A/n: Chapter Twenty-Six! And look! It didn't take me NEARLY as long to update this time! Thanks, in no small part, to Gryffin's story, "Where Have All the Muses Gone?" So, Gryffin, I dedicate this chapter to you. :)
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: I've had a lot of requests for me to read different stories. But because I am pathetic, I can't keep track of who asked when. So, if anyone wants me to read/review something, please put that in your review for this chapter. First review, first read. I have a hard time keeping up with all the stories and this will give me a chance to see what you guys are doing when I'm absent for long amounts of time.
Love, Legs
SHOUT INS ARE AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER! :)
VERY, VERY IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I don't own Newsies. I'm just a huge fan, that's all. I don't own the PAX show, "It's a Miracle," or its host, Roma Downey.
I do not own Delaney, Keaton, their house, or the plot from "Hidden." I also do not own Sarah and Jack's problems. Bella has graciously allowed me to use some of the main threads of her story and tie it into mine. For that, I give her my whole-hearted thanks! She has been so supportive of this fic, thus far. It's been wonderful. If you haven't read "Hidden," you should. Not only will it help parts of this story make sense, it's a good work of fiction in its own right. A great Jack story. (Race and Tanya are in it, as well)
Kate appears courtesy of Kate Lawrence.
Kristen appears courtesy of Shot Hunter.
Raven appears courtesy of Raven.
Diane appears courtesy of Shorty Carter.
Sarah appears courtesy of Lady Elwen.
Delaney and Keaton Adams appear courtesy of Bella7.
Read on...
****
Tanya could feel her mother's stare. She met it, wondering what those eyes were looking for.
"Mom, what's wrong?" she hissed at one point, relatively certain Racetrack was distracted by Jenny.
Darcy Farthing cast another furtive look in the newsie's direction, "Tanya," she began quietly, "I know. I don't know how I know...but I know."
The girl's chest tightened, "What?"
"Tanya," she whispered, "I was over at your aunt's the morning I left for the trip and..."
"Mrs. Farthing?"
Darcy's head flew up, "Yes?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you. I thought you'd want to accompany your daughter. We're going to get some x-rays of the cranium. Just to be on the safe side."
"Oh, of course," the woman smiled. She turned back to her daughter and the smile became strained.
"Mom, I–,"
"Go to the library. Find out what you can. Call your aunt."
"But, Mom, how do you..."
Mrs. Farthing shook her head, "You need to talk to your aunt. I can't explain it right now."
"Mom!"
"Call her."
****
The thunder was just beginning to growl when Race and Tanya stepped into the street. A dark drop landed in front of her. Then another.
"Naturally," she said, addressing the spitting clouds above her.
Racetrack twitched as a rain drop hit the back of his neck,"Tanya, what's goin' on? Why did yoah mothah want us ta call yoah aunt?"
"I don't know."
"She said 'she knows.' What does she know, 'uh?"
Tanya shrugged.
"I mean, does she know who I am? Does she know about...all dis? Does she...What's so special about ya aunt?"
"She's an historian."
"What's dat?"
"She studies history. She has a doctorate in it."
"She's a doctah?"
"Like a professor! She's a doctor of history."
Racetrack's raised eyebrows revealed his confusion.
"I don't know. Let's just get out of the rain," Tanya said, pulling on his arm.
****
The library's marble floors were slick with mud from the street. The sound of dripping raincoats pattered over the whirring of the escalator. An escalator...yikes! How was she going to explain that one to Racetrack?
Unless, of course, she could keep him busy with the touch screen computer catalogue on the wall.
"Archives," Tanya muttered. "Fifth floor."
****
"Maniac's Nude Cohpse Found In Pulitzah's Love Nest!"
David shook his head," You're really improving 'em today."
"It's the tha headline," Jack sighed, squashing his cigarette underfoot.
"Maimed Worker Found?" David looked surprised. "I thought that was a good seller."
His friend shrugged, "Maybe taday people jus' don't wanna hear anymoah bad news."
