*disclaimer*  Spot Conlon and other various characters from the movie newsies belong to Disney.  I'm just borrowing them.  Slick McGee and Tornado belong to me.  Just ask and I'll most likely let you use them.  *grins*  Dicky O'Shanks belongs to Dicky O'Shanks.  If you wanna use her character, you'll have to take it up with her.

One Girl Army

by: Slick McGee

Chapter 1

Margarethe coughed and sputtered in the alley as she woke from her daze. Her bruised little twelve year old body trying desperately to pull itself from the gutter. She'd finally gotten away from that hell. Her stomach cried out in hunger. The frail girl picked some debris from her long curls and managed to lift herself from the squaller that surrounded her. It had finally happened. Her sisters and her had prayed that the day wouldn't come, but it did.

She pushed it from her mind and walked slowly out of the darkness of the alley into the hustle and bustle of the street. Her stomach begged for food. She could no longer ignore it. Margarethe hadn't eaten in three days. She'd barely eaten before she'd escaped the torture that was her home. The smells from vendor's carts only made her body cry out more for nourishment. The little girl spotted a careless looking apple vendor not so far off. She'd stolen for food before. She knew exactly what to do. She took a deep breath and walked calmly over to the stout man, "Excuse me sir." she batted her lashes, "Sumone stole sum a your apples." she took her small finger and pointed over to a man just minding his business in the street. The vendor was furious and quickly yelled out, "STOP THIEF!!" While he was busy with the police, Margarethe took two apples and placed them in her apron. The cops took hold of the 'thief'. He had no apples so they had to let him go. The vendor was quite disappointed but he looked back at little curly haired girl. Surely she had to be telling the truth. A sweet innocent thing like that would have no reason to lie. He sighed, "Well here's two apples for ya. You'se a good Samaritan small one." he smiled warmly placing an apple in each of her hands. Margarethe smiled sweetly up at him, "Thank you so much sir." she did a cute little curtsy and began to walk away. She put the apples in the front of her apron with the others she'd stolen. She was so good.

She had walked a few blocks when suddenly she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She whipped around only to see a dark haired boy standing before her. He frowned, "I saw what you did back dere." Margarethe scowled back at him, "So?! What is it ta you?" she started to turn away but he lightly grabbed her arm, "Hey stealin ain't right. You don't need ta be doin dat sorta thing." The girl pulled her arm away, "I do need ta do dat sorta thing if I'se gonna survive. It's eiddah steal or die. I'd rathah steal." The boy shook his head, "Look I ain't gonna tell nobody awright. I used ta steal meself but den I got a job and all." Margarethe rolled her eyes, "Well let's jist say I jist quit mine." she shuddered then turned to leave.

She started to walk down the street again only to have him follow. He got in front of her to make her stop. He extended his hand, "Da name's Spot Conlon." he smirked. She glared, "So. What did you want a prize or sumtin?" she said. Spot sighed, "Dis is usually da part wheah ya shake me hand and tell me your name." She was not about to give her name to this complete stranger. If he knew who she was he'd take her off back to her brother. He probably had some sort of ransom out for her anyway. In spite of herself she shook his hand but refused to give a name, "Pleased ta meetcha." she gave a sarcastic tone. Spot shook his head. He knew this girl was not going to budge, "Well if you ain't gonna tell me your name I suppose I'll haftah give ya one." Margarethe scoffed, "I don't see why it makes no difference at all." He sighed, "Look I jist don't like ta see people in trouble. And I don't care what you say. You'se in trouble. Any goil who has da gaul ta steal sumtin and do it so well is in trouble." he folded his arms over his chest and nodded to finalize it. She rolled her eyes, "Oh well you know me so well now dontcha? I can take care of meself. I think I can manage jist fine witout ya." she pulled out one of her apples and took a bite from it.

