The Second Time Around

A/n: So, hi. I know my Clara Dawson readers are probably wondering what the heck I'm doing writing a new continuing story for Titanic, but the plot wouldn't leave me alone, and I really wanted to try this story out. No worries though, I'm also working on the newest chapter for Clara and it'll be up before Christmas. Anyway. You know, I never thought that I would ever write a Present Day fic for Titanic. It never appealed to me. But as soon as I got this idea, I couldn't resist. It's sort of a past-meets-present kind of fic, anyway. You'll eventually see what I mean. It took me a few days to write this chapter, and even though I'm still not happy with it, I'd like a general opinion about the story idea. So, please, if you read this, let me know what you think (things you like, things that can change, etc.) Anyway I'll stop rambling now. Thanks guys.

Disclaimer: I own nothing Titanic, or any tabloids or The Princess Bride quote in the summary. No suing.

Chapter One

There was no room for her to lay down her beach chair and tan. The Santa Monica State Beach was teeming with life and sound, and about a million of her peers soaking up the hot July sun. Collette Rose sighed, and kicked the pristine sand with a French manicured foot. So much for spending a day lounging around and reading a good book. She'd have to come back later, when she wouldn't have to step over topless tanners wherever she turned.

Collette usually preferred to come early in the morning, anyway. Early morning was when she could watch the dolphins frolic in the waves of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Even join them on days she was feeling particularly confident with her swimming abilities. But, today she'd had to spend her morning applying for jobs at every designer clothing boutique and exclusive restaurant imaginable.

The Princess of California, as the tabloids had dubbed her, wanted to get a job, but her father insisted that if she absolutely must work this summer, that she only do so at the most in vogue places. Hell, she wouldn't have minded working in a fast food restaurant, so long as she was able to start saving up some money that was all her own. Money that wasn't linked to her tycoon father the John Michael Rose in any way, shape or form. But, only the best for his little girl, he'd said.

Why did he always make her sound like a possession?

Collette sighed and combed slender fingers through her blond streaked, bright red hair. She couldn't wait until she started college in the fall. Paris was about as far away from her father as she could get. Unless she went to Timbuktu, of course. Sure, the paparazzi would follow her around wherever she went, but since her father rarely had business in France and didn't much care for the place anyway, it was her best chance to see him as little as possible. She wanted to be independent of him, once and for all.

Good thing she spoke French fluently, or she'd be screwed.

When she finally managed to step off the beach, the Pier came into view. She didn't know what it was about the thing, but she'd always loved it from the time she was small. Something about it drew her in. Probably the huge roller coaster, she thought derisively.

As she walked along, Collette never once raised an eyebrow at the stares she attracted. She knew it wasn't because of the scrap of a bikini she was wearing, but because virtually everyone knew just who she was. Her photo was in Esquire nearly five days out of the week. Ugh, maybe it wouldn't be so bad in Paris. A lot of well known lived there. Surely, she would be no big deal. At least she hoped so. If there was anything she hated more than heights, it was the spotlight. She just wasn't an attention whore like most of the people she hung around with, and never would be.

It was dusk by the time she needed rest. Taking a large swig from her water bottle, she sat down on an unoccupied bench and stared down into the water lapping at the Pier. The temperature had gone down into the 70s and the breeze blowing over her face was soothing. That water would be so nice right now…

A quick look over her shoulder told Collette that no one was around. So, if she were to just, you know, jump off the Pier, no one would notice.

Collette considered the idea for a minute, and with her blue-green eyes gleaming bright with anticipation, gave into her impulse. She'd dropped her stuff off in her car along with her chair earlier, so she didn't have to worry about leaving anything behind.

She put one leg, and then the other over the metal railing, and then sat down on it. She stared down into the murky gray water for a few minutes, knowing it was going to be deep. The idea thrilled her. Her body was zinging with adrenaline as she loosened her grip on the railing. She closed her eyes, ready to take the plunge…

"Don't do it."

Collette jumped, startled at the sound of the unexpected voice. She turned her head with a sheepish grin on her face, all ready with an excuse. Oh, don't worry; I'm not trying to commit suicide or anything…

The grin slowly fell from her face when her eyes locked with a pair of arresting blue orbs. Not only could they rival the ocean on a cloudless day, but there was something distinctly familiar about them. They registered recognition from somewhere deep inside of her. And the way his blond hair was falling into his eyes sent a pang through her heart. It was an achingly bittersweet feeling. What in the world was going on? She'd never laid eyes on this stranger before.

"Uh, h-hi. I was just-"

"Look, just give me your hand so I can get you down from there."

His tone was brass and impatient, and any feelings of déjà vu fled. She frowned. Well, if he was going to be a jerk about it…

"Don't tell me what to do. You know what? Just go away. You're distracting me."

