Complemented - by the wrong Jet.

Ah, how annoying that would be, huh? I mean...gee. Bad. Very bad.

Dedication thing-gummy: Gee, so many to choose from! 'Tis hard, very hard. Well, I go from miss-coconuts and her lovely flying monkeys (heh heh...good monkeys!) to morwenlalaith, the lovely hobbit-fic writer!And...well, all I can say is that it is a bloody good idea! Yes, it is! I may just use it! Ah, the powers of being a writer...who will I set up, who will I set up...

I have the answers to my loyal reviewers. In order of appearance, backwards...

Morwenlalaith: Yup, Baby John is sweet. And adorable. Any girl who does not go 'aww' on the roof after them Rumble scene has a heart of stone. And yes, A-Rab's cool. I just love how he stands up for Baby John. And how he teases Gladhand.GO THAT JUVENILE DELINQUENT! And yeah, Riff getting tired of Graziellais a holy blessing, in my book. The man is our saviour, even if he does die (dammit, dammit). He rocks. And YES! YES, YES, YES, YES, YES! Another person who agrees with me for the Action/Anita thing! There was a smidgen of chemistry there, I swear it! And YES! I KNOW! Another person who thinks that Ice's dancing is an eyesore! It makes me laugh each and everytime!

oliverwoodluvr: Yes, I did update! You can stop wishing, for the dream has come true (kidding!) And yes, I have to agree...hey, who doesn't? Exactly! Riff & Ice rock! And Tony's a cool frood too!

FlareColon: Gee, thanks buddy boy! A complement from the master!I think your fic is 'kewl' too! I will keep it up, I promise! I will, I will, I will!

BethSmith: A complement from another master! Whooo!I can only assume that the dots after Tony means long lingering sighs...either that or my senses have got kaput again. Never mind. Baby John is innocent, isn't he? I can just see him with a nightlight...awwww!

Misscoconuts: Your Jedi mind trick worked! I give you plentiful bananas for your flying monkey. I share your indignation about the cookie monster. I think that you and your mates must be both kinda cool and wierd if they're like Ash (aww...feltso priveledged!) AND MOST IMPORTANT! I agree with you about Riff! He should not have died! Okay, so it's the first time I've heard him being called a 'hotstocity', but I would say that Ash would have to agree with you on that. If she didn't stop blushing, that is. Hope your computer is better, in time 4 you to read more!

wandathetiger: Funky name. Have you, by any chance, see 'A Fish Called Wanda'? (Or anyone else for that matter?) Anyway, Baby John DOES rock. He is soooooo sweet, as I've said before. Again. And again. And again.

Anywhoo, here it is folks, the next chapter. In which Becca meets some young Teenage Hoodlums we all know and love so well...


"Squirt! Becca! Get up!"

I muttered something uncomplimentary about Action and rolled off my bed and onto the floor. Ouch. Smart. Real smart.

It had been about a week since we'd moved here, and I'd been lucky enough not to bump into Uncle Samuel yet.. Since then I'd mostly spent the time lolling around the apartment, occasionally going out. I once went to Doc's store, getting another firework drink – sorry, coke. Doc looked pretty happy to see me.

"Action's pretty proud of you," He told me, "Told all the guys about what you said to Doreen Gray. I don't think I've ever seen A-Rab looked so surprised in his whole life."

"A-Rab?"

"One of the boys. Sees the funny side in everything, so after he got over the shock he was busting a gut laughing. Riff seemed to think it was pretty funny too."

I'd broken off from the subject pretty sharp after that.

I'd seen Anybodys around too, mostly looking over walls and through doors, "It's real important to keep your ear to the ground around here," The scraggly girl had informed me, "This side of Manhattan is full of thing goin' on. Got a damn bad rep too. You never know what may happen."

She didn't need to tell me that. I got the shock of my life when my mum grabbed hold of my ear one day, telling me some old dear told her a young lady gave her a lip full of cheek the other day, and did I know anything about it?

Oops. I'd said I needed to get some groceries for Aunty Rosa and ran out the door. I was still thinking up an excuse.

Anyway, back to the real world.

"Watcha want Action?"

"Come on, get your jacket, we're going to Doc's!"

"Why?"

"Cos I want you to meet the gang, that's why!"

