Note: Ok, oops on my part but I failed to mention that last chapter was the end of Part 1. Yes, I've decided there are gonna be 'parts' to this story. Think LOTR but less brilliant, lol. Okay, so... thus this is the first chapter of Part Two. Enjoy:.. Oh and it's also 10 months later!

Part Two
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Nearly a year later the newsies lives were still in full swing, never slowing down. Jack, Mush, Star, Jamie, Mouse, Race, Blink, Spot and Switch were all still bunking together in Brooklyn Mannor (as they had come to call it). Mouse's health had taken a gigantic turn for the better; she had put on some healthy weight, her hair had grown in a bit thicker and she was more hyper then ever. Jamie had also changed a lot in ten months. Her and Spot were now officially 'together' and they did wonders for each other. Jamie, for the first time in her life felt comfortable with who she was (without layers of makeup) and Spot no longer felt such a pressing need to live up to the rumors. He still had his 'virgin problem' as Jamie put it, but neither of them really cared.

The third newsie girl had also made quite a few alterations, but it could be debated wether or not they were for the better. Star had, quite the opposite of Mouse, lost a lot of weight and always seemed to have a cough. She was also seeing Switch. She was with Mush, seeing Switch. She had lasted about three months after her lie before the guilt drove her crazy. She needed a release. She had also come to realise that Switch was like a drug. Physically and mentally damaging but addictive. And she was addicted.

Every second day, while they were all out selling papers, she and Switch would meet up in an alleyway, far off from the other's selling spots. It was discusting and she knew it. But she did it anyway. Not that she was entirely aware of it, but being with Switch had caused her to lose some self respect, not to mention respect for others.

"Okay, Switch, that's enough," Star said, pulling away from her 'on-the-side'. Switch had her backed up against a dirty brick wall in their usual alleyway. Star had noticed a few people walk by, sending them looks. She was constantly paranoid that this would get around. It could not, must not, would not.

"Come on," Switch said, his face buried in her hair.

"No, seriously, get off me!" Star said more urgently. A rarity; Switch obeyed. They then proceeded to straighten their clothes and put back on the peices that had been shed.

"Day after tomorrow, same place, same time?" Switch asked. It was not really a question anymore, more like a statement.

Star nodded.

Switch grinned maliciously and turned to leave.

Star crossed her arms and shivered despite the heat. He was such a god damn drug.

---

Spot sat in a small diner. Jamie sat across the table from him.

'God she's beautiful' Spot thought. She looked a lot better now then she had before. More natural. Happier, healthier. Spot smiled. He liked to know that he'd had a small part in that.

"Spot?"

"Yeah Jamie?"

Jamie started to cry. Not just little tears, but torrents of water.

"Jamie what's wrong?" Spot asked, trying to make eye contact with the girl he loved.

"I have to go Spot, I can't... I can't be here anymore. I can't see you!" Jamie wailed.

"What? Why?" Spot asked, dipping his head to try and see her eyes.

"Well," Jamie wiped away from tears, her words hardening a bit, "you know how my parents are really wealthy and everything," In truth, Spot had forgotten, "You know I don't really have to be out here, selling papers. My parents don't really care though, they let me do what I want, as long as I check in with them every now and then." She stopped and cried a little more.

Now Spot was really confused.

"Well, last time I checked up... I mentioned you... I don't even remember how.. but, anyway, my dad doesn't want me dating 'street trash' but I told him I loved you and..." She trailed off. Her eyes blurred from tears.

Spot waited anxiously but she didn't continue.

Slowly and hesitantly, Jamie pulled up the sleeve of her jacket.

Spot suppressed a gasp at what he saw. Her arms were bruised from about the bicept to the forearm.

"You're dad...?" he asked tenderly.

Jamie nodded.

Spot didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to do.

"I don't want to leave you guys... you're... you're the only real friends I've got," Jamie said, tears dripping onto her bruised arm.

"Don't worry," Spot said, "you're not going anywhere."

Spot reached a hand out andput it over Jamie's.

"I love you," he said softly.

Jamie smiled her big grin.

"I love you to babe,"

---

River, Zade and Tony had been best friends since they were little boys. They recently had celebrated Tony's twenty-fifth birthday. They were now all officially a quarter of a century old. River and Zade were both blonde. River had brown eyes and Zade had blue. Tony was a redhead. He had the temperment of a redhead as well. His eyes were a deep sea green but they were dull. They didn't sparkle the way River's did, or glint the way Zade's did whenever he got a good idea. Tony's eyes were empty.

