"Old money families are dangerous Jack, they could make you disappear along with every trace of you, like you never existed"

Silence reigned in the room since the incident, and something didn't sit well with Rose, although she knew deep down that the boy had been obsessed with her necklace for quite some time. Her emotional state was not ideal either, she didn't know what to believe. In less than an hour her prince charming had fallen from the pedestal and turned into a frog, it was as if she no longer recognized Jack.

As much as Ruth wanted to express how satisfied she was that the boy would no longer get in their way, she couldn't ignore the fact that he had stolen from her daughter, she was furious. Who did he think he was to take advantage of them?

But there was another unsolved mystery on the list... where was the missing crystal?

"I'm sorry, Rose. I'm sorry, Ruth"

"On the contrary, thank you for your help. You have always cared for us, Cal"

The twenty-eight-year-old approached Rose seeking a reconciliation. Although she was not his fiancée, he appreciated her very much, since he met her, he had always willed to protect her.

Caledon buried his nose in her neck, he wanted that hug to be comforting for both. Rose didn't just stay in doubt and in fear of what she might find, Jack is not a thief, she reached into Cal's trouser pockets, and in effect, she felt something hard, cold, and small. Just like his heart. She thought.

"What is this doing in your pocket?"

Ruth didn't struggle much to figure out which side to take when talking about the safety of her daughter.

"The boy didn't steal anything, did he?"

"Yes, he did" Cal broke down "He stole the most precious thing to me. You, Rose"

Jack Dawson had just turned twenty-one, wherever he went he would be judged as of legal age. The Hockley attorneys wouldn't let him get out of jail until at least the wedding, and surely the attorney they'd assign him would be a Hockley as well.

He also had struggled tremendously to get through on the Royal Marine School, knowing nothing about accounting or marine biology, he played it to keep up with everyone else. All the stress, the sleepless nights, the notes so kindly given by his friends, the tutorials... nothing would have been worth it, he couldn't get to the finish line. He wouldn't finish the semester.

"You unimaginable bastard"

Rose realized he had indeed risked it all for her... for a girl whom he just met. He always said that he could see through her, and she didn't understand it until now. He had already seen the potential in her before she even saw it. She couldn't just stay and do nothing.

"Where are you going?! With him? To be the whore of a gutter rat?"

"I'd rather be his whore than your wife"

Caledon wouldn't let her go that easily, he ran behind her and grabbed her off the floor. "Let me go!" She screamed. His hands hurt the girl, she definitely wouldn't win in strength, but in intelligence. Rose remembered the spitting lessons from Jack, hunched back and used it to free herself from Cal's chains.

The fiery redhead ran for her life, where? She didn't know it yet. Meanwhile, another drama was happening at the brig, this place was unreachable for the passengers, you had to run down a crew only corridor and go down three floors to get there. The result: no one can hear you scream.

"Please let me go, I didn't do it! Please, you have to believe me!"

The guards paid no attention to the blond's whines or pleading, they were under Hockley's orders. The boy was well aware that he might never see his friends again, and they wouldn't even know what happened to him. He would definitely be arrested at the next port and he didn't have enough to pay a bail, and that was only if they took pity on him. When they left him isolated in the cell and closed the door, at that moment he could no longer bear the tears. He had also hurt his wrist again trying to escape, following the advice he was once given being a kid on the street: If they are coming for you, fight. Fight with all you have because if they put you in the truck, you're done.

Who was he fooling? He wasn't getting out of there, even the steel from his bed was Hockley Steele. He didn't stand a chance against him...

"Go, I'll watch him" He overheard someone said. Jack looked through the small window in the door and saw Cal's valet take a seat while the other guards left the room. He couldn't fall asleep now, he had to be alert in case Lovejoy tried to do something. A lump formed in his throat when he saw the man pull out a gun.

Rose felt more guilty by the minute, she could have done more to prevent this when it happened, not after. She thanked God when Thomas Andrews bumped into her way, she explained what happened and he gave her strict instructions on where to go. Sadly, Mr. Andrews couldn't take her himself as he would've wanted, he was needed at the bridge since the ship was sailing away to England in no time.

