Rose sighed tiredly as she tied her apron around her waist. It was time for another shift, which was usually something that would put her in a reasonably good mood, but not today. Not for the past several days. It's been a while since she had sent her reply to Jack, promising him that she would wait for him and that she was now free to be his girl and there had yet to be a reply. It was really driving her to distraction. Why hadn't he replied? Had he changed his mind and didn't want her after all and just didn't know how to tell her? Had he been shipped off to Vietnam already and couldn't write back because he was either busy trying to stay alive or even worse was dead?

To make matters worse, Ruth was nagging her nonstop, wanting to know why she broke off the engagement with Cal. Trying to force her to talk to Cal by inviting him to dinner or having him on the phone. She just wouldn't let up, so she had taken to working even more hours to avoid seeing Cal at all and having to listen to her mother's tirades about how selfish she was being.

She just wished that Jack would write back. Let her know that all of this drama with her mother and Cal was worth it. That he would be her reward for standing up for herself and the headaches she ended up with by the end of each day.

"Take your time, darlin! It's a slow day!" Molly entered the kitchen area.

Rose simply smiled, her mind still preoccupied. Where was Jack? What was he doing? Why hasn't he written back? Did he regret everything and was just too kind to tell her? Was he even still alive?

Molly walked back into the dining area, with a tub to place dirty dishes in and stopped in her tracks when she saw who walked through the door. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in shock.

"God almighty," She gasped.

Rose came in right behind her and also stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening at who she saw standing in front of the entrance, looking around with searching blue eyes. Her mouth ran dry as all words left her...all words except for one name.

"Jack," she gasped silently, cearly in shock. She had not been expecting to see him agaiin so soon. What was he doing here? How did he get here?

A hesitant, shy smile curved his lips as Jack's clear blue eyes finally landed on what they were looking for. He smiled and removed his officer's hat, revealing a blond buzz cut that all soldiers wore. He nervously twisted the cap in his hands. "Rose..."

Rose didn't know what to do or what to say. She wanted to run to him and hug and kiss him and tell him how happy she was to get to see him again...to actually touch him now that they were more than mere penpals. But it would be their first kiss and she felt that maybe it should be more special.

Molly rolled her eyes and stepped back to nudge the staring redhead. "There's prince charming. Aren't ya going to say hello?" The older woman chuckled.

Rose simply nodded and forced her feet to move, taking her past the counter and up to Jack, who looked even more nervous than she was. "How?"

"They're shipping us to Vietnam next week and gave us a week to spend with loved ones before we go. I have only one loved one...so...I thought I'd surprise her...that is if she doesn't mind," Jack explained, still unsure if he was really welcomed, nervous that her promise to be his had only been a lie told out of pity, even though, the look in her eyes now...her eyes told him that there was no pity there.

Rose's smile brightened, quickly realizing that she was the loved one. "Mind? She'd love that!"

They both awkwardly chuckled at the same time and just stared at each other, both wondering what to do next. It was Molly's voice that boomed from behind the counter with an idea.

"Well what are ya waiting for?! Hug why don't ya?!" The heavyset woman laughed.

Rose blushed, not sure if that was a good idea. After all, she hadn't even held his hand yet. Which was strange. They were together and had yet to actually touch one another. Looking into his pure blue eyes, she was again struck by how handsome he truly was. Even with the buzzcut. She could gaze into his eyes even more without the golden strands getting in the way.

"Is it okay? To hug you?" Jack asked, not wanting to do anything that Rose wouldn't want him to.

She could only nod. She didn't know why, but she found herself speechless. This was the man of her dreams. He was in her dreams nightly, talking to her, smiling at her, simply waving at her or reaching for her hand. But he was once again flesh and bone. She could touch him and yet, she had no idea what to say now that she no longer needed a pen and paper.

Strong arms wrapped around her and she closed her eyes as the scent of charcoal and soap filled her senses. He smelled incredible and he felt amazing. She couldn't help the flash of desire that struck her just then. It was the first time she had felt such a thing towards a man and it was no surprise that it was this man.

Keeping an arm wrapped around her, he pulled away a little and gently touched her cheek, relishing how soft her skin was.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," Jack smiled, sinking into her beautiful eyes.

"I think I do. I've been wanting the same," Rose confessed, pressing her head against his, becoming lost in his presence.

"Do you have to work? I can wait," Jack licked his lips, wanting to kiss her so badly, yet reluctant to do so. It would be their first kiss. He wanted it to be special, not in middle of a diner.

Rose blinked as she remembered where she was. All of her attention had been on Jack. She had completely forgotten about her shift. She turned her head to look at a grinning Molly, who simply laughed.

"Take the week off, darlin'! Spend it getting to know your fella, before he's shipped off to Nam!" Molly nodded.

"The whole week? Molly, are you sure?"

"Of course! Dina has been bugging me for more hours! She's gettting her wish!" Molly winked, loving the happy smile that lit up Rose's face. She had never seen the girl this happy before. It was a sight for sore eyes.

Rose turned to Jack in excitement, happy to get all of this free time just to be with him! It was more than she could ever ask for! "Just let me finish off my shift here and..."

"Darlin, go ahead and take off today too! This is one of those slow days anyway. I can handle it myself," Molly interjected.

Rose frowned, feeling guilty. She didn't want to leave it all on Molly. It wouldn't be right. "Molly, are you sure? I don't mind and I'm sure that Jack wouldn't either."

