Kid Blink didn't see Kat for five days. He and the Newsies still went to the street corner outside her school and though he knew she wouldn't be there, he was still disappointed when it was time to leave, long after the school bells stopped ringing. The wind pierced their bodies, and late November and early December brought the first real snowfalls, the ones that covered everything and piled against the buildings and sidewalks.

The boys loved the snow, but hated the cold. Summer was their playground; winter meant sicknesses in the bunkrooms, not enough blankets on the beds, and even though they didn't have much food in the summer either, they especially felt it in the winter. Sometimes they even lost a boy or two. But the last Newsie they lost was in December 1898, and Jack was good about pushing the boys to work collectively.

Medda even invited them over for dinner on a weekly basis and to sleep in front of her fireplaces. And when storms were at their worst and Medda had to cancel shows, she would invite the whole lot of Newsies to sleep in the backstage, where it was warmer and her apartment was right upstairs. They'd make their nests on top of old curtains and even beds used for stage props, and Medda would have blankets to go around.

"I'll not have my boys freezing to death in that old lodge house," Medda would say to Mr. Kloppman, who would sleep on the couch in her office. "It's not your fault that Pulitzer won't heat the damn place."

Talia's birthday was this Friday, December 7, and the party would be at the Irish pub.

Kid Blink was nervous as he approached Kat's house, glancing around the dark neighborhood. The street lamps guided him to the sidewalk in front of her stoop as he stepped carefully on the slick sidewalks that had been shoveled earlier that day. The nice neighborhoods had been shoveled and the streets were cleared wide enough for buggies. His pants were stilled soaked from wading through the snowdrift on his side of town.

He wasn't sure if she still wanted to go…or see him. He remembered the arrival of her grandmother, and secretly wondered if she had talked some sense into Kat. Though Kat seemed pretty stubborn…

As was Jack; he hadn't let Kid Blink forget to bring Kat, and seemed to give a guarded look every time he mentioned it.

"I will meet her, Kid," Jack had told him, his dark eyes stern. "Stop worryin'. I won' bite her."

The boys had laughed, but Kid Blink wasn't worried about Jack.

Ira was, in Kid's opinion, the hardest egg to crack, given her past relations with people from the Upper East Side. He hoped it wouldn't ruin her birthday or make her upset, but she had to know that Kat had nothing to do with the Rockefeller's world. She was too good for them.

He knew Ira was only worried for him, and he was the only reason why she gave a damn. Ira was the only sister Kid Blink had ever known, and he remembered the way the Newsies had reacted when she had gotten mixed up with the scum in the Upper East Side. She had every right to feel that was she felt, and he didn't hold it against her.

He took a deep breath, his broad chest pushing against his vest and coat. The fingerless gloves helped to warm his palms, but his fingers were already purple in the cold. He pulled his cap tighter on his head, tucked his hands under his crossed arms, and trudged up the icy steps.

He approached the front door, knocking his boots together as he lifted his hand to knock. He wondered if she had even told her aunt and uncle…

But the door whipped open, and Kat came rushing out, her cheeks red and her eyes bright.

"Quick," she said, taking his hand as she closed the door behind her and flew down the steps, pulling him with her.

"'ey!" he said, glancing at the front door. "What gives?!"

"Come on!" she hissed urgently.

They ran down the street, her feet pumping hard and the long ribbon in her hair flowing behind her. It was a miracle she didn't slip on the snow.

He didn't question her; he stole a look at the house on the hill, waiting for someone to be chasing them. But he didn't see anyone. He looked back to her, seeing the deep red fabric of her dress under her heavy black velvet coat. Her blonde hair hung in perfect ringlets, half tied up in a red ribbon, and her black gloved hand gripped his tightly.

Once they were down the hill, she slowed and came to a stop, her breath clouding the cold air as she looked back to the quiet neighborhood. She met his questioning gaze and smiled exuberantly, happy to see him.

"I thought you weren't coming," she said breathlessly. "I was terrified grandmother would answer the door."

Kid Blink read her bright eyes and slowly his expression dropped.

"You don' want her knowin' about me," he stated darkly.

Her smile fell, reacting to his anger. Tiny snow flurries fell around them, landing in her hair. As he read her face, he felt warmer than before and sick to his stomach. He waited for her to speak but he looked away from her, stuffing his cold hands into his worn pockets. He was embarrassed.

"Had I known that you wanted to meet her, I would've introduced you," she said gently.

He looked up at her and she was smirking, her beautiful face flushed in the cold.

"I didn't want her to find out I was going to an Irish pub, let alone with a boy."