He frowned, "Look you probably ain't got a place ta stay. I can take ya sumwheah wheah dere'll be a warm bed for ya and hot food ta eat. Bettah den dose apples ya stole. You want me help or not?" Margarethe's eyes widened. A warm bed? Hot food? She couldn't fathom it all at once like that. There had to be some sort of catch. He wanted something from her. All men did. She glared at him her arms crossed in front of her, "What's da catch?" she eyed him suspiciously. Spot furrowed his brow, "A catch?" he asked. This girl was insane. All he wanted to do was help someone in trouble. Why couldn't she just accept that? Margarethe rolled her eyes, "Yes a catch. You wouldn't offah sumtin like dat unless ya wanted sumtin in retoin. I know how da woild woiks." she narrowed her green eyes at him. Spot shook his head. This girl was too much, "Ya know what? If you'se gonna be like dat, den maybe I'se wastin me time helpin ya at all." Her nose scrunched up a bit and she shook her head. Spot figured he might as well leave. She wasn't going to let him help her and he had better things to do. He rolled his eyes and turned around and started to walk away.

Margarethe was intrigued. What if he really could offer that and didn't want anything in return? She started to nonchalantly follow him down the road. Maybe if she found out where he was going she could find this warm bed and hot food without him. She pretended not to follow him as best as she could. She lifted her nose in the air as if she had somewhere important to go and it just happened to be in the same direction that he was heading.

Spot turned slightly to see her following him. He chuckled to himself slightly. He didn't buy the facade she was putting on one second. She was definitely following him. She was so slick about it though. He had to admire that. In fact it was pretty slick the little act she put on to get those apples. A smirk formed on his face and he turned to her, "So Slick ya decided ta tag along aftah all." Margarethe frowned and put her hands on her hips, "Why are you callin me Slick?"

"Told ya I'd give ya a name if you didn't tell me what yours was." he grinned triumphantly. The newly named Slick scowled, "Well wheah is dis place we'se goin anyway?"

"To da lodgin house a coise." he said matter of factly. Margarethe was confused, "You mean dat place wheah dose boys dat sell da newspapah live?" Spot nodded, "Yep I'se a newsie." She followed him all the way back to Brooklyn.

*~~~~~~~~~*

Once they got to the lodging house Spot opened the door for Margarethe. She eyed him strangely, "What are ya doin?" she asked. He raised a brow, "Boy's is supposed ta open da door for da goil. Ain't nobody evah opened a door for ya before?" She shook her head, "No."

"Well let me be da foist ta do it for ya den." he smirked. She rolled her eyes and entered the building cautiously. Spot led her upstairs into a bunkroom with boys carelessly standing around the room. They all stopped what they were doing and looked over to see who Spot had brought with him. Margarethe felt more uncomfortable as every second past. One of the oldest boys sauntered over and chuckled a bit, "So Conlon where did you git your lil goilfriend heah?" He towered above Spot and had blonde hair and sinister looking brown eyes.

"Good one, Tornado." Spot said sheepishly, "Dis heah's Slick. She's in kind of a bind. I'se helpin her out." Tornado looked the girl up and down, "I see." She shuddered a bit. The way he looked at her unerved her. She was used to men looking at her like that. Though it didn't mean that she liked it. Spot moved past him and motioned Slick to follow him. Tornado shook his head and chuckled, "Awright Spot. We can see you and you're lil goilfriend is busy. We'll all leave you two alone." he winked at Margarethe and motioned his the rest of the boys to leave with him, which they did.

Spot shook his head at the boys as they left then turned back to Slick, "I'se sorry bout dat. Dat was Tornado. He's da leadah and he's jist like dat sumtimes." She just nodded in response. He sighed, "You wanna sit or sumtin? Or we could go git sum food." The word food perked Slick up instantly. She was so hungry. She hadn't eaten in two days. Well besides the apples she'd just stolen. Spot grinned, "Awright den. I'll take ya to da restraunt we all hang out at round dese parts. It's called Sam's." He motioned her to follow which she of course did. She didn't even think to be hesitant this time. This Spot guy seemed to be alright. She wasn't sure about the rest of them though. She wasn't completely sure of Spot actually. But if she could get a meal out of humoring him, she would at the moment.

