Disclaimer: all characters appearing in the movie Newsies are Disney’s and I use them without permission, but I do not intend to make any money with this story, so sueing me would be pointless, especially considering my pathetic financial situation. This story was written for the Carnegie Hill Lodging House, meaning the girls’ characters don’t belong to me either. However, Mayhem and Leadpipe are mine, the latter being an inspiration from Caleb Carr’s “The Alienist”, and you may not use them without my permission. The same goes for Dash, Bailey and Pitch, who were created by Slick, Blaze and me.
Be warned, I would deem the story PG13, because of some swearing, violence and hints to sexual intercourse.

This is dedicated to Relic, Jade and Blaze for their wonderful proofreading, and to Blaze and Slick in particular for always stimulating my creativity, which means they constantly kicked my butt to make me write more. Thank you guys!

“I know ya just wanna help, Jade, but I really should do these files on my own. If the board found out I let someone else tamper with ‘em they’d fire me faster than you could say 'Shimmer loves cheese'.”

Jade smiled at Bailey while they carried the groceries for the weekend towards the Carnegie Hill lodging house.

“Alright,” she sighed. “But let me know when you get tired of them. You have a lot on your hands with the bunch of us as it is.”

Bailey grinned and was just about to say something when they met Jack and Racetrack at the lodging house door.

“Heya Sweets,” Jack greeted his girlfriend and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Lemme carry those.”

“Thanks,” Jade sighed contentedly when he relieved her of the heavy paper bags. She held the door open for him to go through.

Race ducked his head under Bailey’s stare. “Er, ya know I’d love ta help ya wid dose, but I got dis terrible back...” He quickly vanished inside. Bailey shook his head with amusement and followed him, going directly into the kitchen.

He frowned at it’s deserted state. Right at that moment someone should be peeling potatoes and stoking the fire. He walked over to the list to make sure whose turn it was.

“Jade?”

Her head popped inside. “Yes?”

“Would ya please get Mayhem and Hex down here, it’s their week ta help in the kitchen.”

Right then Hex walked in, cheeks a bit flushed. “I’m so sorry Bailey, I didn’t realize it was dat late; today Pie an’ I sold over at da harbor, I never thought it would take so long ta get back...”

“It’s okay,” Bailey grinned while unpacking the purchased goods, “You’re gonna have ta answer thirty hungry hyenas for this, not me.”

Hex hurried to get the bucket of potatoes and a knife. “Where’s Mayhem?”

“I’ll go upstairs and get her,” Jade offered.

But she couldn’t find Mayhem anywhere in the house. Jade even looked in the library, although Mayhem was never known to even set foot in there. To her amazement she saw Leadpipe in the boys’ bunkroom. Usually he and Mayhem were inseparable.

“Hey, have any of you seen Mayhem?”

Leadpipe just shrugged.

Bet he knows exactly where she is now, Jade thought angrily. She couldn’t understand why anyone perfectly able to talk would refuse to ever utter a single word. On the day of their arrival Mayhem had made clear that she had no qualms beating up everyone who dared making fun of Leadpipe’s self-imposed silence. And after she had cracked two of Backfire’s ribs and bloodied his nose when he had dropped a careless remark the newsies had learned just to live with Leadpipe’s unusual behavior.

When she entered the kitchen again Bailey and Pie Eater were busily peeling potatoes and washing carrots while Hex stirred in a pot on the stove.

Jade sat down and frowned. “That’s not fair.” Bailey looked up.

“It’s okay, Jade, I’m sure she just forgot.”

“That’s not true, and you know it,” Jade protested. “Everyone but her obeys the rules!”

Bailey just shrugged, which made Jade even more furious. “And it’s not the first time, either! Yesterday Leadpipe decked the table for her, and she didn’t even once bother to sweep the bunkrooms last week!”

“I’m gonna talk to her, okay? No need to get upset.”

Jade crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I don’t wanna be such a grump. But it’s just not fair that she takes advantage of you just because you are a nice guy.”

“Ugh, that was a low blow, Jade,” Bailey grinned, acting as if she had just stabbed him in the heart. “Don’t worry, I’m not nice enough to let someone walk over me. I’ll talk to her as soon as she gets back.”

The lobby emptied itself slowly as the curfew drew nearer, the newsies retreating to their bunkrooms to play and talk some more before going to bed. Jade and Jack stayed sitting on the couch. Bailey raised his eyebrows at them.

“The curfew should go for you too, ya know.”

Jade smiled slightly. “I think we’re staying just a little longer.”

Bailey sighed inwardly. He’d rather have talked to Mayhem without any spectators. Jade would make sure he didn’t let Mayhem get off the hook, that was certain. The minutes stretched while they just sat there, waiting.

Jade had snuggled into Jack’s arms and was close to falling asleep while he softly caressed her hair when the door clicked open. Mayhem walked inside silently, stopping with a start when she saw the three on the couch.

“I didn’t think anyone’d still be awake.” She began to make for the stairs.

“Er, May, I’d like ta talk to ya about something.” Damn, I’m bad at this authority stuff, Bailey thought uncomfortably. Jade blinked at them, sleep still in her eyes.

Mayhem turned around slowly. “What?”

“Um, ya missed ya kitchen chores taday. Again. And the curfew’s over, too. Ya should have been home over an hour ago.”

“Oh. Sorry. Thanks fer pointin’ it out to me.” Mayhem turned towards the staircase again. By this moment Jade was fully awake.

“If you want to live with us in this lodging house you have to mind the rules like everyone else!” she snapped, ignoring Jack’s soothing hand on hers.

Mayhem sighed. “I know. Jist had a lot on my mind lately, is all.” She glanced up and looked the other girl straight in the eye. “I’m really sorry.” Jade saw the weariness in Mayhem’s features and felt a slight twinge of remorse at her outburst. Bailey spoke up again.

“I guess ya should wash and dry the dishes tomorrow night on top of your normal chores to make up for it.”

For a second something flashed in Mayhem’s eyes, but then she bowed her head. “Alright. Seeya tamorrow.”

At that she climbed the stairs and vanished.

“Bet ya two bits she won’t set a foot into da kitchen tamorrow,” Jack chuckled.

Jade smiled. “You’re on.”

To his immense surprise Jack lost his bet. Mayhem showed up early and silently peeled potatoes and sliced vegetables while Hex minded the fire. She usually liked to chat with the other girl over their chores, but that night her mouth seemed sealed shut. After the meal she cleared the table with Leads’ help and started to wash up.

When Bailey walked into the kitchen she was scrubbing a frying pan as if her life depended on it. He chuckled.

“Careful, ya might break it, ya know.”

The glare she shot in his direction showed him his attempt to joke was not appreciated. Mayhem dried the rest of the plates and turned to him, her eyes dark with impatience.

“Was that it? I really need to go now.”

Bailey frowned. “Ya still wanna go out? The curfew is due in half an hour!”

She evaded his eyes. “I know, but I gotta settle sumpthin’.” When he nodded his consent she darted out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind her.

Bailey sighed and started to calculate the budget for the next week’s meals. He was still at it when Jade stormed inside, blazing with rage.

“She still hasn’t come home yet! And it’s already half past! I’m tired of waiting up for her!”

Bailey didn’t need to ask whom Jade was referring to. “It’s okay, Jade, I’ll wait for her. And I’ll make sure she’ll be on time in future. I promise.”

Jade shot him a doubtful look. “Alright,” she grumbled, not at all convinced, but she retreated to the girls’ bunkroom without another word after helping Bailey to extinguish the lights in the rest of the house.

Bailey went to bed, meaning to give Mayhem the chance to come home unnoticed and get a good night’s sleep before he confronted her in the morning. He had seen the look in her eyes and sensed that something was troubling her, but he didn’t want to meddle with her affairs, sure her absence had something to do with it.

He woke up in the middle of the night, dimly aware that he had heard something. After lighting a gas lamp Bailey went to the lobby to check, surprised by a small dot glowing in the darkness. Mayhem was sitting on the staircase, smoking a cigarette.

“What do ya think you’re doing?” he whispered while walking over to her.

She looked up, startled by his sudden appearance, then concentrated on examining the floor at her feet again.

“I really needed a smoke.”

