Chapter 2

Davey tugged his hat onto his head as Les finished his breakfast. He had this feeling that something was about to happen. He shook his head as if he were trying to fling away the thoughts.

"Les, lets go, the bell probably already rang." Les nodded and pulled his own hat over his dusty brown curls. "Bye Ma, by Father!" With that, the two brothers bounded down the street towards Newsie Square, catching up to a boy in a familiar blue shirt.

This entire Newsies situation was still new to Davey, and he didn't like it. But he was doing what he had to do to get by, to feed his family. Since his father was laid off due to an injury during the trolly strike...

When he spotted Jack, he wasn't sure how to feel. Part of him was happy, and he other part kind of wanted to stay away for an odd reason he couldn't pin point. And then Davey noticed that Jack seemed a little oblivious. David snuck up behind Jack, putting a finger to his lips to silence Les. He wanted to see how long it would be before Jack noticed. It ended up taking 3 strange looks from street vendors, 4 alleyways, 9 unexpected stops, and 4 1/2 blocks before Jack turned his head to find Davey standing mere inches away. Davey could feel Jack's breath on his face for a split second before Jack instinctively slapped Davey.

"Ow!"

"Jesus Dave what the hell?" Jack screamed. "How long have you been there huh?"

"Four and a half blocks." At that, Jack rolled his eyes and gave Davey a shove.

Davey couldn't help laughing at Jack and putting his hands up in defense. "It's not exactly my fault that you're very oblivious," he said and glanced to his little brother. He couldn't believe that it had actually worked out how it did.

And that Les cooperated!

Les's laughing was cut short though, as Davey heard yelling coming from Newsies Square. People were angry. He looked over at Jack, who was already looking at him, and nodded in agreement. The last block was sprinted, Davey's head spinning. What were people shouting about? What was going on. He heard little phrases, like "What the hell? They can't be serious about this!" from Romeo, and "I'll have to sleep on the streets!" from Crutchie. As Davey finally reached the gate, he saw why everyone was angry.

"New what now?" Jack growled, making Davey a little terrified. "This has to be a joke."

Davey wasn't sure what to say. He knew that most things on the headlines weren't jokes, but he almost wouldn't put it past the world to play such a cruel trick on those who couldn't do anything about it.

For the moment, he stayed quiet as he looked between everyone else and the headline.

Then he felt fabric brush against his arm and he saw Jack slap down 50¢.

"I'll take 100 and be on my way," Jack said with a grin.

"100 will cost ya 60."

That's when everyone around Davey lost it. It wasn't a joke. Davey felt like he had been kicked in the gut. He looked up to see Jack's ink and dirt smudged face darken and contort with anger. Even the brown eyes on the short man that were usually kind and twinkling suddenly had a rage to them. And Davey's heart jumped. He couldn't explain why, why every time he saw that cocky, arrogant, kind boy his heart decided to race. Now was not the time though. Les was pushing people back, giving the now sitting Jack room.

Davey knew two things, one being that the price raise was ridiculous. How could they do this? To poor orphan boys already living on the streets, practically starving, baring through whatever weather conditions they have to just to make it to the next day, they do something like this. Hike up prices, and these kids will really be out on the street.

And two, Jack angry was not something that was a comforting sight. So he stood to the side and let Jack think it out. Davey had a few plans of his own in mind, but none that he was confident about in working.

Jack called everyone close. "Nobody goes to that window till the price is where it belongs."

But Davey needed to feed Les and his parents. They'd waited too long before finding work. He needed the money.

"Leave me out of this Jack, I gotta feed my family!" Davey knew it wasn't what actually wanted. He wanted to help, to be on Jack's side. But Les was 10. He couldn't go hungry. His father was sick, he needed money for the Doctor's bills.

"The rest of us are here on play time Dave? Come on. Why you here selling papes huh? Bet it's cuz your father can't work." Jack's words hurt, but were true.

"You can't strike though, you aren't a union." Davey could hear the coldness in his own voice.

"Well, what if I say we is?" was the reply that came from Jack.

That wasn't how it worked, at least Davey didn't think so. He couldn't blame these boys for their lack of education or politics, or anything of the sort. But it didn't make him any less defensive about it. He couldn't just stop working! His family, and Les...

