Disclaimer: Alright you know the drill.  I don't own any of the newsies that were listed on the soundtrack to the movie, or any other characters in the story itself.  I do own any other characters that pop up in the story and any newsies that you haven't heard of before.  I just saw the movie for the first time a couple weeks ago.  Too bad all those guys are so much older now; most of 'em are pretty cute.  That guy Specs is really cute, but he has like no lines in the movie, not fair.  If you like what you read review, this is my first newsie fic so be kind, or e-mail me.  I'll update as much as possible.  Hope you like it.

Past Secrets and Present Times

Chapter 1

By Megan

            The newsies of Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and everywhere else in
New York were celebrating their win over Pulitzer and the rights they gained for the sweatshop kids all over New York.  Now, they still weren't treated very fairly, but they still had rights.  Everything had gone back to what it had been like before, Spot and the other Brooklyn newsies had finally returned to Brooklyn, and the Manhattan newsies were ready for something exciting to happen.  And thanks to Brooklyn they were going to get their wishes very soon.

            "Heya Hotshot," Spot Conlon called out, strolling into the small building on the pier that Brooklyn newsies called home.

            "Whadda ya want," the younger newsie asked from one of the small cots.

            "We's gots a problem," Spot said, "Dere's a couple a guys lookin' 'round Brooklyn for ya.  Now I'se knows you can get away from one a dem while you's out sellin' papes but if sumone slips and tells 'em where ya live den you'll get sent back wit' dat uncle a yours.  And dere's a bunch of 'em too, maybe a dozen or so."

            "What do ya want me ta do 'bout it,"

            "I'se gonna send you up to Manhattan to be a newsie dere for a while.  I gots a friend who can maybe help ya.  But I gots ta warn ya some of da guys dere might be a lil'

bugged by a goil sellin' papes."

            "If they don't like a girl sellin' dere papes I'll teach 'em to live wit it." She said.

            "An' how do ya plan on doin' dat?" he questioned.

            "I'se from Brooklyn, I'll soak 'em."  She was already done packing her things in a small bag.

            The leader of the Brooklyn newsies, sometime known as Brooklyn himself, laughed at the comment made by the only female newsie in New York, Brooklyn at least.  Spot had been the first one to meet her when she'd run away from home four years ago.  He'd taught her everything he knew and was the only one who knew her secret.

            As their laughter died down the doors opened again causing the sun to shine off of Spot's dirty blonde hair and gold cane.  His, male, second in command, Lockpick (after his famous talent), came running in. "Spot," he called, "They's her lookin for Hotshot.  She's gots ta leave now."

            Spot cursed under his breath as he snuck her off the pier.  "You know how to get to Manhattan?"

"Yeah, course."

"Find Jack Kelley, or David Jacobs, most a the newsies there will know 'em."

"Don't they got nicknames?"

"Jack is Cowboy and David is Davy, sometimes.  They was in the newspaper I showed you."

"I'll find 'em." She spit on her hand and held it out.

Spot copied her motion and shook her hand just in time to hear a man behind him.  He turned to find a large man coming down the pier at him and pulled out his slingshot, "Scram kid.  I'll come up when it's safe.  If ya need me send Jack down here."

            Without a word she took off in the direction of the bridge while Spot told the man to get away from the pier when he figured out that the man only thought he'd seen a girl.  Him and the other men searching left with a little convincing from the Brooklyn newsies slingshots.

            It was dark by the time Hotshot got to Manhattan, and she was very tired.  When she remembered that Spot hadn't told her where to find the Manhattan newsies she realized she wouldn't find them until the next morning.  She found a small alley between two buildings and sat near a stack of crates.  Her stomach growled, demanding food, but being used to not eating for days she ignored it.  Since she was wearing the same clothes most newsies in New York wore she knew everyone would mistake her for a boy, until they saw her hair.  Thanks to that no one would wake her up for sleeping in the streets.  Completely relaxed she stretched out and fell asleep.

