"Welcome to Queens," Thunder walked out of a dark corner.

"Thunder? What are you doing? More appropriately: why are you doing it?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips.

"Ya see doll face," he stepped closer, "I'm real sick of yoah Spotty boy getting in da way, plus, he's always showin me up."

"So? That's just how he is, you kidnapping me is really no better," I crossed my arms in front of my chest, staring at him.

"I really don't care, with you heah, Spot don't stand a chance," Thunder smirked.

"What? What do you mean?" I asked worriedly.

"Oh, don't worry your pretty little head, I ain't gonna hurt 'im," Thunder said, "I'm just gonna embarrass him for once!"

Well that's a relief, I knew Spot, and as long as there wasn't any physical danger… he wouldn't do anything stupid.

"How terrible," I pretended to be scared, Thunder looked pleased with himself.

"Aw, don't worry. Youse will be just fine," he reassured me, with a smile like the Cheshire Cat. I just nodded, and looked around my small room. There was a small bed, a dresser, and a washbasin. Surprisingly well furnished for a seemingly last minute kidnapping, or maybe this is what those Queens boys had been doing on our territory, snooping for clues about me and Spot.

"So-" I began.

"Hey Thundah! Theah's company heah," a short newsie with red hair interrupted me.

"Yeah Cat, who is it?" Thunder asked, rather annoyed.

"It's got a Brooklyn accent," Cat smiled.

"Good, I'll be right there," Thunder shot me a smirk and a nod, and headed upstairs. I looked around once more, there weren't any windows. There were some water stains on the ceiling, and the walls were made of concrete: I was in a warehouse of some sort. I went and lay on the bed, tired after a night of 'sleep'. I checked the back of my head, there was a small bump from being knocked out, but not much damage, my dress was torn, but I was fine.

SPOT'S POV

I opened the warehouse door and stepped inside, there was sparse furniture. A table sat in the corner, several shady looking boys were playing poker and smoking. As soon as the door closed behind me, I felt a little nervous, the smell of the water was outside…and I was inside. Spot Conlon isn't supposed to be intimidated, it's in the job description, so I put on my calm and collected face and sauntered towards Cat.

"Lemme see Thundah," I said, leaning on my cane.

"He's with the goil, Ise'll go get 'im," Cat smirked and went down a hall to a random door. I heard him yell something, and someone yelled back, then two pairs of footsteps returned. Thunder stepped towards me, haughtily, like he owned the world.

"So, Spot, I'm guessing you want Firefly back," his lip curled in half-grimace, half-smile.

"Yeah, I do, now wheah is she?" I stepped forward menacingly.

"Well, I suppose I'll let you see her," Thunder hemmed and hawed, then led me down a hall to a different door than the one Cat had used. This warehouse was a maze of rooms and staircases. I followed him through a tangle of hidden passageways, until we arrived at a small green door. Thunder removed the key from his pocket and unlocked it, stepping gingerly inside, and to my disappointment, closing it behind him.

"Hey!" I shouted.

"Wait," Cat said.

"I swear if she's hurt, Ise gonna soak you," I threatened, turning on the small weasel-ey boy.

"She's fine; settle down," Cat chuckled nervously, "Youse is woise (worse) den an old woman."

Thunder's head popped back out, "You can come in now." I stepped into the small room, Firefly sat on the edge of a bed, rubbing her eyes. "Youse got a visitor." Firefly looked up, her eyes filled with fear. As soon as she saw me...

FIREFLY'S POV

"SPOT!" I shouted, standing up and running towards him. I ran into his open arms, pressing my face against his neck, tears streaming down my face. I was so happy to see him!

"Ise got youse, it's fine," he murmured into my tangled mess of hair.

"Oh Spot, take me home!" I cried.

"Youse ain't takin' her anywhere. I'm calling a newsie council for the returning of a captured newsie; den youse can take her home. Not until," Thunder gave another Cheshire smile, chilling me.

"Fine, but hurry would ya? Ise getting worried about my goil," Spot said.

"Awwwww," Cat teased. Spot shot him a glare, his arms never unwrapping from around me.

"I-I-I," I stuttered.

"Yeah, youse. Youse will be staying heah doll face," he smiled.

"Don't call her doll face!" Spot said. I just hugged him tighter, he then proceeded to lean down and kiss me. I was pulled back roughly, and shoved away.

"Spot! Help me," I cried out in fear.

"I will, I promise," but the rest of what he shouted was muffled as the door closed behind him. He had been pulled out by Thunder, as I was shoved back by Cat, I will get home! If I have to dig out of here! There was nothing that can hold in a Brooklyn girl, even a frightened, short, angry Brooklyn girl.

