“¯Can it be can it Christine…. but I remember her.¯” Slowly opening the door and shutting it behind her she burst into song,

“¯Think of me think of me fondly when we’we've said good-bye.¯”

“Wha da-!” Race replied jumping.

“Tiger!” he shouted and picked her up in his arms and swung her around the washroom.

“I missed ya too Race.” She replied hugging him tightly. As the rest of the guys came in they reacted they same why Race did and were just as glade to see her.

“What the hell is goin on in dere?” roared Jack’s voice from the bedroom.

Quickly the guys hid Anna just as Jack came in. Glancing around the room he noticed the smirks on their faces.

“I’m goanna ask again what is goin on in heah?”

“Nofin Jack.” Blink replied turning back to the sink. A few minutes Anna came out of the washroom and some of the boy’s clothes.

“Well how do I look?” She asked hopping that Jack wouldn't’t recognize her.

“We might want ta git youse ovuh ta Medda’s.” replied Snipeshooter trying to hide his smile as were the other guys.

“Does it look dat bad?” she asked look at her self in a mirror.

“Oh dear where’s Rise and Emerald when I need dem?” She replied turning to the boys.

“They left and got married shortly after ya disappeared. Why don’t we git youse ovuh ta Medda’s.” Race replied and the four of them left for Medda’s. A few minutes later Medda and Tiger stepped out of a dressing room.

“Well guys what do you think?”

“I don’t even recognize `er.”

“Ya did a great job Medda tanks.” Tiger replied and hugged Medda and left with the guys to sell their paps.

“Where ave youse guys been?” Jack asked walking up to them and then saw Tiger. Whose de new guy?” he asked not realizing it was Tiger.

“Oh dis is Bruiser. Bruiser dis is our leaduh Jack Kelly.” Blink replied

“Nice ta meet ya Bruiser.” Jack replied and they spat shook.

“So wha made ya want ta becum a newsie?”

“Me fadduh jist died `an me mudder `an I need de money.” Jack studied her up and down then turned to leave, “Nice ta have ya back Tiger.” Jack replied with a smirk.

“It’s good bein` back Jack.” Tiger replied and she walked off with Blink.

“Hey Tiger will ya-“

“Wha?” Tiger asked picking up her papes.

“Nofin nevuh mind.” Blink replied and walked off with Race.

“Why didn’t ya ask `er out?” Race asked stopping him when they where out of hearing rang.

“I don’t know. I guess its jist dat she doesn’t know wha happin `an it jist doesn’t feel roight.” Race replied.

“Well den why don’t ya tell `er?”

“De same reason ya didn’t tell `er.”

“Dat’s true none a de guys loik ta see `er loik dat. So wha ya goanna do? She’s must know sooner or later.”

“Yeah I know.” Blink replied and started to sell his paps. A few months later Tiger walked to Tibbies to meet the rest of the newsies when one of the scabs from the strike knocked her to the ground causing her hair to come unpinned and fall to her shoulders. Quickly looking around she stuffed her hair back into her cap and continued to Tibbies. Suddenly she felt someone grab her. Freeing her self she was about to run when she heard a familiar voice behind her and she froze.

“So Anna ya tough ya could hide from me under this silly disguise?” the man asked yanking the cap off her head.

“What de hell are you doing here?" Anna asked ready to defend herself.

“I followed you here to ask you to reconsider my proposal.”

“Me answer is de same as it was before I left ya. NO!”

“It’s beyond me why you decided to leave such wealth to live in such filth and associate with street scum newsies.”

“De only scum and filth I see heah is youse.” She replied. Then with out warning she got back handed across her face. Although it stung she'd never give Scott the satisfaction of knowing he hurt her. Coming back she slugged him right in his mouth sending him flying.

“I see youse still got that fire in you. But it’s easy enough to destroy.” He replied pulling himself to his feet.

“There's nothing you can do or say to turn me way from here. The newsies are my family now.”

“Oh but there is you just don’t know about it. Your so called family have been keeping it from you ever since you came back.”

“Yer lyin de newsies would nevuh keep anyting from me.”

“Oh really? Have they ever told you where your boyfriend Mush is?”

“Dey told me dat he was stayin wid `is grandparents fer sumeting I’m not sure wha.”

“That’s not true he’s dead. He was jumped the night you left. When he brought Jack and the others back to where he’d left you two men jumped them. They injured the other four but Mush was killed.” He replied.

