A/N: thanks to Araknia the Storyspinner and Naomi for reviewing!! Sorry this one took me awhile to post but I was having some trouble figuring out where to go with it. I hope this chapter is ok, it was a little slow but im hoping it worked out…let me know what you think!! Enjoy.

Time moved slowly for about a week, when my thoughts wouldn't leave my alone about Spot. But as time turned into two weeks, I began to forget about my birthday and the events that happened.

But of course things wouldn't stay easy for long and soon I would be forced to face Spot again….

The summer heat had already started to rise by the time I had finished my selling my papers. I squinted as I looked down the street seeing someone coming towards me. I crossed the street to meet Razor as he came closer to my spot.

"Hey Razor" I said as I reached him

"Hey Phantom, ya in for a poke game tonight? I heard 'hattan is throwin' one"

I smirked, "a chance to beat everyone again, how could I say no?" Razor laughed and followed me towards the diner for some lunch.

Later that day, Razor and I headed off to make an appearance at the Manhattan poker game. Haze and the others opted to stay behind to sit this one out; they were still running low from a few weeks ago.

The sun had dipped behind the city skyline by the time we entered the Manhattan lodging house. I smiled and went to give my greetings to Kloppman since I wasn't beat up this time I was visiting.

"Kaitlyn, it's good to see you stayed out of trouble, or at least look like it" he said smiling as I walked up to him.

"Well ya know me; I at least try to stay out of it. And I'm actually here for the poker game, not to make ya worry over me." Razor and the others had already moved upstairs to start the games while I was talking to Kloppman, but as I continued to speak with him, I saw a figure nod towards him and then climb the stairs.

As I finished my sentence I glanced around to see who had gone up the stairs, but the only glimpse I got was the shoes disappearing out of sight. I shrugged and turned back to Kloppman. He was smiling, which was usual for him but something was different about it.

"It was Spot" was all he said with amusement in his eyes. I titled my head confused on why he would point that out to me, but at the same time I was trying to hide my own emotions to the news.

The smile grew on Kloppman's face, "why don't you go play some poker" he said nodding towards the stairs. I frowned, "I will go play some poker but it's not because of anyone who just walked in" I said turning and heading up the stairs as I heard Kloppman laugh behind me.

As I entered the bunk room I saw Razor and the rest were already settling down to start a game. I sighed and headed towards the group…and Spot.

Race spotted me first, "Hey Phantom I was wonderin' if ya was gonna show up"

"Well I won so much last time, I was hopin' ya had some more money for me" I said smirking.

Race smiled, "We just let ya win cause of ya birthday" I returned his smile and joined the table that had started. I spit shook with Jack as I sat down next to him, and across from Spot. I looked up and nodded to him "Spot" was all I said.

He nodded and returned my hello with one word, "Phantom"

The game began and after a few rounds the winnings were spread out amongst us, but as the night wore on I began to realize I was on the losing end tonight. The last hand of the night quickly came upon me and I hardened my face to hide what my hand was. With my pair of twos I had hoped to bluff and win some of my money back. The bets were in and so far Razor and Jack had folded keeping what money they could.

I went all the way through, "Call" Race said once we had all made the bets. I flipped my cards slowly, noticing I had lost most of my money. Race smirked as he collected the winnings from the middle of the table. "Thank ya for the business" he said glancing at me lastly, "To bad it wasn't ya birthday again"

I rolled my eyes at him and stood from the table with Razor following my lead.

"Thanks for the game, but I think I should leave before ya take all my money" I said smiling.

"Yeah and I need to go to bed before Race takes anymore from me too" Jack said standing as well. I nodded to Jack and Race as I slowly made my way out of the lodging house, with Razor in tow.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs I heard someone following us out, turning my head slightly I noticed Spot was behind us.

"Not stayin' here tonight Spot?" I asked as Razor stepped out the front door ahead of me.

He shook his head, "Gotta get back to me boys" I nodded in response not sure what else to say to him.

"So ya came here tonight to see me?" he asked smirking as we both slowly walked out the front door.

I huffed, "Hardly, I came to play some poker" he laughed at my answer

"Well ya tried to play poker but ya lost worse than I did…so how bout I buy ya some lunch?" I looked at him confused.

"Its 11 o'clock at night Spot" hoping he didn't really mean to take me out to lunch tomorrow.

"So tomorrow afternoon, I'll meet ya in the Bronx" was all he said as he slid away towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Frowning I turned towards the Bronx and caught up to Razor.

He seemed to be counting his left over money, "I think I lost more than youse, can Spot pay for my lunch too?"

I smacked the back of his head playfully, "Ya tell anyone this…I'll kill ya"

He laughed and we made out way home, somehow still happy after both losing the majority of our money tonight.

The next morning slowly dragged on as I waited for the afternoon to come…and for lunch.

I sighed, why was I so anxious about lunch. It's not like I haven't ate lunch with Spot before. I smirked as I saw Spot's figure coming closer to me. I quickly sold my last paper, knowing he'd probably brag about already finishing his since he was in my territory now.

"Heya Spot" I said when he was close enough, "What bring ya to my territory?"

He returned the smirk, "Well I was lookin to get some food, and since I'm in ya territory I thought I'd ask ya permission"

I laughed and shook my head, "What if I say no?"

"No one says no to Brooklyn" he said trying to make his face serious.

"Well then Brooklyn lets get some food" I followed his lead as he brought me to a smaller restaurant within the Bronx. It was one I hadn't been to in a long time, smiling I knew he brought me here to be away from the other newsies.

We sat down and enjoyed a quite lunch, for once there was no noisy newsies around, and I smiled at the difference we really made.

We talked off and on during it and I found myself wondering why he had asked me to lunch.

But soon the lunch was over and we walked outside into the afternoon sunlight.

"Thanks for lunch Spot" I said as we slowly walked towards the lodging house.

"Yeah no problem" silence found us again as we walked a few more steps and we arrived at the door to the lodging house.

I turned to Spot before going inside, "Spot I…" But I never got to finish my sentence as I found myself in the middle of a kiss. We soon separated and I stared back at him, waiting for…I wasn't sure what.

"Phantom, can I take ya out to dinner tomorrow night?" he said smiling at me

"Spot, I don't think I can do this right now" the moment I said it I felt bad, his eyes were usually guarded by emotion but this time I saw a hint of sadness in them. He lowered his head for a moment before looking up at me again.

"Alright I'll see ya around Phantom" and with that he was gone, and I headed into the lodging house, going straight to the roof to think.

I wasn't really sure why I had answered that way, but I was scared and that was all I could get out. I gave a long sigh and sat down on the edge of the roof letting the cool breeze around me calm me down.