He noticed the hand holding the cigarette was shaking slightly and started to worry. She had never looked that unraveled to him. “Where have ya been, May? What happened?”

Mayhem smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Nothin’ happened. I just broke up with Buck. An’ he wasn’t too happy about that.”

She flinched as Bailey held the lamp nearer to reveal an ugly bruise shining on her face. Bailey felt red anger rise inside him.

“What kind of an asshole would hit a girl?”

Mayhem chuckled dryly. “I always fall for da lowest scum dere is, and nothin’ I can do about it.”

She snuffed out her cigarette and put the butt in her pocket. “But if ya think my shiner’s bad, you should see his. Won’t be able ta look outta his eyes tamorrow, da stupid bastard.”

Bailey sat down beside her. “I’m sorry about this, May.” Mayhem glared at him.

“I don’t need ya pity!”

Bailey couldn’t suppress a smile. “I know. Bet ya made this Buck regret he ever laid hand on ya. I’m just sorry there are guys like him at all.”

Mayhem stared at him, dumbfounded. He continued to speak, uneasy under her gaze. “Er, maybe you should go ta sleep now.”

Her eyes were still fixed on him. “I don’t wanna go ta sleep. You go, I know ya gots a lot ta do an’ stuff in da morning.”

He could almost see her eyes glowing in the darkness, like those of a cat. I should leave before it’s too late.

“Um, no, I guess I could sit here with you a little longer, make sure you don’t burn down the house...”

Mayhem still stared at him. “I ain’t smokin’ anymore.” Bailey could feel his face blush slightly.

“Oh, right. Do ya want me ta go, then?” he tried to joke to hide his embarrassment. Mayhem smiled.

“No.”

Bailey saw a shimmer cross over her face, and the next moment he felt her lips on his, her right hand softly caressing his cheek. Giving in to the feeling he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Mayhem let her fingers run through his soft brown hair. After a while he accidentally brushed against her bruise, causing her to wince. Bailey broke the kiss hurriedly.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Mayhem smiled slightly and leaned in for another kiss, but he backed off and stood up, his eyes averting hers.

“I really think you should go to bed now.”

Mayhem arched her eyebrows. “Oh really?” As he didn’t answer her face grew cold.

“Ya got a goil?”

Bailey let out a short wry laugh. “No. I just don’t think we should be doing this right now.”

“Ya think.” Mayhem got up to her feet and glared at him. “Maybe sometimes people like you shouldn’t think as much!”

She wanted to kiss him again so much it hurt, but she knew when she was being rejected. Without a glance back Mayhem climbed the stairs and vanished.

Bailey looked after her and sighed, his head still spinning with what they had done. How on earth had he gotten himself into this? If anyone found out he had a relationship to a girl he was supposed to be caring for like a guardian, all hell would break loose!

And yet he could still feel her soft lips on his, breathe her scent. See her sparkling green eyes smile at him.

Bailey went into his room quickly and flung himself onto the bed, sleep evading him for a long time that night.

Mayhem groaned as someone who had stepped on her arm rudely awoke her the next morning.

“Goddammit, Dub, watch where ya goin’!” she growled, trying to hide her head under her pillow. Dublina smiled apologetically.

“Sorry. But ya really should get up now, da presses are rollin’!”

She laughingly evaded Mayhem’s smacking hand and walked into the washing room. Mayhem had just turned around once more when someone else disturbed her effort to go back to sleep.

“Hey Mayhem, getupgetupgetup! Time ta carry da bannah! Ya want everyone else ta eat breakfast for ya?”

Mayhem blinked at Bubbles’ annoyingly cheery voice. “I’m comin’,” she grumbled and slowly got out of bed. On her way to the washing room she met Jade.

“Had a long night?” Mayhem cringed under the other girl’s scrutinizing gaze. She mumbled something and quickly vanished into one of the stalls. Jade shook her head and went downstairs with the others.

Although he was a little nervous about seeing her again after the last night, Bailey was disappointed when Mayhem didn’t come to breakfast. She usually never missed a meal; just like most of the other newsies she had already endured hunger in her life, and was glad for every opportunity to eat, even if it was just the oatmeal mush Bailey prepared for them in the morning.

After the table had been cleared again by Sorrow and Blaze the newsies prepared to go off to sell, and Mayhem came down just in time to leave with the group. All Bailey saw of her was a short glimpse when she walked outside with Leadpipe.

“Please sir, buy a pape? Me little bother needs some medicine!”

Mayhem tried to look desperate and helpless, but couldn’t stifle a yawn. The man she had addressed looked at her with disgust.

“Go find a decent job, you lazy brat.”

Mayhem glared at him, tempted to teach him a little more respect towards women, but at that moment a police officer was strolling by. The headlines hadn’t been very good that day, but enough people had bought her pathetic story to leave her with a little profit. She was tired of peddling papers and decided to quickly get rid of the few she had left at the distribution office before finding Leadpipe.

She couldn’t help a grin when she saw him sitting on a flight of stairs with a girl he had no doubt sold a paper to. Leadpipe always chose his customers well, knowing that he had to use other powers of persuasion than his voice. He managed to sell all his papers on most days, to Mayhem’s never-ending amazement. The lonely women of New York seemed just to have waited for him to come to sell them newspapers and lend a sympathetic ear.

Mayhem cleared her throat as she approached the two, and Leadpipe’s face lit up almost invisibly. Mayhem grinned.

“Sorry ta distoib ya two, but we need ta get goin’, or Jade will have my head on a platter if I miss da kitchen chores again.”

The girl sighed and smiled at them. “Yes, I should be goin’, too. Mrs. Brooke’s gonna throw a tantrum if she don’t get these soon.” She grabbed a bag with fresh vegetables and stood up.

“It was very nice talkin’ to ya, um, I don’t even know ya name!” The girl laughed embarrassingly. Mayhem pulled Leadpipe to his feet, antsy with impatience.

“His name’s Leadpipe, an’ he really needs ta go now. Bye!”

She started to walk. Leadpipe took the time to plant a small kiss onto the girl’s hand before taking off after Mayhem. The girl stared after them for quite some time before going her way.

They walked beside each other in silence. That day Mayhem wasn’t in the mood to tell Leadpipe how selling had gone for her, or joke around like she usually did. The oncoming confrontation with Bailey weighed on her mind. Leadpipe looked at her thoughtfully. He gestured toward the bruise shining on her face.

Mayhem looked up in confusion. “Huh? No, I broke up wid Buck, he should be off me back now.”

Aware that he still gazed at her she smiled at Leadpipe. “Nothin’s the matter. I jist got home late, an’ I’m pretty tired, is all.”

She quickly entered the lodging house and steered towards the kitchen, determined to act as casual as possible. If Bailey didn’t want them to get any closer that was fine by her, and she surely wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of mooning after him. To her relief he wasn’t present when she entered the room.

Hex and Mayhem started to fix dinner together, and were laughing and joking when Bailey and Jade entered the kitchen.

Jade sniffed the air suspiciously. “Mayhem Powell, have you been smoking in here?”

Mayhem gave her the most innocent look she could manage, which wasn’t very convincing. “Who me? Never! Can’t bear cigarettes.”

Jade frowned at her and left, and as soon as she was out of the door Hex handed Mayhem a burning cigarette seemingly out of the air. Bailey chuckled.

“Impressive trick, Hex, but I don’t think anyone should be smoking in the kitchen.”

Mayhem acquiesced and snuffed out the cigarette before she resumed cutting some onions.

“Lemme help ya with those,” Bailey offered, and sat down beside her. Mayhem looked at him in puzzlement. Both of them having pushed up their sleeves their bare arms touched lightly, and she could feel her skin starting to prickle at that spot.

“I think ya should rather help me peel them stupid potatoes,” Hex grumbled, and Bailey grinned.

“Alright.”

He remained sitting next to Mayhem, however. She was thoroughly confused now. If he ain’t interested in me, why does he behave like dis?

Bailey himself wasn’t sure about that, either. He just had the strong desire to be close to her. An’ after all, we’re just workin’ together, right? Just like with all the other kids. But he couldn’t help notice that despite her comparatively small stature she was not a child anymore. Not at all. He found himself wondering how old she was, and quickly dismissed the thought.

