Fern walked out into the night with a smile, she was lonely and couldn't wait to fill the void in her soul. She'd had that void for as long as she had known she was sick. She was always looking to fill it in the wrong places. Riddle's gang had filled it for a while, being part of an elite group had made her life have meaning and exciting. When the group had spilt up she'd nearly died but then they were back again and stronger than ever. She'd met Mush and got married, he was easy prey and she was temporarily happy for their union, which had been based on one night of tenderness. There was only that once, in her room when she had convinced him to come over. What a fool he was. Now everyone knew her secret and she felt abandoned and alone, until she went back to her former ways.
There he was, a sailor, big and burly. She measured the bulge in his pants with her eyes, he'd do. She approached, traded comments and walked him to the nearest alley, satisfaction.

Hazard Klatly turned away from the scene in disgust, she wiped her copper tresses out of her eyes and turned to her friends. Frenzy Donavon,Snag O'Shane,Dagger Fairchild, Vanity Grey,Tantrum Couches,Target Gettson, Smokey Jones,Hodge and Podge Flattery, and Muddle Malone stared back, their eyes were bright and angry.
" So It don't look like she's pregnant ta me! Anybody else feel dat way?" Hazard asked, her blue eyes narrowing in distrust. Frenzy shook her blond mane in response. Smokey spoke up.
" She may lie an' everythin' but you can still 'ave sex an' be pregnant ya know. Plus she wouldn't show yet anyways. Howevea, dis ain't healthy conduct fer a goil about ta be a muddah, dose men could have all sorts a diseases." Smokey informed the group. Target ran a hand through her cropped chestnut locks.
" She shurea ain't muddea material, dats all I gotta say." She grumbled. Dagger turned her blues towards her shoes, there had been a time when these girls had celebrated pregnancy, but that was a different situation.
" Ya know, she's drinkin' too. Dey towld Dags dat dat was bad fer babies, right?" Tantrum reminded, her green eyes snapping. Dags nodded and tried to shake off the feeling of regret. Vanity tossed her head.
" Mrs Jacobs says that being close to a boy before marriage is a sin. Do you think she'll go to Hell?" Vanity looked terrified. The other girls looked at her sharply. They all were unaccustomed to religious propaganda. Fern was really the only one that had believed in the Christian God.
" Van, what a'h you tawlkin' about, goin' ta Hell?" Smokey laughed. Vanity had been scarce of late , but before David, Vanity had her share of gentlemen friends. Smokey remembered her friend as a dangerous female, protective and faithful but not religious. Vanity blushed and bite her lip. This wasn't something she was proud of, David had been taking her to church and it was making her terrified about everything.
" Nothin' ,just kiddin'." she shrugged , trying to hide her new state of insecurity.
" Well I tink we bettea report back ta Ridz, an' I got a hot date dat I can't be late fer." Muddle winked at the girls. Since the exit of Fern, Muddle had gone back to Mush and they had not missed a date. Everyone was relieved , especially Muddle.
" Yeah, we don't wanna keep beefcake waitin'." Hazard joked, winking at Muddle and avoiding her friends good natured slap. Snag smiled at the group and fell into step beside Dagger. Dagger was silent and melancholy since Riddle's ordeal, although she had been getting along with Dutchy and that pleased everyone. Riddle was worried that her friends sullenness was caused by the memories of the child she had lost not so long ago. She'd asked Snag to keep an eye on her.
" Two bits fer yer toughts." Snag grinned, holding out her hand expectantly. Dagger grinned.
"I tought it only was supposed ta be a penny." she joked, poking her friend in the ribs.Snag laughed and shrugged.
" Inflation. Aftea all , a goils gotta eat don't she?" Snag reasoned, giving Dagger a little jab in the arm. Dag smiled and settled back into her silence. Snag became serious.
"Really dough, whats eatin' ya?" Snag questioned, trying to get passed Dagger's defences. Dagger rolled her eyes.
" Look I'm fine an' you can tell Riddle not ta worry 'bout me . Okay?" Dagger chided. Snag looked at her friend with a guilty face. She was ashamed that it seemed like she didn't genuinely care.
" Hey so what if Riddle did ask me huh? She's only tryin' ta help you. It ain't like yer baby's a secret an' Riddle knows it's difficult. Howevea, I really wanna help ya Dag, we'se friends. Now what 'ave you been tinkin' about so much?" Snag defended. Dag sighed and pushed her black hair out of her eyes.
" Just about da baby, I nevea wanted ta give 'im up an' now 'es gone. I tink about 'im a lot, wherea 'e is an' what 'es doin'." Dag admitted, looking very alone and far away. Snag smiled sadly at her friend, she also missed the baby which was never conceived.
" I'm shurea 'es in a good place." Snag assured her friend, trying to help her deal with the pain. Dagger looked at Snag , her large blue eyes scared and deeply hurt.
" What if 'e ain't. What if nobody wanted 'im. 'E could be livin' in an orphanage somewherea. Snag, I wanna find 'im. 'E'd be almost two. What if 'e 'asn't got a family. I nevea wanted ta give 'im up an' I'm morea ready ta take carea a 'im den evea." Dagger blurted out. Snag watched her friend become more and more excited. Snag bite her lip , Dagger was in for a letdown.
" Dag, not ta rain on yer parade or nuffin' but , how ya gonna find out what happened ta da baby? Riddle don't know an' ya can't possibly tink 'bout tawlkin' wit......." Snag's voice trailed off when she looked at Dagger's face. She was determined.
" I'll do whatevea it takes." Dagger whispered,nobody could take her baby now, she had nothing to lose.
" Lets tawlk wit Ridz, she'll know what ta do." Snag sighed, unable to move her friend's judgment. Riddle would have to sort this out.

