Night had finally fallen. Molly had closed up hours ago and had gone home for the evening. Jack had also turned in for the night, returning to the small apartment that was to be his home for the rest of the week. This left Rose alone with her cot and her thoughts about all that had happened in such a short amount of time. She couldn't believe all that had happened and how quick it had came about. That morning, she had been wondering if she would even be able to break free from her mother's control, and now here she was. Free from her mother at last. All it had taken was simply walking out that door and never looking back. Now she was free. Free to do whatever she wanted, to be whoever she wanted, to be with whoever she wanted. Right now, all she wanted to do was be with Jack.

Jack. Sweet, handsome, kind, Jack. The only man that could take her breath away with a simple glance. She never thought it was possible to feel this way about anyone before, but she felt it for Jack.

Frowning, she glanced over at the stairs that lead up to Jack's apartment. Was he awake still? Did he expect her to join him now that everyone was gone and no one would know? Should she? Did she dare? Well...it wasn't like she was going to be going to sleeping anytime soon.

She slipped out of bed and slowly made her way up the stairs, feeling like a child sneaking into the kitchen to sneak a cookie out of the cookie jar. Who knew how Molly would react if she knew. Would the other woman even care? Probably not. She probably knew that there was no way Rose would be spending the night alone, not when Jack was so near by.

Now standing outside of his door, Rose pressed a still hand against the warm wood, wondering if she really should do this. She was being very improper right now. Everything in her was screaming that this was not how a well brought up girl should behave! Then she reminded herself. She was sick of being a well brought up girl. It was time for the real Rose to break free and leave the old Rose behind once and for all! So taking a deep breath, she knocked.

"Rose?" Jack stared as he opened the door to find her there.

"Hi. I didn't wake you up did I?" Rose shifted from one foot to the other, feeling a little shy.

"No. I was just laying in bed daydreaming. Really, trying to think of what we're going to do tomorrow. Would you like to come in? No one's here, so there shouldn't be any gossip or anything," he gave a nervous chuckle and stepped aside so she could enter.

Rose simply smiled as she stepped into the apartment, noting just how quiet and peaceful it was at the late hour. "I'm not usually a night bird, but I simply couldn't sleep. I guess from all the excitement of the last few days. Plus, I'm not used to sleeping on a cot."

"I guess not. I mean...of course you're used to the most comfortable biggest bed with silk sheets and warm blankets and soft as clouds pillows," Jack stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her and touching her cheek, his blue eyes serious as they gazed into hers. "You'll have that again Rose, I swear. I'll make sure of it."

Rose swallowed as she felt the heat of his body as he pulled her closer. Suddenly her throat was dry and she found herself just drowning in his scent. She had never wanted something so badly as she wanted him at that moment. "I think a park bench would be just as comfortable, just as long as you were there with me."

"Looking in your eyes, I can swear that you mean that."

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't."

"No, I don't think you would have. You're too honest. One of the things I love about you."

Rose couldn't help the giddiness that filled her at his words. "Say it again…"

"What?"

"The last part...about loving me...what else do you love about me?"

"Oh a whole lot of things," Jack laughed, pulling her closer. "Far too many to actually name right now. At least not at this late hour anyway."

"Well...I love a great many things about you too...so many. Your eyes, your hair...your voice...the fact that you can draw me from memory and….I just love you, Jack. I am deeply in love with you. I don't care who knows it."

"I love you too. I'll shout it from the window if you want," Jack laughed, his feelings raising up inside of him, making him feel care free and maybe even invincible.

"Really?"

"You don't think I will?"Jack teased, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"Not really. I don't think you'd want to wake anyone up."

Flashing her one last smile, Jack released her to walk over to the window and opened it. He stuck his head out and cleared his throat before yelling. "I love Rose Dewitt Bukater!"

"Jack!" Rose squealed, running over to pull him away from the window. "Stop that! You are insane!"

Jack just laughed, allowing Rose to pull him back inside. Not watching where they were going, they both end up falling onto the bed with Rose on top of Jack. All laughter faded as their eyes met.