When they were done with preparing dinner Mayhem was almost glad to get out of his presence, since his nearness made her slightly nervous and excited her at the same time. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep up just acting casual around him, so she rather escaped being near him until she would have built up a defense against these aggravating feelings.

Bailey had noticed her hurried exit, and felt a slight twang at this. Well, no wonder she doesn’t wanna be around me anymore, after the way I treated her last night.

Mayhem lay on her bunk staring at the ceiling with empty eyes while the other girls were still busy chatting and preparing themselves for bed before Jade would call lights out.

A phrase thrown randomly into the conversation caught her attention.

“...well, ya know, da way he looked at Mayhem tonight...”

Her head snapped up. She pinned Hex with a glare.

“What?”

Hex smiled at her, not in the least intimidated. “Aw c’mon Mayhem, da way Bailey acted in da kitchen tanight ya gotta admit he’s got somethin’ goin’ for ya!”

Mayhem snorted. “Don’t be stupid. He ain’t interested in me.”

“So ya wish he was?” Sunshine giggled. Mayhem’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“I didn’t say dat! He ain’t my type anyway.”

“Oh really?” Sorrow raised her eyebrows. “An’ what would your type be?”

“Dunno,” Mayhem shrugged. “Jist nothin’ like him. An’ nothin’ like a certain Delancey I know.”

“Yer lucky it ain’t!” Sorrow laughed and threw her pillow at Mayhem, but before a real fight could ensue Jade walked in and extinguished the lights.

Everyone’s breathing had calmed down, but Mayhem lay in her bed, restless. She could see Bailey’s hazel eyes smiling at her every time she closed her own, and she missed his strong arms around her. When she heard a clock chime twelve she rose from her bunk, sighing, and decided to get a glass of milk from the kitchen.

Careful not to make a sound she slipped out of the girls’ bunkroom and descended the three flights of stairs down to the first floor. To her frustration there wasn’t any milk left from the breakfast, and the milkman wasn’t due for another five hours. She settled for a glass of water instead and returned to the lobby, nestling on the couch while sipping at her drink.

Bailey entered her mind again. She wondered if he was asleep. Bet he looks cute while he’s sleepin’.

As she sat there deep in thought a hand softly touched her shoulder, startling her out of her reverie. She sighed with relief when she saw it was Bailey, and shot him a glare.

“Goddammit, ya scared me half ta death!”

He smiled apologetically and sat down beside her.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. Why ain’t ya in bed?” he asked frowning. She shrugged. There was no way she’d tell Bailey she had been thinking about him.

“Jist couldn’t sleep. How ‘bout you?”

Bailey shrugged in return, trying not to notice the way her hair shone a deep black in the dim lamplight. He still felt uncomfortable about the way they had parted the night before and decided to try and straighten the matter out.

“Listen May, about what I said the other night, ya know,” he stopped when she interrupted him impatiently.

“Ferget about it, okay, Bailey? You were right, it would never have woiked, we’re jist too different, and yer not my type anyway, so let’s just be friends, alright?”

God, how I hate this phrase, she thought angrily, but she wanted to get away from this unpleasant subject as fast as possible. If he didn’t want them to be close that was fine by her, but she didn’t feel like hearing him rubbing it in just another time, let alone discuss the matter any further. Over and done with, and quickly move on.

Bailey swallowed. “Okay,” he said, hoping his voice didn’t betray any of his disappointment. Mayhem wearily laid her head onto the couch. Lacking her usual liveliness she had never looked as frail to him as then. He wished he could take her into his arms.

“So ya couldn’t sleep,” he remarked quietly. She turned towards him and nodded.

“Maybe ya would feel a little sleepy if I held ya a bit. Jist as a friend.”

Time seemed to stretch by indefinitely as she didn’t answer, regarding him with surprise. At last she spoke up.

“Maybe I would.”

Bailey’s heartbeat sped up when she snuggled close to him, resting her head on his broad chest. He started to lightly caress her hair. Mayhem’s breath settled down, and although Bailey couldn’t see her face he knew she was drifting to sleep. When he was sure she wasn’t awake anymore he gave her a small kiss onto the top of her head.

“I wish I was your type,” he whispered softly, and gathered her up to carry her to her bunk.

Bailey tried to be as quiet as possible, and none of the girls woke up when he laid her down onto the bunk he thought was hers. He was unaware of Blaze’s eyes silently regarding him in the darkness as he gave Mayhem a last peck on the cheek before leaving the room.

“C’mon, quick, yer gonna miss it!” Shimmer giggled as she pulled Storm along to the edge of the roof.

Mayhem groaned upon Shimmer’s enthusiasm. “Dis is pathetic. You all act like some immature bunch of...” she groped for a fitting insult, “debutantes!”

Sorrow smirked. “Look who’s tawkin’ an’ sittin’ in da front row at da same time!”

Mayhem grumbled, but didn’t take her eyes off the spectacle they were witnessing. Most of the boys were helping Bailey to build some new bunk beds, since the steady influx of new lodgers had made the space scarce. The girls enjoyed watching them work, out of sheer laziness as well as for the view the boys presented.

Bubbles sighed happily when the warm summer evening and the sweat breaking work caused Blink to follow many of the other guys’ examples and take off his shirt. Spot grinned when he noticed the girls above them.

“Ya jist can’t get enough a me, can ya goils?” he shouted up to them. A gush of laughter was the result, certainly not the response he had hoped for. Slick shook her head.

“Dat guy’s so full a himself.”

“Bailey shoah looks nice widout his shoit, don’t he?” Blaze grinned slyly at Mayhem. She had been looking for signs of love in the two ever since she had seen Bailey carry Mayhem to bed almost a week ago.

Mayhem raised her eyebrows. “Ya gots time ta keep ya eyes on Bailey while little Bumlets down dere does his best ta impress ya? Gee Blaze, I’m really shocked.”

Blaze blushed slightly. “Touché,” she muttered under her breath.

In the meantime down in the backyard Jack tried to figure out a way to show off his biceps while sawing wood. Bailey smiled slightly at his effort.

“Ya’d think da goils should have better things ta do,” Race grumbled. Although he was sweating profusely he refused to take any clothes off. Standin’ next ta de other guys right now’s embarrassing enough, I don’t have ta deepen dis humiliation, he thought grimly.

Pie Eater shrugged. “Let ‘em have deir fun. Bet you wouldn’t mind seein’ dem wid deir shirts off once in awhile.” His cheeks flushed when the other boys laughed.

“Dat wasn’t meant ta sound dat way!” he tried to regain his dignity.

“Shoah, Pie, we all know whose shoit you’d like ta remove one day,” Skittery grinned, while Pie Eater’s blush deepened. He punched Skittery lightly in the side. “Shaddup!”

“He’s right guys, let’s get some woik done heah,” Bailey chimed in as the other boys’ tittering continued.

“Aw c’mon Bailey, don’t be sich a drag jist cause ya ain’t got no goil,” Blink smirked. “Why don’t ya get hooked ta someone too? Bein’ lonesome ain’t healthy, ya know.”

“Maybe he already gots a sweetheart an’ ain’t tellin’ us,” Jake suggested.

Bailey just snorted and tried to concentrate on the bunk he was working on with Leadpipe. He felt the silent boy’s eyes stare at him and looked away uncomfortably.

“Bet some a de goils up dere wouldn’t mind gettin’ involved wid ya, yer not sich a bad-lookin’ guy,” Spot grinned and the other boys laughed.

Bailey shook his head, smiling. “Gee thanks Spot, comin’ from you I guess that’s a real compliment.”

He couldn’t help glancing up to the girls, his heart beating a bit faster when he saw a familiar shock of jet-black hair. Sighing, he resumed his work. As her week of kitchen chores had ended Mayhem had made a point of avoiding him, and he only saw her at meals, during which she kept as much distance to him as possible. I guess I really drove her away fer good, he thought sadly.

Fingers snapping directly in front of his eyes brought him back to reality again. He looked up to see Leadpipe’s face, wearing an unreadable expression as he pointed towards the piece of wood Bailey had ruined by hammering nails into the wrong places.

