She waited outside the distribution center of the Brooklyn Eagle for Spot to get his papers before he would walk her back to Manhattan. Something about it being a good idea to sell on the way there. Though Feister insisted on heading over to Sheepshead in case Race decided to sell there today. But Blaze refused to risk it and said that Spot was going to escort her back to Lower Manhattan to ensure she returned safely to Wolf. She didn't even put up a fight as she usually would have. All that mattered was returning home to her brothers. Spending the night in Brooklyn wasn't awful persay. It was interesting to see how different things worked compared to Manhattan. There were no pillow fights. No yelling, running around or rough housing. All it took was a simple "lights out" from Blaze and in a blink of an eye the boys all scurried off to bed. Though some of the younger boys had said a quick "good night" to her as they ran off to their own bunks.

It wasn't long before Spot came walking out of the distribution center with his bag of papes and smug smirk across his face. "Ready ta head back home?" he asked. "An' don't ask ta stop by Sheepshead fore headin' over, ya heard Blaze."

"Fine let's go," Feister huffed as she followed Spot back to the bridge. It was a little awkward at first considering the new found information they had discovered the previous night. Though there was no actual proof they were related seeing as their heritage is completely different, there was no denying they looked somewhat similar. So they agreed that they would be family in some odd way. It's what their guts kept telling them, and a newsie's gut feeling is never wrong.

"How's the headline?" Feister asked, breaking the silence.

"Mayor Gilory fears defeat," Spot read off the paper that was currently in his hand. "What do ya think?"

"I's think you'se got a better headline writer than The Woild does. Hey! Wanna trade?" she laughed. Was she joking? Just a little. She began to wonder what the headline was in Manhattan. Good? Bad? Was it a page turner or were the boys currently improving the truth? The news girl was so lost in thought that she almost didn't see Spot turn at the corner instead of going straight. "Hey where are ya goin' Conlon? I's may not know my way round these streets but I's sure as hell know that the bridge is that way!" she said as she caught up with him.

"Relax would ya! I's gotta use the little news room," he replied. "Here, hold this for me would ya. See if ya can sell a few of those while yer at it!" he said as he put the bag around her neck and headed off to....ya know.

Feister groaned out loud as she leaned her back on the building with her arms crossed. People walked past paying no attention to her whatsoever. The weather seemed to warm up with each passing second. It felt like a lifetime waiting for Spot to finish up so they could get going. Even though she could make a -

"Excuse me?" a shy voice asked. "Are you a newsie by any chance?"

"Who wants ta know?" Feister asked as she stood up straighter and looked at this girl.

"Well....you're wearin' clothing a newsie would...and you're holding a bag with newspapers in it..." the girl in question had freckles going across her face, light blue eyes and long sandy brown hair that was tied back in a braid. She was wearing a simple blue dress and a white apron was tied around her waist. Her voice, soft and innocent like she seemed to be.

Feister noted the colorful thread that stuck to the girl's apron and little slits on her fingers. No doubt she worked in a dress shop. Most likely on an errand. She should know. She used to be in that position too once upon a time. Though it was all a blur she definitely remembered pricking herself whenever she had to pull the thread through the needle and all the loose ends that she'd constantly find on her clothing. But those details didn't matter. What mattered was only a few seconds of talking to this freckled girl she was getting a sense of deja vu. There was something familiar about her. Like Feister's known her a lot longer than a few seconds. She just couldn't put her finger on it.

"Sure. Here ya go," she said, pulling a paper from the bag and handing it to the girl.

"Thank you," the freckled girl replied. After paying for the paper she sweetly smiled and took her leave just as Spot finally returned.

Feister gave him the paper bag back and the money as she watched the girl disappear into the crowd. "Do ya know who that goil is?"

"Sides the fact I's catch the boys tryin' ta flirt with 'er, not much. She's on the quiet side, an' don't have no siblings. 'er fauuda ain't that nice either. There's always some wound she tries ta hide. But she ain't that good at it." Spot explained without batting an eyelash.

"Stay with me now....there's something' familiar bout 'er...."

