By Cecelia Dowdy - visit titanicfanfiction dotcom

based upon characters created by James Cameron

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Chapter 25

Jack silently prayed all night as they pored over maps, looking at Cal's vast property holdings and reading papers about his background, thinking, speculating. Lymen kept good on his word and called a friend of his who was a discreet policeman. The policeman gave them some insight about their search for Cal. "This secluded property over in downstate New York could be where he's taken her. It's only two hours away and from what we can gather it's a hunting lodge."

Jack frowned. "A hunting lodge?"

Lymen told them about the lodge. "Yes, Cal's father, Nathan, and Cal would hunt for sport in that area. The lodge is secluded and I'd bet that Cal is there."

The officer spoke. "I've already alerted the police force to keep a look out for Cal and Rose in our area."

Jack's mouth dropped open. "But, you read his note! He said no authorities."

The policeman patted Jack's arm. "Jack, you'll need to trust us on this. It's best if we're involved because you don't know what Cal is going to do. We're used to handling this sort thing. If Cal gets crazy, then, you'll want us around to help. What if Cal's still in the area? You'll want somebody to alert us if they see Cal or Rose."

Sighing, Jack silently agreed, but, he didn't like it. "Well, let's get going."

The policeman spoke. "Our police department has two cars we can use. We'll take a couple of squad cars so that we can get there much quicker. The vehicles are outside."

"Lymen, can I go with you?" Cecile's voice sounded in the room while she approached Lymen. Lymen cradled Cecile's hand and kissed her palm, and her pale skin flushed with embarrassment. She then shivered, as if she'd caught a chill. Jack had forgotten all about her. What a strange woman! She still held the huge wedge of cheese he'd sliced earlier and she'd apparently been nibbling on it all night. She'd been flitting in and out of the office over the last few hours like a silent ghost, her nightgown billowing out behind her when she'd walked. At one point, Jack had caught her openly staring at him, and he'd wondered what was going through her mind. Was Cecile just as crazy as Cal Hockley?

Lymen clutched Cecile's bony fingers, shaking his head, his dark eyes full of affection. "No, I want you to stay here. We have to hurry so I don't have time to drop you off at Mrs. Roker's."

Jack, the policeman, Pastor Michael, and Paul, stood at the door, waiting for Lymen. "Hurry up!" called Jack. They needed to get going - they didn't have time for romantic good-byes.

Lymen pulled Cecile into his arms and kissed her on the mouth. Jack looked away, before rushing down the stairs, everybody else following close behind. They broke up into two groups. Jack, Pastor Michael and Paul got into one police car along with the police officer who'd been helping them all night. Another officer was driving the other car and Lymen got into that vehicle.

The police officer spoke while he started the engine. "Like Lymen said, it's going take us at least two hours to get there."

"Two hours! Can't you drive fast and get there quicker?" Jack didn't know how he could ride in this squad car for two whole hours!

"Son, we'll be going as fast as this car can carry us."

Soon, they were on the road and Jack bowed his head and prayed, refusing to open his eyes. He took deep breaths, hoping and praying nothing bad would happen to Rose. Lord, I'll die if something happens to my wife. Jack didn't know how he'd go on living if he lost his wife after only being married to her for one day.

Two hours later, the officer's voice broke into Jack's prayer. "Bingo." Jack opened his eyes, spotting a fancy Model T in front of the secluded hunting lodge. "That's Hockley's vehicle."

"So, he has Rose trapped in there?" Jack got out of the car, and ran toward the house. The officer yelled to him to stop, but, Jack couldn't stop. Rose could be trapped in there and he had to do what he could to find her. The early dawn sun was now shining from the sky, lighting his path toward the house. He saw there were a few windows in the cabin. He figured he had to look in each window to see if he spotted Rose inside.

I swallowed, desperately needing a glass of water. Weak sunlight spilled into the white room, illuminating my pale body. My head raged with hot, vivid pain and I felt dried blood on my forehead.

One day. Dear Lord, it had been one day and Cal was still holding me hostage in an unknown house. Lord, help me, please help me. By the grace of God, although Cal had knocked me out, I was grateful that he had not violated my body. But, each hour, he threatened to cut the baby out of my stomach, a crazed look in his dark eyes. Then, later, the dazed expression in his eyes would disappear, and he would begin talking to me as if we were still engaged!

