Yea, we're past 30 reviews! (If I come across as greedy I'm sorry)but I want more than this! Anyone and Everybody, review, like, comment, favorite, do it multiple times if you must! WE WILL BEAT 40 REVIEWS! Seize the Moment (or Day if you prefer) and tell me you like it, I beg you!

Ok, now that's I'm done ranting, let's go-

Irving Hall, Manhattan 1899

"Mia, is that you?"

Mafia snapped her head around to see a beautiful lady in flowing purple skirts trudging down the red-carpeted isle of the theatre towards her, trying to get to her faster but tripping over her dress every time she tried. It was Medda Larkson, more commonly known as the Swedish Meadowlark, the owner of the theatre as well as Mafia's old mentor. The woman had taken her on as a student years ago and turned her natural ability to dance into a real show-stopper, something that only select few (aka, the Manhattan newsies) really knew about. Not a soul in Brooklyn minus her own gang knew that Mafia would sneak out on Friday nights and perform, not even Crypt.

"Medda!" the girl cried out, racing towards the actress to spare her the energy of walking all towards the back of the hall to see her. Medda quickly wrapped her protégée in a tight embrace, refusing to let go until Mafia tapped her on the shoulder. Stepping back, she quickly surveyed her. "Oh my goodness, you've grown so tall!" she gasped, grinning pleasantly. "So slender, and look at those legs of yours! Give you a year or two and you'll have men fawning over you, so gorgeous! I knew you'd be gone a while, considering your position, but I never realized it'd be this long or you'd change so much!"

The street girl blushed and looked at her feet humbly. "Isa ain't nothin' ta look at Medda, honestly-"

"Nonsense!" Medda interjected, waving her comment off. "You look like a true actress! Where are the rest of your ladies, certainly they didn't ditch you?" Mafia shook her head. "Naw, deys still 'round. Dere gonna be here late, I'll tell youse wanna see em'." "Perfect dearie!" Medda gushed. "Now, I had an idea-"

"Wait, watt did youse say?" Spot appeared out of nowhere, although Mafia realized that David, Jack and him must've been at the stage with Medda rehearsing before she'd shown up. The King was now at Mafia's side in an instant, looking at Medda curiously. "Youse knew da giorls left Brooklyn a year ago?"

"Of course I did Mr. Conlon!" Medda replied, chuckling as though it was nothing serious. "Mia had to tell me she was going to be gone a while so that I wouldn't worry. I lost my best performer, after all!" Spot then turned to Mafia, who was thoroughly embarrassed. "Performer? Mia? Maf, youse wanna tell me something?"

But she didn't have to. Jack was already talking for his friend, as to save her further self-humiliation. "Youse kiddin' Spot? Mafia's a star- at least 'round she is, Isa dunno if she told anyone if Brooklyn where she went every Friday aft' sellin' papes. Her stage name's Mia Antoine, Queen 'o' New York, an' boy is she! Has youse eva seen her dance? It's like nothin' youse eva seen, she's amazin'-" Jack rattled on a bit more before he caught Mafia's glare. "-But, um, yeah, she's pretty good."

Spot raised his eyebrow mischievously as he looked Mafia up and down, grinning like he was impressed. "Is she now? Isa just might have ta see dis." Mafia groaned, rolling her eyes and rubbing her temples exasperatedly. "So, watt's da word as far as da speech goes, Medda?" she asked abruptly, trying to change the subject.

It worked. Medda lit up again as she turned towards the stage, elegantly waving her hand towards it for dramatic effect. If there were two things Mafia could do, it was fight and act. She knew most of Medda's secrets that kept the boys entertained, and her 'dramatic pauses' as she called them were just a few. "Well then, that's an excellent question!" She looked at the boys, evidently disappointed. "What exactly are we doing?" Mafia tried to stifle a laugh while the three strike leader turned red and avoided eye contact. They obviously hadn't been rehearsing like Mafia had thought.

"I got an idea," David offered. "Why don't we all get up there; Jack talks the most about the strike, because he's the leader and Spot stands up there for the support, because without him no one's going to want to join up with us. If they know he's with us, then they're on board too."

