A.N. The boys rush to the rescue and find they don't have a clue as to what to do. And will Dave ever realize he is not the only one in love with Rose? I have no ownership of the Newsies and not affiliated with Disney in anyway. Thanks for all the Reviews. Please Review so I can keep the story up to par. LyxnLion

So Close and So Far

"So..." Race drawled. The boys were standing in front of Maginties department store, it was night and no where was there light to be seen, "Any bright idea boys?"

"She's in there, somewhere..." Bumlets said his eyes darting over the building, seeking his friend.

"Yeah... But what do we do about it?" Spot asked. The doors were locked and if they tried to come back in the daytime... well, they wouldn't have a chance to find this secret orphanage.

"It doesn't matter, we just have to get in there," David said, "She's there waiting... Thorns, Angel, Rose..."

"Unless...unless, we've come too late..." Race added cynically. At his words, the newsies paled knowing that the rich weren't patient.

"You don't mean that... she wouldn't be..." David stammered.

"I told ya Angel had to leave, Mouth. Ya didn't believe me." Spot said sullenly.

"If he laid one hand on her, he's gonna regret it!" Bumlets growled with such passion that David jerked up his head, seeing his friend clearly for the first time in days. He could hardly keep the feelings of anxiety and jealousness down.

"Bum," David started incrediculously, "You don't feel..."

"Hold it Davey," Bumlets interrupted, "That's somethin' Angelgoil has to figure out. She's the best friend I've ever had. There's no one like her, and never will be. But, she don't think of me like she does about you. Just... just let me thoughts be mine. Just stop there Davey."

"Boys! Lookie over there," Spot suddenly whispered. A dark figure was creeping out of the alleyway, "Let's see what this lil' boidie knows."

"Excuse me," David said loudly, the figure jumped and shuffled into the light of the street. It was a young man, a little dusty and grimy, and looked no older than David; in his hands he was holding a trash can with a large "CM" emblazed on the side.

"Yes?" he asked his eyebrows arched.

"What's the name kid?" Bumlets asked easy going.

"And whatcha doin' out here?" Spot added with all his authority. The boy snapped up to the sound of Spots voice.

"Jimmy, Jimmy Travis. I work at Maginties on the night crew, you know cleaning out trash and stuff," the boy answered nervous.

"You said your name was Jimmy? Rose's Jimmy?" David asked suddenly, remembering a conversation he had with Rose when he had first met her.

"You know Rose?" he asked surprised.

"Yeah, and we know you don't work for the store," Race said evenly.

Jimmy paled. Spot walked over to him and placed his arm around his shoulder.

"Thing is kid, that girl is real special to us."

"She hasn't done anything wrong. Just... Just leave her alone, you bully." Jimmy said trying to shrug off Spot's hand. Spot tightened his grip.

"What did ya call me?" Spot asked intimidating.

"Spot, I don't think he knows us. We're friends, friends, we are trying to keep her from getting hurt. I'm Bumlets, this is David Jacobs, Racetrack Higgins and Spot Conlons."

"THE Spot Conlons?" Jimmy asked relaxing a little.

"Yeah, kid. Rose is like a sister to me, and that sick bastard Hearst... he better watch his step," Spot growled.

"We got to get her away from him. She said you helped her once. Will you help her again?" Dave pleaded.

"We won't force ya," Racetrack drawled.

"But we'll find a way to her sooner or later," Spot said, cracking his knuckles.

Jimmy drew a deep breath and whispered, "O.K."