Bailey flushed a deep crimson, deeply grateful for the fact that Leadpipe never uttered a word, thus leaving Bailey’s blunder unnoticed by the other guys. He sighed and tried to concentrate again.

Mayhem’s eyes never left him while she sat with the other girls on the roof. The look Bailey had shot up towards them had sent a deep tingling through her stomach. Had he been looking at her? She was almost certain.

Mayhem sighed slightly. Although she had tried her best to ban Bailey both from her mind and from her field of vision, she couldn’t suppress a feeling of longing nagging at her whenever she caught sight of him.

Well, he was da one sayin’ we shouldn’t be together, she thought stubbornly. An’ I sure as hell won’t jist crawl back ta him.

Down in the backyard the boys had finished their work and filed back into the lodging house. The girls hurried to meet them downstairs. Bailey, Jack, Bumlets and Pie Eater were carrying the finished bunks into the house.

“They look great,” Jade said admiringly. “Good woik, guys.”

Pixie grimaced as Dutchy pulled her near in a hug. “I think ya guys should go and wash yaselves, ya smell like a pigsty!”

“Ha!” Spot smirked. “Nothin’ like a good manly odor, right Slick?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Ain’t any men around heah as far as I can see, Conlon.”

“Den I suggest ya get yaself a pair a glasses,” Spot grinned and went upstairs with most of the other boys. Jack, Leadpipe, Bumlets and Bailey had stayed in the kitchen to drink some water after their hard work. Blaze walked over to them and gave her boyfriend a small kiss on the cheek.

“Ya really did well. Mayhem said so too,” she smiled, watching Bailey’s expression like a hawk. Sure enough, he blushed slightly and bowed his head.

“What did I say?” Mayhem had caught Blaze’s last words and sauntered towards them.

“Er, ya thought dey did an awesome job, too, din’t ya?” Blaze almost sighed with relief when Mayhem nodded.

The sound of squabbling voices made them all look up. Soon Jade’s head popped through the door, her cheeks flushed with anger.

“Mayhem, there’s a guy who wants to see you.”

Just then she was pushed aside and a tall adolescent entered the kitchen, looking around until his eyes had settled on Mayhem. Bailey saw her grow tense in an instant and could only guess who the intruder was. Shortly afterwards Mayhem confirmed his suspicions.

“Buck. Whadda ya want heah?”

The stranger stared at her intensely and Bailey felt the hairs on his neck bristle. Why did Mayhem even talk to this guy after all that had happened? Maybe they ain’t finished after all. Maybe she wants to make up again. Maybe she loves him.

Bailey swallowed. He couldn’t help but observe the other boy closer, wondering what Mayhem saw in him. He looked handsome in a rough way, but his eyes were cold. Just the thought that he might get the chance to hurt her again made Bailey’s stomach churn.

Mayhem never turned her eyes away from Buck’s, refusing to let him stare her down. After awhile he spoke up.

“I’d really like ta talk to ya. How ‘bout we go an’ have a drink at Joe’s?”

Mayhem broke the eye contact at last, hating the fact that everyone could overhear their conversation. “I don’t know.”

Buck started to smile, sensing her discomfort. It had proved a good idea to confront her in the presence of her friends. “C’mon May, it’s Friday night. Let’s go out an’ have some fun tagetha.”

Bailey thought his ears were deceiving him when he heard Mayhem mumble her consent.

“But May...” he started, cut off by a glare she shot him. Mayhem took Buck’s arm and pulled him with her.

“Let’s go.”

Bailey stared after them, dumbfounded. Someone put a hand on his shoulder, when he looked up he saw Leadpipe trying to make a confident face. Bailey sighed. I know she thinks she can handle jist anything, but what if that bastard hurts her again?

“Who was dat, Bailey?”

Bailey almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of Blaze asking him of all people, but he bit his lip and shrugged instead.

“I guess that was her boyfriend.”

And that’s not even a lie, he thought bitterly. Leadpipe shook his head and left the kitchen, slamming the door after him.

Mayhem tried to make as little sound as possible when she returned to the lodging house late that night. A motion on the staircase startled her. Her heart started to pound when she realized it was Bailey.

“Goddammit May, does the word curfew mean anything at all to you?” he whispered angrily at her. She looked at him in surprise. Ever since she knew him Bailey had never been anything but gentle and good-natured to everyone. Now she could almost feel the rage he radiated.

“Aw c’mon Bailey, don’t make such a fuss about it, it’s not as if I robbed a bank or anything,” she said calmly while sitting down next to him and pulling out a pack of cigarettes.

“An’ don’t smoke in heah, ya know poifectly well it ain’t allowed!” Her smiling face when she put the cigarettes back into her pocket made him even angrier.

“Relax, will ya?” she said softly. “Ya might wake de others.”

“If you had been back in time I wouldn’t have had ta sit heah an’ wait, so if they wake up it’s your fault!” Bailey hissed, realizing with embarrassment how immature his argumentation sounded. But he didn’t feel rational at all anyway. Her long absence had strung his nerves for hours.

Mayhem raised her eyebrows. “Why did ya wait anyways? I never asked ya to.”

Now he actually glared at her. “Because I was worried sick! Why did ya go out with dis abusive bastard? How stupid was that, Mayhem?”

Her eyes turned cold. “Why da hell do ya care? Dis ain’t none a ya business!”

A flicker of hurt crossed Bailey’s face and he sighed, all of his rage replaced by sadness in an instant. He hung his head.

“Yer right. Ain’t none a my business at all.”

The misery in his voice made Mayhem’s stomach wrench. She felt she had to leave quickly, or her carefully built defense would crumble into nothing the next time she looked into Bailey’s eyes.

“I’m goin’ ta bed now,” she said hoarsely, trying to walk past him. Bailey took her hand and held her back.

“Please don’t go.”

Mayhem looked at him wearily, her eyes dark in the dim light.

“What do ya want, Bailey?”

He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry as sandpaper. Not answering her question he slowly pulled her closer towards him until he could feel her calm breathing. Never removing his eyes from hers Bailey reached out for her face and kissed her, his hands buried in her hair.

Mayhem sighed and gave in to the kiss, one of her hands slipping under his shirt, grazing over his smooth skin. Bailey broke away, his eyes questioning.

“May,” he started, but she cut him off impatiently, covering his mouth with her hand.

“Let’s not talk.”

As her lips sought his again Bailey surprised Mayhem by lifting her off her feet and carrying her through the lobby, then down the hallway to a room she presumed to be his. He laid her down on his bed with gentle ease, never once breaking the kiss.

When she slowly started to undo his shirt’s buttons one after one he pulled away, his eyes searching hers questioningly.

“May, are ya really sure about dis? Ya could still go upstairs, if ya want ta...”

Bailey desperately tried to look as if he wouldn’t mind her choice for either possibility, but his face as well as his body betrayed his true feelings. He longed to feel Mayhem near him, wanted to kiss and touch her, and never let her go. Mayhem smiled slightly.

“I don’t wanna go anywhere.” She pulled him close to her again.

Bailey awoke to the shrill ring of his alarm clock, for a moment unsure of where he was. When the last night’s events came back to him in a rush he turned around quickly. The other side of his bed was empty.

He tried to suppress his disappointment. Of course she had left, there would be more to face than suspicious looks if the girls didn’t find her sleeping in her own bunk this morning. Still, he wished she would be lying beside him now, the sunlight streaming over her light skin and coal-black hair.

Remembering her Bailey started to get angry with himself for having fallen asleep so quickly the night before, exhausted from the day’s hard work as well as from their intense encounter. There had been so much he still had wanted to tell Mayhem, and he desperately needed to talk to her about their relationship.

Ya shoah she really wants to be tagetha with you? Bailey felt quite uncomfortable upon this thought. Maybe she wasn’t interested in anything permanent at all, her experience with Buck would certainly account for that.

He sighed and started to get ready to wake the boys and prepare breakfast, still deep in thought.

Bailey’s heart seemed to skip a few beats when he saw the girls walk down the staircase for breakfast, but the one person he was looking for was nowhere to be seen. He tried to appear as casual as possible when he asked Jade if Mayhem was still upstairs.

Slick, having overheard his question, answered when Jade was about to open her mouth.

“Mayhem’s awready gone sellin’. Said she’d not be home fer dinnah tonight.”

