Modern AU: (Immediately after Crutchy's New Friend)

Jack lays on his back and as soon as he hears Crutchy's gentle snores, he rises to his feet. He throws on his striped T-shirt and his light blue hoodie over it.  Jack creeps over to the window and tries to open it silently. Once he opens it just enough that he can get out, Jack climbs onto the fire escape. Quietly, he runs down it and jumps the last few feet to the bottom. The cold Christmas air nips at it him through his hoodie as his breath funnels around him. He stands on the deserted sidewalk and looks around at the city. For once, Manhattan seems somewhat quiet. Maybe Christmas has brought some sense of peace to the usually busy city. Jack starts strolling up to the nicer parts of town where the richer people live. His tiny sketchbook in his large hoodie pocket bounces against his body as his feet gently tread against the concrete beneath his feet. A few people pass him by but Jack does not notice. He has important matters to attend to this evening. Turning another street and then another, Jack hurries down the street once he sees the large Pulitzer manor on the end. Jack makes it to the mansion and quickly climbs over the iron fence that surrounds the mansion. Cars litter the lawn and the giant cul-du-sac that sits in front of the mansion. Jack weaves his way in between all of the Cadillacs and Mercedes-Benz parked on the grass and road. Finally, he wanders around to the back of the house to the fire escape. Jack quickly climbs up it until he comes to the landing just outside of her window. Katherine's room is dark when he peers in. The window is latched firmly when Jack pulls on it to sneak into the house. He knew there would be a large party, but he had hoped that Katherine would have slipped off to her room for a few moments of quiet time so he could see her. When he realizes that this is not going to be the case, Jack runs back down the fire escape. Jack wanders around to the back of the house where two large French doors are swung open to cool off a large ornate ballroom. He stands a ways back to admire all of the activity swirling about in the large, ornate decorated space. Ladies in large fancy dresses dance with their dainty petite hands clasped around a handsome man's neck. The men lead the women around in circles, wearing fancy suits and dress shoes so clean that they shine when the light from the golden chandelier hits them just right. Jack tries to avoid being seen as best as he can. He searches the room for Katherine, but he cannot find her anywhere. Finally, he spots her dancing with Darcy, a close friend of hers. Jack slowly approaches the doors and stands in the doorway. A light breeze ripples through the room causing the clothing of those standing closest to the open doorway to flutter. Several couples hurry over and gently kiss under the doorway. Jack does not really think anything of it since it is Christmas and people kiss all of the time on Christmas. Katherine notices Jack from across the room and she quickly hurries over to him. Before Jack can even register what is happening, Katherine is kissing him. Jack pulls away slightly surprised.

"Merry Christmas to youse too!" He says jokingly and leans for another kiss, but Katherine places a finger gently on his lips.

"It's what you get for showing up at my dad's party and standing under some mistletoe," She replies and Jack looks up. A huge string of mistletoe sits just above the doorway, towering over Jack. He chuckles and places a hand gently on Katherine's cheek.

"I'se didn't mind at all," He states and kisses Katherine back. Katherine's arm snake around his neck and the two join several other couples who are standing under the mistletoe kissing. After a short while, Jack and Katherine separate. He takes in Katherine with a deep violet dress floating around her petite figure and her auburn curls daring to spill out of the bun that confines them to her head.

"I did not expect you to come here. Did you know we were having a party tonight?" Katherine asks and Jack shakes his head.

"Nah. I just wanted to drop by and spend sometime with my favorite Ace," He replies with a shrug. His hazel eyes never leave her brown ones. Katherine blushes and shakes her head at him.

"Let me guess. You tried the fire escape and couldn't find me. Jack, fire escapes are cold, why couldn't you come knock on the door like a normal person?" She asks and Jack chuckles.

"I'se always had a thing for hanging out wid pretty goils on fire escapes," Jack replies and Katherine playfully smacks his chest.

"Shut up. Stop flirting. Dad is going to notice and you will never hear the end of it," Katherine scolds him. Jack smirks and gently takes Katherine's face in his hands. 

