Shout ins:



Artemis-chan: Updates are so much fun! (Becomes giggly and jumps up and down)

Yup, flu.

I don't know what he thinks. Why don't you ask Racetrack?



Racetrack: Ask me what?

Legs: Artemis-chan wants to know if you believe Tanya loves you or you still think she's crazy.

Racetrack: (thinks for a moment, then clears throat and says diplomatically) Both!

Legs: Okaaaaaaay, then.



Daniel is part of Katherine's mysterious past.



Mush: Awwwww...(feels sorry for himself)

Blink: HAHAHHAAAAA! (regains control of himself) Uh, hey, Artemis...

Mush: (recovers when he reads "bikini) Hey, Blink, what's a bikini?

Blink: Isn't dat a cah?

Mush: No, dat's linguini.

Racetrack: You idiots! Linguini is PASTA! The woid ya soichin foah is LAMBRIGINI!

Legs: (has no clue how to spell that)

Mush: But what's a bikini?

Racetrack: Wheah'd ya heah dat?

Mush: Right deah.

Racetrack: (eyes get wide)

Jack: What's all dis?

Racetrack: (whispers) Mush heah found himself a goil wid a bikini!

Jack: (stares blankly)

Racetrack: (nods) Yeah.

Jack: What's dat?

Racetrack: (incredulous) Yous don't know what dat is.

Jack: No. What is it?

Mush: Yeah, what's a bikini?

Racetrack: (shakes head) Ya all ah blinkin' idiots!

Blink: Hey!

Racetrack: A bikini is a bicycle foah ladies!

Mush: REALLY? Can I ride it?

Blink: Yeah, me, too!

Mush: (shoves him) Get your own!

Blink: Artemis, you do have a bikini? (mutters to self) Oh, please say yes, say yes...



Lol...okay, that was fun.

I'll miss you! But have a good time at camp! My counselors were always mean. :( Your campers will be lucky. Talk to you when you get home!



NicNac: Italian is cool. Glad you like it. Thanks! Yes, they really did have pigs running around...lol. Pretty filthy living conditions, actually. Here's more! (Gives nic nac a hug)



snipah higgins: Oh, was camping fun? I'm not planning on killing any characters...don't worry. Or at least, don't worry much. Heheh. Here is what happens in chapter thirteen...

I sympathize. PMS can rot in some dungeon for all I care! HA! Thank you as always...mwah.



imaginelet: Daniel will be discussed this chapter...heheh. Thank you forever! (Hey, it looks like we're sharing best friend medals in that cute Skittery story, lol.) (Gives Let a hug) Here's some more, my darling!



Dreamer: HEY YOU'RE BACK! YAY YAY YAY! They're all so cute, I just want to squeeze them until they die! Lol...that was something my old boyfriend used to say about my friend's cat. "Awww, it's so cute. I just want to squeeze it until it dies" or something like that. Okaaaaay...yeah. Thank you! Have another chapter.



Lil Rain Angel: Dude, YOU are awesome! Yeah, let's both learn Italian! Then we can speak Italian in these reviews and no one will no what we're talking about! That would be cool...I've read some of Anne Frank's diary, it's actually kind of interesting. Her relationship with Peter is strange and the things she dreams about are fascinating. Anyway, hope it isn't too boring. ;) Thank you...





CiCi: Thank you so much! Yeah, I got all depressed when Racetrack didn't believe Tanya and got mad at her but the guy's just born to be a heartbreaker, I suppose. Spot's so funny. Thanks for reviewing again. Here's some new story...



Raven: The world has come to an end and I want some macaroni and cheese. Mmm...Yes, Ruin's nice. Hey, Spot, don't call Race a girl! He's very manly. Oh, so that's where Jack went...I wondered...Thanks...:)



Phoenix: The Conlon in its natural habitat...lol. Ruin's so funny. I promise to read Scooby Gang soon! ;) And do you really think I would murder Spot? Heheh...well...I MIGHT. Here's more...



Kate Lawrence: Spot heah. I like da way yous t'ink, Kate. I does. Yeah, don't worry. I won't soaks yas 'till ya help me soak da rest of da woild. 'Till then, ya safe wid Brooklyn. Oh, and Legs says, 't'anks.'



