My Only Love Sprung From My Only Hate

By: Key

Key Finlay was tough and stubborn, her reputation outdoing that of Spot Conlon's. Spot and Key seemed like the perfect match, both had big egos, and both known to love to fight. Yet, one problem stood in the way of them getting together, they both thought that the other despised them. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Key had a passion for fighting, and for the past two years, had spent quite some time gathering girls who loved this as much as she.

Runner Fletcher was tall, thin, and blonde. She had a kick as fast as her run, and you never knew when she was going to pull the double under over top kick, her specialty, on you. She and Itey had been going together casually, she being the dominant one in the relationship, thought he never seemed to mind. Itey was surprised to find himself attracted to someone as outgoing and clever as she, but he had, and they told each other each night, they were the worst couple, and the best couple.

Dagger Slaughter was known to have a punch as sharp as her name. She had black hair, with cold, icy blue eyes, and a temper that was known to flare. Her gaze however, was usually diverted to Jack Kelly, who never seemed to notice she was there, which usually let her temper flare up.

Ice Crowley joined soon after Dagger. She with her fiery-hair, gold flecked green eyes, and naturel brass knuckles, was the most beautiful of the group. She was always the one to have guys turn their heads, and stare after her, even after when she was only a spot in the distance. This usually made Dagger mad, considering that whenever she walked by Jack, he'd drop his jaw, and stare after her, like every other guy on the block.

Gamble Curtis was short, kind, sweet, and tough. Her appearance, light brown hair, gold eyes, and short figure, usually gave the impression of a sweet, innocent by bystander. But her kick told otherwise. Runner and Gamble shared the same love of kicking, and soon became best friends. Gamble had had her eye on Blink since day one, but one obstacle was in the way. Racetrack. Race being Gamble's sister, and one of Blink's best friends, thought it best that Gamble not see Blink, and that she should be attracted to a shyer type, preferably, Skittery. Gamble took her mother's maiden name, because she never knew her father and thought that it be best that she took the parent's name that she had known since day one.

Sly Smith was one of the last to join the group, and also, the toughest. Even though Key and Sly were close friends, they always tried to out do each other in fights. Sly had light blonde hair, black eyes that were almost inhuman, and a punch that could knock anyone out in two seconds flat. Sly had heard of Key and had wanted to challenge her in a fight. The fight ended with them as two friends, and the fight a tie, which every now and then, they tried to break. They never succeeded.

Echo Collins was one of the few that never fought. Even though she had a love for fighting, her consciences always got the best of her, and she always left the enemy standing there, wondering what had just happened. Echo though, had one enemy in the group: Ice. Echo had Jack, and Ice liked Jack. Therefore, this brought tension between them, and they found themselves occasionally laughing together about how they fought over Jack that night.

Lace Sullivan was the last to join the group. She had an enormous love for racing and horses, the perfect match for Race. She was a sly girl with blackish brown hair, olive skin, and hazel eyes that peered out from beneath her usual bandana on her head. She was obviously perfect for Race, and he seemed to think so as well, but apparently Lace was oblivious to his existence on the planet.

Then there was Key Finlay. She was an agile fighter, with a style that matched no one else. Her usual look consisted of deep brown baggy pants, a red, blue and white, stripped shirt, with the sleeves rolled up a quarter of the way, and her signature grey hat. She was incredibly beautiful, in a different way than Ice. She was funny and sweet, but with a temper that was known to flare, same as Dagger. She and Spot had disliked each other since the first day they had met. Though, she had never told anyone, Key was instantly attracted to Spot, but soon grew to love him as the days wore on. Though they both thought the other hated the other one, the bother shared one thing in common: their unspoken love for each other.

**************************
The gang was at Tibby's, hanging out and talking, after their fight with a girl from Queens; they won as usual. Key was desperately trying to wipe the blood off her face, when she saw Jack and another boy walk in. When she realized it was Spot, she rolled her eyes, and continued wiping her face.

"I saw dat, Finlay. Now you jist watch yo' self, ya heah?" Spot said, pointing a finger at her. She rolled her eyes, signaling that she didn't care.

"Shut up Spike, if ya know what's good fo' ya!"

