Author's note: Ben, Aaron, Hope, Francis, Ashton, Hodges, and Echo are mine. Brooklyn is hers, Psycho is hers, and the Newsies belong to Disney. Anybody else is mine. The song is a Newsboys song.

Always
By: Echo

Rover's POV

"What were you thinking,
I got a right to ask,
is there a reason,
other than your past,"

I walked into the Lodging house hoping to find Echo. I had heard the wedding was off, but when I asked Jack why he just mumbled some crap about not having enough in common. I had known Cowboy lond enough to understand that he couldn't care less about common ground.

When I found Echo sitting on her bunk it wasn't hard to see she was crying. While I had seen her cry before, she usually managed to hide the tears behind a smile. I guess even Echo had bad days when she couldn't fake a smile. I walked up to her silently. "Ya gonna be okay?"

She looked up suddenly and frantically wiped away her tears. "I didn't hear you come in."

I shrugged, not quite sure if I should forget my tough-guy routine. "I heard the wedding is off... did you get in a fight?"

She looked away. "Not really."

I nodded. "So, what happened?"

She grimaced a little. "I don't want to talk about it."

I didn't say anything for a few more seconds, but I decided that there was a lot more to the break up than what Jack said. "So it's pretty bad then... what happened with you and Jack."

She rolled her eyes. "You have no idea." A few seconds later she mumbled something about Hope. I saved the thought, I could try to make a connection when I got back to Brooklyn. After that I tried not to pry too much, I was afraid it would make Echo angry even if I was only trying to help.

I waited for her to say something but five minutes later she was still quiet and the silence was getting to be unbearable. I heard a door open and saw Echo stiffen a little as an angelic looking blond walked in. She smiled at us both. "Hello Spot, Chrissy."

I expected Echo to blow up, but instead she smiled. "Hi Hope."

'Hi Hope?' I thought as I stared at her in surprise. 'Her worst enemy walks into the room, calls her by a name she hates, and all she can say is 'Hi Hope'?!?'

Hope smiled and leaned out the door. "Francis, don't dawdle. Get in here."

All the blood drained from Echo's face but she still refused to look at me, instead she focused on the door as a little boy came waddling in. After taking a second glance at the kid, I lost any composure I had. "What the he-"

Echo practically glared daggers at me as the kid ran up and gave her a hug. "Hey Frankie!" She said, hiding any unpleasant emotions behind a fake grin.

Hope smirked a little as my mouth fell open and I pointed to the kid. "Echo! What are you-he-he... no!"

Frank stared at me for a few seconds with big, curious eyes, then turned to Echo. "Who's that man?"

Hope smiled at me and then at Frank. "That's Spot Conlon darling."

Frank looked at me suspiciously and then at Echo, who nodded and finally the kid yelled. "Rover!"

The name brought me out of shock and I turned to Echo and glared. "We need to talk."

We left Frank with Hope and walked out the door. "Well?" I said as I glared at her.

Echo bit her lip as she thought the question over. "Frank came to see me a few times in Boston and I told him about all of you, I guess he though the name Rover was funny."

"You know that's not what I meant."

She sighed and looked at the ground. "Ben and Aaron were furious when they found out I was going to marry Jack but they wouldn't tell me why. So instead they arranged for me to see for myself and Hope was the one that rubbed it in my face when I finally saw Frankie. I guess it happened when Jack was in Santa Fe and he thought I was getting married to someone else. Anyway, I told Aaron and Ben not to tell Jack I knew, but Ben did anyway and Jack called off the wedding."

I threw my hat against a wall. "Son of a-

"Spot." Echo said sternly.

I turned back around to face her. "What're ya goin' ta do?"

She bit her lip. "I don't now Spot... what would you do?"

I shook my head. "Don't bother asking. You wouldn't do what I would and you know it."

She sighed. "Now that I think of it, I don't even want to know what you would do..." She paused and cursed under her breath. "I knew Hope was trouble... oh, I could just spit on her."

I smirked. "Spit on her? You could spit on her? If I were you I'd do a lot more than spit on her!"

She looked upset for a second as she started to walk back into the room. "I wish I had your courage Spot, I don't even have the guts to say anything about it."

I hesitated, wondering if Echo had just slipped and complimented me. I walked into the room just in the time to hear Echo agree to watch the kid while Hope went out. Echo leaned down as the kid whispered something in her ear and then nodded and started walking out of the room after Hope had left. "That's it?!" I asked, following Echo down the hall. "Hope goes to Santa Fe and sc-"

"Spot." She said to stop me.

