Disclaimer: I don't own the Newsies. I do own Kate and Lady.

Chapter 9

            A few uneventful weeks past by and Spot and Kate were falling more in love with each other everyday. Everyday that is until the one day that would start everything snowballing together that would change the lives of everyone involved.

            Spot and Kate had just finished selling the afternoon edition of the newspaper and had decided to go back to the lodging house for some time alone. When Spot opened the door, he was greeted by an unsuspected and unwanted site. A girl with long, dark brown hair and intense green eyes was leaning against the counter. Kate noticed Spot's eyes go from the deep blue color he normally had to a steel gray color and the hate he had for the girl passed through his eyes. She also noticed how he stiffened up at the site of her.

            "What do ya want?" Spot asked angerly.

            "Why so hostile Conlon? Relax, I'm only stayin' for a couple of days. That's it." The girl replied.

            "You're not wanted here so leave."

            "Don't tell me you're still mad? That was a couple a years ago. Please let me stay? I really need a place ta stay."

            "No!"

            "Come on Spot. Please." The girl pleaded putting on a puppy face.

            "Fine. You can stay but only for a couple days."

            "Ya never could resist the puppy face could ya?" said the girl. Kate could help but be a little jealous of the girl. The girl was practically hanging off of her boyfriend. She also couldn't help but wonder what had happened between the two of them to make Spot hate the girl.

            "I'd like ya to meet me girlfriend. Lady this is Kate. Kate this is Lady." Spot's voice broke Kate from her thoughts.

            "Nice ta meet ya Kate."

            "Nice to meet you too."

            "How long have you two been datin'?" Lady asked trying to make conversation.                      

            "4 weeks." Kate replied.

            "Wow! Is this the longest relationship you've been in Spot?"

            "Shut up Lady." Replied Spot.

            "Calm down Conlon. I was only jokin'." Lady said laughing a little.

            "Come on Kate. Let's go ta Tibby's for supper." Spot said grabbing Kate's hand and pulling her out the door.

            "I wanna come too!" Lady yelled running to catch up to Spot and Kate. "I haven't seen Manhattan in awhile. I think I owe them a visit. Don't you?"

            "Whatever." Spot replied.

            When they got to Tibby's, Spot went straight over to where Jack was sitting. He needed to talk to him. Kate went to talk to Blink, Race, and Mush. Lady was left standing by herself.

            "Hey Spot. Did ya miss Manhattan that bad?"  

            "Very funny Jack. Guess whose back?"           

            Jack didn't even get a chance to answer Spot when all of a sudden someone came up and yelled right in his ear.

            "Hey Jack. Did ya miss me?"

            Jack got a disgusted look on his face. Spot smiled. He knew this would be Jack's reaction.

            "Lady, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Jack asked turning around with a fake smile planted on his lips.

            "Well, I was in town and I thought I would come and visit." Lady responded.

            "How long are you in town for?" asked Jack.

            "Only for a couple a days." Spot answered for her.

            "Enough days to cause trouble them leave." Jack whispered to Spot. Spot chuckled a little.

            "Hey Spot, you been havin' trouble with the Bronx or Harlem lately?" Jack asked turning away from Lady.

            "One of my newsies had a run in with a Harlem newsie that was selling in Brooklyn a couple a days ago. Otherwise, no I haven't had any trouble. Why?"

            "Are ya sure it was Brooklyn they wanted ta take over?" Jack asked with a worried look on his face.   

            "Yeah I'm sure why?"

            "Cause my boys have been complainin' about Harlem and Bronx newsies takin' over their sellin' spots. Some a da boys have been comin' back beat up pretty bad. I'm startin' ta wonder if Manhattan is the one they're tryin' ta take over."

            "I bet they told me that they were gonna try and take Brooklyn so that I'd be to busy defendin' my own territory that I could help you."

            "That's what I'm startin' ta think. Maybe we should ask the other boroughs?"

            "Let's have a meetin' with all the other boroughs. Maybe we can come up with our own plan." Spot suggested.

            "Alright. I'll send someone ta Queens, Staten Island, and the Battery."

            "And I'll send someone over to Midtown and Coney Island. Word will get around to the other boroughs. Just make sure no one tells Harlem or the Bronx."

            "Tells Harlem or the Bronx what?" Kate asked over hearing the last sentence of their conversation.

            "It's nothin' sweetheart. Just leader stuff. Nothin' that would interest ya." Spot responded.

            "Alright. Well, whenever you want to leave I'm ready."

            "Alright. We'll have the meetin' three weeks from taday." Spot said turning back to Jack.

            "Alright. How about right after Medda's show?" Jack suggested.

            "Sounds great."

            "Oh by the way. Kate."

            "Yeah Jack."

            "Kloppman set up your own room at the lodgin' house."

            "Tell him thanks for me." Said Kate.

            "I will."

            "Well we'll be goin' now. See ya later Jack."

            "Hey! Aren't ya forgettin' someone?" Jack called to Spot and Kate's retreating backs.

            "Come on Lady. Stop flirtin' with the new guys." Spot called.