A/N: Heh, heh. *darts eyes nervously* Don't kill me! I kinda, uh, forgot about this story. *ducks for fear of flying objects* Hey! That was almost alliteration! Yay!

Chapter 2

            The next afternoon, before anyone but the top sellers had gotten rid of all their papes, the newly reunited brother and sister sat together on Jack's bunk. He turned to Ann and said, sounding very suave, "You know, uh, I don't wanna spoil the surprise or anything, but tomorrow I'm taking you to that new playground in the middle of City Hall Park!" In the end, his voice betrayed his excitement.

"Playground?" Ann asked, disbelieving.
            Jack grinned. "Yeah, I know what you're thinking." He moved his hands around in circles in front of his temples.
            "I don't think so," She replied, mocking his hand motions.
            Oblivious to his sister's lack of enthusiasm, Jack practically yelled, "We're gonna have a lot of fun!"
            Ann's eyes widened at a sudden idea. "Hey, you know what might be more fun," she began, "is if we invite someone else who doesn't need to sell tomorrow. Hmm, do we know anybody who doesn't need to sell?"
            Jack's brow furrowed as he thought. "Well… Let's see, uh, well there's Spot."
            Ann bit the inside of her cheek to stop form smiling and said, "Spot. Eh, I guess he would be okay." A smirk slowly crept onto Ann's lips. She and Spot had gotten to be close friends that day and their initial attraction for each other had grown. It looked like Spot would be spending some more time in Manhattan than he'd planed.

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Jack and Ann had walked to Tibby's for supper and Ann scanned the room for Spot. She spotted him (A/N: pun intended) in a booth near the back of the restaurant and pulled her brother over. Ann caught Jack's eyes and gestured for him to talk.

"Hey, Spot," Jack said before spiting in his hand and holding it out to the other boy, who did the same. "So, Annie and me are going to that new playground by City Hall tomorrow, and we want you to come with us," he grinned.

Spot raised an eyebrow at his friend. "I'd like to, but uh, on- on my side of the bridge, we try to avoid… playgrounds," he finished lamely. Fortunately for him, Jack didn't notice. Come to think of it, he hadn't been noticing much at all.

Continuing to smile like an idiot, Jack continued acting like one, too. "Come on, Spot! We're not gonna take no for an answer," he insisted.

Ann forced an excited look an on her face. "Come on, it'll be fun," she said, her voice dipping with sarcasm which Jack, once again, didn't seem to hear.
            "Okay, sure," Spot sighed in defeat.
            "Alright!" Jack yelled. "Great. We're gonna have a great time!" He turned away from Spot and embraced his sister, laughing the entire time.
            Ann hugged him back and said overenthusiastically, "Oh yea, you're the best, Jack!" She looked over her brother's shoulder and made eye contact with Spot. "I love you," she almost whispered. Spot's eyes grew wide. He knew she liked him, he liked her, too, but love?!
            Jack, of course, thought she was talking to him and held her tighter. "I love you, too, Annie-Bellie!" He said, making her cringe at the old nickname.

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A/N: *Sigh* my curse never fails. My second chapters always suck.

A thank you and a package of Amazing Elastic Plastic to the three of you who reviewed. *Grins* I killed Sparks. I luffle you all!