Jack knocked on the door. "Come in, Red."

Torch walked in, dressed like a hooker. Her chin-length hair, along with some makeup (which she never wore anyway) convinced the guys that they'd never seen her before. The guys' eyes went wide. "Dis some kinda joke, Cowboy! Dis don't look like no newsie ta me!"

Torch pulled off the oversized dress, borrowed from Medda, revealing a newsie outfit. She pulled her cap over her head, hiding the longer hair.

"Hey…Jack…" A guy from the back yelled.

"Yeah, Skittery?" Jack fought to keep his laughter under control.

"Dis goil…she looks kinda familiar…" Skittery scratched his head.

"Wait a second!" Race yelled. "Dat's Torch!"

"What?" "I taut Torch died?" "Torch?" Torch raised her hands, and the hubbub silenced.

"I'll explain if ya ask, but I don't feel like it right now. So I'll leave ya fellas alone. G'nite!"

A round of goodnight's echoed from around the room, mostly from reflex because most were still in shock.

"See you'se tomorra!" And with that, she closed the door. At the slamming of the door, the boys stepped out of their trance. A couple shook their heads, as if trying to clear the image from their minds.

"Jack! Don' scare us like dat!" Race yelled. Then, to the rest of the newsies, "Git 'im!"

The pillow fight that ensued lasted the rest of the night, while Torch slept on upstairs, a slight smile on her face, completely oblivious to the chaos beneath her head.

A few days later at the Distribution Center

"Why if it ain't liddle Red Ridin' Hood. How's ya grandma?"

Torch turned around to face the Delancys. A smirk lifted the corner of her mouth. "How 'bout I kick ya where da sun don't shine. Den you'se can ask me 'bout me grandma." The boys looked at each other, then back to Torch. Some of their cockiness about beating the girl up faded as reviewed her answer. Did she just challenge them?

"Where'd da liddle sweetcheeks go?" Morris stepped closer, trying to gain back the control they used to have.

Jack stepped in. "Down ta Brooklyn."

The Delancys blanched, looked at each other, then ran all the way to the East River and jumped in. Torch turned to Jack.

"Tanks."

"No prob, Torch."

She grinned, spit in her hand and stuck it out. "Call me Red."

The End

Or is it?

- - - - - - -

Sorry, cruddy ending, i could've done better with it, i know. I'm thinkin bout doin a sequel...but no ideas. anybody got some? lol. So, thanks to those who have been diligently reading...such as

Gryffindor's Newsie-I'm glad you have been enjoying it. I'm still arguing. And school started yesterday-i have an excuse for not updating. So there! sticks tongue out, crosses arms, and turns away to sulk

madmbutterfly-thanks for your constructive criticism and your encouragement.

Racket-thnx! Don't tell you know who about you know what you know where.

Silence and Pussycat-thanks for the good reviews!

Everyone else i might have forgotten and those who didn't review-thanks for reading anyway.