Never Bet on Love

By pmochizuki

Author's Note: Here it is, chapter 10 for all of you to read! The last chapter I wrote before my story was deleted off of … sniff sniff… Well, at least they don't seem to have any more problems with my chapter! Thanks so everyone for your support!

Characters featured in this chapter who belong to my readers:
Wolf - Emotions
Emotions - Emotions
Kathryn 'Duck' Blake – JustDuck
Greased Lightning is mine

Special thanks to reviewers at the bottom of the chapter

Chapter 10: Day Two – Specs

Specs couldn't help falter in his walk towards the Brooklyn Lodging House. He had to admit, Brooklyn was not most safe of neighborhoods though on the most part, the thugs, homeless people, and not to mention other newsies left him alone. Maybe it was his hat or even his glasses. His height? Well, whatever it was, he'd probably never know. He was never one to ask questions.

Maybe that was it. He minded his own business, never caring or wanting to know about a stranger's matters. Which was a good thing, considering what kind of 'business' there was in this part of town…

He made it to the wharf and admired the lodging house. Well, 'admired' wasn't quite the word. He just marveled at how it was still standing over a hundred years. Ok, maybe a hundred years was a bit of an exaggeration, but it may just as well been a hundred year old building.

Shaking his head, Specs walked towards the main entrance, for the lodging house had several entrances. Actually, all the Manhattaners knew that they weren't really entrances, more like 'exits' for a fast escape.

Jack Kelly and his gang never really understood why Spot would take in such a variety of boys and girls into his lodging house. Thieves, pickpockets, runaways, orphans… the list went on and on. And they took in girls of all people!

But of course, taking in girls wasn't really that bad of a thing. Well, at least that was Specs humble opinion of the matter.

Before he could even put his hand on the rickety door, he heard someone whispering his name.

"Specs! Don't go in!"

Looking towards his left, Specs saw a young kid maybe eight or nine-years-old trying to get his attention. Curious to say the least about why this kid was calling for him, Specs walked towards him.

The boy was much shorter than Specs pretty tall height and the height difference was enhanced with the kid sitting on one of the dozens of crates scattered around. A mop of bright red hair capped his head and shrewd green eyes watched him carefully.

Not to be intimidated by the kid, Specs crossed his arms over his chest. "What's da mattah, kid. Why are ya warning me bout goin' in dere?"

"Cause I know dat if ya do go in dere right now, Spot's gonna bite yoah head off," the kid said too cheerfully for Specs' comfort. "He don't take too kindly to Manhattaners rights bout now."

Specs, totally against his will, felt a small amount of fear prickled in the back of his mind. Spot? Angry with the Manhattaners? That was not good. Not good at all. But why?

When asking the same question to the red-head, the other just smirked. "Well, dat's foah me ta know, and foah you ta find out."

Frowning, the Manhattan newsie couldn't help but become irritated. Was this kid annoying or what? "Listen kid – "

"Tsk tsk," the boy interrupted. "Da name's not 'kid'."

"Den what's the name, and don't ya dare answer some stupid answer like 'dat's foah me ta know and you ta find out.'"

The red head smiled. "Hey, I like youse! Ya don't take no dirt from nobody!"

Rolling his eyes, Specs only replied sarcastically, "Ya, I like youse, too."

The boy stood up and gave an exaggerated bow. "Me name's Greased Lightning. You can call me Greaser."

Specs really didn't want to know why the kid was called 'Greased Lightning'. Instead he changed the subject back to the matter at hand. "So what's goin' on, I gotta give Spot a message from Jack."

"Cowboy? Well…" Greaser scratched his chin in thought. "I don't know if Spot's anger foah the Manhattaners includes Cowboy… Da boss likes 'im pretty good."

Ah, so Greaser was a newsie. A Brooklyn newsie at that if he was calling Spot 'da boss'. "Listen, ki… I mean Greaser. What in da woild is goin' on?"

