Rose's legs were numb, and her lungs ached. She didn't think she could keep going; she had never run so fast or so long in her entire life. She clenched her fists. I will keep going. I will. I will. She didn't know why he'd been arrested, but she was sure Cal was behind it. He just had to be. It didn't make sense otherwise. Jack hadn't actually done anything to be arrested for. After what seemed like an eternity she burst through the front door of the rooming house, nearly knocking it off its hinges. She flew up the stairs completely oblivious to all the puzzled looks she received.
"Fabrizo!" she screamed, pounding her fists on his door. "Fabrizo, I need you!" The door swung open. "Rose!" he cried. "What is it? Where's Jack?" She pointed in the direction of the stairs. Tears streamed down her face. "H—he's—" Her voice broke. Fabrizo moved closer to her and laid his hands on her shoulders. "Breathe," he said soothingly. She covered her face with her hands and began to sob. "J—Jack, he's been—oh God they took him—"
"Bella Rosa," he said, using the nickname he had given her after watching Jack stare at her from the third class deck. Neither of them had known her name—at that point she was still an untouchable goddess they would never even see up close—yet when Jack told him her name actually was Rose the title he'd jokingly made up for her had stuck. Privately, at least. Too upset to fully process that he had called her by anything other than her name, Rose just nodded. "Please, you have to breathe," he said slowly. "Tell me what happened. Who has Jack?"
She took a deep breath. "The police," she said shakily.
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
"Yes, this is he. You did? Are you sure? I understand. Yes, I'll be right down."
Cal hung up the telephone with a dramatic flourish. He whirled around grinning triumphantly. Lovejoy was slumped on the couch, the morning paper spread across his lap. "I'm assuming that was good news," he said flatly.
"Indeed," Cal said brightly.
"So I guess that means they found him?" Lovejoy asked. He turned to the next page in the newspaper. "I must say they did a much better job than I thought they would."
"As a matter of fact, they did catch the little rat. Or at least, they think they have. I'm supposed to come down there and identify him." Cal's smile wavered. What if it was a mistake? What if the detectives had grabbed the wrong man? After all, how many blonde men are there in this city? Hundreds? He pushed the doubts away. It was him. He could feel it in the way his skin had started tingling the moment the telephone rang.
Lovejoy folded the paper and laid it aside. "Did they say anything about her?"
"Her?" Cal said dumbly.
"Yes, her. You do remember her, don't you? Redhead, quite striking? The whole reason we got into this mess in the first place?"
"Of course I remember her!" Cal snapped. "And no, they didn't say anything about her." His mouth thinned.
"Well, I'm sure there's a good reason why they didn't," Lovejoy said. "After all," he added, "it isn't as though he would have realized what was happening and made sure she was safely hidden before you could show up."
Cal closed his eyes. At the base of his skull he could feel the first stirrings of a migraine.
Meanwhile, Rose was once again running through the streets of New York, but this time Fabrizo was at her side. As they darted through the crowd his mind raced. How could this happen? All Fabrizo knew about Cal was the little Jack had told him, and what he'd seen of his handiwork after the fight between the three of them, which had only strengthened his belief that Jack was right to want to get Rose as far away from him as he could. But he couldn't shake the feeling that Cal was somehow behind Jack's arrest. Is that why he was so anxious to leave? Because he knew something like this might happen?
When they reached the police station Rose stopped just outside the door. She smoothed her wild curls and wiped the tears from her face. The last thing she needed was for someone to mistake her for a hysterical victim. That wouldn't help Jack at all.
…
"Where's the girl?"
Jack was slumped forward, his head in his still cuffed hands. He grunted in response to Michael's question. He'd lost count of how many times he'd been asked where Rose was.
Michael sighed heavily and tapped the table. From the look of him he'd expected Jack to give in easily. He'd guessed it would take no more than a few minutes before he started talking, but he'd been staring at him across the interrogation room table for over an hour and Jack hadn't said a single word. He'd barely even moved.