THUNDER'S POV

Over the next week, I talked to Firefly, who had calmed down and settled in. I was almost tempted to call it off and keep her, she's pretty and smart…plus she's Spot's. Humiliating Spot the way he humiliated me won over emotions though, and I sent birds to the three other boroughs. Bronx and Manhattan both accepted, and agreed to meet at my warehouse at 7pm on Friday night. Brooklyn really had no choice but to come, it was their newsie anyhow. I also gave Firefly instructions on how she was going to enter, between two of my newsies. She was to put her hair up fancy, like she had it at the party. When I told her my full plan, she just spat some words in a different language, Gaelic I think. So she's an Irish girl? She sure is Spot's type, plus I've seen her temper. Yikes. DEFINITELY Spot's type.

THE NIGHT OF THE EXCHANGE, SPOT'S POV

We filed in; my borough was the last one to arrive, as requested. I took the lone seat at the head of 'our' section. I nodded over to Jinx, the Bronx leader, and Jack. They both nodded back, wondering what was going on. Just then, when everyone was seated, Thunder walked into the front of the room. "Ise had gathahed you heah to retoin a missin newsie to her borough."

"All my newsies are accounted foah," Jack 'Cowboy' Kelley piped up.

"Mine too," Jinx said, looking around to see what I had to say.

"It's my newsie all right," I said, remaining seated. My eyes roamed over all the doors, which one is hers? I thought.

"Yes she is," Thunder said, giving a few raps on the door directly behind him. A tall Queens' boy entered, Firefly came in behind him, followed by yet another Queens' goon. "May I present: Fiahfly of Brooklyn."

"SPOT! YOUSE LET FIAH FLY GET CAPTURED BY DA QUEENS?" Race shouted, pushing his way out of the Manhattan newsies and over to me. He punched me in the face, twice. I reeled back in my chair, stunned and in pain, but knowing I deserved it. "HOW COULD YOU!"

"It's really not his fault," Firefly said, loud enough to hear, but still quiet.

"Yeah, it is," I said, standing. "I shouldn't have let youse outta my sight once I hoid about Queens sneakin around in Brooklyn. I was real stupid, and I shoulda known! If I'd have paid a little more attention, then this wouldn't have happened at all. I really am sorry Firefly, would you forgive me?" my eyes looked beseechingly towards the lone girl standing before the waves of newsies. Her gaze was soft, as was her voice as she said her reply, silencing the whispering of the shocked newsboys.

"I forgive you Spot," she said, running towards me. I opened my arms and she crashed against my chest, laughing and crying at the same time. I sighed in relief and joy, happiness and thankfulness rushing through me to see her safe after the week of anxiety. Every night since I saw her, I'd had that nightmare. Except, instead of seeing a blank face, I saw Thunder. He was the stranger with Firefly, and every morning I woke up in a cold sweat, and counting down the minutes until her return to the safety to Brooklyn.

"Good job Spot," Jack called, clapping. Soon the entire room of boys was clapping and cheering for us. Once again I kissed her, and this was the best kiss in the entire world. This kiss made me want to pick her up, and run away from everything, where she would be safe forever. I heard Thunder's roar of anger and frustration.

"What? I thought you were goin ta soak da bummah! What's going on? Youse is all supposed to be beatin Spot!" Thunder-well, he thundered.

"Ise tink we oughta soak youse, foah takin me goil," I said, taking a threatening step forward. Bronx, seeing the show was over and that there might be trouble; stood and left.

"Too bad I was tinking fastah dan youse, Get em Queens!" Thunder shouted. Tall, muscular boys stepped out of almost every door in the room, heading, fists raised, towards the Brooklyn and Manhattan newsies. I whistled for Drop and Catch. Both of them popped up next to me.

"Take Firefly home, don't talk to anyone on the streets, go! Hurry!" I watched as Firefly was dragged out of the building, kicking, screaming, and yelling my name. I turned back to face Thunder, who stormed at me, fists raised. "Next time, think about what youse is doing befoah takin me goil!" I yelled, punching him in the face. We fought, back and forth, ducking and dodging and punching, my only thought was: Lord, protect Brooklyn, protect the newsies and most of all, protect Firefly. Please, I promise never to let her in harm's way again! Amen

FIREFLY'S POV

"NO! Spot, don't make me go, Spot!" I called back as the two young (and VERY strong) boys dragged me from the warehouse into the street. I struggled to get back into the warehouse, back to Spot. I hadn't seen him for a week, a week I had spent talking to the hideous and rude Thunder. You could hear the sounds of the fight from outside, and it sounded bad. Several Manhattan newsies drabbled out, "Have you seen Spot?" I asked one of them. He nodded.

"He an' Thundah are fightin. Last I saw, Thundah's gonna have a shinah an Spot's not doin much bettah," the newsie said, walking towards Manhattan.

"Thanks," I said, my tears slowing to a stop. Drop and Catch took me towards Brooklyn, a hand on each of my arms. Once we reached the Lodging House, I walked upstairs. There weren't any newsies here besides us. "Goodnight boys," I said in a monotone.

