A/n: Squeals I can't believe that my latest chapter was up for less than twelve hours, and I got a fan-tabulous review! Okay, Mickeygee, you are officially one of my favorite people now. Not to mention, Mad 'atter, you're just great as is. NarniaRulz, you're awesome. And RandomAnza, thanks!
Disclaimer: I don't own the newsies you recognize from the movie. The girls are mine, though. And, as for the song, that's not mine either. The version I used belongs to Harry Connick Jr., and is entitled "It Had to Be You" Look it up!
Racetrack's Story
"Some others I've seen,
Might never mean.
Might never be cross,
Or try to be boss,
But they wouldn't do.
For nobody else gave me a thrill,
With all your faults I love you still.
It had to be you, wonderful you,
It had to be you."
Harry Connick Jr.
Catherine "Joker" McAllister was the best poker player in the Manhattan Lodging House… well, the best female poker player. There was only one person who could hold his own in a game against her. And she hated him for it.
Racetrack Higgins was the biggest thorn in Joker's side that could have ever existed. From his cocky attitude, to his skill at poker; she hated him for almost everything he did, whether intended or not. She wished she would never have to see him again.
That was rather impossible though, for two reasons: one, they lived in the same lodging house; two, her best friend, Melody Lucas, was also his best friend. It was something she could never understand. How could her best friend, so sweet and shy, be best friends with that loud-mouthed, sarcastic, stubborn, swaggering, harmonica-playing, cigar-smoking, gambling-addict of an Italian?!
"Ya know, Jokah, you'se an' Race ain't all dat diff'rent," Melody would insist that to her every time Joker got on one of those rants. And every time, after that comment was made, Melody would find herself cowering from a death glare.
'Ha! Me, like 'im? Nevah,' Joker thought to herself as she stumbled around the girls' washroom one morning, looking for a towel. It was freezing cold out, so all the girls hurried through getting ready. She quickly put her dark brown cap on over her long, auburn braids, and dashed through the door after Melody and Squirt, another good friend of hers.
Taking a quicker route to the distribution center than the winding one the boys did, they found themselves among the first on line. While waiting for Weasel to open up, the girls began to talk about where they'd sell today.
"I'se takin' a trip down ta Broadway ta sell taday wit Davey." Squirt said, twirling a bit of her honey-colored hair. Joker looked at her, bemused, and shook her head. It had only been less than a week since she and David Jacobs had gotten together, but they'd been almost inseparable the whole time.
"I think I'se gonna 'ead down ta Bottle Alley," Melody shrugged, tugging the brim of her grayish cap over one bright blue eye.
"I'se takin' Central Park, fa a change 'a scene. 'Ey, anyways, it's guaranteed dat I'se gonna do well. People go dere all da time," Joker gave a bit of a smirk. She normally took the busy streets, but sticking to one spot wasn't her style. Anyways, it had snowed overnight, so the park would be really nice today.
"'ello, ladies," A male voice called to them. An unpleasant male voice, that is. Joker took a quick glance over her shoulder. Sure enough, Oscar and Morris Delancey were heading down the street. From the looks of it, they hadn't had their morning run-in with Jack, so they were in a pleasant mood… well, for them, which meant it was a slimy type of pleasant.
"Why don't you'se two just get in dere an' get da papes ready? We don't want no trouble," Squirt didn't feel like starting a fight so early in the day.
"Well, maybe if ya give us a little kiss, we'se might," Oscar suggested as he sauntered up to them. Joker was slowly losing what little patience she had. The Delancey brothers were the only boys who could piss her off faster than Race.
"I'd rada kiss Race, den kiss eider 'a you'se," She snapped at them, "An' I'd rada kiss a scabbah, or a dismembahed toad, den 'im."
"Ooh, someone's a little touchy dis mornin'. You'se bettah watch out, sweet'eart, or we may not ask next time," Oscar told her, leaning in close while his brother nodded behind him.
