Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own any of the original Newsies characters. I do own Chris.

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The walk back to the Lodging House was silent. Questions flooded Chris' mind, but she kept her mouth shut not wanting to anger the newsies any more than they seemed to be already. Sarah was waiting for Chris when they got back and the two went to Chris' room as the boys went upstairs.

What happened? Sarah asked, puzzled by the boys' sullen behavior.

was all Chris said.

Sarah nodded. She already knew Chris' story as well as the past problems the boys had had with Miller (problems Chris had yet to learn).
Chris proceeded to tell Sarah the story. Sarah just listened and nodded.

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Jack poked his head through her door about an hour later, We'se need ya upstairs now. His voice held the commanding air that she knew must have aided him in the strike. Chris and Sarah followed Jack up to the bunkroom. As they entered the room all discussion stopped and the boys turned to face their leader and the strange new girl.

I don' believe you'se bee intraduced ta all da boiys, Chris, Jack began, Ya know Blink, the boy with the patch nodded slightly from across the room, Den we have Mush, Race, Crutchy, Specs, Dutchy... Chris tried ta keep up, but found it hard to learn all of the strange names, An' dis here is da infamous Spot Conlon, leadah of da Brooklyn newsies.

Spot smiled suavely at Chris and she ducked her head. He strode over, took her hand, and kissed it lightly, A pleasure, me dear. Chris felt her face blush a million different shades of red.

Jack said, Latah. Now, Chris, you'se pro'ly wonderin' what all da fuss is wit dis Miller guy? She nodded and Jack continued, He's dah leadah of the Staten Island newsies, Chris thought she could see Blink flinch at the mention of the borough, but she wasn't sure. Jack was saying, He ain't too fond of us boiys in Manhattan and Brooklyn-

An' we ain't too fond of him neither. We'se got too much powah for his likin', Spot interjected.

Usually he just stays ovah on Staten, but lately he's been causin' trouble in some of the othah boroughs, namely Harlem and the Bronx. He ain't gone into Brooklyn yet-

Ha, I ain't surprised, Spot interrupted again.

Jack glanced at his friend and then continued, As I was sayin': He ain't been ta Brooklyn yet, and his first ta Manhattan came the othah night, Chris glanced down sheepishly, We'se not suah what he's planning, but we know it ain't good. Spot, what have ya little boidies been hearin'?

Spot stepped forward proudly, Deh tell me dat Miller's been makin' alliances wit some othah boroughs dat we ain't too friendly wit: Coney Island and Midtown.

Jack thought about this for a moment, Alright, dis is how it is: we'se obviously know dat Miller's plannin' some sort of trouble for us. We ain't suah when and we ain't suah how, but I'se not takin' any chances. From now on no one goes out alone. Try and stick ta large groups. We'se gonna send scouts around ta try an' figure out what he's up to, Jack gave the newsies an authoritative stare, Oh, and anothah thing: Miller seems ta have takin' an interest in our little Chris heah, Chris' head popped up, I'se gonna asign a newsie ta watch her and act as a sorta body guard, Jack glanced around the room until his eyes fell on a certain newsie, Jack said, his voice not giving any room for argument, Congratulations, me friend, you'se just became a body guard.

Sarah and Chris walked silently back down the stairs followed by Les and Davey. When they got to the bottom Sarah gave her friend a hug and then followed he brothers out onto the street to head home. Great, thought Chris, Now I've got a body guard! I feel like I'm in a movie.....

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Why me, Jack? Blink cornered his friend later that night.

Because I'se said so that's why. Plus, Jack smiled, I'se still think dat you twos have a lot in common and would benefit from each othahs company.

Blink mumbled as he walked away.

Ah common, Blink, Race punched Blink playfully in the arm, It ain't so bad.

Just t'ink, Mush put in, you'se git ta be in da company of a gorgeous goil.

Maybe you'se can open er up a little, too, Race added, I'se still t'ink she's wound a bit too tightly.

Yeah, great, Blink thought, I'se know Jack's just doin' dis ta get me mind offa-, he couldn't say her name. Well it won' woik! Blink sat down on his bunk, his head in his hands. It won' woik........


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Chris woke the next morning to the sound of pounding feet above her. I guess the boys are up. Better get to work. She reluctantly pulled herself out of her warm bed. Well, it wasn't exactly warm, but at least it was warmer than the temperature in the rest of her little room. Chris quickly dressed and hurried downstairs to begin her days work.

Mornin', Miss Chris, Kloppman smiled brightly from behind the front counter.

Morning, Kloppman, Chris returned the smile as she went into the back room to check over the books and then make breakfast. So this is how my days will be spent, she sighed, Well, it's better than nothing. I have a home, of sorts, and food and clothing. *Who could ask for anything more?* She hummed the tune softly as she went about her various chores.

Heya, Chris, Jack poked his head through the door. Chris smiled, Der's a meetin' tanight of ouah allied boroughs in Brooklyn. I'se want ya ta be der. Blink'll come an' pick ya up about 6. Dat ok?

Chris nodded.

Great! Have a nice day, Jack called as he walked briskly out the door.


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Chris finished her chores early that day and was relaxing in her room. She had asked Kloppman if he had any books and he had given her an old copy of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Although Chris had read it many times before she never tired of the play linked with evil, betrayal, and murder and she was thankful for the light reading. She was just about to start reading the second act when a knock came at her door.

a voice called from the hall.

Chris got up and opened the door. She was surprised to see Blink standing there. Oh, the meeting! How could I forget?

Ya ready? he asked roughly.

Chris nodded. She grabbed her coat and followed him downstairs and out the door.

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A/N: Ok, this chapter was kinda a jumble of scenes. The next one will make more sense, I promise. Love it? Hate it? Let me know!!

patch:)