April 15th 1912. Night.

"I always win, Jack. One way or another." Cal said to him. He felt a knot form in his stomach. Taking his mind from the situation, he looked down as the boat lowered down. He could see the tears forming in her eyes, feeling them burn in his own as well. He nodded, making sure she was alright and all would be well. She was safe, that was all that matter to him. The situation had turned into a horror scenario within in the course of seconds, making the chance of his survival practically none. His eyes still glued onto her, he could see Rose looking around the boat, then looking back up at him. There was something going on inside of her, he could see it clearly. She suddenly pushed passed a few people, ready to jump out of it back onto the ship. Jack lunged forward as if he could catch her and screamed a loud no that could be heard all the way down. Then a young woman wrapped her arms around Rose's waist and pulled her back in. Jack let out a sigh of relief and within seconds she was out of his sight.

He looked back at his right where Cal was now slowly turning around, ready to walk into the opposite direction. Jack stopped him for a second and said: "Whatever happens to me and for a fact I am certain I won't make it, I trust you to take care of her."

"I have never done anything but take care of her." He simply responded and moved on.

Panic was starting to built around him. Women and children crying out for their fathers and husbands, refusing to leave them behind. Rushing around the decks her crashed into a group of people also waiting to get themselves save into a lifeboat. He kept standing there, his body frozen onto this spot, unable to move. After a while, as the boat was ready to be lowered, he could clearly see it wasn't full. An old man was standing next to him, shivering of the cold.

"Are you alright, sir?" Jack asked him.

The old man looked at him and gave him a smile of sympathy. "You don't have to worry about me, at least I've had a good life."

"This is horseshit." Jack mumbled from underneath his breath and managed to push himself through the group. He turned the officer towards him, "There is plenty more room, look at all these men waiting."

"It's women and children first, sir. And besides, the weight will be too much." The officer said and took a step back from Jack.

"Do you see any more women and children? For god's sake man."

"Don't you dare speak to me like that you third class piece of filth."

"I've been called much worse things and I could say much worse things. Now fill this boat you son of bitch."

The men behind him started to roar and helped each other into the boat. The older man nodded at him, not being able to express his gratitude. Of course there was no place for him after his behaviour towards the White Star Line employee. At least he knew he had done his best to help some. And her. Throughout the situation she was on his mind the whole time. It felt as if he could still feel her behind him, her voice encouraging him to make it through.

The bow was now completely underwater, the stern of the ship slowly rising into the air. The boats were all gone, but there were still fifteen hundred people onboard. Everyone was running after each other or holding on to everything they they thought to be secure enough. He could see the railing slowly coming towards him, he had almost made it to the back. The same spot where the two lovers met, what seemed like the start of a new beginning had now turned into a place where everyone was letting out there last breaths. Jack reached out his hand, ready to hold on when someone pushed him aside. He stumbled to the side and almost recovered himself, but the lifting of the ship was so strong and fast he couldn't keep his balance any longer. A cry escaped his lips followed by the throbbing pain in his head and the shocking cold of the water.

Then. Blackness.

April 18th 1912

He had lifted himself from his bed, holding on to Mrs. Brown's arm.

"You've got this, sonny." She encouraged him and helped him remain his balance. Jack let out a sigh of relief and smiled at the woman next to him. Everyone was already gathered up the decks, waiting until the ship would arrive in New York. His head was still hurting, but the past days of almost only sleeping had done him at least some good. Rain was pouring down as they came outside, the cold air hitting his face hard. He shivered and held his coat close against his body. Looking in the distance, the large crowd of people could already been seen and heard. The sound of sirens pierced through his brain and he squeezed his eyes in agony, putting his hand against his ears. Molly put a gentle arm around him, speaking soft and comfortable words.

After long hours of waiting they were finally allowed to leave the ship. His hands were empty, not a single item he had that belonged to him. Moving slowly behind Mrs. Brown they made their way past the journalists towards a car that had been waiting for them. Molly put him inside the vehicle, made sure he was safe and sound and kindly asked the driver to wait. She stayed within the mass for a short while, making sure that all the poor souls were properly taken care of or reunited with their loved once. She did not see herself as a hero she told a journalist who had found a particular interest into her. Margaret Brown only saw herself as a decent human being, helping ones in need like everyone was supposed to do.

