Ok, ok, I started up again after only 3 reviews, but they were from two of my favorite reviewers (and an unknown guest- thank you, whoever you are )! That has to amount to SOMETHING, right? Anyhow, on with the show!

Chapter 2

Fury got up and motioned for her 'guests' to take a seat. "Well you might as well sit down, you're already here," she sighed exasperatedly. Spot nodded and pushed Ink roughly into the first chair before sitting in one himself. He had to keep his leader rep up if he wanted his girl's help. While girl newsies were neither heard of nor seen in Brooklyn, Queens apparently had and thought very highly of them, and just by seeing this one in a leader's position Spot knew she was going to be very hard to reach.

He watched as Fury took a seat again herself, taking in every feature; the way she held herself up with dignity and pride, the tough atmosphere that practically thrived off of her, even the brisk manner in which she spoke, how everything about her was forward and straight to the point- all good leader traits.

Fury leaned forward from her chair and held out her hand. "Fury Ramon, Queen of Queens," she introduced herself. Spot took the hand and shook it firmly. "Spot Conlon, King 'o' Brooklyn," he replied cordially. For just a moment the King felt the hope of a truce arise within him, but it died when he saw the Queen sneer at him from behind the desk. She glanced up at her clock and then back at him before speaking.

"Alright Conlon, you've got exactly 5 minutes to tell me why you've so sudden come crawling over to your worst enemies for help before I kick you to the curb and send you both back to Brooklyn in a matchbox," Fury growled, fingering her knife. "I don't want a speech, just the facts."

Spot was taken aback by the girl's coldness towards the matter, but it didn't surprise him. Queens and Brooklyn had been enemies for as long as anyone could remember; it was only natural for her to be on-guard. The newsie cleared his throat and began. "Well, err, ya see, as youse all very well know Harlem declared war on us recently an' we've been asking all da others if dey got our backs if things starts ta get real ugly. All 'o' em' gotta excuse an' we can't fight Harlem ourselves, so we came ta youse."

The Queen regarded Spot suspiciously, fiery eyes narrowing. "And give me one reason why I should help you. As my second Spike informed you already, we don't exactly see eye to eye, our two territories." Spot clenched his jaw and groaned. He really, really didn't want to have to admit this, but if he even had a shot at getting his girl and her newsies on his side he had to. "Because youse da only people who can help us," Spot grudgingly admitted. "Isa 'o' all people know we ain't been da best 'o' neighbors, but if youse do dis for us we can fix dat. No more wars, adversaries, fights, nothing! An alliance, if youse will."

Fury looked down at her feet for a moment, pondering this. "And how do I know you won't turn scab on us right after we help you out of your little hole, huh?" she confronted, still reluctant. "I barely even know you Conlon, hardly been leader a few months and raised to hate your borough my whole life because you gave us reason to. Why should I trust you with my people's lives? Again, how do I know you won't betray me?"

Spot swore under his breath, but knew in his heart she was right. He'd never met this woman before today! She wasn't about to just hand over the newsies trusting her with their safety to some random Brooklynites with a rep. No one in their right mind would. Thinking fast, Spot took a deep breath and said truthfully "Because we won't."

With that Fury started to laugh. It wasn't a nice, pleasant laugh but one of harshness and brutality. "You really think that's a good enough answer, Mr. Conlon?" she challenged, eyes gleaming with malice. Spot shrugged. "Its da only thing we got." The Queen laughed again and regarded him judgmentally. The raven-haired beauty then got up and stood by the window, staring out into the darkening streets without fear. Spot was hesitant to say any more; she was thinking, and thinking wasn't to be disturbed when it was a matter of life and death. When she finally spoke again, her tone wasn't as mean as before. In fact, it was almost understanding.

"I apologize for my earlier rudeness, Mr. Conlon," Fury began slowly, still gazing outside. "As you can see trust is still an issue around here. I needed to know if I could give it to you." The 16 year old girl then turned around to face him, all signs of hostility gone. Even the raging fire that had been her eyes had died down to a minimum, but was still burning with wariness.

"But now I know I can. You see, unlike my predecessor River, I like to hear out other's arguments before deciding to slit their throats. Yours is a valid one, and I am inclined to thank you for being reasonably collected when you came before me. I can see you never intended to come here for help, giving our history. And you're right; we could become an alliance considering we have the same views of things." Hope arose again in Spot's heart. "So youse gonna help us?" he asked eagerly.