It had taken one week before Spot allowed Riddle out of the bedroom, and another week until she was allowed to give commands. Riddle hadn't really minded, it was a vacation from being bothered by the girls petty problems. However she was happy to be back in charge. The problem with Fern gave her a headache but she figured she owed it to Fern to find out the truth before she judged her. She'd sent the girls out to find the answers for her because she wanted to spend the time with Spot. She'd made them promise not to disturb her.
Things with Spot had improved considerably but Riddle hadn't had time to spend time with him since she'd gotten better. It was suppose to be a surprise . She found him practicing his slingshot skills in the training area and she had joined him until the hunger had taken control over the both of them. They were in the middle of dinner when the knocking hadstarted.
"Make dem go away, ya said no business tanight." Spot moaned, pushing his plate away and reaching across the table. Riddle took his hands and kissed the palms.
"Two seconds an' I'll be back." She smiled slyly and crossed to the door. She regarded Snag and Dagger impatiently.
" Whatevea it is it can wait till tamorra." Riddle growled softly, sending them a warning, a chance to leave and not come back.
"Sarry ta interrupt Rid."Snag started but never managed to finish, Dagger pushed by her.
"Riddle I wanna find me boy, ya gotta 'elp! Yer da last poison ta tawlk wit Dob. I gotta find 'im Riddle, I just gotta." Dagger looked at her leader earnestly. Riddle hit her head, of all the things it just had to be this.
"Okay, I'll 'elp but ya gotta wait till tamorra . If I stand Spot up any morea 'e'll kill me." Riddle smiled, shooing the two away from the room and turning back to Spot. Spot was standing up staring at her.
"It's a big deal ain't it. Ya gotta go rescue somebody don't ch'ya ?" Spot grumbled, his face clouding over with frustration. They were always being interrupted. Riddle laughed at his annoyance.
"Yes." she admitted, letting his face fall and taking it in her hands. He was aggravated and acting juvenile. He missed her so much and he wanted to spend some intimate time with her. Since the accident he'd been careful not to try anything too fast , now that she seemed completely recovered he wanted to be with her again. He'd longed for her over the past few weeks when he'd made her sleep alone, but he was too concerned to act on the feelings he had. Now, all alone, Spot meant to make up for everything they'd lost, everything.
" I ain't goin' anywherea tanight Spot, if dat's what yer worried about. I towld ya dat tanight would be just you an' me an' I intend ta keep it dat way." Riddle grinned, kissing the tip of his nose. Spot looked up , beaming his joy. He put his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground.
" Ya still hungry?" Spot questioned, lowering his girl to the floor and pressing her against him. Riddle looked at him puzzlingly, trying to figure out what he was thinking.
" Why? Didn'tchya make enough fer yerself?" She questioned, teasing him complaisantly. Spot shrugged and started to walk backwards toward hiscurtain.
" Oh yeah, me belly's full. I was just wonderin', well only if yer up to it, what I'm tryin' ta say is......" Spot ended his prattle by lifting Riddle softly onto his bed and kissing her ever so gently.
" Ya know, I might actually want a little morea." Riddle grinned, half trying to get up. Spot pinned her to the bed. She looked up into his blue eyes and filled her senses with him.
" Oh no, I got'cha ovea herea, don't ya even tink a leavin'." He threatened , leaning in to love what he'd missed so much.

