A/N So I realize that the story is starting to get pretty confusing so I thought I would do a quick summary of everything just so everyone can make sure they have the story straight:

Actor and Jack are siblings. Jack thinks that Actor doesn't know the truth about that while in reality she does and she is waiting for him to talk to her about it. Spot was suspicious of Actor and her background for a while so Actor finally told him the "truth" and said that she used to be in the Black Kings but wasn't anymore which Spot believed. Jack and Race overheard this conversation so they know everything but they don't know that Actor knows that they were listening in on the conversation. Striker is the leader of the Street Sharks, a rival gang trying to take down the Black Kings. Break is the best friend of Actor from the Black Kings and it was revealed that he was a traitor by the brother of the previous Black Kings leader who is now back in town and will probably show up again pretty soon. Actor ratted out Break so Break is now known to everyone as a traitor but Break didn't rat out Actor to the Newsies so she was able to continue being a spy, although Break will make this very difficult for her. After Actor tried to get a note out to Night she ran into a few Black Kings and then some Newsies showed up. Having to explain herself quickly, Actor said that she is still in touch with some of her old friends, prompting Striker to have the idea that she should spy on the Black Kings for the Newsies (even though in reality it's the other way around). So now she's at a party for the Black Kings and is "spying" on Night for the Newsies. Also, it was hinted at in the past few chapters that Break is starting to get other Black Kings to go along with his treachery. And of course people having been beating each other up along the way, continually fueling the war.

Hopefully this clears things up! Thank you so much for reading and enjoy!

"We're having some…disagreements about how to proceed with the war," Night started to say.

"I think we need to do more of the random attacks on groups of Newsies. That will weaken them little by little and will demoralize them because they won't be able to protect themselves," Steel stated firmly.

"I disagree. I think we need to focus all of our efforts in planning for the final battle. We'll need to make sure everything's perfect before we try to take on three different groups. That battle is a matter of pride. If we focus on weakening the others before that battle then we'll just look weak ourselves," Trap countered.

"And I think that we need to focus our efforts now on one major attack that will not be face-to-face. I want to do something that will make them lose hope and any major ground they've managed to gain," Night argued.

The three practically glared around the table at each other before Night finally sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"We've been butting heads here. I think we need a new perspective. What do you think Eclipse?" he asked, shifting over slightly to look at me.

I leaned back and considered their ideas for a moment. All of them had their merits but also their weaknesses.

"What we need," I said slowly, "Is balance"

The three of them looked at me, clearly confused.

"Balance?" Trap echoed.

I nodded my head.

"All of your ideas have their strengths but also their weaknesses. What we need to do is find a balance between them that uses all of their strengths," I explained.

The boys still looked like they didn't fully understand what I was saying so I pressed on.

"I agree with Steel that we need to keep up the small attacks. Those are hard for the Newsies to defend against and they will just keep getting angrier which will hopefully lead them to make a mistake. I also think we need to plan for the final battle. That battle will decide everything so it does need to be perfect. As for the secret but major attack, even though I don't exactly know what you mean by that, I think it would be good also. Anything to bring down the Newsies or even the Street Sharks," I said.

The three boys all let that sink in for a few seconds before Night nodded his head slowly.

"I like that. Those plans alone wouldn't have been enough. But together, that might actually give us the edge to turn the war back in our favor," he said.

Turning to me, he smiled and ruffled my hair.

"I knew I kept you around for some reason," he said teasingly.

I laughed and elbowed him lightly.

"Can you stay here instead of going back to those Newsies?" Steel asked jokingly, although something in his tone made me think he was being somewhat serious.

"Unfortunately we do need her to stay back with the Newsies and get as much information as she can. It's too late to try and put someone else in her spot," Night said, shaking his head.

I just smiled and took a sip of my beer.

"Well if we're all done talking strategy then I'm going to go get some more drinks," Steel said, standing up.

"I'll get some too," Trap said and the two of them headed off towards the bar together.

I quickly seized on the opportunity to talk to Night alone. I didn't think that Steel and Trap knew about my new role as a "spy" for the Newsies and honestly the less people who knew the better.

"So what do you want me to tell the Newsies?" I asked quietly.

Night contemplated the question for a little bit, sipping on his beer. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he thought about what the consequences would be for every little thing I told the Newsies.

