zDISCLAIMER: Basically, to put it in simple dictation, all the characters in Disney's Newsies belong to Disney. *SuRpRiSe* All the characters NOT in Disney's Newsies belong to Me, with the exception of Angel-she belongs to herself. ^_^

A.N. Only a few more chapters, goils! I'm hoping only 5-9 more, but who knows. The reviews are rolling in nicely. ^_^ I'm giving out free dates with the newsies...I can tell Runner's going to be booked through December. *Runner wakes up from his coma and sticks his tongue out at the others, then goes back to sleep* Heehee. Thanks for the reviews! I love 'em all!

*SHOUT-OUTS!*

~Lovable: Thanks for the review, and here's the update! ^_^

~Kendal: Heya, another Runner fan, ay? Well, we'll see what his fate entails this chapter. Hope ya like!

~Jack Kelly's Lady: w00t w00t! You finally caught up! Kudos for youse! Yea, Runner IS the best thing named Conlon! No offense, Spot. Heehee. Yea, the beeping machine...hahaha, we stole it from present day and brought it back to 1900. ^_^

~shaug: So ya think I characterized Spot well enough? ^_^ YaaaaY! He's a little tramp with a heart! *pats Spot's head* Muahaha! Here's another chapter for youse!

~Apollonia: Yea, it was pretty nice of Mallory to forgive Spot after all that, lol. I would've slapped him silly. ^_^

~Chewy: Don't worry; Snap and Spot will have a little heart-to-heart this chapter. ^_^ And the Blink/Angel relationship will be furthered later on. Wheee! Here's your update! Enjoy!

~imaginelet: Yea, Mallory forgave Spot. *applauds Mallory for putting up with the Brooklyn leader* lol. I guess she didn't have any energy to yell at him. : - )

~Raven: I guess Mallory forgave Spot because she's more concerned about Runner, or because she knows Spot's going through a rough time. *shrugs* lol, yea, Spot is being pretty heartless though. ^_^

~Tiger: Thanks for the review! W00t w00t! Here's another chapter for youse!

~Random: Yea, school is in fact out, so my updates are more...eh, what's the word? More...quicker? Well that didn't sound too eloquent. *grumbles* Anywho, it's coming to an end soon; 5-9 chapters left at the most. : - ( Glad you're liking it so far!

~AnGeL: Hahaha, I stole your 'strip-poker' idea. ^_^ d00d, I'm so waiting for you to upload that story of yours sometime! It's really good, and you already have thirty-something chapters written up. You might as well post chapter 1 at least. Heehee.

~Dimples: Aloha, kiddo! Look, I'm finally updating 'JALB'!!! Yeah! *Spot and Runner throw a party* WoW, not much to say...*thinks hard* Oh, Spot actually went out last night and bought Jamie a dress! It has watermelons on it! : - )

~Penny Lane: Hello, m'dear. Glad you checked in to read this story. : - ) It'd probably be a better read once it's finished since it's a whopper of a story. Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoy it once you start!

~Rhapsody: Heehee, you professing you undying love for Runner should be enough incentive to make him wake up. *Runner peeks open an eye, smirks, and goes back to sleep* ^_^ Thanks for your faithful reviews!

~Gothic Author: In simplest terms, poor everyone! Heehee, no one is happy but Jack and Vixen, Race and Becca. Bah! Hopefully things will soon take a turn for the better. W00t w00t! Here's another chapter for youse!

~Spider Chick: Thanks for the review, goily! Since you asked so nicely, here's an update fresh off the press! ^_^ Enjoy!

~Deanie: Yea, I just noticed our beloved newsboys are typical cheaters. *sigh* But little by little, I'm noting personality changes. Who shall be next? Spot perhaps? *shakes magic 8 ball: Are you kidding me?* Hmmm, didn't think so, lol.

~Isabelle Gibson: Ah, you commended Spot for being honest! *Spot takes a bow* Heehee. And that's the way to talk, Runner WILL live! Positive thinking, wheee!

