Voila! Next chapter up!
Enjoy!
"Newsies of New York city!" called out Jack as she stood at the top of the front steps of The World building, Roosevelt and Pulitzer nearby. A hush fell upon the crowd, making her giddy smile break forth. "WE WON!"
The children in the square burst into loud cheers, beyond happy that their strike worked and that their sacrifices weren't in vain. Jack watched her newsies in particular, so proud of them and of what they had accomplished.
She waited a moment more before calling out to them once again. "And now, I would like to introduce my very own personal pal, Governor Theodore Roosevelt himself!"
Roosevelt stepped forward next to Jack and she nodded towards him. She shook his hand once more, mostly because she could, and moved aside, leaving him the floor. The children grew quiet, staring in awe at the man in front of them.
"Each generation must, at the height of its power, step aside and invite the young to share the day. You have laid claim to our world and I believe the future, in your hands, will be bright and prosperous!" There was more loud clapping from the newsies at the speech. Roosevelt then turned back towards Jack. "Your drawings, young lady, brought another matter to bear." He glanced towards the entrance of Newsies Square and yelled out, "Officers! If you please!"
Whistles blew several times and the children parted, leaving space in the center of the square for –
"Hiya fellas! You miss me?" Crutchie quickly made his way towards the other newsies, the brightest of smiles on his face.
He received cheers to that question as the boys patted his back, shoulders, and even gave him hugs before he took a step back. "And look what I got for youse, a gift," he added, his smile turning slightly mischievous, "straight from the Refuge. Alright, bring him in, fellas."
"It's Snyder the Spider!" called Race in surprise.
"He ain't lookin' so tough no more," added Finch, smirking at the sight of Snyder trapped between two police officers. Finch even stepped closer with an intent to continue mocking the man, only to jump back as Snyder tried to kick him.
"Jack," began Roosevelt, snapping Jack out of her staring. Ever since Crutchie stepped foot in the square, the lead newsie couldn't pull her gaze away from him, away from the injuries she could see from all the way over where she stood. "With those drawings, you've made an eloquent argument for shutting down the Refuge," explained the Governor. "Be assured that Mr. Snyder's abuses will be fully investigated. Officers, take him away!"
Crutchie took two steps forward, even pulling off his hat as he addressed Roosevelt. "Please, your Highness, may I do the honors?"
Roosevelt nodded, motioning towards Snyder and Crutchie made his way over, looking all too happy to be the one to put the man in handcuffs.
"You have got to be joking," growled out Snyder as Crutchie locked the handcuffs in place.
"Yeah, and you'll be laughin' all the way to the pen, little man," mocked Crutchie as the officers starting pulling the man away. "So long, sucker!" called out the newsie, using his crutch to smack the man from behind.
"Thank you, Governor!" breathed out Jack, overly sincere and beyond happy that Snyder was going to pay for everything that he had done to all those kids.
The man smiled at her before motioning towards the newsies with a tilt of his head. She understood the message quick enough as she bounded down the stairs, beelining it towards Crutchie.
The younger newsie saw her coming and held out his unoccupied arm. She didn't hesitate to bridge the gap between them and pull him into a hug. She forced herself to find the balance between holding him too tightly and not at all for fear of hurting him even more than he already was.
He settled the dilemma for her as he wrapped his arm around her and squeezing as tightly as his tired limbs would allow.
"I'm so sorry, Crutchie," she mumbled, burying her face into his hat. "Can you ever forgive me?"
He pulled away just enough to look at her, confusion clear on his face. "Forgive you for what?"
She glanced up and down at him, her face downcast.
His confused look stayed in place, unable to figure out what she was referring to. "I don't understand..."
"For youse ending up in the Refuge," she whispered.
Crutchie's eyes widened and he quickly shook his head. "That was never you're fault! Didn't you get my letter?"
Jack nodded, pulling it out of her pocket and showing it to him. It was already worn from the amount of times she had read it.
"So you know it ain't 'cause of you," he continued and he looked close to scolding her.
"Crutchie..."
"Not your fault," he repeated with a final tone, making her sigh. "Jack Kelly," he warned.
"Fine, fine, you win."
"Good," replied Crutchie, his near scowl turning easily into a satisfied smile.
She rolled her eyes but hugged him once more, happy to have her best friend, to have her brother back, safe and sound.
"I thought we had talked about that," cut in Davey.
The two newsies broke off their hug to see him standing nearby, arms crossed and giving Jack a look. She pretended to be oblivious, not particularly in the mood to be scolded by Davey as well.
"About taking blame?" Continued Davey which even made Crutchie glance at Jack.
"Great, now there's two of youse," she mumbled but both boys could tell she was trying to hide her amused smile.
"Don't make us get the rest of the fellas on the case too," added Crutchie, shoving her playfully.
She chuckled, shaking her head. "Nah, the two of youse is more than enough!"
Before the boys could respond, Race bounded up next to the trio, a knowing and mischievous smirk on his face.
"Hey, Crutchie, you won'ts believe what we found out about are dear Jack, 'ere."