"Well I can't let you go back without any information. I don't think Jack would really believe that," Night mused, "But obviously I don't want you to tell him everything. How about… let him think that we were talking about decreasing attacks on the streets but that we were starting to plan something big that we wouldn't tell you about. And also that there was some infighting. That should make him believe that his Newsies will be safe and that we're falling apart, both of which are false, and that there will be a big attack which should put him on edge,"

"Alright. Where do you think the big attack will be?" I asked.

"Right here," he said, tapping a finger against my chest, right around where my heart was.

I looked at him questioningly but he just smiled back at me. Right then Steel and Trap came back each holding an armful of unopened beers.

"Let's get this party really started," Steel said, grinning.

We all held up our opened beers in a toast.

"Here's to forever being the Kings of New York," Steel said proudly.

"Cheers," the rest of us called out before we all downed the rest of our drinks.

The night seemed to go very fast from that point on. The room filled up to the point of bursting by around midnight. It was a sea of black and everyone was starting to get loud now that the alcohol had been flowing for some time. I lost track of how many beers I had but I knew it was enough that my mind had started to get that hazy feeling.

I was currently watching an arm-wrestling match between Steel and some very beefy Black King I had never seen before but I was starting to get bored. Setting what was left of my bottle down on the table next to me, I wove through the crowd that had gathered and headed over towards one of the hallways in the back. What I needed right now was some alone time and these hallways were the perfect place where I could get it.

I slipped into one of them and to my delight found it completely deserted. Once I made sure I was completely out of sight of everyone in the other room I leaned up against the wall and let my eyes fall shut. I hadn't realized how tired I actually was until all the excitement started to wear off.

Running a hand across my face, I suppressed a groan. I needed to keep up the act even if it was for just a little bit longer. Sighing, I let my hand fall down to my side and opened my eyes. To my surprise, Break was standing right in front of me, in the black outfit that I was used to seeing him in.

"Break!" I said in surprise, wondering if my hazy brain was making me imagine things.

"Shh don't give me away," he said, putting a finger over his lips.

"You aren't supposed to be here," I declared, narrowing my eyes.

"I know that. Don't tell anyone, okay?"

"No. I'm going to go tell Night. You can't be here. You aren't a Black King anymore," I said accusingly, turning to walk away.

Break grabbed a hold of one of my arms, however, and pulled me back towards him.

"Please don't tell him. I'm here for a good reason," he said.

"No you're not. You're here to spy," I declared, narrowing my eyes.

"No I'm not. I promise. I wouldn't lie to you, right?" he pleaded.

The hopeful look on his face stopped my sassy reply. I never could resist Break when he really wanted something…

"I…" I tried to come up with an excuse but my brain was failing me.

Break pressed on, seeing my falter slightly.

"It's just for a little bit. All I have to do is find Jack and the others and get them out safely," he said, squeezing my shoulders reassuringly.

I studied him as best as I could in my drunken haze.

"Fine," I said finally, "Go find Jack and the others"

"Thanks Eclipse. Now you stay right here, ok? I'll be back to get you in a minute," he said before pulling up his bandanna and walking down the hallway.

When he reached the entrance of the hallway he turned around slightly and raised up his hand with his palm to the ground. I knew that signal; I'd seen it a hundred times before. It was the Black King signal for stay put. I nodded my head and watched as he turned right and disappeared from view. However, I wasn't going to stay put. Even if I was completely sober I wouldn't have followed Break's orders.

I made my way to the entrance of the hallway and peered out into the crowded room. Even though Break had left only a few seconds ago he had already disappeared among everyone. I stuck my head into the room as far as I dared without making myself overly obvious. After straining my eyes trying to look for Break, I finally spotted him off to the side next to a booth, talking to someone. Four figures emerged from the booth slowly and even though they wore all black and had their faces covered I immediately recognized them: it was Race, Mush, Jack, and Spot. Even in Black King garb I could tell who they were. Still, I felt a sense of relief wash over me as they all started walking my direction. I was kind of glad to get out of here now, especially since we had to get back to the Lodging House.

My eyes narrowed, however, when I noticed that Break wasn't walking back over with the others. Instead, he turned around and headed over to the other side of the room and slid into the corner booth. I couldn't see anyone else in the booth even though I tried my hardest. I was about to walk out into the room and see who it was when a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back into the hallway.

I turned slightly and saw that it was Race who had grabbed my arm.

"Get off me," I said coldly, yanking my arm away.

