Hello all you happy people! I'm finally back with the next installment of my story! dances for joy

SPOT: It's bout time youse updated! Des poor people have been waitin' for nearly a month for dis new chaptah! It's a wonder dat dere still interested in it!

glares darkly at Spot I'd be careful if I were you, Spot. brandishes billard stick like a sword I have stick, and I'm not afraid to use it. Besides, these people love and and my story. They wouldn't just up and abandon me! eyes people Would you?

SPECS: Ken we jist get on wit it? Feah Factah is on in five minutes, an' I don't want ta miss it!

Ok, fine, be that way. Cue the blonde...

DUTCHY: Jockey owns nothing except for Trippah. Everyting eithah belongs ta Disney or da respective authors who gave dere characters to dis story.

Thank you Dutchy. You and Specs can now go watch your show. boys run out of room with a happy squeals Before we go any farther, I would just like to apologize if you think that your characters have disappeared from this fic. They really haven't, I swear. This is the first time that I have had so many characters that aren't mine so I sometimes forget to think of ways to included them. I will be using them in the very near future for sure. So don't sue me quite yet! ducks behind Skittery to dodge rotten fruit Ok, now that we are done with that, it is time for dramatic pause shoutouts! Given by my dear Skittery! drools over Skittery with cartoon hearts in eyes

SKITTERY: Tanks...I tinks, Jockey. Jockey would like ta tank...

mistymixwolf - Yes, my poor eyes are forever wanting to see what Tripper did! Fictional characters have all the fun! pouts

antiIRONY - Snipeshooter is supposed to be about two years older then he is in the movie cause this story takes place two years after the strike.

Shooter O' Brien - cowers in fear of Shooter's anger Don't hurt me for putting that in my story! I swear that you will be able to see about the same or more as Tripper. Which would you prefer? I really think that Tripper is the luckiest girl in the whole world at this moment in time. I would do anything to be in that movie in the washroom in the morning! stares dreamily into space Oh to control time. sighs Oh well, can't hope for the impossible.

newsiefreak9er9er - Guess what? The first plan for women dominance over newsiedom is begun in the next chappy! All newsies fear me and my imagination cause anything can happen! When we rule the world of newsies, you and I will reign supreme!

YellowGuitarPick817 - I'm so sorry for making you think that your character is being ignored! I didn't mean to I swear! She is an important part of the next couple of chapters! I completely apologize for pushing Kitten out of the story. I will do better to make sure that she is apart of the story!

Tears in a Bottle - Yes, I would have to agree that fictional character have all the fun. I hate that fact! It just isn't fair! I can't wait to read more of your work. You are really good at what you do! I'm not just saying that either. I really like the way you write. I hope that you like this chapter. I worked a long time on it. So, it is now ready for publishing! hehe!

Ok, all you lovely reviewers. This is the part of the show where I disappear and you read my story and then review. See you on the other side!

Cute, but Psycho,

Jockey

Chapter Fourteen

Tripper stepped out the front door to be met with a face full of fresh cold snow as evil laughter rang through the morning.

"G'mornin' to ya, Trippah! Decide ta have fun witout us?"

Kitten stood defiantly leaning with her right fist balled against her right hip and tossing a snowball in her left. A saucy smirk joined a raised eyebrow on her face. Behind stood Shooter, Perch, Accent, Sweeps, and Hawk with amused grins on their frosty faces and balled snow in their mittened hands. Poking out from behind various dumpsters, crates, and corners were the sheepish faces of Mush, Blink, Jack, Specs, Dutchy, and Racetrack.

Tripper wiped the melting slush from her tingling face and sent an icy stare at her cowering buddies.

"So, which one asked ye ta blast meself with snow this mornin'?"

Kitten's grin widened till it met her eyes and made them glow devilishly.

"Dey didn't hirah us ta attack youse. We's tought it would be fun ta see how yer foist mornin' went at youse new home."