"Cool!" Action had told me loads about the Jets. I'd heard the rumours about them, their way of keeping the turf, them beating any rival gang, the way they seemed more insane than scary. I didn't know what Doreen Gray's problem was.

"Hey, if any of them give you any hassle, just tell me, ok? I mean, they're real gentlemen," Action paused, "When they want. But I ain't having any of them troubling my cousin."

"Ok. Wait for me." I grabbed my old duffel jacket and headed into the kitchen, "Will Anybodys be there?" I asked. I'd taken a liking to the red haired straggler.

"Are you kidding? We spend our lives trying to keep her away."

A nasty thought entered my mind, "I'll be the only girl there won't I?"

"Yeah….."

Fear. Feel the fear of boys.

Action rolled his eyes, "Don't worry. They won't kill you or anything. Remember what I said?"

"Okay."

But I DID worry. And I decided to be on my guard for any people who try and kill me, no matter what Action said.

"Right, let's go."

We made our way down the stairs (edging away from Mrs Witch of the West's door), out into the street, and down the roads. It felt strange knowing that in the short time I'd been there, I had already memorised the way to Doc's.

"Hey Action, over here!"

I turned round. At the furthest away table two boys were playing cards.

"Hi guys. This is my cousin Becca."

"Hi!"

"Yo."

"Becca, this is Baby John, and this is Stinger."

I looked at both of them. Baby John was a tall skinny boy, with messy blond hair and wide brown eyes. He must have been a year older than me. I could see why he was called Baby John. His face looked like it belonged to a five year old; and he looked like a gust of wind could pick him up easily. He looked like the sort of boy you just wanted to hug.

Stinger was smaller and lighter. He was slightly shorter than an average teen boy, with curly-ish dark brown hair, freckles all over his face, and dark, shrewd eyes. He had a manic grin on his face, almost like a warped genius who'd found a way to destroy the world and make a profit.

"Hello."

Stringer pulled out a couple of chairs for us to sit down in, "So you're the girl who cheeked off that old bat in Action's block? Are you crazy or what?" He constantly bounced up and down in his seat – he obviously was full of energy.

I shrugged. Stinger was making me feel nervous already – and I hadn't gotten past the general introductions.

Action filled in for me in the talking, "The old bat was half mental. I heard her when I went down again; half shrieking about something or other. She sounded like a cheese grater."

"The woman is like a flippin' monster," Stinger told me, "She'll be hunting for your blood." I giggled weakly.

"She scares the heck out of me," Baby John. He sounded small and quiet – voices do seem to say a lot about people.

"Aww, Baby John's scared of the monster from the deep!"

"Umm….why's he called Baby John?"

Baby John had turned red. Stinger grinned, "Well, it's all on account of the fact that he's the youngest. And of course the fact that he always acts like a baby…." Baby John turned redder, if that was possible, and kicked Stinger swiftly in the shin.

"Ah! Ow! There are times however when he acts older….ow…."

"Hey Action!"

I turned my head and…wow. I did not know you could fit that many boys into one titchy Candy Store. At least there was Tony and Riff at the front. Two familiar faces, at least. I was already getting lost.

"Hey guys," Action dragged me over to them, "Becca, this is the gang. Guys, this Becca."

"You're the girl who had the argument with public enemy number one?" A tall guy with curly blond hair asked. I nodded shakily.

An average height boy with dark hair grabbed my hand, "Congratulations, brave sir!" He yelped, shaking it strongly.

"Uh…wouldn't it be madam?" I couldn't help pointing out.

"Huh?…..Oh yeah. Anyway, you should get a certificate for this! A medal! A reward! We could ask the Queen to come over here and knight you! And…."

"Snowboy," Tony told him, hauling him back by the back of his jacket, "Don't scare her."

"Cokes all round Doc," Riff told the shopkeeper, "That is if Becca here can force it down her throat this time." I stuck my tongue out at him and he grinned back. The boys all grabbed chairs or stood round the tables they grabbed.

And then the introductions started.

"Okay Becca," Action said, leaning backwards on the back of his chair and almost falling off, "You already know Tony, he's the leader, and Riff here, he's lieutenant. This guy here's Ice, he's second lieutenant," He gestured to Ice, a tall, floppy-brown haired guy with a placid face.

"Hi."

"Hi," Ice grinned, "You come up against any other gangs yet?"