Bailey swallowed. “Oh,” he mumbled and quickly left for the kitchen. Slick stared after him thoughtfully.

“What’sa mattah coily top, ya tryin’ ta catch flies?” Spot smirked and waved a hand before her eyes. Slick glared at him.

“Shut ya trap, Conlon! Go git on somebody else’s noives!”

With that she left him standing and went to help Dicky with decking the table. Spot smiled to himself.

“She jist can’t git enough a me.”

“Aw c’mon Bailey, let’s git goin’!”

Dash tapped his fingers impatiently on the wooden counter behind which Bailey was still finishing some paperwork, much to the other boy’s annoyance.

“Yer gonna waste all of our Saturday night wid dis crap?”

“Shuddup Dash,” Bailey said absently, trying to concentrate on his figures. As predicted Mayhem hadn’t shown up all evening, and although he had told himself that there really wasn’t anything to worry about an uneasy feeling had never left his stomach.

Both Dash and Bailey looked up when a dark skinned adolescent entered the lobby, frowning when he saw the latter still working.

“Hey guys, I thought we was goin’ out tanight.”

Dash laughed bitterly and threw his hands in the air. “Tell me about it!”

Bailey sighed and put down his pencil. “Awright, I’m comin’! Jeez Dash, yer a real pest sometimes!”

“Well, ya can call it bein’ a pest, da goils think I’m irresistible,” Dash grinned, pulling his two best friends along. Pitch regarded Bailey with curiosity, sensing the other boy’s tenseness, but Bailey did his best to act relaxed, as if a saturday night out with his buddies was all he was concerned with.

Mayhem could feel Leadpipe’s presence even before she heard his soft footfall behind her, a slight prickle in her neck told her he was near. She had long ceased to wonder about the special bond between them. Most of the time it was reassuring to have someone who understood her without words, but sometimes it could be quite aggravating. Like that night.

“Don’t look at me dat way. I hate dat.”

Leadpipe sat down beside her on the crate, his features faintly illuminated by a distant lantern burning farther down the docks. Mayhem spat into the river.

“I think we should leave again. Been at dis stupid lodging house almost a month now, it’s startin’ ta become a real drag.”

Leadpipe’s doubting look made her blush. “No, it ain’t got nuttin’ ta do wid him. Why would it? It’s not like we was togethah er anythin’.” She stared at the dark waters beneath her, silent for quite awhile before she spoke up again.

“I jist think it’s time we go now. If we stay too long we might get too close ta de uddahs. Dat’s no good an’ ya know it. People like us don’t belong anywhere.”

He continued to look at her and she hung her head, unable to bear his gaze.

“Okay, so it might have sumpthin’ ta do wid him,” she admitted unwillingly. “Ya should’ve seen him last night, Leads. He means it, I can feel that. I guess he’d really try an’ risk ev’rythin’ wid a slob like me.”

Upon his questioning glance she slowly shook her head. “I don’t have a clue. I hardly know him.” Yet just the thought of Bailey, his warm smile, his loving eyes made her stomach flutter.

“Let’s just leave tamorrow,” she said hoarsely, trying to think of something else. The accusation in Leadpipe’s eyes made her temper flare up.

“Dis ain’t got nothin’ ta do wid bein’ scared!” Mayhem shouted at him, jumping to her feet as if a bee had stung her. She kicked a forlorn bottle into the water and ran off. Leadpipe looked after her, his expression a mixture of sad affection and resignation.

“Goddammit Bailey, what’s wrong wid ya? Can’t ya at least pretend ya enjoy yaself? Wid ya gloomy face we’ll never attract any chicks tanight!”

Dash glared at his friend when yet another set of girls had quickly passed their table without acknowledging the trio.

“Stop pickin’ at Bailey, dem goils just couldn’t stand da way ya goggled at dem,” Pitch smirked. “Guess ya charm ain’t appreciated heah.”

Dash merely laughed at the very idea. “Ya know poifectly well dat no goil can resist me. Yer just jealous, dat’s all.” Bailey sighed.

“Maybe I oughta go home.” See if Mayhem’s back already.

Dash looked at him as if he had grown five heads. “Ya gotta be kiddin’ me! Foist ya don’t get ya rear in gear for hours an’ den ya wanna leave dat oirly? It ain’t even midnight!”

Upon Bailey’s silence he started to grin slyly. “Or maybe ya gots one a dem lodgin’ house goils waitin’ for ya.”

Bailey blushed faintly, but Pitch just shook his head.

“Da town would fire him or lock him up if he evah put da moves on one a dem minors. Dat would nevah woik.”

“Awww,” still grinning Dash punched Bailey playfully into the side. “Jist look at him, he’s in love! I can smell dat five miles against da wind! Which one is it, Bailey? Smiles? Or Slick, da little spitfire? Tiger?”

Bailey shot him an angry look. “I’m not in love, an’ Pitch is right. Startin’ anythin’ wid one a dem goils would be a suicide mission.”

He realized Pitch was examining his face thoughtfully and quickly averted his eyes. Dash smiled with satisfaction.

“Okay, den ya won’t object if we gets ourselves some action fer da night now.”

Upon this suggestion Bailey quickly got up and threw some coins onto the table.

“Er, I really gotta go now, completely forgot Jade wanted me ta do... something for her. Have fun, guys.”

With that he left the bar. Dash stared after him, baffled.

“What a party poop.”

Mayhem entered the lodging house quietly, not wanting to wake anyone while getting her belongings from the girls’ bunkroom. She was determined to leave that night, sure that Leadpipe would follow her once he got back. He never left her, they would find a new place to stay together, just as usual.

Nobody sat in the lobby waiting for her. Well, what did ya expect. It ain’t like makin’ shoah yer on time’s his only poipose in life. Still, she was a little disappointed. They would not see each other for a last time then.

Just as Mayhem was about to climb the stairs the door clicked open softly. She turned around to look directly into Bailey’s eyes, dark with a strange longing shining in them.

“Well, look who ain’t home befoah curfew,” she said lightly, straining herself to keep her voice unemotional and sarcastic. It seemed to work, Bailey smiled.

“The one makin’ the rules doesn’t have ta obey them, May. Besides, I could bet my hat ya just got heah, too.”

Mayhem walked towards him slowly, feeling drawn to the tall adolescent like a moth to a flame. Suddenly leaving didn’t seem as important anymore. She gently ran her hands through his hair.

“Ya ain’t even got no hat,” she said softly.

Bailey leaned into her touch, painfully realizing how much he had missed her. He quickly closed the distance between them and pulled her near into a deep kiss. Her sigh as he pressed against her made him shudder. In a hurry he started to unbutton her shirt, craving her skin on his.

Mayhem drew back, giving him a crooked smile. “Ya think ya can make it to ya room, or do ya like da couch?”

That made his attention snap back again. What on earth was he doing, pouncing on her like that against her will? And anyone could walk in on them any minute!

When she sensed his withdrawal Mayhem’s smile faded. Oh great, ya blew it again. Guess ya should leave before it gets even more embarrassing.

She turned to leave, but he held her back, his eyes earnest.

“I’m sorry May, I should control myself better. I think we really need ta talk.”

The hairs on Mayhem’s neck bristled. “Talk?” she asked warily. “Dat doesn’t sound like fun.”

Bailey sighed. “I’m serious, May. Let’s go into my room, okay?”

She walked behind him, sitting down next to him on the bed. Bailey looked down at his hands trying to figure out a way to start, slightly confused by her closeness. He took a deep breath.

“Nobody must know about us. If anyone finds out we’re in really big trouble.”

Bailey looked up to see Mayhem regard him with raised eyebrows. “Since when is dere somethin’ called ‘us’?”

He blushed. “Well, I thought, aftah last night...”

Mayhem smiled, leaning in to shut him up with a kiss. When they parted reluctantly again she said lazily, “I told ya ya shouldn’t think as much.”

Bailey frowned. “I can’t help it.”

“Den maybe I’ll have ta distract you.” She pulled him close to her again.

“Do me a favor?” Bailey asked later, getting more and more drowsy while Mayhem traced invisible patterns over his well-pronounced chest. She looked up to him, her green eyes shimmering in the dim light of his room’s only oil lamp.

