The morning was different for Katrina. She woke up earlier than usual, before the sounds of Manhattan were heard. She took her time getting ready for the day, slowly looking for through her collection of dresses, trying to find one more beautiful than the others. When she finally found one, Katrina dressed, asking Cook go help her with her corset.

She then sat down at her vanity and started to fix her hair. As she put the barret in, the tragic news was heard. Outside her bedroom window she heard newsies selling their papers, yelling the headline, "Titanic hits iceberg and sinks! Thousands sent to a watery grave! Extra extra...."

Katrina walked to her window and looked out to see who she was hearing. Snitch was there, but he didn't know Katy saw him. The sound of the door opening caused Katy to turn away from the window. Jack walked in and stood in front of her. He opened the rolled up paper he had and set it down on the vanity. He then looked in Katrina's eyes, his face in all ways solemn. They stood that way for a long time until Jack turned and left the room, not a word spoken.

Katrina glanced at the newspaper and saw the headline. She couldn't believe it, the unsinkable Titanic does the impossible, and it had to be when her parents were on board. She left her bedroom and went downstairs. James and Cook didn't say a word when they saw her because they knew she wanted to deal with this tragic event by not talking about it.

Katy opened the front door to reveal dozens of reporters wanting an interview. She quickly shut the door and left through the back door. She walked through the streets of Manhattan in a daze. Passers-by watched her with sympathy in their hearts for the young aristocrat. She walked up the steps of her father's firm and went inside.

"Katy, this is tragic, how are you?" asked Mr Markwald.

She glared at him and said, "This is what you wanted all along wasn't it? You wanted the firm to yourself didn't you?"

Mr. Marckwald nervously looked around at the other employees. "I don't know what you mean."

"Don't give me that!" exclaimed Katy.

David and Les suddenly appeared and held the young girl.

"Your plan didn't work before, the one where you paid someone to attack me so you could somehow get the firm all to yourself."

"Katy I--"

"Don't get your hopes up! My mother and father may still be alive!"

Les grabbed Katrina and quickly exited the firm building, David followed.

"Katrina," said Les, "when your parents return, they will take care of Mr. Marckwald."

David and Katy noticed he said when her parents return, meaning she shouldn't give up hope. Les then took her hand and walked Katy to the Newsboy Lodging House. When they entered, some of the newsies hadn't gone to work yet. When they saw Katrina, they all removed their caps.

"I want to remind you all that you are still to protect me until my parents return." said Katy.

The newsies nodded. They could see she was trying to find hope in such a tragic time.

"You boys need to get to work." said Kloppman.

One by one the newsies left the lodging house. Race whispered to Swifty, "The one time we get a headline an' it has ta be dis."

Katrina leaned against the desk and stared blankly at the back wall. Kloppman left her there as he went to work organizing and filing. She finally asked, "What if my parents went down with the ship?"

Kloppman stopped and looked at Katy. "Don't think like that. Your parents may have survived."

Les stood next to Katrina. "We thought Jack had left us for good during the strike, but he came back."

"Your parents will too." finished Dave.

Katy looked at the two brothers. "What if they don't return?"

Dave and Les were confused because not ten minutes ago Katrina made it clear that her mother and father may still be alive.

"Katy, don't give up hope."

Katrina's blank look became one of worry. "Where will I live if my parents don't return?"

Kloppman put a hand on hers. "Katrina, that room you have been staying in has never been used. You could stay there until you find someplace better."

Les and David left the lodging house to return to work. Jack entered not long after they left.

"Back already Jack?" asked Kloppman.

"People're like vultures. Der buyin' papers right �n' left."

He suddenly stopped when he saw Katrina. She stood upright and walked to Jack. One look in his eyes and her filled with tears. She buried her face in his chest and cried. Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him. He stood there with Katy in him arms until she had cried herself dry. When she pushed away, his shirt was soaked.

"Jack, how could this happen?"

"He wiped her wet face dry. �Katy, ha just have ta think that they may still be alive."