"He's a real boring sod," Action smirked before I could answer, "Breaks up almost all fights we have, 's no fun at all." He ducked Ice's fist sailing over his head and carried on, "Then this guy's Mouth Piece," He jabbed a thumb at the pinball-machine, where a boy that was roughly the size of an army bunker was standing. He was the one who'd asked me about my 'talk' with Mrs Gray, "Bit daft. Keeps on getting himself into dumb fights that don't mean a thing. Good guy to have in a scrap though.

Then this one here," He jabbed a thumb at an average height guy with mousy hair, who looked older than the others, "He's Big Deal," Big Deal smiled flatly, but didn't say anything, "Doesn't say much," He paused, "Come to think about it, doesn't do much either. Or think much." Big Deal shot him a withering glare.

"Then that little runt over there," He pointed to a short, dark haired boy sitting in the corner with a deck of cards, "He's Joyboy. Keeps to himself mostly. Don't bother about him.

Tony took over, "Then this one," He nodded at a giant with sandy hair, "He's Tiger. Argues with everyone, fights with anyone. Once knocked out a guy just for asking the time."

Tiger shrugged apologetically, "I was only trying to show him my watch."

"Don't know your own strength mate," Tony laughed. He turned to the next boy, a tall one with long, dark hair, "This scumbag's Diesel. A real car maniac. All-round good egg."

Diesel grinned and extended his hand. When I shook it I saw it was covered in oil, "Nice to meet you."

"Oh, very la-di-dah!" A boy at the back snickered. Diesel turned round and glared at him.

Tony nodded at the snickering boy, "That one over there is Gee-Tar," He gestured at his own head, "A little bit…..know what I mean?"

I nodded. Actually, I didn't know, but fitting in can't hurt, can it?

Gee-Tar, a tall boy with dusty brown hair and a lopsided smile, stuck his tongue out at Tony, "I am not!" He snapped, "You know, just cos I stray off the subject, or become a bit distracted, or…."

"See what he means?" Riff cut in, "No idea, none at all."

Tony rolled his eyes, "Then that cannonball of energy you're sitting next to," Stinger, who was jiggling up and down in his seat, gave a jaunty little wave, "Is Stinger. We think he deserves to be landed into the Manhattan Laughing Academy. He has, shall we say, certain issues with his sanity. His lack of it."

"Oi!" A smaller boy with blond, curly hair was jumping up and down, "Introduce me an' Baby John! Ya know, just because we ain't Acemen or anythin' like that…."

Action hit him over the head, "Shuttup."

"Hey! What the hell was that for now?" Riff cuffed him over the back of the head, "And what the hell was…ah!" Riff hit him again, "Stop hitting me!"

"No swearing in front of the little girl," Riff warned, "She's only thirteen."

"So? When I was thirteen, you guys were swearing in front of me all the…." Riff, Tony and Action had all fixed him with 'you-must-be-brain-dead' looks, "Oh."

I couldn't help grinning, I could get used to all this protective stuff, especially if it came from Riff….I mentally slapped myself around the face once or twice before shrugging.

"Now that Joker-boy has stopped bad-mouthing his betters," Riff shot a glare at the blond boy, "This one over here is Snowboy," He nodded at the boy suggesting I get a knight-hood, who was jamming his hands into his pockets, "Who is usually really talkative, but…." He hit him over the head.

"OI!"

"You see how dangerous standing next to him is?" The blond boy protested, before jumping back from Riff.

"Manners, Snowboy," Riff berated him, "We are amongst company, and it wouldn't hurt you to say hello."

"Wring thing to say, buddy boy," Tony smirked.

He was right. The boy clutched at his stomach, "Ooh! It hurts! It hurts!" He straightened up and grinned, "Hi. You don't want to spend to long with us. For one thing, we are apparently a menace to society. And Tony keeps getting us into more trouble. And Riff keeps hitting people…." He dodged backwards.

"Though not a pretty little girl like yourself, I'd bet," The blond boy said, folding his arms.

I don't see how people can be oblivious to themselves blushing. I can always feel the heat on my face when I'm blushing, and I could definitely feel it then. I mean, I'd been complemented for the first time in my life….by the wrong Jet.

Action whacked the blond boy upside the head, "Oi, I told you to behave yourself!"

"Wha – I was! What's wrong with telling a chick she's good lookin' - Ahh!" He clutched the back of his head as Riff cuffed him, "What is it with you guys?"