Accent stepped up beside Kitten, "Besides, why should youse have all da fun, huh? We's ain't gonna be left outta dis situation no mattah how hard da boys fuss. We's in dis till da bery end!" She spat defiantly at the frozen cobblestone streets before turning back to her friend.

"Now, git outta heah before we's stuff more snow down yer shoit. We's 'll git youse mendin' from Mrs. Baker an' bring it ovah tanight. See ya bummahs at Tibby's."

The six girls smiled at Tripper before turning in opposite directions to go to their various jobs. As the girls moved farther away, the still hiding boys crept from their various refuges. Without warning, Kitten spun around and launched the snowball still in her hand at the nearest newsie. The other girls followed her as each unleashed their last volley upon the unsuspecting cowards who yelled and fumed at the slush that slipped down their necks.

Kitten raised her clenched fist in victory.

"Ha ha! Take dat ya losahs!"

Tripper and her friends arrived at the distribution center half an hour after the bell had rung. After the impromptu snowball attack, the soggy fellows had to change out of their wet clothes. What surprised them as the neared the building was that many of the boys were still waiting for their papers.

Snitch caught sight of the late group and moved to meet them at the gate.

"Bout time youse guys showed up. We's was ready ta send out a soich party for youse."

Tripper grinned at the boy, but before she could make a smart comeback, a slimy voice cut her off.

"Well, well, what do we's have heah? Jacky boy ain't foist in line dis mornin' an' now we's gots a new newsie."

The small group turned to face Oscar's sneering face. He and Morris started circling Tripper like vultures.

"So who's da new kid, Kelly?"

Jack glared menacingly at Oscar before replying, "His name's Trippah. Stay away from him, Oscah, iffen youse knows what's good for ya."

Oscar's sneer turned into a snarl at Cowboy's threat.

"Why's he so special, Cowboy?"

Tripper rolled her eyes and stepped out from behind Jack's bulwark of a body.

"I ain't special, but ye'll be sorry if ye evah mess wit me. I'll be soakin' ye in a heart beat!"

Oscar took a menacing step toward the small girl.

"Is dat a threat, Shorty?" He growled low in his throat.

Tripper stepped closer to the boy till her toes were touching his, and she had to look directly up at his eyes.

"Aye, dat be a threat, Ugly."

Oscar's temper flared at the last word spoken. His fist shout out and connected with Tripper's mouth causing her to stagger backwards. She angrily spat blood from her mouth and wiped at the wound with the back of her hand. Her dark eyes flashed dangerously at the seething boy. She gave a blood curdling yell as he lunge toward Oscar, fists at the ready, only to be stopped by several pairs of arms holding her back.

"Let me go! I'll soak da doity rotten scabbah! Let go! Skitts! Jack! Let go before I soaks da lot of ya!"

"Stop it Trippah! He ain't woith it! Drop it and let's go get our papes while dey still gots some." Skittery dug his heals into the frozen cobble street as he held the rabid cat by the scruff of her neck.

"Besides, kid, youse don't know how ta fight anyhow."

This statement from Jack brought such a sudden stand still to Tripper's efforts that the boys nearly lost their balance. Her eyes glared at them with wounded pride, anger, and something else they couldn't place.

"Fine den. Youse don't want me ta fight? I won't fight." She turned to face Oscar and Morris, "Stay outta me way cause next time dere won't be no one ta keep me from lickin' youse both."

Tripper marched by the glowering brothers into the center where she ignored the boys around her as they waited in line.

She was still mad! Not only that, she was hurt! Her friends had hurt her bad when they held her back. It cut her even deeper when Jack assumed that she couldn't defend herself just because she was a girl. Of course, it didn't help that her Irish temper and pride kept her from accepting their observations and moving on. No, she was royally miffed and put out with all of them. She had decided to go on strike against their treatment of her by not speaking to any of the boys for the whole day. And, it was working out rather nicely too. She pointedly ignored everyone in line that morning except for Mr. Wiesel. Immediately after getting her papers, she had walked out of the center, ignoring the pleas for her to wait for them or for her to sell with them.

