Shout ins:



imaginelet: Thank you...:)

Yeah, I like Bumlets' name, too. I gave a Mush a hug for you...



Mush: Awww, thank you! (beams happily) What was that for?

Legs: It's from Let.

Mush: (waves at computer screen) HI, LET! I'm MUSH!



I keep wanting to clonk Tanya over the head with a heavy bookend but Racetrack told me I wasn't allowed to do that.



Racetrack: Dat ain't nice.

Legs: Oh, sure. Stick up for HER! You've got it bad, Racey-o.

Racetrack: Aw, shut ya lid. Yous don't know what ya tawkin' 'bout.

Legs: Oh, DON'T I? (smiles evilly and holds up love letters addressed to Tanya) Oh my, what are these?

Racetrack: (snatches at them) Gimme dose! Legs, I mean it! If ya read 'em, I'll soak ya sorry reah!

Legs: (feigns hurt) Racetrack, do you really believe I would READ your personal mail?

Racetrack: (sighs with relief)

Legs: You're right. I would. (rips open envelope)

Racetrack: Nooooooooooo!!!!

Legs: (dances out of his reach) Oh, how cute...poetry!

Racetrack: (turning red) GIMME DAT LETTAH!

Legs: (begins dramatically, hand to bosom) Bandanas are red....

Racetrack: (bellowing) LEGS!

Legs: (shouting over him) Dave's shirt is blue...

Racetrack: YA BUM, GIMME DAT!

Legs: My hair is brown...and yours is pretty? Okay (shakes head) that doesn't rhyme.

Racetrack: Dat's nice. NOW HAND OVAH DA LETTAH!

Legs: (hands Racetrack the envelope and opens another) Now, what does this one say...?

Racetrack: (going from red to fuchsia and making strange strangling sounds in throat)





Artemis-chan:

Thank you as always...

Blink says to type a hug from him. (He still likes you) He also wants to know what "scorned" means.

Boots wants to borrow your bike. :)

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to leave you guys hanging! At least something positive happened at the end of the chapter. :)

I LOVE YOU ALL MY LOYAL FANS!!!! awww, I have fans...



Blink: Fans?

Racetrack: Ya know, dose t'ings ladies use ta cool off wit...(grabs a Time Magazine to demonstrate the art of fanning) If a goil likes you, she let you fan huh like dis. (fans Legs with magazine)

Mush: I wanna try dat!

Blink: No, me!

Spot: (pushes through crowd of newsies) Hey, I'M da expuht fannah heah! So jus' move ya sorry selves outta da way and let da mastah take ovah!

Legs: (enjoying the breeze, sighs) I love newsboys.





Moonlight: Well, she said "ti amo" in an earlier chapter but yes, "I love you" in this one...I'm glad she finally did. :) Yes, I did see the new chapter! You need to hurry and write more of "Finding Love" or I will sic my snail on you! THEN you'll be sorry. Lol. (Hugs Moonlight) Thank you...





Cici: I'm sorry it took me this long to update! The week so far has been break-neck speed rushing around to everything. The only reason I'm getting this out tonight is that the show I had was cancelled because of lightning. I would have gone ahead and done the thing but the outdoor stage is metal and we were wired for sound...probably not safe. OH WELL. (pouts) At least, I get to hang with you cooler than coolest people! (hugs Cici) Here, have one of Shorty's famous brownies.





Chicago: Yeah, the whole "omigosh what if he doesn't want to marry me" thing happened at my aunt's wedding. :D I guess it's common. I'm very proud of you. You've done a courageous thing letting that DVD out of your sight. And I just want to shake your hand. (shakes hand) Have a brownie. Thank yooooooouuuuuu...





Lil Rain Angel: Thank you, you angel, you! Yep, sequel. :D I'm excited. A couple more chapters of this and I'll start that. I already know what happens mostly so it'll just be like another update. I'm trying to decide if I should keep it under this story or start a new one to open up. What do you think? (hugs Rain)



Skittery: It's time ta begin ouah lesson....today, class...

Rain: Class? (looks around) It's just me and Legs, Skits.

Skittery: (harrumphing) Yous will address me as MISTAH SKITTERY.

Legs: Um...(trying not laugh) okaaaay...

Rain: (rolls eyes) Whatever.

Skittery: The foist t'ing we's is gonna loin, class, is "cosi che cosa?" Now, repeat aftah me...

