It's chapter twenty-three. Can you believe it? Certainly has taken me forever.


Shout ins: (Did I ever explain why they're "in" and not "out"? I just think "Shouting out" sounds so...so...gangsta. "I'd like to give a shout out to all my homies" or whatever. And "Shouting in" sounds kind of welcoming. Like the beginning of something. So here goes.)


Sapphy: Thank you as always for reviewing! Yes, lots of cuteness going on.


Racetrack: It's makin' me sick.

Spot: And yoah makin' ME sick, ya doity rotten-

Racetrack: (shoves Spot) If you'se call me a doity rotten scabbah one moah time, I'se is gonna fix you so you'se NEED dat lousy cane!



Angelic One: Thank you, darling. Yes, I am back...with a VENGEANCE! Bwahahhaaaaaaaaaaa...

Yes, everyone's worried about Jenny...


Spot: (threateningly inching towards Legs' neck) If you'se hoit huh, I'll make ya sorry, ya doity rotten goily!

(Rest of Brooklyn stands behind Spot, glaring equally threateningly)



Raven: Lol. You make it sound like delivering a baby. "Hurry up and push another chappy out!" Heheh. I'm so sorry you had to wait so long for this. Yes, Spot idolizes you, worships the ground you walk on.


Spot: (bowing low to kiss cobblestones) Oh, great and powahful ground dat Raven graces wid huh poifect little feet...


Jack: Ya scarin' me, Spot.


Spot: Ya know what, Jackie-boy?


Jack: Yeah, what?


Spot: (leans in and whispers in Jack's ear) I'm beginnin' ta sca'ah meself.




Shot Hunter: Thanks for not giving up on me! Yes, it's nice to be back. I'm sorry, Kristen, I couldn't help it! I didn't have enough time to inform you about your pregnancy so you had to read it along with everybody else. (Sigh) I know, it's a sad, sad world we live in. Thank you, Bumlets and everybody.


Skittery blushed when he got the kiss from Trips this time. I think he doesn't quite know how to handle himself around girls. Poor guy.



Bella7: Ah, yes, I know. It has been far too long. Hopefully, we can avoid repetition. You know me well, dear comrade. I most certainly will NOT reveal the fate of my characters. Especially Jenny because that would just be wrong, don't you think? Ahh, I'm glad you guessed the other plot. It's lovely to hear that my writing is getting through in different ways. Yes, it might have been obvious but not everyone picked it up, so congratulations!


And I'm so very, very sorry you had a bad week! I can sympathize-I started work (and then had nightmares about it all night), I fought with my boyfriend for two days before he embarrassed me in front of TOTAL STRANGERS and then broke up with me (right before my first college class), school has been crap mostly, my room a mess, and this retarded guy at drivers' ed yesterday was throwing some of the most disgusting sexual barbs at me (I came very close to break down about that point). I'm about ready to take a vow of celibacy for the rest of my miserable existence. Guys are so stupid. And there I go AGAIN on a rant! But back to YOU, I really am very sorry you had a bad week and I was praying for you this afternoon. I hope you're doing better. (Jack says he loves you)


You, my darling reader, always make my day with your lovely reviews!


Kawaii Julie Sama: Thank you for your review! I'm so glad you're liking the story. :D I hope you keep reading. Have some brownies.

Nevaeh: Aww, I missed you! It's okay, though. I'm just glad you came back! (smiles) Wow, that's a lot of newsies you're sneaking off with! Yeah, I really dislike all the Sarah-bashing that goes on on this website. She's not a witch or a slut or ditz. She's just an ordinary teenage girl who happens to be in love with Jack Kelly. And certain people...and they know who they are...need to quit making her out to be so horrible because she really isn't! She's not a particularly fascinating character in the movie and doesn't play a large role in the strike but she's not Satan, either. So, now that I have that off my chest, thank you, punkin, for reviewing! You are so wonderful! Have brownies!



kristan: Thank you so much for the honest review! Yeah, you know, I don't like what I did with Jenny and Tanya...it was a little too...sudden...forced...yeah. That's it. Forced. I don't think the ideas were forced but the way Jenny decided to tell on Tanya was too quick. I should probably go into her thought processes more, give her something greater to be angry about. What do ya think?

