Chapter 20

Race, as usual, was the first to recover. He launched across the room and shoved Spot as hard as he could.

Spot bobbed backward and glared over at Race, "Stay out of this." He spoke calm and even, but every ounce of a threat could be heard behind his words.

Race disregarded Spot's warning and reared his arm backward, intending on punching the boy as hard as possible. Skittery was quick to jump in, forcing Race to lower his arm. "Stop. Race, stop. This is between them, "he guided Race back over to his bunk, telling him to calm down.

Race ripped his arm free from Skittery and punched at his bedpost, needing to vent his anger, before dropping down to sit on the edge of his bunk.

Skittery turned back to Spot and walked until he was inches in front of him. Skittery, being the taller towered over Spot as he looked down on him in contempt. "What are you doing here, Spot?"

"I'm trying to do the right thing," Spot responded aggressively.

"Really? And what did you think you could do?" Skittery crossed his arms, looking doubtfully down at Spot.

"I don't know," Spot turned his eyes to Jack who was looking away. "Convince them to talk to one another; lock them both in a room; handcuff them; whatever it takes." Spot turned back to Skittery.

Skittery gave a small smirk that only Spot saw before backing away, "Great idea." Jack finally looked up at Skittery in confusion. "To bad we can't find her," Skittery continued.

"I know where she is."

"Of course you do," Jack mumbled bitterly under his breath.

Spot rolled his eyes before stating, "She is staying in my room." Almost immediately he raised his arms in defense as he had done with Baby earlier that night. "Not like that! Just sleeping. I'm actually here, in Manhattan, not Brooklyn, in case you all didn't notice!" When the room began to settled back down, Spot addressed Jack directly, "She needs you, Jack."

With that, Spot turned and walked out of the lodging house. He knew they all needed time to process. He just hoped it wouldn't take Jack too long.

By the time Spot got back to the Brooklyn Lodging House, the stress of the evening still had him wired. He laid down on one of the empty bunks in the main room. He was use to his own room, where it was quiet. Needless to say, between recent events, and Magger snoring two bunks over, Spot couldn't fall asleep.

It was only because he was awake, that he was able to hear the faint noise of a window opening coming from his bedroom. He gave a small smile, in spite of everything. "Good luck, Jack."

Jack crept into Spot's bedroom and glanced around the room. Aside from the sleeping form of Baby, the room appeared to be quite empty. He walked over to the bed that she was resting on and gently took a seat on the edge. He didn't know if he was ready to wake her yet. He didn't know what he was going to say.

He looked down at her and gently pushed a small bit of hair off of her face. He could see tear marks staining her face from where she had fallen asleep crying. Regardless of everything going on, it still broke his heart to see her upset. Before he could stop himself, he reached down and gently kissed her forehead.

"Mmm… Jack? Is that you?" Baby slowly began to open her eyes. When her vision clear and her eyes fell on Jack, she quickly sat up. "Jack? Are you really here?" She reached out; grabbing his arm to be sure it wasn't a dream.

Jack gave her a small sad smile before standing and holding out his hand for her. "Come with me," he whispered.

Without questioning, without hesitation, she gave him her hand and stood up, allowing herself to be directed. Jack paused for a moment to take her in; her hair was slightly bedridden, her eyes were large and watery like she was frightened and sad at the same time, her lips were slightly parted as if she wasn't sure whether to speak or stay silent. He reached over, gently placing his hand on her cheek. The two friends stood like that, just staring at one another, not sure of what was going to happen next.

As quickly as the moment had come on Jack broke away and ducked out onto the fire escape. He reached back inside for her hand and led her up to the roof.

"Well, don't tell Conlon I said this, but Brooklyn definitely has a much better view." Jack walked over to edge and took it all in. The pair looked out on the gentle shores of the East River. The Brooklyn Bridge towering beside them, threatening to block out what moonlight they had. Jack looked down at Baby, who was staring transfixed ahead. She looked as though she may break down at any moment.

He turned her to face him, holding on to both of her hands. "Why?" he asked her gently, for the first time.

Baby shook her head and looked down at her feet, "I told you.. I was upset.. I thought you-"Jack freed one of his hand and use it to lift her chin. He left his hand to caress her cheek.

"No, why are you so upset?" he asked slowly.

"Because I-, because.. I.." Baby could feel her heart pounding against her chest. This would normally be the part where she would bolt, take off and avoid at all costs. But this time she knew she couldn't. If she ran, she would lose him forever.

"Because I love you," she finally admitted, as she could no longer hold back her tears.

Before she could run, before she could break down, Jack leaned in and kissed her; gently at first, waiting for her to respond. After a moment, Baby finally began to kiss him back. As their kiss deepened, it was as though the world around them began to fade away. The world didn't matter anymore; they had finally found each other.

-Six Months Later-

"Baby, hurry up!" Jack called out from the steps.

Baby was hugging Skittery and crying. "Skittery, thank you, for everything."

Skittery leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek. "I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat." He winked down at her and headed over to Jack.

Baby walked over to Spot who had been hanging in the back of the large room. Things with Spot were always, difficult. Jack and Spot were still estranged, but Baby cared for him so Jack would put on a good show. As she walk closer, Spot launched himself off of the wall, "So, you're really going through with this, huh?" he asked with a smirk.

Baby playfully hit him and joked, "Hey, you had your chance."

Spot laughed quietly and pulled her in for a hug. He whispered, "No Baby. I never stood a chance. You've always belonged with him." He pulled back and gave her a small kiss on the forehead. "Now go, you're going to be late."

Baby gave him one last smile before running to Jack who had been watching the pair carefully from across the room. He pulled Baby in for a kiss and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "Are you sure about this?"

"I've never been more sure," she responded before standing on tippy toes to return his kiss.

"Geez, knock it off you two love birds," Race called out, walking over and placing his arms around both of them. "Now get going!"

Jack smiled and reached down for Baby's hand. "Are you ready Mrs. Kelly?"

"But of course," she winked back at her new husband. The sound of the whistle blowing from the train announced that they had to board quickly. The couple waved their last goodbye before running to the train entrance.

As they found their seat, Jack looked over at her, "Santa Fe. This is really happening," he said, almost in shock.

Baby smiled and leaned her head onto his shoulder. As the train began to pull out, Jack and Liz, best friends since childhood, first crushes, first loves, newlyweds, and through it all still inseparable, were finally beginning their next chapter in life as they always did, together.

Author's Note:

I want to thank you all for sticking with me and continuing to show your support. I truly do appreciate all of you. Keep an eye out for my two new stories coming soon.