Spot stopped trying to pick a fight with Key, and sat down next to Ice. He gave her a smirk, and turned his head to where Itey and Runner were sitting across from him. Itey had the life. He had a beautiful girl, a good reputation, and wonderful friends. Not to mention, he got to live next door to Key, who Spot had started liking by some mysterious force.

" ‘Ey Jack, I'se hoid dat da Delancey's are gonna try ta soak ya tanight. I'se didn't believe a woid of it, considerin' dat da Delcancy's got da punch o' Twister!" Spot laughed, looking at Jack. Twister was the newsie Spot was training, and who couldn't punch someone hard enough in the stomach if his life counted on it. Key snickered, and focused her gaze on Spot.

" ‘Ey Spike, are you'se gonna try ta soak da Delancey's? Are you sho' you can soak dem?" Key asked, smirking at Spot. He smiled sarcastically, at her, and looked away.

"Finlay, how many times have I told ya, ta stop calling me Spike, I ain't no dog!"

Key laughed, and got up quickly. Spot stood up too, blocking Key's way of exit. Key smiled, and pushed her way through Spot to the door. Key turned around, and shot Spot a look before leaving. Never had she left Tibby's in such a rage. She couldn't believe how anyone could be attracted to Mr Big Little Ego back there. Yet, as she walked along, she found her answer to her question. She was in fact, attracted to Mr. Ego back there, and she swore to herself, she would never reveal that to anyone.

***********************
Spot stared after Key as she left, wondering why she was so damn snotty to him all the time. It drove him nuts, thinking about how she teased him all the time, piking fun at him. It drove him insane.

" ‘Ey Conlon, you'se alright? You'se kinda... pale," Blink said, breaking Spot's thoughts. He nodded, noting to Blink that he was fine. Blink shrugged, and went back to talking to Gamble.

" Conlon, da Delcancey's wantcha ta come out an' play wid ‘em tanight," Race said, leaning in towards spot from across the table. Spot smirked, and stroked his slingshot in his suspender loop. Spot got up, and walked out of Tibby's his thoughts trailing ...

*****FLASHBACK*****

Spot Conlon walked along the dark streets quietly, looking down at his shoes the whole time. Suddenly, a figure jumped out from behind a tree, and tackled him to the ground.

" ‘Ey, Whatcha do dat fo'?" Spot asked, breaking free of the figure's grasp.

" ‘Ey, I'se sorry. I'se thought dat you'se was someone else!" The figure said, getting up off the ground. "I'se Key Finlay."

"I'se Spot Conlon, da leadah o' Brooklyn. You'se headin' somewhere, or are you'se jist runnin' from someone?"

The figure took if their hat, and looked at Spot with bright green eyes, almost blue. Spot staggered back, taken aback.

"You'se... You'se a goil!" Spot mumbled.

"Yeh, dat's a surprise ain't it? What, you'se don't like goils?" Key laughed, crossing her arms under her chest. She eyed Spot mockingly, waiting for his reply.

Spot was speechless. Here was this girl, acting all tough and everything, and yet, even though Spot knew it was a girl, he wanted to soak her.

"Listen, I'se don't want ta git inta any fights or nothin' ya heah? Sos, jist git on your way, an' leave me be." Spot mumbled, his head bent low. Key's eyes bore holes in the back on Spot's neck as he turned to go. She never took her eyes off him, as his figure became only a speck in the distance.

*****BACK TO PRESENT*****

"Conlon, Key's comin', an' she's lookin' fer ya!" Race's voice broke through Spot's thoughts. He groaned, and walked outside to meet Key. She smiled at him when they met, and led him to central park to talk.

"Listen Spi- I mean Spot. We's been fightin' since we foist met. Ain't it time to start bein' nice ta each otha?" Key smiled at Spot, who diverted his gaze to focusing on a leaf he was tearing apart. He hated to admit it, but Key was right.

"Ye, I guess you'se right. Friends?" He spat in his hand and held it out. Key looked at him and then at his hand, smiled, spat in her hand and shook his. Finally, we can start being friends! Key thought, leaning back against a tree. Just then, Race came back, with a huge smirk on his face.

