A/N: Well, By geez! I'm updating (surprise, surprise)! THANK YOU reviewers, you made my crappy day less crappy ^^ (Irish Fury and Ann Valentine, I will definitely include your characters, if your not in this chap don't worry you'll be in the next one =D)

Disclaimer: Yaddi ya.The author's own their own characters, Disney owns newsies, I own myself ect ect.

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The yellow glow from the flame cast a delicate glow on Prairie's face as she tip toed on the scuffed wooden floor. She noticed the small light she had seen from the window before had grown considerably dimmer.

The slight sound of pages flicking caught her attention. She flipped a piece of stringy red hair out of her eyes, looking towards the noise.

Denton sat at a small table in the corner, muttering and pulling books off the shelves.

Prairie let out a sigh of relief. It was only Denton; she had thought for sure it had been the custodian or another authoritive figure she didn't want to get entangled with. Breaking into the old library wouldn't be looked upon with kindness; she didn't want to risk going back to the orphanage.

A tide of memories flooded her mind; she sat against a bookcase, her heart still pounding against her chest. The orphanage. Even the word brought back dreaded memories of older girls sneering and stealing, the stronger girls bullying to get their way. The owner certainly didn't care.

She took a deep breath as her mother's spirited face and jovial ways appeared behind her eyes. She should have never stolen anything from that baker, and then she would still be with her mother. But she didn't want to leave the newsies, they were family now.

"Besides, me muddah would nevah want me back anyway." Prairie thought, banishing any further memories.

She peered at the table where Denton sat, her brow creased.

"'Eya Denton! Didn't know you'se were here." She grinned, smacking her candle onto the table. Denton jumped, nearly yelling in surprise.

"Ahem. uh. hello Prairie, interesting way of meeting. What are you doing here, especially when this place is supposed to be closed?" Denton replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I was wonderin' da same ting, Denton." She smirked. The dim light above washed out the eerie glow of the candle. Her face seemed ghostly.

Denton sighed and showed her the book he had been inspecting. He had been searching for information on Blise, and apparently, found none.

"You do know this means he may not be a real journalist?"

"I s'pected it all along, Dent. I ain't stupid. Ain't nobody in' rested in da newsgoils." Prairie shrugged, casually leaning against the bookcase, her face nonchalant.

"You. know that? Aren't you the least bit worried what he may do?" Denton answered, stunned by her carefree attitude.

Prairie glanced out the window, the stars had faded to a smoggy gold. She turned back to Denton, "No."

She left him in shock as she headed towards the aisle containing fairy tales. She picked up 'Cinderella' and stared thoughtfully at the cover. She smiled faintly, remembering the stories her mother had read to her. Tales of talking animals, friendly witches, evil kings and beautiful princesses.

Denton's shadow cast over Prairie, she looked up.

"What if he makes things worse? What if your all sent to the refuge, or the orphanage? He seems a man of bad character, Prairie."

"It ain't mattah anymore Denton. It jist ain't gonna mattah." She sighed. Picking up the book she slipped back out the window, disappearing as quickly as she had come.

Denton stood in the patch of moonlight, what had she meant by it didn't matter? He slowly turned back to the books, his face askew with confusion.

`*`*`*`*`

"God damned children, stealing the books. Second one this week." The librarian snarled, walking with the seamstress, Agatha.

"They oughta be locked up like the 'ittle rats they are." Agatha pronounced, waving her cane around. By no means did she need the cane, it was said she used it to hit any children she found needing it.

Prairie snickered, watching them complain. The book she had taken last night lay under her pillow back at the lodging house. She turned back to the other girls, lounging around the distribution center.

Weasel tried vainly to shoo them away, with no results. They laughed and threw anything they could find at him. Oscar and Morris looked angrier than a hundred taunted bulls.

"How long ya t'ink dis can last?" Selley asked Diamonds. Diamonds yawned, "Ain't sure, Sells. Could end tomorrah, or keep goin' until we'se starve ta death."

