Jack had only been scared of a few people in his life, his father, Pulitzer and Snyder had made his top three. His father hadn't been the nicest man in the world, he'd often come home in a drunken rage resulting in the seven year old Jack having to hide in a corner until the man fell asleep. Then there was Pulitzer who had made him nervous from the time he started selling news papers for the World to the time he started dating his daughter, he had really gotten scared of him after he read that letter while he was on the train going out West, it was then Jack relished how powerful the man really was. And lastly there was Snyder. When Jack had first gotten thrown into the Refuge Snyder had been none to kind, he had reveled in the misery he brought to all thoes boys and that in itself made Jack shake in his shoes. Jack never thought David of all people would scare him. David? The guy who looked nervous to tie his own shoes was making the infamous Jack Kelly nervous? Nine years ago Jack would have laughed at the thought, but now.... 'David doesn't know my father made you leave' Katherine had told him 'he thinks you took advantage of me then went on your marry way, he's not going to be happy to see you.' If David was making him nervous then Jack didn't even want to think about what was gonna happen once they went to Pulitzer. Despite Jacks qualms Peter had kept his mind mostly away from them by asking him questions. Jack didn't mind this one bit he actually enjoyed it quite a lot, not only did it keep his mind off the pressing matters but he also got to know him better in the process. He asked Jack lots of questions as they walked the ten minutes to David's. "What's your favorite color?" Or "What's your favorite thing to draw?" Where just a few of the questions asked. Katherine grinned at the two an overwhelming look of relief on her face as she watched Peter beam up at Jack. When he wasn't asking Jack a question Peter would wave to people he apparently knew both young and old, Katherine would lean over and tell Jack who it was he was waving to but occasionally he'd wave and Katherine would just shrug and shake her head as if she didn't know who they were. On one occasion two young girls passed by and Peter waved at them, they waved back and started giggling. Katherine rolled her eyes an muttered "Just like his father" under her breath, Jack had to agree with her.

"This way." Katherine said grabbing Jacks hand and pulling him to the left side of the road where a cluster of buildings sat nestled between two big sewing factories. Peter walked ahead of the two apparently knowing exactly where he was going, it was the middle apartment on the bottom floor. Peter knocked as the two came up behind him Jack shot a nervous look to Katherine.

"Is he even here?" Jack asked her remembering David had gotten his degree in law and might be working.

"He should be, he usually has Saturday's off." She replied. Just then the door opened and reveled a small blond woman with big blue eyes.

"Hey Peter!" The woman exclaimed cheerfully, she was dressed in an elegant blue dress that matched her eyes, Jack supposed she was pretty, no where near Katherine's radiant beauty but still pretty.

"Hey Clara!" Peter said happily, just then Jack relished who it was, Katherine had mentioned David had gotten married to a girl named Clara, this must have been her.

"Who's this?" Clara asked, the question had clearly been for Katherine but Peter spoke up.

"That's Jack, he's my... dad." Peter said slowly as if he wasn't sure it was true. Jack tipped his hat awkwardly in her direction. Clara's eyes widened and her eyes shot between Jack and Peter.

"Is David here?" Katherine asked, Clara looked to her, eyes were still wide with shock.

"Yes, yes he is, come in." She said moving out of the door way. Clara watched Jack as he came in behind Katherine, her expression was a mix shock and suspicion. Jack guessed she had been fed the same lies from Pulitzer as Katherine had been.

"David honey?" Clara called into their apartment "There's someone in here you need to see." Three seconds later David walked into the room, David instantly froze when he spotted Jack. His eyes were wide and confused. After the initial shock of seeing his old friend Davids expression turned suspicious and angry.

"What are you doing here?!?" David asked his eyes narrowed. Jack opened his mouth to speak but Katherine shushed him.

"I know what you must be thinking, but before you do anything rash please listen to what we have to say." Katherine said raising her hands, before David could object she immediately launched into and explanation. Jack just stood unsurely in the door way not sure what to do, Peter stood in front of him presumably do the same thing. Katherine was using her hands to explain what had really happened. She explained what her father had done and why it took Jack so long to get back, she explained what had happened the night before between her Peter and Jack.

"So you see," she said stepping towards David "it's all been a mistake." Jack marveled at how well she was able to get people to listen to her, she had always been strong minded but right then she seemed as powerful as a Queen and wasn't about to let David disagree. David didn't say anything he just pulled out a chair to there dining room table and sat down resting his chin carefully on his hand. To some people they wouldn't have thought David looked much different from nine years ago but to Jack he had changed a lot, he had an air of knowledge that seemed to radiate from him, he looked older and more tired that he used to look, he looked like he'd had a lot to worry about lately. Jack wondered idly if he looked any different to them.

"I don't know what to think." David said after a moment.

"I thought that's what you'd say." Katherine said. "I know it's hard to believe but for everyones sake lets just talk."