"Spot, you'se tell ‘er ‘bout da deal we made? I'se bettin' on mo' dan jist horses!" Race smiled, and looked from Key to Spot. Key's smile faded from her face, as her eyes searched Race's for an explanation.

"Ugh, Race, I'se didn't tel ‘er about da deal..." Spot trailed off.

"Ya didn't? Oh, well, I'se gonna tell ‘er den. Spot an' I bet dat when you apologized ta ‘im, dat he was gonna accept it. He owes me two bucks!" Race finished with a smug look on his face; glad to have actually won.

"How.. How could you?" She looked at Spot, then at Race. "I'se was serious ‘bout us bein' friends! Den dis happens? You'se a sick man Spike!" Key broke off into a run, back to the lodging house. To do some serious thinking.

************************
Gamble looked across the corner, making sure Race wasn't anywhere in sight. She let out a sigh of relief as she walked across the street to her's and Blink's special meeting place. Race didn't think that Blink was the right kind of guy for Gamble; he wanted someone more serious for her. And Blink was hardly the type. But Gamble ignored him anyway, and saw Blink secretly behind her brother's back.

" Gamble, is dat you?" A faint voice came from behind a closed door. Gamble whistled a reply, her signal to Blink that it was her and that it was safe.

"Blink, we's can't continue doin' dis, it ain't right," Gamble whispered into Blink's ear, as he hugged her, and kissed her nick gently. Blink looked up quickly, not believing his ears.

"I thought dat you'se loved me? Was I'se wrong fo' believin' dat?" He asked, his eyes worried. He didn't know why, but out of all of the girlfriends he had ever had, he liked Gamble the most. She was just so light and funny, and he liked that in a girl. He kissed Gamble tenderly on the lips, not waiting for her reply. As long as he was with Gamble, nothing else mattered.

************************
Echo Collins finished cleaning off her mirror, and smiled at her reflection. A silent knock on the door tore her away from her reflection, and she called a whispery ‘come in.' Jack walked in, his hair slicked back, and a smile on his face. He walked instantly to Echo, and pulled her to him, his smile growing bigger as soon as he had her in his arms.

"Jack, you're late! You were supposed to be hear an hour ago. Where were you?" Echo asked, pulling away from Jack so she could look into his face.

Jack shrugged. "Ice had ta ask me somethin', an'..."

"What? Ice had to ask you something? What, tell me please!"Echo demanded. Whatever Ice wanted, it was not good.

Jack looked down at his feet. "She wanted ta know if I'se was free on Friday." He mumbled, focusing hard on his feet. He never knew the floor was so interesting.

"And what did u say?" Echo was enraged.

"I'se didn't say no..." Jack trailed off. Echo glared at him, her eyes screaming.

"Jack Kelly. You are with me, not Ice Crowley. Oh, you make me so mad. Sometimes you remind me of stupid Rover and his big ego, the way you flirt with Ice!" Echo glared at him one more time before leaving the room and slamming the door.

"I'se guess dat we'se ain't goin' out tanight." Jack sighed, and sat down on a bunk, his head in his hands. ‘Here we go again' He though, and lay down, closing his eyes.

*************************
Spot... Spike...Spot...Spike. Key's mind was swarming. She liked Spot, a lot. But his stupid ego always got in the way. If he didn't pretend to be so god damn mighty all the time, maybe he'd get a girl that lasted more than a week. Spot, oh his name sounded like hail hitting her head. Spike suited him better!

" ‘Ey Key. Spot's lookin' fo' ya!" Dagger called in from the washroom. Key nodded, even though Dagger didn't see it.

"Hey, Dagga, do you'se still like Jack?" Key asked, playing with the laces on her shoes.

"Naw, not really. I mean, if he asked me ta be his goil, hell yeah I'd say yes. But, I'se knows dat Echo and Jack love each otha, but I ain't gonna be like Ice, and throw meself at him!"

Key smiled, and laid her head back against her pillow. She closed her eyes, and soon feel asleep, and to her delight she dreamed of Spot. While she was asleep, Spot walked into her room, and sat down on her bed. ‘If only I hadn't made dat stupid bet wid Race, this wouldna happened!' Spot put his head in his hands, and closed his eyes.