*~~~~~~~~~*

After eating and introducing Slick to all of the Brooklyn newsies he walked her back over to the lodging house. She seemed very suspicious of everyone, even Spot. He didn't quite know what to do for her to make her comfortable with everyone. He walked her over to the empty bunk, "Ya can sleep heah when ya git tired." Slick eyed the bed strangely as if it was going to bite her. She looked cautiously at her surroundings. This was all very odd to her. She very gingerly sat down on the bed. Spot sighed, "It is okay ya know. No one's gonna hoit ya." He slowly sat down beside her making sure that there was plenty of distance between them. She looked so uneasy about everything. Slick wasn't sure she wanted to be around all these boys. She was very very nervous, "Um yeah thanks." He didn't know what else to do for her. The other newsies started to pile into the room. It was really late and most of them were past curfew. No one really obeyed the curfew very well in Brooklyn. They eyed Slick strangely and she eyed them the same. She drew into herself some seeing all of them. She was so small and they towered above her. Any one of them could easily overpower her.

Spot noted her discomfort. He scooted a little closer to her, "Hey you'se gonna be fine. If anyone is a bothah to ya jist come ta me." He smiled a little at her. She barely looked over at him. She was too busy staring at the people around her, "Okay." She whispered. Now that this girl was around Spot wondered what he was going to do with her. He'd never brought in a stray kid before. Most of the other guys had. He decided to try it out. He figured that it was now his job to take care of her, to protect her. He stuck out his chest a little. He was proud of himself for taking on this responsibility. Spot looked over at her again and whispered, "So how old are ya anyway?" She looked at him as if he'd grown five heads. Why did he want to know that. After a throe stare down she finally answer, "Twelve. I'se twelve." He grinned. Good he was older, "I'se thirteen." He beamed with pride. Slick rolled her eyes at his prideful look, "Good for you. What a great accomplishment. Ya know,  toinin anothah age. Ain't like people do it everyday." His bubble was officially bursted. Gosh she had a mouth on her. After what he'd just done for her why was she so angry at him. She barely said a word when he had introduced her to everyone. She didn't give a thank you for anything. She was so ungrateful. Spot shook his head, "Look jist git sum sleep okay?" She nodded slightly. He tried smiling at her again. Maybe eventually she'd smile back, "Night." He whispered. She nodded again. Spot reluctantly left her. All the other newsies had laid down.

Spot curled up in his bed and looked over to where Slick was. She was still sitting up looking around the room. Why wasn't she in bed? He slid quietly out of bed. As soon as Slick heard a noise she jerked her head around to see Spot. She curled into herself more. What did he want? He walked over to her and gently sat by her on the bed, "Aren't you tired?" He asked. She shook her head. It was obvious that she was lying since she yawned not too long after. Spot sighed, "Why don't ya lay down and git sum sleep?" She shook her head, "No I'se fine." He frowned, "You don't look fine. You look tired. You should try ta sleep." She yawned again, "No I'se fine." He scooted closer to her, "What are ya afraid of? Sleepin ain't a bad thing. We'se gittin up early in da mornin. You'se gonna need your rest. You can come watch me sell." Slick wasn't sure about all of this. She leaned against the back of the bed, "Um okay." She whispered. Her eyes were starting to droop. She struggled to stay awake. Spot figured that if he kept talking she'd eventually fall asleep. He grinned, "Yeah den I can maybe teach ya how ta sell." At this point Slick's eyes were closed, "Mmm Hmm." He heard her mutter. His grin widened. She was almost asleep. He was really getting the hang of this responsibility thing. He sat there a few more minutes with her until he thought she was completely out. He gently slid her down onto the bed and pulled the covers over her. Once he was sure she was okay he got up and went to bed himself.

*~~~~~~~~~*

The next morning Spot woke up before everyone else. He usually did. He looked around and soon his eyes feel upon an empty bed. The bed Slick had been sleeping in. He started to panic. Where could she have gone? He frantically rose from his bed and ran into the washroom. He looked around, "Slick?" He whispered loudly. Maybe she was already up and had to use the bathroom or something. He didn't get an answer. He started to look for feet under all the stalls. Nothing. Where on earth could she have gone? He felt a nauseous pit in his stomach. He walked back into the bunkroom just to make sure his eyes hadn't deceived him. Nope they hadn't. She was gone.

His attention was then turned to a newsie that was shivering, "Dang it sumone close da window." The half awake newsie muttered. Spot turned to see the window half open. It usually wasn't open at night. He frowned. She probably skipped town. Dang it. He decided to go out there anyway. Once he slipped out the window he decided to make the trek up to the roof just to make sure.

