You're all I want. You're all I need. You're everything. Everything.

The rest of that day was that of celebration. Most of the newsies stuck around to party with the Manhattaners about their victory, and I hugged Felicity when she hugged me first, but I couldn't be happy. We must have gone to dinner because I was walking away from Tibby's with Felicity and some of the Queens boys and I didn't feel hungry anymore.

God, I was a mess.

"You gotta go talk to Spot, Angel," Fee said quietly and I peered up at her, frowning.

"I can't. It's so hard to talk to him, Fee. It hurts," I told her and then looked down at my feet that were shuffling along the sidewalk.

Felicity slid her arm around my shoulders. "Does it hurt more then what you're doing to yourself right now?"

"No," I said faintly.

"Well, you can't keep moping around."

"I can mope whenever I want," I grumbled and Felicity laughed.

"Sure can, Angel, but it's not good for you."

I sighed. Of course she was right. I'd be stupid to think that she wasn't right, but I didn't want her to be right. I didn't want anyone to know how much I truly wanted to run back to Brooklyn and attack the bastard, but I couldn't.

The walls were up again.

I stayed in the Lodging House and played cards with Skittery, Mush and Race but my heart wasn't in it. Eventually I had to bow out since I was losing money now. I was pretty decent at cards, but I was losing every single game and I couldn't keep giving money away like this.

I stepped out to smoke and sat down on the curb outside the Lodging House, looking up at the quickly darkening sky. I fumbled through my pockets for my matchbox and was surprised to see one produced before me. I lit my cigarette and then looked up at Silver.

"Why are you here?" I asked wearily, looking away so he wouldn't see how sad I must have looked.

"I'se heah to take ya to Sneak. He wants to see ya, but he ain't allowed to leave Brooklyn," Silver said quietly. "Spot's tryin' to respect ya by havin' us all leave ya alone, but I don't listen too well."

I swallowed my tears. He was trying to respect me? I almost cried at that. I'd been so mean, and now he was being so nice.

I stood up.

"Yeah, I'd like to see Sneak," I said softly and then stuck my head into the Lodging House. "Race, tell Jack I'm going to Brooklyn for a bit to see Sneak, will ya?"

Race looked up from his card game and I watched something odd pass between Silver and Race's eyes. "Sure thing, Angel. Be safe."

I walked through Manhattan with Silver, still smoking quietly. He didn't say much to me and I wondered what in the world was buzzing around inside his head. He worried me sometimes.

Silver and I got across the bridge and I stopped suddenly, looking up at Silver, frowning. "Why am I really here, Silver?"

"Just trust me, Angel," Silver said, pulling me onto the abandoned docks. He pushed me down onto a crate. "Stay there. I'll get Sneak."

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't stupid. I wasn't here to see Sneak. Silver must have thought he was such a slick boy.

"Silver," I called to him. He stopped and jogged back to me.

"What's wrong, Angel?" he asked.

"Why are you doin' this, Silver? Really, why? Why is gettin' Spot and me together such a big deal?" I peered up at him.

Silver was quiet for a long time, glancing away nervously. "Well, Angel. Let's jus' say I'se know what its like to care about Spot Conlon."

Realization dawned on me. My eyes widened and I inhaled sharply.

"You love him," I whispered.

Silver smiled wryly. "Loved. He never was gonna be mine anyhow. Always thinkin' about you'se and whatnot. 'Sides, I'se got Nightshade now. You and Conlon deserve each other. Honestly."

I was quiet for a moment, taking it all in. "You're my best friend, Matthew Harris," I said softly, staring at my hands.

"And you'se mine, Lissa O'Rourke."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees as he walked away. I wanted to smoke, but I couldn't find it in me. I was nervous now. I pulled my cap off and ran my fingers through my hair.

I heard a soft meow nearby and I looked up to see a cute tabby tomcat padding my way. How he found the docks was beyond me. I smiled and reached my hand out to him, beckoning him over.

"Hey, you," I cooed and he came running. I scratched under his chin and he purred and rubbed my calf, stretching his body up like cats do. "Where'd ya come from, huh? How'd you find yourself here?"

He meowed again at me and I smiled. Animals were so cute, especially cats. I couldn't help it. They were soft and nice. He jumped at some sound I couldn't hear and scampered off into the darkness, tail flicking happily. My shoulders dropped in disappointment.

"Don't worry 'bout him. He's off to meet his best girl," a voice told me from behind.