Selley's eyes grew as wide as dinner plates; the prospect of death was horrifying. "Eh, don't worry, we'se gots Denton ta pay for our lunches." Cake laughed.

The day seemed to drag on endlessly. Weasel gave up on them, Denton was nowhere to be found, and the boys had selling to do.

"We oughta see dat Blise about da strike again. He ain't showed up anywhere lately." Lit'l Bit suggested.

"Yeah." Poem agreed, "Maybe he thought of somethin'."

Poem, Cake, Dizzy and Diamonds all agreed to go to Blise's house for any news he had to offer. He lived in the Southwest, a mere 20-minute walk, or 5-minute streetcar ride if they find one to jump.

The streetcar was barely stopped before the four jumped expertly onto the back, hanging onto the rail. Poem laughed as she saw the ticket inspector fuming.

Luderitz Avenue was everything it was made out to be. The tress lined the streets, tall and regal. The houses were expansive, often with pewter or brass ornaments standing at the doors. They looked clean and rich, the grass trimmed to perfection. Even the sky seemed clearer over the roofs.

"145. 145. Dere it is!" Cake exclaimed, pointing to a gray house with ornate shudders.

"Dat's a house? Dat ain't a house! Dat's a. a. castle!" Poem said in disbelief. It's gleaming gates and winding path could have proved that true.

The doorbell chimed a cheery tune; it seemed to suit Blise's personality. A young woman with mousey brown hair and extravagant clothes answered it. She frowned at the girls.

"What do you want?" She said with obvious distaste. She eyed their ragged clothes and caps, her eyes stopping at Diamond's scuffed shoes, "Well?"

"We're. er. here ta see mistah Blise.We have some business wid him." Dizzy explained, looking past the woman into the color-coordinated house.

"With you," The woman scoffed, "Very well. I'll get him. you must be confused though." She wandered off into the rooms, murmuring about orphans.

Blise appeared momentarily, his smile widened as he saw them. Telling the woman to find some tea, he showed the girls into a large navy blue room trimmed neatly with white.

"So ya see, mistah Blise, we'se is needing some help. We jist wanna know if you'se found anyt'ing useful yet." Poem concluded, slurping her tea. The woman looked at her disapprovingly.

"Yes, yes. I realize you will need some reinforcements. I doubt any other papers are covering your strike, "He looked thoughtful, "Perhaps I could take a few pictures tomorrow? Will you be doing anything?"

"We was t'inking about strikin' outside Weasel's office as usual." Dizzy trailed off.

"Excellent! I'm sure the city would be concerned to hear that the newsgirls aren't being treated fairly. It's quite possible that tomorrow, you could change history!" He jumped up, nearly tipping over with enthusiasm.

"T'anks for ya time, Mistah Blise." Cake giggled, leaving with the others.

"Foolish, Jeremy. Utterly stupid idea to be leading them on like that." The woman scorned, picking up the tea tray and empty cups.

"Who said I am leading them on, Martha?" Blise raised his eyebrows at her, and turned quietly back to his study.

`*`*`*`*`*

Pie Eater sat silently next to Diamonds, listening to her talk softly about the strike and Blise.

The park was cast in a golden shadow of the sunset. A few couples lingered together, never wanting to part. The sun was slowly dipping farther down.

Pie watched Diamond's face as she talked, taking it in. He never wanted to forget it. Diamond's turned to him and smiled, she seemed so much younger. The last of the sunlight played on her cheeks.

"An' so I hope we can get t'rough dis." She nearly whispered. Pie looked into her eyes, and leaned closer. Without a moment's notice he kissed her. She looked at him in surprise, but grinned and leaned against him, smiling happily.



---From the demented desk of Derby: *Grabs Pie's ankle and refuses to let go* Oooh, Pie you little Romeo! Hmmm. silly Prairie, acting suspicious. *Eats another Vitamin C candy* Maybe I should stop eating these.I think I'm getting hyper.