Right, so with Free Me been the slowest burner ever, and me been a complete writaholic lately, I have managed to cram in a pretty hectic story now where I decided that it would be a massive Twist in Fate; the ship would not sink, and Lovejoy would come back to the room to find Jack and Rose and it may or may not be full of M related goodies for those who message me to do more, you filthy animals!

So, please enjoy this 4 or 5 however many I decide to do parter and yes, it is hopefully tastefully done!

Chapter one:

Nothing. Not even the recollection of every imperfect part of her body was enough to cease Rose's trembling hand from reaching up to part her kimono. It was black but sheer; possibly already allowing Jack a peek of her nude figure beneath. His eyes though, had remained on hers. A variety of drawing materials were laid out before him but Rose barely paid mind to them, instead noting his casual seating amongst the ornate backdrop of her lounge. His suspenders were loose around his legs, his white shirt unbuttoned two or three with his smooth chest visible, the sleeve of his shirts was rolled up to his elbow and his left leg casually slung over his right. He had made himself at home within her world; it was almost funny to see his leisurely ways within the stiff sitting room, a place used to take tea, to read and to discuss the latest fashions, yet, here she was, naked before a near stranger.

Their playful exchange of words after Rose had tossed 10 cents at him had since disappeared. The kimono had fallen to the floor in such a delicate whisper, pooling about her feet. It wasn't cold, it was suddenly very warm. The heat from the fire in the hearth expelled a dry warmth about the small room but it was the flow of heat which radiated from Jack's dazed gaze which caused the flush to come to her. As slowly, but not greedily, his eyes glanced down the length of her body, then back up to meet her curious watch. Her hands instinctively came to her stomach in a moment of self-awareness but she stopped, the awed wonder of Jack's gaze rooted her there as though she was the doe and he, the hunter with a flash lamp.

''Over on the bed, I mean the couch,'' Jack stumbled, soothing out her worries with that small fumbling of words indicating just how nervous he was, also. It was ironic, how a man so sure of his purpose in life, of his feelings for her and how she should be able to be free from her Society's grasp and yet, he became wreck of some sort just from a naked woman; the sort of thing which could be a daily occurrence just weeks ago in Paris.

Once instructed, Rose seemed to be able to grasp full use of her body once more. Stepping away from the security of the kimono, she went to the divan, laying herself down slowly and in a way which could be a pose. Everything, each part of her was now available for his view. In another wave of awareness, she moved her arm in a variety of poses, not quite knowing just how to be a beautiful model about to be drawn from life. The subjects of his other drawings were gorgeous, elegant and—bohemian, Rose was a woman submerged into a world of fools and having never even kissed another man before just that afternoon, she was at a complete loss of what to do.

Finally, the artist in Jack seemed to know when to take over.

''Tell me when that looks right-''

''Put that arm right there, where it was,'' Rose placed her right hand above her head. ''And that other hand, up by your face right there.''

She did, as he had instructed.

''Now, head down, eyes to me. Keep them on me.''

How could they be anywhere else?

Jack exhaled, possibly through some nerves, or because he had never been emotionally involved with a model before, who knew?

''Try to stay still.''

It was as though he then returned to his natural habitat, as his hand started to move, creating the lines which would become her on paper. Through her own hazy vision, she could see the concentration within his eyes, how he seemed to smudge to perfect the creation. Each glance he took back to her was filled with such intensity. Did he watch every girl he had drawn so intently?

The thud of her own heartbeat filled her ears, and she felt the urge to twitch in case it disturbed his reverie. The beauty of his face, framed by his hair which kept falling into his eyes in the process of him drawing was intoxicating. The blue of his eyes sparkled in the dim lamp light and the only sound was his scratching upon the paper and the odd crackle of the fire but, surely there was her heartbeat, too? If he was currently drawing the shape of her body, Rose exhaled slowly through her lips to allow her nerves to calm a little more as though her knowing that he could see every inch of her was the most daunting thought. He would glance up, every five or so seconds, with another intense look at Rose in her entire most vulnerable state but one which made her feel beautiful, it made her nervous but above all, it felt erotic.

Jack's cheeks turned into a blush, and then his eyes fell upon the hair there nestled between her legs. Goosebumps appeared over her breasts, her nipples tightening as she suddenly felt a cool chill but it wasn't because she was cold, but something else as it travelled throughout her entire body like an electric current. If he noticed her reaction to him, he didn't voice it but the flame colour of his cheeks did amuse her, just a second.

