Chapter 4

I do not own Newsies in any way.

A/N-This is another semi-emotional chapter.

The boys sat in Tibby's a few days later.

Everyone kept their distance from the two Higgins siblings.

Most of the time, it was like they were communicating thru telepathy, despite them not being twins.

Denton walked in.

"I'm going to go talk to Denton", David told Taps.

She nodded.

He pecked her on the lips and earned a small smile. He walked over to Denton. "Hey Denton, how's it rollin'?" David asked.

Denton smiled and said, "It's rollin' good. How about you?"

"Not so good. You see, Taps is Racetrack's little sister and she just had an emotional break. She's quiet and reserved and not as peppy as she used to be and she's brought Racetrack down with her. They're slowly falling apart. It's Christmas soon and I wanna give her the best present ever and bring her out of this depression", David said.

"Well…I don't know what to do David", Denton told him; "I don't have experience with this. I'm a writer for a newspaper. Speaking of which, I have an interview with an inmate tomorrow".

"Who?" David asked.

"Franco Thompson", Denton said.

Something clicked in David. "Does he go by Frankie?" he asked.

"I believe so, why?" Denton asked.

"Can I go with you? As your apprentice?" David asked.

"I don't see why not", Denton said.

They pulled up to the jail and went inside.

"I'm Bryan Denton. Here to interview the inmate Franco Thompson", he said, "This is David Jacobs, my apprentice".

"Very well, step into the room and we'll fetch him", the guard said.

David felt bad for Frankie.

Being 'fetched' like a dog. He may be a prisoner, but he was still human.

The guards brought Frankie in and shoved him into the chair.

His hands were bound and his leg was chained to the table that was nailed into the floor. Frankie looked like an older version of Racetrack, but with lighter hair. His brown eyes had since lost their sparkle that Race and Taps shared. He looked like a teenager and not the 21 year old man he was supposed to be. His brown eyes held such sadness.

Denton placed a picture in front of him.

Frankie leaned forward and took the picture off the table.

"Could you tell me who is in that picture?" Denton asked.

Frankie smiled and said, "Tony and Izzy".

"What if I told you that I could get you out of here in time for Christmas?" Denton asked.

"Are youse lyin' ta me?" Frankie spat.

"No. I promise that if you testify against your peers, you'll be out in time for Christmas. You'll get to see Tony and Isabella", Denton said.

"Listen Frankie", David said.

"What did youse call me?" Frankie asked.

"Frankie", David said.

"Izzy used ta call me Frankie", Frankie said.

"I know Izzy. In fact, I'm dating her right now. When I met her, she was full of life and Race…I mean Tony, was so happy to see her. But a few days ago, she suffered an emotional break and Tony, after seeing Izzy in pain, suffered one too. They're falling apart. They need you. Denton's not lying. We know people in high places and can afford the best lawyers. You will be home in time to spend Christmas with Izzy and Tony", David told him.

"Really?" Frankie asked.

"Yes", David said.

"I'll do it", Frankie said.

"Taps! Get down here! You have a visitor!" David yelled.

Taps ran down the stairs and stopped when she saw Frankie standing there. "FRANKIE!" she shrieked. She ran and hugged her brother. She hugged him like she was never going to let go. She let go and said, "Hey".

"Hey", he said.

They both laughed.

"Frankie", Racetrack breathed. His brown eyes were filled with tears and as wide as anyone had ever seen them. He ran and hugged Frankie.

The force of Racetrack's hug sent Frankie back a few feet.

This time…Racetrack was the one to break down into tears.

All the years of bottling his anger and sadness came pouring out.

"Hey", Frankie said softly, "Hey, I'm here. I'm here little brother".

It was touching to the other newsboys to see the great Racetrack Higgins hugging and crying in the arms of his 21 year old brother like he was 7 years old and not 19.

"See. I told you you'd be home for Christmas", David told Frankie.

"Thank you", he mouthed, while still comforting Racetrack.

"Thank you", Taps whispered to David.

He smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her.

She happily kissed him back.