"Miss, you shouldn't be here"

Lovejoy welcomed her as he put a .45 bullet on the desk and watched it roll across and fall off. He then picked up the bullet. Why was Lovejoy carrying a gun? Was he seriously intending to use a gun with a harmless guy?

"Cal told me to come get you" she lied

"Cal doesn't even know that I'm here" Shit "I don't follow orders from a dramatic and stupid young adult, I only take them from the one who pays my bills" So it was Nathan's idea? What? "Seems like you were planning to reveal a certain secret without permission, Miss" He pointed the gun at her head.

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"Cal is not going to be made a fool of, Miss Rose. This family doesn't take scandals"

"Look, Cal doesn't need me to make him look like a fool, he can do that all by himself, he's a puppet and so are you" Rose wasn't scared, she knew Lovejoy wouldn't waste a bullet on her. On the contrary, Jack was watching from afar a gun being pointed out at his girlfriend.

He was impatient, impulsive. They could kill his girlfriend and he couldn't do anything about it. "LEAVE HER ALONE!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, but they could barely hear him. The cell was soundproof. "ROSE! ROSE!"

In desperation, he grabbed the bed and banged it on the door until it opened. Indeed, that sound did reach them, they turned and started a race for who would get to Jack first. With a knock with his elbow, the ex-cop pushed Rose out of the way causing her to slam hard against the wall. And before the boy ran to her, he grabbed his arms and handcuffed him to a pipe outside the cell. Jack's hurt wrist didn't help when putting up more of a fight.

Once handcuffed, he punched Jack hard in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. His whole middle body was on fire, and he couldn't reach it to stop it, he couldn't even scream. The best thing he could do was crunch into a ball, which helped a little to stop the feeling. Once Lovejoy had him in the floor, he started to kick his body constantly, when the air came back Jack let out a heartbreaking cry.

This attitude of superiority wouldn't last too much, because Rose had got up and knocked him out by hitting him with a fire extinguisher on the back of the head. Once she had made sure he was unconscious and the gun had the safety on, she hurried to get her boyfriend.

She didn't have a clue on what to do, all she wanted was to cease his pain. The girl was shaking, she couldn't believe she had knocked out a person nor that that person had almost killed her and Jack.

"Shhh, I'm here, you're okay. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

"How... how did you found out... that i didn't do it?"

"I just realized I already knew"

The girl wrapped her arms around him and caressed his back and shoulders before embracing him in a sweet kiss, a short and intermittent kiss that was willing to end each and every pain moan.

"We have to get you out of here before he wakes up"

"Listen Rose, you're gonna have to find a spare key, alright? Look in that cabinet right there" Jack instructed "A little silver one, Rose"

"These are all brass ones!" She screamed in desperation "No key... there's no key!"

"Alright Rose listen, you're gonna have to go get some help. It'll be alright"

Rose took one look at the unconscious man and then at Jack. If she was to go find help, she had to do it fast. She gave him one last kiss and promised to be back before Lovejoy woke up.

"I'll just wait here" Jack responded, clearly handcuffed to a pipe.

After running in circles around the cruise, she realized no one would help her, all the guards were suddenly gone and it was nearly 3 am. Rose recalled where she had gotten the fire extinguisher and that beside it there was an axe, without a second thought, she rushed to get it. Jack would die if she didn't free him quick.

"Will this work?"

She found Jack already trying to free his wrists crushing his hands off the tight handcuffs. The look of fear in his eyes when he saw the axe was something Rose had never seen before and didn't intend to see again.

"We'll find out... WAIT! Wait wait wait... take a couple of swing practices over there"

Of course he wasn't going to let her cut his head off in her first try. Not just her hands were shaking, but her whole body. Lovejoy was waking up. She grabbed the axe with both hands and smashed a piece of wood, part of a table.

"Alright now try to hit the same mark Rose, you can do it"

She did the exact opposite. There was no time.

"Okay. That's enough practice" she stood closer to her boyfriend, not ready yet to hit the handcuffs "Listen, hit it really hard and really fast" Is she seriously going to close her eyes? "WAIT! Open your hands a little more. Yeah, like that. Listen Rose, I trust you" It was now or never, if she missed, he wouldn't be able to draw again, his whole life would be gone. "Alright, go!"

A high-pitched, deafening sound enveloped them. They were both sure that the other had screamed but the sound of metal had covered it. The sound of the metal? Right in the middle. She did it.