She grasped his hand and said, "Even if they did return, how could I tell them about you?"

Jack stared. "Ya would still go back ta Parker fer yer parents?"

Katrina looked away and turned her back on Jack. "I don't know what I would do."

He put a hand on her shoulder. She turned and looked at her once more. "I don't want to lose you. I may have lost my mother and father."

Jack turned and went upstairs to change his shirt. Soon he came down and saw Racetrack had returned. "Hey Cowboy." was all the newsie said.

Everyone around Katy was afraid of saying something about Titanic. They knew she was trying to be strong. The lodging house doors opened and in walked Swindler and Spot. They saw Katrina and stopped.

"How is Brooklyn?" she asked, forcing a smile.

"Uh, fine." answered Swindler.

Spot went over to her and hugged her tight. "Ya don't have to pretend, we know her hurtin'."

"Da truth is we came ta see if we could help ya." said Swindler.

Katrina looked at the two Brooklyn boys and said, "I may want a different place to stay."

Race glanced over at Jack who just stared at Katrina.

"Manhattan reminds me too much of what I may have lost."

Swindler, for the first time, put a hand on hers. "You'se should stay �ere �cause ya may not wanna be close ta Parker right now."

Racetrack sat on the stairs. "Ya don't have ta make a choice right now. Wait �til ya know fer sure."

The other newsies came into the lodging house. "You'd think the world was endin' the way people are actin'." said Dutchy.

Katrina looked at the newsboy and asked, "What is it like out there?"

"People crowdin' the streets ta find out survivors, that kind of thing." he answered.

"I heard someone say der's more livin' than what said in da papes." said Snoddy.

"Guess der keepin' in touch with the ship what saved �em." said Boots.

Katrina's face brightened. "That means there is a chance my parents are alive."

"Not ta change the subject," said Spot, "but remember the favor ya asked me?"

Katrina turned to Spot. "Yes, what about it?"

Swindler answered, "Parker had the bulls all over his home. Der was no way we could get in."

Katy's smile faded. "So he will still be looking for me."

"I'm thinkin' Jack too." said Snitch.

Katrina walked up to Jack and put her hand on his chest. "If I carried the burden of knowing I was the reason this heart stopped beating...."

She never finished what she was saying. Jack put a finger to her lips and kissed them. Swindler leaned into Crutchy and whispered, "Do ya get the feelin' she's hopin' her parents don't return?"

Crutchy nodded. "It shows real bad."

"Hey Jacky-boy," said Spot, "what're we gonna do about Parker?"

"There's nothing you can do." said Kloppman.

Snoddy stood up and walked to the stairs. "We can't let him take Katrina."

"How can we stop �im?" asked Skittery.

Jack had his arms around Katy. He looked at her and asked, "Do ya know somethin' that'll help us?"

She thought for a moment before answering, "I can't think of anything."

Race turned to Spot. "He lives in yer territory, don't ya know what he does?"

Spot drummed his fingers on the desk and removed his cap, setting it down on the desk. Swindler suddenly grabbed Katrina and said, "We can't keep it from ya anymore," he glanced over at Spot, who nodded, "ya should know Parker's been seein' another woman."

Katrina looked at Swindler, then down at the floor. He slowly pulled her close to him in a hug.

"So he's been stringin' Katy along all dis time?" asked Snoddy angrily.

"I say we soak �im now." said Boots.

"Works fer me." said Specs.

Katrina ran up the stairs and shut herself in her room.

"Maybe we shouldn't �ave told her what we knew." said Spot.

"She needed to know." said Jack.

"Yeah, but now?" asked Race.

"She just found out her parents might be dead." said Crutchy.

"Are you boys just going to sit there or are you going to take care of Parker?"

Everyone turned to Kloppman. They always knew his as the man who wanted to keep peace. "I love that girl as much as you boys do, and to see her hurting the way she is makes me want to help her. Don't you feel the same?"

All eyes then turned to Jack, the one who always had the plans. "I don't know what ta do." he said.

