AN//: ok, here's part two. I'll try to keep updating quickly, but I don't know if I'll have a lot of time to write. Ok, enjoy.
Li looked up and him and sighed, seeming to deflate somehow. "Do you even know why I'm so mad?" he quietly asked Spot.
"I would assume that it's because I didn't let you head over to Manhattan this morning."
Li shook his head and swung his legs off the side of the bed, sitting and staring at the floorboards. "One of my scouts got word back to me that the boys led a raid on The World's distribution point. The Police stopped Crutchy from getting away and he was taken by the DeLanci brothers. They beat him up pretty badly and then carted him off to that children's jail. The one run by Warden Snider."
Spot stared at his spy in shock. If all this had happened already the situation was quickly spiraling out of control. If he couldn't get a handle on things quickly, the whole city could end up with a war on its streets. And as much as he enjoyed a good fight, he couldn't risk all of the little ones in his care getting hurt in the cross fire. He needed to have his best eyes and ears in keeping him informed on the situation, but he didn't want Li to go into that fight. Li was his most valuable vassal, and if he lost Li in the fighting, then his entire information network would completely disintegrate. He couldn't afford that, but he couldn't afford to be blind for this confrontation either. Besides, he worried about Li; he was his best friend and he was more than a little reckless at times. That kid would take on the whole of Brooklyn by himself if he felt like it. He sighed and sat next to Li on the bed.
"You realize if you disappear into this fight in Manhattan, I'll overturn every rock in that place to get you back," he spoke quietly to his friend. "I can't afford to lose you."
Li glanced sharply over at Spot, then his face softened into a smile, "Same goes for you. What kind of spymaster would I be if I lost my liege lord? I need someone to serve just as you need someone to be your eyes and ears. So don't you go and get hurt while I'm off working ok?"
Spot looked over into Li's chocolate colored eyes. He felt something stir within him as he looked at his friend but quickly squashed it down. "How about a deal? You don't get yourself killed while getting me information from Manhattan, and I'll do my best not to get too injured. Deal?"
Li grinned and spat in his palm before holding it out to shake, "Deal."
Spot did the same, then grinned and said, "Now get your lazy ass out of here and get to work. I can't go into this blind."
Li winked at Spot, "I wouldn't dream of making you go blind," he quipped before fleeing out the door. Spot felt a faint blush on his cheeks as he stared at the spot that his spymaster had disappeared.
As Li ran through the alleys she couldn't help but think back to the look in Spot's eyes when he had gazed at her. She shivered lightly even though the night was far from being even remotely cool. She knew she had liked Spot for quite a while, but had known the sheer idiocy of thinking that he might ever return her feelings, especially as she was masquerading as a boy. But that look….. What did that mean?
She shook her head and snuck over to the Chinese laundry mat, she didn't have time to be thinking about such things. She quietly knocked on the door, storing her thoughts away for another time. The old man who ran it answered and quickly ushered the girl in. "There's a buzz in the streets boy," he said as he brought Li to the washroom and shoved the suit at him. "They say big Joe's going to get them newsies killed. I aim to stay inside for the next few days; you should too."
Li nodded solemnly. "Yes Grandfather," she said respectfully, "I shall make sure to keep off the streets as much as I can."
"You're a good boy," the old man said gruffly, ruffling Li's hair, "you even keep to the old ways and wear your hair long, not like the other young fools around here. You keep out of trouble. I'd hate for the last respectful boy in New York to end up killed as he's mistaken for one of those newsies."
Li bowed low, "Thank you Grandfather. I shall be most careful."
The old man nodded and headed back up to the front of his shop as Li dove into the bathroom and quickly changed into a butler's suit, rinsing her body as well as she could. She washed her face and quickly combed her hair, pulling it into its low tail and tying it with a black ribbon. She shined the shoes and shoved her own clothing into the small bag the old man kept for her. She then rushed out to the front of the store and thanked the old man again. He just nodded and ushered her out the door. She felt a little guilty for deceiving him, but it was easier to just play the role of a boy.