"Something wrong?"
"Much obliged to ya," Jack nodded at a woman who had left him with a nickel. "What could be wrong?"
"Look, Spot's right. Racetrack hates good-byes. Always has. So he left without telling anyone."
"Ya don't know Race like I'se do, Dave. He wouldn't jus'...No! He wouldn't do dat. Somet'in' happened."
"Like what?"
Jack shook his head, "I dunno know. But somet'in' did."
****
"Can I help you?" the woman behind the desk looked up.
"Yeah, I think so. We're looking for newspapers, legal documents, birth certificates from the turn of the century."
The librarian studied them for a moment than shook her head, "I can't let just anyone back there."
"Please, it's really important."
"Is this for a history class? Because the third floor has a fascinating selection of books pertaining to the Victorian era. And we carry a large World War II collection, in addtion to our extensive catalo–,"
"Never mind," Tanya turned back towards the escalator with a frustrated sigh. (Racetrack had accepted the new technology with surprising ease)
She felt the newsboy squeeze her hand.
"Let's go find a pay phone," she mumbled.
****
Katherine watched Sarah's sweet face contort and then fall as if over a precipice. The tears began to well and spill over onto the letter.
"Sarah! What's happened?"
"I got the job," she announced, brokenly.
"You...didn't want it?"
"I did!" she sobbed, "But I couldn't possibly leave Jack!"
"Leave Jack..." Katherine repeated, without understanding. "He won't go with you?"
"Mr. Kellingham doesn't want a married nanny."
"Well, why not?"
"He doesn't feel he has space or money to provide for more than just me." Sarah stood up and letting the letter fall, began to pace. "Greedy, old miser can't even spare room for just one more person!" Her tears were falling faster now as she began picking things up and throwing them down again, "Why? I don't understand! We're so happy now! I can't leave him, Katherine! I can't leave him!"
Before her friend could reply, Sarah had yanked open the front door and run down the apartment hallway, the sound of her crying carrying her out into the street.
****
Tanya pushed the quarters into the slot and punched in the unfamiliar number. She hadn't talked to her aunt in months, hadn't seen her since the previous Christmas. She knew they had moved from a suburb into the city but there had been no time to visit.
The phone rang only once before someone picked up.
"Keaton here."
"Oh, hi, um, this is Tanya."
Her uncle's cynical voice grew warm, "Hey, sweetheart. What's up?"
"Um, not much," she lied. "Just hanging out."
"Sounds nice. I take it you wanna to talk to my crazy wife."
"If she's not busy."
Keaton sighed, "No, no more than usual. Let me see if I can find the keys to her cage. But I'm warning you, she hasn't had her meds, yet. If she says anything strange, chalk it up to under-medicated."
Tanya couldn't help laughing, "Okay."
He chuckled, "Just a second...Honey? Phone!"
In the background, Tanya could hear her aunt, "I'm coming, I'm coming! You! Gimme that!"
There was a rustle and then a woman's clear and obviously intelligent voice, "Hello?"
"Aunt Delaney?"
****
"Thanks," David was smiling as he palmed the coin. Ten papes to go. He really wasn't bad at this. He knew he didn't want to spend the rest of his life selling newspapers. But he wasn't bad at it.
A familiar cry cut his contented thoughts short.
"Sarah?"
She was running down the street, shawless, lacy sleeves rolled up, brown hair flying, and from a distance, her brother noted her wet cheeks and red eyes.
Jack, too, had recognized the voice. He beat David to Sarah's side by a half-second.
"Sarah?"
"Sarah, what's wrong?"
"Ah you hoit?"
"What happened? Is it Mama?"
Sarah's eyes were closed but the tears continued to escape. She seemed to fight an internal battle to hold it in, and then a fresh sting of pain overwhelmed her.
Jack pulled her against him and she cried. Like she'd never cried before. The newsie fought to remain steady as she shook and threatened to make him lose his composure.
"Sarah, tell me what happened, 'uh?"