"I am positive. Go be with your young man."

Grateful, Rose released Jack and walked up and hugged the older woman. "Thank you, Molly. This means a lot. You won't regret it and if you ever need me to come in after all, I will. I promise."

Molly just laughed and waved the girl away. "Now go. Enjoy your week, darlin. If you need anything, just give me a whistle."

Rose did not need to be told a second time. This time she ran to Jack, flinging her arms around him. He laughed and lifted her off her feet, turning around with her in his arms with her laughing happily. It was a wonderful sight. Molly had never seen Rose look so...free...as she did right then, in the arms of her soldier.

Jack sat her back on her feet and smiled, his fingers again brushing her soft cheek. He still couldn't believe it. He was with Rose at last, and this time she wasn't a kind stranger that had agreed to spend time with him. She was actually his girl!

"I can't tell you how happy I am to see you. I've been wanting this since I wrote my last letter, which you hadn't replied to by the way," she tried to sound stern, but the bright grin on her face told him that she wasn't bothered, at least not any more. Just him coming to spend his week off with her was the best reply he could give.

"Amazingly, there wasn't time. When I got your letter, we all were called into a meeting, where they made the announcement. But I can write a reply if you want, just give me a pen and paper," Jack chuckled.

Rose just laughed and shook her head. "That won't be necessary. Your being here is the best reply I could ever hope for. And I'll have you for a week?"

Jack nodded. "You'll be sick of me by time it's over."

"I highly doubt that, Jack. I could never be sick of you," Rose sighed, feeling like a silly girl with a crush. Looking down, she noticed that she was gripping his hand in hers and blushed and looked back up. "Are you hungry, Jack? You've been living on army food all of this time. I am quite sure that you'd want something different."

Jack was about to refuse when his stomach gave a grumble. Blushing he simply nodded. "I think that would be a good idea."

Rose laughed and lead him over to a booth. "Come over here. We'll order some food."

For the next hour, Jack and Rose sat at that middle booth where they had first met and ate and talked and just got to know each other even more. Rose found that she just couldn't stop looking at him, he was so handsome. Never before had she found a man so pleasing to look at. Jack too was enthralled by the beautiful redhead before him. He didn't know how he had gotten so lucky, but he was grateful. Not only did he find himself falling in love with this girl, he finally felt that he had something to fight for.

Full and happy, Rose sat back sighed, feeling content. "So Jack, what are your plans besides spending time with me on your week off? Do you have other friends you'd want to visit or any places you'd want to see? Where are you staying?"

Jack chuckled and gave her had an affectionate squeeze. "You are full of questions, aren't you?"

Rose simply shrugged and gave a wry smile. "I guess I just want to know everything Jack Dawson at the moment. God, I still can't believe that you're here, that you're even real. I was almost suspicious that I dreamed you."

"I'm real, I promise. You didn't dream me up. Even though I have a suspicion that you might be a dream. Kind, compassionate, beyond beautiful."

Molly came up to collect the empty dishes with a smile, happy to see a genuine smile on Rose for longer than a few minutes. She had to admit, at first she had been concerned about Rose, especially when she broke up the engagement with Hockley in order to wait for a soldier she barely knew and probably would never see again. But seeing her light up like this in the company of said soldier, she found herself happy for Rose.

"I hope you two found the fried chicken satisfying," Molly chuckled.

"It was delicious ma'am. Almost better than my mom's had been."

"Of course. Nothing beats momma's cooking," Molly winked. "So Jack, may I ask where you will be staying for the week? I'd like to know where young Rose here will be disappearing off to spend her time off."

Jack paused, realizing that he had nowhere to stay, besides underneath the bridge. He really hadn't planned things out, not that he had any time to. "Um...well...I guess I'm going to have to look for a room..."

Rose frowned, hating the thought of Jack not having a place to stay. He needed four walls, with a comfortable bed to give him comfort and privacy. Something different from the barracks he had been calling home for the past few months. She wished that she could take him home with her, but her mother would have a fit and ruin the whole week for them both. Suddenly, she remembered something...

"Molly...is there anyone living in the apartment upstairs?"

"There once was a young man living up there, but he had moved out two weeks ago. It's empty now...wait...why don't your young soldier there take the room? That way, you'll know where he is and will be able to stay for as long as you like while visiting."

Rose turned to Jack, her eyes happy and bright, glad to solve the problem. "What do you say, Jack? It's a nice place and...I can visit with you however long I like..."

"I'd like that...but I don't want to intrude," Jack sighed, feeling grateful, but reluctant to accept charity even if it meant more time with Rose.

"Don't be silly. It's not an intrusion. It's a thank you for your service to our country and...a thank you for putting the light back into Rose's eyes. It's been a long time since I've seen her as happy as I have when she recieves a letter from you or even now with you here in the flesh. I want to help you kids in anyway that I can," Molly nodded, pleased with her decision. "Besides, you remind me of my own boy. You're about his age and height. I'd want someone to take him in if he had nowhere to go."

Jack nodded, accepting the offer, deciding to push aside any misgivings. After all, he only had so much money on him and he didn't really know where to start looking for a cheap enough place for only a week's stay. Molly's offer was perfect. "Okay, I accept."

Rose gave an excited squeal and slid out of her booth, grabbing Jack's hand. "Come on! Let's go have a look at the place!"

"Wait, let me get the keys," Molly laughed, walking to the register, opening it, and retrieving a shiny key. "Here you go, young man. Make yourself at home."