I do not own Newsies or any of the Newsies characters. To the best of my knowledge they are owned by Disney.

I do not own the character Saiorse "Irish" Callan. She is owned by her creator Lady of Tir Na Nog. Lady of T.T.N. has graciously offered the use of "Irish" as a character in this story.

I am making no money from this story. I seriously doubt the sanity of anyone who would pay money to read anything I have written.

CHAPTER 5 - THE DANCE

"I've got it!" Chris shouted as he slammed his hand down on the financial report.

"You were right, Tony! You said that something was missing and there it is!"

"Chris, you found something?" Sister Reggie asked excitedly. "What is it? What did you find?"

"Tony was right. It's right there in black and white."

"What's there?" asked Tony.

"You see the section of the financial report that shows the yearly expenditures for retirement pensions?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Well, the papers you have only show a total of the amount expensed. It doesn't give a breakdown on how the money was disbursed. But if you look over here this list shows the recipients with the corresponding amounts."

"So what are you getting at, Chris?"

"Look, Tony! Look at the names and the amounts!" Chris said grinning from ear to ear.

Tony took the paper from Chris. His eyes darted as the scanned the information. It was obvious that he was calculating the figures in his head. Then his eyes widened, and the old Racetrack smirk covered his face.

"Well fuck me!" Tony shouted.

"Tony! I have already asked you to watch your language."

"Yes, Sister Regina," Tony mocked as he rolled his eyes.

"Will one of you please explain what you are talking about?" David requested.

"Sorry," Tony said.

"Okay, Sis. Brian Denton retired two years ago in August, right?"

"Yes. That's right."

"Then Mr. Wiesel retired last June, right?"

"Yes, Tony, he did. Now what are you trying to say?"

"Well, you tell me. Since when does the school's janitor receive triple the pension of the school's administrator? Denton was here for thirty years, first as a teacher, then as part of the administrative staff. Old Weasel spent twenty years emptying trash cans."

"Well I'll be a son of a bitch!" Jack remarked as he compared the papers. "Oh . . . Sorry Reggie," he added.

"David, take a look at this. You have the same job back home that Denton had when he retired. Does this look right to you?"

David took a quick look and shook his head. "I don't see how someone with Denton's experience could be receiving less of a pension than the janitor," David concluded. "But I can't be sure by looking at this. I will need to see Denton's contract with the school and Mr. Wiesel's personnel file."

"Okay, Reggie. We need you to get us those files," Jack instructed.

"I can't do that. Those files are confidential."

"Look, Reggie. You're the one who asked me for help," Tony snapped. "I didn't come all the way out here just so you can change your mind."

"Reggie's right, Tony. There could be a lot of legal crap that we don't know about. The least of which could be Reggie getting fired. Right, Chris?" Jack asked.

"I'm not hearing any of this," Chris answered as he turned to look at Tony.

"Oh, I get it," Jack declared. "You mean that you can't advise us to do something that is illegal. Is that right ,Chris?"

"That's right. I can't hear any of this because I am looking into the eyes of the man I love which renders me unable to comprehend your conversation."

"Okay then," Jack continued. "It shouldn't be illegal for Reggie to take a look at the files, right?"

"That's right. I am blinded by Tony's handsomeness, and therefore I am unable to see or hear anything other than him."

"I'll take that as a yes" Jack grumbled. "Okay, Reggie. This is what you need to find out."

At this point, Chris put his fingers in his ears, closed his eye, and began to sing, "la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, . . ."

"Okay," Reggie agreed. "But it could take a while. In the meantime I've ordered in some refreshments. You'll need something to tide you over until supper."

Tony pulled out his wallet to give Reggie some money to pay for the food.

"la, la, la . . . "

"That's okay, Tony. It's all been taken care of."

"la, la, la, la . . . "

"What? Did the Pope give you a raise or something?" Tony asked.

"la, la, la, la, la, . . . "

"No. Brother Joseph took care of it."

"la . . . "

"Who the hell . . . Sorry. Who the heck is Brother Joseph?"

"la, la, la, la . . ."

"He's the new Dean of Students. It was his idea to have these records checked in the first place," Reggie answered as she left the gym.