Legs and Rain: Cosi che cosa.

Skittery: (grins) Yeah, dat's it. I'm so proud of you...(pats them both on the head)

Rain: Um, what does that mean?

Skittery: What mean?

Legs: Cosi che chaca or whatever?

Skittery: cosa...not chaca.

Legs: Whatever.

Skittery: It means "so what?"

Rain: Oh yes...your favorite expression.(shares look with Legs)



Sureshot Higgins: Dude, yeah. That was a really fun wedding to write, too! Actually, Elizabeth is my real name...ssssssshhhhhhh, don't tell anyone! Hope the test went good. :) Thank you...



goldstranger: MARRIAGE! I KNOW! I LOVE MARRIAGE! (lol) Yeah, poor Tanya. Racetrack, give her a spoonful of Advil.

Race: (opens bottle and pours spoonful, takes a lick) Hey, dis tastes good!

Mush: Where? Lemme try!

Race: (yanks it away) No, it's mine!

Mush: (whining) But I wanna lick!

Race: Ya can't have a lick. Ya ain't sick.

Mush: (pretends to cough) Oh, yes, I am. I'm very ill.

Race: Yous ah not.

Spot: Hey, I want some a dat. (Racetrack refuses to give up bottle) Hey, Legs, I want some a dat cherry soup, too!

Legs: You can have some, Spot. Right after your tranquilizer.

Spot: Yeah, speakin' a dat...I been meanin' ta ask ya, wheah is dat tranquilizah yous promised me?



Angelic One: Race and Tanya are cute, though, aren't they?

I hope the job interview went well! :)

(hugs and yummy brownies)



Lady Elwen: I'm not really that awesome. Thank you forever for saying so! Writing is my passion (after theater) (and music) (lol). I'm sorry I haven't been updating very fast! Time is getting harder and harder to come by. :( Have a brownie and I hope you like this nice long chapter...(hugs Lady)



NicNac: Yeah, Racetrack's all: Oh, I don't want to go ask that stupid question AGAIN.

I value all of your opinions immensely! I'm so glad everyone likes Tanya enough to want to her stay. I think you'll like the sequel. It should be...interesting, anyway. Heheh. You're allowed to hate it, if you want. Love you and here's some more!



Dreamer: Thank you, darling. HERE! Have ANOTHER brownie! (Shorty is an awesome cook)



Raven: I know! Wasn't it cute when Bumlets picked Kristen up? (sigh) I could just see it in my head...

Thank you for the chocolate covered newsies! You're the bestest.

Oh, and this chapter has LOTS of you in it! :D

Yeah, Race is totally in love. He's even starting to admit it...



Race: (bent over new love poem to Tanya) Hey, Spot, how do ya spell adoah?

Spot: Uh...a-d-o-a-h.

Race: (frowns at page) Dat don't look right.

Spot: Well, it IS, bonehead.

Race: (shrugs and continues scribbling)



snipah higgins: I promise that both Tanya and Racetrack are in the sequel. :)

I know how you feel! I had to check two or three Blockbusters before I found Sgt. Bilko! (growls) You can get it on amazon.com. And they may have it at Wal-mart. That movie is so adorable. Especially all of the great Max scenes. I swear, he gets hotter every time I watch it!

Thank you...here's some more.



Corky Higgins: MORE chocolate covered newsies! AHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!! yayness. Thank you!

Vinnie, I like you more than Mike because you are extremely hot and I always have this overwhelming urge to throw my arms around you and give you a BIG KISS! (kisses Vinnie)

I "promsie" to read the rest of your story as soon I can! I have to finish Scooby Gang, too, and I keep forgetting to do that! I'm sorry, everyone! I'm really lame! Just keep reminding me. One of these days, I'll remember. I hope.

Oh, hi, Anton...:)



Phoenix: I'm really sorry but I have a hard time remembering who Dutchy is! Would you mind describing him? (feels incredibly pathetic)

K, here's a new chapter so YOU CAN STOP FIGHTING, GUYS! :)



Shorty Carter: OF ALL TIME? Yay, more brownies. Thank you. K, more for you...:) (hugs Shorty)



Bella: (says it) Awwww... Lovebug, ME? (feels special)

This chapter is probably a bit bittersweet, too.

I'll have to try that Champagno stuff...

Oooh, mushy and gay! Can't wait to read it! HURRY UP WOULD YOU? (taps foot impatiently)

Love you! Here's the boys...

