Every day was the same. Right after work, Jack would sneak up Katherine's fire escape and knock quietly on the window. As it was usually unlocked, Jack wouldn't hesitate but open it without consent and collapse into the warmness of her apartment, preferring that than the snowy, shivering air outside.

Katherine had never fully understood why he would head to her apartment instead of greeting the Newsies and heading back to the lodge. But there was one thing she would never do about it: complain.

With Jack's usual tap on the door, Katherine had been sleeping and was too exhausted to wake up. Jack didn't seem to mind as he inaudibly opened and shut the window behind him before laying next to Katherine, his head nuzzled in her hair. He wouldn't spend a single second wasting this moment as her warmth came onto him comfortingly.

Shifting slightly in shock by how cold he was, it sent a shiver down her spine as his thumb gently trailed her arm.

"Jack, you're freezing," she had whispered, her voice muffled as she felt like snowflakes were falling through the roof and tapping her arm intentionally. Yet, she got extremely protective as she held him as close as possible to herself, the coldness bringing her chills all across her body. They were close enough for Jack to feel her breath on his weather-beaten neck, causing him to warm up instantaneously.

Unsure on what to do, he wrapped the blanket more around her than himself as he stood up and made coffee for both of them. Making sure Katherine's was less bitter than his, he added more sugar and cream to hers. As she sat up and rubbed her foggy eyes, Jack came back and handed the coffee to her, both of their hands touching between the exchange. Giving him a heartfelt glance, her fingers were instantly wrapped around the burning mug, the sweet smell of coffee spreading throughout the air as he sat next to her.

"I'm sorry. I's really didn't mean ta make ya that cold."

"Jack, please don't worry about it," she said genuinely, standing up to grab a couple of more blankets as she set her coffee down to secure them around Jack. While doing so, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek, only making him blush, before taking a couple of more sips from the mug with a smile. With their weeks of being together, how had he already seemed to have known her so well? She couldn't help but lean into his shoulder as she looked out the window, her eyes glistening with astonishment. "New York may not be your choice place, but God, does it have amazing snowfalls."

Seeing her eyes light up with happiness, he couldn't help himself to say anything as he had placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, putting his available arm around her waist protectively. "Well, it ain't bad until ya have ta survive out in it. Sellin' papes, goin' ta work, making sure everyone's okay-"

"How do you do it?" she asked admiringly. "How do you go out in that and pretend everything's fine?"

"'cause most of the time, it is," he replied honestly. "As long as we's gettin' paid, there ain't nothin' wrong with workin' through winter. Sometimes we's get a little extra 'cause of it." A wide grin had been plastered on his face as he took out some spare change to show her, consisting of no more than a couple dollars or so, give or take."

"And the rest of the Newsies?" she asked curiously. "Are they the same way?"

He had nodded, placing his money back in his pocket as he embraced her around the stomach affectionately.

She couldn't help but grin at his act before gazing at him, her chocolate eyes calling his name as he placed a soft, passionate kiss on her lips, smiling against her when he noticed her eyes start to close. All of their kisses were like a new spark of energy. They could never forget one moment of their lips touching each other's because they knew each time it was a new, exciting adventure.

Pulling away just enough to stare at him in wonder, her voice caused Jack to flinch as the sudden silence was broken. "Look, I know it's a long shot, but would you like to stay the night?"

Feeling awful he had to say no, he gave her a sympathetic look as he placed a gentle kiss on her neck. "I's gotta get back. The boys are expecting me."

She gave him an understanding nod before his lips a quick peck. "Okay just...be careful, alright?"

"Ya know I's always do," he whispered, giving her hand a ghost of a kiss before Katherine had hugged him tightly, taking in every bit of ink and newspapers Jack had still smelled of from his long day at work. "'ey, I'll be back tomorrow," he breathed calmly as he pulled away, giving her a quick wink before heading out the same way he came in.

But that was yesterday. He was at the same apartment, he went up to the same fire escape, and he ended up in the same room... Katherine's room. So why was he having trouble with the lock? And why were the lights off?

Jack had been outside shivering for the past few hours, his concern growing as he had tried to find a way through the lock. After Albert taught him how to pick locks, it had come in extremely useful. Although, it would've been easier right then if his hands weren't frozen stiff. That's what he needed. Her fiery hands into his chilled ones, the heat of her apartment, the cozy blankets that were just sitting...waiting for him to take them into his arms.

His breath was shaky as he attempted to blow heat into his hands, just enough to pick up the bobby pin she had left there just in case he needed it when she wasn't home. Grinning when he finally had heard the sound of the lock, he immediately went in and slammed the window behind him, struggling to keep himself from stumbling.

Hearing Katherine's typewriter tapping away, he had followed the sound, eventually leading to Katherine. She had looked as if she had been up for days, weeks even. Yet as soon as she felt Jack's hands on her shoulder, she yelped at the sudden cold before hugging him tightly, cursing herself under her breath as she shook her head.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." She must've repeated this a hundred times before Jack had placed his calloused finger onto her breath-like lips.

"'ey, Plumba'. There ain't nothin' ta be sorry for." His voice was shaky and he was obviously shivering, causing Katherine's anxiety to grow as she quickly made him some coffee and tossed him a blanket.

"It's my fault," she responded shaking her head. "Jack, I forgot to leave the window unlocked. I really, really am sorry."

After getting situated, he eyed her cautiously. She was never one to forget stuff and when she did, it was her sign of saying something was wrong. Noticing her head back to the typewriter, he had grabbed her arm and sat her down right next to himself. "What 'appened?"

"Nothing happened, Jack. I-"

"What 'appened?" he repeated, a bit more sternly as he stared into her eyes, visibly seeing the stress and anxiety she had tried so hard to hide.

"I'm writing a report. They gave me a real story, Jack. A real story." She spoke as if it was the first time it had happened, and besides the strike, it was. "I-I can't screw it up. It's due by tomorrow and if I don't get it finished, I'm-"

"When did they give ya this project?"

"Today-"

"And they's expect it ta be done by tomorrow?"

No words seemed to form out of her mouth as she just nodded silently.

Not sure what else he could say or do to make it any better, he decided he would help in any way possible as he pressed his chin against her shoulder. "We'll get it done. I'll stay the night. Tell the Newsies that I's ain't gonna be back until this report is over-"

"You would really do that for me?" she interrupted as she stared at him amazed.

"I'd do anythin' ta make sure yous keep your job."

With nothing more than a grin that could light up the room from Katherine, he had been at her beck and call, making sure whatever she needed, he was there.