Tony, David, and Jack stood watching Chris. He was shut off from the world with his fingers in his ears and still singing "la, la, la, . . ."

Tony reached to shake Chris, but Jack stopped him.

"Tony wait! Let's see how long he will go on before he notices we're watching him."

"Nah. Take it from me. After fifteen years, I guarantee he can still go on all night!"

"Ewwww," David laughed. "That is definitely more than we needed to know."

Finally, Tony got Chris attention and the singing stopped.

"You're a genius," Tony said.

"No, you're a genius," Chris corrected.

"You did it," Tony added.

"No you did it," Chris insisted.

"I wish we were doing it," Tony laughed

"I think we should be doing it," Chris agreed.

Tony whispered something into Chris' ear then turned back to David and Jack.

"You'll have to excuse us for a while," he said. "Chris and I need to do some investigating of a more personal nature."

"I'll race you to the last shower stall in the back of the locker room!" Chris shouted as he took off running. Then he disappeared through the locker room door with Tony in close pursuit.

"Some things never change," Jack laughed as he took David by the hand and lead him back to the bleachers.

"What have you been doing to keep yourself busy all this time?" Jack asked.

"Oh, I've just been thinking and remembering," David smiled.

Jack sat behind David and started to massage his neck and shoulders.

"What were you thinking about? . . . Me I hope?"

"As a matter of fact I was," David replied as he leaned back for a kiss. "I was thinking about the fall dance in our senior year. Do you remember? It was the day you interviewed Skittery for the school paper."

Jack leaned forward and rested his head on David's shoulder. "How could I forget?" Jack asked. Then he turned his head and gave David a kiss on the neck.

As usual all of the boys met up outside the school.

Since their first dance in the sixth grade they had chosen to arrive in a group. Back then it was because the thought of attending a boy/girl dance was terrifying ( and a bit icky as well). They had all agreed that there would be safety in numbers.

Now they were seniors. They were at the top of the high school feeding chain. Going to a dance as a group was no longer a defensive strategy. It had simply become a tradition.

Tonight there were two girls in the group as well. Reggie Higgins, who was Itey's date for the dance, and Saiorse Callan, whose nickname was Irish.

Irish had been an unofficial member of the group since ninth grade.

Saiorse's family had just arrived from Belfast Ireland and enrolled her in Pulitzer.

On the first day of classes, Jack heard Saiorse speaking, and began to mimic her accent.

Saiorse, whipped around, and began to pummel him into the ground.

Jack wasn't about to hit a girl, so he tried to block her punches, while he hollered, "Get the fuck off'a me you crazy bitch!"

"Sod off ya fecker," was her reply.

Sister Mary separated them, then escorted them both to her office.

After giving them her famous Attila the Nun glare, she asked, "Would one of you kindly tell me what that was all about?"

Saiorse chimed in first. "Your man Cowboy acted the maggot, so I clattered the minger."

"All right, young lady. Would you like to try answering me in English?" Sister Mary asked.

"That was English," Saiorse replied.

"No Saiorse. What I mean to say is that you should speak to me in proper English."

"Jack. Would you like to tell me what happened?"

"Well, I was just joking with the kid and she got pissed. I wouldn't hit a girl, so I had to stand there like a jerk while this one beat the snot out of me!"

"You need to begin speaking in proper English as well, Jack," Sister Mary scolded.

Then Sister Mary proceeded to give one of her world famous speeches, about the proper behavior for young ladies and gentlemen.

Somewhere, in the middle of their lecture both Saiorse and Jack began to chuckle. By the end of the speech they were both fighting back full blown laughter.

That earned them both two-weeks of detention with Attila the Nun.

Instantly, Jack and Saiorse became friends.

It was Jack who gave her the nickname.

Irish had always been one of the guys. She played football and basketball as well as any of them. Irish was never afraid to get dirty, and often participated in a game of hoops after lunch. This was a habit which earned her many hours in Sister Mary's office, where she would again be lectured on the behavior of a proper young lady.

Since their return to school senior year, Irish's presence had caused quite a stir within the male population of Pulitzer.

As always, Irish had spent her summer vacation back in Ireland, visiting with her two brothers and their families. While she was away, it seemed that nature had taken its course and turned Irish from a gangly tomboy into a quite attractive young woman.