Snag had no idea why Jack had bothered with Sarah. When they'd arrived Snag had fell instantaneously in love with the handsome strong cowboy. He had been involved with Sarah and Snag had spent more than one long sleepless night trying to figure out what Jack saw in Sarah. In the end Snag had been so desperate she'd actually asked Riddle to save Jack. Riddle wasn't happy about the idea but she went along with it because Snag had convinced her that Spot would be pleased. So Riddle had seduced Jack and Sarah had gone away. Spot had been pleased but didn't like the idea of Riddle with Jack. Riddle had promptly left Jack and returned to Brooklyn. Snag had then stepped in and gained her prize. The reason she had decided not to seduce Jack was simple, she didn't think she could do it. Riddle had far more practice in such areas and Snag just didn't have the confidence, after all she'd spent her whole life trying to go unnoticed. She honestly didn't think that he would pay any attention to her. Now she was confident that he was hers and that's why it threw her into a tizzy when she walked into Tibby's and saw Sarah sitting across the table from Jack.
Snag tried to get her nerves about her but instead she slipped into the booth behind Jack without their observation. Snag was confused,Jack had assured her that he never saw Sarah, didn't love her ,didn't. She ordered her usual drink and sat quietly. Although the voices were hard to hear she caught snippets of conversation over the din of the restaurant.<BR< remark. " I ..........." words were lost and Snag's mind worked faster than light to try to come up with his response. She only caught the last few words which were "tomorrow", "I promise" and "Don't forget". Jack stayed seated but Sarah left, glossy eyed and perfectly pressed. What was going on?

Vanity sat silently beside David as the pastor went on. His lecture of the day was evil, as usual, and fallen women.
" You can tell a fallen women by the look in her eyes, she's used . Her eyes look listless,empty. Her voice is cold and automatic. She's dirty, her love unworthy and she'll drag you down with her!" The pastor screamed, banging his hand on the pulpit so hard that Vanity jumped. David was unaware of his date's discomfort, he listened deafly to the pastor sermon. He was thinking of how he and Vanity could break every single rule about premarital sex. David never paid much attention to his religion, after going to church for as long as he had he didn't even hear the wordsanymore. Vanity did, she was praying that her indiscretions didn't catch up with her .