Bella: (grows horns, turns green, and begins to growl fiercely) There. Ya happy? You adore this, you darling? (hugs Bella) Awww, thank you...Here's a note from Jack...

Deah Bella,

Yous is a very sweet goil. I loike yoah "Hidden" story. It's pretty good stuff. If you evah feel like seein' New Mexico, yous welcome ta come wid me ta Santa Fe.

Evah affectionately,

The Cowboy



Moonlight: Better and better and...? Thank you. Aww, I love the I love its! They're a highlight! :D Racetrack and Tanya have a lot ahead of them. Here's more of what happens...in chapter 13.



Shorty Carter: The neighbors are complaining about your brownie trucks crowding the street but what do they know? I mean, the guy across the street hugs trees and communicates with aliens. Seriously, he does. Anyways, thank you! Have another chapter and I'll just eat this brownie.



Chicago: Yes...You shall all learn the truth about Daniel, soon. ;) You're pretty darn close in your guessing, though, Chicago. Give your kitty a kiss for me. Thanks.



goldstranger: I'm not positive about the immunity thing. Because it's a different strain, maybe she doesn't have anything to fight it. I'm not sure. But people get the flu regardless so...I love Italian. Have I said that, already? Throwing up is horrible. Thank you...here's an update for you.



Angelic One: oooooh! I WATCHED SGT.BILKO TONIGHT! It was hilarious. And somehow, Max can be hot even in DRAG! HE. IS. GORGEOUS. And so funny.

Steve Martin: I needed someone exotic and alluring.

Max Casella: Why, thank you... (pouts and twirls hair)

(jumps up and down) Glad you like the romance. Thank you always. (hugs Angelic One)



Sureshot Higgins: Yes, (cough, cough) everyone's getting sick. (cough) Even ME!

THE MAX VOICE SPEAKS: Okay. First off, calm down. Ya gonna be great out deah. I sweah, stress isn't healt'y. Just relax. You'll dance great and everyone's gonna wondah who da great perfohma is. Don't predict failah befoah ya begin. Break a leg, kiddo.

Kristen and Bumlets return! YAY!

Thanks...

FOR ALL THE NEWSIE PEOPLE THAT SURESHOT SUCKED INTO THIS STORY: I LOVE YOU ALL! HOPE YOU LIKE THE NEW CHAPTER!



PsYcHoJo: I'm glad to be your hero. Have some more story. :) Thanks.



Ivy: It's okay, you working girl, you! Be sure to read Artemis' review since it concerns you and Mush...lol.

Yes, Daniel is going to be introduced further this chapter.

Race is hot.

Spot is stuck up (but still hot).

Thank you! Have a new chapter!



Lady Elwen::D Thank you FOREVER for reading this! Here. Have a brownie.

I love to write. It is my ever-available escape from the things I can't change about reality.

Tanya and Race are very important to me! I'm so glad you like them! :)



Legs: (sigh) Lady just complimented my babies...

Racetrack: Ya what?

Legs: That's right, Racey-o, you're my baby!

Racetrack: (waving hands in the air) Donne! Non potete vivere con loro e non potete vivere senza di loro!

Spot: What'd he say?

Skittery: (translating) Uh..."Women! Ya can't..."(listens) "live wid 'em" (pause) "and ya soitonly can't live widout..."

Spot: (interrupting, grabs Race by the collar) Hey, bonehead, dat's MY phrase!

Racetrack: Chiuda la vostra bocca! Genera un aroma sgradevole come quello della fogna!

Skittery: (chokes)

Spot: What'd he say now?

Skittery: Uh, "Shut your mouth. It creates an unpleasant aroma like that of the sewer."

Spot: WHY YA DOITY ROTTEN SCABBAH, I'll soak ya foah dat!

Racetrack: (shouting) E cosi sapete, quello on siete la vostra frase, voi bum ignaro!

Spot: (wheeling around to look at Skittery)

Skittery: I don't know! 'E's talkin' so fast...something like..."An' so you know, dat is not yoah phrase, ya ignorant bum"...maybe? (shrugs) I'm ain't positive.



ANYHOW...



More...



****

"Daniel?" Sarah looked puzzled.

"Daniel, stop!"

He laughed and let go of her apron.

"I do declare ya be tha most distractin' thing a body can have about! How am I ta concentrate on these figures?"

"Why bother concentratin' 'tall, lass?"

