It did not take long for them to find him and she had waited all this time. As she saw them taking him out of the motor car, her eyes met his. There was not any form of emotion in them. He looked dull, but perhaps somewhere even relieved that he had been caught.

"I want to speak to him." She said as she gladly accepted the cigarette Charles Brody offered her.

"You will be allowed to see him in a short while. They have to get him settled first."

"How long will that take?"

He shrug his shoulders. Rose sighed, the smoke of the cigarette appearing in the cold air. Her body was restless, her mind was restless. She couldn't help but rush around the terrain like a guard dog, looking up at every sound or moving object. She was raging with anger only wanting nothing but the truth to be revealed. John had followed Louise into wherever she was going and hasn't been back ever since. It was already starting to get dark, the moon lightening up her pale face. Charles only looked at her, knowing that trying to calm her down would make things worse. Only he knew he had to do something.

"Let's get you inside," he ordered, "I'll fetch you something to eat."

"I don't want to eat," Rose protested, "I want to talk. To him."

"I know and you will, but this is going to be a long night and you need some energy for it." He was right, it did take every ounce of energy she had in her body. Only, when you are running on adrenaline it all doesn't seem to matter. The sandwich was dull. Cheese and ham. But is tasted like a heaven made meal. Devouring it within seconds she realized she was hungrier than she thought. A person cannot live on coffee and tobacco alone. A door opened from behind her and she shot up, spilling almost half her glass of water over her dress. The policeman in the doorway simply nodded. It was time. She followed Charles through the dark and narrow hallway and they entered a different room than before.

There he was, handcuffed and all, leaning back in his chair. He looked her up and down, a feeling of uneasiness running through Rose's body. She now saw that he looked miserable. Charles Brody insured he'd be waiting outside the door before he left the room. They were now alone. He leaned forward slightly. "Just so you know. I am not going to say anything before I see my daughter."

"Perhaps you should have spoken to her before your association attempt." Her voice sounded steady, not a drop of fear in her vibrato, "He is alive you know."

"I know."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why on earth did you do it?"

He leaned further once more. "Like I said... I want to see my daughter." His lips were thin, bitterness spitting from them. Rose sighed and realised it was hopeless. She could see he was going to stay silent. Where the hell was Louise? Then Jack's face appeared in her mind. His body laying in the hospital bed. She needed justice.

"Someone put you onto this, didn't they?"

Silence.

"Answer me for heaven's sake!" She slammed her fist onto the desk. "Why would a man like you willingly shoot someone without even knowing them?"

"People do a lot for money, miss." Was he finally going to answer? She held her breath for a moment, afraid that even the noise of her inhaling and exhaling would make it impossible to hear a single sing he was saying. Money... What would a man like him need money for. He had an empire of a company, a business many people couldn't even imagine having. A lopsided grin appeared on his face.

"I want my daughter to have the best life possible even if it means taking another man's life."

He was sick, she thought to herself.

"I have known Mr. Hockley for a while. He is a man I always aspired to be. Of course I knew about your engagement and about your elopement. I have kept my eyes open for you all this time. So when I saw you with my daughter, I knew who you were and that you are dragging Louise into your mess. I contacted Mr. Hockley about my discovery. He was the one with the idea. He said: '"I'll give you as much as you need, I can save your whole company as long as you get rid of him."' But, unfortunately for me I missed and a fucking pedestrian made me drop my weapon."

She felt like she was going to faint despite her spaculations. Holding herself steady, she heard Mr. Anderson screaming at the top of his lungs that he wanted to see Louise. Charles Brody, together with two officers came bursting in. They took hold of the man whilst Brody kneeled down beside Rose and lifted her up gently.

"You should be careful, miss." were his final words to her, "He might be here somewhere."

She grasped for air whilst falling into Charles arms. It was impossible to walk, her body felt numb. His name was all she was able to say. Her gaze went to the clock hanging on the wall. Where had the time gone for it was already three in the morning. She needed to go to him before anything else was about to happen. If Cal was in fact in the city and knew about Jack's survival, he'd hunt him down.

"I need to go to the hospital." She gasped. It felt as if her throat was being squeezed, making it hard to breath.

"You are not going anywhere except for your bed."

"No!"

"Yes. Look at the state you are in, miss. I am taking you home, right now."

Further protesting was of no use. She finally gave in. Almost hanging in his arms he led her towards the car and drove her home. There was no one when she arrived at John's place. The whole house was dark and grim. Rose stumbled towards the couch and practically fell down. To think she had been seconds away from marrying a monster. Caledon Hockley was a barbarian. He was always fighting a war with everyone and everything, never willing to give up. She could feel her arms tremble and without even trying her eyes closed naturally. The exhaustion had finally taken over.

