Jack grabbed my arm and helped me up as we climbed off the ring and he grabbed my hand as I jumped and we ran down the alley over crates and through the streets and Jack turned running upstairs and I held my dress up following him up the stairs,
"Sleeper" Jack called back as we jumped over him and we continued up the stairs and up to a roof and Jack jumped over the edge and I followed laughing silently as he got up motioning to David and Les who jumped down and joined us.
Jack pulled me back against him as we both breathed heavily from running but had to keep our heavy breathing down he grabbed my shoulders as we sat there.
"Go" Jack barely breathed in my ear and I slid forward down the slit slant on the roof.
"Sullivan! Wait, till I get you back to the refuge!" the guy called as we crawled off the roof.
Jack stopped as we got to the fire escape and he jumped down the good 2 foot jump.
David grabbed my hand as I slid to the edge and jumped to Jack who put me down and I fixed my dress as David helped Les down next. David jumped on his own before we continued down the fire escape to the ground and Jack grabbed my hand as we started running again up the alley and back into the street.
We ran a few blocks and David stopped Jack and me
"I'm not running any further" David panted and I looked at Jack who walked around him pulling me behind him and I smiled looking at the familiar building.
Jack motioned behind him and opened the door for us and we all went down a hall and Jack took us back stage.
I heard music playing as we entered,
"I want some answers" Jack and I shushed him quickly, "Who is he and why was he chasing you? And what is this refugee?" He asked in a quick annoyed tone.
I sat behind Jack as he shook hi head at David,
"Refugee is just jail for kid" Jack stated leaning on the banister, "The guy chasing me is Snyder he's the warden" Jack pointed out and I listened because I was hearing this for the first time.
"You were in jail?" Les asked curiously.
"Yeah" Jack nodded
"Why?" Les asked.
"Well, I was starving, so I stole some food" Jack shrugged and I stood up behind Jack.
"Oh right, Food?" David scoffed.
"He said food" I backed Jack up knowing he wasn't lying.
"He called you Sullivan" David pointed out.
"Well, my name's Kelly. Jack Kelly. You think I'm lyin?" Jack asked him annoyed.
"Well, you have a way of improving the truth. Why was he chasing you?" he asked.
Les tried to duck under the banister but David pulled him back
"Cause I escaped" Jack shrugged.
"How?" I asked him and he looked at me over his shoulder.
"This big shot gave me a ride out on his carriage"
"I bet it was the mayor" David snapped.
"No, Teddy Roosevelt. Ever heard of him?" Jack shook his head.
"What's going on there? Out! Out! Out!" Medda called coming down the stairs and I moved over as Jack touched my waist walking up towards her and I got off the stairs turning and looking at Medda.
Medda was the singer and owner of this house, she was dressed in bright purple silk dress and her red curly hair was pulled back and a feather tucked in the top. He purple earrings dangling from her ears and her purple feathered fan held her hand. Jack and her had a special relationship because Jack was a such charmer he even charmed the older women.
"You wouldn't kick me out without a kiss goodbye, wouldja Medda?" Jack charmed her with his smile.
"Oh Kelly. Where ya been, kid? I miss seeing you up in the balcony" she hugged him as we walked down the steps.
"Hanging on your every word" he kissed her hand as he turned to us, "So, Medda; this is David and Les and you know Danielle" he smirked.
"Hello" she nodded to us.
"And this is the greatest star of the vaudeville stage today, Miss Medda Larkson, the Swedish Meadowlark" Jack smiled as I stood behind David against the wall.
"Velcome gentlemen" she curtseyed looking at them.
"She also owns the joint" I added onto Jack's comment.
Jack grabbed my hand and pulled me to his side as Medda kneeled down and I smiled as he put his lips to my ear,
"You want to sneak away later?" he asked and I smiled.
I heard Les cough and I looked at him,
"Buy me last pape lady?" Les held out a paper and I smiled.
"Oh you are good, oh yes, this kid is really good. Speaking as one professional to another, I'd say you have a great future" Medda ruffled his hair touching Jack's chest.
"So is it alright if we stay here for a little while, Medda? Just until a little problem outside goes away." Jack shrugged.
"Sure, stay as long as you like. Toby give my guests whatever they want" she went on stage and Les attacked the candy on the tray and I ruffled his hair.
David and Jack went over to the stage and watched Medda perform but I stayed back not so interested in how a woman performed.
I walked up behind Jack and slid my arms under his arms and over his chest, he looked at me over his shoulder patted David's arm who was drooling over Medda.
"I don't think he is going any where any time soon" I smirked as I grabbed Jack's hand pulling him away from the stage.
He pulled me back to his chest and I laughed softly as he walked us in a circle and then let me go pulling me under the stairs behind the piles of boxes filled with costumes and I laughed quietly as he kissed me slowly.
"Jack" I laughed quietly as he kissed my cheek and I touched his neck.
"Sorry making up for this morning" he whispered and I smiled.
"Alright" I smirked kissing him again wrapping my hands around his neck and he grabbed my waist and I laughed as he kissed my chin before hugging me.
I sighed as he held me tight and I buried my face in his neck running my fingers through his hair. He pulled back slightly and touched my face.
"You're all dirty" he laughed looking at my dress, "I'm sorry"
"It's just clothes" I shrugged taking the bow out of my hair and moving my dress around. I handed him the ribbon and he smirked taking it and tying it around his rope and I smiled.
"They are just clothes but they are beautiful on you" he smiled that charming smile and I leaned over kissing him softly before leaning into his chest and he wrapped his arms around me.
"Remember how we met?" I asked him running my fingers through his hair.