A/N: Bonnie and Clyde AU/Late 1920s/Early 1930s AU. This doesn't really follow the Bonnie and Clyde musical/story but is more just in existence for the vibes. I came up with the story and did a little research on the ACTUAL Bonnie and Clyde. If you don't like a lot of death, maybe just only read to them walking into Macy's. I don't own Newsies so please don't sue. You're welcome to imagine whoever from whatever iteration of the show you prefer. Enjoy!

The instant she leaps into the car, her lips collide with his. It's messy and desperate as her hands cup his cheeks and her kiss steals the breath from his very being. The sound of a pile of coins spilling in the back of the cab of the car clatters as she tosses the sack into the car. His eyes flutter shut as he snakes an arm around her waist with one hand and runs his fingers through her hair with the other. They break apart and he is immediately lunging at her lips again.

"Easy Cowboy," she chuckles, her mouth hovering above his and her breath tickling his face, "Don't we have a job to do?" He merely kisses her in response, his hand sliding out of her hair to rest on her cheek.

"Yeah, but it ain't the most important one right now," he answers before he leans in to kiss her again. The thick humidity of the night makes the kisses feel more heated and passionate as their lips meet again and again, the pistol on the dashboard practically crushed by the heat of the evening. Her fingers find their way into his hair, knocking his Newsie cap down onto the floor of the cab. "Does your daddy know about what you do at night?"

She smirks at him, lowering the hand resting against his cheek down to his chest, "Oh trust me," she says in a mischievous tone, "My daddy doesn't need to know." His eyebrows raise and she kisses him deeply on the lips before pressing a gentle kiss to each corner of his mouth. 

They finally break apart for a moment as he starts the car and drives it through the city streets, trying to be as quiet as possible. She leans her head against his shoulder and he wraps his free arm around her waist, his fingers trailing down her arm as he reaches for the shifter. The two of them gaze out the front windshield, watching the towering buildings roll by, buildings that used to intimidate both of them but no longer do. The city is theirs and theirs alone to own and hold between their fingers.

Driving down a small side street, he stops the car in front of a narrow separation between two buildings. She presses a soft kiss to his cheek before grabbing some of the coins in the sack, shoving some of the loose ones into it. She leaps out and the bottom of her skirt flounces for a moment before settling near her calves. Her legs move freely underneath it as she hurriedly walks into the small alleyway, aware of him watching her. Gently prying loose one of the bricks on the building, she slips several handfuls of the coins inside before replacing it, carefully shoving as many as she can into the small opening. The two of them stop at another location or two just like this before they make their way back to the Lodging House where he and the other Newsies of the Lower East Side live.

"I like your skirt," he comments as he drives them away south on an old bumpy road.

"You do?" she asks, "It's another thing that Daddy doesn't know about." He stares at her from the corner of his eye.

"Your daddy ain't gonna like you keeping so many secrets from him," he comments. She just scoffs and waves a hand in the air,

"Oh, he'll live. And trust me, I think he'd be scandalized if he knew I was wearing a skirt above my ankles. He never was pleasant about the current fashions." He merely laughs a little at that, turning to look at her for a moment before looking back to the road. His hand reaches for hers and she puts her own in his, letting him take it and gently squeeze it. "Did you ever tell the boys about...?"

A moment of tense silence passes between the two of them.

"Jack..."

"Ace...I don't know how to tell em," Jack answers as he turns onto the street where the Lodging House is. He takes off his Newsie cap and runs his fingertips through his hair, messing it up just like the mess he felt like he was in. "They know I used to run around with Spot...."

She stops him mid explanation, "That's not the whole truth, Jack. I know you're used to improving the truth with the headlines but you can't do that to your boys. It's not fair."

"I know it ain't fair," Jack answers, "I have a feelin' some of 'em already know." He smacks the Newsie cap against his knee before placing it tightly back on his head.

"But do they know everything?" she asks. Jack just groans in response and lets his head drop back against the seat. "Look I know I keep secrets from my father and that's one matter but this is completely different."

"Katherine...I care about the boys. I really do but they can't know. It puts 'em in danger," he explains and Katherine whirls to face him,

"Then tell them in a way that won't. They're like your brothers, Jack. They deserve to know something."

"You'se right," Jack answers with a sigh, "But you better come clean to somebody about everything...someday. If I'm doin' it, you gotta tell Denton or your father or somebody."

"Alright fine. Someday," Katherine confirms and Jack spits in his hand offering it to her. "You really want to seal this deal that way? I'm not a Newsie, Jack."

"You got something else in mind?" Jack asks, leaning closer to her and raising an eyebrow. She also continues to lean closer until their lips are mere centimeters apart. Jack closes the gap and it's a sweet and gentle kiss. It feels steady, not as passionate or desperate as the kisses before. It's a promise to not let the other down and the sweet caress of his lips against hers reminds that they will always have each other.

They break apart and Jack sits up straight.

"Oh no," he grumbles, throwing open the car door, snatching his gun off the dashboard and offering a hand to Katherine. He helps her down and the two of them run inside.

"What?" Katherine asks until she hears the steady thump of a drum set in the background, "Oh." is all she responds with.

"Thought I told them they could only play 'til ten," Jack grumbles as he hears some high trumpet notes floating out from the Lodge. Katherine trails behind him as Jack opens the door loudly, scaring Les and Crutchie who are playing a game of War on a table next to the door.

"Jack!" Les cries out enthusiastically, running up to his role model and hero and throwing his arms around him, "You're back!" Crutchie gazes at Jack and Katherine with a twinkle in his eye,

"You two are back late. Busy night?" Jack feels a small flush creep up on his face and Katherine fidgets nervously with her hands. "Oh," Crutchie says, the twinkle in his gaze only seeming to grow and a knowing look crossing his features.

"Ya beat Crutchie at War yet, Les?" Jack asks the younger boy, desperate for some kind of distraction.

"No," Les says despondently, "He keeps beating me."

"He ain't hidin' the aces from you, is he?" Jack asks loudly enough that Crutchie will hear and Crutchie frowns at him.

"You'se gonna spoil all my secrets," he says a bit dramatically and Jack sighs,

"Yeah yeah. I'se gotta go make sure the boys know what time it is."

"Davey's gonna tell you he has three more minutes," Crutchie points out, gesturing towards the clock on the wall above the desk. Jack groans but rolls his shoulders back.

"Well, we could go listen for three minutes," Katherine suggests gently and Jack just looks at her, "Or maybe longer." Jack rolls his eyes and huffs out a breath before starting down the stairs to the basement which contains the piano and the only space the boys can actually practice. He is greeted by the sound of an upbeat jazz song. Jack leans against the wall next to the staircase and crosses his arms as Katherine follows him down the stairs. The song reaches a quiet piano solo and one of the stairs Katherine steps on to squeaks egregiously.

All of the heads in the room swivel to her and she sighs,

"I was trying not to interrupt but Jack...."

"Oh shoah," Jack starts, "Go ahead and blame it on me. It's all MY fault."

"You were the one who wanted to come down and interrupt band practice."

"Interrupt? I ain't interruptin'. I was gonna wait 'til the song was over."

David Jacobs, who is sitting at the piano, plays the next chord and steps onto the pedal to let it dispel softly into the air. "I still have three minutes by the way."

"I'se aware of what time it is, Davey. Just makin' sure you knew," Jack replies and Davey takes a deep breath before shaking his head,

"Since when have I ever cut a practice time short or ran over?"

"You could cut it three minutes short tonight. My fingers is gettin' tired," Skittery, the bassist for the band calls from his spot. He leans on his bass, his skinny fingers clutching the neck of it as his chin rests on the top of the body of the instrument.

"Yours are gettin' tired?" Albert, the drummer, complains, "Try holdin' drum sticks for two hours. You'll discover a new definition of pain."

"You can't possibly redefine pain for me," Skittery retorts, lifting his head up off the bass and standing up to his full height.

"Boys, we have three minutes," Davey answers, "We have to keep going. I never cut a rehearsal short."

"Ya mean practice?" Skittery asks, "Ya did say practice earlier," sending a smirk over to Finch and Mush, the other two band members. Mush, laying slouched on the couch, lazily looks over at Skittery as he plays quiet little jazzy riffs on his clarinet, barely giving Skittery the time of day in favor of his instrument. Finch is next to him, except he's laying upside down and is playing his flute along to whatever Mush is playing. Skittery groans at being ignored by the two wind players and is slightly jealous that he can't normally just join in on whatever they're playing because he's not as good at just making stuff up as they are.

"I mean rehearsal," Davey corrects him, "We have rehearsal, not practice. Rehearsal is a much more dignified art...." Albert rolls his eyes, growing annoyed that Skittery had to bring this up again as he does every rehearsal.

"Ey, Finch!" Albert cries out, "Wasn't youse playin' trumpet tonight?"

Finch merely shrugs as best as he can while still playing his flute.

"Youse gonna pass out if you stay like that much longer," Albert calls out again. Davey gasps and points an index finger at Finch,

"You need to sit up right now! You're gonna pass out and then we won't be able to finish rehearsal."

"Would that be such a bad thing?" Skittery asks moodily as he twirls his bass around once.

"Absolutely! We can't not finish prac....I mean rehearsal," Davey starts to explain.

"Heh, you almost said practice," Skittery comments and Davey's face reddens,

"WE ARE FINISHING THIS SONG. I DON'T CARE IF THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF COMES TO INTERRUPT. WE WILL FINISH THIS SONG SO HELP ME."

Finch and Mush's playing falls silent.

"You'd really let me pass out, Davey?" Finch asks and Davey smacks his palm against his forehead.

"No, that's not what I meant, Finch. You're a valuable member of the band....perhaps the most valuable."

"HEY" is collectively shouted from the other three members of the band.

"Not that the rest of you aren't," Davey says.

"Without your drummer, you ain't got rhythm," Albert shouts in protest.

"Forget your drummer. All you need for rhythm is a bass!" Skittery argues back.

"A bass is too quiet to do anything actually useful for rhythm," Albert states matter of factly and Skittery bristles but not afraid of a fight, shoots back,

"YEAH? AT LEAST I CAN ACTUALLY PLAY NOTES."

"YEAH? AT LEAST I CAN PLAY LOUDER THAN YOU."

"OH YEAH? AT LEAST I GET MELODIC SOLOS THAT ACTUALLY CAN DO SOMETHING FOR THE SONG."

Davey slumps over and puts his head in his hands.

Jack shoots a glance at the clock and then at Katherine.

Mush takes his clarinet and sits next to Davey on the piano bench.

"Do you need me to get their attention?" he asks and Davey glances up at the two arguing musicians, who are now starting to play their own respective instruments.

"I CAN PLAY LOUDER THAN YOU!" Albert shouts over his loud drumming.

"I CAN PLAY FASTER AND PRETTIER THAN YOU!" Skittery shouts back.

Davey makes eye contact with Mush, gives a long sigh and then nods his head. Finch, who is close enough but is distracted by the argument has no idea what's about to happen. Mush whistles through his teeth just loudly enough to get his attention and raises his clarinet. Finch nods his head in understanding and moves away so Mush can get closer to the two bickering musicians.

Mush stands up from the piano bench, taking his clarinet with him. He stands just to the side of the bickering boys, takes a deep breath, and plays a high screechy note incredibly loudly on his clarinet.

The whole Lodge, not just the basement, seems to fall silent at the sound of that.

Mush holds it for a second or two, causing both Albert and Skittery to grumble and slam their hands over their ears. Jack and Katherine both shift uncomfortably but neither of them appear as affronted by it as Albert and Skittery do.

Mush finishes playing it and nonchalantly inspects his instrument to make sure it's alright.

The peace and quiet doesn't last long as Racetrack Higgins comes thundering down the stairs,

"MUSH!"

"I'M DEAF!" Albert cries out to Race.

"YOU'RE DEAF? I'M DEAF!" Race replies just as loudly.

"DANG IT, MUSH!" Skittery adds in with frustration.

"I'll do it again if you don't quiet down!" Mush calls out and all of the boys shout,

"NO!"

"You'll wake the whole house again if you do that," Jack grumbles, "Now finish your song and call it for tonight."

Davey, who needs no further encouragement, starts snapping his fingers and the group starts up where they were before.

Except instead of a trumpet solo playing it's a soft flute.

"Oh no," Finch says, interrupting the song, "I forgot."

"Get your trumpet," Davey says in an exasperated and tired tone of voice.

"Jack, you ain't gonna get mad that I play this cuz it's loud and it's late, right?" Finch asks nervously as he picks up the trumpet and gestures with it to Jack.

"Just play your trumpet, Finch. If any of the boys were asleep, they're awake already," Jack says, rubbing a hand over his face. Finch nods and holds his trumpet up so it's ready to play.

