Chapter 2: Inspiration Magnifique

Annie walked over to the table to see Jack bent over a piece of paper, scratching, and shading various shapes. She figured he was just doodling on a scrap piece of paper, and had yet to find out that he was sculpting the beautiful form of herself onto paper. He was trying to get every detail, every strand of hair, every line her face made with a smile, perfect. She leaned over and tapped his shoulder, "Whatcha doing?"

Jack jumped about a mile out of his old wooden chair, "Annie!" He slammed the cover of the booklet down and blushed slightly. If she had found out what he was drawing, she would think he was some sort of pervert who enjoyed drawing young girls. She would be the first to ridicule him. "Oh… Uhm… nothing! Nothing at all. Just… writing something."

Annie smirked, "No you weren't. You were drawing something. I saw ya."

Jack frowned and furrowed his brow. Annie was a great girl, but he hated it when people tried to prove him wrong, or force him into showing off his work. He would much more prefer to keep things like that to himself. They were his emotions, his thoughts. Things to be kept in yourself, in your mind, and your heart. He also still had the photo he had drawn of Rose in the folder. Annie wouldn't want to see that he usually drew nude models for a living. He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling that she respected him, and he didn't want to lose that.

"I was just drawing a diagram. To show my friend… how to get down here. For… you know…. The next time. He got lost on his way here before."

"Honestly?" Annie inquired, a perfectly shaped eyebrow raised.

"Honestly. I swear on my life."

Annie grinned, "Alright. Let's go. It's getting late, and I'm tuckered out. Walk me back to my cabin?" she asked, stifling a yawn.

Jack nodded and took her hand, leading her out of the crowded floor. When they reached the top deck, he gasped to see that it was complete darkness. He hadn't realized that they were down there for hours upon hours. He yawned as he gazed up towards the moonlight's source. "Oh wow… I'm tired too. Those folks sure can wear someone out." He chuckled to himself. They continued walking until they got to Annie's cabin. She knocked on the door lightly, and a tall woman with short brown hair opened the door.

"ANNABELLE ESSINGTON! Where have you been all night?" she screeched.

Annie smiled timidly, "I was downstairs, at the.. You know… "party" mother. I wasn't alone. Ja- Mr. Dawson here was escorting me." She looked up at him, a hopeful look on his face. Jack knew it wasn't true, but he nodded, seeing how nervous Annie seemed, "Yes. I was making sure Anni- Annabelle here, and her friends didn't get in to trouble. I thought it was best to bring her up here myself. Just so she didn't wander off and end up in the water."

Annie's mother quickly went from scornful to appreciative. "Well, thank you young sir. Dawson, was it?" Jack nodded, "Thank you for bringing my daughter back safe and sound Mr. Dawson."

Jack shook hands with the elderly woman, and bid them both farewell, before heading towards his cabin. He was slow moving, just so he could soak up the moon's glittering white rays, and try to get some sort of inspiration. He paused, pushing his hair back, 'I haven't drawn any landscapes recently.' he thought to himself. He sat down on the bench and took his book out. His view was perfect. The midnight blue sky, colliding with the dark ice waters. He started sketching the scenic view and added in a few icebergs, and boats, trying to add originality, something he valued in every artists work. He finished sketching, see as there were not many details. He sat down and watched the water washing up to the ship, and soon had to pull his thing jacket closer to him, to fend off the ice cold air. He sighed, 'This is beauty in it's purist form' He thought to himself. He had been told he had an eye for beauty, and he could certainly see why. After all, he was standing on a ship full of pompous idiots, and he was staring at water, thinking it was beautiful! He laughed to himself softly, and went to continue his walk down the deck, when he saw the silhouette of someone down the way. As he approached, he grinned and started running forward, embracing the figure in his arms, "Rose!" He kissed her on the lips and spun her around. "I missed you so much today!"

Rose smiled daintily, "I missed you too. Where were you all day?"

Jack grinned, "I was down at the party below." he said with a laugh. Rose had joined him one night, so she knew what he was talking about. "And I got to escort this girl named Annabelle, well Annie, to her cabin, because her mom was a lunatic." Jack was rambling like a five year old boy, but he couldn't help it, being around Rose did that to him. His stomach did flips, and his heart fluttered like a butterfly against his rib cage. He smiled, "So how has your day been?"

Rose frowned, "Not very well. Not very well at all. I spent the entire day with my mother, who was insistent on planning my wedding to Cal. Absolutely ridiculous. I'm not marrying the fool, no matter what she says. I have my heart set on someone else." She lay her arms across his shoulders and smiled. "I would much more prefer to be your whore then to be his wife." she said with mock seriousness.

Jack grinned, "I love you. But what are you going to do about Cal? You can't really divorce him or anything, can you? Since it's been arranged, and… I'm sorry… but you know your mother."

Rose gave him a playful smirk, which set Jack ablaze. He was holding onto the one thing he had ever loved. His fiery angel. Rose was a beautiful girl, who wouldn't love her? She was petite, and her complexion was as pale as a porcelain dolls. A top her head was a river of flowing red locks, cascading down, framing her face, her emerald green eyes shining like the dawn's sunlight. Piercing your view, and warming your soul. She smiled bashfully as she looked down. Jack lifted her chin with his forefinger and kissed her softly on the lips.

"You should get back. It's late. Even a night creature like myself is tired." He linked arms with her, and led her to the floor on which her room was on. He kissed her on the cheek, and left her to get to bed.