Chapter 47:

"Lalalalalalalalalalalalala I'm not listening," Loons said covering her ears. "I don't wanna see it. No no no no no no no no no no no no. Never. It will never be. They will realize they love each other and stay together forever. Seriously."

"No they are gonna divorce because Fire is so stubborn and stupid," Dolly said.

"I agree with Dolly. Unless one of them admits their feelings. Even if one of them did I'm not sure if the other one would admit that they feel the same way. They are stupid. Both of them," Brass said shutting the door.

"Why are they like this? I don't get it. I mean don't they see how happy people are when they are with the ones they love?" Books said sitting next to Loons.

"I think it's mostly Fire. I mean I love her but I think she's the problem." Jack said wrapping his arms around Brass' waist.

"She is. She's dying so she wants to separate herself. If only there was a way for her to realize that this is what she wants. We are what she wants. Mush is who she loves. I know Fire she thinks it will make it easier. She probably thinks we would all be better off. If only there was a way to make her feel important and stuff without her knowing we are doing it on purpose but she's smart she'll figure it out." Dolly sat down and Race's lap and rested head against his chest. "I'm gonna loose her before I have to. Its not fair at all. Why does she have to be this way."

"King!" Race shouted. "King. He's coming to Manhattan tomorrow. Maybe we can get him to stay and come to Brooklyn. He only comes to Manhattan for an hour every year on business. But maybe if we explain to him he can get her to stay longer. I mean he named her maybe he can bring Fire Ice back. I actually haven't seen that glare from her."

"She don't hang out with us enough to give the look. That look scares me." Jack said.

"Is it like Spot's?" Book asked.

"Worse. Much worse. I mean she was only six and that look use to scare the hell out of me. It's like she is just gonna kill you any second. One wrong move and you're a goner. I mean it sticks with you for a week. It sends shivers up and down your spine." Blink leaned against the wall.

"Oh come on she's mean but she's not that mean that one of her looks could not do that," Dolly laughed.

"Honey. Trust us. Ice." Race sighed. "Never thought I would miss that look. But man how I miss it. Her blue eyes just staring at me and feeling like she is gonna kill me. Ice is worse then Fire."

"She is 5'1 and you are all scared of her. It makes absolutely no sense. A bunch of tough newsboys and you all run and hide when she is mad." They all turned and looked at Brass. "She isn't scary at all. Seriously. Am I the only one that isn't scared of her."

"You should be. She could take you. Actually King never finished her training. Maybe is all attitude and talk." Jack looked at everyone. "She's gotta just be attitude."

"No she's been living on the streets since she was eight and got some of Kings training. I am sure she's pretty tough," Blink said.

"But why then did Slick beat her up so good and her father when he returned. Hmmm. Maybe Jack is right. Dolly?" Race looked at his girlfriend.

"I've never really seen her fight. She can run. Like when she's running from the cops. She can move. She's flexible. She can climb. I never seen her fight." Dolly smiled. "She's gotta be all talk."

"Well maybe we can physically make her stay," Loons added in.

"She's all talk this is great." Brass walked over to the door and opened it. "FIRE!!" Fire came out of her and Mush's room.

"What you want?" Fire asked.

"Hit me."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I have no interest in hitting you right now."

"You can't"

"I can't what?"

"Hit me. Your all talk. We all think you are. Even Dolly."

"That's nice for all of you."

"Chicken."
"Shut up Brass."

"Anyone realize that Brass rhymes with ass?" Loons chimed in.

"Loons you should shut up." Brass turned to Loons and then back to Fire.

"Hit her Fire," Loons whispered.

"Look Brass I don't wanna fight you." Fire started for the door and Brass pushed her.

"Brass," Jack said sternly.

"Come on Fire. Hit me. Hit me." Brass pushed Fire again. "You can't can you. Your all talk and now your gonna pay for ever coming here and screwing up all of our lives." Brass pushed Fire again. Fire banged against the door. Her spine hitting the knob.

"Brass you don't wanna do this," Fire warned.

"Oh see Fire I really do. I wanna mess you up so bad." Brass stepped closer to Fire fist raised. Fire ducked and Brass' fist went into the door.

"Brass stop." Jack grabbed Brass's shoulder.

"What's going on," Spot's voice said from behind Fire on the stairs. Mush was also now there.

"Nothing." Fire turned but Mush grabbed her arm.

"Brass wanted to fight Fire," Dolly said. Brass looked at Dolly and Dolly smiled.

"Brass first of all. Not in the lodging house. And of all. Your in the same group. You don't fight within Brooklyn or even Manhattan." Spot then turned to Fire. "And I am suppose to believe you were a good girl and wouldn't fight." Fire nodded. "Surprised."

"She can't fight! Does anyone get that? She's all talk." Brass walked over to Fire. "Admit it Fire. Your all talk."

"I am not but believe what you wanna believe Brass. Believe what you wanna." Fire stared Brass in the eyes.

"Your just a stupid whore! You came here and screwed up everyone's life Fire! Do you get that! We were all better off before you came here! Much better!" Brass smiled. "Stupid little whore."

"Brass you shut up now if you knew what was good for you," Spot warned. "I don't get this at all. Can you explain to m what the problem is."

"Your little sister is a stupid whore. Spot you were happy before she came here. You know you were. Now your always in a bad mood. I mean yea you were in bad moos before but now u are horrible!" Brass yelled a Spot. Fire ripped her arm out of Mush's grasp. Mush grabbed Fire's arm again.

"Ices," Mush whispered. Fire turned her head slowly and looked at Mush. He hadn't called her that since she was eight. Mush hadn't even realized what he had called Fire. Fire turned her head back to Brass but when she did he punched in the right eye. Fire fell against Mush.

"Now you wanna hit me?" Fire broke free of Mush grip and punched Brass in the jaw.

"You two stop it!" Spot screamed. Jack by now had a hold on Brass' arms and Mush was holding Fire again. "This is crazy. Brass apologize."

"I am not apologizing to her." Brass said holding her jaw.

"Is it broken?" Race asked Dolly.

"Let me see your jaw," Jack said softly to Brass. "Yep. That's defiantly a broken jaw." Fire smirk.

"God I'll kill you Fire. I swear I will. Wipe that smirk off your face!" Brass fought against Jack hold.

"I'm standing right here Brass. Come on Brass. Come one. I'm all talk Brass. All talk." Brass just kept fighting against Jack hold. "Fuck you Brass. Fuck you. I'll be out of here soon and you can go back to being little miss toughie. Hmmm Brass why did you only come after me after you herd them all decided I was all talk. I herd every word you all said in there. You think I am deaf? I herd it all. Nothing you all do or say will make me stay. None of you know me! None! Not even you Dolly! Yu probably know the least about me you Prissy! So all of you get that straight. There is no old Fire. This is who I have grown into. It happens. People grow up. People learn to fend for them selves and trust no one!" Everyone just looked at Fire. No one knew what to say. "Let me go Mush." Mush let go of Fire and she ran up stairs.

"Wow," Mush whispered. "Thanks you guys I have to sleep with her tonight.