package { import flash.display.MovieClip; import flash.events.*; import TextBar; import ContentReader; public class ContentContainer extends MovieClip{ private var contentReader; private var numberOfPages; public function ContentContainer(){ contentReader = new ContentReader("content.xml"); contentReader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, init, false, 0, true); } public function init(e:Event):void{ numberOfPages = contentReader.getNumberOfPages(); trace(numberOfPages); //works } public function setContentTitle(){ } public function setContent(){ } //Just access it via obj.numberOfPages public function get numberOfPages():int { return numberOfPages; } //doesn't work } }