By Dawn's Early Light

 

By Dawn’s Early Light

By Laces Kai

3^rd Story in Rain of Shine Series

 

April 1902

 

“There is a time for everything and everything has it’s time.  Leaders are born to lead, and fate and time gives and takes their power away.  Groups of people are meant to work together and slowly as time passes are meant to move away from each other.  This is the way of the world, and nothing not even legends or children can escape from it; no matter how long they manage to avoid it,” Jack mumbled as he read the article on page 9 about the falling empires in Europe.

 

“Wow that’s some new writer they got working for the World there.  Wonder what fancy school Pulitzer got that one out of.” Blink yawned as he flipped through his paper. 

 

“Yeah.” Jack nodded, as he stared at the paragraph again.  He got most of his education from those fancy writers Pulitzer found and the streets.  What this new writer wrote though struck Jack as true, very true, not just something that was written to sell.  He shrugged and looked over at Snipes, he needed to get Snipes to Brooklyn for a few days without drawing attention to the fact that he was going to receive some training from Spot. 

 

“What you thinking about Jack?” Skittery walked over and blew some smoke into Jack’s face.

 

“Do you have to do that?” Jack coughed a bit and stood up, throwing the papers he had over his shoulder as he walked out of the distribution dock with Skittery. 

 

 

“Maybe.  So what’s on your mind Jacky boy you look troubled?” Skitt asked. 

 

“I need to get Snipes to Brooklyn without making him wonder why.” Jack scratched his head.  Skittery nodded and looked back at Snipeshooter who was fooling around with one of the youngest newsies. 

 

“You have a lot of friends in different places don’t you Jack?  I mean being leader here for as long as you have, you have to know kids all over this town.” Skittery smiled. 

 

“Well, yeah.  You know that.  You know I know most of the kids of the street.” Jack shrugged off the comment not thinking much of it. 

 

“Some that probably owe you favors?” Skitt tried directing Jack’s thoughts a little more. 

 

“Well, I’m sure, but I don’t like holding too many people accountable for things like favors.  I just do things you know,” Jack responded as he pulled out a paper to try and sell.  Skittery threw up his arms and let out a sigh of frustration. 

 

“God, you know it’s a good thing you got a girl like Laces.  She’s a quick one for things like this.  She knows how to plan things like this.  No wonder you want to marry a girl like that.”

 

“What are you talking about Skitt?” Jack was getting a little more then annoyed by this point also. 

 

“Well Jack, you know people that Snipes doesn’t know.  You know people who would be more then willing to do things for you.  I’m sure you could figure out some way with them to get Snipes to Brooklyn.  I mean, you send Laces to Brooklyn when she gets in your hair.” Skittery rolled his eyes. 

 

“No, Spot sends Laces to Manhattan when he gets sick of her,” Jack corrected. 

 

“Actually, I would like to think Laces goes between the two places whenever she damn well pleases,” Laces chirped as she hit Jack.  Jack rubbed his arm pretending he was hurt and laughed at Laces.

 

“Yes, we would like her to think that too.” He grabbed her fist as it went up again. 

 

“Well, Jack Kelly, I’ll have you know I don’t think that, I know that.” She cried as she faked a undignified look.  Jack rolled his eyes as he looked at Skittery. 

 

“Hey Laces, I was just explaining to your lack of brain boy here my idea.  He didn’t get it,” Skitt said. 

 

“Yeah I heard that.  Remember I was trained as a bird.” Laces nodded.

 

“Not for very long for a reason,” Jack mumbled under his breath. 

 

“Anyway,” Laces glared at Jack.  “I did hear that and Jack, what he meant is that maybe we can get someone like Decker to send some of his boys over here and I’m sure they can cause some kind of trouble.  Maybe even Decker himself, heaven knows that boy enjoys trouble like no other.”

 

“Decker, huh?” Jack eyed Laces carefully, he had never really liked Decker much after their last incident together. 

 

“Well, he would do anything I asked him to.  So would you like me to see about that, cause I wouldn’t mind going over there to visit him.” Laces smiled sweetly, knowing Jack hated the idea that Decker was sweet on Laces.

 

“Go over there by yourself?  I don’t know what I like about that.  And what are we asking him to do?” Jack asked. 

 

“Well Jack, I can take Laces over there.  I mean I like keeping an eye on the kid and I haven’t gotten to talk to her in a while, the time to catch up would be appreciated.” Skittery smiled.

 

“Fine, but still what are we asking him?  I don’t like asking random leaders for favors,” Jack stated.

 

“Don’t worry we won’t really owe him anything, he owes me a favor.  And besides Jacky, darling, we would start to develop good relationships with him and well no offense darling you know that you don’t need them but Snipes very well might.  He will be new, you know what it is to be new,” Laces commented.

 

“Fine, but I want you back in Manhattan before it gets too late.  I don’t want you wandering the streets of New York when it gets dark, nothing good has ever come of that even if you do have Skittery with you.” Jack pointed a finger at Laces.

 

“Yes, I understand.” Laces rolled her eyes and kissed Jack on the cheek. 

 

“And we’re off.  You want to help with some of my papers Laces?” Skittery asked.  Laces laughed.

 

“Well of course.” She skipped off with some of Skittery’s papers and Skittery started walking behind her. 

 

“You make sure to get her back,” Jack mumbled to Skitt.

 

“Don’t worry Jack, she’s like my own sister I’ll make sure nothing happens to her.” Skittery winked.  Jack dug his hands into his pockets and headed off in the opposite direction feeling sorry for himself for more then half the morning. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“MATTHEW!” Spot hollered from the parlor of the Brooklyn Lodging House.  Matt meanwhile cursed the fact that Spot Conlon knew his real name and stumbled downstairs as he wondered what he did wrong this time. 

 

“What’s the matter?” Matt yawned as he sluggishly made his way into the parlor. 

 

“Where’s my slingshot?” Spot demanded. 

 

“Oh, that.” Matt bit his lower lip.  He had borrowed Spot’s slingshot earlier that day, seeing as he had yet to get his own he had to settle with coaxing Spot into letting him borrow his.

 

“Yeah, where’s that?” Spot glared at Matt suspiciously. 

 

“I think I left it over at Spades.  I was over there earlier and well Pockets was teaching me how to use it all correct and stuff,” Matt mumbled a bit. 

 

“You left MY slingshot somewhere?  You careless kid.  I don’t believe you left my slingshot somewhere, you just lucky it was at Spades’ place and that Blue found it before it got lost over there.” Spot grunted a bit. 

 

“I’m sorry.  I really didn’t mean to forget it, but then the girls came in and we got distracted I just kind of left it sitting there on the bookshelf and all and really Spot I didn’t mean to lose it.” Matt groaned a bit, he knew that Spot wasn’t going to let him borrow that slingshot for sometime after this. 

 

“You got to remember the head on your shoulders kid, you got it?  I can’t believe you left my slingshot sitting in the Rose.  You just lucky nothing happened to it, and that Scorch didn’t decide she hated me some more and burned it.  You would have gotten such a beating, as it is, the slingshot is fine and in my hands again.  But it might be a while until you get it back in your hands again got it?” Spot glared at Matt.  Matt sighed but nodded he knew he had that coming to him, he also knew he was lucky Spot was in a terribly good mood. 

 

“Too bad to, Pockets did say that your aim was getting better.” Spot dropped the compliment which he knew might make Matt a little happier over the slight loss of the slingshot privileges.  Matt kind of looked up and sat down on the couch. 

 

“Spot, do you have to call me Matthew?” Matt asked after a bit of silence.  Spot was leaning against the bookshelf looking over their very small collection.

 

“Were you scared?” Spot eyed Matt.  Matt shrugged. 

 

“Not really, who’s scared of the old Spot Conlon anyway.” Matt smirked a bit.  Spot whacked him with his cane that had been resting on the nearby table.

 

“Ow, jeez.  Did you have to hit me?” Matt rubbed his head where Spot had hit him.

 

“You have a mouth.  You know what I think of it.” Spot shrugged as he put his cane back down.

 

“I’ll call you Matthew when you deserve to be called Matthew,” Spot responded and then sat down deciding he didn’t like any of the books. 

 

“You never call any of the other boys that get you mad by their real names,” Matt responded. 

 

“Well maybe your special.  And besides none of the others tend to get me angry like you do.  And well your nickname hasn’t so much grown on me yet.  Just ask Cap how long it took me to like his name.” Spot shrugged. 

 

“Well Spot Conlon, you named me.  So I can’t say it took you too long to like my name.” Cap walked in and sat down on the floor near the center table where he took out some  bottle caps he had found throughout the day.

 

“Ah, you and your mouth have to go and ruin my point.” Spot rolled his eyes. 

 

“See he’s got a mouth.” Matt pointed out, trying to get some kind of Spot’s wrath on Cap.  Matt still didn’t understand Spot though, and he still didn’t understand Spot and Cap’s relationship.  Matt didn’t notice unlike everyone that Spot just tended to be harder on him about things then the rest of the boys.  Sort of the way he use to treat Cap, a few years back before the whole Pepper gang thing happened though.  After that Spot was rather soft with Cap and all the boys knew it and knew why, but Matt hadn’t been around for any of that. 

 

“God, Matt would you quit your whining.  Jeez, might have to send you to the Bronx.  That’s where the whiners are, not Brooklyn boys.” Spot sighed. 

 

“The Bronx?” Matt let out a frustrated sigh.  “ Who would ever go there willingly?”

 

“No one said you would have a choice,” Spot replied carelessly.  “So how was selling today boys?” Spot added quickly being tired of the subject and not wanting to demonstrate anymore attention to Matt. 

 

“Ah, well the headlines were better then they have been.  Stories were just easier to sell today,” Cap responded.  “And I found a lot of great new Caps for my collection.”

 

“That’s good.” Spot nodded.  That’s when the front door swung open and in walked Critter. 

 

“Conlon?” He called out. 

 

“In here Crit.” Spot responded. 

 

“Well you just going to sit there?” Critter leaned against the doorpost.

 

“Something on your mind of what I should be doing?” Spot replied and Cap shook his head, thinking of how many Conlon’s there really were in the world.

 

“Get your ass up boy, we have things to talk about and no offense but it really ain’t for the ears of children.” Critter shrugged. 

 

“We ain’t children,” Cap piped.

 

“Sure you ain’t kid.” Critter laughed. 

 

“Crit, you don’t really think we’re children do you?” Cap asked.  Spot was getting up though, cause it was rare that Critter didn’t really want to talk in front of Cap.  Even though he did notice that Matt was still in the room, and Matt was still unaware of the ways of Brooklyn.

 

“Sometimes.  You just stay there, Conlon and I have some things to talk about.” Critter turned and Spot and him walked outside. 

 

“Who is Critter anyhow Cap?” Matt asked as he watched Cap sort his bottle caps.

 

“Well, he’s an old time friend of Spot’s and a very good person to know,” Cap responded with a lack of actual information. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Laces walked into the Bronx, it was quite a place to be in she stared in every direction knowing that she had yet to see another person she knew.  Laces was a girl who had met many of the big shots in New York, or many of the big shots in the world she lived in.  Skittery stood next to her surveying the Bronx also thinking of all the times he had been there and how each time was for something so different and so long ago that he suddenly felt very old and wise. 

 

“So, where do you think they’re all selling?  You know Decker, I mean he did have a crush on you or something,” Skittery muttered. 

 

“You know what, just because some guy is in love with me doesn’t mean that I have to know everything about him.” Laces rolled her eyes.  She scanned the regular selling spots, which she really did know because of her small amount of time of staying around the Bronx. 

 

“You here to try and steal away another boy?  I mean really you aren’t even that pretty.” Kawaii jumped out from behind the street corner that Skittery and Laces had just passed.

 

“Steal?  I never stole anything in my whole life,” Laces retorted. 

 

“Yeah, and I can fly,” Skittery said under his breath.  Laces shot him a glare before she kept talking to Kawaii. 

 

“So how you been?” she asked. 

 

“I’ve been all right.  You know as good as any other poor, downtrodden street kid could be.  I mean you could never know, tomorrow I might just meant some nice rich store owner who has a kid that I need to show around and they might help me out a bit and I may be the next Alger rags to riches story.” Kawaii laughed.

 

“You been reading too many of those lately?” Laces laughed. 

 

“You could say that, I guess they’re all right giving some kind of encouragement.” Kawaii shrugged.  “So what are you in these parts of the city for?  I doubt you came over here cause it’s got better business then Manhattan.”

 

“Oh well.  We needed to talk to Decker about some things.  He did kind of say he would be ready to help me out if I ever needed anything.” Laces smiled. 

 

“And of course something came up that you needed.  What could that be?  Someplace to hide because you did something stupid and the boys are mad.  Oh, wait maybe you started dating Skitt here and Jack is so angry that you both had to run away.” Kawaii was getting excited as she talked. 

 

“You really have been reading a lot of those dime novels.” Decker smacked Kawaii in the back of the head as he walked up behind her. 

 

“Well, thanks Decker.  Jeez, getting smacked in the head for trying to read something besides how the world is going to hell in Europe, and there are starving children in Russia, and how Tammany hall is corrupting the city, and the west is expanding and people is dying and…” Kawaii started mumbling to herself about the problems of the world without anyone else paying much more attention to her. 

 

“Is she all right Decker?” Laces asked as Decker and her started walking into the Bronx more, towards the lodging house there.  Skittery stayed back a little bit watching Laces with Decker.  He didn’t want to intrude on their time and he knew that Laces would be better at convincing him of whatever they needed him to do. 

 

“She has been a bit depressed lately, so the boys have been bringing her any of those dime novels they can find for her.  They are happier most of the time then the depressing headlines that we have to sell all day and so you know they have rather been helping.” Decker shrugged as he looked back at Kawaii whom was now avidly talking to Skittery about the wonderful world of Alger rags to riches stories. 

 

“Why has she been depressed did something happen?” Laces asked. 

 

“Well, age is getting to her.  I mean it’s nothing really, it happens to the best of us.  But she just has been seeing a lot of those young rich girls strolling around with husbands some with babies and it kind of depresses her that she is still living like a kid really,” Decker said. 

 

“Oh, she’ll be all right though?” Laces asked, trying to suppress the same feelings she had been having lately about being unable to live a normal life. 

 

“Yeah, soon she should be fine.  We hope anyway.  I mean Kawaii loves this life and she really is still rather young, I mean she is about a year younger then yourself and your still happy.” Decker smiled. 

 

“Yeah, happy,” Laces whispered.  “So Deck how have you been?”

 

“All right, you know being a leader and whatnot.  We live interesting lives as New York kids.”

 

“Yeah that we do, so I was wondering if you are too busy lately?” Laces asked trying to arrive her point quickly.

 

“Not really, what do you need me to do?” Decker looked at Laces suspiciously. 

 

“Well, I’m not really sure I was hoping you would help me figure that out.” Laces sighed. 

 

“You don’t know what you want me to do?” Decker sounded confused as he opened the door to the lodging house and held it open for Laces to walk through.

 

“I need you to help me create some reason to get Snipeshooter to Brooklyn.  Get him sent to Brooklyn almost, because of some kind of trouble or something,” Laces said in a hushed tone she didn’t want to many of the Bronx boys to overhear, because even if she liked them she still didn’t trust some of them. 

 

“Snipeshooter to Brooklyn?  Why, is Jack trying to get rid of him.  I thought he was close to him?” Decker sounded confused. 

 

“Well, we do like Snipes, that’s why he needs to go to Brooklyn.  He needs to be able to learn some things without knowing he’s learning them,” Laces replied.  Decker stared at her a moment and then understanding crossed his eyes. 

 

“You mean?  They’re, but they’re Spot Conlon and Jack Kelly?  They can’t possibly.” Decker shot out half said phrases. 

 

“They are, but hush would you.  No one needs to know.” Laces kicked him lightly. 

 

“They’re training boys?” Decker sounded impressed. 

 

“Well of course, they weren’t going to get overthrown.  They’re Spot Conlon and Jack Kelly as you said before.  Who in their right mind would challenge them?” Laces rolled her eyes as Decker looked ashamed a moment.  He did after all challenge them thinking that because they were old, that he would be able to defeat them and make a name for himself.  Little did he know that he just further made a name for Jack and Spot or Manhattan and Brooklyn whichever way you would like to think about it. 

 

“But how are they going to be respected if they are just given the positions?” Decker asked. 

 

“Sh, don’t think about how it’s going to happen.  Jack and Spot would never let Manhattan and Brooklyn be the laughing stocks of New York not after everything they have done.  They couldn’t and they wouldn’t.” Laces snapped almost at the accusation that they might. 

 

“Well, right.” Decker nodded knowing he insulted Laces when he insulted Spot or Jack.  “So you want me to be the reason Snipes gets sent away.  You want me to get him in trouble?”

 

“Right.” Laces nodded. 

 

“Well, what are Jack’s rules?  Does he have any, I mean he must right?” Decker asked. 

 

“Rules, um.” Laces looked confused for a minute, she knew some of Spot’s rules but mostly just  the ones that applied to her and well those were the only ones she knew of Jack’s either.  She really didn’t know the rules the boys might have for their actual newsies, she didn’t even really know if they had rules at all.  “Skittery!” she hollered. 

 

Skittery came walking over to Laces and Decker. 

 

“What’s the matta?” he asked. 

 

“Does Jack have any rules?” Laces asked giving a very puzzled look to Skittery.  Skittery laughed at Laces’s confusion. 

 

“Yes, he does.  But of course it would be in your advantage to not know that he had any.” Skittery gave her a hard stare for a little while. 

 

“So what are they?  Laces and I were trying to figure what exactly I could do that would get Snipes in trouble and get him sent to Brooklyn,” Decker said redirecting the attention to the real situation at hand. 

 

“Well, Jack doesn’t like dumping his problems off on Spot most of the time.  He really only use to use that on new people who were scared of Spot.  But, well that doesn’t work with Snipes.  The only other thing I could really think of is that if there was some kind of threat to Snipes in Manhattan in which case Jack would send him to Brooklyn,” Skittery replied. 

 

“So, what your telling me is that I have to send over some boys who aren’t recognized as Bronx boys and get them to beat up on Snipes?” Decker asked.

 

“You are not going to beat up on Snipes,” Laces cried. 

 

“Well, if we planned it out we could just start to, maybe get him to think he can fight back somehow and have Skitt here and maybe Blink step in by chance and get him out of it chasing my boys away.  Them shouting threats about things here and there, we can make up a decent story.  I mean there has to be something that Snipe could do that is possible.” Decker replied.

 

“He does like to gamble.” Skittery nodded.

 

“Well perfect, my boys can go representing someone and say they want money that he owes them.  Or something like that even better we can set up a fake game that my boys win and then have the old cop on the beat break them up,” Decker started going into and mumbled to himself. 

 

“Well, seems that you have this all planned out?” Laces interrupted.

 

“Um, sure I do.  But what time does Snipes usually gamble and where?’ Decker asked snapping out of his planning. 

 

“Well,” Skittery looked up at the sky and then pulled out an old rusted pocket watch.  “In about an hour or so he’ll start for the night on the street corner of the lodging house just between the allies where he thinks that Jack can’t spot him,” Skittery replied. 

 

“Well, my boys can head over there tonight.” Decker nodded.  “Tony!  Devin!” Decker called up the stairs of the Bronx Lodging House.  Two tall, well built boys came running down the stairs and smiled recklessly at Laces. 

 

“This is Laces, Jack Kelly’s girl.” Decker made a point of stating that she was taken before proceeding.  “And she needs us to do her a favor, and I owe her a few so I need you two to listen carefully.” Decker plunged into describing his plan to the boys and making sure they understood they were not to really hurt Snipeshooter and that they were to return without much trouble before the end of the night. 

 

“But are we really going to get a bull?  I mean that means if one of us doesn’t run fast enough we’re in the pit and well I don’t personally like being there.” Devin sounded hesitant. 

 

“No, of course we’re not going to call on a real bull.  You knuckle head, we’re not friends with bulls, not really anyway.  But we do have things that could make us seem like we are.” Decker smiled mischievously as he pulled out a whistle from his back pocket. 

 

“Kawaii, you feel like going to Manhattan doll?” Decker asked.  Kawaii was lying next to the stairs yawning as they spoke. 

 

“Manhattan?  Do I got much of a choice there?” She rolled her eyes knowing it was a pointless question. 

 

“Well, if you don’t want to…” Decker started in his coaxing tone. 

 

“No don’t bother with the speech, you might well put me to sleep.  I’ll go.  Give it here.” She stood up and put out her hand for the whistle.  Decker handed it over to her and smiled. 

 

“You’re such a sweetheart.” He winked.  She stuck out her tongue. 

 

“You don’t need to sweet talk me, I’m already doing it.” She walked out and Devin and Tony followed her.  Laces stood with Decker while Skittery also gave her a last hurried look and followed the others out the door. 

 

“You’re such a pal Decker.  Thanks for this.” Laces smiled and hugged Decker quickly.  Decker laughed. 

 

“And people asked me how I could have been so stupid to fall in love with you.” He sighed as he grinned. 

 

“It was rather stupid.” Laces winked. 

 

“Yeah, well maybe if you didn’t play so lovable and untaken then people wouldn’t fall for you.” Decker smirked. 

 

“Ah, my dear but that’s how I get what I want when I want it.” She skipped out the door. 

 

“That girl is something else.” Decker shook his head as he headed up the stairs of his lodging house thinking just what it was about Laces that made the many boys of New York he had talked to love her. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Critter was standing on the front steps of the Brooklyn Lodging House with Spot who was leaning against the front door. 

 

“So what’s up that’s so important we can’t talk about it in front of Cap?” Spot demanded. 

 

“Well, not that we couldn’t talk about it in front of Cap,” Critter replied carelessly. 

 

“So, Matt?” Spot cocked his eyebrows. 

 

“Yeah.  We can’t really talk about the new leaders of Manhattan and Brooklyn in front of one of them can we?” Critter rolled his eyes as he pulled out a cigarette. 

 

“What do you want to talk about?” Spot grabbed a cigarette from Critter as he asked the question. 

 

“Matt’s not very skilled in the field yet is he?” Critter commented. 

 

“What are you talking about skilled?” Spot lit his cigarette.

 

“Well, he doesn’t sell too well.  He doesn’t have the best aim.  He can’t fight all that well, even if he is hot headed he loses his footing minutes into a fight.  And he doesn’t demand respect.  How do you plan on giving him these things?  Why don’t you just let someone take over when you leave?  This training without letting them know business is too much trouble and may turn out to be useless in the long run and possibly ruin Brooklyn,” Critter spit out. 

 

“Matt’s perfect to take over Brooklyn.” Spot gritted his teeth, he knew what was coming next.

 

“Are you sure you just don’t want an excuse to have to stay in Brooklyn longer as a leader?” Critter asked giving Spot a straight forward look. 

 

“Who would you suggest that goes up to be Brooklyn leader?  Cap can’t do it anymore, and he was always just assumed.” Spot let out a frustrated groan. 

 

“What makes Matt your choice?” Critter asked. 

 

“He’s got something about him.  He just seems to have it there, he needs some confidence, heaven knows he’s got enough lip.  He has enough strength, he just need someone to teach him how to use it.  He has what he needs, while the others, they’re Brooklyn boys to the core, they don’t know how to care for others.” Spot shrugged. 

 

“So you really do think he’s the one, this isn’t an excuse?” Critter looked off onto the dock. 

 

“Why?” Spot looked at Critter suspiciously. 

 

“You don’t need reasons to stay Spot.  Your time is up,” Critter responded.  “I wanted to make sure.”

 

“You stayed,” Spot whispered almost knowing this could very well lead into a lot of violence.  Critter turned around rapidly, his eyes dark for a moment under the shade of the building. 

 

“Yeah.  I did.  I stayed because I didn’t know how to let go of my own story.  To let go of my own image, no one could be me.  No one could do what I did, I convince myself that I was needed, and that everything would fall apart without me.  Yeah I stayed, and that’s why I want to make sure you don’t do the same thing.” Critter finished.  Spot nodded, he had thought that was what Critter was doing. 

 

“Of course.  Never make the same mistakes.  Are you finally getting out?” Spot asked.

 

“Well, I couldn’t let you beat me at it?  Could I now?” Critter asked. 

 

“No.  The mighty and powerful Critter O’Connell, one of the most feared names in all of New York and one of the most unheard.  Letting his younger counterpart, the mighty and dangerous Spot Conlon beat him at something never.  That’s like saying Spot Conlon did something before Blue O’Riley.” Spot laughed.  There was  a chain, and the three boys were all O’Connell, O’Riley and Conlon as the other, an unspoken brotherhood which only some were privileged to understand nevertheless witness.  He wondered for a moment while he sat there puffing at his cigarette if things were going to change between them now that the wind was changing and they finally decided it was time to grow up.  He knew it was just around the corner that it would catch up to Blue and he would finally get around to making sure the rest of the girls got places to go before he asked Spades to marry him. 

 

“You all right Conlon?” Critter asked. 

 

“Am I ever not all right?” Spot snapped.

 

“Well, that proves that you aren’t.” Critter rolled his eyes at Spot’s easy to light temper. 

 

“Yeah, well.” Spot muttered a bit. 

 

“The world will work itself out kid, don’t take it upon yourself to fix,” Critter responded to Spot’s half said response before he walked off the steps and down the street. 

 

“Yeah, bye to you too,” Spot called out. 

 

“He was never one much for good byes.” Chesa popped up from behind the trashcans that were coming out from the alleyway next to the lodging house. 

 

“Yeah.  No kidding.  So you been sitting there that whole time?” Spot asked knowing the answer was yes. 

 

“How long have you known me?” Chesa ruffled Spot’s hair a bit and jumped onto the stairs with him. 

 

“Must be what, some 10 years now?” Spot asked looking at the sun. 

 

“No, not 10.  Could feel like 10, somewhere between 6 and 7 though.  That seems a bit more accurate.” Chesa nodded. 

 

“Whatever you were to say would seem more accurate then whatever I would say.” Spot shrugged.

 

“Yes, well is it really my fault that I’m usually right.” Chesa laughed a bit.  Spot groaned and then laughed. 

 

“So what are you doing Chesa?” he asked. 

 

“Oh, you know this and that,” she responded. 

 

“You trying to settle down?” Spot asked her. 

 

“As soon as he does, I will.” She nodded towards Critter’s dwindling image. 

 

“Has he asked yet?” Spot asked. 

 

“Oh, him.  No.  He’s like yourself, and Blue and Jack for that matter.  Won’t ask the girl until they’re sure they can take care of her.  And who knows when that will be.” Chesa sighed. 

 

“You two will be all right.” Spot nodded in reassurance.  He had always suspected that Critter and Chesapeake would end in vows to each other because they had always held unspoken ones between each other anyhow. 

 

“Yes, well I came to let you know that Laces of yours is a girl.”

 

“What did she do now?” Spot asked bracing himself for possibly having the desire to cross the bridge and beat sense into the girl.

 

“Oh, well she went over to the Bronx and talked that Decker kid into helping her get Snipes to Brooklyn with no trouble.  She’s really something.  Walked right in, no fear no nothing.  Critter I think helped her confidence a little more then was necessary.  I mean honestly now the kid really can do basically anything, I mean you know.  As much as Critter allows.” Chesa winked. 

 

“He does have a certain hold over her too.” Spot shook his head.

 

“Oh, it’s just cause he asked for it.  He’s you, just older.  There ain’t nothing there that you wouldn’t be able to do.  But you want her not to be afraid of you, you don’t need her to be afraid of you, and well I really don’t think you would like it.” She shrugged. 

 

“Yeah, probably not.” Spot nodded as he remembered the few times that Laces had been scared of him.  “So Snipes is coming over here?  I’m guessing Jacky wants me to teach ‘em in fighting and such.  That’s not going to be easy training them without being allowed to let them know.” Spot shook his head. 

 

“Well, it’s the only respectable way to go about it if you ask me.  You can’t just make them leaders, no one would respect them, they will need to know how to be you and Jack.  And then when you two just leave one day, no one will challenge them and if they do they won’t stand a chance to their strength and pure destiny of running the two strongest parts of New York.  I mean honestly you boys did some great jobs on these places, I don’t think there is anyway they could ever fall from the top.” Chesa nodded. 

 

“Yeah, let’s hope so.” Spot nodded and then he walked in as Chesa walked away. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The newsies were all beginning to stream back into the Manhattan Lodging House and the sun was beginning to set in the distance.  Snipeshooter had already been inside the lodging house collecting the few things he needed to gamble with and was in the alleyway near the lodging house playing a sure game of poker with a group of local boot shiners and match boys. 

 

Snipeshooter was close to winning a good easy sum of money from the other boys when the two figures from the shadows moved in. 

 

“What you doing there?” Said a gruff voice and had the figures not suddenly appeared and were the boys of New York streets not so paranoid they would have noticed the voice was forcing itself to be rough.  That would have be a nice detail to be aware of, but alas boys of the streets were too used to people being threatening and meaning it and they proceeded to scatter as quickly as they could with as many of their positions as it was possible.  But the figures were close to Snipes and they kept him from running with the others. 

 

“So, you owe us some money now,” the first figure said. 

 

“I don’t owe you nothing.” Of course Snipes wasn’t as confident with that statement as he had hoped he could be.  He still couldn’t see these figures, because they were still very much in the shadows and he wasn’t sure if he did owe them money. 

 

“Oh, but  I think you do.  Now how much money did you win from those others?” the other figure said as he pinned Snipes up to the wall. 

 

“I didn’t win nothing,” Snipes responded.  He knew he sounded calm but he also knew that he was scared and no matter how much he tried he knew they could see that also. 

 

“Maybe we’ll just have to take our pay in some blood and bruises,” the first figure said as he stepped closer. 

 

“You’re right, we might just have to.” The second figure nodded.  That’s when there was a whistle from the distance and quick sounds of footsteps getting near where the boys had Snipes.  The boys quickly let go of Snipes and ran off down the alleyway without so much as looking back so Snipes still didn’t really know who they were or if he really did owe them money.  He did however hear one of them shout back to him.

 

“We will find you kid, we will get our money, if in money or in blood and bruises.” That was the last he heard before they disappeared completely into the shadows again, he meanwhile crawled underneath the nearest pile of junk in the alleyway, so as the bull that was coming would not notice him.  But no bull ever came instead though Skittery walked into the alleyway.

 

“I swear I thought he stayed in here.  Oh geez, those thugs better have not soaked him real good or nothing,” Skittery was muttering. 

 

“No they didn’t soak me Skittery, there was as bull running around that scared them off.  I was sure that he was heading in here but I guess not.” Snipes sighed as he stood up from the pile.  Skittery nodded and stepped back onto the street while Snipes followed.

 

“The bull got distracted, let’s just say if Blink gets caught you better well thank him.” Skittery nodded.

 

“Blink distracted the bull?  But how did you guys know I was over here?” Snipes asked.

 

“You’re always gambling in this alley, I mean honesty Snipes we ain’t all stupid or nothing.” Skittery rolled his eyes as they walked into the lodging house.  As they entered Jack came over and glared at Snipes.

 

“Where’s Blink?” Jack asked. 

 

“Oh, he should have run around the block, probably ducking the bull somewhere along the way, he should be back real soon unless he was of course taken in.” Skittery nodded.

 

“Snipes, I need to talk to you.”

 

“Hey, Jack I think someone was threatening our Snipes here from what I could gather.” Skittery commented.

 

“Is that true?” Jack took a closer look at Snipeshooter.

 

“Well, sort of.  I mean, they did kind of have me against a wall.  But I could have gotten out of it.  I just, there was the bull and I was distracted and they let me go anyway.” Snipes manage to spit that much out in a tangled breath.

 

“Snipes, you could have been hurt.  You really don’t know how to take care of yourself and I’m sure it was something to do with gambling.  I mean honestly you don’t have to go looking for fights.  There are enough fights out there on the streets without you going out there to look for them too.” Jack sighed.  Laces walked out of the parlor.

 

“Were they big boys that attacked you?  Did you see them?” Laces asked.  Snipes shook his head.

 

“No they were in the shadows, I couldn’t see their faces.  They were pretty big, two of them.” Snipes nodded.