The newsies became silent so they could think of a way to get back at Jay for what he did to Katrina.

"I've got it!" exclaimed Snitch.

"What's yer idea?" asked Spot.

"Ya remember he was mad that Katrina was bein' seen with us?"

"Yeah, so?" said Race.

"Invite �im ta Katrina's house, but make it look like he's not expected."

The newsies were puzzled. They didn't know what Snitch was getting at.

"What's yer idea again?" asked Boots.

Snitch was becoming impatient. "When he comes ta th' house, Katy's with Jack, maybe even kissin' �im."

"I get it," said Mush, "when he sees �em an' starts yellin', we jump out of hidin' and get �im."

Snitch threw his hands up in the air. "Thank you'se fer understandin'."

"Ya think it'll woik?" asked Swindler.

"Parker always comes ta Katrina's alone." explained Crutchy.

Itey went upstairs to tell Katy the plan.

"So who'll tell Parker ta meet Katy?" asked Kid Blink.

"Better �ave James go." said Jack.

"Yeah, or else the bum'll never come." said Race.

The sound of footsteps on the stairs was heard as Katrina came down with Itey. "Itey tells me you have an idea on how to get rid of Jay."

Katrina listened as the newsies told her the plan. When they were finished she said, "Sounds good to me."

Swindler took Katy's hand and said, "I haven't known ya very long, but I want in on dis."

"You'se Brooklyn newsies always want in when it comes ta soakin' someone." said Race.

Jack grabbed Katy and held her tight. "We'll get dis guy fer ya."

Pie Eater looked at the clock then said, "We better get some sleep if we're gonna fight tomorra."

The other newsies agreed. Spot and Swindler said good-bye as the Manhattan newsies went upstairs to the bunk room. Katrina decided to stay at the lodging house. Jack stayed downstairs and talked to Kloppman. "So Klopper, do ya think the plan'll woik?"

"Yes I do."

Jack became serious. "Do ya think I was right gettin' mixed up with Katrina?"

Kloppman up from his paperwork. "Jack, that girl has changed for the best since she met you. The newsies have changed as well. Race couldn't stand aristocrats before Katrina."

Jack nodded.

"I don't think she would have been able to handle this tragedy if she didn't have you and the newsies." added Kloppman.

Jack went upstairs to the bunk room and thought about what Kloppman had said.

~

The newsies sold their papers before noon. People were scrambling to learn more about the survivors of the Titanic. At the lodging house the newsies were getting ready to put their plan in motion.

"We'll enter Katy's house through the back door, that way nobody'll see us." said Jack.

"You will find places to hide in and around the den." added Katrina.

"Let's go then," said Spot, "the sooner we finish dis the sooner Katy's safe."

The newsies and Katrina left the lodging house and made their way to Katy's home. Snoddy suddenly stopped and said, "Wouldn't it be better if Katy enters through the front door?"

The others nodded in agreement, so Katrina left them to enter her house while Manhattan and Brooklyn went to the back door and waited. Soon the back door opened and Katrina motioned for them to come in. They entered the house and followed Katy to the den where James was waiting.

"James, could you go and get Jay for me?"

The servant nodded and left the house.

"We all can't hide in here." said Race as he looked around.

"Yeah, maybe six of us can find a place." said Pie Eater.

Katrina smiled and walked to one of the walls. She pushed against it and it opened up. "James doesn't even know about this."

Mush looked inside the little room. "The rest of us can fit in here."

They then decided who went into the room and who stayed in the den. Spot, Swindler, Race, Snoddy, Itey, and Pie Eater hid in the den while Boots, Mush, Skittery, Specs, Kid Blink, Dutchy, Snitch, and Swifty hid in the room.

The newsies took their places. Jack and Katrina stood in front of the den window. Race looked out the window to watch for James and Jay. When he spotted them he said, "Get ready you'se two." then he hid.

"Jack held Katy close. "Are you ready?"

"Just kiss her already." said Itey from his hiding place.