"There's a lot of things you need to be a union," Davey argued, although he knew Jack would just retort, and he did.

"Like?"

"Like membership," Davey said. Which was true.

"...whaddaya call these guys?" Jack asked in reply, gesturing to the boys behind him. The boys waved.

"And officers," He said, started to accept defeat. Naturally, Jack was nominated. And he stood on a stack of newspapers looking over the crowd.

"Ey, who tells Pulitzer?" Everyone turned to look at Davey. What could he do? Those stupid brown eyes of Jack's were fixed on him, and damn it why did Davey all of a sudden want to fall at Jack's feet and do whatever Jack wanted? What the hell.

"I guess you do, Mr. President." And Davey relented. A small smile illuminating his face. Davey couldn't help the smile. Because the boys were so passionate, so ready to come together... and Davey couldn't help but also feel the absolutely anger that the other boys felt over the raise of the prices.

So he moved to join the boys, his hands still gripping the strap of his messenger bag rather nervously.

Jack looked at Davey and bent down. "No, we do."

Davey, in the heat of the moment, and a little more than drunk off of the energy Jack was emitting, stepped up next to Jack and yelled, "We got a union!" He leaned back and smiled awkwardly with his hands halfway out.

"Pulitzer and Hearst the think they got us. Do they got us?" Jack questioned the newsies. And just like that, Davey had helped start a revolution.

Davey was so much more into this than he ever thought he'd be as he shouted "No!" in response to Jack, right alongside the other boys.

Jack was most certainly a charismatic leader, and convincing with everything he did...and Davey started to wonder how Jack ever landed in a position like this. He wouldn't ask, though. Jack would tell him if he wanted to.

Before Davey knew it, he was right alongside Jack, up where they posted the headlines. Jack started pushing the man, grabbing the chalk. Davey put his hand on Jack's shoulder, and for a moment, Jack stilled. A moment of near silence at the electricity of the touch. Then Jack looked at Davey and started writing in big letters.

S T R I K E

Jack turned, grinning madly, and Davey swore he'd never seen a more beautiful sight.

"Pulitzer may own the world," Jack started.

"But he don't own us," Davey finished.

"Pulitzer may crack the whip."

"But he won't whip us."

Davey was absolutely mesmerized by Jack, but he couldn't focus on that. He let the rage of all the boys around him and his own fill him up, and he felt like with Jack by his side, he could take on the world.

This strike meant something to him, to all of them. And Davey would do whatever it took to keep it successful. He wouldn't stop until the Newsies had gotten what they deserved.

Shouts of "strike" filled the streets as the boys made their way to Jacobi's Deli. They had to spread the word and divvy up the turfs.

"Specs, Harlem. Race, Midtown. Elmer, Battery. Crutchie, Romeo, Woodside. Albert, Queens. Mush, Blink, Eastside." Jack seemed to be finished when he suddenly looked back up. "And Brooklyn."

Everyone, Davey included looked away from Jack, heads down.

"Oh come on, Spot Conlon's turf?" Jack looked around impatiently. "Fine. Davey, you and me."

Davey looked at Jack with wide eyes as two thoughts spread through his mind. He was panicked about taking Brooklyn, going to Spot Conlon's turf, because he had heard some things in the short time he had been working with the others.

At the same time, he felt total exhilaration at the idea of being with Jack somewhere again, working with him, together. Things were going to be...interesting, to say the least.

Especially when dealing with Spot Conlon.

Even if Davey protested, there was no getting out of this.

As they started out onto the street, Davey noticed how they were taking the back alleys and smaller streets. He wouldn't pester, especially after last night. After all the running. The meeting didn't take long either, and Davey had sent Les home, so it was just him and Jack. And it wasn't even supper time.

"Hey Davey, wanna grab a bite from somewhere?" Jack's voice was softer than it was in front of the other boys. More natural and muted. And that unfortunately led to Davey looking at Jack, for the 100th time in the last hour, and staring. "Uh, Dave?"

"Yes. I'm starving." Davey shook himself off. And promptly walked into a lady in a plum colored skirt.

Davey didn't know if he was more embarrassed about staring at Jack, or more embarrassed because he bumped into someone right in front of Jack. He immediately took a step back.