Greaser jerked his head towards the Brooklyn lodging house. "Lissen closely. Whaddya hear?"

Specs did as he was told and to his surprise, he heard yelling. And one of the voices was pretty familiar. "Spot's yelling?"

Nodding very seriously, Greaser answered, "Yup. And if ya know him as well as I do, ya know he nevah yells unless it's serious."

Biting his lip, Specs stepped onto the crate Greaser had been sitting on and peered through a grimy window into the main hall of the Brooklyn lodging house.

'Hall' of course wouldn't be the right word for the lodging house was nothing but an abandoned warehouse. The wind blew through the cracks in the walls, the outside looked like it never had a decent paint job…

Ironically, Specs realized he was also describing the condition of the Manhattan lodging house.

Pushing the thought away, Specs used the edge of his sleeve to wipe the window as best he could. Unfortunately, even with cleaning the outside of the window didn't mean it made the other side any cleaner.

He pressed his ear to the glass and almost shrieked at how cold it felt. But being on a mission, he ignored the searing coldness creeping through his ear and tried to listen to the loud conversation taking place inside.

"What're ya accusin' me of?"

"Not YOU, your whole pack of - !"

"Watch what ya say!"

Specs jerked back as he heard the window shudder and he saw that Spot's second in command, Wolf, had exited the building. The huge newsie gave him a nod of greeting. "Fancy meetin' you here, Specs. Ya know, yoah pretty obvious with your face in dat window."

Somewhat embarrassed being caught, Specs jumped off the crate. "Hi, Wolf. What's goin' on?"

Wolf rolled his eyes. "Some stinkah came bustin' in, accusin' us Brooklyners of sellin' a newspaper with a fabricated headline. Can you believe that?"

Wincing, Specs could only stuff his hands in his pockets. "Well, newsies gotta make a livin'."

"It's not just 'improvin' da truth ya know," Wolf said, brushing back his hair with a dirty hand. He looked at Specs with some strange accusation which Specs didn't understand. But the accusatory look left and Wolf's face became impassive again, making Specs wonder if the Brooklyn newsie was hiding something. "Da newsie gave da wrong page for the headline. Dis guy ain't leavin' till somebody pays."

Specs could hardly believe his ears. "Just for one lousy pape, one lousy penny?"

"Well, it seems dis guy don't like being had, ya know what I mean? Doesn't like being tricked by some 'stupid kid' as he puts it." Wolf suddenly eyed Specs curiously. "So, what are ya doin' here? Now ain't really a good time ta see Spot."

"I know, but I got a message for him from Jack."

"Is it a good reason to bother Spot right now?"

Weighing the options of either facing Jack or Spot's wrath, Specs knew he'd really rather face Jack. But knowing what the message was, considering its importance, he nervously shrugged. "It's important."

Wolf regarded him with his different colored eyes sparked with interest. Finally, he took a breath and let it out with exasperation. "All right, come along then."

The two of them, forgetting that Greaser had been there the whole time, were startled to hear the young kid laugh out loud. "Woohoo! Dis'll be good! Spot's gonna chew you both out good!"

"Not before I chew you out," Wolf said menacingly, reaching out to grab the red head. But in the blink of an eye, Greaser had disappeared, though both Specs and Wolf heard his chuckles until that, too, disappeared.

Specs raised an eyebrow. "Greased Lightning?"

"Slippery little devil ya mean," Wolf said in irritation. "Whatever, Spot likes da kid. I'll let 'im go for now. Come on inside."

The two newsies entered the Brooklyn lodging house and Specs wished he had chosen to just leave.

Spot was face to face with an older and taller man, and the tension the two were creating filled the air like electricity. Though a few inches shorter, Spot was the one looking incredibly menacing and Specs saw him rubbing his thumb along his cane which he gripped whenever he was ready to use it. The other was angry enough, probably not appreciating being head on with a 'kid'.