Racetrack: Jack, yoah woman is back.

Jack: My what?

Blink: (whispering) Dat goil who likes you.

Jack: Oh, hey, it's BELLA! (grins like an idiot at screen)

Racetrack: She wants some witty bantah...

Mush: What's bantah?

Racetrack: It's DIS, knucklehead! (smacks Mush over the head with Snipeshooter's dictionary)

Mush: OW! Dat hoit!

Race: Good.

Jack: Legs, please...anothah note foah Bella...

Legs: I'm ready...

Jack: Deah Bella,

Hi. It's Jack again. It's so wondahful hearin' from you dat I t'ink we will all smoke a cigah in honahs of your review!

Racetrack: Dat's MY cigah!

Les: I'm not allowed to smoke, yet. David says not till I'm as old as he is.

Racetrack: David? Ha! David would die if he tried ta smoke, da pansy! (takes deep drag and exhales) It takes a man ta smoke one a dese.

Jack: (rolls eyes) As yous can see, Bella, dis is what I gotta put up wit. Oh well, bye foah now.

Affectionately,

Yoah Jack



Ivy: Thank you, always! And Mush says hi and sends his love. :)



Racetracks Gambler: Thank you forever for reviewing! I love the newsies and I love Italian, too! (hugs gambler) I'll let you know if I need some hints on NYC. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Here. A brownie! :)



Disclaimer: (gasp) I forgot the disclaimer for the last chapter! I feel horrible! Okay. I do not own Newsies. There. Oh, I don't own Kristen Hunter (She belongs to Sureshot), don't own Kate Lawrence (Kate Lawrence property), Ruin ain't mine (She's Phoenix's baby), Raven's borrowed (from Raven), and future characters that are being leant to me belong to their respective owners. "Scarborough Fair" is an old medieval song. I don't own that, either.

Dedication: For Max Casella...my Broadway idol.

And also for my wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL readers/reviewers! YOU GUYS ARE THE GREATEST! Hugs and brownies for everyone!







The best is yet to come...



Racetrack felt the thin arms yank his neck down so that his face was within inches of hers, "I love you, Racetrack Higgins!" he heard her whisper fiercely. While her eyes remained close, framed in curls, her baby soft cheeks had dimpled up to form a soft sad smile.

Unthinkingly, Race let his face travel closer until his lips were touching hers.

And Tanya, without thought, let herself kiss him back, wishing with all her might that she would never be able to go back home. That she would be stuck here forever...

****

The sun was struggling to pull itself down from the evening sky as Spot Conlon stepped quickly across the docks, loving the feeling of the wind ripping through his thin clothes.

His blue eyes and soft freckles seemed to stand out against the unusually pale color of his face.

He coughed and hit his cane against the wood beneath him, relishing the threatening, decisive sound it made. Threatening and decisive, he nodded...kinda like him...

A sweet voice carried itself across the water and to his pricked ears...



"Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Remember me to one who lives there

For once she was a true love of mine."



Kate's song reminded him of Raven....

Spot sighed. Try as he might, he couldn't be threatening or decisive with her...Michelle Beaufont was past threats and beyond decisions.

****

Katherine wondered if she had somehow missed dying and gone straight through to heaven. One minute, she had been inside, preparing herself for another long afternoon with a basket full of mending and the next...

David had pounced in and demanded that she give up her work and take a walk in the sunshine.

Why, she couldn't possibly.

Well, why not?

There was too much to be done. She'd already taken so much time with the wedding that morning.

So what did the boy do but sit down with a needle and begin stitching the neatest hem she had ever seen a boy sew...

****

Tanya had drifted off, the memories of Racetrack's kisses turning to dreams but her dreams fleeing as the nightmares arrived, armed with vicious reality.

Everywhere she tossed and turned, there seemed to be another reason that she must go home.

****

"Have her make me a cambric shirt

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Without no seam nor fine needle work

And then she'll be a true love of mine..."

****

The two sat laughingly sewing and talking. David forgot about taking a walk and Katherine forgot she was stuck in a dreary tenement.

****

When Tanya again opened her eyes, Racetrack was there at the foot of her bed. His dark eyes were more troubled than she had ever seen them.

****

"If she tells me she can't, I'll reply

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Let me know that at least she will try

And then she'll be a true love of mine."



Kate sold her last paper and shoved her hands deep into pockets.