******************
Race looked at himself in the mirror, and smiled. He was getting cuter everyday. Soon, he'll look like an exact replica of Spot. That was his goal. To be as loved and admired and adored as Spot, which soon wasn't going to be a fantasy anymore. A door opened, and Gamble walked in, her clothes messy, and her hair tangely.

"Whea's you'se been?" Race asked, putting some more gel in his hair, and combing it back. He looked at Gamble through the mirror, after looking at his complexion at first.

Gamble sighed, and sat down on the bed. This was going to be tough to tell, but she and Blink had promised that they would each tell Race about their relationship.

"Well... ya see uh... God Race, why can't me an' Blink be togetha?" Gamble's voice exploded with a whiny tone of voice, which clearly took Race back. Race shook his head, and put his comb down. He turned to face Gamble, his brow furrowed.

"Gamble, we'se been through dis god knows how many times. Blink is me best friend, well one a dem, an' you'se and him don't make dat good a couple. He's too wild fo' ya. Skitterey is mo' ya type. Stick wid guys like him!" Race turned back around, and studied Gamble in the mirror.

Gamble folded her arms under her chest, and glared at Race. He really wasn't being fair. "Race, I'se like Blink a lot, and jist ‘cause you'se be big bruddah dudn't mean dat you'se can control me life! I'se stayin' wid Blink wetha ya like it or not!" Gamble ran out of the washroom, and outside, to go find Blink.

******************
Key opened her eyes, and sat up quickly in bed. Right there, next to her, on her bed was Spot. She cleared her throat loudly, knowing that Spot was a light sleeper, and just as she had planned, he woke up quickly, his eyes still half closed.

"Oh, hey Key. You'se sho' can clear yo' throat loudly, ya know dat?" Spot said, stretching his arms. Key glared at him, her hair falling over her shoulders. Her Hazel eyes, turned to a deep mahogany in anger, a light green in happiness, a deep blue in frustration, and an almost unearthly purple in love.

"Why, pray tell, are you'se on me bed?" Key threw at him. Should she tell him, that she had hoped he'd be there? That she had dreams about him confessing his love for her? Should she tell him that him hating her was tearing her apart inside? Should she tell him, that the only time she was really happy, was when she was with him, fighting or not? All these should I's floated through her mind.

"Um, I'se jist wanted ta say, I'se bein' da Brooklyn leadah an' all, dat you'se has no right ta be mad at me..." Spot started.

"Oh, just because ya da Brooklyn leadah, dat makes me afraid o' ya?"

"Well, ye!" Spot said, leaning in to her.

Was it just her, or was Spot moving closer to her, every time he spoke. "Jist ‘cause you'se da leadah doesn't mean dat I'se scared o' ya! Da only reason people's afraid a ya is ‘cause dey're afraid that if dey touch ya, ya'll shattah ta pieces!"

Spot stared at her, still moving in. He suddenly stopped himself. What was he doing? Key didn't like him, she hated him. Why then, did her eyes turn a purplish color every time she was with him. Right now, her eyes were a sort of mahogany color, but Spot could have sworn that when she woke up, her eyes were an unearthly purple. Did she really love him? That was too much for Spot to believe. Instead, he shoved that to the back of his mind, and concentrated on Key throwing insults at him left and right.

"Did... did you jist call me, fragile?" Spot asked, accenting the ‘gile.' Key looked down. Spot stared at her in disbelief. Never had he been called ‘fragile' by anyone before. But the again, Key wasn't just anyone, she was amazing.

They sat there, Spot grinding his teeth Key cracking her knuckles. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore, and ripped off her covers, and walked stiffly to the washroom. She looked at herself in the mirror, her hair a mess, her eyes with huge black circles under her eyes. Why oh why must you like the most egotistical boy in all of America? She asked herself, picking up a brush and brushing through her hair. She turned around to where Spot sat in the bunkroom, and smiled. He was so cute. She turned back around to her reflection, and continues brushing her hair.