Slick jolted awake when she heard someone come onto the roof. She looked up and met eyes with an unhappy Spot. She stood up quickly, "Heya." She whispered. He frowned, "Why didn't ya sleep in da bunk?" He asked. She shook her head, "Couldn't sleep dere. I woke up. Decided ta come out heah." He shook his head, "You'se crazy. It's cold up heah." She just shrugged. Spot laughed, "Well den let's git ya downstairs. You can start ta git ready for da day and everything." He looked over her tattered dress, "Um dat's probably not warm enuff for ya. I can't believe you slept in it out heah." She shrugged once again, "S'all I got." He frowned, "We'll have ta find ya sumtin latah."

Soon Spot lead Slick back into the bunkroom where all the other newsies were starting to wake up and get dressed. They had no shame in taking off articles of clothing in front of her. She covered her eyes. Spot chuckled a bit, "Heah I'll get ya to your bunk and you can stay wit your eyes shut until dey's all changed." He lightly took her hand. She squirmed a bit. He frowned and whispered in her ear, "It's okay. I'se jist gonna lead ya to your bunk." She furrowed her brows. She didn't like this at all. Here she was in a room of half dressed boys and this one wanted to lead her to a bunk. She didn't like this at all. Her heart started to pound. Spot wondered why this was such a big deal. Why did she get so afraid of everything. He could tell she was afraid. She wouldn't even tell him she was. He whispered in her ear again, "It's okay. I'se gonna start walkin wit ya now." He took the first step and to his surprise she did as well. He walked her all the way back to the bunk and sat down, "You can sit down now. We'se at da bunk." She felt her hands around and found the bed. She slowly sat down. She briefly opened her eyes for a second to make sure she was okay. Once she saw everything was fine she closed her eyes again.

Spot grinned, "See dat wasn't so bad now was it?" Slick shook her head. Maybe this Spot guy was okay after all. Eventually all the newsies cleared the room and headed off to sell, "Dey's gone. You can open your eyes now." Spot said as he stood up. Slick felt the bed shift and opened her eyes. The bunkroom was empty. It was only her and Spot. She didn't really like that feeling either. She curled into herself a bit. He noted her discomfort, "Um I'm gonna go into da washroom and change. When I'se done in dere you can go in and do whatevah. Den we'll go sell okay?" Slick nodded her head and whispered, "Okay." He sighed and grabbed some extra clothes by his bunk.

Then he headed off into the washroom. He wished there was some way to make this girl okay with him. He felt it was his duty to make her comfortable since he brought her here. When the other boys brought strays they were responsible for them. Likewise was Spot with Slick. He puffed out his chest again. Yes he was becoming a man. He quickly checked in the nearest mirror to see if there was any hair on his chest. Darn. None yet. Oh well he was still becoming a man.

He walked out into the other room to see Slick still curled into herself on her bunk. He shook his head, "You can use da washroom now." He said quietly to her. She jumped at the sound of his voice. Her back had been turned. She quickly got up and scurried into the washroom.

Why didn't she trust him? Hadn't he proven that she was safe with him yet? He had taken her off the streets. He shook his head and decided to give it time.

*~~~~~~~~~*

After a few weeks Slick was starting to get the hang of this newspaper selling thing. She'd cleaned up and got rid of the tattered dress. She'd also adopted the last name McGee to cover up her true identity. She couldn't let anyone find out what her real name was or she'd be dead. Spot gave her some of her old clothes. She wondered how she had gotten along the past twelve years in a dress. This pants thing was really growing on her. She felt so free. Spot was about the only person Slick would even talk to yet. She didn't like the other boys that much. Especially the leader, Tornado. He always looked at her funny. The way the people in the bar used to look at her. The way her brother's friends looked at her. She'd never liked that. He also never talked directly to her. He'd always talk to Spot about her when she was standing right there.

Spot was pleased that Slick seemed to be warming up to him. He sat on top of his perch as she kicked her feet off the dock. She seemed to be a lot happier then when he'd first brought her there. He stuck out his chest. He'd done good. He jumped down startling her. She looked up and saw it was him. He smiled, "Sorry I scared ya. Hey wanna loin how ta shoot a slingshot?" He was eager to teach something new. She rolled her eyes, "No." Slick went back to kicking her feet off the edge of the dock. He frowned. He wanted to teach her something new dang it, "Come on. It's fun. At least watch me." He whined. She scrunched her nose but stood up to watch. She could deal with humoring him for a few minutes.