"An' where is youse, may Isa ask?" Spot questioned grumpily. "Backin' out on us already, Walkin' Mouth?" Mafia shoved him in the side. "Aw play nice Conlon, he ain't getting' away with puttin' youse two up dere without him up dere too," she pointed out. "Davey, youse gonna be on da other side 'o' Jack, helpin' im' out. Youse da brains behind dis; make sure deys know it."

David bit his lip, reluctantly nodding in agreement. "Alright, then you're up there with us. You're one of the leaders after all; make sure everyone else realizes it."

Mafia didn't like the boy turned her mouth back onto her, but fortunately she was saved before she soaked the living daylights out of him. "Actually dear, Mia isn't going to be able to join you three," Medda suddenly informed the boys. All four newsies stared at the Swedish Meadowlark in shock.

"She ain't?" Jack repeated quizzically.

"She's not?" David's jaw dropped open.

""O' course she is, watt is youse talkin' 'bout!" Spot objected.

"I'm not!" Mafia's voice sighed in relief.

"She isn't," Medda repeated. "Mia is going to be performing the opening cat before you three come on, just so everyone's attention is already onstage." "I am?" Mafia asked, suddenly panicked. "But Isa can't be, Isa haven't performed in ova a year!" Medda just laughed and wrapped her arm across her protégée's shoulders in a motherly fashion. "You'll be fine dearie, you always did well in front of Manhattan, and you didn't have time to practice before the show except on Friday afternoons!"

Mafia sighed. "But Medda-"

"No no, no 'buts'' about it!" Medda insisted, taking hold Jack and David's shoulder and leading them backstage. "You're going to be a star dearie, and you're performing tonight! Now then, I have to do get these two procrastinators to work, but you're free to go until an hour before guests start arriving, you hear? I'll need you in the dressing room for costume and make-up, so don't be late!"

The girl nodded silently and watched Medda go, only turning away when Spot was suddenly beside her side. "Well den, it's been quite da day!" he smirked at her. "All 'o' youse secrets are comin' ta light now, ain't dey Mafia?" "Don't get used ta it Conlon," Mafia muttered, walking off towards the balcony, her favorite pre-show hang-out. "Aft' all dis is ova youse ain't gonna be hearin' any more 'o' em'."

Spot meanwhile had followed her up the stairs and sat down next to her, propping his feet up on the railing like he owned the place. "Don't youse have ta go ova dat speech 'o' yours with dem other two?" Mafia asked grouchily. Spot shrugged, clearly not catching his cue to leave. "Why listen ta something youse ain't gonna be commentin' on?" he replied simply. "But enough 'bout me; when was youse gonna tell da rest 'o' us youse danced at Medda's?" Mafia punched the King playfully in the arm, trying her best to look disgruntled. "Ah, let's see- hmm- oh yeah- how 'bout NEVER!" she chuckled. "Watt da youse think Isa am, an open book? Everyone has secrets, an' Isa have mine, simple as dat."

"How many is Isa exactly gonna see once dis is all ova?" Spot joked. Mafia groaned. "Hopefully no more den dese."

Manhattan LH, 1899

"No, Les, she's can't sleep over at our house tonight!"

"But why?" the little boy whined, looked up pitifully at his older brother. "You let Henry come, and Daniel, even James! And what about Mandy, she comes over too! What about her?"

David sighed, running his hands through the back of his curly brown hair. Les didn't understand the circumstances revolving his new friend just yet, and here he was trying to explain them to him. "Amanda's our cousin," David told his brother for the millionth time. "She's family; Daisy, Les, she may be your friend but it wouldn't be proper. What would Mom and Dad think?"

Les stamped his foot in frustration, glancing at Daisy exasperatedly like can you believe this guy before looking p at his older brother once more. "They would think that I was being kind and think that Daisy is a nice person," he stated proudly, puffing up his chest. "What's so bad about that?"

The middle Jacobs child groaned, putting his hands on his hips and staring down at Les sternly, trying not to lose his temper. "Alright now, let me hear this again; which one of you's idea was this?"

"Mine," Les told David, looking back at Daisy for support. The tiny newsgirl was nodding solemnly. "It's true; he brought it up."