I almost felt as if Cal were several different people, and I had to decide which person he was before I altered my actions accordingly. I had no idea what was up with Cal, but, the entire time I'd known him, he'd never acted this!

"Water," I mumbled.

Cal strolled into the room, and he looked insane! His dark hair appeared wild and mussed and his clothes were wrinkled. He glanced at me, a wild and crazy look in his eyes. "Why aren't you dressed?" His eyes swiped the room, as if he were searching for something.

I blinked, realizing Cal was talking crazy again. What was wrong with him? "You ripped my dress, remember?" I didn't bother mentioning that my hands and feet were shackled.

"You know you can't wear that awful-looking dress when we go see my mother for lunch."

What was he talking about? Would he take me away from this place, offering a means of escape? For the first time in hours, a thread of excitement shot through me. I decided to play along and act as if we were going out to lunch with Cal's mother. "I need to get ready for lunch. I look awful."

Cal strolled over to me, leering at my body like a half-starved animal. "Why are your hands and feet cuffed? Are you trying to arouse me?" His tone turned playful, and he leaned over me, stroking my pale skin with his long fingers. I tried not to flinch as he stroked my torso and my legs. "Your stomach is getting pudgy. You need to stop eating so many cookies."

I winced, tolerating his touch. Cal's eyes were closed, his back facing the window. I spotted a thread of movement, and I gasped! Jack! Jack looked right at me! His blue-green eyes blazed and he looked like he wanted to pummel Cal! He placed his finger to his lips, gesturing for me to remain silent. Cal continued to fondle my naked body. He then leaned toward my face, his mouth crashing into mine. I tried not to retch as he invaded my mouth with his tongue. He broke away from me, looking around the room, a wild expression in his eyes. "Where is the key to the cuffs?"

I'd seen him place the key into his pocket. He'd only unlocked me when I needed to go to the privy. "It's in your pocket, remember?"

He removed the key and un-cuffed me. I wiggled my fingers and toes, excitement and hope crashing through me. I was hoping I'd finally be rescued! I glanced at the window again and I no longer saw Jack. Was I going crazy? Had I missed Jack so much that I'd imagined seeing him at the window?

I stood on my shaky legs, searching for my ripped dress. Cal stalked toward me, slamming his hand into my cheek! I whimpered, dropping onto the floor. "You little whore! Sleeping with Jack Dawson was the worst mistake you've ever made!" He then grabbed my hair, pulling it until I yelped. "Don't bother screaming. Nobody will come to rescue you here. You're out in the middle of nowhere." He then pulled a gun from his pocket, placing it to my temple. "I ought to blow your brains out right now. Nobody messes with Cal Hockley. I ALWAYS WIN!"

"Cal, don't do it." Jack's wonderful voice suddenly filled the room. Cal gasped, still clutching my hair. I glanced at Jack as he entered.

"Don't come any closer or I'll shoot her in the head! I mean it!" Cal looked at Jack, his eyes wild and crazy. "I know you have a weapon. You better disarm yourself before I blow her to pieces!" My heart beating a hundred miles per minute, I watched Jack remove a gun from his belt, sliding the weapon across the floor. The gun clattered against the wall and I almost cried. How could Jack rescue me without his weapon? "You're nothing but a gutter rat!" Spittle flew from Cal's mouth while he looked at Jack. "You're nothing but poor dirty trash and she's nothing but a filthy whore! A whore who doesn't know how to keep her legs closed!"

Jack put his hands into the air, his mouth quivering with anger. I had no idea how I'd be rescued. How did he find us? Did he come out here all alone? Was I going to make it out of here alive? Keeping my eyes open, I silently prayed, I prayed harder than I'd ever prayed in my entire life. Jack finally spoke. "That's right, Cal. I'm poor dirty trash and I messed things up for you. But, don't take it out on Rose. It was me. It's all my fault. You should take me hostage instead and-"

"SHUT UP!" Cal glanced around the room, his eyes laced with craze. I was hoping he'd get confused again and think that we needed to get ready to meet his mother for lunch. I spotted a wild stray cat traipse past the window, meowing. Startled, Cal looked over at the window for a split second, momentarily dropping his hand away from my head.

An earth-shattering gunshot filled the room when Jack fired his weapon. Cal screamed, buckling over, dropping his weapon on the floor. A pool of red blood rushed from his leg and then Cal whimpered before he passed out.

