Chicago 1912

It was a strange feeling for both of them to be able to enjoy the fresh summer air. News had calmed down and things had started to feel normal again. How a small change in appearance can make such a difference. Rose had given up her diamonds and laces for natural cottons and simple buttons as her only form of decoration on her dresses, but for the first time in a long while, she felt happy. They had spent the majority of the day in the park. She was sitting on a bench and looked up from her book towards the pond where he was sitting bend over his sketchbook. Finishing the last details of his drawings he handed it over to the little girl who was standing in front of him. The girl's eyes widened and she laughed, flying into his arms. Her father shook Jack's hand and dropped a few coins into his hands. She could see him mouth a thank you to the man before he turned around and walked towards her. Jack looked around for a minute before he smothered her in kisses. They were like two kids, unapologetically in love. His blue eyes shined even more due to his now brown hair. Surprisingly, it suited him very well. Nothing was in their way anymore.

"I wasn't expecting my drawings to sell so well here, Rose." He smiled whilst leaning back, "Only a few more and we can travel further." Despite her happiness, Rose felt somewhat guilty letting him do all the work. She had left with nothing but a wedding gown. She was wearing another woman's clothes and living in her house. She was letting Jack earn all the money so they could travel further. She turned her body towards him and waited a second before speaking, letting his happiness soak into her.

"I was thinking, Jack," She started, "Perhaps I could try to find a job as well to earn something extra before we move along."

"You know that isn't necessary, Rose."

"I know that. But I can't sit around and wait whilst watching you do all the work. We are in this together, remember? Perhaps Louise knows a place where I can work as a typist for a while or perhaps I can work as tutor."

Before Jack could answer there was a shadow hovering above them. They looked up and Rose looked straight into the eyes of an older man. She knew him. It was Louise's father. Again, with his detective gaze, he waited a few seconds before he greeted her. His voice was heavy and slow, as if he was about to fall asleep any moment, yet his vocabulary was sharp.

"Enjoying the weather I see, miss Morgan." He stated.

"Very much, sir. How do you do?"

"Well, thank you," He then turned his attention to Jack. He didn't seem to be impressed by the man. The way he addressed Rose by the wrong name, he knew how to play along. Asking who he was, Jack stood up and shook his hand. "I am Gilbert Wallace, sir. The fiance."

"But I don't see no ring."

Rose's head turned red in an instant. The last time she saw him she remembered how he constantly stared at the engagement ring she was still wearing then. She had taken it off a soon as she could, not thinking about it ever since. Jack quickly looked at Rose's hand and nodded. "Well yes, indeed she isn't. You see we are both artists and miss Morgan here doesn't want to get it dirty, which I really do appreciate since it basically cost me my whole income." Jack simply grinned and held out his hand for Rose to take it. "We are awfully sorry, sir, but we have to get going." The young couple both said their goodbyes and rushed off. Looking behind them to see if he was out of sight, they burst out laughing.

"Who was that man?" Asked Jack.

"You'll never guess. He is Louise's father. I met him the other day when I was with her."

"You don't say! She doesn't look anything like him."

"Perhaps she looks more like her mother. She passed away a few years ago."

"Aha." said Jack. He took hold of her hand and they walked out of the park. A soft breeze blew threw her hair and they enjoyed each other's presence in silence. It was a comfortable silence between them. They just were. Two young lovers with a whole future ahead of them. Turning around the corner they arrived at Louise's apartment. Rose knew she wouldn't be at home and opened the door for the two of them. Without discussing, Jack followed her upstairs and she didn't care if anyone would see them.

"Could we be expecting him anytime soon?" His voice echoed through her head. Her lips were still tingling from their kiss at the bow of the ship.

"Not as long as the cigars and brandy hold out."

Rose opened the door of the apartment and put her hat onto the dresser in the hallway. Jack looked around the place. Like the true artist he was, he inspected every single detail. From furniture to saucers on the dining table, he even moved his fingers past the curtains. "What a nice apartment you have, miss Alice Morgan." He grinned.

"I can't complain now can I, Mr. Gilbert Wallace. Can I get you a refreshment?"

He shook his head. There was a silence again, this time it being different. A tension could be felt between them and Rose remained standing in the same spot. She felt like she was on fire. Her hand slowly moved up towards her hair and she took hold of her clip. She gently let it slide out, her locks falling down over her shoulder. Jack stepped towards her slowly, one step at a time until he was in front of her. Rose only nodded at him and he knew. He knew he was allowed to touch her, to love her most passionately. He slid off his suspenders and pulled his shirt over his head. Taking a deep breath, she started unbuttoning her blouse and skirt, revealing her undergarments. He turned her back towards him, his fingers moving up to her corset and slowly unlacing her. He kissed her neck and whispered: "Are you really sure?" Again, Rose only nodded, afraid to say a single thing. His hands touching her body was something she had longed for for months.