Davey starts snapping his fingers to start the song again until,

"WAIT!"

Davey rolls his eyes and utters the deepest sigh,

"What could POSSIBLY be wrong now?"

Racetrack waves a shy hand from the back.

"Oh it's you," Davey says, "You're not a part of this."

Racetrack collapses against the wall with a hand over his heart as the music starts to play which doesn't stop him from shrieking over the top of it,

"DON'T FORGET MY JINGLE BELL SOLO. I NEED TO GO FIND 'EM." He disappears up the stairs before anyone can protest.

Davey just sighs loudly over the top of the music, pounding on the keys a bit harder as he tilts his head back.

A clarinet solo, another trumpet solo, and a piano solo along with the main melody is played through and the song ends with the instruments in perfect harmony.

"Alright. Good job, everybody. Remember. Keep it punchy. We need good drive in it," Davey instructs them as they're already packing up.

"Yes, Mama Davey," Skittery grumbles, "Can I go to the....?" Davey raises an eyebrow at him, "Ya know what. I'll just go to bed."

"Uh huh. No speakeasy visits tonight," Davey chastises him.

Racetrack comes bounding down the stairs, enthusiastically shaking his jingle bells as he does, nearly bowling over Katherine in the process.

"Race!" she shrieks playfully and Race bounds like a gazelle across the room, shaking his jingle bells rhythmically.

Well...somewhat rhythmically.

Finch winces and starts to reach for the instrument.

"Race, can Ise shows ya?"

"NO!" Race cries out, holding them to him protectively, "You may be a maestro of all da other instruments, Finch but not of this one." Finch raises his hands up in the air and steps away from him. Race continues to shake the instrument and leap across the room.

"Oh, Race," Finch sighs and Mush comes up to pat him on the back.

"It's alright, Finch," he reassures him, "You did the best ya could."

Finch nods as Race continues to leap in the most majestic of ways and Albert finally snaps at him,

"Look. It's July, not Christmas. I don't wanna hear Santa's reindeer until then."

"I'm honored and hurt," Race replies, putting his jingle bells over his heart, "Honored that you consider me one of Santa's reindeer but..."

"Yeah. Spare us the explanation," Skittery snaps as he gently puts his bass in the corner.

"Alright boys," Jack says, "It's quiet hours. I'm takin' Katherine home but quiet hours still apply."

A chorus of "Good night" graces Katherine's ears and she replies with a simple,

"Good night, boys! I'll see you all tomorrow."

She and Jack hurry upstairs to a small closet just off the main entrance to the Lodge. Jack pries up the loose floorboard as Katherine shuts the door behind them.

"You better hurry," she hisses out in a whisper, shooting a glance at the closed door, "They're gonna get suspicious."

"Suspicious?" Jack asks as he folds the sack up and places it in the floorboards, "Ace, I'se gonna be surprised if anybody figures this out. The only person who knows the secret is someone we ain't worried about right now. Just calm down. We'll get this figured...."

The door swings ajar before Jack can finish his sentence, revealing Crutchie, looking quite perplexed, standing on the other side. Katherine glares at him in such a way that would engulf him in flames.

"Out," Jack finishes lamely and quickly replaces the floorboard. He brushes his hands clean of some dirt which Crutchie and Katherine both raise their eyebrows at. "What? The floor's dirty."

"My crutch ain't ever that dirty," Crutchie remarks, "And you weren't doing what I thought you would be doing."

"Do I even wanna know?" Jack asks, standing up to his full height and Crutchie sighs,

"Jack, there ain't nothin' wrong with wantin' a little privacy. I woulda thought you woulda gone up to the penthouse but...."

"Crutchie...." Katherine interrupts, "Jack and I have something we need to tell you."

"We do?" Jack asks, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Yes," Katherine insists, looking at him very pointedly, "We do and you, Jack Kelly, are going to tell him."

"I am?" Jack asks, "Ace, I don't know if I'm ready."

"Wait...." Crutchie starts, "You just called her Ace."

"Yeah, it's my nickname for her. What's it to you?" Jack asks and Crutchie whips out a newspaper from his pocket,

"I thought this guy looked familiar. He looks just like himself." He points to the name Ace in a headline. "These two robbers go by the names of Cowboy and Ace and they rob banks and things, supposedly helpin' people out in the tough times. No one will really say if they're doing good or not. Nobody knows much about 'em except that they'se causing lots of trouble."

Jack and Katherine both fight to not look at each other and keep their eye contact with Crutchie.

"Crutchie, there's something ya need to know about where Ace and I go at night," Jack says, "We'se them."

"I knew it!" Crutchie exclaims and Jack shushes him.

"You ain't to tell ANYBODY about dis. This is helping all you out," he instructs him and Crutchie stops a bit.

"Jack, but what if the police come lookin' for ya? What's I supposed to tell 'em?" he asks. Jack puts a hand on Crutchie's shoulder and his heart breaks as he feels Crutchie shirk away ever so slightly.

"Just tell 'em....whatever ya feel ya should. I trust youse," he says and Crutchie looks like a new burden has just been laid upon him.

"Crutchie, we're just asking that you keep it a secret unless someone asks you about it," Katherine says, "We don't want you...to lie for our sake. If someone we care about thinks it wrong, we'll stop." Crutchie takes a deep breath and runs his fingers through his hair,

"I...ain't gonna say either way. It's youse's choice to make," he says, "I'm gonna not help ya actually rob people but I'll be here for you regardless and be a listenin' ear and not go runnin' to the cops."

"Thank you," Katherine says with a warm smile on her face, reaching forward to hug him, "This means a lot to us and really all of you." She and Crutchie meet in a side embrace before Jack completely envelopes him in a massive hug.

"You ain't runnin' around with Spot again, are ya? I'se assumin' that's what you would be doing out in Brooklyn so late.." Crutchie asks as they let go. Jack shakes his head vehemently.

"No," he says, "We ain't. Ace and I are just a two-person operation." Jack rubs a hand through his hair at the thought. Those were hard times but times once again were only getting harder with the Depression, and Spot was great at getting his hands on money...

"Jack?" Katherine's voice cuts through his voice and his hazel eyes meet her brown ones, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," Jack says, shaking his head to clear the fog out of his mind. He had promised Katherine that they would never work with Spot again, especially after what happened last time. He needed to keep that promise. "Just lost in thought."

"It's about Spot, isn't it? Jack, you promised we would never.." she starts to say but he cuts her off,

"I know. I'se keepin' it. Don't worry. Ain't nothing gonna happen to you. That's over and done with and we ain't doin' it again."

"All I know 'bout Spot is dat he's dangerous and not much else," Crutchie says, "But someday, I'se wanna know what really happened. Cuz I know it was related to all dis now that I know who youse are. And with dat, I'se gonna go to bed. Dis is a lot to think about."

"Goodnight," Jack and Katherine say as Crutchie leaves them to be only to reveal Davey standing across the room, glaring at the small pile of currency peaking out from the floorboards.

"Where...did you get that?" he asks in a harsh tone, approaching Jack and Katherine. Katherine tenses and Jack looks to the floor. "Where, Jack?" Davey asks again after a moment of silence, his tone only intensifying, "Please tell me it isn't what I think it is."

"Whadya think it is, Davey?" Jack asks and Davey fixes him with a steely glare.

"You stole it," he says and then turns to Katherine, "I don't know if you're in on this too but if you're not, I'm surprised you're letting it happen."

"I'm his partner in crime, Davey," Katherine says, "I'm sorry. This is a way that the boys can be provided be for and in a great quantity too. You boys have plenty to cover any medical..."

"We EARN IT OURSELVES!" Davey exclaims, "We WORK HARD!"

"Keep it down, Dave," Jack shushes him, "You want em all to find out?"

"Do I want them to find out that their leader is stealing to provide for them since he doesn't think they can do it themselves?" Davey asks, "Yeah, maybe I do."

"Don't be ridiculous, Davey," Jack says, "It's hard times for everybody. The boys can hardly afford anything and ain't nobody buyin' papes these days."

"That doesn't mean that you steal for them!" Davey practically screeches, "Just the thought of it makes me want to..." He clenches his fists and takes a deep breath.

"Davey, it's for a noble cause. You're suffering as much as the rest of the boys are if not more. You have a family to support. We're really just trying to help because we recognize the hard work that the boys put in and we want to help them continue to be successful," Katherine explains, "We mean no harm."

Davey's head hangs slightly and he sighs, "I'm sorry to both of you. I don't at all think that this is right and I'm so close to having the band ready to start playing places. We could make some actual money with that. It just stings a little."

"And we understand that. If you don't want the money, then don't take it. We know what we're doing is wrong," Katherine says, "But we do just want to help."

"I understand that. Les and I need to go. I need to think about this and I'm not sure I want him running around alone with a couple of gangsters," he starts and Jack reaches out a hand to clasp Davey on the shoulder but Davey moves away.

"Davey..." Jack starts and Davey shakes his head,

"No, Jack. I'm sorry. Les and I have to go."

And with that, the Lodging House door shuts harshly behind the two Jacobs brothers.

Jack sighs and slumps his shoulders ever so slightly in defeat.

"Jack," Katherine says, "He just cares about you a lot."

"I know, Ace," Jack says as Katherine steps closer to him, opening his arm to her so she leans into his side and he presses a kiss to the top of her head, "I'se don't expect everybody to support this. My muddah surely wouldn't."

"I know my father certainly doesn't," Katherine says, disdain strong in her tone, "He'd never let me out of his sight again if he knew what we were doing, especially if he knew that I was one of the criminals making the headlines."

"We'se just makin' it easier for the boys to sell their papes," Jack offers and Katherine shoots him a glare, "Alright alright." He lets go of her and raises his arms up in surrender. She rolls her eyes and walks back into the lobby area.

With a sigh, she says, "I should probably get going. Father's going to wonder where I am if I don't come home soon." Jack follows her out into the lobby and stands so close to her that she jumps at the sound of his voice asking lowly and right in her ear,

"You don't wanna do one more run?" 

"Jack..." Katherine warns him.

"Ace..." Jack answers with a bit of pleading in his tone, his arms wrapping around her waist from behind and his chin resting on her shoulder, "One more wouldn't be so bad."

"It's getting late..." Katherine trails off letting her back rest against Jack's chest, "Besides weren't you the ones telling the boys it was too late to practice?"

"....yeah" Jack answers with a defeated sigh, "Guess you'se right." Katherine leans her head against his and the two snuggle in silence for a moment before Katherine says,

"We won't be able to go tomorrow night. My father's planned some kind of evening with other newspaper tycoons. Bill and Darcy will be there too."

"And you'se gotta be there?" Jack asks incredulously, quirking an eyebrow. Katherine turns her head slightly so she can see his face and almost laughs at him. 

"Yes," she answers, "Father would be very upset if I wasn't there and you know how he is when he's upset." She turns back around so she can lean her head against his own. 

"So what are ya saying?" Jack asks, "Do we go one more time tonight or do we'se wait?"

Katherine sighs and purses her lips, "It would be a shame if you had to come get me from the party tomorrow night."

"Oh right. And how's would I do that? Pretty shoa I ain't invited," he says, making Katherine chuckle. 

"Maybe not to the party but you are good at getting in and out of places you're not supposed to be in," she says, turning her head again to look at him. Pressing a gentle kiss to his lips that she pulls away from before he can kiss her back which makes him whine a little bit, she asks, "Meet me in the back of the garden a little before 9?" He swiftly moves in and presses a firm but gentle kiss to her lips and she kisses him back for a minute before they break apart, holding each other tight in an embrace. They pull away and Jack agrees,

"Every second til then's gonna be torture." Katherine smiles at him cheekily and replies with,

"Well, guess we'll just to have make time go faster then." She pulls him into another kiss that takes his breath away. He pulls her closer to him that not even a tiny strand of Patches' cat hair could get in between them. Her arms move to rest on his shoulders as they become lost in each other.

So lost that they don't hear Elley coming down the stairs.

"Oh gosh," she mumbles half sleepily, "We'se know ya love each other. Now take it somewhere else."

Mush trails down behind her, his clarinet in hand and Jack and Katherine stop kissing, but are still holding onto each other. 

"Yeah yeah yeah, whatevah. Like he's not gonna take ya to the fire escape to do the same thing," Jack says, moving a hand off of Katherine's waist to wave his sister and his friend away.

"He has his clarinet," Elley points to the instrument in Mush's hand, "I can't sleep and he wants to practice. He can't practice and kiss me at the same time."

"Is that a challenge?" Mush asks and Elley rolls her eyes at him. 

"How touchin'," Jack says, "They'se flirtin'."

"Alright alright, we'se leavin'," Elley responds, sticking her tongue out at her older brother, "Enjoy makin' out with Katherine."