His hands were free, and his fingers were still there! The couple celebrated vigorously full of joy, behind them, Lovejoy had reached for the gun. Rose was smart enough to calm down and that's when she saw him from a distance. She grabbed Jack and they dodged the bullet, after that, the valet had fall unconscious again.

The couple ran (quite literally) for their life and to Rose's suite. Since it was too early in the morning, they didn't expect to find anyone awake, much less Ruth. She let out a breath when she saw her daughter alive and in one peace, however, she couldn't forgive Jack for putting her in danger. Jack recalled Ruth's words 'If I see you near my daughter ever again, I will have you expelled and off the ship in the next port'. The woman looked at him disappointed, then walked away without saying a word. Ruth wasn't the type of person to express her feelings, she had always swallowed them, it didn't matter if they were good or bad, she just never showed them. Her daughter however, had learned to read them. She whispered in Jack's ear not to worry, and they came up to her bedroom.

An hour and a half before dawn.

Jack sat shirtless on the bed as Rose grabbed an ointment to clean his wounds. The handcuffs had cut his wrists and they burned terribly. Maybe he was hiding his pain behind a smile, but he was also quite happy to be with his lover. At last.

With the promise of getting his rib cage checked out second thing in the morning, he let his girl tuck him into bed to rest at least half an hour before his final exam in biology... hopefully no one would notice his new 'bracelets'.

Rose had communicated Mr. Andrews what happened, and he made sure Lovejoy couldn't touch them again, apparently carrying a gun onboard was illegal. She had testified as well in front of the Master at Arms that Jack hadn't stole any necklace and proved that it belonged to her. Thanks to her statement, they were able to free Jack from the handcuffs just in time for the ceremony that afternoon.

Fabrizio patiently adjusted the stole to one of his classmates. It seemed that the sun would not come out again for years, especially after last night's storm. Soon it would be time to return to the sunny shores of Italy, he had just talked to his dad a few minutes ago in the lobby, he told him that he was welcomed home anytime he wanted... his 'graduation' day was a very sentimental event for both of them.

Suddenly the background music was removed from the auditorium and the students took their places, as well as their friends and family. Sciences was first in line, and it would take at least another twenty minutes with the valedictorian.

Absolutely none of them would return to their countries being the same person. They had grown, they had learned, they had seen the world.

"We now present The School of Culinary Studies"

They had tasted every flavor in every corner, they had experienced every technique and learned its origin. Some to complement their studies, others to specialize. Helga Dahl went on to collect her diploma of specialty in international cuisine.

Fabrizio did not take long to receive his own diploma on the small stage, from where he saw his father stand up to applaud him and take pictures of him; on opposite sides of the auditorium, Tommy Ryan and Jack Dawson were also making a fuss, and in the back, Rose, Molly and Sean as part of the audience too.

"We now welcome, The School of Arts and Humanities"

With all the absences put together and his sleepless night before the final, Jack wasn't sure if he was gonna make it. Honestly, I'd rather be in jail than in detention, he had confessed. But at the end of the day, it didn't matter if he wasn't top of his science or global culture classes, because all his teachers had seen him grow as a person, and as an artist. Everyone knew there was something special about him... even Miss Catherine; as she had said to him once, talent will get you in the door, but only hard work will keep you in the room, and boy if he had worked hard.

"Jack Dawson"

Standing in line with his classmates at the side of the stage, he walked up as he heard his name. I made it, I really made it. He looked at Mr. Todrick in the eyes when shaking his hand and he expressed how proud he was. Jack felt a sense of accomplishment he had never felt before... everything had led him to this moment. He looked at the crowd and spotted Fabrizio and Tommy cheering, as well as Sean and Molly... and at the center of the crowd was his Rose, phone in hand and sharing loudly with the world how much she loved him and was proud of him.

"Please welcome The School of Business and Economics"

Nina, Maddie, Liam... no sign of Tommy's name. They had already given all the folders they had left; did they forget about him? The boy stayed still at the side of the stage all by himself and shot a worried look towards Jack and Fabrizio. Why didn't they mention his name? His family had flown all the way from Ireland to see him!

