A/N: okay this chapter has Spot, and probably starting in the next will be when he will start acting like becoming leader. But just to let you all know if any of you have seen the movie Stand by Me the character Shadow is based off of Chris Chambers so there will be a lot more cursing and everything when he is in the story.

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Spot sat on the edge of the docks letting his feet dangle in the water. Lost deep in thought he hadn't noticed that, Gambler, the Brooklyn leader, walked up and sat down next to him, until he spoke.

"How you holding up kid?" He asked

Spot didn't answer. He didn't want to answer. He already knew where the conversation would take him. Since Sammy's death everyone wanted to make sure he was okay. They all wanted to talk to him about it, help him out, and make him feel better. He didn't want that. All he wanted was to be alone. To sit alone and for once not have someone bother him.

"Spot?" He tried again.

"What?" Spot replied in a low growl.

"I just wanted to make sure you where okay. I know how hard this has been on you and…"

Spot interrupted him almost yelling at the top of his lungs. "No! You don't know how hard this had been! And until your Girlfriend gets fucking murdered I don't want anyone telling me how I feel! Why can't anyone just leave me the alone!" He stood up and started storming away before Gambler grabbed hold of his shoulder turning him around.

"Ya know Spot she may have not been my girlfriend but she did mean a lot to me." Gambler started yelling. "She meant a lot to a whole bunch of people. Think about her brother, Spot. How do you think he feels? Think of Blink, they where best friends, how do you think he feels? Everyone loved her! And just because none of us where going out with her doesn't mean we didn't care about her." He lowered his voice to a sincere tone, "We all know this has hit you hard. But don't go taking it out on other people for trying to comfort you. We all need to stick together, and that means taking care of each other."

Spot looked at him; his blue/grey eyes swirled together into that stone cold look. The same emotionless look that had been planted on his face from the moment she died. "I know you're all trying to help but I don't want anyone's help. I don't need anyone's help! All I want is to be left alone. And if you're so worried about me and wanna help then tell everyone to leave me alone." He turned around walking off the docks.

Running his fingers through his hair with a sigh Spot headed towards the lodge. As he walked his mind kept wandering to Sammy, to when she was alive.

"Hey Sammy." Spot said walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. "What have you been up to today?"

"Nothing much Spotty." She replied turning to face her boyfriend and give him a short kiss. "What have you been up to? I heard you got in another fight today." She had always hated when he got in fights. She was so afraid of him getting hurt and the thought of loosing him scared her.

"It was just a little one. Besides I kicked his ass." Spot smirked causing Sammy to let out a laugh wrapping her arms around his neck and giving him a hug.

Walking into the lodge Spot was snapped from his thoughts and was greeted not only by the Brooklyn newsies but the Manhattan newsies as well. Not exactly what he wanted after what had just happened. He tried to sneak up stairs without anyone seeing him but then heard Race yell from across the room.

"Hey Spot! Come join us for poker!" Race yelled.

"Yeah it'll take your mind off of everything!" Jack agreed pointing to the empty chair across from him.

Spot let out a long sigh, not really in the mood to play, but he walked over anyway and started in the game.

"Have a drink Spot." Skittery said. "You need to relax."

Without thinking Spot took the drink from Skittery's hand and started drinking. Before long he was staring at five empty bottles of beer, and laughing hysterically.

"Well if it ain't Jack Kelly and the other fucking Manhattan newsies." Shadow joked as he walked over to where they were sitting. "Haven't seen any of you in a long time, how have ya'll been?" He lit up a cigarette and sat down to talk with the boys.

Spot had known Shadow since they where little kids, living on the streets together and then becoming newsies together. Though he was the same age as Spot, he seemed much older, more responsible, and Spot looked up to him. Shadow was the kind of kid that had a bad reputation. Everyone knew he'd turn out bad, including himself, but still he was a great friend. The peacemaker of all the newsies, but also at the same time one of the tougher ones.

"Been good I guess." Jack answered. "I mean as good as we can get. How about yourself?"

"I've been okay. Things are looking up with every passing day, ya know how it is." He grabbed a beer from the table and started chugging it down. "Worried about this one though." He said pointing his thumb towards Spot.

"What ya worried bout me for Shadow? Spot said his words slurred together, and followed by laughter. "I'm doin just fine." He patted Shadow on the back and grabbed for another beer.

"Yeah sure Spot, Your doin just fine." Shadow replied sarcastically. "I think you're good for tonight." He grabbed the beer from Spot.

"What's your problem tonight Shadow?" Spot yelled. "I think I know when I'm done or when I'm not done. Don't tell me what to fucking do!"

"I'm just trying to save your ass man! You wanna get drunk and then go do something fucking stupid and maybe get yourself killed? Is that what you want?" Shadow yelled back.

"I'm just trying to have a little fun. I can handle myself!" He reached over and tried to grab another beer but was once again stopped by Shadow. "You're really staring to piss me off tonight." He said in a growl. "You really don't want to start with me. I'm not in the mood."

"Then don't be so fucking stupid." Shadow lit up another cigarette and asked Race to deal him in.

"I'm going upstairs." Spot said standing up, knocking his chair over on the process. He stumbled over to the stairs. "I don't need to sit here and deal with this." He walked up the stairs being cautious not to fall. When he reached the top he walked to his bed and passes out right away.