(A/N: I am sorry for the lack of updates. My writing motivation has been really low. But it's coming back and I'm hoping that updates will be more regular. As a peace offering, I'm going to start posting the story I began to write during NaNoWrimo:) I hope that you guys enjoy it:))

Jack Dawson stood outside of the building smoking a cigarette. Tonight was one of the biggest nights of his career and his nerves was a mess. He was up for best male vocalist and he was up against some pretty stiff competition. He knew that he wasn't going to win, which didn't really matter to him. Like his art, singing was just something that he loved to do. He was lucky to be able to make some money off of it. Not that money meant much to him. It didn't. It was all about the music.

He sighed and was about to go join his band mates, Tommy Ryan and Fabrizio DeRossi when his manager Molly Brown came up to stand next to him.

"I knew you were out here, avoiding all the big wigs," Molly lit her own cigarette and stared straight ahead at the line of limos pulling up to the red carpet. She sighed, blowing out smoke. She was glad that the boys had made quick work of the carpet. It was her least favorite part of the business. "Good thing for you, Tommy and Fabri are making the rounds. But you're the star of the show, kid. It's you the suits want to see. Not the members of your band."

Jack looked at his manager and sighed. Molly Brown was like a mother to him in all ways that his own should have been. She had seen him through the worst time of his life and had made sure that he had gotten through his teen years in one piece. When she noticed the small band that he and his friends Tommy and Fabrizio had going and that they were actually good and had a small following at a local club, she had sent a demo to a radio station and ever since, his life had been a whirlwind. Now here he was, up for an American Music Award, something that he had never pictured happening in his life, and he was completely overwhelmed.

"I'm sorry, Molly. I'm just not used to this. It's not my scene. I'm more for playing on the stage, not trying to impress some man in a suit."

"Those men in suits are your way to a record deal, which means more people will hear your music, which means, more chances to be on that stage you love so much."

"I think I'll be giving them all that they need to see when I'm upon that stage tonight," Jack grinned as his two band mates come out of the building to join them.

"There you are, boy-o. Are you coming in to join us before we rock this place or what?" Tommy, Jack's drummer asked, adjusting the famous derby hat on his head.

"I'll be in," Jack replied, just as a limo pulled up. He wanted to roll his eyes at it all. Everyone at these things were so show offy. Did he arrive in a limo? No. He arrived in his 1965 red convertible that he had just finished refurbishing. Okay, that could be show offy too, but it was nothing like that limo.

"Fucking swells, huh?" Tommy snorted.

Jack was about to answer that, but all words fled when the driver of the limo opened the door and helped her out. A beautiful girl, a few years younger than Jack. She had flaming red hair that was piled in a cascade of curls, she wore a red and black sequin dress that fitted her curves perfectly, and she was draped in diamonds. But what really got Jack were her eyes. The most beautiful green eyes that showed a deep sadness and desperation. Not to mention that there was no smile on that lovely mouth. The girl was absolutely beautiful, with the world at her feet...but she wasn't happy.

Tommy grinned, having noticed how Jack's gaze failed to leave the lovely girl getting out of the limousine. "Ah, forget about it, boy-o. You're more likely to have angels fly out of your arse than get to the likes of her."

The girl took the driver's hand and her gaze met Jack's just for a second and held. Then her attention was dragged away by another red head woman much older than her.

"Honestly, Rose. You are always making us late. Come. We have to find our seats before you are to perform tonight. You know how Cal is. He wants everything on time and in it's place," The woman lectured.

The girl just sighed and nodded her head. "Yes mother."

Jack's gaze followed the women until they had disappeared into the building. He turned to Molly, knowing that she knew who everyone was in this business. "Who is she?"

Molly rolled her eyes and chuckled. She knew that look on Jack's face. He only got that look when he took a fancy to a girl. Sadly, she was going to have to knock the wind out of his sails, even though she personally thought he would be good for a girl like Rose. "Rose Dewitt Bukater. You may not have heard of her, she's in a different genre of music. She's engaged to Caledon Hockley, who is the master of classical music these days. Rose is a nice enough girl, but her mother is a witch if I do say so myself."

"Oh," Jack sighed, disappointed that the girl was engaged, but by the look in her eyes, he could tell that it couldn't be a happy engagement. Happily engaged girls wore smiles. Rose looked as if she had forgotten how to smile, much less be happy.

"Come along boys. We want to find our seats before you guys have to go on stage," Molly tossed away her cigarette and ushered the boys inside. She had just taken a look at her watch and realized that they really had no time at all. "Come on, come on! Hurry!"

The boys filed inside after her, with Jack thinking of Rose and why such a pretty girl was so sad. He knew that it wasn't any of his business, but he couldn't help but be concerned.

…..

