A/N I do not own Newsies. This is based off the Broadway musical not the film. I picture Corey Cott in the role of Jack Kelly, Kara Lindsey as Katherine, Ben Fankhauser as Davey (of course) and Andy Richardson as Crutchy. If you go see the play right now that is who you will see.

He payed his 60 cents for 100 papes and set off. He wanted an ordinary day after a week of not ordinary circumstances. He didn't want to think about the reality of Santa Fe or of an office job drawing cartoons or being kissed and kissing with no intention of just getting under her skirts and moving on.

So he took his papes and like the master of the streets that he was he disappeared. He walked for a good hour, shouted a headline about the recent baseball scores and had sold a few dozen before anyone found him.

Crutchy met him first. The smaller boy still looked pretty roughed up but he sat, sandwich in hand, at their old lunch spot on the fountain by the entrance to Central Park. They'd always eaten uptown to feel like big shots. As soon as Crutchy saw Jack approach he started talking.

"Technically it's your day to buy but since theses didn't cost me a penny I thought I'd share with my old mate so's as we could catch up on the gossip. I heard you were a right ol' american hero my friend."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Listen, Crutchy, I want to say..." But he had to stop when he saw the look in his best friend's eyes.

Crutchy held out a sandwich. "If you sit and eat with me I won't hit you with my crutch for trying to bring up bits of the past that were meant to stay in the past."

Jack took the paper wrapped sandwich and sat. "Damn, the refuge changed you."

Crutchy's grin was rueful. "Can you blame a guy?"

Jack shook his head. "But like you said it's in the past...hey this is a good sandwich. You sure you didn't spend your life savings on it?"

Crutchy looked like a cat who'd got the canary. "No, it was free of charge... as were the Cokes."

Jack looked from the pastrami on rye with mayo to the glass bottles of cola and then at Crutchy again. He felt his eyes narrow and his wheels turn. "Did you get some girl to make you lunch?"

His friend's smile grew. "No, but you did."

Another look at the food and Jack felt the bite he'd taken stick in his throat. His cough attack just made crutchy laugh and offer him one of the drinks. Jack took a swig. Crutchy just kept on talking.

"Yeah, since you disappeared at the end of the strike Katherine invited me on her picnic instead of you. I told her to meet me here, I wonder what's keeping her? Gross! Jack get some manners."

Jack had spewed his mouthful of coke out once Crutchy said Katherine was meeting him. "You were going to have a picnic at our uptown lunch spot with some girl?"

Crutchy frowned "She ain't just 'some girl', from the looks of it she's your girl and you skivved on her picnic. So I thought I'd fill in for you and you could make it up to her."

Jack set his half-eaten sandwich down and stood. He took off his cap to scratch at his hair and then replaced the cap.

"Well, if you gots business with Miss Pulitzer then I'd better split."

Crutchy started laughing. "If anybody's got business with Miss Pulitzer...wait did you say Pulitzer?"

Jack nodded, staying standing, his eyes scanning the crowd for the girl. "I did indeed. She's ol' Joe's daughters. I didn't even know that he was married."

There was no sign of her. Jack was confused by the mix of disappointment and relief than ran through him. He'd always thought those two things were opposed but now it seemed he was wrong.

"So, you kissed the bosses daughter?"

Jack looked at Crutchy askance. "She kissed me first."

Crutchy was grinning like a cat again. "Then she likes you?"

Jack nodded slowly.

"And you like her?"

He nodded again.

"That's called business."

Jack flinched. "I know, Crutchy, and damn it if I don't think that keeping up business with would be fine. But...she's...Pulitzer's daughter. And I ain't scared of ol' Joe, not after staying a night in his cellar. But she didn't tell me about her Father. Sure, she was on our side this whole time but...a guy like me doesn't get a girl like her. Not in real life. An' if I didn't know she was an heiress what else don't I know about her?"

Crutchy was still smiling but his tone was uncertain. "Damned if I know, Jack."

Only one person had those answers and he almost didn't see her coming.

