Chapter 13

Soon after Spot left, Jack gathered all the newsies together and headed to the square. David met them all there. Heather was expecting him to still be mad at her and not have anything to do with her. But, he walked right up to her and hugged her tight. She was in shock and didn't know what to do.

He pulled from her, gripped her shoulders, and said, "I'm sorry." Before she could respond, he went on, "I had no right to talk to you like that. I was a jerk. It was just because...it doesn't matter now. But do you think you can forgive me?"

Heather's mouth was just agape, and she was unsure of what to say. This was so unexpected. She thought David was never going to talk to her again, and this friendship that had just started was over. But now here he was, apologizing to her. She felt that the only thing she could say was, "I-I forgive you."

A smile broke across his face and he released her shoulders. Once he was up straight, his face grew more serious. "Now, I need to ta-"

But he was interrupted by Daisy coming over and saying, "Jack is gathering all of us in front of the gates. So go on." David and Heather started off, but Daisy pulled Heather back. "What was that all about? I thought you two hated each other right now."

"I thought he hated me too. But he just came over, hugged me and apologized."
"What happened between you?"
Heather looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Yesterday," she spoke lowly, "during the riot at the DC, David and I almost kissed."

Daisy's eyes went wide. "What?! Why didn't you tell me and Delilah?!"
"Because it was a one time thing. Something like that is never gonna happen again. I told him that we should just forget it almost happened and move on, and apparently he wanted to talk about it."

"Why would you want to forget that?"
"Because it was just a fluke. He doesn't like me like that. He was just caught up in the excitement of the moment."

"Heather, how can you think-"

"Come on, we should join the others." Heather turned and walked to the group of newsies. Daisy just rolled her eyes and followed. "So what's the plan Jacky?" Heather asked when they reached the group. Daisy walked next to him and put her elbow on his shoulder.

"We're gonna try ta block da wagon and scabs from leavin' da gates. So we'se gonna squat in front of da gates wid our arms locked toggeddah, wid some of de ouddas standin' guard on eiddeh side of us, so dey'll 'ave ta stop," Jack explained.

"Isn't that dangerous?" David brought up. "What if the wagon doesn't stop?"

"Den we break formation and book it. But da wagon ain't as important as da scabs. We can't let 'em leave."

"What if it breaks into a fight?"
"Where's your sense of adventure Dave?" Delilah questioned. "So what if it breaks into a fight? We're newsies, and we'll fight for what's right. And those scabs, they are not right."

"Couldn't'a said it bettah myself Spunk," Jack commented. "Now, c'mon. Lets get inta formation." Some of the newises, including David, Heather, Daisy, Jack and Delilah got in the middle of the street while the others stood to the sides. Their eyes were all locked on the gates. After a minute, the gates burst open and the wagon with the papers on it came pounding through. They held their position until Jack knew it wasn't going to stop and yelled, "Break!" and they split to either side; but came right back together when the wagon was gone. Now they were face to face with the scabs.

All the newsies gave their most intimidating looks, but none of the scabs were backing down or showing any fear.

"This worked yesterday, why isn't it working now?" Delilah whispered to Jack.

"Alright, everyone remain calm!" David called out.

Heather looked at him with a raised eyebrow as if to say, "You really think that's gonna work?"
Then Jack cried, "Let's soak 'em for Crutchy!" Everyone started yelling and running towards the scabs. The ones they were running towards started running too, back into the DC. And all of a sudden, the doors to the DC opened and a large group of men armed with clubs and chains came walking out. The newsies stopped in their tracks.

"Jack! Jack! It's a trick," Race called out.

Oscar started for Jack, forcing him back down the stairs. "Heya Jacky boy," he said before swinging a chain at him.

David saw that this wasn't a place for Les to be. Les tried his hardest to stay but David used his "I'm older than you voice" and got him to leave. He thought to try to get Heather and the other girls to leave to, but knowing how they handles themselves before, he figured they were okay.

Daisy tried to come between Oscar and Jack, but Jack kept pushing her back. Heather and Delilah finally had to hold her back.

The older men were moving in on the newsies. They all thought they were done for. But then they heard Mush yell, "It's Brooklyn!" They all looked up and, sure enough, there was Brooklyn, led by Spot with his famous smirk plastered on his face. Delilah's stomach flip flopped when she saw him, but tried to keep her face neutral. Suddenly, marbles and pebbles rained from the roof where the Brooklyns were, hitting the enemy and stinging enough to let them go so the newsies could fight back. One of the men had his arms wrapped tight around Delilah. She was struggling to get free. Pot saw and ziplined down.

"Duck!" he yelled to Delilah. She did and Spot hit the man in the face with his feet, knocking him down. Once Spot was on the ground, it took a few more hits to get the man unconscious. When he was done, he faced the girl.

"Damn. Thanks Spot," she said.

"Thanks? Ya actually bein' nice ta me? No comment 'bout 'ow ya coulda 'andled it yaself?"

"No Conlon, I'm actually being nice. Would you just accept it?"

"Look, when we met, I think we got off on da wrong foot. 'Ow's for a truce?"
She thought it over, and then said, "Truce."
Spot spit in his hand and held it out. A little hesitant, but willing, Delilah spit in her hand and shook with him. They smiled at each other until they remembered what was going on and jumped back into action.

Heather was having a hard time. She never caught on to fighting as quickly as her friends. She was also getting a little dizzy from still being slightly hungover. But she was handling herself as best she could. She was able to get a few punches in, but she was getting beat more than her opponents. Right now, she was fighting a guy with a club in his hand. She was able to dodge his blows most of the time, but he had hit her in the stomach, in the same place, three times, so she was sure there would be a pretty good bruise. As she tried to block him at one point, his club connected with her shoulder, sending burning pain all down her arm. She fell to her knees with her eyes shut tight, gritting her teeth. She looked up and saw him raise the club again, but the strike never came because someone tackled him from the side. She turned and saw David on top of the guy, punching him as hard as he could. Finally, the man was out and David stood up and faced Heather.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side again. I'm a little afraid of you now," she told him.

David chuckled. "Don't be," he said offering his hand. She took it with her good arm and stood up. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's just my shoulder. I think it's dislocated. But we can fix it later. We need to help the others."

"Can you fight like this?"

"I still have one good arm." David made sure to stay close to her in case she needed anymore help.

Daisy and Jack were getting off the easiest. Jack had fought off Oscar easily, then moved on to other opponents. Once the girls had let her go, Daisy took off and started beating every enemy in her sight. She got some hits on her, sure, but the ones she was fighting came out looking much worse. Jack had given her private fighting lessons, and they were definitely paying off. She was one of the newsies to beat.

At last, the newsies were able to drive the men back out through the gates. The boys (and three girls) had won. They all gathered on the steps of The World building. They were all cheering and hugging and celebrating. Daisy was on Jack's back and Delilah was actually being peaceful next to Spot. David walked up behind Heather and placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned and smiled brightly at him.

"I can't believe we beat them! I mean, we're still far from winning, but we're closer," she exclaimed. David just grinned. Pulling together all his courage, even though he knew he would be rejected but wanted to take the chance, leaned down quickly to kiss her.

But at that same moment, Denton called, "Jack! Kids! Freeze!" and she turned her head to face forward and David's lips connected with her cheek; and the camera flashed, capturing the moment forever.

Yay! Another chap! Pretty please review! Also, I posted a poll on my page which you all should check out; especially if you have read my Fansies Meet Newsies stories. But if haven't you can vote too