Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies or any of its characters, they belong to Disney. Floaty and Trench belong to DimensionalTraveller. Aidan and Agatha belong to me.

(A/N: Hi everyone, thank you so much for the great reviews and story/author adds! :-D)


Historical facts: Joseph Pulitzer married Jefferson Davis's (president of the confederacy) niece; together they had 7 children. Their marriage was good, but became very difficult (especially for Kate) when Pulitzer got older; he was a distant father and husband, he was said to have bipolar disorder and went through mood swings and was often very depressed.


Floaty arrived at the World Building at eight; Spot had attempted to go in with her, but she stopped him. The last thing Pulitzer would want to see was one of his on-strike-newsies. Squaring her shoulders and taking a deep breath, she walked into the lobby, she had done this countless of times, but for some reason the walk now seemed foreboding. The calm before the storm, she thought to herself. She glanced over at Agatha's desk, she obviously gone home. The silence in the lobby leading to Pulitzer's office was deafening. She knocked on his heavy wooden door.

"Enter," Pulitzer snapped. Floaty pulled open the door and walked into the office; Sykes sat on the couch beside an older and beautiful woman who was nervously wringing her hands.

"Mr. Pulitzer, sir? You asked to see me?"

"Emmalyn, sit down," he pointed to the chair across the room. Floaty swallowed as she seated herself; she knew something was wrong – Pulitzer never let her sit on his furniture. He probably feared she'd dirty or ruin it. He turned, his hands clasped behind his back. Sitting on the sofa in his office was an older woman; she had to be Kate Davis Pulitzer. From everything she'd heard about the woman, she was the niece of the former president of the Confederate States of America – Jefferson Davis. She found it odd that Pulitzer, once a proud Union soldier, would marry the enemy's niece. Then again, Pulitzer didn't seem the type to care who won or lost a war (until now) as long as he had something to gain from it. Floaty shifted nervously in her chair; she missed the sunlight shining into the office making it brighter and slightly more welcoming. The darkness that was only offset by a few oil lamps and candles cast shadows across the room; she felt as if she were stuck in one of Edgar Allen Poe's stories.

"I understand you've befriended the newsies, and you are the one who helped their strike to begin," he turned towards her; an expression of hate was painted across his face. Floaty's stomach twisted as her heart pounded; she knew it was only a matter of time before found out. But in these dark settings, the 'meeting' was even more terrifying.

"Yes, Mr. Pulitzer, I did help to start the strike, and I have no regrets about it. The newsies can barely afford to live in the lodging house and pay for their food, and the higher prices…."

"Enough!" He snapped and took a step towards her. "After all I've done for you; you go off and betray me. You are my messenger, you've overheard many important meetings, and I don't doubt that you've shared this information with those street rats. I trusted you….Which was a mistake. You're the niece of a criminal; it's only in your nature to backstab those who try to aid you in life."

The comment stung; Floaty bit her lower lip, she was nothing like her uncle. Nothing. Throughout her entire life she had struggled to earn an honest living and to never steal. There had been a handful of times when she had no other choice but to steal fruit from a market stand; or to steal a coin from some middle class or rich person who could earn back the money in an hour. Curling her fingers into her palm she took a deep breath and defended herself.

"Mr. Pulitzer, sir, never would I betray you without good reason….You went too far by raising the prices of the newspapers. I didn't agree with your actions, and you are the one who taught me 'stand by your morals no matter what the consequences'. I did just as you said….And I'd do it a hundred times over if I had too."

"Joseph," Kate exclaimed, "Listen to the young woman. She makes a valid point, the little time you spend with our children, you're always telling them to stand by their morals-"

"This is different!" Pulitzer shouted and slammed his fist onto his desktop, causing everyone in the room to jump; Jonathan gave a small yelp of surprise. "Emmalyn is not our child, Kate!"

"Then stop treating and speaking of her as if she is!" Kate exclaimed as a strand of her graying brown hair fell from the bun at the back of head. "You call her by her first name and you offer her the job you were going to give to your son!"

"We'll talk of this when we get home, now be quiet!"

Kate glared at him and gave Floaty a sympathetic look before she fell silent.

"When you first worked for me you swore to me you would never tell anyone anything that went on in this office; you lied. You also stole information, which is a crime," Pulitzer exclaimed in a low tone of voice. He turned away from her and Floaty stood, she knew something was wrong. He continued, "But Sykes has explained the reason you lied. I'm angry with you for not telling me sooner," he turned towards her, "You should have told me the newsies were threatening you."

