Usual Disclaimer

Chapter title: "That's What You Get," Paramore

How Am I Supposed to Feel When You're Not Here?

"So Moira, is this Lucio guy a problem?" asked Jack, as Moira stood in the center of the empty parlor of the Manhattan Lodging House, gazing around. It was now Tuesday, three days since she had seen Spot at Tibby's. Three days since Moira had seen Spot at all.

"It's fine..." she trailed off, somewhat sullenly. Lucio barely registered in her mind; she was too preoccupied with that damn Conlon kid. How was she supposed to do her job if she didn't even see the guy?

"Look, Moira, if there's something that happened, you need to tell me about it so I can take care of it," he said Jack, seriously. Moira shook her head and turned to face him.

"There's not. Honest, I swear," she promised. "I'm just tired, and I haven't seen Spot. I don't want to let you down, but I don't think anything's going to happen with him. I sort of got in a fight with him last time I saw him, with you at Tibby's, and I haven't seen him since," she admitted. Jack looked relieved.

"Now, that, is nothing. Spot is probably so frustrated right now, he doesn't know which way to turn. Girls don't treat him like that. Bet you he's more interested in you than before," he said confidently. Moira played with her necklace, looking at the silver object on it. Jack tried to look closely at it to see what it was, but Moira saw him look at it and tucked it out of sight under her neckline, where it usually was. She wore it every day, but she refused to let him see it, ever since her accident when they were kids.

"Well Moira, I've gotta get back to work, I'll see ya tonight," Jack said. Moira nodded, walking out with Jack, and they stopped on the stoop outside.

"Oh yeah, one more thing, this Friday, we're having our weekly poker game, and you're welcome to come...all the Brooklyn newsies come too," he added slyly. Moira shook her head laughing.

"So you need me to...occupy Spot?" she said cynically.

"No, I need you to make him fall madly in love with you and then break his heart," he teased her.

"Could you quit saying it like that? You make it sound so...mean-spirited. You know Jack; this isn't too easy, not like it usually is. One minute he's soft and sweet, the next, he's stealing kisses and then, ignoring the fact that I exist. How do you deal with this?" she said irately. Jack patted her on the shoulder.

"He'll come around. I'm gonna talk to him today 'bout ya anyways, see how he's feeling. Spot and I are pretty good friends, I figure if he tells anyone, it'll be me," he told her positively.

"I hope so, Jacky, I need something," Moira said anxiously. She wasn't sure what she was going to do with herself, or Spot...oh well, Friday was only three days away.

How was she going to last this long?!

Jack walked into Brooklyn, muscles tightened and his face set blankly. It was the best way to enter Brooklyn, because the newsies there were pretty tough, and you didn't want to look at them the wrong way. About ten minutes later, he found Spot, selling papers at an Italian cafe.

"Hey Spotty-boy," smirked Jack, walking up to him, and spit-shaking.

"Don't call me Spotty-boy," he said, trying to hide the grin on his face, as he remembered the last person who called him that to his face. Lord, that girl was crazy...he shook his head.

"Why you smiling, Spot? You meet anyone...special?" asked Jack innocently.

"What do ya mean, special? Special like maybe they should go to the looney bin? Probably that Moira girl...or maybe she's just got an attitude problem," he half laughed, half sneered, knowing exactly what Jack was getting at.

"You like her, don'tcha?" said Jack knowingly.

"What would give you that idea?" asked Spot, cocking his head, squinting his eyes.

"Oh, not much, just the way you look at her, talk to her, flirt with her, gaze at her with unwavering attention," said Jack, ticking everything off on his fingers, laughing. Spot laughed too, and hit him jokingly.

"Watch it, Cowboy," he warned, not being serious.

"Maybe Moira should know," suggested Jack.

"Why would she need to think I like her Why would you wanna lead her on like that?" said Spot with an attitude.

"Cause you do! C'mon, you know ya can't hide it from me, your oldest and dearest pal, can ya Spotty-boy?" said Jack, laughing again. Spot gave him a sharp look.

"If anyone's telling anyone I like anyone, not saying I like Moira or nothing, it's gonna be me, got that, Jack?" Spot told him piercingly, getting up in his face as a warning. Jack knew when to back off when it came to Spot, and now, he knew, was the time. He held up his hands in surrender.

"Hey, okay, buddy. Well, I gotta get back to Manhattan, sell my papes, but, uh, just keep in mind..." Jack trailed off, making sure he had Spot's attention.

"What?" asked Spot, irritated.

"Race seems to like her. He's been chasing her around, sending her flowers...but you probably knew that, I mean you've seen her recently, right?" he grinned at Spot impishly.

"No, actually, I haven't. Believe it or not, Kelly, I have more important things to worry about than some crazy dame," Spot snapped. Race sent a girl flowers. Really?

"Oh yeah, don't forget the poker game Friday. You're coming, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the World!" said Spot, returning the grin. They spit-shook, each understanding the other, and left in their own separate ways.