She giggled, knocking snow out of his hair with her fingers. He looked down at her and saw that she meant what she had said. Even if she wanted to hide him from her grandmother, she was good at putting it nicely.

He sighed and read her eyes for a long time. Five days away from her was too much. She was stunning, wrapped in her warm coat under the street lamp light, snow falling around her angelic figure.

He smirked a little, the spark slowly reappearing in his eye, "After what you've told me, I think I can wait ta meet her."

She laughed and moved to his side, putting her arm through his, "We can walk the rest of the way if you'd like."

Kid Blink laughed as they began walking, "Ya really know how ta sweep a guy off his feet."

She quickly scooped a handful of accumulating snow off the sidewalk and threw it to his chest, running before he could hit her with a fist full. They half ran and walked to the pub, laughing as they ignored the passers-by on the streets, like they were the only ones. He caught her in his arms a few times and she laughed as he pulled her back to his side, feeling the warm skin of her wrists under his cold fingers.

"Wait 'til ya meet all the guys," he said, trying to catch his breath. He shook his head, smiling, "They'll be crazy about ya."

"And what if they're not?" she challenged, looking up at him and smiling cleverly. "What if I'm not good enough?"

"Ha!" he barked. He rubbed his nose, "They will be, don't worry."

They walked side-by-side on the sidewalk and he told her the story about the Newsies' strike as they passed Medda's theater. The pub was a few blocks away.

"This Jack sounds important," she said, laughing. "A voice for the people."

He laughed too, "He's somethin', a'right."

"Kid!"

They looked up to see Mush and a few of the guys outside a building, the Newsies' loud voices pouring out from the pub's open doors, warm light shining through the windows. Mush ran up to them, his cheeks red from drinking.

"Kat! Ya made it!" Mush said, turning to her after he hit Kid Blink on the arm. "Jus' in time. C'mon, Jack will be here with Ira any minute."

"Drinkin' already, Mush," Kid Blink laughed.

Mush waved his hand dismissively, "You would be too if ya was here sooner!"

They went inside and Kid Blink glanced down at Kat, who was removing her coat. The elegant lace neckline framed her shoulders and collar bone, showing off her graceful neck. Her deep red dress fit her perfectly; the sleeves covered from her shoulders to her elbows, the bodice was tight and showed her petite frame, and the skirt flowed down to her shinny black shoes. It was simple and not too much. She was beautiful.

He smiled and the guys around him made noises, knowing what the look on his face meant. He shouted at them as they greeted him, patting him on the back and messing up his hair.

"Ah, 's Blink's girl!"

"'bout time ya brought her around Blink!"

"Keepin' her all to ya self, huh?"

"Aren't ya gonna introduce us?"

"Can it!" Kid Blink shouted, grinning from ear to ear as he removed his cap and shook his thick hair. "Newsies, meet Katherine. Katherine, meet the Newsies."

They all turned their attention to Kat, who smiled eagerly as she shook the outstretched hands, repeating their names as they introduced themselves to her.

"Ya get tired of Kid, come find me, a'right?" Snoddy said, winking at Kid Blink, who shoved him.

The air was filled with cigarette and cigar smoke, the sound of clinking mugs and the loud obnoxious voices of the Newsies. Medda appeared and the boys bombarded her, questioning her when Jack and Ira would arrive, and when they could get refills.

"Hold your horses," Medda shouted, laughing. "They should be here any—Kid Blink!"

Medda made her way to the front where the Newsies were occupied with Kat. Kid Blink turned and saw the red haired woman, smiling at him dearly as she pulled him into a hug.

"What's new, Kid?" she asked, touching his cheek. "I think there's someone I need to meet."

He laughed and pulled Kat's elbow, gesturing her to Medda.

"Kat, this is Medda, the Newsies' savin' grace."

Medda hit Kid's chest playfully but smiled kindly at Kat and shook her hand.

"You own the theater," Kat said excitedly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's an honor to meet you, my dear," Medda said gently. "Anyone who makes this kid happy is welcome to my place anytime."

"Medda…" Kid Blink muttered, blushing.

Medda laughed, touching his cheek again, "Accept it, my darling: I always look out for my own and their girls."

Kat laughed heartily and Kid Blink kissed Medda's cheek.

"Here, Kid Blink," said David as he immerged from the crowd with a mug of beer, smiling.

"Hey David," Kid Blink shouted as he took the mug and clinked it with David's.

Kid Blink wrapped his arm around David's shoulder. "David, meet Kat."

David smiled at the giggling girl. "It's a pleasure!" he shouted over the clamor.

