Hey everyone! So this chapter is WAY longer than I initially thought it would be because my original purpose was just to establish a relationship between Zoey and the other newsies. Things just… Got out of hand. I only wanted to warn you that parts of the next chapter could be considered violent/intense and there is some harsh language. Please let me know what you think! I'm still not used to spelling accents out phonetically!

"You gotta problem swee' heart?" he asked, winking, causing her to blush and look away. He turned to Spot. "Who's the looker, Conlon?"

"She turned up downtown Brooklyn last night, found her while I was out on a walk after takin care of some business." Zoey noticed the way Spot's eyes shifted downwards during the last half of his sentence.

"I was wonderin' if ya had any place she could stay for awhile, or maybe one of ya boys," he said.

"I dunno, Spot. Most the boys here don't even got their own home, forget about sharin' with another person." Jack didn't look ready to just send them away though, he spoke before Spot had time to reply. "Maybe she can just stay here, ya think? Freddy, Heels and Heels' kid brother just moved out, so there's only 'bout twenty of us right now."

Spot seemed to think for a moment and didn't look at her. She didn't know what to think about this turn of events, living with twenty boys was never something she ever thought she'd had to consider. Before she had a chance to say anything though, boys entered the upstairs room. Loud and laughing, arms around shoulders, genuine newsies. Just as she'd read about, and several she even remembered from the movie.

This wasn't like meeting movie stars, and she'd met a few; she was meeting actual characters, with the looks, education, feelings and personality of the same people she'd seen on tv. It should be impossible, what kind of alternate universe did this have to be?

"Well, I'd like to consider your offer," Spot said in a professional voice." How about you let me think 'bout it over a game of poker, eh Race track?" He elbowed a boy to his left who looked Italian, much to the boy's charin.

"Aw come off it Conlon! Youse already stole a fortune from me!" Race moaned, rubbing his side.

"Youse saying ya scared, Race?" A tan boy she knew to be Mush shoved the Italian's shoulder playfully.

"I aint never said Ise is scared!" Race yelled, throwing his hand to the side. "Fine we'se can play a round or two."

"Ay," said a tall boy to her right, "who's dis?"

"Yeah, she's pretty…" She heard a boy with a patch on his eye whisper to another.

Jack straightened, an obvious leader and pointed in her direction. "This is… uh," he paused awkwardly. "Actually I don't know. Spot?"

Spot looked smug for a moment, and Zoey saw that look fall quickly when he realized that he, himself didn't know what her name was either. So finally he looked to her and shrugged in a small gesture that suggested it was time to introduce herself.

"I'm Zoey," she said, and tried to avoid any eye contact with the boys.

"Right she's Zoey, and she needs a place to stay. Any of youse got a place?" She was surprised how authoritative Spot sounded with newsies that weren't even his own.

The group of boys shuffled and mumbled, but didn't really give an answer. She sighed internally, how was she supposed to get home? It would probably become obvious that she wasn't normal to them eventually, she was surprised Spot hadn't asked her more about her clothes and the contents of her bag.

"It's like I said, Spot. We don't have no special place, except fer here. Does she got any family?" Jack's eyes cut to her suddenly. "Youse a runaway?" he asked her curiously, with his hands in his pockets.

Was she? She didn't have a better cover story. When Spot began staring at her as well she noticed that her pause had been entirely too long.

"Y-yeah," she said, hoping that her reluctance to share played off as her being scared to be caught.

"Well are gonna play here, or what?" Race said from across the room while shuffling a deck of cards. Loud agreement from the boys ensued as all made their way to the table in the corner, some to play, and some to watch.

She sat on the corner of a bunk, watching the game with mild interest but mostly hoping her head would stop pounding. She'd kill for an aspirin. Of all the things she didn't pack in her bag… That and a coffee maker.

After coming to the realization that her wide range of knowledge did not include the rules of Poker, Zoey's mind drifted off. She didn't find it hard to think even with the loud boys in the room. There had to be a way back to where she came from.

She knew from the wide range of movies she'd seen that there was always a way out. And it usually had something to do with the way she'd got there. All she remembered was falling asleep, though.