"Get some good sleep, Fiahfly, why don't youse stay in Spot's room?" Drop suggested. I nodded and walked upstairs. Poor Spot! Fighting for my sake, but wait…Jack said something about a rivalry from way back! There's really only one thing I can do now, and that's pray! While I was thinking this, I was robotically changing into my pajamas. Instead of my usual t-shirt, this time I put on one of Spot's old work shirts over my underclothes. I fell, with a sigh, onto Spot's rock-hard mattress. Before I fell into a dreamless sleep, I said a quick prayer: "Lord, please protect Brooklyn, protect the newsies, and please, please, protect Spot Conlon."

THUNDER'S POV

This was a total disaster! They were supposed to rise up in anger, all of her friends! Spot would be humiliated and humbled! He was certainly humbled, but he was still noble and gallant; two things I hate. Good thing I planned ahead in case of a situation like this! "Too bad I was tinkin fastah den youse! Get em Queens!" I shouted. My boys, loyal and tough, sprang from their hiding places and attacked 'Hattan and Brooklyn. Bronx had left as soon as trouble was imminent, Bronx really didn't talk much to anyone. They basically kept to themselves, defending their territory in stony silence. I heard Firefly call out to Spot; I turned and ran at him full force, fists flying in my rage. He ducked and dodged, landing a few punches here and there. The first punch he threw hit my eye, that was gonna be a shiner. So returned the favor, and busted his lip. He was slightly distracted and I used that against him.

Spot was wearing down; you could see it in his eyes. I on the other hand, was doing just fine. Spot stopped, exhausted, and I punched him on the side of the head, he fell backwards…unconscious. Two of his boys saw, and whistled. Brooklyn stopped fighting, and ran to help their fallen leader. He was carried out of the building, surrounded by a hoard of buzzing Brooklynites.

FIREFLY'S POV

"Firefly, Firefly, come quick! Spot's hoit real bad dis time, Thundah got im, and boy is he beat up!" a worried Drop shook me awake. Spot was hurt? Oh no! Dear Danny Zuko this is bad! I jumped out of bed and into the washroom. I got out a basin and pumped water in it, this time glad for the cold. I ripped a disgusting old shirt into strips, washing them out in the washtub. I hurried into Spot's room; he was lying on the bed, covered by a thin sheet. I removed his shirt, glad he was wearing his underclothes, I instructed Grin to get his pants off. I didn't want him to overheat, it was still really warm outside. I washed the blood from a cut on his forehead and slowed the swelling of several bruises along his jaw line. Oh, poor Spot. How did Thunder manage to do this much damage? I kissed him tenderly underneath his cut, by his eye, careful to not touch any of his injuries.

Spot's eyes fluttered open and he breathed out, "Firefly, you're safe."

"Oh Spot!" I burst into tears, my panic mode was switched off unexpectedly, and worried-girlfriend mode kicked in. I laid my head down on the edge of his cot, I felt his hand on my neck.

"I'm alright Firefly, really, just a little banged up," his voice was raspy.

"Yeah, but it's all my fault for getting kidnapped in da foist place," I said, trying to stop my tears. I put a cold cloth across his warm forehead.

"Did youse just use an accent?" Spot asked, his voice was better now.

"I tink I did," I said, noticing the strange change in my vocabulary. "Spot, youse is rubbing off on me."

"Naw, Brooklyn's rubbin off on ya, and yoah rubbin off on Brooklyn. Looky heah, dese boys wouldna known to take care of a beat up guy like me! Sometimes, I think they's is like horse trainers, if it's broken, kill it!" he tried to laugh, but he grabbed his ribcage. I poked around, it was bruised. So I wrapped it tightly with a ripped up dress hem. Once he'd sat up and eaten something he told us about the fight, as much of it as he could remember until he was knocked unconscious.

"You poor thing!" I held his hand in both of mine, thanking God for keeping him alive.

"Ise'll be just fine, don't youse worry yoah pretty little head about me," he smiled. I missed him so much! I leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. He told his boys to leave, and sadly they filed out of the cramped room.

"Do you think Queens will bother us again?" I asked.

"Not for a while, we suah showed em!" Spot practically crowed. We sat there like that for a long time, just looking at each other. His hand in mine, and his head back against the pillow. It was nice, being with Spot. Knowing that I was loved and protected, and I had no reason to doubt him, or so I thought.

I'm sorry, I just don't have the attention span for long chapters! This one is rather angsty I must admist, sorry!

Disclaimer: I do not own newsies, though I search Ebay regularly (just in case)! Drop, Catch, Books, Grin, Thunder and Firefly are all mine.

Hey guys, Firefly's been woiking real hahd to get dis story updated and fast! So's I spect alla youse to reveiw! Got it punks?

Thank's Spot!muse, please Reveiw!