The newsies sat in Tibby's, Margaret's eyes were sore and puffy and her head throbbed. David for his part was trying to keep the others quiet, which was easier, said than done. Just then Denton arrived, they greeted him quietly.
"Why didn't the Sun print the story?" David asked,
"Because it never happened." Denton sighed,
"What do you mean it never happened? You were there!" Racetrack demanded,
"You wrote it!" Blink added,
"It's not in the papers, it never happened. The owners decreed it not be in the papers, therefore... I came to tell you fellas good bye." Denton sighed, Margaret gasped,
"What happened? Did you get fired or something?" David asked,
"No, I got reassigned back to my old job as the Sun's ace war correspondent. They want me to leave right away. The owner thinks I should only cover the really important stories. Wish me luck fellas. At least half of what I wish for you." Denton said, Margaret noticed David had drifted off to the side. The news was killing him. Denton turned back to David and said, "They don't always fire you, David. I would be black balled from every paper in the country. I'm a newspaperman. I have to have a paper to write for. This is the story I wrote about the rally. I want you to read it at least." The waiter appeared and Denton handed him some money. "This should cover it" Denton paid and left. There was a beat of silence, quietly Margaret went to David and gently touched his arm.
"David," she said softly, David turned to her, he was hurt and she knew he'd need her. But right now the wound was still fresh. David crumpled the story up and threw it on a table angrily.
"We get Jack out of the Refuge tonight. From now on, we trust no one but the newsies." David announced, the newsies got up and leave, and David pulled Margaret aside.
"Why don't you stop by the lodging house and grab your things, come stay with us tonight?" David said,
"David, I'll be fine, I'm a big girl I can take care of myself." Margaret said gently,
"I know." David said, "I'd just feel better if I knew you were safe tonight." Margaret smiled at him touched,
"All right," Margaret said at last. "I'll be there around six," David smiled and nodded.
"Six it is, Les come on!" David said as Margaret left the diner to go pack.
That night Margaret arrived at the Jacobs' apartment with a small rucksack of her belongings. When she knocked on the door, Mrs. Jacobs answered,
"Margaret Rose, it's nice to see you again." Mrs. Jacobs smiled, Margaret tried to smile back but her head was throbbing.
"Thank you for 'avin' me Mrs. Jacobs," Margaret managed. Mrs. Jacobs smiled and ushered her in, David stood when Margaret arrived, while Les and Sarah remained curled up on the floor.
"You made it here ok?" David asked, he looked so relieved to see her that Margaret had to smile despite the pain in her head.
"I'm 'ere aren't I?" David smiled brilliantly and moved to stand next to Margaret,
"How's the head?" He asked, Margaret was going to lie, David had way too much to worry about to night to worry about her. But as she opened her mouth a sharp pain shot through her head. Margaret moaned in pain and grabbed her head. "Margaret?" David asked concern filling his voice, Margaret quickly waved him off.
"I'm fine. I'm fine! I just need some fresh air!" Margaret said,
"Here, let me help you outside." David quickly helped her out onto the fire escape. After a few deep breaths the pain eased to a dull throbbing. "Margaret, I don't have to go rescue Jack tonight. I'm sure Blink and the boys have it-"
"Shut up, David you'se gonna go get Jack outta there!" Margaret snapped. "'Sides, the boys need ya,"
"If you're hurt I don't want to leave you alone, Jack would kill me!" David insisted.
"David, I'll kill ya if ya don't go and save Jack!" Margaret replied David looked unsure.
"How bad does it hurt? On a scale from one to ten." Margaret sighed, she was about to lie again but another sharp pain ripped through her skull.
"Ten" she whimpered pitifully, Margaret squeezed her eyes tightly, it felt like something was trying to claw it's way out of her brain. "David, go I'll be fine. I got Sarah and yer mudder 'ere to take care of me." Margaret insisted,
"All right." David said reluctantly, "Why don't you come in and rest?" Margaret allowed herself to be led to the giant bed the Jacobs siblings shared; she lay down and closed her eyes.
When Margaret woke up, it was dark and her head ached. Worse yet she was going to be sick. Desperately, Margaret stumbled out of bed and ran out to the fire escape. The air was sticky and warm; gripping the railing Margaret took several deep breaths. The pain in her head was excruciating and her stomach rolled. When no one came out to check on her Margaret figured the Jacobs were asleep and David and Les had left to go save Jack. Margaret retched for a few minutes before practically collapsing. Maybe she shouldn't have sent David away after all. Finally Margaret found her strength and stumbled down to the streets below. It would only be a brief walk, just to clear her head. The city for once was quiet, and it was kind of nice. And eerie at the same time, Margaret was walking past a dark alley when two goons grabbed her. Margaret tried to scream and fight them off, but they were too strong for her. The goons shoved her into a dark coach, Margaret's eyes quickly adapted to the darkness she was not alone in the coach. There was someone else inside sitting quietly,
"Who's there?" Margaret demanded frightened.
"Margaret Rose?" Margaret gasped shocked,
"Jack?"
TADA! REVIEW!