I glanced at the kid and went on. "And when she shows up you watch her kid for her and don't say sh-"

"Spot! Shut up!"

I stopped and looked at the kid again impatiently. Of all the times to think about the kid hearing curse words. "Don't tell me to shut up, I'll say whatever I d-dang well want to around that kid."

"No, you won't, and that kid's name is Francis." She said in a surprisingly calm voice.

"What's wrong with you?!" I yelled, not able to hold it in anymore.

Francis glared at me. "Don't yell at her!"

Echo ruffled his hair. "It's okay bud. Why don't you go back in there and play?"

He glared at me but nodded and left the room. Echo looked at me again. "Is there something you'd like to say now, Spot?"

"You're damn right I have something to say. You are an idiot. If I was you an' Jack did that ta me, I'd kill 'im. And if I was Ben, Jack would be dead too."

Echo glared. "Well guess what. You aren't me Spot. And Ben wouldn't dare lay a finger on Jack because he's got me ticked off at him as it is just for telling Jack."

"You're scared." I said, immediatly regretting it when I saw she was about to blow up.

"Yeah, I'm scared Spot." She started, her voice wavering a little. "I'm scared out of my mind, because I can't stand thinking that I've lost him. I love Jack, and I hate knowing I'll never hold him in my arms again and it's killing me. So just back off, okay? Because you aren't so fearless. You probably just didn't help Manhattan in the strike because you were scared. You were scared to get into a fight you might loose and so you waited until it was safe, you are a-a... coward, and a yankee coward at that. I bet you would have loved to have lived back in the south just so you could be in Sherman's march and fight innocent women and children who had no way to defend themselves you-y-" She stopped and her eyes grew wide as her hand flew over her mouth. "Oh... I'm sorry Spot. I didn't mean it... how could I have been such a jerk? I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

I stared at her, not quite sure what to do. Normally, I would have soaked someone who had said something like that to me, but I couldn't soak Echo, not now. I was stuck and for once I didn't know what to do, but then it got even more confusing as she leaned her head against my chest. I blinked, "What the-?" I felt something wet soak through my shirt. "Echo, are you crying?" She didn't answer but it wasn't really a question anyway. So I did the only thing I could think of and wrapped my arms around her until she stopped crying. When she finally pulled away she wiped her treas and stared at the ground. She was obviously embarrassed because she had never really done anything like that before. I tried to think of something to say, but was at a loss for words. I cleared my throat. "Well, uh... I've gotta go ta Tibby's so uh... are ya gonna be okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah and um, Spot? You won't tell anyone, will you?"

I smiled a little. "Nah." I said before leaving and going to Tibby's. Most of the guys were there, and one of the girls from Queens was talking to Jack. I smirked, 'Good news travels fast.' I thought, realizing Ice was probably here representing every girl newsie that went to the poker games and wanted to know what was going on.

I tried to stay unnoticed but it was pretty pointless. Ice fixed a cold stare on me as she walked over. "You're his friend, do you know what's going on?" She asked coldly.

I shrugged. "He won't say a word, why don't you ask Echo?"

She looked almost embarrassed. "Well, I did. Echo wouldn't talk. I know it's none of my business, but she's my friend and Jack and Echo have been together for God only knows how long and I hate seeing them get through every rotten deal life throws their way and then just break up when no one knows why. I mean, I know Echo's upset and Jack doesn't exactly look over-joyed... what's going on, Spot?"

I shrugged again. "Sorry Ice, I couldn't tell ya. But they probably had a good reason."

Ice rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say."

I watched her walk away and walked over to talk to Jack. I tried to keep the conversation away from him and Echo. It was easier than I thought it would be because every time anyway tried to talk about it he would send them a glare than shut them up pretty fast.

"A great pretender,
why was I the last to see
through your skin,
is there a chance you'll ever change,"

After a while a few of us started walking back to the Lodging House. Psycho stopped before we could walk into the bunkroom. "Hey guys, you gotta see this."

Blink smiled. "We can't see if you're in the way." When Psycho finally moved we saw why she had been so shocked. Echo was asleep on a bed, Francis was sleeping beside her, and the book lying open showed she had been reading to her, but what shocked all of us was seeing Psycho's car laying curled up by Echo's face. Brooklyn smiled. "Now there's something you don't see everyday."

