Chapter 20

Jack

May 11, 1912

"This will be your office, Dawson." Jamison directed me into the room at the end of the hallway. I couldn't believe this. From the assembly line to my own desk in a matter of weeks? Then Rose and soon Cora? Damn! Someone was looking out for me. Or someone bad was about to happen…. I didn't want to think about it, so I just went with it. Fingers crossed for ongoing good luck.

Jamison flipped on the light. There wasn't much natural light made its way into the room, but there was a drafting table facing the one window. A desk sat on the other side of the room. Various pictures decorated the beige stucco walls, and a dusty liquor cabinet sat in the corner of the room between two basically empty brown bookshelves. I noticed the little window overlooked the city.

"Who gets that desk?" I asked. I didn't mind having a bunk buddy, but I hoped he was someone alright. Although this office did not look like it had been used in months.

"It's Robert Atwood's," Jamison ran his finger along the empty desk top. He flicked the dust off his fingertip. "But he's using his father's office while Alfred is out."

I nodded. Alfred Atwood must have been out of work for a while now. Rose hadn't told me much about him other than something about possible tuberculosis. Poor fellow.

"It's still my office, Dawson," Robert appeared in the doorway. I immediately thought of Rose and the last few conversations I had had with Robert. Could we pull off this cousin bullshit? I felt so underdressed in my suspenders and raggedy pants. Robert was dressed in a full suit. Rose and I would have to talk to Molly about getting some more suits from her son. I pushed my hair out of my eyes.

"I wouldn't expect otherwise," I held out my right hand with a welcoming smile. Robert took it and gave a firm shake.

"Mr. Jamison, do you mind if I have a word with Jack? We need to talk business." He then turned his head toward me. "How does that feel, Dawson? Being part of business talk?"

I laughed. "I would say it's an honor." Honestly though, business talk scared me. It was usually too slimy for my liking.

"I'll get out of your hair, boys." He winked at me and slipped out the doorway. Robert stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. I suddenly felt anxious. I slipped my thumbs into my belt loops and itched for a cigarette. I did not like being alone with Robert.

"So business talk," I said breaking the what I felt was awkward silence.

"Business talk." Robert repeated and pulled two cigars from his breast pocket. "Actually, Jack, I wanted to talk to you about personal matters."

"Personal matters?" My smile dropped and throat was dry. "Well do you mind if I get myself a drink then?" I wanted a swig of gin or anything to clear my head. Robert handed me a cigar.

"Go right ahead," he gestured toward the dusty liquor cabinet with a genuine smile. He really thought we were friends. He had no idea I was the enemy. The enemy…I was basically the dog sleeping with his woman. But she was my girl no doubt about it. Rose and I just had to figure something out. "Manly talk over brandy and cigars."

Brandy and cigars... This bought me back to a too familiar place on the Titanic. I slipped the cigar in my mouth and flicked it back and forth with my tongue. I hadn't smoked one of these in a while. I think the last time I could even afford a cigar was back in Paris. Robert lit it for me. A cloud of smoke filled the room.

"Please, help yourself to the brandy. It's a bit aged, but that only makes it better, right?" Robert sat at the dusty desk. "And don't worry, I won't tell anyone about this little break of ours. Plus, Jamison won't care as long as I'm here." I was utterly confused. Why was he being so genuine to me?

I hesitated, but helped myself to the liquor cabinet.

"Now Jack, I know this isn't very professional of me, but—" He hesitated, like he was scared to ask something. My back was to him now and I thanked God that he couldn't see my tense grip around the bottle of brandy. I knew exactly who he was going to ask about.

"What do you want to know about my cousin Rose?" I swallowed hard and kept my back to him.

"You're her only living family that I know of. Although, I've heard from my mother that her mother lives somewhere in Pennsylvania. But considering the circumstances…."

"What circumstances?" I did not like where this was headed.

"You two appear to be very close," he took another hit of his cigar. "I've grown very fond of her, I'm just not sure if she returns the feelings."

"Feelings of what?" I finally turned around to face him and tried to play dumb. I couldn't listen to Robert talk about my girl like this. Of course she doesn't return your feelings because he loves me!

"I want to know how she feels about me! I haven't had the courage to ask her myself." He laughed and took a hit of his cigar. His tone suddenly turned very serious. "But I'm asking you for your permission for me to ask her to—"

There was a knock on the door. Jamison poked his head around the door. "Robert? Hockley is here to see you."

Shit. That name never meant anything good. Even if it wasn't Cal, I had to get out of this room. I was never one to run from a fight, but I had to run. I needed to get out of this room. Get back to my Rose before things got any worse.

"Great!" Robert smiled. "Send him in. I'm sure Jack would love to meet our business partner, Mr. Hockley."

