A/N: I'M SO SORRY! Here's another chapter everybody, sorry to keep you waiting. Not much, Rois in this one but a bit of a look into Spot's everyday goings-on and into how the boroughs deal with one another. I have been reconsidering the strike idea... however I already have a good amount down and i don't think the strike will last too long... five to ten chapters at the most and it'll go quicker than usual i think. No matter what it'll be background to Spot and Rois. Lemme know what you think! I'm having a debate with myself.

To those who review...

Hakunaaaa Matataaaa: Hahaha, they'll get there i promise! they're just very stubborn. thanks for the review!

Jean-Moddalle: thank you as always my friend :)

Succlentie: I totally see your point with the strike and I AM SO BAD WITH SPELLING. i kinda correct it in my head whne i'm reading and don't see it on my drafts. that's usually why it takes me so long to edit - i have to fix my spelling and i still dont get it all. sorry for the long wait!

Jaywing25: Lol, yeah, spot's catching some feelings but hes not happy about it! She's a little shady, i'll give you that. she's also kinda proud and doesn't like to admit when she's been beaten. And thanks so much for your review and your suggestions!

Emmalicious: Hes not happy about catching those feeling though!

Viola: Lemme know what you think! Spot is now vehemently denying those feelings!

Guestanewone: You're so sweet! thanks for reviewing both! Spot's feelings are a roller coaster! hot and cold, man.

.2018: Thank ya!

DreamDancer: Sorry this took so long! Thanks for loving the siblings and rois in general, i'm rather fond of her as well, lol. I'm not sure how to write her name in a way that translates to speech, if you google it i'm pretty sure you can find a strange internet video that; i'll say it to you. i'll work on it for next time!

~"Get some sleep, Rois."~

He ignored her presence completely the next day. Spot would not have a girl distracting him. He just wouldn't. He was Spot Conlon. The King of Brooklyn. The most feared newsie in New York, and damn if he was gonna slip.

He could not afford to slip- especially not now.

So he sat atop the boxes on the docks. For all intents and purposes it was their own private pier. This section of the construction was slightly rotted, the wood old and boards loose. Outside it was labeled "BROOKLYN EXCURSIONS- CLOSED" but he paid no mind. They knew their way around. There was no danger for them.

He watched his newsies, pointedly not thinking about the irish girl with the lopsided smile and eyes with emerald flecks currently lying in his bed. Eoghan sat with Bait, Bones, and Legs on the edge, the four were laughing. He looked happy. The boy fit in well, as he knew he would. And he would not regret it having him join. Eoghan was a quick learner, fast seller, and a smart kid.

Pick had taken to him well, become a sort of mentor, just as Spot had hoped he would. He himself could not- it would be seen as favoritism, the boy would be seen as weak and incapable, susceptible to the other's ridicule, and he would be seen as a having a weakness. Spot Conlon had no such weakness.

Rat appeared next to him, the boy's ability to go unnoticed uncanny. "I gots a report," he whispered scratchily. The two disappeared from the docks back to the lodging house as they conversed. Rat was what the newsies called one of Spot's 'birdies'- informants that gathered information as the King saw fit, keeping him informed to the other boroughs issues. There was a reason Brooklyn was the most dangerous borough after all- it wasn't all due to the rowdy newsies more prone than most to fights and dangerous streets.

It was because Brooklyn always knows.

"I was pokin' 'round Queens like youse said. You was right 'bout the succession problem. Ace's still fixin to get out. Found a girl, needs a real job to marry her an' all. But he ain't never picked a second, see… bound to be a bit a unrest dere."

"'Sides Ace, Blackjack's been there the longest."

"'S likely he'll take over," Rat nodded, "Ain't gonna be pretty," He shook his head, "Seems he's got the idea that Queens's bowed to Brooklyn's hand for too long- wants ta push the borders back they way theyse was 'fore you took over."

"Blackjack's not dumb… 'e knows thats a fight he can't win."

Rat shrugged. "Not alone at least."

"Mmmm," Spot sounded. "Anything on the Bronx? Cowboy said they was pushin' the borders."

"Eights ain't gonna be a problem anymore," Rat grinned, the missing tooth in his yellowed smile showing. "Me an' the o'hers took care o' it just like youse said. 'E was too scared to do anything but nod. He'll stay out a Manhattan."

Spot had to crack a grin. Cowboy owed him a favor now. "Watch him for a few days- just to be sure, then report back."

Rat nodded.

"And Rat?"

"Yeah, Spot?"

"You see Smokes you send him back here. I wanna know what he's got on our guest's former employers."

"Will do," Rat said, disappearing out the back door and onto the streets.

Red met him when he returned to the docks. The other boy sat a box lower than him and asked without looking, "Saw you disappear with Rat. News?"

"Queens is stirring up a problem. We're watching," he explained vaguely.

"Good nuff," the taller boy nodded, looking up at the borough leader. "How's our Irish Lady?" he grinned.

Spot stared at the boy until his smile faded.

"Eoghan said they weren't talking?" the taller boy asked genuinely.

Spot nodded. "She's trouble," he said, "Too stubborn- she doesn't know when to quit." He shook his head. "She'll get herself killed," he said tersely.

Red smiled.

Spot narrowed his eyes at his second in command. "What?" he snapped.

"Nothing… just reminds me of someone," he suppressed a laugh.