Okay, Tiger you can let go of my baby now!! Here's more!

Thank you ever so much for the wonderful reviews!  Newsie kisses to:

Raider ~ I would be sick trying to get a bullet out of someone too! *shudders at the thought*
Lange ~ I love Jesse too! He's fun to write.

LILMAXIE ~ Thanks for the review! Here's more!
Stress ~ Thank you :-)

Valeria ~ You're probably right.  It's doubtful that he'll be dying soon (but then you never know, this could turn into a major tragedy…)

Sugar ~ Thanks a bunch!!!
Mystery ~ So happy that you like it!

Tiger ~ Ack! Give me back my baby! *snatches Bumlets from Tiger* Here's more already! :-)
Sobe A Lizard ~ Eww! She had to take it out of her own leg?  Whoa, that would creep me out way too much! Thanks for the review!

Aki ~ There's still a space for ya if you check my last post (if you missed it email me). And Jenny sends her thanks for giving Jesse some sense.

Rabbit ~ Here's the next part!

Morning Dew ~ Sorry for making the chappys so short. I love Jesse too! Thanks for the review!

Jo ~ Sorry bout that.  Here's more, though I believe you're hoping to find out what happens with Jenny and Jesse yes?  Um…you'll have to wait a bit for that one. Sorry again!

Spark ~ Thank you very much!! :-)

And here's more fic!

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Manhattan Lodging House

Emu, Stripes and Stress sat in one corner of the boy's bunkroom, talking in hushed tones to each other.  Spot was discussing the upcoming search and possible fight with one of his newsies on the other side of the room.  His arm held onto the waist of his girlfriend, Mischief.

Emu gestured for Mischief to come join them, but the black haired girl declined, preferring the company of her boyfriend.  Living in different boroughs didn't give them much time together, and she planned to cherish the time they did have.

Emu shrugged and returned to the conversation. "Do you think they'll find 'em?" she asked.

Stripes shook her head. "Naw.  This group's been hiding from all of New York for years, why should they catch 'em now?"

"Such confidence ya have in us." Stress commented.

Stripes smirked, "I tell it how it is."

"Are you goin' then?" Emu asked.

"I am." Stress stated.

"We know.  You've only said it a few dozen times since Spot came." Stripes replied, a sassy smile playing across her lips. "Are you going Emu?"

"I….you really don't think they'll meet up?" she asked turning to Stripes.

"No. I'm still going, but I don't think much'll happen."

Emu nodded and contemplated her options; to stay or to go.  She glanced over to the window, knowing that Holiday was just outside.  "I wonder what Holiday thinks."

"Ya know what she t'inks." Stress said.

"No, we have yet to master mind reading, oh great Stress."  Stripes retorted.

Emu laughed and Stress rolled her eyes before laughing as well.  "Holiday thinks dat none of us should be searching on Christmas Eve." Stress told them.

"But since they're already going she would want us to join them."  Stripes commented.

"Why don't we just ask her?"

"Not a good idea." Stress said pointing to Bumlets who was heading for the window.

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

Holiday sat on the fire escape staring at the cigarette in her hand.  She was contemplating whether or not she should smoke it.  She normally didn't smoke, but she was frustrated and the cigarette just been sitting there.  Now, with it in her hand, she didn't really think it was such a good idea.

"Hol, what're you doin'?" Bumlets asked sticking his head out the window.

She turned to glare at her boyfriend.  "Meeting my secret lovah.  He's gonna spend Christmas Eve wit' me since my boyfriend won't be heah."

"Holly…." Bumlets crawled out to join her on the fire escape.

"Oh, don't worry. I undahstand dat ya hafta help catch de most dangerous gang in New Yawk."  She turned back around.  "On Christmas Eve."  She added bitterly.

"Holiday."

"Yes Bumlets, that is my name."  The sarcasm in her voice was unmistakable.  She moved to climb up the fire escape, but stopped when Bumlets grabbed her. "What?  Is deah somethin' you wanted or are you just botherin' me?"

 "It ain't my fault dat Spot wants ta track da Shadow Stalkers tanight." He was trying not to get angry.

"No, but you don' hafta go!"  Holiday snapped, her voice rising.

"You know I wanna stay with ya Holly, but I hafta help out…." Bumlets broke off when Holiday grabbed his hand. 

"I know."  She said, the expression on her face had softened.  "It's….I….this….oh, nevah mind."  She knew that Bumlets was always willing to help out and she loved that about him.  She reminded herself that her being angry was just ruining the holiday's even more.  She didn't know how to explain her anger anyway, so it was better that she just pushed it aside.  She gave him a small smile.

Bumlets sighed and pulled her into his arms.  He grabbed her hands and was surprised to find the cigarette in her hand.  "What's dis?"

Holiday's eyes widened, she had forgotten about it.  "I was gonna smoke it."

"Why?  You don't smoke."

"Yeah I do."  She said stubbornly.  She dug through his pocket for a match and lit the cigarette.  Putting it to her lips she puffed on the cigarette to prove that she could.

Bumlets let out a  short laugh when she started coughing.  "Sweetheart, ya don' hafta prove yourself ta me."  He said hitting her on the back and taking the cigarette from her hand.

When she finished coughing, she looked up at him.  "How do people smoke dat stuff?"

Before he could respond, Boots stuck his head out the window. "Dey're back."

Holiday hopped up and scurried through the window.  Bumlets followed after taking a few drags from the cigarette.

"Cowboy, wheah's Station?" Holiday asked, noticing her absence.  She still wouldn't admit to liking the girl, but she was still very protective of her. 

"She wanted ta stay at da train station a while longer."

"And you left her by herself?" Holiday had noticed that everyone else had come back.  Bottle Caps was now sitting in Kid Blink's arms while Moneybags and Race were talking to Mush.

Jack nodded.  "She'll be okay by herself.  She's done it before."

"And with dis gang running about tanight she's especially safe ain't she?"  Holiday pointed out with annoyance.  She didn't get along with Jack very well.  The two never agreed on everything, causing them to argue constantly. 

"Hol, calm down.  Station will be fine."  Stripes said from the corner.

"Jack, did Caps tell ya da story?" Spot asked walking over to the Manhattan leader.  He had a look on his face that said 'don't mess with me'. 

Holiday scowled at Jack and stalked over to Moneybags, Race and Mush. 

"Why do ya always argue wit' Jack?" Moneybags asked.

"Why do ya always argue wit' Spot?" Holiday retorted.

"She's got a point."  Stress agreed joining them.

"Which one a dem?" Mush asked.

"Uh….both."

Moneybags shook her head, "Well you don' get along wit' Spot either." 

"But I ain't always arguing wit' 'im."

"Stress is right." Race put in.

Holiday rolled her eyes.  "Dis is a dumb conversation."  She stated.  "Stress, does Jack know dat you'se goin' wit' dem?"

Stress shook her head.  "I nevah told 'im."

Moneybags glanced over at Jack.  "Stress, Caps told 'im.  When she came ta get us."

"Why?" 

Moneybags blinked at her.  "How should I know?"

Stress sighed and Holiday threw an arm around her shoulders.  "Don' worry. He woulda found out anyhow.  You know….bein' dat he's goin' too."

Stress laughed and shook her head.  "Thanks Hol.  Dat was no help at all."

"Happy ta be of service."  Holiday grinned.

The noise in the bunkroom was interrupted by Spot's loud announcement.  "We're goin' now."

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So what should I write next? Jesse and Jenny? The newsies?  The gang?  What do ya wanna read about next?  It's up to you guys.  Please let me know what you thought of this part!!