*          *            *

            "So what's you's doin' taday Blink," Race asked, as he and the other newsies were getting ready to leave for a day of work. 

Kid Blink had been told to take an extra day off by Jack, because he had been very sick.  Blink was convinced he was fine but an extra day off sounded better than selling papes.

"I dunno," he shrugged, "Jus' hang 'round here I guess."

"In dat case ya wanna lend me two bits for da track."

Kid Blink threw the money in his friends' direction.

Racetrack was out the door in minutes.  David replaced him coming into the room where they usually slept.  "How ya feelin' Blink?" he asked.

"Alright, I bet I could go sell papes taday but Jack said ta stay here again."

"An' you betta do what I said too.  Unless there's some kinda emergency, if I find out you took one step outta this place I'll soak ya meself." Jack warned as he came out of the washroom. 

Mush and Crutchy walked by him as Kid Blink gave a mock salute, "yessir."

"Maybe I should soak ya jus' for da fun a it."  By this time only a few of the newsies were still in the room.  "Me an' Davy'll come back at noon.  I'll get ya sumthin' from Tibby's." With that said Jack and David walked out of the room.

Blink sighed, being the only one there was boring.  A few seconds later Specs walked out of the washroom and began looking around his bed.

"Hey, Kid ya seen me hat?" he asked.

"Sure have," he pulled it off the post of his bed, "But I ain't gonna give it to ya." To emphasize his point Kid Blink pulled the hat out of Specs' reach.

"Do you always hafta be such an antagonist?" Specs asked, slightly annoyed.

"Antaga… what?"  Blink asked confused.

"Antagonist," Specs said, out of all the newsies in the boarding house he'd had the most education and easily pronounced words that the other couldn't "Someone who starts problems."

"Yep, dat's me." Blink made the mistake of lowering the hat within Specs' reach.  Specs seized the opportunity and stole his hat back.  He shook his head and ran out of the room.

*            *            *

Hotshot had woken up to find the streets full of newsies.  None of whom she recognized from the paper.  Spot had warned her that not all Manhattan newsies were kind.  She decided to find the boarding house where the 'Cowboy' lived.  Before stepping out of the alley she pulled her hat onto her head trapping most of her shoulder length brown hair inside it.  She wandered the street until she saw a building with an old, weather beaten sign out front that read 'News Boys Lodging House.' Knowing this must be the place to find them she opened the front door and walked inside.

*            *            *

The bunkroom quickly became boring so Kid Blink took a deck of cards from Racetrack's bunk and walked downstairs.  Maybe Kloppman, the man who ran the boarding house, would be up for a game.  When he slid down the banister the older man was walking into his office.

"Hey, Kloppman, how 'bout a game a poker."

The older man looked up at him, "Can't right now Kid. I gotta fix my record books and put a new one together."  He smiled at the younger boy, "Little bored?"

Kid Blink nodded as he jumped up on the counter and spread out the cards, "Maybe later?"

"Sure, why not." With that Kloppman closed the door to his office and Kid Blink was alone in the lobby.  He had been practicing poker for almost half an hour when a younger looking boy walked into the room.  He wasn't anyone that Kid Blink remembered so Kid figured that he was a newbie.

Blink jumped down from the counter as the boy approached, "Hey kid, can I help you?"

"Is Cowboy and David here?"

"Naw, they're out sellin but they're comin' back around lunch so you can hang out with me until then.  I'se Kid Blink by the way.  What's ya name?"

The younger newsie glanced at him but didn't answer. 

"You can tell me later," he said getting no response, "You been a newsie before?"

"Since I was 14."  Blink motioned him to play a game of poker with him, and got a nod in response.  As they started the game Blink continued his interrogation, "So where was you a newsie before?"

"Brooklyn, but don't tell no one ok."

"Alright," Blink agreed.  He wasn't sure if the kid was telling the truth.  He doubted that a Brooklyn newsie would decide too go somewhere else and didn't recognize him from Spot's group.  The only thing that made it believable was the look on the kids' face.  His facial expression challenged anyone to prove him wrong. 

