Chapta Eighteen

Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies
A/N: Just a note, if you're looking for an update, I usually go on at 9:00pm to post a new chapter, and if I'm really late, then I'll post it at ten. However, lately my parents have been holding off on giving me the internet, so I may take two or three days. But I will finish this fanfic, unlike many of my others. With that in mind, review! Happy Belated Thanksgiving.

Warning - Fluff.Gotta have it. But, hey, what story doesn't?

Natalie was growing impatient. With herself and Spot.

The fourteen year old was dying to tell him how she felt, although, by her willingness to kiss him, he probably already knew.

It wasn't fair! Racetrack and Ali were going out already, and she sensed Spot liked her back, so why was everything in a standstill? Natalie knew deep in her heart that Spot would never talk about love like she could, and he wouldn't admit it in a million years if it even was true, but she couldn't bring herself to do something about it.

She groaned as she looked at the list of chores her mother had left, scribbled on a piece of paper. Pulling out a razor, she washed off a dusty potato and began to peel it. Spot himself was out somewhere, most likely drinking and having a blast.

The razor hit a slippery patch and almost sawed off her fingertip, but she pulled her hand back in the nick of time and sighed. Moving on to another potato, she became vaguely aware of a presence in the room. She turned to see Spot, watching her.

She jumped a bit. "Spot!" she cried, the potato slipping from her fingers, "Ah, don't do that!"

"Do wha?"

"Sneak up on me."

"I ain't sneakin' up on ya. I'm standin' here."

"Well, don't do that, either."

Spot sat down.

After a pause, of him watching her and she peeling the last potato, she wiped off her hands and sat down across from him. The two sat in an awkward silence, and Natalie shifted uncomfortably, before saying, "I hate bringing this up, but..."

Pause.

"Last night was weird."

"Yeah," Spot agreed, less than enthusiastically.

"Ali and Racetrack really are in love," Natalie continued.

Spot did not reply.

"Like, serious love," Natalie said, "Ali just told me that just last night she and Race shared a bed."

Spot looked up. "Dey do anythin'?"

"No."

Spot shook his head.

Natalie put her hands down flatly, annoyed. "Not all types of love have sex in them, Spot," she said, quietly.

Spot listened to this. It was the first time he had heard her say the word sex, and it was interesting. He thought about the crush he had on her. She was right. Not all types of love had sex in them... but it was a perk. Literally.

Seeing the silence was growing uncomfortable, he asked, "Do ya like someone?"

Natalie paused, before nodding. She did not take her eyes off of him.

"Who?" he asked.

"I wouldn't tell you!" she laughed.

"Why not? Is it me?"

"Maybe..."

Spot put on his mischievous grin and stood up, and so did she, but unlike him, Natalie was the one trying to stifle laughs. She couldn't lie.

"Tell me!" he pestered, but before he could say another word, she started laughing andbolted out of the kitchen. He chased her, not worrying about her parents because they were both at work and Arthur was at a friend's house. Up the stairs, through the halls, into the basement, through the living room - where he finally grabbed the back of her shirt and held her back, and pinned her against a wall, grinning. She was laughing too hard to breathe, and her face began to turn red.

"Are ya gonna tell me aw am I gonna make ya talk?" he asked, leaning in close.

"You're gonna have to force it out of me," she chuckled, looking straight into his eyes. There was another silence, before Spot held her shoulders against the wall and leaned in to kiss her.

Natalie knew what was going to happen before it did, and tried to stop laughing so she wouldn't mess it up. The doubts that remained in her mind burned - he did like her. It was obvious.

Spot was an expert as this. As he kissed her, he noticed she was clinging to him, a sign which read - "I like you." His hand found it's way into her hair, and the other held her chin so she wouldn't turn away, not that she'd want to.

And then, it grew a little more serious. The sweet smell of her hair tantalized him, and he found himself kissing away from her mouth - down her neck. She sighed, and he felt the tiny pulse in her neck, beating away. He was making her nervous.

As he reached the base of her neck, she made a little noise, and put her hand out, stopping him. He looked at her.

"No, you can't," she said, taking a deep breath. He stood up.

"So, I'm guessin' ya like me?"

"Yeah, is it obvious?" she asked, sarcastic. Spot chuckled, before sighing, and wiping his forehead.

"Yer not dat bad yaself," he commented, eying her, and she stopped. Was he coming on to her? If he was, she'd be in heaven.

Spot stepped back as she moved past him and began walking around.

"What are you saying?" she asked, leaning back on the table.

Spot shrugged. "I'm sayin' ya aren't dat bad lookin'.So, ya have a crush on me?" He paused, as she blushed deep red. "Why me?"

"I don't know..."

Spot opened his mouth to make some smartass reply, but then caught himself. He was doing it again - taking her for granted. Reminding himself that he had been the one who had desired her attention, he changed his face to a kinder one.

"Well, dat's okay," he said quickly, maybe a little too quickly. Natalie looked at him hopefully. "Yer a cool person." God, he messed that up! What he had wanted to say was something along the lines of, "I like you, too," but it came out completely different. Dammit.

"Does that mean..." Natalie started, trailing off, leaving him to answer it. He paused.

"Dat means... I-I'm askin' ya ta be my goil."

Silence. Spot couldn't believe he said that, but it wasn't something he'd -feel bad about later on. Natalie's eyes widened in surprise and delight, and the light returned to them that he loved so much. Her mouth dropped.

"Wha... What?" she said, happily, stuttering.

Spot's cheeks tinted with blush." I said... Do ya wanna be my goil? I thinks yer a really cool poison."

Natalie sat, smiling, and you could practically see her thinking about the options, before something clicked, and she shouted, "Yes!"

She leaped into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck joyfully, squealing. Spot was surprised at her weight, and caught her, but stumbled backwards, knocking over a chair and pushing the table. He made a grunt and his back pressed into the pointed edge, but he and her embraced, ignoring the pain, and he sighed silently.

He had finally done something he wouldn't regret.

A/N: Ah, finally. Now, the story begins to take shape - forgive me if the next chapter is dull, I have to get over this hill and the story will get all coolio.