The lives of the Manhattan newsies are turned upside down with the unexpected arrival of Racetrack's two sisters.

NOTE: I don't own "Newsies". I don't pretend to. But any character in here that isn't in "Newsies" belongs to me :)

It was a few minutes before anyone spoke again. Finally it was Becca who broke the silence. "Frank? I still don't approve of you running off. But… you're right. Somehow I had become to absorbed in my own life to really be concerned about the well-being of either of you. I'm so sorry. But I'm here now, and I want to make up for lost time." She look at her brother, hoping for a positive response.

"It's ok. And I ain't been so good a brudda either." Race smiled sheepishly as he turned to Emily and placed his hand atop hers. "So whaddya say, lil sis? Can you forgive ya family?"

Emily looked up at the brother she barely knew. "Fine. The past is of no use discussing now anyways." She was still angry and certainly did not want to be there, but knew she hardly had a choice. So she sat there and simmered.

"So, uh… where do we go from heah?" Race asked.

"Well, I may be the oldest, but I must admit I don't have much of an idea what to do." Becca replied, suddenly looking weary. Turning to Race, she said "We have a little money, but it won't last forever. We'll have to work…"

Suddenly Emily butted in as her temper again came to a boil. "Work? Work?! Becca, I am a lady of breeding, I don't work. I read, I sing, I embroider cushions. I do things expected of accomplished young ladies, but I certainly do not work! I don't know what on earth you're expecting me to – "

SWACK! Before Emily could finish her rant, she was interrupted by a quick slap across her right cheek by her older sister. "Hush!" Becca hissed as the newsies in Tibby's began to stare. "You selfish, conceited little girl! We don't have the luxury of sitting around and embroidering cushions! You don't have soft feather pillows, pianos, lace, or tea parties anymore. I suggest you get used to the fact that this is what our life is going to be from now on."

Racetrack jumped at his sister's sudden harshness. That slap was hardly an act of penance. Emily looked down as a few hot tears streamed down her face. She had never been disciplined in that way before. Nor was she sure what to make of all this. Things had been just fine before, as far as she was concerned. She had a nice life and good prospects. Now suddenly the man she considered a father was dead, and her sister and brother had reentered her life expecting to control it. She had tried to remain as stoic as possible, but she wasn't sure how much longer she could endure. Working class, she thought to herself, disgusted. And my opinion doesn't matter.

Becca's demeanor softened. "I'm sorry I hit you, Emily. That might have been unnecessary. But this is going to be an adjustment for all of us, and I really need to you to understand that we don't have much choice here. There is no one left to help us, so we are going to have to learn to support ourselves." Emily didn't reply.

Jack, despite walking away, had continued to listen from a distance. Now, he got up from his table and walked back towards them. Emily quickly wiped her tears and put on as unreadable a mask as she could. "You needs work?" Jack asked.

"Yes" Becca replied, looking at him. "Any ideas?"

"Ya sista can be a newsie until she finds something else. Youse too old. But I'se gots an idea."

"Youse thinking what I'm thinkin, Jack?" Racetrack asked. Jack grinned back at him.

Just then the bell rang as another young man entered in, followed by a younger boy.

"Davey!" Jack exclaimed with a smile. He quickly walked over. "Heya Les" he said as he ruffled the hair of the young boy. Clapping his hand on David's back, he led the two over to where Race, Becca, and Emily were sitting. "Davey, Les… I wants ya to meet some new friends 'a mine. Deese heah are Racetrack's sistas, Becca an' Emily."

David smiled at the two newcomers, while holding his gaze a bit longer on Emily. "Pleased to meet you, I'm David."

"Anyways," Jack continued to Becca, "Me an' Race wants youse to meet a friend 'a ours." Turning to Davey he said, "Can youse an' Les keep Emily company for a bit? We should be back shortly."

"Where are we going?" Becca inquired.

"You'll see." Racetrack grinned back at her. "We'se gots a friend."

"Are you ok here with David?" she asked Emily, who gave a curt nod.

So she got up and headed out the door behind Jack and Racetrack.

Emily quickly wiped the frown off her face and smiled shyly at David and Les. It hadn't escaped her that David seemed more put together than the other newsies and appeared to, in her opinion, speak better English. She took mental note of all his features, from his curly brown hair to his jaw line. She would have blushed had she realized he was doing the same.

Les ran off to talk to some of the other newsies. Sitting down, David causally said, "So tell me about yourself, Emily."

Feeling oddly comfortable around him, she decided to risk opening up. "Well, my parents died shortly after I was born, so I was raised by my uncle. Becca left for school when I was a kid and Racetrack ran away soon after, so I've always kind of felt like an only child even though I'm not. I'm 17, I love reading and learning, and I hate being stuck in this society. No offense."

"None taken." He smiled. "You know, when I first became a newsie, I wasn't too fond of some of the characters around her myself. But my opinion of them changed in time. Give it time, and I think you might find you're opinion changing as well."

"Doubt it." She scowled.

Figuring he would make little progress on the topic, David decided to change the subject. "So, you like reading? What's your favorite thing to read about?"

"I enjoy studying history, and I love reading Jane Austen."

David laughed lightly. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me. So history huh? What kind?"

"All kinds. But I suppose I prefer studying the Roman Empire. I find it so dramatic and full of intrigue! But I suppose that's because I never really experienced any sort of excitement growing up."

"Well, maybe you'll find some adventure here." David said, making Emily blush. "So, have you read about Nero? He was one crazy guy. Nearly burned Rome to the ground you know."

So the conversation continued as they discussed decisive battles, great men, and a few crazy emperors. All the while Emily marveled to herself that any newsie could possibly be more than halfway intelligent.

Meanwhile, Jack, Racetrack, and Becca headed down the street.

"Please tell me where we are going." Becca asked.

"We gots a ladyfriend, Medda, she might be able ta help ya you." Racetrack said.

"You know, you're very beautiful." Jack said casually.

"If I'm too old to sell papers, I'm certainly too old for you, Jack." Becca said with a laugh.

Jack smirked. "Relax, I gots a goil of my own. I was meanin dat dat could be ta ya advantage."

"I will not sell myself!" Becca protested loudly while suddenly stopping.

Race and Jack turned around and looked at her incredulously. Then they both began laughing hysterically. Jack had to lean on the side of a building to keep from falling over, while Race felt his sides beginning to hurt. When they had finally finished, Race looked at a glaring Becca.

"Deah me! It seems we have a misunderstanding heah. Becca, I would nevah let any sista 'a mine work in a brothel."

"The vaudeville stage, Becca." Jack said. "You might be able to get work as a performer."

"Oh." Becca said sheepishly, feeling silly for her assumption. She sighed as they stopped before a building labeled "Irving Hall".

Thanks to the people who gave me reviews! I appreciate it! Keep 'em coming!

Yeah, so Emily is a snob... for now. Please let me know if any of the characters is seeming a little too flat and needs more characterization.

Preview for the next few chapters.... Becca's new job, Emily tries selling papers, and a big party. Well, it's more interesting than that but I don't want to reveal too much :)

Drama soon, I promise.