"Lis'en, jus' back off, Delancey. We ain't int'rested in you'se," Squirt grinned suddenly, "An' I don't t'ink dey like you'se hangin' 'round us eider." She pointed past the thugs, to where the boys were standing with none-too-pleasant looks on their faces. Jack, of course, had no love for the Delancey brothers in general. David was furious with the scum for being anywhere near his girl. Dutchy hated the fact that they were after his sister, as did his best friend Specs, who saw Squirt as his own little sister. Race, Joker assumed, was mad that they were bugging his best friend. Most of the others needed little reason other than the fact that they were the Delancey brothers picking on some newsies to want vengance.
"You'se guys might want ta get goin', ya know. While ya still gots legs ta run on," Joker laughed. Oscar gave Jack a look of furious terror, then venomously turned back to her and shoved her into the snow on the ground.
"Ya may not wanna mess wit us, sweet'eart. Ya little 'friends' won't be 'round ta protect ya all da time," He hissed. He gave her a harsh kick in the ribs, and then disappeared behind the gate with Morris in tow.
At the same time, David, Dutchy, Race, and, for some reason, Mush came rushing over to the three girls. David immediately pulled the stunned Squirt into an embrace, with Dutchy waiting for his turn nearby. Mush went over to Melody to make sure the quiet girl was okay.
Recovering from the slight shock of actual physical violence towards her, Joker slowly began to dust herself off, only to see a hand extended to her. Following the arm, she saw Race standing over her, looking concerned. She pushed the hand away and got to her feet on her own.
"You'se okay, Jokah?" The Italian boy asked her, watching her cautiously.
"What 'bout it? I'se been pushed, shoved, an' kicked before. It ain't not'in' I ain't used to. Aftah all, I live wit da newsies." She replied roughly, not looking at him.
"Yeash, okay, okay, foine, foine. Sarry fa' askin'," Race replied, before turning away to go through the now-opened gates. Joker thought she heard him mutter something like, "I'se was just worried." She didn't have much time to dwell on it, though, as Melody and Squirt had stormed her for confirmation on her wellbeing. The three of them trooped in to the distribution line, flanked by Mush, Dutchy, and David.
The three girls got their papes easily and split up. Joker walked away with her head held high, aware of the concerned looks that followed her. Yes, her side did hurt, but not much. It wasn't anything bad enough to keep her from making a living.
She got to the park and took up a spot not far from the pond. She quickly began hawking her headlines. About an hour after she started, she heard a voice doing the same. A familiar one, almost as unpleasant to her as Oscar Delancey's. She kept on trying to sell her papes, but her business had been cut in half, thanks to this pain in her… yeah, you get the picture.
At noon, she took the usual break, heading over to Tibby's to catch lunch with the rest of the newsies. As she reached the entrance, she ran into the bane of her existence… literally.
"What, am I just meant ta be on da ground taday?" She looked up, rubbing the side that both she just landed on and Oscar kicked earlier, and glared, "Why da 'ell are ya always dere when someone knocks me down?"
"Guess dat's just my luck, beautiful. Ya gonna let me 'elp ya up dis time?" Racetrack asked her. Her glare gave her answer, but she voiced it anyways.
"Not if it means I'se gotta touch ya. What're ya doin' 'ere anyways? You'se normally ova at Sheepshead, losin' bets faster den ya sell papes," She spat the question at him, pushing herself off the ground and beginning to walk away. Unfortunately, he walked with her.
"Felt like keepin' my money taday," Race answered her, with a look of feigned innocence.
"C'mon, what gamblin' addict don't t'ink 'e's gonna win? What's ya real reason?" Joker was sure there was another reason.
"Okay, ya caught me. Melody sent me 'ere, ta make sure you'se was okay," Race replied, looking caught.
"That goil worries too much. I'se foine. I'se taken worse beatin's before," She shrugged. She'd managed to conceal the fact that the fall had made her side hurt more, but wanted to check when she got to Tibby's.
"Ya didn't look foine when ya 'it da ground just now," Race tried to say it off-handedly, but it didn't work. His personal worry shone through a bit too much, but Joker's pride took over.
"I said I'se foine, so dat means I'se foine! Got it, 'iggins?" She snapped at him, before running the rest of the way to Tibby's.
This time, Race didn't try to catch up. He slowed down and shook his head sadly.
҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉
Time passed quickly for the rest of the day. Either Melody had released Racetrack from 'Joker watch', or he'd moved farther away, because Joker hadn't seen or heard the gambler since they left Tibby's.
She stayed out there late, until she was sure she'd sold her last pape. It was dusk out, that time where it's almost evening, but the last rays of the sun are still fading in the sky. The air was crisp, clear, and cold. The New Year was well on its way, with tomorrow night being New Year's Eve. Joker began the trek back to the lodging house with very few qualms with the world. The Delanceys weren't around, and neither was Racetrack. Another holiday was soon to be underway. The night was beautiful, if a little chilly.
Three-quarters of the way home, she began to feel someone was following her. Feeling more than a bit concerned about this, she took an alleyway she knew to be a shortcut… only to run straight into Oscar Delancey.
"Well, well, well. Ain't so tough wit out ya little friends, eh sweet'eart?" He sneered, looming in front of her. Joker tried to turn around, but found Morris blocking her way.
"Didn't t'ink we'd let ya get away wit dem insults so easily, did ya?" Oscar continued, grabbing her wrists and pulling her close. In an instinctive reaction, she tried to fight. She kicked and thrashed as much as she could, but she couldn't catch enough breath to scream.
"Now, now, ya little puddytat, that's enough outta ya," Oscar pushed her up against the wall and forced his lips against hers. She still continued to fight and kick, until she felt Oscar's weight be shoved away. She looked around frantically and saw Morris on the ground, looking dazed, Oscar getting to his feet, and Racetrack catching his breath, posed in a fighting stance.
"Jokah, run! Get de odders!" Race called to her. It only took the moment she needed to snap out of it for Oscar to start attacking Race. She quickly bolted back to the lodging house.
She didn't know how fast she ran, or who she may have run into, but she made it back in record time, busting in through the door to see the evening's normal activities mostly underway. She paused, trying to catch her breath. In the time she did, her entrance had been noticed by Jack, Melody, Squirt, Dutchy, and some of the others.
"… Race… Delanceys… Alleyway… Trap… Help… Hurry!" She gasped out, as loud as she could. She took a deep breath and gestured to the boys, before turning and running back out the door. She could hear the boys behind her, hurrying to keep up. She stopped at the edge of the alley, let the boys catch up, and led them in.
The sight was horrific. There was lots of blood. Racetrack appeared to be losing, as he was slowly losing his balance, taking wider swings and kicks, and slowing down. Meanwhile, the Delanceys were having the time of their lives ganging up on him. Whenever one brother got tired, the other would step in, with Oscar doing most of the attacking.
The newsies, seeing their comrade in trouble, leaped into action. Each of the Delanceys found themselves with about five to ten newsies attacking them. In the midst of the fray, Joker wove in and out, shouting for Race and looking for the familiar smirk. She found him and ran over to him.
He was paler than usual, his face as white as an angel's wings. He was bleeding from his mouth and nose, coughing up a storm, and had bruises blossoming around his brown eyes and down his forearms. As she reached him, he finally began his descent towards the ground. Joker caught him, as quickly as she could. His eyes caught her green ones and he smiled a real smile at her, for one of the first (and, possibly, she feared the last) times in his life.
"'ey dere, beautiful," He coughed, "I'se guess I got ta ya in time."
"Race, fa once in ya eva-lovin' life, don't talk. I'll get ya back ta Kloppman," Joker insisted. She proceeded to swing her free arm under his knees, and walk as fast as she could without jostling him too much. To her surprise, she actually managed to get him back home in a decent amount of time.
"Kloppman!" Joker called, pushing the door open with her back, "Kloppman, we need help ova' 'ere!" As the little, older man came rushing into the room, she began to take Race to the boys' bunkroom. As she set him down on a bed that had one of his cigars nearby, Kloppman finally caught up with her.
"Alright, Joker. Ya get downstairs; da odder girls are worried sick about ya," The look on her face must have given her away, because Kloppman followed this up with a smile, "I'll tidy 'im up, an' den I'll let ya in ta see 'im." She gave a tired, attempt at a smile, and slumped out of the room. She clumped down the stairs heavily, before sinking down on the bottom step and dropping her head into her hands. Almost immediately, she was grabbed by two sets of hands. She freaked and began to thrash, before a familiar voice stopped her.
