A Way Home

Chapter Seven: Call Off The Search- Katie Melua

Explaining the plan for the rally to his boys had taken Spot longer than he had expected. By the time he had headed out and made it halfway across the bridge it had started to rain.

As he pulled his hat tighter he almost envied HotShot and Vince, who had stayed back in Manhattan, and Myron, who had refused to go back with him, claiming he had to take care of the lodging house in his absence.

Cutting through an alley, he started to the square, hoping to get back to the lodging house and out of the rain as quickly as possible.

"-could only reach you! That would really be a breakthrough!" He paused at the sound of singing, and turned curiously toward the square, where a girl was throwing out her arms, and dancing around, "If I could only reach you! If I could make you smile! If I could only reach you-"

Spot watched curiously, it was Joy- but,,, at the same time it seemed to be someone else. Her hair didn't seem dark anymore,,, it was closer to- auburn.

She finished off her song, breathing heavily as she turned- and then it clicked.

"...Juliette...?"  He breathed, not even sure if she could hear him.

Joy froze, staring at him for a long moment, "Sean..."

"Juliette!"

"Sean!"

In an instant it seemed they were both running at each other, Spot flinging his arms around her as soon as she was in reach, and holding her tightly, shaking slightly, "Juliette... I thought you were gone... like gone gone."

She held him just as tightly as he burrowed his face into her shoulder, "I'm here, I'm here."

Somehow, he couldn't seem to fully process it. That his Juliette was here, in his arms, safe and real and alive. All he could do was squeeze her tighter, ignoring the rain pelting them. Every beat that he passed in her arms brought him closer to home.

"I thought you were dead on the street." He mumbled.

Joy pulled away just enough to look at him, "What do you mean?"

"Heard your family was back in the city, few years ago. Went to try and find you, your mother said you were as good as dead on the streets."

"And you believed her?" She asked, confused.

"Well, you weren't there, and no one had seen ya- i thought if you were on the streets- if Snyder had gotten you-" He broke off, shaking his head.

Carefully she took his hands, "Well she was wrong, I'm still here."

"You're here." He repeated quietly, "How long have you been in Hatten?"

"Three years." Joy admitted quietly.

"Three years! Why didn't you cross the river- or just stay in Brooklyn to begin with- or- or- or tell me!?" Spot couldn't help but grow louder as he spoke. 

Joy pulled away from him, trying not to wince, "I was scared. Thought- you'd be mad at me or... or start yelling- kinda... like you are now-"

"Sorry! Oh god I'm sorry Liette..." He mumbled.

She half nodded, "I think- maybe we should head back to the lodging house, Jack'll be wondering whats taking so long and the rain."

Spot sighed slightly, before taking her hand in his as they started out of the square. It wasn't until they had passed two alleys that something occurred to him, and he stopped, pulling the cord from around his neck, "Here, this was yours."

Joy stared at the key for a moment before shaking her head, "Everyone will think its strange if I have it. Besides, it's more yours than mine now."