Spring, 1896

"How many papes ya got left?" Romeo asked.

Race kicked at the ground, muttering under his breath. "Forty-six. Only sold four so far."

Romeo's heart sank. "I'se only sold three."

Race shrugged, forcing himself to look on things in a positive light for Romeo's sake. "If we at least break even, we'll have enough for tomorra," he said. "And if we sell a few more afta that, we'se can get a lunch ta split. The headline today's a real snoozer, but if we work togethah..."

He trailed off. Romeo was nowhere to be found. "Not again," he groaned. "Romeo!" When there was no answer, he cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled. "ROMEO!" With an irritated sigh, he headed off to find his brother.

Meanwhile, Romeo crept up behind the stranger, tensed to run if he was discovered. He hadn't done this in a few years, but his fingers still remembered the skill. Jack and Race would be furious if they knew he was picking pockets again, but his mind was made up. The bread the nuns had served that morning seemed so long ago. That was when he had last eaten, and he knew it had been longer than that for Race. Besides, Race had spent the past two years assuring him he was safe from the Refuge. He trusted his brother, and he had nothing to fear... right? If he could just nick a few coins they would be set, and everything would be okay.

He was just sliding his hand into the man's jacket pocket when the stranger whirled around and grabbed his wrist. Snyder. Romeo backpedaled quickly, trying to get away, but Snyder held him fast.

"So, you thought you'd come pick my pocket again," he growled. "I'll fix that. Another month in the Refuge'll cool your heels."

"No!" Romeo burst out. "Please, stop! Let me go!" He tried to wrench his wrist from Snyder's grasp, but the man's hold only tightened. A frightened whimper escaped from Romeo as he was dragged away, and he strained against Snyder with all his might, scanning the street for his a familiar face.

"Race!" he shouted desperately. And suddenly Race was there, just out of reach.

"Help me!" Romeo begged. But Race remained where he was, a small frown on his face. "Race!" Romeo pleaded, his voice coming out as a sob. His strength was running out, and he felt himself being dragged backwards. "RACE!"

The shrill sound of a policeman's whistle filled his ears, and the street became blurry as his eyes filled with tears. "Race, I don't know what I did but I'm sorry!" he yelled, hoping Race could hear him. "You'se my brother, please just help me!"

"Romeo!" Race said, shaking his brother awake. The younger boy's limbs were tangled in his blanket from his tossing and turning, and he was covered in a cold sweat. "Rome, wake up, it's me!" Race said.

Romeo's dark eyes flew open, and he sat up so fast Race had to jump backwards out of the way. "Race!" he gasped.

"Hey, slow down," Race said, a note of concern in his voice. Romeo had nightmares, sure, but it had been ages since they had been this bad. "Take a minute and just breathe," he told the younger boy.

Don't think. Just breathe.

"Race, you're here," Romeo managed when he had calmed down. "You'se actually here."

"'Course I'm here," Race said, crouching down beside the bed. "I'm always here. Heaven knows you'se never gonna get rid a' me."

Romeo nodded, breathing in a sigh of relief. "I know," he said. "I know."

"What'd ya dream about this time?" Race asked. "Same old, same old?"

Silently, Romeo shook his head no.

"Was it about Jack bein' gone again?"

Another head shake.

"Ya folks?" Romeo had been known to dream about them on occasion. Mainly when he was feeling guilty, even though Race had assured him none of it was his fault.

"No," Romeo said, staring at the floor. He was ashamed of the real reason. He felt like he was betraying his brother, even though it was just a dream.

Lucky for him, Race sensed his change of mood and stood up. "I know a place where we can talk," he said.

"Why are we in an alley?" Romeo asked.

"'Cause," Race said, leading the way and carrying a blanket. "Don't worry, it's safe."

Romeo raised an eyebrow. "A safe alley?"

"Yeah," Race said.

"A safe alley in New Yawk at night," Romeo repeated, deadpan.

Race grinned, glancing back over his shoulder. It was nice to hear Romeo make a joke. "You'se been spendin' too much time with Crutchie," he said. "You'se thinkin' ya can sass me all of a sudden."

