Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing well :) Already at chapter 22! I hope you'll enjoy this one and let me know what you think of it xoxo

Chicago 1912

"I am sorry, Rose." Louise mumbled as they made their way back to the apartment. Rose raised an eyebrow not knowing why she would make a comment like that. If there was one who needed to be sorry it should have been her. After having told Jack the truth about what had happened she felt somewhat more relaxed. He sat close to her for the rest of the night and she even put her purse away. Her clothing was ruined. Red wine was impossible to remove.

"What would you be sorry for?" She asked her friend. Louise waited until they had crossed the street to respond.

"Because I was going on and on about our wedding forgetting it's not a nice topic for you to talk about. You know, John and I have been wondering why you and Jack are not getting married since you are planning on traveling together, but perhaps you have been traumatized by your previous attempt."

It never occured to Rose this is what they thought about them. They had never talked about getting married. They had never even said I love you to each other. It all seemed to go naturally for them. They just were. Rose turned her head to Louise and gave a quick, yet awkward smile. "You can talk as much about your wedding as you'd like."

"Then why did you act so strange during dinner? What did you and Jack talk about?"

We talked about how your father blackmailed me and how we are planning to leave the city as soon as it is possible. The words were so close to fall from her lips, but it simply was impossible. She quickly brushed it off with an excuse and the two girls walked together in silence until they reached the apartment complex. Rose was exhausted and headed straight to her room. She had given the money to Jack before she left the kitchen because every possible scenario had played inside her head. She couldn't leave the money at Louise's place, for there was chance for her father to come over. Yet he must also visit John at times, since Louise is there most of the time. Sitting on the edge of her bed she cursed underneath her breath and listened to Louise's footsteps in the background. She was heading towards her room as well. Rose fell down and closed her eyes, hoping she would fall asleep soon.

Night, April 15th 1912

"I am not going without you." Her voice sounded steady and determined as she turned back towards Jack. What seemed to be the best time of her life had now turned into a nightmare. People were pushing, running and screaming all around them. They were all trying to keep out of death's hands for a minute longer.

"No, you have to go. Now."

She shook her head and clenched her jaw. "No, Jack."

"Get on the boat, Rose."

"No, Jack!"

He slightly pushed her forward trying to convince her one last time. "Yes, get on the boat, Rose."

Then there was his voice and his presence next to them. "Yes Rose, get in the boat." Cal. She now moved away from him as he had wrapped his coat around her shoulders. Everything happened so fast and before she knew it she was in the boat. It then lowered away, quickly but steady and she watched how Jack's face became smaller after every second. There was this urge to jump up again, but it took her longer than she thought. Having a final glance around the boat, watching all the women and children wave their final goodbyes to their husbands and fathers, she decided that she refused to be one of those women. Her body moved forward as if she had began flying and before she knew it she was hanging over the railing of the ship. Two men helped her to get over and she started running. She wasn't even sure which way to go, but to her left was the entrance to the grand staircase and she pushed herself through the doors.

"Rose!" There he was running down the stairs and she flew into his arms. He started kissing her in an aggressive manner. Love, anger and relief all at once, "You're so stupid, Rose. Why did you do that why?"

"You jump, I jump, right?" Her fingers caressed his face, she couldn't stop touching him.

"Right."

"I couldn't go, Jack, I couldn't go." In that moment the room went silent. All the people had disappeared and it and it was only the two of them. For a minute it seemed as if everything had stopped. Nothing seemed to move around anymore and the ship was staying afloat. It was over. She wanted to take his hand and walk out into the open air, watch how the water broke against the bow of the ship. Footsteps were heard behind them. They looked up and Cal was standing on the top of the staircase. He simply stared at them. He applauded and smiled.

"What a beautiful show you are performing. The sad thing is that all shows come to an end when the curtains fall. Did I forget to mention, Mr. Dawon that I always win, one way or another." His hand moved behind his back and he took out a gun, holding it in front of them. Rose started to scream, but no noise was coming out. She just watched in pain how he pulled the trigger and Jack fell down beside her. Cal grabbed her arm and dragged her with him. The room started to turn into chaos again. The people had returned and she watched how his lifeless body disappeared into the crowd.

"Get off me!" She screamed. Louise backed off and raised an eyebrow.

"Rose, it is me. Did you have a nightmare?"

A nightmare. Rose looked around and realized she was in her room. Louis was sitting on the edge of her bed and waited until she would respond.

