*Ring Ring*

"Dave... Turn off yer stupid alarm..." Albert groaned in his half asleep state.

*Ring Ring*

"That's not my alarm." Davey replied sleepily.

*Ring Ring*

"Well what is dat noise then?" Henry asked.

"I'se think it's da phone." Jack responded groggily.

He got out of his bed and stumbled towards the ringing phone.

"Hello?" He said into the device.

"Jack? Is that you honey? I'm sorry to wake you, though in fairness, it is 8:00 A.M. But it's important. I need you, the boys, and Katherine to come over here to the Burlesk House as soon as possible. Snyder and his goons paid me a visit last night."

Jack was wide awake after that sentence. "Those nitwits broke into the theater?! Medda are you okay?!" Jack's voice grew louder.

The rest of the boys heard Jack's shout and immediately jumped out of bed.

"Jack what's da matta?"

"Did somthin' happen to Medda?"

"Who is the "nitwits" you'se talkin' 'bout?"

He quickly told them to shh so he could listen to Medda.

"Jack I'm fine. But I still need you all to get over here immediately. I'll explain everything when you arrive." That was the last thing Medda said before abruptly hanging up the phone.

Jack placed the phone down and turned towards his brothers.

"Boys, get dressed. We's headin' over to Medda's." And without another word, he left the room.

The Newsies did as they were told and quickly started getting ready for the day.

Jack walked down stairs and made his way to Katherine's room.

He gave the door a few hard knocks and waited to hear something from the other side.

After a few moments, a rustling noise was heard, followed by a set of footsteps.

The door opened and someone Jack was not expecting greeted him.

Well, greeting is a nice way to put it.

"What do you want now Kelly?" Spot demanded. His eyes were half closed but still alert.

Jack cleared his throat before replying.

"Umm... I need to see- Katherine." Jack croaked out the last word as the person in question came into view.

"Jack? What's wrong?" She inquired.

"Medda said to meet her at the Burlesk house. She said it was important."

"She needs me too?"

"Yeah. She said you'se for to come too."

"Alright. I'll be ready soon." She responded.

As Jack turned to leave, Spot stopped him.

"Oh no. I told you last night Kath, I am not letting you out of my sight. If she has to go, so do I."

Jack opened his mouth to protest, but quickly shut it and silently nodded.

"We'll leave when you'se ready." With that, he walked away.

Less than half an hour later, the group set out for Medda's theater.

On there way, Katherine was in a state of awe as they walked down the street.

She was absolutely dazzed by New York City, as the Newsies called it.

She strolled alongside Jack, with Spot close behind, and would often point at buildings or a billboard.

Though Jack didn't say anything, he thought Katherine's fascination with the busy city was, quite frankly, very cute and adorable. He smiled to himself as she continued to be enchanted by everything.

It wasn't long before they reached Medda's theater.

Jack led the group to the back of the building and they entered through the back door.

"Medda? You here?" Jack called out, his voice echoing off the walls of the large building.

A few seconds went by before the woman emerged in her green silk robe. She hurried over to the newcomers before speaking.

"Finally! I've been waiting all morning for you all." She addressed the group.

"Well, we'se here now. What happened last night?" Jack inquired.

"I'm still shocked it happened at all. The stage hands and other performers had all gone home for the night, so that just left me here to close up. I was getting ready to leave when I heard voices. So of course, I went to investigate. To my chagrin, there they were, standing in the middle of backstage. It was Snyder, Oscar, and Morris. It scared the pants off of them when I appeared, but the fact that they invaded my second home made me sick. They were here to find a secret way into the Lodge House Jack." Medda informed.

The whole gang's jaws went slack.

"What good would dat do 'em?" Race asked.

"Yeah. They'se out numbered ten to one if they try." Romeo chimed in.

Medda looked at the boys. "Well I don't know what they were planning, but whatever it is, it isn't good that's for sure. May I speak to you two for a moment?" She asked, pointing at Jack and Katherine.

The two nodded and walked away from the group, who had started wondering around the theater to look at various things. Spot kept a watchful eye on his cousin though.

"What is it Medda? What do you need us for?" Jack questioned.

"I asked you two over here because of last night. Like I said a moment ago I don't know what they're scheming, but I might have an idea. I think they plan to break in to the Lodge House some how and kidnap Katherine again."

Katherine paled and stumbled backwards a bit. Jack placed a hand on her shoulder and helped steady her now slightly shaking form.

"What is it they want from me?! I've never even met them! The majority of my kingdom doesn't even know my face because I could get kidnapped!" She cried.

"I gather Jack knows about your legacy." Medda said blantly.

Jack nodded before turning back to Katherine. She was breathing heavily and still shaking.

What could he do to calm her? What could get her mind off of this subject? What did she like? Then an idea struck him.

"Hey Kath, what do you think of New York City? I'm sure you've been here tons of times." He said, already knowing her answer.

She looked up at him as a shy smile spread across her face. "Well, that was my first time actually. I'm not really allowed anywhere without the royal entourage or my family. But it was so beautiful! The skyscrapers and billboards. Oh I wish I could see more of it." She beamed.

A thought popped into Medda's head. "Well then dear, why don't you?! Jack knows the city better than the back of his hand, he could show you all of the best places."

Jack looked dumbfound while Katherine looked ecstatic.

"Really?! Jack you would do that?" She asked excitedly.

"Um...Yeah I guess I could take you." He stammered.

Katherine let out a squeal and pulled him into a tight hug. He was thankful she didn't see the slight blush creep onto his face.

When she released him, she couldn't stop bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"So when do we leave?" She asked impatiently.

Jack opened his mouth to reply, but Medda cut him off.

"Oh no honey, you two aren't going anywhere while you're dressed in a T-shirt and ripped jeans. This will be special and memorable! You follow me dear. I'll help you with your hair, makeup, clothes. Oh! This will be fun!" Medda sang as she disappeared into the dressing rooms with a confused Katherine in tow.

Jack just chuckled to himself and walked off to find out where the other boys had gotten to.

(A.N. Hey everyone!!! How are my readers? This was mostly, kinda, sorta a filler chapter, but next one there will be excitement! Oh I can't wait for y'all to read what I have in store! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! *freezes* Did I type that on here??? Oops! Oh well! Guess y'all will just have to wait and see. 😊 Please comment your thoughts and vote! Panda. 🐼)