Im back, after a very long while! Thank you Laelyn24 and fanficfan84 for the reviews. Ive been really busy lately with the musical at school, and have hardly had time to write. But thanks to a bet I made with my cousin, I finished the chapter! Read and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies! All rights belong to the wonderful Disney empire!

Nellie and I were quite a sight to see walking through the streets of Brooklyn and over into Manhattan. She dressed in boys clothes with short choppy hair, and I in one of my finer silk dresses. I had even looped my arm through hers as we walked.

We didn't walk to long until Nellie found the pub and brought me inside. The smell of beer and freshly cooked meat met my nose and I inhaled it deeply.

"Hello Ms. Jones, what can I get for you and your friend?" The bartender asked. He was an older man of about sixty or so with glasses so thick that his eyes were magnified. I couldn't help but laugh quietly to myself at the sight of him.

Nellie looked to me and I shrugged, "I'll have whatever you're having."

"I'll take two dumplings and a couple of whiskeys," she said.

"Oh Nell, you know the missus doesn't approve of young ladies drinking."

"Relax Ed, she wont find out," Nellie smiled mischievously. "Besides, she's had a bad day."

Ed sighed and pulled up two glasses and a whiskey bottle from behind the counter, and poured each of them a glass.

Nell grabbed the two glasses and brought them over to a secluded table in the corner.

I took my glass and raised it in the air, "Here's to a horrible life!"

"Here, here," Nell shouted before downing her own glass. I followed suit, wincing as the liquid melted away my esophagus. This was going to be a very long night.

"So she kept you'se around all those years so you'se could be one of her whores?"

I nodded, taking another gulp of whiskey. My body was numb. I could no longer feel it going down my throat. But that is exactly what I wanted. What was worse is I couldn't go home like this. Mme. Leroux was sure to beat me because I ran off, but if I were to go home drunk, that would be the death of me.

"Come on, we need to find a place to keep you for the night," Nell sighed sympathetically. She grabbed me by the arm and pulled me up out of the chair. And that was the last thing I could remember…

"Kat," a voice said, whoever it was poked me in the ribs. "You need to get up. I'se gotta get back over 'ta Brooklyn."

"Could you please not talk so loud?" I asked. Every word she spoke rang in my ears as if I had my head shoved inside a bell.

"I ain't talking any louder than normal," She said. I felt her tugging at my arms, but I resisted the pull. After several long minutes, she tugged the blankets off the bed. "Come on!"

The after affects of the whiskey were still fresh on my mind. My entire head was throbbing like someone had thrown a brick at it, a very large brick. Nell helped me put my dress back on and fix my hair so I looked slightly decent.

"Ya know, you're pretty good at holdin' your liquor. Didn't puke once." She said as we clambered down the narrow stairs.

I looked around, not one thing was familiar to me, "Where are we?"

"It's one of the rooms that Ed and his wife keep above the pub for sorry cases like you."

"That's real nice of them. Will I get to tell them thank you?"

"I did last night."

The sun seemed much brighter today. It was like an evil presence following me everywhere we went: mocking me.

"Were are we going?" I asked, for Nell was searching the streets signs.

"The World Buildin'. I ain't got time to get back 'ta Brooklyn so I'se just gona buy me papes over her." She said.

I looked up at the old street sign on the corner, "Well, were on Spruce, so the park should be just around the corner."

We walked on, not saying anything, just listening for the distinct cry of a newsie that would tell use if we were close. I heard nothing but the sounds of the city: crashes, slams, crunches and a regular old yell. All of which brought that horrible ringing back, but no help.

When we rounded the corner into the park, we were met with a crowd of newsies, all shouting angrily at no one in particular. Nellie grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me through the crowd after her.

"Hey you'se," Nellie shouted, catching the attention of a boy who was a little more clean than the rest.

He turned around and looked quizzically at us, "Can I help you?"

I saw Nell's expression changed when he started talking, both she and I had picked up this overwhelming vice of goody-two-shoes.

"So what's goin' on here?" she asked interestedly.

"Were going on strike," he said.

Nellie, who had gazed off while asking snapped her attention back, "'Scuse me?"

"The newsies are going on strike," he repeated, then added, "Pulitzer is treating us unfairly so were striking until he agrees to our demands."

I laughed, "You think a man like Pulitzer is going to listen to all you street urchins? No offense Nell."

She smiled, "None taken."

"He has to listen, or else he won't have anyone working for him anymore."

I almost said something, but I was interrupted by the doors of the World building slamming open and two boys being thrown out. The older boy stumbled to the ground in front of us. He jumped to his feet and straightened the red hanker chief around his neck.

"Well if it ain't Jacky Boy Kelly," Nell smirked.

The boy she named Jack looked at her for a moment before realizing who she was.

"Hey Dimples," Jack smiled. "I haven't see you'se since―"

"Spot's birthday bash," Nell completed. "You was wasted and hangin' all over me."

I laughed, and this time the other boy laughed too. Jack shot him a murderous glare.

"Oh hush up Davey," Jack grumbled. "I wasn't that drunk if I can remember what happened."

Nell sighed, "Sure…"

"So, what brings you and your friend here from Brooklyn?"

"We went to Ed's last night," Nell told him. "Kathlynn needed something strong to drink."

"Really strong," I added.

"So tell me what's goin' on."

As they began to talk, I drifted away and sat down at a bench. Sitting down was all it took for me to fall back asleep.

"Kat, wake up, we'se goin' back 'ta Brooklyn," Nell said, nudging me awake. I moaned and opened my eyes expecting to see the park I sat down in.

"Where are we?" I asked, I really needed to stop falling asleep. From my limited view of the room I could see tables and chairs scattered about, some with occupants eating and drinking.

"Tibby's," Nellie said, her mouth filled with food. "Here, try and eat something."

She shoved a piece of bread under my nose and I took it. I chewed and swallowed carefully, not wanting to bring on any nausea. The bread was warm and sweet with a taste of honey. I reached for the plate, taking another piece.

"Were goin' back 'ta Brooklyn," Nell said again.

I swallowed the last hunk of bread and spoke, "Do we have to?"

"Of course we got's to," Nellie grabbed my arm. "Now come one. Jack and Davey already left and I wants to beat 'um there."

I sighed and followed her, grabbing a piece of beef from the plate before slipping out the door and back into that wretched sunlight.

What do you think? Comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
~Riley~