Disclaimer: I own, Jennifer "Station" Larkson, Jesse "City" Sanders, Mr. Brodmen, and Charlie "Holiday" Blackett. The basic story line is property of Lori Handeland from her book "An Outlaw for Christmas" and anything and everything from Newsies is property of Disney. Anyone else belongs to the person that rightfully owns them (no really Holiday? *smacks head*) I am making NO money off of this so don't sue (~that's my mommy's name! *smacks head again*).

Author's note: Gals in my story if I do your character horribly wrong, tell me so I can fix it! Also if anyone has any better title ideas please let me know and I'll give ya credit if I use yours.

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Christmas Station

by: Holiday

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Night was slowly coming as the train from Colorado sped east.  10-year-old Jennifer Larkson sat curled up in her own seat in the car that was reserved for orphans.  The small girl wiped the tears that threatened to spill from her crystal blue eyes, and reminded herself to stop being such a baby.  Having lived in at the orphanage in Colorado all her life, she was terrified of what would await her at their destination; New York City.  The lady at the orphanage had told her that a family was a waiting to adopt her in New York, but she didn't believe that for a minute.

Turning back to the window she had been staring out of moments before, Jenny took in the scenery that was rapidly disappearing before her eyes.

Loud talking that rose from the back of the train made Jenny turn her head to see what was happening.  Mr. Brodmen, the man who was in charge of the orphans, was talking to a dark figure with a rope in his hands.

"You will cause no trouble boy."  Mr. Brodmen sneered, tying the end of the rope to the train. "You agreed to this."

It was then that Jenny realized the dark figure was tied up.  She looked towards the shadows where the figure of someone much larger than a normal boy was sitting.  His features weren't visible.

The children in the car all looked at the figure with fear before Mr. Brodmen turned to them, "Don't mind him.  He'll be no bother.  Turn back around."  He instructed sternly.

Jenny did as she was told and soon began to get sleepy.  When her eyes began to droop she pinched herself to stay awake.  Jenny knew that if she fell asleep she would be easy prey for the other orphans who liked to pick on her.  It was so easy to do since she was so small and could do nothing to stop them. 

A half an hour later, Jenny was awakened from a deep sleep by a stinging sensation on her arms.  Her eyes flew open and she whimpered when she saw the two boys sitting in front and behind her.  One was hitting her arm and the other had just grabbed a handful of her dark brown hair.

Pain shot through her head as she cried out, hoping that someone would come to her rescue; knowing nobody would.  She tore away from them and jumped out of her seat.  Before she could get all the way to the back, she found herself falling face first to the floor of the train car.  Tears filling her eyes, her hand flew to her stinging cheek.  A girl sitting in the aisle seat had tripped her and her cheek had struck something sticking out of the seat.  The boys, both younger than her but both a lot bigger than her, started pummeling her back with their fists.

"Leave her alone."  The pounding immediately stopped when the deep voice spoke from the black corner.

Jenny heard her tormentors scramble back to their seats and slowly got up off the ground.  Her hands stung, as did her cheek, and her face was covered with dirt from the dusty floor.  Brushing strands of brown hair out of her eyes, Jenny stared shadows where the mysterious "boy" sat.  She took a shaky step toward the corner.

"Go back to your seat."

Jenny glanced back at her seat, all the way at the front of the car.  It was so far away, and lonely.  Plus if she went back, those horrible boys were sure to pick on her again. 

"They'll leave you alone now, won't ya boys?"

He had read her mind.  Jenny turned to see all the boys nod in answer to the stranger's question.  The car was silent, but Jenny still didn't want to go back to her seat.  The mean boys wouldn't be so scared of the stranger when they realized he was still tied up and couldn't get very far.

She took another step towards the corner.  It was then that the door to the car started to rattle, indicating that Mr. Brodmen was back with their supper.

"Go!"

The order shot out from the darkness and sent Jenny running all the way back to her seat.  As soon as she was there, Mr. Brodmen came in and distributed their supper of dry bread and water.  It was quickly eaten and soon everyone had settled in for the night.  It was now completely dark.  The moon was just a small sliver, giving off very minimal light, and there were no lanterns in the car.

Jenny tried to get some sleep, but every time she closed her eyes she would imagine the mean boys sneaking up on her and beating her awake again.  The darkness was getting to her and she longed to feel safe for once.  With that thought in mind, she got out of her seat and headed to the back of the car.

When she reached the last seat Jenny stared through the thick darkness at her mysterious savior.  By squinting her eyes, she could just barely make out his features.  He was big.  That was what she noticed first.  His long legs were stretched way under the seat in front of him and his chest was nearly as wide as a doorway.  Even slouched in the corner the way he was, she could tell he was very tall.

He looked more like a man than a boy.  His features were sharp, his skin a dark bronze and his black hair fell to his shoulders.  His clothes were much too small for him and the rope tied oddly about his waist added to the picture of something trapped.

"Are you just gonna stare at me all night?"

Jenny's breath caught in her throat.  He was awake!  The black eyes staring back at her with no trouble told her she was used to seeing in the darkness.

"Well?"  He persisted.

Jenny knew she should run back to her seat and stay there, but something about her seat and stay there, but something about this boy had brought her comfort.  And she wanted to be near that feeling.  She needed it.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

13-year-old Jesse Sanders watched in surprise as the small girl sat down next to him.  He had watched her walk down the aisle, more terrified than she had been earlier in the evening.  But there she was, sitting next to him.

"You're not afraid of me?" He couldn't help but ask the question.

"Why should you hurt me know when you were the only one to protect me then?"  Her blue eyes explored his face before turning away.