"Jeeze Louise, Jokah. What 'appened ta you'se an' Race?" Melody asked her best friend, struggling to keep her calm.
"Melody?" She looked up, "Squirt? Please, jus'… not 'ere," Her eyes had begun to well with tears, "I'se really jus' need some time. I'se scared, an' worried, an' I dunno what else."
The two girls looked at each other over their friend's auburn head. This was entirely unlike Joker. She'd been in fights before, and had never blinked an eye at some pretty bad injuries. Now, Race was beat up pretty badly, the boys were out fighting what they thought was the Delanceys, and Joker was on her way to meltdown city. They quickly led her up to the girls' room, closed the door, and sat with her on her bed.
"C'mon, Jokah. It's just us now. Can ya tell us what happened?" Squirt tried to soothe the shaking girl. Melody rubbed her back, like a mother comforting her child, trying to encourage her to talk.
"I…" She took a breath, "I was walkin' 'ome from da Park, since I sold me last pape. I t'ought someone was followin' me, so I ducked inta da alleyway. Dat's where dey was 'idin'."
"Who, da Delanceys?" Squirt tried to help her along. Joker nodded.
"Dey… dey wanted ta get me back, fa dis mornin'. Dey 'ad me trapped in de alley. Osca' grabbed my 'ands an' shoved me against da wall. Den he slobbahed all ova' me,"
"Did he…?" Melody asked worriedly, trailing off, yet making it clear exactly what she meant.
"Nah, nah. Race must 'a taken down Morris while Osca' was busy wit me. He knocked Osca' off me, an' told me ta run, ta get da odder boys. So, I did. When we got back, Race was almost out fa da count. Dere was blood ev'rywhere, but I don't t'ink all 'a it was Race's. Still, 'e looked terrible when we'se got back. 'A course, da boys took ta beatin' da livin' crap outta da Delanceys. I looked fa Race, an' brought 'im back 'ere. You'se know da rest…" She trailed off, then rounded on Melody, "Why'd ya send 'im aftah me dis mornin'? If ya 'adn't 'a worried 'bout me so much, 'e wouldn't be like dis right now!"
"I… I…" Melody stammered, then spoke out, "I nevah sent Race dis mornin'. 'E just asked where ya were 'eaded taday, so's we told 'im. Den, if 'e followed ya, it's prob'ly 'cause…" She trailed off, as though she realized she may have said too much.
"Prob'ly what, Mel? Why'd Race come aftah me dis mornin'?" Joker began to inquire fervently, "Why was 'e followin' me taday, if ya didn't ask 'im?"
"Jokah…," Squirt trailed off, steadying the still-shuddering girl, "Race is sweet on ya. 'E 'as been fa yeahs." Joker looked at her, not fully comprehending.
"Race… sweet on me? Racetrack 'iggins? Nah, ya gots ta be kiddin' me. We 'ate each odder!" Joker got up and began pacing the floor.
"Nah, Jokah. It was you who 'ated 'im. Which, by da way, we nevah undastood, since 'e nevah did anyt'in' ta you. 'E nevah undastood it eider, but 'e still cared 'bout ya an' tried ta protect ya. Dat's prob'ly why 'e followed ya taday. Dat's prob'ly why 'e fought da Delanceys fa ya," Melody informed her, feeling that telling what she knew was of no harm, now that Joker knew the truth. She stopped pacing and stood there, mouth gaping at her two friends.
"I… I can't believe dis. I always t'ought 'e just wanted ta annoy me. I t'ought 'e called all da goils 'beautiful'. Didn't 'e call you dat, Mel?" When Melody shook her head, Joker leaned against the bedpost and sighed, "So, you'se mean ta tell me dat, 'cause 'a my stubbornness an' pride, da boy whose done nothin' but be sweet on me an' try ta protect me is currently lyin' in da boys' room, an' may not wake up ta tell me so 'imself?" The tears that had threatened before now began a slow descent down her lightly freckled cheeks. Just then, the door opened and Kloppman stepped in, looking a bit worried.