“`Ya lyin son of bi---.” She replied socking him again this time in his stomach.

“Ya actually thought ya could make me turn me back on me family by tellin me dat lie?” she cried.

“Don’t believe me ask him.” He chocked out pointing behind her. Turing she saw Race standing there, and before she could even asked him she saw it in his eyes everything she thought was true was all a lie and what she thought were lies where true.

“Tiger we didn’t tell ya cuz we knew youse be hoit.”

“So you lied to me? Race I trusted youse guys!” she replied tears streaming down her face and she pulled away from him when he tried to put his arms around her.

“If yer listening to this guy he isn't telling you the whole truth. He’s de guy who jumped us and killed Mush.” But Tiger just looked at him.

”Tiger ya got ta believe me.” Race begged but failed and watch in dismay as Tiger walked away with Scott.

“Once someone lies to you they never can be trusted again you know that Anna.” Scott replied.

“Tiger please don’t listen to him he’s jist playing off yer anger ta turn ya against us!” Race pleaded.

“Give me one good reason why I should believe you?”

“Because I care about ya I didn’t want ta see ya hoit.” Race replied wrapping his arms around. A second later Race was skidding against the sidewalk, and watched as Tiger walked away with Scott. A few months later Tiger saw herself in an alley fighting to get free when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her shoulder. Screaming out in pain she fell to the ground. A second later someone picked her up and draped her over their shoulder. Looking up she saw Mush, Race, Jack, Rise, and Emerald running after her but someone attacked them. Just before she blacked out the man stepped under the street lamp lighting up his face. Screaming Tiger bolted up in her bed. Braking out in a cold sweet she looked around the darkened room then lit the lamp next to her. Ever since she had left Race that day she had the same nightmare every single night and would wake up before she saw the mans face. A realization made her heart pound harder in her chest.

“How could I have been so stupid?” She chided herself. Then a chill ran down her spine as she realized something else.

“DE NEWSIES! RACE!” she exclaimed to herself. Once she got out of the house she made a beeline for the lodge. A few minutes later she was outside the lodge and saw the boys light on. Dashing up the outside stairs she was about to open the door when she heard a scream of pain. Quickly ducking into the shadows she saw a figure run out of the alley a short way down the street. Knowing it had to be Scott she waited until he had gone and then ran to the alley dreading what she would find. The moon just came out and she saw the out line of one of the newsies. Her hand flew up to her mouth muffling a scream. Falling to her knees the figure moaned and started to move.

“Oh my god Race!”

“Tiger is dat ya?” he asked weakly.

“Kin ya stand?” she asked helping him to sit up.

“I tink so.” He replied and Tiger helped him stand. As quickly as she could she helped him back to the lodge where he collapsed to the floor.

“RACE!” Tiger cried falling to her knees her body heaving with sobs. Hearing her cry the newsies thundered down the stairs and stopped dead when they saw Race.

“Oh Dear God!” Jack cried when she saw Race’s bloodied body.”

Snipeshooter help me git `im ta de spare room and Bumlets go git de docta.”

Jack replied and carried Race into the spare room. Tiger stayed at Race’s side until the doctor came in.

“You’ll have to leave now young lady.” The doctor replied setting his bag down on the nightstand.

“No I won’t leave him.” She replied gripping the blankets.

“Anna please ya ave ta leave so de docta can help Race.” Jack pleaded with his sister.

“NO! I won’t leave until I know he’s goanna be all right.” She shouted glaring at Jack.

“Tiger please de docta can’t do anyting until ya leave.” Blink replied wrapping his arms around her and tried to pull her from the bed.

“The more time we spend fighting with you we're taking away from the time that could be used to save your friend.” The doctor replied and Tiger reluctantly let go of the blankets and let Blink lead her out of the room. But no soon had he let go of her she ran back to the room but the doctor and had shut it. Slowly sliding down the door she pounded and begged to be let into the room.

“Tiger please use got ta stop dis or yer hoirt ya self.” Dutchy replied but she wouldn’t budge.

“Tiger we know how ya feel but please stop beatin yerself up wid it. It hoirts us ta see loik dis.” Crutchy replied wrapping his arms around her. Claming herself down she slowly got to her feet she was suddenly over come with dizziness and she collapsed to the floor.

“Tiger!” several newsies shouted.

“She’s fine.” Blink replied scooping her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs and to her room.

“Blink could ya stay wit me fer a little bit?” she asked half wake.