*************************
"Echo, please talk ta me. I'se really sorry ‘bout what happened!" Jack pleaded, pounding on the door one more time. A faint shout came from the inside, Echo probably telling him to go away again. But to his surprise, she opened the door, and let him in.

"Well, explain. Explain that you like Ice!" Echo said, sitting down on the bunk with her arms crossed under her chest. Jack ran his hands through his hair, and proceeded to try to tell Echo that he had no feelings for Ice.

"Well, uh, I'se think dat Ice is attractive an' all..." he started out, but as soon as he saw Echo's face, he thought about his plan, and started over. "What I meant ta say is dat Ice isn't as attractive, an' fun, an' sweet, and beautiful as you, Echo. I'se love you Echo, I'se told dat to ya many times ‘fore. Why won't you believe me?" Jack's eyes were full of pain, and pleading, begging Echo to understand what he was saying. Echo thought awhile, leaving Jack hanging, before wrapping her arms around him, and pulling him to her.

"Jack, I do believe you, I do. It's just that sometimes I'm surprised that you stay with me, and not go with Ice."

"I'se loved you Echo, Ice means nothin' ta me. You, you'se da only goil in me life right now! An' hopefully foreva!" Jack smiled, and kissed her softly on the forehead, before moving down to her lips. Echo responded deeply, then laid her head on his shoulders. Another fight resolved.

********************
Spot walked through Manhattan, thinking about nothing else but Key Finlay. He wanted to so bad to tell her how much he cared for her, that he never meant the things he said to her. He finally then decided to go talk to his brother, Pars. He walked over to the Bronx, where his brother was the leader. Power ran in the family.

He found Pars sitting down, playing solitaire, a game that Pars was known to be good at.

"Well, if it ain't my mutt brudda. What brings ya heah Spot? I'se nevah known ya ta come heah ‘fore. Must be somethin' important!" Pars said, spitting into his hand and shaking with Spot.

"Wells, I'se comin' heah on account a goil troubles," spot mumbled, looking down. Pars nodded, and cracked his knuckles.

"You'se like dat goil, ovah in Manhattan, Lock or Key or whatevah, don't cha?" Pars asked.

Spot looked up in amazement. How could he know that? How could anyone know that? " Her name's Key. Yeah, how'd ya know?"

Pars laughed, like Spot had just told him the funniest joke. "Mutt, who doesn't know? Everyone all ovah New Yawk knows you'se liked Key for like, forevah."

Spot's mouth dropped nearly to the floor. Then, he became angry. He never told anyone. "Who told ya?"

"Nobody had ta tell me. I'se could tell fo' meself. Da way you'se look at ‘er when ya think no one's lookin'. Da way ya look away when you'se ‘fraid she'll see da way ya feel ‘bout ‘er. I'se seen ya Mutt, when you don't see me!" Pars smiled, and went back to his game.

"So, what should I do ‘bout it? I'se ‘fraid ta tell ‘er cause, she hates me." Spot's eyes were pleading, but Pars didn't see.

"Well," Pars began, not looking up from his game. "Mutt, she don't hate cha. She likes ya too, ‘sept you'se too dumb ta see dat."

"She does? Hey, watch yo' mouth Pars, I'se got fists like iron!" Spot stood up from his position on a crate.

Pars laughed, and pretended to shake. "I'se scared, Mutt. You'se still egotistical, ain't cha? Heahs, what ya do. Tell ‘er. Nothin's worse dan holdin' it all inside!"

Spot thought about this, and nodded. He thanked Pars, and left, to go do some contemplating on how he would approach her.

*******************************
Key, sighed, as loud as she could, thinking about Spot. Or was it Spike. She couldn't decide. She wanted Spot, but she couldn't let go of Spike. Spike was her punch bag, her little play toy that she could beat up whenever she wanted. Spot was the man she wanted. He was sweet, and adorable, and his ego was just so funny. She couldn't decide, so she went to the only person who she knew could help.

"Pars, are ya heah?" She called out, into the dark warehouse. Pars whistled his reply. She followed the noise, and found Pars playing solitaire, as usual.

"You'se came heah, about Mutt didn't ya?" Pars asked, not looking up from his game. His brow was furrowed, and he was concentrating really hard.

