CHAPTER TWO

"Mi-Kat, are you alright," Tony inquired, worriedly. "I thought the button was jammed so I just-."

"It's quite alright, Tony," I laughed, still coughing. "I'm fine. Where are the clean cloths?"

"By the bar, in the lobby, I'll get one," he offered quickly.

"No, finish the check, I can manage," I told him. He smiled back but returned to the booth after I assured him that it really was okay. Jumping off the stage, I made my way into the lobby and hopped over the counter, seeing the rag on the back counter. As I turned back, I saw a group of the boys from Tibby's and they were looking at me oddly. The boy in front, with the scarf, laughed and I raised an eyebrow.

"Your face is black," he informed me, grinning wildly.

"What happened?" a shorter one asked.

"A cannon blew up in my face. Would you mind telling me who you are and what you're doing here?" I asked slowly but my eyes stopped, recognizing one and I folded my arms. "Have you come to harass me about being nice to your brother some more?" He glared at me but I rolled my eyes.

"Obviously ya already met David," the Cowboy stated, still grinning slightly; then pointed to the kid next to him, the one with the blue eyes. "This is Spot." Pointing to the shorter one. "He's Boots." Then pointing to the one with a cigar in his mouth. "He's Racetrack."

"And I'm Les," the little boy, from before, yelped, pushing past the group of boys.

"Les, I told you to go home," David sighed, annoyed.

"So who're you?" I asked, nodding at the Cowboy. "He's fine here."

"Jack Kelly," the Cowboy told me before looking at the David kid. "Jeez Davey, he's just a kid."

"Exactly why he shouldn't be hanging around with you," David teased lightly. Jack shook his head, chuckling, as I wiped my face, looking down at the rag. It was pretty dirty.

"Ew," I groaned. I heard Medda chuckle and looked up to see her in a blue dress. Well that was fast.

"Ah, how are my favourite Newsies?" she smiled, hugging Jack and David; giving Les kiss on the cheek. She looked at me and laughed again, making me glare.

"You're mean!" I whined, rubbing my face, annoyed. I felt the rag tugged out of my hand and she gently wiped the rest of the filth from my face. Feeling slightly uncomfortable under the stares of the Newsies, I wrinkled my nose but she held my face in place. I was stuck there.

"Now, go change into the dress I bought you before anyone else shows up," she sighed, tapping my cheek lightly, and I rolled my eyes. "Where did you get those pants, anyway? Your father?"

"Ha, no! If I took his pants I would have been in huge trouble," I jumped back over the counter. I realized the boys were slightly shocked, they'd obviously not seen me before I'd gotten the rag, but the one with the eyes, Spot, I think, was smirking. "I bought them." She grinned but pointed at the door leading to the upstairs. Slumping my shoulders, I groaned but did as she said. Not noticing the looks the boys were giving me, mostly. As I walked back out, I observed that the lobby was empty but when I went into the theater, the Newsies were moving things around for the show tonight. However, I found Tony still in the booth. I wouldn't be surprised if he lived there. "What else can I do?"

"Check the lights for the stage, I'll go and look," he replied, before walking out. He was a very focused man, I gathered, watching him.

"Hey, Kat," a voice bubbled, excitedly. I turned around and saw Les beaming up at me.

"Hey, Les," I laughed, tugging a lock of his hair.

"Miss Katerina," I heard Tony yell.

"Kat," I shouted back, starting to fool around with the light board. Dubbing them as functional, he asked me to set the lights for the first number and I did so. "Hey Les, ya hungry?" He nodded enthusiastically and I took his hand, leading him to the kitchen area but turned back briefly. "Anyone else want some food?" Taking their muffled grunts as a yes, I began to make a cake.

"Royal," Medda's voice rang from the next room and I grimaced as she came in. "Oh, your mother told me about your cakes!"

"You want some?" I murmured, pulling it out of the oven. She nodded and I smiled, taking out a knife, I cut a slice out of the cake for them. Setting one plate in front of Les, I took out more plates. Cutting other slices, I gave her one and stood, awaiting her reaction.

"This is absolutely amazing!" she screeched, shoveling another forkful into her mouth. Well that was ladylike. I laughed and pushed the door open, bumping into someone in the process.

"Oh, jeez, I'm sorry," I fumbled, turning around to see the boy with intense eyes. He smiled slightly, wiping off some sweat that had fallen then readjusted his grip on the box he was holding.

"Whatchya got there?" he asked, nodding to the plates.

"Oh, here," I offered, taking a fork and holding it to his mouth.

"Whoa," he said, his mouth full. "Now that's the best I ever tasted. You make that?"

"I did indeed," I nodded, grinning as I set the plates down.

