Chapter Fifteen: In Which Jack Gives A Speech and Cassie Visits A Friend

Word Count: 1836

Manhattan, 1899

Jack stood in front of the newsies as they waited eagerly (or anxiously, he couldn't tell) for him to make his "big announcement." He figured they'd need to know about Katherine's relation to Pulitzer, and that it would be best for them to hear it from him instead of finding out otherwise. After all, they might react the way Jack had, and when it's one person it's fine, but all those newsies would likely be very upsetting. Besides, no one could care for Katherine the way he did. To his knowledge, they all liked her well enough, but not like him.

He took a deep breath and cupped his hands around his mouth. "Hey! Listen up, everybody!" When he was sure he had their complete attention, he inhaled again. "I'se sure you'se aware of how helpful Miss Katherine Plumber has been to us and our cause. Please keep that in mind when I tell ya what I'm about to tell ya."

The newsies looked around, concern flickering over some of their faces. Some of them mumbled to each other but kept their eyes trained on Jack.

"As it turns out, Katherine is...well, the daughter of Joe Pulitzer. But - " he tried to speak quickly and loudly, so no one could cut him off, but his plan failed.

"What?" Several people stood up or exclaimed in outrage. "That traitor!" There was lots of shouting, but some even looked too shell shocked to speak.

This was exactly what Jack was afraid of. He could see where there were coming from, though. At first, he'd felt the same way. However, all things considered, there was no reason to feel like that. Katherine had never once told her father what was going on, as it were, and she'd offered to help even after they'd shut her down. She still wanted to help. Jack put a hand up to quiet them down.

"I know, I know, but it sounds worse than it is. She couldn't help being born a Pulitzer, and it ain't somethin' she can exactly change either. But she's helpin' us – remember, she don't have to – and for that, we should at least let her continue. She ain't done anything that gives us a reason to think she betrayed us or double-crossed us or anythin' like that." He looked out at the sea of faces before him. "I know that a lot of you's got things you don't want us to know. Things ya done, places or people ya come from. But no matter what, we's family. And if you'se never done anything wrong here, then it ain't our problem. I'd say the same applies to Katherine. She never did nothin'." He could see the change in expression as people considered this. "We all in agreement?" It wasn't exactly the best speech, but for now, it'd have to suffice.

The newsies nodded or mumbled quiet yeah's, and Jack, feeling much more relaxed, started the second part of his talk. "Good. Now that that's settled...we made a plan. A plan bigger than the rally or anythin' else like that. Pulitzer won't be able to ignore it."

"What kinda plan?" asked Race cautiously.

"Well, I'm glad you asked, Racer. We want to do something called the Children's Crusade. We plan to publish an article advertising another rally – every worker under twenty-one comes to newsies square. As Katherine said, even Pulitzer couldn't ignore that. And I know where we can print it. Only problem is, we can't do it on our own. We need you guys' help."

They murmured to each other, seemingly thinking it over. Jack knew it wasn't a bad idea, and he knew that some of them still might not trust him completely after what he'd done at the other rally, but it was something they'd need to think over. When the whispering subsided, he looked over them again. "So...will ya help us?"

Everyone agreed. "Like ya said, Jack," said Mush, smiling slightly, "we's family. We started this together, and we're gonna finish it the same way."

Cassie was very nervous and very excited. How many workers would show up? Before, when it was just the newsies, the crowd was large enough, but now? Hundreds of children, all in newsies square, protesting against their injustices. It was an inspiring thought – but she was getting ahead of herself. They still needed to spread the word. That was what they planned on doing tonight, when they had the best chance of sneaking in without getting caught. Katherine was supposed to get the keys, and the newsies would print the papers. A simple plan, it seemed, but it could take more work than expected. After all, none of them had ever actually printed papers before. It might prove to be difficult.

And Katherine. Katherine Pulitzer. Plumber had a much nicer ring to it. Cassie was less angry, and more shocked. While Jack had been right in that technically, Katherine hadn't done anything to betray their trust, it still felt like a letdown. Like she'd sold them out. It was a similar feeling to her initial reaction to Jack at the rally, although Jack actually had sold them out (she was still rather bitter about that, but not a lot). She hoped this would go well.

They still had a while until then. She pulled out her copy of Emma and opened it, only to stare at it for a few moments and then close it again. She was bored, and for the first time in a very long while, she didn't feel like reading. "I'm going for a walk," she announced to no one in particular, and left the lodge.

