"It's been ten years. How am I supposed ta know what goes on in his sick twisted head."

When Jack and the others came back into the Lodge they asked Feister a lot of questions. But it wasn't going anywhere. In fact for the past few hours they all watched Feister pace back and forth, ranting about her 'brother'.

"I's mean seriously, what makes 'im think in that squirrel sized head he calls a brain that I'd actually want ta go back with 'im. He left us. We's looked for months, I's thought he died. An' now ten freakin' years later he comes back, outta nowhere an' expects me ta be happy. How in the freakin' heck does that make sense?!"

She looked back at her brothers (her real brothers) who all had the same facial expression. She wasn't sure if they were confused, agreed with her, or a little bit of both, either way they didn't say anything and just stood there with dumb faces.

"Well?!" Feister asked loudly while throwing her hands in the air. After Will ran away and her mother died, her father went down the wrong path and her life was a huge mess and she didn't think it could've gotten any worse.

But it did. When her father left her for his new girlfriend without any word Feister was left to fend for herself. She wasn't sure what she would do, or if she'd even make it till tomorrow. But the night she was jumped by some thug that's when she met Jack, Race and Specs, who brought her to The Lodging House, which was full of who knows how many boys.

At first, she was a little scared and shy around them (mostly Wolf and Jumps) Anyways, when she looked around the room she noticed that the boys all looked somewhat interesting. But, out of all of them there was one who caught her eye the most, and well...long story short things were said, and after that they were best friends from that point on.

And Feister couldn't have been more happier. She found a family, a real family. But never, in a million years did she think that Will, or anyone else from her past would show up out of nowhere.

"Don't worry Feisty," Jack said breaking the silence. "We ain't letttin' 'im take you anywhere, yer stuck with us no matter what." he lightly punched her shoulder. "Right boys?" Now, with Jack being one of the three who brought Feister to the Lodge he has a very protective streak for her.

But, Jack knew (just like the others) there was one the was even more protective then all of the them combined. And that was Mush. "That kid cares more bout 'er then he knows." Jack thought.

"Right," they all replied. Some of them even said if it was necessary they would soak Will. She smiled and wondered how she got so lucky to have a bunch of boys who became her brothers, and cared about her so much.

Just then Jack noticed the time, so he sent everyone to bed. But he had a feeling that with Feister's 'brother' showing up out of nowhere it was going to keep them up at night. Which means they would all be moody in the morning. And that's the last thing they need.

"Hey," Jack whispered. "Everything will be fine, I's promise."

"Thanks Cowboy." Feister smiled before going to her bunk.

"Need a lift?" Mush asked as she approached her bunk. Feister thought for a moment, normally Mush wouldn't ask something like that, and she'd usually be able to get up on her own. But it was sweet any how.

"Ok," she replied. With that he gave her a boost up, and once up she crawled into bed and smiled at him. Mush smiled back before climbing up to his bunk, lights were turned out and the newsies of Lower Manhattan went to sleep.

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────

Feister woke up before slowly sitting up and rubbed her eyes before looking around the dark bunk room. Light snores from the boys filled the air. She had managed to get a few hours of rest, but that didn't stop a million thoughts running through her mind.

She didn't know why her 'brother' came back after ten years. But whatever the reason she didn't like it, and knew there was something fishy about it.

She then quietly jumped down from her bunk and went over to the window. She opened it before going out onto the fire escape. Feister walked over to the edge and rested her arms on the railing. She breathed in the summer air and looked up at the starry night sky.

"Everything ok?" a soft, half awake voice asked. Feister turned her head around and saw Mush had woken up and was now standing behind her.

She glanced down for a moment as she whispered. "Yeah...everything's fine..." by this point Mush was standing right next to Feister with his arms on the railing as well.

"Ya know you'se can tell me anything, right?" even though it was dark Mush could practically see Feister's worried face. He knew her better than anyone else in the Lodge, and knew for a fact that something was up.

Even though it was pretty obvious there was something wrong, he had a feeling there was more to the story. Sometimes he wished he could see what was going on in her head, it would definitely make things a lot easier if he knew what she was thinking.

"Promise not ta tell anyone, an' I's mean anyone," she replied while looking at him, and tried to hide her smile because even though it was dark she could practically see his blueish eyes sparkling. Which meant that she already knew what he was going to say.

"When have I's ever not kept a promise?" he asked, a little hint of sarcasm dripping off every word. That's when Mush noticed that Feister wasn't wearing her cap. Which meant that the two braids she always wore were hanging just a bit past her shoulder blades.

He was so used to seeing her hair all tucked up under her cap, and a few loose ends on her forehead here and there, that Mush had forgotten that Feister didn't wear her cap to bed like everyone else. her hair was a little messy, but it was still...pretty?

"It's just...I's dunno...this whole thing has trouble written all over it. Somethin' is bound ta go wrong, I just know it." Feister hung her head down; then felt two arms wrap around her and pulled her close.

She turned around and laid her head on his heart as she hugged back. This was one of her favorite things about her best friend; how he would always hug her without needing very much reason. Well, actually there was a reason this time, but all the other times was just because, including kisses on the forehead.

"Should probably get back ta bed," Mush said quietly. Though he didn't want to let her go, it was late, and if Feister didn't get enough sleep she would be very moody in the morning. Which is the last thing that was needed at the moment.

Feister nodded and they both went back into the bunk room. After she hopped into her bunk and pulled the covers up to her chin she snuggled into her bunk and went back to sleep. She felt a bit better about this whole mess. But the thought still lingered that something would go wrong.

While that was going on Mush had climbed up to his own bunk. After getting comfy he turned on his side and smiled softly. Feister looked so peaceful as she was sleeping. She was buried under the covers and looked cozy as can be.

Mush knew that this whole thing wasn't going to go away anytime soon, but in that moment he was going to do whatever it took to make her feel safe.