"Listen, 'mister'," Spot said quietly, pronouncing the word 'mister' with disdain. "Nobody, but nobody, waltzes in heah accusin' me of bein' a lyin', cheatin', deceitful newsie, you get me?"

"I didn't say that - "

"Those were yoah exact woids. I don't forget easily."

The man sighed in frustration. "I did not say that you - "

"You accuse any of me boys, yoah accusin' me." Spot suddenly leaned back on his heels and smirk, his eyes cold as steel. "Now da next step is, should we call da cops and let dem know what yoah accusin' me of?"

Specs saw how the other Brooklyners watching the argument, about a dozen boys and girls, stood up from their seats, hard looks on their face. Holding back a smile, Specs knew that this guy was definitely looking for trouble. The Brooklyn newsies were incredibly loyal to their leader. If that guy was accusing Spot and tried to tell on him to the cops… well, just to put it lightly, it wouldn't be 'tolerable' for them.

The man seemed to also notice the other Brooklyn kids and for the first time since Specs came in, he seemed a little worried. He knew as well as everyone in the room that ever since the strike that summer and the closing down of the House of Refuge, there was now a kinder view of the newsies from the public. It was still true that though the cops still kept a sharp look out for newsies who acted out of hand, on the whole, the newsies were treated pretty well. Bringing up this kind of attention to the police would only result in the newspapers taking wind of things, and most probably would take the side of the newsies. Especially if the newsies still had connections with a certain Brian Denton…

The older man took a deep breath then raised his hands. "Listen, I just think I deserve my money back."

Spot looked away thoughtfully and as he did, he caught sight of Specs. Knowing he was now having the upper hand of the situation he spoke to the man with indifference. "Listen, Mr. Collins, I have some business to attend to, give me a few minutes."

Without waiting for an answer, Spot walked over to Specs with a smirk on his face. "Hiya Specs. You have some news for me?"

Specs glanced at the Collins guy and saw that he was looking quite impatient. "Umm, you really want me to tell you right now, Spot?"

"Now," Spot said, a hard edge creeping into his voice.

"All right. It's just that ya know as everyone else does dat Bowery and Queens ain't been on good terms for a while."

"And?"

"Well, about an hour a go a kid from Bowery went to Jack, tellin' him dat da Queens and Bowery newsies made up. Dey would like to have a friendly pokah night together, and were hoping Manhattan would come along ta, well ya know…"

"Ta make sure nothing goes wrong," finished Spot. "Let me guess, Jackie-boy wants me ta come over."

Specs smiled. "Well, you are da one and only Spot Conlon, da most famous newsie of all - "

"Enough, I already know." Spot thoughtfully tapped his cane on the ground. All of a sudden, for an instant Specs saw a sly look in Spot's eyes, but it disappeared too quickly for Specs to think anything of it. That was until Spot spoke again. "Let's have the pokah night here in Brooklyn."

Not being able to hide the surprise in his voice, Specs helped but exclaim, "What?" That was not what he was expecting. Brooklyn usually never opened up its doors for anything like this.

"Shoah," Spot answered easily. "If dere is goin' ta be a fight, it'll be bettah ta have it on someone else's turf, especially not in Bowery or Queens. Besides, me boys will be able ta handle it bettah than you boys if dere's a problem." Seeing Specs narrow his eyes, Spot calmly added, "No offense. But it's da truth."

Letting out his breath slowly, Specs knew the Brooklyn leader was right. The Brooklyn newsies were very good at breaking up fights… or starting them.

Noticing Specs indecision, Spot said, "Listen, dis pokah night takes place heah, or I won't be able ta go to at all. Undahstand?"

In defeat, Specs could only nod his head. "I'll tell Jack."

"Good. I'll send out me own boys ta contact da Bowery and Queens. Oh, and Specs?" Here Spot grinned slyly. "Make sure dat Racetrack, Kid, and Mush come over tonight."

Now totally curious, Specs asked, "Why dem in particular?"