“Sure.” Blink replied kicked off his shoes and laid down next to her. As hard as she tried she couldn’t sleep. In her fitful sleep she woke up Blink.

“What’s de mattuh Tiger? Why can’t ya sleep?”

“I’m just so worried about Race. I shoulda listened ta him. But I was so mad at him fer keepin dat from me dat I didn’t, `an now look wha happin.” She replied burying her face in his chest.

“Oh Tiger dis ain’t yer fault Race was jist in de wrong place at de wrong toim.” He replied putting his arms around her trying his best to comfort her. Just then Jack came in and saw them together.

“NO! You don’t understand Scott cornered me a while ago and told me what happened to Mush. I was so mad at Race fer not tellin me dat I didn’t listen ta him when he told me dat Scott was de one dat jumped dem when dey came ta get me de noight I ran away.” Just then Jack came into the room.

“Jack I know dis don’t look good but-“

“Race is awake `an wants ta see ya Tiger.” Tiger jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs Blink followed her but Jack stopped him at the door.

“I don’t want ta eva see youse two loik dat again.”

“Sure Jack.” Blink replied and walked out the door.

“Oh dear god!” Tiger whispered. Race’s whole body had cuts and bruises and his left of his eye was covered.

“Tiger dat ya?” he asked weakly.

“Yeah Race it’s me.” She replied swallowing hard and walked to the side of the bed and sat down.

“Scott did dis ta ya didn’t he?” she asked.

"Yeah.” But the way he replied Tiger could tell he was hiding something.

“What’s de mattuh Race? I can see it in yer eyes.”

“He said dat if ya didn’t go back ta im dat Blink would be next `an den Jack.”

“Dis is me all me fault. Race I’m so sorry I shoulda listened ta ya befer.” She replied tears running down her face and she buried her face in his chest.

“No it isn’t I shoulda told ya bout Mush when ya came back.” He replied wrapping his arm around her as best he could.

“Why didn’t ya tell me ya know I-I-“ but she turned away from him.

“I know ya did Tiger and I shoulda told ya but I didn’t cuz I hate it when ya cry `an I’d feel worse if I made ya cry.” He replied putting his hand on her shoulder.

“Hey Tiger five minutes til lights out.” Kloppman replied.

“If ya don’t mind I’m goanna stay heah wit Race tanoight.” She replied whipping her tear stained face.

“No Tiger ya really should git sum sleep. I’ll stay wit `im.” Blink offered walking into the room

“No I’ll-“

“No Tiger ya really should go ta bed I don’t mind dat Blink stays.” Race replied weakly smiling.

“All right see ya tamorrow Race.” She replied getting to her feet and kissed him and Blink goodnight.

“Night Tiger sweet dreams.” Race replied quietly as she walked out.

“You all right Anna?” Kloppman asked.

“I jist so scared dat Scott will cum afta de rest a de newsies I don’t know what ta do.” She replied looking up at the old man.

“Ya could pray bout it dat helps me when I’m worried about something.”

“I aven’t done dat since me parents died.”

“Maybe its high time you started again.” Kloppman replied giving her a bear hug.

“Tanks Kloppman I feel bettuh.”

She replied hugging him back and ran up the stairs to her room. Later that night Jack was awakened by a sudden scream. Bolting up in his own bed he knocked it on the bed above him. Rubbing it he walked across to Tiger’s room where he found her in a cold sweat sitting up in bed.

“Are youse all right Tiger?” He asked sitting down on the bed next to her.

“Jist hold me Jack.” She replied moving closer to him. They sat there for a few minutes with out talking and Jack tried to leave but Tiger wouldn’t let him. “Tiger it’s late and I’m tired now what de mattuh dat ya won’t let me go back ta bed?”

“I always want ya close ta me. Don’t evuh leave me.” She replied

“Why on earth would I leave ya?” he asked with a confused look on his face

“Stay wit me ta night?” she asked looking up at Jack.

“Course I will.” He replied and slipped under the covers next to her. Laying her head on the pillow she soon fell asleep. Smiling to himself he wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “I love ya Anna.” And he gently kissed her cheek and soon fell fast asleep.

As in response she moved closer her to him and murmured something he didn’t quiet hear. The next morning Tiger woke with a start and nearly fell out of bed waking Jack.

“What are ya doin-?“

“Don’t worry youse had a nightmare `an asked me ta stay wit ya. Remember?” Pulling herself to her feet she gathered her clothes and went to the washroom then went down to see Race.