Dagger walked into Tibby's to meet Dutchy and was surprised to see Vanity sitting with a obviously disgruntled Snag. She scanned the area for Dutchy and decided he was late. She sauntered over to the table and sat , facing the door.
"Snag, whats shakin'?" Dagger questioned, looking nervously at her usually composed comrade.
" Me confidence. I'll tell ya quick cause Jack's usin' da can an' he'll notice us sittin' all tagethea."Snag started. Dagger shrugged and called over the waiter.
" So what if Jack sees ya, isn't dat sorta da way a date woiks?" Dagger grinned, noticing Smokey and Kid strolling by. Snag shook her head.
" Yeah, but Jack didn't come herea wit me, he came wit Sarah." Snag sighed, taking a long drag from her cigarette.
" God Damn it!" Dagger swore, angry at once at Jack for his thoughtlessness. Vanity drew in her breath quickly and dropped to her knees. She started repeated some nonsense that Snag and Dagger didn't understand. When Vanity stood up both girls were staring at her indisbelief.
"Jesus Van what that Hell are ya doin'?" Snag exclaimed , afraid of her friends behaviour. Vanity again dropped to her knees and started her prayers again.
" Shit. Have ya gone absolutely crazy, what did Dave do to ya. Ya ain't actin' like yerself lately." Snag exclaimed, Vanity continued to pray. Snag yanked her friends off her knees and Dagger pushed her into a booth.
" Van honey what is wrong with you. This ain't like you at all. What's Davey done ta you?"Dagger demanded. Vanity looked at both off her friends with fear and sadness.
" We've been goin' ta church. Ya wouldn't believe what da Preachea man says. We's all gonna go ta Hell an' it don't look so good. He scares me ." Vanity admitted, just as Smokey waltzed over to the table.
" Who scares ya? Ya want me ta tawk wit 'im." Smokey turned serious and looked into Vanity's face. Vanity shook her head quickly.
" Why not? He's scarin' ya we gotta take care 'a it. Ridz will 'elp. Ya towld 'er yet?" Smokey questioned. Snag broke into the conversation glaring at Jack's close approaching figure.
" She's scared a da preachea at da church Davey's been takin' 'er to. I tink it's time ya started seein' somebody else an' ya have ta stop goin' ta church, dat's fer certain." Snag decided. Vanity started to tear up. Smokey rolled her eyes.
" Listen, if yer dat scared, I'll go wit ya. But tanight I got a date an' so it'll have ta wait." Smokey offered, seeing Kid enter with Hazard and Snoddy and running to meet him. Snag gave Vanity a quick squeeze before approaching Jack.

Riddle lay in Spot's arms , staring at the ceiling in thought. Spot stirred in his sleep and Riddle moved a stray hair from his face. Touching his cheek gently and watching his chest move up and down with each breath. She wished it could be like this for all her friends. The love she and Spot felt for each other was the force that held the two groups together. However, Riddle wasn't thinking of Spot . She was thinking of Dob and Dagger and the baby that was out in the world alone. How could she walk into Jersey and demand that baby back. God knows where Dob had taken it , he could have lied when he said he was going to an orphanage. He was always a sneaky boy and this was the sort of thing that he would have liked to have hidden.
It had been easy to see why Dagger liked him. The tall, muscular strawberry blond had been a handsome catch and some people wondered what he saw in Dagger. Nobody knew the Hell that Dagger endured and when she had been pregnant Dob had demanded that she get rid of the kid, one way or another. He'd almost beaten her to death but The Ripper had been there and seriously made a dent in his plan and his anatomy. It was doubtful he'd ever have children again. But he'd taken Dagger's little boy with the promise of finding him a good home. There were tons of orphanages and no way of knowing, except for Dob.
Riddle kissed Spots head and curled up beside him again, hoping that she would fall back to sleep and everything would be fine.

Smokey and Kid, Mush and Muddle and Frenzy and Race were all together playing cards. So far Race and Frenzy were whipping the pack and were accumulating a very tidy sum. " So Mush, how's it feel ta be a free man?" Race commented with more irony then he intended. Everyone knew that Mush and Muddle were together , officially and unofficially he'd been taken off the market. " I got no complaints." Mush grinned, squeezing Muddle's hand. Frenzy smiled at her friends happiness. She knew Muddle had been heartbroken when Fern had made all the trouble and both of them had been shocked when Clutter had run away with Skit. All of that was over now and they were becoming used to Smokey, who had a different sense of humour but was loyal and likable.
"Did we mention we saw Fern?" Smokey brought up, looking at Muddle to make sure she was okay with it. Muddle was glancing up at Mush. Mush appeared unmoved by this revelation and continued to look at his cards.
" Oh Yeah, how's she doin'?" Mush replied casually, knowing that they expected him to blow his cool. Frenzy and Muddle exchanged glances.
" She's not so good.... She shurea ain't who we all tought. Not much of a newsie." Frenzy let on , covering the real meaning of her words. Smokey shrugged. She'd known Fern for longer than any of them. She'd seen her this way and had seen her change. She knew that Fern wouldn't last long, not with the tumour in her brain and not they way she took care of her self.
" She didn't used ta be so bad, people who a'h sick do funny tings." Smokey said quietly, not wanting to be singled out as different. Kid snuggled closer , knowing she felt a little out of place. Mush looked at her andsmiled.
" Yeah dey do. Hey, Gin." he announced innocently,Muddle started to giggle and soon they all were in hysterics.

