AN: So, I went to the doctor yesterday and I am officially contagious, which isn't that fun but it means I have a lot of time to write! So enjoy this angsty fluff, that's the best way I can describe this chapter.

The chief of the police force in Albany escorted Jack and Mr. Pulitzer to the house with the shed in his car, and once they arrived, there were several other police vehicles already there, surrounding the property. He instructed them both to stay in the car, but if he'd known either of them, he would've known that that was the last thing they were going to do.

Of course, they weren't planning on just standing around and watching, either. So, as the police went into the house, focused on the suspects, Jack glanced at the shed. Katherine was in there, he knew. And he had to get her out.

"I'm going in there." He said it just loud enough for Pulitzer to hear him.

"Where?"

"There." He gestured towards the shed. "She's in there, I'm gonna go get her."

"I think the police can handle everything just fine."

Jack glared at the older man. "Your daughter is in that shed, and I'm getting her out of it whether you want me to or not."

Pulitzer sighed. "Fine. Can I help you in any way?"

"Don't happen to have a hairpin on you, huh?" Pulitzer gave him a look and he shook his head. "Didn't think so. That's okay, I think I still got..." He fished around in his pockets for a few minutes before pulling out a paperclip. He managed a small smile. "Perfect."

Jack hurried over to the shed, with Pulitzer following behind him. He put the paper clip inside the padlock and fiddled around with it before he heard the clicking sound that he was looking for and the padlock fell open. He pulled the door open.

Everything happened in slow motion after that. Katherine was lying in a heap, unconscious on the floor. Jack didn't know it was possible for her to look worse than she had the first time, but she did. He heard Pulitzer gasp behind him. He could hear his own heartbeat. There were fingerprints around her neck.

There was the shouting of a police officer as they noticed what they were doing. He was pushed aside. Then they were picking her up and carrying her to the ambulance he hadn't noticed was there before.

Jack didn't remember following them or getting into the ambulance with Katherine and her father, but he must have, because the next thing he knew he was being pulled out of his thoughts by a soft voice.

"Jack...? Dad?"

He and Pulitzer each grabbed one of her hands, and her entire body tensed up when they did. They immediately withdrew their hands and she looked both apologetic and confused.

"It's okay, Ace." Jack assured her. He recognized his behavior as the same of some of the boys (himself included) after they'd come back from the refuge.

He made eye contact with her father, who didn't understand. He gave him a look, hoping he'd understand, and he seemed to, because he nodded and looked back at Katherine.

"It's alright, Kitty. You're alright now."

"Where...?" Katherine couldn't find the energy to say anything more than that, but she knew they understood.

"We're in an ambulance know." Jack told her. "They's taking you to the hospital now."

She nodded weakly. "Colin and... and Mary?"

"They're in police custody. You're safe, Katherine."

At those words, Katherine looked at the faces of Jack and her father once more before letting out a sigh of relief and closing her eyes.

oOo

"I'm sorry, I can't let you back there until the doctors give me permission. Now please have a seat."

Jack and Pulitzer had been arguing with the nurse for the past few minutes, but they hadn't been getting anywhere. Jack felt bad for the nurse though, because Pulitzer was getting angry.

"I am Joseph Pulitzer, and that is my daughter! I demand that you let us see her!"

The nurse looked thoroughly intimidated, but didn't back down. "I'm terribly sorry Mr. Pulitzer, but I can't let you see her."

Pulitzer glared at the woman until Jack was sure she was about to start crying, before he turned back towards the waiting room and heading for a chair, sitting in it as purposefully as someone could sit in a chair.

Jack felt a bit like a lost puppy, following him and sitting in the chair across from him, but he didn't know what else to do, besides trying to flirt with the poor woman, which probably wouldn't accomplish anything. So, he just resigned himself to the fact he'd probably sitting in this chair for a while.

oOo

"Katherine Pulitzer?"

Jack's eyes snapped open. He didn't remember falling asleep, but evidently, he had. He looked around for a minute until he saw a doctor looking at Pulitzer, who was already standing, and bolted up out of his seat, hurrying to join them.

"She should make a full recovery." The doctor was saying. "She's obviously been choked several times, and will be hoarse for a few weeks, but there shouldn't be any permanent damage to her vocal chords. She has several broken ribs, and a fracture in her right ankle. She's also very dehydrated and malnourished."

"She's gonna be okay though?" Jack asked, and the doctor nodded.

"She will be, yes. We'll keep her here for a few more days to get her used to the ankle brace and crutches, and to make sure she gets plenty to eat and drink." He turned to Pulitzer. "When you get her home, I suggest that you get her looked at by your family doctor."

Pulitzer nodded. "I will. Can we see her?"

"You can, but she's resting, so I have to ask you not to stay too long."

The two of them followed the doctor to the room. The doctor let them in and closed the door behind them, giving them so privacy.

The room seemed very still. Jack and Pulitzer stood by the bed, not moving as they watched Katherine's chest moving up and down. She looked pale. She looked weak. But she was alive.

Jack didn't notice the tears forming in his eyes until he saw Pulitzer wiping his own eyes. For once, they were both feeling the same thing.

Katherine was okay, they were with her, and nothing else mattered.