She pulled out her forged note and smirked as she thought to where she had left the actual butler. He hadn't even seen her when she dropped from above, knocking him out cold. He had carried a note saying the usual butler was ill and his name was Jeffery. She smirked again as she approached The World's front door. She quickly schooled her features into a pleasant smile then stepped into the lobby coming up to the secretary and showing him the note. He nodded and gave her directions to the kitchen. She turned her head as though she could speak no English. The secretary sighed then called for another man. A Japanese man approached the desk then gave her the same instructions. She smiled at him, murmuring a quick "Arigato" before hurrying to the kitchen. The Japanese man accompanied her, telling her exactly how she was to serve the coffee and tea to the gentlemen upstairs. She nodded and he continued by telling her the names for cream, sugar, cake, and biscuit.
Li looked at him as though memorizing everything he said and agreeing with him as she was shown to the coffee cart. She carefully pushed the cart through the halls and to the elevator. She took a steadying breath before knocking on the door to Joe Pulitzer's officer. At the simple "Enter," she opened the door and reminded herself to keep even breaths as she cautiously walked into the enemy's den. She rolled the cart over to the most powerful man in New York's desk, as she repeated 'he's just another man, he's just another man," in her head as though it were a protective mantra. She knew what she was doing was extremely dangerous, and if she were caught then being sent to the Refuge was going to be the least of her worries.
Just as she had begun pouring the tea for Mr. Pulitzer, the door to the office opened and Li watched through her lashes as Mr. Seitz and Mr. Wisel swept into the room. Well, Seitz swept, Wisel behaved more like he was a bug about to be crushed the way he slunk into the room. Seitz looked over at Li before turning back to Pulitzer. "You sure you want to have this interview with him up here?"
Pulitzer waved his hand towards Li, "Jonathan already rang up here. The boy only speaks Japanese; fortunately they were able to teach him the basics for a tea service. He's the perfect servant for this."
Seitz didn't look all that reassured, but kept his mouth shut after one last suspicious look towards Li. "Here's the distributor for the Manhattan newsies, Mr. Wisel, just as you requested chief."
"Good, good. Mr. Wisel, do you think these boys will just give up at the first sign of resistance?" Pulitzer asked as he glanced at the tubby man before him.
"I don't think they're just going to go away chief," Seitz said before Mr. Wisel could answer. Li kept her head down, making sure she played her role as stupid as stupid servant and trying not to call any attention to herself. Pulitzer glared at his second in command before turning back to Wisel just as he began to speak. "Mr. Pulitzer, sir, just give me the means and I'll take care of them for you."
Pulitzer nodded and turned to gaze out his window, "I'll give you whatever means you require. I want this nonsense done with once and for all."
"Chief…." Seitz began before Pulitzer spun around yelling "Shut your mouth, Seitz."
Li jumped as though he thought he were the one being yelled at. The men would all think that the ignorant Japanese boy had thought he had done something wrong and would probably send him away more quickly. She knew all she needed to now and just needed to listen to what the newsies were planning before she ran back to Brooklyn. All of the men turned to look at her when she jumped just as she predicted. "Get that boy out of here," Pulitzer demanded irritably. Li made sure she cowered just the right amount as Seitz strode toward her, grabbing her arm and forcing her to push the cart out of the office. When they reached the door, Seitz pointed to the elevator and Li nodded at him. The door slammed shut behind her and Li quickly made her way into elevator, all while planning her next move.
Li ran frantically down the alleyways between her and Brooklyn, desperate to reach Spot. She was racing against time now and she knew it. It would be almost impossible to get to Brooklyn, rally the boys, and make it back to Manhattan before someone got hurt. She knew she had spent too much time listening to the Manhattan newsies, but she had wanted to reassure herself as best as she could that they were all right. Admittedly, perching outside on their roof listening to their conversation wasn't the most effective way to do that, but she didn't have time to become Lianna. From there she had shadowed Wisel as he gathered men to his office. Li had waited as long as she dared to here that fat bastard's plan, but now she feared she had wasted too much time.
Finally she saw the Bridge in view. The vision spurred her on, even though her body was already straining from the day she had had. She kept running over all of the information in her head as she tried to get her second wind. Okay, so maybe it was her fourth or fifth wind she needed, but she had no time to stop and rest or even walk for a moment. Finally she managed to reach the bridge, and was amazed how thankful one could be of a flat running ground. That hill up to the bridge had been killer on her almost used up energy.
