He's late. He is late. 7 he said! 7 me as-…. What if something happened? He is always on time. No… no. everything is okay. Breath Katherine, one of the boys probably roped him into something. I will wait ten more minutes. We were supposed to go to medda's to watch her new show. Jack painted the backdrops for her and he wanted to keep it a surprise for me. The shows nearly half way through now.

Five more minutes. That boy is going to be sorry he missed this date. Wait till I get my hands on him. He's a dead man walking. Whatever his excuse is, he is going to want to find a new one. Oh boy, is he going to make it up to me! I may be his ace but when I get to him that boys going to wish he had gone to sante fe

Times up! That's it jack, you've pushed me too far. I'm going down to the lodge to see what's so terribly important that he missed our date.

Hess been staying late working on his caricatures for the world and spending more time with the boys. If he doesn't want to be with me, fine! But he could at least show me some respect. He Is supposed to love me. he's supposed to be my cowboy. I know he's got a lot going on but he can't ignore me.

The late-night city was foggy tonight. I shivered as I made my way across the cobblestone pavements to the newsies lodge. The cold air calmed my fuming anger. He was so great when we first started going out. He'd get one of the boys to drop flowers if he couldn't make it. He'd always be on time, early even. of course, I didn't care about the material things he couldn't afford, I only wanted him and the effort and love he put into us. Now I don't know where he is. He's become distant towards me. I don't know what's going with him anymore.

I reached the newsies lodge and saw race outside the door. He stood up straight blocking the door as I tried to go inside. "race? Let me through, I need to tear jack a new backside!"

"uh sorry Katherine. jack said you're not allowed in. newsies official business" he said, trying to sound tough but I could see right through it. "official business!? Let me through now!" I said as I pushed him aside and walked in.

"JACK KELLY! SHOW YOURSELF RIGHT NOW!" I shouted as I ascended the stairs. The boys all cowered as stormed through. When I got to the top of the stairs, I saw a group of them in the bathroom.

"where's jack?" I said softly, trying to play innocent. The boys all turned around, making a barrier between me and jack. "jack? Hmm I don't know… haven't seen 'I'm all day. How 'bout you crutch?" said Romeo with a high-pitched voice, indicating he was lying.

Crutches head immediately went down. "yeah crutches, did you see him?" I said innocently again. He shook his head while still looking down. Gosh, am I really that terrifying?

"you sure?" he shook his head again. "well then you all wouldn't mind showing me just what you're hiding?" they didn't move a muscle.

"NOW!" I shouted and they all broke apart revealing a bloodied jack. "omg what happened?" I said all my anger suddenly gone. "oh, nothing ace" said jack holding a cloth to his nose. "because he's an idiot" said Davie, cleaning jacks bruised hands.

"I didn't know that idiocy caused people to just start spontaneously bleeding from the nose!"

"I think it's a new phenomenon" said jack laughing. "not funny jack. What happened?" I asked cupping my hands around his face to further inspect his injuries. His nose was busted and his eye was swollen shut. "Look ace there's something I 'ave to tell ya" he said while taking my hands in his bruised ones.

"The delancy brothers 'ave been causing the boys some trouble. They've been stealing from and beating the younger ones. We've been trying to stop it for a while now but the delancys 'ave got more fellas joining 'em. I tried to stop em from beating some of brooklyns boys but they was too many of 'em"

"Oh jack" I completely understood now. He didn't tell me cause he knew I'd join in with the help and he didn't want me getting hurt.

"I'm sorry I missed our date" he apologised then kissed my hand. Even this simple gesture was enough to make my stomach flutter with butterflies. "I'm just glad you're safe" I raised his head and gently kissed him in case I hurt him. Might not be the date night I wanted but I'm just happy to be with him.