Just so you know, context for this comes from my other story Aftermath, through Chapter 6.

Standard disclaimers apply. I own only my computer, and even that is conditional.

In the morning Jack is up before dawn, ready to sneak out with his new bag full of supplies before anybody else notices. He hadn't mentioned Katherine's success in finding him a different job the night before, afraid of making his friends worry that he would be leaving them. Crutchie's concerns had only reinforced that idea – he doesn't want them to think that his job as an illustrator for the paper will mean he doesn't care about being a newsie anymore.

Unfortunately, Specs choses the exact time of his escape to realize that there is a nest of spiders living out of one corner of his mattress, and Jack is interrupted by half a dozen newsboys jumping around like five-year-old girls trying to rid their clothes of the hairy insects. He freezes halfway out the door.

The boys are out of their shirts and into their shoes faster than Jack's ever seen them move in his life, and screaming higher than the Delancies did the time he took them out with Crutchie's crutch. He cringes, expecting someone to come investigate the noise. However, the hall stays silent.

"Hey, where's Jack going?" Romeo bellows suddenly from his perch on his bunk above the chaos, and then he's faced with the curious stares of the boys, who stop their panicked dances immediately.

"Is everything okay, Jack?" Mush questions nervously, swatting at his shoulder, where something black and furry is crawling. Crutchie, who is now sitting up at the edge of his bed, stares at him with wide eyes. Jack sighs, running a hand through his hair.

"Everything's great, guys," he whispers. "Go back to sleep. It ain't time to sell papes yet."

"Then where you goin'?" Race demands. "Cause you sure is goin' somewhere, Jack. You scared of a few spiders?"

Crutchie is still watching him, glancing from his guilty face to the bag clutched in his hands, and Jack can tell he's put two and two together and worked something out. He braces himself to be called on his deception. But he is surprised by the smaller boy yet again.

"Jack's just going to see Katherine," Crutchie whispers. It's clear from his eyes that he knows this isn't the case, and is simply covering for the older boy. "It's no big deal." He glances toward the door, signaling that Jack can go, that he doesn't have to reveal the real reason for his secrecy. But Jack knows he can't run out on them like that. He crosses back into the room, squishing a few daring spiders beneath his boots, and settles himself onto Crutchie's bed beside him.

"The thing is, guys," he says slowly, his gaze searching their faces for their reactions, "I'm gonna meet you in Newsie Square later today. I gotta run down to the Sun first, and I thought I'd get started now so I don't miss too much. You know?"

Race shakes his head, frowning. "Why is you going to the Sun? We work for the World, remember?"

"Uh, yeah. We do. Only, after the strike, and the thing with Teddy Roosevelt, the Sun decided they want to see a few more of my pictures. Begged to use a couple, actually."

It was more the other way around, but a little hyperbole never hurt anyone.

"So you're leaving?" The quiet murmur that voices what all of them are thinking comes from Romeo, who takes a flying leap off the bed he was on and lands on the one above Jack's head. "You're leaving to go work with her?"

"Uh, no," Jack says defensively, his voice high. "Come on. I work here. I'm just providing a few services somewhere else so long as they're willing to pay good."

"Which is also known as working." Specs's tone isn't amused.

Jack sighs, pulling off his hat and twisting it in his hands. "Come on, guys. This is the only time I'll be late for selling papes. The rest of the time, I'm just gonna drop stuff off after work. An' we could use the extra money I make to get some real food, or maybe thicker blankets, or–"

"Ice cream?" Henry's voice actually sounds a bit excited.

"Yeah. Sure." Jack smiles tentatively. "Whatever you guys want."

He lets them talk it over amongst themselves for a little, watching their faces carefully for any signs of distress. Most of their expressions range from annoyance to confusion, and even a touch of tentative excitement at the end.

"Are we cool with this?" he asks finally. "Cause I'd really like for you to be cool with this."

"We're cool," Race says finally, crossing his arms officially. "Just so long as we all split the profits."

"I think that can be arranged," Jack laughs. It's a small price to pay for their continued trust and friendship. And he needs that in his life, more than anything.

"An' the thing is, Jack," Crutchie says softly, biting his lip, "you're seventeen. You ain't gonna be a newsie forever. And then where's you gonna go? A factory?" He shakes his head bravely, though his lip is quivering. "Nah, this is much better. For now, it's the best of both worlds. And later, you's set. You got a future now."

"Aww, don't be like that, Crutchie," Jack berates gently. "We've all got futures. Who knows what'll happen next?"

"Sure, Jack," Crutchie says, doubt resonating in his voice. Jack wants to reassure him more, but he can tell he's barely keeping it together, just for the other kids. "You'd better get going. Don't wanna be late for your new job."

"Kay. Thanks for understanding, guys." He ruffles Romeo's hair as he stands up, feeling horrible but with no idea how to fix the situation. "Seriously, don't worry. Everything's gonna be fine."

The boys all smile encouragingly at him as he moves slowly back to the door and slips into the cool hall. But he can tell by the forced quality of their grins and the way they sigh when his back is turned that they don't quite believe him anymore.

Finally other newsies have appeared! I know some of you have waited for a really long time, so hopefully this lives up to your expectations. :) Let me know what you think of the characterization. It's hard to capture so many characters at once, especially when you're not as familiar with them . . .

So yeah. Reviews are confidence-boosters . . . :)

Much love
KnightNight7203