WHAT? Floaty's eyes widened and she glanced over at Sykes who seemed to be content with appearing emotionless. She took a deep breath, she needed to fix this in a way it could help her and the newsies.

"It wasn't the Manhattan or Brooklyn newsies, sir, it was the Harlem newsies."

Pulitzer held up a hand, "A newsie is a newsie; it doesn't matter where they're from. With this strike business, the newsies are dangerous, which is why my wife and I have decided that until early tomorrow evening, you will stay at the refuge. You'll be safe there; my carriage will come by and bring you to my home. You'll know the reason why then." As he finished two uniformed officers walked in, Floaty stood and followed her natural instinct to run. Before she could get close to the door, each officer had locked their arm around one of hers.

"Mr. Pulitzer, that refuge is a dump! A rat house! It's not safe! Please, I can stay with the Jacobs!"

Pulitzer gestured to the officers to leave; as Floaty was dragged out of the room, she saw Kate lower her head. She looked as if she felt extremely guilty and as Floaty and the officers walked past, she never looked up.


Mush watched with wide eyes as two bulls dragged Floaty out of the World Building; Floaty was struggling and dragging her feet. He was about to try to distract the officers and give Floaty a fighting chance to escape when two more bulls joined them.

Why is Floats bein' arrested? She's a good girl, I know she's really put herself into trouble by helpin' us, but not enough trouble to get her sent to the refuge….Right? I gotta get Jack and Spot!

He turned and ran towards Delancey Street. He wondered how Floaty could run these streets so quickly all the time. She knew all sorts of shortcuts that some newsies had yet to learn about. She had shown him the one he was on – Jefferson Avenue – a few months ago. He had always thought the street led to Bottle Alley; Floaty said it did, but if you took a left onto Main Street, then a right, you'd be on Delancey Street in only a few short minutes. Mush walked past a drunk man lying in the street, and paused at the end of Jefferson avenue. There were no street markers, but Floaty taught him a trick – If you're thirsty, go straight for a bottle of water; if you want to meet a Delancey, just go right onto their street. He turned to the right, and a minute later he was on Delancey street only a few buildings away from the lodging house.

He ran so quickly he swore his feet were on fire. Just as he was about to skid to a stop, Blink opened the door, he shouted at Mush to stop, and Mush shouted back he couldn't. He collided into Blink a moment later and fell to the floor.

"Get….Of….Me!" Blink wheezed.

"Sorry," Mush rolled off his friend and panted; his heart racing. When he opened his eyes, he found several newsies, including Jack and Spot, curiously staring down at him. Most of the other newsies were laughing, some were scratching their heads looking puzzled, while the rest just laughed and went back upstairs.

"What was all dat about?" Spot questioned as he helped Blink up.

Mush sat up, and took Jack's hand then stood. "I was in a hurry – Pulitzer had Floaty arrested."

"WHAT?" Spot shouted, his eyes widened. "What for?"

"I don't know," Mush shrugged. "He wasn't outside with her though."

"We just get her back, and now dis?" Jack groaned, "Pulitzah must hate her now."

"We'll get her bac…." Mush started when the door opened. "Jack, it's Snyder, hide!"

Eyes widening, Jack darted into Kloppman's office; the older man shut the door behind him and walked over to his desk. Folding his arms he glared at the Warden.

"Can I help ya?"

"I'm looking for a….Jack Kelly," Snyder exclaimed, "I understand he stays here." He looked at the crowd of newsies filling the lodging house's lobby and stairs. Mush scowled at the man.

"Ain't no Jack Kelly here," Kloppman shrugged. The Warden reached for the sign in book, but Kloppman pulled it away, "Privacy is very important, I harbor runaways ya know. You wouldn't want to be the one to send of dem back to their abusive families, would ya?"

Snyder glared at Kloppman and reached for the book again.

Seeing the trouble before them, Racetrack spoke up, "Yeah, Jack was here."

The Warden turned towards the Itilian newsboy, "Is he here now?"

"Nope. He put an egg in his shoe….And beat it." He shrugged with a smile, the newsies burst out laughing and slapped Race on the back. Snyder sneered at them.

"This is serious business, if any one of you sees him; you will let me know immediately." He exclaimed, not noticing as he walked around, the boy he was searching for shadowed him and mimicked his every move. Noticing a few smirks and snorts from the newsies, Snyder turned and Jack ducked back into Kloppman's office.