"You're not meant to be chatting up Action's cousin," Baby John told him smugly, hand raised.

"Which I wasn't…." He stepped backwards, arms outstretched, as Baby John lunged at him, "And – oho, don't even think about it, buddy boy."

"Wise Mouth over there is Action's buddy, A-Rab," Riff said, nodding at the boy, who was busy arguing with Baby John, "Hey A-Rab, saying hello to the young lady."

A-Rab turned round, "Hi. You'll have to forgive me for not saying much, but every time I do," He glared at Action, Tony, Riff and Baby John, "People try and hit me."

"You deserve it," Action told him cheerfully. A-Rab shot a withering glance over his direction, giving Baby John a chance to hit him.

A-Rab wheeled round, "And you! Wait till I get my hands on you!"

Riff shoved him into a chair, "We apologise for anything…"

"And everything," Ice interrupted. A-Rab rolled his eyes.

"He says," Riff carried on, "The kid over there is Baby John – you've obviously already met him. Usually a bunch of quivering nerves."

"I am not," Baby John muttered, "I can fight just as good as you guys can," Action snorted, "I can!"

"Yeah, course you can," Riff grinned kindly, "Only Action better not have him walkin' you home, cos if another gang sees ya, he'll need you to protect him." Snowboy sniggered.

"Last one there's Frost," A shorter-than-average boy stepped forward. He had spiky blond hair than stood up on its ends, like he'd been running his hand through it repeatedly, and a freckled face. He looked tough, and carried an iron bar in one hand, "Pretty tough kid."

"Frost and Stinger are twins."

I gawped at Tony as he said that, "Uh, aren't twins meant to look alike?"

"Yeah, 'cept these two don't," A-Rab told me, "We thought their old lady might have got herself another man at first, but apparently not. Actually, I think she did any, but…." He ducked his head routinely as Action raised his hand, "Ok, so that one I deserved."

"Yeah, they always act really different."

"Stinger is a mental case and Frost is clever."

"Are you saying I'm not clever?"

"Yup."

"Ah. Well, I'm not correcting you there."

Frost grinned and took a long swig of his Coke, "Stinger is a right nut-job. He's not even human, he's a monkey. Or some kind of animal."

"If I'm an animal then you're a plant."

"If I'm a plant, then you're a bacteria."

"In that case you're…..a sponge!"

"If I'm a sponge, you're what a sponge has to wipe up!"

Mouth Piece indicated at his head, "These two are both screwy."

"Guilty as charged."

"So Action," A-Rab asked, leaning forward, "Has she bumped into Manhattan's most romantic couple then?"

Action shook his head, "Not yet."

"Who's that?"

"Officer Peabrain and Lieutenant Prat," Snowboy told me, "Or, if you like, Officer Krupke and Lieutenant Shranke."

"Aaand, looks like you are just in luck," Gee-Tar, who'd been standing by the door, burst out, "For lo! I see the devil incarnate, and at his right hand is a demon of the underworld. The devil comes bearing horror and evil, and all shall flee from him…." He didn't have time to finish his speech, cos in came the very people he was talking about.

The first one was kinda short. He was obviously a plain-clothes police-man, although what he was doing on the job in a suit I had no idea. He had black hair, hidden under a flat brimmed hat, and a pugnacious scowl on his face.

The second looked more like a gorilla than a human. Seriously. He was big, and had a dumb expression on his face, like a bewildered hamster. He was a uniform police officer, and carried a truncheon.

The first one spoke first.

"Well, then boys, what are you doing here? Making trouble as usual?"

Tony stood up, and bowed low, "Why, Lieutenant Shranke! How it pleases us for you to come down on our humble gathering. Sit, and we shall toast you with flagons of coke, and entertain you with songs and tales of old….."

"About how Doc got drunk one night and went bonkers," Riff broke in.

Shranke glared at him, "No kidding around Riff, I want cooperation from you punks, not wise-cracks."

"What shall we do, kind sir?" Tiger asked, "Shall we drink your health? Shine your shoes? Go ahead in the street proclaiming you?"

"Cos we can do that, you know." Action said.

