Noelle walked along the street, brooding, then looked up, finally realizing where she was. She stopped in mid-step, gazing across the street. Without even noticing Noelle had come to the border of Jack's territory and Cassie's. Noelle stood motionless for several long moments before squaring her chin and stepping off the sidewalk, disappearing into Cassie's territory.
Noelle walked boldly through the streets, not really knowing where she was going, only who she was looking for. After many long minutes of wandering, two forms materialized out of the shadows and blocked the sidewalk in front of Noelle. Before they spoke, Noelle pulled off her hat, letting her long hair cascade down around her shoulders. The two newsies paused, looking at each other for a split second before turning back to Noelle. "Are you new?" One asked.
Noelle smiled. "Sort of."
"Welcome to midtown. I'm Willow and this is Lexie." She said quietly.
Noelle nodded in greeting, spitting in her hand and shaking with both. "I'm here cause I need to talk to Cassie." Noelle said boldly.
This time the look between the two girls was longer as they held a rapid conversation. Finally Willow nodded and turned to face Noelle. "This way." She said, leading Noelle through the streets until they reached the lodging house. "Stay here." Willow said, pointing to the stoop before climbing up the stairs and disappearing into the building with Lexie. Moments later the door opened again and Noelle looked up, finding Cassie framed in the doorway. The word that first appeared into Noelle's head was height. Though Noelle herself was tall for a girl and Cassie stood only two or three inches taller, she seemed much bigger, as if she took up the entire doorway. Cassie descended the stairs and stopped in front of Noelle, her bright blue eyes meeting Noelle's. She's beautiful. Noelle thought, realizing that she had never thought Cassie would be pretty. But here she was, her jet-black hair shining under the streetlights and her crystal clear eyes meeting Noelle's.
Cassie smiled wryly. "So, you wanted to see me, huh?" She said, studying Noelle.
Noelle nodded. "I'm Noelle." She said, spitting into her hand and holding it out as Cassie did the same. As they shook, Cassie smiled, liking this girl already.
"What brings you to midtown, Noelle?" Cassie asked. "You're obviously not new 'round here."
"No, I'm not." She said, smiling slightly. "When Jack said I was almost as big of a pain in the ass as you are, I figured I should meet ya."
Cassie stiffened. "Jack Kelly?" She said, her eyes hardening.
Noelle nodded. "The one and only."
Cassie took a step forward. "You better explain yourself, and fast." She said, deadly quiet.
Noelle raised her hands. "I don't want no trouble."
"If you don't want no trouble, than why'd you come?" Cassie said between clenched teeth.
"Because there's somethin' you need to know, and Jack knew you wouldn't listen to him." Noelle said. She began the story, describing what she had figured out about what was going on. "Jack never hurt your girls, Cassie, I swear." Noelle finished.
Cassie stood in silence for several long minutes, thinking over everything that Noelle had said. "So what now?" She finally said, her gray eyes boring into Noelle's.
Noelle shrugged. "That's up to you." Noelle said, her face serious. "Do you want another truce with Jack? Because if you go into this alone…" Noelle shook her head. "There's no way to say what will happen."
Cassie eyed Noelle. "If you're lyin' to me…"
Noelle rolled her eyes. "You're a better judge of character than that, Cassie!"
The smile on Cassie's face broke into a grin. "Damn right." She said, stepping forward to clap Noelle on the back. "I like you, Noelle. And if you're the type of newsie that Kelly's hangin' 'round with, than maybe he's not so bad." She said, turning and heading up the stairs to the lodging house. "Come on, let's go talk to Jacky-boy."
Noelle followed Cassie up the stairs, a look of surprise on her face. "Now?"
"Sure, what better time?" Cassie asked over her shoulder as she entered the building. "Lexie, Willow, Lindsay, Belle, and Keeley, with me! We're goin' to pay Jack Kelly a visit!" She called out. In seconds Cassie's newsies were at her side, ready to go, complete with sober faces. Cassie looked them over, nodding in approval. "Let's go." She said, leading the group down the stairs and through the streets. As they neared the border, Cassie and her newsies grew more tense, even though Noelle tried to calm their nerves. After a few tries she gave up, focusing instead on what she was going to say to Jack when she returned with Cassie!
They finally reached the lodging house and Noelle paused in front. "Um, okay. Just…" She shook her head. "Just try not to get killed." She said grimly as she led the little group up the stairs.
Noelle entered first, gesturing for Cassie and her girls to stay outside the door for a moment. Jack looked up when she entered with a look of surprise. "So, you decided to come back." He said, standing up. "What are you gonna do now? Insult me and my boys?"
