Disclaimer: I don't own the Newsies story. I only own the characters which I made up for this story.

High times, hard times. Sometimes the livin' is sweet and sometimes there's nothing to eat. But I always land on my feet.

"AAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHH!" I yelled.

Bits gave me a funny look. (He's not quite use to me, one of the only girl newsies in Brooklyn, selling papes with him.) "What's your problem?"

"Sorry... I got a song stuck in my head."

"No need ta yell about it."

"Sorry..." Grr... it's been weeks since she sang that song and I got it stuck in my head again! I hate how Medda sings such catchy tunes.

"So you goin' ta Manhanttan tanight, Cat?"

I glanced at Bits. "Probably, why do ya ask?"

"No reason, sweethawt."

I frowned at him. "What did Spot say somethin' to ya?"

"Maybe he did, maybe he didn't."

I growled and pushed Bits into an alleyway. He may be older than me but I'm a little bigger and taller so I can push him around a little. "You tell me now or I'll soak ya."

"Calm down, darlin'. Spot just seems a bit irritated wit' ya still."

"Eeesh. Still? It's not my fault my drunk father tries to come an' get me. Why can't Spot just let it go?"

"Well, your fadder did make a mess of t'ings. Plus, he did try an' get ya while we's were sellin' papes and messed up Spot's sellin'."

"You'd t'ink he'd be just a little nicer since I am a goil..."

Bits pursed his lips a little. "Just lie low, okay sweet? Spot probably forgets you's a goil since your so much like us. Give him some time and I'm sure you'll be back to your old sellin' spot."

"Yeah, yeah... whatever..." I doubt my sellin' spot will be there if I ever get back... "Hey, Bits. Do ya know where Hush is?"

"Hush? Who's dat?"

I tugged at my fiery red bangs. I forgot that Hush was new. "The new goil."

"Oh dat goil. Last I saw her, she was at the docks. She from Manhattan?"

I quickly shoved my unruly bangs into my hat. Bangs are such a distraction for me. "Something like that. She hasn't said much since she got here."

"Funny she's called Hush."

I shrugged and walked out of the alley with Bits. "You t'ink Spot'll be at the docks?"

Bits shrugged. "Who knows? But remember what I said, lie low."

I rolled my eyes. I can take care of myself, Bits.

Headlines weren't that great so I had to brainstorm a bit for new ones, but I managed to sell them pretty quick. With papes out of the way, I could finally go see Hush. I've actually known her from way back. She use to live in Brooklyn back when I still lived with my family but then she and her family moved away. I was rather surprised last week when Mush walked her over the bridge. It was good to see her again but thanks to stupid Spot I had to wait to see her.

I hurried down the docks and scanned for Hush.

"If it ain't the kitty cat."

Oh bother... not now. I turned around to be greeted by a tall, dirty-blonde newsie."Hiya, Al."

"What brings such a delicate little kitty over ta the docks?"

"Have you seen Hush?"

"You didn't come ta see me?"

I could barely keep back a smile at the sound of the disappointment in his voice. "Nope. Just tell me if you've seen her or not."

Al frowned a little and replied,"Your pipsqueak friend is thata way." He gestured with his long arm toward Spot's hideout.

Great... "Is Spot there?"

Al shook his head. "Racetrack came by and they went to the races."

Luck is finally on my side! "Thanks, Al!" I hurried over to Spot's hideout. "Hush? You still here?"

Hush peeked out from Spot's hideout and nodded. She was always a quiet little thing. I'm still surprised that she decided to become a newsie. But I admit, I am a bit jealous of her very feminine looks. I look a bit more tomboyish. I don't mind looking boyish but then sometimes I wish I looked pretty.

"What brings you here, Catherine?"

"Just wanted to see you. You don't haf to call me by my real name. Cat is just fine."

Hush shrugged and pushed a stray black hair back into her hat.

"Want to go to Manhattan wit' me?"

Hush nodded quickly.

I pursed my lips a little. Hush certainly hasn't changed, still as silent as ever. I'm guessing it's her Asian side, but her mother was always saying she talked too much. I wonder how much her mom talked if Hush was a chatterbox.

"I'm sure Mush is waiting for you," I teased.

Hush blushed ever so slightly. Her olive skin looked cute with a bit of pink flush.

"We should stop by a store and get you some betta clothes to impress him with. Spot certainly didn't make sure those clothes were your size."

Hush's blush deepened as she quickened her pace to match my long strides. I always forget she doesn't walk very fast. Plus she is really short compared to me. Small, dainty Hush next to me, gangly, bean-pole Cat, strange pair of friends, right?

"Boys are not small as me. Do not blame Spot. And I do not have much money to buy."

"Don't worry about money. I can pay. You can always pay me back later."

"But-"

"No buts. I wanna have some fun wit' ya."

