For Brooklyn 3

By: Ambrlupin

Chapter One: Doesn't even know me

Summary: While Red is off following Spot, the home front takes center stage as Queens enters into what could be its first civil war. With Brooklyn practically helpless and the Bronx totally undefended, can Manhattan help, or will old grudges get in the way? And will Red ever find Spot? (Sequel to FB and FB2)

Disclaimer: If I did, I'd have money. Seeing as I do not...well what does that tell you?

However, Prince is not mine. I no claim. -huggles- I wish I did tho, freaking fun charrie to play let me tell you. Albeit slightly challenging.

A/n: THIRD half of my first Newsie fic. -blink- ...when did that happen!

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"You only have one life. Live it to the fullest, play your hands when you've been dealt them, and throw caution to the wind. Thats the only way you're going to get anywhere, the only way you're going to succeed. And it's also the only way Spot Conlon is ever going to like you." - Racetrack Higgins

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"Red?" Someone was shaking him, shaking him hard. Groaning, he burrowed his face into the pillow, pulling the bare blanket over his face, curling up in the warm cocoon he had managed to make. All was quiet then and he sighed happily, relaxing once more.

"...RED!"

This time, whoever it was just jumped on him.

Squawking indignantly, he tried to get away from the tearing hands that were attempting to pull him from his warm bed. "Go...ARGH...Away!"

"But Red, its Christmas." The voice was full of the pout only children could give, and he was nudged in the shoulder. "Aren't you going to get up?"

He recognized the voice then.

Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he peeled back the blanket and saw Spot, straddling his back, little arms crossed sadly. "Christmas, eh?"

Spot nodded, the pout still on his face. "Yeah."

"Ya sure?" He managed to pull the other off of him and he sat up all the way, his blanket falling to his waist. Shivering as the cold air bit through his bed clothes, he ran a hand through his hair. "Cause I don't think its Christmas."

Now the little newsie looked puzzled. "Whaddya mean? Its Christmas, I know it is!" But he was starting to look a little scared. Perhaps the older kids had lied to him and Christmas wasn't for a few more days.

Or maybe he had missed it entirely.

Red shook his head as he slipped off the bed, biting back a curse as his feet touched the cold wood of the floor. "No, Its not Christmas, kid." Seeing Spot's horrified look, he pulled open a drawer and pulled out a small box. "Its not Christmas until you've opened your first present."

Spot's face lit up, eyes wide and sparkling as he tackled the box, "Its foah me? REALLY!" Plopping down right where he stood, he tore at the box, ripping it open to reveal a cherry red handmade sled.

"Made it myself." Red said proudly, a smile on his face. "Do you like it?"

Did he like it? Did he LIKE it?

Well that was easy enough to answer. Was the sky blue?

"I LOVE IT!" Spot cried, on his feet and tackling the elder, arms wrapped around his waist. He had never gotten a present like this before...in fact he had never gotten presents at home, because they never celebrated Christmas. He hadn't even known what it was until the other kids told him.

"Im glad." He ruffled the kid's hair, "How bout we get you dressed up, and fed...and you can go try it out."

Spot seemed to like that idea, as he flew out the door and down the stairs, sled clasped tightly to his chest, silver-blue eyes sparkling with joy. Then there was Red, who stood in the doorway, a warm smile on his face, emerald eyes watching every move Spot took.

"Red...Red..." His shoulder was being shaken, "Mr. Red..."

Blinking, Red raised his head, looking across the seat to see the blue-green eyes of Tiffany McLean. "..I thought I told you to stop with the Mr. stuff." He murmurred, voice a little raspy.

"Im sorry." Her face flushed a little, her son, Micky asleep in her arms. "Its just the dinner cart is going around, I was wondering if you wanted something off of it...I wasn't sure if I should wake you..."

Rubbing at his face, he gave her a small smile. "No, its fine...I am a little hungry. Are you?" He could faintly hear the click-clack of the wheels of the dinner cart over the sounds of the train rushing along the tracks.

"Oh...oh no. Im fine." She twisted a strand of her caramel hair around her finger.

Raising an eyebrow, not believing her in the slightest -and looking at her wire thin frame- Red waited until the lady with the cart came by, and he ordered them both a meal, ignoring the small protest she gave him.

And as they ate, he looked out the window and wondered how things were back home.

And if he...and Spot...would ever see it again.

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"No, im a guy who looks remarkably like a goil and wears my hair long for kicks." Prince snorted, arms crossed and hat held firmly in one hand. "Of course im a goil."

Ace grinned, leaning back in his seat. "Well...this sure does complicate things, don't it, Jack?" Since Prince was a girl, Jack couldn't do much in the way of getting his payback. No self respecting newsie hit a female.

The vein just above Jack's eye twitched and he cast a glare toward Ace that went ignored. "You stay outta dis." His voice was steely, and his jaw set in anger. He hadn't been expecting such a turn of events. "You cant be a leader then. Only guys are leaders."

Both Prince and Ace raised their eyebrows. Jack was grabbing for things that weren't there, apparently. He was just trying to find a reason to hate her already, ignoring the fact she was from Queens, of course. He was just never going to let go of the old grudges...not that Ace could really blame him. Even he was having a hard time with it.

"An where's it say dat?" She challenged. "I believe you'll find out that I am leadah, and there's nuttin you can do to change it. Now you can either accept dat or you cant, it means little ta me. I came heah today to let you know whats been goin on lately. Dat's all." Her eyes flashed a little, "Not to heah you spout off your 'men are bettah den women' crap!"

Ace laughed. He couldn't help it. The look on Jack's face was priceless and one he would remember for all time. Eyes wide, eyebrows up, and mouth parted slightly, the Manhattan leader had just been thoroughly put in his place.

And he knew it too.

Jack gaped for close to a minute before his mouth clamped shut and he sat in his chair, form rigid. Prince had gotten him, but she was right about one thing. He didn't have to like it. And he wasn't. "Fine. You're leader. That means you have to act like one. What're you gonna do about the gang situations in Queens, leader?"

"Da name's Prince." She retorted calmly, hands in her pockets. "And to answer your question, Im not going to do anything."

"Excuse me?" This from Ace, who had finally stopped laughing, only to look at her in shock. Did that mean she supported them? Did they lose Karlof only to have someone worse take his place? "Why aren't you going to do anything?"

"Why should I?" She shrugged, "I don't care about them, and they care little foah me. They aim to demolish Manhattan, and why should I stop them? At this point, my opinion of the Manhattan leader is sorely lacking. He disrespects me and treats me like a child...Judges me." Prince looked down at Jack, eyes daring. "When he doesn't even know me."

Jack had to give her that round. Sighing, he nodded. "Prince, then. Why don't you sit down and tell us what you plan to do while you are leader in Queens?" There was a little warmth in his voice, forced clearly, but still there.

"I'd love to." She grinned, taking a seat.

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Sorry this came out so late. School -both online and at school- is killin me. The update might come a little late, but at least its up, right? -smile-

so love me and leave me a review!