Dagger sipped her coke quietly. She was lost in thought and worry for Snag, Vanity and , as always, her little boy. She hadn't told Dutchy anything and she wondered if he'd ever understand. Suddenly his voice called her back to reality.
" So ya gonna tell whats been boverin' ya lately, or am I gonna hafta guess?" Dutchy questioned, smiling and taking one of her hands. Dagger looked across the table apologetically.
"I'm sarry Dutch, it's just a lot a stuff. Don't sweat it, Kay?" Dagger tried to brush off. Dutchy didn't take the bait.
" No Dags, ya can't fool me. Dereas sumfin' buggin' ya, what is it?"Dutchy pressed, looking at Dagger earnestly. Dagger pulled her hand away and stoodup.
"Listen I said it was nuffin' an' I meant it , okay! Just leave me be!" She spat out, pushing passed Tantrum and Bumlets , who were coming to join them. Dutchy stood up and began to follow but Tantrum stopped him.
" Ya bettea let 'er go, she don't like bein' comforted when she's mad. Ya wanna tell me what happened?" Tantrum questioned, sliding into the booth where Dagger had been sitting. Dutchy shook his head, then relented.
" She's been really distant , dat's all. I tought maybe sumfin' was wrong, but....." Dutchy didn't get a chance to finish. Tantrum jumped right in.
"Ya course, she's missin' 'er kid. It was born around dis time, a couple years ago. She nevea wanted ta give it up.Didn't you remembea?" Tantrum looked at Dutchy like he was stupid. In that moment he was stupefied.
" Daggea's got a kid?" Dutchy breathed. Tantrum hit her head and buried her face in Bumlets chest. Now she'd really done it.

Snag was staring at Jack with a vacant expression. They'd been sitting for an hour and he hadn't mentioned Sarah. Snag felt angry and dejected. Finally she'd had enough, interrupting Jack mid sentence she attacked.
"So , when was ya gonna tell me ya met Sarah? Ya gonna just leave dat out of yer stories, or were ya purposely tryin' ta lie. Aftea all, she's does love ya an' everythin'." Snag spat at Jack contemptuously. Jack was shocked and then suddenly nervous.
" Listen Snag , it ain't what ya tink.....I mean....." Jack stuttered, reaching across for Snag's face. Snag leaned back in her seat.
"Ya wanna explain what it was Cowboy, cause it certainly wasn't angry an' it wasn't hateful. Nope, I'd say it was down right friendly." Snag snapped, turning her eyes away from Jack.
" Listen Snag, how much did you hea'ah anyway, cause....." Jack began, trying to reason with his girl. Snag turned her eyes back to Jack.
"I hoid enough Kelly, okay! All dat 'bout meetin' 'er tamorra an' how much she loves ya an' all da promisin'. I hoid enough!" Snag's voice rose to an audible level and heads were starting to turn.
" Snag can ya keep it down please people a'h starin'. It really ain't what ya tink...." Jack hissed, giving Snag a serious look, warning her to shut up. Snag wasn' t willing.
" Oh no...." She challenged, standing up and turning to leave. Jack grabbed her arm and pushed her into the seat.
"Yeah really, now sit down an' shut up an' don't interrupt me till I'm done explainin' tings. Den ya can be mad, but until den yer gonna listen an' listen good." Jack growled. Snag stayed silent and still.

