Title: Secrets Behind the Lies

Author: Stress

First written: June 27, 2002- March 19, 2004

Edited and replaced: May 16, 2006

Summary: Part II of the Soul Mates Series; After living in Manhattan for two years, Stress thought she knew everything about Jack Kelly or, should we say Francis Sullivan? Well, guess not.

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Inside Tibby's

Stress reached over the table and smacked Jack on the arm. "Shut up, Jack. It ain't me fault that Gip heard you opening your trap."

"Cowboy, what did Gip hear you say?" King looked from the guilty faces of Stress and Jack and groaned. "Cowboy, tell me you weren't telling Cupcake here about my sister's letter."

Stress bristled at King's nickname for her. No matter how many times she told King that her name was not Cupcake, he still insisted on calling her that and only that. "King, I made him tell me."

"So, you did tell her. Damn, Jack, I told you not to tell no one." King walked over to the table and pounded it with his hand.

"I'm sorry, King, but you know how good Stress is at talking you into something." Jack shrugged his shoulders and backed into his seat, trying to avoid King's angry fist.

"It don't matter. Ya gave your word that you wouldn't talk and what good are you if I can't trust your word?"

"Hey fellas," Stress interrupted, "I don't know if you noticed or not but Gip just ran out of here all angry like. Don't you think it would be a good idea to follow her and explain to her what's going on?"

King and Jack exchanged a quick look before nodding. "I think that's a good idea, Stress," Jack began, rising from his seat, "Let's go find Gip." He lifted his water glass to his lips, drained it and wiped his mouth. "O.K., I'm ready."

As Stress got up, Jack walked ahead of King and exited Tibby's. King watched him leave and slumped his shoulders in defeat. Stress noticed the motion and put a reassuring hand on his arm. "Don't worry, King. We'll help Gip understand what's going on. I mean, that's if I ever get to understand meself. Why does Gip care so much about what's going on? I'm very confused here, King. "

King smiled faintly. "Let me tell you, Cupcake, I don't understand what's going on meself sometimes."

"How many times do I have to tell you that me name ain't Cupcake. It's Stress."

"And how many times do I have to tell you that I gave you the name Cupcake long before Cowboy gave you the name of Stress." King ruffled her hair and turned to look out the restaurant's window. "Where's Jack?"

"What do you mean 'where's Jack'? Didn't you just see him leave the restaurant?"

"I saw him leave the restaurant, but he ain't waiting for us outside right now." King pointed out the window to where there were two younger newsies selling an older gentleman a paper. Jack was not there.

Stress sighed and headed to the door. Jack wouldn't have left Stress and King alone together; whenever he did, they usually got in a class A fight. What is he playing at? she wondered as she left Tibby's and approached Boots and Crutchy.

"Hey fellas, did you see Jack go by?" she asked.

"Hiya Stress, how's it going?" Crutchy asked with his usual grin, leaning on his wooden crutch for support.

"Fine, Crutchy, but I'm really interested in what happened to Jack." She flipped her long curly hair over her shoulder and waited for his answer.

"Gosh, I haven't seen Jack since the water basin this morning." Crutchy removed his hat and scratched his head in confusion.

As Stress sighed and began to look around nervously, she heard Boots begin to hem and haw.

"Boots, did you see Jack?"

Boots hesitated for a moment before answering. "Gee, Stress, I didn't see Jack but I did see a paddy wagon."

When Stress hit her palm against her head, Crutchy looked at the two of them in surprise. "What's the deal with the paddy wagon?"

Before Stress could answer Crutchy, she had one question for Boots. "Ya didn't see the Refuge warden did you?"

Boots nodded solemnly. "Yeah. Warden Snyder was sitting with the police officer that was driving the horses."

"Shoot!" she hissed, turning from Boots and Crutchy and running up to where King was waiting for her to go to look for Gip. "King, something awful's happened!"

"Calm down, Cupcake. What could be more awful then Gip getting upset and running outta Tibby's?" King questioned.

"King, I think Snyder's got Jack again!"