Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Leslie.

Leslie woke up to the feeling of something on her forehead. Opening her eyes, she saw the familiar brown eyes she'd grown to adore. "Hey," she whispered. Racetrack shook his head, stroking her hair.

"Mush told me," Racetrack said.

Groaning and sitting up, removing Racetrack's hand from her head, she explained, "Look... I got curious. It won't happen again."

"You coulda ended up in the refuge, Lez," Racetrack shook his head, "What were ya thinkin'?" She noticed his hat on his bed, drenched from rain.

Leslie muttered, "I wasn't really thinking..."

"I knows," Racetrack said. "Listen, I only get dis way because if anythin' happens to you, it would suck. I'm not a romantic, I'm not gonna get down on my knees and go 'OH MY DAHLIN' LESLIE, WON'T YOU STAY 'ERE WITH ME FOREVAH?' I ain't gonna do dat."

Nodding, Leslie replied, "I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't."

"But what I will do is look you in da eye and say," Racetrack paused, staring at Leslie with intense eyes, "Don't you evah scare me like dat again." Leslie looked away bashfully. Racetrack leaned over and embraced her. He said, "I know you was curious and all, but it's dangerous out dere if you don't know the rules." As they leaned back, Leslie smiled gently at him.

She whispered, "I'm sorry, Race." Leaning over, she gently kissed his lips. When she stared at him and noticed his blush, she giggled. "And I don't care what you say, you are so a romantic. It's in your Italian genes."

"Ey. Just 'cause I'm Italian doesn't mean-," another kiss. "Okay, I get it."

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(AUTHOR'S NOTE: I just noticed that it's going to be weird changing from RLRLRLR to the next couple's initials in my new fanfics... hmm..)

It was two weeks later that the newsies were finally allowed to stray from a mile radius of the lodging house and continue on their normal schedules. However, Racetrack was still not allowed to leave Leslie's side- by the order of Jack. So, the two walked down the streets of New York, making their way through the selling day. It was only about four when the two finally sold all of their papers. Racetrack sighed and collected the money for his last newspaper. Leslie watched as he stuffed it in his pocket and turned to her with a grin.

"So," he smiled.

Leslie raised an eyebrow, but smiled nonetheless, "So... hi?" Racetrack chuckled and took Leslie's hand, walking down the street. "Where are we going?" Leslie asked after a few moments of walking.

"Central Park," Racetrack replied.

Smiling widely, Leslie exclaimed, "Wait, really?!"

"Yeah," Racetrack nodded. He turned to her and asked, "Why? You nevah been-," he paused in realization. Then he added, "Oh."

Leslie giggled and shrugged, "It's fine! Let's go!" She began to run, a wide smile stretched across her face. The two newsies arrived at the park, hand in hand, and began walking down the street, panting.

"Wow," Racetrack said once he caught his breath, "You run fast, Lez. Where you a runnah?"

Lesile shook her head and replied, "Never left the orphanage, remember?"

"Oh, right," Racetrack nodded. Leslie smiled towards him and they walked down a path with trees on both sides, that had buds of new flowers beginning to bloom. Racetrack pointed to a lake with many boats and people surrounding it. "Look at awll dose boats," he said. Leslie looked over and giggled. Racetrack then chuckled, "Follow me. I wanna show youse somethin'."

Racetrack led Leslie down various paths, up a large rock with a view of Manhattan's skyline. The two sat down, awaiting the beauty. Leslie watched with awe as the sun began to set, creating a rainbow of reds, oranges, and purples that illuminated the horizon. "Wow," Leslie whispered, "This is even better than the racetrack."

"Right?" Racetrack smiled. Leslie watched as Racetrack turned to her, hesitantly moving closer. "Leslie, I wanted to tawk to youse about somethin'."

Leslie raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Evah since that incident two weeks ago... well... it made me think about tings."

"What things?"

Racetrack took Leslie's hands and said, "Lez, this is gonna sounds to crazy to youse. I've known you for a good three weeks now... Almost a month. I've learned so much about youse... How smart you are, independent you are and how absolutely beautiful you are." Leslie smiled as Racetrack sighed. "And... Uh." Leslie noticed Racetrack look away, unable to finish what he was saying.

"Hey," Leslie whispered, holding his hands tighter. "You can tell me, Race."

Blushing, Racetrack continued, "I guess dat relationships in 2009 are a bit different den 1903." He turned to look at her. "'ere, we usually don't spend too much time dating... Once youse find a goil, you grab 'er." Leslie nodded, still confused. "Well, I'm not gonna do dat to youse, Leslie. I mean, we're only sixteen... I just want an answer to a question."

"What question, Race?" Leslie asked. Suddenly, it hit her. Her eyes went wide and she stared at the boy in front of her.

Racetrack continued anyway, shaking with nerves. "When da time comes,- six months from now or seven yeahs from now-, if I asked youse to marry me... would youse say yes?"

Leslie's expression was unreadable as she searched her head for an answer. A moment went by and she turned back to the quivering newsie in front of her. "I- I think I'd say ye-,"

"HEY!" A voice interrupted her answer. "Did I not tell you that if I found you again you'd be sent to the refuge!?" Leslie gasped when she recognized the man yelling towards them. The policeman uniform and angry eyes could not deny her claim as Leslie saw him begin to stomp over.

Standing up and grabbing Racetrack, she yelled, "We have to go! RACETRACK, RUN!" The two began running, hearts pounding with fright.

I know, abrupt ending to a chapter... but I wanted to post this ASAP.

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