I noticed Jack staring at her from his bunk but when he saw me looking at him he layed down and pulled his hat over his eyes. We all walked in and a few of the guys started a poker game but I stopped by Jack's bunk and cleared my throat. "Whatta ya want, Spot?" He said without lifting the hat.

I reached up and took his hat. "Ya know what I want."

He stared at me until he was convinced I knew the truth. "Then lets go outside."

Ice looked up as we walked past her to the window but no one else noticed, or pretended not to. "So," Jack said as he stared off of the fire escape. "You had somethin' ta say?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I got somethin' ta say all right. Why'd ya do it?" He shrugged a little but didn't say anything. "Ya should at least explain ta her."

He glared at me. "Dere ain't nothin' ta explain Spot."

"Oh really?" I said sarcastically. "Nothin'?"

"Hey! I said what I needed ta say ta 'er, I ain't gonna make any excuses."

"Not excuses, Jacky-Boy. She deserves an explanation."

It's always the same
you're always to blame
is there any way around this
I can't see"

He smiled cynically. "You want me to explain how dat kid came ta be? I think she knows about dat stuff all ready, Spot. Anyway, since when do you care about Echo? I thought you two had a hate-hate relationship."

I glared at him. "I respect 'er, Kelly. An' I neva' thought I'd say dis, but I respect 'er more than you do right now."

He sighed and lit a ciggarette."Go back to Brooklyn, Spot."

"Not until you tell me why you gave up on Echo like dat." I said stubbornly.

Jack glared at me and I could tell he was about to lose his temper. "I thought she had given up on me all right, Spot? I thought she had gone ta marry some rich guy who was better dan I could eva' be an' who could give 'er the world. I thought she had forgotten all about me and I was drunk when it happened. You go tell 'er if you think she needs to know because I can't do it." He flicked his ciggarette down angrily as he started climbing down the fire escape and stalked off into the night.

I shook my head. "Why'd ya do it, Jack? Ya really hurt 'er dis time an' I just can't forget dis one. God, I wish I could."

"you walked out on her
you planned to be free
I'm trying not to point the finger
but it's killing me"

I crawled back in the window. Most of the guys were trying to pretend they hadn't noticed anything happening and Echo was sitting on Jack's bunk watching Francis sleep. I walked up to her and prepared myself to be lectured. "Echo." I said solemnly. "I know ya didn't want anyone to say anything but-"

"I'm not going to yell at you for confronting him." She said quietly without looking up.

I froze. "What?" I asked. I wasn't ready for Echo to give in so easily.

She shrugged, still avoiding my eyes. "Screw it, Spot. I'm tired of fighting for a loosing cause. I give up."

That one phrase was enough to completely blow me away and I was left speechless. I didn't really have to say anything because Hope chose that time to walk in the door. She smiled and walked over to Echo. "Hello Chrissy."

A few of the guys looked over to see Echo's reaction. Sketch looked like he was getting ready to break up a fight, but Echo didn't do anything other than wake Francis up. Race, who was closest to us, seemed to notice Francis for the first time and after a few seconds of staring at the kid his eyes got kind of wide. "Geez, dat kid looks like Jack!"

That drew Sketch and Blink over and by the time they decided Race was right every newsie in the bunkroom was staring at Echo, Hope, and Francis. Hope seemed overjoyed that everyone in the room knew what had happened, and I knew for suer she was enjoying it when she sent Echo a gloating look. "I think you need to get Francis home, it's late." Echo said as she grabbed Hope's arm and walked down the stairs with her.

Ice looked my way. "That's why the engagement was called off?! Why didn't you say anything, Conlon?!"

I glared at her. "Echo told me not ta say anything. I wasn't even supposed to acknoledge I knew anything was going on."

Sketch rolled his eyes. "I'd say you failed that test when you were talking to Jack, or am I wrong?"

I shook my head. "I failed, I deffinately failed."

Echo's POV

"What were you thinking
were you thinking of me
did you see what they wrote
on the family tree"

I wasn't about to go back to the bunkroom after everyone knew what was going on, so there was only one thing to do... I wasn't sure what that one thing was just yet, but I thought I'd look around until I found it. Somehow I ended up in a bar with a drink in my hand. "You're supposed to drink it, not look at it. Anyway, you should never make a wreck of yourself along, always drink with a friend." I looked up to see Raven sitting beside me with a smirk on her face.

"Raven?" I asked, unable to hide my surprise.

She smirked. "You surprised to find the pious and devout Raven here?"