"Or maybe ya hit yer head harder than ya thought," Spot pointed out.

For the rest of the walk Feister wouldn't let this go. But as she tried she couldn't put her finger on it....maybe Spot was right. Maybe it was her head making all this up. Or maybe there really was something familiar about that girl.

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"Any sign of 'er?" Race asked with hope written all over his face.

"Not a braid in sight," Albert sighed, feeling discouraged.

It had been nearly twenty-four hours since they last saw the news girl. Wolf had lost his mind when she didn't return last night and had told all of them to keep an eye out for her. If nothing turned up today then they'd extend the search to the other boroughs. All the boys were told to keep a close eye and open ears if anything that could remotely lead them to Feister and her whereabouts. Though the news girl was smart and tough as can be, she was still a girl with a high risk of just about anything happening to her.

"I's bet Wolfy's gonna lose his mind if she don't show up," Race replied as he rolled the cigar between his knuckles to ease the worry that was growing inside. Even after all these years of knowing the news girl he still felt responsible for her. Jack and Specs were there too, but he probably took it a step further being the one who got her to talk the most that fateful night. Wolf even said it himself that he she's one third his problem....well not in those words exactly but that was what was implied...ish. "An' when the little runt finally does he's gonna try an' force 'er ta chop off 'er hair." the subject of that matter had always been a struggle of sorts. Feister never liked it when they would touch her hair. Head ruffles were ok, but other than that it was a hard no. Which is why over the years Wolf heavily encouraged Feister that if she wasn't going to chop off her hair to keep her braids tightly tucked in her cap and to not take it off among the public eye. She did a good job at following this rule, but the boys all knew that it would put Wolf's mind at ease if she did chop off her dark locks.

"Mush will lose his fore Wolfy does. Ya saw how the kid was near ready ta punch a hole in the wall last night," Albert stated in a serious tone as he crossed his arms. "Never thought I's would ever see 'im get that angry...Can't believe I's actually startin' ta miss that little goil. Annoyin' as she is, still miss 'er yell. Which is sayin' a lot."

"Yeah that goil has a nice set of lungs on 'er...but I's bet Mushy misses 'er more," the blonde boy pointed out with the smallest smirk.

"Hell yeah he does," Albert agreed. "The bums as in love as love gets. An' it's real gross ta think bout."

"Well if nobody misses me then I's might as well head back ta Brooklyn," a voice said, catching the two boy's attention. "Well Conlon, looks like ya walked me here for nothin'."

"FEISTY!" Race and Albert screamed as they ran up to the news girl and pulled her into the tightest hug ever. After a moment or so they finally let go and began to check her over for any wounds.

"Relax, I's fine," Feister said with a roll of the eyes as she pushed the nightmare twins away. While the orders were to return to wherever the heck Wolf was she remembered Race and Albert sometimes sold around the area and convinced Spot to find the two Manhattan newsies rather than go deeper in the city. That way he can return to Brooklyn and she's safe with her boys.

"Hey thanks for bringin' 'er back Spot," Race said to the Brooklyn boy.

"Don't sweat it," Spot replied before taking his leave.

Feister went on and explained how she ended up in Brooklyn and how Blaze wouldn't let her leave until the storm had ended. She left out the information about the mystery girl that seemed so familiar. That was more of a "see it to believe it thing". Maybe she could drag Mush on adventure to prove to her mind that she's not going completely insane.

"Well, since yer here, take these,' Race said, handing her a small stack of papers. "I's got extra today. The headline is a real page turner!"

"Harlem's real estate dealer's son shot in the leg! An' somethin' bout some gang activity!" Albert exclaimed excitedly with a wide smile.

"We's gonna be rich by t'night boys!" Feister hollered with as her eyes scanned the front page. And just like that, everything that happened on the other side of the bridge faded away from her mind. She sold as many papers as she was given and even helped the two older boys by standing there and looking cute for the little sister card. For how could anyone say no to her big puppy eyes?

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Walking right up to the lump of sadness that is Mush, Race plopped down next to the younger boy and ruffled his hair with the biggest smile on his face. "Heya Mush for brains! Why the long face? Today was one of the best sellin' days we's had in a long time. Enjoy bein' rich for a little, will ya!"