Her thoughts were interrupted when someone sat next to her. It was the tall boy who had spoken before. He looked kind, with a handsome face and brown hair, a small bottle in his hand.

"Ya head looks pretty busy, huh?" He offered her the bottle, and after a second she accepted.

"Yeah… I guess you could say that," she answered before lifting the container to her lips. The liquid burned down her throat, but not quite painfully. Whiskey. She handed it back to him and he took a small sip, looking at her.

"Where ya from?" He asked, scooting closer to her so they could have a proper conversation amongst the noise. She took the bottle from him once more and drank.

"Around, I suppose."

He smiled. "What kinda answer is that?" He asked playfully.

"The kind of answer you're getting," she said, poking him in the chest. "Nosy."

He held up his hands in surrender and laughed. "A'right, a'right. Sorry ta offend yah, miss."

She laughed and handed the bottle back to him, then pulled her legs up into the bed so her knees were against her chest.

"Hey there Zoey!" A short boy with dark skin who looked a few years younger than her plopped down on the mattress on the other side of her, bouncing the bed. "Don't listen ta Skittery ova here. He's always popular with da ladies." He nudged her arm. "If ya hang out with me you'll have way more fun. I'm Boots."

Zoey smiled at Boots, then adopted a serious face and rose an eyebrow at Skittery. "Popular with the ladies, huh?"

Skittery blushed and looked down sheepishly. "Youse could say that, or at least some people might."

She snatched the whiskey from him and took a sip, smiling slyly. She leant against the wall whilst throwing her legs over Skittery's lap in a way she might have done with Zander. She didn't know how most girls acted during this time period, but both Boots and Skittery's faces in reaction were to die for.

"Dammit!" A loud yell from Race took their attention. "Youse were cheatin, don' even try ta deny it!" Race was standing up at the table pointing right in Spot's smug face.

"I don't know what you're talkin about Race track. I won fair and square. You could win it back from me though. How about another round?" Spot was obviously trying not to smile widely to Race's response.

"If youse got anythin up ya sleeve I swear I'll soak ya Conlon!" Race said angrily, but still sat down and passed the cards to Jack to shuffled. "You won't be so lucky dis time," he said more calmly. "Prepare ta be beaten."

"I'm shakin' in my suspendas," Spot said sarcastically. Zoey tried not to laugh, but Spot suddenly seemed so funny to her, and suddenly she couldn't hold it in anymore. Some of the boys smiled at her, including Spot who seemed interested to know that she could laugh, considering her so far limited conversation with him.

Soon more people began talking to her, and she tried her best to be friendly, the whiskey helping her along just a bit. She talked to Skittery the most though, and soon, if she squinted her eyes and forgot about their clothing it was as if she were at a party back home. Minus Clarice of course, who she was beginning to miss.

She wondered if Clarice even knew Zoey was gone? What if she called the cops or something? Or her parents? She'd be on a file, somewhere, falling behind in school. What if she-

A hand shook her shoulder suddenly and she looked up to see Jack. She had to crane her head all the way to look at him, and she squinted against the ceiling light. He sat down and stared at her for a moment, causing her to laugh awkwardly to get rid of the quietness. He smiled kindly and leant forward a little, whispering in her ear. "Don't overthink anythin'," he said. "Whateva's botherin you can wait, right?" He pulled back and gave her a wink. "Just have some fun."

She hadn't even known Jack left the poker game that was still ongoing. Jack walked away and began a conversation with Mush and Crutchy. One advantage to watching Newsies was the pre-knowlege of some of the boys' names. She was leaning against someone, and they absently twirled her hair that had come out of it's braid.

Eventually she turned her head and saw Skittery smiling at her. Her cheeks seemed to tug up of their own accord, whether it be from her current contentedness or from the good sized amount of whiskey she had shared with him. Before she knew it, Skittery pressed his mouth against hers, shocking her. She didn't really know what to do, but before she could react his lips were wrenched away from hers.

