When dawn came around, we were all handing the papers out for free to anyone who was out. Katherine had gone who knows where, and Jack gathered a few of us to go to Pulitzer's office. Me, Davey, Spot. We weren't stopped on our way up. The instant we got there, Jack ran forward and slapped the cash on Pulitzer's desk.

"Mornin', gents!" He yelled.

"You're behind this We had a deal." Joe scowled, looking at Jack's accompanies.

"And it came with a money-back guarantee." Jack grinned. "Oh, and thank you for your lesson on the powers of the press."

"Did you read this, boss?" Seitz demanded, showing Joe the paper. "These kids put out a pretty good paper. Very convincing."

"No doubt written by my daughter." Pulitzer growled. Jack planted himself in one of the red chairs. I stifled a laugh as he admired it. This can be my chance to demand Crutchie's release.

"I would sign her before someone else grabs her." Jack suggested, leaning back.

"I want to know who defied y ban on printing strike material." Joe stood up, glaring at the three of us.

"What?" Jack gaped mockingly. "We are your loyal employees, we would never take our business elsewhere."

"The old printing press in the cellar." Seitz gasped.

"Oh." Hannah nodded understandingly. She shot a glance at me, a small smile on her face.

"I made you the offer of a lifetime." Pulitzer muttered, making his way around the desk. "Anyone who does not act in their own self interest is a fool."

"What's that make you?" Davey yelled. I looked at him, surprised.

"This all began because you wanted to sell more papers." I added. "But now your circulation is down 70%."

"Why didn't you come talk to us?" Davey asked calmly. I don't have the strength to be calm for long enough, it was his fault that my brother was arrested.

"'Cause guys like Joe don't talk to nobodies like us." Jack scoffed, standing up. "But a very wise reporter told me 'A real boss don't need all the answers,' nah, 'just the smarts enough to snatch up the right one when he hears it'." Suddenly, the sound of the boys chanting below the window sounding around the office. 

"Have a look out there, Mr. Pulitzer." Spot said, taking his hat off. "In case you ain't figured it out, we got you surrounded."

All the boys waved. I saw Racetrack wink at me, causing me to grin.

"New York is closed for business." Jack informed Pulitzer. "Paralyzed. You can get a paper or a shoe shine. You can't send a message, ride an elevator, or cross the Brooklyn Bridge. Hell, you can't even get out of your own office. So what's your next move?" I was about to smile at Jack's arrogance when someone yelled.

"Mr. Pulitzer, the mayor is here along with your daughter, and oh! You won't believe who else!" Seitz caterwauled. Mayor Robert Anderson Van Wyck, Miss Medda Larkin, Katherine Plumber, and to everyone's amazed surprise, Governor Theodore Roosevelt.

"Good morning, Mr. Pulitzer." Mayor Van Wyck greeted. "I think you know the governor."

"Governor Roosevelt?" Pulitzer checked suspiciously.

"Joseph, Joseph, Joseph." Roosevelt shook his head with a huge grin.  "What have you done now?"

"I'm certain that when you hear my explanation you'll understand--" Joe started.

"Thanks to Miss Medda Larkin bringing your daughter to my office, I already have a pretty thorough grasp on the situation." Roosevelt said as Katherine handed him a wad of drawings. "Graphic illustrations included." 

I stood next to Spot. 

"So." Spot grinned at me. "You and the Racer, huh?"

"What?" I turned to him. He was still a little taller than me.

"You two ain't a thing?" His brows raised. I shook my head. "Oh. Well it's so obvious."

"What is?" I cocked my head.

"He likes you." Spot said blankly. "I ain't supposed to tell you that!"

"You sure?" Although I don't think I reciprocate, I felt a flurry of butterflies in my stomach.

"As long as I known him, he ain't never looked at a girl like he looks at you." Spot told me.

"He looks at me?"

"Constantly." He assured me. "But not in a creepy way!"

