Okay. If you're new to this story, you don't have to worry, but if you've already read the first chapters…I had to change my nickname from Whisper to Mist.  It's a complicated issue involving the NML.  But anyway.  If you see someone mention Mist…That's me!  I'm going to go back and change chapter two so it conforms.  If you want to see the explanation behind the new name, go ahead and look back.  Sorry for the confusion!

Once again, I want to thank the people that reviewed!

~Beth

~Splash

~Twig

~Maniac Conlon (Timber)

~Drama-Queen

~Irish Fury

~Snuggles

~Mondie

~Lucky

I love all of you girlies! 

Oh, and another thing.  I have to ask that no one else ask to be in the story.  I already have three people, and that's fine with me.  I think anymore and I would confuse myself and also confuse you!  

Timber!  You're time is here!  I hope you like it…if I've completely messed up your character…just tell me!

Mondie and Lucky, you'll be coming up soon.  Sorry it wasn't this chapter…I just had to put Timber in for sure because she is writing an entire story about me!  Go read it, it's GREAT!

Does anyone else love that song by Elton John?  This Train Don't Stop There Anymore!  It's great too.  As is American Idol.  GO KELLY!

Also, I have to give a big thank you to Timber, who helped me add plot to this story! 

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Soon after their departure from Tibby's, Mush and Mist found themselves walking around the edge of Central Park, Mush's arm still resting around her waist.  Neither was talking, they were both simply enjoying the warm, early fall afternoon.  The leaves were beginning to change colors on the trees that were scattered across the open fields.  A cool breeze rustled the leaves, causing the few that were already dead to fall to the ground. 

The pair soon found themselves sitting on one of the numerous outcroppings of rocks that dotted the park.  Alex sat hugging her knees to her chest, while Mush was lying sprawled out, resting on his elbows.  Alex soon became uncomfortable with the silence.  "So," she began, "It looks like Mads and Jack really hit it off."  She remembered where Jack's arm had been when they were leaving the restaurant. 

"Yeah.  He really seems to like her.  You should have heard him talking last night."

"Ooh!  Do tell," she gushed, always ready to hear the latest gossip.

He shrugged.  "Nothing much.  He just kept going on and on about how he rescued her, and how she agreed to sell with him today."  Grinning, he continued.  "It actually was pretty funny.  I'd never seen him act like that before."

"That's sweet."

"Mmm hmm." The conversation died out once again, and the silence set in.  Alex turned her gaze to the park and it's inhabitants.  There was a small group of children playing tag.  A young woman, around the age of 20, was trying desperately to keep them under control and in her sight.  Alex grinned at the sight the woman made as she became more and more flustered. 

"What are you grinning about."  Mush broke the quiet that had befallen them.  She pointed out the woman and the children, going off into a long explanation of how they got to play tag one day at crew when there was a thunderstorm and they had to stay indoors. 

"Alex?" Mush cut her off. 

"Yeah?"  She asked, completely forgetting what she was talking about as she turned back to look at him.

"Shut up."  He commanded, then leaned in and kissed her.  Her eyes widened and she froze, her thoughts instantly returning to Spot.  A few seconds later, she regained her senses and pulled away from Mush, lightly pushing him away. 

"I can't do this to you," she breathed, tuning away from him. 

He gave her a look of hurt and confusion.

"Do what?"

"Lead you on like this," she sighed, having made her decision.  However sweet and wonderful Mush was, her true feelings lay with the sandy haired newsie from Brooklyn.

"Oh.  I understand."  He paused for a moment.  "Spot."  He cursed himself and his audacity. 

"Mush, you're a great guy and all…you're just…" she trailed off.

"Not Spot." He finished for her, nodding and looking down at his hands.

"I'm sorry."  She chewed on her lower lip, worried that the situation would ruin her friendship with Mush. 

"It's alright.  Don't worry about it."

"I guess we should head back to the lodge," she said after a few moments silence.

Mush glanced up at the ever-darkening sky and nodded.

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Spot wandered the streets of Manhattan, slowly making his way back to Brooklyn.  He couldn't help but think about what Madeline had said.  If it was true he would have to act fast, before Mush did.  He figured he didn't have much time, considering what he had seen at lunch that day. 

In his wanderings and wonderings, Spot never really noticed where he was going.  He soon found himself in Central Park.  Swearing, he turned to head back towards Brooklyn.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mush and Alex sitting on the rocks.  At first he thought nothing of it, but then did a double take when he realized that they were kissing.  He cursed again, remembering what Madeline had said, and hurried away, not wanting to be seen by the couple. 

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When Alex entered the bunkroom with Mush, she grinned at the sight that greeted her.  Madeline was sitting on Jack's lap on his bunk, leaning back against him.  His arms encircled her waist, and Mads rested her hands on his.  Both looked up when she walked over.

"You don't mind if I borrow her for a minute, do you?" she asked, directing her comment to Jack.