''I do believe that you are blushing, Mr. Big Artiste.''

Jack's lips turned into a smirk.

''I cannot imagine Monsieur Monet blushing.''

''That is because he does landscapes.'' Jack smiled at her teasing. ''Just relax your face. No laughing.''

''Sorry.''

As much as Rose had enjoyed the momentary teasing of his flushing cheeks, she returned to her serious face just as quickly. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she twitched now and again feeling the adrenaline running through her. His hands mesmerised her; how they worked so quickly, smudging the lines and how the vision his eyes saw would be transferred onto a sheet of blank paper. He was wonderfully talented and recalling just how rough his hands are to touch, from their work and yet, how strong they were to pull her over the rail and save her life. The hands which she had held whilst they danced and the hands which had touched her face in the gymnasium that day when he had come to her, to tell her that he was incapable of leaving her alone.

How would his hands feel upon her waist, on her bare skin there and then what if they moved up? The thoughts caused her entire body to start to tremble beneath his eyes, as he smudged his way over the picture. The coldness overcame her body again, but it was like a shiver without the breeze. Her lips felt dry, her body rooted to the very couch as he continued his gaze upon her whilst he completed the drawing. The sparkle of his eyes seemed to simmer with something unspoken between them, and every now and again she heard him sigh or gasp for more air, just as she felt herself; breathless but—alive.

Rose had broken down barriers; ones which should never have been touched between herself and a man whom she had known for just two days. The evening before she had spent in his arms, and the night which followed was restless and miserable. Her bed had felt cold, unwelcoming and so did her own world. Until Jack had come to her, revealed his feelings and then in turn she had turned him away for fear of Cal's reaction, but once she had truly thought of her life and just how abysmal it was, she had found Jack at the bow where he had held her waist, tickled every nerve in her body and then he had kissed her, or perhaps it was her who had learnt to touch his lips first. It was inevitable, slow at first but then the passion had built. It was something of a longing which had been created from the very second that they had laid eyes on the other. Neither had known how long they had been at the bow, watching the sun set right there but it was dark by the time Rose had suggested that he return with her to the stateroom to draw her wearing a piece of jewellery which Cal had purchased for her.

Now, she was laid naked, before the man who she was absolutely infatuated with wearing a priceless diamond given to her by the man who she loathed. Her engagement ring sat on her dressing table where it would be remaining until returned to Caledon Hockley. The choice had already been made, regardless of anything.

''I am finished,'' Jack uncrossed his legs, stretching with his arms behind his shoulders.

''Date it, Jack,'' Rose remembered how his others were always dated and signed, along with a person's name or a place. ''I want to always remember this night.''

Rose moved; her limbs felt as though they were boneless as she retrieved the kimono which was on the floor. Coming to Jack, her hands fell onto his shoulders, feeling how tense he felt at her touch. He had put his initials on the edge, the date and her name right there; Rose. The drawing itself stole her words for a second as she faced the image of herself which was of a woman; a woman with such fire and passion evident there as well as the innocence which had shone through.

''Thank you,'' it was all that she could manage through her cloud of intoxication. He closed the portfolio and handed the entire thing to her. Jack's eyes went to her lips, as she was so close to feel his sweet breath upon her face and she closed the gap between them both, kissing him just once but he went to kiss her again and she giggled into his mouth as he didn't release her lips as she tried to pull the portfolio from the grasp but he pulled it back to himself, causing her to stumble forward.

''Jack!'' She pulled away, as he let it go.

''All right, you win. You did pay me for it.''

''Yes, I did!''

Rose clutched the portfolio to her chest, feeling the coolness of it against her almost bare skin through the sheer kimono.

''Jack, could you remove this hideous thing for me?''

With obviously trembling fingers, Jack took a cold finger and moved Rose's hair over her shoulder to reach the clasp. The single touch sent that same shiver down her spine but then it turned to a fire, spreading down her back and her spine before reaching her belly and she sucked in a gasp.

''Hideous, huh? That's pretty nice.''

Rose laughed, sensing his half serious tone.

''Yes.''

