Hey, guys! I know I've been absent from updating for a really long time but I'm going to try and update more frequently now that the production of Seussical I am in is ending this week. This is based off of this peice of fanart I found on Pintrest: At first, I was like "Oh look! They're so happy!" Then it became "Now how can I ruin this moment with angst and sadness?"

READ THIS BEFORE THE STORY!

This takes place a month after the strike. In this version, Snyder has so many legally powerful people on his side that when his trial takes place, he gets off with no charges, and the refuge is reopened. The Newsies see the headline and have been selling in pairs for the past few weeks for safety. None of them have seen of heard about Snyder since he had been freed. Ok, you can read the story now!

A celebration was in order. Exactly one month ago, the newsboys of lower Manhattan had officially won the strike against the powerful, controlling, Goliath Pulitzer. Definitely something for a group of orphan teenage boys to celebrate! But Katherine wasn't a teenage boy. And Davey wasn't an orphan. So, a brief respite from the jubilation was needed for the pair.

Davey stood on the fire escape, carrying his sleeping younger brother on his back. He breathed in the warm night air and relaxed. He would need to return to his parents soon but figured that a few minutes of calm wouldn't hurt anyone. A clanking was heard behind him as an unknown person climbed the ladder.

"Looks like we had the same idea, huh?" A feminine voice called from behind him. Katherine leaned over the railing next to him. "Aww. He's all tuckered-out isn't he!" She acknowledged while brushing Les' hair from his face gently.

"Yeah. A few games of poker with Race and a night with the most rambunctious group of boys in all of Manhattan has him wiped!" Davey shifted his hold on Les as the young boy stirred. He gently placed a finger to his lips to signal Katherine be quiet as not to wake him. "I'll have to take him home soon. My Ma said not to keep him out too late anymore after tonight." He said in a hushed manner.

The two stood in a comfortable silence until the sound of loud feet climbing the ladder was heard.

"Hey, guys! Whatcha doin' up hea?" Jack called from the ladder. He was instantly met with a chorus of shh's from Davey and Katherine but it was too late. As Jack fully climbed onto his Penthouse, Les opened his eyes and yawned. He squirmed, adjusting himself on Davey back so one arm was wrapped around his neck while the other dangled down near Davey's pocket. His legs were encircleing Daveys waist, his head rested on Davey's shoulder.

"'Avey?" Les muddered against his brother's shoulder. "When are we goin' home?"

"Soon, Les. Real soon." Davey answered.

"But I don' wanna go home. I wanna stay here. I wanna play poker wit' Race and I wanna look at da stars wit' Jack."

"I know ya do bud, but you know how angry Pa'll be if you fall asleep during Ma's bedtime prayers again!" Davey turned his head to press a quick kiss to the top of Les's head. Even though he had given Les a perfectly good reason to agree with him, Les continued to state reasons why he didn't want to go home.

During the conversation between the siblings, Jack had wormed his way in between Davey and Katherine. He held Katherine's hand and leaned on the railing next to her. They snickered about how adorable the two Jacobs boys were, which earned them a glare from Davey. The younger brother had tuckered himself out again and was sleeping on Davey's back once again.

"Don't give me that look David Jacobs! You two are adorable!" Katherine remarked.

"She's right, ya know. You two are real cute wit' each otha." Jack added. A blush slowly creeped up Davey's cheeks.

"Well, you love birds ain't much different!" Davey commented. He looked up at the sky. "We should head out now. Thanks for the party, guys. Have a nice night!" The couple said their goodbyes and cuddled closer to each other as Davey hoisted Les further up and turned to leave. Before he could climb down the ladder, another boy was sprinting up in a haze of panic.

"Jack!" Race cried. He tripped over his feet in an attempt to get to the leader of the newsboys. "Jack there's a problem. Specs an' Albert are blockin' the door so's he can't get in but none of us know what to do!" Race waved his hands crazily in the air while telling his story.

"Woah, woah, woah!" Jack cut off the frantic boys rant by grabbing his hands gently. "What's wrong Racer? What's goin' on? Who's at the door?"

Race said nothing, but to Jack, the terrified look in his eyes was enough to tell Jack exactly what was going on. He sprinted down the ladder and into the lodging house. The rest of the group climbed down the ladder and into the window. Once they entered the main room, a pounding was heard. Davey placed Les on the couch so he could sleep more comfortably, and more importantly, be out of harms way.

Specs and Albert were pressed against the door. The pounding was coming from someone trying to get into the place many newsies called a safe haven. Trying to keep the man out with all the strength they had in them. Suddenly the pounding stopped. Jack signaled for the boys at the door to move. All of the boys in the lodging house had gathered in the room, but there was silence. You could hear a pin drop.

The doorknob turned. It swung open to reveal the man that gave every single person in that room nightmares. The older boys hid the younger ones behind them. Davey was instantly thankful he had put Les on the couch. Jack held Katherine closer to him. A thick air of panic and fear spread across the room.

Mister William Snyder stood in the doorway.