Tony had been a chain smoker since the ripe age of thirteen and had been hospitalized multiple times for substance abuse. It was a miracle that River and Zade stuck by him, but they did. They were each other's family. They didn't have anyone else.

"Do you think they'll do it?"

"Of course they will," a large puff of smoke went shooting into the air.

"I'm not so sure,"

"Then we'll make them."

"I meant about this whole thing Tony, it's not such a great idea,"

"Backing out River?" Tony blew smoke into his friends face. River coughed.

"Look, all we have to do is move some boxes and then get paid," Zade said, filling the silence after River's cough.

"And if we can get someone else to do the actual moving then we're off the hook," Tony leaned back in his chair. He smiled deviously at his friends. Zade was in, Tony knew that. He stared long and hard into River's brown eyes. River's lip twitched.

"Fine," he resigned.

"Good," Tony said, running a hand through his flaming hair, "now all we need is the labour supply."

---

Spot and Jamie walked hand in hand back towards Brooklyn Mannor. Neither of them talked for a long time, they just enjoyed each other's silences.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Spot Conlon, sir,"

"Spot Conlon?"

Spot nodded, "Yessir',"

Whack.

Spot stumbled back a bit but regained his balance and stood tall, holding his ground.

"I came here to tell you that Jamie won't be coming home," he said firmly. Jamie's father swung again but Spot ducked and he missed.

"Are you telling me what my daughter will or will not do?" he said, seething.

Spot didn't respond. He just stared him straight in the eye.

"Answer me you filth!"

"Jamie's not coming back here, she's safe now and she's gonna stay that way,"

Another swing. This time it made contact. Spot stumbled back again, picking himself up a little slower.

"Where is she!" Jamie's father demanded.

"She's safe, she's away from you!" Spot shouted.

"I'll follow you! I find out where she's hiding!"

"Go ahead!" Spot said, "I know these streets ten times better then you! I'll dissapear into places you don't even know exist!"

With that Spot left. Something hard hit him in the back of the head. He stumbled but he didn't fall. He felt on top of the world. He'd very possibly completed his first act as a man and in the process, saved the girl he loved. Another hard object came flying at the back of his head. Spot smirked despite the pain. The King of Brooklyn had never felt better.

Spot stopped walking and leaned in to kiss Jamie. Jamie obliged and wrapped her arms around him. They kissed and kissed until the sky had faded a tint.

"It's late," Spot said, looking up at the sky.

"Mmhm," Jamie said, wiping her mouth off a bit. They joined hands again and headed back to the fort. Spot looked off tothe left at three figures loitering near an alleyway. They were all fairly tall. Spot couldn't tell for sure but they seemed to be watching them. Spot turned away and began to walk a little faster.

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Okay guys and gals! Hope you liked it! More to come of course! Whole second half of the story is yet to be written! Please read and review!

And if ya don't mind, could ya please think and add to your review one thing that you would judge as being totally out of character for Jack... not sure if I'll end up using it but some ideas will help me think :D thanks!

Calzino:
Why do I get the feeling her lie is going to end up hurting everyone? Oh maybe because I'm a genius. Or maybe, I could be wrong though, it was the lovely job you did foreshadowing. I lurve this story!

NewsieGoil1899:
gasp STAR! NO! How dare you lie to Mush! You sound like Switch! And that isn't good. No, not good at all. This was a very very good chapter. Good work. Keep it up! Please. Okay, let's see... one little thing. Don't use abbreviations for the words.
Otherwise, it was great! Star and Mush are getting back together! YAY! Waves white flag And Spottie the hotties is falling in love! Meep! Spot and Jamie... thinks Hmm... cute.
Now, I must depart. Great chapter!
--Truth.Truth like a blazing fire.An eternal flame.--
--GiNnY--

NewsieGoil1899:
jaw drops WHOA! Didn't see that coming! Okay, what is the rating on this again? Teen? Okay, depending on how detailed this gets (With Spot and Jamie) ya might need to up the rating. Okay, besides that warning, this chapter was great! I'm still trying to figure Switch out. Good or bad... thinks Hrm... weighs it out Good...bad... Even. I dunno. I think I like him. He's cool. But on the other hand a jerk...thinks Anywho, great chapter. I really liked it. More? Soon? YAY! Do I hate Switch? Nahh! I LIKE HIM! Not as much as my Mush though. huggles Mush I hope all ends well between Star and Mush! Or at least that Mush gets a new girl. If you want a character, I can give you one. winks
Update again soon, please! I love it!
--Truth.Truth like a blazing fire.An eternal flame.--
--GiNnY--