With that, Collette simply turned her back to him, ending all conversation right there. Or so she thought.

"I can't do that. If you jump, I'm gonna have to jump in there after you. And believe me; I've done enough swimming today."

Collette fairly growled, "It's not even that high up! If it was, I wouldn't be up here. And I'm a good swimmer, so you've got nothing to worry-"

"I'm not stupid. I know you're not planning on swimming. So, stop trying to-"

"I am going swimming you idiot. And I hardly need you to save me from the doggie paddle."

She didn't know how she knew it with her back to him, but he smirked when she said that.

"Okay, well if you're not about to kill yourself, why don't you rethink that swim? A storms coming."

Collette automatically looked to the sky, and when she saw that it was ominously light with rain clouds, barely bit back a groan.

"Dammit, that figures. Well, this time I'll give in. Swimming in the dark is fine, but a thunderstorm is another thing entirely."

She felt him reach out his hand to her. Her body tensed as tight as a bow. She hesitated. There was the déjà vu again. She felt as if she'd done this before. But, Collette knew she had never been 'rescued' by a jerky knight in shining armor on the Santa Monica Pier in the middle of the night before. She sensed that if she took his hand now, her life was never going to be the same again. But, since when had she been one to shy away from change?

When she put her hand in his, electricity shot up her arm; warmth seeped its way through her body. He must have felt it too, because he looked her right in the eye as she turned towards him. Butterflies began doing the jig in her stomach. This was getting a little freaky.

"I'm Carter, by the way. Carter Jackson."

Collette's brow furrowed at his last name. "Jackson? That name...have we met before?"

He shook his head. "I don't think so. But, how can I know if I don't know your name?"

"Oh, right. Sorry. Collette Rose."

"The Collette Rose? Wow, I'll have to get you to sign an autograph or somethin'."

She laughed at the teasing note in his voice. "You going to help me over or what?"

He laughed now. "Yeah, c'mon."

As she was about to step over the railing, her Adidas slipped right out from under her. Collette let out a small squeak as her hand slipped out of Carter's, and she began to fall towards the water.

One minute she was free falling, the next she was dangling in mid air. When she opened eyes that had instinctively squeezed shut, she saw Carter leaning far over the railing, his teeth gritted as he held onto her wrist. Oh, thank God.

"Okay, I lied. I don't want to go swimming anymore." She tried to make her voice sound light and airy, but instead it came out breathy and anxious.

Carter picked up on it. "Look, like you said, it's not that high up. You can get back up here easily. Just calm down."

"Easy for you to say! You don't have insanely deep water rushing around under you!"

"Look, I promise I've got you, and I won't let go. You're not gonna fall, okay? Now c'mon, help me pull you up."

After a bit of struggling and a lot of leg kicking, Collette managed to get her knees onto the Pier. As she stood up, Carter grasped her under the arms, and swung her over the railing. They both fell on to the bench, panting.

"I feel like such an idiot," Collette said, when she managed to catch her breath.

"You shouldn't," Carter dismissed between gasps. "Jumping is one thing, fallings' another."

"Yeah, well either way…thanks."

They looked at each other in the darkness. The waves stopped crashing against the shore, and a car alarm stopped blaring in the distance. It was only the two of them and this out-of-nowhere connection, that seemed strangely as old as time, between them. And then the world came back in surround sound as Collette looked uncomfortably away.

Carter sighed. "It was nothing. But, look I'd better get going. The gym calls."

When Collette gave him a strange look, he explained. "I go everyday after work. Remember when I said I've done enough swimming today? I'm a life guard down on the beach."

"Oh, that explains the bright red shorts. I'm looking for a job myself."

He raised a brow at her. "You, getting a job?"

"Don't look at me like that. Yeah, I want a job. Some people don't want to live under Daddy's thumb for their entire lives."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry. You just seem like one of those party hardy girls."

"Party hardy? Who says that? And no, I'm hardly that. Don't believe everything you read Mr. Jackson."

"Call me Carter. And I guess you're right."

She nodded. "I know I am."

Carter laughed. "But you are full of yourself. I hope to see you around, Miss-"

"Collette."

"Collette. You should get yourself home. Looks like there's gonna be a down pour."

As he turned to walk away, clearly unsure of what else to say after all that had happened, she called to him.

"Hey, uh, do you want my phone number? In case you ever, you know, want to talk or something?"

She was surprised when he whipped out his cell phone. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Collette knew that she was going to be counting every second until he finally called.

A/n: Okay, so the beginning is a little unclear & slow…I'm going to re-write it I think. But besides that, what do you guys think? And trust me, there's going to be more to it than meets the eye.

-Rory4