Title: One Year Anniversary

Author: Stress

First written: April 18, 2002-May 12, 2002

Edited and replaced: August 9, 2005

Summary: Part III of the Soul Mates Series; When Jack and Stress reach their first year anniversary, Stress tells a friend the story about how they almost didn't get together at all.

The Lobby of the Manhattan Newsboys Lodging House

"Do ya think that we should go up there and check on them? We left her alone with Jacky-Boy for over an hour now and I'm sure she must've waked up by now," Spot questioned nervously, worried for his friend.

"I think so. I mean, what was that bump on the ground we just heard? Do ya think that Stress killed him when she found out what we done to her today?" Blink asked, fiddling with his patch.

Stripes added her two cents in. "Ya know, I wouldn't blame her if she killed him. I mean, look what we did to her. Whose plan was this anyways?"

Everyone turned to glare at Martini, who all of a sudden became very interested with the detail on Kloppman's desk.

They all stopped fidgeting and turned to face the bottom of the stairs when they heard the door of the bunkroom finally open.

All four of them let out a huge sigh of relief when they saw both Stress and Jack enter the lobby, holding hands and wearing identical goofy grins. "Hiya guys, what are you doing here?"

Blink's jaw dropped open as he addressed Stress. "You ain't mad at us for what we done to you today?"

Stress, noticing that both Blink and Spot were dressed in head to toe black, laughed. "All I have to say is that I don't think black suits you two as well as it suits Stripes. I still can't believe that you two were able to get me here in the first place. You needs to work on following people; I knew that someone was there the entire time. And, besides, how can I be mad at me new boyfriend's pals?" she added with a smile as she walked over to Stripes and Martini and enveloped them in a giant bear hug. "Jack told me what you guys done. Thanks girls, I owe you one."

"Don't forget about us, Stress. We helped them, too, ya know," Spot said, feeling left out.

"Of course Spot," she giggled as she swept over and gave both Blink and Spot a kiss on the cheek. "But, I bet Stripes and Martini made you two do it." Her giggles turned to guffaws when she noticed both Spot and Blink blushing at her comment. "How did I guess?"

Jack, looking a bit jealous at the attention Stress was paying to the other two guys in the room, cleared his throat. "Uh, Stress? I hate to break up your little party here but don't you got one more thing to take care of today?"

Stress's eyes twinkled as she gave Jack a quick kiss. "Yup, I sure do." She grabbed Jack's hand. "I guess I'll see you guys later."

As they left, Martini glowed. "See, I told you guys that me plan would work."

She was silenced when Blink, Spot and Stripes all threw their hats at her. As she tried to duck the barrage of hats, Martini cried, "What? Was it something I said?"

Bottle Alley Lodging House

Bookie paced nervously back and forth while Race tried feverishly to calm her down. "Bookie, walking back and forth like that will only make you more wound up. Remember, just explain to Stress that you did all you did cause you wanted to do to save her from any hurt. I'm sure that she's gonna forgive you," he added matter-of-factly.

Bookie continued pacing while sneaking a look over at Mush and Mushie, who were snuggling together on Gip's bunk, then turned to face Race. "Well, let me tell you, if I was Stress, I don't think I would forgive me." She was worried thay after being kidnapped by Jack and the rest of her friends, Stress might find out about Bookie's role in the entire affair.

"Did I just hear someone say me name? I hope you saying nice things about me."

Bookie stopped pacing upon hearing Stress's voice. "Stress, hi there." She was surprised to see Jack. She didn't really think that Martini's plan was going to work.

"I hear you have something you wanna tell me, is that right, Bookie?" Stress said, smiling.

Bookie took Stress's smiling as a good sign and began to tell her side of the story. "Ya see, when you was in Queens, we all had that strike here against Old Man Pulitzer. I'm sure Jacky-Boy had told you all about it so I ain't gonna go into all of the details for you. But, ya know, after the strike was all over, I was real mad at Jack for turning scab so I figured that, for revenge, I'd keep him from the one thing that would keep him happy -- you. I kept telling meself that I was doing it for you. Ya know, keeping you from being hurt by a good-for-nothing liar. But then, after everything that I put you two through, Jack helped me to realize that I was hurting you too," she paused to face Jack. "You was right, Cowboy. It should be up to Stress to decide if she loves you or not. I'm sorry about all that I done. I really think you two would make a great couple," she added, turning back to see what Stress had to say about her confession.

Still smiling, Stress reached over and gave Bookie a hug. "Don't you worry. I forgive you. Just do me a favor. Next time ya want to help me, just let me know first."

Bookie laughed as she returned the hug. "Sure, Stress, sure."