A/N: sorry this took so long to get up, I had a lot to do before Spring break, but now that I have some time off hopefully I can get another chapter out soon (also this would have been up the other day but I haven't been able to log on :( )

Thanks to all my reviewers--Racechick, elleestJenn, imjustagirl0077,xoborogrlxo and crepes !! it means a lot that people are enjoyin this and im sorry again it didn't get updated sooner…

And also to address most of the reviews, the guy that hurt Autumn, im not sure if ill be saying who it is..cause im not too sure I decided yet..he might reappear as someone known or might not…sorry about that too but ill see how this story works it self out

The next day I woke up and found myself looking back at a tired figure in the mirror. I slowly glanced at my neck and saw the outline of a hand print. I sighed, quickly letting my hair down to cover most of it. I touched the part of my neck that was still red in the front, hoping somehow it would go away. The pain was still there and the more I felt it, the more I wished last night never happened.

Luckily Pearl was back on for today, and I just hoped next time she was out someone else would take over.

I got changed and headed out to get lunch before anyone came to ask to go with me. As I told Brady I was leaving I made sure my hair was surrounding my neck. I didn't want him getting mad at me for letting it happen, or for him to pull me off tonight's shift.

But he didn't even look up as I told him I was going, he waved his hand and I left with no arguments. I took my time as I walked outside onto the streets ahead of me. I decided to take some alley ways and head towards a small restaurant close to Harlem's borders. As I felt the light breeze blow my hair, I knew my neck was exposed but I was comforted by the shadows of the alley way.

I stopped and composed myself before I took another turn on a busy street. I wasn't really sure why I was afraid of people seeing, it wasn't unusual to see kids in bad shape wandering the streets. But somehow I felt ashamed of what happened; although it comes with the "job" it's the part that scares me.

As I was lost in thought I didn't realized I bumped into someone. I hit the ground with a thump and groaned at my luck. I glanced up and cringed at the hand that was waiting to help me up.

I took the hand and brushed myself trying not to meet the eyes before me.

"Ya alright?" I heard Jack's voice ask with concern

I nodded my head quickly, "Yeah thanks, not like I haven't been knocked over by ya before" I said knowing as kids he used to bully me around a lot with my brother.

He flashed me a knowing smile and I quickly walked by him. I was almost passed when I felt a hand on my arm, turning me back around.

"Nicole, what happened to ya neck" without thinking I fingered my neck, as if it would cover it up.

"Its Autumn…and nothin' happened." He raised a brow and lightly took my hand away from my neck.

He nodded towards it, "Those red marks are nothin?"

I glared back at him, not really wanting to answer him. He matched my glare, "Who did this to ya?" he asked almost in a whisper.

"No one, it was just another day at work" I frowned even at my own words, I hadn't meant to say anything about it being at work but it slipped in my frustration.

Jack's shock was apparent, "This happened at work? How many times does this happen to ya?"

I glanced around the busy streets not wanting to talk about this in the open. "Don't worry about it Jack, it not ya problem."

I walked away before he could grab my arm to stop me again. I turned looking for the nearest place to eat, forgetting I had intended to head away from Manhattan for lunch.

The bell rang above my head as I entered a restaurant; I glanced around the place and sighed. I had walked into a newsies hang out. I just hoped Jack had already eaten so he wouldn't come here, with what looked to be a lot of the Manhattan newsies.

I walked through the crowds towards a booth in the back, ignoring the low whistles I heard. Rolling my eyes I took a seat away from them. I was glad Spring wasn't here, she would have stopped and flirted with any and all of them. I didn't know why she did that, I know it was part of our job but if Brady found out she flirted outside of the house he wouldn't be too happy. I shook the idea of him getting mad at Spring, I didn't want to think about his temper…so far he hadn't seen my neck, and I hoped it would stay that way.

The waiter took awhile to find me in the back but eventually I got my order in. As I waited for my food I tried to block out the noise around me, but the minute I heard someone yell a hello to Jack I shrunk down even more in the booth.

My order soon came out and as I sat there eating; I tried to figure out how to get out of here without Jack noticing me.

But apparently I didn't have to worry about getting by him since I soon saw him walking my way. I rolled my eyes and prepared for more lectures.

He slid down into the seat across from me. "So ya ready to talk yet?"

My eyes narrowed, "No, ya ready to leave me alone yet?"

He smirked back at me, "Never, now that I know ya in hattan"

"Ya aint my brudder Jack, I can take care of myself. Just cause I'm in ya territory it doesn't mean I'm yours" I was starting to lose my patience with him today.

I thought I saw a flash of hurt in his eyes after that comment.

"Listen Autumn Spot wasn't the only one crushed when we couldn't find you anymore; I was hurt too ya were like the little sister to me. Now that I know where ya are workin' I'm worried. I know girls who get broken in places like that; I don't want that to happen to ya."

"Yeah well its too late Jack, even if ya wanted me out, I'm in to much to leave yet. Just let me be, go back to thinking I was dead…it will be better for everyone, my brudder included."

I stood up and left the table, pushing my way through the crowded doorway. I didn't care about the glances I received as I left the restaurant in a hurry or the fact that I had left Jack twice during a conversation.

I stepped out in the streets quickly blending into the crowds around me, as I decided to head back to the house early.

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Jack returned to the booth where most of his newsies still sat waiting for the afternoon edition.

"What was that about Cowboy got a date later?" Race asked laughing slightly as Jack sat back down with them.

Jack shook his head not taking to the joke, "Nah Race, just tryin to help someone out." He spoke softly but Race and the others still heard him.

Race frowned sensing the mood of Jack wasn't good. But apparently Mush and the others hadn't yet sensed it.

"Help her out how, give her money later tonight" Mush laughed hitting Jack on the arm.

Jack turned and gave a glare that silenced Mush instantly. The booth became awkwardly silent, not sure of what to say to Jack. Luckily the sound of the distribution office could be heard ringing in the distance, signally for most of Tibby's to clear out for the afternoon.