A/N: It's been far too long since I've updated this. I am aware of that. My deepest apologies. I had every intention of finishing this before November (since I will be knee-deep in writing for NaNoWriMo all month), but then school started, and some other crap happened, so... It never got done. I have, however, finished this chapter. I always hate the way it comes out when I force it, but it had to be done tonight, as I have an extremely busy Halloween weekend before me, and then November starts on Monday. So... It may very well be a whole month before you get another update, perhaps longer. Just thought I'd warn you. Anyhow, on a better note, this story is actually almost done! There's only two more chapters after this, and then the epilogue, which I still need to figure out how that's going to go... And then guess what? I found out this week that this story doesn't end there! Yeah, there's totally a continuation. Not a sequel, exactly, but there is more. Unfortunately it won't happen until I finish Heart of Brooklyn... SHOUTOUTS! Only two this time around, guess people are getting tired of waiting for my updates...

Dreamer: I'm stickin' with it. Once this one's finished, then I'm done for good. Unless I'm spontaneously inspired to finish HoB after this. I just can't bear to leave unfinished pieces here. But yeah, don't worry about my commitment. After all, I started the dang thing!

Pegasus: Yay more! :) I really enjoy writing the strike from his perspective. The way I see it, there's not much point in detailing the events that we see in the movie, cuz everybody knows how that happens. I like taking a look at what goes on in the background. Which naturally gives me an excuse/chance to highlight those minor characters. Crutchy was fun to write. I was really worried about his interaction with Louise, but apparently it turned out okay. And if you feel like you've missed something vital, that's because he did, and it's translating the way I intended. :) Though you're hitting awful close with those speculations...

Also, this is for Skittsgirl, who I hope is still reading. Remember, NOBODY is allowed to touch her Skittles. NOBODY. I swear I didn't touch him. Enjoy.

Chapter 7: Listen Close to Everybody's Heart

Anyone with half a brain
(Take it slow)
Can spend their whole life howling in pain
(He looks at me and seems to know)
And the dark is everywhere
And Penny doesn't seem to care
(The things that I'm afraid to show)
That soon the dark in me is all that will remain
(And suddenly I feel this glow)

It was entirely chaotic, from beginning to end. Besides the obvious chaos of cramming thousands of boys into one relatively small theatre, there was the added chaos of the various factions from which these boys hailed. Right from the start, the boys segregated themselves by borough, and despite the fact that they were all there for a single cause, fights broke out over the stupidest issues.

It was David who came up with the solution in the end. Since it was essentially Manhattan who started the strike, and since they were essentially hosting the event, and since Jack tended to see them as the leaders, it was only fair that they make the first move in uniting the vast group of boys. Each of the Manhattan newsies was instructed to mingle with another group. This way, David pointed out, they were scattered, seen as part of the whole rather than a faction. The other boroughs eventually caught on and joined in as well, so that by the time they were all seated in the auditorium, the signs that a few of the boys still carried really did little good in identifying which group of boys were from where.

After that was all settled, a chaos of a different – yet still similar – kind took place. Sure, the boys were now mingled and no longer separated by location, but they were still individuals. As such, they had differing opinions about everything that took place during the meeting. This made it extremely difficult for the three self-appointed leaders of the night's event to keep order and still say what they had to say.

It seemed like, just as everyone was finally starting to get along – even all singing together when Medda came out to perform – chaos once again broke out. This time, it there was a decidedly external force to drive the madness. Whistles blew everywhere, boys and men alike shouting out into the crowd, warning their fellows or yelling at each other. There were so many bulls, and despite the fact that the boys had them far outnumbered, there was still that element of fear that caused them to scatter and make themselves better targets.

Jack and David's hectic attempts at escape set the tone for the chase, as it were. Their panic and desperation translated into the crowd, amping up the level of panic. But when Snyder finally had a clear shot, four boys ignored the instinct of flight and stood in his path.

Skittery knew it was a dreadfully bad decision. Snyder already didn't like him, as was evidenced by the various glares he received every time he came to visit Louise. The Warden seemed like he was just waiting for an excuse to slap the poor boy in chains and toss him in a cell, too. And here he was, giving the Warden just that opportunity.