"You'll see. You'd bettah go now. You Manhattan boys come over after dark." With a curt nod, Spot turned on his heel, clearly giving me his dismissal. Not fully understanding Spot's mood, Specs turned to Wolf to see if the other would give any indication of what to do next. Instead, Wolf was also watching his boss closely.

Nothing to do but leave.

Shaking hands with Wolf, Specs left. But before he closed the door, he heard Spot speaking quite distinctly. "I have a proposition for ya, Mr. Collins…"

Specs couldn't hear any more since a Brooklyn newsie shut the door firmly behind him. Deciding it was best not to press his luck since he had already bothered Spot once that day, he began walking home. He had a lot to report to Jack, he hoped that Cowboy wouldn't be annoyed with Spot's announcement of where the poker game was going to take place.

He heard a voice calling out to him behind his shoulder, making Specs stop and look back. For a second, he could only stare, wondering why a pretty girl was calling his name with such familiarity.

Rolling her hazel eyes laughingly, the brunette tsked. "Deah Specs, you ain't forgotten sweet Emotions, have ya?"

For a few moments, Specs couldn't help but stare in astonishment. Then seeing that familiar, infectious smile on her lips, Specs broke out into his own smile. "Emotions!"

Seeing that he recognized her, Emotions jumped on him, giving him a fierce hug. "It's been too long!"

Elizabeth MacMillan, known to everyone as Emotions, had formerly been a Manhattan newsie. Why she had left, well, of course there were obvious reasons. She was a girl, there were really too much problems involving a girl in an all-boys lodging house. But Kloppman, being a good friend of her father's, had promised her a place to stay while she was away from her home town of Toronto. But Emotions, after staying in Manhattan a while, needed some more excitement and had switched over to Brooklyn.

Though having been in Manhattan less than a year, everyone had sorely missed the hyper, energetic girl; especially the shy Mush who had found a good friend in Emotions.

As the two friends finally separated, Specs took a good look at her. It being almost two years since Specs had last seen Emotions, he saw that she had changed. At the age of fifteen, she had been somewhat of a gawky teenager who spoke enough for two people and used up the energy of at least three people. With a starry eyed look for any handsome boy, Emotions had been everyone's best friend, everyone's little sister.

But now looking at her, Specs saw that at seventeen, she was probably the one drawing the starry eyed looks from all the other boys. She had filled out and looked more feminine than she had in her usual shapeless shirt and plain pants. She also seemed more confident in her stance, and in her eyes, Specs saw that her hyper-ness had been replaced with a mischievous fire.

All in all, he liked what he saw. Emotions had grown up, and quite for the better if he did say so himself.

Seeing as how he was watching her closely, Emotions swatted him on the arm. "'ey, I get enough looks from dese Brooklyn morons."

Specs chuckled. "Dat bad, huh?"

Looking heavenward, Emotions could only sigh. "Guys, you gotta love dem. But sometimes dey're just pests!"

Deciding not to get into a one-sided conversation Emotions could have about boys, Specs changed the subject. "So, where've you been dese last two years? In Brooklyn, but I don't see ya much. Even during da strike. I thought all you Brooklyners had - "

"Dis summer I went back home. I needed to see me parents again. Anyway, Spot made me in charge of da goils heah in Brooklyn. Dey're quiet a handful." She paused then asked slowly. "So, how's da boys? Jack, Racetrack, Snitch, Itey… Mush?"

The way she hesitantly asked about Mush confirmed Spec's suspicious from before. Emotion had always liked Mush, and some of the other Manhattaners had guessed she was right sweet on him. But she never said anything, never did anything, and Mush, being Mush, had no clue. Specs doubted very much that Mush liked her in that way, only that they were good friends. And most probably Emotions knew that was the real truth more than anyone else. Another reason to move to Brooklyn…

Realizing he had not answered her yet, he shrugged and smiled. "Dey are still da same; da usual, da most craziest bunch of loonies ever let loose in dis city."

