Chapter Five: Brooklyn (Later that Night)

'Why did I ever let Jet talk me into this?' Genesis asked herself as she numbly followed her brother over to the Brooklyn lodging house. She tugged her shirt around her tighter as the cold night air sneaking through the material to freeze her skin. She wasn't frowning though, despite her slight unhappiness. She liked cities at night, she considered them like a eighth wonder of the world, so paying the price and going to Brooklyn was worth it if she could get away just for a little to watch the sleeping city around her.

"Are you coming or not?" Jet asked in an exasperated tone of voice when they had finally reached the lodging house, which looked slightly bigger than the Manhattan one.

"You sure Conlon is cool with this? I don't want to get lynched," She said suspiciously and yet followed Jet.

Jet threw her a lopsided glare and then knocked on the door in front of them. Genesis fell back behind him, waiting for it to be opened from one of the Brooklyn newsies.

The boy who did open the door smiled and nodded to Jet as if he was an old friend, but when he saw Genesis, his eyes narrowed. Thankfully she kept her mouth shut and walked by the scowling newsie as quickly as possible.

"They really don't like me much around here do they?" She muttered, making sure to keep close to Jet for the time being before she could be in a room filled with the Manhattan boys. They were more easy-going and more her kind of people.

"Well, they can't do nothing to you right now. Besides, like I said Spot thinks your afraid of him, so don't expect any of them to jump you or anything," He answered. He hated lying to her, but he couldn't back out of it now could he?

"But -

"Just come on!"

They climbed the stairs that led to the Brooklyn bunkhouse slowly, as if giving Genesis a way to run if the situation came to that point. Which Jet sincerely hoped it wouldn't. But booze and the holding in of emotions wasn't something that went hand in hand when it came to his rowdy sister. He prayed silently that the night would turn out at least half decent.

The only people that stopped doing anything when Gen and Jet walked into the heart of the party was Spot and Jack. Jack eagerly came up to talk to his friend, giving Genesis a warm, if slightly confused, smile as well. Spot came to make sure Jet would hold up his end of the bargain and keep Genesis under control. Genesis, for her part, was smart enough to keep an impassive nonchalant look on her face when the small Brooklyn leader approached.

"Hey Spot, you Brooklyn boys sure know what it takes to get things off the ground!" Jet yelled cheerfully against the noise that was coming from all side of him.

"Yeah, yeah," Spot agreed, shooting a look off at Genesis who's eyes were gazing around the room, landing on the poker table that Race was whipping everyone at.

Genesis nodded at the boy talking to her brother excitedly. Ignored the other and crept up on the nosy group of half drunk newsies playing poker in the corner. Her eyes slowly ran over their anguished faces, all betraying their emotions about the recently dealt hand. All except one, who she recognized as the Manhattan boy nicknamed Racetrack. He was sitting, cards in hand, cigar in his mouth, his face expressionless. Surveying the group one more time, she figured he was the only regular player. The only one who really knew what he was doing.

"Deal me in next round," She said, grabbing a near by chair and sliding it up to an empty space around the table.

The players looked at her strangely, and curiously. She glared back, resenting the fact that they obviously didn't believe she could play very well.

"Problem boys? No more money left to lose?" She asked angrily. They raised their eyebrows at each other and exchanged glances. Race looked at her like she had flipped her lid.

"Youse know how ta play poker?" He asked, not hiding his shock in any form.

"Sure."

"Where'd ya learn?"

"Jail."

Skittery, how was sitting beside Genesis, widened his eyes and looked at her in stunned shock. "Youse was in jail?"

"Yeah."

"What fer?" Race questioned eyeing her suspiciously.

"Illegal gambling." That much was true, she had been in jail once for illegal gambling and fixing race horse bets. She had also been in jail twice in other times for two different accounts of assault.

At this answer, Race smirked, proceeding to deal out the new batch of cards, including Genesis into the mix. Confident that he could still win.

Genesis smirked back.

They were all in for a lot of losing.

