A/N: This chapter is a little bit shorter than the others, and I had to rework it several times, so I hope it meets y'all's approval. ;)

P.S. The production of Newsies that we saw was AMAZING. Like seriously, the cast did a fantabulous job. It was so fun! I could go on, but I'm sure you're ready to get to the story. ;P

Enjoy!

The days turned into a week, dragging on for what felt like a year. It had seemed after the night Jack spent comforting him from his nightmare that Crutchie might've been beginning to improve, but the hope faded as quickly as it came. His fever rose again and his coughing became worse.

The boy constantly tossed and turned, drinking water and eating what he could when he was awake. Several of the others had come down with coughs and colds, too. The whole Lodging House was miserable.

It was the seventh day when Race and JoJo found Jack on the rooftop, gazing out across the streets of New York, straight face and set jaw. Despite the merciless wind that blew across the roof, the Manhattan leader stood unmoving.

The younger newsies exchanged glances.

"Jack?" JoJo ventured.

The older boy whirled on them. "Who said you's could come up here?" he snapped. Then he sighed and hung his head. "I'm sorry, fellas. I's just—"

"I know." Race offered a half-smile. Because he did. The fifteen-year-old knew Jack just about better than anybody—besides maybe Crutchie. And the way Jack was acting...he was scared. He'd never admit it, of course, but Race could tell.

"It's been a week, and there ain't been no change." Jack gripped the rail, staring out across Manhattan. "Sniper's already gettin' over his fever, an' he only had it the past two days." The newsie paused. "...Crutchie's been sick before, but never this bad off."

"He'll be fine." It was JoJo who spoke, cautious in his approach to reassure the older boy.

"It ain't just Crutchie. Them other boys is sick, too. They need more than sellin' papes in this weather can give 'em," Jack ranted. He sighed, hands still curled around the rail.

Race had seen Jack distressed before. A few winters ago, before the older boy had been hauled off to The Refuge for stealing, he'd been terrified for the boys. With nearly all of them sick—their current leader included—he'd seen no other option...and unfortunately, his plan had backfired, landing him in the hands of the Spider while the others struggled to get by.

Now, with his worrying about Crutchie and the other sick boys, the fear was rising again. The desperation was climbing, and Race wasn't about to let Jack do something he'd regret.

"Me and the fellas has been sellin' extra papes to help buy better food and stuff for Crutchie an' the others." The curly-haired boy stepped up beside Jack, hand feeling the cool metal of the coins stashed in his pocket. It wasn't much, but it was something.

Jack shook his head, offering a small smile. "Thanks, but it ain't necessary. I got it figured out."

Now Race was appalled. He growled. "'Course it's necessary, Jack! We's a family, ain't we? We look out for each other."

Behind him, JoJo nodded in silent agreement.

Race moved even closer, shoving the cigar he held at Jack's chest. "I knows you, Jack. You's plannin' to do somethin' you shouldn't."

Jack glared back. "And? Ain't it my own business if I wants to get my hide tanned?" he shot back.

"No. It ain't." Race was nose to nose with the older boy now. "You's our leader. You affect more than just yourself when you does somethin's like that." He gulped at the glare Jack was boring into him, but didn't back down. In his head, he heard Crutchie's desperate pleas for Jack; Romeo's coughs and whimpers, asking where their brother was. He saw the guilt in Top's eyes when he found out what had happened to his second-in-command. "All them boys's dependin' on y'. Ya can't just go do somethin' stupid and think you's the only one it matters to." Good grief, he sounded exactly like Jack.

Race waited, eyes on the older newsie's face for any reaction. He had to admit, he was a little surprised with himself. Usually it was Jack talking him out of stupid ideas. Maybe Race was being a hypocrite, but his words to his brother were true.

"We needs ya," JoJo added quietly. "'Specially Crutchie."

Race watched as Jack swallowed. He was armed and ready if the older boy tried to argue back.

The silence didn't last long.

"Jack!" Mush's panicked voice drifted up to the rooftop. "Get down here! It's Crutchie."

Sorry for the cliffhanger, but I had to. XD Drop a review if you get the chance! I'm hoping Race didn't seem too OOC, since usually he's the reckless one. Buuuut then again, we all know Jack would do anything for his boys...

Anyway, let me know your thoughts, and I'll be back with the next chapter before Christmas!