Check out youtube and tumblr! On my profile :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies, Disney does!

Chapter 3

Mattie pushed and shoved on the man, but she found that only made him angrier. She felt tears prick at her eyes. The thought of what could happen to her had reduced her to tears. This man had made her break her vow to never cry again. She hated the feeling of weakness, and she believed crying showed weakness. She never wanted to feel like the frightened little eleven year old who had just lost her mother again. So she had vowed she wouldn't cry again, but now her fear of what this man was capable of had made the tears form. She was terrified, another thing she hated. She felt like a weak child who was at the mercy of the world.

Jack. Why didn't I wait for Jack? She asked herself. If she had stayed with him, or maybe had gone with someone else she wouldn't be in this situation. She had been emotional, and acted on a whim and look where it got her. She had never imagined that anything like this could happen. She remembered her mother speaking about men, and how there were good ones, then there were bad ones. Men were supposed to protect women, not use their strengths against them. However this man must not have gotten that information, or the alcohol was clouding his judgment. Mattie stopped fighting. She didn't have the will to fight anymore.

Suddenly the man let out a loud laugh believing he had won. She looked up at him with a glare, but was pleasantly surprised when he loosened his grip. She took her chance and freed her hand bringing it up and punch him hard on the cheek. She smirked at the satisfying sound of flesh on flesh. He was baffled, turning his face back to her. He hadn't thought she would or could punch that hard. However in a matter of seconds his state of shock dissolved into pure anger. His face turned red and his body began to shake with the fury boiling inside him. Mattie's eyes widened at this new side. He wasn't interested in kissing her anymore, he was going to hurt her. He brought up his hand and with a quick flick of his wrist he slapped her across the face. Hard. So hard that it knocked her to the ground where she narrowly missed hitting her head on the wall beside her.

She lay there, her hand holding her stinging cheek and tears streaming down her face. She looked up at her attacker, who had an angry smirk on his face. He took a step forward about to grab her again, but instead he was knocked to the ground himself. Mattie gasped as her rescuer began beating on the man who had just stroke her. At first she was frozen trying hard to figure out who it was that had saved her, but when she caught sight of a red bandana around the new man's neck she knew exactly who it was.

Jack was beating the life from this man. After witnessing this man hit Mattie, all he could see was red. He lost it, feeling better with every punch he landed. He could see blood all over the man's face, and Jack heard the crunch of his nose. He didn't stop, he couldn't. He didn't care that hurting this man was hurting his hand or that anyone was watching. He wanted to beat the living daylights out of him, because he deserved it. He deserved to be hurt, for even looking at Mattie wrong.

"Jack! Jack please stop!" Mattie wailed as she stood. She took the few steps toward Jack and placed her hand on his shoulder. At the contact Jack stopped. He sat there, straddling the man's chest , blood all over his hands. He sat there for about a minute before finally standing. The man groaned in pain, but didn't speak. Jack spit at him.

"If you ever touch her again… it will be the last thing you do." Jack threatened before landing a good kick into the man's ribs. He turned where Mattie stood. She had removed her hand from his shoulder and she stood there dusting herself off. She didn't meet Jack's eyes, but she knew he was staring at her, expecting an explanation. Neither spoke for a while, but he soon grabbed her arm gently and led her away from the scene. He stood there for a few seconds, running a hand through his brown locks.

"Let me see your face." He finally said. She made no move to do as he said so he took a step forward. He gingerly took her chin in his hand and turned her face to assess the red mark on her cheek. It was sure to bruise, but Jack didn't believe anything else was wrong. She would be ok, she always was. She had always been tough, which he admired her for, but sometimes she was too tough for her own good. She couldn't just keep those emotions bottled inside, and he knew that. He sighed to himself when he realized she was not going to speak or look at him.

"What in God's name were you doing out here alone?" He asked her, irritation clear in his tone. She didn't speak, but her eyes did flicker up to his. She felt a wave of different emotions fall over her. She was angry at Jack, the man, herself. She was deeply sad by her actions. Most of all she felt disappointed. She had put herself in danger, resulting in Jack having to save her.