The kid beat him during the first three games of poker but then he went on a winning streak.  He didn't notice Jack and David come in until one of them spoke.

"Hey Kid Blink, whose da new kid?" Jack asked.

"Heya guys," Blink said as he and the other kid threw their cards into the pile, "Dis is a newbie.  He ain't told me his name yet.  Says he's from Brooklyn an' he asked 'specially for yous two when he came in."

Jack spit in his hand and held it out, "I'se Jack, dis is Davy and you's already met Blink here."

The kid spit in his hand and shook hands with Jack.

"You the kid Spot was gonna send here?" Jack asked.

"Yeah."

"C'mon Davy," Jack said pointing upstairs, "Blink give us a bit."

Kid Blink accepted a sandwich from Tibby's from David and nodded, confused.  Jack, Davy, and the new kid walked upstairs.  Jack ushered them into the bunkroom and shut the door. 

"David," he explained, "Dis kids from Spot's gang over in Brooklyn.  He ran away from 'is uncle a few years ago and the bulls a' lookin' for him in Brooklyn now.  Anyways Spot sent 'im up 'ere ta stay wit' us 'till the whole thing blows over."  He turned to the newbie, "What did he mean when he said da guys might not want you's ta stay 'ere.

Hotshot pulled off her hat to reveal that she was a girl.  "You's a goil," Jack muttered surprised, "Spot said you was his second in command."

"I am. Da names Brooke an' would ya mind not tellin' everyone I'se from Brooklyn."

"Alright, why aren't you staying with the newsgirls across town?" David asked.

"They have a bad rep, and none dem knows how to fight.  I'se jus' used to livin' wit' the guys in Brooklyn I guess.  So can I stay here?"

"I gots no objections to you staying here.  We won't tell 'em where you's from an' if we tell Blink he'll keep his mouth shut too.  We'll introduce ya to everyone tonight, but I gots ta warn ya they likes ta play jokes, and dey might be worse 'cause you's a goil."

"All I gots to say is if they play jokes on me I'll play joke on dem."

"It'll settle down after the firs' night or two." Jack said.

"I've got no objections either," said David, "I really don't think most of 'em will care that you're a girl.  I mean they've seen a strike so a girl selling papes here shouldn't faze them."

"It's settled den," Jack said, "Let's go get you signed in wit' Kloppman."

Downstairs they filled Kloppman and Kid Blink in on the conversation upstairs.  Kid Blink was surprised, but didn't mind a girl living in the boarding house.  Kloppman's only concern was her looking like a boy when the inspectors came.  When she pulled on her hat Brooke looked enough like a boy to convince him and he decided to let her stay.  He offered to keep one of the smaller rooms for sick newsies for her, but she didn't mind staying in the bunkroom. 

Jack told her to wait at the top of the stairs as everyone started coming in.  Some of them complained about wanting to go upstairs, but Jack insisted that his announcement was very important.  The signal that everyone was back came when Race walked in with Crutchy and Les shouting about his lucky win at the races.

 "Alright everyone quiet down," Jack said, "We gots a newbie stayin' wit' us an' I want you all to treat 'er wit' respect." As he said it he pulled Brooke down the stairs.

"Jackie dat's a goil," Race argued.

"One a me friends sent her ta stay wit' us.  He she's good at sellin' papes and needs somewhere safe ta stay for a bit so we ain't gonna turn 'er away." Jack said in return.

"She ain't no real newsie," Race said, "I bets she can't even play poker or nuthin'.  She should prove herself worthy a it."

Brooke and Kid Blink shared a smile.  "How 'bout she plays you, Race," Kid Blink said, "If she wins you let her stay wit' no argument."

"Alright," he pulled a deck out of his pocket and put them on the counter.  Five minutes later he was staring wide-eyed at the girl.  She'd beaten him, no one ever beat him.  He smiled when she asked if he wanted to play again.  "I think ya made me look bad enough today."