He was thrilled when she decided to watch. He pointed to a bottle up on top of one of the dock pillars, "See dat bottle up dere?" She nodded, "Yeah yeah I see it." Slick had seen the other boys do this many times before in the past few weeks. It held no excitement to her anymore. He grinned, "I'se gonna hit it down." With that he pulled out his slingshot and put a shooter in. He pulled it back and let go. The bottle smashed into pieces. He beamed at Slick, who did not share his enthusiasm, "Great ya hit da bottle wit da marble. Good for you." She said flatly. Spot frowned, "You could at least pretend ta care." Slick smirked at him, "What and bring up dat little ego 'a yours more? I don't think so."

*~~~~~~~~~*

Later on that evening, Slick was playing with some cards she'd bought with some of the money she'd earned. Spot had taught her Solitaire and she was determined to win at it. She hadn't had much luck yet. She sat on her bunk and played while Spot talked with Tornado at the other end of the room. She couldn't hear what was going on. Tornado had kept the conversation down to a whisper. She tried to listen harder, certain that they were discussing her. She didn't like that feeling.

Spot beamed and whispered to Tornado, "See I did good didn't I? She's off da street and woikin and I even take care of her good. I'se becomin a man." Tornado chuckled, "No you aren't a man yet." The younger boy frowned, "Well what am I doin wrong?" The leader smirked, "You won't become a man until you've kissed a goil. Until you kiss a goil you'll stay a boy no matter how well you take care of your stray." Spot sighed, "Well when I do become a man, and when you leave I still git ta be da leadah right?" He asked hopefully. Tornado laughed, "Yeah ya do. Once I'm gone you're my next in line."

Slick frowned when she couldn't hear any of what was going on. She decided to concentrate on Solitaire and not worry so much about it. Soon the conversation between the two boys was over and Spot walked back over to her, "So you playin Solitaire again?" She nodded without looking back up at him. He sat down beside her on the bed, "Well can't we play sumtin else. I wanna play." She looked up at him and frowned, "I'se in da middle a dis."

Tornado stayed in the room a moment to watch the two. He inwardly laughed to himself. He knew the only girl that Spot was around lately was this Slick girl. He'd just set it up so Spot thought he had to kiss a girl to be a man. Though in Tornado's mind it took more then just a kiss. He couldn't wait until Spot decided to kiss his little stray. He wanted to see her scream and cry. That would make for an amusing evening.

*~~~~~~~~~*

That night all the newsies were tucked into bed and sleeping soundly. All but Slick. She was tossing and turning as she'd done everynight for the past month and a half. Ever since she'd gotten to the lodging house. Usually she'd wake up in the middle of her nightmare and go straight to the roof. Spot found her there every morning. He thought she was nuts for sleeping up there out in the cold. It was the only place she felt comfortable though. The boys made her nervous. This night she didn't wake up right away though. Instead she rolled herself right out of bed with a loud thud.

Spot woke up with a start. What was that? Some of the other boys stirred a little but didn't wake up. They were used to people falling out of bed at night. Yet Spot was a very light sleeper. He looked over at Slick's bunk. When his eyes adjusted he noticed she wasn't there. He looked over at the window thinking she'd gone up to the roof, but it wasn't open. He frowned and sat up in his bed. Where was she now? He slid out from under the covers and walked over to her bunk. He saw her struggling on the floor but she was still asleep. 'She must be having some nightmare' He thought to himself. He knelt down by her and gently nudged her, "Hey Slick wake up. You'se havin a nightmare." He whispered. The girl jolted up and let out a short shriek until she realized it was Spot and she was okay. That woke some of the other newsies up, "Dang it shut her up. Some of us are trying to sleep." Tornado hissed. Slick's bottom lip trembled and she stood up abruptly and grabbed her pillow and blanket. Spot shook his head and stood up with her, "No you ain't sleepin on dat roof. It's too cold." She frowned, "I gotta sleep up dere." He gently grabbed her arm, "No you don't. You got a warm bunk right here."