We were all ushered out, leaving Jack and Pulitzer alone. As soon as we stepped outside, Spot went to talk to Race. Race cast his blue eyes over at me but quickly looked away. Soon, Jack stepped into the Square with Pulitzer and the governor at his side.

"Newsies of New York City," He yelled. "We won!"

All the Newsies cheered. Race was cheering when Spot shoved him and winked at me. Then Spot more gently pushed me to face Racetrack. In just an instant, his lips were on mine. And then we turned our attention back to Jack. 

"Now boys, I would like to introduce to you my own personal pal, Governor Theodore Roosevelt himself!" Jack declared, making way for Roosevelt.

"Each generation must, at the height of it's power," Roosevelt started. Race put his cigar into his mouth, eyes wide with wonder. "Step aside and invite the young to share the day. You have laid claim to our world and I believe the future in your hands will be bright and prosperous!" He then turned to Jack, who was beaming ear to ear. "Your drawings, son, brought another matter to bear. Officers! If you please."

I had barely turned when I heard Race yell: "Hey Cass, look it Crutchie!"

I saw my brother laden with bruises and scratches, but walking and smiling.

"Hiya, fellas!" He shouted, voice like music. "You missed me?"

I threw my arms around his neck, practically crying. My brother winced but hugged me back.

"Was Race good?" He breathed in my ear. 

"Uh-huh." I replied, stepping away. Crutchie was beaming as much as he could without irritating a bruise. 

"Good." He smiled with gratitude at Race. "And look what I got for you's! A gift. Straight from the Refuge! Alright, bring him in, fellas!"

Snyder was dragged out by two police officers. I backed up a little bit to avoid him. 

"It's Snyder the Spiter!" Race teased him from close behind me. I knew he had some history with the wicked man, so it must mean something to be able to mock him.

"He ain't lookin' so tough no more!" I said loudly, earning a stinging glare from the man that beat my brother to a pulp. I shrunk down, seemingly into Racetrack. He took my hand and squeezed it reassuringly then let go. Snyder made a kick at Romeo, who tried to approach him.

"Jack with those drawings, you've made an eloquent argument of shutting down the Refuge." Roosevelt smiled. "Be assured that Snyder's abuses will be fully investigated." Crutchie's face twisted as he watched Snyder. "Officers, take him away!"

"Please, Your Highness, can I do the honors?" Crutchie begged, taking off his hat and holding it to his chest. Roosevelt nodded, grinning. My brother beamed and limped over to the man.

"You have got to be joking!" Snyder scoffed as Crutchie put the hat back atop his head. 

"Yeah, and you'll be laughin' all the way to the pen, 'little man'!" Crutchie said as he cuffed the criminal. The guards took him away, and when they were just a few feet away, my brother swung his crutch and whacked Snyder's bum. The boys cheered. Pulitzer ordered us all back to work, and we did. Crutchie approached me when we were in line.

"There's a reason Jack and I told Racetrack to keep you safe." He told me quietly.

"Why?" I turned to look at him.

"He told us before that he kinda liked you." He whispered, careful not to let anyone else hear.

"Did he?" My blonde brows furrowed. "Spot said that he could tell."

"Yeah." He nodded. "I guess he still does. Speakin' of, he's gonna ask to sell with you today."

"Okay." I agreed. Then we bought out papers and Racer did ask to sell with me. We went down to the park to sell.

"You happy Crutchie's back?" He asked on the way.

"You got no idea." I smiled.

"I got some idea." He shrugged.

"What do you mean?" I asked, glancing at him.

"It's... Hard to explain." He shook his head.

"At Pulitzer's office Spot said that you got a torch for me." I told him.

"He did?" Race's voice was tight.

"Then Crutchie just said that you told him and Jack before the strike." I continued. "Not to mention when Spot pushed you into me--"

"That wasn't my fault!" He objected.

"I didn't say it was!" I responded. "Anyway, I have a torch as well."

He was silent for a minute. "You do?"

"Yes."