"You guys gotta have this," he turned to the boys as I went back into the kitchen. Biting my lip, I leant against the doorframe. Why did he have to be so cute! Shaking my head, I looked over the table to see a chocolate covered Les.

"Let's get you cleaned up, little one," I laughed, picking up a towel. After wiping his face, I gave him a second slice after he promised he wouldn't go five-year-old-hyper on me. Some time later, I heard music starting and Les told me that the show had started. "You want to go and watch?" He nodded fervently, pulling me into the room and we sat watching Medda. She ended up picking me to dance with her but I played along, letting her lead me around the room, practically showing me off to the boys. Spinning me out when the song was over, she eventually kicked me off the stage, but as I went to sit back down with Les, I saw some guys trying to pick a fight. Cowboy went over and shoved them into the lobby, as if trying to keep it contained. Naturally, I followed, seeing Cowboy getting angrier and angrier but he obviously didn't want to start anything. The other guy was trying to push his buttons but his face suddenly transformed into furious because of something Cowboy had said; so I attempted to intervene. "Alright boys, let's just," but a fist connected with my jaw, "Ooow!"

"Jesus, Royal, ya alright?" someone asked.

"Ooow," I moaned again, holding the side of my face before looking to the boy who'd thrown the punch, thoroughly irked. "Get out."

"Aw, miss, we didn't mean no harm," the boy tried to reason but I saw Racetrack holding Spot back and rolled my eyes.

"Like hell you didn't," I muttered, straightening as I bit out: "Get. Out." He glared at me but didn't move. "Do I have to physically kick you out? Or better yet, how about I call the authorities? I'm sure they would adore to listen to your excuse as to why you aren't leaving."

"You wouldn't dare," he smirked amused. I smirked back, inches away from his face but kneed him in the crotch, punched him in the face, and finished him off with a swift smack to the side of his head, which sent him to the floor.

"Leave, you pathetic moron," I growled as his friends picked him up, my British accent flaring. This time, they listened.

"Note to self," Boots muttered to someone as they left. "Don't get Royal mad."

"How do you know that name?" I asked confused.

"Medda," Cowboy shrugged.

"Of course," I muttered, rubbing my mouth. He smiled.

"But are you," he asked, stepping closer to examine my jaw. Gently brushing away his hand, I stepped back.

"Hurts like no other but I'm fine," I told him before looking to Les. "C'mon, little one, let's go back inside." He nodded excitedly but wouldn't stop talking about how I handled the bozo newsies. That's what he called them too: Bozo Newsies. When the show was finally over, some newsies stayed behind to help clean up and Les was asleep on my lap. I was trying my hardest to stay awake but was too tired to move.

"Royal," I heard someone whisper.

"Mhm?" I yawned, looking up to see David.

"This is my sister, Sarah, she and Jack are gonna take Les home," he explained, gesturing back to a girl and Cowboy.

"Oh yeah, okay," I muttered. I felt the weight in my lap taken away and I shifted to my side, tucking my hands under my head.

"So, Royal, I hear you're new to Manhattan," a feminine voice stated and I opened my eyes sleepily, nodding when I saw Sarah looking at me.

"Yeah, and I love your brother. Bring him by any time." She smiled softly and I looked around.

"How's your face?" I heard someone ask.

"How does it look?" I yawned, getting some laughs. I turned to Spot and nodded. "It's fine. Thanks for asking."

"Could ya hurry, Sarah, this kid is heavier than the last time," Cowboy complained grumpily. Her smile widened as she shook her head.

"It was nice meeting you, Royal, and if you ever need a show around, just give me a call," she made to wave but I sat up slightly.

"How's tomorrow?"

"It's fine," she laughed. "I'll see you then."

"You two can't go walking around Manhattan by yourself, especially with what you did tonight," Cowboy stated annoyed.

"What happened tonight?" Sarah asked glancing around.

"She hit Stanley," an extremely tired Les mumbled.

"Well," Sarah said, raising her eyebrows. I grinned and she nodded, agreeing with Cowboy.

"What do you propose," I yawned, stretching slightly. "But hurry so I can sleep, huh? I'm tired, probably not the only one either." David smiled slightly at the comment but quickly grimaced.

"I have school."

"Papes," were the other responses.

"Guess that leaves Spot," Cowboy smirked. I shrugged, looking to Sarah who didn't seem to mind.

"Don't I have a say in this?" Spot demanded, glancing at me but I yawned, shaking my head.

"No," I told him slowly. Some laughed but his eyes narrowed. I smiled, observing that he probably wasn't the type to be told what to do. Much like myself. "Can I go to sleep now?" We said our goodbyes and they left as I went into my room. Crashing onto my bed, I fell asleep instantly. That was an eventful day.

--

A/N: So......how'd you like it?! :-) reviews are love and suggestions are welcome...:-)