Well that's good reasoning, Jesse thought with annoyance.

Despite having lived on his own his whole life and trusting no one but himself, Jesse had always stood up for the innocent.  Most of them usually just thanked him and scampered away with fright.  But not this girl.  She was going to stick to him like a bee to honey from now on.

"I'm Jenny.  Jennifer Larkson actually.  Who're you?" she asked softly.

"Jesse Sanders."

Jenny nodded and stared down at the rope. "Why're you tied up?"

Jesse stared down at her; glared at her actually.  Why does she have to be so nosey?

When she didn't back down or draw away in fear Jesse gave in.  "I stole something." He admitted.

She shook her head. "You're not supposed to…."

Jesse's glare and low growl cause her to trail off and offer a small apology.

Jenny figured that it was a sensitive subject.  "They shouldn't tie you up like a wild animal."  Anger was apparent in her small voice.

Jesse agreed.  It's damned embarrassing.  He had tried to get out of the knots earlier, but with no luck.  When Jenny started picking at it, Jesse couldn't help but snap.  "Stop that!  Leave it alone."

At that moment though, the knot came apart in her small hands.  "Sorry." She whispered, handing him the ropes.

She also placed her hand in his along with the rope and Jesse was horrified at how tiny it was.  Turning it over as gently as his big hands could manage, he saw the cuts on her palm.  A strange rush of protectiveness flooded through him.

He closed his hand lightly over hers.  Her light blue eyes stared up at him when he released her hand.  She patted his arm, not flinching at a bit when he jerked away.

The sudden touch had surprised Jesse since he wasn't used to being touched.  At all.  People didn't touch him because they were too afraid to.  And that was how he liked it.

Wasn't it?

Jenny gently touched his face, smiling when he didn't move away.  Then, with a big yawn she curled up into his side.

"Good night Jesse," she whispered.

And just like that she was asleep.  Jesse couldn't believe it.  Jenny had just given him something in that last moment.  She had given him her full and complete trust.

Something no one had ever given him before.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next day had brought questions and glares when Jenny was found sleeping with her arms wrapped tightly around the big boy.  Luckily for them both, Mr. Brodmen had grudgingly agreed to let them remain together for the duration of the trip.

So the two stayed together.  In this time they formed a bond.  One that Jenny held dearly and one that Jesse wasn't sure he wanted.  The two understood that they were both alone in the world and they were able to bring an understanding comfort to each other.

They also talked during this time.  Actually, Jenny talked and Jesse listened, answering whatever questions she asked.  They got to know each other, and Jenny soon felt like they had known each other forever.

As their time together starting coming to a close, Jenny thought frantically for any ideas of how they could stay together once they reached New York.  Jesse wasn't being taken to an orphanage or a family like Jenny.  He was being sent to some place called the Refuge and Jenny somehow knew that she wouldn't be able to see him when he went there.

Watching everyone file out of the train, Jenny held back.  Jesse who had picked up her small bag of belongings stood just behind her. "Scared?"

Jenny nodded wordlessly.  When Jesse placed his large awkward hand on her shoulder, Jenny felt a flood of warmth.  When the train car was completely empty except for them two, Jenny saw their opportunity.  She turned and looked up at Jesse, her blue eyes bright with her idea. "Let's run!"

"Run?" Jesse echoed.  Confusion spread across his face and Jenny hurried to explain. "We can go off together.  We don't need anybody else."

Jesse looked down at the eagerness in her pixie face.  "Jenny, we have no idea where to go.  I won't be able to protect you in this city.  Maybe if we were still in Colorado…." He trailed off not wanting to explain anymore.

"Please Jesse?  We can take care of each other.  We need each other."

"It won't work," Jesse stated.  He wished they could though.  He certainly didn't want to go to that place they called a refuge.  Being cooped up inside a building was not his idea of fun.

Jenny stared at him, big tears welling up in her eyes, now a cloudy blue.  She could feel her hope slipping away.  She knew she had to stay with him.  Something was tugging at her, sending her a strange feeling she had not felt for anyone before.

"But….Jesse….I love you!" Jenny whispered.

Jesse was stunned.  Every bone in his body froze when he heard those words.  Nobody had ever told them they loved him.  It hadn't ever bothered him either.  But now this girl, much too young to understand the meaning of the love she spoke of, had said it to him.  And everything changed.  Those three words had, in seconds, became the most important three words of his life.  And he vowed to protect them.  By sending her away, so he couldn't do anything to make her take them back.

"Get off the train now, boy!" Mr. Brodmen's loud voice growled.

Jesse, regaining his previous composure started to push Jenny towards the door.

"Promise me," Jenny started turning abruptly and looking all the way up at Jesse's dark eyes, "Promise me that every year on the night before Christmas you'll meet me here.  At this train station."

"Jenny, how can I do that?  I have no idea where I'll be next year.  Neither do you."

"That's why it has to be here."

Mr. Brodmen finally came back on the train and started to pull them both off, muttering angrily the whole time.

"Jesse?"

"Bye Jenny."  Jesse said before he was taken away from her. 

Jenny whimpered, but still called out strongly, "Bye Jesse."  She watched as he walked through the crowd of people.  He was easily recognizable being at least three inches taller than most everyone there.  When he disappeared around a corner, Jenny wiped away the single tear that had been rolling down her cheek.

Jesse hadn't said no.  And Jenny knew that every Christmas Eve, she would be back at the train station; waiting to see the only person she had truly cared about, once again.

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So did you like it? Please review. I'll give ya cookies! And cake! :-)