~kellyanne: Mucho thanks for the compliments! ^_^ I'm touched, really. Heehee. Awww, Runner didn't wake up when you screamed? Hmmm...*scratches head* Maybe he's a bit on the tried side? Ah well, who knows. lol. Here's another chapter for youse! Enjoy!

~jayla: Mucho thanks for the compliments and I'm glad you're liking this story. Here's another chapter! ^_^

~Weather Girl: Here's your update, girly! Have fun reading it! Thanks so much for the review!

~Lanen: Yea, Mallory IS sweet for forgiving Spot. ^_^ Spot, you should feel special that I let her forgive youse! *Spot rolls his eyes* Haha, oh well. Here's a long awaited chapter for faithful reviewers like you!

*Just A Little Bet*

~~~Spot Conlon's ribs felt like iron rods clamoring unceasingly within him. The pain was so excruciating he had even asked Angel to pilfer a few painkillers for him when none of the doctors overseeing her were watching. She gladly obliged him, but the medication did nothing to soothe his hurt. Every morning upon waking up, he could still feel the bats crash onto his legs and winced when invisible blades punctured his flesh. He never could figure out whether he was living in and out of nightmares or whether he'd be forced to live in such a dire condition for weeks to come.

All he knew was that he'd willingly endure the pain forever if it meant Runner would break from his coma. Spot never realized how much the boy meant to him until he was on the threshold of losing him to death. It had never occurred to him that he'd actually miss hearing Runner's jokes, dares, and prideful declarations that he was the best Conlon of them all. He didn't think he'd ever long to hear the boy laugh his heart out at one of Jack's pickup lines, or complain about how Brooklyn was nothing without him.

Thinking on it brought a smile to Spot's lips, though it was short lived for it hurt his face to merely express himself! Angel told him the skin on his lips was cracking and would eventually peel off, but the process drove the Brooklyn leader mad. He'd rather cut the dead skin off himself than to subject himself to sheer torture.

So to keep his mind off the ever-present pain, he decided to take a stroll around the hospital halls while doctors were checking up on Runner's condition. There was one place that called to him more loudly than all the others and it not being in his nature to deny his instincts the need for reassurance, Spot descended to the bottom floor of the hospital and without a moment's hesitation, entered into the chapel half-expecting to instantly receive a miracle.

He was glad none of the other boys were around to see Brooklyn's leader at such a state. Jack had told him earlier that his funds were depleting and that he'd have to go back to paper-peddling from now on since sitting in a hospital waiting room wasn't providing him with the money he needed to survive. One by one, the others from both Manhattan and Brooklyn offered their sympathies but also claimed they'd have to start working again.

Spot fully understood and was even thrilled at their absence, for it gave him time to reflect upon what had happened and find a peace of mind in the chapel. Some of the boys thought faith was man's weakness, but Spot thought it to be strength with unimaginable powers. Now religion, he thought, probably was man's great downfall. But the silent midnight pleas of a young believer...that was passion, and he knew without it, he'd be no more than another jerk off trying so badly to be someone he wasn't.

The chapel was lit naturally, the sun's beams shining through the painted glass windows, but there were also candles behind the kneeling rail-most of which had been lighted. Spot took off his hat and walked down the middle aisle reverently, consuming the silence and spirit of the room, but stopped dead in his tracks when his eyes fell upon a familiar form sitting at a pew towards the front.

He gripped the fabric of his hat until his knuckles turned white and then marched forth angrily, grabbing the person by the arm and shaking them. "Why the hell d'ya think youse can just come heah whenever ya want and piss me off?"

Snap gave him an incredulous look and shoved him away, massaging her upper arm which was now reddening from Spot's tight hold. "Sorry tah lower ya ego, sweetheart, but I don't come tah this place fer the pleasure of drivin' ya crazy, though that wouldn't be too bad an idea right now."

"Why don't ya just get outta heah and stop buggin' the hell outta me! What makes ya think ya even wanted heah? Damnit, goil, go live in some bordello for Christ's sake!"

