They ran blindly, thinking only of escaping Cal. Rose gripped Jack's hand tightly, and they weaved through the backstage maze. Confused PAs stared after them. Technicians darted out of their way. Other actors asked if it was some new rehearsal technique. Cal stayed on their heels at first, yelling. Fabrizo was behind him. They'd left everyone from the set behind. What they were thinking, Fabrizo couldn't guess. He was sure they'd be asked to leave, but who, exactly, they'd be asking was up for debate.
They swung around a corner and through a door. Jack clicked the lock in place, and they collapsed against the wall. "I can't remember the last time I ran this much," he said with a grin.
"I'm sorry," Rose said, gasping for breath.
"Don't be. It's not your fault."
"Isn't it?" she said. "He's my fiancée."
Jack's expression grew serious. "Is he? Still?"
She shook her head. "No. Not anymore. I shouldn't have said it that way." She smiled tentatively. Her hands found his, and he moved closer. Jack laced his fingers through hers, stroking her hands with his thumbs. His eyes were so blue. Rose didn't think she'd ever seen anything so beautiful. They were like the ocean, deep and consuming. As they kissed, his hands moved to her back, pulling her even closer. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Gently, he pressed her against the wall, his hands encircling her waist. His lips moved down to her neck, and she sighed. "Jack."
He looked into her eyes. His cheeks were flushed. Speaking was a struggle. "We should keep going," he said.
Rose nodded. "Yes."
Neither of them moved. His words had two meanings, and they were both trying to pretend otherwise. "They might find us," Rose said finally.
Jack took her hand. "Don't worry."
….
"Where did they go?" Cal yelled. He stood in between two corridors and a door.
"Away from you," Fabrizo said. "I don't blame them, the way you're acting."
"As if your opinion matters."
"What's wrong with you?" Fabrizo asked impatiently. "What's wrong with all of you? Why don't you remember anything?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Cal said. "And I don't care. That-"
"They are married," Fabrizo said slowly, emphasizing each word.
"No, they aren't. That's absurd." Cal tried the door, and finding it locked, began pounding it with his fist. His face contorted in frustration; he kicked the door. Nothing happened, aside from some bruised toes, a scuffed shoe, and a cry of pain.
"Why don't you calm down?" Fabrizo said. "The way you're acting, even if we do find them, they'll just run away again."
"Why should I listen to you?"
"Because I'm willing to help you," Fabrizo said.
Cal eyed him with suspicion. "Why?"
"Because we're friends. We've known each other a long time, and because I want things back to normal," Fabrizo answered. "We can't do that without them."
"I don't understand what's happening," Cal said.
"I don't really understand it either."
"Why does she want him?" Cal asked.
Fabrizo took a deep breath. "We're not talking about the same thing. Fine. Why don't you ask her?" he suggested. "We'll find her, and you ask her."
"Ask her?" Cal said incredulously.
"Yes."
"What will that accomplish?" Cal said.
"It'll tell you how she feels," Fabrizo said.
Cal's brow furrowed. "I've never thought about that," he said. "What an idea. Couldn't I just give her something? A nice gift?"
"Has Jack given her anything?"
"I'd rather not think about what he might have done," Cal said.
"You're missing the point," Fabrizo said.
"I don't see what talk will accomplish," Cal said. "Couldn't I just-"
"No," Fabrizo said firmly. "Let's try down this way."
….
They were in the back of one of the enormous buildings where the sets were housed. This one wasn't being used that day, so it was dark and empty. Rose found a light switch and flipped it on. There were more doors and hallways, pieces of rooms.
"This is weird," Jack said.
"I don't understand how we got here," Rose said.
They walked slowly, hand in hand. "At least it's quiet here, and we're alone," he said.
"That is nice."
They explored in silence until Rose exclaimed, "Look!"
"What is it, Rose?"
"It's my room," she said. She led him toward a piece of a bedroom. One of the walls was missing, but otherwise, it was an exact replica of her bedroom aboard the ship. The light was dim, and they couldn't find another switch.
"These are my things," she said, picking up a hand mirror. "No, not quite," she added disappointedly. "But they're close." She looked up at Jack. "Maybe we can find your room too."
"Why would you wanna do that?" he asked.
"I'd like to see it," she said. "I want to see how you live, Jack."
He kissed her. "Do you mean that, Rose?"
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't. Take me with you, Jack," she said. "I want to go."
He pulled her closer, and she hugged him. "Things are so crazy, but this is-"
"It's real," Rose said. "You can trust it."
….
"What exactly do you plan to do?" Cal asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Fabrizo said.
"You don't have a plan?"
"I figured something would come to me," Fabrizo said. "It always works for Jack."
"I've had about enough of him," Cal grumbled. "I'd be happy to never see him again."
"I'm sure."
"Are you mocking me?" Cal said. "I assure you, this is no laughing matter. He's put there, somewhere, with my fiancée!"
"She's his wife," Fabrizo said. "Try and remember that."