"Jack, I won't leave you!" she burst out, suddenly and fiercely.
"What?"
"I got the job in Illinois."
"Oh, Sarah, that's wondahful..."
"But I'm not going!" she finished.
"Huh? Why not?"
"I can't lose you! I won't lose you!"
"What's 'dis all about, Sarah?"
"Jack, I need you..."Sarah shut her eyes again and pressed her nose in Jack's shirt. He always smelled like ink and oil and smoke.
The newsboy was beginning to piece the problem together and with a pang he realized what could happen. Sarah might leave him. Jack felt a sick, ripping feeling in his stomach. Race gone, and now Sarah...he wouldn't cry...he wouldn't cry.
****
"Tanya! Hi! What's going on?"
"Well...it's a long story..."
****
"Racetrack?" her aunt almost shrieked.
"Yeah."
"You did say, 'Racetrack?'" Delaney demanded.
"Yeah, that's right."
"Tanya, I need you to get in a taxi."
"Why?"
"Just find a taxi," her aunt said, urgently. "I'm going to give you my address. You come straight here."
"Alright, but are you...?"
"Tanya. A taxi. Now."
"But..."
"There's something you need to see."
****
Racetrack may have been concerned about his plight, stuck here a hundred years after his time. But concern wouldn't cure the newsie of his curiosity.
"In all da rush, I'se foahgot ta ask you."
"Hmm?"
"Wheah is all da newsies?"
Tanya pulled herself from her reverie, "Newsies?"
"Yeah," Race nodded, "Ya know...how do ya get yoah papes heah?"
"We don't have newsies anymore," she told him, stupidly.
Racetrack sat up, "What? Why not?"
"We have...machines...and home delivery and...computers."
The boy flopped back against the taxi cushions and seemed to think for a moment, "What 'appened ta Pulitzah, den? He go bankrupt?"
"No, he died. He has an award named after him."
"An awahd?"
"The Pulitzer prize."
"What's dat?" he demanded, his brown eyes took on that bewildered look he got whenever he was accused of cheating at cards.
"It's this thing they give to journalists and playwrights and stuff. It's a big deal."
"I shoulda figuhed he'd stick around,"Race muttered, "Even aftah he was dead. But...what happened to da newsies? What happened ta Jack and Blink and Mush and Skittery and all a' dem? Huh?" he poked Tanya the way he always did when he wanted to know something, "What happened to 'em?"
"I don't know," she said for what felt like the millionth time. "But I have this weird feeling...that we'll know, soon."
****
"T'ank ya, miss," Skittery tipped his cap as the young girl walked away, a newspaper in hand.
"How do you do dat?" Boots shook his head in awe.
"Da same way I do everyt'in'."
Boots waited.
Skittery smirked, "Wid style."
"Now ya sound like Racetra–," Boots stopped.
Skittery winced.
"Sorry, Skits. Foahgot what I was sayin'."
"What happened ta him?"
"Maybe he got lost."
Skittery squinted up at the sun glinting off the World building, hands shoved deep into his pockets, "I guess Racetrack got lost a long time ago."
"So wheah is he now?"
His friend shrugged, "Found."
****
A thudding sound made Keaton Adams look up from his desk. The noise repeated itself. "What is that?" he asked his wife, who was thumbing anxiously through an old book.
"What is what?" she said, turning the page.
"That forsaken noise at the door!"
They listened for a moment.
"That's the knocker!" Delaney exclaimed, jumping over furniture and boxes.
"Why would anyone use the knocker? We have a doorbell!"
"The only person who would use that knocker..." Delaney said solemnly as she unlocked the front door, "Would be someone who had no knowledge of doorbells to begin with."
"What? Delaney..."
Delaney threw open the door and caught her breath. It was...him. The curly dark hair, the expressive Italian face...she found herself on the brink of sanity as she stared into those dark, winsome, haunting eyes...the eyes of the past. She almost shivered.
Her niece's delicate face, framed in ringlets appeared behind the apparition. "Okay, we're here, Aunt Delaney. Now what's this all abou...?"