"Who's Mutt?"

"I'se mean Spot. Ya came heah ‘bout Spot, didn't ya?"

Key nodded. "Yeah, but how'd ya know?"

"I'se talked ta Mutt oilier, an' he's go it fo' ya bad. He thinks dat you'se hate ‘im though. Ya don't, do ya?" Pars asked, scooping up his cards, after he had won his game, again.

"That's not why... he said what?" Key asked, suddenly interested. Spot, like her? Never.

"You'd betta believe it. He's liked ya fo' some time now. He was tryin' ta tell ya that he did, but he nevah could. I'se given you da same advice I was givin' him, tell him dat ya like ‘im, Dere's nothin' mo' painful, dan holdin' all da emotions in, an' nevah tellin' ‘im dat ya like ‘im!" Pars smiled at Key, and patted her on the back.

"Thanks, I suppose. How'd ya know Spot anyway?" Key asked, her curiosity, getting the better of her.

"Oh, Mutt's me bruddah!" Pars winked at Key, and set up another game of solitaire, signaling to Key that their talk was over. Key silently walked home, and thought about what Pars had said.

******************************
Sly Smith walked down the street, quietly, thinking about her day. She had never told anyone, but she was secretly in love with Pars Roberts. She had never known that him and Spot was brothers, they didn't look anything alike. Pars was tall, dark, and strong. While Spot was short, dark, and wimpy. Or so he wanted you to think. Sly continued walking towards the Bronx, where she would tell Pars how she really felt.

******************************
Spot paced the room nervously, he had told Jack and the other guys of his plan to tell Key how he felt, but still, he was scared. He wanted to follow Pars' advice, but still, he didn't know if the pain was worth it. He paced the room anxiously.

"Hey Rover, why you still pacing the room? Is there a hole in the spot where you've been pacing for the past twenty minutes?" Echo asked, walking in with Jack closely at her heels.

"Pony, you should know that I'se only been pacin' in dis spot fo' nineteen minutes!" Spot smiled, trying to cover up his nervousness.

Echo laughed, and left the room, when she saw Key enter. Spot looked up, pleading with his eyes for Jack and Echo to stay, but Jack just smiled reassuringly, and closed the door after him. Well, here goes nothing, Spot thought.

********************************
"Gamble Curtis, I want ta talk ta ya please!" Race yelled down the stairs. He was outside the door of the bunkroom, where he knew Spot and Key were talking. Gamble hurried up the stairs to where her brother was standing patiently.

"Well, whadda ya want?" She asked, looking at Race with much uncertainty.

"I'se know ‘bout ya and Blink, and I'se must say dat I'se very, very..."

"Jist, don't start dat shit, alright? I'se don't want ta hear it! I'se like Blink, a lot, alright? An' if you'se can't accept da fact dat we's gonna be togetha, den jist leave, alright?"

Race looked at Gamble with much hurt in his eyes. "What I was gonna say is dat, I'se found ‘bout ya and Blink, and dat I'se very, very happy dat you'se togetha. I'se understand dat you'se like each otha a lot, an' you'se should be togetha!"

Gamble's frown turned into a smile, as Race's words registered into her mind. "You'se serious? Oh, Race, you's da best bruddah in da woild!" Gamble hugged Race with all her might, tears escaping her bright eyes. Race hugged Gamble back, and smiled.

****************************
"Pars, can I talk ta ya?" sly asked, walking slowly into the room where Pars was once again at a game of Solitaire. Pars nodded, scooping up his cards, and putting them on the crate next to his bed.

"Sho, whadda ya want? Nevah mind, I'se know what ya wanna ask me. An' all I'se got ta say, is dat I'se flattered. But I ain't like me Mutt, I'se don't go fo' every goil dat walks into dis heah room, I'se gotta know da poison foist. You'se a beautiful goil Sly, but I'se don't know ya well enough. But, wanna go ta Ralphie's an' git something ta eat?" Pars asked, looking into Sly's eyes. Sly nodded, turning from the gaze. She didn't want Pars to see that she was crying. He took her by the hand, and walked over to Ralphie's, the Tibby's of the Bronx.