"She most certainly is not."
"She is," Fabrizo insisted. "You just don't remember."
"Really? You haven't said it enough."
Fabrizo fought the urge to laugh. "Look," he said. "I know it's confusing, but you gotta try and stay with me. We'll figure something out."
"It had better involve getting Rose back."
"I won't help you break them up," Fabrizo said. "I don't want to, and even if I did, I doubt I could. You never managed it. You're still trying, after all these years."
"Of course I am. I'm not going to just give up," Cal said. "They've only known each other a few days. I don't know where you're getting this about years."
"It's been years. A lot of years."
"It can't have been," Cal argued.
"Just trust me. It's been a long time for all of us. They've been together the whole time, and nothing's gonna change that," Fabrizo said. "Not you, not me, and not whatever weird magic's erased all your memories."
"I don't believe any of that."
"Doesn't matter," Fabrizo said.
They rounded a corner and found themselves face to face with the director. "What happened?" he demanded. "What the hell was that?"
"Method acting," Fabrizo said. He shot Cal a warning look. "We all just got carried away."
"Yeah, I'd say so."
"Won't happen again," Fabrizo assured him.
"Well, it was good delivery. Real. But stunts like that cost us money. From now on, stick to the script and to the shoot list. Got it?"
"Yes," Fabrizo said. Cal echoed. "Yes."
When he was gone, Cal said. "I don't like him."
"I don't think that matters," Fabrizo said.
"Do you like him?"
"Not really. But I don't think it matters," Fabrizo said. "We're not who he thinks we are."
"Who does he think we are?" Cal asked.
"Actors."
"Actors?" Cal said. "Yes, I remember that little man saying something about a moving picture."
"I'll bet he didn't call it that."
"What?" Cal said.
"Nothing," Fabrizo said.
…
"Where will we go?" Rose asked.
"Where do you wanna go?"
"Somewhere new, somewhere different," she said. "The kind of place only you can take me."
They had moved to the bed. Their shoes were on the floor. Jack's arm was around Rose. She lay against him. It seemed like as good an idea as any other. They still didn't know where they were or what to do next. Suddenly. Jack was exhausted, and the bed looked inviting. It was crazy; there was no denying that, but holding Rose felt good, and this was the nicest bed he'd ever been in.
"I can do that," he said.
Rose tilted her head and kissed the space below his throat. "What's that for?" he asked.
"I wanted to." She smiled into his eyes.
Jack's breath caught in his throat. "Rose," he said.
"Yes, Jack?" She undid a button on his shirt and kissed the bit of exposed flesh. She kept going until his shirt was off.
"Rose, this isn't—we shouldn't," Jack said. "We don't even know where we are."
"We're in my bed. I wanted you here," she said. "Last night, I couldn't stop thinking about you."
"Really?"
Rose nodded.
"I thought about you," he said.
"What did you think?" she asked.
A light blush spread across his cheeks. "You know some of it already."
"You could remind me," she said.
"It hasn't been that long." As he said it, his hand was moving down the back of her dress, unfastening it. "I don't want to do anything to hurt you, Rose."
"I trust you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
….
"Where are they?" Fabrizo said. They'd gone through the wardrobe department, the dressing rooms, and checked the craft service tables, where Cal filled a plate with Milano cookies and lobster tails. "I'm hungry," was all he said when Fabrizo stared at him. They'd checked the main stages, the prop rooms, and pretty much opened every unlocked door they found. There was no sign of Jack and Rose, and judging from the talk they were hearing, they weren't the only ones looking for them. "They must still think they're actors," Fabrizo said, as a harried looking P.A. with a walkie-talkie rushed past them, assuring whoever was on the other end that he would "find Kate and Leo."
They were easily findable, but no-one was looking in the obvious places, like their trailers. It was assumed they'd run off in some Method-induced frenzy, so the crew had been instructed to look for them as if they were the characters.
"I never knew movie people were so weird," Fabrizo said. "They've changed."
Cal nodded as he chewed a lobster tail. "I've never liked artistic types," he said.
"I know, and do you have to keep eating like that?"
"What's wrong with the way I'm eating?" Cal said.
"It's annoying."
"I happen to have impeccable table manners," Cal said indignantly.
"This isn't really a time for eating," Fabrizo said.
"But I'm hungry."
"So you've told me," Fabrizo said. "Do you have any idea here they might be?"
"No, not really," Cal admitted. "I can't think of anywhere Rose would go, unless there's a mediocre artist with a stand nearby, and as for him, well, who knows what he might do."
"This is L.A. There's plenty of places they like here," Fabrizo said. "But do they remember? I doubt they'll even know how to get around now. They think it's 1912."
"Isn't it?" Cal said, finishing off a cookie.
"Are you serious? Does any of this look like it's 1912?" Fabrizo said. He picked up the first thing he saw from the table next to them. "Does this look like it's from 1912?"