Slick pulled away and headed for the window, "I'se jist gonna wake everyone up if I sleep down heah again." The boy took her arm again, "No stay down heah. You ain't gonna wake no one up." He remembered when he'd had bad dreams as a child. When his mother had him tell her what they were about they usually didn't come back. He sat down on the bed, "Tell me what da dream was about. It probably won't come back if ya do dat." Her eyes widened, "No." She said bluntly. He scowled, "Why not?" She started to pry at the window. Spot sighed and pulled her back towards the bunk, "No you need ta sleep. If you won't tell me jist try again ta sleep down heah. I'll stay wit ya if ya want." Slick eyed him suspiciously, "Why would you do dat?" The boy shrugged, "I dunno. Cause you'se scared. I don't like being alone when I'se scared." He admitted, "Thought maybe you didn't eithah." She gritted her teeth, "I am not afraid!" She said sternly.

Out of nowhere Tornado yelled again, "SHUT UP!!" That made Slick jump back into bed. Spot grinned, "See you are scared." He whispered. She sulked, "I am not." Spot shook his head and got her pillow and blanket up off the floor, "In any case I'se stayin wit ya. You ain't escapin again tanight." The girl stuck her tongue out at him, "Fine." He put the pillow behind her head and covered her in the blankets before sliding in himself. He made sure to keep distance between them so she wouldn't be uncomfortable. She seemed to be squeamish about that sort of thing. He put his arms back behind his head and turned to her, "Night." He whispered. She bit her lip and looked up at him. With a nod of the head she closed her eyes.

*~~~~~~~~~*

It had been a week since Tornado had told Spot how to become a man.  Spot really really wanted to impress Tornado. He idolized him. He aspired to be just like Tornado one day. When Tornado left the lodging house Spot would then be leader. He couldn't wait. In the meantime he wanted to grow up as fast as possible.

The docks was the favorite place for all the Brooklyn newsies to hang out after selling papers. Slick was no exception. She sat on the edge dangling her feet as the boys ran around. It was too cold to swim. She was starting to get mildly comfortable with most of them.

As Spot looked down from his perch he saw Slick. His mind started reeling. Tornado had told him a week ago that to be a man he must kiss a girl. The only girl Spot was around lately had been Slick. He wondered what she would do if he kissed her. She did seem the most comfortable with him. He jumped down from the perch and walked over to her, "Heya." He put on his best smile. Slick looked up, "Hey." She smiled for a moment then looked back out at the water. Spot sighed, "I wanna tawk to ya bought sumtin. Will you come ta da roof wit me?" She looked up at him again and shrugged. She didn't have anything better to do.

Slick followed Spot up the fire escape to the roof. He sat down against the ledge and motioned her to do the same. As she sat she asked, "Um okay what did you want to tawk 'bout?" Spot scooted a little closer to her, "Well, uh you trust me right?" Slick eyed him suspiciously, "I dunno. Why?" That was a good enough answer for him. He took her head in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. The instant Slick realized what was going on she shoved Spot away and jumped to her feet. She screamed at the top of her lungs. Spot's eyes widened. Okay maybe she wasn't taking this too well. He stood up and thrust his hand over her mouth. That made her struggle with him. He whispered calmly in her ear, "Shh It's okay. I ain't hoitin ya. I'se sorry. I won't do it again." Once she realized that he wasn't going to hurt her she calmed down and stopped struggling. He let go of her mouth, "I ain't nevah hoid anyone scream dat loud ovah one little kiss 'fore." Slick backed away from Spot and towards the escape, "Don't you evah evah touch me again!" She yelled. He stood in shock. It was just a little kiss. Why was she flipping out over one lousy kiss? He shook his head, "I ain't gonna now dat I know you'll scream like dat. It's okay. Why are you so upset?"

Slick glared at him, "Don't you evah evah do dat again." She said again. Spot sighed and took a step towards her, "I'se sorry. I didn't know you'd be so upset. I ain't gonna do it again. Come sit down and tawk ta me." He took another step. Slick took a step back, "You said you wanted ta tawk earliah but when we got up heah you kissed me." Her stare was ice cold. Spot shook his head and took another step towards her, "I ain't gonna do it again. We can even stand right heah and tawk like dis if ya want." Something just wasn't right. Why didn't she like sleeping in the bunkroom? Why didn't she talk to any of the boys? Sure she was warming up a little to them but she still steered clear of most of them.