I promise I will go read and review as soon as I can! I've been absolutely starving for writing time. But next real chance I get, I will! :) Thank you...and have some brownies...:)


Artemis-chan: Thank you for your review, as always. It was a disgustingly short chapter! (Sigh) Sometimes...I can't stand myself. Yeah, I'm terribly in love with all my couples. At least this story isn't over, yet! I'm going to miss them all so much! Poor Blink...the kid is being a tad dominating. Blink, tone it down about 100 notches, wouldja, buddy?


Blink: MY Ahtmemis...mine, mine, ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL MIIIIIIIIIIIIINEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!



Dreamer110: Like your new screen name. Yeah, Heather's so cool. I wish I could write song lyrics like that. I'll have to try it. I don't think I killed Jenny. (checks) Nope, she's still breathing. ;) Thank you, sweetie! Have brownies.



NicNac: Thank you! And I'm so sorry you've been suffering. Waaaaaa...

Racetrack is so grateful for the kitkat bar. In fact, he's now obsessed with it.


Race: It's my kit kat bah and I'm nevah gonna eat it. I'm gonna keep it in dis pape wheah it will be safe while I'se is sellin'. And den...when I'se get back ta da lodgin' house, me an' ol' kitkat can play cahds...aww, isn't it cute?



PsYcHoJo: I am the queen of drama. Here...


Skittery: (kisses Jo sweetly)


Pyromaniacal Llama: Jenny most likely won't die. I don't really like her that much as a person. I mean, she's my character so I have to take care of her but still...she makes me almost as mad as MY little brother does sometimes. Which is pretty mad. And THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES FOR THE HELPFUL QUESTION! In this chapter, we will learn a bit more about what Race's pals are thinking and doing now that's he's off w/ Tanya in the 21st century. :D Thank you SO much for your great review. It made me smile lots. (Hugs)

Moonlights Sundance: I know, I know, I know. I haven't read or reviewed anything in forever! I feel so bad about that. I haven't had time to do anything but sleep and study for like...a long time. It's at the top of my story list to look at, though, really, really. I think about it a lot. Hope you like the new chapter. (Many, many hugs) :)


shinigami nanoda: Thank you, punkin! I'm so sorry it took me this long to update ONCE AGAIN! I'm lucky I'm still allowed access to the internet with all the stuff I have to do and all the stuff I end up NOT getting done. Oh, and you should totally write a Racetrack romance but NOT SLASH. PLEASE I BEG OF YOU NO SLASH OR I WILL DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH! Anyway, you're better than anyone I know at getting what's going on in his mind so I think you'd do a good job of portraying what he might REALISTICALLY think about girls. Like, writing a little Racetrack fic regarding his thoughts on the subject of women. That would be interesting. Or a Racetrack advice column, where lonely women wrote in reviews asking for advice on their love lives.

Have some brownies and loads of hugs. :)



Corky Higgins: Thank you, darling. And if Vinnie should happen to call home from his road trip, tell him I miss him. :) Here, brownies...mmmmmm...



Lady Elwen: Thank you, precious...missed you guys, so much! Here's more. Tell me what you think.


MethosMacLeod: I feel so honored! Thank you for the long review! :) Thank you for liking the chappy. Here's more and...just for you...(sigh)...a song from our favorite newsboys.



(Newsies enter dressed in leather...ooh, that thymres! :: claps hands::)


(Pop music begins)

Blink: (singing) Me grades ah down from A's ta B's.

Mush: (singing) I'm way behind in history!

David: I've lost myself in fantasy.

Skittery: Of you and me...toge-eh-ehdda...


Jack: (dancing) I don't know why-y-y, but dreamin's all I do!

Les: I won't get by-y-y, on mere imagination!