"HEY!" Jack shouts as Elley snickers and runs out the door with Mush close behind her, "Kids these days..."

"Like you're not one of them," Katherine answers and Jack groans,

"Ya didn't have to say it like that."

"Ya didn't have to call her out like dat," Katherine replies in a very loose impression of his accent, making Jack grumble and roll his eyes. She smirks at him with a challenging look in her eyes and Jack sighs,

"What am I gonna do with ya?"

"Walk me home. It's getting late."

"Ain't what I had in mind but if that's what ya want."

"What did YOU have in mind?" she challenges him and he hugs her tightly before kissing the top of her head and saying,

"That's for me ta know and you to find out." She simply rolls her eyes at him again and starts to pull away, moving toward the door.

"Wait, you don't wanna find out?" he asks her as she pulls fully from his grasp and takes a step toward the door. 

"You had your chance and I need to get home," she answers as she keeps walking toward the door. 

"Ain't I supposed to come with you?" Jack asks her, crossing his arms and stepping closer to her as she has one hand on the door knob, "Can't leave your valiant protector behind."

She sighs and rolls her eyes, "Oh for shame the kind of terrors that would befall me if I dare step out of here unaccompanied."

"Hey, I beat up that security guard the other..."

"Shhhhhh," Katherine hushes him quickly, "You want the whole city to know about our escapades?"

"He was gonna shoot ya!" Jack exclaims and Katherine shuts him up with a quick kiss.

"Come on. Let's go," she says pulling him out the door and down the street. Jack shuts the door behind them and they walk toward her home with quiet conversation and Mush's soft clarinet playing in the background. 

After several more minutes of the two of them talking about everything except their evening activities and a few more stolen kisses, Jack helps Katherine up the fire escape and toward her room. Opening the window that she had left unlocked earlier, she steps in holding onto Jack's hand as he helps her. He leans against the window sill, both of his hands firmly planted and Katherine leans across it to give him a long kiss. 

"Good night. I'll see you tomorrow a little before 9 in the garden," she whispers and Jack nods. 

"Every second...."

"You said that already. Now go before you get caught," she says. They share one more quick kiss before Jack hurries down the fire escape and Katherine gets her sweet rest. 

Jack is walking back toward the Lodging House when he suddenly hears the sound of glass breaking across the street. He's torn between just walking home or investigating what's going on. Since he's a few blocks away from Katherine's home in a richer neighborhood and now in a significantly poorer neighborhood, he's hesitant to just let this go. He and Katherine very purposefully only take money from those who it won't hurt. Looking across the street, he sees the window of a bank shattered and the glass scattered all over the street. For a moment, he's slightly afraid to go over there alone since he doesn't know who it could be.

Til he feels the weight of his pistol resting in the holster attached to his suspenders and sees the familiar figure of Oscar Delancey inside the bank. Regaining some confidence, Jack rolls up his sleeves to his forearms and starts walking over to them. 

"Oscar, you'se look an awful lot like a raccoon in this evenin' light. The trash can's behind the building and not inside it," he quips and Oscar whirls around and growls,

"Kelly...should've known you'd be out this time of night. Walkin' Pulitzer's daughter home from somewhere. He ain't gonna be too happy to know that she was out late with ya." 

"Like he'se would believe you two," Jack shoots back without a second thought, "Besides, ain't it his daughter's choice who she gets to pass her time with?"

"Ain't what he thinks," Oscar replies with a smirk, "But guess you'se too much of a criminal to get an appointment with him." 

"Criminal? What's dat about? Just cause I got thrown in da Refuge don't mean..." Jack trails off as Oscar pulls a picture out of his pocket. "Ya just cut that outta the pape. That could be anybody."

Morris Delancey tosses a bag over the counter and then leaps over himself, "Ain't what Uncle Wiese thinks and we..." he points to Oscar and then himself, "agree. We'se sees you and your little gang every single mornin'. Wouldn't we know best?"

"And those gorgeous curls," Oscar continues, pointing to the hair of the young woman in the picture. Their backs were to the camera and it was a distant shot as one of them was holding the sack while their hands were intertwined between them. "Could recognize em just about anywhere."

Jack tries to act indifferent to their accusations, "Could be anybody. I'se just sayin'. Now, leave dis bank alone. This is a poorer neighborhood. No sense in robbin' those who are already poor."

He's instantly hoping they think he's being compassionate instead of seeing a strategy which is true. He'd never steal from this neighborhood even if he wasn't an infamous thief making all of the headlines. 

"No sense in making enemies with our employer," Morris snarls back as he pulls a pistol out from under his vest. 

Jack huffs out a breath and rolls his eyes, "You'se don't need to do that." If he pulls his gun, they'll run right to Pulitzer with their accusations because they'll be so sure that they're right. "We can fight this out like gentleman."

"But who said we were gentleman?" Oscar says, studying Jack closely. He reaches under Jack's vest before he can stop him and pulls out Jack's own gun, "Besides, don't look like you'se much of one neither."

"Newsies don't just carry guns," Morris ponders out loud, "I think ya mixed up in something, Kelly."

"Just put the money back, give me my gun, and we'se can pretend like dis never happened," Jack offers, "We'se can all just go home and everything's normal tomorrow, yeah?"

Morris merely clicks the safety off of his pistol and Jack tries to wrestle his gun out of Oscar's hand. 

"SHOOT HIM, MORRIS!" Oscar shouts as Jack manages to free his own gun from Oscar. Morris is grumbling as he tries again and again to fire his gun. "MORRIS!" Oscar shouts again and Morris yells back with,

"I can't! It's empty."

Jack takes the opportunity to shove Oscar to the ground, his gun clattering out of its holster. Oscar reaches for it but Jack merely kicks it out of the way before holstering his own. 

"Now, put the money back," Jack says, crossing his arms. Oscar grabs onto his leg and takes him down. Jack hits the ground with the wind knocked out of him as Oscar starts to go for his gun. The two of them start to tussle on the ground and Morris runs for Oscar's gun behind them. He grabs it and Jack hears the safety click off of it. Slightly more panicked, he kicks Oscar in the stomach and gives him a solid punch in the face before rolling over to his front and trying in a desperate attempt to push Morris to the ground. It works to throw Morris off balance enough that he shoots a bullet up at the ceiling instead of at Jack. Morris grumbles in frustration and Jack takes the opportunity to get to his feet and shoves Morris into the wall. Forgetting about Oscar for a minute, he tries to knock the gun out of Morris' grip. He feels Oscar try to grab his leg but he kicks him hard in the nose and Oscar shouts. Morris takes advantage of the distraction and drops another bullet into the chamber. Jack grabs onto Morris' gun hand and points it toward the ceiling. Morris punches Jack in the face and Jack returns the favor. He tries to slam Morris' hand into the wall to get him to release it but Morris just punches him in the face again. Jack punches him twice...hard and Morris drops the gun to the floor. 

"I think you broke my nose," Oscar whines from the floor and Jack picks up Morris' gun off the ground and pulls his own.

"Sorry but I don't pull punches when you steal from poor people, 'specially youse two," Jack says, "Now, Morris, if you'd be so kind to put the money back where ya found it..." He gestures with the guns and Morris moves toward him but Jack clicks the safety off his own and Morris raises his hands up in the air. 

"Fine fine, Kelly. I'll do what you want. You win," he growls and then he sweeps Jack's legs out from under him. Jack's back hits the ground, once again knocking the wind out of him. Taking a deep breath, Jack rolls to his feet, dodging Oscar throwing a punch his way. He points a gun at each brother and nods to the money. Morris growls and throws it over the counter before jumping over. 

"Just leave it there. Don't want ya pullin' nothing else," Jack says, gesturing for Morris to come back over. Morris frowns at him but jumps over nonetheless. "Now get outta here," he says, "Both of ya. I don't wanna see your faces til tomorrow morning." The brothers, with the weapons still aimed at them, shoot Jack a few dirty looks as they pick themselves up off the floor. 

"You'se gonna pay for this," Oscar snarls as he and Morris start to walk away. 

"We coulda settled all this with a good ol' fistfight but you chose not to," Jack answers with a shrug, stepping out of the bank behind them, "Now go home." 

Brushing themselves off, both Oscar and Morris walk up the street in the direction to where Jack knows they live about the circulation office and Jack watches them for awhile to make sure they won't come back. Once he's sure they won't come back, he finishes his walk home. 

He arrives home to pretty clarinet music floating out from behind the building and he rounds the corner of the building to climb up the fire escape to his 'penthouse' he shares with Crutchie. Jack smiles at the scene before him. His sister's head is leaned against Mush's shoulder with her eyes closed and Mush is playing a gentle jazz tune, face etched deep in concentration and his fingers softly plodding on the keys of the instrument as he plays the piece apparently from memory. Jack stands there for awhile and feels his heart swell with happiness as he grabs onto the railing of the fire escape. 

And it squeaks. 

Mush's playing stops and he and Elley both whirl to face him.

"Gosh, ya look a little rough there, Jacky," Elley says, burying her face in Mush's shoulder, "You decide to befriend a brick wall or somethin'?"

"No, I stopped the Delanceys from robbin' a bank," Jack answers seriously and Mush starts to stand up,

"I'se can get ya something and let you two talk." He gently nudges her to pick her head up off his shoulder and hands her his instrument. She perks up with curiosity at it and Mush gives her a knowing look, "Don't."

"Why not?"

"Ya don't know how to play it."

"Then teach me."

Mush sighs, "I'll think about it." He ducks in the window and starts to go find some ice.

Crutchie stops him and they talk for a second before he pokes his head out to talk to Jack, half conscious after being woken up from his pre-bedtime nap in a chair in the corner of the bunkroom. 

"Heya, Jack," he says and goes to hand him his crutch. Jack takes it and offers Crutchie a hand to help him out the window which he swats away. "If I'se don't stretch it every once in awhile, how's it ever gonna get stronger?" Jack pulls his hands back in a truce as Crutchie comes out the window on his own. "See?"

"Yeah, ain't so bad," Jack says, putting a hand on his back to steady him. Crutchie takes one look at him and frowns,

"What happened to ya?"

"Delanceys."

"Dis late?"

"They didn't like me stoppin' their bank robbery," he answers with a sigh, "But I'se stopped it nonetheless."

Mush reemerges with some alcohol to clean the wounds and bandages to cover them up. "Ya didn't let her play it, did ya, Jack?" he asks him as his feet plant themselves on the fire escape.

"Nah," Jack says.

Elley starts holding his clarinet upright and moves to slip the mouthpiece between her lips but Mush shoves the supplies into Jack's arms before grabbing his clarinet from Elley. She gasps at how fast Mush is as he very quickly has her pinned with her arms to her side under his arm and against his own side.

"Mush!" she cries, causing Jack and Crutchie to chuckle and a mischievous smile to slip across Mush's face. 

"Mush, don't hurt her too bad," Jack admonishes as he climbs up to the rooftop with Crutchie and his medical supplies in tow. He hears his sister protesting the spot Mush has her in and Mush playing pretty clarinet music again. Rolling his eyes, Jack sits down, open the alcohol and starts to clean up his wounds. He hisses a bit at the sting of some at one his knuckle. Cruchie looks on at him sadly and shakes his head,

"Why'd you do it if...?"

Jack places a finger to his lips and points to Elley and Mush down below. Mush, thankfully, is still playing and Elley's still threatening him with all kinds of consequences that were probably empty. Crutchie nods in realization and motions for Jack to toss him the roll of bandages which Jack does. He tears one off and holds it out to Jack who scoots closer to him. 

"It was a bank in a poor neighborhood. We'se don't do anything to them," Jack whispers underneath Mush and Elley's antics beneath them. Crutchie nods in understanding and stays quiet. 

Meanwhile, Elley has managed to wriggle free from Mush's grasp and is hugging him from behind. Mush stops playing for a second and looks up at her as she leans over him.

"Hi," she says and Mush just blinks innocently at her.

"Hi," Mush answers, not letting go of his instrument at all, "What can I do for ya?"

"A kiss would be nice," she answers and Mush starts to get nervous,

"Your brother's just up..."

"He can't see," Elley says, leaning closer, "And besides, we saw him and Katherine earlier."

Mush doesn't give her time to say anything more, leaning up to close the distance between them. Their lips collide and it's a bit messy as Elley's hands slowly come to cup his cheeks even though he's upside down. Mush leans into the kiss and lets one hand drift up Elley's cheek, through her hair, and to cup the back of her head to pull her closer to him. His gentle, yet strong touch makes Elley feel safe and loved. Elley starts to stroke his cheek with the back of her hand as they kiss and Mush feels somehow soothed and righted by her gentle touches and her lips kissing away the hours of playing clarinet on his own. Everything about this feels right somehow and Mush never wants it to end. They break apart for air and Mush leans closer so that their noses are still touching and their lips mere centimeters apart. 

