Crutchy opened his eyes and looked around carefully. Marrissa was sitting on Race's bed, which was beside his, reading a book that looked to be well worn.

"What time is it?" He mumbled as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up.

"I'd guess somewhere around four." She closed the book carefully and turned to smile at him. "How's your leg feel?"

"A lot betta', tanks."

"No problem." She smiled and joined him on his bed. "You guys have it really nice here, ya know."

"You'se kiddin' right?" Crutchy laughed.

"You forget, I live in an alley." She smiled.

"You could stay here. My waitress job doesn't get me much money."

"So, I'se sure Kloppman would let ya stay." Crutchy stood but immediately felt a stabbing pain shooting through his bad leg.

"Crutchy, you ok?" Marrissa rushed up to steady him.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Crutchy sat back down on the bed and sighed.

"Why don't I believe you?" Marrissa sat beside him and put her hand on his back. Crutchy's head fell onto her shoulder as his hands grasped his leg right above the knee.

"Awe man!" he hissed into the fabric of her shirt. Marrissa quickly brought her arms around him and pulled up so he was lying on the bed. She reached down and started rubbing his knee and calf.

"How did this happen?" Crutchy looked up suddenly; surprised by her question.

Crutchy sighed quietly as he thought back to the day that he was not only turned into a cripple but became a newsie. "My fada trew me down de' stairs when I was five. It broke my leg in two spots. My momma didn' 'ave de money to pay for a doctor so she sent me to de newsies so dey could take care o' me. My fada killed her a week lata'. So I decided to stay wi' de newsies."

Marrissa looked at him sadly, "I'm so sorry."

"Ah, I don' mind, the newsies take good care o' me." Crutchy grabbed her hand as she reached down to rub his leg. "Don't."

"Why not?"

"Just don't" Crutchy's eyes were filled with tears.

"I don't wanna think about it righ' now."

"Ok then." Marrissa smiled and moved to lie beside him.

"The others'll be home soon." Crutchy commented.

"Fine wit' me, I'll stay until dey kick me out." That's how the newsies found them. Crutchy was asleep on his bed with his arm around Marissa's waist.

Well here's my 4th chapter. I don't know if people really like it or not but I'm gonna keep writing it anyway. Maybe I'll be able to get 10 reviews, doubt it, but maybe.

Indara