She returned back to the car, ready to leave the chaos behind her. Jack was leaning back into his seat, holding his head in his hands. Molly moved closer towards him and looked into his eyes. She didn't trust it and ordered for them to head towards the nearest hospital. Jack shook his head.

"I am alright, ma'am. Just a bit tired."

"Don't lie to me, Jack. I can see you are in a lot of pain not to forget you can't remember a single thing." She sternly spoke to him.

Having a high status in society could sometimes work to your advantage. Arriving at the hospital, Jack was taken care of immediately by not one but two doctors. Apart from his exhaustion he managed to stay awake whilst they were doing several tests on him. The blow on his head was so intense that caused him to have a slight concussion, but the loss of his memory was something they had not often seen.

"It might be the fluid in your head causing too much tension," One of them said, "I hope it will fade over time. What is your full name, sir?"

"Jack Alexander Francis Dawson."

"Age."

"Seventeen, sir."

Molly shook her head at the doctor. "He is over twenty years old."

"I see." Writing his final things down he allowed them to go back home. They had given him medicine for his pain, but couldn't help him with his memory. Frustrated, Molly brought him to her apartment in New York. She hated this city and all the people in it, but because of her husband's job they unfortunately had to be her often. She longed to rest her head onto her own pillow and come at ease in the comforting surroundings of the south. It was the people there whom she trusted.

Before their departure, Rose had given Molly the address of both her house in Philadelphia as the hotel in New York they would be staying at for the night. She wanted to stay updated on everything that was happening with him. Mrs. Brown snuck out of her bedroom later that night and poured herself a glass of brandy. Grabbing the phone she tried to get a hold of Rose, but unfortunately she was already asleep. She wanted to call herself crazy for encouraging the affair of the two star crossed lovers, but also she had been young once. The way Rose looked at him so hopelessly and full of longing as she stayed next to his bed was something she hadn't seen in a very long time. It warmth her heart deeply. She grabbed a pen and a piece of paper out of a drawer and started to write.

Dear Rose,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and you have somewhat recovered from the events. I am sending this letter anonymously, but you know who I am. I have made you a promise to look after him until he has the strength and I will keep that promise. At our arrival we immediately went to the hospital. Apart from having a concussion he has lost three years of his life, the last three years. I hope the specialists in the West can give us better help than these bastards here (excuse my language).

The best thing for you is to do is not to worry and to focus on your own wellbeing. He will be fine, I just know it, but for you I think it's good to let it go. You can always contact me, Rose.

Take care

Rose angrily tore the paper apart and threw the remains into her fireplace. Watching the letter filled with those hurtful words and sentences turn into ashes. She couldn't pretend any longer and had to come to terms with herself. It was hard and she was too stubborn to accept the reality of him not wanting to have to do anything with her. She did not take part in his life anymore, in fact, she never even had. But still he was her whole world. His presence occupying her mind continuously. She grabbed a pack of cigarettes from out of her nightstand and let the smoke hurt her throat. The house was quiet when she headed down, but her mother soon greeted her when she entered the drawing room.

It had hurt Ruth in some way to see her daughter in the state she was in and had kept her inside the house for most of the week. Rose sat down onto the coach and lit up another smoke. Feeling her mother's disapproval look out of the corner of her eyes, Rose knew she was too afraid to say anything to her.

"You want any tea?" Was all Ruth was able to ask her daughter.

"No thank you." Rose responded.

"You know we have to start focussing on the things that are lying ahead of us, Rose. I have found you a new maid and she will start tomorrow. From tomorrow on I want you to get dressed properly and show yourself into society. People have been extremely worried about you and been asking how you are doing all this time."

"I know." Rose mumbled and blew the smoke out into the room. Then it just spat out of her, without contemplating she confessed the beginning of her secrets.

"Remember the night when I was leaning over the railing and I slipped, mother?"

Ruth nodded.

"I didn't slip. I knew what I was doing. I was done with everything. With my whole life, with you, Cal and all the other people in it. It all seemed to be heading towards a dead end. So I made the excuse that I was heaving a headache so I could leave the table. I just started running and running until I stood there. The end of the ship representing the end of my life. So I climbed the railing very cautiously. I wanted to jump."

"But you didn't."

"No I didn't. Because he talked me out of it. The minute I looked at him something eased within me. Like he could see right through me. I believe that in that exact moment I fell in love with him."