"Well, I've seen a clipboard before," Cal said. "So, I'd have to say, yes, it does."
"Damn." Fabrizo dropped the clipboard. "What about this?" He help up a pen that changed ink colors. "Have you ever seen a pen with different colored ink?"
"No, I haven't," Cal replied. "But it's just a pen. It's the kind of thing your friend might know about, though. I prefer sensible ink colors."
"What about the walkie talkies?"
"Do you mean those black things we keep seeing people talking into?" Cal said. "They are a bit strange, but that doesn't prove anything. They could be some sort of telephone."
"You can't be serious," Fabrizo said.
"I'll admit odd things are happening. Disturbing things," Cal said. "But I refuse to believe in something as absurd as time travel. This could all be a dream. That would explain everything."
"A dream, huh?"
Cal shrugged. "It's possible."
Without warning, Fabrizo reached out and slapped Cal across the face. It echoed in the vast room, and Cal's head jerked to the side. He grabbed his red cheek. "What in the hell did you do that for?" he cried.
"Still think this is a dream?" Fabrizo said.
"I don; know what to think! How dare you!"
"You know," Fabrizo said. "It always bothered me that you hit Rose. I know you're friends now, and she's forgiven you, and Jack hit you at some point, but as her friend, it's bothered me."
"What are you talking about?" Cal cried. "I've never laid a hand on her. I—I may have implied something this morning, but-"
"Oh, guess you haven't done it yet," Fabrizo said. "This must be somewhere before you have Jack arrested then."
"How did you know I'm planning that?"
"Well…" Fabrizo shrugged. Again, without warning, he slapped Cal across the face, from the other side this time. Cal reeled back, yelling furiously. "What is wrong with you? What kind of-"
"I thought it'd be good to cover everything," Fabrizo said. "That whole breakfast scene. What the hell was that? What did you think that'd do? Make her want you?" Cal stared at him. "I know, she already forgave you," Fabrizo went on. "And Jack already hit you for that too."
"He did not."
"He will," Fabrizo said.
….
Rose snuggled closer to him, half-asleep. Jack held her tightly with both arms. His lips brushed her forehead, and he sighed contentedly. "Don't ever leave me, Rose," he mumbled sleepily.
"I won't."
They didn't know how much time had passed when they woke up two hours later. They didn't know Cal and Fabrizo were still looking for them, or that they had tried and failed to get into the building they were currently taking refuge in. They had no idea shooting had been called off for the day, nor did they know their actor counterparts had left the set after hearing of this, causing even more confusion.
What they did know was they were happy and relieved to find themselves still together. "I thought it might've been a dream," Jack said.
"Me too."
"Guess we should get up. Not much point staying here, is there?"
"No, I suppose not," she said." "But it was nice, sleeping next to you."
"You always can, Rose."
They dressed quickly and set off again, hands clasped. The maze wasn't quite so daunting now. They still had no idea where they were going, but unlike Cal, they were willing to accept the possibility something beyond explanation was happening. "Do you think anyone else is here?" Rose asked.
"I thought I saw Fabrizo, but we ran before I could be sure," Jack answered. "It coulda been someone else, an actor maybe."
"It's so strange. I can't understand how we got to a film set from a ship."
"Maybe we were drugged?" he said.
"But why?"
"I dunno," he said, shrugging.
"And things are so different here. I don't mean just the sets," she said. "Or that the film is somehow about us. Things look different. People are dressed in unusual clothes."
"I noticed that too. Maybe we traveled in time," he said with a laugh. "We could be in an H.G. Wells book."
"I didn't know you liked those."
"I've read a few," Jack said. "They're not bad."
"Do you read a lot?"
"I wouldn't call it a lot," he said. "I like reading. Can't draw all the time."
"I figured you could," Rose said playfully.
"I could draw you all the time," he said, grinning. He squeezed her hand. "What else do you wanna know?"
"Everything," she said.
"Alright."
They stopped for him to open a door. The light was blinding. Heat blasted toward them, bringing the sounds of traffic with it. Jack glanced at her. "Should we see what's out there?"
"We may as well," she said.
…..
"You'd feel a lot better if you ate something," Cal said. He held a fresh plate and was picking out the choicest pieces of roast beef. "It's done wonders for my mood," he added.
"You're kind of an emotional eater, aren't you?" Fabrizo said. "I forgot you used to do this."
"Excuse me?" Cal said.
"Yeah, I remember now. When you were upset about something in the old days you'd eat," Fabrizo said. "If you couldn't do that, you'd drink and sulk or throw a tantrum. Rose got you off the bottle, and your tantrums calmed down after Jack tied you up a few times."
"I would never allow such a thing," Cal said. "And Rose stopped my drinking? Why?"
"It was bad for you. She was helping."
"She—she cares then?" Cal said.
"There's the Cal I know," Fabrizo said. "Still hoping she'll notice you. Bring the platter along. We're looking outside."
AN: Thanks so much everyone for reading my stories!