Hush sighed as I lead her across the Brooklyn Bridge. I whistled cheerfully. Today was gonna be good.

Hush's face was slightly pink as we walked out of the shop. I guess she was still getting use to being dressed like a boy.

"Come on, Hush. You look real cute like that."

Hush gave me a small smile but I could tell she was still uncomfortable with the short pants. It couldn't be helped though. The only small pants at the store were short.

"Why hello Cat and Hush right?"

I grinned. "Hallo, Kid."

Hush nodded quickly at Kid Blink.

"What brings you two here?"

"Oh you know the usual reason and I thought Hush would like to see Mush." I winked at Kid and he grinned back. He and I both had the same thought on Mush and Hush.

"Lucky for you, I was on my way ta see Mush."

"Great! Mind if we join ya?"

"I thought the invite was plain."

I laughed. "All right den."

Now don't get the idea that Kid Blink and I are a couple. We're just good friends. He's already got himself a girl. He has Nancy, otherwise known as the mayor's daughter. I don't know why he never calls her by her name when he's with the guys but if that's what he wants, okay.

"Look! There's Mush now."

"Hey, Mush!" I yelled.

Mush jumped and looked toward us. Kid and I kept back our smirks when Mush saw Hush and blushed deeply.

"H-hi guys," he called out shyly as he hurried over to us.

Hush stayed behind me once Mush got close.

"What brings you to Manhattan, Cat?"

"The usual. Oh and Hush here was dyin' to see you again." I gently pushed Hush toward Mush. She wasn't expecting that and slammed right into Mush's chest nearly knocking him over.

"Ooof!"

Kid bit back a laugh as Mush and Hush steadied themselves.

"I-I-I am so sorry. I did not mean to um bump into you," Hush apologized quickly.

"Ah. It's okay. Um. I mean I should have been careful. Er, why don't we go and see Medda?"

"That... would be nice."

Mush blushed deeply as he and Hush started walking off toward Medda's.

"Have a nice time!" I called out.

Hush quickly turned back toward me. "You are not coming?"

"Sorry, I got a few things to do. Just have fun wit' Mush, okay?"

Hush pursed her lips a little then glanced at Mush. "All right."

Kid and I let out our laughter once Mush and Hush were out of hearing range.

"That was sooo funny! Did you see Mush's face?"

"I saw. Man, I t'ink this is our best match yet, Cat."

"Our only match. Besides we're not makin' this inta a hobby."

Kid shrugged. "I thought goils liked that sort of stuff."

"I'm not your typical goil," I pointed out.

"True true."

"Well, I'm gonna claim my bunk at the lodge. I'm sure you are itchin' ta see Nancy."

Kid grinned. "Yup. Nancy and I are going out tanight for some fun."

"Don't get inta too much trouble."

"Who me? I never get inta trouble."

I laughed and continued on to the lodge. The place was empty since most of the guys were out sellin' or hanging out somewhere in the city. I had nothing worth doing so I just claimed an empty bunk and plopped down on it.

Bored... I was kinda hoping someone would pop in and invite me to hang out. I had a good day with Hush but now that she was with Mush, I was by myself. I am happy for her. I just wish I had her luck with friends. Even though she is rather quiet, she is pretty good at making friends. Me, I am somewhat friendly but I usually end up bumpin' heads with most guys. Kid, Mush, Bits, Boots, Racetrack, and Jack are the few exceptions.

"Hey."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed.

"Seriously... Is my face that scary?" Jack questioned after flipping off the bunk above me.

"J-Jack... I didn't know you were here. You scared me."

"Like I couldn't tell from that goily scream."

I threw a pillow at Jack. "I am a goil, thank you."

Jack laughed and threw the pillow back. "You bump heads wit' Spot again?"

I sighed and hugged the pillow tightly. "Yeah... somet'ing like that."

"I don't mind ya comin' over here until Spot cools off, but I t'ink it might just be betta if you'd just move here."

I frowned at Jack. What was he thinking? I wasn't going to leave Brooklyn just because Spot and I bump heads a lot. "Forget it. I'm not movin'."

"Come on, Cat. You'll make more friends here. There's more goil newsies over here and you won't bump heads wit' the guys as much over here."

"I got Bits and Hush back in Brooklyn."

Jack sighed and crossed his arms. "Cat, come on. I just want ta make sure you're okay. Hush can move over here too."

"No! Jack, it's nice that you're thinkin' of me, but I'm not leavin' Brooklyn."

"It's not just about you always bumpin' heads with Spot. I know about your fadder."

"I know you know. Practically everyone in Brooklyn knows who he is. I can avoid him like I can avoid Spot."

"You haven't been good 'bout avoiding either of 'em lately."

