Wedding day, Philadelphia 1912

The door opened in front of her. Crowds began to cheer even louder and Rose thought she was going to be sick any minute. She tried to focus on the carriage, counted her steps along the way, yet she smiled. No one could she was hurting inside. The sun was shining directly onto her face and a wave of heat rushed through her body. Looking out for Meredith, she was out of her sight. Her dearest friend was gone. Looking to her right, Elizabeth was enjoying every moment of the ride. She took Rose's hand and said a bit too loud: "Isn't this wonderful!" They turned into a quieter lane and Rose was finally able to catch her breath for a moment. Closing her eyes, time seemed to take on a different speed. He was everywhere, in every part of her mind. Her eyes shot open again. There he stood. Around the corner next to the bakery he stared at her. She could smell his scent, feel his touch as he made his way over to the carriage.

"Stop!" Rose yelled, "stop this thing." She jumped out, almost tripping over her dress. Elizabeth followed her, trying to call her back but Rose's pace was too fast. Arriving at the bakery he was gone.

"Rose get back in the carriage, we have to make haste."

"He was just here," She pointed, "Didn't you see someone?"

Elizabeth shook her head and dragged her with her. Rose clearly felt she was losing her mind. Her breath felt heavy, her hands shaking. As they turned onto the main road again, the church was already starting to show up from the distance. The bells were ringing and Rose felt as if she was being taken to her execution. Halfway there. She managed to turn her attention to the people on the streets, continued to smile and started to wave like a royalty. The whole city had been waiting for this big moment for months, everyone was counting on her. A soft breeze touched her skin and soon after the carriage stopped. Nathan Hockley was waiting for her and held out his hand.

"You look beautiful, child." He complimented her. Rose just smiled at him and waited until the bridesmaids had corrected her dress and veil. It was every little girl's dream for her father to walk her down the aisle, but he wasn't here. She looked up for a moment, wondering what he would think of this whole theatrical spectacle and then took hold of Mr. Hockley's arm. As the music started to play, they slowly walked inside. Five hundred people stood up from their chair, turned around and watched in full awe as Rose passed by. Count your steps, she told herself again. And there she was, next to Cal who looked her up and down. He only smiled and didn't say a single word.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony." The priest started. The whole ceremony seemed like a blur to Rose until she heard Cal speak for the very first time.

"I do."

Then the priest turned towards her. "Rose Alexandra Mary Ruth DeWitt Bukater, do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

She had to say something, but she couldn't manage to let out a single sound. Looking around the church all the eyes were on her. Then her gaze stopped as she looked straight in the eyes of her mother. She was leaning forward, her facial expression burning with rage and nervousness. Speak she mouthed to her daughter. As she turned back to Cal, it was not he who she saw. It was him. Her body became weak, dropping her bouquet onto the floor. The audience gasped for a moment, waiting for someone to pick the flowers back up.

"I am sorry." Rose whispered towards him.

"Rose, pick up the flowers and let's continue," he whispered back furiously, "you're making a fool out of yourself."

They have got you trapped, Rose and you are gonna die if you don't break free.

When the ship docks, I'm getting off with you.

How could she possibly do it? How could she be so stupid? After everything Cal had done to him.

It's a pity I didn't keep that drawing. It would a lot more worth by morning.

Rose wasn't able to forgive herself for not remembering how much Cal had tormented Jack. I'd rather be his whore than your wife. She shook her head. "I am sorry." She said again now loud enough for everyone to hear, "I can't marry you." Then her body started to move, adrenaline rushing through every part of it. With people calling and screaming after her, she was suddenly outside. She looked over at a car that was waiting in front of the church and she quickly got in.

"I need to go to the train station right now."

"Miss, I can't jus…" The chauffeur was startled.

"If you don't hit that gas pedal within two seconds I will make sure you'll never be able to find a job ever again!" She sounded like the devil himself, but it did make him listen. As they drove off she turned around and saw a group of people running out of the church including her mother and Cal. He screamed something into the distance, but she was already too far way to hear. She allowed herself to relax for a moment and leaned against the backseat.

"You know you are going to get in a lot of trouble for this." The driver said. Rose knew that and nodded her head. What the outcome would be of her impulsive action was still in question, yet she did know that Cal wouldn't give up that easily. It didn't matter anymore, nothing mattered but getting to him. She had half an hour when she left the church. Half an hour for her future to completely change. In fact her future already had changed. The butterfly had freed herself from the glass and she was flying, but he was her destination. Jack was her home.