She didn't exactly have a plan of where she was going, but she wasn't surprised when she ended up at the dress shop a few blocks down. She looked inside and smiled with relief that her friend, Jenny, was there.

Jenny was a very pretty girl with a very pretty English accent and a flair for the dramatic. She and Cassie had been pen pals even before she moved to Manhattan, since their mothers had been friends. Then, when Cassie discovered that the shop that doubled as her friend's home was in the area, she started making semi-regular visits.

Cassie went inside.

"Cassandra!" Jenny exclaimed. "It's so good to see you. And it hasn't even been two months yet!"

"Ha ha." Cassie laughed dryly, but was unable to keep the smile off her face.

"I know, I know, I know, I'm just teasing. In all honesty, I'm glad that you still visit me – I know that being a newsie can be very time-consuming." They went upstairs, which was where the family actually lived, and into Jenny's room.

"So," Jenny said seriously as they sat across from each other, "I trust your friends' strike wounds are healing up nicely? You certainly look better than when I last saw you."

Cassie nodded. "They're definitely getting better, though Crutchie is sill in the refuge, and we don't know how long until he gets out. If at all."

"Oh, Cassandra, that's horrible!"

Cassie nodded again. Jenny was one of three people whom Cassie allowed to call her by her full name, the others being her aunt Quinn and her mother.

"Well, I hope he does. We're praying for you."

"Thank you, Jenny."

"Now that we've got that out of the way," her friend began, looking much more eager, "what else is going on with you? Any positive strike news, any particularly interesting books, any romantic feelings for a certain blue-eyed boy?"

Cassie flushed, though from surprise as well as embarrassment. "Lots of the newsies have blue eyes."

"Ah, so you do!"

Cassie didn't respond.

"Don't pretend you don't know who I'm talking about, Cassandra. I have six sisters, nothing gets by me. You and that Nicholas are like two peas in a pod – I mean, it was only a matter of time until one of you fell for the other. To be honest, I had a hunch during your last visit, but your reaction just now gave me all the proof I needed. Now, tell me everything."

"There's not much to tell. And besides, he probably doesn't feel the same way. He said he didn't know."

"Wait, he knows? Did you tell him?"

"...Yes? You seem very unnecessarily excited about this."

"I am! Oh, I can't help myself. I am a hopeless romantic, after all, and seeing as I unfortunately have no beau of my own, I must live vicariously through the love lives of others. And I'm proud of you."

"For what?"

"For working up the courage to tell him, of course! If the romance novels that we've likely both read are any indication, that kind of thing is difficult."

"Well, I guess, but in the grand scheme of things - "

"Don't think about that right now. You did something that a lot of people don't do. You should be proud of you, too."

Cassie smiled. "Thanks." She admittedly hadn't thought about that.

"Don't worry about whether or not he does fancy you, either. If he doesn't, you'll get over it. And if he does, well, yay you! Don't ever let what Nick thinks of you determine what you think of you, okay?"

"Okay."

"Promise?"

Cassie smiled. "Promise."

"Oh, before I forget!" Jenny rushed out, and came back with what looked like a bundle of sparkling fabric. "I made you something! Or, well, I made me something, but I didn't like how it looked on me, so I made a few adjustments and now it's for you." She held it out, so that it was clearly discernible as a dress.

"Thank you, Jenny. But…"

"But?"

"Well, it's beautiful, and green is my favorite color, but when would I wear it? It's not the kind of practical dress that I could wear as a newsie, and it looks a little big, too."

"Of course it's big, so you can grow into it! But I see your point. Perhaps you could wear it at you and Nick's wedding?"

"Jenny!"

"Only joking, love," said Jenny with a cheeky smile. "If you ever find use for it, you know where to find me."

"Maybe I will." Cassie stood. "I think I'll head out now, but thanks for talking."

"Of course." They went downstairs. "Bye, Cassandra!" Jenny waved as she left. "Bonne chance!"

A/N: Many apologies for the very late chapter! I actually had some writer's block, but fortunately it went away before I finished the chapter. I had quite a bit of fun writing this (Jenny is a very entertaining character to write :p) , and next chapter, the action will definitely pick up. Hopefully you enjoyed this, and I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review!

-mouse :)