All newsises: (doing pop and lock) Upside down, bouncin' off da ceilin', inside out strangah ta dis feelin', gots no clue, what I should do, but I'll go crazy if I can't get next ta you!


Snitch: Ta you...


Bumlets: My teacha says ta concentrate.

Race: So what? His name is Petah da Great!

Spot: Da kings...and queens...will have ta wait...cuz I'se don't have foreh-eh-vah...


Boots: I wish dat I-I-I could walk right up ta you...


Les: ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh.


The Delancey Brothers: Each time I try-y-y, da some ol' hesi-TATION!!!!!!!


Jack: Everybody!


(Kloppman, Denton, Sarah, and the newsies join in): Upside DOWN, boucin' off da CEILIN'! Inside OUT, strangah to dis FEELIN'! Gots no clue, what I should do, but I'll go crazy if I can't get next ta you'se....ta you'se...


anUNDERCOVERnewsie: Thank you! Have a brownie. :)

Jessica Knight: Thank you for all your wonderful reviews! I'm so flattered that you like this! Sometimes I just want to scream cuz I feel like I'm taking it off on all these silly tangents but...they're FUN tangents, anyway. :D

St. Elmo...hahah...I'm directionally challenged. I'll let you know at acting. It's up in the mountains, closer to Pueblo than here cuz we took Andy with us when we went. (Did I tell you he broke up with me?) Anyways, see you on Saturday? That's out first day, right? K, love you muchly...(many hugs) I can't say how long this story will go on. It feels like an eternity.

feisty2: Well, of course, you're cool! Thank you so much for the review! Hope you like the new chapter. :)


Brownie/Melody: I'm so glad you found this little corner of fanfiction! It's great to know I can still suck people into my little world...(evil laugh) No, seriously, thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I'm very honored that so many of you take any time at all to read this story! It's been so much fun getting to know you guys, thus far, and share ideas (and newsies...lol). (hugs) And eat a brownie. I'd love to know what you think of this new chapter. :)



Chicago: Yay, you reviewed, though. THAT'S the point of it all. Anyhow, Dutchy on a MOTORCYCLE? WHAT IS HE THINKING? DUTCHY! GET OFF~ NOW!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I'd be worried, too, punkin. Anyway, thank you, as always. Here's more...



imaginelet: My baby! You're here AND there! Thank you for reviewing BOTH my stories! (hugs Let) So, let's see...Jenny's not dead, yet. And yeah, I didn't want Bumlets to have a whole freak-out session when he found out Kristen was pregnant so I skipped that part. The glorious part of being an author..."I don't feel like going through that. Let's skip it." Heheh. :) Here's s'more story...



Irish Rain: Hold onto your head...here comes the next chapter...I wonder if it will explain anything, at all...or serve to confuse you more...(villainous laugh) love ya! Thanks for reviewing like you do...:)




Disclaimer: Newsies...I owneth them not...woe, woe, a THOUSAND times...WOE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and the song for Methos is "Upside-Down" as sung by A*Teens.



Onward and upward...



"Uh this-this way," Mike stumbled through the door trailed by a group of deep blue uniforms. "She's in here."

A paramedic brushed Tanya's arm as he passed her in the hall.

Within seconds, Jenny's room was swarming with firefighters and EMTs.

"Oxygen!"

"We need to get a tube in...NOW!"

A policeman approached Tanya, "What's her name?"

"Jenny. Uh, Jennifer...Farthing."

"Her age?"

"Eight. Her-her birthday's in January," Tanya took in a gulp of air.

The man nodded and put his notebook in his pocket, "You two related?"

"Yeah, she's my sister."

****

A wad of spit landed squarely on the deck in front of her.

"Ey, luv, watch where ya step!" a male voice laughed behind her.

Kate yanked her dark head around to glare at the one who had spoken. The suppressed grin on the sailor's face infuriated her all the more.

"Why don't YOU watch where you SPIT?"