“What do ya want?”

He kissed her temple, deeply breathing in her scent. “Still be here when I wake up?”

The corner of her mouth quirked in a small grin.

“I’ll try.”

Mayhem awoke to the sound of Bailey’s soft breathing, the sun’s first rays streaming in through the window. She looked at him in calm wonder, taking in every inch of his face. He really did look cute while he slept.

Oh damn, listen ta this. I’m really lost now, am I. The realization filled her with something close to dread.

She looked around frantically. Her clothes were still lying on the floor where they had flung them the night before, she could silently get them and then get the hell out of this town.

The shrill sound of the alarm clock startled them both. Bailey’s body jolted, his arm curling around her waist protectively.

Mayhem couldn’t resist a smile. Five thirty in the morning truly was an awful time to get up at, especially since they hadn’t gotten much sleep the last night. She had no problem with that, being an insomniac since late childhood, but Bailey didn’t appear to be too keen upon waking up.

His eyes fluttered open and her stomach somersaulted at the expression on his face when he realized she was the one he was holding.

“You’re still here,” Bailey smiled sleepily.

Mayhem raised an eyebrow. “Yer really on da quick side, ain’t ya.” She gave him a small kiss on the nose, glad she hadn’t succeeded in leaving earlier.

“I gotta be goin’ soon, though. If I’m not in my bunk when Jade gets up dere’ll be hell ta pay. An’ you gotta go wake da boys, I guess.”

Bailey sighed and nodded. He wouldn’t have minded to stay in bed with her all day.

Mayhem made it to the bunkroom just in time. In the general turmoil of waking up nobody noticed she was already halfway dressed.

A small smile never left her face during her morning hygiene, and when she actually started to whistle while she brushed her hair Sorrow and Blaze exchanged worried glances.

“You okay dere, Mayhem?” Blaze asked, preparing to be kicked down the stairs for the impudent question. She had seen the other girl get angry for much less on several mornings.

Mayhem just grinned. “Nevah been bettah.”

“I t’ink I’ll take fifty. Feels like a day good fer sellin’.”

Would you please stop grinning in that silly, dopey way? What the hell are we still doing here? I remember you saying something about wanting to leave as soon as possible!

“I jist changed my mind, is all.”

Don’t give me this crap, you never change your mind that quickly. You’re one of the most stubborn people I know! The reason why you don’t want to leave anymore is him. You met him last night before you had the chance to get your things.

Something must have happened. When you left the docks you were scared shitless. I would have followed you anywhere, just like always. But you were still there this morning, and don’t think I didn’t notice the look he shot you when he thought nobody was watching during breakfast.

I hate it when you shut me out of things. You know exactly that I’d never ask you about it, but until now you never took advantage of my silence. Until now you shared your every thought with me, and never asked anything in return.

I don’t want somebody else to suddenly replace me! We’ve been together for almost seven years now, best friends since you joined that shabby group of street rats that Ace liked to pretend was a gang. You can’t tell me that a guy you have met only about a month ago can compare to that! Please don’t say you are telling him now the things you used to tell me. What we have is special, can’t you see that?

Why won’t you just talk to me about it? You always talked to me about whichever guy most recently had succeeded in winning your affection. Hell, you told me a lot more about them than I ever wanted to know. They never lasted for long. And they never meant as much to you as I did.

What makes Bailey any different?

“Seeya later then.”

If he hurts you I’ll kill him.

Mayhem hummed to herself when she walked back to Carnegie Hill. Her day had passed in a pleasant flow, but the desire to see Bailey had begun to nag at her. She longed to be near him again and touch him softly, to watch the way his eyes lit up when he was laughing. To feel her knees go mushy when he looked at her.

The lobby was empty, as often these days, but a few newsies sat out in the back yard, enjoying the light evening air, shooting craps or playing poker, or just chatting over the day’s events.

“Hey Mayhem, you game fer a round of pokah?” Racetrack greeted her. He was just having a stroke of luck and was anxious for new people to win money from. Mayhem smiled at him.

“In a minute.”

Bailey wasn’t anywhere in the back yard, so he was probably preparing their meager dinner in the kitchen. She started to walk in that direction. Chapter stared after her thoughtfully.

“Is she behavin’ strange lately, or what?”

Blink dealt the cards. “Ya mean like de fact dat she’s actually seen smilin’?”

“Her smile gives me da creeps,” Skittery grumbled. Backfire laughed out loud.

“What do you know about smiles, cranky? Can’t even remember da last time I saw ya smile.”

April put a protective arm around her boyfriend. “He smiles fer me.”

“Well, as much as I love listenin’ ta details of ya lovelife, would ya mind concentratin’ on da game now?” Race grinned and lit a cigar.

Mayhem entered the kitchen, the lingering smile on her face getting a nuance brighter when she saw Bailey sit at the table with several newsies, including Blaze, Jade, Bumlets, Slick and Sorrow, and an elderly man she had never seen before.

She felt she had to be close to Bailey now, and approached the table slowly, savoring the moment of anticipation.

Bailey saw Mayhem walk over and started to sweat. He remembered telling her that nobody could know about their relationship, but he could see in her face that she was on the verge of coming over to him and kissing him on the cheek, or something likewise disastrous. He tried to catch her eyes to keep her from blowing their cover.

Watching the two Blaze couldn’t suppress a satisfied expression occupying her face. She just knew that any minute Mayhem would give away something about herself and Bailey.

Mayhem noticed Bailey’s look and was completely confused by it. Of course Bailey had told her that nobody was to know about them, but that clearly just related to her visiting him at night, and all the actions involved, didn’t it? Almost all the other girls had boyfriends and nobody had a problem with that. Why should her thing with Bailey be anything else?

But the expression in his eyes made her stop dead in her tracks. Mayhem could clearly see the panic that she would give them away. Back off!, Bailey’s eyes seemed to command her. She felt her stomach wrench.

Jack turned around when he heard her come near. “Heya Mayhem, have ya met Kloppman? He’s officially runnin’ dis lodgin’ house until Bailey gets legal next year.”

Mayhem was surprised that she still had the energy to shake her head. She took the wrinkled hand the old man held out to her. “Good evenin’, sir.”

Jade raised her eyebrows upon this unusual display of respect by Mayhem, but Kloppman just chuckled.

“Evenin’, Miss Mayhem.”

Slick almost choked on laughter she couldn’t suppress, but she was cut off by a glare from Bailey.

“Did ya want anythin’ special, Mayhem?” Blaze asked slyly. Mayhem shook her head again. When she spoke the hoarseness in her voice was almost indetectible.

“Jist wanted to tell ya dat I’m not gonna be back fer dinner. An’ don’t wait up fer me.”

At that she turned on her heels and left the kitchen quickly.

He is playing with me. He is just using me. He has no interest in me but in my body being there for him at night. So? Am I going to break up this sad excuse for a relationship? Of course not. I’d rather be involved with him that way than not at all. That’s pathetic. I think I’m going to puke.

Mayhem took a drag from her cigarette, fingers shaking. The summer night should have been warm, but her body was shivering. She had lost track of the time long ago, only the fact that the sky was still dark clued her that the night was neither young nor old.

She had run around the whole town, too broke to drink herself senseless and too disgusted by other people’s company to ask one of her numerous acquaintances for a loan. Now she was exhausted and longed for her bed. Any bed.

“Well, well, well, look who we got heah, Mayhem Powell if my eyes ain’t deceivin’ me...” a cold voice snapped her out of it. She turned around slowly to see Buck smile at her in a way that made her flesh crawl.

“I thought Miss High an’ Mighty would nevah set foot into my territory again,” he growled while he came closer.

Mayhem shrugged. “I go where I bloody well want.”

“Oh yeah?” His voice had a dangerous edge. “I don’t t’ink so, sweetheart. Aftah last weekend I t’ink it would be really stupid fer you ta cross me, ya got dat?”

She glared at him. “Ya think I’m scared of a woithless piece a shit like you?”

In a flash he hit her hard in the face and hurled her against the nearest wall. Mayhem’s legs gave away underneath her and she slid to the ground, gasping. Buck squatted beside her.

“I think ya bettah watch ya mouth around me.”