"Everything just feels right when youse is here," Mush tells her and Elley chuckles on his lips, "It's like even on the cloudiest days, ya bring the sun with ya wherever ya go." 

"I'se always feel protected by youse," Elley says, "And just that we'se gonna get through anything as long as we have each other." She gently runs her fingertips through his hair and Mush closes his eyes, letting his nose bump hers. He gently stretches his neck and kisses her again slowly and softly. She returns it and they stay like that for awhile, just pressing gentle kisses to each other's lips. 

"That's how we know it's gonna be us," Mush breathes as they go back to leaning their foreheads against each other, "Just us." Elley smiles, making Mush almost laugh, causing her to kiss him on the nose and then on the lips. 

"Hey!" Jack calls down from up above, "What happened to my 'getting better' music?" He's leaning his head over the edge of the rooftop, his hair sticking out wildly underneath his Newsie cap. 

"He was practicin'. It wasn't music for you, Jacky," Elley calls back and Mush just leans up to capture her lips with his and stop the bickering. 

"Oh," Jack comments, "I figured that might be what was happenin'."

"Jack, give em their privacy," Crutchie calls out from further back on the rooftop and Jack obliges. 

Mush and Elley break apart and Elley pulls away to glare at him.

"What?" Mush asks and Elley crosses her arms, 

"Ya interrupted my bickerin' with my brother. It's my right as his sister."

"It's my right as yer boyfriend to keep ya outta trouble. Even if that means kissin' ya." 

"Oh. What a shame," she puts a hand to her forehead, "A fate worse than death itself."

"Ya didn't seem to mind earlier," he answers, reaching for the hand she'd put to her forehead. Their fingers intertwine and he starts to pull her closer toward him. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulls her into his side and gently rubs his hand in a soft circle on her back. She snuggles into his side and leans her head against his shoulder again.

"You said you'd teach me," she says, taking his hand resting on her waist and intertwining their fingers. She traces invisible lines on the barrel of his clarinet with her other hand. Mush pulls it upright and gives their intertwined hands a gentle squeeze. 

"Maybe tomorrow. Don't wanna wake the boys up in case ya make it squeak," he considers, "It's kinda loud when ya squeak."

"Oh, I'se remember when you was trying to learn those high notes," she says, shaking her head, "Couldn't tell what was a note and what was a squeak there for awhile."

"Hey!" he says, rolling his eyes, "Ya want me to show you how I got better?"

"Nope," Elley answers, "I already know youse better at em. Heard it earlier when you was gettin' the boys' attention." 

"Glad to know I'se got your attention too," he comments and Elley rolls her eye and leans her head against his shoulder again.

"Just play somethin' 'fore Jack gets cranky again," she playfully demands.

"Ey!" Jack calls from the rooftop and Elley smirks and opens her mouth to reply but Mush puts his clarinet to his lips and starts playing to drown out her response. He gently untangles his other hand and starts playing an actual song. 

Up on the rooftop, Jack is getting ready for bed. Crutchie is looking up at the stars or rather the few that he can see and Jack takes the opportunity to hide his gun in with his paintings. He shucks his vest and light blue shirt to reveal a striped tank top undershirt. 

"Stars is so beautiful," Crutchie says as he slowly lays back and in about five seconds, he's out like a light. The younger boy has always been the one to wake up first in the morning out of the two boys and never fared well late into the evening. Usually, he'd say something that would make Jack scratch his head and then fall asleep immediately after. Jack would bring it up in the morning once his brain woke up but Crutchie would rarely remember saying it.

Jack slowly pulls the blanket sitting in a pile at Crutchie's feet up over his body, letting it slowly drape over him. Giving his shoulder a good good night rub, Jack pulls out his drawings and begins to think. Why did he really stop the Delanceys? Sure, he knows it's against his own moral code to not take from those that are already poor but why did he stop the Delanceys? Did it make it right to do that even if he was a thief himself? He certainly wasn't on the right side of the law and hadn't been for a long time but he had boundaries that he couldn't cross.

To be fair, he had tried to give up this life when Spot started doing things that were too dangerous and against what he was comfortable doing. He had tried only working as a Newsie and doing things the honest way but then a bunch of the boys had gotten sick and Pulitzer, even though Jack had asked, hadn't been willing to help out his employees. So, Jack got angry and started stealing again and about that time, he had met Katherine. Again, he had thought about giving up this life but Katherine was mad at her dad too so off they went, robbing the rich and giving to the poor.

Just like a couple of Robin Hoods out of her books. 

He still wasn't sure that it made any of this right. 

Especially the part where he kept everything a secret from his brothers, including his sister which he hated doing. He can't imagine her reaction if she knew the truth how they were able to get her fixed up after her last encounter with the Delanceys. The boys would be just as upset as she would be. 

He wasn't afraid of jail. He'd been before and it had scared him but what scares him more is the consequences that constant hunger and sickness could have on all of them. 

Jack doesn't want his brothers to be crushed under the heal of those who won't bother to take care of them and besides, he enjoys the thrill of pulling off another successful run with Katherine. 

He also would never complain about a little extra alone time with his Ace, which the car that she somehow snuck out to him was the perfect place for that.

Jack's thoughts continue to whirl as he sketches and he pulls back to see that he's drawn Katherine yet again. Sighing, he sets down the drawing and grumbles at the pocket watch Crutchie has hanging out reading 2:14 am. Slumping onto his mat, Jack rolls over and does his best to go to sleep. 

The morning comes long before he wants it to and Crutchie is already up, bright and cheery as ever. He, like he does most mornings, grabs onto the ladder to swing his legs over and get a look at the sunrise and it clinks. 

Jack grumbles from his bed and yanks a blanket further up his head. It's too early for him to wake up and be able to carry an entire conversation with Crutchie. He rolls over and groans, 

"Go back to sleep. It ain't time to get up yet."

Crutchie tries to muffle a chuckle and goes back to watching the sunrise. 

The morning bell rings and Jack groans and stretches his arms over his head at the sound of it.

"'S too early for this," Jack grumbles as he stands up and pulls his suspenders up over his shoulders. Yanking his shirt on and then his vest, he huffs out a breath.

"What time ya'd go to sleep?" Crutchie asks as he looks up at his friend, "Ya look a little tired dis mornin'."

"Couldn't be better," Jack says half sarcastically, examining the bandages from last night. 

"I'se love mornins," Crutchie comments, looking out at the city, "Everythin's so peaceful." Jack nods his head in agreement. 

"It is. Feels like our problems don't exist," he leans up against the fire escape railing and joins Crutchie in taking in the view. 

"GUYS! WE'SE LATE!" Race leans out the window and shouts and Jack and Crutchie snap out of their usually slow morning routine. Groaning, Jack starts to help Crutchie down the fire escape and into the Lodging House so they can assess the chaos of the morning. 

Albert and Blink are throwing something over the bunks to each other and shouting at each other the whole time to communicate. Skittery descends from his bunk and is immediately assaulted by the object that they're throwing. 

"Not this again," he groans as he picks up Race's cigar, "Race..."

"TRAITOR!" Blink shouts and snatches it from him as he runs by, "Al, catch!"

"Specs, get up," Dutchy calls up to his friend who fell asleep with a book on his face, "We'se late."

"I'se stayed up too late readin'," he grumbles as he gets himself up and out of bed. 

Jack wanders down the stairs to the landing to see if his sister is awake in her room. Gently rapping on the door with his knuckles, he calls out,

"Elley? Flavi? You girls up?"

Mush is right behind and Jack resists the urge to roll his eyes as Flavi cracks open the door. 

"She's having a rough time," is all she says as she slips out the door and Jack knocks again, 

"Elley, come on." 

All he gets in response is a groan. 

Out of the two of them, Elley is definitely worse at waking up in the morning in a timely fashion. 

"El," Jack says again, "Don't make me come in there." 

"You come in here and that ain't gonna go well for you," she grumbles from the other side. 

"Well then get a move on. We'se runnin' late apparently," he says as he walks back up into the bunk room. Patting Mush on the shoulder, he says, "Wait til she comes out, yeah?" He nods in response and Jack runs a hand down his face as he goes back to see where Crutchie wandered off to. He almost runs into Finch who is wandering up and down the bunk rows playing his flute to wake any of the boys who aren't up yet. The music coming from the flute is more lively and energetic than Jack would have liked had he been the one waking up. 

After calling out to the boys that they needed to get moving and making sure Crutchie and some of the other boys got ready okay, Jack leads the Newsies toward The World's circulation office. 

Once they get there, Jack sees Davey and Les leaving already. 

"Go get ya papes," he instructs Crutchie, "I'se will be there in a second." Jack races after Davey and Les, "Davey!" 

"Jack!" Les exclaims and Davey barely turns. Jack and Les do the spit shakes as a greeting which Davey flinches at before stalking away. "He's still pretty upset," Les states as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. Davey stops and turns around, looking at Jack with disappointment in his eyes and his posture rigid. 

"Les, go start selling up on the corner. I want to talk to Jack for a minute," Davey commands and Les listens without any other objections, shocking both Davey and Jack. 

"'M sorry, Davey," Jack apologizes and he has nothing else to say. All he can see is the hurt and frustration in his friend's gaze and doesn't even know how to begin to make things right.

"Oscar and Morris told me what happened last night," Davey starts, "Why'd you do it?"

"Why'd I do what? The Delanceys and I beat each other up a lot. Not sure what's so..." Jack asks and Davey stops him, 

"That's not what I meant. Why'd you stop them from stealing the money? Why'd you make 'em put it back?"

"Cuz it ain't right to steal from those who are scrapin' by to survive just like us," Jack explains, "I got boundaries, Davey. It ain't just a free for all. I'se only doin' it cuz I want the best for the boys. It started out as food but then Crutchie got sick and needed a doctor last winter and I didn't know what else to do."

"I'm not happy about it but it make sense. Can you at least let me get the band up and ready? We could have a place to play by next week and bring in some money for the boys," Davey suggests, "Just come to some kind of a compromise that we can all live with. I don't think this is right but I'm not going to let this put a wedge in our friendship."

"Davey, this is how we'se makin' it. Everything's too expensive," Jack explains, "I'se don't know what else to do. Nobody's hirin' and sellin' papes is easy."

Davey is about to respond when Crutchie hurries up to him, 

"The Delanceys are talkin' to your sister about last night."

"I'se just gonna play it off. She won't believe 'em," Jack assures Crutchie and when Crutchie shoots him a concerned look, Jack shrugs, "Trust me, she won't. Mush is with her, right?"

"Yeah, of course," Crutchie answers, "She's safe." Jack breathes a sigh of relief before turning back to Davey who just looks frustrated and runs a hand down his face. 

"I don't understand you," he says as he turns on his heel and walks away, "I'm going to keep getting the band ready but you stop as soon as we're ready." Jack nods his head.

"Sounds like a deal," he says as he follows after him to sell papes with him and Les for the day. 

Meanwhile, Mush and Elley are walking down the street with Mush's arm slung over Elley's shoulder and Elley asks,

"Ya really think any of what dey said was true?" Mush shakes his head,

"Nah, it's the Delanceys. They'se always tryin' to make Jack look like a villain."

The day of selling papes seems to drag on as Jack stands out in the scorching sun, tugging his Newsie cap down on his head. 

It feels like forever before he's starting to get ready to go sneak over to Katherine's that evening and crash a Pulitzer party. 

He couldn't have been more excited. One, he was seeing Katherine. Two, he was getting to crash a party in secret with a bunch of fancy newspaper people which felt like a quiet little act of rebelliousness on it's own and three, he and Ace were going to get to live up to their names again. As much as he hates the action, the thrill of the adventure is more than enough fun for him and he'd do anything for his boys. 

He's up on the rooftop, starting to slip his gun into his holster on his suspenders that hides under his vest when he hears a cheery voice call out, 

"Knock knock!"

He quickly slips the pistol in and pinches the vest shut before turning around to see his sister peeking her head up over the edge of the rooftop.

"Oh, it's you," he says, starting to button up his vest. The summer humidity suddenly feels more oppressive and does nothing to calm his nerves.

"Yah, it's me. I'se gonna go out with Mush tonight. Just thought ya wanted to know," she chirps back and Jack notices she's wearing the singular dress that she owns and her hair is braided. 

"Dat's fine. Have fun. I'se gonna go see Ace soon," he informs her as he fiddles with a particularly stubborn button. Frowning at it, he gazes out at the setting sun, sillouetting the buildings before him in a golden hue. The sky stretches out before him in vibrant shades of pink, purple, orange, yellow, and the faintest huskiest shades of blue. For the briefest moment, he wonders if the sunsets are this beautiful in Santa Fe. 

