Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies or any of its characters, Disney does. I own Tom O'Brady and Fred. Alley belongs to Lilyanatos.

(A/N: This chapter deals with the time difference in a coma and in real life. For Fred it's only been a few weeks since she was shot, but in the "awake world" it's been three months.)

Medda's was filled with newsies from all over New York, there so many boys and girls, men and women that Fred was surprised most had found a place to sit. Many were standing up along side the walls, some in the balconies...Or as in Blink's case, found in fun to hang off the balcony as they watched the show.

"He's gonna fall," Fred commented as she watched the blonde try to coax Mush into doing the same as he was. Mush, valuing his life and limbs more, shook his head no constantly.

Racetrack laughed, "Nah, dat's just Blink bein' Blink," he replied, "He only does dat whenevah we'se got new newsies or visitors."

"So he's showing off for me?" She questioned as she crossed her arms.

"Yeah," Race replied, "And havin' a good time doin' it. Hey, Blink! Fred says yer gonna fall and lose a few limbs!" He shouted upwards to the balcony.

Blink looked in their direction, "No I'se ain't! I'se do dis awll da time Fred! And if I'se fall Medda or Alley will catch me."

Fred blinked the image of the tiny in stature Alley holding tall Blink up in her arms was enough to cause her to snort and laugh.

"What?" Spot asked from the other side of her.

"I was just imagining Alley holding Blink in her arms," she chuckled, "It was a very amusing image."

Spot smirked, "Als stronger dan she looks, trust me."

Fred nodded. The walk to Manhattan two hours before had been long, somewhat painful, and made her wonder why the walks through the streets she had lived on never seemed to take so long. She knew the answer right away: the streets were always filled with an ocean of people, and if you couldn't keep up they'd just drag you right along with them. New York in 1899 didn't have as many people living within it and the streets were wide. She paused as she thought about Tom, was he alright? What about his parents?

A pang went through her heart, she found herself missing the sweet elderly couple who always had a kind word about everyone. No one could have ever guessed that Mr. O'Brady had been a Navy S.E.A.L. in Vietnam, or that his pretty wife who seemed so fragile had been a major in the Army Nurse Cor.

"Everyone has histories, but that's just it, Fred, it's the past..."

Fred froze, Tom?! She looked around over the heads of the newsies and froze when she saw him standing in the back left hand corner of the room. He was dressed in a gray suit, his hands shoved into his pants pockets, his hair was slightly messy obviously he hadn't yet combed it. His glasses were halfway down his nose, the way he'd set them whenever reminding her or something.

"Tom," she whispered.

"Who?" Race asked.

"Huh?"

"Youse just said 'Tom'," Race replied as he looked to her, "He heah?"

"Um..." She paused, "Do you see the guy standing in the left corner over there?" She asked as she pointed to her brother.

Race twisted around in his seat, apologizing to Skittery when he accidentally elbowed him (to which the gangly newsboy only grumbled).

He frowned, "Wheah is he? I'se don't see him."

"The guy in the suit."

"Uh..." He paused as he stared at a few newsies who were lucky enough to own suits, "Which one?"

"The blonde guy with his hands shoved in his pockets, he's wearing glasses half way down his nose."

"Oh youse mean Dutchy! Is Dutchy Tom?"

"No," Fred frowned, "It must have been a trick of the light, sorry," she replied as she stared at Tom. Why was it she could see him and no one else could?

Tom suddenly gave her a small smile, "I wish I knew what you seeing, hearing, and thinking now, little sis. You know the doctor whose taking care of you, Linda, is very sweet. She made sure I can visit you regularly after visiting hours...And you'd be proud of me, I took the plunge and asked her on a date. We had our first one three nights ago, she's quite a woman."

Fred smiled, she had been poking at her older brother to date Dr. Mallorie since the day she saw them both talking outside of the hospital after a mugging. The two made a perfect couple, and Tom needed a gentle and strong woman to help watch over him.

She wanted to reply to Tom so bad it practically hurt not being able too, even if she did and made Spot and Race look at her funny she knew Tom wouldn't hear her. He didn't hear her the last time, he wouldn't hear her this time. She wished she could run over to him and grab him in a giant hug and tell him how much she had missed him.