But Fury shook her head, even though regretful. Turning back to the window she replied "I heard numerous times of your meeting with Jack Kelly, one of our own allies, concerning their strike in the summer. I was second at the time if you'll recall. You said you needed proof that they had what it took to win." The Queens leader looked over her shoulder at Spot and frowned. "I need the same if you want my help. I don't doubt your loyalty and dedication Mr. Conlon, but I'm not fully convinced you have the strength to beat Harlem."

"But we gotta dedication an' loyalty, youse said it youseself!" Ink complained, momentarily forgetting Spot's direct orders to maintain silence. His leader glared at him, but Ink ignored Spot's blue-eyed gaze and continued telling Fury off. "If we got dat an' combined with youse borough numbers we're unstoppable!"

"Ink, sit down!" Spot ordered his second in command, raising his voice. Ink finally got the message and did as told, but not before swearing at Fury under his breath. Spot was ready to apologize for his friend's actions, but stopped short when he saw the girl across from him looking thoughtful. "You're right, Ink," she addressed the boy personally. "You do have it, but I need to see it."

Before she could say more a sharp rap came at the door. Fury pivoted around; hand already to the handle of her dagger, but then saw who it was coming in. It was the boy who had led Spot and Ink to her, whom Spot assumed to be Spike, her second. The burly youth nodded coldly at the Brooklynites before looking at the Queen. "Fury, we gotta problem."

Fury rolled her unique eyes again and glanced at Spot and Ink apologetically. "Excuse me, gentlemen." She then looked at Spike frustrated. "Look Spike, I'm in a meeting!" she growled at him. "If it's about Staten Island walking on the border again I told you it's perfectly fine-""It's da Bronx," Spike interrupted quietly, and discretely shrinking back to avoid the best of Fury's furious glare. "Dere harassing a couple 'o' da border patrols, even tried soakin' one. We got em' duking it out now ova by dat old oil refinery. Watt youse want us ta do?"

Spot watched Fury get even angrier and clench her fist, forgetting the two Brooklyn newsies standing behind her. "I told them that if they started it up again we'd give them a fight to remember! Ready the birds and make sure they have their brass knuckles, Spike. We'll give them a fight to remember!" As Spike bowed out and left to carry out Fury's orders the Queen turned back to Spot, fuming. "I'm afraid this is where I leave you two, then. You'll have safe passage as long as you're in Queens, but after you cross the border once no longer, got it?"

Spot nodded and got up himself. "Thank youse for ya time," he told Fury, giving her a polite smile. "We'll show ourselves out den." Their host returned it and waved them away, all the while never once breaking eye contact with him. Spot pushed himself past the leader, but before he could enter the hallway she caught his wrist and pulled him back. "I'll have you know, Mr. Conlon," she whispered quietly. "That if you do perhaps show me you can beat Harlem I'll consider joining you." Spot just nodded and left.

As the two made their way back to Brooklyn in silence Spot pondered Fury's words. It was comforting to know that she was behind them either way; minus the fact that she wanted proof they had what it took to win this war. She was intelligent enough to make a good ally, almost as friendly as Queens newsies came. And beautiful.

Maybe, just maybe, they had a future friendship in store.

$N$

Fury leaned up against the front doorway and watched as Spot left with his second. She liked him instantly, despite their boroughs past relations. He was pretty street smart, for a Brooklynite, not as hot headed as the rest either. Almost handsome…..

So absorbed in her thoughts as she was the Queen almost didn't hear Spike walk up behind her. "Did it work?" he asked gruffly, sneering at the disappearing figures. Fury shrugged. "Like a charm. They'll be far away by the time they realize the Bronx never set foot in Queens. To be honest I'm not so sure I wanted them to leave just yet though. This Spot Conlon doesn't seem as bad as they say he is."

"Youse ain't really considering siding with Brooklyn, are ya?" Spike confronted a bit rudely. "Youse 'o' all people know watt Brooklyn's like. Dat war three years ago with dem tore ya family apart! Youse have da most reason ta hate Conlon!"