* * *

Jet sat back in his chair, beer in hand, watching the chaos that was breaking out all around him. Most of the Manhattan and Brooklyn boys were drunker than dogs and beginning to act like baboons. He had never honestly seen this much alcohol in one room at a time. It unnerved him in a way. He was never a heavy drinker, normally he couldn't be because he had to make sure Genesis didn't screw up too much.

Like she was one her way to doing.

She had consumed at least six beers (he'd lost count) and was now, still, continuing to whip anyone stupid enough to still try and beat her in poker. The whole atmosphere in the bunk house was pretty loose. And the atmosphere was definitely having it's effects on his sister. Genesis was always open when she was drunk. She'd answer any question you'd ask her, complete any dare, and say whatever came to her mind. Jet preferred to call her a 'confessional' drunk.

At the moment she was sitting at the poker table, the game having just ended, and was laughing like hyena at something Blink had said to the whole gang. Surprisingly, she had managed to avoid any beatings or trouble the whole night. Not that the party was anywhere near over.

"Hey! Where's Sarah?" Jack asked above the noise surrounding them all. Sarah and Jet exchanged looks, they had been sitting off to the side having their own conversation since they seemed to be the only non-drunk people in the room. Sarah rolled her eyes and Jet smirked.

"There you are!" Jack exclaimed and stumbled over to wear the two were sitting. "'Ave youse been hiding from me?"

"No Jack," She responded tiredly. She'd only come in the first place to make sure David got home at the end of the night - and to see Jack.

"That's good," Jack smirked, then pulled Sarah to her feet startling her. Before she could protest he pressed his lips to hers in a crushing kiss, which was met with whoops and hollers from all corners of the room. Jet laughed quietly at the scene before him. When Jack released her she blushed and ducked her head downward.

"Oh please that's nothing," Genesis scoffed from the other side of the room. Jet raised an eyebrow and stared at his sister with wide eyes. This wasn't good. He could only imagine what was going on in her watered down mind.

"Right. . .I bet you dat you couldn't do no better den dat," Race said from his place beside Genesis. She whipped her head around to face the smaller gambler who was watching her with teasing eyes.

"How much?"

"What?"

"How much is the bet for?"

Race blinked, then pondered for a moment before shrugging.

"Alright, it'll be an 'IOU' then," Genesis said, then stunned the room when she grabbed the back of Race's neck and melded his lips with her own. Again, the room broke into catcalls and whistles, while Jet shook his head violently. That was something to remind her of in the morning when she forgot about everything she had done.

Jet felt the room go back to it's relaxed mode, signaling to him that the latest kiss had ended, so he opened his eyes back up and glanced around the room. Race was staring at Genesis in this sort of, shocked and bewildered expression gracing his features, and Gen was back to her old drunk laughing self. What alcohol could do to some people was well beyond his realm of understanding.

"She always act like dat when she's drunk?" A voice startled him out of his thoughts. He looked up slightly, only to see Spot looking down at him before plopping down in the seat Sarah had been sitting in earlier.

"No. Normally she's worse," He joked, but in all reality was quite serious.

"She should be drunker more. She seems more human-like," He commented. He wasn't as drunk as the others, but he was close.

"Ha. You haven't seen her drunk yet. . .I mean REALLY drunk. It's absolutely horrible," Jet shuddered as memories of a certain birthday party two years ago entered his mind.

"How'd youse get 'er ta come over 'ere anyways?" He slurred some as he questioned Jet.

"Just basic persuasion," Jet answered in half truth. No need to tell Spot what was really happening.

"Oh."

"But, uh, it would probably be a decent idea to stay away from her for tonight," Jet continued, not liking the look that had crept into the Brooklyn leader's clear blue eyes.

"Why not?"

"Well, I have this strange feeling she won't be all that. . .happy or responsive when talking to you. It's better for your health if you stayed away - especially since she's drunk."

"Betteah fer me health? Dat suppose ta mean somethin?" Spot looked at Jet, a utterly perplexed expression sweeping across his face.

