A/N; Another update! A fresh new face to come next chapter! Well, she is due to! You'll just have to see who it is. I hope you enjoy and once again, I do NOT own Newsies. I own only my original characters, meaning the ones I made up. It's obvious who they are, I'm sure ;) I do not own Doll, the great Doll Face owns her! ;) And I do not own the new character to come! She owns herself! Well, read away!

If I could fall in love with you....
The morning was opened up by numerous catcalls and whistles, arguments between Marit and Blink and a long day of the silent treatment. Finally, to Marit's and everyone else's relief the chilly night came. Tonight was the night they were heading to Brooklyn to have a party. Spot Conlon decided that he'd invite any newsie in New York to a "get together" at the Brooklyn Lodging House. Just for kicks and giggles, Marit reckoned. Gambling, and whatnot. Sounded fun to her, since she liked to gamble... but, she was too shy to do so.
As they reached the Brooklyn Lodging House about seven, Race by Marit's side, Blink whispered something to Doll. She nodded in agreement and left his side, catching up with Much and Jack who were a little ways ahead of her. Blink stalled waiting for Marit to come by him.
"Mar, can I please talk to you?" he said grabbing her shoulder before she could completely pass him by.
She looked at Race who nodded, and let go of her. She smiled, as he too went to catch up with Mush and Jack. Blink looked at his little sister. I have to remember, she's not a baby anymore. he kept mentally telling himself. But it was so hard for him to let go of her like that..........
"Well, what is it?" She asked, a drip of impatience in her voice.
"Listen, Marit..... I'se.... I'se real sorry. For earlier, jumpin' on you'se like dat. I'se shouldn't 'ave. You'se...... well, shit. You'se a big goil now, and dat's just goin' ta have ta take sum gettin' used to. Instead of you'se punchin' da hell outta guy when they'se look at cha, you'se go all googly eyed. I'se just 'ave to get used to it. I'se sorry."
Marit sighed and looked at the ground, then looked back up grinning, "Thanks for carin'."
Blink smiled at the little girl, "You'se welcome. Now, about dis whole Race thing..... what is dis?"
Marit laughed hysterically, "Dere's nuttin'. We'se just friends."
"Your lying to me.... I'se can see it in you'se eyes when ya look at him. You'se in love. Admit it or not.... you'se in love Alanna Logan." Blink said as they entered the lodging house.
Marit was shocked at what she just heard from her older brother, but chatting about it would have to wait.....
The lodging house was full of loud rambunctious newsies, and the occasional girl newsie, but most the girls in there were broads.
Marit looked around for Race, hoping to spot him soon since she felt very uncomfortable.... she glanced to her left and caught sight of him. He was at a gambling table on the left side of the room. She slowly walked over to him, and stood behind him. It seemed as if he was loosing by the look on his face, but by the look of his cards, the guys weren't ready for the shock. She put her hand on his back to look over his shoulder, as she did so, he whirled around to see her.
"Oh hey! Well, looks like me good luck charm just showed up!" Race said grinning. He patted his knee, telling her to sit down. She did as she was told and took her place on his knee, she wrapped her arm around his neck and his left hand around her waist.
"Not fair, Higgins. Not good luck charms....." a brown haired boy said from the other side of the table.
"Shut up Rave! All you'se done today is bitch! Hell! If you'se had a good luck charm dat looked dat good, wouldn't you'se take it everywhere?!?" a blonde haired boy said, putting out his cigar. He grinned at Marit, "I'se Keeper.... and you is?"
"Marit...." she answered.
"Ohhh, very fancy. It's a plesha ta meet you'se Marit....." Keeper said, raising an eyebrow, "And if you'se ever lookin' for a guy... I'se a keeper" he said leaning up on the table and grinning.
"Hey hey hey! Back up...... she's mine." Race yelled throwing a plastic chip at Keeper, and hitting him on the forehead.
"'Ey!" he yelled. Rave held up his hand, "Will you'se two stop... the good luck charm can stay and no one make any moves on 'er or Race'll kill.... fair? Fair. Lay 'em down.... Kepper since you'se such a smart-ass, why not you'se first....."
"I ain't got shit...." he said laying down his cards and getting up, "I quit."
"Well......" Rave said laying down his cards, which were obviously good cause the other three boys threw their cards down groaning and leaving the table disappointed. Race grinned.
"Well, Race watcha waitin' for, an angel?" Rave said smiling.
"Gots one on me knee," he said throwing down his cards. Rave sat up straight, "No fuckin' way Higgins!"
Race laughed, "Yes way..."
Rave slid back down in his chair, "Fuck" he mumbled quietly. Race smiled, pleased with himself and his good luck. He grabbed the money, and slid Marit off his knee as he stood up, "I'se retiring for now." He grinned at Rave and tipped his hat, "Have a good one Rave." With that he put his arm around Marit and lead her through the crowd.
"Where are we going?" Marit asked him, as they continued walking threw the hundreds of newsies.
"I'm trying to find a empty room in dis damn place..... I'se wanna be alone..." Race said, not looking back at her. They made their way up the stairs, the first door to their left was closed. Race knocked. No answer. He opened it and peered in, "Clear." He said grinning at Marit. He walked in the room which Marit thought resembled a guest room. One bed, one night side table, and a dresser. Race turned around facing Marit and shutting the door. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, she could feel his hot breath on her neck. He put his hands on her hips and look her in the eye... "Come here." he whispered leading her over to the bed. He and Marit sat down, as he leaned over and kissed her on the lips. Marit was about to ask what that was for, but before she could Race silenced her, putting his index finger to her rosy lips. "Shhh," he whispered, as he began to kiss her passionately.