A few weeks later Race was much better and the doctor said that he would be back on his feet in a few days. But on this particular morning when Tiger opened the door to the spare room,

“AAARRRGGGGGH!” came a scream that woke the guys that where still sleeping who half ran half stumbled down the stairs.

When they got to the spare room a horrible sight meet their eyes.

“Oh dear god no!” exclaimed Crutchy he replied backing out of the room and backed into the rest of the newsies.

“What de hell is wrong wit youse Cru-? Tiger!” Dutchy shouted pushing his away through the newsies.

“Cum on Tiger wake up.” He pleaded carefully lifting her into his arms.

“Dutchy dat -?” but she was cut off by a sharp pain bellow her neck.

“Yeah it’s me Tiger. Are youse all right? What happin?” he asked helping her to her feet but she collapsed into his arms.

“I came in heah `an found Race `an Blink on de floor wit gun shot wounds in- NOOO!” she screamed again and passed out in Dutchy’s arms.

“Oh dear god!” Jack muttered when he saw Blink and Race down on the floor blood pooling around them.

“I’ll git de docta.” Boots replied and ran out of the room.

“Snipe see if Race is still alive.”

“Snipe where’s Tiger?” Asked Race.

“She came in heah `an found youse two loik dis `an passed out. Dutch took `er back up stairs.”

“Git `er I want ta tell `er I-“ but before he could finish a steady stream of blood ran from the corner of his mouth and his body relaxed. Removing his cap Snipeshooter closed Race’s eyes,

“Good-bye brother.” Snipe replied quietly picking up Race’s body and laid him on the bed and pulled the sheet over him.

“How’s Blink?” he asked brushing away tears.

“Damn it Snip how should I know I’se not a doctuh.” Jack replied pressing his bandanna hard against the wound.

“Gees Jack wha de hell are ya doin?” Blink asked squirming in pain.

“Jist stay still before I make ya. Bumlets help Snip with Race and what ever ya do don’t let Tiger see ya.” As the minutes passed Blink started to slip away.

“We’ve had sum great toims huh Jack?” Blink replied his breathing was shallow and tears of pain glistening in his eye.

“Yeah we’se sure have Kid. Now shut up befer I make ya.” Jack choked out trying to hold back his own tears, as did the rest of the newsies.

Just then the doctor came in, “Is there some where I can better examine him?” he asked and Jack, Dutchy and Bumlets carefully carried him up the stairs and laid him the boys’ room.

After what seemed like an eternity the doctor came out of the room.

“How is he doctuh?” Jack asked.

“I won’t lie to you. Although the bullet missed his heart by inches but it was close enough that he doesn’t have very much time left. I gave him something for the pain but that's all I can do. You can go in if you like. But he asked me to look at a girl he thinks she hurt herself.”

“Yeah I’ll show ya ta `er.” Crutchy replied and lead the doctor up to Tiger’s room as the others went back with Blink.

A little while latter with the help of Dutchy she walked over to the boys’ room. When she entered the room she saw that the newsies had taken off their caps, and stepped aside as Tiger walked into the room.

“Tiger I-“ Dutchy started to say.

“If ya don’t mind Dutchy I’d loik ta be alone. I’ll see ya later.”

“Yeah sure.” Dutchy replied walking out of the room and shut the door behind him. After Dutchy had left Tiger stud there in the room just staring at Blink. She had never seen Blink seem so fragile and helpless before.

“De is all me fault I shouldn’t ` ave gone wit Scott.”

“Tiger it’s not yer fault dere was no way dat youse couldn’t ave know. Yer back wit de newsies now dat wha mattuhs de most. Right?”

“I jist I didn’t want ta be heah wit out-“ She broke off into tears.

“I know Tiger we all miss him.” Blink replied doing his best to wrap his arms around her until she calmed.

“Thank you Blink I could always-Blink? BLINK!” she shouted and cried even harder than before. After she had claimed down she walked out to tell the other newsies.

“He-He’s gone.” She replied sinking to the ground her body shacking with sobs. Dutchy knelt down beside and wrapped his arms around her trying comforting her.

“Wh-Where’s Race?” she asked as Dutchy helped up to her room.

“Tiger he didn’t make.” he replied.

“NOOO!” she screamed and ran out of the lodge.

“Tiger wait!” Dutchy called and ran after her. A few hours later Dutchy came into the boys’ room and everyone looked up.

“I couldn’t find `er, she gone.”

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