"Aww. That'll be fun," Elley says and comfortable silence falls between the siblings for a moment before Elley's face lights up with a humorous grin on her face, "Oh! Ya won't believe the story the Delanceys were spinnin' today!"

Jack feels his blood run cold at her proclamation. What exactly did the brothers tell her?

"Yeah, what'd they say?" he asks nonchalantly, trying to tame his nerves and his heart beating at a rapid pace to the point where he was sure it would shatter his rib cage and come out of his chest. 

"They said you'se stopped 'em from robbin' a bank and dat they thinks you'se mixed up in somethin'," she says, practically bending over in half as she starts to laugh, "And dey's real upset about it and sayin' you'se part of a gang. Ya know what I said? I said 'Yah, he's part of a gang alright. The Newsies of Lower Manhattan." She busts out like it's the funniest joke all day and Jack laughs alongside her to play along. "Ya wouldn't believe those two? Ya think you'd committed a crime by stoppin' 'em," she continues, "They'se crazy." 

"Yeah, they'se somethin' alright," he agrees, "I can't believe some of the tales they tell."

"Ells!" Mush calls from below and Jack almost collapses from relief, "We'se gotta go. We're gonna be late." 

"Seriously?" Elley groans, "Am I late for everythin' today? See ya later, Jacky. Tell Katherine I say 'hi'."

"See ya, El," Jack replies as he watches his sister carefully climb her way down the ladder and back to the fire escape. 

He lets out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and straightens out his vest before making his way down the fire escape and all the way to the ground, unseen by the other boys. 

Except for Crutchie, who pokes his head out the window. 

"Don't stay out too late, Jack," he calls as Jack starts to walk away. Jack looks up at him from the ground and nods his head. 

"I'll be back before ya know it," he answers and takes off down the street toward Katherine's home. His footsteps feel lighter as he races closer and closer to the love of his life. Just knowing that the long daylight separating them is slowly disappearing brings so much joy to his heart. 

Before he knows it, he's plotting a way to sneak into the garden outside her house. Fishing around in his pocket for the bobby pins Katherine had given him for this very purpose, he sizes up the closest gate near the back of the garden where he's least likely to be spotted. Playing with the bobby pin and turning it over and over between his thumb and index finger, he quickly jogs over to the padlock only to hear footsteps on the other side. 

"Well well well, if it isn't Miss Katherine herself," the slimy voice of Oscar Delancey calls out on the other side of the gate. Jack stands quietly next to the gate and slips his hand with the bobby pins in it into his pocket. His blood boils as Oscar keeps talking, "All by herself too..."

"And much happier that way. Thank you. If my father's wondering where I am, I'm getting some fresh air and then I'll be right back. Not that he should be wondering since I'm allowed to freely wander my own house," she says straightening her back. Jack's already pulling the bobby pins out of his pocket and sneaking back over toward the gate. He can't just let him push her around even if she is holding her own. 

"Oh I'm sure he was but I was too," Oscar starts and Jack is now crouching silently in front of the gate and slipping the bobby pins into the padlock. 

"And me three,"  a new voice calls out and Jack resists the urge to whine and groan.

"Darcy, I'm okay," Katherine reassures him, "I'll be back in a bit. I just needed some fresh air."

"Mr. Delancey isn't bothering you, is he?" Darcy asks and Jack about throws a tantrum on the sidewalk outside the garden. He's about ready to jump over and grab Katherine away from these two. 

Jack Kelly is many things, but he is not patient. 

"I would say he's more of a minor inconvenience," Katherine decides after a moment of painful silence, "If I'm being completely honest that is."

Jack wants to applaud his Ace but keeps quiet. 

"A minor inconvenience?" Oscar repeats and Katherine laughs, 

"Well, I could stand to be more candid but we are at a social function so I should be polite." 

Jack can hear Oscar practically sputtering on the other side of the hedge and Darcy is verbally fumbling for words. 

"Katherine, maybe we should go back inside," he suggest and Jack begins picking the lock. After a couple of minutes of fiddling with it, the padlock opens and clanks against the bars of the gate. Jack bites his lip in frustration as he grasps hard onto the lock, turning his knuckles white as he hopes against hope that no one except Katherine heard that. 

"Ya hear that?" Oscar asks, "I'se can go check it out."

"I could instead," Darcy suggests, "I believe her father charged me personally with her safety."

Jack rolls his eyes from the other side of the gate and scoots to the side, looking for the tiniest of gaps in the leaves so he can somehow get Katherine's attention. Spotting a small hole and a tiny pebble the size of his pinky pad right in front of him on the sidewalk, Jack gingerly picks up the small stone and launches it right at Katherine through the gap in the leaves. It hits Katherine solidly in the arm and she glares in the direction of the hole that it came from. Oscar and Darcy are so engrossed with their argument that they don't notice Katherine slip out the gate and to freedom, making sure to quietly close it behind her.

"Really? You threw a rock at me?" she scolds him in a whisper, grabbing the collar of his shirt as soon as she lays eyes on him. Jack's arms gently loop around her waist and pull her closer to him as she's more uptight than anything.

"Hello to you too," he greets her in a soft yet playful tone, starting to lean in for a kiss but she gently pushes his face away with the heel of her palm and shakes her head. 

"Last time I checked, throwing a stone isn't how you greet people," she explains with a huff. Jack chuckles softly, nudging her forehead with his. 

"But I just said hello," he reasons, cocking his head at her and she sighs and rolls her eyes.

"Honestly, Jack. A rock," she states plainly, still whispering and Jack rolls his eyes before replying sassily,

"Oh and ya had a better idea?"

"A leaf maybe would've hurt less."

"Yeah but it would've have gotten your attention? The rock did work."

Katherine gives a soft sigh and rubs her temples before leaning her head against his chest, "You're impossible." 

"Mmm, I get dat a lot from you," he whispers, leaning his head down so he can press a soft and gentle kiss to her temple. She steps away and Jack gives a soft whine in response. 

"I'm still upset about the rock," she whispers as she starts walking down the street and Jack groans, taking off his cap and running a hand through his hair.

He can imagine the conversation he'll have either with Crutchie or his sister and Mush later.

She turns around, interrupting his thoughts and her sassy yet playful smirk takes his breath away. "Are you coming?" she asks. Jack smacks his cap on his head and chases after her. She doesn't for a second slow down her steps. "You have to learn to keep up with me, Kelly."

"I'se been tryin' for a long time," Jack answers as he slips his hand into hers which she surprisingly lets him do. They hurry down the street, trying their best to make themselves look like a couple merely on a day, not a couple about to rob a rich bank. Katherine leads the way as the sun begins to set on the city. "Where we'se goin'?" Jack asks as she walks confidently down the street. 

"It's a surprise," she calls back over her shoulder. Jack hurries up next to her and she slows down. "Thought we'd do something a bit more exciting tonight." He raises an eyebrow in her direction as their hands brush.

"Excitin's fine as long as it don't get us arrested," he concedes as he glances around at the sunlight beaming off the buildings. They walk south back through where he came earlier and he wonders where she could be taking him. Based on her determined cadence, she has a plan and a specific place on mind and Jack knows better than to ask any questions. 

"I won't," she says confidently, "Trust me." She leads him around a corner to a side street and opens up a loose couple set of bricks, revealing a small hat. Tucking her hair into it, she takes Jack's hand and leads him back out onto the street they had been walking down. Rubbing some dirt on her face from moving the bricks, she strives to make herself even more unrecognizable. A few minutes later, she smiles at the much quieter than normal street ahead of them, "We're here." 

"Ace, ya can't be serious," Jack says, staring down the stretch of brick and cobblestones that make up Wall Street. 

"Oh, I can," she says, leaning up and pressing a kiss to his cheek, "Now come on, we don't want to get caught, now do we?"

Jack feels his determination rising at her encouragement and nods his head, "Let's do this." Katherine leads the way into one of the banks on the street and Jack follows her inside only to be stopped by a security guard. 

"Bank's closed, ma'am," he says to Katherine before noticing Jack behind her. He still doesn't move away or provide any indication that he's going to. "There somethin' else I can help ya with?"

"Actually yes," Katherine says, holding her head high and stepping a bit closer, "I'd like to know where your safe is." The security guard straightens up and crosses his arms. "We'd prefer not to hurt you," she continues, reaching into the small clutch she has, "But we will if we have to." 

"This a stickup?" the security guard asks, sizing up Jack behind Katherine, a note of fear in his voice. 

"I prefer the term unexpected donation," Katherine answers, "Now will you show us where the safe is?" The security guard, seeming to regain some confidence, shakes his head, 

"I can't do that, Miss. It'd be against my job."

"Okay then. I'll take a look and you can wait with my friend here," she decides and gestures to Jack. Jack steps forward and only somewhat gently, takes hold of the security guard by the arm. 

"You'se not gonna kill me, ain't ya?" he asks and Jack shakes his head, 

"You ain't gonna die by my hand. Can't say the same for my goilfriend."

"Friend. I'm your friend in this situation. Not your girlfriend," Katherine sharply corrects him as she starts to climb over the counter. Jack rolls his eyes as he watches Katherine disappear behind a door. He wait a few moments before thinking of calling out to see how things are going when he gets whacked in the face hard with some kind of stick. Groaning, he lets go of the security guard, who starts to gang up on him with the apparent second security guard that had been elsewhere in the bank. Before Jack can shout for Katherine or think twice, he gets whacked again with the stick, pain snaking across his temple as he struggles to blink the stars from his vision. Standing up, he jumps and tackles one of the security guards before the other begins to attack him from behind. Jack tries to kick him off but the security guard only answers with another whack, knocking the wind out of him. Taking a moment to wheeze and reinflate his lungs with air, the much bigger security guard grabs him and pins his arms behind him.

"Now...tell us where your little girlfriend is and the only thing you'll leave with is the bruises we gave you to begin with," he demands and Jack's still trying to catch his breath when something shatters the window and hits the guy square in the back of the neck. He groans and starts rubbing it. Jack takes advantage of the distraction, elbows the security guard in the stomach, and punches him hard in the nose. He and the smaller security guard begin to tussle and Katherine runs out at the commotion. She watches in slight horror as Jack puts the security guard he's fighting with into a headlock and sweeps his feet out from under him. Noticing her watching, he drops the guard in his arms down hard before dodging a couple of punches from the bigger guard, sending a few of his own into the guard's gut and shoving him into the first guard on the floor. Brushing his hands off, he straightens up and hears slow clapping from behind him. 

"Well done, Kelly! Though I'se still had to get involved so guess dat makes me the real hero," a new voice calls out. The owner of the voice notices Katherine standing next to Jack, looking worriedly from Jack to the security guards and back, her gaze never leaving one or the other. "You must be the Ace of the operation since I already know yer Cowboy?" he asks her. He extends a hand to her, "Spot Conlon. Don't think we'se had the pleasure."

"I surmised as much," Katherine replies shortly before shooting another worried glance at Jack and barely giving Spot the time of day. 

"Oh Jacky, you found yaself a smart one. Fiery too," Spot comments, snapping one of the straps of his red suspenders, "Ya know, Jacky Boy, ya put on a good show there with the assistance of me slingshot." 

"We're not interested, Mr. Conlon," Katherine answers, "But thank you for the offer." She reaches for Jack's hand and starts to push past Spot to leave with the money they collected.

"Tell me somethin', Miss Pulitzer. Why are ya in this business?" he asks and Jack's blood runs cold at the steely gaze Katherine shifts onto him at Spot using her actual surname. 

"I'se didn't tell," Jack says, putting his hands up in the air, "Spot has eyes everywhere." 

"He's right. Spare ya boyfriend the dirty looks. He would know since as ya probably know, we'se was once allies in dis business," Spot explains, shoving his hands in his pockets and trying to appear impressive next to Jack despite his shorter stature. Jack fights the urge to roll his eyes and instead meets his girlfriend's still steely gaze. 

"Yeah and I'se ain't interested in doin' it a second time. Neither is she," he declines, putting an arm around Katherine's waist to lead her away. 

"Ya know, the Delanceys are startin' to talk about youse two," Spot calls out after their retreating backs, "Sayin' they know who Cowboy an' Ace are. One of me boids told me that he saw 'em telling a reporter yesterday afternoon."

"And?" Jack asks, "I'se can protect Katherine and me boys from them."

"Not if the Delanceys put ya in the slammah," Spot answers, "I'se got resources to make sure youse and Ace stay a secret. Besides, I'se could use the two of ya and the resources you bring in." He eyes the bag hanging in Katherine's hand. Katherine's gaze meets Jack with pleading eyes. 

"We CAN'T do this," she says, "You promised me you wouldn't get involved in this again. That we wouldn't." 