"Why don't youse go tah hell, ya damn bastard!" she threw back at him, standing to her feet and stepping closer to him in her defense. She was tired of Spot treating her as if she were some two-cent whore to whom no respect was due. People did what they had to do in order to make a living in this life, and she wasn't about to be disgraced and thrown about like a piece of trash just because he wasn't keen with her ways of bringing in the money.

They stood with their faces an inch apart, staring each other down with a fierce resolve, neither about to give in to the other. Spot was infuriated by her stubbornness but was also impressed by her will power to stand her ground. It challenged him in a way no other girl had, and he despised that. "How 'bout I give youse one minute tah get outta me face," he hissed, "and then youse can go back tah the streets and let some joik knock ya up for a dime?"

"Don't you remember?" she replied with a forced smile, her eyes set in a glare. "Youse was the only customer of mine tah fall head over heels, so I'se kinda feel obliged tah stay behind and make shoah you'll be able tah cope without me when I finally decide tah leave."

"The hell I fell head over heels! Ya really think youse had me fooled by ya lil' -I want a relationship- bullshit? Get over yaself. I'se don't settle down with sluts."

He had hurt her, but she wasn't about to show it. This was a battle and she wasn't going to become one of his casualties. "Big surprise there, youse aint ever gunna settle with anyone! Ya too much of a jackass fer any goil tah wanna be wid youse!"

"And is that why ya still heah?" He crossed his arms and smirked in victory, sporting the cocky lopsided grin Snap found herself loathing all the more.

"I'se heah 'cause ya cousin is the only guy 'round these parts that still has respect in his face, who doesn't use goils like they's trash. Ya think I don't know 'bout that bet youse pulled off for Mallory? Ya think I don't know how it was all fer a lousy twenty bucks?" She pushed past him and spun around on her heels to address him one more time. "Ya think ya so sexy, Spot, but one day youse is gunna end up alone...and no one's gunna give a damn."

Spot couldn't find the words to devise a comeback. Her attack had been so swift and had taken him by surprise that his mind neared a shut down. As he watched her storm out of the chapel, he wondered upon what she had said. Was she right? Wasn't it wrong for him to condemn her when he was guilty of doing the same thing...using people for his own selfish gains?

He shook his head. He had gotten over that a long time ago, had even apologized! A thought hit him, then. Perhaps she was only trying to apologize as well, yet every time she was offered the opportunity, he'd only knock her down. He kicked a nearby pew with a short yell and mourned over the fact that he would never understand women.

~*~*~*~*~

The hallways of St. John Prep echoed with the chattering voices of its students as classes were dismissed from lunch and hungry teenagers marched off on their way to the cafeteria, wondering all the while what meal had been cooked up for them this afternoon. One among the crowds walked to a different step, feet shuffling against the tiled floor in a dejected manner and figure withdrawn into itself to make others aware she was in no mood to socialize. Mallory looked down at the pink pass she held in her hand and sighed.

During her math orientation sessions she had been given a note by one of the teachers written by Father Romanik-who he was, she did not know. But apparently he wanted to see her in his office immediately following third period to discuss what he described in his correspondence as "a grave matter".

She was at once curious, but also afraid. Had the school's counsel of administrators decided that her failure to comply with their curfew rules was a disgrace to the honor and integrity of attending such an elite institution? Would they rebuke her scholarship because they saw no promising potential in the work she had turned in as of late? Her deliberation quickly evolved into anxiety as she came unto the door which would lead her into Father Romanik's classroom.

She tried to compose herself within the mere seconds she was allotted before her scheduled meeting with him, and then entered into the room with a shaky confidence. A tall man with graying hair stood before the chalkboard, discussing with a student what must have been the day's lessons, for the student was trying ever so hard to explain why he thought the historians mentioned in the taught lecture had not enough credentials to be considered reliable.

