A/N: yes, I changed this chap. Actually I took off the next scene and put it in it's own chapter. It deserved it. I hope you like!

Chloe climbed to the roof of the LH, rather than finding it empty as usual, she was a little shocked to see Stretch already there and pacing the length of the building. Her long blonde ponytail flipped in the air, pale red streaks showing in the sun as she turned to pace back to the other side of the roof.

Chloe cleared her throat and took a step forward.

Stretch whipped around to look at her. She clutched a letter in her hand, tapping the envelope nervously into her palm. Her bottom lip was red and raw from chewing on it.

"What's wrong Stretch? Is it Specs?" Chloe worried out loud about the young man. "He was fine when I checked him last night." Her accent thickened as her worry intensified.

Stretch saw her concern and shook her head. "No," she swallowed hard and lifted the letter. Distress plain in her blue-green eyes.

"Bad news?" Chloe asked with a concerned frown, quickly closing the distance between them.

"I...I don't know." Stretch bit her lip and it was her turn to pale. "I can't read it." It was something she didn't want to admit. Something, till now, only Specs knew about her. She couldn't read. Stretch would always listen to the other newsies to hear what they said as they read their papes each morning at the distribution office, and she pretended to read hers. She knew she wasn't the only newsie that couldn't read, but her pride stood in the way of making this admission unless she felt she had no choice. Specs usually read things to her if needed, but since his injuries, not to mention his glasses being rendered useless by Oscar, he'd been unable to read anything.

Chloe cocked a ruddy brow looking at the girl before her. They were nearly the same height, but Stretch was a bit thinner. "Would ye like some help, Stretch?"

Stretch hesitated for just a moment before nodding and handing the letter to Chloe. Their eyes locked for a moment and Chloe nodded. "Ah'll no' say a word. Dinny fash yersel' lass." Chloe smiled, unfolded the parchment and cleared her throat as she sat down against the brick wall of the chimney.

"My darilin' girl," she started. "It seems ages since Ah've laid me weary eyes on me bonny lass. Ah jist want ye to know Ah think of ye often an' no' a day goes by tha' I don't wish fer a visit or some word tha' yer well." She smiled up at Stretch, at least it wasn't bad news. "Ah know yer work is hard and leaves ye little time, but yer always welcome here, even for a short visit. My lungs have cleared now and the warm air is doin' these old bones some good. Ah miss ya more than you'll ever know. Yer in me prayers an' me heart till the end of me days. All me love..." Chloe looked up at Stretch as she choked out the last word. "Da." She folded the letter back up, careful to not crinkle the page.

Tears stung Chloe's eyes but she bit them back. She'd always been "daddy's girl" and the letter brought to the surface how much she missed her father.

"Yer close ta him?" Chloe asked softly as she saw the tears welling up in Stretch's eyes as well. She reached out and placed her hand on Stretch's shoulder.

"Yeah." Stretch replied just above a whisper.

"Ah was close with my Da too." Chloe gave a sad smile. "Uh, Stretch?"

"Yeah?"

"Ah'm no school teacher... but, Ah'd be glad ta help ya learn if ya like?"

"Really?" Her eyes lit up.

Chloe nodded.

"Thanks. I'd like dat." A smile crept to the other girls lips. "Uh..since ya know me secret... I think ya should know... I know yours."

Chloe choked. "What?"

"I knows yer a goil."

Chloe blinked at her.

"Don't worry, I won't tell." Stretch nudged her playfully in the side. "No boy's got lashes like you'se got. 'Sides, I seen how Jack looks at ya."

Chloe blushed. "Uh...Right, so." She cleared her throat self-consciously and opened the letter back up. They huddled together over the letter and read it over slowly. Chloe pointed to the words as she read it out loud.

After the second time reading through the letter Chloe paused, "D'ya think I be needin a different name, Stretch?"

Stretch pulled back from their huddle and looked her over. "Scrappah is kinda rough. Why? You got anuddah one in mind?"

"Perhaps," she smiled a bit shyly. "Jack called me Sage today...said he's gonna call me that when the fellas aren't around."

A smile spread across Stretch's face and she nodded in agreement. "Much bettah dan Scrappah. I'se gonna call youse Sage too...if dat's awright?"

Sage nodded and smiled.

"See? I told ya so," Stretch nudged the girl playfully with her elbow.

Shout outs!

Thanks for reviews ladies! I luffle you loads and loads.

Zippykins, Celtic, Ershey, Hope, Eire, Newsiekane, Runaway, and Sparks

Those are the ones on FFNET that reviewed. I think I'm missing someone. But don't have anyone else listed on there. But thanks to anyone I missed too!

It's the reviews that keep me wanting to write and post.

Luffles and CCNs,

Sagey