A hand touched her shoulder gently. It was John standing next to her. Even he looked tired about the whole situation. He was fine, or so he said and sat down next to her.

"We know everything," He sighed, "We just got back from the police office. Louise is devastated, she can't even see you."

It didn't surprise Rose that Louise had fled. She quickly put her hair back up and splashed some water in her face before she let John bring her to the hospital. It was almost noon when she arrived and it was busy. Her feet brought her to his room, but when she turned her head around the corner, his bed was empty. The worst possible scenarios started playing inside her head. She wasn't able to think of anything possible.

"Excuse me," She heard a soft voice behind her. Turning around she looked straight in the eyes of a nurse. She smiled at Rose and her eyes had this natural twinkle to them, "I bet you are looking for Mr. Dawson, right?"

Rose nodded.

"Well you can come with me, dear. He has been going on and on about wanting to get out of bed so miss Williams, my fellow nurse, took him into the courtyard." She hopped around the corridors. Despite being almost twice as tall, Rose could barely keep up. She then opened a door and pointed into the distance. "There he is."

Jack was sitting in a wheelchair. A nurse standing next to him. He was trying to get out of it by himself and took a few steps forward. Jack grinned heavily at his achievement like he was a little boy walking for the very first time. Rose watched him from afar for a little while and felt a smile appear on her face. It was a beautiful moment, like the ones you read about in novels. A moment where time stands still and your heart flutters. Happiness. Yes, she felt happy.

His head moved her way and they met eyes. The stubborn man he was he wanted to walk up to her, but that was a little too big of an achievement. The nurse shook her head and put him back into his wheelchair. Rose rushed over to him and kneeled down. "My God, Jack. There is no one to convince your mind otherwise, is there? She chuckled and kissed his hand. The nurse left them alone together and Rose strolled him along the garden.

"I was very lucky, Rose." He said, "I am only very tired because of the surgery and my arm hurts, but other than that I am fine. The doctor thinks I can go home in a day or two."

She didn't respond, just kept walking around in the same circle. Be careful miss, he might be here somewhere. His words echoed through her mind like a haunted song. The whispers of a siren, luring her into the darkness. "Rose, did you hear me?"

"Yes." She responded abruptly, "That is wonderful news."

He turned his head to look at her from over his shoulder and then pointed at the nearest bench. "Alright, sit down, Rose." It sounded quite like an order. She obeyed. "What's going on?"

It took her awhile to collect her thought, to put everything that had happened in order. He took her hand in his and carresed his thumb over the top. "Love, you can tell me."

"I know," she whispered and wiped the tear from her face. "I was at the police office last night. I know who shot you, Jack. It was Louise's father."

Not a single muscle in his face moved. He just kept staring at her and nodded his face. "I see. But why?"

"Cal."

"Cal?"

Rose nodded her head. "Apparently, he has known Cal for a long time. When he found out about us he contacted him. Cal offered him money to take that form of action. Why did he accept that offer you might think. Well, Louise's father is basically bankrupt. He has lost everything."

A phrase his mother so often said popped inside head: Heaven will bless the honest and kind. He had always tried to live up to that. To be kind, to see the good in everyone and to make each day count. Only in this moment, he didn't believe any of those words. He felt angry, betrayed, left out. He then looked up to her. Her bright eyes had made him feel everything all at once since he first saw her. Even now, despite all the pain of everything they had been through it was there. Her warmth, her brave spirit. He hadn't had a home in a long time. Once even forgotten what it was like. But, sitting in front of him, he knew what it was again. It was her. She was his home, no matter where they were. Perhaps she had always been his home. He only had to take to long way to find her.

"I love you, Rose." He then said. She stared at him, a single tear rolling gently down her cheek then followed by others. She smiled through them and got down on her knees. She placed his head in her hands and kissed him passionately.

"I love you, Jack." She whispered.

"We will get through this like we've gone through everything else."

"Yes." She nodded her head. They simply had to.

They walked around the garden for a little longer until Jack couldn't stay awake anymore. Getting him back into his room, the doctor inspected him once more before he fell asleep. It all looked good. Better than he had expected even. He was allowed to go home tomorrow. Rose thanked the man and shook his hand. She left the room and was surprised by both Molly and Meredith who were sitting in the waiting room.

"He is allowed to go home tomorrow." Rose informed them. They were happy, truly happy. But there was something they were hiding. Molly sighed and asked her to sit down. She looked worried. Somewhat afraid.

"They are here, Rose." Meredith said.

"Who?" she asked, although she somehow already knew.

"Cal and your mother."

Rose swallowed a lump in her throat, but remained surprisingly calm. They had waited for Molly at her hotel. It was close to a threat when they spoke to her. She knew it had to stop. Rose took a deep breath and adjusted the buttons on her blouse. Then she nodded her head.