Ten minutes. She threw the door open and rushed towards the entrance of the train station. Eyes were glued on her and people all looked how a princess ran for her life. Rose looked back for a moment, relieved by the fact that no one was following her. She stopped at the ticket booth and the mann raised an eyebrow.

"I am looking for a man. His name is Jack Dawson. About this tall, blonde hair, blue eyes."

"Not seen him, miss. Next!"

"Sir, it is of great importance. He was wearing a dark blue shirt yesterday. And a sketchbook, he often has his leather sketchbook with him." She was about to burst out in tears when the man looked straight passed her. It was rather busy at the station, how was she ever going to find him. Perhaps he wouldn't even be here. She topped for a moment and closed her eyes, letting the conversation of the day before play in her head over and over again.

I am leaving at noon, tomorrow.

Chicago. He mentioned something about Chicago, but she couldn't quite remember what. Her gaze moved up, the departure times as well as the tracks. Chicago, leaves at 12."

"Bingo." Rose said out loud. She quickened her step again and moved it into a run. 5 minutes left. Reaching the end of the stairs, she caught her breath for a moment. Her corset was too tight, moving practically hurt. The train was already there.

She ran passed every window, calling out for his name, but there was no response. Again, people looked at her, shook their head in a disappointing manner and walked in and out of the vehicle. As she kept looking, there was no sign of him whatsoever. She had lost him for good. Her body was shaking, her heart hurting. As she turned around to walk away, a figure suddenly came walking up from the staircase. The person's pace was quick. Her heart fluttered in an instant, her body suddenly feeling wide awake.

"Rose!" It was Jack who called her name. With his suitcase in one hand and his sketchbook in the other he started to run towards her.

"Jack!" A sigh of relief escaped her lips and she rushed to him. Then, when they stood in front of each other she flew into his arms and held onto him for dear life. "Thank god." She cried out, "Thank god you haven't left yet."

He pulled her back, looked her up and down and then into her eyes. "What on earth, Rose. There are people both inside and outside of the station looking for you. This whole place has turned into a mess."

"And I came to look for you. Jack, I have been so stupid. I can't marry him not after everything that has happened. I am so so sorry."

Her hair had started to fall down. He pushed it aside, gently, and removed her veil from her head, tossing it into the ground. His hands caressed her cheeks until he pulled her closer, their bodies pressed against each other and kissed her passionately.

"We have to be quick before they come up." He then said "You are coming with me?" Jack still couldn't believe she was now here in his arms. It felt surreal, like he was dreaming. And if he was dreaming, he never wanted to wake up.

Rose smiled and nodded her head. "Show me the world, Jack Dawson. I am ready to travel."

Footsteps could be heard coming from the distance. As Jack looked behind he could see a group of men running towards the platform. At the same time the flute announced the train was ready to leave and he grabbed Rose's hand. "Quickly." He shouted. The two of them ran as fast as the could and pushed themselves into the train with the doors closing right behind them. They made their past every coupe and Rose made her way completely towards the end. Opening the door and stepping onto the little platform, she looked straight into Cal's eyes as his body turned smaller by the second. She heard him yell at her until he was completely out of her sight.

Church, Philadelphia

Meredith pushed herself through the crowd. Almost everyone was in distress, rushing through every part of the building. As Rose left the church, both Cal and his father as well as a few other men ran after her, ready to catch the escaped animal and put it back in it's cage. She stopped for a moment and saw Mrs. DeWitt Bukater in total distress. She was crying and holding the hand of another woman who was trying to calm her down. Meredith walked up to her, concerned about her wellbeing.

"Can I get you anything, ma'am?" She asked. Ruth looked up and it seemed as if her eyes had caught on fire.

"This is your doing, isn't it?" Ruth spat at Meredith, "Since the moment you walked into our house you were up to no good. You filled my daughter's mind with nonsense. You poisoned her!"

Meredith stepped back in total shock. She was scared of this woman. A shadow suddenly stood next to her. It was Tom. "Don't talk to her like that." He spoke to Ruth.

"Tom, please. Don't." Meredith whispered and took hold of his hand. She pulled him away from them and led him outside. She sat down on the floor, her back leaning against the wall. He sat down next to her and they shared a moment of silence.

"I knew this would happen." Meredith sighed.

"It doesn't surprise me either. But where will she go? I hope nothing bad happens to her."

"She is safe. Trust me," She leaned closer to Tom so no one could hear their conversation, "She is with another man." His eyes winded at her comment and he could only chuckle. He thought it to be a brave move. Never having been a fan of the Hockley family, to him, they deserved it.

"Who is the man?"