Irish still shot hoops with the guys, but there seemed to be a lot more boys standing around watching. Somehow the sight of Irish making jump shots in her short uniform skirt, made the game a great deal more interesting. This was sure to earn her more lecture time with Sister Mary.

All of the boys were gathered outside the dance except David, Dutchy and Specs.

Jack and David had split-up just hours before. Jack was sure that David wouldn't be coming, so he told their friends that David had made other plans.

As for Specs and Dutchy, It wasn't unusual for them to miss a dance. They always did enjoy each others company more than anyone else's. For as long as anyone could remember, they were a couple. Even they couldn't remember a time when they weren't together.

As they headed for the entrance, Itey (being the prefect gentlemen) offered his arm to Reggie who gladly accepted it.

Jack laughed and offered his arm to Irish who playfully accepted the offer.

"Hey, wait-up you guys" someone called from behind.

It was David.

"Hey Davey" Mush called back. "Jack said that you wouldn't be coming."

David looked over and saw Jack arm-in-arm with Irish.

David's eyes, which were normally a soft blue, seemed a cold steely-grey as they shot daggers at Jack.

"Honestly, Jack" David said in a mocking tone. "I don't know what made you think that I wouldn't be here tonight? Wild horses couldn't have kept me away!"

David pushed past Jack to go inside. As he did, David gestured at Irish's arm through Jack's and whispered, "Gee Cowboy, I see it didn't take you too long to bounce back. It's only been about five hours. That must be some sort of a world record."

Jack was mortified.

In hurting David, he succeeded in losing his lover, his best friend, and an important part of himself. Still, Jack was convinced that he had done the right thing, but that didn't make him feel any better. It was too late to go back now. Jack still had his future to think of. He was determined to work the room and become the quintessential jock.

Itey and Reggie spent most of the evening trying to keep out of Tony's line of sight. As Reggie's older brother, Tony saw it as his solemn duty to protect her from all the sex craved maniacs of the world. Poor Itey had crossed the line into "manicadom" when he invited Regie to the dance.

Each time Itey tried to hold Reggie's hand or dance a little too close, Racetrack was there vehemently protecting his sister's virtue.

Irish's new popularity had taken over, and she was flooded with invitations to dance. She however, chose to share most of her dances with Snoddy Morrison. They had played many a football game together, but the contact they were now having was a great deal more enjoyable.

While the others were dancing, Spot and Mush spent most of their time up in the bleachers making fun of everyone else.

Jack was in great demand. Most of the single girls flocked around him. He played the game well and reveled in the attention. He was like a kid in a candy store. He was going to look them over carefully and maybe even sample a few before he settled on one flavor.

David was also working the room.

Much to everyone's surprise (including his own) David was the life of the party. He was laughing, dancing, and telling jokes. The football team and cheerleaders actually invited him to sit with them. This was an honor seldom given to an average person such as David.

In reality, Jack and David spent most of their time watching each other while trying not to look like they were watching each other. They were both having a miserable time.

Blink was also receiving attention from the girls but he wasn't interested. He had already made his choice. He was there with Tony, and they were happier than either had ever been. They were perfect together.

Still, nobody knew that they were a couple. This was 1989. A suburban high school in a working class town was not the best place for a same gender couple in love. There was no way that Chris and Tony could date openly.

It was different for Specs and Dutchy. They'd been holding hands since nursery school. They didn't even seem to be two separate people. Everyone looked at them as a sort of a Specs/Dutchy being. Nobody questioned it. That's just the way it was.

The evening wore on, and the end of the dance drew near.

Jack had sampled most of the flavors and had chosen his girl for the night.

Itey was trying to dance with Reggie in the far corner where he hoped that Tony couldn't see them

Irish and Snoddy were clumsily trying to bridge the gap between football buddies and girl and boy.

And Spot, and Mush were attempting to relieve their boredom, by playing rock/paper/scissors.

With all the drama surrounding them, Chris and Tony were truly enjoying their first school dance together. But Tony didn't want the night to end, without having one dance with his boyfriend.

When they were quite sure that nobody was watching, they slipped behind the heavy brocade curtain up on the stage.