 

“You could have been taken like Cap, and no one would have known where to start looking just like Cap.” Laces looked worried, Jack looked annoyed and Skittery was staring at the door probably awaiting Blink’s return.

 

“What were they threatening you about Snipes?” Jack asked. 

 

“Well, I mean I don’t really think they were threatening me…” Snipes started to mumble.

 

“You owe them money don’t you, you lost some poker game somewhere and ran away before you paid them.” Jack stared long and hard at Snipes.  Snipes looked down a second, he really did have a bad habit of gambling and a worse one of running off before paying his debts.  Jack had been trying to beat it out of him since the moment he became a newsie and so far progress was still slow but he was in less of a habit now. 

 

“Well, I really didn’t see them Jack.  I really don’t know if I really owed them any money.  They could have me mistaken with someone else you know.  It could be nothing.” Snipes was rambling a bit. 

 

“Snipeshooter, I really don’t think I could go through another instance like Cap’s.” Laces sighed from her position now near Skittery. 

 

“And you really aren’t all the great of a fighter Snipes.” Skittery nodded. 

 

“I think you need to get out from around here for a little bit.” Jack nodded.

 

“You ain’t sending me to Brooklyn?  Are you?  I mean Spot doesn’t really seem to keen on me.” Snipes looked worried.

 

“Well I ain’t to keen on you right now either.” Jack frowned. 

 

“Right.  Well, Brooklyn though?  I really don’t think it was that big of a threat.” He was now attempting the begging approach. 

 

“Spot Conlon really isn’t that bad.” Laces smiled. 

 

“That’s just cause you’re a girl and he can’t beat you with that cane of his,” Snipes mumbled.  Laces grinned knowing fully well that Spot’s wrath was well calmed when he dealt with her. 

 

“Tell you what Snipes.  I’ll go over there with you, I’m sure Jack doesn’t want you gone long.” Laces smiled sweetly at Jack who she knew was glaring at her because she was going to interfere. 

 

“Just a few days.” Jack nodded.  “Go get whatever you think you want with you.” Snipes gave him a look before heading upstairs.  He had nothing he really needed to take with him but he knew that the command was more a signal for him to get lost so that they could talk about him.  As soon as his feet disappeared from view on the top stair Jack turned to Laces. 

 

“Spot ain’t going to want you in Brooklyn.” He sighed. 

 

“Yeah, but someone has to make sure he doesn’t kill them.  I like them.” Laces shrugged. 

 

“He isn’t going to be happy.  You mind yourself over there because if Critter gets word that you’re interfering.” Jack shook his head.  Laces shivered a bit. 

 

“Why is it now that every time there might be trouble with me you all mention Critter.” Laces let out a frustrated sigh. 

 

“Possibly my dear because unlike the rest of these lads you listen to what I tell you.” Critter had walked in unnoticed. 

 

“Crit.” Laces jumped a bit being surprised to hear him. 

 

“Ah yes, listen rather well.” Critter grinned as he walked over to Laces and gave her a kiss on the head.  “You well?” He asked in a fatherly manner. 

 

“Always.” Laces nodded feeling the comfort of his strength being near her. 

 

“A spoiled brat.  I’m sure I’ve never seen a worse one.” Critter shook his head as he turned his attention to Jack. 

 

“So sending the kid to Brooklyn?” he asked. 

 

“Well of course.” Jack nodded. 

 

“And suppose Spot’s just going to teach him how to fight?” Critter asked. 

 

“Well, I don’t know that’s Spot’s deal.” Jack shrugged. 

 

“And can we have guarantees that you will not be in anyway angry if there is some bruises and cuts on the kid when he comes back?” Critter asked. 

 

“Does Spot know you’re here asking me these things?” Jack asked, knowing well enough that Critter did nothing on the command, will or even knowledge of Spot Conlon. 

 

“Now Jack.  That question wasn’t meant to be answered with a question.” Critter smiled his irresistible smile. 

 

“Yeah well that’s fine just try to make sure he can still walk and see all right?” Jack asked. 

 

“Critter are you going to hurt him?” Laces asked sounding panicked. 

 

“Ah and as for you my dearest Audrey, you will be behaving yourself I hope?  Unless of course you are unable to and see it fit to stay in Manhattan.” Critter gave her a look that she knew well enough. 

 

“I’m going to Brooklyn.” Laces nodded holding her ground. 

 

“Button, you’re not going to get in the way.  Understood?” Critter stood up taller and gave her a piercing glare. 

 

“Of course not.  I’m never in the way,” Laces responded defiantly but nevertheless shrank beneath him.

 

“Well Jack, why don’t you walk Snipes over.  I actually came over to take Audrey here to tea.” Critter held out his arm. 

 

“Tea?” Laces looked confused. 

 

“Cricket has been asking for you.  Wants to see his girl.” Critter shrugged.  “Just another set of eyes to keep you out of trouble and another set of hands to spoil you more.”

 

“Well, but I am going to Brooklyn?” Laces asked. 

 

“I’ll take you there myself after the tea.  Unless it’s too late of course.  Then I’ll take you tomorrow,” Critter stated before Laces could object.  “You are not walking to Brooklyn after the sun’s been down for more then an hour.  You know it’s dangerous and I don’t like it.”

 

“Fine,” Laces responded. 

 

“And I don’t know if I like her when she’s all little girl like that,” Jack whispered to Skittery.  Laces hit him in the shoulder.

 

“I’m not a little girl.” She gritted her teeth. 

 

“Not with everyone you’re not.  But Critter sure does treat you like his daughter, on a very short rope.” Skittery laughed a bit as Laces walked out on Critter’s arm. 

 

“Ready to go?” Snipes asked as he ran down the stairs knowing that Critter and Laces leaving was the end of their meeting.

 

“Yup.  I’m taking you to Brooklyn.” Jack nodded. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Matt was walking along in Brooklyn heading over to the Rose because after being yelled at by Spot he had nothing better to do.  He waltzed in looking uninterested in the world and rather bored. 

 

“So Spot break any bones on you?” Vigor asked from her couch. 

 

“No.  But did Blue really need to tell him I left the slingshot here?  I mean was that really something he had to do or does he want to see me dead.” Matt rolled his eyes and lifted himself onto the counter. 

 

“I actually like you enough to let you live.  But honestly you have to be more careful with Conlon’s things,” Blue said as he walked down the stairs with Spades. 

 

“Yeah, well now I can’t use his slingshot.  And I was getting better and everything.” Matt cast an angry look towards the window. 

 

“Yeah, it’s a cruel world out there without a slingshot,” Shady said sarcastically. 

 

“Ah, leave the kid alone.  He was learning one of the many ways of Brooklyn.  And now he’s learning another one, don’t be careless.” Spades shrugged. 

 

“I wasn’t being careless I just forgot.” Matt sighed. 

 

“Yeah, forget something in a fight and you might end up dead.” Shady nodded. 

 

“Or in the Refugee.” Vigor nodded remembering the many times she forgot something and ended up in the place much to easily. 

 

“You ever been in there?” Blue asked suddenly.

 

“Nope, West had me under tight ropes.  Besides, I had friends in high places, remember?” Matt shoulders tensed at the mere memory of them. 

 

“High places, we all make up what places are high in my opinion.” Shady sighed thinking about the ways of the world. 

 

“Well can I take a nap in here?  I don’t really feel like being in the lodging house.  I get the feeling Conlon will find something else to be mad at me for.” Matt jumped down and headed to the library. 

 

“Sure thing kid.  But I’ll wake you up before the sun sets so you get back before it’s too late.  Conlon doesn’t like you out too late.”

 

“Conlon can bite me.” Was the last thing Matt said before he closed the doors. 

 

“Conlon’s right.  He’s perfect once he grows up a little.” Shady nodded. 

 

“Don’t you have an old slingshot somewhere Blue?” Vigor asked. 

 

“Yeah, I have been meaning to give it to him.  But he does have to learn the lesson first.” Blue sat down with Spades on his lap. 

 

“Sometimes I wonder how good we’re going to be at being parents.” Spades buried her head into Blue’s shoulder. 

 

“And why would you wonder something like that?” Vigor demanded. 

 

“Well because when one of you bother me I just beat some sense into you, look at us teaching lessons.  I just don’t know that I won’t want to beat some sense into my children.”

 

“Ah no that’s different Spades, you know that.  I mean we’re learning and teaching the ways of the street.  We want more for our kids.  You know that,” Vigor stated. 

 

“Yeah.” Spades nodded.

 

“If our kid ever picks a pocket I might well beat them.” Blue nodded.

 

“Well it’s dishonest and against the law you know.” Shady shrugged. 

 

“And we still got some morals to us, or at least pretend to.” Vigor laughed. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“You look awfully handsome when you’re all dressed up.” South grinned from her seat near the window of Cricket’s second story home.  One of the few large homes with gardens and all that existed in proper rich New York City. 

 

“And you miss are going to right well give my mother a heart attack one day, tromping in with your skirts dripping in dirt.” Cricket smiled as he pressed down his shirt while looking in the mirror. 

 

“Yeah, well she might as well get use to me shouldn’t she?” She grinned again remembering the great Mrs. Longfellow fretting about her skirts. 

 

“I really hate skirts anyhow.  And it’s a good thing you got your own property now or your father might just disown you knowing what kinds of people you got coming to tea.” South laughed again. 

 

“Yes well, they are my family more then my own have been.” Cricket shrugged.

 

“You sure she isn’t going to feel uncomfortable with you all nice and me in a skirt?” South asked hesitant. 

 

“Well, she did once live in this world.” Cricket shrugged. 

 

“You know that babe is only seventeen.” South shook her head. 

 

“And when we were seventeen we had seen someone die,” Cricket whispered. 

 

“We had seen more then someone die, we had seen many a someone.” South nodded. 

 

“But we were just having some fun, nothing like knowing we had a family to come home to, a bed, a meal.” Cricket sat down next to South.

 

“A prison, really.  But you’re right we had the life.  We put ourselves on the streets because we were bored of skirt hoops and arithmetic, not cause we didn’t have nowhere else to go.”

 

“You know I would like to keep her, but I doubt she would let me take her.” Cricket sighed.

 

“She doesn’t seem like the type to take charity.” South nodded.  “I wouldn’t mind dressing her up though, she could be so pretty.”

 

“She is pretty South, look at half the boys in this city.  They’re mad lusting after her.” Cricket laughed.  “Her brother would have fought off everyone of them.”

 

“Her brother would have locked her up.” South laughed.

 

“Probably thrown away the key.” Cricket nodded.  “The clocks bells are going again, they should be here in a few minutes.  Critter probably had a time getting her here.”

 

“She still doesn’t like coming?” South asked.

 

“No, and Critter probably made her take the long back way.  He still isn’t too comfortable here either.”

 

“Tea’s almost ready, you best come down Mr. Longfellow,” someone called from below.  Cricket looked at South and made a face and South laughed. 

 

“Yes, Mr. Longfellow and make sure you have your jacket on straight.  We want to impress the company.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Do you really think I’m in much danger Jack?” Snipes asked as they were crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

“I think you need to stop gambling Snipes,” Jack responded.

 

“But you gamble sometimes.” Snipes shrugged.

 

“With other newsies at parties and when we get together.” Jack frowned.  “You know that’s different.”

 

“Yeah well I like gambling, can’t help it much.  It’s something like a nervous twitch.”

 

“Well, my mother before she died helped me out with a nervous twitch I had.” Jack looked sideways at Snipes.

 

“Yeah, what’d she do?” he asked.

 

“Got my pop to give me a good beating about it.” Jack shrugged.  Snipes shivered a bit. 

 

“What was it that you did?  That you deserved a beating for?” Snipes asked.

 

“I hung around my pop too much and started chewing tobacco.” Jack smiled.  “My mother didn’t think to highly of it, she did tell me to stop a few times.  Well probably more then a few times, but I just didn’t listen.  Didn’t really chew it more once I got the tar licked out of me.”

 

“Yeah I guess that would stop anyone from doing anything.” Snipes nodded.

 

“So you saying I should lick the tar out of you, so you’ll stop gambling?” Jack cocked an eyebrow.

 

“You wouldn’t really think of doing that would you Jack?” Snipes looked scared for a moment.  Jack inwardly sighed thinking that Snipes really shouldn’t be afraid of a beating so much.

 

“I do want you to stop gambling.” Jack played with the words a little, he didn’t want Snipes to be scared but he didn’t think it would be wonderful if the leader of Manhattan couldn’t keep his money long enough to get a meal.

 

“But you wouldn’t beat me up would you?” Snipes asked again.

 

“Nah, I’ll leave that up to Spot.” Jack smirked as he noticed Snipes shivered. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“You know Spot, the last time Snipes and Slingshot were together they seemed to have a falling out, right down these stairs.” Cap was tossing a single bottle cap.

 

“Yeah well, what better way for them to learn how to fight but to fight each other.” Spot shrugged.  “Jack and I did.”

 

“Quite a few times.  Which one of you is the better fighter?” Cap asked. 

 

“I am.” Spot grinned.  “Jack’s strong, but impulsive and doesn’t think before he hits people.”

 

“Right.” Cap shrugged.  “So where’s Slingshot anyhow?”

 

“I think he got sulky after I yelled at him earlier.  He’s probably over at the Rose.”

 

“He’s taken a liking to the girls.” Cap nodded.

 

“What do you think of him Cap?” Spot asked.

 

“He’s related to Laces,” Cap responded.  Spot stared at him a moment.

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“He’s related to Laces, I think that if Laces had been a boy she would have run this place after you.  But seeing as she isn’t a boy the next best is her cousin.” Cap smiled.  “But if you were wondering what else I thought of him, I think he’s good.  Maybe not as good as I would have been, but you weren’t even as good as I would have been.”

 

There Spot smacked Cap with his cane playfully and shook his head. 

 

“You do have a big head, don’t you?”

 

“Well, I spend most of my time with three of the biggest heads in New York city.” He laughed. 

 

Jack and Snipes walked into the lodging house at that moment.  The tone of the room changed almost instantly from a warm friendly air to more of an urgent and challenging air. 

 

“Well Jacky boy, can’t handle one of your own?” Spot smirked. 

 

“Might say that Conlon, but I think that it’s more I’d prefer one of my own didn’t get hurt.” Jack shrugged as they both spit into their hands and shook. 

 

Jack and Spot fell into talking and Snipes and Cap slipped away into the bunkroom upstairs. 

 

“So where’s the new kid?” Snipes asked. 

 

“You know Snipes, he isn’t really new anymore.  And you know his name.” Cap rolled his eyes.

 

“Yeah well, he hasn’t been here long so he’s still new.” Snipes shrugged.  “What bunk is empty?”

 

“The one under the new kid’s.” Cap smiled. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Isn’t this bad for Cricket?” Laces asked as she stepped into a splendid garden of roses, otherwise viewed as Mr. Thomas Longfellow’s backyard. 

 

“What are you taking about?” Critter asked. 

 

“We aren’t exactly the Rockefeller’s are we?” Laces rolled her eyes.

 

“No I suppose we aren’t.  But no Cricket invited us and the servants in the place know who we are.” Critter shrugged. 

 

“They know who I am?” Laces asked. 

 

“Everyone knows you, unless they have more money then even Thomas here.” Critter shrugged as he knocked on the back door of the kitchen.  A slender blond with shallow blue eyes answered the door. 

 

“Morning Nancy.” Critter smiled. 

 

“Christopher!  My it’s been ages since we’ve seen you at this house.  Mr. Longfellow did mention something about you and a Miss Kai coming over to tea.” She shrieked as she gave Critter a hug.  Laces gave Critter a smirk about him being called Christopher. 

 

“Yeah, you miss don’t even think about it.” Was what he whispered back to her. 

 

“And you miss must be Audrey?” Nancy looked at Laces. 

 

“That I am, please to make your acquaintance,” Laces responded holding out her hand, palm down and bowing slightly.  Nancy looked taken a back a minute before shaking the hand back. 

 

“Pleased to meet you ma’am,” Nancy responded. 

 

“Is there a mirror room?” Laces asked, Nancy just nodded. 

 

“Down the hall and to the right,” she responded. 

 

“Thank you.” Laces walked into the house and down the hall.  Critter stared after her with a puzzled look on his face. 

 

“Is she like Casey?” Nancy asked Critter. 

 

“No she’s not.  Not that I know of anyway.” Critter shrugged.  Nancy and Critter walked into the parlor. 

 

“Crit!  Where’s Laces?” Cricket asked as he embraced Critter.  South also gave Critter a hug before the three sat down. 

 

“Well she went to the mirror room.  I think being in a big house reminds her of the rich life,” Critter stated.

 

“How so?” South asked.  That’s when Laces walked in, looking like she had attempted to make herself presentable. 

 

“Hey there baby doll.” Cricket smiled lightly as he stood up to greet Laces. 

 

“Good afternoon Thomas.” Laces curtsied.  Cricket stopped in mid air of a hug. 

 

“You just curtsied.  I don’t think I’ve seen you do that in years.” He took a step back.  “Not to mention you called me Thomas.”

 

Laces stared at him a moment then stared at the ground for a moment. 

 

“Sorry, I just.  I, excuse me.” Laces walked out of the parlor.  Cricket, South and Critter stared at each other. 

 

“She really is a strange one, I’ll go talk some sense into her.” Critter started getting up. 

 

“No, let me deal with her.” Cricket walked out behind her.  He stepped into the hall and there stood Laces staring at herself in a mirror. 

 

“What’s wrong baby doll?” He asked as he moved behind her. 

 

“You’re house is beautiful,” Laces whispered as she played with lose strands of her hair. 

 

“And that wasn’t my question.” Cricket shook his head as he pulled her hand away from her hair. 

 

“I just, I haven’t been in a big house in years.” Lace shrugged.  “I didn’t think about what I was doing, just kind of did them.”

 

“Of course, you were drilled to do them my dear.” Cricket nodded.  “Caroline still acts that way you know.”

 

“Have you talked to her?” Laces looked surprised for a few moments. 

 

“I’ve stopped by on occasion.” He nodded. 

 

“Why didn’t she ever tell me?”

 

“Well you didn’t remember me.” Cricket shrugged. 

 

“Yeah I guess I didn’t.” Laces nodded, staring at the mirror again. 

 

“Do you miss it?” Cricket suddenly asked. 

 

“I don’t know.  Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to wear something other than these old pants and this shirt.” Laces sighed. 

 

“Yeah well, come now baby doll.  Lets get you some tea, talk about happier things.  See if you’ve been staying out of trouble.” Cricket nudged her back into the parlor. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Scorch threw a pillow at a very asleep Matt, when he didn’t stir she threw another pillow at him. 

 

“He isn’t waking up Spades,” she called out. 

 

“Throw something harder then a pillow then!” Shady called back and before Spades said anything to object Scorch threw a book at Matt. 

 

“OW!” Matt fell off the couch he was lying on. 

 

“Well, you wouldn’t wake up.” Scorch shrugged and walked out of the room.  Matt stayed on the ground mumbling curses at Scorch and rubbing his forehead. 

 

“Slingshot the sun’s setting,” Spades called into the room. 

 

“Whskdnsaallaw,” Matt responded a muffled response that sounding or seemed something like a slur of letters more then a response. 

 

“I’ll let Scorch throw some more books at you,” Spades called in. 

 

“FINE!  I’m getting up.” Matt turned his body so that his mouth was talking into the rug, but he remained lying on his back for a few more minutes before reaching enough will power to lift himself.  He stood up finally and walked out of the extra library of the Rose looking shaken. 

 

“Well morning sunshine.” Shady wickedly smiled. 

 

“Have I mentioned I hate you?” Matt groaned. 

 

“Um, recently.  No I don’t think so.” Shady shrugged. 

 

“You slept all afternoon and now you aren’t going to sleep all night knowing you.” Spades rolled her eyes.

 

“So, then maybe I just won’t go back to the lodging house.” Matt shrugged.

 

“Nope, Spot sent specific orders that he wants you back tonight.  He needed to talk to you.” Blue shook his head. 

 

“Spot, specific orders.  Sounds like something I don’t want to do.” Matt yawned. 

 

“And like something that you have to do.  So go on with you.” Spades pushed him out the door. 

 

“Don’t dawdle,” Angel called after him as he stumbled into the alley. 

 

“Dawdle, right.  I’m sure Spot has spies or something watching out for that,” Matt mumbled. 

 

“You’d be surprised,” Spades whispered. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The sun was setting and Critter and Laces were getting ready to leave Cricket’s. 

 

“Now baby doll, I don’t want any horrible reports.” Cricket pinched Laces on the cheek. 

 

“Who would be giving you any of those?” Laces smiled sweetly as she threw a saucy look at Critter.

 

“She’s just mad because she can’t sweet talk to you Crit.” South laughed. 

 

“Indeed something she’s not going to be able to do soon.” Critter nodded.  “And we’re off I have to get you to Brooklyn before Conlon has himself an attack about your whereabouts.”

 

“Conlon has a tight wrap around you?” Cricket whispered.

 

“Or pretends he does,” Laces whispered back and looked angelic.  Cricket laughed and shook his head. 

 

“Off with  both of you, come visit again!” he said. 

 

“You’re finally done with shunning your past,” Critter said rather darkly but smiled nevertheless before he walked with Laces out the back door. 

 

“You did hurt him by hiding in your rich life,” South commented as she closed the door. 

 

“So did you,” Cricket shot back. 

 

“And now I wonder if it’s really for him, Blaze, Chesa, and Hunter that you come back.  Or for a hope that you might grasp something you lost long ago?” South cocked an eyebrow. 

 

“What Laces?” Cricket shrugged.  “I must say she added to it.  But I missed the gang, I missed our family.”

 

“Our family.” South laughed.  “Or Blood Brothers and Sisters more like it sometimes.”

 

“Yeah.” Cricket nodded.  “Have I mentioned how much I’m gald I found you again?”

 

South smiled lightly, “You never lost me, you ignored me.”

 

“Oh, are you going to be bitter now too?” Cricket sighed as he pulled her close to him. 

 

“I did the same thing, so you could be bitter too.” South shrugged. 

 

“Guilty of the same crime, usual.” He nodded. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The sun was setting and Matt walked into the lodging house tired and annoyed.  He wanted to crawl onto the roof and not be bothered by anyone.  But of course this was not going to happen and he knew it, not for at least another three hours until the others fell asleep.  As Matt signed his name he glanced over the other names in the book and groaned. 

 

“Is Snipes staying here tonight?” he asked Rick.  Rick looked up from some of the paperwork he was doing and smiled. 

 

“I’m afraid he is.” 

 

Matt sighed and looked over the book again for familiar names. 

 

“Laces ain’t come back yet from Manhattan, I know she’s Jack’s girl and all but she’s my cousin.” Matt sighed. 

 

“She’ll be back in our hair before you know it.” Cap commented as he walked out of the kitchen. 

 

“Heya Cap.” Matt nodded at him as he begun to climb the stairs.

 

“You going to be all right with Snipes and all?” Cap asked.

 

“Does it matter?” Matt smiled a wickedly reckless smile and Cap shook his head.  The door swung open and in skipped Laces behind her Critter. 

 

“Well darling, we were just talking about you.” Cap laughed. 

 

“And what were you saying, that she’s the most impulsive, un-behaved, annoying little brat ever to walk the planet?” Critter puffed at his cigarette.  Laces turned around and glared at him, strands of her hair falling out of place and onto her face near her eyes.  Her hands went to her hips and her smiled faded into a what may be known as a crooked smile.  A crooked smile is a smile that is attempting to be a frown but is not achieving its goal too well. 

 

“Critter O’Connell, where do you get off saying something like that?” She huffed up and her voice pitch got high. 

 

“The same way you get off acting like a hen, stop your high and mighty act you know what I say is true.  Go on sign in, you trouble maker.” He winked at her.  Cap laughed at them. 

 

“I thought you two were sworn to hate each other?” he asked. 

 

“Why would you think that? I mean Critter is the most charming boy in New York,” Laces responded as she signed her name into the book. 

 

“Well, because if you hated each other then you might listen to him Laces.” Cap shrugged. 

 

“I have no need to listen to anyone.” Laces flipped her hair back and started to walk up the stairs. 

 

“Don’t you convince yourself of that Laces Kai.  You understand me miss?” Critter said to her as she disappeared from sight down the hall.  “She gets hard to handle again, I’m coming after you.  Understood?’

 

“Of course Critter.” Cap nodded. 

 

“So Snipes here?” Critter asked as he leaned against the counter. 

 

“Yeah he is.” Cap nodded.

 

“And where’s Conlon?” Critter asked.

 

“I have no idea, haven’t seen him since Jack got here a while back.”

 

“Does he know what he’s going to do to train them yet?” Critter whispered. 

 

“He hasn’t talked about it.” Cap shrugged. 

 

“Well, I have some tips to give you.” Critter nodded. 

 

“But I’m not the one...” Cap started. 

 

“Look, I know your not going to be the leader, but you are going to be just as important and besides, you for once in your life might have more influence then Conlon.” Critter eyed Cap carefully. 

 

“Thanks.  That was encouraging.  What is it you think I can do?” Cap asked. 

 

“Teach them to fight.  Not in some prissy way like Laces learned.  Teach them to fight on the streets like we learned.  Be ready to throw a punch whenever you feel like it, make them fight back.  The only backfire might be that they may get to the point where they might fight better then you do,” Critter said darkly. 

 

“Like Spot with you?” Cap suggested knowing well enough he was treading on dangerous ground. 

 

“Conlon learned in the roughest classroom.” Critter shrugged. 

 

“And you didn’t?” Cap asked pushing for more information. 

 

“I did, just not the same way.  Besides Conlon is strong no matter how scrawny he is.” Critter shrugged.

 

“Am I telling Spot you suggested this?” Cap asked. 

 

“No, he has that no one tells me what to do problem.  Let it just be our secret.  And no worries, Conlon might as well figure it out.  What’s he going to do beat me up?” Critter smiled and then nodded to Cap before walking out. 

 

Cap shook his head and laughed trying to imagine Spot beating up Critter.  Not something he saw happening anytime soon, or really ever. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Spot and Jack were sitting in Spot’s room, both of them staring off into nothing.  There was a slight knock at the door and then Laces skipped in and sat next to Jack on the floor. 

 

“Laces, knocking?” Spot glared at her a moment. 

 

“You would have told me to go away.” Laces shrugged back. 

 

“And what makes you know that we won’t tell you to go away now?” Jack asked. 

 

“Well I’m already sitting here, in your arms, and honestly I don’t think you want to throw me out.” Laces curled up into Jack a little more. 

 

“Laces Kai, I think I would throw you out just to prove that you don’t always get what you want.” Spot kicked at her a bit. 

 

“I don’t ALWAYS get what I want.  Only sometimes.  So what you boys talking about?” Laces asked.

 

“The Yankees.” Spot rolled his eyes. 

 

“I’m spoiled Spot, not stupid,” Laces replied back. 

 

“Well what do you think we were talking about Kid?” Jack played with the ends of her hair. 

 

“Snipes and Matt?” Laces shrugged.  “And you know their being leaders and all.”

 

“Well, then why did you ask?” Jack laughed.

 

“Because she likes to know she’s right.” Spot rolled his eyes.

 

“I’m staying in Brooklyn,” Laces responded.

 

“No you’re not,” Spot said automatically.

 

“But Spot I haven’t been here for a while,” Laces responded in a half whine.

 

“And you picked a convenient time to come back.” Spot shook his head.  “You are not interfering with this Laces, you understand me?”

 

“You’ve known me a long time Spot Conlon, and you should know by now that I would hardly think of leaving you here with Matt and Snipes.  Next thing I know you might have both of them dead, besides who else is going to remind you that those boys aren’t here to be taught who’s boss, but more how they’re going to be boss.” Laces sighed.

 

“You aren’t use to doing that Spot.” Jack nodded.

 

“Maybe you shouldn’t be dating the biggest trouble maker in the whole city Jack, it clouds your common sense,” Spot spat. 

 

“You’re just mad cause she got you.” Jack shrugged. 

 

“Yeah well.  You get to be too much of  a hassle and right back to Manhattan with you, understood?” Spot pointed a finger at Laces. 

 

“I’m not yours to throw around Spot Conlon.” Laces stood up again. 

 

“Laces,” Spot said sternly.

 

“No, no more lectures about how much trouble I’ve caused.  Or what I HAVE to do.  None you got me?  I’m sick of being treated like the rotten child of the group.  I’m going to my room.” Laces slammed the door. 

 

“Good job make her feel great about herself there Spot.” Jack sighed. 

 

“Don’t get up and go after her just yet.  We’re not done talking and you know she’s just acting more hurt then she actually is.  Something probably bothered her at Cricket’s place,” Spot commented. 

 

“You’re sure?” Jack asked. 

 

“Jack, for being her boyfriend, I know her moods better then you do,” Spot responded. 

 

“Yeah, well what am I suppose to do when she likes living with you better,” Jack grumbled.

 

“Not my fault, she’s a born and raised Brooklyn girl.  But about Snipes and Matt, let’s just hope they don’t kill each other.” Spot shrugged.  “And I don’t think I will have to send Snipes home, I think he will head there on his own.”

 

“Yeah, well listen to Laces and don’t beat the leader out of them.” Jack stood up and walked out the room. 

 

“Right, I’m not the leader anymore,” Spot whispered to himself in a slow nod. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

There was a soft knock at the door of Laces’ room. 

 

“What do you want?” Laces shouted.  There was no response just someone walking into the room.  Laces was lying face down on her small bed and Jack sat down at her feet. 

 

“What’s wrong Laces?” Jack jumped over her and positioned himself next to her. 

 

“Nothing, go away Jack.  Go talk to Spot about your leader stuff,” she mumbled through her pillow. 

 

“Aw, come on Laces, I know there’s something wrong.  Not just Spot and I, we’ve been doing this to you for years.  You must honestly have something else wrong.” Jack nudged her in the side a little bit. 

 

“JACK KELLY, go away.” She curled up into a ball. 

 

“Like that’s going to work, no one in their right mind would be afraid of you.” Jack laughed as he lightly started tickling her.  Laces started kicking and curled into Jack’s midsection. 

 

“STOP!  Please,” she screamed.  “I’ll tell you.”

 

“All right, so what is wrong?” Jack asked. 

 

“I’m just in a bad mood,” Laces mumbled into his chest. 

 

“You’re not going to tell me?” Jack asked. 

 

“I just did,” Laces responded. 

 

“Fine, then I’ll just leave you and your bad mood.” He responded as he started to move. 

 

“No, just stay here.” Laces clutched to his shirt.  Jack sighed and rested with her until she fell asleep. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

In the bunkroom Cap was sitting and talking to Snipes and Matt was sulking on his bed.  Spot walked in and glanced around the room.  He walked up to Matt’s bunk and stared a him a moment. 

 

“You going to sulk the whole time Snipes is here?” he asked. 

 

“I just don’t like that guy.” Matt shrugged. 

 

“Have you ever talked to him?  Or just gotten a few good hits from him?” Spot asked. 

 

“What does it matter to the all mighty Spot Conlon?” Matt said back before he jumped down and straight across to the window. 

 

“You calm that temper of yours before you come back,” Spot called after him. 

 

“Your boy getting out of hand there Spot?” Jack asked from the doorway. 

 

“I thought you left a while ago.” Spot turned to face him. 

 

“No Laces wouldn’t let me, I just was able to leave because she fell asleep in my arms.” Jack sighed. 

 

“And we wonder why she’s spoiled.” Spot rolled his eyes. 

 

“Hey Jacky Boy, you staying the night?” Snipes asked from the card game him and Cap were having. 

 

“Yeah, probably Snipes.” Jack nodded and walked out with Spot. 

 

“That Matt really has a temper,” Snipes commented to Cap. 

 

“Yeah, can’t wait to see the both of you try out your tempers together,” Cap mumbled under his breath. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Matt was sitting on the roof smoking a cigarette as he stared out onto the city. 

 

“You annoyed?” someone asked from behind him.  He didn’t even turn around, he just sighed. 

 

“Possibly.  Do you always have to be watching us?”

 

“Maybe.  What’s on your mind kid?” Chesa sat down next to him pulling out her own cigarette. 