Mush, who looked at Race with confusion written all over his face, but before he could say anything, Albert slid next to him.

"Racer's right, perk up! It's a beautiful day. Sun is out, birds are a singin', an' I's bet ya spotted some real pretty ladies out there today huh?" he nudged Mush's shoulder. "Bet they's thought you'se was a real charmer with that baby face of yers. Enjoy that while it lasts cause after that you'se gotta flirt yer way ta make a sale or two." the biggest smirk turned up on Albert's face. "But it ain't so bad, I's mean you'se got some good looks. Not as good as me of course. But fore ya know it, bunch of pretty goils will be comin' yer way."

"The only goil I's want is Feisty," Mush sighed. He leaned his elbows onto his needs and sighed.

"Is that's what's got ya down in the gutters?" Race asked in shock, pretending to not have a single clue that was the case.

"Oh c'mon Racer, that's obviously why he's been a sad little lump of a newsie. You'se really do take blonde ta a whole other level of stupid," Albert stated.

"Yer gonna have ta remind me, Albie,"

Albert groaned before saying, "Ya know Feisty's been missin' since last night! The kid's miserable with 'er!"

"Oh, Feisty missin'?" Race asked playing dumb. "Ya know I's didn't notice. But that would explain why I's slept like a baby. There wasn't a mini monster yellin' in my ear fore bed."

"How the hell did ya not notice Feisty is missin'?!" Mush yelled aloud as he jumped off the table to look Albert dead in the eyes. Though he was at a height disadvantage, that wasn't the big problem. "Did ya not hear anythin' Wolf said last night or are ya just too stupid ta notice what's not in front of ya?! What goes on in yer head? Do ya not care she could be layin' in the gutter dead or worse?!"

By this point the other boys figured out what was going on. Mostly because Feister was standing just a few feet away from Mush with crossed arms and a smirk across her face while he continued to rant on. It was rather entertaining watching Mush rant while Feister watched from behind with a smug look on her face. The rest of the boys had to try to keep a straight face as to not to spoil the whole surprise, but it was pretty hard considering all Mush had to do was turn around to see his best friend was barely a foot away from him and not somewhere laying in the gutter half dead.

"Oh I's dunno, havin' the biggest idiot alive as my best friend comes pretty close ta that," Feister finally spoke up. "An' you'se say I's the over dramatic one, when we's all know Jojo's the one who's already taken claim ta that. I's more of the sister ya all hate bein' round but still love me no matter what ya say."

In an instant Mush turned around and went in to pull Feister into the biggest hug ever. The force from the hug caused her to tip back a bit, but that didn't matter. Nothing else mattered in that moment because she was back safe and sound. Alive and breathing. Still in one piece. "I's so happy yer alive I's could actually kiss you!" he exclaimed out of pure happiness.

It was at that moment Wolf and Jumps returned to the sight of newsies yelling about "the lovebirds", a gagging Feister and a red face Mush.

"Well...at least Feisty's back," Jumps pointed out.

"An' apparently somethin' happened between 'er an' Mush if the boys are screamin' 'kiss'," Wolf added. But the real question was why did Feister look like she was going to throw up? She kept gagging and eventually started to choke, but nothing came up.

Looks like order was restored for the Newsies of Lower Manhattan.

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"Can ya please let me go already?" Feister groaned for what was probably the millionth time that night.

"Nope! I's ain't lettin' ya outta my sight again!" Mush replied as he hugged the small girl tighter. Which he didn't think was possible. But here he was, hugging her as close to his chest as he could.

"Mush Meyers! I's have ta use the bathroom!" Feister screamed.

"It's big enough for - OW! Ok! Point taken! Go do what ya need ta do! But that don't mean yer off the hook!"

"Oh sweet freedom!" Feister sighed in relief. And with that she made a quick beeline to the bathroom. Not caring at all that she nearly sent the twins to the ground in the process. She was just happy to be out of Mush's death grip for a bit.