The stage was black as pitch. Chris froze in his steps, and in a reflex action, raised his arm to shield his face. He had a constant fear of injuring his good eye, which could render him totally blind.

Tony understood, and put his arm around Chris to guide him. "Don't worry" he said in a comforting tone. "You know that I'd never let anything hurt you."

Tony put his arms around Chris. Then alone in the dark, they danced their first dance to "Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon. They would always consider that to be their special song.

It was to become one of Itey's favorites as well. It was to this song that Itey and Reggie had their first dance, unmolested by her overprotective brother.

When the dance was over and everyone was walking toward the exit, they saw Morris and Oscar were standing on either side of the door.

"They're back," Tony grumbled. "I knew this night was too good to be true."

Being their usual selves, the Delanceys were taunting the students as they tried to leave.

Irish and Snoddy (who were now holding hands) were the first of the group to attempt an exit.

"Hey, Snoddy," Oscar mocked. "What are you plannin' to do with her? Arm wrestle?"

Before Snoddy could open his mouth, Irish was in Oscar's face. "Well, I beat you two outa t'ree times, didn't I? Ya feckin' eejit!"

Snoddy laughed with delight as he turned to the group and announced, "I love this girl!" Then he put his arm around Irish and they proceeded out the door.

Tony's eyes were fixed on the Delanceys. His jaw tightened and his shoulder's tensed. Chris gave him a reassuring pat on the back.

"Here comes the fagot patrol," Oscar laughed.

The words sent a surge of rage through Chris' body. He knew what the Delanceys had done to Tony. They could easily have killed Chris, yet he wanted nothing better than a chance to take them apart.

"Look, fellas," Chris announced. "The jailbirds are back. What did you do? Stage a breakout or something?"

Morris took a step froward and Tony quickly pulled Chris back behind him.

Tony glared at them with an enormous grin. "You're doing a fine job boys," he mocked. "Did you learn that stance while you were working as ushers in the prison movies? It's good to know that you have a trade to fall back on when you flunk out of high school. I hear that they're always looking for ushers over at the Multi-Plex."

"We weren't in no prison," Oscar snapped.

"It wasn't a Boy Scout camp either," Tony replied.

"Oh come on, Tony," Jack scoffed. "You know the Delanceys received a bum rap. They didn't brake into that liquor store. Oscar here was merely walking in his sleep and took a wrong turn on his way to the bathroom. Morris went along with him because everyone knows that Oscar can't take a piss without his brothers help."

"Good one, Jackie-boy," Spot laughed as he moved to the front of the group. Then he boldly sauntered out the door.

Then David made an attempt to leave.

"Where do you think you're going fagot?" Morris growled. "Nobody gave you permission to leave."

It was at this point that David proved why he was given the name, "The Walking Mouth."

"You know Morris," David said calmly "It seems to me that you and your brother are preoccupied with this whole gay thing."

"Whadda you mean?"

"Well for instance, almost every time you speak you mention being gay. It's either fagot this or sissy that. It's as though the idea of being gay is always on your minds."

Muffled laughter was now escaping the group

"And then there's the fact that you are constantly hanging around us. It seems as though you enjoy our company."

"Yea, well we don't enjoy nothin'," Morris barked as he gave David a push.

"And that's another thing," David continued. "You are constantly touching us like you did just now. Hardly a week goes by when you're not trying to get your hands on at least one of us . . . Especially when you can get us alone."

Now everyone was laughing out loud, and Jack was feeling quite proud of David.

"I ain't no fag!" Oscar shouted.

"Ah," said David. "I think the Lady doth protest too much."

"Who are you callin' a Lady?" Oscar snapped With that, he grabbed David by the shirt and slammed him against the door frame. The force of the blow left David breathless.

Instantly Jack was there grabbing Oscar with one hand and pushing David away with the other.

Oscar could hear Racetrack's voice from the background. "You shouldn't do that," he said. " It's not healthy."

Jack's face was red with anger as his heart pounded in his chest. "Don't you ever touch him again!" Jack hissed.

"Oh isn't that sweet" Oscar jeered. "You came to his rescue . . . What is he? Your boyfriend or something?"

"So what if he is?" Jack said with his face only inches away from Oscar's.

"Hey! Did you hear that everybody?" Oscar shouted. "Jackie-boy just admitted it. He is a fag!"