 

“Nothing, I just don’t like some of the people in the bunkroom.  And Laces is asleep so I couldn’t go talk to her.” He shrugged. 

 

“You like talking to Laces?” she asked. 

 

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?” He stared at Chesa a  moment. 

 

“Oh no reason.  I’m just thinking Laces isn’t always going to be here.”

 

“She’s not leaving anytime soon, sides she’ll always be close.  I can’t lose her now.” Matt shrugged. 

 

“So Snipes bothering you already?” Chesa asked. 

 

“He hates me, he hasn’t even ever talked to me.” Matt gritted his teeth. 

 

“Don’t you hate him?” Chesa asked. 

 

“That’s not the point.” Matt snapped. 

 

“Don’t you use your temper on me boy.  I have dealt with Spot Conlon most of his life, so I won’t wait to slap you around.” Chesa puffed some smoke at him. 

 

“Yes ma’am,” Matt whispered and nodded. 

 

“No need for the ma’am.  But you don’t think you’re calling the kettle black there?” Chesa asked. 

 

“Well, maybe.  But he hated me first.” Matt whined. 

 

“How old are you?” Chesa shook her head and laughed as she stood up. 

 

“Leaving already?” Matt looked up at her. 

 

“You should go to bed.” Chesa nodded and walked away. 

 

“No one tells me what to do!” Matt called after her.  Just as Matt said that there was a tap on the window below him, and he knew that was Spot’s signal for he better come in before Spot came out and hit him. 

 

“At least no one that doesn’t have a cane tells me what to do.” Matt rolled his eyes as he took the last puff of his cigarette and threw it off the ledge. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The Next Day

 

It was breakfast time in the Longfellow Home, South and Cricket were sitting in the yard enjoying the morning tea. 

 

“Sometimes I feel that our lives have gotten normal and boring.” South laughed. 

 

“Well we’re getting married next week my dear, how much more excitement do you need?” Cricket rolled his eyes. 

 

“Oh yes, please, a wedding where I get to be primed up in a white godly gown and prance around like a trophy all day.” South snickered. 

 

“Oh, but I can’t wait until we’re finally married.  It took us long enough to decide on that.  And for your information Miss McCain, I have business to attend to sometimes.” Cricket laughed. 

 

“Yeah, you’re work.  I get to sit around all day and dress and read.  Oh the joys of being rich.” South hummed as she ate her muffin. 

 

“Do I sense my wife to be needing a project?” Cricket looked slyly over South’s shoulder. 

 

“I think you want a project of your own.  But I don’t think I would mind her one bit.  I don’t think she’ll come though Cricket.”

 

“Maybe I’ll go talk to Caroline today, at lunch after my morning meeting.  Are you going looking for gowns today?” Cricket asked. 

 

“Yes.” South rolled her eyes.  “ Mother insists that I must have gowns for our trip.”

 

“I never thought that my girl would be shopping for gowns.” Cricket laughed. 

 

“You Mister Longfellow, need not be so astonished.  I am a lady of society.” South fluttered her eyes. 

 

“Yes well Lady of Society, I must head to my meeting.  Rob will take you to the shops to meet your mother.  Send her my greeting.  Is Nancy measuring the birds tonight?” Cricket whispered the last part in South’s ear.

 

“Yes, at least if I must be dolled up in an insufferable dress so will Blaze and Chesa.  Hunter and Crit will look so handsome in suits.” South smiled thinking about her friends. 

 

“Are the boys going to come?” Cricket asked. 

 

“I don’t know when I’m going to have a chance to get down to Brooklyn dockside.  Manhattan might not be as hard, if you meet me for the evening in Central Park?” South asked. 

 

“I might be able to, if not I will send someone.” Cricket winked and walked away to finished getting dressed for his meeting. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The boys were standing in line for their papers in the Brooklyn selling docks, Cap was in the back watching Matt and Snipes give each other hateful looks. 

 

“Hey, Marbles.” Cap jabbed the boy in front of him. 

 

“Jeez, you’re stronger then you pretend to be kid.  What you jabbing at me for?” Marbles glared at Cap. 

 

“Want to help me get them to fight?” Cap asked as he nodded towards Matt and Snipes. 

 

“Why you want them to fight?” Marbles yawned.

 

“Well because I can’t ever be with both of them, they hate each other.  I’m tired of dealing with it.” Cap shrugged. 

 

“Yeah I suppose I can get them to fight for you.” Marbles nodded. 

 

“All right, well I was thinking probably somewhere not where Spot is,” Cap responded. 

 

“We can get them to fight during selling, but not during peak hours huh? I need to make some money today.  I need to buy more cigarettes.” Marbles smiled a bit. 

 

“All right so after lunch, that’s when all them businessmen are busy and no one buys papes.” Cap nodded. 

 

“That’s fine, Matt usually sells near one of my spots.”

 

“And Snipes will sell with me, so we’ll meet you guys over there.” Cap smiled.  “Thanks Marbles.”

 

“Yeah no problem, I like a good fight.  But if Spot don’t want this happening, it ain’t my fault.  Got it?” Marbles turned back around. 

 

“I can handle Spot.” Cap thought to himself as he walked over to Snipes. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Cricket was walking into the small apartment building smiling at himself, as he slipped his old cap on.  He knocked softly on the door of Caroline’s familiar apartment.  He was hoping she would be home and not running errands at the market.  As he heard a shuffle of feet inside he knew that she was putting on some tea and then coming to the door. 

 

“Afternoon Cricket, I was expecting you sometime this week.” Caroline smiled brightly, showing all her Kai features. 

 

“You know I don’t need tea Carol, I’m fine without it.  You go and trouble yourself over old Cricket.” Cricket gave her a hug and kiss on the forehead. 

 

“Of course you need tea.  I would offer you lunch but I haven’t made any.  Scott will be home from school in a little while and I make him supper.” Caroline ushered Cricket over to her small kitchen as she was saying this.

 

“How’s the squirt liking school?” Cricket asked.

 

“As much as you boys liked school.” Caroline laughed as she poured out some tea. 

 

“We liked school sometimes Carol.”

 

“When you discovered girls and fights.” Caroline shook her head at the memory

 

“Ah yes girls, my dear girl.  I am finally settling down.  I’m marrying Casey on Saturday.  You will come won’t you?” Cricket asked as he took his cup of tea. 

 

“Well, I suppose I should.  We all always knew you would marry Casey, took the both of you long enough to notice.  But something tells me that isn’t the only thing you came here to ask me.” Caroline sat down next to Cricket. 

 

“Well, you have known me a long time Carol.  Can’t say you don’t know me well enough.  I am here to ask your opinion on another matter, a matter rather close to my heart.”

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“Well, I invited Audrey to tea yesterday.  I noticed that her manners and appearance of wealth came back to her.  Now Carol, you know Laces is getting older, she’s passed her adulthood mark.  She should be a learned lady by now, finding her suitor.” Cricket was talking fast now. 

 

“What are you suggesting Cricket?” Caroline stared at Cricket for a moment. 

 

“Well, things are happening.  Jack and Spot are growing up too, and you know that Jack loves Audrey now, but Audrey can’t be a child while Jack grows up.  I have been working for a few months on finding positions in Casey’s father’s company and my own for Spot, Jack and Critter.  But I have been thinking over Laces.  I want to offer her a home, while her boys are growing up.  Where she can be who she always meant to be, where she can finish learning her skills as a woman of society.”

 

“But Cricket,” Caroline started. 

 

“Carol, you got to grow up in the lap of luxury and you chose to leave it.  You went with Jim because you loved him, and darling I’m not double guessing your choice.  But you never knew Audrey’s hardships.  She’s been on the streets for 4 years, and though it seems like it’s a stable living it’s not.  I want her to know something else.  I know Jack can build her a decent and stable home, but she needs to know one before Jack, I can’t let Bryan’s Audrey not have this chance.  I can give it to her.” Cricket sighed. 

 

“Cricket, it’s a lovely offer.  But will she accept, you know the girl has a stubborn pride to her.” Caroline smiled. 

 

“I suppose I have to ease her into and wait until the boys leave.  Not to mention, Casey and I have to be married for it to be proper and all.” Cricket paused.  “But you do think it’s a good idea?”

 

“I think you care for her greatly.” Caroline nodded.

 

 “But the idea?” Cricket asked. 

 

“That was my answer.” Caroline winked and looked at her clock.  “It’s about time for you to head back to work isn’t it Cricket?”

 

“Yes, yes.  The drudgery of work.” Cricket laughed and skipped out the door giving Caroline a quick hug.  As Caroline closed the door she looked over to kitchen were she had a small picture of her family before the tragedy struck. 

 

“How is it that my baby sister has so many willing to take care of her.” She sighed and went back to making supper. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The sun was high in the sky and shadows were invisible, it was the time of day when you could hear a cigarette butt hit the floor in the middle of New York City.  It was slow and sluggish and quiet and tranquil almost, but sometimes on rare occasions someone who interrupt that.  Today was one of those days, Cap had things planned, he knew the importance of fighting.  He knew that everyday on the streets was a fight, the simple fight to live and keep on living.  If only that was the only fight that he had been faced with each day, he would have been considered lucky, but it wasn’t.  Cap knew that Matt knew how to fight and he knew Snipes knew how to fight.  But there was also the fact that no matter how much Jack and Spot thought that they could teach these boys how to be leaders, Cap knew they couldn’t

 

Yes, Matt and Snipes were leader material.  They would learn how to fight as the battles they fought everyday for years to come.  They would be good at selling after experience settled itself in.  All this would be true, no one could deny those facts but those were traits of every newsie.  Nothing about those things made these boys leaders.  What was going to make them leaders was their care for others, they’re ability to take what life handed them and deal with it, and above all their ability to work with each other.  That was what had made Brooklyn and Manhattan great, they were allies, they were powerful allies that acted like family and each place had newsies that were terribly loyal to their leaders and their wishes.  And that unfortunately was something that could not be taught.  Cap understood all this, but then there was the need for fighting, not so much for the skill but for the fear that comes with it.  So Cap knew that for the plans of Jack and Spot to work, Snipes and Matt needed to be friends first.  To be friends they needed to fight it out.

 

Snipes was rounding the corner talking casually to Snipes about the last baseball game that had been in the paper.  Snipes was engulfed in the conversation considering how much he loved baseball, he was paying attention to nothing else.  That was why Cap had chosen to speak of baseball just as they were coming to the docks, he was watching out of the corner of his eye for Marbles and Matt.  Within seconds Marbles was walking towards Cap holding Matt captive in a some conversation also.  Both Matt and Snipes were aware of the fact that they were about to collide with one another. 

 

“And So…” Snipes was in the middle of saying when he ran right into Matt.  That’s when Cap moved with Marbles away from both of them and stood near the wall of the building next to the them. 

 

Snipes and Matt recovered quickly and were in defense mode in seconds, showing their ability of fighting on the streets. 

 

“Haven’t you learned not to run into me?” Snipes stated ready to throw a punch any second. 

 

“Excuse me, but I believe that you were in my way again!” Matt said and with that his temper flared and he threw his punch. 

 

“Are we sure he isn’t a Brooklyn boy?” Marbles whispered to Cap at this point.  “Because he’s sure got the temper for it.  And Brooklyn always throws the first punch.”

 

“He sure is Brooklyn.” Cap nodded.  This was just what he was hoping for, Matt was proving himself and the fight would leave both boys bruised and battered but it was perfect.  And even better was the fact that not Spot nor Jack would be anywhere near this area to break up the fight anytime soon.  When Spot found out he would have no way of pinpointing the incident back to Cap and everything would be on its way of working correctly. 

 

As Cap was thinking through the details of the rest of his plan, Matt and Snipes were moving down the dock throwing left and rights.  They were aiming for shoulders, guts, eyes, noses, anything really that they could get in reach of.  It was actually really sloppy fighting, but as mentioned before, fighting is perfected with each time it’s done.  They were at the end of the dock, bloody and with pure fire and hate in their eyes and they didn’t notice where they were.  That’s when Matt swung the punch that made Snipes move back, back onto no ground and right into the river.  With the Splash Matt snapped out of his intense anger and concentration of a fight and stood blinking and staring at the water for a few minutes. 

 

“Snipeshooter?” He called into the water because Snipes had not snapped back up yet.  “Snipes?”

 

There was no response for a few minutes and Matt started taking off his shoes and unbuttoning his shirt rather quickly planning on jumping in for Snipeshooter.  That’s when Snipes pulled up and choked up some water and swam in place for a moment spitting up water. 

 

“Are you all right?” Matt asked from his spot on the dock, now re-buttoning his shirt. 

 

“Yeah.  Just Dandy,” Snipes spat at him. 

 

“Well sorry for asking,” Matt said his anger flaring again but as Snipes starting swimming toward him he started to laugh.  As Snipes climbed onto the dock, soaking wet Matt held out a hand to help him up still laughing. 

 

“What is so damn funny?” Snipes demanded as he stood up and took off as much of his clothing as he could. 

 

“Well besides the fact that you just flew into a river.” Matt laughed.  “There is also just the fact that this is where we first fought and met.”

 

“Yeah well I would have beaten you that time if Spot and Jack hadn’t separated us,” Snipes growled.

 

“No you wouldn’t have.  I just beat you again!” Matt said. 

 

“You did not.  That wasn’t beating me.  It was cheating.  You basically pushed me into the river,” Snipes responded. 

 

“Cheated?  What kind of street kid are you.  What newsie uses the words cheated when fighting?  There’s no such thing as an unfair fight.” Matt rolled his eyes. 

 

“Yeah well.  I would have beat you had I not fallen into the river.  And now all my clothes is wet.  What am I suppose to do, I can’t go back to Manhattan yet.  Jack will probably beat me into a wall,” Snipes mumbled. 

 

“Like Jack would ever beat anyone into a wall.  Spot’s the one who would actually beat someone into a wall,” Matt grumbled thinking about what the leader of Brooklyn was going to say when he saw the boys walk in with new acquired bruises. 

 

“Hey, Jack’s got his moods too.  Conlon ain’t the only leader around here who keeps his boys in line,” Snipes commented. 

 

“So, I guess we both got our problems.” Matt shrugged. 

 

“And maybe you do have a good right hook.” Snipes rubbed the left side of his chin. 

 

“Yeah well I’ll be lucky if one of my ribs ain’t bruised tomorrow.” Matt sighed as he lifted his shirt to see the damaged done to his midsection. 

 

“If we keep beating each other up like this, I don’t know how much longer I might live.  Not that you beat me well of anything, but Spot Conlon and his damn cane are real good at getting me inches from my life.” Matt shivered thinking about what he wanted to do to Spot’s cane. 

 

“Oh yeah, getting a beating on top of a beating that’s always a great way to end a day.  So what do you say, are we even?” Snipes asked. 

 

“Yeah.  I’m feeling good.  I did beat you again after all, I just guess you finally learned when to know you’re beat.” Matt grinned. 

 

“You did not beat me.  Why don’t we try again?” Snipes asked putting up his fists. 

 

“No, it’s really all right.  I don’t need to prove it again.” Matt smiled as he began to walk away. 

 

“You are so conceited, I guess it’s a Brooklyn thing.” Snipes rolled his eyes as he walked behind Matt carrying wet clothing in his arms. 

 

Cap and Marbles were still standing near the building at this point they looked at each other a moment. 

 

“Time to get lost before they notice we had anything to do with it.” Cap started walking away from Marbles and Marbles took off in search of cigarettes. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Laces sat against the wall of a brick building in some small abandoned area of Brooklyn.  She was sitting by herself, starring off into the nothing in front of her while playing subconsciously with the small grain pebbles on the ground and the tips of her hair.  She sat trying to ignore the nagging feeling of guilt that was attempting to consume her.  She was breaking one of Spot’s rules, one of his biggest rules.  She was sitting in the middle of Brooklyn by herself without someone, and even without anyone really knowing where she was.  But Laces was soothing her guilt by remembering that there was always someone watching her, never was she really alone.  She had a bird, Spot Conlon always had his eyes on her.  So this thought kept her from feeling too bad about breaking one of the rules she knew was created only to protect and keep her safe. 

 

She lifted her head a little to scan the rooftops, just to ensure to herself that there was someone watching.  She didn’t see any movement or shadows but she still knew there was someone there, there always was. 

Laces was tired of feeling so trapped.  She had walked away quietly and without a malice intention like she had in the past.  She wasn’t trying to bother authority figures, or gain any sort of unusual high from breaking a rule, but really just trying to find her own space.

 

She had yet to experience one time of peace, by herself for anything since the moment Spot Conlon found her.  She had been watched, petted, taken care of, and babied.  Nothing had worked though, no matter how many hands were running to shield her from the world, the world still got to her and there was nothing anyone could do about it.  But still Spot Conlon and his boys and Jack Kelly and his boys were determined that Laces Kai needed all of their protection.  Though there had always been protection, the world still came, so here she was sitting in the middle of Brooklyn trying to figure out what to do with the pain, the sorrow, the confusion about her life. 

 

“Spot’s been looking for you,” a voice above Laces’s head said.  Filly was sitting right above her head, legs falling out from the fire escape, she looked down smoking her cigarette her light smile visible through the bars. 

 

“Going insane yet with search parties?” Laces groaned as she looked up. 

 

“Nah, he ain’t looking like that.  Just a little bit of the wandering around wondering where you are.” Filly laughed. 

 

“Does he know I’m alone?” Laces tensed up and started standing. 

 

“Nope.  Can’t say he does.  Sugar was just watching you we traded.  I had been watching Spot.”

 

“Is Sugar going to tell him?” Laces asked as she stood up to climb the fire escape and talk to Filly. 

 

“Nope.  Can’t say that she will.  Do we need to?” Filly looked at Laces for a moment. 

 

“I would hope that you don’t.” Laces shrugged.  “But you do what you have to do.”

 

“I wouldn’t worry about it Kid.” Filly nodded.   “So what you thinking about?”

 

“Thinking about?” Laces sounded puzzled. 

 

“Well you’ve been sitting here for a while, not really moving, not really selling papers.”

 

“Oh, I was just thinking about life.” Laces nodded as she sat down and stared at the wall again. 

 

“Life?  That’s a pretty broad subject.” Filly nodded taking out a cigarette and lighting it. 

 

“Yeah, I suppose it is.” Laces nodded.  Filly puffed at her cigarette for a little while, waiting in the silence.  She was hoping that Laces would just start talking, the birds who had been watching her knew there was something wrong.  They knew that she had not been well lately, but they weren’t sure what it was that was bothering her.  Nothing abnormal was going on, there were no wars, there were no fights, there was nothing.  Besides the obvious idea that Jack and Spot were leaving, but even that was known but not thought about.  Filly was trying to make Laces comfortable, maybe if there was someone to listen she would start talking because Filly couldn’t make her talk. 

 

“Want some?” Filly handed Laces the cigarette. 

 

“Sure.” Laces said in a daze and took a few puffs before handing it back to Filly. 

 

“So you tired?” Filly asked, trying again to spark conversation. 

 

“Yeah.  I guess.” Laces shrugged. 

 

“You ain’t been sleeping well lately,” Filly commented. 

 

“You guys are watching me at night now too?” Laces turned to look at Filly for a moment. 

 

“We are always watching Laces, you know that.  We have owls you know.” Filly grinned a bit. 

 

“Yeah, well I haven’t been doing anything I’m not suppose to be.” Laces rolled her eyes before she turned to face the wall again. 

 

“I didn’t say that you were doing anything wrong.” Filly shrugged.  “Guilty?”

 

“I’m guilty of nothing, I’m just tired of everyone always knowing everything.” Laces sighed. 

 

“Not everyone knows everything all the time, we just know where you are.  That’s different.”

 

“Yeah I suppose so.”

 

“So what’s been up, you wait until everyone falls asleep and then crawl onto the roof for air?”

 

“I haven’t been able to sleep that’s all.  I don’t like sitting in bed when I can’t sleep.”

 

“I see.”

 

“I think up there.  I promise I won’t go anywhere.”

 

“I believe you kid.” Filly nodded. 

 

“Good.”

 

“So you going to be selling the evening pape?”

 

“I suppose I should.” Laces nodded as she stood up.

 

“It’s a good thing to earn money when you can and I’ve heard there are some good headlines.” Filly nodded.  Laces smiled and climbed down walking away slowly down the alley.  Filly took a few minutes watching her before she sprinted to the rooftop where she scanned down to see Laces still trotting along.  She walked along the edge of the rooftop, playing as a tight rope walker. 

 

“Did you find out what was wrong with her?” Critter was leaning against the ledge, looking like he had been lying there for a little while just thinking himself. 

 

“Nope, can’t say that I did.  I did try though,” Filly responded. 

 

“I’m sure you did, but nothing?” Critter asked as he shifted his weight.

 

“Nothing, I think she’s sad.” Filly sighed as she looked down again to make sure she didn’t lose him. 

 

“She’s alone,” Critter commented off hand. 

 

“She’s not alone Critter, I’m with her.” Filly rolled her eyes, no wonder the kid felt so trapped sometimes. 

 

“All right, well I’m going to go find Conlon I think Sugar lost him.” Critter jumped to a standing position and looked down at Laces. 

 

“It’s not good when that kid isn’t smiling.” Critter shook his head and walked off in the opposite direction. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Spot was walking, selling his papers every so often not really paying attention to where he was walking.  It was one of those afternoons where he was dazed in thought and there was nothing that could get him out of it.  When he had been walking and not selling for some time he looked around to check where he was. 

 

There he stood in front of the Rose, but not the entrance that he usually entered to see his cousin’s gang.  He was standing right under the window of his childhood home, where his family had lived before the fire.  Where his family had died during the fire.  The apartment itself had been boarded up, it was still black on the outside, ashes still collected near the window sill, it was almost as if there were the faint traces of the screams that erupted from the mouths of his mother and sisters that day.  He stood completely enthralled by the picture, hearing the fire in his mind, seeing his family.  But then again he was having problems remembering his family, he knew what they looked like, but their memory was dying.  He could remember things that they had done, but he did not remember who they were. 

 

Spot Conlon had no family in his mind, the thought that he once had a family rarely crossed his mind nowadays.  He had a new family, he had Jack, Bottle Cap, Laces and most of all he had Buttercup.  Yes, he had found Cat again and there was Spades and Angel, but they were family in a different sense.  They were real family, but family that only really existed to him in memory.  Jack, Cap, Laces and Buttercup now they were real, they were family.  They had fought against him, they had fought with him, he had taken care of them, they had taken care of him, they had grown up together.  That was what his family was now, and when Spot tried to remember his past, having a mother, a father, older brothers and sisters, he could not understand.  He had been the youngest of the family for only about five years, but that world seemed unreal.  He had been the tough, strongest, leader of legends for so many years now.  Even though it had not really been that many years, living on the streets makes children older, and one year can seem like five in a world where you need to survive. 

 

Spot stared at the window again, Why had he come here, why had he come to the tomb of his family.  A living memory to the dead, he had not been here in years.  Spades refused to go into that part of the Rose, the girls stayed in the front where there had been no fire.  They stay in the rooms where the fire had never shown its ugly face,  no one had entered the apartment since the  day of the fire.  Spot could see the rooms still having all the same things, aged and burned with ash on the outside.  He could not bring himself to recall anymore though and instantly turned on a heel and started walking again, having no idea where he was going. 

 

As he walked he sold more papers, going where his feet were leading him or more accurately where his heart decided he walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and ended up on a random street in Manhattan.  He sold his last paper to one of the few men who were hurrying home for dinner and then took a cigarette out of his pocket and looked up.  As he lit the cigarette he choked on the smoke. 

 

“What am I doing?” he whispered to himself.  Spot Conlon was now standing in front of the second tragic site of his life, the place where the Orphanage had been, now of course it was no longer there because unlike the Irish Rose this building had completely burned down.  The fire wasn’t what was tragic though, it was the place where Fiona had died.  His little sister, the only one he cared about in his entire life more then himself.  Yes, Laces took her place, but Spot knew in the deepest part of his heart he was afraid to love her like he loved Fiona and almost thought it to be impossible.  As Spot was thinking quietly and bitterly to himself about life, Jack came walking up.  He also looked as if in a trance, his hands stuck deep into his pockets, his hat pulled over his eyes, and a cigarette in his mouth.  He walked almost straight into Spot before he stopped and noticed him. 

 

“Conlon?”  Jack looked confused for a few minutes. 

 

“Oh, hey Jack,” Spot said. 

 

“You never come here Conlon.” Jack looked more confused as he stared at the building. 

 

“Yeah, I guess I don’t.” Spot shrugged. 

 

“Do you know what today is?” Jack asked. 

 

“What?” Spot was still starring at the ground. 

 

“The day it burned down.” Jack sighed. 

 

“Maybe that’s why I’m here.” Spot looked up at the building now. 

 

“What do you mean, maybe that’s why you’re here.  Don’t you even know why you came?”

 

“No, I just kind of was walking.  I ended up here.”

 

“You never were one to remember days of things like this, I don’t even think you remember when Fiona…” Jack stopped mid-sentence.  There was silence for a few minutes as the boys puffed on their cigarettes. 

 

“You’re right.  I don’t remember what day it was, all I remember is that it was raining,” Spot whispered. 

 

“It’s ok, sometimes it’s just better if you block out those things.  Don’t need to remember them.”

 

“Yeah I guess so.”

 

“Spot, do you ever wonder what would have happened had it been different?” Jack asked. 

 

“What been different?’

 

“If the place hadn’t burned down, do you think we would still be friends, leaders, legends?” Jack asked. 

 

“I don’t know Jacky boy.”

 

“Sometimes I wonder if we did the right thing, if we should have left that candle there.” Jack shook his head and started walking.

 

“Ain’t no use in thinking what if Jack, we did what we did we can’t go and change it.  I can’t say I’ve had time to think what would have happened, seeing as I’ve been to busy staying alive.” Spot walked behind Jack.

 

“Yeah, you sticking around?”

 

“I think I might, I’m not in the mood to deal with Brooklyn right now.  Nevertheless you’re boy and Matt.” Spot nodded. 

 

“You hungry?” Jack asked. 

 

“No, but we got to live somehow.” Spot shrugged again.  The  boys walked in silence until they entered Tibby’s.  When they entered they were cheerful and greeted the boys the usual way, but they both sat in the corner and bought their cups of coffee.  For coffee was the only thing that they could have that would keep them warm and possibly give them strength.  It seems impossible to eat when two children of the streets are thinking about the what ifs. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Cricket was walking along Manhattan towards Central Park to find South after her long day of shopping.  As he took steps softly and steadily, he was deep in personal thought of the wedding that would be taking place this weekend.  As he walked Critter took pace next to him quietly and quickly, in the moment Cricket turned around and noticed him standing there. 

 

“Don’t you get tired of doing that to people?” Cricket asked. 

 

“Nope can’t say that I do.” Critter shrugged.  “More habit I guess too.  So how’s it all going?”

 

“I suppose well, checking to see if South is still alive from a day of shopping.  How was the suit?”

 

“Good I suppose, their stuffy things aren’t they.”

 

“Yeah I suppose they are.  I can’t believe all this.” Cricket sighed. 

 

“We all knew it would happen.” Critter shrugged.  “Took you long enough.”

 

“We’re not the only ones that took our precious time for your information.” Cricket gave Critter a half glance. 

 

“Shut up.  I didn’t ask for lip from you rich kid.” Critter gritted his teeth. 

 

“You were always tougher on us you know.” Cricket sighed again remembering the past. 

 

“I know.  I meant to be.”

 

“We’re you trying to get us to go back home and stop playing on the street.”

 

“I have to say that I was, people would have missed you if something had happened.” Critter nodded. 

 

“Nothing was going to happen.” Cricket almost stopped in the middle of the sentence. 

 

“Something did happen Cricket.  And I was tougher on everyone after it.  We didn’t need two rich kids losing their grip on the world by pretending.”’ Critter looked dark for a moment. 

 

“It wasn’t your fault Crit.”

 

“But it wasn’t hers either.” There was silence between the two boys as they walked towards the middle of Central Park where South was standing awaiting them patiently. 

 

“Cricket!” She ran over and gave him a hug and then smiled and hugged Critter. 

 

“What are you doing here Critter?” South asked.

 

“Looking for our ward.” Critter smiled a bit.  “He’s been wandering around all day, I’m worried about him.”

 

“What’s been wrong with him?” South asked. 

 

“I don’t know haven’t talked to him.  Think he’s been avoiding me.” Critter shrugged. 

 

“Does Spot still think that the birds were his idea?” Cricket asked suddenly as the three walked along towards the center of Manhattan. 

 

“I think he does.” Critter nodded smiling for a few minutes. 

 

“Anyone ever going to tell him differently?” South asked. 

 

“Ain’t no reason to, there might be one day.” Critter laughed. 

 

“So about Laces,” Cricket said slyly. 

 

“What about her?” Critter tensed a little at her name.

 

“Well I’ve been thinking she’s about 18,” Cricket said, he was thinking over his words carefully.  He knew what Critter thought about throwing people in riches and spoiling them.  He knew that Critter referred to money as the “easy life” that wasn’t meant for poor street kids. 

 

“Still 17, but yeah I suppose close enough to 18.  What you getting at?” Critter knew there was something up Cricket’s sleeve. 

 

“Well, she ain’t really fit for the streets,” Cricket sort of mumbled the comment. 

 

“What you mean she ain’t fit for the streets.  That’s where she’s lived her life,” Critter snapped. 

 

“Not her whole life.” Cricket shook his head. 

 

“What you getting at, I don’t like none of this beat around the bush.”

 

“I know, I was trying to…” Cricket started.

 

“You know me better then that.” Critter cut him off and gave him a piercing glare. 

 

“All right, just don’t kill me.  I’ve been thinking the boys are going to leave soon.  And well, Laces can’t stay there running a muck and whatnot.  She doesn’t belong in that world, I was sort of thinking of taking her in,” Cricket said.

 

“And doing what with her?  Turning her into some rich priss who likes to play street kid like yourself?” Critter gritted his teeth. 

 

“Critter, it isn’t like that.” South shook her head. 

 

“Laces doesn’t need something else taken away from her,” Critter replied. 

 

“But she can’t forget what her history was.” Cricket sighed. 

 

“What after that, what are you going to do marry her off to some rich guy and leave Jack hanging?” Critter was on the verge of just soaking Cricket and Cricket knew it. 

 

“No.  You know I would never do that, Laces would marry Jack if she wanted to.  But Critter, Laces doesn’t know how to be a wife.  Laces doesn’t know how to be anything, not even a child.” Cricket shook his head.

 

“She knows how to survive.” Cricket said his defense remaining. 

 

“Does she Critter?  Has anyone let her learn that?” South asked mockingly almost. 

 

“What is that suppose to mean?” Critter asked. 

 

“Does she know how, by herself?” South asked again, waiting for the response. 

 

“Well of course she does,” Critter replied. 

 

“The kid’s got common sense, but does she really know how to do anything?” Cricket asked now. 

 

“She does.  I don’t think she needs to live in the lap of luxury,” Critter replied. 

 

“Critter, it won’t hurt her,” Cricket whispered.

 

“Others can take care of people too.” South nodded.  Critter was speechless for a  few minutes.

 

“Don’t you think it’s about time that you let go for a little while of all of them, isn’t it time for your life.  We’re all grown up,” South whispered.

 

“We still love you Crit, but really, we’re not helpless anymore.  We all learned how to take care of each other from you.  We don’t want you to not live your life.” Cricket started whistling the old bird tune. 

 

“My life, huh?” Critter grinned a bit.  “You two think you’re real smooth.”

 

“Us smooth?” Cricket smiled recklessly. 

 

“Weasels, all right.  I’ll go off for a bit, get back into the real business of living.  Maybe get set for settling down, but I know when something goes wrong,” Critter said.

 

“If it’s a big deal.” South nodded.

 

“Big deal?  Who are you to decide what’s a big deal?” Critter snapped.

 

“Well I consider myself an expert, I was consistently drilled in the subject when I was a rookie.” South smiled.

 

“Fine.” Critter shrugged.

 

“Where you going to go?” Cricket asked.

 

“To find a job.” Critter smiled.  “And I won’t take whatever your thinking about offering me.”