Kid Blink watched Kat adapt like she wasn't even trying. He himself felt so comfortable and at home with the rowdy bunch, but he was a tad tense as he watched the guys meet her, wondering what they were saying and if she was truly as comfortable as the expression on her beautiful face. He knew he'd just feel tenser once Jack and Ira arrived. But he soon forgot his nerves and enjoyed joking around with his boys.

"'ey! Shut it!" Boots shouted, keeping look out at the window. "They're comin'!"

"Jack Kelly, if you don't tell me where we're going-"

"Can it, we're almos' there," Jack said in her ear, smirking at her dark Russian threat. He held his hands firmly over her eyes from behind her, careful to lead her to the front door of the pub. Boots and Racetrack opened the doors and though they tried their best to be quiet, the Newsies were laughing into their hands and "shhh-ing". Medda was in the middle of the sea of boys, wearing a blue satin dress and standing in front of one of the tables, where there was a cake with white frosting.

Ira had no idea, and he felt her smile under his hands.

"Cowboy, what-"

Jack removed his hands, revealing the pub stuffed with Newsies with mugs in their hands, standing on the tables and the bar in the back of the room.

"SURPRISE!"

They laughed at the pure shock on her face and began shouting "happy birthday" as they shoved to get to her, kissing her cheek and hugging her shoulders. They pulled her into the throng, their voices filling the pub and pouring into the quiet street outside (even with the doors shut), and showed her the cake on the table. She looked around at all of them, her striking eyes the happiest they'd seen in a long time.

Jack crossed his arms, leaning against the doors next to Medda, both laughing as Ira turned to them, her expression dark and mischievous.

"Who told you?" she demanded, fighting to hold back her smile as she glared at him.

Jack smiled at Medda, "I know people."

"Jack!"

Jack turned and came face to face with Kid Blink. They hugged for a moment, slapping each other on the back to make the hug a tad manlier, and Kid Blink stepped to the side, revealing a young blonde woman, who was laughing with Mush.

He felt his smile waver a little.

"Go easy on her, huh Jack?" Kid said in his ear before turning to her.

Jack saw her face, her hazel eyes glassy and bright, and he saw the expensive red dress she was wearing, her long blonde hair the cleanest hair he'd ever seen.

"Jack, meet Katherine."

"But everyone calls me Kat," she said, shaking his hand. She seemed very at ease around the guys, and he noticed the glance she gave Kid, both laughing. He looked at Kid's face, seeing the happiness in his expression. Or maybe it was the beer.

"'s nice ta meet ya, Kat," Jack said, his expression guarded. "Been hangin' 'round my boy here a lot lately, huh?"

"Only when I'm wanted," Kat answered smoothly. The Newsies made approving noises but Jack ignored them.

"Don' have any problems hangin' 'round Newsies all day?" Jack asked loudly. "We're nothin' like tha folks you're probably used to."

Kid shot him a look but Jack saw the smirk on the girl's lips.

"All the more reason to hang around Newsies."

The boys around them laughed and hollered and Jack managed a smirk, laughing and nodding.

"A'right, Kid," he said, squeezing Kid Blink's shoulder. "Not bad."

Kat shot a look to Mush, shrugging her shoulder and smiling. Mush and the boys around him laughed at her expression.

Kid Blink laughed and looked up, seeing Ira; she was smiling but her eyes were guarded.

"Kid," she said huskily. "This is your girl everyone's been shouting about?"

The boys laughed and watched intently: they'd never seen Ira with another girl before, at least not a girl with Kat's stature.

But Kid's eye rolled, "She's not my girl." He saw Kat's lips smirk and he sighed, giving up. "But yeah, 's her."

They were night and day: Ira was a few inches taller with womanly curves and long dark hair, her intense icy eyes piercing as she looked at Kat, who seemed to embody the perfect spring day with her bright hair and soft expression. Spring and winter, day and night, staring at each other. Ira regarded her for a long moment and Kat even seemed stunned by Ira's beauty, her fierceness.

All eyes were on her and Ira, trying to read their expressions.

Ira's eyes flashed to Kid's, reading something there, and then smiled a little at Kat. Ira seemed to ease up a little, whether it was because it was her birthday or the look in Kid's eye, none of them knew.

"Come," Ira said, taking Kat's hand. "Have some cake."

The boys whooped and hollered and Kat laughed as she followed the young woman to the table where Medda was cutting the cake.

Kid Blink looked behind him to Jack, Mush, Racetrack and David, who were all smiling at him mischievously.

"See," Jack said. "'s wasn' so bad."

"Nah, I wasn't worried," Kid Blink said. Then he drained his mug in relief.

The boys laughed, patting his back and rubbing his hair as they led him to the cake table.