Ruth couldn't bare to hear more of it. She stood up, straightened her back and walked out of the room. Getting her old daughter back was something that seemed to be impossible. She didn't recognise her in any way shape or form and had to accept that it was going to take a while. Rose didn't represent anything of her mother at this age. Ruth had always lived in luxury and was always thankful for the world she grew up in. The endless attention she got as a young woman, the fine clothes and the warmth of a roof over her head. She had never longed for a different life or any form of adventure, unlike her sister. She could see her in Rose's eyes, the way she talked and her little manners. Penelope was three years older than Ruth, always broke the rules and did whatever popped up in her head. At night she would sneak of out of the house only to return early the next morning to pretend nothing had happened. She was a professional in her mischief.

One night, Penelope snuck into Ruth's bed and placed her little sister's hand on her stomach.

"I have done terrible things, Ruth." She said with a slight panic in her voice, "I am going away and i am afraid you will never see me again."

"Why not?"

"Because I am not allowed to come back."

Five weeks after their conversation Ruth received a letter that Penelope had settled somewhere in Italy where she was now living with her three children and husband. They often write letters to one another mostly Christmas cards.

Rose watched as the clock ticked further. It was already four on the afternoon and she had just managed to get out of her bed. Now she would remain here in this room until she could go back to sleep. The next morning her mother woke her up early. The daylight of spring peaked slightly through her curtains and birds could be heard singing outside. Putting on her dressing gown she made her way down. In the hallway there was a woman waiting for her. Her back was towards Rose as she admired the decorations of the house. Ruth cleared her throat and the girl quickly turned around. Rose's eyes widened in disbelief as well as the other girl's. They both were at a loss for words and the woman put down her little suitcase.

"Rose, this is miss Davis. She'll be replacing Trudy."

"Will you come up with me, miss Davis?" Rose asked her, "I will show you my room."

Miss Davis smiled and nodded. Rose quickly shut her door and locked it as they entered. She moved closer towards her new maid and hugged her tightly. The world was a small place after all. Never in a million years would she have expected to see her again.

"I can't believe it," Meredith said, "I had been looking for you everywhere after you left, but you had just vanished."

"My mother found me." Rose sighed and sat down onto her bed. "She had been offered a stateroom and demanded me to stay there as well."

"And all the while I thought you were just some poor immigrant like me." She looked around the room and at some of Rose's dresses that were scattered around. Rose tried to smile at her, but found it hard to do so.

"I have been a maid in London for a few years so when I saw the application for this job I thought it would be the best thing to do."

"I can't express my happiness, Meredith. I couldn't help myself but think about you everyday, you were all alone."

Meredith's eyes started to glisten as she thought of her friends. They had their whole future planned out together, saved money for five years to make their dreams come true. They were nothing but a memory now. She quickly wiped a fallen tear off her cheek. Rose took both her hands and squeezed them slightly. She was safe now, she didn't have to worry anymore. Soon after their conversation Meredith was called to come down and get herself settled. Rose watched her golden hair disappear from her sight and made her way towards the dining room.

Cal was sitting ahead of the table, reading his newspaper and looked up as he saw her walking through the door. He stood up, placed his paper down and and welcomed her with open arms. Rose's body stiffened for a minute as she felt his lips press against her cheek.

"How are you Sweet Pea?" he asked her, "Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough, thank you." She sat down next to him and was immediately poured a cup of tea. She looked at the drink in front of her and knew she needed something stronger. Being satisfied with her coffee she tried to eat the fruit salad that was in front of her. Eating had been a difficult thing since the accident. She couldn't handle the smell nor the taste of anything she ate. Her stomach felt twisted all the time.

"I was thinking about getting you some new dresses, Sweet Pea. It's good to get into town and get your mind off things."

She simply nodded her head. "Thank you, Cal."

In her mind, Rose could still hear the sound of the shattering tableware the last time they had breakfast together.

"You will never behave like that again, Rose." His demanding voice burst through her mind loudly. How afraid she was at that time. But despite the same circumstances and the same man that was now in front of her, she could not allow herself to feel the same emotions. She now possessed a form of power she never knew she had in her. Rose turned her head towards the window where she could see Meredith walking in the garden together with the housekeeper and smiled.