Autumn, 1895

"Come on, Romeo!" Race shouted. "We're gonna be late!"

Romeo ignored him, flashing the nun one of his best smiles. "I must say, Sister, God has certainly blessed ya with beauty," he said.

"Romeo!" Race repeated, appearing at his elbow. "Flirtin' with a nun? That's new, even for you. C'mon, we'se gotta get out and sell."

"Race, how am I supposed ta sell if ya keep chasin' the goils away?" Romeo complained, allowing himself to be led through the crowd of newsies. Race dragged him into line behind Jack and Crutchie, but Romeo jerked away.

"Who're they?" he asked.

Two boys, a little older than Jack, stood on either side of Wiesel. The younger one was thin and drawn, with large, haunted dark eyes. The older one had his arms crossed over his chest and wore a blustery scowl on his face.

"These are my nephews," Wiesel said in answer to the newsies' stares. He jerked a thumb toward the boys. "Oscar and Morris. They'se livin' with me for the time bein'."

"Why?" Crutchie asked.

The older one, Oscar, uncrossed his arms. "None of your business, Crip," he said.

Jack's grin melted into a scowl. "Hey, leave him alone!" he ordered. "What's your angle, Weasel? Why are these two hangin' around?"

"Lay off, Kelly," Wiesel said, sending him a glare. "They needs ta earn their keep, and I needs some muscle."

"Muscle?" Jack repeated. "Then why'd ya hire these clowns? The younger one here looks like a twig."

Morris fell back a step, never saying a word. His dark eyes betrayed his hurt, and Oscar pushed himself in front of his brother.

"You watch yourself, Kelly," he threatened.

"No," Race said, speaking up for the first time. He had been listening quietly, a rarity for him. "You watch yourself, Oscar. 'Cause us newsies stick together. Ya mess with one of us, ya mess with all of us."

The two boys stared at each other, each refusing to back down first.

"Papes for the newsies!" Wiesel shouted, startling them both. "Come on, line up!"

The newsies fell into line, and Oscar and Morris ducked behind the counter to count out papes. "We get the little loud-mouthed one first," Oscar whispered to his brother. "Ain't no one talks to me like that."

Race jingled the change in his pocket, grinning around his cigar. It was a good selling day so far, and the horse races were even better. He had made nearly a dollar on bets alone.

"There he is," Oscar whispered to his brother. The two boys were lying in wait in a narrow alleyway, watching Racetrack make his way down the street.

"Ma wouldn't like this, Os," Morris said quietly.

Oscar whirled around, his eyes blazing. "Ma's dead, Morris," he said bluntly. "The fever took her, and you still ain't all the way better. We'se gotta look out for ourselves now. And if Uncle Wiesel tells us ta keep the newsies in line, then that's what we do."

"Okay," Morris said reluctantly. "You throw the first punch, I'll come in from behind."

Oscar nodded. "Got it."

As Racetrack passed by their hiding spot, Oscar jumped out at him, catching him by surprise. He managed to get a few good punches in before the younger boy gathered his wits and started to fight back.

"Now, Morris!" he shouted. As soon as the words had left his mouth, he felt a heavy weight land on his back, causing him to stagger against the wall.

"Romeo?" Race gasped as the dark-haired boy disentangled himself from his attacker.

"Hey, Race," Romeo said with a smile.

Race ducked under Morris' arm and kicked him in the back of the legs, sending him to the ground. "Run," he called to Romeo.

For once, they didn't fight over the matter. Half-empty newsbags flapping over their shoulders, Race and Romeo ran through Manhattan's maze of streets, weaving through crowds and taking shortcuts until the Delancey brothers were far behind. It was much too late for lunch by now, but they bought a couple apples and ate them as they walked.

"How'd ya know ta come find me?" Race asked around a mouthful.

"Ya missed lunch," Romeo said sheepishly. "I got worried. Thought ya might be in trouble."

Race grinned, bumping Romeo's shoulder with his. "So how do I look?" he asked. He gestured to his eye, which was already beginning to swell. "Do I look tough?"

Romeo wasn't in the mood for joking. "Race... Ya know we'se gonna hafta take this to Butch, right?"

Race sobered quickly. "Yeah, I know."

"If the Delancey brothers stick around, it could mean bad trouble for the newsies," Romeo continued.

Race nodded. "We'll tell him as soon as we get home," he said. "Now let's get out and sell. Carryin' the banner, remember?"

Romeo smiled faintly. "Carryin' the banner."

"Butch!" Romeo yelled as he and Race clattered up the steps. "Butch?"

"Shh," Lou warned, grabbing both their shoulders and stopping them in their tracks. "Butch is out back talkin' ta Jack. Whatever ya gotta say, it can wait."

Without hesitating, Race flung himself at the window, pressing his face to the glass. Sure enough, Butch and Jack could be seen in the distance. "What're they talkin' about?" he demanded.

Crutchie glanced up. "Who knows?" he said. "They'se been out there half an hour already."

"Then they should be comin' back soon," Lou said. He was the only one not completely invested in what was going on. Then again, he was the only one who already knew what was going on.

"Here they come!" Romeo said suddenly.

They watched in silence as Jack approached the Lodge House alone. He paused for a second, dragging his sleeve across his eyes before pushing open the door.

"Hey, fellas," he said wearily.

Questions started flying.

"Where's Butch?"

"What were ya talkin' about?"

"Ya ain't cryin', are ya Jack?"

Lou rested his hand on Jack's shoulder. "Alright, boys," he began.

Jack shook his head. "I got this," he said. "Butch ain't comin' back, fellas. I'm the leader now. Get ta bed. We'se gotta work tomorra. Carryin' the banner."

Romeo's eyes widened. He had to see for himself. Pushing ahead of the other boys, he ran upstairs to Butch's bed. His clothes and belongings were gone, and the cigar box under his pillow was empty.

A new era had begun in the Lodge House.

(A/N): Hey guys! Here's the next chapter for you. :) This one actually combines two requests- one from Marcelle about Race and Romeo stuck in a sticky situation, and one from Obsessed2k17 about Race being cornered by the Delanceys with only Romeo to help him. Let me know what you guys thought in a review, and please keep the requests coming! Also, let me know what you thought about Jack taking over, and the Delanceys being introduced!

Remember to read, review, follow, favorite, and keep carryin' the banner!

-Peggs