"Fine with me," he said, releasing Madeline from his hold.  She jumped down from his top bunk and followed Alex down the stairs and into the lobby of the lodge. 

"You and Jack sure seem friendly," Alex said once they were seated on the dusty, brown wool couch in the lobby.  "Are you guys together?"

"He hasn't officially asked me yet, but I think we pretty much are."  Mads gushed.  "What about you and Mush?  You two were looking pretty friendly at lunch today."

"He kissed me."

"He what?"

"He ki-"

"I heard you, I just don't believe it.  What about Spot?"

"That's exactly what the problem is.  I told Mush that I don't have those kind of feelings for him," she sighed, realizing just how much she had screwed things up. "And Spot was glaring at me in Tibby's."

"It's 'cause he likes you," Madeline said matter of factly, while inspecting her nails.

"He does not.  How many times do I have to tell you."

"Does too.  You should have heard him asking about you today."

"Really?  What did he say?"

"He didn't really say much.  He just wanted to know what you had said about him."  She paused, smiling slightly.  "Kind of like you are right now."

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing really.  I just said that you hadn't mentioned him," Madeline lied.

Alex breathed a sigh of relief.  "For a second I thought you were gonna say you told him I liked him. "

Madeline grinned.  What she doesn't know can't hurt her.

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The next morning Alex realized that she had not made any real plans with Spot as to where they would meet up to sell.  She decided to head to Brooklyn and meet him there.  Madeline had offered to go with her, knowing her disposition to going places by herself, but she had declined.  She knew that Madeline would rather be spending time with Jack than following her on her search for Spot.

When she arrived in Brooklyn, she headed for the pier.  She did not know where the Brooklyn distribution office or the lodging house was, so she figured that the place where so many Brooklyn newsies seemed to be was the best place to look.  Though she avoided eye contact as she walked down the pier in search of Spot, a newsie that Spot had told her was named Fish stopped her.  Spot had also told her to stay away from him.

"Heya doll face.  Haven't I seen you around here before?" he asked, smirking as many of the surrounding newsies turned to watch the exchange. 

"Hello, Fish, is it?" She continued when he nodded.  "Do you know where I can find Spot?"  She glanced around nervously at all the other leering newsies; longing for the safety she felt when she was with Spot.

"Nah, Doll.  What do you want with him when you can have me?"  He grinned at his friends.

Under different circumstances, Alex would have jumped at the offer.  He is kind of cute, she thought, admiring his dark brown hair and vivid hazel eyes.  Ack, no!  She mentally slapped herself.  If Spot had told her that he was bad news, then he was bad news. 

"I think I'll just go find Spot, if that's alright."  She began to push past him, but he caught hold of her wrist and turned her around to face him.

"Spot aint here right now.  You're gonna have to settle for me," he said angrily, his face very close to hers.

A new voice spoke from behind her.  "Fish, shove off.  Can't you see she's scared?"  Alex turned her head as Fish released her to see a tall girl standing behind her.  Her long dark brown hair was accented with maroon and lighter brown streaks.  She stepped forward and pulled Alex away from the lingering eyes of the newsies, further down the pier. 

"The name's Timber," she said, holding out a hand for Alex to shake.

"Alex…or Mist, I guess."  Alex replied, puzzled as to what she should go by.

"Heh.  It's best to go buy your nickname," Timber replied, correctly interpreting her confusion.  "I overheard you say you were looking for Conlon.  He's down a little further."

"Thanks for helping me back there."

"No problem.  Fish seems to think that the world should be in love with him.  Just ignore him," Timber replied.  A few seconds later she stopped and pointed down the pier, to where Spot was sitting on a crate.  With him was a blonde girl, and they appeared to be more than just friendly.  Alex's heart skipped a beat and she stopped dead in her tracks and whirled around, the beginnings of tears stinging her eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Timber asked, catching up with Alex.  Alex simply shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.  "Oh." Timber said, seeing the look on her face.  "I see."

"He asked me to sell with him today.  I guess he forgot."  Alex said when she was fairly sure she wasn't going to burst into tears. 

"Oh!  You're the girl from Manhattan that he's been talking about!  He came home real upset last night.  Said that he saw you and Mush together.  Aren't you Mush's girl?"

"No!  He must have seen…in the park.  Aw, shit."  She wrung her hands and bit her lower lip, glancing back at Spot and the girl.  Spot had noticed her, and his face showed confusion as he stared at her.  The blonde tried in vain to regain his attention, then scowled in Alex's direction when she noticed what Spot was looking at.

"Oh.  He thinks you're with Mush."

"I'm not.  And I need to go.  Spot saw me."  She began walking quickly down the pier.  Timber soon caught up with her.

"Wait for me!  I'm heading to Manhattan too.  I'm Skittery's girl, you know the one?"

"Skitts?  He's a cutie."  Alex grinned.

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There you have it!  Mondie and Lucky, you're next!  Sorry I didn't put you in now…I just didn't see the opportunity.  FUN!  Anyway, please read and review!