She waved and hollered as she came across the "Jack Kelly! That was some way to skive on a girl. Where di you get your manners?."

Jack's heart skipped a beat at just the sight of her. For sure in the last two weeks he'd sketched her face from memory with borderline obsession on any blank piece of paper he could with no sign ever stopping. Auburn curls pinned back from her oval face, warm brown eyes that questioned everything, and that wide, cheeky smile. She was, from top to toes, perfect in his eyes.

And that scared the boots off him.

She came to stop at the bottom of the steps, her smile brightening the rather muggy July day. She took a few steps up until they stood face to face. He clenched his fists to keep from kissing her. Kissing wouldn't answer his doubts no matter how good it felt.

"I needed space to think."

Confusion flickered in her eyes. "About what?"

"Lots of stuff."

She just nodded but didn't look happy. She was curious. That's why she was a journalist. She stepped around him and fiddled with her long skirts sat down on the blanket Crutchy had spread on the steps. "You can't think on an empty stomach. Sit and eat. I'll let you think."

Jack didn't say he didn't trust that last promise. He just sat and picked his sandwich back up. Crutchy pulled himself to his feet.

"Well, I best get on with selling these papes. I'll see you tonight Jack."

Jack didn't want his friend to leave him alone with this girl. He couldn't trust himself to think straight (or at all) around her. Jack was certain Crutchy deliberately ignored his look of desperation. He had to smile though as he ate his lunch and watched his friend sell several papers just heading down the street. Once Crutchy was out of sight, Jack turned his attention to Katherine and met her scrutinizing gaze. "From the way you're lookin at me people'd think you was the artist not me." He laughed as he spoke and he saw a positive response to his teasing in her eyes. She smiled and pink rose from her neck and spotted her cheeks.

"I'm trying to understand you."

"Good luck."

She looked down at the cola in her hands. "Can I ask what kinds of stuff you were thinking about this morning?"

Jack swallowed. He'd known the question was coming. She was a newspaper woman. So he replied.

"The past weeks have been kinda different from what I have been used to. It's a lot for a guy to take in. So I was thinking about the strike and all that."

Katherine frowned. "Are you being deliberately vague?"

Her frown was almost as lovely as her smile. The lines pulled her whole face down, it wrinkled her little nose and emphasized her lower lip. The artist in him wanted to sketch her on his sandwich paper. The man in him wanted to kiss her. He settled for answering her question.

"Alright, Miss Pulitzer, I'll give you the complete story." He ignored her protest over her last name and continued. "you do want the whole story right? Then you better get listening. I thought about this morning in your Father's office. I thought over how well our plan went. I thought about seeing Crutchy back and them putting away Seitz the snake. I thought about political cartoons and office jobs. I thought about money and time and Santa Fe," He paused head spinning again from the sheer amount of thoughts he'd thought since he'd ended up in Pulitzer's cellar, "And yes, I thought about you, girly."

Katherine's eyes were wide and her eyebrows arched, the perfect look of surprise. "Those are a lot of thoughts for a boy to have."

Jack frowned. "I'm not a boy."

Katherine mimicked his frown. "I'm not a girl."

"How old are you?"

"That's not polite."

"I kissed you. I deserve to know."

Katherine looked sheepish. "I'm 17 minus 54 days."

Jack barked a laugh. "You're a newspaper woman and you're only 16?"

She looked miffed and crossed her arms petulantly. "Well, how long have you been working?"

Jack took of his cap and ran his hand under his nose. "Since I's was 8."

"So then me working at 16 is not so bad."

"No, just surprising. I'd think you'd be sitting in parlors receiving rich boy suitors like those two who helped us with the Banner."

"If my father had his way I would. But my mother encouraged me to get my wildness out before I look for a husband or I won't stay married long. Wait, I kissed you too so I deserve to know how old you are."

"I'm 17, 18 in December."

"You're so old."

Jack knew he was pulling face but he couldn't help it. "Wadda ya mean? Old? I'm in the prime of life."

"But you can't live as a newsie forever."

Jack nodded. "Santa Fe, remember?"

That made Katherine frown. "Oh, right."