"I want to know what they mean, o' course!"

He let his head fall into her lap, "Ya want ta know what ev'rythin' means!"

"Who's Daniel?" Sarah persisted.

Katherine jolted back to the present.

****

Kristen had complained heavily to herself that the walk from her mother's home to the lodging house was painfully long. Now it didn't feel long enough. On the steps, she stood and clung to Bumlets.

"Don't let me go," she begged.

"We can't stand heah all night."

"Oh," she stamped her foot, "One more minute."

It was another hour before they said good night.

****

Katherine shrugged, "Daniel is a boy."

Sarah was exasperated. "But what boy? How do you know him? What does he look like?"

"He's older than me."

"Yes, go on."

"He...has...brown hair."

"Yes?"

"And blue eyes..."

"Your eyes get greener everyday, Danny."

"And your'n get prettier."

"Ach, you'll be fer turnin' me head if ya keep it up!"

"Ah, but lass, I want yer head ta turn...this way..." he tilted her chin until her face was close to his...Katherine shrugged, "Daniel is a boy."

****

The morning sun rose and one by one the newsies shrugged themselves awake and left for their morning papers.

****

Tanya felt like someone had dropped a load of bricks on her feet. Sitting up, she stared groggily at the sleeping newsie at the foot of her bed. No wonder. Her toe poked into his side through the blankets.

Snipeshooter groaned and turned over.

She kicked him.

"Five more minutes, Race. I swear I'll get up then."

"You'll get up NOW!" she thundered. As loudly as she could "thunder" in a hoarse whisper.

The boy opened his eyes and seeing her, sat up, his face tomato red.

Tanya lay back against the pillows, feeling exhausted again. She sighed, "Why aren't you out selling your papers?"

"I have orders ta stay here wid you."

"Orders?"

He nodded.

"From who?"

He gulped, "I'm not supposed to say."

"From Racetrack?"

He shook his head.

"Tell me."

He shook his head again.

"Was it Jack?"

Snipeshooter shook his head.

"Mush."

The newsie shook his head.

"Blink."

He shook his head.

Tanya rolled her eyes, "You."

He shook his head.

"Are you just shaking your head to everything I say?"

He started to shake his head, then stopped to nod.

****

Racetrack had felt out of breath ten yards from the house. He slowed his pace and found himself, for the first time since the day he started selling the World, in the very back of the distribution line.

Taking his usual fifty papes, he crossed the square and began a sedate walk to Sheepshead. No chance of catching a ride today. Oh well, the air would do him good.

He pulled a crumpled racing form from his pocket. He didn't have any money to bet with but somehow, holding the tattered paper that smelled of cigars and ink leant a calmness to him.

It had been a full week and a half since he had been to the races. The walk seemed lonelier than he remembered. He wished he'd thought to ask Blink or Mush along. Racetrack shook himself. What was wrong with him today? He always sold alone. I'm independent. Don't need nobody but me, he told himself sternly, increasing his step as if to drown out the lonely feelings with confidence.

He tried to swagger but a twitch in the back of his throat sent him into another coughing spell.

****

Spot sat up and started to get out of bed. Two slender hands pushed him back. "Oh, no, yous don't, Conlon."

"Raven, I sweah I'm doin' fine. And I'll be doin' much finah if I can get a view a da docks."

"Ya move, ya die." Raven held a familiar gold-tipped cane threateningly near his face.

"Aw, Rave, why ya gotta go and use me own weapon 'gainst me? Ain't ya me old pal?"

She lowered the rod and stared at him, struggling to keep her face from crumpling. "Cohse, we ah," she told him, her voice close to breaking.

****

"Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling..." Katherine sang softly as she pulled the sewing into her lap.

Mrs. Jacobs looked up from rolling pie crusts to smile at the girl, "What's that song you're singing?"

Katherine bit her lip, stammering, "Something I knew a long time ago."

"Oh. On the stage?"

"No." Katherine bent her head over her work again. "In Ireland," she whispered.

"Danny, my ribbon!"

She watched the pink fabric blow with the wind and land in the far branch.

"Oh, Danny, it's too high, never mind. Danny! Danny, where are ya goin?"

The boy seemed not to hear her as he climbed higher into the tree. And then...his boot slipped...

