Thank you for the messages and reviews. I honestly have been so carried away with changing and perfecting other stories that I have forgotten about this one!

Chapter eight:

Rose didn't know how her legs had carried her outside when they were shaking so violently as they were right now. She clung to the rail on the porch, tears couldn't stop falling, down her cheeks, her neck to her chest and some flew down her dress, onto the floor; they were uncontrollable. She grasped her chest struggling to breathe. The memories which she had supressed for so long seemed to come screaming back to her. The memories which she had put away into a tiny box in her head and vowed to never let out. Until now. There was so much which had kept her anxiety right at the brim. Perhaps this was what the doctor had meant; she was erratic and unable to be under control at times. But there was only one answer; a pill. Treatment. Sedations. Medications to poison her into behaving and curbing every ounce of enthusiasm which she had ever managed to muster.

Meeting Jack was the only time she had truly allowed herself to be free, to try and find herself and in the last few days she seemed to have discovered herself more than she had ever known. She was stronger than she thought, perhaps Jack was her back bone, the outlet of grief and everything else in her life which she needed. Whilst the other girls were out there, finding themselves, she was locked away, being taught each day to be somebody that she wasn't. She was taught to fight every single natural instinct. She was a woman; they wouldn't have choices. Women could vote, smoke, consume alcohol and dance with strange men; all of this was now socially acceptable except to her. Her own mother despised her daughter's natural way of behaviour. For God's sake, one slouch at dinner was like she had committed the ultimate sin and now here she was, with Jack. He encouraged the exact opposite of what her mother did; he wanted to see her free, to dance, to be herself and there was nobody there to correct her. Just encouragement. Nurture. Support. Happiness. It was as though she had awoken up from a long slumber into a cool, refreshing night and there was only Jack there to greet her. Exhilaration.

A gentle hand took hold of her shoulder and Rose turned. The next thing she knew she was clinging to Jack's chest so tightly as though her life depended on it. She knew that she could be seen on the front porch but that didn't matter at this moment in time. He was silent as he stroked her hair, his own lips white from anger. His breathing was ragged from adrenaline. Tommy stepped out onto the porch, fully dressed, having found a shirt and smoking another cigarette. He nodded silently at Jack, as though something had transpired between them.

''I'm off to the bar. If you need anything...'' Tommy's lips set into a grim line. ''Any kind of—help.'' Jack knew what he was referring to. If he needed help with Hockley. Tommy walked from the porch. He had known to leave the pair alone. Jack watched him walk up the street in the cocky manner in which he did and a part of that appealed to him in the most disillusioned way. Fighting wasn't him, ever.

Turning back to Rose, he focused on her. There had been something about the way Rose had been that day, something odd but Jack hadn't even expected her to tell him half of her past. The thing was now that Tommy knew any of it, not that he couldn't be trusted, it would fuel his hatred for the damned family. Tommy would get hold of Hockley and not let him go. His reputation of being a first-class fighter was brilliant, even Jack feared been nearby when he fought; especially if he ever would face the Hockley's.

''I'm so sorry.'' Rose cried; her words almost inaudible as she pressed her nose into Jack's crisp white shirt and inhaled in the security of him. ''I really am sorry.''

Pulling away, Jack touched her face. Her beautiful face. She didn't deserve to cry anymore. Not for the same reasons. Not when she could have so much more than this. Was worth so much more.

''What are you sorry for Rose? There's nothing for you to apologise for.'' He pulled her close to him again, and felt her tremble. Felt her shivering and shaking. It sent ripples across him as she pressed her nose into his shirt, into his neck, burying herself and growing closer in literally any way that she could just to feel the connection with him.

''For the trouble I caused. This silly outburst.''

''You're not silly.'' Jack whispered. ''This is far from silly.''

Tightening his arms around Rose's body, he kissed her hair gently before raising his left hand and stroking her curls tenderly, Rose felt comforted by him and she closed her eyes against his chest feeling safe in his arms. It was humiliating in part, but also truly satisfying to have some comfort. A comfort which would be hard to release herself from. She stayed there for several minutes before she pulled away to try to compose herself.

''I feel so-'' The tears came again before she managed to gain some reign on herself. ''I am so utterly foolish,'' she wiped her face, her eyes and tried to fix her hair. ''When one hasn't cried in so long, it is so easy to get carried away with it.'' She tried to laugh, to make light of the situation but when Jack watched her so intently, with those blue eyes so honest and pure, she couldn't help but falter this external show she had decided to put on.

''Don't do that.'' He told her. Her silly smile faded. ''Not with me. There's no need to pretend at all.''