"Dammit Mattie." Jack muttered rubbing the back of his neck. "You should have gone selling with someone."

At that Mattie's head snapped up. She met his eyes then and he could see the fire in them. She couldn't believe that he was blaming this whole situation on her. If he would have stayed true to their selling partner deal she wouldn't have gone by herself.

"Are you kidding me?" She asked, not expecting an answer. "No te puedo creer! Esto no es mi culpa! Me dejaste para algunos chicos nuevos-" (Translation: I cannot believe you! This is not all my fault! You left me for some new kids-)

"Hey now! You know I can't understand you when you start talking like that!" Jack reminded her. She took a deep breath before speaking again, this time in English.

"I was going to sell with my selling partner of almost four years, but he left me for two new kids and he didn't even bat an eyelash!" She practically shouted. He ran his hand over his face before letting out a loud sigh.

"I was still gonna' sell with ya'." He told her. "I just wanted to show them the ropes ya' know?"

"You are so full of shit Jack Kelly! You saw a better way to get money and dumped me out on the street." She said, her feeling of betrayal seeping through her voice. He hadn't expected her to be so upset. Sometimes Jack forgot just how emotional Mattie could be. She still had feelings and he had hurt them. He had hurt her, and that was the last thing he had wanted to do. The two stood there silently for a while. No one spoke or looked at one another. When he finally looked at her he saw a single tear falling from her eye. She quickly wiped it away, praying he didn't see it.

"Are you okay?" He asked. She hesitated not knowing what to say. She wasn't okay. She was anything but okay. She was hurt, and betrayed. However, she was going to do everything in her power to act as though she was okay.

"I'm fine." She lied. He saw right through the rouse.

"Mattie-" He began.

"I said I'm fine." She blurted out finally meeting his gaze. In his muddy brown eyes she saw the apology that he wouldn't say. She knew he was sorry, but Jack wasn't one for apologizing.

"There you are." A voice said. David walked up Les in tow, not realizing that the two best friends had just had a very heated argument. "Hey are you alright?"

"I'm fine ok?" She spat. She didn't want to say it again or she knew that she wouldn't be able to hold it in anymore. She looked to David who was startled by her tone. Her face softened when she realized he was just honestly wondering if she was alright.

"Sorry… I'm fine." She said softer than before. "David right? I'm Mattie Conrad."

She stuck out her hand for him to shake it. She briefly clued David into what happened, ignoring Jack's gaze that was fixed on her. She was then told that Les was the one who informed the boys that she was in trouble. She responded by kissing him on the cheek, in which he blushed. She smiled lightly at the pink-faced boy.

"Hey Jack." David said. "Is he a friend of yours?"

Both Mattie and Jack followed where David was pointing. Mattie's hand reached out and grabbed Jack's arm upon seeing who it was. Warden Snyder, the man who runs the refuge was staring directly at them. Mattie's heart rate began to speed up. Snyder knew exactly who Jack was, and he knew Mattie was the one who helped Jack escape. If he caught them, Jack would be sent back to the refuge and Mattie most likely a girl's home.

"Jack." Mattie whispered. Any anger that Mattie had felt earlier had been put to the back of her mind. She was more worried about the matter at hand. She had to get Jack out of there, and quick.

"Beat it! It's the bulls!" Jack shouted grabbing on to Mattie's hand. She shivered slightly at the feel of his hand in hers, but she couldn't focus on that now. They had to move. Running, the group began to get out of there, cutting through the ring and between the fighters. Pushing and shoving they made their way through the crowd that were confused at their quick departure. They could hear the whistle of the police officer behind them, and the loud footsteps of Snyder. Jack kept a tight grip on Mattie. He wouldn't let her get sent to some girls home or to some factory where she could be in dangerous conditions. If either of them were caught, he hoped it was him.

"Stop you! Stop a say!" A male voice called after them as they ran through a cramped alley way. Mattie looked back for a fraction of a second to make sure David and Les were still following them. They were doing a good job keeping up, which surprised her.