"If we get thrown in jail, everyone loses all the help they get. Davey's tryin' to get the band in shape but this is more at a faster pace. New York's a cutthroat place for da jazz industry," he reasons, "If we'se works with Spot, even for just a little while until things get better, we'd be able to do so much for the boys."

Katherine sighs and rubs her temples as she thinks through everything. Jack takes her free hand and rubs the back of it with his palm, trying to calm her amidst what was probably rampant thoughts. She leans her head against Jack's shoulder as she thinks and Jack can feel how tense she is. He hates how nervous and upset she is. Katherine Pulitzer is not one to get nervous. Anxious or shy? Yes, but never nervous. He can practically smell the smoke and hear the whirring of the gears turning inside her mind. 

Finally she answers, "Alright. But as soon as everyone's stable, we're out."

Spot spit shakes with Jack and gives Katherine a simple nod. 

"Alright, my boid will come talk to ya tomorrow mornin'," he says as another boy comes out of the shadows, cracking his knuckles. Spot turns around and gives him a curt nod, "Ya know what to do." Jack sighs and gently starts to lead Katherine away. 

"Trust me. Ya don't wanna be around for dis part," Jack whispers in her ear as they start to leave with Spot, "He came on about when I left." 

"Who is he?" Katherine whispers back to Jack and Spot answers a little less softly, 

"Dat's Bullseye. He's my enforcer. Cleans up any messes left behind. Makes sure people don't remembah the place was even robbed." Katherine's face whitens considerably and Jack gives her a hand reassuring squeeze. 

"Has he killed anyone?" she asks in her nearly best reporter voice, her voice shaking a bit at the end. Spot must notice because he all gives is a single nod. Jack squeezes her hand again to try calm her.

"He's very quiet and keeps to himself," Spot elaborates, "Ain't really friends with da other boys. He says if you'se ain't at the top of everythin', you'se just waitin' to fall." Katherine's face clearly blanches a bit at that and Jack resumes tracing her knuckles with the pad of his thumb. 

He figures he deserves the earful that he knows he is going to get when they arrive back to the Lodge. 

"Anyways, night. Loveboirds. See ya another time," Spot says, "Nice meetin' ya, Ace." 

The minute Spot is out of earshot, Katherine exclaims, "Oh he is insufferable!"

"Thought that was my title?" Jack whines, trying to lighten the mood but Katherine rolls her eyes, 

"No, you're impossible, not insufferable. Very different." She exhales deeply before continuing.

"I'se sorry about everythin', Ace. I know ya said you didn't want me runnin' around with him and I stuck to my promise," Jack starts to explain but she cuts him off with a sigh, 

"It's not your fault that we're in a tight place and need some help."

"Yeah, but I'se usually the one gettin' us out of the tight spots."

"Sometimes, it's best to call in a little help. Even if the help isn't a known quantity. I don't like it but I also trust you to tell Spot we're out as soon as we can be." 

Jack rubs a hand over his head, mulling over her words. He has no idea what Spot Conlon will do besides stick to what he promised. 

"I ain't lettin' you near his boys alone. They'se dangerous even if Spot holds 'em to a code."

"Guess that just gives you an excuse to come with me then," she answers cheekily and Jack rolls his eyes as they approach one of their hiding spots. He pries open the bricks and she shoves the money inside before planting a firm and quick kiss on his lips. "I love you. I hope you know that."

"I'se do," he answers as he gives her a kiss of his own. She lengthens it, stealing his breath away. His arm snakes around her waist again as he pulls her close to him. They break apart and he laughs on her lips, "So I take it ya ain't mad about the rock no more."

Katherine rolls her eyes and presses another kiss to his lips to quiet him, "'Ain't mad' might be generous." 

"Well then why we'se still..." she firmly and passionately presses her lips to his yet again and he doesn't question it for a second. The rest of their walk continues with playful banter and stolen kisses as Katherine lets her loose. They arrive at the open gate at the back of her garden and she stands on her tip toes to press a kiss to his cheek and then his temple. 

"Get some rest and take care of those bruises. They look like they hurt," she instructs caringly as she wraps her arms around his middle to hug him goodnight. He kisses the top of her head and their lips come together again in a gentle and loving caress, pouring passion yet gentleness all in the same kiss. 

"I will. Night," he answers. They kiss one more time before parting for the evening and Jack walks back to Manhattan, pinching the bridge of his nose and thinking over what the decisions he and Katherine have made. He knows she's not happy about it and neither he is. Jack and Spot have never had any issues between the two of them that cause Jack to worry about working with him and his boys again but he knows Katherine doesn't know Spot like he and his boys do. She doesn't have any reason to trust him besides how he helped them earlier this evening. 

He's afraid that joining up with Spot to keep his boys cared for could cost him his love with Katherine. 

Trying not to dwell too much on it, he starts to climb up the fire escape to the rooftop, wanting to go to sleep and pretend that none of this had happened. Passing his sister and Mush holding each other and looking out at the fire escape, he represses a sigh. His attention shifts when he sees Race and Kid Blink leaning out the window, one of them holding a paper airplane, Race's arm poised to throw it at the back of Mush's head. 

"No," Jack scolds and gently grabs Race's wrist holding the airplane. Elley and Mush both startle and whirl around as Jack and Race start to tussle. 

"Jaaaaccckkkyyy," Race whines as Kid Blink snickers at his friend's misfortune, "Why ya gotta ruin my fun?" 

"Wouldn't have been any fun for us," Elley sasses him as she watches Race try to switch airplane hands, "Jack, he's switchin' hands!" 

Mush jumps in between Elley and the window, wrapping his arms around her, "Don't worry. I'se can protect ya." She leans into his chest and he rests his chin on top of her head, rocking back and forth slightly. "If Race gets ya, I'll make sure he don't forget that he messed with a girl I look out for." Elley smiles and squeezes in tighter. 

Jack now has both of Race's wrists pinned down to the window sill. Race tries to wriggle back and forth to get free. 

"Lemme go, Jacky," Race whines as he jerks hard but he's no match for Jack, "Blink, HELP!"

"I can't win against Cowboy," Blink says, "Not after the day I've had." 

"Weakling," Race insults him before throwing back his head and shouting, "ALBERT!"

"WHAT?!" the Newsie in question shouts back. 

"I NEED HELP," Race shouts and Jack winces, shaking his head at all of the racket that he personally feels he should be very much used to by now and is disappointed that he isn't more so. Albert comes over to the window and stands next to Blink.

"What does ya need help wid....Oh," Albert lets the question die on his lips as he takes in Race's predicament. 

"Jacky's got me trapped," Race whines and Jack rolls his eyes. 

"Jack, I did tell him this was a bad idea," Kid Blink explains, "I just wanted to see my best friend's reaction."

"Some best friend you are!" Elley calls out and Mush just calmly pulls her to him.

"Shhh," Mush quiets her, "All they'se wantin' is a reaction."

"Lemme go, Jacky. Come on....just let me have some fun," Race whines as he pulls again and Albert sighs,

"I think you'd be more convincin' if ya told him you weren't gonna do what he thinks you're gonna do." 

Jack also gives another sigh and leans further into the window, getting much more in the light of the bunkroom and much closer to Race. 

Giving Race, Albert, and Kid Blink a full view of Jack's bruises and cuts from the fight earlier.

"JACKY! WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO YA?" Race gasps as he takes in Jack's physical state. Kid Blink and Albert both get a bit closer but they can see well enough from further away. 

"Gosh, Jack. You walk into every building in Manhattan?" Blink asks, looking over his leader.

"The other guys look worse. Promise," Jack reassures the boys as he wrestles the paper airplane out of Race's hand, much to the younger boy's chagrin, and shoves it in his pocket before climbing into the bunk room through the window.

"Well, how'd it happen? Who we need to go soak?" Albert asks and Blink looks more than ready to join him in that fight. 

"Don't worry about it. It was a one time thing," Jack explains with a nonchalant wave of his hand as he starts looking for the first aid kit in the bathroom cupboard. 

"Well, get some rest," Race says, "Ya look terrible."

"Thanks," Jack responds with a sharp note of sarcasm ringing through his tone. Taking the supplies up to the rooftop with him, Jack sneaks past his sister and Mush now back to cuddling on the fire escape. Crutchie is already asleep when he gets to the top and not wanting to wake him, Jack cleans his wounds and lets his mind wander. He has to tell Crutchie in the morning about what happened last night. Someone has to know everything. He's afraid something could happen to him and Katherine and no one would know any of the truth.

And there is a strong chance that Jack, Katherine, AND Spot could all wind up dead somehow and no one would know anything. He trusts Crutchie with the burden but he knows he needs to tell Elley too. 

But if Elley hears it, she'll tell Mush. They don't keep secrets between them often. He knows he can't leave his sister out of this forever. She too needs to know the truth.

Mulling this over, Jack is not paying attention to what he's sketching until he realized that he's sketched Katherine in her hat from earlier, looking out a vast expanse of mountains. Suppressing a groan, he tears the page out and rips it into shreds so no one can find it later. If that drawing fell into the wrong hands, that could mean bad things for so many people he cares about. Slumping down onto his makeshift bed of blankets and taking off his shirt to reveal his striped tank top, Jack closes his eyes and eventually falls into a somewhat restless sleep.

Waking up to Crutchie gingerly poking him, Jack groans and rolls over, "Noooo. It ain't time yet."

"Jack, the mornin' bell just rang. We need to go," Crutchie prompts him gently. Poking him again on his shoulder, Jack finally lets the blanket he was sleeping under fall to his chest with a soft sound. Crutchie just blinks at him. "Ya ever wonder 'bout other peoples' stories?"

Jack just stares back at Crutchie blankly. 

"Too early for deep conversation?" Crutchie asks after a moment of staring. Jack nods and slowly sits up, once again stretching his arms over his head as he remembers what he needs to tell the boy who's the closest thing he has to a best friend and younger brother. 

"Yeah," Jack says after a moment, "Ask again later though. I have somethin' to tell ya too." His voice is groggy and low from just waking up. Rousing the other boys and the girls, Jack and Crutchie are soon on their way to the distribution office with the other Newsies in tow. 

As he's perusing his papers, he notices the Delanceys talking to his sister and Mush again. Elley merely throws back her and laughs at whatever they're telling her. She comes to sit next to him. 

"The Delanceys are crazy if they think they can spin that liddle story a second time and I'll believe 'em," she comments as she starts to look over her own papers, "Though they'se persistent. Makes me wonder if there ain't some truth in it all somewhere."

"What do ya mean?" Jack asks her, a note of alarm in his voice.

"Well, the Delanceys ain't the shiniest pennies in da bunch, but they'se don't remember what happened yesterday much less a story they'se spinnin' unless it's true," she reasons, "But unless there's somethin' you'se hidin'."

"Sell with Crutchie and I today and I'll tell ya," Jack offers and Elley eyes him suspiciously. He almost feels the need to squirm under her slightly scrutinizing gaze.

"So they'se ain't lyin' cuz if what they'se sayin' is true, then I don't know if I wanna know da truth," she says worriedly, moving the slightest distance away from her older brother. 

"I haven't killed anyone if dat's what you'se worried about," he reassures her, "Just come sell with us." 

"What about Mush?" she asks, "Ya know I don't keep secrets from him."

"Can ya keep just one?" he pleads and she grumbles,

"Fine. But you get to deal with da collateral damage."

Once Jack ensures that all of his boys are safe from any further antics of the Delanceys and have bought their papes, he leaves with Crutchie and Elley to go to Central Park. 

"Alright," he says once they're in their spot, "Here's what's going on. El, ya remember how I used to go to Brooklyn late at night a few years back?"

"Yeah..." she answers, taking on a suspicious tone, "I thought you and Spot were just talkin' over leader things."

Jack takes a deep breath and pulls them in closer to him so their conversation is more private.