"Spit? Oh, wasn't me, luv. A gentleman like meself doesn't do such things in the presence of ladies," the twinkle behind his stormy gray eyes seemed to tease their way across her brashly beautiful face.

Kate started to speak again but the man went on, "The fellow you're searching for is Snipes. Snipes, old boy!" he barked suddenly, "You've got yourself an admirer!"

A great hulk of a man turned slowly in their direction, the green tattoo on the back of his fat neck folding as he did so.

"Ay?" Snipes grunted.


****

For the first time in his life, Jack Kelly couldn't think of a thing to say. Everyone wanted to avoid the obvious and yet no one could think of anything else. So Les, always the subtlest, blurted the question none of them could bear to ask, "Where's Race?"


****

Racetrack thought his ears were going to fall off with every revolution of the siren. Must it be so loud?

As the ambulance's heavy top wobbled back and forth, the newsie leaned back against the hard seat beside Tanya, letting the vibrations of the pavement below numb his legs.

"Don't t'ink about how fast yoah goin', Higgins. Don't t'ink about it. T'ink about...da track...yeah...just...yoah on a hohse, Race. Yoah a famous jockey and yoah about ta win. 'Cos no hohse in hell has evah gone dis fast." His thoughts spun faster and faster as the truck picked up speed.

Outwardly, he tried to keep the confusion from spreading across his face. Inside, Racetrack couldn't remember being more terrified.


****

"So Kate's gone, 'uh?"

"Dat's how it looks ta be, Jackie-boy."

"Yeah, well, she ain't da only one."

"Yeah? Which one a yoah boys got himself lost DIS time?"

"Racetrack."

"Racetrack HIGGINS?" Spot looked incredulous.

"You know anuddah Racetrack ya wanna tell me about?"

"How long?"

"Almost t'ree days. Got me worried, ya know?"

"Yeah, well, he ain't a kid, Cowboy. He can take care of 'imself."

"Spot, I'm tellin' ya, ya gotta help me find 'im."

****

"Lullaby, and good night, go to sleep now and sleep tight. Close your eyes and..." the song floated gently through the open door as Katherine crept softly in, her blue eyes full of tears.

"They can't find her!"

Kristen turned quickly from the window, a hand over her rapidly growing belly, "What?"

"Kate's gone and they can't find her!"

"Wha- gone where?"

"They don't know!"

"They WHO?" the redhead asked, exasperated.

"The newsies! Spot Conlon from Brooklyn and Jack Kelly and...and...David." In spite of her crying, a small warmth had snuck up over Katherine's cheeks.

"Where could she have gone?"

"She's left New York."

"But...why?"

Katherine didn't answer just ran forward and buried her head in Kristen's shoulder.

Kristen, normally as high-strung as her friend, was the picture of serenity as she put her arms around Katherine.

"She didn't even say goodbye!"

"Very much like Kate," Kristen's words were soothing, though she felt her stomach tighten with worry. "She was never much for farewells. She probably wanted to keep her tears to herself. She's always been selfish like that, I suppose."

Katherine sighed, her voice muffled by her best friend's blouse, "I suppose."


****

Kate swallowed a little harder than usual but did not allow the trace of fear she felt to show.

"I believe you ah...had something ta say ta Mistah Snipes 'eah?" the sailor's eyes danced wickedly.

"Don't spit," she found herself saying and immediately felt a cold sweat run up her spine. She didn't expect a slap but to be kicked off the ship instead. Instead, the large brute called 'Snipes' shrugged, as best he could being so fat, and turned back to his work.

Kate was deliberating whether to laugh or cry when her tormentor spoke again, "I'm Brooks. Skyford Brooks, actually."

She nodded curtly and started to walk away, waiting for him to call her back or ask her name. He didn't.

But as she about to step below deck to her quarters, she heard him say rather loudly to another man, Snipes, maybe, "Don't mind Kate. She's a trifle peevish in the beginning but she's sweet as candy by the end. When she recognizes you, that is." He sounded almost bitter at the last bit.