The two smiled and then kissed each other. Soon there was the sound of the front door slamming, footsteps, and then the den doors swung open. Jay Parker entered in a fury. Katrina and Jack turned and looked at him as if they weren't expecting him.

"So you needed the newsies to protect you while I was away."

"Jay its--"

"You strung me along while you conversed with the street trash of New York."

That remark was the signal for all the newsies in hiding. They jumped out, Snoddy and Race siezed the aristocrat gentleman, taking him by surprise.

"I would be careful of what I say around these guys if I were you." said Katrina.

Every newsie glared at Jay. Swindler stepped forward and said, "Ya talk about her two-timin' you'se, what about the girl you've been meetin'?"

Jay looked at Katrina. "You can't believe this poor trash can you?"

Swindler punched Jay in the gut with all his strength. The aristocrat doubled over in pain, but Snoddy and Race pulled him upright.

"I warned you Jay," said Katrina, "and I trust these men far more than I ever trusted you."

"The woman," gasped Jay, " is my cousin Mary whom I am close to."

"Very close." said Spot.

Jay looked at the Brooklyn newsie. "Katrina hasn't been very faithful either."

"If I remember right," said Jack, "she broke off yer relationship on Sunday."

The aristocrats gaze went to Katrina. "You're just not thinking right since you found out about the death of your parents."

This time Skittery took a swing at Jay, right on the jaw. "If ya cared at all fer her ya wouldn't bring that up."

Jay started to struggle but Race and Snoddy's grip was strong enough he couldn't escape. Katrina glared at Jay and said, "Take him out back, away from me."

The newsies violently pushed Jay to the back door, leaving Jack and Katrina alone.

"What was the news today?" she asked.

"They know the captain an' first officer are lost at sea."

"Nothing more about survivors?"

Jack put his arms around her. He didn't know who survived because the newspapers were still trying to get information. "I don't know."

She turned to him. "Jack, I'm so afraid that my parents went with the ship. I don't have anyone to stay with."

"You have the newsies."

"But for how much longer? You all can't be newsies the rest of your life."

"If that what it takes ta care for ya we will."

Katrina looked in his eyes. She started to say something then decided against it. Jack smiled and said, "I love ya Katrina Cummin's."

~

After the newsies had finished with Jay, they stood outside the den and listened. When Jack said he loved Katrina, Race turned to the others and said, "Cowboy finally did it."

Everyone but Snoddy was happy about what was going on. He was secretly in love with Katrina, ever since he first met her, and now that Jack had confessed his love, Snoddy knew he lost his chances with the young aristocrat.

Jack and Katrina left the den and saw the newsies. "How long have you been there?" asked Jack.

They all looked at each other. Itey finally said, "We just came in."

The newsies nodded in agreement. James appeared suddenly and said, "I was just told that John Jacob Astor was lost at sea but his wife survived."

Katrina looked at the servant and asked, "Have you heard anything else?"

"Some people say Captain Smith ordered women and children into the lifeboats first."

Jack took Katy's hand and she squeezed tightly as she said, "So my father could be dead."

James shrugged. "Many say orders weren't followed."

"They'll come back," said Swindler, "just you'se wait."

Jack turned to the newsies. He hoped they would raise Katy's hopes in her time of need. While looking at the newsies he asked, "Where'd Snoddy go?"

They all looked around and wondered the same thing. Katrina left Jack's side and opened the back door. In the alley she saw Snoddy sitting on the steps. She closed the door behind her and sat down next to the newsie. "Is something wrong Snoddy?"

He looked at her. "What did Jack tell ya about Sara?"

Katrina was confused, but she answered, "He told me she married a millionaire in Vermont."

"Do you'se get the feelin' he might be tryin' the same as her?"

"Snoddy, what are you trying to say?"

The newsie grabbed Katrina and kissed her, taking her by surprise. When he broke away, he said, "I love ya too Katrina. Ever since Cowboy brought ya to the lodging house one week ago."

