Title: A Hero's Sin

Author: Buttons

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama/General

Summary: Jack Kelly has been missing since November, 1902. Now someone wants to find him, but what will happen when they discover his new life and new family?

A/N: So…this got taken down by administration. I am reposting without a casting call, so take THAT! Please read! There is more information in the closing author's note.

Prologue

After the strike Jack Kelly was on top of the world. No one chased him through the streets anymore. His boys looked up to him more than ever. Nights with his girl, Sarah Jacobs, and longer ones on the fire escape, swapping stories with his best friend, Sarah's brother, David. The Jacobs family adored Jack. Someday, they all believed, without question, he would quit being a newsboy and marry Sarah.

Someday.

In late 1902, when Jack and Sarah were 20, Esther Jacobs found her daughter throwing up over the chamber pot in the corner of the small flat.

"Oh, honey," she said, drawing Sarah near, her voice thick with her New York accent, "Are you not feeling well?"

Obviously she wasn't.

The doctor confirmed it: there was a two-week old child in Sarah's womb. And, with no surprise to her family, Sarah was thrilled. She danced around the apartment, humming and grinning. Jack was going to marry her because he loved her. And because of their unborn child.

It was early one Wednesday morning when she told him. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing off his strong arms. Though it was cold, Jack wore no coat. His pants were soft and worn. Sarah stepped towards him and the words came out in a rush. The wind rippled through his hair, blowing a strand over his grey eyes.

She stepped in for a hug. He stepped back, almost dropping his papers.

"I…I have to go. To go think about all of this," he stuttered, turning and leaving Sarah in the middle of the market. The dark, cold day closed in around him as he fought his way through the crowds. A tear rolled down Sarah's cheek.

0o0o0o0

There were only two things Jack wanted in life: to be a Manhattan newsie or a Western cowboy. If he couldn't be the first he would be the latter. The next morning, when David showed up at the post to collect his daily hundred, Jack was nowhere to be seen.

David found Racetrack leaning against a short building, smoking a cheap five cent cigar and flipping through his papers.

"Have you seen Jack?" David asked.

Racetrack exhaled a cloud of blue smoke. He coughed into his sleeve. "He was gone this morning Davey. I'm sorry."

Racetrack knew something was up. He had always admired Jack, but he couldn't condone him for something he may have done to the Jacobs'.

End Prologue

OK. So this was a re-post for the main reason that this fic got originally taken down. If I need any help with characters I will ask those who submitted characters through email. Please review, even ifyouhave already read this!