He pulled it away from her neck and the weight of it disappeared. She knew that it would be the only time which she ever wore it. Jack placed it within her palm, she closed her fingers over it and the sparkle disappeared into her dainty hand but when she glanced up, the sparkle of the same blue found in Jack's eyes stole her breath away. There, beneath his gaze, she felt more exposed than she had done when naked.

''Thank you.''

Rose went to the wardrobe, which contained the box for the necklace, as well as the paper and pen for which she needed to write the note whilst it was still within her head. She heard Jack rustling about in the sitting room, assuming that he was clearing away the bits which had been moved when he had prepared for the drawing to take place. Taking a piece of paper, Rose started her note, the writing flowing with such confident and beautiful letters;

Darling,

Now you can keep us both locked in your safe.

Rose.

Rose would breakaway. This was her freedom. It compiled everything which Cal needed to know in one single drawing; his fiancée caged in that damned diamond but drawn naked by another man. A man who Rose was beyond enamoured with.

''What are you doing?''

Rose was startled by Jack coming into the room with his hands thrust into his pockets, the way his suspenders hung down and his shirt was open now that he was stood seemed to steal her attention more than she had noticed before.

''Could you put this back in the safe for me?''

''Yeah.''

Rose thrust the box at him, watching as he went before she put the paper along with the drawing just inside the portfolio. This would be how Cal would find her gone; and with another man.

Taking a quick glance at the clock, she noted it was just before eleven p.m. Her Mother would return very soon followed by Cal once the cigars and brandy had finished. Jack returned to Rose, wearing his outer jacket and a cigarette pressed between his lips.

''Can I take a cigarette out on your private deck, ma'am?'' The smirk upon his face teased her and she was just about to respond when she heard the main door click open into the sitting room.

''Good night, Mrs. Dewitt Bukater.'' Lovejoy must have escorted her Mother back to the stateroom. Quickly, Rose grasped Jack's hand, pulling him toward her bedroom; the only space within the suite which Rose knew no one would step foot without her allowance, perhaps her Mother would, but not until morning.

''Yes, ensure that Mr. Hockley returns soon, I fear him waking my daughter and myself.''

Rose paused, she had not seen her mother since tea when she had feigned a pathetic excuse of a headache and her mother had insisted that she go to lie down, to ensure that she would be well enough for Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, whichever time the ship would be docking into New York. Cal had placed bets on Tuesday night since the last boilers were lit and pushing them further to the other side of the Atlantic and quickly.

With the portfolio pressed to her chest, she pushed Jack into her bedroom, and then closed the door behind them before turning the key in the lock silently. Turning, she saw Jack's eyes wide and full of mischief with the cigarette still hanging from his lips. He laughed ever so low. Rose placed her finger against her lips. The urge to laugh had already been pushed away so that her Mother would not hear. The clacking of Ruth's heels went to the bedroom which she had occupied and then the door clicked open, then closed with a swish and click; she had retired for the night and locked the door.

As relief flooded over Rose, she turned to see just how close Jack was. His presence right there next to her, within the private quarters which she occupied was overwhelming. His scent was intoxicating her and after a few seconds, she recognised his uneven breathing. He removed the cigarette from his lips and discarded of it within one of his pockets, turning himself back to Rose in the severely dim light of her room which was lit with just a single taper on the opposite side of the room so that a lovely orange, romantic glow cast shadows across the room which still smelled of fresh paints and linens. That gaze caused Rose to shiver as it ran through her once more, as Jack placed the flat of his left palm to her cheek. He was just about to seal his mouth over hers in a wordless way when-

''Miss. Rose?''

A knock came behind Rose at the door. It was Lovejoy. Quickly, she handed the portfolio to Jack, and pushed him into the en suite bathroom which was adjoined to her own bedroom whilst trying to silence her beating heart.

''Wait there!''

Jack nodded in the dark of the bathroom.

Rose knew that her cheeks would be flushed, full of life and colour and instead, she ran her fingers through her hair to dishevel it slightly.

''Yes?'' The irritation in her voice was obvious.

''Sorry to disturb you, Miss, I am just ensuring that you are all right.''

Rose slowly opened the door, revealing just her face. ''What is the hour?''

''Eleven. I am sorry to awaken you.''

Lovejoy backed from the door, he nodded as he started his egress. ''Mr. Hockley is on his way back as we speak.''

''Very well.''

