"Damn wind." Lane Carter cursed as she hopped onto the side of the Brooklyn bridge. She swung her feet out over the river as the glowing sun descended, turning the water an iridescent gold. Fallen leaves blew through the air as her messy black hair curled across her neck. November began the time of year she wished her feet were covered with shoes. She pressed her fingers into the worn brick until she could feel the indentations they had left in her skin. Back in Brooklyn for the holidays. It wasn't where she imagined she'd be, but there had been worse places.

"Hey, uh, miss?" a voice sounded behind her. She lowered her head, pretending not to hear the low pitch of the owners voice.

"Miss?" The voice sounded again, a new urgency there. She sighed and spun her head around, her green eyes fierce and unforgiving.

"Whada youse want?!" She demanded, her temper and accent slipping for the third time that day. There were three boys before her, as poor as her by the looks of them. The tallest looked out of place and ridiculous with a cowboy hat, the middle was the shortest, an Italian by his features, and a third, looking just as ridiculous with an eye patch.

"Is the damn circus in town?" She muttered, lifting an eyebrow. The short one let out a chuckle but stepped forward, his hands raised in defense.

"Hey now, we'se just wanted to make sure you weren't about to jump." He said, which explained their worried expressions. Jump? If she wanted to die her life had already given her plenty of chances to do that. She almost laughed out loud at the insanity of it. Almost. She swung her legs over and jumped to the pavement, flatting out her black skirt over her makeshift trousers. They were ragged, she noted, but would last the winter.

"You boys don't need ta worry about me, I'm just fine on me own." She assured them, turning and walking towards the distant Brooklyn skyline. The boys quickly caught up to her.

" I'se sure youse are, but we just wanted to help." He stated. Help. That word rang in her head, she never needed help, taking help meant defeat. She stopped, closed her eyes, and turned to face them.

"What is it exactly that youse boys want?" She asked, keeping her temper under control. The one with the cowboy hat stepped forward.

" Look, Me name's Jack Kelly, but youse can call me Cowboy," Lane chuckled at that one, of course, his nickname was Cowboy, very original.

"And this is Kid Blink and Racetrack." He said motioning to the two other boys. Lane crossed her arms and tried a smile.

"Well it was nice ta meet you boys, I'll be on me way then." Lane said turning on her heel.

"Wait!" Cowboy called after her once more. She lost it now.

"What do I have ta do ta get rid of youse!" She screamed at them, splaying her arms out in exhaustion.

"Just wanted to say if youse ever needed anything youse can count on the Manhattan newsies, come to our lodge house if youse ever get in a fix." Cowboy offered.

"I'll try to remember that." Lane muttered sarcastically. She turned to go yet again, breaking into a run before they could say anything more. She'd have to sleep in some back alley tonight. She hadn't eaten since this morning and was too shaky and annoyed to find a safer spot to crash.

The newsies just wanted some helpless damsel to save. They were pretty famous for picking up some run-away and getting her back on her feet. It's a miracle they ever had time to sell. Lane had had plenty of run-ins with the newsboys and she really didn't need another.

She turned a corner as she got off the bridge and stole behind some buildings. There was a cart in the back which looked like baking racks. If she was lucky, this was a bakery that would throw out stale bread come nightfall. She huddled her thin frame in between some crates and settled in for a long night. She'd figure out where to go in the morning.

The bright rays of morning came and slipped into the forgotten alley. The smell of fresh rye bread snaked behind the crates, waking Lane from an uncomfortable night. She stretched and looked around, growing angrier with herself in each passing moment. Not only had she missed her chance of a meal, but she over slept as well.

She stood and stretched, shielding her eyes from the blinding sun as got her bearings. She heard the bustle of the city waking and the familiar rumble of feet on wood, followed by a loud splash and cheers. She smiled to herself. That was the tell-tale sign of the Brooklyn newsies.

Lane slipped out of the alley and down to the water's edge a block away, sliding down by the rocks until she could reach the black water. She cupped a handful and splashed her face, wiping her cheeks. A blurry and wavy reflection showed a skin-and-bones girl with two dark slashes of eyebrow across her forehead, the wisps of her black hair falling like seaweed around her. She pulled the mane back into a make-shift bun and admired herself in the water. She wasn't much to look at but she was alive.

Look at me. She thought confidently. She'd been on the streets since she was 9 and though she did spend a short time with the newsies in her past, she didn't need them. She'd always survived on her own. A little time here, a little time there. She sighed and thought of the weather. November she had heard someone say. November 1899 it must be. That would make her 17 years of age. It wasn't a bad age but thoughts of settling down began to cloud her mind.

Lane had been called many things. No one but herself knew if Lane Carter was her real name. That's exactly how she liked it too. No ties. She didn't have to worry about upsetting anyone when she took off now and again. And she did have a habit of just taking off.

She heard a splash from further down the river again and pushed the thoughts from her mind. She had been away for a long time now and figured it was time to pay a certain 'king' a visit. She'd always preferred the Brooklyn newsboys to the other rag-tag groups. They were tougher, street-smart, and simply reminded her of herself.

Lane smiled as she made her way down to the third dock from the end. The East river sprayed icy water into the air as she turned and walked down the dock, her bare heels marking her entrance on the worn wood. A small red-headed boy she didn't know saw her coming and ran off with a squeak, obviously to tell the boys there was an intruder on their dock. . Sure enough a moment later Spot Conlon came into view, his gold-tipped cane out and his blue eyes burning with a premeditated hatred.

He was flanked by 10 other strong looking boys, most of which she recognized. They all looked determined to scare off the intruder. Lane saw this show of defense and smirked lightly, crossing her arms until Spot saw her.

"Mr. Conlon." Lane said quietly, but with an air of smugness. It had been about a year since she'd been back in the city, and Spot had grown up. His jaw was strong and well set and Lane could see lean muscles forming under his light shirt. Seeing him after so long hit her hard and the past year seemed that much longer.

"Lane Carter." Spot said dryly, his eyes betraying his voice as they lit with a show of his true happiness. The boys he was flanked by gave a chorus of 'hellos' but quickly went back to the edge of the dock, saving the catching up for later. As soon as they were gone Spot quickly moved to her and pulled her into a hug. She patted his back lightly, not used to this kind of human contact any more, and was sure he could feel the hesitation in her body. After a moment he backed her up at arm's length.

"How you been, kid?" He asked looking her over, and shaking his head. She punched him lightly, warning him to keep his eyes where they belonged.

"I married and am now sitting on the lap of luxury." She joked, motioning to her ragged and dirty clothes. Spot laughed, without restraint and it made Lane relax. He looked over his shoulder then turned her away from the docks.

"Let's head back to the lodge house to talk." He decided, wrapping his arm over her. She settled into the familiar warmth of his side and smiled, pulled his cane from his red suspenders and twirled it lightly in her hands. She had to admit. It was good to be back in Brooklyn.