alright, thanks to the amazing voodoo goddess that is my mother, my computer lives again (voodoo ritual dance) ive decided im giving up on responding to reviews, at least until my email starts to work again, but i love you all

Mustang gave Kid Blink his eye patch back with a meaningful look. "Just don't be afraid of who you are." He nodded and stared at the patch as he turned it over in his hand.

"Mustang, I've been thinkin'," He looked up at her and saw she looked very relaxed, as though expecting what he was going to say, but not fearing it. She didn't fear anything. "You know I like you a whole lot. And I know you like me too. It's so...amazing to have you back, but in that time you were gone, I think something changed. Or maybe it was when you fell into the river, or screamed at Dutchy. I don't know when, but something at some point changed. Now, I think there's someone that needs you more than I do." Never taking his eyes from hers, he reached out, took her hand, and kissed it. She laughed and hugged him.

"I think you're right. Thank you." Smiling, she stood, pulled him to his feet, and helped him replaced his eye patch. They headed back to the lodging house, Mustang all but floating.(yes emily, floating. get over it) When they got there, Mustang wasted no time bursting through the door and racing up the stairs. Dutchy had just returned from selling and was stashing his earnings under his matress. He turned just in time to catch Mustang as she barreled into him. Not completely understanding, he looked around and spotted Blink leaning casually against the door frame. This didn't really make sense. The girl he was secretly in love with had just run in and was hugging him and her supposed boyfriend was standing in the dorrway watching. And he look pleased with the scene he was witnessing too. Was this some kind of joke? Or was it supposed to make sense?

"Any chance someone could clue me in here?" He grabbed Mustang by the shoulders and held her at arms' length. She laughed a little, shaking her head so a curtain of dirty blonde hair billowed back and forth.

"To put it simply; she's all yours," Blink laughed and headed back down the stairs. Dutchy's jaw dropped and he stared at Mustang. She laughed so much that tears started to fall down her cheeks. Something fell into place in his brain. This was the girl of his dreams, suddenly single, and not interested in being so for very long. He hugged her close and she hugged him back, still laughing. He rocked back and forth and laughed a little himself, though he didn't see it nearly as funny as she did. She wiped her eyes on his shoulder and looked up at him. His eyes were dancing; he looked happier than she had probably ever seen him.

"You know, this is afairly perfect moment."

"Only fairly perfect?"

"Yes. You know what would make it completely perfect?" He had a feeling he knew the answer, but he played along.

"What?"

"If you would just kiss me you idiot." He laughed, but was cut off as she stood up on her toes(cause Dtuchy is all tall and awesome and what not) and kissed him. It was nothin like when she had kissed Blink. Not that those were bad kisses, but this was different. It wasn't in a panic when she feared for her life, and it wasn't an I-can't-thank-you-enough,-you're-the-most-wonderful-person-in-the-world kiss. Well, first off, they were both trying to stop laughing. But it was long and slow and wonderful, even though her toes hurt quite a bit. She didn't care, she felt like she couls dance. Finally, her toes gave up and she fell back to her flat feet, breaking the kiss and stumbling backward a bit.

"You were on your toes?" Dutchy laughed, taking her hand to keep her from falling and pulling her back to him. Was he really that much taller than her? He realized that she had frozen. "Are you ok?" He bent down to looke directly into her eyes. Was he that bad of a kisser?

"I-I remember everything. All of the newsies, and living here, and everything." Memory had come flooding back to her. Sitting with the other newsies around a fire in the winter. Betting Racetrack she could win a race if she entered. Showing off trick riding, slipping and breaking her arm. And Dutchy had always been there. And he always would be, wouldn't he?"Everything. Oh Dutchy!" She threw her arms around his waist. He hugged her back, and leaned his head against hers, which was resting on his chest. In this position they stayed for quite awhile. Dutchy's head snapped up at a long whistle from the doorway. There stood Race, Mush, Blink, and Jack, all smiling from ear to ear. Mush was actually laughing(cause he laughs at everything). Racetrack removed the cigar he was smoking from his mouth.

"Dunno what ta say. Personally, I's prefer a girl that didn't throw herself off da Brooklyn Bridge." Mustang laughed and walked over to him. She placed her hands on her hips and looked him over. Making it clear that she was looking down.

"I dunno. I think you should settle fer whatever you can get." Everyone thought that was very funny.(including me. sorry em, and everyone else who loves race, but its a j-o-k-e) Dutchy came up behind her and put his arms around her waist and his chin on her shoulder, suddenly very happy he was the only newsie who had managed to get a girl friend. If he hadn't he would undoubtably be tormented by Mustang, who was now commenting on how Mush would have to not laugh hysterically at his own jokes. "No girl want a guy that does that. It's weird." They all had a good laugh as Mustang pointed out reasons that all of them would turn into lonely old men. Race was too short. Mush thought he was terribly funny. Blink was too nice and gave any girl he had to his friends.Dutchy might stand a chance, unless hemade her mad. "Except for Jack. You boys should take lessons from him. He actually manages to have a girlfriend."

"Um, managed." Surprised looks all around. "I broke up with Sarah. Actually, a rather long time ago." More puzzled stares. "See there was this girl from Brooklyn."

"The crazy one?" came the shout from everyone but Mustang, who knew nothing of any of the Brooklyn Gals.

"First off, she's not crazy. Second, no. It was a different one, but that didn't work out either. So I guess I'm single." Mustang rolled her eyes.

"You're too...I don't know what it is. You're just hopeless." Everyone laughed. Dutchy couldn't help but turn his head and kiss Mustang lightly on the cheek. He loved this girl.

tada! sorry if i made you angry at mustang, but remember, its just jokes. i think just one more chapter. one or two. then im done. and my full efforts will go into Brooklyn Gals. which sort of kind of resembles a sequel. kind of.