How would he know? Wait...it couldn't be...Skyford?


****

Blink frowned and shouted again, "Race!"

"Race, wheah ah ya?" Mush's voice sounded farther away in the dark.

"C'mon, it's us! Wheah ya hidin'?"

"RACETRACK!" Skittery yelled, his heavy boots clomping across the cobblestones. "RACETRACK HIGGINS!"

"Race!" David's young voice sounded weary in the thick night.

"Race, can ya heah us?"

Spot stopped, his lantern in mid-swing and spun suddenly to face Jack.

"We ain't findin' nuttin', Jackie-boy."

"He's gotta be somewheah. What-he jus', walked off da face of da oith?"

"Da oith's a big place, Kelly."

"Yeah, but...why would Race leave New Yohk?"

"What happened ta that goil?"

"Goil? Tanya, ya mean? Da actress?"

"Actress?" Spot raised an eyebrow.

"I dunno know. Guess she left, too."

"Wid 'im?"

"Nah, I don'..."

"T'ink about it, Jackie-boy. Goils...ya know, dey make ya do strange t'ings. Maybe she talked 'im inta gettin' married owah goin' west owah somet'in'. Who knows?"

"West?" Cowboy's eyes glowed with their not-so-well-kept secret.

"Ya jealous, Jackie-boy?" Spot prodded, knowingly.

"I ain't jealous," he retorted. "I'se got New Yohk..." Jack leaned back against the railing, trying to ignore the drunken shriek of the prostitute a few feet down the bridge, and the stench of built-up sewage. "Now why would I'se be jealous?"

"I'd hafta agree wid you'se deah, Cowboy," the Brooklyn leader smirked, turning his head to meet the wind traversing the bridge from the icy, black water. "What could be bettah den dis?"

Jack imagined the wild mustangs Race must be riding, the blazing sun beating down on his curly hair, the dry wind sweeping up from the plains...

"Nuttin' dat I can t'ink of," he lied.


****

Tanya wondered if she had wandered onto the set of "Third Watch" as the emergency doors flew open and the stretcher was born though them.

A chorus of voices threatened to suddenly drown her...

"Put her in 3!"

"What's her name?"

"How old is she?"

"How long has she been down?"

"Pupils are constricted."

"What's her name?"

"Pulse is steady."

"Do we know what happened?"

"Insurance?"

"Where's her mother?"

"Room 3!"

A nurse led her hurriedly into an already overcrowded waiting room before disappearing back down the hall again.

Tanya felt very small then, standing there, hugging herself. And then a hard arm coursed its way around her and she turned to see Racetrack's enormous eyes peering out of his pale, emotionless face.

"Aren't you worried?" she spat out, almost angrily. She knew it was wrong to take it out on him but...

"Worried?" the newsie repeated.

"Yes, I'm sure you've heard the word before...it conveys anxiety or concern for another's well-being." Tanya was struggling with the painful lump in her throat, making her all the more testy.

The boy, who wasn't really a boy, looked lost. And...old? Tanya drew in a cold sharp breath that seemed to slice its way down her throat. Racetrack, in the body of a nineteen-year-old, looked very, very old.

"Aren't you worried?" she asked again, softly this time, barely a whisper.

"Tanya," he sighed as if the whole world was resting on his thin shoulders, "Tanya, Tanya, Tanya..."

She waited.

"Tanya, I'm a hundred yeahs old. Nah, wait...I'm a hundred and twenty-t'ree," he shook his head tiredly. "I'm too ti'ahed ta be worried."


****

a/n: That was kind of depressing. Don't ask where this is going. Well, ok, you're allowed to ask. It hits me and I write it. But I have a good idea about an ending. Apologies to anyone whose character has not appeared, yet. I'm working on it. It's getting hard, though. I hope I can make it work right. I love you all extremely.


Legs

PS: I'm beginning to feel like I'm writing a soap opera. All these crazy twists and turns. I hope you guys don't mind that. :(