Hey, It's me again back with chapter 10. I wrote three different drafts of this chapter because I couldn't get it right, and this is what I decided on so I hope you like it. I'm sorry these are taking me so long to update...but it's that time of year again when all the children go back to school. Anyway I hope you are sticking with me and still liking this story. Please R&R!

I don't own newsies... I just stalk them ;) lol jkjk

Chapter 10

"They wish to adopt you Martha."

Those words were spoken to me over three hours ago and they still repeated themselves in my head. I could still see the look on the head official, Mr. Brisby's, face. I would call it satisfaction; He finally found someone who would adopt me and he can obtain revenge for five years of headaches.

I tried to shift my thoughts to the drab, solitary room they assigned me at the child-placement headquarters. Grey walls, scuffed wooden floor, an old chair in the corner and a small rectangular window near the ceiling. I could fit through it if only I could get to it. I pulled my knees to my chest, I want outta here. I rested my chin on my knees and closed my eyes.

Come on Marty, you've been gettin' yourself outta sticky situations fer years now, and ya can get outta dis one too. Tink!

Pitifully, all of my plans before involved me running away, and this time that is just not an option. I have to face my problems this time; I am done running. All I really want is security, a place where I can be myself and be loved for it. Not a place where muckity-mucks try to mold me into a "socially acceptable" lady.

I mean, the only reason she, and by she I mean my former foster mother, wants to adopt me is so that she can have a daughter that she can marry off to some snobby, high class heir and raise her social status. Otherwise she would have given me the boot after the first week.

Oh, Martha, my goodness, you have so much potential and you are so pretty, why do you insist on acting like a heathen? She would tell me practically every day of her materialistic life in that aggravating false accent. Yes, I definitely need a plan.

Someone knocking at the door disturbed my thoughts; I sighed.

"Yes Mr. Watchman! I am still your prisoner!" I heard a chuckle from the other side of the door that could not have been the watchman. He despises me because of my "smart mouth." I told him that he could just join the club.

"You have visitors!" He yelled in an annoyed tone. I scrunched my eyebrows together. Who'd be visitin' me?

The door creaked open and the mystery person walked in. He looked very familiar, however I couldn't quite remember… but then he smiled and it hit me.

"Drew?" My eyes were as wide as could be. His smile widened. I jumped off the bed and flung myself into his arms. I could not believe he was here, it had been so long! He let me go and twirled me around in a circle by my arm so he could get a better look at me.

"You have grown up since I saw you last! Marty, you have turned into to quite a beautiful young lady. I bet our newsies have an awfully tough time keeping the boys away." I giggled and turned slightly pink.

"And look at you! You look so...so professional!"

He smiled. "Well, I guess that law school can do that to a person."

Despite his clean-cut appearance and neat suit, he had not changed at all- playful brown eyes, a natural smile, and a patronly air about him. I had forgotten how much I missed him.

"So what are you doing here?" I questioned as I plopped myself back down on the foot of the bed. Drew pulled up the old chair and settled himself down with his briefcase on his lap.

"An old friend came and told me about your situation, and I want to take on your case." I gave him a questionable look. "That means I want to defend you in court, so you do not have to go back to the foster homes anymore."

"This was almost too good to be true." I exclaimed as I threw my arms around his neck and thanked him repeatedly. He laughed his friendly, deep laugh that I had missed hearing all these years.

"Your welcome, now don't you want to know who the 'old friend' is?" I nodded, forgetting all about that in all the excitement. Drew called for somebody to come in, and when the person did, I froze.

"Jack," I said with tears welling up in my eyes. Drew rose out of his chair.

"I know you two need to talk, and I have some things to settle with the chief official. I won't be long." He said as he made his way towards the door, clamping his hand on Jack's shoulder on the way. For the first time I noticed he was wearing a wedding ring.

I rushed over to where Jack was standing awkwardly and wrapped my arms around his waist. All of my pride dissolved, leaving me with the feeling of gratitude. It was so good to know that my best friend would be here with me through this trial.

"Jack, I am so sorry, I overreacted."

"No you didn't, you were right." He pulled away from our embrace to look at me. "I have had a lot goin' on in da last year, I just got busy I guess. But I nevah forgot about ya."

"I know that now. So you are not mad at me anymore?" Jack smiled and ruffled my hair.

"Neva was." I grinned at him, but seconds later, it faded into a look of confusion.

"Then why didn't you come and talk to me after our fight?" Jack's eyes flashed a look of amusement.

"Marty, I know dat when your temper gets all flared up dat you need a little time tah cool off."

I tried to suppress a giggle, but did not succeed. It is funny how Jack sometimes knows me better that I know myself.

We spent the next half-hour or so catching up. He told me about his new factory job and the upcoming wedding plans. They planned to have a small church ceremony the first of September. I reminded Jack that I still had not yet met his bride to be, and he assured me that after the trial was over there would be plenty enough time for introductions. It's as if we've nevah been apart.

I bounced up when I heard Drew finally make his reappearance and practically drowned him in questions.

"Calm down Marty," Drew laughed. "I will tell you everything when we get to the apartment.

"Alright, but I am holding you to tha..." I stopped mid-sentence to rethink what Drew had just said. "You mean..."

"You did not think I was going to let you stay here, among the defendant, did you?"

I laughed, "Of course, I didn't…what's a defendant?"