Tom paused and sighed, "Listen, kiddo,....Damn I was hopin' not to have to tell ya this."

Tell me what?! Fred wondered in fear, was he okay? What was going on?

"But.....Pop ain't doing so well, he took a fall the other day and busted his hip real bad. I....I need to be with him more often now, he's real lonely in that room. But I'm gonna keep on visiting you! No doubt about it! I just need....More time with pop now....Just in case....Ya know...He doesn't make it." He paused before shaking his head and running his hand through his hair.

Mr. O'Brady had broken his hip? Fred's stomach twisted, that had been how a friend of hers grandmother and only legal guardian had died. She was nearly blind and taken a nasty fall, it had been one of the major factors that led to her death. But Mr. O'Brady was strong, he'd make it without problems!

Tom looked up at her, "Kiddo, I'm guessing you made your decision on where your staying...At least for now." He lifted his glasses and rubbed his eye, "Somethin' in my eye. But....If....If you're happy where you are....Truly happy, than it's okay. Really it is, maybe some day our dreams will cross and we'll see and be able to talk to each other again, huh....What da?"

Fred blinked, what was wrong?

"Dr. Mallorie!" He shouted suddenly, "Linda! It's Fred, she smiled and moved her finger!"

"Fred?" Race asked as he shook her.

"Huh? What?" She questioned, snapped from her trance.

"Youse fell asleep," Race replied, "Nearly missed da beginning of da show," he smiled before he twisted back around in his seat.

Fred looked up to the stage and thanked Race, she paused.

Trust. Trust him Fred, he's given you no reason not too....Remember what you felt for Sport? Admit it, that's how your feeling for him! She thought to herself. She glanced over at the Italian newsie and swallowed. She did have to admit these last few days whenever Race was around her heart skipped a beat and she was happier than usual, she could tell him anything at any time and never needed to worry about being judged.

She paused before scooting closer to Race and leaning onto his shoulder.

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Race jumped when Fred leaned against him, nearly having a heart attack when she took his hand in her own. He glanced down at her and found her giving a big smile.

"Ah...Fred? Erm...Youse...Ok wid doin'....What yer doin'?"

"Yeah," she replied softly, "I am...."

Race paused, his heart pounding, "Fred...Ah youse tellin me youse made youse choice?"

Fred paused and stared at him intently as if she was trying into interperet what he had said. Her eyes pinned him to the seat, his breath was caught in his throat. He only vaguely noticed Spot looking over at them at hearing the word choice.

Her gaze shifted over to Spot.

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She was making her choice. Right after they had decided to leave her be she was now making her choice. Part of Spot wanted to shout at the stubborn girl 'What is it wid youse?! Why youse gonna turn our lives upside down?' But he already knew the answer: because she was a woman. A beautiful, strong, intelligent woman. Women like her could make mens' lives a living hell without even noticing it, where as other women who did notice it made mens lives a living hell for seemingly the sheer joy of it.

Her gaze wandered over to him, he found his eyes held captive by hers. The way she was looking at him now, he had been wondering how he'd feel. He had been certain that when she was making her choice and she looked to him, he'd feel....Something. He felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. He had fought hard for her and tried to get her to like him, then backed off. Doing everything he could think of to do for the girl.

He felt nothing for her when it came to the heart. How? How could this be? Then when her eyes broke contact with his he knew why, he had wanted her so badly in hopes he could have Clara back. He had been trying to make her like Clara. When he had nicknamed Clara 'Bell' he had went through a long list of nicknames before Clara smiled and exclaimed 'that one!' on the name she liked - Bell.

Fred, however, had became annoyed and frustrated when he attempted to nickname her. She may have looked just like Clara, but she wasn't Clara. In face and body they were almost twins, but in minds and spirits they were two worlds apart.

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"I've made my choice," Fred replied finally as the lights began to dim and Medda walked out on stage.

Race and Spot stared at her, she felt suddenly as if she was the main actress in a play. All were waiting to hear her lines, the suspense was thick in the air. But she wasn't an actress, this was real. After all a person couldn't fall in love with a dream, could they?

