A/N I own nothing but Doctor Jenson

"He's alive." With those words, we all sighed in relief. The doctor's eyes looked strangely somber though for such good news. Jack ended up asking the question that I'm sure was burning in everyone's mind.

"What's wrong with 'em? 'Cause you don't look so happy."

Doctor Jenson was silent for a moment before seeming to come to a conclusion. "Kids, he's alive but he's not out of danger yet. In addition to a compound break of his left leg, I've had to stitch a gash on his head. He's also got a couple of broken ribs. With any luck, hopefully he'll awaken soon though he'll be in pain when he does. You are welcome to see him, but-" he looked at us in doubt "you need to wash up. The last thing he needs is an infection."

"Yeah, we got it, we won't contaminate him with our fleas-"I elbowed Jack, now was not the time to irritate the man. To his credit, Jack blushed and apologized. He seemed sincere too, but whether he meant it or was just trying to smooth ruffled feathers, I'll never know.

The doctor gave one final nod before leading us to a sink and then going into detail as to how to properly wash our hands. We were street rats, not completely uncivilized but this time, no one dared to mouth off to the man. He was just doing his job that was all.

In what seemed to be hours, but was probably only minutes, Dr. Jenson led us back through the waiting area to Davey's door. He pushed it open and motioned for us to be quiet-unnecessarily as we hadn't talked.

Davey lay on the same cot I had last seen him on. This time however, bandages covered much of his body and his leg was encased in a cast. His breathing was labored, a sign that he was in pain despite being unconscious. A large wrap of material circled his head, dark in spots.

Fresh guilt hit me like a train. If it hadn't been for me, Davey would probably be enjoying supper with his family. Instead, he was laying hurt in a hospital. Barely aware of my friends, I inched forward.

"I'm sorry Davey." I couldn't manage more and it would only confuse or maybe even anger, the other newsies. Not that I didn't deserve their anger, but it was hardly the place for a fight.

Jack came up next and addressed his selling partner, "Davey, don't ya worry, Mush is getting your family. You'se gonna be fine."

Crutchy and Race both asserted their well wishes and we settled in for another period of waiting.

Fifteen, maybe thirty minutes dragged by and Davey still hadn't awoken. We jumped at a slight gasp at the door. David's family had arrived.

"David!" his mother rushed forward, beating out even the longer strides of his Pop. Sarah glanced frightened at her brother and inched towards Jack, who held her in a hug. I could hear him uttering soft assurances to the girl. Les hadn't come and I assumed he was still with the older newsie. Mush stood at the door, looking exhausted from the effort of getting Mouth's folks.

I caught my friends' eyes and nodded to the door. We shouldn't intrude on a private family meeting. So all minus Jack of us went through the doors and into the waiting area again.

"His folks are here, if you got any place to go, I think it's ok to leave him." I said, knowing that regardless of what my friends did, I would stay. To their credit, Mush, Crutchy and Race shook their heads. David was one of us now and no newsie wanted to abandon him.

I sighed, my guilty conscious eating at me. I made my decision. "Guys, I got somethin' I need to tell ya."

Race gave me a critical look. I knew he must have suspected something. You'd have to be a pretty darn liar to fool him.

Without further delay I launched into my story. Once or twice one or another of the newsies would interrupt but each time I held up a hand for silence. I shared everything except David's past, that was his to tell. It was best just to get it out in the open and quickly. When I was done, Race allowed me approximately a second to breathe before he launched in.

"What are ya, crazy? Dat kid's death won't your fault. Davey was right! And you'se stupider than I give you credit for if ya think dat dyin' will solve anything!" He shook his head and I could almost see the non-existent cigar butt burning smoke in my face.

Shame flushed my face. I knew he was right but that only made me feel worse about Davey. As if he could read my mind, Mush butted into the conversation.

"Blink, we all know ya didn't mean for Davey to come save you and get hoit and no one blames you." He gave a rare glare to Race as if daring him to say otherwise. "And I'm sure that Davey won't blame you either!"

"Yeah, Blink, Davey's a nice guy; he won't even blame you a bit!" Crutchy hobbled over to me and patted my back.

Whatever else that would have been said, I'll never know because once again the doors opened and Dave's family trooped out of the room. "He's awake!" We all cheered up at that announcement and his mother came over to me. "He would like to see you." Her soft accented voice sounded tired but happy. Maybe things would be ok. I nodded and walked through the room, still a bit scared but I knew I had to do this.

"Hey Blink." David's eyes found mine as the other boy laid propped up with pillows. An easy smile drew on his face even as pain danced in his eyes.

"Dave, I'm really-" I started to say but was caught off.

"Don't say you're sorry, you don't have anything to be sorry about." He sounded as sincere as he did when he had rallied us to seize the day during the strike.

"But if I hadn't tried to-" I couldn't say the words-"If I hadn't climbed on the window sill, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

"Listen Blink, I'm just glad I was there, all right?" David shook his head slightly and then looked like he regretted the action. "I couldn't save Ben but I'm happy I could save you."

"But-" He cut me off again.

"And it sounds like you saved my life." I could tell that no amount of trying to tell him that his life would've not needed saving had it been for me would work. The boy was stubborn that way. He grinned again. "Besides, Jack'll probably be in your debt!"

I was lost, had they given the other boy some medicine that made him crazy? "Whad'a mean?"

"Well, just think of how many papes we'll sell with me being injured. I hear that's always good for a few extra papers!" He smirked and I rolled my eyes. The kid had been around Jack too long.

***************Two weeks later*************

"Hey Blink!" I turned at the sound of the familiar voice. David hobbled over to me looking more like Crutchy than Crutchy ever did. The Jewish boy wore a smile and gestured to his empty pape bag. "I sold hundred papers today-not including what Jack sold! This being injured bit does work rather well!"

I laughed. "Glad to hear it." I was back to normal now, though I'm sure Jack and the others were watching me close to make sure I didn't get any more stupid ideas in my head. I wouldn't though and that day's headline made my day even brighter:

"Uncle of Dead child Arrested! Extortion, plot to murder charges pending!"