"We were but we also weren't. We was talkin' over we was providin' for our boys and makin' sure that they were safe and had everything they needed. This turned into a meetin' about once a month just to make sure that everybody was keepin' to their own side so everybody had work but, I guess one of Spot's boirds happened to see me get into a fight because I stole some bread for the boys. It had been a bad headline dat week and nobody had money for anythin'. I fought some lady's son and I won. I managed to loose the policeman the lady had called over and got the bread back to the boys. Spot's boird told Spot the whole thing and Spot sent 'im to come and get me so we could'se have a meeting. I'se went to Brooklyn after sellin' the next day and Spot told me that he had organized his boys to steal food, clothes, and even money. He wanted me to join so we'se could help each other and share our resources. I'se didn't wanna do it at first cuz I didn't think it was right to steal money but I'se also knew how much we'se was all strugglin' so I decided to do it. I did it for about a year or so and then I was bringin' some stuff that I had stolen to Spot and one of the other boys ran in, freakin' out cause he killed someone during the robbery. Spot only looked at him and told him he shouldn't be proud of it but he did what he had to do. I thought it might just be an accident so I stayed on for a few more months until it happened a few more times and Spot had similar reactions to each boy that approached him. One night, I was out with one of the other boys who was named Sharp. We'se got into a bit of a scrape with two guys and fought our way out but Sharp accidentally killed him while we was mid fight. The other guy ran off before we could beat 'im up. We ran back to Brooklyn and told Spot. He was more upset that the other guy had gotten away and I told Spot that I wasn't a killer and would nevah be. Spot respected that but I'se didn't feel right about stickin' around if I could get pinned with murder. So I left Spot's gang and struck out on my own again, stealin' for the boys. Sharp stayed with Spot and is still with 'im to this day far as I'se knows. I met Katherine tryin' to sell her a pape once and she rejected me. I'se was persistent though and kept running into her and talking to her when I saw her. Ya know the rest of that story but one night, I'se was tellin' her about the financial state of all of us and told her about my time with Spot. She listened and wasn't scared. She'd been havin' problems with her faddah and wanted to join me to prove she could be independent since her reportin' gig wasn't bringin' enough to make her faddah happy. Said she could make it look like she ain't there if she wrote a story about it and made it seem like it was from a distance. I didn't want her to do wid me. Told her it was too dangerous and dat we'd probably get arrested but she begged so I let her join me. We took on the nicknames of Cowboy and Ace. Cowboy for me since ya..know...Santa Fe and Ace for her cuz she's my Ace. We'se been doin' it almost every night ever since," Jack explains softly, trying not to be overheard.

Elley's mouth drops open at him and she stares back at him in disbelief, "You....you... WHAT? You're what....?"

"El, this is for your own good and for everyone's good," Jack tries to reassure her, "I'se gonna stop as soon as things get more stable."

"I'se figured ya probably..." she starts off and Jack shoots her a look, warning her to keep quiet, "Had fenced some stuff from time to time but I had no idea it was anythin' like this."

"Dere's more," Jack continues, pulling the two Newsies in closer again, "Spot saved our butts last night and asked us to join 'im again and we said 'yes'. Ace didn't really want to but we'se did anyways. We'se need help. Times are tough. Ya heard Buttons' cough da other night?" 

"YOU SAID YES TO SPOT AGAIN?" Elley cries out and Jack shushes her, "NO. YOU'VE GOT TO BE CRAZY."

"I ain't crazy. I'se just doin' what needs to be done. 'Sides nothin's gonna happen dat wasn't happenin' before," Jack reassures her, speaking as plainly as possible. 

"I can't believe that for once the Delanceys were actually right and that you're actually doin' all of this," Elley says, shaking her head. She shakes her head before walking away. "I'se gonna find Mush. I think I need to sell wid him instead."

Jack sighs as he watches his sister's retreating form and Crutchie sighs from beside him, 

"I hate to also be a bit upset but Jack, ya said ya wouldn't join up with Spot again."

"A fella's gotta do thing's, Crutchie," Jack answers, "I'se sorry I had to let ya down. I ain't gonna do anything that I ain't already doin'."

Crutchie's gaze doesn't brighten in the slightest and he shakes his head, "It ain't about breakin' promises, Jack. How far are you willin' to go?"

"It's to help all of you!" Jack cries out exasperated, "I'se just don't understand why no one sees that."

"We'se all doing things," Crutchie says, "I think that's why it hurts so much. That's why Davey got upset. He's tryin' to do things to make ends meet for him and some of the others and ya come in and hand it to 'em when they needs it."

"It is ONLY when they'se needs it," Jack argues, "I ain't just gonna hand 'em money. It's for rent, food, clothes, and medicine. The basic needs to survey which we'se don't have and ya don't understand how quick that all disappears when ya lookin' after many boy as I am."

"Jack, it's okay to need help," Crutchie explains, "That's what I means. Let the boys take care of themselves too."

"I try! I just can't help it that my brothers face starvation at every corner and sickness at the other," Jack complains loudly and Crutchie simply hugs his friend tightly. 

"It's all gonna work out someday. I know it will and you'se won't need to do any of this for any reason. Everythin' will just be better for everyone. The whole country's hurtin' now," he says, "But the sun's gonna shine eventually. We'se just gotta hold. You'se always tellin' me that."

"You'se right," Jack says, "Dis don't mean I gotta stop but..."

"Just think about it," Crutchie says, "You'se knows what's goin' on the best but ya still gotta make sure ya doin' the best thing for everybody." Jack nods his head in agreement and the two of them spread out to begin selling newspapers. 

Once the day is done, Jack meets up with Katherine at the Lodging House where the two of them spend the still light part of the evening up on the rooftop, cuddling and talking through things. His arm is around her shoulders as she's pulled into his side, still scribbling furiously on a notepad. 

"I was told to go review another flower show today," she grumbles as she sticks her tongue out in concentration, "They won't take any of the stories that I wrote about us."

"They won't?" Jack asks and she shakes her head in disbelief,

"Would you believe them? They're terrible. So full of themselves just like..." Jack quickly shuts her up with a short and sweet peck to her lips. Her dazed gaze indicates that every single previous thought has left her mind. He starts to reach for his sketch book but she gently grabs his chin and turns him back to her. "I only get one? After the day I've had?" 

Jack rolls his eyes, "Well why didn't ya say ya wanted more sooner? I'se can happily provide." 

She merely shuts him up with a kiss, crashing her lips onto his. Her eyes flutter shut as she drops her notebook in her lap and caresses his cheeks softly, pulling him closer and closer to her. He pulls her closer into his side, matching her passion and kissing her deeply. They break apart when they hear Race comment, 

"Well gosh, Spot. Didn't know we was givin' you dinner AND a show?"

Jack and Katherine both look up, still held in each other's embrace. 

"Dis ain't no show," Jack answers sassily, "Now what do ya two need?"

"I need ta talk to ya, Jacky Boy," Spot says, "Jacky Boy and his Ace."

Katherine rolls her eyes and pushes a curl out of her face, "Oh lovely. We've already angered him."

"Ya ain't," Spot says, "I'se just wanted to give you guys a third person, different each time just in case somethin' goes wrong. Sharp'll go with ya tonight."

"Conlon, we'se got it," Jack reassures him, "We don't need no shadow."

"Just trust me, Jacky Boy," Spot answers him, "Trust dat I'se knows what I'se doin'."

Sharp did in fact accompany Jack and Katherine on their evening adventures and Sharp and Katherine got into such an argument that Jack was half afraid he'd have to protect her. 

Slowly but surely, Jack and Katherine, especially Katherine, began to get to know Spot's boys decently. A month or two passed and the couple had been on a run with all of the boys at least once. 

Every night the run was smooth and all of the goods were safely distributed and delivered back to Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

One night, Jack and Katherine are walking with Bullseye and something feels off and different.

"Jack, he's quieter than normal," Katherine whispers as they walk, "He wanted to talk about his family and that girl so much the last time we were all together. Something seems off. I'm not going to be scared away by it but something does seem different tonight."

Jack nods his head in agreement as the two of them walk hand in hand. He gently traces circles on the back of Katherine's hand to try sooth her. 

The two of them talk quietly and exchange gentle and soft kisses here and there. 

"We'se here," Bullseye interrupts and the two of them quickly pull apart from yet another kiss. He sighs at their kissing and turns around, "You'se two are worse than Romeo n' Juliet."

"Oh ya ain't seen nothing. We'se got a fella named Romeo in 'Hattan and ya should..." Jack starts to defend him and his girl. 

"Right right," Bullseye says, waving a hand to dismiss him, fiddling with his black gloves on his hands that all but seem to fade away into the night. 

"Is there a reason you always wear those?" Katherine asks very directly, nodding her head to the gloves. 

"Keeps me hands clean," Bullseye answers as he shrugs his shoulders, "Ain't really another reason 'sides that." Jack and Katherine exchanges glances and Jack shrugs nonchalantly. Katherine takes a deep breath and shakes her head a bit as they keep walking. 

Walking the rest of the way in silence, minus the occasional conversation Jack and Katherine have among themselves, they arrive at their place of robbery just a bit before dark. 

"We'se can just go in and if dere's trouble, you and I can handle it, yeah?" Jack offers and Bullseye nods, "Ace can get da goods like she always does." 

And with that, Jack's picking the lock and the three of them are slipping into the department store. 

"We'se about to make R.H. Macy famous, ain't we?" Jack whispers, pulling Katherine into his side as they walk in. He presses a kiss to the top of her head as she slowly steps out of his arms to survey the store and look for anything that could help the boys. Jack supresses a whine at the lack of contact but joins Bullseye in looking for anyone who might cause her trouble. Squaring his shoulders, he takes a deep breath and walks faster after the silent boy.

After not seeing much of anyone, Jack starts to breathe a bit easier until he and Bullseye round a corner. They hear rapid footsteps and thinking it might be Katherine since it's coming from her direction, Jack stretches his neck to look for her only to get caught in the beam of a flashlight. 

"You ain't supposed to be here!" a security guard shouts, "Hey! Williams, get Frankie to call da police. We'se got trespassers in here." 

"Oh look, ya really don't need ta call the cops. We'se just a few starvin' kids lookin' to help ourselves an' some friends out," Jack tries to talk them down but Bullseye is already rifling around in his vest.

"And we'se will do anything to help 'em. Even if you'se gonna stand in our way," he threatens the guard and Jack starts to intervene,

"Whoa whoa whoa. Bullseye, ain't we'se gonna talk to 'im first? Maybe we'se can come to a compromise."

"Ain't in da mood to compromise," Bullseye says, "Price of papes just got upped again in Brooklyn and a fella's gotta eat." He clicks the safety on the gun and levels it on the security guard. 

"Bullseye, no!" Jack exclaims, grabbing onto the gun and moving to click the safety back on. 

"Let go of it, Cowboy!" Bullseye scolds him, "I'se got this under control. You'se go and make sure that your lady is okay."

"There's a third one of you?" the security guard questions, concern etching itself across his features, "What kinda operation is this?" He puts his arms up in the air. "Listen, I don't want ya stealin' stuff but I'm not gonna get shot." 

"How do we know ya ain't gonna tattle on us if we'se lets ya go?" Bullseye asks and Jack keeps his hand on the gun just in case Bullseye decides to do anything he shouldn't. 

"You're just gonna have to trust me, pal," the security guard answers, "I don't want you kids starvin' but I got a job to do. The cops is already on their way so you'se finished." Jack's gaze flicks between the guard and Bullseye. Bullseye flinches and points the gun right at the guard's heart. 

"Bullseye, no!" Jack cries out, recognizing the focused gaze in Bullseye's eyes right. 

The gunshot is defeaning but even more so is the security guard slumping over all of the life leaving his body. 

Jack feels his pulse in his ears and emotions bubble to the surface faster than he can stop them. He wants to scream and soak Bullseye within an inch of his life but he knows he shouldn't. Jack can hear the shouting of the other security guards and the hurried footsteps. 

"KATHERINE!" Jack cries, not caring that her full name is out in the open. He has to see her and know that she's okay. Without thinking twice, Jack punches Bullseye hard in the nose and kicks him in the stomach. "I don't care how much you thought you was protectin' us. We'se didn't sign up for this." Bullseye is groaning and clutching his nose with one of his gloved hands. Jack doesn't even think to look back before running back around the corner toward Katherine.

She's standing there, frozen but moves when she sees Jack running to her. 

"Oh thank goodness," she gasps, throwing her arms around him as soon as he comes within arms reach. The two of them hold each other so tight, afraid that the other will slip away like a faided memory if they let go. 

"We'se gotta go," Jack whispers, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, her nose, and then her lips, "Bullseye just shot one of the guards dead." 

"What?!" Katherine gasps as he takes her hands and leads her back out the way they came. 

"We'se gotta run. They'se already called the police I'm sure," he informs, tugging her toward the door. She follows him, leaving all of the things behind, her skirt swirling around her calves. They approach the front door and see a police car rolling up in front of it. Jack grumbles under his breath as he tugs her hard toward the back but not before one of the police officers spots them and gives chase. Pulling the two of them faster, Jack wanders around the store until he finds a back door and the two of them practically fall out of it and onto the street behind the department store. Knowing roughly where he is, Jack helps Katherine to her feet and the two of them start to run.

"Hey!" Jack hears the shout of a police officer and the running of his feet behind them as he starts to give chase. Katherine's hat falls off, releasing her reddish brown curls to the world and exposing who she truly is. She starts to go back to reach for her hat but a second police officer has now joined the chase. 

"Leave it," Jack instructs her, tugging hard on her hand, "They'se catchin' us."

"Guess they already know who I am now anyways," Katherine remarks, "The hat won't matter much."

The two of them sprint at a record pace down the street toward the Lodging House to hopefully hide out there. 