They debated this matter in respectful tones for a few minutes until the man noticed Mallory and apologizing to his student said, "I'm sorry, Master Shelley, but we'll have to find another time to throw our ideas off each other." Shelley nodded in understanding, gathered his book-bag and notebook, and reluctantly left the room.

"So," Father Romanik began once Mallory was his only audience, "you're the wonderful Miss Carter I've heard so much about." Mallory wasn't quite sure whether the things the man had heard were of any benefit to her now, so she merely remained silent. "Oh, no need to be wary, child. I'm but an old friend of your dear comrade Lucas."

She thought she understood then, but couldn't be too certain, and so she sat at a desk at the front of the class and waited for him to go on.

Father Romanik smiled warmly at her. She was just as Lucas had described, he thought. She had the properness of a well-brought up young lady and a shy demeanor that was becoming hard to find in an age when youth wanted to be rambunctious free-born who cursed tradition.

"I've heard from countless sources that you and Master Conlon are rather close friends...best friends I might say. But ever since his admittance into the hospital, my co-workers tell me that your performance in your classes has somewhat regressed. You no longer receive high marks and during class discussions, you offer not a word.

"Now I'm aware that you're father is also suffering from ill health and that it undoubtedly has affected you as one of our scholars as well, but I want you to know that whenever you need to talk over something or have any kind of problem, I'm here for you. The school has several counselors on staff as well and you can visit any one of them as it pleases you. Just please don't let your chance at a great future crumble at the first signs of trials. Lucas and your father are in our prayers, and you must have faith that they will get well.

"And remember, my door is always open should you require assistance in any fashion. Lucas entrusted much to me, and I hope you will come to do the same. I'm a teacher, Miss Carter, but above that I'm a mentor. I will go beyond the limits to help you in any way I can."

Mallory was taken aback by such an affable deliverance of words. This had been the least of her expectations! She sat up in her seat and smiled graciously at the man, thankful that anyone could care so much about both her academic and social life the way he did. It was no wonder Lucas was such a gentleman. With teachers such as Father Romanik guiding his steps and offering a helping hand, students were carefully molded into courteous citizens with ever-pondering minds.

"Thank you," she said in reply. "It's been very difficult but I'll keep your offer in mind and I'll try to work harder. Hopefully, I won't have to feel this way for too long. My father's house-call nurses say he's been improving and as for Lucas...well, someone with a spirit like his own certainly can't leave life so young." As she made the statement, a lump in her throat was forming and it was all she could do to keep from shedding a fresh release of tears. She glanced away and allowed her emotions to settle before speaking again.

Rising from the seat, she shook hands with Father Romanik and even gave him a small embrace. "Thank you," she said again. "It's comforting to know I'm in others' thoughts." She said her goodbye's then, and with a mention that she would miss lunch if she didn't leave sooner or later, she exited out the classroom and continued down the halls, determined not to cry...at least not in front of anyone.

She turned a corner and seeing no one before her, leaned herself against a set of lockers and covered her face in her hands. Her life was falling apart right before her! First it had been Spot and his confession concerning the bet with her as its game piece. She didn't even have to think too long to conclude who the other players had been. No doubt Jack and Race had enjoyed their share in the confounded gamble, as they were the main ones with whom Spot had socialized these past weeks. Then, poor Lucas- perhaps the most pure of heart among them-had to be the one standing on the verge of demise!

Life was a mysterious puzzle sometimes, filled with complexities and injustices that simply did not make sense! Why Lucas? Why the one she was starting to love dearly? And why her father? Why the only blood-relative she had left in this world?

"Excuse me?"