"Where's Marit?" Spot asked Jack and the gang.
"I........... I don't know." Jack said looking around.
Blink looked up quickly, "When was the last time y'all saw her?"
"I'se saw her ova at da table with Race while ago..... but I'se haven't seen her since." Mush said looking around for a sign of the petite girl.
"I'll go look for her...." Blink said, kissing Doll on the cheek, and getting up from the couch.
"Why don't I go look for her?" she asked, feeling a little uncomfortable about him looking for her.
Blink raised an eyebrow, "No, I'se can do it. Don't worry."
Blink walked through the crowd searching for a sign of his sister or Race. With no luck, he walked up the stairs slowly. He checked the first door on the right first. Nothing. Then he heard a sound. He looked around puzzled, then opened the door directly across, only to find Race on top of his little sister making out. Blink was speechless. Race look up to see Blink standing in the doorway looking like he'd been scared to death.
"Oh, shit." he heard Marit whisper.
"Blink, I--" Race began, but Blink stopped him.
"No don't... I'se promised Marit I'd leave her alone.... it's ok..." he said walking out of the room.
Race's facial expression was pure confusion, along with Marit's.
"What was that for?" Race asked.
"He promised me he'd leave me alone. He said he'd have ta get used to me actually liking guys and dem liking me. I'se think it shocked him..." Marit said, surprised that her brother didn't kill anybody.
"Oh, ok." Race said grinning broadly, as he leaned down and kissed Marit.

Blink shut the door behind him and stood in place for a moment. He sighed and thought for a moment. He debated on whether he should barge back in a knock the hell out of Race, but decided against it. It would only hurt Marit. After all, he promised her. Get a hold of yourself Taylor, he said to himself. She's fifteen, I can't protect her all my life. She's gotta go sometime. There. That's it. I'm going to stop this nonsense. Just leave her alone! Only help her when she needs it.... when she asks. There. He sighed and let go of the door knob.

Blink made his way back to the couch where he had first left, on his way he grabbed a beer. He smiled to himself as he took a drink. Don't worry, she's fine..... he thought to himself.
"Didja find her?" Doll asked as Blink sat down on the couch.
"Huh?" he mumbled, looking over at her.
"I'se said, did ya find her?" she repeated herself.
"Oh.... yea." he answered, not once looking up at her. He reached over to the table and grabbed a beer.
"There you'se are again drinking." Doll said rolling her eyes.
Blink threw the empty bottle down and grabbed another, "Do you'se have a problem wid it?"
"Yes I'se do!" she replied, her temper slowly rising.
By the time the second bottle was taken away from Blink's lips it was empty also. He grinned at her and reached for another.
"You'se know what? I'se real sick of your attitude lately.."
Blink looked over at Doll quickly, "What did you'se say?"
"I'se said I'se sick of your attitude! All you've done lately is be rude ta me, and you'se always on Marit's case!" Doll yelled. A few newsies near-by stopped to see what all the yelling was for.
"WHAT DO YOU'SE MEAN AN ATTITUDE!?!?!?" Blink yelled. He stood up and turned to see the girl sitting on the couch.
"Blink, calm down..." Jack said, putting a hand on his shoulder. Blink jerked away from Jack's grip.
"Don't touch me! What's yo'r problem, Doll?" he yelled stepping back.
"My problem is you! All you'se do is drink, you'se like a fucking alcoholic! You're constantly getting an attitude wid me, and you'se ALWAYS lecturein' Marit. She's 15! Let her be!" she yelled, standing up also.
"Leave her be?! So Race can get 'er pregnant, huh? So, she'll go out on da streets and become another fucking broad?! Is that what you'se saying?!"
"No! It's NOT what I'se saying! Give 'er some fucking space to breathe! That's all I'se saying. Everywhere she is, you'se are. Let her be herself fo' once!"
"You'se know what? Fuck you! I'se sick of dis bullshit." Blink yelled grabbing another beer and retreating back up the stairs.