 

“But Crit?” Cricket started.

 

“Not now.” Critter shook his head.

 

“Are you going to tell them?” South asked.

 

“No, I won’t be gone for too long.” Critter shook his head.

 

“When?” South asked.  As they were now standing in front of Tibby’s and spotted Spot and Jack sitting in the back of the restaurant. 

 

“Did I say I was going to tell you?” Critter smiled and turned on his heel entering Tibby’s.  South and Cricket shook their heads and followed him in. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Cap sat on the steps in front of the lodging house, he was starring off into the street in front of him.  Someone walked up and tapped him on the head.

 

“What you thinking about?” Spades sat down next to him. 

 

“Me, how I’m going to make them leaders.” Cap smiled.

 

“Is that you’re job?” Spades asked. 

 

“Does it matter?” Cap responded.

 

“I suppose not.  So what you thinking about?”

 

“The part where they want to become leaders?”

 

“Ah, that’s always the fun part.” Spades nodded.

 

“Any ideas Spades?” Cap asked.

 

“Well, not really.  I’m not fully aware of newsies leader politics and all that stuff.  But in gangs, it usually happens because of ambition and not wanting anyone else telling them what to do.” Spades shrugged.

 

“Yeah.” Cap nodded.

 

“When are the boys leaving?” Spades asked.

 

“Not to sure, but it should be soon.” Cap nodded.

 

“What else you doing?”

 

“Making sure the rest of the newsies know that Matt can beat them up, and will.”

 

“Ah, the fear that must be instilled.” Spades nodded.

 

“So what about you and the girls, what’s happening there?”

 

“I don’t know yet.  I know Blue found a job out west and is going to head off with Pockets for the summer.”

 

“You going to stay?”

 

“I have to.  I ain’t fit to live in the West.” Spades took a breath.  “I love this city.”

 

“What about the girls?’

 

“Ain’t sure.  They’ll start floundering off.  You know that just happens.” Spades shrugged.

 

“Yeah.” Cap nodded.  “I guess it does.”

 

“So if you need help with setting up fights, let us know.” Spades stood up and winked at him before walking away.

 

Cap nodded and sat thinking for a few minutes, he didn’t know why but he had a gut feeling that he didn’t have very long to achieve all this in.

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Snipes and Matt had snuck quietly into the Brooklyn Lodging House and gotten Snipes into someone’s extra  pair of clothes while his dried. 

 

“All right, so these bruises?  What are we going to do to explain them?” Snipes asked. 

 

“I don’t know maybe if we even out the ones you have a little more, we could make up a better story,” Matt responded. 

 

“I am not going to let you beat me up without a fight!” Snipes put up his fists. 

 

“We could arrange that again!  You yellow Manhattan boy.” Matt threw a punch and in no time the boys were fighting again and rolling around on the ground.  This time though, it was much more of a playful fight then the anger driven fight of earlier.  Cap was up the stairs in no time though and pulled them apart with greater ease then he had first expected. 

 

“What are you two dummies doing?” Cap asked. 

 

“Just trying to even out the bruises.” Snipes shrugged nonchalantly as he lit a cigarette. 

 

“Even them out?  What, were you fighting earlier?” Cap asked trying to glare and not looked pleased with himself. 

 

“Yeah you’ve got a problem with it?” Matt asked defensively. 

 

“No, but I think Conlon might have one.” Cap nodded grinning. 

 

“What are you going to tell him?” Snipes asked as he checked his clothes to see how dry they were. 

 

“I don’t think I have to.” Cap nodded looked them over, they were covered in obvious bruises. 

 

“What about, well do you think, is there anything?” Snipes was unable to finish a sentence suddenly. 

 

“Are you scared of Spot Conlon?” Cap laughed a bit at this. 

 

“Well, hell yeah.  You would have to be out of your mind not to be scared of Conlon.” Matt nodded. 

 

“All right, well tell you what.  Like you knuckle heads are stupid enough to have beat each other up when you know Spot would probably beat you up for the mere thought.  I’ll help you out with giving you some advice.  Just don’t sleep here tonight.  I don’t think Conlon will notice, I’m under the impression that he is a bit preoccupied these days.  Find some poor saps, pick fights with them.  Stay out the rest of the night, come back in the morning and say that you got into a fight during the night.  That way you wouldn’t get beat for beating each other up.” Cap nodded. 

 

“Well I guess that sounds like a good idea, I’ve slept outside before.  It’s good that I don’t get too soft.” Matt nodded. 

 

“Right, I mean it’s been a while since I’ve spent the night on the streets, according to Jack and everything.  But hell it might be worth it just not to get my skull pounded into the wall again.” Snipes nodded. 

 

“You won’t let Spot know though right?” Snipes asked. 

 

“What do you think I am, some Bronx kid?  I’m from Brooklyn, I have my honor to think about you ass.” Cap looked mad.  “Now get out of here, before I decided to throw a punch at you for insulting me.”

 

Snipes checked his clothes, they were dry enough and he quickly changed.  Then Snipes and Matt hopped out the window and Cap’s plan was in perfect motion.  He waited a few minutes before he climbed to the roof and whistled a bit. 

 

“You’re not Conlon.” Bookie laughed a bit when he came out from behind a clothes line. 

 

“No, I’m not.  But you just watched Snipes and Matt leave the building?” Cap asked. 

 

“I did.” Bookie nodded and yawned a bit. 

 

“Send out the message, not to tell Spot that they’re not at the lodging house.  And not to tell him anything about what they are doing.  Got it?” Cap asked. 

 

“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into Bottle Cap?  Conlon might well tear off your head and watch a new one grow just to tear off that one.” Bookie grinned a bit as he watch Cap get puffed up.  He was the model of Brooklyn, tougher then nails. 

 

“I know what I’m doing, and Conlon don’t scare me.  Just do it all right Bookie?  I’m going to go talk to Jasper, so don’t go worry about your own damn skin.  And no worries, Critter won’t find out either.” Cap glared a bit at Bookie. 

 

“You’re tough kid, but good luck with whatever it is you’re doing.  Especially with keeping Critter in the dark.” Bookie laughed as he walked away and started whistling the code to the nearest bird. 

 

“I know that Critter is distracted and I have my sources.  You don’t grow up under Conlon and not learn a thing or two.” Cap smiled and skipped off the roof before breaking into a run to the Nest. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Cricket, South and Critter walked into Tibby’s where all the newsies were getting some food and a cup of coffee before the day ended.  A wave of hellos was hollered as the newsies noticed their old friends, Spot waved them over to the table in the back where him and Jack were sitting alone. 

 

“Anything wrong boys?” Critter asked as he playfully pushed Spot aside in the booth.  Jack moved a bit to allow South in and Cricket pulled up a chair. 

 

“Why would you ask that?” Jack frowned a bit as he took a sip of his coffee. 

 

“Jack Kelly, all you have is a cup of coffee and an ash tray full of cigarettes.” South winked at him.

 

“Not to mention the long faces.” Cricket nodded as he ordered a few things from the near by waiter. 

 

“Can you guys never not be birds?” Spot moaned as he slammed his head into his arms onto the table. 

 

“Don’t think that we can kid.” Critter smacked Spot on the shoulder.   Spot grumbled under his breath and shifted uncomfortably away from Critter a bit.  Cricket, South and Critter exchanged looks as they watched both younger boys take out cigarettes and light up to what seemed like their tenth cigarette each. 

 

“So boys?  Are you going to tell us what’s wrong or are we going to have to search for the dirt.” South sighed. 

 

“There’s no way you three can actually find out what’s wrong with us.  We haven’t told anyone, there’s no major event that has happened.” Jack chewed nervously on the end of his cigarette. 

 

“How much do you bet on that?  Or maybe I should ask Race over here for the bids?” Cricket cracked a bit of a smile. 

 

“Don’t draw attention to us for God’s sake.” Spot groaned and furiously puffed at his cigarette. 

 

“Patrick Conlon, what in heavens name is going on?” Critter’s patience was gone.  He wanted to know what was going on and he wanted to know now.  “And don’t make me call someone in.” He added sternly. 

 

Jack and Spot shifted, they would have gotten up and left at this point but the birds had closed them into their booth.  They finished off their cigarettes and went for more, but Cricket and Critter pulled the boxes out of their hands. 

 

“No more cigarettes children.  You don’t have the money to keep smoking them all today.” Critter shook his head. 

 

“Damn you.” Spot slammed his fist against the table. 

 

“Temper, temper.  Come on, you know we’re going to find out why can’t you just make this easy.” South smiled. 

 

“I don’t know why you need to know everything all the time.” Spot glared distinctively at Critter. 

 

“No need to get huffy there Patrick,” Critter said in half a whisper, a rather threatening tone. 

 

“Don’t get yourself pummeled Spot.  It’s just not a good day, is all.” Jack shrugged it off.  Critter sighed and nodded as he looked out the window.

 

“You don’t usually remember.” Critter looked back at Spot.  Spot stared at the wall and then quickly looked at the box of cigarettes in Critter’s hand.  He quickly swapped them from him and lit yet another cigarette. 

 

“Conlon!” South shouted.  Everyone in Tibby’s looked over but Spot glared at them all for a second and they willingly ignore the booth again. 

 

“You can’t tell me what to do.” Spot shrugged as he puffed away.  Critter didn’t make a movement for them again but just stared at the younger boy. 

 

“Where’s Laces today?” Jack asked looking around noticing for the first time that his girlfriend had not been bouncing around today.

 

“Last I saw her she was in an alley by herself.” Critter shrugged. 

 

“Excuse me?” Spot jumped.

 

“A bird was watching her.” Critter nodded again.

 

“Was she ok?” Jack asked taking another sip of his long ago cold coffee.

 

“Didn’t seem like she was chipper.” Critter nodded.  “But I was looking for you, so I didn’t stop to babysit her.”

 

“Yeah, well I’m going to go check on her.  And the sun is setting and I believe BC was meeting me tonight.” Spot pushed himself up and jumped over the booth and out of the empty one next to them.

 

“Conlon, I’ll be talking to you later,” Critter said without even looking up.

 

“Oh, the joy.  I’ll be looking forward to it, I’m sure.” Spot rolled his eyes and sent Jack a look before walking out without another word to anyone. 

                                                           

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Buttercup Tate came walking out of a dress shop, the newest place she had started working.  She was heading to the Brooklyn Bridge, humming to herself and trying to keep her determination for what she wanted to do.  Buttercup was a wanderer, she had been every since her father had died years back.  Life had led her places, she had found people, and she had been scared of them.  They would leave her just like her father, so it was better to hurry and change before they could get attached.  But recently she had noticed that she kept going back to these boys, to this one boy, to the one that had won her heart.  She didn’t know what it was about him, maybe that he was one of the only people she had listened to in her whole life.  Maybe it was just the idea that he liked her, no she wouldn’t admit it yet but she felt that maybe he loved her.  That was too strong an emotion though, Spot Conlon could not love her.  Buttercup Tate, Sophie was not worthy of someone’s love and that was that. 

 

She was rolling that over in her head that’s why she was doing this, what she was going to do.  She wasn’t sure if what she was about to do was an attempt to run away or to dive head first into her future.  There was a skip to her step and butterflies in her stomach, but there was also this gut wrenching pain right about her heart.  Buttercup Tate was going to move on with her life, her only hope was that Spot Conlon would follow her.  The sun was low in the sky and she could see  the bridge when Spot came into view near her.  They often meet on the bridge, but recently so many things had been happening that Spot had not been around.  Though Tate doubted it was because he was actually busy, she had a nagging feeling that he was avoiding her and she wasn’t sure why.  She had thought maybe he was seeing someone else, but that was impossible.  News of Conlon with girls flew faster then the dirt on politicians in New York City.  If Spot was seeing someone BC would have known about it before Spot even knew about it.  So that nagging feeling was put to rest but there was still something,  something that was keeping Spot from Buttercup but she could not figure out what it was. 

 

“Hey there Tate,” Spot said as he slipped his arms comfortably around her waist.  “Going to Brooklyn?”

 

“Afternoon Spot.  I was going to see you, I suppose you were with Jack.” Buttercup slightly hugged Spot back. 

 

“At Tibby’s.  Is something wrong?” Spot pulled away as he noticed that BC was closed off in her embrace. 

 

“Why would you think there’s something wrong.” BC started to fiddle with her ring and looked down into the East River below. 

 

“Now I know there’s something wrong.  You’re playing with that wooden band and not looking at me.” Spot threw his hands up into the air and then crossed them instinctively.  He always gained this certain position when integrating people, even his girlfriend.  Buttercup didn’t look up though, she knew what look he was giving her.  She knew how he was standing, how his eyes were squinted into a narrow intimidating glare.  She had seen it many a times, if not towards her at least towards Laces and the rest of the boys.  Instead BC sat down, putting her legs through the cable cords of the bridge and letting them dangle slightly over the river. 

 

Spot let out a sigh and sat down beside her, he sat there in silence while he lit a cigarette.  After a few moments, he took a deep breath and held out the cigarette to BC. 

 

“You going to tell me what is going on?” he asked quietly. 

 

“Well, Spot.  I don’t know if you’re going to get mad or not.” BC took a few puffs of the cigarette before handing it back.  She didn’t like to smoke, she never had but for some reason it calmed her nerves and Spot knew that.  So the habit went in and out, depending on how stressed out Tate was at times. 

 

“You should never start nothing with that phrase,” Spot mumbled but said nothing more as he took his cigarette back. 

 

“I’m getting a new job.” BC said quickly and quietly.

 

“I think you said, you’re getting tired of your job?” Spot blinked a few times. 

 

“No, I’m getting a new job.” She looked directly at Spot when she said it this time. 

 

“That’s great.  You’re always getting new jobs.  You should have learned to stop getting worried about telling me.  I’m getting used to it.” Spot shrugged letting out a secret sigh of relief.  He thought it would be something far worse. 

 

“Spot, the job.  Well it’s a teaching job.” BC started. 

 

“You can teach?  I didn’t think you went to school that long.” Spot threw his head back and let out a stream of smoke. 

 

“I did.  You don’t know that much about me Spot Conlon.” BC sighed.  “ But wait before you ask anymore questions.  I’m moving out of the city, I’m going up to the country side.  I am teaching in this small school house that’s for a farming community in upstate New York.”

 

“Out of the city? You’re leaving?” Spot now had a panic climbing steadily up.  BC slipped her hand into Spot’s and with her free hand took the cigarette before speaking again. 

 

“It’s time to grow up Spot.  Moving is what I’ve done for years, I don’t want to move for the rest of my life.” BC said. 

 

“But you won’t have to, why would you move to upstate New York.  Don’t you know that I want you here?” Spot asked the panic was steady now, his girlfriend was leaving. 

 

“I know what you want, but I don’t know what I want.  I need to do this, if you love me you will find a way to bring me back.  I just can’t live like a kid anymore.  I can not be the girl of the strongest most dangerous and powerful newsie leader in all of the city of New York.  That’s who I was when I was seventeen, I’m going to be nineteen and you’re going to be twenty.  We can’t be kids anymore Spot.  I can’t be the kid anymore.” BC shook her head. 

 

“We aren’t kids.  I don’t act like a kid.” Spot shook his head, he wasn’t sure what he was suppose to say. 

 

“No, I guess your right.  We were never kids, we were just us.  Here we were on these streets, making legends for others and just staying alive one day at a time.” BC nodded.  “I don’t want to live for everyday.  I don’t want to wonder if I’m going to eat tomorrow, or have a place to sleep tonight.  I don’t want to think about you, wondering if you’re in a alleyway somewhere fighting to your death.  I don’t want to worry that you’re dead somewhere and I’m never going to see you ever again.”

 

“Tate, come on sweetheart.  You know that I can take care of myself.  You know we’re not going to live this life forever.” Spot was desperate but he was starting to understand. 

 

“I guess the end of forever came sooner for me then it did for you.” BC shrugged. 

 

“But, does this mean that we’re…” Spot didn’t finish the sentence because now he was getting angry.  He push himself up and was standing.  “I refuse to let this happen.”

 

“This isn’t your decision.  And I don’t want us to be over, I don’t think we have to be.  I just am going to go teach for a little while.  When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting Spot.” BC stood up at this point too.  She took the cigarette one last time took a few puffs before throwing it into the murky waters below. 

 

“I can’t believe this.” Spot threw his arms up and took out a new cigarette and started smoking it.  He turned on his heel and started walking away from Tate.  This was really just not Spot Conlon’s day. 

 

“I always wander back,” BC whispered and nodded as she turned on her heel back towards the dress shop. 

 

                                               

 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Cap burst into the Birds nest, waking up a few of the Owls that were asleep near the entrance.  Jasper was playing cards with some of the other birds that had just come back in the back of the room. 

 

He stood up and looked over at Cap and looked rather puzzled for a moment.  He motioned for Cap to come over to him and Cap did so jumping over several sleepers. 

 

“What on earth are you doing here?” Jasper asked. 

 

“I have to ask you a favor,” Cap responded. 

 

“Does this have anything to do with keeping information from Conlon.  Cause if it does then you know better, I can’t do things like that.” Jasper shook his head. 

 

“You can, if you have to.” Cap stood powerfully strong and reckless in front of Jasper.  Jasper stared at him a moment and nodded a bit as he threw his cards down. 

 

“Deal me out, I have some business to take care of.” Jasper walked away, signaling Cap to follow him.  Cap followed looking around, taking in the inside of the Nest.  He had only been allowed in the Nest twice before, on rare occasions when Spot had sent him on a task.  Otherwise he had specific orders never to go there, never to go inside because of security reasons.  He sighed a bit to himself, this was suppose to be his.  No one would question him, no one would deny him, no one would need to train him.  He would prepare Snipes and they would be ready together, but no, now it couldn’t be. 

 

Jasper walked Cap into his small office that had been used on few occasions because often times Jasper hid nothing from the birds. 

 

“What’s going on Bottle Cap?” Jasper asked. 

 

“Well, I just need you to make sure your birds don’t tell Spot where Matt and Snipes are.  Spot or Jack,” Cap stated. 

 

“Why?” Jasper asked. 

 

“Wait I’m not done.  I was also wondering if I could possibly employ at least four of your boys.” Cap asked. 

 

“OK, now you explain why?” Jasper asked looking stern. 

 

“They’re leaving.  You know that don’t you?” Cap asked. 

 

“I assumed so.” Jasper nodded. 

 

“Well, they wouldn’t leave their empires without knowing they would be ok.  Would they?” Cap asked. 

 

“I know I wouldn’t.” Jasper nodded, now he was beginning to understand.

 

“Do you understand?” Cap asked. 

 

“They don’t know what you’re doing?” Jasper asked.

 

“It’s better this way.  I have a plan, they’re too busy thinking ahead.  It’s the first time in their lives they have thought about themselves.  Just help me, forget them, you’ll have to soon enough anyway.” Cap nodded.  

 

“All right, well do it.  Go pick the four boys you want.” Jasper nodded slumping into his chair and watching the boy who had gotten so much older so quickly.  Cap was walking away, tall looking proud and strong.  His outline was dark and hard, the edges were sharp and his skin was rough and covered in newsprint. 

 

Before Cap walked out the door, Jasper called after him. 

 

“Cap, answer me one thing, what happened?” Jasper asked.  Cap stopped and looked lost, confused, young again for a moment. 

 

“I just can’t,” he responded his eyes seem to be swimming in tears, but they were back to being clear and hard in moments as he turned on his heel and walked away. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Laces was sitting on the edge of the docks, she had moved away from everyone.  She was sure that there was a bird sitting somewhere on one of the rooftops, most likely Filly or Daisy.  She slightly smiled at the fact that they were sitting up there trying to figure out what was wrong, thinking about what kind of trouble she was in.  She wondered if they knew, if they maybe could know, she wanted to feel that maybe there was a possibility that she wasn’t so alone.  But her heart sank moments later, no one knew because there was no way they could. 

 

The birds know only what they can see or hear, very rarely can they obtain information about feelings and emotions.  That type of knowledge was not taught, not surprisingly by Critter and the gang.  Critter was no expert in the subject of emotions, none of the street kids were, there was no reason for emotion in the cruel world of their existence.  Few of the newsie and birds had the sixth sense of emotion and if they did have it they ignored  it.  Emotions were more trouble then they were worth.  A bed, some food, a few friends and a cigarette or two is all that was worth trouble.  Not to mention the unquestionable bonds of loyalty to the blood brothers of their streets.  Not blood brothers by relations of the same mother, but blood brothers by relation of spilling their blood on the same streets and for the same causes.

 

Laces had always had more emotion than was necessary or even safe in the harsh reality of where she lived and whom she lived with.  Constantly her passion had landed her behind bars, against authorities, in the arms of the enemy, in the hospital and beyond.  The boys had never ceased being frightened by her many adventures, her undying courage or what most would call reckless impulse.  One could only assume she learned from each experience and let her emotions be drained slowly from her.  But the assumption would be wrong, never was there someone who refused to learn such a hard lesson as much as this petite girl from the uptown of Brooklyn.  Spot had noticed that she had become hard, cold, senseless and strong, but everyone knew that behind that stone face was the hard beating of her heart screaming at her that life was not meant for coldness but for her life.  That’s what was wrong, she was restless.  As she sat on the edge of the docks and looked down into the East River she knew so well, she saw her reflection.  She saw herself, her life staring right back at her, sitting still just waiting for her next move.  But if she moved too far, she would lose herself and for the first time in her life, Laces felt lost and very alone. 

 

She pulled at her cigarette and stared at the water, not moving too much fearing that if she moved she would be gone forever.  Gone forever without anyone hearing her scream. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Spot Conlon rarely looked down, he had learned that only weakness came from looking down.  He had held his head high and proud for what seemed like his entire life, but today had not been his day.  Today the world had pushed him around and to his dismay he couldn’t push back.  There was nothing left for him to do but smoke and stare at the ground because as he knew the stars were far from his view in the murky allies of his life.  He shuffled along watching as the small bits of gravel underneath his feet dance around, as if attempting to escape their doom he thought.  As he stepped around the corner of one of his shortcuts, he looked up slightly noticing he was near the dockside. 

 

As he stared down the dock he saw her.  She was sitting there not moving for a moment Spot thought he was imagining that someone was there.  He had imagined her sitting there so many times before that it would not be surprising that when he reached the end of the dock she would not actually be there.  He looked up to the rooftop of the building he was standing next to and notice the silhouette of a girl dangling her feet from the ledge.  He quicken his pace and walked to the end of the dock, making noise on purpose so as not to completely startle Laces. 

 

She didn’t turn around at all though and when he was standing directly behind her she spoke. 

 

“There’s a bird Spot.  I’m not completely alone.” She sighed.  Spot slightly smiled at her defensive tone. 

 

“I know there is, I’ve heard you’ve only had a bird all day.” Spot sat down next to her looking down at the water in hopes to catch a glimpse at what was so captivating. 

 

“Critter seen you already.  I thought he would be by later tonight.” Laces sighed. 

 

“You could say he sought me out.  Not about you though, no worries he was in a chirper mood.” Spot rolled his eyes.

 

“I would love to see that boy chirper.” Laces laughed a bit. 

 

“Oh, you will if we aren’t at the lodging house in about 10 minutes.” Spot nodded as he in one quick motion open and snapped his pocket watch. 

 

“He planning on stopping by tonight?” Laces asked. 

 

“Of course he is.  He will be making sure we’re both there, he is going to have a nice chit-chat with me.” Spot took the cigarette she had and puffed at it a bit before throwing it carelessly into the water. 

 

“Not about me I hope?” Laces finally looked away from the water and at Spot then behind her towards where the bird was sitting. 

 

“You are always part of our conversation, but I can not honestly tell you what this one is going to be about.”  Spot shrugged and stood up abruptly.  He held out his hand for Laces and helped her up. 

 

“Spot,” she whispered. 

 

“What?” he asked as he held his arm out for her. 

 

“If, would, could…” She choked a bit. 

 

“Laces, is there something wrong?” Spot was alarmed at her tone. 

 

“It was, just, nevermind.” Laces slumped and stopped talking but gripped Spot’s arm tightly.   He looked at her curiously, there was something wrong but he couldn’t place it.  She wasn’t acting nervous so there was no possibility that there was someone after her that he didn’t know about.  Not to mention that possibility was ruled out completely by the birds knowing all that information and never withholding it.  She wasn’t acting sick, so there was no one that she should be worried about.  But there was something different about her, she seemed hollow and sad about something.  Spot could not place what it could be though, no one had died, no one was in trouble and there was nothing except BC she could be sad about.  He stopped thinking about it as they entered the lodging house and her grip loosened as she glided towards the parlor and Critter stood looking down from the top of the staircase. 

 

“Little late Conlon,” he said.  Spot looked after Laces for a moment then at Critter, he sighed and surrendered to what seemed from Critter’s stance like a long awaited parental lecture. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Stars are so high, so far from those who so desperately attempt to touch them.  Or so was the common belief of those who had never tried for fear of failing miserably and falling to their doom.  Spot slightly looked up but dismissed the idea of star glazing as he preferred to carefully watch the smoke rise from his cigarette.  Critter was sitting near the ledge watching the alley below taking his precious time before beginning. 

 

“Um, Crit?  If we could get started with this whole thing it would be great,” Spot mumbled as he sat down next to Critter and looked intently at him. 

 

“What you got somewhere to be Conlon?  Isn’t it to late for you to be running around these dangerous streets?” Critter said almost mockingly. 

 

“What are you trying to do Critter?” Spot squinted his eyes. 

 

“What someone should have been doing your whole life Conlon.  Tell you that you’re not eating right, that you don’t sleep enough.  Maybe that you shouldn’t fight, that you should attend church and be clean in the mornings,” Critter said harshly.

 

“Critter?” Spot kept staring hard at his old friend. 

 

“Patrick Conlon, you get into too much trouble.  I should have taken better care of you, so I think it’s about time I start.” Critter crossed his arms instinctively. 

 

“What the hell are you talking about O’Connell?” Spot had started gripping the ledge of the rooftop tightly. 

 

“I’m talking about you Conlon.  I’m talking about the fact that you still act like you’re some kid.  So maybe if I treat you like a kid, you won’t like the life so much anymore.” Critter shrugged looked at his pocket watch and rather forcefully said, “you should get to bed, now.”

 

“Who do you think you are Christopher O’Connell?” Spot was being provoked and pushed and he knew it, but that didn’t stop his temper. 

 

“I’m someone you’ve always listened to, I’ve acted like a father to you most of your life.  Are you really going to challenge that now?” Critter teased him as he stood up. 

 

“You have never told me what to do!” Spot gritted his teeth as he jumped to his feet. 

 

“I have always told you what to do Conlon.  Always, think about it.  You have never questioned my authority.  I taught you everything you know, but I let you run wild these last few years.  Let you think you’re all grown up.” Critter was still trying to push those buttons, just a few more minutes and he knew he would have Spot where he wanted him. 

 

“What are you trying to prove?” Spot said softly. 

 

“That you’re a snot nosed kid whose been playing tough boy all this time.  You have no guts, you have no strengths, you’re almost as bad as a rich kid playing street kid.” Critter knew that was the last straw.  Spot threw out his fist, aimed towards Critter’s chin.  Critter though still was quicker and ducked just in time to grab his arm before it hit him.  They fought it out after that moment, punches flew, bruises were formed, and blood was spilt.  After what might have seemed like an eternity, both boys had used up all their energy and lied motionless on the ground. 

 

“There’s no time left to act like a child anymore Spot,” Critter finally huffed. 

 

“I do not act like a child,” Spot puffed back. 

 

“Not a normal child no, you don’t sit and play.  But you are allowing your life to pass you while you decided whether or not you’re ready to grow up.  Life has been hard on you Spot, I agree but it’s time to let go and move on.  Live life, mourn life, and love those who you know you love,” Critter almost whispered the end of his sentence. 

 

“What do you know?” Spot asked. 

 

“I knew she was leaving.  I found out you were letting her leave and I noticed that for the first time in years you remembered when your family and sister died.” Critter sat up. 

 

“What does that have to do with anything?” Spot asked as he shifted his weight but did not rise. 

 

“That has a lot to do with who you are Spot Conlon.  You don’t like or even will to remember your tragedies, you experienced them and that was it.  But when you remembered them tonight, I knew you were fighting with growing out of this life you have created.  You and Jack have made this world, a world you rule.  You have made yourselves legends and there is nothing anyone can do to change or challenge that.  Not that you should doubt that I am proud of you, but Spot, I think you owe to yourself to grow out of this.  Yes, your legend has protected you for years and kept you from dying of fear, confusion, and sadness.  But all good things must come to an end, I will protect you until the day I die but I will also not hesitate to beat some sense into you.  You’ve almost been like a son to me, but surely you’ve been a brother.” Critter held out his hand for Spot. 

 

“What am I suppose to do?” Spot took his hand and sat up now also pulling out yet another cigarette. 

 

“Get a real job, not something in a factory because you deserve more then that.  You are use to the fresh air of the world outside.  Earn some money and marry her Spot, no matter how much she scares you.  You can not have her and this world though, and you can not remain in your world.  They will chew you up, your legend will not outlive your age.” Critter smiled bitterly at this statement. 

 

“Catching up to you is it?” Spot smiled wickedly. 

 

“Don’t let that mouth get smart with me, even if you decide to grow up I’ll still smack respect into you.” Critter gave him a hard stare.  Spot laughed but nodded. 

 

“Yes sir,” he said as he rolled his eyes. 

 

“Get the affairs in order and leave, Matt will take over.  I would not worry about it, it’s in the kid’s blood to lead.  He will step up.”

 

“But, what about…” Spot did not finish his sentence before Critter nodded and responded. 

 

“Find out what’s bothering her, don’t lose her just because you don’t want to infringe.  Laces wants to be asked, Laces wants to be cared for still.  Then I think you should prepare her, Cricket has offered her a home.  Once you’re gone and Jack has left, it would be better for her to live her life as she should have.” Critter nodded slightly, a sad glint in his eye.  Spot would have never  been able to guess that street hard Critter was regretting not settling earlier because he wanted so much to be able to take care of Laces. 

 

“You talked to Jack?” Spot asked. 

 

“This afternoon, he didn’t need me to beat him up.  His mind was made up, we mostly talked about you.” Critter smiled.  Spot groaned and stood up. 

 

“Wonderful, I love it when you two gang up on me.”

 

“Always a pleasure.  Go to bed.” Critter winked before he climbed down the fire escape. 

 

“Yeah, sure.  Bed.” Spot nodded mumbling to himself before walking back into the bunkroom. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Jack and Race were sitting in the  middle of the bunkroom each holding their cards inches from their faces.  There were a few other boys around the table whom had already dealt themselves out watching patiently not really caring for who won, but just looking for some kind of distraction from the quiet still of the night.  After a few moments the game won with Race winning with a royal flush hand and taking the few coins and pieces of lint the boys had played.  Specs was shuffling the cards again for the next game of poker when Blink and Mush strode into the room looking pleased with themselves. 

 

“What you two grinning about?” Skittery spat bitterly.  The night was one of those quiet, calm, invigorating and impulsive type with the moon full and the skies clear.  The boys were suffering from a type of cabin fever, they were restless and unhappy with their lives which happened once in a blue moon among newsies.  Usually there was no time for unhappiness when there was so much to be done, that was the reason to sell three editions a day and go to the theatre and gamble.  No newsie needed time to think, that was to much of a hassle and entirely to disappointing. 

 

“Well we are excited about some stuff.” Mush laughed nervously and suddenly wipe the grin off his face.  Blink also gain a very quick interest in his shoes.  The room suddenly got quiet as all the eyes directed their attention to Mush and Blink. 

 

“What is wrong boys?” Jack pushed himself away from the poker table and stood up quickly. 

 

“Nothing is wrong, we just, you know suddenly I’m real tired.  Aren’t you tired Mush?” Blink stretched out his arms as he faked a yawn.  Mush got the hint and started to rub his eyes and nodded in a sleepily manner.  They both walked over to their designated bunks, almost leaping for joy thinking they were getting away with their little act. 

 

“So what you hiding?” Skittery laughed a bit, trying to lighten what he could already feel was going to be a tense night. 