A shout was all she heard, followed by a few gasps and mutters, along with a pained groan. Zoey opened her previously closed eyes, and saw Skittery now on the floor beside the bunk, and Spot's back directly in front of her, his fists clenched.

"The hell you think you're doin, Spot?" She heard Jack yell, but Spot didn't move. Jack finally made his way through the crowd of boys and shoved Spot lightly back by the shoulder. Spot didn't answer, but soon changed his stoic face into one of carefreeness.

"His face was botherin' me," he said simply. A few newsies gave him a strange look but didn't comment on his excuse. Spot Conlon seemed to be the type of person who didn't need a legitimate reason for doing what he wanted. A few boys silently helped up Skittery and moved him behind the crowd, sensing that something may be brewing.

"We're all tired, so how bout youse go ta bed?" Jack addressed his boys and they all reluctantly dispersed to their designated bunks, some in different adjoining rooms. Jack and Spot shared a serious look, but Spot didn't drop the arrogant look in his eyes. Jack sighed and brought a hand through his hair, jerking his head in the direction of the stairs.

Zoey hadn't received any direction from either of them so she sat there, and then slowly stood, concentrating on each movement. Her head seemed to travel a few seconds slower than the rest of her body, and as she stopped her movements it snapped back to catch up with her. The lights were still on, but that didn't bother the boys as they began to snore immediately.

Her steps were careful and calculated, so she made it to the door with minimum stumbling. Her happy buzz was slowly fading into a weird in between place that had always made her uncomfortable, so when she spotted a small flask on a side table, she reached for it. She lifted it to her mouth without smelling it and almost choked at the taste.

Jesus, she thought, this stuff was strong enough it could be lit on fire easily. Still though, she took another swig of the stuff even as her nose scrunched in distaste. She couldn't hear what Jack and Spot were talking about downstairs but she figured Spot would soon leave. Stupid Spot… Why did he have to interrupt Skittery? Zoey hadn't kissed many boys but maybe she would have liked it. Skittery was nice, it was too bad he wasn't even from her century.

Zoey went to take another gulp of the liquor but she found she had drank it all. Shrugging, she set the metal flask down and with a deep breath she opened the door and walked downstairs.

It had only been five or so minutes but it looked like everything between the two newsie leaders had been resolved. Spot's eyes met her's first and she tried to match the serious look on his face, holding it for all of three seconds before breaking down and laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong Spot?" She laughed and looked up at Jack as well from the floor -how had she gotten on the floor again?- "Why so serious?" Jack rose an eyebrow and looked at Spot in a 'sure she didn't hit her head?" way.

Didn't they get it, she was quoting the Joker for christ's sake! She resolved to try again. "Hey Spot!" She said happily. "See. Spot. Run. Get it?" They both looked at her blankly. She knew it was useless to quote modern culture to them, but it was so much fun! They seemed to come to some sort of unseen conclusion as they looked at her.

Spot came over and pulled her arm around his shoulders and put his around her waist. "Come on, Crazy," he said. "I gotta get up in the mornin'." She nodded understandingly to him.

"Oh I know," she said. "You newsies work so hard, and only average like, fifty cents a day! Then here I am, spending probably-"

"Could ya stop shouting in me ear, Crazy?" He muttered, pushing her head away from his own. He started walking them towards the opening to the lodge.

"See ya latah Spot… Good luck." Jack said in farewell. Zoey spun around, a wide smile on her face, barely noticing her slow reflexes.

"Bye Jack!" She smiled. "It was so nice to meet you, but I've got to go return some video tapes!" Spot jerked her forward harder this time as Jack smiled and waved at her a little uncomfortably.

"Bye Zoey."

"Na na na na na na na Batm-!"

"Let's go." Spot hauled her through the door impatiently, and down the steps, kicking the door shut with his foot on the way.

She and Spot stumbled down the street, until she convinced him she could walk. In fact she skipped. At least that's what she was trying to do, until she tripped and fell, keeping herself from falling too hard by sticking out her hand. Her hand was scraped and her wrist hurt immensely.

"Are you good for anything besides getting in trouble?" Spot grumbled in exasperation, helping her stand.

