You'll always be in My Heart

 The pale blue sky began to wash over with vivid pink and oranges. The stars slowly began to awaken from their daylong nap. The city was unusually peaceful for this time of day. Something happened that day which would change many lives forever and affect some momentarily, but every one would remember this day for the rest of their lives. The catastrophe had been so great it caused many to lose their lives, but the ones who were affected the most were the newsies….

…. Jack walked down the street with Gem.  He glanced over at her every few seconds hoping to catch her beautiful emerald green eyes. Jack grew more nervous by the moment walking down the street with her. He really liked Gem; she wasn't like the other girls. She had a certain flare about her something he couldn't place his finger on. Gem knew all the right things to make Jack smile when he was down, she knew what he liked and didn't like.

Jack knew Gem inside and out, he knew that dancing was her favorite thing to do. He also knew that she wanted to become a singer and perform at Carnegie Hall. Jack could go on for hours listing everything he knew about her, like her favorite color, book, time of day, and much loved place to think.

Every one in the lodging house knew the two got a long well. They spent hours on end talking to each other getting to know each other well ever since he brought her to the lodging house. Most of the people at the lodging house said they were meant to be together, soul mates.

Jack couldn't think of what to say to her. He ran a hand through his hair. Jack hoped that Gem liked the surprise he had planned for her. After the strike Teddy Roosevelt told Jack if there was anything he could do for him to let him know. Jack was cashing that in favor. Jack ruffled Gem's long black silky hair hoping to get her to start up the conversation, "Was that really necessary?" She asked him as she fixed her hair. Gem tried to look mad at him, but a smirk danced across her lips. Jack smirked back and put an arm around her shoulder.

"Yes, it was necessary." He said to her rubbing her shoulder softly. Jack liked the feeling of having Gem close to him. He didn't know what he would do with his life if he hadn't found her. They neared the building and Jack stopped her suddenly.

"What?" She asked looking around to see what was going on. Gem thought that Jack had spotted Snyder or the Delanceys.

"Close your eyes." Jack said to her with a smirk on his face. Gem looked at him hesitantly, "Come on just do it." He insisted.

Gem saw he wasn't going to give up, "Alright." She said to him. Gem closed her eyes, "You aren't going to walk me into any walls or people are you?" Gem stood there with her eyes closed. Jack didn't answer her. He thought he would play with her a bit, "Jack?" Gem called, "Jack this isn't funny." She opened her eyes and spun around to see Jack still standing behind her laughing now, "That wasn't funny Jack Kelly." She playfully hit him on the arm.

"Alright, Alright close your eyes now." He said to her as he stopped laughing. Gem crossed her arms and looked at him not amused like he was, "Come on this time I promise not to do that. I got a surprise for you."

"Oh, alright, but you do it again and I am not talking to you for the rest of your life and mine." Gem closed her eyes again and put her hand out for Jack to take it.

Jack took her hand and then put one hand over her eyes, "Can't have you peaking." Gem took her other hand and wrapped it around Jack's arm so she wouldn't fall or hit into people. They walked about a block and Jack stopped her again.

"Are we there?" She asked him. Jack took his hand away from her eyes; only he kept Gem's hand in his. Gem slowly opened her eyes and looked at the building in front of them. She looked back at Jack, "Jack, why are we here?" Gem looked back at the building that read Carnegie Hall on it.

"Well you're a singer aren't you?" Jack asked looking down at her with a smile, "Where else would a singer sing?"

"But…Jack…uh…how?" Gem wasn't sure if this was a joke or if it was for real, "Only the best sing here and I am not…"

Jack shook his head, "You are the best and tonight, you are going to get to show every one you are. I used my favor to get you to sing here so don't say you can't or won't."

Gem was speechless. She smiled up at Jack with tears in her eyes. No one had ever done anything nice for her ever, especially nothing like this. It took a special guy to pull something off like this, "Of course I will sing there tonight…. just for you Jack."

Jack smiled and put his hand on her cheek and brushed the tear that had tickled down away with his thumb, "Come one lets go let every one know you are singing there tonight." Jack took her hand again and squeezed it lightly. The two of them walked down towards Tibby's.