"Let im see," Jack challenges boldly. He leans down and closes the gap between him and Katherine. The two kiss and Katherine's arm gently snake their way around his neck again. Katherine quickly breaks it off causing Jack to whine a little bit. The couple turns and notices Joseph Pulitzer looking in their direction. Katherine begins to shove Jack towards the door outside. Jack hurries outside into the cold night and away from the disapproving glare of Joseph Pulitzer. Darcy spots Katherine and notices her distressed state.

"Hey, Katherine! Are you alright? Is something wrong?" He asks and Katherine ponders what to say next.

"Yes. No," Katherine stutters as she struggles to decide what to say to him. Darcy raises an eyebrow. "No, of course not. It's Christmas. Nothing can be wrong on Christmas!" Darcy continues to stare at her with an eyebrow raised.

"I don't believe you," He states and Katherine begins to panic. "Does this have something to do with a certain Kelly?" Katherine nods quickly.

"Yes. Jack is here. He's outside. I can't let Dad see him. I really don't want Dad to get mad at Jack and do something stupid," Katherine explains and Darcy nods.

"I will try to distract your Dad by talking about politics or something, but you may not have long. I can't guarantee that he is not going to notice that you are missing. Maybe I can tell him I want to marry you," Darcy thinks out loud and Katherine shakes her head.

"Darcy, I love you, but not like that. Please do not tell him you want to marry me. I love Jack and you know that better than anyone. Please distract my Dad so I can go spend a few moments with Jack on the fire escape. It is Christmas and honestly Darcy, this is the best thing you could give me for Christmas," Katherine explains and Darcy nods.

"I understand. Go, I'll distract your father," Darcy says, hurrying off to find Mr. Pulitzer. He weaves his way through the crowd and as soon as Katherine sees him talking to her father, she slips out the back door. Jack waits around the corner of the house and beams as Katherine comes running over to him.

"We don't have much time," Katherine whispers in his ear and he quickly takes her hand. The two run to the fire escape and Jack jumps up, pulling down the ladder with his weight. He pulls himself up and offers Katherine his hand while sitting on the top of the ladder to keep it from retracting on Katherine. She takes his hand and he pulls her up closer to him. Once Katherine has made it up onto the fire escape, Jack scoots off of it and turns around to face his Ace. She looks absolutely beautiful in her dress and even though Jack knows that she hates dressing up, he thinks she cleans up nicely. 

"I'se know ya hate dressing up, Ace, but ya really look beautiful when ya do," Jack compliments and Katherine blushes. She turns head to look out at the city and Jack silently pulls out his pencil and his mini sketchbook. He quickly begins to sketch her looking out at the city and enjoying the Christmas lights that decorate the fire escape.  She turns to him suddenly and Jack pulls his knees closer to him to hide the sketch book.

"What are you doing?" She asks and tries to peek behind his knees to see what is happening.

"Ey! No peeking! It's Christmas, youse should know better than ta peek. Santa's got an artsy side that nobody knows about cept for him," Jack whines and Katherine squints at him mischievously.

"You are impossible," She responds and Jack smirks at her.

"Only when there ain't anything else ta do," Jack reasons and Katherine rolls her eyes at him.

"Can I peek now?" She asks and Jack groans.

"No, you'se terrible. I'se ain't gonna show ya if ya keep asking," Jack scolds and his eyes meet hers. Katherine leans her elbows on top of his knees, rocking back and forth gently on them to get his attention. She watches as Jack's eye flick up to hers every once in awhile and as his pencil dances across the small page in front of him. Katherine reaches forward and Jack yanks it away. "NOOO!" He whines and topples onto his back. Katherine stands up and starts to laugh loudly.

"You should have seen the look on your face, Jack!! It was absolutely perfect," She exclaims loudly. Her laugh rings out into the evening making the cold Christmas evening that much warmer to Jack. Jack starts to whine again.

"Ain't funny," Jack whines and Katherine rolls her eyes at him.

"It is too. You just won't admit it," Katherine teases and Jack starts to whine again.

"Ace, I'se cold an youse makin it hard to draw," Jack cries and Katherine rolls her eyes.

"How am I supposed to make you warmer if you will not let me come close enough to see what you are working on?" Katherine asks and Jack smiles up at her.

"Kiss me," He offers and Katherine sighs.

