Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies, or any of the people, places (in short: anything) associated with it. I also don't own Iris, Quotes, Candy, Bailey or Duckie.

Author's notes: That's right everyone. The dreaded balcony scene chapter has finally surfaced. Just for trivia type purposes I will say that I finished the story before I wrote this chapter. "He jests at scars that never felt a wound." As Romeo says in Act II sc. ii, it is one of my favourite lines of the play. Anyway, I hope you don't think this is as bad as I think it is. Ta. (II, i and II, ii)

Chapter Five:

"Hey! Where you guys' been?" Jack asked when the group got back to the lodging house.

"Out," Duckie replied with a wink.

"So you ain't gonna tell me?" Jack continued questioning.

"Looks like it." Quotes answered. Jack shrugged and then looked around.

"Where's Mush?"

Blink looked around the room too, trying to locate his friend. "Don't know,"

"Probably ran off to write poems about out how Candy broke his soul," Race suggested with a laugh.

~*~

Mush dashed into an alleyway unnoticed by his friends. He enjoyed spending time with them, but he wasn't ready to go back to the lodging house just yet. He was too excited by the memory of Juliet, which was still so fresh in his mind. He decided to walk, and see where his feet would lead him.

Some time later it became apparent to him that he was approaching Brooklyn. In fact he was right in front of the bridge. 'The only thing that keeps us apart,' he sighed staring at it, as if stepping on it would cause it break beneath his feet. Mush was about to walk away when he saw someone move on the bridge. He suddenly couldn't believe his eyes, for here before him was the lady on his mind: Juliet.

"Wow," he whispered aloud, seeing her standing in the light, from a nearby streetlamp, which poured down on her like a fountain. He risked moving a little closer. But she did not notice him. 'How I could stand here all night, just watching her,' he thought to himself. Then he heard her sigh. 'Oh, and speak! Her voice is so beautiful it would be not be hard to listen to just it forever!'

"Mush. Was that his name? I wonder how he got such a name." Juliet said to no one but herself. "Why is my luck so horrible that the only person I ever love must be an enemy of my friends. Why are they even enemies?"

Mush was surprised that she was thinking of him as well, but he didn't say anything; he wanted to hear her speak more.

"Maybe if I had never come to Brooklyn, I wouldn't be in such a mess. I wish Mush could just leave Manhattan and then we could be together. It may be his home but it's not a part of him… people move around all the time. Manhattan is just a place to stay… leave it and I could be with you forever and a day!"

"I would!" Mush replied, unable to keep quiet any longer. Juliet turned around, extremely startled by Mush's loud proclamation.

"Mush!" he bowed his head at the address. "Why didn't you tell me you were from Manhattan?"

"Well, you were in Manhattan…." He answered with an ironic laugh. "But I won't be from Manhattan if you don't want me to be." Juliet did not answer.

"What are you doing here?" she asked instead.

"I just went for a walk, and my heart lead me to you."

"You're very poetic, aren't you?"

"Oh yeah."

"You know, if Spot saw you here, you'd be in big trouble."

"You know I'm not in Brooklyn, and I'm not even half way across the bridge." Juliet smiled at his attempt.

"But you were coming this way. If I had not been here, you would have gone all the way to Brooklyn."

"Love led me to you. If you were Brooklyn I would have gone on without a second thought." Juliet paused savouring his words.

"Do you love me then?" She asked suddenly. "Because sometimes people say they're in love for other reasons. Not because they're actually in love…. If you love me, say it, and mean it. Please."

"I swear," Mush started taking a step closer.

"Don't swear. Wait. Don't say anything. All your promises are making me nervous. I should go now." She turned to leave, but felt Mush grab her hand.

"And leave without a promise of your love to me?"

"You already have it." She replied smiling. Mush beamed as well. He finally let go of her hand and she started to head across the bridge in the direction of Brooklyn.

"Marry me!" he called to her before she could get too far away.

"What?" she was so astounded she started walking back to him.

"Just say yes!"

"I… I… fine. Yes!"

"Good! I will meet you tomorrow at the city hall in Manhattan, try to come alone, and unnoticed." Juliet's mind was reeling, and she was still shocked by his proposal.

"Good night," she said at long last, leaving finally.

"Good night,"

"Goodbye,"

"Goodbye!" Juliet blew him a kiss, and headed once again towards Brooklyn. Once she was out of sight, Mush kicked up his heels and headed to the Manhattan Newsboys Lodging House.

~*~

A/N: … that was corny…. Hahah!