I swallowed hard, feeling my heart pick up speed and my pulse start racing at the sound of his voice. Oh, God, Lissa, you are such a fool.

"How can you tell?" I asked, looking out into the darkness where the tomcat had gone.

"He had his best cat suit on," he replied simply and then sat down on a nearby crate. Not beside me, but not far either. He was staring out into the water.

"Maybe his best girl doesn't want to see him," I offered, glad to play this little game with him. I was glad to play any game with him, no matter how stupid. I wanted to hear him speak. His voice wrapped around me like a vice I never wanted to get out of.

And that made me sick.

"Maybe," he allowed. "But he wants to see her."

"That's too bad. Because when he gets there, she'll turn him away," I told him, voice soft. "He hurt her."

He was quiet for a long time.

"She'll forgive him."

"Will she?" I looked over at him, and he looked back at me. He looked worse than this afternoon. It was like all the life was drained out of his body. I looked into his eyes and down into his soul, and there was just sadness. I felt bad for being short with him.

"If she was to listen to him, what would he say to her?" I asked after a while, looking away again.

"He would say…" He stopped to think for a moment. "He would say that he's been a royal ass to her, and didn't treat her like she deserves. He would say that he'd gladly get on his hands and knees and beg for her forgiveness and for her to take him back."

I smiled wryly. "He doesn't beg. He's got too much damn pride for beggin'."

"Maybe, but he knows how he feels 'bout that best girl of his. And he ain't willin' to give her up without a fight."

"Would he fight for her?" I chewed on my bottom lip, thinking.

"He would fight to the death," he said quietly.

"Oh," I said, just as quiet.

"And what would me best girl say to that?"

I looked up and found him watching me, those light eyes peering at me, dark from the night around us. It was wrong. Oh, it was very wrong, but I couldn't help myself. The words just...

"Yes," I blurted and then frowned, looking away in annoyance. "She would say that she forgives you."

He let out a joyous whoop that embarrassed me to death, since it echoed off the buildings and across the water. He closed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around me so tight, spinning me around and around until I couldn't see straight anymore. He was laughing and I was blushing.

"Tá tú mo chroí, Lissa," he whispered into my ear.

And then his mouth was on mine.

But it wasn't like anything else. It wasn't our sexual tension-filled kisses from before. I'd never been kissed this way before in my life. It was nice, and his hands felt warm as they pressed into the small of my back. I gripped his shoulders and pressed closer, losing my wits for a moment until I heard a meow.

I leaned back and looked down to see the tabby cat trotting along the docks with a sleek white cat with black paws following him, the tips of their tails brushing. The tomcat stopped every few moments to lick the white cat's ears, and she just pulled out from under him. I smiled sweetly, blushing.

"Will ya stay with me tonight?" Spot whispered in my ear.

"Only if ya promise me one thing," I told him.

"Anything," he agreed readily, his hand pressing against the apple of my cheek. I blinked and then frowned, grasping his hand when I noticed it.

"What is this?" I frowned at him, lifting one of his hands, his knuckles caked with dried blood. I gave it a look and then stared up at him expectantly.

"Uh, nothin'," he said, looking embarrassed. I frowned and took a step back, crossing my arms. "All right, I'll tell ya. I went home today and some smart-ass decided to ask if he could go after ya now that me and you was finished. So I soaked his ass."

"Jesus, Conlon, are you kidding me?" I slammed my hand into my forehead, groaning in annoyance. "Okay. Promise me two things. One, quit soakin' people just because they want me. I am pretty fabulous."

Spot grinned at me and I sighed at him. "And the second thing?" he asked.

"Quit bossin' me around."

"Deal," he agreed instantly and then kissed me again.

At the edge of the docks, two figures watched Spot and Angel. The younger boy jabbed his elbow into the older boy's ribs.

The younger boy grinned in triumph.

"Mission accomplished."

And how can I stand here with you, and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Tá tú mo chroí, Lissa = You are my heart, Lissa.

If you guys want a sequel, make sure you mention it in the review. :) I have the summary on my profile all ready, but I won't post it unless you guys want one. And there may be a casting call for it as well. So... review and tell me you want a sequel if you want to be involved!

And make sure you have me on author alert. I'm not sure when I'll spit out the prologue for the sequel that may or may not happen. :) It all depends on you'se guys.

Thanks for being so great! Mwah and until next time...

CTB,

xxWickedWench/Sara