"Why don't you guys sit down." Clara said pulling up a chair next to David. Katherine grabbed Jacks hand and they sat down, Peter went and sat next to Clara and David.

"Lots has happened in nine years." David said, he looked to Katherine "Jack knows about Peter right?" David asked warily. Katherine rolled her eyes.

"Of course! That secret practically blew out the window when Jack saw him." Katherine said, David looked a little more relieved.

"What?" It was Peter who spoke up "You knew about my dad and you didn't tell me?" Peter asked David his blue eyes wide. As if sensing danger, Clara spoke up.

"Peter, hey I bought some new paint wanna come check it out?" She asked trying to get his attention.

"No, I want to know why Davey never told me!" Peter exclaimed.

"There brand new, never been used" Clara put in. David grabbed Clara's hand and leaned forward in his seat.

"Peter, I wanted to but I didn't want to go against what your mother wanted." David told him. Katherine grimaced and hung her head guilty. Peter looked to David with a look of betrayal etched to his face.

"Come on Peter." Clara said softly "I'll let you use the good brushes."

"I don't paint."

"It's just like drawing except with colors."

"Fine." He said still looking hurt, he turned to look at Katherine, she smiled and nodded and he followed Clara out of the room. Jack stared at a chip in the table for a moment feeling the same guilt he'd been feeling the night before. It seemed like anything could make him guilty at this point, he thought back to the night before when he had broken down and stared crying. He'd held it together pretty well until he was looking down at Peter asleep in his bed that it had hit him full force. Peter had looked small and innocent, fragile and guiltless. He couldn't believe what he had done to Katherine, to his kid. David noticed his crestfallen expression.

"You really didn't know did you?" David asked.

"I had no idea." Jack said shaking his head.

"Peter asked about you every chance he could get, he knew Katherine didn't like taking about it so he'd ask me in secrete." David said, Katherine looked up at David surprised.

"He asked a lot?" Katherine asked her brown eyes looking somber.

"Every chance he got. Of course I told him the same thing every time but he never got tired of asking." David said crossing his ankles.

"Well... what did you tell him?" Jack asked warily gripping the edge of the dinner table.

"Just that he looked just like you and you'd died in a building collapse." David said with a sigh sounding like he'd said it a million times to many. Jack turned to Katherine with an eyebrow raised.

"A building collapse Kath? Couldn't think of anything more... heroic?" He asked jokingly. Katherine rolled her eyes and smacked his arm playfully. Jack grinned at her, grateful for his quick whit, with out it he'd most likely be sobbing again. That wouldn't look so heroic.

"Shut up. Would you rather of had me tell him you fell in a hole and died?" She asked in a sickly sweet voice. David snorted a laughed at Jacks expression. Even with Jacks charm she always seemed to win.

"Oh man, I forgot how amusing it was to listen to you guys bicker." David said smiling for the first time. Jack laughed too feeling the same way. He sat back in his chair and held on to Katherine's hand tighter grateful for her presence.

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The three talked for what seemed like hours at one point Clara came wandering back in a grim expression on her face, when Katherine had asked her about Peter she shook her head and said simply:

"He's painting, he needs to paint." If Peter was anything like Jack then he'd be either drawing or painting like mad. Jack had always done that to get his mind away from the world, it almost always worked for him. They chatted for another long while and before they knew it the sun had set and the apartment had grown dark. They all stood up and Katherine hugged Clara while David clasped Jacks hand in a hand shake.

"Yesterday I would have never said this but Jack, I'm glad your back." David said shaking his hand firmly.

"It's good to be back, more than you can think." Jack said seriously. Katherine disappeared into the back room to get Peter. Davids face turned serious.

"You take care of her." David said his voice low "And your kid." His tone was almost treating as if he was saying or else. Jack swallowed and nodded as Katherine came around the corner with a tired looking Peter in front. He must have been asleep because his hair was a little more wild than usual and he was rubbing one side of his face.

"Better wish Jack good luck." Katherine said standing next to him. "He's gonna have to face the mighty Pulitzer once more." David chuckled as Jack felt his hands get sweaty at the mention of the name. David clapped him on the back.

"Eh, you'll be fine. Ya gonna beat him just like the last time. Both of you." He said gesturing to the two.

"We all beat him last time." Katherine corrected "Jack just had to do the dirty work." They all chuckled at this. Soon Clara and David were bidding them fare well as they headed off into the night. Peter walked silently between them. Jack wondered if he was still upset by David, he knew he would be if it were him. Jack fiddled with his hat as he thought of the day to come, he was gonna have to face the giant Pulitzer one more time.

AUTHORS NOTE: Dun, dun dun dun dun dun... (Name the musical) Jack has to go to Pulitzer! What's gonna happen? Comment and tell me how you think Pulitzer will react, will he be angry? Or will he admit his wrong doings? Will he send Jack away again? TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!! As always, I own nothing! Thx.