Katrina just stared. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"I never said anythin' �cause you'se seemed happy with Jack. I didn't want ta ruin that."

Katrina stood. "Snoddy, I'm sorry that I hurt you."

The newsie stood and grabbed her hand. "I don't mean to hurt ya dis way."

She gave him one last kiss before returning in the house, Snoddy soon followed.

~

Jack decided that Katrina needed to get away from her house for a while so he suggested she go for a walk with him and the newsies. The walked all around Manhattan, finally stopping at the statue of Horace Greeley.

"This statue saw a lot of strike action." said Pie Eater.

"Seems ta be the center of Manhattan." said Kid Blink.

Katrina gazed at the statue. "This was the last place I met Jay."

"Katrina Cummings!"

Everyone turned and saw Jay Parker. He had cuts and bruises where the newsies had worked him over. He stood in the middle of the street, a gun in his hand.

"What do you think you are doing?" asked Katrina.

Jay looked at her. "You dare to ask that after what you did?"

"Don't do anythin' you'll regret Parker." said Racetrack.

Jay pointed the weapon at the newsie. "Shut up! I won't regret what I do today."

"Put that thing away before you kill someone." said Katrina.

Passers-by stopped and watched what was unfolding. None thought to contact the police.

"After all the years we've known each other, I never thought you would go against your parents."

Jack stood in front of Katrina. "She never thought you'd try �n' soak her either."

Jay tightened his grip on the gun. "You're the reason for all this newsboy. If you had stayed away, Katy and I would still be together."

Spot and Swindler left the newsies. Their plan was to grab Jay from both sides and stop him.

"What do ya expect ta gain?" Specs asked Jay.

"I'm going to get rid of what stands between me and Katrina."

Jay prepared to fire. Spot and Swindler started for him. The trigger was pulled. The crowd gasped. The newsies looked at Jack who wasn't hit, so they checked each other.

Jack looked over at Katrina. He went to her in time to catch her as she fell. He gently set her down on the ground. When he withdrew his hand from her side it was covered in blood. He looked down and saw she was the one hit by Jay's bullet.

"Jack..."

"No don't talk. Yer gonna be all right."

The newsies gathered around Katrina, even Spot and Swindler. "Hey," Race yelled at the people standing around, "don't just stand there get a doctor!"

Jack removed his bandana from around his neck and used it to apply pressure to the wound.

"Jack don't leave me."

"I'm stayin' right here, never leavin' yer side." said Jack, wiping sweat from his face only to smear it with Katrina's blood.

The police arrived and arrested Jay Parker. Ford went to the group and asked how Katrina was. "She doesn't look good." said Swifty.

Katrina grabbed Jacks hand. "Where is Snoddy?"

Jack looked around and called Snoddy's name. The newsie appeared and rushed to Katrina's side. She took his hand and smiled. "Never forget that I cared for you as much as you cared for me."

The newsboys' eyes filled with tears. Katrina then pulled him down and kissed Snoddy, surprising the other newsies, especially Jack. With that kiss, Katrina's life slowly slipped away. Snoddy looked at Jack with guilty eyes.

"You'se loved her as much as I did, didn't ya?" asked Jack.

Snoddy nodded.

Jack looked down at the lifeless body of Katrina Cummings. "She had a reason for doing what she did."

The newsies of Manhattan and Brooklyn mourned the death of their friend as Jack picked up and carried the body.

"We only met her a week ago. Why did this have to happen?" asked Mush.

"Who knows why any of dis had ta happen." said Boots.

Jack, carrying Katrina's body, and the newsies started to leave from the scene. Ford told Jack that he should leave the body there, but the newsie wouldn't listen.

"I don't think he's hearin' anyone." Kid Blink explained to the officer.

They started for the Newsboys Lodging House when Race tapped Swindler on the shoulder and pointed to the newspaper reader board. The other newsies looked as well and saw that more names were added to the Titanic death list, two were that of Mr. and Mrs. Cummings.

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