"Yeah, well, you see Spot, she uh, thinks that YOU think that she's afraid of you. So, uh, confrontations between the two of you could only end extremely bad."

Spot openly glared, then chewed on his full bottom lip in thought. Being as drunk as he was, he needed the extra time to think about what Jet said, letting it sink into his alcohol soaked mind slowly. When the words did click in his mind, he turned to Jet in confusion.

"Why would she t'ink dat?"

Jet sighed. "Don't ask me. We don't talk civilly anymore."

"Maybe I should go an' talk ta 'er. Tell 'er dat I'se know she ain't scared a me. Ya know?"

Jet's eyes widened when Spot stood up (shakily, since he was about two sips away from seeing double) and began attempting to walk in the direction of where Genesis was laughing with Race (who no longer looked shocked) and Blink. He grabbed Spot's wrist and pulled him back into his seat forcefully.

"What's da mattah wit you?" Spot asked shaking himself free from Jet's fierce grip.

"I was serious before Spot. Don't mess with her. . .especially when she's drunk. It's like provoking a viper in the grass," He warned, eyes flashing at the smaller boy.

"Oh, please. I'se ain't gonna do nuthin ta 'er! I jist gonna tawk to 'er!" Spot said, smirking easily. Again he stood up and this time gone before Jet could grab him again. It was no use trying to talk sense with a drunk person, normally he would have known that and just let him go. But he knew exactly how she got when she was drunk and mad. And blood shed at night was not good.

Jet watched, fearfully, as Spot approached the table Gen and the others were sitting at. Spot tapped Gen on the shoulder, which caught her attention enough to make her turn around and face him. Almost instantly, upon recognizing who he was, she frowned and turned her entire body to face him. Eyes dark from the combination of sudden anger, alcohol and rush of emotions probably surging through her. Squeezing his eyes shut, he hoped the torture would end soon.

And without anybody being rushed to the new hospital just inside town.

* * *

"Problem Brooklyn boy?" Genesis asked the eighteen year old staring down at her. He frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yeah, you," Mood swings came easily to Spot when he was drunk. And where just a couple seconds ago he was going to try and talk to the dark haired girl, now he only felt anger and wouldn't mind one of those 'confrontations' Jet had mentioned earlier.

"Really? Wanna make something it?" Gen growled.

"Nah. . . wouldn't want yer delicate skin ta be bruised."

Gen snorted and let her own smirk fall across her pretty face. "Who are you trying to kid? You and I both know I could kick your ass."

The room fell silent at her comment. Spot's eyes grew wide, letting his fury and hate shine through openly. He let his arms fall to his sides and clench into fists. Trying in anyway possible to get rid of some of that extra anger that was working itself through his body.

"Don't push me Glory," He warned under his breath, staring her down. All she did was stare right back, completely unafraid.

"Is that a challenge. . . Conlon?" She mocked standing upward, now towering over Spot. Her eyes narrowed as they continued to glare.

"Don' tempt me."

"Didn't your mother ever tell you it was wrong to hit a girl?"

"I don't hit girls. . .but I'se don' t'ink dat applies ta youse."

Genesis's eyes widened and her mouth gaped open in absolute shock. Opening her mouth at first to say something but quickly closing it, thinking of something better. Spot smirked at first, thinking he had won the battle of wits. But soon enough he found out wrong.

Because the next thing he knew Genesis had reeled her right fist back and punched Spot dead in the face with such a force that he flew backward, landing on his back, exploding pain in his jaw. Looking up briefly he saw the girl standing over him, teeth grinding behind her lips and her entire demeanor seething in fury. Without thinking, he lunged at her to return the fight. Girl or not.

And that was when all hell broke loose.

* * *

By the time Jet had gotten Genesis back home, he began to see the bruises already forming on her pale skin. Her lips was bleeding and a nice black eye was sure to be on her face in the morning. Plus her still healing hand was now even more bruised from her balled fists and the force with which she delivered her punches. She looked terrible. He could only imagine how Spot was going to look in the morning.