Noelle glared at him. "Jack, I'm really not in the mood for this." She growled. "I brought someone I think you'll wanna talk to." She said, holding the door open for Cassie and her girls to stride through. Upon their entrance the room grew deadly quiet, all the boys staring. Even Jack was speechless, though he was staring at Noelle in shock. She met his eyes boldly, holding them as he shook his head in amazement.
Cassie eyes took in every boy, including Bumlets and Racetrack. "What, no welcoming committee?" She asked, turning to Jack.
Jack blushed and stood, walking forward. "Thanks for coming, Cassie." He said, shooing some of his boys out of chairs and offering them to her and her girls.
Cassie shook her head, preferring to stand, when she knew she held an advantage with her height. "Your newsie Noelle convinced me to come see ya, Jack. She explained the whole situation." She said, not missing the quick look of surprise the Jack aimed at Noelle. "And I agree with her. We need an alliance."
Jack pushed all thoughts of Noelle out of his head and tried to focus entirely on what Cassie was saying. "We do?"
Cassie frowned with impatience. "Yes! If we want to end this, we need to join together and go up against Hunter."
"Go up against him? As in fight him?" Jack said, doubtfully.
"If that's what it takes." Cassie said, shrugging. "But I figure when he sees us together again he'll bugger out."
Jack thought about that for a moment and finally nodded. "All right. I agree with you." He said, spitting in his hand and holding it out to Cassie. Cassie grinned and returned the shake, sealing their union. "When do you suggest we do this?" He asked.
"Tomorrow." Cassie said, grinning mischievously. "Let's get him 'fore he knows what hit 'im."
Jack couldn't help but laugh. "Sounds great." He said, smiling. "It's been great doin' business with you Cassie." He said, inclining his head a bit.
Cassie laughed as well. "And you, Jack. You know," she said, glancing at Noelle. "You ain't as bad as I thought you were."
Jack was surprised, but had the presence of mind not to show it and just smiled. "Neither are you, Cassie."
Cassie nodded. "Tomorrow then." She said, nodding and turning abruptly, leading her girls out after a few quiet words to Noelle. Noelle walked them to the door, shaking with Cassie one more time before closing the door and turning to face Jack. She held his eyes for a few long moments before turning away and heading to her room, closing the door quietly behind her.
They gathered the next morning on the border of Jack and Cassie's territory, grimly greeting each other in silence and heading to the square where all three territories met. Noelle walked quietly behind Jack's newsies and several feet in front of Cassie's, wondering exactly what was going to happen. She sighed, refusing to think what Jack was thinking, even as her eyes flicked over to where he was walking. Was he glad she came back? Noelle shook her head, slightly regretting now how rude she'd been. A moment later Noelle straightened her shoulders and raised her chin. She wouldn't regret anything she'd done or said; she wouldn't change for Jack or anyone else! No matter how much she may want them to want her to stay.
The group paused just outside the square and Cassie strode forward to stand behind Jack, nodding before she turned and they both headed toward the square, their newsie forces following behind. They entered as a quiet army, causing the square to fall into silence, every eye trained on Jack and Cassie where they walked grimly next to each other.
It was only moments before Hunter had heard the news and whirled around, his mouth hanging open. Jack's eyes were hard as he and Cassie headed straight to Hunter. Hunter carefully veiled the fear that had begun to show in his eyes. "Jack." He said, taking a few steps forward. "What brings you here? And with Cassie?" He asked, glancing at her. "Word is your truce was dissolved."
Jack shook his head. "No more it ain't. Cassie and I are workin' together now. And we're here because 'a what you done."
Hunter put on a show of surprise. "What I done? What would that be?"
Cassie's eyes flashed. "You soaked my girls you bastard!" She said, lunging toward him but was restrained by Jack. He eyed Noelle who stepped forward and took Cassie's arm, drawing her back.
Jack glared at Hunter, moving over to stand next to Cassie, offering any physical support he could. "We know what you're tryin' to do, Hunter. But it won't work." Jack declared. "You won't take over out territory."
Hunter's face lost its innocent look. "You got no proof I did anything."
Jack smiled. "Oh really?" He said, crossing his arms across his chest. "Racetrack! Bumlets!" The two newsies threaded their way through the crowd and came up to stand next to Jack. When Hunter caught sight of them he paled visibly for a moment before pulling himself back together. "Remember them, Hunter? Oh but I forgot, you can't fight your own battles, you gotta send out your thugs to do the fightin' for ya."
Hunter's eyes flashed. "If I'm gonna fight, I do it myself." He said, clenching his fist together. "And I never touched anyone." He said.