"Of course we can," Snowboy jumped up on a chair and bowed, as if he was proclaiming to a large audience, "My lords, ladies, gentlemen, and anyone in between…" There was a collection of sniggers, "I give you, Lieutenant Bonehead, the Mafia operator of New York, and Officer Dumbass, owner of the smallest brain in history…."

Officer Krupke took a swipe at him, "You watch your mouth, you hear?"

There had been something bothering me for quite some time, "A-Rab?" I asked, tugging on his sleeve.

"Yep?"

"Why'd you say that these two were Manhattan's most romantic couple….?" I didn't get anywhere further before all the gang were clutching their sides, breathless with laughter.

Snowboy had almost doubled up, "That's priceless!" He managed to burst out, "Action, you picked the right cousin to come here…." He couldn't say anymore before he doubled up again.

Shranke didn't seem quite so amused, "You won't find it so funny when I take half of you down the can, will ya?" The words had no effect, "Who's the girl?"

Action shook his head, "She's my cousin. What about it?"

Krupke glared at me. Eep!

"She ain't thinking of joining the Jets, is she?" Krupke asked dangerously.

There was a stunned silence, then…

"God no!" Action exclaimed, "No way is my cousin doing that!"

"It's far too dangerous," Riff said, more to me than Krupke, "There's the fights an' all….and it's way too dangerous for a girl."

Hey, I hadn't thought of it before…..but now…..why not?


Ash: YO! Is the mic on? I told Becca to leave it on, but all that haning around with Snowboy and A-Rab are giving her evil ideas...I'll kill those boys. Ah, here it is...

Well! Why not indeed? Does Ash not have good ideas or what? Of course, for all the lovely readers, we can probably guess what's gonna happen now, don't we? But ah, cliff-hangers, cliff-hangers. May they be plentiful and suspending in your stories.

Ok, first I'd like to say thanks to my loyal reviewers, morwenlalith (she writes such good hobbit stories...good read now!), oliverwoodluvr (in the middle of a cute Riff love story...sigh), FlareConlon (whose Spitfire story has cuteness galore...and Bernardo getting pushed into the apartment hallway without his trousers...heehee), Beth Smith (author of one of my fav WWS stories... and creator of a truly evil Shark Girl. Ok, last time I do that, I promise!) misscoconuts, (ok, so she hasn't written any fics, but she has flying monkeys! Come on people, they are more precious than any fic!) and wandathetiger (I haven't read any of her fics, but she's written a 'Nightmare Before Christmas' fic, so she rocks!)

Ok, 4 the poll: In first place came...Baby John! No big suprise there, huh girls? I mean, talk about a complete sweetie...we all love him, right?

2nd place...Riff. Again, no surprise. Becca agrees with you there. And no-one wanted him to die, right? Am I right, or am I right? No steady down girls...get in line...

Third Place: Action and Ice got two votes each. And they rock, right? They are cool lieutenants. Long may they kick ass!

Runners up: Tony. Ah, the soulfull singing...smoocher (in Maria's case). Ah, we didn't really want him to die, did we? No. And A-Rab. A cool joker, and he protects Baby John. If nothing else gets him into the hall of fame, that should.

Your answers to the comp: There were only three, but wow. I mean...you guys have good ideas.Specially Flare-Colon. Ok, so I had someone else in mind, but I found myself thinking..."Hmmm...Snowboy? Huh, why not? Maybe..."So, there's something to think about for ya. Will they, won't they...And Becca and Tony...well, she'd end up having her heart broken over Maria. So I left it at that. Action/Anybodys...Sorry. There will be romance for them though! Yes, Anybodys/someone, and Action/someone. Heehee, cliffhangers, cliffhangers...

Ok, so your mission now, should you choose to accept it (and let's face it, you don't have a choice), is three things.

Number one: Who is going to (eventually) sweep our little chica off her feet? Hopefully you should have a little bit more of an idea, so come on, bring up your ideas! With reasons for, of course.

Number Two: List at least one (but for more recognition, several)interesting pairs, eg Anita/Baby John, Maria/A-Rab. And write good reasons or idea behind it! And if you choose made up characters (I just know misscoconuts is gonna slip herself in with Riff), don't forget to describe the guy or doll!Here you can also include who you think the Anybodys/someone, Action./someone is gonna be.And give reasons for!

Number Three: You know how some songs just smack of West Side Story? Like a weepy song or a cool let's go get 'em song? Well, now you can write them down (Name and Artist), and say why!