Dutchy walked into Daggger's room and approached her quietly. She was lying face down, her head buried in a small soft blue blanket. He sat down on the edge of her bed and Dagger looked up at him, her face streaked with tears.
"Ya nevea towld me ya 'ad a kid." Dutchy muttered, his voice quiet and his tone even. Dagger's face furrowed in anger and sadness. As if things weren't bad enough.
" Who towld ya? Tantrum, figureas, dat kid's mouf 'as always been too big!" She contemptuously. Dutchy reached out and tried to take her hand, sheretracted.
" I ain't a slut, it wasn't like Fern or nuffin', I was wif a guy an' he used ta huert me sometimes. He wanted me ta get rid a da baby but I didn't wanna an' den he beat me an' den Riddle helped....an'......an'....." Dagger couldn't finish and she broke into a fresh round of tears. Dutchy moved around her now, holding her to him closely.
" Nobody blames ya, I wouldn't a judged ya. I just didn't know.....it must be pretty 'ard ta keep all dat inside. I'm sarry."Dutchy crooned, rocking Dagger back and forth.
" It's just dat I miss 'im so much, an' I don't even know wherea 'e is. I wanted ta ask ya sumfin', ya gotta tell da truth dough. How do ya feel about me havin' a kid, I mean around herea?" Dagger asked, searching Dutchy's face for a sign. Dutchy smiled.
" If'd make ya happy dere's nuffin' I'd want morea." He grinned, hugging Dagger tightly. Tantrum and Bumlets entered the room. Dagger saw her friend and smiled. Tantrum broke into tears.
" I'm so sarry, I didn't know he didn't know. I Tough you'da towld 'im. Please forgive me!!"She wailed. Dagger rolled her eyes and shook her head.
" An you tought she got 'er name cause she can fight good."Dagger teased, making laughter ring through the room.

" I can't do it any morea Davey. I gotta be free, dis whole ting has just been weird. I ain't a churchy good girl an' I nevea will be. I'm just a newsie an' I like wearin' pants an'low cut dresses. We ain't from da same class, plus I seen ya lookin' at Sarah's friends like ya wish I was one of dem, why not get one of dem. Please Dave, ya gotta let me go." Vanity pleaded, removing her hand from David's. David frowned and shook his head.
"You're breaking up with me?" David scoffed in disbelief. Vanity's eyes narrowed and she hardened.
"It's been fun an' all Davy but now, it's ovea. We a'h ovea." Vanity announced with finality. David sat in an overconfident disbelieving haze. Vanity scoffed and wondered what she'd ever seen in David.
" Screw you David." She spat out as she closed the door of his apartment.

"I was wit Sarah herea, but it ain't because I wanted to. She towld me Les has been havin' trouble, an' I care about dat kid, ya know. I didn't even ask 'er ta come, she found me. Now she did tell me dat she loved me , an' I can't help dat an' dat's what I towld 'er. I towld 'er I was in love wit you, an' dat no mattea what she felt fer me, it wasn't half a what I felt fer you. I promised I'd meet Les tamorra an' sell papes wit 'im. Den she started cryin' like she does an' I gave 'er me hanky an' den she left. Dat's all dat happen Snag, now ya can choose ta believe me or not." Jack finished, taking a long drink of water and looking out the window. Snag stood up and left the booth. Jack buried his head in his hands. A hand reached out and moved his hands away. Soft lips touched his cheek and Snag's head rested in the hollow of his shoulder.
" I'm sarry, I was just scared. I'm sarry, I'm a jealous cat......" Snag's tears dampened Jack's shirt and he smiled at her innocence . Secretly he breathed a sigh of relief.
" Lets go home now." He whispered, and guided toward his bunk at Tibby's.

Early dawn outlined Riddle's body as she shrugged on her clothes. Spot stood with his back to her.
" I gotta go Spot, it's partly my fault she lost da kid in da fourst place." Riddle admitted, combing her hair quickly and pulling on her hat. Spot caught her around the waist as she went towards the door.
" How could dis possible have ta do wit you?"Spot questioned, holding her to him with an arm, while cupping her chin in his palm with the other hand. Riddle frowned.
"Aftea I soaked Dob fer beaten on Dags he came an took da baby.I tried ta stop 'im but he threatened ta get me sent back ta da refuge. I hate it derea Spot, I couldn't go back derea an' so I lost Daggea's child fer 'ea. I regretted it an' felt guilty an' dis is a chance ta fix everythin'. I gotta Spot please." Riddle pleaded, pushing Spot away gently. Spot's blue eyes softened at Riddle's words.
" Riddle, let me go. Y'ain't strong enough yet. An' Dob ain't gonna give me any trouble." Spot tried to convince Riddle, pleading with his soft puppy dog eyes. Riddle shook her head.
" Nope, I gotta do dis fer me Spot, fer me an' Dag." Riddle smiled, kissed Spot soundly and went out the door. Spot heaved a sigh and ran a hand through his hair.