****

Racetrack took a deep breath and began coughing again. The smell of straw and horse manure and cigar smoke filled the air around him. The horses stood impatiently, stomping hooves and snorting loudly. He smiled, a big smile that showed his white off-center teeth.

He gazed down at the headline: End of Flue Outbreak.

Thinking for a moment, the newsie flung the paper over his head, "Cuah Found Foah Mysterious Illness!"

Hey, a fellow had to make a living.

****

"How does the rest of the song go?" Mrs. Jacobs asked, her own blue eyes seeming to detect a story behind Katherine's.

"From glen to glen, and down the mountain side. The summer's gone and all the roses falling; It's you, it's you must go and I must bide..." A searing pain flashed through her mind...

Tears streaming, she ran towards the cottage, "Mither! It's Danny!"

The woman hurried out of the house, "And what be wrong wid tha lad?"

"He's fallen and he won't answer me!" She hid her face in her mother's side.

****

Raven suddenly had an overwhelming urge to whack Spot Conlon over the head with his cane.

He must be blind, she thought bitterly...I wish I hated him. It would be so much easier to become friends with an enemy than to be only friends with...with who? Spot? The Brooklyn newsboy, cranky, bull-headed Spot Conlon with gray blue eyes and an Irish temper. Brave Spot, so very brave. So very loyal.

He had settled back into his crates, piled high with ragged blankets. He watched everything with a self-satisfied expression...less than arrogant...more than smug. He half-smiled at her, his eyes tired.

She half-smiled back and turned to walk out.

"So what'd ya want me ta say, Raves?"

"When?"

"Just now when I'se said ya was me pal. What othah title do ya want?" This last he asked, with that peculiar touch of sarcasm that made him so...witty.



Raven shook her head and turned again to leave.

"Michelle."

Her eyes flew to meet his.

"Yoah moah den me pal."

She grinned and running back to his side, threw her arms around his neck impulsively, girlishly...

Spot recoiled in shock. He patted her back, "Yeah, yeah, don't get alls carried 'way."

****

As the day went on, Racetrack felt better and all fifty papes were sold by three.

"Just a nickel," he told himself.

"You'll lose tha nickel," himself told him.

"I'm in it foah da t'rills. He slapped his lone nickel on the most promising horse of the race and stood anxiously waiting for the starting pistol.

****

Kristen ran a hand over the lace, so delicate and sweet lying there in her trunk. A part of her was afraid to pick it up, as though it might fall apart between her fingers.

Wedding lace...

****

Oh, well. Another nickel lost... but it had been worth the three exhilarating seconds that Racetrack thought his horse might win.

He pushed open the door to the bunk room. Tanya was sitting upright in bed, propped up against the pillows, patiently teaching Snipeshooter the rules for some game Racetrack had never seen before.

"So, we say 'rock, paper, scissor' and then you hold out your hand like this...no, not like...like this." She made a fist, "That's a rock." Two fingers shot out, "Scissors and this...Race..." she coughed, "Hi."

He sat gingerly down on the side of the bed and a glare in Snipeshooter's direction sent him scurrying off down the stairs and out to sell the afternoon edition.

"Thanks for making him stay with me. It would have been really boring all by myself."

"Well, I didn't tell him ta stay," Racetrack said.

"You didn't?" Tanya felt silly. "Oh."

"But I would have if I'd had da brains ta t'ink of it." He winked and tapped his head.

"Did you sell a lot?"

He shrugged, "Da usual. You feelin' bettah?"

Tanya nodded quickly but a sudden wave of dizziness made her bury her face in the pillows again.

"No, ya not," Race told her disgustedly.

"But I am!" she protested, sitting straight up again.

He pushed her roughly down, "Don't lie ta me, Tanya! Ya undahstand?"

A tear fell on the blankets and Tanya whispered, "Racetrack...I have to get home."

****



A/N: I am horrible. I can't believe it took me this long to update! I'm so so sooooooo sorry! I hope you guys like this chapter. Don't worry! Much more to come! :) I promise. REVIEWWWWWWWW!!!!!!

DISCLAIMER: The usual. I own nothing, especially not NEWSIES.



Legs comments on: directors

Difficult and amazing people to work with. They're extremes...hot or cold or both but never luke warm about anything. It's either really good or really bad. I got yelled at today at a script edit/rehearsal...it was my fault. I'll do better next time...right? K. Love you all!