"You're only making it worse for yourself," Michael said. "So why don't you just tell me where she is?" Jack didn't respond. "I know you know," Michael continued. "You told her to run. You told her to go to find someone. Why? Surely you can't think you can still get anything out of this."
Jack raised his head slightly. "The only thing I want is for her to be safe and happy, and there's no chance of that if they know where she is," he said quietly. "So you can ask all you want, but I'll never tell you." His chin trembled slightly, but he clenched his jaw. "Even if it means I never get to see her again."
"What're you—" was all Michael managed to say before the door flew open and in stepped a man who looked around Jack's age. His hair, though darker, even resembled Jack's slightly. "Come quick!" he cried, eyes wide. Michael pushed his chair back and jumped to his feet. "What is it?" The young man gestured impatiently toward the door. "There's no time, just come!" Michael gave Jack a pointed look. "Perhaps while I'm gone you'll come to your senses." Jack just smiled bitterly in response. He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes as Michael hurried from the room.
Oh, Rose please be okay.
"Jack!"
His head snapped up as Rose flew through the door. "Jack!" she cried again, throwing her arms around him. "Oh, Jack." She kissed him frantically. "Are you alright?" He winced when her lips fell on his scraped cheek. She didn't bother pausing to let him answer. "I'm sorry," she cried, pressing his head against her neck. "I'm so sorry. Jack, I should have stayed. I should've tried to help you. I—"
Jack raised his head. "No! You did the right thing. Rose, who knows what coulda happened to you if you hadn't listened to me." His eyes widened. "You shouldn't be here!" He tried move away, but her body pinned him into the chair. She gazed at him with hurt and confused eyes. "It's not safe for you," he explained. "They're looking for you."
"Why would they be looking for me? And why do they have you?"
"No-one told you?"
She shook her head. "I kept asking. I—I asked anyone I could find, but no-one would tell me anything. Fabrizo tried, but they wouldn't tell him anything either."
"He's here too?" Fabri why didn't you keep her away? But he knew it wasn't Fabrizo's fault. Even if he had tried to stop Rose there was no way he could have. Jack took a deep breath. "Where is he?"
"He's watching the door."
It was almost comical. Here he was, arrested for abducting his own wife, who had somehow found a way to get to him in jail and his best friend was helping. He would have to remember to thank him later. Jack took her face in his hands, silently cursing the handcuffs that kept him from holding her. "Rose, listen to me. You—both of you—have to get away from here. You need to be as far away from me as you can. If you don't—"
Rose stared at him. "Jack, what are you saying? No! I'm not leaving you!" She stood up and took a step back. "I'm not even leaving this room! No!" He stood up and held out his hands. "Rose, please, just listen to me. It was no accident that I got arrested today."
"Cal did it, didn't he?" she asked softly. Her eyes took on a faraway look. "I should have known. He did the same thing in my dream…just after the iceberg hit…"
"He couldn't have! I was with him the whole time. This is absurd."
"Perhaps he did it while you were putting your clothes back on, dear."
"Yeah, it was him," Jack said. "Him and your mother."
"My mother?" Her voice rose. "How could she do this to me? How could she—No." Rose shook her head. "It isn't the time for that. It's not even important right now." She looked into Jack's eyes. "You are what's important right now."
His heart swelled with love for her. He took her hands. "Rose, please, you have to go. They're saying I made you come with me. They're saying I manipulated you somehow, that I did it to get money. He's had the police searching for us for days, and if they find you they're gonna take you back to him."
Rose couldn't believe her ears. "How can they believe that? But we're married!"
"Rose honey, I know that. I just hope they'll figure it out eventually, and then his story will fall apart. But until then I need you—"
"Here. You need me here."
Meanwhile, just outside the interrogation room Fabrizo was encountering difficulties of his own. The first few people who passed by contented themselves with questioning looks, and he breathed a quiet sigh of relief as each on went about their business. But his luck didn't hold for long, and he found himself explaining "Just what he was doing lurking about?" to a very frustrated and confused Michael who had just discovered the emergency phone call he'd been summoned to was from his wife. Who didn't exist. At a loss to explain it he settled for yelling at the new recruit who had fetched him before hurrying back to take another shot at getting Jack to talk.