Hazard and Snoddy along with Smokey and Kid were selling papers when Hazard caught sight of something in the alley near by.
" Two seconds , an' den I'll be back." She pleaded, enjoying mystery of the moment.
"Alright sherlock, just don't get lost alright." Snoddy joked, kissing his girlfriend and making the other couple smile.
t Hazard trotted over to the ally and inspected her find. The body was curled up but still alive, and not unrecognisable. Hazard's stomach turned at the sight but she got her wits about her and called the others over.
"Holy Shit, We gotta get 'er ta da hospital."Smokey muttered,looking at the others , concern filling her eyes. Hazard's eyebrows raised.
" Why?" She demanded, staring at the body and then at Smokey, whose eyes turned vibrant and whose jaw clenched.
" Because undea all of dat uddea stuff derea is a decent goil an' a newsie. Kid , ya bettea get Mush. Now come on, help me lift 'er." Smokey ordered, bending to pick up Fern's head. The others obeyed grudgingly.

Riddle though a lot about how she would handle things when she saw Dob on the long walk over. Upon reaching Jersey she checked her weapons and entered the dangerous zone. He was the first things she saw.
" I nevea tought you'd have da guts ta show up herea." He growled, green eyes flashing, voice a little higher then before. Riddle would have laughed about that if she hadn't been so tense.
" Ya well, ya nevea scared me much." Riddle retorted, had playing with her slingshot.
" So why a'h ya here, not dat it matteas. If ya cared da retrieval surgery went well." Dob encumbered, coming closer. Riddle rolled her eyes but was now fully aware of his gang around her.
" I came about Dags. I wanna know wherea da kid is." Riddle spat out, pulling herself to her full height. She was tightening like a spring.
" Now why would Daggea require dat information. It's been along time." Dob hissed, baring his teeth like an aggravated dog.
" Not dat long. She wants da kid an' I tink she's got a right to 'im. So ya gotta choice, we can do it hard or easy." Riddle challenged. Dob laughed, a cruel heartless laugh , like a cold unfeeling wind.
" I don' tink yer in any place ta argue. Give me one good reason not ta kill ya right now." He snarled, motioning to his gang. Riddle's lip curled, he'd always been gutless.
"Because ya haven't given me de information I need an' because....." Riddle didn't get to finish.
" Because Brooklyn would kick yer lily lived ass." Spot announced, coming around a corner. "I tink she's proved 'er courage, why not tell 'er what she wants." He encouraged, eyes narrowed and dangerous. Dobs eyes shifted around his gang.
" All she needed ta do was ask. Hudson Street Orphanage was wherea I left 'im." He directed his answers to Riddle and avoided Spot's eyes. Riddle was fuming for Spot's betrayal but glad for the answers he produced, sometimes you needed to apply gentle pressure.
" Tanks Dob, see y'around." Riddle grinned, turning and leaving with Spot. She looked up at him reproachfully.
" I had it undea control." Riddle muttered. Spot grinned and put an arm around her.
"What a'h partneas for. Come on, we can make Hudson's by night time if we take da trolley." Spot laughed, helping Riddle on a passing one.

" She's gone Mush, I'm sarry." Smokey broke the news to him gently. Mush pulled Muddle a little closer and went to talk with the doctor.
" I suppose da baby's gone too huh?" Mush asked quickly, diverting his eyes with a hangnail on his left hand. The doctor coughed.
"I'm sorry young man but that women wasn't pregnant, perhaps you have the wrong women. This was a Ms Diaz." The doctor checked, looking at the chart. Mush looked at him in surprise.
" Yer shurea?" He breathed, life filling his big brown eyes.
"Yes. Most definitely. Not pregnant, just sick. So sad, she was so young and so pretty too." He sighed an left Mush to figure out his own feelings.
"Dat Bitch!" Mush exclaimed happily.

