Then it hit her, "Guys...I know wheah Jecca and Snipes are."

Everyone looked at her with question in their faces.

"OK...Staten has been accusin' us a' spyin and pick-pocketin' ovah theah...right?" Hades said to her curious Newsies.

Everyone nodded.

"Well, Jecca an' Snipes say they've been goin to Manhattan, but they aint theah. So why would Staten start somethin' with the most powerful Newsies in th' City, unless they had a reason?!" Hades continues

"Hades, are you tryin ta say day Jecca and Snipes have been lyin' to us?" Spot asked beginning to understand Hades' theory.

"Yes! I t'ink dey've been lyin all dis time! They hasn't been goin ovah to Manhattan! They'se been goin ovah to Staten!"

"Well, whadda we gonna do?" Asked Half-Pint.

"I donno exactly Half...I donno." Hades answered as she was asking herself the same question.

*-*

That night, Hades say out on the fire escape while everyone was sleeping. she sighed. They had decided they wouldn't fight back, not yet. They would wait and see what Staten's next move was. Hades was furious with Jecca and Snipes. They had lied to her, and snuck into enemy territory. They hadn't come home at all tonight. She figured Staten was probably holding them captive. As mad as she was with the two children, she was terribly worried. Staten newsies were brutal. They didn't care how old or helpless you were.

Mush climbed out the window and sat down beside Hades. "Can't sleep?"

She leaned her head on Mush's shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her. "It'll be ok Gabe...we'll get this all settled..." Mush said and kissed the top of her head.

"I hope so." Hades sighed. "I'se gonna hafta deal with Needles sonnah or latah...cuz i'm gonna eithah hafta go to Staten to get Jecca and Snipes...or he's gonna come heah and wanna fight me or somet'ing."

Mush knew that what Hades said was true, and he didn't know how to comfort her with words, so he just held her in his arms a little tighter.

Hades began to think. She laid down and put her head in Mush's lap. "Mush?"

"Hm?"

"...Nevahmind."

There was a long period of silence before Mush finally spoke up. "Hades?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you wanna get married?"

Hades sat up and looked at Mush. "What are you talkin' about Mush?"

He looked back at her. "Do you wanna get married?"

"To you?"

Mush nodded.

"A coise i wanna marry you Mush!...Why?"

"Well, I was jus' curious...I'm plannin' for my proposal."

"I hope you aint gonna propose any time soon..."

"Nah...not for anuddah year or two...will you say yes when I do propose?"

Hades gave him a look that said 'You idiot! Why wouldn't I say yes?!' "A coise i'll say yes, Baby!"

Mush smiled and leaned in to kiss Hades.

*-*

The next morning, everyone would still sell, but Hades' warned them: "You HAFTA be on your guard! These guys that are aftah us are tough, and dey carry knives...If you see any Staten fellas, get back ta' the LH immediately. I aint sellin' taday...I'se gonna stay heah and guard the house. Now go sell! An' BE CAREFUL!!!"

All the Newsies started making their way to the DO.

Singah stopped in front of Hades. "Hades, be careful, ok? Twiggy had that knife to me throat an-"

Hades interrupted. "I know, Singah. I'll be careful...you be careful too. I wont be around ta' save yer sorry behind dis time, you'll hafta rely on that bum." Hades pointed to Spot.

Singah laughed and headed for the DO.

Half-Pint stopped next. "Take care a' yaself, Hades..."

"Don' worry bout me, Half! You worry bout yaself!"

Half-Pint grinned and patted Hades shoulder. "Hey Rae! Wait up!!" She called as she jogged towards the DO.

Now it was Mush that stood in front of her. "Hades..."

"Mush, baby, I'll be careful. I promise!"

Mush looked at her with worry in his eyes. Hades kissed him tenderly. "I love you." She whispered in his ear. "I love you too!" He whispered back and walked away, looking back at her everyone five seconds.

"Hades, ya sure you'll be ok heah?" Asked Spot, who was now standing directly in front of her.

"Spot...i'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, i'se sure."

"Positive?"

"SPOT!"

"OK! OK!"

"Go take care a' yer goil, Spot." Hades grinned as Spot hugged her and then went to find Singah.

Hades watched all her Newsies buy their papes and then wander off.

She went inside. She went straight to the sitting room. She sat herself down on the couch and sighed.

She sat there silently for what seemed like hours - but really, it had only been 10 minutes. She yawned.

Hades' heart skipped a beat as she heard footsteps outside.

Suddenly, there was a loud, forceful banging at the front door.