"Liar." Noelle's quiet voice echoed through the square, meeting every ear. Hunter turned and really looked at her this time, his mouth dropping open in amazement and a touch of fear. "You fought me, remember?" Noelle asked, her hypnotic emerald eyes holding Hunter's. "Of course I'm sure you'd rather forget. But I won't." She said, her eyes hardening.
Hunter got a hold of himself and glared at Noelle. "Oh, I'll never forget you, you little bitch." He said, his voice trembling with rage. "I thought I'd gotten rid of you."
Noelle smirked. "You don't think I'd die from one little stab, would you?" Her face hardened. "You coward. How dare you pull a knife on me?!"
Hunter glared at her. "I could say the same thing to you." He said, his right hand moving unconsciously to his upper left arm. Jack was watching this exchange with amazement, staring at Noelle, his eyes wide.
Noelle's eyes flashed. "Don't you try to blame me." She said, ignoring Jack's eyes as they studied her and focusing purely on Hunter. "You're a bully, Hunter, that's all you are. And we're here to stop you."
"You can't." Hunter said, folding his arms across his chest. "Even both of you together ain't strong enough."
"How 'bout all three of us?" A voice called out. All eyes moved across the square, finding Spot Conlon leading his newsies toward them. He was smiling wickedly, knowing they'd won. "Hey Jacky-boy, Cassie." He said, greeting them with a grin. "Hey Noelle, how're ya doin'?" he asked, coming to stand next to her.
Noelle smiled. "Pretty good, Spot. And you?"'
"I'm doin' fine." Spot said, turning to face Hunter. "I'm ready for a good fight. How about you, Hunter? Are you ready to get soaked?"
At that moment, Hunter knew he'd lost. He looked from face to face and saw what had always been lost from his own heart--courage and determination. He stepped away, glaring at them all. "I'll get you for this." He growled, backing away.
Jack smiled. "Sure you will."
"If I see you or any 'a your boys outside your territory, Hunter, I'll soak ya!" Cassie called out.
Hunter glared at her before turning and hurrying away, his boys following. The newsies cheered, congratulating each other on their latest win. Cassie turned to Jack with a smile, spitting in her hand and holding it out. Jack grinned, shaking firmly. "Thanks, Jack." Cassie said, "This was real good 'a you."
"No problem, Cassie." He said, smiling. "And if you ever need me again, you know where to find me."
Cassie nodded. "You, too, Jack."
Jack smiled, glancing over and finding Noelle talking with Spot. He excused himself from Cassie and headed over to them, greeting Spot with a clap on the back and a smile. "Thanks a lot, Spot." He said, glancing at Noelle.
"Hey, my pleasure, Jack." Spot said, turning to face him. "We gotta get scum like Hunter off 'a our streets. And I'm glad Noelle's taken up with you. She's great, Jack. One 'a da best." He said, smiling over at her before leaving to talk to Cassie.
Jack turned to Noelle and studied her for a moment. "You never told me you know Spot." He finally said.
Noelle shrugged. "You never asked."
Jack shook his head, his hands in his pockets. "I don't think I'll ever understand you."
Noelle smiled. "That's what makes things interesting."
Jack smiled in spite of himself. "With you around, Noelle, things will always be interesting."
Noelle grinned. "That's the way it should be."
Jack smiled slightly, studying Noelle for a moment. "Thanks Noelle." He finally said, holding her eyes for a moment before turning to leave.
"Hey Jack," Noelle called out, causing him to turn and look at her expectantly. She paused for a moment and then spoke. "So do I get my own bunk or what?"
Jack looked at her for a minute and then smiled. "It'll be there for you whenever you want it." He said.
Noelle grinned. "Thanks, Jack." She said, turning to leave.
"Hey Noelle! Did you really pull a knife on Hunter?" Jack called out.
"Oh, didn't I mention that?" Noelle said over her shoulder. Jack shook his head as he watched her walk away, with a smile on his lips.
"Noelle!" Noelle turned her head and paused when she saw Cassie trotting over to her. "Good show, Noelle!" Cassie said, smiling when she reached her.
Noelle blushed, pleased with the compliment. "It wasn't anythin'."
Cassie shook her head emphatically. "No, it was you who sent Hunter over the edge. Before he saw you he thought he had everythin' sewed up." Cassie sighed. "Do you think he'll leave us alone?"
Noelle nodded. "Hunter's just a big bully. When you actually start to fight back he'll turn and run like the coward he is."
Cassie smiled. "I'm sorry you joined up with Jack before I had a chance with you, Noelle. I woulda been proud to have you as one 'a my newsies." She paused, thinking. "You sure you don't want ta change your mind? Come with us girls?"
Noelle smiled, touched. "Thanks, Cassie." She said sincerely. She paused, looking around her. "But I think I've found my family right here."