"It is with great honor, that we present the highest grade of the first generation of the Royal Marine School. With an Honorable Mention of Excellence in International Business and Economics, and receiving the Global Leadership award, Thomas Ryan"

Wait. What?

"YES!" Jack got up and screamed at the top of his lungs with a fist in the air. The crowd started cheering afterwards. Tommy wasn't sure if his feet were going to be working the next seconds when he went up to the stage to receive his award. Yes, he had been top of his class, and top of the generation. The boy had tears in his eyes and was smiling from ear to ear, he definitely didn't saw this coming, he didn't even know they were giving out awards; but hey, it was the first generation ever.

Even with the heavy golden medal hanging from his neck, he still couldn't believe it. The principal said a few more words to thank the parents for their trust on taking their children overseas and around the world before the ceremony ended.

This was it. No more returning to the dorms, no more playing cards in the cafeteria, no more midnight snacks or hanging out at the pool after classes. Everyone had already checked out their luggage which was waiting for them at the lobby.

"Jack!" Fabrizio found his best friend through the crowd "I'm going to miss you so much!"

"Fabrizio! What are you gonna do now?"

"What are you doing now?"

"I don't know... I guess I'm moving back to NYC"

"Can I come with you?"

"What about Sean?"

"He's going back to South Korea to finish college"

"Why aren't you going back with him?"

"I had a horrible time learning English! You think I'm going to learn to speak Korean? KOREAN?! All alone while he's in college?!"

"Alright! Alright" he laughed. How could he say no to Fabrizio? "A long-distance relationship? Is that what you really want?"

"We already talked about this. Don't worry, we have a plan for the future, it's just a few months." Tommy had joined the infamous trio and gave them a big hug "What about you, leprechaun?"

"Excuse me?" Tommy stared at the youngest completely stupefied.

"You've been calling me names the whole trip! You call me Italian, you call me a meatball, so imma call you leprechaun."

Jack bursted out laughing at his friend's sassiness. Of course, the shade wouldn't be complete without a famous tongue pop at the end. And Tommy wasn't even offended! He was surprised to say the least.

"And meatballs aren't Italian, you idiot!"

"Don't worry, you won't get rid of me that easily" Tommy promised

"You bet"

"Hey congratulations!" Molly came to say goodbye to her old and new friends. Rose stood by her side the whole time, waiting impatiently for her turn to hug everyone.

"Molly! How about you?"

"Well, I've been offered a small position in human resources at a friend's company. I hope I can afford my PhD in Gender Studies"

"Nice"

As the busy woman she was, her phone started ringing. "I'm so sorry guys I have to take this... Hey, have you landed already? I told you to ring me up as soon as you landed... alright..." She walked away from the group.

"Where's Cal?" Jack whispered to his girlfriend, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her close to him.

"He's back in Pittsburgh. Actually, he has a new girlfriend now..."

"He what-?"

Rose stole the bravest kiss from Jack in the middle of the crowd. She didn't care what anyone thought. Rose DeWitt Bukater had grown to be this amazing, fiery independent woman. She believed in herself, in her body, in her mind, in her decisions. Of course, she wasn't perfect, everyone has these little insecurities that sometimes seem to be so big and titanic, that blind us from seeing what is true; and the truth was that she had been this woman all along, she just needed someone that could be her mirror.
This is the story of how she found the courage inside of her to take over her life. To love this bohemian boy. To love herself. What a journey.

"Speaking of flights... do any of you know if I can take a flight to New York from here?" She wondered out loud.

"Why don't we go back in the cruise?"

"Another week?! Come on!"

"Hey! Don't count the days, make the days count"

"That's what you meant!"

"What?"

"That night after dinner. You handed me a folded piece of paper that said make it count and meet me at the clock!"

"Oh yeah, I figured from what you told me that morning you needed a new perspective... I was serious when i said I could see right through you, you know? You were too cycled that you weren't living anymore, you were just surviving, I imagined that you didn't go out to do crazy things very often and made it my mission to bring that craziness into your life."

"You are unbelievable Mr. Dawson! And what adventurous things are we doing this time?"

"Honestly, I just want to sleep..." Rose gave him a challenging look, along with the rest of his friends "I'm kidding! I'm kidding! I don't know, i guess we'll have to wait until our next wanderlust adventure"