Snugging his arms around his torso against the light breeze, Romeo grinned back.

"Anyway, we ain't stayin' in the alley," Race said, grabbing the fire escape ladder.

"Race," Romeo complained. The last thing he wanted to do was scale the side of the Lodge House at night.

"Shut up and just climb," Race said, his head appearing from somewhere above.

With a sigh bigger than you'd expect from someone his size, Romeo reached for the ladder and started up.

Race was settled in on the first platform of the fire escape. "Anythin' higher than this counts as the roof and belongs to Jack and Crutchie," he said with a goofy grin. "We coulda just stepped outta the bunk room window, but where's the fun in that?"

Romeo groaned. "Race, ya bummah," he complained, sitting down beside him.

"Here." Race arranged the blanket so it was wrapped around both of them, preventing the chill from seeping through the brick wall at their backs. "Now, what'd ya dream about? Somethin' ya don't wanna tell me, I know."

Romeo fell silent again, staring at his lap.

"Aw, c'mon, Rome," Race coaxed. "Ya can tell me anythin'. You'se told me 'bout the Refuge, 'bout Snyder, 'bout ya ma..."

"This is different!" Romeo burst out. "I dreamed... I dreamed about you, Race. I was gettin' dragged off ta the Refuge by... by him, and ya just stood there and watched. Ya didn't help me or nothin'."

For once, the Italian boy was speechless. "Start from the beginnin', Rome," he said finally. "Tell me what happened."

Romeo was quiet for a few moments, struggling to find the right words. "It was one of those days," he said. "Y'know- a bad sellin' day and a hungry day, all rolled into one. I knew you and Jack would be mad, but I decided ta pick someone's pocket. I usta be real good at it, y'know. But it turned out ta be Snyder again. He grabbed me and he was startin' ta drag me away, and I was screamin' for help. Ya saw me, and ya didn't do nothin'. And Snyder was pullin' me off somewhere, and I heard the police whistles, and ya just stood there..."

He trailed off as his vision blurred with tears.

"Hey," Race said gently. He lifted Romeo's chin with one hand, using the other to wipe away his tears. "We'se is brothers, remember? Brothers don't do stuff like that. I don't know what the Race in ya dream was thinkin', but he's a big-"

"Watch it, Race," Romeo said, smiling in spite of himself. "Don't say anythin' Jack would soak ya for. I get what you'se sayin'."

"No, ya don't!" Race said earnestly. "I'll always be around ta help ya, Rome. No matter what. I'll always have your back. That's what big brothers are for."

"And I'll always have yours," Romeo said, snuggling into Race's side. "'Cause that's what little brothers are for."

The two of them stayed like that for some time, Romeo dozing off on his brother's chest with Race's arm tucked around him. Finally, Race glanced up at the sky, measuring the time. "Let's get back inside," he said, getting to his feet and lifting Romeo into his arms, blanket and all. "I don't know about you, but I don't wanna spend all night on this fire escape."

Romeo, half-asleep, didn't answer. Not until he felt his brother start to move, that is. "Can we go in the window this time?" he asked sleepily.

Race grinned. "Sure, kid," he said. "Whatevah ya want."

(A/N): Hey y'all! This chapter was inspired by a request from DelanceyTrashcan about Romeo having another run in with Snyder. It's probably not what you had in mind, and I know you made your request awhile ago, but I hope you enjoyed the chapter. :) Special shoutout to SomedayonBroadway for reviewing every chapter I write, making requests, and just generally being awesome. You should go check out her stories because, like I said, she's pretty awesome.

That said, I love getting reviews and requests! It's really encouraging as a writer to know that someone is reading (and enjoying!) my stories, and I'm running a bit low on requests at the moment. I don't want to run out of writing material for y'all. :) I'm open to anything, really- requests for this story, or any other Newsies story/oneshot you want me to write.

I'm pretty excited about this story at the moment, because I've finally picked a direction I want to take it in after the strike. (I remember you mentioned that in a review, Marcelle. Now I know what I'm going to do, and I think it'll be pretty fun.)

Love you all, and remember to read, review, favorite, follow, and keep carryin' the banner!

-Peggs