As they were now standing, both in their most vulnerable state they smiled at each other like two nervous teenagers. Again, he kissed her passionately and laid her down on the couch behind them. It was better than she had hoped for. Making love, being in his arms made her feel like she was truly home. Jack was her home.

She wanted their moment together to last forever. She traced her fingers over his bare chest and listened to his slow and steady breathing. Looking up at him, he looked so calm and peaceful in his slumber. She unfolded herself from his embrace and tiptoed towards her room. Putting on her nightgown she headed back and stopped when seeing his sketchbook. Looking at the unscarred leather she knew it was a real one for the other had gone down with the ship. A peace of his art was laying on the bottom of the Atlantic. She traced her fingers over the top and opened it. There were drawings of multiple people, both young and old. It was of his hometown where he had stayed after the sinking. His talented had remained untouched. The way he portrayed every single person was miraculous. She could not only see but also feel the emotions on their faces. The lines on their hands, the creases in their clothing. Turning the next page her breathing stopped. It was her. It was a perfect representation of her standing on the first class deck. She remembered the moment perfectly. Having left her first class lunch she fled outside to catch her breath. Looking over the horizon, letting the sound of the ocean calm her nervous, something caught her attention. There he was, mesmerized by her presence, his gaze burning her soul. Little did she know that he would be the one to change her life forever.

It wasn't the only drawing of her. It was a collection of moments from their journey, all drawn when he started to get his memory back. She turned around to see he was still sleeping calmly. He couldn't do it all by himself. Rose knew where she had left it, somewhere where she wouldn't see it for she couldn't look at it anymore. But now it was time to hold it once more, but for the very last time. Grabbing the item from the back of her wardrobe she put it in her purse and quickly dressed herself.

"I am so sorry," She heard from behind her, "I fell asleep."

"Don't worry," She gave him a reassuring smile and placed a soft kiss on his forehead, "I have to run a small arrant. I'll see you at dinner." Before Jack could say anything back she was already out of the door. It was a bold decision, therefore having to go through with it before she a feeling of guilt and regret would take over. The streets were already starting to get busy with people heading home from their work. She had to be quick. The thought of selling her engagement ring had crossed her mind more after having walked past a local pawn shop a few times. Not wanting to rely on her past to get by she had constantly brushed it off. But it would be enough for them for now, to really start their own life and to finally get by all on their own.

To Rose's luck, the store was empty when she walked in.

"Good afternoon, miss. You know we close in ten minutes."

She nodded. "I only have one thing."

The man tapped his hand on the counter. Rose grabbed the small white cotton cloth out of her purse and placed it in front of him. His eyes widened as well as the smile on his face when he inspected the ring. It looked brand new. Shining brightly in the light of the afternoon sun.

"This is a fine jewel, miss."

"Thank you, sir. It was my mother's." She said without any form of emotion in her voice.

"She has kept it in a very good condition, miss."

Rose thanked him once more and listened to the door open behind her. Turning around her heart stopped. It was Louise's father once more. She was slightly getting the feeling he was following her. That stare again, his eyes so dark.

"Miss Morgan, what a surprise once more."

"Hello, sir." She turned her attention back to the shop owner and started tapping her feet waiting nervously for him to collect the money.

"I'll give you a hundred for it. Since it was your mother's it's rather old and has lost some of its value."

Despite the sonsense he was speaking, she sighed in relief. The ring should have been worth a ton more, but for now it was more than enough. She could leave first thing without ever having to look back. Rose nodded her head and smiled from ear to ear. "It's more than enough. Thank you, sir."

Still feeling his eyes burning in her back, she collected the money and put it away carefully.

"It seems like your in a big hurry for all that money, miss Morgan. Anything special planned?" She decided it was best to ignore his remark. Only bedding him a good day she moved past him and headed out. The door opened behind her once more and there he was again, following her down the street. After a few seconds, Rose turned around and stopped.

"Listen, sir," She said firmly, looking him straight in the eye, "I don't know what you want from me but I am kindly asking you to leave me alone. If this has anything to do with Louise-"

He smiled. "Miss Alice Morgan. Or should I say Rose DeWitt Bukater," Her heart simply stopped when she heard her name falling from his lips. He took a step closer, "Is it a shock for you that I have discovered you? I know all my daughter's acquaintances and I also know when my daughter is lying. I know who you are and that fella of yours. You have been in every single newspaper."