Rose opened her mouth to speak when she realised that nothing, she said would make him believe her. He knew her. He seemed to be able to examine the very depths of her soul and there was nothing that she could ever do about it but allow him the access because at the end of it, he would serve what she needed; comfort, truth...happiness. The endless list which she felt would never fully be hers.

''I cannot pretend with you; I suppose that is why I feeling utterly exposed all ready.''

''I don't want pretend. I just want you.'' Upon Jack's confession, her eyes shone brighter and he softened to speak again. ''Look, I know Cara.'' Jack told her; his voice low as he didn't take his eyes away from Rose, watching her every eye movement just to gage with her. ''She is one of the girls from the Grill. She told me a twisted version of your story, including that Hockley made you out to be insane. The story of the doctors, how your mother locks you away in that tower.''

Rose nodded. She couldn't hide any of it now. ''Yes.'' She shook her head. ''I hear she is delightful. I was aware that she was involved in keeping the story of alive.''

Jack smiled. ''Yes, well she knows all of the men around here very well.''

''You knew this all along and yet you still chose to be around me? You still chose to kiss me?''

''Yes. Because I know how much of it was horse shit.'' He came closer to her. ''I don't care about any of that. I care about you. I won't let him near you again.''

Rose closed her eyes as his hands came up to her cheeks and wiped away the fresh lot of falling tears. ''I am not insane. The Hockley's paid the doctor to diagnose me with some utterly absurd illness.''

''I know that.'' Jack's voice soothed her. Glancing out at the quietness of the street, at the children playing, at the peace of the life just streets away from her own. It seemed to be a different world. A world which she felt in. Possibly because of Jack. She was unravelling...something inside of her was coming open.

''I don't know how to keep them away from me.''

Jack paused to think, but honestly, he was thoughtless. ''We will find a way. That I will promise you.''

''Does this not frighten you?''

Jack tilted her head to expose his concerned frown. ''No, he doesn't frighten me. I would only be scared to lose you.''

''I am already lost. Utterly and bewildered. I don't know who I am or how to be anything other than the person I am when I am with you.''

''Then, just be her.''

Jack leaned forward ever so slightly, so that their lips came into contact for just the briefest few moments. Rose felt her heart flutter and all of her nerves seemed to disappear and be replaced by a need to just stay there within the safety net of his arms. In his company. It was the place where she was her truest self.

Gently, Jack took her right hand in his left and moved forward once again. He kissed her again with more passion than the first time. She could feel his warmth next to her, but yet she still shivered. The outside world seemed to disappear. It was just them now. No more words were needed to express what each felt towards the other. Rose felt as though there was no air. She was dizzy. She struggled and time stood still. Everything which he said to her was so pure, so emotional and she clung onto each and every word. It was as though he was the drug which she had needed to take for so long. The one which she had prescribed herself. Her diagnosis was unknown but whilst he kept medicating her; she would take it because he made her feel wonderful. Alive. Awake.

''I feel as though I am standing on solid ground for the first time.''

Jack nuzzled his nose against her neck, her face and beneath her dress, Rose's heart pounded with such a force that it made her stammer. Dizzy. Surrender. To her feelings.

''You will stand still. The fear will go. He won't take anything else away from you.'' He smoothed out her hair, brushing his mouth against it slowly. ''He won't make you quiver with fear the way that he wished to anymore because you are stronger, you are aware.''

''Because of you.''

''Me?''

''Yes, you, you make me feel less fearful and more filled with such hope.''

Jack smiled, revealing the dimples which she had grown to love so much.

''Then, don't let me go,'' she repeated the words which she had said at the beach the first night they had kissed, ''ever.''

There, she had surrendered. Reaching to him, her hand was caught by his and clasped to his chest where feeling beneath the threads of his linen shirt was a heart which pounded just as hard as her own. Beat for her. He was affected by her. Beneath the bright and beaming sun, there was a beauty within him which she had failed to notice before now. He was handsome; but now there was a fire in his eyes too. A longing. A fight which he would be willing to fight on her behalf and she saw within him too, truly, thoroughly. ''Do you really think that I could? That I intend to.''

''Jack?'' She queried the concern which was in his eyes.

''It's all right.'' He fanned away the flames of his concern. ''Come inside. It's hot out here.''

She did.

That evening, 11pm.

Cal's brandy glass was refilled. Lovejoy stood ever so still, almost like a cat about to catch his prey. Every now and again, his eyes would dart about. Ruth was beyond tired but refused to sleep until her daughter was home and safe. Their conversation that afternoon had not gone as she had liked, and there needed to be clarity before Rose went to bed, before she strayed elsewhere and had this idea that she was a free woman, she wasn't. There was no freedom for Rose, not the idiotic notions which were within her naïve little mind.

