~A few months later~

Miss Medda allowed Racetrack to move into the theater for the next few months. The doctors didn't want him to sell, and the way to ensure that was to be under supervision. Medda kept a close eye on him. She let us hang out with him after selling hours, but kept him on a curfew. And now Jack, Albert, and I were headed over to retrieve him. Pulitzer and The Sun had stopped paying him without work, so Medda took that up. She had him doing all sorts of low-key chores around the theater from cleaning the windows to repainting the rims of the stage. 

Crutchie still sees Bea, in fact, she's been around us so much that we've given her a nickname. We call her Sweet Pea a lot of times. She's very hyper and loves to sing, dance, and act. Crutchie loves her.

"How was your stay?" Jack asked, grinning. 

"Lovely." Racetrack rolled his eyes, then turned back to Medda. "Thanks for the help."

"Anytime." She smiled, pleased with herself. Then she ushered us on our way back to the Lodging House.

"She made me have a bedtime!" Racetrack scowled.

"You got shot, that's a given!" Albert nudged him. 

"They bust Oscar yet?" Race asked, looking around the small group as we walked. 

"Yeah, he's locked up for the next few years." I nodded triumphantly. 

"Good." He smiled in relief. "Is Morris gonna be upset? I do not wanna end up on the south side of that."

"Better not be." Jack grunted. "If he is, Finch has got extra rocks for his slingshot."

"Nah, I can take him." Race puffed out his chest. He didn't need bandages anymore, so now he can wear his flannels comfortably. He crossed passed the other two to me. Race then pulled me towards him as we walked and kissed me briefly. Albert whooped and slapped his hand on Race's back.

"Careful, Al!" Jack scolded.

"I'm fine!" Race objected, giving Albert a shove in return. It's almost December, so it's pretty cold. When it's cold, Newsies just layer their clothes. Undershirts, flannels, vest. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. At least it won't snow. You can't sell very well in the snow. 

When we got back, the boys who haven't seen him since the accident clapped him on the back and shouted greetings. Crutchie moved to stand next to me.

"It's good to have him back." I breathed.

"Agreed." My brother nodded.

"Agreed." Somehow Mush appeared on my other side, smiling as he accessed the situation. 

"When did you get here?" I demanded, turning.

"I'm always here." Mush grinned. I punched him lightly. "And now it won't be just me and you in our room."

"Finally." I sighed in relief.

"Hey!" Mush cried. "I ain't that bad."

"I dunno, Mush, you just might be." Crutchie laughed. I saw Racetrack look back at me and smile. My heart fluttered and he made his way to me.

"I'll leave you to it." Mush winked, dragging Crutchie away with him. 

"Happy to be home?" I asked. He took my hand in his and stood beside me. 

"Very." Racetrack nodded, thumb stroking over my knuckles. "I'm ready to go back to work tomorrow."

"You gotta take it easy." I reminded him. 

"Y'know, it'd be a real shame if I ran into Oscar at some point soon and soak him." He joked.

"Such a shame." I laughed.

"But in all seriousity, I would totally pound him into the ground." Race added. 

"After you're healed up." I conceded.

"Oh, but remember this old thing?" He reached into his vest pocket and pulled out his pocket knife. "They gave it back!"

"That's great!" I grinned. He slashed it through the air, narrowly missing JoJo.

"Hey!" He flinched.

"Oh, c'mon I didn't get you!" Racetrack shrugged. JoJo laughed and nudged him before joining Albert. Race threw his arm around my shoulder and hugged me close to him. Crutchie sent a knowing look at him. Racetrack winked dramatically back at my brother.

"You been braggin' that I got shot for a headline?" He asked me teasingly.

"Nope." I grinned.

"Why not?" Race whined. "It was the perfect opportunity!"

"It ain't my opportunity." I retorted. Sunlight was pouring in from the window just behind us. "I mean, you can say 'Newsie gets shot at work!' or somethin'."

"I'd rephrase it." Racetrack conceded. "Somethin' like 'Painfully attractive Newsie gets violently shot and forced to undergo a life risking surgery', y'know?"

I laughed in response.

"Oh, but you didn't deny it!" He beamed.

The rest of the day went on like normal but with Race at my side. 

~The next morning~

"Hey Cass," Racetrack looked up as he buttoned his shirt. "Can we sell by the Bridge today? Jack says Spot wanted to see how I was."

(Sprace shippers, that isn't a factor in this before you get your hopes up XD)

"Alright." I agreed. I guess it's a normal thing that we sell together now. Not that I was at all opposed.

We made our way down to the gate, and Oscar, by no surprise, wasn't there. Morris's eyes widened at the sight of the boy his brother had shot and his hands shook as the line thinned out until it was Racetrack's turn.

"Listen, Racer, I am so sorry about Oscar." Morris said sincerely.

"I lived." Race shrugged, collecting his papers. Morris nodded and continued. I bought my papers and we headed down to the Bridge and chose our spots. That is, until a familiar face made his way across the Bridge.

"Race!" Spot bellowed. Race turned and grinned. We all met at the end of the Bridge. "Heard you got shot!"

"Yeah!" Race was grinning ear-to-ear, brand new cigar at hand. They spoke for a short while before Spot had to return to Brooklyn, and we started our selling again.

"After work, I'm gonna head to the Landry Mat." I told him. "I got some laundry to do, and I think the girl at the counter owes me a few pretty pennies."

"Okay." Race laughed. "You been makin' bets without me?"

"What can I say?" I shrugged. "You've been gone."

"That ain't my fault!" He gaped.

"I know!" I grinned, basking in the sound of his voice, his laugh, and even the stinking sounds of New York. 

We continued the rest of the day, the both of us throwing the occasional jab or remark at each other. His big blue eyes were shining with happiness, and I'm sure mine had the same glow. 

"I'm all done." He told me, slinking up behind me.

"I got a few more." I replied, calling out completely random headlines.

"Boy gets shot at work!" Race called out, startling me. That, of course, earned enough buyers for the rest of my papers. We walked back, joking around all the way.

"Hey, Racer!" Albert shouted, flagging him down.

"Don't get into trouble while I'm away." He glanced at me before jogging to meet his friends. I went on my way to the Lodging House to collect my dirty clothes into a small basket. I walked down the street, hearing Race, Albert, JoJo, Finch, and Romeo laughing and yelling a little ways down the street. You'd expect them to mature at least a little bit, not to yell in public settings. The Laundry Mat had a big blue sign at the front, the color popping with the red bricks it rested on. I peered through the window to ensure that the girl I had made my bets with, Dolly Maxiff, was there. She was. She saw me and waved, a smile on her face. I propped the small basket on my hip and opened the door. But before I could even get a few steps into the Laundry Mat, the sound of metal bursting and fire crackling and the yelp of Dolly erupted from inside. Dust and flame burst from the machines and I was thrown back out of the Laundry Mat. I saw Dolly crash into the now shattered window.