"I'm so sorry," he said and he hoped to god an apology would be acceptable and that he wouldn't have to worry about something horribly happening to either of them.

Okay, maybe Davey needed to slow his roll.

The woman however, seemed relieved. "I'm Katherine... Plumber from the Sun. I heard about the strike and I want to write a story on it."

Jack looked at Davey and grinned lazily, then to the lady. "What's the matta? Ain't you sure about your name?" Davey elbowed Jack, he didn't need to be anymore embarrassed then he already was.

"It's my byline. But I do have a few questions. Am I going to get answers?"

Davey looked between Katherine and Jack. He could already tell this was either going to go well or horribly wrong. Both seemed to have a level of sass.

"In all my days of papes, I ain't ever known of one written by a girl," Jack said and Davey elbowed him once again. But... he did have a point.

"Wake up, the game is changing!" Katherine nearly yelled.

"I say we save the story for a real reporter," Davey responded. Jack looked a little shocked.

"No one else cares!" She actually yelled. "Look, I know I'm new to this, and my beat is entertainment, but just give me a chance!"

Davey looked at Jack. Brown eyes met Davey's own. They were both in agreement. "Fine. Circulation gate. Tomorrow morning." Jack looked back to Davey. "Bring a camera."

Davey grinned, because he knew where this was heading. "You'll want a picture of this."

This was huge! If they could make a paper, spread the word about the strike to the other Newsies, then there was a chance! This could be their big moment! And Katherine would be able to get out too, do what she can to become a journalist.

Maybe, just maybe this wasn't a bad idea after all.

They waved Kath goodbye and continued on their way. Davey was lost in thought. Jack was a handsome, heroically, charismatic leader. But he was also cocky, skirt-chasing idiot at times. What was Davey supposed to do? He didn't understand these feelings he had around Jack. He didn't understand how Jack's smile made his heart leap, or why his eyes seemed to draw him closer than he should be to this boy.

"Yo earth to Davey," Jack waved a hand in front of his face. "You afraid?"

"No," Davey said a little too fast. "Yes. You?"

"Do I look scared?" Jack's cocky attitude taking over. "But ask me again in the morning."

Davey gave a small shrug at Jack's response and tilted his head. "We're... definitely doing something no one's done before... but we'll manage." They'd make it. He was almost sure of it.

If they just... if they could keep everyone together, keep them against the price rise and in the strike mindset.. and if Davey could get his mind off of Jack Kelly long enough to focus...

Davey looked at the clock on the side of the bank. 10:50. He was already out past curfew. His parents probably already locked the door and were asleep. With Sarah out of town, he didn't have anywhere to sleep.

"Yo Davey, you alright?" Jack put a hand on Davey's shoulder. "You out too late?"

"Yeah. Nowhere to sleep either." Davey sat down on the pavement, head in his lap. "I shoulda gone home earlier."

Davey moved his fingers through his hair, having taken off his hat to do so. Now he was probably worrying his parents and Les too, and that was never a good thing.

But he had just been so caught up in Jack... he still didn't understand why. It was like he was just...attached to him or something. Davey didn't know. But he did know that it frustrated him.

"Nowhere to sleep?" Jack repeated, and Davey nodded.

"Nowhere at all," Jack questioned. Davey looked up at him.

"I told you that.  No-" Davey stopped as he realized. Jack knew where he could find a bed. "I'm guessing you have a place."

Jack grinned and reached for Davey's hand, to help him stand. Davey took it, feeling every callous, every smooth patch, every blister. He felt the warmth of his friend's fingers lock with his own and he nearly fell over. With his hand in Jack's, Jack lead him to the lodging house for the newsies. But they didn't go inside.

"Uh, Jack, the door is this way isn't it?" Davey said, pointing in the opposite direction of where Jack was pulling him.

Davey was completely confused, but he just hoped there was a method to Jack's madness. Still, he was too amazed over the feeling spreading through him at the warmth of Jack's hand on his own.

He didn't question it again, mostly because he wasn't sure he'd actually get an answer from Jack.

When Miss Medda called him 'man of mischief', she certainly wasn't exaggerating...

(Co-written by APHTomatoSauce)