It was a well to do Manhattan family."
"Oh yeah, I remember now."
"Good, now shut up and let me finish. That family was Nightmare's and I have no doubt that the murderer was lookin' for her. I wanna know if anyone starts askin' for a girl by the name of Kate. Do not tell them she is here. I repeat, do not under any circumstances tell them she is here. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yeah, we'll make sure you're the first to know about it." Tracker replied and the rest of the newsies nodded their heads in agreement.
"Good. Now get to bed, it's late."
The boys groaned, but made their way up the stairs and to the bunkroom, but as the lights of the lodging house went out one by one, a boy slowly walked out of the shadows and started towards Harlem.
AN: I hope you liked the chapter. The song is by Lifehouse and it's called Everything. It's a long song but it's so pretty. There might be some mistakes or I might have words repeated but I was too lazy to read through the chapter and fix them. Well, that's about it. Thank you to all who read my story and those who review. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think.