The boy pondered this, contemplating how he could break the news delicately to Les. Finally he decided there was no other way to put it nicely. "Les, Daisy can't sleep over at our house because Daisy's a girl," the older boy explained. "Do you know how scandalous that would be?"

"How scandalous what would be?"

All there newsies whirled around to see a pretty brunette standing in the doorway. She had slender shoulder and the lithe figure, but the way she carried herself implied that she was a hard worker and someone to be respected. It was Sarah Jacobs herself, David and Les's older sister (and ever since they'd gone on strike the official breadwinner of the family).

Sarah took one look at Les's distraught face and immediately crossed over to his side of the room, picked him up and allowed him to bury his face in her shirt, hiding his tears. "Davey, what did you do now?" she turned to her other sibling, glaring at him. "What did you say as so scandalous that our Les, who's only a nine year old, would be so upset about?"

The younger Jacobs boy mumbled something unintelligible into Sarah's shoulder, but apparently the girl understood it fine, as she continued to glare at David. "Of course Daisy can come over and spend the night, Les. David, why did you tell him he couldn't, he's had his little friends over before!"

"Because-"

"And who is this Daisy anyways," Sarah cut him off "another newsie?"

"Here I am!" Daisy shouted, hopping up and down, eager to get Sarah's attention. The oldest Jacobs pivoted around, Les still in her arms, to see a tiny blonde girl, barely nine, staring up at her. "An' Mouth said dat Isa couldn't come 'cause Isa a giorl!" Sarah gasped and quickly set Les onto a couch to lean over and get at Daisy's eye level. "Why, aren't you the cutest little thing I've ever seen shuffling papers!" she exclaimed, ruffling Daisy's hair affectionately. "You must be Daisy."

"Yep!" the little newsgirl told her happily. "Can Isa stay ova at Les's house?"

Before David could refuse again Sarah quickly said "Yes, why not dear? I think you and my little brother are going to have fun!" She looked over at David. "Of course, we're going to have to ask our parents, but I don't see a problem with it." She glared pointedly at him. David groaned and pulled his sister off to the side. "Sarah, she's a girl!" he interjected, motioning towards the two littler ones off to the left. Who were busy celebrating their victory thanks to the heroine Sarah Jacobs. "Can't you see that the neighbors would talk if we did that?"

"Oh Davey," Sarah sighed, patting him to the shoulder lovingly. "You sound like one of those snotty girls I had to put up this at school, always worrying about what others think. So what? I assure you Les and Daisy don't think the way that we would; they're not that mature yet! They just want to be friends, and that's what we'll allow for now. I'm sure Mom and Dad wouldn't mind, they're only kids. Ok?"

The boy grumbled, but in the end he gave in. "Fine, I'll allow it. But on a happier note, what are you even doing here? Wasn't Jack supposed to pick you up?"

"He did," a deeper, more pleasant voice said. It was Jack, who'd just walked into the room. "He just had ta get something real quick." The strike leader wrapped his arm around Sarah's shoulders, looking at David pointedly, much like Sarah had done earlier. "By da way Dave, someone tagged along here with us. Said something 'bout youse sendin' her ova ta youse place ta find Sarah an' ask for a dress. Youse know anything 'bout dat?"

"Cloud!" David exclaimed, suddenly nervous. "Yeah, I sent her over to find Sarah an' ask for something to wear for the rally later. Where is she?"

"Over in the hallway David," Sarah smiled, enjoying her brother's moment of shock. "She's really nice, I like her. You'd better take good care of this girl, you hear me?"

"Now you sound like Mom," David muttered, but he didn't really mean anything harmful by it. He was too busy staring at his date, who had just walked in wearing a snow white dress with lace and was blushing furiously. "Whoa, Cloud," David gasped. "You-look- well, uh- you look great!"

Cloud looked over nervously at her new friend Sarah, who nodded reassuringly. "You really think so?"

David crossed over to her and offered her his arm. "I know so? You ready to go?" Cloud nodded. "Sure? You guys ready?" Jack and Sarah grinned and went out the door first. "So Jack," Sarah was saying. "Who're all the people I'm going to meet at this rally?" Jack laughed as they made their way down the Lodging House stairs. "Oh, dere's gonna be lots 'o' people," he chuckled nervously. "Youse gonna meet most 'o' da newsboys dat Davey, Les an' Isa sell with, but youse also gonna meet dere giorls. Would youse believe dat every giorls dat Cloud runs with hooked up with one 'o' da guys from 'Hattan?"