I grinned. "No, more surprised the pious and devout Raven found me here." I said sarcastically.

"Yeah, so am I." She said seriously, and then eyed my drink. "You obviously haven't done this before. Look kid, you pick up the glass and drink it... mind if I demonstrate?" She said as she took the shot glass from in front of me and downed it.

I stared at her. "I know how to do it... I'm just not fond of hangovers, that's all."

She smiled. "So, why are you here?"

I shrugged. "No reason."

Raven rolled her eyes. "I'm not an idiot. YOu don't start bad habits you've avoided all your life for no reason... ciggarette?" She offered as she pulled one out.

I eyed it skeptically and shook my head. "No thanks, one bad habit at a time. Anyway, I hate smoke."

She nodded and lit it for herself. "So, why are you trying to work up the courage to get drunk?"

I glared at her. "I'm not working up the courage to do anything and it's none of your business what happened."

"Guy problems." She said simply. "What'd Jack do this time? He mad because you're friends with someone he had problems with? Or because you won't let him boss you around?"

"He broke off the engagement." I said quietly.

She looked up, taken aback. "But, why?"

I looked at her, wondering whether to tell her or not. "Do you really want to know?"

She frowned a little. "Of course I want to know. If that jerk has hurt you-"

"He slept with Hope." I said, smiling a little at Raven's reaction. She had just taken a drink and had practically choked on it. "Did I mention she had his son?" I added calmly.

To my surprise her eyes got even bigger than before. "Echo! Why are you so calm?!"

I shrugged. "I am beyong caring, my friend. You know what's ironic? He's the one who broke up with me. I tried to talk him out of it. So, do I win the stupid award this time?"

She seemed uncomfortable. "I plead the fifth. But after hearing that I think you have a good enough reason for being here. Drink up, Echo, you have a good enough reason."

I shook my head. "NO thanks, one hangover per lifetime is one too many. I don't care to have another. I think I"ll just sit here for a while."

She frowned. "D***. I was hoping we could both get drunk and go find Jack."

I glared at her. "No thanks. I'd rather not do something I'd regret."

She laughed. "You should have gone for Nick."

"Hey!" I said angrily. "Nick is happy. If I was with him, he wouldn't be because he wouldn't be with Alaurna, and I wouldn't be because I'd only like him as a friend and I'd always wonder what would have happened if I had been with Jack instead."

"I know it's over
all in the past
I need to forgive you?
if I'm to last--will I ever change"

Raven's smile melted off her face and all of a sudden she was serious. "Well, now you know."

I shook my head. "No, it's not over yet."

She rolled her eyes slightly. "You said yourself that you don't care anymore."

I sighed and held back tears that had started to form in my eyes. "I do care... but I'm so sick of fighting I just can't stand to try anymore."

She groaned in aggravation. "Either you do care or you don't, make up your mind... I'd prefer if you wouldn't care so I can tell you how much I hate Jack." I sent her a warning glare but she went on. "Ever since I first met him he's hated me, him and that watchdog from Brooklyn."

I pouted. "Well, even if I did decide not care, I still don't want to how much you hate Jack and Spot... so, why do you hate them?"

She smiled a little. "Having some trouble making up your mind?"

"Avoiding the question?" I asked, only half joking.

She rolled her eyes. "No one told you? Jack hasn't trusted me from the start. Of course, he wasn't too happy when he heard I was with Oscar Delancey and he kicked me out of Manhattan. My relations with the egotist have been aobu the same as yours, only he really and truly hates me."

I blinked. "You used to stay in Manhattan? And Jack kicked you out? Why didn't someone say something?"

She shrugged. "It was a long time ago, Echo, even before Brooklyn came. Jack, Spot, and I are probably the only ones who remember, and if we aren't we're the only ones who still care."

I smiled. "Remind me to hang around you more often."

She sighed. "First you don't care, then ya do, an' now ya want ta annoy 'im. Will ya please make up your mind and stick to one decision?"

"Get used to it." I said. "I won't be able to decide what to do for a long time."

She smiled a little. "Well, while you're deciding what to do-"

"Absolutely not." I said before she could finish the sentence. "I don't know what you're about to suggest but I doubt it's good."

She laughed. "Come on, there's a poker game in Harlem tonight."

"It's always the same
you're always to blame
is there any way around this
I can't see"

It didn't take Raven and I long to get to Harlem, when we did Raven stopped in front of the guys' lodging house. I sighed. "Raven, promise me you won't say anything."