 

“Yeah, got some girls we don’t know about?” Race chewed on his cigar nervously. 

 

“You can’t be dating Laces, so that rules out any reason to be scared of telling us who your dating.” Specs nodded. 

 

“Laces doesn’t date everyone,” Jack mumbled as he keep his stare on the two newsies trying to discreetly climb into bed. 

 

“Nothing is wrong guys, we’re not dating some girls you don’t know,” Mush said through another fake yawn. 

 

“I’m going to be on the roof, I expect you guys to show up there.” Jack let out  a sigh and jumped out the window up to the rooftops.  The room remained silent for a few moments, Mush and Blink looked nervously over to the window then at the poker game that had ceased.  The rest of the newsies watched them for a moment then went back to their activities making little noise as most were heading to bed.  Skittery sat near Blink’s bunk and shook his head as he tap the wood on the night table. 

 

“Skitts don’t,” Blink pleaded for a moment. 

 

“You know Jacky is waiting for you, he’ll be mighty mad if you don’t go up there to speak with him.” Skitts shook his head again.  Blink sighed and looked at Mush who instantly shook his head. 

 

“Skittery, we just can’t tell him anything.” Blink whispered.  Skittery looked up and cautiously looked around the room.  He looked straight at Blink and for the first time in the entirely time they had lived together there was a seriousness and maturity in Skittery’s eyes. 

 

“Jack’s having a hard time, he can’t deal with things right now.   Don’t make it harder on him, he already feels like his life has no greater meaning then this,” Skittery whispered.  Blink was defeated he could not, he would not allow for one of his best friends to dwindle in his own self criticism because he was afraid of his reaction.  Blink sighed and got up and Mush reluctantly but most surely followed, while Skittery sat there watching them and then scavenge ring for the cigarettes he knew he would need. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The night was late, the moon was completely overhead and the city that never sleeps was sleeping at last.  Laces was lying in her bed staring at the ceiling; she couldn’t get up until she was completely sure that Spot was asleep.  He had come in from talking to Critter over an hour ago, he had to be asleep.  She had heard them wrestling on the roof and she figured that he should be tired out from the days work and then the night’s fight, but she also knew that she had to be absolutely positive that Spot was not awake because if he caught her then she would have to stay inside.  Not to mention that he might make her talk to him and that was the last thing on the planet that she was willing to do at this moment.  She just wanted to be alone and she didn’t want to sleep.  She quietly climbed out of bed already dressed in a coat and shoes she held her breath as she lifted the window open and tiptoed out. 

 

Every night for about a month now Laces had been unable to sleep, for reasons unknown to everyone but herself.  So every night she had been climbing out onto the rooftop where she sat watching, humming, rocking, being alone basically.  More then once she just cried and often times she had fallen asleep on the rooftop near dawn with tears streaming down her face.  Those nights whatever bird was watching her would let her sleep, sometimes covering her in a blanket and wake her before the boys awoke.  When Matches watched her he would often times just carry her back into her bunk room when she fell asleep, but she didn’t usually fall asleep, to his dismay she sat through the night.  None of the birds came near her when she was sitting there, they feared that whatever was bothering her they would interfere with her thoughts and she would run off.  The last thing any bird wanted to be doing at three AM in New York City was chase Laces. 

 

So she climbed up the ladder and sat herself on the rooftop right in the middle and stared up at the sky.  She couldn’t make out any stars, the night was overcast not to mention that New York City didn’t have the most clear skies to start.  Her knees were up against her chest and her arms were carefully wrapped around them in attempts to keep them warm.  She had no sweater on, not really bothering to find one before she climbed out her room window.  It wasn’t too cold, considering it was spring time but it was still chilly considering how late (or early) it was.   It took five minutes before Laces had tears running down her cheeks and she started shivering.  She went into a sobbing fit and was rocking back and forth much like she had been doing every night now for almost two weeks. 

 

Matches was watching Laces tonight, he sat across the street on another building’s rooftop in the shadows so she won’t see him.  He knew she had to know there was someone near, even though recently Filly had commented to him that Laces had thought she was alone.  This worried Matches, he couldn’t explain why, but just the thought that there was a possibility that Laces did not just know that there was a bird somewhere bothered him.  He sat there fighting every instinct in his body to stand up and jump over to her and just make her stop.  He had specific instructions from Jasper and even more importantly from Critter whom had warned him not to go near Laces.  Matches couldn’t really understand their logic, he knew that she might scare but he knew she wouldn’t run away from him.  Laces might run away from Critter, Spot, Jack, Daisy, Filly, Chesa and all the other birds that watched her but not from him.  She was crying louder then usual and he knew she was cold. 

 

“Ok that’s it.” He mumbled to himself.  He couldn’t wait until she fell asleep, she had been taking longer and longer to fall asleep each night.  He knew she was going to catch her death if she kept doing this and he just wouldn’t allow it.  He stepped up and jumped over to the rooftop of the lodging house, Laces didn’t even look up.  She was now sobbing into her knees and just rocking back and forth.  This is when Spot appeared at the head of the steps and Matches stood still unsure of what he was suppose to do. 

 

“I’ll take care of her.” Spot mumbled as he walked to Laces, who had now sensed too many presences and looked up.  Her cheeks were tear stained and she was covered in goose bumps she still attempted to compose herself. 

 

“Spot, I didn’t mean to wake you.” She managed to choke out the words and then looked at Matches.  She was about to spit out an apology to him when she started crying again and Matches just nodded and smiled sadly at her.

 

“Don’t worry about me.” Matches jumped back over to the other rooftop and sat down in his shadows again.  He had thought he was going to be making camp all  night, and had set up an old blanket that the birds had gotten from one of the church charities years ago.  It was thick and made out of wool though so it kept him warm in the chill of New York City nights.  He settled himself back into it and watched carefully as Spot kneeled down next to Laces. 

 

“Audrey?” Spot whispered as he got down on his knees to try and be on eye level with Laces.  She didn’t really responded at first, Spot stayed very still. 

 

“I’m fine, you don’t need to stay awake for me.” Laces tried saying the entire sentence in one breath but failed miserably, hiccupping in-between every other word.  She had looked up again and Spot had quickly placed his hand under her chin so she couldn’t retreat into her knees again. 

 

“Audrey, look at me.  What’s wrong?” Spot asked in his whispered tone still. 

 

“Please don’t Spot.” Laces shook her head. 

 

“Don’t what Laces?” Spot was confused. 

 

“Don’t ask me, don’t make me tell you.” Laces’s chin started to quiver in his hand. 

 

“Laces, please look at you.  Your shivering, your crying yourself to death up here on the rooftop.  It’s been almost a month since you’ve gotten a good night’s sleep.” Spot was shaking his head as he watched tears start spilling down her cheeks again. 

 

“Don’t make me Spot,” she repeated again. 

 

“At least let me take you inside?  Can I do that?” Spot sighed, knowing he had given up on any chance of anything else.

 

“I don’t really want to go inside.” Laces shook her head. 

 

“No Laces, I won’t let you sit out here.  You can sit in your room and I’ll stay there.  Even if you don’t want to talk to me.” Spot stayed firm and with that place one around Laces’s waist and lifted her up almost effortlessly.  She didn’t fight him, she almost laid perfectly limp in his arms.  She was also very cool, Spot shivered as he thought about how similar her body felt to that of a dead person’s.  He hurried himself into her room where he could cover her and warm her and maybe get some movement out of her.  He climbed through her bedroom window and slowly placed her on the bed, covering her immediately with a cover and turning to close the window. 

 

Laces was wrapped in a blanket and sat near the wall in the exact same position she had been in on the roof.  Knees to her chest, head in her knees and tears still streaming down her face.  Now though she was warm and she felt body warmth near her.  Spot had positioned himself right next to her on the bed, if she refused to speak to him, he settled with at least letting her know that he was near her.  He knew that she didn’t really want to be alone, she just didn’t want to be a bother to people.  She was always so worried about other people that often times she let herself deteriorate in the process of caring for them.  This time though, Spot Conlon was not going to allow her to pick up her broken pieces alone.  The night wore on and sooner or later, Laces ended up curled into a ball with her head on Spot’s lap still crying.  Spot was half asleep but he had his strong arm around her shoulder.  Neither had spoken all night and Spot was hoping, even praying that Laces would soon cry herself to sleep.  He would prefer that she find the peace to fall asleep but when it hit dawn he knew his only hope would be her tears turning to sleep. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The job had to be done and Cap had taken it upon himself, knowing it was the least he could do to make up for the fact that he was not going to be the leader.  He had picked four of the biggest, toughest and best fighters that Jasper had to offer in the birds.  He had explained what they had to do, they were grouped into pairs and one would attack the boys early in the night and the other pair would attack early in the morning.  This was street knowledge, this was learning to fight, this was learning to depend on each other.  This was everything that had happened to Jack and Spot through experience and through actual danger.  Snipes and Matt would never understand how much luckier they actually were, that there life experiences were planned and controlled while Jack and Spot had to live life and learn to survive for real.  But Cap figured that Matt and Snipes would have their share of difficult life situations and this was not cheating it was just saving their energy for truly tough times. 

 

It was around after dusk and the birds had been in close watch of Matt and Snipes, they were near the dock smoking and fooling around with their talk of the cute girls they had seen earlier.  That’s when Cap sent in a random newsies to tell them that Laces was heading that way, and they quickly ran into the nearest alley hoping not to get spotted.  The boys ran around a bit, before they ran into the first pair of birds that Matches had hired. 

 

“Hey watch where you going!” The first bird said.  It was Bookie but Snipes nor Matt had never met this bird in their lives. 

 

“Yeah why don’t you, you blind or something!” Matt growled. 

 

“Oh look he thinks he’s tough.  I don’t even think he could beat up a flea.” Buckle laughed a bit. 

 

“Well it’s just our luck, Slingshot we found us two fleas.  I’m sure we can take them how about you?” Snipes asked. 

 

“I think it would be a pleasure.” Matt threw a punch before the words even sunk into the air around them. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Jack was huffing in his cigarette smoke, something he only did when he was beyond frustrated.  He heard the footsteps behind him loud and clear, he knew that Mush and Blink were standing behind him.  He also knew that they were attempting to silently signal each other about how to start the conversation, Blink was probably pointing at Mush for him to start and Mush was probably pointing at Blink.  Jack could almost draw the picture for someone who was not use to it.  He was use to it.  These boys, this place, they had all been his life.  One could say they had been more then his life, they had been his very being and soul.  Being a newsie had become consuming because Jack Kelly had been made a hero, Francis Sullivan a legend, and Cowboy a treasured dreamer.  There was nothing that he couldn’t do, there was no one that didn’t know him,  there was nothing that scared him.  But leaving and growing up was terrifying to him.  Who would be what he was, how could someone be what he was, there was no way.  Jack Kelly was fearful but not even for himself, for his newsies, for his world. 

 

“Jack,” Mush finally spoke and Jack had turned even before he spoke. 

 

“Sit down,”  Jack said in his well known parent voice that command respect and obedience.  Both boys automatically sat down next to him and took out cigarettes.  The silent signaling began again this time from either side of Jack. 

 

“So boys?” Jack was tiring quickly of the normal game and he sensed this time it was different as so many things had been these days. 

 

“Jacky you ok?” Blink asked suddenly dropping his hands down and letting his newly lit cigarette hang in his mouth.  Jack didn’t responded he knew his lying would be pointless, thus he just opted on silence. 

 

“Come on Cowboy, you tell us everything.  We’ve known each other too long not to.” Mush nodded to himself. 

 

“Boys, what did you have to tell me?” Jack sighed. 

 

“Jack?” Blink looked almost hurt, he felt it in Jack’s tone that there was something he had to tell them too.  He knew how Jack worked though, ever since the moment they had met, others first then himself. 

 

“Blink and I, well, we, it’s just…” Mush stuttered. 

 

“We joined the Navy Jack,” Blink whispered. 

 

“The Navy?” Jack looked at Blink and Mush.  These were boys to him, he was still a boy, the Navy, they were too young to be in the Navy.  But when he looked at Blink and Mush he suddenly felt lost, they looked older, so much older then he remembered them being. 

 

“We joined this afternoon, they accepted us.  We might get to see the world and well we’re going together.  We get paid and well it might be better then life on the streets,” Blink said. 

 

“We’ll get some fresh air, see something besides dust and smoke in the air.  We ain’t cut out for factory life and this seemed like a good option for us Jack.  You ain’t mad are you?” Mush said nervously. 

 

“Mad…” Jack whispered to himself sounding confused.  He stared at their faces again and still was searching for something he understood. 

 

“Are you?” Blink said alarmed, he knew Jack wasn’t going to take the news wonderfully but he never expected him to be unsupportive. 

 

“Am I what?” Jack had found it, Blink and Mush suddenly looked scared and unsure and that was something that Jack recognized.  They suddenly looked the same as they always had again and he snapped out of his trance. 

 

“Mad?” Mush frowned slightly and threw a glance over to Blink. 

 

“No, not mad.  Surprised.” Jack nodded carefully looking at the boys again, allowing himself this time to slowly notice the age difference. 

 

“Jack are you all right?” Blink asked as he threw his cigarette butt on the ground. 

 

“Me?  Why would you ask that?” Jack followed his example and threw his butt on the ground. 

 

“Well, you’re acting real strange.” Mush put a hand on Jack’s shoulder. 

 

“And well Skitts, he said something about you having a hard time.” Blink nodded. 

 

“What does Skitts know.” Jack spat almost.  There was silence for a few moments and the old friends sat there, dwelling in their childhood memories for a moment.  Then Blink as if his reel of memories had ended as abruptly as it had started said loudly. 

 

“It’s ok to move on Jack.  No one ever expected you to stay forever.  We’re not going to stay forever.”

 

“The rest of the boys?” Jack shook his head looking confused and bedraggled. 

 

“Will grow up too.  Or they will stay and finish this up and sooner or later grow up.  Snipes is going to be a great leader Jack, he learned from some of the best.” Mush laughed a bit.  “You were a scared little kid when you took this place over.”

 

“I was not scared,” Jack said defensively. 

 

“Yeah right.  Hero Jack Kelly ain’t never been scared.  But then again Cowboy hasn’t always been tough, and I can’t say I ever met Francis Sullivan.” Blink laughed loudly. 

 

“I was not scared.  And I wasn’t as young as Snipes.” Jack shook his head. 

 

“You’re right.  You were younger.” Skittery had walked up behind the three.  He was standing with his hands in his pockets behind them just watching.

 

“Are you going to stand there glowering and not listening in well, or you going to join us?” Jack asked. 

 

“I’ll join you.” Skittery smiled his youthful optimistic smile. 

 

“I was not younger!” Jack then threw a punch at Skittery. 

 

“You were too.  Snipes is going to be 14, weren’t you around 13?” Blink asked. 

 

“Oh, I don’t know.  I just wasn’t that scrawny.” Jack shook his head. 

 

“You convince yourself of that.  That’s like saying you’re not scrawny now.” Mush quickly lifted his arm waiting for the expected punch flying his way. 

 

“What’s wrong Jack?” Skittery asked, ready for the conversation to sober itself down. 

 

“It was hard getting use to this world.” Jack paused a moment.  “But I wonder if it’s going to be harder getting use to another world.”

 

“I thought Jack Kelly hasn’t ever been scared?” Blink mocked for a moment. 

 

“Will Jack Kelly exists outside of pape selling?” Jack asked. 

 

“Of course you will, you can’t go back to be Francis.  That’s just not like Jack.” Mush laughed. 

 

“You two are going to see the world?” Jack asked. 

 

“Yeah, don’t you think you should get a move on and beat us to it?” Blink winked. 

 

“Beat you to it?” Jack nodded. 

 

“You don’t like boats Jack,” Skittery commented. 

 

“And you have a big mouth.” Jack smacked Skittery in the back of the head. 

 

“Hey Knuckleheads!  You’se making too much noise and better get on in here and get some sleep.  I don’t want black and blue marks cause Jack hates his wake up call in the morning!” Kloppman called from the window. 

 

“See what you did!” Jack groaned as he jumped up. 

 

“We didn’t do anything.” Blink looked innocent. 

 

“And you do like to punch people.” Skittery nodded, rubbing the back of his head. 

 

“Shut up.” Mush yawned. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Snipes and Matt were sleeping on a fire escape in one of the random alleys.  They had originally planned to sleep at the Irish Rose for the night because they knew of a random side entrance where they could get in and out without being seen, but the plans had changed after they fought with the first pair of birds because the boys had fought hard and together and had ended up winning.  The win though had left both young newsies out of energy and they had fallen asleep in the nearest place they had settled. 

 

As the sun was rising over the city and the light poured into the alleyway, the boys were startled awake. 

 

“Hey, sleepers.  You need to get out of the way!” A rough voice said from above them.  The boys got to their feet quickly. 

 

“Yeah, that’s right.  Street rats, I can’t believe that the cops don’t pick them up.” Another boy was walking down the fire escape and looked disdainfully at them. 

 

“Who you calling street rats?” Matt squared his shoulders and the sleep from his eyes became wary. 

 

“What would you prefer birds?  Seeing as you were trying to be so high up off the dirt you collect every day,” the other bird said.

 

“You ain’t so clean yourself!” Snipes spat at them.  This time Snipes threw the first punch and the fight began. 

 

Cap was sitting nearby watching, he had watched the fight earlier.  He knew the birds earlier had gotten pretty beat but he also known they had given in easy.  He had specifically told Ax and Fox that they had to be strong and tough, he told them to prove who was Brooklyn.  He knew bringing out Brooklyn pride would instill something that no one else or nothing else could in Brooklyn boys.  He knew that with the Brooklyn pride he would get the kind of fight he wanted.  He watched the fight, he moved from the fire escape down to the alley.  There was bruises and swelling and blood, but the fight ended with Snipes and Matt running out when Ax pulled out his brass knuckles and Fox pulled out his knife.  After a few moments, Cap jumped down the fire escape and into the alley. 

 

“Beautiful performance.  I hope they didn’t beat you up to much?” Cap asked. 

 

“Nah, not to much.  We can get rid of the few blood clots and bruises easy enough.  Actually it was kind of fun, that Matt kid he’s going to give us a beating when he figures out it was us.” Ax sighed. 

 

“He won’t.” Cap winked and walked away from the two birds who disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Dawn cracked in Brooklyn and Matches was fast asleep under his large wool blanket on the rooftop.  Critter was standing over him resisting all temptation to kick Matches to wake him up.  Critter was always tougher then he meant to be and now he was learning he didn’t have to be anymore.  He stared down at the Brooklyn Lodging House, it was a place he had called home for a few years when he was much younger.  It almost seemed to him like an entire different lifetime when he had lived there.  He shifted his weight and Matches with his trained instinct jumped from his asleep state. 

 

“Crit, I wasn’t sleeping.  I was pretending to rest.” Matches shook his head violently, more in attempts to shake the sleep from his eyes then anything else.  Critter laughed and shook his head. 

 

“Long night here Kid?” Critter asked. 

 

“Spot took her in hours ago.  I was about to go and get her, it just ain’t healthy Crit.  She was going to cry herself to death without a blanket or nothing up there.” Matches was nervously fidgeting with his hands. 

 

“Don’t worry Matches, I ain’t going to beat you up.” Critter put a hand on Matches shoulder.  Matches shivered but then became very calm and even yawned. 

 

“Can I go to the nest then?  Are you going to be with her?” Matches asked hopefully.  He was exhausted, he had only been asleep for the last hour or so, afraid that Laces was going to crawl back on the roof when Spot fell asleep. 

 

“Go on and sleep.  I’ll take care of the kid.” Critter nodded.  Matches turned around and started walking then paused. 

 

“Crit, ain’t you tired?  I mean you were beating up Spot last night on the roof and then you probably went out with Chesa and it is a little past dawn.” Matches yawned.  Critter frowned at him.

 

“Matches, you been following me?” he said in a stern voice. 

 

“Me, no sir.  Course not.  I was here at my perch the whole night.” Matches crossed his arms. 

 

“Right.  No I’m not tired.  Thanks for caring.” Critter rolled his eyes. 

 

“Yeah sorry.” Matches laughed a bit and ran off before Critter could backhand him.  Critter sighed and jumped to the roof of the lodging house and quickly scaled down the stairs and climbed into Laces room quietly. 

 

Spot stirred awake as soon as Critter’s foot creaked on the wooden floor of the room. 

 

“What is going on Critter?” Spot whispered hoarsely. 

 

“Shush you’ll wake her, she hasn’t been getting to much sleep at all lately,” Critter whispered back. 

 

“What are you doing here?” Spot demanded as quietly as he possibly could.  Critter motioned with his hand to be quiet for a moment and quietly shut the window and locked it in a very particular way.  No one had ever thought of locking Laces’s window, mostly because no one knew you could lock the window.  The other thing no one knew was that this was the room that Critter had stayed in on several occasions, mostly because the caretaker of the time had used this room as a cell more then a room.  Critter had on more then one occasion jumped out the window, but sooner or later the caretaker had figured out how to lock the window and kept Critter from getting out.  But of course instead of working Critter had learned how to unlock and relock the window without ever getting caught.  So he used his knowledge from years back and locked the window without so much as a sound.

 

“I’ll lift her up and you get up and place a pillow under her head and we’ll talk in the hallway.” Critter whispered and held up his fingers, 3, 2, 1.  He quickly lifted her up and Spot moved as slowly as he could and placed the nearby pillow in his place.  The boys walked out the room fast and closed the door. 

 

“What are you doing here?  And what did you do to the window?” Spot asked. 

 

“I locked it and I’m here for Laces,” Critter stated. 

 

“What do you mean you’re here for Laces?  She ain’t going nowhere, look at her.  She’s a mess.” Spot crossed his arms and got a fierce look on his face. 

 

“Do you know what’s wrong with her?” Critter demanded. 

 

“What does that matter?” Spot gritted his teeth. 

 

“Neither does Jack.  Or any of the newsies for that matter, ask Cap.  Does he even know she hasn’t been sleeping?  Skitts doesn’t know she’s been crying for over a month.  Matches is scared of throwing her into a fright and her running away.  And Pockets?  He doesn’t know what’s going on because when she sees him she acts fine.” Critter frowned. 

 

“And I suspect you know what’s wrong with her?” Spot was furious. 

 

“No, I’m just like the rest of you.  I have no idea.  I don’t want to scare her and she hasn’t talked to me.” Critter shook his head looked lost for a moment. 

 

“So what are you going to do with her?  You can’t make her talk to you, that doesn’t work!” Spot was glowering. 

 

“Are you going to find out what’s wrong with her?” Critter frowned and crossed his arms.  Spot stood there rather confused for a moment. 

 

“What do you mean?” he asked. 

 

“How long have you known she hasn’t been sleeping and sitting on the roof every night?” Critter asked. 

 

“Well maybe for about a week, Sugar told me.” Spot shrugged. 

 

“A month, that’s how long she’s been sneaking onto that rooftop.  A month.  Have you noticed she hasn’t been talking to anyone?  Have you seen the bags under her eyes?  Have you noticed the way she brightens up for moments with people but seems washed out most of the time now?  Have you Spot?” Critter asked. 

 

“Well if you had, you would have gotten her earlier!” Spot almost shouted. 

 

“Keep your voice down, I’m not here to fight with you.  Laces needs someone to help her and we need to get her that help.  You can’t watch her every moment of every day.” Critter sighed. 

 

“You can’t take her.” Spot shook his head.   

 

“Come on Conlon.” Critter shook his head.

 

“Let us try, you can’t take her.  She’s ours?” Spot whispered almost. 

 

“But if she keeps going on the rooftop, and what happens when you leave?” Critter asked. 

 

“We don’t know when we’re leaving.” Spot tensed up. 

 

“Are you going to tell her when you’re leaving?  What are you going to do with her, you can’t possibly take her with you.  She’s not ready to leave yet, and what do you think that these boys will be able to take care of her like you guys have?  Tell me what is going to happen to her then?” Critter was getting angry. 

 

“I don’t know all right.  But you can’t have her yet, where are you going to take her?  I know you already have a plan.  I know you know where she’s going to go when we leave because I know you better then most.  I know that you never planned for her to stay here, she would stay here over your dead body.” Spot gritted his teeth. 

 

“Cricket, he offered to take her in.  I told you that earlier, you know that.  He’s ready for her.” Critter nodded. 

 

“I’m not going to leave her when she’s like this, no one knows what’s wrong with her.” Spot shook his head, he knew he was in a losing battle.

 

“It’s time Spot, you know it is.  Try but the moment you walk out, that moment I will make sure she is cared for before I walk out.” Critter sighed. 

 

“But we can’t just leave her, she doesn’t like to be left.” Spot was remembering a moment many years ago when Laces was left frantic when the boys playfully abandoned her. 

 

“She can’t be left by too many more people Critter, she might not be able to take it.  And if anything happens to her, I don’t think I would be able to forgive myself.” Spot shook his head. 

 

“Take your time, but not too much.  When it’s time to leave, we’ll figure out a way for her not to feel abandoned.” Critter stood for a moment. 

 

“Fine.  It seems our choices are limited now.” Spot shrugged. 

 

“Let me take her for the day Conlon?  Please?” Critter sounded distant at this point, much more distant and much less commanding than Spot had heard him in years, even a decade. 

 

“For the day?” Spot repeated confused by Critter’s tone. 

 

“Yeah, you need to sell papes.  Check on the boys?” Critter asked. 

 

“All rite, yeah.  Sure.  I have to go get ready anyway.  Gimmie just a second with her.” Spot nodded.  He walked into the room where Laces was still fast asleep on the bed.  He looked at her, she was sleeping but he knew she wasn’t resting.  He moved her hair out of her face softly and watched her as she began a silent struggle with her dreams.  Her breathing got louder, she started violently shaking and before she started crying Spot reacted and grabbed her lose hand.  As soon as he touched her the breathing slowed down and the shaking reduced a great deal.  He shook his head and gave her a light kiss on the forehead before grabbing his hat and cane and walking out the door. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Matt and Snipes walked into the lodging house trying to be as quiet as possible while they limped through the threshold.  Cap though had gotten there faster and entered through the window in the parlor area and was waiting for them. 

 

“Not that great of a night?” Cap asked.  Matt and Snipes jumped and turned to look at them. 

 

“Do you ever sleep!” Matt shouted almost. 

 

“Keep your voice down.  Do you want Spot to wake up and give it to you both?” Cap asked. 

 

“Fine, sorry,” Matt grumbled. 

 

“You guys get hurt?  What happened?”  Cap asked. 

 

“We just ran into some trouble, you know how it is,”  Snipes responded. 

 

“Yeah, well it’s probably a good time for you to head back to Manhattan.  Don’t you think so?” Cap asked. 

 

“I would love to go back to Manhattan, no offense to Brooklyn.” Snipes held up his hands in a play surrender to Matt. 

 

“Right, well I’ll talk to Spot about it.  Why don’t you two stay in here and get some rest.  When you’re ready we’ll sell papers on the way back to Manhattan.” Cap nodded as he walked out of the parlor and closed the doors.  Spot was standing on the staircase, arms crossed and glaring at the back of Cap’s head. 

 

“Ahem.” Spot coughed a bit and Cap turned around a bit startled. 

 

“Morning Spot, you’re up a little earlier then usual.” Cap choked a bit on his words. 

 

“Yeah I am, so are you apparently.” Spot walked down the stairs twirling his cane a bit and looking menacing. 

 

“Well, yeah just a bit.  I was taking care of some business.” Cap nodded. 

 

“Business, what kind of business?” Spot asked. 

 

“Um, just some stuff.” Cap grinned a bit. 

 

“Who’s in there?” Spot asked as he pointed to the parlor doors. 

 

“Well, in there.  It’s well.  I’m sure you were paying attention,” Cap said quickly. 

 

“Paying attention I was.  Have they not been here all night?” Spot asked. 

 

“Well, not exactly all night.” Cap nodded.

 

“Why not, they were suppose to be here.  Were they not, and what’s wrong with them?” Spot asked. 

 

“They got into some scrapes.” Cap sighed.

 

“With who, what’s going on?  Why didn’t one of my birds tell me?” Spot asked. 

 

“It was nothing to worry about Spot, believe me.  Matt and I are going to walk Snipes back to Manhattan today.  Just don’t worry about it.” Cap shrugged a bit, regaining his courage and walked away from Spot and up the stairs.  Spot took his cane and smacked Cap lightly on the back of the head. 

 

“What are you doing?” he asked suspiciously. 

 

“What I was taught to do.” Cap shrugged and keep walking.

 

“I’m still the leader!” Spot called out. 

 

“And I’m still the same old Bottle Cap!” Cap responded smartly before ducking into the bunkroom knowing that Spot was aiming for his head with the nearest object.

 

“If you were, then I wouldn’t be worried.” Spot shook his head and looked at the parlor doors for a moment.  He would deal with Matt later he decided and walked out of the front door.  Soon a stream of Brooklyn newsies were running through the front doors attempting to get to the selling docks in time for the first morning edition. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Critter walked into Laces’s room, he knew better than to believe she was sleeping anymore.  She had been awake for a few moments, possibly even longer.  He thought there was a possibility that she had heard him and Spot talking earlier.  He didn’t doubt her abilities anymore, she had shown them to him and he forever would count on them.  He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at her. 

 

“Crit, please?” Laces whispered as she blinked a few times. 

 

“Please?” he responded. 

 

“Just let me sleep a bit.” She yawned.  Critter laughed out loud. 

 

“You really can’t even fake sleep well my darling.  If you thought for a moment I would walk out that door because I thought you wanted to sleep, you don’t know me.  Besides, your window is locked and you can’t crawl out, as I’m sure you already know because I don’t doubt you tried while Spot and I were talking outside.” Critter looked over Laces.

 

“So maybe I did, I just want to be left alone,” Laces responded. 

 

“Alone, you can’t be alone.” Critter shook his head. 

 

“Why not?  You taught me how to take care of myself.  You taught me what to do, I can get away from the birds if I wanted to.  You know that, they know that.  There is nothing that is keeping me from being alone.” Laces sat up and curled up with knees at her chest. 

 

“So why haven’t you been alone?” Critter asked. 

 

“Because,” Laces responded. 

 

“Because you can’t be?” Critter asked. 

 

“No, just because.” Laces stared at him. 

 

“You don’t want to be alone.” Critter nodded. 

 

“No, I just don’t want people to be worried about me.” Laces shook her head. 

 

“We’re already worried.  Matches has been watching you like a hawk.  Spot finally figured out that you were driving yourself in the ground on the roof.  Chesa and I have been watching you, trying to figure out if you’re going to run.  Jack knows there is something wrong though he doesn’t know what it is.” Critter looked dark for a moment. 

 

“They shouldn’t be worried, I’m here still.” Laces started rocking back and forth. 

 

“Stop that, get dressed.  You’re spending the day with me.” Critter stood up. 

 

“But I don’t want to go anywhere.” Laces shook her head. 

 

“Tough luck, ain’t it.  And don’t try to get out of that window, I’ll have someone on you faster then you can say my name.” Critter winked at her.  Though he knew it was impossible for her to figure out how to unlock the window, it took him a  week and many hours to figure out how.  He walked out the door and leaned against it knowing better then to trust Laces not to just walk out the door and out the lodging house. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Jack you’re lucky that Kloppman hasn’t beat you with a broom stick in the mornings.  You think the old man would be tried of you throwing him a punch.” Skittery laughed. 

 

“Aw shut up, I mean it is your fault I was cranky this morning Skitts.” Jack laughed a bit. 

 

“What do you mean, my fault.  You just don’t like taking responsibility for your own actions.” Skittery laughed. 

 

“It was your fault.” Jack playfully punched at Skittery.  The boys were waiting in line at the selling docks for their papers.

 

“Hey Jack when’s Snipes coming back?” Sand ran over and asked. 

 

“Not to sure, why you asking Sand?” Jack shrugged. 

 

“He’s just been gone a while.” Sand shrugged. 

 

“He hasn’t even been gone a week.” Mush laughed. 

 

“Yeah, we would have noticed.” Blink nodded. 

 

“Peace and Quiet.” Skittery nodded. 

 

“JACK!” Relic came running over from the Greeley square.  Jack, Mush, Blink and Skittery looked up surprised. 