Mush was about to open the door for the warden when he spoke again.

"Also, I want you all to know that someone has been threatening Pulitzer's messenger girl, Emmalyn McGongle. She'll be staying in the refuge until Mr. Pulitzer finds it safe for her to leave."

"We didn't threaten her!" Mush exclaimed, did she tell her boss that? Why would she do such a thing?

"Me newsies would never threaten that girl," Kloppman sneered, "She's a good girl and we all love her."

"Well, according to Mr. Sykes, one of you has it in for her." He glared at the newsies, then noticed Snipeshooter staring down at him. As if to prove he was a good man, he handed the boy a penny, patted the top of his head, and walked towards the door. Mush gladly opened it for him and slammed the door shut behind him.

"Dat was too close Jacky-boy," Spot paced. "We can't go and get her."

"We got too!" Mush exclaimed.

Jack shook his head as he walked out of the lobby, "Thanks, Kloppman." He turned towards Mush, "Spot's right, Mush. We can't. It's too dangerous, Floats will be alright – Pulitzah will see to dat."

"I ain't so sure," Mush frowned, "He's been awful hard on her since the strike started."

"When has Pulitzer nevah been hard on her?" Race snorted, "I don't understand why she just doesn't quit? If it were me…"

Spot slammed the bottom of his cane down onto the floor, causing Kloppman to glare at him. Spot gave him a sheepish and apologetic smile before turning towards Racetrack. "Ya wanna know why she can't quit, Race? Because she was once a mother."

"What?" Race, Mush, and several other newsies questioned in unison. The newsies began talking amongst themselves so loudly that Kloppman took Spot's cane and hit it against one of the frying pans hanging from the kitchen door. The loud gong like noise caught everyone's attention and they silenced. Kloppman handed the cane back to Spot.

"Spot," Jack exclaimed, Mush could see from their leader's pained expression, Spot was being truthful.

"No, Jacky-boy, it's time dey know. Jack and Spot used to be lovahs, dey had a baby named Lily. From what Jacky-boy tells me, she was a beautiful kid, looked just like her mother. Lily died a month after she was born from illness, and Floats was so heartbroken she couldn't talk to any newsies, especially not Lily's father. Pulitzah paid for Jack and Floaty's baby's funeral, and until he feels she paid off dat debt, she's trapped undah his thumb."

Mush felt as if a knife had just been plunged through his heart; now he understood why their leader seemed wise beyond his years so often. He also understood why he couldn't look at Lilies in the flower market, and why Medda never wore them in her hair around him. They were all painful reminders of the daughter Jack had lost. Damn, no wondah Floats was always cryin'.

Racetrack had paled as well, he glanced down at the floor, "Jack….I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"No one did, Floats and I didn't want to say nothin'." Jack shrugged, "It happened a few years ago, but it still hurts. If Sarah and I get married, I hope our kids grow to be old farts."

The newsies nodded.

"Jack, I'm so sorry," Mush frowned.

"Hey, I don't wanna hear 'I'm sorry' dat's why Floats and I didn't say nothin' to you all. We both couldn't stand to hear dem words. Let's focus on da matter at hand here, da rally tomorrow night."

Spot nodded in agreement, "I agree wid ya, Jack. Did Medda agree to let us use Irving Hall?"

"She did."

"Den we'll be dere at what, around eight?"

"Seven o'clock, she's givin' us dinner too," Jack smiled.

"What about Floats?" Blink frowned.

Spot and Jack both paused; finally Spot spoke up, "She'll be alright, Mush. Knowin' Crutchy, he'll keep an eye on her, and she'll keep an eye on him."


Floaty sat on the single bed that hung from chains attached to the wall; she was in solitary confinement away from all the other kids. Supposedly because she was the only girl in the refuge and her 'virtue' could be at stake with the older boys. Yeah, right, it's just because Snyder's pissed at me because of my Uncle's actions; and Pulitzer has had a stick up his behind for months now.

She wrapped her arms around her knees and watched a large brown rat on the window sill; it was nibbling at a bread crumb. Floaty hated rats, but she wasn't terrified of them; when she was little, Trench had found her father. Her father had shoved her into their tiny apartment's closet, which had been filled with rats at the time. For hours she stayed in the closet, terrified that Trench would hurt her father and find her. The rats had avoided her, but every now and then one would nibble at her shoe. A good kick usually scared them off.