Keaton suddenly pushed past Delaney, "Hey, what..." he stopped upon sighting the boy. "Delaney?" he began quietly.
"Keaton, it's incredible...you'll never believe it...I..."
"Delaney," he said louder, "What is the kid from the painting doing here?"
"Painting?" Tanya's face scrunched up.
Racetrack watched Tanya's aunt with uncertainty. She knew something, that was for sure. He licked his lips and scratched the back of his head, looking from the girl beside him to the man and woman in front of him.
"What painting?" he blurted.
Tanya leaned slightly against him.
Keaton shook his head in disbelief.
And Delaney went to get the picture.
"Won't you...come in?" Keaton asked. The last he said with confusion as if he didn't quite understand the meaning of those words.
There was a rummaging, a bang, and then Delaney was back again, a picture in her arms. A sketch done in charcoal.
A collective intake of breaths...and then, Race's thick New York accent came through, "Dat's me."
****
A/N: K, review! And trust me, this would all make MUCH MORE SENSE if you read "Hidden" by Bella7. Occupy the time while you're waiting for Chapter Twenty-Seven! You guys are so wonderful...here are your Shout ins:
snipah higgins: Thank you! Hope you liked the chapter. And the twist...heheh. Or the beginning of it. Maybe it isn't a twist. Maybe it's more of a...loop...kinda...yeah. And about reading your story, would you please include that again in your next review? Maybe you saw the announcement at the beginning of the chapter. This one time I am opening up. I'm making up a list of all the writers who want me to read and review their work. First review, first read. And you know, I'll always make time to read your stuff. :)
Sapphy: I don't know. You may need tissues at some point. It's starting to wind down. I'm just guessing but I'm thinking...maybe five chapters left. I may be totally wrong. We'll see. Hopefully, there will be some happy tears. :D
Newsies: (run every which way to capture million lollipops falling from the sky)
Racetrack: Deah mine! ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL MINE! Gimme dat, Snipes! Ya cigah stealah! I'll teach you'se ta steal my lollipops!
Snipeshooter: (runs shrieking from the room)
Shot Hunter: I'm glad this cheered you up. It was sort of happy. This chapter should be, too. Thanks for reviewing. :)
Oh, and Racetrack is eager to go to Las Vegas.
Racetrack: (trying to get out of the cage he's been locked in) Lemme out heah! I'se gotta go ta Vegas with Shot!
Jack: Sorry, Race. But dis story's got me paranoid. What if you'se really do leave foah good and get ta Santa Fe befoah me? Can't let dat happen.
Racetrack: Cowboy, it isn't funny, anymoah! Lemme out!
Jack: Sorry.
Racetrack: Ya BUM! I'll SOAK ya! (Bangs wildly against bars)
Gryffin Parker: Hope you caught the dedication at the beginning of the chapter. :D Thank you, once again, for a splendid review! Everything you said was flattering but I suppose the biggest compliment was for Raven and Spot. That's probably been one of the hardest relationships to write (Tanya and Race, too) and I've definitely put more effort into it. So, you saying that is like...getting high on Hershey kisses...the fun just doesn't end. ;) Anyway, hope you enjoyed this new chapter. Mwah.
Artemis-chan of Redwing: Thank you, my darling! :D Kate and Skyford...yeah, they definitely have history. I'm just sad Kate Lawrence isn't reading this anymore. I miss her. Waaaaaaaa...The acting class was fun to write. That's my theater camp last summer. Oh, yeah, I forgot to say that "Robert" is a real person, too.
I've had so many people say how much they like Spot and Raven together and it makes me so proud I could bust! Except for Tanya and Racetrack (who rock the house), they are my favorite couple. I love writing Krissy and Bumlets, too. They're just so...sweet. Katherine and David are awfully nice, too. Well, golly gee whiz, I like 'em all! (smacks head)
Racetrack: (disgusted) You'se just can't make up yoah mind, can you?
Legs: (moans) No. I can't!
