Don't own it. Nope.

"Listen, I need you all to be ambassadors."

Crutchie stood in the middle of the crowd. Racetrack was slightly to his right, still scowling. He didn't like the idea of a strike. Crutchie didn't really blame him.

But Jack seemed so into the idea. His voice carried over the crowd of Newsies. Next to him was David, who seemed as into the strike as Racetrack, but Crutchie guessed that Jack was already working on him. He'd be sold on the idea by morning.

Already all around him boys were shouting back at Jack.

"Say Jack, I'll take Harlem!" It was natural that Kid Blink was the first one to call out. Give Blink a fight and he's on top of it, even if it was a lost cause.

Mush was next, "I got the Battery, Jack!" Mush was different then Blink, quieter. But he'd do anything for Jack, and Jack knew it.

"Hey, I'll take the Bronx."

Crutchie surprised himself by volunteering next. He clapped a hand on Racetrack's shoulder. "C'mon. Let's go."

He could tell that other Newsies were dispersing and planned to get out of the crowd before people started jostling him. Racetrack wasn't moving, though. "We'll stop by the track on the way." Crutchie wheedled, knowing that that was the only way to sell Racetrack on the idea.

They walked, and slowly the shouts of the striking Newsies faded into the distance. The silence was long but not uncomfortable as the two friends walked the familiar streets. "Listen, Crutchie, I just…I just don't want to see anyone get hurt here. And I think that's what's going to happen."

"No it isn't." Crutchie said bracingly, clapping Racetrack on the back with his free hand. Racetrack bit his lip, his olive-colored face thoughtful.

"It's just…I mean, if you got hurt Crutch, I…I don't know." Racetrack looked down, embarrassed.

Crutchie smiled. "Aww…don't worry Race. I'll be okay."

The track's didn't take that long. Racetrack knew the jockey's and stable hands and the word spread quickly. All of them agreed to the strike…if they got other people to join. They left the track, promising to come back after hearing from the Bronx.

Crutchie's "spot" was on the edge of the Bronx, so he knew most of the kids there. He was especially close to their leader, Hawkeye, who owed Crutchie after he warned Hawkeye about Snyder's newest tirade.

"So anyway, Hawk." Crutchie explained quickly. "This is going to be pretty big. It could be a turning point for the Newsies, you know?"

Hawkeye glanced at the boy next to him, who was slightly shorter with brilliant blue eyes. He shrugged and Hawkeye turned back to Crutchie, smiling. "Listen Crutch, if you get Spot Conlon and his people to join, we'll be there."

Crutchie knew that Spot was from Brooklyn. He also knew that he didn't care about anything that wasn't directly related to his own territory. But Jack was the one who was talking to him, so maybe…"yeah, don't worry, Brooklyn will join."

After stopping by the track to tell them of Hawkeye's decision, the two friends went back to Jack and told him about the Bronx's reluctance. "They just want to know we're serious, Jack." Racetrack explained.

Jack ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, Spot said the same thing." He suddenly grinned, an action that made Crutchie, Racetrack, and Mush groan. They knew that grin. "You guys want some sport?"

Suddenly, Crutchie was nearly tripping over himself in an attempt to keep up with the others. Just as he broke through the gate of World's headquarters a punch was aimed at his head.

Amid the chaos, Crutchie managed to get on top of a cart of newspapers. He through them over the side, hitting Racetrack on the head. Racetrack looked up at Crutchie, a smile on his face. All his earlier trepidations about the strike seemed to have vanished.

Then all the Newsies seemed to be moving again. Almost before Crutchie realized was happening, Racetrack was calling back to him, "Crutchie! Scram, Crutch, scram!"

Crutchie leaped off the cart only to be blocked by the Delancey brothers. "Hiya guys…" he started before his crutch was knocked out from under him. His last sight was of the Newsies, gaping at the gate, Racetrack in the front. He thought of Racetrack's warnings about someone getting hurt, and hated knowing that he was right.

Review? Please?