'Don't think about how you feel,' she roughly reminded herself, 'just don't think about it. Think about your report, just think about that.' She kept repeating that over and over in her head, trying to pass the time and the miles. She was almost in shock when she looked up and saw the warehouse only 300 yards away. It was amazing how that single sight helped her dredge up the last reserves of her energy and let her sprint towards it, the guard recognizing her and opening the doors so she didn't even have to slow down as she saw her destination.
Someone must have gone and woken Spot because when she reached his unofficial throne room, he was already there along with some of his more 'military' helpers. "Li what's wrong?" Spot demanded as she skidded to a halt just in front of him, panting from her exertions. "What the hell made you run in here at three in the bloody morning?"
"Attack," she gasped out, trying not to collapse in front of everyone. "Trap for newsies at- distribution. Got here as fast- as could. Hired gang. Chains, - clubs, - brass- knuckles. Real bad Spot."
He looked suspiciously at her, "When did you leave? We need a time table Li."
"Left at- one forty- five - sir," she gasped out, bracing herself on her knees.
"Holy shit Li. You made it here in just over an hour. Somebody bring him a chair and some water."
"No time to rest- sir. Attack at six."
She heard swearing ripple through the assembled newsies, but couldn't quite find the energy to look around to see who had started. "Good god, it's going to be a massacre," she heard someone mutter.
"Well quit muttering and go gather your men," Spot ordered. We leave as soon as possible. We've only got a few hours and we can't run there or we'll be useless when arrive. We're gonna have to walk so get your butts in gear and meet back here for further instructions in ten minutes, then we can make a plan."
They all quickly dispersed, hurrying off to their duties. Li decided that was a good a moment at any to fall over, after all, the floor just looked so inviting.
"Shit," Spot swore as he jumped up from his seat and bounded over to her, supporting her back and helping her drink the water someone had finally brought. "Li, you've done a great job, but I need you to tell me what their plan is. Just a little more and you can rest I promise." Li smiled at him exhausted before she gulped some of the cold liquid down.
"They're going to lure the boys inside the gates of the center, then release some hired thugs into them. They've even paid off the bulls." Spot looked down at the boy in horror. That was just pure slaughter. He clenched his jaw in pure, unadulterated fury. This whole situation wasn't going to happen if HE had anything to say about it. Then he noticed Li struggling to sit up on his own. "What are you doing?" he demanded.
"I gotta get ready too. Can't slow the others down," the Asian breathed, as he fought to get to his feet. "You aren't going anywhere," Spot said, pushing Li back down. "You managed to make a two and a half hour trip in just over an hour. And I bet you've been pushing yourself all day, even without counting your fight today OR your trip over to Manhattan. You're in no condition to even walk to your room, much less back to a fight. Your orders are to go to bed so I can send you back out later in the day. You're of no use to anyone right now. You'd be a hindrance at the fight."
Li glared at him, forcing his way up off the floor. Spot braced himself for the argument that Li had opened his mouth to give when he suddenly started collapsing. Spot reached forward and caught him before he could hit the ground again, sighing with exasperation. He slung the younger boy over his shoulder, Li protesting even as he was hoisted through the air.
"Put me down!" he demanded while Spot just kept walking through the halls towards Li's room. "I can walk on my own!"
Spot tuned him out, instead glaring at the newsies who stared as their leader walked by with the swearing Asian over his shoulder. Li finally seemed to run out of conventional insults and had begun getting more creative when Spot kicked the bedroom door open. He casually tossed the boy on the bed, once again marveling how light Li really was.
Li glared at him before asking, "Is there something you need to tell me or do you just enjoy throwing me on beds?"
Spot shook his head, "It's more that it makes you shut up and listen for a few minutes. So really, whatever works. You know you can't go with us. You can't even stand for more than a few seconds." He put his hand on Li's shoulder, "It's not that I don't want you with us. I'd rather have you watch my back than anyone else, but you're not only a danger to yourself right now, you're also a danger to the rest of the gang. You've done good work, but I need you to stay here and rest up. This thing's just getting started and I'm gonna need you a lot over the next few days ok?"
