*Chapter 35*

The Journal Distribution Center was buzzing with gossip and chitter chatter over what the newsies had seen that morning. Dibs, their Dibs, lying in bed with Spot's sister in his arms. It would have been nothing, had it been a different boy, one who played the ladies on a regular basis. Even then, it was still Spot Conlon's kid sister, and no one could wait for his reaction.

"Fifty papes." Hades demanded, slaming down her money and then sending a chilling glare out over the bunches of her fellow newsies. She could see Dibs mulling over a paper nearby, and Bottle Cap just now arriving.

"You heah 'bout Dibs an'..."

"Shuddup." Hades shattered the bubbly spirits of a freckled, brown-haired girl before she could even get the words out. "It ain't none of ya business, ya heah?"

"Y-yeah, Hades." The girl cowered, "S-sorry ta bothah ya." The beautiful girl didn't reply, she only took her papes and headed down the street to begin selling.

"Don't sweat it, Shish." Flirt smiled gently at the younger girl as she headed to the counter. "She jus' don't like gossip...an' she's right." Shish Kabob nodded slowly before hanging her head guiltily and walking right past Bottle Cap.

"Mornin', Flirt." BC greeted drowsily, smoothing her hair down against the light morning breeze.

"Hey, you sellin' taday?" Flirt responded with a grin, accepting her stack of papers.

"Yep." She nodded, then turned to the man behind the bars, "Only twenty."

"Well, look who got lucky las' night." Popper raised his eyebrows and grinned and Dibs, who glanced up only to glare at him momentarily.

"Leave 'im alone, Poppah." Locks warned, taking a seat beside Dibs on a low wall.

"No need ta get touchy, fellahs." Popper put his hands up in defense. "Jus' wantin' ta know da details, is all."

"Yeah, have da fellahs been wond'rin' how ya's did it, Dibs. Conlon's sistah..." Abs shook his head in amusement.

"Nothin' happened." Dibs said coldly, not in the mood to have this, or any, conversation.

"Good one." Popper laughed and smacked Dibs on the back, almost knocking him off the wall. "How was she?" That was the last straw, causing Dibs to shut him up by grabbing him by the collar and throwing him on the ground.

"Dibs!" Spot held him back, "Wha' da hell are ya doin'?" Popper grinned as he stood and dusted himself off, Dibs' glare still locked onto him.

"Nothin', Spot." Dibs muttered angrily, then looked at Spot as his best friend lessened his grip on him. "He jus' don't know when ta shut up."

"Ain't my fault he laid..."

"Shut up." Spot turned an icy glare on Popper like none any of them had ever seen. Popper shut his mouth instantaneously, looking down and rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably. "C'mon." Spot told Dibs, and the two left the others behind.

*

Bottle Cap yawned as she watched Spot and Dibs walk off alone. She felt so awkward after spilling her guts to him, but so relieved. She knew he would tell Spot her secret, but still she cowered under the stares and whispers that she passed through. She had never thought that it would cause such a ruckus. Afterall, they hadn't done anything.

*

Dibs and Spot walked in silence for a few minutes, neither sure of what he should say. They started to sell their newspapers on a corner, buying time before one of them had to speak. Spot watched Dibs, knowing how he had felt about Katie, but hoping that he was smarter, better, than that. Dibs wasn't completely innocent. He, too, watched Spot, hoping that his best friend would believe his words over false gossip.

"Ya know nothin' happened las' night wid me and ya sistah, Spot." Dibs finally spoke, not making eye contact. Spot nodded, continuing to sell his papers. "Well, who'd be stupid enough ta lay a guy's sistah in a room full a big mouthed newsies? 'Sides, you was in theah, too."

"I believe ya." Spot chuckled, "An' ya got a point. I jus' don't wanna see 'er hoit, Dibs."

"Yeah, me neithah." He mumbled, remembering how hurt he was.

"Look, Silvah said somethin' happened las' night an' BC started sayin' what Ben looked like. I need ya help trackin' 'im down but me an' you can't do it widout all me boys so try not ta stawt anymoah fights."

"Uh..." Dibs furrowed his brow. "Shoah thing, Spot."

*

"I really like ya..." Caps shook his head, "No, I don't wanna sound like a sissy." He mumbled to himself all the way to Manhattan, trying to pick out words to say to Spin. He had never been so nervous, but he knew he had to do something about his feelings for her, boyfriend or no.

"Buy a pape, Mistah?" Spin asked a gentleman sweetly, who smiled but shook his head no before going on his way. "As if ya ain't got da money, ya no good, money grubbin', sorry excuse for a..."

"Heya Spin." Spin spun around in surprise and nearly fell when she found Caps standing there with that irresistable smile planted on his face.

"Oh, hey Caps. What brings ya ovah heah?" Spin couldn't stand it, the way he made her feel. Stop dis, Spin! Ya got Jake, ya don't need 'im! ...Oh, but ya want 'im...

"Can we, uh, tawk?" Caps took his cap in his hands and began nervously wringing it, unable to look the beautiful angel in the face.

"Shoah..." Spin nodded slowly, taking his arm and gently pulling him into the opening of an alley to avoid the loud sound from the streets. Caps stood in front of Spin for a good five minutes, both just staring into the other's eyes. Spin lost track of time, and Caps...well, he was just plain nervous.

"Okay, dis ain't somethin' I usually do, Spin, so heah me out." Caps began at last, his words quick so that he wouldn't have a chance to change his mind. "I like ya. I mean, I like ya moah den you'se can imagine, Spin. You'se all I can evah think 'bout an' ya drive me crazy."

"R-really?" Spin couldn't believe it, her heart was pounding in her chest, drowning out her mind that warned her to walk away, to go home to Jake.

"Yeah." Caps nodded with a smile, glad it was out. "But, I ain't sharin' ya wid Jake. Dat ain't faih ta him or me. Ya gotta make ya decision." He laid down the ultimatum gently, his hand lost in her hair.

"I know dat." Spin looked down. "But its jus' so hawd to hoit Jake, Caps. He's always been so good ta me..."

"I'll be bettah." Caps smiled at her, lifting her chin with his finger. He ever-so-gently brought her lips to his in a light, but lovely, kiss. Neither of them had sensed an audience, nor would either ever find out.

He had only just walked up on the scene, and wasn't even sure if he was seeing right. Then, she lifted her face and he was positive. He didn't even have time to tell himself otherwise when the boy locked his lips on hers. He took off down the street in a fury, all he had wanted was to sell with his girl and ask why she was so distant...but he had gotten his answer.