"Already did that," She says even though she really likes it when Jack kisses her. Jack mumbles something under his breath. "What was that?" Katherine asks and Jack looks up at her.

"Nothing," He responds nonchalantly. Katherine cocks her head at him as he ignores her and continues to draw. A few moments of silence, except for the sound of Jack's pencil on the paper, go by and Katherine goes back to looking out at the city. Suddenly, she hears the voices of Darcy and her father down on the lawn below.  Jack sits up and looks around to see who is down on the lawn. When he sees who it is, he ignores them and continues drawing. After a few more minutes, he stands up, rips the piece of paper out of his sketch book, kisses Katherine on the cheek and hands it to her. Katherine looks at him and opens it. Her eyes light up when she sees a picture of herself staring out at the city. The tall buildings shine and shimmer with Christmas lights off in the distance. The two share a huge smile and Jack slips his arms around Katherine's waist and places his head on her shoulder. Katherine turns to him with a huge smile on her face. "Merry Christmas, Ace," Jack says and Katherine beams back at him.

"Merry Christmas, Jack!" She says as she notices how close their faces are to each other. Jack notices it as well and gently closes the gap between them.  Katherine smiles causing them to break the kiss. Jack pulls away just enough so that he can look at Katherine.

"Youse are terrible at this whole kissing thing. Stop smiling so's I'se can kiss ya," Jack whines and Katherine laughs.

"Jack, thank you for the drawing and making this such a wonderful Christmas. This is better than any Christmas present anyone can ever give me," Katherine says quietly and Jack smiles at her.

"I'se am a pretty good Christmas present, ain't I?" Jack asks flirtatiously and Katherine gently shoves him with her elbow.

"Jack!!!" She whines playfully and the two stop their flirting when they hear Joseph Pulitzer call out,

"Who's on my fire escape?" Jack turns to whisper in Katherine's ear.

"Youse welcome," He whispers just before hurrying towards the ladder. Jack kisses Katherine one last time before hurrying down the fire escape and standing in front of Joseph Pulitzer. "Jack Kelly, ya daughter's friendly neighborhood fire escape visitor at ya service. Dere a problem I'se don't know about?" Pulitzer shifts around nervously.

"It is Christmas, Kelly! What are you doing trespassing on my private property?" Pulitzer snarls and Jack crosses his arm.

"Just wanted ta wish someone very beautiful a Merry Christmas," Jack quips and Katherine comes down to stand beside Jack. She kisses Jack's cheek and says,

"Thanks for letting him visit, Dad. He made it a very Merry Christmas. Please don't call the police on him." Jack and Katherine both stroll over to the edge of the yard, climb the fence and walk down the street a ways. Pulitzer walks to the edge of this yard and watches the two. The two hug, share a kiss, and wish each other Merry Christmas before each walking on their own ways. He going back to a large band of brothers in an apartment that he shares with them and she going back to her rich life with her fancy party. Two people with different backgrounds, but brought together by the strongest bonds of love.

AN:/ Hey! Merry Christmas!! I gave you another oneshot!!! If you noticed in the last oneshot, it gets mentioned that Jack wants to visit Katherine on her fire escape. As you can see it only half worked out, but hey, they still got to see each other. There was sort of a spinoff of an idea that BeckyMerari1808 gave to me. The whole party and mistletoe part was her idea, so I am giving credit to her for that. Thank you so much!! Anyways, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and that you enjoy this oneshot. I am still accepting OCs if you would like yours to be in this story. I always give your OC their own oneshot the first time they enter the book. And I am still taking preferences/imagines request, so please go check out that book. You can also request certain oneshots on here too. Just realize that it may take awhile for me to write out. In case you haven't noticed, I am a huge Jatherine shipper. I really wanted to write some Jatherine Christmas stuff so this is how this oneshot came about. I hope you guys liked it, I kind of put some real world moments in there with Pulitzer crashing Jack and Katherine's romantic couple time and not giving it back. Anyways, thanks for reading, commenting, and voting!! If you don't do that and we haven't met yet, please feel free to make yourself known! I love meeting other Fansies!!! Have a blessed Merry Christmas, you guys!!!! Enjoy spending time celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and spending time with your family!! Merry Christmas, friends!!