Her voice turned even softer, "His name is Jack Dawson," Meredith spoke, "A penniless artist from Wisconsin. They met aboard the Titanic. After the ship sank they lost touch, but he came to visit her just in time for the wedding. This is the outcome."

"Do you know him?"

She shook her head. "Not personally." A car came driving by with a fast speed and stopped right in front of the church. Mr. Hockley's father got out and headed inside. Meredith jumped up and followed him. He was standing next to Ruth and she was able to get close enough to hear their conversation. Her stomach twisted by the sound of his voice. They had found her together with him.

"They are on a train to Chicago," Nathan Hockley informed the guests, "and we have informed the authorities."

On the road.

He had watched her sleep this whole time, unable to keep his eyes off her. Her head rested gently onto his shoulder, her breathing lifting her body up and down slowly. It felt safe to have her close to him, as if nothing had changed. The sound of her voice was still the same as he remembered as well as the look in her eyes. Within a day the pain in her expression seemed to completely have faded. Yet there was still a feeling of guilt within him. The pain he had cost her these past months was something he was never able to forgive himself. But now she was here with him and he would never let her go again. Her eyes suddenly shot open due to the rocking motion of the train. Disoriented for a moment, she looked around the coupe and straightened her back in her seat.

"We're almost there," Jack said, "don't worry." He kissed the top of her head and the two stared outside for a moment. For the first time in her life, Rose had both nothing and everything at the same time. She was on the border of going from one life to the other. She had nothing on her, not a single thing to come by. But looking at Jack, he was all she ever wanted. He was her ticket to the life she had always dreamed of.

"What are you thinking of, Jack?" She suddenly asked. He turned towards. "About us. About how I'm going to make this new life as good for you as possible."

She took his hands in hers. "That's not your responsibility, Jack."

"Partly it is. It's going to be very different, Rose. And it's going to be very hard and gruesome at times, but I am willing to do this together with you."

"Yes." She whispered and kissed him gently. She looked straight into the softness of his eyes, "I know what I put myself into. You have shown me parts of myself I didn't even know I had in me. We may have lost our track on our paths for a little why, but I am back on it. With you, Jack."

Before they could both add anything else to their conversation the train came to a hold. They had arrived in Chicago. Rose couldn't wait to take her first step outside. Breathing in the air, the scent of freedom. She stood up from her seat, Jack followed her and took his suitcases from the luggage rack. Then he grabbed her hand and kissed her once more. A little girl walked passed them and could only stare at Rose's dress. Then the little girl walked up to her and smiled. "Congratulations." She quickly said and ran after her mother. The two both laughed at her remark and walked behind the rest of the passengers. It wasn't until Rose looked outside she became frightened for her life.

"Jack." Rose warned him. She pulled him towards her and pointed at the situation outside. A group of policeman had gathered themselves around the platform and watched everyone going in and out of the train. Then she saw someone move inside. Jack's eyes widened and he turned himself to Rose.

"Let's get to the back, Rose, " He hissed, "quickly." He didn't have to say it twice for Rose had already started running. They bumped into some other people, ignoring the nasty remarks they called after them. She stopped in front of the final door leading to the platform where she watched Cal disappear from her life for good. Or so she thought. If she didn't open the door within a second, walk onto that platform and jump onto the railway, they would grab her. Not to think of what they would do to Jack. Without thinking a second thought, she moved outside and jumped off the train.

"Rose!" Jack called behind her. As he landed down himself, he helped her back onto her feet.

"I am fine." She said.

"Can you run, Rose? We have to find another way out." She nodded her head. As voices inside the train came closer towards them they moved away as quick as they could.

Mr. Hockley told us to not stop until we have found them. Let's go boys!

The words echoed through Rose's head. As her breathing caused a sharp pain in her chest, she tried to look forward. You have to be strong, Rose, she continually told herself, you have to be strong a little longer. After a while of having run far along the train track they could finally made their way up a normal path. It led them towards a big fence. They had to climb over it. Rose looked at her dress. With the fabric being draped to tight around her legs it seemed like an impossible task.

"I have an idea," Jack said, opened one of his bags and took out a small pocket knife. He started at her hips and cut straight through the fabric. Air allowed itself to touch her legs and it felt like a relief, "Remind me to buy you a new dress one day."

He helped her up and kept his hand on her back to keep her steady. It was quiet around them when they walked onto the main road. Jack and Rose looked at each other let out a deep sigh and couldn't help but burst out laughing. It was a laugh of both fear and happiness, pain and relief. They were being hunted down like criminals. But if truly loving someone is considered a crime, then let them come.