*********************************
"Key, I'se gotta tell ya somethin', somethin' dat I'se wanted ta tell ya fo' sometime!" Spot started out slowly. That's it Spot, jist keep on goin' slowly!

Key laughed. "What, dat yo' ego's bigga den mine?"

Spot looked offended. And soon, he was mad. "Listen Key," He yelled. "I'se tryin' ta tell ya dat I'se in love wid ya, an you'se crackin' jokes ‘bout my ego. I'se tryin' ta be sincere, and show ya how much ya mean ta me, but you'se still think dat I'se a joik, an' dat my ego's biggah dan yo's. Damn, Key, I'se love ya!" Spot stopped yelling, when he realized what he had just said, He turned beat read, and ran out of the room, leaving a stunned key behind him.

*****************************************
Spot ran, he didn't know where he was running to, he just ran. Never in his life, had he felt so humiliated. It's all Key's fault, I'se don't love ‘er. She's an egotistical brat dat desoives a soakin'. I'se don't love ‘er, I'se hate ‘er! Spot thought, running all the way back to Brooklyn, where he could lay down, and cry his eyes out.

****************************************
Key sat on the nearest bunk to her, and laid down. She had just ruined her chances with Spot, because her big mouth wouldn't shut up. She felt so bad, and she wanted Spot to come back, so she could tell him how she felt. She sighed, and looked up at the bunk on top of her. She felt like in idiot. Soon, she formed a plan. She would go after Spot, she knew where he was headed, and tell him that she loved him too, and that she was desperately sorry.

She jumped off the bunk, and hurried out of the lodging house, and headed towards Brooklyn. When she reached the lodging house, she hesitated, thinking if she should do this or not, He told herself, she loved him, and that this was the right thing to do. She ran up the stairs to the bunkroom, and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" She heard Spot's voice, muffled. She slowly opened the door, and walked inside, being sure as not to let spot see her.

"Spot, can we talk?" She finally asked, holding her breath at what he was going to say. He picked his head off from the pillow, and threw Key a look of hatred.

"Go away, Finlay. I'se don't want ta talk ta ya!" Spot moved his hand towards the door. Key stood planted to the floor. When Spot noticed that Key hadn't left, he sat up, his eyes red from crying. "I'se thought I told ya ta leave, Finlay. You'se not wanted heah, alright?"

It took all her strength to stop from yelling at Spot and calling him Spike. She would not be intimidated. "Listen, Spot. I'se real sorry ‘bout what happened back dere. I'se didn't mean ta..."

"Ya didn't mean ta what?" Spot asked, getting off the door, and walking towards her. "Ya didn't mean ta, humiliate me? Ya didn't mean ta trample all ovah me? I'se could come up wid a million ‘I didn't mean ta's' if ya want me ta. But I ain't gonna wast my time wid ya! So, please jist get yo' face out of my sight!"

Key turned towards the door, but thought better of it, and turned around, to face spot again. "I'se love ya too, Spot. I always have. I'se nevah hated ya, I'se loved ya from da foist time I met ya! Honestly Spot, please believe me!"

Spot laughed, and turned around to face Key again. "Ya don't love me! Jist like I don't love ya! I'se thought I did, but den I realized how damn egotistical ya are, an' I'se figured out, dat I'se nevah loved ya. I hated ya so much, dat I thought I loved ya!"

Key looked at Spot, hurt clearly showing in her eyes. "But, Spot. I do, I do!" Key took a step towards Spot, who stood his ground. Just then, the door opened, and Pars walked in.

"Mutt, I'se think ya'd bettah believe ‘er. She's serious. An' I think dat you'se better believe yo' heart, not yo' mind. You'se know ya love ‘er, so stop tryin' to tell yo'self dat ya don't!" Pars said calmly, standing in the doorway.

"Pars, leave. I'se don't need yo' advice, It didn't woik last time."Spot said.

" It didn't woik last time, cause yo' lost yo' temper. But look at Key. She's tryin' ta be calm, tryin' ta tell ya, that she wants ta be wid ya, and you'se yellin' at ‘er, which makes ‘er discouraged, but still, she stands ‘er ground."