Mallory gasped in surprise and jumped at the sound of the voice, bringing down her hands to unmask her face and finding herself looking into the eyes of a girl around her age, holding the hand of a child who seemed to be her sister.

"Sorry if I scared you," the elder girl said. "If you don't mind, me and my sister are new here. We've only been staying in the monastery for a few weeks now and still can't find our way around this school. Could you tell us where the lunch room is?"

"Uhm..." Mallory took a moment to gather her bearings and then found the voice to answer. "If you walk down this hall, go out those doors, and make a left until you come to the student union building, you'll find it in there."

"Thank you!" the other laughed. "I feel like a tourist asking for directions like this!" Momentarily releasing her sister's hand, she pulled her black hair back into a ponytail and then held out a hand to Mallory. "My name's Marysol. This is my sister Chelsea. We're actually looking for our older sister, Natasha. Maybe you know her?"

Mallory definitely wasn't familiar with the name, but there was something about Marysol's face that reminded her of a Manhattan newsgirl she had seen now and again. Assuming this was nothing more than another girl with no affiliations to the two she now spoke with, she brushed the idea aside and shook her head. "Sorry, I haven't. But I'm sure you'll find her eventually. Our school is kind of small actually so you shouldn't have a problem."

"Well thanks anyways," said Marysol as she once again took her sister's hand and started towards the cafeteria. "See you around!"

"Bye." She waved at the siblings and watched them leave, wondering why she felt as if she somehow knew them.

~*~*~*~*~

That night, Spot took up his vigilance at Runner's bedside and thought about his confrontation just that morning. What were Snap's true intentions in following him every which way? Was she truly sorry, only wishing to make amends and send her condolences...or was she hiding another devious scheme behind those striking gray eyes? Damn, how he hated her. She was like an inner-pest slowly eating away at everything he had worked so hard to become.

Why did she have the power to make him feel like this? As if he were wrong in everything...he didn't like feeling guilty and vulnerable around women. It was a weakness he detested. Yet here was this seemingly ordinary girl who came from nowhere and defied him in ways he couldn't sidestep.

He reclined back in his chair and muttered something under his breath while a pair of doctors outside passed by the doorway. They stopped and looked in at Runner, then at Spot. After exchanging a few whispered words, they looked at Spot once more and then continued on their nightly checkup.

Spot shrugged. They were probably trying to build up the courage to kick him out of the hospital. After all, for weeks now he had slept over past visiting hours, but no one had the nerve to advise him against his breaking the policy. They'd have to drag him out, he decided.

He could feel sleep overcoming him and watched the shadows of the room grow and shrink in size until his eyelids grew too heavy to keep open. "Stay up a lil' longer, Conlon," he told himself, rubbing his eyes with his hands. He always managed to stay awake until about midnight, but a weariness he couldn't resist was falling upon him. Kneeling at the boy's side, Spot rested his elbows on the mattress and propped his head up on his hands.

"Just an hour more..." he yawned. But the seconds turned to minutes, and the minutes into stretching hours. His mind began to wander and steadily, his figure sagged forward onto Runner's arm.

He guessed that he had gotten about fifteen minute's worth of sleep when he felt a sudden movement underneath him. He awoke with a start, immediately assuming he had imagined it, but then his eyes began playing tricks on him when he thought he saw Runner's head twitch ever so slightly.

"Jesus, Conlon," he grumbled to himself. "Youse need tah stop takin' so many painkillers in one day." Staring at Runner to make sure it had only been some minor strain of a hallucination, he set his mind right and was about to rest again when his ears picked up a soft moan of pain. Spot bolted up to his feet and leaned over his younger cousin.

"Runner? Runner!" He grabbed the boy's shoulders and started nudging him, desperate to receive just one more proof that Runner was breaking from his unconscious state. "Runner!" He cupped his hand around the younger Conlon's ear and yelled at full volume. "RUNNER!"