How long had she fought against not seeing Race the way her heart had been wanting her too? How long had she been fighting off her emotions? She knew the answer she was giving would answer both Race and Tom's question on her decision. But if she told Race how she felt she'd either wake up, or she'd never see Tom again, or maybe she would when he visited? For some reason doubt crept into her mind with a small whisper, you can't have it both ways. Choose your destiny, choose now.

That whispering voice hadn't belonged to her, she didn't know who it belonged too. She sat up and glanced behind her at Tom who was staring at her, wide eyed. She looked over at Race and noticed that his face, Spot's, and Irving Hall's was beginning to fade away to the steady beep of a heart monitor and to a bright light.

She had to make her choice, NOW. If she didn't say his name she'd wake up and she'd never see him again! The air she was breathing seemed so heavy now, she grabbed onto Race's hand.

"Fred?" He asked, "What's wrong? Youse look terrified, we'se won't be angry....If youse even decide not ta choose one of us," Race replied.

"Or if youse just made youse choice not ta give yer heart up or somethin'," Spot exclaimed.

"That's it Fred," Tom exclaimed, suddenly leaning over her, "That's it, I see your eyes!"

"Racetrack!" Fred exclaimed quickly, "I choose Racetrack!"

"Sheesh ya don't need ta shout it," Spot exclaimed, "We'se right next ta ya!"

Medda was singing and suddenly the hospital room that had slowly been creeping into her vision faded away...And Fred had a feeling she'd never see it again. But instead of being crushed by the fact of never seeing Tom again, though she was saddened, she wasn't a heap of sadness. She curled into Race, hoping he didn't mind.

He didn't seem too, he was beaming from ear to ear and his arm had found its way around her waist. Fred had to admit as she put her head on his shoulder, this felt right...Seemed right....Had to be right. She lightly squeezed him as she felt her heart ache with the knowledge that the world of 2009 she had once known was now gone forever, but at the same time her heart sang.

She had been given a beautiful second chance, she had learned to trust again, she had friends real friends now, not friends Tom was helping her try to make. And she had fallen in love with Racetrack Higgins. The newsboy she could tell anything too, the person she could be herself around. She glanced at Spot, hoping she hadn't hurt him, to her surprise he looked relieved.

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Tom stared, "Fred?" He asked softly.

Linda paused and shook her head as she put her hand onto Tom's shoulder. The heart monitor had gone from a steady beat to a flat line. The nurses had attempted to bring the girl back, while two male nurses had to hold Tom away from his sister.

"I--I don't understand, she just opened her eyes....And the bullet didn't touch her heart, you said so!" Tom exclaimed, his heart feeling as if someone had just stomped on it.

"No..It didn't," Linda paused, "I don't know what happened, Tom. I have no idea why she died," she frowned, "I'm so...Sorry..."

Tom paused before he stared down at Fred's face, "She said somethin' befoah she died."

"I didn't hear anything," Linda frowned.

"She said 'Racetrack'," he replied with a frown, "What the hell do you think that means?"

"Either she's dreaming about NASCAR racing or...Wait a moment..." Linda paused.

"What?" Tom asked, still in shock, still unable to believe Fred had just.....Died in front of him. Grief was beginning to make its way into him, he took off his glasses as a wave of utter exhaustion coursed through his body. For the first time in years, he cried.

He didn't know for how long he sobbed, he didn't care. He and Fred had grown as close as flesh and blood brother and sister these last few months. Now she was gone. But one thing he knew for certain Brandon, that little murdering bastard, wouldn't get away. Fred was dead, now Brandon would either be locked up for life or sentenced to get the needle. Personally, he hoped for the latter. From what he had last heard Brandon's case wasn't going well for him, not in the least single bit.

When the heart aching pain had eased some he found himself encased in Linda's arms, she was holding him close and whispering softly that everything would be alright.

"It's been 3 months since she was shot," Linda said softly, "Although we've been keeping a close eye on her anything could have happened.....But more likely than not.....I think she made her choice."