She felt blood stream down her face from her nose, but the pain somehow escaped her notice. Isn’t this supposed to hurt? Buck regarded her with an expression bordering pity.

“I really don’t get it why ya would waste ya chance of landin’ such a great lookin’ guy like me, May,” he said in a voice so self-absorbed her gagging reflex returned. And how dare this twit pity her?

“Lemme spell it out for ya,” she said, her eyes sparkling angrily. “Yer a lousy poker player, dumb as toast, an absolute laugh in bed an’ a goddamned coward.”

Buck’s face twisted with rage. “Ya nevah know when ta shut up, do ya. I guess I’ll jist have ta teach ya a lesson about respect.”

She tried to scramble away from him, but he punched her into the face again and pinned her arms over her head, fumbling with her clothes. Mayhem wasn’t able to fight back as she usually would have done, the day had thoroughly exhausted her, and Bailey obviously didn’t care what happened to her, so why should it matter what Buck did now. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. Mayhem closed her eyes and hoped it would be over soon.

It ended sooner than she had imagined. A dull thump, and Buck collapsed onto her like a ton of bricks. Mayhem took the hand that was extended to get her back on her feet. She didn’t have to look up to know who had saved her.

Leadpipe dropped the piece of pipe with which he had hit Buck on the head, concern for Mayhem’s well-being clearly written in his face.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Let’s go.”

Mayhem hadn’t uttered a single word until they had gotten back to Carnegie Hill, but when they entered the dark lobby she turned around to her companion.

“Ya know what? Yer my knight in shinin’ armor.”

Leadpipe was glad there was not enough light for her to see the blood rush to his face. Dropping his gaze he took her hand in his and squeezed it. Mayhem looked at him with an almost tender expression and pulled him towards her in a tight hug.

“Well, I’m glad yer not lyin’ somewhere in an alley beat to death.”

The cold voice from the direction of the couch startled them both. Its owner slowly walked towards them. Mayhem was not at all surprised when she could discern who it was. Of course, who else would be as dumb and wait all night? Yet something in her flipped at the thought that he had waited solely for her.

“Yeah, as ya can see I’m alright, so good night.” She slowly turned towards the stairs. Bailey held her back.

“Why do ya always do this to me, May? Do ya enjoy having me worried sick?”

Then he caught sight of her face.

“Gee, what da hell happened to ya?” His glare turned towards Leadpipe.

“Ya never do anythin’ but runnin after her, why can’t ya even look out for her properly?” he yelled at the silent boy, who regarded him calmly, seemingly without any emotion.

Mayhem on the other hand was fizzing with rage, unable to believe her ears. She shot Bailey a blazing look.

“Ya don’t have any idea what happened, so stop tawkin’ ta Leads like dat! Ya ain’t got no right ta pick on my friends!”

Bailey swallowed, feeling a surge of guilt wash through him. He was aware that his anger was sparked by pure jealousy, but seeing the two together had been harder to bear than anything. Of course Mayhem’s lifelong friend had a close bonding to her, how could he ever compete with that?

“Yeah, I guess yer right,” he mumbled, slowly backing off towards his room. “Good night.”

Mayhem looked after him, her eyes filled with bitterness.

“Joik,” she muttered while Leadpipe pulled her towards the stairs. When she lay in her bed sleep evaded her, although her body groaned with exhaustion. The next morning she felt as if she had been run over by a carriage.

As the other girls bustled around her Mayhem slowly dragged herself out of bed and managed to walk into the washing room. Shimmer let out a cry of surprise when she caught sight of Mayhem.

“Gee May, what on oith happened to ya?”

Sunshine gingerly touched the bruise on her left cheek, causing Mayhem to wince. Damsel frowned.

“Ya look horrible!”

“Thanks fer pointin’ it out ta me, I’d nevah have noticed on my own,” Mayhem grumbled and held a soaked washing rag to her head.

“At least ya tongue ain’t injured,” Sorrow pointed out with a smirk and dodged the wet towel that came flying her way.

Rain was drumming against the lodging house’s windows as the night fell on Carnegie Hill. The few newsies lingering in the lobby were amusing themselves with games of various sorts, but many had already gone to bed out of drowsiness or sheer boredom.

With burning eyes Bailey watched Mayhem and Leadpipe play Solitaire against each other. More often than not the silent boy seemed to win. As the clock chimed ten the party of newsies slowly dispersed. Mayhem was one of the last to leave. When she and Leadpipe had reached the stairs Bailey gathered all of his courage and stopped her.

“I’d like ta talk to ya, May.” He looked around cautiously, but the other newsies had already gone. While Leadpipe shot him a curious look Mayhem raised her eyebrows.

“Whatsa mattah?”

“I, um,” Bailey felt seriously hindered by Leadpipe’s presence. He had hoped the other boy would discreetly leave them alone, but apparently Leadpipe had no desire to do Bailey any favors.

“I jist wanted to apologize fer last night. Are you okay?”

Mayhem nodded. When he didn’t say anything else she turned to leave, Leadpipe following her. Bailey sighed. I guess I really blew it.

Tossing and turning Mayhem tried desperately to fall asleep, but that night it was even harder than usual. She cursed and sat up. Everyone else was slumbering soundly.

Careful not to make any noise Mayhem crept out of bed and downstairs. She didn’t have any plans on what to do, but any activity seemed better than to lie in her bed wide awake.

The minute she stepped into the lobby she could hear Bailey’s door open softly.

“Who’s there?” he whispered. Mayhem walked over to him, her skin prickling when she could feel the heat his body radiated against the night air. Without a word she reached up to his face and pulled him down to her in a deep kiss.

Mayhem found herself slowly drifting to sleep while Bailey caressed her hair, twirling some strands through his fingers.

“May?”

“Hmm?” She was slightly irritated upon floating back towards conciousness.

Bailey softly nipped at her neck. “What’s your real name?”

That made her attention snap back again. She rolled over and looked into his eyes. “Why do ya wanna know?”

He shrugged, a little uncomfortable. Now didn’t seem the right time to tell her that he hoped they would stay together until it would be important to know her full name. When Mayhem answered her gaze was cold.

“Ain’t none of ya goddamn business.”

Bailey felt as if she had slapped him. Even worse, Mayhem started to get up and began to gather her clothes which he had carelessly dropped all over the bed earlier. Bailey’s stomach cramped. She couldn’t be leaving him now. He quickly sat down beside her, oblivious of his complete nakedness. Mayhem refused to look at him while she dressed as fast as she could.

“May...” he started, but she didn’t appear to listen, since she didn’t slow down. Bailey forced her to stop by taking both her hands into his.

“It was just a simple question,” he said softly, pulling up one of her hands to his mouth and kissing it. She looked into his eyes then, but her rage was still there.

“Ya don’t know da foist thing about me, an’ I don’t think I want ya to, no matter how often we have sex!” she hissed.

Bailey slowly let her hand drop, his hurt written clearly in his face. When he found his voice again it sounded hoarse.

“While you was having sex, I was makin’ love.”

Mayhem’s eyes shot daggers at him. “Yer a f*ckin’ liar, ya know dat? I’m good enough ta be dragged into ya bed at night, but if I even so much as look into yer direction during da day ya pretend I wasn’t dere!”

She wrestled with her shirt’s buttons, unable to close them properly with her shaking hands.

“Dat’s okay, I can live with that, so we just have this sex relationship, who gives a bloody damn? But then don’t pretend ya care about me uddahwise!”

Bailey stared at her, genuinely shocked. “May, ya can’t really mean dat. Do ya honestly think dis whole thing was just about sex fer me?”

When she didn’t answer but tried to fasten her laces he felt like ripping them out of her hands. Instead he tilted her head up with one finger, forcing her to look at him.

“I thought ya know how I feel about ya. I thought ya felt da same.”

He saw something flicker in her eyes, but then the coldness was back. “I guess ya was just foolin’ yaself.”

Bailey flinched, but Mayhem talked right on. “It feels good not ta be alone, ta have someone ta toin to, ta be comforted during da night. But between us ain’t nothin’ more. An’ if ya evah thought it was, yer a bigger idiot dan I thought.”

She rushed out of the room, leaving a dumbfounded Bailey behind her.