Li looked up into Spot's eyes and couldn't refuse him as he murmured a soft, "Please?" she looked at the floor, screaming in her head 'NO! I can't have any feelings for him! Stop it you stupid heart of mine!' Aloud all she said was, "Yes sir. I'll rest."
He smiled that heart-stopping smile and it was all she could do to breathe, "Good. You sleep and I'm going to go to work. I'll tell you all about it when I get back ok?"
She nodded and kicked off her boots, crawling into the bed fully clothed. Spot ruffled her hair, then left quietly shutting the door behind him. Li counted to one hundred four times then slipped back out of bed and quickly tied her shoes. He should have known better than to just leave her alone, was all she could think as she crept out her window and off the docks towards the livery stable.
She knocked on the holster's door three times before he answered the door. "Li!" he said surprised, "what are you doing here before dawn?"
"Sorry," she apologized, "Spot has a special assignment for me and I need a fast horse. You got one I can use?"
Stephan scratched his head, "Well, I don't need Sampson today. He gonna be fast enough for ya?"
She nodded as Stephan began finding the saddle and bridle. Sampson was a good choice. He had a big broad back that she could fall asleep on for the ride back if she just tied herself to the saddle. She mounted the instant Sampson was geared up, grabbing two coils of rope as well. Stephan went back to his room as she rode out, waving behind her. She didn't push Sampson, she had almost two and half hours to ride to the other side of the city and she needed to conserve her strength so when she got there she might be able to do something.
She grinned as she rode. She hadn't even technically lied to Stephan. Spot did have a special assignment for her; it just so happened that her assignment was to rest, not to head out to a fight. And she had needed a horse; she was honest enough to admit that she wouldn't have been able to walk back to Manhattan so soon.
The time had passed swiftly as she headed towards the distribution center. She finally reached it, taking Sampson over to the brothel and leaving the giant horse with Jana before she had climbed the roof of the buildings surrounding the courtyard. It was almost time for the circulation bell to ring.
Li wearily climbed the last little outcropping and settled down into her hiding spot. She swore quietly when she realized she didn't have the strength to stand back up again. So maybe Spot had been right, she probably should have stayed in bed, but she knew she couldn't miss this. She would just have to hide really well and watch, that way Spot hopefully wouldn't find her when all of the Brooklyn newsies showed up.
The Manhattan boys began making noise just outside the gates. And Li watched in fascination as they worked themselves into a frenzy, all of their testosterone pumping and getting them ready to face the boys who had stolen their jobs. David tried to keep the boys in a state of control, but Jack immediately led the charge. She gazed at the scabs, who ran back and banged on the station door. It opened and out came the group of hired thugs, swinging chains and brandishing bats.
Li watched helplessly as the gates were closed and the boys trapped inside, a police man keeping their reporter friend out and Racetrack crying "Jack! Jack! It's the Crib!"
'Where is Spot?' Li thought frantically, trying to make her legs work while staring at the chains being swung at Jack and David. Just as Jack was forced to the ground, she saw her newsies appear on the rooftops near her, Spot jumping onto a fire escape. He quite smugly called out, "Never fear, Brooklyn is here."
Li had never been so relieved to see that smug look on that Scottish boy's face.
Mush pointed up and cried delightedly, "Its Brooklyn!" the other boys soon joined in with the cheer as the Brooklyn newsies opened fire on the Crib. The fighting erupted right after that, and Li could hardly understand what she saw as her gaze darted everywhere, trying to see all of it at once. The one moment she knew she would always remember how glorious Spot looked when he opened the gates and led the rest of his forces into the fray, pushing the Crib back into the doors. He had looked so confident, so honorable; her heart had stopped for a moment.
She simply relaxed into her hiding spot, knowing that everything would be fine. The only moment that had caused her to pause was the look that passed between Jack and David. She would swear that it was more than a look of friendship. But the moment passed as quickly as it came and she turned her attention back to escaping the notice of all the Brooklyn newsies. When they finally all left, she realized that she still couldn't stand. She laughed quietly to herself. It had been worth it. She looked at the beautiful blue sky above her and closed her eyes contentedly. It was turning out to be a really good day after all, was her last thought before drifting quietly off to sleep.
AN//: there you go. Ok, well yeah, I know I jump around a lot, but if I don't then I know I'll lose interest and stop writing. Any thoughts on this piece would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
