Don't Be Scared, Beautiful


Author's Note: Hello, guys! I hope you like this short story!

I do not own Newsies or its characters.


"There's no more running, Jack. Just face it. You're a disgusting, useless person, and you should just accept that!"

"But my wife- Katherine- she says I'm valuable."

"And you seriously believe her?" Snyder chuckled.

"I- yes. I's do."

"Well, that's stupid." Snyder scoffed.

"Please don't hurt me." Jack whispered.

"That ship has sailed," Snyder said darkly, coming over to Jack and slapping him sharply in the face.

Jack internally flinched. "When is ya gonna let me go?"

Snyder raised an eyebrow. "I'm not."

"But- my wife. I need her. Please. We have kids. They need me."

"Sorry, Jack," Snyder said, not sounding the least bit sorry. "But after every crime you've committed, you deserve to be here."

"I just needed to help my boys," Jack sobbed. "and I'm sorry. But-But that was years ago!"

Snyder shook his head. "Do I look like I care?"

Jack hung his head.

"But- what if I told you I knew where your wife was?" Snyder said.

Jack instantly glanced up. "What're you talkin' about?"

Snyder slowly strolled over to the door of the room and opened it.

Katherine was standing there, nervously clenching the fabric of her skirt in her hands.

"Jack! Are you okay?" she cried.

"Shut up!" yelled Snyder.

"Don't talk to her likes that!" Jack demanded.

"Oh, and what if I do? You'll punch me or something?" Snyder laughed, coming over to Jack and harshly kicking him onto the ground.

"Jack-" Katherine gasped.

"You wanna be locked up, too?" Snyder glared at her.

"N-No-" Jack breathed. "leave her alone."

Snyder looked between Jack and Katherine.

"I just thought you-" he smirked at Katherine, "might like to see him-" he glanced over at Jack, "get what he deserves."

"NO!" Katherine screamed, as Snyder began kicking Jack all over.

"Please stop-" Katherine said desperately as blood started to leak from Jack's shoulder.

"Not a chance." Snyder grinned.

As Snyder kicked him in the chest, Jack wheezed, then whispered, "Take care of the kids, baby-"

"I'M SORRY I WAS NEVER GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!" Jack screamed, lunging up in bed.

Katherine lurched up beside him. "Jack-"

He threw himself on top of her, knocking her down and burying his face into her chest, sobbing.

"Baby, shh. Shhh. It's okay, baby. I'm right here ." Katherine breathed, tightly gripping Jack's brown curls in her hands.

Jack wept vehemently, his tears wet against Katherine's nightgown.

"Shh. Shh. Honey, I'm here. You're nightmare's over. I'm right here..." Katherine whispered.

After half an hour, Jack's persistent, vociferous wailing slowed.

"What happened, Jack?" Katherine asked softly, kissing the top of his head a couple times.

He sniveled. "I's was in the Refuge, and Snyder and I was talkin', and he said I deserved to be there, and I said I was sorry, but that was a longs time ago. Then-" Jack took in a shaky breath. "he said he would never lets me go."

"I'm sorry, hon."

"Then you's was there, and you called to me, and Snyder was yelling at you to shut up, and I told him not to talk to you like that. Th-Th-Then he was mockin' me, and he kicked me into the ground-"

"Baby-" Katherine inhaled.

"And-And-And then you called out for me again, and Snyder commented somethin' about lockin' you up, and I told 'im not to hurt you. Next, he said that he's wanted ya to see me's get what I deserves, so he started kickin' me everywhere... and I's was bleedin'. You pleaded for hims to stop."

"Jack, no." Katherine said quietly.

"Yeah." he mumbled softly. "Then he kicked me in the chest-" Jack gasped, relieving the nightmare.

He felt Katherine's arms gently close around his back.

"And, anyway, you asked Snyder not to hurt me, but he refused. I saids, "Take care of the kids, baby-". And then I woke up."

Katherine stroked his luscious curls. "I'm so sorry, Jackie."

"I'm scared." he said feebly.

"Don't be scared." she breathed. "I'm right here."

Jack slowly lifted his head, meeting Katherine's eyes.

"I know you's here." he whispered. "And I know God and Jesus are watchin' over me; but I still can't help but be scared."

Katherine nodded. "Fear is never easy to overcome, Jack."

He nodded.

"Don't be scared, beautiful." Katherine said in a soft voice. "I've got you."

Jack leaned forward and kissed her lips gently. "I love you, Ace."

"I love you too, Jack." Katherine whispered. "And, baby?"

"Yes?"

"You never have to worry that you're not good enough for me."

"Oh." Jack mumbled, glancing away.

"Look at me, sweetheart."

He looked back down at her.

"Don't ever think that you're not good enough for me. You're my angel. You're my beautiful, sweet baby, and I love you, Jackie. You're my best friend."

Jack smiled. "For sure?"

"For sure," Katherine smiled, kissing his forehead.

"Thanks for always helpin' me, Katherine." Jack smiled. "You's the best wife ever, Plumber."

"And you're the best husband ever."


A/N: I hope you liked this fluffy little story! Over and out!