Crutchie eyed him and even Albert who had followed closely and was currently leaning against Race, and then Jack and Davey before shrugging. "What?"
Albert continued, also seeming all too willing to share the news. "Well, to begins with, Jack's actually a girl!"
Crutchie just continued to stare at them for a moment longer before glancing towards Jack, unable to hide his amused smile anymore. "Oh, they know now?"
Jack nodded which caused Race and Albert to sputter out in surprise. "He knew?" cried Albert. Even Davey was slightly surprised by the news. He had somewhat expected Crutchie to know but actually hearing it confirmed was a different thing.
"Ok, but how about her and Davey?" tried Race, pointing towards the two teenagers, thinking that that news would be even better.
Crutchie just smiled even more. "Finally."
While Race and Albert deflated instantly, which made Jack and Crutchie laugh, Davey was sputtering in surprise. The younger newsie had known about that too? How? What had Jack told him? The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed Davey was becoming.
Considering Crutchie had been in the Refuge, Davey wondered exactly how long Crutchie had known about Jack's crush before he could even piece together obvious hints.
"I can't help thinking," began Pulitzer, catching the newsies' attention. They had not noticed him having walked closer along with Medda, Katherine, and the Governor. "If one of your drawings convinced the governor to shut down the Refuge, what might a daily political cartoon do to expose the dealings in our own government's back rooms?"
Crutchie nudged Jack's arm, his eyes wide and hopeful, realizing where Pulitzer was going. Even Davey was pulled away from his embarrassment at the proposition.
"What do you say, Teddy?" wondered Pulitzer. "Care to let this young woman's artistry shine a lantern behind your closed doors?"
The Governor just chuckled, shaking his head but motioned for Pulitzer to continue. "I have nothing to hide, Joseph," he laughed.
Jack stared at the men, mouth agape, unable to believe what they were suggesting.
"So, Jack?"
She hesitated, taking in the offer, the mere idea of using her skills as an artist to be published for everyone to see. Before that week, she didn't think her art was that good! And now...
"Don't tell me you're still thinking of going to Santa Fe?" Sighed Katherine, crossing her arms and giving Jack a look. "What's Santa Fe got that New York ain't?"
"Better yet," put in Davey, "what's New York got that Santa Fe ain't?"
"New York's got us, and we're family," said Crutchie, lightly punching her arm.
Jack smiled at all of them before shaking her head. "I wasn't thinking about Santa Fe but I guess I's appreciate the lecture."
"You weren't?" Wondered Katherine, raising an eyebrow, sceptical.
"Why think of it when my real Santa Fe is youse guys?" Answered Jack, rubbing her nose.
The smiles of the other three brightened and, the moment Crutchie went in to hug her, Katherine and Davey followed suit. Even Race joined in the pile and all of them laughed.
When they broke apart, Jack turned towards Pulitzer. "I guess I can accept that offer, Joe."
"Good." He then glanced at the newsies in the square. "Didn't I hear something about the strike being settled?"
"Papes for the newsies!" called Wiesel. "Line up boys!"
Crutchie patted Jack's arm before he and Race walked towards the distribution gate. Katherine sent Jack a smile and a wink as she headed off as well, going to chat with Specs. Even Roosevelt and Medda were no longer around and Pulitzer had skulked back to his office.
That just left Jack and Davey alone and he wasted no time in reaching for her hand, grasping it tightly.
"You almost had me worried there," he admitted, tugging at her hand lightly to get her to face him. "About Santa Fe."
She shook her head. "Nah. I's think I's abandoned these boys enough for one lifetime," she explained, rubbing her nose. "That ain't what family does. Y'all ain't rid of me that easily."
"Good," laughed Davey, moving his other hand and snaking it around her waist, "because I didn't want to cause a scene in front of the others to get you to stay."
"You? Cause a scene?" repeated Jack in surprise before thinking it over. "Well, youse have been getting bolder, Davey, I gives you that. But –"
Davey cut her off, pulling her close and kissing her.
When they broke apart, Davey took several deep breaths before managing to mutter, "Bold enough for you?"
Jack was still a little dazed and giddy as she nodded.
"Hey! Jack! Davey!" called out Race, waiting near the distribution gate. "You two coming or are you goin' to mug all day?"
It was then that the two teenagers heard the cheering and hollering from the other newsies, most of them egging them to get their newspapers.
Even though both Jack and Davey were blushing from the attention, Jack shooed her newsies away, laughing as she yelled at them at the same time, "We're busy!"
That made them laugh as well but they didn't stop pointing towards the newspapers. Jack rolled her eyes at the display as Davey massaged the back of his neck.
"I guess we have a job to do," he muttered with a shake of his head.
Jack nodded but, before she headed off, she gripped the collar of his shirt, pulled him forward and placed a quick kiss on his lips.
"Let's go!"
Let me know what you thought! By the way, the story IS NOT DONE! There are more chapters coming up! :D
P.S. In the 1890s, "mug" was another word for hugging/kissing ;D