"Well?" Michael crossed his arms over his chest. "I asked you a question."
Fabrizo looked from the door to Michael. Jack, Rose, I'm sorry. Getting arrested himself wouldn't do any of them any good. Knowing it was his best bet for avoiding that he put on the best befuddled look he could and thickened his accent. "I'm lost."
"Of course you are," Michael said, annoyed. "And I'll bet those are the only words of English you know." Fabrizo swallowed his anger. "Si."
Michael was about to escort Fabrizo out of the building when Paul came running up, a sheet of paper in hand. "Where've you been?" Michael said immediately forgetting all about Fabrizo, who slipped off to the side. He had no intention of abandoning his friends if he could help it. "I told you I had to check something out," Paul answered. Michael crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, while you were doing that I was arresting that guy—"
Paul's eyes widened. "You found them?"
"Him," Michael corrected. "I found him. She ran. I've been trying to get it outta him for an hour now, but so far all he's done is babble about how he wants her to be happy."
"That makes sense considering what I just found out. So, you remember how we couldn't understand why Hockley didn't do something about all of this on the ship?"
Michael nodded. "Yes, and I thought we decided it was because he's rich and weird."
Paul rolled his eyes. "No, you decided that. Anyway, something just didn't seem right about all of this, the way they waited so long to report it, the way his valet acted when he was talking about it, just so many things didn't fit. So, I made some calls, and after talking with an Officer Walters I now understand everything," he said triumphantly. "Something did happen on that ship. And according to this Walters fellow it didn't end well for Hockley." Michael leaned forward as Paul continued, "Apparently it was all anyone on the ship could talk about after it happened. See, his fiancée did go off with that guy, but not before putting up one helluva a fight when he tried to stop her."
"What?"
"There was some sort of fight between the three of them. Walters was a bit fuzzy on the details. He said by the time he got there the 'blonde one had half killed the dark haired one and the woman was unconscious'. He said that according to her the blonde man was her fiancé, and the other one was her ex-fiancé—which was a pretty recent development, and they were basically just trying to protect themselves."
And that was when Cal walked in, Lovejoy trailing behind. Fabrizo stifled the gasp that rose in his throat. He crept past the detectives and stuck his head into the interrogation room.
"Rose!" he hissed. She and Jack came forward. "What is it Fabri?" Jack asked anxiously. "He's here," Fabrizo whispered anxiously. "Right outside." Rose tightened her grip on Jack. "I'm not leaving you," she said firmly.
"Rose, you have to go," he said pleadingly. "It isn't safe. If he sees you—"
"I don't care!" she cried. "It isn't safe for you either!" She gazed into his eyes. "You jump, I jump." Jack sighed and yet again cursed the shackles that kept him from holding her. "If I'd know how many times you were gonna use that against me I would've never said it," he said, pressing his lips to her hair.
Fabrizo whirled around as Michael snapped. "What are you still doing here?" At a loss for words, he just shrugged. There was really nothing he could do for his friends at that point so he just stepped aside. His movement caused the door to swing open, revealing the embracing couple. Jack and Rose turned to face their audience. "It's okay," he whispered into her hair. He glared at Cal over her head. "I won't let him hurt you." Rose looked up at him. "You're what's important," she insisted. Cal stared at them his mouth twisted with disgust.
Michael's jaw dropped. "How did she—when did she—" he sputtered. Paul laughed and clapped him on the back. "That look like a kidnap victim and her captor to you?" he asked. Michael shook his head. "That's because it's not," Paul said, handing him the sheet of paper. Michael couldn't believe his eyes as he read the words "Marriage Certificate". Behind him Lovejoy began first to chuckle and then finally to laugh out loud. Cal kicking him in the shin did nothing to lessen his amusement.
"That's because they're not," Paul said. "They're married."
Jack couldn't suppress a grin. "Told you they'd figure it out," he said. Rose's arms relaxed around him. "You were right." She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "I should have known you would be."
