One More Ace Up Your Sleeve

You Take Him, You'll Have To Take Me

~Katherine POV~
"Looks like you'll die a happy man then, Kelly." I hear Oscar Delancey say, menacingly. He stands next to Morris. They both have brass knuckles on. I squeeze Jack's hand. His jaw clenches-something he does when he's angry.

"What do you want?" He snaps angrily. Medda stands to the side, shocked.

"You. In the refuge. Where you belong. Convict." Morris snarls.

"He ain't a convict!" Race yells.

"Oh yeah? Well then why did we catch him stealing food?" Oscar growls, smirking.

"He wasn't stealing for himself! He was stealing for those kids you two always beat up!" I speak up. Jack looks at me. A look that says 'stay out of this. I don't want you getting hurt again.' I just roll my eyes.

"SOAK 'EM FOR CRUTCHIE, SPOT, DAVEY, AND LES!" Buttons yells. Everyone follows his instructions, jumping in the Delanceys. Jack lingers next to me.

"Stay outta this Ace. I don't need you gettin' hurt again. Please." He says, tears in his eyes. I nod. He walks over to the scuffle. The newsies look like they're winning. "Just take me. Stop hurting these boys and take me. Do it." Jack says, holding out his hands.

"Look at that. He wants to play nice." Morris chuckles.

"Keep battering me like that and I'll play mean real quick. Just take me." Jack says, getting angry.

"Jack, what're you doin'?" Romeo asks, worried.

"I don't like seein' you'se get hurt. I don't like seein' Katherine get cut with a knife by these boys right here." He says, gesturing to Morris and Oscar. "Get back to the lodging house safely and get Katherine home. Do it for me, okay?" He says. I feel tears in my eyes. It's not long before the spill out and down my face.

"If you take him, you'll have to take me." I say, getting up and taking a stand. The Delanceys look at me and laugh.

"Little miss Pulitzer, trying to be a hero. Well ya never will. Cuz you is a girl. And, if we took ya, what would ya father think?" Morris laughs. I glare at him, through my tears.

"If you take him, you'll have to take me." I say, more defiantly. Jack's eyes seem to be pleading with me to stop.

"And me!" Mush yells.

"And me!" Yells Race.

"And me!" Romeo shouts.

"And all of the rest of us!" Buttons yells.

"Guys, GUYS! As much as I appreciate this, I need you all to stay here. Let them take me. Please." Jack says. I start to open my mouth but he shoots me a look and continues. "I love all of you'se, but I need to know you'se is safe. Stay here." He pleads. The Delanceys take a firm grip on his wrists. They start to lead him out.

"WAIT!" I yell. They turn. "At least let us say goodbye." I say. The brothers shrug and let him go, but keep him under a hawks eye watch. The boys all run up and hug him. They depart and I run up to him and jump in his arms. I smash my lips onto his, one last time. "I love you." I say quietly.

"I love you too Ace. Stick to the plan and I'll see you again real soon." He says.

"For sure?"

"For sure." I kiss him once more and then the Delanceys lead him away. As soon as they do, I break down into sobs and the boys, along with a still dazed Medda comfort me. Some of the boys are crying. They escort me home and then go back to the lodging house. I pass my father on the way to my room.