"That war was when Flyer was King, not Spot," Fury corrected quietly, choosing to ignore her second's temper. "Things have changed. Boroughs have changed. I'm leader now, Spike. Queens has been far too ruthless and cruel for too long. You can be tough and friendly at the same time, no matter what River said. We all knew he was no good from the start, that's why you made me leader instead of him after a couple years. I have no reason not to trust Conlon, no matter what part he played in my parent's death-"

"Ya crazy!" Spike interrupted, throwing his hands up. "Sure, Queens has ta stopped being closed off ta New York an' youse doin' a fine job 'o' turning it around into a respectable borough but siding with Brooklyn? No one's gonna side with youse!" Fury whirled around to face Spike, eyes flared. "I got rid of those who wouldn't, Spike, you know that. Everyone here now has nothing against Brooklyn minus our past; we'll be fine." Spike huffed at that and stalked off, leaving Fury at the door alone again. Everyone in Queens was family and treated as such, plain and simple, (which was why they were so friendly towards those in their lodging house even in the company of enemies) but sometimes that attitude took a toll on her. Spike was too reckless and held far too many grudges for Fury's taste, but he was willing to lay down his life for her, which was what she needed right now, being the newest leader.

I said I needed proof that Spot could win, Fury reminded herself. That should be enough to convince everyone that things are gonna change…

$N$

Spot and Ink made their way down Haven Street, their lodging house barely in sight. "Ya think we can count on err if we go up against Harlem by ourselves?" Ink asked his superior worriedly. Spot nodded quietly. "We can," he stated simply, fingering the tip of his cane absentmindedly. Ink blinked, vaguely surprised. "How youse know dat Spot? We hardly met da giorl ya know." Spot looked at his friend, mock disappointment written all across his face. "Isa a leader Ink," he said simply. "It's me job ta read people."

Ink crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Well ok Mr. Isa-Can-Read-Minds, watt does dis fine young lady think 'o' us den?" Spot chose to ignore the sarcastic comment and stared up ahead. "Fury wants ta trust us, but she knows she can't until we prove it. It's da only way 'o' life for newsies in Queens. Dere big on trust, pure loyalty, toughness, an' family. Dey protect dere own even beta den Brooklyn does. All we ask is dat dey come back ta da house on time an' can answer ta a leader, but Queens, dey make sure whoever is a newsie is like family an' stick up for each other as well as demselves. Believe me, she's gonna help us."

Somewhat pleased with that, Ink fell silent again but just as easily came up with another question. "Watt do youse think about err anyways? Kinda strange in my opinion." Spot shrugged, letting his mind wander towards Fury and her leadership of Queens. "She seems like a good newsie, beta den River if dat's watt ya mean," he replied blandly. Ink just snorted humorously and led the way up the lodging house stairs. "Yeah, a good newsie. Spot, Isa saw da way youse was lookin' at err! But Isa don't blame ya, she ain't too bad on da eyes-"

"Isa don't got time for giorls right now Ink," Spot scolded, feeling his face go red and becoming suddenly thankful that it was dark out. "All Isa said was dat she looks like a capable leader, dat's all dere was." Ink laughed and pushed open the heavy door. "But youse didn't say ya wasn't!" he pointed out cheekily. Spot grew frustrated and took a swing at his second, but it was only halfheartedly and Ink was able to maneuver away from it with ease, still chuckling.

Just then Spot realized how busy and hurried-like the Brooklyn house seemed. All the boys inside were scrambling about half dressed and searching for their slingshots or spare marbles, each with his own agenda and barely acknowledging their newly-arrived leaders. Ink noticed this as well and grabbed a smaller newsboy, pulling him over. "Hey, watts dis all about?" he demanded. The boy looked up at them innocently and pointed towards Bowler, who was busy ordering a couple of lagging newsies in the hall. "Ask im'," he stated simply.

"Hey Bowler!" Spot called out to the newsboy they'd appointed in charge while they were gone. "Watt's goin' on? Brooklyn falls apart in da hour we were in Queens 'o' something?" Bowler snapped his head up and let out a huge sigh of relief before waving the boys off and running over to his leaders. "Thank Heaven youse finally here!" he breathed, wiping a drop of sweat off his brow. "Isa dunno how ya do it, dis place is way too much work ta run with just two people-"

"Get ta da point Bowler!" Spot interjected, rolling his ice blue eyes. Bowler nodded and bit his lip. "Harlem sent an attack party ova da border 15 minutes ago. Some 'o' da biords just came back an' da rest are keeping em' at bay until we can arrive with reinforcements." Ink groaned and put his head in his hands. "We're doomed!" he mourned. Spot just stared out the door blankly and ran his hand across his cane's golden tip.

"It's begun."

$N$

Here it is! Hope all of you liked it and I'll update ASAP. Thank you to all whom reviewed and will review, I appreciate it mucho!

-Rellimmes