She smiled. "I won't say a work... and since you're my friend I'll be on my best behavior and you won't have to worry about me embarrassing you."

I nodded. "Thanks. So, you ready?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, Echo. Are you ready for all the questions you're going to get thrown at you once you walk in there?"

I smiled. "If Sparrow is here then I can count on Dragon being here also. They'll help bail me out."

She held back a laugh. "Okay, then lets go." She said as we walked into the room.

I couldn't help laughing a little and waved at everyone. "Hello! Are we late?"

Kit looked up and smiled. "Raven! You found her!"

Raven cleared her throat uncomfortably as I sent her a suspicious glare. "So, that's why you came here."

Dragon smiled and winked at me. "If they get too nosy just call me 'n Sparrow over, we'll change the subject."

I smiled gratefully at him and then gave Raven an 'I-told-you-so' look and walked over to where Kit and Lily were sitting. "So," I started casually. "I'm guessing you heard the news."

Lily and Kit nodded and finally Lily spoke up. "Ice told us. Ya shoulda seen 'er, Echo. She was mad enough I was startin' ta feel sorry for Jack.. almost."

Kit glared at her. "Well, I wasn't feeling sorry for him at all. Once upon a time people were stone for that kind of thing."

I frowned. "That was a long time ago."

She smiled evily. "I wouldn't mind seeing that fair-haired witch stoned."

Raven laughed. "I believe Echo would even agree to that. Although she still holds an objection to anyone lifting a finger against Jack... except when she doesn't."

I elbowed her. "That's not funny!"

She smiled. "Well, it's true. You only hate Jack when you aren't defending him!"

I glared at her. "Oh... leave me alone."

Lily grinned. "What'd Sketch do?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, I left."

Kit grinned. "So, what are you gonna do now? Get Ben to soak Jack? Or we could do it... I'm sure Ice would love ta help too."

I sighed in annoyance and looked over at Dragon. "Dragon! Alas and woe is me for your friends here are getting nosy!"

A smile lit up his face. "Fear not fair maiden for I shall rescue thee!" He said and nudged Sparrow. "Come Sparrow! We get to save a damsel in distress!"

They walked over and sat down. Dragon grinned. "Now ladies, this girl right here," He said and put an arm around my shoulder. "Has been instructed to call on me if ya get too nosy. Ain't dat right, Sparrow?"

Sparrow nodded. "Right." He said quietly.

Dragon sighed. "Now, obviously ya're gettin' on 'er nerves... so I suggest ya change the subject. Guys don't like gossip much."

Kit raised an eyebrow. "Interfering?"

Sparrow shook his head. "Helping."

Raven frowned. "Cheating."

"Whining." I said with a satisfied smirk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raven's POV

Dragon laughed a little and looked over at Echo. "So, ya goin' back ta Manhattan?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I'd better go back or someone will think I'm picking fights or jumping off the Brooklyn bridge or something."

I rolled my eyes. "Can you blame 'em?"

Her eyes rolled in my direction. "Shut up, Raven."

Dragon smirked. "Well, if ya'd like an' escort I'd be happy ta oblige. Where're you goin' Raven?"

I smiled evily. "I think I'll go back to Manhattan with Echo, haven't been there in some time. I think we can make it back safely without an escort if it's all the same to you."

Dragon sighed and shook his head. "I don't wanna see the look on their faces when you show up dere anyway."

Echo smiled. "Why not? I think it'll be fun."

Dragon rolled his eyes. "For you, maybe. But most normal people don't like annoying their friends. Anyway, I better get going now. See you later."

When I walked into the lodging house ahead of Echo I saw Jack standing by the front desk. He glared at me. "What are you doin' heya?"

"Jack!" Echo said in a surprised voice as she finally walke din. Jack looked a little embarrassed, and so did Echo for that matter, which is probably why they were both staring at the ground. Echo cleared her throat. "Raven's staying here tonight."

He nodded slightly but tried not to look up at her as she started climbing the stairs. I smirked. "Well Jacky-Boy, looks like you blew it this time, huh?"

He glared at me. "Shut up, Raven. It's none of your business."

"Well, aren't we touchy." I said sarcastically and rolled my eyes. He glared at me some more but we didn't say anything else, just went upstairs to get some sleep.

"You walked out on her,
you planned to be free,
I'm trying not to point the finger
but it's killing me."
(Always, by Newsboys)

To be continued...

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