Oddly enough, at this particular moment, he just didn't care. Pie Eater and Itey and Specs, they were scared out of their minds, and it showed on their faces, no matter how firmly they stood their ground. But Skitts just didn't care. Sure, he knew exactly what was going to happen. And it was what he wanted. His search for Anna had come up fruitless so far, and he was beginning to lose faith in the effectiveness of their strike. If he couldn't get his family back together, at least he could be with Louise.

And that's why, when he heard his bail was paid, he actually let out a frustrated moan. Outside the courtroom, as the boys were gathering their jackets and hats, Denton pulled him aside. "Hey," he smiled warmly, though his eyes were apologetic. "Skittery right?" Skitts just nodded blankly. "Listen, I just thought you should know… I didn't pay your fine. Someone else did."

Skittery blinked, uncomprehending. "Who did?"

"That gentleman over there," Denton replied gently, pointing down the hall to a tall, slender man in a smart-looking business suit. He was wearing an old bowler hat, with dark shocks of hair sticking out from underneath. Skittery scowled darkly and mumbled his thanks to Denton.

As the other boys filed out with the reporter, Jonathan stepped forward, an innocent smile plastered on his face. He was looking much better-kept than the last time they'd met. His suit was ironed and pressed, his face not quite as scruffy, though his eyes were still dark and bloodshot as if from lack of sleep, and his hair still seemed to have a mind of its own. As Jonathan slowly approached his son, the scowl on Skittery's face stayed firmly in place. "I… I heard you'd been taken in last night," Jonathan began, stuttering slightly. "I wanted to come by and—"

"Whaddaya want?" Skittery demanded, snapping the words out but keeping his voice low.

"Well, I…" Jonathan trailed off uncertainly, taken aback by the venom in his son's response. "I want you… to come with me. We can be a family again. I have a house on Park Avenue, we'll find your sisters and…"

"No."

"But, Jonny, just listen. The three of you cannot continue living on the streets like this…"

Skittery shook his head firmly, his glare growing darker by the minute. "We been makin' out just fine four years now without you an' your money," he intoned slowly, deliberately. "What on earth givin' you the idea that we's gonna accept your help, just 'cuz you fin' it convenient to offer it now?"

Jonathan sighed. "I know you're angry, but if you'd just give me a chance…"

"You coulda saved her!" Skittery screamed, years of tension bursting out all at once. "You, with your money… If you'd'a stayed, she wouldn't'a been there! She wouln't'a had to been workin'! An' we wouldn't be livin' on the streets, if you hadn't left!"

Jonathan flinched as if he'd been struck. "I know, Jonny," he said softly. "That's precisely why I want to fix this."

"Can't fix it," Skitts muttered, the fire gone from his voice just as suddenly as it had flared up. Jonathan seemed at a loss for words at last, so Skitts went on. "Anna's gone, Louise's locked up, an' now I'se back out on the streets carryin' on this stupid strike 'stead'a bein' wit' her like I should be. An' all because'a you."

"Strike? You mean the newspaper strike?" Jonathan asked softly. "Is that what… Is that what this was all about?" When his son didn't respond, he gave a small sigh. "You boys haven't been doing so well, it seems. No wonder you've been on edge. Listen, Jonny, why don't you come back with me, just until this all blows over. You can get your feet back under you and…"

At this, Skittery fairly exploded. "No! I ain't goin' nowhere wit' you. I ain't leavin' the boys for you. An' I sure as hell don't need your help gettin' my feet back!" And with that being said, he turned and stalked out onto the street, leaving his father standing there alone in a state of shock and despair.

Without a moment's hesitation, he turned in the direction of the restaurant where Denton had told the boys to meet him. He found himself walking side-by-side with David and Les, who had just come out of the courtroom. Both boys looked dejected. He could only imagine why, seeing as Jack wasn't with them.

And to think, just a few days ago, he'd dared to acknowledge that things were actually starting to look up for them.