The discard of her voice was there but Lovejoy didn't sense to notice as he nodded another goodbye before Rose clicked her door closed; they were trapped there, or Jack was. Rose locked the door behind her, as well as the adjoining bedroom which belonged to Cal. There would be no way he would be joining her in bed tonight, as he usually tried.

Emerging from the bathroom, in the dim light of the room, Jack placed his portfolio on one of the dark oak tables which adorned her room. The clothes which she had taken off earlier to put her kimono on were discarded on one of the matching chairs and Jack removed his outer jacket, placing it slowly on top of her shawl. With a racing heart, she watched as silently he came to her side.

''Looks as though I am stuck here, huh?'' He whispered ever so quietly; his voice much more tender than she had known. It was as though he had a choice to leave, perhaps he did.

''That is a way out to the B-deck corridor.'' Rose pointed to the furthest door away from them but Jack didn't even glance. ''They might not return for another few minutes.''

But both knew that parting now, was something neither of them wanted.

Something in the air had changed then. His eyes were a stark blue in the light of the room; charged with something which she hadn't witnessed until then. She could tell by the rise and fall of his chest, how he seemed to supress the need to gasp for more air and when she finally noticed how smooth his chin was usually, and now he seemed to have gotten a shadow of hair upon his chin and upper lip; her unsteady hand was already reaching up to his cool face to touch it.

Why had she not noticed that before? Did he shave each morning and now that the hour was late, there was something so beautifully new about him?

Her hand grew clammy for some reason as it brushed down against the tuft of growth, downwards and then to his neck and the open collar of his shirt. Her hand rested there; flat at the base of his neck and his breathing had shallowed and his heart galloped. Yes, he felt the same from her touch as she had from his own.

What was happening?

Time stood still. Pinned beneath his gaze, the intensity and exhilaration of it was exciting, wonderful and made her mostly curious as to what he saw when he watched her.

Moisture seemed to come to her eyes and she toyed with the idea of removing her hand for fear of what would happen if she kept it right there. Adrenaline seemed to charge her body in some way as though it was bestowing a need within her. An urge to lower her hand, beneath the smattering of hair which she could feel below her palm. An urge to follow it down lower, and lower beneath his shirt and so on -

The desire wasn't from a place which she had encountered before. It wasn't indecent at all; not like the stares of Cal she had felt upon her on more than one occasion. Jack's desire seemed to have come about from the exchange just today, the longing had begun last night when they had danced but now between them the heat seemed to rise. Her skin burned, tingled, beneath his gaze. Her eyes gathered about his body, slowly down and then back up. A flush came over her from the awareness of her feeling matching his own. His nostrils flared as he concentrated on the steadiness of his own breathing but his racing heart which she felt against her hand betrayed his cool exterior.

Both of their defences were down, lowered so far down that they were sharing the same world; finally. Rose was weak against his stare, forever pinned and feeling so utterly exposed beneath it. Sharing her naked body with her had been the most wonderful feeling which one could ever imagine, but now, knowing just what could transpire between them frightened her more than the idea of him seeing her there without clothes.

Everything about them seemed to be erased. As Rose lowered her hands, the kimono fell open at the front, just enough to allow a whisper of it to reveal her naval, the part of her breasts and then the line of hair beneath her bellybutton.

If Rose spoke now, Jack would think her to be terribly weak and words would completely fail her. The fire within his eyes propelled her forward without feeling the need to close the kimono.

''If he finds me here, then I will take the punishment for it,'' he whispered.

''That would be my punishment.''

Jack shook his head. ''I would take you with me.''

Neither knew what the destination would be.

Rose placed her cool hand at the centre of Jack's chest, where his shirt was unbuttoned at the top. It was just as smooth as she had thought but a small smattering of dark hair went downwards. Beneath the flat of her palm, Rose felt how his heart hammered just as hers did. His eyes shone, his hair falling into them in a way which seemed to seduce her right from the start. Rose was slowly seduced by him; the way in which he lived, the way he touched her and ensured she felt the most beautiful a woman ever should.

As Jack grasped her fingers, rubbing his own over them, he glanced down when he noticed how her engagement ring was missing. It sparkled on the dresser, discarded as she had removed the garments which rooted her to this life before Jack had drawn her. Flexing her fingers on his chest, Rose stroked across the open part of his shirt, overwhelmed by the feel of his warmth beneath her hand and the way which his breathing seemed to stall when she moved her fingers there. The night was growing into the new day, early hours would come and go, but Jack would be there, with her. Would he share her bed?