 

“What you doing here?” Jack asked dumbfounded for a moment. 

 

“Nice to see you too Cowboy.” Relic rolled her eyes.  Jack smiled a bit then quickly and swiftly walked away from the boys a bit and talked to Relic. 

 

“Is something wrong with Laces?” he asked. 

 

“Laces?  Oh, right.  That’s what you would assume.” Relic nodded. 

 

“Excuse me?  What does that mean?” Jack responded. 

 

“You know what it means, your world revolves around that one girl, granted that is how a lot of you newsies live.” Relic nodded.  Jack started to glare at her. 

 

“Don’t get all mad now, I just was sent by Southie.” Relic laughed a bit.  “And no offense but she might be scarier then Spot and you any day.”

 

“That’s just cause she’s grouchy she has to be girlie.” Jack shrugged. 

 

“Well she sent a threat, you boys better come over to the house tonight and pick up the suits.  South said that if you boys do not come tonight, she and Cricket will come and hunt you all down and personally make sure you get yourselves over to their home.” Relic wickedly smiled. 

 

“Right, well thanks.  But Relic do you know anything about Laces?” Jack asked. 

 

“Nope, not really.  I don’t watch in Brooklyn too often anymore Jack.  I’m working with Daisy these days.” Relic shrugged. 

 

“Anything else you need to tell me?” Jack asked. 

 

“Not that I need to tell you no.” Relic started whistling and walked away. 

 

“What does that mean?” Jack called after her but she didn’t even turn around.  Jack sighed and walked back to his newsies. 

 

“What did she need?” Race asked. 

 

“South said we better be at her place tonight and pick up our suits.” Jack shrugged. 

 

“Suits, I don’t know why South is even trying to make us presentable.” Blink laughed a bit. 

 

“Presentable.” Jack nodded as he stared back at the Horace Greeley statue sitting in the square.  

 

“Jack?” Skittery snapped his fingers at Jack.  Jack didn’t even blink he just stared at the statue. 

 

“What is he looking at?” Mush asked.  The boys followed Jack’s glaze and found the statue at the end. 

 

The Horace Greeley Statue was the center of the Newsies lives for many years, but it had been a long time since the boys noticed it lately.  It was almost like the newsies had been avoiding the very aspect that had rule their lives for years.  It could be possible that the newsies had finally outgrown the statue, or maybe it was just to painful to remember the years past.  It seemed like a different life time to the boys, when they were unhappy broken boys or even the strong naïve children of the strike.  Though no one would admit it, and though they were rather proud and cocky about the strike; Each newsies knew that they had been naïve and that they had been lucky that it had worked without each of them ending up dead somewhere. 

 

“Jack!” Skittery had gotten his papers and knocked into Jack to break his gaze. 

 

“What did you do that for?” Jack asked. 

 

“Jack, I got my papers.  Look at this, for you and,” Skittery lowered his voice to a whisper, “Spot, you know cause you guys.”

 

 

“Yeah, yeah.  Skitts I know.” Jack nodded and looked at the paper Skittery held in his hand. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Critter and his high mighty self,” Spot was mumbling to himself as he walked into the Rose.  He wanted to be angry, he was trying to convince himself that Critter was being unreasonable.  He was trying to remember Critter making him angry but he couldn’t.  He knew that Critter had a point and moreover all he could imagine was that far distant voice, the lost confused one that Critter had used that morning.  Spot had been shaken by the tone, as well as confused.  He didn’t remember Critter using that tone in so long, he couldn’t even remember the last time.  He was trying to get his mind to regain its confidence and he was struggling so he decided to go to the Rose. 

 

“You lost it finally?” Scorch asked as Spot walked in.  Spot groaned he wasn’t in the mood for the childhood rival. 

 

“No, I haven’t.  Ain’t there no one else here?” Spot grumbled a bit. 

 

“Nope can’t say there is.  Spades and Angel went out with Pockets and Blue to Coney for the day.  Vigor and Shady are out making money.  I came back for a little while, wasn’t haven’t a good day.” Scorch shrugged throwing up her match box and eyeing Spot’s hat to see if the scorch mark from her match was still there.  Spot tensed a bit when he noticed what she was looking at but he didn’t seem to move. 

 

“Aren’t you going to leave?” Scorch asked. 

 

“Yeah, leave.  You don’t know when Blue is going to be back with Spades?” Spot asked. 

 

“Why who you want to talk to?” Scorch asked her curiosity getting to her.  She knew the leader of Brooklyn, she was probably the only girl in the entire Brooklyn area to never have been in love with him.  But Scorch, she had never been charmed by those blue eyes and that dashing reckless smile of his.  She had never gone weak in the knees for his fast talking caresses, but rather had gone quite the opposite.  Scorch was almost sure she was the only girl in the whole of New York who actually hated Spot Conlon though she couldn’t well remember why anymore.  The rivalry had began so many years ago, it almost seemed like another lifetime when Scorch thought about it.  She stumbled out of her thoughts and noticed Spot still hadn’t left. 

 

“Scorch?” he said in an annoyed voice. 

 

“What?” she asked. 

 

“I just told you, I wanted to talk to Blue.” Spot grinned a bit at her confused face. 

 

“Blue right.  Well he ain’t here, what do you want me to do about it?” Scorch snapped regaining her senses. 

 

“Nothing, I can’t expect that much from you of course so I can’t even depend on you telling him I stopped by,” Spot grunted at her. 

 

“Yeah, well now maybe I won’t.  You being all pig headed about it don’t help nothing.” Scorch shrugged at him. 

 

“Right, well then you do whatever you want.  I’ll just go.” But Spot didn’t really move much.  Scorch looked at him again and sighed exasperatedly. 

 

“Is something wrong Conlon?” she asked much softer then any tone she had ever taken with him. 

 

“Wrong.” Spot nodded for a second.  “ I just need to talk to Blue.”

 

“Then it’s something with Critter?” Scorch stared at him intently.  She may have never been friends with Spot Conlon or even liked him but she knew him.

 

“Critter.” Spot nodded, it seemed as though Spot didn’t even notice it was Scorch talking to him. 

 

“And Laces?” Scorch stated as she noticed his dazed state. 

 

“Yeah it’s Laces and Critter, but I just need to talk to Blue.” Spot was snapping out of it. 

 

“I’ll tell him all right?” Scorch sighed.  Spot nodded and then clearly stared at her for a moment. 

 

“Did we just have a civil moment?” Spot asked surprised. 

 

“Don’t kill it and just get out.” Scorch went back to her lounging position and ignore his presence once again. 

 

“I didn’t have to,” Spot mumbled and walked out of the Rose without even so much as a look back.  Maybe, just possibly Spot Conlon and long time rival Scorch were finally growing up. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“South’s wedding is tomorrow, are you ready for it?” Critter asked Laces as they walked around Central Park together. 

 

“Ready, sure.  I’m only suppose to dress up and sit somewhere where no one will notice me or recognize me.” Laces nodded dully. 

 

“It means a lot to them that you’re going you know.” Critter nudged her a bit.  Critter was being much nicer today and Laces was noticing. 

 

“What do you want Critter?” Laces asked suddenly.

 

“What do you mean, what do I want?  I wasn’t asking for anything.” Critter frowned, a slight flare of his temper showing itself. 

 

“You’re acting much nicer, cheerful almost.  Critter O’Connell is not nice nor cheerful.” Laces shook her head, her hair encircle the dark circles under her eyes. 

 

“On the contrary my love, I’m both nice and cheerful to almost everyone who behaves.  You and your friends are much less likely then others to be able to behave.” Critter smiled his charming smile.  Laces caught herself smiling back and noticed for the first time ever that she should have fallen in love with Critter.  Or at least had a crush, he really was a rather good looking boy. 

 

“Right.  Behave.” Laces nodded.  “What do you want?” she repeated. 

 

“Look at you, pale as a sheet and those bags.  I’m surprised your eyes aren’t bloodshot.” Critter shook his head. 

 

“What does my appearance matter to you!” Laces snapped back. 

 

“There’s something wrong.  I’m not going to pry.” Critter shook his head. 

 

“Well that’s unusual.” Laces rolled her eyes. 

 

“I’m going to tell you, I’m worried about you.  You can not continue this way, you will make yourself ill.  The boys are not going to be able to take care of you.” Critter looked at her carefully.  He knew she understood what that meant, more then anything he wanted her to understand that they were leaving.  There was silence for more then a few moments as they strolled near the pond. 

 

“Do you know?” she asked. 

 

“Do I know?” Critter innocently replied. 

 

“When they leave?” She finished the sentence though she knew he knew exactly what she was talking about. 

 

“No one knows.” Critter shrugged. 

 

“But you’re not no one.” Laces nodded.  “You do, don’t you?”

 

“Laces,” he stated. 

 

“Don’t, I know you do.  Even if they haven’t told you.” Laces sighed.  “But you won’t tell me will you?”

 

Critter didn’t respond and they walked around in silence again for some time.  Laces stopped and looked carefully at Critter, her eyes for a slight moment for playful.  Or at least could have been mistaken for playful, like a false attempt to convince him that she was truthfully doing what she was about to say. 

 

“I’m taking care of myself.  I don’t know what you’re talking about.  I’m just feeling a little under the weather lately, nothing too bad.” Laces shrugged it off but stood there watching Critter, waiting to see if he would leave it there.  He shook his head and laughed grimly. 

 

“Lies have never been your strong suit my sweet.  You know we’ve been watching you, you know I know something’s wrong.  You knew the boys were leaving, and I know that you are aware that it’s very soon.  We’re  done pretending all these things now Laces.  I need you to be taken care of soon and I am noticing more everyday that you can not do that by yourself,” Critter said.  He stood in a graceful position, ready to run if Laces bolted which was a particular habit he was use to and anticipating. 

 

“I can take care of myself and I have the newsies,” she replied defiantly.  “I am tried of people trying to take care of me, there’s no point.  Don’t you understand Critter, you can’t take care of me.  I’m a hopeless cause.  I was never meant to be taken care of by anyone and I’m done testing my destiny.  My destiny found me there’s no point for us to try fooling it.  I’m not worth it.”

 

Critter was shocked, this was a hidden revelation.  Such a thought had never crossed his mind, ever in all the time he had knew this girl who was now standing in front of him.  Critter O’Connell would have never thought she was against people taking care of her, against them because she had convinced herself she was not meant for such a luxury. 

 

“Everyone is taken care of in this world,” Critter almost whispered, not sure if he had imagined her outburst. 

 

“No, they’re not.  I’m one of the few that’s not.  Don’t you see, haven’t you learned.  I can’t keep doing this to people.  My boys will leave, they will be assured most likely by yourself that I will be cared for until they return, but really Critter… How are you going to care for me?” Laces sat down on the grass beneath her.  Actually it almost looked as though she fell to the ground beneath her.  Critter got down to his knees, bent his head towards her a bit and was awe struck.  She sounded so determined, so convinced of the fact that was her so called fate.  There sat a girl, almost twenty years old who had seen a world unlike many others and experienced love and hate in passionate strife.  He stared at a girl who had felt enough to have lived ten lifetimes over, a child and adult whom had capture the hearts of everyone around her.  The world understood she was someone to reckon with and Critter knew her destiny involved greatness that few and far between achieved.  He watched as a pillar of strength sat in front of him, as a young woman who in her broken and battered state shone as the strongest person he had ever seen.  Suddenly Critter understood why she thought no one could care for her, he understood what had been wrong with her.  He understood so much more then he would have ever been able to had she attempted to explain.  He didn’t say a word though, he watched her as she went through the stages of her thoughts.  She looked down, she shed a tear or two, she took a deep breathe and finally she looked back up. 

 

“You can’t take care of me.  No one can.  My heart can’t take it anymore, please don’t ask it to.” Laces shook her head again.  The bags didn’t seem to be there, the pale was flushed, the eyes were glittered because of the remaining tears that refused to shed.  Critter nodded slowly but he didn’t not move and he had not changed his position. 

 

“We won’t leave,” he finally whispered to her.  She looked at him curiously and started to shake her head when he grabbed her chin.  

 

“We will not leave you,” he repeated more firmly.  She stared again, having no other choice but her eyes were fighting his.  He could see that she was avoiding his glance but pretending to have met it.  He moved her chin slightly and made sure she was directly looking at him. 

 

“Not everyone leaves.” He was steady, he was strong, but most of all he was talking directly to her.  He let go of her chin now and she didn’t move her glaze immediately. 

 

“Everyone has to leave,” Laces said slowly, almost as if she didn’t want to believe it to be possible. 

 

“Then you have to let them come and go.  But look at us honey.  Look at who we are and how we lived.  We are kids of loyalties.  Loyalties are what kept us alive most of our childhood, what is taught in the crib isn’t soon forgotten my love.” Critter stood up and looked down at her and outstretched his hand.  She sat for another moment and then looked up and smiled, a smile of her childhood.  Laces took Critter’s outstretched hand and stood up with him.  Critter knew he hadn’t fixed all her problems, or even slightly indented her world of sadness in which she was currently living.  But he knew that she was coming back to them, that she was sooner or later going to understand what he was saying to her.  It was going to take time. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Cap smiled slightly to himself as he was bemused with two particular thoughts.  The first was never in a million years had he ever pictured himself in Bullseye’s role.  There he was, Bottle Cap the proclaimed heir to the Brooklyn Empire playing second to a newbie.  He almost laughed as he watched Matt and Snipes laughing and playfully punching each other in front of him.  Cap was following in close step behind the two future leaders, knowing that his place had been beside Snipes not behind.  He shrugged though because no matter Conlon, Kelly, and the rest of the newsie run world had destined Bottle Cap to take over Brooklyn the plan had never been right.  Cap knew in his heart that he would have never been leader, his friends and his times were from a different era of leaders and battles.  He belonged to the legends, he was just designated to create more legends with new boys.  His second thought made him laugh, he had achieved what Spot and Jack had so tediously and unsuccessfully attempted.  Matt and Snipes were friends and sooner rather then later would be best friends. 

 

The city was in a steady bustle as the boys walked to the selling docks in Manhattan.  Matt and Snipes stopped in front of the Greeley statue to finish a conversation before separating. 

 

“Tell Jack we just got into a small scrape if he asks.  Don’t let him know we got into a huge fight.  You know Conlon and Kelly thinking that our fight is their fight and that we ain’t even nearly as good at fighting as they are.” Matt rolled his eyes. 

 

“Yeah I think I know how they are by now.  I have been here longer.” Snipes laughed. 

 

“Right, well I’m a faster learner.  So you know.” Matt shrugged. 

 

“Brooklyn cockiness sure took to you quick.  Otherwise I would say you had a few knocks to the head before you figured it out.” Snipes ducked the punch and ran off, waving good naturedly before disappearing behind the selling docks gates.  Cap knew he had one more thing left to do before setting the end of his plan into motion.  He also knew that he had very little time left.  He motioned for Matt to come near him. 

 

“Why do I have to move?” Matt frowned as he stood in front of the statue with his hands in his pockets. 

 

“Because, get over here.” Cap sighed.  Matt shrugged and walked outside of the square the statue was in and stood in front of Cap. 

 

“What?” he demanded. 

 

“Do you think you didn’t take too many knocks in the head that you don’t remember how to get to Brooklyn?” Cap asked sarcastically.

 

“You know, you are real funny sometimes Cap.  Really.  Just a riot.” Matt rolled his eyes and started walking away. 

 

“What if Conlon asks about you?” Matt called back over his shoulder. 

 

“Tell him I’m busy.  But don’t get beat up over it.” And with that Cap took off in the opposite direction to finish the task he had set for himself. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

David Jacobs was walking along the street, a single paper rolled up in his hand.  David, or the Walking Mouth as he was more commonly known in stories was no longer a key player in the world of the streets.  He had given up being a newsie completely just recently.  The pape selling business was never one that he was very good at, possibly because he didn’t like to lie or more likely because he talked to much.  He held the newspaper he had bought from his little brother, Les.  Les was still selling papers but only after school, David as well as his family was insistent that Les receive an education. 

 

David had skimmed the paper, like all newsies do.  For though he wasn’t a newsie any longer his time had trained him well.  He scanned the headlines and hawked out the good ones, eying the articles for the interesting tid bites.  He had just recently been able to get out of the habit of wanting to shout out the headlines, he never liked the selling so it didn’t take as long as some might have thought.  David Jacobs was not a newsie or a street kid and he was never meant to be one but he had friends that he considered brothers.  His life was on the street though he was not a street kid, today he had skimmed the paper and headed straight to see one of his best friends Jack.  Jack Kelly was the most unlikely candidate to be one of David Jacobs best friends but he was.  The boys were very different, Jack being a compulsive liar who could live on a whim of a thought if it were provided.  While David was a morally upright boy who thought only in logical and well understood terms.  Jack knew only the streets and the way of the fist, while David understood books and the art of debate.  But thus was the way of the world sometimes, people make friends with the most unexpected people.   

 

Jack was sitting on the steps of a nice home in the middle of Manhattan.  He was staring down at his shoes and smoking a cigarette.  He had a stack of about twenty papers left sitting next to him with his cowboy hat neatly placed on top of them.  David walked up the street and spotted Jack, shaking his head slightly he quicken his pace.  David reached Jack in a few seconds and stood in front of him quietly.  David had learned never to interrupt Jack’s thoughts, it could end in two ways painfully and even more painfully. 

 

“Sit down, you’re in the way of my sun moron.” Jack puffed a bit as he slightly looked up.

 

“Afternoon to you too.” David rolled his eyes and sat down.  He took a cigarette out of his pocket, he didn’t smoke often only when he was with Jack or one of the other newsies.  It was a habit he had distinctly picked up from the newsies themselves.  Most of New York’s street kids smoked though, it was a habit that they picked up in attempts to keep warm and get something cheap that made them feel full.  A cheap bad habit wasn’t as bad a just feeling hungry and cold all the time.  David smoked though because the boys smoked, it seemed like it was something he should do.  It was more to feel like one of the boys more then anything else.  He puffed a bit at his cigarette before talking again. 

 

“You all right?” he asked calmly.  Jack nodded a bit then turned to David. 

 

“As all right as I can be.  Where you been lately?” Jack squinted a bit as he looked at David. 

 

“I’ve been busy.  Sorry.  I should have stopped by, but there was some things going on at home and I am looking to striking out on my own.” David sighed.

 

“Your parents having trouble?” Jack asked a bit alarmed. 

 

“No, not really.  Les is getting older though and well Sarah might be getting married.” David paused there for a moment to watch Jack.  He wasn’t sure if he would respond well to that bit of news, but Jack seemed nonchalant about it so he continued. 

 

“I just feel like I need something besides school and the clerk job I got.  You could say I’m bored of New York,” David said casually. 

 

“Bored of New York.” Jack turned away from David and nodded again to himself.  “Bored,” Jack whispered to himself and the boys were silent again for a few moments. 

 

“Jack, are you bored?” David asked.  Knowing well that his friend was bored, David knew that Jack Kelly was ready for a new adventure.  A new place to make a legend of himself with a new story.  David also knew that Jack wanted to settle down, Jack was itching to marry Laces. 

 

“Bored, me?  David whatever would give you that idea,” Jack mumbled to himself a bit. 

 

“Jack?” David knew that the response had not been meant to be uttered out loud.  Jack snapped out of it then and threw his cigarette down.

 

“Of course I’m bored.  I’m living the life I did as a child.  And surprisingly I’ve seemed to grown up.  I don’t know what I should do, or what I want to do though.  What are you thinking about doing?” Jack responded.  He suddenly seemed more awake, more like himself then he had a few moments ago. 

 

“I found it Jack.  If you and Spot are ready,” David said quietly.  Like he was afraid it was going to happen. 

 

“Spot and I, well I know I am ready.  Spot though he’s aching, it’s starting.  He’ll want to go whenever I do.  What did you find though, we can’t work in no factory.”  Jack shook his head, leaning back on his elbows with his hands being stuffed in his pockets. 

 

“Of course, here.” David placed the paper on Jack’s lap.  Jack sat up a bit and looked down at the page David had it opened to.  There was several headlines but years of selling papers had taught Jack to scan and find what he wanted in moments.  He found the headline, Railroad needs Men, he read the article or rather ad quickly and looked up at David. 

 

“Travel the United States?” Jack asked.  David smiled a bit. 

 

“See Santa Fe.” He nodded. 

 

“We could go all the way to California?” Jack’s mouth was starting to twitch into a smile. 

 

“We could and there’s work across the country.  In the undeveloped west, I was reading that there are jobs as handy men on ranches as well as builders and other type jobs.  We could go out make money with the railroad and then come back to New York in a few months.” David nodded as he saw the understanding come to Jack. 

 

“We could be out in the west.  Not in the city, not so trapped.  I could save money,” Jack started to mumbled to himself. 

 

“You could marry Laces when we come back,” David finished Jack’s thought. 

 

“Marry Laces.” Jack nodded and took out a cigarette of his pocket and started smoking again.  David sat back and both boys just enjoyed each other’s company in silence. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Spot was walking along the rooftops of Brooklyn, whistling to himself a bit and waiting to stumble upon one of his birds.  He knew he was bound to find one of them sooner or later, he had felt like going out in search of one instead of just summoning one today.  He knew that they dawdled on rooftops, but he also had a small hope of finding Chesapeake somewhere.  He knew that if he couldn’t talk to Blue about Critter his next option was Chesapeake.  But Spot Conlon was no fool he knew that Chesapeake was not an easy person to be found ever. 

 

“Conlon, you could break your neck walking along those ledges like that.” Chesa sighed from behind him.

 

“I haven’t broken my neck yet, have I now Chesapeake?” Spot turned around and grinned at her. 

 

“You looking for me?” she asked. 

 

“What would make you think I was looking for you?” Spot started walking again, knowing that not Chesa nor himself could ever stand still for very long. 

 

“The only reason you ever really come up to walk on rooftops is if your looking for me.  I know you Conlon.” Chesa laughed a bit and walked behind Spot. 

 

“Right, well I do want to talk about Critter.” Spot nodded a bit. 

 

“What did he do to you now, sometimes I feel like you boys are overgrown children.” Chesa rolled her eyes. 

 

“If we were both children in your eyes, you wouldn’t always side with Crit.” Spot threw back at her. 

 

“Well Critter usually has a point.  And besides he’s older then you, he knows better.” Chesa laughed knowing the statement was far from true.  Critter was of course more experienced and at times had better judgment then his younger counterpart.  But Chesapeake had always enjoyed getting a rise out of Spot, she knew that the newsie had always been annoyed with the idea that Critter had always been like an older brother to him.  An older brother that always told him what to do and for reasons that Spot didn’t understand he always listened. 

 

“Knows better.” Spot snorted a bit then he stopped and looked at Chesapeake.  “Do you think he does?”

 

Chesa stared at Spot a moment, she detected the uneasy voice he had used.  Spot Conlon was rarely uneasy, but these days she knew his strength was wavering, his confidence and abilities were weakening as he approached the day when he moved away from his well known world. 

 

“What did he say Conlon?” she asked. 

 

“It’s Laces.” Spot sighed as he dug his hands into the pockets of his pants. 

 

“As it usually is, but what is it that has you so worried?” she asked again. 

 

“Well, he says that she’s going to go live with Cricket.” Spot waited for a response but when none came he continued.  “ I just don’t know if she belongs there.  Maybe it would be better if she stayed with the newsies, but then I think about it, with Snipes in charge of Manhattan and Matt in Brooklyn.  Snipes would never tell Laces what to do and she would sweet talk him in a second.  Then there’s Matt, well Matt is more of a trouble maker then she is and not to mention the fact that they are related.  With Laces being his older cousin I highly doubt he would be able to tell her what to do ever.  So if she stayed with the newsies, the few older boys before they left might be able to somewhat control her but I doubt it.  Skitts never had much of a backbone and without Blink, Mush and Jack he’s bound to head out with Race.  They all are.  Decker is around, but he wasn’t good with Laces either.  More of a bad influence.  Critter won’t be around, I know he isn’t going to be.  Jasper can’t watch her, Matches is scared of her half the time.  Spades isn’t useful and I really think her and Blue are settling earlier then she thinks.  Pockets is too in love, which is usually his problem to be helpful.” Spot took a breath. 

 

“You know Critter is right then?” Chesa asked in a somewhat confused voice. 

 

“Well not really that he’s right, I’m afraid of putting Laces there.  I don’t know what she’s going to do when we leave, I don’t know if Cricket is going to be good with her.  I just don’t know.  I don’t know if she should go back to that world, and I don’t think Jack is thrilled about it.  We’re just not sure, Cricket might introduce her to some rich boy that marries her and we never see our girl again.”

 

Chesa nodded her head.  This was their fear, more Jack’s then Spot’s she knew, but Spot didn’t want to lose his little sister again.  He didn’t want her to get hurt, but she knew also that he was afraid that if Laces didn’t take to Cricket she would run away.  Laces had a slight tendency and if she ran away who would find her and who would bring her back.  And where would they bring her back to. 

 

“There’s still Buttercup.  She’ll find her if she gets scared and BC has some sense to her.” Chesa responded. 

 

“Do you think Laces belonged in the high society?” Spot asked. 

 

“I think she deserves a new life for a change.  You are getting one why can’t she?” Chesa asked. 

 

“But we want ours, do you think she wants that.  I think she’s afraid of it.” Spot shrugged.

 

“Critter would never put Laces in Cricket’s home if he wasn’t fully sure that Cricket would be able to handle her.  And South is in the house also, Southie is very useful in willful girl situations.  She will be able to help when Cricket can’t.  Don’t you think that Cricket is going to spoil her?  Because he will, but South will help bring her back down.  No worries Spot.  She will be in good hands.  Critter treats her like one of his own.” Chesa smiled. 

 

“Right.  Well, I don’t know.” Spot shrugged. 

 

“Stop using her as your doubts.  She will be taken care of but you have to do this.  You can’t play this game forever, we all know that and so do you.  So stop doubting it.  Just get on with it.” Chesa smiled a bit.  There was silence for a few minutes.  Chesa looked around after a moment or two and smiled widely at Spot. 

 

“Go to Manhattan, Jack has news for you.” She laughed at him. 

 

“How do you do that?” Spot gritted his teeth a bit. 

 

“Something you never learned.” Chesa laughed and hopped away from him. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Those boys better show up tonight for their suits.  We spent a fortune dressing all of them, so they better show up.” South sighed. 

 

“Don’t make them feel bad about it.” Cricket warned her as he stared over his paper. 

 

“I won’t, I’m just venting.  You know them, they don’t do things on schedule.  Never did like having to be somewhere at specific times, I’m just worried.  That well, that….” South stood silently. 

 

“They will come.” Cricket sighed. 

 

“How are you so sure?” She demanded. 

 

“How are you not?” Cricket shot back. 

 

“They aren’t comfortable with it,” she responded. 

 

“Neither are we.” Cricket rolled his eyes. 

 

“Don’t you want to marry me Mr. Longfellow?” She put her hands on her hips. 

 

“In a fancy church with all the trimmings,” he sarcastically responded. 

 

“Right, well.  I don’t know.” She shrugged and went back to fussing over the suits near the table. 

 

“They’re our closest friends.  We spilled blood together.  They will be there.  I promise it,” Cricket almost whispered it and went back to reading.  There was silence for a few moments and then South sat back down. 

 

“And Laces?” she asked.  Cricket slumped and put his paper down in a surrendering type motion. 

 

“What about her darling?” he asked. 

 

“You’re going to get her, are you not?” she asked. 

 

“Well, Critter did say we would.” Cricket nodded. 

 

“But the boys?  Are they going to allow it?” She looked at the window. 

 

“The boys won’t have a choice and you know it.  If Critter has decided that Laces is to stay with us, she is to stay with us.  The boys will fight possibly, but they would never be allowed to have her anywhere else but this house.” Cricket laughed. 

 

“And what are we going to tell your father, my father?” South asked. 

 

“We have our own home.” Cricket gritted his teeth a bit.  South just stared at him skeptically. 

 

“My family knows who she is, no one really knows where she’s been.  I’m going to tell them that she has been living with an aunt who had gone out west, and then came back to see her sister.  I’m going to casually mention that I ran into her a few months back and have arranged for her to stay with us, somewhat considered as a ward.  In honor of her brother, because he was my best friend and due to her families misfortune I felt it to be my duty to aid one of the last remaining Kai’s.” Cricket smiled mischievously. 

“So basically you are telling them we are adopting her.  You don’t think we’ll find objections?”  South asked. 

 

“We won’t find objections until they find out she won’t be marrying some business associates son.” Cricket looked grim for a moment. 

 

“Jack might strike some good business following in the west.  You know that’s where he will go.” South looked hopefully. 

 

“We’ll see when it comes up.  But they will think it delightful, our families believe in philanthropy.  You know that well enough, and Mother will make sure the papers print something about our gracious action towards a poor helpless girl.  Not to mention I’m sure that Laces will remember her training even if it didn’t last long and be just delightful in the social circles.” Cricket rolled his eyes. 

 

“Delightful.  She’s going to be handful,” South warned. 

 

“Well we need a  new adventure, don’t we?” he asked her.

 

“Of course.” South laughed. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Cap stood on the corner of street looking around the street in search of someone.  Cap stuck his hands in his pockets and sat down on the corner waiting.  There was an alleyway behind the corner where Cap was sitting and Sand was walking up.  Sand noticed Cap and smiled wickedly to himself, being silent as he came up behind Cap. 

 

Sand was right behind Cap when he took his hand and forcefully grabbed the back of Cap’s shirt in one handful.  Before anything was said though, Cap reacted and pulled his hands from his pockets and swung them behind him to pull on his attacker’s ankles.  With one movement, Cap had Sand on the ground and Cap was standing towering above him. 

 

“Jesus Bottle Cap, it was just a little joke.  You sure are fast.” Sand was blinking and trying to get back on his feet. 

 

“Fool, don’t do that to someone when your not sure of their response.  You could have been badly hurt if it was someone else.” Cap spat out at him angrier then he had originally intended. 

 

“Sorry Cap.” Sand suddenly looked rather ashamed of himself.  Cap grinned a bit at the boy, he was so young still.  Almost as young as Cap could remember being, with his sandy blond hair that gained him his name. 

 

“Don’t worry about it, just be more carefully.  You going to have to be an experienced fighter if your going to stay on these streets,” Cap sighed.  He meant it as a discreet warning, there would be fights coming to them.  There would be wars for powers, with Brooklyn and Manhattan showing a sign of weakness because of the change of leaders.  It would be the opportune moment for the others to swing the power of the city in their own favor.  Cap knew there would be fighting, he just wasn’t sure who would win the fights.   

 

“What is going on Cap, you aren’t usually in Manhattan alone?” Sand asked. 

 

“I need your help.” Cap shrugged. 

 

“My help?” Sand looked confused.  But Cap knew he had picked the right newsie.  The boy was young yes, he was no older then about twelve.  He had been with the Manhattan newsies for about two years now though, he had seen Jack and the older boys in work.  But more importantly he was good with orders, he was quick on his feet and he would be useful.  The others had already begun to get cocky or weren’t as experienced or something was wrong. 

 

“Yes your help, confidence kid.  Don’t sound so doubtful.” Cap stood powerfully tall and Sand suddenly seem to catch his emotion and stood taller. 

 

“Right, well what can I do?  And what for?  There is no wars, there is no fighting, I haven’t heard there anything being wrong.” Sand looked puzzled.  Cap smiled, the kids didn’t know about the birds, sooner or later he would have to decided who to tell about them. 

 

“You need to make the boys pick fights with Snipes.” Cap said simply. 

 

“Pick fights with him?” Sand looked even more confused. 

 

“Yes, a lot of them.  The bigger ones, not Skitts and Blink and them but the other boys.  Make Snipes want to fight with them.  Try to make it around the older boys so that they’ll stop the fight sooner or later.  But avoid Jack, cause Jack won’t let them fight very much at all.  But get them to fight.  A lot of fights before tomorrow, you understand?” Cap asked. 

 

“But why do you want them to fight with Snipes.  I thought we should like each other, isn’t that why Jack doesn’t really let us fight?” Sand asked. 