I jumped up and shoved Jack onto the bunk beside us. "Just a bit of bad luck, okay? Would ya stop bein' so big brudder over me? I don't need ya to protect me. I can take care of myself!"

Before Jack could say another word, I stormed out of the Newsies Lodge. I didn't want to hear anything else he had to say. How could he think of something like that? Brooklyn is my home! I don't care about all the problems I have half the time I'm there. It's my home. It's where I was born and he was asking me to leave it?

After about an hour of walking aimlessly through Manhattan, I finally cooled down. I was starting to feel guilty about my behavior towards Jack. My Irish temper got a little out of hand. Okay, maybe it got a more than a little out of hand, but he could have thought a little about my feelings before suggesting the move. I hope Jack will forgive me.

"Okay... here it goes. Jack, I'm sorry about earlier today. I shouldn't of gotten mad at ya... No, I'm sorry for runnin' off like that. Forgive me? No... that's not quite it either."

I tugged at my bangs as I headed back toward the lodge. Hopefully Jack was still there. But then, he might have gone out to go see Sarah. Man, I made a mess out of things. First, I made Spot mad now Jack. This day wasn't so great after all.

Knock. Knock.

I shifted uneasily in front of the lodge door. Please let Jack be there or at least someone who knows where he is if he's not there.

"Hello?"

Jack opened the door.

"Jack!" Just my luck! Maybe today is still going to be good.

"Cat."

"I'm sorry about earlier," we both apologized.

"No, it's my fault, Jack. I shouldn't have gotten mad at ya. I guess I'm still a little mad wit' Spot and I let it out on you."

Jack shook his head and let me in. "I should've thought about your feelin's. I kinda forgot how attached you are to Brooklyn."

"It's okay. I forgive ya. Will you forgive me?"

Jack laughed and pushed my cap over my eyes. "I can't stay mad at ya forever."

I pulled my cap up and grinned at Jack. "Thanks, Cowboy. But why are you still here? I thought you'd be out somewhere wit' Sarah."

"Sarah's sick today so I was stayin' here unless one of the guys wanted ta do somethin'."

"Oh... No one's stopped by since I left?"

Jack shook his head. "Just me and you."

I blushed deeply, which is very odd. I never blush and especially not around Jack. Something must be really wrong with me.

"You okay? You're lookin' a bit red."

"I'm fine! Just a little hot."

Jack quickly put his hand on my forehead which caused me to blush more. "Whoa! Cat, you got quite the fever."

"Fever?" I pushed Jack's hand off and put mine on my forehead. Yikes! He wasn't kidding.

"Maybe I should lie down..."

"Yeah lie down, Cat. I'll go get a docta."

I grabbed Jack's arm as I went to lie down. "No doctor! I just got a fever. I'll be fine."

Jack frowned a little and shook me off. "I'm getting' ya one."

I didn't say anything as he hurried off. I was starting to feel dizzy so I closed my eyes. I really hope this fever will go away once I fall asleep. I'm not fond of doctors.

Seagulls were crying overhead as I made my way to the docks. Walks by the docks have a way of making me feel better. The cool sea breeze gently tousled my stray hairs. Breathing the fresh salt air refreshed me. It felt as if I hadn't been to the docks in forever. I walked along the edge of the docks and gazed at the water below me. My reflection wasn't the prettiest thing but at least I wasn't down right ugly. I shifted a little and moved toward the edge to get a better view of the water.

Crack!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH !" I screamed as I fell through a crack in the dock.

SPLASH!

I gasped and flailed my arms as I resurfaced. "Help!" I screamed and went back underwater. My body was panicking. I wished I had learned how to swim! "Someone help!" I screamed louder.

Splash.

Small waves hit me as I heard a voice faintly calling out to me. "Hold on! I'm comin'!"

Please hurry!

Everything was starting to get blurry. I felt myself sinking into the water and losing consciousness. Would I get saved before it was too late?

"Hey... little goil."

I winced and opened my eyes. Who in the world was talking to me?

"You all right?" the voice asked.

What does it look like? I feel like a drowned rat. My vision cleared a little and I could make out the form of a boy who looked to be a year or two older than me.

"You're just a kid too."

The boy laughed and helped me onto my feet. "You should learn how ta swim."

I wobbled as I tried to regain my balance.

"And watch ya step!" he warned as he ran off.

"Hey wait!" I called after him.

I stumbled toward him but my feet seemed to be glued to the dock. Or wait was I sinking? "Kid, wait! What's your name?"

The boy turned toward me but I couldn't make out his face. It was blurry and getting blurrier the harder I tried to focus on him.

I shot up out of my bunk, completely entangled in the blankets. "His face!" I cried out. How could I forget what he looked like? That's the only way I'd be able to find him again!

"Um... Cat, are you all right?" Jack asked.

