Jacks jaw dropped to the ground, his eyes wide. Race had a sister? When did this happen? He was seriously missing something here. He wasn't the only one as Romeo wasn't looking much better.

"Wha- when did dis 'appen?" Romeo said utterly confused.

Maria giggled. Soon hearing this Race smiled. Jack then realized how much her and Race looked alike. Both had round faces covered in too many freckles to count. Complimented with soft looking light pink lips, that opened up to reveal white teeth that would make a shark jealous (something uncommon for a Newsie. How does Race keep his teeth so white and still have all of them while living in the street?) To top off the official Higgins look, blue eyes were in the middle of both faces. And not just any ordinary blue. This blue sparkled when owner smiled or laughed. It was bluer than the bluest sea. The only difference between them was the color of their hair. Marias was dirty blonde and curly. Race was golden brown and in between curly and wavy. They could easily be the most striking pair in all of New York.

"It happened when we'se was born Rome."

"Oh... dat makes sense..." Romeo stared at the ground.

This only made Maria laugh more.

"Hate ta break up da siblin' reunion but we'se better git back to da boys now. Dey'll Be wonderin' where we'se been." Jack stated awkwardly.

"Speaking of da rest of da boys, would ya like to meet dem?" Race asked, smirking.

"Of course. They helped you. The least I can do is say thanks." Maria smiled again.

"Do you two mind if Maria meets da rest of da boys?" Race turned nervously to Jack and Romeo as he said this.

"Not at all. Dey'll love 'er!" Jack exclaimed.

"Alright then. I'll get dressed and then we'll go!" Maria resigned back to her dressing room and Race couldn't wipe the stupid smile off his face.

"So Race, ya gots a sista?" Romeo asked walking toward his friend.

All Race could do was nod to the question. His sister was alive. His sister was alive!

"My sisters alive!" He muttered just loud enough for the other boys to hear. "We promised dat we'd find each otha no matta what. Oh my god. My sisters alive!" Races voice grew in volume and excitement as he spoke. His voice cracked on the last word. Tears came down his face slowly and silently.

"We'se happy fa you Racer." Jack said solemnly. He placed a hand on his brothers shoulder.

Maria then walked through her dressing room door. She wore a simple yellow dress that hit her knees. Race goofily put his arm out and said "M'lady" then proceeded to bow. Everyone laughed. Maria placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. They group talked the rest of the way to the lodging house.

When they walked through the door they were surrounded by questions. Most of them about the girl now clinging to Races arm out of slight fear of the scene around her. Jack whistled so loud it sounded like a shrek. All the boys shut up instantly leaving Race time to explain and speak.

"A'right, now I knows you'se got some questions but deys gonna haveta wait until I'm done speakin'. But in da meantime I'd like ya all ta meet Maria, my sista!" Race was practically beaming as he said the last words. All the boys ran up to him and started asking as many questions as they could.

"Ya neva told us ya had a sista Race!" Specs said.

"Ain't ya da one who was singin' at Medda's tanight?" Snipeshooter asked.

"You'se got a nice voice goily!" Finch said.

"Ya sure is pretty." Ike said.

"Yea but she's outa ya league Ike!" Mike retorted.

After all the boys had been introduced to Maria and vice versa, Jojo was next to Race.

"Ya want ta play poker Race? I'm sure I'll beat ya dis time!" Jojo said while putting his arm around Race.

"Yea right Jojo. Ya couldn't beat me ta save ya life. Now who's up for a round a poker?" Race shouted over the questions. Cheers ran throughout the lodging house as most if not all the boys sat and started the game. Race shuffled. He always shuffled. Maria sat next to him.

"So. Does da Higgins twins play poker tagether?" Romeo asked.

"No. I don't gamble. Or play cards for that matter. Never had the time to learn. And honestly, I don't thinks it's a good habit." Maria said innocently.

Race snorted. "Well dats gonna change. No sista a mine ain't gonna play poker." His cigar now had returned to his mouth making his already horrid speech even more garbled.

"In ya dreams!" Maria said mimicking Races accent.

As Race started dealing out cards, Maria reached up and stole his hat and cigar from his head and mouth stealthily.

"Hey!" Race protested. She ran around the room with the items in their respective places on her head. She was imitating Race while doing so.

"Ooh so she can pick pocket. So who taught who?" Jack said from the sidelines of the card game. Race had retrieved his stolen items and gone back to the game. Maria was sitting next to him again.

"Race taught me. But I taught him some things too. An eye for an eye wouldn't you say?"

"What'd ya teach 'im?" Blink asked.

"Don't ya dare say it." Race said from his spot at the table while looking at his cards.

"Well technically I didnt teach him. Our mom did. But I helped. We taught him to sing and dance. And play piano for that matter!"

"I'm suddenly regretting being you'se brotha." Race said snidely.

"You can sing Racer?" Jack asked. Sure the boys sang sometimes. But never enough to know who was who. And they were usually drunk.

"Pretty well actually." Maria said a grin splitting across her face as Race glared at her.

"Well, sing for us Race!" Some of the boys said.

"No" Race said simply.

"Well I know how to get him to sing."

Maria climbed on top of the table and started to sing:

"Pardon my brashness dear. Seeing you standing here dancings more customary for a soirée!"

Race groaned as his head fell into his hands. Him saying "I'm not singing." Was muffled by this action. All the boys were staring at Maria as she sang.

"Isn't the band sublime and as it happens I'm just in the mood to do a two step do step out on the floor with me. I'm new here two you see. Might you be charmingly coerced. No need to be so shy take reassurence I know how to guide you through the worst steps first steps first."

Race still wasn't buying it. Maria but her lip. Then said to her brother. "I don't remember the bridge."

"Yeah ya do ya just want me ta sing wit you'se."

"No I really don't remember it."

Race groaned knowing he wasn't getting out of this.

He quietly sang "Why be all alone when mu-"

"Sorry but I can't hear you! Louder Race louder!"

He repeated the line a little louder. "Why be-"

"I'm sorry. What was that."

He looked up at his sister, who now had her hand out in front of Race so he could grab it and come onto the table with her. He accepted her hand and sang out the next line.

"Why be all alone when music calls!"

Maria took over.

"I have nothing more or less to prove. But unless we want a party full of flowers on the walls!"

Race joined her.

"Someone has to make the very first move."

Race jumped down from the table and grabbed Maria. The started dancing across the floor while singing together.

"Starting is daunting true trusting in something new. Fearful your luck will be reversed. But I have this feeling I'll steady you if you try. Soon you'll be dancing through rehearsed steps first step first! Ba da do ba da! First step first! First steps first!"

The pair ended their song and dance smiling. The applaud of their friends echoing behind them. After a moment the boys resumed their card game. Race won. Like always. All the boys were blown away by Race newfound abilities and made sure he knew this before bed that night. Race slept with Maria that night, their hands intertwined under the blanket. The Higgins twins had found each other. They had found their homes. For the first time for both Race and Maria, they felt safe. But the feeling never lasts long.

The song is First Steps First from Bandstand. I write this late at night so sorry if it sucks. Bye!