"C'mon hurry up!" Jack called. The whistle behind them continued to get louder and Mattie felt a pit form in her stomach. She could not let Jack be caught.

"Sullivan!" Snyder's voice boomed. Jack cringed at the name and looked for any way out. He saw an apartment building and began to drag Mattie up the steps.

"Up this way!" He yelled to David. They ran into the building rushing up the stairs, jumping over a man who had made one stair his bed. They ran up to the roof, Snyder hot on their tail. Once they were on the roof, Jack released Mattie running and jumping off a ledge. A scream left Mattie's mouth as she saw Jack fall, but a second later his head popped up showing her that he had not jumped off the edge of the roof.

"Not funny Jack Kelly!" She yelled but followed suit and jumped over the side. David and Les did the same crouching down to hide their heads. They were completely silent when they heard the footsteps of Snyder who had followed them to the roof. Mattie didn't dare breath fearing that Snyder would hear her. Jack placed his hand on her arm gently, using his thumb to rub soothing circles. She turned her head to face him. He was looking anywhere but her, so she got the chance to look at him admiringly. Even when he was nervous her was attractive. She smiled slightly when his grip on her tightened. He wasn't letting her go, that was for sure.

"Sullivan!" Snyder yelled, snapping Mattie from her trance. Jack nodded for her to begin moving forward. "Wait until I get you back to the refuge!"


Once the four were off the roof of the building they began running again but soon David stopped spinning around to face Jack and Mattie. Jack still held onto Mattie's arm for dear life. She didn't exactly mind. She enjoyed the contact.

"I'm not running any further." David commanded. Mattie's eyes scanned their surroundings. She knew exactly where they were. She wrenched her arm from Jack's hand and went to the door.

"We don't have to." She told them pushing the door open. The boys followed her into the back of the building. David looked around. It looked to be a backstage of some sort. He didn't really know if they were supposed to be there or not, but at that moment he really didn't care.

"I want some answers." David called out in an outrage.

"Shhhh!" Jack and Mattie hushed him.

"Who is he, why was he chasing you, and what is this refuge?" David asked a couple octaves lower than before.

"The refuge is a jail for kids." Mattie told David. His eyes narrowed. What would Mattie know about jail?

"The guy chasing me is Snyder. He's the warden." Jack added nonchalantly.

"You were in jail?" Les asked eyes wide with curiosity.

"Yeah." Jack shrugged.

"Why?" Les asked. Mattie cringed. She knew exactly why Jack had gone to the refuge.

"I was starvin' so I stole some food." Jack replied with a shrug. His eyes flickered to Mattie who swallowed the lump rising in her throat. She hated thinking about why he went to the refuge. Because Jack went to the refuge because of Mattie

Flashback

Manhattan, New York, 1896

Mattie and Jack were walking down the street trying to sell their last couple papers. They hadn't done a very good job today. The headlines were slow, and people didn't seem to care about the two young children just trying to survive. It had been about a year since Jack had found Mattie huddled in a dark alley tears streaming down her cheeks and nothing in her stomach. Over their time together Jack had grown fond of her, thinking her of a friend more than a burden. She felt like family, something he never really had. He had come to love and care for her something he never really felt before.

"I'm getting the feeling we're gonna' have to eat these last few papes for dinner." Mattie mumbled. Her comment was followed by the loud growl of her stomach. She clutched at her abdomen knowing she would go hungry again tonight. Jack watched her and felt a sudden sense of protective instincts. He couldn't let Mattie go hungry again. He looked around seeing a cart loaded with loaves of bread sitting outside of the bakery. He looked around for any police officers, he hadn't seen any so he began walking toward the cart.

"Jack." Mattie said reaching for his arm. He turned slightly to see her wide eyes and sunken face. She was thin, too thin. "What are you doing?"

"Getting dinner." He shrugged but she didn't let go of his arm. She knew good and well he didn't have enough money for a loaf of bread.

"Jack please don't." She begged but he pried her small hand off his arm holding her hand in his.