"Actually, I really need to get going—" I made my way toward the door. I didn't even have an excuse for leaving. I just needed to get out. Now.

"Don't be silly, Dawson," A face I had prayed to God I would never see again appeared in the doorway: Caledon Hockley.

Rose

May 11, 1912

I twiddled my thumbs and stared at the painting on the wall of the museum. I was supposed to be preparing for my noon tour on Monet, but I still could not understand Picasso. The lines and the shapes. It's said to be a self-portrait of him, but his style was so abstract. I would have to ask Jack more about it.

Oh Jack. It was so great to have him back in my life. I couldn't breathe when I thought of him. I couldn't think. Knowing he was actually alive and well was so overwhelming, even more so than the thought of him being gone. I couldn't stop thinking about the feel of his lips on mine, or how his body moved with mine when we made love…

"Rose," A woman's voice broke me from my trance. I looked over my shoulder to my surprise to find Clara. I don't think she had spoken to me more than once since I started working at the museum just weeks ago. "There's a man here to see you." She did not look happy to report this bit of information to me. Clara didn't care for me whatsoever. I think the only time I'd ever seen her smile was when Robert was around. She was a beautiful girl. Her blonde hair and blue dress compliment her eyes perfectly. She even reminded me a bit of Wendy, but with a permanent pain in her behind.

"Are you sure he's just not here for the tour?" I asked. It was 11:37am. I was trying to be pleasant to Clara. I really was.

"He asked for you specifically," she rolled her eyes. "He says his name is Cousin Jack."

I felt my face turn red. I hoped to God Clara didn't notice. I tried to cover my face up by pulling out my butterfly comb and repositioning it in my hair. "This darn thing keeps falling out."

If she could chew gum in the museum, she would have snapped it loudly right then. I pushed the hair out of my eyes. She stared at me, waiting for an answer.

"Where is he?" I asked. "I can meet him at the door. No need for you to bring him to me—"

"I'm right here, Rosie." Jack's head poked around the corner. I felt air leave my body immediately. I still was not used to seeing his face full of color.

"You need a ticket, sir." Clara snapped and stepped in the doorway blocking his entry into the first exhibit where I stood.

"I'll only stay for just a minute." Jack smiled his signature grin.

"Rose," Clara looked even more annoyed than before. Apparently she was not having Jack's charm today. "He needs a ticket to be in here—"

"It's fine," I walked past Clara and grabbed Jack's wrist. "Let's step outside."

"Clara, it's been a real pleasure." He put his hands together and gave her a small bow. I pushed him along and tried to muffle our laughter. I felt Clara's eyes on us as we walked out of the museum. I could swear I heard her say something snarky under her breath, but I couldn't make it out. I chose to leave that fight for another day.

Jack and I walked outside into the late-morning sun. I loved my job at the museum, but the natural light allowed me to breathe again. Jack slipped his hand into mine and pulled me around the corner of the building. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me full on the mouth. I wanted to melt into his arms, but I quickly remembered where I was.

I pushed him off me. "Why are you here, Cousin Jack?" He coughed loudly, straightened up, and gave me a wide smile. But something was off about him. He was trying to hide something from me.

"Dear Cousin Rose! Am I not allowed to visit my working girl?" He whispered "my" under his breath. "I still cannot believe you have a job. It amazes me. Stuck up DeWitt Bukater would never have a job."

"Speaking of jobs, why aren't you at yours?" I asked. I knew something was wrong even before his smile dropped and his eyes became very serious.

"We have a problem," he said.

"Our lives are full of problems right now," I laughed, trying to lift his mood. "What more could we possibly deal with right now?"

"Cal is back," he growled. I couldn't believe my ears. I knew Cal was in the city, but it was New York of all places. I never thought I would have to see his face again. "He and Robert work together. I was forced to say in the same room as that bastard while the two talked like old friends."

"How long—?" Once again, I couldn't think or breathe, but this time it was out of fear.

"Months apparently. It's been the works since before the sinking."

"Wait, what's been in the works?"

"The two are business partners. They're still working on a name for when they merge companies, but this is not good, Rose. Not good at all."

"Well obviously!" I shouted. "What else happened?"

"Nothing really. Robert introduced me to him and we just talked about the future of the company for a few minutes, but those minutes were hell. I just cannot be around him! I have to quit—"

"No!" I tried to steady my voice. "Did he say anything to you alone?" I asked and grabbed Jack's shoulders to hold him steady. He was shaking in anger.

"No, but I know for a fact he's not just after you. I know he wants to diamond too and will make our lives hell in the meantime just because he can. God, I hate him!" He kicked a trashcan with full force.

"We will figure it out. For us. For Cora," I said firmly and kissed my Jack on the forehead. It was just another thing on our plate of troubles. But if Cal wanted to play games and somehow weasel his way back into my life, Jack and I were ready this time.