Runner's face furrowed, his forehead making creases and his nose crinkling from the disturbance. His eyes still shut, he bit down on his bottom lip and tried moistening it in hopes of getting a word out...but he was so dizzy...

"RUNNER!"

His ears were ringing with the repetition of his name, each yell growing louder and louder in volume until he was sure his head would explode from the tension. Who the hell was the jerk doing it, anyway? If only he could get his body to move, he'd give them a piece of his mind. Using all the force in him, he tried to open his eyes but they still wouldn't budge.

"Heya, get me a doctor in heah! Me cousin's comin' outta his coma!!"

That voice sounded so familiar but he couldn't place a name. Sport? Spoil? Spot? He mentally shrugged. Ah, who cared? His head was spinning at an immeasurable pace and he needed to find a way to drive out the faintness. That's when it happened. His eyes finally found the strength to open! At first, they remained only as slits...then became half-opened...and then at last opened to their full size so that he was blinded by the detail of the room, even in the dim lighting.

A boy older than him peered down excitedly, a grin on his face from ear to ear. Spot...? Runner tried to swallow but his throat was too dry, once again prohibiting him from speaking. He didn't think he'd be able to sit up either if it hadn't been for Spot, who wrapped an arm around his back to support him as he rose from a sleeping position.

Spot couldn't contain his elation. "Runner! Damnit, youse had me friggin' scared tah death, ya know that! Ya lil' scab!" He tackled the boy down and ruffled his hair affectionately, embracing him as if they were long-lost relatives.

Runner felt his head burst with new pain, but he was too weak to push Spot away, and so he remained motionless. Once the elder had gone off for a good ten minutes expressing his joy and thankfulness, Runner felt his mouth opening. "He-ya," he croaked in unattractive syllables. Clearing his throat, he coughed out the dryness. "Hey...who, uh...who are youse?"

Spot's smile dropped and the sparkle in his eyes was replaced with worry. He hurried towards Runner again and held the boy at eye level. "Runnah...Lucas, it's me! Ya cousin! I'se ya cousin, Lucas! We'se was in a big fight together and, and...it's me Andrew! Runnah, ya gotta remember. Andrew Conlon, ya dad is the high priest at St. John's...we'se was newsies together, you and me!" He started shaking him, as if that would bring back the memories. "It's ME!!!"

"Jesus Spot!" the younger replied, successfully attempting to put a smirk on his face. "I'se was only kiddin'."

"Ya lil'.........!" Spot's jaw dropped open when he realized it was all in jest. What a low joke! He was about to smack the kid upside the head, but upon seeing the gauze still swathed over Runner's wounds, he thought it best to merely express his anger in words. "Once ya get outta this place, I'se gunna soak the hell outta youse, ya heah me?"

Runner was able to roll his eyes, but it dizzied him, throwing him off track for a minute before he remembered what he was going to say. "Yea, shoah ya are. What happened tah all that shit youse was just sayin' 'bout how ya gunna treat me like an older cousin should from now on?"

"Bullshit!" Spot laughed. Getting serious, however, he offered his cousin a genuine smile. "Nah, but really, it's great tah have ya back, kid." He leaned down and gave the boy a small hug.

"Well, it's great tah be back," Runner replied, still in the embrace.

~*~*~*~*~

Yea short chapter, but ya'll have waited long enough so I uploaded ASAP. Next chapter will have more Jack & Vixen. Please Review! Please Review!

ATTENTION: If you have a fic finished or unfinished that you want to submit for my first ever newsies fanfic contest, let me know in your review and I'll send you the info! Come on and enter! It'll be fun, and winners get banners! W00t w00t! You may even get an award from Runner!

SECOND ATTENTION: ^_^ I'm writing a new story for those of you who haven't seen it. It won't come out until "Brooklyn Boys" and this baby is finished, but I'm doing a casting call right now. Roles are being filled really quickly, so if you want to be in it, go to my profile and check out the story "Eternal Avenger". Read up the summary and if you like, send me a profile in your review.

All right, that's all! REVIEW PLEASE! Oh Wait!!!!

THIRD ATTENTION: Plugs!!!!

Past, Present and Pride by Aurora Conlon

Careless Whispers and Silent Sounds by Apollonia

Opening Up by Dimples

and that's all for now. ^_^ Okay, bye bye!