"I don't believe she lied like dat. Holy Shit." Vanity breathed to Smokey. Smokey and Dagger grinned at there friend.
"Broke up wif David?" Smokey questioned, a sparkle in her eyes. Vanity grinned.
" Damn Straight . What a losea, he sat derea stuned, like he didn't believe it." Vanity vented. The other two girls just laughed.

"Yes." A red haired lady answered the door and stared at Spot and Riddle. Riddle smiled and held out her hand. " Me names Riddle O'Neely. I'm lookin' fer somebodies kid. Da kids name is Aidan Fairchild, is 'e 'erea. I got 'is birth certificate, I've come ta take 'im back ta 'is muddea. She's alive an' she wants 'im back. Is 'e 'erea?" Riddle repeated, anxious to see the bundle of sweetness she'd handed over to Dob.
" I'm not shurea, deres lots a kids. Let me check in da records. Come in." The women led the two past a numerous succession of children, young and older. Riddle's heart broke for them. The women looked through the files until she found one.
" Ah yeah, 'es herea. But it says bof parents a'h died." The women eyed the two suspiciously. Spot glared back. Riddle handed over a birth certificate. The women nodded and sighed.
" It looks legitimate, an' we've got so many kids one less is a blessing. ROOSTEA, get Little A." the women called to a slack jawed kid playing in the hall. Riddle sighed and clutched at Spot's hand. A tiny black hair, fair skinned, large green eyed kid was carried into the room. It could have only been Dagger's kid. The small features and shy smile was exactly like his mother. Riddle stood and took the boy , like she was in a trance.
"I got ya back, yer comin' home." she whispered, burying her face in the soft black hair. Spot smiled and thought of their baby ,how Riddle would have loved that baby. He turned back to the women.
" Tanks." He half smiled and walked over to Riddle. "Lets go Rid, dis babies got a mothea ta meet." He grinned, leading Riddle and Aidan out of the orphanage and into the sunlight.

The gang was at Tibby's awaiting Riddle and Spot's return. No one knew where they were or why they had gone away.
" Dey probably rented a room ta get some peace an' quiet." Race smiled, tickling Frenzy, who slugged him. Smokey shrugged.
" Well she bettea get back soon, we gotta do sumfin' about Fern's funeral." Smokey huffed. Muddle cast her a frown.
" Why should we do anythin', dat goil cause fa'ah too much trouble fer...." Muddle started.
"But she was a newsie." Vanity protested. Starting off a noisy argument which was only ended by the slamming of the door. Everyone looked up.
" Fern's funeral will be discussed at anothea time, right now I gotta introduce ya too our newest newsie. Aidan Fairchild." Spot grinned, moving away from the door and allowing Riddle to walk through with Aidan. Dagger gasped and stood at once. Riddle walked towards her slowly. Dagger gained mobility and rushed over, taking the baby from Riddle. Their eyes met and Dagger burst into tears.
" Ya brought 'im back ta me. Ya brought 'im back." Dagger whispered , hugging the baby to her. Riddle smiled and Spot hugged her tightly from behind.
" Riddle.... I wanna get married." Spot whispered, "An' have a kid." Spot finished, Riddle turned around and kissed Spot fiercely.
Dagger took her baby over to her adoring friends and to Dutchy. Dutchy smiled as the little boy helped himself to the cookie on his plate.
" Newsie all ready." he laughed, rustling the childs hair. Dagger grinned and wiped her tears away.
"Dutchy dis is Aidan. Aidan dis is Dutchy." She smiled, receiving a kiss from Dutchy. Riddle looked on happily, everything was going to be fine, just like she thought.
"Boy Dutchy you woik fast." Race joked, ducking the arm flailed in his direction and enjoying the chorus of laughter he'd created.