Disclaimer: Blah blah blah . If I owned the newsies I surely wouldn't be writing about them now would I?

A/N: Yay! Second fic updated in a week! does happy dance

Chapter 4: Plans For Safety

"Dis guy wants us to knock off 'is niece to keep his reptation from bein' soiled ?" Kilbeckk's

second-in-command asked, not caring who was to be killed so long as they were paid heftily. "Does he know how much we are willing ta do dis for?"

"He said money was no object for him." Kilbeckk replied, a wild gleam in his eyes.

"Good." He said, just as Kilbeckk noticed something behind a box move,

"Who's dere? If ya come out now we might not kill ya but if you don't well... I can't promise you anything."

'Why did I have to chose dis alley ta take a nap in?" Sneak thought, as she tried to figure out the safest way out of the alley. 'I'se gotta tell Spot and Soccah.' as she pressed herself as close to the wall as she could. Thankfully a cat ran out of the alley, for which Sneak quickly prayed a prayer of thanks.

"Boss,you must be paranoid, it was jus' a cat." One of Kilbeckk's goons taunted, before Kilbeckk sent a death glare at him.

"Since we seem ta be agreed about killin' dis Anne goil, our meetin' is ovah. I'll speak ta Mr. Conoga."

"Whoa, Sneak, slow down. I'se can't undahstand you'se when you talk so fast." Soccer teased the little girl.

"Dere's a bunch of thugs who wanna kill Anne!" Sneak repeated as slow as an excited and scared 8yr. old could.

"What!" Soccer said shocked. "How do you know?"

"I was takin' a nap in a alley, when dese thugs started talkin' real loud 'bout killig' some goil for a lot of money and when dey said her name and I'se shoah dat unless we do sumt'in, den Anne'll get hoit."

"I'll tell Spot. Why don't you go see if Anne needs any help." Soccer suggested, knowing how much the little girl loved helping Anne make dinner for the newsies.

Sneak's eyes brightened at the though, "Kay." as she scampered to the Lodging House.

'Great jus' what Anne needs right now.' Soccer thought as he headed to Spot's selling spot. 'Lord what will we do? She's finally startin' ta feel safe and now we have to figure out how to keep her safe.'

"Heya, Soccah, why are ya so glum?" Spot asked his best friend and second-in-command.

"Sneak jus' told me dat dere are some thugs that are bein' paid ta kill Anne. So we needs ta figure out what we're gonna do to keep her safe."

"Well, numbah 1: don't let them find her; numbah 2: find a good safe place for her; numbah 3: tell her about dis and find out if dey would have any idea to look for her at the Lodging House."

"I jus' don' want her to revert back into her shell, she's only now beginning to be at ease wiht the other nesies."

"Look, Soccah, I'se know dat ou care a lot 'bout Anne, but ya can't get in the way of makin' the right decision on how ta keep her safe. K?"

"Shoah." Soccer responded in defeat. " Do ya t'ink 'Hattan'll take her?"

"Prolly, but you know how Jack is, she' gonna have ta learn how ta sell."

"Spot, that could put her into more danger than keeping her here-"

"Exactly." Spot stated ever-so-matter-of-factly. "Anyways,you'se needs ta staht t'inkin' fast 'cause if you don't show up for lunch like you always do, she'll begin to worry." Spot added with a chuckle.

"Gee, Spot, you'se so helpful." Soccer retorted sarcastically.

"I know , and while you're walking to da Lodging House, you'se might as well figure out a different plan, 'cause I don't see having Anne out on the streets sellin' papes is a very safe plan even though she'd be in Manhattan."

"Shoah." Soccer replied sadly, as he headed for the Lodging House.

"Anne, can I help you'se cook?" Sneak asked breathlessly, as she ran to the cabinet that held her special apron.

"Yes, of course you can." Anne said, smiling. Everyday since she became the official cook, Sneak had come in to "help" Anne cook. Though it had been only a couple of days since she ran away from the beatings and torture, Anne fell in love almost immediately with the little girl. Sneaks was the little sister Ann never had.

"Yippee? Will you help me put my apron on?"

"Sure"

Once starting Sneak on mixing the batter for the biscuits, Anne began preparing the meat, when Soccer walked in.

"Uh, Anne, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Confused, "Sure. Sneak, I'll be back, and don't make a mess."

"OK!" Sneak answered happily.

"Anne,I'se gots some bad news foah you'se." Soccer began as Anne closed the door.

"About what?" She asked, beginning to worry.

Soccer took a deep breath, "We found out today that your uncle hired some mobsters to find and kill you. Whi-"

"What?" Anne shrieked. "Soccer, if you're joking I promise that I will hurt you."

"Anne, I'm not joking. I'm tellin' ya da truth. I need ta know if your uncle would ever send them here to find you. Because if they do look here they will find you and I, we don't want you to get hurt. We want to protect you."

"No." she whispered as she sank to her knees. "No, they wouldn't know to look here for me, but I'm sure eventually they will, because my uncle probably hired Kilbeckk, and he will stop at nothing to be paid." She said as she began to cry. "Soccer, what will I do?"

Soccer kneeled and held her, "Don't worry, me an' Spot are goin' ta figure out how ta keep ya safe. And I promise that I'll always be there for you even if I'm a bit late."

Anne sniffed and murmured into his chest, "Thanks Soccer, I know that I can hold you to your word."

'I hope I can keep my word.' Soccer thought, as he let Anne cry on his shoulder.

'Why is it that just when life gets bright and happy for me that it gets dark and sad?" Anne thought jsut before she began praying, 'Lord please help me and please help Soccer and Spot find a plan that will keep me safe.'

I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succored thee; behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.

Anne smiled. 'Thank you, Lord.'

"What? Did I miss something?" Soccer asked, confused at her smile.

"No, I just remembered a promise God made in the Bible."

"Which one?" Soccer said interested and slightly surprised, he wasn't sure if she was a Christian. 'Is she the one, Lord?'

"'I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succored thee.'-"

"'Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.' II Corinthians 6:2." He smiled.

Anne blinked, "Yeah."

After a moment of thoughtful silence, "I t'ink youse might want ta go back to cookin' before Sneak decides ta burn down da Lodging House." Soccer stated with a chuckle, tryin' to lighten up the mood.

Another smile appeared on her tear-streaked face, "Thanks, Soccer." as she hugged him.

Soccer was shocked for second before wrapping his arms around her in return, " Yoah welcome." he whispered, and stared dumbly at her retreating form. The suddenly he thought of a way to keep Anne safe without moving her to Manhattan, he just needs to tell Spot. 'T'anks, Lord, we needed dis.'