Catching onto his mood, Emotions laughed out loud. "I wouldn't love dem if dey were any other way."

Behind Emotions, Specs saw that Wolf had exited the lodging house and was now watching them with an unreadable look in his eye. But before Specs called out to him, seeing the huge newsie reminded him that he had business to attend to.

"Umm… sorry, Emotions, but I'se gotta go. I need to get back to Manhattan."

Noticing that Emotions was beginning to pout, he spoke before she could get in a word edgewise. "Listen, dere's goin' ta be a poker night here in Brooklyn. I'll come over with some of da other guys, 'k?"

She immediately brightened up. "Poker? Good, I'm in need of some hard cash, can't wait to win it away from you bummers!"

Before Specs could retort, she flicked him on the nose, something she used to do when to get people to shut up. "See ya tonight!" And with that, she bounded back towards the lodging house, leaving Specs to wonder if indeed Emotions had changed at all… she still acted like a ten year old.

Kathryne Blake irritatingly rearranged her armload of books. Maybe it wasn't too good of an idea to borrow so many at once. But unfortunately, she had been stupid enough to inform her family where she would be going.

It was just outrageous that her whole family loved to read and what a coincidence that all of them had something they wanted her to get at the library for them.

So here she was, in this weather carrying eight books in her arms. Stupid, stupid, stupid…

At that exact moment, her foot slipped on a patch of ice.

"Ahhhh!"

With a resounding thud, she landed on her backside, books flying everywhere. Groaning, Kathryne tried to get back on her feet and immediately fell flat on her face next. Looking around, thankfully she saw that no one had seen her clumsy little episode.

Clumsy little episode, she grumbled to herself. Why did she have to be so awkward? She had most certainly been born with it, no one could learn to be this klutzy!

Trying once more to get up, she saw that the patch of ice was not just a patch, the whole sidewalk of cobblestones shimmered with ice. Wincing, she wondered if she'd ever make it home in one piece.

Just as she felt that her foot was going to slip again, she felt a strong hand grab her arm. In astonishment she saw that a boy her own age was looking at her with a smile on his lips. "Need any 'elp, miss?"

Outwardly she tried to remain calm though inside she was beating herself up. So someone had seen her slip and fall like a brainless idiot. Mumbling a thank you, she allowed him to walk her to the edge of the sidewalk where there didn't seem to be any more ice.

Once she was safe, her rescuer let go of her arm and for the first time she saw that he had been holding one of her books in his other hand. He offered it to her. "I believe dis is yoahs."

Even more embarrassed, Kathryne took the book. "You didn't have to…"

He grinned cheekily. "Well, it could hardly be avoided since it was flying straight foah me head."

Did everything have to go wrong today? Seeing as how she really couldn't speak, he turned around and walking easily on the ice, started picking up her books which lay scattered around.

Again musing why she had to be so clumsy, she absently watched him walk around getting her books. Tall, dark haired, glasses, bowler hat… awfully cute. Despite her annoyance in that he walked on the ice with no problems, she found herself liking his manners. It was not everyday that you would just happen to find a guy your age who was quite polite, not to mention awfully cute…

Hiding the tomboyish side of her nature which told her to just yell out and ask him his name, she tried to smooth her skirt and push her auburn bangs out of her face. As for her coat, the backside was probably all wet, nothing she could do about it.

The stranger returned and promptly returned her books. Finally finding her tongue, she was able to say a proper thank you. He smiled and with a bow of his head and a tip of his hat, he started to turn around to leave.

Frowning, once more Kathryne said to herself, 'It's not everyday that you find a guy your age who was quite polite, not to mention awfully cute…'

Her tomboyish side won. "Hey!" She ran to where he paused hearing him call out to her. She stuck out her hand. "My name's Kathryne Blake."

Raising his eyebrows in surprise, nevertheless he took her hand. "Call me Specs."