For the rest of the day, when she met one of the boys on the streets, she would cross over to the other side or turn and walk in the other direction. It got so annoying to the boys that they were mad at Tripper's stubbornness. So it wasn't surprising when Jack's egotistical manner took over his common sense.

After enduring a whole lunch hour of the silent treatment from Tripper and the other girls who had sat by themselves in a corner booth, Jack grabbed Tripper roughly by the arm; dragged her out of Tibby's with all the boys and girls following; and pulled her all the way to Brooklyn. The group got quieter the farther they stepped into Conlon's territory.

Tripper's face was set in defiant stone as she followed Jack's footsteps. She knew where they were going and why, and it made her even angrier! Why did he think that Spot was the best person to 'teach' her how to fight? She didn't need the proud jerk to teach her anything. She'd show them! She wouldn't let Spot make a bloomin' idiot out of her!

They arrived at the pier to find the mighty leader the only occupant. Obviously, his boys were smart enough to be somewhere warm, or they there still selling the morning edition. Spot sat on his favorite perch whittling at a piece of wood and looking out over the stormy bay.

"Hey Spot!" Jack's yell brought the Brooklyn leader's head around and a sly smirk across his face.

"Hey Jacky boy. What are youse all doin' down heah on me turf?"

Tripper wrenched her arm from Jack's grip and turned to walk back the way they had come only to find her way barred by Mush and Blink.

"Well," Jack eyeballed Tripper's straight back before turning to face his pal, "we's gots a new kid who's already gone an' made da Delancys enemies of his. But, da kid can't fight. He don't know how. So, we's brought him ta ya so youse ken teach him."

Tripper couldn't stand it anymore. Her temper flared as Jack out-right stated to Spot that she was a pansy. Her eyes throwing daggers and her voice throwing a high pitched war cry, Tripper spun around and launched herself on the unsuspecting boy.

"Can't fight? Can't fight? I'll show ye who can't fight, Jack Kelly!"

She laid several hard punches to his face before a pair of strong arms pulled her off of her punching bag.

"Let me go, ya doity, rotten scabbah! I'm gonna soak 'im! Insulting me about not being able to throw punches. I'll soak 'im! Let me go, Skittery!"

Skittery circled her body with his arms, pinning her flailing arms to her sides.

"Take it easy, Ro. Jack didn't know dat youse could beat him ta a bloody pulp. Relax, goily!"

Tripper struggled against Skittery's iron grip trying to loosen it and get away, but it was all in vein. Finally, she listened to Skittery's softly spoken words and stopped struggling. She went limp in his arms and leaned against him for support.

While Skittery was fighting against the wild cat, Spot and Race were caring for Jack's wounds. He had a bloody nose, a shiner, and several bruised ribs. After getting himself cleaned up and putting some snow on his eye, Jack walked stiffly up to Tripper.

They stared at each other for a long time while everyone held their breath. Tripper was the first to do anything.

"Sorry for blowin' up at ye, Jack. Me tempah just got in the way again." She shyly held out her hand in an offer of friendship and truce.

Jack eyed the hand warily before reaching out a tentative hand to grasp it.

"Ya're okay, Trip." He touched his eye softly and winced, "An' youse got a heck of a good punch. Guess we won't be needin' Spot's help after all." He flashed his trademark grin at Tripper.

She returned it with an equally bright smile and turned to face Skittery's chest.

"Ye ken let go now, Skittery. I won't be beatin' Jack anymoore today."

Skittery grinned at the impish girl in his arms and reluctantly released her from his embrace. The only one person who noticed Skittery's smile fade as he released his captive. This person felt a smile spread across his face as an idea started to formulate in his brain to help his friends find out about how much they liked each other.