Any One of Us

Chapter Seven

Disclaimer: Yes, you caught me. I'm keeping all the Newsies hostage under my bed and I don't plan to ever release them to the public. Mine, all mine. Really now.. I own nothing, the newsies aren't mine, I'm not making any money and I can assure you this is just for fun. Anyone you don't recognize belongs to me however, but I'm easygoing and will share! As always, please send me feedback, any feedback! But please, no flames.

Harriet took his hands and whispered excitedly, "I want to be a newsie!"

Jack gazed at her in disbelief. Had he heard correctly? She wanted to be a newsie. Don't get him wrong of course, he was thrilled. He had a desire for this girl after all, but it wasn't every day that one of "Them" turned to the other side.

"Why?" was all he asked. Ugh Brilliant Jack, brilliant.

Harriet's eyes glazed over, "What? You don't want me to?"

"No, no, I'se do, but it's real dangerous an' long hours an' youse a goil."

"Then why do you do it, Jack?"

"Because I can't do nottin else."

Silence settled between them as Jack's last statement hung in the air. Harriet was sure he could do other things ,heck he could even write for a paper after having so much experience selling one. He would make a good reporter, she thought. He's the kind of person where you just want to talk to him and leave nothing out.

"What's me being a girl have to do with it?"

"Huh?"

Harriet repeated the question, slower this time.

"Oh, well we'se never had one before."

"Oh, well then what about everyone else here?"

"Never had one before willingly."

"Nice recovery."

"Really though," Jack said taking her by the arm and leading her outside to the roof, "Dose goils got the same speech I'se givin you. Only from Skittery."

"Who?" Harriet asked casually leaning against the fire escape looping her arm through it.

"Don't worry, you'll meet 'im in a few hours."

She nodded; accepting his answer. "So is everybody here dangerous?"

"Nah, we'se lambs. Nevah hurt a fly."

"I'll watch my back then."

"No need. You'se got me. I'se even bettah." Jack announced, puffing up his chest, taking a cue from Spot.

"My my Jack, is there no end to your ego?"

"Nope!"

"In that case…my hero" Harriet fell backwards into his arms sarcastically.

Jack smiled and caught her and held her tight. His head leaned against hers and he longed to kiss her. To him, it was the perfect time.

No… he kicked himself mentally. You could do better..

"So, ah is dere anything youse need from back at your house?"

"No," she shook her head against him, "We couldn't get there anyway."

"Night guards?"

"More like New Jersey."

Jack's eyes widened. She may as well told him China. He knew lot of newsies, but none so far off in New Jersey that might be willing to offer a hand or a bed along the way.

"How'd ya get all da way over heah?"

"Carriage."

He figured as much. There was no way anyone would walk the journey. He started down the fire escape pausing for a moment as he decided where to jump down. "Are youse coming?"

Harriet fumbled for a start scraping her elbow in the process. She made her way down the rickety steps slowly, before crash landing on the street.

Oh way to go.. That was graceful.

She twisted her head trying to find view of Jack, whom she prayed did not witness her lack of fire escape climbing ability. Luckily for her, his head was down studying something in his hands.

"I'm here."

"Awlright, let's go." He put the paper back in his pocket and started to walk while Harriet trotted along beside him.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

Well that didn't tell her much. That could mean anything from the Taj Mahal to the bottom of a sewer.

"Shh just relax," Jack whispered, "let's go for a walk."

"Alright, where to?"

"You ask a lot of questions doll."

"I know.. It's not the most positive trait but it's alright I guess."

"Where I'se come from the goils went along with every'ting."

"That's harsh! I'm still a woman Jack.. That hasn't been taken away from me, at least not yet."

There was no further commentary from either party. Jack pulled her back against the wall and gave her a kiss that would tame her heart and hopefully, with a little luck, make her his girl.