Zoey pouted. "This is the first time since I've been around you that anything bad has happened."

"What do you call fainting in the middle of the street last night? Or making Skittery do stupid shit tonight?" he retorted, obviously grumpy. "Seems ta me that you're nothing but trouble."

"Well," she said, at a loss for words. "Shut up."

Spot glared and stepped forward, the streetlight making his eyes flash. "Don't eva," he started while grabbing her chin, "tell me what ta do." His hand was forcing her to meet his eyes and he glared into her soul.

Zoey stared back at him and suddenly saw a whole new side of the boy she'd never seen before. This boy was dangerous, and not in a comical way like she'd always thought during Newsies, but well and truly a threat. Carefully she nodded, and his fingers released her face.

They continued to walk down the bridge.

Minutes later, Zoey still being inebriated, tried her turn at conversation again.

"Have you always had a temper?" she asked.

"You bet," he said. "It's what keeps me on top." He swung his cane from his hip and tapped it absently against the railing.

Suddenly someone darted out from the shadows and rushed towards them. Zoey couldn't see their faces and only glimpsed their clothes as they ran past a street light. Spot was instantly on guard, and pushed her farther behind him.

A large hand wrapped around Zoey's wrist and yanked her off balance. She screamed and tried to wrench herself out of the brute's grasp, but he held on to her tightly. She heard grunts as Spot and the figure engaged, and a loud whack, resulting in what sounded like a very painful fall to the ground.

The hand holding Zoey jerked her, causing her to nearly fall, but she quickly pulled back her right leg and delivered a swift kick to his shin, causing him to let out a croak in pain. His grip was loosened but not enough that she could free herself.

She could tell that Spot was fighting still, whether it was the same person or another one that had arrived she didn't know yet. She struggled to think of any maneuvers she might know from the few self defense classes she had taken but she tripped and was mercilessly yanked up again, her shoulder responding painfully.

She heard a strange five note whistling sound from behind her as she used her other hand and grabbed hold of his arm that kept her own captive. She twisted her body and pivoted on her left foot, bringing her right foot up and straight out, smashing into the large person's body. He was still mostly upright though, and looked as if he was about to attack her again when she heard another whistle, and then there were three more boys, except instead of attacking her and Spot like she expected, they began to fight her attacker.

She was breathing hard and tears had escaped her eyes unbidden. Someone began pulling her up from under her arms and she thrashed around, yelling out. She flung her arm out to hit her next attacker and it was only when she heard the person swear loudlythat she realized it was only Spot.

"Come on," he said, rubbing his jaw bone with one hand and pulling her up with the other. He let go of her arm and sauntered up to who had been Zoey's assailant. The young man had what looked like a broken nose and a busted lip. Newsie boys held on to him, forcing him down on his knees in front of Spot. Zoey recognized one of them as Long legs.

"Well well," Spot said, with a bright smile on his face that did nothing to disguise the obvious hatred in his eyes. "Looks like the Harlem boys is asking me for a fight." Zoey didn't even see the gold flash of Spot's came as it struck the boy with a sickening crack. Zoey flinched at the violence and took a few steps back.

Spot knelt down on one knee. "To what," he started, fixing his cap, "do I owe the pleasure?"

The boy hung his bloody face, panting heavily, then spat in Spot's direction. One of the newsies swung a punch into his face easily in retaliation. Spot didn't say anything, he didn't even move. He must have been confident that the boy would answer him eventually.

Though instead of remaining to hear the rogue newsie break, Spot began walking in the direction of Brooklyn again. Zoey was speechless, the newsies really seemed more like a gang than a group of friends.

"C'mon Crazy," Spot tossed over his shoulder at her. Slowly, with her eyes still on the newsie who was held captive, Zoey walked towards Spot. He hadn't stopped and waited for her, but he did slow down enough so she could catch up.

"How're you gonna find out why they came?" she asked him once they had gotten a ways away.

Spot answered, "My boys are taking care of it." His voice was completely level, but the way his eyes were narrowed and his jaw was set told Zoey more than she needed to know.

She didn't speak again until they got back to the lodging house.