Spot looked from Pars to Key, and back again. He felt confused. Maybe he did really love Key, maybe the hatred he thought was just his imagination. Pars recognized the look on Spot's face, and knew it was time to leave. He gave a small smile to Key, winked, and left, leaving Spot and Key to talk.

"Listen, Spot, I really did mean, what I said. I do love ya, I always have. But if ya don't feel da same way about me anymore, den I have only wasted my time." She turned to leave, but felt Spot's hand on her arm. He pulled her into his arms, and looked down into her face.

"I'se still love ya Key. I always have. I'se was jist mad dat you'se embarrassed me like dat, when I'se was tryin' ta tell ya dat I'se always cared fo' ya. "He slowly leaned down, and kissed her, a kissed so meaningful it was almost painful. When they pulled apart, Spot held Key in his arms, and they stayed like that until the other Brooklyn newsies came back from Medda's show.

************************************
The next morning, Key found herself standing up, and in Spot's arms. She smiled, glad that what had just happened wasn't a dream, but reality. She untangled herself from Spot's arms, and left the lodging house to go find Pars.

She found him asleep on his bed in the Bronx, an unfinished game of Solitaire on the crate next to his bed. She gently shook him awake, and smiled when she saw his hazel eyes open.

"Listen, what ya did last night, dat was real nice, an' I'll nevah be able ta repay ya fo' dat!"

Pars smiled and sat up. "Jist knowin' dat you an' Mutt are togetha, is enough of a pay fo' me. I'se happy dat ya an' Mutt finally told each uddah da you'se like one anudder."

Key smiled, and hugged him. She then left and headed back towards Manhattan, where Gamble, Sly, Ice, Dagger, and Echo were waiting for her.

"Well, how'd it go?" Sly asked eagerly. Key laughed, and smiled.

"Oh, ya guys are togetha?" Ice asked, looking from Echo to Key. Echo frowned, and looked at Ice.

"Listen, Ice, Jack likes me, not you, alright? So please stop trying to win him away from me, cause he doesn't like you more than a friend," Echo said, facing Ice. Ice looked at Echo, but said nothing. Soon, a small smile spread across her face.

"This is all so stupid! Me, tryin' ta take Jack away from ya, nevah!" She laughed, and soon Echo and everyone was laughing.

Gamble walked up to Key, and took her hands. "I'se so happy dat you an' Spot are finally togetha! Blink an' I are togetha too!"

"Oh, Gamble, dat's great! Dis is probably da happiest day of my life!" Key smiled and hugged Gamble. Blink walked in, and walked up behind Gamble, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Key, I'se hoid dat ya an' Spot are finally togetha? I'se so happy ‘bout dat!" Blink smiled, and winked at Key, who smiled back.

"Dis is a party, an' I didn't git invited!" Spot's voice drifted in from the doorway. Key walked over to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck, his breath on her neck. He wrapped his arms longingly around her waist, and kissed her on the forehead. "Let's go somewhere where we's can be alone!" Spot whispered into her ear. Key nodded, and followed him outside, where a cold wind was rustling the colored leaves on the ground.

"I'se been thinkin', ‘bout dis whole situation!" Key said, lacing her fingers with Spot's.

"What was you'se thinkin' ‘bout?"

"Dis whole situation, reminds me of one quote from Shakespeare."

"What quote?" They stopped to sit down on a bench by the Horace Greely statue.

"It's from Romeo an' Juliet. My only love sprung from my only hate." Key said softly, scotching closer to Spot. He wrapped his arms around her shoulder, and pulled her closer.

"Yeah, dat really does describe us, doesn't it?" He asked, and smiled. He slowly leaned down to kiss Key on the lips. She responded immediately, and they sat there kissing until the cold got to them, and they walked back to the lodging house, hand in hand, heart in heart.


*applause* Awww. :) Now, for the disclaimer. Gamble Curtis belongs to Gamble, Key Finlay belongs to Key (Aka: Echo), and Echo Collin belongs to I, Echo do not use any of them without our permission. As for the others, I'm pretty sure they belong to Key, and the newsies belong to Disney. Thank you.

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