Seconds later, the door creaked open and then closed, almost like somebody was trying to sneak inside. Somebody who didn't wish to be noticed. Someone who was now accustomed to leaving the house when she wished to and returning when she was finishing her business as though she was a girl with the luxury of such freedom.

Rose was home.

Ruth darted for the door, her dressing gown a trail behind her. She was mixed between relieved and damned angry. Cal stood behind for a moment, smirking as he caught eye contact with Lovejoy. This would be interesting. What would the girl have to say for herself this evening? No doubt she would be full of perfect excuses.

''There was a Dodge out of the front window.'' Lovejoy told Cal quietly, his dour face examining the glass.

''And?''

''It's funny how a car arrives on a quiet street and Rose is home moments later.'' Lovejoy was pulling at the right thread; he was sure of it. There couldn't be a simple coincidence.

Cal raised his eyebrows in such surprise. ''That is why I pay you, my friend.'' For finding such needles in large haystacks. For been the voice which he needed. The eyes when he couldn't properly see.

Cal circled the rest of his brandy around the glass and heard Ruth in the hallway, scolding her daughter. He would do more than say a few choice words. A scolding was obviously not enough for the girl to listen, maybe an upper hand was but then again, she hadn't listened to him before but going forward she would.

''Thirteen hours!'' Ruth cried, she stood in her nightwear. Rose rolled her eyes. She was tired and had believed that her mother would be in bed by now. Rose had been stupid to think that she wouldn't wait up after her been out for such a long time. The day had been one which Rose needed to sleep away with her emotions at her fingertips, she could collapse to bed and not wake up in a long time.

''Yes, Mother. I can tell the time.'' She wondered through into the hallway, her body entirely heavy and exhausted.

''Rose, what's gotten into you?''

Rose wanted to tell her that she was not to be made a wife, that she refused to be told what to do anymore. That she was fed up of her scolding's, her voice and the fact that she had met someone who made her feel alive. And then she saw him, lingering in the dining room. A face that she didn't expect to see. Not so late.

''Cal?'' Her voice was startled. Even Rose didn't expect to sound so surprised and there were no subtleties in how pleased he was to see her.

''Good evening.'' He stepped forward, his leather shoes hitting the wooden floor. Rose felt her stomach fall, her heart was racing and then she leant back against the door to support her own weight. ''It is nice that you finally join us.''

Rose opened her mouth to speak but nothing would come out. Jack. She wanted Jack. Squeezing her eyes closed, she steadied her breathing. After today, the last thing she needed was to be in Cal's presence. She had already relived absolutely everything which she had gone through and the last thing which she needed was to see him again, to speak to him or be near him. Recalling Jack's voice soothing her in that moment was enough to ensure that she kept herself as calm as she could be.

''I am so sorry. Perhaps we can speak tomorrow. I am exhausted-''

''Well I would have discussed plans this afternoon. Although your activities seemed to have been important enough to keep you out until almost midnight.''

Rose clenched her teeth together. ''Yes. I do also have a life outside of this house.''

She'd had far too much going on in her mind to tolerate Cal's games. Her snapping at him made him even more angry but that was something he didn't show her, of course. Only she was allowed to see that, in private, without his precious ego or reputation battered or bruised.

''Rose!'' Ruth scolded her daughter's attitude. ''That is no way to speak with Mr. Hockley.''

''Please excuse me, I have to sleep. Tomorrow we shall discuss whatever plans you wish to discuss.''

Rose started for the stairs when a voice kept her back.

''Actually, I would like to discuss them now.'' Cal's voice was polite, with underlining warning. ''Alone.''

Rose turned to face him as she noticed that her mother and Lovejoy were already stood to one side as though they were willing to leave them alone to speak. Rose knew that she had no choice and she was too tired to argue. She started for the dining room. This would not take long; she would make sure of it. There was a control within her now and he must have sensed it, otherwise, he would not wish to speak to her alone. That was the only time that he did to try to exercise his rights over her in every way that he could.

''Very well. I trust this won't prolong me going to my bed.'' She took her sweet time making her way into the room which he indicated for her to sit in and waited for him to follow.

''This will be long as you make it.'' Cal followed her, smirking. ''As long as you decide to take it all in.''

Rose was about to retaliate, but decided against it. There was nothing to say. She would hear him out and then leave. Her future was with Jack now. She was sure of that.