"Maybe she's dileerious or whatever from that fever," Kid suggested.

I blinked as I realized Jack and Kid were hovering over me with concerned looks on their faces. "Hi... I'm fine... I fell asleep," I explained as I tried to untangle myself from the blankets.

"Yeah, we know that. You've been asleep since I first left ya," Jack stated.

"How long have I been sleepin'?" I inquired.

"Let's see, Kid. I t'ink it was about two days?" queried Jack.

Kid nodded. "Two days."

"Two days?! I gotta get back!" I exclaimed.

"Whoa, whoa. You can't just leave," Jack cautioned.

Kid put his hand on my forehead. "You still have a slight fever."

I frowned as I slumped back onto the bed. Kid glanced at Jack and put his hands in his pockets.

"Please let me go. My fever isn't that bad anymore. I got ta sell papes today." I begged.

Jack shook his head. "You're stayin' here. I don't want ta take the chance of ya getting' sick again."

"But, Jack, it's just a slight fever. I'll be fine," I promised.

"No, you are stayin' here. I don't want ya to get more sick while you're sellin' papes. And ya didn't seem ta have slept well," Jack said firmly.

I sighed. "I just had a kinda bad dream."

"Do ya wanna talk about it?" Kid asked.

I didn't know how to respond. I did want to talk about it to get it off my mind, but it was kind of strange for Jack and Kid to be soo concerned about me.

I shrugged. "I guess I'm okay wit' talkin' about it."

I sat back up and continued, "It was partially just a dream about somethin' that happened when I was six. I fell inta the river and nearly drowned if it weren't for this newsie rescuin' me. But I can't remember his face."

Jack and Kid nodded, now they understood why I suddenly cried out "his face."

"The other part was just... about my fadder... I dreamed he came back for me again. It was really bad..." I faltered.

Jack and Kid glanced at each other.

"You don't haf to tell us the rest if you don't want ta," Jack recommended.

I pulled the covers over my face and nodded. I really did want to talk about it so I could just let it out, but then I didn't want them to see my girly emotions come out.

"Thanks, Jack..."

"Do you want one of us ta stay wit' ya?" Jack asked.

I peeked over the covers a little. "If ya don't mind."

Jack nodded. "Kid will stay wit' ya then."

"What about the doctor?" I wondered aloud.

Jack blinked. "Oh the doctor. He already came. He checked up on ya while you were sleepin'."

"Oh... I'll... I'll pay ya back for that." I don't like that the doctor came but at least I was asleep when it happened.

"There's no need ta, Cat," Jack objected.

"But, Jack! Really. Did you two sell papes while I was sleepin'?" I challenged.

"Well, no," he admitted.

"Then at least let me split my earnings for you and Kid since ya'll didn't sell," I negotiated.

Jacks sighed through his nose. "Fine... but only one day's earnings. I'm splitting my earnings today wit' Kid."

"Okay, it's a deal," I agreed.

It was kind of awkward just lying in bed with Kid checking up on me every once in awhile. My fever had gone down a lot but I was feeling awful. My throat was getting scratchy which made my voice sound more husky than it normally is. I never minded my slightly husky voice since it made me more boyish, but this voice wasn't something I planned to put up with. Unfortunately, Kid didn't seem understand that I did not want to talk... at all.

"You want ta play a game of poker, Cat? Or maybe I can get ya a pape ta read?" Kid suggested.

You're really pushin' my temper, Kid... "A game of poker sounds okay wit' me," I replied raspily.

Kid nodded and quickly pulled out a deck of cards from underneath a bunk. I had momentarily forgotten that the guys always had a deck of cards handy underneath their beds. How they have so many decks, I'll never know. I'm really hoping this will be a quiet game of poker. It might have been a better choice for him to get a pape; but I have a feeling if I asked him to do that, he might want to discuss headlines with me. Poker just seemed like a better choice.

"You want ta deal the deck?" he asked.

Read my facial expressions! If you ask anoder question, I am gonna punch you! I shook my head. Kid seemed to understand me now and preceded to shuffle and deal the cards. So far, no talking and I'm happy.

We played for several hours. At least, I think we did. I kinda fell asleep during one of the games, but I did wake up and finish it. After that game, Kid and Jack swapped places. I'm guessing Kid went out to hang out with the other guys while Jack checked up on me. Yay... I actually wanted to be left alone to sleep peacefully. There goes that nice nap.

"Hi, Jack," I greeted hoarsely.

"You sound awful," Jack commented and sat down on the bunk across from me.

I glared at him. No need to mention that.

He gave me a "heh heh sorry" look. Meh... yeah sure you're sorry. Just leave the patient alone. I pulled the covers over my head hoping Jack would get the picture and cheese it.

Creak.

Ah, finally. Jack understands me. Now to recover from this bothersome fever.