Losing the police officers about halfway to the Lodging House, both Jack and Katherine breathe a sigh of relief as they stand outside the door. Throwing their arms around each other, they share a firm, passionate, yet sweet kiss between them. Squeezing each other tightly as if to ground themselves and each other to remind themselves that they're both still alive and here, Jack and Katherine share kiss after kiss. The kisses are messy and wild as they pepper each other with soft kisses acrosses their faces. Jack pushes open the door as they're still in an embrace and he can hear faint piano music from the basement. Shifting so that he can wrap his arm around her shoulders, Jack leads the two of them down the stairs. 

The squeaky step betrays the two of them again and Davey whirls up from his music at the piano. 

"You two are back late," he comments a bit sharply, playing a disonant chord that seems to match his mood. 

"We'se had a bit of a crazy night," Jack answers, "We think we might be in some trouble too." 

"I'm not getting involved," Davey states as he resolves to a happier chord, "Are you two alright though?"

"Been better," Jack replies, "Spot Conlon might not want our help anymore but we'se can get along just fine on our own."

"Spot's chosen associate that he sent with us killed someone tonight," Katherine informs Davey, her voice shaking a bit as she says this, "The police came and we ran from them."

"I can't get involved," Davey declares, standing up from the piano and moving to go upstairs, "I really hope things turn out okay for you two. I really do but it's not happening this way. Drop the robberies and turn yourselves in. You get another chance at life when you get out."

"If we leaves," Jack calls out to him, "We'se wants someone to know why. Tonight's why. It may not be safe for us in New York anymore."

"They'll hunt for you across the country if you make enough of a scene, Jack. They won't stop just because you leave New York," he answers, "And I really hope you're around to see the band play for the first time. They sounded great tonight and we'd really like to be there."

"We hope to be, Davey," Katherine assures him, "Right now, there's no reason you should count us out." 

Davey looks at them skeptically but brightens a bit and nods. "Alright, I'll take it. Goodnight, you two. Maybe we can talk this over in the morning, Jack? See if we can find a way to keep you two out of trouble."

A sharp knock rings out from upstairs. 

Jack and Katherine's faces pale and Davey gestures for them to stay downstairs. 

He opens the door and is faced with a young tough looking man from Brooklyn and several police officers behind him. 

"Excuse us, young man but this young man here said that we might find Jack Kelly and Katherine Pulitzer here," one of the police officers calls out from the street. 

And Davey Jacobs does something he never expected to do. He lies for Jack and Katherine. 

"Sorry, but they're not here. You must have just missed them."

"They have to be," the young man pushes, "I don't know of another place they would go."

"You mind if we take a look in here, son?" the police officer asks Davey and Davey accepting defeat merely stands to the side. 

Jack and Katherine are sitting huddled together in the furthest corner of the basement, having heard the commotion from upstairs. Jack's arm is still wrapped tightly around Katherine's shoulders and her head leans against his shoulder. He's gently tracing pattens on her shoulder lazily with his thumb. She's holding on tightly to his free hand. 

"You know I loves you, right?" Jack whispers to her, gently pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. She returns one to his cheek and nods her head. 

"I love you too. So much. I can't imagine a world where we aren't together," she whispers back and leans up against him. 

"I'se wanna marry you," Jack whispers, leaning his forehead agasint hers, their noses merely centimeters apart, "If we'se survives this, let's get married as soon as we'se get to the place we're goin'."

Katherine merely stares up at him, her lashes tickling his cheeks because of how close their faces are. 

"Will ya?" he asks, "Will ya marry me?"

"Yes," she whispers, placing a soft kiss on his lips, "Absolutely yes." He kisses her back pulling her to him and letting his fingers play with her curls as the kiss is one of longing.

They quiet and pull apart slightly as they hear footsteps descending and very quietly, they try to scoot back further into the crevice. After performing a sweep, one of the police officers starts to call off that no one is there until he turns around. 

"They're here!" he calls out and three other officers and Bullseye appear beside him. 

"Are they the couple, son? They killed the security guard?" the officer asks and Bullseye nods.

"Yah, they'se the ones." he says, "His fingerprints are on the gun after all."

"You'se a traitor!" Jack roars, pushing Katherine behind him, "A traitor! Officer, he's the one who killed 'im. He was right there wid me. I'se was tryin' to stop him. Ya gotta understand. I'se just tryin' to look out for my bruddas." Jack stands to his feet and squares his shoulders. "If you'se gonna arrest us, you'se gotta take him too." 

"Son, he's turning you in. The real criminal here is the murderer. Nothing was stolen from Macy's this evening," the police officer says, "And your fingerprints are the only ones on the gun."

Jack's gaze flicks to the gloves on Bullseye's hands and he and Katherine exchange a glance. 

"Keeps me hands clean,"  runs through Jack's mind. 

Of course, his hands clean of his crimes. He wonders how many other people Bullseye has given over to the police before him and Katherine. 

"We've been eager to get our hands on Cowboy and Ace for quite some time," a different officer remarks and Jack pulls Katherine away, to take her anywhere from here until a gunshot rings out and she crumples to the ground behind him. 

"NO!" Jack cries out, feeling as though a part of him had just been shot. Even putting him in jail would not be any easier than killing him here and now. The love of his life weakly coughs as she reaches up a hand to Jack's face, her chest 

"Leave me, Jack," she whispers shakily, "Go. Run." Her chest rises and falls unevenly.

"No!" Jack sobs, the tears running down his cheeks before he can stop them, "I ain't leavin' you. You'se can't leave me, Ace. Please. What's the world gonna do without ya?"

"Jack, you have to tell the world about me. Someone has to be here to do that," she faintly instructs him. 

Jack is about to respond when he feels a piercing pain strike his abdomen. He doesn't even hear the sounds but just the pain roaring in his ears, clouding all of his senses. All he feels is the pain. The pain of his loved one dying next to him and not being able to protect her, the woman he was going to marry someday, the pain of his failures at being able to spare the boys from the true hardships of the world, and the pain of being caught and having a grand adventure come to an end. 

He winces and cries out as he tries to move so he can face her. 

"I'se was gonna marry you," he whispers, shakily reaching for her hand, trying to staunch the blood flowing from his wound with his other hand. 

"I wanted to be your wife," Katherine answers him, her breaths becoming more faint, "So...very..."

Her body jerks and she cries out in pain again and Jack soon feels more pain radiating up his body too. Weakly trying to pull her closer to him and move closer himself, Jack lays an arm limply across her side. He sobs as he sees her breaths slowing. 

"I....love...you...Jack," she breathes out softly, reaching to his face to wipe away the tears that she can't quite reach. Jack's own chest is starting to heave as his own breathing becomes heavy and labored. Wincing through the pain, he gets close enough that he can kiss her and hold her. 

"I...love you too," he answers, leaning his forehead againsts hers, their tears intermixing and Jack struggles to move his head to capture her lips. 

She kisses him back in a warm and much more passionate kiss than he would have expected. 

They put everything they can manage into this kiss, conveying their love for each other in a gentle caress of one's lips against another. Katherine has to pull away as she gasps out for more air and Jack keeps kissing her forehead and cheeks as she struggles for breath. She suddenly meets his lips with her own and Jack kisses her, feeling her warmth and love for him in the way that she firmly plants her lips agasint his. 

They kiss until Katherine's lips suddenly feel cold and she stops kissing back. 

Jack's body racks with tears and pain as he tries to wake her up.

"Ace, please, you'se can't be gone. Don't leave me here. Don't leave us like this," he pleads with her, "Ace! Please!" His own breaths become heavy with the effort and he can't even find the energy to properly mourn the love of his life. 

His sweet Ace, laying beside him, completely lifeless. 

"I'se sorry....Ace," Jack breathes out, struggling for breath, "I'se so sorry."

He can feel his own life leaving his body and he leans forward so that his last memory will be of her. He very slowly kisses her lifeless form trying to convey the love for her and he weakly squeezes her closer to him. 

"I'se....loves.....you," he whispers weakly on her lips, wishing for all the world that she could still hear him and still be with him. 

Jack Kelly breathes his last kissing the only woman who had ever touched and changed his life in the way that Katherine Pulitzer had.

Davey Jacobs descends the stairs to see two of his dear friends, lying dead in pools of their own blood. 

He doesn't know what to do. 

Finding Jack's sister and Crutchie are the first things that come to mind. 

He can hardly tell the two of them and Mush who had begged to come along. He simply doesn't have the heart.

Elley bursts into sobs as soon as Davey can get the words out and Mush catches her in his chest, sobbing as well. Crutchie simply goes up to the rooftop and refuses to come down. 

The other Newsies shed many a tear for the lost couple and Bullseye wanders back to Brooklyn but is eventually turned in by Spot Conlon himself for getting his neighboring borough's leader killed even though Bullseye is turned in under other charges and claims. 

A year passes and an engaged Elley and Mush go to Jack's and Katherine's burial site. Oddly enough, the Pulitzers had let the two be buried together. Their nicknames are etched across the top of their stone with their reals one underneath. Elley leans her head against Mush's shoulder and fights back tears. 

"Ya think he would be happy for us?" she asks him and Mush nods, tears running down his own face.

"Yeah, I think he would've understood." More tears run down Elley's face as sobs leave her body and Mush gently kisses her temple and rubs his thumb over her engagement ring to try calm her. 

But they know that nothing will truly ever calm them again. Nothing can ever replace the love that a brother and sister share.

Or the love that Jack and Katherine shared. 

A love that never died even though they may have. 

As the years have gone by, many a tale has been told about Bonnie and Clyde, the famous robbers from about that time but, the tale of another couple of robbers often slips the minds of young ones and storytellers from around the world.

Except for those in the the Lower East Side of Manhattan, particularly Davey Jacobs and Crutchie Morris who started telling these tales.

They remember this other couple and tell their stories, allowing them to live on through their weavings of tales, stories passed down for so long they can longer be distinguished as fact or fable. 

But one thing remains throughout the stories that will never die. 

The love of Cowboy and Ace.

A/N: Welllll....so I said this wasn't gonna be like the Bonnie and Clyde story and that I was just gonna do it for the vibes but here we are. Plans change. The story honestly kinda wrote itself and it is incredibly similar to how Bonnie and Clyde died and were exposed.

I was also originally gonna make this a "Jack and Katherine grow together and everything turns out okay!" story.

That didn't happen either. Obviously.

Also, I cannot apologize enough for killing Jack Kelly. It will hopefully never happen again. That was painful. One does not simply kill Jack Kelly. 

One also does not simply kill Katherine Pulitzer. I'm so sorry for killing her too. She didn't deserve any of that and I never want to kill her again. That was painful to write. 

Oof. That was a sad one. Okay, happy things happy things. 

If you want happy things, don't go listening to Floyd Collins. The last song of that one DESTROYS me. I don't actually cry but maannnnn, does my heart break for the character.

This whole story took me like a year to write so I'm so sorry to get this out so lateish and if it seems disjointed, I actually lived abroad for most of the summer which is why you haven't really been getting content. Hopefully I'll have some time this semester. Last school year, I was just super burnt out, y'all. Grad school ain't for the weak.

Originally with this one too, I was gonna put more deep diving into Katherine's character in this originally but I got back into a Jack Kelly phase while living abroad (you have my fellow Fansie of a roommate while I was living abroad to thank for that) so we did a lot of deep diving into Jack Kelly which I think people tend to like. I really had fun getting to do that for Jack. Comment here though if you think I should do one for Katherine that kind of encompasses her side.

Ironically, Davey is probably the happiest ending because he sort of makes peace with Jack's situation in his own mind and friendship with Jack as he goes on to tell stories of Jack and Katherine's adventures. Him and Crutchie anyways.

Elley and Mush are engaged but they're still sad soo...

I also tried to give you guys lots of antics and happy things which is why this is so long because I knew the end was gonna be super sad.

How was the plot? Was it okay? Was it too contrived? I felt like it could be a little contrived at times but that could just be me. I also am a little concerned with how I wrote Katherine's character but I think she turned out a lot like Katherine. How was the Spot stuff? Was that okay or did that feel not right?

Fun fact: Macy's WAS in fact a department store in the 1920s/30s. How fun is that? It made for a good setting for one of my ending scenes. 

I'm so sorry for how long this is, guys. I wanted to give you a lot though to read since I've been so inactive on here. Thanks for reading it if you made it all the way to here. I'll hopefully be more active. Might try to put one more shorter thing out (which will include a very short new book being released) before the semester starts but we'll see what happens. I promise it will be WAY happier than this.

I can confirm that the next oneshot that I have planned will be so much happier than this one, I promise. 

Anyways, hope you all are doing well! See you around I suppose!

-Aisling aka she who is guilty of putting way too much lore into her oneshots