"Hey, where's my bruddah?" Marit asked as she and Race approached the couch which most of the Manhattan newsies were gathered around.
Mush laughed, "Race, dat color lipstick doesn't suit you'se too well."
Race blushed, and wiped his face with his sleeve a few times.
"Very funny, Mush," he chuckled.
Doll looked up at Marit, "He's upstairs somewheres. He got drunk and we'se got into it."
"Oh. I'se sorry..." Marit said sitting down next to Doll, Race taking the spot next to her.
"Don't worry."
Marit gave a weak smile, "Part of it was over me, wasn't it?"
Doll smiled at her, "He really loves you'se. Sometimes I'se think he loves you'se too much. So much, he can't letcha go."
Marit rolled her eyes, "A little too much."
"Drinks, drinks, and more, *hic* drinks." Spot said as he walked over to the Newsies.
"Why?! Hello?! Miss Marit herself is back! It's a *hic* pleasure sweetie." Spot said as he kissed Marit's hand.
"Back it up Conlon." Race said, taking two drinks and handing one to Marit.
"Higgins? HIGGINS! You'se dirty son of a bitch! *hic* You'se cheated fucking Rave earlier...." Conlon said as he nearly fell over.
"Like hell I'se did...." Race said, shocked, "Who the fuck said I'se cheated him?!"
"Keeper. Get up! Who the hell do you'se think you are? Cheating someone. Gambling or not, you'se don't fucking cheat out Harlem! Your fucking broad is about to see you'se get knocked out" Spot said stepping back one to give Race space to stand.
Race stood up quickly and punched Spot as hard as he could. Spot fell down with a loud thud.
"Don't you'se EVER call her that again you son of a bitch!" Race yelled, as Spot stood.
He didn't say a word, but the moment he was on both feet he lunged for Race. Causing him to fall backwards, almost hitting his head on the table next to the couch.
Marit and Doll stood up quickly. Marit started to lung forward but Jack grabbed her. Mush and another newsie ran over and attempted to pull Spot and Race apart. Once they had, the two bloody boys stood with looks of death for one another.
"You stupid fucker! I'se gonna kill you!" Spot yelled as he tried to brake loose of the three boys' grips.
"I'd like to see you'se try Conlon!"
"C'mon Race.. let's go." Mush said escorting him across the room, heading toward the staircase.
Marit broke free from Jack's grip and ran after them.
"Are you'se ok?" she said grabbing race's arm as she whirled around in front of him.
"I'll leave you'se two alone." Mush said walking away.
"Yea, I'm fine." Race said touching his bloody nose and wincing.
"No you're not.. c'mon. Let's get you'se cleaned up." Marit said as he took his hand and began looking for the bathroom.
They eventually found the bathroom on the right hand side at the end of the hallway. They entered the small room and shut the door, locking it behind them. Marit began rummaging through the shelf.
"Here, sit down." she said. He did as he was told, carefully watching her. He sat down on the floor, his back against the door; she sat down in front of him and sorted through the bottles and small pieces of cloth she'd taken from the shelf.
Race watched her facial expressions and her hands as carefully as he could, trying to capture everything about her.
"Now, we'se have to get some of this blood off first..." she said as she got up to wet the larger cloth she's gotten. Race tilted his head to the side, watching her. Event he way she walks is perfect, he thought to himself.
She returned back and sat down as close as she could, as she began to gently wipe the blood off his face. As she wiped his face with the warm rag, she glanced up at him, making eye contact for a few seconds. She grinned and looked down.
"Ok," She scooted closer to him and smiled, "Dis might sting some, ok?"
"Mm-hmm." he mumbled still watching her. She reached forward and touched the smaller cloth to his face.
"Ouch!" he said darted back some.
She giggled, "I'se told you." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. She placed the cloth on his face again, causing Race to jerk again, but not as bad.
"There," she said as she picked up her stuff and walked back over to the shelf.
She put everything back in the place, and tossed the dirty rags in a basket near-by that was full of dirty clothes.
"You'se ok?" she asked bending down.
"Yea," Race replied as he got up.

Doll walked outside of the Lodging House into the cool air; a few tears streaked her face. She looked around to find some place to go. She walked over to her right to sit down onthe bench, but noticed someone was already there.
"Oh, hi Spot." she said taking the empty spot on the bench.
"Hi Doll. What's a madda?" he said looking up and noticing the tears running down her face.
"Oh, nuttin'. Me and Blink gots into it." she replied wiping the tears off her face.
"It's ok, hon." he scooted closer, and put his arm around her.