Now, Mush thought about waiting outside the bathroom for Feister, but decided that wasn't a wise thing to do. He didn't want to come off as creepy....or possibly die that night. He would like to live to see twelve (and so on). For a few moments he simply stood in the middle of the room before heading back to his bunk and pulled out a deck of cards. He began to mindlessly shuffle as he waited for Feister to return. The past twenty-four hours had been a stressful one. Mush blamed himself for her disappearance. Though he didn't remember much besides the fact he was the last one with her. The blame still burned deep inside his stomach. What if something had actually happened to her and no one was around to help the news girl out? He didn't want to think about that. So he continued to shuffle the cards.

It wasn't long until Feister returned. She sat at the end of the bed with her legs crossed. "So, we's playin' aces low or high today?" she asked while leaning back a bit.

"Low." Mush replied as he began to deal the deck in half. The sound of cards being dealt filled the silence between them for a few moments before he went on and asked, "So, how did ya end up in....ya know..." he didn't look up and instead kept his gaze on the stack of cards.

"Dunno." Feister shrugged. "I's just glad 'em Brooklyn boys found me fore somethin' bad happened." the news girl bit her lip as she carefully thought about what she was going to say next. Who was she kidding though? Mush would believe her! Or perhaps say she's crazy....but the odds were most likely in her favor. "Ya know...on the way back here I's saw this goil an' there was somethin' familiar bout 'er."

"Yeah? What she look like?" Mush asked not giving it a second thought as he continued to deal the cards.

"Well....a bit like...you. Same eyes. Same hair. Bout the same age. Only she has fre-" in that moment the cards suddenly slipped out of Mush's hands and either flew at her face or to the ground. "-ckles."

"What now?" Mush asked in complete shock. No. Nope. Just one big N O. This could not be happening! It's not possible! There was no way in the world Feister encountered HER! He absolutely refused to believe it. "What did she say? Or better yet what did ya say ta 'er?!"

"Relax would ya! She thought I was one of the Brooklyn boys an' asked for a pape. Spotty says she's an only child an' 'er faudda is...ya know."

"Still?" Mush mumbled under his breath. He would've thought that running away would've fixed everything....at least that's what his mother said. Maybe it got worse after he - which Mush didn't think was possible. Were they ok? How were they holding up? Maybe it was time to pay a little visit....he wouldn't go inside of course. Just take a quick peek inside the window and bolt out of there.

"Still what?" Feister asked in confusion.

"Nothin'. Forget I's said anythin'," Mush brushed it off as he jumped off the bunk and began to pick up the fallen cards.

"There was somethin' familiar bout 'er ya know. I's can't put my finger on it though," Feister went on. "Wanna sneak off ta Brooklyn with me an' find out?"

"Feisty leave it alone," Mush grumbled in reply. "You'se probably hit yer head or somethin' an' it's makin' ya imagine things."

"I's tellin' the truth Meyers! I's seen 'er somewhere fore!" she paused for a moment "Thought my best friend woulda believed me...."

Oh but Mush did believe her. There was no doubt that the familiar girl Feister encountered was her. He was just lucky she didn't put two and two together and that he could simply say she hit her head too hard. He wasn't ready to reveal that part of his past. Not yet anyways. But that didn't mean it wasn't eating Mush up from the inside out. It wasn't fair of him to keep secrets of his past from Feister when she's told him practically everything about hers. Though it did take lots of time for her to open up. For him...he wasn't ready. He did plan on telling her at some point....he just didn't know when.

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Author's note

There may or may not have been a little cameo within this chapter, did you catch it? Moving on, I think I enjoyed writing Mush's reaction to having Feister back solely for the purposes of the "I could kiss you" line and having her gag at the thought. Oh little do they know....guess that's two foreshowings right there. There was a little twist with the ending but since we all know what happens in the future there is no need to worry. One of the many reasons why I love this book. On the subject of the headlines that were shown in this chapter those were 100% real! And yes the Brooklyn Eagle and The World headlines were released the same date. Word of advice, never find two separate paper headlines for the same date at once, it takes longer than you would think to find. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!