 

“Just do it, I’ll explain later.  You’ll do it won’t you?’ Cap asked looking menacing for a moment’s time.  He never intended to use force but he knew that even the feeling of it would send Sand into some what of a terror. 

 

“Yeah course I will.” Sand mumbled. 

 

“Good.” Cap nodded nicely and threw a nickel at Sand. 

 

“Here, I’ll buy some of those off you.” He took five papers from him and walked away.  Sand looked gladly at the nickel that he had worked effortlessly to make while Cap walked briskly away. 

 

“You’re working quickly.” A voice from the alley said to him.  Cap rolled his eyes and turned on his heel into the alleyway. 

 

“Afternoon Filly.” He smiled into the darkness. 

 

“Afternoon yourself.  Conlon and Kelly have run this place since before you could walk.” She said as she walked out from the shadows.  “And they are not going to be happy that you did this without telling them.”

 

“They won’t have time to think about it, and they haven’t noticed yet.  It is time for them to go, this is not their playing field anymore.  There will be no time for anger.” He shrugged. 

 

“Such a smart Brooklyn boy, I doubted I would ever meet one of them.  So we’ll be working together?” Filly laughed. 

 

“We already do.  Try to make them fight huh?  Get Dais on it, she’s good at spreading mayhem.” Cap winked at her and started sprinting away. 

 

“One day,” he called behind his shoulder. 

 

“I think I know what’s going on more then you do,” she bitterly replied from above him.  Cap laughed again, a hallow laugh.  He knew his time estimate was good but he knew the birds could read things like that better.  He felt his stomach drop, his leaders were going to leave.  His life was going to change, and it was going to happen in a moment and there was nothing he could do about it. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Jack was walking to Cricket’s new home in the middle of high town New York.  Cricket had purchased the house less then a month before for the permanent estate of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Longfellow.  Cricket had moved into it a week after buying the home but South only was there during the day and sometimes late into the night if her maid was with her.  It was of course only the proper way of things for the Longfellow bride, not because of South but because of the families.  South and Cricket had spent countless nights together, alone and helplessly in love but the parents of the prestigious two would never know about those nights. 

 

Spot came walking around the corner and smacked into Jack because both boys were not paying any attention. 

 

“Kelly, why don’t you watch where you’re going?” Spot demanded. 

 

“Not everyone runs out of the way for you Conlon,” Jack responded grumpily. 

 

“Right.  You going to Cricket’s?” Spot asked. 

 

“South sent a threat.” Jack nodded. 

 

“I got it too.” Spot nodded.  “Not to mention Chesa told me you had news?”

 

Jack laughed and nodded slightly.  “She would know that wouldn’t she.  Well there is news, but I don’t know about it yet.”

 

“Sure you do, you’ve made up your mind.  Come out with it.” Spot had no patience left.

 

“Well Conlon, David found us jobs.  Good ones too, not in this damned city in the death mills or dead end jobs.  The west is expanding and they are looking for men to work on the railroads and help build towns and farm and all sorts of outdoor type things,” Jack said earnestly. 

 

“The west?” Spot sounded distant. 

 

“We could live outdoors, make money in different places.  That’s where the money is now Spot,” Jack responded. 

 

“Yeah, it does sound good.” Spot nodded thoughtfully. 

 

“You know both of you are just worried.” No one said it, but both boys were thinking about it in their heads.  Usually the thought would have been voiced by Bullseye.  He had always told them what they were too afraid to speak. 

 

“When do we leave?” Spot asked. 

 

“David found a train that leaves on Sunday,” Jack said quietly. 

 

“Sunday.  That’s so soon,” Spot responded but not surprised.  He had known that the news was for something soon, he had expected it. 

 

“I know.  We would go to the wedding and be off.” Jack nodded.  

 

“But the boys, the boys aren’t ready?” Spot shook his head.  But Jack and Spot were on the doorstep of the Longfellow’s backyard and Jack rang the doorbell.  One of the kitchen maids came to the door, Nancy answered the door. 

 

“Jack!  Spot!  Oh you boys did get handsome.” Nancy smiled joyfully.  The boys laughed and each gave Nancy a kiss on the check. 

 

“Come in, Casey was getting anxious that you both wouldn’t come and well she was getting ready to find you both.” Nancy was laughing. 

 

“And bring you back by the ear.”  South finished the thought from the door.

 

“Ah you were never one much for non-violence.” Jack nodded. 

 

“Come on, your later then I wanted you to be.” South turned around and led the boys into the study where the suits were laying lined up. 

 

“Are you picking up the others?” South asked. 

 

“Of course we are.  That is except Critter’s, I was under no assumption that he wasn’t coming himself.”

 

“Yes, O’Connell.  He’s lucky if I don’t skin him alive.” South gritted her teeth.  The door swung open at that point. 

 

“I believe that I can charm my way out of that situation.” Critter laughed at South as he walked in with Cricket. 

 

“Charming you may be, but Christopher O’Connell, I am in no mood for your charming antics,” South spat at him.

 

“Why aren’t you in a lovely mood.” Critter smiled wonderfully at her and took her hand to kiss in a dashing manner.

 

“Cricket.  I’m going to kill your best man, can you find a new one by tomorrow?” She glared at her husband to be. 

 

“Now Casey, he’s just having a bit of fun with you.  Get them their suits, your mother is going to be here in moments to retrieve you.  You have to have a good night’s sleep before you become my wife.” Cricket smiled dashingly in a manner only Critter and him seemed to be able to achieve.  South rolled her eyes and turned back to easier targets. 

 

“So late, so impossible to work with you boys.  Honestly I asked a simply thing from both of you,” South mumbled to herself as she handed them the suits. 

 

“These are yours, why don’t you boys stay here with Cricket tonight?” She asked, her voice suddenly changing.

 

“She’s afraid we’ll be late to the wedding.” Spot laughed. 

 

“YOU HAD BETTER NOT BE LATE TO MY WEDDING!” South punched Spot in the shoulder. 

 

“Yes ma’am.” Jack tried to stifle his laugh. 

 

“Impossible,” South groaned and that’s when the doorbell rang.

 

“Damn my mother.” South glared at Spot and Jack once more before heading out of the door.  “Not Late!” She pointed at them. 

 

“I’ll be right back.  I must escort my beautiful wife to be.” Cricket laughed as he walked out. 

 

“Boys.” Critter nodded at them.  “Good and on time.”

 

“We’re always on time.” Jack nodded slightly.  Knowing well enough that Critter had been waiting for them to show up so that he could talk to them. 

 

“You’ve heard?” Spot asked, avoiding anymore small talk. 

 

“I have, Cricket and I are going to finish the talk later tonight.  He will be taking Laces in on Monday afternoon.” Critter nodded. 

 

“But she doesn’t know!” Jack exclaimed.  “She’s not going to like this.”

 

“That’s why I’m going to handle it.” Critter shrugged. 

 

“But, well.  Critter, she’s going to need time to adjust.  Don’t you think it’s better for the newsies to keep her for a little while?” Spot asked, almost helplessly.

 

“No.  She will be staying with Cricket.  She will adapt.  She will be fine,” Critter said firmly. 

 

“You didn’t tell her?” Spot asked. 

 

“Of course not.  You must tell her.” Critter looked pointedly at both the boys. 

 

“We have to tell her?” Jack asked.  There was silence which was an implied yes to Jack and Spot.  Cricket walked back into the room and knew what the conversation had consisted of before he entered. 

 

“Let’s go have a drink in the sitting room.” Cricket led the way.  The boys sat down and Nancy brought them all drinks and left feeling the tension as it was building. 

 

“Are you going to ask her Jack?” Cricket asked silently.  Spot snapped up and Critter looked uncomfortable. 

 

“I don’t know!” Jack threw his hands into the air.  “It’s happening so fast.  So fast.  I don’t think she’s ready, I know I’m not.   But I don’t know how long I’m going to be gone.  I have no idea if she’s going to wait for me, I don’t know what’s going to happen to her without us here.  I don’t think we should be leaving her.” Jack looked fixedly at the ground.  There was silence before there was tap at the window. 

 

“Look, there’s Blue.” Critter rolled his eyes before standing up to get the window.  Blue hopped through it quickly. 

 

“I thought I would get my suit,” he said evasively. 

 

“And help us with Conlon some?” Critter nodded knowing Blue’s intentions well enough. 

 

“What do you mean help with me?” Conlon demanded. 

 

“Well, Jacky boy here has told us he is confused.  But you Spot, what are you going to do.  Are you going to ask her before you leave?” Critter asked.  Spot glared at Critter and Blue. 

 

“I don’t have to tell you what I’m planning to do about anything.” He crossed his arms. 

 

“Come on Spot, we’re just wondering.  We know that things are happening fast, but you have to think this out.  You can’t just jump into this like you’ve jumped into everything else.  Do you understand?” Blue asked. 

 

“Did you guys plan this?” Jack asked.

 

“Who else was going to make you think about your futures?” Critter asked. 

 

“Cricket so kindly let us borrow his home, not to mention he is well learned in the habit of futures.” Blue nodded. 

 

“I don’t want a future,” Spot said defiantly. 

 

“Are you done acting like a child?” Critter demanded.  Blue quickly stepped on Critter’s foot. 

 

“Are you both going to talk to Laces tonight?” he asked. 

 

“Laces, where is she?” Jack asked.  “She was supposed to be with you!” He was looking directly at Critter. 

 

“She is visiting with Buttercup.” Critter smiled slightly. 

 

“I can’t believe you!” Spot stood up angrily. 

 

“Spot Conlon, sit down!” Blue pushed him a bit.  Spot’s temper was rising. 

 

“We figured you would need help talking to both of them.  So we made it easier.” Critter looked directly at Spot. 

 

“We’re really going to leave.” Jack stood up, looking fierce almost daring any of the older boys to attempt to stop him. 

 

“Kelly, we need to talk to Conlon.” Critter sent a piercing glare at Jack.  Jack looked angry but he shrugged. 

 

“I don’t want to sit here then, I’ll just wait for him in the kitchen.  Maybe Nancy can be better company,” Jack spat as he turned on his heel.  Cricket sat for a moment with the other boys waiting for Jack to be completely in the kitchen before he got up and followed.  Critter, Blue and Spot were left by themselves. 

 

“I don’t have to listen to the two of you.  Neither of you is any better then I am!” Spot gritted his teeth.  He didn’t face his problems, he always dove in.

 

“Look here Patrick Conlon.” Critter started staring at him harshly.  Spot looked at the ceiling and Critter stood up fiercely. 

 

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!” Critter demanded.  Spot jumped up and stood tall, being almost as tall as Critter was the two stood starring at each other for a moment. 

 

“So are you all an act Christopher O’Connell, do you actually have anything to say to me?” Spot taunted at Critter. 

 

“You’re testing my patience.  But I do have something to say to you.  You need to talk to Buttercup before you leave, propose if you feel like it, but at least talk to her.  You must talk to Laces, you must make her understand.  If you do nothing else, but that child understand you’re leaving, even if you don’t tell her when.” Critter sighed the last part and stood there unblinkingly starring at Spot.  The two just stood there in silence, Blue was on his feet also, standing close enough to both to separate a fight. 

 

“You have grown,” said a soft voice from the door.  The three boys turned defensively with their fists clenched and ready to fly at whomever had entered. 

 

They turned to be facing Blaze, Hunter and Chesapeake.  The words had been uttered from Blaze who looked so much older, so far and distant from the world that boys had seen her in. 

 

“I always wondered about you three, so much alike you acted.” Chesapeake nodded, smiling lightly to the boys whom had been the center of her life for so many years.  There they stood, proud and defiant as they had always been.  Critter stood tall with his shaggy brown hair and his glittering dangerous brown eyes.  While in the middle Blue was settling from a pouncing position, being the tallest of the three boys his head towering a bit over Critter’s.  The youngest and shortest, though not by much, was Spot who was in his stance giving the legendary birds a fierce glare. 

 

“What have you always wondered, my love?” Critter asked Chesa in a tone that dared her to test her limits. 

 

“The three of you, if it were possible that you were Conlon’s brothers,” Chesa almost whispered her thought.  “He did lose two of them.”

 

“Though we’ve always known it wasn’t true,” Hunter added quickly. 

 

“But you acted so much like brothers, you always have the three of you.” Blaze nodded, looking lost in her thoughts for a moment.  “Grown so much.”

 

“Are you really leaving?” Chesa asked Spot.  Spot seemed to have lost a lot of color from his flushed and angry face.  He nodded weakly back at her and then glanced at Critter and Blue. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Cricket had followed Jack into the kitchen quickly, not wanting to waste time.  Time had become very precious to all of them in the recent days because life was moving faster then even they were accustomed. 

 

“Jack?” Cricket said softly knowing he was treading on the possibility of being punched.  Jack sat down silently at the table and stared up at Cricket. 

 

“Are you going to let her marry me, even after she becomes your ward?” he asked, almost desperately.  Cricket ran a hand through his hair and sat down at the table with Jack. 

 

“She can marry whoever she wants Jack,” Cricket responded not looking up from his hands. 

 

“So you don’t even think she’ll want me when I come back, not after what you have to offer her.” Jack shook his head miserably.  Cricket looked alarmed, he didn’t know what he thought.  He didn’t know if he wanted Laces to be in love with Jack.  He didn’t know if she wanted him to marry the boy he had known since his childhood.  For Jack Kelly was as legendary and as troublesome as Bryan Kai and Spot Conlon.  Cricket had carried the burden of not fulfilling his promise to his best friend for so many years that now he didn’t know what to do.  Bryan had asked him, Cricket, to take care of his sisters and look in on Mrs. Kai once in a while.  Cricket had visited Mrs. Kai until her dying day, he had taken care of Carolyn until the moment she got married and no longer needed his protection.  But Laces, she was the baby and she had always been the favorite.  Cricket had failed miserably with Laces, he had lost her and not been able to find her for so many years.  He stared at Jack who looked besides himself with anguish.  Jack Kelly was a man now, he was no longer the boy of the streets who enjoyed smoking and lied as a living.  More then anything Cricket could see that Jack Kelly was a man in love with the little girl he was trying to protect.  What Cricket could not decide was if he wanted this man, Jack Kelly, to be in love with little Audrey. 

 

“She’s not little Tom, you know she’s not,” he heard a voice say in his head. 

 

“Jack is she in love?” Cricket had said the words before he had even thought about them.

 

“In love?” Jack echoed back.  There was silence for mere seconds before Jack looked contempt, like a calm serenity had befallen him. 

 

“Do you know she was thirteen when we found her, she had never been in love then.  No she didn’t understand if she was in love with Spot or I.  We both of course were foolish and lived for competition between each other since our Manhattan days.  So we were naturally attempting to romantically persuade her for no actual purpose, or feelings that even existed but for fun.  But before we both knew it, we were in love.  Spot in love with his chase and me actually in love with my prey.  She was beautiful and captivating like no one I had ever known.” Jack smiled. 

 

“But didn’t you date Sarah before you even tried with Laces?” Cricket asked.  Jack laughed, though it sounded hallow. 

 

“Sarah, yes I did.  But the thing was Laces had run away, we didn’t know where she had gone.  We weren’t sure what we were suppose to do.  She had tested the power we had strived for so many years to achieved.  We weren’t use to being anywhere but the top of the streets and Spot and I just couldn’t risk it over a girl.  But we were both worried beyond our wits of course we would never let each other know.  When she came back to us it was different, she didn’t act the same way.  There was less lost little girl in her when she returned and she seemed to be in love.” Jack sighed. 

 

“With Pockets?” Cricket nodded. 

 

“They had a great relationship, sometimes I wonder about them.  They are still friends, the way they treat each other.” Jack trailed off a bit in his thoughts but came back to staring at Cricket. 

 

“I think Pockets is in love with Angel.” Cricket provided. 

 

“He has been since he was a kid.” Jack nodded.  “So when they ended their relationship, Laces and I had nothing left to keep us.  We just sort of fell into each other’s arms.”

 

“So you are in love?” Cricket asked. 

 

“What do you feel for South?” Jack asked, looking up hopefully at Cricket. 

 

“For Casey?” Cricket looked stunned for about a second.  “When I see her cry, I wipe away her tears.  When I see her dance, I dance with her.  When I hear her voice, I talk back.  When I think about her I see my childhood and my future children.  I feel at lost for all words, feelings and time when I feel for Casey.”

 

Jack suddenly smiled brightly and stood up from the table looking determined. 

 

“Jack?” Cricket stood up also. 

 

“I’m in love Cricket.  I’m in love with the girl who took my breath away from the moment she looked defiantly at me.” Jack almost laughed and walked out of the kitchen. 

 

“Love.” Cricket nodded and followed. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Don’t lecture me about my life and my future until you have your own futures,” Spot suddenly whispered as he turned fiercely back to Blue and Critter.  Both of the older boys looked stun and stared confused at Spot. 

 

“What do you mean Conlon?” Critter asked. 

 

“You know what I mean.” Spot threw him a smile and spun around to call for Jack.  But at that moment Jack came walking through the door of the kitchen. 

 

“We are leaving.” Jack announced. 

 

“I hope you all have a good night.” Spot agreed and both boys briskly walked out the back door almost knocking down Cricket without another word. 

 

“That was lovely.” Critter sighed as he slumped back into his arm chair. 

 

“I would expect so.” Chesa suspiciously looked around before following suit to sit down. 

 

“Really have grown,” Blaze mumbled to herself one last time and sat with Hunter. 

 

“Did you think they wouldn’t?” Hunter asked her. 

 

“I don’t know.  Didn’t seem possible.  Spot Conlon and Jack Kelly are leaving New York.” Blaze shook her head. 

 

“We stopped being birds you know, we didn’t think that would ever happen.” Cricket laughed maliciously.  They sat there nodding to themselves and allowing the past to captivate their minds.  But the remembering was only allowed for a second, because kids of the streets learned never to dwell. 

 

“Is he going to propose?” Chesa asked. 

 

“Which one?” Critter rolled his eyes. 

 

“Are they both going to?” Blaze asked.  Critter and Cricket both shrugged. 

 

“How about Brooklyn and Manhattan are they ready to lose their leaders?” Hunter asked.

 

“That’s no longer our problem.” Critter sighed. 

 

“But you know nevertheless…” Chesa trailed off a bit. 

 

“Cap has much of that figured out on his own.  The birds know well enough, I don’t really find the need to keep up anymore.” Critter shrugged. 

 

“Is Casey coming?” Hunter asked. 

 

“Of course she is, she just has to wait a bit.  You know that she can’t be seen here before our wedding.” Cricket smiled wickedly.   

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Cap was sprinting back towards Brooklyn, he had to get to the lodging house.  He had to get the boys of Brooklyn to fight with Matt and he had little time left.  He could feel it, his time was running out and these boys had to take over.  The future of Brooklyn and Manhattan depended on Matt and Snipes taking over, properly and unchallenged.  He knew it and he knew it was up to him now, he was fully aware that Spot and Jack had given up the fight. 

 

Cap was short of breath once he arrived an alleyway before the Brooklyn  Lodging House.  He stood there next to the wall and took shaky breaths in.  He glanced around him, this was the alley in which he had met Spot Conlon so many years before.  Spot had been walking along with his smirk plastered on his face because he had just had a outing with a girl.  Cap had been sitting there, staring at the brick wall in front of him lost and confused as only an orphan could be.  Spot tripped over him and instead of being the tough Brooklyn boy and beating Cap senseless he helped him.  Conlon showed his moment of softness to Cap and took him into the lodging house and protected him from the other newsies.  That was when Spot was not the leader and he was smaller and not as tough but nevertheless Cap had learned from him.  Cap was breathing smoothly again and smiled slightly at his past as he walked into the Brooklyn Lodging House. 

 

He found a few of the boys sitting around in the bunkroom and he immediately grabbed a tougher looking one.  Tricks, was one of the largest Brooklyn newsies, he had been at the lodging house for about three years.  One of the only newsies that Cap could think would fight to be the leader, and he knew what he had to do.  Stage a fight, a fight that Matt would win.  Not because Matt had any particular amount of talent but because Matt was more stubborn than anyone else. 

 

“I was just wondering, if you’ve heard anything recently?” Cap asked in a mock evasive manner. 

 

“What kind of something?” Tricks yawned. 

 

“Oh so you haven’t heard what Matt’s been saying?” Cap’s eyes glittered a moment. 

 

“What has Matt been saying?” Tricks suddenly looked interested. 

 

“Oh nothing much, just the supposed.  Thinking that your all hot air, can’t actually hold your own in a fight.  Or at least that’s what I heard he was saying.” Cap shrugged and walked away.  Leaving Tricks fuming and looking ready to start a fight.  Cap walked out of the bunkroom and down the stairs he wasn’t sure where Matt was but he needed him to be there now.  As if God was listening to Cap’s very thoughts the front door swung open and in skipped Matt. 

 

“What are you looking so joyous about?” Cap asked caught off guard by the sudden happiness of Matt’s step.  Matt grinned.

 

“Wouldn’t you like to know little buddy.” Matt started to walk past Cap. 

 

“Little buddy?” Cap cocked an eyebrow and his fists lifted almost automatically. 

 

“No need to beat me senseless over it is there.” Matt laughed as he keep walking up the stairs. 

 

“No, of course not.  It’s to early for me to have to fight with you,” Cap mumbled to himself.  Matt walked into the bunkroom and Cap sat there on the last step of the stairs looking up at the counter.  Rick was bending over the sign in book and scribbling notes. 

 

“It’s a girl you know.” Rick looked up slightly. 

 

“I know, and you know that it’s soon,” Cap asked carefully. 

 

“Yes I know.” Rick nodded solemnly.  “I just hope that all hell doesn’t break lose here.  Like the last time it happened, or even worse the time before.”

 

“The time before, there was deaths weren’t there?” Cap asked. 

 

“There usually is.” Rick nodded. 

 

“Right.  Well there might be a few black eyes.” Cap jumped to his feet as he heard the crash from the room above. 

 

“Let’s hope it’s just that.” Rick turned his back to Cap and put away a few of the papers that had been on the counter. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Snipes was half asleep on his top bunk when Sand walked into the room.  Sand knew what Cap had asked him to do, he just didn’t know how he was going to do it.  There were boys all over the room, dawdling and talking.  It was the lounging part of the day when the newsies were just getting ready to hit the streets and waste away their few cents earned  throughout the day.  Sand then spotted his first opportunity, Jolt a big shouldered recently new kid was standing near the bunk where Snipes slept.  Sand stood there and surveyed the situation for some time thinking about all the possibilities of how to start a fight.  Sand wanted to ultimately move Jolt over to be almost directly under the bunk where Snipes was but he wasn’t sure what he could do to achieve this. 

 

A shoulder had been shoved into Sand’s side and Sand immediately got defensive.  He flew to strike at whoever or whatever had been pushed into him.  In walked Blink with Pixie twirling around his feet. 

 

“Pixie!” Sand was caught off guard on many levels, forgetting for seconds his urgent plan.  Pixie smiled her charming still little girl smile as she gave him a hug.  Then she turned to search out who else she wanted to greet.  That’s when the idea struck Sand, when he knew just how to start a perfect fight between a few of the boys and Snipes.  But he needed to delay the responses from Blink and Race.  But there was no time for thought, Sand pulled out a piece of candy he had in his pocket.  And looked to see Pixie heading towards the bunk where Snipes was sleeping and near Jolt. 

 

“Hey Pix, you might like this!” Sand called to her and waited only a moment for her to look back and acknowledge he was going to throw it.  He aimed towards Jolt, hoping his plan would work for the sake of his own health.  Pixie ran over to try and catch the piece of candy and Sand watched as she tumbled into Jolt, who was known for his lack of patience. 

 

“Hey pipsqueak!” Jolt shouted angrily as he grabbed Pixie’s pigtail.  Pixie let out a loud scream and Blink and Race were about to step in when Sand shove himself with all his might into Blink who stumbled into Race. 

 

“Sand!” Blink let out a frustrated sigh.  But Sand was watching Snipes who had sat up immediately when Pixie had screamed.  He had estimated correctly, Snipes jumped down from the bunk and waltzed over to Jolt. 

 

“Let her go,” he said patiently. 

 

“The brat just ran into me, someone should teach her something about manners.” Jolt now had a grip on Pixie’s shoulder. 

 

“Or you should learn how to treat a girl.” And with that Snipes gave Jolt a right hook in the chin.  Jolt stumbled back taking Pixie with him and she ended up on the ground.  Blink grabbed her quickly and swiftly held her away from the fight.  Jolt stood up and put his fists up trying to find an unprotected area to strike Snipes in.  But Snipes was an experienced fighter and with his luck of taking the first punch he was prepared to protect himself. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Matt had slammed Tricks into one of the bunks and was soon lunging after him.  Cap stood at the door shaking his head, Matt may not have style but he had guts.  Tricks threw some powerful jabs at Matt’s chest as Matt flew into him.  The two boys tumbled around the ground when Matt pushed Tricks into Freight. 

 

“Damn it, you knuckle brained twit.” Freight got up pushing Tricks away from him and heading towards Matt.  Cap got a little nervous at this, he could guarantee a win for Matt against Tricks and even maybe against Freight but not both together.  Matt was ready though and the fighting now commenced from both angles.  The fight raged for some time, the rest of the Brooklyn boys sat on the sidelines watching and cheering whoever was winning.  Matt was performing amazingly well, better then Cap even thought possible.  Even better the boys were getting tired and Matt wouldn’t surrender so the fight would be won by Matt.  Cap watched the other Brooklyn boys in the room, they were impressed.  This was exactly what he wanted, everything was almost set. 

 

As Matt delivered a swift cross punch into Freight’s shoulder that sent him stumbling back tripping Tricks.  There was huffing and puffing for a moment when Matt started at the two of them, fists up and shoulders square. 

 

“Leave them be Matt, they’ve had enough.” Deer said from one of the bunks.  Cap tensed for a moment, if Matt listened it could lose all the respect he had just gained.  Matt didn’t even stop he hooked right and hit Freight in the eye and hook left nearly missing Tricks as Tricks was ducking. 

 

“All right.” Freight said through a bleeding lip, he crawled a bit over to get his hat and then stood up carefully and walked out of the room.  Matt stood still in stance while Tricks tumbled about a bit on the ground before grunting and heaving himself into his bunk.  Matt relaxed and stormed out of the room without talking to anyone.  Cap smiled to himself for a second as he surveyed the room, he couldn’t have planned it any better had he tried. 

 

The Brooklyn boys were stunned for a moment and Cap walked out after Matt. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Snipes threw a few more punches at Jolt and then grabbed Pixie carefully pulling her towards his body. 

 

“You see this girl Jolt, you ever touch her again I swear you won’t be able to touch anyone ever again.” Snipes was glaring at the angry looking body in front of him. 

 

“Yeah, sure.” Jolt grumbled and moved past Sand at the door and walked out without another two words to anyone.  Snipes lifted Pixie to his bunk and started talking to her quietly.   Meanwhile Blink and Race had stood up and had grabbed either side of Sand.  They spun Sand around and walked him out of the bunkroom into the empty hall. 

 

“What were you doing?” Blink demanded. 

 

“What are you talking about?” Sand attempted to act innocent. 

 

“You know what we are talking about, it almost seems like you planned that.” Race gritted his teeth a bit, trying to look menacing which was never one of his strong points. 

 

“Nothing, I was just doing what I was told that’s all.  I wasn’t trying to get into any trouble or anything.” Sand shrugged and wriggled his way out of the grip he was in. 

 

“Who told you to do what?” Blink asked. 

 

“I’m not sure I can say if you don’t know.” Sand shook his head.  “Please, just don’t ask.” With that plead Sand ran off into the bunkroom near Snipes where he figured he’d be a bit safer even safe from Blink and Race.

 

“Who do you think told him to do that?” Blink asked. 

 

“Not Jack.” Race shrugged.  “Not sure.  We can see if Jack knows anything about this later though.”

 

“Snipes is young.” Blink stared at Snipes, who had grown inches it seemed overnight.  His curly head was leaning against the edge of the mattress of his top bunk as he poked at Pixie a bit. 

 

“They’ve grown, just look at Pixie, she’s only eight and she’s starting to be a girl.” Race sighed. 

 

“She was always a girl.” Blink laughed. 

 

“You know what I mean.” Race playfully smacked Blink and Blink nodded.  Pixie sat on the bed, her hair in loose curls  not the tight baby curls of her time at the lodging houses.  Her eyes seemed smaller on her face, not so large and innocent as before.  Yes, Snipeshooter was  turning into the tough teen and Pixie into a girl not yet a young woman but a girl.  Both boys shivered as they suddenly thought about how they must look, how they must have shed their teenage appearance and now seemed fully grown men. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Laces was sitting in one of the empty rooms of the Rose with Buttercup.  Hunter had retrieved Buttercup from the countryside earlier that afternoon with the flimsy excuse of the wedding.  But both BC and Laces knew that something else was going on, otherwise one of the legendry birds would not have bothered with BC.  Laces had been directed by Critter to meet Hunter and BC near the Rose a few hours ago. 

 

“Did Hunter tell you when the boys would be here?” Laces asked as she stared out the window for what seemed like the hundredth time. 

 

“No Laces, I would think that Critter would have told you.  You are his pet and everything and with your tendency to run away or get distracted.  I would have thought he might have given you some kind of time frame,” BC responded. 

 

“Possibly.  I don’t think he actually knew when they would be here.  I have a bad feeling about all of this.” Laces mumbled to herself as she shifted again.  There was a few moments of silence before Laces suddenly stood up and walked out the door. 

 

“Fine, don’t tell me where you are going,” BC flung herself onto the bed that was in the room and stared at the ceiling.  These boys were lucky this was a weekend and she didn’t have school to teach, she would have not been able to come on this little adventure had she had school to teach.  But then again she doubted that the boys had thought about the inconvenience they might be causing to her.  Spot Conlon, the almighty, had never once thought about the world he lived in not to bend for his very will and she knew that.  But she also, like Laces, had a terrible feeling about this meeting.  She had not spoken to Spot in a few weeks, they had avoided correspondence, possibly because of the fact that Spot would not write letters but they had not even talked about a way to keep in touch.  Buttercup had been worried that Spot would soon start to see another girl, he was never use to being without a girl for very long and that she knew very well.   

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Spades and Pockets were sitting near the bell desk of the entrance of the Rose playing with some old cards. 

 

“That hidden ace is obvious Spades, you’re getting sloppy.  You want Blue and me to find you in some refuge, we’re getting a little too old.  Sooner rather then later they going to start sending us to them jails, where they might not be so kind.” Pockets sighed heavily. 

 

“You cheat?” Laces said in a  mock surprised voice. 

 

“You still upstairs, I thought you might have crawled out the window ages ago.” Pockets laughed at Laces. 

 

“And to think that Critter and Hunter entrusted you two with keeping us where we were, as I know that they did.” Laces giggled a bit. 

 

“Oh, but those boys know better then to entrust merely us.  Mostly because Pockets is usually more aid to you then them and me, and well I believe in free will.” Spades winked and lifted her chin a bit. 

 

“Of course the birds are on the rooftop watching the window.” Laces nodded.  “I have my way with them also.”

”And to think Critter thought you were such a well behaved girl now.” Spot said from behind Laces.  Spot Conlon and Jack Kelly had just walked into the Rose, both boys looking suspiciously older.  Laces turned to face the boys and though she had turned with a smile, she was shocked when she actually looked at them.  Laces stared at her boys and suddenly she saw them, for the first time in years she saw Patrick and Francis as their true selves.  Laces had seen these boys every day for the last few years but today, at this moment she saw how tall they stood.  She noticed how square their shoulders were, she saw the lines where wrinkles would one day form.  But her shock came from their eyes, their eyes were not young anymore. 

 

            “When did your eyes stop being young?” Laces whispered as she stumbled back a bit. 

 

            “Laces what is wrong?  Are you all right?” Jack jumped to her side. 

 

            “Have you eaten, have you slept?  Are you getting sick?” Spot jumped to her other side.  Laces stood there for a moment with her boys at either side and Pockets and Spades behind her.  She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. 

 

            “She’s just wanting attention is all.” Pockets was mumbling to Spades behind her.  Laces flashed her eyes open and turned to Pockets. 