"Why do ya say that?" Tom asked, as he wiped the palm of his hand over his eyes.

"I asked one of my nurses to come and get this for me. When this hospital was built by a newspaper giants for a hospital for the newsies they had help designing it."

"Yeah, I know, from Jack Kelly and his wife Alley, and from a few other couples who were newsies."

"And one of the newsies name was Racetrack Higgins," replied Linda.

Tom stared, disbelief showing on his face, Linda handed him the framed photograph. He looked down and froze. The picture had been taken right after the hospital had been completed in August of 1901. A short Italian man, no older than 20 (though it was hard to tell due to his young face) stood with his arm wrapped around his wife, Mrs. Winifred Higgins. Fred.

She was 19 in the photograph and glowing, beaming from ear to ear. Her stomach was raised slightly.

"Oh my God," Tom whispered. Fred had always said that many a coma victims did travel back through time, mentally and spiritually, but he had never believed her. He sat back in the chair and stroked his chin, amazed.

"Without those two this hospital wouldn't be the way it is now...They were the lead designers. Mrs. Higgins wanted the hospital to look the way it had in her 'vision' she had two years before."

"I'm not sure what to say...." Tom exclaimed before pausing, "Other than I find it disturbing that my adopted sister is my great-great grandmother."

"Pardon?" Linda asked, her eyes wide. As a doctor she was trained to be practical, but she had always believed in world not always being so practical.

"My great-great grandfather was Anthony 'Racetrack' Higgins, his wife's name was Winifred. It never hit me until now," Tom replied before he glanced up at Fred's body. "So that's the reason you couldn't stay, or I wouldn't be here...." he shook his head, "I'm not sure if there's anything else to say."

"I....Personally, am speechless," Linda replied, "All I can say is thank you, Fred....If she hadn't made her decision you wouldn't be here now," she replied as she kissed his cheek and helped him stand up. She led him out of the room and paused, a small smile creeping over her face.

"I'm glad you finally made your choice, Fred, I promise to take good care of Tom," she said softly before she walked past two nurses who were walking into the room to bring her body down to the morgue.

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Epilogue

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Racetrack Higgins and Winifred Addams married in December of 1899, they were known as the happiest couple in the Manhattan Lodging House. According to stories passed down by my grandmother and my mother My great-great-great grandmother was a happy woman who always made the future come alive. After she and grand dad helped to design the hospital they moved to this part of New York. Grand dad became a police officer and one of the first Italian detectives in this area.

Grandmom was one of the first female reporters in this part of New York, and she and grand dad were said to be two of the biggest supporters of the newsies. Gee, wonder why? (Note my sarcasm here.)

Some even called grand mom a psychic believing she could see future events. If what dad says is true, than my grandmother really was from 2009.

I think mom and dad have worked too many late night shifts.

That's all for this morning.

-The Diary of Lindsay O'Brady, August, 2027-

"Lindsay, you're going to be late for school!"

"Yeah, I know ma, I'm coming!" 18 year old Lindsay replied before she threw her backpack over her shoulder and walked into the hallway. Her dad was waiting at the base of the stairs.

"I wanna know who this boy is your dating," he exclaimed.

"I'm not dating him dad, we're just friends," Lindsay replied stubbornly.

"Uh-huh, and Racetrack and Winifred were 'just friends' to at first you know," he replied.

"Yeah, but her dad wasn't the police chief of Historic New York either," Lindsay replied with an eye roll, "Hey mom, can you tell dad to stop playing detective."

"Honey, since the day I've known him he's been a detective," her mother, the chief surgeon at the hospital, replied as she kissed Lindsay's forehead.

As Lindsay sat down at the kitchen table Tom walked over to Linda and pulled his wife close into a long kiss. He gave a gentle smile, "It's the 18th anniversary of Fred making her choice."

"I know," Linda replied with a small smile.

"How did Lindsay take knowing her great-great-great grandmother was a street kid in 2009 that I adopted?"

"She was shocked and she's skeptical, but she'll come around," Linda smiled.

"I hope so, I got the pictures to proove-"

"You don't need to prove anything," Linda replied, "We know, and that's all that matters."