"Are ya sure ya gonna be okay?" Rose asked Blink. She was kneeling on the ground next to the bed where Blink sat.

"Rose, I'se fine," he reassured her. "I just took a few hits. Dat's it." Rose nodded.

"Fine, but…are ya sure?"

"Rose, relax. I'se fine." Blink touched his left cheek. "Ow!"

"Be careful!" Rose warned. She took a wet rag and rubbed the blood off his face.

"Dat hoits!" Blink yelped in pain.

"Sorry." Rose lightly touched it with the tips of her finger, the kissed his cheek where he said it hurt. She turned away, embarrassed with herself. "Sorry."

"Why?"

"I just-well…I dunno."

"No need ta be sorry."

"It ain't dat simple."

"Huh?"

"Spot," Rose explained. "He find out dat I'se wit a guy, I'se dead, and you'se dead."

"Oh."

"Nuttin' personal." There was a long silence. "I'd like it, though." Blink was about to tell her how he felt, but was interrupted by Racetrack, who walked over to them.

"Hey Rose," Race said. "I need ta talk ta ya for a sec." Rose nodded, and stood up. Her eyes locked with Blink's. She broke the gaze and followed Race into the bathroom area.

"Is this 'bout my 'issue'?" Rose asked.

"Yup."

"Well I didn't. So ya don't haf ta bother."

"Can I trust ya?"

"I swear on Spot's soul." Racetrack laughed. "Will people stop laughin' at me?"

"Sorry. It's just funny." Race laughed. "Ya can go back out now." And Rose went back to Blink's bed, now surrounded by newsies who kept trying to figure out what happened. When Blink saw Rose he smiled.

"Beat it, guys." Blink shooed them off. "I'se got some personal business." Some guys looked from him to Rose, while other just didn't get it. Either way, they all left.

"What was that 'bout?" he asked.

"My 'issue'."

"Oh. Well…" Blink realized the moment was gone, and decided not to tell her how he felt about her.

"It's really hot in here," Rose said.

"Yup."

"I'se gonna step outside fah some air. Wanna come?" she offered. Blink nodded and followed her out the door. They sat down outside of the lodging house door. They sat in silence for a while, until Blink fought up the courage to ask Rose.

"Rose, is dere any possible way we'se could be tagether? Any at all?" Blink asked. Rose sighed.

"Yeah, it's possible. But I'd haf ta tell Spot. Unless…"

"What?"

"…we didn't tell no one."

"Are ya sure?" Blink starred at Rose in disbelief.

"I want ta be wit ya," Rose said. And she leaned over and kissed his lips. It sent electricity through both of their spines. There was a noise, then they heard some one running. They stopped kissing.

"What was dat?" Blink asked, looking around.

"Spot."

"What?"

"He's havin' someone watch me."

"Shit."

"Yeah," Rose agreed. "We both in deep shit."

"What should we'se do?"

"Pray. Long an' hard." Rose got to her feet. "Or run to Brooklyn."

"No thanks," Blink said. "We should go in da daylight. It's a hell-hole at night."

"Ya tellin' a native," Rose reminded him. "Till den, we best getting' sleep."

------------------------------------

"She did WHAT?" Spot yelled. "Don't tell me. I'se ain't hearin' dis."

"Was I'se supposed ta stop 'em?" a rather confused Shooter asked.

"No." Spot shook his head. "Best thin' keepin' hidden." Shooter nodded. "I can't believes her!"

"I'm sorry?"

"Just go ta sleep er somethin'." Shooter letf and Spot began pacing his room. I thought she knew better. Spot thought. She ain't old 'nuff ta get in a

relationship. She only sixteen… But Spot realized she was old enough. He'd just been protecting her too much. He'd been much larger relationships younger than her. But in his mind, she was still little Rose, sister of Robbie Caine.