"What do you mean they're married?" Cal bellowed. "He wouldn't marry her!" He snatched the paper from Michael. "Let me see that." Jack's hands twitched. If I could use them. Sensing his anger Rose tilted his head down so their forehead met. "Ignore it," she whispered. "It doesn't matter. What he says can't change anything." Jack wished he could explain why Cal's words bothered him so much. He knew she was right. He should just ignore it. After all, what could he really do to them now? The police didn't even seem to be on his side anymore. But the implication that he didn't care enough about Rose to marry her, that he would only stay with her until he grew bored or another woman caught his eye filled him with a rage he never knew he was capable of. And it isn't just him. It's everyone. No-one understands that I love her. No-one thinks I even could.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you Mr. Hockley, but it's true," Paul said cheerfully. "As I'm sure you've read by now a Rose Dewitt-Bukator married a Jack Dawson on April 15th, 1912. Which, I might add, was a whole week before you reported her alleged abduction." Michael sounded slightly dazed. "So that means I hauled this guy in here for no reason?"
Paul nodded. "I'd say so."
The paper fluttered to the floor as Cal's hands curled into fists. He could only sputter incoherent sentence fragments. Lovejoy wiped tears of laughter from his eyes. "Perhaps we'd better go," he said. Cal shot him a death glare. "Whose side are you on?"
"This isn't about taking sides," Lovejoy said calmly. "It's about knowing when to quit."
"He's right," Paul said. "I don't know all the details of what's gone on between the three of you, but I can tell you this part of it is over." He turned to Michael. "Do you have the key on you?" Michael reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver key. "Of course I do." He walked toward Jack and Rose. "Could I ask you to step back?" he said, motioning toward Rose. She nodded and moved about an inch away from Jack. Two sharp clicks later and his hands were free. Michael quickly stepped out of the way as Jack let out a whoop of joy and enveloped Rose in his arms.
It felt like an eternity had passed since the last time he held her. He knew it had actually only been a few hours, but a part of him didn't quite believe that. Then again, a part of him hadn't quite believed he would ever hold her again. He buried his face in her neck. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you so much. I'm gonna take you so far away." Rose collapsed against him. Jack's arms felt so good around her. How can they be so blind? Why can't any of them see we're meant for each other?
"You're just going to let him go?" Cal cried. His tone was a blend of shock and anger. Lovejoy shook his head. You need to be letting some things go, he thought. Lovejoy didn't like or even really respect Cal, but that didn't mean he wanted to see Jack and Rose happily skip off into the sunset. The truth was, he didn't care one way or the other what happened to them. Either Cal married her or he didn't. Either the plan to have Jack incarcerated for the majority of his life worked or it didn't. It meant nothing to him. Though Michael's assessment of him had been pretty much on the mark—he was only there because he was paid to be—he couldn't help but find Cal's failure and frustration where Rose was concerned highly entertaining. But even so he didn't feel like dealing with the scene Cal would cause if his emotions were allowed to go unchecked.
"You really might want to think about just walking away now," he said giving Cal a meaningful look. "It would be the best thing." Cal stared at him, disbelief filling his dark eyes. "Walk away?" he said quietly. "That's your answer?"
Lovejoy sighed. "Yes, that's my answer."
"It's a good answer," Michael said. "There really isn't anything else you can do. Not legally, anyway." Paul shot him a look. "And there is a chance it wasn't legal when you reported Mrs. Dawson here-" Cal's mouth curled in disgust. Lovejoy chuckled quietly. Fabrizo, forgotten by them all, smiled to himself. Rose kissed Jack. "-kidnapped," Paul said, acting as though he didn't notice what any of them were doing. "Though of course, we'd have to prove you knew she had gone off willingly with the intention of marrying this man." He met Cal's eyes. "And I'm sure you don't want to deal with the mess we'd make trying to do that."
Cal swallowed the first reply that sprang to his lips. "Of course not," he said smoothly. "It was a mistake."