Jack decided to change the subject. "Alright, now I know how old you are I think we can have real introductions. Miss Katherine...uh wants your middle name…?"

She grinned with mischief. "Katherine."

Jack nodded. "Yes? good. Miss Katherine Kather...wait a moment. What numbskull would named their daughter the same thing twice?"

"No one. My name is officially Edith Katherine Pulitzer. Katherine is my Mother's name so I like to go by my middle name. Always have."

Jack nodded. "Well, Miss Edith Katherine Pulitzer. I am Jack Kelly, newsie and artist."

Katherine laughed and took his hand. "We've met."

Jack shook his head. "I have met Katherine Plumber, intrepid girl reporter. You are Miss Edith Katherine Pulitzer. That was one of the things I thought about this morning."

Katherine just stared at him. "Does that really matter? I don't think of myself as Edith Katherine Pulitzer. In my head I'm just Katherine Plumber, intrepid girl reporter."

Jack shrugged and finished off his sandwich. He wasn't sure if it mattered or not. He'd fallen for the "beautiful, smart, independent girl" he'd sketched on that first night.

"Besides, I don't even live in my father's house. I haven't since I was fifteen. If you take me to dinner tonight I'll let you walk me home."

Jack wasn't surprised that Katherine didn't live at her Father's anymore then the second part sunk in. "Well, if I'm taking you to dinner I better sell these papes." They both stood. He made to head off but with a cheeky grin he asked. "Buy a pape off a poor orphan ma'am?"

Her whole face lit up. She pulled out her coin purse and handed him the proper amount. Jack let his fingers catch and lock her hand in his own. He pulled her closer but was unable to keep his eyes in one place his gaze flicked between her large brown eyes and her perfectly shaped lips.

"Jack?"

"Ace?" he mimicked.

Her lips quirked into a small smile. He was glad she liked the pet name he'd thought to give her. He met her eyes as he brought her hand under to his mouth, pressing it gently to his lips. So maybe it was a bit romantic but he didn't care because Katherine liked it.

"Are you really going to go with dinner with me?"

Jack nodded, his forehead wrinkling, she looked so doubtful. "Of course I am. I'll even pay."

Katherine smiled like he'd given her a new typewriter (or whatever girl reporters loved). "Alright then, meet me at Giuliano's at 7?"

"Will do. Now I really should go and sell these so I have something to buy you dinner with but first well I'm going to kiss you." He did too. Lightly on the lips. He didn't draw it out. It was brief and seeing that she had wanted it to last longer made him grin like a fool. "I'll see you tonight, Ace."

"Mmhmm." Her eyes were cloudy and she reached up to touch her lips. He squeezed her hand and then moved away, not turning away from her, she kept her held on him until he was at arms length. Then he turned and took off at a jog. Once out of sight he slowed and shoved that hand in his pocket, fist clenching and releasing. "Jackie ol boy, you've got it bad. You're going nuts, you're even talking to yourself like Specs does. Get a grip. Sell some papes. Make it to 7 pm."

He made it. He stood outside Guiliano's at 10 to 7. He'd washed up and changed his shirt and even combed his hair a bit. He twisted his hat in his hands then replaced it on his head, nerves eating him raw. He shoved his hands in his pockets and fidgeted. He'd had plenty more time to think as he'd worked that day. He'd known Katherine all of a week. They'd met on accident. That moment he'd seen her at the theatre he'd sat down to sketch her and he'd known…

Beautiful. Smart. Independant.

He hummed to himself as he waited and watched the sky grow dark. From the streets he couldn't see stars come out like up on the roof tops. Rooftops... What had Specs been thinking showing Katherine his rooftop hideaway? That had been the moment where knowing turned into doing. Love at first sight might have been for suckers but with Katherine (smart, beautiful, independant Katherine) and her insistence that New York had something that Santa Fe didn't it seemed that he had been wrong. Loving her seemed as inevitable as it was enjoyable. She'd got him to pay and sell papes today instead of catching the train out of town. She'd gotten him to rethink how to do the strike and helped them win. She'd gotten him to agree to dinner at a place he'd never step foot in any other way. He glanced at the sign. It wasn't high class but it was a sit down at a private table and talk while you eat place. She'd gotten him tied in knots. He felt something touch him arm and he jumped. There she was, wearing the same thing she had earlier but she smelt cleaner and fresher, and her curls shone more brightly.