"I'll be fine. I promise." He told her patting her hand. He smiled at her, trying to reassure her that he would be okay. His smiled was infectious because she found herself smiling as well. He led her off to an alley telling her to stay here until he came back. She stood there and waited…. And waited…. And waited. She finally slid down the wall sitting. She picked at the dirt caked under her nails. After about ten minutes she peeked her head around the wall to the bread cart. It looked to be untouched and she saw no sign of Jack. She scrambled to her feet before stepping fully out of the alley. Her big brown eyes scanned the area. Jack was nowhere to be found. She began running searching everywhere for him. As she passed by a carriage she finally saw him.

Jack was in handcuffs being pushed into the carriage roughly. She felt her heart sink. He must have gotten caught and was being arrested. She felt tears fall from her eyes. It was her fault. If she hadn't of complained about being hungry Jack never would have gone to steal the bread.

"Jack!" She squealed. His head snapped to the side. Upon seeing her he felt relief wash over him. She was safe, that's all that mattered. He sent her a reassuring smile before being thrown into the carriage that had large bars on it. He really felt like a prisoner. As the carriage started moving he watched her stand there frozen. He felt bad for leaving her, but he felt better knowing he was going to jail and not her. He would survive, and once he was out he would come back to her.

End Flashback

Mattie shook her head at the memory. She felt so guilty for getting him thrown in there, then she hadn't even gotten the idea to help his escape until a few months after he was already there. She should have been in there not him. She should have tried harder to make him stay, but the idea of food at the time was more important than his safety.

"Right food." David scoffed, knocking Mattie out of her thoughts.

"Yeah food." Mattie said defensively. She would not have anyone bashing Jack for his actions. He was being a good person, by doing a bad thing. He was saving her life, a second time. David eyed her and hesitated before speaking again.

"He called you Sullivan." David said to Jack.

"Yeah, my names Jack Kelly. You think I'm lying?" Jack questioned. David smirked.

"You have a way of improving the truth." David replied feeling very satisfied with his answer.

"Yeah?" Jack said. David was really starting to get under Jack's skin. All Jack tried to do was teach him the ropes of being a newsie and what does he get? Accused of lying. Granted he was lying, but if he told anyone the truth they could sell him out in a second.

"Why was he chasing you?" David asked. Mattie rolled her eyes. She didn't dislike David, but at that moment he was making her mad. He was asking way to many prying questions. Jack didn't need to tell David anything.

"Cause' he escaped." Mattie answered leaning on the wall. David looked to her again. She sure knew a lot about Jack's past. Maybe they were closer than he first thought.

"Oh boy how?" Les asked excitedly.

"This big shot gave me a ride out in his carriage." Jack told the young boy. Les' face grew wide with curiosity. Mattie smirked knowing that in truth, she and Jack hitched a ride on the back of Teddy Roosevelt's carriage by accident. It was luck he was even there.

"I bet it was the mayor right?" David asked, sarcasm laced in his voice.

"No, Toddy Roosevelt. You ever heard of him?" Jack asked his eyes daring David to question him any further. Suddenly the group heard footsteps coming down the stairs they were crowded around. All eyes looked up to the red-headed woman coming down the steps. She wore an elegant purple dress and had a feather fan in her hand. She began shooing them telling them to go away with a flick of her fan.

"You wouldn't kick me out without a kiss goodbye would you Medda?" Jack asked meeting the woman halfway up the steps. A flash of recognition showed on Medda's face. She hugged Jack, asking him where he had been. Her eyes went down to Mattie and she smiled brightly.

"Oh Mattie dear!" The redheaded beauty said coming down the stairs to hug the much simpler looking girl.

"Hi Medda." Mattie said with a smile. Medda pulled away taking Mattie's hand and looking at her up and down.

"Look how much you have grown! You get more and more beautiful every time I see you." Medda said. Mattie blushed. She had never really been told she was beautiful. Hearing it made her feel strange. She never felt pretty before, let alone beautiful. She was simple to most girls, at least in her eyes.

"You must come by sometime and let me get you all gussied up." Medda insisted. Mattie forced a smile. Not that looking feminine didn't appeal to Mattie, but the thought of getting a makeover by Medda Larkson didn't sit well with her.