"Jack." She was all she managed to say.

"Rose, I have Jack on the telephone. He says it is important."

Within ten minutes Rose was heading out of the door. Her hair was falling over her shoulders and got in her face as she rushed her way down the streets. She couldn't still quite comprehend what she had just heard. She thought she would never see her again, but she had followed her. Molly had found her together with Meredith. They were waiting for her at John's home. Rose was both scared and excited at the same time. She turned around and watched how Louise was barely able to keep up with her pace.

"Can we please catch a tram, Rose?" Her friend begged her, "My feet aren't quite participating with this race." Rose stopped and agreed. It wouldn't take much longer than running and she would have time to slightly calm down.

Within twenty minutes they had arrived. Louise opened the door and Rose rushed in. Ignoring everyone else in the room her eyes met Meredith's in an instant. Her old maid stood up and inspected her former mistress from head to toe. She shook her head in disbelief before wrapping her arms around Rose's.

"I hate you, you know that." Meredith said, but her anger had faded long before.

"I am so sorry." Rose let go of her embrace and also took her time to inspect Meredith. She looked tired. Rose felt nothing but guilt for leaving her friend behind without informing her whatsoever. Then she turned her attention the the group of people who had gathered around them. Molly Brown was sitting in the grand chair and smiled approvingly. Also she looked exhausted, but knowing her, she would never say she was. It soon occured to Rose that it was also Tom who had joined them.

"How?" Was all she managed to say.

Molly laughed once more. "I must tell you that Tom here is quite a detective." It had taken them a long time to end up in Chicago. Whilst being in Chippewa Falls, Jack had written Molly. It was Tom who came up with the idea to write to family he was staying with.

"Perhaps they might know about his traveling plans." He had said to Molly and Meredith.

Florence had written them back, informing them that they were staying with her brother for he had told her. After a few corresponding letters, they knew exactly where to find them. It was rather early in the morning when the three came knocking at door. John had already left for work. Still half asleep, Jack opened the door and was flabbergasted by their surprise visit.

"My god sonny, look at you." Molly embraced him tightly and they were invited in. Now they were all together in the same room.

"You see," Meredith started, "Mrs. Brown would like me to work for her when we get back to Denver. Tom is coming along because we are...engaged." She put her hand out in front of Rose and showed the ring. It was a simply silver one with nothing on it, but Rose had never seen Meredith so proud.

"Well, should I put on the kettle?" Louise interrupted the bunch and headed towards the kitchen. Jack decided to help and followed her. Also he could barely believe her father was such a cruel man. He had everything, built his own empire so why would mingle in other people's affairs. He took a cookie tin out of a cabinet and put it on the tray. They both waited in silence for the water to boil before heading back inside the room. Everyone had gathered around the big table and he turned his attention to Rose. She was bending over Meredith's hand, still inspecting the ring. She smiled which made him smile. When he heard her on the phone this morning, he could still hear the worry and fear in her voice and he could see she was trying her hardest to stay happy and interacted with everyone, but her mind was somewhere else. He felt a desperate need to take action. He wanted nothing but to protect her. Rose turned her face and met Jack's eyes. "I am fine." She mouthed as if she could read his mind. He knew she wasn't.

Placing the tray onto the table, he then put his hand on her shoulder. "I'll be right, back." He whispered in her ear.

"Where are you going?" She asked, confused by his sudden action.

"It doesn't matter."

It did matter to her. Getting out of her seat she followed him to the hallway where he was already putting on his coat.

"Jack."

"I am going to get us train tickets."

Rose raised an eyebrow and lowered her voice again. "Now? Whilst everyone is here? Isn't this a bit suspicious?"

"I just want everything to be prepared. I want to leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Jack we can't leave tomorrow not when they have just arrived. I know how you feel I don't think this is convenient either, but they are my friend. Molly is our friend." She sounded almost desperate.

"I just want..." He sighed, not really knowing where to begin, "You know what it is like for me to see you constantly worrying, to see the fear in your eyes whenever we are together and walk into a new street? We even have to use fake names for heaven's sake. I know I told you we couldn't leave immediately, but now that Molly is here. The whole country knows her, what if anyone sees her around here? Why would a woman like her come here?"

Rose simply watched him spill out his heart. She had never seen him like this before, but also he had his limits. The whole situation had not only taken a toll on her, but also on Jack. It pained her to see him so frustrated and even angry, but she also felt a sort of responsibility towards Meredith. She couldn't just leave her again. They stared at each other in silence, his breathing sounded heavy.