She looked past the rat and stared into the inky darkness outside of the barred window. Floaty had become a different person over the past few days; just days ago she would have begged Pulitzer not to send her to this trash heap of a prison. She wouldn't have had the courage to stand up to him either. Spot's made me into a tougher person; if I were in here a years ago, months ago even, I'd be in tears.

"Heya Floats!" Crutchy exclaimed.

Floaty turned and beamed at seeing the peep hole had opened, she recognized Crutchy's friendly dark brown eyes and cheerful voice from anywhere. Beaming, she stood up and walked over to the peep hole.

"Hi Crutchy, how are you doing? Has Snyder been treating you ok?"

He snorted, "Let's just say he treats me a little better since I'm 'assistant'. I heard what happened with your uncle earlier t'day, I'm glad yer alright."

She smiled, "I'm fine. Jack and the others are really fighting to get you out of this place."

"Dat's nice of dem, but don't say the J-word in dis place." He frowned, "I did and I got Jack in trouble."

Floaty frowned, "So that's why Pulitzer was standing over the newspaper picture. It's alright Crutchy, whatever happened was an honest mistake, it could have happened to anyone."

He shrugged, "I was bein' stupid, I got Jack into danger."

"He'll be alright."

"I ain't so sure, Snydah hates him."

"And he hates Snyder, their relationship is mutual," Floaty smirked.

Crutchy chuckled, "You've changed."

"A little."

"A lot. A few months ago, you would have been begging and shoutin' to see Snyder, hopin' to get outta here. You're a lot tougher and ya even look different…." He leaned forward, "Did ya fall in love with someone? Whose da lucky guy?"

Floaty laughed, "Yes, I did," she leaned forward and whispered, "Spot."

Crutchy's eyes widened, "Spot? As in the King of Brooklyn?"

Floaty nodded.

"Careful, Floats."

"I know, he's a ladies' man….But I think everything will be alright."

"Alright, I gotta go before Snydah finds me. I'll bring ya some breakfast in the mornin'."

"Thanks, Crutchy." Floaty walked back to her bunk; well, there was nothing else to do to pass the time. She crawled under the sheets and tucked her arm under the pillow. Curling up she glanced up at oil lamp attached the wall and hoped the flame wouldn't go out, she hated the dark. She pulled her locket out from under her blouse and opened it; she smiled at the photographs.

Her father's beaming leprechaun-shaped face smiled at her; beside him stood her mother. Her mother had been a beautiful woman; she was tall and curvy with long and flowing raven black hair. Her face was long and narrow and her chin was round instead of pointed. Her eyes were dark, and there was a small smile on her lips. Floaty wished she could remember her mother; she wondered what her mother's voice had sounded like. Was it gravelly, soft, or was it bell-like as her father said it was? She glanced over at the other part of her locket, where the Forget-Me-Not from Lily's funeral was tucked. She shut the pendant and kissed the front of it, then tucked it back under her blouse. She shut her eyes and clasped her hands in a prayer; asking God to help the newsies and her. Then, turning over so her back faced the door, she fell to sleep.


"Emmalyn! You silly girl, what do you think you're doing?" A bell like voice laughed from behind her.

Floaty found herself standing on top of a small emerald green grassy hill that was filled with colorful wild flowers. In her dream, she was small, maybe three or four years old. She watched with wide eyes as a beautiful woman with golden colored skin sat down beside her.

"Ma?" She found herself asking.

"This is a very pretty place you have found, my darling Emmalyn." She pulled Floaty into her lap and cuddled her close. "Always know little one that I am with you and I shall always be. Always." She kissed the top of Floaty's forehead, "You're such a brave little girl, just like your daddy. One day you will meet your own prince and you will fall in love too."

At that moment, Floaty heard a loud squeal and giggle; she looked over at the sound and saw a little boy who was a year or two older than herself playing with his father.

Floaty's mother smiled, "That's Mr. Conlon with his son, Aidan. We're neighbors, Emmalyn, maybe one day you and Aidan will be friends?"

Suddenly, her dream changed, and Floaty found herself on the Brooklyn docks; Spot climbed down from his 'throne' and pulled her into his arms. Smiling he kissed her.

Beaming, Floaty whispered, "Hello Aidan. I love you."

When Floaty awoke the next morning she stared out the barred window wide eyed; she was shocked. Her prayers had been answered; she had been given a memory of her mother and was told that she was with Floaty always. Then, she was finally able to learn Spot's real name and admit she loved him. When I get out of here, I'm going to tell Spot how I feel before it's too late.