"I'd pay to see that." Jack mumbled earning him a slap on the arm from Mattie. "So, Medda this is David and Les."

"Hello." Medda greeted her other guests.

"And this is the greatest sta of the vaudeville stage today. Miss Medda Larkson the Swedish Medowlark." Jack introduced.

"Velcome Gentlemen." Medda said gracefully bowing with her fan. Mattie felt a pang of jealousy fill her. Mattie wished she could be like Medda, so graceful and elegant. Mattie had never been either, even when she lived with her mother. Even when she was young, Mattie was a big tomboy, playing with the boys who lived in her tenement building. While the girls sat around playing house or braiding hair, Mattie was out kicking a can around the street with several other boys. Her mother would dress her in nice looking clothes, but they would come home with grass stains or mud splattered on them. By the time Mattie was nine her mother had given up on trying to turn her daughter into a proper lady.

"Buy me last pape lady?" Les asked Medda. Medda smiled at the boy and complimented him on his acting skills. She then realized she had to go on stage soon. She told the group that they could stay as long as they liked and soon glided on stage. Jack headed to the side of the stage to watch but David seemed locked in place.

"You might wanna' pick your jaw up off the floor." Mattie told David nudging him with her shoulder. The movement seemed to knock him out of his trance. He shook his head blushing as he stared at the floor. Mattie laughed lightly pulling David to stand next to her and Jack on the edge of the stage. Medda walked across the stage singing her little song entrancing the men as she did. Mattie felt like she was writing notes down in her head, trying to find ways to be more like Medda. She was never going to get any male attention let alone Jack's if she didn't learn how to act like a proper lady. As Medda came over to the side stage and brushed her feather fan on the faces sitting there. Mattie realized she had to be flirty, but not too over the top. Mattie took in Medda's appearance. She was already naturally beautiful, but the way she carried herself made her look that much more attractive. Confidence is key, Mattie thought.

"She's so beautiful." Mattie mumbled to no one in particular. She didn't know why she said it out loud, it had just come out.

"Yeah she is." Jack replied. Mattie swallowed. She hadn't expected anyone to say anything especially not Jack. She also didn't think that he would say that. Again the jealousy rose up. Jack looked over at Mattie and saw her smile had faded. He watched her intently as she watched Medda so her little show. The way her eyes scanned everything that Medda was doing, made Jack think that she was taking a class on it. She was taking everything in, trying to learn from her.

What does Mattie have to learn from Medda? Jack thought to himself. Mattie didn't need to change, she was a kind, independent, intelligent girl. Why change anything? That was when it hit Jack. When Mattie said Medda was beautiful, Mattie was implying that she herself was not. He recalled back to when Medda had told Mattie that she was in fact beautiful and Mattie brushed it off. Come to think of it, Jack could never think of a time when anyone had called Mattie beautiful. He himself had never said it either. His eyes scanned her from head to toe.

Jack realized that Mattie was beautiful, like an angel. She didn't even have to try on her appearance like many girls did. She was a natural exotic beauty and she didn't even realize it. Hell, it took Jack up until this point to actually realize it. It wasn't that he had never really looked at her, he just never really saw her that way, that is until that moment.

"You know when Medda said you were beautiful?" Jack asked. Mattie turned to him and gave him a look.

"Yeah. Funny joke huh?" She scoffed. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"It's not a joke Mattie." He told her. Her smile faded as she looked back at him. His eyes were intense, something she had never seen in him before. "You're beautiful Mattie."

She felt her cheeks heat up at that comment. She couldn't stop staring at him as she took in his words. Jack Kelly thinks I'm beautiful? She thought to herself. In all of her fantasies Jack said these sweet romantic things to her, but those were dreams. She gently pinched herself to see if she was in fact dreaming, but nothing changed. She hadn't woken up and Jack hadn't disappeared. Jack Kelly thought she was beautiful. There was nothing that could bring her down.

I am on a roll! Thank you to my reviewers. Comments/questions/concerns please let me know!