 

            “I do not want any attention you horrible boy.” She growled.  Pockets winked at her before dropping his cards. 

 

            “Spot you know Buttercup is upstairs.” Spades yawned.  “I’m going to nap, if you want to walk up with me and I’ll show you what room she’s in.” At that both Spades and Spot took off up the stairs leaving just Pockets, Jack and Laces. 

 

            “I guess that means I’m going to find something to do.” Pockets picked up his cards, stuck his hands in his pockets and walked into one of the back rooms closing the door behind him. 

 

            Jack sat down on the counter and held out his arms to pull Laces up to him.  Laces stood where she was though, staring hard at Jack.

 

            “You’re leaving, soon,” she whispered.

 

            “Come sit with me.” Jack motioned to her, ignoring that look in her eyes.

 

            “When?” She took a step back. 

 

            “Laces, please.  Don’t do that.” Jack begged her as he outstretched his hand.  Laces took a few shallow breaths and then slowly walked herself to the counter and hoisted herself up to sit next to Jack. 

 

            “When?” she asked. 

 

            “Audrey, you know that I don’t want to hurt you,” Jack started. 

 

            “Jack, when?” she insisted. 

 

            “Please, listen to me.  I want you to know that I care for you.” Jack grabbed Laces hand. 

 

            “Care,” Laces whispered.  “Don’t leave without…”

 

            “I will come back to you.” Jack cut her off. 

 

            “Because you care.” Laces was almost talking to herself. 

 

            “No, because I love you,” Jack whispered as he dropped Laces hand.  Laces stopped breathing for a second and then jumped off the counter. 

 

            “No.  No you can’t say that.” She started shaking her head. 

 

            “Audrey, Audrey honey.” Jack carefully jumped off the counter. 

 

            “You can’t love me.  You just can’t.” Laces shook her head and Jack tried to grab her arm. 

 

            “Audrey, please don’t.  Just let me, why don’t we talk.” Jack reached for her again but Laces shook her head furiously and ran into a back room slamming the door shut. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

            “Are you going to ask her then tonight?” Spades was standing with Spot in front of the closed door of the room where Buttercup was sitting. 

 

            “Maybe, it isn’t any of your business,”  Spot responded. 

 

            “I think it might be some of my business if my cousin is getting married.” Spades lightly punched Spot in the shoulder.  Spot glared at her a moment then opened the door and walked into the room leaving Spades not only alone but speechless. 

 

            Spot entered the room and saw Buttercup sitting on the bed.  She was in a little blue dress, a conservative design that cover most of her shoulders and part of her neck.  She was wearing her reddish hair in a loose bun, and looked much older and calmer than Spot had ever seen her.  Spot reminded himself that his girl was now a teacher, a school teacher. 

 

            “Good afternoon Spot Conlon.” Buttercup smiled lightly as she sat up to face Spot.   “Something rather important must be going on if your birds had to fetch me from the north.”

 

            “You still mad at me then?” Spot asked as he stared at her cold look, her cold posture, and her distance from him was unnatural. 

 

            “I was never mad at you.” BC shrugged and stared out the window. 

 

            “You are mad.” Spot nodded and took the initiative and sat down next to her.  BC shifted a bit so that her body was away from Spot’s.  They sat there silent for a second. 

 

            “You’re leaving,” BC whispered as she surveyed him.  Spot was sitting in a closed position, something he rarely did.  His hands were twisted up and his eyes were downcast, a rare sight for anyone.  Buttercup had never once seen Spot Conlon downcast his eyes for any long period of time. 

 

            “What?” Spot jolted his head up and stared at BC’s eyes for a second. 

 

            “You are then.” BC nodded.  “They brought me for you to tell me.  Well at least I know that you like my enough to tell me.”

 

            “Of course I like you, what on earth are you talking about.  And I’m not leaving…” Spot started. 

 

            “Don’t lie.  There’s nothing else that would bring me here.  Laces is fine, she was sitting in here with me.  She may be unhappy but it must be because she can sense it too.  She must know that you and Jack are leaving.  No one has died, I think I would have found that out right away.  I wouldn’t be back for a war, or any announcement.  You are leaving and you had the decency to say good bye.” BC sadly shook her head and then stood up,

 

            “Tate, sit back down.” Spot pleaded.

 

            “No, no I think I want to stand.   I think I want to stand as I feel my heart stop as you tell me that you will think of  me while you’re gone.  While you tell me that you won’t see other girls.  I want to feel the pain, I think I need to stand for that.”

 

            “Tate, listen to me for a second.  Just a second, please?” Spot stood also and held out his hand.  Buttercup just nodded but crossed her arms across her chest as her hair seemed to dance around her temples.  Spot ran his hand through his hair and stuck the other hand in his pocket.

 

            “Ok, know that I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time.  It just seems like the time and place.  It has nothing to do with you going to teach, or Jack or Laces or anyone.  Its something I’ve been thinking about since you left, I won’t lie but it doesn’t have to do with that.”  Spot started pacing at this point and BC frowned thinking he was very nervous about leaving. 

 

            “Spot are you ok?” BC asked. 

 

            “BC, Tate, I’m just wait.” Spot stopped and stood for a second then he walked briskly over to BC.  His eyes were wide and then he got down on one knee at this BC jumped back. 

 

            “What are you doing?” she demanded, now her voice was high pitched. 

 

            “Sophie will you marry me?” Spot asked.  Buttercup Tate stood there and stared at Spot Conlon, he was on his knee and he had just proposed.  Tate had thought her proposal and the romantic scene she would be in when it happened, had she not been so busy staring at Spot she would have noticed how unromantic the proposal had in fact been.  Spot reached out and grabbed her limp hand and she remained starring and mouth half open. 

 

            “Sophie?” Spot whispered, in a much smaller voice then his proposal.  There was even a hint of fear in his voice as he stayed on his knee and looked at her hand. 

 

            “Spot, spot you just.” Sophie slowly moved down to her knees and sat eye level to Spot.  “You want to marry me?” 

 

            Spot smiled his charming smile that had made girls upon girls go weak in the knees so many times before.  He took hold of both of BC’s hands now and sighed. 

 

            “I’m not only asking because I’m leaving, I’ve been wanting to ask for some time.  You of course would understand that the wedding wouldn’t be able to happen until I come back from out west,” Spot said softly.  BC sat there though totally awestruck of all the things she had expected from Spot Conlon tonight, a marriage proposal was not one of them. 

 

            “So what do you say Sophie?” Spot asked again now a tinge of worry in his voice. 

 

            “I, well, yes.” BC broke into a smile and Spot leaned over and kissed her.  It might have been a bare room, in a half burnt building, with no candles or other people around but Sophie could not have imagined anything more romantic. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

            “Laces?  What’s wrong?  What happened?” Pockets had jumped to his feet when Laces had come barging through the double doors.  She was standing now back to the doors, breathing hard and twirling the ends of her hair a habit she only really did when she was really nervous. 

 

            “He can’t.  He just can’t and after telling me that he was, I can’t believe this.  I need to go somewhere, anywhere.  Anywhere but here but where to go, with birds and Critter.  And the wedding, I’m suppose to be at the wedding but no I have to go, the window I can go out the window.” Laces was rapidly talking to herself as she suddenly bolted to the nearest window and started trying to open it at that Pockets grabbed her from behind and carefully pried her from the window. 

 

            “Laces, what is going on?” Pockets shook her a bit and made her look at him and not at the window.  He was terrified that she would indeed run away from him and out the window too quickly for anyone to catch her.  She was scared and he knew that when she was scared it was trouble, for everyone and anyone involved.  He also knew that no matter how much the birds, Critter, Spot or Jack wanted to watch her every moment if Laces wanted to be lost she would be lost. 

 

            “Jack, Jack said that he, well he said that he.” Laces stopped and looked back at the closed double doors. 

 

            “Ah, he said that did he.” Pockets nodded smiling to himself.  “And he told you that he was leaving didn’t he?”

 

            “Well, he didn’t exactly say that he was leaving but I know he’s leaving.  I have for a while but now I think it’s going to be any minute.  How dare he tell me that he, well that you know, right before he leaves.  Who does he think he is?” Laces suddenly looked angry. 

 

            “Laces come sit down for a second with me and listen.” He directed her carefully to the couch and pushed her lightly into sitting.  “Ok love, you know that Jack Kelly is in love with you and I know you do so don’t pretend you don’t.  I know that also scares you just because your scared though his feelings aren’t going to go away.  Now you shouldn’t be running away from him, you know you are going to regret it precious and well when that happens we all worry about you.  This is a time to be strong, you know that Jack needs to leave.  You know that as much as you don’t want him to leave.” Pockets messed up Laces hair and jumped up to help her stand up. 

 

            “Pockets, I don’t want to go back out there.  Just give me a few more minutes.” She pleaded with him, but at least she was smiling now. 

 

            “No can do, sorry princess.  You must get up now and you must talk to that boy in there.  Who may I just say is probably miserable thinking you don’t love him at all.  You know that don’t you, that you have him sitting in there fearing where you will go and what you will do.” Pockets gave her a mock severe look and then pulled her to a standing position and then he ran her through the room and held the door knob for a second. 

 

            “You be a good girl now, and try to remember that you love that boy.  No matter how charming I might be…” Pockets flashed a smile and Laces winked at him. 

 

            “Well if I can’t have Ben Harper I might as well have Jack Kelly.” She laughed. 

 

            “Indeed.” And with that Pockets threw open the doors and pushed Laces out of the room, closing the doors behind her tight hoping that she would not run out into the street next. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

            “So you been good Pixie, going to school, learning important stuff?” Snipes was asking Pixie.  The girl sat there and rolled her eyes slightly. 

 

            “I don’t like school.  I liked it better here, sell papers and not going to school.” Pixie smiled. 

 

            “Ah, you’re going to be smarter then me.  Then most of the boys.” Snipes winked at her.

 

            “Yeah smart and I’ll be like a little doll, ready to marry whatever man offers the rights things for me.  That is my fate is it not?  At least here I would have been able to grow and find myself and then maybe marry someone for love.” Pixie shrugged and  Snipes laughed,

 

            “Can we think about that when you’re a little older?  I don’t think I’m ready for you to get married.”  At Snipes comment Sand looked up and around the room, it was getting darker.  The night was falling which made Sand nervous he was running out of time, out of precious time according to Cap.  He didn’t know what to do there was no one near enough for him to somehow get them to bump into the temper heavy Snipes.  He sat there and scanned the room and listen to the conversations as he tried to figure out who else and how else to get Snipes to fight with the boys. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Damn it, I was in such a good mood and those idiots had to ruin it.” Matt was grumbling as he walked into the parlor.  Bottle Cap was following and looked knowingly over to Rick who was still sitting on the counter. 

 

“Why were you in a good mood?” Cap asked. 

 

“Ah, it doesn’t matter anymore.  The mood is gone, stupid oaf not like I couldn’t take him or anyone else in the room for that matter.  I would love to see them try to get on me, any of them.  I could soak them all.” Matt threw himself onto the couch. 

 

“Could you really, even Spot?” Cap cocked an eyebrow as he waited for the response. 

 

“Well Spot’s different, but I think I could take him.  I just don’t think I would.” Matt shrugged. 

 

“Spot would beat you senseless and you know it.” Cap laughed. 

 

“I don’t know, sometimes he loses his footing.  Most don’t notice there’s a few seconds though when he’s not completely fearless, I think that if I caught it I might be able to take him.  It is of course something I would never try, not because I’m scared of him or nothing but just because well he is Spot Conlon.”

 

“Right Spot Conlon.” Cap nodded. 

 

“Would you have taken him?” Matt look intently on Cap, Matt had learned Cap’s history a while ago.  He knew that Cap was tough, and though he understood what had happened he didn’t understand why Cap would not be able to be the leader just as everyone else thought he was going to be.

 

“Me, take Conlon.  Nah if I wanted something from Conlon I would just let Critter or Blue know.  They would handle him just fine for me, or a little less violent I would talk to Cat.” Cap smiled.

 

“Cat Conlon, I don’t think I’ve ever really talked to her.” Matt nodded.  “But would you take him?”

 

“Spot Conlon taught me how to fight.” Cap shrugged.

 

“You wouldn’t take him,” Matt whispered. 

 

“I think the point is I wouldn’t have to,” Cap responded his temper was flaring.  He didn’t want to think about ever having to fight Spot but he didn’t like having to think that he might not be able to win a fight, even a fight with the infamous Spot Conlon. 

 

“When did Spot teach you how to fight?” Matt asked. 

 

“When he found me on the streets.”  Cap shrugged. 

 

“You were young?” Matt asked. 

 

“I was very young, naïve and had no idea how to throw a proper punch.” Cap laughed. 

 

“That must have been something meeting Spot when he was younger.” Matt nodded.  “Did he always seem so, I don’t know, Spot Conlon like?”

 

“I think he’s always been that way.” Cap nodded. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Laces stood frighten with her back against the wall of the library she had just been thrown out.  The room was darker as the sun had completely set and Jack had not lit any of the candles that were placed on various counters.  Laces was staring at the back of Jack’s head, he was sitting on one of the couches with his head slightly hanging onto the support of his hands.  Laces had seen him in this position many times, the countless situations in which danger was eminent and problems were rampant and suddenly her breathing became harder.  Jack Kelly was sitting in a position of defeat not due to another leader, or any threats, or even any unwarranted deaths but because of her. 

 

“Do you not love me then?” Jack whispered without lifting his head or shifting.  Laces was working to breathe at this point and to feel her legs which seemed to have disappeared beneath her. 

 

“I....Jack,” Laces started coughing.  Jack stirred and turned to look at Laces, who was still paralyzed at the door and now coughing. 

 

“Are you all right?” he asked her, his voice soft and cold at the same time. 

 

“Jack,” she choked, “I, I have…” She went back into the fit of coughs and grasped at the door handle with her shaking hand.  Jack stood from the couch at this point and walked over to her hastily.  He grabbed her elbows and tried standing her up straight. 

 

“Are you sick? Why didn’t you tell us, we’ll have to get you to a doctor.” His voice was concerned now, coughing of this kind meant few things to kids in the street but usually it was death. 

 

“No, Jack.  I am, I have…” The coughing was dying down now but her hands were shaking violently and she slid from Jack’s grip back against the door and slowly to the ground.  Jack kneeled besides her on the ground and tried to lift her back but she shook her head violently.

 

“No, tell you,” Laces was whispering now. 

 

“Tell me, what is it?” Jack was whispering back to her his voice fearful.  He couldn’t lose her, not to something he couldn’t fight. 

 

“I.” She coughed a few more times and then the two just sat there in silence on the floor.  Laces was taking shaky loud breaths when she finally whispered. 

 

“In love with you.” She sighed.  Jack flashed one of the biggest smiles that Laces had ever seen on him.  He slid his arms under her body and lifted her up without any effort. 

 

“You aren’t sick?” Jack asked, a tinge of worry still in his eyes.

 

“No, I just.  It’s just telling you.” Laces sighed her body was now shaking.  She had done it, made herself as vulnerable as she could by telling someone who was leaving her that she loved them.  She started crying and sat her on the counter. 

 

“Sh, beautiful girl why do you cry?” Jack whispered to her as he wipe her tears. 

 

“Because boy, my love is leaving without me,” she responded.  

 

“No, what kind of boy would leave you?” He stood straight.  “And not come back?”

 

“You promise you will?” Laces looked up at him with the tears still falling. 

 

“I swear upon the love that I have always had for you, that nothing could keep me away from you.” Jack laughed as he winked at her.  He bent down and wiped a few more tears away before kissing her forehead softly. 

 

“So you love me?” he asked. 

 

“Don’t make me say it again.” Laces softly laughed. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

South and Cricket’s Wedding Day

 

The church was starting to fill up and anyone within a 10 mile radius might have been able to hear South screaming. 

 

“I hate this dress, I don’t know why I have to wear the cursed thing anyway.”

 

“Casey, please behave yourself.  You are a lady and ladies do not fret on their wedding days.  Honestly what will the guests think.” Mrs. McCain was commenting to her daughter as she walked out of the room,

 

“They might just know you hate your wedding dress.” Chesa laughed. 

 

“That’s what we would think.” South nodded. 

 

“Laces is here, has Critter told her yet?” Blaze was standing near the door and staring out whenever she heard the church doors open. 

 

“No, I believe he’s telling her tonight, or possibly just waiting until the boys get on a train tomorrow.” South shrugged. 

 

“Do you think it’s a good idea?” Blaze asked. 

 

“Critter has to start his life.  And with the girl running around he won’t feel able to,” Chesa responded. 

 

“But South, what do you think?” Blaze directed the question again.

 

“I think we must be careful with the girl, she is of course all the boy’s pet.” South shrugged.  “It might give me a practice at this motherhood thing which I am expected to fulfill sooner rather then later in my marriage.  McCain and Longfellow are long since established wealthy families that expect healthy and male heirs, though a few girls would only increase our value.” South sneered. 

 

“So you’re mother has told you then, about the heir needing situation.  Is it not like that in all the wealthy families?” Chesa laughed. 

 

“It appears so.” South nodded.  “The boys are all dressed, right?”

 

“Yes, I think so anyway.” Chesa shrugged. 

 

“You aren’t just lying to me so that I won’t kill anyone?” South glared at Chesapeake for a moment.  Chesa laughed and winked at Blaze. 

 

“It would be a great plan, wouldn’t it?”  The girls laughed as there was a knock at the door. 

 

“Ladies, I’m walking in I hope you are all less then decent.” Critter was saying as he stepped into the room. 

 

“You would wish for something like that.” Chesa growled a bit.  Critter flash a smile though and the girls smiled back. 

 

“You look dashing, we should dress you in suits more often.” South went up to him and straighten his tie. 

 

“You darling look beautiful also, though less like an angel then I think your mother would have hoped.” Critter winked and looked at himself in the mirror before turning to speak to the girls. 

 

“So, the boys are dressed.  See we weren’t lying,” Chesa commented. 

 

“Laces is here.  I think I’m going to tell her tomorrow morning when the boys get on the train.  I was wondering what my girls thought of that plan?” Critter asked.

 

“How exactly are we planning on maintaining Laces where we want her, don’t you think she’ll bolt at any notion from you that she is going to be forced somewhere but the lodging houses.  She has more freedom now then even I think you know, I don’t see her willing to give any of that freedom up,” Blaze commented. 

 

“Why don’t you tell her tonight?” South asked. 

 

“Jack told me how she acted last night, she hasn’t left his side since he told her.  They need their time tonight, I can’t make her mad at him before he leaves.  I can’t let her blame him, she has to blame me and think that Jack and Spot had nothing to do with the matter.” Critter shrugged.

 

“She’ll hate you then.” Chesa looked at him skeptically a moment. 

 

“She has hated me before, but the boys those boys wouldn’t be able to leave if they thought she was going to hate them.  It would be near an impossible feat for them to do that.” Critter shook his head. 

 

“I don’t think the problem is going to be her hate, but rather keeping her where you want her.  Critter, Cricket and I cannot go running around the city for her.  We just can’t and you know that.” South looked at him carefully. 

 

“She will stay where she is told to stay, I promise that.  But I was sent in here to get the girls, you ready to be a wife there Southie?” Critter asked. 

 

“A wife, I suppose I could try that.” South laughed and took a deep breath before looking at her reflection as her bridesmaids walked out. 

 

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

It was almost dawn and the Longfellow’s party had ended long ago, but the Cricket and South party was still ragging.  The newsies and birds were mingling among each other in the newly decorated Longfellow Mansion, South and Cricket in the mist of their old friends enjoying themselves.  Critter and Chesapeake were near South and Cricket merely enjoying each other’s company and their refilling drinks. 

 

Outside on the Balcony is where Spot Conlon stood with Buttercup, the couple just sitting there and holding hands.  Neither was speaking to each other and Buttercup was snuggled in his shoulder, both were looking out onto the city.  Looking out onto Spot’s city, his home, his territory, his very legend.  While BC stared out at her past, this was it for her childhood for the carefree days of running away and changing names.  Her face would no longer be unrecognizable, her love would no longer be concealed and her freedom would cease to exist as it had for so many years.  Somehow though BC wasn’t sad about her personal lost, she was barely breathing at the thought that her future which was beside her was going to leave her.  She knew he would come back to her if he could but there was a slight fear that Spot Conlon would not be able to return to his city to find her.  That is what kept the couple there in silence of their own thoughts but in each other’s presence. 

 

While on the rooftop sat Laces crying into Jack’s lap, as Jack stroked her hair.  Laces choked on her tears and would bury herself in Jack’s shirt, holding his hand and trying to feel him protect her. 

 

“Come on Laces, you are going to make yourself sick darling,” Jack whispered as he lifted her head again and tipped some old time whiskey down her throat.  The whiskey was the only thing that was keeping Laces from going into complete hysterics and Jack knew it.  He had been slowly and almost unknown to Laces giving her whiskey all night.  She was in an almost drunken state, Jack knew that only by intoxicated Laces would she ever fall asleep tonight.  Or for that matter ever be able to surpass the pain she was currently in, he wasn’t sure if the side effects in the morning would be worth it but Jack needed Laces to sleep.  He needed her to be sleeping when he had his weak moments about leaving her, leaving the girl that had been the center of his life for so many years. 

 

“Jack, by myself.  You are going to leave me by myself.” Laces hiccupped and tears streamed down her face as she hung limp in his arms.   “Leaving without me, no one.  No one.” Laces body suddenly became more animated and she looked startled to see Jack holding her still.  She jumped and crawled away from him and curled into a ball near the edge of the rooftop of the mansion. 

 

“Audrey!” Jack’s heart stopped as his imagination pictured Laces throwing herself off the roof of the home and injuring herself beyond repair.  When he noticed that she had merely curled up and continued crying and had never really intended to jump off the rooftop he moved quickly to her side.   

 

“Make her feel protect,” came a whispered voice from behind Jack and Laces.  Jack looked behind him and saw Pockets standing there with one hand in his pocket and another one holding a lit cigarette. 

 

“Make her feel protected?  She’s drunk and doesn’t know what’s going on.” Jack sighed. 

 

“You’ve been giving her whiskey all night, isn’t this what you wanted?” said Pockets almost darkly.

 

“No, I wanted her to be able to sleep,” Jack growled defensively. 

 

“Or maybe you didn’t want her to see you leave tomorrow morning.  I know a few of the boys who are not going to be happy with this.” Pockets sighed as he stared over to the heap on the ground that was Laces. 

 

“She’ll be fine in the morning.  Now if you could please leave us alone.” Jack glared at Pockets.  Jack had never really gotten over the jealously he had always felt for Pockets Harper.  Pockets would always be one of those first true loves for Laces, he would always have a power with her a charm that Jack had never possessed.  Pockets knew that girl, in all her broken mess, much better than Jack did.  Jack knew what Laces allowed him to know but Pockets, Pockets understood who she was even though she had never told him. 

 

“Jack, you know she loves you.  Just make her feel protected will you, she’s terrified of losing you and in fact losing herself.” Pockets sighed and turned his back to the couple and down the stairs. 

 

                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The sun was rising over the city rooftops of  New York and the celebration of the Cricket and South died as the rays of sunshine fell through the windows.  A weary and sad mood set over the household as Spot and BC walked in from the balcony they had been stationed at all night. 

 

“We should probably head out, the train leaves soon,” Spot commented.  The handful of newsies that remained nodded and looked at each other seriously.  Critter walked out of a nearby room, his hair looked ruffled and his eyes giving away how tired her truly was but he stood tall and commanded no less respect then usual. 

 

“We should try not to draw that much attention to ourselves.  We don’t want all the newsies finding out that both the leader of Brooklyn and Manhattan got onto a train together and are probably not coming back.  There would be chaos for your boys.” Critter said knowingly staring at Spot.  Spot nodded and looked around the room trying to find Jack. 

 

“Where’s…” But he didn’t finish his sentence for at the moment Jack came walking down the stairs carrying Laces in his arms. 

 

“Is she all right?” Spot demanded as he walked over to take a look at the sleeping girl. 

 

“She should wake up any moment with a great headache but she’s fine.” Jack grinned a bit at Laces sleeping face. 

 

“Did she drink last night?” Critter frowned. 

 

“Well, you could say that,” Jack mumbled. 

 

“We have to leave, or we’ll miss our train,” David said from behind the two boys.  Jack and Spot took deep breaths at the same time and Jack started trying to shake Laces awake as Spot went around to the newsies that would not be going with them and left them with the last instructions they would ever hear from Conlon, leader of the Brooklyn newsies. 

 

Laces stirred in Jack’s arms and Critter quickly without warning picked her up and set her on her feet.  He supported her from behind while she balanced herself and woke up completely. 

 

“Where, what, Jack?” she whispered almost desperately.  Jack stepped over to her in seconds and grabbed her elbow. 

 

“I’m here, we have to go to the train though.  You do want to come?” he asked hopefully, doubt was now setting in.  Laces nodded weakly and Critter from behind her and started walking to the door. 

 

“We are going too.” Skittery, Mush, Race and Blink were standing near the door. 

 

“And us.” Cap and Matt were standing outside already because they had left the party hours ago, though no one had noticed. 

 

“Fine, but no one else should be coming.” Critter said in a determined voice.  The party walked out of the fancy Longfellow mansion, Jack and Spot had quietly said good bye to the birds the night before and to some of the other newsies.  The walk to the train yards was silent and almost eerie.  Laces stumbling was the only real noise and though all the boys would attempt to help her she would only respond to help only from Jack. 

 

“We’re here and it looks like the boys should get on the train quickly,” Critter commented in what seemed like the softest voice anyone had ever heard him use.  Jack stepped away from Laces to talk to Blink, Mush, Race and Skittery.  David stepped into his place so that she would not fall. 

 

“I’ll bring him back,” David whispered.  Laces smiled a delighted smile and she turned to David. 

 

“You’d better.” She joked. 

 

“And you won’t go running off when they aren’t here will you?  I don’t think I would be able to keep them from running  back to find you.” David smiled back at her. 

 

“Me, run off?  I have no idea what you are talking about.” She hugged tightly. 

 

“Stay safe.  Bye,” she whispered and with that she turned to Spot who she felt glaring at her from behind.  She turned with arms crossed ready for a fight and Spot Conlon for the first time since they had met stood there eyes weak and arms open for her.  Laces walked into his arms and gave him a hug.

 

“Now Audrey if anything happens you let us know, you understand me?  You be sure to let Critter know what’s happening and Blue, they’ll take care of you.” Spot was saying to her. 

 

“I’m a big girl Spot, I can take care of myself.” Laces was crying freely now into Spot. 

 

“Be good, please don’t get into trouble.  Stay away from the dark alleys, be sure that someone knows where you are at all times.” Spot’s voice was getting weak. 

 

“Nothing is going to happen to me.” Laces started repeating.

 

“Be good.” Spot pulled away from her and took his hand to wipe away the single tears that were falling down her cheeks. 

 

“I want to hear about everything you’ve gotten yourself into when I get back.” He smiled lightly.  Laces nodded knowing if she opened her mouth the tears would only get louder.  Spot smiled again, a sad smile but a smile nonetheless and went to say his last good bye to BC. 

 

“Take care of yourself Jack, I hope to see you again.” Blink was slapping Jack on the back and the boys moved away from him as he turned to hug Laces one last time.  He bent down to give her a kiss and Critter started to tap on his shoulder. 

 

“You boys have to get on the train,” he was saying.  Jack nodded and kissed Laces on the cheek. 

 

“I love you,” he mouthed as he turned to get on the train, Spot pulled away from his kiss with BC and turned to the train.  David was already on the train and  Cap was standing near the train, the only one who had not said good bye yet. 

 

“Cap, be good.  Don’t get into too many fights and keep an eye on Snipes.” Jack shook hands with Cap before hopping onto the train.  Spot and Cap looked at each other for a few moments. 

 

“I took care of it Spot, there is nothing to worry about.  Brooklyn will be Brooklyn for a little while longer.” Cap finally sighed. 

 

“I knew you would.” Spot nodded.  “Don’t get into too many fights but keep the Brooklyn legacy alive,” Spot said.

 

“I will, take care.  I’ll see you when you get back?” Cap asked.

 

“Of course you will, I’m holding you responsible for what happens to Laces.” Spot laughed. 

 

“Bye,” both boys said at once before Spot jumped into the train and Cap turned to the farewell party once again.  BC and Laces were standing trying not to cry next to each other.  Behind them were the newsies and a bit away to one of the sides stood Critter.  The train started and started moving slowly then in moments was heading toward a horizon.  The newsies dispersed to  the selling docks slowly but surely, BC went to the train deck in search of a ticket to take her back up north.  Laces stood there though looking at where the train had stood and Critter stood near by. 

 

“Let’s go Laces honey.  We have somewhere to be.” Critter nudged her away from the train deck. 

 

“Are you my new protector?  Are you going to keep me out of harms way?  Are you going to be Spot and Jack?” Laces whispered. 

 

“No, but we are going to keep you safe.  You want to stay safe for when the boys come back, don’t you?” Critter asked knowing he was taking advantage of her weakened state.  Laces didn’t responded and they just kept walking.  After a few blocks of wordless conversation Laces stopped and faced Critter. 

 

“I’m not going anywhere but the lodging house.  I will stay with Matt in Brooklyn where I feel home,” Laces stated. 

 

“Audrey you will be going where I say so,” Critter said harshly regretting the words the moment they came out of his mouth.  Laces took off in flight but Critter was faster then she was and grabbed her around the waist in moments. 

 

“Now you listen to me young lady, Jack Kelly and Spot Conlon did not leave to make a better life for themselves to find out when they return that their Laces was no longer around because she was careless without her protectors,” Critter stated as he held her and kept walking.  He knew his tone was harsh but he knew this was now the only way she would understand.  He had to make sure she wouldn’t run from the good situation she was going to be in.

 

“Audrey, you can not run from this.  You mean a lot to a lot of people.  You are special and no matter how much you don’t want to be this person that you are, you are.  So you will be staying where I know you will be protected.  Where the boys will learn you stayed in hopes for your own safety and for a better life.  You will stay there not only because I want you to, but because you owe it to them and to yourself.” Critter finished as Laces became limp in his arms and he dropped her.  She walked slowly by herself. 

 

“You thought this out,” she said bitterly. 

 

“I did.” He nodded. 

 

“To take away my boys, to take away my home, to take away everything.  This is your fault.” She gritted her teeth and did not look at him.

 

“If that’s the way you feel,” Critter responded.  Critter stopped her and they started walking up the Longfellow house. 

 

“I’m staying with Cricket?” she asked as she looked at the house. 

 

“Him and South have agreed to take you in, yes.” Critter nodded.

 

“I’m a charity case.” Laces sighed.

 

“No, you are family.” Cricket had opened to the door and he ushered Laces into the sitting room.

 

“Right family,” Laces said the word family disdainfully. 

 

“Why don’t we let you get up to bed, you didn’t sleep much last night.  And well now that tomorrow is here, you have no worrying left to really do,” South commented. 

 

“No, I want to stay here,” Laces said stubbornly.

 

“Baby doll you’re tired.  Pockets is still here, he wanted to wait for you to come back.  He’ll lead you up to the room we made for you.” Cricket held his hand out to Laces to lead her out of the room and into the hallway where Pockets stood waiting for her patiently.  Laces fell into Pockets arms and cried, when Cricket looked alarmed Pockets just smiled and lifted Laces into his arms and walked her up the stairs.  Cricket stood in his hallway, South and Critter walked out. 

 

“What have we gotten ourselves into?” South asked as she watched the back of Pockets disappeared. 

 

“You’ll love her too soon enough South.” Critter smiled. 

 

“We’ll be seeing you?” Cricket asked Critter. 

 

“I’m not leaving just yet.  A few more days, and then it will be my tomorrow too.” Critter smiled and nodded at his old friends before walked towards the kitchen where he would slip out unnoticed by the high society of the front door. 

 

It was that moment by the dawn’s early light that Laces, Spot, Jack and unknown to most of the newsies life in New York City changed.  New leaders were born, new enemies were created and the future was rewritten, in those moments that the sun was slowly rising from its slumber. 

 

                                                ~*~ THE END ~*~