She stayed cautiously by the fire escape, "What did you want to tawk bout?" He sighed, "Why don't you want none of da boys round ya? What are ya so afraid of? No ones gonna hoit ya." She raised a brow, " 'Scuse me? You'se da one dat jist tried ta have your way wit me and now you'se askin why I'se afraid of da boys." Spot nodded his head, "Good point." Slick took another step back but Spot called out, "Wait! I didn't mean ta do dat doah. Well I did but I didn't think it would be a big deal. I mean Tornado told me I wouldn't be a man unless I kissed a goil......." His voice trailed off. He realized just how ridiculous he sounded, "Okay dat's a real bad excuse." He frowned at himself and muttered, "How could I be so stupid?" Slick took a small step towards him, "Um it's okay I guess. Long as ya don't do it again."

Spot smiled slightly, "I won't." He whispered, "Come on. You'se probably hungry." He stuck out his chest again getting into his responsible mode. Slick nodded, "A little I guess." He grinned, "Good ta make up for dis I'se gonna pay for your dinnah." The girl smirked a bit, "You bet you'se gonna pay." He was elated that he hadn't messed up completely. He followed her down the escape and off to Sam's.

*~~~~~~~~~*

July: 3 months later

*~~~~~~~~~*

Slick had been staying in Brooklyn for almost 5 months now. She was still having nightmares. Spot wished she would just tell him what was going on with these dreams. He lay awake some nights just waiting for her to start tossing and turning. He felt responsible somehow. She still wasn't talking to many of the other boys. She'd warmed up to a few. She even warmed up to a few people in other parts of the city. Such as Manhattan, West Side, Harlem, and Queens. Yet she was still very distant. Spot was really the only person she confided in and that was even very little. It was the heat of summer and Spot couldn't sleep. Not only wasn't it properly ventilated but he could hear Slick tossing in her sleep again. She seemed to be muttering something that he couldn't make out. He sighed and slid out of bed.

"Slick, Slick!" He nudged her gently, "Wake up it's jist anuddah dream." She kept tossing and turning, "Kein Willy bitte schlagen mich nicht wieder! Es verletzt! Es verletzt! Bitte Anschlag!",(No Willy please don't hit me again! It hurts! It hurts! Please stop!) She murmured in her slumber. Spot sighed and nudged her harder, "Slick wake up!" He whispered louder. She sat up and started screaming and crying. Spot's eyes widened and he quickly put his hand over her mouth. She squirmed and struggled to get away from him but he'd placed his other arm around her waist. Tornado yelled from his bed, "Spot you brought dat goil heah now take care of her! We'se all tryin ta sleep! If she don't shut up she can leave!" Spot called back, "It's awright. I'se got it taken care of."

Soon Slick was calming down again when she realized it was Spot that had her. She sleepily leaned back against his chest. He whispered to her, "Let's go up on da roof." Slick shook her head. She was already falling back asleep. He really didn't want her to wake anyone else up with her screaming. He nudged her again to stay awake, "No if you have anuddah nightmare and scream Tornado's gonna be real upset." Her eyes fluttered open and she sat up then slid out of bed. Spot followed while grabbing her blanket and pillow.

Once they'd gotten up to the roof Slick placed her pillow on the ground and laid down. She pulled her covers up and closed her eyes but Spot nudged her again, "Hey what are all dese dreams bout huh?" He asked, "You gotta tell sumone cause ya keep havin em." Slick shook her head. She just wanted sleep. She didn't want to think about her dreams. Spot laid down and watched her, "Ya know dey's jist gonna keep comin if ya don't tell no one." Slick opened her eyes, "Dey's bout me family okay. Now can I go back ta sleep?" Spot shook his head, "Not until you tell me what da dream was." She shot back, "I jist told you it was bout me family." He prodded, "What bout your family?"