Racetrack: Yeah, yoah pathetic.
Legs: (wails) I'm pathetic!
Racetrack: Yoah fickle.
Legs: (sobs) Incredibly fickle.
Racetrack Ya don't desoive ta live.
Legs: (with conviction) I don't deserve to LIVE! (Sits up for a moment) Oh, by the way, Blink, Artemis says "hi."
Blink: Yipee! (Does a happy dance) Ahtemis must like me! (To Mush) She said "hi."
Mush: I heard...(sniffs)
Blink: What's wrong?
Mush: Well, it's just that...that...(breaks down) IVY STOPPED SAYING HI TA ME!!!!!
Blink: (comforts crying newsie) It's okay...really.
Mush: No, it ain't. It'll nevah be okay widout Ivy.
Blink: I'se sorry.
Raven: Thank you, pumpkin! Seriously, I wanted to thank you for letting me write Raven in this story. I've enjoyed it so much thus far. She's undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite characters. As for you and Spot...Haha! I'll never tell! Even if you torture me with primitive carpet torture!
Jack: What's dat?
Legs: You don't want to know.
Jack: Oh, a'right, den. (Walks off to stare at a picture of himself)
ShortAtntionSpaz: (hugs the Snoddy3PO) He's perfect! I love him! Thank you. :) Hope you liked this chapter.
Racetrack: I'se got some moah duct tape!
Legs: What? Oh, great. Who gave him THAT?
Newsies: (shift guiltily)
Legs: Which one of you idiots gave the sadist more duct tape?
Newsies: (avoid eye-contact)
Legs: I am going to find out. You know how?
Newsies: (shake heads)
Legs: I'm going to use this handy-dandy device patented by Spaz herself.
Newsies: (terrified whispers)
Legs: Yes. That's right. SPAZ.
Boots: (begins to shake)
(cue scary music)
Legs: BEHOLD! (Holds out dark object) The duct tape LIE DETECTOR!
Jack: No...
Spot: No, it can't be...
Snipeshooter: (begans to scream hysterically)
Legs: (holds it out) Which one of you first?
Newsies: (all begin to confess at once) It was me! I did it! No, it was me! It's my fault! Foahgive me, please! MOICY! WE BEG FOAH MOICY!
Legs: (hands it back to Spaz) Works like a charm, punkin. Thanks.
AngelicOne: (gasp) HERSHEY BARS?????? YUM! Thank you, thank you, thank you! And thank you for reviewing! Hope you liked chapter twenty-six. :D
NicNac: Thank you for reviewing. You know, I wasn't actually going to have a Christmas chapter. But because you asked...I will. :) (hugs) Hope you liked the update.
cabby1: Hey, I like your new pen name! It's way cool. Thank you for your sweet review! And let's see, I don't think Tanya blames Racetrack. I think she blames herself.
Racetrack: Of cohse. Dat's because it's all huh fault!
Legs: It is not!
Racetrack: Yeah. It is.
Legs: You are so rude.
Racetrack: I'se a newsie. I'se got no call ta be nice.
Legs: I'll give you a brownie.
Racetrack: Legs, have I evah told you'se how much I like you?
Legs: (thinks for a moment) Go on.
Racetrack: Yoah pretty and smaht and...pretty...and...smaht...and...
Legs: (makes him grovel prostrate before her) Ah, the smell of power...
Brownie/Melody: I understand about time. I'm so glad you took a moment to review, anyway! That was wonderful of you! Just for that...you get a cookie. Mmmm...
Kawaii Julie Sama: Fear not! Tanya's mom is INSTRUMENTAL in helping Race and Tanya solve their problems...well, sort of. Heheh. Thanks for reviewing! Let me know what you thought of this chapter. :D
Spazjoslyn: Wow, thank you. (Feels special) I hope the cliffie's don't dissuade your reading! I think you'll all like this chapter. At least, I hope you will. :) (hugs)
Bella7: You are my hero! Thanks for letting me use Del in this. Your credit is at the beginning of the chapter. As well, as the plug for "Hidden." Mwah. Oh, and here's Jack...