Jack ran over to me and some other people rushed into the room, too. I barely paid the others any attention, my eyes were only focused on Jack Dawson. "Rose!" He pulled me into his strong arms, his lips descending onto mine. He kissed me for a long time before pushing my hair away from my face. He saw the blood on my forehead. "Oh, Rose." He sounded wounded, hurt, and I sighed, the magnitude of what had occurred over the last day crashing upon me.

"You shot Cal." I whispered. "How did you shoot Cal? Cal made you remove your weapon."

"I came prepared. I had a spare gun tucked into the back of my belt."

My mind buzzed, and then I passed out in Jack's arms.

I woke up, blinking, again seeing white walls. Had I been dreaming? Was I still being held hostage by Cal Hockley? I blinked again and everything slowly came into focus. I was in a hospital room. A nurse stood at the side of my bed, giving me a warm smile. "We've been worried about you. I'm so glad you woke up." Still stunned, I tried to get my bearings.

I spotted Jack slouching in a chair across the room, his eyes were closed - he was fast asleep. He looked so handsome! Razor stubble covered his cheeks and his light snores spilled into the room. The nurse spoke again. "Your husband was pretty worried about you. He refused to leave your side all night."

Upon hearing our voices, Jack's eyes fluttered open. He spotted me and rushed over to my bed. He pulled me into his arms, hugging me gently, kissing my cheek. His lips then touched mine in a light, spine-tingling kiss. "Hey you," he muttered, his blue-gray eyes twinkling. Dark circles were beneath his eyes and he looked tired, tired but so handsome! Right now, Jack Dawson was the only person that I wanted to see on the face of this earth.

"Jack." My voice sounded cracked and my throat was dry. "Can I have some water?"

The nurse's voice interrupted us. "Here's a cup of water." She helped me to sit up and I guzzled the liquid. "Don't drink it too fast," she warned. After I'd emptied the cup, she gave me another cup of water. "Sip this. I'll be back later to check on you." The white-uniformed nurse then exited the room and I was alone with Jack.

My forehead felt funny so I touched it, realizing a bandage covered my head. Thoughts about Cal slammed into my mind like a freight train. Tears flooded my eyes and slid down my cheeks. "Baby, what's wrong?" Jack's voice filled with tenderness as he wiped the tears away from my cheeks. He then placed his hand over my pregnant belly, massaging my stomach. The gesture was both erotic and loving. "Are you still worried about Cal?"

I nodded. "Where is he?"

"He's in a confined room here at the hospital in the psychiatric ward. Sweetheart, the police need to talk to you about Cal. He's not acting right. They think he's mentally unstable. They have the note that was left in our apartment. The police were able to determine that he'd hired somebody to abduct you and he also hired somebody to break into our apartment and steal the necklace."

I sighed, not wanting to talk to the police, but, I figured I had to. I just wanted to go home and be alone with Jack. The police and the hospital psychiatrist came into the room a short time later and Jack stayed with me the entire time I was questioned, holding my hand. In a tearful voice, I told them about Cal's actions. I mentioned how he seemed to have multiple personalities, acting different ways and how I had to alter my actions to accommodate his mood swings. "I'd never seen him like that before, it was like he suddenly snapped."

The psychiatrist nodded. "Sounds like schizophrenia. I've requested his files from his childhood incarceration in the mental hospital," he sighed, patting my hand. "Sometimes, an event will happen to trigger a person's schizophrenia."

I gasped, worried. "You mean Cal went crazy just because I refused to marry him?"

"I didn't say that, ma'am. There may have been no event. But, schizophrenia is sometimes linked to age. In a lot of my patients, it starts around 25 years of age, or sometime shortly before that." He continued patting my hand. "I'm so sorry you had to go through this."

Cold, vivid fear suddenly gripped me. "Will Cal be allowed out?" What if he came back for me again? What if he tried to kill me again?

The psychiatrist shook his head. "No, he has to be put away. He's too unstable to be around others in society."

After the police and the psychiatrist had exited my room, Jack pulled me into a hug. "Rose, I love you so much. We've been through a lot. I can't wait for us to get home and put this entire ordeal behind us."

"I love you too, Jack." I took a deep breath, enjoying having Jack's strong capable arms around me. I sensed we'd have a long and happy life together.