"You live around here?"

"Manhattan."

"Nassau St."

"Ah…"

Awkwardly Kathryne shifted feet. "So, can I hazard a guess that you're a newsie?"

"Yeah, though I don't know how - "

"Your hands are all ink stained." Kathryne took his hand and gestured at the stains.

Pleased to see him blush, Kathryne spoke up again. "I know where the Manhattan distribution center is. Do you get your newspapers there?"

This time he looked at her suspiciously with his dark eyes behind his specs. "Why do ya ask?"

Thinking fast, Kathryne tried to answer nonchalantly. "I just was wondering if I would see you around, that's all."

"Uh huh." He was quiet and studied her. Finally he said, "Ya know, dere's a saying that you shouldn't just judge a book by its covah. Ya really don't know me."

Unnerved that he seemed to know what she was thinking, Kathryne shifted her weight nervously. "Um… well, you know. There's also the saying that you shouldn't just pass up any person on the street, especially when that person was really nice and polite, and seemed - "

"You made dat up just now!"

Kathryne shrugged. "Ok, so I made it up."

Specs laughed and Kathryne joined in. "Well, I really gotta go now." With another tip of his hat, Specs turned around to leave and Kathryne felt a little disappointed.

But just as she, too, was about go her own way, Specs stopped and looked back at her, a thoughtful look on his face. He grinned suddenly. "Maybe I'll see ya around Kathryne," he called back then resumed walking away down the street.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Kathryne couldn't help but give a very unladylike whoop.

Author's Note: So, what do you think? Any good? Please review!

Thanks for those who wrote me e-mails whether they still want their characters in the story! Many thanks!

Next Chapter: POKER NIGHT! THE NEW CHAPTER! It's a veryyyyy long chapter, so I hope you're looking forward to it! What's Spot reason for having the poker night at his place? And how goes his romancing the fiery Ariana? Learn more about different Brooklyn characters, and how the Manhattaners fare in Brooklyn!

Special Thanks to Reviewers

Hope Diamonde Yup, almost done reposting and can start putting new chapters up now! So glad that you're liking all of the pairings so far. Oh, just to let you know, I'm thinking to have your character make an early entrance sometime in Day Three! It should be very interesting indeed!

TheLoneReed Heya, thanks for the review! SpacyRacey… Skittykins… it's nice that every time I get a review from you, I get some new nicknames for our favorite newsies… Yup, Day Three will be coming out very soon! It has been decided, Snoddy comes out in Chapter 13!! Hurray, right? Hope you liked this chapter with… Specsey? :P

Dimonah Tralon Ha ha, almost died when Jack found out about Sparks, huh? Yup, he's all right with it, as long as no one else really finds out or anything. Hope you liked this new chapter with Specs!

Written Sparks Hi there, thanks for reviewing! So glad you're liking this even after the second time around!

aLeX24 Thanks for the review! Though it seems your review might have been cut off cause it came out like this: 'when I read this line: "Jack dropped his gaze…"' And it stopped like that. :S

FrenchyGoil You prefer Jack and Kathryn's scene? Well, you were saying you couldn't wait till the Mr. Angry and Spot's meeting again. :P Well, here it is, hope you enjoyed it once more! Yes, I've finished ch. 11 and I have started a bit on ch. 12. Chapter 12 might be really short though cause it's David's chapter and I really don't know how to do it. :P Still working on it though, nevah feah!

Akiko Iris Hello, thanks so much for reviewing! Here's another chapter for you, hope you enjoyed it!

splashey Glad you liked the previous chapter so much! Yup, Skittery is totally loveable! Imagine being Emilia at that moment at the tree…:P Liking the 'Little Miss Priss', Jennifer, too? I don't know if I'll have any more of her but maybe I will!

Nosilla Your brain has a mind of its own, huh? Hee hee, my mind tends to do that, too. :P Hope you liked this new chapter with Specs!