"I understand," Rose mumbled, "but you can't just leave now-"

"I need some fresh air." He interrupted her and before he knew it he was out the door. He didn't recognize himself like this, but every fiber in his body felt miserable. All he wanted was to be free and careless again like he was five years ago, but now with the girl he loved. He had never known a feeling so strong as his love for Rose. But his love sometimes felt as if it was locked up and it needed to break free.

Rose had returned back into the room and sat back down. "Jack had to run a small errand. he will be back in no time."

But as the hours passed on, he had still not come back. Rose decided to ignore it. She understood him, but also felt annoyed by his action of just heading out. It wasn't like him. The weather was wonderful during the day and Rose had taken Meredith out for the day. Molly had already left with Tom for it was not a good idea for the one and former aristocrat to be seen together.

They two girls strolled down the park, catching up on everything they had missed. It was a funny situation to be walking beside one another as total equals.

"Your mother fired me as soon as possible you know. Without a reference whatsoever." Meredith chuckled.

"Again, I am so sorry."

"It's alright. But why did you not tell me? I could have helped you. The whole of Philadelphia is still in turmoil since you ran off. I often walked passed your house and saw officers walking in and out constantly."

"As stupid as it sounds it was a spur in the moment decision." Rose responded, "I really was planning on marrying Cal, but on my way to the church I only saw Jack and then during the ceremony it was like he was speaking to me like some sort of ghost. My feet just started to move and before I knew it I was gone."

"And you are planning to stay here for how long? I've heard they knew you were heading to Chicago and have searched the whole city."

Rose nodded her head. "They have. But we want to leave as soon as possible."

The two girls marched along and headed into the park. In the meantime Rose looked around for any sign of Jack, but he was nowhere to be seen. Just let him be for a while, she thought to herself. As time went on the girls seemed to get along as if nothing had happened. They enjoyed every minute of each other's company and the feeling of them being allowed to act like friends felt as a big relief. Their feet hurt from all the walking and their stomachs were growling with hunger when they arrived back home. Louise was sitting outside waiting.

"He is still not here, Rose." Louise said as she saw her looking around the house for him.

"Has he been here at all today?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Well he must be around selling portraits. Shall we start with dinner?" Rose wanted to surprise Meredith with the fact that she had even learned how to cook something. It wasn't spectacular, but the meat, mashed potatoes and caramelized carrots did taste good enough. As dinner was ready to be served, there was a loud banging sound coming from outside. The girls decided to ignore it until it happened once more.

"What kind of lunatic is banging on the door so loud?" Louise growled angrily and walked out. Rose and Meredith listened carefully. It was the sound of a man's voice, an unfamiliar one. Rose's eyes widened as she heard the man saying her name.

"I am looking for a Rose DeWitt Bukater. Does she live here?"

Meredith looked at her friend. "Who is it?"

She shrugged her shoulders and put down the kitchen towel she was holding. "I have no idea." She mumbled. Within seconds Louise came bursting in. "It's the police, Rose." Her stomach dropped within an instant. This was it. They had found her. Fear was then followed by a feeling of anger. Taking a deep breath she followed Louise towards the door and looked the officer straight in the eyes.

"I bet you are looking for me." She confidently said, "You can tell Mr. Hockley that I am not coming back. This is my home now." Cal had to be behind this affair, perhaps Louise's father. Having found out their residence he had probably begged the officers to trace down her exact location, drag her with them where Cal would be waiting for her to take her back. Only, it wasn't that. In fact she couldn't have imagined worse news than that, but when one of the policemen spoke to her, The floor crumbled down from beneath her feet.

The policeman looked at her, confused by her sudden outburst. "I am not familiar with a Mr. Hockley, miss. I am here because of a man named Jack Dawson. You know him?"

Both the girls nodded their heads.

"Yes, that is my fiance." Rose stated. She still did not trust the officer and suspiciously looked over his shoulder expecting a bunch of other policemen to appear any second.

"Can you give me a description of you fiance, miss?" He then asked.

She remained quiet, not knowing what to do. It was Louise who took control and spoke for her friend. "Brown half long hair. His eyes are blue, piercing blue to be exact and he is tall."

"He has a faded scar above his left eye." Rose muttered. The officer nodded and wrote all of it down on a notepad. Then he shook his head and took off his helmet.

"I would like to ask you to come with me, miss. I am afraid Mr. Dawson has been shot."