Rose took Jack's hand, lacing her fingers through his. "Let's go," she said. The mini-crowed parted as they began to make their way toward the door. "C'mon Fabrizo," Jack called. "Coming," Fabrizo said brightly, hurrying over to them. Michael shook his head. "That's why he was hanging around," he murmured to himself. Cal's glared burned into them as they passed. Jack tightened his grip on Rose's hand and met his glare with one of his own. He didn't think Cal would try anything with so many people around, especially cops, but that didn't lessen his relief that he would have to reach across him to get to Rose.
And suddenly they were outside. Jack squinted, overwhelmed by the sudden brightness. Rose breathed a sigh of relief. "We're finally out of there," she said. Her voice took on an almost giddy quality. "We're finally free!"
Jack smiled down at her. "So where to, miss?"\
….
"What do you mean they let him go?" Ruth asked shrilly. She laid a hand on her forehead and closed her eyes. A dull ache was spreading through her head. Just breathe, she told herself. You're making a scene. You sound like Rose. Suddenly her daughter's face loomed before her. "Did they at least have the courtesy to find out where Rose is? Did they even care about what he might have done to her?"
Cal smoothed back his already perfect hair and avoided meeting her eyes. "In a way."
"Either they found her or they didn't," she said imperiously. "So which is it?"
"They didn't find her," he said angrily. "She found them." Ruth's headache grew worse as he explained how Rose had somehow managed to get to Jack even after he had been taken into custody and how she had refused to leave his side. "Where is she now then?" She was sure she knew the answer, but asking allowed her to put off facing the truth for a few more seconds.
"I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that."
Rose how could you? Ruth thought as anger threatened to overtake it wasn't the time for that. Becoming emotional would get her nowhere. She took a deep breath and willed herself to remain calm. "She went off with him again," she said, a slight tremor in her voice. "And no-one stopped her? Not even after what you told them?" She was too shocked by the idea of the authorities believing Jack over Cal to even think of wondering why he hadn't done anything himself.
Cal tightened his jaw. "There was nothing anyone could have done. They had to let her go—to let both of them go because—" The words stuck in his throat. He didn't understand how things had gone so wrong. It was the perfect plan, or it would have been if Jack had just behaved the way he was supposed to. "Because they're married," he spat.
"What?" Ruth shrieked. Her expression was a mixture of disgust and horror. "How could they be married? He—he wouldn't marry her!" Ruth's mind raced. It couldn't be true. It just couldn't be. "Well, that's what I thought,' he said with a sigh."I can only assume he believed that if he married he would stand to gain financially."
"But she has nothing!" Ruth blurted out. "He can't get anything out of this! Surely she's told him that!" Her face paled as the full implication of what she'd just said sank in. "Without me, that is," she added quickly. "She has nothing on her own." The last thing she wanted was for Cal to know just how dire the situation really was. She was glad to take his money, but only if it was in exchange for Rose. After all, wasn't that the point of marriage? A woman was supposed to find a man to take care of her and anyone else in her family that might need it. It was a perfectly fair trade, even between Cal and Rose. She was beautiful, accomplished, and from a good family. He was wealthy, successful, and from a good family of his own. He was a few years older than her, but that didn't matter. His age would provide him with the maturity to tame her wild nature. She would fulfill all of his wifely needs, and he would keep her comfortable and well-cared for. How could Rose not see that? But she knew the problem wasn't that Rose hadn't seen it. The problem was that Rose hadn't cared.
The rest of the conversation was a blur for Ruth. When Cal finally left she breathed a sigh of relief and poured herself a drink. She turned up the glass and gulped it down. "I knew something like this would happen," she said. "I knew it when I found them." Disgust rose up in her throat as the image washed over her. What she'd actually witnessed paled in comparison to the scene playing out in her mind. She grabbed the bottle of brandy and poured herself another glass.
As Ruth was discovering the joys of drinking oneself into oblivion Jack, Rose, and Fabrizo were hurtling through the night on a train bound for a destination none of them had bothered to discover. "Anywhere," was Rose's answer to Jack's question. "Take me anywhere," she said. Jack wasted no time. They hurried back to the rooming house and gathered their few possessions before heading to the train station where he bought three tickets on the next train leaving the state.