"Joker, I'm getting da doctor. I'm not too sure if I can do as much for 'im as he needs. Can ya go sit with 'im while I'm gone?" She quickly wiped away her tears and nodded, but not before the older man had seen. As he led her out of the room, he patted her on the back, "Don't worry. If 'e 'as any reason ta come out of this, it's you." She looked at him, confused, but he just chuckled, "Ya probably t'ink I don't see what ya guys do, how ya guys act around each odder. Well, I know 'ow ya both t'ink, young lady. I was in love once too." Kloppman opened the door and smiled at her, before he disappeared down the stairs.
Slowly, Joker walked over to the bed where the vulnerable figure lay. In the candlelight, he looked so innocent, so young, even though she knew they were the same age. Kloppman had cleaned the blood away from his mouth and nose, but his lip was still swollen, and his right eye and his nose were bruised something awful.
She sat lightly next to him, and gently pushed his dark hair away from his face. She looked on him as she never had before. His boyish face, normally dimpled with a smirk, had a small smile, reminiscent of the one he had given her when she caught him. One hand rested on his stomach while the other draped over the other side of the bed.
Something in her told her to take his hand, so she did. It was warm, and slightly rough. The fingers were slightly long, and showed the toll such a hard life could take on the young man's body. Softly, she began rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb and humming a song. It was just a little string of notes that had a comforting sound to them. She wasn't a very musical person, so that was over pretty quickly. When she couldn't think of anything else to do, she started talking to him.
''Ey Race," She murmured to him, "Bet'cha surprised ta 'ear me, 'stead 'a Melody. Dat don't mean she ain't worried 'bout ya, t'ough. Not only 'er, eider. Didja see da boys? Dey jumped on da Delanceys like cats on mice! Dey're not back yet, far as I know.
"Kloppman went ta get da dactah. 'E… 'e says 'e can't fix ya up 'imself. Ya worryin' me, Race. I mean, c'mon! If ya leave me 'ere…," Joker wanted something funny to say. She wanted to be able to make him wake up and laugh with her. But, the thought of him dying, of him leaving her alone, without ever confirming what Melody and Squirt told her, brought the tears back to her eyes. She looked him in the face, having to tell his unconscious form what she didn't think she'd ever be able to tell him when he was awake.
"Ya can't go, Race. Ya too young. We'se just kids, Race. We ain't even gotten da chance ta do anyt'in'. Ta fall in love, start a fam'ly, act'ally 'ave money in our pockets. So you'se gotta be okay. 'Cause… 'cause I don't know what I'd do wit out 'cha, Racetrack. I mean, even if ya annoy me; even if ya da only one who beats me at pokah; even if I'se been rude, proud, mean, an' terrible; I need ya," She looked back down at his hand, entwined in her own, and gave it a light squeeze, "Ya know, I t'ink da goils were right. We'se both loud, stubborn, proud, gamblers who would do anyt'in' fa our friends. We'se sarcastic. We 'ave secrets. We'se more alike den I'se evah wanted ta imagine. But if I lost ya, I don't know if I could be like dat again. If I could be myself, if ya weren't 'ere ta show me what I am. I'se a fool, Race,"
"I'se a fool, 'cause I was so wrapped up in myself, I couldn't see ya. I couldn't see dat dere was a reason ya were nevah as mean back ta me as I was ta ya. I couldn't accept dat dere was a reason fa' ya to be so worried an' protective. Now I know. But don't blame Melody an' Squirt. If dem an' Kloppman are right, den you'se been pretty obvious ta ev'ry one but me. Wit dis, I figure I'se been wrong 'bout ya. Ya ain't da woist t'ing dat's 'appened ta me. Ya saved my life tanight. Even 'fore I found out, I was scared fa ya. Ya looked so pale, so weak. I'se nevah seen ya like dat. Ya was always strong, sarcastic, and smirkin'. So, when ya act'ally smiled at me, I knew I 'ad ta get ya ta Kloppman," She laughed a bit, but it sounded strange in this quiet room, "I couldn't 'elp but worry, an' I don't know why. It's like; when I saw ya fightin dem damn Delanceys, I just wanted ta take ya away from dere. Seein' ya like dat, all bloody and bruised up, fa me just broke somet'in' in me. I wanted ta be da one ta make it bettah. I nevah wanted ta leave ya, 'cause I didn't know if you'd be taken while I was gone, before I'd get the chance ta tell ya," Her eyes had gone from misty to waterfalls in the course of this speech, tearing down her freckled cheeks like mountain rivers. This was nothing Joker was used to. It was frightening, thinking that you may lose the one you love, without even realizing you love them. She squeezed his hand again, but stayed silent. Then, another voice broke the silence.