Jade opened her eyes to see a big figure move through the girls’ bunkroom silently, and she almost screamed for help, but the moon falling through the window illuminated the intruder’s features just in time.

She got up quickly. “Bailey, what on earth are you doing here?”

He turned around to her, and something inside her wrenched when she saw his distraught face. His voice was no more than a whisper.

“Jade, I... where’s Mayhem?”

If you don’t know that, how should I?, Jade almost answered, but bit her lip before the treacherous words escaped her mouth. She didn’t need to remind Bailey that almost everyone in the lodging house suspected his affair with Mayhem.

“I don’t know, maybe she just missed curfew again, that wouldn’t be anything new, would it?” she tried to calm him down. He shook his head.

“She didn't go out tanight, but we had this fight, and I thought she would just go outside fer a moment to cool off or find someone to beat senseless,” oh damn, listen to yourself! You’re babbling like a kid! “...but she didn’t come back, and look, all her stuff is gone!”

The last sentence had come out a little louder than he had intended, and Jade laid a finger on his lips to silence him. But she couldn’t deny the obvious, Mayhem’s bunk was bare of anything personal, as tidy as it had never been since the day she had first occupied it.

“Uh, maybe there’s a logical explanation behind this,” Jade tried to answer, but he shot her a look that shut her up at once. A thought crossed Bailey’s mind and he left the girl’s room hurriedly. Jade stared after him. Mayhem better not hurt him in any way, or she’ll have a true enemy in me when she comes back. If she comes back.

Bailey’s worst suspicions proved right when he entered the boys’ bunkroom and saw Leadpipe calmly pack his belongings into a small satchel. Bailey rushed over to him and had to restrain himself from yanking the silent boy up by his collar.

“Where is she?” he hissed, not caring whether anybody else could hear him. Leadpipe just shrugged and Bailey’s temper flared up.

“Don’t gimme this crap, ya know exactly where she is, she must have talked to ya or ya wouldn’t be packin’!”

Leadpipe’s only reaction was a raised eyebrow, and Bailey pounded a fist against the nearest bunk. Some sleepy newsies started to protest against their slumber’s interruption.

“Why don’t ya two take dis outside an’ let uddah people sleep,” Jack said grumpily.

Bailey grabbed Leadpipe by the shirt and pulled him out of the room. “Tell me where Mayhem went, goddammit!”

Leadpipe crossed his arms in front of his chest and remained silent, glaring at his offender. Bailey realized that threats wouldn’t get him anywhere. Hell, this guy doesn’t even talk to her, why would he talk to me? An idea struck him and he pulled Leadpipe with him again, descended the stairs and entered the library.

Thank heaven Sorrow and this Delancey ain’t in here tonight.

Recognition dawned in Leadpipe’s eyes when he saw the old blackboard leaning against one wall. However, he didn’t take the chalk Bailey held out to him. Bailey groaned in exasperation and dropped the chalk to the ground.

“Okay, I guess ya won’t help me, no matter what I do.” He sat down on the windowsill and buried his head in his hands.

“I don’t have a clue what happened. I thought she knew how I feel about her, I had no idea she would bolt like this!” He gave a short, bitter laugh.

“And I thought she really liked me. Not just anyone to warm her during cold nights, but me. I guess I’m da biggest fool on earth. But why did she run away like this?”

The question had been purely rhetorical. When Bailey heard the chalk screech over the blackboard his hairs stood on end. He looked up to see Leadpipe write something in neat letters.

Scared people do stupid things.

Bailey blinked at the cryptic message, unsure whether the other boy was possibly just pulling his leg.

“I didn’t do anything ta scare her! Why would she be afraid?”

Leadpipe shot him a look which Bailey had no problems interpreting. I can’t believe you are that stupid, it seemed to say. Again the chalk squeaked over the board.

Love is scary.

Bailey regarded him with a doubtful look. “She doesn’t love me. She said so herself.” As soon as the words had left his mouth he realized how stupid they sounded. He cleared his throat.

“So, are ya gonna help me now? Where did she go?” Bailey tried to keep the hint of desperation out of his voice, but he didn’t quite succeed. Leadpipe made no attempt to write anything else, he just stared at Bailey with an expression close to open hostility.

Bailey shrugged and started to walk towards the door. He would have to search for Mayhem alone then, but he was determined not to return to he lodging house without her.

The chalk’s screeching made him turn around quickly.

She told me to meet her at Grand Central around five.

Bailey heaved a deep sigh and smiled at the other boy. “Thank you,” he said silently. Leadpipe’s glare seemed to get even more intense. He left the library without looking back.

Bailey had reached Grand Central Station way before the clock chimed five. He searched the whole area, but couldn’t find Mayhem anywhere. His started to race, even while his mind argued.

What if she isn’t coming? –It isn’t even five yet, there’s still time.

What if she already left? –She’d never leave Leadpipe behind after telling him to meet her.

Then what if something happened to her? She could be mugged or beaten up, or murdered!

The voices in his head shut up suddenly when he saw a huddled figure sit against a pole at the far side of the tracks. Bailey resisted the urge to call out to her, he didn’t want her to run away from him.

Mayhem looked up warily when she heard his footfall. He forced a smile onto his face.

“Hey, is my cookin’ so bad that ya wanna skip town?”

Refusing to meet his eyes Mayhem stared at the railroad tracks. Bailey just stood there, waiting patiently. He would wait all day for her to answer him.

“Why are you here?” Her voice was little more than a rasp.

Shrugging, Bailey sat down next to her. “I thought if ya wanna leave town, maybe I could go wid ya. Never been farther away dan da Bronx.”

He heard her gasp and could almost feel her eyes drill into his head. “Whatcha tawkin’ about? Are ya crazy?”

Bailey smiled slightly, still not looking directly at her. “Yeah, I guess I am. But better crazy dan alone, I s’pose.”

He turned around to her, seeing her watch him wide-eyed. “Listen May, I’m really sorry if I said anythin’ ta make ya mad, an’ I never wanted ta act so dat ya would feel I don’t care for ya. I do care, I care an awful lot. An’ I think ya know dat.”

As she didn’t say anything Bailey continued to talk. “I dunno how ya feel about dat, ‘cuz ya do a very good job at confusin’ me, but if ya want me ta tell everyone about us, I will. There’s thousands of other jobs I could do, I’m not gonna let my bein’ tied ta de lodgin’ house rules get between us.”

Mayhem stared at him, shocked. “Yer outta ya mind! Ya can’t jist quit Carnegie, da joint would fall apart widout ya!”

Bailey chuckled. “Dat’s really flatterin’, but I don’t think so.” He took one of her hands into his. “I’ll quit if ya want me to.”

Mayhem snatched back her hand as if it had been burned. “No, I don’t want ya to do dat! An’ I’ll make da choice easier for ya, I leave an’ den yer problem’s gone too.”

“But I don’t want ya to leave, can’t ya see that?” Bailey looked at her earnestly. “Lemme tell ya somethin’.”

He put his arm around her shoulder, and when she didn’t make any motions to shrug it off he spoke again.

“When I wake up in da mornin’ I think of you. At night I can’t sleep ‘cuz I keep seein’ ya face when I close my eyes.” He pulled her a little closer towards him and lightly caressed her hair while he talked on.

“Everytime ya don’t come back at night I feel like I’m goin’ insane. I’ve been with several goils before, but none a dem ever made me feel like you do. I wanna hold ya an’ never let ya go. An’ I won’t let ya leave me widout a fight, cuz I know what we have together ain’t somethin’ dat happens every day.”

Bailey backed off a little and looked her deep into the eyes, as if searching for an answer to his unspoken question.

“If ya honestly don’t feel somethin’ like dat fer me, now would be da moment to say so, or ta tell me dat ya do.”

Mayhem didn’t utter a word, but Bailey’s hope transformed into consternation as the moments of silence passed by. Had he just been deluding himself? Did she really not care enough for him to stay, inspite of all that had happened between them? He was about to resign when she finally spoke up.

“Bailey, I...” she halted and looked at him, her expression unreadable. Again it took her awhile until she tried to speak again.

“I’m tired. Let’s go home.”

Bailey smiled and helped her up, and together they left the trainyards.

fin.