Jack: Deah Bella, I'se sorry I haven't tawked ta you'se in awhile. I'se been busy tryin' ta keep Race from destroying da house wid duct tape. He's crazy, ya know. Anyhow, I miss ya. And we should take a walk some time.
Love,
Da Cowboy
feisty2: Actually, the twist would seem bigger if everyone had read "Hidden" by Bella7. (That story ties into this one) Anyhow, thank you for reviewing, once again! Glad you like Jessica. :)
Nevaeh: Thank you forever! Your name will arrive in...I dunno, a couple chapters, I guess. K, go run off with Spot. Thanks for reviewing! Hope you liked the chapter. (Hugs)
Moonlights Sundance: Thanks! Lol. Yes, Racetrack NOT talking...it's a miracle...
Roma Downey: You will believe.
Racetrack: (pokes Roma) Believe what? 'Uh?
Roma Downey: (taken aback) Why, that it's a miracle, of course...
Racetrack: Dat what's a miracle?
Spot: (chortles) I guess it ain't no miracle! 'E's talkin' again!
Roma Downy: Oh, no...but...now I have no guest for this week's show!
(Enter: Blind man with goldfish)
Roma Downey: Oh, my, look! It's a blind man with a goldfish!
Blind man: It's a miracle!
Roma Downey: Really? Did your goldfish jump out of its aquarium and warn you about the three mysterious intruders walking up your driveway?
Blind man: Um, no.
Roma Downey: Oh, well, did it warn you about an electric fire in your basement?
Blind man: No, can't say that it did.
Roma Downey: (frowning) When your bungee cable broke, your goldfish didn't break your three thousand foot fall, did it?
Blind man: Bungee cable? Are you crazy? I'm vision impaired! Why the heck would I go bungee-jumping?
Roma Downey: Well, then...(impatiently) What exactly is your miracle?
Blind man: I found the fish food! (holds up bag proudly) I thought I was going to have to buy another bag but I found it. On the kitchen table.
Roma Downey: Well, I...guess that's all we have time for today. I hope you'll join me next week for... "It's a Miracle." Remember...you WILL believe.
Uh, heh, sorry. I just couldn't help myself. No offense to anyone who likes that show. I actually DO watch it, on occasion. And I firmly believe in miracles (and angels). I just like to make fun of stuff. Even I stuff I care about. I'm sick and twisted that way.
Jesse Knight: Thank you for reviewing so faithfully! (Sigh) I miss Ben. I agree with you. Let's go to Chicago and drag him back! We can chain him to the wall and make him do warm-ups with us and sing songs from "The Little Mermaid." I can still see him, "Out of the sea...wish I could be...part of your...wooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrldddd..." And then he was pretending to swim around. So funny. ANYWAY, thank you again. Seriously, we need to do something together, soon!
MethosMacLeod: Fanfiction does have a soothing effect, doesn't it? I like to get hold of at least a chapter or two of something after long, grueling days. :) Thank you for reviewing! :) (hugs) Let me know what you thought of this, if you can. Mwah.
Kristan: Oh, don't cry! Now I'M tearing up. So glad to be back! And glad you're glad I'm back! (A thousand hugs) Review when you can. :)
Spaz: Thank you for reviewing! Life has been...hectic. Worked a 7 hour shift yesterday and I'm sick...waa...and...my ex is coming for Thanksgiving...and...I guess that's it. Thanks for asking. ;) Hey, um...let's see...I'll email you with my address, if you want it. :) Haven't talked to Kennyon for a couple days. If you happen to, would you please beg her for an update? We need to have a fashion show episode or something equally pointless. :) (hugs and brownies appear out of nowhere) Here.
Dreamer110: Thank you! Details...yeah. Um, um, Jenny's okay. You know that, already. Raven loves Spot. Spot loves Raven. WHAT could be more perfect? An UPDATE! BWAHAHA....(hugs Dreamer)