Race looked slightly hurt but my attention was drawn away from him when Jack spoke.

"You got drunk," Jack stated, a hint of disapproval in his voice.

I bristled at his words and shot him a glare.

"Welcome to a Black King party. If you can't keep up than get out," I spat back at him.

"You didn't have to drink you know," Jack countered.

"Yes I did. That's how you talk to people. You drink with them. Night would've thought something was wrong and wouldn't have told me anything if I hadn't drank with them," I argued.

"Well you could've pretended then," Jack said, frustrated.

"No Jack I couldn't. When Night gets a beer everyone else does too. People know if you don't keep up," I explained, getting angrier.

Before Jack could retort I cut him off sharply.

"Just shut up Jack. You don't know a damn thing alright? Who here was in the Black Kings for the past ten years? Who here actually knows how to act and what the rules are? Oh wait, that's right, it's me," I said icily.

"You're right," Jack started to say but I cut him off again.

"Damn straight I'm right. You guys are pathetic. Even in all black and with bandannas on I still picked you guys out from across the room. You aren't subtle at all," I sneered at him.

"That's just cause you know us better," Race finally cut in.

"Every Black King can spot another Black King. You guys underestimate their intelligence," I snorted, turning back towards the room.

Spot's hand on my shoulder, however, prevented me from going any further.

"We need to go Actor," he said firmly.

"I need to wait for Break," I said, trying to shrug his hand off.

He grabbed onto both of my shoulders and forced me to face him.

"He'll catch up with us in a second. We need to go now before someone sees us," he said, surprisingly calm.

His calm attitude shocked me for a second. I hesitated before replying.

"Ok," I said, allowing him to take my hand and lead me in the opposite direction down the hallway.

I didn't spare Jack a glance (I was still mad at him) but I did glance at Race when he put his arm around my shoulders.

"Let's get you home," he said, smiling at me.

This time I didn't feel any anger towards him and instead returned the smile. In the back of my head I realized that the alcohol was making me have some serious mood swings but I just ignored it. I really didn't give a damn at the moment.

/

Back at the Black King Party

Break slid into the booth where Slick was sitting patiently, his hands clasping a beer that he had yet to drink from. Slick hadn't felt like getting drunk tonight, especially given the decision he was about to make. He wanted to make sure he had a completely clear head for this.

"Have you given my offer any thought?" Break asked, voice slightly muffled from the bandanna he refused to pull down.

He wanted to take the damn thing off but he couldn't run the risk of someone recognizing him.

"I have," Slick said, staring down at the beer bottle.

"And…?" Break pressed.

Normally he wasn't impatient but he knew Eclipse was back in a hallway at least somewhat drunk and he wanted to get her and the other Newsies out as quickly as possible.

Slick raised his gaze so that he was looking Break straight in the eye.

"I'm in," he said calmly.

Break wanted to cheer at his good fortune but settled for celebrating internally instead. Slick was a long-time member of the Black Kings and therefore knew almost everyone. Slick would be able to convince more people and get others to join the cause of the Newsies as well.

"Glad to hear it," Break replied, nodding his head.

"And…" Slick started to say.

Break decided against pressing Slick for answers this time and instead waited patiently for him to continue.

"I've been talking to some other people as well. Quietly, of course. But I think I convinced a few more people," Slick said, glancing over to gauge Break's reaction.

Break allowed a small smile to slip onto his face since Slick couldn't see it. Slick was already getting others to join the side of the Newsies and Break hadn't even had to ask nicely.

"Glad to hear that. Thanks for the help," Break replied smoothly.

He extended his hand across the table and shook hands with Slick who nodded his head in response before slipping out of the booth. The meeting had been brief but Break knew that Jack and Spot would be relieved to know that he had an in with the gang again. He had honestly been a little bit worried that they would cast him aside once he had been kicked out of the Black Kings. Luckily Spot had decided that it would still be useful to have his knowledge, although Spot had been an asshole about explaining all of that.

Break glanced across the room at the hallway where he had left Eclipse and was relieved to see that she wasn't trying to spy on him or stand out in the open. Hopefully Jack and the others had gotten to her and had convinced her to go back to the Lodging House with them. The last thing Break needed was a drunk, vengeful Eclipse wandering around blowing his cover.

Break stood up and reflexively checked to make sure his bandanna was still up and hiding his face. He still had some business to attend to and he couldn't let a simple slip-up such as showing his face get in the way of his plans.