Slick grew weary of all of the questions, "It was bout me bruddah kickin da livin snot outtah me okay! Is dat what you wanted ta heah?" Spot was taken aback, "Well I did wanna heah da truth. I wish dat wasn't da truth." She sneered, "Well it is." Spot frowned, "Why would he do dat?" Slick crossed her arms, "Cause he's jist like me faddah was. No good drunk." He was surprised that she was opening up at all. He wanted to know more since she was in an open mood, "What happened? Why was your faddah a drunk? Why would your bruddah even be allowed ta beat ya?" Slick lay on her back gazing up at the sky, "Me faddah was from Germany. He came ovah from dere and met me muddah who came from Ireland when she was little. Dey got married and had four of us. Me oldah bruddah, me two oldah sistahs, den me." Spot never knew she had siblings much less parents. She continued, "Me faddah was some violinist. He was really good he jist wasn't very successful. Aftah I was born me muddah got sick of everything and left wit her lovah. Well aftah dat me faddah went crazy and started ta drink. He'd beat me siblings and I for almost anything. So when I was 8 me bruddah decided he'd had enuff and all four of us ran away."

She looked back over at Spot. He was so confused. If her father was abusive why would her brother turn out the same, "Well where did you go aftah you all ran away?" He asked. She looked back up at the sky, "We came ta New Yawk City." Spot wondered how much she would disclose to him, "Well what did you do when you got heah? What happened to your bruddah and sistahs?" Slick took a deep breath, "Well we went ta woik in a factory. Me bruddah was fine for a while. Bossy but he was still okay. Me sistah Claudia was like a muddah instead of a sistah. She was always singin me ta sleep and everything. Bakin and all dat. But aftah a while we wasn't makin enuff money. Willy started to get angry wit us. Den he started ta drink. When he'd go aftah me ta beat me Claudia would git in da way. Brigitte and I would hide in da uddah room till it was all ovah."

Her eyes were starting to water. Spot reached out his hand and gently took hers. He wasn't sure how to comfort her. He had no idea it was going to get worse. Slick went on surprisingly enough, "Sumone suggested to Wilhelm dat he should whore out his sistahs since dey was so pretty." She bit her lip, "He did." Her voice was grim. Spot squeezed her hand as she continued, "He sold Claudia da one night and realized he could drink all day and sell da both of dem at night. He didn't have ta do none of da woik. I remembah da foist night he made Claudia. She cried and cried when she got home." Tears were starting to roll down Slick's cheeks, "Claudia nevah cried neiddah. She was always so strong. Den he made Brigitte. She was so fragile. It broke her heart in a million different pieces. Den he got ta me."

Spot's eyes widened. He didn't want to hear about this happening to Slick. He gripped her hand even tighter and scooted closer to her. She went on, "Willy decided dat I was too young to be a whore jist yet. Instead he sent me ta woik in a bar. I would clean off the table and sing for money. Willy thought I was too young but I guess da drunks didn't. Dey'd try ta do things to me. Like what people did ta Claudia and Brigitte." She stopped for a moment to wipe away some of the tears with her sleeve. She hated crying, "Dey nevah got to doah. Da bartendah wouldn't let dem git away wit much. Anyway when I toined twelve I guess Willy thought I wasn't too young no more. I could be a whore. He sent me out one day in dis dress and I didn't know what was goin on until he sent me off wit dis guy."

She bit down on her lip. She turned her head so that Spot couldn't see her face. He gingerly slid his arms around her and whispered in her ear, "Shhh you'se wit me now. None off dems gonna hoit ya no more." Slick shook her head, "He took me in an alley way and was rippin me dress." At this point she was starting to sob, "I screamed and kicked at him. Eventually I kicked da right place cause he let go of me. I ran out of dat alley. I wasn't goin home. Willy would have beaten me and sent me out again. I didn't want dat so I ran away. A few days latah I bumped inta you." She was trembling. Spot was horrified that anyone could do that to their own sister. He wouldn't ever do that to one of his. He held onto Slick and gently whispered to her, "It's awright. I got ya now. Dey ain't gonna hoit ya no more." Slick shook her head, "It ain't awright. It ain't. If dey'd find me I'd be dead. You don't know who I am." Spot shook his head, "I do too know who ya are. You'se Slick McGee." She pulled her head away and looked up at him, "I'se Margarethe Konrad." She whispered. His eyes widened hearing this. Konrad? Oh no. There was a small but growing prostitution ring around headed up by a guy named Konrad. He was starting to grow in fame in the imfamous parts of town. She couldn't be one of his sisters, could she? Before he could question further he felt her relax in his arms. She was out cold.