"So what if I am? . . . What are you gonna do about it?"

Oscar took swing at Jack, who ducked and came back with a hard right to Oscar's jaw. Then Jack threw Oscar over the railing and into the bushes.

Jack grabbed Morris by the shirt-front and pulled him close. "If I hear that you or your brother ever lay a hand on Davey again, I'm gonna fuckin' kill you." Then Jack head-butted Morris and threw him against the railing.

When Morris' head cleared, he helped Oscar to his feet and the two ran away with Morris shouting, "You haven't heard the end of this, Cowboy."

Jack quickly turned to David. "Are you all right?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Jack. And I didn't need your help," David said indignantly.

"Excuse Me?"

"I said that I didn't need your help. You're not my mother. I can take care of myself."

"You were just about to get your ass kicked, David."

"So what if I was?" David replied as he headed down the stairs.

"Look, Davey. Do you know how many of our friends those two have hurt? Do you have any idea what they would do to you if they got you alone?"

"What's it to you?" David challenged as he locked eyes with Jack.

"All right!" said Spot as he sat down on the stairs to get comfortable. "Now dis is what I call entertainment!"

"What's it to me? Come on, Davey. I just came out in front of the whole school for you. What more do you want!"

Tony turned to the girl that was to be Jacks companion for the night. "Sorry," he said. "It looks like Jackie-boy is going to be busy with other things tonight."

"I don't want anything from you, Jack. And don't say that you came out for me because you didn't. You made it perfectly clear this afternoon that you had to start thinking about yourself. Everything is always about you. The only one you care about is Jack Kelly."

"You're right, Dave," Jack said as he held onto David's arm. "I didn't do it for you. I did it for us. For both of us."

"So what am I supposed to do, Jack? Should I just forget about this afternoon? Forget how fast you were willing to give me up?"

"No, Dave. I don't expect you to forget. But I do want you to try to forgive me. I was wrong. I know that, but I just got scared, that's all . . . David, you know how I feel about you."

"No, Jack. I don't know. How do you feel about me?"

Jack looked at the small crowd that had gathered around them.

"You're not going to make me say it in front of everyone, are you?"

"I'm not going to make you do anything, Jack. The choice is yours."

They stood silently with their eyes locked. Then Jack pulled David close and kissed him right there in front of everyone.

The crowd was now laughing and whistling.

When their lips finally parted, David whispered, "I love you too, Jack."

Jack put his arm around David, and they headed back toward Jack's house for some private time.

David was happy to be back with Jack, however, Jack had behaved like a first class jackass. David couldn't resist the opportunity to needle him just a bit.

"So what was that head-butting stuff about, Jack?"

"Don't start with me, Davey."

"Seriously, Jack. Why would you do something so stupid?"

"Don't push it, Davey."

"I warned you before about that, Jack."

"Are you trying to piss me off, Davey?"

"Jack, you're going to do that one too many times and make yourself simple."

"Davey . . ."

"It's the truth, Jack. You'll become feeble and end up sitting around in your own drool with nobody to take care of you but me."

"Davey . . ."

"That's it! That's why you act so crazy, Jack. You've done it too many times and it's damaged your brain."

"Davey . . ."

"Honestly, Jack you - -"

"Davey?"

"Yes, Jack?"

"Davey?"

"Yes, Jack?"

Oh, Daveyyyy?

. . . "Oh Yes Jack!"

"Yup,"Spot grinned. "It's like I said . . . Dat's entertainment. It don't get no better then this!"

END CHAPTER 5

A/N: I know that the head-butting bit was a little corny, but I just couldn't resist. Besides, I think David was deserving of a little revenge.

Next Chapter: Tony and Chris and the next level.

Special thanks to:

Lady of Tir Na Nog: Thanks for all the help, and for graciously loaning Irish to this story. I hope I did her justice.

Garen Ruy Maxwell: (Who's character Whistler is one of my favorites.) Thanks for taking the time to review this story.

pennaroyaltea Thanks for the fabulous live review. I think reading your review, was more fun, than reading my story!

''0''EmeraldEyes''0'' (Who is an expert on the New Yawk accent.) Thanks for the reviews, and for the feedback. It is a great help.