Jack could not believe his eyes. He had never seen so much money on one place… other than the bank, of course.
"How much is that? What… what is this for?" He asked, wide eyed. He still felt depressed, but his heart was lifted a bit.
"That is enough money for a trip to Santa Fe, with extra to get you started on a living. The Newsies and I have taken on odd jobs to fill it up," Katherine said, watching for Jack's reaction.
"Santa Fe? A living?" Jack asked. He was starting to catch on.
"Jack. We are giving you money so you can move to Santa Fe. Katherine here gets tomorrow's pay, and that is the last bit of money you need. You can go visit your parents!" Davey told him.
"Jackie! I went and helped clean da old Refuge!" Crutchie exclaimed eagerly. He cowered at Katherine's glare.
"Sorry, Kathy," he said meekly, earning another glare.
"Do not call me Kathy," she said through gritted teeth. Crutchie whimpered and scuttled out of the room.
"That should teach him," Katherine said viciously.
"Whoa, calm down," Jack told her, placing a hand on Katherine's arm. They stared at each other for a moment, then flushed and looked away. Suddenly, Katherine's chief burst through the door.
"I thought I'd find you here, telling Jack the news," he said to Katherine. Jack looked at the chief, appalled.
"Wait! Did everyone know except me?"
"Basically!" Davey said cheerfully.
"Anyways, Katherine, the press wants the story out by tonight. The papers will be sold by the Newsies down in Brooklyn before we get them down here. With any luck, by noon you will get your pay. If you want, I can buy a horse and buggy for you and have it ready by half past three tomorrow afternoon," the chief said. Katherine threw her arms around him.
"Thank you, Chief! Here is the money needed for them," she cried and proceeded to count out bills and coins. She pressed the bundle of money into his hand and gave him another hug.
"Thank you," she breathed.
Jack watched this encounter, feeling a strange twinge in his stomach as he watched his love hugging another guy. Yes, Jack was in love. He had never felt so much emotion when he was looking at anyone before, so he deduced that it was love. Jack felt himself slipping into his shell. He was paranoid that she would hurt him. He had given her his heart and she hadn't even noticed that a beating heart lived beneath her own.
Katherine pulled away from the hug, feeling slightly guilty. That's crazy, she told herself, why should I be guilty? I haven't done anything wrong! She noticed Jack's eyes becoming distant and he seemed to be unconsciously shrinking into his frame. Her heart went out to him. She was worried about him. What could she do to help Jack? Well, she couldn't do anything until he told her what was wrong.
The chief exited the room. The Newsies erupted in cheers and started chest bumping each other. They had worked long and hard for this moment, when Jack could finally leave.
"I'll start making a packing list for what you'll need, Jackie!" Davey called, running up the stairs for a pencil and an old newspaper. Katherine took Jack's hand and gently tugged him into a room adjacent to the one the rest of the Newsies were currently going all hyper in. Jack looked like he didn't even notice.
"Jack?" No response. Katherine started to get worried.
"Jack?" Still no response.
"Jack Kelly?" Even with a sharp tone, there was no response. Katherine was near hysterics. Jack had never ignored her before. Finally, she had to resort to the last possible thing to draw him out of his head. She slapped him. On the cheek. Hard. He snapped his head to attention, cradling his cheek.
"Ow!" He said loudly. Katherine put her hand over his mouth.
"Shh!" She whisper-yelled.
"Why did you bring me here?" He asked, removing Katherine's hand from his mouth.
"Well, I need to know why you are depressed. I want to help," Katherine told him urgently. But that was incorrect. You see, Katherine loved Jack. She truly did. She knew it deep down inside, but she wouldn't admit it to herself. Jack sighed, massaging his temples. He closed his eyes.
"Katherine, I've told you countless times. Sure, not directly, but you're a smart girl. You should have gotten it by now," he replied wearily.
"What?" She asked, confused.
"Katherine, my heart no longer is mine. It belongs to you know. I love you, Katherine. You never have noticed." With that, he stood up abruptly and marched upstairs. Katherine feebly raised her hand, but let it drop in shock. He loved her. He loved her. He loved her, he loved her, he loved her. And when Jack left the next afternoon with a heavy bag and an even heavier heart, he had left without so much as a goodbye.
Author's Note: REVIEW! Then maybe we can get more Jackatherine faster!