Jack pulled her back over to the stairs, "You got a nickname?"

"Hotshot, and if you wanna find out why ya gotta make me mad.  And trust me ya don't wanna do dat."

"OK everyone, dis is Hotshot," Jack yelled out, "Who wants to help her out for the first few days?"

"I don't need help." She told him.

"Manhattan and Brooklyn are different places," he told her quietly, "you's not in Brooklyn anymore so they won't be as scared a you."  Then he turned back to his friends, "So who wants to help her out?" No one said a word, "Alright, who was the last one in here tonight?  Let's see Boots was the first one back-"

At that moment the door opened and Specs came walking in.  "Sorry I'se late," he said, seeing everyone was still standing around downstairs.

"Well its settled den, Specs gets da job," Race said, satisfied.

"Huh?!?" Specs asked, confused.

"Blink, go explain it to 'im." Jack said.  Blink crossed the room and pulled his friend aside.

"OK, now we'll introduce you's to everybody since they knows who you are."  David said.

Jack took over, "Dis is David's brother Les, an' his sister Sarah (from the looks they gave each other it was obvious that they were dating), Racetrack or Race for short, Mush, Boots, Crutchy, Dutchy, Snoddy, Skittery, Snipeshooter, Snitch, Jake, Bumlets, Itey, Pie Eater, Swifty, Henry…  He went on to name a few other newsies as they walked up the stairs.  When they were all introduced only Hotshot, Jack, David, Les, Sarah, Kid Blink and the boy whose name Hotshot hadn't heard when Race said it were left.  Sarah, David, and Les said goodbye and promised to meet them tomorrow before walking home.

"Alright," Jack said after they'd left, "Hotshot, dis is Specs, Specs dis is Hotshot."  Hotshot spit in her hand and held out.  Specs did the same and shook her hand. 

"So I got roped into leadin' her around for a while," Specs said, "Can't you get someone else ta do it.  She'll neva be able to keep up."

"Tell ya what," Kid Blink said, "If she can't keep up wit' you tomorrow I'll take 'er."

"It's a deal." He said, probably figuring she'd be gone by day two.

"So how old is ya anyway?" Jack asked.

"Just turned seventeen." She said.

"And you's been doin' dis since…" Kid Blink left the question hanging.

"Since I was thirteen or fourteen." She said, "I hung wit' dem since I was nine though."

"Where's dere an empty bed," Jack wondered aloud when they reached the bunkroom. 

"The one under Henry's and Specs'." Kid Blink said, "Or the one over Crutchy."

"What about the one under you?" Specs asked.

"Dats Race's bunk." He said.

Jack helped her settle her stuff in the bunk under Specs'.

About an hour later Kloppman came up and turned out the lamps.  By an hour later everyone was asleep.

Later in the night Specs woke to hear the window opening.  He looked over to see Jack climbing out to have a cigarette.  He carefully climbed down from his bunk and joined his friend.  "So why'd you stick her wit' me?" he asked.

Jack took a long drag on his cigarette, "Whaddya mean, you's were the last one in."

"Dere's more behind it den dat." Specs proclaimed.

"Ok, Ok.  I was thinkin' a who was smart enough to keep her outta trouble, and I mean she's educated and stuff like you." He paused, "And you came to mind an' I realized you weren't dere so I said the last person to come in would hafta help 'er.  You don't mind dat much, do ya?"

"Nah, I was just wondering." He said accepting the cigarette, "But if she can't do her job good den I'se dumping her wit' Kid Blink."

"She can do it." Jack insisted.

Unknown to both of them another person in the room was awake and listening from just below the windowsill.  Sensing they were almost finished with their conversation she snuck back to bed.

Jack went on, "So whadda ya think a her?"

"Huh," Specs looked up.

"Ya think she's pretty."

Specs smiled to himself, "Sure, why not."

The two newsies sat outside for a while longer before going to bed.