"No, don't think I would."

"Me neither! Phantom, the gang's second, she's with Racetrack, me own second in command. Deys watt we cal da gambling couple, since deys both go ova ta Sheepsted Track. Dere's Cloud, who ya already met, an' den dere's da twins Witch an' Lucky, two red headed trouble makers if youse eva saw some! Deys datin' Mush an' Kid Blink. Dem two newsboys is from 'Hattan, an' two best friends ta boot! Let's see, da last giorl's mafia Powell, dere leader, but she ain't with no body yet. Oh, Isa gotta tell youse 'bout Mafia! We've known each other forever, right when we broke outta da Refuge together. Right piece 'o' work'; tough as nails (though Isa guess youse gotta be if ya from Brooklyn), a real street rat, one 'o' da best people Isa know-"

"Oh is she?" Sarah replied slowly, glancing t Jack warily, but the last part of her sentence was missed as the couple went out of ear shot. Cloud glanced at her date nervously. "Do youse think Sarah's gonna be ok with dat?' she asked. "Jack bein' old friends with Mafia an' all."

"She'll be fine," David assured her. "Mafia and Jack never was an item, never will be since they've already stated they aren't each other's type and agreed, so Sarah will probably say something to her once they meet, but once Mafia explains that they're just friends I think they'll get along alright after that."

"That's good," Cloud breathed a sigh of relief. "I'd hate to think I'd be friends with two enemies!"

Irving Hall, Manhattan, 1899

Mafia was startled away by the sound of yelling and laughter. She took a quick glance at her surrounding; she was backstage, sitting in a spare chair, the place she had migrated to after the balcony view had gotten boring. Snoozing next to her down on the floor with his back resting against the wall was a clearly exhausted Spot, whom actually appeared quite peaceful when he was sleeping, much to Mafia's surprise.

Quietly getting up and slipping out of the west theatre wing, Mafia braved a peek from out behind the red curtains. To her delight she saw almost all the New York newsboy boroughs had arrived at the rally; Coney Island was just arriving, the Bronx hung out near the bar off to the side, and black-clad Queens was sitting in the back (the street girl could see their leader, the Queen of Queens, talking in hushed tones towards a scarred- up boy that looked like her second. Mafia shrugged; Queen had always been a secretive and dangerous bunch).

Even China Town had bothered to show up. Mafia grinned as she spotted Witch, Mush, Lucky and Blink talking with Ping and Swifty, a Manhattan newsie who was related to the China Town leader. Sliding the curtain shut again and praying no one had seen her, Mafia tip-toed back towards the west wing to wake Spot and get into her costume (personally tailored by Medda). It was to her great surprise when she approached the King and made him out to be sleep-talking!

Mafia held her tongue to try and keep it from bursting forth with laughter and bent over near his face to hear what he was saying. But as early as her laughter had rumbled in her stomach it died, just as soon as she realized what he was saying;

"Maf-"Spot mumbled, tossing and turning like he was in the midst of a nightmare. "No- don't- please, stop!- don't- hurt – Mafia-" The blonde flashed back to her discovery of Spot's sketch of her and unconsciously touched her back pocket, where the item could be found. She felt the blood rushed out of her face and almost punched the King, but Mafia pushed her anger aside long enough to shake him away. "Hey, hey Conlon!" Mafia hissed, smacking him on the back of the head. "Youse gotta get outta here! Show's gonna start in a few an' youse boys is here!"

Spot's icy blue eyes snapped open and he jumped to his feet suddenly, barely even awake. "Maf- wait, what?"

"Youse fell asleep," Mafia muttered, not making eye contact with him. She couldn't, not after this. And to think they'd gotten along perfectly fine just hours ago- "Now get movin', Isa gotta show ta do!"