Rose sat between her mother and Cal, as still as a statue, but inside she was a whirlwind of unhappiness. Everyone thought that her life was so charmed, when in reality, it felt like it was cursed. Her and her mother were just about broke, ready to lose everything. Rose had thought that maybe, they would have to downsize and live like normal people for once. But that had been before Caledon Hockley had came into their lives, with his presents, his promises, and his money. He wanted to help them out of their situation, but for a cost. Rose's hand in marriage. Ruth hadn't even given Rose a chance to refuse. She had accepted for Rose and before Rose knew it, she was one half of what was known as a dream couple. Rose was the princess and Cal was her prince. No one knew how Rose felt about any of it. That she didn't want to marry Cal. She also wanted to change genres and take her music in a different direction. But her mother was her manager and she didn't care what Rose's wants were. She just cared that they remained rich and famous.

This left Rose feeling trapped and like her life was over, before it had even begun.

She sat and watched as the first award was given out and clapped when she was supposed to. This award show seemed to be like all the others. The same boring people...the same mindless chatter...that was until he came on stage, with long blond hair and pretty blue eyes. It was the boy from outside, the one that had held her gaze for only a second. He was the prettiest boy she had ever seen and she had to fight the urge to go up and talk to him outside, but now here he was on stage, singing a song about being in love and kissing in the rain and wanting to teach the girl to fly into the horizon. His song was beautiful and it touched something in her, something that she had fought so hard to suppress, but lately, was finding it harder and harder to ignore. He sang of freedom...a freedom that she'll never have.

The song ended and it was Rose's turn. She ignored Cal as he mumbled how the Dawson fellow seemed to be a one hit wonder and wouldn't amount to anything. How typical of Cal. Talking down about someone else, when he had no singing talent of his own. That's why he was in classical. No need to sing.

"Rose, you are up next. Remember the song we had picked and please, don't embarrass yourself. Remember, you are royalty now," Her mother hissed.

Rose just rolled her eyes and got up out of her seat, approaching the stage with her feelings exploding inside of her. She had it! She just couldn't take it anymore! Something had to change!

…..

Jack stood backstage and watched the awards from there, not in the mood to sit in the audience any longer. He sighed and watched as more people collected their awards. Then it was time for another performer. He felt his heart speed up as he realized that the next performer was Rose. This should be interesting. He stood back and listened.

At first the song seemed like any other song. It was a bit slow for his taste, but it was pleasant to the ears. He loved the sound of her voice. That was when he began to really listen and he was alarmed at what he heard. Yes, her voice was pleasant, but it was full of sadness, despair, anger, and desperation. He then listened to her words and came to a startling revelation. This wasn't just any song she was singing. This was not a performance without meaning. It was a cry for help, and anyone that really cared about this girl would realize it.

…

Rose's eyes scanned the audience as the song ended. People stood with their applause while her mother and fiancee just sat there talking to each other, not even listening to her painful words. Ignoring what she had been trying to scream for months! They didn't care! No one did! All she was to them was a pretty voice and that was it! She couldn't take it anymore! She was her mother's meal ticket, but not anymore! It was time to snatch control away from those who would control her without a care! Snatch it away in the only way that she knew how!

Her song finished, she thanked the audience, than walked off staged and blindly headed for the stairs that lead up to the roof. She had a plan, but in order to go through with it, her mind needed to be clear and she needed to be away from everyone. She needed not to think about the things that she enjoyed in life, like singing, but about the things she hated. Like marrying Caledon Hockley.

In her desperation, she did not notice that she wasn't alone. She had no idea that her cry for help had been heard. Not by her mother and fiancee, but by someone and that someone was now following her, hoping to help her before she made a terrible mistake.

…

Jack couldn't really explain what made him follow her when she had left the stage. Concern? Curiosity? He really couldn't explain it. He just knew that this girl was more than not happy, she was deeply depressed and needed help. He knew he wasn't qualified to be that help, but maybe he could help her in some way. He didn't know how, but he had to try. He just couldn't let someone as beautiful and talented as this girl suffer alone. Something in him rebelled against such a thought.

Keeping quiet, he walked through the door marked stairs, and followed the sound of her footsteps up and up until they reached the top and the sound of a door opening and closing could be heard. He followed, walking through the door to find himself on the roof. He looked around, frowning some more. Why would she come up here?

Keeping quiet, he walked forward, until he saw something that made his heart stop. Rose was standing on the edge of the roof, her arms outstretched, ready to jump!

…..

Her emotional state had grown even more desperate as she made her way up to the roof. She was trapped. She hated her life. She hated her music. She hated everything about this world that refused to let her free and be the person that she truly wanted to be! She was trapped and she had no other way to free herself except through death! It wasn't the ideal solution, but it was the only solution that she had and she was desperate enough to take it!

Tears streamed from her eyes, causing her mascara to run in long black streaks down her cheeks. She reached the edge of the roof and looked down at the moving cars and tiny people. Everything looked so miniature from up here...like it was another world or something. Another world to fall...no, to fly away into.

She closed her eyes and stretched her arms out to her sides, as if she was a bird ready to fly away. She stepped closer to the edge, ready to step off and fall to what she was sure was the only freedom available to her. She mentally said good bye to this world, ready to say hello to the next, when suddenly a voice spoke out, ripping her out of her fantasy…

"Don't do it."