Rose was suddenly all too aware of the fact that Jack was almost naked, wearing only pajama pants and no shirt. Laying on top of him, she could feel every inch of him pressed against her. She could also feel just how warm his bare skin was beneath her hands. She couldn't stop the desire that filled her at that moment. A desire to explore and acquaint herself with every physical part of him.

Jack swallowed and licked his suddenly dry lips, trying to regain control of the senses that had suddenly fled as he found himself holding this beautiful girl...woman on top of him in a situation that could be considered scandalous. Hesitantly, he reached up and cupped her cheek in his hand.

"I am most definitely in love with you, Rose. I've never wanted anyone as much as I want you," He breathed, feeling the need to just tell her what he was feeling. God knew, there may never be another chance.

"I want to be with you, Jack. I want to be a part of your life. I want to be...more than just your girl."

"Rose...I wish I could give you more."

"You can...you can give me your last name," Rose blinked as the words left her mouth. She hadn't thought of marriage until just that moment. She knew that it was crazy. She had just gotten out of her engagement to Cal and now, here she was, wanting to jump into a marriage with Jack! But it was a crazy that she could trust. She really did feel like Jack was it for her. With him going to Vietnam...well she couldn't think of a reason not to.

"What?" Jack blinked, shock clear in his blue eyes.

"Marry me. Before you have to leave me again. Make me Rose Dawson….unless you don't want..."

"I do. I would love to make you Rose Dawson. It's just that...I don't know if I'll be coming back, Rose. It's already unfair asking you to be my girl...but my wife...I'm tying you to a corpse."

"No. You're tying me to my life. A life that I want more than anything. I understand that you may not come out of this...but there is still a chance that you might. Having a girl to come back to is all well and good...but wouldn't it be even better if you have a home waiting for you? I can give that to you, Jack. I can be your home."

Jack wanted to cry. He did not know what he had done to deserve this amazing, wonderful woman that was in his arms right now. He probably didn't deserve her, but he was going to do all that he could to make her happy...to give her what she wanted...and right now, she wanted his name. So he'll give it to her, freely.

"Okay. I'll marry you. Whenever you're ready."

Rose's smile was bright and happy before she claimed his lips in a heated kiss, one full of desire and a primal need that neither of them had ever felt before. Especially Rose, who didn't stop her hands from exploring, sliding over bare tan skin and only stopping when they reached the cotton of the night pants he was wearing. She gripped the elastic and was about to pull them down so she could explore the hardness pressing against her, but Jack's hands gently gripping her own stopped her.

She pulled out of the kiss and looked at him with confusion. With the way he was kissing her back, she could have sworn that he had wanted what she was wanting. Seeing the desire mirrored in his eyes, she could swear that he did, so what was the problem? Did she do something wrong?

"Jack?"

His smile was soft and sweet and his eyes indeed conveyed the desire that he felt for her and the love that he had. "I want you so badly, Rose."

"Then why did you stop me? Wait...was I being too forward?"

"I love that you're so forward. It's that fire that I love so much about you, Rose."

"Why did you make me stop?"

"Because it's our first time making love...and I want it to be special. I want our first time to be what will consummate our marriage. I know, nothing about us is traditional...but I'd like it if that was."

Rose nodded in understanding. Jack was right. Their first time making love should be special. It could be beautiful and loving, and carefree. Not something secret and scandalous. "I understand."

"If it makes you feel any better, it's not an easy decision for me, either. Especially like this..."

"It kind of does," Rose laughed, kissing him one more time. "So...I guess I had better return to my cot...right?"

"Or you can stay here...at least until Molly comes to open. I mean...I'm not ready to let you go and I don't think you really want to move."

Rose closed her eyes, feeling his body beneath hers. She wanted him so badly. "You're right. I don't...I want to stay right here."

"Well then you should."

"Would it be terrible for you?" Rose frowned, concerned about his comfort.

"Having you in my arms is never a terrible thing. I'll be fine."

Rose smiled one last time before giving him one last deep kiss. "Good night Jack."

"Good night, Rose," He tightened his embrace a she placed her head against his chest and closed her eyes.

That night, buried in the embrace of her new fiancee, Rose had the best nights sleep that she had in a good long time.