"Isa had da weirdest dream," Spot murmured, evidently not hearing a word Mafia had said, which irked her. He stared over at her with wide eyes. "Youse were dere. Isa was in a room, no light, no nothin'. Ya voice kept ringing out, screamin', but it came from everywhere…"

"Yeah yeah, Isa was in ya dream," Mafia rushed, not eager to listen to the boy. She steered the half-awake King over towards the EXIT STAGE door and pushed him through. "Now go find Cowboy an' David, show's gonna start, like Isa said a million times-"

"Ya did?"

Mafia groaned and slammed and door in his face, then hurried towards Medda's dressing room. She arrived there without a minute to spare. "Hey Medda, Isa here!" she called, squinting her eyes into the pink room. In a swirl of pink and purple glory her teacher rushed over and pushed her down into a chair, facing her into the cracked mirror. "I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show!" Medda chuckled, taking a brush to Mafia's pixie cut (not that she needed it) to puff it up. "Those newsies are going to love you! Especially Mr. Conlon."

Mafia froze and stared at Medda strangely. "Where'd youse come up with dat?" she asked suspiciously. Medda laughed as she added pink lipstick to Mafia's full lips. "It's not too hard to figure out dearie," she said. "Plus Jack said something during rehearsal. Did you know has a girlfriend?"

"Yeah, David's sister Sarah," Mafia agreed. "Real nice from watt Isa heard. But dat ain't da point; Isa don't like im' an' Isa nova will,. By da looks 'o' things." Medda raised a single eyebrow, curiosity glittering in her green eyes. "Oh really? This coming from the girl who just a year ago confessed that she had a crush on the King of Brooklyn!"

Mafia turned pink but rolled her eyes. "Dat was ages ago Medda," she sighed. "Plus Isa just found out-"

"Found out what dear?" Medda asked, impatient to hear the detail. She then realized upon Mafia's silence that she'd interrupted and silenced her rambling. "Sorry Mia, please go on."

Mafia exhaled a held-in breath. "Witch an' Lucky found a portrait 'o' me in Spot's back pocket," she informed her mentor. "He had a Brooklynite named Sketch draw it, an' it's real good too, with all me features an' details just right, it's beautiful- but dat ain't dat point- how am Isa supposed ta deal with something like dat? I've nova had dis happen before; much less with someone Isa cared deeply 'bout, an' now dat it has Isa dunno how ta respond ta it!" The girl was up and pacing furiously now, up and out of her chair like she was ready to bolt at any given moment.

"Crypt's tryin' ta get at me, Medda, me!" Mafia sobbed dryly. "An' he's gonna kill everyone Isa care 'bout ta do it! Isa can't have feelings right now; it'll place everyone in danger. It'll be my fault dere dead if Isa get any more people involved- oh gosh he's probably out dere right now plotting ta get at one 'o' da giorls- Isa have ta keep em' safe!"

Medda saw that Mafia was barely keeping herself together and quickly sat her back down, trying to cool her tension off. "Mia, you're going to be fine," Medda told the distressed girl, rubbing her gently on the arm. "I get that you're trying to keep your gang and friends safe; really, I do. You've been keeping them alive singlehandedly for the past year for crying out loud, you feel responsible if they get hurt! You trained yourself long ago, even before you came to Brooklyn, to keep yourself emotionally detached from the ones you are attracted to, mainly so you don't have to worry about someone using them against you or hurting the ones you love. It's noble Mia, it's honorable and so very hard, I don't know how you've managed from these past few years along with the abuse and neglect, but you've got to stop! You have to be human again Mia, do you understand me?"

The dancer looked up at her mentor sorrowfully. "Isa don't even remember watt ta be human feels like Medda," she whispered softly. "It's that bad."

The Vaudeville singer bit her lip as she pulled the girl into a hug. "You'll know when it comes around Mia," she promised. "You'll remember." Then she looked the girl in the eyes and grinned. "Now go get dressed; those newsies aren't going to wait forever!"

I'm so so so so so so so sorry this chapter's late, I really am. But winter exams' are really a pain in my neck, and on top of them Christmas. I'm trying to update as fast as I can before the holidays kick in and I go on vacation, but if this is it MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me! (December 23) Wish me luck and maybe I'll update before Christmas Eve!

Merry CHRISTmas,

-rellimmes