A.N. My thanks to all who continue to read and have the patience to wait for my updates. Rose is on a dangerous path and needs her boys more than ever! 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

Illusions

I woke with Prissie's voice in my ear, "Get up darling! You have a visitor in four hours."

"I can't get up," I moaned.

"Well why not? Honestly, you are a spoiled brat," she huffed.

I sat up and shook my head clearing the fog from my eyes. I couldn't remember why I thought I couldn't get up. Yes, I felt very weak. But, that was no reason to stay in bed all day. I swung my legs off the side of the bed and stood up on surprisingly wobbly legs. My eyebrows screwed up in confusion. There was something… something… just below the surface… almost…

"Madame says you are to wear your satin peach dress today with the pearl necklace," Prissie said impatiently, digging in my wardrobe and pulling out the pale, pretty thing, "Oh, and music lessons are cancelled. You have to meet with Madame and choose place settings."

"Thanks," I said softly as I took one last questioning look at her familiar face, "place settings?"

"For your party tomorrow night I'd imagine. Oh, if only it were my 18th year!" Prissie sighed and danced out of the room.

Prissie was acting… normal. And I had the distinct feeling that all was not normal, and yet here I was just a day away from my long awaited party. Everything was just like it had always been, but I had this deep feeling of despair in the pit of my heart I couldn't understand. As well as a soreness in my ribs and a weakness in my legs. There was only one course of action. To get ready for the visit. There was no doubt in my mind as to who it was, who it had to be, it was always him lately. I felt a longing and a repulsion that sent my mind into confusion. Maybe I was falling in love with him? True I had really hated his pompous manners and jerky ego, but did that matter through the eyes of love? If you were in love, do you ever have a burning desire to run far, far away?

I was half ready when my door was opened and Madame swept in.

"Rose! Why is your hair not done? And your feet they are bare?" Madame Tally nagged.

"I am not finished yet, Madame," I said softly.

"Well, he is here already! Margo! Help Rose get ready. I want you in the Parlor in FIVE minutes," Tally bellowed as her maid rushed in quickly and started pulling and pushing me every which way. In four minutes, I was standing outside the parlor door panting for air.

Madame's haughty voice cut through the door, "I think I hear her coming now."

My cue. I raised my hand a knocked quietly. My heart fluttering, and my head swirling. I had to remember! I wondered briefly if I could ask. As the door slide opened, Madame and my visitor stood.

"My, doesn't she look like an Angel?" Madame purred. Someone else had called me that before, but the pain in my tired legs kept me from remembering.

He walked up to me and placed his arm around my waist, looking intently into my face Anthony Hearst answered, "Yes, I do believe that is quite the description."

I sunk into his arms, straining to stay standing.

"My dearling, I forgot! You must be tired. Come sit down on the sofa with me," he said smoothly.

"I knew it! Something happened! What happened?" I gushed out heedless of prudence.

"You were kidnapped by a desperate band of News Boys intent on settling a score with me and my father, knowing how I feel about you. They beat you until you couldn't remember who you were or who you loved."

I gasped, "I remember… pain and Cecilia… crying!"

"Yes, she found you but couldn't get you out of their clutches so she sent word to me. You were a little mad from the pain for a long time, Loved One. You even accused me of beating you!" He said his face plainly shocked at such an idea.

"So you rescued me?" I asked, wide eyed. I did remember pain and tears and Newsies and Anthony's face, but it was all mixed up in a large blur.

"Yes," he said, and pulled me close to lean on him, "And I will always rescue you."

"Well now, I'll leave you two to talk of various things. I expect to see you at 4 o'clock Rose to pick out place settings and other party details." Madame hurriedly stood up.

I was left leaning on Anthony with a twisted heart and confused mind. He told me of all that had happened. He leaned down and kissed my lips. I felt… it was strange… uncomfortable… but I owed him. He loves me. And I? He says I love him. How am I to know? The whole time, the back of my mind strained to link the pieces of my memory into what he was telling me. But, it was rejected and I couldn't make heads or tails of what had happened to me except to trust Anthony. Something I unexpectedly could not do.