It had almost been two weeks since Mush went to the Refuge, and Feister wasn't doing any better, she was still quiet, but it was understandable.

It was late at night and all the boys and Feister were in the bunk room, hatching a plan to get Mush out the very next night.

Feister was probably the most anxious for this whole thing to be over. All she wanted was for the plan to go well...as planned, because she was almost sure that she wasn't going to be able to live with herself if another boy got put into that nightmare of a place

"Why can't I come?" Romeo asked for the tenth time that night.

"Rome, yer only twelve, an' the Refuge is dangerous," Race replied for the tenth time.

"Race is right Rome," Feister said. "I mean, it'd make more sense if-"

"No!" Jack cut off firmly.

"Why?"

"The less people that go the less of a chance of us being caught," Specs explained calmly before things got out of hand.

"Finch gets ta go," Feister said a little loudly while pointing to said boy.

"Cause out of all of us he's the best with a slingshot, an' we's gonna need somethin' ta slow down the bulls if we get caught," Jack explained.

Once again, it was late and it didn't help that the youngers (mostly Feister and Romeo) kept asking if they could go to. The other younger newsies were just flat out tired, but refused to go to bed.

"I know how ta use a slingshot," Feister said happily before grabbing the slingshot from Finch, and a shooter from his pocket before putting the rock into place and holding it with her fingers.

Now, Finch had showed her how to use a slingshot back when she was eleven or twelve. While she never really learn how to aim properly she didn't think that through and well...

"Feister don't, remember what-" before Finch could finished Feister had well...let's just say that the little rock flew through the air, bounced off the walls and headed right to the window. Luckily Elmer caught it in his cap before anything could break.

"I'm never touchin' this thing again," Feister said quickly while shoving the slingshot into Finch's chest and then slumped into a chair.

"Don't worry Feisty, everything will be fine," Kid Blink reassured while rubbing her back.

"What makes ya say that?" she asked while looking at him.

"Cause if there's one thing I know bout that 'im, is that he can't stay away from ya." the smallest smile appeared on her face. It was faint, but it was there.

After that Jack called lights out, and everyone went back to their bunks, but just as they did they all heard footsteps coming up the stairs, and they knew it wasn't Kloppman's since he went to bed early. "Everyone, go over ta the windows, if things get ugly make a run for Medda's," Jack explained.

Everyone did as Jack said. Romeo was glued to Race, refusing to let go. Crutchie kept an arm around Sniper, who buried his face in his hip, and Jack looked ready to jump the moment who ever it was.

The footsteps made their way into the bunk room. The owner of them looked like a complete mess. His clothes were almost ripped into pieces and red stained. There was one big rip on his right shoulder, that revealed a nasty cut and bruise, he was covered in dirt, bruises, dried blood, and scrapes. His hair was a mess, which was also covered in dirt. There was a nice black and blue on his left eye, and a small shiner on his cheek.

But the stranger didn't look like a threat. He just smiled at the sight of the newsies, who didn't say anything, but instead stared in confusion.

As for Feister, (who was standing in the back) took in the sight of the stranger. His eyes landed on her and his smile widened.

Not knowing what came over her, Feister took a few small steps to the front of the group, and then when she went a step beyond Jack, she felt him grab her hand to stop her, but she pulled away. There was something familiar about the stranger who just smiled at her.

Feister looked the stranger over, and not his injuries, she looked beyond that. She saw that he was about a head taller than her, a tad thin, a messy mop of what she guessed was light brown hair, a warm smile that made her feel safe.

But, it was when she looked into his eyes she realized who it was. Because there was only one person who had that color blue.

She let out a small gasp of disbelief when it hit her. "Mush?" she whispered.

"Heya Feisty," he replied with that dumb smile she missed so much. Within seconds Feister ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck and let a few tears fall down. And for once in her life she didn't care that she was crying in front of the boys, because she was just happy that her best friend was back from that nightmare of a place.

Mush wrapped his arms tightly around Feister and pulled her closer and whispered, "I's was wondering when you'se was gonna figure out it was me." Which made her laugh.

"Yer really here?" she asked in disbelief, while tightening her grip around him.

"I'm here," he replied.

"Yer safe?"

"Yeah, I'm safe." While they were hugging Feister hadn't noticed that Mush seemed to be leaning his weight onto her. It was when she suddenly took a small step back she noticed it. She moved to his left side and put his arm over her shoulder so she could help him stand up.

"Hey guys," Mush smiled happily to the other boys who were still in a state of shock. "How're you'se doin'?"

"How are we's doin'?" Kid Blink asked as he walked up to Mush. "How're you doin'?"

Mush shrugged. "A little sore, but I think I'll live."

"You better," Feister spat, which made everyone laugh.

"Good ta see ya haven't changed Feisty," Mush said as he patted her back. After that Feister, with the help of Blink, brought Mush over to one of the bunks and all the newsies started to get to work cleaning Mush up.

Though they did have to set his right shoulder, which Feister couldn't even watch, but after that was done they started cleaning off the wounds and bandaged it up.

"Feisty can ya get more washcloths an' some wadda," Jack asked. Feister nodded. Before going she squeezed Mush's hand then went off to the wash area, Once she was gone Jack got serious. "So, they soaked ya pretty good, huh."

Mush nodded sadly, he glanced back to where Feister was since he didn't want her to hear what he was about to say. "Each one was worse than the last. But all that matters is that she's safe, here, an' not with that idiot."

Race then let out a small laugh. "I knew you'se was gonna say that. The day ya got taken away she was a complete mess." Just then Feister came back with some washcloths and a small bowl of water.

She handed the stuff to Jack then sat back down on the bed and took Mush's hand into hers before kissing him on the cheek and laid her head down on his shoulder. Everything was right again, and she couldn't be more happier.