"Why are you doing this?" Rose spat at him. She looked around the people passing her, but no one seemed to look up. No one seemed to care.

"Because I want to protect my daughter from people like you. I don't want her to get involved in this fiasco, but we can make an arrangement. If you give me that hundred you just received and leave this city at once, I'll say nothing more." He even put his hand out in front of her, ready to receive the cash. Rose shook her head drastically, took a few steps back and started to sprint when she knew he was not going to leave her alone. Wrapping her arms around her purse she kept running until she could catch a tram. She was breathing heavily, her throat burning. An older man looked up at her from his newspaper and raised an eyebrow. "You alright, miss?"

Rose nodded and turned her gaze outside. She was trying to comprehend what had just happened and it was very simple; they had been caught. With that in mind she walked out of the vehicle and walked the final part to John's house. Looking around suspiciously she was finally able to relax a little bit. Her hands were trembling trying to knock on the door. She could hear footsteps coming from the inside. It was John.

"Rose, you are just in time. We were just about to put on dinner." He looked at her blushing cheeks for a moment, "Have you been running?"

"Kind of." She said and walked passed him. And was greeted by the others. She still couldn't quite grasp her thoughts. Looking at Louise who was smiling whilst telling a story it was simply impossible for her to belief she was a product of her father. There was nothing in her that looked a single bit like him. It was a strange yet somewhat dangerous method. Jack had his eyes on her the whole time. He took her hand and leaned a bit closer to her.

"Rose, are you alright?" He asked rather concerned. Rose simply nodded and put his hand back. She clenched her purse close to her stomach, refusing to let it out of her sight. She grabbed a cigarette from the table and lit it, her hands still shaking from the shock she was in. Trying her best to mingle herself in their conversation, she lit cigarette after cigarette. Louise was going on about her future wedding with John. She had met a woman the other day who has helped organize many weddings in the past. She knew the best venues, the best pastry shops in town for their cake to be made.

"As a little girl I always knew I wanted to have a big wedding and now after having spoken to that woman, I think it's all possible." She smiled brightly, "And of course I am very lucky to have a father who can financially support it." Rose pushed her chair back. Louise mentioning him had caused Rose spill her glass. The red wine dripped down the table and had made a huge stain on her skirt.

"I am so sorry." She said and walked straight towards the kitchen to get a cloth. Jack followed her and closed the door behind him.

"Rose," He said somewhat strictly, "what is going?"

"Nothing, Jack. Now I have to get this out of this skirt."

He took the rag out of her hands and put it back on the kitchen counter. "Don't lie to me. What's in that bag of yours? You've been holding it ever since you came in." He waited a moment for her to say something, but she only looked away, "Rose, please," He begged, "you trust me, don't you?"

Of course she trusted him. It pained her for him to even doubt that. She finally gave in and slowly took the money out. Jack's eyes widened and he gasped.

"My God Rose, Where did you get that from?"

"I told you I needed to run an errand, right?"

He nodded.

"I went out to sell my engagement ring."

"What?! Rose, what were you thinking?"

"I just-" She stuttered, "Because of me we are in this damned situation. Look at us, having to dye out hair to even be able to go outside. And then to think to let you work all day for us to have money to leave again. I couldn't bear the thought, Jack. So I thought this would be an option. It would be a start for us. Only it isn't the worst part."

"What do you mean?" He had lowered his voice a bit and listened for moment to see if the others were still in the other room.

Rose sighed and started to whisper. "When I was in the pawnshop Louise's father came in. He had been following me. I tried to walk past him but he also followed me outside. I don't know why, Jack but he know who were are. He threatened me. Louise's father threatened me."

Jack pulled her in his arms and planted a kiss on the top of her head. Her body was still quivering. He let his thoughts be for a moment, trying to comprehend everything she just told him. It was Rose who released herself from his embrace.

"Now you know, Jack. I've ruined it and I get if you're angry with me." She moved past him on her way to clean the mess she had made.

"How could I be angry, Rose. Listen to me, no one is going to hurt us. We do have to leave as soon as possible, not immediately because we don't want it to look suspicious. But in a day or two, all right?" Rose nodded. His gentle eyes made her feel safe. She wasn't going to let a single man ruin her freedom.

"You jump, I jump, remember?" They shared another kiss. "You jump, I jump."