She slipped a hand into his. "Long day?"

He kissed her knuckles and marveled at the pink that rose on her neck "You have no idea."

She pulled him towards the door. "Tell me about it during dinner."

They entered the restaurant and immediately people started greeting Katherine. She was obviously well known. Other young ladies stood and hugged her. The man behind the deli counter asked if she wanted the usual. A fellow serving drinks asked her where she'd like to sit. Finally they sat.

"Who's this you've got with you, Katherine?" A young girl, probably close to 15, with black braids and grey eyes.

"Nina, this is Jack Kelly. Jack, this is one of my good friends, Nina Gorban."

Jack shook the young girls hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

She smiled and blushed a bit. Jack felt his ego grow, remembering that with most girls a smile from him made them dizzy. With Katherine it had been a bit harder.

"Can you get us two of my usual?" Katherine asked.

Nina nodded and skipped off, looking at Jack over her shoulder as she did. He watched her go, laughing at her antics when Katherine cleared her throat.

"You really are a skirt chasing flirt."

Jack turned to face the fire in Kat's eyes. "What?"

"You heard me."

Jack leaned forward but also poked her with his foot under the tables. "Sure I did but the 'what' was over your tone. You sound put out Ace."

She moved her foot away from his and brushed her curls over her shoulder. "And if I am?"

Jack got distracted by her neck when she'd moved her hair. Now he got his eyes back to hers and smirked. "I'd say good."

"You are impossible."

Jack shrugged and leaned back. "So I's been told. Now you tell me how you have a regular order at a joint like this."

Katherine leaned back too and smiled as she looked around the room. "I live at Mrs. Temple's boarding house down the street. This is halfway between work and home so I like stop in for dinner."

Jack nodded. Most of the folks here were not much older than him and Katherine. This was a blue collar joint. Jack felt at ease and could see himself doing this every night, same as Katherine.

"So, what do we have coming by way of food?"

"What's my usual?"

"Yeah."

"Well, a meatball sandwich and a coke."

Jack let out a laugh. "You are a different cut of girl, you know that Ace?"

She smiled. If she didn't stop smiling Jack thought he might have a heart attack because his heart skipped beats each time. "Yeah, well, you aren't a typical newsie."

Jack shook his head. "Sure I am. I'm brash, impulsive, and loud."

Katherine shook her head back at him. "That may be, Jack Kelly, but you also paint and lead strikes. Speaking that, this should be a victory dinner in your honor. I thought of that today. You probably want to be with the other boys celebrating."

She looked genuinely concerned, her forehead wrinkled and a look of worry in her eyes.

"Naw, I'd rather be here with you."

Katherine's forehead smoothed but there was disbelief in her eyes. Nina came back with the food and they tucked away, too hungry to talk right away. Jack finished first and leaned back in his seat pretending to look at the restaurant but really watching Katherine from the corner of his eye. She ate like a girl. Which was understandable because she was one. She was watching him in between bites. He wondered what she was thinking. She'd sounded proud when she'd talked about the strike. She'd sounded concerned when she'd asked him if he didn't want to be there. He was an artist. He knew how to capture the human person in graphite and ink. But his thoughts spun when he was around her. They had since he'd ran into on the street just two weeks back. Fourteen days.

"We've only known each other two weeks."

Katherine finished her last bite. "I know."

Jack pulled out his wallet and pulled out the price of the meal. Leaving it on the table he stood and offered her his hand. "How bout you let me walk you home?"

She put her hand in his and off they went and soon linked their arms so that they were now walking very close. "It's been quite the two weeks though."

Jack looked at her from the corner of his eye. "That is has been."

They came to a stop in front of a tall brick building with alleyways on both sides so it stood independent of it's neighbors.