****

"I'm gonna write for a paper," David told Katherine, jabbing the needle through a stiff pair of canvas trousers.

She looked at him with excitement, "Really? What else?"

"I want to be an editor someday and have a big house somewhere here in Manhattan and I'll have a family of my own and...well," he blushed, "I still have to finish school. But then I will!"

****

Racetrack listened to the story of Tanya's entrance into the year 1900 and consequently, her entrance into his life. "If you got t'rough time by goin' someplace dat's connected wid da past..." he thought for a moment, "Can ya get back goin' somewheah dat has ta do wid da futcha?" Simply voicing the idea of her leaving, made his heart ache.

Tanya winced. His words seemed to finalize the matter.

"I s'pose ya gotta but...I still...I don't..." Racetrack struggled for something to say.

****

"Love imposes impossible tasks

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Though not more than any heart asks

And I must know she's a true love of mine..."

****

That night Racetrack taught Tanya to play poker. Or at least, attempted it. She didn't seem to understand the idea of betting wisely.

Mush added a chip to the pot.

The others...Racetrack, Jack, Blink, and Skittery followed suit.

Skittery sighed, "I fold."

Tanya put her chip in.

Mush called it.

One by one, they laid their cards down...two kings and three fours, a straight, three twos and two queens, a full house, and a pair of jacks. A pair of jacks?

Racetrack groaned, "Tanya, sweetie...you don't evah wanna bet on a single paih."

She felt her cheeks grow hot and she stammered, "Oh."

The newsie put an arm around the back of her chair and said, "Hey, don't worry, yous'll get da feel foah it, soon."

Jack look knowingly at David who had come over to watch.

David grinned and shook his head, "Hey, Race, ya up fer a bet?"

Racetrack looked up at him over his cards, "What kinda bet?"

David Jacobs eyed his friends seated around the table, "Two dollars says they're married within the year." The others smiled and nodded in agreement.

Race's eyes bugged out of his head. Tanya thought he must be mad about the idea of betting on something so personal but he suddenly exploded, "TWO BUCKS? I ain't got two bucks! Fifty cents."

Tanya wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. The idea of marrying Racetrack made her tingle...but how impractical...she couldn't get MARRIED at sixteen...especially not to someone who was a hundred and something years older than her. And now she was planning on leaving. She sighed.

He suddenly realized what David had actually said and his face went crimson. "Awww, shut up, ya bums." He couldn't get married. The idea was beyond preposterous. And he CERTAINLY wasn't gonna tie the knot with anyone from a different century!

****

Raven let herself wander through Brooklyn's back alleys, thinking about the wedding Kate had rushed off to that morning.

A drunk waddled past her, winking suggestively before he collapsed into a pile of fruit crates.

The girl hardly noticed, still imagining what it must be like to get married. Raven didn't know anyone who was married. Her mother hadn't married. Her father was a blank page never to be opened to her and in the newsgirl's mind, his existence was open for debate.

The dress must have been pretty. Kate hadn't said much and Raven didn't have it in her to ask. But Kristen and her mother had lived in a nice house. And wedding dresses were always pretty, weren't they?

She looked up and rolled her eyes. Even when she was trying to wander, she always seemed to end up back here...at the docks...

Slowly, she let her head hang down over the wooden rail and eyed the watery version of herself staring back.

For the first time in a long time, Raven wished she owned a dress. A long lacy skirt and a shirt with buttons and ribbons on it. Jack Kelly's girl had worn something like that once.

She wiggled her toes inside the tired old work boots--boots forever to be two sizes too big-- and scowled.

"Whatcha wrinklin up dat pretty face foah, goily?"

Raven's daydreams vanished at the sound of his voice.

She turned around, but as slowly and deliberately as if she had known he was there the entire time.

Her mouth curved easily into a smirk, "Conlon."

Spot didn't say anything else just stared at her, with his hard blue eyes. And then...he made his move.

****

"Dear, when thou has finished thy task

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Come to me, my hand for to ask

For thou then art a true love of mine."

****

Tanya wished the night would never end. That she could go on losing poker to Racetrack for an eternity.

She watched him stare at her from behind his hand, his bright dark eyes sparkling wickedly.

****

Raven didn't know how long they stayed on those docks. She didn't really care, either. She was safe in the arms of Brooklyn.

****

A/N: That's it for now. Love you all...



Legs comments on: dancing...

Isn't it fun? Doesn't it make you feel alive? ;)