A/N: I love my reviewers! How about a big reviewer group hug! Haha. Sorry, I'm high. Off to write a chapter of happiness and highness. Did they have drugs in 1903?? I don't know. But now they do. Hehehehehehehehehe.

- - - - - - - - -

"You'se a brave man, daddy!" Shai shouted before Race could begin to tell rest of the tale.

"I think the true hero in this story were the Conlon's," Racetrack stated. He got the storytelling gleam in his eye and I could tell he was trying to remember way back.

-*-*-*-

"Kloppy, get in heah! Don' worry, I'se okay!" I shouted after my beautiful fiancée dried her eyes.

The old man rushed in the room and the look on his face was ecstatic. I grinned as he started to talk. "You gave us such a scare, Race! Rest up! Lemme go make some soup or somethin'!"

"Trust me, Kloppman, Racetrack is not going to want your soup. No offense, but you've never cooked a day in your life. Lemme go get some money I have saved up and buy him some soup from Tibby's," Alex joked, reaching for the money purse she always kept in her jacket pocket.

"Are you insulting my cooking?" he asked, his tone equally jesting.

"Yes," she answered before walking out the door to buy the soup. I wanted to protest that we had to save our money, but she would hear none of it. "I want you to get better, Race. This isn't a time to penny pinch."

"Shouldn't we be saving our money for something more important?" I asked her.

"There won't be a wedding if you die!" she shouted before storming down the stairs. I followed her mentally in my head all the way to Tibby's and all the way home. At least, I thought I was following the route mentally. After twenty minutes we all started to get antsy.

Eventually, Roman spoke about what we all feared. "Should I go look for her? She might be in trouble."

Kloppman nodded his head. For the full twenty minutes Roman was out searching Kloppman tried to keep my mind off of Alex wandering the streets, but I couldn't. I worried and imagined every possible worst case scenario. She hadn't been that careful about not making enemies, and I knew nothing about the Chant situation. And, of course, plenty of alley men would want her. She was one hot piece of..

-*-*-*-

I felt a piece of cloth flick my ear. "What was that for?" I demanded of the grinning woman behind me.

"You weren't about to tell the children that!" she said, playing the role of the worrisome mother. That role still didn't quite suit her well.

"Of coise not," I said, grinning.

"She was one hot piece of ass. And plenty good in bed. Trust me, I know," I said, completely aware that this was going over the children's heads but driving Alex insane.

Instead of giving in to my taunting she smiled seductively. "Want me to prove it to you again tonight?" she asked, her voice fully believable.

I grinned. "Shore, honey." I turned back to the children, who didn't understand what was going on in front of their eyes. "Now back to the story.."

-*-*-*-

I worried and worried like a mother when her son leaves for college, but no news came for the longest twenty or thirty minutes of my life. After that duration was over, Roman burst through the door, helping a panting Alex. She collapsed onto the foot of my bed and I looked questioningly at Roman for the story.

"Remembah da Delancy incident?" Roman asked. Of course I remembered, but how did Roman know? Probably heard the story from Spot. Either way. "Well, Oscah doesn' take well ta bein' embarrassed."

I could fill in the blanks by myself. I envisioned her being pushed against the cold alley wall with slimy Oscar trying to take advantage of her. I didn't want to think about it. I turned my thoughts towards the raging battle in Brooklyn. I pictured Jack lying injured on the ground. I didn't want to think about that either. All of my happy thoughts were contained in the thoughts of one particular person - Alexandra Rachel "Spark" Conlon (and soon to be Higgins) - and I couldn't wait till I was eternally a family with that person and our children.

"Roman," I asked as my thoughts drifted towards family. "Where are da kids? Can ya bring 'em heah? I haven' really gotten ta see too much of 'em since dey was boin."

"Shore. Dey's down at Medda's place, an' I I'll go down dere now. Ya need anythin' while I'se out?" Roman answered.

"Jus' news. Find out what ya can 'bout da boys. 'Specially Spot," I said, nodding my head in the direction of Alex's sleeping body.

"Of coise," he said as he pulled his hat onto his head. I nodded in goodbye as he waltzed out the door, searching.

Looking around the bunkroom I became restless and antsy. When Alex asked me why I was acting that way I answered, "'Lex, ya don' understand how much I need ta know what's goin' on out dere. I'se supposed ta be fightin' wit' 'em. If someone gets hoit I ain't gonna foahgive meself."

"You got yourself hurt!" she shouted back. "Sorry for barking, but you just don't get it do you? Every time you fight I'm with you and I'm worried. You've only been here a day and you're nervous, imagine three days right after having your children. That's what I went through before I found you! You just don't get how your actions affect people do you? Well, they do! So try to act responsibly!"

I grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into my arms. "I'se so sorry, I'se so so sorry. I didn' mean ta hoit ya like dat. I won't do it evah again, I promise." I held her close as she shook with sobs. If it weren't for my life on the streets I would have cried myself, but the lifestyle had permanently dried my eyes of tears. My face was completely devoid of emotion, which - though on Spot it meant nothing - would show anyone who knew me that I was on what any other person would call the brink of tears. I'm not sure what it's called for a person who doesn't cry, but someday I vow to find out.

The two of us were still in this position when I heard Roman barreling through the door panting. "Dis whole area is gonna become a hospital for da wounded, so you'll see who it is dat's injured soon enough. I gots ta help Kloppman, but Alex you'se stay up heah an' get some of dem settled in when we bring 'em. Race, I know you'se gonna wanna stand up an' help out but you'se gotta stay in bed so ya don't get woise. Promise?"

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled, trying to get out of agreeing to stay in the bed.

"I want the word promise to come outta yoah mouth. Repeat it wit' me, 'I Racetrack Higgins'" he started.

I had no choice but to follow his example. I could end the embarrassment sooner however by agreeing, which I did. I was too tired to stand anyway. "I, Racetrack Higgins, solemnly swear not ta stand an' get out ta help da othahs unless it's a complete an' total emergency," I pledged.

"Is dat da best I'se gonna get outta ya?" he asked, sighing.

"Yessir," I replied cockily.

"Fine," he muttered before walking out to help the injured folks.

I sat there, waiting to see my friends carried in and monitor their condition. My heart stopped as I saw the first person they carried in - Spot Conlon.

- - - - - - -

A/N: Okay, so maybe I lied and its not a happy chapter. I meant for it to be a happy chapter, but then I got a bad headache and I wasn't happy anymore. Their were some quips though, so I hope it satisfied.

Shoutouts:

Sureshot: Fun dip?? I love fun dip!! That stuff is drugs though, I swear it! Maybe they had fun dip in 1903. * grins * Wait, aren't I supposed to be giving you stuff to review instead of the other way around. * snatches fun dip * Oh well, I ain't complaining.

Drama-Queen: Does this qualify as hurrying? Yes, well, Race is okay but Spot isn't. Man, I enjoy this way too much, don't I?

Soaker: I guess in next chapter we find out who you need to worry about. We already know we should be worried about Spot, but I know you already were. Oh well, we'll find out soon I guess.

Sweets: Were you having some of Sureshot's fun dip? Haha. Why aren't you supposed to be on? Anyway, whatever.

PLEASE R&R!! FREE TUBE OF NUWANDA'S LIPSTICK (DOUBLES AS FACE PAINT) FOR ALL REVIEWERS (hehe, katz, don't you just love my offers?)

I leave you with these parting words: Ooo da ma fuch! Ding da long day! Lalalalalala.. hoodies!! Haha Casey.