"This is where I live. And Mrs. Temple doesn't allow male visitors. And my curfew is in 10 minutes."

Jack frowned. "So I gotta say goodbye? Today is over?"

Katherine turned and pointed. "My window is there by the fire escape. Can you get there by your self?"

Jack grinned and took off. "I'll be waiting."

He scaled quietly and sat on the steps by the window she'd pointed at. The curtain prevented him from seeing in but he wasn't sure he was ready to see her room. His brain was thinking again. Five days and he'd kissed her. That was forward even for Jack Kelly if you didn't count Moni Torch. But no one counted their first crush. It hadn't really been love neither, just old fashioned curiosity. Now he'd kissed a girl in only five days and no official declaration of interest. Granted, she'd kissed him first. And they had fought together. But he was afraid he was going to mess this all up. The sash moved and out came Katherine.

"Ok, let's head up higher. The other girls know where I am and will cover for me."

Jack felt curiosity laced with some envy race through his veins. "So you do this with all the boys."

"What boys?" Katherine looked confused and then narrowed her eyes. "Jack Kelly, there are no other boys. Not for me. The other girls do this - Lisa, Charlotte, Betty. I got the insight from them. Now come on."

He followed her up through the escape to just by the roof. "Mrs. Temple's room is on the first floor and no one lives in the attic so girls use this space to meet their beaus after curfew. It's nice knowing there aren't any boy allowed inside but complicates having a …"

Katherine stopped talking because they'd stopped moving and also, Jack guessed, because she'd been about to call him her beau. He wanted to say something, anything, but his mind had stopped thinking. He moved past her to lean against the railing.

"I can see the appeal. You've got a better view than my pent house."

Katherine came to lean next him close enough that their shoulders touched. "Yeah, when a story won't get written I come out here to think."

He looked down at her hand, gripping her elbow as she crossed her arms and leaned on them. She looked, uncertain. "A great journalist like you? I bet that rarely happens."

She looked up at him and shrugged. "Just because you love something doesn't mean it comes easily. Does everything you paint or draw turn out as you picture in your head?"

Jack shook his head. "Of course not."

"It's the same with writing. Writing is like painting a picture with words. I want to make the image perfect but sometimes it doesn't turn out."

"Lot's of things in life don't turn out the way we want. That's not always a bad thing. I mean look at this past weeks."

"The strike?"
"Naw, that was too spur of the moment to go any other way than how it went. I mean me and you. Listen, Ace, I know you said that wherever I go you'll be there but I also know I'm not...the kind of guy you thought you'd get and I am going to take that seriously."

He'd turned himself so it was his side leaning against the railing. He couldn't resist touching her any longer so he traced her jaw line with his thumb and her lips with his eyes. She looked positively radiant in the fading light. She was listening like the journalist she was, collecting the facts from his words and his actions, so Jack sought to be as transparent as possible.

"I get that I'm rough around the edges. When we first met you called me impossible but your opinion must've changed since then or you wouldn't have kissed with me."

She was smiling but wouldn't meet his eyes. He traced the side of her face in an effort to draw her gaze and then grabbing her shoulder gently he leaned in.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I want this, me and you, to be more than just a thing that happened. I know what you said earlier today and I know what you said last night. So here's my reply...Ace, Santa Fe has nothing on you."

Then he kissed her, slowly, tasting all of her and wrapping his arms around her so she couldn't go anywhere. He poured all his hopes and dreams into that moment. She'd given him a new way to look at the world and a new dream. He broke off the kiss to catch his breath and leaned his forehead against hers. "Ace, your Father said I couldn't have his family. Do you agree with him?"

He felt her shake her head. "No, Jack Kelly, you have me and I don't think I could change that if I wanted to."

Jack leaned back and kissed her lips again. He looked up at the dark sky and sighed. If he didn't go now...it would be impossible for him to leave. "Good. Now I'll let you go to bed. Meet me for lunch tomorrow?"

Katherine nodded and gave him a last hug and kiss before he took off down the stairwell and into the streets.