Disclaimer: you should know this by now…

A/n: Somehow this didn't have as much action and what not I had hoped for, but its still working towards it, I hope the next chapter will have more in it. Thanks to my reviewers again! You do keep me going, and I hope its still as good as it was in the beginning.

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As we entered the restaurant I could see some newsies eating their dinner. I turned hoping they wouldn't see me being pulled by Club. Club finally let go when we reached a booth in the back. I sat down across from him and slightly rubbed my wrist. Although he made it look like he was holding my hand, it was a tighter grip than I had liked.

The waiter came over and we ordered our food. As our drinks were brought to us, Club turned his attention back to me.

"So I heard ya took some time off from bein' a newsie" I nodded slowly taking a sip of my drink.

"Yeah I just needed a lil break." He nodded. We soon got our food and went into to silence as we ate.

As we finished up dinner Club seemed to be acting normal but I was still weary of him. "Want me walk ya back Doll?" he asked as we stood up to leave.

"Nah I think I can make it back" he smiled and kissed my cheek before heading in the opposite direction.

I stood there stunned for a minute before turning in my own direction. As I walked into the lodging house that night, Haze looked up at me with question.

"Where ya been all day?"

"I didn't know I had to report to ya every minute. In fact I think I'm the leader here…I should question ya." I fell onto my bed and waited to see if he'd leave. But he stood there leaning against my bed.

"I was just askin' cause Club is out there and I didn't want ya gettin' hurt or worse." He answered, hurt evident in his eyes. I knew he was just concerned but I was confused by today's events and anger was the only way I could deal right now.

"I'm fine and I don't think he'll be comin' after anyone of us." I answered him, leaving him with what he already knew, Club wanted to just come after me. Haze nodded and retired to his own bed for the night. I rolled over on to my side and face the wall. Sighing I let sleep claim me for the night.

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During the next few days, I continued my selling like normal but on the side I saw Club for lunch after selling. Somehow he would always appear in my spot when I was finished. I figured it wouldn't be too harmful for me to get some food with him. I could tell Haze was becoming suspicious when I wasn't showing up for lunch with the usual newsies. He was smart and I figured he knew who I was with.

As far as I was concerned this wasn't like last time I was with him, we were only eating lunch so far.

I finished up selling the boring headlines for the day. Sometimes it was hard to improve the truth, and today was one of those days; there was nothing good to work with.

"Mayors house flooded, wife almost drowns!" I sadly shouted hoping someone would take my last paper off my hands. I smiled as one elderly man came to buy it. The story was really about a leak in the basement of the mayor's home, but I figured it was close enough.

I counted my change for the day and smiled at the outcome. It was enough to make up for the poker game I lost last night. As I put my money away I sensed someone behind me. I slowly turned knowing who it would be.

"Heya Club" I greeted, "Right on time, I's starvin'"

Club smiled, "How bout we head to Sheepshed for a little?" Although I was starving I did enjoy gambling and watching the horse races. I nodded and we headed off toward the tracks.

On the way we passed a vendor and I borrowed some apples, since I was going to use my money at Sheepshed. As we walked and ate, Club seemed to be more distant than usual. I let it be and continued to eat my apple. If he wanted to talk he would, otherwise I wasn't going to bring anything up, and make him mad.

The silence continued until we reached the races. We both placed bets on different horses and we found our way into the crowd. As we found a spot near the rail to stand he finally broke the silence; but it wasn't to me.

"Heya Race, ready to lose?" I heard him direct to someone behind me.

I turned to see Race coming to stand near us; at least things wouldn't be as awkward between Club and me now.

"I got a hot tip on Captain, he's a sure win" Club snorted and looked back at the track since the race was about to start.

"Heya Phantom, haven't seen you around here lately."

"Needed to get some extra cash before I start comin' here a lot" he smiled and we both found ourselves waiting for the gates to open and the race to begin.

While the race was going on, and I was somewhat distracted from Race's screaming at his horse, I looked to my right to see Club was missing. Shrugging I figured he found a better spot or was getting some food, or at least that's what I told myself he was doing. I knew the tracks was often a place to meet for settling bets and doing some business if need be.

I shook it off and joined in on Race's shouts, hoping my horse could catch up to his.

"Dear me, some people just have the talent" I turned to Race as the horse race had just finished.

"Ya mean ya horse had the talent?" I asked, after his 'hot tip' had won.

"Nah I got the talent to bet and I think I'm feelin' lucky today. Ya havin' a poker game tonight?" he asked winking.

"If I do, ya not takin' my money" I laughed and turned to see if Club was back yet.

"I'll see ya lata Phantom, I'se got to collect my money" I nodded and said bye to Race as I saw Club's figure coming through the crowd.

"Come on we're leavin'" Club grabbed my arm and led me out of the racetrack. Once on the street he let go of my arm but continued along at a hurried pace. I followed making sure to keep up with his pace. He soon ducked into an alley way and waited for me to catch up.

I stood across from him, leaning on the wall as he watched the streets for anyone following him. After a few minutes he turned his attention to me.

"I gotta get back to Harlem" was all he said and was about to leave the ally when I stopped him.

"Ya gonna tell me what that was back there?" I asked putting my hand on his arm to stop him.

"Just some business" his look was too calm for me, even when he was running from the tracks, his face was too calm for it. I narrowed my eyes and showed my anger, "And I'm supposed to believe it was just some business, and ya ran away cause eveythin' went fine?"

His face suddenly turned cold and his eyes matched mine, "I run from no one!" I heard him say as I felt the impact of his fist to my face. My head turned to the right as his hand connected to my left side. I raised my head and stared him down, but refused to show the pain that I felt going through my face. I was hoping he would realize what he did and try and say sorry, or something, but all I got was silence and the image of him walking out of the ally.

Once he had left I raised my hand to my face to feel the damage. It was sore to touch already and I knew I would have a nice shiner by tomorrow. And I would have to face Haze with it; that worried me more than facing Club again.

I sighed and headed back to the lodging house for the night.