Rose returned home with a bounce in her step. Despite the cold weather, she was in a reasonably good mood. Another semester was over and she was done with exams. All she had to do now was rest before getting ready for the trip to California. Her and Jack, along with Fabrizio and Helga and their child had been in New York City for a full year now and this was the first Christmas taking the trip to California for the holiday.

All in all, it had been a crazy year. Their arrival in New York had been a calm one. The two couples were residing in a townhouse that Rose had begun renting, with Fabrizio and Helga insisting on helping with the rent. Rose wanted to turn down the help, feeling that she could afford it, but Fabrizio's pride wouldn't let her foot the entire rent, so between the four of them, they managed to pay rent and split other expenses.

While Helga and Fabrizio worked full time, Jack and Rose attended classes at their respective schools with Jack gaining a work/study position at one of the academy's offices. It didn't pay too much, but it was enough to hold up his end of the expenses.

Rose and Jack loved their schools and fell in love with the city of New York. Not even a creepy experience their first October had turned them off from the city. It was so exciting. The parks...the museums, food, and history. There was no room at all for boredom.

But one thing did marr their happiness. They missed their family and friends. With it being their first year, they had decided to not return to California for the holidays. But now that their first year had passed and they were settled and Fabrizio and Helga had their baby, they all decided to return for Christmas and get in touch with Tommy and their other friends and hang out with Jack's Uncle and Aunt.

It was going to be an awesome time. Rose couldn't wait.

"Rosie! Are you home?" Jack walked shrugging off his heavy coat. He couldn't wait to get off his feet and just relax for a while. For the past few weeks, he had been feeling run down and just plain exhausted. Between work and school, he hadn't been getting much sleep and it had been draining his energy. This week had been the worse. It took all of his energy just to stay awake at the office after a few hours of classes. Then there was the recurring fever, which had Rose worried, but again Jack had chalked it all up to stress. He was sure that once they were away from the fast pace of New York and back home in California where he could relax and recharge, the fever would be gone and he'd have his energy back.

"I'm in here!" Rose called, settling down in the living room and switching on the television.

Jack stood in the doorway and stared at her with arched brows. "Why aren't you packing? Our flight leaves first thing tomorrow."

"I know, but I just needed to take an hours break after this last exam. It was a killer. I think I'm due for some downtime of kicking my feet up and snuggling with my bae," Rose winked. "And by the looks of you, you can use some downtime as well."

Jack just smiled and walked over and sat next to her. "Well, I can't argue with you on that."

Rose frowned as he sat down and she realized just how warm he was. "Jack, you have a fever again? That can't be good. You really do need to see a doctor about that. You're probably coming down with something. I mean...this has been off and on for a good two weeks now."

"I'll go in California. Doctor Smith is the best in the business anyway," Jack sighed, hating to have such a mundane task interrupt their vacation, but if it'll make Rose feel better he'll do so. "He'll probably give me some antibiodics and send me on my way."

"I know I worry too much, but I can't help it. I don't want you to get so sick that you can't function. Especially if it is something that can be caught and knocked out early." Rose sighed, feeling that Jack must be annoyed with her for her worry.

He just chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "I know that it comes from a loving place and it's greatly appreciated. I just hate that I'm the cause of your worry. I never want to worry you. I just want to make you happy."

"You do. I swear you do," Rose smiled, stroking his cheek as she looked into his eyes. "I've never been happier. I love you."

"I love you, too," he leaned in and kissed her. A loud cry from the nursery upstairs forced them apart. "Antonio DeRossi..."

Rose just laughed. "Oh come on, it's practice. Someday we'll have a little one that will make it his or her mission to interrupt us."

Jack just laughed and released her, knowing that she was the only one to go take care of the now awake baby. "Well, we'll certainly be ready for baby Dawson when the time comes."

Rose just blushed and smiled, reminded again that someday she will finally wear Jack's last name. It was an event she was becoming more and more impatient for. "You'll have to make me Mrs. Dawson first."

With that said, she sprinted up the stairs to take care of the crying baby, leaving Jack contemplating what she had just said. She wanted to be Mrs. Dawson, that was obvious. But when to do so? Jack too was looking forward to making her an honest woman. They had been together for going on three years now and he felt that maybe it was time to make everything official. After all, he couldn't really picture being with anyone but Rose. She was everything to him. His best friend, his confidant, his lover. His soulmate. Yes they were young, but what better time to wed than that? Maybe he'll discuss it with his Uncle when they got to California. Uncle Phil always had good advice.

Speaking of which, he better get to packing. He got up to head upstairs when he suddenly felt that he didn't have any energy to move at all, he was just too fatigued. He frowned, thinking that his fatigue seemed to be getting worse. Not even a little bit of rest gave him much energy anymore. Maybe going to the doctor when they got to California really was a good idea after all. Surely Doctor Smith tell him what was wrong with him and how to fix it.

...

The next morning, Jack woke up not only drenched in sweat, but not wanting to open his eyes and get moving. The night before he had forced himself to pack and get everything together for the flight, then he had collapsed into bed and fell asleep as soon as his head had it the pillow. Now waking up, he felt even more exhausted than the night before. It's like the night's sleep didn't even help. At least his fever seemed to be gone and maybe he could sleep some more on the plane. Maybe that would help.

"Jack?" Rose sat up, rubbing her eyes. She frowned when she looked at her boyfriend, who was unusually pale and sweaty. "Jack, you don't look too good, sweetie."

"I'll be fine. I'm going to grab some red bull and then we can be on our way," he mumbled, forcing himself to get out of bed, not wanting her to notice how tired he still was. He was determined not to worry her with this. She had been worrying about him enough.

"Jack...?"

"Rose?" He turned to her.

"You'd tell me if something was seriously wrong, right?"

"Of course. Look, I am just a little tired. It's been a busy couple of weeks and it's catching up with me. That's all. I'll be fine and like I said, I'm going to go see the doctor when we get to California. Now don't you worry anymore, alright?" Jack leaned down and kissed her cool forehead.

Rose just nodded her head, knowing that there was nothing else she could say or do. Jack was always trying to keep her from worrying, even to his own detriment sometimes, which drove her crazy! Sighing, she got out of bed and also began to get ready for the coming flight. She had to admit, she was looking forward to returning home to California. Maybe the warm ocean air will do Jack good, as well as herself.

New York was great, and it had quickly become home, but nothing will ever compare to the state where she had met the love of her life.