A/N: Sorry this took longer than I thought to get up but I had more writers block. :/

Thanks to Naomi and St. Elmo-lover for reviewing!! the good news is I have a long break now and I think I no where im going with this…so I hope to update sooon!! And maybe some romance coming..for real…well see..read and review

"Heya Spot" I said turning to lean like he was. He nodded to me and stared some more before answering, "Hey Phantom. Ya comin to thank me again for savin' ya life?"

I frowned at his smirk, "Why would I do that when ya ego doesn't need a reminder?"

I smiled as his smirk instantly left his face, "Well what brings ya to Brooklyn then?"

"Food" I answered casually. He laughed, "Anythin' else? Maybe a reason why ya look so distant today and the fact I followed ya to the bridge and ya didn't respond?"

I tilted my head as I thought back, trying to remember a sense of someone following me. When I realized I hadn't noticed anything I narrowed my eyes at Spot, for following me and for reading my thoughts.

"Just thinkin'" I said as I turned to overlook the river below, he casually turned around to face the water as I did and glanced at me. "Ya sleepin' alright?" I rolled my head towards him and nodded slowly, as if I was trying to convince him and myself. I kept my gaze forward hoping he would dismiss that anything was bothering me. But he just leaned on the railing and followed my gaze.

We stood there for a little in silence before I sighed and pushed myself away from the bridge since I realized it was getting later.

"I should be heading back" I said a little more quietly than I had meant to. Spot turned and looked at me nodding, "I'll walk ya back"

My head tilted in confusion; "Spot it's the afternoon I think I can make it home" he shrugged it off and stared back at me. After thinking it over I figured he wouldn't back down now, sighing I nodded and let him walk with me.

"So how's the Bronx?" he asked as we started walking back to my territory.

"For once I haven't caused any problems"

"Phantom ya know I didn't mean it like that. Nothin' that happened was ya fault, things happen and it could have been worse with another leader. Look at me I've lead Brooklyn for awhile now and there's times I blame myself but that's part of the leadership role." I looked at him in awe; he somehow always knew what I was thinking.

We walked back mostly in silence, but it seemed to fit the mode at the time. As we neared the lodging house we slowed our pace, "Thanks for getting me safely back during this well lit afternoon, I might have gotten lost without ya" I said smirking as Spot frowned.

"Well ya welcome" he answered sarcastically. "But I also got some business here, so since ya safely home, I'll see ya around" he tipped his hat and walked through the streets of the Bronx. I frowned, what business did he have in the Bronx? In my territory!

As soon as he was far enough out of sight I decided to follow him, I mean it was my territory so it was my duty to know what happened in it. I knew he probably thought I was going to follow him but it was worth a try.

I soon found him nearing the park; this was usually Haze's selling spot. As I got closer I saw Spot talking to Haze who seemed to be selling the afternoon edition. They seemed to be having a normal conversation, no yelling or anything like that. But why was Spot talking to him? It's not like they were friends; I frowned in thought and turned away from the park. I headed back towards the lodging house to slip inside before Spot or Haze passed by.

I found Razor upstairs playing a small game of poker and nodded to deal in. I sat waiting for Haze to get back from his little conference. After a game or two, I saw Haze enter the bunk room, I watched his moves and body language to try and figure out what he was hiding. I kept my face straight but was disappointed when he appeared normal.

"Where'd ya go this afternoon Phantom, I didn't see ya around for lunch" Razor asked as he dealt out more cards for us and Haze.

"I went to lunch in Brooklyn, and somehow Spot decided to walk me back here" I said glancing up at Haze for any signs. Haze kept his poker face on for the game and for me it seemed.

Either he knew I was on to him or he really had nothing to hide, but either way I was still cautious as to why Haze had met with Spot in the first place.

The night went out without figuring out anything and the next few days went the same. After a few days I began to forget about Spot talking to Haze and figured if nothing had happened yet it was doubtful anything would happen soon between them or me.

As I finished selling my papers for the day I headed off to meet Razor for lunch. As soon as I walked into the small restaurant with a few of the newsies, I heard nothing. I looked around and noticed everyone was quieter than usual; usually this place was loud during the afternoon with newsies running about.

I made my way to the booth that Razor was and glanced around at the quiet once more.

"Whats goin' on?" I asked as I slipped into the seat across from him. He casually glanced at the other tables before shrugging, "Nothin, why?"

I glared at him as he slowly stuffed his face with food, "Why's it so quiet in here, especially when I walked in?"

"Not everythin' is about you. The food is just that good today" I heard him mumble through the food in his mouth. He flashed me a smile and pushed his plate towards me. I picked up half the sandwich and immediately laughed at the taste.

"Yeah this is gourmet alright. I know ya up to somethin' and I'll find out what." Razor shook his head and we continued eating our lunch as the noise gradually started to rise in the place. I took another glance around as I headed out the door for a walk before returning to the lodging house, and once again I felt the noise die down. I glared at my newsies, what was going on with them?

I huffed and walked out the door to clear my mind for awhile.

As the afternoon went on I headed back to the lodging house for the night. Somehow I felt myself checking my surroundings as I walked; the things with Spot and Haze and now my newsies getting quiet when I was around was making me jumpy.

Finally I arrived at the lodging house satisfied that no one was following me or anything. But the outline of someone on the steps made me slow my pace. The person lifted his head after striking his cigar and I saw it was in fact Razor.

"Hey Razor" I said as I tried to walk by him.

"Hey Phantom, I set up a poker game tonight, I meant to tell ya about it." he said looking a little guilty. But I couldn't tell if it was from not telling me or something else.

"Alright, I'll forgive ya for not tellin' me as long as I can win some money tonight." He smirked.

"Well ya better pool what ya have left it starts in a few hours." I nodded and headed up stairs towards my newly claimed room.

A few hours later and I came out of my room after a quick nap, and noticed Razor was the only one in the bunk room. I raised my eyes in question, "Where is everyone?"

"Most are at dinner, before they head over to the game" I nodded slowly trying to believe that nothing was going on.

I followed him out of the door as we went towards the poker game. He slowed his walk before we reached the building, and as I noticed this I glance around me a few more times in the darkening streets. I watched him reach out and open the door for me.

I started at him as I entered in front of him, expecting something very unusual to greet me. The lights were on and the tables set up, but as I looked around I saw a group of people all turn to me.

"Surprise!!!" was all I heard as I quickly looked at my newsies, Manhattan, Brooklyn and some others all in front of me. I turned back to Razor with my mouth open.

"Happy Birthday Phantom! What did ya think we forgot?" he asked putting his arm around my shoulder, leading me towards the group in front of me.