As Rose drew in a breath to take, Jack sealed his lips across hers in such an urgency that he stole the breath from her and she wilted into his arms, as they seemed to catch her as she went weightless, boneless and almost collapsed with her open kimono pressing against his thin shirt. He held her delicately, and in that moment, she knew that he was just as hesitant with her as she was with him. The territory was forbidden but yet the most welcoming one had ever known. It was unknown territory. It was barriers which were not meant to be broken and yet, in one single move he had swooped into her life and removed every single layer. He was passionate but not aggressive and as Rose regained some sort of composure, she threaded her hands into his hair and then cupped the back of his neck with the other, pulling his kiss in deeper. Both were too weak to hold their own weight, and knowing that the door was behind Rose and pressing her against it would be heard, Jack turned her, leaning her against the bedpost which just earlier than day, Rose had grasped whilst her mother laced her corset and placed more weight upon her shoulders, constricting her more and now, Jack had removed every one of those as well. The bed creaked but no more than a person turning over in bed. In a testing move, Jack lightly pressed his tongue against her own, and she weakened, clutching onto his shirt in her fists. It was enough to make the flames in her belly climb higher and she allowed him to claim her mouth with his tongue, twisting and turning before Jack moved to her neck, to her chin and she clung to his shirt as the wetness trailed about her sensitive spots. His hands didn't move from her face, her shoulders, and he seemed to respect how far they should go.

He was breathless by the time his eyes found hers once more, with a glance at her flushed cheeks, he pressed his forehead to hers.

''Rose...''

Rose stared at him through some heat induced stare. Jack's shirt was hanging from his left shoulder, his hair dishevelled as much as her own and the buttons of his shirt had somehow become undone through her grasping at it. Feeling the urge to touch his entire belly, Rose felt the shivers of her own body as though adrenaline was the only thing running through her body, as well as the beautiful, overwhelming power to press herself against him; naked. Was it wrong to want to give herself fully to a man who she had known two days? Neither knew just who would be the one to take the reins, who would lead this?

His mouth fell onto hers once more, as soon as his soft mouth came onto hers, she crumpled into his arms once more. Jack massaged her hips, feeling the lush curve of them beneath his hands; Rose wasn't like any woman he had witnessed in Paris, they were narrow and lithe and whilst that was wonderful to draw, the feel of a woman's flesh beneath his palm for the first time was beyond anything which he had imagined. Her breasts heaved against his own chest as she breathed in between their heavy kisses. The taste was intoxicating, like an addiction which caused them both to want more of something unexpected, of something which neither were brave enough to encounter just yet, but an act which was purely instinctual.

Jack kissed Rose's neck breathlessly and she pushed him away slightly, him thinking that he had moved far too fast beyond his own control, but she ran her hand up his thin shirt and began to unbutton it, slowly one by one. He trembled more, looking downwards and swallowing heavily, he couldn't believe she was doing this. Once his shirt was unbuttoned, she ran her hand across his bare chest and stomach. His muscles were tight from the work which he had done in London, he had little hair but he was tanned, smooth and solid. With the curiosity which filled her eyes, in that moment, Jack knew of her innocence.

As he pulled away from her, he searched her gaze for some sort of hesitance. If he was with her for tonight then he could never let her go from his sight; this felt like the moment of truth. Placing his absolutely quivering hands atop the part where the kimono was open just above her creamy breasts, Jack felt how she stiffened and then relaxed as his knuckles grazed her bare skin.

''I'm nervous-''

Outside, in the sitting room, they heard a stumbling of feet and a sound of male voices which one assumed to be Cal in his drunken state. If she should have felt anything else, she didn't as Rose had never felt such safety as she did in that second. The door which separated her room from Cal's rattled as he slammed his own from inside and even though just a piece of wood and walls separated her from Cal, he was forgotten as soon as she heard him collapse onto his bed. The silence between them was wonderfully welcoming and she could feel cold shivers running down her back as Jack kissed her neck before slowing the kiss down as they caught their breathes. His tongue began to play with hers and he felt his whole-body throb for her, for his Rose.