"I don't feel so good," Gen mumbled as he led her inside her room, dropping her unceremoniously on her bed.

"Well, I can't imagine why. . ." Jet answered her sarcastically, rolling his eyes as he gave her a cool wash rag so she could tend to her wounds.

"Oh, shut up," She said, quietly, and brushed the rag around her face, smiling as the cool water hit her burning and swelling face. For such a little guy, that Spot kid could really punch.

"Oh Gen, don't be that way. You know you love my voice."

Rolling her eyes, she winced as she passed by a particularly painfully place on her face, around the cheekbone area. "How bad am I going to look in the morning?"

"Define 'bad'."

"Bad being, will dad notice."

"Oh. In that case you're messed up beyond repair. Even those new surgeons wouldn't be able to fix you."

"Thanks for the ego booster. I appreciate it."

"Anytime."

"I feel like a hurricane went straight through my face. . .didn't think he could hit as hard as he can."

"I would say you deserved it, but, well, I'm not the kind of guy to kick someone while they're done."

"Again with the appreciation."

"Again with the anytime."

Both siblings fell silent as Genesis managed to sit up and clean off her still bleeding lips. Jet sat down beside her and watched as she winced every few moments. Glancing at her brother, Gen sighed and removed the rag from her mouth.

"I did have fun for a while though."

Jet raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? What part about tonight could you possibly think of as any form of 'fun'?"

"Well, I did beat everyone at poker. Big highlight," She said. Jet laughed, he knew how much pride she took in her card playing. Funny, considering he had no idea what a 'full house' even was.

"So you beat a bunch of amateurs. Like taking candy from a baby."

"Not exactly. That Race guy has one hell of a poker face. Good bluffer too. Had me sweating it out a couple times," She shrugged.

"Sure."

"Oh, and besides having a good poker face he's an excellent kisser. BIG highlight," Genesis smiled genuinely at Jet who dissolved in laughter. Of course she would remember that.

"You know tomorrow you won't remember any of this right?"

"I know. But that's why I have you."

"I knew I was being used for something."

This time Gen laughed and then winced as he smiling laughter pulled at the cut oozing blood from her mouth. Placing the rag back on her lips she leaned back against the head board of her bed and closed her eyes sleepily. Jet continued to sit there on the edge of the bed until he was certain Gen was fast asleep. Then he crawled away, slinking into the dark hallway and over to his own bed.

He was going to have a lot of explaining to do tomorrow when Gen woke up and he wanted some sleep before his tongue had to retell a whole night's story.

* * *

A/N: DONE!!! I know it's not the greatest, but a couple major things happened as far as our buddy Gen goes. And she and Jet actually talked nicely so, hey, improvement in their relationship. Sorry it took so long but, I've been writing a bunch of other stuff that has gotten in the way. So again I apologize for the wait.

Special thanks too the following:

WeBuiltThisCityOnRockAndRoll: Ha! It's done! Here, take it, be happy and don't worry. I apologize especially to you because you're so patient and I finished the chapter just for you. So be proud that you can actually get me to sit on my lazy butt and get things done! Kudos for you! Oh, and I love Race too, so him chasing me? Not really bothering me too much. * wink, wink *

Fox: Sorry about the whip lash, I've gotten it before. LOL. And I know Spotty's got competition, and maybe a crush. . .but since I'm evil I haven't decided and even if I had I wouldn't tell you! Anyways, thanks for the review, you're too kind. Honestly.

TheCrazyUnknown: I've written so many thank you's to you that your pen name is actually in my Microsoft word spelling bank. No kidding! But I appreciate you're loyalty. And again I thank you.

CiCi: Chapter is here. I hate homework (especially math. Numbers are like the devils helpers or something) And all that other yadda, yadda. Thanks for the review.

anUNDERCOVERnewsie: I agree, he so needs to get yelled at sometimes. And Gen is so good at just that! LOL.