"What, no more heartfelt professions of love? Ain't ya gonna say what ya t'ought ya wouldn't get ta?" Joker's head whipped around, and her eyes went wide. Racetrack was smiling up at her, squeezing her hand right back, "What, ya cryin' ova' me?" His face gained a more serious look, as he took his free hand and wiped the tears away.
"How… How much did ya 'ear, Race?" She asked tentatively. Now, facing a conscious Race, she was much more nervous than she'd been talking to an unconscious one.
"Enough, beautiful. Let's see, I'se know ya know my little 'secret'," He blushed a bit, "I know you'se was worried 'bout me, and… uh… I don't t'ink ya a fool."
"And… uh… what do ya have ta say?" She bit her lip, realizing they still hadn't released each others' hands.
"C'mere," He patted the area next to him, inviting her to lie beside him. She looked at him as she complied with his wish. He had as good as admitted that he was sweet on her. He seemed to understand what she'd been saying about her own feelings. She winced a bit, as the side that was kicked by Oscar, the side she fell on, the side that got even worse when she was slammed against the wall, landed gingerly next to Race. Unfortunately, she was also facing him.
"So, you'se really did get hurt taday," He stated. When she looked at him, his look wasn't proud or gloating, but sad and worried.
"I'se gonna be okay, Race. It's you I'm worried about. It's you who I've been worried about since ya saved me in da alley. I'se so 'appy right now, 'cause I t'ought I'd nevah get ta see dem brown eyes again, an' dat da last t'ing you'd heard me say was me tellin' ya ta shut up," She was tempted to kiss him, but with that busted lip, it probably wouldn't be a good idea. She was saved the resistance as Race leaned in and kissed her squarely on the lips. Her arms slid around his neck, while his fell around her waist, minding her injured side.
The feeling was beautiful to her. It felt both perfectly natural and perfectly heavenly at the same time. Right now, nothing else matter to her; not the Delancey brothers, not the other boys, not even Melody and Squirt could invade her thoughts right now. It was just Joker and Race. The two gamblers who everyone knew would be the perfect pair, if she'd just not be so stubborn.
He was too wrapped up in Joker to notice anything else. Not even the Delancey brothers (whom he wanted to soak so bad right now for hurting her) could pull him away. She felt so soft, so beautiful to him. She was all he'd ever wanted. She was beautiful, a great gambler, smart, funny, stubborn, sarcastic, proud, argumentative, and so similar to him.
When they broke apart, she nestled her head into his chest. He kissed her forehead, ignoring the slight ache in his lip. He set his chin atop her head and they slowly drifted off into a comfortable sleep.
Meanwhile, outside the door, Squirt, Melody, and Kloppman listened interestedly. Turns out, old Kloppman was quite the actor. Race had been well on his way to recovery when Kloppman sent Joker in there. He was going to be fine by the New Year. The eavesdroppers smiled at each other as a peaceful silence fell upon the room. The boys had been back, but were told to keep it down and stay downstairs for the comfort of the injured boy. Ah, yes. The New Year would certainly bring many surprises.
A/n2: 4:30 A.M., and I'm finally done! I wanted to get this finished, because I was on such a roll. I love this chapter. Pardon me if Joker gets a little ramble-y, but I guess it can be blamed on her emotional state at the time. Hey, at least I'm getting better at the names. I think Joker's pretty darn good, if I do say so myself! By the by, did anyone notice the little similarites I put in between Joker and some of the things Race did in the movie?
Well, leave a nice review, if you please. Pardon any glitches, as I still have yet to go to bed.