"All right," she said, "if he wants to talk, let's talk."

"Rose, are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Why don't we call the police?" Meredith prostested, "We know he is involved in all of this. He gave the order to Louise's father."

Molly looked at her and shook her head melancholically. "I am afraid that won't be of any use. It probably won't surprise you that he has bailed his way out of it."

It didn't surprise her one bit. It was how he was. Caledon Hockley bought his way through everything. It was what he had been taught since he was little. There was only one thing to do and that was to talk to him. It was her last hope for she was scared that he would haunt them forever.

"I need to see him, Molly. Today. I want to see him before Jack can go home."

"Are you sure, darlin?"

"Yes. I am sure."

Her thoughts were a rollercoaster of emotions. What felt so sure felt horrible to her the next minute. Fear, determination, anger and also hope. It was all within her. Molly's car was waiting for them in front of the hospital. Meredith held her hand the whole journey long until they arrived her their hotel. Somewhere in the building they were. Or at least she hoped. Rose went inside alone, she had no other choice. Marching towards the reception she rang the bell and waited until an older man appeared. He was wearing a suit a bit too tight, his big mustache hanging half over his lips. The man looked her up and down and she quickly realized she didn't look the way she used to. Only wearing a plaid skirt and white blouse, Rose looked completely out of place.

"What can I do for you?" he tried to sound as polite as possible, but he clearly disliked her presence.

"I was wondering if Mr. Hockley was here. Like right now. Or Mrs. DeWitt Bukater."

Seeing his facials expressions she knew they were in fact around. The receptionist didn't want to help her and asked her to leave.

"You don't know who I am, don't you?"

"Of course I don't, miss. Now please leave."

The two stared at one another for a moment. Rose turned her head and looked straight into the restaurant. It was about tea time, and she knew her mother always enjoyed a nice cup. The ladies in the room were a ghost of the person she used to be. She could still see herself there between all the others. Being so high, yet feeling so low.

"Tell them that Rose will be waiting for them in the restaurant." Rose stated and she walked to opposite direction. He rushed after her for a moment, almost yelling that it was strictly forbidden. If he wanted her to leave, he needed to call them quick for she would stay as long as was necessary. Heads turned when she entered and Rose believed she could even hear some of them gasp. To the world she had become a no one. Right in the middle of the room was a small table. She sat down and waited whilst enduring the many stares.

"I know who you are," A woman whispered next to her, "You have made quite a scene of your life. Congratulations."

Then there they were. Together, rushing in. Stopping when their eyes met hers. Rose swallowed the lump in her throat. To her surprise it was her mother who came up to her daughter first. She embraced her tightly and her body froze to the touch of the woman she despised.

"Oh look at you." Ruth cried, "What have you done to yourself." She touched her cheek and looked her up and down once more. Cal said nothing and watched the two women sit down.

"Shall we sit somewhere more private?" Cal simply asked.

Rose shook her head. "No we can sit right here. Oh but I see, you don't want anyone to hear about the shooting?"

Ruth's eyes widened. "What shooting?"

She didn't know? She didn't know. Rose let out a laugh.

"Cal hired someone to shoot Jack. But unfortunately for you he survived. Listen, I will keep this very quick so we can all move on with our lives. I am not afraid of your actions. You can hunt me down into infinity and beyond, but it will never change the situation. I have made my decision. This is my life now together with Jack. I love him, you hear me I love him. From this moment on I will not exist to you and you will not exist to me. Am I in anyway unclear?" She was burning, heart pounding as if it felt like it could explode any moment.

"You can't do this!" Her mother hissed, trying her hardest not to cry. To their surprise the whole room had left their conversation in private and the chatter of the others tempered down the sound of Rose's angry voice.

"Yes. I can."

"No." Cal growled, "You are coming home with us right now."

"Do you want me to repeat it again, Mr. Hockley? I am going to stand up now and leave this place and if anyone decides to go after me I will scream at the top of my lungs. I have people waiting outside." Her body lifted herself out of the chair and she straightened her shoulders. "Goodbye." Then she walked. First out of the restaurant then out of the hotel. Her feet simply kept moving and she never looked back. She was heading forward towards her new life. She felt it in every inch of her body.

One week later.

The money was safely put away in her purse which she held close to her body. He was still slow, but managing to push himself through the crowds and he smiled. Rose smiled back. Love was now all she felt. There was peace.

"Just a little bit more, love." She encouraged him and they followed the other passengers into the train. As they sat down the two of them let of a sigh and Jack placed a kiss on her cheek, wrapping his non injured arm over her shoulder.

"Are you ready, Rose?"

She stared at the subtle golden ring on her finger and nodded her head. "Yes, Jack. Let's go home."